You may have noticed the little 20-10 run I have gone on over the past two weeks. I kept the momentum going by winning two out of three on Thanksgiving. You may have also noticed that I am still just a notch below .500 on the season so you are probably thinking one of two things: 1.) He has finally figured things out and should continue going strong for the rest of the season or; 2.) He has gone on a little lucky streak the past two weeks and will get back to losing here soon. I’d like to think it is number one, but to be fair we will call this week the tiebreaker. If I have another strong week it will be time to jump back on the bandwagon. It is still the holiday weekend so we will keep the write-ups short but we’ll find one good reason and one not so good reason for each pick this week. Let’s go…
(Home Team in Caps)
Green Bay (+2) over ATLANTA – One good reason: Aaron Rodgers and the Packers’ offense finally seems to be clicking. One not so good reason: I am playing against Matt Ryan and Roddy White in a must-win fantasy game this week.
NEW YORK GIANTS (-7) over Jacksonville - One good reason: Jacksonville is not the same team on the road where they are 2-2 with their two losses by an average of 23.5 points. One not so good reason: The Giants are too good to lose three in a row despite their injuries.
CLEVELAND (-10) over Carolina – One good reason: Rookie Jimmy Clausen and his is 53.8 passer rating will be starting for Carolina and its league worst offense (by over 40 points!). One not so good reason: Jake Delhomme is back starting for the Browns.
Minnesota (+1) over WASHINGTON - One good reason: Washington has been the most inconsistent football team in the NFL, they cannot be trusted to have two good games in a row. One not so good reason: The Cowboys showed us two weeks ago how a team responds to their coach being fired when they manhandled the red-hot Giants.
Pittsburgh (-6.5) over BUFFALO - One good reason: The Steelers are the most complete team in the NFL. One not so good reason: Pittsburgh seemed to regain their mojo on the defensive side of the ball last week against the Raiders.
Tennessee (+6.5) over HOUSTON - One good reason: Houston has the NFL’s worst pass defense giving up over 300 yards per game. One not so good reason: Rusty Smith will be the guy trying to take advantage of that pass defense.
Kansas City (-1.5) over SEATTLE - One good reason: Kansas City is the league’s number one rushing unit while the Seahawks are just mediocre at stopping the run. One not so good reason: The Seahawks are certainly a much better team at home but the Giants showed they are not invincible there.
Miami (+3) over OAKLAND - One good reason: Miami has been an excellent road team this year where they are 4-1 straight up and against the spread. One not so good reason: Miami has struggled to get its running game going this year but Oakland is just 25th against the rush.
Philadelphia (-3) over CHICAGO - One good reason: No team in the NFC is playing better than Michael Vick and the Eagles are right now. One not so good reason: The Bears are happy to be 7-3, the Eagles are expecting a lot more than that.
Tampa Bay (+7.5) over BALTIMORE - One good reason: Quarterback Josh Freeman is playing too well to be getting more than a touchdown at this point. One not so good reason: Tampa Bay was blown out by the Steelers and Saints but was able to hang tough in their other loss at Atlanta, the league’s best home team right now.
St. Louis (+4) over DENVER - One good reason: The Rams are tied for sixth in the NFL in sacks averaging nearly three per game while Denver is 7th in giving up sacks with 2.6 per game allowed. One not so good reason: Denver should not be giving anyone four points at this time.
San Diego (+3) over INDIANAPOLIS - One good reason: Philip Rivers is good. One not so good reason: So is Peyton Manning.
San Francisco (-1) over ARIZONA - One good reason: The Cards have lost five straight and are in danger of giving up on the season. One not so good reason: Wonder if ESPN would like to give this game back? Who knows what is going to happen in the pathetic NFC West.
(Last Week: 12-4; Thursday: 2-1; Overall: 77-80-6)
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
Black Friday CFB Smorgasbord
Friday kicks off what should be a great 48 hours of college football with three games having major national championship implications and another five or six games featuring some of the best rivalries in college football. Actually, college football was kicked off last night for those who watched as Texas lost to rival Texas A&M to finish the season at 5-7. From the BCS National Championship game to ineligible for a bowl for Texas....who would have thought?! But what better way to celebrate a great weekend of college football than with a condensed smorgasbord!
* The best game on the board this weekend to me is the Iron Bowl. I still hold the contention that Alabama, despite its two losses, is the best team in the country. Vegas agrees with me making the Tide a four point home favorite against undefeated Auburn.
* It will be fun to see how Cam Newton performs on the road against the best team he faces all season. A win today should lock up the Heisman for Cam, who probably deserves the award no matter what the outcome of this game is. He has been that good.
* Oregon and Boise State will also be tested today despite both being more than two score favorites. The fact that both are such large favorites is a testament to their talent and the respect oddsmakers have for their coaches. Oregon faces a talented Arizona squad who has been faltering down the stretch in Autzen Stadium while Boise will take on Nevada's dangerous pistol offense on the road.
* The other intriguing Friday game is of course the Backyard Brawl between West Virginia and Pitt. The winner of this game continues their hope of playing in a BCS Bowl and having a successful season while the loser will spend the offseason playing the what-if game. These two teams are by far the most talented in the Big East and yet a WVU win puts Connecticut in the driver's seat for the Conference title. That is truly pathetic and goes back to the lack of game-day coaching from these teams.
* I do not want to harp on this topic too much but I have read and heard from a number of media people this week that a playoff system would take away from the meaning of college football's regular season. That notion is complete hogwash. There are three games this weekend, all today actually, that have national title implications. Unless you are a fan of a particular school or a college football junkie (or a gambler) the remaining games on the schedule have absolutely no meaning. If there were an eight or twelve team playoff, all of a sudden there are another 7-10 games with major playoff implications including games involving the Big East race, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Virginia Tech, NC State, Florida State and the list could go on further. The regular season would become more meaningful if an increased number of teams are battling for a playoff spot and the right to fight for a National Championship.
* The best game on the board this weekend to me is the Iron Bowl. I still hold the contention that Alabama, despite its two losses, is the best team in the country. Vegas agrees with me making the Tide a four point home favorite against undefeated Auburn.
* It will be fun to see how Cam Newton performs on the road against the best team he faces all season. A win today should lock up the Heisman for Cam, who probably deserves the award no matter what the outcome of this game is. He has been that good.
* Oregon and Boise State will also be tested today despite both being more than two score favorites. The fact that both are such large favorites is a testament to their talent and the respect oddsmakers have for their coaches. Oregon faces a talented Arizona squad who has been faltering down the stretch in Autzen Stadium while Boise will take on Nevada's dangerous pistol offense on the road.
* The other intriguing Friday game is of course the Backyard Brawl between West Virginia and Pitt. The winner of this game continues their hope of playing in a BCS Bowl and having a successful season while the loser will spend the offseason playing the what-if game. These two teams are by far the most talented in the Big East and yet a WVU win puts Connecticut in the driver's seat for the Conference title. That is truly pathetic and goes back to the lack of game-day coaching from these teams.
* I do not want to harp on this topic too much but I have read and heard from a number of media people this week that a playoff system would take away from the meaning of college football's regular season. That notion is complete hogwash. There are three games this weekend, all today actually, that have national title implications. Unless you are a fan of a particular school or a college football junkie (or a gambler) the remaining games on the schedule have absolutely no meaning. If there were an eight or twelve team playoff, all of a sudden there are another 7-10 games with major playoff implications including games involving the Big East race, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Virginia Tech, NC State, Florida State and the list could go on further. The regular season would become more meaningful if an increased number of teams are battling for a playoff spot and the right to fight for a National Championship.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Separation Sunday and Turkey Day Picks
I am calling this past week in the NFL “Separation Sunday” as we saw the haves and the have-nots begin to clearly identify themselves in both conferences. In the AFC, we are going to see the winner of the AFC West and a six horse race for the other five playoff spots, those six horses being Baltimore, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, New England, New York and Pittsburgh. Over in the NFC we will likewise have the winner of the putrid West division being joined in the playoffs by five teams amongst the Falcons, Saints, Bucs, Eagles, Giants, Packers and Bears. With apologies to the .500 teams like Washington, Tennessee and Oakland, all teams that have shown way too much inconsistency to win five of their final six games (what I think would be the minimum at this point to earn a wildcard), we are reduced to roughly thirteen teams outside of the West divisions fighting for ten playoff spots.
The separation between the good and the not-so-good in the AFC has really become evident. It is pretty clear from my vantage point, barring injury of course, that the losers of the AFC North and East divisions will earn the two wild card spots. In other words, you can write in the Patriots, Jets, Steelers and Ravens for playoff spots and the only thing left to be determined is positioning. That leaves some interesting divisional races in the AFC South and the AFC West but would anyone really bet against the Chargers and Colts making the playoffs at this point? I surely would not. (Not to toot my own horn or anything, but I predicted before the season that the AFC playoffs would include the Patriots, Jets, Steelers, Ravens, Colts and Chargers. I did not exactly go out on a limb, but my picks look a whole lot better than most at this time!) The one team I could see playing spoiler is the Kansas City Chiefs, who have proven that they are a tough team at home and have a somewhat manageable schedule down the stretch. Despite the Chiefs schedule and the fact that the Colts and Chargers will battle it out Sunday night this week, with the winner in all likelihood emerging on a strong playoff push, I would still expect the loser between Manning and Rivers to find a way to get his team in the playoffs somehow.
While the NFC playoff picture is a little cloudier than the AFC, the contenders and non-contenders have certainly begun to separate themselves. With the exception of the NFC West, in which only the division winner and very possibly a .500 or below division winner will make the playoffs, seven teams have legitimate hope to make the playoffs. Those seven teams, mentioned earlier, look like they will be in a fight to the very end of the season for either their division or one of the two coveted wild cards. Atlanta and Philadelphia certainly seem to have a leg up on their divisions but with brutal schedules to finish out the regular season for many of these teams anything can happen. It is the NFL after-all. Think about it, just two weeks ago the New York Football Giants were everyone’s NFC Super Bowl representative. Now after two losses and injuries to Eli Manning’s top two weapons on the outside, the Giants are going to be very hard-pressed just to slip into the post-season at all.
For my money I am taking the Eagles, Packers, and Falcons to win their divisions and the NFC West to finish a jumbled mess and all four teams to finish at 7-9 (I refuse to even comprehend the tiebreakers of that scenario of awfulness.) I would also go with the Giants and Saints to hold off the up-start Bucs and Bears for the final two playoff spots. The South Division will probably come down to the Saints at Falcons game on December 27th and I will take the nearly unbeatable at home Falcons in that one. The Bears and Bucs, as much as I am a fan of the Bears defense and Bucs’ QB Josh Freeman, have just brutal schedules to finish out the year. Their inexperience will ultimately leave them a game or two on the outside.
You can find my Thanksgiving Day picks below. As for the rest of the week, I will post a college football smorgasbord late Thursday or early Friday heading into a great weekend of college football and I will be back with a short column for the rest of my NFL Week 12 picks on Saturday. Hope everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
Turkey Day Picks
(Home Team in Caps)
New England (-6.5) over DETROIT
DALLAS (+4) over New Orleans
Cincinnati (+9) over NEW YORK JETS
(Last Week: 12-4; Overall: 75-79-6)
The separation between the good and the not-so-good in the AFC has really become evident. It is pretty clear from my vantage point, barring injury of course, that the losers of the AFC North and East divisions will earn the two wild card spots. In other words, you can write in the Patriots, Jets, Steelers and Ravens for playoff spots and the only thing left to be determined is positioning. That leaves some interesting divisional races in the AFC South and the AFC West but would anyone really bet against the Chargers and Colts making the playoffs at this point? I surely would not. (Not to toot my own horn or anything, but I predicted before the season that the AFC playoffs would include the Patriots, Jets, Steelers, Ravens, Colts and Chargers. I did not exactly go out on a limb, but my picks look a whole lot better than most at this time!) The one team I could see playing spoiler is the Kansas City Chiefs, who have proven that they are a tough team at home and have a somewhat manageable schedule down the stretch. Despite the Chiefs schedule and the fact that the Colts and Chargers will battle it out Sunday night this week, with the winner in all likelihood emerging on a strong playoff push, I would still expect the loser between Manning and Rivers to find a way to get his team in the playoffs somehow.
While the NFC playoff picture is a little cloudier than the AFC, the contenders and non-contenders have certainly begun to separate themselves. With the exception of the NFC West, in which only the division winner and very possibly a .500 or below division winner will make the playoffs, seven teams have legitimate hope to make the playoffs. Those seven teams, mentioned earlier, look like they will be in a fight to the very end of the season for either their division or one of the two coveted wild cards. Atlanta and Philadelphia certainly seem to have a leg up on their divisions but with brutal schedules to finish out the regular season for many of these teams anything can happen. It is the NFL after-all. Think about it, just two weeks ago the New York Football Giants were everyone’s NFC Super Bowl representative. Now after two losses and injuries to Eli Manning’s top two weapons on the outside, the Giants are going to be very hard-pressed just to slip into the post-season at all.
For my money I am taking the Eagles, Packers, and Falcons to win their divisions and the NFC West to finish a jumbled mess and all four teams to finish at 7-9 (I refuse to even comprehend the tiebreakers of that scenario of awfulness.) I would also go with the Giants and Saints to hold off the up-start Bucs and Bears for the final two playoff spots. The South Division will probably come down to the Saints at Falcons game on December 27th and I will take the nearly unbeatable at home Falcons in that one. The Bears and Bucs, as much as I am a fan of the Bears defense and Bucs’ QB Josh Freeman, have just brutal schedules to finish out the year. Their inexperience will ultimately leave them a game or two on the outside.
You can find my Thanksgiving Day picks below. As for the rest of the week, I will post a college football smorgasbord late Thursday or early Friday heading into a great weekend of college football and I will be back with a short column for the rest of my NFL Week 12 picks on Saturday. Hope everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
Turkey Day Picks
(Home Team in Caps)
New England (-6.5) over DETROIT
DALLAS (+4) over New Orleans
Cincinnati (+9) over NEW YORK JETS
(Last Week: 12-4; Overall: 75-79-6)
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Steelers Overreaction Too Soon and Week 11 Picks
Local sports talk and talk radio in Pittsburgh this week was dominated with overreaction to the Steelers loss last Sunday night to the Patriots. Grant it, the loss was not pretty. New England dominated the game on both sides of the ball for pretty much the entire game. But let’s be realistic here, in the last two Steelers’ losses they were up against world class QBs in Drew Brees and Tom Brady who were both fresh off one of their worst individual performances in years. It was no surprise to see both come out and play the way they did against the Steelers. Players of that caliber simply do not have two games in a row below par.
The Steelers are still 6-3 and in great position both IN the AFC North race and in the Conference. Sure the loss puts a big importance on today’s game with the Raiders, but if someone would have told you before the season that the Steelers would be sitting 6-3 and tied with the Ravens for the division lead heading into Week 11, I’m guessing most fans would have been ecstatic. I spent part of this week in Chicago on business and the Bears fans could not be more pleased with a 7-3 record. A Steelers win today would push Pittsburgh to 7-3 and Steelers fans should be just as happy. Expectations are certainly higher in the Steel City, and after last year’s midseason collapse I understand the worry, but the Steelers are in great position right now to make their push towards the playoffs. I joked with a buddy that it was the Steelers intention to refocus the team and squash the panic talk by turning attention to Jeff Reed and his dismissal. The Steelers have some worries, like the lack of pass rush against the Patriots and the injuries on the offensive line, but a win today and the Steelers are right where they want to be.
On to the Week 11 picks. Last week I cashed in at 8-6, a rare above .500 week for me over the last month or so. Let’s see if I can carry over some momentum…
(Home Team in Caps)
PITTSBURGH (-7) over Oakland
MINNESOTA (+3) over Green Bay
Washington (+7) over TENNESSEE
JACKSONVILLE (-1.5) over Cleveland
Baltimore (-10) over CAROLINA
DALLAS (-6.5) over Detroit
Houston (+7) over NEW YORK JETS
Arizona (+8) over KANSAS CITY
CINCINNATI (-5.5) over Buffalo
Seattle (+12) over NEW ORLEANS
Atlanta (-3) over SAINT LOUIS
Tampa Bay (+3) over SAN FRANCISCO
Indianapolis (+3.5) over NEW ENGLAND
PHILADELPHIA (-3) over New York Giants
SAN DIEGO (-10) over Denver
Chicago (+1) over MIAMI (Thursday night)
(This Week: 1-0; Last Week: 8-6; Overall: 63-75-6)
The Steelers are still 6-3 and in great position both IN the AFC North race and in the Conference. Sure the loss puts a big importance on today’s game with the Raiders, but if someone would have told you before the season that the Steelers would be sitting 6-3 and tied with the Ravens for the division lead heading into Week 11, I’m guessing most fans would have been ecstatic. I spent part of this week in Chicago on business and the Bears fans could not be more pleased with a 7-3 record. A Steelers win today would push Pittsburgh to 7-3 and Steelers fans should be just as happy. Expectations are certainly higher in the Steel City, and after last year’s midseason collapse I understand the worry, but the Steelers are in great position right now to make their push towards the playoffs. I joked with a buddy that it was the Steelers intention to refocus the team and squash the panic talk by turning attention to Jeff Reed and his dismissal. The Steelers have some worries, like the lack of pass rush against the Patriots and the injuries on the offensive line, but a win today and the Steelers are right where they want to be.
On to the Week 11 picks. Last week I cashed in at 8-6, a rare above .500 week for me over the last month or so. Let’s see if I can carry over some momentum…
(Home Team in Caps)
PITTSBURGH (-7) over Oakland
MINNESOTA (+3) over Green Bay
Washington (+7) over TENNESSEE
JACKSONVILLE (-1.5) over Cleveland
Baltimore (-10) over CAROLINA
DALLAS (-6.5) over Detroit
Houston (+7) over NEW YORK JETS
Arizona (+8) over KANSAS CITY
CINCINNATI (-5.5) over Buffalo
Seattle (+12) over NEW ORLEANS
Atlanta (-3) over SAINT LOUIS
Tampa Bay (+3) over SAN FRANCISCO
Indianapolis (+3.5) over NEW ENGLAND
PHILADELPHIA (-3) over New York Giants
SAN DIEGO (-10) over Denver
Chicago (+1) over MIAMI (Thursday night)
(This Week: 1-0; Last Week: 8-6; Overall: 63-75-6)
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Pirates Hire Right Man
I wrote about a week or so ago that it looks like the Pirates were set to hire Jeff Banister as their new Manager. It was nothing against Banister, who I have no idea how good of a Manager he would have been, but it looked like the Pirates were going the way of hiring a low-cost “yes” man. Stop me if that doesn’t sound familiar, especially the low-cost part of the equation. There is no doubt that if Banister were hired his job would have been to keep his mouth shut and run the team the way Neal Huntington wanted-- after all it is his job that is next on the line. Much to the surprise of many, including myself, the Pirates went in a different direction and hired Clint Hurdle, a guy they seem to have been targeting from the beginning. Hurdle comes from the World Series runner-up Texas Rangers as their former batting coach and previously from Colorado where he led the Rockies to a National League pennant.
I am not familiar enough with how Hurdle ran the Rockies or how he manages in-game strategy to make an educated opinion on how good of a Manager he will be. What I do know is that Hurdle was a coveted commodity this off-season, at the very least he looked like the leading candidate for the New York Mets vacant position. That meant that the Pirates had to spend a significant salary for Hurdle to come here. It also meant that the Pirates had to convince Hurdle, using his words, that they were “all in” in terms of putting the people and money in place to turn this thing around.
As a manager, I also know that Hurdle is well-liked by his players, demands respect in the clubhouse and brings an enthusiasm and passion for the game that we have not seen from the Pirates over the past few years. That is not a knock on John Russell, no manager on the planet would have won with the assembled talent in Pittsburgh, but it will be a welcome change from his even temperament. The Pirates are beginning to put together some pieces to assemble a winning baseball team. It is now Hurdle’s job to continue the development of his young players such as Andrew McCutchen, Pedro Alvarez, Jose Tabata and Neil Walker. It was also nice to hear Hurdle recognize that the Pirates biggest need in the short term was pitching. I am not sure where the Pirates are going to find this pitching, but at least the new man in charge recognizes an upgrade is needed.
I am not a believer that Managers make a huge difference, especially over the course of a long season. What they can do is instill a little something extra in a clubhouse, whether that is confidence, attitude, strategy, etc. That little something extra is especially needed in a clubhouse that needed a change. Hurdle will not be the answer to ending this dreadful consecutive season losing streak, improved talent will be that answer, but he was the right man for the Pirates Manager position at this time.
I am not familiar enough with how Hurdle ran the Rockies or how he manages in-game strategy to make an educated opinion on how good of a Manager he will be. What I do know is that Hurdle was a coveted commodity this off-season, at the very least he looked like the leading candidate for the New York Mets vacant position. That meant that the Pirates had to spend a significant salary for Hurdle to come here. It also meant that the Pirates had to convince Hurdle, using his words, that they were “all in” in terms of putting the people and money in place to turn this thing around.
As a manager, I also know that Hurdle is well-liked by his players, demands respect in the clubhouse and brings an enthusiasm and passion for the game that we have not seen from the Pirates over the past few years. That is not a knock on John Russell, no manager on the planet would have won with the assembled talent in Pittsburgh, but it will be a welcome change from his even temperament. The Pirates are beginning to put together some pieces to assemble a winning baseball team. It is now Hurdle’s job to continue the development of his young players such as Andrew McCutchen, Pedro Alvarez, Jose Tabata and Neil Walker. It was also nice to hear Hurdle recognize that the Pirates biggest need in the short term was pitching. I am not sure where the Pirates are going to find this pitching, but at least the new man in charge recognizes an upgrade is needed.
I am not a believer that Managers make a huge difference, especially over the course of a long season. What they can do is instill a little something extra in a clubhouse, whether that is confidence, attitude, strategy, etc. That little something extra is especially needed in a clubhouse that needed a change. Hurdle will not be the answer to ending this dreadful consecutive season losing streak, improved talent will be that answer, but he was the right man for the Pirates Manager position at this time.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Same Old Pitt
Pitt had a chance to put a stranglehold on the Big East last night and let it slip away. This is the all too familiar story for this Pitt program under Dave Wannstedt. Just when fans begin to get their hopes up the Panthers find a way to bring them back to reality. In what should have been a fourth consecutive Big East win and another notch closer to the Top 25 and a BCS Bowl bid, Pitt was outplayed and pushed around in the fourth quarter on their way to losing to an inferior Connecticut team 30-28. The loss should make Pitt fans angry and disappointed all at the same time.
That paragraph sounds like a bleak analysis of last night’s loss to the Connecticut Huskies, but I am pretty sure that it sums up many of the Panthers fans’ feelings today. After a disappointing non-conference schedule that left the Panthers 2-3 and looking like anything but a BCS Bowl team, the Panthers started to look like the team many, including myself, thought they could be at the beginning of the year. Maybe we had underestimated the integration of a new quarterback and a new interior offensive line that led to the Panthers struggles in the early going but now they were starting to find their stride on the offensive line and quarterback Tino Sunseri’s play had improved dramatically over the past few weeks. The Panthers were not only winning their Big East games, they were winning them convincingly. There was a chance Pitt could run the table in the conference and restore some respect for both the program and the Big East Conference as a whole.
That momentum came to a crashing halt last night. Even if Pitt wins out and manages to win the Big East, something that looks a whole lot more unlikely today, the Panthers will garner no national respect and at 8-4 or 7-5, the Big East BCS representative will spend a month getting ridiculed instead of hyped.
There is no need to go over the details of the game. Everyone saw Ray Graham cough up a costly fumble on the return after Connecticut took the lead midway through the fourth quarter. Everyone saw how the defense failed to make a stand, not only on the pivotal fourth down play (give UConn coach Randy Edsall a ton of credit for making that call, can you imagine Wannstedt ever doing that?!), but all game long everytime the Panthers had a chance to put the hammer down the defense failed to respond. Everyone saw Sunseri make two terrible passes that led to interceptions, the one probably costing Pitt points in the first half. Everyone saw the same old Pitt. The Panthers had a chance to once again establish itself as the premier team in the Big East conference and failed to do so, just as they have the past two years.
That paragraph sounds like a bleak analysis of last night’s loss to the Connecticut Huskies, but I am pretty sure that it sums up many of the Panthers fans’ feelings today. After a disappointing non-conference schedule that left the Panthers 2-3 and looking like anything but a BCS Bowl team, the Panthers started to look like the team many, including myself, thought they could be at the beginning of the year. Maybe we had underestimated the integration of a new quarterback and a new interior offensive line that led to the Panthers struggles in the early going but now they were starting to find their stride on the offensive line and quarterback Tino Sunseri’s play had improved dramatically over the past few weeks. The Panthers were not only winning their Big East games, they were winning them convincingly. There was a chance Pitt could run the table in the conference and restore some respect for both the program and the Big East Conference as a whole.
That momentum came to a crashing halt last night. Even if Pitt wins out and manages to win the Big East, something that looks a whole lot more unlikely today, the Panthers will garner no national respect and at 8-4 or 7-5, the Big East BCS representative will spend a month getting ridiculed instead of hyped.
There is no need to go over the details of the game. Everyone saw Ray Graham cough up a costly fumble on the return after Connecticut took the lead midway through the fourth quarter. Everyone saw how the defense failed to make a stand, not only on the pivotal fourth down play (give UConn coach Randy Edsall a ton of credit for making that call, can you imagine Wannstedt ever doing that?!), but all game long everytime the Panthers had a chance to put the hammer down the defense failed to respond. Everyone saw Sunseri make two terrible passes that led to interceptions, the one probably costing Pitt points in the first half. Everyone saw the same old Pitt. The Panthers had a chance to once again establish itself as the premier team in the Big East conference and failed to do so, just as they have the past two years.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Friday Smorgasbord (Plus Week 9 Picks)
It has been a long week in The People’s Quarterback home as we get used to a crying baby and almost no sleep. With that, I have done very little writing this week so I have a ton of thoughts stored in the old memory bank. Let’s get some of those out in a Friday smorgasbord. Week nine NFL picks can be found at the end and let me tell you it was nice to get back on the winning side of things last week.
· Auburn and Oregon control their own destiny for a BCS title game appearance with Boise State and the TCU/Utah winner nipping on their heels. But for my money Alabama is still the best team in the country. Here’s hoping that Alabama wins out and meets Oregon for the National Championship in what would be one of the most anticipated championships in some time.
· Those that are against a NCAA football playoff system often site the importance of the regular season as one of the major reasons. That argument never made sense to me. Wouldn’t the Ohio State, Stanford, Wisconsin, Arizona and a bunch more regular seasons be that much more important if they were trying to battle their way into an eight or twelve team playoff. Sure we may lose the drama of one game here or there like the undefeated Michigan-Ohio St. clash a few years back but we would pick up about two dozen more do-or-die type games on the back end of the schedule. How much more exciting would the rest of Pitt’s season be if they had the inside track in the Big East to the playoffs and not just some trip to the Fiesta Bowl for an example?
· For the record, I am in favor of a playoff system AND bowl games. There is no reason that an eight or twelve (my particular favorites) team playoff cannot exist with the other bowl games played around them. Some argue that a playoff would take away from the importance of the other bowl games but that is bunk. The same people (fans, alumni, students, hard-core college football fans and gamblers) would be interested in the Gator or Pinstripe Bowl with or without a playoff. The real problem is deciding how to run the playoff system, which includes creating as much revenue as the current BCS bowls and how to divide it amongst the teams and conferences. I think these are problems that could easily be solved with time and effort and eventually more money could be made for the universities, but Presidents and Athletic Directors are afraid to turn away from a sure thing.
· With all do apologies to Kellen Moore, who is having a fantastic season for Boise State, the Heisman race at this point looks like a two man race between Cam Newton and LaMichael James. Unless one or both suffer an injury or their production severely drops off over the final few games, I’m guessing you will be seeing of these two young men holding the trophy in New York. I would vote for Newton right now.
· The Pirates are set to hire their new manager any day now and unless Clint Hurdle, currently the Texas Rangers hitting coach and former Colorado Rockies manager, knocks the Pirates’ management team’s socks off, it looks like former minor league coordinator Jeff Banister is going to get the job. Talk about hiring a “yes” man. General Manager Neil Huntington knows that it is his job that is next on the line and that his ability to keep it ties directly to the improvement of the big league club. I guess he wants to leave no chances with a manager who will do exactly as he says. I am sure Bob Nutting will not mind this hire either as Banister is sure to be the lowest paid manager in baseball.
· Congratulations to the San Francisco Giants for winning the World Series. The Giants won on great pitching, timely hitting, and a good amount of luck. People hate to hear the word luck involved with sports, especially when it is their favorite team, but the role it plays cannot be overstated enough. This is doubly true in playoff baseball where short series and small sample sizes are all that matters. Maybe if we begin using the word randomness, as I have heard some people refer to it by, it would become more accepted.
· One guy on the Giants that has nothing to do with luck is rookie catcher Buster Posey. The Pirates passed on Posey to select Pedro Alvarez, a move that now looks foolish in hindsight despite the promising rookie season Alvarez put in. Posey is very possibly the game’s second best catcher already at the young age of 23 behind only Joe Mauer.
· Randy Moss is slowly but surely forcing his way out of the NFL. I own Moss on two fantasy teams so I am hoping his move to Tennessee works out but if the reports of Moss’ behavior in Minnesota are true how many more teams are going to take a chance on a guy whose talents are already beginning to wane.
· That being said, Moss is still a game changer. If Randy’s head is on straight and he can stretch defenses and draw coverage away opening holes for Chris Johnson and throwing lanes for Vince Young, the Titans just got a whole lot more dangerous in the crowded AFC picture.
· Troy Polamalu spoke out this week about Commissioner Roger Goodell and his office having too much power. I say amen to that. Goodell’s ability to suspend, fine and basically do whatever he wants to players for both their on-field and off-field behavior should be a major sticking point for the Player’s Association in the upcoming labor negotiations.
· I am all for protecting player’s safety and while I thought the fine for James Harrison’s hit on the Browns receiver was excessive and borderline, I could at least understand it. Fining Harrison for his late hit on Drew Brees this past week simply does not make sense to me. How can you fine a guy for what I consider a normal football play? Sure, Harrison was a split second late, I agree, and the flag was thrown. Why is this action finable? Are guys going to get fined for holding? How about chop blocks, those are pretty dangerous? Harrison’s hit was not blatantly late or with harmful intentions, it was an illegal football play that deserved a flag and that’s it.
· On to this week’s NFL picks…Last week I went 7-6 (51-61-5 overall), finally getting on the winning side after three consecutive losing weeks. Hopefully I can carry that momentum over for this week and the rest of the season.
(Home Team in Caps)
ATLANTA (-8.5) over Tampa Bay – Because the Falcons are off of a bye week, at home where they’ve won 12 straight with Matt Ryan at QB, and the Falcons could be the class of the NFC.
Miami (+5) over BALTIMORE – Because the Dolphins have yet to lose a road game and can exploit the Ravens’ suspect secondary.
Chicago (-3) over BUFFALO – Because everyone thinks this is the game the Bills are finally going to win and because it is being played in Canada, not Buffalo.
CAROLINA (+6.5) over New Orleans – Because a home win on Halloween night is not going to rope me back in to believing the Saints are back.
New England (-4.5) over CLEVELAND – Because Bill Belichick loves taking out revenge on former employees like Eric Mangini.
New York Jets (-4) over DETROIT – Because the Jets are too good and too well coached not to bounce back in a big way.
HOUSTON (+3) over San Diego – Because San Diego should not be giving anyone points on the road especially with Tweedledee and Tweedledum catching the football.
MINNESOTA (-8) over Arizona – Because I am not sure if Arizona will complete more passes to Cardinals or Vikings.
New York Giants (-7) over SEATTLE – Because Charlie Whitehurst is starting at quarterback for the Seahawks and there is a good chance he does not finish it against this Giants pass rush.
Kansas City (+2.5) over OAKLAND – Because the Chiefs have won seven straight in Oakland and are a little further along in their rebuilding effort.
Indianapolis (+3) over PHILADELPHIA – Because Jim Caldwell has never lost to an NFC team since taking over the Colts and because the AFC is that much better than the NFC.
GREEN BAY (-7.5) over Dallas – Because the Cowboys have quit.
Pittsburgh (-4.5) over CINCINNATI – Because Carson Palmer stinks.
· Auburn and Oregon control their own destiny for a BCS title game appearance with Boise State and the TCU/Utah winner nipping on their heels. But for my money Alabama is still the best team in the country. Here’s hoping that Alabama wins out and meets Oregon for the National Championship in what would be one of the most anticipated championships in some time.
· Those that are against a NCAA football playoff system often site the importance of the regular season as one of the major reasons. That argument never made sense to me. Wouldn’t the Ohio State, Stanford, Wisconsin, Arizona and a bunch more regular seasons be that much more important if they were trying to battle their way into an eight or twelve team playoff. Sure we may lose the drama of one game here or there like the undefeated Michigan-Ohio St. clash a few years back but we would pick up about two dozen more do-or-die type games on the back end of the schedule. How much more exciting would the rest of Pitt’s season be if they had the inside track in the Big East to the playoffs and not just some trip to the Fiesta Bowl for an example?
· For the record, I am in favor of a playoff system AND bowl games. There is no reason that an eight or twelve (my particular favorites) team playoff cannot exist with the other bowl games played around them. Some argue that a playoff would take away from the importance of the other bowl games but that is bunk. The same people (fans, alumni, students, hard-core college football fans and gamblers) would be interested in the Gator or Pinstripe Bowl with or without a playoff. The real problem is deciding how to run the playoff system, which includes creating as much revenue as the current BCS bowls and how to divide it amongst the teams and conferences. I think these are problems that could easily be solved with time and effort and eventually more money could be made for the universities, but Presidents and Athletic Directors are afraid to turn away from a sure thing.
· With all do apologies to Kellen Moore, who is having a fantastic season for Boise State, the Heisman race at this point looks like a two man race between Cam Newton and LaMichael James. Unless one or both suffer an injury or their production severely drops off over the final few games, I’m guessing you will be seeing of these two young men holding the trophy in New York. I would vote for Newton right now.
· The Pirates are set to hire their new manager any day now and unless Clint Hurdle, currently the Texas Rangers hitting coach and former Colorado Rockies manager, knocks the Pirates’ management team’s socks off, it looks like former minor league coordinator Jeff Banister is going to get the job. Talk about hiring a “yes” man. General Manager Neil Huntington knows that it is his job that is next on the line and that his ability to keep it ties directly to the improvement of the big league club. I guess he wants to leave no chances with a manager who will do exactly as he says. I am sure Bob Nutting will not mind this hire either as Banister is sure to be the lowest paid manager in baseball.
· Congratulations to the San Francisco Giants for winning the World Series. The Giants won on great pitching, timely hitting, and a good amount of luck. People hate to hear the word luck involved with sports, especially when it is their favorite team, but the role it plays cannot be overstated enough. This is doubly true in playoff baseball where short series and small sample sizes are all that matters. Maybe if we begin using the word randomness, as I have heard some people refer to it by, it would become more accepted.
· One guy on the Giants that has nothing to do with luck is rookie catcher Buster Posey. The Pirates passed on Posey to select Pedro Alvarez, a move that now looks foolish in hindsight despite the promising rookie season Alvarez put in. Posey is very possibly the game’s second best catcher already at the young age of 23 behind only Joe Mauer.
· Randy Moss is slowly but surely forcing his way out of the NFL. I own Moss on two fantasy teams so I am hoping his move to Tennessee works out but if the reports of Moss’ behavior in Minnesota are true how many more teams are going to take a chance on a guy whose talents are already beginning to wane.
· That being said, Moss is still a game changer. If Randy’s head is on straight and he can stretch defenses and draw coverage away opening holes for Chris Johnson and throwing lanes for Vince Young, the Titans just got a whole lot more dangerous in the crowded AFC picture.
· Troy Polamalu spoke out this week about Commissioner Roger Goodell and his office having too much power. I say amen to that. Goodell’s ability to suspend, fine and basically do whatever he wants to players for both their on-field and off-field behavior should be a major sticking point for the Player’s Association in the upcoming labor negotiations.
· I am all for protecting player’s safety and while I thought the fine for James Harrison’s hit on the Browns receiver was excessive and borderline, I could at least understand it. Fining Harrison for his late hit on Drew Brees this past week simply does not make sense to me. How can you fine a guy for what I consider a normal football play? Sure, Harrison was a split second late, I agree, and the flag was thrown. Why is this action finable? Are guys going to get fined for holding? How about chop blocks, those are pretty dangerous? Harrison’s hit was not blatantly late or with harmful intentions, it was an illegal football play that deserved a flag and that’s it.
· On to this week’s NFL picks…Last week I went 7-6 (51-61-5 overall), finally getting on the winning side after three consecutive losing weeks. Hopefully I can carry that momentum over for this week and the rest of the season.
(Home Team in Caps)
ATLANTA (-8.5) over Tampa Bay – Because the Falcons are off of a bye week, at home where they’ve won 12 straight with Matt Ryan at QB, and the Falcons could be the class of the NFC.
Miami (+5) over BALTIMORE – Because the Dolphins have yet to lose a road game and can exploit the Ravens’ suspect secondary.
Chicago (-3) over BUFFALO – Because everyone thinks this is the game the Bills are finally going to win and because it is being played in Canada, not Buffalo.
CAROLINA (+6.5) over New Orleans – Because a home win on Halloween night is not going to rope me back in to believing the Saints are back.
New England (-4.5) over CLEVELAND – Because Bill Belichick loves taking out revenge on former employees like Eric Mangini.
New York Jets (-4) over DETROIT – Because the Jets are too good and too well coached not to bounce back in a big way.
HOUSTON (+3) over San Diego – Because San Diego should not be giving anyone points on the road especially with Tweedledee and Tweedledum catching the football.
MINNESOTA (-8) over Arizona – Because I am not sure if Arizona will complete more passes to Cardinals or Vikings.
New York Giants (-7) over SEATTLE – Because Charlie Whitehurst is starting at quarterback for the Seahawks and there is a good chance he does not finish it against this Giants pass rush.
Kansas City (+2.5) over OAKLAND – Because the Chiefs have won seven straight in Oakland and are a little further along in their rebuilding effort.
Indianapolis (+3) over PHILADELPHIA – Because Jim Caldwell has never lost to an NFC team since taking over the Colts and because the AFC is that much better than the NFC.
GREEN BAY (-7.5) over Dallas – Because the Cowboys have quit.
Pittsburgh (-4.5) over CINCINNATI – Because Carson Palmer stinks.
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