2010 came and went like a blur. Too many things on the sports landscape to fairly document.
So to combine scattershot summaries with everybody's best crutch, THE LIST... here we go...:
1-- Superbowl Smackdown... and snowbound-- New Orleans beat Indianapolis 31-17 in Super Bowl XLIV... and what wasn't there to like? A gutsy call to start the second half on an onside kick. A masterful game by MVP Drew Brees... and a pick-six thrown by Peyton Manning. An area that hasn't had a lot to celebrate lately (Katrina) got a moment in the sun. A downtrodden franchise (paper bags, anyone) finally won it all. And the trifecta of Yankees-Lakers-Colts as world champs (pure hell for any Boston fan) was prevented. This took place during a February where the DC Metro area doubled as the Ice Planet Hoth... and I swear I saw a tauntaun. After ten years of living in the area and joking about the "rough winters", I actually experienced a rough winter. Still, much more mild than New Hampshire.
2-- Hall Hell... and hoops hubris-- I was excited when the Hollies were voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I avidly watched the induction ceremony-- only to learn that drummer Bobby Elliott and guitarist Tony Hicks weren't there because of a concert in London... with the Hollies. So the guys getting honored (Allen Clarke, Graham Nash and a very hammered Terry Sylvester) weren't actually with the band anymore-- yet they were making speeches while the guys still touring as the Hollies were in a different nation. Like if the Rolling Stones were inducted this year and Bill Wyman and Mick Taylor show up to the ceremony because Mick, Keith and Charlie have a gig overseas. And it didn't help that Stevie van Zandt's induction speech sucked. On the hoopfront, I was excited when Syracuse was ranked #1 for the first time since the 1989-90 season (when I finally invent that time-machine, I'm going back to '88 and getting Kenny Anderson to attend SU). But unfortunately the Orange peaked on a Saturday night rout of Villanova... and dropped 3 of their last 5 games en route to a Sweet Sixteen succumbing to Butler. At least the wings were money at Sign of the Whale-- they didn't have them (excuse me? this is a sportsbar! I expect you to run out of everything but beer before you say you don't have wings) for Syracuse's Lacrosse loss to Army (I still blame the bar for the defeat).
3-- NBA Finals... or Green with disgust-- I wasn't expecting to fall for this spring's Boston Celtic squad. The rapidly aging and skill eroding bunch was going to be handed sure defeat if not by Lebron James' getting better by the moment Cleveland Cavaliers, then they'd be schooled by last year's conference champ Orlando. Not so fast sir! Danny Ainge's questionable move for Nate Robinson paid off... Rajon Rondo went from apprentice to master... and the Aging Trio turned in one memorable May. I made the wise decision of watching games two and five with a friend who is one massive Lakers apologist (with the phrase "that's a foul" never too far away) and got to hear a lispy Lakers fan say "ith all tied up now, bithcheth!". After a nice win in game five ("that's a foul!) I was expecting flag #18 and the requisite championship paraphernalia. One Kendrick Perkins injury and two tough losses later, I was sick beyond belief. Damn that one hurt. Still hurts.
4-- Can't spell collapse without C-A-P-S... this was the year, right? So much for a 3 games to 1 first round lead... so much for cruising into Lord Stanley's waiting room. Instead, an offseason of doubt surrounding the direction of the best-run franchise in the Beltway... months of wondering which moves were necessary and a fall of unfulfilled dreams that turned into a dismal December (8 game losing streak) underneath a major microscope (HBO). Hopefully it won't rain Saturday at the Winter Classic in Pittsburgh.
5-- Lebron looms large-- "taking one's talents to South Beach" will never sound the same. After flaming out in the conference semifinals, King James made a smart move in the most stupid way. Go to Miami and a much more talented team? Brilliant. Do so on national TV with a hype-machine on overdrive, making us feel like NBA GM's should have been there expecting roses, bachelor-style? Buffoonish. While the Heat have finally gotten their act together, this will be James' "Maroon and Black" moment... if they win, great-- but if things don't work out this will be the moment and that will be the phrase everyone looks back at. Meanwhile, Jim Gray looks more ridiculous every time he has an incident (this fiasco plus the golf channel melee with Corey Pavin making those forget his Pete Rose run-in).
6-- Toothless Tiger-- Tiger began the year under a cloud of mystery (what happened on Thanksgiving?)... apologized after a slew of nasty texts....failed to win a major (the road to 18 has a few more bumps) and became an odd non-story on the PGA Tour. One has to feel he can still reel off two or three major wins in one year, though-- although the window for a "natural grandslam" may be closing fast.
7-- Skinsationalism-- they're on the right path... then all of a sudden Shanahan doesn't know what he's doing. McNabb is the savior. Then he doesn't get the offense and is out of shape. Donovan gets a contract extension-- then is benched. Haynesworth's in... but can't run... then is run out of town. Gold pants help them beat Dallas-- then are the cause for everything wrong. There's no better entertainment in and around the beltway...
8-- NFL...longer with labor-- the best-run league may run itself aground with its current labor issues. Head injuries suddenly become serious. And now the league wants to extend its regular season to 18 games. Great, more January games with 3-14 Carolina facing 7-10 Detroit.
Why mess with perfection? Yeah, I know-- money.
9-- November baseball?-- talk about drawing things out. Extra off-days during the postseason ruin whatever rhythm develops- and heaven forbid a series ends in a game or two early... then you've got a week off. I enjoyed San Francisco's run to the title (they remain my National League mistress and have been since the days of Kevin Mitchell and Will Clark) and the Yankees collapse... but let's wrap this thing up quicker so we can focus fully on the NFL.
10-- December departures come in threes--and an arrival is awesome. Over one weekend the futures of Gilbert Arenas, Ralph Friedgen and Donovan McNabb were determined-- further underscoring how fickle the world of sports is. Gilbert Arenas had the brightest DC future in 2006... and one bad contract, multiple surgeries and a poor understanding of firearm laws later is in a different uniform as a franchise rebuilds. Instead of an all-time great we get a major what-if. Ralph Friedgen spent his life with the job of head football coach as his goal and College Park as his dream destination; and after ten years of returning his alma mater to relevence was shown the door despite being named ACC Coach of the Year. Instead of departing into the sunset in 2012 or 2013 or 2014... a proud alum leaves under a cloud. Even in the "I don't remember yesterday/I won't make plans for tomorrow" world that is the Redskins, most thought Donovan McNabb would be the starting quarterback longer than 13 games. Now #5 is in the land of limbo but definitely on his way out after giving fans a glimpse of the NFC East rival who terrorized them for a decade. Nothing is forever-- or even temporary. Enjoy the games while you can.
Ohh... the arrival. My sister gave birth April 7th to my first niece... and Sarah Margaret is a bundle of joy who will get Maryland, Syracuse, Celtics, Patriots, Red Sox and Caps gear until she turns eighteen. Happy new year to everyone... may 2011 be as rich with hopes and dreams and laughter and tears as this past year was.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
Redskins Rehash--Spoiling in Style...
It's always better to be playing for your own postseason dreams... but who says it isn't nice to upset somebody else's applecart? A 20-17 overtime victory at Jacksonville put the Jaguars playoff hopes on life support... and the Skins can pull the plug in week seventeen against the New York Giants.
Cardiac Kids-- four games in overtime. Eight decided by three points or less. Eleven decided by less than a touchdown (and these aren't backdoor covers either)... the Skins are keeping eyes on the sets until the very end. But before you agree with your die-hard Burgundy and Golders about how this team could be 10-5 or 11-4 with a few breaks, recall they could just as easily be 1-14 or 0-15.
Not the worst week for a Rex -- Mr. Grossman threw for 182 yards and a touchdown with an interception... but at least there were no foot fetish issues.
Donovan and Distance-- Mr. McNabb's agent released a firebomb statement midway through the week saying that offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan felt threatened by his suggestions for screens. Over the weekend a report from Adam Schefter (who co-wrote a book with Mike Shanahan) said #5 would ask for his release after the season... which McNabb denied to Brian Mitchell. Even when one doesn't play, the games continue.
Announcer upgrade-- forgive me for preferring the announcing team of Sam Rosen and Tim Ryan with Nischelle Turner over Kenny Albert/Daryl Johnston/Tony Sirigusa trio... but Rosen has a nice understated call and delivery that elevates lesser games while the "Goose Shtick" is decidedly not awesome. Moose is a decent analyst who suffers as well with Albert, who appears to be wearing a coat hanger inside his jacket at all times.
Dissecting the division... and cleaning out the conference-- Philadelphia's game with Minnesota was snowed out, but the Giants' loss at Green Bay delivers the division to the Eagles. Two wins plus a loss by Chicago secures the #2 seed. The Giants need a win over the Redskins in week 17 plus a Green Bay loss to the Bears to climb back into the playoffs... if the Giants and Packers both lose, Tampa Bay secures the last wildcard with a victory over New Orleans.
Stitched up secondary a primary factor-- Carlos Rogers' first quarter interception set up the Skins' first touchdown of the day... and Kevin Barnes' OT pick set up the gamewinning field goal. Despite Barnes being pressed into duty thanks to injuries, I'm still amazed Rogers was able to hang onto the ball.
Third and forever...almost-- the Skins finished 4-of-15 on third down, and failed to move the chains on eight attempts until late in the third quarter.
What's a Haynesworth?-- not as much fun as Tracking the Triumvirate-- Fred Davis' touchdown catch gives the second round picks of '08 19 catches for 296 yards and two touchdowns with the team this fall...unfortunately it's all Davis as Malcolm Kelly's on IR and Devin Thomas was released earlier in the season and has now not been making catches for three teams (Carolina cut him; he's with the New York Giants now). Two fun features that will die at the end of this season-- thank goodness.
Cardiac Kids-- four games in overtime. Eight decided by three points or less. Eleven decided by less than a touchdown (and these aren't backdoor covers either)... the Skins are keeping eyes on the sets until the very end. But before you agree with your die-hard Burgundy and Golders about how this team could be 10-5 or 11-4 with a few breaks, recall they could just as easily be 1-14 or 0-15.
Not the worst week for a Rex -- Mr. Grossman threw for 182 yards and a touchdown with an interception... but at least there were no foot fetish issues.
Donovan and Distance-- Mr. McNabb's agent released a firebomb statement midway through the week saying that offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan felt threatened by his suggestions for screens. Over the weekend a report from Adam Schefter (who co-wrote a book with Mike Shanahan) said #5 would ask for his release after the season... which McNabb denied to Brian Mitchell. Even when one doesn't play, the games continue.
Announcer upgrade-- forgive me for preferring the announcing team of Sam Rosen and Tim Ryan with Nischelle Turner over Kenny Albert/Daryl Johnston/Tony Sirigusa trio... but Rosen has a nice understated call and delivery that elevates lesser games while the "Goose Shtick" is decidedly not awesome. Moose is a decent analyst who suffers as well with Albert, who appears to be wearing a coat hanger inside his jacket at all times.
Dissecting the division... and cleaning out the conference-- Philadelphia's game with Minnesota was snowed out, but the Giants' loss at Green Bay delivers the division to the Eagles. Two wins plus a loss by Chicago secures the #2 seed. The Giants need a win over the Redskins in week 17 plus a Green Bay loss to the Bears to climb back into the playoffs... if the Giants and Packers both lose, Tampa Bay secures the last wildcard with a victory over New Orleans.
Stitched up secondary a primary factor-- Carlos Rogers' first quarter interception set up the Skins' first touchdown of the day... and Kevin Barnes' OT pick set up the gamewinning field goal. Despite Barnes being pressed into duty thanks to injuries, I'm still amazed Rogers was able to hang onto the ball.
Third and forever...almost-- the Skins finished 4-of-15 on third down, and failed to move the chains on eight attempts until late in the third quarter.
What's a Haynesworth?-- not as much fun as Tracking the Triumvirate-- Fred Davis' touchdown catch gives the second round picks of '08 19 catches for 296 yards and two touchdowns with the team this fall...unfortunately it's all Davis as Malcolm Kelly's on IR and Devin Thomas was released earlier in the season and has now not been making catches for three teams (Carolina cut him; he's with the New York Giants now). Two fun features that will die at the end of this season-- thank goodness.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Redskins Rehash-- the draft is when?
The offseason arrives early in Ashburn as the Redskins are eliminated and in full "evaluation" mode (so does this make this the preseason again?)...thoughts, musings and mandatory rantings from the Redskins 33-30 loss to Dallas.
Donovan and Distance-- Mr. McNabb, after being told his services would likely not be needed for the remainder of the season, handled the pregame coin-flip with aplomb.
Rex rally-really?-- okay, so the numbers looked good for Rex Grossman...: 322 yards passing, 4 touchdowns and a pair of two-point conversions. But were those fourth quarter scores technically garbage-time touchdowns?
Dissolving Defense-- the Skins allowed 434 total yards... 270 in the first half. The last in the league unit allowed seven straight drives into their red zone at one point; on the other possession the Cowboys kicked a field goal. No matter who plays quarterback they can't stop anybody this fall.
Armstrong Stretches the Field-- wide receiver Anthony Armstrong continues his fine season... notching 5 catches for 100 yards in the loss and providing the Skins with a deep threat-- Santana Moss taking advantage with 8 grabs, 72 yards and two TD's.
Dissecting the Division-- Philadelphia's 38-31 rally past the New York Giants turned the division upside-down... instead of scoreboard watching the last two weeks the Eagles take a one game lead with the sweep tiebreaker into Christmas. The Eagles hold down the #3 spot in the NFC... with the Giants hanging on at #6 and facing a must-win game at Green Bay in week sixteen. The Redskins own third place instead of Dallas because of a slightly better (4-7 to 3-7) conference record.
Feeling a draft-- the Skins are one of six 5-9 teams... so right now they're ranging from 7th through 12th depending on tiebreakers. Whither Andrew Luck?
What's a Haynesworth?-- Sorry, force of habit.
Donovan and Distance-- Mr. McNabb, after being told his services would likely not be needed for the remainder of the season, handled the pregame coin-flip with aplomb.
Rex rally-really?-- okay, so the numbers looked good for Rex Grossman...: 322 yards passing, 4 touchdowns and a pair of two-point conversions. But were those fourth quarter scores technically garbage-time touchdowns?
Dissolving Defense-- the Skins allowed 434 total yards... 270 in the first half. The last in the league unit allowed seven straight drives into their red zone at one point; on the other possession the Cowboys kicked a field goal. No matter who plays quarterback they can't stop anybody this fall.
Armstrong Stretches the Field-- wide receiver Anthony Armstrong continues his fine season... notching 5 catches for 100 yards in the loss and providing the Skins with a deep threat-- Santana Moss taking advantage with 8 grabs, 72 yards and two TD's.
Dissecting the Division-- Philadelphia's 38-31 rally past the New York Giants turned the division upside-down... instead of scoreboard watching the last two weeks the Eagles take a one game lead with the sweep tiebreaker into Christmas. The Eagles hold down the #3 spot in the NFC... with the Giants hanging on at #6 and facing a must-win game at Green Bay in week sixteen. The Redskins own third place instead of Dallas because of a slightly better (4-7 to 3-7) conference record.
Feeling a draft-- the Skins are one of six 5-9 teams... so right now they're ranging from 7th through 12th depending on tiebreakers. Whither Andrew Luck?
What's a Haynesworth?-- Sorry, force of habit.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Tis the season to be...leaving?
Departures are a big thing Christmas week-- time to get on that plane and head to your parents... or the islands for holiday season. In DC, it means the jets are revving up for three big names on the sports landscape...
Maryland decides to buy out the final year of football coach Ralph Friedgen's contract... evidently 74 wins at a program over ten years (Terps went 37-73-1 in the previous decade) plus 7 bowl games at a school that had gone nine years without postseason play before he arrived wasn't good enough to earn a contract extension. Did I mention he graduated players as well? And not a whiff of scandal. Friedgen seemingly was doing everything right-- except sell out Byrd Stadium and advance to the ACC Championship game every year. Everything was apparently set in motion when offensive coordinator James Franklin departed for the Vanderbilt job. That freed up one million dollars coming to Franklin if he wasn't the head coach by 2012... and created a staff erosion that would take four assistants with Franklin to the SEC school.
Instead of extending Friedgen, Athletic Director Kevin Anderson felt that the ceiling had been reached and there were greater possibilities out there. If Franklin had stayed, they likely would have kept the status quo uncomfortable in place... with Friedgen coaching not knowing if he'd be back in 2012 and Franklin wondering if he'd actually get the gig. It's a shame a loyal alum has been shown the door so unceremoniously. Why cut ties? There are many who think the program has plateaued (43-42 over the last seven seasons) and Friedgen has a reputation as a so-so recruiter; for some reason he's reportedly rubbed local high school coaches the wrong way in his tenure. If the Terps had won the Atlantic Division this year (a loss to Florida State in November ending their hopes), or 2008 (Florida State again) or 2006 (Wake Forest the culprit) Friedgen may have generated the necessary momentum for an extension before this fall. Ex-Texas Tech coach Mike Leach is the expected successor-- be prepared for a high-octane offense and eccentric pirate talk.
Maryland decides to buy out the final year of football coach Ralph Friedgen's contract... evidently 74 wins at a program over ten years (Terps went 37-73-1 in the previous decade) plus 7 bowl games at a school that had gone nine years without postseason play before he arrived wasn't good enough to earn a contract extension. Did I mention he graduated players as well? And not a whiff of scandal. Friedgen seemingly was doing everything right-- except sell out Byrd Stadium and advance to the ACC Championship game every year. Everything was apparently set in motion when offensive coordinator James Franklin departed for the Vanderbilt job. That freed up one million dollars coming to Franklin if he wasn't the head coach by 2012... and created a staff erosion that would take four assistants with Franklin to the SEC school.
Instead of extending Friedgen, Athletic Director Kevin Anderson felt that the ceiling had been reached and there were greater possibilities out there. If Franklin had stayed, they likely would have kept the status quo uncomfortable in place... with Friedgen coaching not knowing if he'd be back in 2012 and Franklin wondering if he'd actually get the gig. It's a shame a loyal alum has been shown the door so unceremoniously. Why cut ties? There are many who think the program has plateaued (43-42 over the last seven seasons) and Friedgen has a reputation as a so-so recruiter; for some reason he's reportedly rubbed local high school coaches the wrong way in his tenure. If the Terps had won the Atlantic Division this year (a loss to Florida State in November ending their hopes), or 2008 (Florida State again) or 2006 (Wake Forest the culprit) Friedgen may have generated the necessary momentum for an extension before this fall. Ex-Texas Tech coach Mike Leach is the expected successor-- be prepared for a high-octane offense and eccentric pirate talk.
Donovan McNabb's tenure as the Redskins quarterback apparently is coming to a close... at least that's what common sense would lead one to believe with #5 getting benched for the final three games of the season. Rex Grossman threw for over 300 yards in his debut and is priced well enough to be a good holding pattern for the team until they get and groom the quarterback of the future. Meanwhile, they drastically cut McNabb's value if they want to trade him... so those draft picks that could have been used on building blocks (say one seven and one eight year player) go towards 13 games for a former Pro Bowl quarterback. Donovan, we hardly knew ye.
Gilbert Arenas came to DC with plenty of promise and he actually delivered for a while-- the crazy shots... the monster games... the magnetic personality on and off the court-- until injuries hijacked two prime years of his career. Then the gun thing. Since last December, his clock has been ticking on agent zero's district residency. Rashard Lewis will provide a little more of a stable leadership role as this team claws its way back to respectability-- this move also lessens the backcourt logjam of Nick Young/John Wall/Kirk Hinrich...allowing each to learn and improve under Flip Saunders' guidance. Unfortunately, we've had to deal with the shadow of Arenas the last few years. But for a while, he was real-- and that was pretty cool.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Redskins Rehash... from Hero to Hill...
I was at WTOP (103.5 FM) Sunday as the Redskins were driving downfield with under a minute to play against Tampa Bay... and as they lined up for 4th and goal I couldn't resist youtubing "Holding out to a Hero" by Bonnie Tyler for my co-workers... and when Donovan McNabb found Santana Moss in the endzone there was excitement again in Redskins Nation. But then longsnapper Nick Sundberg's snap sailed high beyond the grasp of holder Hunter Smith... and thankfully I had cued up "Yaketty Sax" aka the Benny Hill Theme. Do me a favor... next time you're online--cue up "Yaketty Sax" and think about the Redskins. You'll smile, chortle and maybe even laugh at the tragic comedy the 2010 season has become.
Donovan and Distance-- Mr. McNabb (amidst swirling rumors that he'd be operating on a short leash against the Buccaneers) threw for 228 yards and two touchdowns... and was 8 of 12 for 79 yards on the 75-yard scoring drive that almost sent the game into overtime. This despite the Buccaneers taking away the team's vertical passing game.
Uniform Update-- I'm one of the seven people who wish the Buccaneers would go back to their creamsicle orange full-time. Red and pewter look sharp, but Bucco Bruce needs a regular gig! (When he's not doubling as UVa mascot Kippy Cavalier).
Running Aground-- Ryan Torrain in his first game back from injury began with a BANG--158 yards on 18 first half carries--but ended with a second half 14 yards on six carries whimper.
Donovan and Distance-- Mr. McNabb (amidst swirling rumors that he'd be operating on a short leash against the Buccaneers) threw for 228 yards and two touchdowns... and was 8 of 12 for 79 yards on the 75-yard scoring drive that almost sent the game into overtime. This despite the Buccaneers taking away the team's vertical passing game.
Uniform Update-- I'm one of the seven people who wish the Buccaneers would go back to their creamsicle orange full-time. Red and pewter look sharp, but Bucco Bruce needs a regular gig! (When he's not doubling as UVa mascot Kippy Cavalier).
Running Aground-- Ryan Torrain in his first game back from injury began with a BANG--158 yards on 18 first half carries--but ended with a second half 14 yards on six carries whimper.
Dissecting the Division-- Philadelphia and the New York Giants remain tied atop the NFC East with wins... although the Eagles own the head-to-head tiebreaker (they visit the Giants Sunday). Philly would be seeded 3rd while the Giants would get the #6 seed... while the Redskins are 11th and Dallas is 14th (both officially eliminated by losses Sunday).
Second half slump-- the Skins issues after intermission continue: the team was outscored 14-6 in the third and fourth quarters. During the elimination-inducing three game losing streak the Skins have been outscored 34-13 after halftime. The last time they outscored their opponent in the second half? October 24th against Chicago.
The South rises again--in 2007 the AFC South posted a league-best 42 wins, and the next year the NFC South notched 40 victories to pace the eight divisions. Last year the AFC South combined for a league-high 38 wins... and this fall it's the NFC South's turn to dominate. Their 30 wins are tied with the AFC East-- and that's with worst team in the league Carolina at their disposal.
Not so Special Teams-- Graham Gano missed a pair of field goals in the first half... and a mishandled snap on an extra point attempt with nine seconds left wound up being the difference. The Skins also muffed the second half kickoff-- setting up a Buccaneer field goal. Hunter Smith Punter Hunter Smith took the fall--getting released Tuesday. It was more than just the extra point play-- Smith's ranked 30th in the league in punting. Sam Paulescu returns (he averaged 50 yards over three punts against Atlanta last year filling in for an injured Smith) to Ashburn after being on the sidelines this fall.
West the worst-- as good as the NFC South is... the NFC West remains the division of depression... 21-31 composite record with two teams sharing the lead with losing records... and not one team in the division has scored more points than they've allowed. Even 4-9 Arizona still has hope...and that is not a good thing.
What's a Haynesworth?-- the 100 million dollar man's reign went the way of "Tracking the Triumvirate" when placed on suspension without pay. His 2010 tally? Sixteen tackles and 2.5 sacks. Final Redskins numbers? 53 tackles and 6.5 sacks... which prorates to 42 tackles and 5 sacks for a 16 game season-- and a lesson for the future. Because if we've learned anything, it's that the Redskins learn from their mistakes.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Redskins Rehash-- turn out the lights... in more than one way...
They didn't allow 59 points... and weren't down five touchdowns one play into the second quarter. Still, the Redskins 31-7 loss at the New York Giants felt just as discouraging for those in the nation. Outclassed again by a better constructed team. Undone by mistakes on both sides of the ball. A touch of controversy on who plays and who sits. Par for the course in a season not worth remembering-- but one the faithful will have trouble forgetting.
Donovan and Distance-- Mr. McNabb threw for 296 yards and a touchdown... but tossed a pair of interceptions and lost a fumble. And it could have been worse-- he had two other fumbles; he was able to cover up one while the other was recovered by Stephon Heyer. But the coaching staff stayed with him to the bitter end; on the final play, #5 tossed an INT.
RIP Dandy Don-- the NFL lost a good one over the weekend; former Dallas quarterback and ABC analyst Don Meredith passed away at the age of 72. As a player he took a beating trying to guide an expansion team to credibility... and took a beating from the press and fans when they came up short. Before Dallas became "America's Team", they were known as "Next Year's Team"... and Meredith guided the Cowboys to consecutive heartbreaking losses to Green Bay in the NFL Championship Game. Were it not for a fourth down pass intercepted in 1966 and a Bart Starr sneak in 1967, we'd be toasting Meredith as the QB of the 60's instead of Joe Namath. During the Ice Bowl Game his jaw muscles had actually frozen-- he had to use his move his mouth in the huddle to call the play. Word is he was tormented by both of those losses and they haunted him throughout the remainder of his career. But he's mostly remembered for his time on "Monday Night Football"-- where he won over fans by puncturing holes in the intellectual arrogance that was Howard Cosell. The chemistry between the two in the booth turned just another game into a phenomenon... and whether Dandy Don was saying he was "really Mile High" in Denver-- or commenting on Cleveland wide receiver Fair Hooker's unlikely name... he charmed many a viewer. A must read for anyone who grew up watching MNF-- "MONDAY NIGHT MAYHEM"- it was made into a TNT or USA movie about ten years ago, but a big chunk of the good stuff remains in the book. Like the quarterback who retired when he still had years to play... and the announcer who signed off when he still had quite a bit to say- Mr. Meredith left everyone smiling and wanting more.
Turnovers told the tale-- in addition to McNabb's three miscues the Skins lost three fumbles. Five of the team's nine second half possessions ended with a turnover-- including the last three times they had the ball that day. It's tough to rally when you're coughing up the pigskin on a regular basis.
Run over and Out-- the Skins allowed 197 yards rushing... 139 in the first half and 57 of those on the game opening 58 yard drive by the Giants. Let's just say run defense will be a focus this week.
Dissecting the Division-- Philadelphia's win keeps the Eagles in first thanks to the head-to-head tiebreaker; the Eagles would be seeded third in the NFC while the Giants would be 6th if the season ended today (love that phrase-- obviously the season still has four weeks remaining)... thanks to a better conference record than Green Bay. The Redskins are currently in 11th place in the NFC (losing the conference record tiebreaker to Seattle)... while Dallas is in 12th after three wins in four weeks. What's a shame for the Skins is before their loss at Detroit, they were 4-3 but 4-1 in the NFC... that early season advantage is gone (4-5) from a tiebreaker standpoint. Now a loss to Tampa Bay or wins by the Giants and Philadelphia eliminate them from postseason contention.
Why stats are meaningless minus context-- the Skins were only outgained by 20 yards on the day... averaged 4.6 yards a carry and held the Giants to 2 of 10 on third down. Proving once again that figures do not lie, but liars may figure.
What a Wild Weekend-- from Thursday night's Philadelphia-Houston slugfest to a Cowboys near-collapse against the Colts to Sunday and Monday Night divisional duels (Pittsburgh-Baltimore and New England-New York Jets)... the NFL proved once again it deals very well in the commodity of drama. Game I wish I could have seen: Atlanta rallying past Tampa Bay to cement its status as NFC favorite.
What's a Haynesworth?-- the 100 million dollar man was de-activated before the game. Afterwards coach Mike Shanahan stated the defensive lineman missed a practice due to illness Friday and didn't practice well on Thursday; rumors now swirl around Ashburn regarding #92's future status wearing burgundy and gold.
Donovan and Distance-- Mr. McNabb threw for 296 yards and a touchdown... but tossed a pair of interceptions and lost a fumble. And it could have been worse-- he had two other fumbles; he was able to cover up one while the other was recovered by Stephon Heyer. But the coaching staff stayed with him to the bitter end; on the final play, #5 tossed an INT.
RIP Dandy Don-- the NFL lost a good one over the weekend; former Dallas quarterback and ABC analyst Don Meredith passed away at the age of 72. As a player he took a beating trying to guide an expansion team to credibility... and took a beating from the press and fans when they came up short. Before Dallas became "America's Team", they were known as "Next Year's Team"... and Meredith guided the Cowboys to consecutive heartbreaking losses to Green Bay in the NFL Championship Game. Were it not for a fourth down pass intercepted in 1966 and a Bart Starr sneak in 1967, we'd be toasting Meredith as the QB of the 60's instead of Joe Namath. During the Ice Bowl Game his jaw muscles had actually frozen-- he had to use his move his mouth in the huddle to call the play. Word is he was tormented by both of those losses and they haunted him throughout the remainder of his career. But he's mostly remembered for his time on "Monday Night Football"-- where he won over fans by puncturing holes in the intellectual arrogance that was Howard Cosell. The chemistry between the two in the booth turned just another game into a phenomenon... and whether Dandy Don was saying he was "really Mile High" in Denver-- or commenting on Cleveland wide receiver Fair Hooker's unlikely name... he charmed many a viewer. A must read for anyone who grew up watching MNF-- "MONDAY NIGHT MAYHEM"- it was made into a TNT or USA movie about ten years ago, but a big chunk of the good stuff remains in the book. Like the quarterback who retired when he still had years to play... and the announcer who signed off when he still had quite a bit to say- Mr. Meredith left everyone smiling and wanting more.
Turnovers told the tale-- in addition to McNabb's three miscues the Skins lost three fumbles. Five of the team's nine second half possessions ended with a turnover-- including the last three times they had the ball that day. It's tough to rally when you're coughing up the pigskin on a regular basis.
Run over and Out-- the Skins allowed 197 yards rushing... 139 in the first half and 57 of those on the game opening 58 yard drive by the Giants. Let's just say run defense will be a focus this week.
Dissecting the Division-- Philadelphia's win keeps the Eagles in first thanks to the head-to-head tiebreaker; the Eagles would be seeded third in the NFC while the Giants would be 6th if the season ended today (love that phrase-- obviously the season still has four weeks remaining)... thanks to a better conference record than Green Bay. The Redskins are currently in 11th place in the NFC (losing the conference record tiebreaker to Seattle)... while Dallas is in 12th after three wins in four weeks. What's a shame for the Skins is before their loss at Detroit, they were 4-3 but 4-1 in the NFC... that early season advantage is gone (4-5) from a tiebreaker standpoint. Now a loss to Tampa Bay or wins by the Giants and Philadelphia eliminate them from postseason contention.
Why stats are meaningless minus context-- the Skins were only outgained by 20 yards on the day... averaged 4.6 yards a carry and held the Giants to 2 of 10 on third down. Proving once again that figures do not lie, but liars may figure.
What a Wild Weekend-- from Thursday night's Philadelphia-Houston slugfest to a Cowboys near-collapse against the Colts to Sunday and Monday Night divisional duels (Pittsburgh-Baltimore and New England-New York Jets)... the NFL proved once again it deals very well in the commodity of drama. Game I wish I could have seen: Atlanta rallying past Tampa Bay to cement its status as NFC favorite.
What's a Haynesworth?-- the 100 million dollar man was de-activated before the game. Afterwards coach Mike Shanahan stated the defensive lineman missed a practice due to illness Friday and didn't practice well on Thursday; rumors now swirl around Ashburn regarding #92's future status wearing burgundy and gold.
College Football Corner-- break out the brackets?
I wish. Instead of a tight 16 team tournament where hopes and dreams are created and extinguished on the field, an oh-so unwieldy 35-bowl schedule is thrust upon us. Hey, I'm all for postseason participation... but a parade of 6-6 schools that got there thanks to a win over a I-AA school plus three "non-conference home buys" is not what one dreams about. A National Title game that's over a month away is not what you dream about.
So what's a dreamer to do? I give you a 16 team solution... instead of March Madness it's December Destiny. All eleven conferences get an automatic bid (if Coppin State can make the Big Dance, FIU deserves a chance to get blown out here). The field is padded with 5 at-large schools... so massive upsets as well as natural disasters will need to take place to keep your school out if they finish in the top ten. Regionalize the automatic bids so you limit travel for the smaller schools.
First round would be campus sites this upcoming Saturday; the quarterfinals would be played at neutral sites January 1st... the semifinals take place January 8th and the title game is Monday January 17th... one week after Oregon would play Auburn anyway.
East-- #3 TCU (MOUNTAIN WEST) vs #25 UConn(BIG EAST) #8 Arkansas vs #12 Virginia Tech (ACC). BEAMER BALL! Plus, a Big East preview two years in advance.
South-- #2 Auburn(SEC) vs #26 UCF (SUN BELT), #7 Michigan St. vs #10 Boise State. Spartans despite going 1-0 against OSU and Wisconsin get robbed by BCS-- not so here.
West-- #1 Oregon (PAC TEN) vs Sun Belt champ FIU, #6 Ohio State vs #13 Nevada(WAC). The Wolfpack get the WAC automatic bid because of their win over Boise State; the Broncos are one spot higher than LSU in the rankings so 11th rated LSU stays home-- a WAC windfall. Things are tough all over.
Midwest-- #4 Wisconsin vs #30 Miami (OH)(MAC) #5 Stanford vs #9 Oklahoma (Big XII). Call it the red regional.
Virginia Tech cemented its status as the ACC dynasty of the moment-- with a fourth league championship in seven seasons of membership... the Big East misses your excellence while your new conference co-members bristle under your benevolent occupation. The Hokies 44-33 victory over Florida State sends VT back to the Orange Bowl for a date with Stanford.
Hokie Highlights-- 13 of 18 on third down... and what a finish for Tyrod Taylor (18-28, 263 yards and three touchdowns passing with a touchdown run... a triple back attack that moved the ball well on the ground-- Evans, Williams and Wilson combining for 157 yards rushing...a defense that held FSU to 53 yards rushing and notched a pair of interceptions-- running one back for a score. Hokie Humblings-- a blocked extra point run back for two? Is that BEAMER BALL! ?
And once again the defense took a while to get in gear-- allowing 10 first quarter points.
So what's a dreamer to do? I give you a 16 team solution... instead of March Madness it's December Destiny. All eleven conferences get an automatic bid (if Coppin State can make the Big Dance, FIU deserves a chance to get blown out here). The field is padded with 5 at-large schools... so massive upsets as well as natural disasters will need to take place to keep your school out if they finish in the top ten. Regionalize the automatic bids so you limit travel for the smaller schools.
First round would be campus sites this upcoming Saturday; the quarterfinals would be played at neutral sites January 1st... the semifinals take place January 8th and the title game is Monday January 17th... one week after Oregon would play Auburn anyway.
East-- #3 TCU (MOUNTAIN WEST) vs #25 UConn(BIG EAST) #8 Arkansas vs #12 Virginia Tech (ACC). BEAMER BALL! Plus, a Big East preview two years in advance.
South-- #2 Auburn(SEC) vs #26 UCF (SUN BELT), #7 Michigan St. vs #10 Boise State. Spartans despite going 1-0 against OSU and Wisconsin get robbed by BCS-- not so here.
West-- #1 Oregon (PAC TEN) vs Sun Belt champ FIU, #6 Ohio State vs #13 Nevada(WAC). The Wolfpack get the WAC automatic bid because of their win over Boise State; the Broncos are one spot higher than LSU in the rankings so 11th rated LSU stays home-- a WAC windfall. Things are tough all over.
Midwest-- #4 Wisconsin vs #30 Miami (OH)(MAC) #5 Stanford vs #9 Oklahoma (Big XII). Call it the red regional.
Virginia Tech cemented its status as the ACC dynasty of the moment-- with a fourth league championship in seven seasons of membership... the Big East misses your excellence while your new conference co-members bristle under your benevolent occupation. The Hokies 44-33 victory over Florida State sends VT back to the Orange Bowl for a date with Stanford.
Hokie Highlights-- 13 of 18 on third down... and what a finish for Tyrod Taylor (18-28, 263 yards and three touchdowns passing with a touchdown run... a triple back attack that moved the ball well on the ground-- Evans, Williams and Wilson combining for 157 yards rushing...a defense that held FSU to 53 yards rushing and notched a pair of interceptions-- running one back for a score. Hokie Humblings-- a blocked extra point run back for two? Is that BEAMER BALL! ?
And once again the defense took a while to get in gear-- allowing 10 first quarter points.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Presto's Picks-- Progress (-7) over Tradition...
Championship Saturday... a relatively new wrinkle in a sport that bleeds tradition. It remains odd to see a handful of regular season games in the mix, courtesy of the Big East and Pac Ten. Next year there will be two more championship games as the Big Ten and Pac Ten join the pigskin parade. Which I guess is a good thing, right? The one sport that doesn't have a playoff has more than a few playoffs under its umbrella. A world without tradition may be as shaky as a fiddler on the roof, but a college football roof shingled with dollar bills is robust as ever. And while tradition is nice, you can't contain progress.
If the NFC East can have Dallas... TCU joins the Big East. Wow, a school west of the Mississippi. Frankly, I was hoping Hawaii would join the league as well to complete the transformation. But in a world where the Big 12 will have ten schools and the Big 10 will have 12 teams, a world where the Atlantic Ten's 14 team membership includes a school on the coast of the Mississippi River, a Pac 12 (thanks for keeping it real with numbers, kids) that has four schools not residing in Pacific coast states--I'm okay. At least for a moment.
Alma Mater Update-- Syracuse is bowl bound! To the Bronx! Yes, the Pinstripe Bowl may not have the history (starting up this year) or the prestige of other December destinations, but it sounds much better than the "Beef O'Brady's Bowl"...and at least at Yankee Stadium they'll be using both endzones (thanks, Wrigley). As the Big Apple is an SU alumni magnet, I'm sure they won't have issues selling out the stands. Although I wonder if the New England contingent of Orange fans will start a "Yankees Suck" chant if the game gets out of hand.
Another relic in the refuse can-- Nebraska plays Oklahoma in the Big XII Championship Game... in the Cornhuskers final game leaving for the Big Ten plus Two. Cornhuskers-Sooners used to be the November game you circled on your schedule when they were Big Eight rivals... and although they've played sporadically since the beginning of the Big XII, it marks the passing of the era after the era. Nebraska-Oklahoma was great for the game, and it's a shame we won't see this matchup anytime again soon.
Top Coach + Top Rookie= shortest commute?-- Congratulations to Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen and Danny O'Brien for taking respective ACC honors... as the road to redemption takes the coach off the hot seat and opens up some pretty incredible possibilities for 2011. Unfortunately, due the fact that Maryland doesn't draw that well, the Terps could find themselves shut out of a warm-weather bowl. If the right things fall into place we could have a Maryland-Notre Dame Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando... or a Maryland trip to the Armed Forces Bowl at RFK Stadium in DC. The same fans who stayed away from October 30th's game with Wake Forest will be among those complaining about the lack of respect given the program now.
#15 Virginia Tech plays #21 Florida State in the ACC title game... and in a perfect world we'd care about this game because the winner would clinch one of eleven automatic berths in the Division I playoffs. Instead, it's a battle of dynasty present against dynasty past... for the right to go to the Orange Bowl. Frank Beamer's been here before (although not Charlotte for the title game until this year) and you have to think his Hokies are playing the best football in the league (since two September losses in five days). The running game is firing on all cylinders with 17 runningbacks able to carry the load if needed... Tyrod Taylor is quietly having a fantastic finish to his seemingly ten-year career... and you can't underestimate BEAMER BALL!... although I expect the customary slow start. Hokies allow the usual early touchdown before rallying, 28-21.
Last Week: 2-0.
Overall: 50-24.
If the NFC East can have Dallas... TCU joins the Big East. Wow, a school west of the Mississippi. Frankly, I was hoping Hawaii would join the league as well to complete the transformation. But in a world where the Big 12 will have ten schools and the Big 10 will have 12 teams, a world where the Atlantic Ten's 14 team membership includes a school on the coast of the Mississippi River, a Pac 12 (thanks for keeping it real with numbers, kids) that has four schools not residing in Pacific coast states--I'm okay. At least for a moment.
Alma Mater Update-- Syracuse is bowl bound! To the Bronx! Yes, the Pinstripe Bowl may not have the history (starting up this year) or the prestige of other December destinations, but it sounds much better than the "Beef O'Brady's Bowl"...and at least at Yankee Stadium they'll be using both endzones (thanks, Wrigley). As the Big Apple is an SU alumni magnet, I'm sure they won't have issues selling out the stands. Although I wonder if the New England contingent of Orange fans will start a "Yankees Suck" chant if the game gets out of hand.
Another relic in the refuse can-- Nebraska plays Oklahoma in the Big XII Championship Game... in the Cornhuskers final game leaving for the Big Ten plus Two. Cornhuskers-Sooners used to be the November game you circled on your schedule when they were Big Eight rivals... and although they've played sporadically since the beginning of the Big XII, it marks the passing of the era after the era. Nebraska-Oklahoma was great for the game, and it's a shame we won't see this matchup anytime again soon.
Top Coach + Top Rookie= shortest commute?-- Congratulations to Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen and Danny O'Brien for taking respective ACC honors... as the road to redemption takes the coach off the hot seat and opens up some pretty incredible possibilities for 2011. Unfortunately, due the fact that Maryland doesn't draw that well, the Terps could find themselves shut out of a warm-weather bowl. If the right things fall into place we could have a Maryland-Notre Dame Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando... or a Maryland trip to the Armed Forces Bowl at RFK Stadium in DC. The same fans who stayed away from October 30th's game with Wake Forest will be among those complaining about the lack of respect given the program now.
#15 Virginia Tech plays #21 Florida State in the ACC title game... and in a perfect world we'd care about this game because the winner would clinch one of eleven automatic berths in the Division I playoffs. Instead, it's a battle of dynasty present against dynasty past... for the right to go to the Orange Bowl. Frank Beamer's been here before (although not Charlotte for the title game until this year) and you have to think his Hokies are playing the best football in the league (since two September losses in five days). The running game is firing on all cylinders with 17 runningbacks able to carry the load if needed... Tyrod Taylor is quietly having a fantastic finish to his seemingly ten-year career... and you can't underestimate BEAMER BALL!... although I expect the customary slow start. Hokies allow the usual early touchdown before rallying, 28-21.
Last Week: 2-0.
Overall: 50-24.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Redskins Rehash-- the pendulum swings again.
The odyssey that is the 2010 Redskins road to reality takes another turn with an underwhelming 17-13 loss to Minnesota. An afternoon of limitations and missed opportunities... a day of costly penalties and a running game that never got in gear plus a defense that played well until they needed to make a crucial fourth quarter stop. One week after an emotional victory on the road, the pendulum swings back the other way as playoff hopes are dealt a major blow-- they trail the division co-leaders by two games...and are two games behind three 7-4 teams for the final playoff spot in the NFC. Not that Redskins Nation ever thinks accelerates expectations regarding postseason play.
Donovan and Distance-- Mr. McNabb threw for 211 yards and a touchdown plus an interception that hit Santana Moss's hands and chest...and that's not including the other passes dropped. #5 must be more accurate in the future.
Began with a Bang only to end with a whimper-- if you saw the opening drive, there's no way you would have thought that would be the only touchdown of the day... McNabb hit 8 of 8 passes for for 84 yards and a 10-yard scoring toss to Fred Davis. So much for setting the tone.
Running aground-- 13 carries for 29 yards... so not what you dream about in the Haven of the Hogs. No Portis or Torain means James Davis and Keiland Williams were front and center-- and the tandem tallied less than two yards a carry.
Second half? You can have it-- with dropped passes and lack of holes up front... it's no surprise the offense spent 70% of the second half on the sidelines. The Vikings had the ball for 21 minutes after intermission as the Skins offense gained just 66 yrds after scores and highlights from around the league. How bad was the third quarter? The Skins were outscored 10-0 and outgained 99-3 as the near-knockout blow... it's a credit to this team that they bounced back and didn't let things get ugly.
Scheduling Snafu-- Shame on you FOX. As it stands next Sunday's 4:15 national games will be Indianapolis-Dallas and Tampa Bay-Atlanta. The Buccaneers-Falcons clash will be for the NFC South lead while the Colts-Cowboys battle will be a drama-filled duel... I wish they'd move one or the other to 1pm to give both the huge audiences they deserve (more than Skins-Giants).
Hold the Line-- not only did the Skins have issues running the ball, the offensive line gave up four sacks... opponents are averaging just under three sacks a game against this makeshift unit.
Third and not so forever-- after having problems moving the chains all season, the Redskins converted 7 of 15 third downs against the Vikings... but just 1 for 6 after halftime. Defensively the Skins held Minnesota to 6 of 15 on third down-- but when they needed to get the ball back in the fourth quarter allowed an 8 yard pass on third and five, and a ten yard scramble (with Brett Favre it looked more like a stagger) on third and eight.
Dissecting the Division-- Despite Philadelphia's loss, the Eagles remain atop the NFC East standings due to their win over the Giants (thanks, Washington Post for going alphabetical instead of by tiebreakers-- I expect better from the paper of Woodward & Bernstein)... currently owning the #3 seed while the Giants are 6th as of this moment due to better conference record and strength of victory than Tampa Bay and Green Bay. The Skins are currently 9th in the NFC-- and wasted an early-season advantage with three straight conference losses. Dallas? The Cowboys are 12th if San Francisco beats Arizona in Monday Night Football, 13th if the Cardinals prevail.
Want excitement? Banks on it-- Brandon Banks returned one kickoff back 65 yrds to help set up a Redskin score... and had a punt return go for a touchdown that was called back. After years of almost expecting nothing from the return game it's nice to have a difference maker back there.
What's a Haynesworth-- one tackle and half a sack for the 100 million dollar man...upping his total to 16 stops and 2.5 QB drops over eight games.
Donovan and Distance-- Mr. McNabb threw for 211 yards and a touchdown plus an interception that hit Santana Moss's hands and chest...and that's not including the other passes dropped. #5 must be more accurate in the future.
Began with a Bang only to end with a whimper-- if you saw the opening drive, there's no way you would have thought that would be the only touchdown of the day... McNabb hit 8 of 8 passes for for 84 yards and a 10-yard scoring toss to Fred Davis. So much for setting the tone.
Running aground-- 13 carries for 29 yards... so not what you dream about in the Haven of the Hogs. No Portis or Torain means James Davis and Keiland Williams were front and center-- and the tandem tallied less than two yards a carry.
Second half? You can have it-- with dropped passes and lack of holes up front... it's no surprise the offense spent 70% of the second half on the sidelines. The Vikings had the ball for 21 minutes after intermission as the Skins offense gained just 66 yrds after scores and highlights from around the league. How bad was the third quarter? The Skins were outscored 10-0 and outgained 99-3 as the near-knockout blow... it's a credit to this team that they bounced back and didn't let things get ugly.
Scheduling Snafu-- Shame on you FOX. As it stands next Sunday's 4:15 national games will be Indianapolis-Dallas and Tampa Bay-Atlanta. The Buccaneers-Falcons clash will be for the NFC South lead while the Colts-Cowboys battle will be a drama-filled duel... I wish they'd move one or the other to 1pm to give both the huge audiences they deserve (more than Skins-Giants).
Hold the Line-- not only did the Skins have issues running the ball, the offensive line gave up four sacks... opponents are averaging just under three sacks a game against this makeshift unit.
Third and not so forever-- after having problems moving the chains all season, the Redskins converted 7 of 15 third downs against the Vikings... but just 1 for 6 after halftime. Defensively the Skins held Minnesota to 6 of 15 on third down-- but when they needed to get the ball back in the fourth quarter allowed an 8 yard pass on third and five, and a ten yard scramble (with Brett Favre it looked more like a stagger) on third and eight.
Dissecting the Division-- Despite Philadelphia's loss, the Eagles remain atop the NFC East standings due to their win over the Giants (thanks, Washington Post for going alphabetical instead of by tiebreakers-- I expect better from the paper of Woodward & Bernstein)... currently owning the #3 seed while the Giants are 6th as of this moment due to better conference record and strength of victory than Tampa Bay and Green Bay. The Skins are currently 9th in the NFC-- and wasted an early-season advantage with three straight conference losses. Dallas? The Cowboys are 12th if San Francisco beats Arizona in Monday Night Football, 13th if the Cardinals prevail.
Want excitement? Banks on it-- Brandon Banks returned one kickoff back 65 yrds to help set up a Redskin score... and had a punt return go for a touchdown that was called back. After years of almost expecting nothing from the return game it's nice to have a difference maker back there.
What's a Haynesworth-- one tackle and half a sack for the 100 million dollar man...upping his total to 16 stops and 2.5 QB drops over eight games.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
College Football Corner-- bloated bowl blowout...
I'm all for kids following their dreams and watching their hard work pay off. I'm all for college football's extended bowl season. But I'm not for allowing teams with .500 records play postseason games. I remember a day when Syracuse at 7-4 missed postseason play (1995)... and I was hurt but fine with it. Now again, I'm not in favor of turning back the clock to 1968 when there were only a handful of postseason games and some leagues only sent champions to bowl games (Big Ten and then-Pac 8), but what lesson is learned by 6-6 North Carolina going bowling? Especially when you factor in a win over an FCS school... so essentially we're looking at 5-6 schools squaring off. I know-- Syracuse at 7-5 has two wins over FCS teams... and as tough as it sounds, I wouldn't be hurt if the Orange were left out of the postseason parade. But now with 35 bowls (thank you Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium) needing 70 schools, 6-6 dreck will be front and center. Eat up...
Alma mater update-- another lackluster effort at home for the Orange, who drop to 2-4 at the Carrier Dome (with wins against Maine and Colgate) after slipping 16-7 to Boston College. One has to be happy with the progress made during the second season of the Doug Marrone era, but also recognize how far this program has to go... bring on the 9th ranked basketball team and multiple servings of chicken wings.
Uniform Department-- Ohio State wore 1942 vintage unis for its game with Michigan... major fashion faux pas. You don't wear your retro unis for your rival, you put them on for Northwestern or Youngstown State...somebody you beat by 30 points-- or win seven straight against. Umm, never mind.
Tailgating Note-- special thanks to Matt and Stacia Noble for letting a member of the media morph into their pregame festivities again this fall... with a nice bounce-back from serving Quiche in September. Upon further review, it was a non-conference affair against FIU-- and thus completely permissible under modern tailgating rules. Shrimp dip and Frito's forever.
Maryland came out flat and had to rally from a 14-0 first quarter deficit, holding off North Carolina State 38-31... the win keeps the Wolfpack out of the ACC Championship game, as instead Florida State will represent the Atlantic Division. Terrapin Triumphs-- a passing game that took things to the next level: Danny O'Brien passed for 419 yards and four touchdowns-- all to Torrey Smith who tallied 14 catches for 224 yards. A defense that woke up after allowing two early scores: an interception and a fumble recovery plus constant pressure kept Russell Wilson off balance all day. Terrapin Troubles-- a running game that went nowhere... managing minus-ten yards. A defense that slumped early and late (allowing touchdowns on NC State's first two and last two possessions).
Virginia Tech almost gave up another first quarter score, but a missed Virginia field goal ended the only chance the Cavaliers had to take the lead... as the Hokies humble their in-state rivals 37-7. In another ho-hum stat, VT notches its seventh straight double digit win season. For UVa, a fourth non-bowl season in five years.
Hokie highlights-- a double barrel running game behind Ryan Wilson and David Williams rambled for 201 yards--each scoring a pair of touchdowns... an error free game by Tyrod Taylor...and a defense that handcuffed UVa to the tune of 1-12 on third down. Hokie Humblings-- a missed extra point? Not exactly BEAMER BALL!... and VT didn't fare much better on third down... moving the chains 4 of 12 times.
Cavalier Congrats-- a nice foundation for Coach Mike London to build on... and a nice finish for senior Keith Payne in scoring a touchdown after missing the previous week and being banged up for chunks of the season. Cavalier Catastrophes-- the inability to run the football (70 yards on 34 carries) undercut the offense all afternoon...and allowing the Hokies to average 5 yards a carry is no way to stop an onslaught.
Alma mater update-- another lackluster effort at home for the Orange, who drop to 2-4 at the Carrier Dome (with wins against Maine and Colgate) after slipping 16-7 to Boston College. One has to be happy with the progress made during the second season of the Doug Marrone era, but also recognize how far this program has to go... bring on the 9th ranked basketball team and multiple servings of chicken wings.
Uniform Department-- Ohio State wore 1942 vintage unis for its game with Michigan... major fashion faux pas. You don't wear your retro unis for your rival, you put them on for Northwestern or Youngstown State...somebody you beat by 30 points-- or win seven straight against. Umm, never mind.
Tailgating Note-- special thanks to Matt and Stacia Noble for letting a member of the media morph into their pregame festivities again this fall... with a nice bounce-back from serving Quiche in September. Upon further review, it was a non-conference affair against FIU-- and thus completely permissible under modern tailgating rules. Shrimp dip and Frito's forever.
Maryland came out flat and had to rally from a 14-0 first quarter deficit, holding off North Carolina State 38-31... the win keeps the Wolfpack out of the ACC Championship game, as instead Florida State will represent the Atlantic Division. Terrapin Triumphs-- a passing game that took things to the next level: Danny O'Brien passed for 419 yards and four touchdowns-- all to Torrey Smith who tallied 14 catches for 224 yards. A defense that woke up after allowing two early scores: an interception and a fumble recovery plus constant pressure kept Russell Wilson off balance all day. Terrapin Troubles-- a running game that went nowhere... managing minus-ten yards. A defense that slumped early and late (allowing touchdowns on NC State's first two and last two possessions).
Virginia Tech almost gave up another first quarter score, but a missed Virginia field goal ended the only chance the Cavaliers had to take the lead... as the Hokies humble their in-state rivals 37-7. In another ho-hum stat, VT notches its seventh straight double digit win season. For UVa, a fourth non-bowl season in five years.
Hokie highlights-- a double barrel running game behind Ryan Wilson and David Williams rambled for 201 yards--each scoring a pair of touchdowns... an error free game by Tyrod Taylor...and a defense that handcuffed UVa to the tune of 1-12 on third down. Hokie Humblings-- a missed extra point? Not exactly BEAMER BALL!... and VT didn't fare much better on third down... moving the chains 4 of 12 times.
Cavalier Congrats-- a nice foundation for Coach Mike London to build on... and a nice finish for senior Keith Payne in scoring a touchdown after missing the previous week and being banged up for chunks of the season. Cavalier Catastrophes-- the inability to run the football (70 yards on 34 carries) undercut the offense all afternoon...and allowing the Hokies to average 5 yards a carry is no way to stop an onslaught.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Presto's Picks-- Plenty to be Thankful For...
As we're in the holiday season, one of the most underrated Christmas movies of all time has to be "Holiday Inn"-- starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire, this classic takes the backseat to other fare like "White Christmas" because it's in black and white... and there's a black-face scene during the "Lincoln's Birthday" sequence. (Artistic license aside-- let's trim the Lincoln song so we can show the Inn like there's no tomorrow) During the film there's a song about each holiday... "Easter Parade", "Sing it with Firecrackers", and of course "White Christmas". A hidden gem in the film is "I've got Plenty to be thankful for"... a Thanksgiving ditty that is played as Bing mopes about losing the girl to Fred. Two points...#1-- rent "Holiday Inn"--it's much better than "White Christmas"... and #2-- each of the schools in the area has plenty to be thankful for as the regular season comes to a close.
Maryland has a the quick maturation of redshirt freshman quarterback Danny O'Brien to be thankful for... as his handling of the position turned expectations from hoping to break even to being in ACC title contention until last week. Virginia Tech has to be thankful for their ability to bounce back-- from poor first quarters all season and an 0-2 start that would have sent lesser programs spiralling back into the atmosphere. And Virginia should be thankful for a new mindset in the program-- and one that will score more than a few blue chip recruits from the 757.
Alma Mater Update-- Syracuse goes out of conference with a game against Boston College... and although the Orange are assured of a bowl berth... just like Maryland 8-4 is much more attractive than 7-5. Meanwhile SU hoops is off and running to a #9 ranking... yet has had problems with more than a few of its early season opponents. Just like the new wing recipe at Sign of the Whale, I'm cautiously optimistic but definitely nervous watching this team.
Maryland meets #21 North Carolina State-- the Terps can spoil the Wolfpack's hopes for an ACC Atlantic Division title with a win (handing the division to Florida State)... and can also avoid sliding to Washington DC's Armed Forces Bowl. NC State boasts a solid quarterback (really, who in the ACC doesn't these days?) in Russell Wilson and a defense that's all about pressure. The Terps have to keep Danny O'Brien upright (they did a nice job in allowing just 3 sacks last week to the best pass rush in the conference)... and avoid mistakes (four in the loss to Florida State). Terrapins triumph, 24-20.
Virginia at #13 Virginia Tech-- the duel for the dominion has a little juice out of it... the Hokies have already wrapped up the ACC Coastal and the Cavaliers at 4-7 have not only no hope of reaching the postseason but avoiding a losing record. Keith Payne may be back in the lineup for UVa-- and that's a good thing as the Cavaliers ground game isn't the same without him-- and the Hokies remain a mystery in the first quarter. Was it a surprise to anyone they gave up a touchdown to Miami on their first drive? Really? Tyrod Taylor after a consistently uneven career looks to put the finishing touches on a spectacular senior season... there's always the chance of a big play on special teams (BEAMER BALL!)... and on the tailgating front, Kippy and Buffy's Gouda and Riesling are no match for Jeb and Irlene's Keystone Light and turkey leg--especially two days after Thanksgiving. Hokies allow the usual first quarter touchdown...and the concession stands run out of smoked turkey legs; somehow a new shipment of turkey legs arrives as the second quarter starts-- and VT recovers to crush the Cavaliers, 37-14.
Last Week: 5-2. Blast James Madison! For some reason I think I was able to correctly pick three of their 11 games this fall.
Overall: 48-24... and 15-4 during Closing month... thanks to Shelly Lavine for getting me the leads.
Maryland has a the quick maturation of redshirt freshman quarterback Danny O'Brien to be thankful for... as his handling of the position turned expectations from hoping to break even to being in ACC title contention until last week. Virginia Tech has to be thankful for their ability to bounce back-- from poor first quarters all season and an 0-2 start that would have sent lesser programs spiralling back into the atmosphere. And Virginia should be thankful for a new mindset in the program-- and one that will score more than a few blue chip recruits from the 757.
Alma Mater Update-- Syracuse goes out of conference with a game against Boston College... and although the Orange are assured of a bowl berth... just like Maryland 8-4 is much more attractive than 7-5. Meanwhile SU hoops is off and running to a #9 ranking... yet has had problems with more than a few of its early season opponents. Just like the new wing recipe at Sign of the Whale, I'm cautiously optimistic but definitely nervous watching this team.
Maryland meets #21 North Carolina State-- the Terps can spoil the Wolfpack's hopes for an ACC Atlantic Division title with a win (handing the division to Florida State)... and can also avoid sliding to Washington DC's Armed Forces Bowl. NC State boasts a solid quarterback (really, who in the ACC doesn't these days?) in Russell Wilson and a defense that's all about pressure. The Terps have to keep Danny O'Brien upright (they did a nice job in allowing just 3 sacks last week to the best pass rush in the conference)... and avoid mistakes (four in the loss to Florida State). Terrapins triumph, 24-20.
Virginia at #13 Virginia Tech-- the duel for the dominion has a little juice out of it... the Hokies have already wrapped up the ACC Coastal and the Cavaliers at 4-7 have not only no hope of reaching the postseason but avoiding a losing record. Keith Payne may be back in the lineup for UVa-- and that's a good thing as the Cavaliers ground game isn't the same without him-- and the Hokies remain a mystery in the first quarter. Was it a surprise to anyone they gave up a touchdown to Miami on their first drive? Really? Tyrod Taylor after a consistently uneven career looks to put the finishing touches on a spectacular senior season... there's always the chance of a big play on special teams (BEAMER BALL!)... and on the tailgating front, Kippy and Buffy's Gouda and Riesling are no match for Jeb and Irlene's Keystone Light and turkey leg--especially two days after Thanksgiving. Hokies allow the usual first quarter touchdown...and the concession stands run out of smoked turkey legs; somehow a new shipment of turkey legs arrives as the second quarter starts-- and VT recovers to crush the Cavaliers, 37-14.
Last Week: 5-2. Blast James Madison! For some reason I think I was able to correctly pick three of their 11 games this fall.
Overall: 48-24... and 15-4 during Closing month... thanks to Shelly Lavine for getting me the leads.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Redskin Rehash-- the more you know...
The less you know in the NFL. How else to explain the Redskins 19-16 overtime grind-it-out victory over Tennessee? Instead of looking for plots and notifying the next of kin, Skins nation has hope at 5-5.
Donovan and Distance-- Mr. McNabb's wild ride continued with a 376 yard passing effort against the Titans...
Third and longer-- after converting a league-worst 21% of third downs through the first nine games of the season, the Skins moved the chains on 8 of 16 attempts...
Walking Wounded-- 7 of 22 starters were banged up and left the game... and with Clinton Portis now done for the season the roster regeneration continues...
Gano gone not yet-- the kicker missed a field goal the end of regulation, but remains in the good graces of the Skins Nation by booting the gamewinner in overtime. The goat-hero pendulum seems to be in Graham's favor once again...
Dissecting the Division-- Philadelphia's 27-17 victory over the New York Giants puts the Eagles in first place and the Eagles in first place... and the #2 seed in the NFC. The Giants are in 8th place in the conference (a game out of the wildcard)... while the Redskins at 5-5 are 9th in the NFC; Dallas' loss to New Orleans basically puts the Cowboys (14th) on life support.
What's a Haynesworth-- the 100 million dollar man made one tackle against his former team... increasing his total to 13 stops, 2 assists and a sack over seven games.
Donovan and Distance-- Mr. McNabb's wild ride continued with a 376 yard passing effort against the Titans...
Third and longer-- after converting a league-worst 21% of third downs through the first nine games of the season, the Skins moved the chains on 8 of 16 attempts...
Walking Wounded-- 7 of 22 starters were banged up and left the game... and with Clinton Portis now done for the season the roster regeneration continues...
Gano gone not yet-- the kicker missed a field goal the end of regulation, but remains in the good graces of the Skins Nation by booting the gamewinner in overtime. The goat-hero pendulum seems to be in Graham's favor once again...
Dissecting the Division-- Philadelphia's 27-17 victory over the New York Giants puts the Eagles in first place and the Eagles in first place... and the #2 seed in the NFC. The Giants are in 8th place in the conference (a game out of the wildcard)... while the Redskins at 5-5 are 9th in the NFC; Dallas' loss to New Orleans basically puts the Cowboys (14th) on life support.
What's a Haynesworth-- the 100 million dollar man made one tackle against his former team... increasing his total to 13 stops, 2 assists and a sack over seven games.
Monday, November 22, 2010
College Football Corner-- Closing time... for windows.
You struggle through summer and play through early autumn to have meaningful November games. Unfortunately sometimes when you get there your best isn't good enough... and your dreams of greatness shatter before your eyes. Closing month can be cruel-- as we've seen... and has one more weekend to issue "you're just not good enough" cards to more than a few schools. Until then, keep your hands off the windowsill.
Alma Mater Update-- armed with a home game and a shot at the Big East championship, Syracuse underperformed in a 23-6 loss to Connecticut. Many are trying to pin the loss on poor tackling and an offense that can't get out of its way-- bring on basketball.
Maryland had its Orange Bowl hopes dashed with a 30-16 loss to #25 Florida State... showing the 48,000+ at Byrd Stadium that this program has come a long way from 2-10... but still as a way to go before returning to January 1st. Terrapin Triumphs-- going toe to toe with a much more athletic opponent... keeping the best pass rush in the league at bay (only 3 sacks on 48 pass plays)... Da'Rell Scott and Davin Meggett combined for 159 yards on 21 carries... Terrapin Troubles-- third down problems persist (4-14)... three turnovers plus a special teams malfunction led to 13 FSU points... kickoff returns continue to be non-existent.
Next up: Saturday against NC State.
Virginia Tech wrapped up another trip to the ACC title game with another rally against an underperforming Miami team... the 31-17 victory gives Frank Beamer's bunch 9 wins for the seventh straight season. In a world where Miami and Florida State fans are waiting for a return to the glory days-- VT is enjoying a golden era. Hokie Highlights-- Ryan Williams rumbled for an 84 yard touchdown and totalled 142 yards on the ground. Six takeaways and getting off the field on 9 of 13 Hurricane third downs. Hokie Humblings--Okay, each week I point to how VT bounces back from allowing a first quarter score and how it will cost them one of these days... only to be proven wrong. Still... Next up: Saturday against Virginia.
Virginia enjoyed its bye week between rivals Maryland and Virginia Tech by falling at Boston College 17-13. After much conversation with Kippy and Buffy the recommended wine/cheese pairing with turkey is riesling/goude. Who would have thought? Cavalier Congrats-- Marc Verica threw for 284 yards...albeit on 31 completions... just one turnover in 85 plays... 60 minutes of solid football despite having no postseason to play for. Cavalier Catastrophes-- allowing 218 yards on a 5.2 yards per carry clip... 9 penalties... and the ignoring of a Cab Franc. Come on Kippy, you know better... Next up: Saturday against Virginia Tech.
Alma Mater Update-- armed with a home game and a shot at the Big East championship, Syracuse underperformed in a 23-6 loss to Connecticut. Many are trying to pin the loss on poor tackling and an offense that can't get out of its way-- bring on basketball.
Maryland had its Orange Bowl hopes dashed with a 30-16 loss to #25 Florida State... showing the 48,000+ at Byrd Stadium that this program has come a long way from 2-10... but still as a way to go before returning to January 1st. Terrapin Triumphs-- going toe to toe with a much more athletic opponent... keeping the best pass rush in the league at bay (only 3 sacks on 48 pass plays)... Da'Rell Scott and Davin Meggett combined for 159 yards on 21 carries... Terrapin Troubles-- third down problems persist (4-14)... three turnovers plus a special teams malfunction led to 13 FSU points... kickoff returns continue to be non-existent.
Next up: Saturday against NC State.
Virginia Tech wrapped up another trip to the ACC title game with another rally against an underperforming Miami team... the 31-17 victory gives Frank Beamer's bunch 9 wins for the seventh straight season. In a world where Miami and Florida State fans are waiting for a return to the glory days-- VT is enjoying a golden era. Hokie Highlights-- Ryan Williams rumbled for an 84 yard touchdown and totalled 142 yards on the ground. Six takeaways and getting off the field on 9 of 13 Hurricane third downs. Hokie Humblings--Okay, each week I point to how VT bounces back from allowing a first quarter score and how it will cost them one of these days... only to be proven wrong. Still... Next up: Saturday against Virginia.
Virginia enjoyed its bye week between rivals Maryland and Virginia Tech by falling at Boston College 17-13. After much conversation with Kippy and Buffy the recommended wine/cheese pairing with turkey is riesling/goude. Who would have thought? Cavalier Congrats-- Marc Verica threw for 284 yards...albeit on 31 completions... just one turnover in 85 plays... 60 minutes of solid football despite having no postseason to play for. Cavalier Catastrophes-- allowing 218 yards on a 5.2 yards per carry clip... 9 penalties... and the ignoring of a Cab Franc. Come on Kippy, you know better... Next up: Saturday against Virginia Tech.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Presto's Picks-- Selling out Home Field.
College football is about being on campus for the big games... battling conference rivals in fair environments... and competing for greatness. Not so in the Big Ten, I mean eleven soon to be twelve (take that Nigel Tufnel)...where Penn State is playing a road game at Fed Ex Field in Landover, Maryland against Indiana--and the Hoosiers are technically the home team. I guess. Shame on IU for selling out its football program for short money on a sweet payday. Shame on the Big Ten for letting this happen. Shame on Saint Joe Paterno for going along with it-- the bespectacled one is supposed to be better than this. Doesn't he live for the good of the game? How does Bill Lynch sell his program to kids around the midwest-- "yeah... we only play 3 conference home games some years-- the fourth we'll play at a neutral field on our opponents' doorstep...but in a different state". What's next, moving the Wisconsin game to Soldier Field? The Nebraska game to Kansas City? Thank goodness the Nittany Lions aren't in the Big Ten race- if they were, I'd be mad if I was Ohio State, Wisconsin or Michigan State that they got a defacto 5th home conference game. Even so, a Penn State win in this "road" environment could have a factor in the Rose Bowl race-- if Ohio State and Michigan State finish tied or there is a three way tie they go to BCS standings and wins over Penn State would be more valued if the Nittany Lions take this road trip.
Nittany Lion faithful, enjoy your beatdown of a cellar-dweller...
Alma Mater Update-- after reading about "surging Syracuse" in the papers this fall, I now know that it's without irony. The Orange have a shot at winning the Big East (I know that's not what it used to be 10 years ago or even last year)... with an evening affair against Connecticut that has won two games by five points in conference play. The dream continues for a BCS berth (SU needs Pitt to lose twice in order to claim the conference crown). Go Orange!
Maryland meets #25 Florida State-- this is the third time in five years the Terps have had a chance to win the ACC Atlantic with two games to play... and the previous results aren't pretty. Back to back losses to BC and Wake in '06 (allowing 38 points in each game), and a 37-3 humbling by Florida State in '08. But this is a different team, with a more mature coach... and a group that is on the road to redemption. Terrapins triumph, 31-29.
#16 Virginia Tech faces Miami in what used to be the Big East Championship but now stands for "guess who adapted to the ACC better" Bowl. While I've always been quick to jump on the Canes bandwagon the last few years, I've been sold on the Hokies early and often every year as the ACC's flag-bearer-- and Frank Beamer's bunch rarely disappoints...except when it comes to allowing first quarter scores. Hokies cough up 2 early touchdowns but survive, 24-20.
Virginia visits Boston College-- a non-divisional game as the Eagles conference finale? Somebody needs to slap somebody in the league office pronto. BC has won three straight and has one of the top runningbacks in Montel Harris-- yet has had many problems throwing the football this fall. The Eagles are fighting for bowl eligibility-- while the Cavaliers are thinking about Thanksgiving turkey. And brie. Cavaliers come up short, 27-21.
Elsewhere: Navy nips Arkansas State, Georgetown loses to Marist, Howard comes up short against Delaware State, James Madison slips at Maine.
Last Week: 6-0! Closing month reaches PP!
Overall: 43-22.
Nittany Lion faithful, enjoy your beatdown of a cellar-dweller...
Alma Mater Update-- after reading about "surging Syracuse" in the papers this fall, I now know that it's without irony. The Orange have a shot at winning the Big East (I know that's not what it used to be 10 years ago or even last year)... with an evening affair against Connecticut that has won two games by five points in conference play. The dream continues for a BCS berth (SU needs Pitt to lose twice in order to claim the conference crown). Go Orange!
Maryland meets #25 Florida State-- this is the third time in five years the Terps have had a chance to win the ACC Atlantic with two games to play... and the previous results aren't pretty. Back to back losses to BC and Wake in '06 (allowing 38 points in each game), and a 37-3 humbling by Florida State in '08. But this is a different team, with a more mature coach... and a group that is on the road to redemption. Terrapins triumph, 31-29.
#16 Virginia Tech faces Miami in what used to be the Big East Championship but now stands for "guess who adapted to the ACC better" Bowl. While I've always been quick to jump on the Canes bandwagon the last few years, I've been sold on the Hokies early and often every year as the ACC's flag-bearer-- and Frank Beamer's bunch rarely disappoints...except when it comes to allowing first quarter scores. Hokies cough up 2 early touchdowns but survive, 24-20.
Virginia visits Boston College-- a non-divisional game as the Eagles conference finale? Somebody needs to slap somebody in the league office pronto. BC has won three straight and has one of the top runningbacks in Montel Harris-- yet has had many problems throwing the football this fall. The Eagles are fighting for bowl eligibility-- while the Cavaliers are thinking about Thanksgiving turkey. And brie. Cavaliers come up short, 27-21.
Elsewhere: Navy nips Arkansas State, Georgetown loses to Marist, Howard comes up short against Delaware State, James Madison slips at Maine.
Last Week: 6-0! Closing month reaches PP!
Overall: 43-22.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Redskins Rehash-- so not ready for primetime...
The beauty of the NFL season is that six days separation means there's a chance of little carryover... I know, try to explain that to Redskins Nation after a 59-28 loss to Philadelphia. This was a night where nothing went well on every level-- exposing a 4-4 contender as actually a 4-5 pretender. There's still a lot of football to be played but the window of opportunity that was there at 4-3 (4-1 NFC and 2-0 against the East) is gone.
Saving the Worst for the First-- trailing 28-0 after one quarter is no way to go through life, and the Skins allowed a touchdown on the first play of the second quarter. Ouch. Washington had the ball four times in the first quarter-- and gained 23 yards on 12 plays... the only non-three and out was an interception.
Donovan and Distance-- one week after being benched after going 17 of 31 for 210 yards over 58 minutes... Mr. McNabb went 17 of 30 for 295 yards-- and three interceptions (one set up the Eagles third score, the other was returned for a TD).
New weapons in the arsenal-- move over, MossCooley-- ArmstrongDavis is ready to take your place! On a night where Santana and Chris combined for 6 catches and 51 yards, Anthony and Fred tallied 4 receptions for 154 yards. So what if neither could find the end zone on long passes? It's just nice to see other receivers make plays-- now if they can do it before the team trails by 35...
Defending the defense-- yes, they allowed 59 points and 592 yards... but sometimes you just have to tip your cap to the other team that played extremely well. Michael Vick had a night very few have...and although the last in the league defense was exposed... you try to move on.
Third Down and Out-- the Skins suffered complete failure... going 0-10 when trying to move the chains; and allowing the Eagle offense to stay on the field 8 of 13 times. The Skins offense remains last in the NFL at 21.6%.
Dissecting the Division-- Philadelphia's win puts the Eagles in a first place tie with the New York Giants... and they currently own the common games tiebreaker with the Giants. The Skins hold down third and are in tenth place in the NFC standings... and Dallas is securely placed at 15th in the conference.
What's a Haynesworth?-- The 100 million dollar man notched one tackle in the loss to Philadelphia... but made headlines by lying down on the field after being blocked. Unfortunately, there were seemingly 15 cameras focused on Haynesworth and each showed him hanging out instead of getting back up in pursuit. Not awesome.
Saving the Worst for the First-- trailing 28-0 after one quarter is no way to go through life, and the Skins allowed a touchdown on the first play of the second quarter. Ouch. Washington had the ball four times in the first quarter-- and gained 23 yards on 12 plays... the only non-three and out was an interception.
Donovan and Distance-- one week after being benched after going 17 of 31 for 210 yards over 58 minutes... Mr. McNabb went 17 of 30 for 295 yards-- and three interceptions (one set up the Eagles third score, the other was returned for a TD).
New weapons in the arsenal-- move over, MossCooley-- ArmstrongDavis is ready to take your place! On a night where Santana and Chris combined for 6 catches and 51 yards, Anthony and Fred tallied 4 receptions for 154 yards. So what if neither could find the end zone on long passes? It's just nice to see other receivers make plays-- now if they can do it before the team trails by 35...
Defending the defense-- yes, they allowed 59 points and 592 yards... but sometimes you just have to tip your cap to the other team that played extremely well. Michael Vick had a night very few have...and although the last in the league defense was exposed... you try to move on.
Third Down and Out-- the Skins suffered complete failure... going 0-10 when trying to move the chains; and allowing the Eagle offense to stay on the field 8 of 13 times. The Skins offense remains last in the NFL at 21.6%.
Dissecting the Division-- Philadelphia's win puts the Eagles in a first place tie with the New York Giants... and they currently own the common games tiebreaker with the Giants. The Skins hold down third and are in tenth place in the NFC standings... and Dallas is securely placed at 15th in the conference.
What's a Haynesworth?-- The 100 million dollar man notched one tackle in the loss to Philadelphia... but made headlines by lying down on the field after being blocked. Unfortunately, there were seemingly 15 cameras focused on Haynesworth and each showed him hanging out instead of getting back up in pursuit. Not awesome.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
College Football Corner-- Playoff Possibilities...
Once again the college football season prepares to shift from the best regular season to the worst postseason. And although the BCS has gotten things right for the most part recently, one has to feel somewhat shortchanged. Schools that have played 12 games over 13 weeks will have to wait a whole month before playing a game that will largely determine how fans and alumni view the season. I still dream of a day where a 16 team playoff invites all I-A conference winners plus five wildcards...but I'll be more than happy to settle for a 4 or 8 team tournament with games staggered across December. Give each game a "Bowl Name" so the sponsors get something. Retain the old bowl names to pacify those folks. Watch the numbers spike.
Maryland faced Virginia... and put itself in position to be in position... the Terps rallied on the road to outscore Virginia 42-23. Coach Ralph Friedgen's team controls its own destiny-- two more wins and they're going to the ACC Title game... while UVa's outside dream of making a bowl is now officially a thing of the past..
Terrapin Triumphs-- the team outscored UVa 21-0 in the fourth quarter... DJ Adams tallied three touchdowns... and the Terps owned third down: moving the chains on 9 of 16 attempts and getting the D off the field 10 of 14 times. Terrapin Troubles-- eight penalties for 60 yards isn't going to make anyone excited... but it's alwasy nice to get out of Charlottesville with a win. Next Up-- Saturday against Florida State.
Cavalier Congrats-- Marc Verica had another productive day (265 yards passing)...Cavalier Catastrophes-- 16 penalties... and 4 of 14 on third down. Next Up-- Saturday at Boston College.
Virginia Tech once again gave up the customary first quarter touchdown... before outscoring North Carolina the rest of the way 26-3 to post a 26-10 victory. Orange Bowl, here they come. Hokie Highlights-- six takeaways... 249 yards passing by Tyrod Taylor...
Hokie Humblings-- what is it with slow starts and the Hokies? Nine penalties won't help come January, either... Next Up-- Saturday against Miami.
Maryland faced Virginia... and put itself in position to be in position... the Terps rallied on the road to outscore Virginia 42-23. Coach Ralph Friedgen's team controls its own destiny-- two more wins and they're going to the ACC Title game... while UVa's outside dream of making a bowl is now officially a thing of the past..
Terrapin Triumphs-- the team outscored UVa 21-0 in the fourth quarter... DJ Adams tallied three touchdowns... and the Terps owned third down: moving the chains on 9 of 16 attempts and getting the D off the field 10 of 14 times. Terrapin Troubles-- eight penalties for 60 yards isn't going to make anyone excited... but it's alwasy nice to get out of Charlottesville with a win. Next Up-- Saturday against Florida State.
Cavalier Congrats-- Marc Verica had another productive day (265 yards passing)...Cavalier Catastrophes-- 16 penalties... and 4 of 14 on third down. Next Up-- Saturday at Boston College.
Virginia Tech once again gave up the customary first quarter touchdown... before outscoring North Carolina the rest of the way 26-3 to post a 26-10 victory. Orange Bowl, here they come. Hokie Highlights-- six takeaways... 249 yards passing by Tyrod Taylor...
Hokie Humblings-- what is it with slow starts and the Hokies? Nine penalties won't help come January, either... Next Up-- Saturday against Miami.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Presto's Picks-- SECandal...
There's always been an undercurrent of suspected shenanigans in college athletics... I'm sure from the time Rutgers was alleged to have offered Jonas O'Herlihy extra mustache wax to transfer from Princeton in 1870. Phantom jobs, ticket payouts, fancy cars, stereo systems, sweet clothes... the renegades have always been one step ahead of the NCAA (Except for the 80's when SMU and the entire Southwest Conference was put on probation). Another shoe (or 100,000 shoes) has dropped -- and this time in an SEC that no longer stands for "So Everyone Cheats". Cam Newton's been accused of getting a big payday at Auburn-- with his father demanding six figures in exchange for his son.
Just when you thought the unbeaten Tigers and their do-it-all QB (19 TD passes and 15 TD runs) was the feel good story, think again. A damning story if it's true-- as once again a stage parent gives everybody a bad name. Good for the University of Florida that Cecil Newton said "now it's not for free"-- the Gators program looks squeaky clean compared to the alleged cesspool up the road. What happens now with the Reggie Bush "return all the hardware and vacate the titles and awards" precedent? Sadly, the best case everybody's hoping for is that the Tigers lose-- shattering National title hopes and lose in a manner that torpedos Newton's Heisman candidacy... as if it isn't already. Makes you yearn for the good ole days when Oklahoma could go #1 in the AP while on probation...or Andre Ware could win the Heisman with Houston on probation.
Alma Mater Update-- the Orange try to bounce back against Rutgers-- I'm concerned with the fact that for the first time in over a month SU will not be playing at noon... I don't know what ESPN8 (THE OCHO!) will do without its flagship school. And how about the dreck that is the Big East-- Pitt losing to UConn means the league leader is 5-4... while the school with the best overall record (SU) isn't even bowl eligible (2 I-AA wins). In fact, the Big East and the Sun Belt are the only two leagues without a Bowl-Eligible team. Conference USA has five! Thanks again, ACC for stealing three name programs to make your league great-- scratch that.
Maryland at Virginia-- the Terps remain in control of their Division hopes... a sweep of the Cavaliers, Florida State and North Carolina State delivers the division... while UVa needs a sweep of the Terps, Boston College and Virginia Tech to become bowl-eligible. Buffy and Kippy's Tailgate notwithstanding, Virginia's owned this series recently (14-4 with one loss at home in that span)... but the Terps have earned the mantle of the team that beats those lesser while losing to its betters-- and they're a better team than the Cavaliers. Plus, Scooter ran out of Horseradish Chedder and Cab Franc... forcing Winnie to serve pepperjack (what is this--Harrisonburg?) and Malbec. Terrapins Triumph, 25-22...and the brie stands alone.
Virginia Tech visits North Carolina-- the Tar Heels feel like trouble. Six of their nine games have been decided by less than a touchdown... wipe out their eligibility explosion in September and they're playing as good as anybody outside of VT... and the Hokies still have a nasty habit of letting teams put points on the board in the first quarter (69 of 181 total points allowed)... we're talking giving up early TD's to the likes of East Carolina and Central Michigan.
In this topsy-turvy ACC season, the script seems to call for the Hokies to stub their toe in Chapel Hill against Butch Davis' bunch... but this isn't Butch Davis leading Miami circa 2001; like the Randy Shannon-led Hurricanes, UNC is turning into the giant that not only is sleeping-but snoring loudly and drooling all over the pillow. Hokies win a thriller after allowing a touchdown, field goal and a safety in the first quarter... 16-15.
Navy routs Eastern Michigan, Howard falls to Bethune-Cookman, Georgetown loses to Lehigh, James Madison slips to William & Mary.
Last Week: 4-2.
Overall: 37-22.
Just when you thought the unbeaten Tigers and their do-it-all QB (19 TD passes and 15 TD runs) was the feel good story, think again. A damning story if it's true-- as once again a stage parent gives everybody a bad name. Good for the University of Florida that Cecil Newton said "now it's not for free"-- the Gators program looks squeaky clean compared to the alleged cesspool up the road. What happens now with the Reggie Bush "return all the hardware and vacate the titles and awards" precedent? Sadly, the best case everybody's hoping for is that the Tigers lose-- shattering National title hopes and lose in a manner that torpedos Newton's Heisman candidacy... as if it isn't already. Makes you yearn for the good ole days when Oklahoma could go #1 in the AP while on probation...or Andre Ware could win the Heisman with Houston on probation.
Alma Mater Update-- the Orange try to bounce back against Rutgers-- I'm concerned with the fact that for the first time in over a month SU will not be playing at noon... I don't know what ESPN8 (THE OCHO!) will do without its flagship school. And how about the dreck that is the Big East-- Pitt losing to UConn means the league leader is 5-4... while the school with the best overall record (SU) isn't even bowl eligible (2 I-AA wins). In fact, the Big East and the Sun Belt are the only two leagues without a Bowl-Eligible team. Conference USA has five! Thanks again, ACC for stealing three name programs to make your league great-- scratch that.
Maryland at Virginia-- the Terps remain in control of their Division hopes... a sweep of the Cavaliers, Florida State and North Carolina State delivers the division... while UVa needs a sweep of the Terps, Boston College and Virginia Tech to become bowl-eligible. Buffy and Kippy's Tailgate notwithstanding, Virginia's owned this series recently (14-4 with one loss at home in that span)... but the Terps have earned the mantle of the team that beats those lesser while losing to its betters-- and they're a better team than the Cavaliers. Plus, Scooter ran out of Horseradish Chedder and Cab Franc... forcing Winnie to serve pepperjack (what is this--Harrisonburg?) and Malbec. Terrapins Triumph, 25-22...and the brie stands alone.
Virginia Tech visits North Carolina-- the Tar Heels feel like trouble. Six of their nine games have been decided by less than a touchdown... wipe out their eligibility explosion in September and they're playing as good as anybody outside of VT... and the Hokies still have a nasty habit of letting teams put points on the board in the first quarter (69 of 181 total points allowed)... we're talking giving up early TD's to the likes of East Carolina and Central Michigan.
In this topsy-turvy ACC season, the script seems to call for the Hokies to stub their toe in Chapel Hill against Butch Davis' bunch... but this isn't Butch Davis leading Miami circa 2001; like the Randy Shannon-led Hurricanes, UNC is turning into the giant that not only is sleeping-but snoring loudly and drooling all over the pillow. Hokies win a thriller after allowing a touchdown, field goal and a safety in the first quarter... 16-15.
Navy routs Eastern Michigan, Howard falls to Bethune-Cookman, Georgetown loses to Lehigh, James Madison slips to William & Mary.
Last Week: 4-2.
Overall: 37-22.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
College Football Corner-- Confounded Confluence...
College football deserves November. Sport's most important regular season has earned the spotlight for this month (aka Closing Month). Instead, college basketball opens this week with games that nip at one's heels like a pesky puppy. I'm fine with college hoops once Thanksgiving gets here, but pre-Veterans Day? I love college hoops-- but early November games just don't move the meter for me... especially with division and conference races on tap. This also further blows up the first semester for student athletes as well. It's bad enough they have to deal with mid-week games all January and February, can't they be given somewhat of a break in the fall? What-- Sean Mosley hit a three? Never mind.
Alma Mater Update-- no joy in the Salt City as Syracuse lost at home to Louisville 28-20. The Orange had a chance to retake the lead in the second half but back to back passes to the goal line were dropped... and the lack of solid tackling resurfaced. On the plus side-- the wings were delicious... although I need a bucket of Bleu Cheese.
Maryland allowed a 35 yard touchdown pass with 37 seconds remaining at Miami... falling to the Hurricanes 26-20. On an afternoon when Florida State and North Carolina State fell, the Terps missed a chance to take first place in the ACC Atlantic- starting to resemble the NFC Central circa 1980. Terrapin Triumphs-- two interceptions by Alex Wujiak...one run 60 yards back for a touchdown. Travis Baltz continues to pull double duty... kicking a pair of field goals (he's 9 for 11 and 35 for 35 on extra points) and averaging 47.5 yards over six punts against the Hurricanes. Terrapin Troubles-- up 14-12 in the second quarter and with the ball at the Miami 2, Jamarr Robinson was shuttled in for one play... where he lost the snap and lost eight yards. Third down continues to be a problem-- the offense went 3 for 12 while the defense stopped Miami on 8 of 17 tries. Next up: Saturday at Virginia.
Virginia watched its postseason hopes take a major blow-- losing a basketball -like tilt with Duke 55-48...with the two teams combining for 41 fourth quarter points. Although sometimes last winter 48 points felt ambitious for Tony Bennett's team. Cavalier Congrats-- Keith Payne rushed for 121 yards and two touchdowns while catching a TD pass from Marc Verica... Verica threw for 417 yards and four scores... Dontrelle Inman notched 10 receptions for 239 yards-- but alas there is no fantasy college football. Or is there? Cavalier Catastrophes-- 504 yards allowed. 11 penalties for 103 yards... three interceptions thrown by Verica. And the Brie didn't transfer well down to Durham. Next up: Saturday against Maryland.
Virginia Tech continues to play the best football in the ACC... thanks to a late kickoff return (BEAMER BALL!) in a 28-21 win against Georgia Tech... one wonders if they wrap up another conference title how high up the BCS pecking order they'll finish-- and if they'd get a rematch with Boise State (perhaps they could get a road game next year against James Madison). Hokie Highlights-- hello David Wilson! The sophomore not only posted the winning touchdown with a 90 yard kickoff return, but he helped knot the score up with a 15 yard TD run... one has to be pleased with just a pair of penalties. Hokie Humblings-- the first quarter follies continued... VT allowing two early touchdowns. And 346 yards rushing? Ouch. Next up: Saturday against North Carolina.
Alma Mater Update-- no joy in the Salt City as Syracuse lost at home to Louisville 28-20. The Orange had a chance to retake the lead in the second half but back to back passes to the goal line were dropped... and the lack of solid tackling resurfaced. On the plus side-- the wings were delicious... although I need a bucket of Bleu Cheese.
Maryland allowed a 35 yard touchdown pass with 37 seconds remaining at Miami... falling to the Hurricanes 26-20. On an afternoon when Florida State and North Carolina State fell, the Terps missed a chance to take first place in the ACC Atlantic- starting to resemble the NFC Central circa 1980. Terrapin Triumphs-- two interceptions by Alex Wujiak...one run 60 yards back for a touchdown. Travis Baltz continues to pull double duty... kicking a pair of field goals (he's 9 for 11 and 35 for 35 on extra points) and averaging 47.5 yards over six punts against the Hurricanes. Terrapin Troubles-- up 14-12 in the second quarter and with the ball at the Miami 2, Jamarr Robinson was shuttled in for one play... where he lost the snap and lost eight yards. Third down continues to be a problem-- the offense went 3 for 12 while the defense stopped Miami on 8 of 17 tries. Next up: Saturday at Virginia.
Virginia watched its postseason hopes take a major blow-- losing a basketball -like tilt with Duke 55-48...with the two teams combining for 41 fourth quarter points. Although sometimes last winter 48 points felt ambitious for Tony Bennett's team. Cavalier Congrats-- Keith Payne rushed for 121 yards and two touchdowns while catching a TD pass from Marc Verica... Verica threw for 417 yards and four scores... Dontrelle Inman notched 10 receptions for 239 yards-- but alas there is no fantasy college football. Or is there? Cavalier Catastrophes-- 504 yards allowed. 11 penalties for 103 yards... three interceptions thrown by Verica. And the Brie didn't transfer well down to Durham. Next up: Saturday against Maryland.
Virginia Tech continues to play the best football in the ACC... thanks to a late kickoff return (BEAMER BALL!) in a 28-21 win against Georgia Tech... one wonders if they wrap up another conference title how high up the BCS pecking order they'll finish-- and if they'd get a rematch with Boise State (perhaps they could get a road game next year against James Madison). Hokie Highlights-- hello David Wilson! The sophomore not only posted the winning touchdown with a 90 yard kickoff return, but he helped knot the score up with a 15 yard TD run... one has to be pleased with just a pair of penalties. Hokie Humblings-- the first quarter follies continued... VT allowing two early touchdowns. And 346 yards rushing? Ouch. Next up: Saturday against North Carolina.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
