Welcome to the machine...
It's the eve of an unexpected GB Super Bowl appearance & I'm here to offer my pseudo-analyst, wanna-be-journalistic opinion for tomorrow. So sit back & come on in, the water's fine.
I've kept some distance from the hoopla this week to keep my mind pure in the hopes that I can process my thoughts, regardless of what my heart feels. I have 5 distinct points to make before my prediction, so here goes:
1. Kurt Warner did the dirty work. What I mean is, once AZ spread the Steeler's out in their SB, the rock started flying. Why I think this plays into GB's hands is Warner liked to hold the ball (probably an after-effect from his STL days). Rodger's can get the ball out extremely quickly to a multitude of receivers.
2. PIT D vs. GB D: Tough call. I actually give the PIT LB's the edge here, by a considerable margin. Polomalu & Woodson cancel each other out, making the GB tandem of Williams & Shields superior to PIT. Who gets the big TO, the big stop, the momentum swinger? There's the rub.
3. Mendenhall vs. Starks: Obviously, the untrained observer says Mendenhall, because the Pack has no running game. Pshaw, I say. The Pack is more balanced than given credit for, sticking with the run, regardless of success, yet having some. Still, I give PIT the edge here, but only because of the next point...
4. PIT will need to run more, because this isn't 2009 anymore & I'm just not sold on the "escapability" of Big Ben. GB will get to him & get him hard. And I think it will happen early, setting the tone for this...
5. I predict that Aaron Rodgers will turn in a top 5 SB performance, just a couple rungs down from Joe Montana's 4 TD & Steve Young's 6 TD games. This young man is on the precipice of greatness that I simply cannot fathom. Final line: 28/39 - 3 passing TD - 46 yds rushing - 1 rushing TD... all the way to the MVP.
Like I said, I've been tempering my enthusiasm to think this through and on the eve of SBXLV, it's clear to me (unless it's just gas) that the silver phallic trophy will be coming back to WI. Aaron will do for Donald Driver what Brett Favre did for Reggie White.
Final score: GB-38 PIT-30
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Championship Eve
So here we are, same position as '07, yet somehow this feels different.
'07 was the last year of Favre, '10 is Rodger's chance to shine. So here is my take for 2pm CST 1/23/11:
1. Poor field or not, GB's 5 wideouts will certainly find open space against CHI's secondary.
2. While the field may slow both D's down, GB's schemes will get to Cutler more than CHI's 4-man will to Rodgers.
3. If GB stops Forte early, the game is over.
4. Who makes the first mistake? This may well determine the victor.
5. Aaron Rodgers is simply playing a different game than anyone else right now.
So there you have it. Sure, I could be wrong (just don't tell my wife), but I try to watch football with the same level head I watch baseball & I don't see any way the Packers are not moving on to SBXLV (or whatever the Romans say it is).
Anyhoo, GO PACK GO!
'07 was the last year of Favre, '10 is Rodger's chance to shine. So here is my take for 2pm CST 1/23/11:
1. Poor field or not, GB's 5 wideouts will certainly find open space against CHI's secondary.
2. While the field may slow both D's down, GB's schemes will get to Cutler more than CHI's 4-man will to Rodgers.
3. If GB stops Forte early, the game is over.
4. Who makes the first mistake? This may well determine the victor.
5. Aaron Rodgers is simply playing a different game than anyone else right now.
So there you have it. Sure, I could be wrong (just don't tell my wife), but I try to watch football with the same level head I watch baseball & I don't see any way the Packers are not moving on to SBXLV (or whatever the Romans say it is).
Anyhoo, GO PACK GO!
Friday, January 7, 2011
Thursday, December 30, 2010
It's OK, Aaron
Well, I guess if you have to sit at home after a Pro Bowl snub, this is better than a swift kick in the groin with a steel-toed boot.
Enjoy.
Enjoy.
MLBTR Top 15 of 2010
The Crew's acquisition of the Zack Attack comes in #3.
As a man who watches Packer football partly because the Brewers don't play in December, I'm trying to temper my enthusiasm toward the starting rotation... but, damn, if this Kool-Aid doesn't taste exquisite.
As a man who watches Packer football partly because the Brewers don't play in December, I'm trying to temper my enthusiasm toward the starting rotation... but, damn, if this Kool-Aid doesn't taste exquisite.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Thoughts on the Crew
So I've lived with the trade that, had Greinke gone to NY, would've shook baseball. As such, I'll be happy having 3 Opening Day starters in the rotation & still being a slight underdog.
Anyway, here's my thoughts in no particular order:
1. Trades of prospects, for obvious reasons, cannot be rated immediately. Case in point, the CC trade is still in the Crew's favor as LaPorta & Brantley have made minimal impacts on the Indians. In the Greinke case, the Brewers received the best player, hands down. Former Cy Young, 27 years old, 2 more years under contract. Best player.
2. Prospects are just that, prospects. Do they all have room to become above-average? Definitely. Would they help push the Crew to the 85-90 win range? Probably not.
3. Which brings us to this: What was Milwaukee's biggest weakness in '09-'10? Starting pitching. Consider that nuisance addressed.
4. I think this gives the Brewers 3 years to restock the system. Health-given, they should challenge in the Central the next two years, then a one year grace period.
5. If you consider LuCroy, the top 6 batters in the 4th ranked NL offense remained untouched.
All in all, my excitement level for Brewer baseball was ratched up from it's usual frenetic level. I say sit back & enjoy the ride
Anyway, here's my thoughts in no particular order:
1. Trades of prospects, for obvious reasons, cannot be rated immediately. Case in point, the CC trade is still in the Crew's favor as LaPorta & Brantley have made minimal impacts on the Indians. In the Greinke case, the Brewers received the best player, hands down. Former Cy Young, 27 years old, 2 more years under contract. Best player.
2. Prospects are just that, prospects. Do they all have room to become above-average? Definitely. Would they help push the Crew to the 85-90 win range? Probably not.
3. Which brings us to this: What was Milwaukee's biggest weakness in '09-'10? Starting pitching. Consider that nuisance addressed.
4. I think this gives the Brewers 3 years to restock the system. Health-given, they should challenge in the Central the next two years, then a one year grace period.
5. If you consider LuCroy, the top 6 batters in the 4th ranked NL offense remained untouched.
All in all, my excitement level for Brewer baseball was ratched up from it's usual frenetic level. I say sit back & enjoy the ride
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Brewers Weigh 2011 Against Future
MIL gets Greinke, ESPN begrudgingly admits there is a team in WI.
I linked to the originator of the flurry of activity last night, Bernie's Crew's Jim Breen. Congrats, Jim on the scoop. It would do well that the powers realize that bloggers have merit.
So the rotation in '11 looks like this: Greinke, Gallardo, Marcum, Wolf, Narveson. The offense stays essentially in tact from 1-6. I really don't have much to add that hasn't been said in the blogoshpere: Doug mortgaged the future for a last run with Fielder, possibly Weeks. Being Christmas it's only right to remember you must give to receive.
Let's remember, Escobar, for all the highlight plays, regressed throughout the year offensively. Cain tailed off when teams realized he's closer to a pull hitter than a spray hitter. And don't forget, Cain may have endeared himself running into walls, but Gomez is the better defender. Odorizzi is a solid young pitcher, but one that was only in A ball last year: again, give to receive.
Greinke has been one of the top 5 SP's in baseball the last 3 years, and he's only 27. As is the case with Marcum, AL pitchers coming to the NL usually see greater success than vice versa, since they get that DH out of the lineup.
All in all, the Crew needed pitching, they went out & got it. Is it February yet?
I linked to the originator of the flurry of activity last night, Bernie's Crew's Jim Breen. Congrats, Jim on the scoop. It would do well that the powers realize that bloggers have merit.
So the rotation in '11 looks like this: Greinke, Gallardo, Marcum, Wolf, Narveson. The offense stays essentially in tact from 1-6. I really don't have much to add that hasn't been said in the blogoshpere: Doug mortgaged the future for a last run with Fielder, possibly Weeks. Being Christmas it's only right to remember you must give to receive.
Let's remember, Escobar, for all the highlight plays, regressed throughout the year offensively. Cain tailed off when teams realized he's closer to a pull hitter than a spray hitter. And don't forget, Cain may have endeared himself running into walls, but Gomez is the better defender. Odorizzi is a solid young pitcher, but one that was only in A ball last year: again, give to receive.
Greinke has been one of the top 5 SP's in baseball the last 3 years, and he's only 27. As is the case with Marcum, AL pitchers coming to the NL usually see greater success than vice versa, since they get that DH out of the lineup.
All in all, the Crew needed pitching, they went out & got it. Is it February yet?
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Lawrie to TOR, welcome to Brew Town, Shaun Marcum
The Crew addressed some pitching needs with the acquisition of Shaun Marcum.
One hates to lose a young bat like Lawrie's, but Marcum has posted a career sub-4 ERA. He did have TJ surgery in '09, but came back last year to pitch just under 200 innings. I suppose, you gotta give to receive.
I would assume he slots in ahead of Wolf & behind Yo. Solid start to the Winter Meetings for Doug.
One hates to lose a young bat like Lawrie's, but Marcum has posted a career sub-4 ERA. He did have TJ surgery in '09, but came back last year to pitch just under 200 innings. I suppose, you gotta give to receive.
I would assume he slots in ahead of Wolf & behind Yo. Solid start to the Winter Meetings for Doug.
A. Gonzalez to BOS Off
The BoSox were unable to come to a contract agreement with Adrian Gonzalez, effectively voiding the trade from SD.
Looking at the agreed upon return, Brewer fans should realize that a boon-type package will not be the return for Prince. Additionally, any team trading for the big man will probably want a contract extension in place before pulling the trigger, much like the BOS/SD case above.
It's becoming more clear (to me, at least) that the potential return of 2 high draft picks in '12 will be the return on Fielder, as I don't see many teams dealing away picks. The philosophy of most teams has changed to young players=cheap salaries.
UPDATE: Never mind...
Looking at the agreed upon return, Brewer fans should realize that a boon-type package will not be the return for Prince. Additionally, any team trading for the big man will probably want a contract extension in place before pulling the trigger, much like the BOS/SD case above.
It's becoming more clear (to me, at least) that the potential return of 2 high draft picks in '12 will be the return on Fielder, as I don't see many teams dealing away picks. The philosophy of most teams has changed to young players=cheap salaries.
UPDATE: Never mind...
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Berkman to Cards
The former Houston Astro will be placed in left field with Matt Holliday being moved to right field.
The 34-year-old last played in the outfield in 2007 when he turned in a putrid -48.4 UZR/150, with most of his work coming in rightfield.
Let the comedy of errors begin...
The 34-year-old last played in the outfield in 2007 when he turned in a putrid -48.4 UZR/150, with most of his work coming in rightfield.
Let the comedy of errors begin...
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
So I'm done at General Labels, which was very informative. I have many things to evaluate & reevaluate upon return tomorrow. I'll need to write up my report later... need some El Paso cuisine.
On a side note, the bigger the plane, the better the ride. I'm actually lookin forward to tomorrow's flights. I will say coming in to ELP at night was pretty spectacular, especially with Juarez out the other side of the plane.
Well, later all.
On a side note, the bigger the plane, the better the ride. I'm actually lookin forward to tomorrow's flights. I will say coming in to ELP at night was pretty spectacular, especially with Juarez out the other side of the plane.
Well, later all.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
All packed for the work trip to El Paso, TX tomorrow. Two window seats on the way out there (that should help my fear of heights). I need to watch some quality issues and check some technical things with our material at General Labels.
First time on a plane... should be interesting. I hope I do everything right through security. Staying at the Doubletree, near UTEP.
I'm hoping that if I do a good enough job, I can get more opportunities to visit customers.
Watch for updates if you're interested. Otherwise, I'm just writing to myself and that's just sad.
First time on a plane... should be interesting. I hope I do everything right through security. Staying at the Doubletree, near UTEP.
I'm hoping that if I do a good enough job, I can get more opportunities to visit customers.
Watch for updates if you're interested. Otherwise, I'm just writing to myself and that's just sad.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
The Crew announced they will name a new manager early next week.
My guess is it will be this guy, the favorite so far during this offseason of speculation.
My guess is it will be this guy, the favorite so far during this offseason of speculation.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
SF draws first blood in the battle of the aces.
Their supposed Achilles heel was whether they could score enough to back up their rotation. So far, so good.
TEX hangs some more runs on Yankee pitching, this time not giving away the game late.
I'm slowly warming to an unlikely SF/TEX World Series. If nothing else, it's some new blood.
Their supposed Achilles heel was whether they could score enough to back up their rotation. So far, so good.
TEX hangs some more runs on Yankee pitching, this time not giving away the game late.
I'm slowly warming to an unlikely SF/TEX World Series. If nothing else, it's some new blood.
Last word on Rodger's hit
Interesting analysis by Seifert on the 4-letter.
I'm not so ignorant that losing your best defensive player & being without a running back that could eat clock doesn't play into last week's Packer loss, but when Brady gets a roughing call when someone brushes his leg and Manning has an Enterprise-worthy shield around him, young QB's are often left without this protection.
Sunday's non-call wasn't nearly as bad as Berry leaving his feet & lowering his head last year in the playoffs, but if they're going to call catches in the end zone by the letter of the law, this needs to be consistent also.
I'm not so ignorant that losing your best defensive player & being without a running back that could eat clock doesn't play into last week's Packer loss, but when Brady gets a roughing call when someone brushes his leg and Manning has an Enterprise-worthy shield around him, young QB's are often left without this protection.
Sunday's non-call wasn't nearly as bad as Berry leaving his feet & lowering his head last year in the playoffs, but if they're going to call catches in the end zone by the letter of the law, this needs to be consistent also.
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