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Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Everything 2000s Part II

So in my last post I named my all-decade teams for the NBA, NHL, and women's college basketball. Now I'll do Major League Baseball and the NFL. Again, all stats are from the 2000s only (1990s stats are ignored).

NFL: QB - Peyton Manning (Indianapolis): Him and Tom Brady are 1 and 1a on this list. I'll give Peyton nod, though, because no person was more valuable to their team than #18. The Colts won more games this decade than any other team ever, and did so with a shaky defense for 9 years. Brady had a heck of a D on his side to go along with his Hall of Fame skills. Manning won 3 MVPs, was 1st team All-Pro 4 times, made the Pro Bowl every year except 2001, and won Super Bowl XLI, where he was MVP. With 2 minutes to go, he's automatic. Even Bill Belichick fears him (See here). And clearly, after Sunday's game, when Manning isn't under center, the Colts are mediocre at best. With him, they're almost unstoppable. Other considerations: Tom Brady

RB - LaDainian Tomlinson (San Diego): In his prime, LT2 (respect to Lawrence Taylor, the real LT) was the most exciting player on the field. His 2006 season, where he rushed for 1800 yards and had a record 31 TDs (the 28 rushing TDs is also a record), was one of the best ever. He holds the record for most consecutive seasons with 10+ TDS (9), 11+ TDS (8), 17+ TDs (5) and 18+ TDs (4). And he surpassed 1100 yards rushing every year except this season. 3rd on the all-time TD list, he's a sure-fire Hall of Famer. Other considerations: Priest Holmes, Shaun Alexander

FB - Mike Alstott (Tampa Bay): He didn't make a Pro Bowl after 2002, but his production and continuity can't be ignored. A major part of the 2003 Buccaneers team that won SB XXXVII, he was of a dying breed of fullbacks that carried the ball regularly. Lorenzo Neal was a close second, but he was a journeyman, playing for 4 teams this decade, and never won a Super Bowl.

WR - Randy Moss (Minnesota, Oakland, New England): Forgetting the two years in Oakland, Moss's numbers were legendary. He had 8 1000-yard seasons, passed 1200 yards 6 times, and had seasons of 1437, 1493, and 1632 yards. His 23 TDs in 2007 with the Patriots is a record, and he is 4th on the all-time TD list.

WR - Marvin Harrison (Indianapolis): Him and Manning are the greatest 1-2 combo in NFL history. From 2000-09 the two combined for 95 TDs. He caught 100 passes three times, including his record 143 receptions in 2002, where he compiled 1700 yards. Because of his subdued nature, especially with the media, he never became a full-fledged superstar, but he had the numbers of a legend. Other considerations: Terrell Owens, Hines Ward, Torry Holt

TE - Tony Gonzalez (Kansas City, Atlanta): The greatest tight end ever, hands down. He made 9 Pro Bowls, was a 1st team All-Pro 5 times, and in the few years before leaving KC, was the reason to watch the otherwise dreadful Chiefs. He has more receptions, yards, and touchdowns than any other tight end in history. No Super Bowl, but he didn't have the weapons on either side of the ball for most of his career. Other considerations: Dallas Clark, Antonio Gates

OT - Jonathan Ogden (Baltimore): The first draft pick in Baltimore Ravens history turned out to be a good one. 8 Pro Bowls this decade (11 total) and a 5x 1st team All-Pro is good enough for Canton.

OT: Orlando Pace (St. Louis, Chicago): In the early part of the decade, only Ogden was more dominant. 4 1st team All-Pro selections, Pro Bowl appearances from 2000-05. Another #1 overall draft pick heading to Canton. Other considerations: Walter Jones

OG - Alan Faneca (Pittsburgh, NY Jets): This 5x All-Pro 1st teamer made 9 straight Pro Bowls from '01-'09.

OG - Will Shields (Kansas City): Made 7 straight Pro Bowls to start the decade, was an All-Pro from '01-'06. Had he not retired after the 2006 season, he would have surely extended both of those streaks. Other considerations: Steve Hutchinson, Larry Allen

C: Kevin Mawae (NY Jets, Tennessee): Helped Travis Henry, and LenDale White, two average RBs, register 1000 yard seasons in Tennessee. In New York he anchored the line that blocked for Curtis Martin. 6 Pro Bowls and 2 All-Pro selections from '00-'09. Other considerations: Olin Kreutz, Jeff Saturday

DE - Michael Strahan (NY Giants): 89 of his 141.5 career sacks came in this decade, including his record 22.5 in 2001, where he also forced 6 fumbles. When he played a full season, he didn't record fewer than 45 tackles. 4 Pro Bowls and 4 All-Pro selections. I'll forgive him for "Brothers."

DE - Jason Taylor (Miami, Washington): The 2006 Defensive Player of the Year, Taylor made it to 6 Pro Bowls and was a 4x All-Pro selection. In 2002 he had 18.5 sacks, 69 tackles, and 7 forced fumbles. Followed that up with a 13-sack year in 2003.

DT - Warren Sapp (Tampa Bay, Oakland): Not a force after he left Tampa, but when he was on the Bucs, he helped lead one of the most stacked defenses ever to Super Bowl XXXVII. 3 All-Pro selections and 4 Pro Bowls.

DT - Richard Seymour (New England, Oakland): From 2003-05 he was the game's best defensive tackle. All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections each year, plus two other appearances in Honalulu. Not to mention, he won 3 rings. Other considerations: Albert Haynsworth, Kris Jenkins

OLB - Derrick Brooks (Tampa Bay): Quietly one of the best linebackers for years. He wasn't flashy. Instead he was solid, consistent, and talented. Going back to '97, he made 11 Pro Bowls in 12 years, made 5 All-Pro teams this decade, was Defensive Player of the Year in 2002, and anchored Tampa's lethal defense that won SB XXXVII. As good as they come.

OLB - Julian Peterson (San Francisco, Seattle, Detroit): The dark horse on this list. Has made 713 total tackles, 534 solo, with 3 small market, usually mediocre, teams. Recorded 19.5 sacks in '06 and '07. This year he's forced 5 fumbles, 21 for his career. Other considerations: Joey Porter

ILB - Ray Lewis (Baltimore): The most obvious choice on this list. He's crazy. 2x Defensive Player of the Year, 8 Pro Bowls, 5 All-Pro selections, and a Super Bowl MVP award, all this decade. With the exception of 2002 and 2005 (injuries), he averaged 133 tackles a season. The face of an always smackdown Ravens D.

ILB - Brian Urlacher (Chicago): 2000 Defensive Rookie of the Year, 2005 Defensive Player of the Year, a Pro Bowl constant, Urlacher was about as easy a pick as Lewis. Led the Bears to Super Bowl XLI against Indy... sorry Rex Grossman, it wasn't you... and is one of the most intense players on the field.

CB - Champ Bailey (Washington, Denver): In his prime the fastest player in the league. Recorded 47 picks, made 547 tackles, which is a lot for an NFL corner, and was selected to 9 straight Pro Bowls and 6 All-Pro teams. Still a lockdown corner today at age 31.

CB - Ronde Barber (Tampa Bay): Again, like longtime teammate Brooks, he doesn't get much attention, but he's as complete a cornerback as there has ever been. He's the only corner to have 20+ sacks and 20+ INTs in a career, was an All-Pro selection 5 times, and went to 5 Pro Bowls. The better of the two Barbers, plus he keeps his mouth shut. Other considerations: Ty Law, Asante Samuel

S - Brian Dawkins (Philadelphia, Denver): Few have ever played with more passion and enthusiasm than Weapon X. At a diminutive 6'0", 210 lbs, he's one of the NFL's hardest hitters. 7 Pro Bowls and 4 All-Pro 1st team selections. Everything he does is meticulously planned and thought out. Even his pre-game routine.

S - Ed Reed (Baltimore): Okay, I'll admit it. I respect Ed Reed. I'm a Steelers fan (who, by the way, are the defending Super Bowl champs, in case you forgot), and I respect Reed. I very badly wanted to put John Lynch here, but I just couldn't. The Defensive Player of the Year in 2004, Reed has the instincts of a tiger. He can burst through a hole and pound you into next week, or he can come out of nowhere and pick off any pass. Just to knock him down a peg, though, he got knocked the heck out by Hines Ward a few years ago :-) Other considerations: Lynch, Troy Polamalu

K - Adam Vinatieri (New England, Indianapolis): He kicked 3 of the greatest field goals ever. The 45-yarder in the snow against Oakland in the 2001 playoffs. The 48-yarder in Super Bowl XXXVI to shock St. Louis and give the Pats their 1st Super Bowl win. Then the 41-yarder in Super Bowl XXXVIII against Carolina to give the Pats another Lombardi Trophy. In all, he's 21-22 in clutch situations for his career. Other considerations: The clutch kicking of Mike Vanderjagt (kidding)

Team: New England Patriots - 3 Super Bowls (2001, 2003, 2004), a perfect regular season, and an Asante Samuel drop away from 19-0. Time and time again they won the big game, usually over Indy, and a certain guy named Brady emerged as a star.

MLB: C - Ivan Rodriguez (Texas, Florida, Detroit, NY Yankees, Houston): Pudge was a bigger star in the '90s, but his emergence as more than a big bat and a quick glove came out this decade. He was named NLCS MVP in '03 with Florida, who beat the Yankees in the World Series. He joined a Tigers club that lost 100 games the prior season and helped turn them into AL champs. Other considerations: Joe Mauer, Jorge Posada

1B - Albert Pujols (St. Louis): He has loads of power. His swing is a thing of beauty. He can hit to all fields. He is a defensive gem. He is not fast, but an incredibly smart base runner. He has won 3 MVP awards. And he's not even 30 yet. Is Albert Pujols the perfect baseball player? He's close, that's for sure. Other considerations: Todd Helton, Derrek Lee

2B - Chase Utley (Philadelphia): This was a tough one. Utley was the best from 2006 on. Jeff Kent was the best before that. Did I want old or new? In this case, new. Because Utley has a ring, it makes up for the fact that the two each have one MVP award, 4 Silver Slugger Awards, and Kent's 5 All-Stars to Utley's 4.

SS - Derek Jeter (NY Yankees): The consummate professional, playing in the biggest market, with the most eyes watching, yet all Jeter does is win. A .317 average this decade, 2 rings, nearly 2000 hits, and by the time he's done, he could challenge Pete Rose for most hits all-time. Oh, and no sex scandals, steroid accusations, or arrests. Only wins. Other considerations: Miguel Tejada

3B - Alex Rodriguez (Seattle, Texas, NY Yankees): Although he didn't move to third until 2004, there was no room over at short to put A-Rod on the list. He won MVP awards in '03, '05, and '07, and at this rate, he'll be the home run king until Pujols comes and shatters the record. Some call him the greatest ever... at least they did before his PED use. Other considerations: Chipper Jones

OF - Ichiro Suzuki (Seattle): 9 years, 9 All-Star games, 9 Gold Gloves, 9 200-hit seasons. An MVP award in his rookie season. A career .333 average, with 2050 hits. A no doubter here. Too bad he's only played on one good team.

OF - Barry Bonds (San Francisco): Forget the steroid allegations and the perjury charges for a minute. Fact is, from 2001-2004, he was the best hitter anyone had ever seen. 73 homers in '01, 411 bases in 473 at-bats. 46 homers compared to just 47 K's in '02. 45 HRs to 41 K's in '04. Plus he was walked more than 1/5 of the time he went to the plate. Amid all the controversy, steroids or not, was greatness.

OF - Lance Berkman (Houston): Where's some love for the Big Puma? He averaged 30 HRs, 100 RBIs, 150 hits, and 96 runs per season in the decade. Amazing consistency and durability, with only one season under 130 games played, plus personal success in the playoffs (34 hits, 26 RBIs in 29 games) gets him on this obviously prestigious list. Other considerations: Manny Ramirez, Carlos Beltran, Vladimir Guerrero

RHP - Roy Halladay (Toronto): As old school as they get. "Pitch count" is an alien idea to this guy, and I love it. He won more games than any other right hander with 139, and had 47 complete games. In a modern sport where starters last 7 innings at best, Halladay goes against the grain. Other considerations: Roy Oswalt, Pedro Martinez

LHP - Randy Johnson (Arizona, NY Yankees, San Francisco): The Big Unit won 3 Cy Young awards and won 3 games in the 2001 World Series against the Yankees. He won Games 2 and 6, then in relief won Game 7. These accomplishments alone give him the nod over Johan Santana.

Closer - Mariano Rivera (NY Yankees): Enter sandman, exit any chance for a victory. Get your starter to the 7th inning, give Mo the ball, and win. That's how easy it would be to manage the Yankees in the postseason, because that's how automatic Mo is. 397 saves in the decade, a 2.03 earned run average, and an 0.74 ERA in the postseason makes him the greatest ever. Other considerations: Trevor Hoffman

Team: New York Yankees: World Series titles in 2000 and 2009, the Bronx Bombers flat out won. With the exception of 2008, they made the playoffs every season. They made it to 2 other World Series (losses to Arizona and Florida), and were an epic choke away from making it to another one in 2004. But just in case you don't know why they didn't make it, they blew a 3-0 series lead to the Red Sox, the worst choking job in major league history. The Sox would go on to Reverse the Curse and stomp on the Cardinals.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Everything 2000s Part I

As the 2000s wind down and we enter a new decade, every sports outlet imaginable has made and debated over all-decade teams. Silly? Yes. Do I love every minute of it? Of course! Therefore, I'll take it one step further, and create an all-decade team for the NBA, NHL, and women's college basketball. (Men's college bball is left out because the best players left early for the NBA, and there's no college football because it was way too ridiculously difficult to choose between so many different positions with so many good players, and with unlimited factors) The NFL and MLB all-decade teams will come in a few days. I'll also name the team of the decade for each sport. Just remember, all the stats are from the '00s only. Some choices are obvious, others, maybe not so much. But nonetheless here they are! Part one of my all-decade teams:

NBA (yes, it is the same as Sports Illustrated's all-decade team. I realized this after I made the list): PG - Steve Nash (Dallas, Phoenix): The man one two MVP awards, probably should have won a third, was named to 6 All-NBA teams (3x first team, 1x second team, 2x third team), and was a 6-time All-Star. Led the league in assists from 2005-07. He has that X-factor that won't show up in the box score and can't be taught. Other considerations: Jason Kidd, Tony Parker, Chauncey Billups

SG - Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers): Flat out the greatest player in the NBA this decade, and one of the best ever. Period. He won 4 titles, including last year, and has averaged 28.6 points per game this decade. Was an All-Star every season, named MVP in 2008, made 7 All-NBA and All-Defensive first teams, and won back to back scoring titles in 2006 and 2007. Also won a gold medal on the Redeem Team. The most obvious choice on this list. Other considerations: Allen Iverson, Dwyane Wade

SF - LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers): Being the #1 overall pick in the 2003 Draft, he didn't even play the first three years of the decade. Still, he was another obvious choice. Arguably the greatest combination of pure speed, strength, and athleticism ever, King James already has an MVP (2008), 5 All-Star selections, 3 All-NBA first teams, and a gold medal to his name. He has also vastly improved his defense, and is now one of the best defenders in the game. When he's on, he simply is not possible to stop. Oh, and he turns 25 on the 30th, so expect him to show up on this list next decade. Other considerations: Paul Pierce, Carmelo Anthony

PF - Tim Duncan (San Antonio): Duncan did not put up record-breaking numbers. But 2 MVP awards, 3 titles, and 2 Finals MVP awards in the 2000s, plus being an All-NBA/All-Defensive first or second teamer every year is enough to get him on the list. Like Nash, he has natural leadership that can't be taught. Put it this way... without Duncan, the Spurs aren't very good. Other considerations: Kevin Garnett

C - Shaquille O'Neal (LA Lakers, Miami, Phoenix): From 2000-2006, there was absolutely no doubt that Shaq was the most dominant center since the days of Chamberlain and Russell. Think about it: of 18,991 career shots, 18,969 have been inside the 3-point arc (99.9983%). He has missed over 5000 free throws. Yet he is still 5th on the all-time scoring list. That is how dominant The Big Aristotle was in his heyday. Over the last few years, time and injuries have slowed down his Hall of Fame career, but 4 titles, 3 Finals MVPs, an MVP award, and countless other honors puts him among the greatest ever. Other considerations: Dwight Howard

Team of the Decade: Los Angeles Lakers - They won back-to-back-to-back titles from '00-'02, added another last year, and appeared in one other Final, in which they lost to Boston. Finished first in the Western Conference five times, and never finished below fourth. No contest here.


NHL: G - Martin Brodeur (New Jersey): The all-time leader in wins, shutouts, most 40-win seasons, and virtually every other major record, this one is a no brainer. No one has been nearly as consistent or dependable as Brodeur. He won 4 Vezina Trophies for best goaltender, 2 Stanley Cups, and a gold medal. His performance in the 2003 playoffs, where he recorded 7 shutouts, 3 in the Finals, was the greatest postseason performance ever by a goaltender. Other considerations: Miikka Kiprusoff, J.S. Giguere, Evgeni Nabakov

D - Nicklas Lidstrom (Detroit): One of the best defenseman ever. Won 6 Norris Trophies for best all-around defensive player, 2 Stanley Cups, and was named to 8 All-Star Games, and was on 7 All-NHL first teams. Was the Conn Smythe Trophy recipient in 2002 as playoff MVP. He was named "Player of the Decade" by the Sporting News, and is widely considered one of the greatest European-born players in history.

D - Chris Pronger (St. Louis, Edmonton, Anaheim): At 6'6", Pronger is big and powerful. Combined with the ability to score, it makes Pronger a force to be reckoned with. In 2000 he won the Hart Trophy for league MVP, the first defenseman since Bobby Orr to win the award. He has never won a Norris Trophy, but that's largely because of Lidstrom's dominance. Led the Ducks to a Stanley Cup in 2007. A sure fire Hall of Famer. Other considerations: Scott Neidermeyer, Ed Jovanowski

F - Peter Forsberg (Colorado, Philadelphia, Nashville): My, oh, my what could have been. Riddled by injuries throughout his career, Forsberg was the best player on the ice. The only problem is, he couldn't stay on the ice. Still, the impact he had when he played cannot be ignored. He never scored more than 30 goals in a season in the '00s, but his point production was through the roof. In every season, he averaged more than a point per game. Had it not been for his aggressive style of play, we can only wonder just how much better he could have been. Other considerations: Ilya Kovalchuk, Jarome Iginla, Jaromir Jagr

F - Alexander Ovechkin (Washington)/Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh): It's simply not possible to mention one without the other. Sid the Kid is the golden boy who is going to save hockey. Alexander the Great scores the highlight-reel goals that drive fans wild. The impact each player has had on the game post-lockout is similar to what Magic Johnson and Larry Bird did to save the NBA. Crosby was the youngest player ever to lead the league in points and win MVP in any North American sport, and is the youngest captain ever. Ovechkin has won the Rocket Richard, Art Ross, Hart, and Lester B. Pearson Trophies, all in his first 4 seasons. They will be the face of the league for years to come.

C - Joe Sakic (Colorado): The consummate teammate and captain. Could score, play defense, and was the leader of all leaders. He is 8th on the all-time scoring list, and at 37 became the 2nd-oldest player ever to record 100 points in a season. And in one of the classiest moves a player can do, after winning the 2001 Stanley Cup, Sakic's 2nd title, he accepted Lord Stanley's Cup from commissioner Gary Bettman. But instead of traditionally skating around with the Cup first, he immediately gave it to teammate Ray Bourque, who for 21 years was the NHL's best player to never win a title. He's on this list not only because of his stats. His leadership is his best quality. Other considerations: Joe Thornton

Team of the decade: Detroit Red Wings - It only seems fitting that HockeyTown is the home of the team of the decade. They won 2 Stanley Cups (2002, 2008), lost in the Finals in 2009 to Pittsburgh, and simply dominated the Western Conference. They won their division every season, led the league in wins 3 times, and total points 4 times. There's no question that the train going towards a championship runs through Detroit.


Women's College Basketball: PG - Sue Bird (UConn 1998-2002): All-time great Nancy Lieberman once said that no one meant more to their team than Sue Bird. At UConn, Bird led the greatest senior class in women's basketball history to a perfect 39-0 season and a national championship in 2002 and was named Player of the Year. She also won a title in 2000 with the Huskies, was a 3x winner of the Nancy Lieberman Award for best point guard, was the 2002 Sportswoman of the Year, and is 2nd in UConn history in assists. Finished her college career with a 144-4 record. Other considerations: Kara Lawson, Renee Montgomery

SG - Kristi Toliver (Maryland 2005-2009): Toliver started 128 of the 139 games she played in as a Terrapin. Her freshman year she burst onto the scene after hitting the game-tying 3-pointer in the NCAA Title Game against Duke. The Terps would go onto win in overtime to win the school's first ever title. She was a 2x AP All-American, Player of the Year finalist three times, and a Nancy Lieberman Award finalist three times, winning the award in 2008.

G/F - Diana Taurasi (UConn 2000-2004): Simply put, UConn had Diana, and you didn't. A two-time Player of the Year, Taurasi is one of the greatest in the game's history. Geno Auriemma said she plays like a guy, bringing an attitude and intensity that couldn't be matched. She won 3-straight NCAA titles to end her career, helped the Huskies win 70 consecutive games from '02-'04, and won 139 games in her career, compared to just 8 losses. D has done more for the women's game than perhaps anyone else, and it all started in Storrs.

F - Candace Parker (Tennessee 2005-2008): In only three years, Parker was one of the most dominant forwards ever. With the ability to dunk and hit the 3, she was stronger than guards and faster than forwards. Helped win the Lady Vols win back-to-back national titles in '07 and '08, and was Player of the Year twice. Among all the greats that came from Knoxville, Parker is second only to Chamique Holdsclaw.

F - Seimone Augustus (LSU 2002-2006): The only person on the list who didn't cut down the nets in April, Augustus was still one of the more dominant forwards of the decade. Consensus Player of the Year in '05 and '06, she led LSU to three consecutive Final Fours (they would go on to two more after she graduated), but never made it to the title game. A career average of 19.6 ppg, Augustus could beat you by aggression or finesse. LSU athletic director Skip Bertman called her, "the most important recruit in the history of LSU." Good enough for me.

Other considerations: Courtney Paris, Tina Charles, Ruth Riley

Team of the decade: Connecticut - 5 national titles ('00, '02-'04, '09). Two perfect seasons ('02 and '09). Four National Players of the Year (Bird, Taurasi x2, Maya Moore). Two other Final Four appearances. A record 70-game winning streak from 2002-2004, which which is being threatened with a 50+ game winning streak by - of course - the current Huskies. Challenging Tennessee as the most storied program in the women's game, here's how successful the decade was for Coach Auriemma and Co. After not winning a championship in 4 seasons, and a 3-year absence from the Final Four, the Husky faithful complained. Should we refer to '05-'08 as the Dark Ages of UConn basketball then?

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

First Real Post Ever!

As the great Andy Williams once sang, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” No, I’m not talking about winter (I hate snow). It’s bowl season in college football people! And what better way to go into the holidays than by previewing and predicting all six of the BCS games?

Andy Williams was obviously talking about the bowl season

Starting on New Years Day is the Rose Bowl between Pac-10 champ Oregon and Big Ten powerhouse Ohio State. After a loss at Boise State to open the season (remember LeGarrette Blount’s suckerpunch???), Chip Kelly has done a fantastic coaching job, as the Ducks went on a tear the rest of the way, beating 4 ranked teams. Their only slip up was at Stanford on November 7th, a 51-42 shootout loss. I’ll go out on a short limb and say Oregon is the most underrated team in the nation. The Buckeyes, meanwhile, have lost 3 straight BCS bowls, and looking at how QB Terrelle Pryor has been shaky at best this season, I can’t see him helping Jim Tressel’s crew snap that streak. Give me Oregon in a close one, 31-28.

Also on New Years is the Sugar Bowl between SEC runner-up Florida and undefeated Cincinnati, champions in the Big East. Put it this way: if you expect Superman…er, Tim Tebow… to end his college career with 2 consecutive losses, you need to start drinking that eggnog straight. Tebow has too much talent around him on both sides of the ball, plus the heart of a true champion. The Bearcats have no defense, no coach, and no chance in this one. Gators 45, Cincy 30.

January 4th is the Fiesta Bowl between TCU and Boise State. This game is a COMPLETE cop out by the BCS Selection Committee. Both teams finished undefeated, but don’t come from BCS conferences. So to be sure neither embarrassed one of their precious BCS schools (again), they simply took the easy way out and put the teams head-to-head. Anyways, getting away from the politics of it all and back to football, I think TCU is hands down the 2nd best team in the country talent-wise. They proved that to me with their 38-7 massacre of BYU on the road. No repeat of the 2007 Fiesta Bowl for the Broncos, as the Horned Frogs will win 35-17.

January 5th is the by far the worst of the BCS games, as ACC champ Georgia Tech takes on Big Ten at-large bid Iowa. I don’t think the Hawkeyes deserved a BCS bid, because, frankly, they’re not that good. Call me crazy, but BCS -worthy teams shouldn’t need all four quarters to dispose of Arkansas State and Indiana at home, and shouldn’t have to come back from games against Michigan and Michigan State. One of the four, maybe two, is allowable. But 4 close games in what should be fairly easy wins? Not worthy of an at-large bid. Still, playing the Yellow Jackets, they have a chance at winning. Too bad they won’t, as Tech’s running game, 2nd in the nation, will be too much. Jackets will win 42-28.

And finally the BCS National Championship Game between Texas and Alabama on January 7th. The Longhorns defense is improved and they have Colt McCoy under center. However, Texas is not by any means Florida, whom the Tide embarrassed in the SEC Championship Game. They made the Gators, winners of 22 straight and 25 of 26 going in, look ordinary. Quarterback Greg McElroy has improved every game this season, and has gone from a liability to a weapon for the Bama offense. No reason to expect anything different in this one. Alabama will run their Popularity-Contest-Trophy (aka the Heisman) winner Mark Ingram to their 13th national title with a 38-17 win.

Well those are my predictions. We’ll know by January 8th how they turned out. Happy festivus everyone!

Welcome!!!

Well hello everyone! My name is Rob Joyce, and I am a 17-year-old who aspires to become a broadcaster (after all, those AP classes need to go to good use...). So after the idea was put into my head by a colleague at a sportscasting seminar I attended this summer at Hofstra University, and with the endorsement of a good friend, I've decided to create my own blog. It will consist of my thoughts on the sports world, because there aren't enough of those already. The majority of my posts will be extended versions of my weekly sports commentary seen every Wednesday by the good folks of Coventry High School on the CHS morning announcements. Of course, there will be a few extras here and there, because after all, some weeks there are just too many topics to choose from. So whether you agree or disagree, feel free to comment, send feedback, or start discussions. There will certainly be plenty to talk about... First official post will be up within a few days, previewing all six of the BCS bowl games.