Here are a couple of my quick-hit thoughts on a rainy Friday night.
The Colorado Rockies are down 2-0 to Boston. Was it the long layoff that hurt? Or are the Red Sox just a better team? I say a little bit of both. Colorado had a magical end to its season, but there's no way it can come back in this series.
Watched the Boston College/Virginia Tech game on Thursday. I Tivo'd it and, for a while, was certain I wouldn't finish it. Boy am I glad I stayed awake to watch the whole thing. Keep giving Matt Ryan all the credit, he deserves it, but man Virginia Tech sure blew it. The Hokies shut down the Eagles all game, but allowed two late touchdowns and failed to recover an onside kick.
So what happens if Ohio State loses to Penn State or Michigan and Boston College loses one of its final four games remaining? (And let's be honest, Kansas and Arizona State will not go undefeated). That could potentially leave college football with the following one-loss teams: Ohio State, Boston College, LSU, USC/Oregon/Arizona State, Oklahoma, West Virginia, South Florida and Missouri. Theoretically, that could happen. All of those teams probably won't finish with just one loss, and conference championship games will clear off some off the riff-raff, but who gets the nod into the BCS Title game? A lot of times, whoever lost earliest in the season gets a get out of jail free card. People tend to forget about losses in Week 2 or 3 while losses in Week 10 knock you out of the national title picture.
No way should Hawaii play in a BCS bowl. This team struggled to beat Louisiana Tech on the road and has one of the softest schedules in college football history.
I think four area teams will make the football playoffs: Statesville, West Iredell, South Iiredell and Mooresville. I don't know who will advance the furthest, but I think out of that group, Statesville will be the toughest out. They have a ton of speed.
The NBA season will start soon. Anyone else care?
Friday, October 26, 2007
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Rockies playing incredible baseball
I think it's great the Colorado Rockies are in the World Series. It's always an interesting angle when some unknown team sneaks into the playoffs and suddenly makes the championships game.
What makes this team even more remarkable is that they are 7-0 in the postseason and 21-1 in its last 22 games. 21-1! That's inconceivable, especially in baseball, the game of inches.
Here's a couple of things on my mind regarding Colorado.
Will this long layoff hurt? The World Series begins Oct. 24, which means Colorado players will have more than a week without playing a game. I'd think not, but momentum and layoffs can be a funny thing.
Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, how will the Rockies respond to a loss? It looks like Cleveland is the best team in the league, and Boston's second. Both are more talented than Colorado. Let's face it, the Rockies will not sweep the World Series (at least I don't think they will). What would a loss in Game 1 do to them?
What makes this team even more remarkable is that they are 7-0 in the postseason and 21-1 in its last 22 games. 21-1! That's inconceivable, especially in baseball, the game of inches.
Here's a couple of things on my mind regarding Colorado.
Will this long layoff hurt? The World Series begins Oct. 24, which means Colorado players will have more than a week without playing a game. I'd think not, but momentum and layoffs can be a funny thing.
Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, how will the Rockies respond to a loss? It looks like Cleveland is the best team in the league, and Boston's second. Both are more talented than Colorado. Let's face it, the Rockies will not sweep the World Series (at least I don't think they will). What would a loss in Game 1 do to them?
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Carolina's new quarterback
I only have one thing to say about the Carolina Panthers signing Vinny Testaverde (43 years old) to be their backup quarterback.
At least it's not Aaron Brooks.
At least it's not Aaron Brooks.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Why Lou Piniella was wrong
I hate to question Lou Piniella.
I thought the Cubs hired the wrong guy before the season (Joe Girardi would have been my choice), but he proved to be the right person for the job by leading the Cubs to the Central Division title.
Piniella made timely, key decisions during the season, kept his players motivated and orchestrated a tirade at an umpire that energized the team and swept it into the playoffs.
All that said, he was wrong to pull Carlos Zambrano after six innings last night against Arizona.
Look, I understand the logic behind it. Zambrano will pitch again on Sunday in Game 4 (if the series gets that far). Piniella wants to be sure he’s rested, and relied on a bullpen that had been steady the last two weeks.
But if you are Chicago and tied with Arizona 1-1 in Arizona with Brandon Webb pitching, that’s almost a must-win game.
Despite giving up a solo home run, Zambrano was absolutely filthy. Why take him out for essentially a rookie? Carlos Marmol had a great regular season, but he’s still young and without playoff experience.
I think you have to leave in your horse and ride him through about eight innings. Hey, Zambrano is a big-game pitcher too. Even on three-days rest, he’s be ready to go on Sunday.
A 1-0 lead in a best-of-five series is crucial — almost essential. When you have a real chance to get that done, you stick with your best players.
I thought the Cubs hired the wrong guy before the season (Joe Girardi would have been my choice), but he proved to be the right person for the job by leading the Cubs to the Central Division title.
Piniella made timely, key decisions during the season, kept his players motivated and orchestrated a tirade at an umpire that energized the team and swept it into the playoffs.
All that said, he was wrong to pull Carlos Zambrano after six innings last night against Arizona.
Look, I understand the logic behind it. Zambrano will pitch again on Sunday in Game 4 (if the series gets that far). Piniella wants to be sure he’s rested, and relied on a bullpen that had been steady the last two weeks.
But if you are Chicago and tied with Arizona 1-1 in Arizona with Brandon Webb pitching, that’s almost a must-win game.
Despite giving up a solo home run, Zambrano was absolutely filthy. Why take him out for essentially a rookie? Carlos Marmol had a great regular season, but he’s still young and without playoff experience.
I think you have to leave in your horse and ride him through about eight innings. Hey, Zambrano is a big-game pitcher too. Even on three-days rest, he’s be ready to go on Sunday.
A 1-0 lead in a best-of-five series is crucial — almost essential. When you have a real chance to get that done, you stick with your best players.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Breaking down the North Piedmont 3A
Coaches around Iredell County said all throughout the offseason that winning the 10-team North Piedmont 3A would be no easy task.
Turns out that was exactly right.
Here we are four games into the nine-game schedule, the time where usually one or two teams have separated themselves from the rest of the pack. Not so in this league.
East Rowan, Mooresville, Northwest Cabarrus, Statesville, West Iredell and West Rowan are all 3-1 in conference play.
Obviously, any of the six teams has the talent and ability to win the conference, but let's take a look at which team is in the best shape and the big matches each week.
Easiest schedule remaining: West Rowan
The Falcons' remaining five opponents currently have an 8-12 record, and they have three nearly gimmies against Carson (0-4), Lake Norman (1-3) and South Rowan (1-3).
Easiest schedule remaining out of county schools: West Iredell
The Warriors still have North Iredell and Carson (0-8 in NPC) on the schedule. They’ll play three teams currently at 3-1, but get two of them at home.
Hardest schedule remaining: Statesville
The Greyhounds’ remaining five opponents are 12-8, although Statesville does have a few key games at home. All of Statesville's conference wins have come against sub-.500 teams.
County school in the best position: West Iredell
By defeating defending conference champion West Rowan last week, the Warriors should have a leg up on the other two county schools. West Rowan might still be the best team in the conference, and I think the Falcons have a good chance to win the rest of their games. If the Warriors win out, they’ll be tied with West Rowan and will hold the tiebreaker.
Biggest games (by week) the rest of the year
October 5: Northwest Cabarrus at Statesville
This is the only conference game between two teams with winning records during this week. After losing a heartbreaker at home to West Rowan two weeks ago, Statesville gets another shot with a big home game.
October 12: Mooresville at Statesville/West Iredell at Northwest Cabarrus (tie)
Huge week in the NPC –East Rowan will also play at West Rowan. These games could be elimination games in the NPC race for the Greyhounds and Mooresville (who will still have West Rowan left).
October 19: Statesville at West Iredell
This will conclude a brutal three-game stretch for the Hounds.
October 26: Mooresville at West Iredell
Should be a good one when Mooresville's run-it-right-at-you offense takes on West's spread-out-the-field squad.
November 3: West Rowan at Mooresville
If West Rowan and Mooresville both go undefeated until this point, this game will decide the conference champion. Even if one team has lost again, they’ll have a great shot to play the spoiler role and perhaps still clinch a share of the conference crown.
Turns out that was exactly right.
Here we are four games into the nine-game schedule, the time where usually one or two teams have separated themselves from the rest of the pack. Not so in this league.
East Rowan, Mooresville, Northwest Cabarrus, Statesville, West Iredell and West Rowan are all 3-1 in conference play.
Obviously, any of the six teams has the talent and ability to win the conference, but let's take a look at which team is in the best shape and the big matches each week.
Easiest schedule remaining: West Rowan
The Falcons' remaining five opponents currently have an 8-12 record, and they have three nearly gimmies against Carson (0-4), Lake Norman (1-3) and South Rowan (1-3).
Easiest schedule remaining out of county schools: West Iredell
The Warriors still have North Iredell and Carson (0-8 in NPC) on the schedule. They’ll play three teams currently at 3-1, but get two of them at home.
Hardest schedule remaining: Statesville
The Greyhounds’ remaining five opponents are 12-8, although Statesville does have a few key games at home. All of Statesville's conference wins have come against sub-.500 teams.
County school in the best position: West Iredell
By defeating defending conference champion West Rowan last week, the Warriors should have a leg up on the other two county schools. West Rowan might still be the best team in the conference, and I think the Falcons have a good chance to win the rest of their games. If the Warriors win out, they’ll be tied with West Rowan and will hold the tiebreaker.
Biggest games (by week) the rest of the year
October 5: Northwest Cabarrus at Statesville
This is the only conference game between two teams with winning records during this week. After losing a heartbreaker at home to West Rowan two weeks ago, Statesville gets another shot with a big home game.
October 12: Mooresville at Statesville/West Iredell at Northwest Cabarrus (tie)
Huge week in the NPC –East Rowan will also play at West Rowan. These games could be elimination games in the NPC race for the Greyhounds and Mooresville (who will still have West Rowan left).
October 19: Statesville at West Iredell
This will conclude a brutal three-game stretch for the Hounds.
October 26: Mooresville at West Iredell
Should be a good one when Mooresville's run-it-right-at-you offense takes on West's spread-out-the-field squad.
November 3: West Rowan at Mooresville
If West Rowan and Mooresville both go undefeated until this point, this game will decide the conference champion. Even if one team has lost again, they’ll have a great shot to play the spoiler role and perhaps still clinch a share of the conference crown.
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