Arizona has become a team to cheer for, a sleeper squad who may become a threat to win it all. With Matt Leinhart underperforming the 37-year-old veteran Kurt Warner has become a quintessential piece to stabilize the Cardinals and bring them onto their playoff run. With his talented receiving core of Boldin, Breaston, and Fitzgerald there’s no reason why Warner shouldn’t be able to put away the 2-10 Rams and gain the NFC West title Sunday.

Arizona’s trio of talented receivers gained a mere 173 yards against Philadelphia last week, a little more than half of what they’re capable of on any given Sunday. After being forced to miss two weeks of action earlier in the season Boldin is still well on his way to breaking 1,000 yards receiving and will be looking to do it in this game. An interesting scenario raising obviously the duo of Fitz and Boldin will hit 1,000 yards receiving; however, there is the possibility for a trifecta of Arizona receivers to breach that mark. There’s little else the floundering secondary will be able to do against these three, Warner should have no problem finding one of them opened at any time throughout the game.

Continue reading "Looks to be an easy in for the Cardinals"

It's truly a shame in the modern era of baseball to see a player like Jason Varitek as just part of business. Call me a traditionalist but I'm a big fan of any player who gives his loyalty to one suitor throughout the entirety of their career. Sure I love Big Papi blasting bombs into the Boston night but he was acquired in order to strengthen the squad. This is not to say he hasn't won over the hearts of the Fenway Faithful but there's something special about a guy who sticks by his team; there is a certain loyalty you need to grant after so many years of hard work. Truly Tek is caught between a rock and a hard place; the 36 year old veteran wants to show that he's got some gas left in the tank and what dedicated player doesn't. Give and take though, if Varitek wants more time in Boston he has to recognize his .220 batting average and do something about it, otherwise he should look to training some of the younger players coming into the league. There's no dishonor in taking on that role. There's nothing Sox fans would like to see more than number 33 playing out his final years in Boston, it simply wouldn't be right having him behind the plate of any other team.

Continue reading "Oh Captain, My Captain"

The Yankees have gotten their holiday gifts early this year with starting pitchers CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. I could rant and rave about how Stienbrennerclaus had to spend oodles of cash in order to bring New York some holiday cheer but the fact remains; the Yanks just hauled in the top two free agent pitchers on the market. Now that the Bronx Bombers aren't using Sidney Ponson as their number three man in the rotation we can expect them to once again be pushing towards playoff glory in the dominate A.L. East. As a Red Sox fan I can't help but be upset in losing both these arms so let's look towards the bright side. 

The Yankees still have a bullpen that needs to prove themselves and even though it's anchored by arguable the game's greatest closer it still needs someone to handle innings seven and eight. Unlike the teams of former pinstripe glory this is not the "score a minimum of six runs a night type of team." If New York is going to stay in contention with the high powered A.L. East they're going to need to find more than just starting pitching to do it.

Continue reading "The Death Star was Rebuilt and so was Yankee Stadium"

So I was 4 points off in my prediction last week as the Cardinals clinched the NFC West and with it a playoff birth. With the red birds in they’ll be looking for a favorable match up during wild card weekend, as it is unlikely the Giants will be dethroned as conference champions and one member of the South will undoubtedly take slot 2. The rest of the race is completely up in the air. Arizona can help shape their destiny today going against Minnesota, who is narrowly holding down a playoff spot in the NFC North.  The Cardinals looked poised to take the number three spot and judging by the strength of their remaining schedule they can as long as they topple the Vikings. With a difficult game against New England next week Arizona should have an easier going week 17 against the Seahawks.

Continue reading "Sizing up the playoff competition"

As New England suffers the inevitable chill of winter, most notably the ice storm that recently passed through, there is a flame that is burning white-hot. Of course that fire comes from the Boston Celtics’ and their 14-game winning streak. The Celtics boast an NBA 2nd best 90.5 score against them per game while averaging over 100 points themselves. This year’s team shows shades of the 95-95 Chicago Bulls team that posted an impressive 72-10 record by season’s end. During the Bulls’ amazing run they to held a 22-2 record by this point in the season as well. These teams are similar in many ways; defensively they hold their opponent well under 100ppg and offensively they each have their big three. Unlike the Bulls this is a Celtics team who is without a Michael Jordan, and sorry Pierce you are certainly a leader but you just aren’t Mike.

Continue reading "Fire in Ice"

As I watch the Patriots season I can help but be reminded of baseball seasons past. As an avid Red Sox fan the race for the pennant is always one that leaves fans on the edge of their seats, gasping for air and clutching their tall frosty ones until their fingers are sore. The Patriots are going to need Lady Luck if they're going to have a shot at the playoff picture. As of right the only thing New England fans can do is hope for the best. Even if the Pats can win the next two games (which they'll need) and finish off their season with a respectable 11-5 record there's no guaranteed in. The AFC East is looking more and more like the AL East from the MLB with NE, MIA, and NYJ acting the parts of BOS, TB, and NYY respectively. The question becomes what will it take for the Patriots to make the playoffs? The Cowboys defensive line, errr I mean... Baltimore dealt a devastating blow for all other's attempting to secure the final wild card position, as long as they beat the Jags next week the spot is theirs. Unless the Ravens drop their final game the only opportunity for the Pats to gain entry will be through their division rivals. The Dolphins and the Jets will play their final game against one another making a loss for either one of them today a potential playoff run-ender. All three teams in this race to the finish will play their week 17 games simultaneously which should be cause for all out play. The ideal scenario would be for both the Jets and Dolphins to lose today and the Patriots to win their next two games however if the Patriots are emulating the Red Sox we all know it's not going to be that easy. The more likely scenario will be one of the two teams losing today and then winning next week, again ideal. In conclusion New England fans break out whatever good luck charms you might be carrying, hope that Lady Luck and Mother Nature are in our corners and of course cross your fingers.

Continue reading "Sizing up the Playoff Picture"

Usually I’m not one to consider a conspiracy in sports but the “flex schedule” set up by the NFL has gotten me perturbed to say the least. With their slaughter over the Cardinals last week the Patriots did their part in the efforts to make the playoffs. As luck would have it the Seahawks, allowing a glimmer of hope for New England, downed the Jets. In the final week of the regular season the Jets and Dolphins were to meet in an AFC East clash that will determine the fate of the division. With the entirety of the East playing at 1pm all of the NFL would know by early evening their AFC East divisional winner.

           One of these games has been moved, the New York vs. Miami contest. So let me make sure my facts are straight. If Miami wins they’re in, no questions asked, if they lose then game over. Baltimore clinches their wild card slot with a win but should they lose New England win and Miami lose the playoff jumble becomes as confusing as a Rubik’s cube. The Jets have a chance if and only if the Pats lose and they can beat the Dolphins. This leads me to my point, with the NFL scheduling the NYJ vs. Miami game at 4:15 what incentive do the Jets have to beat Miami should New England win? Is this a final reprimand from the league commissioner’s office with regards to “Spygate?” It would seem we could only hope that Eric Mangini feels better about finishing his season with 10-6 record with no playoff appearance than ending the Pats playoff hopes.

Continue reading "A Final Punishment?"