RANDOM THOUGHTS

Just some Random Thoughts on Sports - not Deep Thoughts, just random.

For what its worth, I think we will be watching Indianapolis and Minnesota in Miami in two weeks and the NFL bigwigs will *insert word* their pants they will be so happy.

NBA fans proved they are absolute idiots. Allen Iverson starting in the All-Star game? Seriously? He hasn't been an All-Star caliber player for several years now. Idiots.

I hope aging left-handed starting pitchers are a gold mine.

Why can't they just tell us how long they expect a college athlete to be out when they are injured. If Jon Leuer is done for the season, let Badger fans know that we have no chance in March. HIPAA blows.

I never got to say how glad I was that the Big Ten beat 4 Top 15 teams in Bowls this year and was the only conference to place 4 teams in the final Top 25. This from a conference whose typical recruit would lose a foot race with Rerun from Good Times. Experts, there is a reason that almost half the players on the field are huge and its called football, not track & field.

In a similar context, I can't wait for the NFL combine when general managers forget about a players on-field performance in College and focus simply on the workout numbers. Again, its called football.

Is there any way Tiger misses the Masters? Ummm...I don't think so.

I think they should expand the NCAA tourney to 66 this year....and let the UConn women in.

It would be easy to say pitching, so I am going to say Rickie Weeks holds the key to the Brewers season.

The NFL moved the Pro Bowl before the Super Bowl and will play the game at the same venue. Only problem is, unless the Jets win, like 15 players who were elected to play, and who are legitimate Pro Bowlers (NBA=idiots) will be unable to play because they have a kind of important game the next week. It might be time for the Pro Bowl to go the way of the 8 track.

Avatar just looks weird.

The NFL owes us this weekend - 6 of your 8 playoff games have been duds. Yes you gave us one classic. A big thanks for that one.

I like pizza.

Until the next one.....

PACKER PLAYOFF HEARTBREAK

The Green Bay Packers 51-45 loss to the Arizona Cardinals yesterday was gut wrenching. I don't get too excited about regular season games anymore, but playoff games are a different story. I was a nervous wreck yesterday. I sat in different spots, different positions, I stood, tried to put a hex on a kicker - all to have my heart drop to the floor when Karlos Dansby ran into the end zone. Today, as I thought it over, I realized, this is the way of life for a Packer fan. They have been to the playoffs 13 times in my 35 years. They won the Super Bowl in 1997. So there have been 12 playoff losses in that time. The first four were to the Dallas Cowboys, all on the road, but none were really that close. The 1995 NFC Championship Game was difficult because I knew the Packers were getting close - which was validated the next season. But since that Super Bowl victory, 5 of the 8 losses, including yesterday's, have been absolute heartbreakers. And the other 3 had heartbreaking aspects of their own. Maybe it is more healthy to be home for the playoffs. Re-live these with me for a moment:

1997 (Season) Super Bowl loss to Denver - The NFC had not lost a Super Bowl in over a decade. The Packers were double-digit favorites. Freeman catches a TD on the first drive. Heartbreak follows. And we must forever watch John Elway do that helicopter play.

1998 Wildcard loss to San Francisco - The pre-replay game. The Packers fought from behind to take the lead. Jerry Rice fumbles, but he doesn't. Only time for one play. Terrell Owens provides the heartbreak this time. I will never understand the Packer Safeties being 3 yards deep in the end zone. It didn't work. We will miss you Mike Holmgren.

2001 Divisional playoff loss to the Rams - Not heartbreaking - unless you consider that our Superman QB throws 6 INT's. How about a repeat in 2010 vs the Cowboys Brett??

2002 Wildcard loss to Atlanta - Once again, not a heartbreaker as the game developed - but who saw the Packers losing a cold weather playoff game to Michael Vick and the Falcons of all people. This game single-handedly altered the Packers Lambeau advantage for some time.

2003 Divisional playoff loss to Eagles - 4th and 26. OT Interception. This one stung because of all the missed opportunities. I still think Sherman should have challenged the spot on the Favre scramble prior to the 4th and 26. And even then, a conversion on 4th and less than one wins you the game too (the Belichek theory). But Sherman punted, the Packer Safeties moved back again, and the Packers lost a great opportunity to get back to the Super Bowl.

2004 Wildcard loss to Minnesota - Randy Moss fake moons the crowd - despicable to Joe Buck - but not as despicable as a home playoff loss to the hated Vikings. While not as heartbreaking as some of the other games, I had to watch this one in the presence of my #1 Viking friend. Ouch.

2007 NFC Championship loss to New York - All the cards fell into place - the Packers got to host the game when New York upset Dallas, it was freezing, and it appeared #4 would have his last moment in the sun (or cold). But some uninspired play, missed opportunities and an all-to-familiar interception dashed our hopes again. To be so close again and fall short.

2009 NFC Wildcard loss to Arizona - An instant classic, but one you hate to watch from the losing end. The band-aids that were put on in the second-half of the season must have gotten wet, because they definitely fell-off. But even so, 99.9% of humans, including the Cardinals, thought they had lost when Green Bay won the toss in overtime. The rest is history.

So what will next year bring. Well, this looks like a playoff caliber team. So don't be surprised if it is a 34-27 loss to New Orleans on a blocked field goal return for a TD on the last play.

Year in Review - Wisconsin Sports 2009

Team of the Year:
UW-Whitewater football - The Warhawks defeated Mount Union to win their second D3 championship in 3 years. The resurgence of the Packers and Badgers was good, but an undefeated championship tops them both.

Game of the Year:
Wisconsin basketball over Duke. I never thought this would happen in my lifetime - but it makes me smile every time I think about it. And the Badgers controlled the game from start to finish, showing that this program is firmly established as one of the best in the nation. Too bad no one realizes it.

Disappointment of the Year:
Milwaukee Brewers - the Crew followed up their first playoff appearance in 26 years with a disappointing 2009. The pitching staff fell apart (didn't we see that coming in the Exhibition season?) and too many players has sub-par years (Hart, Hardy, Hall). The Fielder/Braun window is closing fast, but the team does not have the means to get the necessary pitching. I fear I will be able to write this same paragraph next year.

Most Electrifying Newcomer:
Brandon Jennings, Milwaukee Bucks - Jennings got people excited about the Bucks, at least for a few weeks. Injuries and inconsistent play have hit again (and what has happened to Michael Redd??), but Jennings seems like a building block to get things going again.

Most Heartwrenching Moment(s):
The Green Bay Packers losing twice to the Brett Favre-led Minnesota Vikings. Ouch. Still hurts. Could we have one more chance please?? I know the Packers made the right decision and Aaron Rodgers is awesome, but if Tavaris Jackson was the QB of the Vikings, I would feel much better.

Biggest Reason for 2010 Optimism:
Wisconsin Badger football. The Badgers lose a few key players in O'Brien Schofield, Garrett Graham, and Chris Maragos, but after a 10-3 season, a victory over Miami in the Champs Sports Bowl and the return of John Clay, Scott Tolzein, Chris Borland, Nick Toon, JJ Watt, Mike Taylor, Lance Kendricks, and all 5 offensive lineman - I have three letters for you - B-C-S!!!

Five for the Weekend - October 23 edition

Here are the five I am keeping an eye on this weekend:

Los Angels Angels at New York Yankees, Game 6 and 7 (if necessary)
Hey New York, has it really been 8 years since we last saw you in the Fall Classic? Personally, I wish it was more like 88 years, but they weren't the best team money can buy until the 1990's. I would love for the Angels to come back and send all that money home, but who am I kidding. Therefore, it would be nice if the Yanks would close this out on Saturday and set-up a C.C Sabathia-Cliff Lee match-up in Game 1 on Wednesday. How do you feel about that one Indian fan? After that duel in Game 1, let the balls start to fly out one after one after one in games 2-4. A Yankees-Phillies World Series should have more runs scored than some Giant-Eagle games.

Big Ten Road Tests
Iowa visits Sparty and Penn State goes to the Big House. Aside - If the University of Miami plays at Michigan, is it a home game for Miami? Back to the Big Ten - Iowa has clearly been the Big Ten's best, but as usual I have heard the "no better than 7th in the SEC talk". Sparty has things going in the right direction, but that is usually not the case for long . Better for the Big Ten nationally if Iowa keeps winning, better for the Big Ten race if State beats Iowa at home for the 6th consecutive time. Penn State needs to prove itself this week and who knows what Michigan will bring to the table. The Nittany Lions always struggle in Michigan, but I just don't like this two QB system that Michigan is using. Penn State should win and stay alive.

Minnesota Vikings at Pittsburgh Steelers
The defending champs try to slay the 6-0 Vikes a week before Favre heads back to Lambeau. It seems everyone is putting this one in the Steelers column already. Maybe if it seems that obvious, it really isn't. The Vikings sure seem to be charmed this year - easily could be 4-2 with three of those wins over Cleveland, Detroit, and St. Louis. But didn't Pittsburgh lose to the Bengals? Here is my main reason to pick the Steelers this week - Minnesota has not been outdoors since week 1 - and that will be enough to slow down the pass rush and allow Big Ben to find his talented receivers. I wonder if the Vikings will be on next weeks "5"?

Chicago Bears at Cincinnati Bengals
Does anyone believe the Bengals are very good? Who would have thought Cedric Benson, a Bears cast-off, would be out-producing Matt Forte? Maybe someone should see what Rashaan Salaam or Curtis Enis is doing these days. If the world is right, the Bears should win. I hope the world is not right on Sunday.

Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles
Jim Zorn has been removed from play-calling duties. Yeah Washington, that is the problem. Maybe if you would call a couple more bubble screens and a few less slant and go's you would be 4-2 or something. Exactly. The reason Washington is below expectation is because they are a team that has hitched its wagon to a QB that just doesn't have the "it" factor and is destined to be mediocre his entire career. This commitment to the wrong QB can set a team back years. And the financial commitment that is often made makes it almost impossible to get out while there is still time. The Redskins need to move on at QB. So do the Raiders. Hey Marc Bulger, here is a giant contract and a guarantee that we are going to stink for the next 5 years. Guess what Buffalo, Trent Edwards is not going to get you to the playoffs. He does not make any plays. In Cleveland, they have two QB's who are terrible. A daily double. All these teams should have a new QB next year and several are a year late already. Will Matt Stafford be on this list in a couple years too?

Until the next one....

Fantasy Football Skill plus Luck

As we hit the midway point of the Fantasy Football regular season this weekend, I thought I would take a look at what has gone right and what has gone wrong thus far in 2009 Fantasy Football. I started with a surprises and busts list, but that is pretty easy for everyone to figure out. So I came up with the "What if I drafted this team". I will use a 12 team league, 16 rounds, and a starting line-up of QB, 2 RB, 2 WR, Flex, TE, Def, K for the purposes of this article. Without further ado, if I had the 4th pick of the draft......

What if I drafted this team?
Round 1 - Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears (I was hoping Forte would fall, just not sure how Maurice Jones-Drew will do with that full workload)
Round 2 - Steve Smith, WR, Carolina Panthers (Love this solid, consistent player at pick 21)
Round 3 - Terrell Owens, WR, Buffalo Bills (Yes, T.O. at pick 28 - you don't always get a lock for 10 TD's at this pick)
Round 4 - Darren McFadden, RB, Oakland Raiders (My top sleeper still here at pick 45 - I can't wait to watch his home-run ability this year)
Round 5 - Tony Romo, QB, Dallas Cowboys (Even with the loss of Owens, Romo at 52 seems like a no-brainer)
Round 6 - Lendale White, RB, Tennessee Titans (Slimmer and meaner and should come close to his 15 TD's from 2008)
Round 7 - Eddie Royal, WR, Denver Broncos (With all of Brandon Marshall's problems, I may have landed a #1 receiver at pick 76)
Round 8 - Beanie Wells, RB, Arizona Cardinals (No way Tim Hightower hold him off - Wells is going to provide the running game Arizona needs for balance)
Round 9 - Dustin Keller, TE, New York Jets (Waited on TE with all these solid RB, WR available and still got who I wanted - Keller will be Sanchez's security blanket all year and his favorite red-zone target)
Round 10 - Tennessee Titans Defense (With the Giants, Steelers, and Ravens defenses picked, I better lock-up easily the next best defense in the NFL)
Round 11 - Jerious Norwood, RB, Atlanta Falcons (Even with Michael Turner, Norwood should see 10-15 productive touches per game)
Round 12 - Jake Delhomme, QB, Carolina Panthers (A solid, unspectacular QB - he shouldn't hurt me as a bye week replacement)
Round 13 - Joey Galloway, WR, New England Patriots (With Brady throwing and Moss and Welker getting all the attention, Galloway is going to be huge)
Round 14 - Kevin Boss, TE, New York Giants (Without a proven WR, Boss is going to be Eli's main man this year)
Round 15 - Rob Bironas, K, Tennessee Titans (A perennial top 5 kicker)
Round 16 - San Diego Chargers Defense (With Merriman back, this unit is on the rise)

I did not really draft this team, but what if someone did? Or what if I had the 1st pick in the draft.....

What if I drafted this team?
Round 1 - Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings (no-brainer)
Round 2 - Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis Colts (I wanted Steve Smith or Greg Jennings, I guess I will settle for Wayne - worried about all those double teams though with Harrison gone)
Round 3 - Marques Colston, WR, New Orleans Saints (I feel like I am reaching with this pick, but all the WR will be gone by my next pick)
Round 4 - Vincent Jackson, WR, San Diego Chargers (I wanted Derrick Ward or Larry Johnson, but they went the picks before, have to regroup at RB and take V Jack here)
Round 5 - Matt Schaub, QB, Houston Texans (I just read about his per game averages - I just don't think Romo or McNabb are going to be very good this year)
Round 6 - Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore Ravens (All the good RB's are gone - Rice should at least get yards, even if he never scores)
Round 7 - Cedric Benson, RB, Cincinnati Bengals (At least Cedric is the unquestioned starter - really don't want him on my team)
Round 8 - Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, New York Giants (At this point, I just need RB's that will get some touches)
Round 9 - Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers (After waiting on RB's, at least one of these last 4 has to produce this year - at least I hope)
Round 10 - Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens (I needed to solidify RB, and now I have a back-up QB on a run first team)
Round 11 - Vinsanthe Schiancoe, TE, Minnesota Vikings (I forgot about TE, Favre used to like throwing to TE's)
Round 12 - Steve Smith, WR, New York Giants (I needed one more WR - Smith should at least play)
Round 13 - Heath Miller, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers (I do like a good Heath candy bar)
Round 14 - San Francisco 49ers Defense (waited too long on defense - there coach used ot be really good at defense)
Round 15 - Denver Broncos Defense (there is no one left!!)
Round 16 - Lawrence Tynes, K, New York Giants (Mr. Irrelevant)

I did not draft this team either, but whoever did is looking fine in 2009. I know it takes some knowledge and skill so you don't draft a T.O. or Lendale White and you are smart enough to grab a Matt Schaub or a Ray Rice. But I think there is a little luck involved. So with that, Good Luck on the 2nd half of your season!!

Do these annoy you too?

I admit it. I am part of the world that moves too fast. I do not yearn for the days when we all sat on our porch and "shot the breeze" for hours. There is too much to do, and too little time. Kids, spouses, work, sleep. Find a few moments for yourself? Maybe on the treadmill.

I also find I am getting more easily annoyed. Here are my current hot buttons. Hopefully you don't fit into one of these categories.

Still writes a check person

It is time to check out at the grocery store or Target. First, you get to play the pick the quickest line game. This one works out less than 50% of the time for most of us, but as long as the cashier doesn't pick up the phone, you are probably fine. You are moving along close to the line next to you, when all of a sudden, the person in front of you -- pulls out the checkbook. Really? People still write checks? Instantly I am back in the 90's. The Goo Goo Dolls start playing in my head. I smile, realizing I can go home and watch Jordan and the Bulls tonight. Then I realize its 2009. Meanwhile, the person is still writing the check or the machine is still running it through and three people have checked out in the line next to me, but my purchase was already on the conveyor so I am unable to move. I long for the little old lady finding exact change. Exact change does not need to be written in the register. Finally, it is my turn!! Zip my card through, and I am on the road, where I find....

Drives super slow in the middle lane person

I thought the rule was slow traffic, keep right. Apparently, I missed the memo that even slower traffic should be in the middle lane. I believe these cars cause traffic jams more than anything. You have the slow and merging traffic on the right. You have the speed demons on the left. So you move to the center lane and bam, everyone is flying by you on both sides. How does this happen? Just up ahead of you, there is a car going below the speed limit in the middle lane. This driver is obviously not comfortable on the highway. So they tuck themselves in the middle. No dealing with merging traffic. Or maybe they are afraid they will run the car off the road in the right lane? Whatever it is, get over to the right please, I need to get to the mall so I can get behind.....

Stops suddenly in the middle of the main mall traffic flow person

We have all been to the mall. We know how it works. There is a stream of people going on each side of the mall. One stream going one way. On the other side of the mall, the stream is going the other way. It works. It is actually fun to try and go against flow. But if you are going to be part of the flow, keep on walking. Oops, I forgot, you are the only one in the mall. Just stop whenever you want right in the middle and I will almost run over you. Or when I try to step around you, someone else runs over me. I know. We all have had something catch are eye and make us stop. Just step off to the side, so I can get out of the mall and into the mall parking lot, where I can meet.....

Goes the wrong way down an angled parking row person

The mall is busy. You are headed down or up a row of angled parking, going the correct direction, when you see it, a car turns down your row headed the wrong way. Apparently, the arrow painted at the end of the row has become just a suggestion. Your cars inch closer, and you realize there is barely enough room for two cars to pass. You get close enough to see the other driver and they seem perplexed at how this is happening. What has gone wrong? I figure out a way to get my car around them, throwing my hands up and shaking my head. I bet if I stick around long enough to watch them park, they will find a spot where they can pull-through an angled parking spot. Love that one.

Five for the Weekend - October 2nd Edition

Here are the five I am checking out this weekend, plus Monday of course:

Wisconsin Badgers at Minnesota Golden Gophers (Saturday, 11 A.M. CST)
Ten years ago today, Wisconsin traveled to the "Horseshoe" in Columbus to play the 12th ranked Buckeyes and promptly fell behind 17-0. The Badgers promptly scored 42 unanswered points behind freshman Brooks Bollinger, in his first career start, for a 42-17 victory. I remember it well because it was my wedding day and many details of that day are still vivid, including the score being 17-6 when we got in the limo. The 1999 Badgers did not lose another game that season.

Fast forward to this weekend - what if this version of the Badgers does not lose another game? Would they even be in the BCS championship discussion? I know it is foolish to even speculate - I still think this is an 8-4 team. But until they lose, we can still dream.

Major League Baseball (all weekend)
Seven of the eight playoff spots are determined, but there are still a few unfinished items. Detroit has a magic number of 2, which should at least get them to a playoff on Monday. The Twins also draw Zack Greinke one more time. It looks like Detroit will be headed to the Big Apple. In the National League, the Rockies can steal the West with a sweep of the Dodgers. There may be no advantage to winning the division. I would be gunning for the spot that avoids St. Louis. Unfortunately, home field advantage between St. Louis and Philadelphia is not determined.

New York Jets at New Orleans Saints (Sunday 12 P.M. CST)
The surprise match-up of 3-0 teams this week. The unstoppable force against the immovable object? The Saints have the obvious offensive fire-power, but there defense has been surprising. The Jets defense has been the talk, but the Jets offense has done enough to win. This appears to be the game the Jets offense will need to do more than enough. Can GQ Sanchez do it? My guess is everyday man Brees will be smiling Sunday night.

Dallas Cowboys at Denver Broncos (Sunday 3:15 P.M. CST)
New England/Baltimore seemed too obvious. I want to find out if Denver is for real. Check out the Broncos schedule. We will find out very fast if they are real or impostors. It is easy to jump to the impostor conclusion, but there might be some Belichek magic on this team. I am going to hold judgement, at least for one more week.

Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings (Monday, all day, all night)
The most-hyped week 4 game in NFL history arrives Monday. It might be the only game ever with three large fan bases - Packer fans, Viking fans, and Favre fans. Do you know what games hyped this much usually turn into? Starts with a "d" and ends in an "ud". Many will point to the Packers not playing up to expectations thus far. A closer look at the Vikings would indicate the same thing, despite the unblemished record. The Packer fan in me fears this is the game the Vikings put it all together. The Packers fan in me hopes this is the game the Packers put it all together. The realist in me thinks the former is more likely. And to add insult to injury, an un-named 3 year old told me this week he wants Favre and the Vikings to win!! Ugh!!

Lock of the Weekend: The under on Washington and Tampa Bay.
Upset of the Weekend (College): Miami over Oklahoma
Upset of the Weekend (Pro): Baltimore over New England

Until the next one...