It's Playoff Time

The playoffs have begun in most Fantasy Football leagues around the country, but I'm ready for the start of a different kind of playoff.  I'm talking about an 8-team playoff system to replace the current BCS mess.

The Big 12 is partly to blame this year for the mess at the top of the BCS standings.  Texas beat Oklahoma (at a neutral site), Texas Tech beat Texas, and Oklahoma beat Texas Tech.  Rather than using a sytematic tiebreaker that takes results into account, e.g., total points for, total points against, margin of victory, etc., the Big 12 allows the BCS standings to serve as a tiebreaker.  This couldn't be more flawed if the Joker devised it himself.

The BCS standings have always had two major flaws.  First, the teams are ranked before the season even starts.  This makes it much harder for surprise teams to climb to the top of the standings.  Second, the BCS always punishes teams that lose later in the season more than teams that lose early.  Florida lost at home to an unranked team in September this year yet they will most likely play in the BCS championship game if they win today.  Meanwhile, Texas, which beat then Number 1 ranked Oklahoma on a neutral field in October has no chance to make the title game without help from Missouri today.  That's because Texas lost to Texas Tech in November.

Somehow the BCS voters and computers (hello, Skynet!) moved Oklahoma ahead of Texas last week, allowing Oklahoma to play in the Big 12 title game.  If Oklahoma wins tonight, they will play in the BCS title game.

I want to see Oklahoma play Texas again.

I want to see Alabama play USC.

I want to see Texas Tech play Florida.

I want to Penn State play Utah.

I want an eight team playoff.

Think of the excitement an eight team playoff would create in the new year.  It would be like March Madness, the Men's NCAA basketball tournament, only bigger.  Wouldn't the bowl games be more exciting if they were part of a single-elimination tournament?  Wouldn't office pools create interest among even non-football fans?  With conference bragging rights, and potential recuiting benefits, wouldn't the players and coaches be even more amped up?

It's time for a playoff system to replace the BCS.

2008 NFL Mock Draft

Loyal reader(s) your tremendous patience has been rewarded! My 2008 NFL Mock Draft is finally here!

Enjoy.

1. Miami - Jake Long, OT, Michigan
2. St. Louis - Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
3. Atlanta - Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
4. Oakland - Chris Long, DE, Virginia
5. Kansas City - Branden Albert, OG/OT, Virginia
6. New York Jets - Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
7. New England - *trade with Carolina* - Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
8. Baltimore - Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State
9. Cincinnati - Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
10. New Orleans - Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
11. Buffalo - Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State
12. Denver - Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
13. Carolina - *trade with New England* - Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida
14. Chicago - Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
15. Detroit - Keith Rivers, LB, USC
16. Arizona - Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
17. *Kansas City* - Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson
18. Houston - Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
19. Philadelphia - James Hardy, WR, Indiana
20. Tampa Bay - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State
21. Washington - Quentin Groves, OLB/DE, Auburn
22. Dallas - Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
23. Pittsburgh - Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina
24. Tennessee - DeSean Jackson, WR, Cal
25. Seattle - Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma
26. Jacksonville - Calais Campbell, DE, Miami
27. San Diego - Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas
28. Dallas - Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
29. San Francisco - Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
30. Green Bay - Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech
31. New York They Got Lucky Giants - Kenny Phillips, FS, Miami


Comments:

• I do think the Pats trade down. Unless they are shocked to see Chris Long or perhaps Darren McFadden fall, I don't see New England standing pat. They could trade down with Cincinnati, New Orleans, Carolina, or Detroit. Getting LB Adam Seward from Carolina as part of a deal would be nice.
• I do think if Dorsey is selected 2nd, Atlanta will take Matt Ryan. The draft will be much more exciting if he falls. The Jets and Pats would have all kinds of trade partners if Ryan falls.
• I think McKelvin will be the first of the big four corners to be drafted. I think Talib falls to last of the four but stays in the first round.
• I don't think Detroit selects Mendenhall as seems to be the general consensus right now.
• I think Dallas takes a corner at 22, not Felix Jones. Again, I'm going against the overwhelming opinion here. In my scenario Dallas would have to try for Jonathan Stewart, Chris Johnson, or Jamaal Charles in round two.
• I think Malcolm Kelly is the best WR in the draft and will be a steal for Seattle. I do think he stays in the first round.
• I don't think teams will trade aggressively into the back end of the first round to select the second tier QBs. I could see one team trading into the 28-31 range for Joe Flacco if that team is convinced he won't be available in round two. I just don't think the movement will be as heavy as predicted.
• I deviated from the final (fourth?) revision of my mock draft, which always starts on paper, as I was typing. I switched Houston's and Tampa Bay's selections.

Edit: I changed #17 to KC now that Jared Allen has been traded to Minnesota. I think the pick is the same whether it's Minny or KC selecting.

2007 World Series Champions

It's been over two months since I last posted. I don't know if anyone is even checking this small corner of the Internet anymore. I really wish that I had been better about keeping a regular blog schedule. I enjoy the creative writing. I never did any creative writing in school until I had an English course in college. I think that I'm a pretty good writer when I have a decent idea and the motivation to write. I haven't given up hope for this blog just yet, I simply needed to live life and wait to find the opportunity to write more. Now back to the nitty gritty.

The Red Sox won the World Series. Again.

Can you believe it?

For some reason I'm still soaking in the World Series victory. I think of it on occasion and find myself pleasantly surprised and happy. In 2004 the World Series was an epiphany, a moment of total emotional release. It was real and complete in a single instant. For some reason the current championship has a more dream-like feel to it. Maybe it's the occasional long hours at work during the playoffs and the long nights watching baseball.

The team that I live and bleed for won a second title in four years. 2004 meant redemption for the fans. I felt simply validated as a fan, as a human being; all the pain and suffering had been worth that one moment. Since 2004 I have felt differently about the Red Sox. I still live and bleed Red Sox. They just didn't need to win it all for my life to have meaning. I still watch every playoff game with a nervous energy and my own stupid rituals and superstitions. I still celebrate every key base hit, defensive play, and strikeout.

Hell, I went to game two of the division series this year with my dad. I had the opportunity to buy tickets through the second chance lottery. I got two obstructed view tickets in right field, one in front of the other. The view was great but the tunnel to the concourse was just to our left and fans were constantly streaming by us. I think no fewer than three different people spilled beer on my dad. By the time Manny hit a ridiculous walk-off homerun it didn't matter. We were there for that moment. We had a natural high that took more than a week to come down from. We arrived at my home at 3 AM and he crashed in the guest room for the night. We had such a natural buzz going the next morning.

The fact that the Sox went the distance made that particular game a part of history. We went to a game that was won in memorable fashion during a World Series title run. My dad bought me a picture of the two of us at the game and Jerry Remy's scorecard for the game for my birthday. I think that was an awesome idea.

I already have one championship t-shirt and one AL championship t-shirt. I plan to buy another championship t-shirt. I may still buy the special hard-bound "Sports Illustrated". I may not. I bought the special SI after the Patriots first Super Bowl victory. I didn't buy the subsequent issues nor did I buy the subsequent t-shirts.

Imagine living at the poverty line for most of your life. Then you hit the lottery. If you won the lottery again a few years later, would it feel the same as the first time you won?

All I know is that now is a GREAT time to be a Boston-area sports fan.

An Open Letter to JD Drew

Dear David Jonathan (JD) Drew II:

We the fans of the Boston Red Sox, also known as Red Sox Nation, are extremely passionate about our beloved team. We love the Red Sox, our mothers, our spouses, the Red Sox, our children, our pets, and the Red Sox. Essentially in that order.

We are a forgiving sort. Ask the once maligned Bill Buckner.

That said, you, sir, are pressing your luck.

You have no heart. You play without any passion. And you have the guile to wear the number of a recently departed dirt dog, a true Red Sox, Trot Nixon.

If you were actually skilled at the sport of baseball, you could be a deadly, silent assassin. Instead you are a deadly, silent saboteur. You kill the team from within.

Tonight you played in a game against the rival New York Yankees. You probably were aware of the history of the Yankee franchise before receiving this letter. We do not need to make you aware of the intensity of the rivalry or the arrogance of the New York fans.

In the 8th inning of the game tonight you were facing a rookie pitcher still wet behind the ears. You were batting with two men on base with the Red Sox behind by two runs. You had an opportunity to earn your rather sizable paycheck.

Instead you phoned it in.

You watched five pitches to draw a full count, 3-2. Then you decided to take a meager, half-hearted check swing at a pitch in the dirt.

For shame, Mr. Drew, for shame!

Any member of Red Sox Nation could have performed at least as ably in that situation. A ninety-year old grandmother with a stroller and cataracts, recently declared legally blind, could have done the same thing at the plate.

Only she would have been pissed off about striking out.

You, sir, simply turned and walked back to the dugout. You showed no disgust, no anger, no fire or passion.

That behavior will NOT BE TOLERATED. You better get your head together and find a reason to play baseball with passion. We may be a forgiving lot, but you are sinning in the worst way.

If you are not up to the task at hand, may we suggest that you simply donate your entire salary to a charity such as the Jimmy Fund?

You can expected to be booed unmercifully for the rest of your days in Boston if you don't improve your performance. Consider yourself warned.

With best regards,
Red Sox Nation

Comeback Kid(s)

Wow. What a change of emotions for me tonight.

I worked late and got home around 8:30 PM. I left work with sinus pressure and a slight headache. I was hoping it would improve on the drive home. Unfortunately, I was nearing a migraine by the time I got home. I took some medication and my sinus spray. I was feeling down about getting a headache and the Sox approaching a tough 1-0 loss to the Devil Rays.

I took more medication a little later and started to feel just a little better. I decided to walk to Dunkin' Donuts and get a small ice coffee. When I got home the Sox had escaped a bases-loaded jam thanks to Mike Timlin. Eric "gag me with a spoon" Gagne had just entered the game. Surprisingly, Sir Chokes-a-Lot only allowed one hit and struck out the side.

My head was starting to clear and the ice coffee was helping. Ever an optimist, I liked the Sox chances in the bottom of the 9th.

After Mike Lowell tied the game on a solo homerun I was feeling really optimistic. (He should have won the game on a two-run homer, but that's a different story.)

I decided that Jason Varitek needed some inspirational music. I started up "St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)" on the laptop. It worked. Tek lined a ground rule double to right field. Now I decided on "Heat of the Moment" for Coco Crisp. It also worked. Sox win 2-1. My head feels fine.

I was elated. My head didn't hurt. The Sox came from behind to win 2-1. My inspirational music selections were 2-for-2. Oh, yeah, the Yankees are getting destroyed 12-0 at home.

It was a great feeling to see the comeback kids pull one out this year. The team hasn't had the same magic so far this year that they've possessed the last three years. I hope they are able to hold onto it.

Speaking of comeback kids, Jon Lester pitched a great game tonight. It's a great feeling seeing him pitch this year after beating cancer. Tonight was his best start of the season. I hope that it portends a strong finish for him. He's a strong person and continues to become a stronger pitcher.

756* - Ignorance is Bliss

The inevitable finally happened last night. 

Barry Bonds, he of the ever growing brow and jaw line and the ever shrinking testes, hit the 756^th homerun of his tainted career.

I avoided all replays of number 755 and I intend to avoid all replays of 756.  I haven’t read any of the expanded coverage and I won’t be reading it any time soon. 

I’m going to ignore Barry Bonds.

Bud Selig ignored the steroid era of baseball for far too long.  He’s the reason that Bonds was able to break what is typically considered the most hallowed record in all of sports.  I’m now going to take the same approach as Selig and ignore the problem.

I know that ignoring everything Barry Bonds related won’t change history, but I certainly don’t have to acknowledge his fraudulent accomplishments nor do I have to give them any more of my time than it takes to write this entry.

I can’t stand many things about Barry Bonds, his lies, his cheating, his self-righteous smug arrogance.  I also don’t like much about Alex Rodriguez.  Rodriguez lacks instincts.  He comes across as a cheap shot artist and someone who tries too hard to be liked.  He’s a Yankee, for crying out loud!

At least Alex Rodriguez is someone who can be celebrated when he surpasses Bonds.

Trading Places

It appears that the Celtics are about to get their man. Danny Ainge has essentially completed a trade for Minnesota Timberwolves star Kevin Garnett. It only cost the C’s “Big Straight” Al Jefferson, Gerald Green, Ryan Gomes, Sebastion Telfair, Theo Ratliff’s expiring contract, two future first round draft picks, and Tom Brady’s unborn child.

I know the C’s were really trying to cut ties with Telfair in the off season, but this is a little overboard. *rimshot* It seems that Danny Ainge is now following the New York Yankees’ model: spend a ton of money, trade all of your good young talent, win a lot of regular season games, and choke in the playoffs. Right now the Celtics don’t even have enough players on the roster. My sources tell me that Trader Ainge is scouting a YMCA near you as we speak.

Meanwhile, Theo Epstein is afraid to pull the trigger on any deal to improve the Red Sox roster. The Sox desperately need a bat in the lineup. Theo is probably sitting in the corner of his office with the lights off, holding scouting reports of all Sox prospects murmuring, “the precccccciousssss”.

It’s time for Theo to wake up and smell the coffee: no mo Wily Mo, it’s time for him to go. (That sounds like a good protester chant, right up there with the classics like, “Hey, hey, LBJ, how many kids did you kill today?”, which of course refers to Lyndon B. Johnson, not LeBron James. If LeBron were killing kids, Michael Vick would be breathing a sigh of relief.)

Speaking of Vick, do you think he’ll play in the NFL again? I hope that he doesn’t. I think that some team will give him a shot when he’s cleared to play again, though. The NFL is always recycling players and coaches. Why try something new when you can try something new to you?

I originally listed Scott Kazmir as the tough lefty in the post below. I changed it to Randy Johnson at the last minute.

I hate Red Sox off days…