What to watch this weekend:

By: CJH

Baseball is heading into its final weekend and College Football and the NFL are just heating up here are some sporting events to check out this weekend.

Friday September 28th:

The New York Mets kick off thier final series with the Florida Marlins. The Mets are desperate for a win and need to come up big this whole weekend. Yet the Marlins will not be a walk in the park. The Marlins took 3 out of 4 games from the Mets last weekend and have just completed a sweep of the Chicago Cubs. The Mets are playing a must win series and they will be praying for Oliver Perez to be their savior Friday night in Queens.

If you’re not a big Mets fan turn on the Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Colorado Rockies. After winning 11 straight games the Rockies have thrust themselves back in the playoff picture. They are two games behind Arizona in the division and are one game behind in the NL wild card. Arizona will try to hold them off, but the Rockies are coming on strong led by the hot bat of Matt Holiday. As I said in an earlier blog, he is the key to this offense and a key player in the playoff race. This may end up being the best three game series of the weekend. Even if the Rockies lose they do deserve some respect for not giving up.

Not in the mood for baseball? How about a nice Friday night college football game between #5 ranked West Virginia and #18 ranked South Florida. Yes you did read that correctly I said South Florida and ranked in the same sentence. This game will be a battle of unbeaten teams from the Big East. The Mountaineers have revenge on their mind after the Bulls went into Morgantown last season and upset WVU. While the Defense of USF looks to lead its team to another upset on thier way to winning the Big East Crown.

Saturday September 28th:

We kick off Saturday with #6 California at #11 Oregon. The Pac-10 has been one of college football’s strongest conferences this year, thanks in part to the undefeated starts of No. 6 California and 11th-ranked Oregon. Cal has scored at least 34 points in each of its four wins. Among other Pac-10 teams, only Oregon has scored more points then Cal. This game will be an offensive shootout that will come down to which team has the ball last. Those who enjoy defense should turn away.

In the mood to just take it easy, why not tune into the Presidents Cup and watch Tiger Woods lead the United States to victory. On Thursday after three tense last-hole foursomes wins the United States has a 5 1/2-1/2 edge over the Internationals at the Presidents Cup, matching the largest first-session lead in its history. Some of the golfers playing for the cup are Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh and US captain Jack Nicklaus.

Sunday September 30th:

This is going to be a historic day, which is why everyone needs to watch the Green Bay Packers when they invade the Minnesota Vikings at the Metro Dome. Brett Farve tied Dan Marino last week for most career touchdown passes with 420. He looks to eclipse this number and stand alone at the top. Also, did I forget to mention that the Packers are undefeated and are looking to stay that way. Just for those who are keeping score I picked the Packers as my surprise team of the NFC in my earlier blog.

Looking for something with a little more speed? Head over to ESPN 2 where they will be airing the NASCAR Busch Series at Kansas. The NASCAR Nextel Cup series heads to Kansas Speedway this weekend for Sunday’s LifeLock 400. The event is the only Cup race there this season and the third race of the Chase for the Nextel Cup. Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Jimmie Johnson began the Chase as the top three contenders. That remains true now, though each needs a win to offset sub-par performances at Dover.

I will also suggest that you keep and eye on what happens in baseball during the weekend. All of the Sunday games in the National League will have huge playoff implications. I wonly choose one game insted constantly flip back and forth untill the NL playoff teams are decided. BTW… we could end the baseball season with four teams in the East and West finishing the season with the same record. This could lead to rounds of tie-breaker games needing to be played all the way untill thursday next week.

Also, let me remind you that while it’s not being played this weekend the Patriots look to stay undefeated against the Bengals Monday night.

NFL 2007 Season Predictions: AFC East

By: David Nuñez

AFC East:

• Buffalo Bills:

Why?: My top pick for this years rookie of the year (that being if Adrian Peterson splits carries with Chester Taylor in Minnesota) is Marshawn Lynch. Lee Evans is a speedy receiver that J.P. Losman loves throwing bombs to. He will change the pace and outcomes of games single-handedly. Also, look for Paul Posluszny to make an impact at linebacker sooner rather than later.

Why Not?: The Bills have a pleasure of being in what many consider the most challenging one to be on top of. While they are a good team, they simple are not better than any of the division adversaries. Also, while Losman does have a game-breaking receiver, he himself has yet to prove himself worthy of a first-round selection. Buffalo simply has too many questions and not enough answers.

Chance of Winning Division Title: 20%

• Miami Dolphins:

Why?: The Dolphins defense is one many teams will not look forward to playing. Zach Thomas, Jason Taylor, and newly signed Joey Porter will wreak havoc on offenses throughout the season. They’re young and talented secondary is now in sync with the rest of the defense. They have good players at receiver and Trent Green’s (another new acquisition) leadership could make them a contender this year for the AFC East title.

Why Not?: Age. All but one starting defensive lineman are over 30, Green is 37, and Thomas is entering his 12th season. This is also Cam Cameron’s first year as a head coach, and a new system will make it tough for the Phins to contend with division rivals. Yet, I think it will come down to the under-achievement of Ronnie Brown that will make if difficult for Miami to win the division title this year. If he does not prove he was worth a 2nd overall pick in the 2005 draft, this team will stay put behind New England and New York.

Chance of Winning Division Title: 50%

• New England Patriots:

Why?: It’s hard to really imagine how it could happen, but the Patriots just got better. A look at the team roster will make one think that they’re looking at a ballot for the Pro-Bowl. Mr. Always-Finds-A-Way-To-Win Tom Brady is looking sharp as ever, and the addition of Randy Moss will definitely make winning easier.

Why Not?: While the defense is overall very stingy, they do have the tendency to give up big play at the wrong time, and this can cost them a game or two. Also, while Brady is a prolific passer and the new additions at wide-receiver are great, he still needs to get a feel for them. Bad timing and wrong route-running can be the difference between a TD and an INT.

Chance of Winning Division Title: 80%

• New York Jets:

Why?: The Jets surprised a lot of people last season. Eric Mangini, entering his 2nd season as the head coach, surprised a lot of people by taking the team into the playoffs. His system has now settled in and New York has a great shot of taking the title away from the Patriots this year. Thomas Jones and Leon Washington offer a great 1-2 punch in the backfield. Their receivers, led by Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery, had quite a few plays last year that made it to the highlight reel. They are well on their way to become a team to contend with in the AFC.

Why Not?: Chad Pennington’s arm strength and ability to win big games has always been questioned. This team will only go as far as this quarterback takes them, and right now it looks to be going in the same direction as last year: falling short. Their defense, led by pro-bowl caliber linebacker Jonathan Vilma, allowed more rushing and passing yards than their own offense. While they were pretty good when it comes to keeping their opposition from scoring, they will have to do a better job stopping the other team from driving up the field.

Chance of Winning Division Title: 50%

An Asterisk?

The public has spoken and Barry Bond’s 756th home run ball is going to get an asterisk before being put into the hall of fame. Which I guess is an upgrade from the other choice of launching it into space. I would have to agree with Bonds on this one. Mark Ecko is an idiot. This is a rare piece of sports memorabilia and he was considering launching it into space? That’s like spitting in Bond’s face and saying “by the way, your accomplishments are useless so I’m going to throw everything you’ve worked for away”. I’d be furious too.
Bonds may have taken steroids, but everyone else in baseball is taking them too! Milton Bradley tearing his ACL that easily? His temper? Put it together people… It seems like everyone in baseball has either admitted to doing it, or trying to deny they are doing it. Now I’m not encouraging steroid use, but it hardly seems fair to single out one guy when the whole crowd is in it with him. Jason Giambi admitted to taking steroids in 2003 and most people have already forgotten about that. But, if he starts hitting home runs and breaking records, you can bet it’s going to come up again. It’s like a double standard. If you’re not good, you can take steroids to help you get better, but we’re so concerned with stats, that if you might go down in history, you can’t have taken steroids because it might “ruin” the stats. In 2005, 79% of players said they believed steroids played a role in record-breaking performances. Is that the 79% of players that are jealous because they aren’t as good?
Should we be disappointed in Barry for setting a bad example for our kids? Go right ahead. Should we mark his ball with an asterisk because the record might have been tainted? No. Bonds was always, and will continue to be a great player…wherever he decides to go now.

NFL 2007 Season Predictions: AFC West

By: David Nuñez

Let’s head out west and see who’s got a shot of taking the title.

AFC West:

• Denver Broncos:

Why?: With the likes of Champ Bailey, John Lynch, and newly acquired Dre’ Bly in the secondary, the fastest set of linebackers in the league, and a defensive line that is down right scary (that now includes Simeon Rice), one would scratch their head wondering why they weren’t around in last year’s playoffs. Jay Cutler is getting better and better, and for this 2nd year QB, the whispers of John Elway will quickly become a thing of the past.

Why Not?: Reliable receiver Rod Smith is hurt, and aside from Javon Walker, Cutler doesn’t have a proven target to throw to. But the main reason Denver will not become the AFC West champs this year is due to their inability to step up when the pressure is on. If they can’t stop giving up leads and finding ways to lose a game, the Broncos shot for a post-season appearance will go up in smoke.

Chance of Winning Division Title: 50%

• Kansas City Chiefs:

Why?: When is comes to a championship team, the Chiefs have a good amount of the ingredients needed. Their offensive studs Larry Johnson (RB) and Tony Gonzalez (TE) will be once again among the top players in their respective position. They have two shut-down corners in Patrick Surtain and Ty Law, and not to mention they have what many consider the best trio of linebackers in the league. The Chiefs squeaked into the playoffs last year, this year they just might take the division and show many they deserve to be in the hunt for the ring.

Why Not?: I think everybody who has followed the Chiefs this off-season knows what position they are questionable at, and that is the most important position in football: quarterback. Damon Huard beat out Brodie Croyle, but neither one has shown they are a franchise quarterback. Croyle is the future, but Huard is now. The team collectively scored only twice this pre-season. Let’s hope this isn’t a sign of things to come.

Chance of Winning Division Title: 50%

• Oakland Raiders:

Why?: The Raiders have some of the most youngest and underrated receivers in the league. Running-back LaMont Jordan is looking sharp, and having acquired Dominic Rhodes to spell for Jordan was a great off-season move. The secondary is still not very experienced, but the talent and the ability is there.

Why Not?: The quarterback situation in Oakland over the past two seasons can be looked at as a revolving door. Daunte Culpepper and Josh McCown were both signed but neither has looked impressive. The defense, even with the likes of Warren Sapp and Derrick Burgess, has the unique ability to always disappoint in the 4th quarter after playing a decent game to that point.

Chance of Winning Division Title: 20%

• San Diego Chargers:

Why?: The top pick in every fantasy football draft this year was without shadow of a doubt LaDainian Tomlinson. I have yet to see Tomlinson go through an entire game where he doesn’t make at least one play that makes my jaw drop. He has the speed of a cheetah, the ability to stop on dime and change directions, and the knack for finding the end-zone on almost every other play. Throw in the amazing play of tight-end Antonio Gates, along with the scary prowess of Shawne Merriman, and this team is definitely one to be reckoned with this season.

Why Not?: While Philip Rivers played exceptionally well last year, it’s hard to tell whether he can do it without Tomlinson and Gates. I think we have yet to see why he was worth a first round pick just yet, but he is making strides. The only chink in the Chargers armor right now is the coaching. Newly appointed head coach Norv Turner doesn’t have a good track record when it comes to being the in charge. While is one of the most innovative offensive mastermind the league has seen, can he do it as the head coach. Time will tell.

Chance of Winning Division Title: 80%

The Sports the week of 9/14- 9/20

Since it is Friday, I thought that we should look back at some of the big moments in Sports this past week:

On Sunday night there were two good games on TV and I was torn trying to decide which game to watch:

The first games was the San Diego Chargers @ the New England Patriots. It was a re-match of last years AFC Championship game, where the Chargers lost and LaDainian Tomlinson wanted to fight the entire Patriots team. If that was not enough hype, Bill Belichick was fined $500,000 and the Pats will lose a combination of draft picks due to their sideline espionage video taping the Jets Defensive signals the week before. This game was set to be one of the better games of the year with all the hype and high expectations for these two playoff caliber teams. That was until Tom Brady picked apart the chargers defense for three touchdowns. The score was 24-0 at halftime and ended at 38 -14. The Chargers looked miserable and will have to beat the Pats next time around if they plan on going tot he Super Bowl. The Patriots on the other hand looked dominate and are clearly the best team in football. They even look good enough to dare I say go Undefeated!

* NFL Quick Hit: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers shocked the New Orleans Saints 31-14.

The other game also took place in New England. This one was played at historic Fenway Park between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees. It was a star studded pitching match up of Roger Clemens vs. Curt Schilling and we were treated with a vintage pitching duel; Clemens went 6 innings allowing only 1 hit. Curt Schilling looked equally as impressive through 7 innings. In the 8th inning is where Schilling got into trouble. With the score tied at 1-1, he got the 1st out thanks to a strike out and then gave up two successive singles. He then retired Johnny Damon and there were two outs, but the last person Boston fans wanted to see bat was up. Up to the plate walked Derek Jeter and this season of the 10 HR’s he has 5 of them came against the Red Sox. With a 2-2 count and Schilling one strike away from ending the inning Derek Jeter swung at the pitch and sent a dagger into the heart of Boston. He crushed the ball over the Green Monster giving the Yankees a 4-1 lead. Joba Chamberlain and Mariano Rivera closed out the game and the Yankees won ending the season series at 10-8 in favor of the Yankees.

Not only did the Yankees win the weekend series but continued to gain on the Red Sox all week:
9/14 AL East Standings: 1st Boston: 90-59 2nd New York: 84–64 (5.5 games out)
9/15 AL East Standings: 1st Boston: 90-60 2nd New York: 85–64 (4.5 games out)
9/16 AL East Standings: 1st Boston: 90-61 2nd New York: 86–64 (3.5 games out)
9/18 AL East Standings: 1st Boston: 90-62 2nd New York: 87–64 (2.5 games out)
9/19 AL East Standings: 1st Boston: 90-63 2nd New York: 88–64 (1.5 games out)

The Red Sox need to get it together if they want to win their first division title since 1995.

What about the other New York team that is on the verge of missing the playoffs. The New York Mets were the class of the NL for most of the season. Yet in the past two weeks they seem to have lost focus and are falling apart. At one point they lost six straight games and had trouble beating the Washington Nationals. It also has not helped that the Philadelphia Phillies are one of the hottest teams in baseball and are on the Mets heels. The Red Sox are almost assured to make the playoffs even if they lose the division. The Mets on the other hand could not only lose the division but also miss the playoffs completely. Manager Willie Randolph had better get his team focused quickly or else the only games he will be at in October will be at Yankee Stadium cheering for his old team from the crowd.

Here is how the standings are shaping up for the Mets:

9/14 NL East Standings: 1st New York: 83-63, 2nd Philadelphia: 78–69 (5.5 games out)
9/15 NL East Standings: 1st New York: 83-64, 2nd Philadelphia: 79–69 (4.5 games out)
9/16 NL East Standings: 1st New York: 83-65, 2nd Philadelphia: 80–69 (3.5 games out)
9/17 NL East Standings: 1st New York: 83-66, 2nd Philadelphia: 81–69 (2.5 games out)
9/18 NL East Standings: 1st New York: 83-67, 2nd Philadelphia: 82–69 (1.5 games out)
9/19 NL East Standings: 1st New York: 84-67, 2nd Philadelphia: 82–70 (2.5 games out)
9/20 NL East Standings: 1st New York: 84-68, 2nd Philadelphia: 83–70 (1.5 games out)

*MLB Quick Hit: Dear Seattle Mariners reliever Jorge Campillo, You threw at Vladimir Guerrero and then the next pitch he hit a homerun and stood at the plate while it cleared the fence. While I do not condone showboating, Vlad earned the right in this case. You did not earn the right to then throw at his head again durring his next at-bat. In fact you are lucky he did not charge the mound. Next time you may not be so lucky.

*NCAA Football Quick Hit: The Miami Hurricanes upset the ranked Texas A&M (#20) and their high-powered offense in a 34-17 victory Thursday night at the Miami Orange Bowl.

Speaking of Football, the recovery of Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett has been amazing. He was transferred Friday to a Houston hospital to begin the next phase of his rehabilitation. This comes less than two weeks after the tight end sustained a life-threatening spinal cord injury. He is expected to regain the full ability to walk again.

Top 10 Yogi Berra Memorabilia Items

I am a huge Yogi Berra fan. Maybe it’s his incredible record as a player or maybe it’s all those silly yogi-isms we love so much. Either way, here are the top 10 Yogi items for the Berra fans and collectors.

10- Signed Catcher’s Pose Photograph
The photo features Yogi in his catcher’s pose for which he is so famous. He played in 14 World Series games for the Yankees and made the all-star team every year from 1948 – 1962. He received MVP votes in 15 consecutive years and won the award for the American League MVP three times.

9- Framed Photo with medal and game-used baseball piece It’s a nice picture of Yogi but also has a medal and piece of the game ball all framed together. He holds a bat despite blaming the bat for his poor hitting. Famous quote: “I never blame myself when I’m not hitting. I just blame the bat, and if it keeps up, I change bats. After all, if I know it isn’t my fault that I’m not hitting, how can I get mad at myself?”

8- Signed Jersey
Yogi signed this number 8 Yankee’s home jersey. Berra started out in 1946 wearing number 38 but switched to number 35 the next year, and then the following year decided on number 8 which he stuck with for the rest of his career before it was retired in 1972 to honor both Yogi and past catcher Bill Dickey.

7- Engraved Bat
The bat is engraved with YOGI BERRA and Yogi has signed it just to the left of the engraving. He was mostly known for his catching and fielding skills, but as a hitter Yogi excelled as well with batting averages between .27 and .32.

6- Autographed copy of “I Really Didn’t Say Everything I Said” Book His baseball made him famous, his Yogi-isms made him a star. The book has the famous sayings along with insights from Yogi about what he was thinking when he said some of these classic lines. The book also includes rarely seen pictures and comments from friends, family, and teammates.

5- Photograph with Jackie Robinson with “he was out” inscription The scene: 1955 game one of the World Series. In the 8th inning, the Brooklyn Dodgers trailed the Yankees 6-4. Jackie Robinson took off from third base to steal home. He slid in and cloud of dirt went up. The umpire called him safe and the Dodgers went on to win the series. Yogi argued the call and still maintains, as evident by the inscription, that Robinson was out.

4- Yogi Berra and John Larson Signed World Series Photo One of the most notable moments of Berra’s career was in the 1956 World Series; Berra caught Don Larsen’s perfect game. The only no-hitter ever thrown in a postseason game. Following the 27th out, Berra leapt into Larsen’s arms and the moment was captured to become the iconic image that it is today.

3- Signed Ball with “90% of the game is physical, the other half is mental” inscription Another one of Yogi’s famous Yogi-isms. This baseball is autographed by Yogi and bears one of his signature sayings. There are also a few other balls autographed with different sayings if you have a favorite Yogi-ism I havne’t listed.

2- Hand Painted Commemorative Baseball
This baseball is part of a collection by Mike Floyd, LLC. The Limited Edition Series I Collection of baseballs features Babe Ruth, Yogi Berra, and Jackie Robinson. A very limited quantity of these leather baseballs have been made. The ball has a photo-realistic player image which is reduced to fit from hand drawn artwork. Career achievements, awards, and statistics also cover the ball.

1- Autographed Bobble Head Doll
This bobble head is my personal favorite. Yogi signed the bobble head on the base and the figurine features him in the traditional catcher’s position wearing the Yankees uniform. He holds a glove and a ball in his hands. A very low quantity of these are available.

And remember, “if you come to a fork in the road, take it”.

Top 10 Reasons to watch the 07-08 Football Season:

10: Fantasy Football
Fantasy Football has given people a reason to watch every game of the NFL season. In Fantasy Football, you draft a team of players from the NFL. Each week you set a lineup and then these players earn you points. At the end of the week who ever has the most points wins. This goes on for the entire NFL season. At the end of the season a Fantasy Football champion is crowned. Playing Fantasy Football is also a good way to bond with co-workers and keep in touch with old friends. There is nothing like getting the old high school gang together for a football league with bragging rights on the line. If you are not in a league yet get into one soon, you will not regret it.

9: Ocho Cinco: The Chad Johnson Story
Chad Johnson of the Cincinnati Bengals has said he is going to “bring his sexy back” this season. This ultimately means we are in store for new end zone dances and more elaborate gifts being sent to opposing defenses. We can only hope the NFL does not fine him… too much. With Carson Palmer throwing TD’s to him all season Chad had better have a lot of things planned.

8: Manning Vs Barber
Tiki Barber has retired and now feels that it is his place to call out his former QB Eli Manning of the New York Giants. Tiki questioned Eli’s leadership abilities last season in a recent interview. This has set off a verbal war. Eli struck back with his own comments which questioned Tiki’s retirement. Then is got interesting because the Barber Twins have their own radio show where Tiki and Rhonde Barber began to bash Eli even more. In response to the “Barber Shop” radio show, big brother Peyton Manning stepped in to support his brother. Hidden by all of this controversy has been the great play of Eli in the pre-season. He seems to have turned a corner and can have the last laugh if he can “lead” the Giants to the playoffs.

7: Which unlikely teams will make the playoffs?
In the AFC it could be the New York Jets. The Jets have a few things going for them, the most important things is that the Pats are not at 100%. After losing two key players for the start of the season the Pats have to open the season at the Jets. The Jets can make a statement by beating the Pats and it will go along way to them winning the wild card. In the NFC it could be the Green Bay Packers. Brett Farve wants to go out on top, what better way then breaking Dan Marino’s All-Time TD record while leading the Packers into the Playoffs. If Farve can regain some of his old magic he could just upset things in the NFC.

6: McNabb is back
Donovan McNabb ate plenty of Campbell’s Chunky Soup while recovering from ACL replacement surgery. Now he is ready to eat up opposing defenses. He has looked great in the pre-season and let’s not forget how well he was playing before he got hurt last year. Oh yeah did I mention, McNabb has the best running back in the NFC on his team. Look for a big year from Brain Westbrook. With McNabb back behind center, the Philadelphia Eagles look to win the NFC East and make the playoffs for the 7th time in 8 years.

5: Can the Bears get a second chance?
The Chicago Bears made it all the way to the Super Bowl, but they could not pull out the win. Now they are facing a new season with a questionable quarterback and running back. Rex Grossman was the most inconsistent QB last year, but has looked solid in pre-season. The Bears also traded Thomas Jones in the off-season and named Cedric Benson the starter. He is talented but has not yet shown the ability to be a number one back. It looks like the Defense will again have to pick up the slack for this team for them to make it to the Super Bowl. Yet they should have no problem getting into the playoffs.

4: Are the Saints a Playoff Team?
Everyone was a Saints fan last year. It was a great season for the New Orleans Saints and their fans. The big question this is can they do it again? The answer is Yes. This is a solid football team with a great QB in Drew Brees. Brees is arguably the third best QB in the NFL behind only Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. They also boast a dangerous running game highlighted by former USC star Reggie Bush. Bush will rotate with Deuce McAllister, but both players will produce. The Saints will make the playoffs again this year, mark it down.

3: Can LT lead the Chargers into the Super Bowl?
For those of you who do not know LT is LaDainian Tomlinson. He is the star running back for the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers have made it into the playoffs in ’04 and ’06 but have been unable to make it out of the second round of the playoffs. As a result they fired their coach and hired Norv Turner. Turner is going to have to rely on LT, Antonio Gates, Phillip Rivers, and Shawne Merriman to have big years if he hopes to get into the Super Bowl. The Chargers are one of the best team in the AFC and will be make the playoffs? How far they go will depend on where Tomlinson’s legs take them.

2: Are the Patriots going to be undefeated?
Now that Pre-Season is over and the New England Patriots have had a few injuries we can be assured they will not go 16-0. They have just lost Rodney Harrison for 4 games and Richard Seymour for 6 games. With out Seymour, the Pats defense is not as scary. Loosing Harrison put even more pressure on the Pats weak secondary. It also does not help that Randy Moss has just started practicing for the first time in 3 weeks. The Patriots are a very good team and have been able to overcome problems like these in the past. Eventually, their luck will run out…that time may be now.

1: Will Peyton and the Colts repeat?
The Indianapolis Colts will win Super Bowl XLII…The Colts will win because they have Peyton Manning. He keeps his defense rested and off the field, while he wears out his opponents defense. He has exercised his demons with a huge win against the Patriots in the AFC Championship game last year and has a ring. No longer will he have to deal with the pressure and questions of being a great QB never to win a Super Bowl. Now he can just focus on what finger he is going to put his next ring.

5 Baseball Games to Watch This Weekend

There are quite a few good match ups this weekend and with the season coming to a close, the pressure is on. Here are the 5 games to watch this weekend.

5. Texas VS Oakland
The Rangers are coming off a 2 game losing streak vs. Detroit and are hoping to turn their luck around. They’re currently 10th in the American league although in June they were sitting on a very comfortable number 7 spot. Shortstop Michael Young is pulling the team along batting .310. The rest of the players have yet to break the .300 barrier. They’re doing a pretty good job in the bullpen but they’ll need to step it up if they hope to win this one.
Texas may be relieved to find out then that the A’s share the same problem. Their top hitters, Ellis, Swisher, and Chavez have not broken the .300 barrier either. But, the A’s have a more rounded team which makes them a little more consistent overall. Maybe it’s the chemistry the team seems to have, like all the players have finally meshed, but they seem to have finally found their groove.

Prediction: Oakland

4. LA Angels VS Chicago Sox
The Angel’s top hitters Guerrero and Cabrera have been smashing in the home runs this year and they have a 2nd place standing in the American League to show for it. Top it off with some pretty consistent pitching and you can tell this team is serious about winning it big this year.
The Sox unfortunately are not doing so hot this year which surprises me. The team seems to have the right ingredients but they just aren’t pulling it together. Maybe it’s the hitting; the best players aren’t getting the opportunities they should be. The pitching is good, the outfielding is good, Thome just hit his 499th home run… Why aren’t the Sox winning more games? I’d like to blame the coaching but Guillen seems to have a good understanding of the team, the game, and what it takes to be a winner. I’d just like to see him rub a little bit of that off on the players.

Prediction: Angels

3. Arizona VS LA Dodgers
Arizona is not going to take anything lying down this year. They’re tied for first in the National League and they definitely want to win it I’m just not sure about their capabilities. The hitting is good but could be better. Mainly they’re lacking a standout player but they have several players who are good and sometimes manage to surprise us. Webb’s pitching is strong which is going to help them a lot.
The Dodgers are chugging along slowly reminding me of the little engine that could. They’re in a three-way tie for 3rd place in the National League meaning every game is critical. They have to win this. Unfortunately, they trail San Diego by two and the Mets by seven. It’s a long way to make up and it might be a little too late. Juan Pierre, Jeff Kent, and Russell Martin lead the team pretty consistently with good hitting. Pitching is debatable; let’s hope they have it together for these games.

Prediction: Arizona

2. Philadelphia VS NY Mets
Philadelphia is in that same three-way tie for 3rd place in the National League. They trail the Mets by 7 so winning this game is beyond crucial. Hitting is excellent with Chase Utley continuing to dominate. 1st baseman Ryan Howard, right fielder Shane Victorino, and centerfielder Aaron Rowand are also slamming in the runs and gaining some serious attention. Pitching is good but sometimes inconsistent without Hamels who suffered from an elbow injury and has been sitting out since.
The Mets are hot right now so the big question is how long it will last. They’ve lost only two of their last 11 games. Glavine is pitching who statistically crushes Philadelphia’s Moyer. Reyes is a home run hitting machine and David Wright is right behind him. They seem to be unbeatable but the question is going to be: are they?

Prediction: Mets

1. Yankees VS Red Sox
So it comes down to this again… Not that anyone, including me, is surprised. But really, haven’t we had enough of this already? The Yankees trail Boston by 6 but they’re on a 7 game winning streak. Big names Rodriguez, Abreu, Jeter, Posada, and Matsui are tearing it up in the hits and home run department. Really, it’s anybody’s game.
Red Sox have equally big names like Coco Crisp, David Ortiz, Mike Lowell, and Manny Ramirez. Pitchers Matsuzaka and Beckett are both good choices. The Red Sox have had a very mixed season and last time they met the Yankees at Yankee Stadium, they were swept. This time it’s on their own turf.

Prediction: Yankees

NFL 2007 Season Predictions: AFC South

By: David Nuñez

We took a look at the AFC North last time. Now, let us analyze the AFC South.

AFC South:

• Houston Texans:

Why?: They are still a young team, but every year they have definitely shown improvement. Well, at least talent wise they have. With Andre Johnson now getting a more proven quarterback in Matt Schaub, their passing attack should be something to watch this year. I believe that running-backs Ahman Green and Ron Dayne will make defenses have to play physical with the Texans this year.

Why Not?: They have the pleasure of being in a division with Peyton Manning and Vince Young, two quarterbacks that just refuse to lose and know how to step it up when the pressure is on. If they can not win at least 4 games against their own division, Houston will be on the draft board early next year. Again.

Chance of Winning Division Title: 20%

• Indianapolis Colts:

Why?: The names Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, and Joseph Addai all seem to gone by the 2nd round in most fantasy football drafts. But it’s the fact that they play on the same team in real life that makes this team one of the, if not thee, best offense in the entire league. An explosive offense along with Tony Dungy’s defensive scheme, a repeat of not only the division title but a Super Bowl victory is not out of reach for this team.

Why Not?: It’s hard to say “why not?” for the colts. But I think that if they have an Achilles heal, it’s their ability to stop the run. Every team in this division just ran all over the colts last year. If they can’t stop the run, the Colts will be looking at new division champs when the season is over.

Chance of Winning Division Title: 80%

• Jacksonville Jaguars:

Why?: Byron Leftwich is out, and in is (somewhat) proven David Garrard. Maurice Jones-Drew has shown that he can run in this league even against the top defenses. Yet, this team’s “bread and butter” is their defense. Rashean Mathis is a ball hawk, Mike Peterson knows how to bring the hammer down, and their two d-line demons Marcus Stroud and John Henderson are just down right nasty. They came close to winning it last year, but this year may be the year that the Jaguars take over the AFC South.

Why Not?: While Garrard has shown he win games, he needs somebody to throw the ball to, and that’s where the problem therein lies. High draft picks Reggie Williams and Matt Jones have yet to live up to their potential. Since the departure of Jimmy Smith, this team has been looking for somebody to step up. If they can’t get the ball in the air, Jones-Drew will have a very tough year.

Chance of Winning Division Title: 50%

• Tennessee Titans:

Why?: When you’re put on the cover of Madden (a very popular pro-football video game, for those reading this in their respective caves or under a rock) it means you’re pretty good at what you do in the NFL. Vince Young, who many said would take years to learn the ways of a pro offense, singe handedly changed the outcomes of several games last year. His strong arm, quick feet, and jaw-dropping plays will not only put on a good show, but may in fact lead Tennessee to a division crown.

Why Not?: The theme seems to be the same in Tennessee as it is in Jacksonville. If David Givens can prove he was worth signing, then he can do some damage with his speed. But coming off a torn ACL is no easy task. They have a tough task ahead of them. The way I see it, if they don’t win at least half of their division games, the Titans will not be around in the post-season.

Chance of Winning Division Title: 50%

Top 10 Tennis Players of All-Time

By Kevin Craft

Roger Federer’s victory at the U.S. Open on Sunday brought him within two titles of tying Pete Sampras’ all time record of fourteen Major championships. In honor of another dominating performance by Federer, here is a list of the top ten tennis players of all time.

10. John McEnroe:
McEnroe’s fiery temperament made him one of tennis’ most entertaining stars, and his rivalry with Bjorn Borg was one of the sport’s greatest. His back-to-back wins over Borg at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in 1982 are credited with pushing Borg to retirement. McEnroe would finish with seven major championships and was always a stalwart for the United States’ Davis cup team.

9. Bill Tilden:
Tilden captured ten majors from 1920-1930 putting him head and shoulders above the competition in the tennis’ early amateur era. While it’s hard to compare his era of tennis to the modern game, Tilden’s accomplishments during the sport’s early years deserves recognition.

8. Jimmy Connors:
Eight grand slam titles and record 138 career singles titles put Connors above fellow American lefty John McEnroe, and Connors’ unseeded run to the U.S. Open semifinals at age thirty-nine remains one of tennis’ most endearing stories.

7. Ivan Lendl:
Lendl competed in a record nineteen grand slam finals winning eight and holding the number one ranking for 270 straight weeks. While he was not the most physically gifted player, Lendl’s cerebral approach and hard work ethic allowed him to rise above hall of fame rivals such as Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg.

6. Andre Agassi:
Agassi is the only player other than Laver to win a career grand slam during the open era. As a precocious youngster, Andre was known as the best returner of serve in the game. In the final years of his career, Agassi demonstrated that a dedication to physical fitness could allow tennis players to flourish past age thirty. His 1999 championship at the French Open, aptly nicknamed “The Miracle at Roland Garros, may be the greatest tennis match ever played.

5. Rod Laver:
Laver is the only player to win all four major championships during the same calendar year. He did it once as an amateur and once in the open era, although the fact that three of the major tournaments (Wimbledon, U.S. Open, Australian Open) were played on grass during Laver’s era slightly diminishes his accomplishment. While no one part of Laver’s game stood out, his overall solid skill set propelled him to eleven major championships.

4. Roy Emerson:
Although he competed before professionals were allowed to play in Tennis’ most prestige events. Roy Emerson held the record for major championships for twenty-five years. He also won 16 major doubles titles, a statistic that pushes him ahead of rival Rod Laver.

3. Bjorn Borg:
From 1974 to 1981 Bjorn Borg dominated tennis by winning eleven majors (6 French Opens, 5 Wimbledons) in twenty-one tries. His unshakeable demeanor earned him the nickname “Ice Borg”, and had he not retired at age twenty-six, Borg almost certainly would have amassed enough titles to break the record that was then held by Emerson.

2. Roger Federer:
Federer’s dominance of the ATP can only be described as Jordanesque, as he has marginalized the careers of fellow tour members and won twelve of the past eighteen majors. Federer’s excellent physical condition should allow him to play well into his thirties, and barring major injury he should easily surpass Pete Sampras’ record of 14 major championships. If Federer can win a major on the clay courts of Roland Garros and thus complete a career grand slam, the question will not be whether he is the greatest tennis player of all time but whether he is the greatest athlete of all time.

1. Pete Sampras:
Until his record of 14 majors falls, Pete Sampras will remain at the top of this list. Sampras finished with the number one ranking a record six years in a row while capturing 7 Wimbledon titles and 5 U.S. Open crowns. More impressive than his statistics was Sampras’ ability to raise his level at performance at crucial moments during big matches. Sampras remains the most clutch tennis player of all time, whose huge serve and volley game made him a formidable match up for any player.