Of course there still hasn't been any Dallas-related sports content yet but right now I'm still too sickened to talk about it. The events of the last few hours:
-Mavs get killed by Sacramento in another horrific performance against a bad team
-Michael Young gets pissy about being approached to move to third base to make way for Elvis Andrus and asks for the Rangers to "explore a trade" (i.e. he'll be gone by next week).
Anyway, I managed to build up an incredible level of procrastination by not posting my picks for the Divisional Playoffs. Saturday was an epic fail: I went for the Titans and thought about the Cards (only on the law of the averages) but ended up with the Panthers. Leveled things up on Sunday by picking the Eagles and the Steelers: postseason record so far: 5-3 after picking Eagles and Ravens as well on wildcard weekend.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Chargers roll Colts in the playoffs for second year in a row
Great game tonight: reduces my pick record to 1-1 but boy was it close.
My observations:
-San Diego's special teams play was brilliant: The statistics say Mike Scifres: 6 punts for 316 yards, an average of 51.7 per punt and 6 inside 20s. None of his punts were returned for much by Indy, if returned at all and handed the San Diego defence opportunities to mount pressure. Two of his punts later resulted in 3-and-outs for Indianapolis and then touchdown-scoring drives for San Diego starting from around halfway.
The biggest punt came late in the fourth quarter: after a long Colts' drive that burned around six minutes off the clock, the Chargers moved about 30 yards, copped a third-down sack on Rivers from Robert Mathis and then up steps Scifres and kicks it 52 yards, pinning the Colts down at the 1. The Chargers later made a sack on third down and Darren Sproles made a pretty good return on a long punt. Rivers would hit Gates for two receptions, getting them enough for Kaeding's tying field-goal.
-The Colts made most of the big plays up until the last half of the final quarter: San Diego scored their two touchdowns out of good field position established by their special teams. Indy scored their 17 points off a series of long drives. They forced a Darren Sproles fumble late in the third resulting in a recovered touchback, and then they picked off Phillip Rivers on the next drive. Manning made a 2nd-and-long completion to Wayne and later switched a play resulting in a run which got them another first down. I don't know what happened but after that, the Chargers made all the running from then on, right to Darren Sproles' gamewinning touchdown run. Which leads to...
-Darren Sproles' is the toast of San Diego: Everyone knew that LaDainian Tomlinson was banged up coming into the game. He came in and ran the ball a handful of times, scored on a short TD run but didn't play after that.
As it turned out, they didn't need him. Darren Sproles got plenty of playing time during the regular season as a result of LT's injury. Not only did he score that game-winning touchdown but he was also great on the punt return (especially his 26-yard run that helped set up the tying FG) and made a couple of critical catches in the fourth quarter which he turned into first downs.
The Chargers are facing either the Titans or the Steelers, two nasty defensive teams so obviously they're wanting LT back though, but Sproles' and his 328 total yards was one of the game-changers.
-From the start of the fourth quarter, the penalty count was 6-0 in favour of San Diego: The refs didn't mess it up: the Colts gave away a 15-yard penalty on the interception return preceding their 6-minute fourth quarter drive and then gave up three more during that drive. The three penalties which were accepted cost Indy a happy 35 yards: their drive eventually died at their own 43...they could've used the points as it turned out.
In overtime, the big call was on Clint Session: the play before, on a 3rd-and-8, Antonio Johnson was pinged for holding which gave the Chargers a first-down, moving them to the 35. Session followed that up with a 15yd facemask on second down which effectively, was the game.
The Colts had a pretty good chance to seal the thing off after Manning found Wayne on that no-huddle pass but they couldn't get anything going after that: San Diego's D for most of the second half was great.
Eagles-Vikings and Dolphins-Ravens up tomorrow: I don't think they excite me as much as today's, but I guess I'm being biased.
My observations:
-San Diego's special teams play was brilliant: The statistics say Mike Scifres: 6 punts for 316 yards, an average of 51.7 per punt and 6 inside 20s. None of his punts were returned for much by Indy, if returned at all and handed the San Diego defence opportunities to mount pressure. Two of his punts later resulted in 3-and-outs for Indianapolis and then touchdown-scoring drives for San Diego starting from around halfway.
The biggest punt came late in the fourth quarter: after a long Colts' drive that burned around six minutes off the clock, the Chargers moved about 30 yards, copped a third-down sack on Rivers from Robert Mathis and then up steps Scifres and kicks it 52 yards, pinning the Colts down at the 1. The Chargers later made a sack on third down and Darren Sproles made a pretty good return on a long punt. Rivers would hit Gates for two receptions, getting them enough for Kaeding's tying field-goal.
-The Colts made most of the big plays up until the last half of the final quarter: San Diego scored their two touchdowns out of good field position established by their special teams. Indy scored their 17 points off a series of long drives. They forced a Darren Sproles fumble late in the third resulting in a recovered touchback, and then they picked off Phillip Rivers on the next drive. Manning made a 2nd-and-long completion to Wayne and later switched a play resulting in a run which got them another first down. I don't know what happened but after that, the Chargers made all the running from then on, right to Darren Sproles' gamewinning touchdown run. Which leads to...
-Darren Sproles' is the toast of San Diego: Everyone knew that LaDainian Tomlinson was banged up coming into the game. He came in and ran the ball a handful of times, scored on a short TD run but didn't play after that.
As it turned out, they didn't need him. Darren Sproles got plenty of playing time during the regular season as a result of LT's injury. Not only did he score that game-winning touchdown but he was also great on the punt return (especially his 26-yard run that helped set up the tying FG) and made a couple of critical catches in the fourth quarter which he turned into first downs.
The Chargers are facing either the Titans or the Steelers, two nasty defensive teams so obviously they're wanting LT back though, but Sproles' and his 328 total yards was one of the game-changers.
-From the start of the fourth quarter, the penalty count was 6-0 in favour of San Diego: The refs didn't mess it up: the Colts gave away a 15-yard penalty on the interception return preceding their 6-minute fourth quarter drive and then gave up three more during that drive. The three penalties which were accepted cost Indy a happy 35 yards: their drive eventually died at their own 43...they could've used the points as it turned out.
In overtime, the big call was on Clint Session: the play before, on a 3rd-and-8, Antonio Johnson was pinged for holding which gave the Chargers a first-down, moving them to the 35. Session followed that up with a 15yd facemask on second down which effectively, was the game.
The Colts had a pretty good chance to seal the thing off after Manning found Wayne on that no-huddle pass but they couldn't get anything going after that: San Diego's D for most of the second half was great.
Eagles-Vikings and Dolphins-Ravens up tomorrow: I don't think they excite me as much as today's, but I guess I'm being biased.
Cards win
Hooray, I'm 1/1 so far. Big catch by Stephen Spach: unbelievable that he was so open downfield. Colts/Chargers coming up soon.
ESPN News broke that the Cowboys are looking at Mike Shanahan but more on that later.
ESPN News broke that the Cowboys are looking at Mike Shanahan but more on that later.
Again, I got happily delayed in writing these up, so the Atlanta-Arizona game has already started (Cardinals with the early lead after the Cards pick off Ryan on Atlanta's first possession and then score on a Warner-to-Fitzgerald bomb). My quick picks for the wildcard games:
Cardinals-Falcons: The Cards were terrible down the stretch after having the privilege of lowering intensity after sealing the NFC West early. Meanwhile, the Falcons really had to play hard for their wildcard spot and only lost narrowly to the Panthers - otherwise they would've earned a #2 seed and a first-round bye.
I'm going for the "upset" here: even though I don't think Arizona's defence is going to put the brakes too often on Michael Turner, I think Kurt Warner has the playoffs experience and is going to show the leadership that will get them the win. There isn't much playoffs experience on either side, which I think makes the former two-time MVP a big factor. Their offence should, as always, manage enough points in this game: if they can keep Turner from breaking the game open while keeping the Phoenix crowd up, they'll be in good shape to get the win.
Pick: Arizona
Colts-Chargers: San Diego have shown in the past four weeks the type of form that got them to the AFC Championship Game last year and had everyone picking them to threaten once more this season. The fact that they've crawled home twice against the mediocre Chiefs probably balances their tough losses to start off the season against Carolina and the Broncos (the Ed Hochuli game). They really played big in destroying Denver and they really are looking good now. Just one more question: is LT really back? He needs to find it if the Chargers are going to go deeper.
There's no denying that the Colts haven't been particularly great either. Yes, they've won eight in a row to finish off the season. But they only just managed to squeeze out a number of their wins (I think Adam Vinatieri kicked a couple of long game-winning field goals and I remember Derek Anderson fumbling the ball, returned for a touchdown to give the Colts a 10-6 win). The 23-0 win over the Titans was possibly their most impressive win, but that came with a short-handed team.
Despite all that and the fact that they're going to Qualcomm (totally undeserved home advantage, just like Arizona's), Indy looks like they've pulled things together well enough. They've been frustrating to watch (considering how in previous years they could dismantle teams) but they've performed in the playoffs and I think they can do it again in San Diego in spite of a late-season resurgence and an MVP-caliber season from Phillip Rivers.
Pick: Indianapolis
Dolphins-Ravens: I think the toughest pick for me out of all the wildcard playoffs. Both teams have very steady offences who can gain solid yardage on drives but don't quite have the explosive players. Because of this, this game is probably going to be a case of field position and about who makes the big plays.
The Ravens have a rookie quarterback and a rookie head coach, but playoff experience is hardly something that'll trouble Ray Lewis and the Ravens D. All they need to do is play like they have all season: their defence gets the stops, pound the line with run and once in a while allow Joe Flacco to step back and throw something deep to keep the defence honest.
As for the Dolphins, I don't think they have the superiority on either side of the ball. Their offence will need to really step up to contain Baltimore's nasty blitzing game and their defence will probably have to stop the Ravens run if they're going to have a chance to win. The Ravens won their matchup this season pretty easily: I don't think it'll be too different this time around even with Miami having won 9 of their last 10.
Pick: Baltimore
Eagles-Vikings: The winner of this matchup probably depends on which Eagles team turns up.
They could be the listless, offensively inept team who tied with the Bengals and were smashed by the Ravens midway through the season, led by a quarterback who couldn't help turn the ball over.
They could be the backs-to-the-wall, heart team who posted three strong wins against the Cardinals, the Giants and the Browns on MNF, pulling them back into the wildcard equation.
Or they could simply be the solid outfit, the team who beat the crap out of my Cowboys last week: they weren't brilliant, but they made the big plays and waited for Dallas to implode (which as it turned out, they did spectacularly). I think if either of the latter two teams play, the Eagles will win in Minneapolis. That's a good bet to make coming off a 44-6 win, which is why I'm picking them.
The Vikings have had a great season. I think they're a little like Baltimore, only with a little less defence and a few more wideout options. Adrian Peterson was brilliant once more and was probably closer to Peyton Manning MVP-wise than what the voters thought, but I'm still doubting Tarvaris Jackson on the back of his past performances. In the end, I think Philadelphia will win.
Pick: Philadelphia
So there they are, my four picks. Arizona has moved further ahead after Anquan Boldin caught a pass and beat his marker down the sideline for a 72-yard touchdown reception. They're leading 14-3 now.
Cardinals-Falcons: The Cards were terrible down the stretch after having the privilege of lowering intensity after sealing the NFC West early. Meanwhile, the Falcons really had to play hard for their wildcard spot and only lost narrowly to the Panthers - otherwise they would've earned a #2 seed and a first-round bye.
I'm going for the "upset" here: even though I don't think Arizona's defence is going to put the brakes too often on Michael Turner, I think Kurt Warner has the playoffs experience and is going to show the leadership that will get them the win. There isn't much playoffs experience on either side, which I think makes the former two-time MVP a big factor. Their offence should, as always, manage enough points in this game: if they can keep Turner from breaking the game open while keeping the Phoenix crowd up, they'll be in good shape to get the win.
Pick: Arizona
Colts-Chargers: San Diego have shown in the past four weeks the type of form that got them to the AFC Championship Game last year and had everyone picking them to threaten once more this season. The fact that they've crawled home twice against the mediocre Chiefs probably balances their tough losses to start off the season against Carolina and the Broncos (the Ed Hochuli game). They really played big in destroying Denver and they really are looking good now. Just one more question: is LT really back? He needs to find it if the Chargers are going to go deeper.
There's no denying that the Colts haven't been particularly great either. Yes, they've won eight in a row to finish off the season. But they only just managed to squeeze out a number of their wins (I think Adam Vinatieri kicked a couple of long game-winning field goals and I remember Derek Anderson fumbling the ball, returned for a touchdown to give the Colts a 10-6 win). The 23-0 win over the Titans was possibly their most impressive win, but that came with a short-handed team.
Despite all that and the fact that they're going to Qualcomm (totally undeserved home advantage, just like Arizona's), Indy looks like they've pulled things together well enough. They've been frustrating to watch (considering how in previous years they could dismantle teams) but they've performed in the playoffs and I think they can do it again in San Diego in spite of a late-season resurgence and an MVP-caliber season from Phillip Rivers.
Pick: Indianapolis
Dolphins-Ravens: I think the toughest pick for me out of all the wildcard playoffs. Both teams have very steady offences who can gain solid yardage on drives but don't quite have the explosive players. Because of this, this game is probably going to be a case of field position and about who makes the big plays.
The Ravens have a rookie quarterback and a rookie head coach, but playoff experience is hardly something that'll trouble Ray Lewis and the Ravens D. All they need to do is play like they have all season: their defence gets the stops, pound the line with run and once in a while allow Joe Flacco to step back and throw something deep to keep the defence honest.
As for the Dolphins, I don't think they have the superiority on either side of the ball. Their offence will need to really step up to contain Baltimore's nasty blitzing game and their defence will probably have to stop the Ravens run if they're going to have a chance to win. The Ravens won their matchup this season pretty easily: I don't think it'll be too different this time around even with Miami having won 9 of their last 10.
Pick: Baltimore
Eagles-Vikings: The winner of this matchup probably depends on which Eagles team turns up.
They could be the listless, offensively inept team who tied with the Bengals and were smashed by the Ravens midway through the season, led by a quarterback who couldn't help turn the ball over.
They could be the backs-to-the-wall, heart team who posted three strong wins against the Cardinals, the Giants and the Browns on MNF, pulling them back into the wildcard equation.
Or they could simply be the solid outfit, the team who beat the crap out of my Cowboys last week: they weren't brilliant, but they made the big plays and waited for Dallas to implode (which as it turned out, they did spectacularly). I think if either of the latter two teams play, the Eagles will win in Minneapolis. That's a good bet to make coming off a 44-6 win, which is why I'm picking them.
The Vikings have had a great season. I think they're a little like Baltimore, only with a little less defence and a few more wideout options. Adrian Peterson was brilliant once more and was probably closer to Peyton Manning MVP-wise than what the voters thought, but I'm still doubting Tarvaris Jackson on the back of his past performances. In the end, I think Philadelphia will win.
Pick: Philadelphia
So there they are, my four picks. Arizona has moved further ahead after Anquan Boldin caught a pass and beat his marker down the sideline for a 72-yard touchdown reception. They're leading 14-3 now.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Breaking down the selections for the Third Test
Would've had this post up yesterday but was delayed. The game's already started: Australia 71/2 after 17 overs: Katich made a brisk 47 but Ponting followed up his 200 runs from Melbourne with a golden duck, caught behind. HAYDEN WATCH: 19*.
Might've been a good thing I made the post this morning with the full lineup for Australia posted up, instead of my speculative glances at who would be picked between Hilfenhaus and Bollinger. The team:
Hayden
Katich
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke
Haddin
McDonald
Hauritz
Johnson
Siddle
Bollinger
It was always going to be a close call between Bollinger and Hilfenhaus but the selectors made the right call in picking Bollinger - or would have, if they had followed it up by including Jason Krejza to play at the SCG. Two lefties in Johnson and Bollinger obviously allows the ploy of creating footmarks mainly for right-armed offspinners to bowl into. However, I don't think Nathan Hauritz bowling into that rough is going to inspire any fear in the South African batsmen who mainly threw their wickets away when facing him in Melbourne.
Why didn't the selectors include Krejza? The SCG groundsman told the media that the pitch wouldn't spin as much as it has done so in previous years. Yes, the man was ineffective and rather expensive in Perth - that could be said a little for the WACA pitch (and in the same way for the MCG pitch). But part of the reason why the Australians have lost this series (apart from the rash shot selection which blew up their second innings' in both Tests) has been their inability to claim 20 wickets: 14 in the First (where they troubled the Proteas very little in their chase) and then just 11 in the Second (didn't create anything to trouble and doubt the batsmen after the Lee no-ball and gave South Africa an easy path to their small target). South Africa have shown in this series that whenever they aren't attacked, they don't lose wickets.
After they picked up Boucher in the first innings at the MCG, Australia settled back and allowed Duminy to reconstruct the innings with Morkel. They should've realised it when their bowlers troubled Harris and Duminy very little in the morning of day three. Yet once again, they made no adjustments, waiting for someone to get themselves out: Harris did so. It wasn't until about 50 runs into the Steyn/Duminy partnership when that disorder was beginning to show. By then both batsmen were well-set.
Taking a look at Krejza and Hauritz's first-class numbers: both their averages are hovering in the high-40s yet Krejza's batting average is a gap higher: 23 to 15. Even that should sway the scales in Krejza's favour. The selectors have mishandled that situation.
The selection of McDonald can't really be seriously criticised: a decent batsmen and someone who can swing the ball a little. Obviously Shane Watson was in line behind Symonds (should've played instead of Symonds in Melbourne) but he blew out his back. I thought that picking another middle-order batsman (i.e. a Brad Hodge) might've been an option to solidify a middle-order who outside of Michael Clarke, have struggled but that would've left Australia with four bowlers and that hasn't bode well recently.
And finally weighing in on the Hayden issue (Australia 78/2 at lunch: Hayden on 22, Hussey a scratchy 5 off 36 balls): the guy shouldn't be playing. The selectors should have recognised that this is now a period of transition. He had his opportunity to do something all summer: four tests (two against New Zealand) and he's produced nothing apart from brief glimpses of form cut short by loose shots. This test, a dead rubber should've been spent giving Michael Klinger, who deserves a spot on account of his form, or Phil Hughes a run. Even if Hayden does manage to grit out a big score (or a couple of solid ones), earning his spot for the Ashes tour, the selectors will have to consider bringing another opener along (whether it be Jaques or the best opener in the domestic competition at the end of the summer. I think picking Hughes, with a reasonably low amount of experience, straight up for the Ashes is a dangerous commodity.)
Of course I extended this rant a little far (the Mavs-Sixers game has started) but there's my two cents on the whole issue.
Might've been a good thing I made the post this morning with the full lineup for Australia posted up, instead of my speculative glances at who would be picked between Hilfenhaus and Bollinger. The team:
Hayden
Katich
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke
Haddin
McDonald
Hauritz
Johnson
Siddle
Bollinger
It was always going to be a close call between Bollinger and Hilfenhaus but the selectors made the right call in picking Bollinger - or would have, if they had followed it up by including Jason Krejza to play at the SCG. Two lefties in Johnson and Bollinger obviously allows the ploy of creating footmarks mainly for right-armed offspinners to bowl into. However, I don't think Nathan Hauritz bowling into that rough is going to inspire any fear in the South African batsmen who mainly threw their wickets away when facing him in Melbourne.
Why didn't the selectors include Krejza? The SCG groundsman told the media that the pitch wouldn't spin as much as it has done so in previous years. Yes, the man was ineffective and rather expensive in Perth - that could be said a little for the WACA pitch (and in the same way for the MCG pitch). But part of the reason why the Australians have lost this series (apart from the rash shot selection which blew up their second innings' in both Tests) has been their inability to claim 20 wickets: 14 in the First (where they troubled the Proteas very little in their chase) and then just 11 in the Second (didn't create anything to trouble and doubt the batsmen after the Lee no-ball and gave South Africa an easy path to their small target). South Africa have shown in this series that whenever they aren't attacked, they don't lose wickets.
After they picked up Boucher in the first innings at the MCG, Australia settled back and allowed Duminy to reconstruct the innings with Morkel. They should've realised it when their bowlers troubled Harris and Duminy very little in the morning of day three. Yet once again, they made no adjustments, waiting for someone to get themselves out: Harris did so. It wasn't until about 50 runs into the Steyn/Duminy partnership when that disorder was beginning to show. By then both batsmen were well-set.
Taking a look at Krejza and Hauritz's first-class numbers: both their averages are hovering in the high-40s yet Krejza's batting average is a gap higher: 23 to 15. Even that should sway the scales in Krejza's favour. The selectors have mishandled that situation.
The selection of McDonald can't really be seriously criticised: a decent batsmen and someone who can swing the ball a little. Obviously Shane Watson was in line behind Symonds (should've played instead of Symonds in Melbourne) but he blew out his back. I thought that picking another middle-order batsman (i.e. a Brad Hodge) might've been an option to solidify a middle-order who outside of Michael Clarke, have struggled but that would've left Australia with four bowlers and that hasn't bode well recently.
And finally weighing in on the Hayden issue (Australia 78/2 at lunch: Hayden on 22, Hussey a scratchy 5 off 36 balls): the guy shouldn't be playing. The selectors should have recognised that this is now a period of transition. He had his opportunity to do something all summer: four tests (two against New Zealand) and he's produced nothing apart from brief glimpses of form cut short by loose shots. This test, a dead rubber should've been spent giving Michael Klinger, who deserves a spot on account of his form, or Phil Hughes a run. Even if Hayden does manage to grit out a big score (or a couple of solid ones), earning his spot for the Ashes tour, the selectors will have to consider bringing another opener along (whether it be Jaques or the best opener in the domestic competition at the end of the summer. I think picking Hughes, with a reasonably low amount of experience, straight up for the Ashes is a dangerous commodity.)
Of course I extended this rant a little far (the Mavs-Sixers game has started) but there's my two cents on the whole issue.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
An introduction
I'll skip any complicated stuff to start with. This is meant to be a sports blog, covering the four main Dallas sporting teams (Cowboys, Rangers, Mavericks, Stars) with some Australian sport stuff mixed in (league, cricket during the Australian summer and possibly AFL).
Most of the stuff posted here will probably be related to the subjects above and opinionated with occasionally some of my [sarcasm]brilliant[/sarcasm] sporting analysis. Of course, I'm perfectly open to anyone who's willing to be a contributor here.
I'm working on a title banner using my limited Photoshop skills: my plan is basically to display prominent Dallas sporting figures (one from each team) over an Australian flag, possibly dumping over stuff onto it as well. Currently, the planned players to appear on the banner are:
-Ian Kinsler
-Dirk Nowitzki
-DeMarcus Ware
-Brenden Morrow
It's obviously fitting that I should start this blog on the first day of the new year: in fact, it's probably been why I've been holding off making the first post for a while.
Over the next few days, my plans are to make summaries of the states of each of the major Dallas sports team plus tomorrow, and also post a spot related to the third cricket Test starting Saturday between Australia and South Africa.
Most of the stuff posted here will probably be related to the subjects above and opinionated with occasionally some of my [sarcasm]brilliant[/sarcasm] sporting analysis. Of course, I'm perfectly open to anyone who's willing to be a contributor here.
I'm working on a title banner using my limited Photoshop skills: my plan is basically to display prominent Dallas sporting figures (one from each team) over an Australian flag, possibly dumping over stuff onto it as well. Currently, the planned players to appear on the banner are:
-Ian Kinsler
-Dirk Nowitzki
-DeMarcus Ware
-Brenden Morrow
It's obviously fitting that I should start this blog on the first day of the new year: in fact, it's probably been why I've been holding off making the first post for a while.
Over the next few days, my plans are to make summaries of the states of each of the major Dallas sports team plus tomorrow, and also post a spot related to the third cricket Test starting Saturday between Australia and South Africa.
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