Monthly Archives: September 2011

September 30, 2011 · 6:37 AM

Football Friday: Week 4

Last week I only had three games right. The winners I did a little better but the spreads really killed me last week. Here’s hoping this week brings better results. The Bills, Lions, and Packers are the only undefeated teams as we roll into week four. Seriously, Bills and Lions. Thinking one is a fake. You figure out which one I think.

@Chicago (-6.5) vs Carolina
Welcome to the NFL against a really good defense Cam Newton. On the road, no way the Panthers win in Chicago. Bears beat the spread.

Buffalo (-3) vs @Cincinnati
Well, I’ll admit I think the Bills are the fake 3-0 team but that doesn’t mean they don’t improve to 4-0 with a win over Cinci.

@Cleveland (-1.5) vs Tennessee
The Titans have won two in a row. Apparently dumping Jeff Fischer and Vince Young were really good moves for the franchise. I’m thinking they win on the road this week and improve to 3-1.

@Dallas (-1.5) vs Detroit
So if I think that the Bills are the fake 3-0 team, obviously I think Detroit is the real deal. Their young defense and impressive D-Line makes me like them every week. That being said, I think they torment Romo and the Cowboys. Detroit wins in Dallas in a huge statement game for the franchise.

Minnesota (-1.5) vs @Kansas City
Both teams are winless so I guess the good news is someone has to win right? Well, there’s always a tie…Logic would tell you take the home team but when the home team has given up 35 more points than the visitor’s defense, take the road team. Vikings get their first win.

Washington (-1.5) vs @St. Louis
Washington lost Monday night and now has to travel to St Louis. St Louis has only put 36 points on the board this season. I would expect more from a Josh McDaniels offense. So this is the week the Rams finally win a game.

@Philadelphia (-8.5) vs San Francisco
San Fran barely squeaked a win out in Cinci last week now they have to play the greatest team on paper (isn’t that what they’re calling the Eagles?). Well, I’m not going to bet against Philly at home even with a spread of 7.5. Eagles win.

New Orleans (-7) vs @Jacksonville
Jacksonville squeaked it out in week one against the Titans and then lost two straight. They’ve scored about half of what they’ve given up. Even at home, I don’t like the Jags, taking the Saints.

@Houston (-4) vs Pittsburgh
After that embarrassing loss in week one against the Ravens, Pittsburgh has won two straight even if they only beat the Colts by three. I think they’re better than that and they beat the Texans on the road.

Giants (-1.5) vs @Arizona
As I’m rooting for the Diamondbacks in the playoffs, I’m pulling for the Cardinals week in and week out in the NFL. This week is no different. My hatred of the Giants and knowledge that they show clips of the last time (I think) the Giants played on that field (I’ve blocked it out). Cardinals win.

Atlanta (-4.5) vs @Seattle
Seattle went to Atlanta last year in the playoffs and got served. Hopefully (for my fantasy team’s sake) Matt Ryan remembers how to blow them out. Taking the Falcons again.

@Green Bay (-12.5) vs Denver
I hate the double digit spreads. But I also know how terrible Denver is. If the game was in Denver maybe I’d take the Broncos to cover but since they’re in Green Bay, I’m taking the Packers.

New England (-4.5) vs @Oakland
The Raiders beat up on the Jets last week and are looking for similar success against the Pats. Belichick and company will want to show last week in Buffalo was a fluke and they’re the real day. I look for the offense to have very few (if any) turnovers. I look for the defense to step it up and limit the Raiders offensively. Pats win and cover (we’ll recap Monday).

@San Diego (-7) vs Miami
I think the Dolphins are a 2-14 team this year. I don’t think flying out to the west coast is going to help their winless season. Chargers roll.

@Baltimore (-3.5) vs Jets
It hurts to write it but I think the Jets bounce back from their embarrassment in Oakland last week. Close game but Jets win 17-10.

@Tampa Bay (-10) vs Indianapolis
Taking the Bucs. Similar to Miami I think the Colts without Peyton are destined for a 2-14 season. Which sucks for the rest of the AFC because next season they’ll get Peyton back and a #2 overall pick to help them.

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September 29, 2011 · 5:44 AM

Success!

The Orioles eliminate the Red Sox and celebrate their last place finish

The greatest collapse in the history of baseball is complete. A nine game lead with 25 to play and the Sox completely blew it. This beats the old mark of 8.5 games blown by the Phillies in 1964 and seven games blown by the Tigers in 2009. Epic failure, epic collapse.

How did it happen?

I’ll tell you where I left off. There were two outs, two strikes in Tampa with the Yankees leading 7-6. Dan Johnson, a journeyman first baseman, who was batting .108 coming off the bench belted a line drive home run into right field and the Rays tied the game. By this time the Yankees had most of their starting lineup off the field and were on their 10th pitcher.

Again, that’s where I stopped watching.

I woke up at the wee hours this morning and checked out what happened after that.

The Sox had Scutaro thrown out at home in the bottom of the eighth. That would have given the Sox a 4-2 lead. They failed to get that insurance run and relied on their closer, Jonathan Papelbon, to close out the game. And as you know by now he failed to do so. Back to back doubles had the game tied and the save blown. A single to left that Carl Crawford (the team’s $142 million off-season acquisition) couldn’t catch and the Sox lost.

Shocking fact, it was Papelbon’s only loss of the season (good time to cash it in) and just his third blown save. But, it was his second blown save in eight days to the Orioles. He doesn’t blow those two saves, the Sox are in the playoffs.

So 3 minutes, yup, 3 minutes after the Sox lose in Baltimore we flash down to Tampa. Like I said, at this point almost all the Yankees starters are out of the game. They’re onto their 11th pitcher of night. And Scott Proctor gives up a line drive 317 foot home run that barely cleared the left field fence. Rays win, Sox are eliminated.

This is proof that you can not buy a championship. You think the Sox brass would know this after watching the Yankees attempt to do so for several years. Nope, they tried to copy them. Overpaying for Crawford who was a complete bust this season. Picking up Lackey last year for no apparent reason other then picking up a big name during their “bridge year”.

What happens now? Since you can’t fire the team, I say you fire the manager. I want a Lou Brown type manager that stops covering for the players and has some accountability in the clubhouse behind closed doors and with the media. I say you let Theo walk to the Cubs. Get a GM that is going to build a team with chemistry. No more JD Drew (read no personality) Red Sox. Bring back the Idiots. A team with a personality is much more fun to watch and root for.

Needless to say the off-season will be interesting following a second consecutive third place finish.

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September 28, 2011 · 6:20 AM

Last Game?

Sorry for the lack of update yesterday. The band played a gig in Foxwoods Monday night and I got home kind of late. I planned ahead and took Tuesday off and did exactly what you’re supposed to do on your day off; nothing. And it was glorious.

On to the news.

Hey stupid if you really want the Sox to meltdown, you're rooting for the Yanks to lose. Idiot.

The Sox have played 161 games. By all accounts, based on spring previews, the team should be something like 100-60 at this point or 99-61. Most everyone predicted a 100 win team. I never predicted that (I went back and checked) but I certainly predicted the Sox to win the East.

Tomorrow we’ll get into all the other predictions I really messed up in terms of trying to forecast the division winners. But for today we’ll concentrate on game 162. Because this year it counts.

Oh boy does it count.

The Sox in the midst of a collapse the likes of which no team has ever fallen, won last night. It was their 90th win of the season. 10 shy of the 100 the experts predicted. Their 7-19 record in September is an embarrassment we’re all well aware of but if they’d just played .500 ball in September they’d still be a 96 win team. That’s how pathetic the month has been.

The Yankees lost to the Rays last night as the Sox were celebrating their 90th win meaning both teams have 90 wins coming into tonight. The Yankees, sitting comfortably with a now seven game division lead have their rotation set for the post season. Tonight the Yankees will play their starting fielders but will likely throw a rookie in the fold to start the game. The Rays will counter with David Price who’s 12-13 mark this season has to be a huge disappointment.

The Sox meanwhile haven’t had the luxury of setting their rotation. Nope. They’ll start Jon Lester tonight who by all accounts would be your game one starter in the post season. They’ll also field a makeshift lineup as they did last night with Youkilis still out and it’s unclear if they’ll have Tek or Salty to catch for Lester.

What does this mean big picture? It means that should both teams (Rays and Sox) win tonight and there’s a one game playoff in St Pete tomorrow, the Sox would throw Tim Wakefield as they try for a playoff bid. That gives you confidence right? Your playoff hopes relying on a 45 year old knuckle ball pitcher that has one win in his last eight appearances. Didn’t think so.

Bottom line is that the playoffs start Friday. We’ll know after tonight much more in regards to the fate of the Sox.

A lot to take in yes. Hopefully it makes some sense.

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September 26, 2011 · 6:26 AM

John Lackey Is Despicable

Instead of talking about Tom Brady’s four picks and the Patriots loss or the Sox clinging to the one game lead in the playoffs, we’ll talk about a despicable human being.

Early speculation on John Lackey’s struggles this season were because his wife was sick with cancer. This of course had much of Red Sox Nation on Lackey’s side. We are very sympathetic to his plight. You can’t imagine a spouse, family member, or even close friend having to deal with this.

That’s really where the sympathy ran out for Lackey.

The Herald had run in its gossip column earlier this season that perhaps “a high priced Boston player wouldn’t be struggling so bad if he was home taking care of his sick wife instead of out on the town” something to that effect. They didn’t name Lackey but we all knew exactly who the were talking about.

Lackey’s wife had a double mastectomy and had chemo as recent as June. You think that a loving husband would be with his wife through the illness and support her.

Not Lackey. The Inside Track ran the story on his cheating and this morning TMZ reports that Lackey has filed for divorce. He filed the paperwork on August 30th.

So in addition to being an awful, overpaid player; he’s also a despicable human being. You know the Red Sox hired investigators to spy on Carl Crawford to see what kind of character he was before unloading the Brinks truck at his house. Guessing they didn’t do the same with Lackey

Here’s hoping the team just cuts the despicable mouth breather. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

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September 23, 2011 · 6:49 AM

Football Friday: Week 3

I’ve started the season with back to back 8-6 weeks. I don’t think you win a ton of money in Vegas playing two games over .500. Let’s see if this week brings better results.

And away we go…

New England (-9) vs @Buffalo
A battle of two of the top offenses in the league this Sunday in Buffalo. What? Yeah, statistically the Bills are rated as one of the top offenses in the league. Of course they played to dog teams in Kansas City and Oakland. Needless to say I think that even with Hernandez, one of Brady’s favorite weapons, being hurt; the Pats will roll the Bills. The improved Pats defense (thinking Haynesworth stuffing the middle) will really stop the Bills – specifically Fred Jackson – rushing attack.

@Cincinnati (-2) vs San Francisco
49ers coming east and only a two point underdog? I don’t like it. I think the odds makers want to put San Fran as the favorite but because they’re flying east they can’t. I’m taking the 49ers as Cinci’s rookie QB has a reality check.

@Cleveland (-3) vs Miami
Miami’s offense looked good against the Pats and then looked bad against Houston last week. Both those games were at home. Now they travel to Cleveland. I don’t like it. I think Tony Sparano although coaching for his job won’t get his first “W” on Sunday. Taking the Browns.

@Tennessee (-6.5) vs Denver
I think the Broncos aren’t good this year. Tennessee put up 26 against the Ravens who many of the pros picked to be a top team in the AFC. So I don’t think Denver will slow them down. Titans win.

Detroit (-3.5) vs @Minnesota
I love that the Lions are 2-0. Like I said previously the Lions are my Madden team. I root for them every year because I feel they’ve suffered long enough and we all love an underdog. Needless to say that the Lions win even on the road.

@New Orleans (-4) vs Houston
New Orleans bounced back from a week one loss to the Packers by beating the Bears by 17. I think the Texans fall at New Orleans.

@Philadelphia vs New York (NYG)
This is a pick ‘em game. Well, Vick has been cleared from his concussion to play this weekend. You combine that with the Giants sucking this season and this is an easy one. Eagles win.

@Carolina (-3.5) vs Jacksonville
Cam Newton looked more like a rookie last week in the second half. Is he mentally tough enough to bounce back against the Jags. Maybe but I’m taking the Jags anyways.

New York (NYJ) (-3) vs @Oakland
Jets flying west to take on one of the worst teams in football. Jets win.

Baltimore (-4) vs @St. Louis
Lose to Pittsburgh week one, alright. Lose to the Titans, um no one saw that coming. Now they head to St Louis. I think this is where Baltimore gets their first win.

@San Diego (-14.5) vs Kansas City
You guys know I hate a spread that big…but the Chiefs suck. Like really suck. Like 10 points for 89 against suck. Needless to say the Chargers will score a TON against the Chiefs. Chargers win.

Green Bay (-3.5) vs @Chicago
Simple, I’m taking the favorite.

Arizona (-3.5) vs @Seattle
I like the Cardinals mostly because I see a disaster approaching in Seattle. Arizona wins.

@Tampa Bay (-1.5) vs Atlanta
Falcons win.

Pittsburgh (-10.5) vs @Indianapolis
I was going to take Colts but then remembered that the Colts are abysmal. Awful team so even at home, I’m taking the Steelers with the 10.5.

@Dallas vs Washington
Wrapping up the NFC’s week of pick ‘em games is the Cowboys at Redskins. So I’m taking the home team. Dallas wins.

We’ll see if this week does any better than the previous two.

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