Darvish Round 4

I watched Darvish for the 3rd time tonight, and I admit confusion.  In 4 starts he has pitched from the stretch full time twice, and from the windup twice, and those 2 games were using different windups.  How can a guy with so much experience not even be able to decide about his basic motion?  Tonight he had the best command so far in the season, but it's only the 1st of 4 starts where I felt he had decent command overall.  He does have a very live arm and his pitches have tremendous movement.  I would bet he will drive Maddux crazy with the cross of potential, inconsistency, and pitch count.  I'm excited to watch him each time out because of the talent, but I certainly don't trust him yet.

S

JL Smith

When the Hogs hired Smith, I admit disappointment.
A 63 year old coach that hasn't been a known name and was a recent hire at Weber State was weird to me.

His overall record is being shown as nearly 61% as a positive, but his record at Michigan State was 22-26 in his last stint and he finished 9th and 10th in not always powerful Big 10.

I think they took the easy way out and are going for a one-year stable the rocking boat.  Mistake, West Va tried this approach and they are still fighting the problems it created.

j.

Some Old-Time Baseball

You may have seen the results of the late SF/Philly game last night.  Matt Cain and Cliff Lee played dueling zero's into the 10th inning.  Cain allowed 3 baserunners in 9 innings, threw 91 pitches and 64 strikes.  Lee allowed 7 baserunners through 10 innings and threw an astounding 81 strikes out of 102 pitches.  After 9 innings, the game time was 1 hr 50 min and they clipped through 11 full innings in under 2.5 hours.  That's the kind of baseball you rarely see but used to be common.  I hate that I missed it.  Let's hear it for pitcher's duels and pitchers who throw strikes!

S

2nd Round Blues

I really hate to post on this subject again but I just can't help myself.  I've commented for some time about how good franchises build their teams in the draft rounds 2-4.  Check out this inglorious list of 2000 era 2nd rounders:  Dwayne Goodrich, Quincy Carter, Tony Dixon, Al Johnson, Jacob Rogers, Anthony Fasano, Martellus Bennett.  Yes, you can mix in Andre Gurode and Sean Lee, but the hit percentage is dismal, and this is 2nd round, not 3rd or 4th.  What will next week bring, more of the same, or some gems to replenish this aging and fading roster?

S

Slam-ilton is back!.

Josh Hamilton is leading the AL with a .440 average and playing center to our delight, but  more importantly his power is back and I assume he is finally healthy again.

The 469 foot homer in Fenway the other night is just a monster and something we missed last year.

We can add this monster shot it to his list and verify that he hits the longest home runs we have seen in 50 years.

J.

P.S.  Matt Kemp is even Hotter than Hamilton and seems to be on a path where the writer's can't rob him of an MVP award like last year.

Cowboys Draft

I read that the Cowboy's brought in 4 players for visits, and everyone is comparing it to the last few years with the fact that they drafted a player in the first round that they had come to visit in Dallas.

1. Dontari Poe-  DT from Memphis.  Ranked number 1 DT.  I saw them play twice and didn't notice him, this makes me wonder about his never quit attitude.  I would pass and suggest that it is a bad year for DT.  At 350lbs, if you tell me he will play Nose Tackle for 10years I would take him, but if they think he is a Sapp or Suh they are in dream land.  Coe is number 1 on DT for one reason, his physical measurables are great in the 40yd and broad jump. 
2. Fletcher Cox-DT MSTATE- Number 3 DT- 295lbs.  Tough guy, but not as quick looking to me as Brockers on attacking the ball when he sees it.  I like him and always saw him fighting at Starkville.  I like him more than the what they currently have at DE..Solid Choice.
3.  Barron-  As always with Saban Db's he will be NFL Ready and a definite need for the Cowboys. He is a tough guy, but he has the baggage and falls into the category of --- What an Idiot.   How do you get fail a drug test before the draft?      ---- I would pick Barron unless Brockers is a kid that is tough mentally.  He is the best football player of this group from the college production level and definitely a cut above all of the the other safeties the Cowboys have .-----
4.  Brockers- If he works hard he will be a Pro Bowler, but nothing about Miles training of players has led me to believe that LSU players are NFL ready. He has game quickness that jumps out and he seems to come up big during games. He has always seemed to be a quicker Marcus Spears was in games ----- I would pass on a DE in the 3-4 scheme, but at 322lbs this guy can be a better clog the middle and run down RB's.  It would allow Ratliff to play DE also.------

I go Barron, Brocker, Cox, Poe from this group.

A few other things:

• Couples- UNC DE- No way I draft this guy, I watched them and he was not involved enough.  
• CB-Gilmore for S Carolina- I like him.
• Courtney Upshaw from Bama- I see some people have him as late first rounder.  There is no way there are 15 better football players than Upshaw in this draft.  I swear I would draft him and put him at LB and say "Go Get Them"
• Tannehill- Really? He is a good story, but seriously a first rounder and maybe top 10.
• Weeden- 28 years old and actually should have been a Heisman Winner over RGIII.   I hate the idea he could fall to the Pats and replace Brady.
• Trent Richardson- Rumored to be going to Cleveland.  I think he will be a better pro than College RB.  There isn't a lot of wasted time in his running decisions.  Some DB's will rue the day they fill the hole with him coming inside.
• Melvin Ingram can be a force at OLB in a 3-4.

LSU-Jones

I must admit that hiring Johnny Jones has to be an improvement and I find to be more logical that the previous hire.

Just having an LSU player that we watching in High School has to improve relations with the local AAU coaches.
I assume that the baggage with Drew at Baylor was just too much to chance.

J.

I am behnid on the Blog again.

Subjects to Touch On:
1.  Bubba Golf- Incredible and best thing to happen to the robotic coaching that had a stronghold on the profession through he 80s-90s-2000's
2.  Jonathan went to his first Frisco RoughRiders game as was impressed.  I told him that they were the Shreveport Captains and his past connections is like ours.   It is still funny that you went to first Captains game at Fairground Fields and the new field in Frisco.  I love the place.
3.  The Heat are a mess, but I still expect them in finals.
4.  Petrino-Ooops.
5.  Darvish- I was shocked he was so nervous, but I loved the way he finished without pouting.
6.  Feliz- Maybe he has learned to pitch.
7.  Nathan- Too Soon to panic.
8.  Rory- He is still learning to control his emotions, he is too prone to issues with that draw. I realize it is less movement this year, but he misses the fairway too often.
9.  Saints- I do not understand how the interim coach can be out 6 games.  Crazy Stuff.
10.  Dallas- I do not know what I would do in the draft. I am leaning toward the sure bet over the secondary needs.  Excluding D-Line.  I cannot see someone that is that big an impact player.

j.

Today's Useless Stat

Until the 4th inning of tonight's Rangers game, the Mariners had never collected a hit off of Neftali Feliz.  They were an astounding 0 for 58, the equivalent of over 2 straight no-hit games.

S

Darvish - 1st Impressions

I will try to forgive the 1st inning and chalk it up to nerves.  Watching the performance, I would say I'm underwhelmed but hopeful.  For all the talk about his 7 pitches, he didn't display much command of anything, pitched from behind, and threw tons of pitches.  He touched 94 a handful of times but lived around 92-93, which was also a bit disappointing.  On the flipside, I like his demeanor and attitude, and his teammates seem to genuinely like him and vice-versa.  There is a lot to work with, but there is plenty of work to do.  They've got a big young guy with a live arm and a good attitude.  I think he can be pretty good with Maddux coaching him along, but he's not going to dominate the league anytime soon based on what we saw tonight.

S

OKC

We've talked about the Westbrook/Durant dynamic going on in OKC and I looked at some numbers.  Westbrook has continued to take on more scoring at the expense of Durant and it can be frustrating to fans, media, and Durant himself.  Interesting though that as Westbrook's scoring has gone up, his efficiency has also continued to improve.  He's up to 24 pts/gm and his shooting is at a career high 47%.  And at the same time Durant's shooting has climbed above 50% for the first time in his career.  Both players are averaging about 19-1/2 shots per game.  Harden is getting 17 pts/gm on 49% shooting.  So this team is efficient offensively although they get no inside scoring.  Their record would put them on a 60-win pace in a full season.  Time will tell if the franchise and Scott Brooks have made the right decision in making Westbrook a full-time scorer (his assists have cratered from 8.2 to 5.4).  Does it make them more dangerous or is it a tactical mistake?  Can he and Durant co-exist?  With the Mavs sucking wind, I will pull for OKC during the playoffs and hope they've made the right call.  If they bomb out early, Westbrook will take the heat, and the whole thing could implode.

S

The Pop is Back

Lest we forget what Josh Hamilton can do when his body is right, last night he treated us to a 447-ft smoker into the 2nd deck in right-center.  He can turn the hips again.  Also threw in a couple of highlight catches in center field.  If this is his last year in TX, I'm going to watch at every opportunity.  Playing for a new contract, we might see some special stuff if he can stay on the field.

S

Masters Day 2 and 3.

Yesterday was a crazy day with Freddie playing great.  Today, he looked almost nervous and it was disappointing.

Johnny Miller comments on ACW said that he choked, something like, it was nerves and the old player wouldn't have been like that.

Bubba is lurking

Hanson was incredible today, his shots were perfect.  Great Golf.

Phil- What do I say, yesterday he shot 68 four under and played not very well.  Today he makes a run and hits shots that make me flinch.  Even the other pros were  Crazy Crazy Days.

I love this tournament. 

J.

Saints Audio Tape Targets Body Parts

When I first saw this article, I thought it was just fluff.  I was wrong!

Even the people defending the Saints Staff had to be taken aback with the audio released of the Defensive Coordinator.
There is evidently a video also that hasn't been released.

Greg Williams specifically discusses attacking an ACL injury, injuring ankles, hitting the QB in the head and targeting head shots on a player with a previous concussion.

 Supposedly during this pep talk he is making hand jestures that it is worth money if you do it.

The man that recorded the audio said that Payton was not in the room.

Here is a quote from the man that videoed the speech.

“When [Gregg Williams] was talking about the Gore stuff and saying ‘cut off the head,’ I was thinking, ‘That’s a metaphor,’ ” Pamphilon says. “The thing that really got me was when he said the thing about No. 10 and concussions. I thought, ‘Did he just say that?’ That was the red flag for me. And then the comments by the Giants made it hit home even harder.”

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Aowjioghrw9z7kalUNMlxJdDubYF?slug=ms-silver_gregg_williams_speech_saints_49ers_bounty_040412
J.

Coach Joe

I was sorry to read about the death of Joe Avezzano.  I enjoyed his commentary with Dale Hansen on Sunday nights after the Cowboy games.

J.

So Mr. Petrino?

When I heard that "Hog" Coach Petrino had a wreck on his motorcycle and had left the scene, I was thinking a possible DUI type incident. 

Then I read that Mr. Petrino, married,  had a 25 year old former Volleyball player and employee of the media department on his bike.

After they wreck, they hitched a ride to town.  Then the young lady got in her car and left, Coach Temper was transported to the hospital for his injuries.

Petrino admitted to the University the facts after he found out the Police Report was going to expose him and now has been put on paid administrative leave by the University.

Not good news, in the land of Clinton. 
J.

Masters Day 1.

Lets start with my predictions after day 1:

1. Phil-Tiger: Putting Is All That Matters with these two's mental state.  Neither hit the ball well at all.
1. They both putted really well so I expect them to be in it Sunday.
2.  Both stunk on hitting the ball. Phil. 8/18 greens.  TW 12/18
2. Luke Donald:  Shot 75 and was first reported to have signed incorrect scorecard, I am glad that it was an entry error by someone else. I hate that rule when its unintentional mistake.
3. Bradley -1.. He just looks like a chain smoker.
4. Long Shot - Ryan Palmer  3 over...Ha.
5. Henrik Stenson:What a meltdown to lose 5 strokes so quickly.
6. My Favorites:
1. Rory started with Double and was off and still. Finishing Birdie, Birdie keeps me on the bandwagon.
2. Westwood was just great.

Unusual Stat:
Great ball striker Lee Westwood is 14 over par on the short par 3 12th hole for his career.   ????

Fat Lip: 
If Auburn Grad with a Caddie's name, Dufner, insist on dipping snuff,  he needs to move it to the side and not his front lip.

Delusional Moment:
Tigger (otherwise known as the AC) says in interview:
"I hit some of the worse Golf Shots I have ever hit today"
Does he intentionally lie, or does he literally lack the ability to remember reality? 
We have seen him chunk shots for 2 years and hit drives 80 yards out of the fairway at times.
Mental? 

Analysis was a bit outside:
 On the 495 yard 10th, Rory hits 3 wood right and out of the fairway landing behind a Magnolia on the soggy ground.
 Faldo says- "He is just going to chip out I assume".
Then Rory hits a banana fade to front of the green with a mid iron. 

I miss it:   Freddie Couples Swing.

Quote of the Day:  After a wayward bomb....."Oh Shoot!  But I crushed it!" 

J.

Golden Bears

God forbid that I would post on the subject of women's basketball; so I will make it a Baylor post instead.  Who could imagine a few short years ago that Baylor athletics would be where it is today?  Think back about a decade to the sorry state of affairs for this school which snuck into the Big 12 but was hardly competitive.  Like the Vanderbilt or Northwestern of the Big 12.

Enter Kim Mulkey, an unlikely savior from Louisiana.  After storming to a national title in 2005 with the Lady Bears, a slight change in perception took place in Waco.  Enter Scott Drew.  The men's basketball program was in total shambles, but through whatever means necessary, Drew brought them into the 21st century, landing JC transfers and eventually blue chippers.  Enter Art Briles and Robert Griffin III.  Briles is an icon in TX high school football, and the benefits started showing up immediately.  Griffin followed and said "we can win".

2012: Drew has gone to Elite Eight's 2 of 3 years and finished in the AP top 10.  Griffin wins the Heisman and along with Briles leads a 10-win team.  Mulkey runs a 40-0 table with one of the all-time greats in Brittney Griner.  And for good measure the baseball team, always a power, is atop the Big 12 and undefeated in league play.  Great times in little Waco, TX.

S

Say It Ain't So Mo!

Reports are that former Fair Park and LSU Star Morris Claiborne scored a "4" on the Wonderlic.

I have personally watched and taken one of these test and this score is just ludicrous.

Is this even possible if a person can read? 
I feel a Dexter Manly storm coming!

J.

SEC Basketball

The SEC has really been weak in Basketball top to bottom during the last decade. But if we look historical at the National Champions the SEC is a beast.

National Champs during the last 20 years:
SEC-       6      3 Teams   (Kent 3 , Fla 2, Ark)
ACC-      6      3 Teams   (NC 3, Duke 2, Maryland)
Big East-  4      2 Teams   (UConn 3 , Syracuse)
Pac 10-   2       2 Teams   (UCLA. AZ)
Big 10-    1       Mich St
Big 12-    1       Kansas

As a caveat in last 20 years:
10 - NC in Football.
7-    NC in Baseball
5 -   NC Womens BBall
17-  NC in Mens Indoor Track

J

Definition of Mental in Golf.

In response to the Johnny Miller's remark.
I have to respect anything Miller says and agree with him that Tigger handles pressure better than anyone else.

My issue is a little more controversial, I have never related mental prowess with the ability to block out the reality of "what if" I fail.
 A golfer that competes with below average swing speed and hits it in the fairway is far and away more mental that someone like Woods, who through out his career has hit it every where, but has the physical abilities to hit shots that others just cannot hit.

Its his lack of an ability to confront all the issues mentally that separates him from the rest.
He is like a 5year old at times, we all remember when we lacked the mental awareness of recognizing consequences.

 He is an example of a "soulless thinker."
 If you find being selfish and lacking self awareness a mental success then I have no argument.
So, I stand by my statement, physically he can do things others cannot. If you doubt it watch his short game miracles and then turn around and he hits a 5 iron out of the 3 inch rough with a cut from 210yards.

 The fact that he is mentally lacking what you would want your own children to feel and represent, is what makes him an all-time great golfer. I wish it was not true, I wish only the good guys could win, but it is just not true.

My opinion on this type of thinking is not isolated to just golf.  Take a moment and think of the greatest players in each sport during the last 50 years and you will notice many times some huge social issues.
j

AL Dominance?

Tom Verducci of SI was on Mad Dog today talking about the upcoming season.  He believes that the best 6 teams in baseball reside in the AL.  The NL lost Fielder and Pujols this off-season.  They have the star power and deeper rosters.  I probably agree with the assessment, but it's funny to think about pitchers like Kershaw, Lee, Halladay, and Lincecum residing in the NL; they just don't have great teams around them.  I'm ready for some boxscores!

S

Johnny Miller on Mad Dog

A plug for my guy Chris Mad Dog Rousseau; he gets very knowledgable guests and gives them a long segment and asks good questions.  Yesterday Johnny Miller who talked about his career with great candor, like his close miss at the Masters in '75 I think.  Opened with like a 75 and dominated the weekend falling a shot short.  My favorite discussion was when he said that the most interesting thing in sports is the choking subject.  He is not afraid to call it what it is; some players can't respond to pressure.  Gets him in hot water with the players.  In response to J's earlier post about Tiger Woods winning physically, Miller said that Woods was the greatest all-time player for responding to pressure, even better than Jack.  I know you appreciate that.

S

Masters Week

Some Odds:
Rory and Tigger  - 4 to 1.
Phil 9-1
Westwood-14 to 1.

My favorite:

• Rory, he is simple the best player in the world. 
• Leads tour at 67.75 scoring avg - Leads Tour in Eagles and 2nd in Birdies percentage. He is the best on the planet on par 5s.  
• His power is amazing, He leads the tour in approaches from over 200yds
• I don't think he will ever putt well enough or be selfish enough to be like Tiger, but I can see a Nick Price type career, where for a 5 year span he is simple the best.
• Westwood,  if he puts decent he wins unless Rory goes ballistic.
• Tigger and Phil are the same at the Masters, who ever handles the failures best is in the hunt.
• Few have discussed this, but Phil is putting great this year. He is 2nd on Tour in Strokes gained in Putting.
• Tigger is in the fairways and his knowledge of the reads on putts make him a favorite over a Phil. 
• Donald is due a major and just so good with his putter.  Besides the European tour is on a roll in majors.
• Bradley- He is long and can get hot.  His relationship with Phil has given him confidence and the kid knows how to score.
• Long shot-  Ryan Palmer.  He can poke it and putts well.  200 to 1.
• Jason Day is the curious one to watch.
•  He was runner up at Masters and US Open last year.
• If the course plays hard I like Webb Simpson and Kuchar.
• If you want an unknown Euro Winner- Look at Henrik Stenson.
• Kyle Stanley will get some press:  Power like Woods but he is weaker inside the 100 yard area, so if he gets Pelz to help him he will win a major one day.

 As, Lee Trevino said to Tigger... Play the Fade, Play the Fade Baby.
A person that lives with the fade will win, because they keep it in the fairway.

j.

One of the Best Nights of the Year

We get the Super Bowl, the BCS Title Game, and the NCAA finals.  We sometimes get a game 7 in the World Series or NBA finals, but we can count on this night and I love it.  Two of the great traditional powers and great fan bases.  Two of the top 5 coaches in the business.  This has to be the night for Calipari, the one he can't let get away.  You can sign McDonalds All-Americans, but to get the difference makers that can make it happen as freshmen, like Davis and Gilchrist, it has to happen now.  They responded Saturday tied late and I don't think they will tighten up tonight.  Kansas doesn't have the shooters necessary.  I hope it's fairly close so we can really enjoy it.  Let's tip it!

S

If Dodgers are worth $2Billion what are the Big Boys Worth?

Did you hear the CNBC Sports Business reporter on the Cowboys value.
He was incredulous about the Dodgers being sold for 2 Billion.

Then he said the Yankees would be worth about $4 Billion.

But when he came to the Cowboys, he said it would be around $5 Billion.  Wow.
A Billion more than the Yankees! 
He did say no one would or could pay that much.

He said that there is no way that the Dodgers can make a profit.

J.

Did I mention the State of Louisiana pays the Saints!

RGIII

I was blogging my love for RGIII in week 1 this past year and even said that I would consider him at top of the draft. 

But, The Redskins have lost their minds!

To trade this years 6th pick for the 2nd pick. Plus a 2nd rounder this year and maybe another 2nd next year. I would understand.  When I look at the additional 1st rounders in 2013 an 2014.  I am in shock.

 Does Snyder really think that the Super Bowl is won with a QB?  He has listened to too many QB turned announcers or coaches that could never develop a system to make an average QB look great.
I admit a QB can lose a chance at a Super Bowl, but the coaches, scouts and player developers are much more important.

Suddenly, the Jeff Fisher Era looks good for the Rams.

j.

Kentucky-Kansas

Kansas surprised me Saturday night by dominating Ohio State to the that level on the boards.

Well, that will not happen with Kentucky on the floor.  They are quicker and better defensively than Ohio State.
My gut is probably wrong, but if Kentucky gets any guard play from Teague I feel a blow out on the horizon.
Kansas is not quicker than Kentucky and when I combined that with a lack of an outside shooter. I see the Jayhawks going down by 17.

When I compare the Coaches, I like Self, but Coach Cal is something special. 
Kansas and Self won in 2008 because Memphis couldn't shoot a lick. Coach Cal had athletes and one great player,  now Cal has great athletes that are basketball players.
This team shoots 75% from FT for year.  If they shoot 65% in this game will get a 9 point win.

When Kentucky survived the constant Louisville fouls with body checks, I felt the tourney was done.
J.

Our GM

Jerry has been quoted widely over the last few days saying he was caught off guard by the depth of the problems on the offensive line last year.  First they clean house, then they realize they have no talent.  This is our GM!  It hurts my heart and my brain to see this guy run my all-time favorite team.

S

Undermining the NBA

The NBA has amazing athletes and are experiencing a great influx of talent.  But as I watch a little more in preparation for the playoffs, I continue to be amazed at the poor refereeing.  How can we cure Polio, put a man on the moon, and split the atom, but we can't call a basketball game?  Truly awful every single night.  One trip is a phantom touch foul, the next a bogus charge, the next a missed hack on the arm.  Players get bailed out for bad offensive series time and again.  It's hard to watch.  Stern needs to hire like a retired general and give him independent authority to clean up the culture that says the NBA protects stars and glamour teams.  It really undermines a game I would like to enjoy.

S