It's been a week of technical difficulty imposed silence at EFotG. The power chord to my laptop broke, pretty much rendering me useless. It's the 3rd one in as many years, I really don't know what I'm doing to break these things. Though I suppose I couldn't have picked a better time to go silent, with the Penguins dropping their last 5 games. And other than that, not too much went down last week. Or at least not that much that I heard of, but being without access to the internet meant that I wasn't exactly in the know.
But I did find out one unholy nugget of truth last week, the Philadelphia Marathon had reached it's maximum number of runners and I couldn't get in. So I suppose it turns out there's more than a few good reasons to start preparing for a marathon earlier than a month before it starts. I'm looking at a few other smaller marathons I could run sometime this winter, and if my time is under 5 hours I could get into the National Marathon in DC this spring. But at the same time I also remember that I'm kinda lazy, and I don't know if I'm up for running one marathon just so I can qualify for another. Maybe I'll just wait to next year's Philadelphia Marathon.
Also the St. Louis Rams run at the perfect season (0-16) came to an end Sunday with a win over the Saints. Thankfully the Miami Dolphins run is still alive, thanks to a late comeback by the Bills. With 7 games remaining the Dolphins will face 4 opponents with under .500 records, including the 1-8 New York Jets on December 2nd.
And with that I think I'll go sort through the hundreds of unread articles on my Google Reader and try to get caught up.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Monday, November 5, 2007
Perfection: 16-0 or 0-16
Let's face it, if you were watching football at 4 o'clock (EST) yesterday then you really didn't have an option to watch anything but the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts meet in what was the battle of the remaining undefeated teams. In fact, somehow the term Super Bowl 41.5 showed it's ugly face again. Even though it makes even less sense this time as it did the last, mostly because both the Patriots and Colts are AFC teams.
But we watched. Or at least I did, and you probably did too.
When the then undefeated Cowboys met up with the Colts in Week 6 the game averaged 29.1 million viewers. The highest regular season game in ten years, and CBS's highest rated game in almost twenty years. As of now the numbers are still being tabulated, but early expectations are the Colts vs. Patriots may top it.
And now here we sit today with only one undefeated team now. And, spoiler alert, it's the Patriots. Are they going to finish undefeated? I don't think so, but I'll leave that up to CBS, FOX, and ESPN, because really it's all they want to talk about. More and more they abandon the reporting aspect, leaving us ambushed with Sports Prognosticators. Whatever sells.
But something big is happening. Something that hasn't happened in over thirty years. And something that has never happened since the regular season expanded from fourteen games to sixteen.
In case you haven't been indoctrinated by years of NFL Film tapes, the 1972 Miami Dolphins were a perfect 14-0 and went on to win Super Bowl VII. Including the playoffs they went 17-0. The 2007 Patriots could perhaps go down as the greatest team ever, if they can match the feat in the modern era, going 19-0.
Impressive? Certainly. But right now I'm much more interested in what's going on in Miami and St. Louis these days. The Miami Dolphins and St. Louis Rams have their own untarnished seasons going. Both teams sit at 0-8, a mere 8 losses away from setting NFL history with it's first 16 loss season.
In their inaugural season the 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers went 0-14. On average they were defeated by 20 points a week. 5 times they were shut out. They did not just lose, they were decimated. They sit atop all other teams as the only team in modern NFL history to go perfectly defeated.
Others have toyed with it. The 1982 Baltimore Colts went 0-8-1 in a strike shortened season. 7 teams have gone 15-1. In 2001 the Detroit Lions started 0-13 before picking up their first victory, and eventually finishing the season 2-14. But with the Rams and Dolphins sitting at 0-8, it looks feasible. Could this be the year? Is it even possible in this, the age of parity.
I'm sitting on the edge of my seat fingers crossed. Though, unfortunately for the television ratings the Rams and Dolphins paths don't cross this season, as I'm sure the Neilsen Ratings would be off the scale. Going undefeated, that's one thing, but everyone slows down to see the car wrecks.
But we watched. Or at least I did, and you probably did too.
When the then undefeated Cowboys met up with the Colts in Week 6 the game averaged 29.1 million viewers. The highest regular season game in ten years, and CBS's highest rated game in almost twenty years. As of now the numbers are still being tabulated, but early expectations are the Colts vs. Patriots may top it.
And now here we sit today with only one undefeated team now. And, spoiler alert, it's the Patriots. Are they going to finish undefeated? I don't think so, but I'll leave that up to CBS, FOX, and ESPN, because really it's all they want to talk about. More and more they abandon the reporting aspect, leaving us ambushed with Sports Prognosticators. Whatever sells.
But something big is happening. Something that hasn't happened in over thirty years. And something that has never happened since the regular season expanded from fourteen games to sixteen.
In case you haven't been indoctrinated by years of NFL Film tapes, the 1972 Miami Dolphins were a perfect 14-0 and went on to win Super Bowl VII. Including the playoffs they went 17-0. The 2007 Patriots could perhaps go down as the greatest team ever, if they can match the feat in the modern era, going 19-0.
Impressive? Certainly. But right now I'm much more interested in what's going on in Miami and St. Louis these days. The Miami Dolphins and St. Louis Rams have their own untarnished seasons going. Both teams sit at 0-8, a mere 8 losses away from setting NFL history with it's first 16 loss season.
In their inaugural season the 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers went 0-14. On average they were defeated by 20 points a week. 5 times they were shut out. They did not just lose, they were decimated. They sit atop all other teams as the only team in modern NFL history to go perfectly defeated.
Others have toyed with it. The 1982 Baltimore Colts went 0-8-1 in a strike shortened season. 7 teams have gone 15-1. In 2001 the Detroit Lions started 0-13 before picking up their first victory, and eventually finishing the season 2-14. But with the Rams and Dolphins sitting at 0-8, it looks feasible. Could this be the year? Is it even possible in this, the age of parity.
I'm sitting on the edge of my seat fingers crossed. Though, unfortunately for the television ratings the Rams and Dolphins paths don't cross this season, as I'm sure the Neilsen Ratings would be off the scale. Going undefeated, that's one thing, but everyone slows down to see the car wrecks.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
11/3/07: Game 13: Penguins 2 - Islanders 3
For the second time in as many games the Pittsburgh Penguins squandered a 2-0 lead and lost 3-2. Thursday in was in Colorado, tonight it was in New York against the Islanders.
Once again the Penguins looked to be well in control of the game after the first, only to allow the Islanders back into the game.
Al Arbour was behind the Islanders bench for one more time, under a special invitation from Ted Nolan, to allow Al to pick up his 1,500 game.
The bounces certainly did not go the Penguins way, with one Islanders goal generated from an awkward bounce off the boards behind Fleury, and another coming from an Islander who lost his edge at the Penguins blue line, only to have the puck come back his way leading to a rush and eventually goal. But defensively, the Penguins are not operating efficiently. They are attempting drop passes in their own zone, and passing through the middle in the neutral zone. These are the things that are bound to stifle a rush.
The cycle has looked promising lately, but they need finish. The plays are there, the passes are there. They need to get their sticks on the ice, and hit the net hard, picking up rebounds. Sidney Crosby's moves are dazzling, and Sergei Gonchar's shot is lethal, but we need the Ryan Malone rebound goal, the hard working goal.
What is worth celebrating however, that Alan Nasreddine finally saw his first action on the blue line tonight. It wasn't his best showing, but we need a defenseman that is more comfortable in their own zone than on the opposing teams blue line. Mark Eaton seems to be our only one. Rob Scuderi was caught standing still on Miroslav Satan's game winning goal in the 3rd.
Colby Armstrong, who hasn't picked up a point in 10 games, found himself a healthy scratch tonight. It would be a huge boost to get the Army of old out on the ice, let's hope he get's it together.
Monday night the Penguins face the second in what will be 9 straight Atlantic Division opponents, in New Jersey against the Devils.
Once again the Penguins looked to be well in control of the game after the first, only to allow the Islanders back into the game.
Al Arbour was behind the Islanders bench for one more time, under a special invitation from Ted Nolan, to allow Al to pick up his 1,500 game.
The bounces certainly did not go the Penguins way, with one Islanders goal generated from an awkward bounce off the boards behind Fleury, and another coming from an Islander who lost his edge at the Penguins blue line, only to have the puck come back his way leading to a rush and eventually goal. But defensively, the Penguins are not operating efficiently. They are attempting drop passes in their own zone, and passing through the middle in the neutral zone. These are the things that are bound to stifle a rush.
The cycle has looked promising lately, but they need finish. The plays are there, the passes are there. They need to get their sticks on the ice, and hit the net hard, picking up rebounds. Sidney Crosby's moves are dazzling, and Sergei Gonchar's shot is lethal, but we need the Ryan Malone rebound goal, the hard working goal.
What is worth celebrating however, that Alan Nasreddine finally saw his first action on the blue line tonight. It wasn't his best showing, but we need a defenseman that is more comfortable in their own zone than on the opposing teams blue line. Mark Eaton seems to be our only one. Rob Scuderi was caught standing still on Miroslav Satan's game winning goal in the 3rd.
Colby Armstrong, who hasn't picked up a point in 10 games, found himself a healthy scratch tonight. It would be a huge boost to get the Army of old out on the ice, let's hope he get's it together.
Monday night the Penguins face the second in what will be 9 straight Atlantic Division opponents, in New Jersey against the Devils.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Game 12: 11/01/07: Penguins 2 - Avalanche 3
Continuing their 4 game road trip, the Penguins found themselves out west in Colorado Thursday night, taking on Jose Theodore and the 6-4 Avalanche.
With the 9 pm start time out East, I had the evening to prepare for this game. First I played a couple games of NHL 08 online, and then I took in an hour long recap of the Penguins v. Bruins in the 1991 Wales Conference Final on the NHL Network. By the time the puck dropped, I was already in full stride. And in the first period, it appeared the Penguins were as well.
Crosby scored twice in the 1st, with the first goal coming off a fortuitous bounce. Pittsburgh was up 2-0, and Sabourin looked solid in the net.
What a difference a period can make.
The Avalanche scored off a too many men on the ice bench minor in the second. Something I'm sure the Penguins must be leading the league in, and with a fair amount of the blame probably falling on Michel Therrien and his inconsistent lines.
They tied it 41 seconds later with a penalty pending on Sidney Crosby. Following the play Crosby was assessed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Which only fuels my doubts in whether or not Crosby should have been awarded the captainship. Is he a talented player? Incredibly. But if he can't fulfill his responsibility as a captain in conversing with officials without picking up a minor penalty, then what good is it. Bear in mind, I can't say whether blame should fall on Crosby or the officials, who may feel someone as young as Crosby had not earned the right to second guess their calls.
Following the tread, the Avalanche took the lead later in the 2nd on a weak wrap around attempt that slipped through Dany Sabourin. And it stood at 3-2, as the Penguins decided to go ahead and just mail in the 3rd period.
Ryan Whitney left during the 2nd period with a groin injury and did not return. No word on his condition, but it's possible the Alan Nasserdine may see his first action of the season if Whitney is not available Saturday night when the Penguins will meet their Atlantic Division opponents, the New York Islanders.
With the 9 pm start time out East, I had the evening to prepare for this game. First I played a couple games of NHL 08 online, and then I took in an hour long recap of the Penguins v. Bruins in the 1991 Wales Conference Final on the NHL Network. By the time the puck dropped, I was already in full stride. And in the first period, it appeared the Penguins were as well.
Crosby scored twice in the 1st, with the first goal coming off a fortuitous bounce. Pittsburgh was up 2-0, and Sabourin looked solid in the net.
What a difference a period can make.
The Avalanche scored off a too many men on the ice bench minor in the second. Something I'm sure the Penguins must be leading the league in, and with a fair amount of the blame probably falling on Michel Therrien and his inconsistent lines.
They tied it 41 seconds later with a penalty pending on Sidney Crosby. Following the play Crosby was assessed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Which only fuels my doubts in whether or not Crosby should have been awarded the captainship. Is he a talented player? Incredibly. But if he can't fulfill his responsibility as a captain in conversing with officials without picking up a minor penalty, then what good is it. Bear in mind, I can't say whether blame should fall on Crosby or the officials, who may feel someone as young as Crosby had not earned the right to second guess their calls.
Following the tread, the Avalanche took the lead later in the 2nd on a weak wrap around attempt that slipped through Dany Sabourin. And it stood at 3-2, as the Penguins decided to go ahead and just mail in the 3rd period.
Ryan Whitney left during the 2nd period with a groin injury and did not return. No word on his condition, but it's possible the Alan Nasserdine may see his first action of the season if Whitney is not available Saturday night when the Penguins will meet their Atlantic Division opponents, the New York Islanders.
Barry Bonds opting out of Hall of Fame
Congratulations my friends, we kind of fell into it backwards, but our wish has been granted.
Hold on, let's back up a step.
If somehow a genie popped out of that bobblehead that resides on the desk/dresser/dashboard of every baseball loving fan in America, and granted two wishes (1), immediately after being granted the 2008 World Series to his or her favorite team, I'd bet a good number would probably wish for the whole Barry Bonds ordeal to have just never happened. Well congratulations, your wish has been granted. Kind of. So now feel free to waste that second wish on landing A-Rod or maybe season tickets. Because Bonds may have done himself in, that is, at least as far as the Hall of Fame goes.
You probably remember the story. In fact, I guarantee you do. It was reported on every sports show, blog, morning program, and news outlet in the nation. In an incredible act of democracy, and a good deal of self advertisement, a certain designer purchased the Barry Bonds 756 ball, and left it up to you, yes the people, as to what fate it would have. And what did you decide? Well of course, brand that bad boy with an asterisk and FedEx it first-class to the hall of fame.
Well guess what? Turns out Bonds wasn't exactly thrilled with the whole process, and he says he's going to boycott the hall of fame if his record breaking ball is astriskized (2). Now I think you see where I'm going with this, and it only took a couple hundred words and a bad example involving a slightly less talented baseball genie.
The Hall of Fame, which actually has no association with professional baseball, and is thus not under the hand of badly dressed and incompetent Bud Selig, accepts the home run ball. Hey, its free, and everyone loves free stuff. And following procedure, Bonds throws a public hissy fit. I mean he's certainly done it before.
But then will he stick to his guns? Is he really going to turn down an invite to Cooperstown?
I don't see why not. Let's not forget that in the past Mr. Jon Dowd also opted out of the Major League Baseball Players Association's licensing agreement. In fact, he's all about doing stupid stubborn things and sticking to them. Like how he had his self promoting ESPN series canceled due to "creative control" issues. Or even how he has continuously denied any ties to performance enhancing drugs, despite leaked grand jury testimony in which he's stated the opposite.
So if all this works out according to my plans, you can take that second wish and go ahead and use it how ever your heart may desire. Though I'd probably avoid A-Rod, that guys a locker room cancer. Even Peter Gammons doesn't like him.
1 see, in this theoretical example bobble-head genies are slightly less powerful than lamp genies. yeah, blows, doesn't it
2 i just made it up, but, hey, it could be a word.
Hold on, let's back up a step.
If somehow a genie popped out of that bobblehead that resides on the desk/dresser/dashboard of every baseball loving fan in America, and granted two wishes (1), immediately after being granted the 2008 World Series to his or her favorite team, I'd bet a good number would probably wish for the whole Barry Bonds ordeal to have just never happened. Well congratulations, your wish has been granted. Kind of. So now feel free to waste that second wish on landing A-Rod or maybe season tickets. Because Bonds may have done himself in, that is, at least as far as the Hall of Fame goes.
You probably remember the story. In fact, I guarantee you do. It was reported on every sports show, blog, morning program, and news outlet in the nation. In an incredible act of democracy, and a good deal of self advertisement, a certain designer purchased the Barry Bonds 756 ball, and left it up to you, yes the people, as to what fate it would have. And what did you decide? Well of course, brand that bad boy with an asterisk and FedEx it first-class to the hall of fame.
Well guess what? Turns out Bonds wasn't exactly thrilled with the whole process, and he says he's going to boycott the hall of fame if his record breaking ball is astriskized (2). Now I think you see where I'm going with this, and it only took a couple hundred words and a bad example involving a slightly less talented baseball genie.
The Hall of Fame, which actually has no association with professional baseball, and is thus not under the hand of badly dressed and incompetent Bud Selig, accepts the home run ball. Hey, its free, and everyone loves free stuff. And following procedure, Bonds throws a public hissy fit. I mean he's certainly done it before.
But then will he stick to his guns? Is he really going to turn down an invite to Cooperstown?
I don't see why not. Let's not forget that in the past Mr. Jon Dowd also opted out of the Major League Baseball Players Association's licensing agreement. In fact, he's all about doing stupid stubborn things and sticking to them. Like how he had his self promoting ESPN series canceled due to "creative control" issues. Or even how he has continuously denied any ties to performance enhancing drugs, despite leaked grand jury testimony in which he's stated the opposite.
So if all this works out according to my plans, you can take that second wish and go ahead and use it how ever your heart may desire. Though I'd probably avoid A-Rod, that guys a locker room cancer. Even Peter Gammons doesn't like him.
1 see, in this theoretical example bobble-head genies are slightly less powerful than lamp genies. yeah, blows, doesn't it
2 i just made it up, but, hey, it could be a word.
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