Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Moss to Vikings?
Early reports indicate that Randy Moss may be acquired by the Vikings via trade. The deal supposedly hinges on the ability of the Vikings to work out a new deal with him. This might be exactly what the doctor ordered for Brett Favre and the struggling Vikings pass offense. The two were interested in getting together in Green Bay in 2006 but nothing came of it. Especially with the Jets on Monday Night Football, Moss might be needed to prevent embarrassment for the Vikings.
Heat Take Floor for First Time Tonight
The Heat are finally official as they hit the floor to face the Pistons in their preseason opener. They are getting to open in the safe zone of Miami, Florida. I can't imagine they will get a warm reception at very many visiting venues this year, as Lebron James fan appreciation has dropped off significantly after what he did in Cleveland this summer. After the first quarter, James seems to be dominating with 12 points, but is not his usual self with just one assist and one rebound early. The starting lineup of Carlos Arroyo, Joel Anthony and the Three Amigos was very interesting. Joel Anthony is not a strong player, and Carlos Arroyo has been in and out of the NBA and traded around quite often. Obviously Mario Chalmers should be the starter when his ankle is 100 percent, but we will see. The Pistons don't look much better than last year and have not made significant improvements to the team, but with the announcement that Mike Illitch, owner of the Red Wings (NHL) and Tigers (MLB) is set to purchase the team, don't expect them to stay quiet for long. Illitch will now be the only current owner of three teams in the four major sports of hockey, football, baseball and basketball. I don't think he would even want to touch the Lions though.
Dunn is Dunn, Dunn, Dunn and Dunn
Lacedarius Dunn, the outstanding guard for the Baylor Bears that led them to the Elite Eight just a year ago after averaging almost 20 points and 5 rebounds was arrested on September 27th for causing severe physical injury to his girlfriend (it has been reported to have been a punch to the face resulting in a broken jaw). Dunn has been indefinitely suspended from the team. With the season being a couple months away from really starting, I don't suspect Dunn will miss a lot of time based on previous experience with these situations.
Why does it seem like men who play sports beat their wives or girlfriends so often? Obviously, it happens with many other people and we only hear of the athletes, but especially in college basketball, men seem to get into domestic disputes quite often with women they have relationships with. Are these guys dating women that fool around or are these guys just high strung? Are they fooling around and in turn are extra paranoid causing jealousy and anger towards these women. There are more and more of these cases going around and i am sure even more that are never reported. Especially the verbal cases. These men playing the sport have power over people in the school and hold a certain amount of respect like I said in an earlier post just yesterday, and these women fear the repercussions of speaking out against them and know their whole life could change and they may never be welcome at the school again due to backlash from hurting the team. It is a shame.
Why does it seem like men who play sports beat their wives or girlfriends so often? Obviously, it happens with many other people and we only hear of the athletes, but especially in college basketball, men seem to get into domestic disputes quite often with women they have relationships with. Are these guys dating women that fool around or are these guys just high strung? Are they fooling around and in turn are extra paranoid causing jealousy and anger towards these women. There are more and more of these cases going around and i am sure even more that are never reported. Especially the verbal cases. These men playing the sport have power over people in the school and hold a certain amount of respect like I said in an earlier post just yesterday, and these women fear the repercussions of speaking out against them and know their whole life could change and they may never be welcome at the school again due to backlash from hurting the team. It is a shame.
NFL Fantasy: Week 4
Every week I will visit who the best performers from the week were in Fantasy Football, as well as the five players you may want to drop and the best five pickups available in most leagues.
There were some big numbers put up in the league this week. Surprisingly one of them was the old(ish) Terrell Owens who looked like the Owens of old, or maybe even better. The wide receiver went for 222 yards on 10 catches with a touchdown. His passing partner, who has struggled most of the year, Carson Palmer, went for a big 371 yards and 2 touchdowns with no interceptions. The Chargers were another team with multiple fantasy stars after the 41-10 ousting of the Cardinals. Phillip Rivers had 241 yards and 2 touchdowns with no interception and didn't even play the whole game. Antonio Gates had 7 catches on 7 targets for 144 yards and 2 touchdowns. Plus, the defense produced 9 sacks and 3 turnovers. I own the Chargers defense and they had been struggling so I played the Bengals defense this week and got burned for it. Hopefully, this is a sign of things to come for the Chargers. Arian Foster once again looked like a Pro Bowl back for the Texans rushing for 131 yards with a TD and also receiving 56 yards with a touchdown. Last but not least LT aka LaDainian Tomlinson was back all the way to his old form as a Jet rushing for 133 yards and 2 touchdowns and 22 yards receiving.
5 Players you may want to drop/trade:
1. Percy Harvin- Outside of one great touchdown catch against the Lion this WR has not done much this season with the sputtering Vikings offense. Only worth an average of 18 points through 3 games and probably won't get much better this week vs the Jets.
2. Michael Turner- Depending on your league type, Turner may be someone you want to trade to some sucker who thinks they are getting a deal. Although he may improve, Turner has only one touchdown and 280 rushing yards averaging just 38 points in 4 games in most leagues. Not enough out of a top ten ranked player preseason.
3. Steve Smith- Smith is still a great player, but has been bothered by injuries often and also has a rookie quarterback that is very questionable. Plus, he is on a last place team that doesn't score much. He has just 21 points in 4 games.
4. Michael Crabtree- Someone who was a top 100 (56 in my leagues) ranked player preseason and was supposed to have a breakout year or at least be good consistently has flopped. Just 13 points in 4 games with no TD's.
5. CJ Spiller- A promising rookie who does not have the players around him to really succeed at this point. They could just hand him the ball 25 times a game but it would probably cause long lasting effects on his body. Had a great return TD but has not been useful in the running game, just 21 points total for the season and around 14 rush yards/game.
5 Players you may want to pick up that are available in most leagues:
1. Shaun Hill- Only owned by about 10 percent of players in Yahoo and Espn leagues and would only be a temporary replacement until Matt Stafford returns, but Hill has thrown 991 yards and 5 TD's in less than four full games. He does have 7 interceptions, but he broke a big run against the Packers and has around 24 rushing yards per game.
2. Sam Bradford- The super rookie QB surprisingly is owned by only owned in about 35-40% of leagues. He is worth on average 54 points through 4 games and has almost reached 1000 yards with 5 touchdown passes.
3. Brandon Lloyd- Still available in almost 50% of leagues, this guy has had a great start to the season and is second in the NFL in receiving yards. Only downside is he does not get in the endzone very often.
4. BenJarvus Green-Ellis- Has worked his way into the starting tailback position for the Pats and has played well. Only owned in 40-43% of leagues and has gone for over 13 points in the last two outings after just 3-4 in the first two games combined. He has 215 yards and 2 touchdowns in basically 2 1/2 games. Beware the Patriots throw the ball a lot and relying on a running back coming from their team is always questionable.
5. Davone Bess- Owned in just 15-20% of leagues, Bess is a consistent performer and had a great night vs. the Patriots. He has 242 receiving yards, but just one touchdown and has had problems getting to the end zone in his career as a whole. If Henne keeps passing a lot and Marshall gets double teamed consistently expect 8-10 points out of him weekly.
There were some big numbers put up in the league this week. Surprisingly one of them was the old(ish) Terrell Owens who looked like the Owens of old, or maybe even better. The wide receiver went for 222 yards on 10 catches with a touchdown. His passing partner, who has struggled most of the year, Carson Palmer, went for a big 371 yards and 2 touchdowns with no interceptions. The Chargers were another team with multiple fantasy stars after the 41-10 ousting of the Cardinals. Phillip Rivers had 241 yards and 2 touchdowns with no interception and didn't even play the whole game. Antonio Gates had 7 catches on 7 targets for 144 yards and 2 touchdowns. Plus, the defense produced 9 sacks and 3 turnovers. I own the Chargers defense and they had been struggling so I played the Bengals defense this week and got burned for it. Hopefully, this is a sign of things to come for the Chargers. Arian Foster once again looked like a Pro Bowl back for the Texans rushing for 131 yards with a TD and also receiving 56 yards with a touchdown. Last but not least LT aka LaDainian Tomlinson was back all the way to his old form as a Jet rushing for 133 yards and 2 touchdowns and 22 yards receiving.
5 Players you may want to drop/trade:
1. Percy Harvin- Outside of one great touchdown catch against the Lion this WR has not done much this season with the sputtering Vikings offense. Only worth an average of 18 points through 3 games and probably won't get much better this week vs the Jets.
2. Michael Turner- Depending on your league type, Turner may be someone you want to trade to some sucker who thinks they are getting a deal. Although he may improve, Turner has only one touchdown and 280 rushing yards averaging just 38 points in 4 games in most leagues. Not enough out of a top ten ranked player preseason.
3. Steve Smith- Smith is still a great player, but has been bothered by injuries often and also has a rookie quarterback that is very questionable. Plus, he is on a last place team that doesn't score much. He has just 21 points in 4 games.
4. Michael Crabtree- Someone who was a top 100 (56 in my leagues) ranked player preseason and was supposed to have a breakout year or at least be good consistently has flopped. Just 13 points in 4 games with no TD's.
5. CJ Spiller- A promising rookie who does not have the players around him to really succeed at this point. They could just hand him the ball 25 times a game but it would probably cause long lasting effects on his body. Had a great return TD but has not been useful in the running game, just 21 points total for the season and around 14 rush yards/game.
5 Players you may want to pick up that are available in most leagues:
1. Shaun Hill- Only owned by about 10 percent of players in Yahoo and Espn leagues and would only be a temporary replacement until Matt Stafford returns, but Hill has thrown 991 yards and 5 TD's in less than four full games. He does have 7 interceptions, but he broke a big run against the Packers and has around 24 rushing yards per game.
2. Sam Bradford- The super rookie QB surprisingly is owned by only owned in about 35-40% of leagues. He is worth on average 54 points through 4 games and has almost reached 1000 yards with 5 touchdown passes.
3. Brandon Lloyd- Still available in almost 50% of leagues, this guy has had a great start to the season and is second in the NFL in receiving yards. Only downside is he does not get in the endzone very often.
4. BenJarvus Green-Ellis- Has worked his way into the starting tailback position for the Pats and has played well. Only owned in 40-43% of leagues and has gone for over 13 points in the last two outings after just 3-4 in the first two games combined. He has 215 yards and 2 touchdowns in basically 2 1/2 games. Beware the Patriots throw the ball a lot and relying on a running back coming from their team is always questionable.
5. Davone Bess- Owned in just 15-20% of leagues, Bess is a consistent performer and had a great night vs. the Patriots. He has 242 receiving yards, but just one touchdown and has had problems getting to the end zone in his career as a whole. If Henne keeps passing a lot and Marshall gets double teamed consistently expect 8-10 points out of him weekly.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Power Rankings: Week 4
Power Rankings will be released every Tuesday for the NFL. This week was a crazy week in the league, with many top teams falling or making very poor showings. The NFL looks to be more even overall than in most years with perennial bottom feeders like the Rams and the Lions making for interesting games week in and week out. Great Defense scores major points in this ranking system and that is why the Jets are number one here.
1. NY Jets- Outside of a one point loss to an outstanding Ravens team, have looked dominant.
2. Chiefs- The only undefeated team in the NFL has to get some respect, next week is first real test.
3. Steelers- Lost on a last second TD to a very good Ravens team, great start minus their QB
4. Packers- Follow up a loss to division rival Bears with a poor showing against the Lions.
5. Saints- Should have lost to possibly the worst team in the league, only 10 point differential in wins for year.
6. Ravens- Have beat 2 of the top 5, only team that can say they have done so.
7. Texans- Not sold on them long term, but they definitely look like a playoff team early.
8. Patriots- Convincing win without passing game success, looked like the Patriots of old Monday.
9. Falcons- Close games, but getting it done, and only loss is to #3 Steelers
10. Eagles- Need to get Vick back, and fast, great chance of winning without his injury Sunday.
11. Colts- Peyton has to hand off sometimes, or this division will dominate them.
12. Bears- Questionable. Cutler isn't the only one we're asking that about with this organization.
13. Bengals- Follow up an emotional win vs. Ravens to lose at Cleveland, it happens.
14. Giants- 10 sacks in a game? If only they had an offense
15. Dolphins- Looked bad Monday, but tough early schedule has almost passed.
16. Chargers- Don't say they are back because they destroyed the Cardinals.
17. Jaguars- Wow! A week can change a lot!
18. Titans- Defensive collapse in final minutes of the game is not like a Jeff Fischer squad.
19. Cowboys- I would still take them over the Rams and Seahawks.
20. Rams- On the rise with a great young QB playing above his years.
21. Seahawks- Maybe rd. 2 for Pete Carroll can be successful
22. Vikings- Scary game coming Monday, the extra week off might do them a lot of good offensively
23. Buccaneers- Overrated. Easy early schedule has made them look better than they are.
24. Browns- Big in-state rival win over the Bengals at home was a must win for Mangini.
25. Broncos- I can't stand Tebow and still feel like maybe he is better than Orton.
26. Cardinals- Got blasted by both decent teams they played and barely got by against 2 weak opponents
27. Lions- Had chances against 3 division opponents that are supposed to be exponentially better.
28. Raiders- That win may be their last. This team finds ways to lose.
29. 49ers- Thought they had a lot of promise, but all they are promising is losses now.
30. Panthers- One more year, or two, or three for Claussen to be a quality starter.
31. Bills- They better just start handing off to Spiller and let him improve, this season is a lost cause.
1. NY Jets- Outside of a one point loss to an outstanding Ravens team, have looked dominant.
2. Chiefs- The only undefeated team in the NFL has to get some respect, next week is first real test.
3. Steelers- Lost on a last second TD to a very good Ravens team, great start minus their QB
4. Packers- Follow up a loss to division rival Bears with a poor showing against the Lions.
5. Saints- Should have lost to possibly the worst team in the league, only 10 point differential in wins for year.
6. Ravens- Have beat 2 of the top 5, only team that can say they have done so.
7. Texans- Not sold on them long term, but they definitely look like a playoff team early.
8. Patriots- Convincing win without passing game success, looked like the Patriots of old Monday.
9. Falcons- Close games, but getting it done, and only loss is to #3 Steelers
10. Eagles- Need to get Vick back, and fast, great chance of winning without his injury Sunday.
11. Colts- Peyton has to hand off sometimes, or this division will dominate them.
12. Bears- Questionable. Cutler isn't the only one we're asking that about with this organization.
13. Bengals- Follow up an emotional win vs. Ravens to lose at Cleveland, it happens.
14. Giants- 10 sacks in a game? If only they had an offense
15. Dolphins- Looked bad Monday, but tough early schedule has almost passed.
16. Chargers- Don't say they are back because they destroyed the Cardinals.
17. Jaguars- Wow! A week can change a lot!
18. Titans- Defensive collapse in final minutes of the game is not like a Jeff Fischer squad.
19. Cowboys- I would still take them over the Rams and Seahawks.
20. Rams- On the rise with a great young QB playing above his years.
21. Seahawks- Maybe rd. 2 for Pete Carroll can be successful
22. Vikings- Scary game coming Monday, the extra week off might do them a lot of good offensively
23. Buccaneers- Overrated. Easy early schedule has made them look better than they are.
24. Browns- Big in-state rival win over the Bengals at home was a must win for Mangini.
25. Broncos- I can't stand Tebow and still feel like maybe he is better than Orton.
26. Cardinals- Got blasted by both decent teams they played and barely got by against 2 weak opponents
27. Lions- Had chances against 3 division opponents that are supposed to be exponentially better.
28. Raiders- That win may be their last. This team finds ways to lose.
29. 49ers- Thought they had a lot of promise, but all they are promising is losses now.
30. Panthers- One more year, or two, or three for Claussen to be a quality starter.
31. Bills- They better just start handing off to Spiller and let him improve, this season is a lost cause.
Criminals in Sports
This is something that has been bothering me for a long time, and I am sure it has bothered a lot of you as well. Why are athletes treated differently than the average human being. They get away with cutting classes and skipping homework at the low end of the spectrum and they get away with criminal activity and miscellaneous troubling acts. I know this is the case being an athlete. I played basketball at a small school and also got privileges in high school. I missed a lot of school as a junior and senior, but our team was number one in the city in D1 (the big school grouping in Ohio). I got a slap on the wrist and they turned my ten saturday schools (6 hours of school on a Saturday) into just one before I graduated. In college, I continually missed school and could make up any excuse saying I had basketball and still get full credit for being there. I also got preferential treatment when it came to scheduling classes and free meals in the school facilities. Like I said not big rewards, but also not things that everyone would have been afforded.
These days athletes in the big time seem to think they are invincible, and we make them feel that way. We pay tons of money to watch them play a game and talk about them all day long. It's addicting. I pay almost $60 a month just to watch football all season, and really just to watch the Minnesota Vikings. These athletes are very aware of that and they know people will listen when they talk and will show respect when they cross each other on the street, whether it is deserved or not. The punishments have gotten better in the NFL. Roger Goodell had made a lot of good changes to take these guys out of football, but it is never enough. Pacman Jones was playing for the Cincinnati Bengals, my hometown team, this weekend and my girlfriend had no idea that he was and still may be a criminal. The man was arrested over a dozen times for terrible things and those are just the acts he was caught on. Michael Vick ran a huge underground dog fighting ring and went to jail for around 18 months and is now back starting in the NFL. Plus, he is the big story of the week after getting injured. I am sure some real serious animal activists may still not like him, but a lot of people forgave him the minute they saw him weaving in and out of defenders against the Packers a few weeks ago. The list goes on.
The NFL seems to have a large problem with criminal activity. Plaxico Burress, a former superstar sits in prison. The Bengals seem to have picked up every talented player with a record. Other sports have gotten involved. Other sports have numerous cheaters. Even bicyclists have produced a large plethora of cheaters. If you take steroids, it is cheating. It enhances you above the skill and body type that you were born with and makes you something physically better. That's not acceptable. In college football, you have someone like Reggie Bush who is basically wiped out of the USC records, and no not just the record books. If you didn't know better, you would not have any knowledge that he even attended the school if you looked at their website or media guide. That is because Reggie Bush took a lot of financial support from agents while in school. Why? You get every meal free at that school on scholarship, plus living expenses and your tuition. Why do you need to have an expensive car and a big screen television? To get girls? Doubt it, you are a Heisman Trophy winner, you can get plenty of girls. Maybe just to feel big time, before you make it to the big time? I don't necessarily think college athletes don't deserve a tiny portion of money from the tickets they sell, but then again that is just the way it is. That is what keeps amateur sports more honest and that is the difference between playing in college and making it to the professional level.
I think athletes should be treated in a more strict manner when they commit crimes. I am not talking about DUI's, we are talking like shooting at people, killing dogs, and doing drugs. It will be hard to change though. When a judge from the same city where the athlete plays is also the judge sentencing them for a crime how hard is it for them to give the max. If you love Michael Vick and you are a Falcons fan during that crisis, how are you fairly sentencing them when you secretly may want him back on the field ASAP? It would probably be hard for me, and I can't lie about that. It's hard for me to stay mad at Vick after watching him destroy the Lions a couple of weeks ago. But, we have to put our morals above the game. We don't have to stop talking about sports though, don't worry I wouldn't ask anyone to promise something I wouldn't be able to. But, the more honest we are the more level headed we may make some of the athletes we root for every week.
These days athletes in the big time seem to think they are invincible, and we make them feel that way. We pay tons of money to watch them play a game and talk about them all day long. It's addicting. I pay almost $60 a month just to watch football all season, and really just to watch the Minnesota Vikings. These athletes are very aware of that and they know people will listen when they talk and will show respect when they cross each other on the street, whether it is deserved or not. The punishments have gotten better in the NFL. Roger Goodell had made a lot of good changes to take these guys out of football, but it is never enough. Pacman Jones was playing for the Cincinnati Bengals, my hometown team, this weekend and my girlfriend had no idea that he was and still may be a criminal. The man was arrested over a dozen times for terrible things and those are just the acts he was caught on. Michael Vick ran a huge underground dog fighting ring and went to jail for around 18 months and is now back starting in the NFL. Plus, he is the big story of the week after getting injured. I am sure some real serious animal activists may still not like him, but a lot of people forgave him the minute they saw him weaving in and out of defenders against the Packers a few weeks ago. The list goes on.
The NFL seems to have a large problem with criminal activity. Plaxico Burress, a former superstar sits in prison. The Bengals seem to have picked up every talented player with a record. Other sports have gotten involved. Other sports have numerous cheaters. Even bicyclists have produced a large plethora of cheaters. If you take steroids, it is cheating. It enhances you above the skill and body type that you were born with and makes you something physically better. That's not acceptable. In college football, you have someone like Reggie Bush who is basically wiped out of the USC records, and no not just the record books. If you didn't know better, you would not have any knowledge that he even attended the school if you looked at their website or media guide. That is because Reggie Bush took a lot of financial support from agents while in school. Why? You get every meal free at that school on scholarship, plus living expenses and your tuition. Why do you need to have an expensive car and a big screen television? To get girls? Doubt it, you are a Heisman Trophy winner, you can get plenty of girls. Maybe just to feel big time, before you make it to the big time? I don't necessarily think college athletes don't deserve a tiny portion of money from the tickets they sell, but then again that is just the way it is. That is what keeps amateur sports more honest and that is the difference between playing in college and making it to the professional level.
I think athletes should be treated in a more strict manner when they commit crimes. I am not talking about DUI's, we are talking like shooting at people, killing dogs, and doing drugs. It will be hard to change though. When a judge from the same city where the athlete plays is also the judge sentencing them for a crime how hard is it for them to give the max. If you love Michael Vick and you are a Falcons fan during that crisis, how are you fairly sentencing them when you secretly may want him back on the field ASAP? It would probably be hard for me, and I can't lie about that. It's hard for me to stay mad at Vick after watching him destroy the Lions a couple of weeks ago. But, we have to put our morals above the game. We don't have to stop talking about sports though, don't worry I wouldn't ask anyone to promise something I wouldn't be able to. But, the more honest we are the more level headed we may make some of the athletes we root for every week.
I Love Sports Too!
Due to the Success of my other blog Technopinion1.blogspot.com, I have decided to start a blog about something that seems to run my life sometimes and actually used to be a large part of my life, sports. I played basketball in college at the NCAA2 level, and also played a season overseas before deciding the USA was the place for me. I mainly follow the NFL, NCAA Football and Basketball, Golf, NBA, and the MLB, but every sport has a good story from time to time. I will try to keep you updated on the biggest, well most interesting sports stories from around the globe. If you are interested in consumer electronics, movies, video games, or any type of technology you should visit Technopinion1.blogspot.com.
By the way, for the duration of the NFL season I will be leaving this blog in the annoying colors of Purple and Yellow for the Vikings season and likely (well mostly) the last season of Brett Favre. This is unless he gets injured or the Vikings continue to play as poorly as they have over the first 3 games.
By the way, for the duration of the NFL season I will be leaving this blog in the annoying colors of Purple and Yellow for the Vikings season and likely (well mostly) the last season of Brett Favre. This is unless he gets injured or the Vikings continue to play as poorly as they have over the first 3 games.
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