Showdown in The Bron... uh, St. Petersberg?

Tomorrow night, the gloves come off, er... on in this case I suppose. Either way, the Sox and Rays series begins tomorrow night, in the unlikeliest of places for a game 1, IN TAMPA. That simple fact there is still puzzling me as to how the division went the way it did this year. Usually the Sox can at least depend on the Blue Jays to take care of Tampa, but not this year. Tampa played like a team possessed, resembling the "wort-to-first" Atlanta Braves of 1991. The Braves ended up losing that year to the Twins in the World Series, but they had to overcome only the Pirates to get there (mind you that was Pittsburgh's last visit to postseason play).

The Rays on the other hand are facing the reigning champs (still playing, still reigning). There's more postseason experience on this Boston team than Tampa can even begin to fathom. Sure, there's the theory some may throw out there that the innocence of the Rays young players makes them invulnerable to the pressure, but that's a load of junk. The Rays are playing a division opponent. A hated division opponent that has literally fought them on the field about five times since 2000. You think Pedro will be watching this series?

While I don't expect there to be any major altercations between the relatively new rivals, I think a few high and tight pitches will be in order. Grant Balfour appears to be ready for battle, already staking his claim to the mound. My only hope is to see a Balfour vs Papelbon showdown in a fight. That would be a battle for the ages. Buckwild vs batshit crazy.

While I get pumped up for tomorrow night, the NLCS begins tonight and the Manny Show rolls on. It almost seems like destiny for Manny to show up in Fenway and record the largest BOO on record.

Let the games begin...

Brady who?

Just when I thought I was out...they pulled me back in. The New York Jets had me wavering between semi-interest to apathy entering this season, after suffering two terrible seasons in a row and fielding a big-play deficient offense in the meantime. They lost me even more when they decided that Vernon Gholston would be a bigger impact player than trading up to grab the sexier Darren McFadden. Their biggest moves this offseason had been building up a veteran offensive line to replace the anemic one that plagued the team last season. While it seems they have their priorities straight, no one is going to look forward to the first game only bragging about an upgraded O-Line.

And then, late last night, the improbable happened. When the ticker on ESPN read that Bret Favre had been traded to the New York Jets for a conditional draft pick, I was stunned. The Jets are actually going to try and compete with Brady & Co. While me and every other Jets fan will undoubtedly put unrealistic expectations on the good ole boy, at least there is something to cheer about in the Meadowlands now. No longer are the Giants the only attraction in East Rutherford. This kind of acquisition is just what the Jets needed to satisfy their fan base. While I am not sold that the Jets are a lock for a Wild Card this year, I can at least look forward to Brady versus Favre twice this season. Favre gives the Jets an arm that can make that hail mary throw. That can win a game with the clock ticking away. The last guy that had anything near the poise and experience that Favre brings to the table was Vinny Testeverde.

And you know what happened when Vinny stepped in? AFC championship game with Parcells at the helm. Favre is light years beyond Vinny's talent. Who knows what could happen? The key thing here is that for the first time in a few years, there is hope for a Jets team entering the season. And for this franchise, that's more than they could say the past two years.

Mangini, leave it to Favre.

Lowering the boom...

The wild west broke out in the middle of Fenway Park last night, and there were cheap shots flying in and out of the dugout. The Rays proved once again that they are not prepared to be true contenders. They have their best pitcher other than Kazmir on the mound in James Shields and he pops Crisp the first time he's up. In a game of this magnitude for a young club like the Rays, they showed that they are still too inexperienced to be a player in the AL East.

A smart manager and a smart pitcher would have waited to exact their revenge. Make Crisp squirm in the box every time he faces your club. Make him think every pitch could potentially send him sprawling into the dirt. Wait until the end of a meaningless game and pop him then, don't sacrifice a quality start for the sake of revenge. Teams like the Rays cannot afford to be giving away games that easily.

As for the fight itself, Crisp was out of line charging the mound and the Rays in general were a bunch of cheap shot-taking weasels. Crisp knew that he was going to be hit. He took responsibility for it during the post-game on Wednesday. Why he charged the mound when he knew he would be plunked, I don't know. The plunking wasn't even that bad, right on the thigh, nowhere near the head or upper body. A harmless fastball to the thigh.

The Rays players themselves looked like thugs, giving extra punches to Crisp as he lay on the ground under multiple bodies. Jonny Gomes leapt on Crisp like he had a personal agenda against him, sneaking in body shots and Carl Crawford (who, mind you, is not even supposed to be at full health) comes sprinting in from the outfield and starts punching Crisp in the face. All of this just made the Rays look sophomoric and unprofessional. I will be very interested to see the suspensions handed down. I expect Crisp to receive the worst end of all of this, but Gomes and Crawford should also see some time handed down.

The fun didn't stop on the field though, instead, it spilled over into the Sox dugout. No one seems to be willing to offer up what was going on between Manny and Youkilis in the dugout, but it looked on replay as if Youk really had no interest or wanted no part of it. My best guess? Manny took his sweet time getting out of the dugout to come to Crisp's aide earlier in the game. Youkilis was out there instantly. I would guess that Youk probably said something like that in passing to Manny and he took exception. One of the biggest parts of a baseball team is respect and protecting teammates. Manny likely didn't take kindly to being called a coward.

This was by far the most entertaining game so far this season. And on top of all that, the Sox won.

Can't wait for the three-game series at the Trop. I would predict more fireworks...

Smoltz done?

The sport of baseball may have lost a legend today, as John Smoltz announced that at age 42, he will be having season ending surgery. Smoltz is getting old, and has already come back from Tommy John surgery in 2001, but that was a very long time ago compared to where he is now. Though he was somewhat devoid of emotion at his press conference, you could tell that the injury is eating him up inside. Smoltz is a gamer and someone that every fan can get behind and support. Sitting on the sideline when the Braves have seemingly pieced together one of their most promising lineups in years is going to kill him.

Should Smoltz retire now, he is almost certainly going to be a first ballot hall of famer. He is the only pitcher in the history of the game to have 200 wins and 150 saves, he's got his 3000 strikeouts, he has led the league in different years in saves (55) and wins (24), he's an 8-time All Star, he's got a Cy Young Award, and he's got more postseason wins (15) than any pitcher in the history of the game. Injuries have hurt his numbers, but his accomplishments should be enough to get him into Cooperstown.

In other news...

• The Joba Chamberlain experiment may need a few more tests before it is called a success. Joba went a couple innings last night, but had visits from a coach and his catcher in the first inning, almost being yanked before he could escape the first three outs. I still don't like this move and I don't know why the Yankees would mess with their bullpen when there is no one to fill the gap. The pen collapsed last night and showed how valuable Joba is in that set-up spot. Mo' may not be seeing many save opportunities without his doorstopper.

• Pedro Martinez came back and he pitched effectively last night on the other side of New York, throwing 6 innings and picking up the win. The Mets are currently in fourth place in the NL East and a healthy Pedro could be just what they need to make a push. They are only 4.5 games out and a strong starting pitcher is just what they need. Not to mention the chemistry Pedro brings to a locker room

That's it, watch the Ray vs Red Sox tonight on ESPN, two potential playoff teams in a battle for first place. Read that line again, I didn't think I'd ever write that.

Breaking Manny News:

Just a quick update on Manny Ramirez's 500th home run. There is now word he left home plate. In fact, he made it around the bases just in time for today's game when he was up and knocked out number 501. There is no word as to when Manny will be finishing his walk-trot for this follow up home run. I'll keep you updated on this developing story.

Ixnay on the Replay

The issue of instant replay in baseball has been bothering me to no end lately. The push for this change has seemingly come out of nowhere and it is being treated as if there has been talk of replay for decades. Bud Selig needs to put a stop to all this hubbub.

ESPN is on a hellish drive to replay, picking out each and every error in umpiring like they never have before. All of the sudden, that botched call at second base where the Orioles were losing 10-2 in the 8th is being magnified as if it were a 9th inning blown call in game 7. The worldwide leader in sports is being ridiculous, and it will be very interesting to see if Selig bends under the pressure and influence of ESPN. I can only hope that he stands strong and does not submit to ESPN as NCAA football already does. The game of baseball has survived over 150 years without the presence of instant replay and it does not need it now. Just because technology exists does not mean that it's application is necessary.

A few reasons that replay is unnecessary:

1. Yerrr outta here! Hit the showers!

One of my favorite aspects of the game of baseball is the human presence of umpires. Human error is inevitable and it is a fun, frustrating part of the game. Sometimes the highlight of a game is watching Bobby Cox or Lou Piniella explode on an ump and get run from the game. Add in replay, and you'll see a manager nonchalantly walk out to the ump and request a review of the play. Men like Bobby Cox have developed into legends just because of their actions on the field when dealing with umpires.

2. Aren't the games long enough already?

Baseball is already, without a doubt, the slowest moving game of the organized professional team sports in the country to the casual viewer. Adding in extra stoppage time to the already established stoppage time (warm ups before an inning; coaching visits to the mound; catchers visits to the mound; injuries; pitching changes etc.) will put games at probably about an average time of 4.5 hours. And that's before anyone even knows how many "challenges" a team may have.

3. Sic transit gloria (glory fades...)

Let's travel back a few months to last year's postseason. Remember the extra inning affair between the Padres and Rockies for the chance to punch a ticket to October? Matt Holliday comes barreling into home plate, head first, knocking himself silly and is called safe for the win in extras. The Rockies storm the plate to pick up their slightly unconscious teammate and celebrate with the hometown fans on their way to an eventual World Series appearance. Well, a little more than half a year later and I still don't know if Holliday was safe or out. I don't even know if he touched the plate, and I have seen every replay there is for that play. If the celebration had been suspended and the call reversed, there would have been a full-on riot on that field. Many baseball plays are designed for a split-second call and decision, to be reviewed later. There is no room under many baseball circumstances for instant replay in baseball.

Keep the game pure, DON'T GO TO REPLAY! Lay off ESPN. Keep your influence in college football, go find some Trojans or Wolverines to overhype.

Titans will fall...

The youngest team in the NBA Playoffs is giving the juggernaut of the east a run for its money, and they apparently aren't taking any crap. Last night's game in Atlanta had the feeling of a real home-court advantage. The Celtics may have underestimated the Hawks, as did the media. Every ESPN Expert picked the Celtics to sweep the Hawks. Now tickets are for sale for Friday's game 6 in Atlanta.

So what's going on? How are the depth-deprived Hawks taking on the Big 3 and winning?

Here are a few reasons:

1. Doc Rivers is absolutely folding under the pressure of the playoffs.

Where he would put Tony Allen into the game during the regular season for his defensive skills, he has kept him out of the game in the playoffs. He can't keep his players under control on the court, as they are getting heated with the Hawks. Worst of all, Rivers keeps matching up Ray Allen with Joe Johnson. Allen cannot cover Johnson; he is too slow and not defensively skilled enough to keep up with the Hawks leader. The only player that should be covering Johnson is James Posey, but Rivers seems to know something I don't.

2. KG needs to have his cake and eat it too.

Kevin Garnett could be scoring 45 points a game against the undersized Hawks, but he's not. KG's cliche "unselfish" play is hurting his team. If he wants to win, he needs to demand the ball and post up under the basket. Al Horford and Zaza Pachulia are not big enough to stop Garnett that close to the basket. Get to the rim, or go home Garnett. He hasn't had an amazing playoff game since game 7 against the Kings.

3. Not one member of the Big 3 has been to the NBA Finals in their illustrious careers.

They do not have a whole lot of combined playoff experience. The Hawks have the advantage of being seemingly too young to even unerstand the magnitude of the playoffs. Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and KG have yet to prove themselves in this series.

4. Paul Pierce is hurt.

There is no doubt in my mind that he has not recovered from his back problems when he went down in game 2 of this series. If Pierce was healthy, you would see him driving the lane to the hoop, rather than hanging around the perimeter the entire game. With how physical these games are getting, Pierce could be less and less of a factor.

5. The Hawks do not care who the Big 3 or the 2007-08 Boston Celtics are.

They really, really don't. They don't care that the Celtics won 29 more games than the Hawks; they don't care that they are likely playing the MVP, KG; they don't care that the media has already crowned the Celtics; and they most certainly don't care that Boston was 23-3 earlier this year when entering the fourth quarter with a lead.

The scuffle between Pachulia and Garnett last night was evidence that the Hawks are not the same team that tanked the first two games in Boston. The first two games of the series, the Hawks timidly allowed Garnett to bully them and intimidate them in front of the home crowd. That all changed when Pachulia gave Garnett a not-so-friendly headbutt and after the game said this:

"I don't take anything from anybody," Pachulia said. "The message was, 'We're right here. Even if we lose, it's not going to be easy.'"

Horford started the fun, getting in Pierce's face after hitting a game-sealing jumper with 22 seconds left in game 3. All this conflict could easily explode in any of the remaining games, especially considering the fact that the Hawks have a very dangerous mentality. The Hawks are driving a flaming car straight into a gigantic 18-wheeler gasoline truck that is the Boston Celtics. They've got nothing to lose whatsoever. With no expectations and no pressure, the Hawks are looking to break the Celtics backs.

Buckle up, the next two games are going to be a hell of a ride.

Hank the Tank

It is now abundantly clear that Hank Steinbrenner is more belligerent and bipolar than George. He doesn't seem to understand the game of baseball and injects himself into the team when he is most unwanted.

Here is his latest outburst:

"I want (Joba Chamberlain) as a starter and so does everyone else, including him, and that is what we are working toward and we need him there now," Steinbrenner told the New York Times. "There is no question about it, you don't have a guy with a 100-mile-per-hour fastball and keep him as a setup guy. You just don't do that. You have to be an idiot to do that."

Everyone wants him to do this? Including Chamberlain? Hm, I don't think I have heard him say anything of the sort. And if everyone wants it, then I would just leave it up to Joe Girardi, but obviously he doesn't seem to want this move either. Girardi showed in Florida that he doesn't like being controlled or tampered with by ownership and management. Lest we forget that just a short time ago Hank was predicting that Girardi would go down as the greatest Yankee manager of all time (Note to Hank: Joe Torre works in Los Angeles now).

I am beginning to wonder if Hank has been around baseball much, as one-inning set-up men are not usually the first candidates for moving into the starting rotation. Sure, Joba can throw 100 mph when he knows that he's only pitching for one inning, but stretch that out over 5 to 7 innings and his arm could be done after 60 pitches.

Health and durability aside, lets look at the strategic aspect of this potential disaster. So Chamberlain is injected into the rotation, meaning someone is tossed to the pen. Phil Hughes or Ian Kennedy I assume, which sends a terrible message to the organization as a whole. Those two young arms have been groomed for years to reach this position, and all of the sudden the best pitcher in the pen takes the spot they've waited and trained for? No way. Mussina isn't going to the pen and I doubt that Pettitte would be too happy about losing his position as a starting pitcher. Wang isn't even an option, as he's been their best and most consistent pitcher to-date.

Looking past the rotation, there is no one else in the bullpen who is dominant enough to step up and fill the set-up role. Mariano Rivera is not going to be his own set-up man again this year. He is not durable enough to go more than an inning anymore. Beyond this speculation, there would be no way that Chamberlain could just jump into the rotation without about four or five starts in the minors, which could take about a month of the season.

Cashman has come out today in response to Steinbrenner and said this:

"Joba's staying in the bullpen right now," Cashman told Newsday on Monday. "That's where we're at. [Putting him in the rotation is] not something that's going to happen here early on, and [Hank] knows that. We've talked about it. I don't know what set him off."

Even as a Yankee-hater, I appreciate Cashman's job and response. He puts up with more garbage than any GM in the entire league and he has the fire engine response down pat. He seemed to wave away Hank like a gnat, treating him like the five-year old he acts like. Just another example of how owners should keep their complaints internal. Pull the GM aside and say something instead of pulling aside the closest New York Times reporter.

Nellie-ball? Hm.

With the playoffs on the line against the formidable Pheonix Suns, Don Nelson decided to bench the leader of his team for the entire second half. Baron Davis sat on the bench while his teammates roared back from a 14 point deficit, going on a 38-19 stretch for the period. So with the Warriors fighting for their playoff lives against a top tier team, Davis remained on the bench. I cannot express how dumb I feel this coaching decision was.

Until a report comes out that Davis was injured or that he punched Nelli in the face at halftime, there is no excuse for him sitting. Last year, the Warriors were the most volatile, fun team to watch in the playoffs. The entire squad was draining from beyond the arc. The Warriors also put up higher scores than anyone in the NBA. Bottom line: they are a fun, energetic and entertaining team to watch, and now, because of a stubborn, over the hill coach, they are out.

This single decision could be the end of an era in Golden State. Nellie could lose his post, Davis could decide to bolt and their newest star Monta Ellis is a free agent. Davis is the face of this team, just look at the Amazing Happens commercials. Davis is one of the stars. And how can't he be? He's got charisma and he's tasked with reigning in the unpredictable Stephen Jackson.

The excuse Nelson gave for why Davis sat is laughable:

"He was having a bad game. He was terrible," Nelson said of Davis, according to the Chronicle. "He was the worst player on the floor, and I told him to take the second half off. He was 2-for-13, we were down 14 points. "I said, 'Hey, let's relax and play some young guys.'"

You know Don, when a superstar has a rough first half, usually you give him a pep talk in the locker room and he has the fortitude to gather himself with the season on the line and get back out there.

"Take the second half off?!?!?!" There may not be another first half that matters in your season! Play your superstar even if he runs you into the ground. At least you can say you had the best possible players out there on the floor when you lost.

Now, all you have for this season is a big fat, "What if?"

This just in: Manny has left home plate.

Just a few thoughts heading into Tuesday...

-The Masters could not have been more boring. I've never seen a PGA event where more people were pulling for the arrogant superstar over the intestinal-parasite underdog. Trevor Immelman got no respect despite leading from opening to final round. Now Immelman needs to go out and win a few more tournaments. Too many one hit wonder Masters winners are easily forgotten.

-Pacman Jones needs to be back in the NFL, Mr. Goodell. I don't care about his multiple arrests anymore, I don't care if he has a bad attitude. He's a potential superstar and would be fun to watch play again. Especially on the same team as a certain T.O.

-The Atlanta Hawks have made the playoffs for the first time this century. For the first time since 1999, the Hawks will see postseason play, as they face the titans from Beantown. They will lose in the first round, but this is a huge step for a rejuvenated franchise. Give it another year or two and Josh Childress and Marvin Williams will be top tier players. Mix in the already impressive Al Horford and this combo of young players could sustain a few consistent years of playoff appearances.

-David Ortiz's knee is not OK. He has lost all of his power and is very uncomfortable at the plate. I would not be surprised to see him hit the shelf soon, he just does not look himself.

-Cleveland Indian closer Joe Borowski has the be the worst closer in the majors. He tops out at about 84 MPH for his fastball and consistently gives up runs. After blowing the save against Boston tonight with a 3-run 9th that saw Manny Ramirez absolutely crush an 83 MPH meatball into the left field seats, his ERA is 18.00 and he has blown two saves in a row. With Betancourt lying in wait, what the hell is Cleveland waiting for? Get him in the closer position and let Borowski play clean up.

-Lastly, Joe Paterno is crazy. At 81-years old, he has no place on the football field with 18-year old athletes trying to make it to the next level. Paterno and Bobby Bowden are just trying to outlast one another and this race doesn't seem like it will end until one of them leaves the field in a casket. Penn State won't be a contender again until Paterno is gone.

Welcome to Atlanta where the players lay...

On the second opening night of the baseball season that featured the Braves vs the Nationals, three ESPN talking heads predicted the Braves to go to the World Series. Up until that night, I had heard nary a word about the Braves upcoming season on ESPN or anywhere around Atlanta. All of the sudden they're World Series bound? There's something wrong with this picture. Let's take a look at this Braves team...

First, the injuries and question marks that this team had entering the season. Chuck James entered the season on the DL. One starter down. Mike Hampton had not pitched in two years and is about as durable as a wet tissue. John Smoltz at age 40 entered the season on the DL as well, though he did beat Santana in his first start. He looks to be the easy ace on this staff. Tom Glavine returns to Turner Field after performing terribly there almost every appearance while he was with the Mets. He will perform well, but there is almost a guarantee that the bullpen will have to shore up the last 3 or 4 innings of his starts, as he cannot go 7 innings anymore. Jair Jurrjens will have his ups and downs, as any rookie pitcher does in his first full season. Hudson will perform well for the rotation as he did last year.

Suffice to say, this rotation has some major problems. Hampton is already hurt again. James claimed to feel fine before his start yesterday, but was very wild in his season debut and got knocked around. Fact is, even if this rotation gets its act together, they will be passing their potential win on to what may prove to be the worst bullpen in the majors right now. Things are not good when the best option for closer after Rafael Soriano is Manny Acosta.

This bullpen is built with a bunch of relievers who are all basically making the league minimum. There is no big stopper for the middle innings or the 8th inning. In fact, if you can name 3 relievers from this bullpen other than Soriano and Acosta (I already gave you that one), I'll crown you.

Couldn't do it?

I'll help.

Will Ohman
Peter Moylan
Jeff Bennett
Blaine Boyer
Royce Ring (GREAT porno name)
Chris Resop


This is what Smoltz hands his games off to. It will improve when/if Mike Gonzalez returns to the field and returns to form, but until then, trouble lies ahead. Soriano just hit the DL with "elbow tendenitis." Sounds OK, right? NO! Lest we forget, Soriano had Tommy John surgery a few years back, and this injury sounds very, very ominous. This is the kind of thing that starts out as the 15 day DL and then turns into a season shutdown (Mike Gonzalez last season). So Bobby Cox is going to hand the ball to Manny Acosta in the 9th. I wonder what Bob Wickman is doing right now... I have no idea what Wickman is doing, but I do know what Acosta is not doing: Finding the strikezone.

Acosta has given up 4 ER in 4 IP as well as 3 BB and 2 HR. He gave up 2 HR in 23.1 innings all of last season. What that means is that the inevitable for Cox and the Braves is going to be a closer by committee, '03 Red Sox style. I think everyone remembers how that worked out (Aaron F'n Boone). Geez, this is sounding like a lot of doom and gloom, isn't it? Well, there is hope. But it is not on the playing field. It's in the front office.

The Braves front office got Mark Teixeira for the now struggling Jarrod Saltalamacchia and four minor leaguers. That's looking like one hell of a deal at this point, as Teixeira sits in the middle of the Braves lineup and Salty can't couldn't catch a ball behind the plate this spring landing him in the minors. Frank Wren will make a move for the bullpen. But no matter what he does, this team was overrated on opening night.

National Championship Running Blog

9:14 P.M. - Tipoff is 7 minutes away so final predictions are being cast. Personally, I'll take Memphis to win by 5, 75-70 final score. Memphis is just too strong on defense and explosive on offense. All of these players know their individual roles to the team and have no problem being solely a rebounder or scorer. Memphis should handle this Kansas team. The Tigers have gotten no respect from any experts in this tourney and the chip they have will take them to a championship. Lets get this party started.

9:21 PM - After watching the introductions, the Tigers had more style and swagger. Kansas is all business, Memphis has come to put on a show.

9:25 PM - There is no Greg Oden to keep Dorsey under wraps tonight. The ball just seems to be bouncing Memphis' way right now. So far there are 0 references to Rose's candy/honeybun diet. I say the over/under of those references by the end of the night would be about 3.5.

9:37 PM - Chris Douglas-Robert's tattoo on his arm of Psalm 37 lines 1-3 is gigantic. It's one of those things that you might regret later in life, but it seems to give him good luck. I've noticed that he taps it three times before each free throw. Hey, whatever works, he'll be a a late first round pick this summer anyways.

9:46 PM - Kansas just took its first lead of the game just before halfway through the first period of play. Rose seems to be timid on the floor right now, not taking his shots when he has them. He's giving up the ball too quickly and needs to take control of his squad.

9:49 PM - Memphis' explosiveness is being successfully countered by Kansas' consistency. Memphis needs to settle down and play their game. After hitting their first two treys of the game, it looks as if they are finding a groove...

9:54 PM - Prediction: Speed Racer will be a gigantic financial failure and a bad movie to boot. I mean, John Goodman? Come on.

10:00 PM - Dorsey is taking his time getting down the floor. He looks exhausted. I'm surprised Calipari hasn't taken him out yet. The Saul Williams - "List of Demands" Nike commercial makes me want to run forever. Nike continues to impress throughout the years with their innovative advertising.

10:11 PM The last minute and a half of play in the first half was very sloppy for the Tigers. Memphis didn't score in the last 4+ minutes of the half. Down 33-28 at half, they are down by the biggest halftime margin of the season. If they don't clean up their play at halftime, this game is as good as over. Rose only has 3 points at halftime while Douglas-Roberts has almost half of the Tigers' points with 13 at half. Kansas has spread the ball around very effectively, leading even though Rush is the 3rd leading scorer right now with only 6 points. No doubt that Caliapari is simply trying to calm his team down. They are winning the turnover battle, but are taking terrible shots. Second half on the way.

10:30 PM - Not sure how I feel about Roy Williams sporting the Kansas gear after his Tarheels were just waxed by the Jayhawks two nights ago. I can assure you that Tyler Hansbrough would never put on the colors of a team that he lost to in the Final Four. In my opinion, Williams should have stayed in a luxury box or something, out of view. The only motivation I can see for this would be the impending departure of Kansas coach Bill Self. Maybe Roy wants to leave UNC? This is a story to keep an eye on...

10:40 PM - Dorsey is getting away with some questionable behavior on the court. He gave Kaun a nice shoulder check in the first half and he just dunked, caught his own ball and walked up court with it, pointing to the Tigers fans. How long til he crosses the line and gets T'd up?

10:52 PM - We're almost halfway through the second half and Rush has yet to take a shot in this period ... Rose is coming on now ... Looking like the under for his stomach flu candy diet.

11:00 PM - Rose just drilled home a trey and gave Memphis the lead with 8:22 left. The killer so far tonight for the Tigers? 4-7 (57%) from the FT line. Twice they've had and1 opportunities to tie the game and have failed to convert. Kansas is 6-7 from the line.

11:07 PM - First "WOW" moment of the night. Rose drives the lane and resembles an acrobatic move to sink the basket and pick up the and1. More shocking? HE ACTUALLY CONVERTED IT! Memphis up by 7...

11:19 PM - Hack a Cat has begun and the Jayhawks are not going down easy. Down by 4 with 1:39 left and surprisingly Kansas seems to have the momentum. Dorsey just fouled out and the stress of the tourney is very visible on the face of Caliapari.

11:28 PM - Another questionable no call. Douglas-Roberts slams down the ball and sends it sky high and doesn't get T'd up. Memphis CANNOT make a free throw. They have been decent the whole tourney until tonight.

11:30 PM - CHALMERS SINKS THE 3 TO TIE THE GAME WITH 2 SECONDS LEFT! WE'RE GOIN' TO OVERTIME. Remember when Caliapari entered the tournament largely unconcerned about FT %? Thinking that his worst nightmare has come true. 10-11 58% FT%. Wow.

11:42 PM - Memphis is hanging in there. I think they already had their chance to win this game and the Jayhawks are going to wrap this up. The Jayhawks should go ahead and foul the Tigers keeping them from even attempting a 3.

11:46 PM - Game over. It is truly a shame that Memphis blew this game in the final 20 seconds, with Roberts missing crucial free throws in the clutch. Amazing game, could not ask for more from a championship game in overtime. Hats off to the Jayhawks!

Case 245B: The San Francisco Giants vs Barry Zito

If this case were to go to court, I have no doubt that the arbitrator would award the San Francisco Giants about 90% of the $130 million they are having to pay Barry Zito.

Barry Zito is currently making an astonishing $18 million a year to be one of the worst pitchers in baseball. In his first season with the Giants, he posted very disappointing numbers, posting this stat line: 11-13/4.53 ERA/ 1.35 WHIP. He led all Giants starters in pitches per inning, taking an average of 17.34 pitches to get his three outs. Zito surrendered 105 runs last season! That's 21 more than the next closest on his team (Matt Cain, 84).

But it's a clean slate right? New year, new pitcher? Um ... no.

Yesterday, Zito picked up right where he left off last season, surrendering 4 earned runs in 5 innings, picking up the loss and surrendering a towering two-run homer to Jeff Kent. He struck out one in those five innings. Should Zito fail to ever remotely live up to the size of his contract, he would eclipse Kevin Brown as the worst deal from a team's perspective ever made. Kevin Brown at least performed his first season, going 18-6, but would go on to average only 9 wins per season for the rest of his 7 year/$105 million contract. Brown was the first $100 million man in baseball. Zito possesses the richest contract ever awarded to a pitcher in baseball.

When are teams going to realize that pitching is simply too fickle to invest that much money?! Too many times pitchers have been stars and then suddenly collapsed. In my opinion, teams should never spend more than $50 million on a pitcher at one time. Invest in young pitching, there is more than enough in every farm club in the majors.

Regardless, the Giants look like the worst team in the National League and without an effective Zito, there is very, very little hope. Quit meditating and start pitching Mr. Zito, your playing with way too much money to be performing this terribly.

The greenest grass and the bluest skies you've ever seen.

"You know that when you win the first one, you can't lose 'em all." - Earl Wynn

"Ray, people will come Ray. They'll come to Iowa for reasons they can't even fathom. They'll turn up your driveway not knowing for sure why they're doing it. They'll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the past. Of course, we won't mind if you look around, you'll say. It's only $20 per person. They'll pass over the money without even thinking about it: for it is money they have and peace they lack. And they'll walk out to the bleachers; sit in shirtsleeves on a perfect afternoon. They'll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they'll watch the game and it'll be as if they dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick they'll have to brush them away from their faces. People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again. Oh... people will come Ray. People will most definitely come." -James Earl Jones in Field of Dreams

The day has finally arrived. That void in a baseball fan's heart is about to be filled once again. The dreaded dead period from the moment the Super Bowl ends until MLB Opening Day has been survived another year. There is once again reason for hope. The popcorn poppers, cotton candy makers and hot dog cookers are being fired up. The mound is being adjusted for the home pitcher, either beating it down or building it up to his advantage. The bases are being securely placed in the basepath. The players are getting their lockers perfect with their good luck trinkets and lists of their goals for the year. Tailgaters are firing up their grills, many skipping work to take part in the tradition of Opening Day. The ushers are reacquainting themselves with their familiar section. The fighter jets are preparing for their flyovers. Even the mascots have their butterflies.

Opening day represents one of the greatest days of the year for baseball fans all around the country. It represents hope. Hope for a playoff birth, for a chance at glory, for a turnaround season. Every fan of every team, from the Royals to the Yankees, enters opening day with thoughts of October dancing in their heads. Writer Thomas Boswell even wrote a book about it, Why Time Begins on Opening Day, a great read for any devout baseball fan.

While opening day victories usually don't mean much as a forecast for how a team will perform throughout the season, the excitement and aura of the baseball diamond cannot be downplayed on this day of days. So take a sick day this Monday, tell your wife you'll mow the lawn or clean out the garage tomorrow, grab a 6-pack, sit in the easy chair and soak up the magic of Opening Day. Because on Tuesday, you might just be another Pittsburg/Kansas City/Tampa Bay/Florida fan talking about next season.

Sweet 16 preview

With the Sweet 16 kicking off tonight, lets take a look at the matchups.

West Virginia vs Xavier

Everyone keeps talking about Bob Huggins and his sharpshooting squad and how they will lead him to victory in this game. But no one wants to admit that Xavier's 3-point % is 39.1. WVU's is 35.9. Argument over. Xavier was picked to fall early by many people who watched the chaotic Georgia Bulldog team run through the SEC. Xavier has a legit shot at the Final Four. West Virginia may just be playing out of their league.

Elite Eight: Xavier

North Carolina vs Washington State

Not much to say or debate here. UNC could beat any team in the country the way they are playing right now. The Tarheels are averaging 22 more points a game than Wash St, and I don't think that the Cougars will have the legs to keep up. This one could be a laugher.

Elite Eight: UNC

UCLA vs Western Kentucky

All Cinderellas fall sometime, and this will be the end of Western Kentucky's run. Yes, UCLA squeaked by Texas A&M, but tonight they will dominate the boards and keep the score low. WKU plays a fast-paced game with high scores and UCLA will be looking to disrupt the flow of the WKU team. Plus, UCLA seems to have the officials under some kind of control, as the end of their games recently seem to have some very suspect calls and non-calls.

Elite Eight: UCLA


Tennessee vs Louisville

This will be undoubtedly the best game of the night. It's a shame that it starts the latest so there won't be as big an audience. The X-factor in this game will be Chris Lofton. He hasn't been his usual electric self in the tournament and if he doesn't turn it on against a grooving Louisville team tonight, then the Vols may see their run come to an end. The teams are very evenly matched, with a defensive edge to Louisville.

Elite Eight: Louisville

A few observations...

The Sox split the series with the A's this morning in a 5-1 loss that saw the team unable to overcome many of the same problems that were apparent yesterday. But why not start on the positive first:

The Good

Manny Ramirez appears to have completely skipped his annual slow start to the season. It's a wonder what showing up on time for Spring Training can do for a player! Even more so what working out hard in the offseason can do for a player! There is no doubt in my mind that despite how aloof Manny seems, he knew coming into this season that he could be playing for a new contract. Why else would he randomly hire Scott Boras with two team options left on his contract? Regardless of all of this, Manny appears to be in mid-season form, as he admired a home run this morning to deep left-centerfield. I am also wondering if Manny is attempting to one-up Barry Bonds, who is infamous for his slow exit from the batters box and even slower trot around the bases. Humorous? Kind of. Dangerous? Yes. Manny isn't going to get away with this kind of showboating all season and eventually he's going to take a ball in the ear.

The Bad

David Ortiz appears to be willing to swing at anything and everything a pitcher throws at him so far this season. The usually very disciplined Ortiz is off on his timing and doesn't seem to be seeing the ball very well. When he misses the ball, he's missing badly and when he makes contact, he's getting under the ball. He hasn't made solid contact yet in the two games to start the season. This is an even bigger concern seeing as how he doesn't get to go out and field a position where he can forget about his last at bat. He has to sit in the dugout and pine over what happened out there at home plate. Even worse, now he has an 18 hour trip back to America where he can think at length about his play on the field. I worry that Papi could be putting himself into a slump already this season. Hopefully, a few exhibition games before the next Opening Day (Monday) will do him some good.

The Disconcerting

In two games this season the Red Sox bullpen has pitched 10 innings. The starters have pitched 9 innings. That is not a very good ratio to start the season. For a team that entered spring training as being heralded for their deep starting pitching, fans have yet to see the rotation live up to the hype. The bullpen simply cannot be worn down this early in the season. The hype has slowly withered away since camp began, with Beckett hitting the 15-day DL, Schilling on the shelf until July and Wunderkid Clay Buchholz having a terrible showing in his spring training starts. Add in Matsuzaka's shaky two innings yesterday and Lester's inability to go more than 4 innings today and there are plenty of potential problems ahead. With that said, the bullpen has looked sharp, which is always comforting.

Final note...

Two days in a row now, Keith Foulke has cut through the heart of the Red Sox lineup like a buzzsaw. Twice striking out red-hot Manny Ramirez and never surrendering a run. Octavio Dotel couldn't even get Brandon Moss (who?) out. Though it may be too soon to say, Foulke appears to have revitalized himself and primed himself for a second wind in his career. Dotel should already feel Foulkey breathing down his neck ...

Has Manny left home plate yet?

See the image above? Manny held that pose for a good two minutes before he realized that his shot was not going to be exiting the confines of the playing field. Watching Manny slide desperately into second base after crushing a ball to dead centerfield confirmed to me that this is not going to be a repeat of 2005. This team is full of energy and entertainment.

Before this game, did anyone outside the Boston area know who Brandon Moss was? Doubt it. It was the strangest way to open a season that I have ever witnessed. A day after J.D. Drew says he wants to prove to Boston fans that he's a gamer and he's not fragile, he pulls himself from opening day. Didn't he just hit a pair of homers a few days earlier? As far as I'm concerned, Drew is stuck in fan purgatory right now, with a decision to be determined with time.

Some may be disconcerted with the way that Matsuzaka pitched to begin the game, but you have to consider the enormous amount of pressure he had on his back. His first return to Japan since leaving there with a complete game and 14 Ks in his final start. Expectations from his native country were likely unrealistic and inflated. Matsuzaka is easily Japan's proudest son and prodigy. He somehow surpassed Ichiro in popularity, despite the lack of Cy Youngs or MVP awards ... then again, Ichiro didn't win a World Series in his first year of American ball and hasn't won one yet. Dice-K recovered well from his first two innings of erratic play and went on to strike out 6 in 5 innings, keeping it close enough that the bullpen could take over.

This game also saw the return of Keith Foulke to the Majors from his short retirement. I can only hope that should Foulke pitch in front of a Fenway crowd this season that he receive a standing ovation. Lest Red Sox fans forget that Foulke pretty much sacrificed his arm and remainder of his career for that 2004 World Series ring. He pitched 97 innings in 2004, including 14 of those in the postseason alone. During that memorable postseason, he put up a microscopic 0.64 ERA, allowing one run and striking out 19 batters. Show some respect Dirt Dog fans.

So back to Manny Ramirez. The guy picked up 4 RBIs on opening day. I'm sure in his office on the corner of Hell Street and Demon Way, recently hired Scott Boras had a gigantic sneer on his face. So the A's decided to walk Ortiz, who went 0-4 and looked uncomfortable all day, for the man who struck with a 2 RBI double a few innings earlier. This is not the same Manny as last season. This is contract year Manny, and if the Sox are smart, they'll exercise those two options for 2009 and 2010. After that, Manny will be 37 and likely on the decline and the Red Sox can either sign him to a one or two year contract, or he'll just hang it up. He never seemed all that interested in baseball anyways. He did win 1,000,000 yen (about $10,000) for his efforts in today's game though.

And as for why Manny may have been confused as to why his double wasn't a homer?:

“Maybe if I used my American bat that ball maybe would have gone,” he said. “I thought I hit it good. I couldn’t use my bat because it wasn’t legal. Thank God I got some Japanese wood that I could use.”

They must make wood different over in Japan. I think I'm going to like Contract-Year Manny.

Tampa "Upset City" Bay

Thank God that we have the amazing Sienna-Villanova matchup to analyze coming up in the second round! It was a very strange day in the NCAA tournament, a record-breaking day, in fact. Never have four lower seeds beaten four higher seed the same day in the same location.

I have to admit, I wasn't surprised to see Drake fall to Western Kentucky. Drake had not made the tournament since 1971 and had never won a tournament game. I did not think that their season warranted a 5 seed. The game yielded the tournament's most exciting moment so far, as Ty Rogers hit the game-winning 26-foot trey as time expired. WKU is officially my favorite Cinderella in the tournament. I think their momentum will carry them past San Diego, but they will hit the wall against UCLA.

UCONN was a bit of a shocker. The Huskies had some bad losses this season (Providence, TWICE!), but San Diego should not have been able to handle a team with the size that UCONN has so easily. I blame this one on Jim Calhoun. Though UCONN is a media darling and probably overrated this season, Calhoun did not have his team prepared for the small guard play of San Diego.

Siena defeating Vanderbilt was puzzling as well. Vandy was arguably the best team in the SEC behind Tennessee this season and they lost UGLY tonight. Losing by more than 20 points to a relatively under-the-radar Siena team (they had the same record as Rider in the MAAC) is unacceptable. Vanderbilt laid a huge egg today, shooting 41% to Sienna's 56%. This loss could sit for a looong time in Commodore-land.

Lastly, we have Villanova knocking off Clemson. The same Clemson that almost beat UNC allowed Villanova to shoot back into the game after leading handily in the first half. Nova went 6-8 down the stretch to end the regular season and did not particularly shine at any time this year. Clemson no doubt will be a bracket buster for many people, some of whom had them all the way to the Elite 8 or even Final Four.

Here's predictions for Saturday's games:
Wisconsin over Kansas State in a very close game.
Washington State over Notre Dame
Stanford over Marquette
Xavier over Purdue
UCLA over Texas A&M
Kansas over UNLV
Duke over WVU
Pitt over Michigan State

Names to Remember

These guys may not break out this season, but they have a chance for big second half call-ups. Watch your waiver wire.

1. 3B Evan Longoria

Starting 3B Akinori Iwamura may be on his way out and the highly touted Longoria could be making his big league debut. He tore up the minors last year at age 22.

2. P Gio Gonzalez

The Oakland A’s rotation is wide open heading into spring training and this 22-year-old southpaw had a 185/57 strikeout-to-walk ratio in AA last season. He could work his way into the rotation at the season’s start.

3. OF Jay Bruce

At age 20, Bruce has already moved up from A-ball to AAA. He has yet to bat under .305 in any of his stints. He will likely see time as a bench player to start the season but his production on a shaky Reds team cannot be ignored.

Potential busts

Superstars right? Guys that should go without thought? Not so fast. These guys were all first round picks at one point or another, but now, have fallen from grace. Make your picks wisely.

1. OF Adam Dunn

Dunn looks like an attractive pick from his power numbers, but if you are in a league that values average or on-base percentage, stay away. Dunn is just about a lock to knock 40 out every year, but his RBIs are significantly lower than the five other players to hit 40 or more last season. He hits a majority of solo shots and is very streaky. At any time, his average could fall 30 points.

2. OF Jason Bay

Bay’s production has declined for two straight years right now, which would be alright if he wasn’t 28-years-old and in the prime of his career. The upcoming season seems to be unpredictable for Bay, but being the centerpiece of a lineup that boasts no protection for him doesn’t bode well.

3. SS Miguel Tejada

Tejada is very far removed from his MVP year in Oakland. His production dropped form a third straight year last season and his legal troubles could transfer to the field. Despite him being in Houston on the former “Home-Run Field,” his power numbers have suffered the last four seasons, meaning that maybe even the bandbox park can’t help him.

4. OF Andruw Jones

I don't know what L.A. was thinking when they signed him, but Jones is about to make them regret it. His numbers have declined at an alarming rate over the last three years, and I'm not just talk about his ugly average. His power numbers have wained since 2005, and without power, all he has to offer are his fielding skills. And I don't think that there are fantasy points for Web Gems. If you can't get it done in laid-back Atlanta, then you can't do it anywhere. Keep away. Keep far, far away.

The Sleepers

Continuing with the Draft Guide, here's a few sleepers to keep an eye on in the mid-to late rounds.

The Sleepers

1. 3B Ryan Zimmerman

Washington has become a good place for great players to hide, and Zimmerman seems ready to break out. Zimmerman played in every game last season and posted .266/24 HR/91 RBI/99 R. At age 23, Zimmerman may give David Wright a run for his money this season at third base.

2. 2B Ian Kinsler

Kinsler has been a highly anticipate player for the past two years, but injuries have hampered his production, missing 74 games over the past two seasons. He made some nice improvements from ’06 to ’07 and his 20 HR at the second base position look nice on any team. Throw in 23 SB and he has the potential become a top tier second baseman in ’08.

3. OF Matt Kemp

Kemp shared right field with Andre Ethier for the Dodgers last year but made a huge push to become the starter. The 23-year-old hit .342/10 HR/42 RBI/47 R/10 SB in only 98 games last season. He also spent the off-season working out in Arizona and lost 25 pounds since the end of last season. That spells breakout.

4. P Yovani Gallardo

Gallardo was thrust into a Brewers pennant race last season at age 21 and showed notable poise down the stretch. He went 4-1 with a 1.58 ERA over his last six starts and finished with a 9-5 record over only 17 starts. His 101 Ks in 110.1 innings-pitched make a reliever-like ratio.

5. OF Jacoby Ellsbury

Ellsbury won the starting job over Coco Crisp late in the season and showed his grit when he batted .438 in the World Series. He posted a .353/3 HR/18 RBI/20 R/9 SB stat line in only 33 games last season. On top of that, having the protection of David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez and Mike Lowell can’t hurt his production.

Tomorrow, we'll look at some superstars who might not come as advertised.

The Fantasy Baseball Guide to Your Life

With the 2008 fantasy baseball fast approaching it’s time to start getting those draft sheets ready and find that twelfth round sleeper pick that will lead your team to glory. A few posts this week on Fantasy Baseball.

General Tips

1. Hold off on drafting pitching

Every year there is a bevy of pitchers that emerge out of nowhere, whether it be from minor league call-ups or sudden rejuvenations. Francisco Lirianos and Yovani Gallardos seem to pop up everywhere these days, so wait until round five and later to grab some starting pitching.

2. Power and speed are a premium

Power numbers are hard to find these days, with only five players hitting 40 or more home runs last season. In the same token, only five players stole 50 or more bases last season. Major power and speed players should be taken early in the draft. Do not wait to find your SB man.

3. Pay Attention to Position Scarcity

The notoriously scarce on talent positions are second base, shortstop and catcher. With 2B, there’s Chase Utley and then a huge step down. At catcher there’s Victor Martinez, Russell Martin and then a considerable step down. At shortstop there’s Hanley Ramirez, Jose Reyes, Jimmy Rollins and then a noticeable step down. Grab these positions early, because there are plenty of first basemen and outfielders that could replace one another.

The Elite Five

1. 3B Alex Rodriguez

Like him or not, A-Rod rules the land when it comes to the fantasy world. His averages over the past three years come to .308/45 HR/135 RBI/127 R/20 SB. Numbers like those simply are one-of-a-kind and Rodriguez is showing no signs of slowing down.

2. SS Hanley Ramirez

Last season Ramirez eclipsed Jose Reyes as arguably the best fantasy shortstop. He’s a terror on the basepaths with 51 SB each of the last two seasons, but the real kicker is his uncanny power numbers. He knocked 29 homeruns out of the yard last year in the leadoff position. The scary part is he is only 23-years-old and getting better.

3. 1B Albert Pujols

Remember when everyone doubted A-Rod last year after a “down year” (.314/35 HR/121 RBI/113 R/15 SB) in ’06? Well when the doubters put Pujols down on their list this year, don’t get burned. The 28-year-old is hitting the prime of his career and even with his rocky season in ’07 he hit .327 and hit 32 HR. Take Pujols and laugh at the bewildered managers in your league.

4. OF Matt Holliday

Holliday is done making his case over the past two years for elite fantasy status. He is the catalyst in a young Rockies offense and put up a .340/36 HR/137 RBI/120 R line last season. He will likely do the same this year and possibly even add a few more homers.

5. 2B Chase Utley

Second base is notoriously the thinnest position depth-wise in fantasy baseball. Utley hit .332/22 HR/103 RBI/104 R/9 SB last season … all while missing 30 games to injury. Should he have a healthy season this year then he will be a centerpiece to any championship fantasy team.

Honorable Mention

5.5. 3B David Wright

Wright is shaping into a five-tool fantasy monster, posting a .325/30 HR/107 RBI/113 R/34 SB. He certainly was not the reason for the Mets late-season collapse. Look for Wright to be a member of the 30/30 club once again this year and for his RBIs to rise with improved play from Jose Reyes.

Tomorrow, I'll give you some sleepers in this year's crop.

In case you missed it ...

Shrug no more, Eli! You have climbed out from the shadow of your brother!

Hate to say I told you so, but ... I told you so. The Giants shocked the general public and upset Goliath. The Giants defense decided to use the "Shock and Awe" strategy against Brady, and the looks on his face were just that after each and every sack and knock down. Brady had a look of complete disbelief every time he found himself getting up off the ground.

But enough about Brady ... how about my main man Belichick? Class act, eh? Showing respect on football's biggest stage to his better opponent by pouting his way to the locker room before the game was even over. Just a disgusting show from someone considered to be the best coach in football. Belichick resembled more a 6-year-old little leaguer who just lost a game. He couldn't deal with it. His gigantic ego may be irreparably damaged. Everyone's true colors came out on the Patriots tonight.

The second that the game was over, Randy Moss was no longer the team player that happily waltzed through the "perfect" season. After the first loss as a Patriot, Moss was immediately questioning his coach's gameplan.

The conversation went something like this:










"Basically we didn't do anything this season. Nothing that happened in the regular season mattered since we didn't finish it up. This season was exciting, but it was definitely a disappointment. This season means nothing now."


But Randy, your team went to the Super Bowl and won an unprecedented 18 games in a row! You wouldn't go after your coach after the first loss you've experienced in a Patriots uniform would you?!




"The Giants just had a better game plan. They played heads up football. They came ready to play for four quarters, 60 minutes. My hat's off to the Giants."





Hmm, OK, OK, fair enough. At least you respect the opponent, thats applaudable. How about next year? 19-0 next year in a Patriots uniform? 19 more games seeing the Brady-Moss Connection?!



"If I am in a New England Patriots uniform next year I would love to be in one. If I am not, the show must go on."








Uh, geez. Alright, well don't be too hard on yourself. I mean, you set a single season touchdown record for receiving and led your team to a Super Bowl! Don't you have ANYTHING positive to say?

"This season means nothing now."

Hm. I see. Well, what's next for Randall Moss?
















Career-change? Well, good luck with that.













While Moss and Belicheck attempt to find their zen, I'm sure they will spend plenty of time on the couch watching TV. And they will remember these feelings of anger once again when there is a sudden explosion of ads that feature America's Family the Mannings pitching products together. The Mannings are the new Kennedy's.


Though Eli and Plax and Strahan were winners on the field of the Super Bowl, but the REAL winner tonight is ...








MERCURY MORRIS!











There is nobody, and I mean NOBODY, that hates the Patriots and Belichick more than Mercury Morris. The guy blew up on the golf course when ESPN tracked him down to ask him about the Pats potentially going undefeated. Need more proof? Hours after the game, I spotted him on a Reebok commercial receiving a "Perfect Gift" from the Giants. I am willing to bet that he popped about 10 champagne bottles following the Pats downfall.

I think we also learned a little bit about the Golden Boy Tom Brady. He did not seem to respond very well to adversity. At times, Brady was yelling at his linemen and receivers when an errant pass would find the turf. Antonio Pierce had the quote of the night, in my opinion.

"I don't know if he did get rattled," linebacker Antonio Pierce said, "but he had grass stains."















Lots of grass stains. Brady found himself on the ground 18 different times tonight, and that's not including the sacks.

Overall, a very good game and exciting outcome. No one really expected the Giants to put up a fight, but tonight, the Geeeeee-Men shocked the world.

Jets to Super Bowl XLIII? Hey, today, we're all undefeated.

The Super Bowl

The day has arrived and the big game is kicking off in a little over an hour.

So the Patriots march into Glendale on the shoulders of a poster-boy quarterback and leave with the first ever 19-0 record to go down as the greatest team in history right?

As Corso would say, not so fast my friend.

This is going to be a much closer game than the general public thinks. The week 17 match up between the Pats and Giants holds much more meaning than anyone wishes to grant it. Both teams wanted to win that game. Starters played the entire game. The Patriots were not going to head into a bye week off of a loss. The Giants wanted to gain some momentum heading into Tampa Bay. The 38-35 final score was a lot more indicative of what will happen tonight than any of the pregame pomp and circumstance about New England.

The only way that the Giants get routed is if the introverted Eli Manning completely melts under the pressure of the big show. But lets assume he'll have his head on straight. The Giants already almost beat the Patriots once in a game that they were probably not even scheming for. Tom Coughlin was undoubtedly looking ahead to their already locked up playoff match up with the Bucs.

The Giants like playing the underdogs. Strahan and Umenyiora will get to Brady a couple times during the game. Plaxico will find the endzone. I see this game being a shootout. Brady will wind up with about 4 passing TDs. The Giants will have to keep up. The biggest advantage the Geeeeeeeeee-men have heading into this match up is the ability to slow the game down with their running game. The Pats are a fast-paced offense and team. If Brandon Jacobs can tire the Pats defenders and linemen, then the Giants have a legitimate chance.

Prediction:
Giants win 31-28

Upset Weekend

Even though Namath beat the Colts in the huge Super Bowl III upset, the Colts may be the only favorite that wins this weekend.

The two best NFL weekends of the year have arrived, and neither of them involves the Super Bowl. Everyone knows that the Division and Conference Championship rounds usually yield better matchups than the Super Bowl, and in my opinion, this weekend the titans will fall.

The Jaguars are in a perfect position heading into Foxboro, having won their Wild Card game in the direst of places and conditions against the Steelers and the Vegas oddsmakers making this game out to be a laugher. According to everyone else, the Jags have no chance.

Not so fast my friend.

The number one rushing offense and the number one rushing defense are coming at the Patriots. Regardless of the fact that the Patriots throw the ball, history has shown that RUSHING teams are successful in the playoffs. If the Pats cannot get a ground game going and cannot stop the Jones-Drew/Taylor tandem, then they are in big trouble. The pressure is completely on the shoulders of the Patriots. The undefeated Goliath inviting the young, upstart David to play in the giant's house. The Jags could shock everyone this weekend in what I think will come down to a much closer game than the 13 point line that Vegas is offering.

Prediction: Jags 30 Patriots 28

The other upset we may see on Saturday will be on the frozen Tundra at Lambeau. The Seattle D has come out of nowhere and simply controlled the high speed Washington offense last weekend. The offense has two achilles heels, Matt Hasselbeck's wrist and Shaun Alexander's fading ability. How the hell does a guy go from leading the league in rushing to a team's weakest point?

Ahem, see Jamal Anderson, Atlanta Falcons.

The Favre Cinderella story continues at Lambeau this weekend and though I think it will be a very close game, Mike Vick will keep his pristine record in Green Bay and the Seahawks will lose this weekend. The Packer mystique will be restored at Lambeau in January.

And Seattle kicker Josh Brown ... please, leave the battery-powered heated pants at home. Vince Lombardi is turning in his grave.

Prediction: Seattle 20 Green Bay 24

The Chargers-Colts game is the one game of the four that I don't think will even be close. In order for the Chargers to beat the Colts, at home, earlier this season, they needed Adam Vanatieri to miss a chip shot to win the game and six, count em', SIX interceptions from the humbled Peyton Manning. Basically, the Chargers need the two most reliable star players on the Colts to replicate the worst games of their careers. The Chargers don't even keep it close in the RCA Dome.

Sorry, LT, but no Gates = no offense. At least you won your first playoff game since '94?

Prediction: Chargers 17 Colts 35

The final game to wrap up the weekend features the other Manning in his quest to be relevant and respected by, well, anybody (See: Ronde Barber). Winning in Dallas is a tall task, but it could be done with T.O. at less than 100% and Jessica Simpson hiding the rafters. This will be another close one, and I think that the Giants defense is going to get to Romo. Dallas does not have much of a running game and that could spell trouble against Osi and Strahan. The Cowboys will take to the sky but with wide receivers in question, I think that this comes down to a game of field goals.

We all know what happens when Tony Romo is involved in a game with field goals...


As Charlie Brown once said, "Good grief!"

Prediction: Giants 20 Cowboys 17

It should be a fun weekend...