Monday, September 29, 2008

MLB Awards

AL MVP

This was a tough call. There were a lot of good candidates, but I am going to go ahead with Dustin Pedroia of the Boston Red Sox. While many other Sox were injured or quitting on their team, Pedroia was a constant hitting .326 with 17 homeruns and 83 RBI's. Pedroia raised his batting average from .279 to .326 since June 1 and helped the Red Sox get back to the playoffs. Pedroia also led the league in hits and swiped 20 bases.

NL MVP

Albert Pujols should be a no doubter. Pujols kept the Cardinals in the Wild Card Race down the stretch by hitting .357 with 37 Home Runs and 116 RBI's. Now, Ryan Howard had a great September to help improve his mediocre average with ended up at .251 with 48 HR's and 146 RBI's. The difference between Pujols and Howard (mainly 100 points) also includes strikeouts (Howard's 199 to Pujols 54) and Walks (Howards 81 to Pujols 104).

AL Manager of the Year

Joe Madden, Tampa Bay. Is there really a need to explain it?

NL Manager of the Year

I was gonna give this award to Joe Torre. Then I realized the Dodgers only improved 2games from last year's record. So I'm gonna roll the dice and give the award to Cecil Cooper. Now, you will probably ask me, who is Cecil Cooper? Well, he is the Manager for the Houston Astros. Cooper took over last year in the middle of the year for Phil Garner and the Astros finished 73-89. This year, the Astros got off to a terrible start and even lost Carlos Lee to a season ending hand injury. All the Astros did was finish 3.5 games out of the Wild Card Slot while finishing RED HOT down the stretch. With the Cubs and Phillies expected to make playoff runs, and the Brewers firing their manager two weeks ago, I'll go with Cooper.

AL Rookie of the Year

Despite missing part of the year, Evan Longoria led all AL Rookies in nearly every hitting statistical category (.272, 27 HR's, and 85 RBI's) helping lead Tampa Bay to their first playoff berth ever en route to the AL East title.

NL Rookie of the Year

Geovanny Soto, Cubs, Catcher. (.286, 23 HR, 86 RBI's). Should be unaminous, no debate here

AL Cy Young Award

With all due respect to Fransisco Rodriguez and his 66 saves, he didn't even have the best year for an AL Reliever (Mariano Rivera did). I'll go with Cliff Lee here who went 22-3 with a 2.54 ERA with 170 strikeouts in 223.1 IP. He also had a very impressive 1.11 WHIP.

NL Cy Young Award

CC Sabathia was incredible for Milwaukee. He went 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA and an unreal 7 complete games for Milwaukee. Unfortunately for Sabathia, Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants had an overall superb season for a subpar team throwing 265 strikeouts in 227 innings, while going 18-5 with a 2.62 ERA

Thursday, September 25, 2008

No posts this week

Been a little busy this week. I'll be back on Tuesday of next week with my predictions for the MLB Playoffs and I will also rundown my picks for the MVP, Rookie of the Year, and Manager of the Year for both leagues.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

no Beanie? didn't matter....

If you listened to Ohio State fans this week, they would argue that if Beanie Wells was able to play last Saturday against USC that it would have made a difference. Yeah, maybe instead of losing 35-3 you would lose 35-10. Maybe instead of recruiting one blue chip running back, Ohio State should recruit 5 or 6 like USC does. That way when one guy gets hurt, the next guy can go right in (see 1995 Nebraska for example). Now, i'm not goig to sit here and crown USC the National Champion after that performance. The Buckeyes once again showed they were slow and stale in a matchup with a big time school outside the Big 10. If USC were to make it to the BCS title game, they will likely face an undefeated or one less SEC school (which has a lot of power in speed). USC will have an easy road as all major games the rest of the year are at home. Furthermore, the Pac 10 is looking very very mediocre after their performance last Saturday.

Holy Crap. Did BYU really beat UCLA 59-0? The same UCLA team that beat Tennessee on Labor Day? Let me tell you something Vol fan, you have a home game against Florida this week. Get ready for potentially the worst home loss in the history of your program. I will have the pleasure of seeing it in person as I am flying down to Knoxivlle on Friday.

Elsewhere in the spors world. JB Sez that the Milwaukee Brewers made the right decision in firing Manager Ned Yost. Although Yost has let the Brewers from the bottom of the Major Leagues to playoff contention, it appeared that the Brewers were in the midst of giving away a playoff spot for the second straight year after getting swept by the Philadelphia Phillies in 4 games this past weekend. The Brewers looked lifeless in that 4 games series and something had to be done to shake things up. Not only is this a wake up call to the team, but it has to be a wakeup call to the players as well. The Brewers have the finest minor league system in baseball and there is a lot of young talent ready to go. With CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets likely leaving after this year, the Brewers may not have a shot to make the playoffs for a couple years when all the young minor league talent is playing too its potential.

OK, i'm going to flat out say this. The Kansas City Chiefs are the worst organization in pro football. Now, I understand that the Chiefs are committed to a youth movement, a rebuilding phase; however, you cannot go through a youth movement with no real quarterback. The Chiefs planned on playing Brodie Croyle at QB during the year, but to nobody's surprise, Croyle got hurt in week one. What happened last Sunday was embarrasing. The Chiefs trotted out three different QB's against Oakland, including someone who on the practice squad earlier in the week. What makes things worse were reports that Lane Kiffin was about to get fired as Oakland coach, yet the Chiefs were the team playing like its coach was about to get fired. If Kansas City wants to commit to a rebuilding period, they need to draft a quarterback in the first round next year and make a commitment to that QB. As long as Clark Hunt allows Carl Peterson to act as general manager, this team will go nowhere.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

The Republican Party at its finest......

Bravo!!! Bravo!!! Thank you Jon Stewart for running this video.

Nebraska Football Review

In this edition of Husker recap, JB will review the Good, the Bad, and the downright Ugly in the first 2 weeks of Husker football. In order to start this review on a positive note, lets start with "the Good"

The Good

1. Nebraska is 2-0. Pretty short and sweet, but its important. Nebraska ended last year losing 5 of 6 games. Getting wins over anyone at this point helps build confidence in the team. Shouldn't be too much of an issue being 3-0 heading into a bye week and then a home game against Virginia Tech. Although Bo Pelini and Jeff Jamrog don't like the current schedule, its serving as a confidence builder.

2. Niles Paul as a return weapon. Paul exploded through the San Jose Special Teams Unit for a kickoff return touchdown in the 4th quarter. It took the wind out of the sails of San Jose State, setting the stage for a dominant Husker 4th quarter. Paul also has 3 additional kick off returns averaging 25 yards per return, tops on the team. Look for Paul to remain as the main kickoff return threat this fall. Its too bad Bill Callahan burned his redshirt for no reason.

3. Andy Christensen is back on the team. Christensen was reinstated to the team by Bo Pelini after he was cleared of sexual assault charges. Christensen did plead guilty to two misdemeanors and is definitely on a "one more strike and you are out policy" with the program. Christensen will sit out New Mexico State as part of his suspension but will be in the lineup for Virginia Tech. Christensen will hopefully bring some much needed depth and continuity to the offensive line, something it has been lacking.

4. Cody Glenn's play at linebacker. Now, Pelini will admit that Glenn can do better (and Glenn even admitted it himself), but Glenn has been a pleasant surprise at the position this year. He leads the team with 17 tackles including 13 solo tackles. Glenn volunteered to move to the linebacker spot, where depth is a big issue this year.

5. The kicking game. Alex Henery is 4-4 in field goals this year (all over 40 yards) and is 10-10 in extra point attempts. Adi Kunalic has 9 touchbacks in 16 kickoff attempts. Kunalic has been affected by some wind in his face, but overall is doing a good job.

The Bad

1. Barry Turner is out for the year. Now, Turner has not been himself the last two years. After a superb freshman year, he has dissapeared the last two years and struggled a bit through the first game. Don't think for a second that an injury is ever good for a team. Defensive Line is another position where Nebraska is thin and the Turner injury does not help. Right now Clayton Sievers is listed as the backup at the Right End and Left End position. Time will tell if Nebraska can continue to operate 3 players at 2 positions, especially heading into Big 12 play.

2. The Overall Play of the Defense. Last year the defense was 112th in the nation in total yards allowed. This year they have given up 351.5 yards per game, good enough for 69th in the nation. Improvement right? Um, wrong. This is Western Michigan and San Jose State doing this to Nebraska. What's gonna happen when Nebraska goes up against the likes of Missouri, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, and Kansas? As Carl Lewis would say, UH OH!!!

The Downright Ugly

1. The most dissapointing stat of the last weekend was 12 penalties for 103 yards, including 3 STRAIGHT FALSE STATE/ILLEGAL PROCEDURE PENALTIES. I don't care how bad the contunity is on the offensive line. You can't commit those penalties, especially at home, when the crowd is QUIET while you play on offense. Then again, if we are talking about Memorial Stadium, the crowd has the ability to be quiet when the Husker defense takes the field.

2. Offensive Line/Rushing Game. Nebraska is averaging a paltry 3.0 yards per carry if you take out the 27 yard run by Roy Helu against San Jose State and the 32 yard broken play run by Joe Ganz against Western Michigan. Nebraska has to establish some sort of running game to control the clock and help keep the defense off the field. Quick 3 and out do nothing to help time management and resting the defense. Hopefully the return of Andy Christensen helps fuel a resurgence in the offensive line.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

College Football Week 2 Review

I'll devote a separate blog entry to Nebraska and have that posted on either Monday or Tuesday.

Well, unless you are really out of touch with College Football, you would realize that the story of the year so far are the East Carolina Pirates. In just two weeks, the Pirates have dethroned Virginia Tech by taking a page out of Frank Beamer's playbook (a blocked punt returned for a TD) and then in front of the fourth largest crowd in school history, knocked off West Virginia and Heisman Trophy Candidates Pat White and Noel Devine 24-3. Now, its only been 2 weeks, but it doesn't take much of a football fan to know that the Conference USA is not a college football powerhouse. If the Pirates are able to knock off North Carolina State next week they will set the tone for a possible undefeated season on their way to crashing the BCS party.

Should Ohio State be concerned? They trailed Ohio 14-12 in the fourth quarter before taking advantage of some Ohio mistakes and escaping with a 26-14 victory. Was the score closer because Chris "Beanie" Wells was unavailable for the game? Perhaps the Buckeyes were looking forward to USC? Well, probably a combination of both. You can guarantee that Jim Tresell will have the full focus of his team in practice this week but for Ohio State to have ANY chance of beating USC, they will need Beanie Wells healthy.

Believe it or not, Notre Dame has actually won 3 football games in a row dating back to last season. Now, the Irish didn't really show too many signs of improvement on offense, although Jimmy Clausen did throw 3 touchdown passes verus 2 interceptions. The Irish only mustered up a paltry 3.1 yards per rush against a San Diego State team that lost to a division 1AA team last week. Throwing statistics aside, the most important thing for this Irish team to do right now is to win football games, something they have done 3 times in a row. In what is perhaps the most interesting game of the week outside of USC-Ohio State, Notre Dame hosts Michigan this week. Now, Michigan has had trouble with their new spread offense, but had a major defensive improvement against Miami of Ohio next week. Look for a low scoring affair this week but in the end look for Michigan to win a close scoring affair.

What a travesty in the Pacific Northwest. In case you missed it, Washington trailed #15 BYU 28-21 with seconds left. Washington QB Jake Locker scored a touchdown with 2 seconds left and flipped the ball in the air in celebration. One official thought this was too much and called an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for excessive celebration. Now, in NO WAY was Locker trying to show up BYU. He was just happy to put his team in position to tie the game. Instead, the referees make Washington kick a 35 yard extra point and it is blocked. the game ends, 28-27 Washington. I don't know if the referees will be reprimanded in anyway, but I think a suspension is warranted for the one who made that stupid call.

College Football Predictions

just saving my predictions for this year's season.

JB Sez..........
That Kansas will follow up its 12-1 campaign in 2007 with an 8-5 record this year. Kansas lost key players in CB Aqib Talib and OT Anthony Collins to the NFL and also inherit Texas, Oklahoma, and Texas Tech to their schedule, with two of the three games on the road.

That Florida Quarterback Tim Tebow will not win the Heisman Trophy for a second time. His money is on Chase Daniel, Chris "Beanie" Wells, or Graham Harrell.

That Notre Dame will improve but will still end up with a 6-6 record, but they will lose their bowl game and finish the year 6-7.

That Baylor will not finish last in the Big 12 south. That honor will go to Texas A&M.

That Tommy Bowden will finally lead the Clemson Tigers to the ACC Title.

That Appalachin State has no chance to beat LSU on August 30th. Nobody will ever take them lightly again.

That this will be the final year for Kirk Ferentz at Iowa.

That Alabama desperately needs a season opening win against Clemson to show the College Football world they are ready to be among the elite again.

That South Florida will finally win the Big East.

That Michigan will surprise people and go at least 8-4 this year.

That the Sweater Vest will once again own Michigan.

That Tennessee will lose at least 5 games this year, including the season opener at UCLA.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

College Football Week 1

Normally I would try to have a review of each week up by Sunday; however, I wanted to wait for the outcome of last night's UCLA-Tennessee game in the Rose Bowl. In my "JB Sez" column to the right, I predicted that Tennessee would lose 5 games, including the season opener at UCLA. Well, if you watched the game last night, you witnessed my "shot heard around Omaha" as I successfully predicted the 27-24 overtime upset. What a way for the Rick Neuheisel era to begin at UCLA and certainly Phil Fulmer will once again land on the "hot seat" for this performance. Don't look now, but Florida (and myself) roll into Knoxville in 2 weeks and Fullmer has never needed a win over Florida this bad since the 1998 season. As for UCLA, that win did not "end the football monopoly in Los Angeles" but it certainly sent a message to Pete Carroll and Co.

For the last few years, the Big East conference has taken flack for being a terrible conference. Well, that's over now, because the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) is now the worst conference. Check out how the ACC fared this past weekend in some of their big matchups. The ACC has not won a BCS game since 1999 and I do not expect that stat to change this year. Whoever wins that title this year can drop an asterik on it.

Alabama 34 Clemson 10
East Carolina 27 Va Tech 22
South Carolina 34 NC State 0
USC 52 Virginia 7

What in the world is Jim Tressel thinking? Why are you even playing Chris "Beanie" Wells in the 3rd quarter of a 26-0 blowout of Youngstown State? Wells went down in the 3rd quarter of the contest and has been ruled "doubtful" for this weeks contest against Ohio. Even if Wells thinks he can play, he won't, as the Buckeyes need him 100% for any chance to beat USC in 2 weeks in Los Angeles. Did Jim Tressell make the coaching blunder of the year by continuing to play Wells? Stay tuned...

We knew Missouri was going to score points (52) but if they want to be considered a National Championship contendor they are going to have to shore up that defense as they surrendered 42 points to Illinois on Saturday.

Ok, fine, I was wrong about Michigan. They are not going to go 8-4 this year. But, I said Alabama desperately needed a win over Clemson and they got it with their 34-10 throttling of the Tigers. I also said LSU had a 0% chance of losing to Appalachin State. I was right. I may want to re-think Clemson winning the ACC.

As for this next week, I am interested in seeing how Notre Dame looks against San Diego State and I will also blog about Nebraska after their second game against San Jose State.

Who is my Heisman pick after week 1? Well, Mark Sanchez, 338 yards and 3 TD's in USC's 52-7 win against Virginia. USC is off this week but if Sanchez has a great game against Ohio State, his name will move to the top of a lot of people's lists.