Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Notes from the Coast:

With a two week build up before the Superbowl, it's amazing how crazy the analysis of game can get. I heard ESPN's Merril Hodge say that he predicts the Giants will beat the Patriots simply because they have played them tough already this year. Analysts and prognosticators should remember that Eli and the Giants played a nearly perfect game and had nothing to lose in the week 17 match-up and it was the Patriots who felt all the pressure to complete the season a perfect 16-0. Yet one mistake by Eli was all it took for the Pats to win. Also, it was Bill Belichick, not Tom Coughlin, who got his 'genius' reputation by always making the right adjustments after playing a team the second time around. Remember that the loss the Patriots suffered to the Rams during the 2001 season paved the way for the Patriots upset of the Rams in that year's Superbowl.

  • Last weekend Marc Savard became the first Boston Bruin to score a last minute game-winning goal in the NHL All-star game since the legendary Raymond Jean Bourque did it in 1996.
  • 1996 was also the last time the Patriots lost a Superbowl. That year Boston Globe sports writer Wil McDonough broke a story days before the big game that Bill Parcels would be leaving the Patriots after the season. It became a major distraction that may have cost the Pats the Superbowl that year. This year the Globe is at it again. It appears the a bunch of Globe writers have already penned a book called "19-0" that is available for pre-order. Thanks guys, perfect bulletin board material for the New York Giants.
  • I don't understand why the Red Sox offered Brad Wilkerson a 1 year deal to be a back-up First baseman and Outfielder when they have World Series hero Bobby Kielty waiting in the wings and Brandon Moss is already playing some first base in Winter Ball. Let's move on from the Johan Santana saga, deal Coco Crisp, sign Kielty, and focus on defending our Championship already.
  • On that note, the Minnesota Twins probably overplayed their hand in the Johan Santana trade negotiations. Neither the Mets, Yankees, or Red Sox improved their offers since December and neither team was eager to sign Santana to the 7 year contact extension he desired. Also, one thing the Twins may have underestimated is the fact that because they are in different leagues, both the Sox and Yankees were never threatened by having the Mets in the mix. That's probably why the Twins were desperately trying to get the LA Angels into the talks.
  • Tom Brady being injured for this Superbowl definitely adds drama to the big game and could end up growing his legendary status. If Brady hobbles to his 4th Superbowl win on a bum ankle this Sunday, not only will it bolster his reputation as a winner but he probably will surpass Superbowl heroes Terry Bradshaw and his idol Joe Montana as one of the greatest Quarterbacks of all-time.
  • Maybe I am caught up in the Suberbowl hype and over analysis too because I'm still not sure if the Patriots will cover the 13 point spread this Sunday. Can the Giants get consistent pressure on Brady? Will Tom play like he did against the Jaguars or against the Chargers? Will the Giants focus on Welker or Moss? Will Randy Moss catch 1 pass or 10? Which team will win the turnover and Special Teams battles? Will Tom Petty put us to sleep with his half-time show? Too many questions to answer, so my pick is P-men 28 :: G-men 17. Go Pats!

Monday, January 28, 2008

Without KG, Celtics lose some Magic

The Celtics suffered their eighth loss of the season on National TV yesterday. This was their second loss to the Orlando Magic this year and the Celts' 5th loss in the the last 10 games but it wasn't necessarily a 'bad' loss. Even though the Celts were out of synch and Ray Allen shot poorly throughout the game, it still took a long distance 3-pointer from Hedo Turkoglu for Orlando to beat the Celts at the buzzer 96-93. However, the way the Celts have been playing lately and with KG out with a pulled stomach muscle, it could have been worse.

As the Celtics wind through January and the 'dog days' of the NBA schedule, it is evident that the team is struggling a bit. Without KG in the line-up, the low post defense suffers and Kendrick Perkins is not as effective on the offensive end. Rajon Rondo is not 100% and it looks as though all the minutes he's logged already this year has taken a toll on his small frame. He doesn't seem to take it to the rim as much and rarely finishes off with a basket when he does. Also, when Rondo is out, it falls on Paul Pierce to move the ball which takes away from his shooting consistency. Ray Allen is quietly having his worst year of shooting from both the field and the 3-point arch. Leon Powe and Glen Davis have been a pleasant surprise but their contributions have been sporadic and Scott Pollard has yet to log significant minutes.

The Celtics have had a great year thus far but will need to fix some of these shortcomings in order to compete with the teams like Cleveland, Detroit, Dallas, and San Antonio down the stretch. They currently have two open roster spots but who (or what) do you trade for a veteran point guard and/or low post player? Everyone on the Celtics bench has contributed this year and is either too valuable to the Celtics or not valuable enough to another team. On top of that, the Celts already traded many of their future draft choices and disposable salary to the Timberwolves for Kevin Garnett. I still feel Sam Cassell would be a great asset to this team, but it doesn't look like the LA Clippers will buy him out of his contract and I'm not sure if Damon Stoudemire is the answer although he's available now that the Memphis Grizzlies freed him up.

It is much easier to tweak a team than to change it, so as the February 22nd NBA Trade deadline gets closer and the Celts' weaknesses become more apparent, it will be interesting to see what GM Danny Ainge can or will do to reinforce the team.

Friday, January 25, 2008

Notes from the Coast:

You've got to love all the hype leading up to a SuperBowl. Especially when a team from New York is involved. Tom Brady is seen in a walking cast, then in cowboy boots. He is injured and now maybe he isn't? Better yet, it's a big hoax being put on the conspiracy starved New York media by Brady and Belichick. Give me a break!
As reported, Brady probably does have a mild high ankle sprain. Yes, it probably did hinder him (along with a possible flu) in the game against the Chargers. No, it won't keep him out of the SuperBowl. And no, there isn't any conspiracy. Unlike a sneaker, which Brady often wears, a cowboy boot can provide support similar to a walking brace.
  • Congrats to Eli Manning for coming through against the Pack. Even though I wanted a Patriots-Packers rematch in SuperBowl XLII, I found myself rooting for the kid and the upset during last Sunday's game. They thought Steve Young had a monkey on his back before he finally led the San Francisco 49'ers to a championship after Joe Montana left town. How about having a Heisman Trophy winning father and an MVP brother who both play the same position as you? Then, you tell the world that you won't play in San Diego and instead end up in the media craze of New York City. Eli had a lot to live up to and he may have come close with those two road play-off wins against the Packers and Cowboys.
  • Norm Chow is back in LA and back in college football, but not with USC. The offensive guru will be the new coordinator under Rick Neuheisel at UCLA. Before Trojan fans get all worked-up about cross-town loyalty, it was Pete Carroll and his admiration for Lane Kiflin that forced Chow out of USC and to the NFL. Now with Chow on board and Karl Dorrell back at Receivers' coach, the Bruins have an opportunity to create an in-state rivalry similar to Miami and Florida State in the 1990's.
  • MLB Trade Rumors blog has a great piece on 'What Might Have Been' had the Red Sox and Florida Marlins not made the Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell for Hanley Ramirez, Anibal Sanchez, et al. deal.
  • Weird coincidence that Bruins' Goalie Tim Thomas gets added to the NHL All-Star team on Monday and then lets in 4 goals in 2 periods against the Canadiens that same night. Fortunately he didn't look as bad as the B's Goalie he replaced. Alex Auld gave up a goal within the first 14 seconds of the game and 4 goals in the first period of a ugly 8-2 loss to the Habs.
  • With a strong running game, a Quarterback that is finally putting it all together, and upset wins on the road in the play-offs, people are comparing this 2007 Giants team to the Patriots team that went to the Superbowl 20 years ago. Unfortunately that Patriots team got killed by the Bears in SuperBowl XX 46-10 and if all goes well, the same outcome will happen to the Giants again this year.
  • Also, for those who want to compare this Giants team with the squad that upset the Bills and their vaunted offense in Superbowl XXV; remember Bill Belichick was with that Giants team in 1990 but he's not with them now in 2007.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Toronto Shoots Lights Out Against C's

The Celtics lost at home last night to the Toronto Raptors for only their 7th loss in 40 games but one could say it was a fluke. The Raptors are a decent team and second in the division but last night they played or shall I say 'shot' way over their heads. Like a Cinderella team in the NCAA tourney, the Raptors shot an amazing 71% from the 3-point line. They also shot 58% from the field and 100% from the free-throw line for a combined 77% shooting performance last night! The Celtics moved the ball well and got many easy baskets, but when a team is making 3-pointers as easy as you are making 2-pointers it's tough to compete. Still the Celtics could have won but when they missed a shot at the buzzer the result was a 114-112 loss. It is pretty rare to run into a team that has 4 players shooting lights out all night, so I think the Celts should be able to brush this game off but in the end it was still a tough loss.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

No L.T., No Cry

The former MVP said he was practically 100% healthy. He said it was the biggest game of his career and would definitely play. He practiced during the week without a limp and proclaimed himself fine. Going into the game, the San Diego Chargers didn’t even feel the need to list him on the injury report. Yet Super Charger LaDainian Tomlinson played only 5 snaps in the Chargers 21-12 loss to the Patriots in the AFC Title game last Sunday.

Now we're told by LT and his defenders not to question the All-Pro Running back for his decision to sit out the game. True, LT is known as a stand-up man who rarely brings attention to himself on the field but is he truly a team player? He’s been known to complain about his team's game plan or if the players around him aren’t playing well. He's even been seen giving his Quarterback ‘the cold-shoulder’ along the sidelines after a mistake. He questions the direction of the front office. He whines when he loses and other teams celebrate their victories and often wonders out loud if his team will ever be good enough to make it to a Superbowl.


Yet last Sunday the Chargers were one game away from a Superbowl and LT was on the sidelines. He tried to play on his hyper-extended knee (or 'bruised' knee as it was first diagnosed) but felt he just couldn't continue. Four times the Chargers were in the red zone where LT flourishes and four times the Chargers only came away with 3 points. There he sat on the bench with his helmet and mask on, away from the game, and away from his teammates. He didn't try a new knee brace, never cheered on his team, and never tried to play again.

People should question LT on the extent of his injury and level of his fortitude. It's true that the position is called 'Runningback' and not 'Hobbleback' but LT has really never been injured before, so perhaps he didn't know his limitations and got scared. His own teammate, Phillip Rivers, showed a gutsy performance by getting orthroscopic surgery on his knee earlier in the week, limping around during practice, and then playing the whole game effectively. As a result, Rivers will need major off-season surgery but the magnitude of an AFC Title game could not keep him out of the line-up and for that Rivers' teammates were proud of him.

LaDainian Tomlinson will not need surgery on his knee this off-season because his injury was never that serious. If LT had played sparingly or was even used as a decoy, the Chargers may have won the game but to not try at all was his worst sin. There may not be many more chances for LT to get one step away from the Superbowl and now he must deal with that alone.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Notes from the Coast:

Word is that the Red Sox plan on signing ageless wonder Jason Varitek to a 2 year extension at $10 million a year. I think it is a great idea and a no-brainer but I can't help but be a bit worried. When Varitek retires in 2 years what will the Red Sox do then? They can’t be all that enamored with the catchers in their minor league system because they just signed Doug Mirabelli to catch Tim Wakefield again next year. Mirabelli is 37 and Varitek will be 36 in April. We all know what happened in 2006 when Varitek got injured during the second half of the season, so let's hope the Red Sox have another back-up plan for the back-up catcher position.

  • A Huston Street in Boston, MA? Aside from the never ending Johan Santana saga, the rumor mill for the Red Sox has been slow this off-season. However, the Hot Stove may have a little flicker left. The latest is that Coco Crisp could be dealt to the Oakland A’s for Huston Street. Street is a great young reliever who won the Rookie of the Year award a couple of years ago. If the Red Sox make this deal, they would have a more effective replacement for Eric Gagne and solidify their bullpen for years to come.
  • There is a post on Rajon Rondo's Yardbarker blog which claims that Celtics second year point guard uses his $300 daily stipend to support his gambling habit. If this is true, I’m sure the Celtics aren’t thrilled but I do think that maybe they should be more concerned with rookie Glen Davis possibly spending all of his $300 allotment on food. Even though 'Big Baby' has been playing and practicing a lot more lately, he also seems to be gaining more a lot weight. Check out this video of him trying out for the Washington Wizards before the NBA draft last summer where Davis looks a lot thinner. Even with a bad hip flexor, he still managed to lose 45 lbs for the draft after crash-dieting and working out. Such dramatic weight fluctuation is not a good sign for a young professional athlete.
  • Putting a positive spin on the Randy Moss alleged battery charges. After playing for pennies and having an All-Pro season, Moss may try to break the bank again next year. Whether the allegations are true or not, the bad press may provide the Pats a little leverage in their off-season negotiations with Moss.
  • Seeing Chad Jackson return kicks for the Pats during the Jaguars play-off game last week was a bit of a surprise and pretty much confirms that both Troy Brown and Donte Stallworth won’t be back with the Pats next year. This is probably Troy’s last year and when the Pats sign Randy Moss for more money in the off-season, it will make it harder to sign Donte too.
  • I thought the Celtics loss to the Washing ton Wizards last Saturday night was bad until the Detroit Pistons got killed by the lowly New York Knicks 89-65 on Sunday.
  • No pick-up for the Celtics after the non-guarantee contract deadline of Jan. 10th, so now we'll have to focus on the NBA trade deadline in February for any frontline or point guard help.
  • Why are the Atlanta Falcons and Pete Carroll even talking? They just got burned by Bobby Petrino (a college coach who couldn’t handle the NFL) and Carroll’s past success on the professional level is lacking, so why in the world would you even entertain the idea of giving him complete control of your organization? More importantly, what is Pete Carroll thinking? He has rebuilt a great program at USC and already has 'complete control'. Besides, he is one of the highest paid coaches in college and probably makes more than some NFL coaches. If he is just talking, what kind of leverage could he be gaining with USC? If Pete Carroll is smart, he'll stay in college, make millions, and forge a legacy for years to come.
  • Again, my AFC and NFC title game predictions for this week: Pats over Bolts 33-10 and the Pack over the G-men 17-14. Go Pats!

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

We Want the Packers!


Last year the Patriots were a dropped pass away from meeting the Chicago Bears in the Superbowl XLI and possibly a chance for revenge against the franchise that embarrassed New England 46-10 in Superbowl XX.

This year the Pats have a similar opportunity to go up against the franchise that beat them in Superbowl XXXI 35-21. If the Patriots beat the Chargers and the Green Bay Packers can get past the New York Giants next Sunday, then the Patriots and Packers will meet again in Superbowl XLII.

Even though the Giants played the Patriots tough in the final game of the season, the Packers are an exciting match-up for the Pats. Green Bay has a talented offense, an experienced defensive backfield, and of course Brett Favre. The cagy Cajun had a renaissance year and was the only player to get an MVP vote other than Tom Brady. Sharing the media spotlight as well as the favor of NFL fans across the country, the Favre-Brady storylines leading up to the Superbowl would be entertaining. Besides, the Packers are the only team left that the Pats haven’t played already this year and the unknown is far more intriguing.

So the Packers are in our sights. Bring on Brett Favre and let’s avenge the loss in Superbowl XXXI for the franchise and for those Patriots’ like Bruce Armstrong, Ben Coates, and Curtis Martin who never got to hoist the Lombardi trophy back in 1996.

On that note, here are my predictions for this week’s Championship games…

Patriots 33
Chargers 10

Green Bay 17
Giants 14


Go Pats!

Monday, January 14, 2008

Bolts upset Colts - God Bless Billy Voleck


What a stunner or as we say in Boston…'a shockah'! With many of their top players out in the second half, the San Diego Chargers still managed to comeback and beat the Colts yesterday in Indy 28-24.

The Chargers must have Indy’s number because with All-Pro RB LaDainian Tomlinson, QB Philip Rivers, FB Lorenzo Neal all out of the game and trailing 24-21 in the 4th quarter, San Diego back-up QB Billy Volek came through and led the Chargers on a 78 yard drive to put them back on top and eventually defeat the favored Colts.

Not sure why Tomlinson and Rivers didn’t come back into the game. They both looked fine walking around the sidelines but seemed more interested in jawing with each other and the Colts’ fans than playing in what could have been their final game of the season. Watching the game with two friends who are lifelong San Diego fans, it seemed like the chances for a Charger upset were vanishing. However, journeyman QB Billy Volek and 5’ 6’’ back-up running back Darren Sproles kept the dream alive.

I don’t want to hear any excuses about the Colts injuries to Dwight Freeney or Marvin Harrison. The Chargers were more depleted. San Diego also had All-Pro TE Antonio Gates banged up, had more sloppy plays and penalties, barely pressured Peyton Manning, and even missed a FG during the game. Besides, let us not forget that last year the Patriots had Rodney Harrison, Richard Seymour, Junior Seau, Lawrence Maroney, and others out when the Colts came back to beat the Pats and go on to win the Superbowl. On top of that, much of the rest of the team had the flu and in the second half they had the inexperienced backfield of Sanders, Hawkins, Baker going up against the vaunted pass attack of the Manning and the Colts. Yet, if Reche Caldwell doesn’t drop a pass in the 4th quarter, the Patriots still hang on to win that game.

Now the Chargers come to Foxboro next Sunday as 15 point underdogs with a chance to go to their first Superbowl and avenge last season’s play-off loss to the Pats in the process. If you’re a Pats’ fan, this is the best news ever! This year Indy was a bigger and faster team than the one that beat the Pats last year in the Championship game and by far the biggest hurdle in getting to back to the Superbowl. Instead, we now host a warm weather team in San Diego that is extremely banged-up and not nearly the threat they were last year when the Pats squeaked by them in the playoffs.

On the NFC side, the New York ‘football’ Giants upset the Dallas Cowboys thus eliminating yet another major Superbowl threat for the Patriots. So now it’s Eli Manning in a Championship game next week and not his brother Peyton.

What a shockah!

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Notes from the Coast:

I went to the Los Angeles Clippers vs. Orlando Magic game at the LA Staples Center last night. I don't know what was more painful; watching the first-half of Celtics vs. Bobcats game on TV (with all the match-up problems the Celts had) or leaving to watch the Clippers-Magic game in person. Fortunately, I was with good company and in a luxury box at Staples…otherwise, it would be no contest.

I haven’t been to a lot of luxury boxes but why do you suppose people spend most of their time watching the TV within the suite instead of the actual game? I guess we were at least watching the closed-circuit coverage and not MTV but it was still kind of strange.

  • Anyway, forget the cheerleaders and dance squads, no matter how bad your team is playing or how small the crowd is, you can create a mini frenzy just by throwing a video camera on the crowd. People will do the strangest things when they see themselves on the jumbo tron scoreboard.
  • Last night’s loss to the Bobcats should help Celts' GM Danny Ainge figure out what he needs to round out the roster. After today teams will release players they don't want to pay for rest of year.
  • By the way, the Charlotte Bobcats do have some athletic talent and did manage to beat the NJ Nets and Jason Kidd the night before. Also, for a newer franchise, their uniforms aren't that bad and I can see where Cats' part owner Michael Jordan may have added some Chicago Bull championship ‘red’ to the mix.

  • On that note, the LA Clippers are in desperate need of a new logo and uniforms. I’m not saying go back to the powder blue days of the old San Diego Clippers but at least make the design and colors more exciting. They're so tired looking that they appear retro (see pic). Most college and NBA D-League teams seem to have better uniforms. After all, LA is 'Glam city' and it’s not like the Clippers have a successful history they need to keep sacred.
  • Even though Clipper's point guard Sam Cassell has been shooting a horrendous 3 for 23 lately, I would LOVE to see him in a Celtics uniform this year. He has the backcourt experience the Celtics desperately need down the stretch, but there is no way Elgin Baylor and the Clippers will part with him.
  • The Boston Bruins have pretty much the same record as last year at this time. However, I can't afford to give up on Head Coach Claude Julien just yet...especially with all the injuries.

  • Only 30 days or so until the Red Sox open Spring Training (then they have to go to Japan!), so can we give up on the Johan Santana trade, deal Coco Crisp, and sign Bobby Kielty already?!?

  • My picks again for the NFL Play-offs this week: Pats over Jags 28-17 and Colts over Bolts 32-10. Since it all may come down to which QB's show-up this weekend in the NFC, those games are too close to call for me.

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Titanic Loss Wasn’t What Pats Needed

Tennessee lost last weekend to the San Diego Chargers 17-6 in a Wildcard play-off game the Titans should have won. The Titans held San Diego scoreless in the first half and LaDainian Tomlison to just 42 yards rushing for the entire game, however the Chargers still managed to pull out their first play-off victory in 13 years.

San Diego now gets to play the Indianapolis Colts at Indy. Having squeaked by the Titans at home and possibly losing their All-Pro tight end Antonio Gates in the process, the Chargers aren’t as dominating nor pose the same threat as last year thus the Colts should have an easy time 32-10.

More importantly, the Titans collapse coupled with the Pittsburgh loss means that the Jacksonville Jaguars will be traveling to Gillette Stadium this Saturday to tangle with the New England Patriots. Now the Pats have to play one of the hottest teams in the NFL and could possibly have a battle on their hands.

With a physical front seven, a vaunted running game, and an accurate quarterback in David Garrard, the Jags became the only team in history to beat the Steelers twice in one season at Pittsburgh. Lead by NFL Pro Bowl selection Fred Taylor and former UCLA standout Maurice Jones-Drew, the Jaguars’ backs will try to take advantage of the Pats aging linebackers with short passes and runs up the middle.

Also, like Steelers quarterback Ben Rothlesberger, Tom Brady is sure to be affected by the Jags’ pass rush. But unlike ‘Big Ben’, the reigning NFL MVP will pick apart the Jags’ weak secondary and the Patriots will win 28-17.

NFL Play-offs: Pats vs. Jags Saturday @ 8 pm (5 pm on the Left coast). Can't wait!

One More Year for James Edward Rice


He was one of the most feared hitters in the game and a perennial MVP candidate from 1975-86. He was so strong that he once broke a bat simply by checking his swinging on a pitch. He was an 8 time All Star and won the MVP Award in 1978 with over 400 total bases but with all his accolades and numbers, Jim Rice fell just 2.8% short of the votes needed to get in to the Baseball Hall of Fame this year.

This was Rice’s second to last chance to get elected. Since he retired and became eligible, he has been turned down 14 straight times and now next year will be his last chance to be on the ballot. With the modern game being tarnished in steroid allegations, many think Jim Rice’s chances of getting into the HOF have improved, but the once mighty slugger whom Hank Aaron thought would break his HR record someday only finished with 382 home runs. A total that many think doesn’t belong in Cooperstown. However, having played in seven less seasons, Rice has 3 more HR’s and a higher overall batting average than recent HOF inductee Tony Perez. Also, one could argue that had he played 20 seasons like HOF Eddie Murray, that Rice would have enough home runs to get into the Hall.

Either way, Jim Rice still has a chance. The last player to win election during his final year on the ballot was Ralph Kiner. Ironically the year was 1975. The same year Jim Rice broke into the league and got the attention and respect of Hall of Famers like Hank Aaron.

Monday, January 7, 2008

A New Big Baby in Boston!

Some of you may already know but I became an uncle last weekend. Around the time the Celtics were being lead to victory over Detroit by rookie Glen Davis, another big baby made an appearance. Brody Getchell was born to my sister Dana and her husband Brian on Friday, January 4th.

I was told that it was merely coincidence that he was induced during the Patriots play-off bye week. However, with a grandfather already working on the chain gang at Gillette Stadium you can be assured baby Brody will be a big Patriots fan. Congrats and go Pats!

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Celtics Get Revenge- Beat Pistons in Round 2

Wow, what a game! Saturday night the two best teams in the NBA Eastern Conference squared-off in the second match-up of the season and this time the Boston Celtic beat the Detroit Pistons 92-85 at Auburn Hills, MI. First year player, Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis contributed 16 points down the stretch to defeat a Pistons team that won 11 straight games.

This game was not on National TV but too good to pass up, so I cancelled my HBO (luckily ‘Entourage’ doesn’t start up until June) and forked over the big bucks for the NBA Package. I never thought I would be spending any money on NBA entertainment but the 2007-08 Boston Celtics are a special team and on a record breaking pace, so every game is a must see event.

These games are fun to watch but also important for Boston GM Danny Ainge. With two open roster spots, Ainge must determine what assets are needed for the Celtics to compete for a title down the stretch. Before ‘Big Baby’ stepped up in the second half, the Celtics struggled when Kevin Garnett got into foul trouble. The challenge to back-up Garnett and to support Rajon Rondo at the point may be addressed January 10th when teams have to decide whether to guarantee contracts for the rest of the year. After that date, the Celtics may be able to pick-up a couple needed pieces that could lead to their first championship in 21 years. In the meantime, with a 29-3 record the entertainment value is well-worth the price.

Saturday, January 5, 2008

New Breed of Football Coach

With all the coaching changes occurring in College football and the NFL, many of the same names get recycled every year. As everyone focusses on a similar pool of candidates, General Mangers and Athletic Directors need to start looking outside the box for new talent. On that note, I am nominating a High School football coaching legend that is ready for the next level.

Head Coach Ricky Jimmy has been leading the Eisenhower Screaming Eagles of Rialto, CA for 35 seasons. During his tenure Coach Jimmy lead his teams to 352-3-1 record and has coached such athletic luminaries as Rob Chow, Rick Chow, and NFL Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott. During the Summer, Coach Jimmy runs his highly successful "I Will Make You Cry" football camps and also acts as a special advisor to Pete Carroll running clinics at the USC Trojan football camps. Aside from his unparalleled football instruction, Coach Jimmy is also a solid citizen who enriches his community every day. He is the Junior Varsity Water Polo coach and even moderates the bingo night at the local Rialto Senior Living Center every week.

In short, Ricky Jimmy is a leader both on and off the field and should be considered for one of the many coaching vacancies available in both College and Professional football. Hopefully somebody will give this guy a shot.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Neuheisel is fit for L.A. battle

When the UCLA Bruins announced that their new football coach would be Rick Neuheisel, I wondered what took so long. Neuheisel had been a star quarterback and an assistant coach under Terry Donahue (the most successful coach at UCLA) and some thought his would be successor until he left to coach Colorado before Donahue’s last year.

Then after both success and controversy at Colorado and Washington, he left the college game and went on to be a coordinator in the NFL. But Neuheisel never looked comfortable in the pro game or in cold climates for that matter. So when his former UCLA teammate Karl Dorrell was fired it was time for Neuheisel to return home.

Rick Neuheisel now brings the same youthful exuberance and swagger to UCLA that has been so successful for USC and Coach Pete Carroll. Like Carroll, Neuheisel will charm both alumni and the parents of top recruits in an effort to compete with USC and bring UCLA football back to the glory days of Terry Donahue.

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

For the love of Pete!

The USC Trojans completed another stellar season by trouncing the Fighting Illini in the 2008 Rose Bowl 49-17. I didn’t remember the score because I watched the game or saw the endless highlights on ESPN’s SportCenter. I know the score because that is all anyone talked about on local sports radio in Los Angeles.

Without an NFL football team in LA (even though they try, the SD Chargers don’t count), USC is the closest thing to professional football...literally. The program is so deep with talent and such a powerhouse that some years they might be able to compete with NFL teams. They are winning and have a strong alumni base but is there any danger of over-exposure?

I woke-up New Year’s Day only to hear the USC pre-game show in progress on LA sports radio. The show began at 7 AM, a full 7 hours before kick-off! How much can you analyze a game in which a majority of the players aren’t old enough to drink yet? Even the 16-0 New England Patriots of the NFL don’t have a pre-game show that long. That wasn’t the end. Following the game, the post-game show lasted until midnight. By the end of the show, the hosts were so tired and punchy that they were forgetting players’ names!

Anyway, thankfully USC has one of the greatest fight songs of all time, but in an effort to free-up local radio, will the NFL please come back to Los Angeles?!

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

NHL Winter Classic game - Saving the sport?


I watched the NHL's first US outdoor game between the Penguins and Sabres on New Years Day. Pretty cool. With 70,000 fans and the snow falling, the game was fun and totally lived up to the hype.

The experience reminded me of skating on cranberry bogs when I was a kid in New England and showed the rest of the country how historical and cool hockey can be. Gary Bettman said it cost the league $1 million to put the game on, so I don't see it becoming a regular event but I wouldn't be opposed to watching two 'Original 6' teams like the Bruins, Canadiens, or Rangers playing at Gillette Stadium sometime soon.

Anyway, with the NHL struggling to carve out an identity in the shadow of the NFL, NBA, and MLB in the lower 48, I thought I would look at some recent complaints and theories as to why the league is not as popular...

13.) NHL tickets are too expensive:
But so are NFL tickets, so it really shouldn't matter if the product is good.

12.) The Goalies' pads are too big:
The shooters are bigger, faster, and more skilled so it really shouldn't matter. Scoring is not down because the goalies have extra padding.

11.) The players are too big:
People have talked about things like removing the red line, making the trap illegal, or widening the ice surface all to open up the game. Just like in basketball, players evolve and get bigger and better but you don't see the NBA widening the court or raising the rim.

10.) The game is too fast and hard to follow:
I am confused. Is the game hard to follow or does it need to be opened-up more? Although I do feel a long camera angle of the rink will show new viewers more of the excitement, movement and strategy of the game, we don't need anymore gimmicks like glowing pucks.

9.) There is no top American superstar in the league:
Contrary to what American marketers may think, the presence of great US players like Roenik, Modano, and La Fontaine does not directly affect the success of the league.

8.) Players all wearing helmets takes away the personality of the game:
Initially this was a concern when the mandatory helmet rule was passed in the NHL several years ago, but there has been no evidence of this affecting the very successful NFL. Besides NHL players are notoriously more accessible.

7.) Except Detroit, the 'Original 6' franchises have not done well recently:
Since history and tradition are so important in the NHL, I think this is a legitimate issue.

6.) There isn't any fighting anymore:
A few years ago the NHL nearly eliminated pugilism from the game but as young stars in the league emerge, so has a new of group of bodyguards.

5.) No National TV contract in United States:
Chicken -or- the egg. Improve the game and exposure will follow.

4.) All the team uniforms look the same:
This is more a pet-peeve of mine. In the years after the LA Kings got Gretsky and changed their uniforms to black and white, it seemed most teams incorporated black into their color scheme. To me it takes away from the uniqueness of the teams and pageantry and history of the game. Hockey sweaters were once colorful works of art. The Rangers and B's have gone back to some original designs, but how cool would it be if teams like the Penguins (light blue) and Kings (purple & gold) adopted their retro sweaters again full time.

3.) There are just too many teams:
If the product is not good, then expansion will hurt any league.

2.) Franchises in top media cities have not been successful:
Since team success in a top media market (especially an 'Original 6' city like NY, Bos, or Chi) would naturally create more interest, this does have some validity.

1.) The dreaded 'Quick whistle' is ruining play:
The more I watch this game the more I notice how a simple thing like a quick whistle can affect a game. It was instituted to protect goalies and clamp down on fisticuffs. Instead of players crashing the net after a loose puck , the referee now blows the whistle and stops play once the goalie has control of the puck or worse, whenever the puck is out of sight. I understand the intention, but the goalies are already well protected as mentioned earlier. Besides, if you are already cracking down on fighting and activity within the crease, why mess with the flow of the game? Now the excitment of loose pucks and all the intensity around the net is missing. Also, goalie stickhandling was always high drama. Now once a goalie corrals the puck he can get a whistle simply by skating in the direction of an opposing player and face-offs routinely break the momentum and flow of an intense, action-oriented game. If you remove the 'quick whistle', the action again will be more continuous, the game will be more exciting, and thus the product more appealing to new viewers and traditionalists.