DSRTSV - 11/18/08

Early last year Gerry McNamara was called overrated by a Syracuse paper. Well, not really, it was actually a Jim Boeheim assistant who told the paper on the condition of anonymity.

Well Boeheim didn't like that...and he let it known:




And no, I couldn't find any instance of Boeheim being fined for the comments.

"10 fucking games!"

In Dallas: Everything Must Go!

Think the economy was going south before?

The Dallas Cowboys have announced that they will be auctioning off practically everything at Dallas Stadium. Costs range from 50 dollars (for a "No Bags or Purses" sign) to roughly $3,000 for the lockers of Terrell Owens or Tony Romo.

Other fun items:

• Numerous lighting fixtures
• Seating Signs
• Turnstiles
  
• Rugs/Mats
• Warning Signs
• Phones...
• Sinks
• Showers
• Tubs
  
• Too many stars to count

And the coup-de-grace. You can own the "Throne of Champions" (pictured above) for just a $500 opening bid. Yes you can own the very seat where the likes of Leon Lett or Larry Allen dropped a massive deuce.

I wonder what you think when you outbid someone to own the great shitter of the Dallas Cowboys?

Sweet...

NFC Playoff Picture (Week 12 Edition)

We are coming up on week 12 in the 2008 NFL season and only two of the four National Football Conference divisions have clear leaders. Unlike last year, the NFC appears to have some legitimate teams. Though not all is good in the NFC. In fact, they have the only winless team left, the Detroit Lions (0-10), who are dead last in the NFC North division. Will the NFC have a Super Bowl winner again this year? Read on to find out:

NFC North:

Green Bay Packers 5-5

Chicago Bears 5-5

Minnesota Vikings 5-5

Detroit Lions 0-10

This division seems to be on par with the very weak AFC West. The top three teams all being tied for first, and really, any one of the three could easily win the division in the end. If Chicago's QB Kyle Orton can stay healthy they have the potential to win it. But, Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers has shown a lot of promise, especially in Green Bay's 37-3 blowout victory on Sunday over the Bears.

Green Bay's only real test remaining on their schedule is their week 13 matchup with the 8-2 Carolina Panthers. Minnesota's remaining schedule looks to be a lot tougher, and I just don't think the Bears have the firepower to beat out the Pack for this division. Sunday's game, again, told me everything.

As for Detroit. Oh, man have they got a lot of things to work on. First of all, having Daunte Culpepper as their QB isn't going to do much good. Plus, when you add in the defensive weaknesses and lack of coaching, you've got a whole lot of trouble in Detroit...Like usual. Detroit still hasTampa, Tennessee, Indy, New Orleans and the Pack to play. There's a chance the Lions could be the first team to go 0-16 in NFL history.

Division winner: PackersNFC East:

New York Giants 9-1

Dallas Cowboys 6-4

Washington Redskins 6-4

Philadelphia Eagles 5-4-1

Eli Manning and his Giants look to be well on their way to another playoff appearance. This time, with a division title to their name. They very easily could be 10-0, like the Titans of the AFC South. Though their remaining schedule is pretty tough, the Giants will easily roll into the playoffs with the top seed.

Tony Romo saved the Cowboys season with the 14-10 victory over the 6-4 Washington Redskins on Sunday, and you can't rule them out of the playoffs just yet. If Dallas can win four of their last six games, they have a shot at a playoff spot. But, that obviously won't be an easy task. Yes, their next two games are winable (49ers, Seahawks), but their last four games are tough matchups with Pittsburgh, New York (Giants), Baltimore and Philly.

The Redskins, tied with Dallas, are still alive as well. The 7-3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers currently lead the wild card race, but with RB Earnest Graham possibly out for the season and QB issues, this team is in no shape to win a playoff spot. Only two of the Skins six games still to be played are losable games. Jason Campbell has done a pretty nice job so far this season, I believe he can do it. Skins win sixth playoff spot in the NFC.

So, despite the slow start for Dallas, the NFC East will still have three playoff teams. I have lost all confidence in Donovan McNabb and ANdy Reid's Eagles after their tie with the 1-8-1 Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

Division winner: Giants

NFC South:

Carolina Panthers 8-2

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-3

Atlanta Falcons 6-4

New Orleans Saints 5-5

I can seriously say that I called this one. I knew the Panthers would have a great season, and Jake Delhomme would have a bounce-back season after his successful Tommy John Surgery. And, it was all possible because of their success in the running game. Rookie Jonathan Stewart, out of Oregon, and DeAngelo Williams have run opposing defenses to death. Carolina's schedule seems to favor them, as well.

Not only has Carolina surprised many (other than me, of course), but rookie QB Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons has too. Who woulda thought that Ryan would carry this team to a 6-4 record through 11 weeks? If Atlanta's defense had performed better on Sunday, they could be 7-3 and tied for second with Tampa. But, I expect Atlanta to quickly pass Tampa in the standings, due to a few key injuries suffered by Tampa.

Many thought Drew Brees and the Saints would be having a much better season, too. But instead, Delhomme leads his Panthers to the top of the division, and is poised to take them to the playoffs this season. It's just too bad the Falcons won't have a good enough record to win the wild card. Wouldn't that be something?

Division winner: Panthers
NFC West:

Arizona Cardinals 7-3

San Francisco 49ers 3-7

Seattle Seahawks 2-8

St. Louis Rams 2-8

This one isn't even close! Kurt Warner has done a very good job leading the Cardinals to a 7-3 record. Although it does help a lot when you've got guys like Anquan Boldin (leads NFL in TD receptions) and Larry Fitzgerald (second in NFL in receiving yards with 939) catching balls for you. Not many expected the Cards to be winning this division through 11 weeks, but the injury to QB Matt Hasselbeck and poor defensive play by the favorites, the Seattle Seahawks, opened the door for the possible league MVP (through the first 11 weeks, anyway) Kurt Warner.

There really isn't much else to say about this division. It's quite obvious the Cardinals are easily going to win the division, and there isn't going to be a wild card team come from this division. This, like the AFC West, is an embarrassment. The other three teams are a combined 7-23. That's all I'm going to say...

Division winner: Cardinals

David Wright Follows A-Rod's Gravy Train

This one, fresh out of the New York Post (quality publication that it is):

Apparently, Davey Boy was using his boyish charm during his "Do the 'Wright' Thing" charitable campaign when he was overtaken by a pack of "cougars."

And by cougars we do indeed mean middle-aged woman who "Middle-age women with bad '80s hair." According tot The Post, the women "were practically pushing down little kids who were trying to get baseballs signed."

During the tirade, Wright was heard exclaiming: "Ladies, calm down! Please, relax."

Balls to you sir. More 40 year old ass is what A-Rod Approves!

Daily "Linkin' Logs" - MVP Edition (11/18/08)

I've always been a pretty big fan of Albert Pujols. I think a lot of people respect him, and are really in awe of watching (arguably) the best hitter in baseball. Most people think Pujols could do a number of things, including breaking Hank Aaron's 755...

So Albert won his 2nd MVP yesterday. Pretty simple to pick the guy who batted .357 with 37 homers and 116 RBIs (top 10 in each).

"I see it this way: Someone who doesn't take his team to the playoffs doesn't deserve to win the MVP"

But what I enjoyed most about the MVP award was Pujols being forced to face the music for his comments when Ryan Howard earned the award in 2006, a year in which Ryan Howard batted .313 with 58 homes and 149 RBIs and his team finished just outside the playoffs. This year Pujols got the honor, for a team that really faded down the stretch and didn't have a shot in the final week.

And yet he still won it.

"I think the writers made the right choice in 2006. [Howard] did deserve it (the MVP)."

Well, I guess all is right again in MVP/non-playoff team world as both have now not won the MVP in the same year as they won a World Series...

Fair enough

• Pedro Martinez has declared that he'll pitch in '09. Omar Minaya has stated that the Mets will be in the mix, though I can't image them (nor can Minaya) making any offer that would blow Pedro away. Then again, I can't see any team really doing that.
• PFT is surmising that maybe een Andy Reid didn't know the overtime rules, given the way he handled Philly (Trenton Times) beat writer Mark Eckel's OT question. Now I've been as annoyed with Reid as anyone else, but the guy is a meticulous planner and student, I really somehow doubt that he didn't know the rule. I believe its possible he overlooked the fact that McNabb didn't know, but I really can't imagine that Reid didn't himself.
  
• Not a link: Not sure if this is a trend, but our friend Mookie brought it to my attention the following two facts: 1) Prior to the 2007 playoffs, I declared the New York Giants the worst 10-6 football team I'd ever seen - They went on to win the Super Bowl 2) During our weekly "Pick 'em" contest about a month ago, I said that the Buffalo Bills would be the AFC Conference Champs - They haven't won a game since. With that said: The Dallas Cowboys are going to win out and claim the Super Bowl title 41-0. Done.
• A Little Late: The Bluey Blog discusses the 66 million dollar "Oops" by the NFL during the Steelers-Chargers game.
• Knicksblog let's us know they might have a chance against the World Champs since Kevin Garnett is out after slapping Andrew Bogut
• ESPN is apparently the projected winner of the BCS Bowls, starting in 2011.
• And finally, EC let's us know Roger Clemens Pedophile status and public image has now reached DefCon 3
  

DSRTSV - 11/17/08

You might remember this video as a sensation around Youtube a couple of years ago. With shades of Tom Brady, I submit to you: The butt shot

Walker-Sports Top 25 Poll: The Calm Before The Storm

The College football landscape remained mostly quiet over the weekend, with only one top twenty five matchup on the schedule. This means that many of your top teams saw little to no movement in their rankings. However, that should be considered the calm before the storm. The next three weeks will prove to be a mad dash to the finish, and it is anyone’s guest who will end up being the leader entering the clubhouse. But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s take a look at how the top 25 shapes up for this week.

1) Alabama: Alabama must remained focused coming down the stretch of the season. They have a big rivalry game with Auburn coming up. And while Tommy Tuberville may be on his way out and Auburn is horrible, it is a rivalry game, and if Bama gets caught up in looking ahead to the SEC Championship game and Florida, it could all be thrown away in a heartbeat with a lost to Auburn.

2) Texas Tech: The Red Raiders are almost through the fire, but they have another major test on Saturday night when they take on the Oklahoma Sooners. If Texas Tech can hold off the Sooners, they will be a lock for the Big 12 South title, and a spot in the Big 12 Championship against Missouri.

3) Florida Gators: The Gators once again proved they are the hottest team in college football by dismantling the South Carolina Gamecocks. Once again Florida found itself dominating on defense and proving to be simply too fast for anyone to keep up with. Florida finds itself in a similar position that Alabama is in. They cannot look ahead, with the Florida State Seminoles coming to town. They must remain focused on that instate rival. Once they take care of business there, they can focus on the SEC Championship and Bama.

4) Oklahoma Sooners: The Sooners will be forced to lay it all on the table in the upcoming weeks. Saturday Oklahoma host Texas Tech and if the Sooners can pull off the upset, they will slingshot themselves right into the thick of the National Title hunt, and probably cause the BCS computers to explode at the same time. All of which I would consider good things.

5) USC: Like several other teams in this poll, USC presents a number of interesting variables to consider when picking the BCS games. USC does not control their own fate in the Pac-10. Oregon State holds a tie breaker over them. However, at the same time, if the BCS turns into a jumble because Missouri knocks off any of the Big 12 South teams then you can bet USC will start clamoring for the right to play in the national title game. Make any else? Good I didn’t think so either.

6) Utah: the Utes have the best chance of being the team from a non BCS conference to make a BCS game. As it stands a team ranked inside the BCS top12 is automatically qualified to make the big show. Currently the Utes are seventh in the poll, and they are preparing for a big game against BYU. You can also bet that if Utah goes undefeated, and they can get some of the Missouri love they will want to at least throw their hat in the ring for a claim to play for a national title.

7) Texas Longhorns: The Longhorns have played some great football this season, but sadly there is a good chance they may not be rewarded for their effort. If there is a three way tie in the Big 12 South, the tie breaker goes to the team with the highest BCS ranking. The BCS computers tend to slam the team with the most recent lost. That means that despite beating Oklahoma in the Red River Shootout, the Longhorns could miss out on the Big 12 Championship and a national title because they lost to Texas Tech more recently thus allowing Oklahoma to leapfrog them in the standings. I told you this could get real screwy.

8) Boise State: Boise State presents another interest BCS scenario much like their buddies Utah. Boise State is most likely to run the table and win another WAC title. And currently they are ranked ninth in the BCS poll this means they would also likely qualify for a BCS bid. In a perfect world Utah would lose to BYU which would put Boise in the BCS game without a doubt, but the world and the BSC especially are far from perfect. Boise State will need to win out, and get a little luck if they want to make it to the big show.

9) Penn State: Penn State is back on track after their misstep against Iowa a couple weeks ago. Now they are preparing to take on Michigan State in what will be a must win game. If Penn State loses the game, they are out of the Big 10 title hunt and likely out of the BCS. If they can knock off Michigan State, then PSU can punch their tickets to the Rose Bowl.

10) Ball State: The BCS gives this team no love. They dropped from 14-17 despite beating Miami of Oh. A shame really. Ball State did everything they were asked to do, and will get no love. I am sure Jason Whitlock will be complaining about this for years to come. Anyways, at least it has been a great story to watch this season.

11) Missouri Tigers: The Tigers have the chance to play the biggest spoiler roll in BCS history. It does not matter which one of the Big 12 South teams they play for the conference championship, all they need to do is win. If they do, the entire BCS will automatically go into overdrive in an effort to figure out who is the second ranked team in the country.

12) Ohio State: It’s Michigan vs. Ohio State week, and there is barely a buzz circulating around. That just goes to who you how far Michigan has fallen. OSU is out of the Big 10 title hunt, but there is an outside chance they can steal a spot in a BCS game. Especially if it can boil down between them and say a Boise State. The one thing hurting the Buckeyes will be their horrible performances in the last two BCS games and well any game out of conference as of late.

13) Georgia Bulldogs: Georgia had a good season, and a spot in the Capital One Bowl is nothing to be ashamed of. Just not exactly were they wanted to end up at when, they originally had hopes of winning a national title. The Georgia front office may want to start looking at their head coach as well, as his name is becoming a hot topic for many NFL GM’s.

14) BYU: The hopes for BYU’s perfect season are long gone, but they can still play a big roll on the national scene when they face off against instate rival Utah. A win against the Utes will knock them out of the BCS and allow Boise and probably OSU or another BCS Conference team to sneak into a game. BYU is on the clock as a spoiler team.

15) Michigan State: Despite being ranked this low, Michigan State has had a great year. Not many would have thought that coming down the stretch of the season, the Spartans would have the opportunity to win the Big 10 Championship. Their game against Penn State is as big as it gets. A win there and they are Rose Bowl bound.

16) Oklahoma State: Oklahoma State has had a great season. In many ways they are where Texas Tech has been for the past several years, a very good team but not ready to compete with the big boys in the Big 12 South. However, they will get one last crack at it, when they take on the Oklahoma Sooners. The outcome of the Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma game will determine how important the Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State game is. No matter what, it looks like the Cowboys will be in the Gator Bowl and that’s not a bad place to finish things up.

17) TCU: TCU has had a great season with their only two losses to teams within the top 10. They are not in the running for any competition for any national or even conference glory, but they can be proud of the season they have had.

18) LSU: It just was not the year for the Bayou Tigers. The SEC just proved to be too tough for them. Now LSU needs to focus on finishing strong and letting things end on a high note.

19) Cincinnati Bearcats: The best in the Big East. The Bearcats are not a bad team, but it will be hard to swallow seeing them in a BCS game especially if they get stuck playing one of the Big 12 cast offs.

20) Pittsburgh: Pitt is in the exact same position as Cincinnati. The showdown between the two schools will determine who wins the Big East. It will also determine who will be the sacrificial lamb of the BCS.

21) Oregon State: Hanging out near the bottom of the top 25, the Beavers control their own destiny and that is important. With games against Arizona and instate rival Oregon the Beavers are primed to take home a Pac-10 title and in doing so, claim a trip to the Rose Bowl.

22) Maryland: The Terps have had an up and down season, but somehow they have clung around and fought themselves back into the top 25. The ACC is an absolute mess, and it is difficult to tell who will win, or who will do what. But out of a bunch of mediocre teams, Maryland appears to have the edge for the last twenty minutes.

23) Oregon: The Ducks are playing solid football. While they do not factor into the Pac-10 title hunt, they can play the roll of spoiler. They will travel to Oregon State to play in the Civil War. A win there and the Ducks can consider it a good season.

24) Miami: After a two year hiatus, the Canes are back. Miami is in the midst of a six game winning streak, and this team is beginning to look like your fathers Miami Hurricanes. They are tough on defense and have speed on the edges on the offense. The Canes may be young, but you better get used to seeing them in the top 25.

25) UNC: The Tar Heels lost to Maryland in a close one on Saturday, but they didn’t fall too far in the rankings. And considering that the next three teams I would rank are also all average ACC teams, I saw no harm in giving the Heels the spot.

AFC Playoff Picture (Week 11 Edition):

The American Football Conference has looked much different this year than in previous seasons. Why is this? The decline of the starting QB, the incline of backup QB's? Who knows. All I know is many of the four separate divisions in the AFC have looked a bit topsy-turvy through 11 weeks. Which six teams will reach the playoffs and which teams will be sitting at home watching it on the tube...That's the real question here. Read on to find out:

AFC North:

Pittsburgh Steelers 7-3

Baltimore Ravens 6-4

Cleveland Browns 3-6 (plays @ BUF tonight)

Cincinnati Bengals 1-8-1

The Steelers have come away in some close wins this season, thankfully, and that's what matters most. It wasn't pretty in last night's 11-10 win over the Chargers, but Ben Roethlisberger was mistake free (0 INT, 0 fumbles), and he remarkably threw for 308 yards. If head coach Mike Tomlin can get the offense going, the Steelers will cruise to another division title and possibly a first-round bye.

The Baltimore Ravens and rookie QB Joe Flacco have shown promise at times, but failure to finish games has been killing these Ravens. At this point, all John Harbaugh should be looking for from Flacco is mistake-free football. Keep the pressure off Flacco and this team has a shot at a wild card spot. Will they do it? No, Baltimore's remaining schedule is just too tough. Wait 'til next year, Flacco!

At this point, it's quite obvious the Browns and Bengals are out of the playoff picture. The only hope Cincy has shown was during yesterday's tie with the Philadelphia Eagles, 13-13. And, Browns coach Romeo Crennel has already replaced his starting QB, Derek Anderson, with the inexperienced Brady Quinn. That's a sign of desperation, and replacing Anderson was certainly not the answer to their struggles.

This division comes down to the Steelers and Ravens, and Pittsburgh is the team that knows what it takes to reach the playoffs.Division winner: Steelers

AFC East:

New York Jets 7-3

Miami Dolphins 6-4

New England Patriots 6-4

Buffalo Bills 5-4 (plays CLE tonight)

With a win over Cleveland tonight, the Bills could tie Miami and New England for second place in the division. This division could be the toughest to call at this point. Even with New York's 7-3 record, there really isn't a "powerhouse" favorite like there was last year. But I haven't given up on the Patriots just yet. In fact, Matt Cassel has shown he has what it takes to win games under Bill Belichick, and I personally am still leaning towards New England for the division title. This could be a real dangerous team if coach Bill can get the running game going, which will ultimately take the pressure off Cassel's shoulders.

I will just go back to that saying, "New England are the favorites until someone knocks them off." Tom Brady isn't the only reason this team went 16-0 last year. It's a team effort.

Well, Brett Favre is Brett Favre, of course. But, the Jets' defense doesn't equal the Pats' D, and the coaching is much better in Foxboro. Let's face the facts, New England is the better team, despite the 34-31 OT loss on Thursday. Patriots win division, Jets earn a wild card spot. Sorry Buffalo, but your great start was a fluke. Wait 'til next year!

Division winner: Patriots

AFC South:

Tennessee Titans 10-0

Indianapolis Colts 6-4

Jacksonville Jaguars 4-6

Houston Texans 3-7

I do not expect Jeff Fisher's success to dwindle to nothing at the end of the regular season. Come playoff time, the Titans will still be the number one team in the AFC, boasting a 14-2 record and an AFC South title. The duo of Chris Johnson and LenDale White has just been too much for opposing defenses, and the Steelers are the only tough defense remaining on their regular season radar.

Peyton Manning had another slow/tough start to the season, but he has the tendency to carry his team. It's not gonna be pretty, but Indy will get the fifth seed in the playoffs.

I am very disappointed in these 4-6 Jaguars. They were favorites coming into the season and they have disappointed pretty much everyone. But, I guess they aren't the only team to do that this year. This seems to be a pretty disappointing season, so far (yes, I'm looking at you Cleveland, New England, Dallas, Minnesota etc, etc, etc).

Houston remains the scum of the AFC South. Actually, the AFC for that matter. Wait 'til next year Houston!

Division winner: Titans

AFC West:

Denver Broncos 6-4

San Diego Chargers 4-6

Oakland Raiders 2-8

Kansas City Chiefs 1-8

This is what's holding the AFC back. An entire "suckish" division. This is ugly. What is up out west? Both west divisions have some of the worst teams in the entire NFL. What an embarrassment!

First of all, the 6-4 Broncos are extremely inconsistent. Second of all, Jay Cutler needs a little help in the backfield (and offensive line, as well). Injuries have decimated the Broncos on both sides of the ball. Third of all, the defense is horrific. The injury to All-Pro CB Champ Bailey hasn't helped that matter too much. The upside to the season? Young WR, Eddie Royal, looks promising, and has been a must in fantasy leagues around the Nation. Other than that, this is an embarrassment.

After the Broncos, the rest of the three teams have a combined record of 7-22. Whatever happened to all those Chargers fans in the beginning of the season? You know, all those AF's commenting on Galligan's NFL Preview...They were badmouthing him for picking Denver to win the division and look where LT and the Bolts are. I can't believe they are only two games back with a horrifying 4-6 record.

Don't even get me started on the Raiders and Chiefs! Wait 'til next year...Uh, can I just say the entire AFC WEST?!?!?

Division winner: Broncos (But, in order for this to happen, the Broncos D must actually play football).