-- Dave Barry
What was Fox thinking with all the cursing it did of the Sox and the Cubs? I mean, they wanted the third lowest rated series ever? If the Cubs and Sox played, the ratings would�ve been through the roof. I would�ve even watched. I watched one full game a couple innings of another of this year�s Fall Classic. And baseball is my favorite sport!
I finally feel like I can write about the A�s losing. I listened to Billy Beane on ESPN Radio the other day and he had a great point: a team like the A�s is going to have flaws. They simply can�t afford to be good in all areas. They have $40 million, so they have to choose carefully what they are going to put on the field as far as product. They choose getting on base consistently. I fell a little that they let Miguel Tejada go on purpose, because he�s a hacker. But then I looked at his stats and he actually almost had as many walks than strike outs this year. But that is exactly the type of player they are not looking for, according to Moneyball.
I read Moneyball as the playoffs got underway. I couldn�t help but think the way they are bucking the old school trend is amazing, especially because they keep winning with players not having the best �bodies� according to the traditionalists. Amazing.
So I read on and on about Grady Little, now formerly of the Red Sox. He left in his star pitcher for one too many batters and is now looking for work. Gene Macha, A�s manager, did the same thing. But you don�t hear A�s fans going on and on about that. Macha�s sitting there letting Zito tire on three days rest and watching his curve all of a sudden lose control and he�s serving up grapefruit fastballs at 90 mph and BOOM! Manny is rounding the bases. I�m not bitter or anything.
I was heartbroken. After having read of the difficulties the A�s have in putting together a winning team with the second lowest payroll in baseball, I wanted them to win so badly on top of the big A�s fan that I was already. I couldn�t say one nice thing to my lovely wife that night. I didn�t smile. I didn�t have it in me to even put any feeling into a hug or a kiss. I felt empty and sore.
Well, it�s over and I can go back to being the regular, upbeat and fairly confident Matt we all know and love. There�s more to come, but it�s time to go.
October 29, 2003
Maurice could win, but...
Let me try to get this straight: Maurice Clarett could win his case against the NFL because he has precedent on his side in the form of the ruling against the NBA in 1971. He could win. But that doesn�t mean anyone has to draft him.
Think about this. Say the NFL loses to Clarett. Okay, fine. Now, say the owners decide to stick by their now illegal rule of no underclassmen who aren�t at least three years out of high school and DON�T DRAFT HIM! What will he do then? Will he sue the league for a spot on a team because they are not drafting him as one of the top talents, but decide to stick with principle? Does he deserve, or have a right to be drafted? He�s a great running back, but does that guarantee him a spot on the roster of an NFL team?
I can see the owners, even if they lose the suit, deciding not to draft any underage players based on principle. I would encourage that kind of behavior from the owners should they lose the case. The NFL is the best league in the universe because of the quality of the play on the field. The players have the best talent, the best coaches and the best games based those two factors. I couldn�t say it any better than Gregg Easterbrook, the Tuesday Morning Quarterback. The quote is lengthy, but it�s good:
�A decade ago, the NBA was being touted as the new juggernaut of sports; all its numbers (ratings, revenue, attendance, marketing sales) had risen for years. Since then, NBA popularity has been in free-fall decline -- regular-season ratings down 42 percent in the last decade, this year's Finals the lowest-rated in two decades. What happened, exactly, when the decline began? The NBA opened its doors to a wave of teenagers.
�If the NFL starts bringing in teenagers, what will happen is exactly what's happened to pro basketball. Quality of play -- by far the most important aspect of NFL popularity -- will spiral downward. Immature kids will boast and strut for the cameras but refuse to listen to coaches, turning off the paying customers who earn far less than the boasting kids. Experienced veterans who know what they're doing will be thrown overboard for sulking teenagers who end up busts, accelerating the decline in quality of play. Since football requires more cooperation than any sport, and teenagers are by nature uncooperative, fumbles, interceptions and blown plays will increase until every team looks like the Arizona Cardinals. The goose who lays the golden eggs will be tossed into the Crock Pot.
�Also, please don't tell me there is some kind of constitutional right to play professional football at age 19. Many occupations impose age minimums -- you don't run across a lot of 19-year-old police officers or 19-year-old airline pilots. Courts uphold such minimums if they are reasonably related to professional requirements. The reasonable relationship here is that quality of play is the NFL's golden goose, and putting kids on the field will clobber quality.
�So, Commissioner Tagliabue, fight this kid Clarett with everything you've got. Keep one adolescent whiner from taking down the most popular and successful sport in the observable universe. Force Clarett north to Canada. Better still, force him back into the classroom, which is what's in his best interest, anyway.
�Commish, commish, hold that line! Push 'im back, push 'im back, way back!�
I couldn�t agree more.
9/26/2003
I like sports �
Okay, so I ended on a rant last week. So sue me! Only kidding. I have come down from my tirade against the unfortunate pricing of those NFL clips and found the way around! Yes, it�s true. I can get those same clips by simply going to the team websites and getting the highlights. They show them without charge! I guess they are good guys in the NFL after all. Thank you Seahawks.com for showing me the true meaning of altruism.
I started following the Oregon Ducks because a CMR high school QB went there, and I always follow the successful CMR athletes through to their conclusions. There�s a freshman named Brady Leaf, brother of � you guessed it � Ryan Leaf. He�s got his brother�s skills of being big, throwing the ball a mile, great stats and a winner in high school without the strange volatility and lashing out we saw from the totally immature Ryan, or so I�m told from my hometown contacts.
So I bookmarked the Oregonian for their coverage of the Ducks� football team looking to see if Brady would ever play this year. Along comes my pick to be one of the participants in the National Championship Game, Michigan Wolverines, and the Ducks, sure enough, upset the Maize and Blue. Well, I was shocked at how poorly the Wolverines ran the ball. Here they are with the leading Heisman Trophy candidate in running back Chris Perry and they blow it.
Well now Oregon is 4-0 and ranked in the top ten, and Michigan is out of the BCS title game. Oh well. My other pick, USC, will still have to play through their totally tough Pac-10 conference games, which, fortunately, don�t include a trip to Autzen Stadium. But not playing USC could mean a run on the conference and a trip to the BCS title game for Oregon. I think what I�m trying to say is: the PAC-10 is good this year. Okay, Washington was overrated coming into Ohio State in week one. And Washington State should�ve beaten the cruddy Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Other than those two, the Pac-10 has really shown everybody that they are probably the toughest conference around from top to bottom. It all goes in cycles. Every conference lays claim to that in one year or another. Big 12, Big Ten, Big East, SEC, ACC and the Pac-10 all come up big sometime or another as the conference to beat.
In pro football, the Seahawks pulled off their stunning win in the last minute over the Rams, who continue to disappoint. It�s only week three, and, as Dr. Z of Sports Illustrated pointed out, only one of the eight 3-0 teams from last year made the playoffs. I�ll try not to get too excited. But it sure is fun to fist pump as I watch the �Hawks take another win.
The A�s wrapped up their division last night. That was cool too. I have a feeling about this year. You know, it�s not always the year everyone expects the team to do something and they go ahead and do what they haven�t been able to do. Last year, I think everyone really expected the A�s to take it. Their pitching staff�s numbers were great and they had the Cy Young winner and the AL MVP. But this year everyone�s stats are down, especially in the hitting for average and wins that weren�t wracked up by Zito and company. Mark Mulder won�t even pitch in the playoffs.
They are coming in under the radar and that makes for some overlooking of this experienced squad. I�m going to say right now the A�s will win the World Series because of their grit and determination. How do I know they have grit and determination? Look at the record, then look at the numbers. Tejada and Chavez, their two best hitters, are both well below their averages last year. Home runs and RBIs are down individually, yet the team wins just as much. Maybe this year�s team is a little deeper. The gaudy win numbers aren�t there for the pitching staff, but with the lowest ERA in the majors and a great closer, the pitching is as strong as it�s ever been.
I am so looking forward to homecoming and the first home football game of the year for the Aggies. That�s Utah State Aggies for the uninitiated. Facing Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday will be fun for the fans, because we will blow them out. The game will be closer than the score indicates, but I predict a three touchdown difference in the end. Ags 38, Indians 17.
I am also on my way to infamy in the CNNSI.com fantasy games of college and pro football pick �em. I am currently tied with Dr. Z for picks, but I�ve always thought he was a terrible prognosticator, so that�s not saying anything. I am also pretty middle of the pack in the college games, though well above .500 for the year so far. I love picking games. Maybe I�ll put some picks into the site later. Right now, it�s lunch time!
Later.
September 24, 2003
Editor's Note: The inability to make changes to the last page, Page 2, has led to the creation of this page, Page 3. Page 3 has the past couple articles and columns, and will continue the trend of hard hitting, misleading opinionated journalim you have come to expect from this great institution. Thanks for reading.
-The Editor
I am a sad man. What you see before you is a hollow shell of a man, not fit to comment on anything sports. What got me into this sorry state of affairs is not being able to watch the NFL game summaries from NFL Films like I did last year. I wandered around the NFL.com site, stunned and confused. This couldn�t be happening. It had to be some kind of sick joke. �This is no joke, my friend,� the site mockingly said to me as I learned the awful truth: I had to pay to see the three minute blurb of yesterday�s games.
Thanks NFL.com for going pay per view for highlights. For those of us without extended cable, being able to watch any highlights is a blessing. So last year, I relied on NFL.com for all of my game highlights in the NFL. Well, kiss that goodbye. The NFL joined the NBA in their deal with the Devil to charge fans for game highlights on the web.
That leaves two leagues with freebie highlights: NHL.com and MLB.com. Please, though, don�t anyone tell them they are the last of the good guys. The NHL.com site is very good about having a great highlight reel for the fans online. Each game is easily referenced and it gives a good three or four minutes of free highlights. I would also like to count MLB.com for their highlights, but at 35 seconds a piece, that comes to about two plays shown on average per game. Really, that is the Barry Bonds homer, which I love to see, and some other play, like a great catch or another home run. It sucks being poor.
Well, one day, the dream of Sportscenter will become reality again, just like it was in the old days. I remember those carefree days of wine (sparkling apple cider) and roses (red ones): lounging around and watching the greatest highlights show of all time. Now those days are a distant memory, and all I�m left with is the hopes of visiting a family member who can afford to have the cable I so desperately desire.
So, without having seen anything, I have to rely on the reports of others on which to make my spleen wrenching commentary. So here we go�
How �bout that Seahawks defense? Didn�t see �em.
How �bout that Panthers comeback? Didn�t see �em.
How �bout those Rams fumbles? Didn- oh what�s the use? I am just complaining to nobody who cares. It�s just hard to sit here, knowing the games have been played, but I wasn�t able to even see highlights. And if you�re asking why I didn�t watch them on Sunday, well, try living with a woman who refuses to watch TV on Sunday and there�s only one TV. Okay, so I was sneaky and watched about five minutes of the 49ers� blowout over Chicago. That only reminded me of why I wish I had DirecTV and NFL Total Package or whatever it�s called and could flip off the woofer local game and watch my beloved Seahawks throttle the Saints, if I could even get DirecTV where I live. Oh well, such is the injustice. Woe is me.
Football, I love football
Well, the big game is tomorrow. I�m talking about the game of the week: USU Aggies and the Cornhuskers of Nebraska. I can�t wait to see the look on those Huskers faces when they meet head on the awesome power of the Aggies. I�m sure they�ll pee their pants. In fear, not laughter�yeah, fear. Anyway�
I�m sorry, I�m not supposed to write about this, say in the school newspaper. It just isn�t allowed. We all cheer for the Ags, but deep down, or maybe not so deep down, we all know they are going to get creamed. Unless it�s some kind of super, cosmic let down of all let down games. After the performance of the Huskers� defense against Oklahoma State and the Cowboys� really good offense, it would have to be a let down of stellar proportions. Like, perhaps, if the sun all of a sudden went super nova, right after David Fiefia took the ball all the way for a score, and then all the energy from the explosion reaches the earth and vaporizes everything, the Aggies would have their victory. But it might be classified as a moral victory, which as we all know, is unacceptable for any coach, because it�s W�s that are counted, not moral victories. (By the way, the sun would have to explode right at about the opening kick off, because energy, moving at the speed of light, would take about 8.33 minutes at 186,000 miles per second over 93 million miles to reach the earth.)
So, barring any major explosions or cataclysmic events, the Huskers will wipe the turf with the Aggies 65-15.
In other football news, last night�s game marked my first unsuccessful NFL prediction, which is definitely a trend to be dutifully followed by more of the same. I am pleased to be participating in a free pick �em game on CNNSI.com, and I hope to at least beat the super models who are also trying to predict games. I didn�t do too poorly on my first week of college games, correctly predicting 16 of 20 games. But I am chalking that up to blind luck.
I love college football, but last night�s NFL game between Vinnie and the Jets and Spurrier�s �Skins was exciting in its own right, if you like games that seem to go on and on, never ending until it finally does and you breathe a sigh of relief because it�s over before ten and that�s when the Simpsons come on. I think it�s my day for run on sentences. The really good game will be on Monday night, and hopefully I�ll get to watch all of that one.
Until then, um, go Aggies!
Sept. 5, 2003
Some rambling thoughts over the long weekend�
Watching the first college football games between good teams, the special teams seemed to jump out the most to me. Okay, that�s maybe what I saw in the Missouri-Illinois game. When it came down to Ohio State, Nebraska and USC, their key was the defenses. I saw three stifling defenses pretty much blank three pretty good offenses. Not that I got to watch every minute of all of those games, but what I did see was three very highly touted offenses take a beating. The games weren�t particularly high scoring on the other side of the ball. The offenses for Ohio State, Nebraska and USC didn�t put up huge numbers and tons of points. Cody Pickett is good. As are the Auburn running game and the Oklahoma State passing game. But those defenses are what make great teams great.
So I guess what I said was only true in the first game I watched, the Missou game, in which special teams made all the difference. The kicking games and coverage teams won the game for the Tigers. Perhaps that�s because those two teams are mediocre in terms of offense and defense and so the special teams are the difference makers. That happens more often than offensive or defensive coordinators would like to admit, I bet. Special teams win games. It doesn�t have to be a kick off return or a blocked punt or field goal. It can be excellent punt coverage that downs the punt consistently inside the 20, or an accurate kicker who make 80 percent of his field goals. Not allowing returners to get their schwerve on is another good thing. I saw the Patriots go to the Super Bowl a couple years ago because of the play of their special teams. It seems to be the red headed stepchild of football teams, but a team will win more consistently with that phase of the team going well.
There�s something to be said for the fact that once September rolls around, people start to forget baseball and the NFL really takes over. It didn�t used to be this way. It used to be, once Labor Day came, the pennant races were really winding up and everybody paid attention. Now more people probably watch preseason football than the World Series. Well, maybe not, but it�s close.
Why would anyone buy or rent a full screen DVD? I mean, what�s the point? It really bothers me that people do this, and it bothers me more that they are even available. I think I am officially insane because of this.
Sorry I can�t help myself: There�s also something to the fact that the California recall could mark the fact that the next governor could be elected with 25 percent of the vote. If 51 percent of the people decide to throw Davis the Gray out of office, and Cruz or Arnold get the most votes after that, it could be among the lowest support for a winning candidate ever with 25 to 30 percent of the vote. Not that I have an historical research to back that silly claim, but hey, it�s my column. I can say whatever I want. My mom who lives in the Bay Area recently commented to me on the recall election. She said it was another reason to move from this crazy state. I think it�s funny how important a state budget is to people out there. Everyone is so ingrained to rely on the state that no one stops to think what it would be like without everyone�s little pet social programs and other pandering to the big unions out there. Well, perhaps the people will be able to say that government pandering to the left results in higher taxes and less economic opportunities for everyone. This drives away business. It happened in New York a decade ago and it�s still struggling with bringing business back to that city.
MVP Talk
While the American league is mired in so called contenders for the prestigious MVP award, there is no doubt in the National League who the two men for MVP are. After last night, there may be no doubt who the only one is.With Albert Pujols serving out the last game of a two-game suspension, Barry Bonds, the best player of our generation, served up another mighty helping of why nobody ever pitches to him: only the second walk off home run in three nights for the Giants. When Bonds took bereavement leave to tend to his ailing father for five games, the Giants lost all of those games. Bonds comes back and three games later the Giants sweep the Braves, who have the best record in baseball. No one is better than Bonds and he is proving how valuable he is to the Giants, who seem to not be able to win without him. The Giants now have a 9.5 game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks, and are well on their way to the playoffs. In terms of statitudes, Bonds does great things when he is allowed to.
The man leading the majors with the most walks this year (116- 33 more than the next in the National League and 9 more than Jason Giambi) and most intentional walks (50- 27 more than Manny Ramirez) only has 326 official at-bats this year in 105 games. Yet Barry leads the majors in home runs, on base percentage, slugging percentage and the infamous OPS, the combination of on base and slugging percentages. He is third overall with a .337 batting average. He is 11th in runs scored, but is 31st in RBIs.
Pujols meanwhile is riding a 30 game hit streak, leads the National League and the majors in average with .371, is second in RBI�s in the NL and is tied for second in home runs in the NL and tied for first in doubles. He certainly is one of the best players in the game.
2003 stats through Friday morning August 22:
G AB H R 2B HR RBI BB K
Bonds 105 326 110 91 17 39 79 116 49
Pujols 122 461 171 108 43 34 108 53 46
There is one stat that separates them in my view: At bats. Bonds has had 135 less chances to hit the ball than Pujols. With those 135 more chances to drive in runs, hit home runs and score, Pujols has mostly taken advantage. He doesn�t have as many home runs, but who does? In his extra at bats Pujols has way more doubles, RBIs and total hits. His average is higher than Bonds so it would seem that we would have a voter quandary. Mais non. Reviewing the ESPN.com website yesterday, every expert went with Bonds as their choice for his third straight MVP award. From Tom Candiotti to Peter Gammons, all went with Bonds. Why? At bats. All said basically the same thing: if Bonds was pitched to like Pujols, he would have numbers that are unbelievable. Not that he doesn�t already, but with a home run every 8.36 at bats, he would have another 16 home runs. That�s right, he would have right now 55 home runs. In addition to that he would have another 33 RBIs, which would be good for third in the majors, just ahead of Albert Pujols.
One other National Leaguer I would like to mention is Gary Sheffield. While not as dramatic as Bonds or as celebrated as Pujols, Sheffield would normally be the leading MVP candidate as his numbers are all great while being the best hitter on the team with the best record in baseball. Shef�s numbers: .334, 32 HRs, 99 RBIs. Amazingly he is the third leading candidate for MVP. Unbelievable.
In the American League, the standings are so clogged, I don�t even want to think very hard about it. Jason Giambi seems to be the leader, but he hasn�t really batted for a high average this year (.267), as opposed to his MVP season in Oakland a couple years ago. Ichiro is the best hitter in the league but his power is sporadic. I don�t think he was the best or most deserving player when he won the award two years ago, and I don�t think that he should this year, as a table setter is different from one who drives in the runs. I might go with Bret Boone, but after whiffing in the home run derby at the All-Star Break, well, the diminutive second baseman doesn�t have my vote. I wanted to go for Carlos Delgado or his other amazing teammate Vernon Wells, but the Jays are really struggling and great players on poor teams don�t win MVP�s anymore. That rules out Alex Rodriguez, who is having another monster season while laboring for the awful Texas Rangers. Get this: A-Rod is batting .305 with 37 home runs and 94 RBIs. I mean, those aren�t as good as Delgado or Wells, but hey, maybe he is as good as his salary.
There are some really good players, but for American League teams, the team effort seems to rule out any outstanding individual contributions from an overwhelming player.
Barry Bonds can be summed up by Atlanta first baseman Robert Fick as quoted in the San Francisco Chronicle: �I hope I don't ever see f-- Barry Bonds again because I don't give a s-- what anyone says. He's the f-- best.�
Um, that about sums it up.
August 22, 2003
An apology to all of you Vick fans
I am so sorry that I cursed Mike Vick with his broken leg all of you fantasy leaguers. Who knew that I wielded such great power over the fates of your NFL superstar quarterbacks? The play came during this column last week. I was talking about how early it was to predict anything and how if something went wrong in the preseason, who cares. Well, I�m sure plenty are caring now. Here�s what I said: �I know that it�s so early, but predicting what will happen during a 17 week season is like predicting the weather. I mean, even if Michael Vick breaks both his legs and Atlanta goes 5-11 instead of 11-5, I�m not out anything, am I?�
What a grand statement. What unusual clarity into the unknown my sight seems to be. What a gift I have, that I so cavalierly share it with the great unwashed. If only I could direct my powers for good.
Anyway, I guess it only half way came true. He only broke one leg. But, maybe it is an indicator of how well I predicted this season. Maybe I�ll be pretty much right on all of my predictions and I should�ve taken some money to Vegas and bet it all on my predictions. Maybe I should start taking money to write about other possible predictions that may affect somebody�s favorite opponent. Hey, that�s it! All you Raiders fans, I can write something like: Jake Plummer might break an ankle and the star running back (Clinton Portis) could suffer debilitating knee injuries like Terrell Davis. OR you Broncos fans might be interested in something directed towards Rich Gannon.
If you or anyone you know is interested in that kind of service, forget it! I mean, how wrong is that, journalistically, to do that for money? I would gladly do it for free, if it concerns the Raiders. Being the Raider hater that I am, I would gladly send all their headcases to Mexico before any big game just like last y- wait, that wasn�t me. Anyway, the point is: Let�s go Seahawks.
Wait, that�s not my point. I don�t think I can do anything more concerning the injuring of star quarterbacks, because my predictions have already been made and are archived in the amazing world of cyber space, where nothing changes and all records are permanently engraved on little stone pyramids as a record against the ravages of time for all to see.
I think next year I�ll have to include something about some player getting his head sheered clean off. That would make for a very bloody preseason. But hey, this is football. Worse injuries happen all the time. In high school, someone gets decapitated, the coach says something like, �Rub some dirt on it and get back in there,� in that rough, gravelly voice. The helpful trainer, Crystal, will probably just reattach it with duct tape and the guy won�t notice until, in the middle of taking the ACT, he remembers that he left the cereal in the fridge and the milk in the cupboard. But at least that�s never happened to you.
Revisions and rethinking
I want to make one revision to the NFL predictions. I really think Carolina will be close to a playoff team this year. They have defense and a running game. They will probably win seven or eight games again this year. Last year it was a surprise, but this year they have a very good chance of breaking into the wildcard.
I also want to say that, without jinxing them, the Seahawks will probably have a good year, maybe even a playoff year. They are good and last year the offense clicked in. I would like to be optimistic about them. After all, the Seahawks are my favorite team. But they have been nothing short of a disappointment every year for the past five years or so.
These are my two dark horse wildcard/playoff teams. It would seem that I didn�t jinx them by not predicting the playoffs for either team, but at the same time calling them my dark horse means that if they succeed, I predicted it, but if they don�t then I predicted it also.
I am listening right now to the A�s playing the Red Sox. Top of the fourth, 0-0 game and two pitchers who get lit up a lot are keeping things scoreless � for now: Ted Lilly and the knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. It�s free because I gave MLB.com my credit card number and I also get eight free issues of Sports Illustrated. At least they are free until they bill me when I forget to cancel my subscription.
Can�t wait to fire up my new Nintendo game: Tecmo Super Bowl!!! I just got it because my friend Mike gave me an early birthday present. I got a hand me down Nintendo from my brother in law, but I don�t have a power cord for it. So after making an investment in a Nintendo power cord, I will be in football bliss. I can�t wait to lead those hapless teams to the Super Bowl. I can�t remember if I�ve talked about this before, but my favorite thing to do in that game is to take a crappy team, just perennial loser like Tampa Bay or New England or Phoenix and lead them to the Super Bowl and the championship, all of which I have done with those teams. I�ve played with other crappy teams, but I never got them to win the Super Bowl. These teams include Seattle and Indianapolis.
I can�t wait!! I�m such a nerd.
8/14/03
Well, here are the NFL predictions. The usual fanfare is going on and boy is it ever loud in here! After the dog days of summer, I am looking forward to some real sporting events. I already have my little girl raising both hands and cheering every time I say �Touchdown!� She�s so darn cute!
The big moves that everyone is writing about are the Bengals with the new coach and #1 over all draft pick Carson Palmer (who, by the way, won�t play this year, or so they say), the signing of Jake Plummer by the Broncos and of course, the repeatability of the Buccaneers.
With all those things in mind, here are the picks, fresh from my arse.
I know that it�s so early, but predicting what will happen during a 17 week season is like predicting the weather. I mean, even if Michael Vick breaks both his legs and Atlanta goes 5-11 instead of 11-5, I�m not out anything, am I?
*Wildcard
AFC
East
1. New England 10-6
2. NY Jets 10-6*
3. Miami 9-7
4. Buffalo 9-7
North
1. Cleveland 11-5
2. Pittsburgh 10-6*
3. Baltimore7-9
4. Cincinnati 4-12
South
1. Indianapolis 10-6
2. Tennessee 9-7
3. Houston 5-11
4. Jacksonville 4-12
West
1. Oakland 10-6
2. Denver 9-7
3. San Diego 7-9
4. Kansas City 6-10
NFC
East
1. Philadelphia 11-5
2. Washington 8-8
3. NY Giants 7-9
4. Dallas 6-10
North
1. Green Bay 9-7
2. Detroit 6-10
3. Chicago 5-11
4. Minnesota 4-12
South
1. Tampa Bay 13-3
2. Atlanta 11-5*
3. New Orleans 9-7
4. Carolina 5-11
West
1. San Francisco 11-5
2. St. Louis 10-6*
3. Seattle 7-9
4. Arizona 4-11
When it comes to playoff and Super Bowl predictions, these are always wrong, but for kicks, here�s who I think will win the Super Bowl: The team with the best defense. Tampa Bay. I know, I�m really going out on a limb.
You know, last year I picked the Patriots because to me the best team is playing until they get beat. If Gruden gets too pass happy or if the running game is broken up because of Michael Pittman�s possible incarceration, then well, I don�t know jack because the preseason is no good indicator of a team.
And for all of you who thought that Oakland is going to rule again (And I have them winning the division) let me remind you of the Rams 0-6 start to last year�s season after a disappointing loss in the Super Bowl. So there.
One more note: the Seahawks have a mediocre team. The defense is again suspect and rumors of the unpleasantness amongst the defensive staff last year in Denver under Ray Rhodes leadership, cause by Rhodes� inability to communicate with his assistants, doesn�t inspire confidence. And while the offense was nothing short of amazing in the latter quarter of last year�s season, I think the offense isn�t as consistent as it should be to go to the playoffs. As much as it pains me to say it, they simply don�t have the personnel to dominate. Although they could pull out some close games and make the playoffs. But I just can�t see it.
PS. I also checked out the win totals so they would fit in the number of wins for the league of 32 teams, 256 wins. I�m pretty sure. Let�s see�32 teams�average of eight wins�carry the one�yep, I think that�s right!
Just for fun I was reviewing the preseason rankings of the college top 25 on CNNSI.com. I thought, well, sure, I can come up with my top 5 or so. Why not? Well, I thought about it and the preseason rankings are about as useful as a pitcher of warm spit. I mean, how can one say that USC is a top ten team because they lost their Heisman winning QB and their top running back to the draft and expect to reload? Will it work or not? Geez, USC isn�t exactly Miami. I can name both the replacements for the Heisman candidates Miami lost. But with that team, to be successful isn�t so much the star talent, but the grunts they have to replace on the line. I focus on Miami because I think they have the most interesting team. You can root for your boring old Ohio States and whatnot. I�ll take Miami every time.
Anyway, the o-line and d-line are the heart and soul of the team. Frank �Don�t call me Al� Gore is going to rush for 1,600 yards and score 15 TDs. Brock Berlin will be good and have a quick release and generally play well I�m sure. But if he doesn�t have the time to throw to all those quick and speedy receivers, well, it doesn�t matter how well he can throw when every play is like a blitz on Tecmo Super Bowl. On defense, the d-line is not only responsible for getting to the QB, but they have to keep the guards off those vaunted linebackers Vilma and D.J. they return all of their DBs and so they should be good.
I also thought about Texas, which should have some big time Ewing Theory working for it now that Simms is gone. They�ll probably win the national championship now that he�s gone. Oklahoma finally has a healthy White at QB and so he�ll probably just have his legs sheared clean off by two d-linemen.
K-State plays all these cream puffs, but they have the best backfield in college football if you like running the ball on every play. They haven�t had balance there since Michael Bishop played like 5 years ago. Even then they couldn�t win the big bowl game. They�ll blow it some time this season.
Washington has a great QB returning and their head coach (finally, they have one again) is the offensive coordinator. Maybe they�ll have something to cheer about in Huskie Stadium. But they�ll lose a couple times too.
So, who do I think will win it all? Like my NFL prediction, who cares? It�s August. But I love embarrassing myself, so I�ll pick�Miami. Why not?
PS. Again. I want to say that I am really looking forward to the Aggies playing for something now they are in the Sun Belt Conference and the New Orleans Bowl to play for. Beat those Cornhuskers on September 6th!!! Huskers Suck!!!!!!!!