Monday Morning Mehta 1/24/05
Edition # 103
January 24, 2005
After 24 years of agony and suffering the Philadelphia Eagles return to the Super Bowl. 3 NFC Championship losses with Marion Campell, Fred Bruney (die hards will remember this), Buddy Ryan, Rich Kotite, Ray Rhodes, Randall Cunningham, Jim McMahon, Brad Goebel, Jeff Kemp, Pat Ryan, Bubby Brister, Ken O'Brien, Jay Fielder, Doug Pederson, the list goes on and on. It's all over now. It's in the past. We have NFC Champions now. The last head who took the Eagles to the Super Bowl still has his face plastered all over the city. We're in the Super Bowl now, but just like the team, we're happy but the goal hasn't been accomplished yet. One more game remains, and it will be a game to end a dynasty on February 6th. We've got a lot cover, lets get to it...(BTW, my preseason Super Bowl picks were dead on)
Game Positives:
a. Derrick Burgess. The prevailing thought around the league is that the Tampa Bay Bucs have as much success as they do against Michael Vick because they have Simeon Rice on the left side (his throwing and strong running side). Rice creates havoc for Vick who can't get into a rhythm. Derrick Burgess was absolutely an impact player yesterday. The best part was he rarely over pursued and never got caught off guard. Great game by the former third round pick.
b. Jeremiah Trotter. The axe man has been on fire. The intensity Trotter brought was unmatched these last two games. I've preached over and over again that the last two NFC Championship games were lost because our defense was simply outplayed by the other teams defense. That wasn't the case this year.
c. Brian Dawkins. Can't go without giving props to the man who may have made the biggest play of the game. Dawkins second half interception gave the Eagles a 20-10 lead and a late McNabb to Lewis TD put the final nail in the coffin.
d. Brian Westbrook. Once again proves he is the key to this offense.
e. Keith Adams. Adams was all over the place. I just wish we didn't have to see his face and those awful teeth in the post game interviews. f
. (Courtesy of Jim Grebe, longtime MMM subscriber) Dirk Johnson. In a game with howling winds and field position, Johnson had a two very effective punts into the wind giving the Eagles field position advantage all game.
g. MMM for predicting a NE/Philly Super Bowl at the beginning of the year.
Game Negatives:
a. 5 catches for the WR's. Freddie Mitchell was nowhere to be seen besides a 3rd down conversion. Greg Lewis had a very nice long catch but this team needs T.O. badly for the Patriots.
b. The fake FG early in the game. If I'm going to rip Mike Tice for not just going for it last week, I have to be consistent. Bad move by Reid.
Overall I thought Donovan McNabb's play was a B-. He missed a few receivers in the middle part of the game, but he didn't turn the ball over which is what kills you in these games (he had 5 INT's in the previous 3 NFC Championship games,). McNabb did fumble twice but they were both recovered by the Eagles. Don't discount the pressure on McNabb either. As we've seen many times in the playoffs, winning under pressure is incredibly difficult. McNabb was under the most pressure of any player in the NFL bar none...I think he'll play much more relaxed and confident in the Super Bowl.
As I said before, the defense came up large. The Tampa defense outplayed our defense and we lost. Ditto on Carolina. But this time the Eagles defense came to play and made things happen.
T.O. will play in the Super Bowl forget everything else that you hear. He'll start and play a majority of the plays. Owens was even seen running pass patterns last Thursday and Friday (you'll probably hear Peter King "break" this later today).
It's funny how fans, coaches and even the media take on the personality of the team and head coach. Everyone felt the pressure and the tension yesterday, and after the victory it was pure jubilation for only a little while, then it was onto next week. I really love the words coming out the Eagles players mouths after the game. Great joy for the victory, but clearly an intensity that the job's not done yet. I don't want NFC Championships, I want Super BowlS...to get BowlS you got to get one and you got to get there first though. We're finally back, lets not be satisfied by just getting there.
Patriots 41 - Steelers 27
I would say Bill Cowher choked again in the big spot, but this Steelers team really overachieved this year. A rookie QB, an aging RB, and injuries didn't stop this team. The Patriots were and are just a better team. Nonetheless, I think if the Steelers had done a few things differently they could have won this game:
1. Throw the ball on first down. The Pats are vulnerable to the pass when they are in run defense. The corners aren't good matching one on one. They covered this in the Indy game by never getting into a run defensive package.
2. Run the ball on 2nd down. After passing on first they should've run on 2nd. See the Rodney Harrison pick for TD on 2nd and 6 and the dropped TD by Burress on 2nd and goal.
3. Pound the ball 4 times with Bettis on 1st and goal from the 5 early in the 4th Quarter. Kicking that FG ended the game.
Tom Brady is awesome. He throws a deep ball just about as good as any QB in the game. He's the best QB in the game right now and if there's any question about that, you're just not paying attention. The Eagles face the New England Patriots in an "as predicted by MMM Super Bowl match up".
The line is currently Eagles -7 with an O/U 48. That line may not move too much from the TD spread. We'll give a full breakdown and a prediction next week. There is absolutely a way to beat this Patriots team, don't miss it in next week's MMM.
As a side note, I think I'm going to head to Jacksonville. Something tells me I have to be there. I know it'll be fun here in Philly, but I just love Eagles road games, and this one could be for the ages.
NBA - Derreck Sura- The Sixers (18-21) moved into 1st place in the Atlantic Division by going 2-1 on the week . Philly's toughest stretch of the season, which began back on 11/27/04 in Orlando, ends Saturday in Dallas. I like the Sixers' chances to make the playoffs since they managed to stay in contention over this 2 month period. If Allen Iverson plays in the majority of their remaining 43 games, Philly should win what is by far the worst division in the NBA. The next 2 weeks bring the Sixers: Miami, @Washington, @New Orleans & @Dallas (back to back), Indiana, Houston, Atlanta, Clippers. 4-4 would be good, 5-3 would be great, but 6-2 is probably fantasy land. Beginning with the Pacer contest, Philly plays 8 of 10 games at home, so this is a prime time for the Sixers to create some separation between themselves and the rest of their division.
Sixers quickie: Did you know that Derrick Coleman played a total of 39 games after GM Billy King signed him to a 3 year extension on 8/6/03? (The last year of DC's contract was bought out by Detroit on 1/5/05 when they waived him.)
- The Los Angeles Lakers are 22-16, and currently hold down the 6th seed in the Western Conference. L.A. has gone 4-1 since Kobe Bryant severely sprained his right ankle against Cleveland on 1/13 (Kobe only played 6 minutes). If there every was a good time for the Lakers to lose Bryant, who leads his team in minutes (42 mpg, 1st overall), points (27.5 ppg, 2nd), assists (6.6 apg, 11th), steals (1.35 spg), triple doubles (4, 1st), and turnovers (4.4 topg, 1st), it is now. The team will be in L.A. from 1/16-2/5, or 9 games, with the only "road" game being against the Clippers. Kobe was off his crutches on Friday, but will still be out until 1/31 at the minimum. For the Lakers' sake, Bryant better not miss too much more time then that. Starting on 2/6 L.A. plays 24 of their final 38 games on the road. Included in that are stretch are their two longest road trips of the year (5 games from 2/6-13, and 6 games from 3/10-18). The Lakers also play 5 of 6 on the road from 4/2-10, and 8 of 9 away from home on 3/10-24. The final section of L.A.'s season is particularly brutal. Starting on 3/31 they play Min, @SA & @Mem (b2b), @Phx, Hou & @Sea (b2b), @Sac, Phx, Sac, Dal & @GS (b2b), @Por to finish up. Vlade Divac could possibly return in early April from surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back, and the Lakers will most likely need whatever he is able to contribute to make the playoffs. Being that the Lakers are my favorite team, I've seen just about all of their games (except when I was on vacation).
L.A. plays their best when they are pushing the tempo and attacking the basket. The problem is the Lakers' PG play, with Chucky Atkins and Tierre Brown, is inconsistent at best. L.A. struggles with it's half court offense, so when the PG's aren't pushing the ball, the team tends to stand around, watch Kobe (Lamar Odom now) work, run the shot clock down, and settle for long jumpers. This lack of movement without the ball also plays into L.A.'s hoisting of too many 3 pointers. It's nice when they make 'em, but when they miss 'em, they lose. The Lakers are 11th in scoring (98.3 ppg), and make the 3rd most 3's per game (8.1), but they also attempt the 3rd most 3's (22.7 pg), while only shooting 35.6% from behind the arc (13th overall). Even though L.A. is 10th in opponent's shooting (43.8%), and 1st in turnover differential (+3.07), they have trouble against teams that can run as good as, or better then, they can. The reason being that the Lakers lack the offensive firepower to stay with the truly elite high scoring teams, and when they get caught up trying to match them basket for basket, they have a propensity to forget how to play solid team defense.
Despite having only 1 player in the top 50 in rebounding (Odom is 7th at 10.2 rpg), L.A. does hit the boards well every night, which keeps them in a lot of games. The Lakers are 1st in total defensive rebounds (31.9 pg), 2nd in total rebounds (44.3 rpg), 7th in rebound differential (+2.34), 8th in total rebounding percentage (51.3%), 11th in total offensive rebounds (12.4 pg), 12th in defensive rebounding percentage (71.9%), and 13th in offensive rebounding percentage (29.5%). Even though L.A. hasn't won 3 in a row all year long, GM Mitch Kupchak deserves credit for the job he's done in keeping his club a viable playoff contender though this massive transition period.
When owner Jerry Buss decided to blow up his potential dynasty, he told Kupchak he wanted to bring back the fast pace of the 'Showtime' era. That's why the signing of coach Rudy Tomjanovich was a perfect fit. Not only does Rudy T have the pedigree to command Kobe's respect, he also prefers the up tempo style too. Mitch also knew that the team would be chock full of new players, and Rudy is known as a players coach who is great communicator. So who better to mold a new team, while getting them to play at the pace Buss wants, then Rudy T? There is no such thing as getting equal value back for Shaquille O'Neal, but Kupchak got 2 starters (Odom 36.1 mpg & Caron Butler 34.7 mpg), a solid role player (Brian Grant 15.2 mpg), and a 1st round pick. Not bad at all, but it doesn't stop there. He then traded a washed up Gary Payton, an about to retire Rick Fox, along with a conditional 1st rounder for 2 more starters (Atkins 36.3 mpg & Chris Mihm 26.2 mpg) and another role player (Jumaine Jones 20.6 mpg). The only other players in the Lakers' rotation are Brian Cook (18.4 mpg), who was the 24th pick in the 2003 draft, and Brown (13.8 mpg), who was signed as a free agent before training camp. So of the 9 players in L.A.'s regular rotation, only Kobe & Cook were on the roster last year, and that doesn't include Divac's signing (which seemed like a good idea at the time). Whether you are a Laker hater or not, that's a pretty impressive face lift in one off season.
- I don't think it's allowed these days to mention the Lakers without discussing the Miami Heat as well. The Heat (30-12) have been the cream of the Eastern Conference so far. They had a 14 game winning streak from 12/6/04-1/1/05, are undefeated in their division, and the only team in the East with a winning record on the road (14-7). Miami is 1st in shooting (48.4%), 4th in both blocks (5.97 bpg) and turnovers committed (13.5 topg), 5th in both scoring (101.6 ppg) and defensive rebounding percentage (72.7%), 6th in assists (22.6 apg), 7th in opponent's shooting (43.2%), but only a mere 29th in free throw shooting (66.5%). Of course we all know why their FT% is so low, Shaquille O'Neal. I have a few bones to pick with the Diesel. The first is the fact that he showed up "in shape" this year. Call me crazy, but I thought all NBA players were paid to show up in top condition every year, especially upper echelon talent. It has been bothering me all season long that Shaq has been given so much "credit" for his being in top physical shape. If he's getting all this praise, it's only fair that he takes some hits for lack of conditioning in the past. Like, where were all his off season "work outs" before his last 2 seasons in L.A.?
Next, I find it a total indictment of Shaq that all of a sudden he's OK with being the second banana to Dwyane Wade. Shaq may be the most valuable player to the Heat, but Wade has been their best player all year long, hands down, and nary a peep out of Shaq. I just don't think it's fair that Kobe takes all the arrows, when Shaq seemingly has no problems with Wade being "the man" now. Granted, Shaq and Kobe obviously hated each other on a personal level, but I have yet to hear Shaq drop a "We need to play team ball out there." or the like. Even though Wade averages 2 more shots attempts per game then Shaq does. Notice too, how Shaq tagged Wade the "Flash", instead of his "Little brother"? That tells me that the big liar...err..."Aristotle" has learned something over the years about dealing with young players (from Anfernee Hardaway to Kobe to Wade). My point is, that while Kobe takes the majority of the flack (rightfully so, I might add), there is more then enough blame for Shaq to share in, and I don't understand why more media types haven't brought it up. In closing, since Miami's record against the West in only 9-9, what does that say about the quality of play in the East?
- This past Friday two trades went down that could both have major implications on the playoff races in each conference. First, Detroit sent seldom used veteran big man Elden Campbell and a lottery protected first round pick in 2006 to Utah in exchange for PG Carlos Arroyo. All I can say is, Pistons' GM Joe Dumars has done it again. Last season he flat out stole Rasheed Wallace (and Mike James) in a 3 team deal for Chucky Atkins, Lindsey Hunter (who was resigned 7 days later after being released), Bob Sura, Zeljko Rebraca, a 1st round pick, and cash. It can be argued that deal was what won Detroit the title. This trade isn't quite the blockbuster, but should help the Pistons' cause none the less. Detroit coach Larry Brown has been complaining that he didn't have a "true" PG ever since he set foot in Motown. Now he does (Never fear, LB will find something else to complain about), so look for Arroyo to be the 3rd guard in LB's rotation, with Chauncey Billups sliding over to play more SG. As for the Jazz, I really don't see how this helps their team in the least. Especially when you consider that Utah already has Mehmet Okur, Jarron Collins, and Curtis Borchardt to man the middle (There's already talk that Elden might be released in the near future). Couple that with Detroit's 1st round pick most likely being in the high 20's in 2006, and this can only mean GM Kevin O'Connor was thinking addition by subtraction when he made this swap. Apparently, buoyed by his play in the Olympics for Puerto Rico, Arroyo's head had gotten a little too big for coach Jerry Sloan's liking. Sloan told him that for the team to be successful Carlos would need to shoot less, and do a better job at keeping everyone involved. When that didn't happen to Sloan's liking, he took away Arroyo's playing time, which in turn led to more then one profanity laced exchange between the two. Obviously, that didn't fly with Sloan, and Carlos was sent packing. If Arroyo really had become a team cancer, fine, then deal him. My problem with this trade is the Jazz should've been able to get more in return for a 25 year old PG with "upside", that has a very reasonable contract (4 years, 4 million per) taboot. O'Connor basically gave away a guy he just resigned this past summer. While Carlos is not a star, he's worth more then a low 1st round pick.
Next up, Phoenix sent Casey Jacobsen, Maciej Lampe, and Jackson Vroman to New Orleans for Jim Jackson and a 2005 2nd round pick. I think this deal works well for both teams. The Suns' bench has been razor thin all year long, and the addition of JJ gives coach Mike D'Antoni a reliable veteran that will take Casey's spot in the rotation backing up both the SG and SF positions. I expect JJ will take Casey's minutes, and then some. A definite upgrade for Phoenix. Hornets' GM Allan Bristow has been acquiring young players with "potential" since the start of December. He did well here by getting 3 players for a guy that was never even going to don a uniform down on the Bayou. Jacobsen should be their starting SG before too long. Lampe, who is the first Polish born player ever in the NBA (!), has good range and a very nice touch for someone his size (6'11, 275). Maciej is only in his 2nd year (19 years old), and is still very raw, but he will get more minutes to develop his game on this terrible New Orleans team. Vroman is a rookie big man (6'10, 220) from Iowa State. He was the 31st pick in this years draft, but has only appeared in 10 games and played 57 total minutes so far. From the very little that I've seen of him, Jackson seems like no more then a journeyman, but I still think he'll get a few minutes on the Hornets.
- On Saturday Lenny Wilkens resigned as head coach of the Knicks citing "family" concerns. Much like when Hubie Brown retired earlier this year, I'm not buying Lenny's excuse. Wilkens is the winningest, and losingest, coach in NBA history (1332-1155), so he has earned the right to do what he wants. If he wanted to walk away, that's fine, but don't make up excuses as to why. The perception in the New York media had been that GM Isiah Thomas was just biding his time until he dropped the axe on poor old Lenny. I think the players were kind of expecting it too. That's the real reason I think Wilkens retired, because he knew he had lost the team. When you consider that the Knicks were 1-9 in their last 10 games under Lenny, and on a 5 game losing streak, it's hard to argue with his decision. Interim head man Herb Williams has his work cut out for him, and I don't envy his position. Herb is going to have to establish a coaching identity, while getting an underachieving team to live up to it's bloated expectations, in the media capitol of the world. Good luck buddy, you'll need it.
- Last Monday Denver PG Andre Miller had the line of the year (so far) when he almost put up a quadruple double in Oakland against the Warriors. In 40 minutes he had 14 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, and 10 turnovers.
- On Wednesday Houston signed 38 year old PG Rod Strickland. Stop laughing, I'm serious.
*Note: All statistical data does not include Saturday and Sunday's games.
NHL Week in Review By: Ed Wasser
- Ever see the scene in 'The Naked Gun' when Nordberg, played by a pre-murdering OJ Simpson, was shot and lying in the hospital and George Kennedy tries to console his wife; "You'll see, Nordberg will be up and out of the hospital in no time!" Then Leslie Neilsen says "but if I were you I wouldn't wait until the last minute to fill out those organ donor cards". That's what the NHL and the players association are doing right now. The league announced new negotiations opening with the hopes of having a limited season yada, yada, yada then I hear that NHLPA president Bob Goodenow started a players only website on which he told the players to not wait until the last minute to get a job in Europe.
-Ever been snowed in so bad that you couldn't get out of the house for a few days and you were trapped like the Torrance family in the Overlook Hotel in the movie 'The Shining'? Yeah, me neither. So why do people continue to freak out and buy truckloads of bread, eggs, and milk like the world's coming to an end everytime a snow storm comes? I just imagine the next day these people saying 'man I thought that was going to be the big one. Now what the hell am I going to do with all this milk and bread?' -
Need a great way to help kill the time during the dead week in between the championship games and the Super Bowl? Go to this website www.wrestlereunion.com and get your tickets now!!!
- Fairway Miss didn't run this week so to fill the void I went to go see the movie 'Racing Stripes', the movie about a horse racing zebra. This movie was a complete piece of horse sh*t. Let's start with this, according to National Geographic an average sized zebra is about the size of a pony. Have you ever stood next to a racehorse? I can't even look them in the eye and I'm 6'5". But we're supposed to believe the zebra, named 'Stripes', has heart. Hey that's cool. I have heart too...can I play for the Detroit Pistons? Ahhhhhh whatever... but somehow Stripes starts winning races, but the wins are at Turfway Park in Kentucky. TURFWAY PARK!!!!!! Are you kidding me? The horses at Turway Park run for like $9000 purses, Fairway Miss would kick her groom in the chest if he tried to put on her saddle for less than $20,000. And Stripes is supposed to be a triple crown zebra?!?!? Whatever. But the most ridiculous thing is the running style. Stripes doesn't even change leads down the stretch. What that means is when a horse breaks out of the starting gate it instinctively runs leading with it's left front hoof. When the horses start to make the break for home and the jockey adjusts his weight and gets down in the saddle the horse starts leading with it's right front hoof. Ever notice how a horse gallops when a race starts then the jockey gets low in the saddle and the horse's head starts bobbing up and down as he breaks for the finish line? That's when the horse changes lead legs. Stripes never changes leads which is reason #21216 why Stripes would get destroyed in a race against thoroughbreds. But the most obvious reason why this movie is stupid is the fact that Stripes has to wear blinkers during his races. Let me ask you, if Stripes is smart enough to speak how is he too dumb to not get distracted by the crowd and other horses during a race? That's what blinkers are for you know. Fairway Miss doesn't wear blinkers, does that mean Fairway Miss is smarter than a talking horse? I give this movie an F- because I need to be fair to the other movies that have earned a legitimate F.
- I know everybody was all abuzz over the Phillies signings of Terry Adams and José Offerman to read about any other baseball free agents but just to let you know Roger Clemens signed with the Astros last week for $18 million for one year. You might not know this but I dabble in psychic predictions in my spare time. After carefully consulting my tarot cards and having a discussion with Miss Cleo I am predicting that if Roger Clemens has another good year in 2005 he will hem and haw about wanting to play in 2006. The Astros will still be reeling public relations wise from letting half their team walk so Clemens will then proceed to put the Astros management's collective heads in a guillotine by acting like he wants to retire but he just might come back if he's given the correct "motivation". So he will wind up signing another one year pact, probably for his beloved $22 million, for 2006.
January 24, 2005
After 24 years of agony and suffering the Philadelphia Eagles return to the Super Bowl. 3 NFC Championship losses with Marion Campell, Fred Bruney (die hards will remember this), Buddy Ryan, Rich Kotite, Ray Rhodes, Randall Cunningham, Jim McMahon, Brad Goebel, Jeff Kemp, Pat Ryan, Bubby Brister, Ken O'Brien, Jay Fielder, Doug Pederson, the list goes on and on. It's all over now. It's in the past. We have NFC Champions now. The last head who took the Eagles to the Super Bowl still has his face plastered all over the city. We're in the Super Bowl now, but just like the team, we're happy but the goal hasn't been accomplished yet. One more game remains, and it will be a game to end a dynasty on February 6th. We've got a lot cover, lets get to it...(BTW, my preseason Super Bowl picks were dead on)
Game Positives:
a. Derrick Burgess. The prevailing thought around the league is that the Tampa Bay Bucs have as much success as they do against Michael Vick because they have Simeon Rice on the left side (his throwing and strong running side). Rice creates havoc for Vick who can't get into a rhythm. Derrick Burgess was absolutely an impact player yesterday. The best part was he rarely over pursued and never got caught off guard. Great game by the former third round pick.
b. Jeremiah Trotter. The axe man has been on fire. The intensity Trotter brought was unmatched these last two games. I've preached over and over again that the last two NFC Championship games were lost because our defense was simply outplayed by the other teams defense. That wasn't the case this year.
c. Brian Dawkins. Can't go without giving props to the man who may have made the biggest play of the game. Dawkins second half interception gave the Eagles a 20-10 lead and a late McNabb to Lewis TD put the final nail in the coffin.
d. Brian Westbrook. Once again proves he is the key to this offense.
e. Keith Adams. Adams was all over the place. I just wish we didn't have to see his face and those awful teeth in the post game interviews. f
. (Courtesy of Jim Grebe, longtime MMM subscriber) Dirk Johnson. In a game with howling winds and field position, Johnson had a two very effective punts into the wind giving the Eagles field position advantage all game.
g. MMM for predicting a NE/Philly Super Bowl at the beginning of the year.
Game Negatives:
a. 5 catches for the WR's. Freddie Mitchell was nowhere to be seen besides a 3rd down conversion. Greg Lewis had a very nice long catch but this team needs T.O. badly for the Patriots.
b. The fake FG early in the game. If I'm going to rip Mike Tice for not just going for it last week, I have to be consistent. Bad move by Reid.
Overall I thought Donovan McNabb's play was a B-. He missed a few receivers in the middle part of the game, but he didn't turn the ball over which is what kills you in these games (he had 5 INT's in the previous 3 NFC Championship games,). McNabb did fumble twice but they were both recovered by the Eagles. Don't discount the pressure on McNabb either. As we've seen many times in the playoffs, winning under pressure is incredibly difficult. McNabb was under the most pressure of any player in the NFL bar none...I think he'll play much more relaxed and confident in the Super Bowl.
As I said before, the defense came up large. The Tampa defense outplayed our defense and we lost. Ditto on Carolina. But this time the Eagles defense came to play and made things happen.
T.O. will play in the Super Bowl forget everything else that you hear. He'll start and play a majority of the plays. Owens was even seen running pass patterns last Thursday and Friday (you'll probably hear Peter King "break" this later today).
It's funny how fans, coaches and even the media take on the personality of the team and head coach. Everyone felt the pressure and the tension yesterday, and after the victory it was pure jubilation for only a little while, then it was onto next week. I really love the words coming out the Eagles players mouths after the game. Great joy for the victory, but clearly an intensity that the job's not done yet. I don't want NFC Championships, I want Super BowlS...to get BowlS you got to get one and you got to get there first though. We're finally back, lets not be satisfied by just getting there.
Patriots 41 - Steelers 27
I would say Bill Cowher choked again in the big spot, but this Steelers team really overachieved this year. A rookie QB, an aging RB, and injuries didn't stop this team. The Patriots were and are just a better team. Nonetheless, I think if the Steelers had done a few things differently they could have won this game:
1. Throw the ball on first down. The Pats are vulnerable to the pass when they are in run defense. The corners aren't good matching one on one. They covered this in the Indy game by never getting into a run defensive package.
2. Run the ball on 2nd down. After passing on first they should've run on 2nd. See the Rodney Harrison pick for TD on 2nd and 6 and the dropped TD by Burress on 2nd and goal.
3. Pound the ball 4 times with Bettis on 1st and goal from the 5 early in the 4th Quarter. Kicking that FG ended the game.
Tom Brady is awesome. He throws a deep ball just about as good as any QB in the game. He's the best QB in the game right now and if there's any question about that, you're just not paying attention. The Eagles face the New England Patriots in an "as predicted by MMM Super Bowl match up".
The line is currently Eagles -7 with an O/U 48. That line may not move too much from the TD spread. We'll give a full breakdown and a prediction next week. There is absolutely a way to beat this Patriots team, don't miss it in next week's MMM.
As a side note, I think I'm going to head to Jacksonville. Something tells me I have to be there. I know it'll be fun here in Philly, but I just love Eagles road games, and this one could be for the ages.
NBA - Derreck Sura- The Sixers (18-21) moved into 1st place in the Atlantic Division by going 2-1 on the week . Philly's toughest stretch of the season, which began back on 11/27/04 in Orlando, ends Saturday in Dallas. I like the Sixers' chances to make the playoffs since they managed to stay in contention over this 2 month period. If Allen Iverson plays in the majority of their remaining 43 games, Philly should win what is by far the worst division in the NBA. The next 2 weeks bring the Sixers: Miami, @Washington, @New Orleans & @Dallas (back to back), Indiana, Houston, Atlanta, Clippers. 4-4 would be good, 5-3 would be great, but 6-2 is probably fantasy land. Beginning with the Pacer contest, Philly plays 8 of 10 games at home, so this is a prime time for the Sixers to create some separation between themselves and the rest of their division.
Sixers quickie: Did you know that Derrick Coleman played a total of 39 games after GM Billy King signed him to a 3 year extension on 8/6/03? (The last year of DC's contract was bought out by Detroit on 1/5/05 when they waived him.)
- The Los Angeles Lakers are 22-16, and currently hold down the 6th seed in the Western Conference. L.A. has gone 4-1 since Kobe Bryant severely sprained his right ankle against Cleveland on 1/13 (Kobe only played 6 minutes). If there every was a good time for the Lakers to lose Bryant, who leads his team in minutes (42 mpg, 1st overall), points (27.5 ppg, 2nd), assists (6.6 apg, 11th), steals (1.35 spg), triple doubles (4, 1st), and turnovers (4.4 topg, 1st), it is now. The team will be in L.A. from 1/16-2/5, or 9 games, with the only "road" game being against the Clippers. Kobe was off his crutches on Friday, but will still be out until 1/31 at the minimum. For the Lakers' sake, Bryant better not miss too much more time then that. Starting on 2/6 L.A. plays 24 of their final 38 games on the road. Included in that are stretch are their two longest road trips of the year (5 games from 2/6-13, and 6 games from 3/10-18). The Lakers also play 5 of 6 on the road from 4/2-10, and 8 of 9 away from home on 3/10-24. The final section of L.A.'s season is particularly brutal. Starting on 3/31 they play Min, @SA & @Mem (b2b), @Phx, Hou & @Sea (b2b), @Sac, Phx, Sac, Dal & @GS (b2b), @Por to finish up. Vlade Divac could possibly return in early April from surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back, and the Lakers will most likely need whatever he is able to contribute to make the playoffs. Being that the Lakers are my favorite team, I've seen just about all of their games (except when I was on vacation).
L.A. plays their best when they are pushing the tempo and attacking the basket. The problem is the Lakers' PG play, with Chucky Atkins and Tierre Brown, is inconsistent at best. L.A. struggles with it's half court offense, so when the PG's aren't pushing the ball, the team tends to stand around, watch Kobe (Lamar Odom now) work, run the shot clock down, and settle for long jumpers. This lack of movement without the ball also plays into L.A.'s hoisting of too many 3 pointers. It's nice when they make 'em, but when they miss 'em, they lose. The Lakers are 11th in scoring (98.3 ppg), and make the 3rd most 3's per game (8.1), but they also attempt the 3rd most 3's (22.7 pg), while only shooting 35.6% from behind the arc (13th overall). Even though L.A. is 10th in opponent's shooting (43.8%), and 1st in turnover differential (+3.07), they have trouble against teams that can run as good as, or better then, they can. The reason being that the Lakers lack the offensive firepower to stay with the truly elite high scoring teams, and when they get caught up trying to match them basket for basket, they have a propensity to forget how to play solid team defense.
Despite having only 1 player in the top 50 in rebounding (Odom is 7th at 10.2 rpg), L.A. does hit the boards well every night, which keeps them in a lot of games. The Lakers are 1st in total defensive rebounds (31.9 pg), 2nd in total rebounds (44.3 rpg), 7th in rebound differential (+2.34), 8th in total rebounding percentage (51.3%), 11th in total offensive rebounds (12.4 pg), 12th in defensive rebounding percentage (71.9%), and 13th in offensive rebounding percentage (29.5%). Even though L.A. hasn't won 3 in a row all year long, GM Mitch Kupchak deserves credit for the job he's done in keeping his club a viable playoff contender though this massive transition period.
When owner Jerry Buss decided to blow up his potential dynasty, he told Kupchak he wanted to bring back the fast pace of the 'Showtime' era. That's why the signing of coach Rudy Tomjanovich was a perfect fit. Not only does Rudy T have the pedigree to command Kobe's respect, he also prefers the up tempo style too. Mitch also knew that the team would be chock full of new players, and Rudy is known as a players coach who is great communicator. So who better to mold a new team, while getting them to play at the pace Buss wants, then Rudy T? There is no such thing as getting equal value back for Shaquille O'Neal, but Kupchak got 2 starters (Odom 36.1 mpg & Caron Butler 34.7 mpg), a solid role player (Brian Grant 15.2 mpg), and a 1st round pick. Not bad at all, but it doesn't stop there. He then traded a washed up Gary Payton, an about to retire Rick Fox, along with a conditional 1st rounder for 2 more starters (Atkins 36.3 mpg & Chris Mihm 26.2 mpg) and another role player (Jumaine Jones 20.6 mpg). The only other players in the Lakers' rotation are Brian Cook (18.4 mpg), who was the 24th pick in the 2003 draft, and Brown (13.8 mpg), who was signed as a free agent before training camp. So of the 9 players in L.A.'s regular rotation, only Kobe & Cook were on the roster last year, and that doesn't include Divac's signing (which seemed like a good idea at the time). Whether you are a Laker hater or not, that's a pretty impressive face lift in one off season.
- I don't think it's allowed these days to mention the Lakers without discussing the Miami Heat as well. The Heat (30-12) have been the cream of the Eastern Conference so far. They had a 14 game winning streak from 12/6/04-1/1/05, are undefeated in their division, and the only team in the East with a winning record on the road (14-7). Miami is 1st in shooting (48.4%), 4th in both blocks (5.97 bpg) and turnovers committed (13.5 topg), 5th in both scoring (101.6 ppg) and defensive rebounding percentage (72.7%), 6th in assists (22.6 apg), 7th in opponent's shooting (43.2%), but only a mere 29th in free throw shooting (66.5%). Of course we all know why their FT% is so low, Shaquille O'Neal. I have a few bones to pick with the Diesel. The first is the fact that he showed up "in shape" this year. Call me crazy, but I thought all NBA players were paid to show up in top condition every year, especially upper echelon talent. It has been bothering me all season long that Shaq has been given so much "credit" for his being in top physical shape. If he's getting all this praise, it's only fair that he takes some hits for lack of conditioning in the past. Like, where were all his off season "work outs" before his last 2 seasons in L.A.?
Next, I find it a total indictment of Shaq that all of a sudden he's OK with being the second banana to Dwyane Wade. Shaq may be the most valuable player to the Heat, but Wade has been their best player all year long, hands down, and nary a peep out of Shaq. I just don't think it's fair that Kobe takes all the arrows, when Shaq seemingly has no problems with Wade being "the man" now. Granted, Shaq and Kobe obviously hated each other on a personal level, but I have yet to hear Shaq drop a "We need to play team ball out there." or the like. Even though Wade averages 2 more shots attempts per game then Shaq does. Notice too, how Shaq tagged Wade the "Flash", instead of his "Little brother"? That tells me that the big liar...err..."Aristotle" has learned something over the years about dealing with young players (from Anfernee Hardaway to Kobe to Wade). My point is, that while Kobe takes the majority of the flack (rightfully so, I might add), there is more then enough blame for Shaq to share in, and I don't understand why more media types haven't brought it up. In closing, since Miami's record against the West in only 9-9, what does that say about the quality of play in the East?
- This past Friday two trades went down that could both have major implications on the playoff races in each conference. First, Detroit sent seldom used veteran big man Elden Campbell and a lottery protected first round pick in 2006 to Utah in exchange for PG Carlos Arroyo. All I can say is, Pistons' GM Joe Dumars has done it again. Last season he flat out stole Rasheed Wallace (and Mike James) in a 3 team deal for Chucky Atkins, Lindsey Hunter (who was resigned 7 days later after being released), Bob Sura, Zeljko Rebraca, a 1st round pick, and cash. It can be argued that deal was what won Detroit the title. This trade isn't quite the blockbuster, but should help the Pistons' cause none the less. Detroit coach Larry Brown has been complaining that he didn't have a "true" PG ever since he set foot in Motown. Now he does (Never fear, LB will find something else to complain about), so look for Arroyo to be the 3rd guard in LB's rotation, with Chauncey Billups sliding over to play more SG. As for the Jazz, I really don't see how this helps their team in the least. Especially when you consider that Utah already has Mehmet Okur, Jarron Collins, and Curtis Borchardt to man the middle (There's already talk that Elden might be released in the near future). Couple that with Detroit's 1st round pick most likely being in the high 20's in 2006, and this can only mean GM Kevin O'Connor was thinking addition by subtraction when he made this swap. Apparently, buoyed by his play in the Olympics for Puerto Rico, Arroyo's head had gotten a little too big for coach Jerry Sloan's liking. Sloan told him that for the team to be successful Carlos would need to shoot less, and do a better job at keeping everyone involved. When that didn't happen to Sloan's liking, he took away Arroyo's playing time, which in turn led to more then one profanity laced exchange between the two. Obviously, that didn't fly with Sloan, and Carlos was sent packing. If Arroyo really had become a team cancer, fine, then deal him. My problem with this trade is the Jazz should've been able to get more in return for a 25 year old PG with "upside", that has a very reasonable contract (4 years, 4 million per) taboot. O'Connor basically gave away a guy he just resigned this past summer. While Carlos is not a star, he's worth more then a low 1st round pick.
Next up, Phoenix sent Casey Jacobsen, Maciej Lampe, and Jackson Vroman to New Orleans for Jim Jackson and a 2005 2nd round pick. I think this deal works well for both teams. The Suns' bench has been razor thin all year long, and the addition of JJ gives coach Mike D'Antoni a reliable veteran that will take Casey's spot in the rotation backing up both the SG and SF positions. I expect JJ will take Casey's minutes, and then some. A definite upgrade for Phoenix. Hornets' GM Allan Bristow has been acquiring young players with "potential" since the start of December. He did well here by getting 3 players for a guy that was never even going to don a uniform down on the Bayou. Jacobsen should be their starting SG before too long. Lampe, who is the first Polish born player ever in the NBA (!), has good range and a very nice touch for someone his size (6'11, 275). Maciej is only in his 2nd year (19 years old), and is still very raw, but he will get more minutes to develop his game on this terrible New Orleans team. Vroman is a rookie big man (6'10, 220) from Iowa State. He was the 31st pick in this years draft, but has only appeared in 10 games and played 57 total minutes so far. From the very little that I've seen of him, Jackson seems like no more then a journeyman, but I still think he'll get a few minutes on the Hornets.
- On Saturday Lenny Wilkens resigned as head coach of the Knicks citing "family" concerns. Much like when Hubie Brown retired earlier this year, I'm not buying Lenny's excuse. Wilkens is the winningest, and losingest, coach in NBA history (1332-1155), so he has earned the right to do what he wants. If he wanted to walk away, that's fine, but don't make up excuses as to why. The perception in the New York media had been that GM Isiah Thomas was just biding his time until he dropped the axe on poor old Lenny. I think the players were kind of expecting it too. That's the real reason I think Wilkens retired, because he knew he had lost the team. When you consider that the Knicks were 1-9 in their last 10 games under Lenny, and on a 5 game losing streak, it's hard to argue with his decision. Interim head man Herb Williams has his work cut out for him, and I don't envy his position. Herb is going to have to establish a coaching identity, while getting an underachieving team to live up to it's bloated expectations, in the media capitol of the world. Good luck buddy, you'll need it.
- Last Monday Denver PG Andre Miller had the line of the year (so far) when he almost put up a quadruple double in Oakland against the Warriors. In 40 minutes he had 14 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, and 10 turnovers.
- On Wednesday Houston signed 38 year old PG Rod Strickland. Stop laughing, I'm serious.
*Note: All statistical data does not include Saturday and Sunday's games.
NHL Week in Review By: Ed Wasser
- Ever see the scene in 'The Naked Gun' when Nordberg, played by a pre-murdering OJ Simpson, was shot and lying in the hospital and George Kennedy tries to console his wife; "You'll see, Nordberg will be up and out of the hospital in no time!" Then Leslie Neilsen says "but if I were you I wouldn't wait until the last minute to fill out those organ donor cards". That's what the NHL and the players association are doing right now. The league announced new negotiations opening with the hopes of having a limited season yada, yada, yada then I hear that NHLPA president Bob Goodenow started a players only website on which he told the players to not wait until the last minute to get a job in Europe.
-Ever been snowed in so bad that you couldn't get out of the house for a few days and you were trapped like the Torrance family in the Overlook Hotel in the movie 'The Shining'? Yeah, me neither. So why do people continue to freak out and buy truckloads of bread, eggs, and milk like the world's coming to an end everytime a snow storm comes? I just imagine the next day these people saying 'man I thought that was going to be the big one. Now what the hell am I going to do with all this milk and bread?' -
Need a great way to help kill the time during the dead week in between the championship games and the Super Bowl? Go to this website www.wrestlereunion.com and get your tickets now!!!
- Fairway Miss didn't run this week so to fill the void I went to go see the movie 'Racing Stripes', the movie about a horse racing zebra. This movie was a complete piece of horse sh*t. Let's start with this, according to National Geographic an average sized zebra is about the size of a pony. Have you ever stood next to a racehorse? I can't even look them in the eye and I'm 6'5". But we're supposed to believe the zebra, named 'Stripes', has heart. Hey that's cool. I have heart too...can I play for the Detroit Pistons? Ahhhhhh whatever... but somehow Stripes starts winning races, but the wins are at Turfway Park in Kentucky. TURFWAY PARK!!!!!! Are you kidding me? The horses at Turway Park run for like $9000 purses, Fairway Miss would kick her groom in the chest if he tried to put on her saddle for less than $20,000. And Stripes is supposed to be a triple crown zebra?!?!? Whatever. But the most ridiculous thing is the running style. Stripes doesn't even change leads down the stretch. What that means is when a horse breaks out of the starting gate it instinctively runs leading with it's left front hoof. When the horses start to make the break for home and the jockey adjusts his weight and gets down in the saddle the horse starts leading with it's right front hoof. Ever notice how a horse gallops when a race starts then the jockey gets low in the saddle and the horse's head starts bobbing up and down as he breaks for the finish line? That's when the horse changes lead legs. Stripes never changes leads which is reason #21216 why Stripes would get destroyed in a race against thoroughbreds. But the most obvious reason why this movie is stupid is the fact that Stripes has to wear blinkers during his races. Let me ask you, if Stripes is smart enough to speak how is he too dumb to not get distracted by the crowd and other horses during a race? That's what blinkers are for you know. Fairway Miss doesn't wear blinkers, does that mean Fairway Miss is smarter than a talking horse? I give this movie an F- because I need to be fair to the other movies that have earned a legitimate F.
- I know everybody was all abuzz over the Phillies signings of Terry Adams and José Offerman to read about any other baseball free agents but just to let you know Roger Clemens signed with the Astros last week for $18 million for one year. You might not know this but I dabble in psychic predictions in my spare time. After carefully consulting my tarot cards and having a discussion with Miss Cleo I am predicting that if Roger Clemens has another good year in 2005 he will hem and haw about wanting to play in 2006. The Astros will still be reeling public relations wise from letting half their team walk so Clemens will then proceed to put the Astros management's collective heads in a guillotine by acting like he wants to retire but he just might come back if he's given the correct "motivation". So he will wind up signing another one year pact, probably for his beloved $22 million, for 2006.
posted by Monday Morning Mehta at 11:41 AM
2 Comments:
No Fairway Miss talk? What am I going to do for toilet paper now?
You use MMM as toilet paper? No wonder why your computer is brown.
E.W.
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