NFL Season Opener

Picking the Season Opener

Just to have picks on record and not rush out an inferior product, here are Jack and I's picks for the Redskins @ Giants - In the league where they play for pay...

Jack: Giants (-3)
Zachary: 'Skins (+3)

We're back in the mix with the start of the NFL season, tell your friends.

Discussing the 2008 NFL Draft

Mulling Over the Choices to be Made in the Top-7

By Zach Napolitano


1. Miami Dolphins

With the 1st overall selection in the 2008 Draft the 1-15 ‘phins are facing the proverbial fork in the road. One path dictates the need for a legit cornerstone player at the quarterback, offensive tackle, and defensive line positions. The other dictates the necessity for a plethora of young talent; a new lineage of players that can be sculpted and molded to fit the Parcells prototype. The first pick in the draft allows a team to choose either path; selecting the best player in the entire class OR trading the pick for a pu pu platter of other picks and/or commodities. Successful NFL teams have a combination of both, so the order in which Miami chooses to rebuild is not what’s paramount to their future. What the Dolphins can ill-afford to do is to pull a Jay-Z at the fork in the road and “Go Straight.” In other words, Miami cannot use the first pick and draft a player that ends up merely being good. Nor can they afford to trade the pick and not get a boat-load back in return. Unlike other years, there simply is no middle ground here because their current roster is in such dire straits. They must either get a legit difference maker at the QB, OL, or DL for the next 10+ years OR get back the equivalent in terms of talent resulting from a trade. Which prong in the fork Miami pursues with the number one overall pick is contingent on two questions: 1) Does Bill Parcells think highly enough of Glenn Dorsey, Jake Long, Chris Long, or Matt Ryan to make one of them the number one overall selection? 2) Is quarterback John Beck in the Dolphins long-terms plans moving forward?

My Recommendation: Jake Long OT (Michigan)

2. St. Louis Rams

The Rams had an abysmal offensive line in 2007. Taking OT Jake Long (if available) makes sense when you consider the amount St. Louis has invested financially in Mark Bulger and Steven Jackson. But the return from injury of perennial Pro Bowl OT Orlando Pace has many draft prognosticators predicting the Rams will shy away from Jake Long and address other needs. I’m of the opinion that if you can begin to turn a weakness into a strength over night (especially at O-line) - Go for it. Long and Pace together anchoring the STL offensive line for the next few seasons, with Long as the heir apparent to the LT position sounds good to me. But assuming the Rams don’t draft Jake Long, I would bank on them selecting defensive end Chris Long. Glenn Dorsey’s the number one defensive prospect in the draft but the Rams are already set at defensive tackle with Adam Carriker.

My Recommenedation: Long or Long, both had great combines to back up stellar NCAA careers.

3. Atlanta Falcons

Like the Dolphins, the Falcons need franchise players at QB, OL, and DL, along with just an overall upgrade of talent throughout the entire roster. Unlike the Dolphins, the Falcons had their hearts ripped out of their chests by the most beloved sports icon in their city and suffered through the deplorable Bobby Petrino saga. I mean, at least Miami fans had their 1972 calling card preserved as New England choked away its own undefeated bid. I’m not a believer in selecting a running back this high in the draft, but if I’m Falcons owner Arthur Blank I’d roll the dice on Arkansas’ Darren McFadden and his 4.33 speed - which easily makes him the most tantalizing RB prospect in the last 10 years. A-T-L fans needs some excitement. They need a reason to fill the Georgia Dome. They need a go-to replica jersey to replace the Mike Vick one that has become taboo to wear. As great a prospect Glenn Dorsey may be, defensive tackles with the ability to absorb two blockers don’t exactly pump life back into a downtrodden city, nor do they sell jerseys. And with Dorsey’s history of injuries, can you imagine the disappointment of Falcons fans if he’s on the shelf for the 6-8 weeks after an suffering an injury during training camp?

My Recommendation: McFadden would be a huge boost to a franchise is shambles. His selection goes way beyond just being a shrewd personnel move. Matt Ryan and Glenn Dorsey are excellent fits as well.

4. Oakland Raiders

If available, the Raiders simply cannot justify drafting Darren McFadden after re-signing Justin Fargas, signing both Dominic Rhodes and LaMont Jordan in recent years, and drafting Michael Bush in 2007 UNLESS they can trade McFadden for some type of mega-package. Nevertheless, though Glenn Dorsey is a no-brainer as Warren Sapp’s successor at defensive tackle, if legendary Raiders DE Howie Long’s son Chris is still available, there’s just too much cache and acumen on the table to pass on that pick.

My Recommendation: Let Chris Long don the Silver and Black.

5. KC Chiefs

If Jake Long is on the board, the offensive line needy Chiefs will surely go in that direction. IF he’s not, the drop off at O-line is considerable after blue-chipper Long and the Chiefs shouldn’t sacrifice value and talent for need alone. After Ohio State’s Vernon Gholston’s freakish combine workout where he not only ran superbly but tied Jake Long with a combine high of 37 bench press reps at 225 pounds, I wouldn’t rule out the defensive minded Herm Edwards stealing the prized Gholston away his former team the Jets. Does Edwards possess the acumen to pull such a move? The jury is still out. Did I just use the word acumen in consecutive paragraphs, the first time in an awkward fashion just to use it because its my new favorite word? YES. I wouldn’t kill the Chiefs for choosing Matt Ryan (if available) if they really felt strongly about him- though I’m pretty sure they’re committed to giving Brodie Croyle another go at the helm - nor would I fault KC for trading the pick, and choosing an OT like Ryan Clady (Boise State), Chris Williams (Vanderbilt), or Jeff Otah (Pitt) later in the first round.

My Recommendation: Jake Long or best available talent. Ryan Clady is very good OT prospect but a bit of a stretch at the #5 spot.

6. New York Jets

My team.

I pray that both McFadden and Gholston are still on the board, though I‘d settle for either one being available. That’s the type of tough decision you don’t mind making. Gholston is the logical choice if this “problem” arises, though probably not the popular one. But the Jets need an elite pass rusher for me to take them seriously as a defensive unit just as Ryan Seacrest needs a new catchphrase, less hair frosting, and a Gold’s Gym membership for me to take him seriously as a broadcaster. The Jets haven’t had a difference maker at DE since John Abraham left for A-Town, and their pass rush in 2007 was virtually nonexistent save for their game against Pittsburgh. Gholston would obviously fill a huge void.

McFadden is the sexy pick and he would turn every Jets fan’s Sunday into an on the edge of your seat experience. A very tantalizing option when you consider the Jets have been a dreadful team to watch from a sheer entertainment standpoint for the better part of 10 years. But, I can live with a Thomas Jones/Leon Washington backfield tandem. I don’t know if I can handle the uber-talented McFadden routinely being swallowed by opposing defensive fronts because D’Brickishaw Ferguson was man-handled by another D-end. On paper DMC ’s the next Adrian Peterson. On the Jets, with their O-line issues and their luck he’s the next Reggie Bush. If both Gholston and McFadden are off the board then I foresee them taking the next best available player on the defensive line, which could be USC DT Sedrick Ellis (a possible upgrade at nose tackle) or Clemson DE Phillip Merling.

Away from the draft and back to Reggie Bush for just a second. I hope he can turn his career around and become a productive back. He’s quietly become a major disappointment despite establishing himself as one of the face’s of the NFL. It’s just perplexing how Bush’s entire draft stock, the one aptitude that made his #2 overall selection justifiable was based on his uncanny ability to break long runs for touchdowns YET he did not have one long play from scrimmage the entire 2007 season (27 yard long…Yikes!). That’s akin to Jose Reyes having a single digit stolen bases or Ryan Howard hitting 18 home runs in a 162 game season.

My Recommedation: Gholston, McFadden, Sedrick Ellis/Phillip Merling, in that order. It would shock me if McFadden was still on the board.

7. New England Patriots (From 49ers)

So many options here for Belichick and Pioli.

Option 1: The Trade-Up - If the Pats, who are the best draft day evaluators of talent going, feel there is a player in the top few picks that would completely put them over the top as Super Bowl contender then they can conceivably trade up and snatch the player. For example, if Belichick believed a McFadden upgrade over Maroney, a Jake Long addition to the O-Line, or Gholston/Chris Long addition to the defense would vastly add to their dominance, then the possibility exists for them to move up a few spots to get that player. It’s an unlikely scenario knowing New England’s draft day history, but with the possibility of a few older players on their roster retiring AND with the likelihood of them parting ways with other aging veterans - they already missed Roosevelt Colvin yesterday - if the Pats believed there was a must-have player out there, they could conceivably make the move.

Option 2: Need vs. Improving Strengths - New England has an interesting decision to make, one few are considering. The consensus opinion and most likely scenario has the Patriots drafting out of need - probably filling a void at cornerback (especially if Asante Samuel leaves), linebacker, or upgrading the team’s defensive speed. Since the #7 slot is a little high to get a great value at the linebacker and the Patriots prefer veterans at that position anyway, the obvious pick would be a top notch CB like an Aquib Talib (Kansas), Mike Jenkins (USF), or Leodis McKelvin (Troy). If Asante Samuel is re-signed by New England then the pairing of him with the top overall drafted corner would have incredible implications for the rest of the defense. The Patriot’s inability to cover severely limited Belichick’s defensive creativity in 2007. If the Patriots feel they can get a good value at cornerback later in the draft, its not impossible that they draft another pass rusher OR go after a wide receiver if Moss and/or Stallworth don’t return in 2008.

Back to the aforementioned decision. The alternative to drafting for need is drafting to make a facet of the team that is already strong, dominant. In recent years, the Giants were killed by pundits on Draft Day because they chose pass rushers in spite of the team already having an aptitude for chasing down opposing quarterbacks. But they turned a forte into an unstoppable force and the key to their Super Bowl XLII victory. In 2007, New England’s offensive line was considered to be amongst the best units in NFL history. But they showed vulnerabilities (to say the least) in the Super Bowl. Adding a Ryan Clady (OT Boise State) to that group gives an already prolific passing Tom Brady THAT much more time to look downfield for Moss and Welker. Featuring a Darren McFadden in the backfield (via trade-up) possibly makes the New England offense (that much more) impossible to stop as defense’s inevitably catch-up to them AND McFadden would be the perfect offensive weapon once the weather begins to nullify the passing game. Drafting to improve a strength can be risky, and in the Pats case unlikely, but as the Giants proved less than a month ago - it might just be crazy enough to work.

Option 3: Trade Down - A New England trade down would not surprise anybody. The Pats are all about managing the cap and finding late-round value. If for example the Patriots brass felt there was no real difference between corners Talib, Jenkins, and McKelvin then the Pats would possibly secure another pick in 2008 while still getting the cornerback of their liking at a discounted price. Maybe there’s a linebacker they feel can make an immediate impact in 2008 and they think they can get him at picks 25-35. Who knows?

My Recommendation: If they stay at #7 - Aqib Talib

znapolitano@gmail.com

Top Heavy Mock Draft
By Jack Duhamel

1. Miami Dolphins- Jake Long LT Michigan

According to Colts GM Bill Polian, 50% of the top picks in the last 25 years have been busts. This staggering figure, along with the estimated $30-$35 million signing bonus this coin flip will receive and a bevy of team needs makes this the perfect trade scenario. The sexy rumor out there is trading this slot to Dallas for MBIII and picks 22 and 28, allowing the Cowboys to select the prize of this year’s draft, Darren McFadden. With that said, this will be a trade-free mock draft- I’ll allow Zach to prognosticate the various avenues each team may take.

NFL insiders will tell you Bill Parcells hates drafting running backs in the first round, especially this high. I would love to have been a fly on the wall during Bill’s “Why the hell did you draft Ted Ginn Jr.?” conversation with Dolphin brass. That pick was horrific and I’m sure Parcells would love to have Brady Quinn aboard as an offensive stabilizer. But on the pick, Long is an absolute rock, can’t miss, draft and forget for 10 years type prospect. I’m still trying to decide which Long stat is more impressive- getting flagged for two penalties in his collegiate career (a hold his redshirt freshman year and a false start last year) or his massive hands (the biggest the draft has seen in three years).

2. St. Louis Rams- Chris Long DE Virginia

If the Dolphins trade out of number one as I suspect, St. Louis will be hard pressed to pass up on Jake Long given the injury plagued recent history of Orlando Pace. If Jake is off the board, Chris Long becomes the next logical choice. The Rams were in the bottom third of the league last year with 31 sacks. Long is that “Energizer Bunny” DE who could charge up a stagnant defense. His excellent combine further bolstered a strong resume which includes a retired jersey, breathtaking bloodlines (quick bloodline update: Eli Manning has reportedly watched the Super Bowl 10+ times from multiple angles-it’s in his blood, out of his hands at this point, like a matured cub leaving his pack to hunt for the family), and a near zero bust factor. I’d like to see St. Louis add a little toughness to what I consider the softest division in football.

3. Atlanta Falcons- Matt Ryan QB Boston College

The quarterbacking woes have been well chronicled and the Falcons must give their fan base a shot of life in the form of a goofy, awkward, stiff, but NEW QB. As much as I hate this guy’s post game skill set (political answers, fake smiles and embarrassing pauses) he does bring a little grit to the table. I view him as a slightly cash-strapped man’s Ben Roethlisberger. The last player any Falcon fan wants here is the Petrino bred Brian Brohm. As shallow as that sounds, this is a very wayward, uneducated fan base that will not be able to see past this. A pick of Brohm will counteract the physical and psychological Petrino cleansing. A Ryan pick will be a nice PR move for the Falcons. I could also see a nice Harrington/Ryan relationship based around football and the Baby Grand. I’m sure some fans would love McFadden here but given their State of the Union, character concerns will eliminate him as a possibility.

4. Oakland Raiders- Glenn Dorsey DT LSU

The Raiders have won 19 games in the past 5 years. They have a TON of wholes on both sides of the ball. Their salary cap is in shambles and may not be able to finance the inflated sticker price of a top five pick. The signing of Justin Fargas to a three year deal will tell you the Raiders are not interested in drafting a McFadden here, as much as that must kill Al Davis. If the Raiders are unable to move this pick, they will draft Dorsey to shore up one of the most porous rush D’s in the league. While the injuries would haunt me if I were making this pick, Dorsey’s disruptiveness is too much to pass up. They have the opportunity to replace Warren Sapp with a young Warren Sapp. Perfect football circle of life. Raiders make the pick, camera pans to “Raider Nation” ritualistic celebrations, the Kansas City Chiefs are now on the clock.

5. Kansas City Chiefs- Ryan Clady OT Boise State

KC would love to get their hands on the prized protector of the draft, Jake Long, but surely will not have the opportunity at 5. I view this as the most talent barren team in the NFL, so packaging draft picks for Long is inadvisable. Clady would be a need based selection here, as he grades out lower than a handful of prospects. This is the perfect spot for the first reach of the draft since KC is well-staffed at DE (Hali/Allen) and RB (LJ), steering their brain-trust clear of the highly touted players at those respective positions.

6. New York Jets- Darren McFadden RB Arkansas

Yes I am a Jet fan and I know some of you will call this wishful thinking. Barring a trade mixup at the top of the draft, I don’t see any of these five teams drafting McFadden. I’m sure all teams would love to add a sub 4.3 home run threat to their backfield, but the need just isn’t there. Gholston would be a more logical pick for the Jets here but the possibility of New England drafting McFadden makes this selection a no brainer. The Jets would instantly have the most dynamic backfield in the NFL with Jones, Washington and McFadden. J!E!T!S! JETS! JETS! JETS! JETS!

8. New England Patriots (from S.F.)- Vernon Gholston DE Ohio State

Pat nation will be dancing in the streets if Gholston slips this far. The experience Patriot linebacking corps could groom this guy into an absolute terror for opposing offenses. To be honest, I’m embarrassed projecting him this low in the draft- he could easily sneak into the top three after a jaw dropping combine. Gholston is responsible for the only sack given up by projected number one talent Jake Long this past season. He would be groomed by some knowledgeable (albeit washed up) LBs, and a defensive genius in Belichick. This pick would certainly send a ripple of fear across Gang Green Nation.

8. Baltimore Ravens- Sedrick Ellis DT USC

Some may be calling for Brohm here, but I’ve heard some positive reviews for second year QB Troy Smith inside Ravens camp. He will have an excellent chance in beating out a washed up McNair and ineffective Boller. If Ogden and Heap are able to rebound from their respective injuries, this offense may be just good enough to allow the Ravens to go after Sedrick Ellis. This would give Baltimore a legitimate pass rushing DT to pair with run stuffing mammoth, Haloti Ngata. Ray Lewis loves it, fans love it, everybody’s happy.

9. Cincinnati Bengals- Derrick Harvey DE Florida

The Bengals are coming off an NFL worst 22 sacks this past season and will surely be looking for help in that department. With Long, Gholston and Ellis off the board they’ll be scrambling, creating a high “reach” factor. I would not be surprised if they selected DE Marcus Howard (4.48 40 to cover up a weak resume) as the “Mike Mamula Reach of the Year” due to his 4.48 40 time. The more logical choice would be Harvey. While his production did slip last year, Harvey has the size and mean streak to be an effective NFL player. He has as much upside as any other player in this draft, possessing an 82” wingspan with growth potential given the fact that he has grown two inches over the past two years and is only 21. Scouts envision Harvey developing into a DeMarcus Ware caliber DE down the road- definitely some nice Kool-aid for Bengal fans to consume.

10. New Orleans Saints- Aquib Talib CB Kansas

Last year the Saints gave up 245 yards/game in the air, good for 30th in the NFL-they’d be crazy not to select a cornerback here, especially if all prospects remain available. The CB rankings vary widely this year, but I’ve decided to go with Kiper on this one, given his recent track record at the position (Derell Revis last year). Talib has great size and aggression for the cornerback position. He a gambler in the secondary, but with a little seasoning, could turn into an elite NFL corner.

ILOVETHISGAME101@YAHOO.COM

Running Diary: Shaq's Debut with the Suns

By Zach Napolitano

I’m back! Zach is back.

I apologize for my unannounced and inexcusable post Super Bowl sabbatical. My NFL hangover was worse than I could have ever expected. And I’m just now emerging from the state of shock that was the result of what took place that faithful Sunday in Glendale, Arizona.

The good news is that I’ve been rejuvenated. The NBA is in full-swing and the storylines from an already wide-open western conference are now that much more riveting - Shaq to Phoenix, Kidd to Dallas, Gasol to LA, Artest to TBA, Randolph to TBA. I have not been this legitimately giddy about the NBA playoff push and playoffs themselves, possibly ever. I will try to provide as much NBA insight on a day to day, week to week basis, as the second half of the NBA season gets rolling.

In short, I think Gasol to LA will prove to be an incredible move, Kidd to Dallas will be an uneventful move, and Shaq to Phoenix will be a good to potentially very good move.

Beginning with the Spaniard, he has already made a seamless transition into the Los Angeles triangle offense. His incredible skill set and high basketball IQ make him an impossible match up for most NBA bigs (I’ll touch on this several times in my running diary of LA vs. Phx), and he’ll be an ever bigger factor once Andrew Bynum returns from injury. This acquisition makes the Lakers the prohibitive favorite to emerge from the western conference.

I’m not sold on Kidd to Dallas making the Mavericks significantly better. Firstly, the Mavs got smaller by dealing for him, which make it that much more difficult to deal with Duncans, Yaos, Gasols, and Shaqs of the world. Second, Kidd’s forte is transition basketball. He’s at his very best running up and down the court. Dallas operates offensively almost exclusively from a half-court set. Kidd can certainly run a walk-the-ball up court offense effectively but his lack of anything resembling a jump-shot minimizes his potential impact in this style of play. Plus, Kidd is no longer the defender he was 5 years ago. As a member of the Western Conference he will be going against the likes of Chris Paul (who thrashed him to shreds last night), Derron Williams, Steve Nash, Baron Davis, Allen Iverson, and Tony Parker on a nightly basis. Not an easy task for a point guard that turns 35 years old in March. So for me, Jason Kidd’s move to the Mavericks seems to be purely cosmetic.

Now for The Diesel to Phoenix. He was the focal point of my running diary of last night’s Lakers vs. Suns game. I kept close tabs on the big guy, really taking his temperature every step of the way. Here are the major questions I aimed to have answered about the Shaq move:

How does Shaq fit into the Phoenix lineup? Will he make them better? Does he force Phoenix to greatly alter their offensive approach? Can he get up and down the court? How does his presence impact Amare Stoudemire? Defensive rebounding? Interior presence? Shot blocking? One-on-One defense? Intangible lift?

ESPN NBA Wednesday - Presented by Hanes
February 20th 2008
US Airways Center Phoenix, Arizona
Lakers @ Suns

*All times Eastern Standard Time (EST)

9:06 - The Suns pull out all the stops in the pre-game introductions. The Phoenix Gorilla is in attendance and he looks marvelous.

9:07 - O’Neal has the death stare in the pre-game introductions, and he’s already in a full lather. Right off the bat we know this game means a lot to him.

9:08 - Close-up on the Diesel - Looking svelte for a guy that‘s been sidelined for a month! I can’t say the same about the 200+ pound female holding up the “I love Shaq” sign, though.

9:10 - Tip Off - Shaq wins it. The Suns control the ball.

9:11- Play by Play man Mike Tirico says Shaq will be Suns’ fourth option on offense… Phoenix feeds Shaq in the post, Gasol instantly fouls him. This is just the impact the Suns wanted, the ability to get into the bonus early on and let their superior team free throw shooting get them easy points.

9:12 - Shaq draws a double team in the post, Stoudemire drains a 20 footer. Shaq's helping Stat’s game out already. O’Neal is no stranger to double teams, both on and off the court. A possible reason for his recent divorce??

9:14 - Shaq stuffs a Lamar Odom shot attempt then misses a point blank shot on next trip down.
9:15 - Shaq is subbed out after 3 minutes of play. (9-8 LA)

9:18 -Cut to Shaq on the bench, he looks like this game is actually being played in a Phoenix desert.

9:19 - Kobe comes from nowhere to stuff Raja Bell on a wide-open dunk, with his left hand nonetheless.

9:20-9:21 - Nash nails a running 3-pointer in transition. I think he is easily the best all-around shooter in the NBA if you factor in 3’s, 2’s, and free throws. Down on the other end of the floor, Amare is already being worked by Gasol/Odom in the post…I don‘t know what Phoenix would do if Andrew Bynum was healthy and in the lineup….Nash hits a fade away from the free throw line - He’s 4 for 4 from the field now.

9:23 - Commercial Break. I quickly change the channel to check in on the Knicks. They just lost to the 76ers by 40 points. Rough spot.

9:25 - Shaq returns to the game.

9:25 - Shaq is still yet to record a rebound or point - 4:13 left in 1st quarter.

9:27 -Shaq looks awkward as he gets the ball in post, misses. Offensive foul by Shaq on the very next possession. He looks a little out of sorts with both his positioning on the court and with the ball in his hands.

9:28 - O’neal and Hill combine to make a nice defensive stop on Kobe in the lane. Just what the doctor ordered for the Suns defensively. 9:29 - Shaq and Nash have been running a high pick and roll which has commanded extra defensive attention and has opened up 3-pointers from the corner.

9:31 - Just flipped over to American Idol for 5 seconds. That female Asian contestant has me sweating like Shaq on the free throw line. Not only does she look similarlly, but she’s got a set of pipes like Cassandra from Wayne’s World. Note to self: Text my vote a few dozen times at halftime to keep her around.

9:32 - Nash is now 5 for 5 from the field and making my earlier comment about him being the NBA’s best all-around shooter look pretty, pretty, good.

9:33-9:36 - Hubie Brown makes a good point, O’Neal seems uncomfortable finding a scoring spot on the court, probably because the Phoenix offense isn‘t used to dumping the ball into the post…We’re still in the first quarter and Brown has already said “in our league” 81 times. O’Neal then throws down a dunk (and the foul) on the LA interior, which begins a bizarre sequence… He misses the free throw, produces a lane violation, misses, produces a double lane violation that forces a jump ball…Shaq is fouled and has LA in the penalty with 1:55 left in the 1st quarter…misses a free throw, makes the 2nd. As Hubie Brown would say: “O’Neal is the best we have” at getting the opposing team in foul trouble and then missing nearly every one of his free throw attempts.

9:36 - Bryant is 4 for 4 and putting on a shooting exhibition in the faces of Hill and Bell…Shaq is doubled and finds The Brazilian Blur for an open lay-up.

9:38 - Shaq tries the long outlet pass off the rebound, but its intercepted by Bryant. I would normally make an Eli Manning joke here but the NY State Legislature has recently prohibited such actions.

9:39 - Kobe (5 for 5) split’s the entire defense for a dunk. Wonderful Job.

END 1st Quarter - 32-29 Lakers lead.
O‘Neal: 8 minutes, 1 for 3 FG, 1 for 2 FT, 3 points, 2 assists, 2 rebounds1st

Quarter Recap: Though Shaq looked awkward offensively, you can’t say the Suns offense skipped a beat because they’re on pace for 116 points. The problem for the Sun is on the defensive end. Bryant is torching them on the perimeter and Stoudemire is getting murdered by both Gasol and Odom. The score could be a lot worse if Gasol and Odom hadn’t missed multiple point blank shot. We saw some good signs from Shaq though - he moved well, passed well, and drew double teams. The Suns just hope he can prove to be more of a rim protector/help defender, especially to give Stoudemire some help down low.

9:44 - Shaq begins the 2nd half on bench, Gasol dunk on lob pass with Stoudemire guarding him. Kobe’s presence alone is opening the floor greatly for his teammates.

9:45 - Farmar over the top pass to Gasol for a dunk on Stoudemire again. At this point, I wouldn’t let Amare guard the base in a neighborhood game of Man Hunt.

9:46 - Farmar nails a 3 pointer, LA now up 42-31, Phoenix’s perimeter defense has gone to hell…Marion would normally help here. LA maybe have the best bench in the western conference: Farmar, Walton, Vujacic, Turiaf.

9:49 - ESPN show s a clip of Kobe interview. He’s normally very well dressed but his yellow dress shirt/pastel pin stripe suit combination just cracked my 37” LCD Sharp Aquos.

9:51 - Vujacic hits another wide open 3 pointer, he’s killing phoenix right now.

9:51: Vujacic and Gasol are virtually indistinguishable from a non zoomed camera angle. But then again, Kobe’s suit just damaged my television so I’m looking at the game with a huge crack in screen.

9:52 - I’ve gotta be fair, Stoudemire has been taking Gasol to the rim at will. Unfortunately, he’s inexcusably missed several lay-ups in a row.

9:53- Hill (6 for 6) keeping team alive…Kobe finally misses.

9:54 - Suns on a 10-0 run. No lead is safe with these guys. The run is sparked by Barbosas’s freakish speed, Hills mid range efficiency, and Stoudemire’s impressive jump shooting in the face of his recent failure to make shots around the basket. Nash and Shaq to check in after LA timeout.

9:58 - Hubie Brown tells us that PHX is dominating the boards because Shaq must be boxed out, leaving Amare open for the rebound. Shaq’s outlet pass picked off again. He’s no Kevin Love from UCLA.

10:03 - Shaq draws a foul on Turiaf.

10:04 - Stoudemire is beginning to impose his will athletically on the boards and around the rim. I’m thoroughly impressed by his array of skills on the offensive end.

10:04 - Shaq alters an Odom shot, grabs the rebound, and gets fouled.

10:12 - Interesting Observation: The Suns’ perimeter/transition defense has been impacted negatively for the 2nd time when Shaq is on the bench. I would assume that his inside presence allows the Phoenix perimeter defenders to guard their men tighter in the half-court set AND that his help on the boards stifles the Lakers’ ability to get out into transition. Again, just what the doctor ordered. He’s just got to stay on the floor.

10:18 - END 1st Half (LA 65, PXH 57)

O’Neal clearly struggled offensively in the 1st half which is understandable considering he hasn’t played in a month and he’s on a new team. He appeared awkward with the ball and found himself in uncomfortable positions on the floor. Offensively, 57 points for the Suns at halftime is very good, so again you cant say Shaq held them back offensively. And he did make his presence felt - he was fouled several times, freed up Amare for rebounds, often commanded a double team, and his presence alone automatically fortified the Phoenix transition and perimeter defense. As his conditioning improves and he can potentially play 30 minutes each night, he should have an increased impact.

Shaq played 12 first half minutes and committed 3 fouls.

The Suns major problem in this game is that they have NO answer for Kobe. And that’s a huge issue if these teams meet again in post-season play. Its been well-documented that Raja Bell has had success against guard Bryant in the past, but when Kobe’s jump shot is on he can literally toy with anybody that tries to defend him. He didn‘t dominate the ball OR tempo in the 1st half, but was still able to impose his will on jump shots and running the floor alone - Just scary. The other problem is that Stoudemire was torched by Gasol/Odom. It’s not so much that he’s terrible guarding them one on one, it just seems like he’s lost finding these guys before the post-entry pass. He just looks confused or ambivalent on that end of the floor, maybe a combination of both.

Start 2nd Half

10:38 - The Lakers run a pick and roll to start the half, Gasol gets an un-contested dunk…Then Gasol hits a jumper over Shaq: Nice half-time adjustment by Phil Jackson to pull Shaq away from the basket. This should also allow for Kobe and Odom to attack the rim.

10:43 - Shaq is forced to switch onto Odom on defense and he is promptly taken to rack for a lay-up.

10:45 - Amare’s offensive repertoire is on full display, he drives left on Odom and finishes with a rigthy floater plus the foul... But of course, he gives Odom a wide open jumper for a basket the very next possession.

10:47 - O’Neal stuffs a lay-up attempt (2nd block of quarter) then goes to bench at about the halfway mark in the quarter.

10:53 - If Odom could make a lay-up, the Lakers are up by 10 right now instead of 1 and maybe Stoudemire would be forced to get some kind of defensive awareness. Odom gets T’d up in disgust.

10:56: Kobe’s been dominant, but his turnovers in this contest have been a problem. The latest one (off a Diaw strip) led to Barbosa lay-up plus the foul…

10:59 - Shaq checks back in with 2:56 left in 3rd quarter.

11:00 - Shaq instantly forces Gasol into a turnover, then hit’s a jump hook over him on the next possession. The former is more significant than the basket because Gasol hadn’t been mitigated the least bit for quite some time now. (87-87)

11:02-03 - Barbosa and Odom fight for a loose ball rebound, resulting in a jump ball. I thought this one was going to result in fisticuffs but the two players help each other off the floor. The intensity level is off the charts for a regular season game…. Now Shaq dives out of bounds for a loose ball! Great hustle, but Hubie Brown reminds us that last time Shaq made such an effort he landed on the injured list.

11:04 - Gasol hits another jumper over O’Neal….But Shaq assists on a Diaw basket next possession… 2 point game….Gasol hit’s a running hook on Diaw with 0.4 left in the 3rd quarter…He’s creating all kinds of match up problems for the Suns. He can shoot over Shaq or bring Stoudemire/Diaw down into the post.

11:09 - Start of the 4th quarter 95-91 LA

11:10 - Sweet Escape by Gwen Stefani played in the arena, one of my all time favorites, a possible omen? Will it be a sweet escape from Miami to Phoenix for O’Neal? Vujacic’s 3-pointer forces a PHX timeout, so maybe not. Suns down by 6

11:20 - Interesting development. PHX has battled back to take a 1-point lead with Nash on the bench the first 5 minutes of the 1st quarter - I‘m shocked by the amount of rest coach Mike D‘Antoni has given him in a game of this magnitude...Amare Stoudemire capped the rally with a tomahawk dunk in the face of Turiaf (and 1) that gives him 33 points. His offensive game is just stellar blend of power, finesse, and athleticism.

11:22 - PHX gets Nash back in game after Barbosa commits a backcourt violation.

11:23 - NASH DRIVES, ALLEY-OOP DUNK TO SHAQ. Exactly what we’ve been waiting for. Surprised it took nearly 2 and half hours for this play to finally happen.

11:23 - Kobe hit’s a 3 to silence the crowd. He’s taken this game over down the stretch. Kobe’s basically brought DJ Strawberry behind the wood shed for most of the fourth quarter. Can't they get Raja Bell on this guy? I’ve omitted most of Bryant’s dominance. I mean, how many times can I type “Bryant his 20 footer in so and so’s face”??? Just as I’ve omitted a lot of defensive mishaps by Stoudemire.

11:24 - Gasol runs the floor and dunks, assist Kobe

11:28 - Shaq gets the dunk off an offensive rebound!!!

11:29 - Shaq gets a bucket on Gasol, no double team!!!

11:30 - Shaq gets 2 points of a Kobe goal tend, SPRINTS DOWN THE COURT onto defense like a college player. He’s pumped! Bryant returns the favor with an sweet move around Shaq that scores 2 points and some how knocks Raja Bell out cold. Talk about killing two birds with one stone....Or getting your Bell Rung.

11:33 - Coming back from commercial, Bell leaves the game with a bump the size of a garlic knot on the back of his head. We now learn the bump is a result of an inadvertent O’Neal elbow.

11:34 - Shaq offensive rebound, gets fouled by Gasol… He has really asserted himself late in this game.

11:35 - Shaq grabs big defensive rebound, 9th reb of game.

11:40 - Hill plays great defense on Bryant but he drills a jumper in his face for his 41st point.

11:42 - O’Neal alters a Fischer shot in the lane.

11:44 - LA just making more plays down the stretch.

*Shaq finishes game with 15 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks.

11:49 - A moot basket, but Amare threw down a tomahawk dunk from the dotted line that rivaled Dwight Howard on All-Star Saturday.

11:50 Game ends - Lakers win 130-124

Conclusion

It would be irresponsible to make any definitive statement’s about Shaq’s future impact on the Phoenix Suns based on just one game. And the argument works both ways. If you think O’Neal looked great then you have to keep in mind that he’s been resting for a month and that if he’s not going to have an extra adrenaline rush in a nationally televised game against friend turned foe Kobe Bryant, then you’re kidding yourself. If you think he looked awkward or if you thought his impact was minimal then you should remember that he just spent a month on the shelf and that he’s had virtually no opportunity to get used to his new team. Give the guy a chance to settle in and get used to his surroundings.

I liked what I saw from Shaq Wednesday night so I’ll remain cautiously optimistic on what the future holds for both he and the Suns. I feel my Running Diary and the game’s box score provide adequate documentation of his effectiveness. He’s not here to be the MVP, the 2nd option, or even the 3rd option. Hell, he can be the 5th option behind Nash, Stat, Hill, and Barbosa. Phoenix is loaded on offense. Shaq’s responsibility on the floor is to rebound, clog up the middle, take the pressure of Stoudemire on both ends of the floor, draw double teams, and get the opponent’s big’s in foul trouble. Off the floor, Shaq’s charisma and experience should help to uplift and lead a stale locker room, and he clearly did last night.

Shaq wasn’t brilliant nor was he dominant last night. He looked unorthodox at times. But look how much his 29 minutes impacted Stoudmire’s stat line - 37 points, 15 rebounds. Look at the double teams he drew, the block shots and rebounds he had, and the fouls the Lakers used on him. Make note of how well he played late in the 4th quarter. And look at the electric atmosphere in US Airway Center and the way his teammates were giving up their bodies to win a regular season game. And that was only his first appearance in a Phoenix uniform. The Lakers are still the favorite in the West. Maybe you’d even pencil the Spurs in as the second best contender. But a healthy Shaq gives the Suns a puncher’s chance, something Shawn Marion no longer gave them. All I know is, these last 30 games of the regular season PLUS the playoffs are going to be a blast.

znapolitano@gmail.com

All-NBA Debauchery Team

By Jack Duhamel

During last week’s Wizards/Nuggets game the camera panned to Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler- a seemingly innocuous frame, but intriguing upon further review. Both men were dressed impeccably, fully abiding by Stern’s wardrobe regulations. They seemed disinterested in the game, possibly planning out a night on the town. The two had endless options and the prospects of hanging out with ‘Melo for the night had them giddy. For every well documented Pac Man Jones extravaganza, thousands slip under the radar. To be fair, it is possible I was wrong about these two; maybe they had good intentions on that sideline and enough professionalism to keep it clean after the game. Regardless, a conversation was spurred between Collins, Anderson and I. We began exposing the NBA’s heavy hitters in nightlife and general illegal behavior. Some players were implicated due to bona fide track records, other based purely on speculation. The list became extensive, a true who’s who of NBA debauchery. We were left with no other option but to begin drafting teams, forming the first annual NBA Debauchery Fantasy League. Here are the results:

My Team:

PG: Sebastian Telfair

SG: Desmond Mason

SF: Carmelo Anthony

PF: Zach Randolph

C: Kwame Brown

Util: Stephan Marbury

Util: Yi Jianlian

Analysis: I felt very comfortable selecting ‘Melo with the second overall pick. His marijuana infractions, bank roll and gang ties will provide my team with a consistent threat. Zach Randolph is a jack of all trades, being able to contribute in a variety of ways:

•1995. Thirty days in juvenile detention for shoplifting.

•High school years: Thirty days of house arrest for battery. Thirty days in juvenile detention for receiving stolen property, a gun.

•2002. Underage drinking arrest in Marion, Ind., his hometown.

•2003. Team suspension by the Trail Blazers for sucker-punching teammate Ruben Patterson in practice and breaking his eye socket.

•2003. Arrested in Portland for driving under the influence of intoxicants and marijuana.

•2004. Accused by police of lying in an investigation of his brother shooting three men in an Indiana nightclub.

•2006. Suspended by the Trail Blazers for making obscene gestures to fans after a game in Indiana.

•2006. Sued by a Portland woman for sexual assault, though prosecutors didn't file criminal charges.

•2007. Left a strip club without paying the bill while he was on bereavement leave from the team and missed three games after the death of his girlfriend's cousin.

•2007. Earlier this month, police were called to the parking lot of a strip club where Randolph and teammate Darius Miles were part of a gathering and a gunshot was fired.

Yi Jianlian was a very risky pick for me, but I couldn’t pass up on the flair he brings to the table. Before moving to Milwaukee, Jianlian lived a lavish lifestyle in LA, complete with red carpet sightings and flashy Sean Jean wardrobe. Throw in Telfair’s gun charges and an equally problematic cousin and I have the makings of a very strong team.

Collins’ Team:

PG: Allen Iverson

SG: JR Smith

SF: Stephen Jackson

PF: Andrei Kirilenko

C: Rasheed Wallace

Util: Darius Miles

Util: Ron Artest

Analysis: Collins’ first two picks of Miles and Jackson left me with a bit of jealousy and second guessing. A 2004 Darius Miles arrest tape has recently surfaced, giving Collins indisputable street credibility. I do have some chemistry concerns though. Artest’s struggles have been well chronicled, but I view him as a loner, possibly not able to contribute in a group environment. The pick of AK47 was a real head scratcher for me. What will this guy contribute besides the yearly permissible fling?

Anderson’s Team:

PG: Jamaal Tinsley

SG: Ricky Davis

SF: Bonzi Wells

PF: Josh Childress

C: Sean Williams

Util: DJ Strawberry

Util: Nate Robinson

Analysis: Jamaal Tinsley was the steal of the draft in the fourth round. He was the third Brooklyn point guard off the board, but clearly the best for this fantasy league after further review. Known as “Mel Mel the Abuser” for his tenacious style of play at Rucker Park, Tinsley has accumulated a handful of DUIs and assault cases during his seven years in the NBA. A quick read of this article chronicling a Tinsley high powered shootout will tell you everything you need to know about this guy. I love the pick of Strawberry, his extreme predisposition to substance abuse trumps his clean record.

I’d like to hear a little feedback from the reader on this one. Feel free to post your lineup or personal favorite sinners in the COMMENTS section.

Super Bowl XLII Picks

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The Season Finale - In the league where they play for…

Point Spread graciously provided by Bodoglife.net


Zach's Super Bowl XLII Pick


I was all set to pick the Giants to upset. It was to be a sincere pick too - 100% gimmick free. And the reason had more to do from the vibe I was getting from New England than the incredible streak the Giants are on, though that obviously factored into the equation.

I subscribe to the idea that the laws of probability are catching up with the Patriots. They can’t avoid the dreaded L-Train forever. But the mere fact that the Patriots are due for a loss wouldn’t have been enough to choose against them, unless of course I picked up on some feeling, some tiny inkling, some minute clue, that would set off my mental alarm clock, and alert me that the Karma Police were headed to Arizona in pursuit of the Patriots.

And that alarm clock went off. The Randy Moss battery accusations gave perceived credence as to why he only has 2 receptions through the entire post-season. Plus he looked truly embattled talking to the media about the situation. Would this distract the team? Would Moss show up mentally for the Super Bowl? Then there was the footage of Tom Brady was walking the streets of New York in a boot, either because he had really had suffered an ankle injury or in an attempt to deceive both the media and the Giants. It wasn’t that I was alarmed about Brady’s ankle; I thought he’d be 100% for Sunday. I was just get a fishy feeling from New England, first from Moss who I was truly worried about, and second from Brady, who I felt was using the ankle boot as smoke screen to divert our attention away from god-knows-what. This compounded with the inevitability of a New England loss in the near future and the fact that they looked less than stellar against San Diego, gave me my window of opportunity to pick the Giants to emerge from The University of Phoenix Stadium as Super Bowl XLII Champions.

But then Brady addressed the Foxborough Faithful {SEEN HERE}. And his brief speech amongst the snow flurries struck a cord inside of me like a Franklin Roosevelt fire-side chat during WWII. For a 72-hour span I had somehow forgotten that these are the New England Patriots under Bill Belichick: This team won’t be distracted. Randy Moss won't be an issue. Brady will be Brady. The game-plan will be impeccable. The Patriots are going to Arizona to take care of business just as they have done on three other occasions.

So how does the game play out?

I’ve seen a lot of New England Patriots football this season. My most common feeling coming away their games in 2007 was that they were consistently winning with relative ease DESPITE not doing certain obvious things. These things include not making defensive adjustments - as best illustrated by their win over the Eagles where they were carved up by In-Routes - despite having the single greatest defensive game planner/adjustment maker in NFL history. These things include playing relatively vanilla defensive schemes for the entire season when Belichick’s MO has been to design the most confusing defensive game plans known to man. WFAN host Mike Francesa chalks that up to Belichick’s lack of confidence in his secondary, but I would retort with the fact that Belichick didn’t change his defensive game-plan in years past when he had wide receiver Troy Brown playing cornerback because numerous New England Db's were on the shelf. These things also include not taking advantage of wide receiver Donte Stallworth’s run-after-the-catch ability when its common knowledge that he’s the best Patriots wideout with the ball in his hands. These things include, a sporadic use of the run game behind Maroney, an on/off relationship with tight end Ben Watson, and Brady’s recent tendency to shy away from Randy Moss, when he could probably hit him on 8 yard slants or screen passes on every possession.

The scary part of this is, I think it’s an intentional decision on the Patriots part NOT to have ever shown the totality of what they are fully capable of as a team. They didn’t have to. Belichick knew they could win anyway. New England was good enough to win 18 consecutive games in spite of the fact they never for one week used a culmination of all their strengths, both personnel and strategic. In the process they never tipped their hand as to what they’re truly capable of if they were to leave nothing in reserve.

Belichick is a football genius. He usually demonstrates his superior coaching aptitude in his ability to devise a game plan that could defeat any single opponent.

This year, Belichick devised a game-plan to defeat the entire league. When the Patriots where blowing teams out by 40+ this season, they were actually playing possum.

On Super Bowl Sunday, I believe the Patriots display the full repertoire.

If you're not sold on my Manifesto, mull this over:

1. You can make an argument that Super Bowl XLII will be Junior Seau, Rodney Harrison, and Tedy Bruschi's last game in the NFL. You can also make an argument that Randy Moss, Donte Stallworth, and Asante Samuel are all playing for contracts. That's 6 really good with players with motives that go beyond a ring.
   
   
2. Much has been made of NYG week 17 performance against New England, and with good reason. It gave the G-men a huge dose of confidence heading into the playoffs. But let's remember, in Week 17 New York was playing with house money AND playing in their building. The weather wasn't condusive for throwing, New England was missing key offensive linemen, and they still put up 38 points. The Giants scored a special teams touchdown and a cosmetic touchdown when the game was essentially over. Was the Pats and Giants first meeting really as close as the final score indicated? Probably not. Though, the Giants did have the Patriots on the ropes. But even playing with house money, in their own building on a windy night, and up by 12 points in the 4th quarter, the Giants still couldn't secure the victory over New England. With Belichick having multiple weeks to prepare for ROUND 2, with the game being played on a netural field in ideal offensive conditions, and with the likelihood of another NYG special teams touchdown being highly unlikely....ADVANTAGE New England.
   
   
3. I have a perception that Super Bowl winning teams are great teams. Are the 2007 New York Giants a great team? If you're in the minority that think they are, would you at least concede that it would take more than borderline greatness to dethrone what appears to be an EPIC team?
   
   
4. I alluded to it, but it deserves its own paragraph. We're talking about Belichick seeing a team for the second time in a season AND having 2+ weeks of preparation. We're talking about Tom Brady and his 99.9 passer rating in 3 previous Super Bowl games. The stat Mike and Mad Dog brought to my attention today was staggering. The combination of an all-time great QBs paired with all-time great coaches are 13-0 in Super Bowl games: Starr & Lombardi (2-0), Bradshawn & Knoll (4-0), Montana & Walsh (4-0), Brady & Belichick (3-0). And if you think Aikman & Johnson fit in that mix, its 15-0. That type of combination DOESN'T lose Super Bowl games.

The Pick: Giants +11.5

The Score: New England 38, New York 30

Offensive MVP: Tom Brady

Defensive MVP: Rodney Harrison

znapolitano@gmail.com


Jack's Super Bowl XLII Pick

When I first spoke to Zach about joining the site, he warned me of the perils of success. He told me our sports writing venture would bring joy to many people’s lives, but sadly, feelings of jealousy to others. He insisted I remain thick-skinned in the event of the rogue detractor.

I chose to keep the “Dark Side of Writing” out of my mind for as long as possible, but after some recent negative press, I now understand what the wise ZN was preaching.

In the future, I will ask all critics to clear all skeletons out of their respective closets before they attack the site. This specific critic has a questionable, borderline nonexistent, fanhood. He is also “ethically challenged”- as seen in his Coffee Tale, an egregious cut and paste job. In my brief dealings with this person, I have never seen any qualities becoming of a sports fan. And forgive me for ripping this skeleton out, but his life goal is to become a cast member on “The Real World.”

Let me make this clear. If any of you have a graveyard in your closet, and chose to take a shot at ZNJ.com, your remains will be exhumed.

Now on to the pick:

In the past two weeks you have heard every possible fact and figure. I am not here to regurgitate info to you; I’ll let Zach take care of that. My favorite source of NFL news, NFL Total Access, has become unwatchable at times over the past two weeks. I’m sorry, but after a few days of coverage, there just isn’t a large supply of notable Super Bowl related news, and I understand the demand remains strong, which is why Zach remains on board.

This Giant team has gone on a run unlike anything I’ve ever seen. The Tiki-less Giants did not have any outside support all season, barring roughly 1/3 of their fan base and myself. They’ve arisen from what is widely considered the nastiest, most competitive division in football. We’re talking about a pack of elite, battle tested Vick dogs. The Patriots played in the NFL’s weakest division this year. Sure it’s still a high quality pit, but it just hasn’t been entered into as many dog fights. This Giant team has been banged up and flat out thrashed at some points, but they remain strong, similar to the surviving Vick Pit seen Here. Patriot fans have a short term memory. Parallels between this Giant team and the 2001 Patriots do exist. Each team removed a troublesome character from their roster (Terry Glenn and Tiki Barber). Each team has a glorified caretaker under center, a first class defense, and a steady run game. Each team was a haaahuuuge underdog in the Super Bowl. Nobody thought the Patriots could dethrone “The Greatest Show on Turf.” It’s difficult to put a number on what the underdog role can do to a team. Pat Nation has already chalked up a victory as evidenced by the recently published celebratory nonfiction piece.

On Media Day Plaxico Burress let out a stream of hissing steam which the Giant Brass would surely like to keep bottled up until game day. Picture the Giants as an overinflated football, one pump away from bursting. For the entire New England Patriot roster and those of you below the age of reason, the company of a volatile football (or team in this case) is not good company. New England will resort to their pass-happy spread offense, similar to the attack of choice for St. Louis in Super Bowl XXXVI. It was well-chronicled how the underdog Patriots came out swinging, stifling the Rams early with exotic defensive schemes. They were not intimidated by the flashy, but much softer, team. This storyline has come full circle for the Patriots. They are now the Goliath fighting the wily David. Look for the Giants to embrace this role and BEAT UP the Patriots with a physical style. I would not be surprised if Matt Cassel got a few reps in this game. A late Eli Manning TD drive will seal it and the Pats will fall short, 27-24. Look for the Goliath on a team of Davids (Plaxico Burress (6’5”)) to win the MVP, torching the diminutive Hobbs (5’9”)/Samuel (5’11”) combo for 145 yards and 2 TDs.

ilovethisgame101@yahoo.com

Coping With The Pre-Super Bowl Malaise

A day in the life of Jack Duhamel, as he battles the Monotony...

1/25/08

9:30 AM- Rise and shine. I’ve accomplished the “Threepeat”, also known as waking up three consecutive days before 10 AM, a most noble feat.

10:00 - Flipping through the channels to get the brain cells moving for the day, I decide to watch “The Marine”, starring John Cena. While it’s not the most realistic portrayal of marine life, it does a fine job in exploring the postwar struggles of a young jar head. Cena’s cushy $18/hr security position was not fulfilling enough- the satisfaction just wasn’t there. I switched over to SportCenter after the opening scene, not much of an attention grabber.

10:30- I accelerate the channel surfing to Mach 2 range, a gross exploitation of the finest television package this country has to offer. If you have not jumped on the Direct TV bandwagon, it’s not too late. Get that technology upgrade.

12:00- Anderson and I head out to the URI campus for lunch. We make a pit stop at Dunkin Donuts for a fresh brew of the local flavor. We drink and drive, finally deciding on Quizno’s due to the heralded Baja Chicken sandwich. Anderson orders first and I follow with an identical Baja Chicken order, minus the cheese and chipotle mayo. Apparently something was lost in translation and I ended up getting a small sandwich, borderline torture for an imposing 200 lb statuesque blogger. The preparer looked overworked; I’ll chalk it up to human error.

-I opened up a brief dialogue with her well-rested coworker. I came clean as a staunch Subway guy (Foot long Italian herbs and cheese, Chicken Parm w/ provolone and lettuce (a tip from a creative worker a few years ago, haven’t looked back since)). Everybody in the restaurant began smirking- I felt like a lesser man for some reason. I inquired about the possibility of creating a chicken parm with existing ingredients, but they wouldn’t budge.

12:15- I devour the Baja with Kobayashi type speed. It was painfully small and highly overrated. The last two recommendations I’ve been given have been sub par- The Number 23 and this sandwich. While the cilantro does a nice job in tying everything together, the heart of the sandwich is lacking. The worker said “you’ll never turn back” but I think my next lunch will be crafted by Subway.

12:30 - Anderson and I realize the lyrics to Wyclef Jean’s new song Sweetest Girl are not “I’mma tell you, like you told me”, but rather, “I’mma tell you, like WU told me.” It’s a great discovery, really alleviating a bit of confusion stemming from what we thought was a peculiar lyric.

12:50- Jay arrives and quickly jets to the refrigerator. He looks hungry, which is not a problem as he is expecting to dip into his pasta reserves. He specifically ordered three servings of pasta to extend through the weekend. The pasta is not there- Jay is furious. So here comes the classic Witch-hunt as we’ve all seen countless times. I knew I would be interrogated being the most notorious fridge thief in the house. “I did NOT eat the pasta.” I stood strong. I could say in confidence that I did NOT eat the leftovers. I then steered Jay towards a couple more likely suspects who I will breakdown case by case.

Me - An obvious choice. In the eyes of Jay and Co. this is not even a question. I’ve struck countless refrigerators in various kitchens. I’m battle tested. I know how to eat and deny with a straight face-an essential skill in this business. Odds 3/2

Jordan- A drifter who found his way to our house for the past few nights in search of shelter and maybe, one free meal too many. Jay may have run into the perfect storm here- a scary blend of a hungry penniless man with nothing to lose and a whole lotta carbs to gain. With my proclamation of innocence this seems like the most logical culprit. Odds 1/2

Mike- My personal favorite case- a true dark horse. He had his own tray of leftovers (Italian Macaroni and Cheese) which he saw as his cover. “Jay, why would I eat your food when I have my own?” he thought to himself. The perfect excuse. He was bulletproof. Untouchable. My theory is Mike was looking to spice things up a little bit, possibly thinking the grass may be greener with Jay’s chicken dish. He was late to bed and early to rise, so no problem logistically. He’s slipping through the cracks here, evading Jay’s furious line of questioning and I’m not too thrilled about it. Odds 5/1

Anderson- A very respectable man when it comes to leftovers. He’s been burned hundreds of times and exhibited some of the all time classic rants. He’s a provider. Very unlikely for him to cross that line and join the dark side I know all too well. The only reason he’s on this list is because he was in the house. Odds 10/1

Alyssa- She may even be a bigger dark horse than Mike. She was spotted a couple times late night/early morning snooping around the kitchen. This would be totally out of character for her, which she may have played to her advantage. Why would anybody think she ate the leftovers in question? Definitely a conspiracy theory, but there may be something to it. 100/1

1:05- Mike and the Maddog come on the YES network. This last week has been some of the best TV of the year. Maddog’s “Marquee” persona for the trivia segment of the show is hilarious. For those of you who don’t know he wears a regal looking outfit which includes a flamboyant mask. Yesterday a few callers spoke of easy questioning sending Marquee into pit-bull mode for two hours. The questions became harder and Marquee cursed out every failed caller. There has never been more foolish behavior on live TV. A middle aged man with a slurred NY drawl in complete Marquee mode ranting and raving after every incorrect answer while continuously referencing the callers who sparked this fire.

***This concludes the RD titled January 25, 2008***

I’d like to ask you the reader for a bit of advice. I’m looking to join a local gym and I’ve got two very strong options available.

World’s Gym- Everything you look for in a gym. Beautiful, state- of- the art equipment, large spread of “flat panel” televisions, inspiring music, generous hours of operation. Basically just the total package, the “five-tool” gym.

Steve’s Gym- “The Time Machine.” This is a real blast from the past. This “gym” is wedged in the corner of a strip mall, in between a Subway and a pet store. While the chick parm and the doggies in the window are nice perks, they may rank highly on a short list of superlatives for this place. The owner, Steve, gave us a tour the other day and delivered his sales pitch. He spoke of training athletes out in California and the muscle tearing and rebuilding process. We were impressed by this because Steve has a commanding presence, eerily similar to Sylvester Stallone. He offers lower rates than World’s and offers $39 personal training sessions. It is also much closer in proximity to my house. I’d be sacrificing a ton in gym equipment and exercise opportunity, but I’d be gaining a bit of muscle (Steve) for any future protection.

What do you think guys?

Send all recommendations and suspected culprit to ilovethisgame@yahoo.com


ZN Finds Himself in a Tough Spot...

The one week hiatus between the NFL conference championships and the Super Bowl is rather mundane for the New York sports fan, or any sports fan for that matter. The NFL stories coming out of the respective locker rooms are purely hype and predicated on half truths. Super Bowl predictions and analysis are generally tepid because writers and talk show hosts need to save some bullets for the upcoming week. The NFL draft, MLB hot stove, and NCAA hoops just don’t seem pertinent. The Knicks and Nets are terrible and the NBA's scheduling of nationally televised games is at best, dicey. And even if you’re desperate for a sports fix, the Aussie Open is tape-delayed and Roger Federer was just eliminated.

There is one saving grace for the metro area fan during a week of banality; sports-talk radio station WFAN. Here are my favorite WFAN developments from the week that was…

1) Early morning-drive talk show host Craig Carton from the Boomer and Carton Show is valiantly on the air this week after an invasive hemorrhoid surgery. Today, while co-host Boomer Esiason was reading an ad for mint-scented, rodent proof trash bags, Carton was forced to interrupt his partner. The reason? A combination of blood and sweat secreted from the gauze pads wedged between Carton’s posterior was producing such a powerful and offensive odor that he felt the need to give Boomer adequate warning so that he could take cover. Boomer tried his best hold back from his hysterical state of laughter while reading the remainder of the ad but couldn’t, as Carton and other WFAN staff members tried to neutralize the paralyzing scent with Lysol - which turned out to be the wrong substance for such a daunting task.

2) Chris Russo from the “Mike and the Mad Dog” show made a $100 wager with co-host Mike Francesa. I was watching the YES television network simulcast of the show so I was able to see Russo reach into his wallet to get a crisp new C-Note for the bet. Maybe I was more impressed than most being that I have less than $100 in my Bank of America checking account, but the wad of cash in Russo’s wallet was second only to that of Pacman Jones during his infamous trip to Vegas. Ironically, nobody hates Pacman Jones more than the “Mad Dog.” Check it out

3) There’s no question that the “Mike and the Mad Dog” show is the brass ring of the sports talk industry. But we also know that the hosts are intolerably pompous and inexplicably rude to the very caller’s that worship their opinions. In the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl, “Mike and the Mad Dog” periodically morphs into “Mike and the Marquee” - a contest centered around Chris’s transformation into a game show host dressed in a majestic robe topped off by a full facial masquerade mask. Winners of the Super Bowl trivia challenge receive all-expense paid trips and tickets to the game. Long story short, Russo was called out by a few listeners for the trivia questions being too easy. The listeners were obviously just ribbing him, but even if they were serious, there would obviously be no real reason to be upset: 1) Because he’s carrying around the aforementioned wad of cash and 2) Because it’s a fun game with nice a intention - to give away a Super Bowl trip to somebody that probably could never afford it. For whatever reason, Russo took these accusations personally and turned revengeful. As the show went on he began to taunt game shows players, malevolently root against the contestants, and ridicule contestants that probably spend 2 hours on hold to play, just because they answered his obscure trivia questions incorrectly. My website partner Jack and I were chatting online (we're not techies) as we “listened live” from our homes, and we were in complete disbelief by this disgusting act of behavior by a 45+ year old man in a Marquee outfit, who was supposed be partaking in a fun activity - a once-a-year, special event that people enjoy. Instead, Russo looked like and was acting like an 8 year old kid on Halloween that got his packet of Pop Rocks stolen away from him. I’ll use one of Mad Dog’s own put downs - Bad Job by Russo in this spot.

MY 2008 Royal Rumble Pick (Sunday @ MSG): "The Game" Triple H, but don't sleep on the Undertaker or The Heartbreak Kid.

znapolitano@gmail.com

Championship Weekend Retrospect

Weekend Media Gaffe(s)

• It might be old news for some, but Dan Marino's cell phone rang and interrupted the broadcast on two separate occasions during the CBS halftime show.
  
  
• Nearly every analyst on the ESPN pre-game show had no understanding for the term "underrated." When Chris Berman asked his panel of experts What is the most underrated part of Tom Brady's game, analyst after analyst spoke of his leadership, competitive spirit, and work ethic - Essentially his most well documented attributes.
  

Looking Back at the NFC Championship Game

By Zach Napolitano

It wasn't so much that Eli Manning essentially went into a Siberian Winter and beat Brett Favre at his game a la Shawn Michaels defeating Brett "The Hitman" Hart with his own finishing move, the Sharpshooter, that stunned me, though I was very surprised to say the least. It was the fact that the Ironman, a modern day John Wayne in shoulder pads - Brett Favre - tapped out mentally in a game tailor made to his strengths. I couldn't believe my eyes as I watched Favre struggle with the weather, urgently adjusting the heating pads in his ski mask between snaps, and just looking plain cold, old, and ambivalent. What happened to the Favre I knew, the one that prayed for snow and ice, the one that never buckled his chin strap, the one that looked liked like a kid in a candy store after TD passes? Where was he Sunday? I'll take the advice of rapper The Game and "not take shots at legends" by elaborating on the Favre's uninspired performance in the NFC title game. But I still feel the need to reiterate the fact that Brett Favre has lost to Michael Vick and now, Eli Manning, in playoff games at Lambeau Field. And against the latter, it just looked like he wanted to go home.

Moving onto Eli Manning: I recently compared him to a subject on the show Intervention in that the way that he seemed to mimic drug addicts by appearing rehabilitated (break-out games where he seems to have turned the corner) yet ultimately ending up living out of a car, continuing to use crystal meth (his propensityto break Giants fans' hearts). And up to 4 weeks ago, people that watched Manning play these last 4 seasons would almost unanimously agree with that comparison OR think I was taking it easy on him.

I mean, Manning has a career 75 passer rating in a pass-happy era where that particular statistic is greatly inflated! And it wasn't too long ago (less than 1 month) that Giants fans were calling New York sports talk radio station WFAN and openly suggesting that back-up quarterback Jared "From Subway" Lorenzen be given a shot at the helm in lieu of Eli.

But what Eli Manning has done these last 3 weeks absolves him of all criticism. On the road, he's defeated the NFL's #1 pass defense (Tampa Bay), beaten the number one seed in the NFC (Dallas), and outplayed a cold-weather legend - may I add, while looking totally unfazed by subzero temperatures - in the most historic and intimidating opposing field in the history of the sport. I was wrong! He's not one of the subjects on intervention that end up living out of their car, still using drugs. He's that rare case that turns their life around and makes something of them self. With the mental toughness and the heart that Manning has exhibited these last 3 weeks - NOBODY in sports has faced more criticism this side of A-Rod - it would be scary for all future NFC foes if he can parlay that fortitude with the fulfillment of the physical potential that warranted making him a #1 overall draft pick . With that said, it will certainly be weird if in future NFL Picks rationalizing my choice of the Giants because of Eli's {PASTE SUPERLATIVES HERE}. Let's see how he plays in the Super Bowl.

As for the rest of the team, it is truly amazing what has taken place in these playoffs.

Even with the absence of All-Pro tight end Jeremey Shockey, the team hasn't skipped a beat offensively. Actually, they've played better. Plaxico Burress' ankle has miraculously healed, which allowed him to dominate and humiliate the likes of Al Harris and Charles Woodson on Sunday. An already maligned defensive secondary has played superb football in the face of injury, doing so in back to back weeks against elite receiving corps and quarterbacks. The Giants have been disciplined, clutch, and together when their recent history suggests they'd would be chaotic, untimely, and divided. And then there's the supernatural rebirth of Eli Manning.

But most importantly, the Giants are getting enormous contributions from some of the youngest players on their roster. So at the end of the day, even if they lose in the Super Bowl they have an excellent young nucleus and an emerging franchise quarterback going forward into 2008 and beyond.

I was wrong a few weeks ago when I suggested that Giants window for a championship was NOW.

NFC Championship Game Awards

Offensive MVP - Eli Manning - If not for a handful of dropped passes, he puts up huge numbers Sunday.

Defensive MVP - Antonio Pierce - If he doesn't stop that screen pass, who knows what happens.

The Goat(s)

Brett Favre - Enough Said.

Al Harris - Simply owned by Burress. His and Woodson's physicality produce too many costly penalties.

Mike McCarthy - Man to Man coverage proved to be a bad idea, got away from the running game too early.

Championship Weekend Picks (1-1) - Playoff Total (4-4)

I'll discuss the New England Patriots at length in my Super Bowl Picks. For now, sit back, relax, and enjoy Jack's running diary of the AFC Championship game, which oddly enough includes a handful of my own jokes, observations, and analysis. ***Editor's Note*** Jack will be openly rooting for the Chargers and holds a strong disdain for Tom Brady.

A Running Diary of the AFC Championship Game...

By Jack Duhamel

First and foremost, I would like to comment on a bit of dishonesty I have come across this past week. After linking up with Zach to create the high powered zachnjack.com, I have come to realize success does not come overnight. I though the two of us could single-handedly navigate this URL in and out of every household in the United States. I was wrong. We needed a bit of help, so I decided to make some internships available. I gave you all an opportunity to bolster your resume and be a part of something bigger than yourself. Some of the applicants have been stellar, don’t get me wrong. We at ZNJ.com have seen some versatile applicants, many of which have high GPAs and favorable extracurricular activity. On the other hand, some of the applicants have been fraudulent in their journey to obtain an internship. I’ve come across a few generic “fill in the blank” cover letters, which saddens me. Also, some of the references were clearly childhood friends. Applicants: I’m not calling these people to ascertain how good you were at playing Cowboys and Indians, I’m trying to figure out if you’ll be a good teammate, and I need to speak with former employers, not Jimmy from across the street.

3:06- A couple nights ago I dreamt the Chargers would beat the Patriots. This being Martin Luther King Weekend, I think this premonition may hold a little water. Am I as passionate about my dream as the late MLK JR. was? No, but it’s close.

3:11- 3 and out, Brady looks jittery, I feel like MLK Jr. is right here with me. His dream may have been more ambitious, but mine may be more unattainable.

3:24- I’m seeing a nice aggressive game plan thus far for SD. It looks like former Jet great Ted Cottrell did his homework. Maroney is getting jacked up on every play, Brady is showing why he was once Drew Bledsoe’s backup.

3:28- Pats aren’t tackling, they’re not blocking, this team looks flat, possibly looking ahead to next week, No serving of humble pie this week? It appears the Patriots are being haunted by the Randy Moss Domestic Assault Case.

3:31- My daily serving of humble pie just came out of the oven- a generously topped homemade buffalo chicken variety. My keyboard is getting greasy but the show must go on.

3:34- I’ve been waiting 6 years for Brady to be exposed; Will this be the day? Talk to me MLK.

3:36- Deion Sanders made a good point on the pregame, why is Rivers crucified for his trash talk while Brady is glorified? Rivers has a passion that is rarely seen in a quarterback.

3:41- After a miscommunication on the kick return, it has become clear the Patriots are unprepared for this game. This could turn into being a classic case of hubris- excessive pride ultimately leading to ones downfall.

3:44- 14 minutes into the game the Pats resort to their first act of desperation, a Randy Moss reverse.

3:49- Pat come back with a methodical drive, extra point is absolutely drilled, would’ve been good from 30+

3:57-Bruschi reminds me of that guy in high school who is always a step slow but jumps on the pile and turns his jersey to the announcers to get credit for the tackle, absolutely pathetic. I can’t wait for a Seau and Bruschi-less pat team next year. Less theatrics and feel good stories, more sports related subject matter.

3:59- No I’m not eating crow after a Bruschi pass deflection, he was clearly holding Gates, but the wily, clutch vet got the no call.

4:03- Slices 3 and 4 down the chute, Kaeding drills another one, making that 2 3-pointers on the day. After watching The Number 23 last night I’m becoming a bit paranoid. Is Brady, Topsy Kretz?

4:09- Faced with a 4th and 3, I’m absolutely shocked the Patriots aren’t going for it here, with the complete disregard for NFL conventions they’ve shown this year. Not kicking field goals, spreading the field on every play, abandoning run games, using all four downs consistently: Just an unacceptable brand of football..

4:10- Why Not Us? Pass is good for another Chargers, FIRST DOWN!!! LET’S GO!!

4:13- I’m very unimpressed with Chris Chambers’ effort on that interception. This is where SD could fall apart. My dream may not still be alive.

4:18- My mom just delivered me some blueberry bread, cheering me up slightly. Rivers is panicking, just lofted up a jump ball; The Chargers are in desperate need of a defensive play.

4:21- I just took a look at a Sports Marketing application during the commercial break. This reeks of another generic cover letter. I’ll run some Google searches later to get to the bottom of this, I need to start running a tighter ship.

4:26- Just took a very troubling bite of the Blueberry bread, floury, batter filled bite, could be a mixing mishap, heading into the kitchen to further investigate.

4:28- UNDERCOOKED!!!!

4:31- My dog Frank just stole my 5th slice of pizza, cementing himself as the “Worst Pet of All Time”. A never before seen blend of stupidity, selfishness, and insubordination. The problem is he’s relatively young and healthy. Any advice readers?

4:36- Speaking of advice, I’ve got a handy man in the house who has become too comfortable with his surroundings. His highlights include unsolicited advice, drinking on the job, indoor smoking, and snail like pace due to hourly pay. Also, since he has been hired, my house has experienced two breaking attempts and multiple beggars at all hours of the day. Coincidence? I don’t think so. Something has to give here.

4:40- Shannon Sharpe is making an absolute fool of himself in this halftime show. Grinding his teeth, stumbling over his words, just an overall unprofessional job. It’s almost as if he’s constantly “Beat Boxing”. The guy was a great, HOF Tight End, but he doesn’t have that classic combo of looks, delivery and substance that you look for.

4:44- Speaking of unprofessional, Marino’s cell phone has rung three times so far during the Halftime Show. For a guy that never got a Ring, this is rather ironic.

4:52- Randy Moss is finally targeted and he drops the ball. No need for the trial by jury, this guy’s guilty.

4:58- Just went into the kitchen to get a drink and caught our “$40/hr. Jack of All-Trades Handyman Extraordinaire” watching the game and eating some chips. He pretended to tidy up the newspaper as I walked in, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

5:03-Seau makes a great play in the backfield to force the Kaeding field goal. I would’ve liked a more power approach to the third down, maybe a Lorenzo Neal dive- Norv Turner is beginning to show his true colors.

5:12- I’m beginning to notice a shift in the Patriots. They have woken up a bit, as their offensive line is in full attack mode. The Patriot brass has realized Brady isn’t getting it done and has decided to give the ball to Maroney.

5:17- Terrific interception by Cromartie. Brady is doing everything in his power to blow this game. Let’s start getting Matt Cassell loose on the sideline.

5:19- My two nemeses’ have just struck again- Frank having his way with the blueberry bread and the Handyman interrupting the game to talk about how good Apocalypto was. “It was pretty good I said”, he replied, “The subtitles were difficult to keep up with.”

5:25- Tomlinson is doing his best Darth Vader impression on the sideline, what a sad turn of events.

5:28- Two Maroney touches and 30 yards later the Chargers are on their heels. It looks like Belichick has simplified the playbook, giving Brady more of a “caretaker” role.

5:32- “The Caretaker” completes to Welker for a TD bringing it to 21-12. This is becoming very frustrating.

5:36- This is a huge drive in the maturation process of Philip Rivers. Even if the Chargers can’t come back to win this game, it’s important to see how a young QB can react under circumstances like this.

5:37- Head referee Jeff Triplett barely gets out an explanation due to the inclement weather.

5:45- Just used the men’s room. Let’s add poor bathroom etiquette to his resume: not flushing the toilet and leaving the toilet seat up. This guy may deserve a raise.

5:51- Brady/Faulk move the chains again; it looks like this one’s just about wrapped up. Nothing flashy from the Pats, they just lull you to sleep and churn out wins.

*I stopped the RD after this play, Pats look beatable*

*Editor's Note* - Jack also submitted a running diary of the NFC Championship game. Because our editing staff deemed his second RD "incomplete" and "uninspired" we'll leave you with the Cliff Notes version.

6:15- Terry Bradshaw and Jimmie Johnson have been exposed via HD- they look cold and old, not a good combo.

6:33- Congratulations Jimmy Johnson on a well-executed joke. He placed a glass of water on the set at the beginning of production, later marveled how the glass froze!!! Great spot.

6:43- Al Harris is interviewed, acting lively and pumped up, camera pans to a trembling Plaxico Burress who is bundled up in gear and quoted as saying “my hands are numb.” Not a good start for the G-men.

6:49- Southwest Airlines “Productivity Enhancer” commercial airs. I love the idea of the big press conference amidst a bit of controversy, but this idea is very dry and needs to be tweaked, it’s a wasted commercial.

6:54- In a strange turn of events, it appears as if Plaxico is playing with a greater sense of urgency, realizing a touchdown will allow him to return to the friendly confines of the sideline.

7:12- Jacobs is tackled after an 8 yard gain and helped up by a Green Bay defender. This is one of my biggest pet peeves in football right now. Two teams have waged a war against each other. They are doing everything they can to come out on top. You’ll see blood, guts, and tears on that field. How come every once in a while the two sides take a break in the action and sign a temporary peace treaty? I guess that makes me “Anti-Sportsmanship.”

7:16- Mr. All Terrain Brett Favre looks freezing, he just took a sip of what I believe is either coffee, tea or hot chocolate on the sideline.

7:23- I’m getting a little sick of Fox’s close-ups of the center-quarterback exchange. It’s getting awkward and there is absolutely nothing to show down there. Joe Buck, on the other hand, seems to pep up a bit each time the cameraman takes that plunge.

7:25- After a bit of jawing and some good hand checking at the line of scrimmage, I’m really beginning to enjoy this Burress/ Harris matchup - A clash of two physical, prideful players.

7:41- Atari Bigbie= Bob Sanders Lite.

Stay tuned for more posts in the upcoming days.

Be a part of the next mailbag:

Email Zach - znapolitano@gmail.com

Email Jack - ilovethisgame101@yahoo.com