Thursday Evening "10 Things I Think Smell Like Shit" (10/16/08)

With the Phils spectacular win and my job requiring, I don't know, some work, I wasn't able to post yesterday. But feat not, 10 Things... was still kept. Let's see what's stinkin' today

1. T.J. Simers hackismo. If you didn't know, T.J. Simers is a pathetic excuse for a writer at the L.A. Times (which is really saying something, they also employ Bill Plaschke), who has taken to bashing the hell out of Philly, declaring, amongst other things, that the pissed off fan base doesn't deserve a winner. Subsequently, he's been subjected to numerous blogging banter that is frankly living up the the Angryville name Simers provided. This fraud of a writer now experienced some real fanship. The Dodgers got whupped 4-1 in a series and Philly fans watched as their L.A. counterparts arrived after the 1st and left before the 8th. Topping that, videos have surfaced of fraudulent L.A. fans douchebagging it up. Simers response for the poor attitude in L.A.? "I was afraid of this, knowing some folks born in Philly have probably moved here and become Dodgers fans over the years. The thing is, you just can't take the Angryville out of them, which obviously explains all the problems in Dodger Stadium."
   
2. Too Much Champagne. Discussions have been abound on the internet (and some popular sports writers) regarding champagne celebrations throughout MLB. For some, its been an all out celebration for each step. Some are more subdued then others, but frankly they're all too much. Winning your division? Sure pop the cork and have a few minutes of fun. But Division Series and Championship Series victories mere weeks apart? Just crack a cold one. I understand a young team like the Rays grasping at each chance, but teams like the Red Sox or even the Phillies need not apply...they've taken these steps, no need to celebrate your next business trip.
3. Obama's Delay. And here's praying for a sweep. Barack Obama will preempt FOX pregram for Game 6 of the World Series to provide Barack Obama with a 30 minute ad for his run at the Oval Office. I prefer my sports with politics (on the sideline). The RNC is protesting such a move...because they didn't think of it first. Frankly, the whole thing makes me sick.
   
4. Wait, We're Still Talking About Favre? And you don't care. And you shouldn't. ESPN is now debating who got the best of the Favre deal; after 6 weeks of the season. Apparently nothing else is going on.
5. Pacman is back...man. As I'm sure you heard earlier this week. Pacman was back to his old tricks. He's done with chances as far as I see it. No matter what you do for the guy, he doesn't get it. I say, let him walk.
   
6. Wow Whitlock. Even for a hater, its impressive when KC Star's Jason Whitlock gets one right. Scoop just can't get it right...and he's not helping anyone.
   
7. Don't Cap Mr. Penn. The rumors were out that once high seated William Penn was to be fitted with a Phillies cap. Mr. Penn has already been covered with a cap in 1993 and a Flyers Jersey in 1997, but fear of curses squashed that, thinking it was the cause for both losses. Turns out, as a result of the Eagles and Sixers runs, there's no such curse. But Mayor Michael Nutter isn't taking any risks. No Cap.
8. Pessimism? If you've talked to a Phillies fan lately, you know s/he's pretty happy. But as happy as they seem, they know it doesn't mean squat. Don't act like they haven't won shit yet, they've done better than you, unless your a Sox fan (and even then, you've got a few hours at most). You say you're a Rays fan? Bullshit. So let the Philly guy get back to pessimism himself, he doesn't need your help.
   
9. Simmons back to form. Its true, I gave Bill Simmons a sweetheart article not too long ago. I was wrong, he's back to form and the typical bullshit about basketball and him being better than you. Stop Reading him...please
   
10. And This One Doesn't Stink: God Bless Uncle Charlie. You may think its pretty tough for the old fella to push through a few games of tough NLCS baseball to make it, but frankly, I think for good ole uncle Cholly it was the best medicine. Charlie Manuel lost his mother last week. I sympathize with that (though I've never experienced anything like that). I'm sure it weighed on Charlie's heart and I imagine there were times he would have preferred to go home. But that game, those guys in the clubhouse and perhaps the thought of doing what he loved...what his mother would have wanted, made it just a little bit easier.
    

Elevator? No Thanks, I'll Take the Stairs - Daily "Linkin' Logs" (10/14/08)

It wasn't like I knew. It was around 11pm last night, the Dodgers willing themselves to as 5-3 lead and me resigning myself to the 2-2 series tie, knowing the onslaught of Simers and Plaschkes telling me how they knew the Dodgers could do it. The tough love of Boston fans around me who say they are "rooting" for the Phillies (if only to be, as they believe, the sacrificial lamb to their beloved Sox...more on this later).

A quiet Ryan Howard single breathed little life into the scenario, down 2 in the eighth. Cory Wade arrives to promptly retire Pat the Bat. 2 outs and the game, almost essentially rests on the shoulder of the littlest man, Shane Victorino

And with another blast, Vic's ascension to the thrown, perhaps above recently former centerfielder Aaron Rowand and maybe, just maybe above the last playoff centerfielder (to win a game) Lenny Dykstra.

Or maybe Victorino, like many before him and frankly, many of us, is just happy to be there, happy to be doing what he does, happy to be a major leaguer this close to the biggest stage in baseball.

Victorino breathed life and then Carlos Ruiz pumped the chest. A quiet single by the man FOX nicknamed "Cooch" lead to another 2 out baserunner. And up stepped another no-name hero. Matt Stairs, the former Blue Jay, odd kind of acquisition you think might help you win a September game or two provided an October blast for the ages. Unlike Vic's eaking of a homer, Stairs Dinger was a no-doubter, the kind of blast in October that a city will walk about for years.

The kind that makes you think, maybe this is it?

On the other side of the country, Boston was a different kind of atmosphere. After receiving the news that Josh Beckett claims he is ok, the rumors are swirling that he is not. And its bad. Then Sox fans had the pleasure of watching their newly minted ace, Jon Lester, get smacked around by their division rival and ALCS opponent. And now the Sox's hope rest on the shoulder of the 5-2 ALCS knuckleballer, Tim Wakefield. When he's on, he's on and when he's off...well, warm up the pen. The Sox will try to keep pace tonight. If Wakefield falters, you can say goodnight Irene.

• Bill Plaschke and T.J. Simers look for excuses, while Bill Shaikin thinks they just screwed up.
• On the other side of the country, Sam Donnellon talks about Vic the Villain, And Mike Jensen talks about Matt Stairs moment in the lime lights of L.A.
• Tony Romo will be out for 1 month with a broken pinkie. Its either Brad Johnson or Brooks Bollinger. Yeah, its pretty funny.
  
• Giants pummeled by the Browns...wow
• SSReporters is pissed and thinks you broadcasters could learn a thing or two...or three...or four
• AwfulAnnouncing's got the battle a-brew-ing between Mike Wilbon of PTI and David Scott of Scott's Shots. Was Kimbo's fight fixed. Is MMA even real?
• Over the next 6 hours, we'll note the fate of Tony Gonzalez...and frankly, its gonna be weird
  
• And finally, thefightins picked up on something I read in the Donnellon article above (but I'll give them credit, because they made a blog post before me). Matt Stairs talks about the Phillies Clubhouse culture.
  

The LA Sports Blog: How I Became Inspired To Write Again

The ArmchairGM Burns

By: Nate Gordon

Generally I am a fairly consistent writer; two times a month minimum in slow times, once a week during busy times, three times a week when highly motivated. On the contrary, however, I’ve been stymied by a real life event that I both never though I’d have to endure at this point in my life, nor would believe the magnitude of it I did experience such a thing. My close friend and neighbor Chad, who I’ve known since I was 10, passed away on September 7 th due to complications of substance abuse. It’s been a troubling, sobering, anomaly of an experience. A diehard Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Broncos fan, I’d often draw motivation to write off of a conversation I had with Chad. The last 6 weeks have been to say the least, an experience, an experience I’ve been unable to write through.

That is until this afternoon. Sitting at my desk, reflecting on the previous weeks sports events my mind wandered into a faux conversation with Chad. I could see and hear his excitement over the Dodgers and his corny jokes about the Raiders. As I thought about this I was quickly drawn into side thoughts about each team, Dodgers and Raiders respectively. What came of it was an analysis of the state of each team currently. I’m going to share the thoughts on the Dodgers with you today, but I’m going to write in the spirit of Chad, so the language and grammar might not sound like my voice, but it’s only because you’re talking to Chad. So without further ado, here is Chad’s take on the Dodgers:

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers are NL West champions, and 3 wins shy of their first World Series since I was 2. I’ve been attending Dodgers games since 1990 and there are “5 best of the last 20 years” on this team. I’m certain of that have made this team what it is:

• Manny Ramirez is the best player to play for the Dodgers the last 20 years.

You think this is obvious right? Manny is a lock Hall of Famer having one of his best statistical seasons while wearing Blue. However there is more to this then one may see. You see, I’ve watched tons of great players in a Dodger uniform, but not all of them played to their potential, or were in their primes when they were with the club. Pedro Martinez and Vlad Guerrero, both as farm hands/fringe big leaders were moved to Montreal. I’ve seen Gary Sheffield, Mike Piazza both come through here and put up their respective numbers. But no one has played as hard or as well as Manny.

Now the next caveat purposed would be that Manny won’t be here next year. My answer? So freaking what! If he helps us win a ring, thank you for your services and have a nice day! I don’t see past this season, not when I’ve endured 20 years of losing from a proud and successful organization. If I was a Giants fan I could cope – not as a Dodgers fan.

• Joe Torre is the best Dodgers Manager of the last 20 years:

Now this is unfair because it would technically reach into Lasorda Era. So excluding Tommy Lasorda we’ve been subjected to Davey Johnson, Glen Hoffman, Jim Tracy and Grady Little. So enough said, Joe is the best since Tommy.

Derek Lowe, Dodgers Ace

• Derek Lowe is the best Dodgers Pitcher of the last 20 years:

I’m not going into stats, ERA, sabermatrics or anything like that. I’m going off of what I’ve seen with my own two eyes and no one since “Bulldog” Orel Hershiser has been more consistent than or as talented as Derek Lowe. Lowe, the textbook sinker-baller, has been automatic the last two months and is playing his best baseball since arriving in LA. He’s been the true Ace of the staff on and off the mound and has brought a calm and consistency to that clubhouse by ensuring the position players that at least once ever five days they are getting a quality start from their pitcher.

James Loney, Dodgers First Basemen

• James Loney is our best first round draft pick of the last 20 years.

Loney was a highly regarded High School pitcher but was assumed to be unable to play position baseball. Logan White, Dodgers scouting director, had a different idea. Called a “waste of valuable talent” at the time, the Dodgers selected Loney in 2006 as a first basemen. Two seasons later Loney was starting in Los Angeles as the first basemen, batting over .300 and showing a prowess for defense and power.

Russell Martin, Dodgers All-Star/Silver Slugger Catcher

• Russell Martin is the best Dodgers catcher of the last 20 years:

Russell Martin undid a childhood of Pizza and LoDuca memories in his rookie season alone. This season his continued his solid pitching staff management while putting up consistent numbers at the plate. The kid is gifted with unnatural speed for a catcher and a leadership quality that borders on arrogant. While that attitude has rubbed some veteran teammates the wrong way, it has thrilled fans and emboldened other young teammates. Martin seems poised to be the franchise catcher well into the next decade and I for one will be thrilled to go see him at Chavez Ravine year after year.

So if Chad was still around this is how he would see the current state of Dodgers affairs. Success behind 5 of the best Dodgers of the last 20 years, all at pivotal positions: Catcher, Pitcher, First Base, Left Field and Manager. I’ll never get my friend back, and I’ll never to get share another memory with him like the ones we made. But hopefully, if you have a friend that is special to you like Chad was to me, you’ll cherish the time you have together, because it can be gone tomorrow.

Walker-Sports Top 25 Poll: Hook'em Horns

What a week in college football and it just seems to keep on giving. Now Tommy Bowden is fired and there was such a shake up in the Top 25, that Walker-Sports just had to share their new poll with all the readers out there.

1) Texas Longhorns: No we are not trying to be like the AP and ESPN. Texas jumped to the top spot in this week’s poll because we had Missouri and LSU ranked behind OU. Despite all that, Texas is the number 1 team in the land and there is a huge target on their back now as they attempt to navigate the Big 12:

2) Alabama: Being idol can kill you. That’s what happened to the Tide. They had the weekend off, and because of that, they were unable to best the performance Texas put on in the Cotton Bowl. Don’t worry Bama fans, I don’t think the Longhorns will be riding on top very long.

3) Penn State: The destroyed Wisconsin on Saturday. I’m not sure if Wisconsin has just fallen apart that bad or what their deal is. What I do know is this is by far the best Penn State team I’ve seen since the 1990’s. They will be representing the Big 10 in the BCS.

4) Florida: Talk trash, come to the swamp and you will become Gator bait. That’s what the Florida Gators showed the world Saturday night. Urben Myers crew put on a clinic Saturday against LSU (a team I had ranked at #2). The Gators are right back in the hunt, and you better believe Saturday’s game was a statement game.

5) Texas Tech: The Nebraska Cornhuskers gave the Red Raiders all they could handle on Saturday, but somehow Texas Tech pulled through. This team is a fraud, but till someone can prove that Texas Tech is fraudulent they will remain a top ranked program.

6) BYU: Just win baby. Stay focused and don’t let a 3-5 team upset what could be a very special season.

7) Georgia: Don’t look now but the Bulldogs are back. UGA and company handled their business against a Tennessee program that is counting the days till Fulmer is fired. All Georgia has to do is make it to the SEC Title game. It’s in their backyard and they can make good things happen.

8) Oklahoma: Tough lost on Saturday. Not only did the Sooners lose the Red River Shootout for the third time in four years. The lost to Texas just added fuel to the fire that Bob Stoops cannot coach in the big games.

9) Oklahoma State: He’s a man! He’s 41 and he has one damn good football team. The Oklahoma State Cowboys are the real deal and they showed everyone just how good they are by knocking off Missouri on Saturday.

10) Ohio State: Why is it not surprising that as the season rolls into it’s second half Ohio State have weaseled its way back into the Top 10? This team is as good as Beanie Wells will allow them to be. As long as he provides protection and takes the pressure off Pryor the Buckeyes will be just fine.

11) USC: A solid dominating win over Arizona State Saturday night. They didn’t blow them out, they didn’t put up the gaudy numbers, but they showed the rest of the Pac 10 that all roads still run through USC.

12) Utah: Just like their cross state rivals, just keep plugging away and don’t become so obsessed with BYU that you over look someone else on the schedule.

13) Missouri: Tough break against a good Oklahoma State team. Now, the Tigers must put Saturday’s lost behind them because they have a chance to fix everything next Saturday when they take on the top ranked Texas Longhorns.

14) Kansas: The Jayhawks are a solid team with a great QB. As I’ve said multiple times this year, they aren’t as good as last year. Nor are they amongst the elite in the Big 12, but that won’t stop them from making noise all year.

15) Boise State: The kings of the WAC just do what they do best and that’s win games on the blue turf and just wait for someone to give them a shot at the big boys.

16) LSU: I doubt that the LSU Tigers will be talking trash and making bulletin board material for anyone in the upcoming weeks. All it did last week was set themselves up for failure and knock them out the top 10.

17) Virginia Tech: After an average performance against Western Kentucky the Hokies had the week off. Now they have to face the rest of the ACC. Virginia Tech is just a solid team that will more than likely play for an ACC Championship.

18) North Carolina: UNC got their first national exposure of the season and they made the best of their 10 minutes of fame by knocking off Notre Dame. The Tar Heels are quickly becoming the team to beat in the ACC. Next week they will be put to the test against a suddenly resurgent Virginia team.

19) South Florida: This is the highest ranked team in the Big East. Now what does that tell you about that conference? The Bulls are hoping they can make keep afloat and make an appearance in a BCS game in January.

20) Wake Forest: Wake got the win over Clemson on Thursday night, and they can go down as the straw that broke Tommy Bowden’s back and cost him his job.

21) Vanderbilt: The bubble seems to be bursting on Vandy. However, this marks the fourth week Vanderbilt has been ranked and that is a first for the school.

22) Michigan State: plunking and lumbering away, with a running game like theirs, the Spartans can remain a factor in any game they play.

23) Ball State: All this team has done is go out and win and win. They are doing all they can to remain viable and just make a showing.

24) Pittsburgh: Who would have thought that Pitt. Would find their way into the Top 25. Dave is coaching for his job and right now he is doing a good job with it.

25) Cal: Cal has climbed their way back into the top 25 after their embarrassing lost earlier this season that left the Bears losing their lunch.

Columbus Day Daily "Linkin' Logs" (10/13/08)

Last night it appeared as though the Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Douchbags...err...Dodgers reached a fever pitch as far as fighting. L.A. won 7-2 via a 5 run fifth off of normally steady but playoff unready Jamie Moyer. The Phillies still lead the series 2 games to 1.

If you haven't been paying attention, the anger started in game 2 on Friday where Phillie Brett Myers appeared to toss one behind Manny Ramirez, unprevoked and without cause. Manny promptly struck out after that pitch but not without having words with Myers who appeared to be admitting that the ball simply slipped. Given the way I've see Brett throw, the Phillies lack of attack (in that manor) this season and the way the ball flew out, I have a tendency to believe him.

Back to Sunday. Hiroki Kuroda tossed a lofty one just above the head of tiny Shane Victorino. Vic took exception to such a pitch, pointing at his head and then his gut, to suggest to Kuroda that he'll take a pitch, just don't try to kill him by giving him one in the noggin. Head Doucher...err...Dodger Russell Martin didn't think Victorino was being to considerate and decided to give Vic a piece of his mind. Chase Utley then stepped in (with the umpire) and cooler heads prevaled. But as Victorino grounded out and Kuroda then decided that was the appropriate time to respond, the benches cleared with Manny Ramirez having to be held back and Mariano Duncan and Davey Lopes almost dropping the gloves.

Now, as a Philly fan, I can appreciate moxey. I'd love to see any one of our guys go toe-to-toe with any of their tofa players any day of the week, but I don't think any of these guys realize, the Phillies simply aren't the type of team to retaliate. Just look at Chase Utley, who's the new Craig Biggio, taking hits left and right for the sake of a free base. The Phillies respond the right way...with their bats.

Now, I'm not done yet. What sickens me most about all of this is the verbally felatio given to the Dodgers by Fox. I'm absolutely baffled that any network (actually its, Fox, why am I baffled?) would go so far as to clearly support one team over another. I just wish I had DVR so I could time the thing and listen to the radio via my MLB.tv subscription. I didn't think Buck had any clue the Phillies never retaliate and as I've mentioned before Tim McCarver went through an entire season before someone finally told him how to say Carlos Ruiz's name. These guys are down right criminal and if this series somehow manages 7 games with a Dodgers win there will be little doubt in my mind.

Baseball is fixed

• Even Jayson Stark's a Dodgers fan.
• T.J. Simers suggests that a Manny-led Dodgers team is the best...ever...ever. On that note, does anyone know is the L.A. Times has a quota to reach for handicapped writers because it appears as though Simers is colorblind (and baseball blind).
• If you didn't watch it yesterday, you truly missed out on the stunning choking of the Arizona Cardinals followed up by their stunning victory via a blocked punt returned for a touchdown.
• Steve Adams over at MLBTradeRumors takes a look at some stunning hot stove rumors involving, Ryan Howard, Prince Fielder, C.C. Sabathia and Jake Peavy
• Did the Philadelphia Eagles save their season? Hardly, but its a start.
  
• Jim Salisbury of the Philadelphia Inquirer ponders Jamie Moyer and the 46 year old's boyish dream (that quite honestly, we'd all have and we all probably do have anyway)
• Texas upset #1 Oklahoma. That and this picture are all you need to know
• Apparently the Rays could sell more tickets to their playoff games...they just don't want to.
  
• And finally, EC, in honor of our opening column, gives us their thoughts on the manliness of baseball fights.
  

Surprising Saturday Daily "Linkin' Logs" (10/11/08)

The rarest of the rare; a Saturday "Linkin' Logs"

Last night, I'm sure many of you watched Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched 7 innings of no hit baseball, leading the Boston Red Sox to victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. From some accounts, it would appear as though "Dice-K" pitched a gem; spraying 4 hits over 7 innings with 9 strike outs and none earned.

Fact of the matter is, it wasn't quite that amazing; with Matsuzaka laboring early in the first and walking as many men as he allowed hits (8 baserunners in all) over the span of the game, it was the oddest playoff near no-no in my recollection.

The Red Sox and Rays will meet again for game two. Should the sox, and ace Josh Beckett pull this one out (and its looking pretty possible) they should put a stranglehold on the Rays and the AL crown. But given the young bucks of the Rays, I don't see them going quietly.

• Gene Wojo provides some excellent insight on the boorish celebrations already occuring in clubhouses this year. I agree with him, its too much. I think the Rays celebrating their first AL crown after 10 years of losing is fair, but the Red Sox or White Sox or Phillies need not apply. While, I agree with Wojo that these teams have so much more to accomplish, in the cases of the Rays' division crown, or the Phillies last year, or the breaking through of the current Dodgers youth movement, I can understand. But once you've been there, I can't really see a point again.
• This champage thing...and the Dodgers got me thinking. I'm sure if you're a Dodgers fan, you already know, but Clayton Kershaw, the L.A. Rookie reliever is age 20. And if you're familiar with America, that'd mean he's not of legal drinking age. A few google searches revealed little opinion of these events...So I can only conclude little was thought of it. Look, I don't wanna be a narc, I honestly think the drinking age is ridiculous, but if we're gonna have a rule, shouldn't it be enforced? Maybe they should just arrest Manny Ramirez...
• The Phanatic Pantomimes the Phillies line-up....I have to admit, when he got to Brett Myers, I was curious as to whether a woman would come out and the Phantic would pull her hair and slap her...it didn't happen...
• Like any BigLead link, Its only for the picture...and seriously, what the hell?
• And finally...this is sports related, I guess, via EC (From Break), the next Lance Armstrong
  

NFL Division Power Rankings

Alright, so football has been just amazing all around both the college and the pro game have put on unbelievable performances every weekend out this season. So while I was breaking down some college film earlier this week I of course came across the debate of which is the best conference in college football today. Well, that idea got me to thinking about what is the best division in the NFL? If you have to rank the divisions how will they break down? For those who ever wondered, I have the answers right there.

1) NFC East: Best division in football. The NFC will have three representatives and the fourth team will more than likely be .500 or better.


New York Giants: The defending Super Bowl champs are not a fluke, and they have proved that to this point of the season. They have steamrolled everyone they played this season with the exception of the Cincinnati Bengals.


· Washington Redskins: The hottest team in football, and they are now the darlings of the NFL. They should be able to maintain this pace as long as Jason Campbell remains flawless.


· Dallas Cowboys: Their preseason star has faded with a couple of lackluster performances. Nonetheless this is still a great team that will make the playoffs.


· Philadelphia Eagles: I have lost all faith in this team. And till Andy Reid is removed as head coach they will continue to be an underachieving 8-8 or 9-7.


2) AFC East: Since 2002 this division has been dominated by the New England Patriots. Now with Tom Brady’s injury, the arrival of Brett Favre and the emergence of the Bills, this division has become a solid conference from top to bottom.


· Buffalo Bills: The Bills suffered their first lost of the season on Sunday. However, the bigger lost was Trent Edwards suffering a concussion and missing the majority of the Sundays game and now he will be day to day going into the future.


· New England Patriots: The New England Patriots are without Tom Brady, but they are a solid team, and probably still a playoff team. It will be interesting to see how this team reacts to a season full of adversity.


· Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins have found life. They are playing with pride and they are playing hard because they know that Bill Parcells will fire them if they don’t. I also love the Wildcat offense and I think it provides an amazing wrinkle to a game plan.


· New York Jets: Brett Favre is here, and this team is about as up and down as anyone in the NFL. They are much improved from last year, but the Jets still have plenty of work to get done if they want to be an elite squad.


3) NFC South: The NFC South is a difficult division to read. However, at this point it has more teams playing at a high level and therefore beats out its AFC counterpart.


· Carolina Panthers: Jake Delhomme is back and healthy and it is making a world of difference. Add in the fact that the Carolina Panthers have put together an impressive duel threat coming out of the backfield and you have a good NFC team.


· Atlanta Falcons: This team has bounced back from everything last year and they are playing good football with Matt Ryan at the helm. They won’t stay at the top of the division all season, but at this point they are a heck of a good choice.


· New Orleans Saints: The Saints are 2-3 but they have too much talent to be as bad as they are. Stupid mistakes have cost them two games already this season. Once they eliminate those errors this team will be back in the saddle.


· Tampa Bay Bucs: I just don’t like this team. They have problems at quarterback. Brian Griese is not the answer, everyone else and their brother is in the Gruden doghouse. It looks like Chuckey’s magic is failing.


4) AFC South: This division has the ability to jump up the rankings very quickly and that mainly hinges the possibility of the Indianapolis Colts getting their act together.


· Tennessee Titian: The Titians are a very good team. Their defense is amazing. And as long as they are playing and executing at this level on both sides of the ball, then Vince Young needs to stay on the bench and out of the way.


· Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jags are struggling to get things together, but they are on the cusp of being something special. Any team that has a defense as good as there is and a balanced running attack they need to be considered a threat.


· Indianapolis Colts: The Colts are injured and they are getting old. Its official this is a team that goes old in front of us. They may have another run left in them, but I would not bet on it.


· Houston Texans: This team has been a horrible disappointment. In addition they are holding this entire division back.


5) NFC North: This division is the perfect example of mediocrity. No team in the division is standout, but they are all pretty good.


· Chicago Bears: In typical Chicago fashion, this team manages to win games and get the job done despite having a bad offense. Matt Forte has had a couple good games though.


· Green Bay Packers: They are in the midst of a three game skid, and Aaron Rogers is trying to establish himself. I just have a sneaking feeling that his shoulder injury will end up haunting the Packers all season.


· Minnesota Vikings: They had a great gutsy win on Monday Night Football. And the Vikings are trying to figure everything out. They will likely miss the post season, but at least they will know going into April that they need to draft a QB.


· Detroit Lions: This team is horrible. The coach is horrible, the owners are horrible and the players are horrible.


6) AFC North: If there was ever a division that I would predict to drop on this list, I would have to say it is this one. Even the top team in this division is weak due to injuries.


· Pittsburgh Steelers: This team is being held together by athletic tape and Big Bens heart. While that is good, I just don’t think it can take you all the way.


· Baltimore Ravens: I actually like this team. Flacco is going to be a good quarterback. The defense is still strong. They just need some experience on both lines.


· Cleveland Brown: Well I guess Derrick Anderson remembered who he really was. And I doubt that Brady Quinn will be any better.


· Cincinnati Bengals: Palmer is hurt, they have no running game, and Chad Johnson seems to have lost all interest in football. Nice!


7) NFC West: This division just barely edged out the AFC West. For the past five years the only thing propping this division up has been the play of the Seahawks and now that has gone down the toilet.


· Arizona Cardinals: As long as they are at home and don’t have to travel to the East Coast this is a dangerous team. Too bad that won’t happen.


· San Francisco 49’ers: They need a quarterback. Lucky for them they play in a bad division and are able to hide many of their true flaws.


· Seattle Seahawks: The running game fell out the bottom on this team a few years ago, and now the rest of the team is following. Unfortunately for the Seahawks, Holmgren is on his way out and could care less.


· St. Louis Rams: Well there’s always next year. Maybe then they will actually take rebuilding this team seriously.


8) AFC West: This division was once one of the best in football, and now it sits at the bottom. Mainly because the two bottom feeder teams are horrible.

· Denver Broncos: The Broncos are the biggest fraud in the NFL today. Their defense is horrible. Hopefully for them, last weeks performance is a sign of a new beginning and they can begin to turn things around.


· San Diego Chargers: This team is different. Something is not right with them, and it starts with L.T. He is not the back that he was just a few short years ago. It seems that he has caught a cause of Sean Alexander syndrome.


· Oakland Raiders: As long as Al Davis runs the team, this team will continue to be a bottom feeder and hold the entire division back.


· Kansas City Chiefs: At this point I just believe that Herm Edwards is not a very good coach. Also what happened to Larry Johnson? 190 yards one week, 7 the next, how does that happen?

Is it Time to Believe?

It feels just a little odd. I sat there, 5 or 6 High Lifes deep, in all my bloated and buzzed glory, confident, with two men on, in the top of the 9th facing a respectable Matt Kemp and just one out. Brad Lidge, a fatefully perfect 41 for 41 in save situations this season, and 3 for 3 in the post season, was desperately trying to nail down the win. The Phillies were in what can only be described as defense (Brunlett in left, Feliz at third, replacing Burrell and Dobbs respectively) trying to protect Lidge as much as possible.

I was confident. Fat. Happy. Fine with the outcome. Fine with the situation.

That isn't Phillies baseball. That isn't Joe Carter, that isn't Rolen to Morandini to Brogne, that isn't Dougie deep in center...But that's the old Phillies, that's old Baseball

That's The Vet.

I'm absolutely stunned. A series many predicted to be a classic. A series many are expecting (even Phils backers) to go seven games is yielding a 2-0 Phillies lead. Maybe I'm just falling into their trap. Maybe I'm being suckered into a Dodgers 3 game sweep at home, before the Phillies take game 6 and we watch a helluva battle for the 7th game.

Or maybe it's just time to *gulp* believe...