Just off the top of my admittedly feeble head (I'm too lazy to officially look it all up), I can think of many NFL quarterbacks that have already gone down to injury this year.
Carson Palmer of the Arizona Cardinals.
Derek Carr of the Oakland (soon to be Las Vegas) Raiders.
Aaron Rodgers of the Packers.
Andrew Luck in Indy.
Ryan Tannehill of the Dolphins.
Teddy Bridgewater is still rehabbing in Minnesota, and Sam Bradford, an injury always waiting to happen, is dinged up again.
Now Deshaun Watson, fresh off a collegiate national championship, has bit the dust in Houston.
There's probably a few more, but who's counting?
At any rate, that's a bunch of replacements that have had to be thrown into the fire.
Yet still Colin Kaepernick has not been offered a job.
Yes, I get it. Once upon a time he was quite the QB for the San Fran 49ers. Then the knee/protest thing happened, which thrust him into a not-so-good spotlight. Subsequently, he walked away from SF into basically no-man's land -- sometimes known as free agency. In hindsight, perhaps a dumb move.
Whether or not CK is still talented enough to be an NFL starting quarterback can be debated, with both sides likely offering up valid evidence. Let's just say opinions vary.
Yet in a politically blind world, it's pretty tough to argue CK ranks somewhere below all of the no-names that have been offered NFL contracts in the meantime. Not even as a backup? Really?
Currently, he and his legal eagles are pursuing a lawsuit trying to prove beyond the proverbial reasonable doubt, or preponderance of the evidence, that the owners of the teams have colluded against him. Basically, they assert he's been "blackballed". No doubt, phone records and such things as emails will be subpoenaed to hopefully bolster their case.
To all of which, yours truly says -- good luck with that.
Even if the plaintiffs eventually prevail -- and it could take years to wind its way through the court system to a final resolution -- no judge or jury has the power to order any team or owner to employ him. Sure, he might get a pile of dough out of it, but this latest gambit in effect sealed his doom as to ever playing again in the NFL. That's not even to mention the age/rust factor that will go along with being out of the league for all that time.
Currently, teams can find any number of reasons not to offer him a job. Stats can be twisted to fit anybody's agenda. Or a team can merely state he wouldn't fit well into their particular system and game philosophy. Etc, etc.
But the heretofore unspeakable elephant in the room remains the PR disaster any team would face by bring Kaepernick on board.
It could fairly be said the NFL and, by extension, their fans have always been a rather patriotic bunch. This is why we see the giant American flags on the field before games, the military color guards, and the jet fly-overs, among other festivities. And of course, the playing/singing of the national anthem.
[Idle thought. If the anthem is that sacred, why do they allow so many "artists" to absolutely butcher it while giving their own renditions? Is it too much to ask they sing it like it was originally written, instead of trying to show off? I mean, is it about them or about the country and what it stands for? This in itself shows hypocrisy. But nobody wants to talk about that, though it's been blatantly obvious for decades. WTF?]
True, most NFL owners and their front offices strive to put a winning team on the field. Also true is they get a ton of money from the TV folks and through sales of their own paraphernalia. It might well be they could still turn a handsome profit if fan attendance was abysmal at their stadiums.
But they don't want to see that. It would be embarrassing, if nothing else. Even billionaires are sensitive to that sort of thing -- maybe.
The bottom line is any team bringing Kaepernick to town and putting him on the field might face a fan revolt. Even lousy franchises over the decades, like Cleveland and Detroit, have a bit of pride. I think. Maybe.
So here's wishing dear Colin well in any and all of his future endeavors. Hey, he's just a dude that took a stand, or a knee, trying to make a point. In the whole scheme of things, this shouldn't be a big deal.
But oh my, it turned out to be. Yep, he got the attention he wanted, alright. But probably not the WAY he wanted.
The whole country, from the President on down to talking heads and chain mail senders have been sniping away ever since.
The moral of the story?
Everybody has a right to espouse a cause, and CK's was righteous in many ways.
But careful how one goes about it.
Sometimes opening up a particular can of worms without thinking through what might happen down the road can come back to seriously bite one in the keester.
Welcome to the real world, Mr. K.
Friday, November 3, 2017
Thursday, November 2, 2017
The Ezekiel Elliott debacle
Personally, I have no idea whether EE committed any sort of assaultive behavior on anybody -- ever.
Sure, the arm-chair, hang-em-high prosecutors continue to come out of the woodwork, be it talking heads on TV or average citizens. Everybody's a judge, jury, and executioner these days.
Thing is, he was never even charged with any such offense, much less convicted. A conspiratorial double standard because he's a famous athlete? Perhaps, but hardly a slam dunk. Last time I looked people in America were still innocent until proven guilty. Yet I would be the first to admit that standard has been twisted around and bastardized over the years. Nowadays, the typical mindset is -- accused of something -- must be guilty. It's horribly wrong. Those that knee jerk their way to such conclusions never think it could happen to them or one of their loved ones. But it can. Happens all the time if your number comes up.
I would also be the first to cede Roger Goodell and the NFL often overstep their boundaries when meting out punishment, even though no crime has been established, much less proven. Yes, I get it. The almighty league has a cough, cough, reputation to protect, and they do so zealously. Somewhere there's a clause in the collective bargaining agreement (shame on you Players Union for being such fools to sign on to it) that states any action that makes the league look bad is punishable by fines, suspensions, and the like.
So originally, Roger and his merry band of henchmen zapped EE with a six game suspension. Again, even though no wrong-doing had ever been formally charged, let alone proven in a court of law. Seemed excessive, if not outright tyrannical.
Since, it has become a folly of the so-called "justice system" in the United States.
The suspension is on.
Oops, a judge/court says it's off.
Another j/c reinstates it.
Yet another halts it again.
Then back on.
Then off.
On.
Off.
Depending on who judge/court shops where, the fate of EE playing for those six games is anybody's guess.
Yours truly has but one question.
Is there anybody or any court in the country that can make a decision about this that is binding? As in no more appeals -- by either side?
Doesn't seem like too much to ask.
Any "normal" citizen would have gone broke a long time ago paying for legal fees to drag it on this long. But not EE, the league, and the players' union. They have legal eagles on staff that get their jollies pursuing matters such as this. I mean, what else do they have to do?
If I was to predict, I think dear Mr. Elliott is going to lose this one in the end. That doesn't mean it's righteous -- no opinion here -- but the league has long shown they have more clout than the union when they decide to dig in. See Tom Brady and "deflategate". Nothing was proven there either, but Giselle's man had to eventually serve the suspension.
Thing is, if the same happens to EE down the road, he and the union might have done more harm than good in the bigger picture.
The Dallas Cowboys are a maybe team for the playoffs, even with EE. So what would be the worst thing that could happen to them?
If they somehow found a way to get there, only to see their star running back zapped for 6 games.
Maybe he wins and maybe he loses, but had he accepted and served the suspension when it was first handed down, it would be long over by now.
Methinks there come a time to bite the bullet and accept short term fate in the name of long term prosperity. This concept appears lost on Ezekiel Elliott, the Cowboys, and the Players Union.
Continuing to kick the proverbial can down the road can come back and bite you even worse.
And it may well play out that way indeed.
We shall see......
Sure, the arm-chair, hang-em-high prosecutors continue to come out of the woodwork, be it talking heads on TV or average citizens. Everybody's a judge, jury, and executioner these days.
Thing is, he was never even charged with any such offense, much less convicted. A conspiratorial double standard because he's a famous athlete? Perhaps, but hardly a slam dunk. Last time I looked people in America were still innocent until proven guilty. Yet I would be the first to admit that standard has been twisted around and bastardized over the years. Nowadays, the typical mindset is -- accused of something -- must be guilty. It's horribly wrong. Those that knee jerk their way to such conclusions never think it could happen to them or one of their loved ones. But it can. Happens all the time if your number comes up.
I would also be the first to cede Roger Goodell and the NFL often overstep their boundaries when meting out punishment, even though no crime has been established, much less proven. Yes, I get it. The almighty league has a cough, cough, reputation to protect, and they do so zealously. Somewhere there's a clause in the collective bargaining agreement (shame on you Players Union for being such fools to sign on to it) that states any action that makes the league look bad is punishable by fines, suspensions, and the like.
So originally, Roger and his merry band of henchmen zapped EE with a six game suspension. Again, even though no wrong-doing had ever been formally charged, let alone proven in a court of law. Seemed excessive, if not outright tyrannical.
Since, it has become a folly of the so-called "justice system" in the United States.
The suspension is on.
Oops, a judge/court says it's off.
Another j/c reinstates it.
Yet another halts it again.
Then back on.
Then off.
On.
Off.
Depending on who judge/court shops where, the fate of EE playing for those six games is anybody's guess.
Yours truly has but one question.
Is there anybody or any court in the country that can make a decision about this that is binding? As in no more appeals -- by either side?
Doesn't seem like too much to ask.
Any "normal" citizen would have gone broke a long time ago paying for legal fees to drag it on this long. But not EE, the league, and the players' union. They have legal eagles on staff that get their jollies pursuing matters such as this. I mean, what else do they have to do?
If I was to predict, I think dear Mr. Elliott is going to lose this one in the end. That doesn't mean it's righteous -- no opinion here -- but the league has long shown they have more clout than the union when they decide to dig in. See Tom Brady and "deflategate". Nothing was proven there either, but Giselle's man had to eventually serve the suspension.
Thing is, if the same happens to EE down the road, he and the union might have done more harm than good in the bigger picture.
The Dallas Cowboys are a maybe team for the playoffs, even with EE. So what would be the worst thing that could happen to them?
If they somehow found a way to get there, only to see their star running back zapped for 6 games.
Maybe he wins and maybe he loses, but had he accepted and served the suspension when it was first handed down, it would be long over by now.
Methinks there come a time to bite the bullet and accept short term fate in the name of long term prosperity. This concept appears lost on Ezekiel Elliott, the Cowboys, and the Players Union.
Continuing to kick the proverbial can down the road can come back and bite you even worse.
And it may well play out that way indeed.
We shall see......
Wednesday, November 1, 2017
World Series. Yes, yes, YES!!!
It only seemed fitting. Finally, FINALLY, Justin Verlander got his World Series championship ring. Or will soon.
The city of Houston, after being swamped and flooded by Hurricane Harvey, has a world title to celebrate. This is reminiscent of the New Orleans Saints winning the Super Bowl in the wake of the devastating damage Hurricane Katrina wreaked over a decade ago.
Both Houston and New Orleans hadn't won squat in any major sport in a very long time. In the case of the latter, try never. Maybe Mother Nature -- or the sports gods -- were on their side when it mattered most.
It ranks right up there with the Chicago Cubs breaking their century plus jinx just last year. Or the Bosox not long before that. Cleveland doesn't count. Despite the long drought of the Indians, the Cavaliers won an NBA championship a year and a half ago. One parade will have to do for a while.
Over the years, Los Angeles has won plenty of stuff. True, it's been about 30 years for the Dodgers. But the Lakers, before they got terrible in recent times, captured titles, as did the Kings of the NHL.
And I, for one, have long been sick and tired of the Magic Johnson aura. It's like he falls into a rose garden every place he goes. While a college hoopster at Michigan State, he won a national title, but he had several really good teammates. His main competition was Larry Bird at Indiana State, who was basically forced to be a one-man show.
Then Ervin landed with the Lakers, only to join the likes of Kareem, James, and other All-Stars.
It could be argued he's been blessed in an even greater way. Merely surviving. That's because after being a serial adulterer, he contracted the HIV virus. The vast majority of those afflicted don't live nearly as long as Johnson, because it will morph into full-blown AIDS, from which there is no cure. Only those that can afford a super-expensive drug cocktail can ward it off for so long. Magic had serious dough.
Then he bought a piece of the Dodgers. Did I mention serious dough? Just when most thought ace pitcher Justin Verlander would close out the Series in Game 6 - it didn't happen. He pitched terrific, but got no run support. It appeared Magic's magic might strike again.
Enter the Houston Astros. They're every bit as talented as the Dodgers from top to bottom and, hurray, they won Game 7. Take that Ervin.
One thing yours truly could never understand about this match-up, though. Few doubt LA pitcher Clayton Kershaw is among the best in the game. His record speaks for itself.
But the Astros, like many other teams of late, have chucked the old school ways and turned to cyber-metrics -- see stat geek warfare -- to fine tune everything that CAN be tuned. High speed cameras capture spin rates on breaking balls. Also the slightest differential in a pitcher's arm movement during delivery. The same goes for hitters, their stances, and swings. Tweak, tweak, tweak.
Yet they seemed to have missed the obvious. The aforementioned Kershaw has always had a weakness. The first pitch to a batter is going to be a fastball right down the middle for a strike. Yet Houston hitters watched it go by -- time, after time, after time. You'd think the stats geeks would have noticed that. This was the pitch to hit. Thereafter would come a steady diet of of curve balls breaking a couple feet, and hard sliders that started out looking like strikes, but diving OUT of the strike zone. Whiff, whiff, whiff.
The late Ted Williams probably said it best. In any given at bat, a hitter is probably only going to see one really good pitch. Don't take it. Don't foul it off. Don't miss it. Hit it -- and hit it hard somewhere. Seems like a simple enough philosophy and Kershaw over the Series was plenty predictable in that regard.
Nonetheless, see ya LA. You just got beat on your home field in Game 7 of the World Series and had to watch the Stros whooping it up. Followed by the usual champagne orgy in the locker room.
And good for you, Houston, and especially Justin Verlander.
He finally reached the proverbial mountaintop.
Betcha Kate has an extra-special little something waiting for him after he gets cleaned up and hooks up with his significant other.
All things considered, I'd say Justin Verlander had himself a pretty decent day.
Hats off to Houston and their Astros. The 2017 World Series champions.
It couldn't have happened in a more fitting way......
The city of Houston, after being swamped and flooded by Hurricane Harvey, has a world title to celebrate. This is reminiscent of the New Orleans Saints winning the Super Bowl in the wake of the devastating damage Hurricane Katrina wreaked over a decade ago.
Both Houston and New Orleans hadn't won squat in any major sport in a very long time. In the case of the latter, try never. Maybe Mother Nature -- or the sports gods -- were on their side when it mattered most.
It ranks right up there with the Chicago Cubs breaking their century plus jinx just last year. Or the Bosox not long before that. Cleveland doesn't count. Despite the long drought of the Indians, the Cavaliers won an NBA championship a year and a half ago. One parade will have to do for a while.
Over the years, Los Angeles has won plenty of stuff. True, it's been about 30 years for the Dodgers. But the Lakers, before they got terrible in recent times, captured titles, as did the Kings of the NHL.
And I, for one, have long been sick and tired of the Magic Johnson aura. It's like he falls into a rose garden every place he goes. While a college hoopster at Michigan State, he won a national title, but he had several really good teammates. His main competition was Larry Bird at Indiana State, who was basically forced to be a one-man show.
Then Ervin landed with the Lakers, only to join the likes of Kareem, James, and other All-Stars.
It could be argued he's been blessed in an even greater way. Merely surviving. That's because after being a serial adulterer, he contracted the HIV virus. The vast majority of those afflicted don't live nearly as long as Johnson, because it will morph into full-blown AIDS, from which there is no cure. Only those that can afford a super-expensive drug cocktail can ward it off for so long. Magic had serious dough.
Then he bought a piece of the Dodgers. Did I mention serious dough? Just when most thought ace pitcher Justin Verlander would close out the Series in Game 6 - it didn't happen. He pitched terrific, but got no run support. It appeared Magic's magic might strike again.
Enter the Houston Astros. They're every bit as talented as the Dodgers from top to bottom and, hurray, they won Game 7. Take that Ervin.
One thing yours truly could never understand about this match-up, though. Few doubt LA pitcher Clayton Kershaw is among the best in the game. His record speaks for itself.
But the Astros, like many other teams of late, have chucked the old school ways and turned to cyber-metrics -- see stat geek warfare -- to fine tune everything that CAN be tuned. High speed cameras capture spin rates on breaking balls. Also the slightest differential in a pitcher's arm movement during delivery. The same goes for hitters, their stances, and swings. Tweak, tweak, tweak.
Yet they seemed to have missed the obvious. The aforementioned Kershaw has always had a weakness. The first pitch to a batter is going to be a fastball right down the middle for a strike. Yet Houston hitters watched it go by -- time, after time, after time. You'd think the stats geeks would have noticed that. This was the pitch to hit. Thereafter would come a steady diet of of curve balls breaking a couple feet, and hard sliders that started out looking like strikes, but diving OUT of the strike zone. Whiff, whiff, whiff.
The late Ted Williams probably said it best. In any given at bat, a hitter is probably only going to see one really good pitch. Don't take it. Don't foul it off. Don't miss it. Hit it -- and hit it hard somewhere. Seems like a simple enough philosophy and Kershaw over the Series was plenty predictable in that regard.
Nonetheless, see ya LA. You just got beat on your home field in Game 7 of the World Series and had to watch the Stros whooping it up. Followed by the usual champagne orgy in the locker room.
And good for you, Houston, and especially Justin Verlander.
He finally reached the proverbial mountaintop.
Betcha Kate has an extra-special little something waiting for him after he gets cleaned up and hooks up with his significant other.
All things considered, I'd say Justin Verlander had himself a pretty decent day.
Hats off to Houston and their Astros. The 2017 World Series champions.
It couldn't have happened in a more fitting way......
Monday, October 30, 2017
Justin Verlander's big chance
Justin Verlander put in over a decade toiling for the Detroit Tigers. The Virginia native accomplished great things during that time. Forever the backbone of their starting pitching staff, JV could always be counted on to go out and give his all.
True, like any other pitcher, even the greatest over the years, he didn't always win. Sometimes he even got bombed by opposing hitters. But that happens in Major League Baseball. Goes with the territory.
Over his career, Verlander's won roughly twice as many games as he's lost. That's not only a very respectable percentage, but quite outstanding.
Throw in a couple no-hitters which, granted, usually involve a bit of luck, a Cy Young Award here and there, and even an MVP. Add his obvious longevity and presto, he's likely already a semi-lock for the Baseball Hall of Fame a few years down the road.
But there's one thing -- and it might be the most important to Verlander himself -- that he's never accomplished. Winning a World Series.
Yep, he's been there, but his Tiger team never came out on top. The "ring" continues to elude him.
Earlier this season, JV had a quick choice to make. The Tigers were willing to deal him to the super-competitive Houston Astros for a few "prospects" after they finally decided to go into full-blown rebuild mode. But Verlander had a no-trade clause in his contract. He had to approve it, or else no deal would happen. At that, he had only minutes to think about it before the trade deadline bell went ding.
As we all know, he did, and has been a member of the Stros for a few months. Also, he's yet to lose a game since joining his new team. Did I mention impressive?
In a previous post, yours truly wondered about the potential pitching match-ups between the LA Dodgers and Houston as the current World Series dragged on into the late stages. The way the rotations were set up, it was unlikely Verlander and LA ace Clayton Kershaw would face each other. And they haven't.
Like Verlander, Kershaw, a Cy Young veteran himself, can be almost unbeatable when he's on his game.
But a funny thing happened in Game 5 of this World Series. With the series tied 2-2, the Dodgers sent Kershaw out on semi-short rest in the hopes they could take a 3-2, then go back home only needing one more win out of two games to become champions.
But it didn't turn out that way. In a wild, rock-em, sock-em game, from which Kershaw was already long gone, the Astros prevailed 13-12. Now it is Houston that takes a 3-2 lead heading back to LA.
And Justin Verlander will likely be front and center for Game 6. No doubt he's raring to go.
This could be the crowning point of his career. Win this game, get himself the ring he has so long coveted, and bring Houston it's first title in forever. On the back end of the disaster wreaked by Hurricane Harvey.
Storybook stuff -- if it happens that way.
Yet let's not forget the Dodgers aren't exactly pushovers. They won over 100 games in the regular season as well, have steam-rolled their way through the playoffs so far, and could easily come roaring back to win two in a row, JV or no JV. He's been great, but nobody's unbeatable.
Ah well, whatever happens -- happens.
Even if the Virginian experiences the heartbreak of coming ever so close again, only to fall short, he has one thing that most other men would be envious of.
Win or lose, Kate's waiting at home.
And regardless of how you slice it or dice it -- that's a pretty sweet gig all by itself.
True, like any other pitcher, even the greatest over the years, he didn't always win. Sometimes he even got bombed by opposing hitters. But that happens in Major League Baseball. Goes with the territory.
Over his career, Verlander's won roughly twice as many games as he's lost. That's not only a very respectable percentage, but quite outstanding.
Throw in a couple no-hitters which, granted, usually involve a bit of luck, a Cy Young Award here and there, and even an MVP. Add his obvious longevity and presto, he's likely already a semi-lock for the Baseball Hall of Fame a few years down the road.
But there's one thing -- and it might be the most important to Verlander himself -- that he's never accomplished. Winning a World Series.
Yep, he's been there, but his Tiger team never came out on top. The "ring" continues to elude him.
Earlier this season, JV had a quick choice to make. The Tigers were willing to deal him to the super-competitive Houston Astros for a few "prospects" after they finally decided to go into full-blown rebuild mode. But Verlander had a no-trade clause in his contract. He had to approve it, or else no deal would happen. At that, he had only minutes to think about it before the trade deadline bell went ding.
As we all know, he did, and has been a member of the Stros for a few months. Also, he's yet to lose a game since joining his new team. Did I mention impressive?
In a previous post, yours truly wondered about the potential pitching match-ups between the LA Dodgers and Houston as the current World Series dragged on into the late stages. The way the rotations were set up, it was unlikely Verlander and LA ace Clayton Kershaw would face each other. And they haven't.
Like Verlander, Kershaw, a Cy Young veteran himself, can be almost unbeatable when he's on his game.
But a funny thing happened in Game 5 of this World Series. With the series tied 2-2, the Dodgers sent Kershaw out on semi-short rest in the hopes they could take a 3-2, then go back home only needing one more win out of two games to become champions.
But it didn't turn out that way. In a wild, rock-em, sock-em game, from which Kershaw was already long gone, the Astros prevailed 13-12. Now it is Houston that takes a 3-2 lead heading back to LA.
And Justin Verlander will likely be front and center for Game 6. No doubt he's raring to go.
This could be the crowning point of his career. Win this game, get himself the ring he has so long coveted, and bring Houston it's first title in forever. On the back end of the disaster wreaked by Hurricane Harvey.
Storybook stuff -- if it happens that way.
Yet let's not forget the Dodgers aren't exactly pushovers. They won over 100 games in the regular season as well, have steam-rolled their way through the playoffs so far, and could easily come roaring back to win two in a row, JV or no JV. He's been great, but nobody's unbeatable.
Ah well, whatever happens -- happens.
Even if the Virginian experiences the heartbreak of coming ever so close again, only to fall short, he has one thing that most other men would be envious of.
Win or lose, Kate's waiting at home.
And regardless of how you slice it or dice it -- that's a pretty sweet gig all by itself.
Sunday, October 29, 2017
The Matthew Stafford debacle
Tell me Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford somehow deserves to be the highest paid player in the entire NFL -- he is -- and I'll tell you you need to get into rehab. Obviously some sort of substance abuse has addled your mental faculties. Detroit's version of the Honolulu blue and silver kool-aid has been powerful addictive stuff for decades but, c'mon, this is ridiculous.
Let's look a little closer at how well the Motown Georgia Peach has fared over the years.
Now in his ninth season, Stafford's career stats aren't exactly stellar.
Yes, he's thrown for a ton of yards, but not so fast.
His career touchdown to interception ratio is a very modest 119 to 112. Not even two to one. Journeyman stuff.
He's been sacked 265 times for over 1700 yards. One can blame it on porous offensive lines, but maybe Matthew was hanging on to the ball a bit too long on passing downs. And it's not like he's mobile. The man has the foot speed and moves of your average -- well -- offensive tackle, without being able to absorb the pounding.
Early in his NFL career he rightfully earned the nickname "China Doll" because any serious contact seemed to shatter him. Fortunately, he seems to have progressed beyond that -- at least for now.
And then there's the wins and losses. Hey, if a QB is going to get most of the credit when his team prevails, it's only fair he shoulders most of the blame when they come up short.
That career stat is rather ugly as well. Matthew Stafford has a career mark of 54-61 during the regular seasons. Not even close to the ultimate mediocre .500.
Overall, he's 54-64, the other three losses having occurred during the rare playoff games the Lions have made it into over his tenure. In other words, over eight years, Stafford as led the Lions to a grand total of three playoff games -- all of which resulted in losses. Put bluntly, Stafford has been around for eight full seasons and has yet to win a single playoff game, let alone getting anywhere near sniffing a Super Bowl.
Many say Stafford has been the best quarterback the Lions have had since Bobby Layne. Perhaps. But Layne played mostly in the 1950's. You know, when the "I like Ike" presidential slogan was popular, nobody had a color TV, and the Andy Griffith Show with Aunt Bee, Barney Fife, Opie, and Gomer was yet to air. How long ago was THAT? And BTW, this was about the same time the Edsel made it's ill-fated debut. Also, BTW, another Ford product. The exploding gas tanks and tires would come later.
In the over sixty years plus ever since, it could be argued the Lions haven't had even a half way decent quarterback. So Stafford being the best of that bunch is hardly the stuff of greatness.
Oops. What's that? The Pittsburgh Steelers just handed the Lions their third loss in a row -- all at home?
And the Georgia Peach threw for over 400 yards but couldn't manage a single touchdown for the entire game, let alone win it? Somehow that sounds vaguely familiar.
So OK. Somebody tell me one more time how this guy came to be the highest paid player in the league.
The only thing that really matters is wins and losses, playoff runs, and getting to and winning a Super Bowl.
Lions fans will no doubt keep touting him as the greatest thing since wireless remotes, DVRs, and microwave popcorn. This is the kool-aid they continue to OD on. The poor devils just don't know any better.
But in all the football respects that define a player, Matthew Stafford has, and continues to be, a total bust.
Only in Detroit would they shower this guy with megabucks.
Kind of like the Detroit Pistons gave Andre (brick city) Drummond a max contract as well. This clown deserves to be paid like Lebron, Steph, and Kevin? Puh-leeze.
But that's a story for another day.
Let's look a little closer at how well the Motown Georgia Peach has fared over the years.
Now in his ninth season, Stafford's career stats aren't exactly stellar.
Yes, he's thrown for a ton of yards, but not so fast.
His career touchdown to interception ratio is a very modest 119 to 112. Not even two to one. Journeyman stuff.
He's been sacked 265 times for over 1700 yards. One can blame it on porous offensive lines, but maybe Matthew was hanging on to the ball a bit too long on passing downs. And it's not like he's mobile. The man has the foot speed and moves of your average -- well -- offensive tackle, without being able to absorb the pounding.
Early in his NFL career he rightfully earned the nickname "China Doll" because any serious contact seemed to shatter him. Fortunately, he seems to have progressed beyond that -- at least for now.
And then there's the wins and losses. Hey, if a QB is going to get most of the credit when his team prevails, it's only fair he shoulders most of the blame when they come up short.
That career stat is rather ugly as well. Matthew Stafford has a career mark of 54-61 during the regular seasons. Not even close to the ultimate mediocre .500.
Overall, he's 54-64, the other three losses having occurred during the rare playoff games the Lions have made it into over his tenure. In other words, over eight years, Stafford as led the Lions to a grand total of three playoff games -- all of which resulted in losses. Put bluntly, Stafford has been around for eight full seasons and has yet to win a single playoff game, let alone getting anywhere near sniffing a Super Bowl.
Many say Stafford has been the best quarterback the Lions have had since Bobby Layne. Perhaps. But Layne played mostly in the 1950's. You know, when the "I like Ike" presidential slogan was popular, nobody had a color TV, and the Andy Griffith Show with Aunt Bee, Barney Fife, Opie, and Gomer was yet to air. How long ago was THAT? And BTW, this was about the same time the Edsel made it's ill-fated debut. Also, BTW, another Ford product. The exploding gas tanks and tires would come later.
In the over sixty years plus ever since, it could be argued the Lions haven't had even a half way decent quarterback. So Stafford being the best of that bunch is hardly the stuff of greatness.
Oops. What's that? The Pittsburgh Steelers just handed the Lions their third loss in a row -- all at home?
And the Georgia Peach threw for over 400 yards but couldn't manage a single touchdown for the entire game, let alone win it? Somehow that sounds vaguely familiar.
So OK. Somebody tell me one more time how this guy came to be the highest paid player in the league.
The only thing that really matters is wins and losses, playoff runs, and getting to and winning a Super Bowl.
Lions fans will no doubt keep touting him as the greatest thing since wireless remotes, DVRs, and microwave popcorn. This is the kool-aid they continue to OD on. The poor devils just don't know any better.
But in all the football respects that define a player, Matthew Stafford has, and continues to be, a total bust.
Only in Detroit would they shower this guy with megabucks.
Kind of like the Detroit Pistons gave Andre (brick city) Drummond a max contract as well. This clown deserves to be paid like Lebron, Steph, and Kevin? Puh-leeze.
But that's a story for another day.
Saturday, October 28, 2017
A glorious World Series
In a rare respite from matters mentioned in my previous post -- while I'm awake -- all is calm for a little while. Praise be for small, or maybe not so small favors. So I'll try to get in a quickie post before duty calls again.
The 2017 World Series between the LA Dodgers and Houston Astros is turning out to be quite the epic showdown. Now tied at 2 games apiece, one thing's for sure. The Series will be going back to LA-LA- Land for at least a Game 6, and few would be surprised if a Game 7 happens as well.
With all due respect for other very worthy teams, the LA and Houston squads seem to have it all. Terrific starting pitching. Lights out bullpens. Speed galore, both on the basepathes and in the field. We've seen one defensive gem after another.
And oh yeah, every once in a while, though both line-ups are loaded with great hitters (that have been pretty much shut down by the above-mentioned pitching), a spate of runs. True, a little more scoring wouldn't hurt, but this has made for a great Fall Classic nonetheless.
So now it's the best 2 out of 3. Perhaps as it should be between these two teams. Sure, either could win two straight and close it out, but don't you just get the feeling it's going to go down to a nail-biting Game 7?
The Dodgers have their ace -- one Clayton Kershaw. The question is -- which game will he start next? Game 5 or Game 6?
Conversely, the Astros have their own ace -- one Justin Verlander. He's yet to lose again since being dealt to Houston from Detroit a few months ago. And in which future game will HE take the mound?
Thing is, as pitching rotations go, they're not scheduled to play in the same game.
Or will they?
We'll see both of them for sure. The only question is when?
It likely depends on which team wins the crucial Game 5 to take a 3-2 lead in the series.
Or maybe not. Would the Dodgers start Kershaw in Game 5 on semi-short rest, assuming they'd win, and take their chances on getting at least one more back home in Games 6 and 7? Maybe.
Or might the Astros send Verlander out on even shorter rest to win a crucial game? Verlander's a horse and could shoulder the load, but.....Or hold him back until Game 6?
This particular chess match will get very interesting, very soon.
Who's going to win?
Two theories on that.
First, yours truly isn't exactly an LA fan. Been there. Disneyland sucks compared to it's bigger brother outside Orlando, Florida. Between the uppity folks -- see entertainers -- that think their you-know-what doesn't stink, and the idiots, it can be really frustrating for a semi-sane person to deal with. And oh my, the traffic. How can it be that an interstate with 4-6 lanes each way can have bumper to bumper traffic for miles -- EVERY FREAKING DAY? So no, no love lost there.
Never been a big fan of anything Texas either. WAY too much macho crappola always goes on down there. But you have to feel a bit for Houston, after they got pounded so bad by hurricane flooding a while back.
So yeah, consider me rooting for the Stros.
Thing is, that's the kiss of death, a trait I inherited from my late father. Dad could always pick em. Losers, that is.
The other theory revolves around Sports Illustrated and their legendary "cover jinx".
When SI has showcased an athlete or team over the years -- they appear surely doomed.
And guess who was front and center on the latest issue?
One Justin Turner, third baseman for the LA Dodgers, and an accompanying article by the always long-winded -- see gas bag -- Tom Verducci. Dear Tom can't seem to write anything that doesn't drag on for at least three or four sessions on the proverbial throne for an average reader to finally slog through.
In that respect, the pseudo sports gurus at SI have cast their own jinx on the LA-LA-landers.
Dang, my family jinx goes head to head with that of SI. Wonder which one will prevail?
Nonetheless, this has been a terrific World Series so far, and the next 2 or 3 games between these two super teams should be great to watch as well.
By all means -- bring it on,
Uh-oh. Somebody needs me again. That didn't last long, dammit.
Gotta go. Will rant again as soon as possible.
The 2017 World Series between the LA Dodgers and Houston Astros is turning out to be quite the epic showdown. Now tied at 2 games apiece, one thing's for sure. The Series will be going back to LA-LA- Land for at least a Game 6, and few would be surprised if a Game 7 happens as well.
With all due respect for other very worthy teams, the LA and Houston squads seem to have it all. Terrific starting pitching. Lights out bullpens. Speed galore, both on the basepathes and in the field. We've seen one defensive gem after another.
And oh yeah, every once in a while, though both line-ups are loaded with great hitters (that have been pretty much shut down by the above-mentioned pitching), a spate of runs. True, a little more scoring wouldn't hurt, but this has made for a great Fall Classic nonetheless.
So now it's the best 2 out of 3. Perhaps as it should be between these two teams. Sure, either could win two straight and close it out, but don't you just get the feeling it's going to go down to a nail-biting Game 7?
The Dodgers have their ace -- one Clayton Kershaw. The question is -- which game will he start next? Game 5 or Game 6?
Conversely, the Astros have their own ace -- one Justin Verlander. He's yet to lose again since being dealt to Houston from Detroit a few months ago. And in which future game will HE take the mound?
Thing is, as pitching rotations go, they're not scheduled to play in the same game.
Or will they?
We'll see both of them for sure. The only question is when?
It likely depends on which team wins the crucial Game 5 to take a 3-2 lead in the series.
Or maybe not. Would the Dodgers start Kershaw in Game 5 on semi-short rest, assuming they'd win, and take their chances on getting at least one more back home in Games 6 and 7? Maybe.
Or might the Astros send Verlander out on even shorter rest to win a crucial game? Verlander's a horse and could shoulder the load, but.....Or hold him back until Game 6?
This particular chess match will get very interesting, very soon.
Who's going to win?
Two theories on that.
First, yours truly isn't exactly an LA fan. Been there. Disneyland sucks compared to it's bigger brother outside Orlando, Florida. Between the uppity folks -- see entertainers -- that think their you-know-what doesn't stink, and the idiots, it can be really frustrating for a semi-sane person to deal with. And oh my, the traffic. How can it be that an interstate with 4-6 lanes each way can have bumper to bumper traffic for miles -- EVERY FREAKING DAY? So no, no love lost there.
Never been a big fan of anything Texas either. WAY too much macho crappola always goes on down there. But you have to feel a bit for Houston, after they got pounded so bad by hurricane flooding a while back.
So yeah, consider me rooting for the Stros.
Thing is, that's the kiss of death, a trait I inherited from my late father. Dad could always pick em. Losers, that is.
The other theory revolves around Sports Illustrated and their legendary "cover jinx".
When SI has showcased an athlete or team over the years -- they appear surely doomed.
And guess who was front and center on the latest issue?
One Justin Turner, third baseman for the LA Dodgers, and an accompanying article by the always long-winded -- see gas bag -- Tom Verducci. Dear Tom can't seem to write anything that doesn't drag on for at least three or four sessions on the proverbial throne for an average reader to finally slog through.
In that respect, the pseudo sports gurus at SI have cast their own jinx on the LA-LA-landers.
Dang, my family jinx goes head to head with that of SI. Wonder which one will prevail?
Nonetheless, this has been a terrific World Series so far, and the next 2 or 3 games between these two super teams should be great to watch as well.
By all means -- bring it on,
Uh-oh. Somebody needs me again. That didn't last long, dammit.
Gotta go. Will rant again as soon as possible.
Friday, October 20, 2017
Taking a break. Kind of
Normally I post somewhere between 3 and 5 times a week. But something has come up. A very serious, potentially life-threatening situation in the family. This is not only something that I have to tend to and stands front and center above all else, but I also find it extremely difficult to string words together on any particular topic at this time.
As they say, my head and heart just aren't in it.
Please bear with me and I shall do the best I can until further notice.
Thank you.
As they say, my head and heart just aren't in it.
Please bear with me and I shall do the best I can until further notice.
Thank you.
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