Weekly coverage of Men's College basketball, NFL, MLB, NCAA Football, The Kansas Jayhawks, Syracuse Orange athletics, and NHL, including special features such as Idiot of the Week, Statistic of the Week, Team Eviction Of the Week, and the Fearless Prediction.
Michael Phelps - Player of the Month USA Men's Swim Team - Team of the Month That new Jets QB - Idiot of the Month Reggie Corner - Name in Sports Michael Phelps will win 8 Golds - Fearless Prediciton
Folks, as you remember from last year, there's only two teams I really care about: The Chicago Bears, and the Buffalo Bills. And I know you shouldn't take anything out of preseason but both teams lost. It isn't so much that they lost, it's just they lost the same way they lost last year. Aren't you supposed to improve in the off season?
The Buffalo Bills couldn't stop the common cold against the Washington Redskins on Saturday losing 17-14. Oh, and they couldn't score touchdowns, hmmmmm wasn't that the same problem last year? Jason Peters where are you?
Can the Bears get a Quarterback sometime this century PLEASE? Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton are horrible. Maybe it's because they haven't had an offensive line. (First Round Pick Chris Williams probably gone for the season with a bad back). I guess it's another hohum season for the Bears. They lost against the Chiefs 24-20.
Over the last sixteen preseason games the Indianapolis Colts have a record of 2-14. (Factoid from Ex Chicago Bear QB Jim Miller, now working for Sirius NFL Radio)
Folks, sorry about the lack of the previews I promised you earlier this year. It was just a bigger task than I thought it would be. There are just way too many teams, and let's be honest, way too many players to talk about.
So I've recasted the Football Preview. Instead of doing leagues, and division, I'm going to talk about different teams.
Buffalo Bills.
You know, one of these years, the Bills will make it to the playoffs. Unless inconsistency rears it's ugly head again.
Stop me if you've heard this one. The Bills found a quarterback who impressed them during the season. Yeah I know, the Bills have a habit of jumping to different QB's. For the next couple years, hopefully, Trent Edwards will be leading an improving offense. Marshawn Lynch, is another Bills type running back. Most of the Bills running backs in their history have been grind it out, between the tackles type of player. Marshawn in his first year showed that he can be a workhorse, but needs to learn biltz pick up.
Lee Evans (my favorite WR) had a bad year last year. But it wasn't his fault, he didn't have another receiver who could draw any defender away from him. This year however, the Bills drafted 6'7 James Hardy from Indiana to help Lee get back to being the stud receiver he is.
The defense last year was good, granted most of the players who started the season ended up on injured reserve. One could look at that is being a bad thing, but the Bills now have depth and expirence. Poz (I'm not going to try to spell his last name, but he's our middle linebacker, can now be the stud that he was projected to be.
The Bills also went out and signed two very good players: DT Marcus Stroud (Trade from Jacksonville) and LB Kawkia Mitchell from the Giants.
2 Minute Drill
Kansas City Royals - Team of the Week John Buck - Player of the Week Green Bay Packers - Idiot of the week Coco Crisp - Name in Sports The Royals will beat Oakland this week - Fearless Prediction
I'm all for gender equality, and women playing sports. However, I'm at a loss for words with the WNBA. It's bad basketball. Anyway, last week there was a "brawl" in a game, if that's what you can call it.
Under Coach Bill Self, the Kansas Jayhawks are 12-6 in Big Monday games — 7-0 at home and 5-6 on the road.
Random Thought.
Why is there so much hate for Tom Brady, when he doesn't do anything wrong (Well other than leave his ex-girlfriend pregnant for an underwear model) but the media fawns over that Green Bay QB?
There's no secret that I hate everything about the Green Bay Packers. I thank my Chicago Bear Fan father for bringing me into the light about them. Brett Favre, not a bad quarterback at all, announced his retirement earlier this year, but never filed his papers with the NFL. So every other week we have to hear about Captain Attention Whore. It would be smart if Brett would say that he's retired for sure, but that won't happen. Captain Attention Whore likes hearing his name too much. I'm still convinced he pays John Madden by the mention.
Call me an old foggie, but being a sports fan isn't like it used to be, due to Sports Talk shows. All across the nation there are all these idiots, listening to what other people think about sports. How stupid is this? It's dumbing down sports. Instead of having your own ideas, you mold your fandom to what other people think. Now, I know the irony in this, and yes I've hosted my own sports show, but still it's a dumb way to go about thinking of sports.
Ladies and Gentlemen, as you have guessed, I'm a huge soccer fan. I want to bring my love of the game out in a blog. So starting next week "Free Kick" will debut. It'll be a blog centering on soccer from around the world. I plan to cover: England, Italy, Germany, Spain, and USA. There are many quality blogs and news sources out there for soccer, I want to bring it all to you in one simple blog!
The Olympics Are Coming UP!
Next month the Olympics start! And as a sports fan, I can't be any more happy! It's one of those events that can capture the whole nation in one minute. There are countless events (even freaking Ballroom Dancing) but I'll only report on some. For instance, you'll hear about Basketball, track and field, volleyball, and swimming. Those are the events I really enjoy watching.
For those who don't really follow soccer, this time of the year only reafirms what they think of the sport. "Oh it's too low scoring". These are the same people who will tell their friends that they follow soccer during the World Cup, and then try to say that Christiano Rolando plays for Brazil. (Christiano is Portuguese)
To the people that actually watch the sport it's been amazing. Turkey made it's way to the semifinals by scoring in either stoppage time or sudden death. Russia and Spain have made it by scoring a lot of goals.
Then there is my pick to win it all Germany, who plays defense better than anyone else in the game.
AWARD SHOW
Boston Celtics - Team of the Week Paul Pierce - Jayhawk of the Week Curt Schilling - Idiot of the Week Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala - Name in Sports Kansas City Royals will have a winning record this week - Fearless Prediction.
EVICTIION
Televised draft coverage. Folks, as my father said, it's not like we are going to know how good these players are going to be right away. It's just ESPN wasting more of our time telling us what they know. ESPN is already pompous enough, they don't need to trot out draft coverage for us to hate them more.
The best franchise in NBA history won it's 17th by beating the hated Los Angeles Lakers. Apparently, if ESPN picks you to win, the refs don't bend over to give you the win. The media hype surrounding the Lakers since January had been sickening.
The Celtics proved that defense isn't a thing of the 90's in the NBA. They completely shut down the Lakers offense, and made Kobe look like the Jordan wannabe that he is. The only problem with the season being over with, is now we have to hear the pundits talk about how the Lakers are going to win it next year. And you see why I miss Jordan?
Folks, I'm going to take a break from the sports, and mourn the loss of the Grandfather of Dirty Comedy. As many of you know, my soul is probably 20 years older than my real age is. One of the people I grew up listening to was George Carlin. I spent many hours laughing to him and repeating many of the things he said. I also learned how to swear from him.
What's sad is that, he died a day after doing a show. Mr. Carlin was a true performer and the world will miss him.
Now for week 2 of my NFL preview. This week it's the NFC East. Or as some pundits are calling the "Division of Champions".
First and foremost is the New Jersey Giants. Normally, I hate them, but since they beat the egotistical New England Patriots, they've made me a believer. The Giants defense didn't just stop the Patriots, it was like they were having a contest to see who could hit pretty boy Tom Brady harder.
This year, the Giants return everyone accept Mr. Gap Tooth, Michael Strahan. So does that mean that Eli Manning won't be able to lead them back to the top of NFC East? I say NAY. They'll win it again.
The Dallas Cowboys have all the talent, but all the headaches. Let's count: Terrell Owens, Tank Johnson, Tony Romo's GF (Little Miss Attention Seeker Jessica Simpson), Geriatric Jones, and Adam "Don't call me Pacman" Jones. Boy I feel for the people having to cover them. They'll be good, but I think they are one screw up, or blow up from any one of the headaches from missing the playoffs.
The Philadelphia Eagles are a team with one star Donnavan McNabb. Yes they have Brian Westbrook, and Brian Dawkins, but for selfish reason, McNabb is the best. After his end of the season last year, where he threw for over 200 yards per game, Donnavan will have a great year.
And finally, the Redskins. Joe Gibbs retired again, and there's a new unproven coach taking his place again. Former Seahawks Quarterback Jim Zorn takes over a team who made an inspired run last year after the murder of Sean Taylor. QB Jason Campbell is learning a new offense for the nteenth time in his career (he's had at least 4 different Offensive Coordinators in the NFL, and 4 in College).
College Football Preview
The Good Ole' Big East!
Ok so I was wrong about South Florida. I thought when the Big East took them into the league that they would be just an easy win. They peaked at number 2 in the polls last year. Quarterback Matt Grothe and runningback Mike Ford lead a very potent offense. They should and will win the Big East again.
West By God Virgina lost their head coach to Michigian, and their star running back to the NFL. So you'd think they'll be bad this year? Nope, Pat White and new running back Noel Devine will just keep pounding out the wins.
Louisville is one of those teams who will surprise people every once and a while. Hunter Cantwell takes over for Brian Brohm (NFL) at quarterback. I see a 6-6 season out of them, and potentially another one of those bowls.
Rutgers lost their best player in Ray Rice to the NFL, but they still have QB Mike Teel and WR Kenny Britt. So they'll be good again, but probably not bowl eligible.
Pittsburgh is very young, but doesn't have a quarterback worth a damn. However, they have super sophomore RB LaShawn McCoy who is about as good as any running back in the country.
Cincinnati is a rebuilding team, they went for the bowl last year and lost a lot. But their coach Brian Kelly is a great coach so don't count them out.
As much as I hate UConn, I have to say Randy Edsall is also a great coach. For a school which isn't known for its football, he does turn out a lot of talent. Their Quarterback Tyler Lorenzen isn't a great player but is one of those guys who will annoy defense's with his arm and legs just enough.
I hate to say this but Syracuse is going to be awful again. Quarterback Andrew Robinson has no one to throw to, and no offensive line to keep him upright. Once again the Orange have to rely on young or players coming off knee injuries at running back. I could tell you the names, like Avien Collier (a freshman) or Delone Carter, but chances are you've never heard of them and probably never will after this.
Jayhawk fans over the years have adopted the Boston Celtics are their favorite NBA team. On the surface you can think that we only root for them because they are the best team in NBA history. And you'd be partially right. But the real reason is that the Celtics have employed their fair share of ex-Jayhawks.
Well, the current crop of Boston Celtics are two games up in the NBA Championship Series against the hated Los Angeles Lakers. Former Kansas great Paul Pierce is leading the Celtics balanced attack over the "media pick" Lakers. The next two games are in Los Angeles in front of all the celebrity attention seekers.
As you readers have found out, there's a lot about sports that bugs me. One of the newer things in sports television coverage that has bugged me, is the networks focusing on the celebrities at the games. Gee, I wonder if these glory hounds had their PR departments call the networks demanding to be on television. Now, I don't have any issue with Jimmy Buffet, Jack Nicholson, or Penny Marshall being shown at games. They've been going to games longer than some of these young stars have been alive.
So I submit to you, that we evict celebrity glory hounds from sporting events.
College Football Preview
It's that time of the year, where all the sports magazine companies sell their previews. And if you know me well, I usually buy two of each. So in the upcoming weeks, I'm going to preview a conference each week.
Entering the 2008 season, the conference will look to return to normalcy. Last year in the North, traditional bottom feeders Kansas and Missouri finished in the top. Kansas State and Nebraska the normal powers, spent the off-season retooling their programs. Nebraska brought in a new coach Bo Pelini from LSU to jump start the program. Meanwhile in the Little Apple, Kansas State spent the off season looking for a running game. Colorado, brought in a very good recruiting class so they should surprise a lot of people. Look out for freshman running back Darrell Scott, he'll make the Buffalo's great again. Meanwhile, Iowa State should bring up the bottom of the division again this year.
The South the division stayed traditional with Oklahoma and Texas fighting it out all season long for the top spot (which Oklahoma won). This year it should be no different, though both teams need to find new running backs, as their running backs from last year graduated. The rest of the division, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, and Baylor will all battle for third place. None of them stand out in any phase, but can't be counted out.
Champion - Oklahoma.
Pro Football Preview
As with the section above I'll preview the NFL for the upcoming season. Unlike the college section, I'm going to preview divisions. I could preview a team a week, but there's 32 teams, and that's too much writing. Plus there's some teams I just don't care about.
NFC NORTH Division.
Try as I might, I have to say it. Green Bay was very good last year. But, Brett Farve "retired" so that means the Packers go back to where they belong. THE BASEMENT. They still do have a lot of talent on offense and defense, but with the stinging loss of such a beloved leader like him, it could take them a couple years to regroup.
In their place as champions, I think that Minnesota should rise up. The Vikings added a pass rusher in Jared Allen from Kansas City, and speed reciever Bernard Berrian from Chicago. Adrian Peterson, last year's all world rookie running back, should be scarier to play against with more expirence in the league.
The Chicago Bears are an incomplete team. Football teams need three phases, offense, defense, and special teams. The Bears are seriously lacking an offense. Rex Grossman, Nick Hill, and Kyle Orton are all BACKUP Quarterbacks. But one of them has to start, and throw to their horrible wide receivers. The only thing the Bears have going for them this year is Devon Hester. The Human Joy Stick will create excitement this year for sure. Look for linebacker Brian Urlacher to have to take plays off this year because of his arthritic back.
Detroit, is just Detroit, they've never been good, and never will be good.
Baseball Section
A fan of my column brought up an interesting point. Why put in all of the standings for Major League Baseball, when I can put in a couple divisions that I like.
For the record 10th time in the Common NCAA Lacrosse Era, the Syracuse Orange are National Champions. To my non-lacrosse fans, this is akin to the UCLA dynasty in college basketball in the 60-'s and 70's. What's even more impressive is that the Orange finished the season 16-2, a year after going 5-8 and missing the tournament all together.
Award Show
Dan Hardy Syracuse Orange - Player of the Week
Syracuse Orange - Team of the Week
Bill Bellicheat New England Patriots Coach - Idiot of the Week
Milton Bradley - Name of the Week
Boston Celtics will win the NBA East - Fearless Prediction
Sports Eviction of the Week
I'm going to take a break from evicting teams, and take a look at some other areas of sports that need to stop existing. As easy as it is for me to say get rid of ESPN, that's just not feasible. Though they are responsible for my eviction of the week. Sports Cliches. They need to go away.
These stupid phrases make any person believe they can speak on sports, like the athletes. Stop it folks, it only makes you sound stupid. And last time I checked it's not possible to give 110%.
I work for a local amateur soccer club here in Buffalo New York. We just kicked our regular season off, so in the following weeks, i'm going to recap our games of the past two weeks. We opened our NPSL season against the expansion Pennsylvania Stoners on Saturday.
While our defense stood on their head many times, and our goalie Shawn McDonnell is the best in the league, Matt Baker from the Stoners, slipped a goal in, in the middle of the second half to seal the win 1-0 for the Stoners. We next play Saturday against the Boston Aztec at All High Stadium in Buffalo at 7pm.
I wish I could wax prophetic here about Middlesbrough FC in the English Primer League, but they aren't good enough to get my praise. They are one of those teams that just exist. They never win anything, and they are just a thorn in the side of the teams. I suspect many fans of teams in the lower divisions would love to see Middlesbrough go away, and take their spot.
British scientists have found evidence that heart attacks increase significantly for people who watch soccer penalty shoot-outs.
New Sections Coming Up
Folks, while working I got to thinking about making this blog even better for you my readers. Well, three things will be added in the next month. First, I'm going to have reader involved sections. I want to know what you are thinking about sports. It's one thing for me to tell you what I think, but I want to know what you are thinking.
Secondly, I'm going to start previewing NFL and NCAA football teams. I love the sport, and I'll make you guys love it.
Third new section, I'm going to do something like SI's Face's In Crowd, but with athletes you should be paying attention to.
New Feature
As you'll see on the upper right section of the blog there's a section of blogs I like. I'd hope you all are looking at them too.
Soccer is the most popular sport in the world. But how many of us know about the history of the sport? Not many, so I'm writing to tell you all about the past.
