Deflate Gate Now INFLATE GATE?

Instead of investigating the Patriots DEFLATED balls the last few weeks, more and more physicists across the country are asking a more OBVIOUS question. "Why were the Colts balls still meeting the league standard AFTER the league championship game?"

You see, it turns out that average physicists, the ones that were talking about an average deflation rate of less than a pound during the course of the game under the weather conditions present, didn't know their "Ideal Gas Law" as well as they thought they did. GOOD Physicists are now pointing out that all those reporting EARLY failed to consider that balls are inflated with TWICE as much PSI to register their correct readings.

Basically you need 25 pounds of pressure to register 12.5 because of the natural pressure OUTSIDE the ball all of the time. What does all that mean? A ball SHOULD LOSE 2 pounds of pressure over the course of an hour or two in 50 degree temperatures. A wet valve under rainy conditions will cause a ball to lose even more pressure.

MIT professor, Max Tegmark, was explaining all of this to a reporter at the New York Times this week. Other top physicists added their approval of Max's remarks. A few admitted that they too had failed to consider pressure outside the ball the ball when they did the initial math.

That begs the question. Why were the Colts balls still good AFTER the game? I think the math speaks for itself. The Colts cheated by over-inflating the balls substantially BEFORE the game.

Physics doesn't lie. Either the refs failed to notice, or the wrong team is being accused of cheating.

I hope Commissioner Goodell starts an investigation on the over-inflation when deflation gate is over. He did say yesterday that the league is being thorough in this matter.

I always thought it was the COLTS! After checking Max's math, I now KNOW it.

The Colts should receive the stiffest penalties for making such a mockery of the game. They're always cheating and getting away with it!

Oh, by the way, ESPN had their own sports science guys investigate the whole matter as well on a special Tuesday night. Their findings agreed with Max as well. They also added that the difference in PSI in all of these balls would have no effect on the game whatsoever. NONE.

Shakespeare said it best, "Much Ado About Nothing."

Beast Mode

Marshawn Lynch doesn't like talking to media. He never has. He says he never will. But the Seahawks player is forced to show up at media events for the Super Bowl. He rarely says anything to reporters other than,  "I'm just here so I don't get fined," something the NFL does to him on a frequent basis when he refuses to talk to reporters.

But Marshawn has added a new twist this week. He shows up to all the media events in a cap with a "Beast Mode" logo on it. It's a sharp looking cap.

Now the NFL is threatening to fine him for wearing an unsanctioned hat.

The thing is, the hat is one that he had a friend design for him. He also owns the brand and has three different trademarks on it. Because of the media exposure that the NFL is forcing on him, his cap is now flying off store shelves. It's expected to be a $50 million dollar brand within 5 years. As long as he stays vital, his brand will, too.

The NFL told him he had to be at these events. He used that exposure to get exposure for his company, and now the NFL is even more angry with him.

He's getting richer at the NFL's expense.

Well done, Marshawn. Well done.

The Seattle players are starting to win me over. One Seahawk at a time.

Third Base

About once a week, I've been looking at Twins positions. 1st and 2nd were first and second. Fittingly, we'll be looking at 3rd, third.

Trevor Plouffe, theoretically, should have the firmest grip of his career on the third base job. He had a fine 2014. His defense was much improved over previous years, and he had the highest OPS+ of his career.

But ... here comes Miguel Sano.

Sano is not going to come out of spring training with the third base job. Even if some calamity befalls Plouffe, the organization will certainly insist that the Dominican megaprospect get his feet back on the ground in the minors first. Sano had Tommy John surgery before exhibition play began last spring, and the Twins held him out of winter ball.

So the job is Plouffe's at least for now. What happens when Sano is deemed ready for the majors is another matter. Terry Ryan made some waves this winter when he commented that Sano might try the outfield; when that came out, Ryan walked it back.

Plouffe -- or at least the 2014 version -- is a valuable commodity. Third base is an odd position, with a mix of hitting and fielding demands that few are adept at meeting. Many third basemen who can hit have trouble with the defensive demands of the position; many who can play the position well are below-average hitters. Plouffe last year was a bit above average both at the plate and afield, a rare combination.

And yet, I have no qualms about making this assertion: Plouffe is not good enough to block Sano. When Sano is ready, he should push Plouffe aside.

Whether that means a position shift -- remember, in 2012 the Twins expected to make Plouffe an outfielder -- or a trade remains to be seen. A year ago I would have doubted that there would be much of a market for Plouffe. Today there should be teams willing to surrender value for him.

Plouffe himself is coming off injury. He fractured his forearm on a tag play in the last home game of the season and had surgery shortly afterwards. Presumably he'll be good to go from the start of spring training.

Premium Seats in Hockey

Sharapova Wins

Maria Sharapova advanced to the Ausrtalian Open Finals yesterday.

Timberwolves

It took them over half a season but the Minnesota Timberwolves FINALLY surpassed the win total of the Minnesota Vikings this year.

The T-Wolves now lead the Vikings 8-7.

Rob Manfred's Idiocy

He's only been baseball commissioner for a couple of days and already he is thinking about destroying the natural evolution of the game.

Rob Manfred is not what baseball needs right now. The first act he is considering? Banning defensive shifts. You know, the ones where infielders KNOW where certain hitters are likely to hit the ball and then position themselves accordingly.

He thinks that's limiting runs. And since fans want to see more runs, he's going to stop those shifts.

What next? Removing the defensive players' gloves? I'm sure we'd see more offense that way, too. And bring in the outfield fences about 30 feet. We'll see way more home runs, too.

Only an idiot would be this short-sighted about such a major new rule. It doesn't belong in baseball. And if this is only the FIRST change he's trying to accomplish, I can't imagine what's coming next.

I didn't think I'd long for the days of Bud Selig. Bud's been gone for less than a week and I miss him already.

And IF Manfred would do his homework, he'd discover that the league batting averages of balls hit in play are actually UP in 2012-2013 (.298) versus way back in 2000-2002 (.296) when balls were flying out of parks in record numbers. The shifts have not hurt baseball, just some poorer hitters who haven't learned to (or don't know how to) adjust.

I was hoping that someone with a brain would be the new commissioner. It looks like I was hoping for too much.

NFL "CAUGHT" Suspect on Video

The NFL now has their prime suspect in deflation gate!

The New England locker room attendant who went from the locker room to the field with all 24 game balls, made an unexpected 90 second stop at a small bathroom before going to the field with the balls.

Man, I wonder what that guy could have been doing in the bathroom for a whole 90 seconds?

The league says the bathroom can be locked from the inside and is very small.

THIS IS THE BEST THAT THEY'VE COME UP WITH SO FAR?

Yes. They said that they do not want to jump to any conclusions, so the investigation will continue for several more WEEKS!

My guess is if they had only asked that attendant what he was doing, he would say that he was peeing and then washed his hands.

It's been more than a week since the alleged (actually they aren't even really alleging anything yet) incident and they still have no more answers than when they started.

My guess is the most asked question by those still investigating is, "Why are we still wasting our time doing this?"

Pat's owner Robert Kraft went on the offensive yesterday. He wants an apology from the league for all the distractions they have unjustly caused his team this past week.

Even sports reporters are getting sick of the whole thing. It's time to put this to rest guys. NOW.

There comes a point in these type of cases where investigators start manufacturing evidence to save face. I think we reached that point. I will now not believe anything they come up with. I don't trust them. Nor will I believe them if they discover something now.

Maria Sharapova Reaches Quarter-Finals of Australian Open

She had a lousy second set against Canada's Eugenie Bouchard, but came back in the third. The final was 6-1, 5-7, 6-2.

Coack K Picks Up 1000th win

For those not so good at math, that win total would take 50 seasons if you won 20 games a year. OR 40 seasons if you had 25 wins a year. For a 67 year-old Mike Krzzewski it started in 1975, He broke Bobby Knight's 903 win record back in 2011 to become the all-time winningest coach in Division I history.

Vonn Wins 64th WC Race

Lindsey Vonn mastered a tricky super-G race on Sunday for a record-extending 64th World Cup victory.

I haven't posted a report on Lindsey Vonn for awhile because of her many injuries. I'm posting a picture of her win and another of what she looks like for those who may not know her.

Baseball Has a New Commissioner

Baseball has a new commissioner. Bud Selig has stepped down to make room for Rob Manfred.
As much as people seemed to have hated Selig, baseball as whole has never been more healthy financially. Considering he brought them through the steroid era and its still standing is an achievement in itself.

Football Fans Held Hostage DAY SEVEN: Deflate Gate Investigation Ongoing

As of Friday afternoon, the NFL's continuing investigation had already interviewed 30 individuals, NONE of which were players.

They've hired an investigative firm to check all the video tape available hoping to find evidence.

They've acknowledged that all balls were checked and re-inflated at halftime after the Colts equipment manager had touched a ball during the first half and reported to the refs that it "seemed under-inflated".  ALL balls were checked again AFTER the game and they were all fine. The balls were only used for a half.  In the second half, when the Patriots blew out the Colts, New England was using the good balls.

LADIES and gentleman, we have our suspect. AS long as everyone else is accusing everyone without evidence, I'm going to do the same.

IT WAS THE COLTS EQUIPMENT MANAGER WHO "NOTICED" THE BALL'S UNDER-INFLATION!!

Why do I say this? SIMPLE, it's a basic principal of simple crime detection. He who smelt it, dealt it.

Look, if you want to make the OTHER team look bad, you would do exactly the same thing. You take the air out of the balls and then blame THEM for the act. And you wouldn't have them just a little under-inflated. You would really let the air out of the balls. That way it would get noticed. But if it doesn't get noticed, you would still have the option of pointing it out!

So even though I've solved the case, the NFL will continue their investigation and announce findings sometime after Obama leaves office.

After all, it's more important to get this right now that they've made way too big a deal out of it.

Actually, if the game had ended with a "just short" 48-yard field goal attempt by the Pats, and they then lost by one, people would have suspected the Colts of tampering with the balls when they were discovered to be under-inflated.

ONLY THE AMOUNT OF THE SCORE MAKES PEOPLE PUT THE BLAME ON NEW ENGLAND.

It could just as easily been the Colts, except their plan backfired.

The prosecution rests, your honor.

Deflate Gate Part Three

I guess with the Super Bowl still over a week away, sport shows and their hosts still have nothing else to talk about because this topic is still number one on social feeds worldwide.

Now, after a couple of days, people are suggesting that the balls were tampered with sometime DURING the game. Of course Bill Belichick and Tom Brady's names are coming up most. What surprises me is that the NFL says they are investigating this and yet Belichick and Brady, as of early yesterday afternoon, had not been questioned by the league yet. Two points come to mind:

The game was almost a week ago.

The leading suspects have not been questioned.

Look, IF the league suspects tampering, only a small group of people would possibly have had reason to do it, and just as small a group of people would have been able to carry out the task. We're talking Brady, Belechick, an equipment manager or two, and the ball boy.

And only Tom Brady would receive the greatest benefit.

That's it. Now I'm not trying to play armchair detective here, but IF Brady has not been questioned, but HAS denied any involvement at a press conference, I'm thinking the league is either looking in a different direction OR is thinking something else happened to the balls during the game. I don't know what that would be.

The only other thing they could be doing is reviewing every inch and every angle of game film footage looking for evidence of somebody tampering...

OR...

duh, duh, DAH!!! (Say those musically in you head like your watching an old murder mystery melodrama.)

They'll discover the refs didn't check them very carefully BEFORE the game.

Truthfully, no average fan, or sports reporter knows how well the procedures to check balls are carried out before,  during or after the game. Matt Hasslbeck, a quarterback on several teams for many years, was quoted as saying it was his job as quarterback to check the ball pressure. He didn't go into the specifics though. I can't believe that the highest paid player on the team takes the time to check the ball pressure of every single game ball just before the game, however. He's got more important things to do.

I seriously doubt that an equipment manager would try to GUESS how much a ball should be inflated or deflated for his quarterback either. And the ball boy? Let's get real here.

This has went on long enough. I think the NFL, unless they REALLY are close to confirming something, should simply issue a statement, as soon as possible, and say no evidence of any tampering exists. It's a controversy that should die immediately. It's hurting the game. There's a Super Bowl in a little over a week and all people are talking about are how New England, somehow, cheated.

The biggest conspiracy is how long the league keeps things like this secret. Just admit that they need better procedures to keep the balls uniform for the game and quietly suggest that all the officials will work on those procedures, which then will be in place next season. Look at it as an oversight rather than wrong doing, and start concentrating on one of the best Super Bowl match-ups in history.

It's the greatest single event in sports and we're all talking about a slightly deflated ball.

That's just ridiculous.

Deflate Gate Part Two

I was really surprised how much reporters and commentators continued to discuss this controversy yesterday.

I'll offer some real solutions to the "problem."

1) Instead of each team having their own sack of approved balls, ALL balls provided by each team should be thrown together in one big sack. That way any given ball has no real advantage for either team. In baseball, the umpires control the supply of balls used. It CAN'T be that much harder for football to do the same.

The end.

I should add that IF New England tampered with the balls is some way AFTER the officials approved them, they should be punished somehow, but  I don't hear anybody saying that happened. As I understand it, the league gives these balls to the team to practice with during the week and then they submit the balls that they like. They KNOW the officials are the ones who check the pressure and weight of the balls before the game, and again, as far as I can tell it shouldn't matter if the team inflates or deflates them ahead of time because the officials do the final check to ensure quality. At least they are SUPPOSED to.

If the balls submitted were deflated (naturally or otherwise), and the officials didn't notice, where does the fault lie? Someone (the officials) clearly weren't doing their job. I mean, if you have time to check them after the game to find out that 11 out of 12 were deflated, you should have known that BEFORE the game with your check as well. Right?

I like Seattle's take on the matter. They laughed the whole thing off as if it didn't matter one iota. I'm starting to like Seattle in spite of myself. Of course that could mean they've been doing the same thing themselves knowing that the refs never check the balls that closely.

I sure would hate to be the field goal kicker of the Patriots. If the balls he is forced to use are always deflated, he wouldn't be making as many kicks, or having as many successful long kicks, or having as many deep kick offs as his counterparts on the opposing team.  A deflated ball can clearly HURT the team using them as well. I don't hear many "experts" mentioning that fact though.

One way or the other, you'll probably be having at least 75% of the country rooting for Seattle now. They want to see that always cheating Belichick and that no good Patriot team get what's coming to them.

Me? I still dislike Settle's Sherman. I'll be rooting for my Patriots.

Unless they did figure out someway to deflate the balls after they were approved.

That would not be cool.

Johan Hurt Again

Johan Santana is out of the Winter League playoffs. After just one short appearance in the league he is now complaining about discomfort in the front of his left shoulder. Its getting pretty hard to imagine a full comeback to the majors at this point. His career may very well be over.

Baseball Finally Comes Up With Valid Way to Shorten Games

If you've ever went to a local amatuer baseball game, you know those games rarely last as long as big league games. And it's not just because they are only seven innings long. No, the real reason is that the players get off the field and switch offensive and defensive roles relatively quickly.

With a new baseball commissioner coming to town this week, baseball is considering following that policy. The average commercial breaks between innings is 2 minutes and 5 seconds, but the average break between innings is closer to 3 minutes because pitchers take their time getting to the mound during those break and often warmup more than 30 seconds. The same thing goes for the first batter of the inning. They take their time going to the box and often take more warm up swings outside of the box than subsequent hitters, often just waiting for pitchers to get ready.

Baseball is considering a rule to get the pitcher and batter ready to start playing in 2 minutes and 5 seconds. Still slower than local amatuer games, but in a way that helps the game flow faster.

This step alone would take around 15 minutes off each game.

WOW!

Doing something that was always done in the past, and getting a game done faster. I like it. When Phil Hughes is on, a full Twins game could conceivably get done in under two hours. Don't force change within the inning. Force change between the innings.

Makes sense to me. I can't believe it took baseball so long to come up with the idea.
There is no down side.

Jimmy Walker Wins Sony Open

I forgot to mention this big golf win a couple of days ago. I have one comment I want to share, and I believe it's still valid.

"DY-NO-MITE"

Deflate Gate

11 of the 12 footballs that the refs ACCEPTED for game use Sunday, from the New England Patriots, were found to be under-inflated. IF officials are the ones tasked to check such things, THEY should be held accountable. That is IF the league feels it needs to.

MOST refs who examine balls before games DEFLATE them before use because they feel they are "too hard" for game use.

But instead, the focus is now, once again on the Patriots, for perhaps trying to get away with something.

Aaron Rodgers commented yesterday that he prefers the hard, over-inflated balls, and says that the league should have a minimum inflation, but not a maximum inflation, and that everyone knows that, depending on the temperature, the inflation of each ball changes throughout the game. He says he's in the minority on that view. He knows the majority of NFL quarterbacks prefer it slightly deflated, especially in cold weather situations, to be a tad soft. It's really a matter of how big a quarterbacks hands are. There is no one ball inflation that will fit all.

Either way, sportswriters and fans are once again having a field day with the discussion.

I figure if the league wants to ensure uniformity on their balls, they should do it GOING FORWARD, but to punish New England now for something they MAY or MAY NOT have done on purpose, and up to now has been allowed by the officials, is a bit much. This type of thing has been going on for years by several teams and its hard to make a point of it now, especially since the majority of quarterbacks prefer a little extra give.

It's kind of like the "vicinity play" at second base in baseball, where a second baseman doesn't have to really touch the bag at second during a double play. According to the actual rules he must, but for reasons of safety and common sense, no ump really enforces it.

It's the officials who okay the balls for game use. Punish those who have the final call if you must.

Me, I usually take the less inflated ball from the variety available at church picnics. I get a better grip that way. I see why the majority of quarterbacks have that preference.

Gotham

The Penguin has become the best character on television and Gotham is fast becoming my favorite show. Just the PACE of the show is so much more satisfying than so many other serial dramas. It's dark, it's violent, and it's oh so savory. But for a Batman show without Batman, it's really hitting it's stride.

Last night the Penguin moved up the Gotham crime ladder. His missteps are becoming fewer each week, but it has not been an easy climb. That climb has sure been fun to watch, though. I'm surprised how much I now like this show. Fish Mooney went down the crime ladder last night, too. That was just as satisfying as Penguin's ascension.

On Gotham nothing stays static. That's why it works. And that's why you don't want to miss an episode.

Second Base

Last week I looked at the Twins first base situation for the coming year. With only one game of football left this year, and the Wolves and Wild having such awful years, my thoughts once more turn to baseball. This time, second base.

The first half of last season Brian Dozier was looking like not just a Twins MVP, but a potential league MVP candidate. He was hitting the ball well enough and stealing bases on such an efficient level that both I and regular reader, Cranky Curtis, were thinking he may join that elite 30/30 club, perhaps having both 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases by year's end.

Well, we all know that didn't happen. Dozier fizzled the second half of the season as much as he sizzled early. And not just at the plate. His defensive metrics the second half of the season were so bad that by year's end he was listed as just average by those keeping track. Which is just a shame, because early in the season, at just about every metric that you could apply, he was as good at everything as any second baseman in baseball.

So, what happened? Well, like so many other Twins last season, he had nagging injuries. Those are the type of injuries that don't stop you from playing, they just make you look worse when you're out there. They're the types of injuries that make you look average over time.

At 28, Dozier should be entering his prime. Though not a prototypical number two hitter (he's definitely NOT the Twin's second best hitter) he does draw a lot of walks and deliver clutch RBI. He's one of the primary reasons the Twins scored so many runs in the first half of the season last year. We can hope that if he's healthy this season that he should put up good numbers again.

The question most ask is who is his primary backup if something happens? Much like Mauer at first, the Twins no longer have a ready answer for that one. Eddie Rosario WAS suppose to be that man, but the Twins have cooled on that idea with Rosario's less than average play. Jorge Polanco may be the Twin going up  the ladder, but the Twins seem to forcing a shortstop role on him. So again, his backup is not something the Twins have an answer for right now.

With no ready first baseman or second baseman in AAA awaiting the call, the Twins still have a lot of rebuilding to do within the organization. IF disaster strikes, the Twins will have to look elsewhere for suitable relief.

The Packers Move to the Phillipines

Their new name will be the Manilla Folders.

It's an old joke. But how can anyone explain the ending to that game yesterday? Everything, literally everything that had to happen, to give Seattle a late comeback win yesterday, happened.

This is just another example of why I can't stand Seattle. They played awful yesterday, and yet Green Bay left the door open just enough for things to collapse. Lemony Snickets, man, that was a series of unfortunate events.

I won't dwell on it. That does no good. All I can do is wait two weeks and see if the unstoppable force known as Tom Brady can do what Manning and the Broncos couldn't do against the immovable object known as the Seattle Seahawks last year. Sure, Brady was his old self YESTERDAY, and he has every conceivable post season quarterback record, but that never seems to matter when Seattle is your opponent.

If the Seahawks win it all again this year, I'll be forced to do something I've never done before.

I'll have to ADMIT that they are a very good football team. I sure don't want to do that. The only thing I hate more than the Seahawks, at this point, is admitting that I'm wrong.

NFL

I'd be more pumped about the play-offs today if I thought Aaron Rodgers was going to be closer to 100%. The Green Bay defense will have to step it up a notch to win. And Rodgers will have to rely on a lot of quick, short passes. And Eddie Lacy, who is also rumored to have an ailing knee, needs to have a career day as well.

The bad news? Seattle is 25-2 at home in their last 27 home games. The good news? Both of those losses occurred THIS season. They can be beat. Rodgers is the best quarterback in the league, but even he needs two good wheels to maneuver successfully against the onslaught known as the Legion of Boom.

I don't care who wins the other game today. I just want the team that wins to come away healthy in case they have to face Seattle in two weeks. The Colts/Patriots should be a great game either way. I just haven't decided who I want to win yet.

Go Pack!!!!

Wolves Win Two Out of Last Three

It was against a bad Denver squad, but who cares right? Two out of three wins for a team that averages one win out of every six games is pretty good. This time it was Wiggins stepping up with a career high of 31.

The Wolves currently are waiting for Rubio, Martin, Pekovic, and Muhammad to all come back from injuries. That's a lot of talent waiting in the wings.

Joe Paterno

Joe Paterno got the 112 wins back that the NCAA took away from him because of the Jerry Sandusky molestation scandal. So he's "officially" the winningest coach in Division I football again.

Of course he's now dead and Penn State had to agree to pay $60 million to address child abuse, but everything is good again...

This is now the dumbest thing I have ever heard in sports. Joe Paterno got those 112 wins, one at a time, over the course of more than a decade. The NCAA never had the right to take them away in the first place. How do I know that? Because they now magically "restored" them after blackmailing Penn State to extort $60 million from them. They called it a negotiation. In reality, it was done to placate some groups who were offended that Paterno had an assistant coach who did some very bad things, and because some Penn State officials covered it up. Joe may have been involved in the cover up himself. EVERYBODY KNOWS THIS. But the question and point remains. Should the NCAA have the power, retroactively, to change sports history one way or the other when no NCAA rules were broken?

Criminal activity by some people occurred. So either those wins should have been taken away or they shouldn't have been. It's the blackmail payment that disturbs me. In other words, it took a PAYMENT of a huge sum of money to say the wins were valid again.

If the money had not been paid, the wins wouldn't have been restored.

The illegal activity, then, one way or the other, in effect, doesn't affect Joe's win total. Only the money mattered. That's as wrong as anything discussed in this case so far.

If you're liberal or if you're conservative, money should not determine right or wrong. If you think he should have lost those wins or not, money shouldn't be the determining factor in the validity of those wins. It sends a very disgusting message.

A few years ago Reggie Bush lost his Heisman Trophy award when it was later discovered that he violated NCAA policy the year he won. Reggie should offer some money to the NCAA. There's got to be some figure that will get his trophy back.

The precedent has been set. What HE did couldn't have been as bad as what Penn State did.

Right?

Seahawks

I don't like the Seattle Seahawks. I admit they're good, but it's more like they are just in the right place at the right time the last two years than having that "WOW" factor that makes you step up and admire them.

Their defense has swagger, and rightfully so, as they've proven they can stop just about anyone. In fact, they let us know that every chance they get. That grates most people the wrong way.

But what I don't like about them is that, especially this year, they seem to have every advantage, not because they're great, but because they lucked into it. I hated that they got to go against Cam Newton and the sub .500 Panthers at home last weekend. (And the only reason that happened is because the Cardinals lost THEIR quarterback).  I hate that they get to go against a substandard Aaron Rodgers who isn't mobile because of a calf injury. I hate it that Manning won't get a chance at a rematch this year because of his thigh injury.

They're going to luck their way into the Super Bowl again this year.

While the AFC playoffs had several great teams knocking each other off in hard fought victories, Seattle is just going to coast there. Pittsburgh would have been more than a match for Seattle, but they lost any chance of facing them when they lost their running back the last game of the season. Baltimore was left exhausted after their battle with the Steelers, so New England, who are no longer the best team in the conference, managed to squeak by them.

Andrew Luck and the Colts got a fallen Manning, which explains their relatively easy win. And now one of the two "best" teams remaining in the AFC will try to put up a competitive effort against Seattle. Denver, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh probably would have been better competition if healthy and the right circumstances had occurred.

But those circumstances didn't.

And that's why I despise Seattle. Yes, Green Bay might surprise everyone this weekend, but it's more likely Aaron Rodgers torn calf will have far more trouble with Seattle's defense than it did with the Cowboy's average one.

And then New England or the the Colts will have a hard fought battle and they'll both get their quarterbacks hurt as a result and  then Seattle will coast to a Super Bowl victory playing against a backup QB.

Because that's the sort of year Seattle is having.

Man, I hate Seattle.

Go Green Bay!!

First Base

With Joe Mauer signed through the 2018 season, the Twins are planning on using him as much as they can at first base. By releasing Parmalee and Colabello, the Twins have made that clear. Kennys Vargas will be giving him an occasional break when he's not DHing. Look for Mauer to get days off when Torii Hunter is given the DH slot.

Historically, most catchers offensive stats trail off sharply after age 30. The Twins had hoped to slow that trend by having him give up catching duties last season, but at age 32, Mauer's best years may very well be behind him.

There is some hope that Mauer's offensive struggles last year may have been caused by that late season 2013 concussion. IF that's the case, we could be seeing a much healthier Mauer this season. Doctors aren't sure. Neither is Mauer. All we know is that Mauer was not his usual self last season. And that another season like that won't bode well for the Twins.

Johan Santana

The Twins former ace, Johann Santana, is supposedly healthy for the first time in several seasons. Coming off a second shoulder capsule surgery from two years ago, and an achilles tendon injury from last year, he is pitching in winter ball preparing for the upcoming season. He'll be 36 when the upcoming season arrives. He is unsigned and his fastball is currently a shell of its former self.

He pitched two perfect innings yesterday throwing 17 pitches.

Some contending team might sign him as fourth starter to add some depth to their pitching rotation, but at that age, rebuilding teams should not even consider him. He's too old and too injury prone.

I don't want him as a Twin any more, but I hope he catches on somewhere. He may have a couple more good seasons to give someone.

Wolves Win!

The Losing Streak is over. Those 15 straight losses are now history.

Mo Williams had to score 52 points to end that streak but they finally pulled off their SIXTH win of the season. Considering the season is nearly half over now and the win was against the Pacers who are themselves 15-25 doesn't matter.

The streak is over.

The question for Minnesotans everywhere is now, "do you care?"

Nope. And I care about the Wild even less. Their current losing streak is six.

And counting...

Arcia

I know many Twins fans are still high on Oswaldo Arcia but I'm still holding my breath. He's not a very good outfielder (second worst in the league according to advanced metrics-Torii is still the worst) and the ONLY thing he has going for him is the long ball.

He hurt his back in September and didn't play very well after that. And his back is STILL bothering him. He was suppose to play winter league in Venezuala the last few weeks but he hasn't reported because of his back problems. The Twins aren't releasing much information, but he appears to have a severe hamstring issue as well. Core training has never been a priority for him.

Months of lower back pain and hamstring issues do not bode well for his long-term future. When healthy, he can hit. But he's rarely healthy and spring training isn't that far away. He has the body of an aging veteran. That's not good when you're that young.

His power is one of the Twins few bright spots. His fitness level is not.

And I'm still holding my breath.

Duron Carter

Cris Carter has a kid. He's a very good wide reciever.

The Vikings gave him a tryout three seasons ago, but he lacked any real college experience then so they passed on him. The last two seasons he headed to Canada to prove his worth, and NOW NFL teams are taking real notice of him.

He's got great hands, runs good routes, and possesses great speed. And he's saying he wants to play for the Vikings. Other teams are showing interest as well so he may not come cheap.

Here's his stats and some career highlights. Only time will tell how he'll fare in the NFL.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXnNhB5AUtQ&feature=youtu.be&app=desktop

Ohio State Rolls

The first half of last night's championship game was just odd. Oregon State receivers were DROPPING their short passes. Regularly. And it was usually on third down so Oregon was forced to punt.

I've watched the Ducks, every game I could, for the last four years. Their drives never end that way. Their receivers never drop short passes and they never are forced to punt on third down. If anything they rarely HAVE third downs. They never punt. Their drives, ALL of their drives, end in touchdowns.

Ohio State's defense must have been really, really good last night. Urban Meyer must be the best coach in college football because nobody does that to the Ducks.

And the best quarterback on the field last night? Cardale Jones, a third-string sophomore who only started the last three games for the Buckeyes because the two starters in front of him got hurt.

And now he's talking about going pro...

I know I'd draft him in front  of the last two Heisman winners, Florida State's Jameis Winston and Oregon's Marcus Mariotta. He's big, strong, fast, and can throw the long ball with pinpoint accuracy. And his three starts were all on the big stage. He clobbered Wisconsin for the Big Ten Title. He came back against everybody's number one team in the country, Alabama, and then WON the National Championship with his third start.

And the main reason he should go pro? There's a good chance he won't be Ohio State's starter next year because the other two guys will be healthy again next season.

You've heard the old saying, "strike while the iron's hot." Nobody has ever been hotter. NOW is the time to declare. There are several NFL teams who would draft him somewhere in the first two or three rounds, maybe sooner. If I was the Vikes, I couldn't think of a better backup for Bridgewater. He's that good. On the Big Stage.

I'm just sad the college season is over. With the playoff system now firmly established it will never be as good as it was. But it's still pretty good. Last night, it was great.

Great Baseball Story

Adrian Beltre, the superb third baseman of the Texas Rangers, is a rare species -- despite the wicked grounders and liners that are the usual fare at the hot corner, he doesn't wear a protective cup. He finds it too uncomfortable.

In 2009, playing for Seattle, he paid a high price when a wayward grounder nailed him in the worst place. Beltre hit the disabled list for more than a month with what was described as "lacerated testicles," a diagnosis that makes every male I know cringe.

When he returned, teammate Ken Griffey Jr. made suitable arrangements with the guy who plays the walk-up music at Safeco Field. Beltre was serenaded on his first trip to the plate with The Nutcracker Suite.

The Call 2

Yesterday's call late in the Packers/Cowboys game was a tad bit more important and controversial than the one folks were talking about in last week's Lions/Cowboys game.

That one call probably changed the outcome of the game, but I liked how Cowboy's head coach Garret responded. He admitted that that one call didn't change the outcome any more than some of the things the Cowboys did wrong and could have done during the game to beat the Packers. And he's right.

But the question remains, "was it the right call?" Based on everything that has went into the new receiver rule that has went to effect the last few seasons, I think the officials got the final, deciding call right. Receivers aren't like running backs. They have to demonstrate that they have control of the ball throughout the whole catch process. In other words, for them, they have to have the ball in their control PAST the point where the ball hits the ground. This isn't the same kind of situation where when running backs hit the turf and the ball pops out from hitting the ground. They've carefully distinguished that difference over time.

That same call has been made several other times in the last few seasons. The precedent has been set. And if I'm a Packer fan, and I am, I'm sure glad the call went that way. It was correct.

As to the other game yesterday, it's hard not to appreciate Andrew Luck. That kid had the uncomfortable task of replacing the best regular season quarterback to ever play the game when he took the reigns in Indy a few seasons ago. And he's now demonstrating he is becoming that good as well. Beating Manning in Denver is no easy task,

But he did, somehow, make it look easy, hitting pass after pass, even in difficult third and long situations, time after time. In fact, he looked more like Manning yesterday than Manning himself.

I went into that game yesterday rooting for Peyton and the Broncos, but by the time it was over I was rooting for the Colts to go to the Super Bowl.

It was a great day of football, though I still feel sorry for Peyton. His time may be winding down.

AND the College Football Championship is tonight.

It's a great time of the year for football fans.

Football!

New England's comeback yesterday was great. IF the Ravens had won, I wouldn't have been too disappointed either. It was a great game either way.

Carolina didn't put up much of a fuss, especially in the second half. I went to bed early on that one.

My favorites, Green Bay and Denver TODAY! Go Pack. Go Broncos!

Something to Watch!

Looking forward to both NFL games today. And the free HBO and Showtime preview weekend on Mediacom. Should find something to watch.

Go Carolina! Go Pats! Go Green Bay! Go Denver!

Waiting

The only thing of interest going on in sports right now is football playoffs. College's big game is Monday. The NFL has games this weekend.

ESPN talk shows are trying to get people interested in other sports. I believe their favorite topic right now is the Cleveland Cavaliers current lousy streak without LeBron. But even they can't talk about it with passion for more than a few minutes a day.

The biggest news is that Aaron Rodgers calf muscle has a minor tear, but it's probably no worse than it was two weeks ago when he played and won against Detroit. With two weeks of mostly rest and healing it probably is substantially better.

blah, blah, blah

I'm just waiting to watch some football, continuing my Mission Impossible marathon in the meantime. At least prime time shows are showing new episodes again.

The Wolves being so lousy and the Twins being months away sure leads to a lot of waiting.

Peter Lupus

While watching the first season of Mission Impossible, I started to wonder about Peter Lupus, the strong man in the series. Did he have any bodybuilding titles? Had he won any weightlifting events?

I went to the world's greatest search engine (my wife) to discover some details. Bodybuilding wasn't quite as big a deal then as it is now. Dave Draper appeared on the Beverly Hillbillies once, and some local California bodybuilders showed up on an episode of the Monkees and some teen beach movies now and then. But other than Charles Atlas ads in the comic books, that was about it.

Most of these guys were muscular but they were rarely very tall. And then you have Peter Lupus the 6 foot 4, 260 pound bodybuilder that showed up as Willie, for the IMF for CBS back in 1966. As a kid we all thought he was so cool.

But what had he accomplished in real life? He won the Mr. Indianapolis BB title in 1956. And then became Mr. Indiana in 1960. He won some International titles that no one's ever heard of over the next few years but didn't become famous until Mission Impossible.

My wife found out, as of yesterday, that he is still alive, and still setting strong man records. He is listed by the Guinness book of World Records as the oldest man to bench press 300 pounds. As recently as 2007, at the age of 75, he lifted over 77,000 pounds in a series of reps in under 25 minutes. That's also a world record. He broke the old record, set by himself, at age 70.

For those who are curious, I'm posting the youtube video of the event. Notice that his friend Martin Landau, co-star from Mission Impossible, was there with him, rooting him on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5H7nd_5CPho&app=desktop

Notes

Piazza didn't make it. Biggio did.

Gopher's lost to Ohio State in OT at home last night. It hurts worse since it was a home game.

Jon Jones, the best UFC fighter in the world, tested positive for cocaine use. His status will take a hit with that one.

Mission Impossible, first season in HD, became available for $10 yesterday at iTunes. Needless to say, we started another marathon viewing session. A show way before its 1966 time.

Agent Carter got off to a fantastic start last night on ABC. It's great how Disney has integrated the whole Marvel Universe on TV and in movies, past and present. It's clear where Tony Stark got his brains and personality from, his dad Howard. Cliffhanger endings are a nice touch for a show rooted in the 40's.

Another major character death last night on Person of Interest. I'm bummed that they keep killing them, but at the same time amazed that network TV can produce such compelling television.  The best thought last night? The resident genius does not like chess because the basic concept of the game is that some people are worth more than others, and that some (by default worth less) can be sacrificed to win the game.

Good stuff.

With vacation in full swing and blizzards raging outdoors for the next few days, more great TV viewing lies ahead...

Hall of Fame

Randy Johnson, Pedro Matinez, and John Smoltz are expected to be named to the Hall today. People are wondering if Craig Biggio and Mike Piazza will also make it. There are a lot of great players that aren't getting in because baseball writers just don't feel the obligation.

The problem gets worse every year. The writers act like its their job to keep some players OUT. It's not. Some years there should be five or six. Biggio and Piazza are more than deserving. I'm guessing at least one of those two will not make it. And that will make it more difficult for them to get in next year.

That's a shame. Great numbers over long careers should guarantee you a place in the Hall of Fame. We're not talking average players here. The average writer doesn't know the game any more. And that's a bigger shame.

The Call

I can't believe how much discussion was going on yesterday about the flag late in the game against Dallas that was originally called pass interference, and then ruled a no-call.

If you can have football players and officials explain why taking the flag up and not penalizing Dallas WAS the right call, that should be the end of it.

Even Detroit coach Caldwell is saying it was "tough to swallow." Let me get this straight, your team had LOTS of opportunities in that game against Dallas that your team failed to execute properly and you're now blaming an IFFY official judgement call for losing the game? Even if the call had went your way, you probably would have only TIED the game at that point. There's no guarantee you would have won.

It's not like the refs blew the call. The vast majority of fans and commentators who KNOW the game said it wasn't a penalty, and even watching in slow motion the evidence suggests that.

I love that the refs didn't let a phantom iffy call determine the game. They learned  a lot since the Vikings were ripped off against New Orleans these many moons ago. THAT bad call literally lost the game for the Vikings, while they also allowed the bounty collecting headhunter Saints to hit Favre often and late time after time without flags.

Not making a call here WAS the right decision. There was light contact both ways and the ball was under thrown. There's a reason that the Lions haven't won a playoff game since 1992 and it's NOT the refs fault.

The Lions just aren't very good. Caldwell should look in the mirror and point his finger in THAT direction. That would be a good start.

A BAD ref call should be discussed. This one doesn't fit that classification.

The NFL

That last game between the Lions and Cowboys was the only game of the weekend worth watching. I found myself rooting for Detroit early despite my attitude toward Suh. I came to my senses by the second half and thoroughly enjoyed the Cowboys comeback.

I wasn't really impressed by any team or quarterback this weekend, but If I had to pick a quarterback from the group to represent my team right now it would be Joe Flacco. Andrew Luck was solid, but he sure missed a lot of easy passes.

The better games and QBs should be on display this coming weekend.

Boo Yah

Stuart Scott was personally responsible for changing the entire face of sports reporting. ESPN became THE major sports network because of him. Those hilarious sports promos featuring athletes in the sports newsroom? A direct result of Scott's attitude. Every funny or irreverent comment while reporting by the multitude of reporters since? They can thank Scott for paving the way.

He was as cool as the other side of the pillow.

And he will be missed.

Lowered Expectations

I sure hope today's NFL playoff games were better than yesterday's. The Cardinals were "held" to 78 yards of offense. No offense to the Carolina defense, but a team that has lost their starting quarterback AND their two best running backs in the last month didn't offer much in resistance.

Carolina played equally poorly, and only walked away with the win because one team had to. They played like a team with a sub .500 record. Just an awful game to watch.

And Pittsburgh demonstrated last night what happens when a team relies too much on one running back and that back gets hurt the last week of the season. The Steelers were forced to use a Vikings late season cast-off as their starting running back.

The results weren't pretty.

Roethlisberger couldn't use his passing skills when Baltimore no longer had to worry about the run. They looked as bad as the Cardinals last night. Substitutes make for poor games. The Ravens were the only team playing yesterday that looked like they belonged there.

Two more games today. Hope they're better.

Spring Training Invites

The Twins released their 18-player invite list for spring training this week. The biggest surprise? Only 4 of the 18 have major league experience. That's a dramatic departure from past years where nearly everyone at camp was someone else's castoff. I think it bodes well that the Twins are now confident enough with their own farm system that they now place more value in their own young players than someone else's rejects when it comes to filling roster spots.

I won't bother listing them. Most Twins fans, including myself, will never have heard of most of them. I kind of like that. I've been pressing for a youth movement with the team. This year will probably be the transitioning year. I can put up with another season of over-the-hill veterans waiting for what's just around the corner.

I dread this season knowing it revolves around one starter staying great, while two other starters must return to the form of their "glory years," knowing full well that neither of them were ever that good to begin with. We all wait for the term "cagey" to be added to their veteran status.

The best part about having lowered expectations this year is that I won't be disappointed when they lose. It will also give me greater joy if they become better than expected.

Minnesota sports. Lowering expectations more every year so that any wins at all seem good.

NFL Playoffs

Without Denver, New England, Green Bay, and Seattle, this weekend's games look a little light in the interest department. The only game I have any rooting interest in at all, at this point, is Dallas Vs. Detroit. Knowing I'm rooting for Dallas to crush Detroit shows you how much I despise Suh right now.

Go Dallas! The other games should be a good watch.

College Football

I watched two and a half games yesterday. I would have watched all three completely if that last one had started sooner, but when the second half starts after 10 p.m. it's time to call it a night. The ONLY game that went the wrong way yesterday was the Gophers. I'm disappointed they lost, of course, but the first half was solid, and knowing coach Kill has brought the program back in so little time is still very satisfying.

The other two games were great. The Ducks kicked Florida State. Their brand of offense simply exhausted the Seminoles. They couldn't prepare for that type of offense. It's like Oregon was playing a different sport.

And Ohio State's comeback against number one Alabama was the most satisfying win of all. The Big Ten is back. Big time. I'm already anxious to see how they will match up against the Duck's offense. I don't see anyone beating Oregon at this point, but maybe Urban Meyer will still have a few tricks up his sleeve. That he beat the Tide with their THIRD STRING QB was amazing. Maybe there is some amazing left.

Long Quote of the Day by DE Seattle's Michael Bennet

"This is a fantasy football league,'' Bennett said Wednesday. "That's how it's set up now. You take the play that Suh did. He did step on somebody's foot, but he gets fined because it's the quarterback. As a defensive lineman, people are always stepping on you. People always are hitting you in the head. There's always something happening to you, but nobody cares because we're defensive linemen."

Bennett said the rules are skewed in the favor of offensive players.

"You can't touch a quarterback here, can't put your hand on a receiver there,'' he said. "You have to let them run free.

"But if I get knocked to the ground, the referee just steps over me and says, 'That's part of the game.' If Peyton Manning falls to the ground, the referee helps him get up. I thought everybody was equal, but that's a lie."


Commentary:

NO one is treated equal in the NFL. That's why they're all paid different salaries. And quarterbacks like Rodgers, Manning, Brady, Romo, and Roethlisberger are the lifeblood of the league. Without them the NFL, as we know it, wouldn't exist. How could Bennet, a grown man NOT NOTICE that there are special rules in play just to protect the quarterback? Is he stupid? Does he not pay attention? And when there are over 30 million viewers watching one of your counterparts step on a fallen quarterback star (perhaps league MVP!) ON PURPOSE, in slow motion, from several angles of replay, you are going to get punished. Listen to what Bennet is saying. He says he doesn't like it when people do similar stuff to him, but when the league finally does something about it, he doesn't like that either.

Grow up Mr. Bennet. Work toward stopping this ongoing idiotic, accepted behavior. Thank the league for doing something about it, knowing it's only a first step. Ask for the league to do more to protect everyone. Don't whine when they DID protect someone.  Make the NFL better.

Football Day

I know most people are celebrating the day because it's January 1st 2015. But when I woke up this morning all I could think of is this is the day that I'm planning on seeing the two college championship contender games today  AND, as a bonus, the first Gopher football January 1st game in over fifty years as a warm-up.

Though I don't like the new playoff system in place because it removes too much emphasis and drama from regular season Saturday night games, TODAY is the one day that gets WAY, WAY better. January 1st Bowl games used to mean something before the BCS started. Well, now they do again. Two games today are must see TV.

It doesn't make up for the entire season of meaningless games, but even I have to admit, this is a day of major match-ups.

Happy New Year everybody!

And go Gophers!