It's been a monster NFL postseason for intense rivalries. We've had the recent, hostile Steelers-Ravens and Jets-Patriots series continue into the playoffs, another rematch of Superbowl III between the Jets and Colts, and this week the whole of the Midwest is going crazy for the ancient Bears-Packers matchup.
But there's one game I really want to see. What better way for Brett Favre's much hyped encore season with the Vikings to end than a Superbowl between the Jets and Packers? Please, please, please let this happen.
Showing posts with label pro football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pro football. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Names in the news
And here I thought Randy Moss' return to the Vikings was going to be the sports story of the day. Then Roy Halladay went and pitched a playoff no-hitter. For the Phillies, no less.
I wonder which of those two events was less likely?
I wonder which of those two events was less likely?
Monday, October 4, 2010
Let me count the ways
The Pats' five second half touchdowns were scored five ways: pass, rush, kickoff return, blocked field goal return, interception return. The rush was very nearly a blocked punt return TD, too.
Bizarre.
Looked like a good game at half time, too...
Bizarre.
Looked like a good game at half time, too...
Monday, September 6, 2010
Sports roundup
Carlton's AFL season ended in heartbreak in the first week of the finals, for the second year in a row, with a 5 point loss in Sydney. Brave, gutsy, and not quite good enough. Keep at it, Blues. Looking forward to next year. Chris Judd will be another half step slower, but the likes of Garlett, Yarran, and Armfield will be a year wiser. Could be a fun season. But please, can we draft some key defenders?
The Brooklyn Cyclones ended their dominant regular season with a 6-5 win over Tri-City, sending out a series of lesser relief pitchers and somehow surviving the experience. Cory Vaughn's 14th home run set a new team record, and his 56 runs batted in shattered the old mark of 46. Darrell Ceciliani's 2 for 3 effort was good enough to take the league batting title with a team record .351 average. He also set records with his 95 hits and 12 triples. On a personal note, I caught a foul ball and walked on the field for the first time after the game. That was a magical evening.
At the other end of his baseball career, 63 year old Bill "Spaceman" Lee went 5 1/3 innings, giving up two runs, to pick up the win for Brockton over Worcester in the Can-Am league. That's a serious pro league. Impressive. Very, very impressive.
Darrelle Revis has finally signed a new contract with the Jets. This is fantastic news for me, because I can drag out my favorite line again: Welcome to Revis Island. Don't bother bringing a radio, cos there will be NO RECEPTION.
Congrats to Samantha Stosur on her epic three set win over Elena Dementieva. Not only was this the latest women's match in US Open history, finishing at 1:35AM, but our Sam saved four match points to stave off elimination. We're starting to expect great things at this point, which is always dangerous for Aussie tennis players. Fingers crossed for three more wins?
And then there's Jason Day, following up his excellent performance at the Barclays with a third round lead at the Deutsche Bank Championship. Go Jason! Golf is another one of those sports, like tennis and swimming, that Australia likes to think it can own. We have a bunch of good young players now, so maybe more majors are on the way soon. Who knows?
The Brooklyn Cyclones ended their dominant regular season with a 6-5 win over Tri-City, sending out a series of lesser relief pitchers and somehow surviving the experience. Cory Vaughn's 14th home run set a new team record, and his 56 runs batted in shattered the old mark of 46. Darrell Ceciliani's 2 for 3 effort was good enough to take the league batting title with a team record .351 average. He also set records with his 95 hits and 12 triples. On a personal note, I caught a foul ball and walked on the field for the first time after the game. That was a magical evening.
At the other end of his baseball career, 63 year old Bill "Spaceman" Lee went 5 1/3 innings, giving up two runs, to pick up the win for Brockton over Worcester in the Can-Am league. That's a serious pro league. Impressive. Very, very impressive.
Darrelle Revis has finally signed a new contract with the Jets. This is fantastic news for me, because I can drag out my favorite line again: Welcome to Revis Island. Don't bother bringing a radio, cos there will be NO RECEPTION.
Congrats to Samantha Stosur on her epic three set win over Elena Dementieva. Not only was this the latest women's match in US Open history, finishing at 1:35AM, but our Sam saved four match points to stave off elimination. We're starting to expect great things at this point, which is always dangerous for Aussie tennis players. Fingers crossed for three more wins?
And then there's Jason Day, following up his excellent performance at the Barclays with a third round lead at the Deutsche Bank Championship. Go Jason! Golf is another one of those sports, like tennis and swimming, that Australia likes to think it can own. We have a bunch of good young players now, so maybe more majors are on the way soon. Who knows?
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Safety first
As dumb as players in hockey, football, and baseball may feel every time helmets get safer and bulkier, the fact is they save lives. The latest research on the matter shows that concussions can cause symptoms previously attributed to other causes. By implication, this means that Lou Gehrig may not have died of Lou Gehrig's Disease.
Fortunately, we have a generation of kids growing up the right way, now, at least as far as safety goes. Next, we need a way to prevent overuse injuries from making these kids play a million games of the same sport every year.
Fortunately, we have a generation of kids growing up the right way, now, at least as far as safety goes. Next, we need a way to prevent overuse injuries from making these kids play a million games of the same sport every year.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Conditional love
The good news for Redskins fans is that Albert Haynesworth, on day ten, finally passed his conditioning test. The bad news is, well, you still have Albert Haynesworth on the team. Good luck with that.
Remember when Uncle Duke was GM and Lava Lava Lenny was on the team? Now that was a Redskins franchise I could get behind.
Remember when Uncle Duke was GM and Lava Lava Lenny was on the team? Now that was a Redskins franchise I could get behind.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Stat of the day
About 5 years ago, someone pointed out that the Cleveland Browns had gone through more starting centers in pre season camp than the Pittsburgh Steelers had since the AFL/NFL merger. I think the numbers were 4 and 3, but don't quote me.
In that spirit, today's stat, courtesy Sports Illustrated: since the end of the 2007 season, Brett Favre has more retirements (3) than the Detroit Lions have wins (2).
Seriously.
In that spirit, today's stat, courtesy Sports Illustrated: since the end of the 2007 season, Brett Favre has more retirements (3) than the Detroit Lions have wins (2).
Seriously.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
June 17, 1994
This 30 for 30 film series on ESPN really has been special. I'm watching one today that is just brilliant. It tracks the events of June 17, 1994 - a day that saw Arnold Palmer's last ever round in a US Open at Oakmont, the New York Rangers' first victory parade in 54 years, the opening ceremony and first game of the World Cup in Chicago, game 5 of the NBA finals between the Knicks and Rockets at Madison Square Garden, Ken Griffey Jr hitting his 30th home run of the season off David Cone in Kansas City, keeping pace with Babe Ruth, and, trumping everything, OJ Simpson disappearing, leaving an apparent suicide note, and finally being spotted in a white Ford Bronco...
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Getting it together
Russia, in losing 7-3 to a red hot Canadian team, did not show us much of anything. Which makes me wonder. The two biggest Russian stars, Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin, played on the same line. In the NHL, they play for the Capitals and Penguins, who have had a bitter rivalry for a few years now. Every time those two teams play, Ovechkin goes after Malkin, and vice versa. Let's face it, the two guys can't stand each other. And when they play on the same line, it looks that way. They remind me of when the science building is closed - no chemistry.
This isn't fantasy football. The whole line needs some understanding and instinct. Hatred usually won't cut it. Herb Brooks knew that - in 1980 he kept the Boston College and Minnesota players on different lines as much as he possibly could.
It's like the Detroit Lions, who drafted Georgia's stud QB Drew Stafford to throw to Georgia Tech's stud WR Calvin Johnson. I wouldn't take the risk. Too many years of indoctrination to undo.
What a disappointment that game was. How many months till college football starts again?
This isn't fantasy football. The whole line needs some understanding and instinct. Hatred usually won't cut it. Herb Brooks knew that - in 1980 he kept the Boston College and Minnesota players on different lines as much as he possibly could.
It's like the Detroit Lions, who drafted Georgia's stud QB Drew Stafford to throw to Georgia Tech's stud WR Calvin Johnson. I wouldn't take the risk. Too many years of indoctrination to undo.
What a disappointment that game was. How many months till college football starts again?
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Sunday, January 10, 2010
You can't spell Rackers without Packers
FG attempt on first down, no Warner shot into the end zone. Awful shanked kick from the best kicker around. 45-45 at the end of regulation. Then the Cardinals' defense comes up with the big play to win it, 51-45. Let's just say I didn't see that one coming.
Thank you to both teams for making a dull game into a very entertaining one! That seriously livened up what had been a truly forgettable round of wild card matches.
Thank you to both teams for making a dull game into a very entertaining one! That seriously livened up what had been a truly forgettable round of wild card matches.
Ah, hubris
The moment I make the grand declaration, what happens? New England, with the crowd booing on 4th and 17, punts high, the Ravens blow the catch utterly to lose the ball, and then inexplicably fail to challenge when the New England player does not recover the ball before it goes out of bounds.
Shortly afterward, touchdown, 24-7.
One last gasp? Don't ask me. Clearly I don't know a thing...
4:07 PM. Looks like I was right the first time. Patriots' comeback goes nowhere much, a fairly one dimensional Ravens team goes to New England and seems about to win 33-14. Tom Brady looks sulky.
Shortly afterward, touchdown, 24-7.
One last gasp? Don't ask me. Clearly I don't know a thing...
4:07 PM. Looks like I was right the first time. Patriots' comeback goes nowhere much, a fairly one dimensional Ravens team goes to New England and seems about to win 33-14. Tom Brady looks sulky.
Surely now this party is over?
The Ravens are up 24-0 over the Patriots, in New England, in the first quarter. Several times since the Pats last won a Super Bowl, I have boldly declared that they are done, only to see them come back and have another fine year with a deep playoff run. Not to mention get within 35 seconds or so of a 19-0 season.
But this looks different. All year, really, the Pats have been very efficient at demolishing bad teams, but, pre-meltdown Indy game aside, they have shown precious little against contenders. Just ask the Saints.
Today, with some defensive disasters, two interceptions, looking completely out of synch, I think I will say it again: this dynasty is over*. Welcome to the world of "just another OK team."
What moment defined the end? Ed Reed's lateral after the interception. That was the act of a player who has no fear of his opponent. None at all.
* Just watch them come back and win this now.
But this looks different. All year, really, the Pats have been very efficient at demolishing bad teams, but, pre-meltdown Indy game aside, they have shown precious little against contenders. Just ask the Saints.
Today, with some defensive disasters, two interceptions, looking completely out of synch, I think I will say it again: this dynasty is over*. Welcome to the world of "just another OK team."
What moment defined the end? Ed Reed's lateral after the interception. That was the act of a player who has no fear of his opponent. None at all.
* Just watch them come back and win this now.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Lime, turquoise, silver, and black
Those are your color choices in the UFL. Apparently, the uniforms of all four teams will feature identical designs, too. The UFL's marketing people are missing something vital here - teams need a separate identity. Long term, successful sports leagues feature teams with distinct histories that came together and formed a competition. Just try to follow the NFL's history. If you must form the league first, you need an extra effort to distinguish the clubs involved.
Big mistake. Please, fix this.
Big mistake. Please, fix this.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Keystone State on top
It only just occurred to me that three of the four major team sports champions in America currently reside in Pennsylvania: the Steelers, Phillies, and Penguins. The 76ers remain the odd team out there, with the Eagles, Pirates, and Flyers granted a pass. I'm sure this has been the subject of several thousand columns already, but it is kinda cool. I wonder when (if ever?) they have all been in the same state. It looked likely they might all be in Massachusetts, not so very long ago...
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Worst analogy ever
No one, yet, has signed Michael Vick. As a result, Bill Rhoden has the temerity to buy into Jesse Jackson's allegations of collusion and his comparison of Vick to Jackie Robinson.
Wow.
Perhaps he's just not that great a quarterback for a West Coast offense. Remember, his passing numbers never were terribly great, even as his record for the most 100 yard rushing games by a QB piled up. Vick is the greatest scrambler who ever played the game, and an average passer at best. For better or worse, he is not like most QBs.
Most everyone runs a short passing system nowadays that values quick release, high accuracy, and risk averse decision making. Refitting such a system at drastically short notice to fit Vick in would be nigh impossible.
This isn't collusion. It certainly isn't racism. It's just stodgy NFL conservatism.
And football aside, Bill, I should forgive Michael Vick and his cohorts for some truly unspeakable deeds because hunting is legal? Screw that. I hate hunting, too, with a passion, and I think a great deal less of Brett Favre (for one) for partaking in it.
And as for the Robinson analogy, that's flat out offensive. Robinson was a hero, a genuine hero, to Brooklyn and baseball and the whole country. Vick is a cruel, callous felon.
Wow.
Perhaps he's just not that great a quarterback for a West Coast offense. Remember, his passing numbers never were terribly great, even as his record for the most 100 yard rushing games by a QB piled up. Vick is the greatest scrambler who ever played the game, and an average passer at best. For better or worse, he is not like most QBs.
Most everyone runs a short passing system nowadays that values quick release, high accuracy, and risk averse decision making. Refitting such a system at drastically short notice to fit Vick in would be nigh impossible.
This isn't collusion. It certainly isn't racism. It's just stodgy NFL conservatism.
And football aside, Bill, I should forgive Michael Vick and his cohorts for some truly unspeakable deeds because hunting is legal? Screw that. I hate hunting, too, with a passion, and I think a great deal less of Brett Favre (for one) for partaking in it.
And as for the Robinson analogy, that's flat out offensive. Robinson was a hero, a genuine hero, to Brooklyn and baseball and the whole country. Vick is a cruel, callous felon.
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