Some people had a special weekend this week, and some didn't:
Winners:
Ben Roethlisberger
Seriously, at some point soon, the Steelers are going to need to realize Ben can't win every game on his own. Seven loses after winning the Super Bowl should be a wake-up call. But the call can wait another week, as Big Ben threw for a franchise record 503 yards. That and his 3 TDs are the most ever for a QB without throwing a pick. Of course, all that is just gravy to the 19-yard completion to Mike Wallace with no time on the clock that gave Pittsburgh a 37-36 win over the Packers. It was only Wallace's second reception of the game, and both were for TDs. Congrats, Big Ben! After five straight losses, you are a winner!
Showing posts with label playoffs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label playoffs. Show all posts
Monday, December 21, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
NFL Sunday Recap - Determination
Call it what you will - drive, determination, perseverance. Some players have it, and some players don't.
Drive:
LaDainian Tomlinson
Though he'll probably never be the back he was in 2006, when he rushed for 1,815 yards and 28 TD, caught three more, and passed for two, Tomlinson continues to be a scoring threat. He may have only rushed for 50 yards against Dallas this week, but his 1st quarter score would give his team the lead early enroute to a 20-17 win. It was his 10th of the year, extending his record streak of double digit TD seasons to 9, having done it in every season he's been in the NFL. The win also gave the Chargers their 16th straight win in December. It's a streak that may not last much longer. His 3.9 yards per carry this season is the lowest of his career, and Darren Sproles has taken many of his receptions out of the backfield. The fact that he's become a little injury-prone over the last few seasons could mean his career is coming to a close, but he should see decent production over the next season or two.
Drive:
LaDainian Tomlinson
Though he'll probably never be the back he was in 2006, when he rushed for 1,815 yards and 28 TD, caught three more, and passed for two, Tomlinson continues to be a scoring threat. He may have only rushed for 50 yards against Dallas this week, but his 1st quarter score would give his team the lead early enroute to a 20-17 win. It was his 10th of the year, extending his record streak of double digit TD seasons to 9, having done it in every season he's been in the NFL. The win also gave the Chargers their 16th straight win in December. It's a streak that may not last much longer. His 3.9 yards per carry this season is the lowest of his career, and Darren Sproles has taken many of his receptions out of the backfield. The fact that he's become a little injury-prone over the last few seasons could mean his career is coming to a close, but he should see decent production over the next season or two.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
NFL Week 13 Wrap-up
Four games left, let's take a look at the playoff picture:
AFC:
The Indianapolis Colts have clinched the AFC South, and should clinch home-field in the playoffs with a win. The Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders, and Kansas City Chiefs have been eliminated from playoff contention based on record and tie-breakers.
East
The East in both conferences is the closest race from top to bottom. For the AFC, the New England Patriots are back on top, but barely. They split their games with the NY Jets and Miami Dolphins, but a win against Buffalo in Week 15 would give them tie-breakers against both. Unfortunately for the teams below them, the Pats only opponent with a winning record is the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16. The good news is the Pats play two of their last four on the road, where their only win has been against the Buccaneers in a neutral site game in London. Down the stretch, I could see the Pats and Jets both going 2-2, and the Dolphins 1-3. That would give the Pats the division, and probably lock the rest out of the playoffs. The Bills are technically still alive, but they need to go 4-0, while the Pats go 0-4 and the Jets and Phins no better than 1-3.
AFC:
The Indianapolis Colts have clinched the AFC South, and should clinch home-field in the playoffs with a win. The Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders, and Kansas City Chiefs have been eliminated from playoff contention based on record and tie-breakers.
East
The East in both conferences is the closest race from top to bottom. For the AFC, the New England Patriots are back on top, but barely. They split their games with the NY Jets and Miami Dolphins, but a win against Buffalo in Week 15 would give them tie-breakers against both. Unfortunately for the teams below them, the Pats only opponent with a winning record is the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16. The good news is the Pats play two of their last four on the road, where their only win has been against the Buccaneers in a neutral site game in London. Down the stretch, I could see the Pats and Jets both going 2-2, and the Dolphins 1-3. That would give the Pats the division, and probably lock the rest out of the playoffs. The Bills are technically still alive, but they need to go 4-0, while the Pats go 0-4 and the Jets and Phins no better than 1-3.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Monday Morning News - 10/26/09
The NY Yankees have won the AL pennant, winning their series with the LA Angels 4-2. CC Sabathia was named ALCS MVP.[MLB.com]
Manny Acta has been picked to mangage the Cleveland Indians. [Cleveland.com]
Along with mangaer Tony La Russa returning, the St Louis Cardinals are expected to announce Mark McQwire will join him as the teams htiing coach. [USA Today]
Oklahoma's Sam Bradford will have season-ending surgery on his throwing shoulder, and is expected to enter the NFL Draft. [NY Times]
Denny Hamlin won the TUMS Fast Relief 500. Jimmy Johnson extended his Chase for the Cup points lead to 118 over Mark Martin. [Examiner.com]
Manny Acta has been picked to mangage the Cleveland Indians. [Cleveland.com]
Along with mangaer Tony La Russa returning, the St Louis Cardinals are expected to announce Mark McQwire will join him as the teams htiing coach. [USA Today]
Oklahoma's Sam Bradford will have season-ending surgery on his throwing shoulder, and is expected to enter the NFL Draft. [NY Times]
Denny Hamlin won the TUMS Fast Relief 500. Jimmy Johnson extended his Chase for the Cup points lead to 118 over Mark Martin. [Examiner.com]
Friday, October 23, 2009
Friday Morning News - 10/23/09
Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable will not face charges in the alleged assault of assistant Randy Hanson. [SFGate]
The LA Angels have extended the ALCS to a sixth game by beating the Yankees, 7-6. [Bloomberg]
Florida State finally has an in-conference win, coming from behind to beat UNC 30-27. [Orlando Sentinel]
Kentucky's John Wall and Mississippi State's Renardo Sidney are being investigated by the SEC to determine their college eligibility. Sidney is being investigated based on a job his fether once held, and Wall played in AAU for a man who was a certified agent until 2008. [Commercial Appeal]
The LA Angels have extended the ALCS to a sixth game by beating the Yankees, 7-6. [Bloomberg]
Florida State finally has an in-conference win, coming from behind to beat UNC 30-27. [Orlando Sentinel]
Kentucky's John Wall and Mississippi State's Renardo Sidney are being investigated by the SEC to determine their college eligibility. Sidney is being investigated based on a job his fether once held, and Wall played in AAU for a man who was a certified agent until 2008. [Commercial Appeal]
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Thursday Morning News - 10/22/09
The Philadelphia Phillies clinched the NL pennant, winning the NLCS 4-1. Ryan Howard was named NLCS MVP. [ABC 12 ]
St Louis Cardinal Albert Pujols uderwent arthroscopic surgery to remove bone chips and bone spurs in his right elbow. He is expected to be fully healthy for next season. [STLToday.com]
Twelve players on the Cleveland Browns have come down with the flu, including seven starters. The team is expected to receive roster exemptions to replace the sick players. [Baltimore Sun]
The SEC officiating crew for the Georgia-LSU and Florida-Arkansas games has been suspended after the conference found the crew made incorrect calls in both games. [Atlanta Journal Constitution]
Pittsburgh Penguin Sergei Gonchar is expected to miss 4-6 weeks after breaking his wrist against the St Louis Blues. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]
St Louis Cardinal Albert Pujols uderwent arthroscopic surgery to remove bone chips and bone spurs in his right elbow. He is expected to be fully healthy for next season. [STLToday.com]
Twelve players on the Cleveland Browns have come down with the flu, including seven starters. The team is expected to receive roster exemptions to replace the sick players. [Baltimore Sun]
The SEC officiating crew for the Georgia-LSU and Florida-Arkansas games has been suspended after the conference found the crew made incorrect calls in both games. [Atlanta Journal Constitution]
Pittsburgh Penguin Sergei Gonchar is expected to miss 4-6 weeks after breaking his wrist against the St Louis Blues. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Wednesday Morning News - 10/21/09
The NBA and the referees union have reached a deal that will have them back on the court for the start of regular season play. [All Headline News]
A game-day staff worker for the San Diego Chargers died after falling from the press box before the Chargers-Broncos game Monday Night. [LA Times]
Joey Galloway and TE Michael Matthews were both cut by the New England Patriots on Tuesday. [FOX Sports]
The NY Yankees beat the LA Angels 11-1, and can clinch a World Series berth with a win tomorrow. The Philadelphia Phillies can clinch with a win tonight.
A game-day staff worker for the San Diego Chargers died after falling from the press box before the Chargers-Broncos game Monday Night. [LA Times]
Joey Galloway and TE Michael Matthews were both cut by the New England Patriots on Tuesday. [FOX Sports]
The NY Yankees beat the LA Angels 11-1, and can clinch a World Series berth with a win tomorrow. The Philadelphia Phillies can clinch with a win tonight.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Tuesday Morning News - 10/20/09
Carolina Panther Dante West has been suspended without pay for one game after an illegal hit on Tampa Bay punt returner Clifton Smith on Sunday. [ESPN]
Baltimore Raven Samari Rolle is not expected to play this season, while suffering from a chronic neck problem he had surgery on recently. [HometownAnnapolis.com]
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Jeff Reed was cited for public intoxication and disorderly conduct outside a bar near Heinz Field after the Steelers win on Sunday. [Washington Post]
The LA Angels and Philadelphia Phillies each won 5-4 last night. The Angels trail 2-1 in their series, and the Phillies lead 3-1.
Baltimore Raven Samari Rolle is not expected to play this season, while suffering from a chronic neck problem he had surgery on recently. [HometownAnnapolis.com]
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Jeff Reed was cited for public intoxication and disorderly conduct outside a bar near Heinz Field after the Steelers win on Sunday. [Washington Post]
The LA Angels and Philadelphia Phillies each won 5-4 last night. The Angels trail 2-1 in their series, and the Phillies lead 3-1.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Monday Morning News - 10/19/09
The Philadelphia Phillies beat the LA Dodgers, 11-0, to take a 2-1 lead in the NLCS. Cliff Lee became the first pitcher in playoff history to allow no runs and no walks while striking out at least 10 batters. [Newsday]
Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford did not re-injure his throwing shoulder, but aggravated his previous injury. [Sporting News]
The Boston Bruins traded winger Chuck Kobasew to Minnesota for minor leaugue RW Craig Weller, the rights to Harvard freshman Alex Fallstrom, and a 2011 2nd round draft pick. [Yahoo Sports]
Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford did not re-injure his throwing shoulder, but aggravated his previous injury. [Sporting News]
The Boston Bruins traded winger Chuck Kobasew to Minnesota for minor leaugue RW Craig Weller, the rights to Harvard freshman Alex Fallstrom, and a 2011 2nd round draft pick. [Yahoo Sports]
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Saturday Morning News - 10/17/09
Baltimore Ravens LB Ray Lewis has been fined $25,000 for an illegal hit and kicking an opponent in last weeks game against Cincinnati. [ESPN]
The Chicago Bears traded a second round draft pick to Tampa Bay for Gaines Adams. [Chicago Tribune]
The NY Yankees beat the Angels 4-1 last night, and the LA Dodgers beat the Phillies, 2-1.
The Chicago Bears traded a second round draft pick to Tampa Bay for Gaines Adams. [Chicago Tribune]
The NY Yankees beat the Angels 4-1 last night, and the LA Dodgers beat the Phillies, 2-1.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
The Sunday News - 10/11/09
The LA Dodgers have swept the St Louis Cardinals in the first round of the playoffs. [NYDN]
No 1 Florida beat 4 LSU, 13-3. [Miami Herald]
No 1 Florida beat 4 LSU, 13-3. [Miami Herald]
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Tuesday Morning News - 9/29/09
Oakland Raiders assistant Randy Hanson has told police head coach Tom Cable broke his jaw in an altercation. Charges have not been filed. [The Huddle]
USC RB Stefan Johnson was seriously injured yesterday when the bar he was using to weightlift fell on his throat. [Rivals.com]
The LA Angels have clinched the AL West with an 11-0 win over the Texas Rangers. [MLB.com]
Magic Number Update: The Philadelphia Phillies number is down to 3 in the NL East. The LA Dodgers are down to 2 and can clinch the NL West with a win against San Diego AND a Colorado loss to Milwaukee tonight. The Boston Red Sox are down to 1 and can clinch the AL Wild Card with a win tonight over Toronto OR another Texas loss to the Angels.
USC RB Stefan Johnson was seriously injured yesterday when the bar he was using to weightlift fell on his throat. [Rivals.com]
The LA Angels have clinched the AL West with an 11-0 win over the Texas Rangers. [MLB.com]
Magic Number Update: The Philadelphia Phillies number is down to 3 in the NL East. The LA Dodgers are down to 2 and can clinch the NL West with a win against San Diego AND a Colorado loss to Milwaukee tonight. The Boston Red Sox are down to 1 and can clinch the AL Wild Card with a win tonight over Toronto OR another Texas loss to the Angels.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
More Wild Card Teams Won't Help Baseball. A Salary Cap Will.
I've heard a lot of basbeall "experts" bringing up the idea of adding another wild card team to both MLB leagues to spice up the playoff races. They think it will add late season excitement, and the addition of a one-game playoff between the now-two wild card teams would put the winner at a disadvantage for the Division Series. Tim Kurkjian, on Mike and Mike in the Morning today, even brought up the fact that it could help small-market teams, since the major stories this year are all big-market teams. But all these arguments are wrong.
I'd first like to address the idea that the wild card team should be put at a disadvantage. People say its been too easy for wild card teams to reach and win the World Series. Of the 28 wild card teams since its inception, nine have reached the World Series, and four have won it. But why should it have to be harder? Of those 28 teams, 17 of them have had a better record than one or both of the division winners in their league, outside of their division. This includes a 2001 Oakland A's team that won 102 games, more than any other team except the Seattle Mariners, who won 116 games and the division. In fact, only in 1995 and 1999 have both wild card teams not finished with a better record than a division winner in their league. When the division winners consistently outperform the wild card teams, then you can make an honest arguement that wild card teams should be at a disadvantage.
Really here the big reason for this idea is the lack of a pennant race this year. The Yankees are already in the playoffs and the Cardinals can clinch their division with a Cubs loss tonight. The only thing close to a race is the AL Central, where Detroit currently has a 2.5 game lead on Minnesota. Is adding another playoff team really the answer? Even this year, the only race that would actually be exciting would be between Atlanta and San Francisco, who would be tied for the second wild card spot. No, the real answer is a salary cap.
Since the introduction of the wild card in 1995, the NY Yankees have had the highest payroll in baseball every year except 1995 and 1998. They also went to the playoffs every year except 2008. This year, their payroll is over $50 million more than the next team, the NY Mets. The current system, which has a luxury tax on teams with payrolls over a certain amount, will tax only the Yankees this year, while not ensuring that teams have to spend more or less than a certain amount. Under this system, teams that want to go out and spend money can spend as much as they want. Similarly, teams that don't want to spend money can sit back and do nothing. A salary cap with a hard floor and ceiling, like is done in other sports, would fix that.
Over the past 14 years, baseball salaries have more than tripled. The top payrolls in 1995 would be the bottom payrolls today. But looking at the payrolls ranks, one thing stands out: the bottom teams always stay near the bottom. With baseball's shared revenue, small-market teams get a cut of the money generated by competetive, mostly big-market teams. Looking at 2008's payrolls, the Pittsburgh Pirates, Oakland A's, Tampa Bay Rays and Florida Marlins all spent less than $50 million. But the Pirates alone reportedly made $75 million from revenue sharing. Without a hard floor and ceiling, there is no real incentive for teams to cut spending or put money into a competitive team. Setting a ceiling in the low $100 millions and a floor around $50 million would force big-market teams, like the Yankees and Red Sox, perennial playoff teams, to cut spending. It would also cause perennial bottom-dwellers to be competitive by spending more money.
What we have now is a system in where a team like the Yankees can make money and put it back into the team. Meanwhile, a team like the Pirates can make money simply off of revenue sharing, then pocket the money and put a non-competitive team on the field. This is whats wrong with pennant races these days. A salary cap that would force teams to be competitive would bring more parity to the game, and more meaningful games into September.
I'd first like to address the idea that the wild card team should be put at a disadvantage. People say its been too easy for wild card teams to reach and win the World Series. Of the 28 wild card teams since its inception, nine have reached the World Series, and four have won it. But why should it have to be harder? Of those 28 teams, 17 of them have had a better record than one or both of the division winners in their league, outside of their division. This includes a 2001 Oakland A's team that won 102 games, more than any other team except the Seattle Mariners, who won 116 games and the division. In fact, only in 1995 and 1999 have both wild card teams not finished with a better record than a division winner in their league. When the division winners consistently outperform the wild card teams, then you can make an honest arguement that wild card teams should be at a disadvantage.
Really here the big reason for this idea is the lack of a pennant race this year. The Yankees are already in the playoffs and the Cardinals can clinch their division with a Cubs loss tonight. The only thing close to a race is the AL Central, where Detroit currently has a 2.5 game lead on Minnesota. Is adding another playoff team really the answer? Even this year, the only race that would actually be exciting would be between Atlanta and San Francisco, who would be tied for the second wild card spot. No, the real answer is a salary cap.
Since the introduction of the wild card in 1995, the NY Yankees have had the highest payroll in baseball every year except 1995 and 1998. They also went to the playoffs every year except 2008. This year, their payroll is over $50 million more than the next team, the NY Mets. The current system, which has a luxury tax on teams with payrolls over a certain amount, will tax only the Yankees this year, while not ensuring that teams have to spend more or less than a certain amount. Under this system, teams that want to go out and spend money can spend as much as they want. Similarly, teams that don't want to spend money can sit back and do nothing. A salary cap with a hard floor and ceiling, like is done in other sports, would fix that.
Over the past 14 years, baseball salaries have more than tripled. The top payrolls in 1995 would be the bottom payrolls today. But looking at the payrolls ranks, one thing stands out: the bottom teams always stay near the bottom. With baseball's shared revenue, small-market teams get a cut of the money generated by competetive, mostly big-market teams. Looking at 2008's payrolls, the Pittsburgh Pirates, Oakland A's, Tampa Bay Rays and Florida Marlins all spent less than $50 million. But the Pirates alone reportedly made $75 million from revenue sharing. Without a hard floor and ceiling, there is no real incentive for teams to cut spending or put money into a competitive team. Setting a ceiling in the low $100 millions and a floor around $50 million would force big-market teams, like the Yankees and Red Sox, perennial playoff teams, to cut spending. It would also cause perennial bottom-dwellers to be competitive by spending more money.
What we have now is a system in where a team like the Yankees can make money and put it back into the team. Meanwhile, a team like the Pirates can make money simply off of revenue sharing, then pocket the money and put a non-competitive team on the field. This is whats wrong with pennant races these days. A salary cap that would force teams to be competitive would bring more parity to the game, and more meaningful games into September.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
