The obviously good news: today Chris Lofton affirmed the overwhelming thought that he wasn't going to test the NBA waters after his junior season, and will return to Knoxville for one final season in orange.
The curiously interesting news: Bruce Pearl continues to surprise and demand your trust. In hearing Pearl speak about Lofton's decision and the future, in both the News-Sentinel piece and the AP story, you come across several revealing facts. First, Pearl is a player's coach - it was the head man who urged Lofton to even feel out the draft process, to see where he would be projected to fall. Now, even Phil Fulmer has been on record as saying that if a player is a projected Top 15 NFL pick, he has to think about going pro. But I'm not sure if Fulmer has ever gone this far with a player, telling him to feel it out when that player appears to have had little interest in doing so. In this case, of course, it works out great - Lofton knows where he stands, and he's still coming back to Knoxville. But I thought it was another interesting piece of the Bruce Pearl puzzle.
Second, and more important to the orange horizon, Stu Jackson tells Lofton that he needs to work on his ball handling and point guard skills. The thought (and the reality) in today's NBA is that there's only one spot for sub-6'5" guards on the floor, and that needs to be running the point. NBA teams that put 4 players who stand over 6'5" in the starting lineup and on the floor at all times aren't the exception, they're the rule. In the NBA in 2007, when you think "two-guard", which is Lofton's current position as a Vol, you're left with mental images of guys who also happen to all fall under the category of "guard-forward". The line between SG and SF in the NBA is getting almost nonexistent.
I even did a little research of my own for this one. Chris Lofton is 6'2". The number of NBA teams who start a player under 6'5" at the shooting guard spot: the Sixers with Andre Miller, the Bulls with Ben Gordon, the 6'4" D-Wade, Dahntay Jones in Memphis, Iverson when Steve Blake runs the point in Denver, Derek Fisher when he's not running the point in Utah, Monte Ellis at Golden State...and that's it. 7 out of 30 teams. Less than 1/4 of the teams in the NBA employ a true shooting guard. Why do you think Gilbert Arenas is playing point guard?
If Chris Lofton is going to play in the NBA, more than likely he's going to need a point guard skill set.
He doesn't have to be Steve Nash or Jason Kidd. I'm a firm believer that one of the reasons Nash comes across so well today is that no one does what he does anymore. 10-15 years ago, teams had point guards that actually ran the point - Magic Johnson, Isaiah Thomas, Dennis Johnson, John Stockton, Gary Payton, Tim Hardaway, Mugsy Bouges, Mark Jackson, Kevin Johnson, the list goes on and on. And all of those guys, with the exception of the diminuitive Mugsy and the short shorts of John Stockton, were still capable of putting up 20 a night. But that wasn't their primary role, even for Magic and Isaiah. Their job was to run the entire offense.
Today, the only two guys left who run the entire offense - Nash and Kidd - are past and present MVP candidates. Are they any better point guards or basketball players than anyone on that list from the 90s? No. But they get so much more credit, because many of the guys filling the "point guard" role today - Iverson, Arenas, Baron Davis, the list goes on - are doing so from a score-first mentality.
Chris Lofton will never be John Stockton, on any level. But if he wants to play in the NBA, he has to do more than shoot threes. JJ Redick, as a rookie, played 14 minutes a game and averaged 6 points. And that's not terrible.
But Lofton has more potential upside than Redick. Lofton showed signs of becoming a more complete basketball player last year, both with his defense and his driving skills. However, it's simple fact that if he wants significant minutes and opportunities on the next level, in this day and age, he's going to have to have some point guard in him.
You probably knew all that already. Here's what you may not know:
Bruce Pearl is going to help him.
Pearl talked openly today about moving Jordan Howell away from the backup point guard role, and giving those minutes to...Chris Lofton.
So, among others, the million dollar question is...will this make Tennessee better while it's making Chris Lofton better?
Ramar Smith is clearly the first option, and there's no debate about that. What Pearl is suggesting is that when Smith is on the bench, Lofton is running the point. And I don't doubt that Lofton can pull it off. I'm just curious to see it in action. And sometimes, I find myself in the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" category.
The larger question deals with the rotation as a whole. I'm just as interested to see if Pearl decides to put Wayne Chism and Duke Crews on the floor at the same time. I'm also interested to see what JP Prince - all 6'8" of him - will bring to the table. And don't look now, but our old friend Tyler Smith may be coming full circle to Knoxville.
The bottom line: I trust Bruce Pearl. He's done nothing to abuse that trust. So when he says that Chris Lofton is the new backup point guard, and Jordan Howell is the new Lee Humphrey (his comparison, not mine)...I believe him. If it helps Chris Lofton move up the draft board next year, then that's great. Moreover, I certainly don't believe Pearl would seriously do something like this, or anything for that matter, that wasn't in the best interest of Tennessee Basketball. Once again, the fact that we're having a serious basketball conversation in late April shows that Pearl can be trusted.
We keep finding new layers to this Bruce Pearl story. And no matter how things turn out...the ride will continue to be interesting.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Sunday, April 22, 2007
The Braves make a statement at Shea
I can't tell you the last time I enjoyed sitting down and watching a baseball game as much as I did today. The Braves and Mets were concluding their three game set at Shea Stadium, having traded blows on Friday and Saturday, which left the Mets 0.5 games up in the early NL East race. Tom Glavine and John Smoltz were facing off for the second time in this young season. And if Atlanta could steal a win, the Braves would be 4-2 against the Mets this season, having won both early series.It started with Kelly Johnson ripping Tom Glavine's very first pitch for a home run. After leaving for a brief meeting and returning to find the Mets up 6-3 and Bobby Cox having been run (I hate when I miss that, but at least you don't have to wait long to see it again), the Braves got a two out, three run shot from Edgar Renteria in the bottom of the seventh to tie it, and a two out, three run shot from Kelly Johnson, again, to take the lead 9-6 in the bottom of the eighth. And after Smoltz and Glavine had become afterthoughts, it was Atlanta's bullpen, not New York's, that survived. It wasn't without drama - which makes for good television - but the Braves got it done, again, and now have both a half game lead of their own, and the much more important mental edge over the Mets. In eighteen games and three short weeks, Atlanta has, in a way, reasserted its position as (one of) the team(s) to beat in the NL East. And while it's hard to tell with the long season just 1/9 of the way home, it appears that no one else in the division is going to offer a challenge to the Braves and Mets - sorry Phillies, but you're 6-11 - and may end up, as predicted, that both will make the playoffs.
The Mets are a great team and will continue to set or match the pace in the NL East I'm sure. And a situation where every meeting between the two is critical would be just fine with me. But after a long year with few highlights and a once-in-fifteen-years ending in 2006, the fact that Atlanta sits at 12-6 and in first in the division, with any kind of advantage over the Mets, is plenty of reason to celebrate. Baseball in Atlanta isn't just relevant again, it's in first place baby.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
The 2007 SESB Mock Draft
Make some space on your calendar next weekend, as the NFL Draft commences on Saturday and Sunday. As both an opportunity to see who your favorite NFL team will add to their roster, and a chance to find out the next destination for several ex-Vols, the Draft is one of my favorite sporting events to watch each year - which I know is true for lots of guys around the nation, much to the confusion of their wives and significant others. Alas, we press on...
Let me say up front that I expect this draft to be a real wild card based on potential trading, which is almost as impossible to project as the draft order itself. So this mock draft assumes no trades. We're also firing away a week before, since the team picking first has a habit of making deals with whomever they choose in the days before the draft, so as not to spoil it. So, without further hesitation, and with great fear and trembling...
1. Raiders - QB JaMarcus Russell (LSU)
At the end of the day, you just have to go with Russell with this pick. Calvin Johnson was unquestionably the best wide receiver in college football last year, and appears to be the most talented individual on the big board this year. But the Raiders - like all teams - need a quarterback, and drafting Johnson doesn't give them the same opportunity to improve, because who's going to throw it to him? Russell is a physical freak and has the arm strength of a god - I'm sure you've heard the stories about him throwing 40 yard strikes from his knees - and some of his mental question marks got answered in the second half of the 2006 college football season. Until then, Russell had a habit of fading and making highly questionable decisions under pressure - when he was intercepted at the start of the third quarter in the Tennessee-LSU game, I remember saying that he would never win a close game. Russell went on to lead an icy last minute drive to win that game, and lead LSU to a Sugar Bowl victory. So even if his mind is still a work in progress, his physical tools cannot be denied. Even if he struggles early and often in Oakland, and no matter how attractive Calvin Johnson is, Russell is the best choice for the Raiders at 1.
2. Lions - OT Joe Thomas (Wisconsin)
Again, Calvin Johnson is the great temptation here, especially if you're Matt Millen. But I keep thinking that eventually, he's going to start fearing for his life, and he can't go WR for the third year in a row. If you move past Johnson, this becomes an offense/defense debate, and the pick will be either Thomas or Clemson DE Gaines Adams. Even if Millen doesn't go with a wideout, it still seems to be an offensive mindset in Detroit. The Lions could trade down with the Bucs, let Tampa get Calvin Johnson, and still have their choice of Thomas/Adams at 4. But sticking with this pick, I'm still going with the big (6'8", 315) offensive lineman.
3. Browns - QB Brady Quinn (Notre Dame)
And yet again, we move past Calvin Johnson. The Browns signed Jamal Lewis, and say what you will about his age and physical condition, but I think that's enough to shy them away from Adrian Peterson. The last time Cleveland rolled the dice in this position, they entered the Tim Couch era, which didn't work out so well. And I'm not convinced at all that the Brady Quinn era would be any better - the "he played at Notre Dame, he's overrated" thing has worked pretty well recently - however, you've still gotta go with the QB here, because, like the Raiders, the options you've got in camp aren't going to get it done in the NFL. I think it's more likely that both Russell and Quinn are busts than that they both end up being worth these high picks. Regardless, the golden boy is the pick here.
4. Buccaneers - WR Calvin Johnson (Georgia Tech)
Tampa was in the playoffs two years ago, and when you add this stud to the mix, you might want to pencil them in there again this year. The 6'5" Yellow Jacket - and I can't tell you how many times I used the phrase "stop Calvin Johnson, stop Georgia Tech" in the last few years - would help balance out the Tampa offense, and is simply the most dynamic and sudden impact player in this draft. The last game-changing rookie WR was Randy Moss, though there have been others (most notably Anquan Boldin) who have had incredibly strong first years. And there have been lots of big, tall, fast WRs drafted in the last decade who didn't pan out. But this guy faced double teams every night for multiple seasons, and still turned in incredible numbers and highlight reel catches. Calvin Johnson is the real deal. Tampa Bay is the real lucky.
5. Cardinals - OT Levi Brown (Penn State)
This is a very interesting spot. If the Lions take Gaines Adams instead of Joe Thomas, the Cardinals will gladly take Thomas. If the draft unfolds the way I've got it up there, then Arizona has some choices. Offensive line is a big need - they've got the rest of the pieces on that side of the ball - and I just can't see them doing what a few mock drafters have on their board if Thomas is gone at this point: drafting Adrian Peterson, even though they just dropped a Brinks truck on The Edge last year. Arizona can get Levi Brown lower than this by trading down, as long as they stay ahead of the Dolphins at 9. But throwing all that out, I think Ken Whisenhunt goes the smashmouth route with this pick, and Levin Brown becomes a richer man than he thought he was going to be.
6. Redskins - DE Gaines Adams (Clemson)
And if he falls this far, there will be much rejoicing on Capitol Hill. If he's not around, the Skins will look at Amobi Okoye, but also look to shop the pick, especially if Adrian Peterson is still around. Either way, the Skins need defense and especially need help on the line. Adams is considered by all to be the best DE in the draft, and considered by some to be the best overall defensive player. While I might disagree with that second statement, I think he will be - whether it's with Detroit at 2 or here at 6 - the first defensive player taken.
7. Vikings - RB Adrian Peterson (Oklahoma)
Much like Calvin Johnson, there becomes a point where enough is enough and you just have to take a player of this level. Chester Taylor is a nice back, but Adrian Peterson could be a tremendous back. And it's becoming more and more habitual that the best teams in the NFL use two backs with great frequency - and not one great back and one lousy back, but two good backs. Peterson could help fill that void. He got it done, when healthy, every single week at OU. He'll have a chance to get it done with Minnesota.
8. Falcons - FS LaRon Landry (LSU)
If Adams isn't the best overall defensive player in this thing, it's LaRon Landry. A four year starter at LSU with a national championship ring to prove it, Landry can instantly upgrade a defense the way that Mike Doss, Roy Williams, and Ed Reed have done in their young careers. It's rare that you see a draft like this, where specific needs make the three or four best overall players in the draft, including Landry, fall this far.
9. Dolphins - DT Amobi Okoye (Louisville)
The 19 year old phenom, who could go as high as 5th, falls to the Dolphins, who get over the fact that two offensive tackles are gone at this point and decide to go defense. This might be the first time you could ever use the NBA argument of "he's young now, but give him a few years" in the NFL Draft. Okoye will have to grow up fast, but again, his potential and upside will be too much to pass up here.
10. Texans - CB Leon Hall (Michigan)
Every "expert" mock draft I've seen has Hall going here...but I'm uncomfortable with this because they signed Jamar Fletcher in the offseason. The Mario Williams situation last year will make them shy away from the best available players here, which includes Jamaal Anderson and Adam Carriker at DE. So we'll go with Leon Hall like everyone else here...but did you see what Dwayne Jarrett did to him in the Rose Bowl?
11. 49ers - DE Jamaal Anderson (Arkansas)
SanFran will probably take the best available player on the board, and while you've got debate here about who the next best defensive lineman is, Anderson's got the speed and size to at least make you think that he could be a solid, impact player on the defensive side of the ball for the Niners. If it comes down to Anderson or Adam Carriker, I just think Anderson is the more attractive pick.
12. Bills - LB Patrick Willis (Ole Miss)
Marshawn Lynch might be tempting here for the offensive minded, but the holes in Buffalo at linebacker are huge with the loss of London Fletcher and Takeo Spikes. Willis was a great player on a bad team for his entire career in Oxford, and the Bills can pencil him in as an instant starter to help bolster the defense. This pick is a nice marriage of quality and convenience.
13. Rams - DT Alan Branch (Michigan)
I just saw this mug (6'6", 330) breakdancing on SportsCenter this morning. Not sure if that moves him higher or lower on the board...the Rams have solid options everywhere on offense, and Branch can be stuck in the middle immediately to try and bolster a relatively weak defensive line. This seems to be another nice marriage pick.
14. Panthers - FS Reggie Nelson (Florida)
This would be seven defensive players in a row...Greg Olsen is going to be very tempting here, but I think their defensive needs are simply greater than their need to find someone to take the heat off of Steve Smith. Every mock draft I've seen has a different player going here, and Nelson has been all over the board in since January, but he can flat cover even if he's a little bit outside of someone like Landry's range. Nelson seems to be the best pick here.
15. Steelers - LB Paul Posluszny (Penn State)
Eight in a row on defense...Posluszny is probably the biggest "where will he go?" name on the board, because I've seen mock drafts that have him going at 11, and mock drafts that have him going in the second round. He's a relatively local boy, though not quite as local as Pitt CB Darrelle Revis, who could also go here. He also can play both inside and outside LB - the Steelers don't have any incredibly glaring needs, so they're free to do what they will here, and I think Posluszny is a solid choice at 15.
16. Packers - RB Marshawn Lynch (California)
Forgive me if I'm not as sold on Lynch as everyone else, but this isn't what I would do if I was picking, this is what I think the Packers will do. There are a host of WRs that are getting ready to come off the board, and Green Bay could go with any of them, but Lynch is the next best running back after Adrian Peterson - even if he's overrated - and Green Bay could use someone else to hand the ball to.
17. Jaguars - DE Jarvis Moss (Florida)
From what I read, Jacksonville is one of the few teams that would have Moss rated higher than Adam Carriker. Moss can flat fly off the edge, there's no doubt about that. Jacksonville could use a safety with Deon Grant now in Seattle, but if Reggie Nelson is off the board, it's hard to see them going that direction with this pick. The water is getting more and more muddy.
18. Bengals - CB Darrelle Revis (Pittsburgh)
If Adam Carriker is still around, which this draft has him being, lots of folks will pencil him in here. But Cincy already has quality defensive ends, and Revis is a solid player who will help upgrade the overall defense if he's still around here.
19. Titans - WR Robert Meachem (Tennessee)
Let's all hold our breath. Lots of things can go wrong here. The Titans have been incredibly solid in the Draft in the Jeff Fisher administration - Steve McNair in 95, Eddie George in 96, Derrick Mason in round four in 97, Kevin Dyson and Samari Rolle in 98, Jevon Kearse in 99, Keith Bulluck in 2000, Al Haynesworth in 02, Ben Troupe in the second round in 04, Pacman Jones in 05 (who's great on the field), and Vince Young last year. So, what could go wrong? Well, the Packers could take Meachem at 16. Or Darrelle Revis could still be on the board, and Pacman's absence could be tempting (Chris Houston from Arkansas is tempting here as well). But despite that glaring hole, the Titans MUST go RB or WR with this pick. If the Packers take Meachem, then Marshawn Lynch will probably be on the board here...but again, I think he's overrated. There are also other WRs out there, with Ted Ginn being the most attractive from what I hear. But look, you've gotta go with Meachem if he's on the board. The man can play, he does everything well, and Vince needs help. It's going to be a long and torturous Saturday afternoon leading up to this pick...and whoever the Titans take, we'll love 'em like he's our own. But let's hope it's Meachem.
20. Giants - OT Joe Staley (Central Michigan)
The first smaller school pick, though Central Michigan was a solid bowl team last year. Staley has been rocketing up the board in the last few weeks, and most of what I read says that the Giants are going to be the ones to call his name. Eli Manning says thank you.
21. Broncos - DE Adam Carriker (Nebraska)
If he falls this far, I think the Broncos will gladly take him. Denver could go several different directions here, including WR, but Carriker would be the best player left on the board at this point, and I think would be too good to pass up.
22. Cowboys - WR Ted Ginn Jr. (Ohio State)
We could have a Justin Harrell sighting here, but the reality is, T.O. and Terry Glenn aren't spring chickens. Ginn's return game presence and quickness make him even more attractive (stay away, Titans) and the Jerry Jones war room should find him to their liking.
23. Chiefs - WR Dwayne Bowe (LSU)
Can you name a Kansas City wide receiver that isn't known for his kickoff returns? That's what I thought. Bowe is 6'3" and has good hands, and should help balance out the offense. The rest of the potential first round wide receivers have more significant question marks after these four come off the board, though I think people are c-r-a-z-y to stay away from Dwayne Jarrett.
24. Patriots - CB Chris Houston (Arkansas)
The Deon Branch pick from Seattle...New England doesn't need any help, since they loaded up all over the place in the offseason, but if the speedy Houston falls this far, they'll say thank you very much. Houston just might be good enough to line up opposite Asante Samuel and start right away.
25. Jets - TE Greg Olsen (Miami)
It's been awhile since we've had a draft that seemingly lacked a Top 10 prototype tight end, but don't think that Olsen doesn't fit that mold. Chad Pennington will love throwing to this guy, who should help spice up the NYJ offense as they look to get back into the playoffs.
26. Eagles - FS Brandon Meriweather (Miami)
Here come the Hurricanes...Philly will go defense with this pick, and Meriweather - though he has some behavioral question marks - would fit in nicely with the rest of this defensive makeup. The addition of Takeo Spikes makes me think secondary instead of LB here.
27. Saints - CB Aaron Ross (Texas)
Might go wide receiver to supplant the loss of Joe Horn, which means you're into the second tier group (Dwayne Jarrett, Steve Smith, Anthony Gonzalez) at this point. But if Ross is still around, who could go to New England at 24, the Saints would be wise to take him.
28. Patriots - LB Lawrence Timmons (Florida State)
New England continues to load up on defense, because they answered all their offensive questions in free agency, it would seem. They could go offensive line (Arron Sears?) here, but Timmons seems to be a good choice.
29. Ravens - OT Justin Blalock (Texas)
The Ravnes need to go offensive line (again, Arron Sears?), but Blaylock appears to be the best option here. If Joe Staley from Central Michigan is still on the board, you can also pencil him in here at 29.
30. Chargers - WR Steve Smith (Southern Cal)
While, to me, it would be a crime if he comes off the board before Jarrett, San Diego will want speed, and that's Smith's forte. If he pans out, it's just bonus for the already explosive SD offense.
31. Bears - WR Dwayne Jarrett (Southern Cal)
The Bears could go offensive line, and if Lawrence Timmons is still around, the Lance Briggs situation may make them want to go that direction. But Sexy Rexy could use another target, and Jarrett is a man beast of a target. It behooves Jarrett to go late first round rather than early second - put him on a great team like Chicago or Indy, with other offensive playmakers, and he can thrive. Make him a lone target on a weaker offense, and he may struggle. Jarrett slips into the first round, just behind his USC teammate.
32. Colts - DT Justin Harrell (Tennessee)
While it would be a crime if the Colts took Jarrett - cause that's just not fair to everyone else - Indy will have the luxury of taking the best available player, and if Justin Harrell is still on the board, it'll be him.
You can also check out two quality mock drafts from my fellow pastor/sports blogger Jeff Wright at his website right here.
Let me say up front that I expect this draft to be a real wild card based on potential trading, which is almost as impossible to project as the draft order itself. So this mock draft assumes no trades. We're also firing away a week before, since the team picking first has a habit of making deals with whomever they choose in the days before the draft, so as not to spoil it. So, without further hesitation, and with great fear and trembling...
1. Raiders - QB JaMarcus Russell (LSU)
At the end of the day, you just have to go with Russell with this pick. Calvin Johnson was unquestionably the best wide receiver in college football last year, and appears to be the most talented individual on the big board this year. But the Raiders - like all teams - need a quarterback, and drafting Johnson doesn't give them the same opportunity to improve, because who's going to throw it to him? Russell is a physical freak and has the arm strength of a god - I'm sure you've heard the stories about him throwing 40 yard strikes from his knees - and some of his mental question marks got answered in the second half of the 2006 college football season. Until then, Russell had a habit of fading and making highly questionable decisions under pressure - when he was intercepted at the start of the third quarter in the Tennessee-LSU game, I remember saying that he would never win a close game. Russell went on to lead an icy last minute drive to win that game, and lead LSU to a Sugar Bowl victory. So even if his mind is still a work in progress, his physical tools cannot be denied. Even if he struggles early and often in Oakland, and no matter how attractive Calvin Johnson is, Russell is the best choice for the Raiders at 1.
2. Lions - OT Joe Thomas (Wisconsin)
Again, Calvin Johnson is the great temptation here, especially if you're Matt Millen. But I keep thinking that eventually, he's going to start fearing for his life, and he can't go WR for the third year in a row. If you move past Johnson, this becomes an offense/defense debate, and the pick will be either Thomas or Clemson DE Gaines Adams. Even if Millen doesn't go with a wideout, it still seems to be an offensive mindset in Detroit. The Lions could trade down with the Bucs, let Tampa get Calvin Johnson, and still have their choice of Thomas/Adams at 4. But sticking with this pick, I'm still going with the big (6'8", 315) offensive lineman.
3. Browns - QB Brady Quinn (Notre Dame)
And yet again, we move past Calvin Johnson. The Browns signed Jamal Lewis, and say what you will about his age and physical condition, but I think that's enough to shy them away from Adrian Peterson. The last time Cleveland rolled the dice in this position, they entered the Tim Couch era, which didn't work out so well. And I'm not convinced at all that the Brady Quinn era would be any better - the "he played at Notre Dame, he's overrated" thing has worked pretty well recently - however, you've still gotta go with the QB here, because, like the Raiders, the options you've got in camp aren't going to get it done in the NFL. I think it's more likely that both Russell and Quinn are busts than that they both end up being worth these high picks. Regardless, the golden boy is the pick here.
4. Buccaneers - WR Calvin Johnson (Georgia Tech)
Tampa was in the playoffs two years ago, and when you add this stud to the mix, you might want to pencil them in there again this year. The 6'5" Yellow Jacket - and I can't tell you how many times I used the phrase "stop Calvin Johnson, stop Georgia Tech" in the last few years - would help balance out the Tampa offense, and is simply the most dynamic and sudden impact player in this draft. The last game-changing rookie WR was Randy Moss, though there have been others (most notably Anquan Boldin) who have had incredibly strong first years. And there have been lots of big, tall, fast WRs drafted in the last decade who didn't pan out. But this guy faced double teams every night for multiple seasons, and still turned in incredible numbers and highlight reel catches. Calvin Johnson is the real deal. Tampa Bay is the real lucky.
5. Cardinals - OT Levi Brown (Penn State)
This is a very interesting spot. If the Lions take Gaines Adams instead of Joe Thomas, the Cardinals will gladly take Thomas. If the draft unfolds the way I've got it up there, then Arizona has some choices. Offensive line is a big need - they've got the rest of the pieces on that side of the ball - and I just can't see them doing what a few mock drafters have on their board if Thomas is gone at this point: drafting Adrian Peterson, even though they just dropped a Brinks truck on The Edge last year. Arizona can get Levi Brown lower than this by trading down, as long as they stay ahead of the Dolphins at 9. But throwing all that out, I think Ken Whisenhunt goes the smashmouth route with this pick, and Levin Brown becomes a richer man than he thought he was going to be.
6. Redskins - DE Gaines Adams (Clemson)
And if he falls this far, there will be much rejoicing on Capitol Hill. If he's not around, the Skins will look at Amobi Okoye, but also look to shop the pick, especially if Adrian Peterson is still around. Either way, the Skins need defense and especially need help on the line. Adams is considered by all to be the best DE in the draft, and considered by some to be the best overall defensive player. While I might disagree with that second statement, I think he will be - whether it's with Detroit at 2 or here at 6 - the first defensive player taken.
7. Vikings - RB Adrian Peterson (Oklahoma)
Much like Calvin Johnson, there becomes a point where enough is enough and you just have to take a player of this level. Chester Taylor is a nice back, but Adrian Peterson could be a tremendous back. And it's becoming more and more habitual that the best teams in the NFL use two backs with great frequency - and not one great back and one lousy back, but two good backs. Peterson could help fill that void. He got it done, when healthy, every single week at OU. He'll have a chance to get it done with Minnesota.
8. Falcons - FS LaRon Landry (LSU)
If Adams isn't the best overall defensive player in this thing, it's LaRon Landry. A four year starter at LSU with a national championship ring to prove it, Landry can instantly upgrade a defense the way that Mike Doss, Roy Williams, and Ed Reed have done in their young careers. It's rare that you see a draft like this, where specific needs make the three or four best overall players in the draft, including Landry, fall this far.
9. Dolphins - DT Amobi Okoye (Louisville)
The 19 year old phenom, who could go as high as 5th, falls to the Dolphins, who get over the fact that two offensive tackles are gone at this point and decide to go defense. This might be the first time you could ever use the NBA argument of "he's young now, but give him a few years" in the NFL Draft. Okoye will have to grow up fast, but again, his potential and upside will be too much to pass up here.
10. Texans - CB Leon Hall (Michigan)
Every "expert" mock draft I've seen has Hall going here...but I'm uncomfortable with this because they signed Jamar Fletcher in the offseason. The Mario Williams situation last year will make them shy away from the best available players here, which includes Jamaal Anderson and Adam Carriker at DE. So we'll go with Leon Hall like everyone else here...but did you see what Dwayne Jarrett did to him in the Rose Bowl?
11. 49ers - DE Jamaal Anderson (Arkansas)
SanFran will probably take the best available player on the board, and while you've got debate here about who the next best defensive lineman is, Anderson's got the speed and size to at least make you think that he could be a solid, impact player on the defensive side of the ball for the Niners. If it comes down to Anderson or Adam Carriker, I just think Anderson is the more attractive pick.
12. Bills - LB Patrick Willis (Ole Miss)
Marshawn Lynch might be tempting here for the offensive minded, but the holes in Buffalo at linebacker are huge with the loss of London Fletcher and Takeo Spikes. Willis was a great player on a bad team for his entire career in Oxford, and the Bills can pencil him in as an instant starter to help bolster the defense. This pick is a nice marriage of quality and convenience.
13. Rams - DT Alan Branch (Michigan)
I just saw this mug (6'6", 330) breakdancing on SportsCenter this morning. Not sure if that moves him higher or lower on the board...the Rams have solid options everywhere on offense, and Branch can be stuck in the middle immediately to try and bolster a relatively weak defensive line. This seems to be another nice marriage pick.
14. Panthers - FS Reggie Nelson (Florida)
This would be seven defensive players in a row...Greg Olsen is going to be very tempting here, but I think their defensive needs are simply greater than their need to find someone to take the heat off of Steve Smith. Every mock draft I've seen has a different player going here, and Nelson has been all over the board in since January, but he can flat cover even if he's a little bit outside of someone like Landry's range. Nelson seems to be the best pick here.
15. Steelers - LB Paul Posluszny (Penn State)
Eight in a row on defense...Posluszny is probably the biggest "where will he go?" name on the board, because I've seen mock drafts that have him going at 11, and mock drafts that have him going in the second round. He's a relatively local boy, though not quite as local as Pitt CB Darrelle Revis, who could also go here. He also can play both inside and outside LB - the Steelers don't have any incredibly glaring needs, so they're free to do what they will here, and I think Posluszny is a solid choice at 15.
16. Packers - RB Marshawn Lynch (California)
Forgive me if I'm not as sold on Lynch as everyone else, but this isn't what I would do if I was picking, this is what I think the Packers will do. There are a host of WRs that are getting ready to come off the board, and Green Bay could go with any of them, but Lynch is the next best running back after Adrian Peterson - even if he's overrated - and Green Bay could use someone else to hand the ball to.
17. Jaguars - DE Jarvis Moss (Florida)
From what I read, Jacksonville is one of the few teams that would have Moss rated higher than Adam Carriker. Moss can flat fly off the edge, there's no doubt about that. Jacksonville could use a safety with Deon Grant now in Seattle, but if Reggie Nelson is off the board, it's hard to see them going that direction with this pick. The water is getting more and more muddy.
18. Bengals - CB Darrelle Revis (Pittsburgh)
If Adam Carriker is still around, which this draft has him being, lots of folks will pencil him in here. But Cincy already has quality defensive ends, and Revis is a solid player who will help upgrade the overall defense if he's still around here.
19. Titans - WR Robert Meachem (Tennessee)
Let's all hold our breath. Lots of things can go wrong here. The Titans have been incredibly solid in the Draft in the Jeff Fisher administration - Steve McNair in 95, Eddie George in 96, Derrick Mason in round four in 97, Kevin Dyson and Samari Rolle in 98, Jevon Kearse in 99, Keith Bulluck in 2000, Al Haynesworth in 02, Ben Troupe in the second round in 04, Pacman Jones in 05 (who's great on the field), and Vince Young last year. So, what could go wrong? Well, the Packers could take Meachem at 16. Or Darrelle Revis could still be on the board, and Pacman's absence could be tempting (Chris Houston from Arkansas is tempting here as well). But despite that glaring hole, the Titans MUST go RB or WR with this pick. If the Packers take Meachem, then Marshawn Lynch will probably be on the board here...but again, I think he's overrated. There are also other WRs out there, with Ted Ginn being the most attractive from what I hear. But look, you've gotta go with Meachem if he's on the board. The man can play, he does everything well, and Vince needs help. It's going to be a long and torturous Saturday afternoon leading up to this pick...and whoever the Titans take, we'll love 'em like he's our own. But let's hope it's Meachem.
20. Giants - OT Joe Staley (Central Michigan)
The first smaller school pick, though Central Michigan was a solid bowl team last year. Staley has been rocketing up the board in the last few weeks, and most of what I read says that the Giants are going to be the ones to call his name. Eli Manning says thank you.
21. Broncos - DE Adam Carriker (Nebraska)
If he falls this far, I think the Broncos will gladly take him. Denver could go several different directions here, including WR, but Carriker would be the best player left on the board at this point, and I think would be too good to pass up.
22. Cowboys - WR Ted Ginn Jr. (Ohio State)
We could have a Justin Harrell sighting here, but the reality is, T.O. and Terry Glenn aren't spring chickens. Ginn's return game presence and quickness make him even more attractive (stay away, Titans) and the Jerry Jones war room should find him to their liking.
23. Chiefs - WR Dwayne Bowe (LSU)
Can you name a Kansas City wide receiver that isn't known for his kickoff returns? That's what I thought. Bowe is 6'3" and has good hands, and should help balance out the offense. The rest of the potential first round wide receivers have more significant question marks after these four come off the board, though I think people are c-r-a-z-y to stay away from Dwayne Jarrett.
24. Patriots - CB Chris Houston (Arkansas)
The Deon Branch pick from Seattle...New England doesn't need any help, since they loaded up all over the place in the offseason, but if the speedy Houston falls this far, they'll say thank you very much. Houston just might be good enough to line up opposite Asante Samuel and start right away.
25. Jets - TE Greg Olsen (Miami)
It's been awhile since we've had a draft that seemingly lacked a Top 10 prototype tight end, but don't think that Olsen doesn't fit that mold. Chad Pennington will love throwing to this guy, who should help spice up the NYJ offense as they look to get back into the playoffs.
26. Eagles - FS Brandon Meriweather (Miami)
Here come the Hurricanes...Philly will go defense with this pick, and Meriweather - though he has some behavioral question marks - would fit in nicely with the rest of this defensive makeup. The addition of Takeo Spikes makes me think secondary instead of LB here.
27. Saints - CB Aaron Ross (Texas)
Might go wide receiver to supplant the loss of Joe Horn, which means you're into the second tier group (Dwayne Jarrett, Steve Smith, Anthony Gonzalez) at this point. But if Ross is still around, who could go to New England at 24, the Saints would be wise to take him.
28. Patriots - LB Lawrence Timmons (Florida State)
New England continues to load up on defense, because they answered all their offensive questions in free agency, it would seem. They could go offensive line (Arron Sears?) here, but Timmons seems to be a good choice.
29. Ravens - OT Justin Blalock (Texas)
The Ravnes need to go offensive line (again, Arron Sears?), but Blaylock appears to be the best option here. If Joe Staley from Central Michigan is still on the board, you can also pencil him in here at 29.
30. Chargers - WR Steve Smith (Southern Cal)
While, to me, it would be a crime if he comes off the board before Jarrett, San Diego will want speed, and that's Smith's forte. If he pans out, it's just bonus for the already explosive SD offense.
31. Bears - WR Dwayne Jarrett (Southern Cal)
The Bears could go offensive line, and if Lawrence Timmons is still around, the Lance Briggs situation may make them want to go that direction. But Sexy Rexy could use another target, and Jarrett is a man beast of a target. It behooves Jarrett to go late first round rather than early second - put him on a great team like Chicago or Indy, with other offensive playmakers, and he can thrive. Make him a lone target on a weaker offense, and he may struggle. Jarrett slips into the first round, just behind his USC teammate.
32. Colts - DT Justin Harrell (Tennessee)
While it would be a crime if the Colts took Jarrett - cause that's just not fair to everyone else - Indy will have the luxury of taking the best available player, and if Justin Harrell is still on the board, it'll be him.
You can also check out two quality mock drafts from my fellow pastor/sports blogger Jeff Wright at his website right here.
Friday, April 20, 2007
2007 NBA Playoffs Preview
(A note first - even here, an hour outside of Blacksburg, grief and loss is tangible. Even at a school of almost 30,000 students, the loss of 33 people has a way of affecting everyone with any sort of connection to the university in a very personal and real way. It's been a very unique and difficult week to be here, as a pastor and as a human being, and this is one that will stay with you. Please continue to keep all involved and touched by the Virginia Tech incident in your prayers as everyone tries to move forward back in the real world...)
Saturday, the 07 NBA Playoffs commence, and we'll spend the next two months moving towards the Finals and answering some questions along the way. Those questions begin with, can anyone other than Dallas/Phoenix/San Antonio actually even think about winning this thing? Can anyone from the East be game enough to test whoever comes out of the West? Can a team like Houston seriously think upset in the loaded Western Conference? Can LeBron James take Cleveland to the next level, which would be the Eastern Conference Finals? Can Miami make it even that far? Can Kobe Bryant beat Phoenix all by himself - a feat he tried to pull off last year - and are there any upsets at all in the entire field this year? And, of course, will the Celtics pull out the magic ping pong ball? While we'll get the answer to that all important question on May 22, here are some thoughts and predictions on the opening round of the playoffs that'll be answered along the way...
EASTERN CONFERENCE
1 Detroit vs. 8 Orlando
The Pistons are again the best option in the East, easily the most balanced and most talented team on this side of the bracket. Even without Ben Wallace in 07, Detroit won 53 games and still runs Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace, Antonio McDyess, Tayshaun Prince, and 07 acquisition Chris Webber onto the floor. This group knows how to win in the playoffs, and lest we forget, have gone World Champs, losers in seven in the Finals, losers in seven in the conference finals the last three seasons. Detroit has been right there at the top, and is right there again this year. And then there's Orlando. And speaking of the Pistons, here comes a healthy Grant Hill in the playoffs for the first time since he was wearing Detroit colors (actually, back then the Pistons were wearing that teal stuff before ultimately wising up and going back to the classic red white and blue). Orlando has a strong future when you factor in the man child Dwight Howard, but it's hard for me to see them being any sort of challenge to the Pistons here.
Will's Pick: Pistons in 4
4 Miami vs. 5 Chicago
Bulls have home court advantage due to better record...Quite possibly the most interesting first round matchup, and a rematch from last year. The '07 version showcases a much improved Chicago team, and a banged up version of the defending champs. Chicago has a lineup - Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, Ben Wallace - that looks dangerous, and will get more dangerous the longer they stay together. But the defending champs played their best basketball in playoff time last year - and that mantra has held true for Shaquille O'Neal, who stepped up big time to keep the Heat in the thick of it when Dwyane Wade went out. In a firecely competitive series, I give the slight nod to Miami because of the experience factor. But this should be entertaining basketball.
Will's Pick: Heat in 7
3 Toronto vs. 6 New Jersey
While the Raptors are the division champions from the mighty Atlantic, almost no one seems to be giving them a chance against division foes New Jersey, again based largely on playoff experience. The Raptors are young and raw, and Chris Bosh carries a considerable amount of the load. The Nets are much more balanced and ooze playoff experience in the Kidd-Carter-Jefferson trio. Toronto wants to get out there and run, which used to be NJ's favorite thing to do when Kidd was a few years younger and Kenyon Martin was on the receiving end of many an alley-oop. Now, the Nets will focus on slowing everything down and making Toronto play at their pace. These teams haven't played since Valentine's Day, but in that last meeting, Toronto got the up tempo game they wanted and scored 120 points. They need more of that. I am openly biased because I'm still quite familiar with New Jersey bouncing Boston from the 2002 Eastern Conference Finals, plus Toronto is simply much more exciting to watch. And I can't shake the idea that Toronto - six games better than New Jersey in the regular season - won this division for a reason. And we all like offense, don't we?
Will's Pick: Raptors in 7
2 Cleveland vs. 7 Washington
The Chicago Bulls will be shooting themselves in the foot in about two weeks, because they blew a shot and securing this seed and playing the most injured team in the field on the last day of the regular season. What's more, the two seed stays away from both Miami in the first round and Detroit in the second round. So LeBron James, here comes a golden opportunity to take your team and your legacy to the next level. There's pressure up front: anything less than a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals will be a severe disappointment. It starts here with the Wizards, who are without Agent Zero and Caron Butler...which is a real shame, because this first round series last year was incredibly fun to watch. On the whole, it's going to be tough for these playoffs to match up with what we saw last year across the board. No one on the planet is giving Washington a prayer...which is enough reason for me to give them one game, but nothing more.
Will's Pick: Cavs in 5
WESTERN CONFERENCE
1 Dallas vs. 8 Golden State
Has it really been 13 years since the Warriors have been in the playoffs? Was it really 1994 when Run TMC was turning Golden State into the most exciting basketball team for all the kids to pull for? (I've got the Chris Webber jersey to prove it) Now, before you write this series off because Dallas went 67-15 in the regular season, note this: Golden State went 3-0 this season against Dallas. And then note this: in the last two contests, they won by 17 and 29 points. Now, you can write that last one off because Dallas didn't play any of their starters. And maybe all this works in the Mavs' favor because it'll make them hungry. But Don Nelson knows Dallas. So this series has the potential to get very interesting. If we're honest, though, it also has the potential to be a sweep, because Dallas is very, very strong. Jason Terry, Josh Howard, and Dirk Nowitzki will lead the charge as they've done all year. On the flip side, I've always been a big Baron Davis fan, and Jason Richardson makes this Golden State team fun to watch...but you can't pick against Dallas, not in the first round. It should be noted that only nine teams have lost in the NBA Finals one year and gone on to win the championship the next year, and it hasn't been done since the Bad Boys in 1988. But one thing at a time...
Will's Pick: Mavs in 5
4 Utah vs. 5 Houston
Rockets have home court advantage due to better record...Tracy McGrady, your time is now. He's never made it out of the first round of the playoffs, but he's also arguably never played on a better team. Yao Ming is continually becoming the dominant center everyone thought he would be, and Shane "Who's your daddy" Battier (anybody remember that from the Duke/UNC games when he was there?) just might be the missing piece for Houston...but remember, Memphis never made it out of the first round either, so no one on this lineup knows how to win in the playoffs yet. But these aren't your Sega Genesis Utah Jazz...and while Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur, and Deron Williams are solid players, they're similarly lacking in the playoff experience department. The health of Andrei Kirilenko will be in question, but he should be a factor. Utah won the season series 3-1...and I like Jerry Sloan in the playoffs. If this thing gets down to game six or seven, who will crack under the pressure? This thing is going to be very physical...but there's something about Utah that I like, and until I see it from McGrady and Yao in the playoffs, I can't commit.
Will's Pick: Jazz in 7
3 San Antonio vs. 6 Denver
As Allen Iverson knows full well, the real season begins now. So while Carmelo Anthony is still getting his playoff legs, here's a chance for Iverson to make a sudden impact. The problem is, since Shaq and Kobe broke up, the Spurs have become the best playoff team in basketball. This series should be exciting, but Denver hasn't won a playoff series since Dikembe Mutombo was laying on the floor clutching the basketball in the 8-1 upset of the Gary Payton/Shawn Kemp Sonics in 1994 (man, 94 was a good year for the playoffs). San Antonio is simply too clutch to go against them this early. I'll give Denver some credit for making it interesting, but Carmelo's got a ways to go before he catches up with LBJ and Dwyane in the playoff department.
Will's Pick: Spurs in 6
2 Phoenix vs. 7 LA Lakers
Last year, the Lakers went up 3-1 on the Suns...and lost the series in seven. This year, with Amare Stoudamire in the mix, don't bet on the Lakers. And don't bet on seven games. You can fall on two sides of the Kobe Bryant argument. One says that, because he can drop 50 on a whim, the Lakers will always have a shot. The other says that they needed him to score 50 all those times just to barely squeak into the playoffs. The most fun you'll have in this series should be Kobe vs. Raja Bell. But what's more likely than anything else is the Suns running right past LA, because the Lakers will never be overlooked as long as Bryant is wearing purple and gold. One win for the Lakers, but that's it, that's all.
Will's Pick: Suns in 5
Saturday, the 07 NBA Playoffs commence, and we'll spend the next two months moving towards the Finals and answering some questions along the way. Those questions begin with, can anyone other than Dallas/Phoenix/San Antonio actually even think about winning this thing? Can anyone from the East be game enough to test whoever comes out of the West? Can a team like Houston seriously think upset in the loaded Western Conference? Can LeBron James take Cleveland to the next level, which would be the Eastern Conference Finals? Can Miami make it even that far? Can Kobe Bryant beat Phoenix all by himself - a feat he tried to pull off last year - and are there any upsets at all in the entire field this year? And, of course, will the Celtics pull out the magic ping pong ball? While we'll get the answer to that all important question on May 22, here are some thoughts and predictions on the opening round of the playoffs that'll be answered along the way...
EASTERN CONFERENCE
1 Detroit vs. 8 Orlando
The Pistons are again the best option in the East, easily the most balanced and most talented team on this side of the bracket. Even without Ben Wallace in 07, Detroit won 53 games and still runs Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace, Antonio McDyess, Tayshaun Prince, and 07 acquisition Chris Webber onto the floor. This group knows how to win in the playoffs, and lest we forget, have gone World Champs, losers in seven in the Finals, losers in seven in the conference finals the last three seasons. Detroit has been right there at the top, and is right there again this year. And then there's Orlando. And speaking of the Pistons, here comes a healthy Grant Hill in the playoffs for the first time since he was wearing Detroit colors (actually, back then the Pistons were wearing that teal stuff before ultimately wising up and going back to the classic red white and blue). Orlando has a strong future when you factor in the man child Dwight Howard, but it's hard for me to see them being any sort of challenge to the Pistons here.
Will's Pick: Pistons in 4
4 Miami vs. 5 Chicago
Bulls have home court advantage due to better record...Quite possibly the most interesting first round matchup, and a rematch from last year. The '07 version showcases a much improved Chicago team, and a banged up version of the defending champs. Chicago has a lineup - Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, Ben Wallace - that looks dangerous, and will get more dangerous the longer they stay together. But the defending champs played their best basketball in playoff time last year - and that mantra has held true for Shaquille O'Neal, who stepped up big time to keep the Heat in the thick of it when Dwyane Wade went out. In a firecely competitive series, I give the slight nod to Miami because of the experience factor. But this should be entertaining basketball.
Will's Pick: Heat in 7
3 Toronto vs. 6 New Jersey
While the Raptors are the division champions from the mighty Atlantic, almost no one seems to be giving them a chance against division foes New Jersey, again based largely on playoff experience. The Raptors are young and raw, and Chris Bosh carries a considerable amount of the load. The Nets are much more balanced and ooze playoff experience in the Kidd-Carter-Jefferson trio. Toronto wants to get out there and run, which used to be NJ's favorite thing to do when Kidd was a few years younger and Kenyon Martin was on the receiving end of many an alley-oop. Now, the Nets will focus on slowing everything down and making Toronto play at their pace. These teams haven't played since Valentine's Day, but in that last meeting, Toronto got the up tempo game they wanted and scored 120 points. They need more of that. I am openly biased because I'm still quite familiar with New Jersey bouncing Boston from the 2002 Eastern Conference Finals, plus Toronto is simply much more exciting to watch. And I can't shake the idea that Toronto - six games better than New Jersey in the regular season - won this division for a reason. And we all like offense, don't we?
Will's Pick: Raptors in 7
2 Cleveland vs. 7 Washington
The Chicago Bulls will be shooting themselves in the foot in about two weeks, because they blew a shot and securing this seed and playing the most injured team in the field on the last day of the regular season. What's more, the two seed stays away from both Miami in the first round and Detroit in the second round. So LeBron James, here comes a golden opportunity to take your team and your legacy to the next level. There's pressure up front: anything less than a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals will be a severe disappointment. It starts here with the Wizards, who are without Agent Zero and Caron Butler...which is a real shame, because this first round series last year was incredibly fun to watch. On the whole, it's going to be tough for these playoffs to match up with what we saw last year across the board. No one on the planet is giving Washington a prayer...which is enough reason for me to give them one game, but nothing more.
Will's Pick: Cavs in 5
WESTERN CONFERENCE
1 Dallas vs. 8 Golden State
Has it really been 13 years since the Warriors have been in the playoffs? Was it really 1994 when Run TMC was turning Golden State into the most exciting basketball team for all the kids to pull for? (I've got the Chris Webber jersey to prove it) Now, before you write this series off because Dallas went 67-15 in the regular season, note this: Golden State went 3-0 this season against Dallas. And then note this: in the last two contests, they won by 17 and 29 points. Now, you can write that last one off because Dallas didn't play any of their starters. And maybe all this works in the Mavs' favor because it'll make them hungry. But Don Nelson knows Dallas. So this series has the potential to get very interesting. If we're honest, though, it also has the potential to be a sweep, because Dallas is very, very strong. Jason Terry, Josh Howard, and Dirk Nowitzki will lead the charge as they've done all year. On the flip side, I've always been a big Baron Davis fan, and Jason Richardson makes this Golden State team fun to watch...but you can't pick against Dallas, not in the first round. It should be noted that only nine teams have lost in the NBA Finals one year and gone on to win the championship the next year, and it hasn't been done since the Bad Boys in 1988. But one thing at a time...
Will's Pick: Mavs in 5
4 Utah vs. 5 Houston
Rockets have home court advantage due to better record...Tracy McGrady, your time is now. He's never made it out of the first round of the playoffs, but he's also arguably never played on a better team. Yao Ming is continually becoming the dominant center everyone thought he would be, and Shane "Who's your daddy" Battier (anybody remember that from the Duke/UNC games when he was there?) just might be the missing piece for Houston...but remember, Memphis never made it out of the first round either, so no one on this lineup knows how to win in the playoffs yet. But these aren't your Sega Genesis Utah Jazz...and while Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur, and Deron Williams are solid players, they're similarly lacking in the playoff experience department. The health of Andrei Kirilenko will be in question, but he should be a factor. Utah won the season series 3-1...and I like Jerry Sloan in the playoffs. If this thing gets down to game six or seven, who will crack under the pressure? This thing is going to be very physical...but there's something about Utah that I like, and until I see it from McGrady and Yao in the playoffs, I can't commit.
Will's Pick: Jazz in 7
3 San Antonio vs. 6 Denver
As Allen Iverson knows full well, the real season begins now. So while Carmelo Anthony is still getting his playoff legs, here's a chance for Iverson to make a sudden impact. The problem is, since Shaq and Kobe broke up, the Spurs have become the best playoff team in basketball. This series should be exciting, but Denver hasn't won a playoff series since Dikembe Mutombo was laying on the floor clutching the basketball in the 8-1 upset of the Gary Payton/Shawn Kemp Sonics in 1994 (man, 94 was a good year for the playoffs). San Antonio is simply too clutch to go against them this early. I'll give Denver some credit for making it interesting, but Carmelo's got a ways to go before he catches up with LBJ and Dwyane in the playoff department.
Will's Pick: Spurs in 6
2 Phoenix vs. 7 LA Lakers
Last year, the Lakers went up 3-1 on the Suns...and lost the series in seven. This year, with Amare Stoudamire in the mix, don't bet on the Lakers. And don't bet on seven games. You can fall on two sides of the Kobe Bryant argument. One says that, because he can drop 50 on a whim, the Lakers will always have a shot. The other says that they needed him to score 50 all those times just to barely squeak into the playoffs. The most fun you'll have in this series should be Kobe vs. Raja Bell. But what's more likely than anything else is the Suns running right past LA, because the Lakers will never be overlooked as long as Bryant is wearing purple and gold. One win for the Lakers, but that's it, that's all.
Will's Pick: Suns in 5
Sunday, April 15, 2007
2007 ESPN Thursday Night College Football Schedule
136 days away from college football's opening night on Thursday, August 30, here's a look at what's on tap on Thursday nights on ESPN this season, in their 16th year of bringing college football to the workweek...
August 30 - LSU at Mississippi State
September 6 - Oregon State at Cincinnati
September 13 - West Virginia at Maryland
September 20 - Texas A&M at Miami
September 27 - Southern Miss at Boise State
October 4 - Kentucky at South Carolina
October 11 - Florida State at Wake Forest
October 18 - South Florida at Rutgers
October 25 - Boston College at Virginia Tech
November 1- Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech
November 8 - Louisville at West Virginia
November 15 - Oregon at Arizona
November 22 - Southern Cal at Arizona State
November 29 - Rutgers at Louisville
The schedule includes the usual ACC slate, including two appearances for Thursday night darlings Virginia Tech. Last year I got a chance to attend the VT-Clemson Thursday night game in Blacksburg, and so I'm penciling in the VT-BC game for 2007. You'll also get another shot to see the Big East armageddon game between Louisville and West Virginia on Thursday, November 8, as well as two chances to see if Rutgers still has the magic. The schedule also brings the Pac-10 to the table for the first time, including what could be a critical late season game for Southern Cal's potential national championship run at Arizona State on Thanksgiving night. And the two SEC appearances, including the season-opening LSU/Mississippi State game, while not overly sexy, should be fun to watch, especially Kentucky/South Carolina.
The ACC has also moved the Florida State-Miami game away from opening week, but replaced it with the Bowden Bowl. So you can see Florida State at Clemson on Labor Day for some early Monday Night Football on ESPN. The Vols, in case you forgot, open in 138 days at California.
August 30 - LSU at Mississippi State
September 6 - Oregon State at Cincinnati
September 13 - West Virginia at Maryland
September 20 - Texas A&M at Miami
September 27 - Southern Miss at Boise State
October 4 - Kentucky at South Carolina
October 11 - Florida State at Wake Forest
October 18 - South Florida at Rutgers
October 25 - Boston College at Virginia Tech
November 1- Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech
November 8 - Louisville at West Virginia
November 15 - Oregon at Arizona
November 22 - Southern Cal at Arizona State
November 29 - Rutgers at Louisville
The schedule includes the usual ACC slate, including two appearances for Thursday night darlings Virginia Tech. Last year I got a chance to attend the VT-Clemson Thursday night game in Blacksburg, and so I'm penciling in the VT-BC game for 2007. You'll also get another shot to see the Big East armageddon game between Louisville and West Virginia on Thursday, November 8, as well as two chances to see if Rutgers still has the magic. The schedule also brings the Pac-10 to the table for the first time, including what could be a critical late season game for Southern Cal's potential national championship run at Arizona State on Thanksgiving night. And the two SEC appearances, including the season-opening LSU/Mississippi State game, while not overly sexy, should be fun to watch, especially Kentucky/South Carolina.
The ACC has also moved the Florida State-Miami game away from opening week, but replaced it with the Bowden Bowl. So you can see Florida State at Clemson on Labor Day for some early Monday Night Football on ESPN. The Vols, in case you forgot, open in 138 days at California.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Buzz Peterson is to Bruce Pearl as Doc Rivers is to...
An excellent "state of the Celtics" piece from Bill Simmons in discussing how Boston's hopes are tied to the NBA Draft Lottery and Kevin Durant/Greg Oden on May 22, among other things, has elements that remind me of the conversation during the last days of Buzz Peterson in Knoxville. You can read Simmons' piece for all the info and finer points on the Celtics' current situation, including what to do with Doc Rivers and how the mighty and proud have fallen. But Doc's current state of limbo - where lots of people seem to love the person, not the coach, and that love of the person is leading to consideration of extending his contract, even though the Celtics have regressed during his tenure, lost 18 straight games this season, and are the second worst team in the NBA - brings back conversations I had with people at the end of Buzz Peterson's fourth season in Knoxville.
Peterson arrived on the heels of Jerry Green, who won 20 games four straight seasons, made it to the NCAA Tournament four straight seasons, including one trip to the Sweet 16, and had taken Tennessee (or, if you like, been the guy who took Kevin O'Neill's players) to the proverbial next level. Then Green was removed for saying things like "If you don't like it, go to K-Mart" and having no real control over the players.
Buzz Peterson - the hot young prospect, late of Tulsa fame, who had that North Carolina connection (the guy was Michael Jordan's roommate, after all) - won the hearts of many in the orange-buckled Bible belt by standing up at his initial press conference and saying "The number one thing in my life is my faith in Jesus Christ." He was incredibly snakebitten in his first season (2001-02), as the Vols lost seven of nine games by 16 points and two overtimes in a 32 day period. And they were all quality losses: at Memphis, at Louisville, West Virginia, at Wisconsin, Florida, at Georgia, at Mississippi State. The Vols also lost Ron Slay to an ACL tear, and fans were left shaking their heads at our bad luck, but knew it could only get better from here as the team just missed the NIT at 15-16.
In 2003, the Vols were snakebitten in a completely different way. With a good team with great heart, the Vols won six straight SEC games, capped off by a victory over #4 Florida in Knoxville, and entered the bubble conversation. Even a late season slide was corrected by wins in the final two games to move the Vols to 17-10, 9-7 in the SEC. Then, in a span of less than 48 hours, Jon Higgins was kicked off the team for academic issues in one class, and Jim Harrick's Georgia team was banned from postseason play, which moved the Vols from a cushy first round game in the SEC Tournament, to an automatic bye and a date with tourney-bound Auburn. Without Jon Higgins, the Vols lost to Auburn, then were inexplicably left out of the tournament, and then got dumped in the first round of the NIT.
From there, it went downhill. Peterson had brought some talent to Knoxville, no doubt - he stole CJ Watson from Las Vegas, then got Scooter McFadgon as a transfer from Memphis. But in his third season, playing without Ron Slay, Marcus Haislip and Jon Higgins for the first time, the Vols struggled. They went 7-9 in the SEC, made the NIT but were again bounced in the opening round at George Mason. But the Vols brought almost everyone back, including the leading scorers in Watson, McFadgon and Brandon Crump. Then Peterson offered a scholarship to Mr. Basketball in Kentucky, and Chris Lofton said yes. So Peterson - super likeable - was still in great shape, because everyone just assumed that the 2004-05 season would be the breakthrough year, with everyone coming back and all. No one was trying to get rid of this guy on the eve of that season.
The Vols opened the season in the Maui Invitational, and absolutely dominated Stanford. You had to stay up late to catch this thing, but watching that game made you believe everything you wanted to believe. And that was the last time Buzz Peterson felt secure.
The next two games in the Maui Invitational were a 13 point beating by North Carolina, followed by a 25 point beating from Texas. The Vols struggled to beat Wofford in the home opener, then lost to UT-Chattanooga. In Knoxville, because we never would've played them in Chattanooga, they're so far beneath us. The unwritten rule of big time college basketball is that you don't lose to the lesser schools from your own state. Period. Narrow victories over Xavier and Alabama State led to a 18 point loss at New Mexico. Two games later the Vols lost to Nebraska in Knoxville. Suddenly, you were worried about more than just making the tournament.
The SEC season opened with a "big" win at Georgia. Then the Vols came home and lost to Vanderbilt by 25 points. That's totally inexcuseable in any season. And you started hearing terms like "lifeless" and "hopeless". And you started hearing calls for Buzz's job. The Vols still had some talent - they inexplicably won at Florida in overtime - but the next two games were a 23 point beating at Louisville, and a 22 point beating from Kentucky in Knoxville. Those would be the precursors of a seven of eight slide. And Buzz was sweating more.
Tennessee finished the year 14-17, 6-10 in the SEC. With all that talent having returned. As the Vols went to the SEC Tournament that year, people were talking about his job. Mike Hamilton had already made up his mind, but we didn't know that.
And some people were making every excuse in the book for Peterson. Because he was such a nice guy. Frankly, because he was such a strong Christian, for many people. I can't tell you how many times I got into an argument about college basketball that ended up as a debate about Christianity during those last two or three weeks of the 2005 season. Peterson had Fulmer's support. He had Summitt's support. Everybody seemed to like him. "Give him one more year," they said.
One more year? Are you crazy?! How can you bring back all of those players, and be worse? How can you not even be competitive on many nights? And then, how can you lose Brandon Crump and Scooter McFadgon and expect to be better the next year?
And remember, when we were having these conversations, nobody knew who Bruce Pearl was. Wisconsin-Milwaukee was just trying to win the Horizon League - they hadn't beaten Boston College and Alabama and made it to the Sweet 16 yet. Pearl hadn't been charming us at the press conference table.
Buzz Peterson was, and is, a great human being, and he is a strong Christian. And that's obviously more important than anything to do with basketball. But you can't excuse the on court performance with anything - in sports, what counts is wins and losses. And Buzz Peterson - snakebitten as he was those first two years - just didn't have it. Not in Knoxville, anyway. It wasn't even a remotely difficult situation or choice, for me. Buzz Peterson did not get the job done. He had to go. Period.
And of course, Bruce Pearl came riding in on his horse, and saved the day. And I wish Buzz Peterson the absolute best at Coastal Carolina and everywhere else he goes, and I think he'll ultimately be more successful than not.
But two years later, as we talk about retaining Doc Rivers...no! Are you crazy? If you have to go anywhere other than the on court performance first - if he's such a nice guy, or whatever, you can read all that in Simmons' piece - no! Doc Rivers has not gotten the job done. He has to go. Period.
It's funny what makes people want to fire coaches who are doing tremendous jobs, but it's also fascinating what makes people want them to stay when they've clearly not gotten it done. This whole conversation - whether it's the fact that the coach is a nice guy who plays well with the media, or the fact that the coach is a strong Christian and everybody likes him - is fascinating to me. As a pastor, and as a person, I want people involved with the teams I love to be nice people and strong Christians. Sure. That's great. But that's not the defining line in what makes a good coach. Not even close.
When they were talking about Bob Knight potentially coming to Knoxville, and media types like Jimmy Hyams were going ballistic about even the idea of it, you could see elements of what's probably going on in Boston now. And at the time - because Bob Knight isn't a nice guy - I still remember saying, "what do you want? Do you want to win, or do you want a nice guy?" And I'm thankful they didn't court Bob Knight, and we're all in love with Bruce Pearl. It didn't have to be Knight, it could've been anybody. And no, I don't condone everything that Knight or other coaches have done.
Coach Fulmer and Coach Pearl are both men of faith, and have no problem telling you so. And I like that. And I believe it helps them, I truly do. But both of them will also tell you that faith won't save their jobs, nor should it. Neither will being a nice person or playing nice with the media. And in a way, Buzz Peterson is the alter-ego of Jerry Green. Because Jerry Green won. And his problem wasn't at all a matter of faith - but he didn't do the things off the court that were necessary. There is more to these jobs than just wins and losses. But the one can't save you from futility in the other. Jerry Green isn't coaching in Knoxville anymore because his off the court issues and personality weren't working out, despite an unprecedented won-loss record. Buzz Peterson isn't coaching in Knoxville anymore because his wins and losses didn't add up, despite his off the court issues and personality. Four straight 20 win seasons couldn't save Jerry Green. Being a nice guy couldn't save Buzz Peterson. And in both cases - especially in hindsight, which is both easy and helpful - they shouldn't have.
So what's going to save Doc Rivers? Because nothing should.
Either way, the Celtics march on...to May 22 and a bunch of ping pong balls, and the Celtic faithful holding their breath and saying their prayers. And I swear, if ML Carr shows up on lottery night, he'd better watch for snipers.
Peterson arrived on the heels of Jerry Green, who won 20 games four straight seasons, made it to the NCAA Tournament four straight seasons, including one trip to the Sweet 16, and had taken Tennessee (or, if you like, been the guy who took Kevin O'Neill's players) to the proverbial next level. Then Green was removed for saying things like "If you don't like it, go to K-Mart" and having no real control over the players.
Buzz Peterson - the hot young prospect, late of Tulsa fame, who had that North Carolina connection (the guy was Michael Jordan's roommate, after all) - won the hearts of many in the orange-buckled Bible belt by standing up at his initial press conference and saying "The number one thing in my life is my faith in Jesus Christ." He was incredibly snakebitten in his first season (2001-02), as the Vols lost seven of nine games by 16 points and two overtimes in a 32 day period. And they were all quality losses: at Memphis, at Louisville, West Virginia, at Wisconsin, Florida, at Georgia, at Mississippi State. The Vols also lost Ron Slay to an ACL tear, and fans were left shaking their heads at our bad luck, but knew it could only get better from here as the team just missed the NIT at 15-16.
In 2003, the Vols were snakebitten in a completely different way. With a good team with great heart, the Vols won six straight SEC games, capped off by a victory over #4 Florida in Knoxville, and entered the bubble conversation. Even a late season slide was corrected by wins in the final two games to move the Vols to 17-10, 9-7 in the SEC. Then, in a span of less than 48 hours, Jon Higgins was kicked off the team for academic issues in one class, and Jim Harrick's Georgia team was banned from postseason play, which moved the Vols from a cushy first round game in the SEC Tournament, to an automatic bye and a date with tourney-bound Auburn. Without Jon Higgins, the Vols lost to Auburn, then were inexplicably left out of the tournament, and then got dumped in the first round of the NIT.
From there, it went downhill. Peterson had brought some talent to Knoxville, no doubt - he stole CJ Watson from Las Vegas, then got Scooter McFadgon as a transfer from Memphis. But in his third season, playing without Ron Slay, Marcus Haislip and Jon Higgins for the first time, the Vols struggled. They went 7-9 in the SEC, made the NIT but were again bounced in the opening round at George Mason. But the Vols brought almost everyone back, including the leading scorers in Watson, McFadgon and Brandon Crump. Then Peterson offered a scholarship to Mr. Basketball in Kentucky, and Chris Lofton said yes. So Peterson - super likeable - was still in great shape, because everyone just assumed that the 2004-05 season would be the breakthrough year, with everyone coming back and all. No one was trying to get rid of this guy on the eve of that season.
The Vols opened the season in the Maui Invitational, and absolutely dominated Stanford. You had to stay up late to catch this thing, but watching that game made you believe everything you wanted to believe. And that was the last time Buzz Peterson felt secure.
The next two games in the Maui Invitational were a 13 point beating by North Carolina, followed by a 25 point beating from Texas. The Vols struggled to beat Wofford in the home opener, then lost to UT-Chattanooga. In Knoxville, because we never would've played them in Chattanooga, they're so far beneath us. The unwritten rule of big time college basketball is that you don't lose to the lesser schools from your own state. Period. Narrow victories over Xavier and Alabama State led to a 18 point loss at New Mexico. Two games later the Vols lost to Nebraska in Knoxville. Suddenly, you were worried about more than just making the tournament.
The SEC season opened with a "big" win at Georgia. Then the Vols came home and lost to Vanderbilt by 25 points. That's totally inexcuseable in any season. And you started hearing terms like "lifeless" and "hopeless". And you started hearing calls for Buzz's job. The Vols still had some talent - they inexplicably won at Florida in overtime - but the next two games were a 23 point beating at Louisville, and a 22 point beating from Kentucky in Knoxville. Those would be the precursors of a seven of eight slide. And Buzz was sweating more.
Tennessee finished the year 14-17, 6-10 in the SEC. With all that talent having returned. As the Vols went to the SEC Tournament that year, people were talking about his job. Mike Hamilton had already made up his mind, but we didn't know that.
And some people were making every excuse in the book for Peterson. Because he was such a nice guy. Frankly, because he was such a strong Christian, for many people. I can't tell you how many times I got into an argument about college basketball that ended up as a debate about Christianity during those last two or three weeks of the 2005 season. Peterson had Fulmer's support. He had Summitt's support. Everybody seemed to like him. "Give him one more year," they said.
One more year? Are you crazy?! How can you bring back all of those players, and be worse? How can you not even be competitive on many nights? And then, how can you lose Brandon Crump and Scooter McFadgon and expect to be better the next year?
And remember, when we were having these conversations, nobody knew who Bruce Pearl was. Wisconsin-Milwaukee was just trying to win the Horizon League - they hadn't beaten Boston College and Alabama and made it to the Sweet 16 yet. Pearl hadn't been charming us at the press conference table.
Buzz Peterson was, and is, a great human being, and he is a strong Christian. And that's obviously more important than anything to do with basketball. But you can't excuse the on court performance with anything - in sports, what counts is wins and losses. And Buzz Peterson - snakebitten as he was those first two years - just didn't have it. Not in Knoxville, anyway. It wasn't even a remotely difficult situation or choice, for me. Buzz Peterson did not get the job done. He had to go. Period.
And of course, Bruce Pearl came riding in on his horse, and saved the day. And I wish Buzz Peterson the absolute best at Coastal Carolina and everywhere else he goes, and I think he'll ultimately be more successful than not.
But two years later, as we talk about retaining Doc Rivers...no! Are you crazy? If you have to go anywhere other than the on court performance first - if he's such a nice guy, or whatever, you can read all that in Simmons' piece - no! Doc Rivers has not gotten the job done. He has to go. Period.
It's funny what makes people want to fire coaches who are doing tremendous jobs, but it's also fascinating what makes people want them to stay when they've clearly not gotten it done. This whole conversation - whether it's the fact that the coach is a nice guy who plays well with the media, or the fact that the coach is a strong Christian and everybody likes him - is fascinating to me. As a pastor, and as a person, I want people involved with the teams I love to be nice people and strong Christians. Sure. That's great. But that's not the defining line in what makes a good coach. Not even close.
When they were talking about Bob Knight potentially coming to Knoxville, and media types like Jimmy Hyams were going ballistic about even the idea of it, you could see elements of what's probably going on in Boston now. And at the time - because Bob Knight isn't a nice guy - I still remember saying, "what do you want? Do you want to win, or do you want a nice guy?" And I'm thankful they didn't court Bob Knight, and we're all in love with Bruce Pearl. It didn't have to be Knight, it could've been anybody. And no, I don't condone everything that Knight or other coaches have done.
Coach Fulmer and Coach Pearl are both men of faith, and have no problem telling you so. And I like that. And I believe it helps them, I truly do. But both of them will also tell you that faith won't save their jobs, nor should it. Neither will being a nice person or playing nice with the media. And in a way, Buzz Peterson is the alter-ego of Jerry Green. Because Jerry Green won. And his problem wasn't at all a matter of faith - but he didn't do the things off the court that were necessary. There is more to these jobs than just wins and losses. But the one can't save you from futility in the other. Jerry Green isn't coaching in Knoxville anymore because his off the court issues and personality weren't working out, despite an unprecedented won-loss record. Buzz Peterson isn't coaching in Knoxville anymore because his wins and losses didn't add up, despite his off the court issues and personality. Four straight 20 win seasons couldn't save Jerry Green. Being a nice guy couldn't save Buzz Peterson. And in both cases - especially in hindsight, which is both easy and helpful - they shouldn't have.
So what's going to save Doc Rivers? Because nothing should.
Either way, the Celtics march on...to May 22 and a bunch of ping pong balls, and the Celtic faithful holding their breath and saying their prayers. And I swear, if ML Carr shows up on lottery night, he'd better watch for snipers.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
The 2007 NFL Schedule
Offering further proof that yes, you can talk about football all year, the NFL released the full 2007 schedule today, and ESPN and NFL Network were waiting with 3.5 hours of coverage. I'd make a joke about Pacman Jones needing to set his TiVo, but SportsCenter beat me to it.
For the Titans...
(note: NBC picks the Sunday Night games for Weeks 11-17 the week before the games, so times for those weeks are subject to change)
2007 Tennessee Titans Schedule
Week 01 - at Jacksonville (1:00 PM - CBS)
Week 02 - vs Indianapolis (1:00 PM - CBS)
Week 03 - at New Orleans (Monday Night Football - 8:30 PM - ESPN)
Week 04 - off week
Week 05 - vs Atlanta (1:00 PM - FOX)
Week 06 - at Tampa Bay (1:00 PM - CBS)
Week 07 - at Houston (1:00 PM - CBS)
Week 08 - vs Oakland (1:00 PM - CBS)
Week 09 - vs Carolina (1:00 PM - FOX)
Week 10 - vs Jacksonville (1:00 PM - CBS)
Week 11 - at Denver (Monday Night Football - 8:30 PM - ESPN)
Week 12 - at Cincinnati (1:00 PM - CBS)
Week 13 - vs Houston (1:00 PM - CBS)
Week 14 - vs San Diego (1:00 PM - CBS)
Week 15 - at Kansas City (1:00 PM - CBS)
Week 16 - vs NY Jets (4:15 PM - CBS)
Week 17 - vs Indianapolis (1:00 PM - CBS)
The off the cuff analysis: at least it's not the murderous first six weeks the schedule was last year, though I don't like the early bye in week four. The schedule seems to be broken up in difficulty - the first three games are tough, but the three game stretch between Week 7-9 needs to be a 3-0 run to balance out the rest of it. The stretch run, save for the Texans in Week 13, is murder.
If you're not a Titans fan but want to see where your team will be, check out all the schedules here.
As for the nationally televised games...
NBC Sunday Night Football - 8:15 PM
Week 01 - New Orleans at Indianapolis (Season Opener - Thurs. Night)
Week 01 - NY Giants at Dallas
Week 02 - San Diego at New England
Week 03 - Dallas at Chicago
Week 04 - Philadelphia at NY Giants
Week 05 - Chicago at Green Bay
Week 06 - New Orleans at Seattle
Week 07 - Pittsburgh at Denver
Week 08 - none (for the World Series?)
Week 09 - Dallas at Philadelphia
Week 10 - Indianapolis at San Diego
Week 11-17 - games to be announced during the season
ESPN Monday Night Football - 8:30 PM
Week 01 - Baltimore at Cincinnati
Week 02 - Washington at Philadelphia
Week 03 - Tennessee at New Orleans
Week 04 - New England at Cincinnati
Week 05 - Dallas at Buffalo
Week 06 - NY Giants at Atlanta
Week 07 - Indianapolis at Jacksonville
Week 08 - Green Bay at Denver
Week 09 - Baltimore at Pittsburgh
Week 10 - San Francisco at Seattle
Week 11 - Tennessee at Denver
Week 12 - Miami at Pittsburgh
Week 13 - New England at Baltimore
Week 14 - New Orleans at Atlanta
Week 15 - Chicago at Minnesota
Week 16 - Denver at San Diego (Christmas Eve)
Week 17 - none (New Year's Eve)
NFL Network Thursday Night Football - 8:15 PM
Week 12 - Green Bay at Detroit (Thanksgiving - 12:30 PM - FOX)
Week 12 - NY Jets at Dallas (Thanksgiving - 4:15 PM - FOX)
Week 12 - Indianapolis at Atlanta (Thanksgiving - 8:15 PM - NFL Network)
Week 13 - Green Bay at Dallas
Week 14 - Chicago at Washington
Week 15 - Denver at Houston
Week 16 - Pittsburgh at St. Louis
Week 17 - New England at NY Giants
Smells like football...
For the Titans...
(note: NBC picks the Sunday Night games for Weeks 11-17 the week before the games, so times for those weeks are subject to change)
2007 Tennessee Titans Schedule
Week 01 - at Jacksonville (1:00 PM - CBS)
Week 02 - vs Indianapolis (1:00 PM - CBS)
Week 03 - at New Orleans (Monday Night Football - 8:30 PM - ESPN)
Week 04 - off week
Week 05 - vs Atlanta (1:00 PM - FOX)
Week 06 - at Tampa Bay (1:00 PM - CBS)
Week 07 - at Houston (1:00 PM - CBS)
Week 08 - vs Oakland (1:00 PM - CBS)
Week 09 - vs Carolina (1:00 PM - FOX)
Week 10 - vs Jacksonville (1:00 PM - CBS)
Week 11 - at Denver (Monday Night Football - 8:30 PM - ESPN)
Week 12 - at Cincinnati (1:00 PM - CBS)
Week 13 - vs Houston (1:00 PM - CBS)
Week 14 - vs San Diego (1:00 PM - CBS)
Week 15 - at Kansas City (1:00 PM - CBS)
Week 16 - vs NY Jets (4:15 PM - CBS)
Week 17 - vs Indianapolis (1:00 PM - CBS)
The off the cuff analysis: at least it's not the murderous first six weeks the schedule was last year, though I don't like the early bye in week four. The schedule seems to be broken up in difficulty - the first three games are tough, but the three game stretch between Week 7-9 needs to be a 3-0 run to balance out the rest of it. The stretch run, save for the Texans in Week 13, is murder.
If you're not a Titans fan but want to see where your team will be, check out all the schedules here.
As for the nationally televised games...
NBC Sunday Night Football - 8:15 PM
Week 01 - New Orleans at Indianapolis (Season Opener - Thurs. Night)
Week 01 - NY Giants at Dallas
Week 02 - San Diego at New England
Week 03 - Dallas at Chicago
Week 04 - Philadelphia at NY Giants
Week 05 - Chicago at Green Bay
Week 06 - New Orleans at Seattle
Week 07 - Pittsburgh at Denver
Week 08 - none (for the World Series?)
Week 09 - Dallas at Philadelphia
Week 10 - Indianapolis at San Diego
Week 11-17 - games to be announced during the season
ESPN Monday Night Football - 8:30 PM
Week 01 - Baltimore at Cincinnati
Week 02 - Washington at Philadelphia
Week 03 - Tennessee at New Orleans
Week 04 - New England at Cincinnati
Week 05 - Dallas at Buffalo
Week 06 - NY Giants at Atlanta
Week 07 - Indianapolis at Jacksonville
Week 08 - Green Bay at Denver
Week 09 - Baltimore at Pittsburgh
Week 10 - San Francisco at Seattle
Week 11 - Tennessee at Denver
Week 12 - Miami at Pittsburgh
Week 13 - New England at Baltimore
Week 14 - New Orleans at Atlanta
Week 15 - Chicago at Minnesota
Week 16 - Denver at San Diego (Christmas Eve)
Week 17 - none (New Year's Eve)
NFL Network Thursday Night Football - 8:15 PM
Week 12 - Green Bay at Detroit (Thanksgiving - 12:30 PM - FOX)
Week 12 - NY Jets at Dallas (Thanksgiving - 4:15 PM - FOX)
Week 12 - Indianapolis at Atlanta (Thanksgiving - 8:15 PM - NFL Network)
Week 13 - Green Bay at Dallas
Week 14 - Chicago at Washington
Week 15 - Denver at Houston
Week 16 - Pittsburgh at St. Louis
Week 17 - New England at NY Giants
Smells like football...
Monday, April 09, 2007
Random Thoughts - Monday April 9
A tip of the cap to Zach Johnson
As The Masters was unfolding on Sunday, with names falling from the top of the leaderboard to off the first page from one hole to the next, Johnson separated himself from the pack with three birdies in four holes on the back nine. As names like Stuart Appleby and Padraig Harrington fell off the pace, Tiger Woods made an eagle at 13, and when Johnson bogeyed 17 to trim his lead to two shots on Tiger, who had four holes to play, things didn't look good.
But then, a stat that shows how Tiger is a victim of his own greatness came into play. Tiger Woods has won 12 majors, which is obviously remarkable. In every single one of them, he was either tied for the lead, or had sole possession going into the final round. Now, there are two ways to look at this. The predominant viewpoint was that this was just another example of how good Tiger is - to have the lead at 12 majors on Sunday morning is phenomenal, let alone win them. And that's the backbone of this stat - he always wins them. He's had the lead on Sunday morning at the majors 12 times, and he's won all 12. That's incredible.
But when Tiger goes splish-splash on the back nine, narrowly misses two birdie putts, and then finds the bunker on 17 (And I loved his reaction to this - "Honestly, what the hell just happened?!" - because that sounds like something I would say on the golf course) to kill his chances, that stat gets turned on its head. Because since all 12 of Tiger's major championships have come with him playing in front of the pack...that means he's never come from behind on Sunday to win a major.
Tiger had the lead, alone, briefly on the front nine on Sunday, at a point when something like 12 players were in real contention. And to hear Tiger speak after the tournament, he doesn't feel like he lost it yesterday - going bogey-bogey on 17 and 18 to close out his round on Thursday and Saturday really got him, according to him, and I'll take Tiger's word on Tiger more than anyone else's. An ESPN.com poll this morning, asking readers if they think Zach Johnson won it or Tiger Woods lost it, shows Johnson winning it with a 65/35 margin across the nation.
And good for Zach Johnson. I - like most - didn't know who this guy was at the start of the day, then remembered his name among the Ryder Cup pairings last year, which is usually a dubious honor if you're from the US. But as the day unfolded, and he made just enough clutch shots, including an icy run-on on the 18th green that dead stopped at the cup on the heels of his bogey at 17, you started to respect him. And I'm a sucker for the guy who's never won (alright, one career victory...but his best finish at a major before this was 17th at the '05 PGA) coming off the 18th green with the clubhouse lead, his wife looking at him with that good and real combination of love and joy and awe, sharing a moment with his family and his newborn baby, getting hugs from all of his old Nationwide Tour buddies who made the journey with him, and then thanking Jesus? I mean, come on, what's not to love about that? That's storybook stuff right there.
And on Sunday, it was real. Augusta was a cruel mistress all week, and ate players alive up until Sunday. And Johnson peaked at the right moment with those three birdies. Tiger didn't fail, he didn't choke - he played well overall, and had far fewer mistakes than most golfers; that's why he finished second. This is where you're tempted to write or think "But he wasn't Tiger - that Tiger always wins in the clutch." And I'll admit, while watching him put one in the water at a crucial moment, or watching those putts just barely miss, and especially the bunker shot on 17...it was like watching Jordan, only the Bulls lost at the buzzer. And that never happens.
Tiger's not flawed or fading or anything like that. He played the most brutal Masters in history and finished second. So now we come back to that stat - 12 majors won by playing from in front 12 times - and you don't even have to ask yourself the question; it's just fact that Tiger Woods has no experience winning from behind on Sunday at a major. It's not because he's a bad player; it's because he's so good, it's usually not an issue. He didn't wilt on Sunday, he ran up against a beast of a golf course and couldn't quite finish it off. Good money says he'll be back around, if not on top of, the leaderboard at the US Open come June.
You want to see the duel. You want to see the rivalry - and Zach Johnson has a long way to go before he's anyone's rival - and you want to see drama on 18. Tiger's legacy probably needs a "down two with four holes to play and he still won it" major story - but Tiger would rather not be down two in the first place. And that's how he plays.
Watch that stat. Tiger won't be in his prime forever, and everyone - including Tiger - knows this. So if/when victories keep piling up for him, will that stat become a continuation of his dominance...or will someone else do just enough to stay in front on a Sunday afternoon, and leave Tiger just on the outside at another major? It's not a big deal yet, not even close. And it'll never mean that Tiger's not the greatest golfer walking the face of the earth. It's just one more interesting step along his journey. The journey continues in June.
And above all else, Sunday belongs to Zach Johnson. I'd say something clever or cute about him, but Jim Nantz has used them all up. Congratulations to Zach for conquering Augusta at her worst. He earned the green jacket.
The Braves will have to settle for 161-1
On Friday night, with hope springing eternal, the Mets used Atlanta's defensive errors and the dark side of the Braves bullpen - the dropoff from Gonzalez, Soriano, and Wickman to everyone else is astounding, and an easy reminder of what went wrong last year - to bust open a 2-1 game and rout the Braves 11-1 in the home opener. At this point, the Mets were 4-0 and had outscored the opposition 31-3 in four games.
On Saturday, the Glavine/Smoltz duel lived up to its billing, but this time it was New York's defense that couldn't hold up, and the Braves benefited from three unearned runs in a 5-3 win. Smoltz got the win, Glavine got the loss, and there was much rejoicing.
On Sunday, despite a leadoff homerun from Kelly Johnson, Atlanta couldn't hit anything for six innings. Then the Mets choose to gamble, took Orlando Hernandez out to try and punch a run across, and then the Braves got a double from Chipper Jones, a double from Brian McCann, and a double for Jeff Francoeur in the bottom of the eighth, and the 2-1 hole was a 3-2 lead. And suddenly, you realize that in just two series, you have amazing faith in Atlanta's first-string bullpen. All the starting pitching - which is solid in the first place, with a great showing from Kyle Davies yesterday - has to do is keep it close.
Sure, the Braves still seem like they could use another bat. Sure, Andruw Jones is due for a contract year wakeup call. Sure, it's still early April. But the Braves are 5-1 and alone atop the NL East, and just gutted out two of three from the New York Mets. They'll take today off, and then host the Nationals for three, and suddenly the Tim Hudson, Chuck James, Mark Redman rotation during the midweek series looks formidable. And the baseball gods will smile again on Friday night: the Marlins come to ATL for the weekend, and that series will open with John Smoltz vs. Dontrelle Willis.
We've got a long way to go...but so far, so good.
Just so you know, I'm not joking about Tennessee Basketball
In case any of you were thrown off by my usual extreme optimism when it comes to discussing the 2007-08 Tennesee Basketball season...in the initial Top 25s by the three biggest sports websites, the Vols were ranked 10th by ESPN.com, 9th by SI.com, and 6th by CBSSportsline.com. I'm crazy, but I'm not that crazy - the Vols are for real.
As The Masters was unfolding on Sunday, with names falling from the top of the leaderboard to off the first page from one hole to the next, Johnson separated himself from the pack with three birdies in four holes on the back nine. As names like Stuart Appleby and Padraig Harrington fell off the pace, Tiger Woods made an eagle at 13, and when Johnson bogeyed 17 to trim his lead to two shots on Tiger, who had four holes to play, things didn't look good.
But then, a stat that shows how Tiger is a victim of his own greatness came into play. Tiger Woods has won 12 majors, which is obviously remarkable. In every single one of them, he was either tied for the lead, or had sole possession going into the final round. Now, there are two ways to look at this. The predominant viewpoint was that this was just another example of how good Tiger is - to have the lead at 12 majors on Sunday morning is phenomenal, let alone win them. And that's the backbone of this stat - he always wins them. He's had the lead on Sunday morning at the majors 12 times, and he's won all 12. That's incredible.
But when Tiger goes splish-splash on the back nine, narrowly misses two birdie putts, and then finds the bunker on 17 (And I loved his reaction to this - "Honestly, what the hell just happened?!" - because that sounds like something I would say on the golf course) to kill his chances, that stat gets turned on its head. Because since all 12 of Tiger's major championships have come with him playing in front of the pack...that means he's never come from behind on Sunday to win a major.
Tiger had the lead, alone, briefly on the front nine on Sunday, at a point when something like 12 players were in real contention. And to hear Tiger speak after the tournament, he doesn't feel like he lost it yesterday - going bogey-bogey on 17 and 18 to close out his round on Thursday and Saturday really got him, according to him, and I'll take Tiger's word on Tiger more than anyone else's. An ESPN.com poll this morning, asking readers if they think Zach Johnson won it or Tiger Woods lost it, shows Johnson winning it with a 65/35 margin across the nation.
And good for Zach Johnson. I - like most - didn't know who this guy was at the start of the day, then remembered his name among the Ryder Cup pairings last year, which is usually a dubious honor if you're from the US. But as the day unfolded, and he made just enough clutch shots, including an icy run-on on the 18th green that dead stopped at the cup on the heels of his bogey at 17, you started to respect him. And I'm a sucker for the guy who's never won (alright, one career victory...but his best finish at a major before this was 17th at the '05 PGA) coming off the 18th green with the clubhouse lead, his wife looking at him with that good and real combination of love and joy and awe, sharing a moment with his family and his newborn baby, getting hugs from all of his old Nationwide Tour buddies who made the journey with him, and then thanking Jesus? I mean, come on, what's not to love about that? That's storybook stuff right there.
And on Sunday, it was real. Augusta was a cruel mistress all week, and ate players alive up until Sunday. And Johnson peaked at the right moment with those three birdies. Tiger didn't fail, he didn't choke - he played well overall, and had far fewer mistakes than most golfers; that's why he finished second. This is where you're tempted to write or think "But he wasn't Tiger - that Tiger always wins in the clutch." And I'll admit, while watching him put one in the water at a crucial moment, or watching those putts just barely miss, and especially the bunker shot on 17...it was like watching Jordan, only the Bulls lost at the buzzer. And that never happens.
Tiger's not flawed or fading or anything like that. He played the most brutal Masters in history and finished second. So now we come back to that stat - 12 majors won by playing from in front 12 times - and you don't even have to ask yourself the question; it's just fact that Tiger Woods has no experience winning from behind on Sunday at a major. It's not because he's a bad player; it's because he's so good, it's usually not an issue. He didn't wilt on Sunday, he ran up against a beast of a golf course and couldn't quite finish it off. Good money says he'll be back around, if not on top of, the leaderboard at the US Open come June.
You want to see the duel. You want to see the rivalry - and Zach Johnson has a long way to go before he's anyone's rival - and you want to see drama on 18. Tiger's legacy probably needs a "down two with four holes to play and he still won it" major story - but Tiger would rather not be down two in the first place. And that's how he plays.
Watch that stat. Tiger won't be in his prime forever, and everyone - including Tiger - knows this. So if/when victories keep piling up for him, will that stat become a continuation of his dominance...or will someone else do just enough to stay in front on a Sunday afternoon, and leave Tiger just on the outside at another major? It's not a big deal yet, not even close. And it'll never mean that Tiger's not the greatest golfer walking the face of the earth. It's just one more interesting step along his journey. The journey continues in June.
And above all else, Sunday belongs to Zach Johnson. I'd say something clever or cute about him, but Jim Nantz has used them all up. Congratulations to Zach for conquering Augusta at her worst. He earned the green jacket.
The Braves will have to settle for 161-1
On Friday night, with hope springing eternal, the Mets used Atlanta's defensive errors and the dark side of the Braves bullpen - the dropoff from Gonzalez, Soriano, and Wickman to everyone else is astounding, and an easy reminder of what went wrong last year - to bust open a 2-1 game and rout the Braves 11-1 in the home opener. At this point, the Mets were 4-0 and had outscored the opposition 31-3 in four games.
On Saturday, the Glavine/Smoltz duel lived up to its billing, but this time it was New York's defense that couldn't hold up, and the Braves benefited from three unearned runs in a 5-3 win. Smoltz got the win, Glavine got the loss, and there was much rejoicing.
On Sunday, despite a leadoff homerun from Kelly Johnson, Atlanta couldn't hit anything for six innings. Then the Mets choose to gamble, took Orlando Hernandez out to try and punch a run across, and then the Braves got a double from Chipper Jones, a double from Brian McCann, and a double for Jeff Francoeur in the bottom of the eighth, and the 2-1 hole was a 3-2 lead. And suddenly, you realize that in just two series, you have amazing faith in Atlanta's first-string bullpen. All the starting pitching - which is solid in the first place, with a great showing from Kyle Davies yesterday - has to do is keep it close.
Sure, the Braves still seem like they could use another bat. Sure, Andruw Jones is due for a contract year wakeup call. Sure, it's still early April. But the Braves are 5-1 and alone atop the NL East, and just gutted out two of three from the New York Mets. They'll take today off, and then host the Nationals for three, and suddenly the Tim Hudson, Chuck James, Mark Redman rotation during the midweek series looks formidable. And the baseball gods will smile again on Friday night: the Marlins come to ATL for the weekend, and that series will open with John Smoltz vs. Dontrelle Willis.
We've got a long way to go...but so far, so good.
Just so you know, I'm not joking about Tennessee Basketball
In case any of you were thrown off by my usual extreme optimism when it comes to discussing the 2007-08 Tennesee Basketball season...in the initial Top 25s by the three biggest sports websites, the Vols were ranked 10th by ESPN.com, 9th by SI.com, and 6th by CBSSportsline.com. I'm crazy, but I'm not that crazy - the Vols are for real.
Friday, April 06, 2007
3 down, 159 to go...
You couldn't have asked for more in the Braves' opening series in Philadelphia. With several Philly players shooting off at the mouth in the closing weeks of spring training about how they were the team to beat in the NL East, Atlanta used their new bullpen and extremely clutch hitting - and clutch hitting not from the Jones Boys, but from Edgar Renteria, Brian McCann, and Scott Thorman - to gut out a 5-3 10 inning victory, and a 3-2 11 inning victory in the first two games. Then when you were feeling nervous about the bats after Smoltz and Hudson turned in great performances, the Braves errupted on Adam Eaton in an 8-4 victory to complete the sweep, with another great starting pitching performance, this time from Chuck James. The result: 3-0, the first opening series sweep for the Braves - notoriously bad in April - since 1994.
And now, if there's such a thing as an important series in April, this is it: the hated New York Mets, defending NL East Champions, and fresh off their own road three game sweep, of the defending champion Cardinals no less (combined score in 3 games: Mets 20 - Cardinals 2), come to Atlanta for the weekend. Tonight's game between Oliver Perez and new Brave Mark Redman will be a nice opener, but the real gem will be Saturday: Tom Glavine vs. John Smoltz for only the second time, and for the first time in Atlanta. Their only previous meeting, from 2005, saw both pitchers give up only one run in seven innings, in a game the Braves would eventually win. Smoltz, your big game pitcher of choice, had a 2.33 ERA against the Mets last year in four starts.
All joking aside, whether the Braves sweep or get swept this weekend, April is still April, and we've still got a long way to go. But so far, you have to like everything you've seen. The series in Philadelphia was a big statement. The weekend in Atlanta is even more important.
And now, if there's such a thing as an important series in April, this is it: the hated New York Mets, defending NL East Champions, and fresh off their own road three game sweep, of the defending champion Cardinals no less (combined score in 3 games: Mets 20 - Cardinals 2), come to Atlanta for the weekend. Tonight's game between Oliver Perez and new Brave Mark Redman will be a nice opener, but the real gem will be Saturday: Tom Glavine vs. John Smoltz for only the second time, and for the first time in Atlanta. Their only previous meeting, from 2005, saw both pitchers give up only one run in seven innings, in a game the Braves would eventually win. Smoltz, your big game pitcher of choice, had a 2.33 ERA against the Mets last year in four starts.
All joking aside, whether the Braves sweep or get swept this weekend, April is still April, and we've still got a long way to go. But so far, you have to like everything you've seen. The series in Philadelphia was a big statement. The weekend in Atlanta is even more important.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Who looks good in green?
ESPN.com is running an interesting poll: Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson taking home the green jacket this weekend, or the rest of the field? When they've run these polls in the past, and done the "Tiger vs. The Field" angle, I say you always take the field, because that's just absurd. But in this case, Tiger and Phil or the field? Compelling...
Here's another fun stat: since winning his first major and his first green jacket a few years ago, Phil Mickelson has outplayed Tiger Woods at Augusta. That's not opinion, that's fact. Because of this, it's easy to pick Mickelson to win. And because Tiger knows this, it's easy to pick Tiger.
People have been looking for a true rival for El Tigre for years. And so far, it hasn't happened because no one can stand the heat. Everyone who plays with Tiger on Sunday melts. They usually start the day in second and finish the day out of the top five. So in the ashes of David Duval, Vijay Singh, and Sergio Garcia...is it time to elevate Phil to this promised status again?
What we've never seen in Tiger's decade of dominance is the Sunday showdown - where Woods is dead even, or within a stroke or two, of another dominant player, and then those two play together on Sunday and go down to the wire, trading blows. And maybe that's because no one trades blows with Tiger. But everyone would love to see Tiger and Phil, locked tight and away from the field after 52 holes, and then see it unfold with drama on 18. The Phil Mickelson/Payne Stewart shootout at Pinehurst in 99 was much more compelling television than anything Tiger has done yet. That's not Tiger's fault - that's everyone else's. So is this the year Phil - or the field - steps up?
If you're taking the field, here are some guys to pull for...
Never won a green jacket:
Davis Love III, Retief Goosen, Jim Furyk, Ernie Els
Never won a major:
Sergio Garcia, Adam Scott, Padraig Harrington, Colin Montgomerie
...but if you live in the States, you're not allowed to cheer for Monty.
Will's Pick: Tiger Woods. Duh.
Here's another fun stat: since winning his first major and his first green jacket a few years ago, Phil Mickelson has outplayed Tiger Woods at Augusta. That's not opinion, that's fact. Because of this, it's easy to pick Mickelson to win. And because Tiger knows this, it's easy to pick Tiger.
People have been looking for a true rival for El Tigre for years. And so far, it hasn't happened because no one can stand the heat. Everyone who plays with Tiger on Sunday melts. They usually start the day in second and finish the day out of the top five. So in the ashes of David Duval, Vijay Singh, and Sergio Garcia...is it time to elevate Phil to this promised status again?
What we've never seen in Tiger's decade of dominance is the Sunday showdown - where Woods is dead even, or within a stroke or two, of another dominant player, and then those two play together on Sunday and go down to the wire, trading blows. And maybe that's because no one trades blows with Tiger. But everyone would love to see Tiger and Phil, locked tight and away from the field after 52 holes, and then see it unfold with drama on 18. The Phil Mickelson/Payne Stewart shootout at Pinehurst in 99 was much more compelling television than anything Tiger has done yet. That's not Tiger's fault - that's everyone else's. So is this the year Phil - or the field - steps up?
If you're taking the field, here are some guys to pull for...
Never won a green jacket:
Davis Love III, Retief Goosen, Jim Furyk, Ernie Els
Never won a major:
Sergio Garcia, Adam Scott, Padraig Harrington, Colin Montgomerie
...but if you live in the States, you're not allowed to cheer for Monty.
Will's Pick: Tiger Woods. Duh.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
The Standard of Excellence
Tennessee 56 - Rutgers 49Lady Vols National Championships: 1987, 1989, 1991, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2007
If Bruce Pearl and Pat Summitt ever had a kid, that child could be trusted with the future of mankind.
Some help filling the great void...
150 days away from college football, and 1 day past the end of the men's college basketball season...now what? Although things will get worse come July, as was the subject of the very first entry on this blog, what's around now to take the taste of Florida winning another National Championship out of my mouth?
(Note: It's weird. Because you'd think Tennessee fans would be hanging themselves in the streets, having to watch Florida take home that giant crystal ball three times in a row in two sports now. But this feels about a million times better than losing to Steve Spurrier every year from 1993-1997. Back then - when the closest of those five games was six points, and that was the one the Vols started down 35-0 - you felt like you didn't have a chance. You felt like you had to be perfect. It gave you a complex. Today - despite the three rings - the Vols have beaten Florida 3 of 4 under Bruce Pearl - and the one loss was without Chris Lofton - and the Vols lost in football by one point. So I absolutely applaud Florida - because it's got to be great to be a Florida Gator right now, and has been a great for the last 12 months that I can't begin to fully comprehend - but the Vols are right there. It hurts...but it's a much different hurt than what Spurrier did. The Vols are still good.)
If you're looking forward to summer workouts in football, the basketball team's European vacation, or are still upset about Shawn Michaels tapping out on Sunday...maybe this will help:
The Lady Vols go for #7 tonight. Since completing the 3-peat in 1998, the trophy case has been empty in Knoxville. The Lady Vols have made it to the title game three times since then, but got the business end of UConn in 2000, 2003 and 2004. Now, Rutgers is good, and they play suffocating defense. But this ain't UConn, and there's no reason the Lady Vols shouldn't win. A title would give Pat Summitt some breathing room on ol' Geno - UConn's 5 titles is still one behind Tennessee. Candice Parker is capable of becoming the best player in Lady Vol history...but she needs a ring to even get in the conversation. 8:30 PM, ESPN.
The Braves are clearly going 162-0. Last year, when things were falling apart, The Atlanta Journal Constitution was among Atlanta's biggest critics, ripping apart the Braves, with some writers calling for a firesale - ship off John Smoltz and Andruw Jones, force Bobby Cox to retire, and start over and rebuild. When the Braves overcompensated for bullpen strength in the offseason, you were curious. So yesterday, in the opener at Philadelphia - who'd been talking a little too loud about how they were the best team in the NL East - Atlanta got 6 years and 26 million worth from Brian McCann, got another solid performance from John Smoltz (would've been better if Kelly Johnson doesn't make an "I'm learning how to play 2B" error that was ruled a hit), got two big jacks from Edgar Renteria...but most importantly, got four innings from Mike Gonzalez, Rafael Soriano, Bob Wickman, and Chad Paranto - 4 innings, 2 hits, 0 runs, 4 strikeouts. As people have been saying, this is the best bullpen Atlanta has ever had, better than anything they had in the 90s. Atlanta won 5-3 in 10, and is 1-0. And the AJC is going crazy for this team. They can't be beat. They're just as good as the Mets. World Series, here we come...alright, all together now: "It's just one game." Nobody is more excited to see what happened yesterday than me, and I'm quite the eternal optimist. But let's also try and be a little real. The Braves are 1-0.
The Masters starts Thursday. Whether you want to watch just to see Tiger Woods in his prime - which won't last forever - or if you actually like golf, there's no better time of year for it than this April weekend in Augusta. Sunday at The Masters is one of my top five sports days of the year - and like every other year, it'll be great if Woods is in it, I'd just like to see some drama on Sunday's back nine.
The NFL Draft is next weekend. The Raiders are on the clock...
(Note: It's weird. Because you'd think Tennessee fans would be hanging themselves in the streets, having to watch Florida take home that giant crystal ball three times in a row in two sports now. But this feels about a million times better than losing to Steve Spurrier every year from 1993-1997. Back then - when the closest of those five games was six points, and that was the one the Vols started down 35-0 - you felt like you didn't have a chance. You felt like you had to be perfect. It gave you a complex. Today - despite the three rings - the Vols have beaten Florida 3 of 4 under Bruce Pearl - and the one loss was without Chris Lofton - and the Vols lost in football by one point. So I absolutely applaud Florida - because it's got to be great to be a Florida Gator right now, and has been a great for the last 12 months that I can't begin to fully comprehend - but the Vols are right there. It hurts...but it's a much different hurt than what Spurrier did. The Vols are still good.)
If you're looking forward to summer workouts in football, the basketball team's European vacation, or are still upset about Shawn Michaels tapping out on Sunday...maybe this will help:
The Lady Vols go for #7 tonight. Since completing the 3-peat in 1998, the trophy case has been empty in Knoxville. The Lady Vols have made it to the title game three times since then, but got the business end of UConn in 2000, 2003 and 2004. Now, Rutgers is good, and they play suffocating defense. But this ain't UConn, and there's no reason the Lady Vols shouldn't win. A title would give Pat Summitt some breathing room on ol' Geno - UConn's 5 titles is still one behind Tennessee. Candice Parker is capable of becoming the best player in Lady Vol history...but she needs a ring to even get in the conversation. 8:30 PM, ESPN.
The Braves are clearly going 162-0. Last year, when things were falling apart, The Atlanta Journal Constitution was among Atlanta's biggest critics, ripping apart the Braves, with some writers calling for a firesale - ship off John Smoltz and Andruw Jones, force Bobby Cox to retire, and start over and rebuild. When the Braves overcompensated for bullpen strength in the offseason, you were curious. So yesterday, in the opener at Philadelphia - who'd been talking a little too loud about how they were the best team in the NL East - Atlanta got 6 years and 26 million worth from Brian McCann, got another solid performance from John Smoltz (would've been better if Kelly Johnson doesn't make an "I'm learning how to play 2B" error that was ruled a hit), got two big jacks from Edgar Renteria...but most importantly, got four innings from Mike Gonzalez, Rafael Soriano, Bob Wickman, and Chad Paranto - 4 innings, 2 hits, 0 runs, 4 strikeouts. As people have been saying, this is the best bullpen Atlanta has ever had, better than anything they had in the 90s. Atlanta won 5-3 in 10, and is 1-0. And the AJC is going crazy for this team. They can't be beat. They're just as good as the Mets. World Series, here we come...alright, all together now: "It's just one game." Nobody is more excited to see what happened yesterday than me, and I'm quite the eternal optimist. But let's also try and be a little real. The Braves are 1-0.
The Masters starts Thursday. Whether you want to watch just to see Tiger Woods in his prime - which won't last forever - or if you actually like golf, there's no better time of year for it than this April weekend in Augusta. Sunday at The Masters is one of my top five sports days of the year - and like every other year, it'll be great if Woods is in it, I'd just like to see some drama on Sunday's back nine.
The NFL Draft is next weekend. The Raiders are on the clock...
Monday, April 02, 2007
WrestleMania 23 - Random Thoughts
Live from Detroit, and 80,103 strong...
- Say what you will about WWE these days, but they're still capable of producing promos and lead-ins that raise the goosebumps for any wrestling fan with a sense of history. And you've got a strange balance of it tonight, with Shawn Michaels and Undertaker representing everything good about the WWE for the last 15 years, going against John Cena and Batista, who share the present and are the future.
- By the way, Donald Trump and Vince McMahon are on the card. The WWE really wants you to know.
- Aretha Franklin sings "America The Beautiful". She's dangerously overweight. It's beyond unhealthy, it's flat dangerous. And away we go...
Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Jeff Hardy, King Booker, Finlay, CM Punk, Mr. Kennedy, Matt Hardy, Randy Orton and Edge will compete for a guaranteed title shot at any point between now and WrestleMania 24. Lots of traditional ladder match action early, highlighted by Finlay's flying press to the outside that wipes out most of the field. The last 2/3 of the match seem to be individual showdowns and finishing moves from here.
Early spot of the night: Matt Hardy sets up a ladder straddled between the ring apron and the barricade and puts Edge on it. Jeff Hardy climbs the 20 ft. ladder in the ring and can get the briefcase, but instead attemps a flying leg drop over the rope onto Edge and the ladder. The impact here is absolutely tremendous - Edge tries to sit up at the last moment to absorb the pain, but his neck snaps back viciously as both men go to the floor. Edge goes down and doesn't move again - the ref on the outside is quick to get on him and call for help. They bring out the backboard and put Edge on it quickly and get him out of there. It's hard to tell, because Edge has worked the fake injury angle before, but when he never returns to this match - and Jeff Hardy is a non-factor in it from this point on as well - it might be safe to say it's legit.
Going back and watching it again, it looks worse. It's wrestling, so of course it could be nothing. But if it's real, it might be real bad - his neck snaps badly and then he never moves his arms, ever, and barely moves his feet after the impact. Let's hope it's a work and Edge was simply taking time off.
The rest of the match also seems geared that it was real and Edge had a significant role in it, because without him, my most anticipated match of the night deteriorates. It becomes one on one showdowns after Randy Orton gives 3 RKOs. King Booker has a chance to win but Matt Hardy threatens the Twist of Fate on Queen Sharmel, so he relents and gets a Twist of Fate himself. The rest of the match is each man, in turn, doing their finishing move off the top of the ladder - which is impressive, just not WrestleMania ladder match impressive. Finlay gets busted open on top of his head, brings out the midget he rolls with, who then gets dropped off the ladder by Mr. Kennedy. CM Punk goes for the case, but Kennedy throws a ladder at him and knocks him off, allowing Kennedy to climb - albeit slowly - and snatch the briefcase. A good match, even if not a good ladder match. Without much main event talent, or guys you know will do something crazy, in hindsight it was easy to expect too much from this installment of Money in the Bank. Maybe they'll update Edge's condition...
Winner: Mr. Kennedy
Match Rating: 3.5 stars (out of five)
Kane vs. The Great Khali
Kane is big, Khali is big and thick. This match ends up exceptionally short, and could've been better. After a trade of power shows, Kane struggles to knock Khali down before eventually getting him tied up in the ropes and wailing on him. They bring in the chain and hook Kane used in that movie he was in, but it's never used except to hit Khali with the chain portion below the belt. Kane eventually succeeds in scoop slamming Khali - shades of Hogan/Andre - but Khali tosses Kane off him after a two count, counters a chokeslam attempt with one of his own, then drops Kane like he's hot with a two handed emphatic chokeslam. 1-2-3, and it's over. At least he didn't kick out of Kane's finisher...even though that would've made things much more interesting. Khali really just squashed him, then betas on him some more with the chain/hook after it's over. Khali = major push.
Winner: The Great Khali via two handed chokeslam
Match Rating: 3.25 stars
United States Championship
Chris Benoit vs. MVP
These are, without a doubt, the two ugliest outfits in the same ring at the same time in wrestling history. Benoit still manages to look a little grizzled in his cartoonish-yellow trunks, whilst MVP comes out in a jumpsuit/unitard thing in red white and blue. This was a good match, much better than I thought it would be, but the crowd really isn't in it at all. MVP and Benoit counter each other throughout - MVP with several really smart technical moves to block Benoit as he works on his shoulder - and really dominates 90% of this match. He blocks the german suplexes, then blocks the crossface in a really simple but brilliant way by shifting Benoit's left arm away. He's still getting no love from the crowd - outside of the few who yell "Balla!" - and then it's like "Okay, time for Benoit to win now." Diving headbutt, Benoit's bleeding from inside his mouth (I wonder if that happens everytime), 1-2-3. This is a 4 star match if not for the brief ending and the dead crowd.
Winner: Chris Benoit via Diving Headbutt
Match Rating: 3.75 stars
- Still no word on Edge...
- Hall of Fame recognition...man, I forgot Mr. Perfect had died...and now, we're throwing out the big guns early...
World Heavyweight Championship
Batista vs. Undertaker
You know it's bad news when the champion comes out first. Batista comes out, but he's got no chance with this crowd when he's across the ring from The Undertaker: 14-0 at WrestleMania.
And the druids are back, and let's bare witness to the greatest single entrance in sports entertainment history. We've got chanting, we've got fire, we've got mist, we've got fireworks, we've got the death toll, we've got the Dead Man. Batista has no chance.
JBL is doing commentary, and - aside from saying "This is gonna be monkey butt ugly" - sucks. He keeps trying to remind fans that he's been in the ring with all these guys and knows what it's like to stand in their shoes...and then you remember that he's JBL.
They start hot, with Batista spearing Undertaker right at the bell and doing a good job showing that he's not intimidated. For 3-4 minutes, Batista dominates Taker. Then Taker reverses it completely, and dominates Batista old school: big boot, snake eyes, and the "old school!" drop on the arm after walking the top rope. So far, so good.
Then things get really violent when we go outside. Undertaker takes a hard spot on the ring steps. Back inside the ring, Taker drops the leg. Then Taker - clearly feeling the adrenaline, this is the most I've seen him into a match in years - goes flying over the top rope and takes out Batista on the outside. That's a move that Shawn Michaels does, not The Undertaker.
Batista proves to be the equal, launching the Undertaker over the bell table and into the barricade. Both guys are into this and both guys are violent. Batista with good psychology, beating on Taker outside, going back in to reset the 10-count, and then continuing the beating. This all leads to a running powerslam on The Undertaker thru the ECW announce table. Again, these are spots Shawn Michaels takes, not The Undertaker.
JBL is terrible.
Batista rolls him into the ring, Taker kicks out. Here comes the finish. Batista sets up for the Batista Bomb, Undertaker counters and sends him into the corner. Batista counters an irish whip and drops him with a fierce belly-to-belly, two count. Undertaker to the corner again, Batista climbs up top to punch to ten, Undertaker counters with a Last Ride! 1-2-no! Batista kicks out...this is much, much better than I expected. Reverse irish whip, Batista drops Taker with a spinebuster! The crowd is hot, Taker bounces right back, counters and drops him with a chokeslam, 1-2-Batista kicks out again!
Undertaker says it's over, Batista slips over the top on a tombstone attempt and comes off the ropes with a spear! Taker up, Batista Bomb! 1-2-Taker kicks out! Crowd is on fire...Batista goes for another Batista Bomb, Taker counters with a back body drop. Batista tries again, Taker over the top again and sends Batista into the corner, and catches him on the rebound with a TOMB-STONE-PILE-DRIVER (Michael Cole)...and the streak lives on.
Long post-match homage to 'Taker, who leaves WrestleMania as a champion for the first time in ten years. Both men did a great job with this match, solid performance.
Winner: The Undertaker via Tombstone Piledriver
Match Rating: 4.5 stars
ECW Originals vs. New Breed
Joey Styles cannot be contained.
The Originals (RVD, Sandman, Sabu, Tommy Dreamer) come in from the crowd. The crowd is solidly behind them, and this match turns into a train wreck - of course - in ECW's first official appearance at WrestleMania.
Sandman gets the worst of the beating, but it's really just a lot of violence...Styles solidly behind the old guard...and this one is going to end rather quickly at under six minutes with RVD on top, five star frog splash (Joey Styles: "COVER THAT MAN!"), 1-2-3. Eh.
Winner: ECW Originals via RVD's Frog Splash
Match Rating: 3 stars
The "All Grown Up" promo for Steve Austin, where the little kid bangs the milk cartons together, is good stuff.
It's 9:00 PM - if they expect this thing to last two more hours, they've lost their minds.
Then it took twenty minutes to do the introductions for Lashley/Umaga...I mean, Trump/McMahon...and I realized I'm wrong.
Battle of the Billionaires
Donald Trump has that former Miss Teen USA with him. Take THAT, Rosie O'Donnell.
Same with Batista/Undertaker, the biggest name comes out last - and that would be Stone Cold Steve Austin. Who's trying not to smile as he walks down the entrance ramp, clearly happy to be back on the big stage.
"Donald Trump's hair is one of the unique mysteries of mankind." - Jim Ross.
These two did the best they could with the build-up; Lashley going thru the cage to get to Umaga on ECW a few weeks ago was good stuff. They trade power early before Lashley gets a two count and Estrada puts Umaga's foot on the ropes. This leads to Lashley dropping Estrada with a running powerslam, then ducking Umaga and sending him flying over the top rope and landing with a thud. Then Umaga returns the favor on Lashley's failed suicide dive.
Austin gets physical - twice - with Umaga when he won't break the choke hold, and this could easily turn into a triple threat match. A few moves later, it's a Samoan Drop and trouble for Lashley. Donald Trump isn't really going to get his head shaved (even though that would gain even more media attention for WWE)...is he? Lashley tries a powerslam but Umaga just falls on him for another two count. Umaga tries top rope but Lashley throws him off. Austin has a double count-out but stops at 9 and then rules the match a no count-out match. And here comes Shane-o-Mac! He checks on Vince outside, who was knocked off the apron and may have bruised his coccyx.
Austin gets physical with Umaga, Shane distracts, and Umaga decks Austin with the Samoan Spike! Shane comes in and starts wailing on Lashley, Umaga drops Lashley in the corner. Vince has a trash can, and here comes shades of WrestleMania X7. Shane's going coast-to-coast!
Money!
Shane takes his shirt off to reveal a referee's outfit (Crowd: NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!) Umaga goes to the top rope, and nails a splash. Shane's lost weight...1-2-, Austin pulls Shane out of the ring and drops him into the ring steps. Umaga hits Austin again with the spike! This is the worst beating Austin's taken from a jobber like Umaga in his entire life.
Donald Trump takes Vince down on the outside ("The hostile takeover from Trump!" - JR). Umaga wants a third Samoan Spike, Austin ducks, Stunner! Lashley with a spear, 1-2-bell rings-3! That was weird...anyway, Lashley wins. This may not have been technical excellence, but the crowd was hot for it. And no way Vince gets out of here without eating a Stunner.
Shane tries to attack Austin post-bell, but Austin drops him. Stunner on Shane. Glass breaks, and Lashley's time in the spotlight has come and gone, might as well send him to the back. Trump, Austin, and Lashley stand victorious in the ring as Vince tries to make it to the back.
Wrong about Lashley, who runs him down and fireman's carries him to the ring. Lashley just looks happy to be here. And...there's the Stunner on Vince. How long can they drag this out?
Lashley and Trump shave him while Austin holds him down. They go for the no hair at all look on Vince, who's doing what he does and overselling how bad it is.
Lawler: "Why are you smiling, JR?"
Ross: "I'm not really smiling, I've got bells' palsy."
The match itself gets 3.75 starts, but the three-ring circus surrounding it pushes it to four. The WWE got what they wanted out of this. The old school Austin would Stunner Trump. Instead, they share beer.
Wait, he did Stunner Trump! Lashley stays down with Trump to comfort him, or something.
Winner: Bobby Lashley via spear tackle
Match Rating: 4.0 stars
Women's Championship - LumberJill Match
Melina vs. Ashley
10 women surrounding, two inside. Melina wins. The point of all of this is the 12-woman catfight that takes place afterwards. HBK and Cena have an hour and five minutes of my money to work with.
Winner: Melina via rollup
Match Rating: 1.5 stars
WWE Championship
John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels
If HBK doesn't deliver, I'll be stunned. And Cena isn't terrible. The crowd reaction here will be interesting.
Who dresses Shawn Michaels?
John Cena - cause it's Detroit, and he's Chain Gang son - is coming in in a Ford mustang.
JR tells me that the title has changed hands 15 of 22 times at WrestleMania. HBK is going for his fifth title. Crowd feels close to 50/50 at the start, slight edge HBK. A fan rushes the ring and is taken down off camera. Bell sounds at 10:07 PM.
HBK slaps Cena down to start, DX chop. Crowd more HBK than I thought. I also think they hate Cena more than they love DX/HBK. Michaels old school dominates early. Slight return for Cena is met with boos, then HBK sends Cena outside, where he lands a fierce knife edge chop, then nails Cena with an enziguri. He follows this up with a springboard moonsault into, but not thru the table - hard landing for Michaels on his knee. Back in the ring, he's chopping Cena incredibly hard. HBK is dominating Cena more than at the start of any other WrestleMania main event I can ever remember. I mean, he's just schooling him, for ten solid minutes now, as HBK begins to work the knee. If Cena wins, he's going to work the Rocky angle, because they're selling HBK as clearly the dominant competitor.
They finally trade blows at the twelve minute mark, but HBK again puts Cena into the corner. This is the mirror image of the old HBK/Taker matches 10 years ago, only Shawn has changed roles. HBK runs into the turnbuckle as Cena dodges. HBK is busted open, Cena is selling the knee injury hard.
"The Russian's cut!" Here comes Cena, who jumps the bloody HBK and is all over him, and it's a chorus of boos. Cena drops him with the slam, and goes for the Five Knuckle Shuffle, and connects. We're at 15:00, too early for the finish, gotta be...Cena sets up for the FU, HBK reverses into a chop, lands upside down in the corner the way he does, bounces back, Cena ducks the Superkick and it nails the referee (nice mid-kick correction by HBK there).
Cena goes for the FU, but HBK reverses it mid-air into a DDT...very nice. Both men are down. Ref still down. HBK goes outside and moves the steel steps. HBK sets up Cena - old school HBK/Taker again! - spiked piledriver on the steel steps! Cena's busted open on the back of his head now. Here comes another ref, makes the long run, 1-2-no, Cena kicks out - fans cheer that the match is still going, then boo that Cena kicked out.
As an HBK fan, I'm worried that Cena's going to win based on how things are going.
Cena reverses an irish whip, but HBK answers with a clothesline and a kick up. Now it's time for the elbow drop...nails it! Time to tune up the band baby! He won't get it clean though...Cena drills him with a clothesline! That was a train wreck...
They trade blows, Cena catches Michaels off the ropes...FU...into a rollup for HBK! 1-2, Cena kicks HBK in the face in kicking out...off the ropes again, reversal...FU, and this time he hits it! But Cena can't make the cover! Too much time....1-2-no, and the crowd pops huge!
Cena puts Michaels on the top turnbuckle...top rope FU? Sets up for it, Michaels counters with elbows and punches Cena off the top....
...And a brilliant sequence! A splash from HBK caught by Cena, into a rollup, Cena holds on for an FU attempt, but Michaels lands on his feet, misses Sweet Chin Music high, Cena sets up STFU off the drop toe hold, Michaels blocks it thrice, into a rollup, 1-2-NOOOO....that was 30 seconds of the best wrestling you'll see right there.
Cena ducks an enziguri and swiftly locks on the STFU...HBK needs the ropes, and he'll eventually get there...
Cena spends too much time talking to the referee about breaking up the STFU...and bang, Michaels nails Sweet Chin Music! But again, too long to make the cover, Cena kicks out at two. Both men exhausted in the ring, the count gets to nine before both men get up, leaning on each other. Cena uses the leverage to put Michaels up for the FU, Michaels counters again, Cena drops for the STFU, doesn't get it clean the first time, then locks it in the second, in the center of the ring. And I'm thinking, well now what, because it can't end like this...
And then Shawn Michaels taps out. WHAT?!
@#!%!#!
Shawn Michaels doesn't tap out!! He especially doesn't tap out to John Cena!!
(Will throws things and refuses to rate the match, or acknowledge that that just happened)
- Say what you will about WWE these days, but they're still capable of producing promos and lead-ins that raise the goosebumps for any wrestling fan with a sense of history. And you've got a strange balance of it tonight, with Shawn Michaels and Undertaker representing everything good about the WWE for the last 15 years, going against John Cena and Batista, who share the present and are the future.
- By the way, Donald Trump and Vince McMahon are on the card. The WWE really wants you to know.
- Aretha Franklin sings "America The Beautiful". She's dangerously overweight. It's beyond unhealthy, it's flat dangerous. And away we go...
Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Jeff Hardy, King Booker, Finlay, CM Punk, Mr. Kennedy, Matt Hardy, Randy Orton and Edge will compete for a guaranteed title shot at any point between now and WrestleMania 24. Lots of traditional ladder match action early, highlighted by Finlay's flying press to the outside that wipes out most of the field. The last 2/3 of the match seem to be individual showdowns and finishing moves from here.
Early spot of the night: Matt Hardy sets up a ladder straddled between the ring apron and the barricade and puts Edge on it. Jeff Hardy climbs the 20 ft. ladder in the ring and can get the briefcase, but instead attemps a flying leg drop over the rope onto Edge and the ladder. The impact here is absolutely tremendous - Edge tries to sit up at the last moment to absorb the pain, but his neck snaps back viciously as both men go to the floor. Edge goes down and doesn't move again - the ref on the outside is quick to get on him and call for help. They bring out the backboard and put Edge on it quickly and get him out of there. It's hard to tell, because Edge has worked the fake injury angle before, but when he never returns to this match - and Jeff Hardy is a non-factor in it from this point on as well - it might be safe to say it's legit.
Going back and watching it again, it looks worse. It's wrestling, so of course it could be nothing. But if it's real, it might be real bad - his neck snaps badly and then he never moves his arms, ever, and barely moves his feet after the impact. Let's hope it's a work and Edge was simply taking time off.
The rest of the match also seems geared that it was real and Edge had a significant role in it, because without him, my most anticipated match of the night deteriorates. It becomes one on one showdowns after Randy Orton gives 3 RKOs. King Booker has a chance to win but Matt Hardy threatens the Twist of Fate on Queen Sharmel, so he relents and gets a Twist of Fate himself. The rest of the match is each man, in turn, doing their finishing move off the top of the ladder - which is impressive, just not WrestleMania ladder match impressive. Finlay gets busted open on top of his head, brings out the midget he rolls with, who then gets dropped off the ladder by Mr. Kennedy. CM Punk goes for the case, but Kennedy throws a ladder at him and knocks him off, allowing Kennedy to climb - albeit slowly - and snatch the briefcase. A good match, even if not a good ladder match. Without much main event talent, or guys you know will do something crazy, in hindsight it was easy to expect too much from this installment of Money in the Bank. Maybe they'll update Edge's condition...
Winner: Mr. Kennedy
Match Rating: 3.5 stars (out of five)
Kane vs. The Great Khali
Kane is big, Khali is big and thick. This match ends up exceptionally short, and could've been better. After a trade of power shows, Kane struggles to knock Khali down before eventually getting him tied up in the ropes and wailing on him. They bring in the chain and hook Kane used in that movie he was in, but it's never used except to hit Khali with the chain portion below the belt. Kane eventually succeeds in scoop slamming Khali - shades of Hogan/Andre - but Khali tosses Kane off him after a two count, counters a chokeslam attempt with one of his own, then drops Kane like he's hot with a two handed emphatic chokeslam. 1-2-3, and it's over. At least he didn't kick out of Kane's finisher...even though that would've made things much more interesting. Khali really just squashed him, then betas on him some more with the chain/hook after it's over. Khali = major push.
Winner: The Great Khali via two handed chokeslam
Match Rating: 3.25 stars
United States Championship
Chris Benoit vs. MVP
These are, without a doubt, the two ugliest outfits in the same ring at the same time in wrestling history. Benoit still manages to look a little grizzled in his cartoonish-yellow trunks, whilst MVP comes out in a jumpsuit/unitard thing in red white and blue. This was a good match, much better than I thought it would be, but the crowd really isn't in it at all. MVP and Benoit counter each other throughout - MVP with several really smart technical moves to block Benoit as he works on his shoulder - and really dominates 90% of this match. He blocks the german suplexes, then blocks the crossface in a really simple but brilliant way by shifting Benoit's left arm away. He's still getting no love from the crowd - outside of the few who yell "Balla!" - and then it's like "Okay, time for Benoit to win now." Diving headbutt, Benoit's bleeding from inside his mouth (I wonder if that happens everytime), 1-2-3. This is a 4 star match if not for the brief ending and the dead crowd.
Winner: Chris Benoit via Diving Headbutt
Match Rating: 3.75 stars
- Still no word on Edge...
- Hall of Fame recognition...man, I forgot Mr. Perfect had died...and now, we're throwing out the big guns early...
World Heavyweight Championship
Batista vs. Undertaker
You know it's bad news when the champion comes out first. Batista comes out, but he's got no chance with this crowd when he's across the ring from The Undertaker: 14-0 at WrestleMania.
And the druids are back, and let's bare witness to the greatest single entrance in sports entertainment history. We've got chanting, we've got fire, we've got mist, we've got fireworks, we've got the death toll, we've got the Dead Man. Batista has no chance.
JBL is doing commentary, and - aside from saying "This is gonna be monkey butt ugly" - sucks. He keeps trying to remind fans that he's been in the ring with all these guys and knows what it's like to stand in their shoes...and then you remember that he's JBL.
They start hot, with Batista spearing Undertaker right at the bell and doing a good job showing that he's not intimidated. For 3-4 minutes, Batista dominates Taker. Then Taker reverses it completely, and dominates Batista old school: big boot, snake eyes, and the "old school!" drop on the arm after walking the top rope. So far, so good.
Then things get really violent when we go outside. Undertaker takes a hard spot on the ring steps. Back inside the ring, Taker drops the leg. Then Taker - clearly feeling the adrenaline, this is the most I've seen him into a match in years - goes flying over the top rope and takes out Batista on the outside. That's a move that Shawn Michaels does, not The Undertaker.
Batista proves to be the equal, launching the Undertaker over the bell table and into the barricade. Both guys are into this and both guys are violent. Batista with good psychology, beating on Taker outside, going back in to reset the 10-count, and then continuing the beating. This all leads to a running powerslam on The Undertaker thru the ECW announce table. Again, these are spots Shawn Michaels takes, not The Undertaker.
JBL is terrible.
Batista rolls him into the ring, Taker kicks out. Here comes the finish. Batista sets up for the Batista Bomb, Undertaker counters and sends him into the corner. Batista counters an irish whip and drops him with a fierce belly-to-belly, two count. Undertaker to the corner again, Batista climbs up top to punch to ten, Undertaker counters with a Last Ride! 1-2-no! Batista kicks out...this is much, much better than I expected. Reverse irish whip, Batista drops Taker with a spinebuster! The crowd is hot, Taker bounces right back, counters and drops him with a chokeslam, 1-2-Batista kicks out again!
Undertaker says it's over, Batista slips over the top on a tombstone attempt and comes off the ropes with a spear! Taker up, Batista Bomb! 1-2-Taker kicks out! Crowd is on fire...Batista goes for another Batista Bomb, Taker counters with a back body drop. Batista tries again, Taker over the top again and sends Batista into the corner, and catches him on the rebound with a TOMB-STONE-PILE-DRIVER (Michael Cole)...and the streak lives on.
Long post-match homage to 'Taker, who leaves WrestleMania as a champion for the first time in ten years. Both men did a great job with this match, solid performance.
Winner: The Undertaker via Tombstone Piledriver
Match Rating: 4.5 stars
ECW Originals vs. New Breed
Joey Styles cannot be contained.
The Originals (RVD, Sandman, Sabu, Tommy Dreamer) come in from the crowd. The crowd is solidly behind them, and this match turns into a train wreck - of course - in ECW's first official appearance at WrestleMania.
Sandman gets the worst of the beating, but it's really just a lot of violence...Styles solidly behind the old guard...and this one is going to end rather quickly at under six minutes with RVD on top, five star frog splash (Joey Styles: "COVER THAT MAN!"), 1-2-3. Eh.
Winner: ECW Originals via RVD's Frog Splash
Match Rating: 3 stars
The "All Grown Up" promo for Steve Austin, where the little kid bangs the milk cartons together, is good stuff.
It's 9:00 PM - if they expect this thing to last two more hours, they've lost their minds.
Then it took twenty minutes to do the introductions for Lashley/Umaga...I mean, Trump/McMahon...and I realized I'm wrong.
Battle of the Billionaires
Donald Trump has that former Miss Teen USA with him. Take THAT, Rosie O'Donnell.
Same with Batista/Undertaker, the biggest name comes out last - and that would be Stone Cold Steve Austin. Who's trying not to smile as he walks down the entrance ramp, clearly happy to be back on the big stage.
"Donald Trump's hair is one of the unique mysteries of mankind." - Jim Ross.
These two did the best they could with the build-up; Lashley going thru the cage to get to Umaga on ECW a few weeks ago was good stuff. They trade power early before Lashley gets a two count and Estrada puts Umaga's foot on the ropes. This leads to Lashley dropping Estrada with a running powerslam, then ducking Umaga and sending him flying over the top rope and landing with a thud. Then Umaga returns the favor on Lashley's failed suicide dive.
Austin gets physical - twice - with Umaga when he won't break the choke hold, and this could easily turn into a triple threat match. A few moves later, it's a Samoan Drop and trouble for Lashley. Donald Trump isn't really going to get his head shaved (even though that would gain even more media attention for WWE)...is he? Lashley tries a powerslam but Umaga just falls on him for another two count. Umaga tries top rope but Lashley throws him off. Austin has a double count-out but stops at 9 and then rules the match a no count-out match. And here comes Shane-o-Mac! He checks on Vince outside, who was knocked off the apron and may have bruised his coccyx.
Austin gets physical with Umaga, Shane distracts, and Umaga decks Austin with the Samoan Spike! Shane comes in and starts wailing on Lashley, Umaga drops Lashley in the corner. Vince has a trash can, and here comes shades of WrestleMania X7. Shane's going coast-to-coast!
Money!
Shane takes his shirt off to reveal a referee's outfit (Crowd: NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!) Umaga goes to the top rope, and nails a splash. Shane's lost weight...1-2-, Austin pulls Shane out of the ring and drops him into the ring steps. Umaga hits Austin again with the spike! This is the worst beating Austin's taken from a jobber like Umaga in his entire life.
Donald Trump takes Vince down on the outside ("The hostile takeover from Trump!" - JR). Umaga wants a third Samoan Spike, Austin ducks, Stunner! Lashley with a spear, 1-2-bell rings-3! That was weird...anyway, Lashley wins. This may not have been technical excellence, but the crowd was hot for it. And no way Vince gets out of here without eating a Stunner.
Shane tries to attack Austin post-bell, but Austin drops him. Stunner on Shane. Glass breaks, and Lashley's time in the spotlight has come and gone, might as well send him to the back. Trump, Austin, and Lashley stand victorious in the ring as Vince tries to make it to the back.
Wrong about Lashley, who runs him down and fireman's carries him to the ring. Lashley just looks happy to be here. And...there's the Stunner on Vince. How long can they drag this out?
Lashley and Trump shave him while Austin holds him down. They go for the no hair at all look on Vince, who's doing what he does and overselling how bad it is.
Lawler: "Why are you smiling, JR?"
Ross: "I'm not really smiling, I've got bells' palsy."
The match itself gets 3.75 starts, but the three-ring circus surrounding it pushes it to four. The WWE got what they wanted out of this. The old school Austin would Stunner Trump. Instead, they share beer.
Wait, he did Stunner Trump! Lashley stays down with Trump to comfort him, or something.
Winner: Bobby Lashley via spear tackle
Match Rating: 4.0 stars
Women's Championship - LumberJill Match
Melina vs. Ashley
10 women surrounding, two inside. Melina wins. The point of all of this is the 12-woman catfight that takes place afterwards. HBK and Cena have an hour and five minutes of my money to work with.
Winner: Melina via rollup
Match Rating: 1.5 stars
WWE Championship
John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels
If HBK doesn't deliver, I'll be stunned. And Cena isn't terrible. The crowd reaction here will be interesting.
Who dresses Shawn Michaels?
John Cena - cause it's Detroit, and he's Chain Gang son - is coming in in a Ford mustang.
JR tells me that the title has changed hands 15 of 22 times at WrestleMania. HBK is going for his fifth title. Crowd feels close to 50/50 at the start, slight edge HBK. A fan rushes the ring and is taken down off camera. Bell sounds at 10:07 PM.
HBK slaps Cena down to start, DX chop. Crowd more HBK than I thought. I also think they hate Cena more than they love DX/HBK. Michaels old school dominates early. Slight return for Cena is met with boos, then HBK sends Cena outside, where he lands a fierce knife edge chop, then nails Cena with an enziguri. He follows this up with a springboard moonsault into, but not thru the table - hard landing for Michaels on his knee. Back in the ring, he's chopping Cena incredibly hard. HBK is dominating Cena more than at the start of any other WrestleMania main event I can ever remember. I mean, he's just schooling him, for ten solid minutes now, as HBK begins to work the knee. If Cena wins, he's going to work the Rocky angle, because they're selling HBK as clearly the dominant competitor.
They finally trade blows at the twelve minute mark, but HBK again puts Cena into the corner. This is the mirror image of the old HBK/Taker matches 10 years ago, only Shawn has changed roles. HBK runs into the turnbuckle as Cena dodges. HBK is busted open, Cena is selling the knee injury hard.
"The Russian's cut!" Here comes Cena, who jumps the bloody HBK and is all over him, and it's a chorus of boos. Cena drops him with the slam, and goes for the Five Knuckle Shuffle, and connects. We're at 15:00, too early for the finish, gotta be...Cena sets up for the FU, HBK reverses into a chop, lands upside down in the corner the way he does, bounces back, Cena ducks the Superkick and it nails the referee (nice mid-kick correction by HBK there).
Cena goes for the FU, but HBK reverses it mid-air into a DDT...very nice. Both men are down. Ref still down. HBK goes outside and moves the steel steps. HBK sets up Cena - old school HBK/Taker again! - spiked piledriver on the steel steps! Cena's busted open on the back of his head now. Here comes another ref, makes the long run, 1-2-no, Cena kicks out - fans cheer that the match is still going, then boo that Cena kicked out.
As an HBK fan, I'm worried that Cena's going to win based on how things are going.
Cena reverses an irish whip, but HBK answers with a clothesline and a kick up. Now it's time for the elbow drop...nails it! Time to tune up the band baby! He won't get it clean though...Cena drills him with a clothesline! That was a train wreck...
They trade blows, Cena catches Michaels off the ropes...FU...into a rollup for HBK! 1-2, Cena kicks HBK in the face in kicking out...off the ropes again, reversal...FU, and this time he hits it! But Cena can't make the cover! Too much time....1-2-no, and the crowd pops huge!
Cena puts Michaels on the top turnbuckle...top rope FU? Sets up for it, Michaels counters with elbows and punches Cena off the top....
...And a brilliant sequence! A splash from HBK caught by Cena, into a rollup, Cena holds on for an FU attempt, but Michaels lands on his feet, misses Sweet Chin Music high, Cena sets up STFU off the drop toe hold, Michaels blocks it thrice, into a rollup, 1-2-NOOOO....that was 30 seconds of the best wrestling you'll see right there.
Cena ducks an enziguri and swiftly locks on the STFU...HBK needs the ropes, and he'll eventually get there...
Cena spends too much time talking to the referee about breaking up the STFU...and bang, Michaels nails Sweet Chin Music! But again, too long to make the cover, Cena kicks out at two. Both men exhausted in the ring, the count gets to nine before both men get up, leaning on each other. Cena uses the leverage to put Michaels up for the FU, Michaels counters again, Cena drops for the STFU, doesn't get it clean the first time, then locks it in the second, in the center of the ring. And I'm thinking, well now what, because it can't end like this...
And then Shawn Michaels taps out. WHAT?!
@#!%!#!
Shawn Michaels doesn't tap out!! He especially doesn't tap out to John Cena!!
(Will throws things and refuses to rate the match, or acknowledge that that just happened)
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