Welcome Back Dikembe

Dikembe Mutombo is a Rocket once again. 

Live: Bears at Texans

Got a big one in at rainy Reliant Stadium depending on what happens in Minnesota. Bears need to beat the Texans and have the Giants beat the Vikes to win the NFC North. Bears can also win a wild card if a bunch of stuff happens. The Texans are coming off of an awful loss in Oakland. A win gets them to 8-8 for the second straight season, which is pretty good when you consider they started 0-4. It has been raining all morning, as you can see the tarp was being taken off when I got here at 9:45. The raid has stopped for now. 

Rams Petition Front Office to Keep Haslet

This is quite possibly the dumbest thing I have ever heard of. First of all the is football, not civics. Second of all if you are a player, don't you have to sign the thing? You know this stunt is going to get leaked to the media, and you don't want to be the only guy who doesn't sign the petition. Hey Rams, if you liked him so much you shouldn't have lost 9 straight games. 

Now This is What I Call Heart

If Tracy McGrady had this guy's attitude he would have never lost in the first round.

This Could be Me

This video sets back Houstonians, Astros fans, and Jews (hebrew alphabet middle right), which are all groups I am proudly apart of at least 15 years. I regret showing this, but I have too.

I feel like this kid is actually a Catholic Cubs fan just trying to make us look bad. Mission accomplished dawg.

Liberal Hypocrisy Example #3

Its pretty hard to believe that this is only the third example of lib hypocrisy in the month+ of the blog. I haven't been doing my part and I apologize. Anyways this story is the revival of a story from March. Chip Saltsman who is a candidate for RNC Chairman has been distributing the CD "We Hate the USA", which is an assortment of parodies done by Paul Shanklin, who is a conservative satirist that does the parodies on the Rush Limbaugh Show. Now you would think the Libs would be a little upset over the title of the CD, but if the shoe fits, right? But what really has the libs pink organic panties in a bunch is the title of one of the songs, that song is titled "Barack the Magic Negro".

On March 19, LA Times columnist David Ehrenstein wrote a column called Obama the 'Magic Negro' . I won't get into what the column says because I have been nice and linked it for you. A few days later Shanklin came up with the song "Barack the Magic Negro". I have also found some stupid lib blog that transcribes most of the song, the important parts anyways, and has a link to the actual file, you can also youtube it. 

The song is sung by "Al Sharpton" through a bull horn to make it sound like one of his many protests which is how Shanklin always does his Rev Al parodies. Anyways, there is nothing racist in the song which is apparent if you listen to it, but the things that could make people consider it racist like the title or the part that says "Some say Barack's articulate and bright and new and clean the media sure love this guy a white interloper's dream." have all been said by libs when talking about Obama. Hell, that line of the song was said by Joe Biden. All Shanklin does is repeat them, but Shanklin/conservatives are the racists?

Here is Rush defending the song: 

Current RNC chairman Mike Duncan, who is running for another term, even though he did a brutal job has denounced Saltsman for sending out the CD in order to get some favorable lib media press. Duncan said he was shocked and appalled by what Saltsman did. There ya go Mikey! Way to pander to the liberals. Thats really what the party needs, didn't quite work out in November now did it? Two of the more prominent black members of the party Ken Blackwell, and Michael Steele, who is running for RNC Chair have defended Saltsman. Obama himself said the song wasn't racist, but Again, Lib columnist comes up with the idea and writes it, thats fine, but when conservative points out what he says, and makes a parody of it, he's being a racist along with the guy who distributes the CD with the song on it?

This is the title song of the CD.

Is that Cutler or Ringo?

"For the most part, I have no problem with those guys. Some guys might. I mean, obviously the quarterback, from what he's saying about my quarterback, I have a little problem with him. But my biggest complaint with him is that he looks like Ringo Starr, you know? I'm just not feeling his haircut.

"Take a look at Cutler sometimes. He has like this shag look going. I don't even know what it's called. I was just looking at his press conference the other day after the game. He had on this overgrown suit jacket. It was like, 'Come on, man. Let's get it together."

Chargers defensive end Jacques Cesaire on Jay Cutler

Its Like Deja Vu.... Sort of

Lets step into our time machines and go back exactly 6 years. The New York Jets were going into their week 17 game against the Packers needing to win and get help in order to make the playoffs. The help they would need was to either have New England win at home against Miami to win the AFC East or have Atlanta beat Cleveland to win a wild card. Those 2 games were early kickoffs and the Jets/Packers game was a late kickoff, so they would know by the start of their game if they would have something to play for. The Packers needed to win to secure a first round bye. 

The Browns got a late TD run from William Green to beat Atlanta, and the Dolphins led New England 24-13 late in the 4th Quarter, but something happened that we all had expected to happen: The Miami Dolphins started playing like the Miami Dolphins in a big game. New England cut the lead to 24-21 with 2:49 left, and would tie the game with 1:19 left. The game went to OT, and the Pats won the coin toss and promptly drove down the field and kicked a game winning field goal. The Jets would go onto to beat Green Bay 42-17 and win the AFC East.

Fast forward to today. The Jets will play a late game against Miami needing to win and have New England lose to Buffalo to win the AFC East, or have Baltimore lose to Jacksonville to win a wild card spot.  The starting quarterbacks for Sundays Jets/Dolphins game- Brett Favre and Chad Pennington. The starting quarterbacks for 2002's Jets/Packers game- Brett Favre and Chad Pennington. 

Western Conference Schedule Irregularities

Here is a breakdown of the schedules of the contenders in the Western Conference going into Christmas Day. It is very interesting.

Team	Home Games	Road Games	Total	Games left vs East	Games left vs Bos, Cle, and Orl
Houston	12	19	29	22	3
Lakers	15	13	28	19	5
San Antonio	16	12	28	22	5
New Orleans	13	11	24	23	4
Denver	14	15	29	23	3
Portland	12	17	29	20	3
Utah	14	16	30	14	3
Dallas	14	13	27	19	4
Phoenix	14	13	27	20	5

The Celtics schedule breakdown also was interesting to me

Team	Home Games	Road Games	Total	Games left vs West
Boston	18	11	29	22

What it means:

• The Rockets and Blazers have played brutal schedules and should be able to make runs which will help their playoff seeding.
• The Hornets will play a brutal schedule. How is it that they have only played 24 games?
• Utah has already played more than half of its games against the east.
• The Lakers will be tested starting Christmas Day
• The Celtics have played a joke of a schedule and will not win 70 games.

3 Billions Spent on MLB Players in '08

From the Houston Chronicle:

Below are the final 2008 payrolls for the 30 major league teams, according to information received by clubs from the commissioner's office. Figures are for 40-man rosters and include salaries and pro-rated shares of signing bonuses, earned incentive bonuses, non-cash compensation, buyouts of unexercised options and cash transactions. In some cases, parts of salaries that are deferred are discounted to reflect present-day values.
N.Y. Yankees -- $222,519,480
Boston -- $147,075,645
New York Mets -- $144,693,962
Detroit -- $136,198,404
Chicago Cubs -- $130,508,691
Los Angeles Angels -- $128,142,467
Los Angeles Dodgers -- $125,864,496
Seattle -- $120,456,113
Chicago White Sox -- $113,641,026
Philadelphia -- $112,654,711
St. Louis -- $109,989,046
Houston -- $100,189,948
Toronto -- $98,343,520
Atlanta -- $92,494,314
Milwaukee -- $90,324,347
Cincinnati -- $82,886,440
San Francisco -- $82,074,873
Arizona -- $80,998,526
Baltimore -- $78,888,250
Cleveland -- $78,663,582
Texas -- $78,640,138
Colorado -- $74,791,621
San Diego -- $71,212,182
Kansas City -- $69,297,547
Minnesota -- $65,096,667
Washington -- $59,699,668
Oakland -- $55,223,294
Tampa Bay -- $51,020,720
Pittsburgh -- $50,764,410
Florida -- $27,003,450
Total -- $2,879,357,538

I'd like to see the percentage that payrolls have gone up over the years, and if '09 continues the trend.

Rob Parker is Hilarious

The video below is an exchange that Lions head coach Rod Marinelli had with Rob Parker from the Detroit Free Press.


Wow, I haven't heard a room that quiet.....maybe ever. This is Parker's eplanation:
I attempted to lighten the moment in a tense situation and asked Marinelli if he wished his daughter had married a better defensive coordinator...What might have seemed like a personal attack wasn't...I have asked Marinelli on numerous occasions if he's going to fire his son-in-law.

Every week, Marinelli says the same thing.

"No."

It's almost a running joke. A news conference isn't complete unless I ask it.
Sunday, with my attempt at humor, I was trying to get Marinelli to lighten up, have some fun after a rough day...Apparently, those watching replays of the news conference on TV didn't see it as humor. There's no way they could have known the relationship Marinelli and I have built, especially this trying season."

Now I am no rocket scientist, but I don't think there is anyway to lighten the mood of a head coaches press conference after his team was just embarressed at home and is now 0-15. Its also hard not to think of it as a personal attack when you make it a point every week to make it clear that he should fire his daughter's husband.

On a personal note I was working the Lions locker room after they lost to the Texans in October, and Parker was trying to stir stuff up with Marinelli after that game, and he was trying to get players to throw Marinelli under the bus. There are coaches that deserve to go 0-16 (Belichick, Saban), Rod Marinelli is not one of them. He has been classy after every game, and has not unfairly called out his own players and put the blame on them.

The RCA Dome is no more

I love the RCA Dome. There really wasn't a bad seat in the entire building because there were only 2 decks, although the seats/bleachers were really uncomfortable, and the concourse was way too narrow, but the place got insanely loud, and was a great home field for the Colts. It was blown up Saturday. It has no roof prior to being blown up because the roof was deflated a few months back. Both videos are below.

The Dome being deflated

The Dome being blow to pieces (Dynamite is awesome)

Coach Speak- Izzo and Barnes

Here is postgame reaction from Rick Barnes and Tom Izzo. The Izzo file is his complete postgame press conference. The Barnes file is just a small part of his.

Izzo

Barnes

One thing I wanted be sure and mention is that you 2 of the 4 teams that were in Houston for the South Regional last season (Texas, Mich St) and 3 of the 4 coaches with Trent Johnson moving from Stanford to LSU.

Final: Michigan State 67 Texas 63

Great win for Michigan State as they score the last 5 point of the game and get an upset win over #5 Texas. Durrell Summers was huge off the bench making plays on both ends including a 3 with 18.6 seconds left to give MSU the lead for good 65-63. AJ Abrams was held to just 8 points, he came in averaging 20.9 a game. Gary Johnson made up for some of that with a career-high 20. The game was played at a high level and it was very physical. Tom Izzo called it a late round NCAA tourney type game. Goran Suton had 18 points on just 8 shots. Michigan State shot 51% from the field Texas shot just 38%, but the Spartans were just 8/17 from the free throw line. I will have reaction from both coaches shortly.

On Top of the World

If you look at the picture in my last post you will notice that I am not in my usual spot at Toyota Center. There is actually a lot more media here than I thought there would be, so I have been relegated to the press box, which is very high in the sky. How high? I am above the rafters. Yes, I am looking down at the retired jerseys to my left as you can see in this picture. Obviously a mistake was made, and that person will pay greatly. Oh well, lunch was free, I have 2 what look like excellent cookies next to me, and the Texas band has entered the arena. It doesn't appear that the Mich State band made the trip, but hopefully both the A&M and LSU bands made it. I will keep you posted.

Doubleheader at Toyota Center

Interesting college basketball doubleheader today at Toyota Center. First its Texas/Michigan State followed by Texas A&M/LSU. Texas is ranked #5 in both polls, their only loss coming to Notre Dame in Maui, MSU is undefeated against teams that aren't in the ACC, they lost to North Carolina and Maryland. They have played each other 4 times, all 4 games have been at neutral sites. Texas won the first 2 including a the South Regional final, MSU has won the last 2, including last year at the Palace. 

The second game is intriguing because both teams are off the great starts. LSU is undefeated and A&M is 9-1. LSU has played NOBODY, while the Aggies have wins against Kent State, Alabama, and Arizona. The one loss came to Tulsa.

The Complete Bowl Preview

It's almost time for the incredibly long and overdone bowl season to begin. There are 34 total bowl games, and I am going to preview each and every game for you right now. I'm going to do this a little different from most people though, I will give the matchup, then I will discuss who the game is more important for, then I will make a prediction. Enjoy!

Eagle Bank Bowl

Wake Forest vs Navy

More Important For: Wake- The Deacons have been a little disappointing after getting off to a good start. Losing to Navy would be a bad way to finish this season.

Prediction: Wake Forest 24-10

New Mexico Bowl

Colorado State vs Fresno State

More Imporant For: Fresno- They were supposed to have a shot at a BCS bowl and they finish just 7-5, 4-4 in a very average WAC. Nothing was expected of CSU, so they should just be happy to be there.

Prediction: Fresno State 31-17

St. Petersburg Bowl

South Florida vs Memphis

More Important for: South Florida- Its really more important for the Big East, but it would an embarrassment for both South Florida and the conference to lose to a 6-6 CUSA team.

Prediction: Memphis 28-24

Las Vegas Bowl

Arizona vs BYU

More important for: Arizona- I think this is a pretty interesting game, but its the first bowl game for Mark Stoops and I think a win allows this to go down as a successful season, especially beating a real good BYU team.

Prediction: BYU 27-20

New Orleans Bowl

Southern Miss vs Troy

More Important for: This is our first game where there isn't a team that really needs this game more than the other. Anytime a Sun Belt team gets to a bowl it is important, and Southern Miss was expected to be real bad, so it would be a good win to show that its still a real solid program.

Southern Miss 45-42

Poinsettia Bowl

TCU vs Boise State

More Important for: Neither- This should be a great game. Boise is playing for its second perfect season in 3 years and TCU is trying to make a statement, their 2 losses have to OU and Utah.

Prediction- TCU 24-23

Hawaii Bowl

Hawaii vs Notre Dame

More Important for: Notre Dame- This could be the easiest to pick- A loss drops Charlie Weiss and the Irish under .500 for a second straight year, not to mention it would be embarrassing. Oh ya, don't forget, the Irish have won a bowl game in 15 years.

Prediction- Notre Dame 20-14

Motor City Bowl

Central Michigan vs Florida Atlantic

More Important for: Central Michigan- FAU is very lucky to be in a bowl game, but their coach Howard Schnellenberger has never lost a bowl game which counts for something, but CMU is a good program and has no business losing what is essentially a home game.

Prediction: Central Michigan 41-10

Meinike Car Care Bowl

North Carolina vs West Virginia

More Important for: West Virginia- Come on, they can't lose the last game of the Pat White era. Carolina will have a big advantage playing this game in Charlotte though.

Prediction: North Carolina 21-17

Champs Sports Bowl

Wisconsin vs Florida State

More Important for: Wisconsin- Brett Bielema hasn't had a great year, and some people think he might be on the  hot seat, so winning a bowl game would help him out.

Prediction: Florida State 20-17

Emerald Bowl

Miami vs Cal

More Important for: Cal- This was a hard one, but I really don't think Miami cares one bit about this game. That doesn't mean I think Cal cares, but they are playing close to home and will want to play well, they are also playing Miami which should provide motivation.

Prediction: Cal 24-21

Independence Bowl

Northern Illinois vs Louisiana Tech

More Important for: Both- Anytime either of these two teams makes a bowl game its been a successful season, so I think both will want to win it equally as bad.

Prediction: La Tech 35-20

Papa Johns.com Bowl

NC State vs Rutgers

More Important for: Rutgers- They have really played well and this game could give them a lot of momentum going into next season to the point that they could be favored to win the Big East next season.

Prediction: Rutgers 23-14

Alamo Bowl

Missouri vs Northwestern

More Important for: Missouri- They have had a brutal/embarrassing finish. A team that was ranked #3 cannot lose a mid level bowl to Northwestern. It would be a bad way to finish off the Chase Daniel era, and Gary Pinkel might have some pressure next season win or lose.

Prediction: Mizzou 28-14

Humanitarian Bowl

Maryland vs Nevada

More Important for: Nevada- a great opportunity against an ACC team for the second time in three years. They narrowly lost to Miami 2 years ago.

Prediction: Marlyand 27-17

Texas Bowl

Western Michigan vs Rice

More important for: both- Rice hasn't won a bowl in over 50 years and Western Michigan has never won one. 

Prediction: Rice 45-21

Holiday Bowl

Oklahoma State vs Oregon

More important for: OK State- Since beating Missouri they lost their 3 big games stage games. They should win this one and erase the disappointment of the losses to Texas, OU and Tech. 

Prediction: Ok State 38-24

Armed Forces Bowl

Houston vs Air Force

More Important for: Houston- I'm sure they would like to erase that real bad loss at Rice which cost them a chance to win the conference championship. They lost to Air Force in September.

Prediction: Houston 30-13

Sun Bowl

Pittsburgh vs Oregon State

More Important for: Both- They've both had good seasons, and they don't have much to play for other than momentum.

Prediction: Pitt 27-17

Music City Bowl

Vanderbilt vs Boston College

More Important For: Vandy- This is an easy one. Its their first bowl game in over 25 years, and they are playing at home.

Prediction: Boston College 17-10

Insight Bowl

Kansas vs Minnesota

More Important for: Minnesota- They blew a huge lead here a couple of years ago, so I'm sure they'd like to forget about that one, and they have struggled down the stretch.

Prediction- Kansas 31-13

Chick-fil-A Bowl

LSU vs Georgia Tech

More important for: LSU- A chance to salvage what has been a very disappointing season. LSU has won this bowl back in 2000 against GTech and in 2005 against Miami.

Prediction: LSU 28-17

Outback Bowl

South Carolina vs Iowa

More important for: Iowa- This is one of those games that the team is playing for its conference. This game is one of the few that the Big 10 is expected to win, it would also finish a real good turnaround for Iowa.

Prediction: Iowa 21-10

Capital One Bowl

Georgia vs Michigan State

More important for: Georgia- Losing a bowl game to a Big 10 team would not be a good way to finish out a season that started out with Championship hopes.

Prediction - Georgia 24-17

Gator Bowl

Nebraska vs Clemson

More Important for: Clemson- I think if they were to lose you would get a lot of people questioning whether keeping Dabo Swinney was the right decision, so he may go into next season on the hot seat.

Prediction: Clemson 21-17

Rose Bowl

Penn State vs USC

More Important for: Penn State- They have to play well for the sake of the Big 10. Its also Joe Paterno's first trip to the Rose Bowl in 14 years. 

Prediction: USC 24-13

Orange Bowl

Cincinnati vs Virginia Tech

More Important for: Cincinnati- How many chances does Cincinnati get to play in a big bowl game?

Prediction: VTech 20-17

Cotton Bowl

Ole Miss vs Texas Tech

More Important for: Tech- Its a statement game for the Raiders, and a game they should win easily.

Prediction: Tech 45-21

Liberty Bowl

East Carolina vs Kentucky

More Important for: Both- Kentucky has been ravaged by injuries and can still win a bowl game, while winning the Liberty Bowl is pretty much the best that a CUSA team can do.

Prediction: ECU 17-14

Sugar Bowl

Alabama vs Utah

More Important for: Both- Bama doesn't want to finish the season by losing 2 straight, and Utah wants to finish an undefeated season for this second time this decade.

Prediction: Alabama 27-21

International Bowl

Buffalo vs UConn

More Important for: Buffalo- Winning the conference and winning a bowl game would be a dream season for the Bulls

Prediction: Buffalo 21-10

Fiesta Bowl

Texas vs Ohio State

More Important for: Ohio State- Just like Penn State the Buckeyes are playing for the Big 10, but also they need this game for some retribution. They have been embarrassed in their last few big games.

Prediction: Texas 42-20

GMAC Bowl

Ball State vs Tulsa

More Important for: Ball State- Like Alabama they don't want to finish the season on a 2-game losing streak.

Prediction: Ball State 45-35

National Championship Game

Oklahoma vs Florida

More Important For: Stupid question

Prediction: Florida 42-38

Hoke to San Diego State- Why?

Lost amid the Gene Chizik to Auburn controversy over the weekend is that Ball State Brady Hoke took the San Diego State job. Hoke has done a great job at Ball State, and nearly finished the regular season 13-0. He was rumored as being a candidate for some of the bigger jobs, including Auburn. He did not get any of the big jobs, so for some reason he decided to settle on San Diego State. This makes no sense to me. San Diego is a great place to live, and they could pay him, but this is a second tier Mountain West program that hasn't been to a bowl game since 1998. I don't get why he was so quick to leave Ball State, a program that will likely be favored to win the MAC next season. Maybe he knows that Nate Davis is going to enter the draft, so he figured this was his best time to get out, that would be the only reason I can think of to take the San Diego State job. Lets say that Davis does return, and the Cardinals have a similar 12-1 season, Hoke would once again be a big player on the coaching market, and could probably land a BCS job. Oh well, I guess I would trade Muncie, IN for San Diego also. 

Fisher Takes the Blame

Here is Jeff Fisher after Sunday's loss to Houston. 

Fisher didn't have his best day which includes going for it on 4th and 3 at the Texans 32 yard line with 2 minutes left down by 1. Fisher said that what would have been a 50 yard field goal attempt was out of Rob Bironas' range because of the wind. Bironas had made a 51 yarder earlier in the game at the other end of the field. I wouldn't have had a problem with them going for it if they needed a 1 yard, but three was a bit much, I also didn't like the play call which was a low percentage pass.

Texans 13 Titans 12

Thoughts on the Texans franchise record 4th straight win:

1. The Texans have really improved up front on both sides of the ball.

2. Kerry Collins got no help from his receivers or tight ends.

3. You really can't argue that any receiver is better than Andre Johnson.

4. Cortland Finnegan has got to play under control, he committed too many big penalties

5. At the end of the first half Tennessee got the ball back at their own 2 yard line with and instead of kneeling it, they attacked the Texans defense and got 3 points out of it.

6. On that same note the Texans did a poor job of managing the clock.

7. Steve Slaton runs much bigger than he actually is, and did a great job on short yardage.

I will have more on this game a little later, including Jeff Fisher explaining why he did not kick the field goal at the 2 minute warning.

2nd Quarter: Texans 10 Titans 3

7:54 left in the first half and Andre Johnson already has 5 catches for 129. Houston took the lead on his 13 yard TD catch. He accounted for 78 of the Texans 89 yards on that drive. Tennessee's only points came after a turnover. The Texans defense has played outstanding. It is also raining at Reliant Stadium, that marks the first time it has ever rained on a Texans home game.

Live: Titans (12-1) at Texans (6-7)

The old Houston team is 11-2 against the new Houston team which includes a win against them back in week 3. Both teams are playing well. The Texans have won 3 straight, while the Titans have won their last 2. Its an important game for both teams. The Texans have never won 4 straight games, and a win today gives them a great shot to get back to 8-8. Their remaining games are at Oakland and home for Chicago. A Tennessee loss means that the Steelers would control their own destiny for home field advantage. I'll have some postgame audio up after the game, and I will also be doing updates on the NFL in Action hosted by Ed Coleman. You can listen by going to wfan.com.

Hard to believe Jeff Fisher is still the coach of this franchise. When he got the job 14 years ago everyone here just thought it was Bud Adams being cheap, which it probably was. They all wanted him to hire Jimmy Johnson.

After snowing here on Wednesday, it is 75 degrees. It rained a little this morning, but the weather should be fine the rest of the day. I will update this post with inactives as soon as I get them.

UPDATE: Kyle Vanded Bosch is the only player of importance listed on the inactives. He was pronounced out for this game earlier in the week. Dave Ball starts in his place. The Texans are about as healthy as a team can be in mid-December.

Great Job by ESPN

ESPN showed the '58 Colts/Giants Championship game in color Saturday night, and it was outstanding. It was really cool seeing the game in color, and it must have cost a fortune. What was really great about it however, was having current players, coaches, writers, and broadcasters sit with guys who played, covered, called, or were at that game. You had Michael Strahan with Art Donovan, Adam Vinatieri with Pat Summerall, Tony Dungy with Raymond Berry, Tom Coughlin with Frank Gifford and the list goes on and on. It was fascinating, and one of the better things that ESPN has ever done. You could really tell that there was a great level of respect that the younger guys had for the older guys, and I think the guys like Steve Smith and Brandon Jacobs gained a great of appreciation for the guys that came before them, which is something that we need to see more of. The only thing that it was missing was Johnny Unitas and Peyton/Eli Manning. Its something that they should do more often. Can you imagine showing an old Lakers/Celtics game and having Kobe Bryant sitting with Jerry West and Kevin Garnett sitting with Bill Russell? 

NFC Power Rankings

Here are my NFC Power Rankings going into Sunday:

1. NY Giants (11-2)- They will have a first round bye, but now home field is in doubt. They need to get healthy before next weeks game against Carolina.

2. St. Louis (10-3)- Played about as good a 4th quarter as you can play on Monday against Tampa. Have a difficult schedule the rest of the way, but control their own destiny for home field.

3. Arizona (8-5)- Important statement game against Minnesota, but they will almost definately be seeded 3 or 4, so they really just need to keep playing well to have some momentum going into the playoffs.

4. Minneosta (8-5)- Their remaining schedule is @Arizona, and then have home games against Atlanta and the Giants. 

5. Chicago (8-6)- They finish at home against Green Bay and at Houston.

6. Tampa Bay (9-4)- I have never seen a Tampa defense get physically dominated like Carolina did Monday. Antonio Bryant has had a pro bowl season.

7. Atlanta (8-5)- They have been good at home all season, but they are now playing better on the road.

8. Philadelphia (7-5-1)- Where has the Eagles team that dominated the Giants been all season?

9. Dallas (8-5)- Can't wait for the Distraction Bowl Sunday night. What are the chances Owens is back next season?

10.  New Orleans (7-7)- 5 of their 7 losses have been by 5 points or less. 

11. Washington (7-6)- Since October 5th they have scored more than 20 points once, and that was against the Lions.

12. San Francisco (5-8)- Is it possible Shaun Hill is the QB they have been looking for?

13. Green Bay (5-8)- Were dominated by the Texans, but Houston kept them in the game. They really miss Nick Barnett.

14. Seattle (2-11)- I feel like they can bounce back next year, especially if Hasselbeck can come back, but is Jim Mora really the answer as their next coach?

15. St. Louis (2-11) How does a team with Torry Holt, Stephen Jackson, and Marc Bulger score 13 points per game?

16. Detroit (0-13)- Memo to Matthew Stafford and Sam Bradford- Is it really worth coming out early to play for the Lions?

AFC Power Rankings

Here are my AFC Power Rankings going into Sunday:

1. Tennessee (12-1)- 2 easy wins since the loss to the Jets.

2. Pittsburgh (10-3)- If Tennessee loses to the Texans, the Steelers will begin their game in Baltimore controlling their own destiny for home field advantage in the AFC.

3. Indianapolis (9-4)- 6 straight wins, but they will have to open the playoffs on the road.

4. Baltimore (9-4)- The last time they played in a statement game they were crushed by the Giants. If they beat Pittsburgh Sunday they are tied for the division lead, a loss clinches the North for Pittsburgh.

5. NY Jets (8-5)- They will miss the playoffs if they lose to Buffalo. One positive for them is that they hold most of the tiebreakers to win the AFC East. 

6. Miami (8-5)- Should go into their week 17 game at the Jets at 10-5, which would be for the division.

7. Denver (8-5)- Got off to a slow start against KC but were able to comeback. They lose Hillis for the year, who will step up and run the ball for them?

8. New England (8-5)- Snuck out of Seattle with a win. Still have to play the Cardinals in week 16, and play at Buffalo in week 17.

9. Houston (6-7)- Have 3 straight for the second time this season. They need to play a good game against Tennessee to prove that they are close to making a playoff run.

10. San Diego (5-8)- Marty Schottenheimer is available

11. Buffalo (6-7)- 5-1 seems like it was years ago

12. Kansas City (2-11)- Don't have the wins to show for it, but they continue to play hard and are in every single game. Herm Edwards deserves another year, and Tyler Thigpen has probably earned a chance to be the starter next season.

13. Jacksonville (4-9)- The great career of Fred Taylor with the Jags is over after he was put on IR. Should be an interesting offseason- do they blow it up, or give it another go with this group?

14. Cleveland (4-9)- Tough to win when your stars are huge disappointments.

15. Oakland (3-10)- Al Davis must be spinning in his grave

16. Cincinnati (1-10-1) The '09 draft will mark the first time in 6 years that the Bengals will draft in the top 5. That has too be a record. 

The Voters Pick OU.....Again

Sam Bradford is your Heisman winner for 2008. He is certainly deserving, so even though I thought Colt McCoy was more deserving I can't argue. McCoy finished 2nd and Tim Tebow finished 3rd. I would say there is a good chance if Bradford decides to comeback that all 3 QB's are back in New York 1 year from now. 2 things caught my eye about this years balloting:

1. I guess I can figure out why there were only 3 players invited to New York- Nobody else got any votes. Tebow finished 3rd with 1575 points, and Graham Harrell finished 4th with 213. I don't think that the balloting has ever been dominated by 3 guys before.

2. Tebow finished 3rd but had the most first place votes. Why don't the voters just vote for first place?

McCoy for Heisman

I am officially endorsing Colt McCoy for Heisman. I think the thing that has set McCoy apart from Tim Tebow and Sam Bradford is that he has the last amount of talent around him. Unlike the other 2, he has had no running game around him, hell he is the Horn's leading rusher. My ballot would go:

1. McCoy

2. Tebow

3. Bradford

I put Tebow over Bradford because Tebow has played against much better defenses. It is possible that all 3 comeback next season, if they do, I think its safe to say that all 3 will be back in NY for the ceremony again. 

I'm not sure why Graham Harrell didn't get the invite. I can't remember the last time that there were less than 4 players invited to the Heisman ceremony. 

Who do you think OJ voted for? Are you allowed to vote from the can?

McGrady's Back, and All's Right With the World

I told you everything would be OK. Not only did Tracy McGrady comeback earlier than expected, but he almost had a triple double in his first game back. The Rockets are an incredibly dangerous team. They are 15-8 and have not played a single game at full strength. 

Liberal (Media) Hypocrisy-Example #2

Its been awhile, but don't think I forgot about ya libs. For our second example of liberal hypocrisy I thought I would take a look at the media. First for some background: Throughout the presidential campaign there was that Barack Obama was not born in the United States. This is important because if that were true he would not be eligible to be the President as stated in the constitution. It is possible that this could be heard in front of the United States Supreme Court. For this too happen, 4 of the 9 justices would have to approve it. I don't think its likely that it could happen, but there is a chance. I honestly don't know if the court would decide if Obama was actually born in Hawaii, but thats not the point. The point is where has the media been during this? All the media has to do is demand to see a birth certificate and it all goes away, but they did not. Obama never released his birth certificate or medical records during the campaign. I doubt that this is story is actually true, but everyday that the Obama people refuse to prove it untrue the story grows. 

The hypocrisy of this comes back in the summer of 2004 and it has to do with Obama. Jack Ryan, who was the republican nominee for the senate, running against Obama, had gotten a divorce from actress Jeri Ryan. The divorce records were sealed at the request of both parties mostly because it contained stuff that would damage both people. The media knew that it would be damaging to Ryan so they fought to have the records unsealed, and they were successful. This was catastrophic for Ryan, and he withdrew from the race. This allowed Obama to coast to an election win. Personally, I think its pretty hypocritical for the media to go after the divorce records of a guy running for senate, but they won't try a quarter as hard to get the birth certificate of someone running for President. By the way, the media never once asked or demanded the divorce records of John Kerry in 2004. 

Big 12 Championship No Sure Thing

In the first ever Big 12 Championship Game in 1996 Nebraska was ranked #3 in the nation with a chance to win a third straight national championship. They played against a Texas team that was unranked, and a 3-touchdown underdog. Texas won 37-27 eliminating the Huskers from winning a third straight title. In the 11 championship games played since, 8 have involved a team that had a chance to win a National Championship. 4 of those teams lost (98 KState, 2001 Texas, 2003 OU, 2007 Mizzou). Don’t put OU in BCS Championship yet, they still have work to do against a team that would like to exact a little revenge.

The Legend that is Buddy Ryan

Been meaning to post this for a few days, but I've been a little busy. At the Texans game Monday I started talking about the last night Monday Night game in Houston against the Giants in 1994 with someone and we began talking about Buddy Ryan. 

Ryan was one of the great defensive coordinators in the history of the game; he ran the '85 Bears defense. He was hired to be the Oilers DC after the debacle in Buffalo in the playoffs, only he did not answer to head coach Jack Pardee. He was given free reign to do whatever he wanted with his defense. The Oilers ran the Run and Shoot offense back then, an offense that Ryan despised. He called it the Chuck and Duck offense. He HATED Oilers offensive Coordinator Kevin Gilbride. That led to one of the most famous sideline incidents in NFL history when Ryan punched Gilbride after 2 Oiler defensive players got hurt after the offense was unable to run out the clock in the first half, which Ryan blamed on the system.

After the '93 season Ryan was named the head coach of the cardinals. After Gilbride and Pardee were fired on November 14, 1994 Ryan was asked for his reaction. He had complimentary things to say about Pardee, but here is what he said about Gilbride: "Last year, I predicted (Gilbride) would be selling insurance in two years, and he's a year ahead of schedule."

Another story about Buddy Ryan is that the one season that he was in Houston he did a weekly coaches show. First of all that tells you how much of a star he was, how many coordinators had their own shows, especially before talk radio exploded. Anyways he did the show on the Oilers flagship station KTRH. After the first couple of weeks the station had to send a car for him because he was showing up late. He would also show up with essentially a Big Gulp, and it contained more than just Coke.  

EXCLUSIVE: Eric Gordon on the NBA Transition, the Grind, and Sampson

I am at Toyota Center, where it is Yao Ming Bobble Head Night, for Rockets/Clippers. No Tracy McGrady or Brent Barry once again for the Rockets , but Steve Francis will dress for the first time all season. Anyways, I had a chance to talk with Clippers rookie guard Eric Gordon who has moved into the Clippers starting lineup. He has scored in double figures in 3 of the last 5 games. Including going for a career high 25 last week in New Orleans. It is the first exclusive Spo Blog interview. It is less than 4 minutes, and we talk about the transition to the NBA, where his game has improved, what it will be like to play in Indianapolis in a couple of weeks, and Kelvin Sampson. 

McGrady Out 3 Weeks; No Biggie

Tracy McGrady, who has missed the last 3 games, is going to miss most of December because of soreness in the knee he had surgery on in the offseason. Rocket fans are freaking out and saying the team should trade him while they still can. Reeeeelax people. This is nothing new. The last couple of years he has been hurt, and a shell of himself in November and December. Once the calender changes he's been fine. Remember last year? Over Christmas people were talking about a McGrady trade to Chicago for Ben Gordon and Ben Wallace. By April he was being talked about as an MVP. He's looked good at times this season, but its obvious he's not right. He went to Birmingham and was examined by Dr. Andrews, and he said he'll be fine. I think that McGrady just wants to pace himself. 82 games plus playoffs is a long grind, and he has a lot of tread on the tires. I think he will be fine and play at an all-star level, just like the last 2 years. If he doesn't, his contract is up after next season, so it will be OK. For the first time, the Rockets are built to survive without him.

Republicans Win One!!!! Bring on 2010!!!!

Senator Saxby Chambliss won reelection after beating democrat Jim Martin in a run-off election. So even if Al Franken is able steal the election in Minnesota, the Dems won't have the 60  votes needed to break a filibuster. Chambliss came within a few thousand votes of getting enough votes to win w/o a run-off, so he was expected win. John McCain and Sarah Palin both campaigned in Georgia. They did better in the state on election day, so it made sense. Barack Obama wouldn't go to Georgia to campaign because it would have made him look bad if Martin lost, so the democrats sent the next best guy- Ludacris. Seriously? Ludacris? Really? Martin lost on Nov 4 by three points. He lost Tuesday by 14 points. 

Something Interesting

I finally was able to leave Reliant Stadium at 1 am last night. The Texans coaches booth is right across from the elevator, so when I was leaving the door was open and the lights were on, so I decided to check it out. There was nothing important lying around, just some stat sheets, but one thing caught my eye. There are 2 rows in the box. There were 2 of those cheap, old, touch-tone phones, like the one pictured- one on each row. They were each labeled. The one on the bottom row was labeled "DEFENSIVE BENCH", but it was the other phone that struck me a little. It was labeled "REPLAY SCOREBOARD". I didn't know that teams had direct contact with the people doing the replays, but I wasn't surprised. I'm just curious if all teams do this. 

Texans 30 Jags 17

If the Texans wore red every game they'd be really really good. OK, maybe not, but they are 7-2 all-time in the red jerseys, and 4-1 when wearing the red jerseys against Jacksonville. The Jags, who were picked by many to win the AFC South, have now moved into the Texans familiar home of last place in the division. This game was boring, and the only thing worse than a boring game, is a boring game that won't end. Both teams scored 14 points in the fourth quarter, which for those of you that had the over $?, worked out pretty well. If you ignore the fourth quarter which you should because the game was over by then, there was only one touchdown, and it came on the game's first drive when Houston marched down the field and scored. After that it was a lot of missed opportunities and settling for field goals. Steve Slaton played well and ran for 130 yards and 2 TD's, but both were in the 4th, including a 40 yard TD run with 2:04 left. Jacksonville will probably loe 10 games, but Houston has a chance to go 8-8, which would match their record from last season. Their remaining schedule is @GB, TEN, @OAK, and CHI. They can win 3 of 4. After starting 0-4, and 3-7, I think 8-8 would make this a good season, hell even 7-9 would be something to build on.

Nothing earth shattering after the game, but I will go ahead an post a couple from the follwing players/coaches:

Jack Del Rio

David Garrard

Steve Slaton

54 Minutes to Kickoff

The inactives are in and Matt Schaub is not one of them, but Sage Rosenfels is listed as the starting quarterback. There was talk the last few days the Schaub, who has missed the last three games might start tonight. No other lineup changes for either team. On a more important note, the spread here at Reliant Stadium is excellent today. Steaks, mashed potatoes, and apple cobbler. 

The Last Monday Night Game in Houston

It was November 21, 1994. I went to the game, I was 9 years old. The 1-9 Oilers played host to the 3-7 Giants. The year before the Giants went 11-5 and the Oilers 12-4, so it looked good when the schedule came out in the summer. It was actually the third Oilers MNF game that season. Earlier that had been destroyed at Pittsburgh and at Philly. It was a terrible game. Both offenses were miserable. The Giants won 13-10. Something memorable took place that night. It was the debut of Oilers head coach Jeff Fisher, who was replacing Jack Pardee, who had been fired after their last game. 

Live: MNF in Houston

Monday Night Football is back in Houston for the first time in 14 years as the Houston Texans host the Jacksonville Jaguars. I got here at about 3:30 central for a 7:30 game, and I think I was the third media member here. Anyways the fields looks great. The grass is cut into a diagonal pattern for the first time this season. Its also Battle Red Day so everything at Reliant Stadium will be red. The Texans are wearing all red, all the Reliant Stadium staff is wearing red, the Media Relations staff is wearing red ties. There are pom-poms in all of the seats on the lower level. One thing to watch here is the weather. The roof cannot be closed, and the temperatures are supposed to get into the 30's tonight. Between the Oilers playing in the Astrodome and the Texans having a retractable roof stadium, I think the last thing any Houston football fan would have ever expected to have to bundle up during a game. The picture above is Reliant Stadium at 4:30 central. If you look at the far sideline, you can see the Jags arriving and walking towards their locker room.

Quick Thoughts from Around the NFL

• Plaxico Burress is like an enormous pimple on a beautiful face. The Giants are rolling, and have done it without controversy, which is difficult in New York. Well, they haven't been completely without controversy, and its all be because of Burress. First it was the contract, then he gets suspended for skipping practice, and now he shoots himself after bringing a gun into an NYC club. What makes this latest act of idiocy worse is that now Antonio Pierce has been dragged into it. Now the Giants have to deal with crap that has nothing to do with football.
• Should beating the Lions count as a full win? What about the Bengals?
• Jay Cutler is really good.
• The best rookie running back from Arkansas isn't Darren McFadden or Felix Jones. Its Peyton Hillis.
• Give Herman Edwards credit, the Chiefs are awful, but they haven't quit. That should buy Herm another year.
• Bill Cowher will not coach the Browns.
• Relax everyone, the Jets were due for bad game.

Quick Thoughts on College Football

• Florida should not be a double digit favorite over Alabama.
• It is a joke that Oklahoma got first place votes in both polls. Bama should be a unanimous #1 since they are undefeated in the SEC.
• How about if Florida beats Bama in a close game, and the Tide drop to #2. You could have a Florida/Alabama rematch in the Championship game, and then have a Texas/OU rematch in the Sugar Bowl. Remember OU is #3 in the BCS. If that were to happen, all four teams should agree ahead of time to play a plus one game at a neutral site. My pick would be New Orleans. 
• My 10 teams that should be in BCS games as of now are Alabama, Florida, OU, Texas, Penn St, USC, BC/VTech winner, Cincinnati, Utah, and Texas Tech. Ohio State will get in because they will sell out anywhere that they play, Tech might but it wouldn't be a sure thing. 
• A Ball St./Boise St. game would be a lot of fun to watch.
• I'm not totally sold on Lane Kiffin being a good hire at Tennessee, but bringing in his dad and Ed Orgeron to lead his coaching staff he would be off to a good start. Orgeron is a great recruiter, but a bad head coach. Ole Miss didn't win a conference game in his 3 years there, but look at all the talent he left behind. 
• I think giving Dabo Swinney the full-time job as Clemson was a mistake. I know he finished well and the players love him, but we have heard this before. Last year West Virginia and Indiana gave interim coaches the full time gig, and a year later I think both schools regret it.