Tuesday, October 31, 2006

2006 - 2007 NBA Preview: Pacific Division

To finish things off, we hit the Pacific Division, one that sent four teams to the playoffs last year. This year, two teams, including one which made the playoffs, have brought in new coaches to help change their fortunes. With a much more competitive landscape in the Western Conference, it is going to be tougher to grab a playoff spot though. I expect only three Pacific teams to make it this year.

Pacific Division:
1. Phoenix Suns (54-28)
Key Additions:
Marcus Banks (free agent)
Key Losses: Tim Thomas (free agent), Eddie House (free agent)
For a team expected to be among the top teams in the conference, the Suns have some big questions remaining to be answered. Is Amare Stoudemire healthy? If he is, what kind of production will he give the team? How will his return affect Shawn Marion and Boris Diaw? Will Diaw be able to match his production from last season? Is Steve Nash finally going to slow down? The key for the Suns is that the answer is the same for each question: it does not matter. Mike D’Antoni has proven that he can take lemons and make lemonade. Whatever situations arise, if any, he will adjust the lineup accordingly and the team will move forward without a hitch. The depth on the roster, as well as the flexibility of both Marion and Diaw, helps. Despite losing key contributors Thomas and House, the bench still has a lot of firepower. Banks and Leandro Barbosa make the second unit one of the fastest in the league. If you want to pick on the Suns for something, it would be their decision to not keep either one of the point guards they drafted. It is likely neither Rajon Rondo or Sergio Rodriguez would have contributed this year, but both could have been groomed to be Nash’s replacement.

2. Los Angeles Clippers (47-35)
Key Additions:
Tim Thomas (free agent)
Key Losses: Vladimir Radmanovic (free agent)
Since Thomas and Radmanovic bring basically the same thing to the table, the Clippers’ off-season moves cancel each other out. This team will be essentially the same as last year’s edition with an extra year playing together as well as playoff experience. Elton Brand finally broke his postseason drought by putting up his best season thus far while getting strong support from Sam Cassell and Chris Kaman. Cassell was brought in to provide veteran leadership to a team in dire need of it. Despite having earned a reputation as a malcontent, Cassell is a winner and the team benefited from his experience. Now, after spurning free agency to re-sign, he returns to continue his grooming of heir Shaun Livingston. Kaman, on the other hand, broke out last year, nearly averaging a double-double after two seasons of decent numbers in part-time minutes. With his continued improvement, another solid season from Brand, and a breakout campaign from a healthy Livingston, the Clips will outdo themselves by approaching 55 wins.

3. Sacramento Kings (44-38)
Key Additions: Quincy Douby (draft), John Salmons (free agent), Eric Musselman (hired)
Key Losses: Rick Adelman (fired)
Seemingly out of the playoff race as late as January, the Kings made a remarkable run after acquiring Ron Artest from the Pacers. His addition sparked a 26-14 run and helped earn the team the last playoff seed, but was not enough to save Coach Adelman’s job. The Maloof brothers brought in Musselman, who, in his last head coaching position led the Warriors to two of their best seasons in recent memory. He is charged with trying to get the most out of a very talented team, one that I am sure the Maloofs think should challenge Phoenix for bragging rights in the division. They are not at that level, but the Kings will challenge the Clippers for second place. Already a deep team, the additions of Douby and Salmons give them even more flexibility without hindering their ability to run. Douby will remind Kings fans and players of Bobby Jackson by providing offensive spark and occasionally spelling Mike Bibby at the point. Considering some of the best years Sacramento had were with Jackson, I think that is a comparison Kings fans should find very appealing.

4. Golden State Warriors (34-48)
Key Additions:
Don Nelson (hired), Patrick O’Bryant (draft)
Key Losses: Mike Montgomery (fired), Derek Fisher (trade)
How dare I have the Warriors finish ahead of a Phil Jackson-coached, Kobe Bryant-led Lakers team? As difficult as that may seem, it does make sense. The Warriors are definitely a more talented team, and now they have one of the game’s best coaches to lead them. Nelson helped deliver the Mavericks from mediocrity to elite status. His goal for this year is just respectability, and he will get this team there. Baron Davis is important to this team, especially if he can rein in his free shooting habits, but Nelson will help them survive if he gets hurt again. Monta Ellis showed promise at the end of last season and looks like he could step in and contribute. There has been talk of playing a small lineup, with Troy Murphy at center, Mike Dunleavy at the four, Mickael Pietrus at small forward, and a backcourt of Davis and Jason Richardson. That lineup will not be able to stop anybody on defense, but that is nothing new. What the team will do is create match up problems for opposing teams, counting on the mismatches to create more points than they allow. After the wonders he worked in Dallas, do not be surprised to see this team show some serious improvements, and pass the Lakers in the standings.

5. Los Angeles Lakers (45-37)
Key Additions: Jordan Farmar (draft), Vladimir Radmanovic (free agent)
Key Losses: None
Here is the flip side of the coin. Yes, the Lakers still have Phil Jackson, Kobe Bryant, and Lamar Odom. That is about all they have though. With most of the lottery teams from the Western Conference showing improvement, the lack of talent on the Lakers will be exposed. There is only so far Kobe can carry this team, especially coming off of knee surgery. Farmar looks like a promising player and good fit for the triangle offense, and it appeared he developed good chemistry with 2005 draft pick Andrew Bynum. With Kwame Brown and Chris Mihm both likely to miss time at the beginning of the season, Bynum will get an opportunity to play, and the Lakers should hope he takes advantage. If he can earn minutes even after Brown and Mihm return, it will be a great sign for a return to playoff contention in 2007-2008. In the meantime, Jackson will get his first taste of lottery land. If he can keep the team in contention in an extremely tough conference though, he will likely have done his best coaching job yet.

Monday, October 30, 2006

2006 - 2007 NBA Preview: Northwest Division

Up in the Northwest Division, the Denver Nuggets come into the season as the division's lone playoff team. The Utah Jazz and Minnesota Timberwolves both have playoff aspirations, while the Seattle SuperSonics and Portland Trail Blazers will spend the season breaking in youth.

Northwest Division:
1. Denver Nuggets (44-38)
Key Additions: J.R. Smith (trade)
Key Losses: Ruben Patterson (free agent), Greg Buckner (free agent)
As the division winner with the worst record, the Nuggets still have room for significant improvement. Carmelo Anthony gained a reputation as an elite scorer, but his rebounding took a hit. He needs to get his average up to eight a game, while still maintaining a similar scoring average. George Karl is hoping that Smith can fill the black hole at shooting guard and help take some of the scoring pressure off of Anthony and Andre Miller. Coming out of high school two years ago, Smith had the reputation of being a world-class athlete who could shoot the lights out. After two frustrating years in New Orleans, I believe he is going to be given the opportunity to become the second option. The talent is there, and Karl is the right coach to get it out of him. The losses of Patterson and Buckner will be felt on the defensive end, but continued improvement from Anthony and healthy seasons from Kenyon Martin and Nene (and maybe even Marcus Camby) should help alleviate the impact. This teams plans to run this year, and will shine in a weak division.

2. Utah Jazz (41-41)
Key Additions: Ronnie Brewer (draft)
Key Losses: None
When you look at this team, you wonder how it could possibly miss the playoffs. There are two reasons: the Western Conference is just that tough, and the talent iof the top six rotation players is outweighed by the lack of depth on the roster, which last year was exposed by injuries. However, a Jerry Sloan-coached lineup of Deron Williams, Matt Harpring, Andrei Kirilenko, Carlos Boozer, and Mehmet Okur is highly competitive. A 7-3 run at the end of the season showed what the team can do when healthy. The addition of Brewer will make it easier to deal with injuries, and make the second unit more formidable as he backs up both guard positions. His addition will mitigate the loss of any player in the starting lineup, as nearly every player can handle more than one position. Kirilenko is already experiencing back problems, and if they linger into the season, it will hurt the chances of making the playoffs. If Boozer is healthy the whole season though, the eighth seed should be theirs.

3. Minnesota Timberwolves (33-49)
Key Additions: Randy Foye (draft), Mike James (free agent)
Key Losses: Marcus Banks (free agent)
The good news is that the Timberwolves improved significantly with the additions of Foye and James, who, combined with Ricky Davis, should take the third-worst offense in the NBA and bring it to, at least, the middle of the pack. Kevin Garnett will be happy to have the increased talent around him, and the team will be exciting to watch. Foye will come off the bench initially, so Trenton Hassell can provide some defensive pressure in the first unit, but he will likely be seeing starters minutes within a month, if not immediately. Unfortunately, this will not be enough to help Garnett return to the playoffs. The gaping hole at center will be too much to overcome when you compare the Wolves to the other Western Conference teams, and they will be lacking a complimentary rebounder to Garnett all season. With luck, or a good draft pick, they could acquire one in the offseason and make their return to playoff contention next season.

4. Seattle Supersonics (35-47)
Key Additions: None
Key Losses: None
Last season was considered a disappointment after falling for 52 wins and the third seed in the Western Conference to 35 wins and a lottery pick. Unfortunately, the team overachieved the previous year, and last year’s performance is more indicative of this team’s capabilities. Ray Allen is still a premier shooting guard and will not let this team sink very far. His supporting cast, led by Luke Ridnour and Rashard Lewis, is solid but not spectacular. Ridnour is becoming a solid leader for this team, but will never become a top tier point guard statistically. Lewis has become a dependable second option on offense, but still has not developed into a good rebounder for his size. The key to the Sonics’ future, and to a small degree this season, is the development of the front line. Chris Wilcox was re-signed after putting up very impressive numbers in his short time in Seattle, and the team hopes it was more than Wilcox just playing for a contract. The two-headed monster at center becomes three-headed, with Mouhamed Sene joining Robert Swift and Johan Petro. After the investments made in these three players, the team hopes that one of them will step up. For Swift and Petro, this could be the year. If it is, it bodes well for the future of the Sonics, and will keep them respectable this season.

5. Portland Trail Blazers (21-61)
Key Additions: LaMarcus Aldridge (draft), Brandon Roy (draft), Jamaal Magliore (trade), Raef LaFrentz (trade)
Key Losses: Sebastian Telfair (trade), Theo Ratliff (trade)
Portland fans just cannot win. When this team was the Jail Blazers, the team at least made the playoffs. Now that the team places extra emphasis on character, fans have been eagerly awaiting the draft lottery for three straight seasons. That will not change this season, but there are far more reasons for hope. The addition of two top-six draft picks and a solid big man go a long way towards progress. In Aldridge, Portland gets a potential high scoring post man and solid rebounder. He will need a year or two to get used to the NBA, but should average at least 18 points and nine rebounds at his peak. Roy is a great all-around player who will spend time at both guard positions and the small forward spot. While he may never put up superstar numbers, he should thrive as a team’s second or third option and provide a winning attitude and leadership. Magliore will share time with Joel Pryzbilla, taking over the role vacated by Ratliff, and should provide Aldridge with a mentor. The trade of Telfair not only helped net Portland Roy, but also freed up the start point guard spot for Jarrett Jack. While not as talented as Telfair, he is a better fit for this up-and-coming team. Even with all the promise this team will show, the Blazers will join Philadelphia as one of the top competitors for the top pick in the draft.

Friday, October 27, 2006

2006 - 2007 NBA Preview: Southwest Division

Moving on to the Western Conference, we start with its best division, top to bottom, the Southwest. It should be an exciting race between the Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks, the three-time NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs, and the hopefully healthy and intriguing Houston Rockets. The New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets were the surprise team last year and should be better this year. The biggest disappointment likes in Memphis, where the Grizzlies have lost Pau Gasol to injury. Even if he is only out half the season, it might be too late by then.

Southwest Division:
1. Dallas Mavericks (60-22)
Key Additions: Anthony Johnson (trade), Austin Croshere (trade), Maurice Ager (draft)
Key Losses: Marquis Daniels (trade), Keith Van Horn (free agent)
Despite not even winning their division, the Mavericks survived the Western Conference playoffs and won the first two games of the NBA Finals before succumbing to the Heat. With expectations as high as they have ever been, the Mavericks did only minor tweaking to their roster. Daniels is gone after never having performed up to the level he reached in his rookie campaign. In his place is Johnson, a more traditional and more experienced point guard to spell Devin Harris. What the team loses in youth, it will gain in leadership. Johnson filled in more than admirably for the injured Jamaal Tinsley in Indiana, starting 53 games. Croshere takes the place of Van Horn and will bring a similar scoring spark off the bench while providing more rebounding than his predecessor. The real key addition to the team, however, is Ager. He is a perfect fit for the offense Avery Johnson runs, and in my mind signals a slight shift in philosophy for the Mavs. Instead of having a “win-now” strategy, I see a move to a “win-now and win-later” strategy. Ager will be a low-cost contributor for this year’s division title and many other playoff runs.

2. San Antonio Spurs (63-19)
Key Additions: Jackie Butler (free agent), Francisco Elson (free agent)
Key Losses: Nazr Mohammed (free agent), Rasho Nesterovic (trade)
The Spurs have done it again. The replaced two well-paid big men with two moderately priced big men and actually improved significantly. Mohammed was a solid contributor off of the bench and in limited starts, while Nesterovic provided little. In typical Spurs fashion, they split their mid-level exception on two athletic post men. Elson is a wide body that can defend the opposing centers, leaving Tim Duncan easier match ups against power forwards. Expected to be the starter in the beginning, he likely will not see more than 20-25 minutes a game. In Butler, the Spurs made the most underrated free agent signing of the off-season. How often does a 21-year-old who is six feet, 10 inches tall who averaged nearly 19 points and 12 rebounds per 40 minutes get signed to a contract for a little over two million dollars a year? It will not be long before Butler is starting and playing 30 minutes a game, establishing himself as a strong compliment to Duncan and making him my fantasy sleeper of the year. His presence will make the Spurs a much more formidable playoff opponent than they would be with either Mohammed, Nesterovic, or Elson starting in the pivot.

3. Houston Rockets (34-48)
Key Additions:
Shane Battier (trade), Kirk Snyder (trade), Bonzi Wells (free agent)
Key Losses: Stromile Swift (trade)
Last season was a disappointment for the Rockets. Tracy McGrady’s back problems kept him out of the lineup for almost half the season, while Yao Ming missed games in the middle and at the end of the season. In between injuries, Yao finally took the next step towards becoming the top pivot man in the League. There was still work to be done to turn this team into a legitimate contender, but a strong series of off-season moves have got them in position to make a strong playoff run. Battier is not a true power forward, but will spend a lot of time at the four spot. Despite being undersized, he will still provide better all-around play than Swift, while helping to spread opposing defenses with his shooting. Wells, who averaged nearly 8 rebounds as a shooting guard, will make up any disadvantage the frontcourt has on the boards. Juwan Howard should be pushed to the bench to make room in the lineup for Battier, where he can team with Snyder and Luther Head to form a potent second unit. The Rockets have never been this strong under Jeff Van Gundy, and this is a make-or-break year for him. Challenging for the fourth seed in the Western Conference will justify ownerships patience and spending.

4. New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets (38-44)
Key Additions:
Tyson Chandler (trade), Peja Stojakovic (trade), Bobby Jackson (free agent)
Key Losses: P.J. Brown (trade), J.R. Smith (trade), Kirk Snyder (trade)
After the Hornets surprised everyone by playing close to .500 last season, George Shinn followed suit in the off-season by committing to spend on the team. Out is Brown and his veteran presence, replaced by the younger, more athletic, but also more enigmatic, Chandler. He will provide better help defense in the paint than Brown did, and should see his offensive production rise from last season’s 5.3 points per game thanks to alley-oops and drop-offs from Chris Paul. The presence of both Stojakovic and Jackson will provide a significant upgrade behind the 3-point line, allowing Paul room to drive and dish. The team does lose quite a bit of athleticism with the losses of Smith and Snyder, but it will be a far more complete team. This may not show up in their record, since they play in conference that was already very strong and has improved, but as this team builds rapport, they will get their share of big wins and make a run towards a playoff spot, eventually coming up short.

5. Memphis Grizzlies (49-33)
Key Additions:
Rudy Gay (draft), Alexander Johnson (draft), Kyle Lowry (draft), Stromile Swift (trade)
Key Losses: Shane Battier (trade), Bobby Jackson (free agent), Lorenzen Wright (free agent)
It looks like the streak of postseason losses for Memphis will continue for another year, as it will be hard to break it without playing a playoff game. With Pau Gasol out until, most likely, the middle of January combined with the losses of Battier, Jackson, and Wright, the Grizzlies will not be able to keep up with the rest of the Western Conference. There is reason for hope though. The Grizzlies had one of the top drafts of any team in the League. Gay was one of the most talented players in the draft and a candidate for the top pick for most of the season. He ended up dropping to Houston at the eighth pick, who then traded him to Memphis. The cost to Memphis was a significant contributor in Battier, but Jerry West knew he had to seize this opportunity. In time, Gay should develop into one of the top small forwards in the League. The team’s later draft choices, Lowry and Johnson, may both be considered significant steals in a few seasons. Johnson, taken with the 45th pick, should end up seeing more minutes than he normally would have due to the injury to Gasol, but has the body and instincts that will make him a contributor on the boards almost immediately. If the team starts slow, Lowry may also see more time, helping to prepare for a bounce back season next year.

Thursday, October 26, 2006

2006 - 2007 NBA Preview: Southeast Division

Today, we take a look at the Southeast Division. This division has a little of everything, including the defending champions, the top up-and-coming team in the NBA, and a recent expansion team following a plan to competitiveness. There is a lot of talent in this division, and in a couple of years, may develop into the deepest division in the League.

Southeast Division:
1. Miami Heat (52-30)
Key Additions: None
Key Losses: None
“If it ain’t broke,” why change anything? Unless Dwyane Wade improves enough to counteract the continuing drop off in production from Shaquille O’Neal though, the Heat will begin to fall back towards the pack, while the other teams in the division keep improving. Miami should still win the division, barring injury to either Shaq or Wade. I know Pat Riley wants to win again, but he does need to think about the long term. Players such as Wayne Simien and Dorell Wright need to be integrated into the rotation. Not only will it prepare this team for upcoming seasons, it may very well help them in their title defense. Wright could develop into a solid running mate for Wade, while Simien can help take some of the rebounding load off of Shaq and Udonis Haslem.

2. Washington Wizards (42-40)
Key Additions: DeShawn Stevenson (free agent)
Key Losses: Jared Jeffries (free agent)
Even though the Wizards were the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, I have a hunch they were still not pleased with their performance. To be considered legitimate contenders, you cannot be a .500 team, which is what this team was throughout the season. Gilbert Arenas is coming off his best season and will be playing this season with a chip on his shoulder (warranted or not). He and the other core players, Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler, now have a full season together, and should make up one of the more formidable trios in the NBA. The loss of Jeffries will is somewhat significant, but his loss will be mitigated by the addition of Stevenson and a healthy season from Jarvis Hayes. With Miami’s perch atop the division anything but solid, the Wizards will put themselves to be the team to supplant them. Unless a key injury hits the Heat, it will not be this season, but Miami will not win the division by ten games again.

3. Orlando Magic (36-46)
Key Additions: J.J. Redick (draft)
Key Losses: DeShawn Stevenson (free agent)
The Wizards are going after the Heat, but they need to be looking over their shoulder at the Magic at the same time. Dwight Howard established himself as a premier rebounder while also approaching superstar status. He may very well reach it this year, with the help of Jameer Nelson and Darko Milicic. Following the trade of Steve Francis to the Knicks, Nelson validated the reputation he earned at St. Joseph’s as a strong floor general by leading the young Orlando team on a great run to end the season. He is the real key to the improvement of this team. Milicic played well in limited minutes, showing the promise that made him the second overall pick in 2003, and is expected to play a much bigger role this season. They will give him every chance to succeed, and I think we will see him average 12-14 points, 8-10 rebounds, and two and a half blocks for the season. This team will make the playoffs.

4. Atlanta Hawks (26-56)
Key Additions: Speedy Claxton (free agent), Lorenzen Wright (free agent), Shelden Williams (draft)
Key Losses: Al Harrington (trade)
Despite the turmoil in the front office, this is a team on the rise. The addition of Claxton finally gives them the point guard they have needed (and should have had in Chris Paul). When he returns from an injury, his job will be to get the ball to Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, and Marvin Williams. With a true point guard on the team, Johnson could see his numbers, already somewhat gaudy, rise a bit. Many people think Smith will become an All-Star this year, but I do not see that happening this season. If he can be consistent throughout the season and put up the kind of numbers he did in the last month of the season, he will get close. Marvin Williams had an up-and-down season, but he is still the most talented player on the team. He will see time at both forward spots, playing a role similar to the one Harrington filled last year, in an effort to get him minutes with Johnson and Smith. Shelden Williams struggled during the summer leagues, but if given the task of focusing on the boards, he will still make a contribution. While not ready for the big time, the Hawks will look at this season as a huge stepping-stone towards future success.

5. Charlotte Bobcats (26-56)
Key Additions: Adam Morrison (draft)
Key Losses: None
They have a plan, and it is a good one. Bernie Bickerstaff knows his team is not ready to contend yet, but he is laying the groundwork to make a playoff push in about two seasons (in my estimation). While I do not think Morrison was the right choice with the 3rd pick in the draft, I do think he is a good fit on the team and gives them a very good perimeter scoring threat. Emeka Okafor has trimmed down in an attempt to avoid another injury-plagued season, and should reach his rookie numbers again. Feeding Morrison and Okafor will be Raymond Felton. Charlotte reached a little in drafting him last year, but did so because he came from a winning college program. He proved worthy of his high draft slot with his post-All-Star Game numbers, and should break into the upper echelon of point guards in the Eastern Conference. If Sean May can handle the dirty work of covering opposing power forwards, this team will be competitive every night, even if it does not translate into more wins. The goal of the season is for this team to grow together.

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Week 7's Final Drive

Week Seven was filled with exciting games, last minute game-winning field goals, and huge stories about some of the National Football League’s brightest stars. We saw some big upsets and major injuries befall a few of the League’s biggest stars. All of the excitement of the weekend, however, can not compare to the fact that the Oakland Raiders actually won a game. Actually, that outcome was less about the Raiders than it was about those sorry Cardinals. With that, I say on to the Final Drive.

First Down - Top Stories from the Past Weekend

-Shawne Merriman, San Diego Charger reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year, failed a NFL drug test and now faces a four game suspension. ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported Sunday night that Merriman tested positive for steroids. This is a huge blow for a Chargers defense that is now down three of their top outside linebackers. Merriman is not the first player to test positive for steroids, but he is by far the biggest name to get caught.

-If I were to ask you who lead the league in total yards last year I am pretty sure the answer would surprise you. Most people would name Shaun Alexander, LaDainian Tomlinson or Larry Johnson. To nearly everyone’s surprise, the actual answer is New York Giants running back Tiki Barber. Barber pulled an even bigger shock this past week when he announced that he would be retiring at the end of this season. Tiki appears to be following in the footsteps of former star tailbacks Barry Sanders, Jim Brown and Robert Smith by calling it quits at a time when they were still able to dominate the league. The Giants not only will lose a great running back but also one of the classiest players throughout professional sports.

-Both of the defending conference champions lost their star quarterbacks to injuries this past weekend. Seattle Seahawks signal caller Matt Hasselbeck strained his MCL and reports are that he will miss at least 3 weeks. When you combine this injury with the earlier loss of Alexander, the Seahawks’ drive for the Super Bowl has taken a huge blow.

In Pittsburgh, Ben Roethlisberger has suffered yet another injury. After his serious motorcycle accident and emergency appendectomy, he has now suffered a serious concussion. Pittsburgh’s passing game finally seemed to be waking up the past few weeks, but you really have to wonder if this injury is going to be one to many.

-Matt Bryant is not exactly a household name throughout the NFL. Even among kickers, he is still pretty far down the list when it comes to popularity. Nobody, however, did anything on Sunday that will be talked about as much as what Bryant did. He kicked a 62-yard game winning field goal against the Philadelphia Eagles on the last play of the Buccaneers win on Sunday. Bryant’s kick was one yard short of the NFL record, and one could arguably say that it was the best kick in regular season history. The current record is held by Jason Elam and Tom Dempsey - Elam for the Broncos and Dempsey for the Saints. The reason Bryant’s was more impressive is that Elam played in the high altitude of Denver and Dempsey had his famous squared tip boot on for his kick. Bryant had no such enhancers for his kick. While it might not be listed number one in the record book, I will take Bryant’s kick over the other two.

Second Down - Top Ten

Chicago-Grossman had a reality check against Arizona, but a win is a win.
Indianapolis-The Colts bulked up their run defense by bringing in former Buccaneers star Anthony “Booger” McFarland and then their offense woke up and dominated the Redskins.
Denver-The Broncos offense is scary bad so far this year, but when you have given up just two touchdowns through six games you really do not need to score much.
New England-People keep writing the Patriots off and all they keep doing is winning.
San Diego-The Chargers defense struggled Sunday in Kansas City, and with all the losses at linebacker, Coach Marty is going to have to rely on his young quarterback much more then he would have liked.
New Orleans-The Saints have another big challenge this week against the Baltimore Ravens, but with the way they have stepped up each week, another win would not surprise me.
Atlanta-The Falcons continue to have no problem moving the ball on offense, but their defense could be a big problem.
New York Giants-The G-Men made a huge statement Monday night in Big D. Their pass rush is going to prove very challenging for opposing offensive lines.
Cincinnati-Something is still missing with the Bengals; they just do not look right on offense.
St. Louis-All of a sudden the Rams look like they could be the head honcho in a mediocre NFC West.

Third Down - Top Games from Next Week

New England Patriots at Minnesota Vikings
Atlanta Falcons at Cincinnati Bengals
Baltimore Ravens at New Orleans Saints
St. Louis Rams at San Diego Chargers
Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos

Fourth Down - Who I Like and Why

San Francisco at Chicago - Alex Smith is going to be in for a long night against the well-rested Bears in what should be another blowout victory.

Atlanta at Cincinnati - I do not trust either defense in this game, but I trust the Falcons’ just a little bit more.

Seattle at Kansas City -Seneca Wallace makes his first career start in a building where most veteran quarterbacks struggle. I see the Chiefs pounding the ball behind Larry Johnson en route to a solid victory.

Houston at Tennessee - When two bad teams play each other, I will take the home team who happens to be coming off a bye.

Arizona at Green Bay - Green Bay looked like the Packers of yesteryear on Sunday. I expect Brett Favre, Ahman Green and Donald Driver to lead the pack to consecutive victories.

Tampa Bay at NY Giants - With both teams coming off emotional wins, I like the Giants pass rush against a young and inexperienced quarterback and his offensive line.

Jacksonville at Philadelphia - Donovan McNabb and company are looking to bounce back after two straight tough losses. I like the Eagles in a surprisingly high scoring affair.

Baltimore at New Orleans - I just do not see the Ravens having the offensive fire power to defeat the high flying Saints.

St Louis at San Diego – “Marty Ball” at its finest looks like the key to success for the Chargers now; expect San Diego to use a ball control offense to beat the Rams.

Pittsburgh at Oakland - Was the Raiders victory a sign of things to come? I would guess “no” on that one. The Steelers will dominate Oakland.

Indianapolis at Denver - Peyton Manning in cold weather is not a good combination, Denver might give up more points then usual but Indy is going to sustain their first loss.

NY Jets at Cleveland - In the battle of Bill Belichick’s former defensive coordinators, I expect Romeo Crennel’s boys to suffocate the overachieving Jets.

Dallas at Carolina - If Bledsoe plays, I expect the Cowboys to prevail over the Panthers; if it is Tony Romo under center, I would bet on the Panthers.

New England at Minnesota - The Patriots front seven is going to be way too much for an immobile quarterback like Brad Johnson. Expect the Pats to ride their defense to victory on Monday night.

2006 - 2007 NBA Preview: Central Division

Now it is time for the Central Division, by far the deepest division in the NBA. All five teams have a shot at the postseason, but I see only four teams making it.

Central Division:

1. Detroit Pistons (2005-06 record: 64-18)
Key Additions: Nazr Mohammed (free agent), Ronald Murray (free agent)
Key Losses: Ben Wallace (free agent)
The loss of Wallace hurts in more ways than one. It weakens the Pistons’ defense, while a bona fide contender in Chicago get stronger. This is still a strong team that should be the number one seed in the Eastern Conference, having won 12 more games than the Heat last year. However, the gap will close. 60 wins is probably the most this team can expect, and teams like Cleveland and Chicago are ready to take big steps. Where losing Wallace will really show up is in the playoffs. Still a team that should breeze through the regular season, they will miss his defense in the post. Mohammed is a nice addition, and Murray should provide a spark off the bench. Gradually, whether intentional or not, the Pistons’ philosophy is continuing to change. Flip Saunders opened up the offense because it is his style. With the departure of Wallace, scoring more points is a necessity.

2. Cleveland Cavaliers (50-32)
Key Additions: Shannon Brown (draft)
Key Losses: Ronald Murray (free agent)
In the toughest division in the NBA, I give the Cavaliers the slight edge over the up-and-coming Bulls and the always-dangerous Pacers. The Cavaliers do not have the same level of talent as the other teams, but they do have LeBron James. That alone is the reason they should place ahead of everyone in the division except for the Pistons. If Damon Jones had performed as they had hoped last season, the gap between the Cavs and the Pistons would have been much narrower. The team played significantly better when Murray joined the team by providing some needed scoring. With Flip gone, the Cleveland will look to Brown to fill that role, despite the fact that he is a rookie. If he can adjust quickly to the NBA pace, the team will be in better shape. As long as he is ready by the postseason, it would be hard to complain.

3. Chicago Bulls (41-41)
Key Additions: Ben Wallace (free agent), P.J. Brown (trade), Tyrus Thomas (draft), Thabo Sefolosha (draft)
Key Losses: Tyson Chandler (free agent)
Slowly but surely, these Bulls are starting to look like the Pistons teams of the last few years. The addition of Wallace makes it nearly complete. Only two things are missing. The Bulls need a consistent, go-to scorer as well as stronger chemistry. Defensively, no other team in the NBA was better at keeping the other team from making shots. On offense, the scoring is balanced, but almost too balanced. No player averaged more than Ben Gordon’s 16.9 points per game, but he was not always starting. Someone needs to step up and become “the man.” Luol Deng is the other candidate besides Gordon to assume that role. The best player no one has heard of is Andres Nocioni. After the All-Star break, he averaged over 15 points and nearly eight rebounds per game. He could be the top sixth man in the League this season while backing up both forward positions. If someone steps up on offense and there is not a noticeable drop-off with the second team on the court, the Bulls have a chance to reach heights not seen since Michael Jordan left town.

4. Indiana Pacers (41-41)
Key Additions: Al Harrington (trade), Marquis Daniels (trade)
Key Losses: Anthony Johnson (trade), Peja Stojakovic (trade)
Ron Artest is gone, and with him goes the combustibility that has hurt the Pacers each of the last two seasons. His replacement, Stojakovic, was replaced by Harrington, who comes back to the team that drafted him with the experience of being the go-to guy gained from his stay in Atlanta. Another potentially volatile situation was avoided with the trade of Johnson to Dallas in a trade that netted the Pacers Daniels. Larry Bird must have decided to give the team to Jamaal Tinsley one last time and having a younger backup rather than older, and more outspoken, one. When healthy, Tinsley is a solid team general who will distribute the ball to Jermaine O’Neal, Stephen Jackson, and Harrington. O’Neal’s health will go a long way in determining how the season plays out. Even though it will be tough for them to finish higher in their division, they will be a low-seeded team that no one wants to face.

5
. Milwaukee Bucks (40-42)
Key Additions: Charlie Villanueva (trade)
Key Losses: T.J. Ford (trade), Jamaal Magliore (trade)
Many people are saying that the Raptors got swindled when they traded a big (Villanueva) for a small (Ford). While I do think that Toronto was smart to make the deal, I also think it was a tremendous deal for Milwaukee. Maurice Williams should have a breakout year starting at the point guard position after producing in a backup role. Meanwhile, Villanueva slides into the power forward spot, pushing Andrew Bogut into the center position, vacated by Magliore, where he will be more comfortable. The lineup the Bucks will send out there is one of the most balanced and talented lineups one to five in the League, but unless Bogut or Villanueva blossoms into a superstar this season, they will likely just miss the playoffs after fighting hard in the toughest of the six divisions.

Sunday, October 22, 2006

2006 - 2007 NBA Preview: Atlantic Division

With the season starting in about a week and a half, it is time to take a look at each team and see how they look. Starting with the Atlantic Division today, I will post team previews by division every couple of days, then finishing up with my postseason and awards predictions.

Atlantic Division:
1. New Jersey Nets (2005-06 record: 49-33)
Key Additions:
Marcus Williams (draft), Eddie House (free agent)
Key Losses: None
The defending Atlantic Division champions have done nothing to hurt their status as the team to beat. Last year, the Nets kept points off the board, but barely outscored their opponents. House adds instant scoring off the bench, something they have been lacking. Williams was a steal at the 22nd pick in the draft and will be asked to be Jason Kidd’s backup immediately. Josh Boone was another solid choice at 23, but he will be sidelined for the beginning of the season. When he returns, he will add athleticism to the front line. The almost win the division by default, as every other team has significant questions. It would take injuries to at least two of Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, and Richard Jefferson to make the division race close. The Nets may very well end the season as the only team in the Atlantic with a winning record.

2. Toronto Raptors (27-55)
Key Additions:
Andrea Bargnani (draft), T.J. Ford (trade), Rasho Nesterovic (trade), Jorge Garbajosa (free agent), Anthony Parker (free agent)
Key Losses: Mike James (free agent), Charlie Villanueva (trade), Rafael Araujo (trade)
How does a team with such a poor record in one season leapfrog two division rivals the next? Credit Bryan Colangelo for not wasting any time. First, he got lucky and received the number one pick in the draft, where he took the best prospect available in Bargnani. It will take time for him to get acclimated to the NBA game, but in time he could be a very good scorer. Colangelo’s next step was to let James and his stat-padding game leave as a free agent, then trading combo forward Villanueva for speedy point guard Ford. Villanueva, while coming off a very strong rookie season, became expendable with the drafting of Bargnani. Ford is a pass-first point guard who will become a co-leader of the team with Chris Bosh. Araujo was not a contributor, but it was better for both parties to give him a change in scenery. Nesterovic will more than replace his production, and allow Bosh to play his natural power forward spot. Tying it all together are the additions of Garbajosa and Parker, who were stars over in Europe and are used to playing the style of basketball Colangelo wants. The Raptors will be the surprise team of the NBA.

3. New York Knicks (23-59)
Key Additions:
Jared Jeffries (free agent)
Key Losses: Larry Brown (fired), Jackie Butler (free agent)
Is Isiah Thomas that much better of a coach than Brown? No. Is Thomas a better coach for this team? Absolutely. As the President of Basketball Operations, Isiah constructed a team to his liking, which was contrary to Brown’s style. Now he gets to attempt to show his style works. The Knicks will not become an instant contender, but they will spend most of the year hovering around .500. Jeffries will provide some height, athleticism and defense, but little else. The loss of Butler to free agency may not seem like a big deal, but he was very productive in limited time and, as a young, athletic center who does not need the ball, is exactly the kind of player the Knicks should be keeping. The Knicks still have Jalen Rose’s expiring contract in hand, as well as some valuable young players as trading chips. Isiah the coach will be managing this team in such a way that will rebuild the reputations of Steve Francis and Jamal Crawford, providing Isiah the President of Basketball Operations even more ammunition to make at least one blockbuster move again this season.

4. Boston Celtics (33-49)
Key Additions:
Sebastian Telfair (trade), Rajon Rondo (draft), Leon Powe (draft)
Key Losses: Raef LaFrentz (trade), Orien Greene (free agent)
Based on talent, the young Celtics should be ranked higher. They will take their lumps this year though as they gain more experience. Telfair gives the Celts a true point guard, and he should start over Delonte West, who will become the first guard off the bench. Rondo and Powe were both steals at their respective draft positions, and should see more time as the season progresses. LaFrentz’s minutes should go to the combination of Al Jefferson and Kendrick Perkins, who, if healthy, are both potential double-double candidates on a given night. Greene played a much more significant role last year than was expected, but the additions of Telfair and Rondo made him expendable. If all the young guys click well early on, this team could end up moving up. Even if the offense comes together, however, the defense will be much further behind. It will be a tight race between the Raptors, Knicks and Celtics for second place in the division, and the Celtics’ youth will keep them just behind their peers.

5. Philadelphia 76ers (38-44)
Key Additions:
Rodney Carney (draft)
Key Losses: John Salmons (free agent)
Allen Iverson deserves better. Carney is a gifted athlete and very good basketball player. So is Andre Iguodala, who the Sixers drafted last year. It is hard to improve your team when you add one player who is basically replicating another. Salmons was a nice contributor off of the bench, and Carney will be asked to replace his production. Philadelphia fans have to hope Samuel Dalembert becomes the player he has shown flashes of becoming and that Kyle Korver begins scoring enough to justify his contract. This team will be competitive on any given night, but will have serious trouble closing game. There is still also the chance that the team will explore trade opportunities for Iverson when it is obvious the playoffs are out of reach. In a division that will show significant improvement, this will be the recipe for a lot of ping pong balls. The bright side of that is that they will have a likelier chance of being able to draft Greg Oden next June.

Friday, October 20, 2006

2006 Thoughts on Sports MLB Awards

It is that time of year, the time when teams are fighting to play the next week, and the debates on who deserves what award continue until the winners are announced after the World Series ends. At the end of the regular season, we at Thoughts on Sports gave you our predictions for the playoffs. Now we reveal to you who we would vote for if we could.

Most Valuable Player:
My AL pick: Johan Santana
My comments: Derek Jeter had been my pick for most of September. The more I heard the case for Santana though, the more it made sense. The Twins' record in his starts was roughly 20 games over .500. The Twins finished 30 games over .500. Most arguments against his candidacy refer to the fact that he does not play everyday. I still think when a pitcher is that good (and not only was he good, he led the majors in innings pitched), his impact is felt on days other than the ones he pitches. He keeps the bullpen fresh and he takes pressure off of the other starters by preventing long losing streaks by himself. Jeter will probably win, and I would have a tough time arguing against him, but in a year when there are many offensive candidates that are tough to separate, Santana gets my vote.
Joe's AL pick: Justin Morneau

My NL pick: Ryan Howard
My comments: It comes down to two players, Howard and Albert Pujols. It is so very close, it is hard to pick one. Why did I pick Howard? The determining criteria for me was this - the Phillies outperformed expectations, while the Cardinals underperformed. Both teams dealt with adversity, but in the end, the Phillies were pleasantly surprised with their season, while the Cardinals backed into a division title. Howard was the biggest reason.
Joe's NL pick: Howard

Cy Young Award:
My AL pick: Santana
My comments: This really does not require an explaination. Three words can sum it up: Pitching's Quadruple Crown.
Joe's AL pick: Santana

My NL pick: Chris Carpenter
My comments: This is another tough call. Carpenter, Roy Oswalt, and Brandon Webb have all inserted themselves into the conversation (I am sorry, I do not thnk Trevor Hoffman is a contender). Oswalt led the league in ERA, but Carpenter struck out more batters, had more complete games, shutouts and wins (he tied Webb in all three). The deciding factor: the "oh crap" factor. In my opinion, opponents dreaded facing Carpenter more than the other pitchers.
Joe's NL pick: Oswalt

Rookie of the Year:
My AL pick: Justin Verlander
My comments: If Francisco Liriano and Jonathan Papelbon had stayed healthy and Jered Weaver had not spent too much time in the minors, there might be some doubt here. In the end though, 17 wins with solid peripheral numbers is hard to overlook.
Joe's AL pick: Verlander

My NL pick: Dan Uggla
My comments: The top three candidates, again, all bring a strong resume to the table. Ryan Zimmerman drove in more than 100 runs playing in tough hitter's ballpark and Hanley Ramirez hit 17 home runs and stole 51 bases. Uggla, however, hit 27 home runs (a rookie record for second basemen) and played solid defense as a Rule 5 draftee.
Joe's NL pick: Zimmerman

Manager of the Year:
My AL pick: Jim Leyland
My comments: The Tigers went from 71 wins to 95, fourth place in the AL Central to second place (including a wild card berth), and had their first winning season since 1993. What else needs to be said?
Joe's AL pick: Leyland

My NL pick: Joe Girardi
My comments: As with Leyland, this is not really a contest. The Marlins had a $15 million payroll, more rookies than veterans, and expectations of a 100-loss season. In contending for the wild card, the Marlins made this choice easy.
Joe's NL pick: Girardi

Comeback Player of the Year:
My AL pick: Jim Thome
My comments: Thome had a tremendous season considering he barely played last year and, when he did, he looked awful. Frank Thomas was very much in the discussion, but Thome has a better year in my opinion.
Joe's AL pick: Thomas

My NL pick: Carlos Beltran
My comments: Beltran did not miss as many games as Scott Rolen or Nomar Garciaparra, but his numbers were nearly as bad. This year, he was one of the top offensive players in the National League. That is quite a comeback to me.
Joe's NL pick: Garciaparra

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Cory Lidle 1972 - 2006

While I was at the office today, I saw that MSNBC.com was reporting some breaking news. A small aircraft had crashed into a New York City high-rise building. I immediately turned on the television to see what was going on (in this post-9/11 world, it is natural to have serious concerns when things like this happen). Details slowly filtered through to viewers. It was a small plane, not a helicopter...the building was 50-story condominium on the east side of the river...terrorism was not suspected. Everyone began to wonder and grow concerned for the people in the plane and in the building.

As I was about to leave work, news came out that the plane was registered to New York Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle. In my mind, that meant he was on the plane and likely did not survive. By the time I got home, it had been determined that Lidle and a flight instructor were the passengers on the plane, with Lidle as the pilot. While my thoughts were always with the families of Lidle, the flight instructor and those in the building who did not survive (recent reports I have seen now say that only the passengers were killed), the new connection to the world of sports naturally brought further perspective. He was not a Yankee now, he was another person involved in a tragic accident. Everything I heard said about Lidle was that he was a true professional and a great person.

We here at Thoughts on Sports express our sincere condolences to the families and friends of both Cory Lidle and his companion in the plane.

Week 5's Final Drive

Week five has to be considered the weekend of the young quarterbacks. This past weekend saw three teams start rookies behind center, and, honestly, they all performed better than expected. In addition to the first year signal callers, we also got to watch baby-faced starters in San Diego and San Francisco provide their teams with reasons for excitement in the future.

First Down - Top Stories from the Past Weekend

-It may have taken 100 touches for Reggie Bush to score his first NFL touchdown, but he made sure the first one would be memorable. With the game clock showing less than five minutes left in the game, Reggie started pumping up the crowd with anticipation as if he new something big was on its way. Bush was in on punt coverage and after receiving the short kick went to the wide side of the field, alluded one tackle, waited for Aaron Stecker to knock another Buccaneer on his back, and then danced home with the game winning touchdown. There truly is something special about Mr. Bush. Sorry Texans fans.

-The Chicago Bears are calling up the ghosts of Mike Ditka’s 1985 “Monsters of the Midway.” Going into this year, everyone expected the Bears defense to be among the best in the league, but their offense has been almost as dominant. Their week five opponent, the Buffalo Bills, have consistently battled tough in every game, yet Da Bears absolutely destroyed them. This game was reminiscent of those classic, week one college football battles in which the USCs, Notre Dames, or Ohio States of the world are favored by about 50 points over their opponents. This is not supposed to happen in the parity-laden National Football League. Good luck to the rest of the NFC North.

-The defending Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers are in deep trouble. The Steelers have now dropped three straight games and are looking at a huge hole in their divisional race with both the Bengals and Ravens. I know Ben Roethlisberger claims to be all the way back from his injuries, but it’s fairly obvious to any observer that there is something amiss with Big Ben. While it may not be a physical injury keeping his performance down, you have to wonder if his psyche is a bit shaken.

-The media darlings in Indianapolis are going to be in serious trouble this year if they do not wake up their run defense soon. Any true football fan knows that the keys to winning in the postseason are the ability to run the football and stopping the run. While the Colts seem to be getting by without Edgerrin James in the backfield, their run defense is ugly. The Colts now rank second to last against the run; all you have to do is look at the other AFC heavyweights to know that Indy had better learn how to tackle or else they will be going home early again this January.

-In the highly anticipated Eagles versus Cowboys game, or should I call it “TO versus McNabb” game, the media got everything they possibly could have wanted. No matter how you look at it, this was a great football game to watch. There were big plays all over the field and critical mistakes made at inopportune moments. I do not think anyone would call this a well played game, but it was as entertaining a game as I have seen in the young season. The best part of it all is that these teams are guaranteed to meet again at least once more this season.

Second Down - Top Ten

Chicago - There is no question about who the number one team in the league is now; the only remaining question is whether they will lose a game.
San Diego - The Chargers put on quite a show Sunday night, and for anyone that had not seen them play, you got a great look at the best run stuffer in the league in Jamal Williams.
Philadelphia - Donovan McNabb and company made a big statement against the ‘Boys on Sunday. I, for one, definitely overlooked the Eagles going into this season.
Indianapolis - Undefeated is still undefeated; however, their perch atop the AFC looks extremely shaky right about now.
Atlanta - The Falcons must have taken the bye week to rest their legs after running all over the field during the first four weeks.
New England - The Patriots might not win pretty each week, but all that matters is getting that W.
Denver - The best defense in the AFC is located in the Mile High City right now. The one question with this team is which Jake the Snake is going to show up each week.
Cincinnati - The Bengals needed this week off to get their pride back. I expect Carson Palmer and company to rebound in a big way against Tampa Bay.
Baltimore - Unless the Ravens offense wakes up soon, Baltimore fans might once again be disappointed come playoff time.
New Orleans - The Saints are not running away from opponents, but wins are wins and the Superdome looks like it could be a house of horrors for road teams.

Third Down - Top Games from Next Week

Carolina Panthers at Baltimore Ravens
New York Giants at Atlanta Falcons
Philadelphia Eagles at New Orleans Saints
Seattle Seahawks at St. Louis Rams
Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers (This one is a stretch to say the least)

Fourth Down-Who I Like and Why

Buffalo at Detroit - After getting embarrassed in Chicago I expect the Bills to put allot of pressure on Jon Kitna and let Willis McGahee lead them to victory.

Carolina at Baltimore - The Ravens will bounce back strongly after a disappointing loss on Monday night and run the ball down the throat of underachieving Panthers run defense.

NY Giants at Atlanta-The Falcons dominating running game will prove to be too difficult a challenge for the pass rush-happy Giants.

Houston at Dallas - Bill Parcells will have his Cowboys pumped after their turnover-plagued loss in Philadelphia. The Cowboys talent will prevail in a blowout win.

Tennessee at Washington - After putting up a gallant fight against the Colts, I expect a let down for the young Titans. Joe Gibbs and company will bounce back from a tough week with a solid win.

Cincinnati at Tampa Bay - After licking their wounds from the beating the Patriots put on them, I expect Cincinnati to handle the winless Bucs in Tampa.

Philadelphia at New Orleans - The one area Philadelphia is struggling in is run defense, while the strength of the Saints is running the ball. This will spell a big win for New Orleans.

Seattle at St. Louis -In a battle for the NFC West divisional lead, the Seahawks will make a statement to the up-and-coming Rams that the division still goes through the Great Northwest.

Miami at NY Jets – The Jets at home over a sinking Dolphins team - that is basically all that needs to be said.

Kansas City at Pittsburgh - The defending champions will get a much needed victory at home over the injury plagued Chiefs.

San Diego at San Francisco - In a huge mismatch, the Chargers talent will prove to be way too much for the young 49ers.

Oakland at Denver - Even though Oakland is struggling badly, you know Mike Shanahan will be looking for blood against the hated Raiders. Expect Denver to rough up a brutal Raiders team.

Chicago at Arizona - Hopefully Matt Leinart has gotten used to avoiding pass rushers because the Monsters of the Midway are going to wreak havoc on the Cardinals weak offensive line en route to victory.

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Week 4's Final Drive

Week Four brought the return of the high powered offenses to the National Football League. There were a few exciting games such as the Jets versus the Colts and the Ravens against the Chargers, but there were also a high percentage of blowouts. Some would-be contenders like Seattle and Cincinnati will need to use their bye week to look themselves in the mirror and correct some ugly flaws.

I have decided to go with changeup to the Final Drive, which I think will be a better review of the week.

First Down - Top Stories from the Past Weekend

-The installment of Vince Young and Matt Leinart into starting quarterback roles at this point in the season is a huge surprise. Leinart is the more ready of the two; however, I think they will both struggle this season. Leinart is playing behind a brutal offensive line and Young just does not have enough talent around him yet.

-New England has avoided back-to-back losses for the 53rd consecutive week. Critics throughout the League continue to want to bury the Patriots yet Tom Brady and company keep coming back for more. Cincinnati was getting all the love on pre-game shows all weekend, but you would think after five years of success the so-called experts would have learned something about the Pats. This team is not going anywhere so expect to see New England playing deep into January.

-Brett Favre suffered a minor concussion and a bad stinger in a blowout loss on Monday Night Football against the Eagles. While Brett is expected to start this weekend against St. Louis, it hurts me to watch him spend potentially the last weeks of his career with such an awful team. Green Bay should have moved Favre this past off-season to a contender instead of having Aaron Rodgers spend another season holding a clipboard.

-The Chicago Bears made a huge statement on Sunday night in a complete romp over the reigning NFC Champion Seahawks. The 37-6 victory was the most completely dominating performance I have seen in the League in a long time. Chicago appears to be the class of the League, and the fact that their division is so watered down can only be bad news for other NFC contenders.

-Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth received a five game suspension for one of the most horrifying acts in sports history. Haynesworth twice stepped on the forehead of Cowboys center Andre Gurode, the second time while Gurode was helmet-less. Thirty-six stitches were needed to close up the wound.

Second Down - Top Ten

Chicago - The Bears have been the most dominant team in the League, outscoring their opponents by almost 22 points a game.
Indianapolis - The Colts played a tight game in the Meadowlands, but a win is a win.
Baltimore - Steve McNair led the Ravens to their second consecutive fourth quarter comeback win.
Atlanta - Maybe the emotion in New Orleans was too much to overcome; the Falcons have destroyed the rest of their opponents.
New England - Laurence Maroney left Bengals tacklers all over the field on Sunday; the Pats’ running game is going to cause nightmares for opposing defensive coordinators.
Dallas - The Cowboys did not get caught in the trap game against the Titans; instead, they completely dominated them.
Philadelphia - McNabb is single-handedly destroying opponents on a regular basis so far this season.
San Diego - This tendency to lose close games has got to stop soon for the Chargers. This roster is much too talented to settle for anything less then a division title.
Cincinnati - While I hate to make too much of one loss, the performance of the Bengals on and off the field last weekend is a bad sign.
Denver - The Broncos have a huge statement game at home against the Ravens on Monday night, and we will get to see which hard hitting team is for real.

Third Down - Top Games from Next Week

Washington Redskins at New York Giants
New York Jets at Jacksonville Jaguars
Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles
Pittsburgh Steelers at San Diego Chargers
Baltimore Ravens at Denver Broncos

Fourth Down-Who I like and why

Miami at New England - New England’s powerful defensive line is going to overpower a mediocre Dolphin offensive line in a Pats win.

Tampa Bay at New Orleans - In a high scoring affair, the experience factor in the Drew Brees - Bruce Gradkowski matchup is the difference in this Saints victory.

Washington at New York - The Giants offense is too strong for the ‘Skins beat up secondary in what should be a track meet type of game.

Detroit at Minnesota - Minnesota prevails with their mistake-free game play.

Cleveland at Carolina - The Panthers will win their third straight game as they are just that much more talented than the Browns.

Buffalo at Chicago - J. P. Losman has had some shining moments in the early season, but the Bears defense is much too tough for the young Bills.

St Louis at Green Bay - While it is hard to believe the Packers will be 0-3 at Lambeau Field, the Rams will win on Sunday because of Green Bay’s underachieving secondary.

Tennessee at Indianapolis - The Colts just have way too much talent on offense for a very weak Titans defense.

New York Jets at Jacksonville - In what should be a low scoring affair the Jaguars run game proves to be the difference maker.

Oakland at San Francisco - The 49ers will takea game that only a player’s mother could watch.

Kansas City at Arizona - I like the Cardinals to prevail against the Chiefs due to the excitement of Matt Leinart’s first start.

Dallas at Philadelphia - The Cowboys will rally behind Drew Bledsoe and a quickly emerging passing game.

Pittsburgh at San Diego - The Chargers ability to stop the run is going to be much too big of an obstacle for a Steelers team struggling on offense.

Baltimore at Denver - Giving Mike Shanahan two weeks to prepare for an opponent spells bad news for a Ravens team coming off a huge win.

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

October Madness

With the Major League Baseball postseason starting later today, I decided Joe and I should make our own predictions on the winners of each series. Sometime later in the week, we will let you know who we think should win postseason awards. So, without further ado...

Division Series winners:
My AL picks: Yankees, Athletics
My comments: While I hate picking against the Tigers, my pick as late as early September, I just do not see them beating the Yankees unless Verlander and Bonderman pitch like they did in the first half. Minnesota will be a tough opponent, but I think this is the year the A's have things bounce their way.
Joe's AL picks: Yankees, Athletics

My NL picks: Mets, Padres
My comments: Even without Pedro Martinez, I think the Mets have one series win in them. I think their pitching will step up and their bats will be able to handle the L.A. pitching. With Pedro out for the postseason, the Padres have the best pitching in the National League and should carve up a Cardinals team that limped into the postseason.
Joe's NL picks: Dodgers, Padres

Championship Series winners:
My picks: Athletics, Padres
My comments: Pitching rules. The A's will have to shut down a powerful Yankees lineup while also finding ways to score runs, and I think they can. The Padres will continue to ride their pitching to win a close series.
Joe's picks: Athletics, Dodgers


World Series winner:
My pick: Athletics (MVP Barry Zito)
My comments: In what could be a classic series, every game should be close, and we can only hope we see at least one matchup between Rich Harden and Jake Peavy. Though Zito is my MVP pick at this point, it will likely be whichever starter leads the team in innings (assuming that pitcher wins all of his starts). The real key to the series, though, is Joe's World Series MVP pick. He needs to provide support for Frank Thomas in the lineup. He needs to keep his momentum from September going.
Joe's pick: Athletics (MVP Nick Swisher)