Monday Morning Mehta 8/28/06
Edition # 173
August 28, 2006
Next week's MMM will be Tuesday September 5th. NFC Preview and Playoff Predictions!
Since last edition the Phillies have gone an impressive 9-4 to vault themselves into the thick of the wild card contention.
- Randy Wolf was 3-0 in that stretch and while his ERA and IP's isn't anything to write home about, he's given the Phillies decent starts and the Phils have been scoring alot of runs in Wolf games.
- The Phillies have acquired veteran help for the pitching staff and the bench with the additions of Jamie Moyer, Jeff Conine and Jose Hernandez. I'll be very curious to see how Moyer does against the Mets today as the Mets as struggled at times this year vs. lefties. In reality I just wanted to mention the Mets so I can possibly jinx them.
- This week the Phillies will play 8 games, with a doubleheader on Saturday. A 5-3 week would be acceptable.
- Ryan Howard for MVP has caught steam in the last few weeks as the Phillies have climbed back into contention.
- I'd get hate mail from Philly Phaf again if I didn't mention that Invincible was the box office hit of the weekend making $17 million. It's a "feel good" story about a former bartender turned NFL player. I understand the point to the movie - anybody that works hard and puts their mind to it can accomplish anything. Well...It's sacriligous in Philadelphia to say anything bad about the movie, but we here at MMM have offended many families (we're still reeling from the John Russell hit). So, with that being said Invinsible is a movie about a special teams player who had two fumble recoveries and 1 reception in his whole career. Isn't the story of a guy who was bagging groceries and became a Super Bowl MVP a few years later a slightly better story? (Thanks to Tony from Lansdale for bringing that up).
- If I see one more ESPN report or hear one more WIP caller talking about Terrell Owens I may vomit. Enough already with the hourly updates.
- I predict the Eagles will sign Najeh Davenport if/when he's cut by the Packers. If not, maybe Duce Staley.
Around the MLB
- Baseball is so week to week right now it's almost becoming ridiculous. Team go from out of it to in it within days.
- Suddenly the SF Giants are in the thick of their own division as well as the wild card. They've stunk most of the year. I guess just like the Phillies.
- The Marlins won every game they played last week and find themselves in the wild card race too. That's pretty pathetic.
- If you were a Mariners fan and saw the Yankees and Red Sox back to back on your schedule in August, what odds would you have gotten that Seattle would win 5 out of 6?
- Detroit and the White Sox are playing poorly right now. If Francisco Liriano can come back healthy the Twins will be a force in Sept.
AFC Preview - Enough of the conservative, safe, predictions this year. I'm going out on a limb unlike these prognosticators who pick the same teams over and over again.
AFC East
1. Miami Dolphins 10-6
2nd year coach Nick Saban has gotten his franchise QB in Dante Culpepper. Dante has a lot to prove and will be playing with a chip on his shoulder all year. I've noticed 2nd year coaches have a big impact on their teams and the Dolphins should be no different. Ronnie Brown should have a big year and the defense should be one of the better defenses in the league.
2. New England Patriots 9-7
This is the first time in about 5 years you could actually make a point that the Patriots are going the wrong way. They've lost David Givens and Deion Branch is on the trading block (although I get the feeling he's not going anywhere). Adam Vinatieri has defected to the Colts. They've lost a key offensive lineman (Tom Ashworth) and a key linebacker (Willie McGinest). Tedy Bruschi has been banged up while Junior Seau and Corey Dillon are now 52 years old. Watch out for first round pick Lawrence Maroney, he could infuse some life into this team late in the season.
3. Buffalo Bills 5-11
J.P. Losman just hasn't showed anything yet. And Marv Levy as GM is just downright scary. Lee Evans is a nice sleeper for you fantasy players.
4. New York Jets 5-11
It'll take a while for Eric Mangini's Bill Bellichick type system to be implemented. I think Chad Pennington has a nice bounceback year but the team is a mess right now.
AFC North
1. Cincinnati Bengals 11-5
I'm picking the Bengals to win the AFC North even though Carson Palmer has yet to play a preseason game since his torn knee in last years playoffs (he'll make his debut tonight). The defense is improving but still suspect to put it nicely. But there's just something I like about this team. Maybe it's Chad Johnson's sheet of cornerbacks he's going to burn?
2. Pittsuburgh Steelers 9-7
There's something wrong in Pittsburgh. This just smells of disappointment this year. First it was Ben Roethlisberger's near death, now it's the rumors swirling that this is going to be Bill Cowher's last year. Still the talent is too good to stay out of the playoffs. Willie Parker should have a big year, but don't be surprised if this team starts slow because of a brutal schedule the first 5 weeks.
3. Baltimore Ravens 7-9
I've been burned too many times on this team to give them a chance. The defense talks a good game, but Ray Lewis isn't the same player he was years ago. The addition of Steve McNair helps, but his injuries will mount as the running game is not what it once was here. Possibly Brian Billick's last year?
4. Cleveland Browns 6-10
2nd year coach Romeo Crennel's team should improve this year, but Charlie Frye will take his lumps. Luckily he has lots of talent around him in Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow, well, as long as they can stay healthy.
AFC South
1. Jacksonville Jaguars 11-5
Why not? I love this team. Great defense, good interior line play, young improving WR's, and a QB who is starting to come into his own in Byron Leftwich. The two headed monster of Fred Taylor and Greg Jones should help keep this offense on the field enough to make sure the defense can win the game. They also aren't at all afraid of the Colts which helps.
2. Indianapolis Colts 10-6
The odds on favorite to win the AFC. The story is the same here, big offense & questionable defense, but this time they have many questions about the running game. Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes are fighting for the job to replace Edgerrin James. Peyton Manning may put up great numbers as he did in 2004, but he'll be judged on what happens in January.
3. Tennessee Titans 6-10
Vince Young's progress is more important right now than wins and losses for this team. Young is raw and Billy Volek is unproven and word is they're looking at Kerry Collins, which is never a good sign for a team.
4. Houston Texans 5-11
The question will be "Why did we not take Reggie Bush" unless Mario Williams turns into Reggie White. Gary Kubiak will help this putrid franchise, but it'll take years to turn this team around.
AFC West
1. Denver Broncos 11-5
The addition of Jay Cutler means that Jake Plummer is obviously on his way out. While Plummer "in big games" is still awful, he was steady enough to get the Broncos into the playoffs last year and I don't think this year will be any different. Look for Mike & Tatum Bell to form a solid backfield and Javon Walker to really change the dynamic of this offense. If not for Plummer this would be a Super Bowl team.
2. San Diego Chargers 9-7
Phillip Rivers is an unknown at this point. But I think he'll have a good year. Not a Carson Palmer like first starting season, but he'll surprise a lot of people in a very positive way. The presence of LT2 and a very good offense will help him along. Vincent Jackson is my deep sleeper to have a breakout year this year.
3. Kansas City Chiefs 8-8
Larry Johnson, or "The first pick of every fantasy draft", should help this team but Herm Edwards is the coach of this team mind you. Trent Green's arsenal after LJ is pretty weak. Eddie Kennison and Samie Parker as your starting WR's downright remind one of the Eagles tandem. Tony Gonzalez is aging and the offensive line isn't as good as years gone by. The defense is just average.
4. Oakland Raiders 5-11
Aaron Brooks. Seriously, Aaron Brooks is the starter. I wouldn't be surprised if by midseason it's Andrew Walter.
NHL Week in Review By : Ed Wasser
- A few observations from around sports.....I know that during the PGA Championship the announcers were loving telling the fans that Chicago is Luke Donald's adopted home town because he went to Northwestern and the crowd was not booing him, they were saying "Luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuke". But you know what, after watching his performance I think after hole 14 the crowd really was booing.....Anybody catch John Calipari's ridiculous fake tan while he was substituting for John Salley on "The Best Damn Sports Show"? Wow! The guy looked like a talking tangerine.....OLN has a show on Saturdays called "Dangerous Game" were hunters shoot dangerous animals. So last week they're in Africa shooting Cape Buffalos; on the show the hunters eventually find a few, they pick out the biggest one and BLAM!!! He's done. But at the end it turns out the show is dedicated to some hunter that got killed by a Cape Buffalo during a hunt last year. Hey I feel sorry for the guy, I mean it must suck getting killed by a Cape Buffalo and all, but you know one thing I've observed in my life? That almost never happens when you're looking at those things in a zoo. But when you go on their turf in Africa and screw with them and screw with them and screw with them, guess what? You might get killed, and don't blame the damn buffalo.....Is there a more loathsome individual on the face of the Earth then Wes from MTV's "Fresh Meat Challenge"?
- Not a lot happened this week in the NHL save for LA King forward Sean Avery appearing on MTV's "Cribs". His girlfriend Elisha Cuthebert also appeared in the episode looking great as usual..... Dominic Hasek resigned with the Red Wings a little while ago after two injury riddled seasons in Ottawa. Well, if he's healthy it's a good signing but that's a huge if.....The Hockey News is brutal sometimes. They had a top 10 piece a few weeks ago entitled "What did NHLers do on their summer vacations?" And for Montreal Canadien Sheldon Souray it said "The summer just kind of passed him by. Went right around him". That's a reference to Souray being a less then stellar defenseman. Wow.....It's August 28th and the Flyers still haven't addressed their statuesque defense corps.....Yet another thing that could only happen to an Islander, defenseman Brendan Witt was surfing off the coast of Florida when his board hit a bull shark. Fortunately for Witt the shark wasn't interested and swam away. That would be so Islanders to have one of their players eaten by a shark
August 28, 2006
Next week's MMM will be Tuesday September 5th. NFC Preview and Playoff Predictions!
Since last edition the Phillies have gone an impressive 9-4 to vault themselves into the thick of the wild card contention.
- Randy Wolf was 3-0 in that stretch and while his ERA and IP's isn't anything to write home about, he's given the Phillies decent starts and the Phils have been scoring alot of runs in Wolf games.
- The Phillies have acquired veteran help for the pitching staff and the bench with the additions of Jamie Moyer, Jeff Conine and Jose Hernandez. I'll be very curious to see how Moyer does against the Mets today as the Mets as struggled at times this year vs. lefties. In reality I just wanted to mention the Mets so I can possibly jinx them.
- This week the Phillies will play 8 games, with a doubleheader on Saturday. A 5-3 week would be acceptable.
- Ryan Howard for MVP has caught steam in the last few weeks as the Phillies have climbed back into contention.
- I'd get hate mail from Philly Phaf again if I didn't mention that Invincible was the box office hit of the weekend making $17 million. It's a "feel good" story about a former bartender turned NFL player. I understand the point to the movie - anybody that works hard and puts their mind to it can accomplish anything. Well...It's sacriligous in Philadelphia to say anything bad about the movie, but we here at MMM have offended many families (we're still reeling from the John Russell hit). So, with that being said Invinsible is a movie about a special teams player who had two fumble recoveries and 1 reception in his whole career. Isn't the story of a guy who was bagging groceries and became a Super Bowl MVP a few years later a slightly better story? (Thanks to Tony from Lansdale for bringing that up).
- If I see one more ESPN report or hear one more WIP caller talking about Terrell Owens I may vomit. Enough already with the hourly updates.
- I predict the Eagles will sign Najeh Davenport if/when he's cut by the Packers. If not, maybe Duce Staley.
Around the MLB
- Baseball is so week to week right now it's almost becoming ridiculous. Team go from out of it to in it within days.
- Suddenly the SF Giants are in the thick of their own division as well as the wild card. They've stunk most of the year. I guess just like the Phillies.
- The Marlins won every game they played last week and find themselves in the wild card race too. That's pretty pathetic.
- If you were a Mariners fan and saw the Yankees and Red Sox back to back on your schedule in August, what odds would you have gotten that Seattle would win 5 out of 6?
- Detroit and the White Sox are playing poorly right now. If Francisco Liriano can come back healthy the Twins will be a force in Sept.
AFC Preview - Enough of the conservative, safe, predictions this year. I'm going out on a limb unlike these prognosticators who pick the same teams over and over again.
AFC East
1. Miami Dolphins 10-6
2nd year coach Nick Saban has gotten his franchise QB in Dante Culpepper. Dante has a lot to prove and will be playing with a chip on his shoulder all year. I've noticed 2nd year coaches have a big impact on their teams and the Dolphins should be no different. Ronnie Brown should have a big year and the defense should be one of the better defenses in the league.
2. New England Patriots 9-7
This is the first time in about 5 years you could actually make a point that the Patriots are going the wrong way. They've lost David Givens and Deion Branch is on the trading block (although I get the feeling he's not going anywhere). Adam Vinatieri has defected to the Colts. They've lost a key offensive lineman (Tom Ashworth) and a key linebacker (Willie McGinest). Tedy Bruschi has been banged up while Junior Seau and Corey Dillon are now 52 years old. Watch out for first round pick Lawrence Maroney, he could infuse some life into this team late in the season.
3. Buffalo Bills 5-11
J.P. Losman just hasn't showed anything yet. And Marv Levy as GM is just downright scary. Lee Evans is a nice sleeper for you fantasy players.
4. New York Jets 5-11
It'll take a while for Eric Mangini's Bill Bellichick type system to be implemented. I think Chad Pennington has a nice bounceback year but the team is a mess right now.
AFC North
1. Cincinnati Bengals 11-5
I'm picking the Bengals to win the AFC North even though Carson Palmer has yet to play a preseason game since his torn knee in last years playoffs (he'll make his debut tonight). The defense is improving but still suspect to put it nicely. But there's just something I like about this team. Maybe it's Chad Johnson's sheet of cornerbacks he's going to burn?
2. Pittsuburgh Steelers 9-7
There's something wrong in Pittsburgh. This just smells of disappointment this year. First it was Ben Roethlisberger's near death, now it's the rumors swirling that this is going to be Bill Cowher's last year. Still the talent is too good to stay out of the playoffs. Willie Parker should have a big year, but don't be surprised if this team starts slow because of a brutal schedule the first 5 weeks.
3. Baltimore Ravens 7-9
I've been burned too many times on this team to give them a chance. The defense talks a good game, but Ray Lewis isn't the same player he was years ago. The addition of Steve McNair helps, but his injuries will mount as the running game is not what it once was here. Possibly Brian Billick's last year?
4. Cleveland Browns 6-10
2nd year coach Romeo Crennel's team should improve this year, but Charlie Frye will take his lumps. Luckily he has lots of talent around him in Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow, well, as long as they can stay healthy.
AFC South
1. Jacksonville Jaguars 11-5
Why not? I love this team. Great defense, good interior line play, young improving WR's, and a QB who is starting to come into his own in Byron Leftwich. The two headed monster of Fred Taylor and Greg Jones should help keep this offense on the field enough to make sure the defense can win the game. They also aren't at all afraid of the Colts which helps.
2. Indianapolis Colts 10-6
The odds on favorite to win the AFC. The story is the same here, big offense & questionable defense, but this time they have many questions about the running game. Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes are fighting for the job to replace Edgerrin James. Peyton Manning may put up great numbers as he did in 2004, but he'll be judged on what happens in January.
3. Tennessee Titans 6-10
Vince Young's progress is more important right now than wins and losses for this team. Young is raw and Billy Volek is unproven and word is they're looking at Kerry Collins, which is never a good sign for a team.
4. Houston Texans 5-11
The question will be "Why did we not take Reggie Bush" unless Mario Williams turns into Reggie White. Gary Kubiak will help this putrid franchise, but it'll take years to turn this team around.
AFC West
1. Denver Broncos 11-5
The addition of Jay Cutler means that Jake Plummer is obviously on his way out. While Plummer "in big games" is still awful, he was steady enough to get the Broncos into the playoffs last year and I don't think this year will be any different. Look for Mike & Tatum Bell to form a solid backfield and Javon Walker to really change the dynamic of this offense. If not for Plummer this would be a Super Bowl team.
2. San Diego Chargers 9-7
Phillip Rivers is an unknown at this point. But I think he'll have a good year. Not a Carson Palmer like first starting season, but he'll surprise a lot of people in a very positive way. The presence of LT2 and a very good offense will help him along. Vincent Jackson is my deep sleeper to have a breakout year this year.
3. Kansas City Chiefs 8-8
Larry Johnson, or "The first pick of every fantasy draft", should help this team but Herm Edwards is the coach of this team mind you. Trent Green's arsenal after LJ is pretty weak. Eddie Kennison and Samie Parker as your starting WR's downright remind one of the Eagles tandem. Tony Gonzalez is aging and the offensive line isn't as good as years gone by. The defense is just average.
4. Oakland Raiders 5-11
Aaron Brooks. Seriously, Aaron Brooks is the starter. I wouldn't be surprised if by midseason it's Andrew Walter.
NHL Week in Review By : Ed Wasser
- A few observations from around sports.....I know that during the PGA Championship the announcers were loving telling the fans that Chicago is Luke Donald's adopted home town because he went to Northwestern and the crowd was not booing him, they were saying "Luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuke". But you know what, after watching his performance I think after hole 14 the crowd really was booing.....Anybody catch John Calipari's ridiculous fake tan while he was substituting for John Salley on "The Best Damn Sports Show"? Wow! The guy looked like a talking tangerine.....OLN has a show on Saturdays called "Dangerous Game" were hunters shoot dangerous animals. So last week they're in Africa shooting Cape Buffalos; on the show the hunters eventually find a few, they pick out the biggest one and BLAM!!! He's done. But at the end it turns out the show is dedicated to some hunter that got killed by a Cape Buffalo during a hunt last year. Hey I feel sorry for the guy, I mean it must suck getting killed by a Cape Buffalo and all, but you know one thing I've observed in my life? That almost never happens when you're looking at those things in a zoo. But when you go on their turf in Africa and screw with them and screw with them and screw with them, guess what? You might get killed, and don't blame the damn buffalo.....Is there a more loathsome individual on the face of the Earth then Wes from MTV's "Fresh Meat Challenge"?
- Not a lot happened this week in the NHL save for LA King forward Sean Avery appearing on MTV's "Cribs". His girlfriend Elisha Cuthebert also appeared in the episode looking great as usual..... Dominic Hasek resigned with the Red Wings a little while ago after two injury riddled seasons in Ottawa. Well, if he's healthy it's a good signing but that's a huge if.....The Hockey News is brutal sometimes. They had a top 10 piece a few weeks ago entitled "What did NHLers do on their summer vacations?" And for Montreal Canadien Sheldon Souray it said "The summer just kind of passed him by. Went right around him". That's a reference to Souray being a less then stellar defenseman. Wow.....It's August 28th and the Flyers still haven't addressed their statuesque defense corps.....Yet another thing that could only happen to an Islander, defenseman Brendan Witt was surfing off the coast of Florida when his board hit a bull shark. Fortunately for Witt the shark wasn't interested and swam away. That would be so Islanders to have one of their players eaten by a shark
posted by Monday Morning Mehta at 10:33 AM
5 Comments:
FT, not to cast dispersions on what kind of NASCAR fan you are, but if you thought the Bristol race was boring, I suggest you stop watching the good ole boys all together.
The Bristol night race is one of the hottest tickets in the sport (Daytona, Talladega & maybe the Brickyard). Seriously, I'm not making that up. There's a reason 160K fill up "Thunder Valley" twice a year.
- D$
I just have to comment on Team USA, even if no one ends up reading it.
I was going to get up at 12:30 last night to watch, but I decided to save that for the Final. I should have woke up to see what happened. Since I didn't, all I can use is the box score.
We shot 50%, but Greece shot 62.5%. That's insanely bad D when a team shoots over 60% for an entire game.
9-28 from deep (32.1%) and 20-34 from the line (58.8%) didn't help us either.
We did out rebound them 32-27, but the turnovers (8-11) and steals (6-4) were only slightly in our favor.
Which is really what I've been saying all along.
We had no half court sets (coach K?) that I saw in the Puerto Rico, Slovenia, Italy & Australia games (the only ones I watched).
Our D was terrible throughout the tourney, not just in this game. If we are not forcing turnovers and getting easy buckets, we are not that good.
Plain and simple.
I agree with what ESPN.com's Chris Sheridan says. Why does the general public still think we are dominant and that every loss is some sort of fluke?
Apparently the Greeks ran the same 3 plays the entire game, and we couldn't stop them. That is exactly what happened in the Argentina game in Athens '04.
This is a trend people. It's been going on for 6 years now, so get used to it.
Call me a homer if you will, but I still think if Kobe had played, we win that game and the gold.
Melo was our best player throughout (and that is not easy for me to admit), but he doesn't possess that same sheer will not to lose like Bryant does.
Kobe would not have let them lose, I honestly believe that. He also would have been a leader at the defensive end, which is really what we need.
Hopefully Chauncey, Kobe & Redd will make all the difference in Beijing.
See all youz next summer in Caracas, Venezuela (where they loooove Americans) for the Tourney of Americas.
- D$
FT, you should have watched. That way you would know that real changes are taking place, and that the players really did care this time around.
AI and players of his ilk are not the solution, they are part of the problem. Judging by your comments, you should know this already.
I question a few of K's moves, but overall he did a pretty good job for a college guy.
I have to disagree about Colangelo. I think he did a great job in setting up a true "National Program".
That is what we need to compete on into the future. It's a process, and this is just the beginning.
I didn't expect them to win gold at the WBC, but in '08 I do. No team with Kobe & LeBron is losing.
We shall see...
- D$
That's why I say Jerry C did a good job. Guys that weren't interested (Shaq, KG, Duncan, etc) or balked at the 3 year commitment (Tayshaun, and others) weren't even invited to tryout.
Maybe that's the part you're missing. They weren't open tryouts. The tryouts/training camp was for the 25 guys on the "Senior National Team" only.
"What's wrong with these guys" is that the NBA season is a grind after 10+ years in the league, and they need the summer to rest. Or in the case of Shaq & KG, they already have gold medals.
I agree that Duncan should be playing, but he felt that the FIBA refs didn't give him a fair shake, so he said he's done with international ball.
The reality is our best are never going to all be united as one again. That's why you need role players (Battier, Hinrich). That's also why you need a roster of 25 guys. Even with that amount, K only had to cut 3 guys (Ridnour, Morrison & Bowen). The rest missed with personal (Odom's infant son died) or injury reasons.
Like I said, we are moving in the right direction, but it's a process, and this was just the first step on our long road back to the top.
- D$
baseball fantasy sportAny one using the phrase "easy as taking candy from a baby, has never tried taking candy from a baby before.baseball fantasy sport
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