This is a double shout out:
1) To Antoine Walker: 50 shots in 2 games, only 6 threes, way to go! It's a new Antoine, and we're 2-0 since the deal. As I mentioned in my last post, Blount has been killing us, and with Antoine back, we're not playing Blount. Big surprise that we won the last two with the new rotation. Go Celtics!
2) To Tedy Bruschi: Thank heavens you are okay. I don't care if you never play another down if it means that you still get to lead a happy and fruitful life. You have already given Pats fans a lifetime of memories, and no stroke will ever diminish your contributions on the field. Get better soon.
Monday, February 28, 2005
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
A Blount to the Head
Mark Blount has got to go. There can be no more discussion. He is awful this year. His lackadaisical play single-handedly cost us the game in LA last night, a game the Celtics should have won. His numbers have dropped across the board this year, except for his assists. His assists have not risen enough to make up for his all-around crappiness.
Per 48 mins., Celts big men stats:
PTS REB AST BLK
Blount 16.9 8.9 3.2 1.4
Jefferson 20.9 14.5 1.0 3.1
Perkins 13.1 15.4 2.0 3.8
LaFrentz 19.7 12.9 2.0 2.0
The numbers speak for themselves. Mark Blount should be coming off the bench, if playing at all. He makes poor use of his minutes on the floor, and doesn't hustle. Last night he was shown up throughout the game by leftover Chris Mihm. Resigning Mark Blount has been Ainge's big black mark on an almost otherwise spotless record. Let's hope this problem doesn't snowball for the C's.
Per 48 mins., Celts big men stats:
PTS REB AST BLK
Blount 16.9 8.9 3.2 1.4
Jefferson 20.9 14.5 1.0 3.1
Perkins 13.1 15.4 2.0 3.8
LaFrentz 19.7 12.9 2.0 2.0
The numbers speak for themselves. Mark Blount should be coming off the bench, if playing at all. He makes poor use of his minutes on the floor, and doesn't hustle. Last night he was shown up throughout the game by leftover Chris Mihm. Resigning Mark Blount has been Ainge's big black mark on an almost otherwise spotless record. Let's hope this problem doesn't snowball for the C's.
Friday, February 11, 2005
Celtic City
So, it seems as though "the rest of the Universe" is getting a lot of attention on the blog thus far. Don't worry, we've got the next seven months for baseball games. Plenty of time.
Today we're dealing with the Celtics, my second sports love (after the Red Sox). Growing up, I would go to games with my Dad all the time. My cousin Peter had season tickets in good position in the upper deck at the Garden, and we saw many a game there. Later, when the Celts made their playoff run in 2002, I bought a package deal, nabbing three tickets to every playoff game. The comeback vs. The Nets in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals is the greatest non-BU hockey sports event of my lifetime.
So where is this going? Danny Ainge has been the savior that Rick Pitino was supposed to be. The Mark Blount debacle aside, Ainge has made nothing but extremely smart decisions as Head Celtic. With the latest trade of Walter McCarty, the Celtics have a really solid nucleus. While Paul Pierce and Raef Lafrentz, as well as the aforementioned Blount aren't worth their money, the Celtics have tons of promising talent in Tony Allen, Ricky Davis, Kendrick Perkins, Jiri Welsch, and of course Big Al Jefferson. Delonte West, Marcus Banks, and Justin Reed figure to be good complementary players as well.
Right now, the Celts are in a position to win the Atlantic division while continuing to improve the core of their team by getting young talent and/or picks for Gary Payton. Either way, they are better than the Sixers and will likely win the Atlantic. This sets up the following Eastern Conference scenario:
1. Miami
2. Detroit
3. BOSTON
4. Washington
5. Cleveland
6. Orlando
7/8 Chicago/Indiana/Philadelphia
1 vs. 8 - Miami vs. whoever - Miami
4 vs. 5 - Washington vs. Cleveland - Cleveland
1 vs. 5 - Miami vs. Cleveland - Cleveland
3 vs. 6 - BOSTON vs. Orlando - Boston
2 vs. 7 - Detroit vs. whoever - Detroit
2 vs. 3 - Detroit vs. BOSTON - ?????
Prediction for that at a later date...
Today we're dealing with the Celtics, my second sports love (after the Red Sox). Growing up, I would go to games with my Dad all the time. My cousin Peter had season tickets in good position in the upper deck at the Garden, and we saw many a game there. Later, when the Celts made their playoff run in 2002, I bought a package deal, nabbing three tickets to every playoff game. The comeback vs. The Nets in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals is the greatest non-BU hockey sports event of my lifetime.
So where is this going? Danny Ainge has been the savior that Rick Pitino was supposed to be. The Mark Blount debacle aside, Ainge has made nothing but extremely smart decisions as Head Celtic. With the latest trade of Walter McCarty, the Celtics have a really solid nucleus. While Paul Pierce and Raef Lafrentz, as well as the aforementioned Blount aren't worth their money, the Celtics have tons of promising talent in Tony Allen, Ricky Davis, Kendrick Perkins, Jiri Welsch, and of course Big Al Jefferson. Delonte West, Marcus Banks, and Justin Reed figure to be good complementary players as well.
Right now, the Celts are in a position to win the Atlantic division while continuing to improve the core of their team by getting young talent and/or picks for Gary Payton. Either way, they are better than the Sixers and will likely win the Atlantic. This sets up the following Eastern Conference scenario:
1. Miami
2. Detroit
3. BOSTON
4. Washington
5. Cleveland
6. Orlando
7/8 Chicago/Indiana/Philadelphia
1 vs. 8 - Miami vs. whoever - Miami
4 vs. 5 - Washington vs. Cleveland - Cleveland
1 vs. 5 - Miami vs. Cleveland - Cleveland
3 vs. 6 - BOSTON vs. Orlando - Boston
2 vs. 7 - Detroit vs. whoever - Detroit
2 vs. 3 - Detroit vs. BOSTON - ?????
Prediction for that at a later date...
Sunday, February 06, 2005
Extra Points (Get it, extra! Huh? Huh?)
- Hell of a game by Deion Branch. At the outset he seemed to be having trouble with his cuts, but hung tough and became the first WR since Jerry Rice to earn Super Bowl MVP. Wide Receivers drafted before Deion Branch in 2002:
Pick # Player Team
13 Donte Stallworth New Orleans
19 Ashley Lelie Denver
20 Javon Walker Green Bay
33 Jabar Gaffney Houston
36 Josh Reed Buffalo
46 Tim Carter NY Giants
47 Andre Davis Cleveland
48 Reche Caldwell San Diego
62 Antwaan Randle-El Pittsburgh
63 Antonio Bryant Dallas
Wow. Ten teams. Stallworth, Gaffney, Reed, Carter, Davis, and Bryant have accomplished nothing, and Lelie was a joke until he finally stepped up this year. Walker, Caldwell, and Randle-El have been good, but not as good as Branch. Just another example of why the Pats will do just fine without Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel.
- Rodney Harrison and Tedy Bruschi don't get enough credit. Harrison effectively had two interceptions in two plays in the first Eagles drive, and the one that counted was much more impressive, as Rodney read the play about three seconds before McNabb threw it. Bruschi's pick was incredible.
- T.O. really had a good game. Unfortunately, McNabb turned in his typical game, where he wasn't bad enough to get a lot of criticism, but he wasn't good enough to lead his team to victory. I'd love to know why they weren't playing hurry up with five minutes left.
- Great moment when Belichick, Romeo Crennel, and Charlie Weis had a group hug in what was likely their last game together.
- What I was dissapointed to see was the Pats mimic the Eagles (TO's) TD dances. A little much I thought, but I won't let that spoil the thrill of victory.
- So what's new for next year? For starters, look for either Ted Johnson or Roman Phifer to retire or leave the team, which should mean an expanded role for Tully Bunta-Cain. I will be surprised if Ty Law isn't back, and as my main Nick pointed out, we have the return of Tight End Ben Watson to look forward to.
As for challengers to the throne, I think Carolina will once again be strong, if healthy, as will Atlanta. I think Indy either loses Edgerrin James or has to pay him enough so that they can't improve their defense. Either way, I think this was their best season. I think Pittsburgh will come back to earth even if Bettis and Burress are back. I think if Todd Heap can stay healthy and Jamal Lewis can stay out of jail, the Ravens will be a force again. I think the AFC East will once again be the toughest division in football, with Nick Saban leading a much faster rebuild than will be expected. I think if Cleveland does hire Romeo Crennel they will be much improved, somewhere around 7-9, in a tough AFC North. I would be shocked if someone other than Philly represents the NFC in Super Bowl 40. As for darkhorses, look for Arizona to win the NFC West and the Detroit Lions to win the NFC North. Lastly, I think the Patriots will once again finish on top (big surprise there).
Now, since all this football talk is out of the way, on to baseball. Pitchers and catchers report in less than two weeks!
Pick # Player Team
13 Donte Stallworth New Orleans
19 Ashley Lelie Denver
20 Javon Walker Green Bay
33 Jabar Gaffney Houston
36 Josh Reed Buffalo
46 Tim Carter NY Giants
47 Andre Davis Cleveland
48 Reche Caldwell San Diego
62 Antwaan Randle-El Pittsburgh
63 Antonio Bryant Dallas
Wow. Ten teams. Stallworth, Gaffney, Reed, Carter, Davis, and Bryant have accomplished nothing, and Lelie was a joke until he finally stepped up this year. Walker, Caldwell, and Randle-El have been good, but not as good as Branch. Just another example of why the Pats will do just fine without Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel.
- Rodney Harrison and Tedy Bruschi don't get enough credit. Harrison effectively had two interceptions in two plays in the first Eagles drive, and the one that counted was much more impressive, as Rodney read the play about three seconds before McNabb threw it. Bruschi's pick was incredible.
- T.O. really had a good game. Unfortunately, McNabb turned in his typical game, where he wasn't bad enough to get a lot of criticism, but he wasn't good enough to lead his team to victory. I'd love to know why they weren't playing hurry up with five minutes left.
- Great moment when Belichick, Romeo Crennel, and Charlie Weis had a group hug in what was likely their last game together.
- What I was dissapointed to see was the Pats mimic the Eagles (TO's) TD dances. A little much I thought, but I won't let that spoil the thrill of victory.
- So what's new for next year? For starters, look for either Ted Johnson or Roman Phifer to retire or leave the team, which should mean an expanded role for Tully Bunta-Cain. I will be surprised if Ty Law isn't back, and as my main Nick pointed out, we have the return of Tight End Ben Watson to look forward to.
As for challengers to the throne, I think Carolina will once again be strong, if healthy, as will Atlanta. I think Indy either loses Edgerrin James or has to pay him enough so that they can't improve their defense. Either way, I think this was their best season. I think Pittsburgh will come back to earth even if Bettis and Burress are back. I think if Todd Heap can stay healthy and Jamal Lewis can stay out of jail, the Ravens will be a force again. I think the AFC East will once again be the toughest division in football, with Nick Saban leading a much faster rebuild than will be expected. I think if Cleveland does hire Romeo Crennel they will be much improved, somewhere around 7-9, in a tough AFC North. I would be shocked if someone other than Philly represents the NFC in Super Bowl 40. As for darkhorses, look for Arizona to win the NFC West and the Detroit Lions to win the NFC North. Lastly, I think the Patriots will once again finish on top (big surprise there).
Now, since all this football talk is out of the way, on to baseball. Pitchers and catchers report in less than two weeks!
Close Enough!
Ok, so I was wrong on the score, due mainly to Philly's drive that tied it 14-14 when Belichick went ultra-conservative with Eugene Wilson out. However, we are making progress.
Super Bowl 36 - Drive for the game-winner with no timeouts.
Super Bowl 38 - Drive for the game-winner with one timeout.
Super Bowl 39 - No game-winning drive necessary.
Super Bowl 40 - Big victory?
As for the predictions:
1) Correct
2) Incorrect - 44 Rushing, 60 Receiving, 19 Punt Return yards - 123 all-purpose yards
3) Incorrect - TO had 9 catches, and had a really remarkable game. Much credit deserved there.
4) Correct - Freddie Mitchell sucks
5) Correct - This is a judgment call, but there were lots of obvious mistakes made, like calling Greg Lewis' 30 yard touchdown a 40 yard touchdown. Oy.
Overall, a great game, I just hope Corey Dillon is okay and that Steve Belichick doesn't catch Gatorade bath pneumonia.
GO PATS!
Super Bowl 36 - Drive for the game-winner with no timeouts.
Super Bowl 38 - Drive for the game-winner with one timeout.
Super Bowl 39 - No game-winning drive necessary.
Super Bowl 40 - Big victory?
As for the predictions:
1) Correct
2) Incorrect - 44 Rushing, 60 Receiving, 19 Punt Return yards - 123 all-purpose yards
3) Incorrect - TO had 9 catches, and had a really remarkable game. Much credit deserved there.
4) Correct - Freddie Mitchell sucks
5) Correct - This is a judgment call, but there were lots of obvious mistakes made, like calling Greg Lewis' 30 yard touchdown a 40 yard touchdown. Oy.
Overall, a great game, I just hope Corey Dillon is okay and that Steve Belichick doesn't catch Gatorade bath pneumonia.
GO PATS!
Super Post
Just so people know that it was down in writing before the game:
Patriots - 31
Eagles - 15
MVP - Tom Brady
Other predictions:
1 - Corey Dillon scores at least one touchdown
2 - Brian Westbrook is held to less than 100 all-purpose yards
3 - Terrell Owens catches less than five passes
4 - Freddie Mitchell catches less than three passes
5 - Joe Buck, Chris Collinsworth, and Troy Aikman will call a horrible game
Patriots - 31
Eagles - 15
MVP - Tom Brady
Other predictions:
1 - Corey Dillon scores at least one touchdown
2 - Brian Westbrook is held to less than 100 all-purpose yards
3 - Terrell Owens catches less than five passes
4 - Freddie Mitchell catches less than three passes
5 - Joe Buck, Chris Collinsworth, and Troy Aikman will call a horrible game
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