I'm moving my blog to http://lifeonstandby.tumblr.com/
I will be primarily posting on that for a while, see how it goes.
So be sure to check that out now kids.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Madden Hangs 'Em Up
Long-time broadcaster John Madden has decided to call it quits after 30 years in the booth. Most of those years with his long-time partner Pat Summerall.
Madden was with CBS until 1994 when they lost the right to broadcast games. He then went to FOX until 2002. Then he left FOX to become the lead analyst for ABC's Monday Night Football with Al Michaels until 2006 when ESPN took over Monday Night Football. His latest job was with NBC on their "Sunday Night Football" with Al Michaels also.
Replacing Madden will be Cris Collinsworth. This is a shame. With the retirement of John Madden and the insertion of Collinsworthless, there has been a dark cloud placed over the game for a while.
I will miss John Madden on the mic. His insight was a little different but he was a familiar voice for me.
Madden was with CBS until 1994 when they lost the right to broadcast games. He then went to FOX until 2002. Then he left FOX to become the lead analyst for ABC's Monday Night Football with Al Michaels until 2006 when ESPN took over Monday Night Football. His latest job was with NBC on their "Sunday Night Football" with Al Michaels also.
Replacing Madden will be Cris Collinsworth. This is a shame. With the retirement of John Madden and the insertion of Collinsworthless, there has been a dark cloud placed over the game for a while.
I will miss John Madden on the mic. His insight was a little different but he was a familiar voice for me.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Let's Kick-Off The NHL Playoffs
The NHL playoffs are starting tonight. This is a pretty exciting time of year, it's the only time that anyone gives hockey any attention. Let's break it down:
Eastern Conference:
Boston (1) vs. Montreal (8) - I can't see Boston losing in the first round. They have more talent than the Habs. Milan Lucic is a stud. The Bruins can just out-physical Montreal all day. I'll take Boston 4-1.
Washington (2) vs. NY Rangers (7) - Alexander Ovechkin is a great player and he has a nice supporting cast around him as well in Semin, Backstrom, and Mike Green. The Rangers will have to be as aggressive as they have been since the new coach took over to have any success, their goaltending is better too. I think the Caps will win the series in seven games.
New Jersey (3) vs. Carolina (6) - The Devils are going to win this series. Marty Brodeur is the best netminder of all-time, and New Jersey is loaded with great players. Carolina has been playing better of late, since the trade deadline. I think New Jersey will slow them down. They'll win it 4-2.
Pittsburgh (4) vs. Philadelphia (5) - The easy choice here would be to take America's team in the Pittsburgh Pens, but I'm going the other way. Pittsburgh is overrated in my opinion. That doesn't mean it wont be close...Flyers in seven.
Second Round:
Boston vs. Philadelphia - Boston can't be stopped, to much intimidation. BOS 4-1.
Washington vs. New Jersey - New Jersey has a gigantic defensive advantage and wins the series in six.
Conference Finals:
Boston vs. New Jersey - This will be a good series, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that New Jersey has enough to go to the Cup.
Western Conference:
San Jose (1) vs. Anaheim (8) - The Sharks are too good to choke this time around. Devin Setoguchi has had a great year. The Sharks have more experience in the mold than do the Ducks. Joe Thornton is a god. I like San Jose in six games.
Detroit (2) vs. Columbus (7) - Detroit is way too good in every aspect to fall to the feel-good Blue Jackets. Columbus got in this year, but the Red Wings will teach them how to win it. Detroit 4-1.
Vancouver (3) vs. St. Louis (6) - If you would have told me that St. Louis would have made the post-season this year, I would have fallen over. But, they are in there, and they have to play the Canucks who have one of the best goalies in Roberto Luongo, and some of the game's best scorers. I like Vancouver in five games.
Chicago (4) vs. Calgary (5) - Calgary is probably the most talented team in the league in my opinion, but they formed the definition of backing into the playoffs this year. Chicago owned them in the season series, it should continue. CHI 4-2.
Second Round:
San Jose vs. Chicago - San Jose has more depth than Chicago. Advantage San Jose. SJ 4-2.
Detroit vs. Vancouver - Detroit shouldn't have a problem with the inconsistent Canucks. DET 4-1.
Conference Finals:
San Jose vs. Detroit - I hate to do this to myself, but I think Detroit is too much for San Jose. This is becoming a mini-rivalry. DET 4-2.
Lord Stanley's Cup:
New Jersey v. Detroit - Detroit is going to show the world that they are the best team from the this year's bunch. Datsyuk and the boys will be good against Brodeur. Hockeytown is going to be champs. DET 4-1.
Bucks Have Their Final Game
The Milwaukee Bucks have their final tilt of the '08-'09 season this evening in Indianopolis against the Pacers.
Thank Goodness.
I'm not going to sit here and give you a breakdown on each player, but I'll try to paint a picture.
The Bucks have some talent, better yet, a lot of talent.
Michael Redd is obviously a good player, but his season was cut short because he blew his knee out. He sometimes hogs the ball a bit, but he's good enough to do that.
Richard Jefferson didn't miss a game all year, and played pretty well. Same with Charlie Villanueva, Charlie had a great year in Redd's and Bogut's absence.
Ramon Sessions is a pretty PG in the making. He's got the ability to pass the ball well and score the ball well. A lot of people think they won't be able to keep both Sessions and Villanueva, so it will be interesting to see what happens.
I would have liked to see the first round pick Joe Alexander play more, but that's the way Scott Skiles does it. He did play "The Prince" Luc Mbah a Moute a ton, and he proved to be a great defender but not a scorer.
The Bucks improved from last year, but there's is still a lot of room for improvement in that organization.
Thank Goodness.
I'm not going to sit here and give you a breakdown on each player, but I'll try to paint a picture.
The Bucks have some talent, better yet, a lot of talent.
Michael Redd is obviously a good player, but his season was cut short because he blew his knee out. He sometimes hogs the ball a bit, but he's good enough to do that.
Richard Jefferson didn't miss a game all year, and played pretty well. Same with Charlie Villanueva, Charlie had a great year in Redd's and Bogut's absence.
Ramon Sessions is a pretty PG in the making. He's got the ability to pass the ball well and score the ball well. A lot of people think they won't be able to keep both Sessions and Villanueva, so it will be interesting to see what happens.
I would have liked to see the first round pick Joe Alexander play more, but that's the way Scott Skiles does it. He did play "The Prince" Luc Mbah a Moute a ton, and he proved to be a great defender but not a scorer.
The Bucks improved from last year, but there's is still a lot of room for improvement in that organization.
Isaiah's Triumphant Return
Isaiah Thomas is getting back into to the head coaching ranks. He signed on to be the man in Miami at Florida International University, a member of the Sun Belt Conference.
He wanted to be back in coaching so bad that he is going to coach for free this year. The money from his salary will be donated back to the school's athletic department.
Isaiah accepted this position with this school because he likes a challenge. He'll have his work cut out for him, FIU was 13-20 last year and 8-12 in Sun Belt play.
He wanted to be back in coaching so bad that he is going to coach for free this year. The money from his salary will be donated back to the school's athletic department.
Isaiah accepted this position with this school because he likes a challenge. He'll have his work cut out for him, FIU was 13-20 last year and 8-12 in Sun Belt play.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Duke Basketball Player Works Out for Pack
Former Duke Men's Basketball player Greg Paulus was a football player as well back in high school in upstate New York.
He hasn't played football since graduating in 2004. He's been focused on basketball since coming to Duke.
He worked out for the Green Bay Packers on the campus of Duke last week.
I wouldn't read a whole lot into it, as far as a Packers draft consideration, but it is pretty interesting to see a college basketball player try to make it as an NFL player.
He hasn't played football since graduating in 2004. He's been focused on basketball since coming to Duke.
He worked out for the Green Bay Packers on the campus of Duke last week.
I wouldn't read a whole lot into it, as far as a Packers draft consideration, but it is pretty interesting to see a college basketball player try to make it as an NFL player.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Brewers v. Cubs/Week 1 Wrap
I called for the Brewers to win 2 out of 3 games in this series, and it was right there.
If it weren't for an absolute hanger from Carlos Villanueva, the Brewers would have won Saturday night's game.
If it weren't for Reed Johnson robbing Prince Fielder of a Grand Slam in last night's game, the Brewers may have won that game as well. That Granny would have tied the game and had Miller Park rockin'.
Instead, the Brewers drop both of the games and fall to 2-4 on the young season. After watching every pitch of the series I can tell you this, the offense is struggling right now and the pitching is what we thought it would be...not very good.
Ryan Braun is now hitting .208 with 0 homers and 2 RBI. We need a lot better production from him.
Corey Hart still has the tendency to swing at the low and away sliders and curves. It's almost sickening. He's hitting .273 with two solo HRs.
Rickie Weeks has been a pleasant suprise so far this year. His defense has improved slightly. He's hitting .280 and leading the team in that department, but that's like being the smartest kid with Down's Syndrome at this point.
Everybody is striking out too much, but that's how the Brewers' hitters are. They are over-agressive at times. Prince Fielder is the king of over-agression when he comes up in a big spot like last night in the 9th.
Ken Macha's Grade: I'd prolly give Macha a C. He's still getting the hang of his players and the National League. But, selecting Suppan as the opening day starter was wrong.
I imagine that Macha and the boys can get us back on track with the Cincinnati Reds coming to town tonight.
If it weren't for an absolute hanger from Carlos Villanueva, the Brewers would have won Saturday night's game.
If it weren't for Reed Johnson robbing Prince Fielder of a Grand Slam in last night's game, the Brewers may have won that game as well. That Granny would have tied the game and had Miller Park rockin'.
Instead, the Brewers drop both of the games and fall to 2-4 on the young season. After watching every pitch of the series I can tell you this, the offense is struggling right now and the pitching is what we thought it would be...not very good.
Ryan Braun is now hitting .208 with 0 homers and 2 RBI. We need a lot better production from him.
Corey Hart still has the tendency to swing at the low and away sliders and curves. It's almost sickening. He's hitting .273 with two solo HRs.
Rickie Weeks has been a pleasant suprise so far this year. His defense has improved slightly. He's hitting .280 and leading the team in that department, but that's like being the smartest kid with Down's Syndrome at this point.
Everybody is striking out too much, but that's how the Brewers' hitters are. They are over-agressive at times. Prince Fielder is the king of over-agression when he comes up in a big spot like last night in the 9th.
Ken Macha's Grade: I'd prolly give Macha a C. He's still getting the hang of his players and the National League. But, selecting Suppan as the opening day starter was wrong.
I imagine that Macha and the boys can get us back on track with the Cincinnati Reds coming to town tonight.
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