The NBA season started last night and it still seemed like preseason. The players were pushing and shoving more and seemed more intense, but the goonery and/or thuggery of NHL hockey has been penetrating pro basketball for a number of years now. I'm waiting for a good fight where some basketball player pulls his opponents jersey over his head while they scuffle. Then the metamorphosis will be complete.
The Twins named their MVP and pitcher of the year yesterday. Willingham and Diamond. No real surprise there. No one else was even in the competition (which kind of explains our second horrible season in a row.)
I've heard a lot of discussion lately about rule changes in sports. Specifically, IF you could change any rule in sports, what would it be? I know this is an odd one, but bear with me. I would change the points on field goals. Kickers are better than they've ever been and I want to reward teams for using their kickers properly. ANY field goal 55 yards or longer would now be worth 4 points. Conversely, any field goal 35 yards and less would be worth 2 points.
Why the weird change? First, the longer kicks should be rewarded. They require a greater skill set. Secondly, too many teams are willing to settle for field goals on fourth and short in the red zone. Let's change that. Let's make teams MAKE a tough decision when it's 4th and 2 from the nine yard line.
IF they decide that the POSSIBILITY of seven points is worth more than the "sure two" we'll see a better game of football with more drama and strategy.
The cool thing? We may even see kickers line up much farther behind the line of scrimmage to get the additional point on a field goal try. The whole dynamic of the field goal attempt would change. Long snappers would be required from all sorts of distances for teams to get the right distance to score more points. And defenses would line up much differently to try to block these longer tries. Nearly EVERY field goal would suddenly be a chance for something to happen outside the norm.
ALONG with that rule, I'd get rid of the kicking of extra points. You either make the TWO point conversion or you get nothing. Make those offenses work for the extra points, don't reward them with a chip shot. It would also reward defenses who work on stopping that scoring play.
Unpredictability would be added to every single kicking score. That would make for a better game. It would also force coaches to go for touchdowns rather than field goals.
Another idea? IF you are on the other team's side of the field on offense, you will no longer be allowed to punt. You either go for a field goal or go for the first down. If you miss the field goal or don't get the first down, you surrender the ball on downs. I want teams to use all four downs to get the first down. Always having the option to punt makes offenses less aggressive. Make 'em go for it. IF they don't get it, the defense will be rewarded with better field position for stopping them. It will also make penalties in this area of the field more meaningful.
What about a team that deliberately gets a penalty to move back over the 50 yard line? Simple, that penalty will not be accessed until AFTER the next play. The team will be properly penalized but will not get an advantage because of it. This same thing happens on penalties during field goals or extra points. This would be no different.
Football would get so much more interesting to watch if the kicking game changed.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Niners Win
I didn't watch much of this game last night. It wasn't close enough. My only thought, late, was that I can't believe the Vikings beat San Francisco just a few weeks ago.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Football
I watched some football yesterday and was bummed that Chicago squeaked by the Panthers. A late interception thrown by Cam Newton wrecked that game. There is a reason that the Bears are currently the best team in the division. There's also a reason that Cam and his Panthers are the worst in theirs.
Green Bay struggled a bit yesterday as well, but they are starting to look like the better team in each game they play. With half a season to go, barring any more major injuries, they sure look playoff bound.
The Cowboys gave the Giants a huge scare yesterday coming back from a 23 point deficit to briefly take the lead. In the end, they still lost, and that loss probably ended their season as well. They are no longer the team to beat in that division. They haven't been for quite a while.
Tom Brady sure looks like his old self. The Patriots are running roughshod over everyone again, and in yesterday's game he did it on the world's stage in London, England. They sure are playing like they deserve another chance at the Super Bowl this year. I wouldn't bet against them.
I am enjoying Peyton Manning's resurgence at Denver. I'm also enjoying the Saints collapse. That both happened in one game last night was just a bonus. (Stat of the game: The Saints are the first team to allow 400 yards in seven straight games since 1950, which is as far back as STATS LLC can search its NFL database. It couldn't be happening to a nicer group of guys.)
I'm still bummed that the Vikings think Ponder is their QB of the future. If Frazier continues to commit to this guy, his own future will not be very bright. I'm no longer looking forward to Vikings games this season. I'm dreading them. At least I got to enjoy them for half a season. That's WAY more than I expected.
Green Bay struggled a bit yesterday as well, but they are starting to look like the better team in each game they play. With half a season to go, barring any more major injuries, they sure look playoff bound.
The Cowboys gave the Giants a huge scare yesterday coming back from a 23 point deficit to briefly take the lead. In the end, they still lost, and that loss probably ended their season as well. They are no longer the team to beat in that division. They haven't been for quite a while.
Tom Brady sure looks like his old self. The Patriots are running roughshod over everyone again, and in yesterday's game he did it on the world's stage in London, England. They sure are playing like they deserve another chance at the Super Bowl this year. I wouldn't bet against them.
I am enjoying Peyton Manning's resurgence at Denver. I'm also enjoying the Saints collapse. That both happened in one game last night was just a bonus. (Stat of the game: The Saints are the first team to allow 400 yards in seven straight games since 1950, which is as far back as STATS LLC can search its NFL database. It couldn't be happening to a nicer group of guys.)
I'm still bummed that the Vikings think Ponder is their QB of the future. If Frazier continues to commit to this guy, his own future will not be very bright. I'm no longer looking forward to Vikings games this season. I'm dreading them. At least I got to enjoy them for half a season. That's WAY more than I expected.
Good Game, Bad Series
The Giants had a good game last night. The problem is that they were so good in the series, that we had to settle for just 4 games in the World Series itself.
Detroit got swept and they lost the last two games at home. Their fans must be shocked and bitterly disappointed. They killed the mighty Yankees and were the World Series favorites.
The Giants turned out to be the dominant team. I hate it when the Series ends this fast. A few more games would have provided more memorable moments. A sweep means the Giants were never in any real trouble. Drama was lost. And the only fans who really liked what happened last night live in California. My guess is the ratings for these four games will be less than usual. Without the drama of close games and a close series, casual viewers look for something else.
Even I went to be last night when there was a pitching change in the ninth. I figured what happened next wasn't nearly as important as getting a good night's sleep. It turns out I was right. Even in the best game of the series, not enough was going on to keep me awake.
Detroit got swept and they lost the last two games at home. Their fans must be shocked and bitterly disappointed. They killed the mighty Yankees and were the World Series favorites.
The Giants turned out to be the dominant team. I hate it when the Series ends this fast. A few more games would have provided more memorable moments. A sweep means the Giants were never in any real trouble. Drama was lost. And the only fans who really liked what happened last night live in California. My guess is the ratings for these four games will be less than usual. Without the drama of close games and a close series, casual viewers look for something else.
Even I went to be last night when there was a pitching change in the ninth. I figured what happened next wasn't nearly as important as getting a good night's sleep. It turns out I was right. Even in the best game of the series, not enough was going on to keep me awake.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Michael Bennet Goes to Jail
Ten years ago, as a rookie, Michael Bennet was the star, all-pro running back for the Minnesota Vikings. He had 1,300 yards that first season. He was less productive his second season and the Vikes cut him.
Yesterday, at the age of 34, he was sentenced to 15 months of jail as part of a fraudulent check cashing scheme in Florida.
It's amazing how fast life turns around for some athletes.
Yesterday, at the age of 34, he was sentenced to 15 months of jail as part of a fraudulent check cashing scheme in Florida.
It's amazing how fast life turns around for some athletes.
College Football Rocks!
Remember how I mentioned last week that both Alabama and Florida were crushing opponents while being ranked number 1 and 2? Well number TWO ran into a brick wall yesterday. Georgia knocked them off 17-9, most likely eliminating Florida from the National Title hunt. Another week. Another huge elimination from the season-long, sudden death playoff known as college football.
Another undefeated, number seven Oregon State also went down yesterday. Both of these games MATTERED. Both had title implications and now Florida and Oregon State are merely outsiders looking in at what could have been theirs. When the National Championship is at stake every single time you play, when ANY single loss eliminates YOU from the playoff, you feel the tension because you KNOW what's at stake. That makes for the best college sports viewing every single Saturday.
Those who want a playoff series don't appreciate what they already have. The "best" is staring them in the face every single Saturday and yet they think something added to the end will make all of this better.
They are wrong. And yesterday was just another in a long line of great examples as to why they are wrong.
Will there be more upsets in the coming weeks? Most likely. That's why fans keep watching.
Side note: A couple of seasons ago, once mighty Notre Dame had sunk to the point where they were no better than the Golden Gophers of Minnesota. THIS season they have totally rebuilt their program. Yesterday they beat number EIGHT Oklahoma AT Oklahoma. Nobody does that. Going in, Notre Dame was undefeated at number FIVE. Look for them to move up in the rankings this week.
Speaking of the Gophers...
They CLUBBED Purdue yesterday while true freshman Phillip Nelson played QB for the Gophers. Is THIS the spark the Gophers need to turn around their program as well? Stay tuned. The Gophers are only ONE win away from playing some post season bowl again. It's not a National Championship, but it's a start.
Another undefeated, number seven Oregon State also went down yesterday. Both of these games MATTERED. Both had title implications and now Florida and Oregon State are merely outsiders looking in at what could have been theirs. When the National Championship is at stake every single time you play, when ANY single loss eliminates YOU from the playoff, you feel the tension because you KNOW what's at stake. That makes for the best college sports viewing every single Saturday.
Those who want a playoff series don't appreciate what they already have. The "best" is staring them in the face every single Saturday and yet they think something added to the end will make all of this better.
They are wrong. And yesterday was just another in a long line of great examples as to why they are wrong.
Will there be more upsets in the coming weeks? Most likely. That's why fans keep watching.
Side note: A couple of seasons ago, once mighty Notre Dame had sunk to the point where they were no better than the Golden Gophers of Minnesota. THIS season they have totally rebuilt their program. Yesterday they beat number EIGHT Oklahoma AT Oklahoma. Nobody does that. Going in, Notre Dame was undefeated at number FIVE. Look for them to move up in the rankings this week.
Speaking of the Gophers...
They CLUBBED Purdue yesterday while true freshman Phillip Nelson played QB for the Gophers. Is THIS the spark the Gophers need to turn around their program as well? Stay tuned. The Gophers are only ONE win away from playing some post season bowl again. It's not a National Championship, but it's a start.
Tigers Shutout Again
It's been nearly 50 years since a team has been shutout in back to back World Series losses.
The same Detroit team that destroyed the Yankees in the American league Championship Series is having the same thing done to them by San Francisco on the bigger stage.
Going in, it was Detroit that was being praised for its incredible starting pitching. Now its the Giants and their starters who are turning heads.
The Giants only need one more win to lock this thing down. I don't think there's a lot of gamblers in Vegas betting against them. The fat lady isn't singing just yet, but I think I hear her warming up in the bullpen.
The same Detroit team that destroyed the Yankees in the American league Championship Series is having the same thing done to them by San Francisco on the bigger stage.
Going in, it was Detroit that was being praised for its incredible starting pitching. Now its the Giants and their starters who are turning heads.
The Giants only need one more win to lock this thing down. I don't think there's a lot of gamblers in Vegas betting against them. The fat lady isn't singing just yet, but I think I hear her warming up in the bullpen.
Saturday, October 27, 2012
T-Wovles Finish Preseason 5-2
I'm going to try staying optimistic about the Wolves even if they are missing their top two stars for the foreseeable future. Maybe, just maybe, it'll give the "other guys" they have a chance to get better while everyone waits for Love and Rubio to return at full strength.
Regular season starts next Friday.
In NHL news: ALL November games have now been cancelled.
Regular season starts next Friday.
In NHL news: ALL November games have now been cancelled.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Giants Win Game Two
Another nice thing about the Vikings loss last night is that I got to watch a phenomenal pitching duel in last night's World Series game. THAT'S how a championship game should be played.
Go Giants! (But lose a few so that it goes seven games.)
Go Giants! (But lose a few so that it goes seven games.)
Formula For Success
For those who are still doubters after what I said after last week's win, I give you last night's game as further evidence that the Vikings cannot continue playing with such miserable quarterback play.
Frazier's formula for success? EVERY SINGLE ASPECT of the game has to go really well to pick up bad quarterbacking. So what happens when not every part of the team is playing on 8 cylinders?
Last night happens.
The Vikings defense looked horrible last night. Adrian Peterson had his yards but fumbled in a critical situation. Even Chris Kluwe couldn't figure out how to punt last night. Jerome Simpson fumbled one of Ponders' few early completions.
IF you look at the stats, you may think Ponder wasn't all that bad. You'd be wrong. He was horrible in the first half. He had MINUS ONE yards passing in the third quarter, and then when the game was over and the Bucs had a huge lead in the fourth quarter, they went into a prevent-defense that let Ponder complete short passes until the game was over. Those 117 extra yards were a gift by a very indifferent Tampa defense at that point.
The Vikings have Seattle, and two games with the Packers and two games with the Bears, and a game with Houston left on their schedule. That's SIX pretty good chances of getting clobbered worse than last night.
Last week Frazier said they didn't need a great QB to win in this league because they have a "formula for success."
He has it wrong. A good QB consistently LIFTS a team when other aspects aren't going well. We would never had known Chris Kluwe was having a bad night at punting IF Ponder could have got us a few first downs early. Adrian Peterson wouldn't be fumbling if we didn't have to use him on every play because Ponder can't pass. Our defense wouldn't look as bad as they do if Ponder would learn how to have a ball control offense that keeps the defense off the field and gives them some rest.
The FORMULA for success in this league is not some dumb philosophy that Leslie Frazier has concocted. It's having a good QB LEAD YOUR TEAM.
I don't think Joe Webb has the makings of a great QB, but I do think that a person with that kind of unnatural ability can make things happen. Things that Ponder can never hope or dream of. The team needs a spark of athleticism. And even if Webb isn't the answer to all that ails the Vikings, he couldn't be any worse than what Ponder is feeding the defenses right now. He'd also force defenses to think differently when he's out on the field.
Give Webb the last eight weeks of the season. IF he does poorly, re-tool for next season, and drop both he and Ponder form our QB position. BUT make the change now before you lose every Vikings fan on the planet. I could stand watching a few Vikings losses with Webb at the helm, but I can no longer stomach Frazier's formula for success.
Did anything good come from last night's game?
Surprisingly yes, I got to watch Elementary on CBS last night during that dreaded second half that everyone else was forced to slog through.
Great show! I'll be watching it again.
Frazier's formula for success? EVERY SINGLE ASPECT of the game has to go really well to pick up bad quarterbacking. So what happens when not every part of the team is playing on 8 cylinders?
Last night happens.
The Vikings defense looked horrible last night. Adrian Peterson had his yards but fumbled in a critical situation. Even Chris Kluwe couldn't figure out how to punt last night. Jerome Simpson fumbled one of Ponders' few early completions.
IF you look at the stats, you may think Ponder wasn't all that bad. You'd be wrong. He was horrible in the first half. He had MINUS ONE yards passing in the third quarter, and then when the game was over and the Bucs had a huge lead in the fourth quarter, they went into a prevent-defense that let Ponder complete short passes until the game was over. Those 117 extra yards were a gift by a very indifferent Tampa defense at that point.
The Vikings have Seattle, and two games with the Packers and two games with the Bears, and a game with Houston left on their schedule. That's SIX pretty good chances of getting clobbered worse than last night.
Last week Frazier said they didn't need a great QB to win in this league because they have a "formula for success."
He has it wrong. A good QB consistently LIFTS a team when other aspects aren't going well. We would never had known Chris Kluwe was having a bad night at punting IF Ponder could have got us a few first downs early. Adrian Peterson wouldn't be fumbling if we didn't have to use him on every play because Ponder can't pass. Our defense wouldn't look as bad as they do if Ponder would learn how to have a ball control offense that keeps the defense off the field and gives them some rest.
The FORMULA for success in this league is not some dumb philosophy that Leslie Frazier has concocted. It's having a good QB LEAD YOUR TEAM.
I don't think Joe Webb has the makings of a great QB, but I do think that a person with that kind of unnatural ability can make things happen. Things that Ponder can never hope or dream of. The team needs a spark of athleticism. And even if Webb isn't the answer to all that ails the Vikings, he couldn't be any worse than what Ponder is feeding the defenses right now. He'd also force defenses to think differently when he's out on the field.
Give Webb the last eight weeks of the season. IF he does poorly, re-tool for next season, and drop both he and Ponder form our QB position. BUT make the change now before you lose every Vikings fan on the planet. I could stand watching a few Vikings losses with Webb at the helm, but I can no longer stomach Frazier's formula for success.
Did anything good come from last night's game?
Surprisingly yes, I got to watch Elementary on CBS last night during that dreaded second half that everyone else was forced to slog through.
Great show! I'll be watching it again.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Vikings Preview
Tonight's game worries me. Tampa Bay may be 2-4 but they have a GREAT run defense. IF they stop Peterson we are going to be in big trouble. Ponder simply must be able to pass effectively tonight.
Worse? Tampa Bay has suddenly discovered they have an amazing offense. They threw for over 400 yards against the Saints two weeks ago, and last weekend had over 500 yards of total offense. This team cannot and should not be taken lightly. Many think they are a lot like the Packers this year and are just one good game away from turning it all around. They are way too good to be 2-4 and they want to prove it.
Will last week's Vikings defense show up tonight or will it the be the Vikings defense that let RG3 run all over them two weekends ago? Will Ponder stop throwing dumb passes and learn how to hold onto the ball when he's sacked?
Like I said, tonight's game worries me. A lot.
Worse? Tampa Bay has suddenly discovered they have an amazing offense. They threw for over 400 yards against the Saints two weeks ago, and last weekend had over 500 yards of total offense. This team cannot and should not be taken lightly. Many think they are a lot like the Packers this year and are just one good game away from turning it all around. They are way too good to be 2-4 and they want to prove it.
Will last week's Vikings defense show up tonight or will it the be the Vikings defense that let RG3 run all over them two weekends ago? Will Ponder stop throwing dumb passes and learn how to hold onto the ball when he's sacked?
Like I said, tonight's game worries me. A lot.
Thursday Night
I missed Sunday's big Vikings win completely and I'm planning on missing most of the first half tonight. CBS does not always provide all of their TV shows online. IF you miss an episode there is no guarantee that you can catch it later. I have TWO favorite shows, Big Bang Theory, and Person of Interest. Both are on Thursdays and both are on CBS. I will be watching those two shows tonight and switching to the Vikings game during commercials.
It's odd, I used to have three VCRs recording everything in prime time so that I would never miss anything that I watch. Now digital cable only allows me to use DVRs for that type of thing, but between Hulu, On-Demand, and networks own online versions of those services, the ONLY thing I need a DVR for would be sports and a little CBS programming. I can't see having a DVR when 95% of everything I watch is always available for me to easily catch later, even if I do nothing.
BUT Thursday nights like this are the problem. I want to catch both the Vikings and the World Series game tonight, too. Instead I'll be doing the responsible thing and making a choice. It's tough being an adult. A spoiled adult living in America.
It's odd, I used to have three VCRs recording everything in prime time so that I would never miss anything that I watch. Now digital cable only allows me to use DVRs for that type of thing, but between Hulu, On-Demand, and networks own online versions of those services, the ONLY thing I need a DVR for would be sports and a little CBS programming. I can't see having a DVR when 95% of everything I watch is always available for me to easily catch later, even if I do nothing.
BUT Thursday nights like this are the problem. I want to catch both the Vikings and the World Series game tonight, too. Instead I'll be doing the responsible thing and making a choice. It's tough being an adult. A spoiled adult living in America.
Detroit Surprised
Pablo Sandoval, the player most compared to Kung Fu Panda, had THREE homeruns last night. TWO of those were off "the best pitcher" in baseball, Justin Verlander. Add Barry Zito suddenly returning to his Cy Young award-winning form from several years back during the SAME game and you suddenly have San Francisco looking like the big favorite to win the World Series.
And at this point, I'm already rooting for them to beat the Tigers. San Fran crushed the Tigers last night and you always have to wonder if Detroit got a little stale with their long layoff. Yes, they played some practice games over the weekend against their minor league players, but that simply cannot be compared to the Giants playing their hearts out with adrenaline pumping while coming back to beat the Cardinals.
If momentum in sports is real thing, The Giants clearly have it.
I tend to believe momentum is only as good as your next pitching performance. Tonight's game could be a totally different story, and if it is, we could be settling in to a pretty entertaining World Series.
And at this point, I'm already rooting for them to beat the Tigers. San Fran crushed the Tigers last night and you always have to wonder if Detroit got a little stale with their long layoff. Yes, they played some practice games over the weekend against their minor league players, but that simply cannot be compared to the Giants playing their hearts out with adrenaline pumping while coming back to beat the Cardinals.
If momentum in sports is real thing, The Giants clearly have it.
I tend to believe momentum is only as good as your next pitching performance. Tonight's game could be a totally different story, and if it is, we could be settling in to a pretty entertaining World Series.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
DUI of the Day
Hall of Fame catcher Carlton Fisk was charged with a DUI in New Lenox,
Ill., on Monday after he was found unconscious behind the wheel of his
vehicle, which was found in the middle of a corn field, according to New
Lenox police.
I won't rant, but look at the number of deaths so far this year. Every single one was preventable.
I won't rant, but look at the number of deaths so far this year. Every single one was preventable.
Ramblings
Not much was happening yesterday in the world of sports, but tonight, when I get back from church, I'm looking forward to the ending of the first World Series game. Verlander has been the best pitcher in baseball for a couple years now. Barry Zito looked like his old self last time out for the Giants.
Games like this are usually low scoring affairs with late inning heroics by somebody. That's what I'm hoping for both tonight and all series long. I guess at this point I'm rooting for the Tigers to win and Delmon to continue his monster tear.
Two or three games from now I may change my mind. More than anything I want it to go down to the ninth inning in game seven. That's what makes baseball so special.
I guess I failed to mention that the Lynx missed their chance at a second consecutive WNBA title last week. I found myself watching a couple of minutes of each game and not caring what I saw. MAYBE if they were winning those games I would have cared more, But as it is, I didn't care at all.
Ozzie Guillen was fired again. This time the Marlins had the honor of dismissing him.
Why? Let's face it, Ozzie has a big mouth and it gets him in trouble. I'm not sure any other team will give him another chance at managing, but we'll probably see him and his face on sports shows all over the place.
Games like this are usually low scoring affairs with late inning heroics by somebody. That's what I'm hoping for both tonight and all series long. I guess at this point I'm rooting for the Tigers to win and Delmon to continue his monster tear.
Two or three games from now I may change my mind. More than anything I want it to go down to the ninth inning in game seven. That's what makes baseball so special.
I guess I failed to mention that the Lynx missed their chance at a second consecutive WNBA title last week. I found myself watching a couple of minutes of each game and not caring what I saw. MAYBE if they were winning those games I would have cared more, But as it is, I didn't care at all.
Ozzie Guillen was fired again. This time the Marlins had the honor of dismissing him.
Why? Let's face it, Ozzie has a big mouth and it gets him in trouble. I'm not sure any other team will give him another chance at managing, but we'll probably see him and his face on sports shows all over the place.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Ponder This
Quick stats based on Sunday's game:
Ponder completed just ONE pass for 4 yards in the second half, which included five punts in five possessions. His 35.5 passer rating was the lowest mark in 17 career starts. Ponder has thrown two interceptions in each of Minnesota's last three games.
Ponder completed just ONE pass for 4 yards in the second half, which included five punts in five possessions. His 35.5 passer rating was the lowest mark in 17 career starts. Ponder has thrown two interceptions in each of Minnesota's last three games.
Pro Bowl
The commissioner has said that the NFL may consider dropping the Pro Bowl game if the level of play doesn't improve.
There is no way that these guys are going to go all out in a game that they consider just for fun. I'd rather see it be a flag football game at this point. Canceling should just happen rather than just talking about it being a possibility.
The need for this game vanished ages ago. I don't know of any real fans who watch it from start to finish. I come across it while switching channels once in a while, watch it for a few minutes and then go on to something better. The Super Bowl is the goal. The Pro Bowl isn't anything in comparison.
I'm pretty sure I've written something similar to this every year. Cancel it already.
There is no way that these guys are going to go all out in a game that they consider just for fun. I'd rather see it be a flag football game at this point. Canceling should just happen rather than just talking about it being a possibility.
The need for this game vanished ages ago. I don't know of any real fans who watch it from start to finish. I come across it while switching channels once in a while, watch it for a few minutes and then go on to something better. The Super Bowl is the goal. The Pro Bowl isn't anything in comparison.
I'm pretty sure I've written something similar to this every year. Cancel it already.
Sports
The Bears have a crushing, opportunist defense. The Lions are looking like the worst team in the division again. All is as it should be.
The San Fran Giants had an easy time of game seven. A broken bat double was the key hit. The Series starts Wednesday.
I forgot to mention that Delmon Young was named A.L. Championship Series MVP . He had all FOUR game winning hits. No player in history has ever had all four game winning hits in one post-season series. When he gets hot, it's fun to watch.
The San Fran Giants had an easy time of game seven. A broken bat double was the key hit. The Series starts Wednesday.
I forgot to mention that Delmon Young was named A.L. Championship Series MVP . He had all FOUR game winning hits. No player in history has ever had all four game winning hits in one post-season series. When he gets hot, it's fun to watch.
Monday, October 22, 2012
DUI of the Day
Assistant Gopher basketball coach, Saul Smith, Tubby's son, has been suspended by the Gophers for DUI.
Over 100,000 people have died in the last decade as a direct result of drunk driving.
100,000 people are dead because we allow drunk driving to continue in our society. The penalties are obviously not stiff enough to get drunks off the road.
It's time to get tough on drunk drivers. Seriously tough. They can no longer be allowed on America's highways.
Over 100,000 people have died in the last decade as a direct result of drunk driving.
100,000 people are dead because we allow drunk driving to continue in our society. The penalties are obviously not stiff enough to get drunks off the road.
It's time to get tough on drunk drivers. Seriously tough. They can no longer be allowed on America's highways.
Giants Win
I can't tell you why I'm rooting for the San Francisco Giants to make it to the World Series, I just know that I am. I guess I like the idea that they they were down three games to one in their series to the Cardinals and that they've come all the way back to force a game seven.
I know it's former Twin, Kyle Loshe, pitching for the Cardinals too, but I'm still rooting for San Fran. The nice thing? IF Loshe has a great game for the Cards and St. Louis wins, I'll still be pretty happy. At this point, I'm just glad the series is going 7 games.
Better? Between WWE Raw, Monday Night Football, and baseball I can totally avoid that third Presidential debate tonight. I've had enough politics and political ads to last a life-time. I would like to think that most people would vote for candidates based on their philosophies and record and not how well they yell at their opponent.
America is in crisis. If people don't see that, America is lost.
Sadly, I don't think most people see that. Worse? It's possible that it's already too late for either candidate to do something about it, even if they did everything right for the next four years. 16 trillion dollars worth of debt will handicap or destroy future generations and any real chance of their financial success.
The most compelling stat that I've read recently is the scariest of all. IF you took ALL the wealth of the richest 10% of the people in the world. ALL OF IT. And redistributed it to the remaining 90%, every man woman and child on earth would receive $12,000. Many people in Africa would be celebrating that amount, but in America it wouldn't even pay 25% of the $50,000 each American now owes as their share of the debt.
And once you stole ALL of the rich peoples wealth, their would be no other real source of income to pay for ANY government programs, (now or in the future) let alone pay off the debt. Re-distributing wealth will not/cannot work. Even rich people do not have enough money to fix this problem. Continuing to increase both taxing on them while spending more only delays the inevitable total collapse of the entire world economy.
Government is too big. It needs to spend less. Not just a little less, but a lot less, and it still has to set money aside to pay off the $16 trillion dollar debt. The interest on the debt alone is more money than our entire government budget was a generation ago. These things go up exponentially not arithmetically. It's possible that our interest on the national debt in as little as 10 years will be bigger than our current government budget.
Think about that last sentence. That means we will have to tax everyone TWICE as much in ten years just to stay even with where we are at right now. But in an economy like that, 25% unemployment is not out of the question. And 25% will just be the starting point. Those who can find work will have to pay many more taxes as a result.
I hate doom and gloom predictions as much as the next person, but the laws of economics mean more than politicians and their broken promises. DEBT will kill this country. It's just a matter of time. I might have the years wrong, but the end result will be the same. This debt has to be dealt with. NOW.
There is a point of no return, also called a tipping point. It's the point where there is no viable solution to a problem and the problem simply cannot be fixed. Some major economists already think we've passed this point. I hope not. Otherwise it's already all over. We just won't see its full effect in our lifetime. It's our kids that will be forced to live the nightmare and every single generation after that.
I know it's former Twin, Kyle Loshe, pitching for the Cardinals too, but I'm still rooting for San Fran. The nice thing? IF Loshe has a great game for the Cards and St. Louis wins, I'll still be pretty happy. At this point, I'm just glad the series is going 7 games.
Better? Between WWE Raw, Monday Night Football, and baseball I can totally avoid that third Presidential debate tonight. I've had enough politics and political ads to last a life-time. I would like to think that most people would vote for candidates based on their philosophies and record and not how well they yell at their opponent.
America is in crisis. If people don't see that, America is lost.
Sadly, I don't think most people see that. Worse? It's possible that it's already too late for either candidate to do something about it, even if they did everything right for the next four years. 16 trillion dollars worth of debt will handicap or destroy future generations and any real chance of their financial success.
The most compelling stat that I've read recently is the scariest of all. IF you took ALL the wealth of the richest 10% of the people in the world. ALL OF IT. And redistributed it to the remaining 90%, every man woman and child on earth would receive $12,000. Many people in Africa would be celebrating that amount, but in America it wouldn't even pay 25% of the $50,000 each American now owes as their share of the debt.
And once you stole ALL of the rich peoples wealth, their would be no other real source of income to pay for ANY government programs, (now or in the future) let alone pay off the debt. Re-distributing wealth will not/cannot work. Even rich people do not have enough money to fix this problem. Continuing to increase both taxing on them while spending more only delays the inevitable total collapse of the entire world economy.
Government is too big. It needs to spend less. Not just a little less, but a lot less, and it still has to set money aside to pay off the $16 trillion dollar debt. The interest on the debt alone is more money than our entire government budget was a generation ago. These things go up exponentially not arithmetically. It's possible that our interest on the national debt in as little as 10 years will be bigger than our current government budget.
Think about that last sentence. That means we will have to tax everyone TWICE as much in ten years just to stay even with where we are at right now. But in an economy like that, 25% unemployment is not out of the question. And 25% will just be the starting point. Those who can find work will have to pay many more taxes as a result.
I hate doom and gloom predictions as much as the next person, but the laws of economics mean more than politicians and their broken promises. DEBT will kill this country. It's just a matter of time. I might have the years wrong, but the end result will be the same. This debt has to be dealt with. NOW.
There is a point of no return, also called a tipping point. It's the point where there is no viable solution to a problem and the problem simply cannot be fixed. Some major economists already think we've passed this point. I hope not. Otherwise it's already all over. We just won't see its full effect in our lifetime. It's our kids that will be forced to live the nightmare and every single generation after that.
Vikings Don't Lose
"The way we've tried to structure our team, the philosophy lends itself to winning games like this when you are not completing a lot of balls down the field in a league where so many say that's the way you have to win," coach Leslie Frazier said, adding: "That's a formula for success."
I didn't see yesterday's game at all. But I have read about it, watched many different highlight reels and checked the stats. NOTHING scares me more about the Vikings and their future more than THAT idiotic statement made by head coach Leslie Frazier yesterday after the game.
The Vikings defense was great YESTERDAY. They made incredible plays at JUST THE RIGHT TIME to keep a pretty decent Cardinals offense in check just enough to win, and Adrian Peterson had his best game of the season, BUT their QUARTERBACK probably had the worst showing of offense of any winning QB in the HISTORY of football yesterday. This is not a "formula for success." It's actually a recipe for disaster. No team can depend on that much GREAT play to offset a horrible quarterback week after week. Ponder threw two more really, really stupid interceptions yesterday. The same type of passes that get kids pulled from junior high games. I don't care so much that he only had 58 yards passing. I care that he almost handed Arizona the win on a day when EVERYTHING else was going about as good as you could possibly hope or imagine. The 58 yards passing was just a symptom of a really broken offense led by a horribly unqualified QB. Can anyone argue at this point that Joe Webb would be a worse choice to start Thursday's game against Tampa Bay? Ponder's INTs and fumbles are becoming the stuff of legends. DON'T force your defense to make up for that type of incompetent play week after week. He's actually making Viking's fans long for the days of Tarvaris Jackson.
I KNOW the Vikings are 5-2. I LOVE the fact that they are actually appearing to be in the playoff hunt. But I also know we have lots of tough football ahead and I can't believe that Frazier thinks this kind of horrible QB play is a "formula for success." The schedule is getting tougher, not easier. This unacceptable QB situation has to be addressed. NOW. The Vikes aren't winning because of their quarterback. They are winning despite their QB play. If Frazier doesn't actually see this, the whole team is doomed. It took him 5 weeks last year to ditch McNabb and his incompetence. Frazier cannot continue to be this loyal to his current inadequate decision-making.
The Cardinals offense had the ball for TEN more minutes of clock time yesterday. The Vikings offense only had ONE first down the ENTIRE second half yesterday until Adrian Peterson finally got one last first down just before time expired in yesterday's game. Again, these are symptoms of something that is broken. You do not celebrate broken by saying you have the right formula in place. You FIX broken.
IF the Vikings win two of their next three games, I'll take it all back. If Ponder starts looking like a competent NFL quarterback over that time, I'll change my opinion. But does any Vikings fan really think that will happen? If Ponder continues to play like this, the Vikes will be lucky to finish 8-8 for the year. I've been saying for weeks that the Vikings have been more lucky than good. Eventually all that luck runs out. And it shows up in the standings and in long losing streaks. I don't want a long losing streak to prove me right. I want a QB that makes it possible to keep winning.
Ponder is not it. He's not even close.
I didn't see yesterday's game at all. But I have read about it, watched many different highlight reels and checked the stats. NOTHING scares me more about the Vikings and their future more than THAT idiotic statement made by head coach Leslie Frazier yesterday after the game.
The Vikings defense was great YESTERDAY. They made incredible plays at JUST THE RIGHT TIME to keep a pretty decent Cardinals offense in check just enough to win, and Adrian Peterson had his best game of the season, BUT their QUARTERBACK probably had the worst showing of offense of any winning QB in the HISTORY of football yesterday. This is not a "formula for success." It's actually a recipe for disaster. No team can depend on that much GREAT play to offset a horrible quarterback week after week. Ponder threw two more really, really stupid interceptions yesterday. The same type of passes that get kids pulled from junior high games. I don't care so much that he only had 58 yards passing. I care that he almost handed Arizona the win on a day when EVERYTHING else was going about as good as you could possibly hope or imagine. The 58 yards passing was just a symptom of a really broken offense led by a horribly unqualified QB. Can anyone argue at this point that Joe Webb would be a worse choice to start Thursday's game against Tampa Bay? Ponder's INTs and fumbles are becoming the stuff of legends. DON'T force your defense to make up for that type of incompetent play week after week. He's actually making Viking's fans long for the days of Tarvaris Jackson.
I KNOW the Vikings are 5-2. I LOVE the fact that they are actually appearing to be in the playoff hunt. But I also know we have lots of tough football ahead and I can't believe that Frazier thinks this kind of horrible QB play is a "formula for success." The schedule is getting tougher, not easier. This unacceptable QB situation has to be addressed. NOW. The Vikes aren't winning because of their quarterback. They are winning despite their QB play. If Frazier doesn't actually see this, the whole team is doomed. It took him 5 weeks last year to ditch McNabb and his incompetence. Frazier cannot continue to be this loyal to his current inadequate decision-making.
The Cardinals offense had the ball for TEN more minutes of clock time yesterday. The Vikings offense only had ONE first down the ENTIRE second half yesterday until Adrian Peterson finally got one last first down just before time expired in yesterday's game. Again, these are symptoms of something that is broken. You do not celebrate broken by saying you have the right formula in place. You FIX broken.
IF the Vikings win two of their next three games, I'll take it all back. If Ponder starts looking like a competent NFL quarterback over that time, I'll change my opinion. But does any Vikings fan really think that will happen? If Ponder continues to play like this, the Vikes will be lucky to finish 8-8 for the year. I've been saying for weeks that the Vikings have been more lucky than good. Eventually all that luck runs out. And it shows up in the standings and in long losing streaks. I don't want a long losing streak to prove me right. I want a QB that makes it possible to keep winning.
Ponder is not it. He's not even close.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Vikings
The Vikes play Arizona at home today. It'll pretty much be the same story. IF Ponder doesn't do anything stupid, especially early, and IF the Vikes defense plays well, the Vikes can win this game.
The nice thing is they've proven that this year.
The sad thing? Most would agree the Vikes have been more lucky than good so far this season, but we covered that in depth last week so I won't rehash old agruments.
Our church has a quarterly business meeting today so I don't think I'll get to watch much of this game. How the Vikings play today will determine if that's good news or bad news.
I can always watch tons of highlights of a great victory later today IF they win and I sure won't mind missing a horrible loss. Either way, I'm still INTERESTED in the team this year. Knowing that this is the SEVENTH week of the season, that says a lot.
Go Vikings!
The nice thing is they've proven that this year.
The sad thing? Most would agree the Vikes have been more lucky than good so far this season, but we covered that in depth last week so I won't rehash old agruments.
Our church has a quarterly business meeting today so I don't think I'll get to watch much of this game. How the Vikings play today will determine if that's good news or bad news.
I can always watch tons of highlights of a great victory later today IF they win and I sure won't mind missing a horrible loss. Either way, I'm still INTERESTED in the team this year. Knowing that this is the SEVENTH week of the season, that says a lot.
Go Vikings!
College Football
ALL but one of the top 20 teams that played yesterday won their games. That would seem to indicate that when the top teams play their best that they will win. The polls ARE a good indication of who are the tops teams. Upsets are great, but in the long run, the best teams consistently win, and the pollsters have got those teams ranked pretty well.
The one team that lost? Number seven South Carolina got clubbed by number TWO Florida., which is the way it should be. Alabama and Florida ARE the top two teams in the country and they are playing like it. Unless a major upset occurs in the next few weeks, those teams will play for the National Championship. At this point BOTH deserve it. They are destroying opponents, not just winning.
Am I still hoping one or both get upset before the end of the season? Of course. That's why I watch. That's what makes college football exciting even if you have a lousy home team.
It's a sudden death playoff that runs all season long. You just can't make that system any better.
They'll make it WORSE in a couple of seasons when they add a post-season playoff, but for now college football is still the best.
Well, except for PRO football of course. No one will ever beat that.
The one team that lost? Number seven South Carolina got clubbed by number TWO Florida., which is the way it should be. Alabama and Florida ARE the top two teams in the country and they are playing like it. Unless a major upset occurs in the next few weeks, those teams will play for the National Championship. At this point BOTH deserve it. They are destroying opponents, not just winning.
Am I still hoping one or both get upset before the end of the season? Of course. That's why I watch. That's what makes college football exciting even if you have a lousy home team.
It's a sudden death playoff that runs all season long. You just can't make that system any better.
They'll make it WORSE in a couple of seasons when they add a post-season playoff, but for now college football is still the best.
Well, except for PRO football of course. No one will ever beat that.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Rubio, Rubio, Wherefore Art Thou Rubio
I'll admit it. I WAS REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO NBA BASKETBALL THIS SEASON.
Now I'm just ticked.
Love breaks his shooting hand and will be out six to eight weeks, and Rubio is nowhere close to coming back either. The whole season is completely flushed before it even starts and even when both players are reunited "sometime maybe in January" it will be too late to be any good.
By then, I won't want to watch either of them because the team will be so out of the playoff hunt that it won't matter. Just another totally wasted entire NBA season. AGAIN!
ARGGGHHHH!!!
If I don't report on any Wolves games this year, you'll know why. I don't even want to think about them right now I'm so ticked.
My mind doesn't know how to deal with this.
Now I'm just ticked.
Love breaks his shooting hand and will be out six to eight weeks, and Rubio is nowhere close to coming back either. The whole season is completely flushed before it even starts and even when both players are reunited "sometime maybe in January" it will be too late to be any good.
By then, I won't want to watch either of them because the team will be so out of the playoff hunt that it won't matter. Just another totally wasted entire NBA season. AGAIN!
ARGGGHHHH!!!
If I don't report on any Wolves games this year, you'll know why. I don't even want to think about them right now I'm so ticked.
My mind doesn't know how to deal with this.
Zito, Giants Win
I'm glad the series has been extended. More baseball to watch is a good thing.
I heard an interesting stat yesterday. Justin Verlander is the ONLY player left on the Detroit roster from their 2006 World Series Championship year. They've basically totally rebuilt their roster and didn't care who they got rid of. It makes you realize that "holding onto stars" that fans may care about NOW really doesn't matter. Faces change every year and you still support YOUR team as long as you have a winner.
That got me thinking.What did the Twins roster look like just 6 seasons ago? By my count, 4 of these guys are still on our roster. It's hard to believe we've put up with Casilla this long.
Here's a trip down memory lane for you:
I heard an interesting stat yesterday. Justin Verlander is the ONLY player left on the Detroit roster from their 2006 World Series Championship year. They've basically totally rebuilt their roster and didn't care who they got rid of. It makes you realize that "holding onto stars" that fans may care about NOW really doesn't matter. Faces change every year and you still support YOUR team as long as you have a winner.
That got me thinking.What did the Twins roster look like just 6 seasons ago? By my count, 4 of these guys are still on our roster. It's hard to believe we've put up with Casilla this long.
Here's a trip down memory lane for you:
Friday, October 19, 2012
Did the Vikings Settle?
How difficult was it to watch RG3 run through and pass around the Vikings exhausted defense last week?
And how difficult is it to watch Christian Ponder attempt to be a pro quarterback every Sunday? I'm not saying Ponder won't be good at some future moment in time, but bad CURRENT passing might not ever earn him the opportunity. A couple of more bad games and we may seem him relegated to backup duty. I'm not suggesting Joe Webb be our starter either. IF he was a good passer, he'd probably be playing right now. The coaches see him every day in practice and they know that the kid can't throw accurately.
But those two facts, along with the wealth of QB talent that entered the league in the last two seasons makes you kind of wonder if the Vikings were so desperate for a QB last season that they merely settled for Ponder. Sam Bradford and Cam Newton were the top two QB selections last year and they look on course to be great NFL quarterbacks. Ponder was an "iffy" third choice at the time he was selected, but the Vikings wanted a quarteback no matter what.
And that's the problem. Instead of being content last year with Joe Webb who admittedly needed experience, they went with a worthless cast-off veteran named Donovan McNabb last season while drafting Ponder as their QB of the future. Most thought the Vikings were going to be awful last season anyway (and most people were right) so I'm not sure why the Vikes drafted Ponder LAST season to be their QB THIS year,
How much SMARTER would they have been to wait for the more talented group of QBs this season? RG3 looks to be great. But rookies Andrew Luck (for the Colts), Ryan Tannehill (Dolphins), Russel Wilson (Seahawks), and Brandon Weeden (Browns) didn't just come out of nowhere this season, either. They ALL came super highly regarded and were on the scouts radar last season as well. The Vikings were so deperate to "fix" their bad QB problem last year that they are now stuck with a very average Ponder for now and the future. THREE of the QBs I just mentioned were available for the Vikes to draft this year if they had waited. Since they made the mediocre Ponder choice last year, they didn't even think about getting perhaps a better QB this year.
The Vikings settled, and now instead of having a really good QB with lots of future potential we get stuck with Ponder until that failed experiment ends. And we'll get to see RG3's touchdown run against the Vikings on highlight reels over and over again for at least the next decade. Just like we saw the Tony Dorsett 99 yard TD run against the Vikings over and over again, or the Steve Young touchdown run against the Vikings over and over again for at least a decade.
Washington has hope for the future because they were patient and got THEIR guy. What'd we get? Something to Ponder.
And how difficult is it to watch Christian Ponder attempt to be a pro quarterback every Sunday? I'm not saying Ponder won't be good at some future moment in time, but bad CURRENT passing might not ever earn him the opportunity. A couple of more bad games and we may seem him relegated to backup duty. I'm not suggesting Joe Webb be our starter either. IF he was a good passer, he'd probably be playing right now. The coaches see him every day in practice and they know that the kid can't throw accurately.
But those two facts, along with the wealth of QB talent that entered the league in the last two seasons makes you kind of wonder if the Vikings were so desperate for a QB last season that they merely settled for Ponder. Sam Bradford and Cam Newton were the top two QB selections last year and they look on course to be great NFL quarterbacks. Ponder was an "iffy" third choice at the time he was selected, but the Vikings wanted a quarteback no matter what.
And that's the problem. Instead of being content last year with Joe Webb who admittedly needed experience, they went with a worthless cast-off veteran named Donovan McNabb last season while drafting Ponder as their QB of the future. Most thought the Vikings were going to be awful last season anyway (and most people were right) so I'm not sure why the Vikes drafted Ponder LAST season to be their QB THIS year,
How much SMARTER would they have been to wait for the more talented group of QBs this season? RG3 looks to be great. But rookies Andrew Luck (for the Colts), Ryan Tannehill (Dolphins), Russel Wilson (Seahawks), and Brandon Weeden (Browns) didn't just come out of nowhere this season, either. They ALL came super highly regarded and were on the scouts radar last season as well. The Vikings were so deperate to "fix" their bad QB problem last year that they are now stuck with a very average Ponder for now and the future. THREE of the QBs I just mentioned were available for the Vikes to draft this year if they had waited. Since they made the mediocre Ponder choice last year, they didn't even think about getting perhaps a better QB this year.
The Vikings settled, and now instead of having a really good QB with lots of future potential we get stuck with Ponder until that failed experiment ends. And we'll get to see RG3's touchdown run against the Vikings on highlight reels over and over again for at least the next decade. Just like we saw the Tony Dorsett 99 yard TD run against the Vikings over and over again, or the Steve Young touchdown run against the Vikings over and over again for at least a decade.
Washington has hope for the future because they were patient and got THEIR guy. What'd we get? Something to Ponder.
Football
As good as Seattle has been playing lately, I was actually kind of surprised that the 49ers won last night. I guess that shows that there really are no great teams in the NFL this year. I know that Atlanta is still undefeated BUT they've won in the last second too often this year to be considered the best in the league. I might change my mind if they keep the streak going, BUT I don't see that happening much longer.
This is a good year to be an NFL fan. MOST teams can truly beat another team any given Sunday this season. That leaves me hope for for both my Packers and my Vikings. ONE of those teams should make the playoffs.
This is a good year to be an NFL fan. MOST teams can truly beat another team any given Sunday this season. That leaves me hope for for both my Packers and my Vikings. ONE of those teams should make the playoffs.
Detroit SWEEPS Yankees
Could a $200 million roster look any worse than the Yankees in their series with Detroit? They batted a buck fifty and scored just SIX runs in four games. And it's not like their pitching was great either. There is actually talk of the Yankees eating the remaining 5 years of A-Rod's contract (still worth north of $110 million dollars all by itself) because he was SOOO pitifully inept during the post-season. No word on what they plan on doing with all the other miserably inept players on their roster, though.
The Cardinals are just one game away from heading back to the Series as well. So far, the Giants have offered little resistance to the Red Birds. Most are saying that series is basically over as well. I tend to agree. The sad part? The games aren't that good any more either. Hoping for a good World Series.
The Cardinals are just one game away from heading back to the Series as well. So far, the Giants have offered little resistance to the Red Birds. Most are saying that series is basically over as well. I tend to agree. The sad part? The games aren't that good any more either. Hoping for a good World Series.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Kevin Love Breaks Hand
He'll be out 6-8 weeks. That means he'll miss at least the first month of the season.
I guess we'll have to wait at least another season for Rubio and Love to have a real impact on the Wolves.
I guess we'll have to wait at least another season for Rubio and Love to have a real impact on the Wolves.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Baseball
The Yanks are down three games to none. They've scored five runs total in three games. All is right in the baseball world.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Football
I tried watching the first half of last night's Monday Night Football game.
It was too hard. Manning and the Broncos were down 24-0 at halftime and I was thinking that Manning should just retire.
But I kept watching in the second half JUST IN CASE it became a better game.
That was one of the best decisions I ever made. The final was 35-24 Denver and I saw one of the greatest combacks in NFL history. Manning was amazing. The Denver defense was equally amazing and I still got to go to be early because of Denver's last interception that was ran back for a touchdown.
San Diego fans must still be stunned. NOBODY loses a football game when you're up 24-0 at halftime.
Great game!
I also watched a lot of the playoff baseball game last night. I got to see most of that game as well. I also watched WWE Raw last night at the same time. I don't think I missed anything that was important on any of the three shows.
It's hard to believe how many commercials are broadcast and how that allows successful viewing of three shows at the same time.
I won't say this often but here it is, "go commercials!."
Another highlight? Two members of the Grateful Dead teamed up with the Giants third base coach to sing the National Anthem last night before the playoff game. It was a memorable rendition and all three old guys should be proud.
It was too hard. Manning and the Broncos were down 24-0 at halftime and I was thinking that Manning should just retire.
But I kept watching in the second half JUST IN CASE it became a better game.
That was one of the best decisions I ever made. The final was 35-24 Denver and I saw one of the greatest combacks in NFL history. Manning was amazing. The Denver defense was equally amazing and I still got to go to be early because of Denver's last interception that was ran back for a touchdown.
San Diego fans must still be stunned. NOBODY loses a football game when you're up 24-0 at halftime.
Great game!
I also watched a lot of the playoff baseball game last night. I got to see most of that game as well. I also watched WWE Raw last night at the same time. I don't think I missed anything that was important on any of the three shows.
It's hard to believe how many commercials are broadcast and how that allows successful viewing of three shows at the same time.
I won't say this often but here it is, "go commercials!."
Another highlight? Two members of the Grateful Dead teamed up with the Giants third base coach to sing the National Anthem last night before the playoff game. It was a memorable rendition and all three old guys should be proud.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Separated at Birth
The PACK is BACK!
There was no doubt who was had the best team on the field last night. The rest of the league has now been put on notice.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Ponderous Offense Returns as Predicted
As I suggested/predicted earlier today, the Vikings defense would be outmatched by RG3 AND that Christian Ponder's luck would run out. We needed a "near flawless" game and what we got wash washed up Christian Ponder.
I forgot to mention that we'd be too willing to settle for field goals early and that would kill any chance we had at a win today.
But I've said that often enough in the past so I hope you'll forgive me.
My Packers battle impossible odds tonight and I'm still pumped. The first few weeks of the season were merely an illusion. The Vikings are an awful team and the Pack, MY PACK is ready for their championship run. It all starts today.
OH, and the Yankees lost today PARTLY because professional umps missed a HUGE call. It's time for instant replay in MLB. Championships are decided by officials more than players or teams. That's MY MOTTO and I'm sticking to it.
But at least it happened to the Yankees so I'm still smiling.
I forgot to mention that we'd be too willing to settle for field goals early and that would kill any chance we had at a win today.
But I've said that often enough in the past so I hope you'll forgive me.
My Packers battle impossible odds tonight and I'm still pumped. The first few weeks of the season were merely an illusion. The Vikings are an awful team and the Pack, MY PACK is ready for their championship run. It all starts today.
OH, and the Yankees lost today PARTLY because professional umps missed a HUGE call. It's time for instant replay in MLB. Championships are decided by officials more than players or teams. That's MY MOTTO and I'm sticking to it.
But at least it happened to the Yankees so I'm still smiling.
VIKINGS!
I admit, I'm still not convinced the Vikings are good enough to be 4-1 this season.
I've seen opposing defenses drop Christian Ponder interceptions that would have given those teams wins against the Vikings. I've seen one of our running backs have three fumbles in three and a half minutes. Those things can't continue or we will start losing a lot. For now, we've just been lucky.
Let's not forget, we've also seen the Vikings special teams deliver multiple TDs. Those things are NOT the norm, either. They most likely will not continue.
Our defense HAS been good. That has to continue. The offense has to be more consistent. Ponder specifically has to stop throwing those dumb passes that could cost us wins. The two Ponder INTs Ponder threw last week were the same exact types of passes that other teams miraculously dropped in previous weeks. What we saw LAST week was the real Ponder. He's been like that all season but we tend to forget the equally bad passes that defenders didn't easily catch and run back for TDs in the games we won. He forces passes when under pressure and he throws stupid passes. So far, those passes have not hurt us. BUT if he keeps throwing them, the odds will catch up with him just like every other quarterback.
Robert Griffith III is one of the league's rising stars. he wants to prove to everyone today that he's fully recovered from last weeks concussion, and most likely he'll be encouraged to THROW the ball more this week rather than run. What's odd is that he WAS better known for his crisp passing in college more than his running. He is a great passer, and the Vikings defense is very likely to see that on display this afternoon.
I wouldn't be at all surprised to see the Vikings get beat today because of it. We need a near flawless game to win this week. I don't see our team living up to that ideal.
TWO last notes:
The Bears do not play this week. The Vikings will either be alone in first after today's game OR they will be in second place. No more "tied for first" either way.
The Packers are suffering and they face the best team in football, the Texans, at Houston tonight in prime time. I'm not optimistic about their chances either.
I've seen opposing defenses drop Christian Ponder interceptions that would have given those teams wins against the Vikings. I've seen one of our running backs have three fumbles in three and a half minutes. Those things can't continue or we will start losing a lot. For now, we've just been lucky.
Let's not forget, we've also seen the Vikings special teams deliver multiple TDs. Those things are NOT the norm, either. They most likely will not continue.
Our defense HAS been good. That has to continue. The offense has to be more consistent. Ponder specifically has to stop throwing those dumb passes that could cost us wins. The two Ponder INTs Ponder threw last week were the same exact types of passes that other teams miraculously dropped in previous weeks. What we saw LAST week was the real Ponder. He's been like that all season but we tend to forget the equally bad passes that defenders didn't easily catch and run back for TDs in the games we won. He forces passes when under pressure and he throws stupid passes. So far, those passes have not hurt us. BUT if he keeps throwing them, the odds will catch up with him just like every other quarterback.
Robert Griffith III is one of the league's rising stars. he wants to prove to everyone today that he's fully recovered from last weeks concussion, and most likely he'll be encouraged to THROW the ball more this week rather than run. What's odd is that he WAS better known for his crisp passing in college more than his running. He is a great passer, and the Vikings defense is very likely to see that on display this afternoon.
I wouldn't be at all surprised to see the Vikings get beat today because of it. We need a near flawless game to win this week. I don't see our team living up to that ideal.
TWO last notes:
The Bears do not play this week. The Vikings will either be alone in first after today's game OR they will be in second place. No more "tied for first" either way.
The Packers are suffering and they face the best team in football, the Texans, at Houston tonight in prime time. I'm not optimistic about their chances either.
TWO More Bite the Dust
The season-long, sudden death college football playoffs continued yesterday. Undefeated, number THREE, South Carolina, went down falling to number NINE LSU, who got beat last week.
Even bigger? UNRANKED Texas Tech clobbered number FIVE West Virginia yesterday afternoon. That's TWO more teams who have felt the wrath of the greatest season-long playoff in all of sports. Those games mattered for the National Championship and now those two teams are out of the hunt.
Finished.
Between all the great baseball playoff games and college football the last 8 days or so, this has been one amazing week of sports.
AND the Vikings play this afternoon AND there's TWO more baseball games.
It's almost too much to watch.
ALMOST...
Even bigger? UNRANKED Texas Tech clobbered number FIVE West Virginia yesterday afternoon. That's TWO more teams who have felt the wrath of the greatest season-long playoff in all of sports. Those games mattered for the National Championship and now those two teams are out of the hunt.
Finished.
Between all the great baseball playoff games and college football the last 8 days or so, this has been one amazing week of sports.
AND the Vikings play this afternoon AND there's TWO more baseball games.
It's almost too much to watch.
ALMOST...
WHAT A GAME!
When is a closer not a closer? When his name is Jose Valverde.
The Tigers were coasting last night. They had a 4-0 lead going into the bottom of the ninth and many Yankee fans had already left in order to get a good night's sleep anticipating a better game today.
They left too early.
Believe it or not, Raul Ibanez, the guy that hit hit the game tying homerun and game winning homerun just three games ago came up as a pinch-hitter again last night for the Yankees with two outs in the bottom of the ninth and the Yanks trailing by TWO with one on and...
...he hit ANOTHER game tying homerun to send the game into extra innings.
As much as I like great baseball, this is really hard to watch when it's always the Yankees doing it.
Not to fear, former Twin, Delmon Young, had a monster night for himself as well. He singled in the Tiger's second run early. Later he it a homerun giving the Tigers a 3-0 lead, AND at the end, doubled in the go ahead run in the 12th. That proved to be the game winner as Detroit went on to win 6-4.
The Yankees lost more than the game last night as well. They also lost Derek Jeter for the rest of the season. Jeter has been hobbled by a sore foot all of the post-season. Last night he made a quick plant with that foot on a grounder up the middle. The result was a broken ankle.
I feel bad for the Yankees, but everyone gave their all last night and it was one of the best playoff games of all-time.
In fact, there have been so many great games this week alone, that I can't believe they keep happening.
One more thing. Delmon Young, in just TWO post seasons with the Tigers has become Detroit's all-time post season homerun leader. He now has SIX. Delmon is now officially Detroit's MR. OCTOBER.
Who would have thunk it?
The Tigers were coasting last night. They had a 4-0 lead going into the bottom of the ninth and many Yankee fans had already left in order to get a good night's sleep anticipating a better game today.
They left too early.
Believe it or not, Raul Ibanez, the guy that hit hit the game tying homerun and game winning homerun just three games ago came up as a pinch-hitter again last night for the Yankees with two outs in the bottom of the ninth and the Yanks trailing by TWO with one on and...
...he hit ANOTHER game tying homerun to send the game into extra innings.
As much as I like great baseball, this is really hard to watch when it's always the Yankees doing it.
Not to fear, former Twin, Delmon Young, had a monster night for himself as well. He singled in the Tiger's second run early. Later he it a homerun giving the Tigers a 3-0 lead, AND at the end, doubled in the go ahead run in the 12th. That proved to be the game winner as Detroit went on to win 6-4.
The Yankees lost more than the game last night as well. They also lost Derek Jeter for the rest of the season. Jeter has been hobbled by a sore foot all of the post-season. Last night he made a quick plant with that foot on a grounder up the middle. The result was a broken ankle.
I feel bad for the Yankees, but everyone gave their all last night and it was one of the best playoff games of all-time.
In fact, there have been so many great games this week alone, that I can't believe they keep happening.
One more thing. Delmon Young, in just TWO post seasons with the Tigers has become Detroit's all-time post season homerun leader. He now has SIX. Delmon is now officially Detroit's MR. OCTOBER.
Who would have thunk it?
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Amazing Baseball
I didn't like the outcome of either series yesterday, but you can't argue with the quality of both games. That Cardinal comeback last night will become part of legend, especially if they end up winning the World Series again this year.
Trailing 6-0 after three, they kept pecking away at the lead until they finally tied it at 7 in the ninth with two outs. AND THEN they got a two-run single in the same inning two pull ahead 9-7.
They held on and sent the local Nationals and their fans home very, very depressed.
I actually felt more sorry for the Orioles yesterday. They weren't so much overmatched by Sabathia as they simply were overmatched by having to play that extra playoff game last Friday. They had to settle for their fourth best pitcher going against the Yankees high-priced ace. It really was no contest. That the game remained close shows you just how good this Oriole squad was this season.
In the end, the Yankees and their highly paid roster prevailed.
I have no real rooting interest at this point. I just more great baseball and the Yankees to lose one more series. Either is fine, just so they don't win it all...again. Go everybody else!
Trailing 6-0 after three, they kept pecking away at the lead until they finally tied it at 7 in the ninth with two outs. AND THEN they got a two-run single in the same inning two pull ahead 9-7.
They held on and sent the local Nationals and their fans home very, very depressed.
I actually felt more sorry for the Orioles yesterday. They weren't so much overmatched by Sabathia as they simply were overmatched by having to play that extra playoff game last Friday. They had to settle for their fourth best pitcher going against the Yankees high-priced ace. It really was no contest. That the game remained close shows you just how good this Oriole squad was this season.
In the end, the Yankees and their highly paid roster prevailed.
I have no real rooting interest at this point. I just more great baseball and the Yankees to lose one more series. Either is fine, just so they don't win it all...again. Go everybody else!
Friday, October 12, 2012
Titans Beat Steelers
The team the Vikings killed last Sunday squeaked by the Steelers last night. Both teams now have losing records.
Once great teams are not looking so great. The Steelers have now lost 5 of their last 6 road games going back to last season. Their playoff hopes are already in doubt.
Once great teams are not looking so great. The Steelers have now lost 5 of their last 6 road games going back to last season. Their playoff hopes are already in doubt.
More Great Baseball
Jayson Werth hit a walk-off homerun to keep the Nationals in the hunt. The Orioles needed 13 innings at New York but they tied their series as well.
Sadly, the Oakland A's lost their series to Detroit.
REAL moneyball will have to wait another season...
I am absolutely amazed about how much fans, sportscasters, and GMs are rooting for the Nationals to LOSE because they shut down Strasburg to protect his arm. AT the same time these same sportscasters are saying they think RGIII should SIT OUT the Vikings game to protect his future even if he does pass all the concussion tests. They think THIS young man should protect his future.
While I think that the Nats are being over-protected, Strasburg is their CROWN JEWEL. They want that valuable arm for years and years to come. Their chance of winning the Series this year is greatly diminished without Strasburg, but to root against the team because of that is laughable.
Now I REALLY want the a Nats/Orioles World Series. They could all bus to each other's stadiums and sleep in their own beds every night. And no one but me and a few friends would be watching.
Sadly, the Oakland A's lost their series to Detroit.
REAL moneyball will have to wait another season...
I am absolutely amazed about how much fans, sportscasters, and GMs are rooting for the Nationals to LOSE because they shut down Strasburg to protect his arm. AT the same time these same sportscasters are saying they think RGIII should SIT OUT the Vikings game to protect his future even if he does pass all the concussion tests. They think THIS young man should protect his future.
While I think that the Nats are being over-protected, Strasburg is their CROWN JEWEL. They want that valuable arm for years and years to come. Their chance of winning the Series this year is greatly diminished without Strasburg, but to root against the team because of that is laughable.
Now I REALLY want the a Nats/Orioles World Series. They could all bus to each other's stadiums and sleep in their own beds every night. And no one but me and a few friends would be watching.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Tour De Force
The USADA finally released their report on Lance Armstrong yesterday. A dozen witnesses and hundreds of pages of evidence suggests two things. 1) The entire sport (no hyperbole here) is so corrupt with drug use and illegal enhancements that it really should cease to exist. 2) Lance Armstrong was just as guilty as everyone else.
I know it begs the question, "If EVERYONE (literally EVERYONE -read the report.) from that era was cheating, was Lance singled out just because he won?"
Could anyone, however, tell me WHY the USADA wasted tens of millions of tax payer's dollars on this investigation (and subsequent report) when they are not a governing agency for the sport AND are not seeking criminal charges against anyone involved including Lance? What exactly was their interest? Possible long-term health risks studies that might have resulted from this activity were strangely MISSING from the report and were ignored completely. You know, the part that would give us a reason for USADA involvement.
And do I TRUST the findings of a group that had no real reason to be investigating this sport in the first place? What WAS their motivation? Were they merely curious?
Enquiring minds want to know...
Just for the record. I don't believe anyone should cheat to win. But if everybody is cheating as best as they can, is anybody really "cheating" or are you just doing what the sport (literally) demands.
I would have gotten what was being done here if it was the SPORT that was being indicted and not the individuals.
I feel the same way about steroid use and HGH use in sports like baseball. IF the environment exists where players feel they need to take drugs to compete on a fair playing field, then it's the sport that must police that environment. Once guidelines and testing are set up, players can be held accountable, but if the environment and conditions set up by the sport itself are responsible for the questionable activities, it's the environment that must change first. Confidential preliminary studies should never have included players names. Those names should never have been stored on record.
AFTER the new environment is set up, players/participants can and should be named. BUT the sport must clean itself up FIRST. This didn't happen in baseball and it didn't just happen with World Class Cycling.
And that's why I hate how all of this keeps going down. There's a right way to take care of the problem and there's a wrong way. So far, it's been the wrong way that's been coming out on top. It's no wonder players are hesitant to say anything in other sports. NOTHING is ever confidential. (Okay, THAT'S hyperbole, but you get the idea.)
These studies become witch hunts against individuals rather than helpful ways to clean up dirty sports. Let's keep the priorities straight.
I know it begs the question, "If EVERYONE (literally EVERYONE -read the report.) from that era was cheating, was Lance singled out just because he won?"
Could anyone, however, tell me WHY the USADA wasted tens of millions of tax payer's dollars on this investigation (and subsequent report) when they are not a governing agency for the sport AND are not seeking criminal charges against anyone involved including Lance? What exactly was their interest? Possible long-term health risks studies that might have resulted from this activity were strangely MISSING from the report and were ignored completely. You know, the part that would give us a reason for USADA involvement.
And do I TRUST the findings of a group that had no real reason to be investigating this sport in the first place? What WAS their motivation? Were they merely curious?
Enquiring minds want to know...
Just for the record. I don't believe anyone should cheat to win. But if everybody is cheating as best as they can, is anybody really "cheating" or are you just doing what the sport (literally) demands.
I would have gotten what was being done here if it was the SPORT that was being indicted and not the individuals.
I feel the same way about steroid use and HGH use in sports like baseball. IF the environment exists where players feel they need to take drugs to compete on a fair playing field, then it's the sport that must police that environment. Once guidelines and testing are set up, players can be held accountable, but if the environment and conditions set up by the sport itself are responsible for the questionable activities, it's the environment that must change first. Confidential preliminary studies should never have included players names. Those names should never have been stored on record.
AFTER the new environment is set up, players/participants can and should be named. BUT the sport must clean itself up FIRST. This didn't happen in baseball and it didn't just happen with World Class Cycling.
And that's why I hate how all of this keeps going down. There's a right way to take care of the problem and there's a wrong way. So far, it's been the wrong way that's been coming out on top. It's no wonder players are hesitant to say anything in other sports. NOTHING is ever confidential. (Okay, THAT'S hyperbole, but you get the idea.)
These studies become witch hunts against individuals rather than helpful ways to clean up dirty sports. Let's keep the priorities straight.
Prediction Reprint
What happened to the Red Sox this season?
I predicted what would happen to them way back ON JUNE THIRD and I explained WHY. Here is that blog in its entirety:
"Dustin Pedroia is one of the best players in baseball. He's a super-solid second baseman, a great hitter, and a yearly MVP candidate. With him, however, the Red Sox got off to one of the worst starts in their long history.
14 or 15 games ago he hurt his thumb. The Red Sox were forced to use a journeyman infielder to take his place. But something weird happened when this replacement player started playing for the Sox. They suddenly started winning.
In fact they have now won 10 of their last 14 games with this new second baseman providing the spark that superstar Pedroia never quite gave them. Yesterday this backup second baseman came up a triple short of the cycle as he led his team to yet another amazing victory.
The infielder's name?
One of my all-time favorite utility infielders, Nick Punto.
I said the Twins would become losers two seasons ago when we got rid of him. In his first year away form the Twins, he helped St. Louis win their first World Series in a long time. Something they could never quite do with just Pujols in the line-up. Now that he's in the Red Sox line-up they have suddenly become winners again as well. Dustin Pedroia is getting healthier every day and should be back soon. I'm thinking without Punto playing every day their fortunes will suddenly turn. No one will be able to figure out why.
No one that is except me, the casual sports fan. Moneyball has taught me a lot over the years and there are two things that matter more than anything 1) being able to play your position on defense flawlessly and 2) your on base percentage. Even when Punto's batting average suffers, he still gets on base more than most players on his team.
He knows how to win. He's a winner."
I predicted what would happen to them way back ON JUNE THIRD and I explained WHY. Here is that blog in its entirety:
"Dustin Pedroia is one of the best players in baseball. He's a super-solid second baseman, a great hitter, and a yearly MVP candidate. With him, however, the Red Sox got off to one of the worst starts in their long history.
14 or 15 games ago he hurt his thumb. The Red Sox were forced to use a journeyman infielder to take his place. But something weird happened when this replacement player started playing for the Sox. They suddenly started winning.
In fact they have now won 10 of their last 14 games with this new second baseman providing the spark that superstar Pedroia never quite gave them. Yesterday this backup second baseman came up a triple short of the cycle as he led his team to yet another amazing victory.
The infielder's name?
One of my all-time favorite utility infielders, Nick Punto.
I said the Twins would become losers two seasons ago when we got rid of him. In his first year away form the Twins, he helped St. Louis win their first World Series in a long time. Something they could never quite do with just Pujols in the line-up. Now that he's in the Red Sox line-up they have suddenly become winners again as well. Dustin Pedroia is getting healthier every day and should be back soon. I'm thinking without Punto playing every day their fortunes will suddenly turn. No one will be able to figure out why.
No one that is except me, the casual sports fan. Moneyball has taught me a lot over the years and there are two things that matter more than anything 1) being able to play your position on defense flawlessly and 2) your on base percentage. Even when Punto's batting average suffers, he still gets on base more than most players on his team.
He knows how to win. He's a winner."
Baseball RULES!
Two more great games yesterday.
A-Rod has been really struggling at the plate lately and manager Joe Garardi had a tough call to make last night. He benched one of the greatest power hitters of all-time and replaced him with a pinch-hitter, Raul Ibanez, in the ninth inning. Ibanez then hit the game-tying homerun.
In the 12th, when Ibanez came up again, he hit the GAME-WINNING home run.
Now, I'm rooting for Baltimore to win this series as much as anybody, but more than anything, I appreciate heroic play-off baseball. I got that last night. I was really disappointed that the Oriloles lost, but there is no way I couldn't appreciate what made that happen. A truly unbelievable game...
Perhaps better?
Oakland is the team with the the $50 million roster. They trailed in the series two games to one and were on the brink of extinction down 3-1 in the bottom of the ninth, offering no real offense against Detroit all night long.
But WHAT A BOTTOM OF THE NINTH.
A double with two on and a single by Coco Crisp with two out gave lowly Oakland the improbable win last night to send the series to a deciding game 5. I had went to bed in the seventh figuring it was pretty much over seeing Detroit's pitching dominance the entire series.
Why was this better? The team I was rooting for WON!
Four games yesterday and the TWO prime-time games were off the charts unbelievable. Baseball has it's own mystique. Yesterday that mystique turned me into a nine-year old kid again. Magic.
A-Rod has been really struggling at the plate lately and manager Joe Garardi had a tough call to make last night. He benched one of the greatest power hitters of all-time and replaced him with a pinch-hitter, Raul Ibanez, in the ninth inning. Ibanez then hit the game-tying homerun.
In the 12th, when Ibanez came up again, he hit the GAME-WINNING home run.
Now, I'm rooting for Baltimore to win this series as much as anybody, but more than anything, I appreciate heroic play-off baseball. I got that last night. I was really disappointed that the Oriloles lost, but there is no way I couldn't appreciate what made that happen. A truly unbelievable game...
Perhaps better?
Oakland is the team with the the $50 million roster. They trailed in the series two games to one and were on the brink of extinction down 3-1 in the bottom of the ninth, offering no real offense against Detroit all night long.
But WHAT A BOTTOM OF THE NINTH.
A double with two on and a single by Coco Crisp with two out gave lowly Oakland the improbable win last night to send the series to a deciding game 5. I had went to bed in the seventh figuring it was pretty much over seeing Detroit's pitching dominance the entire series.
Why was this better? The team I was rooting for WON!
Four games yesterday and the TWO prime-time games were off the charts unbelievable. Baseball has it's own mystique. Yesterday that mystique turned me into a nine-year old kid again. Magic.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Baseball
Two great games yesterday. San Fran staved off elimination with a 2-1 thriller that went 10 while Oakland did the same by shutting out Detroit last night.
This is the baseball I expect in the playoffs. Still rooting for Oakland or Baltimore to win it all, though I wouldn't mind seeing the Nationals do the same thing.
Lots of baseball left this season and I'm still hoping to see most of the games.
This is the baseball I expect in the playoffs. Still rooting for Oakland or Baltimore to win it all, though I wouldn't mind seeing the Nationals do the same thing.
Lots of baseball left this season and I'm still hoping to see most of the games.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Quick Hits
The Texans won last night to remain undefeated. The Jets still made it a close game.
The Orioles BEAT the Yankees in game two of their series.
RGIII says he's already feeling great even though he suffered a concussion on Sunday. Both he and the team are confident he'll start against the Vikes on Sunday.
Chiefs fans, so frustrated by losing over the last two seasons, actually CHEERED when their QB, Matt Cassel was carted off the field on Sunday afternoon after suffering a concussion. While I think that's pretty horrible, I think it's time that management GIVE the fans a better (at least different) alternative at starter. The fans have been calling for Cassel's head for quite a while now. Sunday's hit just caused the frustration to boil over. There won't be any Chiefs fans left if the team keeps the status quo.
Beloved Alex Karras, 77, former Detroit Lion and TV (Webster) actor is experiencing severe kidney failure. He is close to death.
The Orioles BEAT the Yankees in game two of their series.
RGIII says he's already feeling great even though he suffered a concussion on Sunday. Both he and the team are confident he'll start against the Vikes on Sunday.
Chiefs fans, so frustrated by losing over the last two seasons, actually CHEERED when their QB, Matt Cassel was carted off the field on Sunday afternoon after suffering a concussion. While I think that's pretty horrible, I think it's time that management GIVE the fans a better (at least different) alternative at starter. The fans have been calling for Cassel's head for quite a while now. Sunday's hit just caused the frustration to boil over. There won't be any Chiefs fans left if the team keeps the status quo.
Beloved Alex Karras, 77, former Detroit Lion and TV (Webster) actor is experiencing severe kidney failure. He is close to death.
Monday, October 8, 2012
Vikings!
The Vikings no longer look like a bad football team. I realize that could change at any moment, but I'm sure enjoying the resurgence. Harvin is so much better than any other player on the team that he NEEDS to be given the biggest contract ASAP. We have to make this kid happy.
Ponder looked pretty average yesterday as both of his INTs were horrible forced passes that took points off the scoreboard.
The defense was so good that NONE of that really mattered. I can't believe how good the Vikes have looked for three weeks in a row. We're still tied for first place after 5 games.
Two other things happened yesterday that made it easier for the Vikings.
1) Green Bay lost to the Colts. I was shocked by that one. When the Vikings lost to the Colts I thought they were a horrible team. Now that they beat the Packers, I'm starting to think they aren't as bad as I thought. I'm also starting to think that Green Bay might be in real trouble this season. The next TWO weeks have become critical for the Packers season. I never, ever saw that one coming.
2) Robert Griffeth III left yesterday's Redskins game with a concussion. There is a good chance he will not play against the Vikings next weekend. That SHOULD give the Vikes the advantage in the game. I don't take anything for granted in football, but I'm sure looking forward to next week's game.
Go Vikings!
Ponder looked pretty average yesterday as both of his INTs were horrible forced passes that took points off the scoreboard.
The defense was so good that NONE of that really mattered. I can't believe how good the Vikes have looked for three weeks in a row. We're still tied for first place after 5 games.
Two other things happened yesterday that made it easier for the Vikings.
1) Green Bay lost to the Colts. I was shocked by that one. When the Vikings lost to the Colts I thought they were a horrible team. Now that they beat the Packers, I'm starting to think they aren't as bad as I thought. I'm also starting to think that Green Bay might be in real trouble this season. The next TWO weeks have become critical for the Packers season. I never, ever saw that one coming.
2) Robert Griffeth III left yesterday's Redskins game with a concussion. There is a good chance he will not play against the Vikings next weekend. That SHOULD give the Vikes the advantage in the game. I don't take anything for granted in football, but I'm sure looking forward to next week's game.
Go Vikings!
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Lynx and Vikings Play at the SAME time
We'll all have a tough decision today. The Vikings play the same time as the Lynx.
Decisions, decisions...
Decisions, decisions...
Reds Lose their Ace But Win Game
Johnny Cueto had to leave the game yesterday with first inning back spasms.
Even though the Reds won the game, they are going to have an almost impossible task of winning in the playoffs without their ace. No word on how much rest Cueto may need in order to return to their lineup.
Detroit made easy work of Oakland yesterday. Obviously, at this point, I'm rooting for the teams with the lowest payrolls to win it all. Otherwise I'll root for the Tigers to win it all. Yes, I hate the Tigers, but if OUR division wins the World Series, it'll make the Twins look better by default (or by osmosis... or something.)
Now that the REAL playoffs have started, I can settle back and enjoy the action.
Even though the Reds won the game, they are going to have an almost impossible task of winning in the playoffs without their ace. No word on how much rest Cueto may need in order to return to their lineup.
Detroit made easy work of Oakland yesterday. Obviously, at this point, I'm rooting for the teams with the lowest payrolls to win it all. Otherwise I'll root for the Tigers to win it all. Yes, I hate the Tigers, but if OUR division wins the World Series, it'll make the Twins look better by default (or by osmosis... or something.)
Now that the REAL playoffs have started, I can settle back and enjoy the action.
College Football Playoffs
The best playoff in all of sports was unbelievable again yesterday. Number three, Florida State was knocked off by UNRANKED North Carolina State yesterday. Their National Championship dreams are most likely over.
Number 10, Florida, gave number 4 LSU their first loss of the season as well. LSU's hopes of a National Title have been dimmed beyond belief.
Imagine a sport where every game is so critical that a SINGLE loss puts you out of the championship hunt. A sport where every game is so critical that failure is simply not an option. Where every single top-ranked game you watch may be the National Championship game.
THAT IS college football. And it is unbelievable. Those who look forward to a playoff in the future simply don't like sports or are too ignorant to understand that they already have the best, most spectacular, nail-biting, exciting playoff in all of sports.
Enjoy it while you can. Once the official playoff system is enacted in a couple of seasons NONE of these games will really matter.
And all that was great about college football will be lost forever to history.
Number 10, Florida, gave number 4 LSU their first loss of the season as well. LSU's hopes of a National Title have been dimmed beyond belief.
Imagine a sport where every game is so critical that a SINGLE loss puts you out of the championship hunt. A sport where every game is so critical that failure is simply not an option. Where every single top-ranked game you watch may be the National Championship game.
THAT IS college football. And it is unbelievable. Those who look forward to a playoff in the future simply don't like sports or are too ignorant to understand that they already have the best, most spectacular, nail-biting, exciting playoff in all of sports.
Enjoy it while you can. Once the official playoff system is enacted in a couple of seasons NONE of these games will really matter.
And all that was great about college football will be lost forever to history.
Sports Trivia
Did you know that Los Angeles when translated from Spanish is "The Angels?"
That means that when their baseball team was (briefly) The Los Angeles Angels, they were literally "The The Angels Angels."
No wonder they changed their name.
That means that when their baseball team was (briefly) The Los Angeles Angels, they were literally "The The Angels Angels."
No wonder they changed their name.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Did You Hear the One About...
... the six FULL-TIME umps who blew the big call in a "one and done" play-off game and may very well have cost Atlanta the ONLY game they got to play in this ridiculous new play-off system?
I didn't find it very funny EITHER.
If I were an Atlanta fan, I'd have stormed the field last night instead of just throwing garbage.
An "infield fly rule" call when the player with the best chance of catching it was an outfielder? An "infield fly rule" where BOTH runners EASILY moved up when the ball dropped because they were in NO danger of being doubled up if the ball dropped?
This call was so much worse than the ref call in the Packer game two weeks ago.
But even worse?
With the fans pelting the field with garbage, they had over 15 minutes to change their minds about the call, which was also made LATE! They didn't change the call. I'd fire every ump in that game and never let them ump another game in their lives. Major League Baseball should be ashamed.
I've said that officials determine outcomes more often than players in close games. They also determine championships more than the teams.
In a regular 5 game series, (which is what ALL early round series games should be) these types of horrible ump calls are tempered over time because the better team could very well win the series and overcome one really bad ump call. In a one and done series this type of call is magnified to the point where THEY determined the winner of the series.
Atlanta had the better record this season. They had defeated the Cardinals 5 out of 6 times in the regular season. If we were playing under last year's playoff system they'd be playing in a 5 game series in the first round right now.
I'd feel so ripped off if I were an Atlanta Braves fan right now. I hope sports media jumps on this mistake like they did the TD call in the Packer/Seahawks game.
REAL officials blow big calls, too. And since this was the playoffs, there is NO TOMORROW. The Packers have a whole season to make up for a call that may have been wrong. Atlanta is simply done. There is no making up for that.
Baseball now has a big black eye. And no one but me is going to really complain.
On a brighter note? The Orioles beat the Rangers last night in the OTHER one game series. It's still stupid that these teams play all year for a ONE GAME SUDDEN DEATH SERIES, but at least the team with the lowest payroll won...
BUT I'd still feel ripped off if I were a Rangers fan...
I didn't find it very funny EITHER.
If I were an Atlanta fan, I'd have stormed the field last night instead of just throwing garbage.
An "infield fly rule" call when the player with the best chance of catching it was an outfielder? An "infield fly rule" where BOTH runners EASILY moved up when the ball dropped because they were in NO danger of being doubled up if the ball dropped?
This call was so much worse than the ref call in the Packer game two weeks ago.
But even worse?
With the fans pelting the field with garbage, they had over 15 minutes to change their minds about the call, which was also made LATE! They didn't change the call. I'd fire every ump in that game and never let them ump another game in their lives. Major League Baseball should be ashamed.
I've said that officials determine outcomes more often than players in close games. They also determine championships more than the teams.
In a regular 5 game series, (which is what ALL early round series games should be) these types of horrible ump calls are tempered over time because the better team could very well win the series and overcome one really bad ump call. In a one and done series this type of call is magnified to the point where THEY determined the winner of the series.
Atlanta had the better record this season. They had defeated the Cardinals 5 out of 6 times in the regular season. If we were playing under last year's playoff system they'd be playing in a 5 game series in the first round right now.
I'd feel so ripped off if I were an Atlanta Braves fan right now. I hope sports media jumps on this mistake like they did the TD call in the Packer/Seahawks game.
REAL officials blow big calls, too. And since this was the playoffs, there is NO TOMORROW. The Packers have a whole season to make up for a call that may have been wrong. Atlanta is simply done. There is no making up for that.
Baseball now has a big black eye. And no one but me is going to really complain.
On a brighter note? The Orioles beat the Rangers last night in the OTHER one game series. It's still stupid that these teams play all year for a ONE GAME SUDDEN DEATH SERIES, but at least the team with the lowest payroll won...
BUT I'd still feel ripped off if I were a Rangers fan...
Friday, October 5, 2012
Twins Clean House
Okay, not really. They fire the bullpen coach, the first base coach, and the hitting instructor?
REALLY?
We have a team filled with minor leaguers who NEVER learned how to hit and we're going to promote their instructor (Tom Brunansky) from Triple A Ball?
Think about that for awhile before going any further...
The GM and manager, you know the GUYS responsible for the team that's placed on the field and determines in-game strategies, the guys that actually determine wins and losses more than anybody else are KEPT, but we get rid of the bullpen coach? You know, the guy that tells pitchers to warm up?
There's a lot wrong with this organization, but somehow I think changing the first base coach isn't going to solve the Twins problems. Now they'll have to hire someone else to bring the batting gloves and shin guards back to the dugout. He BETTER do a better job than the last guy. Or we'll FIRE him next.
We mean business.
REALLY?
We have a team filled with minor leaguers who NEVER learned how to hit and we're going to promote their instructor (Tom Brunansky) from Triple A Ball?
Think about that for awhile before going any further...
The GM and manager, you know the GUYS responsible for the team that's placed on the field and determines in-game strategies, the guys that actually determine wins and losses more than anybody else are KEPT, but we get rid of the bullpen coach? You know, the guy that tells pitchers to warm up?
There's a lot wrong with this organization, but somehow I think changing the first base coach isn't going to solve the Twins problems. Now they'll have to hire someone else to bring the batting gloves and shin guards back to the dugout. He BETTER do a better job than the last guy. Or we'll FIRE him next.
We mean business.
Sudden Death Baseball Playoffs
I REALLY hate the new playoff system. It may be cool to add ONE more team from each league to the mix, but it's really not remotely fair to either team that they have to use their best pitcher to win ONE game to EARN the right to play in a longer series against other teams who are resting until the REAL playoffs start.
The original wild card team made so much sense. A team with a great record, but playing in a tough division was awarded the ACTUAL spot to even out the playoffs. THAT team could very well be better than some of the division winners. That team was an EQUAL and treated as such.
Now THAT team must somehow EARN a spot with a sudden death win...
Baseball got worse this year because of that decision. They now have the worst playoffs in all of sports and they've made it harder for even the winning Wild Card team to compete later. They can't even plan for their best pitcher to match up against a division winner. That's a ridiculously stupid advantage to give a division winner.
Baseball rarely schedules a series that isn't at least THREE games long during the regular season. Having a ONE game series in the playoffs makes no sense at all.
I still can't believe that this is the way baseball added two more teams to the post-season.
I also can't believe that more fans aren't outraged. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
The original wild card team made so much sense. A team with a great record, but playing in a tough division was awarded the ACTUAL spot to even out the playoffs. THAT team could very well be better than some of the division winners. That team was an EQUAL and treated as such.
Now THAT team must somehow EARN a spot with a sudden death win...
Baseball got worse this year because of that decision. They now have the worst playoffs in all of sports and they've made it harder for even the winning Wild Card team to compete later. They can't even plan for their best pitcher to match up against a division winner. That's a ridiculously stupid advantage to give a division winner.
Baseball rarely schedules a series that isn't at least THREE games long during the regular season. Having a ONE game series in the playoffs makes no sense at all.
I still can't believe that this is the way baseball added two more teams to the post-season.
I also can't believe that more fans aren't outraged. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Moneyball
The Oakland A's we're picked to place LAST in their division this season. Their roster cost them less than $50 million. By comparison, the Yankees spent nearly $200 million on payroll.
The Yankees did win their division, but they only had ONE more win than the A's this season who also won their division yesterday.
Baltimore also made the playoffs with just an $80 million budget. Washington had the most wins of any team in baseball this year and their roster cost them just $80 million as well.
It is possible to make the playoffs without spending much money. Teams prove that every season. The Twins used to be like that. Somewhere along the way, keeping moderately priced players who can hit and play defense has been lost on the Twins. It's time for a course adjustment.
The Yankees did win their division, but they only had ONE more win than the A's this season who also won their division yesterday.
Baltimore also made the playoffs with just an $80 million budget. Washington had the most wins of any team in baseball this year and their roster cost them just $80 million as well.
It is possible to make the playoffs without spending much money. Teams prove that every season. The Twins used to be like that. Somewhere along the way, keeping moderately priced players who can hit and play defense has been lost on the Twins. It's time for a course adjustment.
Twins Score ONE, Lose
A miserable end to a miserable season. The picture I'm posting highlights the batting averages of the bottom SIX in yesterday's Twin's lineup. NO team is going to win with losers this bad.
Cabrera Wins Triple Cown
This is an amazing feat. More homeruns, more RBI, and a better average than anyone else in the American League. Even Yaz, back in 1967 TIED with Harmon Killebrew for homeruns when HE got the Crown.
I'm glad someone finally did it again. (I'll get used to the idea that it was Cabrera over time.) His last week of the season EARNED him that title. He deserved it.
I'm glad someone finally did it again. (I'll get used to the idea that it was Cabrera over time.) His last week of the season EARNED him that title. He deserved it.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Twins Ending Season With Whimper
The Twins aren't playing horribly. They just aren't playing well enough to win.
The pitching isn't bad. The hitting isn't bad either, but it always seems like they can't get that ONE hit they need when our guys are on base, and they always seem to give up that ONE hit in critical situations when THEIR guys are on base.
Last night they lost 4-3. That, in a nutshell, has been the Twins season. Mostly in it, but never quite winning it. With Mauer most likely out of the batting race and Willingham sitting out the rest of the season as to not aggravate his shoulder, there really isn't enough going on to watch the last game of the season today. At least Diamond is pitching. He gives us a better chance than most at ending the season with a win.
The pitching isn't bad. The hitting isn't bad either, but it always seems like they can't get that ONE hit they need when our guys are on base, and they always seem to give up that ONE hit in critical situations when THEIR guys are on base.
Last night they lost 4-3. That, in a nutshell, has been the Twins season. Mostly in it, but never quite winning it. With Mauer most likely out of the batting race and Willingham sitting out the rest of the season as to not aggravate his shoulder, there really isn't enough going on to watch the last game of the season today. At least Diamond is pitching. He gives us a better chance than most at ending the season with a win.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Twins Support
The Casual Fan has learned that two of his regualr readers were at last Saturday's game. Both Curtis (The disappointed Twin's fan) and Eric the Vike Man got to see the Twins lose that day. All was not lost for Eric, however. He did get this picture with Twin's great Tony O.
R.A. Dickey
Former Twins Knuckleballer, R.A. Dickey, is having a Cy Young type season for the Mets. His record is 20-6 and his ERA is just 2.69. He's the first knuckle ball pitcher in over 30 years to have that many wins. He gets his last start of the season today against the Marlins. IF he wins, it would be hard not giving him the award.
It's too bad the Twins couldn't have found a place on the roster for him.
Did I mention that ANOTHER former Twins starter is also having a Cy Young type season? Kyle Loshe (one of my all-time favorite Twins) has put together a monster season of his own for the Cardinals. His record is 16-3 and his ERA is just 2.89. Say what you will about the Twins and their management style, they could NEVER judge good pitching. They've let so many good starters get away over the years that's it's no longer funny.
It's too bad the Twins couldn't have found a place on the roster for him.
Did I mention that ANOTHER former Twins starter is also having a Cy Young type season? Kyle Loshe (one of my all-time favorite Twins) has put together a monster season of his own for the Cardinals. His record is 16-3 and his ERA is just 2.89. Say what you will about the Twins and their management style, they could NEVER judge good pitching. They've let so many good starters get away over the years that's it's no longer funny.
Thoughts
Vasquez looked good as a starter last night. The bullpen stumbled and Perkins blew his first save since the All-Star break. Mauer looked average while Cabrera had an incredible night in KC. It looks like Cabrera is going to EARN that Triple Crown and I have to admit that I'm kind of excited about the possibility. Yaz did it the year BEFORE I started following baseball, so it would be kind of cool for it to happen after 45 years. It's the greatest feat in sports.
The Bears look like the best team in the NFC North. Their offense is okay, but their defense gobbled up Dallas last night. It's possible that Dallas is really lousy, but either way, the Bears established themselves as the team to beat.
The Vikes still are tied for first place in the division, though, and I'll gladly take that.
The Bears look like the best team in the NFC North. Their offense is okay, but their defense gobbled up Dallas last night. It's possible that Dallas is really lousy, but either way, the Bears established themselves as the team to beat.
The Vikes still are tied for first place in the division, though, and I'll gladly take that.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Football
The Vikings surprisingly find themselves alone in first place this morning. The Bears have a chance of moving into a tie after tonight's game.
I counted half a dozen bad ref calls in the Vikes game yesterday and I wasn't even watching that closely.
I saw several horrible calls in the Packers game as well. IF New Orleans had made that last field goal at the end yesterday it would have been the refs' fault. The clear Sproles fumble was missed. Even the last offsides call against the Packers that gave New Orleans five extra yards at the end was blown. The Packers were drawn off by a New Orlean's player clear "twitch" that the refs didn't see. The refs also blew a call on a completed pass to New Orleans earlier that resulted in a long TD drive.
These refs were as bad as usual. People can complain about the replacements all they want, but you'd have a hard case proving these refs were better. EVEN the long delays as refs sorted things out was very "substitute-ref-like."
In the end. My Vikes and my Packers won. So all is right with the world.
And I'm still not convinced the Vikings are a good team. A kickoff return AND a punt return BOTH for touchdowns? We can't plan on those types of plays to win. So far, I feel we've been more lucky that good. I'm not complaining though. Lucky is way better than playing badly.
The season is 25% done and the Vikes are in first place. No one saw that coming.
I counted half a dozen bad ref calls in the Vikes game yesterday and I wasn't even watching that closely.
I saw several horrible calls in the Packers game as well. IF New Orleans had made that last field goal at the end yesterday it would have been the refs' fault. The clear Sproles fumble was missed. Even the last offsides call against the Packers that gave New Orleans five extra yards at the end was blown. The Packers were drawn off by a New Orlean's player clear "twitch" that the refs didn't see. The refs also blew a call on a completed pass to New Orleans earlier that resulted in a long TD drive.
These refs were as bad as usual. People can complain about the replacements all they want, but you'd have a hard case proving these refs were better. EVEN the long delays as refs sorted things out was very "substitute-ref-like."
In the end. My Vikes and my Packers won. So all is right with the world.
And I'm still not convinced the Vikings are a good team. A kickoff return AND a punt return BOTH for touchdowns? We can't plan on those types of plays to win. So far, I feel we've been more lucky that good. I'm not complaining though. Lucky is way better than playing badly.
The season is 25% done and the Vikes are in first place. No one saw that coming.
Mauer Gets Three Hits
And Liam Hendriks pitched GREAT. The Twins lost but it was still a good game.
All the articles I've been reading lately discuss how bad the Twins pitching outlook is for next season. Actually, it's the starting pitching that has looked good the last couple of months. We lose when the bats go dead. Or like yesterday, we got TEN hits but just ONE run.
Mauer's only a couple points back in the batting race. I'm still hoping he stops Cabrerra from getting the Triple Crown. I'm also looking forward to Josh Hamilton getting a couple of more homeruns, too.
Three games left. Not much to watch for anymore.
The Twins drew 2.75 million fans this season. That number will go down even further next year without a dramatic turnaround.
All the articles I've been reading lately discuss how bad the Twins pitching outlook is for next season. Actually, it's the starting pitching that has looked good the last couple of months. We lose when the bats go dead. Or like yesterday, we got TEN hits but just ONE run.
Mauer's only a couple points back in the batting race. I'm still hoping he stops Cabrerra from getting the Triple Crown. I'm also looking forward to Josh Hamilton getting a couple of more homeruns, too.
Three games left. Not much to watch for anymore.
The Twins drew 2.75 million fans this season. That number will go down even further next year without a dramatic turnaround.
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