Super Blowlg

Editors Note: Everyone should be prepared for the Super Blowlg (see how we snuck two words together….haha, we’re clever like that) we’ve written. Have a good Super Bowl weekend everyone, and we’ll talk to you Monday at the latest for possibly a running diary – since we’ll be viewing the big game together at our friends Zach’s house.

Also, for everyone reading this blog, please forward the website touts.wordpress.com along to other sports fans that you know. The best way to get more readers is by word of mouth from one reader to another…so help us out if you can!

By: Justin Jacobs & Chad Ruter

Justin: Here’s the deal with this game. You have several factors that make this game one of the most interesting Super Bowls of all time. The Patriots are going for a 19-0 season. Which, for those of you that have been in a coma for the last six months, has never been done before. The ‘72 Dolphins went undefeated, but they only had to play 17 games. I never thought that I’d see an NFL team go undefeated in my lifetime. There are just too many variables when it comes to perfection – especially in the era of free agency. What they have already done is amazing, and if they win on Sunday you have to call them the greatest team to ever play… whether we like it or not.

Chad: Yes, the free agency era does make it more difficult to do something like this, but look at how this team was constructed. The Patriots are primarily built by drafting well and trading well. They did spend a great deal of money on Adalius Thomas and Donte Stallworth, but in all reality they realized early on that the free agent market is imperfect and expensive. Tom Brady was a 6th round pick, they traded a 4th round pick to get Randy Moss (greatest trade in the history of mankind outside of the fleecings I’ve pulled on Justin in fantasy baseball), and then swapped a 2nd and 7th round pick to acquire Wes Welker. All this, while collecting a first round pick in the 2008 NFL draft that ended up being in the top-10. The amazingness of the Patriots on the field is simply a mirror of the perfection they struck off of it.

Justin: I agree completely, and being a 49ers fan, I can attest to how good they are in the front office. That first round pick should have been ours, but we got swindled by a smarter team… kind of like what happens between Chad and I in fantasy baseball. Anyways, another point of interest is the whole New York vs. Boston angle to this game. I know most people who don’t live on the East Coast are probably just rolling their eyes, but you really have a built-in rivalry with this game. Add to that the point that most people outside are envious of what the Patriots have and you have maybe the most lob-sided fanbase of all-time. Which is weird becuase the Giants are full of people that I just can’t see myself rooting for: Eli, Strahan, Coach Tom… I’m not big fans of any of these guys, and let’s not even talk get into Archie.

Chad: I think we’re in agreeance that the game would’ve been much better if the Packers would have made it. The Brett Favre storyline alone would’ve made Super Bowl 42 the most watched in the history of television. Instead, we get a Giants team that nobody outside of New York particularly likes, yet millions are rooting for them, and they are doing so for one of three reasons. Either A. They hate Tom Brady, B: They don’t want to see a team go undefeated, or C: They feel that the Patriots are cheaters for the Spygate scandal. Now that I think about it…the Patriots were the one and only draw for this game. It could’ve been the Colts vs. the Packers, and it wouldn’t be getting nearly the amount of press coverage it has gotten because of the perfection that is on the line. If the Patriots win…they are simply the greatest team that ever played, hands down. Don’t try to argue for the ‘85 Bears, or the ‘75 Steelers or the late 80’s 49ers. None of them did what the Patriots have a chance of doing.

Justin: Not so fast there Chad, I’m not sure that I don’t like this match-up better. I mean, we already know that the Giants can give me a game because they did. And you can’t use the excuse that the Patriots weren’t trying in that game because every game the Patriots have played this year has been a Super Bowl. The Packers had there chance to be in this game and Brett Favre, the legend that everybody loves, blew it… again. I really think we are going to get a better game here than we would have with the Packers. The Giants have a defensive front that can get to the QB, they have a tough running game that can wear down the older Patriots defense and a big game receiver in Plaxico Burress. I’m not saying that the Giants are going to beat the Patriots, but I do think they pose more of a challenge than the Packers. I think the Packers are still a couple of years away from being ready to win title, whereas I think this is probably the Giants best shot. Although you’re right in that more people would have probably watched that game, but I could care less about what people want to watch.

Chad: But you said it right there J, we’ve already seen this game. Each of these teams played their hearts out in Week 17, and the Patriots came away the victor. And I believed all year long that the Packers would have the best shot at beating the Patriots. They had a decent running game with Ryan Grant; a defensive line that rotated 7-8 guys, keeping constant pressure on the QB; two corners that play the most physical football out of any DB tandem in the league, and a QB and wide receiving core that could lead a team back from 2 TD’s down if it was necessary. Enough about the Packers though. The key to this Super Bowl, as is any game with the Patriots, is Tom Brady. If he’s as accurate as he was against the Jaguars in the Divisional round, then this game shouldn’t even be played. For the Giants to have a chance, Brady has to throw under 65% with at least an interception. If he pulls the magical game like he did three weeks ago, then waive bye-bye to the Giants. When talking about big game QB’s, there is no one better than Brady. A lot of people have been saying the Super Bowl hinges on the way Eli handles the big game, and that thought couldn’t be further from the truth. The Giants don’t rely on Eli – they tolerate him. Even if he is as good as he’s looked the past few games.

Justin: Indeed. What I’m wondering is how will Randy Moss make an impact on this game? It is almost a given that he is going to have bracket coverage on him for the entire game. Will Brady throw him a couple of bombs and hope that he will be able to get under one, or will the Patriots keep doing what they have been doing, dink and dunk. This Patriots team has so many ways to kill you. Moss can burn you deep, Welker will get his catches over the middle, and Kevin Faulk/Donte Stallworth will turn five-yard screen passes into big plays. Have we ever seen a team play the game the way we mortals play Madden? Tom Brady is the key though. If the Giants don’t get pressure on him then they are going to get destroyed.

Chad: The impact of Randy Moss is all up to Tom Brady. He said it himself, if he’s covered, he won’t get the ball, if he’s open, he will. Brady isn’t going to risk throwing a dumb pass to Moss just to keep him happy. Moss will be happy with a ring on his finger. That’s the only reason he accepted a pay cut to come to New England. I just can’t wait to see this Pats team in Madden next year. Think they’ll be the first 99 overall offense?

Justin: I don’t think you can put them anywhere but 99. You know now that we’ve been talking about it, I really don’t see any scenarios in which the Giants will beat the Patriots. This team is just too focused, well coached and talented to play a stinker in the biggest game of their lives.

Chad: So does this mean you’re taking the Patriots minus the 12 points?

Justin: Yeah, I think if the Patriots get up on the Giants early this game isn’t going to be remotely close. You have to know that Belichick wants to annihilate this team because A) the Giants actually made a game of their first contest and B) he wants to give one last eff-you to anyone who is still talking about Spygate.

Chad: I agree the Pats win, but there is no way I’m taking the points. The last time the Pats covered a spread was before Thanksgiving, yet Vegas has been pumping their lines incredibly high. Maybe they are responding to the way the public is betting, but I’m guessing they are just trying to cover their butt. And before we get to the prop bets, with an over/under of 9 1/2, how many words does Belichick say to Coughlin during the post-game handshake?

Justin: Good question actually. You never know with Bill, but I’m guessing it’s just Super Bowl decorum to say at least two sentences to the opposing coach after the game, so I’ll take the over.

Chad: And I quote, “Great game Tom, you guys really played great tonight.” That’s 1, 2, 3….9. Gimme the under baby! How bout the other prop bets now. Who has more…Tom Brady interceptions, or Derek Fisher missed free throws?

Justin: Well I have to admit that I haven’t been counting Derek Fisher free throws, I’m not that sick of a Lakers fan, but since I don’t see Brady throwing a pick in this game, I’ll go with Tom throwing less INT’s than Fisher missing FT’s.

Chad: C’mon now…Derek Fisher is money from the line (88% in 2007-2008), and you know Tom Brady can’t pitch a perfect game in this Super Bowl. At some point he had to have fooled around with Jessica Simpson, and that’s good enough for one floater that goes the other way. How bout what team throws the first challenge flag?

Justin: For some reason one of the first things that I think of when I think of the Patriots is Bill and that damn flag in his sock, for that reason alone I’ll take the Patriots.

Chad: Agreed…and since I dressed up as Lovie Smith for Halloween, I have my own challenge flag. In honor of Bill Belichick, I will wear my challenge hankie in my sock all day on Super Sunday. How bout the over/under of 5 1/2 for the amount of times Joe Buck says Peyton Manning’s name? Saying Peyton counts too.

Justin: When we were prepping this column I said under, then I remembered that the Giants were in the Super Bowl and that Eli is Peyton’s brother. I’ll take the over, and it’s been a long week.

Chad: Whoever set this line on Bodog.com has obviously never watched the lead game on Fox every week. There’s no doubt…bet high with confidence folks. Since I don’t want to do another Manning prop bet…we’ll just go to the last one. What is the jersey number of the player that scores first…over/under 43 1/2?

Justin: If this was any other team but the Patriots I’d say under, but for some reason I see Wes Welker (#83) scoring the first touchdown in this game, it just seems fitting somehow.

Chad: Stephen Gostkowski (#3) bangs in a 34-yarder to make it 3-0…so give me the under. Any final thoughts my friend?

Justin: I guess my final thought is this. I’ve made a considerable effort not too watch coverage of this game in the media up until today and I have to say I’m incredibly glad I didn’t. For the first time in years I’m actually excited to watch the game, and I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that I’m not completely burnt out on it already. The Super Bowl is one of my top 3 days of the year, right up there with New Years and Christmas. Everything is great about Super Bowl Sunday, the beer is flowing, friends abound, we get to watch one last football game. Hell, even the commercials are good. So I hope everyone enjoys their Super Sunday and stays safe. I give Chad the last word as he has earned it, you truly carried this column my friend… job well done.

Chad: No no sir, the only reason I get the last word is because I’m compiling all the text. Couldn’t have said it better myself J. The best part about the Super Bowl is the company you get to watch it in. Good food, good drinks, and good friends…what more could anyone ask for? May everyone stay safe for Super Sunday…and we’ll be back on Monday (maybe sooner if you’re lucky).

-JJ & CR

Greatest QB’s

By: Chad Ruter

I know Justin and I are planning our Super Bowl predictions and banter tomorrow, but while the subject is hot, I figure it needs to be discussed. Warning to Justin: “Joe Montana” and “Bill Walsh’s system” will appear in the same post together. Just thought I’d warn you pal.

With the Super Bowl just days away, and the presence of a truly great quarterback in Tom Brady participating in the contest, the question that is debated by anyone with a pair of eyes and an opinion has reared its head again. Who is the greatest quarterback of all-time? The question was debated today in an article on espn.com written by Mike Sando. He talked with many former NFL masterminds, including legends such as Marv Levy and Art Rooney Jr. There final decision put Tom Brady third behind greats Johnny Unitas and Joe Montana – but at the end of the article left the topic open to interpretation based on era.

The answer to this question is alarmingly simple. All three quarterbacks are the greatest – of their time. Its silly to compare Johnny Unitas to Tom Brady because as cliche as it may sounds, it’s comparing apples to oranges. Johnny U, as great as he may have been, would get torn up in the NFL if he were to jump into Dr. Evil’s time machine, find Austin Powers’ mojo, and play a game in Peyton Manning’s shoes. The game was played at a tortoise’s pace compared to the speed, agility, and precision that it’s executed at now. Not to degrade those finely tuned athletic machines who played in the early days of football, but they know just as well as anyone they couldn’t make it in the league today. The results would be similar to putting Steve Prefontaine up against the worlds top runner today. He would be absolutely destroyed. The training is better. The science is better. The dedication is accepted and encouraged.

To properly dissect the best QB in NFL history, you have to break the league into stages. Since the game has evolved from a sport where it was illegal to make a forward pass, to one where the pass is the most lethal part of the game, you have to find relative breaking points and stick with them. And those points in history may not even coincide with what’s happening on the gridiron.

PRE-NFL ERA (Beginning of time-1971): I should re-name it the Pre-NFL Without the AFL Era, but that’s just way too damn long. It’s the time period where players had the coolest nicknames. Dick “Night Train” Lane, Harold Edward “Red” Grange, and OJ “If I Did It” Simpson. Alright…OJ really wasn’t a pre-1970 star…but I really wanted to throw him in here somewhere. The NFL was a running game at this time, except for the golden arm of one man that could sling it better than anyone on the planet at the time: Johnny U. Although I never had the honor of watching him play, I’ve seen tapes…and the man could thread the needle. What made him so unique was he dominated a position that, at the time, wasn’t necessarily the most important position on the team. You may argue against that point, but there were very few quarterbacks relied upon to chuck it up more than 15-20 times a game. But Unitas was decades ahead of his time, won a title, and is hands down, no questions asked the best of the era.

THE LT ERA (1971-1993): I dare anyone to argue with me about the name of this time-frame. And for those of you that don’t know who the original LT was, then either play Tecmo Super Bowl on the NES or find some old game film of the New York Giants. LT may have only played during the last 12 years of this era, but he defines it. Defenses became incredibly big and incredibly fast. Linemen erupted into massive walls of muscle. And the only answer to defeat these monsters was the revolution of a new way to play offense. If you haven’t read the book The Blind Side, I suggest you go pick it up tomorrow. The book focuses on a young man’s struggle to find his place in society (that young man will now be a first round draft pick in the NFL here in three months), but it also filters through the history of how football has evolved. In particular, how the backside tackle position (left tackle for righty QB’s and vice versa) has become nearly as imperative as the position the man protects. The one guy that forced the this revolution was none other than Lawrence Taylor. And the system that picked him apart was orchestrated by the best quarterback of the era: Joe Montana, and coached to precision by the late Bill Walsh. The West Coast Offense was created to isolate and eliminate a player from the game, and its results were devasating. The 49ers dominated, and the system spread and evolved into the game we see today. The precision passing, the stretch runs, everything we see in the NFL that is great today can be derived from Bill Walsh and Joe Montana. He won three Super Bowls and was the greatest of that era – no doubt.

THE SALARY CAP ERA (1993-Present)- The game changed off the field when the powers that be decided parity and the allmighty dollar were the most important things in the world. Some great QB’s have played during this time (Favre, Aikmen, Elway, Young, Warner, Testaverde…kidding), but none can compare to the success of Tom Brady. Three Super Bowl rings while playing with receiving cores and running backs that have changed yearly. Prime example: Only four players remain from the Patriots 2002 title team. FOUR! That is less than 8% of the team! Thats like replacing everyone from the 2007 Red Sox except for Big Papi and Josh Beckett. Great players, yes, but they can’t do it on their own. It’s a testament to Brady’s greatness. It doesn’t matter what the name reads on the back of the other 10 guys out there with him, they all say Patriots. And if you think Brady’s alone in this escapade, your sorely mistaken. Scott Pioli, director of Patriots players and personnel can be thanked just as much, if not more than Brady himself. The reason why the 90’s Cowboys and 49er teams fell off the earth for awhile was because they failed to control their salaries, and they fell into cap penalty hell. The Patriots realized immediately the love for a player is no reason to keep him if the price isn’t right. So as great as Tom Brady is, throwing hard and accurate with perfect mechanics, dodging sack artists with a shoulder dip, and leading his team on a game-winning drive, he’s nothing without the personnel Pioli and coach Bill Belichick provide. But there is no doubt he’s the best of the era.

Random Ramblings

-Justin

Tomorrow Chad and I will be writing our big Super Bowl preview, stay tuned for that, but today the show must go on. I felt today would be a good day to tie up some loose odds and ends that I’ve been thinking about in the sports world. There’s nothing here that I want to expound upon so I’ll keep my ramblings short. Which means I get to use one of the greatest writing tools ever invented…. bullet points!

• I haven’t really been talking about it, but I’m doing the best I have ever done in a season of fantasy basketball. Usually by now I am so far behind that I stop checking my team, something that I absolutely would never do with fantasy football and baseball, but there’s something about fantasy basketball that gets me down. This year has been different though. As of today I am in first place in a freaking fantasy basketball league! And here’s the kicker, I have absolutely no clue as to how I’m doing it. Every year I think I drafted a good team and then about two months into the season I’m in last place and considering never playing fantasy basketball ever again. I’m telling you fantasy basketball has all the logic and reason of Britney Spears on coke.
• One of my New Years Resolutions was to read more books. This is usually one of my resolutions, but as I am back in school and working out, I thought I’d actually go through with this resolution as well. The first book I read (again) this year was Fantasyland, a fantastic book in which Wall Street Journal writer Sam Walker takes a year off from his day job and joins the worlds most prestigious league in fantasy baseball, TOUT Wars. If you are a fan of fantasy sports at all this book is required reading. Next on my list is PISTOL: The Life of Pete Maravich, by Mark Kriegel. I picked it up at the library today and I’ll be ripping into it soon. I’ve always been interested in Pistol Pete, he was truly ahead of his time when it came to the way he played basketball. Yet besides some of Maravich’s on the court accomplishments I really don’t know that much about the guy. I’m hoping it will be a great read and I’ll have a review up on the site in the coming weeks.
• I just realized something today that really startled me. I haven’t watched a single college basketball game featuring the work of perhaps the greatest sideline reporter in the history of Earth… or at lest the hottest, Erin Andrews. I’ve been a big fan of her (um) work ever since I first laid eyes upon her. I was beginning to wonder why all the colors in my life were greying and all the food I was eating was losing it’s taste. Then I realized, “wait a minute where has Erin been all this time?” Those of you who are mourning the end of the football season fear not, for God has given us Erin Andrews to keep us (um) occupied until baseball starts!

• There’s a story on ESPN that is reporting that Brett Favre is undecided about whether he is coming back for the 2008 NFL season. Come on Brett, we all know that you are going to stay and try to win a title with the “most talented” team you have ever played on. The Packers are in a weak division with a young and improving team that could easily get over the hump next year. Favre showed this year that he can still get the ball into the hands of his receivers, and as for the bad throws he made in the Giants game, well he’s been doing that for years. Favre likes to do this dog and pony show every year, and as much as I like and respect Brett, it’s getting a little tired and annoying.

I’m going to cut this post a little short tonight. Make sure to stop by tomorrow to see Chad and I go over the big game. Before I go though I thought I’d add one more piece of Super Bowl related Internet gold that we’ve been running in our posts this week. The Eddie Murphy bit was fantastic, the I Am Legend bit was kind of creepy, but this one takes the cake as far as I’m concerned. Enjoy.

Bewilderment

I can’t believe it. I just can’t friggin believe it! How in the world do you trade the best pitcher on the planet for the baseball equivalent of nuts and bolts? It floors me that in the high-speed communication world we live in, that MLB teams are getting fleeced this badly in trades. I don’t like boring people with trade breakdowns of players they dont know, but when the player being shuttled in the other direction is named Johan Santana, I can’t hold back.

The proposed trade (not official yet because teams need to get physicals for their new toys and the Mets have 72 hours to negotiate a $150 million-ish extension with Santana) sends OF Carlos Gomez, and pitchers Philip Humber, Kevin Mulvey and Deolis Guerra to the great state of Minnesota, for one: Johan. If you’re a fan of Minnesota in general…begin preparing yourself for the inevitable trading of Adrian Peterson to a football team on the east coast in the very near future. We’ve seen the T-Wolves auction off Kevin Garnett for 30 cents on the dollar, and it appears the Twinkies have received about the same value for a phenomenal pitcher in his prime.

Justin paniced when he saw the trade come across the wires…because I’m sure the ESPN scroll read something like: BREAKING NEWS: ESPN.com’s Buster Olney reports that the Minnesota Twins have reached an agreement to trade P Johan Santana to the New York…

This is the point that Justin starts jumping up and down and dialing me on his cell phone to tell me the glorious news, only to be shot down at the very same moment by seeing the word METS instead of YANKEES – prompting that improptu blog Justin rattled off earlier today.

The Yankees and Red Sox both had better deals on the table in December, and now the Twins had to settle for scraps that your 4-year-old sister would toss to the dog. Here’s a quick breakdown of the players the Twins received in the deal.

Quick note: Honest to God J, I had to look up who two of these guys in the trade. I know baseball prospects…but not any that wouldn’t show up in the Top-100.

The Guys I Know:
Carlos Gomez (3rd best Mets prospect according to Baseball America). This 22-year-old OF has been with the Mets since he was 18, and has progressed through their system nicely – consumating in his call-up to the majors in 2007. He’s considered a 5-tool prospect as I eluded to yesterday, but I would say he is a 3-tool guy at best. His career OBP in the minors is .339, and you can expect that number to drop to about .310 in the majors. He only has 20 career professional homers, so there is no way he can be considered a power prospect either. Gomez is by no means a guaranteed star in the majors, and would be a solid #2 prospect player in a trade like this…but most definitely should not be a centerpiece.

Philip Humber (7th best Mets prospect). Humber was a big time pitcher in the collegiate ranks at Rice, but is in no way a top of the rotation starter now or in the future. The highest I’ve ever heard him considered is a #4 pitcher, and I wouldn’t put him that high right now. He pitched most of 2007 at Triple-A New Orleans and managed just a 4.27 ERA. On the plus side, New Orleans is in the Pacific Coast League, which is considered to be a hitters league, so I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt there. He’s 25 now, and won’t crack the Twins rotation, now or ever. His peripheral statistics dont shout anything at me either. His K/BB and K/IP aren’t anything to cry home about. Not good.

The Guys I Don’t Know
Kevin Mulvey (4th best Mets prospect). A 22-year old righty who has more college than pro experience is another guy that just doesn’t jump off the charts stastically, and I’ve never heard his name mentioned in the same sentence as “electric stuff.” He’s only pitched one full year above Rookie ball, but did do quite well…racking up a 3.32 ERA in Double-A Binghamton. His K/IP splits aren’t great, but he does have almost a 3/1 K/BB ratio. Let me just say one thing…when I’m pulling out a K/BB stat to prove a guys worth in a trade, we’ve got serious issues. I’m supremely confident I could go 3-10 against this guy…and I haven’t stood in against a 90’s fastball in nearly 4 years.

Deolis Guerra (2nd best Mets prospect). He’s young (19), and that’s why he is a top prospect. Youth is such a key to baseball players because they peak in their high 20’s, so if a guy can be successful in the Majors in his early 20’s he considered highly valuable. This Venezuelan righty has pitched a full season in High-A ball, and posted a 4.01 ERA in 20 starts there in 2007. He’s still a long ways away from the Major Leagues (2-3 years at best), and still isn’t a guy that is going to scare you out of the batters box. He’s a #3 prospect in a deal like this…but with the lack of talent in this deal, could be considered the prize pull. All depends on the scouts looking, and the talent evaluation process.

Now that I look at this trade after writing it out…it’s even worse then when I read it today! If you’re a Mets fan, you have to be peeing your pants in excitement. You got the best pitcher in baseball right now, and gave up, conceivably, nothing that even resembles a future star. Absolutely awful is the only way I can describe this trade from Minnesota’s perspective. I’m just sad the Cubs didn’t get in on this bidding. I coulda scrounged up a return better than this. Simply amazing!

On the prediction front, if Johan is fully healthy, just hand him the Cy Young award right now. I mean…pitching against the Marlins and Nationals on a consistent basis, and even the lefty heavy Phillies will struggle against him. Moving to the inferior league is the best thing that may ever happen to Santana, and he instantly makes that team a title contender.

Since Eddie Murphy successfully predicted the NFC Championship game, I thought I’d unveil the Super Bowl prediction made in the movie I Am Legend. Take a look at the screenshot below (the frozen scroll bar at the bottom).

-CR

Johan traded to big apple…

So apparently there was some worthwhile news to come out of Media Day after all, it just had nothing to do with the NFL! As Chad alluded to yesterday things have been pretty (eh) warm on the hot stove lately and most of the heat was focused on whether or not Johan Santana would get traded and which team would land the deal.

Well I guess we have our answer. ESPN is reporting a deal that would send Santana to the…. Mets (f*** my life) for New York prospect’s: Carlos Gomez, Phil Humber, Kevin Mulvey, and Deolis Guerra, you’re guess is as good as mine as to who the hell any of these guys are. Where the hell is Chad when you need him? Anyway, here’s a link to the espn story if you’re interested in learning more.

It seems as if Minnesota could have gotten a better deal from a number of different teams. Looks like once again Chad’s baseball wisdom fell upon deaf ears. Sorry buddy. Now if you’ll excuse me I’m going to go have a good cry and imagine what could have been… (sigh).

-JJ

Today is Media Day.. yeah(?)

Is it just me or is Media Day the biggest waste of a day in the sports year? Every year before the Super Bowl both teams are required to strut themselves before the press and answer an endless barrage of stupid questions, most of which have no bearing on the upcoming game. The players don’t don’t enjoy Media Day, the press doesn’t enjoy Media Day, and you can be damn sure that the coaches aren’t a big fan of Media Day, so I guess the question that has to be asked is why have it? I know the Super Bowl is a big deal, in fact I’d call it the biggest day of sports year, but I don’t feel like Media Day is adding anything to the spectacle that is the Super Bowl. When was the last time we actually learned anything from Media Day? I mean for god’s sake the injury report hasn’t even come out yet!

Alright, I’m moving on before I get to upset. Here’s something that cracked me up pretty good…

That’s right, not only was Eddie Murphy infinitely more funny in the 80’s he also had psychic powers! I’m now going through all of his old movies looking for other sporting events that he has predicted years in advance. I also get the bonus of watching Beverly Hills Cop again, so that’s awesome, but no gambling tip will get me to watch Another 48 Hours, that movie is just crap. Still it was good seeing Eddie Murphy in good form again. Now the only Eddie we get is the one that impregnates Scary Spice and can’t keep a marriage together. It’s a depressing world we live in.

You know what’s not depressing?

I know most people in this country are too busy with the Super Bowl hype, Presidential Primaries, and tax rebates to keep track of the goings on in the NBA, but Chris Paul has been having himself a year. He’s averaging 20 points, 10 assist and 4 rebounds a game, and has led the New Orleans Hornets to a 32-12 record (2nd best in the league). They just got done putting the smack down on the defending champs (that’s the Spurs for you uninitiated), and Paul is getting plenty of buzz for MVP this year. It’s still early, and the cream of the crop in the NBA usually doesn’t rise until late in the second half of the season, but color me impressed with Paul’s performance this year so far.

Well that’s it for me today. I know I’m cutting it a bit short but I have to get back to… not freezing to death. I don’t want to be that guy who constantly bitches about the weather, but it’s a freaking blizzard outside right now! Have a Happy Media Day everyone!

-JJ

Warm Weather Leads to One Thing

Baseball! The mercury catapulted to the 50 mark today, and I couldn’t get the thought of a hanging curve being ripped into the left-centerfield gap for a double out of my head. Not only that, but the wonderful MLB hot stove that keeps baseball fanatics warm and cozy all winter long had its fire stoked today by two overpowering left-handed pitchers being discussed in trade talks. Johan Santana of the Minnesota Twins and Erik Bedard of the Baltimore Orioles each pitch for teams without a shade of a chance at reaching the playoffs in the loaded American League. And since both players are eligible for free agency soon (after the ‘08 season for Santana, and the ‘09 season for Bedard), and each team is in a situation where they can’t keep them (not enough money in Minnesota, and no chance of winning in Baltimore), it’s time they search for the best deal of top prospects and pull the trigger. For one of these teams, the time may have passed.

Rumors throughout baseball have both of these superstars moving to different teams by the end of this week, just in time for the players to get acclamated with their new teams prior to the start of Spring Training. Parting ways sooner rather than later also allows the trading teams to make subsequent moves to complete their offseason plans (i.e. Brian Roberts, speedy 2B for the Orioles, possibly ending up in a Cubs uniform). For Johan Santana, for whom talks stalled after a white hot early December that had both the Yankees and Red Sox in heavy pursuit of the two-time Cy Young award winner, his destination may just be with the other team from New York. The Mets, who are without a legitimate #1 or #2 starter (Pedro doesn’t fit that bill anymore), have offered the farm to get Santana to Queens. The stopping point for this trade is that the Mets prospects being offered aren’t nearly as talented as the stock of talent the Yankees and Red Sox offered more than a month ago. Minnesota may have made the mistake of holding their cards for a bit too long, letting some of the best deals pass them by. They felt at the time that both the Yankees and Red Sox were holding back for the best pitcher in baseball. Rightfully so when looking at it from the Yanks and Sox perspective. Santana struggled after the All-Star break in 2007, and will command well over $125 million dollars in any extension he’s offered. The trading team would also require a 72-hour window to negotiate an extension with him. That’s a lot of money and years to a pitcher – players who can break down much easier than position players. Plus, both the Yankees and Red Sox would rather see how he performs this year, than just go by him come November when they don’t have to give up any prospects (only a first round draft pick). New York offered a package centered around current Yankee outfielder Melky Cabrera, along with pitcher Phil Hughes along with a couple other young prospects, while the Red Sox countered with World Series stars Jacoby Ellsbury and Jon Lester (along with a Major League ready shortstop in Jed Lowrie). In my humble opinion…if it was true that Boston offered Lester and Ellsbury…I would’ve pulled the trigger. Even if the offer was Lester and CF Coco Crisp, I would’ve settled for that too. Crisp had a bad year with the lumber, but was once the mainstream CF in Cleveland before he was traded to make room for superstar Grady Sizemore. Now, it sounds like the Yanks and Sox have both pulled their best deals off the table, leaving teams such as the Mets with inferior talent, to be the only major suitors. If I’m the Twins, I gamble here. Don’t settle for the middling deal. Take a chance at a full return to form for Santana, and trade him when the Yanks or Sox are ready to make a knee-jerk reaction to the sight of being 8 games behind the other two months into the season. It’s inevitable baby – just like Justin getting panicky that first week of July!

As for Erik Bedard, the situation with him is a touch different. He has two years of team control left (before he hits free agency) but doesn’t have the glamourous awards that Santana possesses. He also has a history of tiny injuries that keep him out of a start or two. Not a thing you wanna trade the house for. Nonetheless, suitors lined up at Andy MacPhail’s door to see the price. Apparently, the Seattle Mariners are willing to pay the steep price. The deal will cost them “sure-thing” prospect Adam “I swear to God if someone calls me Pac Man again I’m going to kill them” Jones. He’s a five-tool (for those of you new to this…the five baseball tools for position players are speed, defense, hitting for average, hitting for power, and arm strength/accuracy) centerfielder that lost his position when Ichiro moved there during last offseason. The Orioles need to make this move because they have no shot at winning a title with him, and so they might as well cash-in on his immense value. Trading him for four or five players with six years of Major League service time each is worth it because the salaries of those players stay incredibly low before they are eligible for free agency. The trade would help Baltimore in the long-run, and turn Seattle into an instant contender…with two aces to lead their staff, while featuring a lineup with immense power, but maybe one too many free-swingers.

For the Twinkies, my recommendation is to gamble and wait for someone to panic…because it always happens. As sure as the sun rising in the east every morning. For Baltimore, get the deal done, and get control of the service time of the players coming their way.

As for my non-baseball thoughts on the evening, I must agree with Justin’s take on Shaun White. In his gold medal run, he landed back-to-back 1080’s with incredible style, along with an unheardof 1260 on his last hit in the driving snow. The conditions were all wrong for him to do it, yet he pulled it off and made it look stunningly good for the brave souls that withstood the Aspen cold. Justin is right…he is going to lead the revolution…if he hasn’t already.

That’s enough for tonight. Rumor has it that Justin and I will have our Super Bowl studder-fest coming to a computer near you on Thursday. At that point, I will unveil the picture of the award I received for my 2007 Fantasy Football League Championship. I’m stoked.

-CR

I refuse to believe in flying tomatos!

I have to admit, I was reluctant to turn on the X-Games last night. It took some prodding from Chad to get me to finish up my homework, step away from my laptop, and turn on ESPN. After watching Shaun White (aka The Flying Tomato) put on the spectacle he did, I was glad I tuned in. If you missed out, here’s a look at some of the hi-jinks that went down last night in the Superpipe.

That’s right, Shaun White once again took the gold and did so in fine style. Shaun, who right now is at the ripe old age of 21 now has 7 gold medals at the Winter X-Games and also has a gold medal in skateboarding at the summer X-Games. Not to mention the Gold Medal he won at the 2006 Olympics in Torino. Ever since Shaun hit the X-Games scene in 2002 he has been the gold standard for action sports athletes.

“The Flying Tomato,” has become action sports most recognizable athlete, garnering sponsorships with Mt. Dew, Target, Redbull and Sony, to name a few. The fact that Shaun has won gold medals in snowboarding and skateboarding is a testament to his freakish abilities. I liken it to Deon Sanders winning a World Series and Super Bowl in the same year. There are only a few people who can master one discipline in sports, let alone two.

Now there are those detractors who would dismiss White’s accomplishments as trivial wins in competitions that are barely sports. These are the same people who dismiss blogging, video games, global warming and Obama for president. In other words, these people have no idea what they are talking about. Anyone who has ever tried to ride a skateboard or a snowboard can testify to just how hard it is to keep ones balance, let alone do the things that action sport’s athletes make look so easy.

While I don’t think action sports will every be more popular than your more traditional sports i.e. football, basketball, and baseball, people like Shaun White and Tony Hawk have taken action sports out of obscurity and into America’s living rooms. I for one am excited to see how action sports evolve, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the “flying tomato” leads that charge.

-JJ

Record Setting

Since nobody is privy to the statistics Justin and I are, I must divulge the fact that in the two consecutive days where Justin wrote, we broke records for number of page views, topping out at 41 the day he posted his Dana Jacobsen blog. What can I say? The man draws readers! I’m just along for the ride, baby!

As I return to the keyboard today, I found myself bypassing the Magic/Celtics Lakers/Cavaliers basketball games, the Winter X-Games 12 Skiier Slopestyle, and numerous good movie flicks to watch CBS’s coverage of the PGA Buick Invitational. The first event of the new season to draw the big names with the big prizes. Why did I watch? Because it’s golf baby! The colors of the course are stunning, drawing my eyes to the TV while I try to describe it to you all. It also gets me pumped for warm enough weather to bust out the sticks. I’ve already visualized sticking a 7-iron four feet from the pin on a par-3 somewhere in America. Hell, I even have a golf course right across the street from my apartment! That really hasn’t the process. I drive past it every morning and evening, imagining what that tiny little par-3 course has in store for me come 60 degree days.

Back to the point though. If you haven’t seen Tiger Woods play golf in the last four months, then folks, you’ve been missing some legendary golf. Following the death of his father Earl back in 2006, Tiger has transformed himself from the greatest golfer in the world to the most unstoppable athlete on the planet. He dominated tournaments down the stretch in 2007, running away with the inaugural (NOT FIRST ANNUAL…that is one of my biggest pet peeves) FedEx Cup while skipping one of the final four tournaments to rest. He’s gotten married, has a baby girl, switched swing coaches, and sculpted his body two different ways (from body building uber-freak to badass golfer). The scary thing is, he’s accomplished all this in less than a year and half! And guess what…it’s only going to get more menotinous this year. Tiger is once again dominating the Buick, leading by ten shots at the time of this posting, cruising to his fourth consecutive win at Torrey Pines, and preparing his yardage book for the U.S. Open in June…being played at…you guessed it…Torrey Pines. 2008 is going to be a record setting year for Tiger. I have him running away with 3 majors (The Masters, U.S. Open, PGA Championship) and winning an unprecedented 10 tournaments. He is that locked in right now. (By the way, Tiger just sank an enormous putt on the side of a ridge on the 11th green…I’m just floored at how well he’s playing.)

Later on this week, J and I will be breaking down the upcoming Super Bowl. And I’m just going to assume that each of us will bust out a baseball blog at some point….because we can both sniff reporting day.

-CR

Dana’s fall from grace… among other things

Well Chad has been right about there not being a lot to talk about in the world of sports as of late. I know the Super Bowl is just around the corner, but you don’t need to come here and be bombarded by even more big game hype than you are already getting on every other media outlet. I’m sure we will both talk about it at length sometime next week, so there’s something to look forward to. In the word of basketball, it’s kind of same old, same old. The Celtics and Pistons are the beasts in the east (Oh lookie, I made a rhyme!) and the Spurs, Suns and Mavericks look to be the best in the west (OK, I’ll stop now). I guess I could spend a few minutes to talk about the Trail Blazers, and maybe some time in the future I will, but not today.

No today I want to talk about something that I find to be more interesting and also slightly disturbing. I’m talking about the fall from grace of ESPN’s own Dana Jacobson. Now you may know Dana from ESPN’s morning show First Take, formerly known as Cold Pizza. If you know the show but can’t pick out the face, Dana’s the one that kind of looks like a man, not the black hot one… that’s Sage… my future wife. I’ve always enjoyed Dana’s work. She knows how to mix intelligent sports talk with a kind of charm that only a six foot Amazonian women can provide. As a matter of fact, Dana’s voice is usually one the first voices I here in the morning, sometimes it’s Skip Bayless’ voice, but that’s a whole different blog altogether. In a way Dana Jacobson has become part of my daily routine. I wake up, listen to Dana talk for a couple of minutes, wait to see Sage, and get on with my day. I’d become very comfortable with this routine until last week when…

Tragedy Struck!

If you’ve been watching First Take this week then you have probably noticed that Dana has been gone all week. What you may not know is why. You see a couple of weeks ago Ms(?) Jacobson was part of a roast for famed ESPN radio hosts Mike and Mike. It was a light-hearted affair where roast-master Jeff Ross and a slew of people who worked with Mike and Mike came together to honor the pair by making fun of them. I can distinctly remember Mike and Mike mentioning how Dana would probably be the worst, as in best, when it came to roasting the two, especially if she got a couple of drinks in her first. This may have been the understatement of the year…

Now before I tell you what she said I need to clarify a few things. First, Mike Golic, one of the hosts of Mike and Mike, is a Notre Dame alum. What that means is he pretty much bleeds green and gold, and prays every night to touchdown Jesus. It’s also important to note that this roast was still an official ESPN event and ESPN is a Disney owned company, which means swearing and general acts of drunkenness are no nos. Apparently it was very evident that Dana had a few too many drinks in her when she got on stage to roast the two hosts. And as the saying goes it’s better to let people assume your plastered then open your mouth and remove all doubt… or something like that.

Well unfortunately no one had the good grace to stop Dana from talking, so she did talk, and this is what she had to say.

“f**k Notre dame”
“f**k touchdown Jesus”
and – the step-aside-because-lightning-is-about-to-strike… “f**k Jesus.”

(holding head in hands)

Oh Dana, you know better than that, don’t you? I guess this is what we get for giving alcohol to members of the boo yeah network at a function that had members of the media there covering the event. I’m going to guess that Dana was the kind of girl in college that would insist that she could drink everyone under the table, and when she got to drinking, bad things happened. You could probably guess what happened next. Notre Dame, the Catholic Church and The Disney Corporation all came down with great vengeance and furious anger. How Ms Jacobson didn’t get fired is anyone’s guess, but she did have to issue multiple public apologies and was suspended from ESPN for a week.

I think we need to go beyond that. I think we need to have an intervention. I mean we can’t have six foot tall women running around drunk in our modern society. I mean did you see the movie “Cloverfield,” we don’t want that happening in every city in this fair country do we? So please ESPN, save Dana and in the process save us all. I don’t want to be on the Internet and have to see another picture like this one ever again…