Record: 9-6
Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl- Houston v Air Force
Houston was everyone’s favorite darling this year. An early upset of Oklahoma State, a dynamic passing offense and a quarterback that flirted with Colt Brennon like numbers made these Conference USA runners up one of the most exciting teams to watch. Quarterback Case Keenum led the nation in every major passing category. He racked up 430 yards of total offense (a game, by the way, a game), 419 yards passing, and 43 touchdown passes. Keep in mind that those first two numbers are averages.
Averages.
Keenum also threw five touchdown passes in four different games. He was also picked off nine times. For a guy that throws the ball as many times as he does, only nine interceptions is an incredible number.
But Houston may have found it’s match. Air Force ranks number one is pass defense. Teams are throwing for under 150 yards a game on the Falcons. Houston won last year’s edition of this match-up in the very same bowl, but Air Force’s pass defense was nowhere near where it is this season.
If there was ever a case study for defense vs offense, it’s this game. As the bowl season rolls on and this experiment finds itself in year number two, I’ve put together a few guidelines or patterns for picking these games. I don’t care how good an offense is. I cannot bring myself to type that a team that allows 15 points a game and yielded less then two hundred points this entire year is going to loose on a neutral field.
The Pick: Air Force
Brut Sun Bowl- Oklahoma v #21 Stanford
I don’t know if the Brut Sun Bowl can be worse then last year’s Oregon State/Pitt match up. A 3-0 game that lasted forever. It wasn’t even a good, tactical defensive game. It was a sloppy, pull your eyebrows out game. I know because I saw every snap.
Luckily, the good people at Brut shouldn’t have the same problem this year. Not only do they have one of college football’s most storied programs, but they have one of college football’s most exciting players on display.
The program, of course, is Oklahoma. The player is Stanford’s Toby Gerhart. The Heisman Trophy runner-up, Gerhart ran for over 1700 yards and 26 touchdowns. Quarterback Andrew Luck isn’t too bad either. Luck threw for over 2500 yards and 13 touchdown passes.
Stanford had some really impressive wins. They put 50-spot’s up in consecutive weeks against number 8 Oregon and at number 9 USC. They also had there way with my team, Notre Dame, but then again who didn’t?
While not as good as Air Force, Oklahoma also has a dominant defense. They’re also hot. The Sooners are coming off a shut out win over then number 11 Oklahoma State in the final game of the year. They rank seventh in total defense, allowing 273 yards a game.
Intangibles are another thing that I’ve learned cannot be underrated in these games. Oklahoma has played in a ton of big bowl games in the past few years, including the national championship last season. Will they be able to get up for the New Year’s Eve afternoon Brut Sun Bowl after expecting to return to the BCS this year? I think so because it was clear early on that the BCS was out of the question without Sam Bradford in a rough Big 12. Often times you’ll see teams who narrowly miss the BCS not get up for a “consolation bowl game” (looking at you, Oregon State). The Sooners lost four times.
Also, even though they haven’t been as successful in big time bowls as they may have liked, they do have experience. Stanford does not, having not been to a bowl in almost a decade. I like the fact that a lot of the Sooner players were playing for a national title just one year ago. While Stanford may “out-pump” itself for a bowl, any bowl, Oklahoma handling the Sun Bowl almost seams like a regular season game. This, coupled with a good defense, will be good enough to win.
The Pick: Oklahoma
Texas Bowl- Navy- Missouri
I looked at this game and wanted to know one thing. Does Missouri stop the run? The answer was complicated. Against teams like Kansas, Iowa State, and Baylor, the run defense was remarkable. But against ranked teams and teams that ran the ball well (like Nevada), they allowed well over 100 yards a game. They allowed over 200 against Nevada. However, despite the poor performance against the run in the Nevada game, Missouri still won. I think the Tigers can control Navy enough to win.
The Pick Navy
Insight Bowl- Minnesota v Iowa State
Identical overall and conference records for these two teams. It’s actually a heck of a statistically match up, but Iowa State’s defense is a little banged up and they were killed by the two team’s only common opponent, the Iowa Hawkeyes. Despite being shut out, Minnesota only let up 12 points to the Hawkeyes. This one’s on the NFL network. I wouldn’t worry about it.
The Pick: Minnesota
Chick-fill-a Bowl- Tennessee v #11 Virginia Tech
I talked about it all year, if Tyrod Taylor doesn’t throw the ball, Va Tech will win games. Don’t be surprised if this one is close because Tennessee has played almost everyone tough this year, but assuming Taylor putting the ball in the air a lot is not on the menu, Virginia Tech will win.
The Pick: Virginia Tech
Jordan Lauterbach
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Bowl Mania Day 10
Record- 8-5
Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl- Bowling Green v. Idaho
Perhaps the only thing going for Idaho in this match-up is that, statistically, they have a better offense than Bowling Green. At 7-5 overall and 4-4 in the WAC, Idaho averages over 31 points per game. The offense can beat you in two ways. Quarterback Nathan Enderle threw for over 2000 yards and 18 touchdowns, while missing two games towards the end of the season. Enderle’s problem has always been interceptions. While he cut his turnovers in half this season, its still something to watch out for. The Vandals run the ball effectively as well. DeMaundray Woolridge and Princton McCarty average over 160 yards per game on the ground.
But here’s the problem with Idaho- they can’t stop a sole. In each of their last two games, this defense allowed over 50 points. They allowed 70 big ones in a loss to Nevada and played only one game in which the opponent failed to score 20 points. That game came all the way back in week one against New Mexico State.
Bowling Green started the year 1-4, but won six of their last seven to finish the season a respectable 7-5. The Falcons hardly run the ball, averaging just a shade over 80 yards a game. This means it will be up to quarterback Tyler Sheehan. Sheehan passed for over 3600 yards this season and 23 touchdowns. Unlike his counterpart, the senior takes care of the ball well, throwing only six picks this season.
For the Idaho secondary, it’s all about stopping receiver Freddie Barns. Barns caught 138 passes this season and 16 touchdowns. This puts Barns in striking distance of the NCAA record for receptions.
While Idaho will score points, I don’t see how the defense stops the Bowling Green air raid.
The Pick: Bowling Green
Pacific Life Holiday Bowl- #20 Arizona v #22 Nebraska
Although the last 5 minutes of the game did not go as planned, you had to be impressed with the way Nebraska played in the Big 12 championship game. A questionable (but correct) call goes the other way and we’re writing about Nebraska playing in a BCS game. While I said all week after the Big 12 championship that I can’t get excited about Nebraska being “screwed” because of two asinine plays on the eventual winning drive, I can get excited about the way the defense played.
We all know that Ndamukong Suh is without question the best defensive player in the country. If you watch this game for no other reason but to watch Suh play, then you’ve made a good choice. He’s exciting. Suh led the team with 82 tackles, 12 sacks, and 23 tackles for a loss. He also put on his best show at the biggest moment. In the Big 12 championship game, the defensive tackle had 12 tackles and 4 and a half sacks. Double team Suh all you want, it doesn’t matter.
Facing the Suh-anchored defense is a hefty task for Nick Foles and the Arizona Wildcats. Foles, who was sacked only 11 times, finished the year with 19 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. But I’d expect Foles to struggle tonight. In the Big 12 championship, Nebraska made Colt McCoy a non factor until the very end. In fact, if Nebraska had gone on the win that game, McCoy’s three interceptions would have been a major topic of conversation.
I really don’t know if the winning team will score more than 14 points in this game. Nebraska’s offense gained a robust 106 yards against Texas and have gained less then 270 yards in four of their last five games. Cornhusker quarterback Zac Lee has only thrown three more touchdowns than interceptions and completes just a shade over fifty percent of his passes.
The game comes down to the defense, obviously. Yea, Arizona is ranked 21st in the FBS in total defense. Yes, they allow only 315 yards a game. Yes, they’ve allowed two touchdowns or less in two of their last four match-ups. But I can’t go against a defense with the best defensive player in the country. A defense that made a dynamic Texas offense look like they couldn’t tie their shoes for 55 minutes. You think Nick Foles will play any better then Colt McCoy did?
I don’t
The Pick: Nebraska
Jordan Lauterbach
Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl- Bowling Green v. Idaho
Perhaps the only thing going for Idaho in this match-up is that, statistically, they have a better offense than Bowling Green. At 7-5 overall and 4-4 in the WAC, Idaho averages over 31 points per game. The offense can beat you in two ways. Quarterback Nathan Enderle threw for over 2000 yards and 18 touchdowns, while missing two games towards the end of the season. Enderle’s problem has always been interceptions. While he cut his turnovers in half this season, its still something to watch out for. The Vandals run the ball effectively as well. DeMaundray Woolridge and Princton McCarty average over 160 yards per game on the ground.
But here’s the problem with Idaho- they can’t stop a sole. In each of their last two games, this defense allowed over 50 points. They allowed 70 big ones in a loss to Nevada and played only one game in which the opponent failed to score 20 points. That game came all the way back in week one against New Mexico State.
Bowling Green started the year 1-4, but won six of their last seven to finish the season a respectable 7-5. The Falcons hardly run the ball, averaging just a shade over 80 yards a game. This means it will be up to quarterback Tyler Sheehan. Sheehan passed for over 3600 yards this season and 23 touchdowns. Unlike his counterpart, the senior takes care of the ball well, throwing only six picks this season.
For the Idaho secondary, it’s all about stopping receiver Freddie Barns. Barns caught 138 passes this season and 16 touchdowns. This puts Barns in striking distance of the NCAA record for receptions.
While Idaho will score points, I don’t see how the defense stops the Bowling Green air raid.
The Pick: Bowling Green
Pacific Life Holiday Bowl- #20 Arizona v #22 Nebraska
Although the last 5 minutes of the game did not go as planned, you had to be impressed with the way Nebraska played in the Big 12 championship game. A questionable (but correct) call goes the other way and we’re writing about Nebraska playing in a BCS game. While I said all week after the Big 12 championship that I can’t get excited about Nebraska being “screwed” because of two asinine plays on the eventual winning drive, I can get excited about the way the defense played.
We all know that Ndamukong Suh is without question the best defensive player in the country. If you watch this game for no other reason but to watch Suh play, then you’ve made a good choice. He’s exciting. Suh led the team with 82 tackles, 12 sacks, and 23 tackles for a loss. He also put on his best show at the biggest moment. In the Big 12 championship game, the defensive tackle had 12 tackles and 4 and a half sacks. Double team Suh all you want, it doesn’t matter.
Facing the Suh-anchored defense is a hefty task for Nick Foles and the Arizona Wildcats. Foles, who was sacked only 11 times, finished the year with 19 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. But I’d expect Foles to struggle tonight. In the Big 12 championship, Nebraska made Colt McCoy a non factor until the very end. In fact, if Nebraska had gone on the win that game, McCoy’s three interceptions would have been a major topic of conversation.
I really don’t know if the winning team will score more than 14 points in this game. Nebraska’s offense gained a robust 106 yards against Texas and have gained less then 270 yards in four of their last five games. Cornhusker quarterback Zac Lee has only thrown three more touchdowns than interceptions and completes just a shade over fifty percent of his passes.
The game comes down to the defense, obviously. Yea, Arizona is ranked 21st in the FBS in total defense. Yes, they allow only 315 yards a game. Yes, they’ve allowed two touchdowns or less in two of their last four match-ups. But I can’t go against a defense with the best defensive player in the country. A defense that made a dynamic Texas offense look like they couldn’t tie their shoes for 55 minutes. You think Nick Foles will play any better then Colt McCoy did?
I don’t
The Pick: Nebraska
Jordan Lauterbach
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Mets Sign Jason Bay, Pending Physical
It is what all Mets fans such as myself and fellow WCWP member Jordan Lauterbach have been longing to hear. Omar Minaya still has a pulse and has actually signed a big time free agent in Jason Bay who will now man left field in Citi Field for the blue and orange. Here is the report from Rotoworld: "According to WFAN's Mike Francessa, the Mets have signed Jason Bay and completion of the deal is only pending a physical. Mets sources have informed Francessa that Bay's contract will be finalized early next week. It's not yet clear what the exact financial terms are, though the Mets latest rumored offer was worth $65 million over four years."
Bay, who is 31 years old, hit .267 with 36 home runs and 119 RBI's for the Boston Red Sox last year. He also contributed a .384 OBP as well. While the average needs to get up to around .280 for my satisfaction, no Mets fan should feel glum about this deal. The one thing I am a bit weary about is Bay's interest level in playing in New York. If the deal that is signed was the one the Mets have had on the table this entire time, questions will certainly arise about why Bay didn't sign weeks ago.
UPDATE: Joel Sherman of the NY Post writes that Bay has a four-year, $66 million deal with a fifth-year vesting option.
Now, Minaya needs to hit the pitcher's market and see if he can add another starter. I would target former Cardinals pitcher Joel Pinerio. At 31 years old, he is coming off one of his best seasons going 15-12 with a 3.49 ERA. He fits well at Citi Field being a fly ball pitcher and could fit nicely behind Santana. Also, I would take a serious look at Ben Sheets, who when healthy can be a solid number two behind Santana.
-Matt Soldano
Leach Should Never Coach Again
From the Dallas Morning News:
Texas Tech University suspended Mike Leach on Monday as the school investigated complaints over how the football coach dealt with a player who he believed was faking an injury.
The player, sophomore wide receiver and Celina High School product Adam James, is the son of former SMU and NFL running back Craig James, now a TV football analyst.
The family complained that Adam James was "subjected to actions and treatment not consistent with common sense rules for safety and health" after he suffered a concussion, according to a statement from the family that identified Adam as the player involved.
I'm all for players being tough, fighting through pain and never giving up. I'm all for coaches having high expectations for their players. But this is way over the line, and Mike Leach should face severe consequences if these allegations are true. Not only should he be fired from Texas Tech, he should be expelled from the NCAA permanently. And that's not even the worst. He should be brought up on criminal charges.
Taping up a bad ankle and sending a player back to the field is one thing. But when you, as the Morning News puts it, "confine James in a dark room for three hours with nothing to sit or lean on. The confinement was repeated two days later," that's downright wrong. The guy had a concussion and he was placed in a closet twice. How the heck is that going to improve anything?
I remember last month watching the controversy with Mark Mangino at Kansas. ESPN says, "Mangino is alleged to have grabbed, yelled at and put his finger in the chest of a player who had been laughing during a walkthrough or practice prior to the Colorado game on Oct. 17." That puzzled me as to why everyone thought this was so bad. But the press coverage and uproar from people, not to mention his 1-7 record in 2009, forced Mangino to resign from his position as head football coach.
If yelling at and verbally disciplining a player is enough to get a coach in hot water, then secluding a concussed player in a dark closet should at the very least cause Mike Leach to lose his job.
If he does lose his job, we always remember him for this:
--Max Caster
Texas Tech University suspended Mike Leach on Monday as the school investigated complaints over how the football coach dealt with a player who he believed was faking an injury.
The player, sophomore wide receiver and Celina High School product Adam James, is the son of former SMU and NFL running back Craig James, now a TV football analyst.
The family complained that Adam James was "subjected to actions and treatment not consistent with common sense rules for safety and health" after he suffered a concussion, according to a statement from the family that identified Adam as the player involved.
I'm all for players being tough, fighting through pain and never giving up. I'm all for coaches having high expectations for their players. But this is way over the line, and Mike Leach should face severe consequences if these allegations are true. Not only should he be fired from Texas Tech, he should be expelled from the NCAA permanently. And that's not even the worst. He should be brought up on criminal charges.
Taping up a bad ankle and sending a player back to the field is one thing. But when you, as the Morning News puts it, "confine James in a dark room for three hours with nothing to sit or lean on. The confinement was repeated two days later," that's downright wrong. The guy had a concussion and he was placed in a closet twice. How the heck is that going to improve anything?
I remember last month watching the controversy with Mark Mangino at Kansas. ESPN says, "Mangino is alleged to have grabbed, yelled at and put his finger in the chest of a player who had been laughing during a walkthrough or practice prior to the Colorado game on Oct. 17." That puzzled me as to why everyone thought this was so bad. But the press coverage and uproar from people, not to mention his 1-7 record in 2009, forced Mangino to resign from his position as head football coach.
If yelling at and verbally disciplining a player is enough to get a coach in hot water, then secluding a concussed player in a dark closet should at the very least cause Mike Leach to lose his job.
If he does lose his job, we always remember him for this:
--Max Caster
DeRosa Signs with SF, Yanks Options Open
From the NY Daily News:
The Yankees viewed free agent Mark DeRosa as potential help in left field and an unbeatable super-utility option. But DeRosa, a Bergen Catholic product, agreed to a preliminary two-year deal with the San Francisco Giants Monday night, The Associated Press reported. The agreement is to be announced today.
But missing out on DeRosa does not mean the Yankees will seek an expensive option such as Matt Holliday or Jason Bay for their left-field opening, one Yankee official said before the deal was made. "No chance on Matt Holliday, no chance on Jason Bay," the official said. "Zero. None. Underline it."
The Yankees are thinking of much cheaper free agent options - former Blue Jay and Cub Reed Johnson, Jerry Hairston Jr. from last season's team or other players for left field, the official said. Brett Gardner could have a chance to compete for a role there. They will also troll the trade market.
I'll commend Brian Cashman for wanting to stick to a budget, no matter how tempting it is to deviate from it. Matt Holliday and Jason Bay would make New York's lineup 100% solid, but the cost is way too high for these guys.
Mark DeRosa would have been a perfect fit. He was cheap, versatile and had pop. I'm not sure why the Yankees didn't make him an offer he couldn't refuse. Even slightly overpaying DeRosa would be far less than what Holliday or Bay would get.
Given the options still out there, Jerry Hairston Jr. should be brought back. He was with the team last year and made some big plays on both sides. Plus, you get his flexibility over Mark DeRosa's. Hairston can literally play every position. So I'd like to see him back in a bench role with Brett Gardner in leftfield. We all know Gardy plays some incredible defense and he'll be great hitting in the 9 hole every day. He and Jeter can both get on base and do damage as the lineup turns over.
Also, holding out on an outfielder this year could mean the Yankees have their eye on some guys next offseason. Those being Carl Crawford and Joe Mauer. Yankee fans know Crawford. He kills New York every time out. But Mauer is the more interesting case. I've heard people suggest that he moves to a spot other than catcher -- even if it's part time -- in order to prolong his career. That could happen as New York waits for Jorge Posada's contract to run out.
--Max Caster
Bowl Mania Day 9
Record- 7-4
EagleBank Bowl- UCLA v. Temple.
Don’t look now, but the Temple Owls are relevant again. It’s never a good thing when your most famous alum is comedian Bill Cosby. Temple, which is more famous for jokes then wins, find themselves in a bowl game for the first time in thirty years. How bad has that thirty years been? How about only four winning seasons during that time-span.
After loosing their first two games, the Owls rattled off nine consecutive victories, only to fall to Ohio in the final game of the season. The Ohio loss was the only conference defeat they suffered and kept them out of a MAC championship game match-up with Central Michigan. Not bad for a team that provided more yucks then wins over the last half-century.
Running back Bernard Pierce ran for over 1000 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. Although he suffered a shoulder injury late in the year, Pierce is expected to play in the bowl game. UCLA will have to focus on stopping this dynamic rusher. Before getting hurt, Pierce had ran for over 100 yards six times and over 200 yards twice.
UCLA barely achieved bowl eligibility in the Pac-10. They lost five in a row in the middle of the season, but did defeat a Washington team that beat USC, Arizona, and Cal. UCLA’s offense has struggled this year. They have been held to under 20 points six times. Quarterback Kevin Price has a horrible 6-7 touchdown to interception ratio and completed only 57 percent of his passes.
The Bruins have a good defense, but I don’t think UCLA will be able to keep up with Temple offensively. The Owls have outscored the Bruins by over 100 points this season.
The Pick: Temple
Champs Sports Bowl: #15 Miami v #25 Wisconsin
I’m not quite sure why Miami is ranked so much higher then Wisconsin. Statistically, they have virtually the same defense and Wisconsin outscored Miami over the course of the entire season. They both finished the season at 9-3. Two reasons why I think this happened.
One is that Miami is one of those schools that America loves to see do well. This isn’t 1980 anymore. They aren’t the bad boys who old college football writers loved to shoot down. College football is more intriguing when Miami is relevant, or at least that’s what conventional thought appears to be. Two, Wisconsin doesn’t have any standout wins. They lost to the two ranked teams they played and fell to Northwestern in the final conference game of the year.
Despite all this, I like the Badgers. They ran for over 200 yards a game this season, staying true to the schools offensive philosophy. John Clay ran for over 1000 yards and 16 touchdowns.
They key for the Wisconsin is obviously stopping Jacory Harris. The Miami quarterback threw for over 3000 yards this season and 23 touchdowns. But Harris will be playing with a right thumb injury. With not much of a running game to speak of, I think Miami will struggle offensively if Harris isn’t right. He clearly isn’t. Take away your major offensive weapon and Wisconsin is suddenly a much scarier team.
The Pick: Wisconsin
Jordan Lauterbach
EagleBank Bowl- UCLA v. Temple.
Don’t look now, but the Temple Owls are relevant again. It’s never a good thing when your most famous alum is comedian Bill Cosby. Temple, which is more famous for jokes then wins, find themselves in a bowl game for the first time in thirty years. How bad has that thirty years been? How about only four winning seasons during that time-span.
After loosing their first two games, the Owls rattled off nine consecutive victories, only to fall to Ohio in the final game of the season. The Ohio loss was the only conference defeat they suffered and kept them out of a MAC championship game match-up with Central Michigan. Not bad for a team that provided more yucks then wins over the last half-century.
Running back Bernard Pierce ran for over 1000 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. Although he suffered a shoulder injury late in the year, Pierce is expected to play in the bowl game. UCLA will have to focus on stopping this dynamic rusher. Before getting hurt, Pierce had ran for over 100 yards six times and over 200 yards twice.
UCLA barely achieved bowl eligibility in the Pac-10. They lost five in a row in the middle of the season, but did defeat a Washington team that beat USC, Arizona, and Cal. UCLA’s offense has struggled this year. They have been held to under 20 points six times. Quarterback Kevin Price has a horrible 6-7 touchdown to interception ratio and completed only 57 percent of his passes.
The Bruins have a good defense, but I don’t think UCLA will be able to keep up with Temple offensively. The Owls have outscored the Bruins by over 100 points this season.
The Pick: Temple
Champs Sports Bowl: #15 Miami v #25 Wisconsin
I’m not quite sure why Miami is ranked so much higher then Wisconsin. Statistically, they have virtually the same defense and Wisconsin outscored Miami over the course of the entire season. They both finished the season at 9-3. Two reasons why I think this happened.
One is that Miami is one of those schools that America loves to see do well. This isn’t 1980 anymore. They aren’t the bad boys who old college football writers loved to shoot down. College football is more intriguing when Miami is relevant, or at least that’s what conventional thought appears to be. Two, Wisconsin doesn’t have any standout wins. They lost to the two ranked teams they played and fell to Northwestern in the final conference game of the year.
Despite all this, I like the Badgers. They ran for over 200 yards a game this season, staying true to the schools offensive philosophy. John Clay ran for over 1000 yards and 16 touchdowns.
They key for the Wisconsin is obviously stopping Jacory Harris. The Miami quarterback threw for over 3000 yards this season and 23 touchdowns. But Harris will be playing with a right thumb injury. With not much of a running game to speak of, I think Miami will struggle offensively if Harris isn’t right. He clearly isn’t. Take away your major offensive weapon and Wisconsin is suddenly a much scarier team.
The Pick: Wisconsin
Jordan Lauterbach
Monday, December 28, 2009
Bowl Mania Day 8
Record: 6-4
Advocare v100 Independence Bowl- Georgia v Texas A&M
Truth be told, I don’t love either of these teams. Georgia finished the season 7-5 and 4-4 in the SEC. Texas A&M finds themselves just barely bowl eligible at 6-6, no thanks to an atrocious 3-5 showing in the Big 12.
For a senior replacing a star, quarterback Joe Cox wasn’t terrible for Georgia. He was no Matt Stafford, but who really expected him to be. Cox threw for over 2400 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also threw 14 interceptions, which isn’t good. His decision making got better as the year went on. Only two of those 14 picks came in the final four games of the year. Aside from the Arkansas game, in which he threw five touchdowns, Cox never blew you away with his ability to take over a game. His completion percentage hovered around 50 % the entire year.
But the statement win for Georgia may have come at exactly the right time. They beat seventh ranked Georgia Tech 30-24 in the final game of the season. In the game, Cox was basically a non factor. He threw for one touchdown and didn’t turn the ball over. What won that game for Georgia was the running attack. Both Washaun Ealey and Caleb King had over 100 yards on the ground for the Bulldogs. The two split carries all season. Ealey ran for 639 yards and 3 touchdowns. King ran for 534 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Georgia’s defense struggled terribly at time this season. They gave up nearly 27 points per game, good for tenth in the SEC. 35 points or more were surrendered by Georgia 4 times this season. Tennessee, Florida, and Arkansas put up forty spots on them. The struggles were so bad that head coach Mark Richt fired his defensive coordinator and three of his assistants.
But while we’re on the subject of poor defense- lets talk about Texas A&M. They were the worst in the Big 12 in two major defensive categories- points (32.7/game) and total yards (431.3/game). Those are pretty telling stats.
Here are some more telling stats for you in regards to the Texas A&M defense. Forget Texas racking up almost 600 total yards of offense against them, Both Kansas State and Oklahoma scored over 60 points on this defense. Over 60 points! We know that, despite big losses, Oklahoma at least has some offensive talent. But Kansas State? They averaged 23 points per game. And that’s with the 62 point outburst against Texas A&M.
So if the Texas A&M defense doesn’t make a pee-wee team blink, why should Georgia even spend a day studying up on this team?
Easy answer to a perfectly legitimate question- Quarterback Jerrod Johnson. Johnson threw for over 3000 yards this season and 28 touchdowns. He also ran for 8. Running backs Christine Michael and Cyrus Gray both ran for over 750 yards and combined for 14 touchdowns.
This is a high scoring matchup, no doubt. It comes down to who’s defense you trust more. I can’t see how anyone can trust that Texas A&M squad. Georgia is hot after a huge win to end the year. Texas A&M was embarrassed defensively by interstate rival Texas in their season finale. As long as Joe Cox continues to play mistake-free football, Georgia will run the ball towards a win.
The Pick: Georgia
Jordan Lauterbach
Advocare v100 Independence Bowl- Georgia v Texas A&M
Truth be told, I don’t love either of these teams. Georgia finished the season 7-5 and 4-4 in the SEC. Texas A&M finds themselves just barely bowl eligible at 6-6, no thanks to an atrocious 3-5 showing in the Big 12.
For a senior replacing a star, quarterback Joe Cox wasn’t terrible for Georgia. He was no Matt Stafford, but who really expected him to be. Cox threw for over 2400 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also threw 14 interceptions, which isn’t good. His decision making got better as the year went on. Only two of those 14 picks came in the final four games of the year. Aside from the Arkansas game, in which he threw five touchdowns, Cox never blew you away with his ability to take over a game. His completion percentage hovered around 50 % the entire year.
But the statement win for Georgia may have come at exactly the right time. They beat seventh ranked Georgia Tech 30-24 in the final game of the season. In the game, Cox was basically a non factor. He threw for one touchdown and didn’t turn the ball over. What won that game for Georgia was the running attack. Both Washaun Ealey and Caleb King had over 100 yards on the ground for the Bulldogs. The two split carries all season. Ealey ran for 639 yards and 3 touchdowns. King ran for 534 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Georgia’s defense struggled terribly at time this season. They gave up nearly 27 points per game, good for tenth in the SEC. 35 points or more were surrendered by Georgia 4 times this season. Tennessee, Florida, and Arkansas put up forty spots on them. The struggles were so bad that head coach Mark Richt fired his defensive coordinator and three of his assistants.
But while we’re on the subject of poor defense- lets talk about Texas A&M. They were the worst in the Big 12 in two major defensive categories- points (32.7/game) and total yards (431.3/game). Those are pretty telling stats.
Here are some more telling stats for you in regards to the Texas A&M defense. Forget Texas racking up almost 600 total yards of offense against them, Both Kansas State and Oklahoma scored over 60 points on this defense. Over 60 points! We know that, despite big losses, Oklahoma at least has some offensive talent. But Kansas State? They averaged 23 points per game. And that’s with the 62 point outburst against Texas A&M.
So if the Texas A&M defense doesn’t make a pee-wee team blink, why should Georgia even spend a day studying up on this team?
Easy answer to a perfectly legitimate question- Quarterback Jerrod Johnson. Johnson threw for over 3000 yards this season and 28 touchdowns. He also ran for 8. Running backs Christine Michael and Cyrus Gray both ran for over 750 yards and combined for 14 touchdowns.
This is a high scoring matchup, no doubt. It comes down to who’s defense you trust more. I can’t see how anyone can trust that Texas A&M squad. Georgia is hot after a huge win to end the year. Texas A&M was embarrassed defensively by interstate rival Texas in their season finale. As long as Joe Cox continues to play mistake-free football, Georgia will run the ball towards a win.
The Pick: Georgia
Jordan Lauterbach
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Jets-Colts Preview
I need to take my mind off this Giants-Panthers game. That is causing me and New York to get our football Sunday off to a bad start. So I decided to write a little something on the Jets-Colts for today.
The storylines run deep with this game. Obviously on the Colts side, there's the undefeated record. Will Indy get to 15-0? Can they? Also, how long will the starters play in this game?
On New York's side, it's the run for an AFC playoff bid. Will they get the breaks? Can they upset a juggernaut late in the season?
And the matchup everyone is looking at is the Jets defense, ranked number 1, and the Colts powerful offense. But as I always say, the more important matchup is the one that no one is highlighting. The Jets offense against the Colts defense will have the most bearing on this game today.
New York has the second best rushing attack in the NFL. Thomas Jones leads the way with over 1200 yards. Indy has the 16th ranked rush defense, giving up 112 yards a game. So I expect Jones to get his.
That's going to help set up the Jets passing game spread the field against the Colts, who sit in the bottom half in pass defense. New York has the line and run game to begin to neutralize Indy's pass rush. That's why I expect Mark Sanchez to rise up and have one of his best games today on a big stage.
Along with that, expect a big day from Braylon Edwards. He did well last week and called out his teammates. He needs to back himself if he wants legitimacy and not to mention, a new contract after this year.
Also, Brad Smith needs to stay involved -- but his inclusion rests in the hands of OC Brian Schottenheimer. I don't know why, but Smith doesn't get enough touches. Even after 4 years of him making plays passing, running and catching the ball, 'Bad Brad' still doesn't get respect.
But I'm sticking with my original pick. The Jets will win this game and pull off a big time upset today.
--Max Caster
The storylines run deep with this game. Obviously on the Colts side, there's the undefeated record. Will Indy get to 15-0? Can they? Also, how long will the starters play in this game?
On New York's side, it's the run for an AFC playoff bid. Will they get the breaks? Can they upset a juggernaut late in the season?
And the matchup everyone is looking at is the Jets defense, ranked number 1, and the Colts powerful offense. But as I always say, the more important matchup is the one that no one is highlighting. The Jets offense against the Colts defense will have the most bearing on this game today.
New York has the second best rushing attack in the NFL. Thomas Jones leads the way with over 1200 yards. Indy has the 16th ranked rush defense, giving up 112 yards a game. So I expect Jones to get his.
That's going to help set up the Jets passing game spread the field against the Colts, who sit in the bottom half in pass defense. New York has the line and run game to begin to neutralize Indy's pass rush. That's why I expect Mark Sanchez to rise up and have one of his best games today on a big stage.
Along with that, expect a big day from Braylon Edwards. He did well last week and called out his teammates. He needs to back himself if he wants legitimacy and not to mention, a new contract after this year.
Also, Brad Smith needs to stay involved -- but his inclusion rests in the hands of OC Brian Schottenheimer. I don't know why, but Smith doesn't get enough touches. Even after 4 years of him making plays passing, running and catching the ball, 'Bad Brad' still doesn't get respect.
But I'm sticking with my original pick. The Jets will win this game and pull off a big time upset today.
--Max Caster
DeAngelo Williams out Against Giants
From Pro Football Talk:Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams made the trip to New York for today's game against the Giants, but he won't be on the field.
Jason La Canfora of NFL Network reports that Williams will not play today. He was listed as doubtful with an ankle injury.
When he was healthy in the middle of this season, Williams was having another big year, despite playing against defenses that were stacking the line of scrimmage to stop the run. But more recently he has been injured and ineffective, and totaled just 35 carries for 135 yards in the last four weeks.
Giants luck out with this one. With DeAngelo Williams out, the G-Men have one less playmaker to worry about. I think Steve Smith and Jonathon Stewart are enough to focus on. Even Matt Moore has done well at quarterback. So this will still be a tough game, but Williams would have made it a lot tougher.
The Giants can make this an easy game by sticking to what they do best. On defense, it's all pass rush. Matt Moore won't put up 300+ yards if Justin Tuck cracks his rib. The Giants' front seven needs to find itself in the backfield more times than not. Also, a great pass rush would hide the absence of starting corners Aaron Ross and Corey Webster. It worked last week against Washington, and it should work this week.
On offense, it's the Eli Manning show. We all know that Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw will combine for about 95 yards, so Manning needs to take control. He needs to find his playmakers, namely Hakeem Nicks and Steve Smith (of USC), and move the ball. It's as simple as that.
EDIT: It may not be so simple. I forgot to write that the only way Manning can do his thing is if Julius Peppers is stopped by the Giants offensive line. Last week against the Vikings, Peppers mangled Brett Favre several times. The guys on the blind side will need to double him. Unfortunately, Left Guard Rich Seubert will sit out. My guess is that Kevin Boothe will fill in. Also, Kareem McKenzie is out at right tackle. The rookie William Beatty will need to step up big time.
--Everyone wish me luck today. I'm in the finals of the WCWP Fantasy Football League, set to do battle with our own Jason Comack. Jason considers himself a guru, so I'm banking on him overthinking. I, however, have had my lineup set for days.
So good luck to me, him and anyone else in the finals for their league.
--Max Caster
Bowl Mania Day 7
Record: 5-4
Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl- Kentucky v. Clemson
Thanks to an abundance of Thursday night match ups, I talked a lot about the A.C.C on College Football Tonight (Fridays-10pm-wcwpsports.com) this season. And I wanted to gag at almost every turn. The conference was one of the most frustrating in college football. The moment a team looked ready to step up, they would fall right back down. Sure its parody, but it’s the bad kind. Everyone assumes that parody always equals good football. While this is true a lot of the time, parody can also equal extreme mediocrity. That’s the bad kind of parody. That’s what the A.C.C was this year.
One of the few teams that didn’t want to make me pull the hair from my eyelids in the A.C.C this season was Clemson. Before a 34-17 loss in the final week of the year, the Tigers six straight wins. They won what was maybe the worst division in a BCS conference in recent memory, the A.C.C Atlantic, by only a game but looked mighty impressive in a loss in the A.C.C championship. Maybe my view is clouded because I thought Georgia Tech would pound the garbage out of them on championship weekend, but I gained a lot of respect for Clemson after that game.
The Tigers came back from a 33-20 third quarter deficit against the class of the conference and actually had a one point lead with under seven minutes to play. If not for two turnovers and an unbelievable time of possession split (nearly 2:1), Clemson could be playing in a BCS bowl right now.
Running back C.J Spiller came up huge when his team needed him most. Against Georgia Tech, Spiller ran for 233 yards and found the end zone four times. He is the man that this offense revolves around. Spiller gained over 1100 yards and had 11 touchdowns this year.
On the other side of the field is a team that played hard in one of the country’s toughest divisions, the SEC East. Three of Kentucky’s five losses came against teams in the top 25. Two of them came against teams in the top 5. They are coming off an overtime loss to Tennessee at home, a team that played almost everyone tough this season.
Watch out for Randall Cobb. He’s a duel threat who can run and catch. Cobb ran for ten touchdowns on the ground this season and caught four. He was Kentucky’s leading receiver with 37 catches.
These two teams had virtually identical defenses (stat wise) in the regular season. Kentucky allowed 23 points a game, Clemson allowed 21. But Kentucky will be without its star, linebacker Sam Maxwell. Maxwell had 80 tackles and 6 interceptions. His absence gives the defensive edge to Clemson. With inconsistent quarterback play all year from Kentucky, if Clemson shuts down the run, the Wildcats will have nowhere to turn offensively.
The Pick: Clemson
Jordan Lauterbach
Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl- Kentucky v. Clemson
Thanks to an abundance of Thursday night match ups, I talked a lot about the A.C.C on College Football Tonight (Fridays-10pm-wcwpsports.com) this season. And I wanted to gag at almost every turn. The conference was one of the most frustrating in college football. The moment a team looked ready to step up, they would fall right back down. Sure its parody, but it’s the bad kind. Everyone assumes that parody always equals good football. While this is true a lot of the time, parody can also equal extreme mediocrity. That’s the bad kind of parody. That’s what the A.C.C was this year.
One of the few teams that didn’t want to make me pull the hair from my eyelids in the A.C.C this season was Clemson. Before a 34-17 loss in the final week of the year, the Tigers six straight wins. They won what was maybe the worst division in a BCS conference in recent memory, the A.C.C Atlantic, by only a game but looked mighty impressive in a loss in the A.C.C championship. Maybe my view is clouded because I thought Georgia Tech would pound the garbage out of them on championship weekend, but I gained a lot of respect for Clemson after that game.
The Tigers came back from a 33-20 third quarter deficit against the class of the conference and actually had a one point lead with under seven minutes to play. If not for two turnovers and an unbelievable time of possession split (nearly 2:1), Clemson could be playing in a BCS bowl right now.
Running back C.J Spiller came up huge when his team needed him most. Against Georgia Tech, Spiller ran for 233 yards and found the end zone four times. He is the man that this offense revolves around. Spiller gained over 1100 yards and had 11 touchdowns this year.
On the other side of the field is a team that played hard in one of the country’s toughest divisions, the SEC East. Three of Kentucky’s five losses came against teams in the top 25. Two of them came against teams in the top 5. They are coming off an overtime loss to Tennessee at home, a team that played almost everyone tough this season.
Watch out for Randall Cobb. He’s a duel threat who can run and catch. Cobb ran for ten touchdowns on the ground this season and caught four. He was Kentucky’s leading receiver with 37 catches.
These two teams had virtually identical defenses (stat wise) in the regular season. Kentucky allowed 23 points a game, Clemson allowed 21. But Kentucky will be without its star, linebacker Sam Maxwell. Maxwell had 80 tackles and 6 interceptions. His absence gives the defensive edge to Clemson. With inconsistent quarterback play all year from Kentucky, if Clemson shuts down the run, the Wildcats will have nowhere to turn offensively.
The Pick: Clemson
Jordan Lauterbach
Houston, you have a problem? We do too!
The New York Knicks’ plan for the summer of 2010 is one often spoken about. Knicks fans prance with glee through a meadow of soon-to-be free agents. New Yorkers salivate at the thoughts of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh donning the ol’ orange and blue. Older fans reminisce about the glory days of the early 1970’s. Younger fans think back to the late 90’s. Magic will fill Madison Square Garden once again, because of the plan for next summer.Oh, the plan is a way of life. It’s fool proof. It’s ingenious.
But the one thing that gets lost in all the hype of Donnie Walsh’s and Mike D’Antoni’s plans for the Knicks is that the process is not yet completed. In fact, it’s quite far from being completed. There are still some arduous obstacles to climb, while time slowly slips away.
In order for this plan to be finished, New York needs to move two players: Eddy Curry and Jared Jeffries. Yes, yes, we all know and love those two, but they must go. Jeffries’ and Curry’s contracts last through next season. That means if they were still on the team next year, it would give the Knicks less cap room to maneuver and sign some big name players.
While Jared Jeffries has transformed himself from an immovable object into a commodity through his play, Eddy Curry is still harder to move than a stubborn rhinoceros. Actually, he’s been acting a bit stubborn lately. He came out to the papers saying that he wanted to play or go somewhere where he would. With Mike D’Antoni’s 8-man rotation, and the reemergence of Jonathon Bender, Big Eddy is catching splinters with Nate Robinson.
"It's frustrating, because I worked so hard to get back and to be ready to go and now it's just like go every game trying to figure out if I'm going to play or not, sitting over there waiting to see what's going to happen."
Curry added that he would not opt out of his deal after the season. And rightfully so. He’s owed $11 million next season. But he would accept a buyout, similar to the Stephon Marbury situation last year. So before the Knicks have to deal with another overpaid, prima donna, underachieving athlete complaining, Curry needs to be moved now.
As if Curry’s dismissal from the Big Apple couldn’t get any more urgent, it did.
So now Donnie Walsh has to be wondering “What’s a boy to do?” Lucky for him, a similar situation is going on in Houston, involving a player who has been rumored to New York for a while.
Tracy McGrady is back and healthy from microfracture surgery on his knee. The NBA’s highest paid player is eager to resume his role as the star of the Rockets, but Coach Rick Adelman refuses to play him. Without McGrady (and Yao Ming), the Rockets have gotten off to a surprising 18-12 start, sitting 2nd in the Southwest Division. So despite McGrady’s wishes, Adelman told him that his court time would not increase. Upon hearing that news, an upset McGrady left the team and flew home.This is the prime opportunity for both teams to swap problems. Eddy Curry for Tracy McGrady. It works out for both sides.
McGrady would do what the team wanted Allen Iverson to do when he was on the verge of becoming a Knick. New York gets a superstar and could fill some seats and create buzz. More importantly, the Knicks would acquire his expiring $23 million contract, while dumping Curry’s eternity-long deal. That money comes off the books after the season and frees up more money to throw around in the summer of 2010.
Houston would receive a 7-footer to play center. Without Yao Ming, Houston is weak when it comes to playing a legit superstar big man. Right now, Chuck Hayes, who stands at 6’5”, is the starting center. While he’s doing an alright job and Carl Landry is probably the 6th man of the year thus far, the Rockets need size. Last night against the Nets, Brook Lopez was not contested and had an easy time doing what he wanted. Not just because Lopez has skills, but because the Rockets’ frontcourt was not able to contest him. With someone like Curry, who is tall enough to disrupt shots, Houston would improve their weakest aspect.
Now to make the money match up, the Knicks would have to give up more than just Curry. To make the numbers equal, the Knicks could add Al Harrington or Larry Hughes to the deal. Both would be nice fits for Houston. Harrington is a great scoring threat and Hughes is a good ball handler and a great defender. Other combinations can be conjured up. Either way, the deal would give the Knicks about an extra $11 million to spend next summer.
Some Knicks fans will come out and tell me that the team is looking better than ever. That the Knicks have won 7 of their last 10 games. That they can make the playoffs. That it’s fun to watch. Why disrupt it?
As much as I agree with all of those statements, the fact is the current Knicks regime is too far into this plan to turn back. It’s sad, I know. I’ve been against the 2010 plan since the jump. But now more than halfway through, Donnie Walsh and Mike D’Antoni can’t punk out now. If they do, they would have wasted our time as Knicks fans. And I think they know better.
As good as the team is this year, the main objective is next year. A playoff run would just be icing on the cake. And face it; this isn’t a championship level team. That doesn’t mean I’ll root against them, but Knicks fans need to keep their priorities in line with those of management.
I know I’ve written about this potential deal a few times, and spoken about it many more. But right now seems like the best time for both teams to mull it over. Houston, which appears playoff bound, would want to avoid an unnecessary controversy and media circus. New York avoids one as well, but also moves to their goal of 2010.
--Max Caster
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Urban Meyer Stepping Down
From ESPN:
Urban Meyer is stepping down as coach of the Florida football team, athletics director Jeremy Foley announced Saturday afternoon in a release.
"I have given my heart and soul to coaching college football and mentoring young men for the last 24-plus years and I have dedicated most of my waking moments the last five years to the Gator football program," Meyer said in statement. "I have ignored my health for years, but recent developments have forced me to re-evaluate my priorities of faith and family.
"After consulting with my family, Dr. Machen, Jeremy Foley and my doctors, I believe it is in my best interest to step aside and focus on my health and family.
"I'm proud to be a part of the Gainesville community and the Gator Nation and I plan to remain in Gainesville and involved with the University of Florida.
This sounds sincere. If it wasn't for health reasons, this would have come a little earlier then a week before the bowl game. It almost sounds as if he has left the door to come back if his health gets in order.
It begs an important question though. How do you define this, if your Florida. Is this a situation where you look for another big name guy to take over the program or do you hire a Meyer-assistant, hope it works out, and maybe Meyer will come back in a few years.
It's a little late to start looking at big name guy...
Jordan Lauterbach
Urban Meyer is stepping down as coach of the Florida football team, athletics director Jeremy Foley announced Saturday afternoon in a release.
"I have given my heart and soul to coaching college football and mentoring young men for the last 24-plus years and I have dedicated most of my waking moments the last five years to the Gator football program," Meyer said in statement. "I have ignored my health for years, but recent developments have forced me to re-evaluate my priorities of faith and family.
"After consulting with my family, Dr. Machen, Jeremy Foley and my doctors, I believe it is in my best interest to step aside and focus on my health and family.
"I'm proud to be a part of the Gainesville community and the Gator Nation and I plan to remain in Gainesville and involved with the University of Florida.
This sounds sincere. If it wasn't for health reasons, this would have come a little earlier then a week before the bowl game. It almost sounds as if he has left the door to come back if his health gets in order.
It begs an important question though. How do you define this, if your Florida. Is this a situation where you look for another big name guy to take over the program or do you hire a Meyer-assistant, hope it works out, and maybe Meyer will come back in a few years.
It's a little late to start looking at big name guy...
Jordan Lauterbach
Eddy Curry Upset Over DNP's
From the NY Post:
Calling it "definitely frustrating," center Eddy Curry spoke out yesterday and said he hopes the Knicks would cut ties with him after the season if his playing status doesn't improve the rest of this season.
It was the strongest, most bitter remark Curry has made about a potential Knicks divorce and raised an interesting scenario: Could the Knicks actually open more 2010 cap space if they have a buyout agreement with Curry after the season?
Curry can opt-out of his contract after the year, but said he will not do so. He's due another $11 million in his final season.
"I would never do that," Curry said of opting out. "At that point, I would hope both sides do what was right. At that point, if you decided to go that long and not play me, he [Mike D'Antoni] probably made up his mind I'm not a fit for his team. I would hope we could work something out."
So Eddy Curry wants out of New York...? What a coincidence! New York wants Eddy Curry out of it as well.
Now that we all agree, how about I set things straight. What ground does Curry have to stand on with this? He's talking about getting more burn when the team is clearly better without him. That's selfish -- like if Nate Robinson was complaining over his lack of play. And I would understand if Nate complained because he can actually play basketball in a style similar to an average NBA player. Eddy can't.
Now he's talking about leaving after this season, but he won't opt out of his contract. He wants himself and the Knicks to work something out where he gets paid and doesn't have to play... Really? Eddy, shut your mouth, please! You sound like an idiot. If you want to leave this team (as much as no one wants you), you leave the $11 million dollars as well. I really can't believe this guy.
Also, anybody else find it hilarious and very disturbing that Eddy Curry was replaced in the lineup by a man who hadn't played any professional basketball for 4 years? Plus he has had some bad knee issues. That means that Larry Johnson can sign with the Knicks and still be more effective than Eddy. Hell, let's get Bernard King back as well.
Eddy Curry is ridiculous to ask for any type of buyout or playing time. He hasn't deserved either.
Sidenote: You have to wonder how our Jordan Lauterbach goes .500 in all of his Bowl game picks. I think he's trying to be Even Steven... Dude loves 'Seinfeld' way too much.
--Max Caster
Bowl Mania Day 6
Record 3-3
Worn out from the holidays? A little too much family in your house during the last two days? Well, like it always seems to do (for me anyway), sports have come to rescue you from the holiday whiplash. More specifically, college football. Because what clears the head of an overworked and under slept football fan more than a college bowl triple header?
Nothing
Little Caesars Bowl- Marshall vs Ohio- Ok, so the day starts off slow, but what do you expect- it is only December 26th. This one is a major offensive mismatch. Ohio outscored Marshall by almost eighty points this season. Quarterback Theo Scott threw for over 2000 yards and 19 touchdowns this season. They have a two headed receiving attack with a now-healthy Lavon Brazil and Taylor Price. Brazil is a dynamic return man. He averages over fifteen yards per punt and led the nation in punt return touchdowns with three. Ohio won nine games this year and kept things close with a good Central Michigan team in the Conference-USA championship game.
Marshall doesn’t have a ton to look forward to. They are a team working with an interim coach who, insiders say, is not expected to keep the job after the bowl. Interim coaches in bowl games can go one of two ways. One, the team can play inspired football to stick it to the past coach who left or lobby for the interim coach to get the full time gig (Bill Stewart anyone?) Two, the team can lay down and die because what’s the point? This situation reeks of scenario number two.
The only saving grace for Marshall may be running back Darius Marshall. Marshall (the man) ran for over 1000 yards this season and found the end zone 11 times. With Ohio giving up over 150 yards per game on the ground if Marshall (the school) can ever get him going, this one may carry some interest into the fourth quarter.
But even if Darius Marshall makes an impact, I can’t see the Thundering Herd stopping the Ohio offense.
The Pick: Ohio
Meineke Car Care Bowl- #17 Pittsburgh v. North Carolina- In a way, Pittsburgh is avenging two bad losses in this one. First, one of the worst losses you will ever see in the final game of the year against Cincinnati. After being absolutely dominant all day in what amounted to the Big East championship game, Pittsburgh collapsed in the fourth quarter and lost by a point.
Think about that feeling.
21 point lead entering the fourth quarter. You can smell a BCS bowl and a team with a coach who has practically run for another head coaching position that week snatches it away on your home turf. The bleepin Bearcats are going to a BCS bowl and you’re not. And for the second consecutive year, to boot. Ouch
Second, returning Pitt players surely haven’t forgotten the Brut Sun Bowl last year. The Panther defense played almost as good as a football team can and a measly second quarter Oregon State field goal is the difference in the game. That had to sting.
The Sun Bowl didn’t make quarterback Bill Stull a lot of friends, either. Coming into 2009, their were a lot of questions about whether an offense without Lesean McCoy could survive. I, myself, didn’t see the Panthers as a team who would have a shot at the Big East title in the final game of the year. But as hard as this is to believe, the Pitt offense may be better this season.
Bill Stull emerged as a competent quarterback, throwing twenty one touchdown passes and over 2400 yards. Freshman Dion Lewis has been fantastic. LeSean McCoy who? Lewis ran for over 1000 yards and 16 touchdowns. He is the kind of back who can flat out take games over.
The Pitt offense scored over thirty points six times this year and under 20 twice. But they may have found their match. UNC has an excellent defense. They allow under 17 points a game a flirted with allowing under 200 points this season. However, I think they can be had. They allowed 30 points in a loss to Florida State. Pittsburgh’s offense is better then Florida State. They allowed 24 points to Miami. I know people love Jacory Harris, but Pitt’s offense is on par with Miami’s.
I think Pitt will be able to hold down a UNC offense that they outscored by over 100 this season and win a low scoring affair.
The Pick: Pittsburgh
Emerald Bowl- Boston College vs #24 USC- USC isn’t used to this. Frankly, neither am I. Writing about USC before the first of the year just seams wrong. I predicted a down year. But isn’t a down year for USC nowadays like a BCS at-large bid or something? I mean, the Emerald Bowl? Really?
That being said, I still think this is a quick down swing. Even in a getting-better Pac-10, I like USC to be a top five team all next season. But it brings up an interesting question. Even though it’s a young team, how pumped up can the USC Trojans get to play Boston College on Boxing Day? Don’t think the pump up factor is a big one? Think about how many teams have been screwed out of a national championship bid and lost their bowl game? It almost happened to Texas last year. Think about teams that lost BCS bids this year in excruciating fashion and then got trounced in their bowl game.
Looking at you, Oregon State.
So what will that get us tonight? I think a close game is in the cards, but I just can’t pick Boston College to beat anyone good. They finished 8-4, sure. But that was 8-4 in the A.C.C.
The A.C.C was the worst of the BCS conferences this year. I will fight anyone on that.
Anyone.
B.C’s most impressive wins came against FSU and Central Michigan. Clemson beat them by three scores. Virginia Tech beat them by thirty four. UNC scored 31 points on them. Enough said. USC’s lack of interest keeps the game watch-able, but the Trojans prevail.
The Pick: USC
Jordan Lauterbach
Worn out from the holidays? A little too much family in your house during the last two days? Well, like it always seems to do (for me anyway), sports have come to rescue you from the holiday whiplash. More specifically, college football. Because what clears the head of an overworked and under slept football fan more than a college bowl triple header?
Nothing
Little Caesars Bowl- Marshall vs Ohio- Ok, so the day starts off slow, but what do you expect- it is only December 26th. This one is a major offensive mismatch. Ohio outscored Marshall by almost eighty points this season. Quarterback Theo Scott threw for over 2000 yards and 19 touchdowns this season. They have a two headed receiving attack with a now-healthy Lavon Brazil and Taylor Price. Brazil is a dynamic return man. He averages over fifteen yards per punt and led the nation in punt return touchdowns with three. Ohio won nine games this year and kept things close with a good Central Michigan team in the Conference-USA championship game.
Marshall doesn’t have a ton to look forward to. They are a team working with an interim coach who, insiders say, is not expected to keep the job after the bowl. Interim coaches in bowl games can go one of two ways. One, the team can play inspired football to stick it to the past coach who left or lobby for the interim coach to get the full time gig (Bill Stewart anyone?) Two, the team can lay down and die because what’s the point? This situation reeks of scenario number two.
The only saving grace for Marshall may be running back Darius Marshall. Marshall (the man) ran for over 1000 yards this season and found the end zone 11 times. With Ohio giving up over 150 yards per game on the ground if Marshall (the school) can ever get him going, this one may carry some interest into the fourth quarter.
But even if Darius Marshall makes an impact, I can’t see the Thundering Herd stopping the Ohio offense.
The Pick: Ohio
Meineke Car Care Bowl- #17 Pittsburgh v. North Carolina- In a way, Pittsburgh is avenging two bad losses in this one. First, one of the worst losses you will ever see in the final game of the year against Cincinnati. After being absolutely dominant all day in what amounted to the Big East championship game, Pittsburgh collapsed in the fourth quarter and lost by a point.
Think about that feeling.
21 point lead entering the fourth quarter. You can smell a BCS bowl and a team with a coach who has practically run for another head coaching position that week snatches it away on your home turf. The bleepin Bearcats are going to a BCS bowl and you’re not. And for the second consecutive year, to boot. Ouch
Second, returning Pitt players surely haven’t forgotten the Brut Sun Bowl last year. The Panther defense played almost as good as a football team can and a measly second quarter Oregon State field goal is the difference in the game. That had to sting.
The Sun Bowl didn’t make quarterback Bill Stull a lot of friends, either. Coming into 2009, their were a lot of questions about whether an offense without Lesean McCoy could survive. I, myself, didn’t see the Panthers as a team who would have a shot at the Big East title in the final game of the year. But as hard as this is to believe, the Pitt offense may be better this season.
Bill Stull emerged as a competent quarterback, throwing twenty one touchdown passes and over 2400 yards. Freshman Dion Lewis has been fantastic. LeSean McCoy who? Lewis ran for over 1000 yards and 16 touchdowns. He is the kind of back who can flat out take games over.
The Pitt offense scored over thirty points six times this year and under 20 twice. But they may have found their match. UNC has an excellent defense. They allow under 17 points a game a flirted with allowing under 200 points this season. However, I think they can be had. They allowed 30 points in a loss to Florida State. Pittsburgh’s offense is better then Florida State. They allowed 24 points to Miami. I know people love Jacory Harris, but Pitt’s offense is on par with Miami’s.
I think Pitt will be able to hold down a UNC offense that they outscored by over 100 this season and win a low scoring affair.
The Pick: Pittsburgh
Emerald Bowl- Boston College vs #24 USC- USC isn’t used to this. Frankly, neither am I. Writing about USC before the first of the year just seams wrong. I predicted a down year. But isn’t a down year for USC nowadays like a BCS at-large bid or something? I mean, the Emerald Bowl? Really?
That being said, I still think this is a quick down swing. Even in a getting-better Pac-10, I like USC to be a top five team all next season. But it brings up an interesting question. Even though it’s a young team, how pumped up can the USC Trojans get to play Boston College on Boxing Day? Don’t think the pump up factor is a big one? Think about how many teams have been screwed out of a national championship bid and lost their bowl game? It almost happened to Texas last year. Think about teams that lost BCS bids this year in excruciating fashion and then got trounced in their bowl game.
Looking at you, Oregon State.
So what will that get us tonight? I think a close game is in the cards, but I just can’t pick Boston College to beat anyone good. They finished 8-4, sure. But that was 8-4 in the A.C.C.
The A.C.C was the worst of the BCS conferences this year. I will fight anyone on that.
Anyone.
B.C’s most impressive wins came against FSU and Central Michigan. Clemson beat them by three scores. Virginia Tech beat them by thirty four. UNC scored 31 points on them. Enough said. USC’s lack of interest keeps the game watch-able, but the Trojans prevail.
The Pick: USC
Jordan Lauterbach
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Gallinari Hooks Up with Beyonce
Sort of...
Here's Danilo Gallinari singing 'Halo' by Jay-Z's woman, Beyonce. Al Harrington on percussion.
Here's Gallo singing over the instrumental. Beyonce and Al Harrington singing background. This remix is brought to you by White Base Coat Productions
Here's a free MP3 of Danilo singing with Beyonce and Al.
Also, I found this while on YouTube:
Hmm...
--Max Caster
Here's Danilo Gallinari singing 'Halo' by Jay-Z's woman, Beyonce. Al Harrington on percussion.
Here's Gallo singing over the instrumental. Beyonce and Al Harrington singing background. This remix is brought to you by White Base Coat Productions
Here's a free MP3 of Danilo singing with Beyonce and Al.
Also, I found this while on YouTube:
Hmm...
--Max Caster
Revis Named Jets MVP
From PFT:
[Darrelle] Revis has been voted the Jets' MVP for the 2009 season.
The Jets announced today that Revis has secured the honor, which is named for former Jets running back Curtis Martin.
Could it have been debated any other way? Without Darrelle Revis, the Jets defense would not even be close to the top of the league. In fact, with the pass rush going to sleep in the weeks after Kris Jenkins' injury, and the inability to secure the ball (See: Mark Sanchez, Shonn Greene and Braylon Edwards), the Jets would not be 7-7 with an opportunity to control their own path to the playoffs.
Revis effectively shuts down one side of the field when he plays man coverage. Many a time, he's held the opponent's top wide receiver to an embarrassing game:
Week 1 @ HOU: Andre Johnson -- 4 catches, 35 yards
Week 2 vs. NE: Randy Moss -- 4 catches, 24 yards
Week 3 vs. TEN: Justin Gage -- 4 catches, 37 yards
Week 4 @ NO: Marques Colston -- 2 catches, 33 yards
Week 5 @ MIA: Ted Ginn Jr. -- 2 catches, 57 yards, 1TD, long = 53yds
Week 6 vs. BUF: Terrell Owens -- 3 catches, 13 yards
Week 7 @ OAK: Louis Murphy -- 4 catches, 58 yards
Week 8 vs. MIA: Ted Ginn Jr. -- 0 catches, 0 yards
Week 9 BYE
Week 10 vs. JAC: Mike Sims-Walker -- 3 catches, 49 yards, 1TD
Week 11 @ NE: Randy Moss -- 5 catches, 34 yards, 1 TD
Week 12 vs. CAR: Steve Smith -- 1 catch, 5 yards
Week 13 @ BUF: Terrell Owens -- 3 catches, 31 yards
Week 14 @ TB: Antonio Bryant -- 2 catches, 22 yards
Week 15 vs. ATL: Roddy White -- 4 catches, 33 yards
Altogether, Darrelle Revis has held those receivers to a combined 41 catches for 431 yards and 3 touchdowns. The thing that I didn't factor in is the number of catches these wide outs made against zone coverage and other defensive backs. Either way, the numbers are impressive.
Now I'm interested to see how he takes this award into the next two games, in which he'll be guarding Reggie Wayne and Chad Ochocinco.
So congrats to Darrelle Revis for being the Jets most valuable player. Congrats on your excellent season and trip to the Pro Bowl. And bang up job being the best defensive player in football.
--Max Caster
Bowl Mania Day 5
Record- 3-2
Sheraton Hawaii Bowl- Nevada v. Southern Methodist
Ah, memories. Sweet memories. It was only a year ago that Jimmy Clausen looked like the quarterback everyone thought he’d be coming out of high school. It was only a year ago that I sat on my couch and said “maybe it’s not such a bad idea keeping Weis around for another year”. Oh boy, how things have changed. On a similer note, that game will probably be looked at as the turning point of Jimmy Clausen’s college career. Maybe the apex, unfortunately .
Despite the fact that, no, Notre Dame is not playing in this year’s edition- there is an ironic Fighting Irish connection. Nevada’s worst offensive performance of the season came in week one in South Bend. It was after this game, a 35-0 shellacking, that I called the Notre Dame dominant and decided to book my trip to the National Championship game.
Thank god for forgiving cancellation policies.
But how about something about the teams that are playing in this year’s game. Nevada boasts a dynamic offense behind a Hall of Fame head coach (betcha didn’t know that) and powerful rushing game. Normally, its impressive when a team has one 1000 yard rusher. It’s considered outstanding when they have two. Nevada? They have three.
Vai Taua, Luke Lippencott, and quarterback Colin Kaepernick all have over 1000 yards on the ground. Kaepernick ran for 16 touchdowns and threw for another 19. He also doesn’t turn the ball over, throwing only five picks this season. But good news for Southern Methodist. Neither Vai Taua or Luke Lippincott will play in the game. Lippincott is nursing an injury and Taua was ruled academically ineligible.
The Wolfpack got off to a bad start, loosing their first three games, but soon found a groove. They rattled off eight straight wins before falling to Boise State in the final week of the season. They put up an ungodly 70 points in a win over Idaho in late October. Kaepernick carried the ball 15 times in that game for 230 yards.
So the way to stop Nevada is pretty simple. Stop the run and you win. Even with only Kaepernick to account for, this is no easy task. Boise State allowed 242 yards rushing, but that stat is a little misleading because the Broncos jumped out to a 20-0 lead by the end of the first quarter. Notre Dame allowed 153 yards in the shut out. That was the closest that anyone came to stopping the run effectively.
Southern Methodist also has a 1000 yard rusher in Shawnbrey McNeal. Besides having the best name this side of Jacquizz Rodgers, McNeal gives adds another aspect to a dynamic passing offense. He ran for 1,125 yards and nine touchdowns.
A little more on the dynamic passing offense- True freshman Kyle Padron never gave his job up after taking over for the injured Bo Levi Mitchell mid season. Padron completed 64% of his passes and tossed eight touchdowns. He also had four interceptions. Stopping the passing game should be an issue for Nevada. They ranked second to last in pass defense this season.
I don’t see how this game isn’t high scoring. The question is, how much does the loss of Taua and Lippencott hurt the rushing game of Nevada. However, the Nevada running back situation doesn’t change the fact that Southern Methodist gives up almost 200 yards on the ground per game. When a team like Nevada has three 1000 yard backs in a season, that screams something about the system. I mean, its Nevada- not Miami. I still think SMU will have a ton of trouble with the run and that’s the difference in the game.
The Pick: Nevada
Sheraton Hawaii Bowl- Nevada v. Southern Methodist
Ah, memories. Sweet memories. It was only a year ago that Jimmy Clausen looked like the quarterback everyone thought he’d be coming out of high school. It was only a year ago that I sat on my couch and said “maybe it’s not such a bad idea keeping Weis around for another year”. Oh boy, how things have changed. On a similer note, that game will probably be looked at as the turning point of Jimmy Clausen’s college career. Maybe the apex, unfortunately .
Despite the fact that, no, Notre Dame is not playing in this year’s edition- there is an ironic Fighting Irish connection. Nevada’s worst offensive performance of the season came in week one in South Bend. It was after this game, a 35-0 shellacking, that I called the Notre Dame dominant and decided to book my trip to the National Championship game.
Thank god for forgiving cancellation policies.
But how about something about the teams that are playing in this year’s game. Nevada boasts a dynamic offense behind a Hall of Fame head coach (betcha didn’t know that) and powerful rushing game. Normally, its impressive when a team has one 1000 yard rusher. It’s considered outstanding when they have two. Nevada? They have three.
Vai Taua, Luke Lippencott, and quarterback Colin Kaepernick all have over 1000 yards on the ground. Kaepernick ran for 16 touchdowns and threw for another 19. He also doesn’t turn the ball over, throwing only five picks this season. But good news for Southern Methodist. Neither Vai Taua or Luke Lippincott will play in the game. Lippincott is nursing an injury and Taua was ruled academically ineligible.
The Wolfpack got off to a bad start, loosing their first three games, but soon found a groove. They rattled off eight straight wins before falling to Boise State in the final week of the season. They put up an ungodly 70 points in a win over Idaho in late October. Kaepernick carried the ball 15 times in that game for 230 yards.
So the way to stop Nevada is pretty simple. Stop the run and you win. Even with only Kaepernick to account for, this is no easy task. Boise State allowed 242 yards rushing, but that stat is a little misleading because the Broncos jumped out to a 20-0 lead by the end of the first quarter. Notre Dame allowed 153 yards in the shut out. That was the closest that anyone came to stopping the run effectively.
Southern Methodist also has a 1000 yard rusher in Shawnbrey McNeal. Besides having the best name this side of Jacquizz Rodgers, McNeal gives adds another aspect to a dynamic passing offense. He ran for 1,125 yards and nine touchdowns.
A little more on the dynamic passing offense- True freshman Kyle Padron never gave his job up after taking over for the injured Bo Levi Mitchell mid season. Padron completed 64% of his passes and tossed eight touchdowns. He also had four interceptions. Stopping the passing game should be an issue for Nevada. They ranked second to last in pass defense this season.
I don’t see how this game isn’t high scoring. The question is, how much does the loss of Taua and Lippencott hurt the rushing game of Nevada. However, the Nevada running back situation doesn’t change the fact that Southern Methodist gives up almost 200 yards on the ground per game. When a team like Nevada has three 1000 yard backs in a season, that screams something about the system. I mean, its Nevada- not Miami. I still think SMU will have a ton of trouble with the run and that’s the difference in the game.
The Pick: Nevada
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Rhodes Does Stanky Leg After Loss
From the NY Daily News:Kerry Rhodes doesn’t seem too upset about the Jets’ embarrassing loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. The safety celebrated his good buddy Tyson Beckford’s birthday just hours later at Juliet Supperclub.
"Kerry seemed like he was in a good mood and was having a great time," a partygoer noted, adding that the guys were drinking Coronas and downing shots of tequila with a table of pretty girls. "If he was bummed about the loss, he certainly wasn’t showing it."
I know a lot of people are going to make a big deal out of this. But what do you expect him to do? Sulk and cry and get depressed after losing?
I know Rhodes has been a bit of a D-Bag lately. Trying to shoulder tackle Wes Welker... Tweeting about leaving New York... Celebrating wildly after every tackle he made against Atlanta... But don't waste energy complaining about this. I wouldn't have a problem if Mark Sanchez did this. Nor would I if Marques Murrell did.
It's really not a big deal, but as the word spreads, I guarantee that fans will be calling for Rhodes' head. How about a conversation about the Jets' playoff chances, what Sanchez has to do to finish strong or whether to re-sign Braylon Edwards?
--Max Caster
Bowl Mania Day 4
Record: 2-2
San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl- #23 Utah v. California- Was there a more difficult team to figure out this season then California? I had them winning the Pac-10 and going to the Rose Bowl for the first time since they played in sweaters and leather helmets. Loved Jahvid Best. Thought the receiving core would be good enough to keep the defense honest. Predicted a solid defensive year. Going into the final weekend of September, everything was looking up for the Bears. Then came the 42-3 loss to Oregon followed by a 30-3 loss to USC.
2 weeks-6 points.
It was strange to see a team with such a dynamic rusher have that much trouble scoring. Best was off to a Heisman-like year, racking up over 130 yards on the ground in each of the first three weeks. Then it stopped. He got to 100 yards only twice more and missed the final three games of the season.
I don’t think Cal ever fully recovered from the Oregon loss. Here they are- number six in the country and ready to pounce on what’s looking like a very winnable Pac-10 and they get crushed by an Oregon team that most thought (at least I did) was in for a down year without the suspended LeGarette Blount. I mean, Best had 55 yards! It wasn’t close. Even though it was only one loss, I remember thinking that Cal had missed its shot yet again.
Then they came back from the dead without Jahvid Best and played spoiler in consecutive weeks to Arizona and Stanford. Sophmore running back Shane Vereen had 159 yards against Arizona and 193 against Stanford. Toby Gerhart had 4 touchdowns for Stanford and Vereen outplayed him. Where was this all season? Sure, its easy (and somewhat valid) to say that Cal’s problems had a ton to do with Jahvid Best not being himself, but isn’t it perplexing that they won two of the three games he missed?
Adding to the enigma, The Bears got smacked by 5-7 Washington to end the year. 42 points to a non bowl eligible team that has nothing but pride to play for in the final week of the year. This coming after they had crept back into the top 25.
Weird. Just too weird.
And that’s precisely why I can’t pick California to win this game. Don’t get me wrong, I like Utah a lot, and if last night was any indication, the Mountain West has come to play (again), but this is more a pick against Cal. At this point, how can you say anything about California with any conviction? I don’t care if you’re a Kirk Herbstreit or a Lee Corso. They’re just impossible to figure out.
Utah running back Eddie Wide has done a great job filling in for the injured Matt Asiatia. Wide had over 1000 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. This is even more impressive when you consider that he didn’t get starting back carries until week four. David Reed racked up over 1000 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Considering the transition year and the injury to their number one offensive weapon, the fact that Utah finished in the top 25 is a heck of a feat. The defense gives up less then 20 points a game. This doesn’t bode well for a Cal team that put 10 or less up four times this year.
Look for Cal’s offense to struggle. A lot.
The Pick: Utah
Jordan Lauterbach
San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl- #23 Utah v. California- Was there a more difficult team to figure out this season then California? I had them winning the Pac-10 and going to the Rose Bowl for the first time since they played in sweaters and leather helmets. Loved Jahvid Best. Thought the receiving core would be good enough to keep the defense honest. Predicted a solid defensive year. Going into the final weekend of September, everything was looking up for the Bears. Then came the 42-3 loss to Oregon followed by a 30-3 loss to USC.
2 weeks-6 points.
It was strange to see a team with such a dynamic rusher have that much trouble scoring. Best was off to a Heisman-like year, racking up over 130 yards on the ground in each of the first three weeks. Then it stopped. He got to 100 yards only twice more and missed the final three games of the season.
I don’t think Cal ever fully recovered from the Oregon loss. Here they are- number six in the country and ready to pounce on what’s looking like a very winnable Pac-10 and they get crushed by an Oregon team that most thought (at least I did) was in for a down year without the suspended LeGarette Blount. I mean, Best had 55 yards! It wasn’t close. Even though it was only one loss, I remember thinking that Cal had missed its shot yet again.
Then they came back from the dead without Jahvid Best and played spoiler in consecutive weeks to Arizona and Stanford. Sophmore running back Shane Vereen had 159 yards against Arizona and 193 against Stanford. Toby Gerhart had 4 touchdowns for Stanford and Vereen outplayed him. Where was this all season? Sure, its easy (and somewhat valid) to say that Cal’s problems had a ton to do with Jahvid Best not being himself, but isn’t it perplexing that they won two of the three games he missed?
Adding to the enigma, The Bears got smacked by 5-7 Washington to end the year. 42 points to a non bowl eligible team that has nothing but pride to play for in the final week of the year. This coming after they had crept back into the top 25.
Weird. Just too weird.
And that’s precisely why I can’t pick California to win this game. Don’t get me wrong, I like Utah a lot, and if last night was any indication, the Mountain West has come to play (again), but this is more a pick against Cal. At this point, how can you say anything about California with any conviction? I don’t care if you’re a Kirk Herbstreit or a Lee Corso. They’re just impossible to figure out.
Utah running back Eddie Wide has done a great job filling in for the injured Matt Asiatia. Wide had over 1000 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. This is even more impressive when you consider that he didn’t get starting back carries until week four. David Reed racked up over 1000 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Considering the transition year and the injury to their number one offensive weapon, the fact that Utah finished in the top 25 is a heck of a feat. The defense gives up less then 20 points a game. This doesn’t bode well for a Cal team that put 10 or less up four times this year.
Look for Cal’s offense to struggle. A lot.
The Pick: Utah
Jordan Lauterbach
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Yanks Re-Acquire Javier Vazquez
From Joel Sherman's Twitter:so the trade is vazquez and boone logan to #Yankees for melky cabrera, mike dunn and arodys vizcaino, that is now confirmed by Post
So it's bye-bye Melky Cabrera, the man who produced several great late-game performances for New York last season. Truthfully, it's not a huge loss, but it's sad to see him go. He was a true Yankee, but he was also an underachiever, so take your pick...
Last year, the Melk Man hit .274 with a low .336 OBP, and slugged a whack .416. Cabrera is about an average major league player, so I expect his role in the outfield to be filled easily.
Who will fill the role? Well, now that the Yankees starting leftfielder projects to be Brett Gardner (YES!!), they'll surely dip into the free agent market for someone to step in.
The two big names are Matt Holliday and Jason Bay -- two excellent offensive players in a small ballpark. However, both are rather pricey and could cause GM Brian Cashman to deviate from his 'tighter' budget.
So I'd look for a Mark DeRosa signing by the Yankees. He's cheaper, not as good offensively, but makes up for it with his defense. DeRosa can play every infield position and corner outfield, which would make him fit right in with Joe Girardi's National League style of managing.
Although, as a Yankee fan, I can't help but imagine what this lineup would look like with Bay or Holliday...
So the other side to this deal is Javier Vazquez. The Yankees fans still loathe this man for his disappointing 14-10, 4.91 ERA with New York in 2004. But he's coming off a nice year with Atlanta, in which he kept his ERA down at 2.87 and a 1.026 WHIP.
It's a familiar story for Yankee fans, because in 2003, 1 year prior to him coming to New York, Vazquez had a solid season in Montreal. But the difference this time is that he'll be in a much less prominent role. In 2004, he was the team's number 1 starter. In 2010, he's projected as the number 4, behind CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett and Andy Pettitte. In that role, I expect Vazquez to find success.
So right now, it looks like the Yankees got a good deal with this one. But don't dismiss the loss of Mike Dunn. He pitched to a 2.25 ERA in Triple-A last season. The 24 year old shot up the ranks quickly, going from the Gulf Coast League in 2006, to Scranton in 2009.
And once again, so long, Melky! Here's our favorite Melky moment, courtesy of our friends at Terez Owens:
--Max Caster
Bowl Mania Day 3
Record: 2-1
MAACO Bowl- Las Vegas- #14 BYU v. #18 Oregon State- Finally we get to see some top 25 teams! I have to say, for a pre-Christmas Tuesday night, this one is a treat. The people at MAACO got really lucky. These are two interesting teams with some impressive 2009 moments on the resume.
You never want to get too excited about a loss, especially if it’s in what amounts to a conference championship game, but you had to be impressed with the way Oregon State played at Oregon in the final game of the year. Earlier that week I had Paul Buker from The Oregonian on my show. Buker told me that the question among Oregon fans was not whether or not the Ducks would win the game, but how many points they would put up in the process. Thoughts of a 60 spot were floating around the pacific north west.
Fast forward a day and about 9 hours after that conversation and Oregon State is staring at a 33-28 lead with two minutes to go in the third quarter. On the road. In one of the most hostel environments you’ll find in college football.
Oregon State lost the game and a date with Ohio State on New Year’s because they couldn’t stop the run and they collapsed on two fourth down opportunities late in the fourth quarter. I had issues with the play calling in the game from an Oregon State perspective, but was none the less impressed with how they played in the first 45 minutes of the game.
To win tonight, the Beavers will have to do two things- get Jacquizz Rodgers going and stop Harvey Unga. First, Rodgers. He stands 5-7, weighs under 200 pounds, and is as explosive as any running back in the Pac-10 this side of Toby Gerhart. He ran for over 1300 yards and 20 touchdowns. He crossed the 100 mark in seven games this year. And cross the 100 mark doesn’t necessarily mean the 103 he racked up against Portland State. How about the 189 he had against Stanford? Or the 159 he had against Washington? Or 113 against USC?
The issue with Rodgers has been under use. In all of Oregon State’s losses, they’ve ran the ball with Jaquizz 20 times or less. They are going against a team that has been streaky stopping the run. BYU has allowed over 100 yards four times this year. One of those times came to TCU, one of the best teams in the country. Another came against Air Force, a team that runs the ball almost exclusively. I can see Jacquizz Rodgers putting up numbers more then good enough to win, but it’s important that Oregon State feed him the ball a lot.
Stopping the run will be an even bigger key for Oregon State. They couldn’t do it against Oregon, allowing 288 yards, including 166 to LaMichael James. They couldn’t do it four other times this season. But they did have success against Cal, a team that reportedly has a good rushing attack (though inexplicably refused to use it at points).
BYU running back Harvey Unga ran for over 1000 yards and ten touchdowns. He puts those numbers up in big games, too. Unga ran for over 100 against TCU and Utah- the two biggest games of the year. Stop him and Oregon State’s in good shape.
If I’m the Beavers, I make Max Hall beat me. Sure, he had 30 touchdowns. But he also had 14 interceptions. I’m more concerned about what Unga can do to me, then what Hall can do with a neutralized Unga. The BYU receivers aren’t great. The tight end, Dennis Pitta, leads the team in catches.
However, you have to give BYU this- the stigma that they aren’t good in big games has, at the very least decreased. They beat Oklahoma in Dallas to open up the year (so what if Bradford left the game?) and they topped Utah in overtime to end the season. TCU destroyed them, but I don’t know if TCU isn’t the 3rd best team in the country.
The loss that concerns me is the 54-28 shalacking at home to Florida State. That game was a complete breakdown. Maybe it doesn’t mean anything. Maybe it was just one of those nights. But that game has haunted me whenever I’ve spoken or written about BYU since. Not a lot of teams get beat that bad at home by a mediocre foe.
I just can’t pick BYU on a neutral field to win this game. They’ll have trouble stopping Jaquizz Rodgers and fall in a high scoring affair.
The Pick: Oregon State
MAACO Bowl- Las Vegas- #14 BYU v. #18 Oregon State- Finally we get to see some top 25 teams! I have to say, for a pre-Christmas Tuesday night, this one is a treat. The people at MAACO got really lucky. These are two interesting teams with some impressive 2009 moments on the resume.
You never want to get too excited about a loss, especially if it’s in what amounts to a conference championship game, but you had to be impressed with the way Oregon State played at Oregon in the final game of the year. Earlier that week I had Paul Buker from The Oregonian on my show. Buker told me that the question among Oregon fans was not whether or not the Ducks would win the game, but how many points they would put up in the process. Thoughts of a 60 spot were floating around the pacific north west.
Fast forward a day and about 9 hours after that conversation and Oregon State is staring at a 33-28 lead with two minutes to go in the third quarter. On the road. In one of the most hostel environments you’ll find in college football.
Oregon State lost the game and a date with Ohio State on New Year’s because they couldn’t stop the run and they collapsed on two fourth down opportunities late in the fourth quarter. I had issues with the play calling in the game from an Oregon State perspective, but was none the less impressed with how they played in the first 45 minutes of the game.
To win tonight, the Beavers will have to do two things- get Jacquizz Rodgers going and stop Harvey Unga. First, Rodgers. He stands 5-7, weighs under 200 pounds, and is as explosive as any running back in the Pac-10 this side of Toby Gerhart. He ran for over 1300 yards and 20 touchdowns. He crossed the 100 mark in seven games this year. And cross the 100 mark doesn’t necessarily mean the 103 he racked up against Portland State. How about the 189 he had against Stanford? Or the 159 he had against Washington? Or 113 against USC?
The issue with Rodgers has been under use. In all of Oregon State’s losses, they’ve ran the ball with Jaquizz 20 times or less. They are going against a team that has been streaky stopping the run. BYU has allowed over 100 yards four times this year. One of those times came to TCU, one of the best teams in the country. Another came against Air Force, a team that runs the ball almost exclusively. I can see Jacquizz Rodgers putting up numbers more then good enough to win, but it’s important that Oregon State feed him the ball a lot.
Stopping the run will be an even bigger key for Oregon State. They couldn’t do it against Oregon, allowing 288 yards, including 166 to LaMichael James. They couldn’t do it four other times this season. But they did have success against Cal, a team that reportedly has a good rushing attack (though inexplicably refused to use it at points).
BYU running back Harvey Unga ran for over 1000 yards and ten touchdowns. He puts those numbers up in big games, too. Unga ran for over 100 against TCU and Utah- the two biggest games of the year. Stop him and Oregon State’s in good shape.
If I’m the Beavers, I make Max Hall beat me. Sure, he had 30 touchdowns. But he also had 14 interceptions. I’m more concerned about what Unga can do to me, then what Hall can do with a neutralized Unga. The BYU receivers aren’t great. The tight end, Dennis Pitta, leads the team in catches.
However, you have to give BYU this- the stigma that they aren’t good in big games has, at the very least decreased. They beat Oklahoma in Dallas to open up the year (so what if Bradford left the game?) and they topped Utah in overtime to end the season. TCU destroyed them, but I don’t know if TCU isn’t the 3rd best team in the country.
The loss that concerns me is the 54-28 shalacking at home to Florida State. That game was a complete breakdown. Maybe it doesn’t mean anything. Maybe it was just one of those nights. But that game has haunted me whenever I’ve spoken or written about BYU since. Not a lot of teams get beat that bad at home by a mediocre foe.
I just can’t pick BYU on a neutral field to win this game. They’ll have trouble stopping Jaquizz Rodgers and fall in a high scoring affair.
The Pick: Oregon State
Jordan Lauterbach
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Webster Out, Ross In
From Ralph Vacchiano:
Both RT Kareem McKenzie (knee) and CB Corey Webster (knee) were downgraded to "out" and did not travel to DC with the Giants today.
Rookie RT William Beatty will start for McKenzie. CB Aaron Ross will likely start for Webster.
I'll stay consistent on my Giants analysis. They can't let burners (DeSean Jackson) hit homeruns. They have Santana Moss and Antwan Randle El to worry about this week. Corey Webster being out and CC Brown probably starting at safety doesn't help them at all.
The only way to mask the lack of adequate pass coverage is having an effective pass rush. Unfortunately, the Giants haven't had that in weeks.
--Max Caster
Both RT Kareem McKenzie (knee) and CB Corey Webster (knee) were downgraded to "out" and did not travel to DC with the Giants today.
Rookie RT William Beatty will start for McKenzie. CB Aaron Ross will likely start for Webster.
I'll stay consistent on my Giants analysis. They can't let burners (DeSean Jackson) hit homeruns. They have Santana Moss and Antwan Randle El to worry about this week. Corey Webster being out and CC Brown probably starting at safety doesn't help them at all.
The only way to mask the lack of adequate pass coverage is having an effective pass rush. Unfortunately, the Giants haven't had that in weeks.
--Max Caster
Ryan, Turner Starting for Atlanta
From the Star-Ledger:If the Jets plan to keep their playoff hopes alive today, they’ll have to stop two of the Falcons’ key offensive weapons. Quarterback Matt Ryan, who has been battle a toe injury, and workhorse running back Michael Turner, are active and will play. Ryan will start.
Turner, who has missed three of the past four games, was limited all week in practice with an ankle injury. But he tested his ankle in pre-game warmups and appears ready to go.
Chris Redman threw for 303 yards last week against New Orleans. Just goes to show you that any quarterback can do well when he doesn't get pressured. Redman or Matt Ryan, whoever it is, will struggle if the Jets get a pass rush -- which we all know has an extremely great chance of happening.
I'm not worried about Michael Turner. He has a couple of bad ankles and is playing on a slick field in the Meadowlands. I wouldn't be surprised if he sprains his ankle worse than Chris Douglas-Roberts did last night against the Lakers. But I'll settle for a bad day rushing from him.
So no worries, Jets fans. Let's get it!
--Max Caster
Nate's Agent Asks for Trade
From the NY Post:
"Nate-Gate" blew up last night when Nate Robinson's agent asked Donnie Walsh that he look to trade the Knicks 5-foot-7½ guard, saying he believes his client's banishment is because of a personal vendetta held by Mike D'Antoni.
Aaron Goodwin, Robinson's agent, told The Post he spoke with Walsh last night in the wake of Robinson's eighth straight DNP vs. the Clippers on Friday.
The final straw came when Robinson did not play the past two games vs. the Bulls and Clippers, despite Larry Hughes being out with a groin. Hughes may miss tonight's game vs. Charlotte and D'Antoni indicated Robinson was not in the picture.
"I have asked the Knicks to move Nate," Goodwin told The Post "At this point it's personal. I don't think Mike [D'Antoni] has [ever] done anything to show it's basketball-related. I felt that way talking to Walsh during the Chicago game when they went 4-of-23 in the third quarter and the gentleman didn't look for Nate to help out. They had a 39-point second half and for whatever reason he didn't consider Nate."
Sitting Nate made sense when the Knicks were on that winning stretch. I was in support of D'Antoni, citing the words "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Now that the Knicks have fallen back to Earth, Larry Hughes is out and Toney Douglas is registering less than 10 minutes a night, something needs to change. So why not play Nate?
I could definitely see the personal vendetta scenario being true. If that's the case, the Knicks don't need a repeat of the Marbury situation from last year.
--Max Caster
"Nate-Gate" blew up last night when Nate Robinson's agent asked Donnie Walsh that he look to trade the Knicks 5-foot-7½ guard, saying he believes his client's banishment is because of a personal vendetta held by Mike D'Antoni.
Aaron Goodwin, Robinson's agent, told The Post he spoke with Walsh last night in the wake of Robinson's eighth straight DNP vs. the Clippers on Friday.
The final straw came when Robinson did not play the past two games vs. the Bulls and Clippers, despite Larry Hughes being out with a groin. Hughes may miss tonight's game vs. Charlotte and D'Antoni indicated Robinson was not in the picture.
"I have asked the Knicks to move Nate," Goodwin told The Post "At this point it's personal. I don't think Mike [D'Antoni] has [ever] done anything to show it's basketball-related. I felt that way talking to Walsh during the Chicago game when they went 4-of-23 in the third quarter and the gentleman didn't look for Nate to help out. They had a 39-point second half and for whatever reason he didn't consider Nate."
Sitting Nate made sense when the Knicks were on that winning stretch. I was in support of D'Antoni, citing the words "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Now that the Knicks have fallen back to Earth, Larry Hughes is out and Toney Douglas is registering less than 10 minutes a night, something needs to change. So why not play Nate?
I could definitely see the personal vendetta scenario being true. If that's the case, the Knicks don't need a repeat of the Marbury situation from last year.
--Max Caster
Bowl Mania Day 2
Record: 1-1
You had to be really impressed with Wyoming yesterday. Here’s a team that has to know they’re overmatched. Fresno State scored twice as many points in the regular season and had one of the best, yet unknown, running backs in the country. But almost from the opening gun (you could even argue pre-game warm-ups), Wyoming looked far more ready to play then Fresno State did.
I thought the Bulldogs struggled to match Wyoming’s intensity all afternoon, that’s why they lost that game. Austin Carta-Samuels was excellent, throwing for 3 touchdowns and making some huge plays down the stretch. Running back Alvesta Alexander, who failed to surpass the 85 yard mark in any game this season had 137 on 12 carries. The only reason Fresno State was in this game was the insane pure talent mismatch. I mean, they practically slept walked through the first half and went into the locker room tied….Came away really impressed with Wyoming and down on Fresno State.
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl- Southern Miss vs. Middle Tennessee- The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders have won six consecutive games. After a horrible two week stretch in which they put up a combined 13 points in losses to Troy and Mississippi State, the Blue Raiders put up at least 27 points a game for the rest of the year. Quarterback Dwight Dasher put up some impressive numbers. Not only did Dasher throw for over 2000 yards and 21 touchdowns, but he also ran for 953 and scored on the ground 11 times. That’s right. Dasher was responsible for 32 touchdowns in Middle Tennessee’s 9-3, 7-1 campaign. Thanks to a 31-7 head to head loss in week five, Middle Tennessee finished one game behind Troy in the Sun Belt.
Southern Mississippi finished 7-5 and 5-3 in Conference USA. They’ve won four of their last six, falling to East Carolina by five in the final week of the year. In a loss to Houston on Halloween, the Golden Eagles scored 43 points. Pretty impressive, given that Houston was ranked 18 in the country at the time and gave up roughly 28 points per game this season.
The most striking thing about Southern Mississippi is that they don’t turn the ball over. Quarterback Martavous Young threw one interception this year; it came on October 17th against Memphis. Young, who missed three games at the beginning of the year, threw 13 touchdown passes, including four against Tulsa in the team’s last win.
I’ll go with the hotter team in this one, Middle Tennessee. Statistically, they have a little better defense and I think Dwight Dasher is going to give Southern Mississippi problems.
The Pick: Middle Tennessee
Jordan Lauterbach
You had to be really impressed with Wyoming yesterday. Here’s a team that has to know they’re overmatched. Fresno State scored twice as many points in the regular season and had one of the best, yet unknown, running backs in the country. But almost from the opening gun (you could even argue pre-game warm-ups), Wyoming looked far more ready to play then Fresno State did.
I thought the Bulldogs struggled to match Wyoming’s intensity all afternoon, that’s why they lost that game. Austin Carta-Samuels was excellent, throwing for 3 touchdowns and making some huge plays down the stretch. Running back Alvesta Alexander, who failed to surpass the 85 yard mark in any game this season had 137 on 12 carries. The only reason Fresno State was in this game was the insane pure talent mismatch. I mean, they practically slept walked through the first half and went into the locker room tied….Came away really impressed with Wyoming and down on Fresno State.
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl- Southern Miss vs. Middle Tennessee- The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders have won six consecutive games. After a horrible two week stretch in which they put up a combined 13 points in losses to Troy and Mississippi State, the Blue Raiders put up at least 27 points a game for the rest of the year. Quarterback Dwight Dasher put up some impressive numbers. Not only did Dasher throw for over 2000 yards and 21 touchdowns, but he also ran for 953 and scored on the ground 11 times. That’s right. Dasher was responsible for 32 touchdowns in Middle Tennessee’s 9-3, 7-1 campaign. Thanks to a 31-7 head to head loss in week five, Middle Tennessee finished one game behind Troy in the Sun Belt.
Southern Mississippi finished 7-5 and 5-3 in Conference USA. They’ve won four of their last six, falling to East Carolina by five in the final week of the year. In a loss to Houston on Halloween, the Golden Eagles scored 43 points. Pretty impressive, given that Houston was ranked 18 in the country at the time and gave up roughly 28 points per game this season.
The most striking thing about Southern Mississippi is that they don’t turn the ball over. Quarterback Martavous Young threw one interception this year; it came on October 17th against Memphis. Young, who missed three games at the beginning of the year, threw 13 touchdown passes, including four against Tulsa in the team’s last win.
I’ll go with the hotter team in this one, Middle Tennessee. Statistically, they have a little better defense and I think Dwight Dasher is going to give Southern Mississippi problems.
The Pick: Middle Tennessee
Jordan Lauterbach
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Bowl Mania Day One
I’m back for redemption. It all started about a year or so ago in the WCWP break room. Fellow WCWP host and website contributor Matt Soldano challenged me. “Jordan”, he said “how do you think you would do if you picked every college bowl game?” I told him I thought I’d do quite well. We decided that I would pick every game and put the picks on the website.
Unfortunally, I finished 17-17. Soldano has reminded me of this fact on almost a weekly basis since. So, I’m back for another round. As he puts it, 17-17 is the definition of mediocrity. I know I’m better then that. He knows I’m better then that. Here begins year number two of this experiment.
It’s Bowl Mania ‘09
New Mexico Bowl: Fresno State vs Wyoming- Fresno State finished the year 8-4 overall and 6-2 in the WAC. After loosing three of their first four games, the Bulldogs won seven of their final eight. This team can score. They’ve failed to put up thirty points only twice this season. Quarterback Ryan Colburn threw for over 2000 yards and 18 touchdowns this season.
Trivia question: Who led the nation in rushing yards per game this season? Was it Heisman winner Mark Ingram? Standford’s Toby Gerhart? Nope, it was Fresno State’s Ryan Matthews. Matthews averaged over 150 yards per game while totaling over 1,600 and 17 touchdowns. Against Boise State, Matthews ran for 235 yards and had at least 150 in three others. Expect Matthews to have a field day against Wyoming. The Cowboys gave up over 160 rushing yards in their season ending victory over Colorado State. Against TCU, over 300 rushing yards were yielded.
Although the Fresno State defense can get torched, allowing over 50 points three times this season, I don’t think that’ll happen today.
In fact, this game has blowout written all over it. Wyoming finished 6-6 and 4-4 in the Mountain West. They scored nearly half the points that Fresno State did this year and gave up nearly just as many. Ryan Matthews had more yards himself this season then Wyoming did as a team. Cowboys quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels had a 7 to 4 touchdown-interception ratio. That’s not good. The more you crunch the numbers, the harder it is to see how this game is competitive, much less whether or not Wyoming has a shot.
The Pick: Fresno State
St Petersburg Bowl: UCF vs Rutgers- Give Rutgers a ton of credit. They could have given up. They could have laid down. But they didn’t. 2009 could not have started much worse for the Scarlet Knights. They looked awful in a 47-15 loss to Cincinnati at home. Sure, knowing what we know now about the Bearcats, that loss doesn’t seam unreasonable, but to look that uninspired in your home opener on Labor Day waved a ton of red flags.
I crushed Schiano and his staff on the radio that week and had to eat my words a few weeks later. Besides a perplexing loss to a bad Syracuse team, Rutgers had itself a decent year. They finished 8-4 overall and 3-4 in the Big East.
They had a shot against Pittsburgh in mid-October and knocked off South Florida 31-0 when South Florida was ranked 24th in the nation. West Virginia needed a few big stops to hold the Scarlet Knights off in the final game of the year.
Watch out for running back Joe Martinek. Martinek finished with over 900 yards this season, including four games with over 120. Against South Florida, he ran for 128 and one touchdown.
UCF matches up well with Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights have a little better statistical defense, but the offenses are evenly matched. UCF has won there last three games, including a 37-32 win over Houston when Houston was ranked 15. Two of their four losses came against teams ranked in the top ten at the time (Texas at 2 and Miami at 9). Rutgers will have to stop running back Brynn Harvey. Harvey racked up over 1000 yards and 14 touchdowns this year. Rutgers had trouble against strong rushing attacks this year. They gave up 162 yard on the ground to West Virginia and 223 to Pittsburgh (including 180 to Dion Lewis). UCF quarterback Brett Hodges passed for over 2000 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. He also threw 11 interceptions.
I like Rutgers in one of the better pre-Christmas bowl matchups. They have a better defense and will force Brett Hodges to make plays. When that happens, I’m leery of the rough touchdown to interception ratio Hodges has. If this game comes down to turnovers, I like Rutgers a little better.
The Pick: Rutgers
Jordan Lauterbach
Unfortunally, I finished 17-17. Soldano has reminded me of this fact on almost a weekly basis since. So, I’m back for another round. As he puts it, 17-17 is the definition of mediocrity. I know I’m better then that. He knows I’m better then that. Here begins year number two of this experiment.
It’s Bowl Mania ‘09
New Mexico Bowl: Fresno State vs Wyoming- Fresno State finished the year 8-4 overall and 6-2 in the WAC. After loosing three of their first four games, the Bulldogs won seven of their final eight. This team can score. They’ve failed to put up thirty points only twice this season. Quarterback Ryan Colburn threw for over 2000 yards and 18 touchdowns this season.
Trivia question: Who led the nation in rushing yards per game this season? Was it Heisman winner Mark Ingram? Standford’s Toby Gerhart? Nope, it was Fresno State’s Ryan Matthews. Matthews averaged over 150 yards per game while totaling over 1,600 and 17 touchdowns. Against Boise State, Matthews ran for 235 yards and had at least 150 in three others. Expect Matthews to have a field day against Wyoming. The Cowboys gave up over 160 rushing yards in their season ending victory over Colorado State. Against TCU, over 300 rushing yards were yielded.
Although the Fresno State defense can get torched, allowing over 50 points three times this season, I don’t think that’ll happen today.
In fact, this game has blowout written all over it. Wyoming finished 6-6 and 4-4 in the Mountain West. They scored nearly half the points that Fresno State did this year and gave up nearly just as many. Ryan Matthews had more yards himself this season then Wyoming did as a team. Cowboys quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels had a 7 to 4 touchdown-interception ratio. That’s not good. The more you crunch the numbers, the harder it is to see how this game is competitive, much less whether or not Wyoming has a shot.
The Pick: Fresno State
St Petersburg Bowl: UCF vs Rutgers- Give Rutgers a ton of credit. They could have given up. They could have laid down. But they didn’t. 2009 could not have started much worse for the Scarlet Knights. They looked awful in a 47-15 loss to Cincinnati at home. Sure, knowing what we know now about the Bearcats, that loss doesn’t seam unreasonable, but to look that uninspired in your home opener on Labor Day waved a ton of red flags.
I crushed Schiano and his staff on the radio that week and had to eat my words a few weeks later. Besides a perplexing loss to a bad Syracuse team, Rutgers had itself a decent year. They finished 8-4 overall and 3-4 in the Big East.
They had a shot against Pittsburgh in mid-October and knocked off South Florida 31-0 when South Florida was ranked 24th in the nation. West Virginia needed a few big stops to hold the Scarlet Knights off in the final game of the year.
Watch out for running back Joe Martinek. Martinek finished with over 900 yards this season, including four games with over 120. Against South Florida, he ran for 128 and one touchdown.
UCF matches up well with Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights have a little better statistical defense, but the offenses are evenly matched. UCF has won there last three games, including a 37-32 win over Houston when Houston was ranked 15. Two of their four losses came against teams ranked in the top ten at the time (Texas at 2 and Miami at 9). Rutgers will have to stop running back Brynn Harvey. Harvey racked up over 1000 yards and 14 touchdowns this year. Rutgers had trouble against strong rushing attacks this year. They gave up 162 yard on the ground to West Virginia and 223 to Pittsburgh (including 180 to Dion Lewis). UCF quarterback Brett Hodges passed for over 2000 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. He also threw 11 interceptions.
I like Rutgers in one of the better pre-Christmas bowl matchups. They have a better defense and will force Brett Hodges to make plays. When that happens, I’m leery of the rough touchdown to interception ratio Hodges has. If this game comes down to turnovers, I like Rutgers a little better.
The Pick: Rutgers
Jordan Lauterbach
Friday, December 18, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
New York Yanks Johnson Harder
From the NY Post:The Yankees and Nick Johnson are moving toward a one-year deal for the left-handed hitter to be the club’s DH, and it could be announced Friday morning.
Asked today by The Post if there was deal to be announced, Brian Cashman said, “Not at this moment.’’
Johnson has drawn interest from the Mariners and Giants to play first base, a position that isn’t available to him as a Yankee because Mark Teixeira is entrenched there
I don't have a huge problem with the Yankees signing Nick Johnson to play DH. He's a lefty with power and an excellent on-base percentage. The only issue I'd have with this is the lack of flexibility he provides.
Johnson, as a 1st and 3rd baseman, won't get too many opportunities to play in the field. Only when Alex Rodriguez or Mark Teixeira need a half-day off will Johnson be able to switch position and keep himself in the lineup. But what about days when Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano or Nick Swisher need a DH day? Johnson doesn't help.
And while it seems like a miniscule problem to have -- and it is -- it's magnified when a guy like Mark DeRosa is just as available as Nick Johnson. DeRosa can play every infield spot and in the corner outfield. That ability to fit into so many places caters to Joe Girardi's National League style of managing.
So before the Yanks jump on Johnson, they need to give DeRosa some strong consideration.
Edit before posting: Ken Davidoff is reporting, via Twitter, that New York and Johnson are finishing up a 1-year, $5.5 million contract.
--Max Caster
Friday, December 11, 2009
Rhodes Wants to Leave NY
From PFT:Responding to a tweet from a Jets fan who asked him if he realized how lucky he was to be playing football in New York, Rhodes tweeted the following (edited for clarity):
"New York is an OK place to play! Very good place to live and do other things, but to play is OK. I love real fans like you, trust me. The only reason I would leave is to show the few that hate what I will do with another team and let them know that having me isn't that bad! I promise a lot of teams would love to have me as their problem!"
As Dave Chappelle once said: "What a biggedy bitch."
I've defended Kerry Rhodes a lot throughout the last few weeks. He's a Pro Bowl talent who's fallen off a bit and has made some awful plays. But I defended him. Well, not anymore. Rhodes could cry all he wants, but after this, he should not see the field for the New York Jets.
I have a similar view of the Terrence Williams Twitter scandal. Williams posed the hypothetical 'What if I wasn't a New Jersey Net?' The Nets being 2-20, you could understand why he'd be upset. But it's not something you put out publically. That's why he's sat for the past few games (funny enough, T. Will just checked in for NJ against Indiana). The same goes for Rhodes.
Say hello to James Ihegdibo, Jets fans!
--Max Caster
Jersey Shore Nicknames
The guys on 'The Replacements' use the Jersey Shore Name Generator to make up names for everyone at WCWP Sports.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
He Has Finally Arrived
He is the shortstop the Red Sox have needed for quite a while and his name is Marco Scutaro. Now before I give you my opinion about this interesting man, lets go straight to the facts.
A 34 year old player who came up in 2002, but played his first full season in 2004. This past season was his best ever where he hit .282, an OBP of .379, had 12 HR, 60 RBI, 14 SB, and scored 100 Runs. All of which were career bests for him. He has played the last two seasons with Toronto and four with Oakland before that. If you put a player who gets these stats in Fenway Park with the line-up that Boston can provide, those numbers should only go up. One last interesting thing to note about his hitting is that at home this year he hit .242 with a .353 OBP, away he hit .322 and had a .405 OBP. The same follows in 2008 as well. So get him out of Toronto and life should become much better.
Now I don't know how much better he can get at age 34, but I am one who believes anything is possible and never say never.
People were thinking that that he was going to get a nice long term deal from some team and get overpaid as well. Luckily, that was not the case when it came to signing with the Red Sox. Essentially they got him for two years of $12.5 million. With a 3rd year as a mutual option.
If you really want to know how the deal breaks down go here:
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/12/marco-scutaro-rumors-thursday.html
For the deal that the Red Sox acquired him, I am in favor of it. He fills a big void the Red Sox had in getting a shortstop, he didn't cost too much and in my opinion is worth the amount he got, and to get him for only two guaranteed years, I am more than happy. Originally I was not in favor of the Red Sox signing him at the price tag of rumors floating around, but for the price and what he can provide, I like it.
They have had some big shoes to fill at shortstop since the 2004 season after winning the World Series. That year they acquired Orlando Cabrera when they traded away long time shortstop Nomar Garciaparra, but kept him til the end of that season. Which is probably for the best because I only want people on my team who are physically strong enough to break a bat. Then in 2005, they go out and get Edgar Renteria who gets a four year $40 million deal. He makes only 30 errors in 2005 and gets traded away. To bring some defense to the table they go and get Alex Gonzalez, but he barely provides any offense. In 2007, they get Julio Lugo for 4 years at $36 million. Things did not go well for him because of injury and they bring up farm raised Jed Lowrie during the second half of the 2008 season. He gets injured as well and last year they bring back Alex Gonzalez who filled in nicely. Now they have Scutaro though and let Alex Gonzalez go. In fact they both switched teams.
As far as where he will hit in the Red Sox line-up, I imagine it would be near the bottom because the batting order is pretty solid as is.
Only two other big issues to address left, getting a starting pitcher and figuring out who's going to play left field next season.
-As always this is, Corey Sobel, with a special report
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Damon: Haters Can Suck It
From the NY Post:
Johnny Damon said he doesn't believe Curtis Granderson’s arrival will hurt his chances of returning to the Yankees.
"I don’t think it affects what I can still do. Either they come out and pursue me or they don’t," Damon told The Post from Orlando, where he just landed after returning from Barcelona. "I still know how to play baseball and will make any team better."
Memo to Johnny: Drop the asking price, nutcase!
--Max Caster
Johnny Damon said he doesn't believe Curtis Granderson’s arrival will hurt his chances of returning to the Yankees.
"I don’t think it affects what I can still do. Either they come out and pursue me or they don’t," Damon told The Post from Orlando, where he just landed after returning from Barcelona. "I still know how to play baseball and will make any team better."
Memo to Johnny: Drop the asking price, nutcase!
--Max Caster
Yanks Get Granderson
From MLB Trade Rumors:The Yankees receive center fielder Curtis Granderson, who turns 29 in March. Granderson is owed $5.5MM in 2010, $8.25MM in '11, and $10MM in '12, with a $13MM club option/$2MM buyout for '13. That's $25.75MM guaranteed over the next three years. Melky Cabrera could now be expendable for the Yankees, and the Cubs are one possible suitor.
The Diamondbacks receive a pair of starting pitchers: Edwin Jackson and Ian Kennedy. Jackson, 26, is under team control for '10 and '11 and is owed an arbitration raise on this year's $2.2MM salary. Kennedy, 25 this month, missed most of the '09 season due to surgery to remove an aneurysm near his shoulder. As far as I can tell he is under team control for another six seasons. This is the second year in a row Jackson has been traded at the Winter Meetings.
The Tigers receive four players: starter Max Scherzer, relievers Daniel Schlereth and Phil Coke, and center fielder Austin Jackson. The Tigers get five years of Scherzer, six of Schlereth, five of Coke, and six of Jackson, potentially 22 years of control in total. Scherzer, 25, and Jackson, 23 in February, are probably considered the prizes of the haul.
I wasn't a huge proponent of the Yankees getting Curtis Granderson. As a leadoff hitter, his 30 homeruns are nice, but his low on-base percentage is troubling. But all things considered, this isn't a horrible move.
New York now has filled the gaping hole in left field without Johnny Damon. Granderson can play centerfield and Melky Cabrera can play left (or vice versa). The move, for the most part, replaces Damon's production offensively, and creates a huge upgrade in defense.
Also, the Yanks won't be forced to give out a big contract to a leftfielder, whether that be Damon (asking for 4 years) or Matt Holliday (asking for 8 years, $180 million). Granderson's contract isn't close to those numbers and allows Brian Cashman to uphold his desire for a team with a budget -- albeit a loose one.
Along with the payroll goes the character and demeanor the Yankees want to run with. The team has changed its appearance to a professional yet casual facade. Granderson fits the bill. He's a high energy guy, plays hard every day, and is active in the community. He's been an international ambassador for the MLB and is always in the running for the Roberto Clemente Award for charity. The award was taken home by another Yankee, Derek Jeter.
New York didn't lose much in terms of players either. The biggest loss is Phil Coke, who did a good job as a setup man this past year. But like any Sabermetrician will tell you, relievers are easy to find, so Coke can be replaced.
Then it's Austin Jackson, the prospect we've been hearing about forever. The Yanks were in a bind this year because they had to call him up. He's at his peak in Triple-A, and isn't getting any younger. While he's a great talent, I don't think Joe Girardi would have wanted Jackson as the 4th outfielder with Brett Gardner as an everyday starter. So be happy for Austin Jackson. He'll get an opportunity to play in Detroit (and will probably kill the Yankees).
Then Ian Kennedy, who showed some promise but never lived up to the hype. OK...
That's one spot filled, and a few more to go. Starting pitching must be next on the itinerary in Indianapolis.
--Max Caster
Monday, December 7, 2009
Bruney Traded to Washington
From Ken Davidoff:That it's for a player to be named later (from Washington) likely means it's someone not on the Nationals' 40-man roster who is eligible for Thursday's Rule 5 draft. Once the player gets through that draft still on Washington's roster, then he'll be dealt.
Which means, in turn, this isn't for a significant player.
This is the best news I've heard all day. Forget about what he did at the start of 2009. Forget 2008. Brian Bruney became a liability for the Yankees -- even in games where New York had a commanding lead.
He lied about his injury in 2009. He didn't make me forget about Joba Chamberlain. He didn't live up to the hype.
Good riddance! The Yankees will be better for it.
Oh, and subscribe to Newsday.
Edit: Fun fact about Brian Bruney. Google Image Search his name (with SafeSearch off) and look at the fourth picture that comes up. I'm glad I won't have to search him anymore...
--Max Caster
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