Yesterday was not a good day for Boston fans. New England blew a ten point lead to Denver and Jonathan Papelbon, shockingly, blew a lead in a playoff game (at least the Celtics won their preseason game). Prior to yesterday, Paps had not allowed a run in twenty seven postseason innings. To all those Red Sox fans who want him traded (and presumably Bard installed as the new closer), shut up. Sure, Paps struggled early in the season, but in the second half of the year, he had numbers more in line with his career averages (5.83 K/BB and .897 WHIP). There is also the fact that Bard isn’t ready to close and he might not have the mental makeup to do it. Trading Papelbon would weaken the strong point of this team (bullpen) and probably wouldn’t add enough to jolt the lineup.
The real problem with this team is the lineup. It should be better next year, with a full season of Victor Martinez at catcher (picking up his option is a no brainer). Bay is a free agent and an option is held on Alex Gonzalez. Other than that, the starters are under contract. So what can be done to make the lineup more productive? Here is my plan to improve the lineup (as well as the defense).
I would pick up the option on Gonzalez and platoon him with Lowrie at shortstop. Offer Bay (and Wagner) arbitration and let them walk. Take the four picks and re-tool the farm system. If Tampa Bay declines their option on Carl Crawford, make a run for him to play LF. If that fails (or TB picks up the option), go after Chone Figgins to play left. Either one of them would be a great improvement in defense over Bay (especially away from Boston), and they would add another element of speed (along with Ellsbury) in the lineup. Yes, it takes some power away, but I have an idea for that as well. It is very possible that either Prince Fielder or Adrian Gonzalez could be available via trade this winter (no facts to back that up, just rumors that have been reported). Lars Anderson/Michael Bowden/Ryan Kalish/Stolmy Pimental could be a good base offer, maybe subbing in Daniel Bard for one of them (most likely Bowden); I would hate to see Casey Kelly get moved, but if it brought Gonzalez back, I’d do it. It would look like this would cripple the farm system; however, with Bay and Wagner leaving the Red Sox should be able to acquire two first round picks (maybe a second rounder at worst) and two sandwich picks to replenish the farm. This would leave a lineup of 1. Ellsbury 2. Crawford/Figgins 3. Martinez 4. Gonzalez/Fielder 5.Youkilis 6. Pedroia 7. Ortiz 8. Drew 9. Gonzalez/Lowrie.
The rotation looks set, as long as Dicek can come back healthy next year. Maybe take a one year flier (I know it didn’t work this year, but it never hurts) on a guy like Erik Bedard or Rich Harden to add some depth. That would leave a rotation of Beckett/Lester/Dicek/Buchholz/Wakefield and one of the recovering starters. With the bullpen, I’d like to see Saito stick around (pick up his option too). This would leave Paps, Saito, Okajima, Delcarmen, Ramirez and possibly Bard as the main men. The only thing needed would be another lefty, maybe Ron Mahay (external option) or Hunter Jones (internal option).
The team, constructed this way, would be able to attack pitchers a variety of ways – speed, power and ability to wear them out. The pitching staff would be just as good (maybe better if more progression is made by Buchholz, and Wakefield is able to comeback) as this season, especially if Papelbon is still closing games.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
Another Favre Story. Great.
You may have heard(or may not have, though I don't know how that could have happened) that Brett Favre is the starting quarterback for the Vikings. Over the past three years, stories about Favre have been beaten more than Rihanna. Thursday was no different -- my favorite Maine Campus author penned an article about Favre.
I’m 22 years old. I’m a fifth-year senior in college
I am divorced. And I live in van down by the river!
I’ve been watching Brett Favre and marveling about the things he does on a football field that continues to this day.
Throwing the most interceptions of all time?
As I referenced in last week’s column, the typical drop-back, pocket passer is gradually becoming less relevant due to the speed of defenses these days.
It's still as false as it was last week. Of the five best QBs in the NFL (in no order - Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger and Phillip Rivers), only Roethlisberger could be considered mobile. Also consider the wave of young QBs (Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco, Matt Stafford, Mark Sanchez). They are pocket passers.
However, the most impressive guys at that position have still been able to rely on their arm strength and knowledge of defenses to have success
Is there a good QB in the NFL that doesn't have knowledge of the opposing defense?
Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are not typically recognized for their ability to escape the pass-rush
But drop back passers are becoming irrelevant! Brady and Manning should be looking over their shoulders.
They seem to always know who’s going to be open and where the ball should go depending on coverage.
Good quarterbacks can read defenses. They spend all week practicing and watching film of opposing teams.
After three years of his inability to retire, Favre has found himself playing for the Minnesota Vikings.
It's not an inability to retire. He hates going to training camp, an activity everyone in the league has to do.
After the 2006 season, Favre retired,
Actually, he didn't retire then; he was only thinking about it.
He played one season with the Jets and made them a playoff contender until their last regular season game
Where he threw the season away, divided the locker room and got the coach fired. While the Jets former starting quarterback won the division with the Dolphins. And if I recall correctly, they needed about fifteen things to go their way to even make the playoffs in the last game (after blowing a two or three game division lead).
The Jets had already picked USC quarterback Mark Sanchez in the draft, so he signed with the Packers NFC North rival, Vikings
After he begged the Jets to release him and then spending two months flying between Mississippi and Minnesota before claiming he wouldn't sign. He then signed two weeks later.
Most people would be playing golf and drinking Coronas on South Beach. But Favre is different
When all is done, he wants to farm
But his performance against his former employer has made me realize something:
I bet it's going to be something groundbreaking.
Love of the game is more powerful than any other variable
Really? So if I love the game enough, I could go play pro baseball (despite my inability to hit when I played in Little League)?
After all, football is still a game
A game that requires you to be in top physical condition (unless you're JaMarcus Russell) and have a pain tolerance large enough to take hits from 300 pound linemen.
Favre looks like a 13-year old girl at a Backstreet Boys concert when he steps on the gridiron.
HE PLAYS THE GAME LIKE A KID! HE IS REALLY ENJOYING HIMSELF OUT THERE!
Somebody give this man a backstage pass.
He could probably get them to play a private concert (he has plenty of money) and, you know, if they were still a band (and didn't suck)
I’m 22 years old. I’m a fifth-year senior in college
I am divorced. And I live in van down by the river!
I’ve been watching Brett Favre and marveling about the things he does on a football field that continues to this day.
Throwing the most interceptions of all time?
As I referenced in last week’s column, the typical drop-back, pocket passer is gradually becoming less relevant due to the speed of defenses these days.
It's still as false as it was last week. Of the five best QBs in the NFL (in no order - Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger and Phillip Rivers), only Roethlisberger could be considered mobile. Also consider the wave of young QBs (Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco, Matt Stafford, Mark Sanchez). They are pocket passers.
However, the most impressive guys at that position have still been able to rely on their arm strength and knowledge of defenses to have success
Is there a good QB in the NFL that doesn't have knowledge of the opposing defense?
Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are not typically recognized for their ability to escape the pass-rush
But drop back passers are becoming irrelevant! Brady and Manning should be looking over their shoulders.
They seem to always know who’s going to be open and where the ball should go depending on coverage.
Good quarterbacks can read defenses. They spend all week practicing and watching film of opposing teams.
After three years of his inability to retire, Favre has found himself playing for the Minnesota Vikings.
It's not an inability to retire. He hates going to training camp, an activity everyone in the league has to do.
After the 2006 season, Favre retired,
Actually, he didn't retire then; he was only thinking about it.
He played one season with the Jets and made them a playoff contender until their last regular season game
Where he threw the season away, divided the locker room and got the coach fired. While the Jets former starting quarterback won the division with the Dolphins. And if I recall correctly, they needed about fifteen things to go their way to even make the playoffs in the last game (after blowing a two or three game division lead).
The Jets had already picked USC quarterback Mark Sanchez in the draft, so he signed with the Packers NFC North rival, Vikings
After he begged the Jets to release him and then spending two months flying between Mississippi and Minnesota before claiming he wouldn't sign. He then signed two weeks later.
Most people would be playing golf and drinking Coronas on South Beach. But Favre is different
When all is done, he wants to farm
But his performance against his former employer has made me realize something:
I bet it's going to be something groundbreaking.
Love of the game is more powerful than any other variable
Really? So if I love the game enough, I could go play pro baseball (despite my inability to hit when I played in Little League)?
After all, football is still a game
A game that requires you to be in top physical condition (unless you're JaMarcus Russell) and have a pain tolerance large enough to take hits from 300 pound linemen.
Favre looks like a 13-year old girl at a Backstreet Boys concert when he steps on the gridiron.
HE PLAYS THE GAME LIKE A KID! HE IS REALLY ENJOYING HIMSELF OUT THERE!
Somebody give this man a backstage pass.
He could probably get them to play a private concert (he has plenty of money) and, you know, if they were still a band (and didn't suck)
Friday, October 2, 2009
College Quarterbacks Love Tim Tebow
Last Spring, while reading the Maine Campus, I read an article about how Tim Duncan was overrated. After that, I read most of the articles that this guy wrote, most of them being just as bad as the last. Since Twister and I opened up this blog, I figured it would be a good place for me to let my feelings out about how much his articles suck, and do it in a style of one of my favorite blogs. This week's topic -- Tim Tebow
The first two paragraphs contain nothing new, basically saying that Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow could win the Heisman again and the draft status of the first two.
After Bradford would come McCoy, again early in the first round because of his athleticism and efficiency. But most analysts could not come to an agreement on where Tim Tebow would be drafted.
I think most of them agreed Tebow wouldn’t be picked in the first round.
Their justification is that Tebow is a thick, physical player who likes to run over linebackers and doesn’t always rely on his pinpoint accuracy to be successful. In the NFL, passing windows get smaller and a quarterback is required to fit the pigskin into areas with a much lesser margin for error.
That isn’t a justification; it’s a fact.
This column is dedicated to NFL draft-analysts Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. If any NFL general managers are reading this column (which is as good a chance as Orlando Pace beating Usain Bolt in the 100-meter dash), you could learn a few things too.
Apparently you know more than the people who get paid to study and build the future of their teams from the draft. I know where I’m going for my mock draft next April. Orlando Pace? Really? He hasn’t been good/healthy for five years. You couldn’t have picked a good LT to use for the metaphor?
Tim Tebow is an NFL quarterback.
Actually, he is currently a college quarterback, but since you say it, it must be true
He plays in the most competitive conference in college football and has had consistent success since his first day in Gainesville.
His first year in Gainesville, he backed up Chris Leak.
He has won two national championships in three years there
Chris Leak was the starting quarterback for the first one.
If their reasoning is that he plays in a spread offense, something that is as uncommon in the NFL as a Ryan Leaf touchdown pass,
Or as uncommon as a Mike Brusko touchdown pass. The last spread QB drafted in the first round (also coached by Urban Meyer) – Alex Smith.
The standard drop-back passer is gradually fading out
Out of the last ten Superbowl winners, there is only one I would consider a mobile QB (Roethlisberger) and he isn’t exactly fleet of foot.
The wildcat has become more prevalent at the highest level and its effectiveness can’t be debated.
Except that it hasn’t been as effective this year.
After all, what do you look for in a quarterback?
Strong arm, good accuracy, ability to read a defense, understand the playbook.
If your answer isn’t a guy who wins games, I wouldn’t want to play for you either.
Jack Cosgrove, you’re on notice.
The first two paragraphs contain nothing new, basically saying that Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow could win the Heisman again and the draft status of the first two.
After Bradford would come McCoy, again early in the first round because of his athleticism and efficiency. But most analysts could not come to an agreement on where Tim Tebow would be drafted.
I think most of them agreed Tebow wouldn’t be picked in the first round.
Their justification is that Tebow is a thick, physical player who likes to run over linebackers and doesn’t always rely on his pinpoint accuracy to be successful. In the NFL, passing windows get smaller and a quarterback is required to fit the pigskin into areas with a much lesser margin for error.
That isn’t a justification; it’s a fact.
This column is dedicated to NFL draft-analysts Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. If any NFL general managers are reading this column (which is as good a chance as Orlando Pace beating Usain Bolt in the 100-meter dash), you could learn a few things too.
Apparently you know more than the people who get paid to study and build the future of their teams from the draft. I know where I’m going for my mock draft next April. Orlando Pace? Really? He hasn’t been good/healthy for five years. You couldn’t have picked a good LT to use for the metaphor?
Tim Tebow is an NFL quarterback.
Actually, he is currently a college quarterback, but since you say it, it must be true
He plays in the most competitive conference in college football and has had consistent success since his first day in Gainesville.
His first year in Gainesville, he backed up Chris Leak.
He has won two national championships in three years there
Chris Leak was the starting quarterback for the first one.
If their reasoning is that he plays in a spread offense, something that is as uncommon in the NFL as a Ryan Leaf touchdown pass,
Or as uncommon as a Mike Brusko touchdown pass. The last spread QB drafted in the first round (also coached by Urban Meyer) – Alex Smith.
The standard drop-back passer is gradually fading out
Out of the last ten Superbowl winners, there is only one I would consider a mobile QB (Roethlisberger) and he isn’t exactly fleet of foot.
The wildcat has become more prevalent at the highest level and its effectiveness can’t be debated.
Except that it hasn’t been as effective this year.
After all, what do you look for in a quarterback?
Strong arm, good accuracy, ability to read a defense, understand the playbook.
If your answer isn’t a guy who wins games, I wouldn’t want to play for you either.
Jack Cosgrove, you’re on notice.
Monday, August 31, 2009
The Smoking Gun
Now normally not alot of shit happens here in Orono, ME, but apparently 2 college students were able to get it on ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. Here at the relatively quiet Univsity of Maine, news travels fast and these students are now front page news on The Smoking Gun. Here is the link,
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2009/0828091maine1.html?link=rssfeed
This story is awesome!!! What makes this story even funnier is that I know the dude, he was my roommate freshmen year and we went high school together. He must feel like a douche. I'm just here laughing my ass off. I found this story out yesterday and still haven't stopped laughing. Everyone here on campus is talking about it. They were doing it on the side of the road at 5:45 am. How dumb is that? Seriously, apparently somebody didn't learn too much at school.
I hope everyone enjoys this story as much as i do. Oh by the way, when the court date happens this story will get better when the test comes back positive and he gets the news that he is a father.
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2009/0828091maine1.html?link=rssfeed
This story is awesome!!! What makes this story even funnier is that I know the dude, he was my roommate freshmen year and we went high school together. He must feel like a douche. I'm just here laughing my ass off. I found this story out yesterday and still haven't stopped laughing. Everyone here on campus is talking about it. They were doing it on the side of the road at 5:45 am. How dumb is that? Seriously, apparently somebody didn't learn too much at school.
I hope everyone enjoys this story as much as i do. Oh by the way, when the court date happens this story will get better when the test comes back positive and he gets the news that he is a father.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
My Top 15 Pearl Jam Songs
My top fifteen Pearl Jam songs. This was an extremely tough list to make; originally, this was going to be a top five, then top ten but because of Pearl Jam’s awesomeness it was extended to fifteen. There are no write-ups for any of the songs, as my words would not do them justice, just listen to the music.
15. Betterman - Vitalogy
14. W.M.A. – Vs.
13. State of Love and Trust – Singles soundtrack
12. Alive - Ten
11. Marker in the Sand – Pearl Jam
10. Corduroy – Vitalogy
9. Go – Vs.
8. Gone – Pearl Jam
7. Leash - Vs.
6. Indifference – Vs.
5. Do the Evolution - Yield
4. Black - Ten
3. Porch - Ten
2. Given to Fly - Yield
1. Yellow Ledbetter – Lost Dogs
They are the best band of my lifetime. Next week I will post my top Pearl Jam covers
15. Betterman - Vitalogy
14. W.M.A. – Vs.
13. State of Love and Trust – Singles soundtrack
12. Alive - Ten
11. Marker in the Sand – Pearl Jam
10. Corduroy – Vitalogy
9. Go – Vs.
8. Gone – Pearl Jam
7. Leash - Vs.
6. Indifference – Vs.
5. Do the Evolution - Yield
4. Black - Ten
3. Porch - Ten
2. Given to Fly - Yield
1. Yellow Ledbetter – Lost Dogs
They are the best band of my lifetime. Next week I will post my top Pearl Jam covers
Monday, July 20, 2009
Monday Madness
I have a couple of things to rant about today. First off, today is apparently the 40th anniversary of the first man on the moon, but how can that be when it was filmed in a Hollywood bunker? NO MAN has ever walked on the moon, the government made that shit up to scare Mother Russia because they were locked in a vicious cold war. Our government has always been corrupt and the moon landing is just another bogus story. My 2nd rant in on Micheal Vick. MICHEAL VICK IS A FREE MAN!!! I've waited for this day for awhile. I love the Hotlanta Falcons, (football is very gay by the way), but he did not hurt any dogs. He is great for the sport and deserves to be back in the National Football League. I'm so happy he has paid his debt to society, even thought he was screwed. I'm gonna laugh when he leads his new team to the Super Bowl.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Happy Birthday OJ
I know alot of people out there hate Orenthal James Simpson, but I think he is awesome. So I'd like to congratulate him on his 62nd birthday. He was an amazing talent, sadly he went to the University of Spoiled Children, he did win the heisman trophy. Orenthal was awesome and HE DIDN'T KILL NOBODY!! OJ'S INNOCENT I TELL YA, INNOCENT!! And his recent trouble with the law is just ridiculous because he just wanted his stuff back man. He signed it, it's his stuff. Those guys with them set him up. Another thing isn't it kinda strange that 13 years to the DAY that he was found innocent of murder, he was found guilty on all those charges? It's a conspiracy i tell ya. He was set up hardcore. So hopefully today on his birthday, Orenthal James simspon had a great day and my wish for him is one day to have his name cleared.
Happy Birthday Orenthal!!
Happy Birthday Orenthal!!
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