New England vs. Baltimore
Once again the New England Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens will meet in the AFC championship game. Last year's game ended with SHANKAPOTIMUS ripping the hearts out of Ravens fans, but this year is special. It could be the final game in the career of Ray Lewis. I'm sure the pre-game speech will be emotional and Ray will have his team ready to play. On the flip side Tom Brady and Bill Belichick aren't really the sentimental types and the Patriots desperately want to avenge the loss to the Giants in the Super Bowl last year. 4 rings = immortality and that's what the Patriots are striving for. Look for the Patriots to roll in this one.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
HTB Statements
It's time for another installment of HTB statements. For those of you not familiar with what HTB stands for HTB refers to statements that are hard to believe. Here's a few for your reading pleasure.
1. The Los Angeles Lakers have only missed the playoffs twice since 1976.
2. There will be no baseball Hall of Fame inductions in 2013.
3. The Seattle Seahawks won't be playing in Super Bowl XLVII
4. If Tom Brady wins on Sunday it will be his 6th Super Bowl appearance. He's a 6th round pick.
5. LeBron James is the youngest player to reach 20,000 points.
6. Nick Saban has 4 national championships.
7. The Harbaugh Bowl is a possibility for the 2nd consecutive year and the kicker that missed for Baltimore last year is the kicker for San Francisco this year.
8. Lance admitted he did dirt.
9. It will cost Seattle in excess of $1,000,000,000 to get a basketball franchise. Clay Bennett bought the Seattle Supersonics for $350,000,000 5 years ago.
10. Adrian Peterson came up 9 yards short of breaking Eric Dickerson's single season rushing record.
11. I'm in the sportsbook Hall of Fame, but I've only won my own B3TZ game once!
12. Only eleven quarterbacks have won multiple Super Bowls.
1. The Los Angeles Lakers have only missed the playoffs twice since 1976.
2. There will be no baseball Hall of Fame inductions in 2013.
3. The Seattle Seahawks won't be playing in Super Bowl XLVII
4. If Tom Brady wins on Sunday it will be his 6th Super Bowl appearance. He's a 6th round pick.
5. LeBron James is the youngest player to reach 20,000 points.
6. Nick Saban has 4 national championships.
7. The Harbaugh Bowl is a possibility for the 2nd consecutive year and the kicker that missed for Baltimore last year is the kicker for San Francisco this year.
8. Lance admitted he did dirt.
9. It will cost Seattle in excess of $1,000,000,000 to get a basketball franchise. Clay Bennett bought the Seattle Supersonics for $350,000,000 5 years ago.
10. Adrian Peterson came up 9 yards short of breaking Eric Dickerson's single season rushing record.
11. I'm in the sportsbook Hall of Fame, but I've only won my own B3TZ game once!
12. Only eleven quarterbacks have won multiple Super Bowls.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Can Marc Trestman Cut It In The NFL?
When the Chicago Bears hired Marc Trestman as their new head coach they were clearly thinking outside the box. Although Trestman's roots are in the NFL it's extremely unusual for teams to turn to the CFL for coaching candidates. Half of the teams that missed the playoffs this year fired their coach and already 4 of those teams have hired men with no head coaching experience. It appears they've decided the results couldn't be any worse than the previous regime.
In Jacksonville (2-14), Philadelphia (4-12), Cleveland (5-11), and Buffalo (6-10) I can understand that logic, but the Chicago bears were 10-6 this season. They have a top 10 quarterback, a top 10 defense, and 4 pro bowl players on their team. Conventional wisdom says a few minor tweaks would probably result in a playoff berth. Completely changing the culture and philosophy of the organization may do more harm than good. At the very least Chicago might have to take one step back to take two steps forward.
In Trestman's defense he was considered to have a brilliant offensive mind before he left for Canada. Steve Young, Rich Gannon, and Jerry Rice all sing his praises and those in the coaching fraternity say he's deserving of the opportunity. Still is it a wise move to hire someone that's been in a league where the rules are significantly different than the NFL?
I don't have a problem with Marc Trestman's credentials, but I do question the league he's coming from. The rules are different and the dimensions of the field aren't the same. In addition there's a reason those guys play for teams like the Edmonton Eskimos and the Toronto Argonauts. The talent level isn't on par with the NFL. Still I must admit I'm curious to see what kind of innovative schemes Trestman brings to the Bears. The franchise will either flourish in the new system or become the laughing stock of the league. Can't decide what I think the outcome will be. Your thoughts?
In Jacksonville (2-14), Philadelphia (4-12), Cleveland (5-11), and Buffalo (6-10) I can understand that logic, but the Chicago bears were 10-6 this season. They have a top 10 quarterback, a top 10 defense, and 4 pro bowl players on their team. Conventional wisdom says a few minor tweaks would probably result in a playoff berth. Completely changing the culture and philosophy of the organization may do more harm than good. At the very least Chicago might have to take one step back to take two steps forward.
In Trestman's defense he was considered to have a brilliant offensive mind before he left for Canada. Steve Young, Rich Gannon, and Jerry Rice all sing his praises and those in the coaching fraternity say he's deserving of the opportunity. Still is it a wise move to hire someone that's been in a league where the rules are significantly different than the NFL?
I don't have a problem with Marc Trestman's credentials, but I do question the league he's coming from. The rules are different and the dimensions of the field aren't the same. In addition there's a reason those guys play for teams like the Edmonton Eskimos and the Toronto Argonauts. The talent level isn't on par with the NFL. Still I must admit I'm curious to see what kind of innovative schemes Trestman brings to the Bears. The franchise will either flourish in the new system or become the laughing stock of the league. Can't decide what I think the outcome will be. Your thoughts?
Superstar B3TZ
Miami vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Yesterday LeBron James became the youngest player in NBA history to score 20,000 points. I'm sure he celebrated in a king like fashion. Tonight the Miami Heat take on a struggling LA Laker team on the 2nd night of a back to back. You know how I feel about these games. Kobe will try his best to humble LeBron tonight and let him know what greatness truly looks like. The Lakers will be competitive, but I'm not sure they will win the game.
Yesterday LeBron James became the youngest player in NBA history to score 20,000 points. I'm sure he celebrated in a king like fashion. Tonight the Miami Heat take on a struggling LA Laker team on the 2nd night of a back to back. You know how I feel about these games. Kobe will try his best to humble LeBron tonight and let him know what greatness truly looks like. The Lakers will be competitive, but I'm not sure they will win the game.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Weather B3TZ
Golden St. vs. Miami
When the Golden St. Warriors beat the Miami Heat earlier this season they proved they would no longer be a push over for the NBA's elite teams. The Warriors are currently in 5th place in the Western conference and trail Memphis by only one game. Although their accomplishments this season are impressive the Miami Heat were not amused by the embarrassing loss. Look for LeBron, D Wade and company to avenge the bitter defeat.
Oklahoma City vs. Denver
The Denver Nuggets won a hard fought overtime game against the Portland Trailblazers last night and you all know how I feel about back to back games. If you include travel and fatigue there's not much chance the Nuggets will perform at a high level tonight. Even when they are at 100% they don't have a go to player or someone that can hold Kevin Durant under 30 points. The Thunder will roll at home.
When the Golden St. Warriors beat the Miami Heat earlier this season they proved they would no longer be a push over for the NBA's elite teams. The Warriors are currently in 5th place in the Western conference and trail Memphis by only one game. Although their accomplishments this season are impressive the Miami Heat were not amused by the embarrassing loss. Look for LeBron, D Wade and company to avenge the bitter defeat.
Oklahoma City vs. Denver
The Denver Nuggets won a hard fought overtime game against the Portland Trailblazers last night and you all know how I feel about back to back games. If you include travel and fatigue there's not much chance the Nuggets will perform at a high level tonight. Even when they are at 100% they don't have a go to player or someone that can hold Kevin Durant under 30 points. The Thunder will roll at home.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Lance Armstrong Is Like Pete Rose
I remember watching the interview with Pete Rose where he finally admitted he bet on baseball. It was completely uneventful because everyone already knew he bet on baseball. The evidence was overwhelming. Various people had already rolled over on him. The commissioner banned him from baseball for life. His confession was only stating the obvious. It didn't validate something the public didn't already know.
The upcoming Lance Armstrong interview will have a similar feel to it. After years of denying he took performance enhancing drugs, wasting millions of taxpayers dollars with silly court cases, and misleading sponsors the 7 time Tour de France champion will come clean.
Much like Rose it appears Armstrong's conscience has gotten the better of him. The pressure of living a lie and the need for atonement have forced him to admit the truth. It will be a huge weight lifted off his shoulders and I'm sure there's a small percentage of the population that will feel sorry for him, but the majority of people will question why it took him so long to spill his guts.
The pressure to perform at a high level and protect a legacy can drive people to participate in unethical practices. It is difficult for someone who is idolized by millions of people and paid handsomely for for their success to resist temptation when the opportunity presents itself. I don't blame Lance Armstrong for the decisions he's made in the past. It would be totally hypocritical of me to say I wouldn't have done the same thing in his position. That being said there is nothing to gain from a conversation with Oprah Winfrey that simply confirms what people have been saying all along. You gonna watch the confession?
The upcoming Lance Armstrong interview will have a similar feel to it. After years of denying he took performance enhancing drugs, wasting millions of taxpayers dollars with silly court cases, and misleading sponsors the 7 time Tour de France champion will come clean.
Much like Rose it appears Armstrong's conscience has gotten the better of him. The pressure of living a lie and the need for atonement have forced him to admit the truth. It will be a huge weight lifted off his shoulders and I'm sure there's a small percentage of the population that will feel sorry for him, but the majority of people will question why it took him so long to spill his guts.
The pressure to perform at a high level and protect a legacy can drive people to participate in unethical practices. It is difficult for someone who is idolized by millions of people and paid handsomely for for their success to resist temptation when the opportunity presents itself. I don't blame Lance Armstrong for the decisions he's made in the past. It would be totally hypocritical of me to say I wouldn't have done the same thing in his position. That being said there is nothing to gain from a conversation with Oprah Winfrey that simply confirms what people have been saying all along. You gonna watch the confession?
8th Place B3TZ
Milwaukee vs. Los Angeles Lakers
This may be hard for some of you to believe, but the Milwaukee Bucks have a better record than the Los Angeles Lakers. The Bucks are currently 19-17 in 8th place in the Eastern conference ahead of Philadelphia by 4 games. The Lakers are currently 16-21 and trial the Portland trailblazers by 4 games for the final playoff spot in the Western conference. The Lakers better get healthy soon or they'll be watching the post season on a nice plasma screen at a local sports bar. Look for the Lakers to handle the talented back court of the Bucks and cruise to victory.
Denver vs. Portland
The Denver Nuggets aren't flashy, but they've won 8 of their last 10 games coming into tonight's matchup against Portland. The Trailblazers are clinging to the final playoff spot and need to win as many games before the all star break as humanly possible. Damian Lillard is the odds on favorite to win the rookie of the year and without his stellar play Portland would be in big trouble. Although he's a talented player Denver is on a 5 game winning streak and should continue their winning ways tonight.
This may be hard for some of you to believe, but the Milwaukee Bucks have a better record than the Los Angeles Lakers. The Bucks are currently 19-17 in 8th place in the Eastern conference ahead of Philadelphia by 4 games. The Lakers are currently 16-21 and trial the Portland trailblazers by 4 games for the final playoff spot in the Western conference. The Lakers better get healthy soon or they'll be watching the post season on a nice plasma screen at a local sports bar. Look for the Lakers to handle the talented back court of the Bucks and cruise to victory.
Denver vs. Portland
The Denver Nuggets aren't flashy, but they've won 8 of their last 10 games coming into tonight's matchup against Portland. The Trailblazers are clinging to the final playoff spot and need to win as many games before the all star break as humanly possible. Damian Lillard is the odds on favorite to win the rookie of the year and without his stellar play Portland would be in big trouble. Although he's a talented player Denver is on a 5 game winning streak and should continue their winning ways tonight.
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