Sports in Three Words
I was going to do "Sports in Five Words" but I do not have that kind of time.
Released
As in, Terrell Owens has been released by the Dallas Cowboys. With the release, the Cowboys will take a $9 million salary cap hit. So, if you are keeping score at home, the Terrell Owens experiment has failed for three franchises. In San Francisco, he alienated his coaches and called his quarterback, Jeff Garcia, gay. In Philadelphia, he called out Donovan McNabb on more than one occasion. And finally, with the Cowboys, he bitched and moaned for roughly the entire time. It is without question that he is one of the greatest receivers to step on a football field. For all intents and purposes, he will have a bust in Canton five years after he retires (if he retires). But it seems as if the question has been answered. And the answer is, "No. Terrell Owens will not help your team." When you average nearly 13 touchdowns in your team with Dallas and Jerry Jones still releases you, I think it is time to evaluate yourself as a person. But now, for the next few weeks, or maybe months, ESPN will wonder and speculate where Owens will end up next. The story will lead off SportsCenter, Pardon the Interruption, Around the Horn, First Take, Outside the Lines, Jim Rome is Burning, NFL Live, Baseball Tonight, NBA Shootaround, and Lumber Liquidators presents the PBA Championship. Hopefully, Owens quits football so we don't have to listen to it.
Signed
As in, Manny Ramirez finally signs with the Dodgers. He was signed to a 2-year, $45 million deal. Roughly the same type of deal that was turned down by Boras and Manny a few times before this. Apparently it came down to deferred money and option years. So what does this mean. Really nothing. This deal was going to get done the day Ramirez carried the Dodgers into the NLCS against the Phillies. The Dodgers knew that they could not let him go. The fans loved him, his teammates loved him, and Torre loved him. And even though they were bidding against themselves, it ended up being a bargain for Los Angeles. They essentially signed him for one year, and Manny can exercise his option following this year to become a free agent. And from what we have seen from him and his agent, he will most certainly do that. It is funny, I have never walked into a fantasy baseball draft wanting to take a 37 year old player as my first pick. But can anyone argue against Ramirez having one of the greatest seasons ever? From what we saw the last two months of last season, why can't he do the same this season? Going from the AL East to the NL West, probably in the best shape he has been in for five years, in a contract year. With his first pick in the 2009 Fantasy Baseball draft, Sean B Fitzgerald selects...
War
This is actually about a month old, but still very funny. Last summer, famed sports talk duo Mike and the Mad Dog ended their eighteen year run and decided to go separate ways. Chris Russo (The Mad Dog) signed a very lucrative deal with Sirius Radio that was worth around $3 million a year, while Mike Francesca stayed on with 660 WFAN in New York. Since then, it has been well known that Sirius has been struggling big time. But last month, a war of words has broken out between the two ex-partners. About a month ago, Chris Russo went on with Howard Stern (Part 2), to discuss how things are going and the topic of WFAN came up. Although Stern went out his way to twist Russo's words, it seemed as if Russo was rooting for Francesca's competitor 1050 ESPN Radio to knock him off the air. I know what you are wondering. You are thinking, "Well Sean, what did Francesca have to say about all of this?" I am glad you asked. Here is his response: Part 1, Part 2. It is things like this that make me love sports more than I already do. Both these radio personalities have little to no talent. I have never taken anything they've said and thought, "Wow, that's an interesting perspective." When listening to them, you feel as if you are listening to two drunk barflies argue over who is the greatest right handed hitting left fielder in Yankee history. But I can still listen to them fight all day. I really hope they get back together and give the people what they want.
Headlines…
Plaxico Burres rejoins team after charges filed.
I haven't really had a chance to talk about this. It just seems like the same story different chapter in the life on a NFL wide receiver. Not much to say about it. He acted like an idiot. He didn't feel the need to register the gun in New York, but felt the need to bring it into a night club anyway. Even though I am not a fan of guns, I understand where he is coming from. Only a few days prior to the accidental shooting, his teammate Steve Smith was held up at gun point by the driver who took him home from a party. This is what I don't understand, he wants to have a good time at a club, so he brings a gun? Who can have fun when they have a gun in their pants. And the fact that he was wearing sweatpants makes it even more unintentionally funny. He thought he could keep a gun secure in the waistband of his sweatpants? If nothing else, he should be arrested on his stupidity alone. It's amazing that someone that dumb is able to sign a 5 year, $35 million dollar contract. Granted, he probably signed it with an X. As far as the Giants go, they'll be fine. They'll be more than fine. They've continued to win even when he was a semi-distraction. Now, with him probably out of the picture altogether, they'll thrive.
UPDATE: Stephen A. Smith has put his no sense in. Have a read.
Pacman Jones will return punts against the Steelers
Yay! Another chance! Now don't do anything stupid you! I don't want to hear another peep out of you, you knucklehead. Kids these days huh? Now, apparently if he gets in trouble one more time, he is banned from the NFL forever. But I'm sure they'll find a way around that little speed bump. As soon as he beats the shit out of a stripper, the NFL will slap him on the wrist with gasp forty hours on community service. Even then, he'll find a way to get out of that. Now remember kids, if you have a professional level of athletic ability, you can do whatever you want, suffer no reprecussions and still get paid more money than the president.
Super Bowl XLIII
The NFL is only 12 weeks old, but I believe now is the appropriate time to start salivating over potential Super Bowl matchups. And at this point, there are several teams that we can all agree are not making the Super Bowl. Those teams are as follows: Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans, San Diego Chargers, Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Detrot Lions, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, and St. Louis Rams. Anyone can argue that some of these teams have not been eliminated from playoff contention. But let's be honest with ourselves, if any of these teams are playing in February, lets just disband the league. So with the elimination of those losers, that leaves twenty other teams to form a myriad of possible Super Bowl matchups. Within those choices are the best of the best (Packers v. Jets), to the worst of the worst (Panthers v. Ravens). Let's go through some of the better ones, shall we?
Jets v. Packers (#1)
Lets just preface this by saying that any Super Bowl with Brett Favre would probably be the most watched Super Bowl in history. Whether you like him (Peter King, ESPN, Jets fans), or hate him (everyone else), a Super Bowl with Brett Favre is pure insanity. But a matchup like this could have books written about it until the end of time. Favre, who spent his entire career with the Green Bay Packers and is beloved by every man, woman, child, animal in the State of Wisconsin, is ousted in the off season by the team in an effort to give a chance to understudy quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Brett, who is afraid of growing up, decides that he still has something left in the tank. So Green Bay trades him to the New York Jets. They believe that this move would never bite them in the ass seeing that the New York Jets have not been competitive since the swinging sixties. But look at where we are now. Jets are currently first in the AFC East and one of the best teams in the NFL. While the Packers are struggling behind Aaron Rodgers with a 5-5 record and third in the NFC North. If this Super Bowl were to happen, ESPN would dedicate one of their channels to it. Peter King's erection would have an erection. And if the Jets defeated the Packers in Super Bowl XLIII, the Green Bay organization might be overrun by their "owners". Let's just pray it happens.
Jets v. Giants (#2)
This one is clearly a close second. Both teams play in the same building for God's sake! And once again, Brett Favre is involved! But let's put it this way. The Giants, who pulled off one of the greatest upsets in the history of sports in last year's Super Bowl, defend their title against the team who they share rent with. It's roommate on roommate for the last slice of pizza (bragging rights). And Brett Favre's there! Although New York is a baseball town, this would trump the Yankee/Met world series back in 2000. Why? Because it's the Super Bowl. Even people without televisions watch it. And lest we forget, the halftime show will be performed by...Bruce Springsteen. If that's not a New Jerse....New York Super Bowl, I don't know what is. And pssst...Brett Favre's gonna be there.
Giants v. Colts (#3)
This one writers, analysts, talking heads, and the media in general have had a woody over since Eli was drafted in 2004. Up until two years ago, no one thought it was possible because Peyton Manning was a choke artist. And up until last year, still no one thought it was possbile because Eli Manning was not his brother. Now that both of them have their own rings and don't have to share anymore, the prospect of Brother on Brother television is entirely possible come February. Needless to say, this matchup is dripping with intrigue. We can finally put to rest the "Who's the better Manning" argument. Regardless of the outcome, I still say Cooper.
Giants v. Patriots (#4)
I've been told by many a Patriot fan that Matt Cassel is the second coming. These were the same fans who were holding Tom Brady vigils after he went down in the first game of the season. This may sound weird but all New England fans are insanely loyal, they just can't stick to what they are loyal too. Maybe they're just idiots. But anyway, a rematch of last year's Super Bowl would be very fun to watch. Especially since the tables would be turned. The Giants would come into the game as heavy, double-digit favorites against a team that rallied behind their maligned quarterback to the Super Bowl. Except this time, all of America will still be rooting for the Giants. No one, and I mean, no one likes what's going on in Foxboro right now. When Brady went down, it was supposed to be over. Patriots were supposed to go 4-12 and quietly go peacefully into that good night. But no, Matt Cassel is a pro bowl quarterback and the Pats are one of the best teams in the AFC. It's just sickening.
Cowboys v. Patriots (#5)
It's a battle of the most hated teams in America. People would watch it just to yell at the television. Its a lose-lose scenario of any non-Cowboy or Patriot fan. But bottomline: It's good T.V. Owens. Romo. Belichick. Moss. A giddy Wade Phillips. Cassel. What reasonable football fan wouldn't watch that.
Week 6 Picks
I skipped last weeks picks because my head was buried in a Managerial Accounting textbook. A textbook, by the way, that cost $235. Nothing, which utility is sitting on a shelf 99% of the time, should cost $235. And while studying for my accounting test, I found that a majority of the material I needed to do well, was online or in my notes. So I basically put $235 in a trash can and lit it on fire.
Bears over Falcons
Texans over Dolphins
Colts over Ravens
Lions over Vikings
Saints over Raiders
Jets over Bengals
Panthers over Buccaneers
Redskins over Rams
Broncos over Jaguars
Cowboys over Cardinals
Eagles over 49ers
Packers over Seahawks
Chargers over Patriots
Giants over Browns
Side Note: To illustrate how small the world really is, the Cincinnati Bengals have a starting quarterback named Carson Palmer. Currently, he won't start this week, but that's besides the point. The Bengals also have a third-string quarterback, and his names is Jordan Palmer. That's right, they're brothers. Two brothers, by blood, playing the same position for the same team. That's like the Molina brothers (Jose and Bengie) both playing for the Angels in 2002. And a subsequent third brother, Yadier, who plays and won a World Series for the 2006 Cardinals. Three brothers, playing the same position, same sport, and all have World Series' rings. The Manning brothers would have a similar distinction is Cooper would get up off his ass and throw the pigskin around for once.
2006 Super Bowl Champion
2007 Super Bowl Champion
Worthless
Say ‘Hi’ to your mother for me, okay?
Pittsburgh 26, Jacksonville 21
How many times will Ben Roethlisberger be destroyed by an opposing teams' defensive line until he turns to dust? It seems like he's on his ass after EVERY play. Yet, Pittsburgh continue's to win. I've never seen a more beat up 4-1 team. Parker: out. Mendenhall: broken in half. Roethlisberger: gets motorcycle flashbacks during every pass rush. I can see them winning their division considering how awful it is. But Roethlisberger might not have short term memory in time for the playoffs.
Chicago 34, Detroit 7
Oh what a way to begin the Matt Millenless era. They made Kyle Orton look like how the Lions must have seen Joey Harrington when they drafted him. Confused? Should be. 'Honor Du-al' Brian Urlacher could've been out there and still would've had 4 tackles. It's a shame the Lions can't choose an entire defense in the draft. Would be cool if you could. I'd take Auburn's.
Atlanta 27, Green Bay 24
Even Packer fans can't blame Rodgers for this one. Who knew that all Atlanta needed to do was take Michael Vick's skills and separate them into two players. See: Matt Ryan and Michael Turner. The Falcons were supposed to be the laughing stock of the NFL. Rookie coach, rookie QB, first year starting RB, franchise player in prison, ugly stadium. Didn't add up. They're 3-2. 3-2! They were supposed to be so bad, at this point, people had them at 0-7.
New York 44, Seattle 6
The Giants demonstrate that they are currently the best team in the NFL. It seems like they have more players on offense than the opponent's defense. But the key to their success is their offensive line. I'm pretty sure Manning hasn't been grazed by a DE this entire year. The line gives him 15-20 seconds per play to find one of his 34 receivers. Seattle lost before the coin toss.
Dallas 31, Cincinnati 22
That entire game, the Cowboys were begging to lose. Romo continued to cough the ball up so he could get to the sideline a put his hat on backwards to show how cool he is. It's funny to watch Wade Phillips face light up every time Dallas scores. It's similar to when you show a toddler a magic trick. And Carson Palmer might just have a mental breakdown on the field before the end of the year.
Week 3 Picks…
Alrighty, last week I went 10-5, which I must say is PREETY, PREETY, PREETAY, good. The Seahawks and Lions did hose me with their overratedness and everything. And I did call that the Cowboy/Eagle game would be a shootout resulting in a Cowboy victory. So this week, I'm feeling good. Feeling real good. Feeling like a legit procrastinator, I mean, prognosticator, or both, because right now I should be doing real work and not posting a blog where a limited amount of people visit. And speaking of which, if you do accidentally stumble upon this blog of all blogs, post a comment. Make me feel loved. I don't want to be alone out here on my own. I have needs you know. Anyways...
Chiefs at Falcons
Okay, so Matt Ryan had his "Welcome to the NFL" game by looking like an infant with a helmet last week. I expect he and the Falcons to bounce back. Tyler Thigpen is the starting quarterback for the Chiefs. I'm pretty sure he won a contest to be the third string quarterback for Kansas City.
Raiders at Bills
Buffalo could be the best team in the AFC East. Have you taken a look at their schedule. Let me refresh your memory. Raiders, Rams, Cardinals, Chargers, Dolphins, Jets, Patriots, Browns, Chiefs, Niners, Dolphins, Jets, Broncos, Patriots. I see at least 11 wins for this team when it's all said and done.
Buccaneers at Bears
Griese and Orton. Griese and Orton. Griese is Orton. Griese's a Man! Anyway, do I go with the underachieving veteran? Or do I go with the underachieving youth? Neither. I go with the Bucs D.
Panthers at Vikings
Good game. Great game. I'll break it down like this. Steve. Smith. Back. The Panthers have gone 2-0 without him. Now Delhomme has someone to throw to other than Mushin. AP is questionable. Which is a statement that will be uttered essentially every week for the rest of his career. You have to feel bad for the Vikings. They are like the Bears in 2006. Except they don't even have a quarterback as good as Rex Grossman, and that's saying something.
Dolphins at Patriots
That's right, I'm doing it. I'm putting my integrity on the line. The ultimate trap game. Even though Belichick knows that too, I like the Dolphins. Maybe it's just the sour grapes talking, but everyone saw how limited Cassel was. He basically threw nothing down field. Miami will adjust. Biggest win for them in a long time.
Bengals at Giants
Another trap game. This time for the Giants. Bengals are playing like a Pop Warner Rec league team. The Giants haven't lost a game since last December. I still like the G-Men. In my opinion, they have the most offensive weapons for any one team in the league. Manning, Burress, Jacobs, Smith, Toomer, Ward, Bradshaw. I had to sit Palmer on my fantasy team this week. Another bad week, I'll trade him for a kicker if I have to.
Texans at Titans
Not much to say about this game. The Texans had a Week 2 bye because of Hurricane Ike. Coming off a bad loss to the Steelers in Week 1, the Texans will play well. I'm basing most of this off of the fact that Chris Johnson just cannot play well back-to-back weeks. I just don't see it.
Cardinals at Redskins
Washington has to keep up with the rest of the NFC East. Beating Arizona is a great start. My name buddy Larry Fitzgerald better get some TD passes.
Saints at Broncos
Man, the Saints got a bad week to play against the Broncos. Denver is coming off a confidence building win. Shanahan put his balls on the line with that 2 point conversion. The Broncos still might be a little shaky without Ed Hoculi pulling the strings. I kid. He's a good sport.
Lions at 49ers
We're all waiting for the Lions to win a game and this has to be the one. I feel like "Typical Football Analyst Guy", but they just have too many offensive weapons to lose on a regular basis. I need Roy Williams to have a big game. I've never seen a guy with more raw, physical talent play so average.
Rams at Seahawks
If there ever was a year the Seahawks could struggle in the NFC West, this is it. And this is the team to play against to get things started. Hopefully, Seattle keeps giving Julius Jones the ball. Got to back up that big deal they gave him. And give me fantasy points.
Browns at Ravens
Just another overhyped 0-2 team are the Browns. I like them to win because I like the Ravens to lose more. I feel like I'm saying this for every team: But they still have a chance and this is the game to get going. I can't be right about all these teams. Are the Browns the one to falter? I hope not. They are fun to watch.
Jaguars at Colts
Peyton's going to use last week as a stepping stone to take over the AFC South. With the Jags struggling, Texans being average, and the Titans essentially being QBless, he knows to step it up. The Colts picked a good year to play poorly. Bob Sanders IS out for the rest of the season, something to look out for.
Steelers at Eagles
Game of the week in my opinion. To powerhouse NFL franchises with great traditions fighting for a win. The Eagles obviously have more to lose considering they do not want to go 1-2 in the NFC East. I like them at home against Pitt who played really poorly against Cleveland last week.
Cowboys at Packers
I wasn't going to pick Green Bay, but I accidently put them in bold, so I kept it that way. I took it as a sign. If Aaron Rodgers beats Dallas at home, Green Bay might forget about Favre altogether. He has performed above expectations and then some. Besides, I don't like Dallas. Why? You say. T.O, Romo, Pacman, Tank, Jerry Jones, what's to like?
Jets at Chargers
Favre called this game a must win. Starting 1-2 isn't awful. They have a fairly easy schedule ahead of them. But San Diego is just too pissed to let last week's loss be the start of something. Rivers is a stud QB who will take New York to task. This might be my pick, but a Jet win would make my week.
Week 2 Picks
When I make picks for each week, I ignore the line. I'm not much of a gambler, and quite frankly, the line annoys me. It's an irrelevant number implemented in order to generate more gambling. So I am straight up making picks. Who's going to win. And who's going to lose. So as I sit here, waiting for the USC/Ohio State game to start, I'll make my choices. And maybe a little pre-summary to what I think is going to happen.
Packers at Lions
It's a regression game for Aaron Rodgers. The Lions have too much offense. Someone on that side is going to have a big game.
Raiders at Chiefs
Has a game ever been more meaningless than this one? I take it back. But we could be looking at the first game in the history of NFL where both teams gain negative yards on offense. I'm just wondering who Bernard Pollard is going to take out this week.
Giants at Rams
One of the easiest picks of the week. I say it's easy, but Manning could go ahead and throw 6 pick sixes. Chris Long is the only thing St. Louis has to look forward to this season.
Colts at Vikings
Two 0-1 teams with high expectations going at it. I'll take Indy because I only have faith in AP and Minnesota's D-line. Manning can pick apart their secondary. However, I do think Peterson will have a big game.
Titans at Bengals
Another really confusing game to pick. Vince Young is having emotional problems. Chad Johnson is having nomenclature problems. I just can't trust a team with essentially no quarterback on the road.
Saints at Redskins
The Saints were supposed to have their offense clicking on all cylinders. Now Colston is out for four to six weeks. Portis will have a nice game.
Bears at Panthers
This looks like it could be Delhomme's biggest year since 2002. The Bears overachieved against the Colts. It's time they come back to Earth.
Bills at Jaguars
So many close games this week. A lot of teams that underachieved in Week 1. The Jaguars were one of them. Garrard tightens up the screws for this one.
Niners at Seahawks
No team could be more depressing than the San Francisco 49ers. Ever since their 2002 Wild Card win against the Giants, things have been downhill. Alex Smith is this generations Ryan Leaf. Except Leaf didn't get paid. Smith has $26 million guaranteed. Ouch.
Falcons at Buccaneers
Once again, another game I can't make anything out of. Garcia is apparently out for the game. Even though he says he's fine. Matt Ryan looked great in his first NFL game. Michael Turner dominated in his first game as a starter. But the Bucs won't take 0-2. Not for nothing.
Patriots at Jets
I got to go with the Jets here. I just have to. If they don't win here, they should just pack it up as a franchise. They have the greatest statistical quarterback in the history of the game. And the Patriots have their Hall of Fame quarterback out for the year. Not only that, their backup hasn't started a game since Pop Warner. It's time.
Dolphins at Cardinals
Is this the year the Cardinals finally win the NFC West. I think so. And it's wins like this that will get them there. They clearly have the talent to succeed on offense. And a formidable defense. Miami will keep it competitive.
Chargers at Broncos
I know I chose San Diego to make the Super Bowl. But without Merriman, it's going to be tough. And Jay Cutler is starting to look like a flat out stud. Along with my man Eddie Royal. He might not have the same game as last week. But with Marshall back, they have two solid WRs. I'm buying stock in Denver.
Steelers at Browns
It's going to be sad to see the Browns be average this year. So many pontificators picking them to be a sleeper pick. It's tough to do when your biggest off season acquisition was Shaun Rogers. They'll score alot. But so will their opponents.
Eagles at Cowboys
Going to be a great game. High scoring. Dallas won't be able to stop Westbrook. But Dallas has too many weapons. They win a shootout down in Texas.
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