Leftover Tuesday Daily "Linkin' Logs" (12/16/08)

Again, another Monday Night Bust. Now as an Eagles fan, I certainly take solace in the win, but I'll be honest; beyond the first quarter the game was uninteresting...especially to a national base. What it do do was assist in explaining the playoff scenarios, which essentially leave the top four something like this:

1. Dallas Cowboys - Win out and they're in (Baltimore, @ Philadelphia). That being said, they certainly have the toughest remaining schedule, given that Baltimore most likely needs to win out as well to get in and Philadelphia is potentially playing for a birth of its own and/or pride in preventing the Cowboys fromg getting in
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Again, win out and they're in (San Diego, Oakland). Tampa faces the most interesting test. Oakland is a total slouch and easy game, while the San Diego game wreaks of potential upset given the way the Bucs have played the last two weeks. Still San Diego has to travel and the Buc defense is still fairly solid. They appear to have the easiest road into the playoffs
   
3. Atlanta Falcons - The Falcons technically need help to get in, and as state above, they also need to win out (@ Minnesota, St. Louis). Should either the Cowboys or Bucs falter once, the Falcons then move into position to claim a spot. The hitch is Minnesota (9-5) has a 1 game lead on Chicago (8-6) and also has the Giants in week 17. Should the Giants lose to Carolina and fall to 11-4, Minnesota has a chance to overtake the second seed and a bye by beating them (tying their record and having the head-to-head tie breaker). So Minnesota has plenty of incentive to win. Their running attack could crush Atlanta, but their quarterback (Tavaris Jackson), regardless of his four TD game, is still a huge question mark.
4. Philadelphia Eagles - The Eagles are essentially in the same position as the Falcons and they also have two tough games that they must win (@ Washington, Dallas). Fortunately, by virtue of defeating Dallas in week 17, the Eagles move up (and everyone else) one spot. And therefore, they need one loss, by either Tampa or Atlanta to assume the 6th seed (and if both lose, the 5th). It may appear that they're in the worst position of the four, but its basically the same as Atlanta's and I'd argue the Cowboys is worse (they have the two toughest games by far).
   
5. Chicago Bears - The most improbable of playoff births, Chicago needs tons of help and also must win out (Packers, @ Texans). Then they need three of the following four things to happen: A) Cowboys lose to both Baltimore and Philly, B) The Falcons to lose to Minnesota and and St. Louis, C) The Bucs to lose to San Diego and Oakland, or D) The Eagles to lose once to either Dallas or Washington. Of course, this can be alleviated by Minnesota losing out (Atlanta, New York Giants) and Chicago winning out, thus giving them a one game lead. I'd argue this is Chicago's best chance.
6. New Orleans Saints and Washington Redskins - Technically speaking, they both can get in contingent on winning out, but its almost impossible. They need four of the five teams above to lose out in order to get in and some other weird instances. Its essentially impossible.
   

In a nut shell, Tampa and Dallas have the easiest paths (i.e. control their own destiny), but Atlanta probably as a solid shot at the sixth seed. Philly needs some help and unless Minnesota loses out, I don't see Chicago getting in. Should be a fun two weeks...

• Carl Peterson resigns as the Chiefs GM...Probably because that team has perpetually sucked ass for years (though they have had their occasional explosive team). This can't bode well for Herm "You play to win the game!" Edwards.
  
• The Phillies made a few subtle moves, keeping Jamie Moyer and adding Chan Ho Park. The Park deal is one year at $2.5 million that could reach $5 million with incentives. The Moyer deal is believes to be as much as $20 million, most likely based on some incentives (I surmise innings pitched, as his previous deal was).
  
• After news of the Angels 8 year offering over the weekend, it appears the Red Sox have made their own 8 year contract offering. Tim Dierkes at MLBTR cites Michael Silver of the Boston Herald in the possibility that the deal could be worth more than $170 million and perhaps close to $200.
• In some other stunning developments, Rafael Furcal is expected to go back to Atlanta and Jake Peavy is now going to stay in San Diego...for now.
• Chase Utley appeared before the Philadelphia media yesterday to address things from his surgery to his now infamous parade speech. He plans to be ready for opening day, though the Phils are more pessimistic, expecting Eric Bruntlett to fill in for about a month. And he had this to say about his World Series speech:

  "That was definitely an emotional day that we all had," Utley said. "That drive down Broad Street to the park was one of the best days of my life. I imagine for a lot of Phillies fans it was the same. I could have used different words to express myself. At the time, I didn't. I tell all kids not to use that word. If they're 29 and they win the World Series, I think they can say that. But I definitely would say to all the kids out there, 'Kids, it's a bad word. Don't say it.' And I'm dead serious."

  Is there any doubt this guy won't be in Philly (and a hero) for his entire career?
• Jared Allen believes in Karma...which is ironic given his thoughts regarding Carl Peterson.
• Someone at the LA Times refered to Northeastern Alum Jose Juan Barea as a "Mexican Smurf" - Man that paper is alllll classssss. For the record, JJB is not 6 feet tall...oh and he's Puerto Rican...If I remember correctly...Mayaguez is his home town.
• And finally, EC's DMt gives us the top 11 key sports moments in a fans life...

A Special 40 Year Anniversary

That's right. Today December 15, 2008 is a special day. Because its the 40 year anniversary of another special day.

Date: December 15, 1968

Location: Franklin Field, Philadelphia, PA

Time: Halftime of the Philadelphia Eagles - Minnesota Vikings game with the Eagles spiraling towards a 2-12 season.

The stands were full of angst-ridden fans. Drunk, annoyed, frustrated and sitting through a pathetic, rainy, icey, wet halftime show featuring Santa Claus.

As the story goes, the original Santa was unavailable, so they found a replacement in the stands; a drunk Frank Olivo, a skinny Italian man who relished the opportunity to be on the field. Unfortunately, the fans would have none of it, as the Olivo-Santa proved to be an even poorer imitation of a more well-financed attempt. They lustily booed, and pelted him with whatever they could find, from hotdogs to snow balls.

But they we're booing Santa, they were booing the product, the team, the effort and the display. No different than booing a bad call or a bad effort (see Manny Ramirez). And so their fate was sealed. But don't let a Philadelphian fool you. Today's historical date may represent years of resentment in distaste, but Philadephians relish it. They love the fact that others resent them for it.

But the fact of the matter is that the paradigm of booing Santa exists today. The effort and product put forth in 1968 was something that would be booed today by annoyed Philly fans. It was and always will be about trying harder and doing more with less. Ricky Watters was Santa, Derrick Coleman was too, Bobby Clarke wasn't and Chase Utley certainly isn't either...

Whatever...Boooooooooo!

DSRTSV! 12/15/08

In case you haven't seen it, or want to watch it again, here's Santonio Holmes controversial game winning Touchdown. And I actually do agree with Petey on this one. Its probably a TD, but since it was ruled a spot on the (roughly) 6 inch line in should not have been overturned.

Then again, I still think the Steelers would have put it in regardless...sorry Ravens fans

Indisputable Evidence: Peter King is Still a Moron - MMBBQ (12/15/08)

Petey provides his insight on the play this weekend involving the Steelers and Ravens, his steps back from his Super Bowl picks (as recent as 2 weeks ago), and his Fine 15 is finely unreadable. Let's fire up the grill and get ready for another MMBBQ

The Giants and Titans don't look like Super Bowl locks anymore. And Jeff Fisher has some 'splainin' to do.

Rocket Science right there. Yes, consecutive losses for teams' with the two best records in the NFL has a way of doing that...

The most controversial play since ... well, since the Tuck Rule

Both these teams will most likely make the playoffs and both teams might actually be the best (and second best) in the conference and while this game had some bearing on playoff position and the season, its fairly hard to compare it to a game that involved the playoffs themselves and arguably the start of a dynasty...ok, ok, Walt Coleman was involved in both, so there's some commonality

The magnitude of the play can't be overstated. If the play is upheld, it's fourth-and-three-inches, and Mike Tomlin has the biggest call of his coaching career to make -- go for the touchdown to win the game, knowing he might end up turning it over on downs, or kick the gimme field goal and play for overtime. A Pittsburgh win would clinch the division title. A Baltimore win would tie the two mortal enemies with two weeks to go.

Again? Really? See above? I know its a big difference, but this game was all about the difference between the 2 and 5/6 seed in the playoffs...not loser goes home.

Look at what this team (the Steelers) has done since Week 4, all with Roethlisberger playing despite a wounded shoulder: Survived a 15-round fight with Baltimore at home to win 23-20 ... won a slightly less physical game at Jacksonville the next week, 26-21, beating the team that had beaten them twice in a month in Pittsburgh last winter ... lost to the Giants at home, in part because of long-snapper problems ... impaled the Redskins in Washington at a time when the Redskins had won six of seven ... played the only game they really wish they could take back, losing 24-20 to Indy on two Roethlisberger picks in the final five minutes ... had the strange 11-10 slugfest with San Diego ... won at Foxboro by 23 in a combo platter of Patriots mistakes and physical dominance ... got a gift against Dallas in a game the Cowboys absolutely had to have ... and won a game Ray Lewis and Ed Reed will never forget in one of the most physical games you'll ever see.

So the Steelers are 11-3. They've had their share of good fortune, but to be 11-3 against that schedule is to be 13-1 or 14-0 against most other schedules.

Or they can be 7-7 (or maybe 8-6) if all those plays start not going there way. What? I suppose you think they beat Philly in a game where the Eagles got real (reeeeaaalll) physical and owned Ben Roethlisberger? Or you blame the Giants loss on a bad snap, but forget the drive involved after said bad snap (and safety) which resulted in the win? Or the Cowboys game...ok, ya got me there.

The not so "Fine 15" - Where Petey gives us some head scratchers...

Let's review some highlights from Petey's Fine 15 during 11/23/08 , a mere three weeks ago...

1. New York Giants (10-1). Over the last four weeks, the Giants have scored 35, 36, 30 and 37, all against teams in the top 10 in the NFL in total defense -- Dallas (8), Philadelphia (6), Baltimore (2), Arizona (10). Not trying to be too gee-whiz here, but exactly who is going to stop this team?

Answer: Philadelphia and Dallas...top 10 defenses

2. New York Jets (8-3). Biggest day in the history of New Jersey sports: The Jets versus the Giants in Tampa ... WITH SPRINGSTEEN AT HALFTIME.

Bwahahahahahaha...Let's check Peter's 12/15 version:

"What? The Texans at No. 15 over the Jets and Cards, two division leaders? No question."

Yep, from #2 to lower than 15...

6. Philadelphia (7-5-1). I'll bet you $1,000 that Donovan McNabb howled uproariously over the T.O. hijinks last week. Several times.

Wait till the postgame quotes come out...then I'll give you my address Peter...

Enjoyable/Aggravating Travel Note...thus Suggesting Petey is a Moron

Friday afternoon, Montclair, N.J., four-way stop, and I'm at the western stop sign. I have the right of way. No car is at either the north or south stop sign, and a blue Maxima approaches the stop sign across from me.

Ok...so you're at a four-way stop and some dude is across from you...what, nothing about the weather? Was there a fucking glare too? And you have the right of way by what virtue? Being Peter King?

I know I'm at a dead stop because I have to shift the car back into first gear, which I do only when the car is stopped.

Ah...that's how you knew...

No? Okay, I gotta say it. Seriously, what the fuck? You knew you were at a dead stop because you had to shift the car into first gear (in order to go, I'm assuming?). Not because of something obvious...like you weren't moving?

I proceed straight into the intersection, and the Maxima, which only slowed down and never came close to stopping, turns left, in front of me, with no signal. Now, we can count the traffic tickets right there on three fingers -- stopping at a stop sign, not signaling on a turn and I think there's also a statute about really ticking me off. So I lean on my horn and the guy driving the Maxima waves me off. Like: You didn't really expect me to stop there, did you?

Now, I'm not a DMV guru or anything but...I really couldn't find anything about failing to use turn signals being a "ticketable" offense (maybe there is?). And while rolling stops are indeed illegal, but about as common as "speeders" doing 60 in a 55..."Really ticking me off?" - Yeah nothing there.

But what I didn't get was, Peter claimed to have the right of way and claimed the guy moved right in front of him, but at no point mentioned which way he was going or even if he was signalling...

I'm a bit of a driving hypocrite because I do my share of law-breaking driving. But I've always thought that these municipalities struggling so mightily with reduced budgets could make big dough by simply posting unmarked police cars around town and pinching drivers for rolling through stop signs and going 43 in a 25-mph zone. It might even make people drive the way they're supposed to.

But the biggest travesty? Its a fucking traffic incident that happens...I'd guess a couple thousand times a day throughout this country...yeah, thousands. In fact I'm pretty sure I saw this happen twice today. If that's the most aggrevating thing to happen in the travels of a major sports columnist, then I'd imagine that's a damn fine week...ugh

The NFL has final say over the games flexed to Sunday night in Weeks 11 through 16 ... and the NFL has absolute say over the final Sunday night game of the year, in Week 17.

I preface this by acknowledging that I am employed by NBC, the beneficiary of the potential to change the late-season schedule, so you rightfully should look at this and say, "Of course King's going to empathize with the concept of flex scheduling and pay homage to powerful Lord Ebersol. It's helping to pay King's massively bloated salary.'' And you'd be right, sort of. So skip over the section if you don't want to read my propaganda about how good flex scheduling is for the football fan from Orono to Oxnard.

Mmmm...He pretty much said it all right there. Hmmm: Massively bloated salary? Propoganda? Yeah, pretty much all covered.

10 Things I Think Prove Peter is a Moron...

a. The excessive reverence for the Heisman Trophy by ESPN had me wretching up my pork chop Saturday night. Did Jesus win the Heisman? Moses? Abraham Lincoln?

That's not fair, it didn't exist until 1935...dick...

f. Why does every announcer say "football game'' instead of "game'' or "field'' or "player'' over and over and over in the same sound bite? We know the sport is football. Does Joe Buck say, "The Cubs are playing a heck of a baseball game on this baseball field?'' Does Mike Breen say, "This is a basketball game for the ages, and these basketball players out on that basketball floor will remember it forever?''

huh?

i. Best new uniforms in the league this year: the all-red jobs of the Texans. Bob McNair should make them Houston's home unis.

As in these? Ok...

3. I think you won't find me paying much attention to the Pro Bowl when the rosters are announced Tuesday afternoon. The game hasn't had meaning for a long time, but now, ever player wants to make the team and no team wants to play in the game. Too many players treat it as a nuisance, not an honor.

Mostly because it is...

b. I believe in Kyle Orton.

So, you're the one...

a. Why, oh why, if you're a politician in Illinois do you think you're getting away with anything big? Assuming this latest idiot goes to jail, that makes it four of the past eight Illinois governors who would have been imprisoned.

As opposed to North Dakotan politicians who think they can get away with anything?

b. Jim Carrey is the new Adam Sandler. He makes a gazillion dollars starring in movies we don't want to see.

And you write articles that suck ass but still get thousands of hits...

c. Except the remake of The Longest Yard, of course. The greatest movie of all time.

That can't be serious...

f. Coffeenerdness: Did an exclusive interview with Marv Albert last night about his coffee habits. Turns out he likes three double-tall cappuccinos a day, and doesn't mind drinking them at room temperature.

Really, I'd expect something with a little more bite...ba dum cha...

g. I have to get a life now.

Hahahahaha. Point taken...

Terrell Owens Ruins Ed Werder's Career

Okay so everyone knows about all the drama and BS circulating around the Dallas Cowboys. NFL fans who are more in tune with what is going on have now heard the post game press conference where Dallas Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens attacks ESPN reporter Ed Werder. The clip bellow shows that maybe T.O. wasn't spewing randomness, the fans are taking his side.

Here is Ed Werder trying to do his thing, and one Dallas fan does his best to expose him for what he is worth. This is just funny.

Shoe-Throwing Monday Daily "Linkin' Logs" (12/15/08)

It'll have to be an abbreviated version today, but I will post the MMBBQ later today.

• Someone threw a shoe at the President. We'll post this because of his athletic prowess involved in avoiding not one but two shoes...secret service a little slow on that one eh?
• The Cowboys beat the Giants in spite of the TO-Witten-Romo love triangle. So clearly it was Garcia, McNabb, Ed Werder and the driveway's fault for all of T.O.'s transgressions...poor guy, he gets in trouble for everything
• 0 and 16 is just 2 weeks away. With the Saints and Packers lurking, it seems not only plausible, but probable. By the way if you go to http://www.0and16.com it redirects to the Detroit Lions website...yeah...awesome
• In the wake of blowing over $240 million over 8 years to two pitchers, the Yankees look to add a hitter at probably another $20 mil a year.
• If you didn't see the Steelers-Ravens game yesterday, you missed some serious controversey. I say "No TD" but they have one more down at the 1 foot line so I'd still surmise the Steelers score...even against the Ravens
• And finally, the 10 most surprising developments of week 15, courtesy of EC's DMtShooter.
  

Sunday Sunday Daily "Linkin' Logs" (12/14/08)

Well, what have we got here. Some hellacious headlines throughout the world of sports:

• The Phillies sign Raul Ibanez for 3 years, $30 million. I can't say I'm thrilled, but I can't say I'm disappointed. Ibanez will probably hit close to 40 points higher than displaced Pat Burrell and may equal his power numbers (Ibanez had roughly 10 homers less but 20 RBIs more). Problem is, Ibanez is only slightly better on defense and again, only slightly faster. Burrell is also almost 5 years younger and seems likely to to regress as much in the coming years.
  
• What the hell is going on in Dallas? Terrell Owens is finally tearing apart the team at the seams. And we all predicted this. With so much on the line, for both the team and Owens's career, I can't believe he would do this. But the feud between him and Tight End Jason Witten wreaks of jealousy and stupidity. Moreover, throwing another QB, Tony Romo, under the bus only proves that he was indeed the problem now and at each previous location, thus vindicating Jeff Garcia, Donovan McNabb and their accompanying fans. My only question(s) remaining are, what team does Owens retire on and if he would make the hall of game, what jersey would he wear?
  
• Avery's a fallen Star. Well that didn't take long. Word out of Dallas (what a tough place to be right now) is that Sean Avery is not only not being welcomed with open arms, he's not welcome at all. Details of what's next are sketchy. He could be sent down to the minors, traded or bought out after one season. But with all his transgressions, its hard seeing any team swallow his 4 year $15.5 million dollar contract in the new capped NHL. Avery finally talked himself into a hole he cannot get out of.
  
• Goodbye Mo Cheeks. After losing 8 of 10 and starting the season 9-14 with a new star (Elton Brand), Mo Cheeks was canned. I can't blame the Sixers for this one, though it was hardly all on Cheeks (who's playoff squad started slow last year and still finished below .500). The Sixers legend walked out of an Arena that once (well, next to the arena) chanted his name a disgraced coach.
  
• The Yankees strike again with Burnett. This time, it was a 5 year $82.5 million dollar contract for what will probably be their third starter (Sabathia-Wang-Burnett-Chamberlain-Hughes/Kennedy). I thought I remembered Chamberlain being returned to the pen for '09, but I could be wrong. Either way, I believe Kennedy and Hughes could be effective 4 and 5 guys in 2009. If Joba remains the starter, that's a hell of a 1-4, assuming they all stay healthy (and that is a big if for each as time goes by). And while people mock the cash-crazed Yankees who maybed $209 million for last year's non-playoff team, its important to remember that this years projected team is going to be less after $60+ million came off the books and it appears as though close to 40 million will be back on. Unless then sign Mark Teixeira...then all bets are off.
  
• K-Rod sends message to Phils -

  "Of course, we're going to try to win the division. Of course, we're going to be the front-runner. Of course, we're going to be the team to beat." -Francisco Rodriguez

  What a fraud. Admittedly, Jimmy Rollins made a declaration in 2007 after losing the division to the Mets the previous year, but declaring yourself, a newly minted teammate, the team to beat after your opponent just won the World Series is a bit of a joke. It's ashame the ring ceremony couldn't be held with the Mets in town. Check out thefightins.com look at the Mets threats throughout the years.
  
• Royals sign Farnsworthless. Who would actually pay this guy to pitch? Almost $5 million a year no less. No watch him make the All-Star squad.
  
• Something about the Heisman Trophy? I don't really give a shit...
• And finally, a look back at Phillies Rookie Hazing secrets...That's hot...
  

DSRTSV! - 12/13/08

Sorry for the lack of activity today. I've been under the weather, so I've been in bed all day ingesting a cocktail of zinc, vitamin C, Advil and Robitussin. I know there's a ton of stuff between Cunningham vs. Adamek, the Mo Cheeks firing, the Burnett signing and Raul Ibanez (which I was slightly disappointed in), but I just haven't been up to it. I'll do my best to give my thoughts on a sweet opening in tomorrows DLLs if I can't make it out of bed.

Anyway. I know he's out and its kinda pointless with Prop 8 (as the author states) but I just found this video, and its pretty good/entertaining/funny for a nerdy white dude...