Checking Out the NFC South

Nothing like a nice Monday afternoon to make time for a new entry. Also nothing like a mild Monday afternoon to start previewing the upcoming NFL season. Here is my Ms. Cleo impression for the NFC South division in expected order of finish.

1 New Orleans (11-5): The Saints were the darlings of the league two years due to Drew Brees' almost MVP season. 2007 was about the same for Brees, but completely different. You can't put the Saints' 7-9 season on his rocket arm completely, but the QB deserves a good amount of the blame.

Despite seeing his TD total increase by two, Brees' QB rating fell by seven points, completion percentage dropped three points, and most importantly his interceptions went up by seven. But there are two statistics that were more explanatory of how his struggles affected his teams.

In New Orleans' first four games Brees threw one touchdown to nine interceptions. Those resulted in four losses. The first four game of 2006 resulted to a more reasonable 4-2 ratio for Brees and a 3-1 record for his team.

Even more alarming was the QB's performance in losses and wins. In his team's seven wins, he threw 19 TDs and two picks. In their nine losses, it was a much more Rick Mirer like 9-16 ratio.

In spite of Brees' struggles, the biggest problem for NO was their 25th ranked scoring defense. They gave up 24.3 points per game and needed to vastly improve. Of course their biggest offseason addition was tight end Jeremy Shockey. Doesn't make much sense. Or does it?

With a defense that bad, it can't be revamped overnight. So adding a Pro-Bowl player who will add another dimension to an offense that was fourth in yards per game and 12th in points will help New Orleans in football's ultimate goal of scoring more points than your opponent. They might give up 21 points per game, but they should score 27.

To be fair, Sean Payton gets a big addition to his defense in defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis. He should shore up the interior defensive line, creating better matchups for pass rushers and helping the defensive backfield.

2 Carolina (9-7): This prediction is more on a hunch than anything empirical. In 2007, the Panthers were mediocre defensively and bottom third bad offense. So what would make me predict a jump to a winning record and potentially a playoff spot? Three things.

First is a healthy Jake Delhomme. Before he was hurt and lost for the year, the QB had a 8-1 TD-Int ratio. His three replacements had a not so good 11-16 ratio. See the difference?

Dellhomme should be healthy -- John Fox has been playing with his voodoo doll to ensure this -- and when healthy, Delhomme is a good to very good player. His quarterback rating has steadied between 80.6 to 88.1 in his four full season (avg season: 22 TD-14 Int). A team plays much better when they have confidence in their QB and I doubt the Panthers offensive players could say that last year when Vinny Testaverde, Matt Moore, or David Carr was under center.

Secondly, there is no way Julius Peppers is a 2.5 sack a season player, which is what he was last year. The defensive end is too fast, too strong, too talented to repeat such a putrid season. Before last year, he had double figure QB kills in four of his first five seasons. A resurgence from Peppers should reinvigorate the pass rush and improve the defense. Something very important for a team with no player racking up more than 3.5 sacks last year.

Lastly, Deshaun Foster no longer gets phone calls in the 704 area code. The running back had 247 carries at a 3.5 yards per carry clip last season. That's not too good. His back-up, DeAngelo Williams, had 144 for a 5.0 ypc. Much better. Williams won't get all the carries, first round pick Jonathon Stewart should get his share as well. Either way, Carolina fans should expect a better running game and more than last year's 16.7 ppg.

3 Tampa Bay (7-9): I went fishing today, for fluke. And for some reason the Buccaneers came to mind.

Their second ranked defense was impressive last year, but it is getting old quickly. And we all know in the NFL, Father Time waits for no one. I expect to see a drop off this year, because I'm not sure how much first round pick Aqib Talib can help take the place of some of the old timers in the secondary (cough Ronde Barber cough).

On offense, Jeff Garcia was an oldie but a goodie last year but even his coach isn't sure he can repeat his performance in 2008. That is a troubling sign for an offense that was already mediocre last year (18th in the league). Joey Galloway being 36 also doesn't help.

And despite Fantasy Hall-of-Famer Earnest Graham's hilarious commercials for a rival website, past his touchdowns, he was mediocre as well with just a 4.0 ypc.

So it all comes down to the defense again this year. If they put up, I'll shut up. But I sure do like to talk.

4 Atlanta (4-12): O Falcons fans, this is going to be another lean year. Last year's troubles are well documented. In fact nightmares of Michael Vick, dogfighting, Chris Redman and Joey Harrington at quarterback may still haunt the dreams of those in the 404.

Sorry to say, this year will be just as bad record wise, but much better in terms of morale. Matt Ryan is now the cornerstone and something to look forward to. Enjoy him struggling this year because at least the future is here. Michael "Burner" Turner is a big name addition and should be interesting to watch. Jerious Norwood is the sleeper in the backfield and I expect stats just the same as Turner's.

Other than that, I don't think Xanax is too hard to get.

Links:

Olympics Bring Out Patriotism Apparently

News on Peyton Manning's (Bursa) Sac

New American Olympic Stars to Cheer For

Apparently the First Amendment Doesn't Apply in China

The Answer to an Important Question

Bolt of Lightning Hits Beijing

Michael Phelps Who?

Typing this just moments after Phelps' won his record eighth gold medal, the day's biggest story had already happened about 10 hours earlier.

Usain Bolt came, he saw, he conquered. He set a new world record.

Running in just his eighth ever 100-meter final, the Jamaican turned the track at the Bird's Nest his personal play-pen. Nothing else could explain how easily he toyed with his competition.

A 9.92 in the preliminary heat, despite putting on the breaks about 60 meters into the race. 9.85 in the semifinal. Both times run rather easily, showing that Bolt still had something left in the tank.

But damn!

Bolt won the gold medal in a new world record 9.69 seconds and he could have gone faster. The World's Fastest Man started cooling down with about 15 meters still to go, leaving some wondering what the new record could really have been. Silver medalist Richard Thompson threw out 9.54 seconds.

And to think Bolt is by nature a 200-meter runner. The 6'5" wunderkind only started running the 100 as a speed workout. When he started breaking records, he knew he had something.

Now the whole world knows he is something else.

More Olympic Chatter

I watched the first quarter of the Spain-US men's basketball game this morning. That's all I needed to see. From the get-go you could see that the Redeem Team was on a mission and five Spaniards weren't going to get in there way. But don't take too much from this game. The squads know they'll see each other later on (hint: in the gold medal game) and probably didn't want to give up too many secrets.

Another disappointing Olympic outing for Paula Radcliffe. Despite holding the world record in the marathon and being world renowned, the British runner does not have any Olympic golds to her profile. In Athens she dropped out during the race and this year was almost the same case. She continued running after taking a quick break but was nowhere near the medal stage.

Paging Asafa Powell. World records are great, Olympic medals are better.

Links

A Better Account of Bolt's Dominance

For Those That Vote Based on Divine Stewardship

If You Don't Like NBC, at Least You're Not in China

The First College Football Poll is Out

The Best Political Cartoons of the Week

Long Distance Running in America

Making an Olympic Run

I am just like you. You. And you, and you, and you. I am a dream jock. As a failed athlete, I have dreams of performing amazing feats in front of large crowds that I know will never be realized. Some spend hours wishing they can hit one out of Yankee Stadium or catch the game winning touchdown in the Super Bowl. My never-will-happen ambition occurs five out of seven days a week, every time I go running. Each stride hopefully longer, each kick wishfully stronger, and each finish faster.
Nothing brings that out more than Olympic Track. Crossing the line first, in front of 60,000 fans all screaming for you. Basketball, baseball, football; all of those take drowning out the crowd for supreme concentration. Ask many athletes about the crowd and they'll respond that they don't even know it's there. Running means building off of the noise, using it to propel you down the track along the last turn. Giving the final boost on the last straightaway, because sometimes 100 mile weeks sometimes aren't enough. And pushing you across the tape first despite all the times you practiced finishes and lunges. Sometimes sprinters win by a nose, sometimes by a pitch.

These Olympics are not short on compelling races and running events.

100 Meters- The most exciting and highly awaited race is easly the 100 meter dash. The final should have the three fastest men on the planet.

Jamaican Asafa Powell is the former world record holder who at one point seemed unbeatable in the event and seemed destined to put his career in the memory books as one of the best ever. But injuries and a penchent for choking on the big stage slowed down the runner with a best time of 9.74 seconds.

Fellow Jamaican Usain Bolt came out of nowhere to set the world record in the 100 with a time of 9.72 seconds in New York. Formally a 200 runner, Bolt was using the race as speed workout. Now Bolt has a world record and is the prohibitive favorite in Beijing. I have never seen a sprinter make it look so easy. Money may not grow on trees, but in Jamaica, 100 meter runners do.

American Tyson Gay seemed ready to pounce on Powell's claim as best in the world. While Powell was recovering, Gay was making his move. But just as it seemed Gay would be hitting his stride, he was outgunned in May by Bolt. Then during the US Olympic Trials Gay barely made it out of the pre-final heats. He made up for it by running a wind-aided 9.68, the fastest ever but not a world record. Unfortunately Gay will only be running the 100 in Beijing despite being a better 200 meter runner as he injured his hamstring during the 200 meters qualifying races and has not raced since.

200 Meters- The time is now for Allyson Felix. She is the new American "It Girl" in track and field. She won the silver medal in this event in Athens as a 18 year old and now comes back this year as the favorite. Commercials and World Championship medals will only get you so far. In track, notoriety and names are made with Olympic Gold.

1500 Meters- Bernard Lagat is the main story here. The former Kenyan, now US citizen, is trying to get a third Olympic medal and his first gold. The previous two were won for Kenya. He won this race at the World Championships but we'll see how he does here under the bright lights.

Steeplechase- This is easily the most enjoyable race to watch. As if running 3000 meters at an Olympic speed isn't painful enough, having to hurdle and jump over puddles makes it hell. This is a race for the true warriors and sadists.

Links

It Seems the Candidates Have Less Time Than We Think

A Quick Premier League Preview

The Cold War is Over?

An Unforseen MVP Pick

They Found Bigfoot

Apparently Winning the Presidential Election Is a Simple 6 Step Process

A Great Blog Keeping Track of Rutgers Football

Mark Spitz Maybe a Bit Conceited

Sunday, Crazy, Sunday

I woke up today expecting a nice, easy Sunday filled with wide array of games, all interesting but nothing extraordinary. How silly do I look now?

The biggest story coming from today was obviously the reinstatement of Brett Favre. The quarterback/legend/flip-flopper is officially a Packer again once after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell accepted his letter asking to end his retirement. Now the fun begins.
The first word out of Wisconsin is that Packer management will allow No. 4 to battle for the starting job with Aaron Rodgers. Call me cynical if you like, but I don't think that will be the final resolution. If in fact Favre plans to report to camp tomorrow afternoon as he says, then a quarterback battle is the last thing we will get.
To me this most logically points to a trade. The Packers cannot go back on their summer-long edict that Rodgers is their QB. And since he won't be a starter then he won't be a Packer which means he has to end up elsewhere. Because Green Bay doesn't want to start a media and fan firestorm at camp, they will want to get rid of Favre quickly. This should rule out a trade to any division rival.
The Bears and Vikings will not just offer up a reasonable trade (say a 2nd rounder) right off the bat. If they know GB wants to get rid of Favre quickly, then they are within their rights to start with a lowball offers. Trades within the division are not made quickly under any circumstances. Especially when both teams would be doing the Packers a favor by offering fair value right away.
This opens up the possibility of other teams coming into the fray. The teams that make the most sense are the ones mentioned all along. The Jets, Bucs, and Redskins make the most sense.
But as been often reported the Packers don't want to trade to a team on their schedule. Goodbye Tampa Bay.
This leaves the Redskins as the leader. Although Dan Snyder is still their owner, I see a change in organizational philosophy in their future. Jim Zorn is a brand new coach. He is going to need time to learn the job. This doesn't spell immediate success. He and QB Jason Campbell will grow and learn together. Their acquisition of Jason Taylor is not contradictory to this because they had a gaping hole at defensive end with the injury to Phillip Daniels that needed to be filled. And filling an open DE spot does not have as much effect on the long term prospects of a team as putting your franchise QB on the bench for two years.
This, of course, leaves the New York Jets. But Favre does not want to play in New York. Won't even take their phone calls. So what does this all mean?
That we are right back where we started from. To me, if anything, his reinstatement helps the Jets in their hopes to get Favre. But I wouldn't put my money on it.

Trades Pay off for Yankees:
Jason Bay had the upper hand in the Former Pirate Making the Biggest Impact in the AL East battle after scoring the winning run for Boston in Friday night's 12 inning win over the Athletics and hitting the go-ahead three run HR in Saturday's win. Xavier Nady showed Sunday why he was being clamored for at the trade-deadline as well.
Nady totalled four hits, six RBI and two huge hits against the Angels. His two-run ground rule double in the sixth shortened the four Yankee deficit to 5-3, inching them closer before NY tied it in the seventh. A three-run HR in the seventh gave the Yankees an 8-5 lead.
Although LA of A would come back to take the lead, it showed that Nady belongs in the Big City.
It also keyed an extremely huge victory for the Yankees. Getting a split against a team that has tormented them since 2002 was huge, especially when it looked like a sweep was inevitable after the Angels 1-0 win Friday night. It helps keep the Yankees close in the AL playoff race. After looking like the favorites for at least the wildcard after series victory in Boston, the team struggled and Boston flourished despite the trade of Manny Ramirez.
For Anaheim, Mark Texiera hit the grand slam that gave them the lead in eighth inning. It was a big hit for a player thrown into a winning situation and playoff-atmosphere for the first time ever.
Texiera has never made the playoffs since making his debut in 2003 and to me questions must be raised about he will play in these conditions. Although its almost a given that the Angels will make the playoffs, they still have something to play for. Getting home-field advantage in the playoffs is important and that is what they will be playing for these last two months. But his biggest impact will be seen in October. How he fares then will determine whether the trade was a success. Till then it's all an extended try-out. But just in case anyone thinks it doesn't matter, they have to remember: practice makes perfect.

Links:
The Story of a Runner from Sudan Trying to Outrun More Than the Competition
Steve Nash and Baron Davis Make a Movie. And its Hilarious!
In the Rash of Attacks on Obama, Somebody has to Stand Up for Him
Hannah Montana May Have her Own Lifestyle
Can Sports Be Made Even More Lucrative?
Is This Hypocrisy?
I Shouldn't Have Thrown Out My Baseball Cards

What To Look For:
(Preseason Football) Indianapolis vs Washington 8pm NBC- If preseason football can be any worse, Peyton Manning won't play because of his hurt (bursa) sac.
Philadelphia at St. Louis- Two playoff contenders square up. The Cards need to take this one to keep up in the NL Central race

Saturday's Alright for a Few Links

No entry today, just a few links to help you pass the day as your waiting out the heat inside with your air conditioning

A description of the last Old Timers Day at Yankee Stadium

History of the Olympic Torch

Players Who May Get Traded Down the Stretch and Matter

A Real Heartwarming Story about Redemption

Send Your Resume Here if You like Explosions

Working For the Weekend

What a long strange week its been. But before we can look ahead, we have to look back, so let's start with last Friday night and move forward.

It's been a long time since the New York Yankees have had a week this good. And it's not very often you can say that after a team lost five of its eight games.

The last time had any period of time comparable to the last eight days was their five game sweep of the Red Sox at Fenway in 2006. And that's where this week started as well.

Taking two out of three from the Sox in Boston was huge, no doubt. A dominant performance by Joba Chamberlain erased the last of the doubts about moving the right-hander to the bullpen. And even before the last out was recorded news just as big broke.

The acquisition of Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte for four players who had no impact on the team in the considerable future was a steal. And the trade paid off immidiately as Marte recorded a criticial strike-out of David Ortiz the very next day in another Yankee win.

Sunday's loss was, for the most part, irrelevant. It was expected because nobody could see the legendary Sidney Ponson shutting down the Sox that night, the defending champions wouldn't allow it.

The series loss to the Orioles was disheartening to NY fans but it was quickly erased from all minds shortly after 4pm Thursday afternoon. That's when word got out that the Red Sox had dealt Manny Ramirez to the LA Dodgers. That Jason Bay was coming back was of no importance. The hitter most feared by Bronx pitchers wouldn't be seen in the Bronx again in 2008. It seemed that the Sox were taking away from their championship chances just to get rid of a player that teammates had had enough of.

And thats how five losses compared to one big loss turned it into a winning week for Yankee fans everywhere.

Getting Pudge doesnt hurt either.

Things to look forward to this weekend:

Dodgers vs Diamondbacks- See Manny. See Manny in LA. See Manny tee off against Yusmiero Petit and Doug Davis. See Manny, it's so much easier in the NL.

Tigers at Tampa Bay (Sunday)- Armando Galarrago takes on James Shields in a premier pitching matchup as two teams try to keep hot in two close division races.

USA vs Russia (Sunday)- These games are essentially useless, but if America blows out another potential Olympic medal competitor it will lend more credence that the USA is back! We'll see.

Links to Look At:

There are other swimmers out there other than Michael Phelps. He may be the best of them

Yay for Chinese Transparency in the Olympics

It Seems Rights are Growing in the Far East

Hope For All of Us

How Los Angelese is Trying to Stop Obesity