Catching Up
Well, it's been too long and with so much that has happened I figure I had better get to it. Where do I begin...
Pittsburgh vs....Arizona?
No really, it's gonna happen. What can you say about these Cardinals, they seem to be some sort of team of destiny. Of course Larry Fitzgerald having the playoffs of a lifetime and Kurt Warner's renaissance don't hurt either. They shredded a pretty damn good defensive team in Philadelphia - the same Philly defense that went into the Meadowlands and held the Giants' offense to a most anemic performance. This was a legit win for Arizona and hats off to them. I'll say it again, I'm definitely rooting (see that Edmonson?) for these Cardinals to continue this historic run. But....
Pittsburgh is playing quite well right now. My only hesitation is they are playing away from home in a climate that will likely be ideal for these Cardinals - make no mistake, these Steelers are praying for rain. Either way, Big Ben continues to NOT make mistakes; Willie Parker looks just as refreshed as James; their defense makes plays; and Hines Ward still has a huge game in his system. I think it's a long shot for the Cardinals to win and I think they almost have to score almost 30 points to win, but they *can* win this game. And remember, in the Steelers Super Bowl a few years back, Ben had a horrible outing so it will be interesting to see how he performs.
And let me just get this out of the way here, but that was a piss poor showing by Limas freaking Sweed. Yet again the curse continues for big-time Texas skill position players (Hampton, Rogers, Brackens, Jammer, etc. are all the exception..and not skill players). Obviously it worked out because they won - and he came back and had a nice catch later in the game - but to drop such a beautifully thrown ball and then pull the injury card, costing your team a timeout, was complete bush league. Embarrassing really. Who knows, maybe he'll have a shot to redeem himself...
Brotherly Love
Memo to you crazy Philly fans - I know it's been a long 10 years of "oh so close" for you guys with McNabb, but you can't put this loss on him. He brought this team back to take the lead in the second half and he had a hell of a game. The INT wasn't his fault either. I know he missed a couple of passes in that last drive, but that last ball was beautifully thrown and the receiver couldn't hold on. And yes, there was contact, but after seeing it 736 times over the next 24 hours, I honestly think it was a good no call. The receiver was still in a position to make the catch as the ball hit him right in the hands. I can see them not throwing the flag there as it wasn't even remotely blatant. Just my take.
But, back to McNabb, here's what I'm pretty sure will happen: within a season and a half of McNabb being gone, the fans will be wishing he was still there. No doubt this is an aging issue with this Eagles team and if you may have to give him up in order to put yourself in a position to rebuild the team, but you had better have low expectations for a few seasons. Jackson helps there, but you've got to get him the ball and I really doubt Colb or Cob or whatever his name is the guy. We'll see.
Dirty Sanchez
Pete Carroll, you've got some onions and I'll give you that. Nice, classy play by Carroll essentially taking a dump on one of the biggest days of Mark Sanchez's life. Let's see, he's been at USC for 4 years, he's started for a full season and part of another, and he's won 2 bowl games. AND, he's got little competition as being billed as the top QB on the board. How it turns out is irrelevant, on paper, he's the best "bet" in this draft at that position. And by the way, I'm *still* not buying into the "Matthew Stafford is such a fantastic QB" story. I'm sure he's very good and will get his shot, but come on, let's settle down.
Anyway, I think Carroll may have made a gross error in judgement and I'm not sure, but I think I heard about six thousand high school juniors and seniors collectively say, 'f*ck this guy'. I think Bradford and McCoy made the right decision in coming back because they can get better. Tebow, I don't know, I don't think his stock is much higher next year as it would have been this year. I mean, what the hell else is he going to do? But Sanchez, I can't fathom how *he* would have greatly benefited from coming back to school. USC? Sure, they'd be looking VERY good, but I think Mark has more to lose at this point and at his age. By the way, he's graduating in May soooo...
Cowboys
Oh, bravo Jerry, bra-vo. This is the quintessential train wreck that you can't look away from. I mean, at some point you have to be smart enough (i.e. not dumb) to protect your investment, even if it's from yourself. Clearly he needs a general manager and a VP of football operations (or something like that) and he needs to back off. I know he loves the attention, but someone please tell me a) how this team performs any better next year, and b) how long until Wade Phillips gets axed because you know the moment they lose 2 straight games, he's gone. This is going to be good. I still say you should cut Owens and fire Garrett - you can win with the dual running backs (and Felix Jones' explosive play) and that receiver corps sans Owens. Witten, Williams and Creighton is a good trio of receivers. I don't see how anyone expected Williams to excel in that environment, but you know he's capable of big play - he made a pro bowl for crying out loud.
But, at the end of the day, I imagine it will continue to be a train wreck. Seriously, think about it, this Cowboys team hasn't done squat since Jimmy Johnson left - he won 3 super bowls (although Barry freaking Switzer happened to be the head coaching during one of them) doing it his way. Jones should grovel and open the checkbook to bring him back. Rrrriiiight.
Vince Young
I would venture to say that 2009 is going to be the most important year in Vince Young's career with the NFL. I think this year makes or breaks his path and eventually, employment in this league. I sure hope he grows up, but I'd be lying if I told you I thought he would. He's killing himself and it's kind of sad.
NBA Notes
Pittsburgh vs....Arizona?
No really, it's gonna happen. What can you say about these Cardinals, they seem to be some sort of team of destiny. Of course Larry Fitzgerald having the playoffs of a lifetime and Kurt Warner's renaissance don't hurt either. They shredded a pretty damn good defensive team in Philadelphia - the same Philly defense that went into the Meadowlands and held the Giants' offense to a most anemic performance. This was a legit win for Arizona and hats off to them. I'll say it again, I'm definitely rooting (see that Edmonson?) for these Cardinals to continue this historic run. But....
Pittsburgh is playing quite well right now. My only hesitation is they are playing away from home in a climate that will likely be ideal for these Cardinals - make no mistake, these Steelers are praying for rain. Either way, Big Ben continues to NOT make mistakes; Willie Parker looks just as refreshed as James; their defense makes plays; and Hines Ward still has a huge game in his system. I think it's a long shot for the Cardinals to win and I think they almost have to score almost 30 points to win, but they *can* win this game. And remember, in the Steelers Super Bowl a few years back, Ben had a horrible outing so it will be interesting to see how he performs.
And let me just get this out of the way here, but that was a piss poor showing by Limas freaking Sweed. Yet again the curse continues for big-time Texas skill position players (Hampton, Rogers, Brackens, Jammer, etc. are all the exception..and not skill players). Obviously it worked out because they won - and he came back and had a nice catch later in the game - but to drop such a beautifully thrown ball and then pull the injury card, costing your team a timeout, was complete bush league. Embarrassing really. Who knows, maybe he'll have a shot to redeem himself...
Brotherly Love
Memo to you crazy Philly fans - I know it's been a long 10 years of "oh so close" for you guys with McNabb, but you can't put this loss on him. He brought this team back to take the lead in the second half and he had a hell of a game. The INT wasn't his fault either. I know he missed a couple of passes in that last drive, but that last ball was beautifully thrown and the receiver couldn't hold on. And yes, there was contact, but after seeing it 736 times over the next 24 hours, I honestly think it was a good no call. The receiver was still in a position to make the catch as the ball hit him right in the hands. I can see them not throwing the flag there as it wasn't even remotely blatant. Just my take.
But, back to McNabb, here's what I'm pretty sure will happen: within a season and a half of McNabb being gone, the fans will be wishing he was still there. No doubt this is an aging issue with this Eagles team and if you may have to give him up in order to put yourself in a position to rebuild the team, but you had better have low expectations for a few seasons. Jackson helps there, but you've got to get him the ball and I really doubt Colb or Cob or whatever his name is the guy. We'll see.
Dirty Sanchez
Pete Carroll, you've got some onions and I'll give you that. Nice, classy play by Carroll essentially taking a dump on one of the biggest days of Mark Sanchez's life. Let's see, he's been at USC for 4 years, he's started for a full season and part of another, and he's won 2 bowl games. AND, he's got little competition as being billed as the top QB on the board. How it turns out is irrelevant, on paper, he's the best "bet" in this draft at that position. And by the way, I'm *still* not buying into the "Matthew Stafford is such a fantastic QB" story. I'm sure he's very good and will get his shot, but come on, let's settle down.
Anyway, I think Carroll may have made a gross error in judgement and I'm not sure, but I think I heard about six thousand high school juniors and seniors collectively say, 'f*ck this guy'. I think Bradford and McCoy made the right decision in coming back because they can get better. Tebow, I don't know, I don't think his stock is much higher next year as it would have been this year. I mean, what the hell else is he going to do? But Sanchez, I can't fathom how *he* would have greatly benefited from coming back to school. USC? Sure, they'd be looking VERY good, but I think Mark has more to lose at this point and at his age. By the way, he's graduating in May soooo...
Cowboys
Oh, bravo Jerry, bra-vo. This is the quintessential train wreck that you can't look away from. I mean, at some point you have to be smart enough (i.e. not dumb) to protect your investment, even if it's from yourself. Clearly he needs a general manager and a VP of football operations (or something like that) and he needs to back off. I know he loves the attention, but someone please tell me a) how this team performs any better next year, and b) how long until Wade Phillips gets axed because you know the moment they lose 2 straight games, he's gone. This is going to be good. I still say you should cut Owens and fire Garrett - you can win with the dual running backs (and Felix Jones' explosive play) and that receiver corps sans Owens. Witten, Williams and Creighton is a good trio of receivers. I don't see how anyone expected Williams to excel in that environment, but you know he's capable of big play - he made a pro bowl for crying out loud.
But, at the end of the day, I imagine it will continue to be a train wreck. Seriously, think about it, this Cowboys team hasn't done squat since Jimmy Johnson left - he won 3 super bowls (although Barry freaking Switzer happened to be the head coaching during one of them) doing it his way. Jones should grovel and open the checkbook to bring him back. Rrrriiiight.
Vince Young
I would venture to say that 2009 is going to be the most important year in Vince Young's career with the NFL. I think this year makes or breaks his path and eventually, employment in this league. I sure hope he grows up, but I'd be lying if I told you I thought he would. He's killing himself and it's kind of sad.
NBA Notes
- Here we are heading into late January and I believe that no one is playing better ball than the Orlando Magic right now. Nelson and Howard are playing out of their minds. They just recently did a short west-coast trip and beat the Lakers, Spurs and Nuggets in consecutive games. No one has been doing that kind of thing against that competition. They've swept the Lakers this year and they present match up problems against Cleveland. I'm just saying, today, they are looking very tough.
- I know my Lakers are winning and have a mile lead in their division and conference, but until the Cleveland game this past MLK Day, the games they've been winning have been close. They lost that heart breaker to the Spurs and the barely beat a very injured Rockets team - in both games have gotten torched by no-name players. I'm certainly not stupid enough to sound the alarms, but I'm concerned about Fisher's longevity over the season with Farmar out and I'm concerned about Bynum's inconsistency. Gasol and Kobe have absolutely carried this team - Gasol has really kicked it up a notch and is clearly happy to be back in his natural position. I still say they try and make a deal to move Odom - he's got an expiring contract and you have to think he'll take the money elsewhere after this year. We'll see.
- Can you remember a team that has fallen so far in the minds of the "experts" (and as fast) as the Dallas Mavericks? I almost forgot this team was around. You absolutely have to believe that Cuban is wanting that Jason Kidd trade back - he's lying if he says otherwise.
- MVP right now, today, is between Lebron and Dwight Howard. Chris Paul is a distant third.
- Don't be surprised to see Brooke Lopez sneak up and win the ROY award away from Derrick Rose.
- I said coming into this season that I expected OJ Mayo to be one of the bigger busts in the draft - I know it's early, but I'm ready to concede defeat on that one. Guy is ballin'.
- First thing Obama said when he got home on Tuesday, "What the hell do I do now?"
- Last thing Bush said when he was leaving Washington on Tuesday, "Get me my check and get me the f*ck out of here."
posted by The Bearden Wonder at 11:28 PM
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