NFL regular season review and playoff predictions

The NFL season is now over. Let's take a look at what my predictions were and how I did. I will also preview the NFL playoffs and tell you what is going to happen.

AFC East                                                    AFC North                                  
Predicted                 Actual                          Predicted             Actual                      
Patriots                    Patriots                        Bengals                Bengals              
Jets                          Jets                              Ravens                Steelers              
Bills                         Dolphins                       Browns               Ravens              
Dolphins                  Bills                              Steelers               Browns


AFC South                                                 AFC West
Predicted               Actual                           Predicted              Actual
Colts                     Colts                             Broncos                Broncos
Texans                  Titans                            Raiders                  Chiefs
Titans                    Jaguars                         Chargers                Chargers      
Jaguars                  Texans                          Chiefs                    Raiders

Wildcards          
Predicted      Actual
Ravens         Chiefs
Browns        Chargers

The AFC East was definitely the easiest of these divisions to guess. Even with Tom Brady getting older and maybe not as good, there was no way they were going to lose out this year. However, Rex Ryan somehow took a not so skilled Jets team to an 8-8 season, say what you want about Ryan, but considering what that team has for talent, I think it was a good season. I think most people expected the Bengals to take the AFC North, they're definitely an up and coming team, and I think they will be a team to watch for quite awhile. I expected the Ravens to be better than they were, despite a late season push, they came up just short of the playoffs. I expected the AFC North to be a lot tougher and had Ravens and Browns as wildcards. Each season the Browns show promise of maybe what they could be eventually but never get over the hump and actually become a good team. No one really expected the Texans to be as bad as they were, and thanks to them there was really no other competition for the Colts and they put together a really good season. I think the Colts are one of the most underrated teams in the league and I think they will be in the Superbowl. What I thought would be the weakest division in the AFC was actually the strongest. Not many people saw the Chargers making the playoffs, and the Chiefs were up in the air at best. Alex Smith and Andy Reid worked nicely together to finish second to the very dominant Broncos. Philip Rivers looked like his old self and led the Chargers to a wild card, and well the Raiders are still the Raiders

NFC East                                                      NFC North
Predicted                Actual                              Predicted               Actual
Redskins                 Eagles                              Packers                 Packers
Giants                     Cowboys                          Bears                    Bears
Cowboys                Giants                               Lions                     Lions
Eagles                     Redskins                           Vikings                 Vikings

NFC South                                                     NFC West
Predicted               Actual                                Predicted              Actual
Falcons                  Panthers                             49ers                   Seahawks
Saints                     Saints                                 Seahawks            49ers
Panthers                Falcons                               Cardinals              Cardinals
Buccaneers           Buccaneers                          Rams                    Rams

Wildcards            
Predicted              Actual
Giants                   Saints
Seahawks             49ers

In the East, I expected a lot more from the Redskins. However, they came up with just three wins and led to the firing of head coach Mike Shanahan. After missing the playoffs yet again, I wouldn't be surprised if the second place team the Cowboys do the same. The Eagles put together a solid season and took what was a surprisingly weak division. The clinch Packers beat the Bears yet again to advance in the NFC North, I expected more competition out of the lions this year, but they just can't seem to do it. Both them and the Vikings have also fired their head coaches. My superbowl pick (The Falcons) fell flat in the South which opened the door for the Panthers and the Saints. The NFC West is easily the toughest division in the NFL. the Cardinals went 10-6 and missed the playoffs and it has sparked a great 49ers/Seahawks rivalry.

Playoff predictions
Lets start in the AFC. First there's the Chargers playing the Bengals. This is a very interesting match up. Cincinnati hasn't really done much in the playoffs the last couple years, and Phillip Rivers has shown himself to still be able to get it done. However, I don't think you can discount the Bengals completely either they have a fairly solid defense, and I'm not ready to completely throw out Andy Dalton as a bad playoff QB. I'm taking the Bengals.

Next up is the Chiefs and Colts. Despite what Andy Reid, Alex Smith, and Jamaal Charles have done for this team I'm not convinced. I think the Colts are a lot better of a team than what they get credit for. I take the Colts.

This circumstance would mean we have a Bengals and Patriots game in Gilette stadium. I do think the Patriots are starting to fade as a team, but are they fading enough to lose to the Bengals? No way Tom Brady is still too good, and Bill Bellicheck is still a good coach. Patriots win.

The other game would then be Broncos/Colts. Well you know by now I like the Colts this season. They already beat the Broncos once (which is a win I called) and I'll say it again, they are a much better team than what they get credit for. Colts win.

By now, you probably know what happens, I pick the Colts to beat the Patriots and go to the Superbowl. Well, I picked the Colts to be in the Superbowl from the start of the season, so yes that is what I am calling. I do think that this is their season and that they will at least be in the Superbowl.

Now for the NFC playoff picture. The Saints as a wildcard seems a bit weird. They have Philadelphia first round. I know Philadelphia has been good, but I'm not sold. I think the Saints take that game fairly easily.

The Packers advanced on a huge game winning play with seconds left against the Bears, however, they are in tough against the 49ers. The Packers defense hasn't really been there against the run this year and that could cost them. This is a tough one, and I never pick against the Packers, but I do think the 49ers could be too much for them and take it. I'll take 49ers.

This would mean a Saints and Seahawks match up. The Seahawks are easily the most over rated team in the NFL. They aren't as good as their record. However, their defense is tremendous and I do think that it will stop the Saints. If they do have problems it will be on offense. If that offense doesn't have that defense behind it, this is easily a team barely above .500. However, I'll take the Seahawks.

This means the Panthers and 49ers is the other game. I don't really think this is the Panthers' year and I don't see them doing much. I'll take the 49ers.

Now we go to a great rivalry. 49ers and the Seahawks. As I said, Seahawks are overrated, but they are at home. However, 49ers bounced back from a big loss to them and have won against them. The 49ers offense is better and I believe their defense is close to as good. Despite being in Seattle I'll take the 49ers.


This sets up San Fransisco going to the Superbowl for the second straight year. Except against Indianapolis this time. I really do think this is a big year for the Colts and Andrew Luck. I think on paper the 49ers do have a better team than the Colts. However, the Colts did beat San Fransisco earlier in the season, so I think the Colts somehow pull it off and win. I take the Colts and for the 49ers to lose in two straight SuberBowls.

MLB HOF

Who will be in the Hall of Fame for the MLB this year? Let's take a look at the ballot.
Moises Alou (1st yr)
Jeff Bagwell (4th yr)
Armando Benitez (1st yr)
Craig Biggio (2nd yr)
Barry Bonds (2nd yr)
Sean Casey (1st yr)
Roger Clemens (2nd yr)
Ray Durham (1st yr)
Eric Gagne (1st yr)
Luis Gonzalez (1st yr)
Tom Glavine (1st yr)
Jacque Jones (1st yr)
Todd Jones (1st yr)
Jeff Kent (1st yr)
Paul Lo Duca (1st yr)
Greg Maddux (1st yr)
Don Mattingly (14th yr)
Fred McGriff (5th yr)
Mark Mcgwire (8th yr)
Jack Morris (15th yr)
Mike Mussina (1st yr)
Hideo Nomo (8th yr)
Rafael Palmeiro (4th yr)
Mike Piazza (2nd yr)
Tim Raines (7th yr)
Kenny Rogers (1st yr)
Curt Schilling (2nd yr)
Richie Sexson (1st yr)
Lee Smith (12th yr)
J.T. Snow (1st yr)
Sammy Sosa (2nd yr)
Frank Thomas (1st yr)
Mike Timlin (1st yr)
Allan Trammell (13th yr)
Larry Walker (4th yr)

First things first. Last season, the HOF voters showed they want no part of people who have done steroids in the Hall of Fame. That very quickly eliminates seven names, unless the voters change their minds this year. I do think some PED users will be in the Hall eventually, but I don't think this is the year. The names we can remove from the ballot then are: Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Jeff Bagwell, Mike Piazza, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, and Rafael Palmeiro.

Which then makes the ballot look like this.
Moises Alou (1st yr)
Armando Benitez (1st yr)
Craig Biggio (2nd yr)
Sean Casey (1st yr)
Ray Durham (1st yr)
Eric Gagne (1st yr)
Luis Gonzalez (1st yr)
Tom Glavine (1st yr)
Jacque Jones (1st yr)
Todd Jones (1st yr)
Jeff Kent (1st yr)
Paul Lo Duca (1st yr)
Greg Maddux (1st yr)
Don Mattingly (14th yr)
Fred McGriff (5th yr))
Jack Morris (15th yr)
Mike Mussina (1st yr)
Hideo Nomo (8th yr)
Tim Raines (7th yr)
Kenny Rogers (1st yr)
Curt Schilling (2nd yr)
Richie Sexson (1st yr)
Lee Smith (12th yr)
J.T. Snow (1st yr)
Frank Thomas (1st yr)
Mike Timlin (1st yr)
Allan Trammell (13th yr)
Larry Walker (4th yr)

There are then a bunch of names we can also quickly eliminate for not having the numbers. Don't get me wrong, these guys all had great careers and put up really good numbers, but the MLB HOF is extremely difficult to get into, and in a lot of cases really good numbers isn't enough. The players I removed as I said all had really good numbers, but there's a lot of guys who put up numbers similar to that, you need something really special to be in the hall.

This is what the ballot looks like once those names are removed

Craig Biggio (2nd yr)
Luis Gonzalez (1st yr)
Tom Glavine (1st yr)
Jeff Kent (1st yr)
Greg Maddux (1st yr)
Don Mattingly (14th yr)
Fred McGriff (5th yr)
Jack Morris (15th yr)
Mike Mussina (1st yr)
Tim Raines (7th yr)
Curt Schilling (2nd yr)
Lee Smith (12th yr)
Frank Thomas (1st yr)
Mike Timlin (1st yr)
Allan Trammell (13th yr)

These are all guys who have the numbers to get into the HOF, however each voter is only allowed ten votes; so I'm going to take off five names and give who my ten guys are.
Craig Biggio (2nd yr)
Luis Gonzalez (1st yr)
Tom Glavine (1st yr)
Jeff Kent (1st yr)
Greg Maddux (1st yr)
Fred McGriff (5th yr)
Tim Raines (7th yr)
Curt Schilling (2nd yr)
Frank Thomas (1st yr)
Allan Trammell (13th yr)

The names I eliminated, I would expect some of them will make it eventually, but I don't think this is the year.

This is who my ten votes would be for, but of course other voters might vote for other people, and some will vote for the PED users I eliminated right away, taking away votes from these ten. I will now narrow this down to what I think will be the MLB Hall of Fame class of 2014.

Craig Biggio

Tom Glavine

Greg Maddux

Curt Schilling

Frank Thomas

Think I'm wrong? Think you can do better? Tell me what you think the Hall of Fame class will look like.

Team Canada Roster Projection

Forwards                                                 Defense                                       Goalies
Sidney Crosby                                         PK Subban                                  Carey Price
Steven Stamkos (Injury Pending)              Duncan Keith                               Roberto Luongo
John Tavares                                            Alex Pietrangelo                           Mike Smith
Ryan Getzlaf                                             Kris Letang
Matt Duchene                                          Shea Weber
Patrick Sharp                                           Brent Seabrook
Chris Kunitz                                             Dion Phaneuf
Milan Lucic                                              Drew Doughty          
Taylor Hall
Correy Perry
Martin St. Louis
Jordan Eberle
Johnathon Toews


Guys who could compete for a spot (and could potentially get it)
Forwards                             Defense                                 Goalies
Joffery Lupul                        Mike Green                           Johnathon Bernier
Joe Thorton                          Marc Eduardo Vlasic            James Reimer
Patrick Marleau                    Jay Bouwmeester                  Marc-Andre Fleury
Kyle Turris                           Derek Morris                        Josh Harding
Logan Couture                                                                  Brayden Holtby
Andrew Ladd
Matt Moulson
Eric Staal

NHL coaches who are in the hot seat

Who is feeling the most pressure right now? Lets see
1. Claude Noel
It sounds like Winnipeg has some patience left with Noel, but not making the playoffs yet since the team came back to the NHL and not having a good season this year isn't a good way to make a good impression. It wouldn't surprise me if either later this year, or at the end of the season if he got the boot.

2. I was about to say Kevin Dineen of the Florida Panthers, but when I Googled him it looks like they already fired him yesterday. I wonder what the hundred Florida fans think of that?

3. Ron Rolston
Any time a team gets off to a start like that, there's going to be questions about the coaches. I think Rolston has some time yet, but if the season keeps going like this, Rolston may be out, if not during the season maybe at the end.

4. Dallas Eakins
A little while ago I prematurely called for the firing of Eakins. I am not doing that here, but his situation is similar to that of Rolston. A performance like this isn't good, and the first person people usually start to wonder about is the head coach.

5. Michel Therrien
When isn't there pressure in Montreal? Despite having good seasons with the Canadiens, I get the impression that nobody really likes Therrien. I think he rubs certain players the wrong way, and I wouldn't be totally surprised if he gets shown the door sooner than people think.

Moves the Oilers should make

I'm going to tell you what the Oilers priority list right now is or should be to improve this team.

First let's start with what they need:

1. Defense
This young defense isn't really doing much right now. They are being reworked and learning a new system, but the fact is, it's not enough. I think the Oilers need a skilled, veteran defenseman. Of course the problem with this is, to get one of those it will be a high price to pay.

2. Goalie
I think the fact they need a goalie speaks for itself. The reason it's the number two priority though is if the defense can play better it would make it easier on the current goalies, and maybe they would start to play somewhat better as well then. Again, the problem is even for an okay goalie that's again a high price.

3. Depth Forward
Forward is where the Oilers have a surplus. But, because of all the injuries it would be nice to get someone whose an all right forward just to fill a spot in the lineup, then if this team ever gets healthy again, he can be used as needed.

Now let's see who the Oilers are likely willing to give up.

1. Yakupov
Since early in the season there's been rumours surrounding Yakupov. There is interest in him, and there's a market for him. I'd be surprised if he lasts the full season in Edmonton.

2. Any member of the defense other than Ferrence
If the Oilers could throw one of the defensemen in a package that would get them a better one, they should definitely do it.

3. Eberle
I originally would have thought Eberle an untouchable. But right before I started writing this article, there's reports that the Flyers are talking to the Oilers about Eberle. Who knows what could be in the works there.

4. Pretty much anyone but Hall or Nugent-Hopkins
I think Hall, Nugent-Hopkins, and Ferrence are really the only untouchables on this team. I do still kind of think Eberle is an untouchable, if he's being traded there better be a huge return coming back. Everyone else is available for the right price. I think Mactavish is very open to offers right now, and will .listen to and try to negotiate with anything. Who knows? Maybe the Oilers could fleece somebody

Feel free to leave your comments on who they should move and what they should get.

Darren.

NBA Season Preview

So I don't know the NBA as well as the other leagues, but here's my crack at season predictions.

East                                                                              West
Miami                                                                            OKC
Chicago                                                                         San Antonio
Brooklyn                                                                        LA Clippers
Atlanta                                                                           Denver
Indiana                                                                           Minnesota
New York                                                                      Golden State
Milwaukee                                                                      Houston
Toronto                                                                          Memphis
Washington                                                                    Portland
Philadelphia                                                                    LA Lakers
Boston                                                                           Dallas
Cleveland                                                                       Utah
Detroit                                                                           Phoenix
Charlotte                                                                        Sacramento
Orlando                                                                          New Orleans
                                                                                     


NBA Finals
Chicago Bulls over the LA Clippers

Patience for a "rebuild"

Two years ago was supposed to be "the year" the result a 32-40-7 season. Last year was supposed to be "the year" the result 19-22-7. This year was definitely supposed to be the year, so far 3-8-2. If you haven't figured it out yet I'm talking about the disappointing Edmonton Oilers. Who are "rebuilding."

They entered this season with a buzz that hasn't been there nearly as much as the last two seasons (all though there was some buzz) the two biggest off season acquisitions in Andrew Ferrence and David Perron were supposed to give this team the last big boost it needed to get over the hump. However, that still hasn't happened.

Andrew Ferrence hasn't been enough to bolster a still shaky defense and well the goal tending has been non-existent at times. The offensive fire power for the Edmonton Oilers is there, they don't need any more of that. However, the defense and goaltending have just been that bad and inconsistent that they can't support it.

Here's some numbers for you to think about. They average a little more than two and a half goals a game which is middle of the pack for the league. They are dead last in goals against giving up almost four. The offense is there and nothing else is.

To me those numbers are the telling sign about the back end of this team. The defense and goaltending don't need to be spectacular. Just good enough to support a good offense. In theory this doesn't sound so hard, but in practice it isn't working. The back end has just been so awful even when the offense scores a bunch of goals in a game the goalie and/or defense seem to do their best to make sure the other team scores a bunch + 1 goal.

I don't know about you, but for me the "rebuilding" excuse is wearing thin. This is a team with a defense that should be playing better and a goalie that has been in the league way too long to be having these problems. I honestly don't know where to put this problem, but it's frustrating. I've tried to have patience with this defense and goaltending, but they have yet to yield much significant other than the odd good game from a goalie.

This team has way too much talent to be having these problems and I don't have much patience left.

Where do you think the Oilers' biggest problem lies? And how much patience do you have left?

                                                                                                          Darren.

Paying Athletes Part 2

The one type of athlete that I didn't touch on in part 1 were college athletes. While I think you can justify what professional athletes make, there is no way I can justify paying College athletes and the reasons why are as follows.

They get scholarships. Scholarships can be worth up to $100,000, are you telling me that isn't payment for these players? These scholarships are also how they get into the school, meaning they're still students. They have volunteered themselves to the school sports team and got into the school for fairly cheap or maybe even free.

These players are amateurs not professionals. There aren't many things in which an amateur or non-professional are paid well (if they are paid at all). Why should sports be any different. They are at the school as students, or are supposed to be anyway. Students don't get paid for anything so why should a select few at the school be paid, and at what point do you draw the line? If the athletes are being paid, does that mean the musicians should be paid? Or the members of the drama program? Afterall, the professionals in those businesses are being paid, why not the college students?

The ones who go to the pro leagues are going to get paid anyway. Any of these players entering the NHL, MLB, NFL, or NBA are going to get a healthy contract from their respective teams anyways. The players that are top players in the draft are going to get an extremely healthy contract from their team. As for the ones who won't go to a pro league? Well in that case they should be that much more focussed on their studies so they can get a solid job in their field. If they work hard in school they won't need the money that they would get paid in college.

I understand that for the time which they are students these players (including the ones on scholarships) do need some money to pay for needs and some wants (especially if they attend an out of state college), so that is why there is one form of getting paid which I think should be legal. If one of these athletes in their own time, wants to go sign autographs or do an endorsement deal, that I would be okay with. However, that's the only place they should be allowed to get money as athletes, nothing from the schools. Not only does it not make sense for the players to be paid, but it wouldn't make sense for the schools to pay them and may even hurt some schools.

It could hurt smaller schools. One of the things of beauty of college sports is there are hundreds of schools competing, and of all these schools most of them are good at some time or another and each season dozens of them are fairly high competitors. If however, they had to start paying athletes some of the smaller schools wouldn't be able to afford it and the competition would dwindle from dozens to about a dozen.

                                                                                           
                                                                                                 Comments always welcome,

                                                                                                             Darren.

Paying Athletes Part 1

People always complain how much money pro athletes make. However, before you make these complaints there are some things you need to understand.

Being an athlete is a full time job, they're always practicing, training, and traveling, sure this may not explain huge multi-million dollar contracts, but you have to appreciate what they do for their jobs. They entertain millions of people around the world and make enough to comfortably retire at the end of their careers. However, this isn't the biggest reason for their contracts. The market allows for it.

Here's what I mean when I say the market allows for it. Of the four major sports the NHL brings in the LEAST revenue which is $3 billion. When you have to split that much money someone is going to get rich. The market allows for that much money. So if you don't like how much money these athletes are making in the four major sports, quit supporting it. Every time you watch a game on TV, go watch a game live, buy a jersey, buy food or drink at a game, buy a coffee cup with your team's logo on it, buy a jersey for your pet, etc. You're supporting some athlete's multi-million dollar deal. Quit buying NBA, NFL, MLB, and NHL related stuff and you won't support them, it's that simple. However, there's something else, if you don't want the players making that money it's not going to go away.

What I think a lot of people don't understand is with every professional league being a multi-billion dollar industry, whatever money the players don't get is going to go somewhere else. Personally, I'd rather see the players get it. The money that doesn't go to the players is going to go to the owners. No one goes to any llive sports events to watch the owners sitting in their luxury boxes, they aren't the entertainment for the night, so why should they get more money? I know they've taken the risk on the team and could lose money, but that was also their decision, the players are the entertainment so I think they should get it.




                                                                                                                            Darren.

Fighting in Hockey

What happened to George Parros last night was a fluke. I'm going to say that right now. Most injuries in fights occur from punches, not from falling face first on the ice.

However, what this has done is once again brought up the debate of fighting in hockey.

From the 11/12 season the NHL has averaged about 655 fights per season. I can't find stats for how many of those resulted in an injury, but not many. Let's use last night for example. There were six fights in the NHL last night, only one resulted in an injury. And I'd be willing to bet it's even less than that. In a survey from 2011 fights resulted in just 8% of concussions. While 58% were from what were at the time "legal" hits, most of which are probably illegal now. You can see the stats here.
http://www.hockeyrants.ca/nhl/nhl-releases-concussion-statistics/

The debate about fighting in hockey is always going, however the only time it really soars like this is when there's an injury to a player like last night. Which really is only once or twice a year, less severe injuries do happen from fighting but still in a lot less than half the fights, after almost every fight both guys are okay. Even when an incident like last night does occur, what does the league office do? Almost nothing.

Fights do have a purpose in the game and one of them is to stand up for teammates. When a goal scorer gets hurt from an illegal hit to the head, a tough guy from the team is pretty much expected to step in and fight, and most of the time they do. Anyone who hits a star player on a team knows that they risk having a tough guy come after them.

Fights also energize a team, in a study done by the hockey news, almost every time there's a fight in an NHL game, at least one, if not both of the teams start to play better. In one season when Shawn Thorton was in a fight for the Boston Bruins, the Bruins were 38-13-8, which is pretty astounding. You can read more on fights energizing a team here.
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/43976-Moneyball-look-at-NHL-stats-shows-starting-a-fight-sure-way-to-change-momentum.html

Finally, players want it in the game. When the league asked them both in 11/12, both years 98% of the players said fighting should not be completely abolished. To me, that's the strongest argument for keeping it in the game. The players want it, the league wants it, and on a survey on "The Hockey News" website something like 86% of the fans wanted it, I think fighting is going to stay.

You can see the hockey fight stats here
http://www.hockeyfights.com/stats/
Players survey results here
http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/once-again-nhl-players-voice-overwhelming-opposition-fighting-175557533.html

                                                   As always your thoughts are welcome in the comments section,
                       
                                                                                       Darren.

Exit Sandman

In an era when an athlete very rarely stays with one team for his whole career, nineteen year Yankee Mariano Rivera said goodbye in his home stadium in his final game as a Yankee last night. He's been with the Yankees for nineteen years and is the best closer the game has ever seen.

His final game at Yankee Stadium was something like I've never seen. He came out of the bullpen for the final time, and had a warm reception by the fans. He got one out in the eight and it looked like he was going to finish the game. However, manager Joe Girardi had something else up his sleeve.

He asked the umps if longtime teammates Andy Pettite and Derek Jeter could go to the mound to pull Rivera from the game for one last, triumphant goodbye from fans, his teammates, and the MLB. Out of the dugout came Pettite and Jeter. The signal to the bullpen and Jeter tells him he's done with three simple words. "It's time to go." Rivera then gives both of his longtime teammates a huge hug that lasted for a long time crying the whole time. He goes to the dugout then acknowledges a curtain call multiple times. And for the last time he walks off a baseball field.

His final walk off of a diamond came when he went to the pitching mound to get some dirt as a keepsake from his nineteen years with the Yankees. The only way it could've ended better was if he got a save. The Sandman will go down as the best closer in MLB history and will truly be missed from the game. It's over for him.


                                                                                                  Exit Sandman, what a career,


       

                                                                                                               Darren.
           

                                                                                                             

What do faceoffs mean to a team?

Here's something that's been discussed a lot, how much do faceoffs mean to a team? What I did was I took ten games at random (please don`t ask about the process of picking the games at random, it was quite tedious) and what I`m gonna do is look at each of the ten games and look at Faceoffs vs. shots time vs. the final score.
Dallas/Colorado march 20th  
                                Dallas                                     Colorado
Faceoff %                  52%                                          48%
Shots                         32                                              34
Score                          3                                               4


Pittsburgh/Carolina april 9th
                                Pittsburgh                               Carolina
Faceoff%                    41%                                         59%
Shots                            33                                            28
Score                            5                                               3
                 

Calgary/Minnesota april 21st
                                Calgary                                   Minnesota
Faceoff%                      41%                                         59%
Shots                             24                                            35
Score                            4                                                1


New Jersey/Rangers april 21st
                                New Jersey                          Rangers
Faceoff%                      52%                                    48%
Shots                             27                                        22
Score                              1                                         4


Minnesota/Calgary feb 23rd
                                  Minnesota                          Calgary
Faceoff%                         59%                                 41%
Shots                                31                                    27
Score                                 1                                      3


Ottawa/Montreal mar 13
                                  Ottawa                               Montreal
Faceoff%                        53%                                   47%
Shots                              32                                       45
Score                              3                                          4
Okay, so I was going to do 10, but I stopped after six because it became clear to me there was no coherent pattern between faceoffs and wins. This confused me because when you watch a hockey game or listen to analysis you always here about how important faceoffs are. I do have one more thing to consider though, faceoff success at one end of the ice.
In 5/6 of these games the winning team had close to or better than 50% faceoffs in the defensive zone. This makes sense because if you can stop the other team from getting posession in their offensive end you'll stop scoring. Defensive faceoffs are more important.
While there may be no direct correlation between faceoffs and winning, you can bet defensive faceoffs are more important.

Nugent-Hopkins contract

This blog post is being written on an impulse. I just heard that the Oilers resigned Nugent-Hopkins for seven years and $42 million. My question is why? I like that they locked him up long term, but the number concerns me a bit.
He has yet to play a full season in the NHL and appears to have a suspect shoulder. He could be a player deserving of that kind of money, but we haven't seen enough of him to know if he is yet. Sure his numbers are nice, 76 points in 102 games, but in only two seasons.  He probably is a point per game player if he's healthy. But they had another season yet.
They had another season to see what he has and I think this season will be where we see what Nugent-Hopkins is, we've seen glimpses and he's put up good numbers, but why not wait out this season or part of this season to see what his numbers look like.
Plus this is the second time he's had problems with the shoulder. He isn't worth $6 mil per year if he's missing a month every season. I think the Oilers should've waited until he was healthy, then see how he's playing this year then base a contract off of that and his play from the last two seasons. Six million per year for someone who might be injury prone, but probably is a point per game guy is a bit risky for me. Had they waited they could've seen if he for sure was a point per game guy or close to it, but for some reason they felt they had to risk it. Well, hopefully it works out, we'll see.

Week 3 picks

Match up with Favourite on left                                    My pick
Eagles/Chiefs                                                               Chiefs
Packers/Bengals                                                           Packers
Cowboys/Rams                                                           Cowboys
Titans/Chargers                                                            Chargers
Vikings/Browns                                                            Vikings
Patriots/Buccaneers                                                      Patriots
Saints/Cardinals                                                            Saints
Redskins/Lions                                                             Lions
Panthers/Giants                                                            Giants
Texans/Ravens                                                             Ravens
Dolphins/Falcons                                                         Falcons
Jets/Bills                                                                       Bills
49ers/Colts                                                                  Colts
Seahawks/Jaguars                                                       Seahawks
Bears/Steelers                                                              Bears
Broncos/Raiders                                                         Broncos (survival pick)

Last week I went 11-5 to bring by total to 19-13

NFL player safety.

The NFL is trying to make the game safer. They've eliminated head shots, leading with the head, and given players more padding in certain areas. However, if they really want to make the game safer, they should give their players less padding not more. Allow me to explain.
For those who read this who are familiar with Don Cherry you've seen him advocate multiple times for the players to have thinner shoulder pads in the NHL. They aren't the big clunky plastic that does damage to players' heads. Well, it's a similar concept in the NFL.
If players don't have great big clunky equipment, it won't do as much damage to another player when they hit them. Also, another big thing with smaller and less equipment is not only does a hit do damage to the player on the receiving end of the hit, the person doing the hitting will feel it too. If it hurts to deliver a big damaging hit that could cause an injury there's a large chance that players won't want to do them and instead will tackle more safely. This won't hinder their ability to deliver big hits either. There are much safer ways to deliver punishing hits than what we sometimes see in the NFL today.
Look at rugby. While I'm don't watch the sport regularly, I'm guessing they don't deliver hits where they lead with their head too often. But yet, the occasional time I do watch some of a game there are still some big hits delivered without all the equipment. I'm not suggesting the NFL go with no equipment, but I think a lot less than what they wear would help.
However, after some research I just did, it turns out rugby has about the same amount of concussions of the NFL (possibly even 5% higher), however when you look at the two sports, rugby has scrums where who knows what is happening at the bottom of them? If rugby was played more like football with less of the scrums and more outright tackling, I think it would be safer and that there is something to say for the NFL reducing player equipment. One option of this is losing the face mask to make leading with the head more dangerous. I have only talked a little bit about the article though. If you want to read more this is the link.

http://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2027053,00.html

Your thoughts are always welcome in the comments section,

Darren.

I Got Tired of Season Previews so here's my predicted standings

West-Pacific            West- Central           East- Atlantic             East- Metropolitan
Anaheim                   Chicago                    Boston                       Pittsburgh
Vancouver                St. Louis                  Toronto                      Philadelphia
LA                           Minnesota                 Ottawa                      Islanders
San Jose (W)           Nashville                   Montreal (W)            Rangers (W)          
Edmonton (W)         Colorado                  Detroit                       Washington
Phoenix                    Winnipeg                  Buffalo                       New Jersey        
Calgary                    Dallas                        Tampa-Bay               Carolina
                                                                 Florida                      Blue Jackets

W denotes teams who are a wildcard

Stanley Cup Finals St. Louis Blues over the Toronto Maple Leafs

Okay, so I know what you're thinking. You think I'm crazy for taking the Leafs to the finals. Well who else would it be? Pittsburgh has some of their own problems to solve which will prevent them from going deep. Philly tanked last year and still doesn't have a legitimate number one goalie and the Rangers under performed last year so while the certainly have the talent to make a run I'm not sure they will. Boston just went to the finals and it's rare for a team to repeat and neither Ottawa or Montreal are ready, so that leaves Toronto. Their defense is a bit suspect, but they have scoring and they have goal tending and most importantly, they now have experience. I think they're ready. If it isn't them in the East it'll be the Rangers or another surprise team. The Islanders are turning into a force to be reckoned with in the East and will lock up a division playoff spot this year.

In the West St. Louis is also a very strong team with playoff experience, I expect them to win this year. Chicago is strong coming back from a Cup watch for them to win the West Central, but again, I don't expect a repeat. Minnesota is always in the running. In the West-Pacific there will be two wild card teams this year as I expect Edmonton to just edge out Nashville for the last playoff spot. It's the usual suspects at the top of the division as the California teams and Vancouver are all strong as before, but as usual Vancouver will be out in round one. The California teams all probably have a good chance at a deep playoff run this year and with Edmonton I don't expect a deep run as young as they are. You need experience. How deep they go will also depend a lot on who they get for a first round match up However, just getting into the playoffs for them this year would be good just to end their playoff drought, this will also prepare them for future runs.
                     
                                                                                                                         
                                             
                                                                                                                          Darren.
                                                                                                                           

Week 2 picks

Match up (favourite on left)                                  My Pick (Last week 8-8)
Patriots/Jets                                                         Patriots (also my survival pick)
Falcons/Rams                                                      Falcons
Panthers/Bills                                                       Bills
Bears/Vikings                                                      Bears
Packers/Redskins                                                Packers
Colts/Dolphins                                                     Colts
Chiefs/Cowboys                                                  Cowboys
Eagles/Chargers                                                   Eagles
Ravens/Browns                                                   Ravens
Texans/Titans                                                      Texans                          
Lions/Cardinals                                                    Lions
Saints/Buccaneers                                                Saints
Raiders/Jaguars                                                    Raiders
Broncos/Giants                                                    Broncos
Seahawks/49ers                                                  49ers                                                  
Bengals/Steelers                                                   Bengals

Survival Pickem is where each week you take a team you think will win and try to stay perfect as long as possible, last week I stayed alive by taking the Colts over the Raiders.

Why I like the NFL over the CFL

Football's back!!! Some would say "Oh it's been back for awhile" No it hasn't the Canadian version maybe, but to me that's not good enough. I like the NFL a lot better and I'll tell you why.

1. Four downs, who thought that three downs would be a good idea for a football game? Four yards is a decent gain in a football game, yet in the CFL if you gain four yards twice in a row you have to punt. You should get one more oppurtunity to get those extra two yards.

2. Fair Catch, people who only support the CFL call this a wimpy rule. Yet who are they to say it's wimpy when the CFL has no yards? With no yards you have to give the returner five yards. Why should the returning team get five free yards? He should be allowed to catch it where he stands and take that position, risk getting crushed if he tries to run it, or hope it bounces in the endzone for a touch back, but no getting five free automatic yards with possibly more room to run. The NFL has it's fair share of good kick returns without it (and the fact that there's fewer makes it even more exciting when one happens), why can't the CFL?

3. The game is over when the clock says 0:00. In the CFL when the clock reads that you can get one more play off? Why? In hockey the goal doesn't count if it goes across the line at 0:00, basketball players can't shoot the ball at that point. There's no 4th out in the 9th inning of a baseball game, so why should you get one last chance to score when the time runs out?

4. No awards for missing a field goal. You can win a game on a missed field goal in the CFL, that's right. A kick going out in the endzone is a point. Why should you be rewarded if you miss your field goal? Why should you even be rewarded for punting it out the endzone. That's kind of the punter's whole job is to be able to kick it a long ways, you don't need to reward his team for it.

5. Running time. In the NFL the fact that the clock is running after any completed play that stays in bounds makes it much more interesting to watch a last second drive. It makes managing the timeouts more interesting to watch, and time management in general is more interesting instead of having the clock stop all the time.

6. The stage the NFL is on. The NFL has 32 teams and millions of fans worldwide, the fact that it's a much bigger league and gets that much more attention to me just makes it more exciting.

There are some other rule differences, such as field size, ball size, number of players, etc. These rules don't bother me as much. Don't get me wrong I still do watch the CFL and do enjoy it, but nowhere as much as I like the NFL.

Team Previews: Winnipeg- They Baffle Me

You could argue that since the team has been in existence, the Winnipeg Jets have had a legitimate playoff contending team, yet they haven't contended. This team seems to have knack to hit a slump at the worst time possible and drag themselves out of playoff contention. One thing about this team is they don't have a single super star scorer. They have guys who can score, but no one in the top 25 or something. They'll need a group effort from everyone to spread out the points.

Ondrej Pavelec is for sure number one goalie. I honestly don't see anything in him that would suggest otherwise. He's not a superstar or a Vezna candidate, but he's not Dan Cloutier either (I'm sorry was that a bit harsh?), he's a solid goalie who will give you a solid effort every game. He'll have a down game once in awhile, but he'll always bounce right back. He will need to improve on last season as it wasn't really strong, but I think he can do it.

Maybe one big reason this team hasn't made the playoffs is they don't have the big super star scorer. Maybe they need someone who can come and score 50 goals per year so that there's less pressure on the other guys. Other than that though, I really don't see a reason why this team should miss the playoffs like they have before.

Darren.

Team Previews: Calgary Flames-About to be doused

This is by far the easiest team preview so far for me. The Calgary Flames are going to be awful this year. They have refused to use the "R" word (rebuild), yet they made multiple major moves last year which sent key players away for prospects and draft picks. One of these moves involved their best player and captain Jerome Iginla. They don't have much for big name talent and they don't know for sure if Mikka Kiprusoff is back as goalie yet this season. The Flames should prepare to bottom feed this year. Their position reminds me of the Oilers a few years ago. Calgary probably should've started this process a year or two ago, but they were too attached to certain players.

That's it for now.

Darren.

Team Previews: Edmonton- Ready to Soar (Hopefully)

How many years for the Edmonton Oilers have we said "This is the year." The reason we keep saying that is because any year in the last couple could've been the year. And this one could be too. I think this season gives the most promise to the Edmonton Oilers than any of the last couple have.

One thing every team needs is playoff experience. Other than the scoring and defense they bring. that is also what's huge about Perron and Ferrence coming to Edmonton. They'll be value both with their play and their experience both in the regular season and playoffs.

The kids are looking as good as ever. They'll provide most of the scoring this season. If the Oilers are to make a playoff push. Eberle, Nuge, Yakupov, and Hall all have to be on top of their game. They can't do it alone though. They'll need help from guys like Gagner and Hemsky (it was announced today Hemsky's back for this season).

The biggest problem on this team is probably defense. Ferrence was a huge acquisition, but he can't do it alone. Justin Schultz will be a huge factor and both those guys are able to eat minutes which is a big help. With these two the other defensemen don't need to be spectacular, just solid.

The Oilers got a decent back up in Labarbera, but Dubnyk is still certainly the starter. I'd expect him to get 65-70 games this season, but he has to do away with the rookie problems we've sometimes seen from him in the last few seasons. He's sometimes shown that pressure can get to him. There's huge pressure on this team this season so he needs to do away with that.

I hope to see great things from this team this season

Darren.

Team Previews: Vancouver-Doomed for another early playoff exit

The first team I'll take care of in my NHL season preview is the Vancouver Canucks. Let me say this right now. Vancouver is going to suffer the same thing as the last two seasons. They did make some improvements, they were needed improvements, but they needed more than what they did.

First, lets start with the improvements this Vancouver team made. Solving the goalie problem is a huge plus. Luongo was expected to be traded, but he says he's ready to start the season. He's probably going to be the best part of this team. John Tortorella is the right coach for this team. Some people are unsure if this was a good move or don't think it was a good move, but it was. Tortorella isn't afraid to tell it like it is. If the team has a problem he'll fix it. However, this leads into the negatives of this team. Can he fix it?

The Vancouver Canucks are a wonderful regular season team. They'll probably either win or finish high in the Pacific division this year and it'll be the usual suspects of players putting them in that position. However, come playoff time they just can't do it. This team has had the same core of players for a few years now and it has very few playoff performers. The two best players on this team, the Sedin twins just don't have what it takes to play in the playoffs. If the two best players on the team don't perform then the team doesn't perform no matter what they might get from Kesler or Burrows. Also, what other good playoff teams have is depth. This means that if a couple of the best players on that team don't perform other players are good enough to keep scoring until those stars find their stride again. Vancouver simply doesn't have many players able to do that in the playoffs. They haven't gotten much this off season so it's essentially the same group of players who have bowed out in the first round two years in a row and are going to do it again.

If Vancouver was going to win a Stanley cup 2010 was the year. That was the year when all the players were in their prime and ready to go. Now this team is starting to fade. Some players aren't as productive as they were and this team just doesn't have the depth to make up for it. Expect a strong regular season from this team, but another early end to their playoff run.

New NHL format

As you may or may not know, the NHL is going to a new division and playoff format for this season. I thought I'd introduce you to what this format is like and give you my thoughts on it. To start with there are all new divisions. These divisions are as follows.

West-Pacific                      West-Central                       East-Metropolitan           East-Atlantic
Ducks                                Blackhawks                         Hurricanes                      Bruins
Flames                               Avalanche                            Blue Jackets                   Sabres
Oilers                                 Stars                                    Devils                             Red Wings
Kings                                 Wild                                     Islanders                         Panthers
Coyotes                              Predators                            Rangers                          Canadiens
Sharks                                Blues                                   Flyers                             Senators                        
Canucks                             Jets                                     Penguins                          Lightning
                                                                                     Capitals                           Leafs

The top three teams from each division will advance to the play. Then, the next two teams with the most points in each conference get the remaining two playoff spots. Then, to determine playoff matchups, the conference winner with the most points will play the wildcard team with the fewest. Then the winner with second most will play the wildcard team with the second least. Then the teams who placed 2nd and 3rd in each division will play each other.

There are a number of advantages to the new format. One plus is Detroit and Columbus got moved to the Eastern Conference like they've wanted for awhile, and Winnipeg went West where they belong. Another big plus is playoff match ups are more likely to feature rival games (i.e. Edmonton-Calgary, Vancouver-LA, NY-NY, Philly-Pittsburgh, etc.) with the division play in the first round. Something else I really like is under the old format division winners were guaranteed a top 3 spot, when in reality their points would put them in 5th or 6th. Now that's gone with the new format with division winners. Another downer is that the two East Conferences now have two teams. Making it easier in the West to make the playoffs than the East, so it'll be interesting to see how that plays out.

Despite all this the new format also comes with some negatives. If one division is really strong a team that could make the playoffs in another division and would deserve it would be out. The opposite is also true, if a division is really weak a team non deserving might make the playoffs.

All in all though it looks like they did a good job of making the divisions and aligning the playoff format. I look forward to seeing how this plays out.

Here's a link to what I used for the info if you want to see. http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=660138

I'm going to start season previews and looking at some teams soon.

Darren.

NFL season predictions

So here's my predictions for what the divisions and playoffs will look like at the end of the NFL season

AFC East:                                              AFC North:                                        AFC South:

Patriots                                                   Bengals                                              Colts

Jets                                                         Ravens                                               Texans

Bills                                                         Browns                                               Titans

Dolphins                                                  Steelers                                              Jaguars

AFC West

Broncos

Raiders

Chargers

Chiefs

Wildcards

Ravens
Browns

For some reason lots of people have the Dolphins doing decent. I just don't see it. I see the Jets and Bills putting up a minor fight but ultimately loosing out again to Bill Belichek and Tom Brady. In the AFC North you could pretty much put all four teams into a hat and pick them and whatever you get is the standings. The Bengals are looking as strong as they have in a long time. The Browns are up and coming and have the potential to do something for the first time in a long time and the Ravens and Steelers are both old and declining, but it would be foolish to completely count out both. In the AFC South the Colts are going to be very strong ultimately fighting out a Texans team that could either hang around all season or fall flat on their faces. And in the AFC West, who really cares beyond the Broncos? There really isn't much competition there.

NFC East                                         NFC North                                  NFC South
Redskins                                           Packers                                        Falcons
Giants                                               Bears                                            Saints
Cowboys                                          Lions                                             Panthers
Eagles                                               Vikings                                          Buccaneers

NFC West
49ers
Seahawks
Cardinals
Rams

Wildcards
Giants
Seahawks

It will be interesting to see what the Cowboys do in a competitive NFC East. Is Tony Romo a legitimate playoff QB? He hasn't proven it yet, and I don't think he'll get a chance to prove it either this season. Redskins take this division as long as RGIII stays healthy. I'm slightly biased but I have the Packers taking the NFC North. However, there's a bit of a question if their defense can keep up with the highpowered offense and be able to stop other very competitive teams in their division. I think they'll win the division, but come playoff time you need more than a high powered offense. In the South Matt Ryan better make good on his new contract and I think he will. Not only will he win the division, but he's going to win the Falcons a superbowl this year. In the west are two of the best defenses in the league and I think both those teams make the playoffs. The Cardinals and Rams won't be able to match them.

Superbowl pick: Falcons over the Colts
                                                               

Week 1 Picks

Match up (Favourite on left, Underdog on right)                            My Pick
Denver/Baltimore                                                                         Denver
Buffalo/New England                                                                   New England
Chicago/Cincinnati                                                                       Cincinnati
Cleveland/Miami                                                                          Cleveland
Detroit/Minnesota                                                                        Detroit
Indianapolis/Oakland                                                                   Indianapolis
New Orleans/Atlanta                                                                   Atlanta
New York Jets/Tampa Bay                                                         New York Jets
Pittsburgh/Tennessee                                                                   Pittsburgh
Carolina/Seattle                                                                           Seattle
Jacksonville/Kansas City                                                              Kansas City
St. Louis/Arizona                                                                         Arizona
San Francisco/Green Bay                                                             Green Bay
Dallas/New York Giants                                                              New York Giants
Washington/Philadelphia                                                               Washington
San Diego/Houston                                                                      Houston

A half a game suspension???

Heisman trophy winner Johnny Menziel has been suspended half a game by the NCAA. He allegedly accepted money to do autographs and college players supposedly aren't "allowed" to accept money or benefits (so they do other shady, but "legal" deals to get these benefits) for pretty much anything. There's a number of things wrong with this suspension

So here's what I don't get, they can't prove that he did it, so why do they suspend him at all? I'm sure glad Canada's justice system doesn't work that way. "You might have been speeding, we can't prove it but we'll give you the ticket anyway." They either need to prove he did it, or leave the guy alone. He's been in and out of trouble so much the media is blowing up every little thing he does trying to make a story out of it.

Here's the other thing wrong with this. If they think he did it and want to punish him for it, why on earth would you give him half a game??? What's that going to teach other guys? Probably absolutely nothing. More severe suspension haven't stopped teams from giving players illegal benefits so what makes the NCAA think this will? We usually here of what 2-3 suspensions per year for teams giving a player illegal benefits? So how many more are going on that we don't know about and how many is the NCAA turning a blind eye to? Especially potentially in the SEC.

The NCAA either needs to take a hardline approach on this and do its best to completely shut down illegal benefits or make certain benefits legal to open it up a little bit. If they don't we'll keep hearing about suspension from giving these benefits and little petty suspensions like this. I hope they take the hardline approach because otherwise certain schools won't be able to survive.

I sure hope they do something sooon

Darren

Steroids

The MLB is probably the sport which has had the most problems with steroids. The whole A-Rod fiasco, more players other than A-Rod suspended, probably more yet to be suspended, it never ends. The big question here is why do players still do it? Well a radio show (Tim and Sid) on Sportsnet 360 answered this for me. If steroids are going to make a player that much better and their contract is about to expire those steroids could give that player millions of more dollars per year and even an MVP (Ryan Braun would know something about this). In short, despite having the stiffest penalties in all of pro sports the MLB's penalties aren't stiff enough. They should include things like lost salary, and lifetime bans sooner.

The same guy who brought out the MLB players who visited the biogenesis clinic as A-Rod, Braun, and the other athletes has also released a list of players from other leagues involved. He says players from the NCAA, MMA, Tennis, and Boxing also took PEDs from the clinic. Should this really surprise us? Probably not. Does it surprise us? Probably. As long as clinics and companies make them, and as long as players can get rich from an improved performance because of them, players will still take them. 

That's all for now,

Darren

Fantasy Football Team

I just drafted a fantasy football team. Let me know what you think

QB- Aaron Rodgers (GB)

WR- Julio Jones (ATL)

WR- Reggie Wayne (IND)

WR- Mike Willians (TB)

RB- Frank Gore (SF)

RB- Darren McFadden (OAK)

TE- Tony Gonzalez (ATL)

Bench:

QB- Michael Vick (PHI)

WR- Anquan Boldin (SF)

WR- Sidney Rice (SEA)

RB- Rashard Mendenhall (ARI)

TE- Brandon Pettigrew (DET)

Kickers:

Blair Walsh (MIN)

Bench:

Dan Bailey (DAL)

Defense:

San Fransisco 49ers

Intro to myself.

So One day I would like to be a sports radio announcer and this is probably a good way to get used to reporting sports. I am a huge sports fan let me get that out of the way right now. However, it seems that I have a bit of a problem when it comes to picking winning teams. I'm a Blue Jays fan in the MLB. In the NFL I like the Packers and Jets (don't laugh at the jets one please), in the NHL I'm an Oilers fan, and in the NBA I'm more or less neutral but if I had to pick a team it's the Raptors. Oh yeah and in NCAA I like Boise State and Texas (Believe me the definition of futility is cheering for Boise State basketball). I'm going to try and post somewhat regularly so we'll see how that goes, and I'm toying with the idea of giving you my NFL picks each week for who wins and looses. And I'm going to call this right now. The MLB world series is going to have the LA Dodgers defeating the Boston Red Sox. Both teams seem to have it all and Yasiel Puig is just amazing. I think that's all for now.

Darren.