Our Detroit Tigers are heading into a 4-game home series against the Minnesota Twins tonight, with the slight luxury of a 2 game lead.
If the Tigers win at least two games, they will make things very hard on Minnesota. This is certainly an attainable goal, considering how outstanding the Tigers have been at home this year. But it is by no means in the bag.
Let's be blunt. The Twins are 11-2 since losing Justin Morneau. And while I have no doubt that the Tigers are not overlooking the series, the Twins will likely be a bit hungrier.
If the Tigers are going to take two or more games, they will need to play at their best, despite their home-field advantage. If the Pitchers play to their full potential and the hitters step it up, they should be able to easily win two, probably three of the games.
But they cannot afford to enter the series overconfident. If the Tigers lose the first game, in front of their home crowd, the pressure will shift to them. They will find themselves suddenly a little nervous. Scrambling could result from this, something that is never good.
Instead, the Tigers must head into the series understanding that Minnesota is capable of beating them, and therefore play their hardest so they can get that first win and hopefully plant a seed of doubt.
There's only seven games left for the Tigers, but they remain tight in what is, without a doubt, the league's most exciting race.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Favre leads miracle comeback, Vikings remain unbeaten
Brett Favre may have finally silenced those who believed that he made a mistake in coming out of retirement.
On Sunday afternoon, the Vikings QB threw for more than 300 yards, and that wasn't even the real story.
The 39-year-old veteran and his purple-clad teammates took control of the ball trailing 24-20 with less than 2 minutes remaining. Favre stayed calm and moved the ball down the field. In the closing seconds, Favre fired the ball 33 yards to wide receiver Greg Lewis for the game-winning touchdown with 2 seconds left.
And you thought that the Lions' victory was the only miracle you were going to see.
I'll admit that I wasn't able to control myself, seeing the sudden turn of events in my favor. Favre had turned things around. The Vikings still had a shot at winning 'em all. And I suddenly found myself shouting "HE DID IT! HE DID IT!" I couldn't help it. I was so caught up in the moment.
This was a game that ought not to be forgotten, as the only other time I remember being this thrilled while watching a game came last year when Santonio Holmes made his miracle catch to win Super Bowl XLIII for the Steelers. But if you ask me, Holmes may have been outdone by Lewis. Holmes's play remains superior only because it came in the Super Bowl.
Back to Brett.
On Sunday Favre destroyed the myth that he was only winning because of help from star running back Adrian Peterson. He showed that he still had the ability to perform as gunslinger. And, perhaps most importantly, he showed that he could still perform in the clutch.
That's why you want Brett Favre on your football team.
So now the Vikings are at 3-0, and they have shown that they are two-dimensionally strong offensively. Therefore, their quest for a perfect season remains strong. Not only are they immensely talented, but they also are apparently strong in another way:
They know how to win.
On Sunday afternoon, the Vikings QB threw for more than 300 yards, and that wasn't even the real story.
The 39-year-old veteran and his purple-clad teammates took control of the ball trailing 24-20 with less than 2 minutes remaining. Favre stayed calm and moved the ball down the field. In the closing seconds, Favre fired the ball 33 yards to wide receiver Greg Lewis for the game-winning touchdown with 2 seconds left.
And you thought that the Lions' victory was the only miracle you were going to see.
I'll admit that I wasn't able to control myself, seeing the sudden turn of events in my favor. Favre had turned things around. The Vikings still had a shot at winning 'em all. And I suddenly found myself shouting "HE DID IT! HE DID IT!" I couldn't help it. I was so caught up in the moment.
This was a game that ought not to be forgotten, as the only other time I remember being this thrilled while watching a game came last year when Santonio Holmes made his miracle catch to win Super Bowl XLIII for the Steelers. But if you ask me, Holmes may have been outdone by Lewis. Holmes's play remains superior only because it came in the Super Bowl.
Back to Brett.
On Sunday Favre destroyed the myth that he was only winning because of help from star running back Adrian Peterson. He showed that he still had the ability to perform as gunslinger. And, perhaps most importantly, he showed that he could still perform in the clutch.
That's why you want Brett Favre on your football team.
So now the Vikings are at 3-0, and they have shown that they are two-dimensionally strong offensively. Therefore, their quest for a perfect season remains strong. Not only are they immensely talented, but they also are apparently strong in another way:
They know how to win.
Victory
At long last, the Detroit Lions were finally able to get rid of the "0" in the win column.
The Lions took down the Washington Redskins on Sunday afternoon, 19-14. Loyal fans in Ford Field cheered them on the whole way. The game was blacked out locally, but that didn't prevent some from tuning into it via radio.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford threw one touchdown and no interceptions. Overall the Lions looked a lot better on both sides of the ball. The game officially ended when linebacker Larry Foote tackled Redskins' running back Ladell Betts. I remember hearing Dan Miller, the Lions' play-by-play radio broadcaster, ending the whole thing dramatically:
"Game over! Losing streak over! NIGHTMARE OVER!"
And a feeling of great joy came to all of us Lions fans. It was big. It almost felt like winning a Super Bowl. Having lost so many games provided us with a fresh perspective on winning. A Lions victory was so wonderfully surprising, so greatly unexpected, so happily relieving, that it had us practically floating.
Maybe Coach Jim Schwartz really can dig us out of this hole. Maybe Matt Stafford really is the next Bobby Layne. Maybe...
Winning brings confidence and optimism. It can lift up an entire city or state. Michigan hasn't felt this good since the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup back in the summer of '08.
Now, that sure sounds like an odd statement. But different teams means different perspectives. We're used to seeing the Red Wings dominate the league, so the only real joy we can get from them is that which is universally uplifting: Winning a championship. The Lions, on the other hand, have been so indescribably bad that winning just one game sounds great.
Yes, sir, it was a fine day indeed, the day in which all the talk of repeating 0-16 disappeared completely.
Now, as Jason Hanson said, this doesn't mean that the Lions are going to the Super Bowl, but it is definitely a step forward. In the first two weeks, the Lions were beaten by strong teams. On Sunday they took down one of the weaker teams. Not great, but not terrible either.
Now that the streak is over, the Lions can concentrate on bigger things. The pressure is off of Stafford now, which is really big considering that the former Georgia QB's biggest weakness is often his tendency to push himself too far, thereby making mistakes.
The Lions have officially established themselves as competetors. They will still probably miss the playoffs, and more likely than not finish with a losing record, but at least they will compete.
The Lions took down the Washington Redskins on Sunday afternoon, 19-14. Loyal fans in Ford Field cheered them on the whole way. The game was blacked out locally, but that didn't prevent some from tuning into it via radio.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford threw one touchdown and no interceptions. Overall the Lions looked a lot better on both sides of the ball. The game officially ended when linebacker Larry Foote tackled Redskins' running back Ladell Betts. I remember hearing Dan Miller, the Lions' play-by-play radio broadcaster, ending the whole thing dramatically:
"Game over! Losing streak over! NIGHTMARE OVER!"
And a feeling of great joy came to all of us Lions fans. It was big. It almost felt like winning a Super Bowl. Having lost so many games provided us with a fresh perspective on winning. A Lions victory was so wonderfully surprising, so greatly unexpected, so happily relieving, that it had us practically floating.
Maybe Coach Jim Schwartz really can dig us out of this hole. Maybe Matt Stafford really is the next Bobby Layne. Maybe...
Winning brings confidence and optimism. It can lift up an entire city or state. Michigan hasn't felt this good since the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup back in the summer of '08.
Now, that sure sounds like an odd statement. But different teams means different perspectives. We're used to seeing the Red Wings dominate the league, so the only real joy we can get from them is that which is universally uplifting: Winning a championship. The Lions, on the other hand, have been so indescribably bad that winning just one game sounds great.
Yes, sir, it was a fine day indeed, the day in which all the talk of repeating 0-16 disappeared completely.
Now, as Jason Hanson said, this doesn't mean that the Lions are going to the Super Bowl, but it is definitely a step forward. In the first two weeks, the Lions were beaten by strong teams. On Sunday they took down one of the weaker teams. Not great, but not terrible either.
Now that the streak is over, the Lions can concentrate on bigger things. The pressure is off of Stafford now, which is really big considering that the former Georgia QB's biggest weakness is often his tendency to push himself too far, thereby making mistakes.
The Lions have officially established themselves as competetors. They will still probably miss the playoffs, and more likely than not finish with a losing record, but at least they will compete.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Pick of the Week
Few of us will forget Super Bowl XLIII anytime soon , especially those on the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals.
The Cardinals have started the season 1-1, and will face Indianapolis this week. So we must ask ourselves: Is Kurt Warner really good enough to take down Manning and Co.? I doubt it. As good as Warner is, there is no denying the fact that he is getting old. Sure, he's still good and all, but better than Manning?
And as far as defense goes, the deck is stacked in Indy's favor. Forget last year's playoff performance. The Cardinals rode strong momentem and took advantage of some teams' overconfidence (cough, cough, CAROLINA, ahem).
And even if they do have an advantage in the running game, is that really enough to get them to victory? I don't think so. I like the Colts in this one. I'm counting on you Peyton Manning. Brady let me down last week, so please PLEASE come through for me.
The Cardinals have started the season 1-1, and will face Indianapolis this week. So we must ask ourselves: Is Kurt Warner really good enough to take down Manning and Co.? I doubt it. As good as Warner is, there is no denying the fact that he is getting old. Sure, he's still good and all, but better than Manning?
And as far as defense goes, the deck is stacked in Indy's favor. Forget last year's playoff performance. The Cardinals rode strong momentem and took advantage of some teams' overconfidence (cough, cough, CAROLINA, ahem).
And even if they do have an advantage in the running game, is that really enough to get them to victory? I don't think so. I like the Colts in this one. I'm counting on you Peyton Manning. Brady let me down last week, so please PLEASE come through for me.
Monday, September 21, 2009
The Power of Purple: Why the Vikings just might have a shot at a perfect season
The Minnesota Vikings will head into week 3 as one of the NFL's 2-0 teams.
The difference: The Vikings are probably the only team with a realistic chance of keeping the zero in the loss column.
I'm not saying that I expect 19-0. I'm merely stating that it is a realistic possibility with the squad that the Vikings have assembled. For those of you that disagree, I ask you this question: Where are the Vikings weak? Offensive line? Get outta here. Steve Hutchinson is better than a lot of teams' entire line put together. Run defense? Nope. Kevin Williams and Pat Williams (aka the Williams Wall) lead what was last year the league's toughest run defense, and will likely be so again this year. Pass Rush? Nope. The Williams Wall helps out again here, but more important is Jared Allen, considered by many the league's top end. Secondary? Not with Pro Bowler Antoine Winfield and his sidekick Cedric Griffin. Wide Receiver? Nope. Bernard Berrian is solid, Sidney Rice is in for a breakout year, and Percy Harvin adds the "wow" factor. Quarterback? Not anymore, thanks to a certain former Packers quarterback named Brett Favre (perhaps you've heard of him?). Uh, running back? Ok, do you guys really need me to answer that one.
A surprising truth is that the Vikings actually already had a lot of this covered in '08. The defense was already strong, and I'm sure that you're all aware of the damage that Adrian Peterson did last year.
The main difference this year is the passing game. The developments of Sidney Rice and tight end Visanthe Shiancoe give the Vikings the weapons necessary to complement Bernard Berrian, and adding playmaker Percy Harvin certainly helps. The fact that they were able to successfully pull a future Hall of Fame quarterback out of retirement (can't remember who) doesn't hurt either.
The Vikings will not be an easy team to beat this year, primarily because there is pretty much no strategy that will really work against them. You can't hope to win a low-scoring battle against them, considering the playmakers they have offensively. The teams that defend the pass well may be able to stop Brett Favre from making much of an impact, but even if they do, all Favre has to do is give the ball to Adrian Peterson, and, as John Madden would probably put it, Boom!
And the idea of winning a shootout is out of the question as well because it won't be easy to put points up against the Minnesota defense. You can't hope to neutralize Peterson by getting a huge game out of your running back because the Vikings are too good at stopping the run. If you think that you can use the deep ball, think again. The Vikings, particularly Allen, can consistently rush the passer. You tell me how you're going to throw the ball deep when by the time your man is halfway there you already have to worry about a huge 270-pound monster in your face. The best chance may be pricking them apart with short passes, but with cornerbacks Antoine Winfield and Cedric Griffin, even that is difficult.
The Vikings are an elite team, and their schedule doesn't pose too many great threats. The biggest roadblock will come week 7 against the Steelers at Pittsburgh. There are only two other elite teams on their radar- the Ravens and the Giants- and both of them are played at home.
The Steelers may be one of the few teams that are capable of taking down the Vikings. So let's examine the matchup:
When the Vikings have the ball, Brett Favre will have a rough time against the Steelers' top ranked pass defense. Their best hope for scoring is that Adrian Peterson plays like a beast. Given what we've seen so far of Peterson this year, I wouldn't be too surprised if that happens. The man has hardly looked even human lately.
When the Steelers have the ball, their weak side is exposed. Their weak running game won't stand a chance against Minnesota's rush defense. They will need to use the passing game to score.
It's almost certain that this will be a low scoring game, and there are two players that will likely have the biggest impact on the outcome. One of them is Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes. There's also another. Hint: he's on the Vikings and he's a running back whose name isn't Chester Taylor. And his name starts with A.
Holmes will be the Steelers' best chance of putting points up offensively. They won't be able to run the ball, and while Big Ben is good, he's not that great. To score against Minnesota, he'll need a lot of help. If Holmes can perform like the force we saw in Super Bowl XLIII and we've seen so far this season, chances are that he'll make a big difference.
For Peterson (in case you didn't figure out that it was him yet) the concept is much more simple. With the tough defense that the Steelers have, the Vikings will need him more than ever.
Now given the fact that Peterson is a better player than Holmes, it would appear that the Vikings have the game, but don't call it just yet. Remember that the game is being played at Heinz Field. The Steelers overall winning streak ended Sunday, but their home-field one remained intact. Heinz Field looks to be this year's version of the '07 Gillette Stadium (the Patriots' home turf) - the place where no one wants to play. But if things go as I expect them to, there may be a home stadium that is even more feared.
The Metrodome.
The difference: The Vikings are probably the only team with a realistic chance of keeping the zero in the loss column.
I'm not saying that I expect 19-0. I'm merely stating that it is a realistic possibility with the squad that the Vikings have assembled. For those of you that disagree, I ask you this question: Where are the Vikings weak? Offensive line? Get outta here. Steve Hutchinson is better than a lot of teams' entire line put together. Run defense? Nope. Kevin Williams and Pat Williams (aka the Williams Wall) lead what was last year the league's toughest run defense, and will likely be so again this year. Pass Rush? Nope. The Williams Wall helps out again here, but more important is Jared Allen, considered by many the league's top end. Secondary? Not with Pro Bowler Antoine Winfield and his sidekick Cedric Griffin. Wide Receiver? Nope. Bernard Berrian is solid, Sidney Rice is in for a breakout year, and Percy Harvin adds the "wow" factor. Quarterback? Not anymore, thanks to a certain former Packers quarterback named Brett Favre (perhaps you've heard of him?). Uh, running back? Ok, do you guys really need me to answer that one.
A surprising truth is that the Vikings actually already had a lot of this covered in '08. The defense was already strong, and I'm sure that you're all aware of the damage that Adrian Peterson did last year.
The main difference this year is the passing game. The developments of Sidney Rice and tight end Visanthe Shiancoe give the Vikings the weapons necessary to complement Bernard Berrian, and adding playmaker Percy Harvin certainly helps. The fact that they were able to successfully pull a future Hall of Fame quarterback out of retirement (can't remember who) doesn't hurt either.
The Vikings will not be an easy team to beat this year, primarily because there is pretty much no strategy that will really work against them. You can't hope to win a low-scoring battle against them, considering the playmakers they have offensively. The teams that defend the pass well may be able to stop Brett Favre from making much of an impact, but even if they do, all Favre has to do is give the ball to Adrian Peterson, and, as John Madden would probably put it, Boom!
And the idea of winning a shootout is out of the question as well because it won't be easy to put points up against the Minnesota defense. You can't hope to neutralize Peterson by getting a huge game out of your running back because the Vikings are too good at stopping the run. If you think that you can use the deep ball, think again. The Vikings, particularly Allen, can consistently rush the passer. You tell me how you're going to throw the ball deep when by the time your man is halfway there you already have to worry about a huge 270-pound monster in your face. The best chance may be pricking them apart with short passes, but with cornerbacks Antoine Winfield and Cedric Griffin, even that is difficult.
The Vikings are an elite team, and their schedule doesn't pose too many great threats. The biggest roadblock will come week 7 against the Steelers at Pittsburgh. There are only two other elite teams on their radar- the Ravens and the Giants- and both of them are played at home.
The Steelers may be one of the few teams that are capable of taking down the Vikings. So let's examine the matchup:
When the Vikings have the ball, Brett Favre will have a rough time against the Steelers' top ranked pass defense. Their best hope for scoring is that Adrian Peterson plays like a beast. Given what we've seen so far of Peterson this year, I wouldn't be too surprised if that happens. The man has hardly looked even human lately.
When the Steelers have the ball, their weak side is exposed. Their weak running game won't stand a chance against Minnesota's rush defense. They will need to use the passing game to score.
It's almost certain that this will be a low scoring game, and there are two players that will likely have the biggest impact on the outcome. One of them is Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes. There's also another. Hint: he's on the Vikings and he's a running back whose name isn't Chester Taylor. And his name starts with A.
Holmes will be the Steelers' best chance of putting points up offensively. They won't be able to run the ball, and while Big Ben is good, he's not that great. To score against Minnesota, he'll need a lot of help. If Holmes can perform like the force we saw in Super Bowl XLIII and we've seen so far this season, chances are that he'll make a big difference.
For Peterson (in case you didn't figure out that it was him yet) the concept is much more simple. With the tough defense that the Steelers have, the Vikings will need him more than ever.
Now given the fact that Peterson is a better player than Holmes, it would appear that the Vikings have the game, but don't call it just yet. Remember that the game is being played at Heinz Field. The Steelers overall winning streak ended Sunday, but their home-field one remained intact. Heinz Field looks to be this year's version of the '07 Gillette Stadium (the Patriots' home turf) - the place where no one wants to play. But if things go as I expect them to, there may be a home stadium that is even more feared.
The Metrodome.
Tigers come up with big win over Twins
In defeating the Minnesota Twins on Sunday afternoon, the Detroit Tigers certainly helped their chances at winning the A.L. Central.
Sure 2 out of 3 would have been nice, but the Tigers' victory their second this year at the Metrodome, and the first in regular innings (the other took 16).
If the Tigers had lost, their lead would have dropped to one measly game, not too comforting given the way they have been playing lately. Not too mention that it would likely have continued their bad momentum. Instead, the Tigers won the game and increased the lead to 3 games.
The Tigers now head out to Cleveland. Prior to the Metrodome series, I said that the Tigers would need to win at least one game. They did. Now they will need at least two. I don't care that the game is on the road. The Tigers need as many wins as they can get, since they play their last 10 games against the Twins and the Chicago-don't-forget-about-us-just-yet-White Sox.
If they win the series against Cleveland, not only will it obviously help them in the win column, but it will also flip the way that we look at the Minnesota-Chicago series. If the Tigers are winning, then Minnesota winning is kind of good because it practically eliminates Chicago from contention, and since the Tigers would also be winning their lead would stay intact.
A sweep would probably be best, but I'm not going to ask for too much. Even powerhouses like the Yankees and Angels aren't expected to just go around sweeping teams on the road. And the fact that the Tigers are one of the league's weakest road teams this year certainly doesn't help their chances.
What the Tigers need to do is take advantage of their Sunday victory by using it to swin momentum back in their direction. And now is the best time to do so because if the Tigers lose the series to Cleveland, chances are that the bad momentum will rear its ugly head again.
And when you're closing out the season against your two biggest division threats, bad momentum is something that must be avoided.
Sure 2 out of 3 would have been nice, but the Tigers' victory their second this year at the Metrodome, and the first in regular innings (the other took 16).
If the Tigers had lost, their lead would have dropped to one measly game, not too comforting given the way they have been playing lately. Not too mention that it would likely have continued their bad momentum. Instead, the Tigers won the game and increased the lead to 3 games.
The Tigers now head out to Cleveland. Prior to the Metrodome series, I said that the Tigers would need to win at least one game. They did. Now they will need at least two. I don't care that the game is on the road. The Tigers need as many wins as they can get, since they play their last 10 games against the Twins and the Chicago-don't-forget-about-us-just-yet-White Sox.
If they win the series against Cleveland, not only will it obviously help them in the win column, but it will also flip the way that we look at the Minnesota-Chicago series. If the Tigers are winning, then Minnesota winning is kind of good because it practically eliminates Chicago from contention, and since the Tigers would also be winning their lead would stay intact.
A sweep would probably be best, but I'm not going to ask for too much. Even powerhouses like the Yankees and Angels aren't expected to just go around sweeping teams on the road. And the fact that the Tigers are one of the league's weakest road teams this year certainly doesn't help their chances.
What the Tigers need to do is take advantage of their Sunday victory by using it to swin momentum back in their direction. And now is the best time to do so because if the Tigers lose the series to Cleveland, chances are that the bad momentum will rear its ugly head again.
And when you're closing out the season against your two biggest division threats, bad momentum is something that must be avoided.
Lions lose, but look sharper than in week 1
Sure, they lost. But the Detroit Lions didn't look too bad on Sunday. They were facing a tougher team than in the previous week, and the game was a lot closer.
The fact that they were able to take a 10-0 lead against what is arguably the best team in the NFC is a reason for confidence. Granted, blowing the lead to lose 27-13 was more like our typical Lions, but still.
Last year the Lions were a completely overmatched team. A defensive line coach for head coach, his son-in-law for defensive coordinator, an offensive line coach for offensive coordinator, a broadcaster for a general manager, you get the idea. They may still be a little short on talent, but at least they showed that they could compete.
They didn't lose because they were pitifully incompetetive. They lost because the Vikings are a powerhouse, and the Lions were still one of the league's less talented teams. But they aren't by any means completely terrible this year. On the offensive side of the ball, this is the first time in a while that the line has actually looked decent so far. Over on defense, the additions of Julian Peterson, Phillip Buchanon, Grady Jackson, Travis Henry, Larry Foote, and rookie safety Louis Delmas have helped them out. With Sims, Peterson, and Foote, the linebacking corps will likely be one of their most improved areas.
Basically, my goal here is to restate what I said last week: The Lions are an improving team. They aren't ready to be playoff contenders, but they are likely good enough to win some games this year.
They may have a chance next week at home against the Washington Redskins. Granted, the Redskins are a good team, but the game will be played at home, and it is probably the best chance they will have to avoid going 0-6. Especially considering the Redskins' sloppy 9-6 victory over the St. Louis Rams.
And as bad as the Lions are, the Rams are a lot worse.
The fact that they were able to take a 10-0 lead against what is arguably the best team in the NFC is a reason for confidence. Granted, blowing the lead to lose 27-13 was more like our typical Lions, but still.
Last year the Lions were a completely overmatched team. A defensive line coach for head coach, his son-in-law for defensive coordinator, an offensive line coach for offensive coordinator, a broadcaster for a general manager, you get the idea. They may still be a little short on talent, but at least they showed that they could compete.
They didn't lose because they were pitifully incompetetive. They lost because the Vikings are a powerhouse, and the Lions were still one of the league's less talented teams. But they aren't by any means completely terrible this year. On the offensive side of the ball, this is the first time in a while that the line has actually looked decent so far. Over on defense, the additions of Julian Peterson, Phillip Buchanon, Grady Jackson, Travis Henry, Larry Foote, and rookie safety Louis Delmas have helped them out. With Sims, Peterson, and Foote, the linebacking corps will likely be one of their most improved areas.
Basically, my goal here is to restate what I said last week: The Lions are an improving team. They aren't ready to be playoff contenders, but they are likely good enough to win some games this year.
They may have a chance next week at home against the Washington Redskins. Granted, the Redskins are a good team, but the game will be played at home, and it is probably the best chance they will have to avoid going 0-6. Especially considering the Redskins' sloppy 9-6 victory over the St. Louis Rams.
And as bad as the Lions are, the Rams are a lot worse.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Tigers open crucial series vs. Twins
With the Tigers holding a 4 game lead heading into today, there is no doubt that their 3-game series at the Metrodome will have a large impact on, and maybe decide, the A.L. Central race.
It won't be easy. The Tigers have fell to the Twins in all but one of their visits to the dreaded dome this year, and that took 16 innings. The Twins may be without Justin Morneau, but considering that they are 4-1 since the first baseman's injury, it isn't too comforting.
While I have no doubt that the Tigers want to win this series, they should still be in great shape if they can avoid a sweep, a goal that actually seems realistic. If they can do that, they will still hold a 3-game lead and not have to return to the Metrodome for the rest of the season. If the Tigers fail, and get swept, their lead will fall to one game. One measly game.
Which certainly isn't too comforting, given their pitching situation. Washburn is hurt, which leaves a big hole in the 4 and 5 slots. And the fact that Edwin "Unsteady Eddie" has been showing a lack of production doesn't help, either. One can laugh, saying that Jackson is simply slumping, and is bound to recover, but let me play devil's advocate here. What if Jackson's early domination was simply a fluke, or maybe a one-time wonder. Just ask Armando Galarraga.
Whatever the case, the Tigers will certainly be a lot better off if they can win at least one game at the Metrodome.
It won't be easy. The Tigers have fell to the Twins in all but one of their visits to the dreaded dome this year, and that took 16 innings. The Twins may be without Justin Morneau, but considering that they are 4-1 since the first baseman's injury, it isn't too comforting.
While I have no doubt that the Tigers want to win this series, they should still be in great shape if they can avoid a sweep, a goal that actually seems realistic. If they can do that, they will still hold a 3-game lead and not have to return to the Metrodome for the rest of the season. If the Tigers fail, and get swept, their lead will fall to one game. One measly game.
Which certainly isn't too comforting, given their pitching situation. Washburn is hurt, which leaves a big hole in the 4 and 5 slots. And the fact that Edwin "Unsteady Eddie" has been showing a lack of production doesn't help, either. One can laugh, saying that Jackson is simply slumping, and is bound to recover, but let me play devil's advocate here. What if Jackson's early domination was simply a fluke, or maybe a one-time wonder. Just ask Armando Galarraga.
Whatever the case, the Tigers will certainly be a lot better off if they can win at least one game at the Metrodome.
Pick of the Week
After Michael Vick, there are two things I can't stand when it comes to football. One is the fact that everyone acts if Super Bowl XLII (aka the Giants' upset of the Patriots) was yesterday. The other is Rex Ryan. I'm sorry, but I just don't agree with his aggressive style.
Before the season, when asked about New England, Ryan said that he didn't come to New York to "kiss Bill Belicheck's rings". He also scoffed at the Pats' defense.
Well I have a feeling that it's time for Ryan to pay for what he said. That's why I'm going with the Patriots this week.
And by the way, Mr. Ryan, you may not kiss Belicheck's rings, but given the weapons the Patriots have and how far the Jets have to go, you sure won't have one of your own when the season ends.
Before the season, when asked about New England, Ryan said that he didn't come to New York to "kiss Bill Belicheck's rings". He also scoffed at the Pats' defense.
Well I have a feeling that it's time for Ryan to pay for what he said. That's why I'm going with the Patriots this week.
And by the way, Mr. Ryan, you may not kiss Belicheck's rings, but given the weapons the Patriots have and how far the Jets have to go, you sure won't have one of your own when the season ends.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Don't be surprised by Cutler's struggles
As much as so many people were surprised by Jay Cutler's subpar performance last night, I must say that I was not surprised.
I think several people are forgetting that the Bears already had a talented quarterback in Kyle Orton last year. Cutler was simply able to enjoy the benfits of playing with a strong line as well as playmaker Brandon Marshall while Orton was stuck in Chicago with absolutely nothing.
While several people expected Orton to shape Chicago, I insisted that it would be vice versa. Supporting cast can play a large role for a quarterback, and Cutler went from one of the best to one of the worst.
There are two things also to keep in mind here: Everyone who leaves Denver ends up screwed, and every quarterback that goes to Chicago ends up screwed. I know the first seems a little superstitous, but the latter makes perfect sense.
But many forget that you can't ignore the tendencies. In fact, from what I've seen, ignoring tendencies is often the biggest mistake made by my fellow experts (reminder: Sports Illustrated picked the Bears to win the NFC North).
Perhaps one of the reasons I was immune to the Jay Cutler overhype is that I'm not afraid to go against popular opinion. When it comes to the NFC East, the country seems almost split between those who picked the Eagles and those who picked the Giants. There's no way I would pick someone else, right? Wrong. So I'm picking the Cowboys because I think that Romo is better off with T.O.? Wrong again (actually I completely disagree with that theory).
So who does that leave? The Redskins? Yep, the Redskins. The addition of Albert Haynesworth will add big plays, which is really all that the defense was missing last year. Offensively they have plenty of underrated talent in Jason Campbell, Santana Moss, Chris Cooley, and Clinton Portis, who led the league in rushing yards last year, but no one thinks of that since their to busy either overrating Eli Manning or somehow finding an excuse to cheer for Michael Vick.
And now we have Cutler, who, when it comes down to it, is nothing more than another Chicago quarterback.
I think several people are forgetting that the Bears already had a talented quarterback in Kyle Orton last year. Cutler was simply able to enjoy the benfits of playing with a strong line as well as playmaker Brandon Marshall while Orton was stuck in Chicago with absolutely nothing.
While several people expected Orton to shape Chicago, I insisted that it would be vice versa. Supporting cast can play a large role for a quarterback, and Cutler went from one of the best to one of the worst.
There are two things also to keep in mind here: Everyone who leaves Denver ends up screwed, and every quarterback that goes to Chicago ends up screwed. I know the first seems a little superstitous, but the latter makes perfect sense.
But many forget that you can't ignore the tendencies. In fact, from what I've seen, ignoring tendencies is often the biggest mistake made by my fellow experts (reminder: Sports Illustrated picked the Bears to win the NFC North).
Perhaps one of the reasons I was immune to the Jay Cutler overhype is that I'm not afraid to go against popular opinion. When it comes to the NFC East, the country seems almost split between those who picked the Eagles and those who picked the Giants. There's no way I would pick someone else, right? Wrong. So I'm picking the Cowboys because I think that Romo is better off with T.O.? Wrong again (actually I completely disagree with that theory).
So who does that leave? The Redskins? Yep, the Redskins. The addition of Albert Haynesworth will add big plays, which is really all that the defense was missing last year. Offensively they have plenty of underrated talent in Jason Campbell, Santana Moss, Chris Cooley, and Clinton Portis, who led the league in rushing yards last year, but no one thinks of that since their to busy either overrating Eli Manning or somehow finding an excuse to cheer for Michael Vick.
And now we have Cutler, who, when it comes down to it, is nothing more than another Chicago quarterback.
Loss not pretty, but definitely an improvement
Admit it, it could have been a lot worse than it was.
The Lions may have fell, 45-27, but, for what it's worth, they looked a lot better than the Lions that went 0-16. They put a decent amount of points on the board. They made some big plays. They hung in there until the fourth quarter, which is saying something considering the fact that last year most of their games were over in the first quarter. Heck, half of them were over before they started.
The best part of the game may have been watching Louis Delmas. The safety drafted in the second round from Western Michigan showed on Sunday that he can be quite a playmaker. He made a big play when he scooped up a New Orleans fumble and ran it for a touchdown. More importantly Delmas does something that we haven't seen any Lion do in a while: He actually tackles players.
Of all the Lions draft picks this year, I have always liked Delmas the best. I have a feeling that the hard-hitting safety just might be able to spark a new era on the defensive side of the ball.
And it's not just Delmas that should give us some confidence defensively. With Julian Peterson, Ernie Sims, and Larry Foote, the linebacking corps actually looks a bit (I can't believe I'm about to use this adjective to describe the Lions) intimidating. The line is still shaky, but the secondary might be able to improve once Phillip Buchanon returns from injury.
On the offensive side of the ball, meanwhile, the Lions looked pretty good. Rookie Matt Stafford threw three interceptions, but also made some nice throws. Mistakes are bound to happen if you're a rookie quarterback that doesn't go by the name of Matt Ryan. Calvin Johnson reminded us why he was the lone bright spot in 2008. Kevin Smith didn't do anything great, but I still remain sure that he is in for a very good year.
There is also talk that the offensive line, last year considered by many, the weakest part of the team, has shown improvement. It's hard to tell from the first game, but I'll say it probably looked better than it did last year.
As far as coaching goes Jim Schwartz appears to know what he's doing. As a guy who worked under Bill Belicheck, Schwartz looks pretty good to me. I love the choice of Scott Linehan as offensive coordinator. As for the defense, Gunther Cunningham is a guy who pushes his players, which probably means harder tackling, something that was in devastatingly short supply last year.
The Lions do appear to be rebuilding, or at least improving. Remember that the process of going from the bottom of the league to a Super Bowl-calibar team rarely happens in the time of just one season.
There is a column in the Detroit Free Press by Michael Rosenberg titled: "The Road to to I" which is about the Lions going for their first victory (Rosenberg is also the author of last year's column, "The Road to XVI", which spoke of why the Lions were bound to go 0-16). Prior to Sunday's game Rosenberg announced that, in order to back up his column, he had decided to pick the Lions every week until they win. I like it, but there's one problem: Why didn't I think of it first?
At any rate the Lions are headed into the 2009 season, as a hungrier, stronger team with good coaching. And although their early schedule appears to scream "0-6!", I have a feeling that we're in for a season that has somewhere between 4 and 6 wins.
And only in Detroit does that sound optimistic.
The Lions may have fell, 45-27, but, for what it's worth, they looked a lot better than the Lions that went 0-16. They put a decent amount of points on the board. They made some big plays. They hung in there until the fourth quarter, which is saying something considering the fact that last year most of their games were over in the first quarter. Heck, half of them were over before they started.
The best part of the game may have been watching Louis Delmas. The safety drafted in the second round from Western Michigan showed on Sunday that he can be quite a playmaker. He made a big play when he scooped up a New Orleans fumble and ran it for a touchdown. More importantly Delmas does something that we haven't seen any Lion do in a while: He actually tackles players.
Of all the Lions draft picks this year, I have always liked Delmas the best. I have a feeling that the hard-hitting safety just might be able to spark a new era on the defensive side of the ball.
And it's not just Delmas that should give us some confidence defensively. With Julian Peterson, Ernie Sims, and Larry Foote, the linebacking corps actually looks a bit (I can't believe I'm about to use this adjective to describe the Lions) intimidating. The line is still shaky, but the secondary might be able to improve once Phillip Buchanon returns from injury.
On the offensive side of the ball, meanwhile, the Lions looked pretty good. Rookie Matt Stafford threw three interceptions, but also made some nice throws. Mistakes are bound to happen if you're a rookie quarterback that doesn't go by the name of Matt Ryan. Calvin Johnson reminded us why he was the lone bright spot in 2008. Kevin Smith didn't do anything great, but I still remain sure that he is in for a very good year.
There is also talk that the offensive line, last year considered by many, the weakest part of the team, has shown improvement. It's hard to tell from the first game, but I'll say it probably looked better than it did last year.
As far as coaching goes Jim Schwartz appears to know what he's doing. As a guy who worked under Bill Belicheck, Schwartz looks pretty good to me. I love the choice of Scott Linehan as offensive coordinator. As for the defense, Gunther Cunningham is a guy who pushes his players, which probably means harder tackling, something that was in devastatingly short supply last year.
The Lions do appear to be rebuilding, or at least improving. Remember that the process of going from the bottom of the league to a Super Bowl-calibar team rarely happens in the time of just one season.
There is a column in the Detroit Free Press by Michael Rosenberg titled: "The Road to to I" which is about the Lions going for their first victory (Rosenberg is also the author of last year's column, "The Road to XVI", which spoke of why the Lions were bound to go 0-16). Prior to Sunday's game Rosenberg announced that, in order to back up his column, he had decided to pick the Lions every week until they win. I like it, but there's one problem: Why didn't I think of it first?
At any rate the Lions are headed into the 2009 season, as a hungrier, stronger team with good coaching. And although their early schedule appears to scream "0-6!", I have a feeling that we're in for a season that has somewhere between 4 and 6 wins.
And only in Detroit does that sound optimistic.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Steelers open up with victory in OT
The Pittsburgh Steelers took down the Tennessee Titans, 13-10 in overtime despite losing defensive playmaker Troy Polomalu, who left in the second quarter with a sprained MCL. Polomalu is expected to miss 3-6 weeks.
For the time that he did play, however, the Steelers' strong safety sure put on a show. He made several tackles for the Steelers, several of them recorded because he cheated up to take down Titans' running back Chris Johnson. Polomalu also had the play of the game: A leaping one-handed interception grab.
A lot of people talk about what a talented safety the Colts have in Bob Sanders, or how great Ed Reed is, but Polomalu may actually be the best safety out there. He always knows where to be, and is one of the hardest hitters in the NFL.
Speaking of hard hitting, the Steelers once again showed the NFL why they won the Super Bowl and went 12-4 in the regular season despite playing the league's toughest schedule: they are the league's most physically tough team on defense. When you tackle like that on defense, it strikes fear into the hearts of your opponents.
Bottom Line: Until further notice, no team is stronger than Steel.
For the time that he did play, however, the Steelers' strong safety sure put on a show. He made several tackles for the Steelers, several of them recorded because he cheated up to take down Titans' running back Chris Johnson. Polomalu also had the play of the game: A leaping one-handed interception grab.
A lot of people talk about what a talented safety the Colts have in Bob Sanders, or how great Ed Reed is, but Polomalu may actually be the best safety out there. He always knows where to be, and is one of the hardest hitters in the NFL.
Speaking of hard hitting, the Steelers once again showed the NFL why they won the Super Bowl and went 12-4 in the regular season despite playing the league's toughest schedule: they are the league's most physically tough team on defense. When you tackle like that on defense, it strikes fear into the hearts of your opponents.
Bottom Line: Until further notice, no team is stronger than Steel.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Inge critical to team's success
The gold-glove candidate third baseman should decide how far the Tigers go.
It was only last year that trade rumors surrounding Brandon Inge surfaced. I'm sure you're all familiar with what happened that season: The Tigers loaded up with what were apparently hard-hitting veterans and benched Inge. Everyone thought that they were headed for the World Series. Instead, they finished last in the A.L. Central.
Now Inge is back, playing everyday third base, and the Tigers are winning their division. Although the title is far from in the bag, the Tigers do appear to be the no-brain favorite. Because of their weak division, the Tigers can afford mediocre hitting as long as their pitching staff remains formidable.
But will that be enough in the playoffs? Not a chance. If the Tigers are going to overcome powerhouses like the Yankees and Angels, they're going to need some offense. The return of Carlos Guillen has helped, and Placido Polanco and Magglio Ordonez are looking much better than they did earlier in the season. Alex Avila has emerged as a useful pinch-hitter.
But for the Tigers to truly be considered a strong offensive team, they need Inge to keep hitting the way he is now, and not like he was, say, a few weeks ago. Back in '06, Inge was hitting his best, and the Tigers won the A.L. crown. Last year, he sat out and the Tigers finished in last.
Inge supplies the Tigers with the extra power that they will need in order to be considered an elite team. He energizes the rest of them. He has been here longer than any of his teammates. It wasn't too long ago that it seemed that the Tigers could not win a game unless they shut out their opponents. Miguel Cabrera appeared to be the only hope of scoring. But now that Polanco, Ordonez, Guillen, and Inge have stepped it up and new weapons Alex Avila and Aubrey Huff have started hitting, they appear to be in good shape. But will it last?
It's hard to tell, but Brandon Inge may decide the answer to that question.
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