Missed the first few series of the game due to watching the Gophers basketball team letting a winnable game at Wisconsin slip out of their reach at the end. Here's my random thoughts on the Tuesday night football game:
* When the dome collapsed we had to play Monday night in Detroit. When we played the following week at TCF Bank we had a significant snowstorm. So, when Philly has a snowstorm they can push it back two days and no one has to travel to another site to the play the game? I don't mind if they push it back, but all the way to Tuesday? I don't get it. It must be some prime time TV drama between NBC and ESPN...because Fox and ESPN had no issue sharing the Monday two weeks ago.
* Joe Webb looked good. He didn't turn the ball over. He made clutch throws on third down conversions. He seems to have some pocket presence...and he's just an unbelievable athlete. I wouldn't mind going with him as our starter next year.
* Blitzing Antoine Winfield repeatedly last night was a brilliant move. It was as if I playing Madden. I always get bored playing defense so I just pick the same defensive play every time because I know the offense doesn't have an answer.
* How has Andy Reid lasted so long in Philadelphia? He's probably the longest tenured fat coach in the history of any sport. Fat coaches just don't last in any sport. Name one...they either have health issues or simply can't coach or players lose respect for them because they have a foot fetish.
* Leslie Frazier probably locked up the job with the Philadelphia road win. We have one stinking game left, thank god...but, can we please see a fake punt/field goal, surprise onside or some other outside the box plays. I don't care if the plays fail...I just want some entertainment and I think the fan base is getting tired of doing everything by the book, especially when we're playing for NOTHING.
SBG
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Week 15 Recap: Bears @ Vikings (TCF Bank)
Why am I still writing these...?? I should just give up on the year like the rest of the Vikings. Here are my random and not so random takes:
* You know how you know your team sucks when you're a fan...?? You start criticizing the referees on every call because your team sucks so much that you need their assistance in order for your team to still be somewhat competitive in the game.
* Madieu Williams...how did I leave you off the "The 25 Worst Vikings"...?? You are terrible. And I'm tired of this shit I hear about "safeties really don't make plays when playing in a Cover 2 scheme"...Bob Sanders of the Colts was the sole reason for their Super Bowl run a few years back. The Colts defense was terrible until he came back late in the year from an injury and helped turn their season around. Safeties don't make plays in our system because we have shitty players at that position...Darren Sharper included.
* Leslie Frazier has a rotten hand. However, his defense has been BRUTAL. I've given Leslie and his defense the benefit of the doubt in almost every game this year. But, they've been horrible lately...they play solid in the first quarter and then either give up, get man handled, and/or get out schemed during the last three quarters. That's happened in four of the most lopsided losses this year (@ Chicago, Green Bay, New York Giants, and Chicago). What's the issue? Our guys are ready to play at the start, but then falter for the rest of the game...how do you not put that on the coach?
* The Vikings new stadium shouldn't have a roof. Not even a retractable roof. They belong outside and a retractable roof just sucks balls. What current stadium with a retractable roof really still maintains a vibrant atmosphere inside? Arizona? Detroit? Indianapolis? Some of those locations have more to do with the product they put on the field...but, I just think retractable roofs blow in general.
* Favre comes back only to get drilled into the turf once again, this time he leaves the game with a concussion. Shouldn't Sterger just pursue that Favre has to PLAY behind our dreadful offensive line for the last two games as punishment? I think that will teach him.
* Joe Webb...if he plays, please roll him outside of the pocket on pass plays. Let him see the field and let him work in space instead of him simply dropping back behind our god awful offensive line.
* You know how you know your team sucks when you're a fan...?? You start criticizing the referees on every call because your team sucks so much that you need their assistance in order for your team to still be somewhat competitive in the game.
* Madieu Williams...how did I leave you off the "The 25 Worst Vikings"...?? You are terrible. And I'm tired of this shit I hear about "safeties really don't make plays when playing in a Cover 2 scheme"...Bob Sanders of the Colts was the sole reason for their Super Bowl run a few years back. The Colts defense was terrible until he came back late in the year from an injury and helped turn their season around. Safeties don't make plays in our system because we have shitty players at that position...Darren Sharper included.
* Leslie Frazier has a rotten hand. However, his defense has been BRUTAL. I've given Leslie and his defense the benefit of the doubt in almost every game this year. But, they've been horrible lately...they play solid in the first quarter and then either give up, get man handled, and/or get out schemed during the last three quarters. That's happened in four of the most lopsided losses this year (@ Chicago, Green Bay, New York Giants, and Chicago). What's the issue? Our guys are ready to play at the start, but then falter for the rest of the game...how do you not put that on the coach?
* The Vikings new stadium shouldn't have a roof. Not even a retractable roof. They belong outside and a retractable roof just sucks balls. What current stadium with a retractable roof really still maintains a vibrant atmosphere inside? Arizona? Detroit? Indianapolis? Some of those locations have more to do with the product they put on the field...but, I just think retractable roofs blow in general.
* Favre comes back only to get drilled into the turf once again, this time he leaves the game with a concussion. Shouldn't Sterger just pursue that Favre has to PLAY behind our dreadful offensive line for the last two games as punishment? I think that will teach him.
* Joe Webb...if he plays, please roll him outside of the pocket on pass plays. Let him see the field and let him work in space instead of him simply dropping back behind our god awful offensive line.
Monday, December 20, 2010
The 25 Worst Vikings...
In no particular order...here's a list of some of the worst players/coaches to represent the Minnesota Vikings in my lifetime:
1. Troy Williamson WR - It's a little dicey to even credit him as being a "receiver".
2. Spergon Wynn QB - Does is name or his play get him on this list...?? I say both
3. Doug Brien K - Missed TWO extra points in ONE game against Buffalo.
4. Fred Smoot CB - Either hurt or was getting burned by opposing WR's...Steve Smith scorching you over and over and then celebrating the "Love Boat" fiasco with a touchdown dance was pretty hilarious (not at the time of course).
5. Les Steckel HC - You were so bad in 1984 (only one year on the job) that Bud Grant had to come out of retirement to clean your mess up.
6. Denard Walker CB - This is what you buy to shore up your starting DB backfield when you have Red McCombs' wallet to work with.
7. Dimitrius Underwood DL - You can thank your first round selection on Randy Moss lottery winner ticket from the year before. You had red flags all over, but Denny was still smokin' the Randy fumes.
8. Brock Lesnar DL - I was pining for Joe Webb to play this year, because athletic ability alone can be an advantage on the field for the sport of football...this wasn't exactly the case for Brock.
9. Wasswa Serwanga CB - We dug deep and far to fill out our roster for the defensive backfield.
10. Dwayne Rudd LB - Another player on the long list of Denny Green's "potential" picks that never panned out. After seeing his name on this list, he's probably busting out his celebratory dance that he used to do whenever he was in a camera shot of a tackle.
11. Bernard Berrian WR - A dandy indeed. I say BE GONE to B TWICE after the year is out.
12. Herschel Walker RB - Nice guy and all, but he didn't do anything for us on the field...plus, he left our cupboard bare for years to come.
13. Bob Lurtsema DL - If your nickname is "Benchwarmer Bob"...you weren't exactly stellar on the field. Even his restaurant/bar failed.
14. Qadry Ismail WR - "The Missile" was another receiver that wasn't exactly equipped with hands either, but he built a nice niche on the kickoff return game as long as he didn't fumble.
15. Erasmus James DL - Injury bug sucked away any chance of a professional football career.
16. Ryan Cook OL - He still hasn't found a position on the offensive line where he can succeed consistently at. He looks good for a game or two, then gets destroyed. This is what we got back in the Daunte Culpepper deal...so that makes it suck even worse.
17. Tarvaris Jackson QB - Not to beat a dead horse, but when Tarvaris plays I feel like it's watching a college game. He can't read defenses (pre-snap or post-snap)...hoping maybe he can scramble a little bit, but I'm just not confident that he can beat an opponent with X's and O's during a game.
18. Nafu Tahi FB - Why do the Vikings still use a fullback? He's not a threat in the pass game...you might as well just use another offensive lineman in the backfield if you sincerely need another blocker...or a tight end if you want to "trick" defenses into thinking you may pass.
19. Thomas Tapeh FB - Didn't play a down as a Viking, but did collect a check from them.
20. Karl Paymah DB - No wonder he was only allowed on the field for special teams in his prior stops...at least Frank Walker is close enough to the receivers to interfere with them if need be.
21. Donald Igwebuike K - The drug dealin' place kicker...Disney needs to make a movie on this.
22. D'wayne Bates WR - Can we please stop signing WR's off the Bears roster (Bates, M. Robinson, Berrian) ...they suck!
23. Koren Robinson WR - A drunk who had the case of the dropsies too.
24. Michael Bennett RB - A speed demon that couldn't capitalize on defensives' focusing more on our passing game (Daunte and Moss) than our running game.
25. The Metrodome - You can call it whatever you want to...but, the place sucks period. No atmosphere, no life, no elements = poor excuse for a place called "home".
SBG
1. Troy Williamson WR - It's a little dicey to even credit him as being a "receiver".
2. Spergon Wynn QB - Does is name or his play get him on this list...?? I say both
3. Doug Brien K - Missed TWO extra points in ONE game against Buffalo.
4. Fred Smoot CB - Either hurt or was getting burned by opposing WR's...Steve Smith scorching you over and over and then celebrating the "Love Boat" fiasco with a touchdown dance was pretty hilarious (not at the time of course).
5. Les Steckel HC - You were so bad in 1984 (only one year on the job) that Bud Grant had to come out of retirement to clean your mess up.
6. Denard Walker CB - This is what you buy to shore up your starting DB backfield when you have Red McCombs' wallet to work with.
7. Dimitrius Underwood DL - You can thank your first round selection on Randy Moss lottery winner ticket from the year before. You had red flags all over, but Denny was still smokin' the Randy fumes.
8. Brock Lesnar DL - I was pining for Joe Webb to play this year, because athletic ability alone can be an advantage on the field for the sport of football...this wasn't exactly the case for Brock.
9. Wasswa Serwanga CB - We dug deep and far to fill out our roster for the defensive backfield.
10. Dwayne Rudd LB - Another player on the long list of Denny Green's "potential" picks that never panned out. After seeing his name on this list, he's probably busting out his celebratory dance that he used to do whenever he was in a camera shot of a tackle.
11. Bernard Berrian WR - A dandy indeed. I say BE GONE to B TWICE after the year is out.
12. Herschel Walker RB - Nice guy and all, but he didn't do anything for us on the field...plus, he left our cupboard bare for years to come.
13. Bob Lurtsema DL - If your nickname is "Benchwarmer Bob"...you weren't exactly stellar on the field. Even his restaurant/bar failed.
14. Qadry Ismail WR - "The Missile" was another receiver that wasn't exactly equipped with hands either, but he built a nice niche on the kickoff return game as long as he didn't fumble.
15. Erasmus James DL - Injury bug sucked away any chance of a professional football career.
16. Ryan Cook OL - He still hasn't found a position on the offensive line where he can succeed consistently at. He looks good for a game or two, then gets destroyed. This is what we got back in the Daunte Culpepper deal...so that makes it suck even worse.
17. Tarvaris Jackson QB - Not to beat a dead horse, but when Tarvaris plays I feel like it's watching a college game. He can't read defenses (pre-snap or post-snap)...hoping maybe he can scramble a little bit, but I'm just not confident that he can beat an opponent with X's and O's during a game.
18. Nafu Tahi FB - Why do the Vikings still use a fullback? He's not a threat in the pass game...you might as well just use another offensive lineman in the backfield if you sincerely need another blocker...or a tight end if you want to "trick" defenses into thinking you may pass.
19. Thomas Tapeh FB - Didn't play a down as a Viking, but did collect a check from them.
20. Karl Paymah DB - No wonder he was only allowed on the field for special teams in his prior stops...at least Frank Walker is close enough to the receivers to interfere with them if need be.
21. Donald Igwebuike K - The drug dealin' place kicker...Disney needs to make a movie on this.
22. D'wayne Bates WR - Can we please stop signing WR's off the Bears roster (Bates, M. Robinson, Berrian) ...they suck!
23. Koren Robinson WR - A drunk who had the case of the dropsies too.
24. Michael Bennett RB - A speed demon that couldn't capitalize on defensives' focusing more on our passing game (Daunte and Moss) than our running game.
25. The Metrodome - You can call it whatever you want to...but, the place sucks period. No atmosphere, no life, no elements = poor excuse for a place called "home".
SBG
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Week 14 Recap: Vikings vs Giants (in Detroit)
Roof on the ground
Roof on the ground
An upgrade is Detroit bound...??
Here's some other insight on the pathetic performance and festivities of last night's game:
* Brett Favre's hand was purple. His right hand was also down his pants in the crotch area on several camera shots. If you had to sit through and attempt to watch that poor excuse of a game like Joe Buck and Troy Aikman were forced to do...how do you not bite on a Jenn Sterger/sending dirty text message jab at Favre while he's playing with his junk on the sideline?
* Tarvaris Jackson BLOWS. Play Joe Webb. He may not be the answer, but don't let the fanbase (the ones that are still left) suffer more than we already have this year by watching T-Jack attempt to run the offense.
* We weren't going to win the game anyways...but, there were some bullshit calls. Camarillo was stood up on a punt return (one tackler had him by the legs) while another Giant special teams player came in late with a helmet to helmet hit. No call. Very next series...Bradshaw gets held up similar to Camarillo and Asher Allen gets flagged for the exact same thing that they didn't call for us (personal foul: helmet to helmet hit). Also, the block in the back call on Jasper Brinkley (where Booker would've had a kickoff return for a TD) was absurd. Similar to the gift call we got in Washington where they had a punt return for a touchdown negated.
* If Leslie Frazier is retained as the head coach...I think he needs to get rid of Bevell (offensive coordinator). I know we rolled into that game last night short handed...but, we just need some change. I still see Childress' offense at work and I don't like it. If we're going to be boring and ineffective (like last night)...let's pound the ball, burn clock and play the field position game against opponents. I'd accept that philosophy more than dinking and doinking the ball around in the pass game.
* Bernard Berrian has surpassed Ray Edwards on the "Vikings player that I hate the most award". What a pile of shit...I can't wait until he can rot on somebody else's dime and time and then blame everyone not named Bernard or B-Twice for his poor performance.
SBG
Roof on the ground
An upgrade is Detroit bound...??
Here's some other insight on the pathetic performance and festivities of last night's game:
* Brett Favre's hand was purple. His right hand was also down his pants in the crotch area on several camera shots. If you had to sit through and attempt to watch that poor excuse of a game like Joe Buck and Troy Aikman were forced to do...how do you not bite on a Jenn Sterger/sending dirty text message jab at Favre while he's playing with his junk on the sideline?
* Tarvaris Jackson BLOWS. Play Joe Webb. He may not be the answer, but don't let the fanbase (the ones that are still left) suffer more than we already have this year by watching T-Jack attempt to run the offense.
* We weren't going to win the game anyways...but, there were some bullshit calls. Camarillo was stood up on a punt return (one tackler had him by the legs) while another Giant special teams player came in late with a helmet to helmet hit. No call. Very next series...Bradshaw gets held up similar to Camarillo and Asher Allen gets flagged for the exact same thing that they didn't call for us (personal foul: helmet to helmet hit). Also, the block in the back call on Jasper Brinkley (where Booker would've had a kickoff return for a TD) was absurd. Similar to the gift call we got in Washington where they had a punt return for a touchdown negated.
* If Leslie Frazier is retained as the head coach...I think he needs to get rid of Bevell (offensive coordinator). I know we rolled into that game last night short handed...but, we just need some change. I still see Childress' offense at work and I don't like it. If we're going to be boring and ineffective (like last night)...let's pound the ball, burn clock and play the field position game against opponents. I'd accept that philosophy more than dinking and doinking the ball around in the pass game.
* Bernard Berrian has surpassed Ray Edwards on the "Vikings player that I hate the most award". What a pile of shit...I can't wait until he can rot on somebody else's dime and time and then blame everyone not named Bernard or B-Twice for his poor performance.
SBG
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Basketcase Diary: Negative Edition (12/7/10)
Basketball drives me nuts...even if the expectations for a given team are really "Basement Brewster" level low...I still end up cussing at the television due to frustration. I hate turnovers. I can't stand having no flow/movement on the offensive end (with or without the ball). I hate when my team misses FREE throws. I hate lazy defense. I hate refs that call an inconsistent game. Or refs getting bullied by the veteran coaches of the league (cough...Izzo). So, this will be a forum for my rants that occur on the hardwood floor for both the Timberwolves and Gophers...here we go:
* Sebastian Telfair - How has this guy lasted seven plus years in the league? He is diminutive. He has no explosion/first step to his game (which means he can't get to the rim). When he tries to get to the rim...he doesn't finish. He can't D anyone up. He is HORRIBLE at the free throw line (74%)...that's a big man type percentage. My favorite part is where he'll miss both free throws and then come down on the very next possession and chuck up a three within the first ten seconds of the shot clock. Who is your favorite "peaked way too early and obviously doesn't have as much game as what SI wrote about years ago during their adolescent years as an athlete"...Sebastion Telfair or Felipe Lopez...I'll go with the latter.
* Devoe Joseph - He just got back in the mix...but, what's up with this guy struggling so mightily during the early going? He really didn't come on until the Big Ten Tourney last year...he played well during that 4 game stretch. Are we expecting too much from him from such a small sample size last year...and was that just a mirage (4 games is hardly a trend)...or will he be the real deal like so many of us just assumed he'd be coming into this year...??
* Free throw shooting - Atrocious. It's been so bad for the Gophers at the line that I miss the ever so selfish/unlikeable, Lawrence Westbrook. He would at least hit clutch free throws. Currently, we have TWO guys making free throws above a 67% clip (Blake and Maverick...two guys that barely get to the line anyways...and even Blake has missed some crucial free throws). And, it was crappy last year too (just not at this pace)...I mean it's so bad I would turn this into an opportunity to help raise money towards a new practice facility...make players make free throws during games...have fans contribute based on free throws made during games/or have them donate a sum of their choice if the team hits a certain percentage (example 80%) for each game. Plus, our program benefits by winning more games if we make more free throws...I mean this is probably the easiest fix to improve your team...plus, you have tangible evidence for Tubby that you are trying to work with him.
* Blake's perimeter defense - I love Blake's game. However, when mediocre teams/players are bombing three's on you at a ridiculous pace while you're playing straight up man to man defense...and then the coach has to go to a 2-3 zone so you're not overexposed (which is really ridiculous considering zones force teams to shoot from the perimeter) on the defensive end...pretty much sums up that you suck balls at playing any type of defense.
* Love's interior defense - Kevin Love is putting up gaudy offensive numbers. However, he is getting destroyed on the other end of the court. When he was teamed up with Al Jefferson...I gave Kevin the benefit of the doubt, because Al sucks at defense and I thought Kevin was at times overcompensating for Al's suckiness on D. I was wrong. Darko was out due to injury and Amare Stoudemire KILLED Love. Probably not the best match up for Kevin...but, I don't think it really matters anymore who the opponent is across from him.
SBG
* Sebastian Telfair - How has this guy lasted seven plus years in the league? He is diminutive. He has no explosion/first step to his game (which means he can't get to the rim). When he tries to get to the rim...he doesn't finish. He can't D anyone up. He is HORRIBLE at the free throw line (74%)...that's a big man type percentage. My favorite part is where he'll miss both free throws and then come down on the very next possession and chuck up a three within the first ten seconds of the shot clock. Who is your favorite "peaked way too early and obviously doesn't have as much game as what SI wrote about years ago during their adolescent years as an athlete"...Sebastion Telfair or Felipe Lopez...I'll go with the latter.
* Devoe Joseph - He just got back in the mix...but, what's up with this guy struggling so mightily during the early going? He really didn't come on until the Big Ten Tourney last year...he played well during that 4 game stretch. Are we expecting too much from him from such a small sample size last year...and was that just a mirage (4 games is hardly a trend)...or will he be the real deal like so many of us just assumed he'd be coming into this year...??
* Free throw shooting - Atrocious. It's been so bad for the Gophers at the line that I miss the ever so selfish/unlikeable, Lawrence Westbrook. He would at least hit clutch free throws. Currently, we have TWO guys making free throws above a 67% clip (Blake and Maverick...two guys that barely get to the line anyways...and even Blake has missed some crucial free throws). And, it was crappy last year too (just not at this pace)...I mean it's so bad I would turn this into an opportunity to help raise money towards a new practice facility...make players make free throws during games...have fans contribute based on free throws made during games/or have them donate a sum of their choice if the team hits a certain percentage (example 80%) for each game. Plus, our program benefits by winning more games if we make more free throws...I mean this is probably the easiest fix to improve your team...plus, you have tangible evidence for Tubby that you are trying to work with him.
* Blake's perimeter defense - I love Blake's game. However, when mediocre teams/players are bombing three's on you at a ridiculous pace while you're playing straight up man to man defense...and then the coach has to go to a 2-3 zone so you're not overexposed (which is really ridiculous considering zones force teams to shoot from the perimeter) on the defensive end...pretty much sums up that you suck balls at playing any type of defense.
* Love's interior defense - Kevin Love is putting up gaudy offensive numbers. However, he is getting destroyed on the other end of the court. When he was teamed up with Al Jefferson...I gave Kevin the benefit of the doubt, because Al sucks at defense and I thought Kevin was at times overcompensating for Al's suckiness on D. I was wrong. Darko was out due to injury and Amare Stoudemire KILLED Love. Probably not the best match up for Kevin...but, I don't think it really matters anymore who the opponent is across from him.
SBG
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Week 13 Recap: Bills @ Vikings
Vikings dominate the Bills and quarterback Fitzpatrick as Leslie Frazier improves his head coaching record in the NFL to 2-0. As always here are my random observations of the game:
* A Joe Webb sighting is made in week 13 as a kickoff returner (in place of Percy Harvin). I was crying for this about 10 weeks earlier (before Randy Moss trade). I'm not sure if he'll pan out as a player in general at either position (quarterback or receiver), but the guy has physical abilities that no one else has. And if there's a sport that you can get by with raw athletic ability alone...it's football. Let him play.
* Favre gets hurt on first series...on a play where he throws an interception of course. Am I the only one that number 1...doesn't care...and number 2...thinks that maybe he was milking the injury based on the end result of the play (the interception)...and number 3...how can his consecutive game streak still go forward when only playing the first few snaps. If that's the case shouldn't Morten Anderson, Gary Anderson or some other kicker plead their case of longevity against Favre's...???
* Bills suck. But with that said, how about Leslie Frazier winning big (38-14) without Harvin or Hutchinson this week. Plus, you lose your starting quarterback in the first series. Then your backup quarterback throws a pick six to put your team in a 7-0 hole early in the first quarter. Like I said...Bills suck, but maybe we still need to direct some applause for Leslie Frazier and staff.
* Jackson made some great throws today, however I think he permanently placed himself as a backup for the rest of career with his erratic play during the duration of the game. He had three interceptions...two of them were ugly, bad decisions (first and last picks)...the second one he threw, he could have easily just ran for 4 or more yards to convert on the 3rd and 4...instead he threw behind Camarillo and became a victim of the tipped interception. He is not the answer at quarterback...this year or next year.
* Jared Allen finally played a complete game for the first time this year. Timberwolves used to have a reserve guard named James "Hollywood" Robinson. Flip only played him in garbage time when we were on the wrong end of the scoreboard. He dominated in these situations...scored bunch of points. Jared seems to have a similar trait...except he needs the Vikings to have a big lead in order for him to be a consistent force on the defensive end. That hasn't happened much at all for us...having just a lead or being tied is difficult enough...thus, Jared has had a down year.
* Welcome back Sidney Rice. It doesn't matter who our coach or quarterback is next year...Sidney Rice's contract needs to be extended. After watching numerous years of lousy to mediocre to above mediocre play...not many receivers have a knack for attacking the ball in a jump ball situation. Sidney Rice again proved that fact today by going after a T-Jack thrown ball and wrestling it away from one defender knowing that the safety was coming over to make a hit as well. See, I thought Favre made Rice last year...he obviously helped the development...but, I just think he's a keeper. Even if he can't blow past anyone with his speed.
SBG
* A Joe Webb sighting is made in week 13 as a kickoff returner (in place of Percy Harvin). I was crying for this about 10 weeks earlier (before Randy Moss trade). I'm not sure if he'll pan out as a player in general at either position (quarterback or receiver), but the guy has physical abilities that no one else has. And if there's a sport that you can get by with raw athletic ability alone...it's football. Let him play.
* Favre gets hurt on first series...on a play where he throws an interception of course. Am I the only one that number 1...doesn't care...and number 2...thinks that maybe he was milking the injury based on the end result of the play (the interception)...and number 3...how can his consecutive game streak still go forward when only playing the first few snaps. If that's the case shouldn't Morten Anderson, Gary Anderson or some other kicker plead their case of longevity against Favre's...???
* Bills suck. But with that said, how about Leslie Frazier winning big (38-14) without Harvin or Hutchinson this week. Plus, you lose your starting quarterback in the first series. Then your backup quarterback throws a pick six to put your team in a 7-0 hole early in the first quarter. Like I said...Bills suck, but maybe we still need to direct some applause for Leslie Frazier and staff.
* Jackson made some great throws today, however I think he permanently placed himself as a backup for the rest of career with his erratic play during the duration of the game. He had three interceptions...two of them were ugly, bad decisions (first and last picks)...the second one he threw, he could have easily just ran for 4 or more yards to convert on the 3rd and 4...instead he threw behind Camarillo and became a victim of the tipped interception. He is not the answer at quarterback...this year or next year.
* Jared Allen finally played a complete game for the first time this year. Timberwolves used to have a reserve guard named James "Hollywood" Robinson. Flip only played him in garbage time when we were on the wrong end of the scoreboard. He dominated in these situations...scored bunch of points. Jared seems to have a similar trait...except he needs the Vikings to have a big lead in order for him to be a consistent force on the defensive end. That hasn't happened much at all for us...having just a lead or being tied is difficult enough...thus, Jared has had a down year.
* Welcome back Sidney Rice. It doesn't matter who our coach or quarterback is next year...Sidney Rice's contract needs to be extended. After watching numerous years of lousy to mediocre to above mediocre play...not many receivers have a knack for attacking the ball in a jump ball situation. Sidney Rice again proved that fact today by going after a T-Jack thrown ball and wrestling it away from one defender knowing that the safety was coming over to make a hit as well. See, I thought Favre made Rice last year...he obviously helped the development...but, I just think he's a keeper. Even if he can't blow past anyone with his speed.
SBG
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Week 12 Recap: Vikings @ Redskins
The Leslie Frazier era is upon us...here are my random observations from the game:
* Nothing says your team has no chance at the post season more than your cable provider (Direct TV) wanting you to air the Packers/Falcons (was being played at the same time of Vikings/Redskins game) based on the channel/guide information.
* Anyone else notice Ray Edwards get hurt late in the first half...and then the pass rush picked up without him in the 2nd half while Brian Robison was in the mix? Maybe some other 2nd half adjustments helped, but maybe not.
* Asher Allen looked serviceable today...it seemed like Leslie helped out a lot by mixing in multiple blitzes and dropping a variety of linebackers and defensive lineman in coverage to change things up. Of course, Washington has absolutely zero play makers though...but, anything is an improvement in play for Allen.
* I want Leslie Frazier to win the head coaching job. Most people bring up Dungy and Tomlin winning Super Bowls as head coaches and both being defensive coordinators previously with the Vikings...but, I just love his demeanor on the sidelines. Everything seems to be in control...even if it's not.
* Is Favre just punishing the Vikings fan base...are you kidding me that he runs for a first down on a 3rd and 8 play (to secure the win) on a team that has virtually no playoff aspirations? Yet, he decides to throw against his body, into coverage instead of gaining a few yards (for a potential game winning field goal attempt) during the NFC Championship game...what the FUCK...???
* How do you explain the block in the back gift call that we received on Banks' punt return for a TD (that would've put Washington ahead 20-17)? It was an illegal block, but I can't believe that they actually had the balls to call it. I just have a feeling that if Childress was still our coach that this would be a convenient "no call" for the refs.
* McNabb won't be with Washington next year. They were showing some of the dialouges that he had with Shanahan's kid (offensive coordinator) between possessions...and it was ugly, almost as if McNabb has already checked out for the year. I mean if the Vikings weren't such a great sideshow week in and week out for the NFL, Washington would be Ed Werder's temporary home during the NFL season.
* Good win for the Vikes...and congratulations to Leslie Frazier.
SBG
* Nothing says your team has no chance at the post season more than your cable provider (Direct TV) wanting you to air the Packers/Falcons (was being played at the same time of Vikings/Redskins game) based on the channel/guide information.
* Anyone else notice Ray Edwards get hurt late in the first half...and then the pass rush picked up without him in the 2nd half while Brian Robison was in the mix? Maybe some other 2nd half adjustments helped, but maybe not.
* Asher Allen looked serviceable today...it seemed like Leslie helped out a lot by mixing in multiple blitzes and dropping a variety of linebackers and defensive lineman in coverage to change things up. Of course, Washington has absolutely zero play makers though...but, anything is an improvement in play for Allen.
* I want Leslie Frazier to win the head coaching job. Most people bring up Dungy and Tomlin winning Super Bowls as head coaches and both being defensive coordinators previously with the Vikings...but, I just love his demeanor on the sidelines. Everything seems to be in control...even if it's not.
* Is Favre just punishing the Vikings fan base...are you kidding me that he runs for a first down on a 3rd and 8 play (to secure the win) on a team that has virtually no playoff aspirations? Yet, he decides to throw against his body, into coverage instead of gaining a few yards (for a potential game winning field goal attempt) during the NFC Championship game...what the FUCK...???
* How do you explain the block in the back gift call that we received on Banks' punt return for a TD (that would've put Washington ahead 20-17)? It was an illegal block, but I can't believe that they actually had the balls to call it. I just have a feeling that if Childress was still our coach that this would be a convenient "no call" for the refs.
* McNabb won't be with Washington next year. They were showing some of the dialouges that he had with Shanahan's kid (offensive coordinator) between possessions...and it was ugly, almost as if McNabb has already checked out for the year. I mean if the Vikings weren't such a great sideshow week in and week out for the NFL, Washington would be Ed Werder's temporary home during the NFL season.
* Good win for the Vikes...and congratulations to Leslie Frazier.
SBG
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Week 11 Recap: Packers @ Vikings
Packer week had as much buzz as Lion week. Here is a sobering look on what I witnessed in another pathetic week of football (I'm so happy Gopher basketball is in the mix now):
* Clay Matthews gets a weak sack tallied on the opening series (where Favre rolls out and slides right before the sideline). I don't get this play by Favre. He's out of the pocket so he could of just easily thrown the ball away or just take an extra two strides to get out of bounds. Is he concerned about his stat line and/or QB rating by throwing an incomplete pass?
* I didn't fucking start Greg Jennings on my fantasy team. Opted for Fitzgerald and Maclin instead. This game sucked on so many levels.
* Misspelling Kevin Williams (spelled: Willaims) on his jersey....when they have three Williams' on the team. If there is one they could of gotten away with they should have misspelled Madieu's since no one would be able to read it cleanly due to him running circles when getting juked out by opposing wide receivers.
* Ray Edwards had two sacks. But, my favorite part of his game today was him bitching out Cook and Allen (the two corners getting toasted the whole game). I'm not a big Ray Edwards fan, in fact I hate him...but, that was the most life I've seen out of the defense in about three weeks.
* Sidney Rice made his return today. I seriously blame him heavily for how this whole season unraveled. I know there's plenty of other scapegoats for this team's poor performance...but, this guy could have had hip surgery in the off season like it was suggested by two or three specialists. He neglected that information, then decided to do it after all at the start of the season. So we trade Sapp (could of used a corner the way Allen and Cook are playing) to Miami for Camarillo to get receiver depth. We then fail miserably on the Moss deal, while also giving up a 3rd rounder to New England. He then pushes back his return date a couple more weeks when we were still on the outside fringe of the playoff picture...thus, we get eliminated from the playoffs before Thanksgiving.
* No holding calls on Green Bay (offense and defensive...cough Woodson). I just find that hard to believe...just saying.
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* Clay Matthews gets a weak sack tallied on the opening series (where Favre rolls out and slides right before the sideline). I don't get this play by Favre. He's out of the pocket so he could of just easily thrown the ball away or just take an extra two strides to get out of bounds. Is he concerned about his stat line and/or QB rating by throwing an incomplete pass?
* I didn't fucking start Greg Jennings on my fantasy team. Opted for Fitzgerald and Maclin instead. This game sucked on so many levels.
* Misspelling Kevin Williams (spelled: Willaims) on his jersey....when they have three Williams' on the team. If there is one they could of gotten away with they should have misspelled Madieu's since no one would be able to read it cleanly due to him running circles when getting juked out by opposing wide receivers.
* Ray Edwards had two sacks. But, my favorite part of his game today was him bitching out Cook and Allen (the two corners getting toasted the whole game). I'm not a big Ray Edwards fan, in fact I hate him...but, that was the most life I've seen out of the defense in about three weeks.
* Sidney Rice made his return today. I seriously blame him heavily for how this whole season unraveled. I know there's plenty of other scapegoats for this team's poor performance...but, this guy could have had hip surgery in the off season like it was suggested by two or three specialists. He neglected that information, then decided to do it after all at the start of the season. So we trade Sapp (could of used a corner the way Allen and Cook are playing) to Miami for Camarillo to get receiver depth. We then fail miserably on the Moss deal, while also giving up a 3rd rounder to New England. He then pushes back his return date a couple more weeks when we were still on the outside fringe of the playoff picture...thus, we get eliminated from the playoffs before Thanksgiving.
* No holding calls on Green Bay (offense and defensive...cough Woodson). I just find that hard to believe...just saying.
SBG
Monday, November 15, 2010
Week 10 Recap: Vikings @ Bears
Bears suck, but Vikings suck worse...here's a recap:
* What a bitch move by Bernard Berrian declaring he can't play at the last minute, thus wasting a roster spot that could have been used to help our special teams (who played like shit). Just add it on the pile of selfish moves made by players on this roster. Brett Favre misses camp and has to be begged by three teammates. Sidney Rice elects for surgery during the start of the season (instead of the off season, this happened in the NFC Championship Game LAST YEAR). Randy Moss being Randy Moss. Anonymous players go to Chicago's press to air out dirty laundry on Childress and the locker room situation. The "culture of accountability" is out the window.
* Adrian Peterson was ineffective. I'm not sure if he's nursing an injury, but I've never seen him look that slow and upright while running the ball since he's been a Viking. Even his bad runs can some times be entertaining, but he just looked out of it.
* I can't put my hands around how to evaluate this defense. Obviously Lito, Cook, Allen (when healthy) and the safeties are targeted via pass by the opposing offenses. Our defensive line is generating no rush, thus we blitz...but, our blitzes are even getting picked up (rather easily I might say) so then we're man-to-man on the back end which is a horrible situation if you go back to where they (opposing offense) pick on every person in the secondary, not named Winfield. How do you have Jared Allen and Kevin Williams (who both demand double teams occasionally) and not generate a PASS RUSH??
* On Hester's TD, Ray Edwards fell down while back-pedaling in coverage. He would've at least been there for the tackle, maybe even a possible interception (I doubt it, but I like to exaggerate). Speaking of Ray Edwards...you need to give Chilly and management some props for not signing this guy to an extension. He wanted the bank based on one stinking performance against Dallas in the playoffs. He hasn't done anything since. He blows.
* Just thinking back to last year, I thought we were squared away (balance and depth) at every position (outside of a long term answer at quarterback) for the 2010 draft. Now, fast forward to this year...I don't think we have enough picks to accomodate all our needs. I think we still have a great base of talent, but the depth I thought we had last year is not there...or, at least it needs to be re-evaluated. Corner, safety, quarterback, offensive line, defensive line, wide receiver...all need help. I think the running back and linebacker core is strong, but depending on injuries and who leaves via free agency (maybe Greenway)...those might even need a bolster.
* In a drunken temper tantrum because of the outcome of the game, I broke my son's toy basketball hoop. Don't judge me...it was a piece of crap anyways...and we needed an upgrade any ways. How do you convince your kid to play basketball over hockey when the rim falls off after every five shots...?? Pretty soon he's going to think that's part of the game.
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* What a bitch move by Bernard Berrian declaring he can't play at the last minute, thus wasting a roster spot that could have been used to help our special teams (who played like shit). Just add it on the pile of selfish moves made by players on this roster. Brett Favre misses camp and has to be begged by three teammates. Sidney Rice elects for surgery during the start of the season (instead of the off season, this happened in the NFC Championship Game LAST YEAR). Randy Moss being Randy Moss. Anonymous players go to Chicago's press to air out dirty laundry on Childress and the locker room situation. The "culture of accountability" is out the window.
* Adrian Peterson was ineffective. I'm not sure if he's nursing an injury, but I've never seen him look that slow and upright while running the ball since he's been a Viking. Even his bad runs can some times be entertaining, but he just looked out of it.
* I can't put my hands around how to evaluate this defense. Obviously Lito, Cook, Allen (when healthy) and the safeties are targeted via pass by the opposing offenses. Our defensive line is generating no rush, thus we blitz...but, our blitzes are even getting picked up (rather easily I might say) so then we're man-to-man on the back end which is a horrible situation if you go back to where they (opposing offense) pick on every person in the secondary, not named Winfield. How do you have Jared Allen and Kevin Williams (who both demand double teams occasionally) and not generate a PASS RUSH??
* On Hester's TD, Ray Edwards fell down while back-pedaling in coverage. He would've at least been there for the tackle, maybe even a possible interception (I doubt it, but I like to exaggerate). Speaking of Ray Edwards...you need to give Chilly and management some props for not signing this guy to an extension. He wanted the bank based on one stinking performance against Dallas in the playoffs. He hasn't done anything since. He blows.
* Just thinking back to last year, I thought we were squared away (balance and depth) at every position (outside of a long term answer at quarterback) for the 2010 draft. Now, fast forward to this year...I don't think we have enough picks to accomodate all our needs. I think we still have a great base of talent, but the depth I thought we had last year is not there...or, at least it needs to be re-evaluated. Corner, safety, quarterback, offensive line, defensive line, wide receiver...all need help. I think the running back and linebacker core is strong, but depending on injuries and who leaves via free agency (maybe Greenway)...those might even need a bolster.
* In a drunken temper tantrum because of the outcome of the game, I broke my son's toy basketball hoop. Don't judge me...it was a piece of crap anyways...and we needed an upgrade any ways. How do you convince your kid to play basketball over hockey when the rim falls off after every five shots...?? Pretty soon he's going to think that's part of the game.
SBG
Monday, November 8, 2010
Week 9 Recap: Cardinals @ Vikings
Wow...the roller coaster of emotions through a three hour football game the week is off the charts. It was another lousy executed game on many fronts for the Vikings, but they somehow find the magic from 2009 season to pull off an extremely important win for Brad Childress and their own playoff chances. Here are my drunken observations:
* Greg Camarillo. Brilliant. Awesome hustle play to strip the ball (from the defender just before he crosses the goal line). If that play ends up being a pick six...negativity sets in early on the drunkards at the game and it might go down in flames quickly. Also, how about Camarillo getting some good chunks of yards on the punt return game...and he also chipped in with some big catches. We're finally seeing dividends in week 9 (better late than never, I guess) on the Benny Sapp deal.
* Is Kenny Albert the ugliest play-by-play man you've ever seen? I think so.
* Bernard Berrian stepped up. However, it's hilarious to watch Percy catch it and run recklessly over the middle (sometimes running over defenders) versus Berrian twinkle toeing his way around big hits. And he's doing all this while wearing bright yellow shoes...as if he was Donald "Yellow Shoes" Brown from Wayne State University.
* The Fox halftime show (Strahan and Long) was ridiculous. They basically admitted without admitting that they didn't watch the entire first half. Their commentary was that Arizona was winning because Derek Anderson was a great game manager. Arizona was up 14-10. Half of those fourteen points was because of special teams (kickoff return for a TD). Derek Anderson did operate ONE solid drive at the end of the half against a "prevent/lets not tackle anyone defense" for a touchdown, but other than that he was virtually invisible for the half (and the rest of the game). Way to dig deep by watching the last two minutes of the half to create your opinion on the game.
* Percy Harvin steals "The Willis Reed: Limper of the Game Award" this week from Brett Favre. Brett Favre has dominated this award since his arrival to Minnesota in 2009.
* It's getting harder and harder to defend Brad Childress. I'm starting to think his play-calling/philosophy is HORRIBLE on offense. We still suck on 3rd and short situations. We still don't use Adrian Peterson enough (he would've only had around 40-50 yards total on the ground on minimal carries if he didn't break that 30+ yard gain in overtime...unacceptable.) Childress was on the verge of losing his job if he lost this game, and his offensive game plan was pretty much just throw it all around the field so we can show the whole league that we didn't need Randy Moss....while abandoning the most consistent threat he has on the team (Adrian Peterson). We're going into week 10 of the season...and I have no fucking clue what our identity is on offense. Next week: my wild guess is that Sidney Rice comes back healthy and then we turn into an ultra conservative offense and Peterson gets to carry the ball 35 times against Chicago.
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* Greg Camarillo. Brilliant. Awesome hustle play to strip the ball (from the defender just before he crosses the goal line). If that play ends up being a pick six...negativity sets in early on the drunkards at the game and it might go down in flames quickly. Also, how about Camarillo getting some good chunks of yards on the punt return game...and he also chipped in with some big catches. We're finally seeing dividends in week 9 (better late than never, I guess) on the Benny Sapp deal.
* Is Kenny Albert the ugliest play-by-play man you've ever seen? I think so.
* Bernard Berrian stepped up. However, it's hilarious to watch Percy catch it and run recklessly over the middle (sometimes running over defenders) versus Berrian twinkle toeing his way around big hits. And he's doing all this while wearing bright yellow shoes...as if he was Donald "Yellow Shoes" Brown from Wayne State University.
* The Fox halftime show (Strahan and Long) was ridiculous. They basically admitted without admitting that they didn't watch the entire first half. Their commentary was that Arizona was winning because Derek Anderson was a great game manager. Arizona was up 14-10. Half of those fourteen points was because of special teams (kickoff return for a TD). Derek Anderson did operate ONE solid drive at the end of the half against a "prevent/lets not tackle anyone defense" for a touchdown, but other than that he was virtually invisible for the half (and the rest of the game). Way to dig deep by watching the last two minutes of the half to create your opinion on the game.
* Percy Harvin steals "The Willis Reed: Limper of the Game Award" this week from Brett Favre. Brett Favre has dominated this award since his arrival to Minnesota in 2009.
* It's getting harder and harder to defend Brad Childress. I'm starting to think his play-calling/philosophy is HORRIBLE on offense. We still suck on 3rd and short situations. We still don't use Adrian Peterson enough (he would've only had around 40-50 yards total on the ground on minimal carries if he didn't break that 30+ yard gain in overtime...unacceptable.) Childress was on the verge of losing his job if he lost this game, and his offensive game plan was pretty much just throw it all around the field so we can show the whole league that we didn't need Randy Moss....while abandoning the most consistent threat he has on the team (Adrian Peterson). We're going into week 10 of the season...and I have no fucking clue what our identity is on offense. Next week: my wild guess is that Sidney Rice comes back healthy and then we turn into an ultra conservative offense and Peterson gets to carry the ball 35 times against Chicago.
SBG
Monday, November 1, 2010
Week 8 Recap: Vikings @ Patriots
It's hard to write these when we're losing...in the beginning when Favre came back, and then we acquired Moss a few weeks later...I thought that even if the season got ugly, it would still be interesting with the cast of characters we have in the mix. Well, when you're an actual fan of the TEAM (not just the people wearing the laundry)...it still sucks when you lose...no matter what type of side shows you have on your roster. Here's what I took away from the game:
* How do we pound the ball on the ground relentlessly at the Patriots defense throughout the majority of the game and still manage to not be able to convert first downs on 3rd and short or 4th and short situations...?? Are we too predictable...should we do play-action instead...why do we even think about running to the right side (weaker side of our offensive line)...??
* Chilly's challenge on the Patriots (Brandon Tate, I believe) long reception over the middle was stupid. Way too early in the game and it was quite obvious in real time that the ball wasn't even close to hitting the ground.
* Also, not kicking the field goal before halftime and going for it on the 4th and goal play was the right decision. The play-calling like all 3rd and shorts & 4th and shorts however, was horrible. But, the actual decision to go for it was not. And if you think a three point lead would somehow have won us the game...just rewind to a week earlier when the Vikings led the Packers by a score of 17-14 at halftime.
* Shiancoe is overrated. I wrote this last year, but he's tough to watch. He ONLY gets open on pass routes if the play-action is in play and the defense bites on it. He can't get any separation otherwise. He never catches a pass clean (bobbles or just plain doesn't trust himself to catch it clean and turn up the field), thus he doesn't get any YAC (yards after catch). He's big and athletic, but can't break a tackle to save his life.
* Have to admit that I was kind of anxious to see if T-Jack would come in and lead us to a comeback victory...that was up until I saw him drop back and get sacked on his first attempt of the second possession. That was a typical T-Jack sack...staring at one receiver the whole time while getting bullrushed up the middle and not even noticing it due to his eyes being glued on the receiver.
* Patriots need to just wear their "throwback" every game from here on out. I hate Boston in general, but those jerseys are sweet.
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* How do we pound the ball on the ground relentlessly at the Patriots defense throughout the majority of the game and still manage to not be able to convert first downs on 3rd and short or 4th and short situations...?? Are we too predictable...should we do play-action instead...why do we even think about running to the right side (weaker side of our offensive line)...??
* Chilly's challenge on the Patriots (Brandon Tate, I believe) long reception over the middle was stupid. Way too early in the game and it was quite obvious in real time that the ball wasn't even close to hitting the ground.
* Also, not kicking the field goal before halftime and going for it on the 4th and goal play was the right decision. The play-calling like all 3rd and shorts & 4th and shorts however, was horrible. But, the actual decision to go for it was not. And if you think a three point lead would somehow have won us the game...just rewind to a week earlier when the Vikings led the Packers by a score of 17-14 at halftime.
* Shiancoe is overrated. I wrote this last year, but he's tough to watch. He ONLY gets open on pass routes if the play-action is in play and the defense bites on it. He can't get any separation otherwise. He never catches a pass clean (bobbles or just plain doesn't trust himself to catch it clean and turn up the field), thus he doesn't get any YAC (yards after catch). He's big and athletic, but can't break a tackle to save his life.
* Have to admit that I was kind of anxious to see if T-Jack would come in and lead us to a comeback victory...that was up until I saw him drop back and get sacked on his first attempt of the second possession. That was a typical T-Jack sack...staring at one receiver the whole time while getting bullrushed up the middle and not even noticing it due to his eyes being glued on the receiver.
* Patriots need to just wear their "throwback" every game from here on out. I hate Boston in general, but those jerseys are sweet.
SBG
Thursday, October 28, 2010
We're pretty much the Detroit Lions of the NBA...
It's tough to watch the Timberwolves. It's true that they have an immensely better overall roster than they did last year. However, they are still terrible. On opening night, they lose at home to a Kings team that is missing their best player (Tyreke Evans). Here's my insight on the game last night and some other random thoughts:
* Sebastian Telfair used to be our starting point guard a few years ago. Yuck. I hate his game. He looks for his own shot way too much, and never gets his teammates involved. Also, what's up with the two point guards (Ridnour and Telfair) combining for 35 points? I was under the impression that the point guard really didn't have to do much offensively (other than make the right "reads") in the triangle offense...??
* Wesley Johnson...I might have been wrong about him. I didn't like his age. I didn't like how he was from Syracuse (no defense). I didn't like how he transferred from Iowa State to Syracuse (usually, that's a red flag for whatever reason). His dunk last night was ridiculous. His handles are still weak, but at least he's not shy about attacking the hoop. His shot wasn't on last night, but it looks pretty effortless...especially, on a night when you're forced to watch Luther Head and/or Corey Brewer attempt a long range jumper.
* I want Kevin Love to succeed. However, I don't know if he does enough things well on a consistent basis to succeed at this level on a nightly basis. He hit a couple of threes, but he was more of a liability with the ball in his hands than an actual threat on the perimeter. He had some dumb turnovers (that I was told Michael Beasley would make, but not Kevin Love) that killed us in the 2nd half. I'm still not sure what to make of him, but I'm pretty sure he's not a "building block". He's more of a solid 6th man on a playoff team.
And this crap about him being on Team USA this past summer, which somehow translates to some people that he's now a "star" in the making needs to stop. It was a tier 2-3 team. He barely got minutes on that team. Christian Laettner was on the ACTUAL original Dream Team...how did that work out for us?
* I like Beasley. He can create on his own. We haven't had a wing player be able to create his own shot since...?? Maybe Latrell...but, he was the older version at the time...I would almost have to go back to J.R. Rider. That's sad.
* One of the many reasons I prefer college basketball over the NBA...is the referees. I complain about the refs during college games as well, but the NBA game is so inconsistent from possession to possession that Tim Donaghy keeps creeping in my mind while I'm watching the game.
SBG
* Sebastian Telfair used to be our starting point guard a few years ago. Yuck. I hate his game. He looks for his own shot way too much, and never gets his teammates involved. Also, what's up with the two point guards (Ridnour and Telfair) combining for 35 points? I was under the impression that the point guard really didn't have to do much offensively (other than make the right "reads") in the triangle offense...??
* Wesley Johnson...I might have been wrong about him. I didn't like his age. I didn't like how he was from Syracuse (no defense). I didn't like how he transferred from Iowa State to Syracuse (usually, that's a red flag for whatever reason). His dunk last night was ridiculous. His handles are still weak, but at least he's not shy about attacking the hoop. His shot wasn't on last night, but it looks pretty effortless...especially, on a night when you're forced to watch Luther Head and/or Corey Brewer attempt a long range jumper.
* I want Kevin Love to succeed. However, I don't know if he does enough things well on a consistent basis to succeed at this level on a nightly basis. He hit a couple of threes, but he was more of a liability with the ball in his hands than an actual threat on the perimeter. He had some dumb turnovers (that I was told Michael Beasley would make, but not Kevin Love) that killed us in the 2nd half. I'm still not sure what to make of him, but I'm pretty sure he's not a "building block". He's more of a solid 6th man on a playoff team.
And this crap about him being on Team USA this past summer, which somehow translates to some people that he's now a "star" in the making needs to stop. It was a tier 2-3 team. He barely got minutes on that team. Christian Laettner was on the ACTUAL original Dream Team...how did that work out for us?
* I like Beasley. He can create on his own. We haven't had a wing player be able to create his own shot since...?? Maybe Latrell...but, he was the older version at the time...I would almost have to go back to J.R. Rider. That's sad.
* One of the many reasons I prefer college basketball over the NBA...is the referees. I complain about the refs during college games as well, but the NBA game is so inconsistent from possession to possession that Tim Donaghy keeps creeping in my mind while I'm watching the game.
SBG
Monday, October 25, 2010
Week 7 Recap: Vikings @ Packers
This year sucks. We have all the talent in the world and it doesn't amount to shit. Rubes can blame Childress, but Favre is the issue. How can you blame the play calling on the coaches when Favre is up at the line switching everything in his pre-snap read? How do we blame our offensive line every week when Favre is hanging on to the ball too long? How can you not operate at the very least an efficient offense when you have the best running back in the game behind you? How many pick six's (defensive td's) are you going to let up this year? Why is it that whenever you make a bad play, it's automatically because of an injury that you are laboring...but, no one knew anything about it until you started clutching it on the field? Why do you pretend like you may not be able to play the next week due to an injury? Why do you choke in Sunday night games? Why does a married 41 year old (actually 39 year old at the time) send dick pics? Now, for my thoughts on the rest of the game:
* Having Sullivan return to the lineup seemed to be a huge upgrade for our offensive line. Weird. I didn't think we'd miss him as much as we did.
* Chris Cook looked horrible. Hopefully, he was just nervous or still banged up...because he looked awful and Green Bay was exploiting him in the first half.
* Frank Walker (Cook's second half replacement)...looks like Kimbo Slice with his ragged beard. Walker basically commits a penalty on every play he's involved in. It's just a roll of the dice on whether the ref wants to the throw the flag or not. I'm not sure if I like this tactic or not.
* Do you think there was a conspiracy on the Favre to Shiancoe touchdown call because both players have exposed their penises' to the public? I think so.
* Why does Ray Edwards have a "NFL" shaved into his hair? The guy gets fined every week and then complains to the media about how the league is picking on him...?? It would be similar to Jenn Sterger tattooing or shaving Brett's penis somewhere on her body.
* I love to watch Percy Harvin. Remember when we'd get excited about these type of players (example: David Palmer...little, fast and versatile) in the past and the various ways we could use them...however, they never amounted to shit. Percy has exceeded my expectations.
* Green Bay won the game...but, let's not give too much credit to Aaron Rodgers. He racked up his ridiculous yards (mostly in first half), but you can't tell me he won the game for them. He had plenty of chances to close the door...and he didn't...like usual. Vikes still had the ball in the final minute and a touchdown would've won us the game.
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* Having Sullivan return to the lineup seemed to be a huge upgrade for our offensive line. Weird. I didn't think we'd miss him as much as we did.
* Chris Cook looked horrible. Hopefully, he was just nervous or still banged up...because he looked awful and Green Bay was exploiting him in the first half.
* Frank Walker (Cook's second half replacement)...looks like Kimbo Slice with his ragged beard. Walker basically commits a penalty on every play he's involved in. It's just a roll of the dice on whether the ref wants to the throw the flag or not. I'm not sure if I like this tactic or not.
* Do you think there was a conspiracy on the Favre to Shiancoe touchdown call because both players have exposed their penises' to the public? I think so.
* Why does Ray Edwards have a "NFL" shaved into his hair? The guy gets fined every week and then complains to the media about how the league is picking on him...?? It would be similar to Jenn Sterger tattooing or shaving Brett's penis somewhere on her body.
* I love to watch Percy Harvin. Remember when we'd get excited about these type of players (example: David Palmer...little, fast and versatile) in the past and the various ways we could use them...however, they never amounted to shit. Percy has exceeded my expectations.
* Green Bay won the game...but, let's not give too much credit to Aaron Rodgers. He racked up his ridiculous yards (mostly in first half), but you can't tell me he won the game for them. He had plenty of chances to close the door...and he didn't...like usual. Vikes still had the ball in the final minute and a touchdown would've won us the game.
SBG
Monday, October 18, 2010
Week 6 Recap: Cowboys @ Vikings
Vikings eke out their second victory of the year to make them an ugly 2-3 (it's prettier than 1-4 though). Here are some of my random observations of the game (we watched the 2nd & 3rd quarters at Mad Jack's, while listening or watching the rest of the game in the comforts of either our car or home...so my analysis will be all over the map):
* I'm a homer...but with that said, the Vikings benefit from some real crucial calls that went against the Dallas Cowboys. Miles Austin's touchdown was called back because Asher Allen flew like a rag doll on a push off. Greg Lewis received a gift pass interference call that extended a key drive. Both of those were huge in either helping the Vikings put points up, or keeping Dallas from scoring any more. If this is a playoff game...do they even bother throwing the flag on either of those plays...I don't think so.
* A little frustrated by Tony Romo's scampers (not by design) right down the middle with no defender in sight until 10-15 yards down the field. Is there anything more depressing than to watch a quarterback who is not known as a scrambler, gain obscene amounts of yards and the defense not even being able to get a hit on the guy because he slides feet first...??
* Lito Sheppard and Bernard Berrian continue to give lame duck performances week in and week out. The good thing though is they are by far our most consistent players on the team. Congrats.
* The Vikings should be better than 2-3, but they are still in pretty good position within their own division as well as in the NFC side in general. Two of their three losses (Dolphins and Jets) are against AFC opponents and really don't factor into the tiebreakers...except for obviously adding to the loss column. The New Orleans Saints will probably be a shoe in for the playoffs, thus our loss to them may be pretty insignificant unless they struggle down the stretch. The Vikings are not exactly where they thought they'd be, but the mission has been altered to just survive and make it into the playoffs.
* Serious question...if you needed a big time scoring drive late in the game...who's your quarterback: Favre, Rodgers or Romo? I'd pick a forty-one year old, that's prone to throw a pick on any play over the other two pretenders any day of the week. What have those two done besides pile up ridiculous stats that have no bearing on their team's success...? They are not clutch when it matters most...end of game...end of season...playoffs...never.
* Offensive line play is horrible. The offensive line is so bad that Roger Goodell doesn't even have to suspend Favre in order to punish him for 'Danglegate 08'. Everybody wins....except for our offensive line, and probably the Vikings as well.
* Most memorable play outside of Harvin's return and E.J's two picks...shotgun formation on 3rd and 3 and the snap is low and on the ground. Favre picks it up with defenders in his face and zips it to Kleinsasser who just released himself from the line of scrimmage. He rumbles for a long gain to get deep in Cowboys territory.
* Does anyone else get nervous when the razzle, dazzle play on the kickoff return (last play of game/only up by three) for Dallas goes a little too long and you start saying...we're not going to lose like this are we...?? Only Minnesota fans...maybe Buffalo as well (Miracle in Music City).
SBG
* I'm a homer...but with that said, the Vikings benefit from some real crucial calls that went against the Dallas Cowboys. Miles Austin's touchdown was called back because Asher Allen flew like a rag doll on a push off. Greg Lewis received a gift pass interference call that extended a key drive. Both of those were huge in either helping the Vikings put points up, or keeping Dallas from scoring any more. If this is a playoff game...do they even bother throwing the flag on either of those plays...I don't think so.
* A little frustrated by Tony Romo's scampers (not by design) right down the middle with no defender in sight until 10-15 yards down the field. Is there anything more depressing than to watch a quarterback who is not known as a scrambler, gain obscene amounts of yards and the defense not even being able to get a hit on the guy because he slides feet first...??
* Lito Sheppard and Bernard Berrian continue to give lame duck performances week in and week out. The good thing though is they are by far our most consistent players on the team. Congrats.
* The Vikings should be better than 2-3, but they are still in pretty good position within their own division as well as in the NFC side in general. Two of their three losses (Dolphins and Jets) are against AFC opponents and really don't factor into the tiebreakers...except for obviously adding to the loss column. The New Orleans Saints will probably be a shoe in for the playoffs, thus our loss to them may be pretty insignificant unless they struggle down the stretch. The Vikings are not exactly where they thought they'd be, but the mission has been altered to just survive and make it into the playoffs.
* Serious question...if you needed a big time scoring drive late in the game...who's your quarterback: Favre, Rodgers or Romo? I'd pick a forty-one year old, that's prone to throw a pick on any play over the other two pretenders any day of the week. What have those two done besides pile up ridiculous stats that have no bearing on their team's success...? They are not clutch when it matters most...end of game...end of season...playoffs...never.
* Offensive line play is horrible. The offensive line is so bad that Roger Goodell doesn't even have to suspend Favre in order to punish him for 'Danglegate 08'. Everybody wins....except for our offensive line, and probably the Vikings as well.
* Most memorable play outside of Harvin's return and E.J's two picks...shotgun formation on 3rd and 3 and the snap is low and on the ground. Favre picks it up with defenders in his face and zips it to Kleinsasser who just released himself from the line of scrimmage. He rumbles for a long gain to get deep in Cowboys territory.
* Does anyone else get nervous when the razzle, dazzle play on the kickoff return (last play of game/only up by three) for Dallas goes a little too long and you start saying...we're not going to lose like this are we...?? Only Minnesota fans...maybe Buffalo as well (Miracle in Music City).
SBG
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Week 5 Recap: Vikings @ Jets
The Tubby Tipoff is this upcoming Friday (10/15)...I can't wait for something positive in the Minnesota sports scene.
Now for my thoughts and observations on the game:
* I thought Mike Ditka was a liar, but I was wrong...he's just old. He claimed his Chicago team shut down Moss in his rookie year. Ditka was coaching New Orleans (1997-1999), not Chicago...but his team did actually hold Moss to one catch for six yards in 1997.
* Cris Carter is a dick. I will always admire his career between the lines on Sunday afternoons, but he is simply an asshole with a microphone in front of him. Why does he feel the need to upstage his co-workers (Matt Millen, Steve Young, etc) while each of them are giving their OWN "opinions"...? Wait your turn and then give your bullshit opinion...that's it, done.
* Rain delay. Great. More "insight" from Cris Carter and company.
* Brett Favre sucked. The two fumbles killed me. No contact was made with a defensive player and he coughs the ball up TWICE.
* Speaking of turnovers...does our defense know what these are? I will say that E.J. Henderson and Chad Greenway looked pretty solid out there. Although, everyone else has been pretty quiet thus far...which is pretty amazing since they were on the field for virtually the whole game due to an inept Vikings offense.
* Other bright spots...Moss scoring a touchdown, Percy made some big plays (2 TD's), the offensive line looked better in the 2nd half, and the red zone defense.
* More low lights: Asher Allen, Cedric Griffin getting hurt, kickoff coverage when WE had momentum, pass protection in first half, and Jets converting on 3rd and long situations.
SBG
Now for my thoughts and observations on the game:
* I thought Mike Ditka was a liar, but I was wrong...he's just old. He claimed his Chicago team shut down Moss in his rookie year. Ditka was coaching New Orleans (1997-1999), not Chicago...but his team did actually hold Moss to one catch for six yards in 1997.
* Cris Carter is a dick. I will always admire his career between the lines on Sunday afternoons, but he is simply an asshole with a microphone in front of him. Why does he feel the need to upstage his co-workers (Matt Millen, Steve Young, etc) while each of them are giving their OWN "opinions"...? Wait your turn and then give your bullshit opinion...that's it, done.
* Rain delay. Great. More "insight" from Cris Carter and company.
* Brett Favre sucked. The two fumbles killed me. No contact was made with a defensive player and he coughs the ball up TWICE.
* Speaking of turnovers...does our defense know what these are? I will say that E.J. Henderson and Chad Greenway looked pretty solid out there. Although, everyone else has been pretty quiet thus far...which is pretty amazing since they were on the field for virtually the whole game due to an inept Vikings offense.
* Other bright spots...Moss scoring a touchdown, Percy made some big plays (2 TD's), the offensive line looked better in the 2nd half, and the red zone defense.
* More low lights: Asher Allen, Cedric Griffin getting hurt, kickoff coverage when WE had momentum, pass protection in first half, and Jets converting on 3rd and long situations.
SBG
Monday, October 11, 2010
Yankees own Twins...again...
Yankees sweep the Twins in the best of five series...I really didn't want to write anything about this since it was such a depressing performance by our ball club. Unfortunately, I feel like I have to though. Here's what I took away from watching all three games:
* TBS sucks. Why do you have TWO former pitchers filling ONE role as the "baseball analyst" on your broadcast team? Two "analysts" can work at times...but, you need different perspectives. Nothing worse than everybody in the booth agreeing with each other...the "Yes" man is the role for the play-by-play man.
* On the way home from work before game one of the series...I heard Dan Gladden ask Gardy about the game plan. Gardy mentions about having to "pitch inside" on the Yankees. I call bullshit. No one pitched inside the whole series. Every pitcher tried to tickle the outside corner on virtually every pitch. Thome was brushed back once and beaned another time in two different at bats (early in Game 1 by C.C.)...nobody did anything other than make the Yankees even more comfortable at the plate by only working the outside half of the plate.
* Fans want to criticize and put blame on Gardy. How about Joe Mauer? This guy is going to eat up a sizable chunk of our payroll starting next year (limits who we can and can't sign to help this club) and he's going to give us lame duck post season performances such as this year...and on top of it...he won't even speak to the media (he leaves that to Cuddyer) on a regular basis.
* Hunter Wendelstedt III...what are you doing? The Pavano pitch was strike three to Berkman. You missed plenty of other calls (balls and strikes) with your inconsistent strike zone that night too, but the real question is how do you throw out a manager in a PLAYOFF SERIES stating that fact to you in a close game. Gardy probably had some choice words for you, but he didn't throw a tantrum until you booted him from the game. Ever since I saw Doug Harvey get into the Hall of Fame this year (2010), I've seen more and more umpires take even less criticism.
Memo to Gardy: If you plan to get ejected from games, please line up a more competent fill-in manager than Scott Ullger. I had to watch his managing prowess in Detroit for 1 1/2 games in September...and it was B R U T A L, brutal.
* I read another blog (Down With Goldy)...he thinks the Twins should go and get Carl Crawford and either trade Young/Kubel and one of our mediocre pitchers for whatever we can get for them. I don't think it'll happen, but I'm game. This team won a lot of games this year, but this roster still needs a major overhaul. We're stuck in between a power team (with actually no to minimal power) and a speed team (with no speed other than Span and reserves). The current roster is great compared to years past...but, we still need upgrades all over the field. Is Span a true center fielder or should he be moved to a corner? Should Kubel/Young even own gloves? Do we even have a true ace on the staff? Are Hudson and Hardy worth keeping after average years at best? Will Valencia have a sophomore slump? Does Morneau have a headache this BIG? Is Mauer ever going to be clutch?
* I really liked our bullpen before the playoffs started. I thought Gardy would use it early and often because of our depth, and the lack of an ace on the starting staff. He didn't (until the Game 3 mismatch)...and now that strong bullpen will evaporate (Fuentes, Rauch, Crain or Guerrier) in the off season. I can't believe I just wrote "strong bullpen" and had "Crain" attached to that point.
SBG
* TBS sucks. Why do you have TWO former pitchers filling ONE role as the "baseball analyst" on your broadcast team? Two "analysts" can work at times...but, you need different perspectives. Nothing worse than everybody in the booth agreeing with each other...the "Yes" man is the role for the play-by-play man.
* On the way home from work before game one of the series...I heard Dan Gladden ask Gardy about the game plan. Gardy mentions about having to "pitch inside" on the Yankees. I call bullshit. No one pitched inside the whole series. Every pitcher tried to tickle the outside corner on virtually every pitch. Thome was brushed back once and beaned another time in two different at bats (early in Game 1 by C.C.)...nobody did anything other than make the Yankees even more comfortable at the plate by only working the outside half of the plate.
* Fans want to criticize and put blame on Gardy. How about Joe Mauer? This guy is going to eat up a sizable chunk of our payroll starting next year (limits who we can and can't sign to help this club) and he's going to give us lame duck post season performances such as this year...and on top of it...he won't even speak to the media (he leaves that to Cuddyer) on a regular basis.
* Hunter Wendelstedt III...what are you doing? The Pavano pitch was strike three to Berkman. You missed plenty of other calls (balls and strikes) with your inconsistent strike zone that night too, but the real question is how do you throw out a manager in a PLAYOFF SERIES stating that fact to you in a close game. Gardy probably had some choice words for you, but he didn't throw a tantrum until you booted him from the game. Ever since I saw Doug Harvey get into the Hall of Fame this year (2010), I've seen more and more umpires take even less criticism.
Memo to Gardy: If you plan to get ejected from games, please line up a more competent fill-in manager than Scott Ullger. I had to watch his managing prowess in Detroit for 1 1/2 games in September...and it was B R U T A L, brutal.
* I read another blog (Down With Goldy)...he thinks the Twins should go and get Carl Crawford and either trade Young/Kubel and one of our mediocre pitchers for whatever we can get for them. I don't think it'll happen, but I'm game. This team won a lot of games this year, but this roster still needs a major overhaul. We're stuck in between a power team (with actually no to minimal power) and a speed team (with no speed other than Span and reserves). The current roster is great compared to years past...but, we still need upgrades all over the field. Is Span a true center fielder or should he be moved to a corner? Should Kubel/Young even own gloves? Do we even have a true ace on the staff? Are Hudson and Hardy worth keeping after average years at best? Will Valencia have a sophomore slump? Does Morneau have a headache this BIG? Is Mauer ever going to be clutch?
* I really liked our bullpen before the playoffs started. I thought Gardy would use it early and often because of our depth, and the lack of an ace on the starting staff. He didn't (until the Game 3 mismatch)...and now that strong bullpen will evaporate (Fuentes, Rauch, Crain or Guerrier) in the off season. I can't believe I just wrote "strong bullpen" and had "Crain" attached to that point.
SBG
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Things just got a little interesting...
The Minnesota Vikings make a monster move by acquiring Randy Moss from the Patriots. Even at the age of 33, Randy is a huge upgrade over the current fleet of receivers currently running routes at Winter Park. Here are some random thoughts on the trade:
* You may not be a pro-stadium advocate for the Vikings, but you have to hand it to the Wilf Family for opening their wallets and doing their best to absolutely put the best possible product on the field year in and year out...all, while doing it in one of the worst and outdated stadiums (doesn't generate much revenue) in the league.
* I know we have a brutal stretch of games coming up...and I'm not trying to look to far ahead...but, can you just imagine the Vikings finally winning a Super Bowl with both Randy Moss (former franchise player for the Vikings) and Adrian Peterson (current franchise player), while a 40 year old (Brett Favre and former nemesis while playing at Green Bay) is our quarterback. I'm biased...but, our threesome is going to be a whole lot more entertaining than the Lebron, Wade and Bosh in South Beach.
* Childress was a control freak when he first arrived. How is he going to handle this circus when Favre and Moss are running the sidelines on game day...?? I'm sure we'll get a token line from his days from Philadelphia on how they were successful with Terrell Owens in the mix...but, I'm anxious to at least see how all the dynamics actually play out.
* As sports fans...enjoy this day. You don't see a franchise player come back to where he started his professional career, especially when he still has something left in the tank this late in his career. There is too many egos involved in the sports world for any of that to take place nowadays.
* Even if this fails (which it may)...it will still be fun to watch the drama unfold. Watching the first three games this year has been, well...boring. For whatever reason, the buzz around last years team did not carry over to this years team. That has now changed...Randy Moss is back in a Vikings uniform.
* Lastly, I love Randy Moss...and will continue to do so. People clamor about all these "antics" that he's done over the years. The "antics" are all football related (besides running over the traffic cop...oops). Some of his "antics" were actually cool though: squirting an official with a water bottle in St. Louis and pretending to moon the Packer fans in Lambeau...I would personally take credit for those acts because those are legendary and didn't hurt anyone involved besides Joe Buck's feelings of course.
SBG
* You may not be a pro-stadium advocate for the Vikings, but you have to hand it to the Wilf Family for opening their wallets and doing their best to absolutely put the best possible product on the field year in and year out...all, while doing it in one of the worst and outdated stadiums (doesn't generate much revenue) in the league.
* I know we have a brutal stretch of games coming up...and I'm not trying to look to far ahead...but, can you just imagine the Vikings finally winning a Super Bowl with both Randy Moss (former franchise player for the Vikings) and Adrian Peterson (current franchise player), while a 40 year old (Brett Favre and former nemesis while playing at Green Bay) is our quarterback. I'm biased...but, our threesome is going to be a whole lot more entertaining than the Lebron, Wade and Bosh in South Beach.
* Childress was a control freak when he first arrived. How is he going to handle this circus when Favre and Moss are running the sidelines on game day...?? I'm sure we'll get a token line from his days from Philadelphia on how they were successful with Terrell Owens in the mix...but, I'm anxious to at least see how all the dynamics actually play out.
* As sports fans...enjoy this day. You don't see a franchise player come back to where he started his professional career, especially when he still has something left in the tank this late in his career. There is too many egos involved in the sports world for any of that to take place nowadays.
* Even if this fails (which it may)...it will still be fun to watch the drama unfold. Watching the first three games this year has been, well...boring. For whatever reason, the buzz around last years team did not carry over to this years team. That has now changed...Randy Moss is back in a Vikings uniform.
* Lastly, I love Randy Moss...and will continue to do so. People clamor about all these "antics" that he's done over the years. The "antics" are all football related (besides running over the traffic cop...oops). Some of his "antics" were actually cool though: squirting an official with a water bottle in St. Louis and pretending to moon the Packer fans in Lambeau...I would personally take credit for those acts because those are legendary and didn't hurt anyone involved besides Joe Buck's feelings of course.
SBG
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Comerica Park/Detroit Review
Our family took a road trip out to Detroit to catch two of the three games (Friday and Saturday) of the Twins/Tigers series...we also indulged in some other activities...here's some insight and information regarding our trip:
* Comerica Park is already ten years old (amazingly)...here's what I took away from the park from our two nights of experiences:
- We sat in the outfield bleachers on Friday night...the sound system is horrible out there. It's muffled as if your trying to listen to an AM station in a parking ramp. If you want a good experience, pay the extra money (as we did on Saturday) for seats along the 1st or 3rd baselines. Ideally, you'll probably want to sit on the 3rd baseline due to better scenery with the skyline of downtown.
- Detroit basically just ripped off the idea of the water show display they have in dead center off of Kansas City. It doesn't run as frequently as it does in Kansas City, but I thought it was pretty lame on their part to incorporate that feature into their park when these two teams are in the same division. Can you imagine if Toronto or Tampa builds a new stadium and puts up a "green monster" in left field? No, because that would be stupid...you have years and years of baseball history in the city of Detroit and the best you can do is copy Kansas City...??
- The scoreboard is huge, but it already seems outdated. Along with two tigers prowling on the top (pretty cool), they have three separate screens that provide general information for the fans. Two of those three screens are of Metrodome quality with the orange/yellow bulbs providing very basic information. The third screen provides pictures and replays (although no replays were played on Friday night for some reason).
- They do have a Carousel and Ferris wheel that are tiger/baseball themed in the ballpark. The kids loved it, but if your a parent and don't want to miss the action of the game...you might want to get to the game early to get the rides out of the way because the only connection you have to the game during the rides is the sound of the crowd.
- If the Twins were still playing in the Metrodome...I probably would've enjoyed my experience a lot more, but now that Target Field is in play Comerica just seemed to lack in a lot of areas...specifically, creativity.
* My daughter desperately wanted a tiger claw (think...foam #1 finger) after seeing a kid roaming around in the stadium with one. She was throwing a fit, because I refused to buy her a claw with the Detroit emblem stamped on it. Well, I eventually caved in and bought her a pink and blue claw. Since that purchase...Twins haven't won since.
* True story: On Saturday night, we were sitting by father or grandpa/son or grandson combo...not really sure. The father/grandpa (fifty years old is being generous) is talking about video games and specifically about MLB The Show. He starts off by saying how "realistic" it is and parlays that comment into a story how he had Verlander (his starting pitcher) pitching in the 11th inning still and he gave up two walks and a bloop hit to load the bases. The next batter hits into a triple play to get his Tigers out of the inning. What's worse...the "fifty year old" man playing video games or the fact that he thinks this sequence of virtual baseball events was anywhere near "realistic"...??
* Detroit has black squirrels.
* We attended a Division II football game...Wayne State was hosting Ohio Dominican. Wayne State's campus is immersed right in the city of Detroit. My son claims it was his favorite part of the trip, my wife is still questioning me why I dragged everyone to that event. We did break a "rule for a family attending a sports event" though...we left the game early (with around 3 minutes left in the game)...I usually shun people who leave early. However, that game had little to no action. The best part was the announcer calling one of their wide receivers..."Donald Yellow Shoes Brown on the catch"...because of the fashion statement with the neon yellow cleats.
* The family went bowling (bumpers were in play). My daughter somehow gets the ball stuck half way down the alley. Her twin brother gets a spare. She wants to quit half way through, he wants to bowl double (his turn and her turn). She wants to take home the ugly bowling shoes to keep, he wants to take the bowling ball. Yet, they have an inseparable bond with each other that I'll just never know.
SBG
* Comerica Park is already ten years old (amazingly)...here's what I took away from the park from our two nights of experiences:
- We sat in the outfield bleachers on Friday night...the sound system is horrible out there. It's muffled as if your trying to listen to an AM station in a parking ramp. If you want a good experience, pay the extra money (as we did on Saturday) for seats along the 1st or 3rd baselines. Ideally, you'll probably want to sit on the 3rd baseline due to better scenery with the skyline of downtown.
- Detroit basically just ripped off the idea of the water show display they have in dead center off of Kansas City. It doesn't run as frequently as it does in Kansas City, but I thought it was pretty lame on their part to incorporate that feature into their park when these two teams are in the same division. Can you imagine if Toronto or Tampa builds a new stadium and puts up a "green monster" in left field? No, because that would be stupid...you have years and years of baseball history in the city of Detroit and the best you can do is copy Kansas City...??
- The scoreboard is huge, but it already seems outdated. Along with two tigers prowling on the top (pretty cool), they have three separate screens that provide general information for the fans. Two of those three screens are of Metrodome quality with the orange/yellow bulbs providing very basic information. The third screen provides pictures and replays (although no replays were played on Friday night for some reason).
- They do have a Carousel and Ferris wheel that are tiger/baseball themed in the ballpark. The kids loved it, but if your a parent and don't want to miss the action of the game...you might want to get to the game early to get the rides out of the way because the only connection you have to the game during the rides is the sound of the crowd.
- If the Twins were still playing in the Metrodome...I probably would've enjoyed my experience a lot more, but now that Target Field is in play Comerica just seemed to lack in a lot of areas...specifically, creativity.
* My daughter desperately wanted a tiger claw (think...foam #1 finger) after seeing a kid roaming around in the stadium with one. She was throwing a fit, because I refused to buy her a claw with the Detroit emblem stamped on it. Well, I eventually caved in and bought her a pink and blue claw. Since that purchase...Twins haven't won since.
* True story: On Saturday night, we were sitting by father or grandpa/son or grandson combo...not really sure. The father/grandpa (fifty years old is being generous) is talking about video games and specifically about MLB The Show. He starts off by saying how "realistic" it is and parlays that comment into a story how he had Verlander (his starting pitcher) pitching in the 11th inning still and he gave up two walks and a bloop hit to load the bases. The next batter hits into a triple play to get his Tigers out of the inning. What's worse...the "fifty year old" man playing video games or the fact that he thinks this sequence of virtual baseball events was anywhere near "realistic"...??
* Detroit has black squirrels.
* We attended a Division II football game...Wayne State was hosting Ohio Dominican. Wayne State's campus is immersed right in the city of Detroit. My son claims it was his favorite part of the trip, my wife is still questioning me why I dragged everyone to that event. We did break a "rule for a family attending a sports event" though...we left the game early (with around 3 minutes left in the game)...I usually shun people who leave early. However, that game had little to no action. The best part was the announcer calling one of their wide receivers..."Donald Yellow Shoes Brown on the catch"...because of the fashion statement with the neon yellow cleats.
* The family went bowling (bumpers were in play). My daughter somehow gets the ball stuck half way down the alley. Her twin brother gets a spare. She wants to quit half way through, he wants to bowl double (his turn and her turn). She wants to take home the ugly bowling shoes to keep, he wants to take the bowling ball. Yet, they have an inseparable bond with each other that I'll just never know.
SBG
Monday, September 27, 2010
Week 3 Recap: Lions @ Vikings
The answer in college football is not [to] change the coach out all the time. That's easy -- change the coach, change everything," Brewster said.
This post will be sponsored by the quote of the year by Gopher football coach Tim Brewster. The quote is from a day after another bad loss on the year, this time by Northern Illinois...he's basically trying to save his job with this quote, but the irony is that he's done exactly what he says not to do with his own assistant coaches during his tenure.
Our family was coming back from a "sports" road trip from Detroit (I will post in the next day or two on our adventures) so I didn't watch the game live with angst. So, in a nice calm setting (already knowing the results) I watched the Vikings-Lions game on the DVR...and as usual, here are my thoughts and observations:
* The Lions got screwed multiple times on various calls. And if you can't remember...this is one of the many reasons why we hated Favre when he was a Packer. He worked the officials and got borderline calls that extended drives, which usually resulted in points.
* Where is Jared Allen? Besides starting a brawl with quarterback Shaun Hill...has he done anything for us this year? I don't even hear his name during the game unless they're talking about one of his quirky off the field hobbies.
* Our bread and butter play right now (outside of an Adrian Peterson hand off) is a Brett Favre throw to either a tight end or slot receiver (in the middle of the field) on a five yard button hook. Ladies and gentlemen...I present to you your "kick-ass offense".
* I want Joe Webb on the field...as a receiver. I have no inkling on whether he'll be good or not. However, if we're rolling out Hank Baskett (in the same week he signed on with us), Greg Lewis, an underachieving Berrian, and our token white guy, Camarillo...can't we at least try the Webb experiment out.
* It's hard enough to sit through and watch a recording when you already know the result...but, it's even worse when there is a penalty on virtually every other play creating no flow to the game.
* Vikings need a change of identity for the short term in order to steal some wins. This defense is good and stout enough to get wins on it's own. They need to continue to run the ball well and play the field position game with their opponent. Limit turnovers and make their opponents go the length of the field for them to score. Will this really happen with #4 under center and him going against his toughest opponent...his ego...?? I don't know, but I think the only way they make the playoffs is by breaking even (playing at least .500 ball) during this brutal stretch of the schedule.
SBG
This post will be sponsored by the quote of the year by Gopher football coach Tim Brewster. The quote is from a day after another bad loss on the year, this time by Northern Illinois...he's basically trying to save his job with this quote, but the irony is that he's done exactly what he says not to do with his own assistant coaches during his tenure.
Our family was coming back from a "sports" road trip from Detroit (I will post in the next day or two on our adventures) so I didn't watch the game live with angst. So, in a nice calm setting (already knowing the results) I watched the Vikings-Lions game on the DVR...and as usual, here are my thoughts and observations:
* The Lions got screwed multiple times on various calls. And if you can't remember...this is one of the many reasons why we hated Favre when he was a Packer. He worked the officials and got borderline calls that extended drives, which usually resulted in points.
* Where is Jared Allen? Besides starting a brawl with quarterback Shaun Hill...has he done anything for us this year? I don't even hear his name during the game unless they're talking about one of his quirky off the field hobbies.
* Our bread and butter play right now (outside of an Adrian Peterson hand off) is a Brett Favre throw to either a tight end or slot receiver (in the middle of the field) on a five yard button hook. Ladies and gentlemen...I present to you your "kick-ass offense".
* I want Joe Webb on the field...as a receiver. I have no inkling on whether he'll be good or not. However, if we're rolling out Hank Baskett (in the same week he signed on with us), Greg Lewis, an underachieving Berrian, and our token white guy, Camarillo...can't we at least try the Webb experiment out.
* It's hard enough to sit through and watch a recording when you already know the result...but, it's even worse when there is a penalty on virtually every other play creating no flow to the game.
* Vikings need a change of identity for the short term in order to steal some wins. This defense is good and stout enough to get wins on it's own. They need to continue to run the ball well and play the field position game with their opponent. Limit turnovers and make their opponents go the length of the field for them to score. Will this really happen with #4 under center and him going against his toughest opponent...his ego...?? I don't know, but I think the only way they make the playoffs is by breaking even (playing at least .500 ball) during this brutal stretch of the schedule.
SBG
Monday, September 20, 2010
Week 2 Recap: Dolphins @ Vikings
We knew it was going to be hard to repeat the same success as last year with a much tougher schedule (especially, right out of the gates)...however, losing home games...to the Dolphins of all teams...is gut-wrenching and depressing...here's what stood out for me during this game:
* Electing to go for a fourth down (and not converting) and not getting any points on the board with at least a field goal during the first drive of the game was a mistake. The Vikings are playing with a short deck on offense and should take any and all scoring possibilities available to them. Unless we are up against the clock and playing from behind, this team just needs to put points on the board whenever they can.
* I find it a little troublesome that our defense has let up two touchdowns in the opening drives of each game. Miami targeted Lito Sheppard for two of the biggest plays on that drive that resulted in the touchdown. Was it just me or when you saw Lito Sheppard turned around on those plays and seeing him sporting the #29 jersey (by the way, never a good sign to be able to see the whole backside of a defensive back during the game) didn't you yearn for Chester Taylor to be back on our squad...?? I miss him and so does our offense.
* Brett didn't play that well, but he has NO wide receivers stepping up. Percy bobbled the ball into the air for the interception at the goal line. Bernard Berrian was pathetic. On the other two interceptions, Brett put the ball up hoping Berrian could make a play on the ball (pretty much did this all of last year with Sidney Rice). Not only does he not make a play...he doesn't even try to turn into a defender and disrupt the ball and/or defender to break up the interception. Like I said, Brett didn't play well...but, these receivers are not doing him any favors. Shiancoe is pretty much the most reliable receiver...credit Shiancoe for his play and improvement, but that's not an ideal candidate to have as your "go to" receiver when the team was considered a Super Bowl contender at the beginning of the year.
* Toby Gerhart looked solid in limited time. However, with the offense looking very pedestrian like in Childress' first few years on the job...wouldn't you rather have an undersized, but explosive play maker like Jahvid Best rather than the lumbering and bruising Gerhart? Adrian Peterson is a one of kind running back, anyone you roll out there will be considered a change of pace compared to him...and if Childress had an ideal plan entering the season to pound the rock relentlessly at opponents, that's fine...however, when we play from behind our game plan gets thrown out the window quicker than Tim Brewster changing coordinators.
* Do the Vikings pursue Vincent Jackson? I think they have to. Not because I think it's a good move short term and/or long term. Mainly, because the Vikings need to do whatever they have to do to get into postseason, since they pretty much already went all in by begging Brett Favre to come back. And let's not forget about other elephants in the room such as the possible lockout in 2011 and the Vikings REALLY want to parlay another successful season into a new stadium.
* The defense played well (only really allowed 7 points, on the first drive of the game), but I still feel that they're not playing up to their potential. Miami didn't score much, but they were able to extend drives and take valuable time off the clock. When we needed three and outs, Miami converted crucial 3rd downs...not enough to score (field goals or touchdowns), but enough to put our mediocre offense in a position to have to drive the length of the field in order for us to score points.
SBG
* Electing to go for a fourth down (and not converting) and not getting any points on the board with at least a field goal during the first drive of the game was a mistake. The Vikings are playing with a short deck on offense and should take any and all scoring possibilities available to them. Unless we are up against the clock and playing from behind, this team just needs to put points on the board whenever they can.
* I find it a little troublesome that our defense has let up two touchdowns in the opening drives of each game. Miami targeted Lito Sheppard for two of the biggest plays on that drive that resulted in the touchdown. Was it just me or when you saw Lito Sheppard turned around on those plays and seeing him sporting the #29 jersey (by the way, never a good sign to be able to see the whole backside of a defensive back during the game) didn't you yearn for Chester Taylor to be back on our squad...?? I miss him and so does our offense.
* Brett didn't play that well, but he has NO wide receivers stepping up. Percy bobbled the ball into the air for the interception at the goal line. Bernard Berrian was pathetic. On the other two interceptions, Brett put the ball up hoping Berrian could make a play on the ball (pretty much did this all of last year with Sidney Rice). Not only does he not make a play...he doesn't even try to turn into a defender and disrupt the ball and/or defender to break up the interception. Like I said, Brett didn't play well...but, these receivers are not doing him any favors. Shiancoe is pretty much the most reliable receiver...credit Shiancoe for his play and improvement, but that's not an ideal candidate to have as your "go to" receiver when the team was considered a Super Bowl contender at the beginning of the year.
* Toby Gerhart looked solid in limited time. However, with the offense looking very pedestrian like in Childress' first few years on the job...wouldn't you rather have an undersized, but explosive play maker like Jahvid Best rather than the lumbering and bruising Gerhart? Adrian Peterson is a one of kind running back, anyone you roll out there will be considered a change of pace compared to him...and if Childress had an ideal plan entering the season to pound the rock relentlessly at opponents, that's fine...however, when we play from behind our game plan gets thrown out the window quicker than Tim Brewster changing coordinators.
* Do the Vikings pursue Vincent Jackson? I think they have to. Not because I think it's a good move short term and/or long term. Mainly, because the Vikings need to do whatever they have to do to get into postseason, since they pretty much already went all in by begging Brett Favre to come back. And let's not forget about other elephants in the room such as the possible lockout in 2011 and the Vikings REALLY want to parlay another successful season into a new stadium.
* The defense played well (only really allowed 7 points, on the first drive of the game), but I still feel that they're not playing up to their potential. Miami didn't score much, but they were able to extend drives and take valuable time off the clock. When we needed three and outs, Miami converted crucial 3rd downs...not enough to score (field goals or touchdowns), but enough to put our mediocre offense in a position to have to drive the length of the field in order for us to score points.
SBG
Friday, September 10, 2010
Week 1 Recap: Vikings @ Saints
We're in year two of the Favre era...but, the second year starts exactly how the first year ended...a loss to the Saints at the Superdome. Here's some of my perspective on the game and festivities of last night:
* Last year I could just tell that Chester Taylor was going to bolt after the season during free agency. I can't put my finger on it, but it just seemed like his body language on the sidelines seemed like he was bored with the situation. Well, after watching the opening of the game last night...the players seem to confirm with their solidarity act that there will be a work stoppage next year...so either a whole year will be lost, or an abbreviated season will take place next year. Here's a solution...fix the outrageous rookie pay scale, give more benefits to former players after they are done playing and take the safety precautions of the current players more seriously. They're squabbling over millions in a multi-billion dollar business that has a stranglehold on the market. And they're doing it at a time when we have troops overseas, a struggling economy and Simon leaving American Idol.
* New Orleans first drive started out with two big pass plays down the middle. Damn the NFL is harsh...E.J. Henderson makes a valiant recovery off a gruesome femur injury last year and they go right at him right away. E.J. did look a lot better as the game wore on, especially on the run game.
* I heard a lot of complaining about the play-calling (abandoning the run in the 2nd half). However, the Vikings dug themselves holes on plenty of possessions where penalties virtually put them into passing situations on every down. It just wasn't a sharp game offensively all around.
* Bryant McKinnie leaves the game with a "finger injury". Are you serious...?? I don't expect McKinnie to pull a Ronnie Lott and cut his finger off to get back in the game...but, you're 6'8"...300 plus pounds and we're worried about a finger...??
* New Orleans' kicker shanks two field goals yesterday, but makes the clincher last year in the NFC Championship Game in overtime...this kind of irony only happens to the Vikings.
* Leslie Frazier deserves a head coaching job in the NFL. He adjusts his defense on the fly and makes proper adjustments throughout the game better than anyone that we've had for awhile (Dungy was probably the last good defensive coordinator we had/Tomlin was a great motivator, but didn't exactly adjust within the game). The game looked like it could have been a stinker after the Saints first drive...but, credit Frazier and the defensive players for putting the team in position for the offense to steal a game.
SBG
* Last year I could just tell that Chester Taylor was going to bolt after the season during free agency. I can't put my finger on it, but it just seemed like his body language on the sidelines seemed like he was bored with the situation. Well, after watching the opening of the game last night...the players seem to confirm with their solidarity act that there will be a work stoppage next year...so either a whole year will be lost, or an abbreviated season will take place next year. Here's a solution...fix the outrageous rookie pay scale, give more benefits to former players after they are done playing and take the safety precautions of the current players more seriously. They're squabbling over millions in a multi-billion dollar business that has a stranglehold on the market. And they're doing it at a time when we have troops overseas, a struggling economy and Simon leaving American Idol.
* New Orleans first drive started out with two big pass plays down the middle. Damn the NFL is harsh...E.J. Henderson makes a valiant recovery off a gruesome femur injury last year and they go right at him right away. E.J. did look a lot better as the game wore on, especially on the run game.
* I heard a lot of complaining about the play-calling (abandoning the run in the 2nd half). However, the Vikings dug themselves holes on plenty of possessions where penalties virtually put them into passing situations on every down. It just wasn't a sharp game offensively all around.
* Bryant McKinnie leaves the game with a "finger injury". Are you serious...?? I don't expect McKinnie to pull a Ronnie Lott and cut his finger off to get back in the game...but, you're 6'8"...300 plus pounds and we're worried about a finger...??
* New Orleans' kicker shanks two field goals yesterday, but makes the clincher last year in the NFC Championship Game in overtime...this kind of irony only happens to the Vikings.
* Leslie Frazier deserves a head coaching job in the NFL. He adjusts his defense on the fly and makes proper adjustments throughout the game better than anyone that we've had for awhile (Dungy was probably the last good defensive coordinator we had/Tomlin was a great motivator, but didn't exactly adjust within the game). The game looked like it could have been a stinker after the Saints first drive...but, credit Frazier and the defensive players for putting the team in position for the offense to steal a game.
SBG
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Random, like an Ozzie Guillen interview...
Busy week of sports from every direction...so, I'm throwing it all at you with no rhyme or reason.
* I attended the Saturday late afternoon tilt between the Rangers and Twins with my wife and another couple. We had four tickets in the Legends Club and the seats and surroundings were excellent. I can't compliment the Twins enough on how they built that stadium. The wide open concourse and use of windows all over is easy on the eyes no matter where you are in the park. Also, the Legends Club is a hot spot for foul balls (we probably had about 5-6 balls land in and around the two sections on both sides of us).
* Jim Thome has now racked up 21 home runs this year. Did anyone realistically expect this kind of production from him, while doing it in a quasi-part-time role...? The answer is no...and kudos to Gardy for not overextending his playing time with the loss of Morneau.
* Gopher fullback Jon Hoese's dad dies less than a week after he has a career performance of three touchdowns in the opener against Middle Tennessee State.
* Why are members of my family and fans in general disgusted that we traded away Sage Rosenfels and kept T-Jack? Ideally, none of these guys will see the field for any significant/meaningful time regardless with Favre in the fold this year. Which gets me thinking...if you're a black quarterback and play for the Minnesota Vikings...you pretty much have a 2-3 year window to win the Super Bowl, or else the fan base will eventually turn on you (examples: Moon, Cunningham, Culpepper). Good luck Joe Webb!!
* Golden Gopher basketball goes 3-0 in exhibition games during their Canadian tour. Not sure what the competition was like, but I'm excited for the group that Tubby has in the fold. They have a plethora of quality big men (Iverson, Walker, Sampson, Mbakwe) they can choose from that will create lots of match up problems for the opponents (even in conference play).
* I recorded and watched a little bit of the "Legends Game" on Fox Sports North. I enjoy it when the Twins bring back former players...but, come on...Brian Raabe is participating in the "Legends Game". What did he do as a member of the Minnesota Twins? Not only was he a borderline prospect that didn't do anything individually at the major league level, but he managed to accomplish nothing on bad Minnesota teams.
* Season opener for the Vikings at New Orleans on Thursday night. It would be nice to sneak out a win...but, does that really help anybody cope from that NFC Championship game meltdown last year...??
* Ten person fantasy football draft in my cousin's league last night. I've won three consecutive years somehow while having the last pick in the first round every year (you draft based on your record/finish from the previous year). My squad: Larry Fitzgerald (keeper), Greg Jennings, Brett Favre, Ronnie Brown, Felix Jones, Clinton Portis, Tony Gonzalez, Robert Meachem, Stephen Gostkowski, Jeremy Maclin, Chester Taylor, Vince Young, New Orleans Defense, and Mr. Irrelevant...Greg Camarillo.
I've never felt so depressed about my team so early in the draft. My keeper doesn't have a quarterback that can get him the ball. Favre is playing one of the toughest schedules. Ronnie Brown will share with Ricky. Felix will share with Barber. Chester will split with Forte. Portis will get hurt in the next week or two. Meachem and Maclin are unproven and probably going to be highly inconsistent throughout the year. Vince Young is clinically depressed. However, I think I got great value with my Camarillo pick...so I have that going for me.
SBG
* I attended the Saturday late afternoon tilt between the Rangers and Twins with my wife and another couple. We had four tickets in the Legends Club and the seats and surroundings were excellent. I can't compliment the Twins enough on how they built that stadium. The wide open concourse and use of windows all over is easy on the eyes no matter where you are in the park. Also, the Legends Club is a hot spot for foul balls (we probably had about 5-6 balls land in and around the two sections on both sides of us).
* Jim Thome has now racked up 21 home runs this year. Did anyone realistically expect this kind of production from him, while doing it in a quasi-part-time role...? The answer is no...and kudos to Gardy for not overextending his playing time with the loss of Morneau.
* Gopher fullback Jon Hoese's dad dies less than a week after he has a career performance of three touchdowns in the opener against Middle Tennessee State.
* Why are members of my family and fans in general disgusted that we traded away Sage Rosenfels and kept T-Jack? Ideally, none of these guys will see the field for any significant/meaningful time regardless with Favre in the fold this year. Which gets me thinking...if you're a black quarterback and play for the Minnesota Vikings...you pretty much have a 2-3 year window to win the Super Bowl, or else the fan base will eventually turn on you (examples: Moon, Cunningham, Culpepper). Good luck Joe Webb!!
* Golden Gopher basketball goes 3-0 in exhibition games during their Canadian tour. Not sure what the competition was like, but I'm excited for the group that Tubby has in the fold. They have a plethora of quality big men (Iverson, Walker, Sampson, Mbakwe) they can choose from that will create lots of match up problems for the opponents (even in conference play).
* I recorded and watched a little bit of the "Legends Game" on Fox Sports North. I enjoy it when the Twins bring back former players...but, come on...Brian Raabe is participating in the "Legends Game". What did he do as a member of the Minnesota Twins? Not only was he a borderline prospect that didn't do anything individually at the major league level, but he managed to accomplish nothing on bad Minnesota teams.
* Season opener for the Vikings at New Orleans on Thursday night. It would be nice to sneak out a win...but, does that really help anybody cope from that NFC Championship game meltdown last year...??
* Ten person fantasy football draft in my cousin's league last night. I've won three consecutive years somehow while having the last pick in the first round every year (you draft based on your record/finish from the previous year). My squad: Larry Fitzgerald (keeper), Greg Jennings, Brett Favre, Ronnie Brown, Felix Jones, Clinton Portis, Tony Gonzalez, Robert Meachem, Stephen Gostkowski, Jeremy Maclin, Chester Taylor, Vince Young, New Orleans Defense, and Mr. Irrelevant...Greg Camarillo.
I've never felt so depressed about my team so early in the draft. My keeper doesn't have a quarterback that can get him the ball. Favre is playing one of the toughest schedules. Ronnie Brown will share with Ricky. Felix will share with Barber. Chester will split with Forte. Portis will get hurt in the next week or two. Meachem and Maclin are unproven and probably going to be highly inconsistent throughout the year. Vince Young is clinically depressed. However, I think I got great value with my Camarillo pick...so I have that going for me.
SBG
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Jim Dimick Jr.
Below is an article from the Pioneer Press on 8/24/2010, about the Richfield High School basketball program parting ways with their head coach Jim Dimick Jr.:
Former Richfield High School boys basketball coach Jim Dimick Jr. took one last shot to get his job back Monday night, but it might as well have been an air ball. Unknown to him, his shot was doomed from the start.
Dimick's passionate, 45-minute presentation filled with graphs and pie charts to defend his job performance and illustrate race issues in the western first-ring suburb apparently fell on deaf ears as the school board voted before the special hearing to approve his dismissal.
"I knew it was a long shot to get reinstated,'' said Dimick, who averaged 16 victories per season in his nine years as the Spartans' head coach. "It's pretty disappointing to hear that they already had their minds made up. Hopefully, I had a chance to educate them on some issues that they are facing.''
Superintendent Robert Slotterback confirmed after the meeting that a vote to approve Dimick's firing already had been taken. He said Dimick's presentation didn't require more discussion or a revote by the board.
"I'm very disappointed that coach brought the race issue into this,'' Slotterback said.
Dimick, son of legendary St. Olaf College baseball coach Jim Dimick, said he is considering a legal appeal.
"Even with all of the opposition, I still want to coach these guys,'' said Dimick, who led Richfield to two state tournament berths, including a runner-up finish in Class AAA in 2005. "I have a group of kids that I've been coaching since fourth grade. I'd like to see them through to their senior year.''
On June 29, Dimick was told by Richfield activities director Todd Olson that his contract would not be renewed. According to Dimick, Olson said one of the reasons cited was his inability to unite the entire Richfield basketball community.
"(Olson) said he wanted a new voice that can unite this community,'' Dimick said. "He told me I've burned too many bridges.''
Olson attended the meeting but left quickly and was unavailable for comment.
Ten days later, when Dimick received his letter of nonrenewal of his coaching contract, it cited overall performance concerns, including communication, leadership and program development. Prior to his arrival, the two previous coaches averaged six victories a season.
In his presentation — which was attended by about 30 supporters, half of them African-American — Dimick demonstrated the changing demographics of an inner-ring suburb as it relates to student-athletes who play basketball.
With the rampant open enrollment of the past decade, not just in Richfield but throughout Minnesota, kids who played in the community traveling leagues were getting displaced by students moving into districts.
According to Dimick, from 2003-10, 92 percent of the boys playing basketball in the Richfield community who moved into the city after sixth grade or open enrolled as ninth graders, were students of color. In that same period, 96 percent of the participants in the Richfield boys basketball traveling program did not make the varsity team as seniors.
From 2007 to 2010, 64 percent of Richfield's boys basketball varsity roster were students of color. In 2002, 71 percent of the varsity roster was white.
"You've got a small group of traveling (basketball) parents that don't consider themselves racists, but are pretty good people, yet they want a program of institutional racism,'' said Dimick, who is a certified public accountant in Minneapolis. "Then you have a group that you can call closet racists that don't want to see black kids wearing Richfield uniforms. It is a difficult issue. Nobody wants to talk about it.''
Richfield resident Jim Noonan, who is white, was so disgusted with the racial divide that he resigned from the traveling league board. He attended the meeting in support of Dimick.
"I've been on the (traveling) board longer than anyone here,'' Noonan said. "The demographics in his community have changed, period. Jim has provided a lot of money to the program for scholarships for all kids — white, black, green or yellow. He always did what was asked of him by the traveling board.''
Tartan boys basketball coach Mark Klingsporn attended the meeting in support of Dimick. Richfield plays in the Classic Suburban Conference along with Tartan and many other east metro schools.
"Jim had a very well thought-out and organized presentation on why he should not be fired,'' Klingsporn said. "I agree with him 100 percent on all of the issues and the situations he shared. I am concerned about quality coaches that get fired for the wrong reasons.''
Dimick said he plans to attend Richfield basketball games this coming season.
"I've got a lot invested in these young men,'' he said. "I've seen them grow, and I want to see them excel.''
The article is pretty one sided towards Dimick's side...and before I even start ranting...the only reason this article even made it to the paper is because of Jim Dimick's dad (Jim Dimick Sr.) who is a well known baseball coach in the Northfield area (St. Olaf) has some pull around the sports community (specifically, the Pioneer Press sports department). I grew up in Richfield and was a part of the program all the way through my senior year...here are some of my differences of opinion that are not noted in the article because of how much of a love fest this article turned into for Mr. Jim Dimick Jr.:
* Jim Dimick Jr.'s contract wasn't renewed. Even though the Pioneer Press stated this fact in the article, why are the words "dismissed", "dismissal" and "firing" still all over in this article?
* Jim Dimick Jr. lazily pulled out the race card. That's pretty funny because prior to coming to Richfield, Dimick was canned at Washburn (an inner-city school) for not getting along with board members/parents (pretty much the same issue at Richfield). Was the race card not convenient for him to use at Washburn on his way out?
* Jim Dimick Jr. is not a teacher in the Richfield School district...or any district for that matter. Please don't humor me about how much time you "invested" in these kids when there are real teachers/coaches helping these kids on and off the court every day.
* Flaunting your coaching average of 16 wins per season, while the predecessors only averaged 6 wins a season is incomplete and misguided information (and I'm not even sure the six wins is correct...it should be higher, but who knows how he manipulated the data). Before you arrived, Richfield was struggling to find a home in a conference where schools had similar enrollments to Richfield. The two predecessors you're referring to actually had to play in the Classic Lake Conference where the majority of the schedule is all 4A teams. They didn't get the luxury of your schedule year in and year out of playing mostly 3A teams. You would've been better off just stating that you've brought your team to the State Tournament twice in your nine years.
* Dimick has also been accused of recruiting/persuading other players from other communities to play for him at Richfield. Even if he's innocent on all these accounts, it's the perception that he's giving out to the community by assembling teams of non-Richfield residents on a yearly basis. If you're going to alienate your community/youth programs you better have a damn good team every year, otherwise shit will hit the fan and catch up to you as it did this year.
SBG
Former Richfield High School boys basketball coach Jim Dimick Jr. took one last shot to get his job back Monday night, but it might as well have been an air ball. Unknown to him, his shot was doomed from the start.
Dimick's passionate, 45-minute presentation filled with graphs and pie charts to defend his job performance and illustrate race issues in the western first-ring suburb apparently fell on deaf ears as the school board voted before the special hearing to approve his dismissal.
"I knew it was a long shot to get reinstated,'' said Dimick, who averaged 16 victories per season in his nine years as the Spartans' head coach. "It's pretty disappointing to hear that they already had their minds made up. Hopefully, I had a chance to educate them on some issues that they are facing.''
Superintendent Robert Slotterback confirmed after the meeting that a vote to approve Dimick's firing already had been taken. He said Dimick's presentation didn't require more discussion or a revote by the board.
"I'm very disappointed that coach brought the race issue into this,'' Slotterback said.
Dimick, son of legendary St. Olaf College baseball coach Jim Dimick, said he is considering a legal appeal.
"Even with all of the opposition, I still want to coach these guys,'' said Dimick, who led Richfield to two state tournament berths, including a runner-up finish in Class AAA in 2005. "I have a group of kids that I've been coaching since fourth grade. I'd like to see them through to their senior year.''
On June 29, Dimick was told by Richfield activities director Todd Olson that his contract would not be renewed. According to Dimick, Olson said one of the reasons cited was his inability to unite the entire Richfield basketball community.
"(Olson) said he wanted a new voice that can unite this community,'' Dimick said. "He told me I've burned too many bridges.''
Olson attended the meeting but left quickly and was unavailable for comment.
Ten days later, when Dimick received his letter of nonrenewal of his coaching contract, it cited overall performance concerns, including communication, leadership and program development. Prior to his arrival, the two previous coaches averaged six victories a season.
In his presentation — which was attended by about 30 supporters, half of them African-American — Dimick demonstrated the changing demographics of an inner-ring suburb as it relates to student-athletes who play basketball.
With the rampant open enrollment of the past decade, not just in Richfield but throughout Minnesota, kids who played in the community traveling leagues were getting displaced by students moving into districts.
According to Dimick, from 2003-10, 92 percent of the boys playing basketball in the Richfield community who moved into the city after sixth grade or open enrolled as ninth graders, were students of color. In that same period, 96 percent of the participants in the Richfield boys basketball traveling program did not make the varsity team as seniors.
From 2007 to 2010, 64 percent of Richfield's boys basketball varsity roster were students of color. In 2002, 71 percent of the varsity roster was white.
"You've got a small group of traveling (basketball) parents that don't consider themselves racists, but are pretty good people, yet they want a program of institutional racism,'' said Dimick, who is a certified public accountant in Minneapolis. "Then you have a group that you can call closet racists that don't want to see black kids wearing Richfield uniforms. It is a difficult issue. Nobody wants to talk about it.''
Richfield resident Jim Noonan, who is white, was so disgusted with the racial divide that he resigned from the traveling league board. He attended the meeting in support of Dimick.
"I've been on the (traveling) board longer than anyone here,'' Noonan said. "The demographics in his community have changed, period. Jim has provided a lot of money to the program for scholarships for all kids — white, black, green or yellow. He always did what was asked of him by the traveling board.''
Tartan boys basketball coach Mark Klingsporn attended the meeting in support of Dimick. Richfield plays in the Classic Suburban Conference along with Tartan and many other east metro schools.
"Jim had a very well thought-out and organized presentation on why he should not be fired,'' Klingsporn said. "I agree with him 100 percent on all of the issues and the situations he shared. I am concerned about quality coaches that get fired for the wrong reasons.''
Dimick said he plans to attend Richfield basketball games this coming season.
"I've got a lot invested in these young men,'' he said. "I've seen them grow, and I want to see them excel.''
The article is pretty one sided towards Dimick's side...and before I even start ranting...the only reason this article even made it to the paper is because of Jim Dimick's dad (Jim Dimick Sr.) who is a well known baseball coach in the Northfield area (St. Olaf) has some pull around the sports community (specifically, the Pioneer Press sports department). I grew up in Richfield and was a part of the program all the way through my senior year...here are some of my differences of opinion that are not noted in the article because of how much of a love fest this article turned into for Mr. Jim Dimick Jr.:
* Jim Dimick Jr.'s contract wasn't renewed. Even though the Pioneer Press stated this fact in the article, why are the words "dismissed", "dismissal" and "firing" still all over in this article?
* Jim Dimick Jr. lazily pulled out the race card. That's pretty funny because prior to coming to Richfield, Dimick was canned at Washburn (an inner-city school) for not getting along with board members/parents (pretty much the same issue at Richfield). Was the race card not convenient for him to use at Washburn on his way out?
* Jim Dimick Jr. is not a teacher in the Richfield School district...or any district for that matter. Please don't humor me about how much time you "invested" in these kids when there are real teachers/coaches helping these kids on and off the court every day.
* Flaunting your coaching average of 16 wins per season, while the predecessors only averaged 6 wins a season is incomplete and misguided information (and I'm not even sure the six wins is correct...it should be higher, but who knows how he manipulated the data). Before you arrived, Richfield was struggling to find a home in a conference where schools had similar enrollments to Richfield. The two predecessors you're referring to actually had to play in the Classic Lake Conference where the majority of the schedule is all 4A teams. They didn't get the luxury of your schedule year in and year out of playing mostly 3A teams. You would've been better off just stating that you've brought your team to the State Tournament twice in your nine years.
* Dimick has also been accused of recruiting/persuading other players from other communities to play for him at Richfield. Even if he's innocent on all these accounts, it's the perception that he's giving out to the community by assembling teams of non-Richfield residents on a yearly basis. If you're going to alienate your community/youth programs you better have a damn good team every year, otherwise shit will hit the fan and catch up to you as it did this year.
SBG
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
One Shining Moment(s) Volume 6
Strolling down memory lane for more random and obscure sports figures that have touched our lives here in the great State of Minnesota...
Cherokee Parks - Nothing memorable about his play on the court. The only thing that stood out was the massive amount of ink he piled up over the years all over his body. Is anyone in the same boat as me and thinks he got all these tattoos to be the anti-Christ to "Christ"ian Laettner...?? He was in Laettner's shadow during the majority of his Duke career and enters the NBA with pretty much the same skill set, plus size as Laettner. I think I'm on to something or on something.
John Smiley - There's just some things you can't duplicate. The amazing Twins season in 1991 is one example. However, when Jack Morris (workhorse of the staff) left for more money in Toronto. Andy MacPhail tried to work the magic again and replace Morris by acquiring John Smiley from Pittsburgh via trade before the 1992 season. Not a bad move on the surface. However, Smiley left after only one year with the Twins (via free agency)...and we had to watch Denny Neagle (one of us...played for Gophers...who we sent to Pittsburgh in the Smiley trade) go on to have a very good career in the National League. The John Smiley trade was the beginning of the end of competitive baseball in Minnesota for the rest of the 1990's.
Rick Fenney - He only played five years in the NFL (all with the Vikings 1987-1991...and all under Jerry Burns as Head Coach). A Quasi running back/fullback that thrived in a West Coast system in a limited role. His One Shining Moment is somehow having a career average over 4.2 yards a carry while getting the majority of his playing time in goal line situations where yardage is not as easy to rack up.
Townsend Orr - There are many good stories in college athletics, however most get overshadowed...Townsend Orr was a backup for the majority of his college career. Nowadays, that same kid put in Townsend Orr's situation may have transferred to get more playing time elsewhere. Townsend stuck it out and the Golden Gophers went on a rampage through the Great Alaskan Shootout with the leadership and tournament MVP performance of...Townsend Orr. They beat Arizona (Damon Stoudamire), Villanova (Kerry Kittles) and BYU (all eventual tourney teams) to catapult the team into the Top 25 poll.
Mitch Berger - A punter that nibbles on and stashes a half eaten Snickers candy bar in a shoe during a game...to save it for later...for energy...?? Ridiculous on so many levels. All you do is kick a ball...and your kicks don't even put points on the scoreboard...you just kick it around the field and jog back and forth to the sideline. Am I missing anything...how are you expending all this so called energy...and that you need to regain it with a Snickers...??
Denny Hocking - It seems like ages ago...but, the Twins actually won a playoff series in Oakland in 2002. During the celebration, Denny Hocking was spiked on his hand during the celebration pileup in the infield. Some speculate that the spiking of Hocking's hand...was intentional...by Jacque Jones. The funny part...is if that is/was the case...there were more unlikeable guys in that dugout than Hocking...A.J. comes to mind...
Rick Mahorn - Doesn't Rick Mahorn just sum up the Minnesota Timberwolves drafting history of the past, present and future...?? A two team expansion draft (Orlando Magic and Minnesota Timberwolves) consists of Orlando landing the 1st overall pick (figures). We then pick Rick Mahorn at pick #2 (our first team pick), but he doesn't want to play with us so we have to ship him to Philadelphia. So...virtually, in only a two team draft...the Timberwolves don't actually make a selection until pick #4 overall.
Tom Nevers - A top amateur athlete that played over at Edina High School. He excelled at both hockey and baseball and was offered a scholarship for both sports at the University of Minnesota. He declined and signed with the Astros after being drafted in the first round. "Nevers never made it to the big leagues." So, the One Shining Moment is having your rookie card in my baseball card collection.
SBG
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Contract Extensions...??
Maybe it's because we're "Minnesota Nice" and all...but, all across the board it seems that our local teams hand out undeserving contract extensions at some of the most inopportune times...here's a rundown of some of the recent extensions:
* Brad Childress - I like Brad Childress. I like stability. But, handing a contract extension in the middle of a season (specifically, a one of a kind season with the aging Brett Favre underneath center...with no future quarterback currently in the fold, even though he's an "offensive guru") is a bad decision. Keeping him is not a bad decision. Striking a deal at that time is a bad decision.
* Denard Span - To be honest, I think Denard is overrated. He plays outfield between Delmon Young and Jason Kubel/Michael Cuddyer...so he looks like a track star in comparison. His arm is a wet noodle. He pretty much hits ground balls (some for hits/most for outs). He is one of the worst fundamental base runners on the team. Yet, we extend his contract out for another 4-5 years before the 2010 season even starts. And we have Ben Revere and Aaron Hicks (similar players) making a fast rise in the minors.
* Tim Brewster - Maturi extended Brewster's current deal out for one more year so it wouldn't hinder his recruiting. It's actually not a bad deal on the University of Minnesota side (it creates a cheaper buyout after this year). However, the Gophers just opened up a new stadium last year and are already having trouble filling it. They should have cut ties with Brewster after this past year. Football is the main income in the athletic department and the with the brand new complex, it's unacceptable to have the program just waffling in mediocrity.
* Nick Blackburn - At the time, I really thought this was a good signing. They locked him up to a modest four year extension after pitching well in some of the Twins biggest games during the last two years. However, something went awry with Blackburn this year in the summer months. And now that extension is a black eye on a front office that usually has a keen eye on their own talent. Remember, this is a franchise that never handed out extensions unless it was their premier player(s) (and sometimes that didn't even happen...they often traded them). This past year they handed out three extensions with the new revenue that the stadium is piling up. And two of those (Span and Blackburn) look to be mistakes in hindsight.
* Darko Milicic - I'm in the minority and was actually hoping they would re-sign Darko. However, if you look at his "body of work" throughout his NBA career...it's pathetic that he should garner five million/year. And signing him to a four year deal is a little long in the tooth for someone who proved himself worthy in 20 something games for your club the previous year...?? I would've been happy with a 2-3 year deal for the big man.
SBG
* Brad Childress - I like Brad Childress. I like stability. But, handing a contract extension in the middle of a season (specifically, a one of a kind season with the aging Brett Favre underneath center...with no future quarterback currently in the fold, even though he's an "offensive guru") is a bad decision. Keeping him is not a bad decision. Striking a deal at that time is a bad decision.
* Denard Span - To be honest, I think Denard is overrated. He plays outfield between Delmon Young and Jason Kubel/Michael Cuddyer...so he looks like a track star in comparison. His arm is a wet noodle. He pretty much hits ground balls (some for hits/most for outs). He is one of the worst fundamental base runners on the team. Yet, we extend his contract out for another 4-5 years before the 2010 season even starts. And we have Ben Revere and Aaron Hicks (similar players) making a fast rise in the minors.
* Tim Brewster - Maturi extended Brewster's current deal out for one more year so it wouldn't hinder his recruiting. It's actually not a bad deal on the University of Minnesota side (it creates a cheaper buyout after this year). However, the Gophers just opened up a new stadium last year and are already having trouble filling it. They should have cut ties with Brewster after this past year. Football is the main income in the athletic department and the with the brand new complex, it's unacceptable to have the program just waffling in mediocrity.
* Nick Blackburn - At the time, I really thought this was a good signing. They locked him up to a modest four year extension after pitching well in some of the Twins biggest games during the last two years. However, something went awry with Blackburn this year in the summer months. And now that extension is a black eye on a front office that usually has a keen eye on their own talent. Remember, this is a franchise that never handed out extensions unless it was their premier player(s) (and sometimes that didn't even happen...they often traded them). This past year they handed out three extensions with the new revenue that the stadium is piling up. And two of those (Span and Blackburn) look to be mistakes in hindsight.
* Darko Milicic - I'm in the minority and was actually hoping they would re-sign Darko. However, if you look at his "body of work" throughout his NBA career...it's pathetic that he should garner five million/year. And signing him to a four year deal is a little long in the tooth for someone who proved himself worthy in 20 something games for your club the previous year...?? I would've been happy with a 2-3 year deal for the big man.
SBG
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