After going a miserable 50% in the conference semi-finals, I am almost ashamed to be writing this. First let me vent a little about the teams that embarrassed me.
Most embarrassing was the San Jose Sharks. I predicted this in round one, but then started to drink their Kool-Aid after they dismantled what I thought was a good Nashville team. To me the turning point of this series was when they blew a 2 goal lead at home in game four. Detroit had played so poorly on the road in these playoffs up to that point. San Jose had stolen home ice, all they had to do was play half way decent defensively and they take control of that series. They folded like an amateur poker player with pocket kings facing a big raise with an Ace on the board. Inexcusable. I heard one of the commentators on Versus say during the late stages of last nights game, “maybe San Jose hasn’t improved as much as they thought.” I couldn’t agree with him more. They came out flat in an elimination game at home. They got out played physically against an older club. They didn’t win battles and they didn’t look like they thought they could win. Detroit might not have better players, but they definitely are the better team.
Onto Ottawa, this one is easy. I just completely over estimated the reputation of the Devils. Bottom line, Brodeur isn’t what he used to be. They have abandoned their defensive style in order to adapt to the “new” NHL, and Ottawa was just too fast and talented.
Now for the picks:
Eastern Conference Finals
(1) Buffalo Sabres VS (4) Ottawa Senators
After the line brawl between these teams earlier in the season and the playoff series last year, there is definitely bad blood between these two teams. The only downfall for me is Marty Biron is no longer a Sabre so he won’t get the rematch with Emery we would all like to see. (Even though Miller would be a tougher opponent for Emery, in my opinion). This series should be very up tempo as well as physical, a rarity nowadays and it will be one of the most exciting series in recent playoff history, no matter how many games it goes. I like Buffalo in seven.
Western Conference Finals
(1) Detroit Red Wings VS (2) Anaheim Ducks
I think Anaheim will be a lot tougher then San Jose mentally and look for that to put a strain on the Redwings attack. Anaheim has more skilled defensemen in all three zones then San Jose did and I think ultimately that will be the end of the Red Wings. While Vancouver was able to dominate play for stretches, Luongo made that series as long as it was. I don’t see Hasek being able to take control of the series the way Roberto did, I like the Ducks in six.
It's never too early to talk college football. I'm a Diehard Tennessee fan. I bleed Orange. After last year, I think if you look back far enough David Cutcliffe and Jesus have a common relative somewhere along the line.
Now its time for my bi-annual (on average) reality check. After hearing the predictions of how Tennessee will be in the hunt for an SEC Title for the umpteenth year in a row, I have started to believe the rumors less and less. (Trust me I'm also a Red Sox fan, pessimism is in my blood) While Erik Ainge is returning, we have yet to see him play well consistently and stay healthy for an entire season. Not to mention Tennessee will be heading into the season with an unproven running game, and no returning starters at wide receiver. Not only were the receivers who are supposed to make an impact next year absent from spring practice (insert graduation joke here), they're not even on campus yet.
Here's what worries me. I saw the Patriots last year. They had Tom Brady at quarterback, one the best in the league, but he had a brand new receiving core. The receivers and Brady couldn't get on the same page until pretty late in the year. College football's preseason isn't nearly as long as the NFL's and they play less games in college. Erik Ainge clearly isn't Tom Brady and the SEC is known for its defense. It doesn't seem realistic to predict Ainge will be comfortable with the receivers until atleast half way through the year. Also, Tennessee plays Cal and Florida on the road in their first 3 games. As much as I want to, I just can't see them being near the top of the league next year.
After getting 7 of the 8 series correct, I'm giving myself the Vancouver series as well because I said they would win a game 7 at home if it went that far, and getting 4 of the eight in the exact amount of games (again I'm taking credit for the Vancouver one), I will now unleash my round two picks. Feel free to take them to the bank.
Eastern Conference
(1) Buffalo Sabres Vs (6) New York Rangers
Only one team from New York will be left at the end of Round 2, and it will be the Sabres. They did seem to stuggle at times with the Islanders and the Rangers made quick work of the Thrashers. But again, Buffalo is too deep and Ryan Miller will only continue to get better. Sabres in 6.
(2) New Jersey Devils Vs (4) Ottawa Senators
I ussually love the Devils in the playoffs because they typically play consistent defense and get great goaltending. Both were shaky in round one. On the other hand, the Senators cruised through round one and looked like an offensive juggernaut. I like the Devils in 7 games. I think Ottawa will win a few games easily (meaning 3+ goals) but I still like the Devils in close games, and that's what wins playoff series.
Western Conference
(1) Detroit Red Wings Vs (5) San Jose Sharks
The Red Wings looked unstoppable at home, but pretty average on the road. You can count on San Jose to win atleast one game in Detroit, and eventually take the series on home ice in game 6.
(2) Anaheim Ducks Vs (3) Vancouver Canucks
The Ducks are playing some really good hockey right now and have had plenty of rest, while Vancouver had trouble scoring and played 7 hard fought games. I like the Ducks to cruise in five.
Here we go again, the second season is upon us and it's time for my picks for round one of the NHL Playoffs.
Eastern Conference
(1) Buffalo Sabres vs (8) New York Islanders
The Islanders have been playing playoff hockey for a while now and normally that is bad news for the higher seed. While the Islanders could win a game, I just think Buffalo is too deep, Sabres in 5.
(2) New Jersey Devils vs (7) Tampa Bay Lightning
Martin Brodeur and the disciplined defensive play of the Devils will not allow Tampa's offense to operate at their normal pace. Goaltending is also a question for the lightning. Devils will sweep.
(3) Atlanta Thrashers vs (6) New York Rangers
I like the Rangers in this one. Atlanta got the third seed by winning their division, and only finished 3 points ahead of the Rangers in the regular season and 8 points behind the fourth and fifth seeds, I think the Rangers will take home ice away in game one and win in 6.
(4) Ottawa Senators vs (5) Pittsburgh Penguins
To me this is going to be the best playoff series of the entire playoffs. Two teams the epitomize the new NHL. I think home ice as well as experience will win this series. Senators in 7 but a great experience for Crosby, Malkin, Stall, Fleury etc...
Western Conference
(1) Detroit Red Wings vs (8) Calgary Flames
The Wings have not fared well latley in early round series. If the Flames can steal home ice they always have the advantage at the Saddle Dome, overall though I think Detroit takes it in 6.
(2) Anaheim Ducks vs (7) Minnesota Wild
If this was youth hockey I'd take Minnesota in a sweep. But this is the NHL and while the location of the teams creates a hockey paradox, I like the Ducks to win in 5. Brian Burke has done an amazing job in Anaheim and going into the season as a Stanley Cup favorite and finishing in second in the west shows that the Ducks have what it takes to play under pressure.
(3) Vancouver Canucks vs (6) Dallas Stars
A perfect example of the NHL playoff system is flawed. If the playoffs went by strictly points the Canucks would be the 7th seed in the west, instead they have home ice against a team that finished with more points then them. I like Dallas to win this in 6. If it gets to a 7th game in Vancouver though, the Stars are in trouble.
(4) Nashville Predators vs (5) San Jose Sharks
I like Nashville in 7, imagine that a game 7 in Nashville, TN. Joe Thornton needs to prove that he can carry a team to a playoff series win. Last year, I thought his departure from Boston would be enough to light that fire under him but now I have little faith in him. Until he proves he is not the NHL's A-Rod I won't pick his team in the playoffs.
Yes, it's also Easter weekend but don't get me wrong that is not what the heaven reference is doing in my title. I'm talking about the best time of year, in my opinion, being prolonged for at least one more week. After being consumed for an entire month by college basketball, I thought I'd just natraully resume my life the way it was pre March Madness. Only to have my second favorite thing in life coincide with the first. That's right the Red Sox opened their season on the same day March Madness came to an end. Prompting me to ponder whether or not my life would ever return to SOME degree of normalcy.
On most days, having Schilling get hit around like that and losing in that fashion to a team like the Royals, no matter if its April or August, would put me in a serious state of depression and have me visiting the liquor store on an hourly basis. But there was no time for that, after the Sox were embarrassed, I had to get ready to watch Florida and Ohio State battle it out for the 2nd time this year in a National Championship game. (Note: I despise both these tschools and yes I'm still a Tennessee fan but I was cheering for Florida just as I was in January, gotta rep the SEC)
Now that the hooplah of opening day is over, and March Madness is a year away, what is left for me to be so excited about you ask? Well that's easy. Today marks the start of the Frozen Four, the first time of the year we are able to hear all the Sox fans who didn't jum call into radio stations and predict a 161-1 finish to the season and it is also Daisuke's first start. Throw in the fact that the NHL play offs are just around the corner and my life has turned into the life of a child who was raised Jewish and Catholic and it's finnally December. This is almost like the first Thursday of the NCAA Basketball Tournament when all you want to do is skip work/school and sit and watch games all day.
2 PM: Daisuke will make his MLB Debut
I'm so excited for this it's like my buddies told me they were taking me to a strip club on my 18th birthday 4 months before just to tease me.
4 PM: Maine vs Michigan State (NCAA Semi-Final #1)
I grew up a Maine fan because the first hockey game I ever went to was Maine Vs BC at BC during the 1993 season when Maine was unstoppable and had the likes of Paul Kariya, jim Montgomery, Mike Dunham and Garth Snow. That's right two NHL starting goalies on the same team. My dad went to BC so me liking Maine would have been a problem but BC was going through a down period in hockey, and BU was Maine's chief rival so as long as I hated BU he was on board. I also won him over by cheering for BC basketball.
8 PM: Boston College Vs North Dakota (NCAA Semi-Final #2)
Since my childhook enfatuation with Maine, I have slowly migrated into a BC fan. But let me explain. I was such a Maine fan that in 1998 when BC played Michigan for the National Title at the Fleetcenter in Boston and Michigan won in OT. I cheered so loud that I almost got my #### kicked by every person in the building. And if my dad hadn't played a role in me alive he would have wanted to kick my #### too. I could see it in his eyes. I let him down that day, I was like a BU Fan cheering against BC regardless of whether or not my team was playing. Also being 14, I have been petrified to cheer against BC seeing how I was almost murdered. Since that day BC had become my second favorite team, and more recently my favorite as some of the kids I grew up playing with are now playing for the Eagles. Either way I'm a hockey east fan, and in no way shape or form am I allowed to cheer for a team from the WCHA, I learned that the hard way.
As a fan of the New England Patriots, I feel like I need to sound off on this issue. First let me get this out of the way, LT's performance against my beloved Pats on Sunday was something special, he was pretty much able to run all over them and he should hold his head up high after that he did everything he could to put his team in a position to win the game. This is exactly why I feel he reacted the way he did after the game, imagine putting your team on your shoulders and having the other guys blow it for you it must be the most frustrating thing in sports. That said here are my thoughts on the post game controversy:
1) Did the Patriots react in an unprofessional manner? Probably, but honestly who in the NFL doesn't. So far this season I have seen, and laughed at, Joey Porter of the Pittsburgh Steelers sack Daunte Culpepper in week 1 and do Culpeppers "Get Your Roll On" dance, Noone on the Dolphins cried about it. Chad Johnson do the exact same dance the Patriots did in week 10, coincidentally the Chargers won the game and LT didn't seem bothered by it then. Not to mention, just about every single NFL player make a fool out of themselves after scoring a touchdown. And yes some defenders may have felt disrespected after but the bottom line is don't let them score and it won't happen. That is why LT was so upset he did everything he could not to let the Patriots win that game.
2) Did the Chargers show any semblance of class? Absolutley not. They did not sell tickets to anyone outside of California, and vowed not to let Patriots fan park in there parking lot. Also after last years game at New England, which San Diego won 41-17 and snapped a 21 game home winning streak for the Patriots, here are some of the quotes from players which I took off a facebook.com message board, which was taken from somewhere but not cited:
"Amid complaints from running back LaDainian Tomlinson and other members of the San Diego Chargers that the New England Patriots celebrated too fervently their unlikely victory over the 14-2 Bolts on Sunday, we've been reminded of the Chargers reaction to a similarly unlikely win from a year ago.
In New England.
After thumping the Pats by the score of 41-17 and shattering the team's 21-game home winning streak, the Chargers were not exactly humble.
"That's a [butt]-whipping," said defensive coordinator Wade Phillips in an article penned by Tom Curran, who at the time wrote for the Providence Journal and who now works for NBCSports.com.
Cornerback Drayton Florence (or is it Florence Drayton?) was less tactful: "F--k New England and their team," he said, before turning to a "collection of onlookers" and adding: "Get the look of shock off your faces. Don't be shocked. We beat your [butt]." "
Not exactly a shining display of class from that team from the West Coast. I'm guessing the Patriots were remembering a little bit of that and probably more when they were celebrating.
And my final point is about the man they call "Lights Out". Yes he is a great player. Unfortunatley, I have no respect for him or any other athelete who fails a steroid test. Not to mention someone who hit Tom Brady , clean but not a sack, after he released the ball and still felt the need to do his foolish little dance for no apparent reason. In my opinion Merriman should be mocked by everyone his dance is stupid but more importantly he disrespected everyone who puts on a football uniform from pop warner to the NFL including the Chargers. The fact that he is allowed to play in the pro bowl and was even considered for any individual awards is a joke. Also, Merriman had "Lights Out" shaved into his head, I don't know if that's been there all season or not but either way, it looks ridiculous and shows no class. Nobody on the Patriots will ever have a nickname they gave to themself as long as Bob Kraft and Bill Bellicheck are in charge, they'll just let their Super Bowl rings do the talking, as opposed to some dance.
And how about the class exhibited by Florence headbutting a New England player after the play, not to mention it cost his team by nullifying a third down fumble and giving the Patriots a first down, that led to a field goal.
So basically am I defending the way the Patriots acted? I guess I am. Why shouldn't they celebrate after winning a play off game, as an underdog, on the road, against a team that went 14-2? I don't understand how any of it was disrepectful compared to the stuff that goes on week in and week out all across the league. I do understand why LT was upset, but I do not agree with the way he reacted, to me he was just being a sore loser which is to bad because until that point he had earned my respect with the way he played on the field Sunday, and all season. He did have a questionable non call facemask on Rosevelt Colvin but I don't think he had any control over his body as he was falling and his hand ended up on his facemask. Granted it was there for a while but I don't think it was intentional.
I still respect Ladainian Tomlinson as a player, but for now my verdict on him as a person is still out, although I will not judge him by this incident alone. The fact the would even imply that Bill Bellicheck is not classy, shows his lack of charachter (to a degree) and judgement while making these comments. Remember his team is the team that took 2 critical personal foul penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct which is a reflection of attitude which, to steal a line from Remember the Titans, "Attitude reflects leadership". The Patriots didn't retalliate to these personal fouls as the penalties didn't offset. And if you want to say Daniel Graham pushed Florence I guess you could but to me he saw a man trying to head but him and pushed back to counteract it, watch the tape, Florence is coming at him, and Graham is able to stoop the headbut before getting hit. In my opinion retalliation to that would have been going back at him, he restrained himself once he saw the flag which to me is a reflection of coaching, not to mention really hard to do.
***This blog originally was posted on April 21, of 2006. At the End I have added some new opinons.
The 2005 College Football season has been over for a while now, but the dissapoitment of last season for my Tennessee Volunteers still hasn't gone away. Predicted to challenge for the National Title with USC, the Vols ended up challenging Kentucky for last place in the SEC East. The Vols failed to make a bowl game for the first time in 19 years, and lost to in-state rival (?) Vanderbilt for the first time in over twenty years. All in all it was embarrassing, dissapointing, anything but successful.
Let's be honest with all those predictions by the alleged experts, were pretty much without merit. They entered the season with 2 quarterbacks (again), this time it was different. Whereas in the year before, Schaffer and Ainge had different styles, Schaffer being a scrambling QB, and Ainge being more of a pocket passer. Last season the QB battle was between two guys with very similar styles, and also no experience. While Ainge stepped up in his limited time (both due to rotation, and injury) his Freshman year, he definatley didn't have the sort of experience that the leader of a National Title contender needs. Same goes for Claussen, despite the legacy of his older brother Casey (which varies widely depending on who you talk to), Rick had played decent football but definatley not enough, and definatley not against the level of competition he would be asked to face if the Vols were going to make it to Pasedena. This led to one of the most in-ept offenses to ever grace Knoxville. The fact that Gerald Riggs went down with an injury, and the numerous fumbles and turnovers in the red-zone also didn't help.
Not only was the talent overrated, the schedule last season was brutal, even harder than a typical SEC schedule. The Vols had to play all of their hardest games on the road, with the exception of Georgia (Florida, LSU, Alabama, Notre Dame were all road games). This is not the ideal situation for a young offense to gain any confidence. They managed only one win, a miraculous comeback at LSU, but the easily could have gone 0-4 in that stretch.
I don't know how familiar you are with the South Eastern Conference, it is easily the hardest conference to play in. Not only because of the talent level, but it is comparable to the ACC in basketball, every road game you are going into an extremely hostile atmosphere. This year the Vols have the Neyland advantage. They will play Cal (opening weekend), Florida, LSU, and Alabama all at home. While last year wasn't sucessful on the field, you could argue that by playing all those road games the Vols learned a lot about what it takes to win those sorts of games. Eric Ainge (I am assuming he wins the starting job from Jonathan Crompton, a promising red-shirt freshman) will have another year (or so) of experience under his belt. David Cutcliffe, the new Offensive Coordinator who has coached both Peyton Manning,at UT, and Eli Manning, at Ole Miss, should bring some new energy and insight to the disgrace of an offense he inherited.
The one upside of last year was the defense. However, most of those guys are gone (Kevin SImon, Jesse Maholouna, Jason Allen etc...). So this season could be the exact of oppisite of last season, if everything goes to plan. Expect some shootouts at Neyland next year.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not predicting a miraculous run, circa 1998, but I won't be surprised to see the Vols turn the ship around dramtically this year and finish near the top of the SEC, and back to the level of football that all of Rocky Top has come to expect.
So come September, look out for the Big Orange.
************ That blog was posted by me on April, 21 2006, scroll down if you don't believe me.
Obviously, I had underestimated the defense of this years team, they are good, ask Marshawn #### why he was pretty much eliminated from Heisman consideration in September. Hwever, they aren't overwhelming as Georgia and Airforce put up 33 and 30 respecivley.
The play of the receivers is approaching the level that we expected last year as Meachem (the #2 receiver nationally, going into the Alabama game), Swain, and Smith are emerging as serious threats. And the Running back play has been very good, almost a 3 headed monster with Hardnesty, Foster, and Coker (injured in Alabama game our up to 3 weeks). I can't say enough about David Cutcliffe and the job he has done rejuvenating the offense. And just think the Vols are a marginal roughing the passer call, and Antoine Stewart falling down away from being undefeated and very much in the National title hunt.
If the underclassmen all stay, I feel like next season the Vols could be a favorite (and this time a legitimate favorite) to win it all. However, they obviously will have to go through their schedule undefeated which isn't easy at all (just ask Florida and Auburn this year). And again they will have to go to on the road early (Cal, and Florida). And make a trip to Alabama, which as all true Tennessee fans know is never easy. If they can get through the first 3 weeks, they will have 7 total home games ( Home game vs. Southern Miss is sandwiched beteween the road trips to Cal and Florida) which is always an advantage.
Now I'm sure we all know enough about the BCS to know that it's not perfect, and for the record nothing else has been either. I am not a BCS hater, but I do have some issues with it:
The Rankings:
1) Ohio State -
2) Michigan
3) USC
4) West Virginia
5) Auburn
6) Florida
7) Texas
8) Louisville
9) Notre Dame
10) California
Notice that Cal is in there but there seems to be a certain SEC team who is missing, a team who humiliated Cal in the opening week of the season and a team who has the exact same record as Cal. That's right Tennessee is not in the top ten, which is fine with me (for the record they are #11) because they did lose to Florida at home, and the win at Georgia isn't as impressive as it looked when it happened. However it's not like the Cal game was a toss up, Tennessee dominated Cal in every aspect of football, but somehow a computer is saying that Cal is a better team.
The Big East
The Big East conference I still can't take seriously, even though it seems there actually are some legit teams, and no not just Louisville and West Virginia. Rutgers and Pitt are having good seasons as well. However the non-league schedule is absurd and I think that is why I can't take them seriously I saw West Virginia struggle with Eastern Carolina. I know that Slaton is probably going to win the Heisman next year, but how can you accuaratley judge a team when their schedule consists of weekly cupcakes? I am looking forward to seeing the West Virginia Louisville game though. I think Louisville deserves to be ranked higher since they beat Miami, granted not the Miami of old days but still more impressive then any win West Virginia has, which brings me my next point.
The ACC
What the hell is going on there? Not one ACC team in the top ten. Clemson (#12 BCS) is getting all the attention, and after dismantling Georgia Tech this weekend, that is understandable. But what about Boston College (#17 BCS), a win over Clemson and leading the Atlantic Division of the ACC. However you want to talk about a cup cake non conference schedule (Central Michigan, BYU, Maine, and Buffalo) how are you supposed to take these guys seriously, what happened to the days where BC played Notre Dame every year, wouldn't that be a great game to watch now. Unlike West Virginia, Boston College does have wins over Clemson, Virginia Tech, and Florida State. This brings me to my main point....
Conference Championship Games
This is my main question about the BCS, what impact do these games have on the standings. Since only two teams per conference are eligible for a BCS game, and the winner of the championship game automatically gets a bid, who gets the other one? For example, If Florida and Tennesee both win out, Florida will advance to play the SEC West Champion, most likley Arkansas, by virtue of the Gators 21-20 win against UT. Now if Florida loses this game, they will have 2 losses on the season to Tennessee's 1 loss. And with the polls seeming to follow a "what have you done for me latley" pattern Florida's loss will no doubt push them down the polls, but will they fall past Tennessee and their one loss. Probably not, I'm hoping they do, mainly because I'm a Tennesee fan but also because I want to see the BCS fail in every way possible so that there is no way it will be used ever again. The same Scenario could be used in the ACC if BC and Clemson win out, and actually is more likley in this conference seeing how Clemson is already ranked ahead of BC. If BC makes the championship game and loses, I would imagine that Clemson would get the second bid, that is if they even invite two ACC teams.
So help me out, what are alternatives how do we fix this mess that is college football ranking system, Basketball has it's tournament, Which I realize is unrealistic for football but there has to be a better way.
This is starting to get way out of line. A bunch (or one i don't know for sure) ####(s) who probably got cut from their college teams started a web site designed to rat out teams who have some sort of initiation party. This webiste is so high class that when I was on there you could find an attorney who help you get out of a DWI. What really bothers me about this site is that they do not do any sort of research. They take articles verbatum out of newpapers (they do reference correctly) and go on websites with photo albums (such as webshots and others) they find pictures pertaining to a University and one of its athletic teams and they post them on their websites. Recently, Northwestern Women's soccer, Quinnipiac University Baseball, and Catholic University Women's Lacrosse have all been under scrutiny due to posts on this site.
Now for all of you naive people out there. Initiation is part of college sports, like it or not and I do not agree with the over the top stuff that happens ( See UVM Men's hockey a while back) but if you have a party and everyone participates willingly there should be nothing wrong with that, it is college by the way. This web site (Badjocks.com, I'll reference it against my will) does not take anything like this into consideration. There is no mention of what happened just pictures, so no way to know if it was willing or not. There is nothing there right now that looks out of the ordinary seeing as I've been to a college party or two in my lifetime.
These idiots are going out of their way to ruin the reputation not just of the Athletes, but the entire University on nothing but circumstantial evidence. And Pujols thinks Bonds gets it bad. What makes it worse is that the mainstrem media (ESPN) is reporting these incidents like they are groundbreaking news. I know Stuart Scott is a loser and probably didn't have many friends in college but he had to have atleast seen a party once, in case you've never heard him talk he went to UNC-Chapel Hill and pretends he played sports, (a funny side note on good ol' Stu, At this years NBA Skills competition he interviewed Rip Hamilton and said "just wanted to rub it in that MY Tarheels beat UConn, Rips Alma Matter. Has there been a more awkward moment in the history of side line interviews, Joe Namath and Susy Kolbert excluded, you know that Rip must have wanted to drop the "Aren't you a sportscaster because you weren't good enough to play in college" but instead he just laughed it off, missed opportunity if you ask me.) But I digress, there is nothing new here just college kids being stupid. There are no laws being broken in these cases, except underage drinking, which is as much a part of college as going to class (By the way is the drinking age still 21, what a joke. How many high school teams throw parties that involve alcohol,) And if laws are broken let the Police, or the NCAA or the University jump in and investigate, not some nitwits who pay $20, or however much it costs, a month to have their own website.
I realize that their are times when teams do cross the line and they should by all means be punished for this, and if a website wants to cover that then that is their right. But to have a website dedicated to posting pictures (that they didn't take) and articles (that they didn't write) is stupid. For now anyone who is friends with a student-athlete do the world a favor and don't post your pictures on the internet and put this website out of business.
The purpose of this blog is not to encourage hazing, I do however encourage initiation. See "Miracle", it is activities like this that help bring teams together, and help the new players get to know their upper class counter parts and vice versa. From the pictures that I have seen all people involved looked to be having a good time, and there were no illegal acts taking place (see my opinion on the drinking age above). That is what angered me enough to write this.
Is it still baseball season. The red sox haven't played since Friday, a rain shortened 6 inning game against Texas which wasn't really a game as Texas just pretty much took an extended batting practice session off Matt Clement. Clement had complained earlier in the week about getting passed over in the rotation during the Yankee series. HMMM Beckett, Schilling and Wakefield all on regular rest, seems like a no-brainer to me. One would of thought Clement would have had a fire in his hind parts to prove he deserves to get these important starts.
Tonights game against Baltimore is on the road so that looks good and I'm excited to watch the Sox play again As I was looking at the Red Sox website an interesting link popped up. "Papi needs fans all-star help". The focus of this being on David Ortiz being voted into the All Star game as a first basemen. Since the game is being played in a National League Ball park this year there will be no Designated Hitter. Prompting the question should Ortiz get voted into the game, seeing as he has yet to play a game at first base. As a die hard Sox fan, I would love to see Ortiz in the all-star game, but I can not justify putting him in a first base especially since there are many qualified candidates from the AL who have all actually played first base this year.
I will preface this by saying I think Ortiz should have won the AL MVP last year regardless of whether or not he played the field, seeing as he was by far MORE Valuable to the Red Sox then "Mr. March" Alex Rodriguez was his team. What Ortiz does at the plate, the confidence he gives the guys hitting around him, the fear he puts into other teams (see the Yankees bringing in Mike Myers to face him in the 6th inning last week), has infinite Value. But as far as having him play first base, well let's just say Kevin Youkilis has nothing to worry about. Voting Papi into the All star game as your starting first basemen would be the same as voting him in as an outfielder seeing as he's played exactly zero innings at either position this year. And what is the All Star game about, entertainment. So Red Sox fans need to unite and vote Ortiz in as the AL's starting Center Fielder (over Johnny Damon). Think about it what would be more entertaining, watching Ortiz chase down fly balls, or Damon?
David Ortiz is one of my favorite players in all of sports, however he will have to learn to live with playing in the All-Star game every other year. While it is hard to imagine an All-Star game without one of the games best hitters, it simply can not be justified. Guys like Giambi, Hafner, Overbay, Shelton, and Lee deserve more votes.
Now with all this being said it wouldn't shock me to see Ortiz make the team whether he's voted in or if Ozzie Guillen takes him as a mangers pick.
The debate hasn't really existed as far as people coming out and saying that you should or shouldn't go about it one way, but the pros and cons of this decision have been talked about quite often. I'm talking about putting a forward on the point for the power play. Daniel Alfredson has been a forward, and a great one at that, throughout his whole career. However, Saturday night Ottawa hung him out to dry. Buffalo recognized his lack of experience playing "D" and attacked him, turning a harmless 1-2 shorthanded rush into a series ending goal.
Granted the reason for the goal was 3-fold. A) Alfredson not knowing how to handle a 1-1, from the defensive aspect. B) Emery playing too deep in his crease and giving the forward the room to get all the way across the crease. C) The other defensemen not helping in time, which also allowed the Buffalo forward to get to his forehand and beat Emery.
You could argue either way for putting Alfredson at the point in that situation. On one hand you need to win, being down 3-1 in the series, so you want a playmaker running the powerplay, fine. However, being down 3-1, you can not afford to lose. When you have so many quality defensmen, which Ottawa does, why would you take that risk. Obviously hine sight is 20-20, and the Sens would have been better served having a defensemen to stop any sort of counter attack, but this is not what lost the series for them. Emery played a subpar series in net, the forwards were unable to establish any sort of constant pressure. I know that Ottawa outshot Buffalo in most games, but as I've heard many times, shots on goal is the most overrated statistic in hockey. Ottawa was unable to create traffic in front of Miller, with the Sabres collapsing having 4 players in front of the net for most of the series, and doing a good job of not allowing Senators players to collect rebounds.
The mark o####ood team is how you fare in one goal games, I'm sure the Senators won their fair share of them during the season, however every game in the series was a 1-goal contest, and the Sabres looked like the team who kicked it up a notch, rather than playing conservative and not to lose, like the Senators. Point being, a Stanley Cup Contender should not go 1-4 in One goal games at any point in the season, and obviously not in the playoffs.
The style Ottawa played also wasn't very smart. I feel like a guy such as Patrick Eaves, who has a big body, and good offensive skills, should have been playing a key role. While you can't deny the offensive skills of Alfredson, Heatley, Havlat and others. You need to win one on one battles every where on the ice, not just in open ice. I feel like Eaves could have been used a lot more in the corners and he has the ability to set up these guys around the net. Unlike a guy like Chris Neal, who would be out there to "irritate" the other team, he would be able to go in the corners, but lacks the ability to create scoring chances from those situations.
Basically every aspect of Ottawa failed, and that's what needed to happen if they were to lose. I honestly feel that they were good enough to win, as long as they were clicking on one or two cylinders.
Sabres quest for Lord Stanley
The Sabre's will get solid goaltending, but after watching the Hurricanes regain their early season form in the first two rounds, and dismantle the Devils who pride themselves on playing great defensive hockey, I'm picking the Carolina(ford) (Whaler)'Canes to beat Buffalo. Miller is going to see shots from everywhere on the ice, just ask Marty Brodeur. While shots from the corner seem harmless, they can create crazy bounces, or good rebound opportunities, as a rebound off a shot from the corner ussually comes back in front of the net. The 'Canes seemed to follow the rule there is no such thing as a bad shot, and when given odd man rushes their skilled forwards will finish most of the time. This is a bad combination. However, I feel that the line with Drury and Grier will be able to generate scoring chances, and if the other lines follow suit Buffalo could make it interesting. I don't know how successful guys like Briere and Affinegenov will be. While I think they are great players, they will have to play out their element (more physical) then they are used to in order to get quality chances.
Refs
A new aspect has crept into this years playoffs. Due to the new rules, teams are getting a large number of powerplays. We saw the Devils fail to convert on four first period power plays and end up losing 4-1 yesterday. Special teams will play a huge role in this series, and I think Carolina has the advantage on the power play.
On the side, I feel like the refs have done a good job enforcing the new rules all year, even in the playoffs. I do miss the "Old Time Hockey" playoffs, I feel like the Stanley Cup should be decided with as much 5-5 hockey as possible. However, teams were aware that they would need a solid powerplay to succeed this season, so if you didn't build a team that can score on the power play (not to beat a dead horse but see the ::cough:: ::cough:: Boston Bruins) you won't be an elite team.
Well Ottawa stays alive last night with a 2-1win in Buffalo, if there is a team that can come back from down 3-0 it's the Sens. However, I don't think that the Sabres, Ryan Miller in particular will let that happen. Miller has played phenomenal, as the Sens have outshot the Sabres by large margins in almost every game. Each game has been a 1 goal contest, I could see Ottawa winning at home but Buffalo taking the series in game 6.
Anaheim beats the defending (1 year removed) Western Conference Champ the Calgary Flames, and then sweeps the Avalanche to advance to the conference finals. I didn't see many of these games, or any of them. But what a job Brian Burke has done turning that team around. He deserves a ton of credit.
The ducks will face either San Jose or Edmonton. The sharks lead 2-1 but I have money on Edmonton, if Dwayne Rolloson can regain the form he showed in the Detroit series, and he is capapable (see 2003 playoffs when he was with the Wild). The Oilers will take this series in 7. Which would set up a 6 seed playing an 8 seed in the conference finals, weird.
In the East the Devils look done, a Carolina vs. Buffalo Congerence title would be a great matchup. Both teams have solid goaltending, quick forwards, and tough defensemen. Maxim Affinigenov, of the Sabres, I think is one of the most highly under rated forwards in the NHL, the guy has phenomenal hands, is a big strong kid, and has amazing vision. The playoffs isn't the style of hockey where his full skill level will show, tight games with no room for error, but just watching him skate you can tell that this guy is for real, and that he has an uncanny ability to make something happen everytime he is on the ice.
Yanks and Sox
The sox took 2 out of 3 this week in the Bronx, like any Redsox fan I'm excited. It was announced today that Matsui is expected to miss 3 months with a wrist problem, that is too bad I think Matsui goes out and busts his #### everyday (which is how he got hurt), I hate the Yankees but don't wanna see people hurt for signifigant periods of time. Schilling looked good except for the 3 pitches that ended up over the wall, Randy Johnson looked awful again. The sox got offense from the bottom of the order (Gonzalez, Lowell, Harris) and the slumping Loretta appears to be getting back on track. Wakefield was good, and so was Beckett. The Sox bullpen porved superior over their Yankee counterparts.
I would like to discuss Jonathan Pappelbon. It was very eerie watching him pitch against Mariano Riveria this week. I see some very similar charachteristics in these two closers. They are both able to come out and just blow a pitch by you, then when your sitting on the fast ball they mix in a different pitch that batters end up chasing (Pappelbon with the splitter, Riveria with the cutter). It will be interesting to see Pappelbon develop because he is capapble of being a starter, he did it last year. But if he continues to dominate in the closer role, 13 of 14 in save opps, ERA under 1, I don't see why you would move him. Regardless, he will be fun to watch, and you almost the "wow this games over" feeling when he comes in, the same feeling you used to get at Yankee Stadium when "Enter Sandman" came over the PA System.
NBA Playoffs
I don't care, wish I did but I don't. I'm rooting for the Clippers just because they seem to be the feel good story, sucking forever and now they don't suck as much. The East is boring, Pistons will win easy, they don't need and injury to Dwayne Wade to win this year. In the west, I'm gonna go with the Spurs. Dallas has gotten better defensivley but not enough, clippers and Suns are built for regular season, not a long playoff run. One will advance by default since they are playing each other but expect the Spurs to have an easier time in the conference finals then against Dallas.
Other thoughts
I have two, and both concern Barry Bonds. First, Yes he took steroids but you don't have to write a book about it, wheres Giambi's book, he's won an MVP and comback player of the year (for coming off steroids), and he has admitted to juicing. And what about Rafael Palmerio, joind the 3,000 hit and 500 HR club, and also a member of I shot roids in my #### club). Write a book about these guys. While it's painfully obvious Bond's used steroids, he hasn't failed a test or admitted it yet. I'm sure the government will reveal it to us soon enough though. My point of all this being that I hope Barry hits a foul ball into the press box and knocks out those 2 guys cold talk about irony. Second, why does it matter if he passes Babe Ruth. Babe Ruth is IN SECOND PLACE. Yes it something BONDS should be proud of (if he can be morally), but there is no reason to celebrate the fact that someone is within 40 homeruns of being the All-Time leader, that's like letting the All-Star game end in a tie....oh wait.
Anyone that's read this blog so far knows two things, I love the Red Sox, and I love hockey. As those have been the subject of almost all my postings. Last night there was a surprising contest going on and the outcome was even more shocking even to me, it came down to me watching the Red Sox involved in a tight game in the late innings, or watching playoff hockey between teams that I do not particularly follow closely, certainly not as close as the Red Sox.
First up was the end of the end of the Tampa Bay, Ottawa game. Which coincided with the Red Sox coming back to take 5-4 lead, and then giving it back just as fast. For those of you who don't know the hockey game was seemingly over before it started as Ottawa jumped out to a 3-0 lead, and pretty much dominated the Lightning in every aspect. However the end of the game, despite an 8-4 score, is where it got interesting. The goal which gave the Senators the 8-4 lead came late in the 3rd, this apparently angered Tampa as they became extremely fired up and began to play with an edge that didn't even come close to resembling the first two plus periods. After the 8th goal, Lightning players were going out of their way to hit guys, and after an Ottawa player hit someone from behind a pretty good sized mele insued.
Before I go any further I would like to preface the rest of this by saying, I am all for fighting in hockey. I do not however like when a brawl breaks out, ussually. I think it is bad for the sport and gives hockey players bad images, not something they need coming off the lock out. However, last night was different. Vinny Lecavalier squared up with Chara, who is just a beast of a man. Lecavalier is known for his finess play, while he did drop the gloves with Jarome Iginla in the Stanley Cup Finals two years ago, he is by no means a fighter. However he was willing to stand up for his guys, something a true captain should always do, and tried to go at it with the biggest guy in the NHL. Danny Heatley of the Senators, also showed his dedication to the team by squaring up with Nolan Pratt, not a big guy but Heatley is not much of a fighter either. (NOTE: Chara should be given a ton of credit for not completley pounding Vinny once he got him to the ice, he had his hand up ready to throw a punch and held it there, almost mocking Lecavier but still better then landing that punch). My real question is with 2:30 left in game 3, not an elimination game, what are guys like that doing on the ice for both teams, I would have thought tough guys like Chris Neal of Ottawa would be out there, or others like I said I don't follow these teams very closley.
As this was happening, the Red Sox came to bat in the top of the 8th, when I flipped it back there were 2 outs, and man on second for Big Papi Ortiz. For this decision manager Eric Wedge should be fired, Intenionally walking Ortiz, to get to Manny Ramirez. Granted Manny has not been his typical self yet this season, but he showed signs of heating up at Toronto last weekend, and he definatley does not need any extra motivation. Almost on cue, Manny put a pitch into the right field seats for an 8-5 Red Sox lead, going the oppisite way for a hit the third time last night, another sign he's getting his swing back.
Meanwhile, I would flip back breifly to see the results of what broke out in Tampa, would there be suspensions, miscounducts, who would have the power play, if it was Ottawa would they turn the knife a little more and put up number 9 on the night? Unfortunatley no insight on possible suspensions, I didn't think there would actually be any but I would have liked to have hear the announcers add a little drama for the last 2 minutes to a game that was already over.
Now I figured it was all good, I could watch the bullpen work and catch most of the Edmonton Detroit game. Wrong, in between innings I flipped back to OLN and saw the Oilers come out of the gate buzzing. (I would like to add this, I am ussually not an Oilers fan, dating back to the late 80's early 90's where they beat my Bruins twice in the Cup Finals, and this spring where they took advantage, probably not but all Bruins fans justify it by thinking so, of Mike O'Connell's ineptness as GM and took Sampsonov for basically a bag of pucks and a few water bottles. However I remember watching the games a couple years ago against Dallas in the playoffs, and how people in Edmonton really love the game got me fired up. I am an Oilers fan in the playoffs now, seeing as their in the West and the only time they'd play the Bruins is in the finals, I am trying so hard to try not to die of laughter right now, the bruins...in the Stanley Cup finals...wow) The Oilers, looked as if they were taking it to the Red Wings in the early stages, sorry Keith Foulke I'll watch at commercials I promise. They went up 1-0 on a beautiful goal, and had a couple very questionable penalty calls to nullify a 5-3, which got me even more fired up, I almost forgot the Sox game was on.
Back to NESN, oh no Foulke gave up an RBI double to Aaron (bleeping) Boone, to make it 8-6. Now they bring on Timlin, one of the worst good pitchers in baseball (his ERA is low but he allows almost ever inherited to score). Not this time, a huge strike out , after a walk, to get out of the jam (Sigh of relief). Back to the game, Detroit ties it on a power play ( Damn). Back to the Sox game, Pappelbon ties the April rookie record for saves (a perfect 9-9), Sox win alright more hockey. I see the Oilers score to take a 2-1 lead after one.
This was probably just too much drama for my body to handle, as I promplty proceeded to fall asleep on the couch while Bill Clement was rambling about how "the Stanley Cup is the greatest trophy in sports, and let's watch another segment of Tales of the Cup". (The Stanley cup is without a doubt the greatest trophy in sports, but hearing it between every period of the playoffs and watching some #### take it fishing with him I can do without). So unfortunatley, I missed another great game and woke up to hear the Oilers won in double OT, GO NUTS Edmonton your Oilers are looking good, and more importantly making the Red Wings look bad, sorry I missed it. (Just think if Rolloson gets down a second quicker in game 1, the Oilers could be up 3-0 in the series, in my playoff preview I said the Oilers would need a couple bounces to even get to a 6th game, now It looks like the Wings are in that spot).
So I guess I'm a bigger hockey fan than baseball, atleast when it's playoff hockey against April baseball. i have a feeling had this been October I would have watched the White Sox play the A's in game 3 of the playoffs, rather then the Bruins (unless it was against Montreal) in an early season game .
SIDE NOTE: I desperatley wanted to stay awake as I had a 4 team Parlay going with Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton, and Nashville. At the time I went to bed I was winning or Tied (only Calgary) in all of them. Unfortunatley Nashville ended up losing, I should have learned not to bet on teams from Tennessee, see blog below.
We're early into the season, I'll give you that. For me once the Patriots lost to Denver in the playoffs, I was counting down the days until pitchers and catchers reported to spring training. Don't judge me, you don't know me. I'm from Boston, and while we like the other Boston teams, a true Boston sports fan LOVES the Red Sox. Maybe it was the way they teased us for 86 years coming so close, but eventually breaking out hearts. Maybe it's the atmosphere at/outiside of Fenway Park on the day of a Sox game. Whatever it is people in this town live for baseball season. That is why I am nervous about the season in mid-April. The Blue Jays are good, the Orioles arent bad, the Devil Rays are better then they ussually are, and the Yankees are well...the Yankees. Having to play each team in your division 19 times a season, I am not very confident that the A.L. Wildcard is coming out of the East this year. Why does this scare me, you say the Red Sox are in first place? Well, I'll explain the best I can. I am a Red Sox fan, therefore by definition I am a pessimist, yes even after they won the World Series. The only way I see the Red Sox making the playoffs is to win the division, and well the Yankees have done that 7 years in a row. In the past I might have been somewhat satisfied if it came down to a close race at the end of the year for the division, not any more, after three straight years of playoff baseball, I'm an addict,give me the crack pipe and light it up because I'm hooked baby. If the Yankees are the only team to come out of the AL East and make the playoffs, they may have to reconsider the plans for the big dig and somehow provide roads that you can not only drive on, but that protect suicidal red sox fans when they jump off the highest point they can find, I don't think the Tobin bridge would suffice this year. So anyway here is my early season review of the division, and why I think it will be so tough.
Boston Red Sox (12-7) First Place
Despite being in first, my beloved sox have looked shaky at times. Mainly with starters 4-5 (insert Matt Clement, David Wells or Lenny Dinardo). Clement is 2-1 and has probably looked the best out of the three, but he's been knocked around a lot and been lucky to get out of some innings. After seeing Willie Mo Pena do nothing for the first few weeks, Bronson Arroyo is looking better and better. The bullpen has looked sharp. The offense has had some struggles getting runners around to score, but there is enough pop that it shouldn't be much of a problem.
Baltimore Orioles (11-9) Second Place 1.5 GB
If you remember the Orioles were the team to beat coming out of the gates in the AL East last year, but pitching let them down in the second half. I don't see much of a difference this year. Kevin Millar is their starting first basemen, and will get to play in the outfield on days he's not playing first. That's never good, theres a definate 3-50 slump in there somewhere. Daniel Cabrera has been up and down, he has the stuff to win 20 games, but he can't hit the strike zone. If he ever settles down though, the O's could become a contender.
New York Yankees (9-8) Third Place 2 GB
Ahh too bad I'm not that naieve enough to enjoy this anymore. The Yankees are not in trouble, not yet any way. They still have some questions like what is wrong with Randy Johnson, is he injured or is he still suffering from mullet withdrawal. He leaves a game after 87 pitches in the 5th inning, then proceeds to get smoked his next start, everyones curious, then he goes 8 innings giving up 1 run last night. He seems ok to me. Obviously they are going to score runs with that line up, the question is will guys like Chacon, Wong, and Aaron Small (when he comes back) be able to give the Yanks as much as they did last year.
Toronto Blue Jays (9-8) Fourth Place 2 GB
Watched them play this weekend, they are good. This isn't quite the Blue Jays team of the early 90's, but it's also not the Blue Jays team of recent years, where a trip to Toronto was a sweep or atleast a series win. Their Line up is for real (see Vernon Wells, and Troy Glaus), but AJ Burnett, their major off season aquisition was put on the DL this weekend, if he doesn't recover soon the Jays just might be too far out of it come the summer to make a legitimate run.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays (8-11) Fifth Place 4 GB
Baby steps are being taken in Tampa. They have a ton of young talent, but need some more pitching. Baldelli coming off the DL would help out also. I could see them coming together and maybe finishing fourth ahead of Baltimore. But who knows?
So that's my outlook on the division as I see it so far. Obviously it's too early to tell anything I'm just excited it's baseball season again. However like I said earlier, I only see one team going to playoffs from this division that should add to the excitement level throughout the season with n o wild card to lean on. Here is how i see the division at the end of the year.
