Well it finally came, albeit 23 minutes into the show (when we were told it was going to be during the first ten..smh). Now time to soak in what just happend, and reflect on what this means for Lebron.
A super team was just formed right before our eyes. Lebron willingly chose to join two other superstars in hopes of attaining his goal of winning a championship. In choosing the Miami Heat, Lebron gave up a lot of money (he could have made $126 mil with Cleveland, and probably will make around $100 mil with the Heat) and sacrificed his "brand name" just a bit. In terms of basketball legacy, question marks will be forever forged into his name, as well as any championship he may win. When Shaq decided to join the Lakers, the news was huge. The most dominant player in the game was coming to join a young, on the brink star, by the name of Kobe Bryant. This move forever changed the legacy of Kobe in some people's minds. After winning 3 straight rings, the "but's" began to swirl like a tropical storm transforming into a hurricane. "But, Kobe never won without Shaq." "But Kobe had the most dominant player in the game." The same "but's" are now fully applicable to Lebron, if he is able to win a ring, and this is unquestioned. (Much love to two of the best in the game- Wade and Bosh, but they arent on the same level as KB24 and Lebron.)
Speaking in the language of basketball again, I'm not sure this was the BEST move for Lebron. In Chicago, he had an elite PG, a superstar in his own right in Carlos Boozer, plenty of help off the bench, a slaher/finisher in Luol Deng, and a budding young player in Taj Gibson. The perfect compliments for the alpha dog. In Miami he now must sacrifice a little, and play in a sort of "back-seat" role to D-Wade, or, to put it better, share the spotlight (and shots.) As we have seen in years past with teams trying to do much the same, for example,the Lakers, who assembled somewhat of a "super team", with "at-the end of their career" stars such as Karl Malone, and The Glove, it failed miserably. Aging superstars, who were giving the one final push for the one thing that had been out of their reach for their entire careers, could not put their ego's aside, and sacrifice for the betterment of the team, what makes you think 3 players in the primes of their career will be willing to do that? With every scenario, there are exceptions, such as the big 3 in Boston, however, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce are completely different personalities than Lebron James and D-Wade. Chris Bosh seems to be the type of player that is capable of doing such a thing, but the other two, I'm not as convinced.
Is Lebron really the type of player that will defer to D-Wade? Is D-wade the type of player who is OK with Lebron James taking all the shots down the stretch? Will their be jealousy between the 3 stars if one is getting more attention and recognition than the others? Whats going to happen when two players who need the ball in their hand the majority of the time to make plays, share the same uniform? These are all legitimate questions in Miami. Not to mention, they only have 4 players on their roster as of today. Who can they get to compliment those 3? There is still major work to be done in Miami. With Chicago, those same questions are not applicable. It would have been Lebrons team, hands down, with the perfect cast of role players, much better than in Cleveland. It will be interesting to see how the Super 3 are able to handle themselves in Miami-WADE county.
Leborn James has now been set in many people's eyes as a "sell out," unable to take on the task of leading a team to the promised land, such as Michael, and Kobe (who also went through major struggles early on in their careers, in terms of team success." As soon as he was drafted by Cleveland, he was viewed as the savior of all saviors, bringing glory back to a city still dwelling on memories of Jim Brown. He was supposed to lead his team, He was supposed to be the 2nd coming of Michael Jordan, if not better. All of those things now are flipped into a negative. Granted, success is measured by championships, and by signing in Miami, Lebron clearly put that beyond trying to become an unprecedented icon, as well as going for the fattest stack on money on the table, however, by waiting till after both of those players had committed to Miami, he sold his soul to the basketball Gods. Kobe was in LA first. The organization brought in Shaq, not the players. Kobe did was he was supposed to do with the gift that had been laid in his lap, (by no doing of his own.) Lebron purposely waited before making his decision, to see which road was the easiest. If it is ok for people to question Kobe's rings with Shaq, it will definitely be more than OK, and almost expected, with Lebron's, IF they are able to mesh, and play together.
The way Lebron James has handled this entire free agent situation is regretful and disgraceful, when speaking of a superstar. Not only did he drag this thing out and use it to center the spotlight around himself, he undermined his peers and new teammates. According to Dan Gilbert's letter, he was never in contact with the Cavs, and only let them know his plan 30 minutes before going on the air. He pushed an entire city away when they would be willing to do whatever he wanted. He disgraced the city by showing up to Indians games with Yankee gear on, and yet still, he was given a pass, only to shun the fans, and people of Cleveland by going on national TV and divorcing them. For a second I thought I was watching Tiger's personal life unfold on TV. Lebron alienated himself from the fan base who stuck up for him throughout his miserable playoff failures, including this last one. Now that he has walked away from them, the backlash is only just beginning. As far as the people of Cleveland go, he never existed.
With that being said, remember, this is still a business, and Lebron felt like he didn't have the best chance to win in Cleveland. He was there for 7 years, and only reached the finals once. However, in years past, the blame for such struggles were divided up amongst his "supporting cast" or lack there of in some peoples minds. (Remember, this is a team that won 60 games back to back, and had the best record in the NBA for 2 straight years.) Yes, Lebron needs to be blamed for the struggles just as much as any other player, because he was the leader and superstar of that team. Much similar to a Quaterback in the NFL who gets the praise when the team wins, and the blame when they dont. Only in this case, the blame Lebron never even caught a wiff of it. In professional sports, loyalty is a dying term. We see flickers of it every so often (the latest being Kevin Durant), and we are filled with hope, that maybe, just maybe, its a characteristic back on the rise. The fans arent owed anything special, everyone (front office, coaching staff), including Leron, could have pushed themselves a little bit more to try and make this thing work, but in the end, it didnt. Lebron James left, and he had every right to, but with being the savior of a franchise, and a bonafide MEGA Star, loyalty is very much part of the equation. Remember, he is living up to what Michael and Kobe did before him, and leaving via free agency is definitely not one of them.
As a basketball enthusiast, I am more than excited to see the South Beach Show next year. It will truly be unlike something we have ever seen, and everyone should be as excited as I am (except if you reside in Cleveland, or New York.) Pat Riley did one hell of a job, and I for one am shocked he was able to pull it off, but he is def. someone capable of working miracles like the one we just witnessed tonight. Its a good night for D-Wade, Chris Bosh, Pat Riley, the rest of the Heat organization. The bells of victory are sounding through the nightclubs and lights of downtown Miami. In signing with the Heat, Lebrons legacy may have very well been set ablaze. He better hope, for his sake, that it doesn't completely drown in the waters of South Beach like it did in Cleveland on Thursday night. The whole world now has all eyes on #6, #3, and #4.
Z$
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
The Lebron James Plan: The Quest To be Bigger than the Game
By now, not a basketball fan on Earth has been immune to the historic free agent class of 2010, and all the attention that comes with it. Already 3 of the biggest stars on the marker have already made their decisions, while the rest of the world anticipates the announcement of Lebron James, set to come tomorrow during a one hour special on ESPN. As a student and follower of the game for so long, I recognize that the NBA has never seen anything like the free agent class of 2010. With that being said, the absurdity of the Lebron situation is disturbing on many levels, but most importantly, Lebron is trying to put himself above the game.
The warning signs were clear to anyone who cared to pay attention, and was sucked in by the aura that is Lebron. When he failed to be humble and accept defeat against the Orlando Magic, by not shaking their hands after the series, it set off a mini red flag. Now to the average person,this would not be that big of a deal, but it sent shock waves around the league, and even was talked about in the NFL.The fact that one of the games biggest superstars refused to do what EVERY athlete does was a big deal. Mix this with other small flags, such as wearing an "MVP" t-shirt around after he won, to the whole Dunked-on gate set aflame by one Jordan Crawford, Lebron is slowly but surely trying to position himself to be bigger than the NBA. Anyone who follows the situation closely can recall when Lebron so famously stated that his image was just as big of a part as winning. Take a look at stars past and present, Kobe, Michael, Kareem, Magic, Tim Duncan,etc. The list goes on and on, and yet one thing remains constant: each is a great champion, and understands that BASKETBALL greatness is not achieved by your bank account, but rather whats in the safety deposit box: Rings. They didnt try to show up the NBA by focusing on keeping the media spotlight on themselves. What Lebron is doing is not only disgraceful, it is taking away the importance, and significance of the situation from his fellow peers. You wont hear this publically, but there have been rumbles of ill feelings towards James by both Chris Bosh and D-Wade. No other superstar would even dream of doing something like this. Kobe, who may have a bigger ego than Lebron wouldn't even dare dream of pulling a stunt like this, not when he has failed to accomplish anything of significance, sans 2 regular season MVP awards.
Im going to quote my man Adrian Wojnarowski over at Yahoo on a few things, which I think mirrors my sentiments. "Team LeBron had discussed a documentary on the free-agent process, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported, but the narrative changed after James’ Game 5 meltdown in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Carter says there was never a plan for a free-agent tour, but this is what he means: There was never a plan for James to get held accountable, to have his motivations and priorities called into doubt. There was never a plan for the blame to shift from Danny Ferry, Mike Brown and his Cavaliers teammates. There was never a plan that real-world rules applied to the self-proclaimed King."
Again, this whole ordeal is set to do only one thing, boost James' image, in order to mask the disappointment of years past, where he failed to deliver on high expectations, and territory that comes with being one of the best players in the league. Lebron is taking the NBA hostage, and the sad thing is, no one is doing anything to stop it. When we tune in tomorrow night, think to yourself, what other player, even greater than Lebron, can you remember doing anything like this?
Again to quote Adrian "He won’t look so much like Kobe Bryant(notes) and David Beckham, but rather a three-star linebacker from Shaker Heights picking Bowling Green over Kent and Ohio U. on local access television."
The entire sports world awaits tomorrows decision, and even more await the moment it is all over. Will tomorrow be the day that one man becomes bigger than the league? Who knows, but it is clear: it is one man's ego, one man's brand, who will certainly try everything they can to make it happen.
Z$
The warning signs were clear to anyone who cared to pay attention, and was sucked in by the aura that is Lebron. When he failed to be humble and accept defeat against the Orlando Magic, by not shaking their hands after the series, it set off a mini red flag. Now to the average person,this would not be that big of a deal, but it sent shock waves around the league, and even was talked about in the NFL.The fact that one of the games biggest superstars refused to do what EVERY athlete does was a big deal. Mix this with other small flags, such as wearing an "MVP" t-shirt around after he won, to the whole Dunked-on gate set aflame by one Jordan Crawford, Lebron is slowly but surely trying to position himself to be bigger than the NBA. Anyone who follows the situation closely can recall when Lebron so famously stated that his image was just as big of a part as winning. Take a look at stars past and present, Kobe, Michael, Kareem, Magic, Tim Duncan,etc. The list goes on and on, and yet one thing remains constant: each is a great champion, and understands that BASKETBALL greatness is not achieved by your bank account, but rather whats in the safety deposit box: Rings. They didnt try to show up the NBA by focusing on keeping the media spotlight on themselves. What Lebron is doing is not only disgraceful, it is taking away the importance, and significance of the situation from his fellow peers. You wont hear this publically, but there have been rumbles of ill feelings towards James by both Chris Bosh and D-Wade. No other superstar would even dream of doing something like this. Kobe, who may have a bigger ego than Lebron wouldn't even dare dream of pulling a stunt like this, not when he has failed to accomplish anything of significance, sans 2 regular season MVP awards.
Im going to quote my man Adrian Wojnarowski over at Yahoo on a few things, which I think mirrors my sentiments. "Team LeBron had discussed a documentary on the free-agent process, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported, but the narrative changed after James’ Game 5 meltdown in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Carter says there was never a plan for a free-agent tour, but this is what he means: There was never a plan for James to get held accountable, to have his motivations and priorities called into doubt. There was never a plan for the blame to shift from Danny Ferry, Mike Brown and his Cavaliers teammates. There was never a plan that real-world rules applied to the self-proclaimed King."
Again, this whole ordeal is set to do only one thing, boost James' image, in order to mask the disappointment of years past, where he failed to deliver on high expectations, and territory that comes with being one of the best players in the league. Lebron is taking the NBA hostage, and the sad thing is, no one is doing anything to stop it. When we tune in tomorrow night, think to yourself, what other player, even greater than Lebron, can you remember doing anything like this?
Again to quote Adrian "He won’t look so much like Kobe Bryant(notes) and David Beckham, but rather a three-star linebacker from Shaker Heights picking Bowling Green over Kent and Ohio U. on local access television."
The entire sports world awaits tomorrows decision, and even more await the moment it is all over. Will tomorrow be the day that one man becomes bigger than the league? Who knows, but it is clear: it is one man's ego, one man's brand, who will certainly try everything they can to make it happen.
Z$
Friday, June 4, 2010
Greatness
After a mini hiatus, I have decided to return to Zmoney sports. As a working man, I dont know how much time I'll have to write, but for now, I hope you enjoy.
So as I was waiting to pickup U.S Congressman Ellsworth from DFW airport, I started to think about the finals and how excited I was, which in turn led me to think about Kobe and his career, so I decided to write this little piece while waiting in my car.
Kobe Bryant is not only the greatest player of our generation, but the argument can be made that he is the greatest player the NBA has ever seen. From his days as a high school phenom, to ruling the NBA, Kobe has transcended himself into a talent that we have only seen once before, and to quote Reggie Miller, “That guy is retired doing Hanes commercials, bad ones I might add. “ Lets face it, Kobe is an enigma, maybe the biggest one in all of sports. You either love him, or you hate him, but to the haters I pose these questions: How can you hate someone who pours his heart into the game? How can you hate someone who is working ever minute of the day to better himself as a basketball player? How can you hate someone who is the ultimate champion? Has there been another player with as much drive and dedication as Kobe has to winning? The answer is No, and to the people who hate him, put your personal team loyalty aside and recognize a once in a lifetime talent when you see one.
As Kobe prepares to try and win his 5th title and add to his legacy of being the greatest champion of our generation, lets put aside the lingering debates of Kobe v. Lebron, and more importantly Kobe v. Jordan, and reflect on just how great of a player Kobe really is.
Early on in his career, he wowed us with freakish athleticism, rim rocking dunks, and the type of swagger no 17 year old kid should have. From the minute he stepped on the court, everyone could see flashes of what was to come, the player that was to be, and a blast from the past (#23.) It took him 4 years to win his first championship, and while Shaq was the dominant player on that team, Kobe averaged 21 ppg, while averaging 39 minuts per game during the playoffs. He played a bigger role than most people remember/give him credit for. Throughout the rest of the 3 peat run, during the regular season he averaged 28.5, and 25.2 ppg respectively. In the playoffs he stepped up his game and averaged 29.4 and 26.6 ppg respectively. I’m not here to get into the “Kobe didn’t win titles, Shaq did”, argument, I will save that for another article, but the point I am trying to make is to show just how big of a part Kobe played, as a 20 something year old, playing for a title. He was cemented as a bonafide star on that team.
In the subsequent years, Kobe spoiled those who watched him, with his flawless offensive game, hitting fadeaway jumpers with 3 defenders in his face, pulling up 8 feet behind the three point line and drilling 12 threes in a game, or getting to the hole and posterizing Dwight Howard for dunk of the year. Of course everyone remembers the 81 point game, but what people do not remember is that LA was actually down in that game, and down big. They came from behind, led by Kobe who in my opinion, played like the best ever that night, hitting shots he had no business making. How about his 4 game, 50+ point stretch, in consecutive games? That’s right, he had 50 plus points in 4 straight games. In today’s NBA we see guys dropping 50, and the next night they can only muster 13. So what does that say about Kobe? How about that night in Dallas, where he went off for 63, in only 3 quarters, against a very solid Mavs team. All of these moments can culminate into one bullet point, one statement that I don’t think is even debatable: Kobe Bryant is the most talented offensive player this league has ever seen. That’s that.
Again, I am not here to get into the argument of Kobe and Jordan, rather I am here to point out specific qualities, specific moments that make Kobe the player he is today. Kobe has no weakness in his game. He puts in countless hours of hard work, and film study and this is what makes him the mamba. It has guys like Tex Winter (architect of the triangle, and coach to both Kobe and Mike) saying he has never seen a player with more dedication and a better work ethic than Kobe. It has guys like Magic and The Logo saying that Kobe is far and away the best Laker to ever play, and just last night Magic said that if he wins his 5th ring, “I think he’ there as the greatest to ever play.” I could give countless more quotes, and in return, find a hundred quotes about Jordan, but I wont go that route.
During these playoffs, Kobe is playing on a level that all players dream about reaching, but know they will never get there. He is doing it with such regularity and leaving people speechless. “Only one way to describe it, greatness.” Guys like Charles Barkley are even left shaking their heads, with no more than one word to describe what they just saw. If a hall of famer cant fully grasp the talent and perfection of the game that Kobe is displaying, what does that mean for the rest of us? As we watch the finals, keep an open mind and just watch Kobe play the game. Watch him score at will, watch him set up his teammates, watch him on the defensive end. He is displaying a mastery of the craft that we all love. The playoffs are his browadway stage, and thus far, he is putting on the performance of a lifetime. We all watch in awe as he does what he has been doing his whole career. I personally get Goosebumps when watching him play. In a few years from now, can we even imagine what he will do for an Encore? Until then, watch in amazement,, as we are seeing something unfold that we may never get a chance to see again., perfection.
Z$
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
In Depth look at this Saturday's games
Lets not waste anytime and get into it. Oregon vs. Oregon State.
Arguably, the two biggest stars in this game are Oregon QB Jeremiah Masoli, and Oregon St. running back, Jacquizz Rodgers. Watching both teams play this year one word describes Masoli; Winner. Unpredictable at times, and maybe a little erratic, he always seems to find a way to win in the end ( See Arizona game). He is the unquestioned leader on the team, and as he goes, the Oregon offense will go. Making him even more dangerous, he is joined by freshman sensation LaMichael James int he backfield. This teams loves to run, option, spread option, the works. Teams can stop one, but stopping both is a little difficult. (ala VY and Chris Johnson). I think the Oregon State defense needs to focus on makig Masoli a true pocket passer, and take their chances with LaMichael James running the ball. In games in which he has rushed for fewer than 40 yards, they are 1-2 on the season. He cannot be allowed to break the pocket and run at will. He is completing only 58% of his passes. So to have a chance, make Masoli throw. On the other side, Jaquizz Rodgers is their main weapon. Considered a Heisman candidate at many points during the season, he has rushed for over 1,300 yards, and has 19 TD's. When he is out of the lineup, or is not playing well, the Oregon St. Offense seems lost. No question he needs to start fast and stay consistent. Oregon St. might run a few trick plays with Quizz and his older brother James, a WR with lightning speed. They might need to stray away from their pro style offense to try and trick up the ducks. Remember this is more intense than a rivalry game (oregon being so small, and schools being fairly close to each other), and there is a trip to the Rosebowl on the line, so anything can happen.This game is AT Oregon in the famed, Autzen stadium, which may be the toughest place to play in the country.... Should be the most entertaining game on Saturday.
Prediction: 37-30 Oregon
Next we have the Big 12 Championship game... Texas v. Nebraska.
Texas is led by all everything senior Colt Mccoy. The winningest QB ever, he has never played for a Big12 championship, and one is staring him down on Saturday. He is the most accurate passer in the country, completing 72% of his passes, with 27 TD's and 9 picks. They are going up against a tough defense with a dumptruck in the middle, Ndamukong Suh. This guy is a straight beast. He may be unblockable one on one, so the UT offensive line will need to double team him to keep him at bay. However, this may open it up for others on the D-line, so the o-lines communication and protection schemes will need to be flawless. I think Texas still needs the run, but these short passes on 1st and 2nd down basically neutralize the pass rush, and open the door for the run game later on. Colt needs a big game from Malcolm Williams and James Kirkendoll, as well as Dan Buckner, who has been out of sync recently. Jordan will get his, but since Nebraska will most certainly roll coverage to his side, Williams and Kirkendoll should be looking at 1-1 matchups most of the night. Buckner needs to gain more confidence, as he was a huge weapon early on. No linebacker in college football has the speed and size to stay with somone of Buckners talent, and size. Tre Newton should have a difficult time running the ball, as Nebraskas D-line is very good. Go back to last years red river shootout, and the pound game against Oklahomas very good D-line opened up in the 4th. Texas must not abondon it, and stick with it, it will make things easier for Colt. The Nebraska Offense on the other hand is somewhat pathetic. They rank 92 in total offense, and 64th in running. A tough challenge when going up against the #1 rush defense. To put it simply, Nebraska needs to score. No way they have the offensive fire power to stick with Texas. They need to score more than 21 points to have a chance in this game. They are far to inconsistent, one week putting up 31 agasint Kansas, and one week, putting 7 up agasint IOWA STATE. This game is going to be somewaht of a defensive battle, but Nebraska needs to score, and score often. If not, this game might be over fairly quickly.
Both Teams have outstanding defenses, with Texas ranking 5th, and Nebraska 11th in total defense. Texas' strenghts are their D-line and Secondary, and the same can be said about Nebraska. The Husker's D-line puts so much pressure on QB's, which makes the Secondary look that much better. Texas needs to put pressure on the QB, and look for Muschamp to dial up some exotic blitz packages... delayed corner blitzs, complex stunts, zone's, etc. He is a master of scheming, and you better believe after their dismal performance agasint A&M, he will have them ready to go. Lamaar Houston, Sergio Kindle, Kheeston Randle, Sam Acho, all need to get pressure on the QB, and I think they will.... Nebraska also has two very good D-linemen, and the one that doesnt get much attention is Jared Crick (69 tackles, 9 sacks). He is very, very good, and with so much attention given to Suh, it opens the door for Crick, (much like Sergio Kindle, and Sam Acho). Texas need not forget about Crick, or else he could be living in the backfield.
I think the Longhorns will be extremely focused and will come out firing. Their defense will be extra ready on Saturday. Nebraska just doesnt have the offense to stick with Texas, and this is the difference.
Prediction: 35-13 Texas
Finally...The SEC championship... #1 Florida vs #2 Alabama...
Most people when they look at Florida think of this great team, great on offense and great on defense. This is not the case... and dont let the numbers deceive you. Against a pretty good South Carolina defense, they threw for 199 yrs and rushed for 140, and only scored 24 points...With that said, in the SEC style of play, where defense dominates, these numbers are good enough to win, mainly because of Floridays NFL type defense, led by All American Joe Haden, and Carlos Dunlap (more on him in a minute.) Their defense shuts other teams down, which allows their offense to get by. Florida has one consistent reciever, Riley Cooper, and only 2 receivers with more than 30 receptions. They have a solid core of speedy backs, but they are going to need someone else to step up, or Riley Cooper to have a big day. Tebow leads the team in rushing with 796 yards, and if Alabama wants to win this game, they will not let him run. Thats where he is most dangerous, because if he runs, it opens up the pass. Make Tebow a true pocket passer, while containing him inside the pocket (easier said than done). Also, if Alabama can have good coverage downfield, it will cause Tebow to hold the ball longer, opening up the lanes for the Bama D.....On the other side, Bama offense is much the same, only a little more balanced. McElroy's numbers arent anything special....2211 yrds passing, 16 td's 4 picks. He has struggled of late, and has relied on many underneath throws to his playmakers (Ingram, Jones, Richardson) to get it done. Julio Jones was a ghost for much of the season, but seems to be waking up at just the right time. The key for McElroy is simple: dont turn it over, and get the ball to Julio. Joe Haden will be covering Julio jones, so it might be hard to throw down the field, so look for a lot of WR screens, End arounds, etc....they must get the ball in his hands....as for Mark Ingram... coming off a dismal performance against Auburn, he needs to have a good game. He was banged up in that game, but says he will play. He is their workhorse, who got them to where they are, so they will rely on him early, if he is able. If not, they have a solid backup in Trent Richardson who is faster, and a one cut runner, rather than a power back type. With Ingram however they have a very good pass catcher, as he is 2nd on the team with 28 receptions and 3 TD's. Their special teams is also very very good with Javier Arenas, who just set a record for most punt return yards. He is absolutely a threat to go the distance every time, so Florida really will need to work on tackling in space....Bama D is very stout, led by lineback Rolando Mcclain, who will be going up against the other best linebacker in the country, Brandon Spikes. This should be a fairly low scoring game.
Just got word that Carlos Dunlap (all american DE) was arrest for driving while intoxicated. This is a big problem. Spikes was arrested earlier in the year, and Urban only suspended him for a half (later, Spikes suspended himself for the game). This really puts the coach in a tough spot. I think he has no choice but to suspend Dunlap, and if thats the case, they lose one of the best defensive players in the country. They lose the leadership. It causes a huge distraction for the team, and effects their game plan. This is a huge loss for the Gators, if Urban does suspend him (which we have seen in the past is not something he likes to do). I still think Florida wins this game, but it will be low scoring, and a defensive battle.
Prediction: 27-21 Florida
Should be one of the best weekends in college football... exciting games all day long. In the end, Florida, Texas, and Oregon will all win, and go on to their respective BCS bowl games. Enjoy
Z$
Arguably, the two biggest stars in this game are Oregon QB Jeremiah Masoli, and Oregon St. running back, Jacquizz Rodgers. Watching both teams play this year one word describes Masoli; Winner. Unpredictable at times, and maybe a little erratic, he always seems to find a way to win in the end ( See Arizona game). He is the unquestioned leader on the team, and as he goes, the Oregon offense will go. Making him even more dangerous, he is joined by freshman sensation LaMichael James int he backfield. This teams loves to run, option, spread option, the works. Teams can stop one, but stopping both is a little difficult. (ala VY and Chris Johnson). I think the Oregon State defense needs to focus on makig Masoli a true pocket passer, and take their chances with LaMichael James running the ball. In games in which he has rushed for fewer than 40 yards, they are 1-2 on the season. He cannot be allowed to break the pocket and run at will. He is completing only 58% of his passes. So to have a chance, make Masoli throw. On the other side, Jaquizz Rodgers is their main weapon. Considered a Heisman candidate at many points during the season, he has rushed for over 1,300 yards, and has 19 TD's. When he is out of the lineup, or is not playing well, the Oregon St. Offense seems lost. No question he needs to start fast and stay consistent. Oregon St. might run a few trick plays with Quizz and his older brother James, a WR with lightning speed. They might need to stray away from their pro style offense to try and trick up the ducks. Remember this is more intense than a rivalry game (oregon being so small, and schools being fairly close to each other), and there is a trip to the Rosebowl on the line, so anything can happen.This game is AT Oregon in the famed, Autzen stadium, which may be the toughest place to play in the country.... Should be the most entertaining game on Saturday.
Prediction: 37-30 Oregon
Next we have the Big 12 Championship game... Texas v. Nebraska.
Texas is led by all everything senior Colt Mccoy. The winningest QB ever, he has never played for a Big12 championship, and one is staring him down on Saturday. He is the most accurate passer in the country, completing 72% of his passes, with 27 TD's and 9 picks. They are going up against a tough defense with a dumptruck in the middle, Ndamukong Suh. This guy is a straight beast. He may be unblockable one on one, so the UT offensive line will need to double team him to keep him at bay. However, this may open it up for others on the D-line, so the o-lines communication and protection schemes will need to be flawless. I think Texas still needs the run, but these short passes on 1st and 2nd down basically neutralize the pass rush, and open the door for the run game later on. Colt needs a big game from Malcolm Williams and James Kirkendoll, as well as Dan Buckner, who has been out of sync recently. Jordan will get his, but since Nebraska will most certainly roll coverage to his side, Williams and Kirkendoll should be looking at 1-1 matchups most of the night. Buckner needs to gain more confidence, as he was a huge weapon early on. No linebacker in college football has the speed and size to stay with somone of Buckners talent, and size. Tre Newton should have a difficult time running the ball, as Nebraskas D-line is very good. Go back to last years red river shootout, and the pound game against Oklahomas very good D-line opened up in the 4th. Texas must not abondon it, and stick with it, it will make things easier for Colt. The Nebraska Offense on the other hand is somewhat pathetic. They rank 92 in total offense, and 64th in running. A tough challenge when going up against the #1 rush defense. To put it simply, Nebraska needs to score. No way they have the offensive fire power to stick with Texas. They need to score more than 21 points to have a chance in this game. They are far to inconsistent, one week putting up 31 agasint Kansas, and one week, putting 7 up agasint IOWA STATE. This game is going to be somewaht of a defensive battle, but Nebraska needs to score, and score often. If not, this game might be over fairly quickly.
Both Teams have outstanding defenses, with Texas ranking 5th, and Nebraska 11th in total defense. Texas' strenghts are their D-line and Secondary, and the same can be said about Nebraska. The Husker's D-line puts so much pressure on QB's, which makes the Secondary look that much better. Texas needs to put pressure on the QB, and look for Muschamp to dial up some exotic blitz packages... delayed corner blitzs, complex stunts, zone's, etc. He is a master of scheming, and you better believe after their dismal performance agasint A&M, he will have them ready to go. Lamaar Houston, Sergio Kindle, Kheeston Randle, Sam Acho, all need to get pressure on the QB, and I think they will.... Nebraska also has two very good D-linemen, and the one that doesnt get much attention is Jared Crick (69 tackles, 9 sacks). He is very, very good, and with so much attention given to Suh, it opens the door for Crick, (much like Sergio Kindle, and Sam Acho). Texas need not forget about Crick, or else he could be living in the backfield.
I think the Longhorns will be extremely focused and will come out firing. Their defense will be extra ready on Saturday. Nebraska just doesnt have the offense to stick with Texas, and this is the difference.
Prediction: 35-13 Texas
Finally...The SEC championship... #1 Florida vs #2 Alabama...
Most people when they look at Florida think of this great team, great on offense and great on defense. This is not the case... and dont let the numbers deceive you. Against a pretty good South Carolina defense, they threw for 199 yrs and rushed for 140, and only scored 24 points...With that said, in the SEC style of play, where defense dominates, these numbers are good enough to win, mainly because of Floridays NFL type defense, led by All American Joe Haden, and Carlos Dunlap (more on him in a minute.) Their defense shuts other teams down, which allows their offense to get by. Florida has one consistent reciever, Riley Cooper, and only 2 receivers with more than 30 receptions. They have a solid core of speedy backs, but they are going to need someone else to step up, or Riley Cooper to have a big day. Tebow leads the team in rushing with 796 yards, and if Alabama wants to win this game, they will not let him run. Thats where he is most dangerous, because if he runs, it opens up the pass. Make Tebow a true pocket passer, while containing him inside the pocket (easier said than done). Also, if Alabama can have good coverage downfield, it will cause Tebow to hold the ball longer, opening up the lanes for the Bama D.....On the other side, Bama offense is much the same, only a little more balanced. McElroy's numbers arent anything special....2211 yrds passing, 16 td's 4 picks. He has struggled of late, and has relied on many underneath throws to his playmakers (Ingram, Jones, Richardson) to get it done. Julio Jones was a ghost for much of the season, but seems to be waking up at just the right time. The key for McElroy is simple: dont turn it over, and get the ball to Julio. Joe Haden will be covering Julio jones, so it might be hard to throw down the field, so look for a lot of WR screens, End arounds, etc....they must get the ball in his hands....as for Mark Ingram... coming off a dismal performance against Auburn, he needs to have a good game. He was banged up in that game, but says he will play. He is their workhorse, who got them to where they are, so they will rely on him early, if he is able. If not, they have a solid backup in Trent Richardson who is faster, and a one cut runner, rather than a power back type. With Ingram however they have a very good pass catcher, as he is 2nd on the team with 28 receptions and 3 TD's. Their special teams is also very very good with Javier Arenas, who just set a record for most punt return yards. He is absolutely a threat to go the distance every time, so Florida really will need to work on tackling in space....Bama D is very stout, led by lineback Rolando Mcclain, who will be going up against the other best linebacker in the country, Brandon Spikes. This should be a fairly low scoring game.
Just got word that Carlos Dunlap (all american DE) was arrest for driving while intoxicated. This is a big problem. Spikes was arrested earlier in the year, and Urban only suspended him for a half (later, Spikes suspended himself for the game). This really puts the coach in a tough spot. I think he has no choice but to suspend Dunlap, and if thats the case, they lose one of the best defensive players in the country. They lose the leadership. It causes a huge distraction for the team, and effects their game plan. This is a huge loss for the Gators, if Urban does suspend him (which we have seen in the past is not something he likes to do). I still think Florida wins this game, but it will be low scoring, and a defensive battle.
Prediction: 27-21 Florida
Should be one of the best weekends in college football... exciting games all day long. In the end, Florida, Texas, and Oregon will all win, and go on to their respective BCS bowl games. Enjoy
Z$
Previewing Championship Saturday...
So the end is finally near (no, not 2012) but the end of a wild, unpredictable, and somewhat mundane college football season. This weekend showcases the matchup of the year, of course, Tebow.. err I mean Florida vs. Alabama. This is a defacto national semifinal, as the winner is guaranteed a spot in the national championship. However, away from the limelight, another, underrated game could arguably be better and more entertaining.... Oregon vs. Oregon St...The Civil War!!! This one might be a shootout and look for an intense rivalry, with a trip to the Rosebowl on the line. Jeremiah Masoli, LeMichael James, The Rodgers brothers, (Jacquizz and James), provide the underrated star power to this game. Should be a great game. Finally we have Texas vs. Nebraska. People are saying this game is a letdown, due to the weakness of the Big 12 North, but if you need any incentive, the winning-est QB in the history of college football has never played for a championship, and has a chance to do it Saturday night. He could also lock up the Heisman trophy with a good performance and more importantly, a win. Texas is vying for a trip back to Pasadena, their second in 4 years, and if they can get through what some people are calling, "The revival of the Blackshirts", they asured a return trip.
Ill be previewing the 3 games in depth, this was just an appetizer. Look for it to come later today...as well as my Heisman predictions....
Z$
Ill be previewing the 3 games in depth, this was just an appetizer. Look for it to come later today...as well as my Heisman predictions....
Z$
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Thoughts on a possible Mayweather v. Pacquio fight
This would obviously be the fight of the decade if it were to happen. This is the showdown that everyone wants to see, and eventually, the people may get their wish. However, I think there are several factors preventing this fight from happening, and in the end, it could potentially be relegated to just a "Dream matchup."
We all have seen Floyd's flamboyant, arrogant, and demonstrative personality in full effect. His greediness also might be unparalleled. This is the biggest factor holding the fight back. When negotiations first started, Floyd was asking for a 65-35 split... essentially saying Pacquio was not on his level in terms of star power. The talks have since blossomed into Floyd asking for a 60-40 fight, whereas the Pacquio camp is not staying from their 50-50 stance. I absolutely think it should be a 50-50 split, especially coming off the heels of another clinic in the beat down of Cotto. The only reason Floyd is asking for more, is that he knows Pacquio is the superior fighter, and wont commit himself to a beating unless there is a big profit in it for him.
Second, Floyd is, plain and simple, scared of The Pac-Man. We all saw, or heard about Floyds doozy of a fight with Juan Manuel Marquez. This was an absolute joke of a fight. Floyd knows he could have had Pacquio instead of Marquez, but the rational is that he needed a tune up for his first fight back. Pacquio meanwhile has destroyed three quality opponents: De la Hoya, Hatton, and Cotto. Paquio's absolutely has the fastest hands in the world, no matter what Floyd says. He has power with both of his hands, and his punches come from every direction. Floyd on the other hand has a defensive style, using his mastery of the ring, and defense to force opponents into fighting his fight. Their styles are tailor-made for each other, and it would be an awesome fight to watch.
Weight is another question. Pacquio's natural fighting weight is at around 140-143. Floyd on the other hand has not weighed less than 146 in about 4 years. To get this fight to happen, I think Floyd might have to come down to around 143. His willingness to do so, while only getting a 50-50 split is less than likely at this point. Another reason for his asking for more money than Pac. The mutual hate between Bob Arum, former Mayweather and current Pacquio promoter, and Floyd could also possibly hinder the negotiations.
I think these are the biggest obstacles in preventing this fight from happening. However once Floyd realizes that a 50-50 split will be the best he can get, the huge payday this fight offers might be too much to walk away. If Pac got a minimum $13 million for the Cotto fight, think about how much money they both would get from this matchup. Floyd needs to put his ego, and arrogance aside and give the public what they want. We might be asking ourselves one day where we were during the Pacquio-Mayweather fight....I for one cannot wait.
Z$
We all have seen Floyd's flamboyant, arrogant, and demonstrative personality in full effect. His greediness also might be unparalleled. This is the biggest factor holding the fight back. When negotiations first started, Floyd was asking for a 65-35 split... essentially saying Pacquio was not on his level in terms of star power. The talks have since blossomed into Floyd asking for a 60-40 fight, whereas the Pacquio camp is not staying from their 50-50 stance. I absolutely think it should be a 50-50 split, especially coming off the heels of another clinic in the beat down of Cotto. The only reason Floyd is asking for more, is that he knows Pacquio is the superior fighter, and wont commit himself to a beating unless there is a big profit in it for him.
Second, Floyd is, plain and simple, scared of The Pac-Man. We all saw, or heard about Floyds doozy of a fight with Juan Manuel Marquez. This was an absolute joke of a fight. Floyd knows he could have had Pacquio instead of Marquez, but the rational is that he needed a tune up for his first fight back. Pacquio meanwhile has destroyed three quality opponents: De la Hoya, Hatton, and Cotto. Paquio's absolutely has the fastest hands in the world, no matter what Floyd says. He has power with both of his hands, and his punches come from every direction. Floyd on the other hand has a defensive style, using his mastery of the ring, and defense to force opponents into fighting his fight. Their styles are tailor-made for each other, and it would be an awesome fight to watch.
Weight is another question. Pacquio's natural fighting weight is at around 140-143. Floyd on the other hand has not weighed less than 146 in about 4 years. To get this fight to happen, I think Floyd might have to come down to around 143. His willingness to do so, while only getting a 50-50 split is less than likely at this point. Another reason for his asking for more money than Pac. The mutual hate between Bob Arum, former Mayweather and current Pacquio promoter, and Floyd could also possibly hinder the negotiations.
I think these are the biggest obstacles in preventing this fight from happening. However once Floyd realizes that a 50-50 split will be the best he can get, the huge payday this fight offers might be too much to walk away. If Pac got a minimum $13 million for the Cotto fight, think about how much money they both would get from this matchup. Floyd needs to put his ego, and arrogance aside and give the public what they want. We might be asking ourselves one day where we were during the Pacquio-Mayweather fight....I for one cannot wait.
Z$
Monday, November 16, 2009
Bill Belichick made the right call...
ok im sick of people saying how he is so dumb/stupid for not punting on 4th and 2... blah blah blah... the fact of the matter is this: Peyton Manning would have no doubt led the colts on a winning TD drive had the Patriots punted. Face it, you are not going to stop Peyton Manning in the 4th quarter. Not to mention he had 2:00, and 1 TO remaining. The previous possession he had driven the length of the field in about 1:49. Belichick knew that Peyton would score no matter what... he is a hall of fame QB, and the best player in the league. Belichick's decision was simple: Let your own hall of fame QB take control of this high powered offense, which had been outplaying the colts for about 58 minutes, and win the game. Had they picked up those 2 yards (which I think they did...Faulk did bobble, but once he had possession, forward progress should have been called) people would be hailing Belichick as a genius, smartest coach in the game, etc.... Lets not forget this guy has won 3 superbowls and this is not the first time he has gambled like this, and in fact, has made his reputation as someone that rolls the dice. The only reason this decision is being magnified is because of how many right ones he has made over his career. This decision was influenced by the greatness of Peyton Manning. One need to look no farther than Oct. 6, 2003 for further proof of this. The Bucs were leading the Colts 35-14 with about 4 minutes to go, when Jon Gruden decided to punt to Peyton Manning and the Colts, not once, BUT TWICE. I think everyone can figure out what happend. Peyton Manning proceed to light up the Bucs and led a furious 38-35 victory in OT.
This simple example shows exactly what Belichick was thinking... dont give Peyton Manning the ball with a chance to win. It backfired, and thats that. It was the right decision and people need to understand that. He is not an idiot, he did not chock, it simply didnt go his way. Lets give this guy the benefit of the doubt...he has certainly earned it.
Z$
This simple example shows exactly what Belichick was thinking... dont give Peyton Manning the ball with a chance to win. It backfired, and thats that. It was the right decision and people need to understand that. He is not an idiot, he did not chock, it simply didnt go his way. Lets give this guy the benefit of the doubt...he has certainly earned it.
Z$
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