Sorry about forgetting to blof Friday. I was on the road with brown basketball at Penn in Philadelphia and didn't get a chance to do it. My bad! I also can't seem to shake this damn cold. It's been about 3 weeks and it's still with me. Found out today it's a sinus infection so hopefully the antibiotics knock it out of me.
Now that I've shared with you probably more than I should have, I'd like to give you my take on the status of our 3 local Div. 1 men's basketball programs.
BROWN: The Bears made history over the weekend sweeping Penn and Princeton on the road in the same weekend for the first time in school history. The 5 point win at Penn really wasn't as close as the final score indicated as the Bears were always in control. Saturday night, however, the bears stole one from the Princeton Tigers. Down 10 with just over 7 minutes left, the Bears managed to force overtime where they grinded out the win. It really showed the character of this team which is outstanding and it also served as another demonstration of how good the head coach is.
I'll be the first to admit that I thought it would be impossible for Brown to find a replacement for Glenn Miller that was anywhere near as good as him. Well, they did! In fact, I think that Craig Robinson may be even better! I can tell you that he has gotten more out of the same talent Miller coached at Brown. That's no disrespect intended to Glenn, just a big time compliment to Robinson.
Right now the Bears are 14-8 and 6-2 in the Ivy League. They are 7-5 on the road with their 5 road losses coming at Michigan, Providence, Notre Dame, Baylor and Yale in OT.
With an RPI of 122, if the Bears finish strong and don't overtake Cornell (8-0) for the Ivy title, a postseason berth may still be awaiting them. When Brown went to the NIT in 2003, they had an RPI in the 140's. Even if it's not the NIT, the newly created CBI tournament which consists of 16 teams after the NCAA's field of 65 and the NIT's 32 could be a logical landing spot. The tournament is run by the Gazelle Group based out of Princeton, NJ and it's president Rick Giles happens to be Craig Robinson's agent. Not that I am suggesting any type of favoritism to Robinson and the Bears. If they continue to win, they will be deserving of strong consideration and with Giles calling the shots, they should get it.
URI: To the dismay of the Rams and their fans, life in the A-10 has proven to be alot more difficult than expected. The league is full of teams capable of knocking off anyone on any given night which has caused some minor angst down in Kingston. At 14-1 after non-league play, we all had the Rams pegged for somewhere around 12-4 at worst in the league. Well, for that to happen, Rhody would have to run the table heading into the A-10 tournament which appears unlikely.
Rhode Island has 3 tough home games coming up in succession with Xavier, UMass and St. Joe's back-to-back-to-back. he good news is they're 11-0 at home this season. If they win all 3, they will have stamped their ticket to the NCAA Tournament. Even 2 out of 3 would be solid.
The only thing that haunts the Rams right now is that their n on-conference marquee wins aren't as solid as they could be with Providence floundering and Syracuse looking like a bubble-trouble team. If the Orange can win a few more games against ranked teams in the Big East and get into the tourney that will help Rhody's resume' alot. They also almost got a huge boost from UAB who almost pulled off the upset of Memphis in Coference USA.
PROVIDENCE: Sadly, the beat goes on for the Friars who look like a beaten team and program right now. After hanging tough with Louisville for 30 minutes Saturday, the Friars couldn't pull off the upset at the Dunk and lost another Big East game. This was a team with NCAA tournament aspirations coming into the season and now they probably won't even qualify for the Big East tournament or the NIT.
The loss of Sharaud Curry was devistating. He was their leading returning scorer and their QB. he made the offense go. However, better recruiting could have lessened the blow of his absence with a half descent back-up point guard.
I've certainly given my own opinion on Tim Welsh's future on my show and have read all of the articles from the likes of Billy Reynold's, Kevin McNamara and Jim Donaldson. And while we all have brought up good points on this issue, the bottom line is that the time has come for change at the top.
Tim Welsh is not a bad coach. He's actually a good one. However, this program needs someone bordering on greatness. With all of the challenges that come along with making PC basketball competetive in the rediculously tough Big East conference, you need a great coach who can not only recruit very well, but also coach the hell out of his players. Anything less than that and PC is doomed to remain at the bottom of the Big East.
My preliminary thoughts say that there are a few guys who AD Bob Driscoll should at least consider talking to. Jim O'Brien, Jim Baron, Carl Hobbs, Travis Ford, Craig Robinson and Glenn Miller. Let's look at the one at a time.
O'Brien just got cleared by the NCAA to return to coaching after winning his lawsuit against Ohio State for getting fired over recruiting violations. While I am not excusing what happened with that European recruit, I will say that I find O'Brien to be a solid human being and a good man as well as an excellent coach. He did well at both Ohio State and BC which tells you that he can compete with the big boys in the Big East.
Jim Baron is going nowhere! He likes it at URI and would NEVER leave to take another job while Jimmy Jr. is still playing. Still, Baron is the type of coach PC needs to find. He is a great man and a terriffic coach who gets the most out of his players and whose teams play tough which is needed in the Big East.
Carl Hobbs and GW are having a down year but that should not dissuade PC from talking to him. He can recruit and he can coach. He is also from the Jim Calhoun coaching tree having played for and coached with him at UConn so he knows what it takes to win in the Big East.
Travis Ford is from the Rick Pitino coaching tree which Providence, for obvious reasons, might find attractive. He's done a pretty good job at UMass and his team gets after it. Effort is not something you question about Travis Ford's teams.
Craig Robinson has only been a head coach for 2 years but if you've paid attention to Brown, you can see just how good the man really is. Yes, he runs the Princeton offense but much more liberally than his coach Pete Carrill did. In fact, if you look at what John Thompson III is doing at Georgetown, that's what Robinson might be able to do at PC. He can flat out coach! It would simply be a matter of recruiting the talent to PC which I think he would be able to do as well.
The same can be said about Glenn Miller at Penn. He can flat out coach up his talent. The big question would be, could he bring in good enough talent to compete in the upper half of the Big East? I'd want to be sure of that before pulling the trigger on bringing him on board.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
More on Clemens
Having had 24 hours to let the testimony in the congressional hearings marinate, I have to tell you that I am still convinced that Roger Clemens is the big loser in all of this. While Brian McNamee was exposed and, in some cases, verbally attacked for being the lying SOB that he is, it is still Clemens who left us with the most unanswered questions. Questions such as:
1.) How does he explain his best friend Andy Pettitte's sworn testimony claiming that Clemens told him he had taken HGH in a conversation that took place in either 1999 or 2000? At first it was that he was referring to his wife's HGH use which we found our was definitely not true because here HGH use began in 2003. Then it was something about how he was simply referring to some show he watched on TV where some old men took HGH and felt much better after taking it. Then is was that Pettitte simply "misremembered" their conversation. Nice try Rog! I'm not buying it.
2.) Are we to believe that Debbie Clemens is the only member of the family to take HGH? Please! I am quite certain that Debbie probably would not have known anything about HGH or it's benefits if she didn't get the info from her hubby. Again, nice try, but it didn't work for me.
3.) Why would McNamee have told the truth about Pettitte and Knobloch and not Clemens? Roger didn't have an answer for this one. Instead, he relied on many of the republican committee members to attack McNamee's credibility. Even though McNamee is far from the most credible human being, I still can't come up with a good answer for this question either.
4.) Are we supposed to believe that noone told you about your name being in the Mitchell report before it's release and that George Mitchell wanted to speak with you prior to it's release? Clemens said on 60 minutes with mike Wallace that he did not speak to Mitchell before hand because his attourneys advised him against it. Yesterday, he claims that noone ever told him that mitchell wanted to speak to him. Whatever!
While Clemens may have been the best pitcher of many of our lifetimes, his pitch to the congressional committee yesterday was one that didn't even come close to the strike zone. It was, in fact, the worst of his career.
It is likely that Clemens will not face perjury charges simply because it would be difficult to prove. Furthermore, it is also very unlikely that he would be charged with using illegal drugs because law enforcement usually targets the dealers and not the users.
So what we are left with is the next Barry Bonds or even Pete Rose. We strongly assume his guilt which he continues to deny just as strongly. Even if he were to come clean like Rose did some 10 years after the fact, forgiveness is not an option. If that's what he wanted, he should have taken the Andy Pettitte, Jason Giambi or Rodney Harrisson route. After he was caught he should have come clean with whatever explanation or excuse he wanted to and things would have died down quickly. Not now. Not ever.
The next interesting moment in this whole ordeal will come 5 years from now when Clemens is eligible for hall of fame consideration. That's provided that he doesn't un-retire once again. What will the baseball writers do? Will they look past the alleged performance enhancing drug use and give him the needed 75% of the vote for induction or will he suffer a similar fate to that of Mark McGwire?
I don't know. But I can't wait to find out.
1.) How does he explain his best friend Andy Pettitte's sworn testimony claiming that Clemens told him he had taken HGH in a conversation that took place in either 1999 or 2000? At first it was that he was referring to his wife's HGH use which we found our was definitely not true because here HGH use began in 2003. Then it was something about how he was simply referring to some show he watched on TV where some old men took HGH and felt much better after taking it. Then is was that Pettitte simply "misremembered" their conversation. Nice try Rog! I'm not buying it.
2.) Are we to believe that Debbie Clemens is the only member of the family to take HGH? Please! I am quite certain that Debbie probably would not have known anything about HGH or it's benefits if she didn't get the info from her hubby. Again, nice try, but it didn't work for me.
3.) Why would McNamee have told the truth about Pettitte and Knobloch and not Clemens? Roger didn't have an answer for this one. Instead, he relied on many of the republican committee members to attack McNamee's credibility. Even though McNamee is far from the most credible human being, I still can't come up with a good answer for this question either.
4.) Are we supposed to believe that noone told you about your name being in the Mitchell report before it's release and that George Mitchell wanted to speak with you prior to it's release? Clemens said on 60 minutes with mike Wallace that he did not speak to Mitchell before hand because his attourneys advised him against it. Yesterday, he claims that noone ever told him that mitchell wanted to speak to him. Whatever!
While Clemens may have been the best pitcher of many of our lifetimes, his pitch to the congressional committee yesterday was one that didn't even come close to the strike zone. It was, in fact, the worst of his career.
It is likely that Clemens will not face perjury charges simply because it would be difficult to prove. Furthermore, it is also very unlikely that he would be charged with using illegal drugs because law enforcement usually targets the dealers and not the users.
So what we are left with is the next Barry Bonds or even Pete Rose. We strongly assume his guilt which he continues to deny just as strongly. Even if he were to come clean like Rose did some 10 years after the fact, forgiveness is not an option. If that's what he wanted, he should have taken the Andy Pettitte, Jason Giambi or Rodney Harrisson route. After he was caught he should have come clean with whatever explanation or excuse he wanted to and things would have died down quickly. Not now. Not ever.
The next interesting moment in this whole ordeal will come 5 years from now when Clemens is eligible for hall of fame consideration. That's provided that he doesn't un-retire once again. What will the baseball writers do? Will they look past the alleged performance enhancing drug use and give him the needed 75% of the vote for induction or will he suffer a similar fate to that of Mark McGwire?
I don't know. But I can't wait to find out.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Clemens / McNamee Hearings
Welcome back to my blog Score listeners! I apologize for getting a bit lazy and not updating it. I will try to update it daily Monday-Friday each week.
Today, a quick take on the Clemens/McNamee hearings in front of the congressional committee on oversight and reform.
-Clearly someone is lying here and could face perjury charges somewhere down the line.
-The big question is, do we have a winner in these hearings? Probably not! Both Clemens and McNamee had their credibility called into question by various committee members which was somewhat separated by party lines. The republicans seemed to suck up to Roger and attack the credibility of McNamee while the democrats went after Clemens for his inconsistent testimony things that contradicted his story.
-What we are left with is a situation where we can only form our own opinions based upon what we heard today.
-In my opinion, nothing happenned today to change my opinion going into the hearing. I tend to believe that Clemens probably did knowingly do steroids and still do.
-The most convincing Q & A for me was that of Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) who seemed to point to Clemens' best friend Andy Pettitte for the right answers. Pettitte, in a sworn deposition last week confirmed that he had two conversations with Clemens about Roger's HGH use and, in both cases, he shared those conversations with his wife who confirmed them in her own sworn deposition. When asked by Cummings what he thought about Pettitte's statements, Clemens indicated that Pettitte must have "misremembered" their conversations and continued his denial of ever having taken steroids or HGH. Andy Pettitte is no angel (he admitted in his sworn deposition that he had taken HGH in 2004 which he did not admit to after the Mitchell report), but I find him to be the most believable of everyone involved in this mess.
That's all for now! For more, join me on the Sportsbeat today at 3pm>
Today, a quick take on the Clemens/McNamee hearings in front of the congressional committee on oversight and reform.
-Clearly someone is lying here and could face perjury charges somewhere down the line.
-The big question is, do we have a winner in these hearings? Probably not! Both Clemens and McNamee had their credibility called into question by various committee members which was somewhat separated by party lines. The republicans seemed to suck up to Roger and attack the credibility of McNamee while the democrats went after Clemens for his inconsistent testimony things that contradicted his story.
-What we are left with is a situation where we can only form our own opinions based upon what we heard today.
-In my opinion, nothing happenned today to change my opinion going into the hearing. I tend to believe that Clemens probably did knowingly do steroids and still do.
-The most convincing Q & A for me was that of Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) who seemed to point to Clemens' best friend Andy Pettitte for the right answers. Pettitte, in a sworn deposition last week confirmed that he had two conversations with Clemens about Roger's HGH use and, in both cases, he shared those conversations with his wife who confirmed them in her own sworn deposition. When asked by Cummings what he thought about Pettitte's statements, Clemens indicated that Pettitte must have "misremembered" their conversations and continued his denial of ever having taken steroids or HGH. Andy Pettitte is no angel (he admitted in his sworn deposition that he had taken HGH in 2004 which he did not admit to after the Mitchell report), but I find him to be the most believable of everyone involved in this mess.
That's all for now! For more, join me on the Sportsbeat today at 3pm>
Thursday, November 29, 2007
NFL Power 15 - thru week 12:
1. New England - A close shave at the Razor Sunday night but they're still perfect and still #1 until further notice.
2. Dallas - The Cowboys pummled the Jets on Turkey Day but that was the Jets. How will they fare against the team that's just behind them in the rankings Thursday night?
3. Green Bay - Packers enjoyed their Turkey Day too winning in Detroit. I still believe that Dallas is an all around better team with a more explosive offense. Prove me wrong Pack!
4. Indy - Colts thrashed the Falcons on Thanksgiving night but they're still not healthy. If Marvin Harrison can come back soon, look out! Their defense looks like it may be able to overcome the loss of Dwight Freeney.
5. Pittsburgh - Don't put much stock in the final score (3-0) of their game against Miami Monday Night. The playing conditions were rediculous and leveled the playing field.
6. Jacksonville - Alright Jags, here's your chance. Go to Indy and win on Sunday and you'll zoom up the rankings and establish yourself as a possible threat to the NFL's best - the Pats.
7. Cleveland - Browns beat the Texans last week and travel to Arizona this week. Go RAC!
8. Tampa Bay - Bucs have an interesting game at New Orleans this week. What makes it interesting is that Jon Gruden may have to start Bruce Gradkowski or Luke McCown if Jeff Garcia (back) can't go.
9. Seattle - No DJ Hackett for the Seahawks this week. But that's okay, old friend Deion Branch is back and Bobby Engram is solid as well. Will Philly bring it this week against Seattle like they did in New England Sunday night?
10. NY Giants - What a pitiful performance by the G-Men against the Vikings. If Eli doesn't get it going soon, he will find the New York metropolitan area a very difficult place to play.
11. San Diego - Are the Chargers teasing us, or are they starting to click? I thought that they had righted the ship earlier this season only to have them go into a mini-funk again. If they are back, a win at KC is a must.
12. Detroit - Will the Lions please beat a half decent team? I'm not sure if winning at Minnesota would qualify but they need to win it anyway to stop their free-fall.
13. New Orleans - If Drew Brees & the Saints can beat the Bucs Sunday, they'll be just a game out of first in the NFC South.
14. Tennessee - The Titans forgot to show up for their game at Cincinnati losing to the hapless Bengals 35-6. If they don't beat Houston at home this week, stick a fork in them because they'll be done!
15. Minnesota/Philly - I couldn't pick between these two (5-6) teams. The Vikes were impressive in their blowout win of the Giants at the Meadowlands while the Eagles were equally impressive in a loss to the high-powered Patriots.
Missed the cut - Chicago, Arizona, Washington, Houston, Buffalo
Joke of the league - Miami - Didn't you just know that the Dolphins would find a way to lose that game in the slop in Pittsburgh Monday night? On the bright side, a home game against the Jets this week gives the Phins a chance to win their first game of the year Sunday.
2. Dallas - The Cowboys pummled the Jets on Turkey Day but that was the Jets. How will they fare against the team that's just behind them in the rankings Thursday night?
3. Green Bay - Packers enjoyed their Turkey Day too winning in Detroit. I still believe that Dallas is an all around better team with a more explosive offense. Prove me wrong Pack!
4. Indy - Colts thrashed the Falcons on Thanksgiving night but they're still not healthy. If Marvin Harrison can come back soon, look out! Their defense looks like it may be able to overcome the loss of Dwight Freeney.
5. Pittsburgh - Don't put much stock in the final score (3-0) of their game against Miami Monday Night. The playing conditions were rediculous and leveled the playing field.
6. Jacksonville - Alright Jags, here's your chance. Go to Indy and win on Sunday and you'll zoom up the rankings and establish yourself as a possible threat to the NFL's best - the Pats.
7. Cleveland - Browns beat the Texans last week and travel to Arizona this week. Go RAC!
8. Tampa Bay - Bucs have an interesting game at New Orleans this week. What makes it interesting is that Jon Gruden may have to start Bruce Gradkowski or Luke McCown if Jeff Garcia (back) can't go.
9. Seattle - No DJ Hackett for the Seahawks this week. But that's okay, old friend Deion Branch is back and Bobby Engram is solid as well. Will Philly bring it this week against Seattle like they did in New England Sunday night?
10. NY Giants - What a pitiful performance by the G-Men against the Vikings. If Eli doesn't get it going soon, he will find the New York metropolitan area a very difficult place to play.
11. San Diego - Are the Chargers teasing us, or are they starting to click? I thought that they had righted the ship earlier this season only to have them go into a mini-funk again. If they are back, a win at KC is a must.
12. Detroit - Will the Lions please beat a half decent team? I'm not sure if winning at Minnesota would qualify but they need to win it anyway to stop their free-fall.
13. New Orleans - If Drew Brees & the Saints can beat the Bucs Sunday, they'll be just a game out of first in the NFC South.
14. Tennessee - The Titans forgot to show up for their game at Cincinnati losing to the hapless Bengals 35-6. If they don't beat Houston at home this week, stick a fork in them because they'll be done!
15. Minnesota/Philly - I couldn't pick between these two (5-6) teams. The Vikes were impressive in their blowout win of the Giants at the Meadowlands while the Eagles were equally impressive in a loss to the high-powered Patriots.
Missed the cut - Chicago, Arizona, Washington, Houston, Buffalo
Joke of the league - Miami - Didn't you just know that the Dolphins would find a way to lose that game in the slop in Pittsburgh Monday night? On the bright side, a home game against the Jets this week gives the Phins a chance to win their first game of the year Sunday.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
NFL Power 15 - thru week 11:
Here we go again. Time for this week's Power 15! Before we unviel this week's edition, allow me to clarify what this poll is all about. These rankings are about the here and now and not based on projections - which is to say, that these teams are ranked on how they are playing and how good they are NOW! This isn't a poll based upon projections and which teams I think will be good in 3 weeks. With that said, here's your Power 15:
1. New England - Did you see what they did to the Bills Sunday night? Their performance was so impressive that I have admittedly changed my tune on whether or not the Pats will go undefeated. I would now be surprised if they DIDN'T go undefeated. They are that good!
2. Dallas - Part of me wonders if Dallas is better than the 21 point loss they suffered to New England at home or if there is that much of a gap. Still, the Cowboys 9-1 record is very impressive as they, too, are kicking ass and taking names. Right now, they rate the edge over Green Bay for the #2 spot.
3. Green Bay - The Packers, too, are kicking some serious butt and playing great defense as well. We haven't seen them against the pats so there's no way to measure them against the league's elite team. However we will learn alot more about them (and the Cowboys) when they visit Dallas on November 29th.
4. Indianapolis - SI's Peter King must have been hanging out with Rickey Williams if he thinks that the Colts are the second best team in the league right now! With the way they're playing and the injuries they have sustained, they would not beat the Dallas Cowboys right now. Or the Green Bay Packers. Maybe even the Steelers. However, if they do get healthy (minus Dwight Freeney) they will pose the biggest threat to the Patriots in the playoffs.
5. Pittsburgh - A terrible loss to the Jets Sunday, but I still think that this is a good team. In fact, I thought about putting Jacksonville in this spot but I believe that the Steelers are the better team and would win if they played today.
6. Jacksonville - A win over the Chargers Sunday has them just a game behind Indy for the AFC South lead. And they've won with multiple QB's! The reason why is their defense has been stingy. In fact, they've given up only two more points (159) this season than the Patriots (157).
7. NY Giants - It wasn't a thing of beauty, but the G-men got the job done in Mowtown. They should pick up their 8th win this Sunday at home against Minnesota, even without former BC Eagle Mathias Kiwanuka.
8. Tampa Bay - It's time we all stopped sleeping on the Bucs. They ARE the team to beat in the NFC South. John Gruden's job was reportedly on the line coming into this season and it looks like he has a playoff-bound team on his hands.
9. Cleveland - Wow! What a finish to the Browns game at Baltimore! Phil Dawson's game-tying FG hits the left upright and then the bar over the crossbar holding up the goalposts before bouncing out! After originally being ruled no good, the refs got it right and Cleveland won in overtime. That's taking advantage of a fortuitous bounce.
10. Seattle - Seahawks have been playing better as of late beating the Bears this past weekend. They face a healthier Rams team in St. Louis on Sunday.
11. Tennessee - The Titans couldn't get it done against a down Denver team Monday night although Vince Young did play like an NFL QB this week. If they want to be a playoff team, they have to beat a pitiful Bengals team this week in Cincinnati.
12. Detroit - The Packers still haven't beaten a good team making their Turkey Day match-up with Green Bay a must! Based upon what I've seen from both team this season, I'll take the Pack.
13. Houston - Andre Johnson's return to the line-up is huge for the Texans who beat the surging Saints last Sunday. A big game this week for the Texans as they visit another surging team - Cleveland this weekend.
14. Philly - Eagles, without a hobbled Donovan McNabb, sent the lowly Dolphins to their 10th defeat on Sunday. From an (0-10) team to the (10-0) Patriots this Sunday night. Now let's see how good the Eagles are.
15. Washington - The Skins hung tough with Dallas on Sunday and, let's face it, play in the toughest division in the league. (sorry AFC South) Washington may have a make or break game this weekend in Tampa.
Missed the cut: Arizona, San Diego
Bottom of the barrell: The (ha, ha, ha, ha) Miami (ha, ha, ha, ha) Dolphins (ha, ha, ha,ha)
1. New England - Did you see what they did to the Bills Sunday night? Their performance was so impressive that I have admittedly changed my tune on whether or not the Pats will go undefeated. I would now be surprised if they DIDN'T go undefeated. They are that good!
2. Dallas - Part of me wonders if Dallas is better than the 21 point loss they suffered to New England at home or if there is that much of a gap. Still, the Cowboys 9-1 record is very impressive as they, too, are kicking ass and taking names. Right now, they rate the edge over Green Bay for the #2 spot.
3. Green Bay - The Packers, too, are kicking some serious butt and playing great defense as well. We haven't seen them against the pats so there's no way to measure them against the league's elite team. However we will learn alot more about them (and the Cowboys) when they visit Dallas on November 29th.
4. Indianapolis - SI's Peter King must have been hanging out with Rickey Williams if he thinks that the Colts are the second best team in the league right now! With the way they're playing and the injuries they have sustained, they would not beat the Dallas Cowboys right now. Or the Green Bay Packers. Maybe even the Steelers. However, if they do get healthy (minus Dwight Freeney) they will pose the biggest threat to the Patriots in the playoffs.
5. Pittsburgh - A terrible loss to the Jets Sunday, but I still think that this is a good team. In fact, I thought about putting Jacksonville in this spot but I believe that the Steelers are the better team and would win if they played today.
6. Jacksonville - A win over the Chargers Sunday has them just a game behind Indy for the AFC South lead. And they've won with multiple QB's! The reason why is their defense has been stingy. In fact, they've given up only two more points (159) this season than the Patriots (157).
7. NY Giants - It wasn't a thing of beauty, but the G-men got the job done in Mowtown. They should pick up their 8th win this Sunday at home against Minnesota, even without former BC Eagle Mathias Kiwanuka.
8. Tampa Bay - It's time we all stopped sleeping on the Bucs. They ARE the team to beat in the NFC South. John Gruden's job was reportedly on the line coming into this season and it looks like he has a playoff-bound team on his hands.
9. Cleveland - Wow! What a finish to the Browns game at Baltimore! Phil Dawson's game-tying FG hits the left upright and then the bar over the crossbar holding up the goalposts before bouncing out! After originally being ruled no good, the refs got it right and Cleveland won in overtime. That's taking advantage of a fortuitous bounce.
10. Seattle - Seahawks have been playing better as of late beating the Bears this past weekend. They face a healthier Rams team in St. Louis on Sunday.
11. Tennessee - The Titans couldn't get it done against a down Denver team Monday night although Vince Young did play like an NFL QB this week. If they want to be a playoff team, they have to beat a pitiful Bengals team this week in Cincinnati.
12. Detroit - The Packers still haven't beaten a good team making their Turkey Day match-up with Green Bay a must! Based upon what I've seen from both team this season, I'll take the Pack.
13. Houston - Andre Johnson's return to the line-up is huge for the Texans who beat the surging Saints last Sunday. A big game this week for the Texans as they visit another surging team - Cleveland this weekend.
14. Philly - Eagles, without a hobbled Donovan McNabb, sent the lowly Dolphins to their 10th defeat on Sunday. From an (0-10) team to the (10-0) Patriots this Sunday night. Now let's see how good the Eagles are.
15. Washington - The Skins hung tough with Dallas on Sunday and, let's face it, play in the toughest division in the league. (sorry AFC South) Washington may have a make or break game this weekend in Tampa.
Missed the cut: Arizona, San Diego
Bottom of the barrell: The (ha, ha, ha, ha) Miami (ha, ha, ha, ha) Dolphins (ha, ha, ha,ha)
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
NFL Power 15 (thru week 10):
1. New England - It's hard to believe that without playing the Pats could create more separation between themselves and the rest of the pcak, but that's exactly what happened! Thanks to Manning's 6 int's at San Diego, the Pats are now head and shoulders above the rest. Let's hope there's not letdown Sunday night in Buffalo.
2. Dallas - The Cowboys only blemish was their loss to the Patriots. Other than that, they've been pretty dominant. Winning at Giants Stadium Sunday was impressive and, along with Green Bay, they have seperated themselves from the rest of the NFC.
3. Green Bay - Now I believe in the Pack! I was uncertain about this team because of their lack of a running game but with Ryan Grant running all over one of the league's best run defenses in Minnesota, I'm convinced. The Pack is for real!
4. Pittsburgh - I was rooting hard for Romeo's Browns to pull off the upset in Pittsburgh but it wasn't meant to be. Give credit to the Steelers for coming back to beat Cleveland. Big Ben's having a solid season and the Steeler's defense is pretty damn good. Let's give new head coach Mike Tomlin alot of credit for replacing a coaching legend (Bill Cowher) and not missing a beat.
5. Indy - My, how the mighty have fallen! Injuries, shmingeries! Even with the help of the guys in striped shirts, they couldn't beat the Patriots 2 weeks ago. And this past week, 6 Manning interceptions and a missed Adam Vinatieri chip shot FG cost them a win in San Diego. Plus, they may have lost Dwight Freeney for the season. Sorry Bill Polian!
6. NY Giants - The G-men lost a game they needed to win on Sunday if they wanted to win the division. Now it's all about a wild card berth for the Giants. Still, this is a talented team that can play with anyone when they're at their best.
7. Jacksonville - How about the Jags going in to Tennessee and slapping the Titans around Sunday? Even with the immortal Quinn Gray at quarterback!
8. Cleveland - The Browns gave the Steelers all they could handle Sunday proving that they are for real. If they really are for real, they'll need top beat a down Ravens team in Baltimore this weekend.
9. Seattle - Seahawks impressive shutout of the 49ers Monday night may be an indication that Seattle is on it's way back. If they can get Shawn Alexander and Deion Branch healthy, they could make a little bit of a run in the NFC.
10. Tennessee - I've been kind of tough on Vince Young this year, but I think rightfully so. If the Titans are going to be a force in the AFC, they flat out need better play from their QB.
11. Detroit - The Lions lost a game that a playoff-bound team would have won. They have a HUGE game this weekend with the NY Giants paying a visit to Ford Field.
12. Washington - Redskins have their work cut out for themselves this week when they visit Dallas. The loss to Philly last week might sting for while.
13. Tampa Bay - The Bucs defense has been solid this year and their offense is in good hands with veteran QB Jeff Garcia. The Bucs should win at Atlanta Sunday.
14. Buffalo - Bills may have been guilty of looking ahead Sunday as they survived a scare in Miami. J.P. Losman will QB the team Sunday night. Can they hang with or possibly even upset the Pats? Nah!
15. New Orleans - Are the Saints really back or are they just an average team? The answer to that question will come in the next 7 games starting Sunday at Houston.
Missed the cut: San Diego, Kansas City, Chicago
The worst of the worst: The Miami Dolphins are now on the clock!
1. New England - It's hard to believe that without playing the Pats could create more separation between themselves and the rest of the pcak, but that's exactly what happened! Thanks to Manning's 6 int's at San Diego, the Pats are now head and shoulders above the rest. Let's hope there's not letdown Sunday night in Buffalo.
2. Dallas - The Cowboys only blemish was their loss to the Patriots. Other than that, they've been pretty dominant. Winning at Giants Stadium Sunday was impressive and, along with Green Bay, they have seperated themselves from the rest of the NFC.
3. Green Bay - Now I believe in the Pack! I was uncertain about this team because of their lack of a running game but with Ryan Grant running all over one of the league's best run defenses in Minnesota, I'm convinced. The Pack is for real!
4. Pittsburgh - I was rooting hard for Romeo's Browns to pull off the upset in Pittsburgh but it wasn't meant to be. Give credit to the Steelers for coming back to beat Cleveland. Big Ben's having a solid season and the Steeler's defense is pretty damn good. Let's give new head coach Mike Tomlin alot of credit for replacing a coaching legend (Bill Cowher) and not missing a beat.
5. Indy - My, how the mighty have fallen! Injuries, shmingeries! Even with the help of the guys in striped shirts, they couldn't beat the Patriots 2 weeks ago. And this past week, 6 Manning interceptions and a missed Adam Vinatieri chip shot FG cost them a win in San Diego. Plus, they may have lost Dwight Freeney for the season. Sorry Bill Polian!
6. NY Giants - The G-men lost a game they needed to win on Sunday if they wanted to win the division. Now it's all about a wild card berth for the Giants. Still, this is a talented team that can play with anyone when they're at their best.
7. Jacksonville - How about the Jags going in to Tennessee and slapping the Titans around Sunday? Even with the immortal Quinn Gray at quarterback!
8. Cleveland - The Browns gave the Steelers all they could handle Sunday proving that they are for real. If they really are for real, they'll need top beat a down Ravens team in Baltimore this weekend.
9. Seattle - Seahawks impressive shutout of the 49ers Monday night may be an indication that Seattle is on it's way back. If they can get Shawn Alexander and Deion Branch healthy, they could make a little bit of a run in the NFC.
10. Tennessee - I've been kind of tough on Vince Young this year, but I think rightfully so. If the Titans are going to be a force in the AFC, they flat out need better play from their QB.
11. Detroit - The Lions lost a game that a playoff-bound team would have won. They have a HUGE game this weekend with the NY Giants paying a visit to Ford Field.
12. Washington - Redskins have their work cut out for themselves this week when they visit Dallas. The loss to Philly last week might sting for while.
13. Tampa Bay - The Bucs defense has been solid this year and their offense is in good hands with veteran QB Jeff Garcia. The Bucs should win at Atlanta Sunday.
14. Buffalo - Bills may have been guilty of looking ahead Sunday as they survived a scare in Miami. J.P. Losman will QB the team Sunday night. Can they hang with or possibly even upset the Pats? Nah!
15. New Orleans - Are the Saints really back or are they just an average team? The answer to that question will come in the next 7 games starting Sunday at Houston.
Missed the cut: San Diego, Kansas City, Chicago
The worst of the worst: The Miami Dolphins are now on the clock!
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
NFL Power 15 - thru week 9:
1. New England - For 3 quarters Sunday I was thinking that the Colts would occupy the top spot in this week's poll. Then, Tom Brady and the Patriots decided to finish strong. And finish strong they did! Great 2nd half performance by the Pats D which forced 2 turnovers and allowed only 1 Indy score.
2. Indy - You wonder if things would have been different if Marvin Harrison played? We'll never know. Still, I'm very impressed with the speed and execution of the Colts D. See you in Foxboro in late January!
3. Dallas - They exorcised their demons in Philly Sunday night with a convincing win over the Eagles. Along with Green Bay, they are the class of the NFC.
4. Green Bay - The Pack had no problems in KC on Sunday. It's fun to see Brett Favre playing well and winning again.
5. Pittsburgh - After that unbelievable performance on both sides of the ball against the Ravens Monday night I was tempted to move this team higher in the polls. My colleague Tony Cornetta certainly wants me to! However, as the great Bill Parcells said on ESPN this past weekend, any team that loses to Arizona and Denver this year shouldn't be considered a threat to win in Foxboro.
6. NY Giants - A bye for the Giants after the win over the Dolphins in London. Hopefully they put that extra week to good use because the high-flying Cowboys visit the Meadowlands this weekend.
7. Tennessee - I am not impressed with this team yet they are 6-2 and a game behind the Colts in the AFC South! Vince Young is not playing well but the Titans defense is.
8. Detroit - Break up the Lions! Like the Titans, they are 6-2 at the midway point and 1 game behind Green Bay in the NFC North. Matt Millen is a genius!
9. Cleveland - How about some love for Romeo? His Browns are 5-3 with a QB that nobody had heard of before the season started.
10. New Orleans - Don't look now but the Saints are on their way back. They are a half game behind the Bucs in the NFC South. And, one of my favorite former Patriots - David Patten - had a big game for them Sunday.
11. San Diego - The Chargers were on their way back until they hit a bump in the road in Minnesota Sunday. Still, the talent on this team is too good to ignore.
12. Jacksonville - Jags lost at New Orleans Sunday. They gave up 41 points to the Saints who racked up over 500 yards of total offense against the Jags normally stingy "D". That won't happen this Sunday but they will have their hands full in Tennessee where the Titans just find ways to win games.
13. Washington - Not exactly the bonce-back type of performance I expected coming off the Patriots loss. Still, they managed to rally for the OT win despite trailing the Jats the whole way.
14. Tampa Bay - Bucs took care of business against the Cards to move to 5-4 heading into their bye week. If Carolina and New Orleans win this weekend, there will be a 3-way tie atop the NFC South.
15. Kansas City - With Larry Johnson's foot injury, Priest Holmes will carry the load offensively. The problem with the Chiefs is the QB position where former Patriot Damon Huard has not played very well. Seconf year man Brodie Croyle may be close to taking over the offensive reigns.
Missed the cut: Buffalo - On second thought, the Bills should be in my top 15!
Bottom Feeders: Miami - Somebody ask Don Shula if this year's soon-to-be 0-16 Dolphins team will negate the 17-0 '72 Dolphins? And tell him to stick that asterisk up his #$@!
2. Indy - You wonder if things would have been different if Marvin Harrison played? We'll never know. Still, I'm very impressed with the speed and execution of the Colts D. See you in Foxboro in late January!
3. Dallas - They exorcised their demons in Philly Sunday night with a convincing win over the Eagles. Along with Green Bay, they are the class of the NFC.
4. Green Bay - The Pack had no problems in KC on Sunday. It's fun to see Brett Favre playing well and winning again.
5. Pittsburgh - After that unbelievable performance on both sides of the ball against the Ravens Monday night I was tempted to move this team higher in the polls. My colleague Tony Cornetta certainly wants me to! However, as the great Bill Parcells said on ESPN this past weekend, any team that loses to Arizona and Denver this year shouldn't be considered a threat to win in Foxboro.
6. NY Giants - A bye for the Giants after the win over the Dolphins in London. Hopefully they put that extra week to good use because the high-flying Cowboys visit the Meadowlands this weekend.
7. Tennessee - I am not impressed with this team yet they are 6-2 and a game behind the Colts in the AFC South! Vince Young is not playing well but the Titans defense is.
8. Detroit - Break up the Lions! Like the Titans, they are 6-2 at the midway point and 1 game behind Green Bay in the NFC North. Matt Millen is a genius!
9. Cleveland - How about some love for Romeo? His Browns are 5-3 with a QB that nobody had heard of before the season started.
10. New Orleans - Don't look now but the Saints are on their way back. They are a half game behind the Bucs in the NFC South. And, one of my favorite former Patriots - David Patten - had a big game for them Sunday.
11. San Diego - The Chargers were on their way back until they hit a bump in the road in Minnesota Sunday. Still, the talent on this team is too good to ignore.
12. Jacksonville - Jags lost at New Orleans Sunday. They gave up 41 points to the Saints who racked up over 500 yards of total offense against the Jags normally stingy "D". That won't happen this Sunday but they will have their hands full in Tennessee where the Titans just find ways to win games.
13. Washington - Not exactly the bonce-back type of performance I expected coming off the Patriots loss. Still, they managed to rally for the OT win despite trailing the Jats the whole way.
14. Tampa Bay - Bucs took care of business against the Cards to move to 5-4 heading into their bye week. If Carolina and New Orleans win this weekend, there will be a 3-way tie atop the NFC South.
15. Kansas City - With Larry Johnson's foot injury, Priest Holmes will carry the load offensively. The problem with the Chiefs is the QB position where former Patriot Damon Huard has not played very well. Seconf year man Brodie Croyle may be close to taking over the offensive reigns.
Missed the cut: Buffalo - On second thought, the Bills should be in my top 15!
Bottom Feeders: Miami - Somebody ask Don Shula if this year's soon-to-be 0-16 Dolphins team will negate the 17-0 '72 Dolphins? And tell him to stick that asterisk up his #$@!
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