All ProSports

Your one stop blog about the Big 4 Pro Sports!

Posts Tagged 2008

Thanks for the Blowouts

Nov 28

Posted by admin in Uncategorized | No Comments

By Matt Valentine

Thanksgiving, probably my favorite holiday of them all. I get to sit at home eat, drink, and watch some good old fashioned American football.

Just one problem with Thanksgiving circa 2008…every single game was a blowout. Let’s begin with the first game on today , Detroit and Tennessee. While most of us were dining on some finger foods, chips n’ dip , and perhaps a few adult beverages we were all “treated” to watching the worst team in football take on one of the best and of course hilarity ensued.

Why are the Lions even on national TV at this point? The team is 0-11 and very likely headed for an  0-16 season. They are a complete disaster to watch and outside of Calvin Johnson have no players that inspire enthusiasm.

So basically unless you are a Titans fan the game was a complete bust to watch. In fact, I’m betting that most Titan fans didn’t even watch the entire game and witness their teams 47-10 drumming of the hapless Lions.

I moved past the tragedy that was the first game in the NFL’s Thanksgiving day lineup, filled myself up with some delicous turkey, stuffing, mashed potatos, and more adult beve’s and tuned in for the second game, the Dallas Cowboys and the Seatlle Seahawks.

Love em or hate em the Cowboys are an interesting team to watch and while the Seahawks have been pretty dismal this year I had my fingers crossed for a tight game. So much for crossing your fingers. The Cowboys scored on their first three drives, quickly ending any notion that this game would be even remotely competitive. I’d like to say that I watched the entire game but, I didn’t and it was probably for the best because 34-9 doesn’t exactly sound appealing.

Ahh, but there was hope yet, the Eagles and Cardinals we’re coming on and this game had to be a good one! I mean what are the chances of three blowouts in a row? Apparently pretty damn good! This game was pretty much over at half time and the score was surprising even to myself. The Eagles and their much malinged QB Donovan McNabb simply dominated the game leading by 24-7 at the half. I actually did stay tuned in to this game, but only because Westbrook is on my fantasy team and I’m fighting for a first round bye. Once Westbrook left the game, so did I.

The games were a bust, but at least the food and drinks we’re enough to satisfy.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

NFL First Half Disappointments

Oct 29

Posted by admin in AFC, Bengals, Chargers, Football, Manning, NFC, NFC East, NFL, NFL First half, Pro Sports, QB Rating, Shocking, Sports, Sports Events, Sports Stars, Super Bowl, borwns, colts, cowboys, disapointing, interceptions, online sports community, passing, peyton manning, touchdowns, upset | No Comments

By Matt Valentine

The NFL season has reached the halfway mark and there have been some major surprises and some huge disappointments heading into week 9. With 8 weeks left to play in the season let’s take a look back at the first half of the NFL season and examine some of the most shocking and disappointing aspects of the season so far.Keep in mind this list is no particular order, just how they came to me at the time I was writing…

1. The Indianapolis Colts:

Manning looking dejected on the sidelines.

Manning looking dejected on the sidelines.

The Colts record stands at 3-4 heading into November. This marks the first time under head coach Tony Dungy that the Colts will enter the second half of the season with a losing record. The most surprising and disappoitning fact about this has been the play of Peyton Manning. Manning’s QB rating of 79.0 places him 22nd in the league. Just for a little perspective on that the man right behind Manning is Dan Orlovsky of the Detroit Lions. Manning has thrown 10 TD’s this season, but has complemented that with 9 INT. If Manning doesn’t find his rhythm soon the Colts may be looking at their first losing season since Mannings rookie year. WIth a key loss to the Titans on Monday night the Colts can kiss any hopes of winning their division goodbye and will now have to rely on the Wild Card if they want a shot at the postseason.

2.  The San Diego Chargers:

LT looking upset...perhaps with himself?

LT looking upset...perhaps with himself?

The Chargers were a hot Super Bowl pick this season after narrowly missing out last season with a loss to the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. Yet, they have played some disappointing football in the first half of the season and hold a 3-4 record with 8 games left to play. Phillip Rivers has played outstanding this season and he’s had to because All-World running back Ladanian Tomlinson has looked like a shadow of his former self while suffering from a toe injury. The Chargers defense has also looked incredibly vulnerable especially in the secondary and are showing all the affects of losing Shawne Meeriman for the season. The Chargers must find their game and find it fast or they like the Colts could be looking at their first losing season in a long time

3. The Dallas Cowboys:

Romo buries his head in a towel as the Cowboys season takes an unexpected turn.

Romo buries his head in a towel as the Cowboys season takes an unexpected turn.

Another hot Super Bowl pick before the season began, the Cowboys have looked anything but since the season started. Granted injuries have decimated the team at key positions, especially in the secondary, and with Tony Romo out with a broken pinkie until after the teams bye week the Cowboys find themselves in dire straits heading into their week 8 match up with the New York Giants. If the Cowboys fail to beat the Giants they will find themselves well out of the division race in the tough NFC East. The team that was all but crowned the NFC Champs in the off-season will now have to fight just for their playoff lives in the second half of the year.

4. The Cleveland Browns:

Derek Anderson...I think the picture says it all.

Derek Anderson...I think the picture says it all.

After a year in which the Browns went 10-6 and still missed out on the playoffs many NFL prognosticators had the Browns picked to equal that mark and make the franchises first playoff appearance since re-entering the NFL in 1999. The Browns began the season with three straight loses and their offense led by Derek Anderson has looked anemic at times. Anderson himself has struggled mightily in the first half of the season and has yet to return to the Pro-Bowl form he had last year. A surprising win against the Giants seems to have sparked some life into the struggling team and they have won three of their last 4 games. Anderson will need to return to form and find his timing with wideout Braylon Edwards or he may lose his starting job to Brady Quinn the Browns first round draft pick two years ago. If Anderson and Edawrds can return to form the Browns could find themselves in the hunt for a playoff spot, if not they’ll keep the franchise streak alive.

5. The Cincinnati Bengals:

Ocho Cinco wanted out...now we all know why.

Ocho Cinco wanted out...now we all know why.

Easily the most disappointing team of the first half of the NFL season the Cinncinatti Bengals have looked like abject failures in every aspect of the game. Now I understand why Ocho Cinco so desperately wanted out of Cincy, he wanted to be the first rat to desert a sinking ship. It’s hard to imagine that just a few short years ago this team was a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Now they’re duking it out tooth and nail with the Detroit Lions for the worst team in the league. Palmer has been injured for most of the season and Ryan Fitzpatrick is a less then suitable backup, but still this team cannot seem to do anything right. They can’t play defense, can barely move the ball and basically have regressed in every phase of the game. The Bengals will challenge for one thing this season and that is the infamous 0-16 record set by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of yesteryear . Good Luck Cincy.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Impact of the Harden and Sabathia Trades

Jul 9

Posted by admin in Uncategorized | No Comments

Major League Baseball’s trade deadline is still 3 weeks away but, some of the biggest moves have already been executed and the impact of these moves could shake the National League to its core.

It all began when the Milwakuee Brewers became a late player in the bid for Cleveland Indians ace CC Sabathia. The Brewers saw an opportunity to land one of baseballs best pitchers and the reigning Cy Young winner. The Brewers jumped on the opportunity. Striking the first blow in a National League in which a number of teams have a legitimate shot at claiming the title.

With the addition of Sabathia the Brewers now have one of baseballs most formidable starting rotations. Sabathia and Ben Sheets should be considered starters 1 and 1-A, making them a threat to any team in a divisional or wild card playoff series.

But, perhaps the team feeling most threatened by the Brewers acquisition of Sabathia were the current NL Central leading Chicago Cubs. And so the Cubs went out and did exactly what they needed to do, landing the best available pitcher on the trading block in RIch Harden from the Oakland Athletics in a six player deal just one day after the Sabathia trade.

With Harden in Chicago’s rotation the Cubbies are capable of putting together a similarly deadly one-two combination consiting of Harden and current Cubs ace and 2008 All-Star Carlos Zambrano. This suddenly makes the NL Central baseball’s most provacative division and the front runner to have two of its teams in the playoffs.

Personally, I’m truly excited to see how this division will play out. With the All-Star break rapidly approaching the second half of the season will be something to keep a close eye. Will the St. Louis Cardinals continue to outperform expectations and challenge for the division title? Will the addition of Sabathia be enough to propel the Brewers to the top of the Division and a possible trip to the World Series? Or will the long anguishing Cub fans finally see a World Series game played in Wrigley Field?

Since, I’m not one for waiting, I’m going to make my own prediction on how the NL Central will play out. The Brewers are the team to watch out for, if they’re key players can catch fire like it has recently they could have one of baseball’s most fearsome lineups. The key to the Brewers hitting success will be steady continued production from the likes of Ryan Braun, Cory Hart and J.J. Hardy,but the real X factor for the Brew Crew is Prince Fielder. After batting .288, driving in 119 runs and knocking 50 homers last season Fielder’s average and power numbers have slipped. If I was the Brewers manager I’d start force feeding Prince some red meat over the All-Star break and hope that brings back his power stroke.

Obviously the other key to the Brewers success will be their pitching. After a slow start Sabathia has seemingly returned to form going 4-3 in his last 10 Starts never relinquishing more then 4 earned runs. In fact, Sabathia’s impact has already been felt in Milwaukee when he won his debut. The Brewers other ace Ben Sheets has been lights all season going 10-2 with a 2.77 ERA.

The Cubs are still one of baseball’s best team and the addition of Harden only strengthens their chances to end their 100-year World Series drought. The Cubs also have one of baseball’s best lineups. Kosuke Fukudome has played as advertised and was the perfect addition to the Cubs lineup. Geovany Soto has been a pleasant surprise posting 15 HR, and 52 RBI. Aramis Ramirez and Derek Lee are always a threat to go yard while still hitting for a solid average and the return of Alfonso Soriano from the DL will add even more firepower to an already stacked lineup. I expect the Cubs to hold on to their division lead, but it will be by a close margin and should come down to the final weeks in a tight race with the Brewers.

The Cardinals have exceeded expectations as is and will have an incredibly difficult time matching the pitching and hitting of the Cubs and Brewers. They should begin to fade away from contention after the All-Star break. The Astros, Reds and Pirates have never been a threat to these teams and will fall further back in the divisional race.

In the end the Cubs are still the deeper team, so sorry Brewers fans no divisional title this year. However, the National league wild card is still a likely possibility as teams like the Mets, Florida, and Arizona have played inconsistently in the first half and cannot match the pitching or hitting of the Brewers. So be happy Cubs and Brewer fans because your teams have just cemented themselves a shot at a World Series title.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Fantasy Baseball Update

May 15

Posted by admin in Baseball, ERA, Eastern Conference, Fantasy, Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Sports, MLB, Pro Sports, RBI, Sports, Sports Events, Sports Stars, Uncategorized, Western conference, World Series, american league, batter, national league, online sports community, pitcher, runs, stats, stolen bases, update | No Comments

By Matt Valentine

The draft is long over by now, and you may or may not like the team you have assembled. Don’t worry just yet though the season is young, and one of the best part parts of fantasy baseball is finding those waiver wire gems, and making some savvy trades to fatten your wallet and bring the championship home.

There are certain types of players that everyone wants on their team they are the players that have shown consistent production throughout their career and have been hot since the season began. Here’s some players who can become cornerstone’s of your team and who you should target for a trade if they’re not on your current roster.

1. Lance Berkman

No player in baseball is hotter right now then “Fat Elvis”. He has been on an absolute tear lately putting up one of the most productive nine game streaks in the history of the game. Check out this stat line: A batting average of .628 with 15 hits, 10 runs scored, a 1.136 slugging percentage and a .741 on-base percentage. Berkman’s seasons totals now stand at .382 BA, 12 HR’s 36 RBI’s 40 runs scored and 6 stolen bases. Berkman is putting the “disappointment” of last season behind him and is a player everyone should be looking to acquire.

2. Hanley Ramirez

Hanley has been one of the best and most consistent fantasy players over the past 2 seasons in traditional 5×5 leagues and is proving that he is at the top of his game once again. He’s got all the tools you need, he steals bases (102) over the past two seasons, has shown increased power going from 17 HR’s his rookie season to 29 in his sophomore season and he hits for average, .292 in his debut season to .332 in last years campaign. This year seems to be no different for this outstanding young player. He’s batting at a .336 clip, he’s tallied 8 HR’s and stolen 13 bases thus far. No other SS in the league produces like Hanley and at this point it’s a guarantee, barring injury, that he’ll finish in the top 10 of traditional fantasy leagues.

3. Chase Utley

Utley like Ramirez produces in every category you need to win a 5×5 league. He’s been consistent all year and throughout his career. He’s currently batting .327 with 13 HR’s, 28 RBI’s, and 3 SB. Utley draws walks too,(18 BB ) just another plus to his fantasy game . Unless you have Hanley, try and grab Utley, offering up a slumping player like Jose Reyes, who seems to have been in a funk since the second half of last year, may be the perfect trade bait.

4. Chipper Jones

Chipper has been a fantasy producer for quite a while now. His only problem is staying healthy. Wait for Chipper to find his way onto the DL and offer up a trade for him because if there is one thing this man does it is produce great fantasy numbers when he’s on the field. Chipper leads the majors with his. 400 BA , he’s demonstrated power and patience with 10 HR, and 16 BB, he’s never really been a threat on the base paths so if you need help in that category look elsewhere. Find a way to get Chipper on your team and you will not be disappointed.

5. A-Rod

A-Rod had a monster season last year and was the catalyst for many a fantasy team’s championship. Simply put, if you want a guaranteed 30+ homers, 100+ RBI’s , 100+ Runs and double digit SB’s then look no further than A-Rod who has put up that type of production throughout his career. He’s been hurt this season and wasn’t putting up stellar numbers like he did at the beginning of last year, but you just can’t argue with this guys talent. In fact, his injury may be the perfect time to offer up a trade for him as some owners tend to get impatient with players on the DL.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,