Reality Check

Ok so not really a reality check, but work is busy for the next couple days so I'm not really able to post. I'll try to get something out tonight.


in the meantime read these cool sites.


Barstool Sports

I'm Bringing Blogging Back

Awful Announcing

Deadspin

The Big Lead

Boston Media Members Hate Bloggers

Attention all who write on the Internet: Dan Shaugnessy hates you. With a passion.

Check out the hatred in this article from the Boston Globe today. To all you non-Boston area readers (3 of you I think) this is what the Boston media does. They take shot after shot at people that they don't like (Schilling being one of them mind you), until that person runs out of town.

Now I'm not the biggest Curt Schilling guy on the planet. Not by a long shot. I think he loves the spotlight as much if not more than winning games. But his whole blog, 38pitches.com, is completely harmless. Of course, not to the pricks that work for the Boston Globe.

Theismann OUT

Joe Theismann is off of Monday Night Football. And an entire nation of Monday Night Football watchers rejoice. I'll be honest though, this is bittersweet for me. I really enjoyed the genuine dislike that Theismann had for Kornheiser and the things he said.

Jaws will be a great addition though.

Maybe Theismann will be the anchor for Arena League coverage.

Gilbert Arenas Is Awesome

Just another reason why Gilbert Arenas is thatguysports favorite athlete right now.

Farewell to the ACC

What a weekend in college hoops. What a day yesterday for games.

Kudos to Georgetown. MAJOR kudos. They beat 8 guys yesterday. Between the 5 they were playing in white and Carolina blue, and the 3 they were playing in black and white stripes.

34 fouls shots to 18. And anybody who watched that game yesterday knew that the physicality of the game was the same for both sides. Just an embarrassing example of officiating.

That said, is Roy Williams able to look himself in the mirror today? I can't figure out if he just thought his team was supremely talented compared to Georgetown, or if he thought that they'd just stop the bleeding themselves, but to the best of my observation yesterday, he just watched the game slip away.


The ACC has to be the biggest disappointment in collegiate athletics this year.

OSU or OCD ?

Check out this article about Thad Matta.

Before every game, he has to have a piece of Juicy Fruit or Orbit — “I don’t
know which one he chews currently,” associate head coach John Groce said —
presented to him by a team manager. Matta has to unwrap it himself, then wad up
the wrapper, then shoot it into the trash can behind the bench.
Every game.
Without fail. Lest the Earth split open and swallow him on the spot.
Or maybe
it’s the tie choice that has kept the Buckeyes rolling. Before each game,
Matta’s daughters, 8-year-old Ali and 6-year-old Emily, have to pick out dad’s
neckwear.
“Sometimes it might not match,” Groce said. “But if it doesn’t,
that’s OK.”
At this point, Matta would wear a maize-and-blue tie if his
daughters selected it. There is no going against the established ritual.
“He
is the most superstitious person I’ve ever met,” said Xavier coach and longtime
friend Sean Miller. “It’s really bizarre.”

I'm reading this to my wife so she doesn't think the fact that I need to check the locks on the door of my house 3 times before I come to bed isn't so weird.

There's more stuff in the article, or just read where I got the story from - Here.

Vick Rejoices

After reading this story I think Michael Vick may be the only person happy about the trade of Matt Schaub to the Houston Texans.

Think about it, Texan fans can't be happy. They just lost more early draft picks and this team still has many holes, most of which lie directly in front of or behind the quarterback.

Falcons fans can't be happy. They still have Vick as their quarterback and are now being told that his backup may be Anthony Wright. All of this after bringing in a QB guru in Petrino to coach. Schaub was penciled in as the starter by week 5.

Schaub can't be too happy. He has to compete for the job with a nearly identical starter, who in reality isn't that bad - when he has an opportunity to actually throw the ball and not run for his life. Now Schaub gets to learn a new offense, one that has a bad running game, and poor pass protection. The Texans have given up 100 sacks in the last 2 years when the defensive team has rushed 4. That's pitiful.

Carr isn't happy. For obvious reasons.


This one blows my mind a little. Take an OL, take a DL, take a corner. Do anything other than trade the pick away for the same player you already have.

Roethilsberger on Roethlisberger: "I'm just extremely overrated."

In an interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Ben Roethlisberger refused to say that injuries were the reason he had such a bad year last year.

"Coach Cowher always came to me and asked me how I felt, and I was always
100 percent honest with him. I was always honest with the doctors. Everybody
knows that Pittsburgh has some of the best doctors in the country -- look at my
face for instance," he told the Post-Gazette, referring to the injuries he
sustained in the motorcycle accident. "We have an unbelievable medical staff.
They cleared me and, if they gave me clearance, we never hushed anything."
"No, I don't think anything was rushed. I think I just didn't play well. I
had a bad year. I'm sure [Whisenhunt] had a bad year once in his career,"
Roethlisberger told the newspaper.
"I think that a lot of times, I got
caught being a little too confident and knowing the offense too well and trying
to force things a little too much," he told the Post-Gazette. "I wouldn't change
a thing. I learned from it, it's a learning experience, and you know what, it's
going to make me better."

I've been saying this since mid-season last year. When a Quarterback is playing behind stud Offensive Lineman and a running game that averages 5 ypc and he has to throw between 15 and 20 times a game anybody can put up good numbers.

Roethlisberger is like a bigger version of Joey Harrington. Only with a less-gay name.

NBDL Future Star, "Big Baby" Davis

Here's something different in professional sports:

An athlete opting to stay in school when his value is at his peak, but opt to go to the NBA the year after a mediocre season for you personally and your team as a whole.

Glen "Big Baby" Davis is declaring for the NBA draft.

I am speechless. I am without speech.

Who is advising him on this? Please please please please PLEASE can a reader of mine get in touch with him somehow and advise him that this isn't a great idea? Please?

The Chicago Bears Fear the Superbowl

That can really be the only explanation I can come up with. They let Ron Rivera go, a guy who many felt was next in line for a great head coaching job. They trade Thomas Jones so they could go with more of a 1 running back system when everybody else is going towards a dual running back system (and winning with it).

They piss off Lance Briggs to the point that it wouldn't surprise anybody if he really didn't play next season.

And now they trade for Adam Archuleta. The same Archuleta who found himself on the bench after signing a lucrative free agent contract.

I know that they didn't trade much for him, but is he even any good anymore? I feel like Archuleta peaked in his 2nd year.

They say they want Archuleta to play closer to the ball, but doesn't Mike Brown do that for the Bears? Archuleta failed alongside another solid Safety in Sean Taylor this year, why would he do any better next year?

Thank God I'm not a Bears fan.

CBS is Idiotic

I first heard about this on barstoolsports and I had to see for myself. There's no way that it was true, and there's no way that CBS consciously decided to do this. But in reality, there is and they did.

Gus Johnson isn't announcing any basketball games this weekend.

Here's who is.

What's the over-under on how many times Jay Bilas has to correct a drooling Dick Enberg on a player's name? I have 7 in the early game and 17 in the night-cap. Enberg has to be a 5 pm dinner, 7:30 pm sleep guy.

I have him calling Southern Illinois "the Illini" by the 2nd TV timeout. I have him calling Brandon Rush Brendan Roy by the 2nd half, and there's a good chance Jay Bilas kills himself in between games.

Its amazing to me how stupid television networks are.


I realize there's no way to rid ourselves of Billy Packer the miserable grandparent, but I was really hoping the senile one (Enberg) would be put to pasture.

Wow.

Steroids in the WWE?

No way! (No kidding).

According to this AP report on ESPN.com, there are several WWE wrestlers who are implicated in the Mobile, Alabama pharmacy steroid scandal. Apparently Edge, Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio, Eddie Guerrero (shocking), and The Hurricane were on the list.

The first 4 I understand, but The Hurricane? This seems more improbable than MannyAlexander using steroids while on the Red Sox.

NIT Hoops, its FANNNNNNNtastic!

Found this over at Awful Announcing.


Billy Walker, star of Kansas State hoops who tore his ACL is clearly into the NIT. Admittedly, the kid is hurt, but come on. Eating on the bench?

This brings me back to my days of riding the pine on a D3 football team. By mid-3rd quarter me and Z-balls would be discussing where to go to eat after the game.

Can't Get Enough of This

The "Great Greg Paulus Flop."

Worst Sport Ever?

Open water swimming. Easily.

Read this.

I'm a big ocean guy. Really, I am. Fishing is fun, cruising around is fun, even the beach can be a little fun, but swimming through schools of stinging jelly-fish = not a good time.

Some chick lost her goggles and hand to cling on to a buoy in order for a person on a jet-ski to bring her another pair. That sounds like a sick time.

Best Story of the Year

You can have your Superbowls, you can have your March Madness and any other story you want.

I'll take this one. I love Vegas stories. But I love Joey Porter in Las Vegas stories even more.

This is like back in high school when you got into it with your Thanksgiving Day rivals. I wonder of Porter talked trash to Levi Jones about Carson Palmer's knee. Or did Levi Jones talk trash about last year's Steelers team being the worst Superbowl champion of all time.

Either way, I love the fact that these two duked it out at a casino in Vegas.


Thank GOD the Patriots didn't wind up with Porter. Its impossible to root for this guy. Oh and the fact that its another incident for a Bengal player - its reached the point that you can't make this sort of thing up.

Peter King, Again

Man I feel like I repeat the same blog entry every week.

Some gems from his MMQB today.

e. What language is it that Bill Raftery speaks, actually?

Hey Peter. If you want to make fun of an announcer your best bet is to NOT make fun of THE best in the business. Let me guess, you'd rather listen to Billy Packer and his incessant rambling and complaining? Or perhaps some of the no-name color commentators that CBS throws at us in the 1st and 2nd round.

I can't wait for the day Gust Johnson, Raftery, and Jay Bilas announce a game together. That's my dream team.

g. I missed it. When did Kentucky stop being Kentucky?

Thanks for keeping up with college basketball this year Peter. They haven't been good all year long. Please tell me he thought Kentucky would beat Kansas. That would be awesome.

k. Just discovering the iPod, one of the great inventions of all time, and my
one recent find was Norah Jones. What an incredible voice. Shows what a music
dolt I am that I barely knew her.

Yeah Norah Jones resonates well with fans of the NFL.


Can't Peter King just stick to the NFL??

Non-Madness Sports News

I think I know what being post-partum is like now. I'm suffering from Post-march madness depression. We'll never have 4 games playing at the same time for a long time. Regardless, here's some non-madness notes.

- This week seemed to be a turning point in the world of the NFL Draft. With more and more free agent signings, teams needs are starting to change. Check out NFLDraftcountdown for their latest Mock. Their links page is another great way to find solid draft coverage. I love the fact that the Raiders have the #1 pick in a draft where the top QB is no lock and the best player is a WR that if they draft him, they'll have no way to get him the ball.

- Roger Clemens still loves the limelight and just can't seem to stay out of the headlines. For the fifth time since pitchers and catchers reported, he is announcing that he has nothing to say. Until May. No kidding you fat toad.

- I'll consider my fantasy draft a success this weekend if I don't get sucked into Eric Bedard like half of humanity did last year. Even if he is starting the Oriole's opener.

- Don't wind up sitting next to a freshman in college's family if you want to avoid a $30k fine.

- Pretty interesting article from the Boston Globe's football notes yesterday.

Pardon me if I don't bleed for the NFL players who retire and don't get their tuition reimbursed under the current program. Here's an idea: Put 50 grand away out of the $10 million signing bonus that you just got to pay for your tuition.

Professional athletes are unbelievable to me.

Here's a novel idea for the NFL: Take the money that you pay for tuition reimbursement and invest the hell out of it. Then use it to fund pensions for pre-AFL/NFL merger players. You know, the guys in the Hall of Fame that get 800 bucks a month from the league?

I think Michael Vick can do without his Va Tech education. I had a buddy who knocked up his girlfriend the summer after his Junior year and had to drop out of school...who's reimbursing his tuition for him to go back to school.

- The iditarod is idiotic.

- Check out ESPN.com's San Diego Chargers draft preview article. I love this stuff.

Here's something you should take into account when you're handicapping next season. When a team's Key Addition reads like this:

Key additions
The biggest addition is head coach Norv Turner, who has his third head
coaching job. While he is generally regarded as a solid offensive coordinator,
Turner's teams in Oakland and Washington underachieved with him as head coach.

Then that's a warning sign for the season. "Underachieved" is an understatement.

-*****BREAKING NEWS*******

Roger Clemens still fat, and still un-decided on future plans. Will make announcement in May. Still.

March Madness: Reaction to the First Two Rounds

Some are calling the first weekend of the NCAA tournament boring. Here at thatguysports, we're not quite as outraged. The weekend went a lot like we thought it would.

There seemed to be quite a difference between the top 4-6 seeds in a bracket and the bottom seeds in the bracket. More-so than ever.

No 5/12 upsets. No 14/3 upsets. 2 6/11 upsets (both very "popular" upset picks). Even the 10/7 games went the way of the seeding.

Now the fun starts in my opinion. Look at today's games - many spreads under 5 points. Here is where the cream will rise to the top.


Some knee-jerk reactions to the weekend:

- Tough tournament for the ACC. Many had Georgia Tech as an upset but they didn't last day 1. Maryland doesn't get to the sweet 16 either, and Va Tech takes the pipe as well. What an overrated conference.

- Great tournament for the SEC so far. Vanderbilt with an upset to get into the Sweet 16, beating a very good, "hot" Pac-10 team in Washington State. Tennessee overwhelming Virginia. Florida surviving a scare. 3 teams in the Sweet-16.

- Kudos to Butler who came under fire for not winning their own conference tournament. Clearly their schedule throughout the year and winning the pre-season NIT helped them tremendously en route to their Sweet 16 birth.

- Ohio State should become the independent and Notre Dame should join the Big-10 instead of the Big-East as an "also-ran" with the rest of the losers. Every major sport is Ohio State and everybody else.

- Looks like I was wrong about the Pac-10. 3 teams in the Sweet-16 if the USC score holds up. Solid showing thus-far.

- Does Billy Packer talk to everybody as if he's permanently annoyed, or just during times that he broadcasts games. I feel like he announces as if he's a perpetually annoyed senior citizen. Wait, I think he actually is that. Can't CBS make Raftery their #1 color guy? He just called a horrendous travel call by the officials in the Nevada game with a very dry "Where?"

- How does Gus Johnson not become CBS's #2 play-by-play guy for every sport? Take over for Dick Enberg and his senility in football PLEASE.

- Its nice to watch a series of games on CBS and not hear Randy Cross or any sort of "Cross Talk."

- Right now I'm hanging in there on my bracket pool. Riding Kansas for all I can, Texas A&M and Georgetown are my keys. Florida is almost a lock for everybody - G'Town and KU are fairly split. A&M is a 2nd top choice out of that bracket.

Need Nevada to pull off an upset right now - that would be HUGE.

More to sometime on Monday, but for now this is it.

A Break from the Madness

This is like the calm before the storm for college hoop fans everywhere. Last night, my wife got to control the remote.....because she certainly isn't going to control it from 12:25 tomorrow until Sunday late afternoon.

Wednesday was a great sports day though, I'll tell you that much. Where do we start?

Somebody needs to coach-up Alex Rodriguez. Lets see here....if I'm the highest paid athlete in a certain sport who hasn't won anything in my life, and I'm already not very well liked by most fans, and its getting worse because I said I may opt out of my already insanely high deal in order to leave the biggest sports market in the country, on my list of "what NOT to do," I think should be this.

"It's a do or die situation," he said on WFAN-AM's "Mike and the Mad Dog" show.
"Either New York is going to kick me out of New York this year, say 'I've had
enough of this guy, get him the hell out of here,' and we have an option. Or New
York is going to say, 'Hey, we won a world championship, you had a big year, you
were a part of it and we want you back.'"

Seriously A-Rod? You're "leaving it up to the fans????" New York fans seem like the type who are pretty good at rising to the challenge. So I say: CALL HIS BLUFF....for the headlines alone.

A-Rod saying that is like an old SNL Bad Idea Jeans comercial.

"This is a big bump I have to overcome. I'm going to deal with it like a champ.
I've got to make sure people know I don't hate gay people."
-- Tim Hardaway

Ok Tim.

The Big Lead has their own cultural NCAA tournament. I think a bigger snub than Syracuse this year is the fact that PacMan Jones Making it Rain got snubbed in this one.

Friend of thatguysports, Manzo over at barstoolsports identifies a critical aspect to the NCAA Tournament. Where is Gus Johnson announcing?

Someone wake me up when people no longer care about Pete Rose, or when Pete Rose doesn't have to leak a story to the media or agree to do an interview in order to make himself relevant again. For the record, I always pick my high school team in the Thanksgiving Day Massachusetts High School Football pool that we do every year. I see nothing wrong with that.

I finally read Peter King's Monday Morning Quarterback today. I'll leave you with this:

a. Craig Biggio has some Tom Brady in him. Same kind of superstar -- accessible,
team-first, thoughtful.

Wow...too easy.

Picks Picks Picks!!!

If there's anything we're good at here at thatguysports its the early college postseason. Nobody was better than thatguysports during the pre-real bowl game period, and we're going to do our best to kill it this Thursday.

So here goes, all games for Thursday, broken down and analyzed. And failing that, we'll flip a coin or just bet against the team we hate.

Davidson (13) vs Maryland (4) -7

I can't figure this Maryland team out. They suck at the beginning of the season, get hot near the end and then lose to Miami in the ACC tournament. Davidson, a mid-major obviously trying to make a statement here. I don't think they do.

The pick: Maryland -7

Texas Tech (10) vs. Boston College (7) -3

Gene Wojciechowski wrote a great piece about watching the selection show in Las Vegas after spending the day with them. This is what he repeatedly said about Texas Tech and Boston College:

"I'm shocked they got in," when Texas Tech is named a No. 10 seed. …
"[Boston College] and Texas Tech -- both of those teams are so weak," said Coach
of the first-round matchup.

Ringing endorsement huh? BC at least wasn't a "I'm shocked they got in" scenario.

The pick: BC -3

Stanford (11) vs Louisville (6) -5

I think the Pac-10 is one of the most overrated conferences in the land, and I think the Big East doesn't get enough respect. Go to covers.com trends for this game and you'll see that Stanford sucks as a dog, and Louisville is solid as a favorite. That's good enough for me.

The pick: Louisville -5

Oral Roberts (14) vs. Washington State (3) -6.5

Wazzou isn't really an offensive machine, winning most of their games because of their defense. That to me says that 6.5 is too much to give to a team that beat Kansas outright earlier this season.

The pick: Oral Roberts +6.5 (In reality I just wanted to type "Oral" again)

Butler (5) vs. Old Dominion (12) +1

Arguably the hottest topic in the first round. ODU vs Butler. The public opinion I'm reading is very pro-ODU. At that point, and with that issue, I think I'm leaning the other way.

The pick: Butler -1.

Belmont (15) vs. Georgetown (2) -16.5

Hoya Paranoia is back. Belmont defends the 3 very well but the Hoyas are just physically dominant at almost every position. You don't need to throw up from behind the arc when you have this much of an advantage physically. Look for Belmont to hang for 5 min, but its not going to last.

The pick: Georgetown -16.5

Penn (14) vs Texas A&M (3) -13.5

Its tough picking against what seems to be an always semi-competitive Ivy League, but A&M has the defense to stymie Penn, and the explosiveness in Acie Law to score in bunches.

The pick: A&M -13.5

George Washington (11) vs Vanderbilt (6) -3.5

Vandy beat Florida which is impressive, however less so when you look at the fact that at one point Florida put the season in cruise control and let down their guard for a bit. GW can defend, Vandy is hit or miss offensively.

I say they miss.

GW +3.5 is the pick here.

Duke (6) vs. Virginia Commonwealth (11) +6.5

People think VCU will be overlooked by some in this match up, and its quite possible that they will be nationally. But as much as it kills me to say, Duke typically doesn't overlook teams. I think Duke wins this one easily. Lay the number.

The pick: Duke -6.5

Central Conn. St vs. Ohio State -21.5

Ohio State can blow you out, and Central Connecticut State is ripe to get blown out.
This one hits 30.

The pick: OSU -21.5

Michigan State (9) vs. Marquette (8) +1.5

The Big 10 is overrated and Marquette is a phenomenally coached team that still played well without arguably their best player.

Marquette +1.5

Weber State (15) vs. UCLA (2) -19

Weber State was actually a good team against the spread this year (17-7). That says something this time of year. I think UCLA is playing with a chip on their shoulder after a disappointing end to their season. Unfortunately for them, I think UCLA is looking ahead to the 2nd round, if not the sweet 16 already.

Weber State keeps it close in the first half, and loses by 16.

The pick: Weber State +19

BYU (8) vs. Xavier (9) -1.5

Xavier seems to always win their first round game. I don't see them winning by 1.

The pick: Xavier -1.5

Wright State (14) vs. Pitt (3) -10

I don't have a ton of analysis for this one. Call it a hunch. Dashaun Wood does enough to keep Wright State closer than the number.

The pick: Wright State -10

Eastern Kentucky (16) vs. UNC (1) -26

I actually think its going to be difficult for the Tar Heels to keep it close even with emptying the bench. UNC covers this one.

The pick: UNC -26


Gonzaga (10) vs. Indiana (7) -1.5

IU has enough to cover the number against a Gonzaga team that is still being viewed as if they're anything close to the solid team they were in the past. That's not the case though.

IU -1.5



Good luck to all.

The Real Bracketology: How to Run a Successful March Madness Pool

Trust me when I tell you this....Running your March Madness pool can be one of the classic examples of "No good deed goes unpunished." That is, if you don't run it correctly. Follow my rules and guidance, and you'll be in the clear.

Lesson 1: Know your Audience

You want to re-create slamming your head against a brick wall? Try to explain to a 50-60 year old how to create a Yahoo or CBS Sportsline ID, find a private password protected league, and join it. Then make it worse by trying to teach him how to pick his teams, and make damn sure he doesn't forget to hit "Submit" (Multiple the frustration by 100 if you're talking about a FEMALE in this situation).

The moral of the story, know you audience and make it easier for the toughest entrants to deal with. Let the young population bitch rather than alienate the older generation. Participation is key for these, and you don't want to drive people away.

Young population? CBS/Yahoo/other Internet pool is a-ok.


Lesson 2: Don't require a PhD to determine points

a.k.a. KEEP IT SIMPLE. Escalate points by round (I feel as though they have to be doubled, but that's just me) but 1 point per right answer regardless of round is not the way to go.

Other possibilities:
"Upset pool:" 1 point per correct answer, bonus points for the difference between the seeds for an upset. 12 seed beats the 5 seed, 7 bonus points.

"Takeover pool:" 16 or 32 entrants, 2 or 4 teams, if the losing team covers the spread, the loser takes over the winning team. Winning team wins and covers, that player moves on. Its enjoyable to make fun of the person who has the 1 seed when the 1 seed beats the 16 seed by 30, but the spread was 30.5.

"Auction:" This is a wonderful pool for a bar. Promote the shit out of it, get people to show up, and auction off teams. You'll see some #1 seeds go for upwards of $500. Pay off something for each win to give a 10 seed some value, and have at it. Great way to watch the tournament.

"Fantasy Basketball:" Draft a team, 5 players, 10 players, whatever you want. Standard scoring system, and there you go.

Lesson 3: No such thing as too much information

Communicate, communicate, communicate. Give standings as often as possible, and invest a little time in telling people who has what team from the Sweet 16 on. Trust me, you'll do the work eventually, so why not do it when you're sitting down watching games a few beers deep.

Make sure to tell the pool what your picks are ahead of time. If/when you win, it'll be less questionable.

Lesson 4: Be a prick collecting money

Because if you don't, you'll be paying the winner out of your own pocket.


And there you have it. Do it well, and you'll be the hit of your office. Screw it up, and you're all done.

March Madness: How to Fix the System

One of my 10 (up from the prior # of 9) readers brought up the idea of this ridiculous "play-in game," and why are legitimate tournament qualifiers playing against each other rather than at-large bids. It got me thinking.

Here's how you fix the idea of teams getting "snubbed" year in and year out.

For the most part, you're talking about 4-5 teams that have legitimate gripes. This year, I'll give you Florida State, Syracuse, West Virginia, K-State, and Drexel. Last year you had Maryland, Notre Dame, Indiana, and Miami of Ohio. Don't give me the crap that Appalachian State got hosed this year. That's crap.

Anyway, why only have one play-in game? And why have it be the winner gets a 16 seed and becomes fodder for the #1 team?


Who would be opposed to this:

Florida State vs. Texas Tech - winner is the 10 seed to play Boston College

Syracuse vs. Old Dominion - winner is the 12 seed to play Butler.

West Virginia vs. Arkansas - winner is the 12 to play USC.

You get my point.

Why not take the bottom 8 teams, and have 4 play-in games. Or the bottom 7 and have 3 play-in games.

Go to Dayton on Tuesday, and make them worth something. 4 games on the first Tuesday just like normal NCAA sites on Thursday and Friday.

Obviously its not going to happen - its just makes too much friggin sense.

March Madness: Keys to the 2007 Men's NCAA Tournament

Thatguysports had a fairly decent NCAA Bowl Season if you ignore the mid point of the season (which I obviously am) so stick with me and I'll teach you how to win your NCAA March Madness pool.

I'll try to channel horrendous color commentator Randy Cross for a little thatguysportsblog version of Cross-Talk.

1. Avoid the ACC.

I know some of my 7 readers truly think the ACC walks on water, but I'm here to tell you that you should view the ACC this tournament season as the Big-10 during football. Over rated. Avoid them and you'll be in much better shape in this year's tournament than those that believe in the blatantly average mid-Atlantics (Maryland, UVA, Va Tech.)

2. Ride the Big-12.

Its entirely possible that 3/8 of the Elite 8 is from the Big-12. Nobody would be surprised if 3/4 of the Final Four is from the Big-12.

3. Forget about George Mason.

I'm here to tell you that there will be no George Mason this year. George Mason can't even be George Mason. No mid-major this year will threaten the Final Four. The parody that the country is seeing is not on the elite level. You hear far more discussion this year about mediocre teams that got left out than seedings for the teams that made it. Because this year there' s a clear-cut iron to the tournament. And the parody that you see, is at the "also-ran" level.

4. Get lucky.

If my calculations are correct, you're going to win your tournament pool this year by "guessing right" when it comes down to the Elite 8. I think there will be a lot of similar brackets from the 3rd round and on.

5. Remember that the Big-10 is extremely overrated.

In everything that it does.

6. The Big-East can't score.

Almost every team in the Big East would fall under the category of "can struggle scoring" at times. That is KILLER for the NCAA tournament. Granted the 6 fouls vs 5 fouls issue is long gone, but the style of play is the same. Oh and for along the same lines, please see: Ten, The Big.

So there you have it. 6 keys to your tournament.

You can thank me later.

Look for my complete brackets on Thursday.

What are the Buffalo Bills Doing?

Can somebody do a coherence test on Marv Levy? Trading Willis McGahee to the Baltimore Ravens for 2 3rd round picks and a 7th is absolutely idiotic.

Hey Marv, why don't you find a QB and an Offensive Line to help out your offense rather than trading a guy who with those two things will put up absolutely HUGE numbers this year.

Does Marv Levy realize that his team legitimately has nothing right now? Get this:

The Bills, whose remaining running backs are Daimon
Shelton and Shaud Williams, are now in the market for multiple backs. They have shown interest in the Colts' Dominic
Rhodes and the Titans' Chris Brown, and both have visited the team. Former Patriots running back Corey Dillon has not visited Orchard Park, but the Bills are said to be interested.

Um...what? Daimon Shelton, Shaud Williams, and 3 guys who can't hold down a starters job full time are the potential answers for Willis McGahee.

Wow.

I'm convinced I could do a better job than Levy. He has to be senile, no?



Lots of positive feedback on the news and notes post from the other day. Good times!




Duke lost last night. It was awesome. Coach K can't lose enough. I wonder if they'll be a 5 seed or lower in the tourney - if they lost in the first round this year that would be sweet. I don't understand how anybody can like that program.


Does UCLA lose its 1 seed after yesterday? I say yes.


Mike Hampton got hurt yesterday. In related news, the sun is rising today, and will set tonight. And its cold in the northeast in winter. Carl Pavano and Mike Hampton should be forced to return money to the Yankees and Braves. These two are prime examples for why baseball and baseball contracts suck.


I can't wait for Pitt to win the Big East tournament, win a #2 seed, then have a ton of people pick them. Only to realize that they can't score.


The LSU Womens Hoop coach resigned because she was outed as having a relationship with a player. I can't comment on this story until I know if the player is hot. That's obviously very important.




I'd imagine this is going to make it difficult to bond with your teammates.

The paper said junior linebacker Clay Matthews created the group, "White
Nation." Teammates David Buehler, Brian Cushing, Dan Deckas and Dallas Sartz
joined the group.

"This group is not for the faint of heart," read the group's
description, according to the paper. "All members are athletes of Caucasion
(sic) descent. DISCLAIMER: In no way are the following memebers (sic) intolerant
of others, we are just doing our duty of protecting the Arian (sic)
brotherhood."

Ummmm yeah. The "Arian brotherhood" isn't intolerant of others.

News and Notes

Some NFL Signings from the last couple days:

Joe Horn to the Falcons. He'll be a great weapon for Matt Schaub next year. Vick doesn't last week 4. They also signed a DB, Lewis Sanders. I've legitimately never heard of him. He played for Houston and didn't even start. Great signing.

Denver signs "Coveted backup quarterback Patrick Ramsey." I'm not joking. That's how ESPN described him. What is coveted about Patrick Ramsey? That he has a pulse? Is Sage Rosenfels also "coveted" if he becomes a free agent tomorrow?

Backup QB's are like NFL Coaches. Why have a retread behind your starter? Just get a young guy who has a good arm and works hard and mold him into what you want him to be. It worked out well for the Patriots with Brady didn't it?

Farewell to Daniel Graham. I hate the Broncos. Now I have to hate Graham. NFL = Not For Long.

Some early winners and losers from CBS Sportsline. They should have the Patriots first.


Here's a roundup of other moves...including one of my all-avoid team, Patrick Kearney.


Random Thoughts

• ESPN's lead article right now is called "Pacmans Choice." I'm going to go out on a limb and say he chooses the "wrong one."

• Can somebody explain to me how the Big-Televen even threatens the Final 4?

• Why guys could never be good house-wives: I was home all afternoon because we had babysitter issues and instead of the many things I was supposed to do today, I realized when I got home that its March 7th and the Big East tournament was on. Tremendous turn of events.

• Isn't it about time Kobe Bryant stopped slapping people? Who does that? He slaps. Jason Kidd didn't even slap when he knocked the $hit out of his wife. Kobe is the A-Rod of the NBA.

• Can somebody tell Sports Illustrated that I don't need them to comment on social issues? I'd prefer reading about sports. I don't need Peter King to talk about movies, and I certainly don't need SI to have an article about the affect on sports that Global Warming has. Oh wow....in 90 years 4 stadiums in California may be swamped. If those stadiums are still being used in 90 years, anybody going to them should kill themselves.

• Obviously the brackets need to be determined, but right now: Kansas, Texas A&M, Florida, and UCLA are my final 4.
  
  

LINKS

Check out The Big Lead's college hoop awards.

New barstoolsports edition came out today. The cover model is just KIND OF hot. No girls like that at Notre Dame, that's for sure.

18 Comments!!

What does it say when the entry about how boring your blog is actually gets way more comments on it than anything you've ever written.

But at least there are 18 comments. That's worth something isn't it?

Anyway, there are actually people reading this blog...that's nuts.

Did I mention that Deadspin linked me last week? That was a huge highlight.

Anyways, I'm playing my own game with these comments - and I want some people to own up to this stuff too. I'm playing "Guess the Comment." That's right....I'm going to guess who said what.

In reality, this is just an excuse for me to start mentioning my buddies nicknames like Simmons does.

Anywho, here goes:

tailgater said...
freed... I think you should copy some interesting blog from another part of the country and pass it off as your own.
10:11 PM

That one was easy. "My buddy Kuppens."

Anonymous said...
when in doubt gratuitous skin photos usually can help. Of course this is a sports blog, so cheerleader shots may help in this down time
11:15 PM

I'm going with one of the barstool posters. My guess: Brian.

Anonymous said...
Raise songs to Bowdoin, praise her fame, And sound abroad her glorious name; To Bowdoin, Bowdoin lift your song, And may the music echo long O'er whispering pines and campus fair With sturdy might filling the air. Bowdoin, from birth, our nurturer and friend To thee we pledge our love again, again.
8:02 AM

This could be bigfin b/c he's a Bowdoin guy but its one of his buddies. T. Ryan?

Anonymous said...
It's March Madness so let's get some college hoops talk going. Cuse is in the house!!
8:04 AM

Kwall. that was easy.

Anonymous said...
A little more caustic opinion about sports personalities and criticism of the ridiculous actions that some of them do!
8:12 AM

Our wonderful on-staff Underwriter. Identity hidden for risk of losing job.

Anonymous said...
Hail, Colby, Hail! Thy people far and near Stand at thy call, our alma mater dear. Thy shaded paths recall our steps to gather at thy shrine. Thy memoried halls reclaim our hearts 'til all our thoughts are thine. Hail, Colby, Hail! Hail, Colby, Hail! To thee we lift our hearts and homage pay! Our Alma Mater, Hail the Blue and Gray!
9:11 AM

This one is tough. I had no idea a Colby guy read this. I'm going with a random reader I don't know (thanks for reading though, seriously...just wait for football season when we all participate in the NESCAC pick pool).

bigfin said...
more skin.
9:28 AM
bigfin said...
For the record, I think your blog is just at boring as when you started it.
9:34 AM

This is bigfin. The nickname has to do with finishing blocks and pancaking people. He got the nickname in High School. He's now 30. I'm not joking.

ZBalls said...
First, do NOT post the Bates fight song no matter how many homos post their own. Make sure to point out to the Colby guy that between 1997 and 2000, Bates only had a winning record against one team and that was Colby.My favorite stuff it the gambling picks. I also enjoy any reaction to good games that you watched. I'm not a big fan of the ripping on writers. There's already enough of that on other websites and sports radio. I'll try to think of more stuff.
9:34 AM

"My buddy z-balls"

Anonymous said...
Bates has the worst athletic program in the nation.
11:12 AM

The Colby reader.

Scott said...
you need to pick a fight with someone semi-important in the blogging industry and then post tirades about him and copy his responses to you and put them on your blog and start a good ol' fashioned fight
1:02 PM

This kid is Scal. Huge degenerate gambler but wins. Has nightmares over what the gov't did to online gambling.

Anonymous said...
You just need to talk about ND football and how how much you love it.
2:47 PM

Some IDIOT ND fan.

Anonymous said...
I am entertained by your wisdom. But pictures of naked ladys would go along way in building up your fan base.
3:43 PM

This is nuts, no idea who this is.

dave k said...
COllege basketball and arena football should last until baseball gets really interesting. The hell with people that say its boring, its your blog. have some fun with it. Besides you have the chance to literally monopolize teh arena football market... Those 9 people will jump to 15 before you know it...
5:58 PM

Thanks for reading dave k. You may have something here.

Anonymous said...
What about some Big 10 banter?
6:11 PM

This dude's from Minnesota I think.

Anonymous said...
colby and bowdoin fight songs are awfully homo-ish, how about ripping on the 'eei hosts who are more interested in talking about their daily lives than actual intellectual sports banter.
6:36 PM

No idea. You can't get sports banter at EEI. Its just a sitcom at this point.

Anonymous said...
the patriots are not winning another one, it's march.
6:36 PM

That one was Bazzer. I'll bet almost anything.

Anonymous said...
You know what's boring...the people who comment on your blog.
7:28 PM

I'd like to say this one is my father but I just don't know.


How'd I do (Please comment).

That Guy Sports is Boring

One of my 9 readers (up from 7 of a month ago) told me today that my blog is boring. I took that to heart. It hurt. Pained me even.

So what can I do to spice things up?

Rip on more national writers?
Make fun of athletes more?
More gambling picks?

I better have 9 comments to this....seriously - what do you all think I should be focusing on in what is easily the worst sports time of year (outside of the Patriots implanting themselves as 4 of the next 6 Super Bowl Champions.

Ron Borges Suspended

The Globe suspended Ron Borges for two months without pay. This is the same suspension Bob Ryan got for talking about smacking Joumana Kidd so this is really a slap on the wrist for Borges.

Proves again that I think this guy has pictures of people over at the Globe.

Slap on the wrist.


Read the article here.

Patriots Acquire Wes Welker

Well at least I'm honest.

I hate this move. According to many reports, one of which from ESPN, the Patriots got Welker and have to give a 7th and 2nd round pick for him.

I can't say I get this one. Granted, he absolutely KILLS the Patriots, but many guys do that you wouldn't expect to. Jerricho Cotchery does too. But I don't think he's worth a 2nd round pick.

Here are some of Welker's numbers:

2005
435 yards on 29 catches in 16 games

2006
687 yards on 67 catches in 16 games

Obviously he's a big kick and punt returner, and the Patriots have been less than explosive on the punt side of things, but Ellis Hobbs is a great kick returner. That's not a need for the Patriots right now.

Matt Light, Eugene Wilson, Deion Branch, all second round picks. I may say the Patriots are at their best when they're working in the second round.

Where does this leave them? The WR position is of no real need at this point. I think that much is clear. I see them trading down in the first round to add a 2nd round pick and to potentially get another pick back from their dealings thus-far.

Regardless, I'm on record as not liking this Welker deal.

Fire Ron Borges

Here I am thinking I'm really ripping on Borges after his article yesterday in the Globe.

Well, here's a lot more on the issue.

Cold Hard Football Facts has this today.

I'm not even going to get into it - read it for yourself. Direct quote from the CHFF story:

On Feb. 25, Mike Sando wrote(14th & 15th paragraphs):
Jackson was leading the NFL in touchdowns last season when a
turf-toe injury forced him to miss the final three games. The injury prevented
Jackson from achieving his third 1,000-yard season in four years and the fourth
overall.

Jackson still led the Seahawks with 63 catches for 956
yards and 10 touchdowns.

On March 4, Ron Borges wrote(2nd paragraph):
Jackson was
leading the NFL in touchdowns last season when a turf-toe injury forced him to
miss the final three games. The injury prevented him from reaching his third
1,000-yard season in four years, but Jackson still led Seattle with 63 catches
for 956 yards and 10 touchdowns.

***

On Feb. 25, Sando wrote(16th & 17th paragraphs):
But
trouble arose in March 2004 when former Seahawks president Bob Whitsitt
allegedly shorted Jackson on a contract offer. Jackson said he signed the deal
anyway at the urging of his father, who has since died. Whitsitt has dismissed
the charge as preposterous, while Ruskell has resisted honoring a promise that a
predecessor denies making.

The dispute has escalated ever since,
with the Seahawks and Jackson’s agents exchanging a series of blunt letters,
sources said.

On March 4, Borges wrote(3rd paragraph):
Trouble arose
with Seahawks management two years ago after former team president Bob Whitsitt
allegedly shorted Jackson on a contract offer. Jackson said he signed the deal
anyway at the urging of his father. Whitsitt has dismissed the charge as
preposterous, while present club president Tim Ruskell has refused to honor a
promise that another person denies making. The dispute has escalated, with the
Seahawks and Jackson's agents exchanging blunt
letters.

***

On Feb. 25, Sando wrote(18th paragraph):
When Ruskell
became Seahawks president in February 2005, one of his first moves was to issue
a letter to players outlining his expectations. He urged full participation in
the team’s offseason program, including minicamps, but Jackson let it be known
he would honor his contract but nothing more. Jackson subsequently skipped the
voluntary portions of minicamps.

On March 4, Borges wrote (4th paragraph):
When Ruskell
became Seahawks president in February 2005, one of his first moves was to issue
a letter to players outlining his expectations. He urged full participation in
the team's offseason program, including minicamps, but Jackson let it be known
he would honor his contract, but nothing more. Jackson subsequently skipped the
voluntary portions of minicamps.

***

]On Feb. 25, Sando wrote (21st & 22nd paragraphs):
The
damage did not show up on initial tests. The team recommended rest. Holmgren
avoided giving a timetable other than to say he thought it would be “shorter
more than longer” after speaking with Jackson. The team ruled out Jackson for
the next game.

Jackson, acting on the advice of Florida-based
agents Mooney and Kendall Almerico, sought a second opinion from Dr. John Uribe,
a prominent Miami orthopedist known for treating pro athletes.

On March 4, Borges wrote (6th paragraph):
The cartilage
damage did not show up on initial tests, and the team recommended rest. The team
ruled out Jackson for the next game. Jackson, acting on the advice of his
agents, sought a second opinion and later underwent surgery to repair the
lateral meniscus in his right knee.

***

On Feb. 25, Sando wrote (24th paragraph):
He (Jackson)
wondered if the team was trying to rush him back.

On March 4, Borges wrote (7th paragraph):
That led Jackson
to wonder whether the Seahawks had rushed him
back.

***

On Feb. 25, Sando wrote (28th & 29th paragraphs):
The
Seahawks had shipped a 2006 third-round pick to Minnesota after signing Vikings
receiver Nate Burleson, a restricted free agent. Ruskell followed that deal by
sending a 2007 first-round choice to New England for Branch shortly after the
2006 opener.

D.J. Hackett flashed starting potential last season,
setting career highs with 45 catches for 610 yards and four touchdowns. The team
is expected to retain Hackett’s rights by making one of the higher qualifying
offers under rules for restricted free agents.

On March 4, Borges wrote (8th paragraph):
By then the
Seahawks had shipped a 2006 third-round pick to Minnesota after signing Nate
Burleson, a restricted free agent, and a 2007 first-round choice to New England
for Deion Branch. When D.J. Hackett also flashed potential, setting career highs
with 45 catches for 610 yards and four touchdowns, it made Jackson expendable.

Ron Borges was bad when he became the comedic sideshow act that he is today.

He got significantly worse when he started blatantly plagiarizing another writer from Tacoma.

Peter King: Again, Please Stop

I hate when writers won't let something go (except for me of course).

Peter King again today:

f. I can hear it now: How can you praise Saving Private Ryan, with as gruesome a
first half-hour as you could ever see in a movie, and rip The Departed for being
too violent? Interesting question. My answer's simple. Ryan is a war movie, and
you know going in that if D-Day is going to be realistically portrayed there's
going to be some killing. But it was not gratuitous violence, which I felt
riddled The Departed.

ITS A MOVIE ABOUT ORGANIZED CRIME!!!!!!!!!!!! Last time I checked, organized crime was brutal.


Peter stick to football. I urge you.

Oh and my readers should go see Zodiac. Great movie.

This is the Real Duke Blue Devils

Its just as simple as that. That basketball program is the biggest bunch of pussies on the planet, and Coach K is one of the biggest closet scumbags around.

I'm just mad that Dickie V wasn't able to do the game yesterday so I could hear what excuses he could make for Coach K's boy Gerald Henderson taking out Tyler Hansbrough in the late moments of yesterday's Duke vs UNC contest.

Listen to some of the shit coming out of Coach K's mouth:

"We'll take all responsibility, but if there's any way Gerald Henderson did
that intentionally, that's crazy," Krzyzewski said. "That's not the way he plays
and not the way we play. ... I feel badly for Tyler and what happened, but there
was no intent."

"The game was over before that," he said. "I mean the outcome of the game,
let's put it that way. That's unfortunate, too, that those people were in the
game in that play. Maybe this wouldn't have happened."

Thank god for Pat Forde who points out that Coach K called a timeout down 13 with under a minute left. Clearly he didn't think it was THAT over now did he?

This just sums up my thoughts on Duke Basketball for my whole life. They care so much about their image - that they're a bunch of clean cut golden boys. My contention this entire time is that there isn't a single clean program in division 1 male sports...the dumb ones get caught, and the smart ones don't. Coach K has been a smart one. Nothing more, nothing less.

I love this quote from Forde:

(There was only so much falling upon the sword Coach K could tolerate, right
there in the Dean Dome after getting his head handed to him. Taking the high
road is always easier when you're beating Carolina on a regular basis, which
Duke isn't doing anymore.)

Great point. At least the real Duke is coming out this year.

Ron Borges is a Hypocrite (Again)

For those readers who are not familiar with the Boston Globe writer Ron Borges, he has a personal vendetta and dislike for all things New England Patriots. The reason's why aren't completely clear, but it has to do with Bill Belichick's dealings with Borges personally, with close friend of Ron Borges' Drew Bledsoe, and just a general dislike between the two.

Borges consistently rips on Belichick, enjoys when the Patriots fail to win a Super Bowl, and many think he gets legitimately angry when something that Belichick and the Patriots do something that works out well.

You may remember during the week leading up to the AFC title game that Borges wrote one thing in the Boston newspaper and another on MSNBC.com. Well, here's round 2 of the Borges hypocrisy game.


From today's Boston Globe:

Long before the free agency period began, strong side linebacker Adalius Thomas
was designated the year's premier catch by many pundits and personnel men.
Perhaps he will prove to be just that, but if history is any predictor, he
should be approached with caution.

Oh those national pundits! Always quick to point to the hot free agent or available player that will be sure to disappoint.

Wait, isn't Ron Borges himself one of those said national pundits? I mean, he does write for MSNBC. Didn't he write this article? And I quote:

There will also be good value available this year, even at what will be the top
of the pay scale. Which players seem most likely to deliver value for their
services? Barring injury, here's one list of likely candidates.
Best
values1. Adalius Thomas, LB: He wants a $18 million signing bonus and will
probably get it, likely from the 49ers. Wherever he goes, the 270-pound Thomas
appears headed toward making an impact.

Apparently until the New England Patriots make that move. Then its a bad one.



At least Borges is consistent. At what point does he become nothing more than a sports writing side-show....a good comedic shtick every now and then?


Read some more anti-Borges chatter on Boston Sports Media Watch.

Adalius Thomas to Patriots?

Adam Schefter was on the Dennis and Callahan morning show this morning in Boston and he mentioned that the Patriots have the inside track to sign Adalius Thomas, and the signing could come in the next 48 hours.

While I love this move for obvious reasons, I can't help but mention that the Patriots really need the help at Inside LB not so much on the outside.

I hope this doesn't cement Mike Vrabel playing inside.

NFL ree Agent All Baggage Team

With Free Agency upon us in the NFL tonight at midnight, taking a look at the top Unrestricted Free Agents is imperative. Why not talk about the guys who you wouldn't want within 100 yards of your team's locker room.

I give you this years UFA "All Baggage" team.

RB Jamal Lewis

Does it get any more baggage filled than clearly and unquestionably losing your manhood in jail? No offense to any former felons who read this blog. But what more can you do than go to the clink, clearly lose whatever edge you had to begin with, and come out 1/2 the man you were. Obviously I can't blame him for it - most men I would imagine come out of jail a lot different than before they went in. But I don't want to hand them the ball 25 times a game either.

DE Dewayne White

I know nothing about him - other than the fact that he had 14 sacks over the last 3 seasons. I don't think thats even good. Why does a team want a guy who's clearly a jag (just another guy)>

RB Ahman Green

See Jamal Lewis, subtract jail, add fragile.

DT Robaire Smith

ESPN describes him as "his performance seems to have hit a plateau the last few seasons." a.k.a. "he is what he is" - Bill Parcells.

WR Donte Stallworth

Sorry, but the reality is that this guy's only really played well when he's had a contract dangling in front of him. I'm not buying into it. He was still a punk in New Orleans.




until the Patriots sign him. Then I'm a believer.

DE Patrick Kearney

If "screaming while on the field" was a statistic, this guy would be in the hall of fame. Even when he played opposite John Abraham for like the 3 games Abraham was healthy for this year (again), he didn't do squat.

He is scary as hell.....of course most guys who are CLEARLY on steroids are.

LB Joey Porter

Sign him and you'll surely get production. You'll get a leader too. You'll get a guy who will give you everything and leave it all on the field.

And you'll also get at least 4 "locker room material" quotes for your opposition, and there's a pretty good chance he gets suspended for at least a game.

CB Fred Smoot

Minnesota Vikings "Love Boat" anyone?


LB Steve Foley

He got shot by a cop after a high speed car chase. I think that's pretty self-explanatory.

WR Joe Horn

If it weren't for Hurricane Katrina, people would still treat Joe Horn as if he was Terrell Owens for the cellphone celebration. But now people think he's a good guy because he got paid to play for the Saints.

I see through it.

Last but certainly not least:

#11. Drewwwwwwww Bledsoe.

Look I am a Bledsoe guy. I really am. But the reality is that some team will bring him in either as a starter for a rookie to be behind, or as a 1A guy to compete for the position, and here's what will happen. He'll have a great training camp. A great pre-season. You'll start him. He'll possibly have a good week 1. Then he'll turn into Drew Bledsoe.

And you'll lose a ton of games.

He's one of the nicest players in the entire league. Of that there is no doubt. But he's not a starter in the NFL anymore.