So the Baseball Hall Of Fame Ballot was released today. Names from the "Steroid Era" like Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa and Roger Clemens are on the list. To those who say cheaters have no place in Cooperstown: Whitey Ford is in the Hall Of Fame, and he used his wedding ring to doctor the baseball while pitching. Gaylord Perry used Vaseline to doctor baseballs while pitching, and he's in the Hall Of Fame. I think two names will enter Cooperstown this year: Craig Biggio and Mike Piazza. Two guys who played during the "Steroid Era", but never used Steroids themselves.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Saturday, September 15, 2012
NFL Week Two Picks
Bills Over Chiefs
Bengals Over Browns
Vikings Over Colts
Saints Over Panthers
Texans Over Jaguars
Dolphins Over Raiders
Patriots Over Cardinals
Giants Over Bucs
Ravens Over Eagles
Redskins Over Rams
Cowboys Over Seahawks
Steelers Over Jets
Titans Over Chargers
Lions Over 49ers
Falcons Over Broncos (Monday Night)
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
NFL Week One Predictions
Week 1
THU, SEP 5
Dallas at NY Giants 8:30 PM
I'm going to go against the grain and pick the Cowboys. I think Cowboys QB Tony Romo will come out determined. Cowboys really need to run early and often. Giants are going to bring pressure, so Cowboys will need to run counters and screen passes to try and counteract the blitz. Jerry Jones will get an early look at his new corners Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne as they go up against Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks.
COWBOYS OVER GIANTS
I'm going to go against the grain and pick the Cowboys. I think Cowboys QB Tony Romo will come out determined. Cowboys really need to run early and often. Giants are going to bring pressure, so Cowboys will need to run counters and screen passes to try and counteract the blitz. Jerry Jones will get an early look at his new corners Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne as they go up against Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks.
COWBOYS OVER GIANTS
SUN, SEP 9
Indianapolis at Chicago 1:00 PM
It's a rematch of Super Bowl XLI. Peyton Manning is no longer in Indianapolis. Time for the Colts to start a new era with Andrew Luck under center. The Colts have another great QB under center, and he took his tight end at Stanford to the Colts with him. Jay Cutler and the Bears are looking for a big win as they look to take the NFC North away from the Packers and Lions.
BEARS OVER COLTS
Philadelphia at Cleveland 1:00 PM
This will be a very interesting matchup. You have Michael Vick under center for the Eagles, opposed by Twenty-Eight year old rookie Brandon Weeden. Peyton Hillis will be looking to bounce back from a down year after getting the Madden cover. The Eagles defense is agreesive and will be after Weeden. The pressure will lead to sacks and probably an interception. I pick the Eagles.
EAGLES OVER BROWNS
New England at Tennessee 1:00 PM
This is a tough matchup for young Titans QB Jake Locker. He certainly looks like he could be a good QB under center, but New England's defense is tough. Lots of pressure. They made it to the Super Bowl last season, and are hungry to avenge their loss. I pick New England.
PATRIOTS OVER TITANS
Atlanta at Kansas City 1:00 PM
Another duel between two young QBs, The Falcons' Matt Ryan and the Chiefs Matt Cassell. I really like Matt Ryan. I think he's going to take Atlanta places they have never been. Kansas City plays in the super tough AFC West division, (where Denver won the division despite an 8-8 record.) and they appear to be in a rebuild. FALCONS OVER CHIEFS
Jacksonville at Minnesota 1:00 PM
Two great running backs on not so great teams. You have Adrian Peterson on the Vikings and Maurice Jones-Drew, who probably will not play after holding out all preseason. Jaguars QB Blaine Gabbert got some help this offseason in Wide Reciever Laurent Robinson, and he will definitely be a force this season. That being said, this Vikings defense is tough, and Christian Ponder could take a couple of steps forward in development this season.
VIKINGS OVER JAGUARS
Washington at New Orleans 1:00 PM
Washington Redskins Rookie QB Robert Griffin III makes his first start of his career against a Saints team without their head coach Sean Payton. Payton is under a one year suspension for the Saints and their bounty scandal. Drew Brees is still a great QB. many people think the Saints will take a step backwards, but I am not one of them. Saints came up short in the postseason against San Francisco, and they will have a a chip on their shoulder here.
SAINTS OVER REDSKINS
Buffalo at NY Jets 1:00 PM
It is now time to talk about the Jets. Jets have a loud Head Coach in Rex Ryan, frankly who's bark is worse than his bite. He has an underacheiving Quarterback in Mark Sanchez (hence the trading for Tim Tebow) and a team that is in dissaray. The Bills picked up a Pass rusher in Mario Williams, the number one pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. Ryan Fitzpatrick, the first Harvard QB to start in the NFL, will have to watch out for the 46 defense. I personally hope the Bills do so well, the Jets will have to bring in Tim Tebow at QB and not to run the gimmicky "Wildcat Offense."
BILLS OVER JETS
St. Louis at Detroit 1:00 PM
Nobody in the League has been able to stop "Megatron", Calvin Johnson. 6'5, and with an amazing leaping ability, he has the potential to be a bigger receiving force than any receiver in NFL History. Chalk up a W for Detroit.
LIONS OVER RAMS
Miami at Houston 1:00 PM
The Miami Dolphins think thay have found their next great QB in Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill. The Texans have one of the best Pocket Passers in the game in QB Matt Schaub. Texans WR Andre Johnson is on track for another 1000 yard recieving season, and Texans TE Owen Daniels can block and pass with equal efficency. I pick the Texans.
TEXANS OVER DOLPHINS
San Francisco at Green Bay 4:15 PM
Two teams who will be looking for bigger and better things this season. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers is the best QB in the NFC North and the number two QB in the NFC behind Eli Manning. The 49ers have Randy Moss and reviews say that he looks great. It will be interesting to see how he does against Packer CB Charles Woodson.
PACKERS OVER 49ERS
Seattle at Arizona 4:15 PM
Seattle is starting rookie QB Russell Wilson. Everyone thought former Packers backup Matt Flynn would be the starter, but Wilson outplayed him in the preseason. Arizona hasn't had an answer at QB since Kurt Warner retired, and now they have John Skelton under center, who has outplayed QB Kevin Kolb.
SEAHAWKS OVER CARDINALS
Carolina at Tampa Bay 4:15 PM
Panthers QB Cam Newton is an electric QB. Can scramble and throw with equal efficency. His counterpart in Tampa Bay is more of a Pocket Passer, but the Bucs are looking to get back to their winning ways. I pick the Panthers.
PANTHERS OVER BUCS
Pittsburgh at Denver 8:20 PM
This is what Sunday Night Football is all about. Peyton Manning makes his first start in a new uniform. It looks weird seeing him in a different uniform, much like seeing Joe Montana in Kansas City Chiefs Colors. The Steelers defense will be looking to sack Peyton Manning early. It will be interesting to see how many times Peyton throws to his former Colts TE Jacob Tamme. There is more talent on the Steelers though, and I pick them to win.
STEELERS OVER BRONCOS
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Bengals at Ravens
It's always bad to bet against that Ravens defense herlalded by Ray Lewis. He's still one of the best in the NFL. Gotta go with the Ravens.
RAVENS OVER BENGALS
Chargers at Raiders
Gotta go with the Chargers at QB Phillip Rivers. This could be a make or break season for both Rivers and his Head Coach Norv Turner.
CHARGERS OVER RAIDERS
Indianapolis at Chicago 1:00 PM
It's a rematch of Super Bowl XLI. Peyton Manning is no longer in Indianapolis. Time for the Colts to start a new era with Andrew Luck under center. The Colts have another great QB under center, and he took his tight end at Stanford to the Colts with him. Jay Cutler and the Bears are looking for a big win as they look to take the NFC North away from the Packers and Lions.
BEARS OVER COLTS
Philadelphia at Cleveland 1:00 PM
This will be a very interesting matchup. You have Michael Vick under center for the Eagles, opposed by Twenty-Eight year old rookie Brandon Weeden. Peyton Hillis will be looking to bounce back from a down year after getting the Madden cover. The Eagles defense is agreesive and will be after Weeden. The pressure will lead to sacks and probably an interception. I pick the Eagles.
EAGLES OVER BROWNS
New England at Tennessee 1:00 PM
This is a tough matchup for young Titans QB Jake Locker. He certainly looks like he could be a good QB under center, but New England's defense is tough. Lots of pressure. They made it to the Super Bowl last season, and are hungry to avenge their loss. I pick New England.
PATRIOTS OVER TITANS
Atlanta at Kansas City 1:00 PM
Another duel between two young QBs, The Falcons' Matt Ryan and the Chiefs Matt Cassell. I really like Matt Ryan. I think he's going to take Atlanta places they have never been. Kansas City plays in the super tough AFC West division, (where Denver won the division despite an 8-8 record.) and they appear to be in a rebuild. FALCONS OVER CHIEFS
Jacksonville at Minnesota 1:00 PM
Two great running backs on not so great teams. You have Adrian Peterson on the Vikings and Maurice Jones-Drew, who probably will not play after holding out all preseason. Jaguars QB Blaine Gabbert got some help this offseason in Wide Reciever Laurent Robinson, and he will definitely be a force this season. That being said, this Vikings defense is tough, and Christian Ponder could take a couple of steps forward in development this season.
VIKINGS OVER JAGUARS
Washington at New Orleans 1:00 PM
Washington Redskins Rookie QB Robert Griffin III makes his first start of his career against a Saints team without their head coach Sean Payton. Payton is under a one year suspension for the Saints and their bounty scandal. Drew Brees is still a great QB. many people think the Saints will take a step backwards, but I am not one of them. Saints came up short in the postseason against San Francisco, and they will have a a chip on their shoulder here.
SAINTS OVER REDSKINS
Buffalo at NY Jets 1:00 PM
It is now time to talk about the Jets. Jets have a loud Head Coach in Rex Ryan, frankly who's bark is worse than his bite. He has an underacheiving Quarterback in Mark Sanchez (hence the trading for Tim Tebow) and a team that is in dissaray. The Bills picked up a Pass rusher in Mario Williams, the number one pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. Ryan Fitzpatrick, the first Harvard QB to start in the NFL, will have to watch out for the 46 defense. I personally hope the Bills do so well, the Jets will have to bring in Tim Tebow at QB and not to run the gimmicky "Wildcat Offense."
BILLS OVER JETS
St. Louis at Detroit 1:00 PM
Nobody in the League has been able to stop "Megatron", Calvin Johnson. 6'5, and with an amazing leaping ability, he has the potential to be a bigger receiving force than any receiver in NFL History. Chalk up a W for Detroit.
LIONS OVER RAMS
Miami at Houston 1:00 PM
The Miami Dolphins think thay have found their next great QB in Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill. The Texans have one of the best Pocket Passers in the game in QB Matt Schaub. Texans WR Andre Johnson is on track for another 1000 yard recieving season, and Texans TE Owen Daniels can block and pass with equal efficency. I pick the Texans.
TEXANS OVER DOLPHINS
San Francisco at Green Bay 4:15 PM
Two teams who will be looking for bigger and better things this season. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers is the best QB in the NFC North and the number two QB in the NFC behind Eli Manning. The 49ers have Randy Moss and reviews say that he looks great. It will be interesting to see how he does against Packer CB Charles Woodson.
PACKERS OVER 49ERS
Seattle at Arizona 4:15 PM
Seattle is starting rookie QB Russell Wilson. Everyone thought former Packers backup Matt Flynn would be the starter, but Wilson outplayed him in the preseason. Arizona hasn't had an answer at QB since Kurt Warner retired, and now they have John Skelton under center, who has outplayed QB Kevin Kolb.
SEAHAWKS OVER CARDINALS
Carolina at Tampa Bay 4:15 PM
Panthers QB Cam Newton is an electric QB. Can scramble and throw with equal efficency. His counterpart in Tampa Bay is more of a Pocket Passer, but the Bucs are looking to get back to their winning ways. I pick the Panthers.
PANTHERS OVER BUCS
Pittsburgh at Denver 8:20 PM
This is what Sunday Night Football is all about. Peyton Manning makes his first start in a new uniform. It looks weird seeing him in a different uniform, much like seeing Joe Montana in Kansas City Chiefs Colors. The Steelers defense will be looking to sack Peyton Manning early. It will be interesting to see how many times Peyton throws to his former Colts TE Jacob Tamme. There is more talent on the Steelers though, and I pick them to win.
STEELERS OVER BRONCOS
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Bengals at Ravens
It's always bad to bet against that Ravens defense herlalded by Ray Lewis. He's still one of the best in the NFL. Gotta go with the Ravens.
RAVENS OVER BENGALS
Chargers at Raiders
Gotta go with the Chargers at QB Phillip Rivers. This could be a make or break season for both Rivers and his Head Coach Norv Turner.
CHARGERS OVER RAIDERS
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
NFL Predictions Are Returning!
I will be making my picks week by week for all things NFL related. Starting Next Week! The Power Zone is back is business!
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
My 2011 World Series Prediction
The World Series is set to get under way in just a few hours. The Texas Rangers have a repeat trip to the World Series thanks to their amazing bullpen, and the St Louis Cardinals have finished off an improbable rally in the standings just to get to the World Series.
Here is my prediction as to who will win:
Here is my prediction as to who will win:
I think the Texas Rangers are going to take advantage of their second trip to the World Series. The Rangers can score with any man in their lineup. Nelson Cruz had a historic ALCS with six homeruns. He will need to hit some homeruns with men on base in this series if the Rangers are to win this thing. I pick the Rangers to pull it out in five games.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
My Thoughts on The Cubs
Yes, I am back for now posting about sports again. The layoff has been long and baseball's postseason picture has become clearer by the day. As we all know, the Chicago Cubs have had an awful season under manager Mike Quade. Carlos Zambrano had another meltdown, and hopefully never pitches for the Cubs again. The guy is a super talented pitcher, but his anger problems have been well documented on this team since he became the Ace of the staff in 2007. The Cubs made the first step torward respectability again by firing General Manager Jim Hendry. Hendry had been at the helm of the Cubs GM slot since 2002. Under Hendry, the Cubs won the NL Central in 2003, 2007, and 2008, but suffered unexpected postseason exits every time. Now that Hendry is gone, I will tell you what I would want to see with the Cubs come 2012.
1. I Want A GM Who has put together a title winning team.
I think this is imperative that the Cubs hire a guy who has put together a title winning team?. Why? Because the Cubs have the longest title drought in Sports history! I would like to see the Cubs go after a guy like Brian Cashman or Theo Epstein, two guys who have experience in putting together championship teams. Epstein built that 2004 Red Sox team that shocked the world in 2004. Facing elimination down three games to none in the American League Championship Series to the New York Yankees, The Red Sox became the first team in baseball history to win four straight games to go on to the World Series! The Red Sox then made quick work out of the St Louis Cardinals, pulling off a four game sweep to win the World Series! Epstein was also on board when the Red Sox retooled with Florida Marlins castoffs Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell, went back to the World Series in 2007, sweeping the Colorado Rockies to win it all again. Cashman led the Yankees to finally win the World Series again in 2009.
2. NO Big Free Agent Signing!
Albert Pujols is a big Power hitting first baseman. While most Cubs fans have dreamed about him signing with us this offseason, I have been dead set against the Cubs signing him. The Cubs already have signed guys to contracts for too many years and too much money (I'm looking at you Alfonso Soriano.) And with Pujols, I think his inevitable decline has started as a hitter. You can usually always count on him for a .300 season with 40 homers and 100 RBIS, he as of right now is right at .300 with a 37 homer mark with 97 RBIS. Pujols is 31. I don't want to sign a guy to a seven, eight year contract. This team needs to focus on starting pitching. I know that big C.C. Sabathia of the Yankees has an opt out clause after this season, but I don't think he's going anywhere.
New Manager, Pitching Coach as well.
As hard a pill as it was to swallow that Ryne Sandberg would not be returning in Cubbie Pinstripes to manage the team after spending three years managing Cubs minor league teams (each year finishing with a winning record and playoff appearance,) I decided to embrace Mike Quade as Cubs manager. However, it seems like the only players that respect him are the players. The umpires don't respect him (He is tied for the Cubs record for manager ejections) and the fans seemed mad that Ryno is now managing the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs of Philly's Triple A system. He hates taking out pitchers and would rather watch a guy implode than take him out when it looks like he doesn't have his best stuff. Check out closer Carlos Marmol's ten blown saves, the most in baseball by Three! Larry Rothschild was the Cubs pitching coach for many seasons. He then left the team for greener pastures, as he is now the pitching coach for the New York Yankees. The Cubs replaced him with bullpen coach Mark Riggins. Riggins seems to have done more harm than good as a pitching coach to me. The starters are in the games too long, to the point where they're worn down stamina wise, and the relievers don't have the ability to shut guys down, especially in the late innings, that is required to get wins and save ballgames! In a dream world, Greg Maddux would be my choice for Cubs pitching coach,but he will probably stay in the Cubs front office. He is currently an apprentice to assistant Cubs GM Randy Bush.
1. I Want A GM Who has put together a title winning team.
I think this is imperative that the Cubs hire a guy who has put together a title winning team?. Why? Because the Cubs have the longest title drought in Sports history! I would like to see the Cubs go after a guy like Brian Cashman or Theo Epstein, two guys who have experience in putting together championship teams. Epstein built that 2004 Red Sox team that shocked the world in 2004. Facing elimination down three games to none in the American League Championship Series to the New York Yankees, The Red Sox became the first team in baseball history to win four straight games to go on to the World Series! The Red Sox then made quick work out of the St Louis Cardinals, pulling off a four game sweep to win the World Series! Epstein was also on board when the Red Sox retooled with Florida Marlins castoffs Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell, went back to the World Series in 2007, sweeping the Colorado Rockies to win it all again. Cashman led the Yankees to finally win the World Series again in 2009.
2. NO Big Free Agent Signing!
Albert Pujols is a big Power hitting first baseman. While most Cubs fans have dreamed about him signing with us this offseason, I have been dead set against the Cubs signing him. The Cubs already have signed guys to contracts for too many years and too much money (I'm looking at you Alfonso Soriano.) And with Pujols, I think his inevitable decline has started as a hitter. You can usually always count on him for a .300 season with 40 homers and 100 RBIS, he as of right now is right at .300 with a 37 homer mark with 97 RBIS. Pujols is 31. I don't want to sign a guy to a seven, eight year contract. This team needs to focus on starting pitching. I know that big C.C. Sabathia of the Yankees has an opt out clause after this season, but I don't think he's going anywhere.
New Manager, Pitching Coach as well.
As hard a pill as it was to swallow that Ryne Sandberg would not be returning in Cubbie Pinstripes to manage the team after spending three years managing Cubs minor league teams (each year finishing with a winning record and playoff appearance,) I decided to embrace Mike Quade as Cubs manager. However, it seems like the only players that respect him are the players. The umpires don't respect him (He is tied for the Cubs record for manager ejections) and the fans seemed mad that Ryno is now managing the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs of Philly's Triple A system. He hates taking out pitchers and would rather watch a guy implode than take him out when it looks like he doesn't have his best stuff. Check out closer Carlos Marmol's ten blown saves, the most in baseball by Three! Larry Rothschild was the Cubs pitching coach for many seasons. He then left the team for greener pastures, as he is now the pitching coach for the New York Yankees. The Cubs replaced him with bullpen coach Mark Riggins. Riggins seems to have done more harm than good as a pitching coach to me. The starters are in the games too long, to the point where they're worn down stamina wise, and the relievers don't have the ability to shut guys down, especially in the late innings, that is required to get wins and save ballgames! In a dream world, Greg Maddux would be my choice for Cubs pitching coach,but he will probably stay in the Cubs front office. He is currently an apprentice to assistant Cubs GM Randy Bush.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
2011 MLB On TBS Early Schedule
2011 Sunday MLB on TBS Schedule
Date Time (ET) Game
Sunday, April 3 2 p.m. Boston Red Sox @ Texas Rangers
Sunday, April 10 1:30 p.m. Philadelphia Phillies @ Atlanta Braves
Sunday, April 17 1:30 p.m. Toronto Blue Jays @ Boston Red Sox
Sunday, April 24 2:15 p.m. Los Angeles Dodgers @ Chicago Cubs
Sunday, May 1 1 p.m. Toronto Blue Jays @ New York Yankees
Sunday, May 8 2 p.m. New York Yankees @ Texas Rangers
Sunday, May 15 TBA Philadelphia Phillies @ Atlanta Braves
Sunday, May 22 1 p.m. New York Mets @ New York Yankees
Sunday, May 29 1 p.m. Boston Red Sox @ Detroit Tigers
Date Time (ET) Game
Sunday, April 3 2 p.m. Boston Red Sox @ Texas Rangers
Sunday, April 10 1:30 p.m. Philadelphia Phillies @ Atlanta Braves
Sunday, April 17 1:30 p.m. Toronto Blue Jays @ Boston Red Sox
Sunday, April 24 2:15 p.m. Los Angeles Dodgers @ Chicago Cubs
Sunday, May 1 1 p.m. Toronto Blue Jays @ New York Yankees
Sunday, May 8 2 p.m. New York Yankees @ Texas Rangers
Sunday, May 15 TBA Philadelphia Phillies @ Atlanta Braves
Sunday, May 22 1 p.m. New York Mets @ New York Yankees
Sunday, May 29 1 p.m. Boston Red Sox @ Detroit Tigers
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