Last week we did a first look at how I would rank the Top 25 teams in college football. Now that week three of the preseason is complete, let’s stick with the rankings theme and do a first look at my NFL Power Rankings entering the 2010 NFL season. We’ll get to the Hard Knocks part in just a bit…
1. Indianapolis Colts – the Colts have looked terrible in the preseason so far, but what else is new. Say we had 44 random NFL players at each position to pick two football teams from, if I can have Peyton Manning with the first pick I will give you the next 22 and I would still feel pretty good about my chances of winning. The Colts have won 12 or more games per year for the last seven seasons for a reason.
2. New Orleans Saints – the Saints are going to be hard-pressed to duplicate the amount of turnovers they forced last season, but there is too much to love about this offense, especially with Sean Payton doing the game planning.
3. Dallas Cowboys – arguably the most talented team in the league position-by-position, this team still lacks an identity that great football teams need, unless you count their inability to win a big game as their identity. It is time this team takes the next step, or we could very well see Bill Cowher manning the Cowboys sidelines next year.
4. New England Patriots – Tom Brady fully recovered from his knee injury plus Randy Moss in a contract year equals big things for the New England offense. The question becomes whether Belichick can return this defense to its former glory days.
5. Baltimore Ravens – This could be a new era Ravens team where the offense leads the way but if Ed Reed can get healthy, the Ravens are as good as anyone in the AFC.
6. San Diego Chargers – Philip Rivers is obviously the real deal but it remains to be seen how much the absence of Vincent Jackson will affect this offense and if the Chargers can get him signed at all. Rivers is still the only QB of the 2004 draft class (not named J.P. Losman of course) yet to win a Super Bowl. Have to imagine that is driving him crazy at this point.
7. Minnesota Vikings – I flip-flopped a few times between the six, seven and eight teams on this list before ultimately settling on the current order. The Vikings were one boneheaded Brett Favre throw away from being in the Super Bowl last year and should be right in contention again. They will need a healthy return from star WR Sidney Rice and Favre to remain healthy, but this team remains loaded with talent.
8. Green Bay Packers – I mentioned to a couple of people the other day that it is not far-fetched to believe Aaron Rodgers will be the best quarterback in the NFL within the next 3-4 years as Manning and Brady age. Rodgers has all the physical ability in the world and looks to have the right mental ability and instincts as well. The defense will need to find a way to pressure the quarterback better than it did last year for this team to make that next step into the NFL elite.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers – I was tempted to rank the Steelers much higher than this because I believe their potential is on par with any team in the NFL. The total uncertainty of how this team will perform without Roethlisberger and the fact that the defense is aging a bit and seems susceptible to injury forced me to drop them a few spots. If this defense can stay healthy and the team holds its own without Roethlisberger (which I think it will by the way), I fully expect the Steelers to be a Super Bowl contender.
10. New York Giants – I think people are ignoring the number of injuries the G-Men had last year and are severely underestimating the potential with this Giants team. Eli Manning has a great corps of young WRs, a stable of RBs and a solid offensive line that should make this offense pretty dynamic. With their health restored, this Giants defense should be able to get back to their ways of pressuring quarterbacks and limiting big plays, something that killed them last year.
11. Cincinnati Bengals – This could be the make or break year for Carson Palmer who hasn’t looked the same since his knee injury. I do not mean make or break in the sense that he should no longer be the starter, but the jury is definitely out on whether he remains an elite NFL quarterback or just another average starter. There are a ton of familiar names and personalities on this roster, should be interesting to watch how it comes together, or falls apart.
12. New York Jets – People seem to be getting on this bandwagon just a bit too much in my opinion. My first column I wrote for this website was named “A Quarterback League” and I for one, am far from sold on Mark Sanchez. Throw in the number of egos this team has seemed to accumulate and the absence of Revis Island and this team has as much potential to miss the playoffs as it does to make the Super Bowl. If the “Hard Knocks” portrayal of Sanchez and his lack of confidence is true, my doubts about him are just magnified.
Speaking of “Hard Knocks”, I hope everyone out there has been watching HBO’s special this year on training camp with the New York Jets. If you have not been following, watch them on-demand, record the past episodes on your DVR when they are repeated during the week, download them on the internet, do something to catch up. The three episodes so far have been great, and since we are in the rankings mood, let’s take a quick break from the NFL Power Rankings and rank my top five “Hard Knocks” moments so far this season:
1. My favorite part of this show, just like every season in the past, is the beginning of the first episode when the opening music is playing and highlights of the guys lacing up their pads for the first time, walking onto the practice field, and the first hitting drills are shown. Gives me the chills everytime, and I am sure it makes anyone who has ever played football in the past want to lace them up one more time (side note: when the players are complaining and looked tired and bored after the first few days of camp, you remember why you don’t miss playing as well).
2. Sure, Rex Ryan likes to use the f-bomb and his language on the show started a dumb media confrontation between him and Tony Dungy, but the thing I have taken most from this show about the coach is his passion for football. How many other head coaches are drilling 5th string linebackers on defensive formations, or teaching defensive linemen proper technique, or having punt catching contests with their general managers, or celebrating like a player on every big hit? Think what you want about Sexy Rexy, but his players seem to love playing for him and so would I.
3. How many kids does Antonio Cromartie have? By my count, it was seven children with five different women, and about five of those children were three years-old. Cromartie must have been a busy man in 2006-2007.
4. Bart Scott has been somewhat of a star on the show, having an outgoing personality and one that jells perfectly with head coach Rex Ryan. His best line so far had to be the one about Joe McKnight taking a pay cut from playing at USC to joining the Jets. The guys around him didn’t seem to know if they should laugh or not…
5. Ok, there are too many more parts of the show that have been great to limit this to only five spots but the special teams’ coach Mike Westhoff’s story was a great one, nose tackle Kris Jenkins has some great lines including leading the hazing of rookie Brian Jackson by tying him to the goalpost, and of course the mandatory appearance of Joe Namath who cared a little too much about the way the quarterbacks were taking snaps. If you have not seen the show yet, do yourself a favor and catch up.
Back to the NFL Rankings…
13. Philadelphia Eagles – Green Bay’s decision to make the move to Aaron Rodgers and away from Favre was a great decision a couple years back, we’ll have to see if Andy Reid’s decision to move out Donovan McNabb for 4th-year pro Kevin Kolb was just as wise. The Eagles certainly have some talent on both sides of the ball, but with that division, the season ultimately rests on Kolb’s right shoulder.
14. Tennessee Titans – The Titans are only one year removed from a 13-3 season and Vince Young looks like he has revived his career once again. The one-two punch of VY and Chris Johnson makes the Titans’ offense dangerous and we always know that Jeff Fisher will have a defense that is ready to play.
15. San Francisco 49ers – This team has drafted very well the past couple of seasons and will look to put all the accumulated pieces together this year. I like the 49ers to win the NFC West, and that is enough to get into the top half of the league.
16. Miami Dolphins – Brandon Marshall and Anquan Boldin were in a battle to become the highest paid possession receiver in the league and Marshall won that battle, so he gets the title of most overpaid WR. The Dolphins certainly have some pieces on both sides of the ball, but there are plenty of missing pieces as well.
17. Atlanta Falcons – Matt Ryan seemed to take a step back from his phenomenal rookie year and Michael Turner got hurt after going over the dreaded 370 carry mark. Can the two of them bounce back and bring the Falcons back to the playoffs?
18. Houston Texans – Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson might just be the best passing combo in the league at this point, but the Texans lack of a RB and holes on the offensive line has made this team inconsistent week to week in the past, don’t see much changing this year.
19. Washington Redskins – I am a believer in McNabb, he has won every year of his career. Mike Shanahan hasn’t done too bad himself. This team should be competitive, but will be in for a tough fight in the NFC East.
20. Denver Broncos – The Broncos struggled at times last year applying pressure on the QB and have now lost sackmaster Elvis Dumervil for an extended period of time. That, and the lack of playmaker on offense, does not bode well for Josh McDaniels and company.
21. Carolina Panthers – The Panthers have a good offensive line, a great running-back combo and a desperate coach trying to save his job in John Fox. That could translate into some success, but that all depends on the play of QB Matt Moore. If Moore struggles, expect to see rookie Jimmy Clausen in a hurry.
22. Chicago Bears – Time to find out if the mad-offensive genius that is Mike Martz can save Jake Cutler. I certainly have my doubts.
23. Arizona Cardinals – When you are benching your starting quarterback in the preseason for the artist formally known as Derek Anderson, you could be in for a long year. If Leinart can become anything close to what the Cardinals had hoped when they drafted him, they could still contend for the weak NFC West.
24. Seattle Seahawks – The Pete Carroll era begins with some uncertainty on the defensive side of the ball and a reliance on the health of Matt Hasselbeck at quarterback. I don’t think Carroll has the welcome back party he is hoping for, but I think he will eventually do a much better job this time around.
25. Oakland Raiders – The Raiders should be one of the more improved teams this year under head coach Tom Cable with the acquisition of QB Jason Campbell. That improvement probably doesn’t mean more than 6 or 7 wins, however.
26. Kansas City Chiefs – Jamal Charles was a stud in the second half of the season last year and the Chiefs’ offense should be improved under Charlie Weis. Much like the Raiders, however, improvement this year may not translate into the wins column.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars – MJD is one of my favorite players in the NFL to watch. It is too bad there are not many residents in Jacksonville who feel the same way.
28. Detroit Lions – The offense might not be half-bad with the expected improvement from second year QB Matt Stafford along with Jahvid Best in the backfield and Calvin Johnson on the outside. The defense is a whole other story.
29. Cleveland Browns – Jake Delhomme is the starting quarterback in Cleveland. Not sure I have to say much more than that to justify this ranking.
30. St. Louis Rams – I really like Sam Bradford as a quarterback prospect and Steven Jackson is a beast. Not much else to like here.
31. Buffalo Bills – Three-headed monster at running back and a whole lot of nothing.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – I dare you to try and name five Bucs’ starters; I will even spot you Cadillac Williams and Ronde Barber. Unless you play in the deepest of fantasy football leagues, I’m guessing point proven.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Preseason Top 25
The Associated Press preseason college football Top 25 poll was released over the weekend and three local teams showed up. Pitt came in at #15, Penn State #19 and West Virginia rounded out the Top 25. Now, we all know how meaningless the preseason polls should be but the truth of the matter is that they often play a role in the outcome of the season. Ask the 2004 Auburn Tigers if the preseason polls had no bearing in their undefeated team not getting a shot at the National Title. Besides, college football fans everywhere love to debate the polls and where there teams should and shouldn’t be ranked. If I had a vote, here’s how my preseason Top 25 would look. Send me your thoughts.
1. Alabama – Thought about putting Ohio St. here but we have to give Coach Saban the benefit of the doubt until the Crimson Tide get knocked off. Alabama returns the fearsome 1-2 punch of Mark Ingram, only the reigning Heisman winner, and Trent Richardson in the backfield as well as Julio Jones on the outside which could make this Tide team even more dangerous than last year.
2. Ohio State – Terrelle Pryor is my preseason Heisman favorite and the Buckeyes are the team that I most expect to make it to the BCS National Championship game.
3. Boise State – Boise returns a number of starters from their BCS busting team last year including Heisman hopeful QB Kellen Moore. We will find out if they are the real deal right away as the Broncos take on Virginia Tech in Washington D.C. for their opener and have Oregon St. at home just a few weeks later.
4. Florida – Urban Meyer and the Florida Gators do not rebuild, only reload. QB John Brantley has some big shoes to fill but expect the Gators to take on a somewhat different look without the running abilities of their quarterback.
5. TCU – Part two of the BCS busters, TCU brings back a handful of offensive players from their BCS team a year ago. The Horned Frogs must replace all-world defensive end Jerry Hughes, but seven other starters return from a damn good unit defensively.
6. Oklahoma – Last year was a stumbling block from the Sooners with a paramount of injuries. The experience that QB Landry Jones gained, however, should be invaluable for this year.
7. Texas – Texas and Oklahoma will be fighting for Big 12 supremacy once again. Texas will also be breaking in a new QB under center, Garrett Gilbert, who filled in capably after Colt McCoy left last year’s title game.
8. Nebraska – The Cornhuskers should be king of the Big 12 North in their final year before moving to the Big 10. Nebraska returns QB Zac Lee and should once again have a dominating defense despite the loss of DT Ndamukong Suh.
9. Virginia Tech – If the nation’s top running back duo isn’t in Tuscaloosa, it’s in Blacksburg with Darren Evans and Ryan Williams manning what should be an unstoppable running attack with QB Tyrod Taylor. The defense only has four returning starters, but I suspect the amount of success the Hokies enjoy this year will depend on Taylor’s right arm.
10. Oregon – Despite the loss of Jeremiah Masoli at quarterback for disciplinary reasons, I believe in Chip Kelly and his offensive coaching abilities. The Ducks should be the class of the Pac 10 and could compete for the National Title if the QB play is adequate enough.
11. Pittsburgh – This is a bit higher than many of the national pundits are ranking the Panthers, but make no mistake that this team is supremely talented. The Panthers can boast of four players on the top two units of the preseason All-American team and anything less than a BCS Bowl game would be a disappointment.
12. Iowa – Iowa found ways to win games last year in the fourth quarter, but I suspect they may have used up a good portion of their luck for this year in the process. The Hawkeyes will need better all-around performances from QB Ricky Stanzi if they are going to meet expectations this year.
13. Wisconsin – If I am picking a team not named Ohio St. to win the Big Ten this year, Wisconsin would be my pick. With a favorable schedule and John Clay back to run the ball behind the Badgers’ bruising offensive line, big
14. Miami – Time for Jacory Harris to step up. The quarterback showed flashes of brilliance last year but ultimately too many interceptions led to a downward spiral for “The U”.
15. USC – I was tempted to put the Trojans higher on the list because they still ultimately possess as much talent as anyone in the country. But the punishment handed down by the NCAA along with my questions about Lane Kiffin as a coach makes the #15 spot seem about right. I do expect a big time jump from quarterback Matt Barkley, however.
16. LSU – Les Miles is on the hot seat, but there is simply too much talent here to not have a successful season. How successful probably depends on the play of Jordan Jefferson at quarterback.
17. Florida State – The Jumbo Fisher era begins in Tallahassee with a ton of experience returning on the offensive side of the ball, including darkhorse Heisman contender Christian Ponder.
18. North Carolina – If the Tar Heels can avoid NCAA punishment, they should have a dominant defense. Butch Davis has this program back on track.
19. Oregon State – A difficult non-conference schedule and a history of starting slowly could do the Beavers in, but I expect a more focused attitude from the start and big things from the Rodgers brothers in the end.
20. Arkansas – Ryan Mallett, the one-time Michigan transfer, is getting a ton of preseason publicity and has the talent around him to put up some big numbers. Mallett certainly has the physical ability, but consider me not so sold just yet.
21. Georgia Tech – Despite losing some key pieces to their triple-option attack including running back Jonathan Dwyer, Paul Johnson’s offense will always be tough to defend.
22. West Virginia – The Mountaineers should get a big test early in a trip to LSU but Geno Smith sounds like the real deal behind center and Noel Devine returns to leave more jockstraps out on the field.
23. Notre Dame – I have too much respect for Brian Kelly as a coach and the Irish have too many weapons on offense for Kelly to play with. I think people are going to be somewhat surprised at Notre Dame’s early success.
24. South Carolina – Debated between the Gamecocks, Georgia and Auburn here but ultimately I think this is the year that Spurrier gets the South Carolina program over the hump and into a major bowl game. Of course, that depends a whole lot on the play of quarterback Stephen Garcia.
25. Penn State – I am not leaving Penn State off the list and having my mailbox filled with hate emails. But too many questions at the most important position along with an early trip to Tuscaloosa could prove disastrous for the Lions. The good news is that Penn State should be able to rely on a solid defense and Evan Royster and the ground game for most of the year.
1. Alabama – Thought about putting Ohio St. here but we have to give Coach Saban the benefit of the doubt until the Crimson Tide get knocked off. Alabama returns the fearsome 1-2 punch of Mark Ingram, only the reigning Heisman winner, and Trent Richardson in the backfield as well as Julio Jones on the outside which could make this Tide team even more dangerous than last year.
2. Ohio State – Terrelle Pryor is my preseason Heisman favorite and the Buckeyes are the team that I most expect to make it to the BCS National Championship game.
3. Boise State – Boise returns a number of starters from their BCS busting team last year including Heisman hopeful QB Kellen Moore. We will find out if they are the real deal right away as the Broncos take on Virginia Tech in Washington D.C. for their opener and have Oregon St. at home just a few weeks later.
4. Florida – Urban Meyer and the Florida Gators do not rebuild, only reload. QB John Brantley has some big shoes to fill but expect the Gators to take on a somewhat different look without the running abilities of their quarterback.
5. TCU – Part two of the BCS busters, TCU brings back a handful of offensive players from their BCS team a year ago. The Horned Frogs must replace all-world defensive end Jerry Hughes, but seven other starters return from a damn good unit defensively.
6. Oklahoma – Last year was a stumbling block from the Sooners with a paramount of injuries. The experience that QB Landry Jones gained, however, should be invaluable for this year.
7. Texas – Texas and Oklahoma will be fighting for Big 12 supremacy once again. Texas will also be breaking in a new QB under center, Garrett Gilbert, who filled in capably after Colt McCoy left last year’s title game.
8. Nebraska – The Cornhuskers should be king of the Big 12 North in their final year before moving to the Big 10. Nebraska returns QB Zac Lee and should once again have a dominating defense despite the loss of DT Ndamukong Suh.
9. Virginia Tech – If the nation’s top running back duo isn’t in Tuscaloosa, it’s in Blacksburg with Darren Evans and Ryan Williams manning what should be an unstoppable running attack with QB Tyrod Taylor. The defense only has four returning starters, but I suspect the amount of success the Hokies enjoy this year will depend on Taylor’s right arm.
10. Oregon – Despite the loss of Jeremiah Masoli at quarterback for disciplinary reasons, I believe in Chip Kelly and his offensive coaching abilities. The Ducks should be the class of the Pac 10 and could compete for the National Title if the QB play is adequate enough.
11. Pittsburgh – This is a bit higher than many of the national pundits are ranking the Panthers, but make no mistake that this team is supremely talented. The Panthers can boast of four players on the top two units of the preseason All-American team and anything less than a BCS Bowl game would be a disappointment.
12. Iowa – Iowa found ways to win games last year in the fourth quarter, but I suspect they may have used up a good portion of their luck for this year in the process. The Hawkeyes will need better all-around performances from QB Ricky Stanzi if they are going to meet expectations this year.
13. Wisconsin – If I am picking a team not named Ohio St. to win the Big Ten this year, Wisconsin would be my pick. With a favorable schedule and John Clay back to run the ball behind the Badgers’ bruising offensive line, big
14. Miami – Time for Jacory Harris to step up. The quarterback showed flashes of brilliance last year but ultimately too many interceptions led to a downward spiral for “The U”.
15. USC – I was tempted to put the Trojans higher on the list because they still ultimately possess as much talent as anyone in the country. But the punishment handed down by the NCAA along with my questions about Lane Kiffin as a coach makes the #15 spot seem about right. I do expect a big time jump from quarterback Matt Barkley, however.
16. LSU – Les Miles is on the hot seat, but there is simply too much talent here to not have a successful season. How successful probably depends on the play of Jordan Jefferson at quarterback.
17. Florida State – The Jumbo Fisher era begins in Tallahassee with a ton of experience returning on the offensive side of the ball, including darkhorse Heisman contender Christian Ponder.
18. North Carolina – If the Tar Heels can avoid NCAA punishment, they should have a dominant defense. Butch Davis has this program back on track.
19. Oregon State – A difficult non-conference schedule and a history of starting slowly could do the Beavers in, but I expect a more focused attitude from the start and big things from the Rodgers brothers in the end.
20. Arkansas – Ryan Mallett, the one-time Michigan transfer, is getting a ton of preseason publicity and has the talent around him to put up some big numbers. Mallett certainly has the physical ability, but consider me not so sold just yet.
21. Georgia Tech – Despite losing some key pieces to their triple-option attack including running back Jonathan Dwyer, Paul Johnson’s offense will always be tough to defend.
22. West Virginia – The Mountaineers should get a big test early in a trip to LSU but Geno Smith sounds like the real deal behind center and Noel Devine returns to leave more jockstraps out on the field.
23. Notre Dame – I have too much respect for Brian Kelly as a coach and the Irish have too many weapons on offense for Kelly to play with. I think people are going to be somewhat surprised at Notre Dame’s early success.
24. South Carolina – Debated between the Gamecocks, Georgia and Auburn here but ultimately I think this is the year that Spurrier gets the South Carolina program over the hump and into a major bowl game. Of course, that depends a whole lot on the play of quarterback Stephen Garcia.
25. Penn State – I am not leaving Penn State off the list and having my mailbox filled with hate emails. But too many questions at the most important position along with an early trip to Tuscaloosa could prove disastrous for the Lions. The good news is that Penn State should be able to rely on a solid defense and Evan Royster and the ground game for most of the year.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Dixon Would Be My Starter
Today was day three of the ongoing debate in the sports-talk radio world that I am sure Pittsburghers will not hear the end of until the Steelers either win their opening game against the Atlanta Falcons or Ben Roethlisberger returns from his suspension. The debate, of course, is who should be the Steelers starting quarterback in Roethlisberger’s absence, Byron Leftwich or Dennis Dixon. The answer to me is quite simple: Dennis Dixon should be the Pittsburgh Steelers’ starting quarterback until he proves otherwise.
My take has nothing to do with Dixon’s performance Saturday night in a meaningless preseason game against the Detroit Lions’ third stringers. Quite the contrary, actually, as I spent my Saturday night at a bachelor party drinking roughly 107 beers, give or take a few, hardly watching any of the Steelers exhibition, I mean preseason, game. I thought Dixon should have been named the starter the second Roethlisberger was suspended, with Leftwich brought in as insurance in case Dixon falters.
This has nothing to do with Leftwich, who has accomplished more in this league than I am guessing Dixon ever does. Leftwich, at 30-years-old, is no longer a starter in this league. He is the perfect back-up, a guy who can come in as a veteran and get the job done in case of an injury on a short-term basis. It is the same job that Charlie Batch has pretty much perfected in his time as a Steeler. Leftwich, however, has proven that he is no longer a starter in this league, at least as a viable starter for a team hoping to contend for a Super Bowl. With Dixon, the jury is still out.
It would have been much easier for Mike Tomlin and the coaching staff to turn to Leftwich in game one, or game two or whenever it became clear that Dixon was not putting the Steelers in the best position to win games if it came to that. If Leftwich falters, is Tomlin really going to feel comfortable turning the team over to an unknown in Dixon? Besides, this is a team, and more specifically an offense, built around the unique talents of its quarterback. With a shabby line and mediocre wide receivers (this is probably a bit of an understatement but the Steelers’ wide-outs are not exactly Jerry Rice and John Taylor), the Steelers offense relied heavily on Ben Roethlisberger to make big plays happen. Byron Leftwich does not have this ability, and more likely could be a sitting duck in the Steelers backfield without significant improvement in the offensive line play. With Leftwich, who WILL be the starter by the way, the Steelers will most certainly deploy a run-oriented attack, trying to keep games close and win games with their defense in Roethlisberger’s absence.
The Steelers would have used the same style with Dixon under center. But Dixon, on the other hand, would have given the Steelers the potential play-making ability with his legs that Leftwich does not have and that the offense desperately needs. Dixon showed last year in the Baltimore game that he could play this style and occasionally give the Steelers that big play with his legs. A year older and more mature, who knows, maybe Dixon could have built on that game and become a potential starter somewhere down the line in this league. Worst case scenario is that Dixon proved an incapable passer and the Steelers could have quickly turned the team over to Leftwich at that point.
It looks like it will not matter what I think, not that it ever really would or should have mattered, as Tomlin and offensive coordinator Bruce Arians seem to have made up their minds and decided to go the safer route in Byron Leftwich. If Byron can get at least two victories or more in those first four games without Roethlisberger, you will hear no complaints from this forum. I would have went with Dixon, however, and if the Steelers do indeed stumble out of the gates, there will be a lot of second guessing of Mike Tomlin and the Steelers’ decision.
My take has nothing to do with Dixon’s performance Saturday night in a meaningless preseason game against the Detroit Lions’ third stringers. Quite the contrary, actually, as I spent my Saturday night at a bachelor party drinking roughly 107 beers, give or take a few, hardly watching any of the Steelers exhibition, I mean preseason, game. I thought Dixon should have been named the starter the second Roethlisberger was suspended, with Leftwich brought in as insurance in case Dixon falters.
This has nothing to do with Leftwich, who has accomplished more in this league than I am guessing Dixon ever does. Leftwich, at 30-years-old, is no longer a starter in this league. He is the perfect back-up, a guy who can come in as a veteran and get the job done in case of an injury on a short-term basis. It is the same job that Charlie Batch has pretty much perfected in his time as a Steeler. Leftwich, however, has proven that he is no longer a starter in this league, at least as a viable starter for a team hoping to contend for a Super Bowl. With Dixon, the jury is still out.
It would have been much easier for Mike Tomlin and the coaching staff to turn to Leftwich in game one, or game two or whenever it became clear that Dixon was not putting the Steelers in the best position to win games if it came to that. If Leftwich falters, is Tomlin really going to feel comfortable turning the team over to an unknown in Dixon? Besides, this is a team, and more specifically an offense, built around the unique talents of its quarterback. With a shabby line and mediocre wide receivers (this is probably a bit of an understatement but the Steelers’ wide-outs are not exactly Jerry Rice and John Taylor), the Steelers offense relied heavily on Ben Roethlisberger to make big plays happen. Byron Leftwich does not have this ability, and more likely could be a sitting duck in the Steelers backfield without significant improvement in the offensive line play. With Leftwich, who WILL be the starter by the way, the Steelers will most certainly deploy a run-oriented attack, trying to keep games close and win games with their defense in Roethlisberger’s absence.
The Steelers would have used the same style with Dixon under center. But Dixon, on the other hand, would have given the Steelers the potential play-making ability with his legs that Leftwich does not have and that the offense desperately needs. Dixon showed last year in the Baltimore game that he could play this style and occasionally give the Steelers that big play with his legs. A year older and more mature, who knows, maybe Dixon could have built on that game and become a potential starter somewhere down the line in this league. Worst case scenario is that Dixon proved an incapable passer and the Steelers could have quickly turned the team over to Leftwich at that point.
It looks like it will not matter what I think, not that it ever really would or should have mattered, as Tomlin and offensive coordinator Bruce Arians seem to have made up their minds and decided to go the safer route in Byron Leftwich. If Byron can get at least two victories or more in those first four games without Roethlisberger, you will hear no complaints from this forum. I would have went with Dixon, however, and if the Steelers do indeed stumble out of the gates, there will be a lot of second guessing of Mike Tomlin and the Steelers’ decision.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Time for Pitt-Wannstedt to Take Big Step
Dave Wannstedt enters his sixth season as head coach of the Pitt football team. After enduring a couple of down years with Wannstedt as the Coach preached patience and his ability to build a program the proper way, it is no secret that the Pittsburgh football program has arrived. Following two seasons where the Panthers fell just short of a Big East Championship and a BCS Bowl berth, it is now time for the program to make that final step into Big East supremacy.
In case people have a short memory, Pitt began the Wannstedt era with three consecutive sub-par seasons of 5-6, 6-6, and 5-7. It was that final game of the 2007 season, however, that marked the beginning of a new era for Pitt football. Pitt defeated West Virginia, as if I have to mention this game in detail, 13-9 in a monumental upset that denied Coach Rich Rodriguez and the Mountaineers a trip to the National Championship, and potentially changed the landscape of the Big East for the foreseeable future.
Pitt parlayed their upset over West Virginia into a 9-4 season in 2008, a season that saw two losses in particular stand out. The first, in hindsight a game that was essentially for the Big East title, was a 28-21 loss to Cincinnati. It was a game that the Panthers fell behind 28-7 before a fourth quarter rally made the score look closer than it actually was. The second was an embarrassing offensive performance in a 3-0 loss to Oregon State in the Sun Bowl. The season had to be considered a success, however, after three consecutive losing seasons and set the stage for extremely high expectations for the 2009 team.
The 2009 team, for all of its talent and success, did not accomplish what the Panthers set out to accomplish and that was to win the Big East title and play in their first BCS Bowl since Walt Harris was manning the sidelines. In each of the big games during the 2009 season, and for most of Wannstedt’s tenure (with the notable exception of that WVU game) the Panthers have failed to live up to the occasion. This was most notable in the season-ending loss in what was the de-facto Big East title game against Cincinnati. There is no need to rehash the events of what should have been the biggest win in the Wannstedt era. That loss, however, sets the stage for what should be a no-excuse 2010 season.
It is not often, outside of the usual suspects such as Florida, Texas and the like, to set such lofty goals while breaking in a new quarterback but the talent surrounding Tino Sunseri should make the new Pitt QB’s life that much easier. Pitt returns Jonathan Baldwin, arguably the best WR in the country, as well as sure-handed Mike Shanahan and a host of other talented receivers on the outside. In the backfield, they have a guy you might have heard of in Dion Lewis and a not too shabby replacement in Ray Graham. I cannot see Sunseri being asked to do much besides play-action, throwing the deep ball and hitting crossing patterns to this talented group. Both starting tackles are back from last year as well to protect Sunseri and open holes for Heisman hopeful Lewis. There are some uncertainties on the interior of the offensive line, but as long as the Panthers, namely Sunseri, avoid costly mistakes, this offense should be explosive.
Defensively the Panthers should excel once again. They did lose both starting defensive tackles, their middle-linebacker, and both cornerbacks from the 2009 unit but Wannstedt’s ability to recruit this side of the ball has players just as talented, if not more-so in the case of middle linebacker Dan Mason, ready to step in and fill the void. Mason, along with the supremely talented defensive end pair of Jabaal Sheard and Greg Romeus should spearhead a defense that had to be somewhat embarrassed by their performance in the Big East finale last year against Cincinnati.
Looking at the Pitt roster and those of the rest of the Big East teams, there appears to be no reason that Pitt should not ascend to the top of the standings this year. Cincinnati lost its coach and is also breaking in a new quarterback. WVU has question marks on defense and at QB. Connecticut and Rutgers do not have the athletes that Pitt does. Simply put, the Panthers have the most talented team in the Conference and the coaches agreed, making Pitt a runaway choice as the favorite to win the Big East.
Pitt does have a great nonconference schedule this year with trips to Utah and Notre Dame and a showdown with Miami at Heinz Field, but those games will not determine the level of success this team has. It is time that Dave Wannstedt and the Pitt football program become the class of the Big East Conference. Anything less would be a disappointing 2010 season.
In case people have a short memory, Pitt began the Wannstedt era with three consecutive sub-par seasons of 5-6, 6-6, and 5-7. It was that final game of the 2007 season, however, that marked the beginning of a new era for Pitt football. Pitt defeated West Virginia, as if I have to mention this game in detail, 13-9 in a monumental upset that denied Coach Rich Rodriguez and the Mountaineers a trip to the National Championship, and potentially changed the landscape of the Big East for the foreseeable future.
Pitt parlayed their upset over West Virginia into a 9-4 season in 2008, a season that saw two losses in particular stand out. The first, in hindsight a game that was essentially for the Big East title, was a 28-21 loss to Cincinnati. It was a game that the Panthers fell behind 28-7 before a fourth quarter rally made the score look closer than it actually was. The second was an embarrassing offensive performance in a 3-0 loss to Oregon State in the Sun Bowl. The season had to be considered a success, however, after three consecutive losing seasons and set the stage for extremely high expectations for the 2009 team.
The 2009 team, for all of its talent and success, did not accomplish what the Panthers set out to accomplish and that was to win the Big East title and play in their first BCS Bowl since Walt Harris was manning the sidelines. In each of the big games during the 2009 season, and for most of Wannstedt’s tenure (with the notable exception of that WVU game) the Panthers have failed to live up to the occasion. This was most notable in the season-ending loss in what was the de-facto Big East title game against Cincinnati. There is no need to rehash the events of what should have been the biggest win in the Wannstedt era. That loss, however, sets the stage for what should be a no-excuse 2010 season.
It is not often, outside of the usual suspects such as Florida, Texas and the like, to set such lofty goals while breaking in a new quarterback but the talent surrounding Tino Sunseri should make the new Pitt QB’s life that much easier. Pitt returns Jonathan Baldwin, arguably the best WR in the country, as well as sure-handed Mike Shanahan and a host of other talented receivers on the outside. In the backfield, they have a guy you might have heard of in Dion Lewis and a not too shabby replacement in Ray Graham. I cannot see Sunseri being asked to do much besides play-action, throwing the deep ball and hitting crossing patterns to this talented group. Both starting tackles are back from last year as well to protect Sunseri and open holes for Heisman hopeful Lewis. There are some uncertainties on the interior of the offensive line, but as long as the Panthers, namely Sunseri, avoid costly mistakes, this offense should be explosive.
Defensively the Panthers should excel once again. They did lose both starting defensive tackles, their middle-linebacker, and both cornerbacks from the 2009 unit but Wannstedt’s ability to recruit this side of the ball has players just as talented, if not more-so in the case of middle linebacker Dan Mason, ready to step in and fill the void. Mason, along with the supremely talented defensive end pair of Jabaal Sheard and Greg Romeus should spearhead a defense that had to be somewhat embarrassed by their performance in the Big East finale last year against Cincinnati.
Looking at the Pitt roster and those of the rest of the Big East teams, there appears to be no reason that Pitt should not ascend to the top of the standings this year. Cincinnati lost its coach and is also breaking in a new quarterback. WVU has question marks on defense and at QB. Connecticut and Rutgers do not have the athletes that Pitt does. Simply put, the Panthers have the most talented team in the Conference and the coaches agreed, making Pitt a runaway choice as the favorite to win the Big East.
Pitt does have a great nonconference schedule this year with trips to Utah and Notre Dame and a showdown with Miami at Heinz Field, but those games will not determine the level of success this team has. It is time that Dave Wannstedt and the Pitt football program become the class of the Big East Conference. Anything less would be a disappointing 2010 season.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Six-Pack of NFL Preseason Thoughts
With training camp in full gear and the first preseason game now behind us, here are some of my early thoughts on the 2010 season across the NFL. As we move closer to the actual start of the season, I am sure many of these points will be hit on again. Here we go…
· Many people are making a very big deal out of the Steelers first four games without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. This is coming primarily from the perceived notion that the Bengals and Ravens are going to be very good. I, for one, am not worried. If the Steelers can manage a 2-2 record, something that I believe is easily attainable (the Steelers will be the favorite in three of their opening four games, and potentially all four with the Ravens at home depending on how they have played), it will set them up to be in prime position for a playoff run when Roethlisberger returns. The Bengals and Ravens won 10 and 9 games last year, respectively, and have made some slight upgrades in the offseason, but none that should have Steelers’ fans worried that they will run away with the division.
· The Steelers will return Troy Polamalu and Aaron Smith back to a defense that was one of the greatest defensive units ever only two years ago. The Steelers have also brought back veterans Larry Foote and Bryant McFadden to add stability, depth and flexibility on the defense. Those additions are far superior to the additions of Terrell Owens in Cincinnati and Anquan Boldin in Baltimore. Cincinnati’s play will be heavily dependent on Carson Palmer, who has not looked like the same quarterback since Kimo von Oelhoffen ripped up every ligament in his knee a few years back. Similarly, the Ravens high expectations are dependent on the play of QB Joe Flacco. Flacco has shown flashes but is far from a sure-thing at the most important position. Without a return to the old Palmer or a significant upgrade in Flacco’s play, the Ravens and Bengals will be right around the 9 or 10 win mark again, leaving the Steelers in fine shape when their own QB returns, a guy that they know will give them superb play.
· I loved the Redskins acquisition of Donovan McNabb and believe he has plenty left in the tank. That is no knock on Jason Campbell either who I also believe can be an average to slightly-above average NFL quarterback, and who I also think was a good grab by the Raiders, potentially allowing the Black Hole to return to respectability. Philadelphia, meanwhile, could be left kicking themselves if they end up the odd-man out in a playoff race after trading their franchise cornerstone to a divisional rival. Andy Reid is an excellent offensive coach, but we will soon find out if he is right about fourth-year quarterback Kevin Kolb. I certainly have some doubts. More on McNabb in an upcoming feature post.
· The AFC looks far superior to the NFC on paper this year. In the NFC, only the winner out West will make the playoffs and I can see only eight possible teams in the hunt for the other five playoff spots (Green Bay, Minnesota, New Orleans, Atlanta and the four NFC East teams). Meanwhile, the only AFC teams that I think you can completely write-off in the preseason are the Browns, Bills and Chiefs.
· In the NFC, only the Saints and Cowboys have the look of Super Bowl contenders at this point. I think Green Bay, New York and Minnesota (obviously dependent on you know who) could potentially join them. Minnesota would be my favorite if Favre plays, and I think he does return at some point, but as long as Tavaris Jackson is the man flinging balls for the Vikes, I give them no shot at a Super Bowl appearance.
· It would not surprise me in the AFC, however, if any one of a number of teams made an appearance in Super Bowl XLV (that’s 45 for those that aren’t up to speed on their Roman numerals). If I told you that Indianapolis, New England, San Diego, Baltimore, New York (Jets), Cincinnati or even Pittsburgh made the Super Bowl this year you would not be shocked. For my money, it really only comes down to Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Phillip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger. It would take an unbelievable effort to knock two or three of these guys out of the playoffs in succession without superb quarterback play of your own, something that the Jets found out the hard way last postseason. That is why Carson Palmer, Joe Flacco and Mark Sanchez will be the three guys I am watching most closely as the season begins.
· Many people are making a very big deal out of the Steelers first four games without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. This is coming primarily from the perceived notion that the Bengals and Ravens are going to be very good. I, for one, am not worried. If the Steelers can manage a 2-2 record, something that I believe is easily attainable (the Steelers will be the favorite in three of their opening four games, and potentially all four with the Ravens at home depending on how they have played), it will set them up to be in prime position for a playoff run when Roethlisberger returns. The Bengals and Ravens won 10 and 9 games last year, respectively, and have made some slight upgrades in the offseason, but none that should have Steelers’ fans worried that they will run away with the division.
· The Steelers will return Troy Polamalu and Aaron Smith back to a defense that was one of the greatest defensive units ever only two years ago. The Steelers have also brought back veterans Larry Foote and Bryant McFadden to add stability, depth and flexibility on the defense. Those additions are far superior to the additions of Terrell Owens in Cincinnati and Anquan Boldin in Baltimore. Cincinnati’s play will be heavily dependent on Carson Palmer, who has not looked like the same quarterback since Kimo von Oelhoffen ripped up every ligament in his knee a few years back. Similarly, the Ravens high expectations are dependent on the play of QB Joe Flacco. Flacco has shown flashes but is far from a sure-thing at the most important position. Without a return to the old Palmer or a significant upgrade in Flacco’s play, the Ravens and Bengals will be right around the 9 or 10 win mark again, leaving the Steelers in fine shape when their own QB returns, a guy that they know will give them superb play.
· I loved the Redskins acquisition of Donovan McNabb and believe he has plenty left in the tank. That is no knock on Jason Campbell either who I also believe can be an average to slightly-above average NFL quarterback, and who I also think was a good grab by the Raiders, potentially allowing the Black Hole to return to respectability. Philadelphia, meanwhile, could be left kicking themselves if they end up the odd-man out in a playoff race after trading their franchise cornerstone to a divisional rival. Andy Reid is an excellent offensive coach, but we will soon find out if he is right about fourth-year quarterback Kevin Kolb. I certainly have some doubts. More on McNabb in an upcoming feature post.
· The AFC looks far superior to the NFC on paper this year. In the NFC, only the winner out West will make the playoffs and I can see only eight possible teams in the hunt for the other five playoff spots (Green Bay, Minnesota, New Orleans, Atlanta and the four NFC East teams). Meanwhile, the only AFC teams that I think you can completely write-off in the preseason are the Browns, Bills and Chiefs.
· In the NFC, only the Saints and Cowboys have the look of Super Bowl contenders at this point. I think Green Bay, New York and Minnesota (obviously dependent on you know who) could potentially join them. Minnesota would be my favorite if Favre plays, and I think he does return at some point, but as long as Tavaris Jackson is the man flinging balls for the Vikes, I give them no shot at a Super Bowl appearance.
· It would not surprise me in the AFC, however, if any one of a number of teams made an appearance in Super Bowl XLV (that’s 45 for those that aren’t up to speed on their Roman numerals). If I told you that Indianapolis, New England, San Diego, Baltimore, New York (Jets), Cincinnati or even Pittsburgh made the Super Bowl this year you would not be shocked. For my money, it really only comes down to Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Phillip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger. It would take an unbelievable effort to knock two or three of these guys out of the playoffs in succession without superb quarterback play of your own, something that the Jets found out the hard way last postseason. That is why Carson Palmer, Joe Flacco and Mark Sanchez will be the three guys I am watching most closely as the season begins.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Friday Fantasy Football Link
Because it’s Friday, because it has been a long-summer week, because the sports world is a bit slow right now, because you’re probably still digesting the 2,600 plus words on the baseball season from earlier this week, and quite frankly because nothing really has me excited to write about right now, we’re going to take the weekend off before kicking off some football topics next week.
Before we say adios to the week, however, one thing that does have people excited about that is right around the corner is fantasy football. I know everyone has their own ways of fixing, or more appropriately, improving fantasy football. Check out some ideas from the Sports Guy, Bill Simmons, on how he would change fantasy football going forward: Simmons' Fantasy Football Improvements.
Before we say adios to the week, however, one thing that does have people excited about that is right around the corner is fantasy football. I know everyone has their own ways of fixing, or more appropriately, improving fantasy football. Check out some ideas from the Sports Guy, Bill Simmons, on how he would change fantasy football going forward: Simmons' Fantasy Football Improvements.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Evaluating the Buccos' Trades
Major League Baseball’s trade deadline came and went on Saturday and there were a number of deals made as the contenders tried to beef up their rosters for the stretch run. In Pittsburgh, the end of July usually marks the purge of the Pirates’ roster, as the team is usually out of contention and looks to move its veteran assets for younger talent. This year was no different, though not to the extreme it has been the past couple of years, but the Pirates made three deadline deals all with the future in mind.
Neal Huntington and his staff, all-in-all, did a pretty nice job this deadline, moving veteran relief pitchers for some pieces that could potentially help the Pirates down the line. The one deadline deal, however, that is quite possibly the biggest black mark on Huntington’s resume to date did not involve the Pirates at all. We will get to that in a second, but first, let’s take a look at the three trades the Pirates were involved with.
· The Pirates traded veteran reliever D.J. Carrasco and veterans Bobby Crosby and Ryan Church to Arizona for catcher Chris Snyder and minor league shortstop Pedro Ciriaco, as well as $3 million in cash to help offset Snyder’s total of $8.2 million due through the end of 2011. In short, I love this move by the Pirates. Between the $1.2 million remaining in cost on the three players moved, the Pirates essentially picked up a solid major league catcher for the 2011 season for approximately $4 million and received a throw-in shortstop prospect to boot.
There is really nothing to be said of the three departed players. Church and Crosby were busts as free agent acquisitions and offered no value to the Pirates this year or in the future and Carrasco, while being quite effective this year out of the bullpen, is easily replaceable. In return, the Pirates picked up a potential starting catcher in Chris Snyder who is much better than his .231 average would indicate. For proof, Snyder’s three year average .OPS of .770 would rank 6th among National League catchers this year and he is known as a solid defensive catcher, something Pirates’ fans have not seen in some time. Snyder will also give the Pirates some flexibility in moving Ryan Doumit to either right field or first base, or even the option of moving him in another trade this offseason.
Ciriaco is known as a good defensive shortstop prospect with not much of a stick, as his career .659 OPS in the minors would indicate. Even still, with the Pirates glaring hole at the shortstop position throughout the organization, taking flyers on guys like this is a smart approach.
· The Pirates then sent closer Octavio Dotel to the Los Angeles Dodgers for pitcher James McDonald and minor league outfielder Andrew Lambo. Those around Pittsburgh were calling this a salary dump, while those nationally were calling this a nice trade by the Pirates. I fall in the second camp on this one, as a veteran closer makes no sense on a young team that is going to be lucky to win 60 games. McDonald is a 25-year-old pitcher with nice raw stuff and the ability to start while Lambo was once thought of as a high-end prospect until a drug suspension earlier this season derailed his progress some. Both are great examples of buy-low candidates who could become a significant part of the Pirates future. For more, check out Keith Law’s take on this trade here: Dodgers give up too much for Dotel.
· The third and final trade made by the Pirates was giving up another veteran reliever in Javier Lopez to the San Francisco Giants for a pair of 27-year-olds, pitcher Joe Martinez and outfielder John Bowker. Lopez, while very effective as a left-handed arm out of the bullpen, is once again an unneeded commodity on a young, losing team. I like that the Pirates sold him at peak value for a couple of players, while not being top prospects, could potentially help them somewhere in the future. Martinez and Bowker have both shown some success in the minors and, who knows, maybe one or even both could become late bloomers in the big leagues.
As I said before, all-in-all, I like the three moves that the Pirates made at the deadline. I was not the only one who approved either, as Dan Szymborski of the Baseball Think Factory, gave the Pirates an A minus on all three of their deals. You can read more of Szymborski’s thoughts here: Grading the deadline deals.
There was one trade, however, that may have been off the radar of Pirates’ fans that certainly got my attention. The Washington Nationals traded closer Matt Capps to the Minnesota Twins for top catching prospect Wilson Ramos and left-hander Joe Testa. Despite having a bit of a down year, Ramos is still one of the top catching prospects in all of baseball. Prior to this season, Ramos was a consensus top 100 prospect throughout baseball. Capps, as everyone will recall, was not tendered by the Pirates for arbitration, and indications were that the sides were only roughly $500 thousand apart. Huntington’s hard-line stance has now cost the Pirates a chance to acquire a top prospect such as Ramos.
This criticism should not come as a surprise to any of my readers as I went on numerous times in the preseason on why this was a terrible move on Huntington’s part. For all of the criticism Huntington has received, most of it undeserving at this point, this line of events should be getting more attention. There was no excuse at the time to let Capps walk, and the Nationals ability to spin Capps into such a valuable commodity only heightens the poor decision. So while I believe the actual moves made by the Pirates were a positive, I cannot help but think of the Capps’ events as the defining moment of this trade deadline.
Just like the past 17, soon to be 18 seasons, the Pirates have come out a loser.
Neal Huntington and his staff, all-in-all, did a pretty nice job this deadline, moving veteran relief pitchers for some pieces that could potentially help the Pirates down the line. The one deadline deal, however, that is quite possibly the biggest black mark on Huntington’s resume to date did not involve the Pirates at all. We will get to that in a second, but first, let’s take a look at the three trades the Pirates were involved with.
· The Pirates traded veteran reliever D.J. Carrasco and veterans Bobby Crosby and Ryan Church to Arizona for catcher Chris Snyder and minor league shortstop Pedro Ciriaco, as well as $3 million in cash to help offset Snyder’s total of $8.2 million due through the end of 2011. In short, I love this move by the Pirates. Between the $1.2 million remaining in cost on the three players moved, the Pirates essentially picked up a solid major league catcher for the 2011 season for approximately $4 million and received a throw-in shortstop prospect to boot.
There is really nothing to be said of the three departed players. Church and Crosby were busts as free agent acquisitions and offered no value to the Pirates this year or in the future and Carrasco, while being quite effective this year out of the bullpen, is easily replaceable. In return, the Pirates picked up a potential starting catcher in Chris Snyder who is much better than his .231 average would indicate. For proof, Snyder’s three year average .OPS of .770 would rank 6th among National League catchers this year and he is known as a solid defensive catcher, something Pirates’ fans have not seen in some time. Snyder will also give the Pirates some flexibility in moving Ryan Doumit to either right field or first base, or even the option of moving him in another trade this offseason.
Ciriaco is known as a good defensive shortstop prospect with not much of a stick, as his career .659 OPS in the minors would indicate. Even still, with the Pirates glaring hole at the shortstop position throughout the organization, taking flyers on guys like this is a smart approach.
· The Pirates then sent closer Octavio Dotel to the Los Angeles Dodgers for pitcher James McDonald and minor league outfielder Andrew Lambo. Those around Pittsburgh were calling this a salary dump, while those nationally were calling this a nice trade by the Pirates. I fall in the second camp on this one, as a veteran closer makes no sense on a young team that is going to be lucky to win 60 games. McDonald is a 25-year-old pitcher with nice raw stuff and the ability to start while Lambo was once thought of as a high-end prospect until a drug suspension earlier this season derailed his progress some. Both are great examples of buy-low candidates who could become a significant part of the Pirates future. For more, check out Keith Law’s take on this trade here: Dodgers give up too much for Dotel.
· The third and final trade made by the Pirates was giving up another veteran reliever in Javier Lopez to the San Francisco Giants for a pair of 27-year-olds, pitcher Joe Martinez and outfielder John Bowker. Lopez, while very effective as a left-handed arm out of the bullpen, is once again an unneeded commodity on a young, losing team. I like that the Pirates sold him at peak value for a couple of players, while not being top prospects, could potentially help them somewhere in the future. Martinez and Bowker have both shown some success in the minors and, who knows, maybe one or even both could become late bloomers in the big leagues.
As I said before, all-in-all, I like the three moves that the Pirates made at the deadline. I was not the only one who approved either, as Dan Szymborski of the Baseball Think Factory, gave the Pirates an A minus on all three of their deals. You can read more of Szymborski’s thoughts here: Grading the deadline deals.
There was one trade, however, that may have been off the radar of Pirates’ fans that certainly got my attention. The Washington Nationals traded closer Matt Capps to the Minnesota Twins for top catching prospect Wilson Ramos and left-hander Joe Testa. Despite having a bit of a down year, Ramos is still one of the top catching prospects in all of baseball. Prior to this season, Ramos was a consensus top 100 prospect throughout baseball. Capps, as everyone will recall, was not tendered by the Pirates for arbitration, and indications were that the sides were only roughly $500 thousand apart. Huntington’s hard-line stance has now cost the Pirates a chance to acquire a top prospect such as Ramos.
This criticism should not come as a surprise to any of my readers as I went on numerous times in the preseason on why this was a terrible move on Huntington’s part. For all of the criticism Huntington has received, most of it undeserving at this point, this line of events should be getting more attention. There was no excuse at the time to let Capps walk, and the Nationals ability to spin Capps into such a valuable commodity only heightens the poor decision. So while I believe the actual moves made by the Pirates were a positive, I cannot help but think of the Capps’ events as the defining moment of this trade deadline.
Just like the past 17, soon to be 18 seasons, the Pirates have come out a loser.
Monday, August 2, 2010
MLB Mid-Season Chat
Better late than never as they say. Here's the mid-season chat some buddies and I had about two weeks ago discussing all-things Major League Baseball. Joining us once again are Curt and Tom, two die-hard baseball guys that have entirely too much time on their hands to look up Brandon Boesch' OPS+. Enjoy...
Me: Ok Guys, welcome to the post All-Star break chat. Thanks for joining us once again. Let's just dive right in to what everyone likes to talk about....surprises. What are your biggest first half surprises?
Tom: It has to be the Padres. They're everything people thought the Mariners were going to be.
Me: I know somebody is dying to mention the Reds in first place, well now second I guess.
Tom: I thought you said 'surprises'?
Curt: Have to say Padres, it is somewhat legit as well. It’s not like the D-Backs a couple years ago or Mariners last year. I still don't think they are going to win it but see no reason they can't be there the whole way though.
Me: Yea, I guess that is going to be the common answer. Have to like their young arms, but can they really sustain this with one legitimate hitter in the line-up?
Tom: Chase Headley has come on the past few weeks after a tough June. Nobody in the lineup has legitimate 20-HR power, including Headley. Adrian Gonzalez shouldn't see another pitch all season from the Rockies and the like.
Curt: He took Haren the opposite way in SD the other night. That can't happen all the time.
Me: How about in the AL....Rays are somewhat surprising. We all know they had the talent, but not sure anyone saw them doing this well
Tom: The Rangers are more surprising than the Rays I think. They've taken a guy throwing in Japan and put him into the rotation for a 9-5 record.
Curt: I liked the Rays before the season. I think that division has been pretty much as expected after the Rays got off to that great start.
Me: The Rangers have gone out and acquired Cliff Lee.
Curt: White Sox are more unlikey I think. Freddy Garcia has 9 wins. Peavy has stunk and is now out and they are still in first.
Me: Well you and I were both on board with the Rangers preseason Tom, but that was more a byproduct of their division. They have played very well, and Vlad looks like a new man and Josh Hamilton is healthy. Rangers are going to be dangerous in the postseason.
Me: I, cough cough, also picked the White Sox preseason, but I am as surprised as anyone they have overcome that terrible start. A lot of credit has to go to Ozzie there.
Tom: The White Sox still have too much that can go wrong with them to be patting yourself on the back.
Me: That division is coming down to the last week I think between all three teams.
Tom: Minnesota is still my pick.
Me: Detroit, who I would like to pick, can't win a game on the road though.
Curt: I’d predict Twinkies as well. Should be a good race though, could be quite a few.
Me: That was a good segue to my next topic anyhow. There are some great pennant races shaping up, how do you see them finishing?
Tom: Yankees-Twinkies-Rangers-Rays
Curt: Phillies are in big trouble. I would not have believed that before the season. Hopefully, for the Reds and Braves fans in the room, they just think they are unlucky.
Tom: Braves (NL pennant)-Redlegs-Rockies-and one of the Sans out West.
Me: Preseason we all had the Cards, Phillies and Braves, I went Dodgers, you guys went Rockies. In the AL, all had the Yanks and Red Sox, you two Twins, me White Sox and Curt was the lone Angels backer against Tom and I with the Rangers.
Tom: San Fran or San Diego for the NL wild card.
Curt: The NL is really tough to predict I think.
Tom: Just think, if Atlanta still had Neftali and Elvis (Editor’s note, Neftali Feliz and Elvis Andrus, two young studs in the middle of the Rangers surge, were traded by the Braves in the Mark Teixeira deal.)
Me: I think the Phils will snap out of it and get the wildcard. The NL West is going to beat each other up, and the Rockies find a way once again.
Tom: Cardinals wouldn't be a bad bet. They've still got a bunch of games against some very bad NL Central teams.
Curt: AL - NYY, Rays, Twinkies, Rangers. NL Bravos, Reds, Rocks, Cards. The NL West could beat each other up. I agree.
Tom: The Cardinals have the 2nd easiest 2nd half schedule.
Curt: Say the Cards get to play the Astros and Pirates 20 times still, I bet that’s why.
Tom: Yep. The Reds have the easiest remaining schedule. And the Reds #4 and #5 starters out of the break have at 14-3 combined record.
Curt: What if the Reds face Oswalt 3-4 times though? (Editor’s note: This chat was done pre-Oswalt to the Phillies.) They have to play Houston a ton, because they should almost be done with the Pirates. Still easy?
Tom: Assuming Oswalt is still on the Astros...
Curt: Ya, maybe a Card. I doubt he gets moved though. (Editor’s note: Wrong on that one, Curt!)
Tom: The Reds finish their playoff push with Pittsburgh, Arizona, Houston and Milwaukee from September 10 to 22.
Curt: Arizona, that’s a pretty nice gift. They may be the worst.
Me: Very easily could be their path in. They have some depth with the arms now too. Like Curt said, NL is very tough.
Me: Final predictions?
Tom: Cards at WC. Talked myself into it.
Me: I'm sticking with my AL preseason picks by the way....hope I look very smart at the end of the year. Going to need a big push and some luck for the Red Sox. I think I have the Reds just barely missing, and the Phils snatching the WC. But I will be rooting hard for the Redlegs just for you Tom.
Tom: Thanks. There is still room on the wagon.
Curt: I think the numbers are in their favor for the WC, Braves, Reds, Rox, Cards. NYY, Twins, Rangers, Rays. The AL central is interesting at least.
Tom: The Twins haven't had Morneau for some time and Mauer is banged up too. Those guys will come back and everything will be fine.
Me: Ok, let's wrap it up with some awards. I put mine on the site Friday. Who do you guys have as the midseason major award winners and who do you have winning them at the end?
Curt: Votto will be the NL MVP. I like Josh Johnson's momentum and the voters don't look at just W's anymore.
Me: If you missed it, my MVPs were Miggy Cabrera and Pujols, Cy Youngs were Ubaldo (by a nose on Josh Johnson) and Price, Managers were Bud Black and Ozzie Guillen and ROYs were Heyward and Boesch.
Curt: Votto has gotten big hits all season, easy to remember them.
Tom: Votto and Cano for MVP. Cano is the best hitter having an MVP-esque season on the Yankees. Impossible to ignore.
Curt: ROY, I’d go with Heyward but I think he may wear down and get passed by Strasburg. Of course Strasburg will get shut down.
Me: if Miggy comes close to the Triple Crown, he's going to win it though. Votto and Pujols were neck and neck on my ballot.
Curt: It’s a shame for Morneau, he was killing it.
Tom: Cy Youngs will be Ubaldo with over 20 wins and dependent on who makes the playoffs out of the AL Central will determine that Cy Young.
Me: I'll say NL MVP should go to the winner of the NL Central, pretty easy tiebreaker there. I like Josh Johnson too, unless Ubaldo wins 22 or 23....which I thnk he will.
Tom: I'd like to say Liriano for AL Cy Young because he has been so fantastic and Cliff Lee is now in Texas.
Me: Give me your final picks for the MVPs and Cy Youngs....and if you feel like it, ROY as well.
Curt: I’d go with Miggy for MVP, they should be in a tight race for a while, that helps.
Tom: Votto and Cano, Ubaldo and Liriano( with close to 20 wins).
Curt: Have to go Lee in AL I think.
Me: Lee's a good pick. Should have some good momentum if he keeps winning.
Curt: Throws a complete game almost every time it seems like. 7 walks in 121 IP
Curt: My final votes are Votto, Miggy, Lee, Johnson.
Tom: ROY, I'm sticking with my Neftali Felix pick and NL ROY I'll go with Heyward in possibly an undeserving ROY win.
Curt: Feliz is a ROY?
Me: I don't think Feliz is beating out Boesch unless his numbers fall off a cliff.
Tom: Feliz, yes.
Tom: Feliz has to save one more game than Soria to lead the AL, Boesch won't hit the same.
Curt: Boesch OPS + is 151, he could be terrible for a while and still win it, as you said.
Me: Ok guys, I know people are busy in the summer and don't have time to read us go on all day about baseball, which I know we could, so give me your world Series winner as we stand today and we'll call it a wrap.
Me: I go Yankees.
Curt: Yanks, have the best team. Still take them.
Tom: Reds. (Editor’s note: No favoritism there!)
Me: We'll end it on Tom picking the Reds....ahhhh for us Pirate fans, we can only dream of the day we can pick the Buccos to win the World Series in July!
Me: Ok Guys, welcome to the post All-Star break chat. Thanks for joining us once again. Let's just dive right in to what everyone likes to talk about....surprises. What are your biggest first half surprises?
Tom: It has to be the Padres. They're everything people thought the Mariners were going to be.
Me: I know somebody is dying to mention the Reds in first place, well now second I guess.
Tom: I thought you said 'surprises'?
Curt: Have to say Padres, it is somewhat legit as well. It’s not like the D-Backs a couple years ago or Mariners last year. I still don't think they are going to win it but see no reason they can't be there the whole way though.
Me: Yea, I guess that is going to be the common answer. Have to like their young arms, but can they really sustain this with one legitimate hitter in the line-up?
Tom: Chase Headley has come on the past few weeks after a tough June. Nobody in the lineup has legitimate 20-HR power, including Headley. Adrian Gonzalez shouldn't see another pitch all season from the Rockies and the like.
Curt: He took Haren the opposite way in SD the other night. That can't happen all the time.
Me: How about in the AL....Rays are somewhat surprising. We all know they had the talent, but not sure anyone saw them doing this well
Tom: The Rangers are more surprising than the Rays I think. They've taken a guy throwing in Japan and put him into the rotation for a 9-5 record.
Curt: I liked the Rays before the season. I think that division has been pretty much as expected after the Rays got off to that great start.
Me: The Rangers have gone out and acquired Cliff Lee.
Curt: White Sox are more unlikey I think. Freddy Garcia has 9 wins. Peavy has stunk and is now out and they are still in first.
Me: Well you and I were both on board with the Rangers preseason Tom, but that was more a byproduct of their division. They have played very well, and Vlad looks like a new man and Josh Hamilton is healthy. Rangers are going to be dangerous in the postseason.
Me: I, cough cough, also picked the White Sox preseason, but I am as surprised as anyone they have overcome that terrible start. A lot of credit has to go to Ozzie there.
Tom: The White Sox still have too much that can go wrong with them to be patting yourself on the back.
Me: That division is coming down to the last week I think between all three teams.
Tom: Minnesota is still my pick.
Me: Detroit, who I would like to pick, can't win a game on the road though.
Curt: I’d predict Twinkies as well. Should be a good race though, could be quite a few.
Me: That was a good segue to my next topic anyhow. There are some great pennant races shaping up, how do you see them finishing?
Tom: Yankees-Twinkies-Rangers-Rays
Curt: Phillies are in big trouble. I would not have believed that before the season. Hopefully, for the Reds and Braves fans in the room, they just think they are unlucky.
Tom: Braves (NL pennant)-Redlegs-Rockies-and one of the Sans out West.
Me: Preseason we all had the Cards, Phillies and Braves, I went Dodgers, you guys went Rockies. In the AL, all had the Yanks and Red Sox, you two Twins, me White Sox and Curt was the lone Angels backer against Tom and I with the Rangers.
Tom: San Fran or San Diego for the NL wild card.
Curt: The NL is really tough to predict I think.
Tom: Just think, if Atlanta still had Neftali and Elvis (Editor’s note, Neftali Feliz and Elvis Andrus, two young studs in the middle of the Rangers surge, were traded by the Braves in the Mark Teixeira deal.)
Me: I think the Phils will snap out of it and get the wildcard. The NL West is going to beat each other up, and the Rockies find a way once again.
Tom: Cardinals wouldn't be a bad bet. They've still got a bunch of games against some very bad NL Central teams.
Curt: AL - NYY, Rays, Twinkies, Rangers. NL Bravos, Reds, Rocks, Cards. The NL West could beat each other up. I agree.
Tom: The Cardinals have the 2nd easiest 2nd half schedule.
Curt: Say the Cards get to play the Astros and Pirates 20 times still, I bet that’s why.
Tom: Yep. The Reds have the easiest remaining schedule. And the Reds #4 and #5 starters out of the break have at 14-3 combined record.
Curt: What if the Reds face Oswalt 3-4 times though? (Editor’s note: This chat was done pre-Oswalt to the Phillies.) They have to play Houston a ton, because they should almost be done with the Pirates. Still easy?
Tom: Assuming Oswalt is still on the Astros...
Curt: Ya, maybe a Card. I doubt he gets moved though. (Editor’s note: Wrong on that one, Curt!)
Tom: The Reds finish their playoff push with Pittsburgh, Arizona, Houston and Milwaukee from September 10 to 22.
Curt: Arizona, that’s a pretty nice gift. They may be the worst.
Me: Very easily could be their path in. They have some depth with the arms now too. Like Curt said, NL is very tough.
Me: Final predictions?
Tom: Cards at WC. Talked myself into it.
Me: I'm sticking with my AL preseason picks by the way....hope I look very smart at the end of the year. Going to need a big push and some luck for the Red Sox. I think I have the Reds just barely missing, and the Phils snatching the WC. But I will be rooting hard for the Redlegs just for you Tom.
Tom: Thanks. There is still room on the wagon.
Curt: I think the numbers are in their favor for the WC, Braves, Reds, Rox, Cards. NYY, Twins, Rangers, Rays. The AL central is interesting at least.
Tom: The Twins haven't had Morneau for some time and Mauer is banged up too. Those guys will come back and everything will be fine.
Me: Ok, let's wrap it up with some awards. I put mine on the site Friday. Who do you guys have as the midseason major award winners and who do you have winning them at the end?
Curt: Votto will be the NL MVP. I like Josh Johnson's momentum and the voters don't look at just W's anymore.
Me: If you missed it, my MVPs were Miggy Cabrera and Pujols, Cy Youngs were Ubaldo (by a nose on Josh Johnson) and Price, Managers were Bud Black and Ozzie Guillen and ROYs were Heyward and Boesch.
Curt: Votto has gotten big hits all season, easy to remember them.
Tom: Votto and Cano for MVP. Cano is the best hitter having an MVP-esque season on the Yankees. Impossible to ignore.
Curt: ROY, I’d go with Heyward but I think he may wear down and get passed by Strasburg. Of course Strasburg will get shut down.
Me: if Miggy comes close to the Triple Crown, he's going to win it though. Votto and Pujols were neck and neck on my ballot.
Curt: It’s a shame for Morneau, he was killing it.
Tom: Cy Youngs will be Ubaldo with over 20 wins and dependent on who makes the playoffs out of the AL Central will determine that Cy Young.
Me: I'll say NL MVP should go to the winner of the NL Central, pretty easy tiebreaker there. I like Josh Johnson too, unless Ubaldo wins 22 or 23....which I thnk he will.
Tom: I'd like to say Liriano for AL Cy Young because he has been so fantastic and Cliff Lee is now in Texas.
Me: Give me your final picks for the MVPs and Cy Youngs....and if you feel like it, ROY as well.
Curt: I’d go with Miggy for MVP, they should be in a tight race for a while, that helps.
Tom: Votto and Cano, Ubaldo and Liriano( with close to 20 wins).
Curt: Have to go Lee in AL I think.
Me: Lee's a good pick. Should have some good momentum if he keeps winning.
Curt: Throws a complete game almost every time it seems like. 7 walks in 121 IP
Curt: My final votes are Votto, Miggy, Lee, Johnson.
Tom: ROY, I'm sticking with my Neftali Felix pick and NL ROY I'll go with Heyward in possibly an undeserving ROY win.
Curt: Feliz is a ROY?
Me: I don't think Feliz is beating out Boesch unless his numbers fall off a cliff.
Tom: Feliz, yes.
Tom: Feliz has to save one more game than Soria to lead the AL, Boesch won't hit the same.
Curt: Boesch OPS + is 151, he could be terrible for a while and still win it, as you said.
Me: Ok guys, I know people are busy in the summer and don't have time to read us go on all day about baseball, which I know we could, so give me your world Series winner as we stand today and we'll call it a wrap.
Me: I go Yankees.
Curt: Yanks, have the best team. Still take them.
Tom: Reds. (Editor’s note: No favoritism there!)
Me: We'll end it on Tom picking the Reds....ahhhh for us Pirate fans, we can only dream of the day we can pick the Buccos to win the World Series in July!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
NBA Free Agency Links
There will not be a lot of writing this week, but in the meantime check out these short pieces by John Hollinger of ESPN. Hollinger gives a short synopsis of the winners and losers of the NBA free agency period, and I could not agree more with most of what he has to say (I think you can guess who the biggest winner was). On Friday, hopefully with time permitting to format it correctly, I will have the mid-season MLB review chat that Tom and Curt joined me for last week.
Hollinger's offseason winners.
And the offseason losers.
Hollinger's offseason winners.
And the offseason losers.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Who Are These Guys?
Have the 2010 Pittsburgh Pirates become the 1927 New York Yankees? Who are these guys swinging the bats the past five days or so? The dog days of summer are here, the World Cup is over, training camp is still a week or so away and the Pirates are out of the playoff race. In Pittsburgh, this is usually the worst sports time of the year by far. The Pirates, however, may just give us something to watch until the Steelers and Pitt begin their regular season, other than non-contact practices and meaningless pre-season games of course.
The reason the Buccos just might give us something to watch is the youngsters look like they are starting to figure out this Major League hitting thing. Over the past five games, during which they have four wins, the Pirates have scored a combined 48 runs. That is nearly 10 runs per game, and the most encouraging part is that the guys doing the damage are the guys who are in Pittsburgh’s long term plans.
Pedro Alvarez, the guy probably most important to the Pirates near and long-term future, has gone 9-20 over these five games, with 4 HRs, 9 RBIs, 7 runs and maybe more importantly, four walks against five strikeouts. Alvarez has shown his world-class power, absolutely clubbing the four home runs he has hit (two each in the past two games) but has also shown the ability to stay patient at the plate and hit his pitch. Alvarez’ development alone could be reason enough to watch these Pirates down the stretch.
Four other important members of the Pirates near-term future; Garrett Jones, Jose Tabata, Lastings Milledge and Neil Walker; have more than chipped in their own fair share. Walker has gone a red-hot 14-24 over the five games, Jones has gone 6-20 with a home run and 6 RBIs, Tabata has been the table-setter with 8 hits and 8 runs scored and Milledge has continued his steady play over the past month or so with a 6-16 mark during the five game Pirates’ run fest. The Pirates have done all of this with Andrew McCutchen out of the line-up the last three games, and we all know what McCutchen is capable of. The Pirates are also getting solid contributions from a red-hot Ronny Cedeno and Delwyn Young, two more guys that could be contributors to the team over the next couple of seasons.
I should be quick to point out that five games is a tiny sample size. Every team, no matter how bad, goes through a few hot stretches over the course of a 162 game season. But these are the new Pirates, the guys we have been hoping and waiting for since Neal Huntington took the general manager job and began trumpeting these young guys. They look to have their feet properly wet and the evaluations can begin. At the very least, these past five games can give us hope for the future…or at least a reason to watch over the final 68 games.
The reason the Buccos just might give us something to watch is the youngsters look like they are starting to figure out this Major League hitting thing. Over the past five games, during which they have four wins, the Pirates have scored a combined 48 runs. That is nearly 10 runs per game, and the most encouraging part is that the guys doing the damage are the guys who are in Pittsburgh’s long term plans.
Pedro Alvarez, the guy probably most important to the Pirates near and long-term future, has gone 9-20 over these five games, with 4 HRs, 9 RBIs, 7 runs and maybe more importantly, four walks against five strikeouts. Alvarez has shown his world-class power, absolutely clubbing the four home runs he has hit (two each in the past two games) but has also shown the ability to stay patient at the plate and hit his pitch. Alvarez’ development alone could be reason enough to watch these Pirates down the stretch.
Four other important members of the Pirates near-term future; Garrett Jones, Jose Tabata, Lastings Milledge and Neil Walker; have more than chipped in their own fair share. Walker has gone a red-hot 14-24 over the five games, Jones has gone 6-20 with a home run and 6 RBIs, Tabata has been the table-setter with 8 hits and 8 runs scored and Milledge has continued his steady play over the past month or so with a 6-16 mark during the five game Pirates’ run fest. The Pirates have done all of this with Andrew McCutchen out of the line-up the last three games, and we all know what McCutchen is capable of. The Pirates are also getting solid contributions from a red-hot Ronny Cedeno and Delwyn Young, two more guys that could be contributors to the team over the next couple of seasons.
I should be quick to point out that five games is a tiny sample size. Every team, no matter how bad, goes through a few hot stretches over the course of a 162 game season. But these are the new Pirates, the guys we have been hoping and waiting for since Neal Huntington took the general manager job and began trumpeting these young guys. They look to have their feet properly wet and the evaluations can begin. At the very least, these past five games can give us hope for the future…or at least a reason to watch over the final 68 games.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Mid-Season MLB Awards
Major League Baseball gets back into the full swing of the second half tonight following the All-Star break. There were a handful of games last night, but tonight marks the first night every team is in action as the real chase for October begins. Before we jump into the final 70 games or so, it is time to give out my mid-season awards in both leagues. Taking a look at the four major awards also gives a nice glimpse of what has happened so far this year. We will be back early next week with a more expansive look as Tom and Curt return for a mid-season chat to discuss the current season and what we see happening the rest of the way. On to the awards…
National League Manager of the First Half – Bud Black (San Diego) – Honorable mention goes to Bobby Cox of Atlanta and Dusty Baker of Cincinnati. If you thought San Diego, Atlanta and Cincinnati would be leading their respective divisions at the halfway point, raise your hand. Yea, not too many hands raised with that one. But of the three, San Diego is the team with the least amount of talent and, by far, the most overachieving team in baseball at the break. Atlanta’s rotation alone was good enough to make a run and Cincinnati was many people’s sleeper pick to start the year. Meanwhile, Black has the Padres in first place with only one player above a .750 OPS.
American League Manager of the First Half – Ozzie Guillen (Chicago) – This team was left for dead after a 24-33 start to the season. After last night’s win, the White Sox are 26-5 over the past month and a half and sit on top of the American League Central. Guillen was able to keep a veteran locker room from going into the tank and has coaxed the most out of an entirely mediocre line-up. Joe Maddon of the Rays and Ron Washington of the Rangers deserve mention, as does Jim Leyland in Detroit, but each of those clubs have some major talent.
Year-End Predictions: Bobby Cox of Atlanta and Ron Washington of Texas.
National League Rookie – Jason Heyward (Atlanta) – This one was a little tough as all three of the top rookies have missed extensive time. Two, Stephen Strasburg (you may have heard of him) and Buster Posey, were late May-early June call-ups while Jason Heyward, after a red hot start, cooled off due to a thumb injury and eventually went on the DL for almost a month. Heyward wins out for now as his impact on the season so far is greater than that of the other two. Posey is really coming on, however, batting .355 with 7 HRs in only 39 games and is my pick to overcome Heyward by season’s end. Strasburg’s innings are going to be limited by the Nationals and he will probably be shut down come September. If the pressure on the young 20-year-old Heyward weren’t enough, he will be forced to produce big time in the middle of a pennant race. That is why I like Posey to overtake him come season’s end. One other guy deserving mention is St. Louis starter Jaime Garcia, who is 8-4 with a 2.17 ERA.
American League Rookie – Brandon Boesch (Detroit) – While the National League rookie class is absolutely stacked, the American League has somewhat of a void in production among the rookie ranks. Boesch’ biggest competition will probably come from teammate Austin Jackson, who started the season on fire but has since cooled considerably, and closer Neftali Feliz of the Texas Rangers, he of the 100 mph fastball and 23 saves. Boesch is batting .342 with 12 HRs and a .990 OPS, numbers that translate to a MVP caliber season. Once a mediocre prospect, it is hard to see him staying on that incredible pace, but he has played well enough that he should coast to the AL Rookie of the Year award.
Year-End Winners: Buster Posey of San Francisco and Boesch.
National League Cy Young – Ubaldo Jimenez (Colorado) – This one was much closer than people would think, with Jimenez sporting a 15-1 record, 2.20 ERA and 113 strikeouts and all. But Josh Johnson of the Florida Marlins has been just as dominant, sporting a 9-3 record, 1.70 ERA and 123 strikeouts in 122 innings. More impressively, in 12 of Johnson’s 18 starts, he has allowed zero or one earned run, nearing a record of such starts set by Bob Gibson in 1968. Adam Wainwright and Roy Halladay have not been too shabby themselves. Jimenez’ no hitter will stay imprinted in the minds of voters, however, giving him the nod at the end of the year.
American League Cy Young – David Price (Tampa Bay) – With no pitcher being quite as dominant as Jimenez and Johnson, I went with Price here, who leads the AL in ERA and is tied with CC Sabathia for the most wins. This one will probably come all the way down to the wire with guys like Jon Lester, Justin Verlander, Cliff Lee and Felix Hernandez all getting their names in the conversation. In the end, though, I think it will come down to Price and Sabathia.
Year-End Winners: Jimenez and CC Sabathia of Yankees.
National League MVP – Albert Pujols (St. Louis) – Absolute, 100% coin flip right now between Pujols and Joey Votto of the Cincinnati Reds. Votto has been incredible to the tune of .314-22-60 with 59 runs and 7 stolen bases. He is at or near the top in every offensive category in the National League. So is Pujols, who right now sports an almost identical .313-21-64 with 56 runs and 9 SBs. They have been essentially the same player. I will give the slight nod in this instance to the guy who has done it 10 straight years now and plays a gold-glove caliber first base (Votto is no slouch over there either).
American League MVP – Miguel Cabrera (Detroit) – This was probably Robinson Cano’s award until about two or three weeks ago when A-Rod and Mark Teixeira decided the season had started. Cano is playing fantastic baseball at the plate and in the field. I had a Yankee friend say that even his outs are fun to watch right now because he is hitting everything so hard. But as well as Cano is playing, he has easily fallen to third in this race behind Cabrera and Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers. Hamilton, the former phenom turned inspirational story, is fully healthy and it shows. Hamilton leads the AL in average (.351), is tied for 2nd in HRs (22), 4th in RBIs, and tied for 6th in runs. It is true that Hamilton is aided by his ballpark and a terrific line-up around him, but there is no denying those kind of numbers. My first half MVP, however, has to be Miguel Cabrera. While Hamilton has an outside shot at the Triple Crown, Cabrera’s chances are very much real. Cabrera is currently 2nd behind Hamilton in average (.346), tied with him at 22 HRs and leads the AL in RBIs with 77 (he is also 3rd in runs scored and 1st in OPS). Cabrera is the AL version of Albert Pujols and anyone doubting his ability should take one quick look at his career numbers. In the end I think he will fall just short of the Triple Crown, but not short of the MVP.
Year-End Winners: Pujols and Cabrera.
National League Manager of the First Half – Bud Black (San Diego) – Honorable mention goes to Bobby Cox of Atlanta and Dusty Baker of Cincinnati. If you thought San Diego, Atlanta and Cincinnati would be leading their respective divisions at the halfway point, raise your hand. Yea, not too many hands raised with that one. But of the three, San Diego is the team with the least amount of talent and, by far, the most overachieving team in baseball at the break. Atlanta’s rotation alone was good enough to make a run and Cincinnati was many people’s sleeper pick to start the year. Meanwhile, Black has the Padres in first place with only one player above a .750 OPS.
American League Manager of the First Half – Ozzie Guillen (Chicago) – This team was left for dead after a 24-33 start to the season. After last night’s win, the White Sox are 26-5 over the past month and a half and sit on top of the American League Central. Guillen was able to keep a veteran locker room from going into the tank and has coaxed the most out of an entirely mediocre line-up. Joe Maddon of the Rays and Ron Washington of the Rangers deserve mention, as does Jim Leyland in Detroit, but each of those clubs have some major talent.
Year-End Predictions: Bobby Cox of Atlanta and Ron Washington of Texas.
National League Rookie – Jason Heyward (Atlanta) – This one was a little tough as all three of the top rookies have missed extensive time. Two, Stephen Strasburg (you may have heard of him) and Buster Posey, were late May-early June call-ups while Jason Heyward, after a red hot start, cooled off due to a thumb injury and eventually went on the DL for almost a month. Heyward wins out for now as his impact on the season so far is greater than that of the other two. Posey is really coming on, however, batting .355 with 7 HRs in only 39 games and is my pick to overcome Heyward by season’s end. Strasburg’s innings are going to be limited by the Nationals and he will probably be shut down come September. If the pressure on the young 20-year-old Heyward weren’t enough, he will be forced to produce big time in the middle of a pennant race. That is why I like Posey to overtake him come season’s end. One other guy deserving mention is St. Louis starter Jaime Garcia, who is 8-4 with a 2.17 ERA.
American League Rookie – Brandon Boesch (Detroit) – While the National League rookie class is absolutely stacked, the American League has somewhat of a void in production among the rookie ranks. Boesch’ biggest competition will probably come from teammate Austin Jackson, who started the season on fire but has since cooled considerably, and closer Neftali Feliz of the Texas Rangers, he of the 100 mph fastball and 23 saves. Boesch is batting .342 with 12 HRs and a .990 OPS, numbers that translate to a MVP caliber season. Once a mediocre prospect, it is hard to see him staying on that incredible pace, but he has played well enough that he should coast to the AL Rookie of the Year award.
Year-End Winners: Buster Posey of San Francisco and Boesch.
National League Cy Young – Ubaldo Jimenez (Colorado) – This one was much closer than people would think, with Jimenez sporting a 15-1 record, 2.20 ERA and 113 strikeouts and all. But Josh Johnson of the Florida Marlins has been just as dominant, sporting a 9-3 record, 1.70 ERA and 123 strikeouts in 122 innings. More impressively, in 12 of Johnson’s 18 starts, he has allowed zero or one earned run, nearing a record of such starts set by Bob Gibson in 1968. Adam Wainwright and Roy Halladay have not been too shabby themselves. Jimenez’ no hitter will stay imprinted in the minds of voters, however, giving him the nod at the end of the year.
American League Cy Young – David Price (Tampa Bay) – With no pitcher being quite as dominant as Jimenez and Johnson, I went with Price here, who leads the AL in ERA and is tied with CC Sabathia for the most wins. This one will probably come all the way down to the wire with guys like Jon Lester, Justin Verlander, Cliff Lee and Felix Hernandez all getting their names in the conversation. In the end, though, I think it will come down to Price and Sabathia.
Year-End Winners: Jimenez and CC Sabathia of Yankees.
National League MVP – Albert Pujols (St. Louis) – Absolute, 100% coin flip right now between Pujols and Joey Votto of the Cincinnati Reds. Votto has been incredible to the tune of .314-22-60 with 59 runs and 7 stolen bases. He is at or near the top in every offensive category in the National League. So is Pujols, who right now sports an almost identical .313-21-64 with 56 runs and 9 SBs. They have been essentially the same player. I will give the slight nod in this instance to the guy who has done it 10 straight years now and plays a gold-glove caliber first base (Votto is no slouch over there either).
American League MVP – Miguel Cabrera (Detroit) – This was probably Robinson Cano’s award until about two or three weeks ago when A-Rod and Mark Teixeira decided the season had started. Cano is playing fantastic baseball at the plate and in the field. I had a Yankee friend say that even his outs are fun to watch right now because he is hitting everything so hard. But as well as Cano is playing, he has easily fallen to third in this race behind Cabrera and Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers. Hamilton, the former phenom turned inspirational story, is fully healthy and it shows. Hamilton leads the AL in average (.351), is tied for 2nd in HRs (22), 4th in RBIs, and tied for 6th in runs. It is true that Hamilton is aided by his ballpark and a terrific line-up around him, but there is no denying those kind of numbers. My first half MVP, however, has to be Miguel Cabrera. While Hamilton has an outside shot at the Triple Crown, Cabrera’s chances are very much real. Cabrera is currently 2nd behind Hamilton in average (.346), tied with him at 22 HRs and leads the AL in RBIs with 77 (he is also 3rd in runs scored and 1st in OPS). Cabrera is the AL version of Albert Pujols and anyone doubting his ability should take one quick look at his career numbers. In the end I think he will fall just short of the Triple Crown, but not short of the MVP.
Year-End Winners: Pujols and Cabrera.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Pirates Dreadful Season Continues
The Pirates head into the All-Star break on yet another six game losing streak, all six on the road once again. I have actually written this opening three times in the last two weeks, each time this post getting bumped by other news. The common link each time I have written this piece has been how dreadful the Pirates have been.
The first edition came immediately following the Pirates first win after 17 consecutive road losses. The second time the Buccos had actually managed to win two of three from the Cubbies, giving them a whopping four wins in a 23 game stretch at that point. This time, the Pirates are fresh off another miserable road trip where they were swept in Houston and in Milwaukee, two teams that had been playing nearly as bad as the Pirates had been.
The Pirates play for most of the first half of the season has been quite simply horrible, almost downright embarrassing. The current six game losing streak has pushed their road record on the season to 11-38, which for perspective’s sake would equate to a 126 loss season. These Pirates are playing some historically bad baseball on the road. Worse yet, the Bucs play at home has not been much better recently. Overall, the Pirates have nine wins in 36 games in June and July. NINE FREAKIN’ WINS…
Not only are the Pirates losing, they are playing terrible baseball. Horrible fielding, bad baserunning, poor at-bats and a general lack of fundamentals have exemplified this current stretch of embarrassing baseball. As we begin the All-Star festivities tonight, the Pirates are a National League worst 30-58, a record that puts them on pace for 107 losses this season. That number of losses would be more than even the worst pessimist would have guessed to start the year. With the halfway point behind us and no end in sight to the losing, it is time to take a quick look at what has gone right (very little) and what has gone wrong (way too much) so far this season:
The Good
Andrew McCutchen – McCutchen has picked up right where he left off last year and that has the young phenom well on his way to stardom. After batting .286/.365/.471 with 12 HRs and 22 SBs in only 433 at-bats as a rookie, “Cutch” has followed it up with a .287/.363/.435, 8 HRs and 20 SBs as a sophomore and that despite a recent slump. Yes, a few more timely hits would be nice, but those hits will come as McCutchen matures. Despite getting ripped off from an All-Star appearance this year, you can be sure that McCutchen is well on his way to multiple All-Star classics.
Evan Meek – Meek has been dominant out of the bullpen. The former Rule-5 pick, maybe Neal Huntington’s best move as a GM to date, has held opponents to a .184 batting average, sports a 1.11 ERA, a 0.95 WHIP, and has struck out 45 batters in 48 innings against only 14 walks. He probably did not deserve his All-Star bid, but Meek definitely looks as though he will be the Buccos closer in the not so distant future.
Arrivals of Walker, Tabata, Lincoln and Alvarez – Only Neil Walker has performed reasonably well since his call-up to the big leagues but all four of these Pirates’ prospects earned their trip to the show and none have looked totally outclassed. The Pirates’ future is very dependent on these four guys, along with the two guys above, so to see them in their big league uniforms is a positive in itself.
And that’s about it on the list of the positives. Paul Maholm and Garrett Jones have performed well, and that is more than most of this organization can attest to, but neither has exceeded expectations. On the contrary, there have been too many negatives to list in this space. As the halfway point nears we will try to limit our list to the most glaring deficiencies at the halfway mark.
The Bad
Ryan Doumit – I have to vent for a quick second: Has any catcher in the history of baseball missed more foul tips than this guy?! Little league catchers don’t get hit from foul tips and pitches in the dirt as much as this guy. Throw in his total inability to throw a runner out, the pitchers’ slow delivery be damned, and Doumit has to be the worst defensive catcher in baseball. He is not a very good hitter either, and any hope that he was going to be a cornerstone for this franchise is out the door. Sure, he can still be a productive Major League catcher. Most teams would take a .260-.280 hitting, 15-20 home run guy as their backstop. But Doumit is 29-years-old now, there is no more potential with him. He is what he is, and that is an average catcher at best.
Lastings Milledge – I am not going to crush Milledge in this space. He has played hard, competed and seems to have matured a great deal since his arrival. His talent simply did not match the hype, however, and I think we are getting the definitive answer on his role going forward. He is a good fourth outfielder. The simple fact is that you cannot have a corner outfielder, especially one that is not even a superior fielder, hitting only 5-10 home runs over the course of a season and be in your everyday line-up. Milledge does enough to be a productive player off the bench and start a couple of times per week, but I think any hope that he could be the starting right fielder long-term has left.
Neal Huntington – I could have put Ryan Church, Bobby Crosby, Aki Iwamura, or Jeff Clement here but those guys all have one thing in common; they were brought here by general manager Neal Huntington. I will not bore you with stats, you can look them up for yourself, but these four Huntington acquisitions have been just terrible. Poor talent evaluation has done this franchise in for 15 plus years now, and the only hope for any small revenue team is the ability to recognize cheap and available talent. It is still way too early to judge the Huntington drafts, but his signings and trades on the Major League level are not giving much hope, or optimism, to the franchise right now.
Walker, Tabata, Lincoln and Alvarez – It is entirely too early to judge the performance of any these guys to this point. Like I said earlier, just seeing them in the big leagues is a step in the right direction. Each of them has shown glimmers of their potential, but the overall performance has not been there yet. It would be nice to see a string of hits and stolen bases from Tabata, a few big home runs and less strike outs from Alvarez, and a few gems in a row from Lincoln. They could be coming, but to this point we have not seen enough of it. At the very least, they do give us something to watch as the season progresses. Their development, along with that of McCutchen, are going to be vital to the near future of this team.
The first edition came immediately following the Pirates first win after 17 consecutive road losses. The second time the Buccos had actually managed to win two of three from the Cubbies, giving them a whopping four wins in a 23 game stretch at that point. This time, the Pirates are fresh off another miserable road trip where they were swept in Houston and in Milwaukee, two teams that had been playing nearly as bad as the Pirates had been.
The Pirates play for most of the first half of the season has been quite simply horrible, almost downright embarrassing. The current six game losing streak has pushed their road record on the season to 11-38, which for perspective’s sake would equate to a 126 loss season. These Pirates are playing some historically bad baseball on the road. Worse yet, the Bucs play at home has not been much better recently. Overall, the Pirates have nine wins in 36 games in June and July. NINE FREAKIN’ WINS…
Not only are the Pirates losing, they are playing terrible baseball. Horrible fielding, bad baserunning, poor at-bats and a general lack of fundamentals have exemplified this current stretch of embarrassing baseball. As we begin the All-Star festivities tonight, the Pirates are a National League worst 30-58, a record that puts them on pace for 107 losses this season. That number of losses would be more than even the worst pessimist would have guessed to start the year. With the halfway point behind us and no end in sight to the losing, it is time to take a quick look at what has gone right (very little) and what has gone wrong (way too much) so far this season:
The Good
Andrew McCutchen – McCutchen has picked up right where he left off last year and that has the young phenom well on his way to stardom. After batting .286/.365/.471 with 12 HRs and 22 SBs in only 433 at-bats as a rookie, “Cutch” has followed it up with a .287/.363/.435, 8 HRs and 20 SBs as a sophomore and that despite a recent slump. Yes, a few more timely hits would be nice, but those hits will come as McCutchen matures. Despite getting ripped off from an All-Star appearance this year, you can be sure that McCutchen is well on his way to multiple All-Star classics.
Evan Meek – Meek has been dominant out of the bullpen. The former Rule-5 pick, maybe Neal Huntington’s best move as a GM to date, has held opponents to a .184 batting average, sports a 1.11 ERA, a 0.95 WHIP, and has struck out 45 batters in 48 innings against only 14 walks. He probably did not deserve his All-Star bid, but Meek definitely looks as though he will be the Buccos closer in the not so distant future.
Arrivals of Walker, Tabata, Lincoln and Alvarez – Only Neil Walker has performed reasonably well since his call-up to the big leagues but all four of these Pirates’ prospects earned their trip to the show and none have looked totally outclassed. The Pirates’ future is very dependent on these four guys, along with the two guys above, so to see them in their big league uniforms is a positive in itself.
And that’s about it on the list of the positives. Paul Maholm and Garrett Jones have performed well, and that is more than most of this organization can attest to, but neither has exceeded expectations. On the contrary, there have been too many negatives to list in this space. As the halfway point nears we will try to limit our list to the most glaring deficiencies at the halfway mark.
The Bad
Ryan Doumit – I have to vent for a quick second: Has any catcher in the history of baseball missed more foul tips than this guy?! Little league catchers don’t get hit from foul tips and pitches in the dirt as much as this guy. Throw in his total inability to throw a runner out, the pitchers’ slow delivery be damned, and Doumit has to be the worst defensive catcher in baseball. He is not a very good hitter either, and any hope that he was going to be a cornerstone for this franchise is out the door. Sure, he can still be a productive Major League catcher. Most teams would take a .260-.280 hitting, 15-20 home run guy as their backstop. But Doumit is 29-years-old now, there is no more potential with him. He is what he is, and that is an average catcher at best.
Lastings Milledge – I am not going to crush Milledge in this space. He has played hard, competed and seems to have matured a great deal since his arrival. His talent simply did not match the hype, however, and I think we are getting the definitive answer on his role going forward. He is a good fourth outfielder. The simple fact is that you cannot have a corner outfielder, especially one that is not even a superior fielder, hitting only 5-10 home runs over the course of a season and be in your everyday line-up. Milledge does enough to be a productive player off the bench and start a couple of times per week, but I think any hope that he could be the starting right fielder long-term has left.
Neal Huntington – I could have put Ryan Church, Bobby Crosby, Aki Iwamura, or Jeff Clement here but those guys all have one thing in common; they were brought here by general manager Neal Huntington. I will not bore you with stats, you can look them up for yourself, but these four Huntington acquisitions have been just terrible. Poor talent evaluation has done this franchise in for 15 plus years now, and the only hope for any small revenue team is the ability to recognize cheap and available talent. It is still way too early to judge the Huntington drafts, but his signings and trades on the Major League level are not giving much hope, or optimism, to the franchise right now.
Walker, Tabata, Lincoln and Alvarez – It is entirely too early to judge the performance of any these guys to this point. Like I said earlier, just seeing them in the big leagues is a step in the right direction. Each of them has shown glimmers of their potential, but the overall performance has not been there yet. It would be nice to see a string of hits and stolen bases from Tabata, a few big home runs and less strike outs from Alvarez, and a few gems in a row from Lincoln. They could be coming, but to this point we have not seen enough of it. At the very least, they do give us something to watch as the season progresses. Their development, along with that of McCutchen, are going to be vital to the near future of this team.
Friday, July 9, 2010
LeBron Leaves for Miami
I had my mid-season Pirate review that I have been working on and condensing for about a week now all ready to be posted today (look for it on Monday now). I was sure LeBron James was heading back to Cleveland, last night’s show would be much ado about nothing, and we could be back to talking a little baseball. I mean, there is no way that James would go on national TV, on his own one hour program, and tell his fans and his hometown that he was leaving right? Wow, was I wrong!
LeBron used to be my favorite player. “Used to be” is the absolute key phrase in that sentence. We will get to that in a second. First, let’s discuss the actual show itself. I had no problem with it initially. Many of the local and national reporters, “the old guard”, thought it was a selfish and narcissistic act. Of course it was, but that’s the world we live in today. LeBron is the biggest sports star in the world right now; at least he has a reason to have his own hour-long program to announce his team for the next five or more years. I will take that over some 18-year-old high school athlete who has yet to accomplish anything announcing his college decision at a press conference any day of the week. This mattered, and it mattered big time, to the entire landscape of professional sports. Not to mention that it was entertaining and captivating at the same time.
The show itself, however, was a dud. The “King” montage at the beginning was a bit much, the speculating by the ESPN guys kind of ruined the actual moment, and the actual announcement itself was kind of boring. I will give LeBron some credit, at least, in that he stuck around and answered all of Mike Wilbon and Stuart Scott’s questions after his decision was announced to Jim Gray. That was the only meaningful part of the hour long special.
Now, the decision itself, I really just do not get it. As I said, LeBron used to be my favorite player. I actually attended the same 5-star camp going into my senior year as LeBron was entering his sophomore year of high school. I remember coming home from that camp and telling my Dad about this kid “LeBron James”, that people are talking about him as the next big thing. LeBron and Melvin Scott, who played at North Carolina, are the only players I remember from that camp even though there were probably loads of division one players there. (My team won the championship at the camp by the way, and I have no idea how. We didn’t have a single big-time recruit on our squad but somehow we played well enough to beat all of these top players.) It was not long after that James’ reputation spread nationally and he was on the cover of Sports Illustrated and ESPN as the chosen one. Telling my Dad that early about “this kid” always gave me a special attachment and rooting interest in LeBron. I was sure that he was going to become the greatest player who ever lived. He still might, but last night’s decision has given me serious doubts and definitely changed my overall view of “The King”.
First and foremost, this has nothing to do with LeBron leaving Cleveland. He should do whatever and play wherever that makes him happy. If that wasn’t in Cleveland, so be it. He owes nothing to the people of Cleveland other than a thank you for rooting for him the last seven years, something he did last night in his post-decision interviews. This has everything to do with LeBron’s competitive make-up.
LeBron did not leave Cleveland for money, for the bright lights of New York, to further his global icon ambition, LeBron left purely for basketball reasons. Basketball reasons that simply go against every trait that a player who aspires to be the greatest of all time must have. LeBron is going where it will be easy to win, to join a cast of superstars, to build a team and franchise that already had its cornerstone and icon. They say to be the best, you must beat the best. LeBron is joining the best. If LeBron truly wanted and desired to go down as one of, if not THE best, to ever play the game, he should have stayed in Cleveland or went to New York where everything would have been built around him. Even Chicago would have been acceptable. Miami, however, was a cop out.
Listening to Jon Barry and Michael Wilbon, among others, say that Miami is not the favorite next year made me turn the TV off. How do they put guys who know nothing about basketball on TV and then call them experts? They are, at worst, the co-favorites with the Lakers, and at best, the overwhelming favorites to win the title next year and for the next five years. The Cavs were the favorites last year when they surrounded James with guys like Moe Williams, Antawn Jamison and Delonte West in the starting line-up. Put any marginal guys at point guard and center and this Miami team is going to win 60+ games and be the favorites in the East. You’re telling me a starting line-up of Mario Chalmers, Wade, James, Bosh and say Jermaine O’Neal is not overwhelmingly superior to Williams, West, James, Jamison and Shaq? Come on now…
That is why I absolutely hate this move by LeBron. My wife couldn’t figure out why I was so mad last night. She said, “wait, he’s going to play in South Beach with other great players, what’s so bad about that?” I couldn’t explain it to her, and I am not sure I am explaining it here, but don’t we want our best athletes to be so competitive, so driven, that they want the team to be built around them and win championships their way. The same way that Michael, Magic and Larry did. The same way young Shaq and old Kobe have. I know that is what I wanted from LeBron. Maybe LBJ just wasn’t wired that way from the beginning. Maybe South Beach is the best place for him, maybe he will go on to win multiple titles and go down as a top ten or top five player of all-time. I just wanted so much more for him, and I wish he wanted the same.
LeBron used to be my favorite player. “Used to be” is the absolute key phrase in that sentence. We will get to that in a second. First, let’s discuss the actual show itself. I had no problem with it initially. Many of the local and national reporters, “the old guard”, thought it was a selfish and narcissistic act. Of course it was, but that’s the world we live in today. LeBron is the biggest sports star in the world right now; at least he has a reason to have his own hour-long program to announce his team for the next five or more years. I will take that over some 18-year-old high school athlete who has yet to accomplish anything announcing his college decision at a press conference any day of the week. This mattered, and it mattered big time, to the entire landscape of professional sports. Not to mention that it was entertaining and captivating at the same time.
The show itself, however, was a dud. The “King” montage at the beginning was a bit much, the speculating by the ESPN guys kind of ruined the actual moment, and the actual announcement itself was kind of boring. I will give LeBron some credit, at least, in that he stuck around and answered all of Mike Wilbon and Stuart Scott’s questions after his decision was announced to Jim Gray. That was the only meaningful part of the hour long special.
Now, the decision itself, I really just do not get it. As I said, LeBron used to be my favorite player. I actually attended the same 5-star camp going into my senior year as LeBron was entering his sophomore year of high school. I remember coming home from that camp and telling my Dad about this kid “LeBron James”, that people are talking about him as the next big thing. LeBron and Melvin Scott, who played at North Carolina, are the only players I remember from that camp even though there were probably loads of division one players there. (My team won the championship at the camp by the way, and I have no idea how. We didn’t have a single big-time recruit on our squad but somehow we played well enough to beat all of these top players.) It was not long after that James’ reputation spread nationally and he was on the cover of Sports Illustrated and ESPN as the chosen one. Telling my Dad that early about “this kid” always gave me a special attachment and rooting interest in LeBron. I was sure that he was going to become the greatest player who ever lived. He still might, but last night’s decision has given me serious doubts and definitely changed my overall view of “The King”.
First and foremost, this has nothing to do with LeBron leaving Cleveland. He should do whatever and play wherever that makes him happy. If that wasn’t in Cleveland, so be it. He owes nothing to the people of Cleveland other than a thank you for rooting for him the last seven years, something he did last night in his post-decision interviews. This has everything to do with LeBron’s competitive make-up.
LeBron did not leave Cleveland for money, for the bright lights of New York, to further his global icon ambition, LeBron left purely for basketball reasons. Basketball reasons that simply go against every trait that a player who aspires to be the greatest of all time must have. LeBron is going where it will be easy to win, to join a cast of superstars, to build a team and franchise that already had its cornerstone and icon. They say to be the best, you must beat the best. LeBron is joining the best. If LeBron truly wanted and desired to go down as one of, if not THE best, to ever play the game, he should have stayed in Cleveland or went to New York where everything would have been built around him. Even Chicago would have been acceptable. Miami, however, was a cop out.
Listening to Jon Barry and Michael Wilbon, among others, say that Miami is not the favorite next year made me turn the TV off. How do they put guys who know nothing about basketball on TV and then call them experts? They are, at worst, the co-favorites with the Lakers, and at best, the overwhelming favorites to win the title next year and for the next five years. The Cavs were the favorites last year when they surrounded James with guys like Moe Williams, Antawn Jamison and Delonte West in the starting line-up. Put any marginal guys at point guard and center and this Miami team is going to win 60+ games and be the favorites in the East. You’re telling me a starting line-up of Mario Chalmers, Wade, James, Bosh and say Jermaine O’Neal is not overwhelmingly superior to Williams, West, James, Jamison and Shaq? Come on now…
That is why I absolutely hate this move by LeBron. My wife couldn’t figure out why I was so mad last night. She said, “wait, he’s going to play in South Beach with other great players, what’s so bad about that?” I couldn’t explain it to her, and I am not sure I am explaining it here, but don’t we want our best athletes to be so competitive, so driven, that they want the team to be built around them and win championships their way. The same way that Michael, Magic and Larry did. The same way young Shaq and old Kobe have. I know that is what I wanted from LeBron. Maybe LBJ just wasn’t wired that way from the beginning. Maybe South Beach is the best place for him, maybe he will go on to win multiple titles and go down as a top ten or top five player of all-time. I just wanted so much more for him, and I wish he wanted the same.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
NBA Pieces Beginning to Land
The NBA free agency period is now six days old and the dominoes are beginning to fall. Free agents cannot officially sign with their new teams until July 8th, that is the day in which the salary cap will be revealed, but players can agree to deals anytime after July 1st leading up to the 8th and obviously anytime after that. Three of the four major deals announced so far have been veteran stars remaining with their current teams; Paul Pierce with Boston, Dirk Nowitzki with Dallas and Joe Johnson with Atlanta.
Pierce and Nowitzki were no-brainers as they are the faces of their respective franchises. Both players took slightly less money than they could have made under the NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement in order to give their teams some financial flexibility to pursue that ever elusive title. Both players are now seasoned vets on their way to the Hall of Fame who have made loads of money in their career. It is no surprise that winning, as well as their legacy in one city, were very high on their list of priorities. Johnson’s deal was a little shocking as it appears to me like the Hawks have committed $120 million over the next six years to ensure second round playoff exits. Johnson is a nice player, a borderline all-star, but giving a max deal to a 28-year-old borderline all-star is no way to build a contender. I have no doubt that Atlanta will be regretting this move in the next 2-3 years.
Those three signings, however, were somewhat expected. The first big shake-up came when Amar’e Stoudemire agreed to a contract with the New York Knicks. Stoudemire’s contract is for five years and around $100 million. Stoudemire, unlike Johnson, is a franchise-type player. At the very least, he makes the Knickerbockers relevant once again, and potentially makes them very serious players in the competition to sign another star. Even if the Knicks were to strikeout in the LeBron James-Dwyane Wade race, the rumblings have already begun that the Knicks could land Carmelo Anthony and/or Tony Parker, both of whom become free agents next year.
In the end, though, this summer ultimately comes back to where James and Wade, and to a lesser extent, Chris Bosh end up. All three of their situations are still very much up in the air. It is impossible to evaluate the winners and losers of the “Summer of LeBron” until we find out where everyone lands. That is something we should know in the next few days.
Pierce and Nowitzki were no-brainers as they are the faces of their respective franchises. Both players took slightly less money than they could have made under the NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement in order to give their teams some financial flexibility to pursue that ever elusive title. Both players are now seasoned vets on their way to the Hall of Fame who have made loads of money in their career. It is no surprise that winning, as well as their legacy in one city, were very high on their list of priorities. Johnson’s deal was a little shocking as it appears to me like the Hawks have committed $120 million over the next six years to ensure second round playoff exits. Johnson is a nice player, a borderline all-star, but giving a max deal to a 28-year-old borderline all-star is no way to build a contender. I have no doubt that Atlanta will be regretting this move in the next 2-3 years.
Those three signings, however, were somewhat expected. The first big shake-up came when Amar’e Stoudemire agreed to a contract with the New York Knicks. Stoudemire’s contract is for five years and around $100 million. Stoudemire, unlike Johnson, is a franchise-type player. At the very least, he makes the Knickerbockers relevant once again, and potentially makes them very serious players in the competition to sign another star. Even if the Knicks were to strikeout in the LeBron James-Dwyane Wade race, the rumblings have already begun that the Knicks could land Carmelo Anthony and/or Tony Parker, both of whom become free agents next year.
In the end, though, this summer ultimately comes back to where James and Wade, and to a lesser extent, Chris Bosh end up. All three of their situations are still very much up in the air. It is impossible to evaluate the winners and losers of the “Summer of LeBron” until we find out where everyone lands. That is something we should know in the next few days.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Fast and Furious Start to NHL Free Agency
The NHL Free Agency period is off to a fast and furious start. This seems like it occurs every year with the NHL as the signings happen so fast that they become impossible to keep track of. Throw in the fact that there are about four million free agents in the market (actual number on the ESPN free agent tracker is well over 600 players), half of whom you see once a year at most, and it becomes almost entirely hopeless to grasp who has done what with their rosters. That being said, here are a few of the more notable signings that I have seen, and their potential impacts on the respective teams.
Anton Volchenkov (6 years, $25.5M) and Henrik Tallinder (4 years, $13.5M) to the Devils – The game of defensemen musical chairs continued on day one. The Penguins essentially traded Gonchar and Hamhuis for Martin and Michalek. The Devils did some retooling of their own on the blue line with the additions of Volchenkov, a very defensive minded guy, and Tallinder, a good puck moving defenseman. These signings should be helpful to the Devils but they do not address their primary concern which should be putting the puck in the other team’s net. I would also rather have the Penguins’ two additions, both of whom are younger and slightly more versatile.
Dan Hamhuis (6 years, $27M) to the Canucks – Speaking of Hamhuis and moving defenseman, Hamhuis’ rights were traded twice before free agency began with neither team, Penguins included, coming close to signing this solid two-way defender because of his desire to return home to the British Columbia. This is a nice signing, and it came gift-wrapped, for Vancouver who continue to upgrade their roster in front of Roberto Luongo. The addition of one or two scorers could make the Canucks a viable Stanley Cup contender next year.
Toni Lydman (3 years, $9M) to the Ducks – I am not so much thrilled with this move for the Ducks, although Lydman is a good skater and passer from the blue line and becomes a cheap replacement for the retired Scott Niedermayer, as I am wondering what the Buffalo Sabres are doing. Losing Lydman and Tallinder in front of goaltender Ryan Miller could prove to be a significant blow to a team who was built around winning games 1-0 and 2-1 last year.
Ray Whitney (2 years, $6M) to the Coyotes – I mention Whitney because he was on many people’s short list for the Penguins to acquire and shows the relative lack of scoring punch on the market. Despite being 38-years-old, I like the signing for Phoenix as the relative small dollar amount and short timeframe limit the risk associated with the winger’s age. For a team needing some scoring power, Whitney was one of the better alternatives out there.
Antero Niittymaki (2 years, $4M) to the Sharks – From the ”this does not make any sense” category, the Sharks decided to let Evgeni Nabokov leave to sign Antero Niittymaki, the same Niittymaki that was a career bum in Philadelphia and Tampa Bay. What? Say that again, please. I know that the Sharks have been extremely disappointing in the post season the past few years, but they let their world-class goaltender, the one who led them to the Western Conference Finals last year and the best record in hockey over the last three years, leave for a career underachiever with no Stanley Cup playoff credentials. I can honestly say that I do not understand that one. There is going to be a team that gets Nabokov at a discount in this free agency and turn out to be very happy that they did.
And finally, for all of the Penguins fans out there, Colby Armstrong signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs for three years and $9 million. I know Colby was a fan favorite here but I am glad that he signed on day one so that we would not have to hear his name continue to come up in these parts. Armstrong is a nice role player, but he is not worth the $3M per year that he received on the open market, a price that reflects the lack of forward depth available. Good for Colby and I hope to see him do well, just glad that he was never on Ray Shero’s radar.
Anton Volchenkov (6 years, $25.5M) and Henrik Tallinder (4 years, $13.5M) to the Devils – The game of defensemen musical chairs continued on day one. The Penguins essentially traded Gonchar and Hamhuis for Martin and Michalek. The Devils did some retooling of their own on the blue line with the additions of Volchenkov, a very defensive minded guy, and Tallinder, a good puck moving defenseman. These signings should be helpful to the Devils but they do not address their primary concern which should be putting the puck in the other team’s net. I would also rather have the Penguins’ two additions, both of whom are younger and slightly more versatile.
Dan Hamhuis (6 years, $27M) to the Canucks – Speaking of Hamhuis and moving defenseman, Hamhuis’ rights were traded twice before free agency began with neither team, Penguins included, coming close to signing this solid two-way defender because of his desire to return home to the British Columbia. This is a nice signing, and it came gift-wrapped, for Vancouver who continue to upgrade their roster in front of Roberto Luongo. The addition of one or two scorers could make the Canucks a viable Stanley Cup contender next year.
Toni Lydman (3 years, $9M) to the Ducks – I am not so much thrilled with this move for the Ducks, although Lydman is a good skater and passer from the blue line and becomes a cheap replacement for the retired Scott Niedermayer, as I am wondering what the Buffalo Sabres are doing. Losing Lydman and Tallinder in front of goaltender Ryan Miller could prove to be a significant blow to a team who was built around winning games 1-0 and 2-1 last year.
Ray Whitney (2 years, $6M) to the Coyotes – I mention Whitney because he was on many people’s short list for the Penguins to acquire and shows the relative lack of scoring punch on the market. Despite being 38-years-old, I like the signing for Phoenix as the relative small dollar amount and short timeframe limit the risk associated with the winger’s age. For a team needing some scoring power, Whitney was one of the better alternatives out there.
Antero Niittymaki (2 years, $4M) to the Sharks – From the ”this does not make any sense” category, the Sharks decided to let Evgeni Nabokov leave to sign Antero Niittymaki, the same Niittymaki that was a career bum in Philadelphia and Tampa Bay. What? Say that again, please. I know that the Sharks have been extremely disappointing in the post season the past few years, but they let their world-class goaltender, the one who led them to the Western Conference Finals last year and the best record in hockey over the last three years, leave for a career underachiever with no Stanley Cup playoff credentials. I can honestly say that I do not understand that one. There is going to be a team that gets Nabokov at a discount in this free agency and turn out to be very happy that they did.
And finally, for all of the Penguins fans out there, Colby Armstrong signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs for three years and $9 million. I know Colby was a fan favorite here but I am glad that he signed on day one so that we would not have to hear his name continue to come up in these parts. Armstrong is a nice role player, but he is not worth the $3M per year that he received on the open market, a price that reflects the lack of forward depth available. Good for Colby and I hope to see him do well, just glad that he was never on Ray Shero’s radar.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Pens Sign Defensemen
It is now being reported that the Penguins have signed a defenseman to replace the departed Sergei Gonchar. Dave Molinari of the Post Gazette is reporting that the Penguins have signed Zbynek Michalek, formerly of the Phoenix Coyotes, to a four year deal worth around $20 million. Molinari writes of the new defenseman, who is only 27-years-old, “Michalek, 27, is an accomplished shot-blocker who plays big minutes and is extremely solid in the defensive zone.”
I have to be honest here as I have not seen much of Michalek so I cannot pass judgment on the player first-hand. As most of you know, the Coyotes do not get too much TV time in these parts. But if what Molinari writes is true, and there is no reason to doubt such an accomplished writer, this is the perfect replacement for Gonchar and another brilliant job by General Manager Ray Shero. The Penguins biggest problem in the playoffs last year was their defense corps inability to shut down their opponents. Adding a solid, defensive minded player to the blue line is exactly what the Penguins needed to add this offseason.
Michalek accumulated 17 points, 30 penalty minutes and a plus five in 72 regular season games last year for the overachieving Coyotes. The penalty minutes seem to be a bit on the low side for a defensive-minded blue-liner, but the rest of his attributes seem solid.
Molinari is also reporting that the Penguins have signed defenseman Paul Martin, formerly of the New Jersey Devils, to a 5 year deal worth $25 million. Martin, as some might recall, was hit with a slapshot in a game against the Penguins at Mellon Arena last year that effectively ended his season. Martin is another solid player in his own zone and was going to play for the United States in last year’s Olympics.
Shero is certainly acknowledging that the loss of his shutdown tandem of Rob Scuderi and Hal Gill last summer was a mistake. The Penguins have now signed two defensemen that are very solid in their own end but will not have the impact in the offensive zone that Gonchar or even Jordan Leopold had. I am a little surprised that the Penguins signed two of this type of defenseman, especially to four and five year contracts, respectively, but I must say that I like what the Penguins are doing so far.
I have to be honest here as I have not seen much of Michalek so I cannot pass judgment on the player first-hand. As most of you know, the Coyotes do not get too much TV time in these parts. But if what Molinari writes is true, and there is no reason to doubt such an accomplished writer, this is the perfect replacement for Gonchar and another brilliant job by General Manager Ray Shero. The Penguins biggest problem in the playoffs last year was their defense corps inability to shut down their opponents. Adding a solid, defensive minded player to the blue line is exactly what the Penguins needed to add this offseason.
Michalek accumulated 17 points, 30 penalty minutes and a plus five in 72 regular season games last year for the overachieving Coyotes. The penalty minutes seem to be a bit on the low side for a defensive-minded blue-liner, but the rest of his attributes seem solid.
Molinari is also reporting that the Penguins have signed defenseman Paul Martin, formerly of the New Jersey Devils, to a 5 year deal worth $25 million. Martin, as some might recall, was hit with a slapshot in a game against the Penguins at Mellon Arena last year that effectively ended his season. Martin is another solid player in his own zone and was going to play for the United States in last year’s Olympics.
Shero is certainly acknowledging that the loss of his shutdown tandem of Rob Scuderi and Hal Gill last summer was a mistake. The Penguins have now signed two defensemen that are very solid in their own end but will not have the impact in the offensive zone that Gonchar or even Jordan Leopold had. I am a little surprised that the Penguins signed two of this type of defenseman, especially to four and five year contracts, respectively, but I must say that I like what the Penguins are doing so far.
Gonchar Headed to Ottawa
News is being reported that Sergei Gonchar has signed a deal with Ottawa for 3 years at $5.5 million per year. If the sources are correct, I say "Bye, Bye Gonch!"
Gonchar is still a solid player at 36 years old, but he is nowhere near the player that helped the Penguins win the Stanley Cup two seasons ago. He has lost a step in my opinion, and seemed to shy away from contact last year more than he had in the past, something that can be expected of a player that age.
The Penguins have two young offensive defensemen in Kris Letang and Alex Goligoski that can replace what Sergei does on the power play, a power play that severely underachieved last year I might add. Gonchar is a stable presence and good veteran in the locker room, but the Penguins have plenty of leadership in Sidney Crosby. If the Penguins are able to use the money they saved from not resigning Gonchar to bring in a younger, lockdown defender such as Anton Volchenkov, I think it will be a win in the long run for the Pens.
As for the Senators, it is a decent sign albeit one that may be a little too long, but it is not a cure for what ails them most. On the positive, Ottawa has lacked a puck moving defender on their blue line for some time now and Gonchar should work well with the Senators' good group of offensive forwards. The Senators problem, however, has been goaltending, and Gonchar surely does not solve that problem.
Gonchar is still a solid player at 36 years old, but he is nowhere near the player that helped the Penguins win the Stanley Cup two seasons ago. He has lost a step in my opinion, and seemed to shy away from contact last year more than he had in the past, something that can be expected of a player that age.
The Penguins have two young offensive defensemen in Kris Letang and Alex Goligoski that can replace what Sergei does on the power play, a power play that severely underachieved last year I might add. Gonchar is a stable presence and good veteran in the locker room, but the Penguins have plenty of leadership in Sidney Crosby. If the Penguins are able to use the money they saved from not resigning Gonchar to bring in a younger, lockdown defender such as Anton Volchenkov, I think it will be a win in the long run for the Pens.
As for the Senators, it is a decent sign albeit one that may be a little too long, but it is not a cure for what ails them most. On the positive, Ottawa has lacked a puck moving defender on their blue line for some time now and Gonchar should work well with the Senators' good group of offensive forwards. The Senators problem, however, has been goaltending, and Gonchar surely does not solve that problem.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
NBA and NHL Free Agency Period Set to Begin
The NBA free agency period begins in about a half hour, 12:01am EST on July 1st. This NBA free agent class will probably go down as the greatest in the history of sport. The top prize, as everyone who has a pulse has heard whether they have wanted to or not thanks to ESPN, is LeBron James. James is not the only prized free agent out there, however, as future Hall of Famers on the market include Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Dirk Nowitski, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. Other All-Stars still in the prime of their career and could someday reach HOF status include A’mare Stoudemire, Carlos Boozer, Joe Johnson and David Lee. Throw in a few restricted free agents such as Rudy Gay and J.J. Redick and what you have is a historic free agent class. The landscape of the NBA for the next 5-10 years will depend on the next few days or weeks and where each of these particular guys end up.
The NHL free agency period begins not long after that of the NBA’s with a twelve-noon EST starting time tomorrow. While the NHL free agency class lacks the marquee names that the NBA free agency list possesses, there are a number of valuable players and stars that could contribute to Stanley Cup contenders next year.
Check back on the blog as I analyze every major move as it happens and its potential impact on next season and beyond for the particular teams and players involved.
The NHL free agency period begins not long after that of the NBA’s with a twelve-noon EST starting time tomorrow. While the NHL free agency class lacks the marquee names that the NBA free agency list possesses, there are a number of valuable players and stars that could contribute to Stanley Cup contenders next year.
Check back on the blog as I analyze every major move as it happens and its potential impact on next season and beyond for the particular teams and players involved.
Monday, June 28, 2010
United States Fails Expectations
The United States failed once again in its efforts to make a footprint in the international soccer scene, this time by failing to get out of round two in the 2010 World Cup. The U.S. advanced to the elimination tournament in dramatic fashion but was eliminated without any further success by Ghana in the round of sixteen. It was a disappointing loss for the U.S. as they were favored, and picked right here in the blog, to advance to the semifinals of the World Cup for the first time in 80 years. The expectations of Americans were raised after the team gained a favorable draw in the elimination tournament. But just as they did during group play in 2006, Ghana eliminated the U.S. by a score of 2-1, ending hopes for a deep run by the Americans.
This loss had to be exceptionally frustrating for the United States Soccer Federation as they were hoping to build upon their unexpected run to the finals of the Confederation Cup last year. Instead, the Federation faces another four years of building and planning to get the national team over the hump on the international scene.
The game itself was an enjoyable one, taking away the final result of course. The U.S. once again fell behind early but kept attacking and attacking before Landon Donovan’s penalty kick in the second half tied it up. At that point it seemed like the Americans had all the momentum and a trip to the quarterfinals was all but inevitable. The Americans were unable to capitalize on the momentum, however, and another defensive lapse in extra time proved costly as the Americans allowed the game winning goal by Ghana.
The 2010 World Cup will move on to the quarterfinals without the U.S. National Team, who provided an entertaining but ultimately disappointing performance in the competition. The only positive I can take from Americans’ loss is that I can now wait another four years before watching soccer once again.
This loss had to be exceptionally frustrating for the United States Soccer Federation as they were hoping to build upon their unexpected run to the finals of the Confederation Cup last year. Instead, the Federation faces another four years of building and planning to get the national team over the hump on the international scene.
The game itself was an enjoyable one, taking away the final result of course. The U.S. once again fell behind early but kept attacking and attacking before Landon Donovan’s penalty kick in the second half tied it up. At that point it seemed like the Americans had all the momentum and a trip to the quarterfinals was all but inevitable. The Americans were unable to capitalize on the momentum, however, and another defensive lapse in extra time proved costly as the Americans allowed the game winning goal by Ghana.
The 2010 World Cup will move on to the quarterfinals without the U.S. National Team, who provided an entertaining but ultimately disappointing performance in the competition. The only positive I can take from Americans’ loss is that I can now wait another four years before watching soccer once again.
Friday, June 25, 2010
World Cup Smorgasbord
It has been a week since I have posted anything and with good reason; I have been on vacation enjoying the beautiful weather and golf courses in Myrtle Beach. In between daiquiris and bunker shots, however, my brothers and I have been following the World Cup closely. Here are my thoughts on the first two weeks of competition, the group round, and all other things World Cup related:
· The biggest story of the Cup so far has not been Italy’s ousting, France’s dysfunctional team, or even Landon Donovan’s goal to advance the United States. The biggest story of the World Cup so far has been the vuvuzelas (pronounced voo-voo-zela for those of you, like me, that still cannot pronunciate it correctly). I agreed with the FIFA president who said that the horns are a South African tradition and who are we or anyone to tell the host country to do away with their own customs and traditions. BUT…
· What a stupid tradition…no wonder their soccer team stinks and became the first host country not to advance to the elimination round. What child would want to be subjected to those loud, annoying horns their entire life trying to compete at the highest level of their sport. I say this in jest, but only partially, as the horns really do take away from the enjoyment of the games. Instead of concentrating on the action and listening to the chants and singing that soccer is famous for, we are constantly wondering how much more annoying this buzzing sound could be. I wouldn’t tell South Africa to stop with their traditions, I simply would avoid taking the Cup or any other competition back to their country as long as they want to annoy the rest of the world.
· Landon Donovan’s goal to beat Algeria and not only advance the United States to the elimination round but to also win their group may have saved soccer’s relevance in the United States for the foreseeable future. Not only was the goal dramatic and memorable, it made people forget about the disallowed goal from earlier in the contest and the phantom call that cost the U.S. a win in the Slovenia match. Soccer has had a hard enough time gaining relevance in the States, if scandal and corruption started entering people’s soccer conversations it could have been another long time before soccer caught on mainstream like we have been anticipating it to for so long.
· Speaking of the Unites States winning Group B, Americans have to be excited about their draw in the elimination tournament. The U.S. draws Ghana in its opening game followed by the winner of Uruguay and Peru. Yes, Ghana eliminated the United States in 2006 but this is a different, more experienced and better U.S. National team this time around. At this point, anything less than a semifinal appearance could possibly be considered a disappointment.
· One other complaint before we get to my predictions (guesses) for the rest of the tournament. Why does every soccer play act like they were shot in the back or the leg everytime they fall on the ground?!? I understand flopping (only sort of because it is still extremely wimpy) as I can see a player trying to draw a penalty, but once the call is made or not made, what is the point in rolling around on the ground like a 7-year-old who just fell off their bike? Seriously, I think this aspect of soccer, more than anything else, is the reason why soccer has not caught on here the way everyone has expected it would.
· Argentina and Brazil, two of the perennial top teams, look like the teams to beat after the group stage. Other teams playing well include the Netherlands and Germany. Argentina, in particular, could have a tough road to the semifinals with Mexico in the second round followed by a quarterfinal date with the winner of Germany and a darkhorse candidate in England. Brazil’s path could be difficult as well with a good Chile team and a possible quarterfinal match with Netherlands. Still, I expect Brazil to reach the final four, along with the United States, Spain and England in a bit of an upset pick. From there I see the United States' run ending against Brazil and Spain finding a way to reach the finals before eventually falling to Brazil, making Brazil your 2010 World Cup Champions.
· Oh, and do not hold me to those predictions….I only watch soccer every four years!
· The biggest story of the Cup so far has not been Italy’s ousting, France’s dysfunctional team, or even Landon Donovan’s goal to advance the United States. The biggest story of the World Cup so far has been the vuvuzelas (pronounced voo-voo-zela for those of you, like me, that still cannot pronunciate it correctly). I agreed with the FIFA president who said that the horns are a South African tradition and who are we or anyone to tell the host country to do away with their own customs and traditions. BUT…
· What a stupid tradition…no wonder their soccer team stinks and became the first host country not to advance to the elimination round. What child would want to be subjected to those loud, annoying horns their entire life trying to compete at the highest level of their sport. I say this in jest, but only partially, as the horns really do take away from the enjoyment of the games. Instead of concentrating on the action and listening to the chants and singing that soccer is famous for, we are constantly wondering how much more annoying this buzzing sound could be. I wouldn’t tell South Africa to stop with their traditions, I simply would avoid taking the Cup or any other competition back to their country as long as they want to annoy the rest of the world.
· Landon Donovan’s goal to beat Algeria and not only advance the United States to the elimination round but to also win their group may have saved soccer’s relevance in the United States for the foreseeable future. Not only was the goal dramatic and memorable, it made people forget about the disallowed goal from earlier in the contest and the phantom call that cost the U.S. a win in the Slovenia match. Soccer has had a hard enough time gaining relevance in the States, if scandal and corruption started entering people’s soccer conversations it could have been another long time before soccer caught on mainstream like we have been anticipating it to for so long.
· Speaking of the Unites States winning Group B, Americans have to be excited about their draw in the elimination tournament. The U.S. draws Ghana in its opening game followed by the winner of Uruguay and Peru. Yes, Ghana eliminated the United States in 2006 but this is a different, more experienced and better U.S. National team this time around. At this point, anything less than a semifinal appearance could possibly be considered a disappointment.
· One other complaint before we get to my predictions (guesses) for the rest of the tournament. Why does every soccer play act like they were shot in the back or the leg everytime they fall on the ground?!? I understand flopping (only sort of because it is still extremely wimpy) as I can see a player trying to draw a penalty, but once the call is made or not made, what is the point in rolling around on the ground like a 7-year-old who just fell off their bike? Seriously, I think this aspect of soccer, more than anything else, is the reason why soccer has not caught on here the way everyone has expected it would.
· Argentina and Brazil, two of the perennial top teams, look like the teams to beat after the group stage. Other teams playing well include the Netherlands and Germany. Argentina, in particular, could have a tough road to the semifinals with Mexico in the second round followed by a quarterfinal date with the winner of Germany and a darkhorse candidate in England. Brazil’s path could be difficult as well with a good Chile team and a possible quarterfinal match with Netherlands. Still, I expect Brazil to reach the final four, along with the United States, Spain and England in a bit of an upset pick. From there I see the United States' run ending against Brazil and Spain finding a way to reach the finals before eventually falling to Brazil, making Brazil your 2010 World Cup Champions.
· Oh, and do not hold me to those predictions….I only watch soccer every four years!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)