Despite my better judgement, every year I end up shouting out my Super Bowl Prediction to the masses. It has not worked out so well over all, even though I had the Giants by 3 over the Patriots last year. I have a tendency to pick the underdog.
So this year, we have a Super Bowl that lacks the sparkle some would like to see. But, to me I see a perfect match-up. I see an offense with lots of stud players (Arizona) versus the best defense in the league (Pittsburgh). Kurt Warner gets the ball away the quickest I've ever seen, and Pittsburgh's pass rush is one of the quickest ever. Yet another good match up on this side of the ball is Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin against that incredibly athletic secondary of the Steelers. This could get really good.
Even on the other side of the ball the match up is good. The Cardinals defense is actually very good, and Blitzes just as often as the Steelers (I heard today that both blitz 39% of the time). The Steelers offense "can" be really good if the running game is on and Ben Rothlisburger can stay healthy. The Steelers will want to run early and often in this one. The Cardinals will try to stop that run and at the same time put some huge pressure on Ben. Again, interesting.
It's time to make my pick. I believe that Warner and the Cardinals will find a way to get it done on offense. Fitz and Boldin will both have big days. Their offense will prove to be more than the Steelers can handle. Warner will get the ball off quickly enough that the blitz will be somewhat ineffective. He will catch them off guard early, and they will be forced to pull back from the blitz. I think the Cardinals will easily penetrate the Steelers O line and Ben will spend a lot of the evening on the ground. I do think the Steelers will be somewhat effective on the ground though. So, I am going with Arizona 31, and Pittsburgh 21. Yes, a 10 point win. You may think I'm crazy, and you may be right. But, in this case I think you will find me to be right on!
That's what is rolling around in the DOME for now!
P.S. - This is a bold post I've just made considering I have a ton of Steeler fan friends, and that the poll is heavily Steelers too. It appears that I am on an island by myself. Oh well, I can take the heat. Bring it on! Then I will get all the credit since I'm by myself.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Larry Fitzgerald sees the big picture
I wish more athletes saw the big picture when considering contracts. They are often too concerned about a big contract and not enough about being a winner. The Cardinals are in talks with Anquan Boldin about his contract, and may have to let him go if they can't free up enough cap room or if he asks too much. However, today Larry Fitzgerald has agreed to restructure his contract to open the way to Boldin staying with the team.
Fitzgerald knows that he is only as good as he is because of the attention that Boldin takes away from him. He knows that he wouldn't be about to be playing in his first Super Bowl without him. He will make plenty of money throughout his career, but he will only get a few chances for the perfect storm it takes to go deep into the playoffs and maybe win it all. So, he's willing to sacrifice a little to stay in a good situation. BRAVO.
I wish more Pro athletes got this idea. Very few see anything but their own interests and big dollar signs. Fitz gets it. Tony Gwynn was another who always got the team concept and took less money several times to stay with a team and in a situation he loved. It is great to see another guy willing to do it the right way.
Here is an article on the subject:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs2008/news/story?id=3867088
That's all that's rolling around in the DOME for now!
Fitzgerald knows that he is only as good as he is because of the attention that Boldin takes away from him. He knows that he wouldn't be about to be playing in his first Super Bowl without him. He will make plenty of money throughout his career, but he will only get a few chances for the perfect storm it takes to go deep into the playoffs and maybe win it all. So, he's willing to sacrifice a little to stay in a good situation. BRAVO.
I wish more Pro athletes got this idea. Very few see anything but their own interests and big dollar signs. Fitz gets it. Tony Gwynn was another who always got the team concept and took less money several times to stay with a team and in a situation he loved. It is great to see another guy willing to do it the right way.
Here is an article on the subject:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs2008/news/story?id=3867088
That's all that's rolling around in the DOME for now!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
LU 78 HPU 63
Liberty Jumped on the High Point Panthers early and often tonight in the Vines Center. Liberty lit it up from behind the arc shooting 13-28 (46%) to High Point's 6-21 (28%). Kyle Ohman was feeling it tonight and the confidence showed all night. He shot 5 of 8 from behind the arc and tied his career high of 26 points and pulled down 6 rebounds. He was big all night. Senior Anthony Smith was right behind with 21 points (4-8 from 3pt range). Big man on campus Seth Curry had his first career double double with 18pts and an amazing 10 rebounds for his size. Jesse Sanders only scored 2 points (both on Free-Throws) but was huge with 9 assists and 9 boards. The stellar rebounding effort by the undersized team was impressive, out rebounding HPU 43-29. The Flames were quicker to the ball and tight on defense all night.
The bench continued to be on the anemic side with only 4 points and 7 rebounds. It becomes even more pitiful sounding when you realize that all 4 points and 5 of the rebounds were from one Tyler Baker.
Overall it was a fun game to watch. There were more than 2000 fans there even with the bad weather. The half-time show was rather, well interesting. . . OK it was bad. It was a dance troupe that brought some out of sync the 80's break dance fighting stuff. WOW!
Then LU didn't score for the last 1:37 of the game. The biggest wow minute was when Johnnie Stephene was dribbling out the clock lackadaisically with 5 seconds to go in the game. Nick Barbour from HPU stole the ball, or should I say carefully snuck up and took the ball, and broke away for a lay-up to end the game. It was strange as he actually paused after the "steal" as if he was making sure it was OK. So, a game that had a 21 point margin with a minute and a half to go ended up as a 15 point game. But it was an impressive win nonetheless.
That's all that's rolling around in the Dome for now.
The bench continued to be on the anemic side with only 4 points and 7 rebounds. It becomes even more pitiful sounding when you realize that all 4 points and 5 of the rebounds were from one Tyler Baker.
Overall it was a fun game to watch. There were more than 2000 fans there even with the bad weather. The half-time show was rather, well interesting. . . OK it was bad. It was a dance troupe that brought some out of sync the 80's break dance fighting stuff. WOW!
Then LU didn't score for the last 1:37 of the game. The biggest wow minute was when Johnnie Stephene was dribbling out the clock lackadaisically with 5 seconds to go in the game. Nick Barbour from HPU stole the ball, or should I say carefully snuck up and took the ball, and broke away for a lay-up to end the game. It was strange as he actually paused after the "steal" as if he was making sure it was OK. So, a game that had a 21 point margin with a minute and a half to go ended up as a 15 point game. But it was an impressive win nonetheless.
That's all that's rolling around in the Dome for now.
Headin to the Furnace
Tonight, myself, a friend, and my two oldest sons are headed over to Liberty University to the Vines Center to watch the Flames take on the High Point Panthers in College Hoops.
This is the time of the year when my attention fully shifts from the NFL over to College hoops. I have been paying attention to hoops somewhat, but I have still kept alert to my favorite - the NFL. Well, the Superbowl is this Sunday. In my opinion it will be a good one. I think the Cardinals will provide the Steelers all the can handle. But, back on topic, I am about to be fully engulfed in college hoops fever.
The college game is by far more compelling and entertaining to me than the NBA. I love the passion the kids bring into their teams. They are there to win, and it is evident in the play. I think it is more structured, and yet more unpredictable. Most of these kids have played the game their entire life, and it is what they live for at this moment. Yes, they are getting an education, but in reality it is about that round ball and winning. Every team and every game brings something different. The style, pace, look, feel, attitude, and so on changes with each new game. Even when you are at a poor game (such as the UVA / Florida State game I endured this past Saturday), there is something interesting or compelling in every game.
Tonight I look forward to seeing all the Freshmen superstars LU brings. Obviously, the big press and media has flocked to Seth Curry, and rightly so. He is a phenom and will only get better. He leads the country in Freshman scoring, and is one of the smoothest players I have ever seen. I personally love the style of one Jesse Sanders the point guard. He is gusty, fast, and an all around great player. This team flows through him. Without him (as during the 2OTs in the loss to Radford) this team is not nearly as difficult to defend and much easier to score against. He is clearly also a leader. Brolin Floyd is also a big presence on the floor.
All of these guys are Freshmen, but they are they future of this program. This team will continue to have ups and downs this year, but the future looks bright and hot.
So, tonight, I will sit with my boys and my friend and cheer on the Flames. More importantly, I will take in all the sights, sounds, and fun that make College Basketball the game for me.
That's what's rolling around in the DOME today!
This is the time of the year when my attention fully shifts from the NFL over to College hoops. I have been paying attention to hoops somewhat, but I have still kept alert to my favorite - the NFL. Well, the Superbowl is this Sunday. In my opinion it will be a good one. I think the Cardinals will provide the Steelers all the can handle. But, back on topic, I am about to be fully engulfed in college hoops fever.
The college game is by far more compelling and entertaining to me than the NBA. I love the passion the kids bring into their teams. They are there to win, and it is evident in the play. I think it is more structured, and yet more unpredictable. Most of these kids have played the game their entire life, and it is what they live for at this moment. Yes, they are getting an education, but in reality it is about that round ball and winning. Every team and every game brings something different. The style, pace, look, feel, attitude, and so on changes with each new game. Even when you are at a poor game (such as the UVA / Florida State game I endured this past Saturday), there is something interesting or compelling in every game.
Tonight I look forward to seeing all the Freshmen superstars LU brings. Obviously, the big press and media has flocked to Seth Curry, and rightly so. He is a phenom and will only get better. He leads the country in Freshman scoring, and is one of the smoothest players I have ever seen. I personally love the style of one Jesse Sanders the point guard. He is gusty, fast, and an all around great player. This team flows through him. Without him (as during the 2OTs in the loss to Radford) this team is not nearly as difficult to defend and much easier to score against. He is clearly also a leader. Brolin Floyd is also a big presence on the floor.
All of these guys are Freshmen, but they are they future of this program. This team will continue to have ups and downs this year, but the future looks bright and hot.
So, tonight, I will sit with my boys and my friend and cheer on the Flames. More importantly, I will take in all the sights, sounds, and fun that make College Basketball the game for me.
That's what's rolling around in the DOME today!
Sports from the DOME
So, here it is. My chance to spout about sports, FINALLY. I have written about sports occasionally on my other blog (http://knuckleheadrants.blogspot.com), but this is the chance to write about only sporta all the time.
I am very passionate about sports, and extremely opinionated. So brace yourself for my rantings on the sports world from a variety of angles. My biggest passions are College Basketball, the NFL, and Major League Baseball. However, I will touch every sport or pseudosport at one time or another.
I am very passionate about sports, and extremely opinionated. So brace yourself for my rantings on the sports world from a variety of angles. My biggest passions are College Basketball, the NFL, and Major League Baseball. However, I will touch every sport or pseudosport at one time or another.
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