I am currently sitting in my living room with the NBA skills competition going on in the background. Steve Nash just won the challenge because Deron Williams choked as hard as I've ever seen. He was on pace to break his own record of 25.5 seconds after he drained the jump shot but then couldn't seem to get the final chest pass through the tire.
A few notes:
The Rooks beat the Sophs 140-128, first time in seven years
I am a sports fan and have the ability to write about anything I want. Now, to what this post is actually about: The Washington Capitals remarkable 14-game winning streak.
The Caps 14-game streak came within three games of tying the all-time NHL record for longest winning streak; the '92-'93 Pittsburgh Penguins won 17 games in a row. Here are a few fun stats from the Caps streak:
Never scored less than three goals
Didn't shut anyone out
Let up 3+ goals five times
Averaged 4.86 goals per game
Gave up 2.36 goals per game
Even though you might think these stats are impressive, take a second to look closely. If you look at some of the teams the Caps beat (Florida x2, Toronto, NYI, NYR to name a few), nine of the 14 wins came against teams that would currently not make the playoffs. Two more wins came against Tampa Bay and Philly, tied for the seventh and eighth seed in the East. They did have two quality wins in Pheonix and Pittsburgh, but that's two...out of 14.
Not to mention, the Caps just lost two in a row...both in Canada, Montreal and Ottawa. Both games they lost 5-6 which only proves my point about the Caps having a weak defense. You might be thinking, the Caps scored five goals though! My response to that is, when you score five goals...you shouldn't be losing. And since I watched the games I can say that the goals didn't seem to be the fault of the goaltender but more so the defense.
Look, I could rant for longer than you might think about this...all I'm trying to say is I'm curious what will happen to the Caps in the playoffs. If they can't score three, four or five goals a game they might not win. So if their offense cools off a bit there might be an upset in the making...
Here's a pretty little number on the 2009 NFL Awards and how I feel about them...
NFL MVP: QB Peyton Manning - IND Manning won MVP in a landslide by taking 39 1/2 out of 50 points. Drew Brees was in second with a measly 7 1/2 points. I find it criminal that Chris Johnson did not receive any votes. Even though Brees and Manning led their teams to 13-0 marks, Johnson broke the NFL record for yards from scrimmage which included 2,006 rushing. Johnson is only the sixth rusher in NFL history to eccplise the 2,000 yard mark. I also believe that Brees was a more important asset to his team and had to accomplish more because the Colts have shown domination in the recent past. But congrats to Peyton for his fourth, only player in history to have won four MVP's.
NFL OROY: WR (R)Percy Harvin - MIN I can't disagree with Percy winning the award, however, I do disagree with the list of votes and the landslide Harvin won in. I might be a little bit biased, but I feel like since Mark Sanchez led his team to the playoffs he deserved at least one vote. Harvin finished with 41 votes, Ravens LT Michael Oher finished in second with six votes. Jeremy Maclin, Knowshon Moreno and Mike Wallace all received a single vote. Percy had six receiving touchdowns, two return touchdowns and was selected to the pro bowl.
NFL DROY: OLB (R)Brian Cushing - HOU The only thing I don't like about the way this award played out is that Brian Orakpo only received two votes. He had 11 sacks and made the pro bowl. I think his season was overshadowed by an absolutely embarrassing Redskins season. Cushing did have an impressive season, also getting elected to the pro bowl with over 80 tackles, five sacks and four picks.
NFL OPOY: RB Chris Johnson - TEN Chris Johnson had an incredible, MVP worthy season, but for some reason he did not receive a single vote. He rightly earned offensive player of the year, but I would think that due to that and his breaking records he would be considered for MVP. I completely agree with this award, but I think that Johnson got screwed out of MVP consideration...that's my only beef.
NFL DPOY: CB Charles Woodson - GB I am not going to pull a Rex Ryan, but I do believe that Darrelle Revis is the best cornerback in the NFL and had a much better season. Woodson was impressive with 80-plus tackles, three touchdowns, 21 passes defensed, four forced fumbles and was tied for the league lead in interceptions with nine. While all those stats are incredibly impressive, one "stat" that doesn't really exist is how well the opposing receiver does against you. Woodson constantly would give up big plays to his opposition. Revis faced the best receivers in the game (Moss, Owens, Colston, Andre Johnson, Steve Smith, Ochocinco, Roddy White, and Reggie Wayne) and shut every single one of them down. Not to mention he had 32 passed defensed and six interceptions. Oh and by the way, Revis' team is still in the playoffs because of good defense, and the Packers are eliminated because of record-setting bad pass defense.
NFL Comeback Player of the Year: QB Tom Brady - NE This is kind of an easy one because he was an MVP candidate before he got injured, and now that he is back to relatively full strength it seems like it would be an easy choice. However, take nothing away from Cadillac Williams and Cedric Benson because they had great years. All-stars coming back from injury are easy choices for this award...nothing else to say.
NFL Coach of the Year: Marvin Lewis - CIN This was fairly clear cut even though the Jets had a rookie head coach and rookie quarterback and made the playoffs, beating Lewis and his Bengals. The Texans also had their first above .500 year, but that is only a one game improvement from last year. If Josh McDaniels and the Broncos didn't choke at the end of the year, going 2-6 in their last eight, then he would have been a prime candidate for this award. Not to mention Sean Payton and Jim Caldwell did phenomenal jobs with the Colts and Saints, considering they meet in the Super Bowl. Congrats Lewis, the Bengals had an impressive year even through all of the tragedy.
NFL Super Bowl MVP: Drew Brees - NO If you even watched the Super Bowl you would know that the only other player that could be considered for the award is Tracy Porter because he had what ended up being the game-clinching pick-6. However, Brees was responsible for giving the Saints the lead at that point and was sensational for the entire game. He also tied the record for most completions in the Super Bowl with 32. (Super Bowl XXXVIII)
I was watching the Purdue at Mich St. game last night, and really thought about how this year in college basketball differs from any other? What are the new trends we are beginning to see? Why is it that teams such as New Mexico and UNLV are climbing up in the top 25 yet the current National Champion, UNC, is under .500 in the ACC?
First, let's take a look at a couple of teams that are no where near what was expected.
UNC: They started off this season unimpressive but still not terrible. Up until the New Year, this team had only suffered three losses, all of which were against ranked opponents (Syracuse, Kentuckty, and Texas). The major turning point moment of their season was the overtime loss to the College of Charleston. This was their last game before conference play and they have since gone 2-6 in the ACC. Tonight's game against Duke may be the only chance the Tarheels have to turn their season around. Even if UNC pulls off the "W" they would still need to make a run in the ACC tournament to make a good argument for them to deserve a tournament bid. My advice: Forget this season ever happened and rebuild. It's very difficult to hold onto greatness when you lose three top caliber seniors, Hansborough, Lawson and Green. No shot this year, better luck next. Vanderbilt: I am more than happy to see the Commodores playing at this level. They have chocked the SEC and are preparing for a great shot to make a run in the tournament. It's all about who gets hot at the right time and there are not many teams as hot as Vanderbilt. The key victories of their season have been the two victories over Tennessee. They have won by a combined 28 points and have used these two games to launch themselves into the top 25. The big test for this team still remains. On Feb. 20, Kentucky comes to town. Vandy needs to come into this game with confidence and quickness. Hit Kentucky in the mouth early and often and you can get ready for a big run in the NCAA tourny. What makes this year different? The term upset has taken on a different meaning. By this, I meant aht the field is starting to even out. Most conferences are now fairly close from top to bottom in talent. When March Madness rolls around, look for the seeding to matter far less than ever before. A 12 seed over a five will seem like nothign this year. I am going all out and will say that this year will be the first that a 16 seed will overtake a one. Call me crazy but you heard it here first.
New Trends. Consistency is lacking. The reason this is that too many teams are now depending on one or two players to carry them. Teams are beginning to shoot the three more and more causing games to depend entirely on shooting percentage. The few teams that are good all around and deep are going to be the ones left standing in the end. To all those other teams, do me a favor and go back to the fundamentals. Scottie Reynolds - learn to pass the ball. I blame the loss to Georgetown entirely on you and your uncanny ability to hand the ball off to the other team. Take fewer and better shots and give your teammates a chance. The other trend I am starting to see is also a fundamental error. Focus on foul shots. I have never seen anything like this. So many teams are losing games because they are shooting below 65 percent from the free throw line. This has a lot to do with why tournament upsets will be in extreme abundance this year.
If you haven't noticed yet, NCAA baketball has been turned on its head and will not fix itself anytime soon. Look forward to the most exciting tournament in years.
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The people of Nawlins will be celebrating Mardi Gras a week or so early as they rejoice in the streets because they just won their first Super Bowl in franchise history. Drew Brees was named MVP of the game as he tied a Super Bowl record with 32 completions. He also threw for 288 yards and two touchdowns and no interceptions.
Peyton Manning had one less completion than Brees but 45 more yards. However, he also threw an interception for Tracy Porter that was returned for what was the game clinching touchdown. To the surprise of many, Joe Addai had 135 all-purpose yards but the Colts couldn't seem to convert when necessary.
The turning point in the game, even though it was early, was when the Saints recovered an onside kick to open the second half. That gave them the ball down four instead of the Colts up four with the ball. Brees threw a touchdown to Pierre Thomas and the Saints stole all of the momentum. Peyton Manning looked out of rythym, Dwight Freeney was noticeably a nonfactor besides his one sack, and the receivers were surprisingly dropping passes.
Some might say the Saints won the game and others might say the Colts lost the game...all I know is that I should start going with what I want more than what I think will happen.
I thought: Colts 37 Saints 31
I wanted: Saints 33 Colts 28
It was: Saints 31 Colts 17
Well, all I have left to say is that I couldn't be happier for the Saints and Drew Brees. Personally, I think Brees is better than Tom Brady and he isn't even in the same conversation. Sure, Brady has won three SB's but he also had a stellar defense at the time. Brees just won the big one all by himself. Sure he got the pick-6, but the whole season he led his team and is putting up potentially record setting numbers with good players but nobody special. Brady put up above-average numbers at best until he got Moss and Welker. Not to mention he hasn't won anything since he got them which proves how important his defense was. Wow, didn't realize how much I wrote. Well that is enough on the QB discussion until later.
Hey everyone, sorry about my two week hiatus. I have been in school and getting myself on track, but no worries because I'm back.
It's the moment we've all the waiting for...the Super Bowl.
The Indianapolis Colts travel to Miami to take on the New Orleans Saints. Two of the best quarterbacks in the league face off in a game that looks to be an explosion of offense and a scoring fest.
The game features two elite quarterbacks in Drew Brees and Peyton Manning. Brees has revived the Saints after decades of turmoil and being devastated by Hurricane Katrina. The Saints enter their first ever Super Bowl in franchise history and the Colts head into their fourth total and second in four years.
Now don't get upset that I'm not mentioning much about other players on these two teams because this game is solely going to be decided by the play of the quarterbacks. However, don't be surprised by a turnover or two possibly going back for a score. But in the end, this game should come down to the final possession whether there is three minutes on the clock or 45 seconds.
Enough B.S. about the game, I'm sure if you're interested you have been watching ESPN and such for the past two weeks to get all of your facts and information.
Indianapolis Colts (-5.5) vs. New Orleans Saints
My prediction: Colts 37 Saints 31
Let it be known that I want to Saints to win but I am trying to leave my emotions behind me. I just don't see how Peyton Manning doesn't take over and dominate the Saints defense. Look for Manning to have a big day but don't count out the rushing attack (attack being used very loosely) for the Colts because the Saints will do whatever they can to stop the pass.
