PATRIOTS
I wish I hadn't said I told you so, but I've been around too long to blindly accept the party line. The Miami result was even worse than I expected. Except for the kicking game, the Pats got KILLED in every other phase of the game (B(L)UNDSHENED, Sorry I tried !!). Some of the readers thought I was a bit harsh in my criticisms, but I was just telling it like I saw it. If you want fluff, read the Reiss Report or listen to Freddy Smerlas. The Pats were WAY overrated. To see the local yokels booing their laundry was a huge surprise though. I'm certain those first two games were fool's gold.
The other teams that have been getting abused by the Foxborough's for most of the last two years smell blood. They have had their lunch eaten too many times and now know the time is right for revenge. Let's hope things get better, but there are major warning signs to the contrary.
Randy Moss simply stopped playing in the second half last week. When he was "playing", he ran DISINTERESTED pass routes with his hands by his side. Team player that he is, he sat all by his lonesome on the sideline. Where have we heard that before ?? The reason he is on this team was because he QUIT on the others he has played for. Just another guy who is great when things are rolling along, but would you want him in a foxhole next to you ?? I think not !! This guy is just another overpaid THUG (ala Corey Dillon) who really can play, but just won't. You wonder what Tedy Bruschi thinks of this jerk. I hope New England sends him and MAN(N)Y others like him packing.
RED SOX
Does anyone else think Jon Lester is fast becoming the next Lefty Carlton ?? He throws that cutter under the hands of those righties like Gator Guidry in his prime, but he is physically big and strong like Carlton. The young guy has just had an incredible season and DESERVES to be the hurler on the mound Saturday against the Angels. Sorry Josh Beckett. We'll see what kind of stones the RS management has when the first game pitcher is announced. They had better be careful not to piss off Beckett, or they will pay dearly when it is time to re-up him. Interesting stuff !!
MINNESOTA TWINS
What a GREAT sweep of the PALE HOSE at the hands of those TWINKIES !! They really play BASEBALL as it sould be played. They twice beat the WS playing small ball, and once at their own game of mashing. For them to be in first place after letting Santana AND Torii Hunter walk is incredible. Great for them !! The Rays will be a tough customer for them, and will probably wear them down. The pitching of the Rays is better, especially the relievers, and the Rays have just enough mashers to win close games. Ask the Red Sox. Anyway, I'll be rooting hard for Minnesota.
NY METS
The greatest collection of overpaid CHOKERS I have ever seen. To prove that last year's complete collapse was no joke, they are doing it AGAIN !! Yikes. They are playing not to lose, and that's just what they'll do. If you were an owner, which team would you want to call your own, these gaggers or the overachieving Twins ??
Bye for now.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Ramblings
After a long lapse due to a couple weeks devoid of interesting topics to this writer, I am BACK !!
The Patriots continue to play the easiest schedule in the NFL, but I am not ready to swallow the Kool-Aid. Without Brady, they will be exposed the first time they play a decent team. I'm not buying into the Cassel game manager thing. A good defense will take things away from the offense and force the QB to make plays.
I stopped while writing this to check in on the Miami-Pats tilt, and my comments above seem to be ringing true. What a horrible OFFENSIVE display. I didn't think Miami was as capable on defense. I fully expected the offense to crumble beginning next week vs. San Diego. Also notoced that KC, the first foe of the Pats, is getting killed by the Atlanta "juggernaut". It might cause one to re-evaluate those two wins over KC and the NY Jets, who both look like they could not beat a Pop Warner team so far.
I have been reading with great interest the Red Sox musings of Amalie Benjamin in the Globe. She is VERY good. Her librarian look conceals a good working knowledge of the game. This is in stark contrast to Heidi Watney (her Hollywood contemporary) who, although much better than her god-awful start, is still just eye candy. This, following her predecessor Tina Cervasio, who HAD talent and has moved on to higher ground.
Dice-K is shutting out the Jays in the fifth. However, he is just not watchable !! The game just crawls along. His stuff is NASTY, but too bad he could not through it over more. he would NOT be 17-2 for a lesser team.
The Rays have appeared to withstand the RS charge with one week left. This writer is clearly surprised. I knew the Rays were good or they would not have remained in first so long, but I expected the grind of that schedule to do them in. Instead, they have hung together with two great wins against the RS in the last homestand. The Pap meltdown and the 14 inning grinder the next day enabled them to hang on.
The MassCap yesterday was nothing but a walkover for Commentator against rivals who were far overmatched. It is almost impossible to stage a Grade 2 race now without bending over backwards to placate the camps of the top nags like Curlin and Big Brown. One pines for the days of Waquoit and Broad Brush (the equivalent of the current big-time biscuits) and the extremely entertaining and GRUELING stretch run they put on in the MassCap while track announcer Jim Hannon's voice gave out.
As usual, the football picks using the formula have been below average to start. Ye of little faith !! Hang in there to the end.
Ciao. Back to the second half of the Pats tilt.
The Patriots continue to play the easiest schedule in the NFL, but I am not ready to swallow the Kool-Aid. Without Brady, they will be exposed the first time they play a decent team. I'm not buying into the Cassel game manager thing. A good defense will take things away from the offense and force the QB to make plays.
I stopped while writing this to check in on the Miami-Pats tilt, and my comments above seem to be ringing true. What a horrible OFFENSIVE display. I didn't think Miami was as capable on defense. I fully expected the offense to crumble beginning next week vs. San Diego. Also notoced that KC, the first foe of the Pats, is getting killed by the Atlanta "juggernaut". It might cause one to re-evaluate those two wins over KC and the NY Jets, who both look like they could not beat a Pop Warner team so far.
I have been reading with great interest the Red Sox musings of Amalie Benjamin in the Globe. She is VERY good. Her librarian look conceals a good working knowledge of the game. This is in stark contrast to Heidi Watney (her Hollywood contemporary) who, although much better than her god-awful start, is still just eye candy. This, following her predecessor Tina Cervasio, who HAD talent and has moved on to higher ground.
Dice-K is shutting out the Jays in the fifth. However, he is just not watchable !! The game just crawls along. His stuff is NASTY, but too bad he could not through it over more. he would NOT be 17-2 for a lesser team.
The Rays have appeared to withstand the RS charge with one week left. This writer is clearly surprised. I knew the Rays were good or they would not have remained in first so long, but I expected the grind of that schedule to do them in. Instead, they have hung together with two great wins against the RS in the last homestand. The Pap meltdown and the 14 inning grinder the next day enabled them to hang on.
The MassCap yesterday was nothing but a walkover for Commentator against rivals who were far overmatched. It is almost impossible to stage a Grade 2 race now without bending over backwards to placate the camps of the top nags like Curlin and Big Brown. One pines for the days of Waquoit and Broad Brush (the equivalent of the current big-time biscuits) and the extremely entertaining and GRUELING stretch run they put on in the MassCap while track announcer Jim Hannon's voice gave out.
As usual, the football picks using the formula have been below average to start. Ye of little faith !! Hang in there to the end.
Ciao. Back to the second half of the Pats tilt.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
The Doctor is on Duty...at least through 2010-11
Wouldn't it be nice to see this again Celtics fans? Danny Ainge thinks so.
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports is reporting that Doc Rivers' agent Lonnie Cooper and the Boston Celtics have reached an agreement that will keep the Doc on duty through the 2010-11 season. Rivers confirmed the report via text message Tuesday saying he doesn't want to make "a big deal about it." Sorry Doc, but this is a big deal if I've ever heard one...both financially and in light of the Celtics chance to repeat.
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports is reporting that Doc Rivers' agent Lonnie Cooper and the Boston Celtics have reached an agreement that will keep the Doc on duty through the 2010-11 season. Rivers confirmed the report via text message Tuesday saying he doesn't want to make "a big deal about it." Sorry Doc, but this is a big deal if I've ever heard one...both financially and in light of the Celtics chance to repeat.
P.s. Jack Mac you must be happy that at least one Boston sports figure is not getting all big-headed on us.
Brady Redux
Much has been already written about the Brady injury, but I have to add my two cents. People around here have gone WAY overboard, including my erstwhile colleague at SITH !!
Brady, despite all his other great attributes, is ONLY a football player and football players get hurt. This is not a national day of mourning or something that I will remember where I was for the rest of my life when I heard about it, like some true calamity such as 9/11. Get over it homers !!!
Yes, the team will be greatly impacted and there will be no Super Bowl. But, how spoiled are we ?? To expect that a guy whose last start was in High School to not have a really rough go is NOT realistic. Miracles such as when the backup becomes a Hall of Famer when he gets his chance (Brady, Favre, etc.) happen about once a decade. Cassel could be very good, average, or very bad. Time will tell. But to listen to these morons on WEEI state that they expect the record to now be 10-6 is FOOLISH. By the way, what size head must you have to be on EEI ?? How 'bout those Pentagon sized DOMES on Ordway, Shepard, DeOssie, Smerlas, etc. Too bad they have so little to offer in the way of wisdom. Anyone (ESPN, FELGER, etc.) who DARES to not act like the Patriot mouthpiece is ostrasized. SOMETIMES, there just might be another side to a story if you are not blinded by the laundry !! Ah, but I digress.
Backup quaterbacks are like backup baseball catchers. There are only 2 ways to go. Either you employ a grizzled veteran (Doug Flutie/Doug Mirabelli), or you rely upon a young player and hope to groom them over time. For a very good team, the usual path is to go with experience and groom the young guy as the third stringer until he warrants the backup job (ala a young Brady). Both the Patriots AND the Red Sox have not done a very good job of fortifying this important backup job. When Varitek got hurt a couple of years ago, the Sox (a very GOOD team - listen HOMERS) dropped like a rock out of sight. It remains to be seen how the Pats will fare, but history says things will get rough for the Flying Elvises, despite the NFL's easiest schedule.
Brady, despite all his other great attributes, is ONLY a football player and football players get hurt. This is not a national day of mourning or something that I will remember where I was for the rest of my life when I heard about it, like some true calamity such as 9/11. Get over it homers !!!
Yes, the team will be greatly impacted and there will be no Super Bowl. But, how spoiled are we ?? To expect that a guy whose last start was in High School to not have a really rough go is NOT realistic. Miracles such as when the backup becomes a Hall of Famer when he gets his chance (Brady, Favre, etc.) happen about once a decade. Cassel could be very good, average, or very bad. Time will tell. But to listen to these morons on WEEI state that they expect the record to now be 10-6 is FOOLISH. By the way, what size head must you have to be on EEI ?? How 'bout those Pentagon sized DOMES on Ordway, Shepard, DeOssie, Smerlas, etc. Too bad they have so little to offer in the way of wisdom. Anyone (ESPN, FELGER, etc.) who DARES to not act like the Patriot mouthpiece is ostrasized. SOMETIMES, there just might be another side to a story if you are not blinded by the laundry !! Ah, but I digress.
Backup quaterbacks are like backup baseball catchers. There are only 2 ways to go. Either you employ a grizzled veteran (Doug Flutie/Doug Mirabelli), or you rely upon a young player and hope to groom them over time. For a very good team, the usual path is to go with experience and groom the young guy as the third stringer until he warrants the backup job (ala a young Brady). Both the Patriots AND the Red Sox have not done a very good job of fortifying this important backup job. When Varitek got hurt a couple of years ago, the Sox (a very GOOD team - listen HOMERS) dropped like a rock out of sight. It remains to be seen how the Pats will fare, but history says things will get rough for the Flying Elvises, despite the NFL's easiest schedule.
Monday, September 8, 2008
The Truth Hurts
Where were you when you found out?
For New England fans, this is Pearl Harbor, 9/11, or the day John F. Kennedy was shot. This evening WEEI.com's Ron Borges is reporting that Tom Brady has torn the ACL in his left knee. Who will replace him? Will the Pats pick up a free agent? Can Belichick still win without Brady? More analysis to come...
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Say It Ain't So
Q: What do Tom Brady and Peyton Manning have in common?
I doubt this is the riddle Pats fans want to be hearing right about now after the showing the backup QBs had in training camp. But sometimes you've got to face reality. Brady has a bum left knee now and, judging by the reaction in Foxborough, Bernard Pollard has 68,000 new enemies. Those are the facts. We can whine like our beloved Randy (Randy Moss...whine?!...) or we can believe Pollard when he says the play was not intentional. But to Belichick the details are quite trivial. The show must go on with or without Esquire's Best Dressed Man of 2007.
Matt Cassel may not have been offered millions to model Calvin Klein underwear but he still has to work with the same tight end. The kid came out strong on the first drive with a third down completion to Moss that let fans exhale...at least for a second. The former Trojan did okay for himself (13-18, 152 yds, 1 TD, 0 INT) but in the city of champions good just isn't good enough. The defense helped eek out the 17-10 win over Kansas City but the victory was not satisfactory for fans who watched the Brady Bunch beat opponents by an average of almost 20 points in the 2007 regular season. I think it's safe to say that #12 is not about to get Wally Pipp-ed.
I do not mean to discourage anyone or put a damper on the season. For all we know Brady could be back out there in a week or two. Or, maybe his name will actually be on the injury report for a reason this time. Either way, keep your heads up Pats fans. The man is more effective with one leg than most QBs are with two, and knowing him he will push to get back on the field before he's ready. Until then we will wait until Bill gives us some medical updates. In Belichick, we trust...even if he cheats sometimes.
VIDEO: Belichick and Cassel post-game reactions, Big Shoutout to NECN Sports.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
NFL Football Prognosticating Formula - JACKPIK
Before I realized it, the NFL season started on Thursday evening. As I prepare to fill out my weekly selections sheet for my FICTIONAL regular pool, I will share my formula for success. For the last three years, I have won between 66%-76% of the games against the spread. This win percentage should place you in the top 10 of ANY pool you may enter !! Last year, I lost track for awhile and found myself floundering in the lower third of the standings. It took all the expertise I had to LOSE almost 80% of the games for the last 7 weeks to claim the last place prize. In my world, ANY prize is OK, so I was not too proud to get my entry money back since the top prizes were out of reach by then. I know NOTHING about football, but I do understand how to gamble. If you are desperate enough to be reading my blog, then at least I can try to enlighten you.
First, anyone from anywhere (ex-football players are the WORST !!) who claims they can correctly pick games consistently against the spread is just plain WRONG !! Do you think Las Vegas, who creates the spreads (which are de-facto CONDONED by the NFL), is there for a reason ?? NOBODY wins consistently. The best you can hope to do is win more than you lose. Studying tendencies, comparing stats looking for an edge, historical comparisons, etc., are a colossal WASTE of time, in my humble opinion.
RULES OF THE GAME
First, in a local pool with your buddies, ALWAYS pick the against the homers. If you are to get an edge, how are you going to gain on the other players when they always pick the home team ?? A selection of the opposing team EVERY week is in order.
Second, ALWAYS choose the home UNDERDOG. It is only natural that an athlete will perforform better with everyone cheering him/her on. You will be AMAZED how often the home dog wins the game outright without the help of the spread !!
Third, choose all home teams with spreads from 3.5 to 9.5. Spreads like these tell you the home team is clearly better, AND they are at HOME.
Fourth, home teams favored by more than 10 points MUST be played AGAINST. Although the home team is usually superior (evidenced by the spread), they sometimes get far ahead and lose interest. The underdog many times will recover to COVER the spread with a last quarter rally. If the home team is not UP for the game, it is demoralizing to give 10 points or more and have NO hope of even winning the game, never mind covering the spread.
Fifth, in games where the home team is favored by 0.5-3.5 points, be very careful. It is my contention that home field is worth 3 points, so the spread is basically telling you the better team is NOT favored, just playing at another team's yard. The home team may win some, but the VISITOR wins about three quaters of these matchups.
Sixth, always take the UNDERDOG points in a RIVALRY game. The dog will play much harder against their nemesis.
Using these 6 simple rules, we will attack this week's schedule (home teams in CAPS).
Rule #1 Type - kansas city (against the hub juggernaut)
Rule #2 Types - BALTIMORE (1.5), MIAMI (3.5), TENNESSEE (3.5), ATLANTA (3.5), CLEVELAND (5.5), SAN FRANCISCO (2.5), OAKLAND (3.5)
Rule #3 Types - NY GIANTS (4.5, Already Won on Thursday), NEW ORLEANS (3.5), PHILADELPHIA (7.5), SAN DIEGO (9.5), GREEN BAY (2.5), INDIANAPOLIS (9.5), PITTSBURGH (6.5)
Rule #4 Types - kansas city (16.5), if not from the HUB
Rule #5 - seattle (1.5)
Rule #6 - none this week
CAVEATS - From week to week, there can be MAJOR deviations. If followed strictly, however, you should win over 65% of the games against the spread. This system works best at around week #8, when everyone (especially Las Vegas, the setter of the line), has a good idea which teams are good or bad. Week #8 until the end of the season has clearly been BEST and most formful.
This system ELIMINATES sentimentality and other hogwash that confuses bettors. Simply follow the rules, and good luck !!!!!!!!!
First, anyone from anywhere (ex-football players are the WORST !!) who claims they can correctly pick games consistently against the spread is just plain WRONG !! Do you think Las Vegas, who creates the spreads (which are de-facto CONDONED by the NFL), is there for a reason ?? NOBODY wins consistently. The best you can hope to do is win more than you lose. Studying tendencies, comparing stats looking for an edge, historical comparisons, etc., are a colossal WASTE of time, in my humble opinion.
RULES OF THE GAME
First, in a local pool with your buddies, ALWAYS pick the against the homers. If you are to get an edge, how are you going to gain on the other players when they always pick the home team ?? A selection of the opposing team EVERY week is in order.
Second, ALWAYS choose the home UNDERDOG. It is only natural that an athlete will perforform better with everyone cheering him/her on. You will be AMAZED how often the home dog wins the game outright without the help of the spread !!
Third, choose all home teams with spreads from 3.5 to 9.5. Spreads like these tell you the home team is clearly better, AND they are at HOME.
Fourth, home teams favored by more than 10 points MUST be played AGAINST. Although the home team is usually superior (evidenced by the spread), they sometimes get far ahead and lose interest. The underdog many times will recover to COVER the spread with a last quarter rally. If the home team is not UP for the game, it is demoralizing to give 10 points or more and have NO hope of even winning the game, never mind covering the spread.
Fifth, in games where the home team is favored by 0.5-3.5 points, be very careful. It is my contention that home field is worth 3 points, so the spread is basically telling you the better team is NOT favored, just playing at another team's yard. The home team may win some, but the VISITOR wins about three quaters of these matchups.
Sixth, always take the UNDERDOG points in a RIVALRY game. The dog will play much harder against their nemesis.
Using these 6 simple rules, we will attack this week's schedule (home teams in CAPS).
Rule #1 Type - kansas city (against the hub juggernaut)
Rule #2 Types - BALTIMORE (1.5), MIAMI (3.5), TENNESSEE (3.5), ATLANTA (3.5), CLEVELAND (5.5), SAN FRANCISCO (2.5), OAKLAND (3.5)
Rule #3 Types - NY GIANTS (4.5, Already Won on Thursday), NEW ORLEANS (3.5), PHILADELPHIA (7.5), SAN DIEGO (9.5), GREEN BAY (2.5), INDIANAPOLIS (9.5), PITTSBURGH (6.5)
Rule #4 Types - kansas city (16.5), if not from the HUB
Rule #5 - seattle (1.5)
Rule #6 - none this week
CAVEATS - From week to week, there can be MAJOR deviations. If followed strictly, however, you should win over 65% of the games against the spread. This system works best at around week #8, when everyone (especially Las Vegas, the setter of the line), has a good idea which teams are good or bad. Week #8 until the end of the season has clearly been BEST and most formful.
This system ELIMINATES sentimentality and other hogwash that confuses bettors. Simply follow the rules, and good luck !!!!!!!!!
Friday, September 5, 2008
Red Sox Return
Somehow, with an incredible amount of crippling injuries, the Red Sox have remained afloat in the AL East. First, J.D.Drew turned into Big Papi while the big guy was down. Then Kevin Youkilis became the clean-up hitter and zoomed to 90 RBI's in no time after taking over for Rag-Head. Now, mighty midget Petey is really mashing subbing for Youk. All the while, the kiddie corps from down under have proven to be really GOOD. The big payroll has no doubt helped (witness Sean Casey's heavenly average), but the vaunted farm system, which has all of baseball lusting over, has been the glue.
All is about to change for the better, however. By the end of this weekend, Beckett, Lowell, Youk and the rest (save for Lugo who no longer matters) will be folded back into the hub club recipe. Expect the RS to take off and catch some Rays within 10 days, especially in light of Tampa's hellacious road trip where it all could unwind for them. Boston's ascent will be greatly augmented by the former dreaded gang from Gotham who can't pitch straight, but are hitting very well right now. Anything less than AL East kingpins is not accepatable here any longer. The Wild Card lead is nice to fall back on just in case (but who could root against Minnesota where it is ALWAYS done the right way), but this is title town now in all the major sports. This narrative is not to disparage Tampa, but when all the big dogs are back, Boston is simply superior. Even when they are not at full strength, Boston's 2005 draft gang are better than the equivalent Tampa subs. I hope Tampa enjoyed it while it lasted. New York will have to wait til next year in this millenium, despite the audacious payroll. Somebody (Cashman) will be fired there.
All is about to change for the better, however. By the end of this weekend, Beckett, Lowell, Youk and the rest (save for Lugo who no longer matters) will be folded back into the hub club recipe. Expect the RS to take off and catch some Rays within 10 days, especially in light of Tampa's hellacious road trip where it all could unwind for them. Boston's ascent will be greatly augmented by the former dreaded gang from Gotham who can't pitch straight, but are hitting very well right now. Anything less than AL East kingpins is not accepatable here any longer. The Wild Card lead is nice to fall back on just in case (but who could root against Minnesota where it is ALWAYS done the right way), but this is title town now in all the major sports. This narrative is not to disparage Tampa, but when all the big dogs are back, Boston is simply superior. Even when they are not at full strength, Boston's 2005 draft gang are better than the equivalent Tampa subs. I hope Tampa enjoyed it while it lasted. New York will have to wait til next year in this millenium, despite the audacious payroll. Somebody (Cashman) will be fired there.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Allow us to introduce ourselves...
Welcome to Spoke in the Hub!
This blog is an all-access pass to Boston Sports, brought to you by two sports junkies who combined have spent almost 70 years following local teams. Here at Spoke in the Hub our writing will be focused mainly around Boston sports teams and issues that affect them.
But it's not all about us...we would love to hear from you! We have strong opinions and we know you do too, so don't be shy! You can speak here too by commenting on our posts. Let your voice be heard in the Hub!
That's all for now, folks.
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