And on the 6th Day.......

Now, maybe we are all just "geeked" that the NBA is back but we have been treated some great games already.   The OKC/Mavs game had a great finish in a rematch of last years WCF.  We've seen the Heat and Bulls play well to start.  The Lakers (without Bynum) showcasing that they can play defense in almost defiance of some "experts" that are calling for their demise.  If the first 6 says of this season is any indication of how this season will be, then we are in for a wild and great ride.

It's way too early to be talking about the who the champion will be.  In this shortened and compacted season (66 games in 123 days) the door to the championship is a bit wider opened than normal.  I'm not a fan of paper champions.  There are always teams who look great on paper but haven't won a thing.  The Clippers and Knicks are much improved.  If Baron Davis shows up in a month or so in New York in some type of basketball shape, his transition into the Knick offense won't be tough.  Toney Douglas is a nice option off the bench but he doesn't really have the knowledge of the PG position the way Baron does.  Amare and Melo's strengths have always shown through the most when they have had a least a very good PG. And if you really think that Douglas is on the same level at Nash and Billups then stop reading now.  You won't be able to understand anything I talk about. If Tyson Chandler can defensively rub off on the Knicks the way he did in Dallas, then the Knicks will be a contender in the East.

The Clippers main problem so far, is they are still celebrating the team they have assembled.  Lob City is some college BS.  I don't know of any champion that won with lobs.  Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with watching Blake and D Jordan catching lobs from CP3 and Billups but if they need to get on them rebounds.  Second chance points killed the Clippers against the Spurs and Bulls.  If the Clippers want to assert some control over LA, then they need to commit to defense.  More importantly, Del Negro better figure that out quick or he will see himself let go again.  Its the defense that will lead to those fast break points and those amazing plays we crave from this team.  There isn't a trophy nor a banner for most highlights in a season.

All the Lakers need to do is hold the line and be smart.  They have a new system under new coach Mike Brown and Odom is now in Dallas.  Instead of worrying about if they can get D Howard, why are they not trying to get a PG?  Don't get me wrong about Derrick Fisher.  I like him but he isn't the Fisher of 2004 or earlier.  Blake and Barnes definitely aren't the answer.  Howard would be nice and maybe extend Fisher another season but the Lakers need to think beyond this season.  Missed opportunities can destroy your season.  Sorry Laker fans, right now, Bynum and Gasol are better for you than Dwight Howard.

Where do I begin with the Magic?  If you want they want to keep Howard, they aren't acting like it.  A bum foot for Brook Lopez is the only reason Howard is still in Orlando.  The Magic have the talent to contend but the front office hasn't given anyone any reason to play for anything.  Whatever you think about Dwight, you can't argue that he isn't showing up especially after back to back 24 rebound games.  Howard is saying through his play so far, "I can give it to ya but what you gonna do with it?".  To be fair, Howard needs to pose the same thing to his fellow players as well.  There is potential on this team.  Ryan Anderson is doing a good "Dirk" impression and a unexpected compliment to Howard.  Most importantly, Reddick and Duhon need to "step up they game" and be better contributors off the bench.  We don't know how long Jameer Nelson will stay healthy.  He already has a strained neck and we are only 6 days in.  Bottomline, the Magic need to shopping everyone not named Dwight Howard and show him they want to build around him.

For the Heat, its simple.  Ignore everyone not on their team and play.  LeBron was so worried about what people thought of him rather then just let his game speak.  He looks, early on that will do what he needs to in order for the Heat to win.  Instead of worrying about who takes the last shot, LeBron, DWade and Bosh all seem to agree to just play the game.  As long as this "Big 3" plays like a big 3, the Heat will be in the hunt.  LeBron has developed a nice post game which will make him even harder to guard.  Shane Battier is a nice addition mostly because he can defend and a decent 4th option in the offense.  The surprise "x-factor" is the rookie Norris Cole.  Look out for that name over the course of the season.

This has been some New Year's Eve ramblings.  I hope everyone stays safe and drinks responsibly this evening.  No need to ring in the New Year in the emergency room.  Beginning Jan 2, I will begin a series of division breakdowns in the NBA.  I will do a division every day for 6 days and start with the Pacific Division.



Happy New Year,
D!

To All Sports Fans.......Calm Down!!

I wake up this morning to Twitter and Facebook posts about the Mavs and Lakers being 0-2.  The Bulls losing to the Warriors or the funniest thing I have heard: If the playoffs started right now, the Clippers are the #1 seed in the west.  Really people?  After the second day of the season, where not every team has even played yet, folks are talking about the playoffs?  Take a good look at these people, because they are the ones who don't have a clue about sports.

Two weeks ago, the question on football fans minds was if anyone could be the Packers.  Now, after the Chiefs beat the Packers, the question being asked is if the Packers are vulnerable?  The answer is yes.....but.  You don't have a 14-1 record heading into the final week of the season by accident.  You can make an argument that Green Bay got lucky and caught teams on a good week but that is just stupid.  The great thing about sports is everyone can have an opinion, no matter how dumb it may be, but the games still have to be played and the chips fall as they do.  It is fine to say what you believe will happen but all of us have to wait and watch.  Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with expressing your opinion.  If you do, make sure your opinion makes sense.   Green Bay is the team to beat.  Their play shows it and so does their record so quiet that mess down. 

As for the NBA, the season just started.  The Lakers will be in the playoffs and as we all know, once a team is in the playoffs anything can happen.  Keeping things in perspective for the whole season, this 66 game season has a long way to go.  With teams so many back to back games and 3 games in 3 days as well, injuries will happen.  Its unfortunate but its also a reality.  Player movement isn't over either.  We all just have to wait and see.  Remember, there was no real training camp and only 2 preseason games.  That does little to help teams be ready for the season.  Going forward, there will be surprises in the NBA.  At the end of the day, the teams that will make the playoffs will be the teams that we expect to.  There might be one or two new teams competing but nothing that will change the landscape to the likes of which we have never seen.  For those of us old enough to remember the '99 season, the Knicks were the 8th seed in the east and they made it to the NBA Finals.  Anything can happen!  My advice is to enjoy that we have basketball.  

There are 16 NBA games on Saturday and Sunday to go along with a full slate of NFL games.  Of the 16 NFL games this weekend, 7 have huge playoff implications.  Sports fans all over the world should be beside themselves.  If you're like me, I don't plan on going anywhere New Years weekend.  This weekend will be every fans dream and it doesn't stop there.  Almost every weekend from now until February will be the same way.  With playoff football games and the NBA season heating up, this is Sports Mecca!!  If you're not fired up now, you need to check your pulse because you might be dead.  By the way, for MLB fans, pitchers and catchers report February 18th.  Its closer than you think.

Side Note: To all the female sports fans, I'm talking about the real ones and not the ones frontin' trying to catch a guy, keep doing what your doing ladies.  It doesn't go un-noticed.  There is nothing sexier then a woman who can hold her own in a sports conversation.  

D!

What a Christmas Holiday.......

As a sports fan, if you aren't "geeked" coming out of this Christmas weekend, then you're not a sports fan.  So much has happened and things are just heating up.

At the same time as the NFL playoffs are about to begin (for some, they have already started) the NBA season has tipped off.  What a weekend indeed.  The Lions are in the playoffs for the first time since 1999.  That is a big deal in itself.  After stumbling earlier in the season, the Lions pulled together and clinched a playoff spot when they easily beat the Chargers 38-10.  They are a very dangerous team entering the playoffs.  I'm not saying that the Lions will beat the Packers in week 17 or in the playoffs, if they get that far.  I am saying don't sleep on the Lions.  They can score with anyone and have a very talented defense.  I won't be surprised if the Lions beat the Packers.  Green Bay isn't the juggernaut that some have said they are.  They can be beaten as we saw when the Chiefs beat them and ended the undefeated season.  If the Lions can establish a consistent running game, then lookout because Stafford will be able to sit in the pocket and pick Green Bay apart.  Yeah, I Said It!!

I am trying not to be unbiased about the AFC west.  The Raiders seem to have a slight edge considering they host the Chargers while the Broncos host the Chiefs.  The Chiefs are playing for interim coach Romeo Crennel and are slowly getting healthy.  The Broncos are realizing that Tebow can't just will his way to wins anymore, if ever.  I'm not trying to take anything away from Tebow but if you really look at the games the Broncos won, the other teams often shot themselves in the foot and the Broncos took advantage (Raiders, Miami and the Bears to name a few).  The Raiders have mental and discipline issues.  Most of the penalties the Raiders have gotten (155) are false starts and offensive holding.  That is a lack of attention to detail but the Raiders still find themselves in a position to make the playoffs for the first time since 2002.  Its' simple, win and a Broncos loss or a Bengals loss and they are in.  Of course, the Raiders want the division title because that means they host a playoff game.  My pick is the Raiders win the division but the Broncos get in because the Ravens still have something to play for and will beat the Bengals.

After the first day of the NBA season, we saw some great games.  The Knicks decided to show the world that they are serious contenders in the east.  The Celtics didn't look too bad either.  Very close game and KG missed a shot that would have tied the game with no time left.  Melo
played his ass off and Rondo showed he will let his game speak after all the trade rumors.

While LeBron looked good with his new post up game, I'm not going to crown the Heat champs.  This game went exactly the way I thought it would.  There is a history of the defending champs losing opening night when raising the championship banners pre game.  Even the Bulls of the 90s lost opening night on a couple of occasions.  One game doesn't make a champion, especially the first game of the season.  Once again, Miami looked good but they looked just as good after the first game last year.  Look at the numbers, LeBron and DWade combined to go 22-40 shooting and no one else attempted more then 9 shots.  With this compacted season, Miami can't win playing games where LeBron and Wade are the offense.  While on paper, the Heat look stronger, the depth of this team is still suspect at best.  Dallas didn't shoot well at all shooting 37% from the field for the game.  Chalk this up as a bad game for the Mavs and we'll see what happens.

The eye raising moment came in the Bulls/Lakers game.  No one really expected the Lakers to play the defense they played on Christmas day.  It was a pleasant surprise for Laker fans.  The Bulls didn't play their normal pressure defense that they are known for until the fourth quarter and mounted a comeback for the one point win.  Derrick Rose took advantage of the defense we all have seen the Bulls play and got the Bulls the lead with 9 seconds to play with a beautiful floater over Derrick Fisher and Pau Gasol.  All in all, both teams looked good for the first game of the season and I wouldn't be surprised if these two teams met again in the Finals.  Of course, that could be wishful thinking.

I was not impressed at all by the Magic/Thunder game.  For one, Howard looked uninterested.  For that matter, everyone on the Magic team except for J Nelson looked like they didn't want to play at all.  There was no attempt at defensive play and a whole lot of standing around watching.  I don't care what rumors are out there, as a professional basketball player, you have to show up every night.  On the other side, Durrant and Westbrook seem to have ended whatever "feud" they had from last year.  They had such chemistry on the floor like they new where the other one was the whole game.  Big ups to James Harden, he played great in 32 minutes off the bench scoring 19.  Getting to the rim and getting to the foul line.  Harden hit 10-12 free throws and adding 6 boards and 3 ast.  Production off the bench is needed for any team going for a championship.  OKC

I have to give the Warriors credit.  They didn't just allow the Clippers to make a highlight film of this game.  Bad shooting nights for Curry and Wright hurt this team.  In the end, the Clippers played and inside out game with Griffen's 22 points and Billups scoring 21.  Chris Paul had 20 pts and 9 ast in his Clippers debut.  With scoring like this from these 3, it will be hard to beat the Clippers going forward.  The interesting note is Billups missed 7 three point shots and Jordan missed 8 free throws.  I'm sure Deandre Jordan will work on his free throws going forward and Billups won't miss 7 threes either.  Look out for the Clippers to do some damage this season.  Can't wait!!!

NCAA.....WTF??!!

Now we all have had our take on the NCAA and its "inconsistencies" but at some point a foul must be called.  I am in no way condoning breaking of rules, no matter how stupid they are.  Having said that, the NCAA has now crossed a line.  It doesn't matter what side you are on concerning student athletes being compensated but you are not supposed to have rules if you're going to punish offenders differently.  That just doesn't make sense.  But then again, this is the NCAA we're talking about.

Today, the NCAA handed down its sanctions against the Ohio State University.  In addition to OSU self vacating the 2010 season, returning the bowl money and 5 scholarships (over 3 years), the NCAA added a ONE year bowl ban that includes the Big 10 conference championship game.  Increased lost scholarships to 9 over 3 years as well.

In June of 2010, USC was hit with a 2 year bowl ban and loss of 30 scholarships over 3 years.  The Trojans were hit with some of the most severe penalties in NCAA history because Heisman Trophy-winning tailback Reggie Bush and basketball star O.J. Mayo accepted thousands of dollars in improper benefits from sports marketers and agents.

So, Pete Carroll didn't lie to his bosses and lie to the NCAA like Jim Tressel did but because OSU fully cooperated and Reggie Bush and O.J. Mayo (in the NFL and NBA respectively already) didn't want to further speak to the NCAA means a lighter sentence?  WTF NCAA??!!  Only the NBA and NFL are allowed to punish however they want.  I want an answer for why the two punishments more then anything.  Is the NCAA saying that one school is worth more then another?  This farce of a punishment says that.

As fans, we can always claim a "west coast bias" but that isn't applicable.  The rules are the same for every school in the NCAA.  You break one and there are consequences.  Today, the NCAA told us that depending on the school and the cooperation, the punishment will be softer.  What's worse, is that the NCAA also sent a message to the school presidents and chancellors.  That message is to continue to break the rules, just don't get caught.  I'm sure that OSU will never get over this scandal.  Punishment being so severe.

The NFC East Playoff Chase

I've just been in a football mood today.  The NFC East is facing some crazy scenarios in the next 2 weeks and the Eagles aren't out of it either.  I know, between the Cowboy, Giants and Eagles, Philly has the smallest chance but its a chance none the less.  Especially after the way the Eagles have been playing the last couple of weeks.

It's simple for the Cowboys, win and you're in.  Easier said then done considering they get the Eagles at home then have to go to New York and play the Giants.  Talk about having to earn your way in.  However, the Cowboys aren't known for playing big when it matters.  For Dallas, the playoffs have started.

The Giants have squandered every opportunity they have been given.  The Giants have been an inconsistent playoff contender.  Coming off a near win against the then unbeaten Packers, the Giants went to Dallas and beat the Cowboys and take control of their playoff destiny.  The task at hand was to beat the Redskins at home and keep pace with the Cowboys.  Washington won 23-10.  So now, the Giants have to been the Jets and hope the Cowboys lose to the eagles.  Then, find a way to beat the Cowboys in week 17.  It can happen but that depends on which Giants team shows up.

After a supreme let down for most of the regular season, the Eagles find themselves in a position to still make the playoffs.  They need to win out and then get a lot of help.  Best case for Philly is to beat the Cowboys and hope the Jets beat the Giants.  Then, the Eagles must beat the Redskins and have the Giants beat the Cowboys.  In this case, the Eagles would have the tiebreakers over both the Giants and the Cowboys.

After the way this season has gone, is the scenario for the Eagles too far fetched?  Not at all.  Of the 3 teams, the Eagles are the team that is playing like they want to win.  Michael Vick is healthy and LaShon McCoy is playing lights out at the RB position.  McCoy is 2nd in the league in rushing and trailing Jones-Drew by roughly 60 yards.

While the Cowboys have an advantage in this division, all 3 of these teams have much to prove.  None of them have played consistently up to expectations.  Injuries have much to do with it but lack of consistent play is the main reason.  Eli Manning has made mistakes even with him being on pace to to break Marino's yards passing record for a time this season.  I'll talk about that record next time.  Tony Romo has the skills to get the job done but he doesn't show the will to get it done.  When will Romo decide that he is the man and then play like it?  No one but Romo knows.  Michael Vick has shown how well his skills at QB have improved.  If he can stay healthy, then lookout NFL.  Vick has all the help he needs to take the next step in his game.  Having a quality running game has proved great for QBs.  Look what happened for Elway when he got one: finally a super bowl champion, twice.  With McCoy and an O-line that seems to want to block now, the Eagles seem to be the team to beat.  These next 2 weeks should be very interesting.  Can't wait....

Battle: LA

*Before any Laker fans want to call me a hater, I like the Lakers.  I am a Bulls fan and have always been a Bulls fan.  You can't be a fan of a team that you hate at least twice a year. I call it as I see it.  I am a fan of basketball, period.

Once free agency started, we all expected the LA to make a splash to get back to its winning ways.  What we didn't expect was it to be the Clippers who made the splash.  They paid D Jordan, brought in C Billups and C Butler, and finalized a trade for C Paul.  WTF?!  Yeah, you read that right.  The Clippers starting five could look like this: Jordan at center, Griffin at PF, Butler at SF, Billups at SG and Paul at PG.  Lets all be honest, doesn't this starting five scare you at all?  Sure there are still questions considering that Butler and Paul are coming off injuries and Del Negro is the coach and this is the Clippers we are talking about.  This is a good story right now but given Sterling's past, how long should anyone expect this to last?  That is an answer for another time but I just wanted to put it out there.

Now, the Lakers, who have run LA, are slowly giving away pieces that won them championships.  Overspending has finally caught up with them and stupidity is taking over.  Say what you want about the vetoed trade but the Lakers were not a better team with that trade.  As much as Laker fans may cry about collusion and hatred toward the Lakers, the main reason Laker fans are wrong is that the trade with the Clippers allows the Hornets to field a decent team and gives stability for the next few years while it rebuilds.  Also, if the Lakers had gotten Chris Paul, basically they would have traded a solid front court for a solid back court.  The Lakers would have even more problems and wouldn't have been able to be in a position to go after D Howard.  So I have to credit David Stern for that.  Remember, the Hornets are still looking for an owner to buy the franchise and keep it in New Orleans.  I understand why the Lakers may feel slighted, considering they haven't had a PG since Ron Harper left, who really wasn't a PG so then that leaves Van Excel.  No knock on Derek Fisher but he can't keep up with the Rose, Westbrook's and Paul's of the NBA.  Even old man Jason Kidd ran circles around Fisher last season.  It seems the Lakers forgot that a new CBA is in place and getting good talent was seen as stupid compared to getting big names and raising their costs.  If the Lakers could have gotten both Paul and Dwight Howard, how could they have paid them both?  Even if they took less money, your still looking at paying them $17 mil a piece and then tack on the $24 mil that Kobe is getting, that is $58 mil right there.  They become the Miami Heat of last year.  Three great players and no depth.  Teams have won with a little depth but no team has won with no depth.  I can't name one.  Just like every great team of the past, time has caught up with the Lakers.

On paper, the Clippers have closed the gap between themselves and the Lakers.  The Clippers are in a position to finally fight to got deep in the playoffs and possibly win the division.  No, I am not crowning the Clippers the best in the west.  Only time will tell that story but at the same time, how can you not have higher expectations for the Clippers?  The answer is that you can't.  Health now becomes the main issue for the Clippers.  If all can stay mostly healthy, the Clippers will be top 4 in the West.  Yeah, I said it.  Dallas, OKC, Denver and the Clippers as it stands right now.  Now, the Spurs can make some moves before Christmas as well as the Lakers.  With Howard being off the table, for now, what will the Lakers do?  That is the magic question, no pun intended.  With only a 66 game schedule, the five games Bynum will miss will hurt a little more.  Now, Gasol has to show up but probably won't.  Gasol has benefited from having Odom and Bynum, more so with Odom.  With Odom gone and Bynum missing at least 5 games, plus whatever injury he will have, the Lakers must now rely on Blake and Barnes to help out with the scoring and defense.  Neither of which are known for any consistent defensive play.  Argue with me if you want, but if I'm so wrong, then why did the Lakers get embarrassed and bounced from the playoffs by the Mavs last year?  NO DEPTH and lack of any physical presence.  If you disagree then your lying to yourself.

Since December 9th, the defending champs lost a few pieces but gained replacements in Odom and Vince Carter.  While your laughing about Carter, his role isn't to be "Vinsanity" but to be a role player.  The Clippers upgraded.  Denver resigned Nene and the Grizzlies kept Marc Gasol (the better defending Gasol).  OKC stayed intact and even Golden State has added to their young squad.  Six western conference teams have all upgraded and none of them are named the Lakers.  I am not saying the Lakers can't or won't compete but with so many holes, I can't pick them as favorites.  Dallas won and didn't get worse while the Lakers lost and have taken a step back.

Now, some Laker fans will say that the Lakers will find a way.  I don't see how.  There is a lot of youth in the west outside of the Spurs and Mavs.  Teams are not adding to their rosters with a "win now" mentality anymore.  With the new CBA Steph Curry coming to the Lakers for nothing will not happen.  The Lakers have won championships by getting over on lesser teams, now its the Lakers turn to feel the pain.  I'm not taking anything away from the Lakers because all they could do is beat the teams in front of them.  Not made at that at all.  That is the nature of sports.   Kobe will still be Kobe but he only has 3 or 4 more years left.  Its time for the Lakers to be realistic.  The Lakers have been great over the last decade but all good things come to an end.

Ok NBA, let me get this straight...

So, we went through all of this and you had to try and have the last laugh. One more "fuck you" to the fans? Katt Williams said that there is nothing worse than a smart, dumb nigga. Well Katt, we have it. The NBA owners are worse. They got a much bigger piece of the BRI. Maube not as much as they may have wanted but much more then they had. Definatly more then they deserved. All to now try and control player movement. Delusional comes mind.

As long as a player is willing to take less money, big market teams will always land free agents. That is how it always has been and will continue to be. Contract size and length may be different but that's it. What's ironic is that the owner of the Cavs, Dan Gilbert, enjoyed all the benifits of "big market" money for seven years. Nowhere crying because LeBron left and took less money under the old agreement. People may not like how he left but we all understand why. No one wants to play in Cleveland. If this were not true then LeBron would still be there along with some superstar(s). I'm not knocking the city of Cleveland at all but there is no draw to that city like LA, New York or Chicago. If NBA history shows is anything it's that no teams wins championships without some sort of superstar tandem. I would have to go back to the '77 Blazers to even begin to find one but one could argue for Maurice Lucus and Bill Walton but you get my point.

Now, the league owned Hornets are about to loose their star Chris Paul. This is where delusions come into play again. The best deal the Hornets could get was vetoed for "basketball reasons". Whatever that means. The next deal win the Clippers fell apart because the Clippers ,smartly, turned it down because the Hornets were asking for way more the Paul is really worth. The flip side is that the Clippers actually did something right. When you compare the two deals, the NBA vetoed a deal that would have given the Hornets the better level of players in return for Paul the the players they were trying to get from the Clippers. All that's left is that since the Lakers were involved then it couldn't happen. So yet again the NBA has shot itself in the foot. Now Paul will leave after this season and the Hornets get nothing in return. Way to go NBA!

This lockout was about money. There is no doubt about that. Now the owners wha to gain control over player movement. Delusional once again because a free agent can go wherever he pleases. The owners will never be able to control that. A player can choose to sign or not sign extentions. Once again, the owners have no control. So I ask, what control are they trying to have? The control is always with the free agents.

I'm Mad as Hell and I'm NOT Gonna Take It Anymore!

It's easy to holler GREED! It's easy to say "they're being selfish and pety but what would you do if your boss announce that he is going to take back every benefit and incentive he offered you to work for him? What if your boss decided that after he made questionable and highly risky business decisions that loss money that your pay would be cut to make up the difference? What would you do? Probably exactly what the NBA players are doing. Drawing a line in the sand and saying "NO MORE".

Take the same business model that is the proposed model of the CBA and apply it to your job and work situation and you would be just as upset as the players. I concede that the the priority of business is to turn a profit but not at the expense of the employees that make it possible. No fan has ever purchased a ticket to a NBA game with the hope of seeing Dan Gilbert in his press box. In a business that money is made by the product that the players put out 82+ games each season, billions of dollars are generated. From jerseys to shoes, the NBA is almost a " right to print money" organization. Be it cable of satellite tv NBA game packages or attending a live game, the NBA has made money. Maybe not as much as they would like but it has been steady.

Since the last work stoppage, players has come and gone. We have seen outstanding games like game 7 of the 2000 Western Conference Finals and the entire 2009 Finals. Through all of that we, the fans, are told that we can't have games anymore because one side wants the other to give up everything they have worked for and earned.

No one held a gun to any owners head and made him sign a player to a contract. Whether or not a players was over paid is no real fault of the player but you shouldn't be able to take it away because of failed expectations either. When a person makes a decision, they have to live with the consequences, good or bad. Each contract is a risk. Any player could get hurt at any time and be lost for the season but still teams take he chance. In any business, there is risk and sometimes failures happen.

In the economy that we have been in for the last few years it is expected for less people to spend money at NBA games and NBA apparel. That always has been a part of life in business in the world we live in. So when the players went to the table and offered to come down to 54% that should have shown the owners that the players recognized hat there should be some concessions made from there side. Instead of being appreciative, the owners "saw blood" and wanted more. The owners latest proposal basically takes away money and power from the players. What the players are asking for is no different then you or I having out sick and vacation days taken away. No more 401k and medical insurance. None of us would stand for it either so why should the players? We may not ever be able to understand having the amounts of money being fought over but the economics are the same. The zeros don't change in the big picture. No employer should be able to tell an employee that to give 100% for less money. To drive the business but not have a share in the reward. Most NBA players have experienced this: in college but that's for another time. You don't have to agree with me but you know I'm right.

A True Fall Classic

On August 22, 2011, the Cardinals began a 3-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.  They were swept 3 games to none, leaving them 10.5 games out of the wild card.  The Cards then went on to win 18 of they're last 25 games and watched as the Braves and the defending World Series Champs collapsing down the stretch.  It wasn't just the Red Sox that failed to hold a lead in the final month of the season. The Cardinals were only at the beginning of their uphill climb to the title.

St. Louis drew the Philadelphia Phillies.  The team many picked to win it all at the beginning of the season and had the best regular season record.  The Cards stayed hot and won the Division Series in 5 games.  Manager Tony La Russa kept his team believing in themselves as the prepared to play their division rival Milwaukee Brewers.  La Russa said, "Anything can happen if we can continue to play hard and play together, anything."  Let's be honest, know one really thought the Cardinals would get past the Brewers but then David Freese went nuclear.

Virtually unknown, this St. Louis native was quietly living the existence and a hometown hero no one had heard of.  Most people thought his play in game 4, with 4 RBIs and a HR, was an aberration.  After the NLCS, we all know, he was just getting started.  Freese battered the Brewers pitching staff hitting .545 with 3 HRs and 9 RBIs in 6 games.  Unknown no more, the Cards 3rd baseman was named NLCS MVP.  After an improbable finish to make the playoffs, The Cardinals had beaten the best in the NL and were in the World Series for the 3rd time in 7 years.

With the Texas Rangers coming to town, the Cardinals post season run started to turn from being a good 'cinderella' story to a great one.  All the Cardinals did was show the world that it is never over until its over.  Ten games back in August? No Problem.  Phillies in the NLDS? We Got This!  The Brewers in the NLCS? Check!  The Texas Rangers (in their 2nd consecutive WS)? Not Worried!!  At least, that is how it played out.  Rangers were one strike away from being champs twice in game 6.  Heart, poise, determination and Freese.  It was amazing to watch this series go from very good to EPIC!  It was what a World Series should be. Full of excitement and drama but best of all, great baseball.  A series were Pujols was Pujols (3HRs in game 3) and Carpenter, without his best stuff,  going 2-0 in three starts with 13Ks/5BB (post season 4-0 in six starts with a 3.25 ERA (21Ks/11BB)).

The first 7 game World Series since 2002 and was just as good.  Truly a Fall Classic for the ages.  And just like in 2002, game 6 will go down as one of the greatest games in World Series history.  It is true that heroes are made in October.  Congrats to the 2011 World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals.  What a great run, what a great season!!

D!

Competitive Balance vs Parody....

With this 100+ day NBA lockout, many of us are forced to think about great seasons past.  Magic's rookie year, the ShowTime Lakers,  Isiah from '88-'90, Jordan and the Bulls in the '90s,  the Spurs from '99 on.  I could go and on but you get my point.  Coming off, probably the best NBA season in a few years, this lockout has been a slap in the face to fans.  Not pointing in one direction or the other, but the fans have been and after thought.  We all recall our favorite seasons and teams.  I remember exactly where I was when the Bulls won championships.  I remember being at 6th grade camp when the Pistons beat the Lakers in 1989.  I remember that terrible day in '93 when Jordan retired for the first time.  We all remember that day in March 1995 when Jordan came back!  Now, as I gather all this info regarding this lockout, I start to break things down.

The owners want more competitive balance.  They must have found this term right next to "the tuck rule" in the NFL.  I can't remember when the league was balanced.  First stat, and really the only one that matters, is since 1980, nine teams have won the NBA Finals.  Go ahead and Google it, I did.  Nine teams, Lakers, Celtics, 76ers, Pistons, Bulls, Rockets, Spurs, Heat and Mavs.  That isn't competitive considering there are 30 teams.  I will even throw in that if you count the losers of the NBA Finals, then the total is 16. So the list would include the Blazers, Suns,  Knicks, Magic, Pacers, Nets, Cavs and Blazers.  So, over the last 32 years, only half the league has made it to the Finals.  Is that not parody?  The Suns, Magic, Heat, Rockets, Blazer, Nets and Pacers have been less then 3 times during this time so that brings the list to 8 with the Rockets being the only team to win.  The Rockets won in '94 and '95 and Houston isn't a major market either.

Let's look at markets.  Obviously, LA, Texas and New York are the big 3 markets.  You can include Boston, Florida and Illinois as well.  Florida and Texas are combined in the market number (The reason for this is even though the populations are big, the sports teams are not that far spread out and often share TV time and/or have deals in place as to not have overlap.  Its just how the markets are reported.  Most of the numbers out of Illinois are the Chicago numbers).  The problem with all of this is, population numbers don't matter.  Most people want to see certain players regardless of what team they are on.  The Lakers/Pistons Finals in 2004, has been the highest rated Finals since the 1998 Finals.  Ratings for the Finals have been dropping since '98.    Some feel it was the change from NBC to ABC but this is only partially right.  Ratings started dropping due to the shortened '99 season.  There was a small drop in '00 but that was the Lakers first of three championships and ratings went up in '01, but that was short lived.  Let's face it though, no one wanted to watch the Pacers get blown out.  The Spurs have won 4 championships but each year they won, the ratings were the lowest in the history of the NBA.  No one outside of San Antonio wanted to watch the Spurs.  Ratings didn't climb again until the 2009 season, which included the Lakers/Celtics.  Well that figures.  But the 2011 Finals ratings were best since that '04 Finals.  The leagues became fun to watch again and fans were going crazy over all the good play.  Now this damn lockout has erased all of that.

The fans don't want balance.  Fans want to see their favorite players.  People are tired of the Spurs, Celtics and Lakers and want to see the Thunder, Bulls, and Knicks.  fans are also cheering for anyone who plays the Heat.  If you really think about it, this lockout is really about the owners and the fact that the owners don't like each other nor do they want to share anything.  Owners like Cuban and the OKC ownership are hated because they no how to conduct business in a way to make their teams competitive.  Remember how people said that Memphis was stupid for giving up Gasol?  Well 3 years later and the Grizzlies nearly made it to the Western Conference Finals.  Portland, Warriors, Jazz, Nuggets are all small market teams.  These teams don't have rosters full of over-the-hill players either.  Just decent management.   Looks like the competitive balance is fine to me.

My parting shot is aimed at the owners.  No where in the world is there a business where the employees who bring in your money are supposed to give back money just because the "heads" of these businesses want to increase profits.  You make business decisions and right or wrong you live with the fall out.  You don't tell your employees "that salaries and contracts will be cut but we expect a higher level of work out of you or at least the same level".   The NBA doesn't have to solicit for money.  The NBA sells itself.  Companies step all over themselves to get better visibility in the NBA.    Stop complaining that your profits are down and be happy that in this economy, you have profits to speak of.  Once you loose your fans, it will be hard as hell to get them back.  Just ask MLB.  Took them 4 years after the '94 strike to get fans to start to come back and 7 years before MLB was back to full strength.

Except the 4% increase in BRI and split the difference with the salary cap/luxury taxes.  Make rookie contract 3 years and no more then $5 mil per year.  I got you started.  Now get in done and lets play some basketball!!

D!

The Phoenix Report

So much is going on in the sports world that I really didn't know what to blog about.  So now, I will post a few blogs about some of the happenings in the sports world.

My Raiders have made a huge splash by trading for Carson Palmer.  This trade doesn't happen if Jason Campbell doesn't break his collarbone.  It is a risk but no bigger risk then any other team would take if in the same position.  The Raiders are 4-2 and a half game out of 1st in the division.  To put this in perspective, the Packers would have tried to get Palmer is Rodgers went down.  This talk of numbers between Palmer and Campbell is ridiculous.  If Palmer is 100% healthy, then Palmer can become the best QB in Oakland since Gannon.  For 8 years, palmer has been, at the least, a top 10 QB in the NFL.  Actually, only Brady, P Manning, Rodgers, Brees, Rivers come to mind at being better then Palmer.  So that puts Palmer at number 6.  I'm sure some people can say there are others but who?  Eli Manning?  Is it the ring?  Maybe but what has Eli Manning really done with the exception of that Super Bowl year?  Bottomline, no one knows what will happen with the Raiders the rest of the season.  In Palmer's Pro Bowl seasons, he had a good running game so he didn't have to "be the offense" in Cincy.  With the Raiders, Palmer has McFadden, the leading rusher in the NFL right now.  The Raiders have the #2 rushing offense in the NFL.  Palmer is being asked to manage the Raider offense.  He has to learn an offense that he is already familiar with and has a coach he has known and worked with going back to his days at USC.  The Raiders are #19 in passing.  Are you really saying that Palmer can't get the Raiders passing attack into the top 10 by seasons end?  With no O-line in Cincy last year, Palmer had the Bengals at #13 in the NFL.  He will have protection in the pocket and has receivers who can actually catch the ball and stretch the field.  If anything, the Raiders will continue to do what they have been doing and they just got better at the QB position.  First the division then the Super Bowl.  See you in INDY!   YEAH, I SAID IT!

Since my dad is a St. Louis Cardinals fan, I wanted to speak on the World Series.  The 107th World Series is between the Texas Rangers (2nd straight trip) and the St. Louis Cardinals (3rd WS in the last 8 years; 2006 Champions).  The Cards won Game 1 and look to go up 2-0 tonight.  These teams are very evenly matched.  Both have power in the middle of the lineups and good contact hitting at the top and bottom.  The pitching staffs are on the same level.  These teams strengths and weaknesses are mirror images of each other.  This series can go down as one of the best in many years.  If game 1 was any indication of how the rest of the series will go, then its all good for baseball fans.  I'm encouraged by this especially since the NBA can't get right!  The Rangers and Cards can keep my mind off the NBA BS for another week or so.  I pick the Cardinals in 6!!

The Phoenix Report: MLB 2011

With the regular season now over, what a way to end it?  Four games to decide two wild card spots.  Yankees @ Rays, Red Sox @ Orioles, Cardinals @ Astros and Phillies @ Braves.  Where to go and what to watch.  Thank God for Pic-N-Pic and live streaming online.  Just think, a week ago, there was a chance of a 3-way tie for the Wild Card spot in the AL.  The Angels decided they didn't want to be in the playoffs.  The story I  think no one is talking about is how the Yankees holding the Red Sox playoff hopes in their hands.  Like some sort of bad, ironic joke.  I know Boston fans had to be sick about that but all the Sox had to do is win.  Yeah, I know, easier said then done.  Especially after the September we have all just seen.

Did the Yankees "pack it in" and give the Rays a chance to catch the Red Sox?  Its debatable but you can make an argument either way.  The stat that stands out first is that the Rays, coming into last nights game, had won 8 out of 17 games against the Yankees.  With last nights win, the Rays and Yankees are tied at 9 for wins head to head on the season.  Bottom line, regardless of it all, the Rays had to score runs and they did with timely hitting and good pitching.  The Rays earned their way into the playoffs and can actually do some damage.  Rangers could be in for a fight.

Meltdown, choke, implode.  Any of these three words describe both the Atlanta Braves and the Boston Red Sox.  Both with big leads at the beginning of September and both home for the winter.  Lack of heart comes to mind.  Both of  these teams have a history of folding at the wrong time on multiple occasions.  The Red Sox and their 86 year championship drought has been well documented.  The Braves, with all those division championships in the '90s and only one championship to show for it.  In a small way, are we really surprised.  The question isn't how these teams melted down, but how will they recover?

A much more quiet story is the St. Louis Cardinals.  The Cards have always been in the hunt over the years and have a 2006 championship to show for it.  They won the NL Central Division 7 times since 2000 and were also in the 2004 World Series.  The 2011 team, put their heads down and went to work.  Picking away at a 10.5 deficit on Aug. 25 by winning 23 of their last 31 games.  It wasn't sexy but it was effective.  They took care of the games when they needed to.  The Cardinals worried about themselves and took care of business.  Wild Card or not, the Phillies will have their hands full when the Cardinals come to town.  Remember, the Cardinals took 6 games out of the 9 played this year.  After this run, would you really bet against the Cardinals?

I have to give props to the Baltimore Orioles.  With nothing to play for, this team strapped up and went to work.  The Os showed their fans a good show and didn't just lay down for the Red Sox.  Integrity comes to mind when it comes to this Orioles team.  As a fan of baseball, I appreciate a team 20+ games below .500 showing up to play.  It wasn't just this game either.  The Orioles and Red Sox played 7 times in September, with the Orioles winning five.  Thank you Baltimore!  You may not have had much to celebrate but you should your professionalism and the love of the game.  


D!

The Phoenix Report: NFL Flukes

Let's be honest, there have been and are teams that play "above their heads", dating back to at least last season. I'm going to start with the Kansas City Chiefs because they are the biggest fluke of all.

 The Chiefs won the AFC West by default.  Basically, someone had to win and the Chargers can't finish during a playoff push and the Raiders can't stop the run.  Just look at the stats for the Chiefs over the last 19 games (16 regular season, 1 playoff in 2010 and 2 games in 2011).  The Chiefs problems were somewhat hidden by their running games and now that Charles is out for the season, where do they turn?  Don't say Matt Cassel because he threw 7 INTs last year in 15 games and has 4 already this year after just 2.  Then there's the defense or lack there of.  The Chief defense has given up 80+ points in 2 games.  This is the defending AFC West champs here.  The front seven cause ZERO pressure on opposing QBs and the DBs consistently get burnt.  Yeah, no repeat for this team.  I hope they enjoyed their gift playoff last year because the Chiefs are done.  Yeah, I Said It!

The Buffalo Bills are not as bad as we thought but they aren't as good as some say they are.  The Bills have looked good the first 2 weeks but starting the season playing the Chiefs and my Raiders doesn't mean that they are contenders for the playoffs.  The real Bills will show up on Sunday when they host the Patriots.  They won't score more then 10 points and will lose by at least 20.  I do applaud the Bills for "looking" like they no longer want to be fodder for the AFC East but its not about how your team looks.  Its about what your team produces, on the field.  The Bills do have good RBs but are middle of the pack in passing (18th overall).  Fred Jackson is playing very well but wait until they play the Pats, Steelers, Ravens and other defenses that are run stoppers.  Yeah, I Said It!

D!

The Phoenix Report: NBA Lockout

I have tried to keep an open mind but no matter how you look at things, I can't begin to see things from the owners position.  If you listen/read the comments and statements from the owners and David Stern, you can tell that they are being less then truthful. Stern is using words like "vast majority" and "virtual unanimity" tells me and everyone else that there is no unified agreement within the owners as a collective.  How can you, in good faith, bargain with the players if you are not all on the same page?  The answer is you can't.  I understand, business wise, when you are going through a collective bargaining, both sides ask for more then they can get.  Its where you start and then leave room to negotiate up or down.  I'm good with that but the owners want to get back the money that they "lost" during the previous CBA.  WTF?!  How can you look the NBA players in the face and ask/demand that they give you back money you "lost" because of poor business decisions you made?  Sounds like the federal bank bailout all over again.  No one is rewarded for making mistakes.  I have never been and no one I know ever has.  What makes the owners any different?  Not a damn thing!  Let's break it down:

The Salary Cap:
As is, there is a "soft cap".  There is a set dollar amount for all teams but there is a "luxury tax" added when teams spend beyond the cap.  A good idea but it is not a high enough amount to make any of the "big market teams" to not go over the cap.  That leaves teams like the Bobcats, Bucks and Kings in a position where they can't offer players the amount of money they are seeking to play for a team.  The easy fix is to raise the penalty amount.  If you go over the cap by $1 million, then you should have to pay $5 million in luxury taxes.  Sounds steep?  Good.  Then those "big market teams" won't act as if there is no salary cap.  It would also lower player paydays as well.  If a player wants to play for a particular team, then he would have to take a pay cut to do so.  If you are laughing at players taking less money think about how many players are being over paid like Rashard Lewis, who would make $22.1 million this season. That is $3 million short of what Kobe Bryant is making.  SMDH!!  Lewis hasn't been a factor in since '09 and not worthy of this money.  He has been in the league since 1998 and only 2 all-star selections.  That isn't a $20 million player!  I don't blame Lewis at all.  Some owner/GM decided he was worth it and now they want to complain about paying him and  players like him because they aren't producing on the court.  That is no ones fault but the owners.  They shouldn't be bailed out for bad business decisions.  Greedy bastards.

Split of Basketball Related Income or BMI:
Under the previous CBA, the players got 57% of the BMI and rightly so.  Basically, the owners made endorsement and TV deals using the players as equity/collateral to get companies to pay through the nose.  So why would the players get the bigger share?  Its the players that put people in the stands.  I have been to quite a few NBA games in 4 cities and never have I seen a fan wearing a jersey or T-shirt with an owners name on it.  Nike, Reebok, Converse or Adidas don't have a shoe marketing an owner.  Kids on the playground don't call out Jerry Buss or Jerry Reinsdorf name as they go to the hole or take a 3-point shot.  So once again, the owners are acting as if the NBA would be nothing if not for them.  LOL!!  What's worse is that the players offered to lower their percentage to 54%. That amounts to $500 million over the duration of the new CBA.  The owners want to bigger share, for no other reason then to recoup "losses" from the last CBA.  Get the hell outta here with that.  If I was a player, I wouldn't give in on that either.

Guaranteed Contracts:
This is the only issue where I am on the owners side.  The NFL doesn't have guaranteed contracts and rightly so.  Players are paid to play and produce on the court, if you aren't doing that then you shouldn't get paid.  A good example is Grant Hill.  He got hurt, doing his job, and it took some years before he was effective for a team again.  He had a guaranteed contract so he got paid even though he played 82 games over a 3 year span.  I like Hill but as an owner, I would not have wanted to pay someone who wasn't doing what I was paying him to do.  Get rid of the guarantees and add more buyout clauses, just like in the NFL.  DONE!

Revenue Sharing:
This is only a issue because the players were able to get a clause that allows them to have to sign off on any revenue sharing.  What the owners do with their share is their business but the owners can't agree among themselves how to share so that isn't on the players.  Once again, the "big market teams" want to make the money they generate or receive and let the "small market teams" fend for themselves.  Example: The Lakers don't want to give the Bobcats a piece of the Lakers TV deals.  The owners feel that since they individually made deals for their teams then they should reap all the rewards but they want to players to bridge the gap in revenue sharing between the owners.  C'mon man!



D!

The Phoenix Report: QBs Week 1

With week 1 in the NFL season behind us, anticipation for week 2 is as big as kickoff weekend. So many expectations and surprises came out of week 1. Names like Brady, Manning (Eli and Payton), Brees and Cutler are normal to hear but Newton and Henne in with the rest is, at the very least, eye opening.




Even though the Panthers lost to the Cardinals, Newton completed 24 of 37 (64.9%) with two touchdowns and an interception to go along with 422 yards. He made the correct decisions that you wouldn't expect of a rookie QB starting and playing in his first NFL game. Stats that you wouldn't expect from a rookie QB who only completed 40% of his pre-season passes and was said to not have any real timing with his receivers. Cam Newton showed us all why the only stats that matter are the ones that happen when the games matter. Going forward, the Panthers have a huge building block with Newton. They know without a doubt that they can compete with anyone. I'm not saying the Panthers are going to win their division but they are a scary, young team. What's even better, Newton has earned respect from his offensive line and receivers. Something a QB needs to be successful. Before the season, it was said that Cam Newton had a lot of unanswered questions about his ability at the position on the pro level. Not anymore! All he has to do now is take this performance and grow from it. Eliminate that few mistakes he did make. The scariest thing of all is, Newton is very capable of playing even better. There are some defense coordinators that are looking at some sleepless nights ahead.


Did Tom Brady really throw for 512 yards? Yes, and he added 4TDs and 1INT. Easily the best performance of the weekend. Brady looked like a QB with a chip on his shoulder. You can say that it wasn't a big deal considering Miami's defense sucks but 500 yards is 500 yards. I don't care what team it is and what was worse was the Patriots were on the road. How the hell do you give up that many yards at home? Brady had forever and a day to sit in the pocket and pick the receiver he wanted. All anyone could do was shake their heads and say, "Brady was Brady".


Now, there were some "head scratching moments" at the QB position as well. First, Donovan McNabb and his 37 yards passing. WTF?! The Chargers are not as good as the Vikings made them look. The number 1 problem with the Vikings is that the offensive line, doesn't seem to know how to pass protect. Obviously, they are great at opening holes for Adrian Peterson, which is why AP rushed for 98 yards and along with Percy Harvin's 108 KR for a touchdown, were the only bright spots for the Vikings. When McNabb arrived in the Twin Cities, the offense was supposed to be more balanced. Supposed is the operative word because it never materialized in any form. Maybe this was an aberration. Its hard to say with any certainty that it wasn't and that is what is concerning the most. If every member of the offense isn't in the film room today then that is proof that the Vikings have no heart and don't care. It also lets everyone in L.A. know, Farmer's Field is not the place for them. Stay in Minnesota!


Finally, Tony Romo! SMH!! Just when you think this guy has learned his lessons, he goes out and shows you he didn't. If he was a second or third year QB, maybe you could explain it away but that is not the case with Romo. How did he not see Revis? Why didn't he tell his coach to get Dez Bryant out because he's hurt? Why didn't Romo step up as the leader he says he is? Romo must enjoy being on the SportsCenter Not Top 10. What else could he say after the game besides it was his fault. We all know that Tony. What we want to know is why. Tony Romo, stat wise, had the 5th best performance by a QB in week 1. Stupid mistakes and lack of leadership negated all of that. He has thrown away games in the past and the only reason he didn't get criticized last season is because he was hurt. Its almost laughable to think this guy can get the Cowboys back to being "America's team". Nothing in Romo's body of work gives anyone the ability to see or say that at all. Romo is barely deserving of a week 2 start but if he doesn't fix what ever is wrong quick, fast and in a hurry, there is a bench on the sideline with his name on it. C'MON MAN!!!


D!

The Phoenix Report: NFL Week 1

Let's all remember, this is week one!  I am hearing a lot of Pats bandwagonners and folks giving up on the Steelers.  I may as well say my Raiders are going to win the Super Bowl.  Yeah, its seems people have lost their minds.  Let's all come back to reality.  No one expected no defense to be played in the Saints/Packers game.  No one expected the Colts to get blown out by the Texans.  No one saw the Bills beat on the Chiefs.  No one, and I mean no one expected or thought Brady was gonna throw for over 500 yards or Cam Newton set all kinds of rookie records in their first NFL start (24-37 422 yards 2TDs 1INT).  Any one who says different is flat out lying.

After all the so called experts made their picks, did the week 1 games all live up to they hype of the season that was in doubt just a couple of months ago?  Quick answer is yes.  One of the better games to watch was Bengals/Browns.  With all the drama with the Bengals in the off season, that team came out, on the road and play together.  Overcame a lost to their starting QB and found a way to win.  The Bengals probably won't make the playoffs or even contend for it but they showed up and played and played well.

There were a couple of games that were very good that were not draws or marquee games. The Lions/Bucs games was one of my more entertaining games from week 1.  The games wasn't sexy but Stafford played very well and lead his team.  The Lions are no longer going to be the butt of jokes going forward.  They are slowly but surely making people take notice that this team is for real.  Don't sleep on Detroit.  They could overachieve this year but playoffs are in their future in much sooner then later.

All in all, this has been one of the better week 1s in a very long time.  Most likely the fact that this season was in doubt made it feel more then it might have been.  That is debatable.  Bottom line, football is here and then next 4+ months are going to be great.

D!

The Phoenix Report: NFC West

I almost didn't do this division based on the fact that all 4 of these teams are bad.  These teams are either rebuilding or can't get right.  No winner of this division has finished better then 10-6 since Seattle in '05 who finished 13-3 and went to the Superbowl.  The 49ers and Cardinals have shown some improvements but not enough for anyone to think they will make any noise this year but here goes:

The Rams are a team that isn't a shell of its former self.  The days of the Greatest Show on Turf well behind them, second year  QB Bradford played well last year but his O-line didn't.  Allowing Bradford to be sacked 34 times, its not wonder this team was 7-9 last year.  Having said that, the Rams did look and play alot better then two years ago when they posted a 1-15 record.  This is a very young team so growing pains will be present for at least another year.  This is an 8-8 team at best this season.

Not sure what Arizona is planning on.  Their best move in bringing in Kolb at QB was minimized by losing a WR Breston to the Chiefs.  The Cardinals defense doesn't scare anyone.  I've been more scared at the neighborhood haunted house then anyone on this defense.  If Kolb can gel with his receivers, the passing attack should be better then the 31st passing rated of last year.  With that, possibly RB Wells can provide some relief but all this depends on the O-Line actually blocking and opening holes.  The Cards will repeat at 5-11 and last in the division.

Pete Carroll got the Seahawks to the playoff in his first season back in the NFL.  However, they were 7-9 and someone had to win the division.  Seattle did solidify there division win by beating the defending champ Saints in the playoffs.  With new QB in Jackson along with WR Rice, the Seahawks can challenge for the division crown once again.  The question that remains is do they want to just win the division or get back to the super bowl?  They are youthful and somewhat unproven on defense and still have to answer some questions on offense.  Is Jackson as good as he and Seattle think he is? So far, the answer is no but we shall see.  The Seahawks need to develop a running game but lack the RB to do it.  Marshawn Lynch isn't the answer.  This team is one of the youngest teams in the NFL but they have playoff experience to build on.  I project 9-7 and 2nd in the division.

The 49ers have been near playoff contention for a couple of years but have been unable to get over the hump.  Taking a step back last year, the 49ers need to stop with the excuses and use the talent around them.  With WR Crabtree and Jets sendoff Edwards, QB Smith should put up much better number and compliment RB Gore in the offense.  That is if Coach Harbough sees it that way.  This team has talent to sleepwalk to 8-8 and  could be 11-5 if potential is tapped into but no coach has been able to do that to this point.  The 49ers should win the division at 10-6, barely getting by the young Seahawks.

D!

The Phoenix Report: NFC South

I wonder why no one is really talking about this division.  Since 2002, every team in the NFC South has won the division at least twice.  Five of times has the division winner gone on the the NFC championship game, winning 3 of those 5 times and 2 super bowl wins.  No other division posts a record like that.

The Carolina Panthers seem to be in the final stages of rebuilding.  With Cam Newton at the helm, he can answer a few questions about his ability with a solid rookie year.  The Panthers issues have always been the health of their RBs. Deangelo Williams is a good RB but he can't stay healthy. Stewart filled in well but they were still 13th in the league in rushing.  Newton will have to improve quickly to get the Panthers out of the celler in passing.  The addition of TE Shockey can help but only if he can stay on the field.  Something he has not been able to do going back to his days in New York.  The Panthers are still looking to fill the void on defense left by Peppers departure which is a big reason why they ranked 23rd in stopping the run.  Even if Newton were to play well enough to win ROY, if the defense doesn't stop anyone then the Panthers won't finish any better then last in the division.  Not much room to fall after a 2-14 season.  8-8 should be the goal for this team.  They will show flashes at times this season but finish no better then 6-10.

The Atlanta Falcons were an overachieving disappointment last season.  13-3 division winners with the best record in the NFC and second best overall, then went out and got plastered by the eventual champion Packers. Things won't get any easier for them either.  The Falcons have a tough schedule having to play team that were close to being playoff teams last year, save the Panthers and the Lions.  This team will have to prove that they are as good or better then last year's team.  The Falcons are capable as long as the wideouts stay healthy and the establish their running game.  Even more important, the Falcons must defend the pass better.  Aaron Rodgers threw for 336 yards and only had 5 incomplete passes and zero INTs.  The Falcons must play consistantly and not fall apart.  My pick to win this division again at 12-4.

In order for Tampa Bay to get over the hump and back into the playoffs, QB Freeman will have to step up and raise his game.  After a decent season last year, Freeman must establish himself as a "elite" QB and take pressure off of the running game.  He need to compliment it instead of rely on it.  Tampa Bay ranked 8th in rushing but 17th in passing.  Top 10 is what is needed in order for the Bucs to compete in this division.  On defense, being able to run on the Bucs used to be unheard of.  Used to be.  Sapp and Lynch aren't walking through the door!  The front 4 must close up the holes and running lanes and continue to get pressure on the QBs.  Tampa Bay is a wild card team at 11-5.

The Saints strength is also their weakness.  Since winning the superbowl, the Saints have been a top 5 team in passing but always in the bottom 3rd in rushing.  They brought in Sproles to replace Bush and for what reason? Sproles isn't any better then Bush is.  Sproles isn't as dangerous as Bush is, even with the injuries.  As long as the Saints running game stay non-existant, the Saints will not return to being a superbowl team.  With Tampa Bay getting better, the Saints can't afford to be stagnate.  Brees will be Brees but Thomas must step up and take pressure off of Brees by running the ball effectively.  Averaging 3.3yrds per carry isn't going to get it done.  Saints will finish 10-6 and 3rd in the division.

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The Phoenix Report: NFC North

This division is, by far, the toughest to call.  Since its inception in 2002, only the Lions have not won the division. However, the Lions have gotten better and so have the Vikings.  Green Bay are the defending champs and then there's the Bears.  I'm still shaking my head.

The Bears didn't answer any of the questions that have haunted them.  Signing Roy Williams is supposed to answer their holes on offense?  LOL!  Cutler has produced like he is capable of.  How long and how many chances does Cutler need to produce like he should?  Hester needs to go back to being a DB and the WRs all need to stop dropping balls.  Forte had to stop putting the ball on the ground. The Bears can no longer afford to rely on 10-6 or 11-5 getting them to the playoffs, especially in this division going forward.

The Lions have lived many years as 2 wins for their divisional counterparts.  Stafford's injury cost them showing how much they have improved.  They are on the brink of a breakout year.  One of the biggest changes for the Lions is, as a team, they go into games believing and playing like they will win.  The defense is hitting folks in the mouth and they are able to put up points.  This season, the Lions will play the role of spoiler while they continue to find themselves as a team.  Worst case for this team, 8-8.

Can the Vikings do worse then last year? Yes.  Will they? No!  With the best RB in the game and Berrian and Harvin healthy, expect the Vikes to look more like the Vikes of '09.  They have an O-line that should be able to give McNabb the time he needs to find his wideouts and make holes for Peterson to easily run through.  The Vikings only question is on defense.  Even though the Vikings were top 10 in defense last year, they must play better if they want to come out on top in this division.  McNabb is in position to have a pro bowl year and the Peterson is ready to show us why he is the best RB in the league.  The big names on defense aren't there but effort, heart and execution will counter any big name out there.  Vikings will win this division at 12-4.  YEAH, I SAID IT!!

The defending champs won last year by taking advantage of opponents mistakes.  That's not a knock on the Packers and they are the champs but can they do it with everyone watching.  The Packers don't strike anyone and a dynasty in the making.  They are better then a "one and done" type of team.  Now, they will play this season with a target on their backs.  With the NFC better this year then last year, especially inside this division, those out of conference and out of division games become very important.  The running game is the key to the Packers having a real shot at making it back to the super bowl.  If Grant can stay healthy and produce, that will take pressure off of Rodgers.  Packers will finish second at 10-6 or 11-5.  YEAH, I SAID IT!!

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The Phoenix Report: NFC East

What can you say about this division except no matter the records of these teams, they beat up on each other consistently.  However, over the last 11 years the Eagles have dominated this division but have yet to win a super bowl.  The Eagles look poised to win it again but can they get to and win the big game this time?

The Redskins are still in a tailspin/rebuilding phase. For whatever that's worth, Shanahan seems to have lost his mind.  McNabb is better then all 4 QBs on the roster combined but was benched last year then traded in the offseason.  WTF?!  Then filled their roster with a bunch of young players and journeymen on both sides of the ball. What's worse is that this team was top 10 in passing yards but 30th or worse in rushing and on defense. With so many unproven players, don't expect any from the 'Skins this season.  At best, they will mirror last year's record at 6-10.  The O-Line won't open up many holes for RB Hightower and won't keep QB Grossman upright long enough to be as productive as McNabb was.  Last place again.

The Giants aren't a bad team, just bad at execution down the stretch of the game.  The game that stands out the most is the week 15, at home against the Eagles.  For 3 quarters and the first 7+ minutes of the 4th, the Giants contained and controlled M Vick.  Leading 31-10 with 7:30 to play, the Giants imploded.  They took that 38-31 lost to Green Bay and got spanked 45-17.  The Giants play last year like a rookie team who acted as if they had never been there before.  They should have won the division and had a 12-4 record at the least.    So many mental mistakes and lack of heart.  If this team wants to win another championship, they had better do it now.  Its put up or shut up time in New York.

The Cowboys got a new stadium but its the same underachieving team.  To be fair, QB Romo was injured last year after showing signs that his head was on straight.  The offense wasn't bad with Kitna under center but the defense couldn't stop anyone.  The last 11 games of the season, the Cowboys gave up less then 20 points to opposing teams twice, 19 and 13.  Romo will be back this season and has looked good in the preseason.  Now will the defense get themselves together?  I doubt it but we shall see.  The Cowboys will finish 2nd in the division at 10-6.

The Eagles were a surprise team last year.  No one knew Vick was going to play the way he did. With the acquisitions of CBs Asomugha, Rodgers-Cromartie, the Eagles have strengthened their secondary.  Very scary with the ability to play a 3 CB defense.  On offense with everyone healthy, expect Vick to, at least, put up the same stats from last year.  The Eagles will win this division easily with a record of 13-3.  Yeah, I said it!!

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The Phoenix Report: AFC West

This will not be a Raider heavy blog.  Even though I am a Raider fan, I will call it like I see it.

This division hasn't been relevant for a while but the games are still fun to watch. Teams like the Broncos and Chargers have underachieved and Chiefs have benefited and gotten better at the same time.  The Raiders are the Raiders.  Last season you never knew what you were going to get out of any of these teams.

With the Chargers, either this is the most "snake-bitten" team ever or the coach has got to go.  Overall, the Chargers have had the most talent and better team of the 4 but no real noise in the playoffs.  Norv Turner has proven he is a great regular season coach but he disappears in the playoffs.  Its like he forgets how to coach. For the last 5+years, the Chargers have been the team to win this division.  Since 2003, the Chargers won 5 times and only reached the AFC championship game once. On offense, outside of the RB position, the Chargers have more talents and the QB, WR and TE positions as any of the other top teams in the league and have nothing to show for it. Once again, the Chargers are favored.  I'm not impressed.

The Chiefs are out to prove that last year wasn't a fluke, even though they were bounced early in the playoffs.  As the defending division champs, they are the team to beat but given that they won by one game doesn't encourage me at all.  10-6 last year but at their very best this is a 11-5 team.  They can't run the table in the division (like the Raiders did) and still have question at the RB position.  J Charles had a good year last year but will he improve or at least match those numbers this season.  The first team for the Chiefs didn't look good at all.  M Cassell has cracked ribs and I have zero faith in his backups, whoever they are.  Tyler Palko is a second year player who has thrown 6 passes in the NFL and Ricky Stanzi is a rookie.  Yeah, once again, NOT IMPRESSED!!  RB Charles can only carry the Chiefs so far.  In a division like this, RBs are eaten alive without a capable QB handing them the rock.

The Broncos are still in trouble.  Kyle OrtOn is the best they have at QB but QB isn't their problem.  The O-Line is still terrible.  K Moreno has his work cut out for him as the the #1 back.  Outside of the Bengals (wk 2) and the Bills (wk 16), the Broncos will play teams that are all better then they are.  Yes, that includes the Raiders,  Yeah, I said it!!!  Remember how the Raiders embarrassed them 59-14 at Invesco Field.  Go ahead and watch the highlights on YouTube.  Obviously, the biggest hole on this team is the defense.  They can't stop anyone from scoring.  Last in the division again.

The Raiders, well are the Raiders.  The Raiders did show a lot of improvement last year.  They didn't lose a single division game but lost out of division and out of conference games they should have won (Cards wk 3, 49ers wk 6, Jags wk 14 and even the Colts wk 16).  Even if I let the Colts game slide, which I don't, the Raiders win the division and would have shown up against the Ravens if not won that game.  That just proves the point that you have to beat the team you're supposed to and win those divisional games as well.  The Raiders were 1for2.  The O-Line got better but the secondary isn't the same with Nnamdi leaving.  Growing pains there but the situation isn't hopeless.  The Raiders don't have an overly tough schedule but they can't beat themselves and expect to win.  J Campbell is looking very comfortable in the pocket and has shown to be able to be a good field general.  Scoring won't be a problem for the Raiders and they should average 17-20 ppg.  As long as the defense steps up and LB McClain continues to lead the defense, the Raiders are ready to compete in the division.  They are still not SB contenders but the growth is encouraging.  Al Davis needs to stay in the owners box and let Coach Jackson do his thing.  Raiders 10-6!

The Chargers, on paper should win but I'm picking the Raiders to win the division.  YEAH, I SAID IT!!!

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The Phoenix Report: AFC South

Can Houston or Tennessee take advantage of a hurting Colts team?  That depends on a few things.  Is P Manning as hurt as he seems to be? That vote isn't completely in but I think Manning is almost done.  Neck injuries are usually career enders.

The Texans problem wasn't being able to move the ball or score.  Their problem was stopping other teams from scoring.  Last year, the Texans had one shut out.  A 20-0 win over the Titans.  It doesn't help when your defense gives up on average 30 pts a game and the offense averages 24 pts a game.  At the very least, those numbers have to flip flop and the gap extend 10 pts.  There were games they shouldn't have won (Raiders wk. 4) and games they should have lost (Charger, Jags, and Jets wks, 9,10,11).  Consistency is a key for this team.

The Jags are in disarray.  They release QB Gerrard 5 days before their week 1 game.  WTF?!!  If it was a salary cap move, the why didn't you do that a month ago?  Jags might win 2 games this year.  Yeah, I said it!!!

The Titans can't do any worse then last year, can they?  I will say, after giving up on V Young, picking up M Hasselbeck was great.  If the O-Line can keep him upright, Hasselbeck can pick apart defenses with the best of them.  Don't be surprised if the Titans make some noise in this division.  Especially with C Johnson getting the contract extension.  He will take a lot of pressure off of Hasselbeck.  Titans are contenders in this division.

The Colts haven't recovered from their SB lost to the Saints.  Manning gets hurt and it seems the ship is sinking fast.  K Collins is capable off keeping the ship afloat for a few weeks but I'm not a believer in a "Kurt Warner rebirth" here.  J Addai may be healthy but how long will that last, especially if the Colts become a running team.  Yeah, I'm laughing at that prospect too.  However long it take for Manning to get back to being Manning will determine how far the Colts will go.

Tennessee Titans will win the division.

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The Phoenix Report: AFC North

This division well be largely unchanged.  Either the Ravens or the Steelers will win this division.  I will be fair and break it down anyway.  The Browns could be a dark horse. The Bengals, well they are the Bengals. Even worse without C Palmer. Outside of C Benson, who can you name on the Bengals roster?  That's what I thought, no one.  A team that seems bent on being on an indefinate rebuilding stage.  I have no words except 2 wins for each of the other teams in the division.

The Browns have actually been trying to get better.  Injuries and off-field problems have been an issue but this team seems to have worked those out and are moving forward.  With a solid running game and better then average blocking up front, P Hillis can be the first player to avoid the Madden Curse.  Then again, they said the same thing about T Palomalo too.  C McCoy can silence his "haters" by coming out and performing, at least, up to pontential.  He has the ability to be a "D Brees" type of QB but that will depend on not only is O-line but his willingness to work hard to develop into it.  This team will go as far as McCoy helps Hillis take it.

The Ravens are still that team that are known by their defense.  J Flacco had his best statistical year last year, his 3rd.  As a young QB, you are incouraged by his TDs going up and INTs going down.  He also had a 96.6% rating last year, up from 88.9% in 2009.  For this team, that is progress.  For a team who's defense isn't what it used to be, Flacco have a solid pro-bowl season can take pressure off of the D.  I know, a lot of ifs in there but isn't everything before the games are played?  Flacco has the chance to turn himself and his receivers into big names.  At 6'6", 240, he is another QB out of excuses.  Its put up or shut up time.

The Steelers could surprise even themselves this year.  With injuries seemingly behind them, the emergence of M Wallace and addition of J Cotchery, defenses can double team H Ward.  B Rothlisberger will get to see his receivers in more one on one situations and have Mendenhall in the backfield.  Need I say more?  The Steelers are looking like a stacked team and as long as the defense stays the dominate D they have been, the Steelers can win 14 games.  Yeah, I said it!!  They can win, I'm not saying they will.  Either way, I can't wait to see them play the Pats week 8.

The Steelers win this division!!

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