AFC East Prediction

The AFC East has been a very interesting division the last few years. Mainly dominated by the Patriots until last year when the Dolphins took the division away. To be honest, Brady was out for most of the year, yet the Patriots did put up a 11-5 Record. The Jets meanwhile get Mark Sanchez who seems like a promising QB for the future. The Bills do get TO but he has been out with a bad toe for a while.

Prediction: Patriots win the division. Brady is back and as long as he stays healthy, the Patriots are the favorite along with Belichick's coaching. I think the Dolphins are the second best. They were a great surprise last year and might pull off another great season. I think the Jets are third. They do have Mark Sanchez but I don't think he will be good enough to get them to the playoffs. They need a few more pieces. Bills are last for me. They still have a shot but I think they didn't do enough in the off season to put them in contention.

NFL season starter and US Open

Almost every major sports network will be trying to predict what will happen this season in the NFL. So I will jump on the bandwagon this time. Instead of reviewing every team, I will review every division one day at a time. At the end of each preview, I will tell who I think will win each division and after that I will reveal my Superbowl Picks. I will also look at some sports event too if they seem noteworthy.

Before my predictions for the NFL, I will look at the US Open that starts today. First, everyone that is not named Nadal or Federer will not win. Sorry Roddick. It will be interesting to see a Nadal-Federer match at the US Open final. Though it could go either way, I think Federer will win this tournament. I still want Nadal but let's face facts: he is coming back from a knee injury and Federer has own this tournament the last few years. Still can't wait to watch though.

P.S. My Superbowl Prediction is... HA HA HA. FOOLED YOU!!! Come back next week.

Vick is Back

Vick played his first game in two years and his first one as an Eagle. He went 4/4 with 19 yards and ran for one yard. Not bad after being inactive that long. It seemed that Mcnabb and Kolb where mainly the QB's. I heard that they switched Mcnabb and Vick with QB and receiver a few times. Can't wait to see all the trick plays in the future.

Maybe they will use Vick more in the last preseason game. He won't be able to see action for a while after this. I think he will play quite a bit to be able to see what he has with the offense behind him fully.

Prediction: I see him being fully reinstated after 4 games. Just a guess.

Can We Get a QB?

In 2005, the Niners drafted Alex Smith as the number one overall draft pick that year. Ever since then, things have been bad. Smith hasn't performed as he was expected and the team has put millions into this worthless QB. The Niners settle on Shaun Hill for a while and they do mediocre with Singletary at the helm.

The Niners this year have named Shaun Hill as their QB to start the season at least. However, Shaun Hill now has back issues and he is listed as day-to-day. This doesn't really change things for the Niners. Hill is not the QB solution. He's just someone to get them through this season while the Niners hope a new Montana will appear before them. The way things are going, we are going to be stuck with bad QB's for a few more years.

Side note: I'm saddened by Ted Kennedy's passing and will miss this senator that was highly respected no matter what issue came before the Senate floor. He will be missed by all.

Hotter than the Rockies (Mountains Anyway)

The Colorado Rockies maybe the hottest team in baseball. They have been on fire ever since the All Star Break and they are repeating the trends from the 2007 season with a different manager this time. They just beat the Dodgers 5-4 in a another extra inning walk off. Last Night, they beat the Giants in the 14th inning 6-4.

I think these Rockies could very well win the NL West and the Dodgers could be stuck with the wild card. They are now only 2 games back of the Dodgers who are 18-20 since the All Star Break. With the Dodgers struggling and the Rockies just rolling along like the Coors Train, the Rockies could have the division lead by the end of the month.

Can A TV Be Too Big?

This past weekend, an amazing thing happened. Punter Trapasso of the Titans managed to hit his punt off the big TV screen above. The refs would rule a replay of the down. Has this ever happened without a flag on the field? Now this screen is huge. In my opinion it is too huge, for a game at least. What's the point of going in the first place? Still it is impressive.

However, Jones does not want to raise the screen saying that a punter should hit it differently. What? Punters hit it down the middle of the field quite a bit and they are expected to hit it to the side when in the Dallas? I'm Sorry. Arlington? No part above the field should interfere with the game like this no matter what stadium the game is in.

As for the theory it won't happen again? It hit the scoreboard during the debut game. The first NFL game. Ever at that stadium. It will happen again.

Favre's Vikings Debut

Brett Favre made his Vikings debut and he looked alright for the preseason. He did go 1-4 for only 4 yards in two series. Not great but considering he was only with his team for a few days I don't think it was horrible. Over time he will get to know the team and, with that, the receivers better in order to do his job properly.

Meanwhile, Tarvaris Jackson went 12-15 for 202 yards and 2 touchdown passes. Not bad but he has been on the team for a while. Not saying he didn't looked good it just that Favre may have more potential for the team. I think Jackson is a good quarterback and i would back him if Favre didn't come in. Favre will probably be good for the team but he should get good fast when the season starts to prove he still belongs in the league.

Plaxico Burress Takes the Deal

Less than a year ago, Burress carried a unregistered gun into a night club and shot himself accidentally in the thigh. This in itself is stupid and careless. Today, Burress accepts the plea agreement of two years in prison for carrying a unregistered handgun. Don't get me wrong, he broke the law and he deserves to be punished. However it seems like a lot of time for carrying a unregistered weapon. I understand they want to get guns off the streets in New York City but still feels a little excessive.

As for a possible career after this sentence, he might have one. He could get out in 20 months and could be eligible to return by the 2011 season. However it might be just a minor role on a team. I doubt he will achieve his star status he once had. Not many receivers stay a star in their mid 30's. He could be a starter again but his best days are behind him.

Smoltz Gets Another Job

John Smoltz with the Red Sox was a disappointment from the beginning. First he is put on the disabled list for much of the first half of the season. Then when he started to pitch for the Sox, he never really got into a solid groove. He went 2-5 with a 8.33 ERA in 8 starts. I don't blame the Red Sox for letting him go or even getting him in the first place. It just never really worked out for either side and a change had to be made.

However it is strange to see another team jump on the opportunity to get Smoltz. The Cardinals do need strength to their rotation but Smoltz? Maybe Smoltz didn't do so well because it was the AL east and the tough bats out there. He did have solid numbers for the last few seasons in Atlanta. However, Smoltz is 42 and maybe he is showing signs of rust for the first time. It seems that the Cardinals will find out if he is worth it in the coming weeks.

Favre's Show Gets Renewed

Favre is not retired again. Today Brett Favre signed a two year deal with the Vikings for $25 million. Why am I not surprised? This guy may be the most indecisive football player in the country. It's Favre Indecision 09. Anyway he is back for another season likely there to get back at Green Bay.

With Favre on the Vikings now, are the Vikings good enough to win the Superbowl? Yes they can win the Superbowl. The Vikings have a good defense, a solid running game, good receivers and were just missing a quarterback that is good. However I emphasize that they can win it and not that they will. They are simply now good enough to compete with the big boys.

Another Bird Picks Up Vick

Vick has been signed by the Philadelphia Eagles for a one year deal with a second year option. This may be a perfect fit for him with Philly being the city of Brotherly Love. HA HA HA. I'm sure that PETA or some animal rights group will protest him playing in the league again. In a way the fit is perfect with the Eagles already having Mcnabb. I think Vick won't be able to play until week six but still he will be good for the Eagles on certain plays. It will also be good for Vick as he hasn't played for two years and needs to ease his way back to the game. Perhaps he will try for a starting role within a couple of years on a different team.

Baseball Yesterday and the Return of Pedro

Baseball had some good stories yesterday. The one good one I saw was the Giants beating the Dodgers. This was really a must win for the Giants (in a way) in order to keep pace with the Rockies. They had been beaten by the Dodgers two times now in this series and the walk off shot from Juan Uribe was just what the Giants needed for a morale boost.

The Red Sox were just swept by the Yankees and needed to win some games. Now they've taken 3 of four so far from the Tigers in this series. After the fight that landed Youkillis with a five game suspension, the Red Sox continued the aggression by winning again today 8-2 with Beckett getting his MLB best 14th win of the season. Here's hoping for the four game sweep after being swept in four.

Meanwhile, former Red Sox Pedro Martinez made his 2009 debut with a new team: the Phillies. He pitched 5 innings, 3 earned runs, 5 strike outs, and 99 pitches. Pedro can still pitch over 90 pitches in the game but needs help getting beyond the 5th inning. Thanks to a wild 8 run 4th inning, the Phillies get Pedro's first win of the year. It is too bad that the Phillies put Jamie Moyer in the bullpen. He had won 10 games and didn't seem like he deserved to lose the spot. Though I must say he has 9 loses and an ERA of 5.47.

The Marlins lost to the Astros 14-6 Giving the Phillies a bit more cushion in the East Division. The Yankees did win thanks to Cano's game winning hit in the 11th and the Rockies kept dominating with a 8-0 win over the Pirates. I'm starting to think they are better than the Giants and might make another amazing run into the postseason. Also with the Cubs losing, they fall more behind in the division thanks to the Cardinals winning.

I hope that the Red Sox offense will stay hot. It seems like they have found their groove these last few days back in Boston. But regrettably this sport in more about slumps and streaks than any other sport I can think of. It just depends on when they happen to determine the winners and losers of the year.

Last months of Baseball

The MLB regular season is just a month and a half from being over. It seems that the heat is on and that minor things can make a big difference. Let's see how eveything is.

In the AL, it seems like the Yankees have a commanding lead over the AL east of 5.5 games over the Red Sox. Yanks sweeping the Sox may have done them in for the division. However there are still 7 games left in the rivalry and anything could happen. Boston would need a big performance in the coming week to try and catch up with New York. Tampa seems lost for the east but could catch up the wild card. Regretably I think the Yanks will win the division.

AL Central has Detroit ahead by 2 games over the White Sox while the Twins are 5 games behind. I could see Guillen's club making a rebound now that they have Alex Rios though they may need pitching more than hitting. Minnesota may not make it as they are 4 games under .500. I think the Tigers will edge out the division but the White Sox could win just as well.

AL west has the Angels up 5 games over the Rangers. I'm amazed by the Rangers in the recent years. They are able to put up a fight for a playoff berth but seem to fall short every year. The Mariners seem out of it being behind 9 games. I think the Angels will once agin win the AL West.

For the Al Wild Card, I will say Red Sox. They are only 1.5 games up over the Rangers and they could shock the world by gettng in and Tampa Bay coulg get it as well. The Red Sox I think are better built and will eventually get back to winning. Not only that but the AL east usually gets the wild card lately.

For the NL now, the east has the Phillies in front of the Marlins by 3.5 games and the Braves by 4.5 games. Philly could get dethroned if they don't start picking up the pace. I think they will edge it out with Cliff Lee but they could pull off a Met's catastrophe if not careful.

The NL Central has the Cardinals in front of the Cubs by 3 games. I think it is between those two classic rivals. I don't see the Brewers coming back. I do think the Cardinals will win the division over the Cubs. They got Matt Holliday in a trade and he is doing great and Pujols is still the best in the league despite people saying he was in a slump. They got Pitching and Hitting.

The NL west has the Dodgers in front of the Rockies by 6.5 games and the Giants 7.5 games. I think the Dodgers have this division and it will take a breakdown in all departments of their team for the Rockies or the Giants to win it.

As for the NL wild card, this is tight. The Rockies lead for now over the Giants by a game with the Marlins behind 2 games and the Braves and Cubs 3 games behind. The wild card could go to any team. I hope for the Giants but this is truely anyone's playoff spot right now.

I do have a special prediction. I predict that at least one more name will be released from that 2003 list. I hope that it won't happen but lets face it, this source truely hates doing the right thing and keeping their mouth shut.

Baseball's S Word

Baseball this season has done well with the varied stories around it. Mark Buerle's Perfect Game, Johnathan Sanchez throwing a no hitter, the rivalry and the sweeps with it, and Albert Pujols being praised as if he is the new God of the baseball world. But it wouldn't be baseball if we didn't look to the past with it's dirty little secret: Steroids.

This year, there has been names released from a anonymous survey that was taken back in 2003. The point of the survey was to determine whether or not MLB needed a mandatory drug testing program. (as if Mark McGwire's biceps weren't enough). This survey was agreed to by the players with the promise that they would remain anonymous. It was also agreed that any player that was turned up positive would not be punished. The survey was taken and over 104 names came up positive for some type of performing enhancing drug. Because over 5% of the players turned up positive, mandatory drug testing came a year later with penalties and violations. However, federal investigators came in and took a copy of the list as part of the Balco investigations.

Let's skip forward a few years to 2009. So far, a few names have been released from this list: Alex Rodriguez, David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, and Sammy Sosa. I would like the thank the person who gave us the names in the first place. YOU HAVE EFFECTIVELY KEPT BASEBALL IN THE PAST WITH YOUR UNETHICAL ACTIONS YOU PIG (OR PIGETTE)!!! The point of this survey is to determine whether baseball do more against drug use and it has done that. There has been very few PED's stories that have been reported on recent events. Manny Ramirez seems to be the only one and he was suspended for 50 games (kind of).

The only thing that this source has done wave baseball past shame in it's face again and again. The source has contributed nothing new to the conversation. It's like when a dog craps on the rug and you rub its face in it to show the dog the error of its ways and then keep doing it for the next six years reminding the dog what happened there. This names shouldn't have been released in the first place. It's unfair to the players who thought it was safe to give a sample without being judged.

Another thing with PED's I hear is that many people think they shouldn't be allowed into the hall of fame. Personally I think these people are wrong. I understand why they take this position what with the morals and not cheating. But I think that Steroids and the PED Era needs to be in the Hall of Fame in some way. This was a era in baseball and no one that works in media can deny that fact. As any era of baseball, it's history needs to be told. I would even go as far as to say that Jose Canseco needs to be in the Hall of Fame or at least mentioned. Not for his stats or his career, but his steroid and drug use. This man has basically been the poster boy for the era what with admitting it and writing a book about it and the testifying in congress. The players of this era need to get in. This is the Hall of Fame, it doesn't have to be good fame.

P.S. Thank goodness the weekend is over. Ah crap we were swept.

P.P.S. And no. I don't think the rest of the names should come out. BUT THEN AGAIN, I'M NOT THE SOURCE WHO THINKS WE SHOULD NEVER LIVE THIS DOWN!!!

Real Football

Today I will talk about Football. It seems that today the USA isn't that into the game and seems to lag behind many other nations in the sport. Sure we had a great surge in the Confederation's Cup when we beat Spain and then almost Brazil but ever since then it's like it never happened. (By the way, we are talking about soccer and not American Football)

Football in America is not as popular than many of the other sports here. Americans seem to care about Golf more. Tiger gets all the attention. Anyway we have MLS which started in 1993 which has been gaining popularity slowly what with Beckham's help. Football however needs more stars coming here. However because of the current monetary situation of the MLS teams, we could only afford a star player from Europe when he is at the end of his career (Beckham).

MLS Needs help from one certain team that isn't in the league: Team USA. The people seemed to gather interest in football in the Confederations cup. When they see that America is actually good at Football, they will watch it. Next year will be more important for this team when the World Cup comes back. I honestly don't think that the USA is the best team out there and can't win the tournament. However they may be able to get past the group stage and maybe get into the Quarter-Finals.

In order to get better, the USA needs to get a better farm system. We need to get better players here and not from abroad. Regrettably most of the talented athletes are going to other sports and those that are in football may go to Europe. I hope one day we will have more popularity in the game but until then Tiger is still playing golf

FYI: I'm a American and love American Football but still want Football to be used instead of Soccer.

The Rivalry Returns

This weekend is the return of one of the greatest rivalry in sports. No not Nadal Vs Federer. New York Yankees vs. the Boston Red Sox. I will make it no secret that the Red Sox are my favorite team in baseball so I will root for them every time they are in the Bronx. The thing is that I always fear the worst when it comes to my favorite teams. So personally I can't wait for the weekend to be over and I wish Monday was here already.

But since we can't skipped forward in time, let's look at the two opponents and try not to make any biased decisions. Fact One: The Red Sox have the Yankees number this season. They are 8-0 this season vs. the Yankees and the Red Sox just need two more wins to have won the season series. Fact Two: The Yankees are red hot right now. Ever since the all star break, the Yankees are 14-5 and seem to have left the heater on too long. Fact Three: The Red Sox are three games in front of the wild card but the Yankees are in front of the East by 2.5 games. It is always better to have a division than a wild card spot. Now the Red Sox can't win the division this weekend but they can sure lose it.

I am never comfortable watching these two teams duke it out. Why? Because anything can happen. Man I better get a Tranquilizer.

What to do with Michael Vick?

We all now know Michael Vick can sign with any team he wants to as long as they want to sign him. The big Question is where would be a good place for him to sign? After missing the last two seasons basically due to the dog fighting crimes, he can't really be considered ready to lead any team right out of prison. He would probably do well in a place that has a quarterback competition like the Niners, Vikings, or Browns. He could also serve a short term contract with a team that has a very good established quarterback and fan base like the Patriots or the Steelers.

However the dilemma for Vick right now seems to be simply finding a team that is interested. Vick's past chases away any team needing a good quarterback. They are afraid of public outcry of a team that hires a man that has been convicted of dogfighting. Also they are chased away by Goodell's so called conditional reinstatement fearing that they won't be able to use him for several weeks.

I must say that Roger Goodell does have the right to do this but he shoudln't. Goodell's job as commisioner is to manage NFL affairs. As much as I disapprove of dogfighting, the NFL has no right to punish Vick any further for something that is unrelated to Football. This is a problem for the courts to solve and they have already punished Vick for these crimes. He should be able to come back and make a living once he is out of prison.

Either way, the world we live in does not allow people to easily forget our past crimes and sins. Wherever he goes, his past will haunt him and his team.

the upcoming NCAA football season

The upcoming college season is certainly one to watch but somthing needs to change and it's the way we decide who is the BCS champion. This system is nuts. First let's rank the teams. "That's a good idea." Next lets give favor to those that are in the BCS conferences. "That seems reasonable." Last let's have no playoff system to decide who gets into the BCS Title Game. "Well I'm Sold, lets do it."

This may be the stupidest way to decide any champion in any sport. There is a reason we have a playoff system in other sports: To actually find out who is the best rather than guessing. That's why we play the games in the first place. I've got a even better idea. Why not have a seaon at all and just guess who's the best all year long.

I do have a solution that will solve this. We could have just the conference champions play in a playoff system and maybe a runner up or two from the "BCS conferences" in order to even things out. The NCAA won't have this long playoff system because they can't have a long postseason due to athletes studying for finals. So what. I'm sure the schedule can worked around somehow and maybe play it in January.

Another solution i see is a middle ground. We can still have the poll system determine the top teams in the nation. From that, the top 8 Teams can play in the BCS Bowls and then after that the remaining four teams go to the place where the title will be played and play the Semifinals there and then the Championship. The College Football Final Four. I recommend the title game keep changing locations over the years. It could still be at one of the BCS Bowls or it could be somewhere else like a pro stadium.

As for the people who like the bowl system and ask what will become of it, it can still be there for the other teams that couldn't get into the top eight. Eitherway the bowl system in my opinion is a outdated format that served its purpose in the past but now feels like an excuse for not moving in the right direction. All it does now is make everyone feel like winners. Here's your partcipation trophy. "I Work So Hard For This, Thank You."