Brady's Injury: Bookmark and Send to Your Favorite Patriots Fan

If you hate Tom Brady, and we know you do, then you will definitely enjoy this video. This was sent to us by the guys over at Rotohog who are probably loving the fact that fantasy football owners (hopefully from New England) are in absolute panic mode. It makes me smile just thinking about it.


More after the jump...

Patriots problems still lingering...

With the Super Bowl over and done with, many people - myself included - thought that all the hype/scandal with the one-loss Brady Bunch would be over. Well unfortunately for the hopeful, the Patriots just won't go quietly into the off season. In an unsurprising turn of events, an excuse came calling to combat the winning Burress's touchdown catch. Ellis Hobbs apparently has been playing with an injured groin for some time now and is going into surgery during the off season to repair whatever is broken in there. This seems very Varsity Blues to me. If this was a lingering problem, why were the Pats covering it up? Why wasn't Hobbs put on the Injury Report? I thought there were only a handful of coaches who only released these game-day injury reports, and I didn't liken Bud Kilmer - check that the Hoodie - to people like Coach John Fox. Maybe he was just waiting for a reason to list Hobbs on the Injury Report, say...like a loss? I guess if it ain't broke don't fix it...

Now for a Patriot development which actually affects something other than themselves. Tom Brady and Randy Moss pulled out of the Pro Bowl for this year. Although accompanied with 11 other NFL players to do so, Brady and Moss didn't provide a reason for their withdrawl. Brady most likely sitting on a donut after being sodomized by the Giants D-line and but I got nothing for Moss. Maybe Brady will learn a lesson about pulling out...sorry Bridget if this would've only happened a couple years ago....

Up next is the Belichick preemptive exit from the field. His excuse was that he didn't realize how much time was left on the clock and that he saw people start heading for the field. Ya...because he's never seen people storm the field before. I guess that was his excuse for the loss. He may have forgot what game it was and perhaps the game against the Chargers was the Super Bowl. and that Phoenix just happened to be an after party that took two weeks to plan.

Lastly the icing on the cake, Willie Andrews was caught with half a pound of the chron. One day after the Super Bowl. He pleaded not guilty, riding on the fact that he had no means of smoking the pot, so in turn that meant he did not intend to smoke it. Last time I checked half a pound of weed was an intent to sell, something a little worse than possesion and abuse of said substance. Maybe he was just trying to forget that whole thing in Phoenix never happened. Maybe he needs one of GOB's forgetting pills...

Well that's what I'm putting down, hopefully I have no reason to post about the Patriots until the draft and if I'm really lucky...nothing until fall...atleast Boston can keep their mouths shut for awhile, I have some breathing room until the NBA playoffs...
More after the jump...

Quick Draft Update

The NY Jets reportedly have decided to stick with Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens. That means that Matt Ryan with the 6th pick no longer makes any sense. Also Laurinaitis has decided to return for his Senior year which I suggested would happen in Picks 1-6, but doing what one should never do I second guessed myself in Picks 7-12 and suggested he was NFL and New England bound. To ratify those egregious errors here's a Draft Update 2.5, complete with an extra pick.

With the 6th pick the New York Jets fans will be looking running back or offensive lineman. Well they've got Thomas Jones and although he only had one rushing TD last year he performed well (3.6 YPC) and Leon Washington gave him a few breathers and managed to rack up a 5 YPC average over 70 carries. I don't think Running Back is where they'll be going but their running game does need a lot of help. Here we should see OT from Boise State Ryan Clady coming off the board and heading out to New York as the Jets fans boo, because that's what they do on draft day.

Now at 7 the Patriots have a choice to make. And for them this is more of a luxury pick than anything. Lawrence Maroney had a decent year in a pass first offense so I don't think they're going Running Back here despite some good Running Back talent waiting to be picked up. Laurinaitis is no longer available so are they still looking at LB. I see Penn State LB Dan Connor getting picked up. Their Linebacking corps is still getting older by the Minute and they should be looking to the future. Dan Connor could easily be that future.

Of course at 8 now Baltimore is looking at Matt Ryan or Brian Brohm. Yes I know they still have Troy Smith and Smith looked pretty good in the last few games of the season when he saw some playing time but passing up on Matt Ryan for a 5th rounder who's barely 6 feet tall is going to be hard to explain to Ravens fans. If they aren't looking to get Ryan then they better start listening to some trade offers. If Matt Ryan really is available going in to pick 7 or 8 expect to see a lot of phones ringing in an effort to make a move up there where no one thought they would be available. I say Ryan but I expect a trade.

Now at 11 Buffalo is also licking it's chops at a top QB that didn't look to be available, Losman even said he wants out of Buffalo and I don't think Trent Edwards is the future. So Brohm and Woodson are available here. I think Brohm has the edge right now but all of that could change going into the combines. Maybe Woodson moves ahead, maybe Brennan surprises a lot of people, maybe Dennis Dixon still interests, but Brian Brohm should be the pick here.

And for the additional pick that I promised, the Carolina Panthers with the 13th pick go to the offensive backfield and they will take Andre Woodson from Kentucky. Delhomme has been average since that Super Bowl run, Matt Moore is not the future, and Testaverde simply can not play another year, it's against the laws of phyisics. If they aren't one of the teams to trade up looking for the slipping Ryan, then expect them to jump all over Andre Woodson right here. Unless they think they can get Brennan or Dixon in Round 2 and they're happy with that.

So an updated Recap:
1. Miami - Glenn Dorsey, DT - LSU
2. St. Louis - Chris Long, DE - Virginia
3. Atlanta - Darren McFadden, RB - Arkansas
4. Oakland - Sedrick Ellis, DT - USC
5. KC - Jake Long, OT - Michigan
6. NYJ - Ryan Clady, OT - Boise State
7. New England - Dan Connor, LB - Penn State
8. Baltimore - Matt Ryan, QB - Boston College
9. Cincinnati - Vernon Gholston, DE - Ohio State
10. New Orleans - Mike Jenkins, S - South Florida
11. Buffalo - Brian Brohm, QB - Louisville
12. Denver - Kenny Phillips, S - Miami
13. Carolina - Andre Woodson, QB - Kentucky

Don't forget to keep up with the draft action with Picks 1-6, picks 7-12 , picks 14-20 , and an UPDATED picks 21-31.
More after the jump...

2008 NFL Mock Draft 7-12

Here for another edition of Dom's NFL Mock Draft we got picks 7 through 12 for you guys. Go ahead and take a look back at picks 1-6 to get caught up. A quick recap for you:

1. Miami - Glenn Dorsey, DT - LSU
2. St. Louis - Chris Long, DE - Virginia
3. Atlanta - Darren McFadden, RB - Arkansas
4. Oakland - Sedrick Ellis, DT - USC
5. KC -Jake Long, OT - Michigan
6. NY Jets - Matt Ryan, QB - Boston College

I still stand by those picks since I think Atlanta has a chance at solving their QB problem before draft day and McFadden is an incredible pick-up anywhere in the draft. With that said, Matt Ryan could also be the 3rd pick by Atlanta and McFadden would most likely drop to Oakland. There is also chances of picks 3, 4, and 5 being different since they are subject to a coin toss. As I said before though I'm sticking with 1-6 until majro developments change them. With that said here are picks 7 - 12.

Brady Bunch - They really don't need anything as proof of their dominating season. Furthermore they really, really, don't need anything on the offensive side of the ball. Barring injuries or trades. I think the best outcome for New England here is bolstering their Defense, specifically their linebackers. The 4 starters this weekend are Tedy Bruschi (12 years) Adalius Thomas (8), Junior Seau (18), and Mike Vrabel (11). That's a combined 49 years, next year it's 53. That's a lot of miles. Plus Rosie Colvin is on and off the IR all season, every season, has been since he left Chicago. I think the only pick is Ohio State LB James Laurinaitis. If Laurinaits comes out of college, and is here, he will be the next Mike Vrabel.

B-More - The Billick-less Ravens will be looking for something, anything, to get out of their rut. I think that comes in the form of a new QB. Right now that pick looks to be solid as Brian Brohm. But if Ryan goes to the Falcons and the Jets pick up Brohm then this will be Andre Woodson from Kentucky. I feel safe saying that this will be Louisville's Brohm though. The Kyle Boller experiment is done and it was not overwhelmingly successful.

Bungles - The Nasty Natti has tricked people for a few years now and no one realizes they're not in on the joke. The Bungles had one playoff season and everone thought they had shed the Bungles image. Think about it for a second. They've only had one winning season since 1991. That 11-5 fluke in '05. Other than that they've had four 8-8 seasons and a bunch sub .500. They need a lot of help. Besides trying to get prison terms lowered they need some help on the Defensive side of the ball. They need it bad. So the question is who? Ohio State DE Vernon Gholston? Penn State LB Dan Connor? South Florida CB Mike Jenkins? Florida DE Derrick Harvey? It think they go Gholston, but could surprise many with Dan Connor. This pick will rely heavily on what happens in the coming months. The only downside of the above players is none of them have any priors so I'm not sure they'll get along with the rest of the Bungles roster creating some serious character clashes.

America's Saints - They slipped a little this year after their emotional 2006-07 season. They had a good run but couldn't overcome their slow start. They've still got a very good team and this pick will help them in the future. They could use some help in the defensive backfield with Mike McKenzie and Roman Harper being the only DBs there with name recognition for many of us. They need a playmaker back here. I think the nod goes to USF's Mike Jenkins here but look out for Arizona's Antoine Cason. He has silently been moving up some draft boards and his character impresses many of the people who have contacted him. It will be interesting to see if the 2007 Thorpe Award winner can garner enough interest at the Combine and in workouts to steal the spotlight from Jenkins. As of right now I'm 60/40 that the Saints go with Jenkins but that could obviously change.

B-lo - The frigid northern New Yorkers need some help. Recently they've been looking back on the early 90s and their back to back to back to back Super Bowl losses and the Music City Miracle with fondness compared to what they've been watching the last 8 seasons without a post-season. Though they finished with the same record (7-9) as they did last season, they actually did look a little bettter but still have a ways to go. Especially after the emotional loss of Kevin Everett. Buffalo needs to look to a new young talent to garner some interest nationally and make Buffalo worth discussing. So the question is, which offensive weapon do they go after Early Doucet, Mario Manningham, DeSean Jackson, Ray Rice, or Kevin Smith? I think one of the best picks they could make here would be OT Ryan Clady from Boise State and he would be one of the top steals of the draft. Of course the chances that Clady is still available at 11 are slim, in my draft it's possible and is the best pick for Buffalo. He would be a solid pick but don't be surprised if the Bills go for Flash over Substance and chase down one of the talented backs or receivers.

Broncs - Shanahan's troops have seemingly been at a standstill since their Super Bowl victories. They've had 4 post-season trips in the 9 years since then and 3 times lost in the wild card. Jay Cutler made a nice turn for the better this season and it appears maybe the whole Plummer/Cutler fiasco wasn't the worst thing to happen to Denver since Dikembe left the Nuggets. The offense has looked better and better by the game. The defense isn't really making Tom Jackson proud. They could use a safety or a defensive tackle right about now and with most of the top D-Linemen already off the board Safety is naturally the way to go. It's really going to be a coin toss at pick 12 between Florida DE Derrick Harvey and Miami Safety Kenny Phillips. I think they're gonna go with Phillips here but this is one of the biggest either or picks of the first round. Either way they're going to get a solid player who can have a great career and bolster the Denver Defense. I really don't see a wrong choice between the two.

That's it for now don't forget to get caught up with picks 1-6. I'll have 13-18 sometime later this week/early next week along with the updates as far as who declares and who doesn't.

UPDATE: A couple picks changed since the original posting of this article. An updated list can be found here in Picks 1-13 version 2.0

Don't forget to keep up with the draft action with picks 14-20.

Keep up with the Finalized 1-31 for the 2008 NFL Draft
More after the jump...

NFL Weekend Wrap-up

The NFL had all but faded away in the big picture of sports. Few cared about the professional gridiron with everything else going on. The college football season that was (upsets, ever changing polls, bowl season for many) and the college football season that wasn’t (Hawai’i, among a few other programs being shafted in the championship picture, Michigan losing it’s first 2 games after being a preseason #5). The Mitchell investigation stealing time away from the NFL stories on many a radio, internet, ESPN, and blog posting. Tiger being the best in the game, again. So many sports stories taking the front page, a lot forgot about America’s true past-time. And then this weekend happened.

1) The Miami Dolphins win, ending they’re stretch at the most futile team to step on the turf. The game winning TD in overtime against the Ravens, a 64 yard TD pass to Greg Carmarillo. His 4th career reception came at a very opportune time for the Fins. They managed not only to avoid the 0-fer mark but they also managed to squeak out a win in the 14th game, so as not to tie the previous mark of 0-14 by the 76 Bucs. Did I mention that this win came at the hands of the Ravens team who 2 weeks ago almost, and could have beat the Patriots if not for a few stupid penalties. My personal favorite quote from the affair came from the former Fins DE Jim Mandich, in attendance with most of the rest of the ’72 Fins celebrating their 25th anniversary of the season, "One-and-15, is just another forgotten, bad season… you had the perfect-season Miami Dolphins, and the fear in the back of your head that it could be the win-less Miami Dolphins in the same building, was something I didn't want to talk about for a long time.” Pretty much summing up the fact that his ’72 team was incredible, and that this team was destined to lose the next two, the winner of 2007’s backhanded compliment award. If only the Ravens could have pulled out that win 2 weeks ago, even more glaring. They could have been responsible for ending both perfect seasons.

2) The Jacksonville Jaguars are 10-4 after a good victory over the once mighty Steelers (0-2 in the last 2) and primed to make a strong playoff push in the increasingly comparable AFC. Who saw that at the start of the season? I’ve always thought Del Rio would be able to do something there, it looks like he’s finally doing something right.

3) The Cleveland Browns. Now 9-5 after an 8-0 whooping of Buffalo in a winter wonderland, play the Bungles and the Niners, pretty much ensuring their second playoff appearance since they re-entered the league. You have to cheer for this Browns team. Destined to mediocrity over the last few years, and starting as an expansion team with a storied history not too long ago. The only downside is how this team will falter in the playoffs. I think this would be the best story if they could pull off a Super Bowl win after all that has gone wrong in Cleveland over the last 25 years, but history is not on their side. If you look at major accomplishments over the last quarter of a century featuring a team from Cleveland, they are usually involved on the right side of the post-game column.

4) The fourteenth game of the century this season, once again featuring the Patriots, in the epic battle of Man-genius vs. the Hoodie. In what many thought was going to be the biggest blowout since the forward pass was invented (it opened in Vegas at 27.5) the Pats pulled out a simple 20-10 victory. And Embattled Chad Pennington actually outplayed the GQ Cover Boy Tom Brady.

5) Carolina beat Seattle, further confusing everything in NFC playoff picture, under the apparently competent arm of Matt Moore (official ESPN.com picture at right), their 4th starting QB of the season. The undrafted Free Agent completed 19 passes for 208 yards and no INTs. Is this the next Tony Romo? Probably not but if it is I get credit for calling it first.

6) Jon Kitna might need to ask for a little more help from the Guy Upstairs. The Lions, who tricked many after the 6-2 start to the season, have returned to the real Matt Millen era Lions we all know and love after losing the last 6, most recently to the Bolts 51-14.

7) Bromo needs to stop bringing girls to the game to watch him. With the gorgeous Jessica sitting in a suite upstairs in her pink Number 9 jersey, Bromo put on a show with 0 TDs and 3 Picks in Dallas’ second loss of the season. In last year’s December Philly game in Dallas when Carrie Underwood was in attendance, Romo’s boys lost and he posted a sub 50 QB rating. This year, same game, new gal-pal, the star of Blonde Ambition hitting the shelves at the Hollywood Video near you, Romo posted a career low 22.2 rating. In those two games combined he’s 27 for 65 for 356 yds 1 TD and 5 picks. Stop playing the Eagles in December at home. Stop bringing your blonde, singer girlfriends to the game. Stop throwing picks. Although I didn’t mind the camera flashing on either one of them repeatedly.

That’s a quick overview of this weekends NFL action and now you’re all caught up ready for post season action. Bears V. Nordics tonight, Orton is starting. Are you ready for some football? Stay tuned for a more in depth breakdown of the dismal Cleveland luck of recent years. If I don’t get to it sometime soon, I’m sure 4 Real might make a guest appearance to put one up.

More after the jump...

Therefore, Such as, The Iraq...

The Brady Bunch are pretty good this year. Check that really good. They fed Joe Gibbs the biggest loss of his career as well as posed the largest predicted spread against the 'skins and covered. Now, with the Hoody RAGING pissed at his old mate Mangini, the Pats run into the Jets again who at last meeting started SpyGate. Mangini, only fueled the hottest fire in the league. In my opinion, he tried to take down the Brady Bunch only to get god smacked. Its like getting in trouble in kindergarten for being a tattle-tale. Anyways...this ungodly spread started at 27 points, and is now at 23.5 points according to wagerline.com. This is disgusting. Thats like the spread on when LSU plays some FCS team not two Professional sports team. Should this really happen? If I were the Jets I'd be heated. Then again, that's like a Kentucky Derby jockey picking a fight with Chuck Liddell, it's funny to think about, but when it goes down, it's kinda sad. Like a donkey show.

PS - Happy Birthday Dom
More after the jump...

A Few thoughts on the Day

Well, the last few weeks have been crazy busy, and finally I can sit back, relax, and induldge myself in sports again. There's alot of thoughts running through my mind and I have decided to just compile these thoughts in one master blog as apposed to stringing them out.

Anthony Smith v. Patriots

Scene 1: Anthony Smith guarantees a win against the New England Patriots making the statement that the Brady Bunch is totally overrated.

Scene 2: Patriots say that they are a proud team and the pitiful words of a opposing defensive back is not worth their time. Randy Moss is offended.

Scene 3: The Brady Bunch stomp the Steelers, emphasizing the sheer mediocrity of Smith by picking on him throughout the game. Big Daddy Tom Brady decides to throw some lip service to Smith in the endzone. The Big Balls contest begins.

Scene 4: Post-Game Press Conference. The words spoken towards the Patriots are brought up, and contradicting what the Hoodie said prior to the game, he admits to being affected by the word lashing. Oh by the way, Belicheck said and I quote,

"We've played against much better safeties than him"

Scene 5: Smith is still talking. Vows redemption when the Steelers meet the Pats next.

Last time I checked, when you talked smack to another team, and they beat you, it's time to stop your yapping. He's like a retarded lap dog. How many lessons do you want to learn son? Now I'm not a huge fan of New England, mostly because I find Boston/New England more annoying than Fox Sports News announcers, but I do love cocky assholes getting god smacked.

Mayweather v. Hatton
Mayweather beat Hatton with a 10th round KO using his classic check hook. Surrounded by celebs. I haven't followed boxing since UFC was brought to my attention. I didnt even know people really still followed boxing except for The Contender. Mayweather is however unbeaten, props to that. However, the bigger news was that Beckham was at the match...interesting...

Vick and his new Home
There's talk that the sentencing of Vick was too harsh. I say absolutely not. I have to agree with Rome when he said "Vick's punishment fits his crime end of story". Some sports analysts are comparing this situation to the Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie jail sentences. In what way is multiple DUIs the same as A. supplying a medium for illegal Dogfighting B. Supplying a medium for illegal gambaling C. The killing of multiple dogs for not being "the best fighters". Not to mention his failed Lie detector test, failed drug test, and being caught lying to multiple authorities. Yah...totally comparable. Have fun converting to Islam.

Kyle Orton starting for the Bears
Are you SERIOUS? Just throwing in the towel like that?

Les Miles and Michigan
If you're not going to Michigan Les, why do you keep talking to them? And if you tell me you're just friends i'm gonna kick you.

With everything that has happened the past couple months in sports, I guess I shouldn't be surprised by the debacles that are going on now. However my weakness is the fact that I relate everything to that thing called life....where things usually level out for a bit...but this up and down trend is more inconsistent than Amy Winehouse's sleep(unconscious) pattern.

P.S.
*http://www.hogwired.com

If McFadden wants to be the Heisman Trophy winner(if he decides to stay for his senior year) maybe he should consider dressing up as Tim Tebow next year.
More after the jump...

Today's Top Stories

Marc Crawford not informed Slap Shot was fictional, put a bounty out on Scott Moore.
Marc Crawford, current LA Kings coach, former Canucks coach is being implicated in one of the dirtiest hits in NHL history, and it was all done from the bench. Multiple reports came out in the last 24 hours citing recent court documents that stated Crawford was behind Bertuzzi’s career-ending attack on Scott Moore a few years ago. Reports state that the attack was pre-meditated and was called for while in the locker room as retaliation from an earlier shot delivered by Moore to Markus Naslund, the Canuck captain earlier that season in February. After ordering the hit Bertuzzi attacked Moore from behind breaking 3 vertebrae in his spine and ending his career. The recent reports are part of sworn testimony by Bertuzzi while being investigated in the $38 Million dollar lawsuit being put together by Moore’s attorney.

The NBA playoffs get off to a great start in 2007-2008 campaign.
NBA officials must have realized that 82 games is a long time and decided to showcase some quality match-ups much earlier in the season than usual. This coupled with increased quality and intensity of play might just bring the NBA back into the limelight much earlier than it’s usual April/May debut. Recent match-ups have included:
11/26: Washington @ Dallas, Phoenix @ Golden State
11/28: WAS @ San Antonio, Houston @ PHX
11/29: Denver @ Lakers, HOU @ G. S.
11/30: LAK @ Utah, Orlando @ PHX
12/1: Toronto @ WAS
12/2: ORL @ LAK
12/3: ORL @ G. S.
12/5: PHX @ TOR, DAL @ S. A. , LAK @ DEN
12/6: DEN @ DAL
12/7: PHX @ WAS, TOR @ Boston, UT @ S. A.
12/8: UT @ DAL
12/9: HOU @ TOR, G. S. @ LAK
That’s 21 games between two .500+ teams in a 2 week span. This is a good thing for the NBA, and for the sports fan.

What else are you supposed to do on Monday night?
ESPN released its numbers from Monday Nights Ravens vs. Patriots game and they were not only the highest the network had ever seen (12,529,000 homes average) but with over 17.5 million viewers it passed Cable’s all time highest rated program. Take that High School Musical 2. Thus further proving a few theories I have always maintained. ESPN has better programming than the Disney Channel, Football provides more viewing pleasure than Musicals, the 17.2 million people who watched High School Musical 2 need to get off the couch, 17.2 million (estimated) people watched a made for Disney Musical.

Florida Doomed to Lose
Sorry to the folks in Florida. It really must be kinda tough to be a fan of pretty much any team in the US’ Wang. Every time the Marlins win they trade away most of their roster. And this time, they weren’t even winning they just decided screw it and got rid of the last two people on their roster with WS rings from only 4 years ago. Do the Marlins think it will be easy to replace the All Stars Stats? Cabrera finished off last season with 34/119 and batting .320/.419/.542. And Willis’ numbers, though slightly down from past years included a 10-15 record in 35 games started with a 5.17 ERA but a career ERA of 3.78 and Florida is losing one of their better bats in Willis. A real shock is that he heads to the AL. How can you even support the Marlins at this point when the players there don’t last longer than 5 years. Is it even worth buying any Marlins gear. In Miami, Wade has only played in 10 games leading former All-Star and Shaq’s first little buddy to stack up over 20 minutes/game this season. When Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway is in your starting line-up and it’s not 1994, that’s a bad thing. And Shaq’s been limited to under 30 minutes/game due to the fact that he’s 35 and 325 lbs. The state only has 2 football teams in the final top 25 and one of them is South Florida who had one of the craziest years in College Football History. Furthermore typical Bowl powerhouses (until recent years) Miami (5-7) and Florida State (7-5) finished out of the BCS picture for the 2nd straight year. Florida State is playing Kentucky in the Music City Bowl and Miami didn’t even qualify for a bowl game. And Florida is getting a gift playing after New Years in the Capital One Bowl. Oh and they are the home to the Miami Dolphins.

Don’t get upset at the numbers
To cap off a column I wrote a few months ago about the wacky College Football season here are some final numbers going into Bowl Season:
Tim Tebow: well deserving of the Heisman with 29 Passing TDs and 22 Rushing TDs and only 6 Total Turnovers, but might not receive it because he’s a Sophomore.
Colt Brennan: well deserving of the Heisman with 38 Passing TDs and 8 Rushing TDs and almost 4200 yards passing (in limited minutes due to blowout and injury), but probably won’t receive it because he played at Hawai’i.
Final Tally: 61 total times a Top-25 Team lost, 28 of those were top-10 teams, 7 times (in 14 weeks) the #2 team lost, 4 times the #1 team lost (3 of those the #1 and #2 lost in the same week) twice the #4 team lost, 3 times the #5 team lost but after all of that the #3 team only lost once all season. Of course when said #3 team moved the #2 they didn’t fare so well. Yet these same voters who ranked Cal (6-6), Oregon (8-4), BC (10-3) and South Florida (9-3) as a #2 during the season are the one’s deciding that deserving teams can’t play in the National Championship game, wonderful system. Fun Stat: LSU was 6-0 this season as a #2 Ohio State 3-1 as a #1.
There was a 15 lateral victory by Trinity College and Jonathon Weiner actually called it, perfectly, pretty much ensuring a good shot at a successful future in broadcasting. But the best quote of that game, and of the entire college football season, by far was by a little known 6 foot even 250 lb offensive lineman Josh Hooten, who not only once but twice held the ball, if only for a nano-second, during the 15 toss drive, including the blind over his head toss. “On these lateral plays, a lot of times there’s some fat guy trying to score and he gets tackled at the 10-yard line. I didn’t want to be that guy. I just hot-potatoed it and looked for someone to block”.

See Ya Tomorrow Sports Fans.
More after the jump...

Who's #1: '85 Bears '07 Pats

Now it has been said, many times over the last 20 years, that the 85 Bears were the best team to play the game. And those ranking shows/articles/whatever that don't have them at number one have consistently put them in the top 3. With an 11-0 record and the fact that this team is destroying everyone, the 07 Pats are coming into that debate. I think it appropriate to analyze these two teams to determine once and for all based on many different factors which team was better.

One thing to consider is a bigger league with more players means lesser competition for these ’07 Pats to go up against, as well as training room quick fixes and techniques that get players out onto the field faster, and miss less time, and a changed game revolved around explosive offenses rather than stout defenses. And that is without mentioning the substance problems associated with many of today’s players, sure there were illicit substances in the locker rooms in the 80’s but it wasn’t HGH it was in the form of fine white powder.

First the position by position matchups:
Head Coach: Bears, No argument necessary but Ditka did it without a telescopic lens.
Coaching Staff: Bears, Buddy Ryan was a great defensive coordinator, he engineered the unstoppable 46 defense.
QB: Pats. McMahon’s QB rating in ‘85 was 82 and change, and Brady’s about to set some serious passing records.
RB: Bears, Payton and Suhey were dangerous, and you could probably add Perry in this category. Maroney has 2 TDs on 105 carries, “Fridge” had 2 TDs in 5 regular season carries.
OLine: Bears. They protected McMahon and led Payton to over 1550 yards rushing.
WR: Pats, come on Randy Moss when he wants to play is as good as anyone in the game right now. And though Willie Gault was a world class sprinter and averaged over 21 y/c, it’s no contest, not to mention that the Bears leading receiver was Payton with 49 receptions.
TE: Bears, Moorehead and Wrightman combined for 59 catches and over 15 y/c, NE’s Watson has more TDs but a lower y/c and he is in a pass happy offense.
LB: Bears, Samurai Mike is in the Hall, Otis Wilson should be and if Wilbur Marshall wouldn’t have been slowed by injuries he was on pace for a HoF career, the three combined for 20 sacks in 85. I love former Kitty Kat Tedy Bruschi but I don’t think he’ll be in the Hall anytime soon, and no one really fears or game-plans around the Pats Linebackers.
DLine: Bears with a slight edge. Mongo McMichael was the originator of the quick Lineman, “Fridge” was one of the biggest to play the game at the time and he still managed to run a sub 5 second 40, and who can forget this years HoF inductee and SB XX MVP Richard Dent who had 17 sacks that season.
DB: Bears, Gary Fencik led the storied 46 defense out onto the field and Lesley Frazier had 6 picks on the year, the Bears DB’s had 20 INTs total. The only Pats DB anyone knows is Rodney Harrington and it’s because of his involvement with HGH.

The Bears Defense was #1 in points allowed, held teams to a 47% comp. rating, allowed only 22 total scores (16 passing, 6 rushing), just over 6000 total yards and were #1 or 2 in 7 major defensive categories, including 34 INTs. They also made it through the entire post season giving up 10 total points, all 10 in the Super Bowl rout and 7 of which were off of a turnover. And who can forget they went through opposing quarterbacks like that one girl at a Frat House.

Their offense wasn’t the most potent they were only #2 in points scored, #1 in 3/4 top rushing categories, and scored 44 total TDs on offense and 16 INTs (5 of which belonging to the backup Fuller).

The 2007 Pats (with 5 games remaining) have already allowed 21 total scores (15 passing and 6 rushing), 3400 yards, and a 60% pass completion rate. They have 16 INTs and are ranked 8th or lower in 7 major defensive categories.

The Pats are a dominating offensive force this season there is no doubt. They have put in 51 TDs with 5 games to play, and are just under 4900 yards for the season. They rank in the top 3 in 6 major offensive categories and #1 in 3/6 passing categories.

But many of those points have come in the waning minutes of a blowout game while the Pats are running up the score, where as when the Bears where winning by large margins they were not trying to set records. And the ’85 Bears were missing their staring QB for 3 games, I doubt the ’07 Pats would be nearly this successful without their GQ coverboy.

The numbers don’t matter, everyone can look at this astounding offense that the Pats are fielding and give them a lot of very deserved credit but when the chips are down that Bears defense would have eaten Brady’s lunch, and the Colts proved this season that if you get to Brady you can rattle him by picking him off twice (half of his season total). Plus their running game is so rusty from Maroney never seeing the field that the Pats would never get anything going. The Bears offense would definitely struggle against the Pats defense, but stopping Payton just would not have happened. The ’07 Pats are allowing over 4 y/c and that isn’t to anyone of Walter Payton’s status it’s to Cordell Buckhalter and Jamal Lewis. This game would be a first half slugfest but the ‘85 Bears would quickly take over.

The last thing to consider is environment, since Chicago and New England aren’t the nicest places to play in February this game would be in a very neutral territory and everyone loved the ’85 Bears, they were brash, fun, popular, and even recording artists. No one outside of New England likes the Pats and most wish their demise. People loved Ditka and hate Belichick.

The Bears would win this game, they’re Grabowskis.
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Weekend thoughts...

...while refusing to do work.

The line at this very moment in the UCLA @ Arizona game is between 3 and 1 1/2 (UA as the dog). Apparently Vegas wasn't informed that it is homecoming here in Tucson and as we all know coming into Arizona Stadium...on homecoming...favored, never ends up well for that team. UCLA should be relatively aware of that after the dismantling of the then #7 team in the country. I think we all know the outcome of this game. GO CATS!

Onto the greatest football game to ever be played, the most important game of all time, and the first time the Super Bowl has been played in November. That's right Pats - Colts. In case you live under a rock, that doesn't get good radio reception, you have heard about this...at length...to a sickening level. So I figured I would pile on. I hope for a few different outcomes namely for the Colts to completely destroy the Pats. Sit Bob Sanders down right in the middle of the field about 13 yards away from the line of scrimmage so finally someone stops letting Brady throw that toss across the middle to a wide open receiver, am I the only one who has noticed this. All day long, right down the middle. That is the easiest pass for a QB and Receiver to connect on. Why is no one covering it. If the Colts can't win I hope for a lopsided blowout where Bellicheck does what he does best and runs up the score, only the Colts keep playing and the fact that Bellicheck is going for it on 4 and 3 up by 19 with 3 minutes left sets them into a rage where Tom Brady drops back and gets his leg snapped off in a Theisman-esque fashion. Then Bellicheck can have that self-actualization scene from many movies where he realizes he has become so infatuated with himself that a loved one has died. And lastly, and I feel the most improbable is for the Colts to win and during his post-game press conference Rocky err Peyton manning looks at Bellicheck and tells him "if I can change and you can change, maybe we all can change" and Bellicheck's heart grows like the Grinch's three sizes.

Onto Baseball and Barry Bonds. Not going to the HoF. That's right, initially I was for the asterisked ball, then I realized that it's emblazoning an image on a piece of history like it or not, but now I am definitely back on the Asterisk the ball bandwagon. Reports released today stated that Barry will not go into the hall if the ball is there. This is the answer we've all been waiting for. A legitimate excuse to keep Barry out of the Hall. Also, in the same article Barry said he still wants to play and can be a good "part time player" for any organization...What?... Part time player? You want to make millions of dollars to play 3 games a week in between the flax seed oil and B12 shots. This is sad. And I think the Yankees are already calling him. Another baseball note, Joe Torre in the NL, this should be good. The man is notorious for napping off the last 3 innings, that's when an NL manager does all his work. I think he might be able to make things work in a fresh new organization, as long as the Dodgers are willing to spend another 120 Mill on player acquisition.

Quick update, Mr. Paxson read my letter and realized that I had a very valid argument and cut off all Kobe trade talks. Thank you for seeing it through our eyes Number 5.

Well it's back to the grind of staring at my cubical wall. Till next time Sports Fans.

More after the jump...

Holy Lord

I think i remember an SAT question related to this...

Analogys:

Football Team is to Cheerleader as...

a) Ohio State is to Penn State
b) Hawaii is to NMSU
c) WVU is to Rutgers
d) New England is to Washington

it's a toughy, considering it all involves someone getting completely owned...apologies to my buddy BA who plays for NMSU
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