Quick Super Bowl 43 Prediction January 29, 2009
Posted by Neil in : Uncategorized , add a commentI just wanted to get my Super Bowl prediction posted for posterity sake. Of course, if I am too far off I will delete this post on Monday morning. After breaking down the film of both teams diligently over the past week (just kidding, who do you think I am Ron Jaworski), I have concluded that the Steelers will claim the Vince Lombardi trophy come Sunday evening.
The reason why is defense. To borrow a stat from Sal Pal (Sal Palantonio of ESPN), the Steelers have faced three game-breaking physical WR’s this season. Plax, TO, and Randy Moss. In those three games, those stars combined for 10 catches for 94 yards and 1 TD. That is an average game for one of them on most Sundays. The Steelers can use the best safety in the NFL not named Ed Reed (a man from Troy named Troy who wears #43) to double Larry Fitzgerald and cause him to have his first ordinary day of the postseason.
Besides the fact that I think the Steelers have the best overall defense in the league (including the Ravens), I think it will be Pittsburgh’s running game that will be the difference. Hightower and James will not have even decent days against the Steel Curtain. However, “Fast” Willie Parker is healthy for the first time this season and will garner over 110 yards.
Steelers 27-Cardinals 17. Big Ben is going to be on his way to Canton.
Timeouts in Tennis? January 22, 2009
Posted by Neil in : Uncategorized , 1 comment so farHere is a quick hit of my thoughts after watching the cramping and gamesmanship episodes we have seen Down Under over the past few days:
I am not sure I have fully thought this through, but I had an epiphany while showering this morning. As usual, some of my best ruminations occur dring my scalding showers. I am not sure I want this rule to be implemented, but like instant replay, it could make the great game of tennis even more intriguing.
What is my proposal?
Allowing for a player to call one timeout per match. In a Grand Slam, men would get a second timeout added if the match went five and the ladies would get a second stoppage if the match went three. Each timeout would be a three minute break from action for any reason you need it. During that time you could get seen by a trainer if needed, just rest, or use the timeout as it is used in all other sports, as a break in momentum. The only caveat to when you can utilize the timeout, is that a player is not allowed to exercise it during a game that has begun on an opponent’s serve. For example, you can’t “ice” your opponent when he is serving at 6-5, 40-30 in the 5th, or at 7-7 in a tiebreaker.
This would allow for players to legally exercise gamesmanship. The strategy behind the use of the timeout would be utterly titillating for tennis wonks and robustly intriguing for all. When do you use it? Obviously, if you are hurt and need a trainer you will use it. However, there will be the risk of blowing your timeout early in a match for momentum reasons and then not having it later on if you are hurt or cramping.
Some detractors of my proposition, may claim: What if a player has used their one timeout in the 1st set for strategy, and then rolls an ankle in the 2nd and needs his ankle taped. I would mandate as part of my rule that you have the opportunity to exercise 2 additional timeouts if absolutely necessary. You get one free timeout. The 2nd timeout if you chose to exercise it (or need it for medical reasons) will cost you a point. The 3rd timeout wil cost you a full game, as it should be a drastic punishment for having to use it.
Almost every great sport has legalized timeouts in some form. All games with clocks, i.e. basketball, hockey, and football obviously have them. Even games without clocks, such as beach volleyball have them as well. I think this rule would make for intriguing strategy decisions (which makes tennis the great game it is) of when to utilize your timeout, as well as eliminating the issues of fake cramping, gamesmanship, and the loss of fitness (masked as injury) that are playing such a big role in the sport’s grandest events.
Wishful Thinking: 5 Items on My Sports Xmas List January 2, 2009
Posted by Paul in : Uncategorized , 3commentsIt’s that time of year again, where most make wishes of the coming year, or for what they would like to see under the Xmas tree. We thought it only appropriate to give you a few things we’d like to see happen in our little sports universe.
1) Memo to Roger Goodell: Please Adopt College Overtime Format. If you’ve listened to our Show with any degree of regularity over the past few years, you know that we’ve been clamoring for this, for a long time. Not only do you get a fairer shot for each competitor, as each team to touch the pigskin, but you get some of the same dramatic flavor that make soccer penalty kicks so thrilling at the end of tied matches. The one addendum we’d like to add? Have both teams start at the opponents’ 35 yard line. You give each team a tough field goal try at worst; and could even be out of range if they lose yardage on a sack, for example. The only issue now is: will the National Football League, who is prospering right now, take a hard look at this rule, and decide to imitate the amateur ranks? The Commissioner hasn’t hesitated to make the right moves in the past. Hopefully, he will follow suit, with this rule…
2) College Football Playoff: Hardly original, this one has been such a hot topic in sports, that it has even garnered a presidential intervention, with President-Elect Barack OBama telling us he’s willing to throw his weight around, when he reaches the White House, to accomplish the previously unthinkable: a playoff system that would actually have the winner decided on the field. The real travesty is that the college football has allowed opinion, conjecture, subjective analysis, and human error to enter into crowning a champion for years. Perhaps we can start hoping that this streak finally gets interrupted in the years to come…
3) Keep Brett Favre Around: By now, some might consider him an old relic. A historic artifact from an older time in football, where quarterback play was even better. He’s made the move from small town Green Bay to Media Capital New York, without a hitch, and has managed to revitalize a franchise that was starving for an identity and had fallen on mediocre times. Yes, the Jets have been up-and-down throughout the season, but can’t we say that they have never been this exciting? Anyone that dares tell me that the Jets would have been better off with Chad Pennington lacks credibility. We saw what he brought to the table in years past, and it was about as bland and mediocre as could be. We’d be singing a different tune to Brett’s season, if it were not for this torn bicep injury that we’re starting to learn about… Give him a true off-season to rest and train, and a full training camp with teammates, and my guess is you’ll see the good Brett that led them to an 8-3 start early on. Was Brett good for interest in the league? Don’t take it from me. Just ask CBS, as most of the year, they had their A-team of Nantz and Simms, on “Favre Watch”: constantly covering the games involving the elder statesman of quarterbacks. #4 was ratings gold and will continue to be, if he chooses to return next season. Let’s hope he continues to provide entertainment and magic to us all…
4) Put Your Faith in Coach Singletary: You’re handed an football organization in complete disarray at 2-5. The owners are not football savvy. They’ve showed a disinterest in even wanting to run the franchise. The quarterback position is far from settled. The defense is underachieving. The offensive coordinator is bent on passing despite not quite having the requisite arsenal. And you’re asked to replace your mentor. What happens next? You win 5 of 9. Your demeanor and motivational skills (with or without pants) are unquestioned. You’ve simplified previously complicated game plans and gotten the most out of your troops. The once-decrepit defense has now allowed fewer than 17 points in 5 out of the last 6 games. Your deep comprehension of your players has both had them play their best for you, and enabled you to make critical game decisions that have paid off handsomely. And still you hadn’t received an offer, going into Sunday’s finale against the ‘Skins. That’s what was facing Mike Singletary, as he embarked into the final game of the regular season. Until just a few days ago, Iron Mike was left to hang out in the ether, without a concrete contract showing him professional love. I implore you, York family, now that you’ve signed this man, who has done a great job in turning things around; please give him everything he needs to be successful. He’s shown he’s ready to take charge by making the tough decisions of dismissing Martz, and other less successful offensive coaches. He’s also shown he’s ready to fail doing things his way. And that’s a refreshing approach; following the fear-filled politicking and maneuvering constantly in place during Nolan’s tenure. Do you know how hard it is, to come in as an interim coach and help the Niners to their best record since they made the playoffs in 2002? Incredibly arduous… Give this man the keys to the car, and let him drive it for a while. Trust me, the man won’t drive it into a ditch, and certainly won’t ding it. It’s likely to come off his lot, as an appreciating asset, as opposed to that fixer-upper that was handed to him midway through the year…
5) Streamline ATP Calendar: Anyone that follows the sport week-in and week-out, and not exclusively at Grand Slam time, can clearly see that severe reform is needed, in order to preserve the health of its top players, and have them play their best at the biggest events. The rash of withdrawals at the end of the season (this year, both Nadal and Federer took the Masters Cup off, and while Roddick broke down with an injury during the event), for the last few years have sent the strong message: give these guys’ bodies a break. To the average fan, the sport is already too hard to follow, without a significant off-season. There’s no time to build an appetite for tennis. And on the biggest stages, at the biggest moments, a lot of times, all we’re left with is a steamroll, while handed two apparently evenly-matched competitors. Why? Because one of the two guys mentally or physically checks out, due to the tough conditions he puts himself under, week after week. Human bodies and minds are only meant to take so much grinding. If you want to preserve the marquee players, and have them play at their pinnacle at the end of big events, please make sure to trim the fat on the ATP schedule. After the Holidays, many of us will return to nearby gyms vowing the shave off a few pounds. The ATP should do the same, in early ‘09, if it wants to continue to grow its wonderful game…
