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| Four Big Issues
By Chris White July 11th, 2006 So there I am, on the cusp of my yearly bike-a-thon. I’m purged just shy of the Ben Franklin Bridge with now over four thousand of my best friends, contemplating the task ahead (64 miles, no training, oye). I check over my trusty Schwinn and think of how she had served me well. I thought back and calculated how many years that was. Just about the same time as Philadelphia’s last Championship, brought to life daily by the PhillyPurge home page. I ascend the bridge thinking of the day ahead and how great the cause is (American Cancer Society at www.acsbike.org). Philadelphia is an awesome city, which has a ton of good in its heart. Just not our teams. Anger sets in as I wiz past the free toll. What the hell is really wrong with these teams anyway? I thought how each team has been unable overcome their personal demons, on a day celebrated for those that have overcome sickness with hope. Between now and Lake Lenape with my trusty sidekicks Tom and Jerry (no, I’m not kidding, two real buddies), I was going to do a lot of thinking and sort this mess out. That is if I lived of course. The more I thought the more I realized this is a baseball town at heart. Sure, the Eagles are right there as well, but that is a lusty love affair. The Phillies and baseball in general with all its flaws are still the love of a majority of us. It’s a commitment, a relationship. The other two major sports don’t come close. The Flyers have a solid fan base, but its hockey for goodness sakes. The Sixers teased us a few years back, but we were more excited about having a potential winner in town, and it didn’t’ necessarily have to be them. With that in mind, I top off the Phillies as my biggest nut to solve. The biggest problem with this team is a lack of heart. The Jack Haley Phenomena. In late June Billy Wagner once again blessed us with his thoughts, and like him or hate him, I think he’s right. You can’t pull that in this city. We will root like mad and come to games if you get us a bunch of guys who at least show they care. You can’t blame the players, they are just being themselves. The old or new GM’s? Maybe, but these guys like many of us are wowed by the numbers, and not the guts of the guy. Can you expect Charlie Manuel to change his stripes at this point and try to fire them up? Nope. For that, Gillick needs to step to the plate and starting putting some key pieces together. First and foremost, find me a manager that can do that. Resume be damned, get me a young guy who played hard and has a brain is his head for baseball. Somebody who can slap his brand of baseball on some decent talent. Who’s that guy?. Don’t know, but if you do feel free to email it over. The biggest problem with the Eagles is their division this year. Here’s a team that I really thinks does a nice job in the business side of the game. I’m not going to kill them for not showing loyalty to aging players. That may be wrong with some of those selections, but they have a plan and they stick to it. For the most part, (barring some very unlucky crucial injuries) it’s a strategy that has kept the team in the upper echelon. Unfortuntely this year, the rest of the NFC East is packed. Two games each against a maturing Giants team that believes in itself, a Cowboy squad that got how much better by adding TO (and no, I don’t think he will be a problem there. Parcel’s is excellent at gaining respect and not taking shit from anyone)?, and the Skins just may have all the pieces with excellent coaching to make a big push this year. The Philadelphia Eagles need a solid Wide-Out and some serious misfortune by the rest of the division this year to make the big dance. That’s their biggest issue (okay maybe two). Bobby Clark, like George Bush really should not be employed right now, that’s the Flyers biggest deal. I know I’m going to take a beating for this one. How can you say that about Bobby? How can you say that about George? This isn’t a place to make a big political statement, blah, blah, blah. George W spent his whole first term scaring us into believing Iraq was a threat. It wasn’t, he should have gone in 2004. Bobby Clarke hasn’t won a championship in twelve years, in a top five market. Every year some piddling about with a player or coach. Every year the same result. It isn’t going to work Mr. Synder, let’s move on. His vision for this team is not a winning combination. Until then, the Flyers will impress us all September thru February when it doesn’t matter, and disappoint us in the end when it does. That’s their deal in a nutshell. Last and probably least… The NBA is the biggest problem with the Philadlphia 76ers. Huh you say? This is not a problem solely to be laid upon the 76ers. This is an NBA wide failure, and that’s why the 76ers won’t be a solid playoff contender for years to come. With the current way the NBA is set up, it is nearly impossible for teams that have made personnel and payroll mistakes in the past, to undo those mistakes. Guaranteed contracts and a tough salary cap are the reason for this. The NBA should scrap the current plan and adopt the NFL’s policy, arguably the best for the state of the game. Give bad teams a way to become competitive at least with some heady management and luck. The way it is now, teams trade one bad deal for another. Right now our team has too many bad deals, and that is their biggest problem. All this thinking got me to only the first rest stop. 49 more grueling miles with Tom and Jerry. I’m sure I'll be able to solve another of the world’s problem by then. That again, assuming I make it. |
| PhillyPurge is a new Philadelphia based website whose purpose is to vent frustrations with the sporting scene and offer suggestions. Whitey's Pub is proud to be a contributer to the endeavor. Here are some of the most recent columns published. |
| Writer Details
Chris White Chris "Whitey" White is a major follower of America's favorite past time, the NFL, and the Sport of Kings. He has made a formal selection on every regular season NFL game for nearly 30 years. He has won various handicapping tournaments throughout the years, and is a current analyst for Philadelphia radio's Around the NFL show on 94 WYSP, broadcast Sunday afternoons during Eagles games. A longtime and suffering fan of the New York Jets, Whitey has been in and around the horse racing industry since the mid-eighties. He began his career at Monmouth Park on the Jersey Shore during summers, and was the General Manager of two Philadelphia OTB's, before venturing into radio and television. He has been an on-air host of The Racing Channel, TRN, ATR, and current PhoneBet TV, among other media outlets and publications. He is happily married with a son, undisciplined Golden Retriever, and cat who can't find the litter box. He resides in southern New Jersey and is happy to be a regular contributor of PhillyPurge.com. |
| NL Predictions Whitey May 1st, 2006 Okay, so a few weeks back I uttered the phrase about being able to lose the pennant in April. At the time I wasn't really serious about the Phillies doing that poorly, but things aren't going well in South Philly these days. Early calls for Charlie Manuel's head (and with that his square hat). Bad pitching from the young guns. No offense. Of course what could Charlie do? He can’t go out there and play for them. He could Put his two best hitters (Utley, Howard) at least in the top five of the batting order, but who are we to say, right? Enough of that already. I'm going to buck the trend and say the Phil's have a shot to right this thing. It's early. A coaching change while never a good idea, may be in order for new top dawg Pat Gillick, but that would seriously buck the trend during his career. Of course he never had a head post in this city. Assuming I'm right and those Fightins' still have a shot, whom will they be scoreboard watching with in September? Let's finish off the senior circuit and break down ‘who's who’ in the rest of the league. NL Central Major League Baseball's only six team division, don't let the early results fool you. This is an oil and water division. St. Louis (95) Oil. In the end, the Cardinals will prove to not only be tops in the division, but perhaps baseball's best team. They should have the division locked up by Labor Day. Their inactivity heading into the playoffs however will once again be their Achilles heel, but not even a three-week team wide stay in Cancun will stop this team’s momentum when they play again for real. Houston ((85) Water. Hovering just above .500 will be the Houston Astros. Sure they've lost some big guns over the past few seasons, but they still have a few offensive threats and one of the games best stockpiles of young live arms in the pen. If they coax Clemens back and Pettitte can pitch well, they could stay in the Wildcard hunt to the end. Milwaukee (81) Water. The Milwaukee Brewers are a team on the rise. Unfortunately, they will never have the money to really contend. Their best pitcher (Ben Sheets) has had injury problems since spring training, the rest of the staff is spotty at best. They do have a few nice bats in the lineup and a solid closer who looks like Gomer Pile, but these guys just don’t' have the guns to play with the big boys. The good news of course is they get their pick of the litter with fresh new Miller Brewing Company products. Ever drink an ice-cold beer that’s was born that same day? That's pretty sweet. Chicago (80) Water. The Chicago Cubs just can't get a break. Mark Prior, Kerry Wood, Nomar, Sammy, Cory Patterson. All big time players who were supposed to keep the Cubbies at the top of the pack have underachieved and/or suffered significant injuries and are unusable, or of course gone. Team needs to be torn down and rebuilt. Turns out Jeffrey Bartlett’s relatives were in the goat trading industry. By blowing up the ball a few years back the Cubs didn’t end a curse, they began a new one! Prior and Wood need to shed the whammy and get out of Chi-Town once and for all. Nice outfield speed, but no real power in the lineup with Lee sidelined for a few months. Cincinnati (78) Water. Every year I hope the Reds will get back that old swagger and get some pitching help. Every year they don't. Big bats, lousy pitching. Usually makes for about 4 hours at the Great American Ballpark, while tailgating guys on cell phones whispering "gimme the over". It's not even a legitimate baseball bet! Either are the Reds unfortunately again in 2006. Pittsburgh (75) H2O. The Pirates just lost their newest veteran acquisition in Sean Casey. Nice guy, good ballplayer, and now gone with a broken back. That’s right, a broken back. The Pirates have a few solid young arms, and a couple of guys that can hit, but that city has lost its baseball zest and can already be safely removed from further post season consideration. NL West Welcome to the Wild Wild West, where all five teams will have a shot for stardom, because none of them are all that good. With the exception of the Dodgers, whose team seems to mirror the malaise of their fans this year, anyone can grab the West pennant in 2006. San Francisco (84) San Francisco might have the best rotation in the West, but they are also the closest team to paying AARP dues. Of course none of this has to do with Bonds, who I predict will not complete the 2006 season for any myriad of reasons. Most likely, purgery won't fly, but when the IRS wants to give you a full rectal exam, they'll find something nasty. Well-managed club with the veterans to overcome their other weaknesses. San Diego (83) I'll take those upstart Padres to potentially steal the division this year. They've made a couple of nice acquisitions, and seem to have good balance. A pair of up-and-comers in the middle of the infield with Greene and Barfield. They are a starting pitcher away from giving stronger chance. Arizona (81) Arizona just might have what it takes to win this thing. Nice power in the corner outfielders, up and coming stars potentially in Chad Tracy and Conner Jackson, and as far as this division is concerned, a decent staff. Too many pitching question marks though at the back of the rotation. Colorado (80) I'll go out on a limb and take the Rockies to stay towards the top of the NL West pile. Why not? Like I said moments ago, nobody is that good, and these guys have some nice young talent. I like the enthusiasm this team came out with. They actually think they can win the division (no really, I’ve heard a few actually say those exact words). What the heck, I’ll buy it! Might have to get the backup Rockies hat ready incase the Phil’s really screw it up! Los Angeles (76) The Dodgers lineup is pathetic, their pitching staff doesn't scare anyone, and now they loose their closer again. Wouldn't be surprised if they were basement dwellers this year. So what’s all that mean? Well, I’ll take the Cardinals over either Wildcard from the East if that happens, maybe the Astros if they get lucky. Most likely though, St. Louis probably takes the Phils out. Then I’ll take anyone but the West winner in the other series. Smells like St. Louis vs. Atlanta or New York. Cardinals beat Atlanta no problem, might struggle against a Met team in October. You think we like our baseball in Philly? We do, but there is nothing like the magic of America’s Favorite Pastime on a chilly autumn night in the Big Apple. The Phillies aren’t out of it, but unless they can win the East outright it is going to be tough to make the NLCS. Let’s get the lineup sorted out now Charlie… |
| One Down…
April 11th, 2006 One week in the Major League books, and we are all aware of the famous baseball saying… ‘You can’t win the pennant in April, but you can surely lose it’. I don’t necessarily believe that, and for the Philly faithful let’s hope it to not be the case. One done, twenty-five more weeks to go. Let’s size up the National League East. Projected Winner: Atlanta Braves (90) I’d be foolish not to project Atlanta as the division winner, since they’ve won every pennant since GW’s dad had the job. They still have Chipper Jones, Andrew Jones, John Smoltz and the league’s best skipper. They have been able to continue to win by being masters of turning over their rotation, and incorporate younger players into the lineup. New York Mets (89) As I stated last week, I’m always leery of teams in any sport that go checkbook nutty in their off seasons and expect immediate dividends. If the early success of NY is any indicator however, the Mets may have a great chance to develop a cohesive squad that will score a ton of runs. Seemingly solid 1 thru 8, their Achilles heel could be the top half of an aging rotation. You just know at some point this season Pedro Martinez will go down to injury. The success of this team however may sit squarely on the shoulders of 40 year old Tom Glavine, and his newly found breaking ball. Philadelphia Phillies (86) Never a good idea to get off to a slow start in this city, especially since they may be all we got. Hitting and pitching have both been bad early. Not that it makes that big of a difference, but I’m not wild about the lineup Manuel has trotted out there. Of course, I don’t have to hide both Bell and Lieberthal either. Here’s what makes sense to me… SS- Rollins 2B- Utley RF- Abreu 1B- Howard LF- Burrell 3B- Gonzalez CF- Rowand C- Louseberthal Florida Marlins (79) This is a team that I don’t think has a shot to win enough games to compete, but man do they impress me. Another complete sell off in the off-season, and if you look at whom they trot out there they’ve got some serious potential down the road. They decide to keep one of the game’s best young arms in Donetrell Willis, and hitters in Miguel Cabrera. In nearly every trade they’ve made, they got a potential ‘keeper’ back, at rock bottom prices (Josh Willingham, Mike Jacobs, Hanley Ramirez, Jeremy Hermida). I like their choice in new manager Joe Girardi as well. Don’t be surprised if this team somehow hangs around until late summer. Washington Nationals (74) They’ve got some talent and an imposing manager, but they just seem like a team that has no idea what direction to go in. Everything from their hometown, to their pitching, to the whole Alfonzo Soriano mess. What’s up with that? John Patterson if healthy all season, could be the brightest star in an otherwise confused universe. Poster Boy The closer Barry Bonds gets to the sacred records of Ruth and Aaron, expect more of the same public outcry of the rampant steroid use over the past ten years by Major Leaguers. Expect more denial. One way baseball could rectify the problem, and work towards a final solution may mirror another problem the country is facing with the illegal alien problem that is getting front-page news. One possible solution is amnesty. Here’s how it would work. Baseball would offer a date in which everyone comes clean. If all went well, there would be so many players included that the league couldn’t possibly suspend them all. With the “Come Clean” plan, you admit you used at some portion of your career, with the truth setting them all free. Bonds for one would benefit, because he’d just be one in the crowd, and not THE only person getting the press. For everyone else, a urine sample would be taken and filed away. In five or six years when the testing is up to speed with today’s ‘mix’, anyone who didn’t take the chance to free themselves and was detected to have juiced would have their records stripped from the record books. No record left behind. If you had one Moonlight Graham moment, or a full career, your contribution to the sport would be strickened from the books. Or at least noted that such statistics were attained while you were under the influence. Speaking of Annoyances… A few final thoughts on the sports world before I put down the pen for the week. Duke Lacrosse All week I’ve been getting chased from my favorite cable news programs due to the Duke Lacrosse Team rape allegations. If there ever was a non-news item it has to be this. I mean who really cares? It’s lacrosse for God’s sake! Stewart Scott A few days back I was flipping thru the channels (chased by the damn Duke story) and I get to ESPN. There I see Stewart Scott standing behind a mic and in front if more ridiculous chroma-keyed graphics busting into rhyme. If there’s one more thing I’d never need to see again, it’s a close up of Scott and his Sammy Davis eyeball rapping about sports. One big case where the storyteller is trying to become the story. Don’t we have enough of that already? |
| Sizing Them Up
Chris White April 1st, 2006 March Madness is over. Spring training is over. It is time to officially see what we got here in Philly with those beloved Phillies. If talk over the local airwaves is any indication of the fan base’s take on the '06 version, South Philly's boys of summer are considered long shots at best to make the post season. I disagree with that for three reasons. St. Louis, Chicago, and New York. In baseball terms, that's the Cardinals, White Sox, and Yankees. None of them make the NL East their home, and because of that I think Philadelphia has a terrific chance to keep fans excited well into September. First and foremost, nice job by Pat Gillick in putting his mark on the team. He didn't go New York Mets crazy with a complete overhaul, but he did address the overabundance of power hitting first baseman by sending Jim Thome to the White Sox. That leaves the door wide open for Ryan Howard to blossom in his first full MLB season, but hold that thought just a bit. The best move Gillick may have made was his non-move of Bobby Abreu. Talk to ten Phillies fans, and ten of them will tell you how much they dislike the guy. "He doesn't hustle". "He only hits when it doesn't count". "He's bad at math". Gimme a break. I'll be the first to admit he didn't deserve that Golden Glove he won last year. He really isn’t much better then me in Right Field, and I don’t play. But some of the offers to move him out of Philly we all heard in the off-season were ridiculous. Hold that thought too. Let's go around the horn and take a peak at who is going to trot out there the first Monday in April… Ryan Howard (1B)- Nice player. From a half season last year, to potentially a full season this year, I think the overall productivity at First is an improvement. Personal favor to your writer here about the first base position too. Please, no whining if Jim Thome has himself a huge comeback season with Chicago. Let’s just wish him the best and move on. Chase Utley (2B)- The more I see him the more he reminds me of Ryan Sandberg. The only problem I foresee with the youngster will be for him beating himself. Trying to do too much, or taking anything for granted. I don't foresee either of that happening however. Another upgrade from last year with him seeing full time action. Jimmy Rollins (SS)- Solid player, and expect more of the same. Kicks off the season with that crazy hitting streak still intact. Let's see if he can carry it into the first Tuesday in April. David Bell (3B)- David Bell looks like he'd be a great neighbor. Hard worker, polite, seems like a nice guy. What I'd like to see from my third baseman however is the toughest guy on the field, who scares you with his bat and his scowl. Bell brings none of that. At best, he's an average hitter and fielder who the Phils are still on the hook for. A bad back and father time have made even ‘average’ a pipe dream anymore. Kinda like buying a house where the previous homeowners had pets. The furniture (Thome) is gone, but the rooms still kinda stink. Pat Burrell (LF)- Expect more of the same in his 2nd season PB (post-Bowa). Pencil in 30 homers and .285 at the plate. There will be a little streak during the season where it will appear as if your Aunt Sally can strike him out. It’s all good, he’ll break snap out of it. Aaron Rowand (CF)- This kid s going to fit right in. From Chicago’s south side to Philadelphia’s, he plays hard, good defensive player, speedy with a little pop as well. Rowand will get plenty of face time in his 6th MLB season. Bobby Abreu (RF)- "Would you trade Abreu for Brad Penny and some prospects?" I actually heard somebody say that on the radio and almost grazed the guardrail of the Whitman bridge. Take the guy for what he is. Plays every day, has some power and it at the very least a threat in the lineup. Decent average. So you don't want to have a beer with the guy, okay I get it. Trading him away for anything short of an All-Star would be a disaster. Another guy with 30 HR potential, and a .285 average. Mike Lieberthal (C)- Hey, he's gone in one more season! Seriously though, Lieberthal and Bell ought to get together and go bowling. Roll a few frames and talk about the 2 nice seasons they once had. Maybe have a beer, but I think only one of them probably drinks. The Staff: Myers and Leiber will win you games. Could be as high as 35 between the two, especially if Brett realizes his full potential and Leiber stays off the DL. Lidle doesn't scare anyone, but eats innings. Ryan Madson and Gavin Floyd are two young guns that you might want to get excited about. It's a long shot that they will both prove they can cut the mustard, but you never know until you throw them out there. In a perfect world I’d be more comfortable sending out only one of them, but you take what you can get. The season may very well rest on how the back 2/5th of the rotation can handle full time duty. The Pen: Not much to say here, other then they have some decent depth and might be hard used, especially if the ‘kids’ can’t handle the truth. Tom Gordon is a capable closer, and fared well from his years in the Yankees organization. Let’s hope he can stay healthy, or Gillick might have to work OT (and who really needs that?). The Skipper: Another Thome leftover. Won’t win you many games, won’t cost you many. The biggest thing you can say about Charlie is that it always looks like he’s wearing a brand new cap, that doesn’t quite fit right yet. I think this is an 88-86-win team. Until the Braves are knocked off, I'd have to pencil them in as the favorite, but a luke warm one at that. I saw the Mets wheel and deal a whole lot in the early 90’s, which resulted in Bobby Bonilla and a bunch of malcontents, so I'm not conceding anything to them. Until the Flyers pull off their annual ‘one and done’, the Phils are your best shot at a winner for the rest of the year. Enjoy them. |
| The Eagles Preview
July 31st, 2006 Pads are poppin. Players are sweatin’ and cussin’. The Phillies are sellin’. Thank goodness for football baby! It’s impossible to not think about the only mystery team in town. How good can the Eagles be? An excellent draft, TO behind them, a healthy McNabb. This has the potential to be a really good Fall. As I wrote though a few weeks back in our “What’s Wrong with Philly” column, more then likely this will not be the savior season the ‘Cheese Steak Heads’ in South Philly desire. I just went over the schedule. After some not so careful analysis of the entire division, here’s how I have the NFC East stacking up. 12-4 Washington Redskins 10-7 Dallas Cowboys 8-8 New York Giants 7-9 Philadelphia Eagles Ouch. This is after I have the Birds at 6-2 heading into the bye-week. Early season wins at Houston (a gift), a fired up victory in the home opener vs. the hated Giants, another win against an overmatched 49ers team on the west coast, a gimmie vs. Green Bay at home, and a shocker vs. TO at the Link on October 8th. Then things get nasty. I think Philly suffers a letdown loss in New Orleans the following week, and will head into the week 9 ‘Bye’ with an ugly loss at home to the Jaguars. In between, I think they match-up well against the Bucs in Tampa and can win that one, albeit a close game probably decided by a now heeled David Akers FG. The Jacksonville game to me appears to be one of the most important match-ups of the season. It’s winnable, and it could be a huge momentum builder. The second half of the season looks brutal on paper, starting with a tough game at home vs. the Redskins. Keep in mind; nearly the entire Washington season hangs in the balance of a fragile Mark Brunell. Daniel Snyder could ruin the Redskin chemistry with a boob moment at any time as well. This game could go either way, but the Skins look like they are ready for a run. The final win of the 2007 season comes at home vs. Tennessee. Tell me where the rest of the wins come from… At Indy? Carolina Home? At Washington (see above, okay maybe one between the two) At Giants? At Dallas? Depending on the status of both the Falcons and Philly, the finale vs. Michael (OVERRATED) Vick could be a winner, but by then the damage has been done. For the second year in a row, the Eagles will be watching the playoffs from the comforts of home. Granted, I said this was a better team, an improved team from last year. That second half schedule is brutal though. It won’t be the first time the Birds ripped it up early and faded late, and I’m afraid that’s the way the writing on the wall looks now, at the beginning of training camp. Of course this is all speculation. That’s why you play the games. I’d love to be wrong on all of this, but sometimes doing the math makes things a bit easier to see. The good news is that math was never really my strong point. Let’s hope I suck once again this year. |
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| Outfits
By Whitey August 9th, 2006 The commercials are everywhere. Tis the time of the year when back-to-school sales are all you see and hear about on TV. The coolest binder, the best pc, and of course all those clothing sales. Tis the time of the year I love the most really. Still a solid month of summer left, and for those of us with children just a month until the most wonderful time of the year, when the kids head back to school. It got me thinking about outfits and stuff we wear. Three shirts in particular I’d like to vent on. Black and White Has anyone seen the new referee shirts the NFL is going to trot out there this season? What were they thinking? Is the NFL trying to capture that long lost merchandizing dollar by now forcing all of us ‘referee fans’ to buy the new shirt, just so we can stay hip? Isn’t the mark in an excellently officiated contest one in which we don’t notice these people at all? Was there something wrong with the old shirts? Did Jerry Markbriet put up a fuss about getting confused with college or high school refs? If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. The next thing you know DMV will start putting cool stripes on stop signs to jazz them up. Ridiculous. Yellow Top Óscar Pereiro Sio called and said he wants his shirt back… By now, everyone has thrown in their two-cents about Pency cyclist Floyd Landis and his doping allegation. Of course, Landis is following the advice a lawyer buddy of mine who always preaches... “When accused of something, ‘deny, deny, deny”. What else can he do? For once, wouldn’t it be refreshing if we got some truthful answers from our athletic heroes? Wouldn’t it be nice if Landis, or Bonds, or Mcguire just came out and uttered these four little words? “Okay, you got me”. Straitforward, no having to read between the lines ala Jason Giambi. Screw the legal ramifications for once please. Unless somebody “Mark Furmened” Landis’ samples, he is guilty dead to rights. Even if his samples were okay, his performance in Stage 17 was inhuman. He hit a 647-foot home run. He ran through 11 tackles without losing a step. He checked a non-suspecting wing into the beer vender. Never Before Accomplishment + Double Test Failure = Cheater. The faster you come clean the quicker we will forgive you, because if you fess up, someday we will. New Suit Bobby Abreu has been in his new duds for roughly a week now. I have to admit; in his first game while sporting the away grays of the Yankees he looked pretty good. Actually looked like he lost a few pounds. I’m sure he feels relief from the burden of playing in a city that didn’t want him anymore. It could be a win-win trade/giveaway for both teams. The Yankees have gone 5-2 since the deal, and are now leading the AL East. Abreu is batting over .400 as a Bomber. New York was able to replace two holes on their lineup card, and may have done just enough to best a Red Sox team, which remained idle on July 31st. Whether or not anyone wants to admit it, the Phillies are still alive in the NL. They are dead in the water in the East, but are only 3 games out of the wild card chase. A chase that I feel either Arizona or Philly will win. The team chemistry improved. The scrappiness improved. If Jon Leiber can pitch like he is capable of, the staff is immensely improved with Meyers and Wolf now included. A great staff, no. With Leiber on his game though, that’s not a bad punch of Leiber, Meyers, and Hamels. Like it or not, these Phillies may have played a game of addition thru subtraction. So there you have it, my first column on fashion. New shirts we don’t need. A yellow shirt somebody stole, and a longtime-coming suit swap that just may accomplish more then you bargained for. Go figure. |
| “Off the Cuff”
An NFL Preview August 24th,2006 AFC EAST New England (11-5) Anytime you have a healthy Tom Brady and the solid coaching of Bill Belechick, you have a chance to win. The Pats will miss the clutch kicking of Vinitieri as well. It may even cost them a win at some point in the season. The best development for New England this season is that they aren’t the returning Champs. They are still the class of the NFC East however. Miami (9-7) Strongest duo of quarterback and running back in Miami in years, and keep in mind they had Marino for a long time. Marino never really had somebody he could count on to hand the ball off to thirty times a game, and his super bowl ring collection (0) shows that. Dante Culpepper at worst, will stretch the field. He’s got the guys to run down his passes once again as well. Ronny Brown’s second year will certainly benefit from that, as the Dolphins are back challenging for a playoff spot. Jets (9-7) I’ll be the first to say I’m a homer. I think if the stars all align perfectly, the Jets have a decent shot to go .500, maybe a game better. A very easy 2nd half schedule, the excitement of new direction, a healthy Pennington and a productive Kevan Barlow are all part of that solar system. Pluto is not, however. Buffalo (6-9) Still too many questions at quarterback. McGahee is a nice runner, but you just get the feeling with him that something is due to go wrong. Defense is always tough, and Orchard Park is a tough place to play for visiting teams. Marv Levy with the big comeback, hope it doesn’t kill him. AFC NORTH Pittsburgh (10-6) The beneficiaries of a brutal schedule for the world champs. They will win the games they need to win, and get caught by a couple of non-contenders who will use that ‘anygivensunday’ as their Super Bowl. Any team with Big Ben and Hines Ward is going to be successful. My biggest question for the Steelers this year is who is going to step it up and become ‘06’s star. You just know Cowher will develop somebody. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7) Bengals suffering on two fronts. One, Carson Palmer recovering from the knee injury. Two, this team seems to have some character issues. At some point in the season, that has the chance to fester and at the very least become a distraction. Good news is head coach Marvin Lewis. Bad news is a difficult schedule. Baltimore Ravens (9-7) Best quarterback in town since Bert Jones. Ravens made the biggest off-season splash with the addition of Steve McNair, whom I believe has plenty of tread left on the tire. Brutal schedule with the boys in purple as well, and I’m not yet convinced either Jamal Lewis or new acquisition Mike Anderson will play up to their past. Cleveland Browns (3-13) Charlie Frye? No real running game, average at best receivers? In this division? Please. AFC SOUTH Indianapolis (13-3) They are going to miss Egderrin James no doubt, but have a couple of guys who can replace the gold-toothed wonder. Colts will be hungry, after letting the big one slip away last year. The class of class in the AFC in my opinion. The defense should again be strong. Jacksonville (10-6) I don’t know why I have so much respect for these guys. I was never a Fred Taylor fan, and they took a blow when Jimmy Smith hung them up in the off-season. Still, I like what Del Rio has instilled in this team, and think Byron Leftwich is ready to uncork a monster season. Houston (5-11) About time Gary Kubiak got rid of the clipboard and the cushy job in Denver and put it all on the line. I have no bases to say this, but was his delay in finally grasping the golden ring one of ‘fear of failure’? I certainly hope not, at least for the sake of the Texans, who generated draft day mayhem by not taking Reggie Bush. I thought it was a good move by Houston though, too bad they weren’t able to get more and their man. Tennessee (2-14) Billy Volek is adequate to call the shots. They have a few guys who can run the ball, but none of them have stepped it up or have been healthy. Receivers are okay, but the defense is still trying to compensate for the salary dump over the past two seasons. Jeff Fisher is a nice coach; he just doesn’t have the pieces to compete this year. WEST San Diego (9-7) I think there will be quite a lot of teams beating up on each other in the West this season. I’ve been impressed by David Rivers in pre-season, and San Diego must have known what they were doing to let Breese get away. Defense is solid. LT is in his prime. This team will be fun to watch, especially when they wear the cool power blue shirts with the white hats. Denver (9-7) A great draft and off-season for the Broncos this year. How long can Rod Smith, now 36 play? Mike Shanahan is going to find himself another running back, he always does. Tough games vs. New England, Baltimore, Indy, Pittsburgh, Seattle, and Cincy all outside their own division is going to be tough to overcome. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9) Herm Edwards is going to get his new team to play for him, but the knock on him in Jersey was his conservative approach on the field, and of course his time clock management. The clock has improved, but don’t be surprised if Herm’s offense settles for lots of FG’s in 2006. Fantasy sleeper, kicker Lawrence Tynes. Oakland Raiders (6-10) Getting Art Shell back in the bay area was a good move by Al Davis. I thought Aaron Brooks was a nice signing as well, but he looked terrible in the pre-season. Lamont Jordan is a nice banger, and the team addressed a porous defense with the draft. I think Warren Sapp will play better this year after missing time in 2005, but this team still has too many holes to fill in one year. NFC EAST See previous column NFC NORTH Chicago (11-5) First of all, they have the benefit of playing Minnesota, Green Bay and Detroit twice each. Throw in the distinct possibility of actually having a strong quarterback to begin the season (Brian Griese has looked good, the job is still Grossman’s to lose), and this team could be dangerous again, especially with potentially the leagues best defense. Minnesota (7-9) Brad Johnson is a godsend. Too bad he has a crappy running attack and some sub-par receivers. He’s smart enough to make the best of it. Vikings fans can only hope rookie coach and former Eagles offensive coordinator Brad Childress gives him some rope to work with. Defense improving. Green Bay (7-9) Brett Favre probably should have hung them up in 2004, as I don’t see 2006 much brighter than last year. The talk in camp is positive however, and if Ahman Green can stay on the field and the rookies listen to some of the vets, this team could be respectable. I just don’t see all that going down however in Cheese City. Detroit Lions (5-11) Good move picking up John Kitna to go with all the talent at wideout, but I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Until Detroit proves to me that it is a legitimate NFL threat, I’ll keep jotting down 4 and 5 win seasons for them. Running game stinks as much as executive suite. NFC SOUTH Carolina Panthers (12-4) I was big on Carolina last year, and thought they were going to upset Seattle in the NFC Championship game. One of the best-coached teams in the league, with a heady but not spectacular quarterback and some potent receivers. The heart of this team though is that defensive front seven. If they stay healthy, this team is as hungry as any to prove they can once again make the big dance. Atlanta (7-9) Falcons were busy in the off-season, picking up DE malcontent Jonathan Abraham from the Jets, and sending TJ Duckett to the Skins. With Duckett gone, any setback to Warrick Dunn and this team is going to be hard pressed to score on anyone. I don’t like Michael Vick, not even a little bit. Their defense is solid and quick however. Tampa Bay (7-9) Tough team to figure. Chris Simms did a nice job last year, and look for Cadillac Williams to be better taken care of early in the season. This is a tricky division though, with lots of teams beating up on each other. Could be a playoff team with a little momentum. Could be a good team on the short end of a handful of games too. New Orleans (6-10) Drew Brees, Reggie Bush, and a new coaching staff. A massive turn of events from the 2005 version in the Big Easy. This is a team I’ll be rooting for, I just don’t know if they’ve done enough to right the ship. Reggie Bush is the real deal, and potentially the most exciting player in the NFL this year. There’s a good chance he will emerge as the starter straight up, with Deuce McCallister probably another season away from totally recovering from his knee injury. PS- I thought Jim Haslett was one of, if not the worst NFL coaches the past few seasons. If first year head coach Sean Payton can work a little magic, this could be a sleeper team in the NFC. WEST Seattle (12-4) Seattle looks poised to return as a top seed in the NFC playoffs once again. I thought they played well in the Super Bowl, and if a couple of calls went the other way could have won it. Look for more of the same, with a well-balanced squad on both sides of the ball. Arizona (10-6) I can’t believe I’m putting the Cardinals at 10-6. Really, what the heck am I smoking? Well… the offense should be able to move the football on virtually any team this year. Kurt Warner is still a decent play caller, and his receivers will benefit from Edgerrin James in the backfield. If the defense can do anything, this team should be much improved in 2006. Playing in front of a sold out home crowd for the first time since Jim Hart is going to do wonders for the psyche in the dessert. Awesome new stadium too! They actually roll the grass IN for games. St. Louis (6-10) At some point the Rams are going to lose Marc Bulger. At some point Steven Jackson isn’t going to be all that he’s cracked up to be every preseason. At some point St. Louis will put a decent defense on the field. While they tried to sure things up on the other side of the football, this is still too fragile a team for me to think they can do any real damage over a consistent period of time. San Francisco (2-14) Jerry Rice should put the pads back on. Alex Smith could use another target, on most likely the worst team again in the NFL. Season starts Thursday, September 7th. |