Week 12 Picks

On Thursday, Thanksgiving took place in the USA. It's always a tradition on Thanksgiving Day to have football on television sets, and with Green Bay beating Detroit by 22, Dallas beat Oakland by 17, and Denver beating the Giants by 20, it wasn't the most exciting day for football in recent memory. There are still 13 more games to be played, and with that being said, here are my picks for them.
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Miami (5-5) at Buffalo (3-7), 1 pm.
Pick: Miami, 27-19.

Ronnie Brown is out with a season-ending knee injury. Ricky Williams, who's the backup, has back-to-back 100 yard rushing games. Terrell Owens did show that he still has "it" with his 197-yard showing last week, but, the Bills' offense is still horrible. Without Trent Edwards, there is no playoff contention in their site. Expect this game to be close, though.
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Seattle (3-7) at St.Louis (1-9), 1 pm.
Pick: St.Louis, 24-14.

The Seahawks of Seattle haven't won a road game in almost a year, and the Rams haven't won a home game in more than a year. Steven Jackson is running like never before, coming back to form that took him to be one of the game's best backs in the game, and with Marc Bulger out 3-6 weeks with a foot injury, his productivity becomes even greater. Whenever TJ Houshmandzedah comes back to form and develops good chemistry with his teammates, that's when you can expect the Seahawks to be somewhat of a threat.
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Washington (3-7) at Philadelphia (6-4), 1 pm.
Pick: Philadelphia, 42-13.

This Eagles team still confuses me as to who they are as a team. Do they run tough against you? Do they keep you honest as a defense, threatening you with a long pass downfield? Against the Redskins, who have a horrible defense all around, and with running back Brian Westbrook gone, expect them to show signs of a great passing team, blowing the lowly Redskins out.
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Tampa Bay (1-9) at Atlanta (5-5), 1 pm.
Pick: Atlanta, 35-21.

After setting colossal expectations in his rookie year, Matt Ryan hasn't performed up to his performance that he put on last year. With a good mix of running and passing, especially against a Bucaneers team that is sitting in the bottom of the pack in the NFC, the Falcons should get the win.
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Indianapolis (10-0) at Houston (5-5), 1 pm.
Pick: Indianapolis, 28-27.

Yes, Matt Schaub is performing almost like Peyton Manning. Yes, the Colts are looking very shaky, escaping games with a win against New England and Baltimore in the past two weeks. Yes, the Texans have been playing under the radar, and yes, Schaub and receiver, Andre Johnson, are having great chemistry. However, the Texans have been blown out the past few weeks, especially against the Colts earlier this year. The Colts, even with a few blemishes, seem poised to a perfect season. Expect wonderful games played by Dallas Clark, Gary Brackett, Joseph Addai, and obviously, Peyton Manning.
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Cleveland (1-9) at Cincinnati (7-3), 1 pm.
Pick: Cincinnati, 41-20.

After an embarrassing loss to the Raiders last week, the Bengals face the Browns at home, and it's like the playground bully, who beats up on people not even close to his size. The Browns, who are coming off another losing season, can look to be blown away by the likes of Chad Ochocinco, Carson Palmer, and running back Cedric Benson, who may play this week. If the Bengals lose against the Browns, you shall never put your faith in them again.
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Carolina (4-6) at NY Jets (4-6), 1 pm.
Pick: NY Jets, 17-13.

It's really a surprise that the Panthers even have 4 wins, given that their starting quarterback is playing horribly and their star defensive back is not that far off. Yes, it's been that kind of year for Jake Delhomme and Julius Peppers. The only bright spot comes from DeAngelo Williams, who has ran for 982 yards. Only thing that holds the Jets back is the injury of Leon Washington, who has played greatly.
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Kansas City (3-7) at San Diego (7-3), 4:05 pm.
Pick: San Diego, 48-17.

The Chiefs put their money where the mouth was this offseason, when acquiring quarterback Matt Cassel for a whopping $63 million. However, when you don't put pieces around a quarterback, you can't expect him to magically play well, and that's why the Chiefs have been driven to the ground. The Chargers? It certainly feels a lot like last year, when they started off slow, but came back to haunt the Broncos, and it's no different this year at all. LaDainian Tomlinson is also coming back, after he showed signs that he was worn out. Expect an absolute shallacking.
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Jacksonville (6-4) at San Francisco (4-6), 4:05 pm.
Pick: Jacksonville, 26-21.

The Jaguars look to win their fourth straight, and surprise even more people around the world. Being ruled out of even a wild card spot at the start of the season, the life of the Jaguars has seemed to be revived. Maurice Jones-Drew is running all over defenses, running for 926 yards, and David Garrard isn't playing so badly himself. The defense is the only thing holding them back, but it still won't be enough for the 49ers.
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Arizona (7-3) at Tennessee (4-6), 4:05 pm.
Pick: Tennessee, 28-24.

After starting the season 0-6, Tennessee running back, Chris Johnson said that his Titans would win the rest of the 10 games left of the season. His prediction seems to hold true so far, after winning 4 straight games. Vince Young seems to be the answer more and more ever week, because ever since he started after their horrible 0-6 start, he has led them to a 4-0 record. Smart play-making abilities by Young coupled with Johnson's monstrous running attack, running for 1242 yards has made the Titans look like the same Titans that went 13-3 last season. Also, Kurt Warner, even though he's starting, should be affected by the hit that was delivered to him last week from O.J Atogwe.
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Chicago (4-6) at Minnesota (9-1), 4:15 pm.
Pick: Minnesota, 31-14.

The Vikings have the game's best overall running back in Adrian Peterson. They have a legend of a quarterback in Brett Favre. They have one of the best defensive backs in the game in Jared Allen. The Bears have the game's best flopper of a quarterback in Jay Cutler. Even if he doesn't have the right people around him and the offensive line is absolutely terrible, he should still be able to make better decisions with the ball, instead of throwing the 18 interceptions that he has thrown this year.
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Pittsburgh (6-4) at Baltimore (5-5), 8:20 pm.
Pick: Baltimore, 12-7.

The biggest reason why the Ravens will win this game is because of the fact that Steelers quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger is expected to sit out with his 4th concussion since 2006. However, it's not like the Ravens will runaway with this one because the Steelers still have the game's best defensive unit in the league, led by Troy Polamalu. Then again, the Ravens have, arguably, the game's second best defensive unit in the league, and for that, the Ravens will win, in a dogfight.
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MONDAY: New England (7-3) at New Orleans (10-0), 8:30 pm.
Pick: New Orleans, 42-41.

Tom Brady vs. Drew Brees. This will be the game of the year. The Saints have the most explosive offense in the league. The Patriots have had an incredible offense for quite a long time now. The Pats have the better receiving core, with Wes Welker and Randy Moss, and the Saints have Marques Colston and Lance Moore. The last determining factor of this game however, comes from the Saints' defense. They lead the league in INT's, and are led by Darren Sharper, who has 7 of them. If the passing game is limited, the Pats' running game shouldn't be oh-so-depended on. 11-0 is what the Saints will go.

Bringing Home The Hardware

A full 12 days since I published my last post, I publish today about the recent hardware that has gone around in the MLB. A couple of repeats took place, and a couple of runaways. The 2009 season was one full of exciting action from one ballpark to another.

Instead of going over all awards given, we will go down to the 4 that everyone waits for: the two Cy Young awards, given to a pitcher in each league who posts the most consistent year, putting up untouchable numbers for that year, and the two MVP awards, given to the most spectacular player in each league who posts up amazing numbers and still be able to help his teammates become better.
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First off, the AL Cy Young.

Winner: Zach Greinke, Kansas City Royals.

Yes, he pitches for the worst team in the American League. Yes, the reminder that the Royals are even in the league disgusts the game's fans. Yes, the voters took that into deep consideration.

Even through all of that though, could you really deny him of it? Given the numbers that he put up, could you really?

He posted a 16-8 record, struck out 242, and posting an amazing ERA in 2.16.

Now, don't be fooled. Zack didn't have the most amazing second half of the season. Infact, before July hit, he was 10-3 with a 1.95 ERA. After that? 6-5. So what? He wasn't the most consistent pitcher in the AL, but getting off by winning 6 straight to start of the season, all while posting up an insane 0.40 ERA? You deserve some credit.

Now, a strong case could've been made for Seattle Mariners starter, Felix Hernandez, who won 19 games, losing 5, and putting a 2.49 ERA, but this award was given to Greinke because it was all about dominance. If you start the way he did, you would want some attention, and that's what he got.

The biggest reason though? The ultimate determining factor that you couldn't have ruled out? How about the fact that Greinke was diagnosed with a social anxiety disorder and depression just a couple of years ago? If you can overcome that, and come back and absolutely dominate in the Majors, there should be no one standing in his way in receiving a prestigous award like this.
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Next up, the NL MVP.

Winner: Albert Pujols, St.Louis Cardinals

A batting average of .327. 47 home-runs. 135 runs batted in.

Was it mentioned that he's the most feared hitter in the league?
Yes, even after being walked 115 times, the Cardinals first baseman was able to power his way to his second consecutive MVP award, winning in a unanimous decision.

It wasn't even close. It wasn't even fair. If you have the power and dominance of a sport like Pujols has, you should be banned, or stopped. This is inequality at its best, folks.

He was in the top 3 for each of the 3 top statistical categories. He was oh-so-close to getting the triple crown.

How monstrous is he? Well, in the last 21 games of the year, he didn't hit a home-run. Yes, hitting 47 home-runs comes easy for him. Yes, in his final 78 at-bats, he didn't hit one out of the park.

It's scary.
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Two down. Two more to go. We head to the NL Cy Young.

Winner: Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants

The kid with the crazy wind-up. A wind-up that has you wondering where he learned his mechanics from. If you don't believe me, search him up on YouTube, and you will find that he has one the craziest, but evidently, one of the most efficient ones in the game. He can throw the ball like you'd never believe. He can hit 100mp/h.

He's 5 feet and 11 inches and weights 170 pounds.

He can lead the league in strike-outs, as he did in the National League, getting the third strike on 261 batters over the course of 32 starts. That's 8.15 strike-outs per game. About a strike-out an inning, and that's only if he pitched about 8-9 innings a game. Which is what he's been doing, striking out 1.16 batters an inning.

It's amazing what small can do for you.

Also, just like Pujols, he repeated his winnings this year, after taking it home last year.

He's obviously the future of the league when it comes to pitching, and he's not even making a million bucks.

However, be sure to see his salary skyrocket to at least 8 figures, as he is eligible for arbitration this year, and it should be good to see how much he asks for.

Definitely, Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright could've won it, as they were right behind him, but Tim Lincecum definitely was more consistent.
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Lastly, the AL MVP.

Winner: Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins

After 1976, when Thurman Munson and 8 others before him won the MVP themselves, Ivan Rodriguez was the only catcher to win an MVP award, winning it in 1999. With a near unanimous vote, Joe Mauer became the second catcher in 33 years to win an MVP award.

Out of all the awards given to all the players, Joe Mauer's season coupled with this award, makes for the most special one of them all.

As a catcher, you're not supposed to bat a near 400 batting average and lead your league. As a catcher, you're not supposed to get on base so much that your OPS is higher than anyone else. As a catcher, you're not supposed to have your slugging percentage up so high, that again, you're leading everyone else that plays.

That's what Joe Mauer did. As well, what he brings to the table in terms of defense? Unbelievable. Great arm. Great defense.

Joe Mauer is inevitably, the face of the MLB for the young future in terms of batting. On top of that, he's an inspiration for young, aspiring catchers who want to make it big, but don't have someone to model it after.

Also, to be put in the same sentence as Ivan Rodriguez, Thurman Munson, Mickey Cochrane, Elston Howard, Ernie Lombardi, Roy Campanella, Johnny Bench, and the all-time great, Yogi Berra?

That's something special.

Joe Mauer is something special.

NFL Half-Season MVP

Eight of the sixteen games have taken place. Put it in the books. It's been a half-season full of adversity and triumph. Teams that were once atop the pedestal of football are now seen at the bottom of the pile. On the other hand, there are teams that have gone from being flushed down the toilet to being brought back up and leading their divisions, for now. Players have showed us what they can really do. For some, it was a matter of coming out of their shell. For others, it was curling back up in a fetal position. For a selected few, the numbers just say it all.

Without further ado, here is my pick for MVP.
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MVP: Peyton Manning.
Yes, Drew Brees is clicking on all cylinders, and should deserve to be ahead of Manning, considering that his 8-0 Saints have played better than the 8-0 Colts, but looking at what Manning's done with what he was given, it's hard to argue otherwise.

His favourite, long-time target, Marvin Harrison hung up his cleats in the offseason. A young, but up and rising receiver in Anthony Gonzalez was put on the IR due to a knee injury. Jim Caldwell, a rookie head coach, came to take over Tony Dungy's veteran coaching job after he too retired.

Not to mention, Drew Brees has a running game. Peyton doesn't.

2545 passing yards, a 70.6 completion percentage, a 105.2 passer rating, and being the only quarterback in the league to average over 300 passing yards a game?

Not to mention that he's challenging Dan Marino's passing mark and his team is primed for a playoff spot and a first-round bye.

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CONSIDERABLE MENTION FOR MVP
Drew Brees, Saints
Adrian Peterson, Vikings
Tom Brady, Patriots
Chris Johnson, Titans
Austin Miles, Cowboys.

Championship Fever in the Bronx

It was a scene like no other. It looked like a scene from a movie that provokes tears from the people who watch it. A moment that all provided us one more argument as to how baseball has gone deep down into our hearts and made us all remember that yes, athletes want the money, but in the thick of things, comes the heart and pride of the people who play the game.

A team who was doubted because of the humongous payroll that they possessed, being able to sign players to mega-million contracts, but not being able to perform. A team who had players that admitted to using steroids and other illegal substances, which has helped the game of baseball be tainted. A team that is located in arguably, the most beloved and well-known city on Earth. A team that was known for past post-season miracles and glories, but could not relive them since 2000. However, yesterday, in game 6 of the 105th edition of the World Series, the New York Yankees were able to defeat the reigning champs, Philadelphia Phillies, to claim their 27th championship in franchise history, a record that has not been touched, and now, sits 17 ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals.

After a season of doubt and controversy, the Yankees were somehow able to overcome the odds and prevail on baseball's biggest stage.

Replaying their season in a short summary, the Yankees came into spring training in March with notifications of star players being out, free-agent signings, and other leaked controversies, sending them into unwanted turmoil.

First, came the signings of pitchers CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett, signing them to 7 year, $161 million and a 5 year, $82.5 million contracts. Not long after that, they then picked up arguably the biggest hitter on the free agent list, first baseman, Mark Teixeira, swooping him for an unprecedented 8 year deal worth $180 million.

Then, the eventual downfall resulted for the Yankees, as sports fans all around the world heard that all-star third baseman, Alex Rodriguez, had admitted to using steroids in 2003 for the Texas Rangers. Not to mention, that they weren't able to have his services until mid-May because of a hip surgery.

After starting the season off horribly, highlighted by an embarrassing 22-4 loss in the hands of the Cleveland Indians, A-Rod proved to be the go-to guy, because that was when the future hall-of-famer showed that this year was his year.

His year to redeem himself. His year to make a statement for not only himself, but his teammates, the team management, their fans, and the whole world that was keeping a close eye on them.

Not shortly thereafter, they went on a tear, putting up amazing numbers, hitting home-runs from every angle, and eventually, posting the best record in baseball.
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After winning 103 of the 162 games, they started off the post-season, by sweeping the Twins and taking care of the Angels in 6 games during the ALCS.

Then came the World Series. After adopting the short rest method, Joe Giradi's team found new success, when CC Sabathia absolutely shut teams down during the play-offs even after pitching on 3 days rest. The most notable play came from Johnny Damon, who had a double steal, and definitely earned the respect of many of the game's top players, because they knew that the play had been one of the smartest plays in the book.

However, the who could forgets?

Mariano Rivera, who showed no signs of the old, aging process, by delivering one of the best performances by a closer in baseball history.
Hideki Matsui, who was named World Series MVP, after driving in 6 runs in the clinching game 6.
CC Sabathia, who pitched the best post-season of his life, proving once again that he is one of the game's most elite players.
Mark Teixeira, who lit up the whole season, but stepping his game up not necessarily with his stick, but with his glove.

However, to me, the best player for the Yankees this post-season, Alex Rodriguez, who finally won a championship ring, who finally performed in the post-season, driving in 18 runners, and who has closed another chapter in his detailed legacy.