Blockbuster Trade Thoughts

So the MLB Hot Stove has officially heated up with the 4 team trade between the Phillies, Mariners, A's, and Blue Jays. The details of the trade are here: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4744730

So the first question is who made out best in this deal. Well for my money it has to be the Blue Jays. They got 2 top 50 prospects and a need position minor leaguer for a guy who didn't want to be there plus $6 million in cash. Drabek is one of the top pitching prospects out there, Brett Wallace can play both corner infield positions, and if d'Arnaud can hit .250 with 60 RBIs he'll be worth it. Halladay is a great pitcher, but he's 32, wanted tons of money, and was asking to be traded because he didn't want to be a part of a rebuilding team anymore.

The Phillies made out the 2nd best in the deal by getting a top end pitcher signed to a long term deal as well as 3 decent prospects from Seattle. While I don't know how long Halladay can continue to pitch at the level he is at, the underrated portion of this deal is that Lee is only a year younger. Halladay's experience in the brutal AL East will prepare him for just about anything the NL can throw at them. I'm not too familiar with the Seattle farm system, but if the prospects the Phillies get turn out anything like the ones the Orioles got in the Erik Bedard trade, the Phils will be set for a while.

Seattle seems to think they came out the best in this trade, and for the next season they probably did, but they continue to mortgage their future to gain a short term advantage. The 1-2 punch of Felix Hernandez and Cliff Lee will make the AL West uneasy, but without a solid offense they can't really compete with the elite of the AL. Not to mention they are getting a 31 year old pitcher who has only had 2 good seasons ever (granted, they were the past 2, but still, if he falls back into his old form I wouldn't be completely shocked). The other problem with Lee is that there is almost no chance they can resign him next season. He wants to test free agency and get CC Sabathia money, which the Mariners most likely can't afford. So they are renting a pitcher for the season, and anything short of a World Series will be a disappointment. They will be lucky to just make the playoffs.

Oakland completes the trade by acquiring Michael Taylor for Brett Wallace. This trade seems just completely pointless. The A's need help and both the corner infield positions (Eric Chavez is getting old and isn't that good anymore, and their first basemen is non-existent) and in the OF, but why get involved in a trade that doesn't really benefit you at all. If their prospect was necessary for all parties involved to go ahead with the trade, then they just made Seattle better this season, Toronto better for the future, and they stayed about even. It just seems pointless to ever intentionally help another team get better without you doing the same. Some trades make sense when each team has a surplus of talent in one area and a void somewhere else, but when you have 2 voids and you fill one by hurting the other it's just pointless.

Overall the trade is really the biggest one I can remember in MLB in my lifetime. 2 Cy Young winners traded places along with 3 of the top 50 prospects from mlb.com. I'm excited to see what will happen next season when all the pieces get put in to place. Can Roy Halladay win 25 games in the NL? Will Cliff Lee be the piece that vaults Seattle to the top of a weak AL West? How long until the pieces Toronto acquired begin to make an impact at the major league level? Will Billy Beane make me look like a jackass after this season or in the future? I can't wait to find out.

2010 Big Board: First Edition

So we are heading into conference championship weekend in college football, and with almost all regular season games finished, it's time to unveil The Anti-Sports Guy's first Big Board for the 2010 NFL Draft. The first edition will have 20 players, and will grow to 32 before the mock drafts start. I only include players who have the opportunity to go into next year's draft, along with some info and reasoning.

1. Ndamukong Suh: DT, Nebraska
Suh has been by far the most impressive player I have seen this season. Now I don't have game film from the Arkansas State game, or the Louisiana-Lafayette game, but I do know, I've watched him play 3 times, and all 3 times he dominated the line of scrimmage on every play. He's a player that must be accounted for on every snap, because not only can he stuff the run and pass rush, he can cover in zone and has 4 career INTs. Being versatile enough to play in 3-4 and 4-3, he very possibly could be the first overall selection.

2. Eric Berry: S, Tennessee
Berry, a junior, should declare after this season, even after having only 2 INTs this season, down from 7 last year. Defenses have left him alone for the most part, but he still impacts the running game. This time last year I would never have had Berry above Taylor Mays, but he's done nothing but impress me with his overall safety play. He is a hybrid cover/hitting safety, and can change the game at any point.

3. Sam Bradford: QB, Oklahoma
Yes, I understand that he's hurt, and that it's his shoulder, but technology has advanced, and he could be healthy in plenty of time. I think Bradford needs to sit a year or two, and throwing him into a bad offense (Browns, Rams, Raiders...) could really hinder his development. The concerns that he hasn't spent enough time under center are valid, and a main reason for the extra year of development. Still, he has the accuracy and poise that you can't teach. His leadership qualities aren't quantifiable, but important to his high ranking.

4. Rolando McClain: LB, Alabama
Plain and simple, McClain is a player. He always seems to be around the ball, and hits you in the mouth every chance he gets. I'm not sure how he will measure out at the combine, but the game film should be more than sufficient to give him a high draft spot. It's a big comparison, but I could see him playing in the same mold as Ray Lewis, maybe without the stabbing.

5. Russell Okung: OT, Oklahoma St.
Probably the best comparison I can think of is Ryan Clady. He needs to add about 20 pounds to his frame while keeping his speed, but at 6'8" (some sites have him around 6'5", but his ESPN profile is what I'm going by), he will be an imposing force. The offensive tackle class this year pales in comparison to the past few, but Okung will benefit from it.

6. Taylor Mays: S, USC
A favorite of mine for a few years, Mays has fallen off a bit, and really isn't much of a cover safety. However, he has recovery speed, and a ferocious hitting ability. Mays is made in the mold of the great safeties at USC like Ronnie Lott and Dennis Smith. He definitely won't go this high unless he dominates every phase of the combine, but I think in the perfect system he will develop into a top tier safety.

7. Dez Bryant: WR, Oklahoma St.
My 2nd Cowboy, and possibly a surprise to many, but as far as talent goes this guy could be top 3. Bryant is big, fast, strong, and has great hands. If not for an unfortunate incident with Deion Sanders, Bryant would be dominating the college football landscape, and might have helped save Zac Robinson from total humiliation at the hands of Oklahoma. His off the field problems will disappear if he shows up in shape and does well in Indy.

8. Gerald McCoy: DT, Oklahoma
Now my 2nd Sooner appears. McCoy is a player that I've seen be rated much higher, and I'm not exactly sure why. He isn't the best DT in his conference, Suh is, and he doesn't affect the game nearly as much as many other players. He's big, but not massive, and isn't a dominate inside pass rusher. All that said, he is a great player who will be very good in the NFL for years, just not worth a top 5 selection.

9. Joe Haden: CB, Florida
Florida's best player this year has been Tim Tebow, no doubt about that, but Tebow just doesn't translate to the NFL. Haden, however, has the speed and instincts that do translate well to the NFL. He's not quite 6' tall, but is big enough. I worry a little about open field tackling, but he probably will be a nickel back to start his career, so his tackling can develop while he continues to hone his coverage skills.

10. Jake Locker: QB, Washington
Jake Locker will probably be the first QB taken in next year's draft if he opts to go. This guy will be a workout warrior at the combine, and will impress the scouts very much like Mark Sanchez (Steve Sarkisian is his coach, who was at USC last year). I worry that he will be asked to do too much too soon though. Of the QBs I've seen this year, I think Locker could have the most immediate impact, but if he isn't handled right, could turn into a punching bag in the way David Carr did. The greats rebound from that kind of abuse, but it's early to say that he will be great.

11. George Selvie: DE, South Florida
Before you tell me he's the 2nd best DE on his own team, remember that Selvie has been dominating college football since he was a freshman. He commands a double or triple team on every pass play, and can still disrupt the run. He has 61 TFL in his career, which speaks to his ability to make plays other than sacks. While I think he will be a tweener DE/OLB, I think his best role is at OLB as a pro in a 3-4, where he can rush the passer most downs, and work on his coverage as he matures.

12. Sergio Kindle: OLB/DE, Texas
The kind of player that can use a variety of moves to get to the QB. He's big enough to put a hand on the ground in pass rushing situations and go 1 on 1 against a tackle, and agile enough to move around in space. His past DUI will be a sticking point for some teams and probably hurt his stock. If he puts on a few more pounds I think he can move down permanently to DE, but at his current size a combo player is really his best situation.

13. Terrence Cody: DT, Alabama
This is a conditional placement here assuming that he actually plays up to his potential in the NFL. Cody is a mountain, and can clog up any hole. When he wants to be I truly believe he is the 2nd best player in this draft. However, he gets lazy at times and decides to not affect the game the way he can. He plays very much like Shaun Rogers. However, I see Cody as a late 1st round pick, or at best around 14-18, so he will likely be going to a better team than Rogers has ever played for. Hopefully he can get a good mentor in the pros to bring out his tremendous talent.

14. Trent Williams: OT, Oklahoma
The third of Oklahoma's big 4, he can move well and protect the QB as well as run block. There is a concern that he hasn't logged enough time at LT to be projected this high since Phil Loadholt played his entire career at OU at the LT spot. Still, Williams will impress scouts with his mobility and strength and should find himself at the top half of the first round.

15. Brandon Spikes: ILB, Florida
Spikes has seen his stock drop from a top 5 player to now 15th on the big board due to a less than stellar senior year. The eye gouge attempt on Washaun Ealey didn't help his cause either, labeling him as a dirty player. Still, he plays well in both phases, and truly excels in pursuit. He hits and wraps ball carriers and very rarely misses a tackle. He makes his presence know and moves well from sideline to sideline. I think playing ILB he may fall a la Rey Maualuga in the draft, but will be a great performer.

16. Carlos Dunlap: DE, Florida
Back to back Gators here, and Dunlap really should be higher. I'm keeping him back because I'm curious to see how missing the SEC championship game will affect him in the bowl game. He is an all around DE, and could play in a 4-3 or 3-4 at DE. In nickel/dime situations I could see him moving in to DT as well. He is big and strong and should translate well into any scheme. But again, something like this could be a mental block, and hopefully by the next big board he'll be in the top 10.

17. Golden Tate: WR, Notre Dame
I really don't like Notre Dame, but Tate is the best player on that team, and the best active WR in the FBS right now. He makes Jimmy Clausen look good, and that's an accomplishment in itself. His most underrated quality is his ability to come back to an underthrown ball and understand how to make the difficult catch in traffic. He will be an asset to any team that gets him.

18. Earl Thomas: S, Texas
Thomas has been a ball hawk all season, and seems to step up in the biggest games of the season with big plays. He had 4 games without an INT, and they were all against teams that were beaten by at least 32. That tells me that he shows up in the moments where his team needs him, and he takes the necessary risks. Thomas could be the best safety of the 3 in the top 20, but he's still young, and as a redshirt sophomore he might benefit from going back another year.

19. Jermaine Gresham: TE, Oklahoma
The final of Oklahoma's big 4. Gresham is hurt, which hurt him here as he falls down without the ability to see him play this year. This is a situation where he really hurt himself by coming back this season as opposed to coming out last year. He's still the first TE that will come off the board, and the most talented one in college football. I worry about his ability to stay in during running downs coming from the shotgun spread offense in OU, but I think his pass catching ability will hold him over until he improves there.

20. Jerry Hughes: DE, TCU
The 7th defensive lineman in the top 20 is a player who I thought would go high last year, and really hasn't disappointed me this season. He's had 26 sacks the past 2 years combined and has been by far the best player on an extraordinary defense. His only problem is that he doesn't get the opportunity to play the same competition as these other players, so he looks better than he may actually be. I still think Hughes can play well at the next level and will be a great value at any point past pick 15.

Notable exclusions:
Tim Tebow: He fits my mold for great QBs. If you win in college, then you'll win in the pros. The problem is, I don't believe he'll get the chance to play QB in the NFL, which lowers his status on the big board. As a TE, he's maybe 2nd or 3rd round material, but as a QB he's mid to late 1st round, but I'm in the minority there.

Colt McCoy: Again, perfect for my mold, but he's right now 21, and a 21 person big board just sounds stupid. He will be a very good player.

Jimmy Clausen: Can't throw under pressure as a result of his lack of dealing with it until 10th grade, as he played 7 on 7 ball before then. In the NFL he must process faster than he's ever had to, and he won't survive.

All RBs: C.J. Spiller, Jahvid Best, Toby Gerhart, and Anthony Dixon could all crack the top 32, or even the top 20, but as of right now, they just aren't as good as the other players here.

How the World Series Was Lost

So after having time to digest the happenings of the World Series, I can only blame one person for the Phillies loss to the Yankees: Charlie Manuel. It was Manuel's decision to pitch Pedro in both game 2 and 6 even though Cole Hamels was clearly the 2nd best pitcher on the team, whether he played the part or not. He left Pedro in too long in game 2, pulling his best Grady Little. He never should have thrown him out there with the series on the line in game 6. The most perplexing part is that Pedro started these games even though he was at best the 5th starting pitcher on the team. Where was J.A. Happ during this postseason? The bullpen is where Manuel decided his 12-4 pitcher (2.96 ERA in 166.0 IP) needed to be. Since his first start on May 23rd, Happ had only failed to go 5+ innings once, and that was on September 18 when he left for "precautionary reasons" after a strained oblique earlier in the season. His worst game of the season was a 5.2 inning outing in which he gave up 5 ER with 6 BB. That was in June against Boston, and most of his poor starts came earlier in the season. Once he got on track he was lights out. Pedro on the other hand was a shell of his former self. Depending on which birth certificate you believe, Pedro is at youngest 38, but more likely about 42. He has 34 regular season starts the past 3 years, and has played admirably for his age, but still not great. But the Pedro/Happ debate was not the only thing Manuel screwed up. He threw out an ice cold, unproven Ben Francisco 12 times, and got 1 walk, 0 hits, 2 Ks, and 1 GIDP. Matt Stairs went 1 for 10 with 2 walks, and along with Pedro proved that age does matter, and in the (hopefully) post-steroid era players have a natural regression during their mid-30s that shouldn't be ignored. Manuel seemed to ignore his other bench players who may have actually done something. In limited appearances Eric Bruntlett and Paul Bako had better BAs than Matt Stairs. Stairs' perceived value was his ability to hit home runs, but in 129 plate appearances this season, he hit 5. If Joe Girardi faced criticism for his over-managing of his team, Manuel needed the same criticism for under-managing his. Also, just for fun, will someone please tell Jimmy Rollins that his role as a leadoff hitter is to get on base, not to try and swing for the fences. You need a better OBP than .296, or you need to hit 2nd or 5th in the lineup and let Victorino move to leadoff. (By the way, of the Phillies regular starters, Rollins had the lowest OBP, lower than Carlos Ruiz, lower than Pedro Feliz, and that is pathetic)

One final note, Bob Sanders just makes my argument for the most overrated player in the NFL look much better. One game played this season and he goes on the IR. Thank you.

My Apology To Josh McDaniels

As I write this blog I am preparing to watch the Broncos play on MNF, and regardless of the result, this apology letter is still deserved.

Dear Mr. McDaniels,
There comes a time when every man must admit his mistakes and come forward with a contrite, sincere apology. From the beginning of your reign as the Broncos coach I doubted you. I doubted your selection because of your offensive background, when we were awful on defense. Then came the Jay Cutler-Matt Cassel fiasco, and I believed you were out to sabotage the team and just trying to rebuild your offense from New England. I thought you lied, manipulated, and swindled your way to one of the best coaching gigs in the league, and were going to turn a proud franchise into a laughing stock. When you brought in Kyle Orton I wondered if he had the ability to carry a team, and after practices and preseason games where he struggled, I knew he was a bum. The only decent signing you had was Mike Nolan, and even he I questioned after his unsuccessful stint in San Francisco. Now I realize that you must be a far better football person than I am. You convinced one of the best owners that you were the right man, and you are. You were unwilling to waiver on your decision to try to trade Cutler because you knew no one player was above the team, and that if a player can't fit the system, then it's time for him to go. You saw that Brian Dawkins was not over the hill, but still playing at the peak of his game. You watched every play Kyle Orton made, and became convinced he was a true winner, and so far, he's been nothing short of phenomenal. You sent a clear message to Brandon Marshall that play on the field will determine contract matters, not complaining or holding out. You have turned a team with an attitude problem and little heart into a fiery, disciplined, and complete team. It has been a very long time since I have enjoyed watching a team play as much as your Broncos this season. So please know that I now have full confidence in your to lead our team to the Super Bowl and back to the top where they belong.

Sincerely,
Tim Hutchinson

Questions

My job affords me a lot of time to sit and think of some really, really pointless things. Along with those things arise a few questions that I can't answer, so I pose them to anyone willing to answer?

Who will end up being the worse closer this season, Brad Lidge or Tony Romo?

Who will score more points in the upcoming 2009-2010 season, Allen Iverson or Alexander Ovechkin?

Who is most likely to poop their pants on the job, Brett Favre, Mark Martin, or perennial favorite Al Davis?

Who will have more big hits in October, Alex Rodriguez or Beyonce?

Which team will manage to win a game first, St. Louis Rams or Tampa Bay Bucs?

Who will end up with the better QB rating this season, JaMarcus Russell or Ronnie Brown? (Note: Russell right now only has a rating better than all the players who have only thrown 1 pass incomplete, Josh McCown, and Matt Moore)

Who will end up with more rushing yards, Darren McFadden or Desean Jackson?

That's it for now, let me know what you think, and any more question to have answered.

The Answer Part II

I was very pleased to find that the answer to the most overrated player in the NFL was guessed by Brad. Bob Sanders is the least accomplished player that gets the star treatment and is considered one of the best at his position. He is an AP D player of the year, a 2 time pro bowler, and widely considered the most important piece to the Colts defense. But there are many things wrong with the assumption that Bob Sanders is even good, let alone great.

1. He doesn't play: In 5 seasons Sanders has played a total of 45 games, or an average of 9 per season. That's barely over half a season for his career. What other player is so beloved for getting hurt all the time?

2. His stats actually suck: Look at his numbers, they just aren't good. Even if you were to calculate his performance playing for 5 full seasons, his numbers would be mediocre at best. He would average: 1.24 sacks, 1.78 INTs, .71 FF, 77.16 solo tackles and 25.6 assists (Remember, this is actually giving him more credit than he deserves, his actual stats are even less per season, but assuming he played all 16 games, this is what he would look like). Those are not Pro Bowl, 1st team All-Pro, or even top end starter numbers. His stats reflect more of a bad LB than a good safety. By comparison, Ed Reed has done much better for a few more Pro Bowl and All-Pro appearances, but no AP D player of the year awards. His stat line, without giving him extra stats for his career 6 missed games, per season reads: .71 sacks, 6.14 INTs, .86 FF, 48.86 solo tackles and 9.86 assists. That is what a great safety should look like. Not to mention the 11 to 1 lead in TDs scored.

3. He isn't the playoff warrior he appears: In 9 career playoff appearances he has managed 2 INTs and 1 FF. All of those came during the Colts Super Bowl run of 2006. Other than that he averages around 10 combined tackles and a pass defensed per game. His legendary rebirth during that Super Bowl run "invigorated" the Colts run D, but really was nothing more than just him being better than his backup by enough, but relying on Matt Giordano and Dexter Reid for most of the year usually isn't a good thing. Any half decent safety would have improved their D.

What irks me the most is that Scouts Inc. on ESPN has Sanders rated as their best safety, over the likes of Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu, and Adrian Wilson, when really he's a glorified Roy Willaims. They rave about his instincts and matchup skills with tight ends, but neglect to mention anything about wide receivers. He can fill run gaps, but throws his body so violently that he can't stay on the field. His main asset is his speed, which is great, but really doesn't help him cover taller players. Bob Sanders needs to be kept out of the pantheon of great safeties and restored to his rightful place amongst the masses.

Most Overrated Football Player

So after my most popular post about the most underrated baseball player, I've decided to unveil my most overrated football player. Of course you'll have to wait a week again, but it will be well worth it. Now again let me set the ground rules here. This player is someone who gets all sorts of air time from TV analysts and pundits, but the talk doesn't match up with the numbers. Now I understand that stats aren't the most important thing in the world in football, but they do make a difference. I will give one hint this time to help funnel the discussion in the right direction. The most overrated player in the NFL is a defensive player. Good luck!

Pujols: Man or Myth?

So since the All Star Game is being played in St. Louis, the past week has been dedicated to the hero worship of Albert Pujols. Listening to all of this begs the question, is Albert Pujols the greatest right-handed hitter of all time? Let's take a look:

Pujols leads all right-handed hitters in OPS and slugging %, and comes in 3rd in OB%, and is still in the prime of his career. Everyone points out that he's hit 30 HRs in each of his first 9 seasons, and has never topped 100 Ks in an era where 200 is usually within reach for power hitters. He seems to be humble, and plays the game with passion and intensity. He is a student of the game, and runs the bases well, and has a gold glove to his credit. There's not much he can't do. So is he the greatest right-handed hitter ever? No.

So if it isn't Pujols, it must be asked, who is it? The answer may be surprising. He hasn't played in the lifetime of anyone who is reading this blog, and most people probably wouldn't name him in their first 10 guesses, but Rogers Hornsby was the greatest right-handed hitter of all time. He played 6 of his 23 seasons in the dead ball era (most of his last seasons were short and unimportant, so really it's more like 6 of 18 in the dead ball era) and still finds himself near the top of almost every major statistical category. His career is littered with years that he led the league in numerous different categories, and was twice a triple crown winner (1922 and 1925). Hornsby was never a home run machine like Babe Ruth, and didn't steal bases like Lou Brock, but his all around game and especially his hitting prowess have yet to be matched by a righty. Not to mention, steroids didn't exist during his day, and even though I truly believe Pujols is clean, the suspicion is always present nowadays.

My First Vlog

Now to clarify one thing (I didn't feel like doing it again), I'm not advocating either crime, and I'm not trying to say Stallworth doesn't deserve a second chance once he serves his time. I just don't see how one crime can make you hated by the entire US, but one doesn't really matter to the general public. Leonard Little got away with killing someone while drinking and driving during Paul Tagliabue's tenure with only an 8 game suspension. I think Roger Goddell can be a douche sometimes, but he made the right call here.

Last point, I've said this for a while, if the Orioles were in the NL West they would have won at least 4 division crowns, and probably gone to at least 1 World Series. However, they play in the evil AL East, where great teams go to die. As much as I hate Peter Angelos, I can't blame him for not trying to outspend the Yankees and Red Sox every year. He finally got a GM that has a long term plan, and a coach that has developed young players for the first time since Davey Johnson. Hopefully this little winning pattern continues when they go back to playing the AL.

Just for fun

French Open

So I promised a friend I would do some more discussion on non-American sports, so since the French Open is most recent international happening, that seems too appropriate. First, I was happy to see Roger Federer finally win the French and capture his 14th Grand Slam event. He has officially put his name right near the top of tennis' all time greats. But let's stop all the talk of greatest ever. He lucked out in not having to play Rafael Nadal, who has shown the ability to dominate Roger on clay. Federer has played in an era in which he was the only great player until 2001 when Nadal appeared on the pro scene when he was 15. Had Federer played at the same time as Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg, or any of the other greats, I don't think he gets more than 8 or 9. He is the best hard court player in the world, and has been for a long time, and he is still in the top 5 of clay court players, but we live in a world in which specialization has prevented some of the best athletes from experimenting with other sports. Guys don't play every sport under the sun and pick the one they're best at, they go for one sport and train vigirously for it year round in hopes of making it big. While this has created some advantages, it has left a void in the sports world that used to be filled with the Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders types of guys. Nowadays it's too much to ask for a pitcher to hit, or a RB to return a kick. But I digress, tennis seems to be one of the hardest hit sports due to this specialization because when football, baseball, basketball, track, and wrestling are finished plucking the high school talent pool, tennis is left to the fat kids and gays. Not saying there is anything wrong with that, but unfortunately its a trend, especially in smaller schools where there aren't enough male athletes to go around. And even though I love watching Roger Federer play tennis, and believe that he is the best player of his generation by more than most have been, he isn't the greatest of all time because his only test has come while he's on his way out the door, not when he was truly at his peak.

Updates Galore

So a lot has happened since I last posted on here, so I figured I would give you all what you want, ranting and raving about nothing special.

First, Vitamin Water and Nike, Fuck You! Sorry for the language, but really, how awful are those commercials. Although I would have preferred it to be Kobe, thank God one of them missed the finals so we can stop seeing them. The puppets looked nothing like Kobe or LeBron, and the commercials just made me want to ban Vitamin Water and Nike products forever. Eventually I just started changing the channel every time they came on, but then I would start to miss parts of the game because I wouldn't get back in time. So I do believe it's official, I won't be buying any Vitamin Water or Nike for a while to teach them a lesson.
And for you Beav, here is a sample if you haven't seen it

The Stanley Cup Finals are officially marginalized by moving from NBC to VS. The series is tied 2-2, and the NHL seems desperate to make the Penguins win by having the first five games played in 8 days. The older Red Wings are having trouble keeping up with the younger Penguins, which is exactly what Gary Bettman wants considering he's commisioner of a failing league that isn't available in 50% of households. Ever since the Boston-Carolina round 2 game I've finally come back to hockey because it's back to the hard nosed style they used to have in the playoffs, but without as much trap and clutching. Well I believe in the NHL, which is why I'm writing about them before the actual NBA playoffs.

So on to the NBA Finals, where it's already a foregone conclusion that the Lakers are going to win, probably in 6 once the series returns to LA. As much as I hate watching them win, they really showed they were a better team last night. I could hardly stand to watch some of it because they made the Magic look like they were a college team. They did the smart thing by fouling Howard when he went up strong and forced him to make his FTs. With Bynum, Gasol, Odom, and Trevor Ariza they have 24 fouls between their big guys to throw at Howard, and then they have the speed to step out and contest the 3 that the Sixers, Cavs, and Celtics didn't. It's too bad because I'd really like to see anyone but LA or Boston win this season, but it doesn't look likely.

That's about it for now, but hopefully once I get into a better routine with work updates will be more frequent again.

The Answer

For all of you who may have read the blog recently and wondered, well, who is the most underrated baseball player? The answer is very simple, it's Lance Berkman. He doesn't get the media exposure that many of the top hitters in baseball do, but every year he quietly puts up spectacular numbers. The most telling stat is his OPS (On base % + Slugging %), where he ranks 16th all time, and 4th among active players. The names he's behind on that list are some of the great hitters of all time: Ruth, Gehrig, Foxx, DiMaggio, and Musial. The three players who are ahead of him are Albert Pujols, Manny Ramirez, and Todd Helton. Manny can be disqualified because he's trying to get pregnant, and even though I'm not usually one to admit this, you can't discount Coors Field when evaluating Todd Helton's statistics. So that leaves Pujols and Berkman as the top 2 hitters in the game. Would anyone out there have ever put those 2 together? Doubtful. For those of you who thought that Adrian Gonzalez was the pick, he was a great guess, but if he stopped playing tomorrow he hasn't put up the stats consistently enough to be remembered. Berkman is the same age as A-Rod, but has never had a hint of steroid suspicion. He plays all 3 OF positions and 1B. He's 2 HRs shy of 300 for his career, has a career .300 average, .412 OBP, and .557 slugging. The closest he has come to an MVP was in 2006, when he placed 3rd behind Pujols and winner Ryan Howard with a stat line of .315 average, 45 HRs, and 136 RBIs. Pretty phenomenal for not winning the award. Berkman deserves to be considered with the best of the best, not just a marginally good All-Star. 30 years ago Berkman is a first ballot hall of famer, but in the steroid era he doesn't even get a sniff from the casual fan. So to Lance Berkman, I salute you.

An Unofficial Poll

So I've been debating this for a while. As part of my giving attention to the players who don't get it nationally, I've decided to take a poll of any and everyone who might read this and ask one simple question. After that, I'll give the correct answer. It's very simple, and should generate some interesting responses. Who is the most underrated baseball player out there? The only hint I'll give is that it's a position player and not a pitcher, but if you feel it's a pitcher, feel free. After enough time has passed I will evaluate the responses and hopefully someone else will get the correct answer, but I doubt it.

Again: Who is the most underrated baseball player?

P.S. He doesn't play in Boston or New York, if that wasn't obvious.

Last Night Was Awesome

Boston teams went 0-3, and I enjoyed watching as much as I could. Plus, the Orioles won 9-5 and the Rockets forced a game 7, setting up a great Sunday for basketball. There is a potential for my two least favorite NBA teams, the Celtics and Lakers, to lose on the same day and be eliminated from the playoffs as higher seeds. The Red Sox went to extra innings before they lost to the Angels, and the Bruins went to OT before they got beat by the Canes. The Bruins at least showed some fight in the game, basically mugging the Canes for the entire OT without getting called for a penalty. The Magic found a way to come back and expose the tired and old legs of the Celtics. Hopefully they remember how to continue this on Sunday, so that the crappy Celtics can just go home. Not much else other than the past 2 nights has been the best 2 day span for me in ages, my birthday was awesome, and last night was awesome too.

Red Sox and Steroids

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090511&content_id=4673748&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

I rest my case. One of the players in the clubhouse says the Red Sox informed players how to use steroids properly. Lou Merloni, the former player, equated it to "teaching your teenage daughter about sex education". Big difference, sex is legal in all 50 states, steroids is illegal in all 50 states. Pretending like this is no big deal is absolutely ridiculous. Now in fairness, the Red Sox GM at the time Dan Duquette says that the meeting never took place. But let's be honest, is there a situation in which he would admit to having a doctor come in and teach players how to properly use steroids after the Manny suspension and the atmosphere around baseball right now. I'll believe Merloni until he's proven wrong.

On another Boston note, as much as I hate the teams in that city, the Big Baby "controversy" is a joke. The guy was excited and accidently pushed a kid, but really was just swinging his arm backwards. The dad needs to give it a rest with the demanding of an apology, and if I were Davis, I would tell him to go fudge himself. But instead he caved and apologized, which is unfortunate, I might have actually liked a Boston player if he had some balls. That's all for tonight.

George Diaz is an idiot

This afternoon I sat down with the Evening Sun sports section and found myself reading an article taken from the Orlando Sentinel by George Diaz titled "BCS system has flaws but it does work". Really? They could have called and gotten a better opinion piece from me on the topic. So I decided to write a rebuttal, and after I'm done I'm going to send it in to the Evening Sun and see if I can get it published, because lets be honest, if they run that, they'll run anything. Here is a link so you can read it: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orl-sportsbcs-college-diazcol050609050609may06,0,594458.column

George Diaz's article on the BCS being flawed but working is an accurate representation of his own work. He's flawed in his argument, yet still working at a major American newspaper. He starts off by appealing to the common sense of the reader and getting them on his side by doing what every writer and TV anaylst has done when discussing Congress getting involved in the controversy. He attacks the men trying to force the BCS to implement a playoff by saying they have better uses for their time. While it is difficult to argue with the logic during these economic times, there is an intelligent reason behind this. Imagine being the congressman or congresswoman who wrote the bill forcing the BCS to implement a playoff system to determine a national champion. College football fans of all race, gender, religion, and political affiliation would likely vote for you forever, and crossing over those boundaries is appealing. Beyond that, a playoff would help stimulate revenue across the board. It only stands to reason that more games mean more money flowing in, especially playoff games that are located around the major cities of the nation. So creating a playoff is a stimulus plan that makes everyone happy. Lastly, lets not pigeon hole our lawmakers into people only worried about the economy or abortion or gay marriage. They are people who have genuine interests outside of sitting in a room voting on bills. They are doing the people the represent a service by discussing these issues because many Americans today care so much about their sports teams that they want something done about it by any means necessary.
Next Diaz goes directs the article towards the old excuse of "it's better than it used to be". Please spare me the nostalgia for the good old days of bowl games that didn't solve the national championship picture. Bud Selig is trying to use this excuse too when talking about steroids, but no one seems to buy it, because steroids are still a huge problem, and the best pure hitter in the game just got suspended for 50 games. We as college football fans need to continue to demand improvement because we deserve it. Spending money to go to games doesn't give you the right to throw beer or curse in front of children, but it does give you the right to know who the best team in the land is by the end of the season. Even more than the fans, the players deserve to not have championships shrowded in doubt or split because the BCS system failed to deliver. These students are in school being taught to strive for greatness, to be the best they can, but when they step on that field, they are told, it's not the best, but it's better than it used to be.
Diaz has a few more complaints about the problems with a playoff that are easily solved by reasoning. He says the games go too far beyond the traditional January 1st bowl games and "drone on and on and on beyond New year's Day." There are two schools of thought here. The first is that perhaps you just don't enjoy college football. I hold on to the precious last moments of the season and don't mind them stretching out a bit because football is a short 5 months every year. But perhaps I'm in the minority, and most fans would like to see the games wrap up a little sooner. The solution to that is simple, don't wait two weeks to start games, or take out the twelveth game that was added in and start the bowls a week sooner. The national championship game this year was on January 8th, but moved back one week falls exactly on January 1st. The conference championship games were played on December 6th, a full month before the national championship game. The 4 and a half weeks in between there would have been a perfect time for a playoff, ending on January 3rd, a Saturday. Diaz envisioned a world in which the major conferences collapse due to teams not wanting to play such difficult schedules to help their chances at making the playoffs. This is another easy solution. Instead of the 8 team playoff everyone is calling for, let's make it 16 teams, and every conference out there gets an automatic bid, and the 5 best conferences (determined by overall W-L % between them) get a 2nd qualifier. Therefore the BCS conferences are almost guaranteed to get 11 of the 16 spots, and any BCS busters like Utah or Boise St. get their fair shake too. The seeding can be done just like a mini men's tournament bracket, splitting the top 4 seeds into the best suited regions, and playing 2 games in the regions before coming in for a Final Four of Football. Teams like North Texas or Ball St. will play the likes of Florida, Oklahoma, or any other powerhouse in the first round in a virtual home game, so again the power conferences come out on top. The playoff can fit into the bowl system by rotating the first 8 games between the bowls not named Rose, Orange, Sugar, and Fiesta. The quarterfinals take those 4 names, and then we have the National Semifinals/Final Four and then the National Championship Game. To counter Diaz's concern about the team who is arguing about being the 16th/11th best team in the nation, remember, only two 11 seeds have ever made the NCAA Final Four (LSU 1986, George Mason 2006) and no 12 seed has ever done it. Complaining won't do much, because if you're arguing about being the 16th/11th best team, then you didn't do enough. A team like the 2004 Auburn Tigers wouldn't get left out even though they went undefeated, a team like 10-2 Texas Tech might find itself on the outside looking in. Diaz worries that teams might take the last week of the season off if they are secured a playoff bid. The likelihood of that happening is slim, considering even with a 16 team playoff only 13.3% of teams out of the current FBS are making the playoffs, so one mistake could take you out of the race. The only teams likely to do that would be undefeated conference winners, but the goal of going undefeated always trumps the desire to rest players, just ask the 18-1 Patroits.
Diaz goes on to point out another crutch of the BCS supporter, that a playoff would diminish the importance of the regular season. Again, going back the stat that only 13.3% of teams would make the playoffs means that every game would continue to count, and that mistakes could still cost a team their season. Losing a game hasn't prevented Florida from winning two national championships in the past 3 years, or kept Oklahoma out of the title game twice. One loss no longer means that a team is done because parity is beginning to sweep across the college football landscape, and going undefeated is more difficult than ever. The only undefeated team last year didn't get the chance to play for the title, so apparently the regular season isn't a playoff.
A playoff isn't a fool proof system and there are sure to be some kinks to work out, but at the end of the day it would make the vast majority of college football fans happier. Anyone arguing for the kids playing in the playoffs affecting their education needs to remember that these games are over Christmas break and have no affect on schoolwork. No other sports has a month between their national championship contenders playing, because no other sport has any outdated system like the bowls in place. 16 teams allows for enough teams to get their shot while keeping the playoff to under a month in length. It favors the bigger schools while allowing a great smaller school the oppurtunity to compete with the big boys for the national championship. Playing 15 games, 12 of which would be played close to the higher seed's campus, provides more games to generate revenue and allows the towns to gain business from the travelers coming in to watch the games. The only reason this doesn't work is because certain people at the top don't want to lose money from the bowls, but they can't see past that towards the money they would stand to make with a playoff. If the BCS was an effective way to crown a champion and generate revenue then every major sport would have it in some form. This isn't a bitter cry from a Utah or Boise St. fan, or even one from a Texas fan. I root for a Virginia Tech team that has yet to put together a team deserving of a national title. But when the day comes that they do, I pray that the BCS doesn't prevent them from competing for it by placing them back in the Orange Bowl.

Oh Manny

So to anyone who thought this day would never come, it serves you right for being so naive. Manny Ramirez has officially been suspended for using performance enhancing drugs. The report from T.J. Quinn and Mark Fainaru-Wada is that he was using a drug called HCG, a women's fertility drug, and did not actually test positive, but evidence was found of use, which was enough to suspend him for 50 games. Ramirez is the first major player for the Red Sox to have his name brought up in the PED discussion(and no, Roger Clemens doesn't count, because most Boston fans disowned him, but you can read more about that snake here http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/note.php?note_id=2333019990 and may I remind you this was before the Mitchell Report). With the proclivity of steroid and HGH use in the MLB before the more stringent rules were put in place, it was only a matter of time before the Red Sox had their championships shrowded in doubt. The rapid decline of some many of their big pieces since that time only helps further the belief that they were all juicing.

The biggest problem with this is that most of these guys should have been outed in the Mitchell Report for their steroid use. The biggest Red Sox name in the report was Mo Vaughn, who hasn't been relevant since 1998. You may ask yourself, why is he the biggest Boston player on that report? The reason is simple, Senator George Mitchell has a stake in the Red Sox, and outing any of his own World Series winning players would have tarnished their championship. This is not something I just now realized. Ever since the report came out full of Yankees, Blue Jays, and Orioles, it was no real secret that there was another agenda besides cleaning up baseball. I'm usually not a conspiracy theorist, but in this case it just makes so much sense. Why else would there be no Big Papi, Manny Ramirez, Nomar Garciaparra, or any other magically better Red Sox player from those years leading up to their World Series titles? This day is just one of many more to come.

Orioles, Playoffs, Scrubs, and Favre

I'm writing this in the top of the 3rd inning, and by the time I finish it may be later, but I just saw the stupidest base running decision I've seen in a while. It's the bottom of the 2nd with 2 outs, and Cesar Izturis on 2nd base. Adam Jones is at the plate, hitting .363 coming into the game, and already has a double. Keep in mind that Nick Markakis is hitting right behind him, and already has a HR in the game in the 1st inning. Jones hits a sharp line drive single to left field, where Denard Span is playing, with a relatively strong arm. So in this situation, you have the runner stay at 3rd on the hit, and take your chances on Nick Markakis as opposed to the likelihood of Izturis getting thrown out at home. But alas, I see Izturis turning for home and before the ball leaves Span's hand I know he's getting thrown out. The ball is 6 feet off the plate and the catcher still has enough time to get back and tag a sliding Izturis. The third base coach, Juan Samuel, can't let this happen, considering we're talking about team that isn't good enough to be giving back runs and getting thrown out on the basepaths. It's truly frustrating to watch a team that is the least talented team in its own division not at least play smart. I feel like if I coached the O's they would win 5 more games per season because I would just practice fundamentals all day with the fielders. But what the hell do I know.
**Update: The game has been delayed now for the 3rd time tonight, just end it and play the doubleheader tomorrow.

The NBA playoffs are starting to really piss me off. I don't watch them every night, but it seems like the nights I do watch, the games suck, or the Celtics win. I made sure I watched the Bulls-Celtics game 7 the other night, only to watch a game so horrific that I wanted to gauge my eyes out. It ws so bad I bought a basketball because I was convinced I could play in the NBA, because all I need to do is drive to the basket and I'll get fouled. I've been practicing free throws in the driveway in anticipation for declaring for the draft. I haven't hired an agent, so don't worry, I can still keep my options open. Anyway, it's annoying to watch a game in which there are more whistles than shots. There was no flow to the game, making it difficult to watch. The only thing I enjoyed was seeing Rajon Rondo get knocked on his ass twice in a row. I normally would feel bad for someone like that, but he had it coming after the cheap shots he doled out earlier in the series. Back to my initial point, I'm trying to watch the Magic-Celtics game tonight, but it's just been terrible. Why am I not around for the triple OT games, or the buzzer beaters. Just my luck.

Final thing, I know I don't want to do much talking about cultural things outside sports, but I feel the season 8 finale of Scrubs deserved some attention. It was a nice ending, and I really enjoyed the ending montage. However, I'm afraid that they are gonna try to keep the series going even though Judy Reyes (Carla) and Zach Braff (J.D.) won't be back for another season. It's time to let the series go. They tried the internet "Interns" series, and if they make that into the next season of Scrubs you can take me off the bandwagon. No thank you.

Finally, I'm going to murder Brett Favre, in the figurative sense of course. How many times does he need to retire before he stays that way. I get it, you still think you can play, and you want to win another Super Bowl ring, but the greats need to learn when it's time to hang it up. I really don't want my summer to be littered with Brett Favre speculation. I think the greatest thing that could happen would be for Roger Goodell to not reinstate him. It would be an unprecedented move, but it would send the message that you can't hold teams hostage like he did with Green Bay, and you better be sure that you're ready to retire before you file the paperwork. If only I were the NFL commisioner....

Mock Draft Results and more

So I reviewed the mock drafts that Lloyd and I did and applied the agreed upon scoring formula and found out that its true, I am much better than him at mock drafts. The system was simple, only scoring the first round, if you get a player correct to that slot, then you get 10 points. Every position you are off reduces that by 1 point, all the way into negative numbers if necessary (and it was). The final tally is Tim with 116 points, or an average of 3.62 per player, and Lloyd with 73, or an average of 2.28 per player.

With all that being said, this was by far the quirkiest draft I can ever remember seeing, and of course I had second row seats to it, literally. I understand everyone's big board is different, and that Mel Kiper and Scouts Inc. aren't the only authority on these players, but when a guy ranked in the top 100 for McShay doesn't get drafted, something is wrong. Everyone focused on the Raiders, who had an absolutely awful draft, and I don't care if some other team had Michael Mitchell as a 3rd rounder, taking him in the 2nd is just idiotic. He's tall and fast, but he didn't produce against lesser competition, and wasn't even a feature player at Ohio's pro day. All that aside, the underrated terrible draft goes to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Their first two picks are solid, but they passed up on Michael Crabtree, who I absolutely love, to take Eugene Monroe, and then took another OT in the 2nd round. This after going out in the offseason and bringing in Tra Thomas and paying him too much money. Then, they took two players back to back that left a lot of people at the draft going "huh?" Terrance Knighton. He's a DT out of Temple that I couldn't find listed too many places, and then immediately after they took Derek Cox, a CB out of William and Mary. The collective of guys sitting in our area just seemed confounded, as did the guys in the booth talking about it. As Mel Kiper stresses, the draft is about value, not who you pick. These guys were both at best 6th round picks who were taken in the 3rd when much better players were still available. Then with their next 5 picks they decided to take 3 WRs, 1 RB, and 1 TE. For a team with such a need they waited way too long to address it. They have the 2nd worst draft, yet they got a C+ grade. I just don't see it.

Speaking of going to the draft, that was quite an experience. The guy in front of Lloyd and I smelled like he hadn't showered in quite a while, and had back hair that you could braid. I got the signatures of many ESPN personalities, and found out that Herm Edwards is just about the nicest guy ever. Those guys put in a lot of time, and they still were cheerful enough afterwards to sign some autographs and talk breifly with everyone. I was really impressed with the whole setup. Plus I got a nice bag of gifts for free, which always helps smooth things over with me. The Radio City Music Hall is beautiful, and hopefully someday soon I'll be taking over for Mel and running the show there.

Final Mock Draft!

Not a perfect looking post, but it's all there. The first two images are the first two rounds done by both Lloyd and I. In case you can't figure it out, Lloyd proposed some trades in order to better fit what he thought was going to happen so that he would do well in the scoring system. The team listed first will be picking in that slot, the team listed second was originally picking there. The third image is my third round projection, which will be way off, but if I get 3 right I'll be happy. Just for fun and reference, he has two players in his first two rounds, Mike Wallace and Louis Murphy, that I don't have in any of my first three rounds. Both are wide receivers which gives a little information on how different opinions are after the top 5 or so. Hopefully I get every pick right so ESPN decides to hire me as Mel Kiper or Todd McShay's apprentice.

Updated Mock Draft and some thoughts

Again, just click on the picture and it will show up larger. I adjusted for the Jason Peters trade to Philly, giving the Bills Louis Delmas, S, Western Michigan. I changed a few other picks, so check it out. Hopefully by tomorrow night I will be done the 2nd round.

The Red Sox swept the Orioles today, and in less time than I could have imagined the Orioles have collapsed. Their entire pitching staff is out of whack, the offense has been streaky at best, and the fielding has been a disappointment. Now Adams Jones is day-to-day which means Felix Pie is an everyday starter instead of a situational one. Yes, the same Felix Pie who is hitting .147 with an OBP of .216. When your OBP is sinking awfully close to the Mendoza line(normally reserved for BA, but it means being below .200), that's a problem. The O's can't rely on the top of the order producing all the runs this season, the bottom of the order has to come through sometime.

O's and some other stuff

19-6 was the final score of the Orioles game Wednesday, and it's the third straight series finale in which they've been blown out trying to sweep. Their last three attempts to sweep have ended 11-2 against the Yankees, 11-3 against the Rays, and now 19-6 against the Rangers. Those three games have led to a -13 run differential. The starting rotation is getting bailed out by an offense that has started incredibly hot, and if the Orioles believe they can contend this year there needs to be some recognition of this soon before they drop so far out of the race that it's not worth it. Personally, I'd love to see someone like Aubrey Huff or Luke Scott have a great start, and get traded at the deadline for a few prospects. Right now they have 5 OFs for 3 spots, and 2 are guaranteed to Adams Jones and Nick Markakis. Ryan Freel, Luke Scott, and Felix Pie are all fighting for LF, but the actual difference between them is negligible. Pie and Freel will likely stay since they were FA pickups, but Scott could have enough value for a prospect who could come up and pitch the 3 or 4 spot eventually. On the other side of the field Ian Kinsler hit for the cycle and went 6-6 overall on the game. However, his cycle got a lot less publicity than Orlando Hudson's this past week. Why you ask? Because Hudson plays in Los Angeles, and Kinsler plays in Arlington. Even though Kinsler's was also much more impressive (Hudson went 4-5 as opposed to Kinsler's 6-6) he won't get his due.

In other news, I finished my senior seminar paper for history. I did a mock museum display of John Adams' in Holland. Hopefully it doesn't suck and I get at least a B on it. That thing killed too many nights that I could have tried and failed to get to sleep during. Now all I have to do is present it today to the class and I'm finished with it. For now I guess that's all, but I'm sure I'll think of something tomorrow.

Tim vs. Lloyd: First Round Mock Drafts

Just click on the link to take you to an image that you can read. Definitely some similar thoughts, but also some very different opinions on players.

A Few Rumblings

First off, it is a sad day in baseball, losing two fan favorites, announcer Harry Kalas and former ROY Mark Fidrych. Being in West Chester I'm constantly indoctrinated by the Philadelphia sports scene, but Kalas was the bright spot that I could look forward to. Kalas was able to truly capture the spirit of the game with his many signature phrases that will endure in my mind and many others throughout their lives. I was pleased to see that his contributions weren't overlooked, even though he never got the same recognition in life as Vin Scully and Harry Caray, his rightful place in baseball history should be set.



Aside from Kalas, today gave me the first example of the media pushing aside a great story that should be celebrated more. Jermaine Dye and Paul Konerko of the Chicago White Sox both reached 300 HRs on back to back jacks in the 2nd inning of their game against the Detroit Tigers. Reaching a milestone of 300 HRs is enough that it should be a top story on a normal day anytime, but to have two players accomplish that goal on back to back home runs should make for a fantastic piece of television or writing. Instead it's the last headline on mlb.com, non-existent on the front page or MLB page at espn.com, missing from si.com and foxsports.com, and near the bottom at sportsline.com. How is this not the biggest story not involving death today? Because the new Citi-field opened and the Yankees got blown out by the Rays. God forbid a team outside of Boston or New York grab the headlines. The only thing that gets you ahead of them is if you commit heinous crimes or die. I really hope this blog takes off an I get my own TV show or something.

Banner Day for Boston

Truly a banner day for the worst sports city in the nation. First, we get the pleasure of the Celtics getting destroyed by Cavs 107-76, but that wasn't enough. Ray Allen decided to take things into his own, elbow.



A really classy move from the veteran.

Then the Red Sox go out to complete the thuggery by having Josh Beckett throwing at Bobby Abreu's head. The video clip is 8 minutes long so I'll spare you, but needless to say Beckett decided to take his sweet time, and when Abreu called for time from the ump Beckett completed his windup and threw it right at Abreu's head. The good news is that the Angels beat the Red Sox 5-4. I just wish ESPN wasn't located in Bristol, CT so they acted as appalled at the stuff the Boston teams do as they do when any other team does.

We can't forget that Bruins game Thursday either against the Canadiens. A total of 76 penalty minutes were assessed. Now I love fighting in hockey and believe it should stay for good, but this was just ridiculous. Enough about Boston.

Otherwise the Master's was intriguing to say the least. I feel bad for Kenny Perry, who really collapsed on 17 and 18 when it looked like the championship was in the bag. All the congratulations and respect for Angel Cabrera who hit all the shots he had to so he could win the tournament. I really need to get out and play some golf soon so I can attempt to score under 100 at some point. If you're wondering, yes, I am the world's worst golfer.

Periodically I plan on highlighting people or teams that are getting overlooked by the Boston/New York centralized media. Teams like last years Rays will get their due here. The underdog, unless playing against my team, will always get my support. The only exception to that is Tiger Woods, but let's be honest, everyone likes seeing him win. If you know something I should be mentioning let me know, and I'll do the research to see if he/she/they are worthy. I am a man of the people, and as such, I will be your humble (sometimes) and loyal servant.

First Entry/Mock Draft

As an introduction to the blog of The Anti-Sports Guy I want to lay the groundwork of this blog down. First of all, this is not a blog aimed at taking down Bill Simmons, the self proclaimed Sports Guy. I actually enjoy most of his columns and podcasts. This is also not designed to simply argue sports with anyone. You have your opinion and that's wonderful, but I created this because I wanted an outlet to express mine to people. The reason for the name is that unlike Simmons, I hate all Boston sports. Nothing makes me happier than seeing Tom Brady get lost for the season or watching the Red Sox lose to the Rays last year. Boston seems to have quickly forgotten all the years they struggled in baseball and football, and the fans of the city are becoming cocky. The cycle will come back and bite them soon, and when it does, I'll be ready. As well as hating Boston, I also won't be doing the same type of pop culture commentary commonly found with the Sports Guy. Again, while I enjoy when he does it, I don't pay enough attention to MTV or whatever to really make any social commentary.

Now that we have that out of the way, it's time for the real business of the blog. This is The Anti-Sports Guy Mock Draft 1.0. Some of you may know that I will be attending the 2nd day of the draft this year on April 26th. Hopefully by the 24th I will be up to 3 rounds, but I will be done with at least 2 rounds before it happens. Without further ado, with the first pick in the NFL Draft...

(If two positions given, the one I believe they will play is in bold)

1. Detriot Lions - Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
This is a no brainer first overall pick. Look at what Matt Ryan did for the Falcons. If you think Stafford can develop into the same type of pro as Ryan, not necessarily immediately, but eventually, then you have to take him. I just pray this isn't Michael Crabtree for the Lions fans of the world.

2. St. Louis - Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
After the release of Orlando Pace this pick is basically a lock if the Lions take Stafford. My personal belief is that Jason Smith will take a year to truly develop into a great LT. He won't be a Joe Thomas/Jake Long/Ryan Clady type of guy. The converted TE plays mean and with quick feet, but I'm not convinced the technique and coaching has been adequate.

3. Kansas City - Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
Easily the best defensive player in the draft, Curry will provide an immediate spark to a defense that was lackluster. Curry will never amaze you with his workouts like a Vernon Gholston type, but he will be there every day working hard.

4. Seattle Seahawks - Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
This is a pick that could go a number of ways. They could use a guy like Sanchez since Hasselbeck is getting up there. They could also benefit from someone like Beanie Wells, although at 4 he would be a huge reach. I could see any number of defensive front seven guys being taken here as well to compliment what they have. However, after coming back from microfracture surgery Walter Jones may say he's healthy, but look at Amare Stoudamire and tell me that one year is enough to recover.

5. Cleveland Browns - Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas
Orakpo is a physical freak who could fit well into almost any scheme, but with Mangini coming to Cleveland, the Browns will be implementing a 3-4, making Orakpo a great rush linebacker. If the Browns are able to unload Braylon Edwards don't be surprised to see Crabtree or Maclin here.

6. Cincinatti Bengals - Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
This is a pick that probably isn't very popular, but unlike above with Braylon, I believe that at some point before the start of the season Chad Ocho Cinco will be traded. With the loss of T.J. Houshmanzadeh they can't really afford to keep Carson Palmer so ill equipped. Crabtree is the best player in the draft at any position, although he may need some time to develop. However, his overall skill set and football intelligence will serve him well.

7. Oakland Raiders - Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
Ahh the Raiders. This pick could go a number of ways, including Andre Smith, Eugene Monroe if he falls (and if he does he will be here), or Darrius Heyward-Bey. Al Davis loves speed and size, so while Maclin is the better overall player, Heyward-Bey fits the mold. If JaMarcus Russell is going to have a chance to succeed as a Raider he must get some talent around him, and a big time WR would go a long way.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars - Mark Sanchez, QB, Southern Cal
The question with this pick is very simple, do the Jaguars believe David Garrard is the answer? If this was last year before the draft, I would say yes, but after the disappointing season he had, I would venture to guess no. Picking Sanchez allows them to start Garrard this year and maybe next while they groom the QB of the future. Sanchez could be like Aaron Rodgers in his clipboard role while trying to learn the position.

9. Green Bay Packers - B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
This pick assumes that Raji did not test positive for marijuana at the combine as he and his reps are claiming. He fits as a 3-4 NT or as a 4-3 DT with the ability to play two gaps. Character issues are what have him at 9 instead of around 5 where his talent dictates he be drafted. He had academic problems and a positive marijuana test at BC that can't be ignored. Hopefully he can keep his nose clean and be a productive player.

10. San Francisco 49ers - Aaron Maybin, DE/OLB, Penn State
This pick is more a pick of attrition than of desire. While Maybin projects as a good pass rusher, any of the four picks before them would be better options for the 49ers than Maybin. This pick will fill a need for San Fran that they won't be able to find later in the draft, and is the only decent value for them.

11. Buffalo Bills - Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
With Jason Peters on the outs and possibily holding out once again, the Bills would be wise to find someone willing to pay the money Peters wants and trade him for whatever they can get. Peters is overrated, yet wants to be the highest paid LT in the league, so there is no way to settle this without finding a suitor who thinks he's worth the investment. Unfortunately Andre Smith comes with some baggage himself, but hopefully he can clear that up and mature a bit and fulfill his immense talent at the NFL level.

12. Denver Broncos - Brian Cushing, OLB, Southern Cal
Cushing will be able to fit into Denver's new 3-4 by playing inside or outside. His versatility will come in handy, allowing him to see the field more often. Learning from D.J. Williams will also advance his progress. I wouldn't be surprised to see Tyson Jackson here, as he is the only 3-4 end worthy of being selected on the first day. However, unless he goes to San Diego, there would be no other team that would take him before they pick again at 18, and San Diego has more pressing needs than DE.

13. Washington Redskins - Rey Maualuga, ILB, Southern Cal
London Fletcher can't play forever, and Maualuga would be the best value here at 13. He's a downhill run stopper who can hit with the best of them, and while he may be graded as stiff by the scouts, he has a knack for the big play in the pass as well as the run. He's the perfect Redskin type, the same mold as Lavar Arrington, but with better discipline.

14. New Orleans Saints - Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State
The Saints should be taking Malcolm Jenkins, but will probably look to take a RB to compliment Reggie Bush, and Beanie Wells is that guy. Sean Payton knows offense, and he will be looking to replace Deuce McAllister, even though Pierre Thomas seemed to be more than adequate last season. My bold prediction, Beanie Wells will be a major bust, and might never have a 1000 yard season in his entire career.

15. Houston Texans - Malcolm Jenkins, CB/S, Ohio State
The Texans need help at safety, and Malcolm Jenkins can be an immediate starter at the FS position as a rookie and help sure up the defensive backfield. His speed "problem" will make him better suited for safety, but his ball skills and work at corner in college will make him better suited to play deep coverage as a FS rather than trying to be in the box as a SS. I do believe Jenkins would fit well in most defenses as a CB as well, but until he adjusts I think he's better suited to play safety right away.

16. San Diego Chargers - Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss
The Chargers need to sure up the OT position with McNiell regressing last year (yes even with the Pro Bowl appearance, he didn't deserve it) and Jeromey Clary only signed for one year. L.J. Shelton was brought in, but at 33 he's only a stop gap in case one of these two get injured. Oher is inconsistent, but with the right surroundings and coaching he could develop in a year or two into a premeir LT in the NFL.

17. New York Jets - Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
Percy Harvin screams bust. He is undersized, often injured, riddled with character problems, and comes from a terrible lineage of Florida WRs. The Jets could use him as a returner, but his role as a Z-back style player will limit his impact for a more conservative coach like Rex Ryan. I wouldn't be surprised to see Heyward-Bey, Hakeem Nicks, or Kenny Britt here, or a player like Josh Freeman if they aren't sold on Kellen Clemens this season.

18. Denver Broncos - Tyson Jackson, DE, Louisiana State
This would be the dream scenario for the Broncos, which I am hoping for. If Jackson slips past both the Chargers and Jets he would be a welcome fit into the new 3-4.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State
Josh Freeman is a scary prospect at QB, and violates my most important rule for evaluating a QB for the NFL. If he wins in college, he's more likely to win in the pros. You can apply this logic to most of the good MAC QBs of the past decade, along with pretty much all of the top guys that are playing right now. That doesn't mean he has to win a national or conference championship, but two straight seasons of 5-7 doesn't inspire confidence. People will make excuses, but the truth is that his entire value is about his arm strength, but not his intangibles. He's more Jeff George than John Elway.

20. Detroit Lions - Clay Matthews, OLB, Southern Cal
This pick will help solidify the LB core than already got a boost with Julian Peterson being traded to Detroit. I truly believe that Matthews could move inside and become the heart of that defense with his gritty play and undervalued athleticism. Anyone that doesn't think he's an athlete just needs to go to nfl.com and watch the video of the USC linebackers during their pro day. While that's important, it's his play on the field that has been the catalyst for his rise from mid-round prospect to first rounder.

21. Philadelphia Eagles - Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
Brian Westbrook will be 30 when the season starts, so the Eagles need to think about their future at the RB position. Moreno will allow them to keep the position filled for years to come. While he won't outrun most secondaries, he has great vision and can make plays with his array of moves to gain the yards needed. He is the best back in the draft and will get the chance to prove it this season.

22. Minnesota Vikings - Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland
Darrius Heyward-Bey has jumped up draft boards after his impressive combine. Couple that with his great size and he has the looks of a marquee WR in the league. However he never really developed at Maryland, and that scares me. His former teammate Vernon Davis amazed scouts with his measurables as well but hasn't become the TE he was supposed to be. Any team that picks Heyward-Bey should be careful about what they are getting.

23. New England Patriots - Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
The Patriots are always a difficult team to project, but with Leigh Bodden and Ellis Hobbs starting at CB, Davis would fit well into the Belicheck system. Normally the Pats are associated with taking lineman on either side of the ball early in the draft, but in recent years they've trended towards the skill positions, and with the right attitude and system Davis could be the next Asante Samuel for the Patriots. That would be unfortunate for me, but let's hope his me-first attitude infects the locker room somehow.

24. Atlanta Falcons - Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State
Just look at Altanta's depth chart and see TE, and that will explain this pick.

25. Miami Dolphins - Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee
Robert Ayers will probably be higher in my next mock draft, but for now I'll keep him down here. He's difficult to project because he seems to be able to play DE in a 4-3 and 3-4, but also OLB in a 3-4. Tennessee has a good tradition of sending defensive lineman to the NFL, which has helped Ayers stock. I wouldn't be surprised if he goes as high as 11 to Buffalo, but for now he'll stay here.

26. Baltimore Ravens - Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest
Everyone seems convinced that if Alphonso Smith were 3 inches taller he would be a lock as the top CB in the draft. I say why does he need to be taller, if the skills are there, he can make up for the height problems. He has 21 career INTs, which should be enough for any team to say that he will succeed. The Ravens seem to embrace playmakers on their defense as well, so Smith fits. A WR like Nicks here would also make a lot of sense.

27. Indianapolis Colts - Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss
I'll defer to Mel Kiper on this pick, who in a recent podcast said that Jerry fits the Colts system better than any other player fits any system in the first round. That speaks volume to his value to a team like the Colts. When their defense played well 3 years ago they won a Super Bowl, so they know how important clogging that middle can be for the rest of their guys.

28. Philadelphia Eagles - Eben Britton, OT, Arizona
Even with the addition of Stacy Andrews the Eagles are dangerously thin at OT. With Oher being taken by the Chargers, and not really having a chance to get past Detroit, the Eagles can afford to wait only until 28 to get their tackle, and Britton is the best one available. Some might hope for Will Beatty, Jamon Meridith, or Phil Loadholt, but Britton is the guy.

29. New York Giants - Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers
Until Hakeem Nicks was able to gain 14 pounds in a month he was the guy here, but concerns about his weight problems probably have cost him a couple million dollars. Kenny Britt will be the player attempting to fill Plaxico Burress' role. While he's talented, I don't think he's that much of an upgrade of Domenik Hixon, and probably won't be worth the pick.

30. Tennessee Titans - Everette Brown, DE/OLB, Florida State
Everette Brown has risen and fallen on draft boards since the start of the process. He started as a late round prospect who rose up after some decent workouts. But after more evaluation and consideration for the success for Florida State DE's in the NFL he seems to be sliding back down into place. Brown can be put in on obvious pass rushing situations early for Vanden Bosch to start, and will probably be groomed to replace Kearse.

31. Arizona Cardinals - Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut
The Tim Hightower experiment really didn't work well for the Cardinals, and with Edgerrin James getting older, they need to find a feature back. Donald Brown will provide a solid runner with a good pass catcher out of the backfield. His vision isn't elite, but outside of a zone-blocking scheme he will be able to find success with the help of a veteran presence. Should Brown go as high as New England expect either LeSean McCoy or Larry English.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers - Alex Mack, C, California
There is a lot of speculation over which interior lineman the Steelers will select, with a lot of people believe Eric Wood from Louisville to be the choice, but the best talent in the country at center is Mack. I wouldn't be surprised to see a player like Duke Robinson either, but he projects later in the 2nd or even the 3rd, so he should be available later if they wish to get him.