|
 |
« December 2007 | Main | February 2008 »
Check out this article from The Seattle Times about the downfall of the greatness that once was the University of Washington football program.
After reading it, you have a hard time feeling sorry for them even though none of the people surrounding the controversy are still around. You have to wonder if UCLA did their fair share of research on the infamous coach they just decided to employ.
It's a good read.
Heroic. That's the word at least 55 Cheap Seat readers used to describe my first installment of NBA power rankings. While I'll admit they certainly changed the lives more than a dozen families, I'm not going to say the power rankings are the heroes because I am obviously the hero.
Just because the Hornets are on a ridiculous tear doesn't mean I think they are a better team than the Mavs. That's the main reason Dallas remains in the top spot. The Mavericks will have some interesting tests in the coming weeks without Devin Harris, so it's possible they'll slip next time, especially if New Orleans keeps winning.
1. Mavericks (31-13) Pvs. 1
Lose to Wizards. Beat the Lakers. I don’t get it either.
2. Phoenix (33-13) Pvs. 3
Raja Bell doing more than just creaming Kobe these days.
3. Utah (27-18) Pvs. 9
Boozer makes Jazz better than other Western Conference upstarts.
4. New Orleans (32-12) Pvs. 7
Nine-game win streak will be tested with road games at Utah and Phoenix.
5. L.A. Lakers (28-15) Pvs. 2
Lakers go 1-4 during brutal stretch against West’s best.
6. Boston (35-8) Pvs. 4
Celtics won’t come out of the East, especially if one of the Big Three go down.
7. Portland (26-18) Pvs. 8
Good, young point guard would make Blazers competitive for years.
8. Orlando (28-18) Pvs. 14
Turkoglu has five games with 20 points or more.
9. Detroit (32-13) Pvs. 6
January not going as well as December.
10. San Antonio (28-16) Pvs. 5
A lot of people said the Spurs were done about this time last year, too.
11. Golden State (26-19) Pvs. 12
Rematch with Dallas in first round a real possibility.
12. Cleveland (24-19) Pvs. 15
The LeBrons have just two losses in January.
13. Houston (25-20) Pvs. 11
Post-season hopes ingle on McGrady’s health.
14. Denver (26-18) Pvs. 10
Losses to Lakers, Mavs and Hornets show Nuggets not part of West’s elite.
15. Washington (24-19) Pvs. 17
Wizards hanging in there despite Arenas’ absence.
16. Toronto (24-20) Pvs. 16
Bargnani bust level raised to “orange.”
17. Charlotte (18-27) Pvs. 18
Bobcats start five-game Western Conference road trip off with win over Clippers.
18. Chicago (18-26) Pvs. 19
Bulls score 77 in back-to-back losses without Ben Gordon
19. Indiana (19-27) Pvs. 20
If you break the Heat’s losing streak, you deserve to fall.
20. Sacramento (19-24) Pvs. 22
Kings play on the road nine of 10 games in stretch in February.
21. New Jersey (19-26) Pvs. 13
Nine-game skid get Kidd talking trade
22. Milwaukee (18-28) Pvs. 24
Bogut bust level remains at “yellow.”
23. Memphis (13-32) Pvs. 23
Rudy Gay not underachieving like he did at UConn.
24. LA Clippers (13-28) Pvs. 26
Sam Cassell defying age by 13 points, 5 assists per game.
25. New York (14-30) Pvs. 27
Have I mentioned this is the worst-run franchise in pro sports?
26. Atlanta (18-23) Pvs. 21
Well, they beat Seattle. That’s something, right?
27. Philidephia (17-28) Pvs. 25
The only card the 76ers had to play was A.I., and they played it poorly.
28. Minnesota (8-36) Pvs. 29
Is it more credit to Minnesota that it beat Phoenix or more an insult to the Suns?
29. Seattle (10-35) Pvs. 28
Win over Spurs first of 2008 for Sonics.
30. Miami (9-34) Pvs. 30
Shaq Fu was the worst game of the 16-bit console generation.
Are you a straight male? Are you a sports fan? Are you a complete dork? Then you'll love this Web site featuring off-camera shots of our favorite female sports reporters: www.sidelinehotties.com
If you're like me, you'll go straight to Erin Andrews, who hopefully soon will become Mrs. Richard Jeffrey Andrews. If you search the site long enough, you'll come across this hilarious montage of Erin Andrews pictures. Further proof that John Hughes' influence stretched far beyond 1980s teen films:
Special shout out to faithful Cheap Seats reader Casey B for sending me the link.
Dave Campo will reportedly be named the Cowboys' secondary coach this afternoon after spending time in Cleveland and most recently, Jacksonville, as the assistant head coach under former Cowboy Jack Del Rio.
Campo was the secondary coach back in the Jimmy Johnson era when the Cowboys started their climb to greatness. It should be a good hire for Jerry Jones.
Also, former Panthers and Texans head coach Dom Capers will be interviewing for the linebackers coach position. That'd be a pretty star-studded defensive staff if that hire comes to fruition as well.
After much demand from the Cheap Seats readers, I've decided to do my first set of power rankings, and I've chosen Big XII men's basketball as the subject.
Feel free to leave your own rankings as a comment and I'll break it down and tell you why you're wrong. Here goes nothing...
1. Kansas (20-0, 5-0) - I don't think there's much argument here. The Jayhawks are well on their way to locking up a No. 1 seed come March. The team that's always been young looks to finally be coming together led by Dallasite Darrell "Slim Shady" Arthur of South Oak Cliff.
2. Kansas State (14-4, 4-0) - Fifty points a game comes from two freshman, Bill Walker and Michael Beasley. How scary is that? This team showed signs of re-emergence last year but narrowly missed out in March after a slight slump.
3. Texas (16-3, 3-1) - I'm not sure how the Longhorns are doing it. They basically have two players -- A.J. Abrams and D.J. Augustin -- who can score consistently. But they're both guards and good guard play goes a long way in college hoops. They've also seen the emergence on to the scene of big man Damion James, who's averaging a double-double.
4. Baylor (16-3, 4-1) - It pains me to say this, but Baylor is good. The Big 12 needs a whipping boy, and that's been Baylor for years now. That appears to be changing thanks to the questionable recruiting tactics of Scott Drew, who landed McDonald's All-American LaceDarius Dunn. The Bears have five players who are averaging double-digit scoring.
5. Texas A&M (16-4, 2-3) - The Aggies got off to a red-hot start but seemed to forget to schedule any road games, and it cost them dearly as they dropped two in a row to Kansas State and Texas Tech. The Aggies are a horrid foul-shooting team (60 percent) and are missing the clutch play of Acie Law, who's with the Atlanta Hawks now. The one thing the Ags can take solace in is that Billy Clyde Gillispie is having a worse season at his new digs in Lexington, Ky.
From here, the talent in the Big XII drops off dramatically. All the "experts" seem to think the conference is a lock to get six teams in The Dance, but I'm not sold on that idea. Anyway...
6. Oklahoma (14-5, 2-2) - Not much to say here. I'm still not sure Jeff Capel can build a winning program at OU after Kelvin Sampson tore it down. They haven't done anything too impressive yet.
7. Texas Tech (11-8, 2-3) - Bob Knight called out senior leader Martin Zeno earlier in the year and he responded with a career game against Missouri, then laid an egg against Texas. That's been the story of the season so far for the young Red Raiders -- inconsistent play. Zeno has to be the guy that Knight can turn to for consistency, but instead it's been a rollercoaster for him and Alan Voskuil -- Tech's two most experienced players. This is a young team that will be good in years to come behind players like John Roberson, Mike Singletary and D'Walyn Roberts. I'd say it's NIT this year but good things are in the future.
8. Missouri (12-8, 2-3) - The Tigers are trying to run a "94-feet of hell" style of offense and defense under former coach Quin Snyder's players. It isn't working out too well. To top things off, top scorer Stefhon Hannah broke his jaw in a weekend bar brawl and will be out indefinitely.
9. Iowa State (12-8, 2-3) - Sorry, nothing really to say here.
10. Oklahoma State (10-9, 1-4) - Personally, I have to wonder how long the Cowboys will give Sean Sutton to try to bring the magic his papa did for so many years to Stillwater. The real question will be, can Sean do it without cheating and getting arrested? It's been a slow year so far for the Cowboys, but with the Gallagher-Iba homecourt advantage they will always be a tough team to play in Stillwater.
11. Colorado (9-10, 1-4) - New coach, new system, same players, same story.
12. Nebraska (11-6, 0-4) - Hmm.
Anyway, there's my first installment of Adam Boedeker's Big XII Power Rankings. I hope you enjoy.
I'm not feeling any fear because of Tom Brady, but I'm doing plenty of loathing as a result of his existence.
Brady told reporters yesterday to leave him alone because he "won't be as nice this week" as he was last week if they don't. Um, what exactly are you going to do, Tom? Beat them up the week before you play in the Super Bowl?
In case you haven't figured out, Tom, sports writers on the national level are a little numb to idle threats, especially from smug, pretty boys like yourself. In fact, they are pretty much numb to any sort of tongue-lashing you can dish out.
Stupid Brady. This reminds me of when Randy Johnson told a New York camera man to "do what I say" when he first joined the Yankees. News flash: nobody is afraid of you, especially wearing those ridiculous French hats.
When media-types like myself get bored, we get dumb. When Boedeker and I get bored, we just don't blog for two days. The national sports media? It turns into something between a Page Six writer and a drunk paparazzi. This week, everyone was obviously bored as the possibility of a Tom Brady injury, not an actual injury, captivated every writer, reporter and blogger from here to Twin Peaks, Washington.
But what were the dumbest NFL stories of the year? When were NFL reporters the most bored? Here are my top 5 dumbest NFL stories of the year:
5. Eli sucks
I’ve always found the way we cover quarterbacks to be 100 percent asinine. The QB gets all the credit and all the blame in America’s most complicated team sport. But 16 weeks of ripping in to Eli Manning blew up in everyone’s face when the fourth-year man out of Ole Miss found his groove in Week 17. Now he’s in the Super Bowl. Who is calling for Eli to get traded now? If I may so humbly gloat to everyone I’ve talked to this year about Eli Manning – told you so.
4. The guarantee
An overrated Steelers team seemed to have a chance to end New England’s run in November. Pittsburgh safety Anthony Smith? He guaranteed the Steelers would end New England’s run. Dumb as that statement may have been, it’s even dumber that we pay credence to these guarantees. For every Joe Namath and Mark Messier, there’s 100 Anthony Smiths. I’m not sure why anyone reported it, much less why ESPN talked about it for two weeks.
3. Anything to do with Donovan McNabb
I’m no Eagles apologist, but the mounting criticism of McNabb is completely unfounded. Philadelphia, the armpit of the northeast, trashed McNabb for his “poor play” coming off a horrific knee injury. Then they jumped on him for his comments about black quarterbacks. Then they actually have the gall to reconsider whether McNabb, not Terrell Owens, was the cause of the Eagles’ meltdown in 2005. Outside of a few T.O. comments, I’ve never heard McNabb say anything that wasn’t diplomatic and classy, whether you agree with his comments about black quarterbacks or not.
2. Tank Johnson, wanted criminal
You can’t defend Pacman Jones, but Tank Johnson got hosed in the NFL’s crackdown on player conduct, which is nothing more than a publicity stunt. Johnson was cut by the Bears and suspended for half of the 2007 season for two reasons – having illegal firearms and being arrested for drunk driving. The firearms? Oh, they were registered in Arizona where Johnson resides, just not in Illinois where he works. The drunk driving arrest? He was taken to a police station and passed a blood test. Too bad he couldn’t appeal the suspension. Oh, you can. The appeal goes to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, the very man who handed out the suspension. The NFL’s complete disregard of due process when dealing with player discipline is yet another sign the NFLPA and Gene Upshaw are getting taken for ride by the league.
1. Tony loves Jessie
Why, why, why, why, why does anyone care who Tony Romo dates. How in the world can you possibly on this earth, under that sun, living in this Milky Way galaxy think Jessica Simpson’s presence has any effect on the Cowboys. I’d love to sit in on a budget meeting at ESPN to watch them hand down orders to all their TV and radio affiliates to talk about Tony and Jessica – so I could slap them. Simpson is possibly the most undeserving scapegoat in NFL history, but that’s hard to say in a league where Marty Schottenheimer gets fired after a 14-2 season.
It’s very difficult not to rub it in to all the Cowboys faithful out there that my Giants are in the Super Bowl at the expense of the Cows.
However, I’ll spare you all the clever trash-talk phrases I’ve come up with in the last week and get right to my journalistic view of things.
I wish Tiki Barber had to cover the Super Bowl for NBC. The brat who retired from the Giants prematurely is seeing all his early-season criticism of his former team and his former quarterback blow up in his face.
The smug way he left the team like he was too good for the floundering lost cause of a team left a bad taste in more than just the fans’ mouths. No one on the team will say it in public (save Brandon Jacobs), but I bet more than a few G-Men are snickering at their former running back.
I for one am of the opinion that Barber needed to leave for the Giants and Eli Manning to mature. After last year, I wanted the Giants to just let Tiki and Michael Strahan walk. I wanted Jeremy Shockey cut. I wanted all the big egos and loud mouths off the team so Eli could take over. Obviously New York’s best offensive player of the last decade, Barber’s snotty attitude probably didn’t encourage Manning to take the reigns of this team.
Barber ripped Eli’s leadership after the Giants started the year 0-2. I’m not saying Manning is George Patton, but Eli was a young quarterback stepping into a veteran offense. To some degree, it was up to the veterans to allow Eli to become a leader. Barber obviously didn’t do that as he undermined Eli behind his back, and then on national TV.
Have fun at home while your teammates are playing in the Super Bowl, Tiki.
Who would've ever thought the classic 1988 comedy, starring Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall, would've been so spot-on in predicting the NFC Championship Game? Eddie should've stuck to predictions and not to doing kids movies.
My boy, Kige, on the other hand, was more on par with the rest of the country...
Word is that Wade Phillips will unveil this banner in a ceremony at next season's preseason opener. He's just that proud of "advancing" to the Final 8.
Right there with ya, Wade.
Yes sir, it's the very highly anticipated world debut of my NHL power rankings. It hasn't been a good two weeks to be a top 5 team. Most are mired in slumps, or just coming out of them. The Stars did well to climb back into the lead in the Pacific. They rank fifth despite a terrible start to the new year.
1. Ottawa (30-14-4)
Senators are 1-4 since beating Detroit, but they still beat them.
2. Detroit (35-10-4)
Ugly 3-game skid highlighted by 5-1 loss to Atlanta.
3. New Jersey (27-17-3)
Shrewdest NHL franchise not surprisingly consistent again this season.
4. Anaheim (27-18-6)
West’s hottest team inching closer to being the West’s best team.
5. Dallas (28-18-5)
Streaky Stars hit an upswing with wins over Pacific rivals.
6. San Jose (25-15-7)
Sharks surrender lead in Pacific with losses to Stars, Ducks and Coyotes.
7. Pittsburgh (27-17-3)
How they weather Sidney Crosby’s injury will tell a lot about young Penguins.
8. Montréal (24-15-8)
Alexei Kovalev aging nicely for Habs. He’s back to a point-a-game caliber player.
9. Philadelphia (23-15-5)
Mike Richards gives Flyers a two-way player to anchor their franchise.
10. Vancouver (25-18-5)
Two of three wins in January came against losing teams in shootouts.
11. Calvary (24-17-8)
Kiprusoff has started all but two games for the Flames this year.
12. Minnesota (26-18-3)
Can make big Northwest push with games vs. Calvary, Vancouver and Colorado.
13. Colorado (26-18-4)
Injury to Paul Stastny could cost Avs a playoff spot.
14. Columbus (23-20-6)
I was somehow physically nourished by Nash’s goal against Phoenix.
15. NY Islanders (23-19-5)
Islanders have a playoff disappearance from Bill Guerin to look forward to.
16. Boston (24-18-5)
B’s are a goalie away from being a contender.
17. Nashville (23-20-4)
Former Star Dan Ellis could be Preds goalie of the future.
18. Phoenix (24-21-2)
Gretzky will truly be great if he gets this team to the playoffs.
19. St. Louis (22-17-6)
Four-game skid could continue with tough stretch against Preds, Canucks and Sharks.
20. Atlanta (23-24-3)
Penalty kill among the worst in the league.
21. Carolina (23-23-4)
Worst division leader in the NHL.
22. Washington (21-21-5)
Surging Caps have easy route in horrible Southeast.
23. NY Rangers (22-21-6)
Only two wins in 2008.
24. Chicago (23-21-4)
Patrick Lalime taking starting job from higher-paid Khabibulin.
25. Edmonton (22-23-5)
I wish they would move to Houston and be the Houston Oilers.
26. Toronto (19-22-8)
It’s ok, Mats Sundin. I don’t understand why you get out of bed some days, either.
27. Los Angeles (19-28-2)
Don’t look now, but Kings are 4-1 in their last five.
28. Tampa Bay (19-24-5)
Shutout wins over Pittsburgh and Ottawa show promise.
29. Florida (21-24-4)
Is this the most anonymous franchise in sports?
30. Buffalo (20-20-6)
Not much to be happy about for abandoned Sabres.
I can't believe what just happened. I'll finally say it...Eli Manning is good. Now I'm going to go throw up and take a shower.
The second overtime in NFC Championship history is about to get going. Lawrence Tynes just missed his second field goal of the game -- this time a 36-yarder that would've sent the G-men to the Superbowl.
Green Bay got the toss and will get the ball. You almost have to feel kind of bad for Eli Manning. He's really done about all he can, and that last drive was pretty dang good. Then Tynes misses a 36-yarder. Oh well.
I'm pretty sure Giants head coach Tom Coughlin is suffering from some frostbite to the face. He looks like he's been on the bad end of some third-degree burns. It just keeps getting worse and he's starting to scare me. I think the next time I see him his nose will be purple.
As I'm writing this, the Packers just reclaimed the lead on a Donald Lee touchdown reception.
My buddy Keith is known for making outlandish predictions during football games.
He just predicted a 90-yard touchdown pass to Donald Driver. My other friend, who's the Packers fan, insisted that Driver doesn't catch long passes anymore -- that it would surely be Greg Jennings.
Seconds later, Driver is streaking down the right sideline and the house is going crazy, dogs barking and all.
The best part...Keith's quote right after the play:
"Until he actually caught the ball, I wasn't even sure if Driver still played for the Packers."
There you have it. Mercury Morris and the 1972 Dolphins can officially shut up. I suppose New England has to finish the job next week against the Packers or the Giants but regardless, they've bested the Dolphins' 17-0 record.
The game played out about like I thought it would, and as I predicted the Patriots didn't cover the spread.
Tom Brady threw a few interceptions but the Chargers' injury-depleted offense couldn't take advantage.
I'll try to do some blogging during the Giants-Pack game but it's highly doubtful considering I'm at a Green Bay house. My buddies' parents are actually at the game in Lambeau. I'd say I'm insanely jealous but then I remembered it's below freezing there and I feel a little better.
Now the Chargers lead in turnovers and trips in the red zone. San Diego just picked off a deflected ball and has the ball at midfield with a chance to take the lead.
If the current trend continues though, the Chargers will kick a field goal and trail by two. Right now we have a 14-9 score.
Another San Diego field goal and with eight seconds left in the half, the Chargers are now trailing 14-9 after Nate Kaeding hit his first field goal of 40 or more yards in his postseason career.
This game is being played at the Chargers' pace, as I predicted, but they keep coming away with field goals. That 14.5-point spread is looking like a pretty good bet right now.
We're tied in trips to the red zone, but New England now leads 14-6 after a touchdown reception by Jabar Gaffney. New England's defense was the one to capitalize this time as Asanti Samuel picked off Phillip Rivers at about midfield.
Another field goal for San Diego. The Chargers have outplayed New England throughout this first half but still trail 7-6.
The Patriots just came back with a touchdown on a 1-yard run from Laurence Maroney. The fact that the Patriots were held scoreless for the first quarter is something San Diego should be proud of, but it's too late in the season for moral victories.
San Diego will be in big trouble if they decide to trade field goals for touchdowns. They can't afford to get in the red zone and come out with field goals.
Sitting on a couch in front of a 55'' plasma and just got in in time to see Tom Brady throw his first pick of his career in the first quarter of a postseason game. I'm not sure about the importance of that statistic, but oh well.
A personal foul facemask penalty helped the Chargers get in the red zone and had to settle for a field goal after Phillip Rivers' pass to Chris Chambers in the back of the end zone sailed high and Chambers was ruled out.
San Diego got the break it needed defensively. The Chargers forced the most turnovers in the NFL this year and got one from the quarterback that simply doesn't turn the ball over. However, the Chargers only came out with three points. When they get breaks like that, they have to get six.
What happened today in college basketball is a shining example of why I sometimes think the current college football system isn't so bad after all.
You see, North Carolina, the top-ranked team in mens college basketball was beaten by unranked Maryland, and when you take a good hard look at the game, it means squat. Yeah, for North Carolina, they may say, "Oh man, we lost to Maryland," and Maryland is probably saying, "Oh yeah, we beat UNC."
Truth is, it really means nothing.
Now, look at when Missouri lost to Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship game last month. No. 1 Mizzou was knocked out of the BCS (unrightfully so) and OU got in after having its National Title hopes dashed by Texas Tech a week earlier.
The simple fact remains that despite the shortcomings of the BCS system, each week is like a playoff game for teams in the Top 25. If you win, you move up. If you lose, you likely go home.
This past season was possibly the craziest in college football history with the insane number of upsets, but in a normal season two losses -- sometimes one -- means the end of any dream of a national title.
In college hoops, as long as you're perceived as one of the best 64 teams in the country, you've technically got a chance.
I love March Madness. Best sporting event of the year, hands down. But I'm starting to come around to the weekly emotional rollercoaster that is college football in its current state.
Whaddya think about that?
According to a Houston television station, former OSU quarterback Bobby Reid has been granted a transfer to Texas Southern.
You may ask: Why is this news? Well, it's simple, really. It gives me yet another opportunity to post this.
If you’ve been betting on my picks, you’re probably a rich man. I’m 6-2 in the NFL playoffs this year, with the only losses being the Seahawks’ win and the Colts’ loss. I’m looking to at least break even in the conference championship games as I’m pretty confident about my Patriots pick and a little iffy on the Packers pick. Here they are:
American Conference
San Diego at New England
With the way the Patriots are playing and all the injuries the Chargers have, there’s just no way San Diego can win this game. I’m still completely shocked the Chargers beat Indianapolis without Rivers and Tomlinson in the second half. I don’t think they can pull two miracles in two weeks. The only chance San Diego has is if the Randy Moss thing blows up the locker room and the Pats defense doesn’t have enough film on Billy Volek, and Volek is able to put a once-in-a-lifetime performance together. I’m thinking none of those will happen.
Patriots 24, Chargers 10
National Conference
New York at Green Bay
Once again, the odds-makers have the Giants getting thoroughly defeated, and once again they’re wrong. The seven-point spread is way too much, and the Giants won’t have a hard time covering it. But I’m sadly having to pick Green Bay in this game based solely on the fact that the weather is going to be bad, and Eli Manning is useless in the cold. Other than the weather, I think this game is a complete push. News flash: Ryan Grant isn’t Walter Payton, and the Giants just got done with Marion Barber. Grant can be stopped, and while the New York secondary is banged up, it should be healthier than it was against Dallas. Offensively, the Giants won’t get much out of Plaxico Burress, but he’s been a non-factor for weeks. Manning has just one interception in the last three games. While Boedeker thinks that’s irrelevant because he didn’t throw for 400 yards in any of those games, it shows improvement.
Packers 20, Giants 17
Rick Nash is a beast, and on my fantasy team.
Well, despite the common idea in these parts that the NFL season ended on Sunday, there are still three games to play, two of which are this weekend.
AFC
San Diego + 14 at New England
I don't really think there's a whole lot of people out there saying the Chargers are going to upset the Patriots -- perhaps like a couple of weeks ago with Jacksonville. However, there's supposed to be 30-mile-an-hour wind not to mention sub-zero wind chills and snow, which will slow New England's explosive offense. I'm still in shock that the Chargers beat Indy without Phillip Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates, but I don't see it happening this week. The San Diego SuperChargers will cover that ridiculous spread though, just like Jacksonville did.
New England 27, San Diego 17
NFC
New York at Green Bay -7
High of 4 degrees with snowstorms. That's really all you need to know. Look, I'm aware it's cold and it snows in the Meadowlands too, but Lambeau Field is probably the truest homefield advantage in all of sports. The scene on Saturday against Seattle just seemed right. Once the snow started falling in droves, the Packers, and their ageless superman Brett Favre, turned it up a notch. Something tells me this game's going to be like the Giants-Cowboys game and come down to the very end, but my first instinct is blowout.
Green Bay 24, New York 16
OK, so I'm a day late in getting to this, but allow me to edify you with my thoughts on Jason Garrett remaining a Dallas Cowboy.
I said it before and I'll say it again, I think if Garrett would've accepted the Baltimore head coaching gig, he would've been replaceable because the Cowboys have a very solid nucleus on the offensive side of the ball. I said I didn't think Jerry Jones should break the bank to keep him.
Well, newsflash: Jerry Jones has never been a frugal guy, which is why -- love him or hate him -- you've gotta respect him. He has no problems with shelling out big bucks for people he wants, unlike some other owners in this town -- mainly just one.
There's no doubt Garrett has a future as a coach in the NFL. He's, by all accounts, the consumate players' coach and a lot of that probably has to do with the fact that he was in their shoes just a few years ago. It might have just been as a full-time backup QB and sometimes third-string QB, but he was in the league recently, nonetheless, and just finished his third season as an assistant coach.
He's also an extremely intelligent guy, which is evident when you look at his college diploma and read "Princeton University" on it.
On the surface, it appears Wade Phillips is ecstatic to have his offensive coordinator back that produced the NFC's highest scoring offense, but you have to wonder if this at all threatens Phillips. After all, Garrett is reportedly set to make $3 million a year, which is right around what Phillips make, and you have to think Jones might've told Garrett he's in line to be the next head coach if he sticks around.
Basically, I wouldn't have paid an assistant $3 million a year, but I'm also a pretty frugal guy. Jerry clearly is not, and with there being no cap on coaches' salaries, I guess I don't have a problem with paying a guy you're obviously infatuated with whatever it will take to keep him around.
Now, if he can just call effective plays into December of 2008 that'd be fantastic.
The Lakers' 11-1 run seemed to throw a new dynamic into the Western Conference after three years of mediocrity after Shaq's trade.
So much for that.
Center Andrew Bynum's knee injury, which will keep the big man out for about two months, puts a rising team and a rising star on the brink of losing ground in a tight battle for not only the Pacific Division, but the top seed in the Western Conference.
Bynum was averaging 13.1 points and 10.2 rebounds per game and living up to the potential that led to the Lakers taking him with the 10th overall pick in 2005 right out of high school.
Bynum has gotten better as the year has gone on, giving the Lakers the 1-2 punch that led them to three straight NBA titles. More importantly, he was developing enough to keep Kobe Bryant satisfied with being LA. Kobe trusts Bynum now, and gives the Lakers hopes of winning now.
With Bynum out, this gives Kobe more reason to hog the ball and shoot 40 times a game -- a formula that has proven not to work over the last three years.
Dare I say Bynum could be the Shaq to Kobe's Kobe? Bynum will never be as good as Shaq was, but Kobe is better than he was when the Lakers were winning titles. If Bynum develops and LA can add a few more complimentary pieces, the Lakers could close Dallas' already shrinking window of opportunity.
I laughed heartily every time I heard someone call for the firing of Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis while the Irish were mired in one of their worst seasons ever.
"Ty Willingham only got three years. Why should Weis get anymore slack than Willingham?"
This was Weis' third year. Guess who recruited the players who were seniors and redshirt juniors this year? Willingham.
Guess how many top 25 classes Willingham recruited? One. Guess how many top 10 classes Weis has recruited? Two in both years he's been there.
And how is he doing after Notre Dame's worst season ever? Well, see for yourself.
With less than month to go before signing day, that's pretty good. Granted the Irish will probably slip a bit when kids start putting their names in ink, and LSU will likely shoot right to the top. But after the season they had to be pulling down the best class in the nation? That's unreal.
Notre Dame is down right now, but it won't be down for long as long as Weis is head coach.
The recently appointed New Jersey boss, Bill Parcells, just snatched up the first of some possible Cowboys assistants to leave. This was a foregone conclusion, as The Dallas Morning News is reporting that offensive line coach Tony Sparano has been named head coach of the Miami Dolphins.
The worst thing to come out this is there will be no chance of seeing a sequel to this:
Although betting on sports is highly illegal in the great state of Texas, and I discourage betting, let's take a look at the lines for the AFC and NFC title games on Sunday.
AFC
San Diego at New England (-14)
Wow, a 14-point line in the championship game of arguably the best conference in football. Sad thing is, it's probably pretty accurate. The Chargers have an opportunistic defense but I don't see that mattering too much against the best offense the NFL has ever seen. I'll give exact score predictions later in the week, but I think the Patriots will cover.
NFC
New York at Green Bay (-7)
I'm honestly a little surprised to see this line isn't in double digits as well. The Packers outscored Seattle 42-6 after the first five minutes of Saturday's game, and they put on the offensive display in a heavy snowstorm. If anything's keeping the line down, I think it's the prospective weather forecast. How 'bout this for some football weather: High of 11, that's right 11, and snow "showers." I have a feeling the Pack will roll in this game, by at least two touchdowns.
My boy Kige Ramsey gives his take:
The Dallas Morning News is reporting that Dallas offensive coordinator/coaching candidate de jour is back in Baltimore tonight for a second interview for the vacant Ravens head coaching gig.
At about the point the Cowboys offense hit its peak (the first half of the November game against Green Bay), Garrett was a can't miss guy that folks around here would've thrown Wade Phillips to the wolves for in order to keep the former folk hero in Dallas.
After yesterday's shocking 21-17 loss to the Giants -- the 'Boys second one-and-done in as many years -- the coaching situation at Valley Ranch takes on a whole new personality.
Should Wade even be back next year? Personally, I think so, but he's definitely lost some of his luster especially after today's press conference. Phillips made ridiculous claims like "the best team lost" and "we won our first-round game". The first is true, but shouldn't be said and the second is absolutely ridiculous. Yes, you earned a first-round bye, but that doesn't equate to a first-round victory. You're still 0-4 in your postseason career and Tony Romo is still 0-2.
I say you give Wade another year. The players do seem to enjoy playing for him (maybe too much?) and after all, he took a team that went 9-7 last year and finished 13-3 this year. There's got to be something said for that. Oh geez, now I sound like Wade.
As for Garrett, don't forget about the drastic decline this Cowboys offense saw over the last month and a half. Nearly 20 points a game and 100 total yards per game worse since the Green Bay victory. There's something really wrong with that.
Does Garrett really deserve a head coaching gig yet? I think he'll make a good one some day but the way this year wound down couldn't bode too well for his future. If Baltimore or Miami or Atlanta or Washington wants to make a hard play for him, Jerry Jones should let him go. Don't throw ridiculous money at him or fire Wade to put him atop the organization. Back in November, you could've made a case for both. Now? Not so much.
There's plenty of other people out there who can come in and adequately run this offense. The pieces are still in place. Keep in mind, you have Tony Romo, Jason Witten, Terrell Owens, Marion Barber and one of the best offensive lines in football (although we wouldn't have known that for the final half yesterday).
How about Cam Cameron? He's looking for a job. He led the third-best offense in the NFL last year in San Diego without nearly as many weapons. It's something to think about should Garrett bolt.
Well, I'm sure after waking up this morning thinking what happened yesterday between the hours of say, 5:45 p.m. and 7 p.m., was a nightmare, you've accepted the fact that it indeed was not.
Word came out on Sunday morning that Jerry Jones left two complimentary tickets in each Cowboys' locker for the game on Sunday when they host the Packers. Oops.
This guy looks particularly confused and shocked
Let me tell you what happened, Wade.
1. This team faded in December...again.
For the second straight year, once under Parcells and once under Wade, the Cowboys folded up shop in December. This year was particularly frustrating seeing as how two of their three regular-season losses came in December. Their offense dropped off dramatically, averaging nearly 20 points less per game and nearly 100 less total yards. How does this happen?
2. Romo wasn't his old self.
So many people are going to put this loss on Tony Romo, which is fine. However, it's got nothing to do with his Cabo San Lucas trip last week. Romo finished 18-of-36 in the air for 201 yards, a touchdown and a pick. However, he made two bad passes in my book, maybe three.
The first is undeniable. Romo let a pass slip that would've found a wide-open T.O. over the middle with nothing but a few yards of green between him and the end zone. The ball sailed five feet over his head instead and the Cowboys had to settle for a field goal. The other came on his intentional grounding. By rule, it shouldn't have been a penalty as he wasn't under duress. He was simply throwing the ball away. I think his previous two times where he took horrible sacks instead of throwing it away led to a premature evacuation on that play. The third iffy pass would've been his final pass of the season that was picked up by New York's spare corner R.W. McQuarters. He threw to Terry Glenn, of all people, in triple coverage.
3. The Cowboys' Pro Bowl offensive line got owned.
In the first half of Sunday's loss, I honestly don't remember Tony Romo getting touched by a Giants defender. I'm sure it happened, but I don't recall it. I know he didn't get sacked. Just before the half, the Cowboys went on a 20-play, 90-yard scoring drive that ate more than 10 minutes of clock. How can a line that was so dominant at that point be so dominated for the rest of the game? Leonard Davis gets flagged for one of Dallas' 11 penalties for 84 yards on a stupid play where he hit Michael Strahan behind the play with Strahan laid out on the ground already.
The worst culprit of the poor offensive line play though was Pro Bowl center Andre Gurode. How, after 17 games, he still can't execute a good shotgun snap is beyond me, but he found a way to accomplish that feat. On at least a dozen occasions, Gurode's snaps were filthy enough change-ups to get him a spot in the Rangers' bullpen. It's really unbelievable to me. Also, how do you get flagged for five false starts at home?
4. The age of this team caught up with it.
In Wade Phillips' press conference today, he talked about how the age of some key players wasn't a factor and that the team is the fourth youngest in the league. This was one of a handful of things Phillips sugarcoated in the press conference, which is awfully annoying after the biggest choke job in the history of the current NFC playoff format. His act is growing tired with me, but more about that some other time...
Two of Dallas' receivers are in their early 30s and both were hampered by injuries yesterday. What happened with T.O. and Terry Glenn was certainly not for lack of effort. T.O. deserves a lot of credit for playing in that game just three weeks after a high ankle sprain. Also, keep in mind he had 16 touchdown catches this year and caused zero distractions, so I want to hear no bashing of him. Terry Glenn shouldn't have had any expectations on him. He missed the whole year until getting in on a few plays in the Washington game. I'm still perplexed as to why Romo was throwing his way on the last play of the season when he was being triple-covered. On to the other receiver...
5. Patrick Crayton needs to put up and shut up.
Look, Patrick Crayton was a good No. 3 receiver coming into this year. Terry Glenn goes down and he becomes a serviceable No. 2 receiver. He had three catches for 27 yards and a key drop at the end of the third quarter. On third-and-12 from their 17-yard line, Romo was pressured and, like he usually does, bought time with his feet and delivered a beauty of a side-armed pass to Crayton. The pass hit Crayton's hands with 70 yards of open real estate in front of him. He dropped it. Then, on the game's second-to-last play, Crayton runs a flag and Romo gets the ball away and leads him seemingly perfectly. However, Crayton breaks off his route for some inexplicable reason. I'd really like to hear an explanation about that play, but Crayton wouldn't talk after the game. He does all his talking before the game and after the Patriots' loss when he said the teams would meet again in the Superbowl and the Cowboys would win. Give me a break, dude. Shut up until you have at least some skins.
6. Starting Barber now?
Look, there's absolutely no doubt in anyone's mind anymore that Marion Barber is the best running back on the Cowboys. Through a half yesterday had already had 20 carries and over 100 yards. Julius Jones finished the game with 17 yards on three carries in what is surely his last game in Dallas.
But why couldn't have Barber started through all of December? It would've given him a chance to build up some stamina and see if he can handle the beating of 25-30 carries a game. Instead, you throw him into a do-or-die game. You know Barber runs the ball each carry like it's his last and with a reckless abandon that no one else in the league has. By the fourth quarter yesterday, Barber had nothing left in his tank -- absolutely nothing.
There's so much more to be said about this loss and there's just not enough time right now. The first that comes to mind might be how on earth the Cowboys weren't able to expose the Giants' makeshift secondary that was missing two starting corners and had a practice squad player getting significant PT after Aaron Ross went down.
I'm tired.
In my first NBA power rankings, the Mavericks get my homer pick at No. 1 as they still haven't lost in the new year and have vaulted to the top of the West standings. Dirk is looking like an MVP again, and they are starting to play defense like the team that won 67 last year:
1. Mavericks (26-11)
Dallas quietly getting back to top form.
2. L.A. Lakers (25-11)
Bynum’s breakout year keeping Kobe quiet.
3. Phoenix (26-11)
Suns second to last in points against in NBA.
4. Boston (30-5)
Losses to Washington and Charlotte sign of things to come?
5. San Antonio (24-11)
Spurs lose to Golden State and Detroit, and struggle against Knicks this week.
6. Detroit (28-10)
Pistons follow win streak with inconsistent week that ends in loss to Knicks.
7. New Orleans (25-12)
Hornets fifth in defense in NBA.
8. Portland (22-14)
Brandon Roy could go from ROY to MVP.
9. Utah (21-17)
Jazz 5-1 over last two weeks.
10. Denver (22-13)
Defense obviously still struggling after giving up 137 to Suns.
11. Houston (20-18)
Rockets winning, but not against anybody good.
12. Golden State (22-16)
Monta Ellis emerging as consistent scoring option.
13. New Jersey (18-18)
If Sean Williams and Josh Boone can get going, this team could make noise.
14. Orlando (23-16)
Free fall continues with 1-5 stretch.
15. Cleveland (19-18)
LeBron’s back must hurt carrying four guys around for 60 minutes a night.
16. Toronto (20-17)
Win over Portland the first quality win in awhile.
17. Washington (19-16)
True point guard would help Wizards.
18. Charlotte (13-23)
Wins over Boston and New Jersey look good.
19. Chicago (14-21)
All that talent, so few wins. Doing better of late though.
20. Indiana (17-22)
Good start to December seems like a long time ago.
21. Atlanta (16-17)
Youngsters starting to show their youth.
22. Sacramento (14-21)
How long can Ron Artest go before doing something ridiculous?
23. Memphis (10-27)
2-9 through a tough part of their schedule.
24. Milwaukee (15-22)
The three players with a future on this team are all natural at the four-spot.
25. Philidephia (14-23)
Still looking for their first win of 2008.
26. LA Clippers (10-23)
Schedule hasn’t been kind, but going 1-10 and handing Dallas a win doesn’t speak well.
27. New York (10-26)
Completely shocking that Thomas is still employed in the NBA.
28. Seattle (9-27)
Watching Durant must make this season easier for Sonics fans.
29. Minnesota (5-31)
Michael Beasley, Eric Gordon or Tyler Hansbrough would ease the pain.
30. Miami (8-28)
No wins for the Heat after Christmas. HILARIOUS.
As those of you who know me already know, I love to trash talk before a game, mainly because I think it's funny. Those of you who know me also know I'm not one to rub it in. You toiling in defeat is enough for me, and trash talking after the fact doesn't seem as fun-loving to me.
Gloating aside, I will give you my thoughts on the game from my journalist's perspective and not my Giants fan perspective.
1. Eli Manning
The third-year starter is making better decisions. He hit a couple receivers in the feet, like he always does, but he didn't make the critical mistake like he has in the past. On their own 2-yard line with six minutes to play in the game, I thought Manning was due for an obligatory interception at the worst possible time. The Giants went three-and-out, but it wasn't Manning's fault. He's coming around, and doing it on the big stage.
2. Roy Williams
He is the most overrated player in the NFL. He's completely useless. He was bad in coverage and he was bad against the run. It's getting to the point where he's a liability. He looks completely lost. Ken Hamlin is twice the player he is, and makes less than half the money.
3. Giants pass rush
It won them the game. People will talk about a "Romo meltdown," but the Giants front seven caused that meltdown. Romo was hardly the jovial cool-kid we've seen throughout the year. By the end of the game, he looked flustered and rattled. The Cowboys offensive line played well. The Giants pass rush was better.
4. No changes needed
The Cowboys don't need to overhaul their team. After such a disappointing loss, there will be plenty of calls for ridiculous adjustments. Word to the wise, Jerry -- don't do anything. Add a CB, S and WR with your first three picks and keep going in the direction you're going. The Cowboys are the closest thing in the NFC to a team built for the long haul. Dallas just needs to wait for its year. Today, the Cowboys just got beat by a good team. It happens.
5. Trash talkers look ridiculous
Not that Brandon Jacobs doesn't embarrass himself weekly with comments and antics, but Marion Barber and Bobby Carpenter looked stupid. Barber had a monster game before getting in Antonio Pierce's face and jawing. The Giants took him out of the game from that point on. Bobby Carpenter was hooting during the only two plays he saw action -- a special teams tackle and him downing the ball inside the 5-yard line on a punt. All he literally did was touch the ball to make the play, but he acted like he'd just made gotten a sack or something. Wait till you can actually get in the linebacker rotation before you start jawing, Bob.
6. End of first half
While the patch-work defense on the final drive did the Cowboys in, the Giants' touchdown to close the second quarter was the difference in the game. They had about 1:30 to score and did. It tied it at half and completely changed their second-half game plan. The Cowboys would have opened the third trying to add to a lead. Instead it was anybody's game. Eli has always done well in the clutch, he just so rarely sets himself up where the clutch will even matter.
7. Jessica Simpson
The singer is the entire reason the Cowboys lost, that much is completely, painfully obvious. If he weren't dating her, the Cowboys would still be in the playoffs right this second of this day. What else is the reason? DUH! she was the reason they lost!
What happens now? The Giants just pulled off the 21-17 upset and Wade Phillips is now 0-4 in the postseason. Tony Romo is 0-2 and Eli Manning is 2-3. That just doesn't seem right, but it is.
Romo can thank a few untimely drops and a serious protection breakdown in the second half. The Cowboys also killed themselves with penalties at in the most inopportune times.
I wonder what Patrick Crayton did over the bye week. I know I don't want to hear about what Tony Romo did anymore. But I'm sure I will.
