HEADLINER
It was the call that shook the world: Patriots coach Bill Belichick went for it on 4th & 2 from the New England 28 with a 34-28 lead and 2:08 remaining. After Tom Brady's pass to Kevin Faulk came up short, Peyton Manning and the Colts had little trouble getting into the endzone for the game-winning touchdown and PAT. Statisticians everywhere defended Belichick's decision, explaining that punting would not have helped the cause. But former Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi made perhaps the most astute observation: if you play for the New England defense, aren't you at least a little bit offended that your coach thought you weren't good enough to stop Manning from picking up 60+ yards in two minutes?
DELICIOUS DIGIT
6. That's how many undefeated FBS teams there are in Division I heading into late November. The SEC figures to have a lock on one spot in the BCS championship game, with 10-0 Florida and Alabama facing a litany of weak opponents en route to their conference title matchup on Dec. 5th. Meanwhile, the Lone Star State holds the No. 3 and No. 4 spots in the BCS rankings - Texas has just lowly Kansas and Texas A&M to hold off until the Big 12 showdown, but TCU is hoping for a miracle that will allow it to compete for the top spot in the country. The loser in all of this, however, is Boise State: the longer the Horned Frogs stay undefeated, the more likely it is that the 10-0 Broncos will miss out on a BCS bowl. Can someone call Utah's attorney general? Idaho needs some help.
THE 7
1. After years of being exalted as the Tiger Woods of women's golf, Michelle Wie finally broke through to win her first LPGA title in 65 tries, beating out Paula Creamer at the Lorena Ochoa Invitational. Wie, who is still just 20 years old, vindicated her fans and endorsers with a two-stroke victory and was summarily doused with beer on the 18th green. The winners' check brought her 2009 total to $900,000 - impressive, but just a fraction of the millions of dollars that Nike pays her every year.
2. Looks like voters are starting to take the Cy Young award more literally. In what seems to be becoming a tradition, both of this year's Cy Young winners were from non-playoff teams - and, in the case of Zack Greinke, from a team that was never even close to making it to the postseason. The Giants' Tim Lincecum took home the award for the second straight year for the Giants (3rd in the NL West), while Greinke won his first for a Royals team that lost 97 games. The Cy Young discussion seems to have been democratized by nontraditional statistics in recent years, with voters seemingly willing to overlook average win-loss records by blaming the poor run support pitchers received from their teams. How pervasive is this trend? In the past four years, only one of eight Cy Young pitchers won 20 games - Cliff Lee, who finished 22-3 for the Indians last season. Cy Young, who lost 316 games in his career, would be proud.
3. WWAID - what would Allen Iverson do? Asking to be released by the Grizzlies after just three games, Iverson is back on the market. The Knicks are reported to be considering signing Iverson despite passing on him in the offseason. (Could New York's 2-9 start have anything to do with that?) Miami is reported to be interested as well. A bottom-feeding squad with too many guards in a city with too many reporters, or South Beach and a chance to actually make the playoffs? You don't need to ask WWAID to answer that question.
4. You know college basketball is in full season when No. 1 teams are barely avoiding upsets by unranked opponents. Kansas, currently atop the national polls, came within a Mario Chalmers-style three-pointer attempt by Memphis from losing, edging the Tigers, 57-55, on Tuesday night. This came just hours after No. 2 Michigan State held off Gonzaga despite trailing for much of the game. Who needs March Madness when there's November Neurosis?
5. Jauron out. Shanahan in? Buffalo fired head coach Dick Jauron, who has led the organization to a 24-33 record since 2006. Just one day later, ESPN. com reported that that the Bills are considering former Denver coach Mike Shanahan to take over. Shanahan, who won two Super Bowls with the Broncos, would certainly bring expertise and confidence to a mediocre Buffalo team. The question is, is there much he can do if he has to choose between Trent Edwards and Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback? When it comes to the NFL, perhaps a Stanford-Harvard combination isn't your best bet.
6. Jason Bay may have found a home in Boston, but the Red Sox have not yet earned his loyalty. Bay did not come to terms with Theo Epstein & Co. in the exclusive time window and will become an unrestricted free agent. The Sox had planned to spend significant money this offseason on Bay and/or Matt Holliday, but they will surely be disappointed to have to pay market price to retain their prized left fielder.
7. South African runner Caster Semenya, whose gender had been under review after she won the women's 800m at the world championships, was exonerated on Thursday, with the South African sports ministry announcing that Semenya would be able to keep her medal and her prize money. More surprisingly, it appears that the results of the gender tests will be kept confidential. If Semenya is indeed a woman, why all the secrecy?
HORIZON
It's still a month and a half away, but the tickets sure aren't priced like it. The NHL Winter Classic, featuring the Bruins and the Flyers facing off at Fenway Park, promises to be an expensive affair for fans, with seats going for no lower than $300 and over $1,000 on StubHub. Although the memories of the lockout are finally fading, hockey revenues are still far from overwhelming, and many venues still offer very cheap tickets. With fans and advertisers opening their wallets for the January 1st showdown, Gary Bettman has to wonder: should all NHL games be played outdoors in historic baseball stadiums?
THE Q
In a win-or-don't-go-to-South-Africa qualifier for the World Cup between France and Ireland on Wednesday night, Thierry Henry knocked a ball home late in the match after a very clear handball. However, the referees missed it, and despite an admission by Henry and protests by the Irish, FIFA has not taken any action. In your opinion, should the match be replayed? Leave your comments below.
Tune in next week for your Just 7 Sports briefing.
CORRECTION: Last week, Just 7 Sports asserted that UNC had "a run of mediocrity in the late '90s and early 2000s." While the Tar Heels missed the NCAA Tournament in 2002-2003, they qualified for the Dance every single year from 1990-2001 and actually reached the Final Four in 1997 , 1998, and 2000. Just 7 Sports regrets the hyperbole.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
JUST 7 SPORTS: Back to School Hoops and LeBron's "Modesty"
HEADLINER
Let the countdown to March Madness begin - college basketball is back. The season truly gets under way Friday night with top teams including No. 1 Kansas, No. 5 Kentucky, and No. 8 Duke kicking off their campaigns. Don't expect an upset in these opening games - the likes of UNC-Greensboro are unlikely to pose a significant challenge to the top-tier squads - but, if nothing else, tune in and watch a preseason All-American or two drop buckets against much feebler opponents. Aaaand boom goes the dynamite.
DELICIOUS DIGIT
6. That's the number LeBron James plans to switch to after this season, stating that Michael Jordan deserves the Jackie Robinson-like honor of having his number effectively retired across the league. Credit to LeBron for his class, but is he truly being all that modest? "Now, if I'm not going to wear No. 23, then nobody else should be able to wear it," King James told reporters. Talk about a unilateral multilateral decision.
THE 7
1. Three Tennessee football players pulled off the bozo move of the century, allegedly attempting to rob a convenience store with a pellet gun. Not only were the players near campus, but one of the players was apparently wearing Vols gear, seemingly pleading for the wrong kind of attention. As much as the players are to blame in this situation, you have to wonder what kind of example loudmouth coach Lane Kiffin has been setting for his team. Once a Raider, always an.... antithesis of the Volunteer spirit?
2. Philippines' most famous face, Manny Pacquiao, enters the ring Saturday night to take on Miguel Cotto in a fight at 145 lbs. The Filipino legend is going for a title in a seventh weight class, up 40 pounds from where he started his career, while Cotto will attempt to preserve his near-perfect record. Oddsmakers have given Pacquiao the clear edge, but regardless of the outcome, plenty of left hooks promise to be on display. And if that isn't entertainment enough, Pacquiao announced that his band will be serenading Las Vegas on the strip later that night. What a boxer. What a man.
3. With Terrell Owens' career seemingly slipping away, Chad Ochocinco has become the most dynamic and entertaining player in the NFL, pulling a new stunt every single week. When he isn't trying to send condiments to upcoming opponents, he's fake-bribing officials during reviews with $1 bills and paying $20,000 fines for the "unbecoming" conduct. More importantly, he's logged over 600 yards to help lead Cincinnati to a 6-2 record and a tie atop the AFC North with Pittsburgh. If Ochocinco can help the Bengals pull off a victory on the road in Steel City on Sunday afternoon, he may finally prove that he's matured enough to lead a team into the playoffs.
4. In nearby Indianapolis, it's the AFC matchup we've all been waiting for: the Patriots and the Colts. While this matchup lacks some of the fire and buildup of years past, it still promises to tell us a lot about both teams. At 6-2, New England is off to a good start but faces the NFL's best in Indy and New Orleans over the course of the next three weeks - two tests that may define the season's expectations for the squad. Meanwhile, the Colts are still undefeated but are coming off of two unconvincing wins against the 49ers and the Texans. A win vs. the Patriots will have Manning and Co. thinking conference championship or better, but a loss could trigger the kind of doubts that have derailed Indianapolis in the past. What better way to spend Sunday night than watching this game?
5. Baseball, hockey - what's the difference? The NHLPA, still looking for an executive director, tapped (soon to be retired) MLBPA head Donald Fehr to help with the search. While Fehr is not being positioned to take on a larger role with the NHLPA, you have to wonder: a sports lawyer is a sports lawyer is a sports lawyer... right?
6. We're 20 games into the season, and look who's atop the NHL tables: the San Jose Sharks. The perennial regular-season-dominators-but-postseason-disappointments are off to another strong start, having recorded a point in 10 consecutive contests. While nothing should be more convincing than a 5-0 shellacking of defending champion Pittsburgh, the Sharks have lacked the killer instinct in games against Western Conference rivals such as Detroit and Dallas. If this is finally going to be the year for San Jose, it's going to have to find a way to increase its third-period scoring output - and to win more shootouts.
7. The Suns look good in the standings, but as the Lakers proved in a 121-102 triumph over Phoenix on Thursday night, Los Angeles is still the team to beat in the Pacific Division. Kobe Bryant has jumped out to a blazing start, logging 33 points per game on 50% shooting from the field despite having scored just three treys in 8 games. Meanwhile, the Celtics are 8-1 and already running away in the Atlantic. Is it too early to start imagining another Celtics-Lakers heavyweight bout?
HORIZON
ESPNU's No. 1 high school prospect, Harrison Barnes, has committed to play for North Carolina in 2010-11. Barnes will fill in at shooting guard or small forward for the Tar Heels, returning some of the athleticism that UNC lost with the departure of Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington last season. After a run of mediocrity in the late '90s and early 2000s, it appears that the Tar Heels are stacked for years to come. Which makes Virgina Cavaliers fans think: when did the ACC become the AL East?
THE Q
The NBA released the NBA Companion this week, a compilation of stats, highlights, videos, and analysis that is intended to provide TV watchers with all the details necessary to supplement their viewing experience. Is this any more useful to you than any of the "game center" tools already available? What would the ideal "companion" tool look like? Leave your comments below.
Tune in next week for your Just 7 Sports briefing.
Let the countdown to March Madness begin - college basketball is back. The season truly gets under way Friday night with top teams including No. 1 Kansas, No. 5 Kentucky, and No. 8 Duke kicking off their campaigns. Don't expect an upset in these opening games - the likes of UNC-Greensboro are unlikely to pose a significant challenge to the top-tier squads - but, if nothing else, tune in and watch a preseason All-American or two drop buckets against much feebler opponents. Aaaand boom goes the dynamite.
DELICIOUS DIGIT
6. That's the number LeBron James plans to switch to after this season, stating that Michael Jordan deserves the Jackie Robinson-like honor of having his number effectively retired across the league. Credit to LeBron for his class, but is he truly being all that modest? "Now, if I'm not going to wear No. 23, then nobody else should be able to wear it," King James told reporters. Talk about a unilateral multilateral decision.
THE 7
1. Three Tennessee football players pulled off the bozo move of the century, allegedly attempting to rob a convenience store with a pellet gun. Not only were the players near campus, but one of the players was apparently wearing Vols gear, seemingly pleading for the wrong kind of attention. As much as the players are to blame in this situation, you have to wonder what kind of example loudmouth coach Lane Kiffin has been setting for his team. Once a Raider, always an.... antithesis of the Volunteer spirit?
2. Philippines' most famous face, Manny Pacquiao, enters the ring Saturday night to take on Miguel Cotto in a fight at 145 lbs. The Filipino legend is going for a title in a seventh weight class, up 40 pounds from where he started his career, while Cotto will attempt to preserve his near-perfect record. Oddsmakers have given Pacquiao the clear edge, but regardless of the outcome, plenty of left hooks promise to be on display. And if that isn't entertainment enough, Pacquiao announced that his band will be serenading Las Vegas on the strip later that night. What a boxer. What a man.
3. With Terrell Owens' career seemingly slipping away, Chad Ochocinco has become the most dynamic and entertaining player in the NFL, pulling a new stunt every single week. When he isn't trying to send condiments to upcoming opponents, he's fake-bribing officials during reviews with $1 bills and paying $20,000 fines for the "unbecoming" conduct. More importantly, he's logged over 600 yards to help lead Cincinnati to a 6-2 record and a tie atop the AFC North with Pittsburgh. If Ochocinco can help the Bengals pull off a victory on the road in Steel City on Sunday afternoon, he may finally prove that he's matured enough to lead a team into the playoffs.
4. In nearby Indianapolis, it's the AFC matchup we've all been waiting for: the Patriots and the Colts. While this matchup lacks some of the fire and buildup of years past, it still promises to tell us a lot about both teams. At 6-2, New England is off to a good start but faces the NFL's best in Indy and New Orleans over the course of the next three weeks - two tests that may define the season's expectations for the squad. Meanwhile, the Colts are still undefeated but are coming off of two unconvincing wins against the 49ers and the Texans. A win vs. the Patriots will have Manning and Co. thinking conference championship or better, but a loss could trigger the kind of doubts that have derailed Indianapolis in the past. What better way to spend Sunday night than watching this game?
5. Baseball, hockey - what's the difference? The NHLPA, still looking for an executive director, tapped (soon to be retired) MLBPA head Donald Fehr to help with the search. While Fehr is not being positioned to take on a larger role with the NHLPA, you have to wonder: a sports lawyer is a sports lawyer is a sports lawyer... right?
6. We're 20 games into the season, and look who's atop the NHL tables: the San Jose Sharks. The perennial regular-season-dominators-but-postseason-disappointments are off to another strong start, having recorded a point in 10 consecutive contests. While nothing should be more convincing than a 5-0 shellacking of defending champion Pittsburgh, the Sharks have lacked the killer instinct in games against Western Conference rivals such as Detroit and Dallas. If this is finally going to be the year for San Jose, it's going to have to find a way to increase its third-period scoring output - and to win more shootouts.
7. The Suns look good in the standings, but as the Lakers proved in a 121-102 triumph over Phoenix on Thursday night, Los Angeles is still the team to beat in the Pacific Division. Kobe Bryant has jumped out to a blazing start, logging 33 points per game on 50% shooting from the field despite having scored just three treys in 8 games. Meanwhile, the Celtics are 8-1 and already running away in the Atlantic. Is it too early to start imagining another Celtics-Lakers heavyweight bout?
HORIZON
ESPNU's No. 1 high school prospect, Harrison Barnes, has committed to play for North Carolina in 2010-11. Barnes will fill in at shooting guard or small forward for the Tar Heels, returning some of the athleticism that UNC lost with the departure of Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington last season. After a run of mediocrity in the late '90s and early 2000s, it appears that the Tar Heels are stacked for years to come. Which makes Virgina Cavaliers fans think: when did the ACC become the AL East?
THE Q
The NBA released the NBA Companion this week, a compilation of stats, highlights, videos, and analysis that is intended to provide TV watchers with all the details necessary to supplement their viewing experience. Is this any more useful to you than any of the "game center" tools already available? What would the ideal "companion" tool look like? Leave your comments below.
Tune in next week for your Just 7 Sports briefing.
Friday, October 30, 2009
JUST 7 SPORTS: Andre's Drugs and Eastwood's Thugs
HEADLINER
Crystal meth, fake hair, and a crazy dad: Andre Agassi's autobiography "Open" promises to be an intriguing read. The retired tennis star, who to date had not been accused of any drug use, decided to tell all in his new book, including how he convinced the ATP that his positive test result for methamphetamines was caused by a spiked drink. Now that defamed NBA referee Tim Donaghy's book has been taken off the presses, Agassi's memoirs will be the most insightful sports bio of the year. Among the not so amused are Martina Navratilova, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, who have announced confusion and displeasure at the sudden revelations. Agassi's words as an adult may actually prove to be more shocking than his fashion sense as a teenager.
DELICIOUS DIGIT
Six. That's the number of weeks until the release of Invictus, Clint Eastwood's movie about Nelson Mandela during the 1995 Rugby World Cup in his home country. Morgan Freeman, taking a break from playing God, plays Mandela, while Matt Damon fills the role of the South African team captain. More importantly, rugby has finally found a way to get Americans to watch - put it in a movie and throw in some Hollywood stars for good measure. Now that's entertainment.
THE 7
1. After all the talk about the potent New York and Philadelphia offenses and super-sluggers Alex Rodriguez and Ryan Howard, the World Series has turned out to be a pitchers' duel. The Phillies' Cliff Lee threw a complete game to start things off, handing his team the 1-0 lead, before AJ Burnett earned his first career postseason win to tie the Series at a game apiece. Game 3 promises to be a doozy as well, with Andy Pettitte and Cole Hamels taking the mound in a momentum-deciding contest. Meanwhile, Howard and A-Rod have combined to go 2-for-17 with 12 strikeouts between them. Where's Albert Pujols when you need him?
2. The NBA is back in session, with a slate of four games kicking off the season on Tuesday. What have we learned so far? The Cavs are not invincible this year, starting the year 0-2 - including a loss on their home court, something that rarely occurred in 2008-09. But the Celtics are as scary as ever with Kevin Garnett back from injury and Rasheed Wallace on the roster. And perhaps less obviously, the Spurs are a force to reckon with again, as Richard Jefferson gives them that extra boost that players like Michael Finley just can't. The sleeper pick of the season thus far? The Chicago Bulls, with Derrick Rose looking like he's ready to take over.
3. The Red Wings just can't catch a break, as yet another player went down to injury this week. Valtteri Filppula broke his right wrist and could be out for up to two months - certainly not the kind of news Detroit is hoping for after a 4-4-3 start. Over in Chicago, though, the Blackhawks are doing their best to take advantage of their rivals' injuries, with a division-leading 15 points thus far.
4. Six losses and insistence from the owner, apparently, is what it takes to get Kerry Collins benched. The winless Titans will hand the reins to QB Vince Young on Sunday against the Jaguars, with coach Jeff Fisher surely starting to feel the pressure from management and fans alike. After a stellar finish to his college career, Young has been mediocre in the NFL, posting a 67.8 passer rating to go along with 22 touchdowns and 33 interceptions. Jacksonville may not be toughest of opponents, but Young is still going to have step it up to prevent Tennessee from tumbling to 0-4 in AFC South play.
5. It's another big weekend in college football, with high-stakes showdowns taking place in Eugene and Stillwater. In Oregon, the Pac 10-leading Ducks will try and fend off the Trojans to stay on pace for their first conference title since 2001. USC will seek a victory to get itself back in the Pac 10 title race and to position itself as the best one-loss candidate for the national championship game. Over in Oklahoma, undefeated Texas will take on the Cowboys in what will likely be the its biggest test in the run-up to the Big 12 title game. With Florida and Alabama ahead of the Longhorns in the BCS standings, coach Mack Brown and his players have plenty to prove.
6. Is Larry Johnson the newest team cancer? The Kansas City running back denounced his coach on Twitter, using a gay slur and leading the Chiefs' front office to start thinking about how to get rid of him. Johnson, who was involved in off-the-field mishaps last year as well, hasn't been producing this season, averaging just 2.7 yards a carry in 7 games.
7. All is not well at the NHLPA. After executive director Paul Kelly was fired in August, interim ED Ian Kelly has resigned today, according to ESPN's Pierre LeBrun and Scott Burnside. Player representative Chris Chelios is said to have been one of many struggling against Penny's leadership, and it's not clear yet how this will affect the ongoing search for a permanent replacement.
HORIZON
Timing is everything. Talks are underway to preempt a Philadelphia transit strike, and what a weekend for a strike it would be. In addition to Games 3 and 4 of the World Series on Saturday and Sunday, the Carolina Hurricanes are in town on Saturday before the New York Giants come to Lincoln Financial Field to face the Eagles. So if you were planning on attending any of those games, trade in that bus pass for a car rental and get ready for some serious traffic.
THE Q
MLB umpires have come under fire for a series of missed calls throughout the 2009 postseason, leading many to clamor for broader use of instant replay. Do you support having "challenge" flags in baseball? Leave your comments below.
Tune in next week for your Just 7 Sports briefing.
Crystal meth, fake hair, and a crazy dad: Andre Agassi's autobiography "Open" promises to be an intriguing read. The retired tennis star, who to date had not been accused of any drug use, decided to tell all in his new book, including how he convinced the ATP that his positive test result for methamphetamines was caused by a spiked drink. Now that defamed NBA referee Tim Donaghy's book has been taken off the presses, Agassi's memoirs will be the most insightful sports bio of the year. Among the not so amused are Martina Navratilova, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, who have announced confusion and displeasure at the sudden revelations. Agassi's words as an adult may actually prove to be more shocking than his fashion sense as a teenager.
DELICIOUS DIGIT
Six. That's the number of weeks until the release of Invictus, Clint Eastwood's movie about Nelson Mandela during the 1995 Rugby World Cup in his home country. Morgan Freeman, taking a break from playing God, plays Mandela, while Matt Damon fills the role of the South African team captain. More importantly, rugby has finally found a way to get Americans to watch - put it in a movie and throw in some Hollywood stars for good measure. Now that's entertainment.
THE 7
1. After all the talk about the potent New York and Philadelphia offenses and super-sluggers Alex Rodriguez and Ryan Howard, the World Series has turned out to be a pitchers' duel. The Phillies' Cliff Lee threw a complete game to start things off, handing his team the 1-0 lead, before AJ Burnett earned his first career postseason win to tie the Series at a game apiece. Game 3 promises to be a doozy as well, with Andy Pettitte and Cole Hamels taking the mound in a momentum-deciding contest. Meanwhile, Howard and A-Rod have combined to go 2-for-17 with 12 strikeouts between them. Where's Albert Pujols when you need him?
2. The NBA is back in session, with a slate of four games kicking off the season on Tuesday. What have we learned so far? The Cavs are not invincible this year, starting the year 0-2 - including a loss on their home court, something that rarely occurred in 2008-09. But the Celtics are as scary as ever with Kevin Garnett back from injury and Rasheed Wallace on the roster. And perhaps less obviously, the Spurs are a force to reckon with again, as Richard Jefferson gives them that extra boost that players like Michael Finley just can't. The sleeper pick of the season thus far? The Chicago Bulls, with Derrick Rose looking like he's ready to take over.
3. The Red Wings just can't catch a break, as yet another player went down to injury this week. Valtteri Filppula broke his right wrist and could be out for up to two months - certainly not the kind of news Detroit is hoping for after a 4-4-3 start. Over in Chicago, though, the Blackhawks are doing their best to take advantage of their rivals' injuries, with a division-leading 15 points thus far.
4. Six losses and insistence from the owner, apparently, is what it takes to get Kerry Collins benched. The winless Titans will hand the reins to QB Vince Young on Sunday against the Jaguars, with coach Jeff Fisher surely starting to feel the pressure from management and fans alike. After a stellar finish to his college career, Young has been mediocre in the NFL, posting a 67.8 passer rating to go along with 22 touchdowns and 33 interceptions. Jacksonville may not be toughest of opponents, but Young is still going to have step it up to prevent Tennessee from tumbling to 0-4 in AFC South play.
5. It's another big weekend in college football, with high-stakes showdowns taking place in Eugene and Stillwater. In Oregon, the Pac 10-leading Ducks will try and fend off the Trojans to stay on pace for their first conference title since 2001. USC will seek a victory to get itself back in the Pac 10 title race and to position itself as the best one-loss candidate for the national championship game. Over in Oklahoma, undefeated Texas will take on the Cowboys in what will likely be the its biggest test in the run-up to the Big 12 title game. With Florida and Alabama ahead of the Longhorns in the BCS standings, coach Mack Brown and his players have plenty to prove.
6. Is Larry Johnson the newest team cancer? The Kansas City running back denounced his coach on Twitter, using a gay slur and leading the Chiefs' front office to start thinking about how to get rid of him. Johnson, who was involved in off-the-field mishaps last year as well, hasn't been producing this season, averaging just 2.7 yards a carry in 7 games.
7. All is not well at the NHLPA. After executive director Paul Kelly was fired in August, interim ED Ian Kelly has resigned today, according to ESPN's Pierre LeBrun and Scott Burnside. Player representative Chris Chelios is said to have been one of many struggling against Penny's leadership, and it's not clear yet how this will affect the ongoing search for a permanent replacement.
HORIZON
Timing is everything. Talks are underway to preempt a Philadelphia transit strike, and what a weekend for a strike it would be. In addition to Games 3 and 4 of the World Series on Saturday and Sunday, the Carolina Hurricanes are in town on Saturday before the New York Giants come to Lincoln Financial Field to face the Eagles. So if you were planning on attending any of those games, trade in that bus pass for a car rental and get ready for some serious traffic.
THE Q
MLB umpires have come under fire for a series of missed calls throughout the 2009 postseason, leading many to clamor for broader use of instant replay. Do you support having "challenge" flags in baseball? Leave your comments below.
Tune in next week for your Just 7 Sports briefing.
Friday, October 23, 2009
JUST 7 SPORTS: Phlying Phillies, Flying Patriots, and Soaring Angels
HEADLINER
The Philadelphia Phillies are back in the World Series looking for a repeat - a feat even more rare for NL teams than winning the All-Star Game. Ryan Howard was crowned the NLCS MVP, as he smashed, hustled, and willed his team to victory. Not to be forgotten, however, is Jayson Werth, who drove ball after ball out of the park, including two dingers in the clincher. And Cliff Lee wasn't too shabby either, validating the Phillies' front office's decision to drop the midseason push for Roy Halladay. How significant is it that Lee will have plenty of rest before presumably kicking off the World Series on Wednesday? The reigning AL Cy Young winner has been practically unhittable, posting a 0.74 ERA and 0.70 WHIP during the postseason.
DELICIOUS DIGIT
16. That's the number of consecutive games the New England Patriots have won against NFC teams, part of a 29-4 run. Now, there's no doubt that the Patriots have been one of the premier teams in the NFL in the past several years. But 16 straight games? It makes you wonder whether it's really better to be American instead of... National. At least for this week, though, the Patriots will be returning to Old England to take on the winless Bucs in London. So it will be 17, I suppose.
THE 7
1. The Halos are still circling. Seemingly saved by an angel, Anaheim managed to eke out a 7-6 victory against the Bronx Bombers despite allowing 6 runs in an inning to give up a 4-0 lead that John Lackey had so beautifully preserved. Manager Mike Scioscia did his best to let the Yankees back in the game, pulling Lackey with two outs and the bases loaded in the 7th before Darren Oliver put forth his best Eric Gagne impression. And then an intentional walk to Alex Rodriguez in the 9th almost led Brian Fuentes to blow another save. Nevertheless, Scioscia did have one move that worked out well: handing the ball to Jered Weaver for the 8th. As good a starter as Weaver he is, he would sure make for one mean closer.
2. Speaking of managers, much was made of Joe Girardi's over-managing in Game 3, with the former catcher running out to the mound and making strange decisions time after time to the confusion of his players, the in-game commentators, and most of the country. But Girardi's obsessive-compulsive behavior did illustrate one little-known rule: in the AL, making a defensive replacement during the middle of an requires the team to forfeit its designated hitter. Makes you want to bring Roger Clemens back and then make a mid-inning defensive replacement, doesn't it?
3. If you needed yet another reason to wonder if John Calipari can taint every program he's associated with, here's an arrow for your arsenal: Kentucky's top recruit John Wall is being investigated due to eligibility issues. Okay, it's not really Calipari's fault - the kid's former coach was an agent. But the Wildcats may not be SEC favorites anymore if Wall has to sit out part or all of the season. Amateurs.
4. Jim Zorn is safe for the rest of the season, a Redskins bigwig told the media. Okay, fine. But he no longer has his play-calling duties. What's the point of dragging this thing out? The Redskins take on the rival Eagles on MNF, with Philadelphia trying to recover from an embarrassing loss to the Raiders. Time to trade those Eagles season tickets in for World Series passes, methinks.
5. No. 13 Penn State travels to the Big House tomorrow looking for its first victory in Ann Arbor since 1996. Michigan has been anything but consistent, but the Wolverines are as dangerous as any team when their offense is clicking. Another (and perhaps more surprising) candidate for an upset: No. 6 Iowa at Michigan State, as predicted by AccuScore. And you thought only the SEC and the Big 12 were exciting!
6. Chris Chelios is back on the ice, signing a deal with the Thrashers' AHL affiliate in Chicago. The Windy City native says he's not looking for an NHL call-up, just trying to prove he still has some of what made him a three-time Norris Trophy winner. But if Atlanta can make a postseason run, they might look to add the veteran to the roster like the Sharks did with Claude Lemieux last season. Let's just hope for better results - Lemieux posted just one assist and finished -5 in 18 games in the final run of his career.
7. Trent Edwards is out for the Bills against the Panthers due to a concussion, ceding the starting QB spot to Harvard alum Ryan Fitzpatrick. Although the former Crimson signal-caller has been a backup throughout his career, he has continued to benefit from injuries to the players ahead of him - Marc Bulger went down for a few games in his rookie season, and in 2008-09, Fitzpatrick appeared in 13 games for Cincinnati as Carson Palmer sat out most of the year. Which makes every NFL GM wonder, "Ryan Fitzpatrick: worse than the Sports Illustrated curse?"
HORIZON
The NBA regular season kicks off on Tuesday with Boston vs. Cleveland, one of four games that evening. Tune into TNT at 7:30 PM so you can catch Shaq in his first action as a Cavalier. Did all his "cross-training" during Shaq Vs. prepare him to face Rasheed Wallace and Kevin Garnett? 'Tis a contest to be watched.
THE Q
As mentioned above, we learned about one weird rule in baseball during Game 3 of the ALCS. What is the craziest, most unknown rule in a sport that you have heard of? Leave your comments below.
Tune in next week for your Just 7 Sports briefing.
The Philadelphia Phillies are back in the World Series looking for a repeat - a feat even more rare for NL teams than winning the All-Star Game. Ryan Howard was crowned the NLCS MVP, as he smashed, hustled, and willed his team to victory. Not to be forgotten, however, is Jayson Werth, who drove ball after ball out of the park, including two dingers in the clincher. And Cliff Lee wasn't too shabby either, validating the Phillies' front office's decision to drop the midseason push for Roy Halladay. How significant is it that Lee will have plenty of rest before presumably kicking off the World Series on Wednesday? The reigning AL Cy Young winner has been practically unhittable, posting a 0.74 ERA and 0.70 WHIP during the postseason.
DELICIOUS DIGIT
16. That's the number of consecutive games the New England Patriots have won against NFC teams, part of a 29-4 run. Now, there's no doubt that the Patriots have been one of the premier teams in the NFL in the past several years. But 16 straight games? It makes you wonder whether it's really better to be American instead of... National. At least for this week, though, the Patriots will be returning to Old England to take on the winless Bucs in London. So it will be 17, I suppose.
THE 7
1. The Halos are still circling. Seemingly saved by an angel, Anaheim managed to eke out a 7-6 victory against the Bronx Bombers despite allowing 6 runs in an inning to give up a 4-0 lead that John Lackey had so beautifully preserved. Manager Mike Scioscia did his best to let the Yankees back in the game, pulling Lackey with two outs and the bases loaded in the 7th before Darren Oliver put forth his best Eric Gagne impression. And then an intentional walk to Alex Rodriguez in the 9th almost led Brian Fuentes to blow another save. Nevertheless, Scioscia did have one move that worked out well: handing the ball to Jered Weaver for the 8th. As good a starter as Weaver he is, he would sure make for one mean closer.
2. Speaking of managers, much was made of Joe Girardi's over-managing in Game 3, with the former catcher running out to the mound and making strange decisions time after time to the confusion of his players, the in-game commentators, and most of the country. But Girardi's obsessive-compulsive behavior did illustrate one little-known rule: in the AL, making a defensive replacement during the middle of an requires the team to forfeit its designated hitter. Makes you want to bring Roger Clemens back and then make a mid-inning defensive replacement, doesn't it?
3. If you needed yet another reason to wonder if John Calipari can taint every program he's associated with, here's an arrow for your arsenal: Kentucky's top recruit John Wall is being investigated due to eligibility issues. Okay, it's not really Calipari's fault - the kid's former coach was an agent. But the Wildcats may not be SEC favorites anymore if Wall has to sit out part or all of the season. Amateurs.
4. Jim Zorn is safe for the rest of the season, a Redskins bigwig told the media. Okay, fine. But he no longer has his play-calling duties. What's the point of dragging this thing out? The Redskins take on the rival Eagles on MNF, with Philadelphia trying to recover from an embarrassing loss to the Raiders. Time to trade those Eagles season tickets in for World Series passes, methinks.
5. No. 13 Penn State travels to the Big House tomorrow looking for its first victory in Ann Arbor since 1996. Michigan has been anything but consistent, but the Wolverines are as dangerous as any team when their offense is clicking. Another (and perhaps more surprising) candidate for an upset: No. 6 Iowa at Michigan State, as predicted by AccuScore. And you thought only the SEC and the Big 12 were exciting!
6. Chris Chelios is back on the ice, signing a deal with the Thrashers' AHL affiliate in Chicago. The Windy City native says he's not looking for an NHL call-up, just trying to prove he still has some of what made him a three-time Norris Trophy winner. But if Atlanta can make a postseason run, they might look to add the veteran to the roster like the Sharks did with Claude Lemieux last season. Let's just hope for better results - Lemieux posted just one assist and finished -5 in 18 games in the final run of his career.
7. Trent Edwards is out for the Bills against the Panthers due to a concussion, ceding the starting QB spot to Harvard alum Ryan Fitzpatrick. Although the former Crimson signal-caller has been a backup throughout his career, he has continued to benefit from injuries to the players ahead of him - Marc Bulger went down for a few games in his rookie season, and in 2008-09, Fitzpatrick appeared in 13 games for Cincinnati as Carson Palmer sat out most of the year. Which makes every NFL GM wonder, "Ryan Fitzpatrick: worse than the Sports Illustrated curse?"
HORIZON
The NBA regular season kicks off on Tuesday with Boston vs. Cleveland, one of four games that evening. Tune into TNT at 7:30 PM so you can catch Shaq in his first action as a Cavalier. Did all his "cross-training" during Shaq Vs. prepare him to face Rasheed Wallace and Kevin Garnett? 'Tis a contest to be watched.
THE Q
As mentioned above, we learned about one weird rule in baseball during Game 3 of the ALCS. What is the craziest, most unknown rule in a sport that you have heard of? Leave your comments below.
Tune in next week for your Just 7 Sports briefing.
Friday, October 16, 2009
JUST 7 SPORTS: Dodger Drama and Blackouts and Swine Flu in Ohio
HEADLINER
Hang on to your hats: we have a series. After a pitiful showing in the 2008 NLCS, the Dodgers are looking as ready as ever to throw a wrench in Philadelphia's plans for a repeat title. Featuring one of the best bullpens in the majors, L.A. showed its ability to grind out postseason wins, manufacturing two runs in the bottom of the eighth and sending flamethrower Jonathan Broxton out to seal the victory. Not that we should forget Chase Utley's Matt Holliday moment, sending Juan Pierre home for the tying run on an inexplicable throwing error, but let's just note that the great pitching in this series is adding extra pressure to every at-bat. The Phillies have to be happy earning a split in Chavez Ravine, but for one day, Jimmy Rollins is feeling a little less cocky - and that is a relief for all non-Phanatics across the country.
DELICIOUS DIGIT
1,200. That's how many tickets Motorola bought in partnership with Chad Ochocinco for this week's game in order to avoid a local television blackout in Cincinnati. The Bengals keep winning, but those Ohio fans just can't get themselves to shell out to watch Carson, Chad, and the crew live in the stadium. Leading the AFC North and with Houston coming to town on Sunday, Cincinnati is just a step away from 5-1, a far cry from the 0-8 start to the 2008 season. If the Striped Surprise can deliver against the Texans and hold its own against Jay Cutler and the Bears next week, it could come out of its bye week poised to make some waves against the Ravens and the Steelers and legitimize its first-place standing. Buy some tickets, people - this is a good football team.
THE 7
1. It's a Heisman weekend to watch. Florida QB Tim Tebow is still a strong favorite, but Jimmy Clausen - the southern Californian who didn't go to USC - is looking to establish his candidacy against the mighty Trojans in South Bend. Each team has a painful loss to its credit, and while USC has to be a heavy favorite coming into the game, the Irish will certainly be fighting at home. But before you tune into that game at 3:30 ET, make sure you catch Oklahoma-Texas in Dallas - Sam Bradford may still be recovering from injury, but Colt McCoy is sure to be firing on all cylinders to keep the Longhorns in the BCS title hunt.
2. The Angels and the Yankees are back in the ALCS, and this one promises to be a doozy. Joe Girardi announced that he might try a three-man rotation to keep Joba Chamberlain in the 'pen and give C.C. Sabathia a chance to pitch Games 1, 4, and 7. But in reality, this is likely gamesmanship by the pinstriped manager, as he knows weather is likely to disrupt the game schedule and allow him to move around his pitchers. He certainly has a wealth of arms to choose from, and if Alex Rodriguez can keep delivering in the clutch, this may be the year that the Yankees break the Curse of the Halo - and do it just a week after Anaheim broke a postseason losing streak of its own. (Yes, Anaheim. The Angels are from Los Angeles as much as the Giants and Jets are from New York.)
3. Speaking of the NFC East, the Cowboys' Wade Phillips job is safe for the rest of the season, Dallas owner Jerry Jones announced this week, giving his head coach some security despite a lackluster start to the year. Elsewhere in the NFC East, Redskins players are voicing support for Jim Zorn, knowing that owner Dan Snyder is crazy and will probably bring in some psycho to replace him. No wonder the Jersey Giants keep winning games - half of the NFC East can't get its act together.
4. Rush Limbaugh is back in the news - and it has nothing to do with Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb. The fiery talking head was part of a group bidding for the St. Louis Rams but was dropped abruptly after backlash from the owners despite, he claims, original assurances that his participation had been cleared with the powers that be. One man's loss is another man's gain: former Rams running back Marshall Faulk is said to be the replacement. Can you blame anyone for that choice? Who would you rather have owning the Cardinals someday, Albert Pujols, or Jose Canseco?
5. THE KING HAS SWINE FLU. So that wasn't really the headline. And no one is sure if LeBron actually had the novel H1N1 virus. But the Cavs were suddenly awash in doctors and medicines, with Cleveland players, coaches, and fans thanking themselves that all this was happening in the preseason. Which begs the question: by getting sick now, are the Cavs at a competitive advantage vs. the rest of the NBA? You know Mark Cuban is thinking about it.
6. In other news, the NBA announced that players can now take two steps after coming to a stop, explaining that referees have been instructed to enforce traveling rule in that manner for years anyhow. So, in other words, no news at all. Sorry for wasting your time.
7. Nothing is better for winning than knowing how to win, and the Pittsburgh Penguins are proving that axiom true, getting off to a torrid 6-1 start, tied for best in the league along with the Rangers. Crosby and Co. have scored in droves and toughed out some close wins as well, demonstrating their tenacity and, importantly for a young team, their unwillingness to rest on their laurels. With Western Conference contenders like the Red Wings and the Blackhawks marred with injuries to major stars, the East is looking to reestablish itself as the coast to watch in the NHL. A matchup not to be missed: the Sharks and Rangers face off Monday night at Madison Square Garden. Potential Stanley Cup preview? Maybe. But there's still 75 more regular-season games to go.
HORIZON
Quebec City is building a new arena, wanting to bring hockey back to the town and maybe setting up good old Oh Canada for an Olympics in the future. For those who won't be making it to Rio in 2016, how about a trip to a chillier climate in 2018? Or you could still try and snap up tickets to Vancouver. But hurry - February isn't very far away.
THE Q
Major League Baseball appears own the web rights to all postseason baseball radio content, with local stations forced to kill or replace their online broadcasts even when they are airing the game as part of their regular programming. MLB.com, of course, offers this as part of its $19.95 Gameday Premium package. As a fan, do you find this acceptable? Leave your comments below.
Tune in next week for your Just 7 Sports briefing.
Hang on to your hats: we have a series. After a pitiful showing in the 2008 NLCS, the Dodgers are looking as ready as ever to throw a wrench in Philadelphia's plans for a repeat title. Featuring one of the best bullpens in the majors, L.A. showed its ability to grind out postseason wins, manufacturing two runs in the bottom of the eighth and sending flamethrower Jonathan Broxton out to seal the victory. Not that we should forget Chase Utley's Matt Holliday moment, sending Juan Pierre home for the tying run on an inexplicable throwing error, but let's just note that the great pitching in this series is adding extra pressure to every at-bat. The Phillies have to be happy earning a split in Chavez Ravine, but for one day, Jimmy Rollins is feeling a little less cocky - and that is a relief for all non-Phanatics across the country.
DELICIOUS DIGIT
1,200. That's how many tickets Motorola bought in partnership with Chad Ochocinco for this week's game in order to avoid a local television blackout in Cincinnati. The Bengals keep winning, but those Ohio fans just can't get themselves to shell out to watch Carson, Chad, and the crew live in the stadium. Leading the AFC North and with Houston coming to town on Sunday, Cincinnati is just a step away from 5-1, a far cry from the 0-8 start to the 2008 season. If the Striped Surprise can deliver against the Texans and hold its own against Jay Cutler and the Bears next week, it could come out of its bye week poised to make some waves against the Ravens and the Steelers and legitimize its first-place standing. Buy some tickets, people - this is a good football team.
THE 7
1. It's a Heisman weekend to watch. Florida QB Tim Tebow is still a strong favorite, but Jimmy Clausen - the southern Californian who didn't go to USC - is looking to establish his candidacy against the mighty Trojans in South Bend. Each team has a painful loss to its credit, and while USC has to be a heavy favorite coming into the game, the Irish will certainly be fighting at home. But before you tune into that game at 3:30 ET, make sure you catch Oklahoma-Texas in Dallas - Sam Bradford may still be recovering from injury, but Colt McCoy is sure to be firing on all cylinders to keep the Longhorns in the BCS title hunt.
2. The Angels and the Yankees are back in the ALCS, and this one promises to be a doozy. Joe Girardi announced that he might try a three-man rotation to keep Joba Chamberlain in the 'pen and give C.C. Sabathia a chance to pitch Games 1, 4, and 7. But in reality, this is likely gamesmanship by the pinstriped manager, as he knows weather is likely to disrupt the game schedule and allow him to move around his pitchers. He certainly has a wealth of arms to choose from, and if Alex Rodriguez can keep delivering in the clutch, this may be the year that the Yankees break the Curse of the Halo - and do it just a week after Anaheim broke a postseason losing streak of its own. (Yes, Anaheim. The Angels are from Los Angeles as much as the Giants and Jets are from New York.)
3. Speaking of the NFC East, the Cowboys' Wade Phillips job is safe for the rest of the season, Dallas owner Jerry Jones announced this week, giving his head coach some security despite a lackluster start to the year. Elsewhere in the NFC East, Redskins players are voicing support for Jim Zorn, knowing that owner Dan Snyder is crazy and will probably bring in some psycho to replace him. No wonder the Jersey Giants keep winning games - half of the NFC East can't get its act together.
4. Rush Limbaugh is back in the news - and it has nothing to do with Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb. The fiery talking head was part of a group bidding for the St. Louis Rams but was dropped abruptly after backlash from the owners despite, he claims, original assurances that his participation had been cleared with the powers that be. One man's loss is another man's gain: former Rams running back Marshall Faulk is said to be the replacement. Can you blame anyone for that choice? Who would you rather have owning the Cardinals someday, Albert Pujols, or Jose Canseco?
5. THE KING HAS SWINE FLU. So that wasn't really the headline. And no one is sure if LeBron actually had the novel H1N1 virus. But the Cavs were suddenly awash in doctors and medicines, with Cleveland players, coaches, and fans thanking themselves that all this was happening in the preseason. Which begs the question: by getting sick now, are the Cavs at a competitive advantage vs. the rest of the NBA? You know Mark Cuban is thinking about it.
6. In other news, the NBA announced that players can now take two steps after coming to a stop, explaining that referees have been instructed to enforce traveling rule in that manner for years anyhow. So, in other words, no news at all. Sorry for wasting your time.
7. Nothing is better for winning than knowing how to win, and the Pittsburgh Penguins are proving that axiom true, getting off to a torrid 6-1 start, tied for best in the league along with the Rangers. Crosby and Co. have scored in droves and toughed out some close wins as well, demonstrating their tenacity and, importantly for a young team, their unwillingness to rest on their laurels. With Western Conference contenders like the Red Wings and the Blackhawks marred with injuries to major stars, the East is looking to reestablish itself as the coast to watch in the NHL. A matchup not to be missed: the Sharks and Rangers face off Monday night at Madison Square Garden. Potential Stanley Cup preview? Maybe. But there's still 75 more regular-season games to go.
HORIZON
Quebec City is building a new arena, wanting to bring hockey back to the town and maybe setting up good old Oh Canada for an Olympics in the future. For those who won't be making it to Rio in 2016, how about a trip to a chillier climate in 2018? Or you could still try and snap up tickets to Vancouver. But hurry - February isn't very far away.
THE Q
Major League Baseball appears own the web rights to all postseason baseball radio content, with local stations forced to kill or replace their online broadcasts even when they are airing the game as part of their regular programming. MLB.com, of course, offers this as part of its $19.95 Gameday Premium package. As a fan, do you find this acceptable? Leave your comments below.
Tune in next week for your Just 7 Sports briefing.
Friday, October 9, 2009
JUST 7 SPORTS: Twins, Tebow, and The Best Month in Sports
HEADLINER
Every year, it seems like an AL Central team is poised on the brink of collapse. And this year, it was the Tigers turn to fall, with the Twins forcing a one-game playoff and winning in walkoff fashion. Lost in all the postseason banter was the fact that this run may have helped Joe Mauer seal another AL MVP nod. He finished the regular season 1st in batting average, slugging, and OBP - a non-traditional triple crown, but an offensive juggernaut of a year nonetheless. Now let's just see whether Super Mauer can keep the Twins from tumbling out of the playoffs in the first round against the steamrolling Yankees.
DELICIOUS DIGIT
7.5 points. That's how much of an underdog LSU is vs. Florida this week. With Tim Tebow questionable for Saturday's game, the No. 4 Tigers have a shot at dethroning the Gators. Not only will this be a tasty matchup regardless of the QB situation, but it could be a potential preview of the SEC championship game. This is what tailgates are made for.
THE 7
1. As Bill Simmons asserts, this is the best month in sports, with basketball and hockey kicking off, football in full swing, and baseball into the playoffs. But even with all those sports vying for your attention, you gotta keep your eye on baseball - or, in Matt Holliday's case, the baseball itself. Holliday's drop with two outs in the ninth of Game 2 was excused by many given his strong track record as a left fielder, but let's face it: he may have blown the season for his team. It probably wasn't for a lack of effort, but you have to wonder whether rental players like Holliday really feel any loyalty for their clubs. Mid-season acquisitions can be busts as often as betterment, and despite all Holliday has done, he failed when it counted most.
2. What's up with the magical Angels? They finally broke the spell that the Red Sox had cast on them, with John Lackey and the bullpen twirling a shutout to take a 1-0 lead in their ALDS series. Given that Anaheim had won 1 out of its 10 postseason games vs. Boston, its pitching and Torii Hunter's three-run blast are the biggest pleasant surprises since K-Rod's rise in 2002. But how long are those Sox bats going to stay silent?
3. Sam Bradford looks to be on schedule take the field against Baylor tomorrow. Although it is probably too late for the 2-2 Sooners to turn this into a national title season, getting Bradford in versus the Bears means that he'll be primed for the battle against Texas next week. But with Bradford and Tebow hampered by injuries, the bigger question is: who's the prime candidate for the Heisman? Don't count out the stellar QBs yet, but this race is more open than it should have been.
4. Big news coming out of the Olympics: golf and rugby are in for 2016, with baseball and softball having been ousted along with three other sports. Golfers in Hawaii and All Blacks in New Zealand celebrated, while everyone else started saving up for Brazilian vacations. Lost in the shuffle, though, is the fact that Tiger Woods stumped for golf and was successful, whereas Barack Obama couldn't even prevent Chicago from a last-place finish at the final IOC vote. Is that Nobel Peace Prize an "our bad" from the international community?
5. Johan Franzen has a torn ACL and is going to be out for 4 months, leaving the Red Wings without one of their biggest physical presences and clutch scorers to start the season. As if Detroit didn't get enough bad news this week already, its hockey team looks to be getting off to a bumpy beginning as well. But the Wings are deep, and as long as they can beat up on the rest of the division, look for them to remain in the upper echelon of the Western Conference. This may just be what the Blackhawks need, though, to make a strong run at their first division title since 1993.
6. In more injured QB news, Donovan McNabb and Eli Manning look set to play this Sunday, while the Detroit coaching staff is staying mum on Matthew Stafford's status. The Giants will probably do just fine against the Raging Raiders either way, but which team needs its QB more: the Eagles against a lackluster Tampa Bay team, or the Lions... just to stop the bleeding for the city of Detroit? (I wouldn't bet on it vs. the Steelers.)
7. In his autobiography, long-time Calgary winger Theoren Fleury details abuse by a former coach and talks about multiple failed drug tests that never prevented him from playing. By doing so, he opens up topics that are rarely discussed in hockey and provides intimate details to his readers. While "authors" like Jose Canseco have brought infamy to revealing sportswriting, Fleury's account promises to be an interesting one.
HORIZON
Tony Romo has come under greater fire than ever given the Cowboys' dismal start to the season. Although a game against the Chiefs seems to be a recipe for success, don't count out Kansas City just yet. Roy Williams is uncertain for the game for Dallas, and Matt Cassel is still looking to prove that he is a good quarterback even outside Bill Belichick's system. If you get this game on TV, it's worth a watch.
THE Q
Florida State alumni are up in arms about the Seminoles' poor start to the college football season, with many calling for Bobby Bowden's head. For now, FSU athletic director T.K. Wetherell is standing behind him. What would you do with the second winningest coach in college football history? Leave your comments below.
Tune in next week for your Just 7 Sports briefing.
Every year, it seems like an AL Central team is poised on the brink of collapse. And this year, it was the Tigers turn to fall, with the Twins forcing a one-game playoff and winning in walkoff fashion. Lost in all the postseason banter was the fact that this run may have helped Joe Mauer seal another AL MVP nod. He finished the regular season 1st in batting average, slugging, and OBP - a non-traditional triple crown, but an offensive juggernaut of a year nonetheless. Now let's just see whether Super Mauer can keep the Twins from tumbling out of the playoffs in the first round against the steamrolling Yankees.
DELICIOUS DIGIT
7.5 points. That's how much of an underdog LSU is vs. Florida this week. With Tim Tebow questionable for Saturday's game, the No. 4 Tigers have a shot at dethroning the Gators. Not only will this be a tasty matchup regardless of the QB situation, but it could be a potential preview of the SEC championship game. This is what tailgates are made for.
THE 7
1. As Bill Simmons asserts, this is the best month in sports, with basketball and hockey kicking off, football in full swing, and baseball into the playoffs. But even with all those sports vying for your attention, you gotta keep your eye on baseball - or, in Matt Holliday's case, the baseball itself. Holliday's drop with two outs in the ninth of Game 2 was excused by many given his strong track record as a left fielder, but let's face it: he may have blown the season for his team. It probably wasn't for a lack of effort, but you have to wonder whether rental players like Holliday really feel any loyalty for their clubs. Mid-season acquisitions can be busts as often as betterment, and despite all Holliday has done, he failed when it counted most.
2. What's up with the magical Angels? They finally broke the spell that the Red Sox had cast on them, with John Lackey and the bullpen twirling a shutout to take a 1-0 lead in their ALDS series. Given that Anaheim had won 1 out of its 10 postseason games vs. Boston, its pitching and Torii Hunter's three-run blast are the biggest pleasant surprises since K-Rod's rise in 2002. But how long are those Sox bats going to stay silent?
3. Sam Bradford looks to be on schedule take the field against Baylor tomorrow. Although it is probably too late for the 2-2 Sooners to turn this into a national title season, getting Bradford in versus the Bears means that he'll be primed for the battle against Texas next week. But with Bradford and Tebow hampered by injuries, the bigger question is: who's the prime candidate for the Heisman? Don't count out the stellar QBs yet, but this race is more open than it should have been.
4. Big news coming out of the Olympics: golf and rugby are in for 2016, with baseball and softball having been ousted along with three other sports. Golfers in Hawaii and All Blacks in New Zealand celebrated, while everyone else started saving up for Brazilian vacations. Lost in the shuffle, though, is the fact that Tiger Woods stumped for golf and was successful, whereas Barack Obama couldn't even prevent Chicago from a last-place finish at the final IOC vote. Is that Nobel Peace Prize an "our bad" from the international community?
5. Johan Franzen has a torn ACL and is going to be out for 4 months, leaving the Red Wings without one of their biggest physical presences and clutch scorers to start the season. As if Detroit didn't get enough bad news this week already, its hockey team looks to be getting off to a bumpy beginning as well. But the Wings are deep, and as long as they can beat up on the rest of the division, look for them to remain in the upper echelon of the Western Conference. This may just be what the Blackhawks need, though, to make a strong run at their first division title since 1993.
6. In more injured QB news, Donovan McNabb and Eli Manning look set to play this Sunday, while the Detroit coaching staff is staying mum on Matthew Stafford's status. The Giants will probably do just fine against the Raging Raiders either way, but which team needs its QB more: the Eagles against a lackluster Tampa Bay team, or the Lions... just to stop the bleeding for the city of Detroit? (I wouldn't bet on it vs. the Steelers.)
7. In his autobiography, long-time Calgary winger Theoren Fleury details abuse by a former coach and talks about multiple failed drug tests that never prevented him from playing. By doing so, he opens up topics that are rarely discussed in hockey and provides intimate details to his readers. While "authors" like Jose Canseco have brought infamy to revealing sportswriting, Fleury's account promises to be an interesting one.
HORIZON
Tony Romo has come under greater fire than ever given the Cowboys' dismal start to the season. Although a game against the Chiefs seems to be a recipe for success, don't count out Kansas City just yet. Roy Williams is uncertain for the game for Dallas, and Matt Cassel is still looking to prove that he is a good quarterback even outside Bill Belichick's system. If you get this game on TV, it's worth a watch.
THE Q
Florida State alumni are up in arms about the Seminoles' poor start to the college football season, with many calling for Bobby Bowden's head. For now, FSU athletic director T.K. Wetherell is standing behind him. What would you do with the second winningest coach in college football history? Leave your comments below.
Tune in next week for your Just 7 Sports briefing.
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