Ok soooo with yet ANOTHER loss for the Minnesota Vikings (there 3rd in 4 games) a couple things come to mind:

1. Where’s the Defense, in particularly Jared Allen? Who has just 1 sack so far through 7 games this season (he had 14.5 last season).

2. Where’s the passing game? (21st in the league with 197.0 a game).

Which Brings me to my 3rd Question:

3. Where’s Brett Farve?

The man of constant off- season retirement talks has played like he’s still throwing to the boys at Oak Rove High School.  The Same man who through just 7 interceptions all of last season has already thrown 11 and is at a pace that would give him the lowest QB rating he’s had of his entire Carreer. Plus as of the last 2 weeks Farve’s been fighting injuries. Farve went into Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots with pains in his ankle and he left that game mid 4th quarter with a new injury, Brett was hit on a pass play and received a laceration in his chin. he received 8 stitches and as of today has yet to practice but STILL he might play Sunday Against the Arizona Cardinals. I don’t if Minnesota has noticed this but they got themselves a back up I think he goes by the name of

Tarvaris Jackson

Yeah yeah that guy. The one who was supposed to be the future of the team before Farve Stumbled in from New York. Was he Great the last time he was calling shots? eh but he was just 25 at the time. I belive 2 years of mentoring by one of the greatest of all time is more than enough for this young gun. Jackson Finished up the 4th quarter after Farve left Sunday and he looked good. I mean he only through 6 passes but he did complete 4 of them for 36 yards. One of them for 22 yards and he tapped on a touchdown pass as well. 7 minutes of work? Not bad, Jacksons also been taking all of the reps in Practice while Farve recovers so it’s not like he’ll (Tarvaris) will go in empty handed. Lets Not forget who they’re playing as well. The Arizona Cardinals, who I personally love (2nd favorite team behind my Jets baby). But the Defense is terrible, they Give up an average of 231.o passing yards a game (21st in the league) and their 29th in Rushing Yards allowed (averaging 143.1 allowed a game). The risk isn’t to bad, so what Farve loses his Streak Of Consecutive Starts (291). If there’s any sort of chance this team can get into the playoffs they can’t put it on a man who’s not only constantly playing hurt but playing BAD.

All In All

The risk is low, Farve isn’t getting it done, and your team’s season is dwindling. Even if it’s just for a week give the man a shot I bet he shows all the critics that he’s for real. I bet he starts a practice competition and even if he loses I bet that the competition will challenge Brett Farve’s ego and make him work harder, maybe even show some sparks of the 09 Farve. Lets not forget that most of the team supports Jackson so the chemistry will be there. the Morale of this blog is

START TARVARIS JACKSON SUNDAY!!!

And with that folks history has changed. The once 3rd longest World Series Championship drought has officially come to a close. The San Francisco Giants Are finally the World Champions of Baseball for the first time since moving to the West Coast. with a 3-1 victory over the Texas Rangers (who are now the new 3rd place drought team) in Game 5 the Giants officially take the series and give the people of San Francisco a title they’ve so long mourned for. This title is the first from the Giants since their days in New York back in 1954. Since their NLDS lose to the Florida Marlins in 2003 the Giants have progressively got worse. Dropping from 100,91,75,76,71,72.

Fans Were Getting Tired:

The team began to get negative publicity because of their Falling All Star Barry Bonds (Steriod Allegations), the bust on the high priced free agent pick up Barry Zito (signed in 2007), and the team just couldn’t seem to get it together. Did they show promise? Yes they did but they couldn’t seem to put together a playoff team, with 88 wins last season they sure threatened but still managed just 3rd in the N.L West. But then all of as sudden things changed. they picked up Pat Burrell, Jose Guillen, Javier Lopez and all of a sudden they had a new look.  Stunning 5-0 records from Barry Zito and Tim Lincecum would put them at 20-15 through the 1st half of May. And really this team never let up. They were 47-41 when the all-star break came around and very much battling for the west (just 4 games back). Between the trio of Lincecum, Sanchez, and Cain and shut down Closer Brian Wilson how could this team lose? I mean they weren’t the flashiest team and they weren’t full of all-stars, I mean only two players (Tim Lincecum and Brian Wilson) made it to the mid-season big game.

  Flash Forward Four Months:

The Giants Nip by the San Diego Padres in the 162nd game of the season to snatch the N.L West and next thing they know the Braves are in town for Game one of the NLDS. This is a team that Batting wise was very much less than average. They were 15th in Team Batting Average, 17th in Runs this seasons and 16th in hits. It was quite clear that this was a team that was being carried by its pitching. But really that s all they needed. When your Pitching Staff not only has the lowest Era BUT the lowest opposing team Batting Average as well all your Lineup needs to do is show up and get 3-4 runs.

And They Very Much Did That:

In there 11 wins to clinch the World Series (just the 11 games they won) they averaged 4 runs a game. Four!! That s insane. That means the Reds, Phillies, and Rangers were held to 3 or even less amount of runs in those games. I guess it goes to show that just like in football when offense wins games and defense wins championships batting and pitching go that same direction. The New York Yankees scored more runs than any other team this season (859), they lost in the ALCS. The Toronto Blue Jay’s Hit more Home Runs then any other team (257), and they sat home once the October Classic came about. But yet The San Francisco Giants Who as I stated before were an average batting team but yet top 5 in all major pitching categories find themselves holding the World Title this year. and Your Hearing this from a guy who loves a team that scores runs. (Gulp) you have to excuse me I just had to swallow my pride for a second so that I Myself can even embrace what I am ABout to Say and im even going to quote myself on it.

“Batters win Games,Pitchers win Championships”

congratulations to the 2010 San Francisco Giants you guys Earned it.

The Dugout Shot Caller Of The 2009 World Series Champs Will Get 3 More Shots To Do It Again.

Hey everyone im just taking a second to let all you know that New York Yankees Manager Joe Girardi has agreed on a new deal to stay with the Bronx Bombers for another 3 years. The deal from what I know is a 3 year deal worth 9 million dollars with an additional $500,000 in incentives. That’s insane don’t you think? The man could add an additional $1,500,000 if the Yankee’s three-peat in the next 3 seasons (Thats alot of money don’t you think?). “This was no major negotiation here,” one of the sources said. “The Yankees knew they wanted him back, and he knew he wanted to come back. It was a pretty cut-and-dried thing.” In 3 years as the Yankee’s manager Girardi went 287-199 with a World Series title in 2009 and a trip to the 2010 ALCS (the Yanks lost to the Rangers in 6 games). This is just one of the few players the contracts the Yankees will have to deal with this off-season. Now it’s time to worry about Derek Jeter dont you think?

Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Wade Phillips Cant Help But To Scratch His Head On The Un-explained 1-5 Start to This Dallas Cowboys team.

And to think that just 2 months ago you’d be laughed at to say the Cowboys would be 1-5 after 7 weeks of Football. Well who’s laughing now? The Cowboys lost more than just the game on Monday Night to the division rival New York Giants: they lost their 3rd straight game, their 2nd game against their division, and most important of all they lost their pro-bowl Quarterback Tony Romo. Tony Romo was hit after throwing a 14 yard completion to Miles Austin in the 2nd Quarter of last nights lose and he never got up. X-ray’s would later confirm that he (Tony) broke his left collarbone. He will not need surgery to re-pair the damage but he will be out 6-8 weeks. i belive that right there is wear the damage is really done. The road this team face’s ahead is not only gonna be hard for them physically, but more mentally then anything else. The Cowboys bye week was week 4 so their’s not more time to rest for this team now.   

Whats Next?:   

If the Cowboys wanna keep any sort of hope in this seasons play off dream it’s gonna have to start this Sunday afternoon when they stay at home to play the about average Jacksonville Jaguars. Chances are Quarterback David Garrard will play Sunday after missing last week with a concussion (he passed his post concussion test yesterday). It only get’s tougher from there, the Cowboys hit the road after that to Green Bay to play the Packers on NBC Primetime. They stay on the road the week after to the New Meadowlands Stadium to get their last crack at the red-hot Giants (who could possibly have the Division almost wrapped up by then). It truly does confuse me to see this team struggle because when you look at them on paper their one of the most talented teams in the league. This team’s defense should be over powering everyone in site, not giving up 25 points a game (27th in the league). Their the fourth most penalized team in the league and they can’t stop the run (teams average 117 a game). What worry’s me the most about this team is where they’re gonna be when they do get Tony Romo back, will the season be done with? Will Wade Phillips be out?  will they be at least at .500? Many un-answered questions to this point but ne things for sure: If  the Cowboys don’t start a new chapter come Sunday they almost defiantly never will for the 2010-2011 season.

Since He was Injured All Last Season, L.A Clippers Forward Blake Griffin Will Finally Get His Shot At Being An NBA Rookie.

It’s been a long year for not only L.A Clippers Power Forward Blake Griffin but a long wait for the fans of this desperate team as well. When he was drafted number one overall in 2009 fans had thought they found their savior, their piece to build around and possibly (in the long run) win a title. The first step of those hopes was put to stand still when he (Blake) suffered a non-displaced stress fracture of his left patella during the Clippers last preseason game vs. the New Orleans Hornets. The team originally thought he’d be out for couple months, but when he complained of pain after jumping into a pool doctors re-examined him. The doctors noticed that his recovery wasn’t going as properly as they thought it to be. The doctors decided to schedule the surgery that would shelve him for the remainder of what would have been his rookie season. 

Those Days Are Behind Him now: 

It’s October 26th and his surgery is a little over 9 months ago. He’s 100% and he sure looked it this pre-season. in 6 games started Blake Griffin Has averaged 17.3 points per game, 12 rebounds, and 1 block per game. This coming from a man who hasn’t seen the regular season yet. He’ll get his taste though tomorrow night in front of the home crowd against the Portland Trail Blazers. Crazy coincidence the 2007 1st overall pick (Greg Oden) of the Trail Blazers (who will not play tomorrow) went through the same situation Blake Griffin just went through his rookie season. last season Greg Oden averaged 11 points a game, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks a game in 21 games started (Oden hurt his patella going down on a rebound that ended his season). Their’s a question that i know still goes through noy only Clipper fans but all analyst, and myself as well: 

Will Blake Griffin Suffer The Same Faith? 

My answer to that question: no. Yes down the stretch of his career Blake Griffin will hurt himself and there’s no avoiding that he’s an aggressive player that’s why we all love and root for him. I expect him to put up almost 20 a game with about 9-10 rebounds a game. I also most defiantly expect him to be in the rookie of the year argument (all this going with the assumption he plays the full season). Will he motivate this Clippers team? most definitely so. His passion to the game and determination will excite all on the roster from 1st year Coach Jack Del Rio all the way to Baron Davis and Eric Gordon. I have a good feeling about this Clippers team (even though they went 1-7 in the pre-season). If they stay healthy and Belive in the system 1st year Head Coach Jack Del Rio is gonna teach them I expect a .500 team and even a fight for the 8th or 7 seed in the playoffs!

On October 1st I wrote a blog to you all talking about the significance of the Major League Baseball Playoffs and I gave a brief review of 4 of the 8 teams that were in it. I left off on the blog discussing my feeling that the 2 defending conference champs (the New York Yankees and Philedalphia Phillies) were in for a tough road ahead of them due to the lack of intensity I see in their game. Well I believe I owe both the Yanks and Phils an apology cause clearly

I Stand Corrected

Roy Halladay's Game One No Hitter Against The Cincanatti Reds Was Also His First Career Playoff Start. Now Talk About An Memorable October Already.

Not only did both teams win their opening series by the end of last weekend, they pulled out the broom and SWEPT their opponents. The most notable game would most definitely be Game 1 of the NLDS which Pinned Roy Halladay against a speedy talented Cincinnati Reds offense. Alot of people (including myself) were not to sure of if he could stay consistent during the post season (as said before it was his first career start in the post season). Boy oh boy was I wrong, the man pitched better then any Andy Pettite(who has the most career post season wins (19)) start I’ve ever season. 9 Innings pitch, not ONE hit allowed. Oh no he didn’t but yes he did Roy Halladay through a no hitter in his first ever October Classic game. Talk about a legend, It’s to my believe he’s the only person to ever accomplish such a thing. This is a series that Philadelphia won with it’s Pitching. 2 of the three games in this series were shut outs. Game 2 was won on 5 (yes 5!!) unearned runs on 4 errors. there’s no question the people are expecting this NLCS Series between the Phillies and Giants to be nothing but a Pitchers duel. But it’s times like that when we truly get so see somebody put there name in the history book so I’ll most certainly be watching this series.

And Now For The Yankees

The New York Yankees Have Every Right To Celebrate This Series Sweep Over The Twins, Cause It Showed Alot of Crtitics That Tough Aged Their Still The Best.

Ahhh yes the Bronx Bombers, they played a more balanced attack against the Twins in the ALDS they scored 17 runs (all of them earned) and held the Twins to just 7. All 3 starters went longer then 5 Innings and allowed 3 or less runs. Surprisingly the least dominant of the 3 starters in this series was C.C Sabathia who went 6 innings, allowed 5 hits and 3 runs (still not bad though don’t you think?). The Yankees are set to play the Texas Rangers in the ALCS and if the offense stays strong (which has 8 of 9 players batting .280 or above) and the This Rotation stays going 6+ innings then I cant really see this series going 6 or more games. The Bullpen looks lights out (didn’t allow a run against the Twins) and of course Mariano Rivera is still in pinstripes so that’s always an opponents nightmare. This team looks re-vamped and as a Yankee fan myself I can speak for everybody when I say I absolutely love it.

A World Series Re-match?

I don’t think I’d go that far. I believe The San Francisco Giants are a better hitting team then the Phillies are, i know it hasn’t shown quite yet . Not even a little bit actually, they outscored the Braves in The NLDS 7-4. and I know they Phillies outscored Cincinnati 13-4 but don’t let the number trick you. Only 6 of the those 13 were earned runs and all of San Francisco’s runs were earned, in reality it should be 7-6 in favor of the Giants. The Giants are a much much better defensive team then that of the Reds so runs will not come as lucky as they did against the Reds. Only 4 Batters for the Giants are batting .200 or above but again I wouldn’t be scared by that #. If Tim Lincecum, Jonathan Sanchez, and Matt Cain can constantly go deep into games and continue consistent defense then I believe somebody from the Giants will be the one to put there name into the History book in the right way.

MY AL And NLCS Predictions Go As Follow:

The Yankees over Texas in 5 games.

And The Giants Over Philadelphia in 6 games.

What was thought to be an exciting divsion title like season has quickly turned into a season of winless turnmoil and un answered questions for Head Coach Mike-Singletary.

The NFC West pre-season favriotes are falling a bit alot short of what they were expected to be at after 5 games. 0 wins and 5 losses, That’s where the San Francisco 49er’s stand.  There dead last in the NFC West and every other week it seems QuarterBack Alex Smith is gonna get the boot. They started off Sunday nights game against the Philadelphia Eagles on a good note. Alex Smith led the offense downfield and ended the drive with a 7 yard touchdown pass to Receiver Michael Crabtree. That was about the only sign of hope you’d get for the next 2 quarters from the 49′ers offense. What Occurred after that was a offense full of disaster and mis-communication. Things got so bad that after a 3 and out early in the 4th quarter the hometown fans began to cheer “we want carr!” (speaking about David Carr, Alex Smiths back up). Frustrated Head Coach Mike Singeltary got into Alex Smith’s face. Alex Smith was about 60 seconds from being benched and I don’t know what he said in those 60 seconds but it got his job and his confidence back. He (Alex Smith) went on to throw 9 straight passes in that next drive and capped it off with a 7 yard pass to Tight End Vernon Davis for a Touchdown. he would go on to lead them downfield again capping another touchdown drive off with a 1 yard run by Frank Gore. After the Eagles managed a stunning 3 and out, they gave the 49ers over a minute to drive with one time out. At 1st the drive looked hopeful Alex Smith connected with Vernon Davis over the middle to start threatening.

But Then It Happened

3rd and 10 at The Philadelphia 44 with just 36 seconds left Alex Smith tosses up a Duck pass while being hit and is intercepted by Trevard Lindley to seal yet another San Francisco Heartbreaker. “I think a pretty decent football team is 0-5,”  Head Coach Mike Singletary said. “I’m disappointed for them, because we put ourselves in this situation. Only we can get ourselves out.” The man could’nt be any more right. This is’nt a bad football team, there 11th in the league. What their failing at as a team is the things we all hear about playing pee-wee and high school ball

The Basics

It’s that plain and simple. they have 12 turnovers, 9 of them interceptions and 4 fumbles (3 of them lost). They have 35 penalties for 261 yards (yikes!), while there opponents have just 26 against them. The 49′ers have 3 more games until they get to their bye week and all 3 of them are very much winnable. The 49ers are gonna stay at home next week to play the Oakland Raiders who are feeling very confident after their stunning win over the San Diego Chargers, then their on the road to play the also win less Carolina Panthers who have more problems then San Francisco does.  Then they head back home to play the Denver Broncos right before their bye. With 3 winnable games staring in their path it’ll sure be interesting to see how Mike Singletary handles this situation who has already stated there will not be a Quarterback change. If they wanna stay alive for the division title they have no choice but to win these next 3 games if they wanna gain any sort of momentum.

The career of new Vikings Receiver Randy Moss can very well be compared to a Roller Coaster. A high start after being drafted 21′st overall in the 1998 draft by the Minnesota Vikings. He worked his way up the Vikings record books for 7 years andleft the Vikings in 2005 second in many respectable Franchise Milestones (Catches,Yards, and Touchdown’s). In 2005 he was traded to the Oakland Raiders for Linebacker Napoleon Harris, a 1st and 7th rounddraft pick. This is where the big drop comes in, in 2 years with Oakland he put together total of 1,772 receving yards, 11 Touchdowns, and was a constant locker room problem. after two seasons withthe Raiders he was shipped again to the New England Patriots, this would be were all the twist and turns come in Though he (Randy Moss) was back to being a legitimate threat he tended to rattle the cage during Press Conferences, most recently this year over his contract dispute with the organization. But as of Wednesday Randy Moss See’s himself in a knew but yet familiar position…

He’s Back In Minessota

This though had to have been the best case scenario don’t you think? I mean this is right where Randy Moss made his name, he does’nt have to win the fans over as oppose to if he were to been traded to a team he hadn’tplayed for before. With Sindey Rice still recovering from his hip injury Moss is Guaranteed to be the #1 downfield toy for Brett Farve. Farve can surely use him seen how he’s already thrown 6 interception, one more then what he threw all of last year (7). Randy Moss will get his first crack with his new teamates tonight against the way to familiar New York Jets. Chances are he’ll find himself up against Cornerback Darelle Revis who’s making this matchup more intresting with his recent talks. Revis has stated Moss did’nt play to his best ability in the 2nd half of the week 2 Jets, Patriots game. dating back to last year though Revis called Moss a “slouch” when playing against him. Moss hasn’t truly struck back with anything good he tends to avoid the subject.

One Things For Sure

I can guarantee you that there will be at least one occasion where Farve will tell Randy Moss to go deep and go get it. And when that moment occurs we’ll truly see if Revis knows what he’s talking about. so far history has shown Revis is very successful against Moss (Randy has’nt caught more then 8 passes in a single game against him). Moss has’nt had enough time to learn the playbook yet so expect limited snaps for him.

-OR- left out of the above montage- Curt Schilling’s Bloody sock in Game Six of the ALCS,  or Kirk Gibsons 1988 walk off home-run in game one of the world series with BOTH legs injured (ouch).

The point I’m trying make is, that the October Classic is what truly brings out the heroes of this amazing sport and shows the heart of every player that’s involved.

I’m predicting this year will will show just as much heart. Here’s why-

The 2009 New York Yankees made their 27th World Series title look easier the the first 26. 2010 will have a different fortune for them.

Though this time, defending world champions, the Bronx Bombers will be taking on the Minnesota Twins just as they did at the beginning of last years playoff stretch.

The difference? Entering the 2010 season, the Yankees are not that same team that came in fired up just a season ago with 103 wins. This year with only 95 wins, some would say they have in a way stumbled into they playoffs (they’ve lost 7 of their last 10). That being said, The Yankees still own the regular season series against the Twins 4-2 and that’s always a confidence booster- but as I said before, October brings out a new world of baseball you don’t get to see from April through September.

The Twins are looking much stronger than the team the Yankees clean swept in last ALDS. They’re 6th in the league in runs scored (781), 3rd in Team Batting Average (.273), and 2nd in On Base Percentage (.341). It’s clear cut that the Minnesota Twins offense could be a legitimate threat from the top of their order (and some what the bottom of it too).

I’m going to be interested to see how this series turns out but it’s clear which ever bullpen is stronger will be the team to head to the ALCS.

On the flip side-

The 2 time defending National League champs have found themselves inside the October hunt yet again. This time they’ll get to battle the Cincinnati Reds, a team that is ranked in the top 5 in all major batting stats ( Slugging Percentage, On Base Percentage, Runs Scored, and Batting Average). The acquisition of Roy Halladay from the Blue Jays has proved nothing but a success- not just to the Phillies- but to 2nd man starter, Cole Hamels. After a rough start to the season the acquisition has helped Hamels drop his ERA to just 3.06. This is a series that will most definitely come down to which team’s strong side blinks first.

What will make this year’s post-season so interesting though, is the fact that the 2 teams to beat (the Yankees and the Phillies) are actually quite vulnerable, and the Twins and the Reds will get first crack at them- see how they handle it.

New York Jets pro bowl Cornerback Darelle Revis has said he will miss his second straight game on Sunday due to continuing tightness in his left hamstring. Now even though the Jets secondary got lit up Sunday night against the rival Miami Dolphins for 463 passing yards, and 166 of those yards went to go to Receiver Brandon Marshall (who Revis would have covered if he played) this turn out might actually be a good thing for not only Darelle but the Jets as well.

Darrelle Revis may have been missed last Sunday night but certainly will not be come this Sunday.

You think I’m crazy don’t you?

Well I’ve grown use to hearing that stuff, But lets really think about who this defense is gonna face come Sunday. First of all it’s Buffalo Bills, They’re 0-3. The Bills have allowed over 30 points in there past two games ( 34 vs the Packers, and 38 vs the Patriots). And though the Bills new running tandem of Marshawn Lynch, Fred Jackson and C.J Spiller have looked some what strong, they have also just began the post Trent Edwards era (who was cut on Monday). The Blitz happy Jets are gonna have a field day come third down seeing how the Bills are just 12 of 36 (33%) when they face 3rd down. More then just that the Bills are 2nd to last in the league in passing yards per game (139.3) and 17 Th in rushing yards (102.7). The Jets are still arguably one of the best defense in the league and if their best player wont be 100% come Sunday to play then why risk it? Why take a shot at making that hamstring worse when Anotonio Cromartire can handle Lee Evens (the Bill #1 Receiver).

Lets be realistic.

All stat sheets aside it’s pretty much well known that the Buffalo Bills will not be a legitimate threat for the AFC East crown this year, next year, and possibly even the year after that. The Jets will be in Ryan Fitzpatrick’s face all 4 Quarters come Sunday and he won’t have many people to go to when it happens. Revis is hurt and will certainly be more needed come week five when the Jets host the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night, so as a Jet fan I approve of this and while your at let Linebacker Calvin Pace sit another week too. Calvin Pace Fractured his right foot in the Jets 3rd Pre-Season game and has just started “limited” practice on Wednesday. The Jets are 2-1, looking strong on both sides of the ball and this weekends game is a definite light up as oppose to what they’ve seen so far, so let them rest and gear them up for the Vikings on Monday.

What do you think?