A Young Rotation & Davis hold the key to the future

So, I lay on my bed taking it all in. The season and the off-season have all gone wrong. The season was awful to go through and now one of the greats is going to be on trial for perjury. The Giants finished the Major League Baseball Season in fifth palce in the NL West with a record of 71-91 which was nineteen games back from the division leaders the Arizona Diamondbacks. Now I have to listen to one of my childhood heroes be tried with a thirty year sentence for lying to the grand jury about taking steroids. I grew up watching Barry Bonds, hell, the man helped me and my dad out with our father-son bonding. The 40-40 season of 96' which was soon overshawdowed two years later by the 61* chase by Bic Mac and Slammin Sammy. In 97' he came three measly steals away from another 40-40 season. I witnessed towering homeruns and even back when he was mobile I got to see him make phenomenal defensive plays. He became the most feared batter in baseball, andade a great run in 2001 to break the single season home-run record by three. I remember him rising in baseball excellence into the 500, 600, and 700 homerun clubs. Then, as my dad and I sat on the couch at my aunt's house, Barry launched homerun 756 into centerfield. Now all the media and all the accusations I had kept in the back of my mind had all burst out in front of me and started to scream at me and laughing at me for actually having a belief that Bonds was clean and innocent. I should've known it was the beginning of the end when we spent over $100 million on Barry Zito and he came otu and embarassed himself on opening day. So, now I lay thinking of the future. The key to the future of the Giants organization is in the hands of the pitching rotation and none other than Rajai Davis the young centerfielder who burst into the scene late in the 2007 season. The rotation for the Giants could be great with names like Zito, Tim Lincecum, Noah Lowry, and Matt Cain. Zito needs to get back on track and the youngsters need to keep on working hard and improving, I actually like the rotation, but now the big question: Who is going to drive in runs for us? The Giants lost a lot of power in Bonds and the awful Pedro Feliz. Replacing them? Dave Roberts and Rich Aurilia...I love you Rich, but your future is on the bench. I love that the Giants re-signed Omar Vizquel; that is great (hopefully he can mentor Frandsen and help him become a great defensive player). The Giants have been talking about trading for a third baseman, which is a huge hole in the line-up. They have pretty much ruled out Miguel Cabrera since he the Marlins want A-Rod, Derek Jeter, Johan Santana, Matt Holliday, Shaq, Kobe, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, David Beckham, and Tiger Woods for him. The Giants have reportedly placed Benjie Molina on the trading block in hopes of aqquiring a third baseman. Time to be realistic here, we aren't going to get that much of a quality third baseman for the likes of Molina. I also don't think the Giants are going to aquire a lot of pop in the line-up, so what does that make for? Probably not a lot of ticket sales because they won't be the most exciting team to watch, but I think we can contend for the West Division Title. The Giants will just have to manufacture their runs and play the old fashioned way. Here is a line-up that could happen by the end of the winter (hopefully it will look much better than this)

C- Eliezer Alfonzo (seeing as Molina will most likely be traded)
1B- Dan Ortmeier (God, I hope he is the real deal)
2B- Ray Durham (the age factor has officially caught him, he wont be much help this year)
3B- Who knows?
SS- Omar Vizquel (needs to do a lot better offensively this year)
LF- Dave Roberts (Adam Dunn anyone?)
CF- Rajai Davis (He needs huge on base percentage numbers for the Giants to be successful)
RF- Randy Winn (Needs 2006 like numbers to rub off that bust name he is earning)


So basically, if the Giants don't sign some big names like they haven't for the past twenty years, I'm in for another long agonizing season that might lead me to deafening depression and multiple disturbing the public violations.

Speed or Power, Security or Celebrity, Lefty or Righty

This OR That #1-My new article that will be up every time I think of three new categories, it will be called this or that. You will have the choice between to options and every time I post the three categories I will give you a theme. So today we will be featuring baseball and football. Players such as a speedster, the powerful man, a big boy whose got your back, the man known by everyone who will break your ankles, the young lefty trojan, and the out of nowhere righty are featured in this article. This weeks theme is... "Who would you build your team around?"

Pair A
Sport: Baseball
Options: Speed or Power
Jose Reyes OR Alex Rodriguez

So you were just hired to start a new expansion team. You already have the pitching rotation which is pretty good, now you have to pick up your positional players. You have to choose your players from a pool of minor league players, but then the commisioner due to wanting you to be able to make a little money with fan interest he says you can pick between two players to lead your minor league postional team. You could pick the lead-off man who can create opportunites with his stealing ability, the ability to bunt for a base hit, his amazing speed, the ability to hit for contact, and also play defense. Then there is the power hitter, who can hit in front of or behind anyone, give him some runner in scoring position and he will knock them in, a homerun and RBI monster, and the ability to make pitchers shake in there cleats when they see him in the on-deck circle. You pick the leadoff man you won't have that homerun affect though, the guy who will launch balls off the wall, and he isn't the most feared batter out there. You pick the power guy and you get a defensive blunder, a guy who doesn't have the ability to get in the picthers head on the basepaths, or be able to stretch the routine double into a triple. So who do you pick, Jose Reyes or Alex Rodriguez. In my opinion you gotta take Jose Reyes any time of the day. Reyes has the ability to put his teamates in position to produce. For example, Reyes gets a single, then he can steal 2nd base and a single scores him. Say he even steals 3rd two all you need is a sac fly. Also like I mentioned before he can stretch that routine double into a triple. My pick for Pair A is Jose Reyes no question.

Pair B
Sport: Football
Options: Line-man or Running Back
Walter Jones OR LaDanian Tomlinson

You have no offensive options, but no offesnive line either. you have the ability to get big name and amazing offensive tackle Walter Jones or get a feature back who can run all over any defense LaDanian Tomlinson. You pick Jones and you get a slightly below average runningback and a slightly above average ofeensive line package with Jones, but if you pick Tomlinson you get a slightly below average offensive line and slightly above average postional player package with Tomlinson. So you can get the guy who creates for the back or the guy who can capitalize with the smallest hole. I've argued with people before, like in my SI's TOp 500 NFL players list when they had Walter Jones at #10. I started to think about this situation, you get LT, every NFL general manager's dream, but you have no o-line to block for him, then he would get stuffed everytime at the line or behind the line. LT can produce, but not take on eleven players by himself. That's why I came to a conclusion I thought I would never come to in a million years. I would take Walter Jones over Tomlinson. Walter Jones gives you the ability to shutdown a side of the field and alow a nice big hole for the runningback to run though, but also give the quarterback that extra time needed to get the pass off. My pick for Pair B is Walter Jones.

Pair C
Sport: Football
Options: Lefty or Righty
Matt Leinhardt OR Jay Cutler

So this is peerly no situations introduced to you. You just have the decision to build your team around Matt Leinhardt or Jay Cutler. You have the college phenom in Leinhardt and then the guy who opened everyones eyes at the combine Cutler. Leinhardt is a winner and always has been and Cutler has the ability to win. Some say they are equal in talent some say Cutler has the talent edge while Leinhardt has the leadership edge. Either way you have two younguns who are unproven in the NFL except for Cutler who has somewhat proven he can play in the pros. Now to me I like Leinhardt, many might disagree, but if I was building my team around either one of these two young guys I would want to pick the guy who has won before and can lead a team to victory. Let's say Cutler does have a better arm, which he probably does, Leinhardt still has the leadership that Cutler doesn't have and Leinhardt still has that knack for winning games and he can clearly play in the clutch. Yes I know you would all pick Mr. Vince Young over them both, but to me, my Pair C pick is Matt Leinhardt.

Now it's your turn tell me who you would pick from each pair. Thanks for reading.

College Football Week 1 Recap

Week 1 Recap

AP TOP 25 after week 1
1. USC
2. LSU
3. West Virginia
4. Florida
5. Oklahoma
5. Wisconsin
7. Texas
8. Louisville
9. Virginia Tech
10. California
11. Georgia
12. Ohio State
13. UCLA
14. Penn State
15. Rutgers
16. Nebraska
17. Auburn
18. Arkansas
19. TCU
20. Hawaii
21. Georgia Tech
22. Boise State
23. Texas A & M
24. Tennessee
25. Clemson

Well first off I am currently the happiest man on the face of the earth to hear that Michigan is out of the Top 25. One of my best friends is a huge Michigan fan and we were driving to the California vs Tennessee game when we heard on the radio that Michigan's game winning field goal was blocked by a division two team, none other than my savior Applachian State. Llyod Carr has officially purchased his ticket to unemployment, talk about underestimating an opponent. Anyways, yes I did get to goto the Cal vs Tenn game which was an amazing game, well the first half at least. Deshean Jackson showed everyone why he should be considered for the heismen. There was a flaw though, Longshore had an okay game, had one drive that he did really good on, but other than that I thought he looked kind of bad. Ainge had a much better game than him and if Cal wants to succeed this year Longshore has gotta be better. Congrats to Charlie Weis and that amazing Fighting Irish Offense. They lost to a very tuff Georgia Tech *cough cough* Now onto the annual Bowden Bowl where daddy got beat up by son. Clemson came out clobbering Florida State. Yes Clemson got lazy in the end and only won by six, but it doesn't matter because Clemson still won knocking FSU out of the Top 25. Clemson's runningbacks Smith and Spiller looked very explosive combining for 150 yards.

Upset of the Week
Appalachian St. 32-34 #5 Michigan

This is obvious, it is surely Appalachian State over Michigan. You know if App St. would of beaten some other D1 team I wouldn't be so suprised. I mean App St. is all the thugs and crazy athletes that couldn't make grades for a D1 school. Still though, that is no excuse for them being able to beat, then #5, Michigan. This was a very embarrasing moment in the Michigan community. My friend, as I presume many Michigan fans will agree, that he will not watch another game until Llyod Carr is fired. He made a joke of his program. Then nerve of Michigan players too, after this huge upset they come up and still say they are going for a Big Ten Championship! How about beating Oregon first buddies. Let me end though with a congrats to App St. and all the player they showed amazing heart and what a block to win!

Game of the Week
#15 Tennessee 31-45 #12 California

This could easily be Appalachian State beating Michigan, but I thought I should recognize another game. Though hard to create much buzz in week 1 of the college football season, there was one game that was a great back and forth game. When 12Cal faced 15Tenn it was a great game, which it was supposed to be. After a great first half in which Cal lead by ten at half, the game had exceeded expectations I think. No one reall could have expected a real close game. Even though Cal was ranked higher, I think everyone was thinking Tenn would win the game without much difficulty. Two minutes into the game though Cal turned some heads ona cornerback blitz causing a fuble to be taken to the house for a TD. Tied 14-14 in the second quarter Desean Jackson ran backa punt return for a touchdown putting Cal up and showing why Jackson is considered one of the best punt returners in the NCAA. After that it became the Cal show, but what an exciting game to start off the Cal season.

Offensive Team Performance
#8 Oklahoma scoring 79 points on North Texas

Not much to say except Oklahoma has some much needed momentum going into the season. They had three passing touchdowns, seven rushing touchdowns, an interception returned for a TD, and a safey to top things off. They had 668 Total Yards, 403 were passing yards and 265 were rushing yards. Not to mention they had ZERO interceptions thrown. Great day for the Okalhoma offense. Not only that, but their defense only allowed ten points.

Defensive Team Performance
#2 LSU held Miss. St. to 0 points

Not only did LSU hold Miss. St. to ZERO points, but they also had six interceptions and a fumble recovery. It could have been better if they scored, which they technically didn't, but they gave the offense great field position all day. Not only all this, but they held Miss. St. to TEN rushing yards. That is amazing in itself, but they also held the team to only 147 total yards. They also caused Miss. St. to go 3-14 on 3rd down and 0-2 on 4th down.

Top 3 Impressive Performances Top 25 Teams

#8 Oklahoma
They top the list because of the great offense, scoring 79pts.

#23 Hawaii
Winning 63-3 explains it all.

#12 California
Beating a top 15 team really shows that Cal can compete with anybody.

Worst 3 Team Performances Top 25 Teams

#5 Michigan
They lost to a D2 team...SIT DOWN!

#19 Florida State
Daddy Bowden got beat down by son and knocked out of Top 25.

#18 Auburn
They didn't look very impressive and only beat Kansas State by ten.

My Heisman Watch

QB- Colt Brennan of Hawaii
6 TDs--416 Yds--221.86 rate--85% compl.

QB- Sam Bradford of Oklahoma
3 TDs--363 Yds--266.92 rate--91.3% compl.

QB- Graham Harrell of Texas Tech
4 TDs--419 Yds--156.61 rate--74.6% compl.

RB- Marlon Lucky of Nebraska
3 TDs--233 Yds--7.8 ypc

RB- Demarco Murray of Oklahoma
5 TDs--87 Yds--5.1 ypc

RB- Darren MacFadden of Arkansas
1 pass TD--1 rush TD--223 total yds

RB- Felix Jones of Arkansas
1 rush TDs--1 Ret. TDs--287 total yds

WR- Earl Bennett of Vanderbilt
3 TDs--223 Yds--17.2 ypr--15 rec

WR- Desean Jackson
1 Ret. TD--143 total yds

SI's King 500 list...

Okay so in the latest edition to Sports Illustrated (NFL Preview) they give a top 500 present day football player list a lot of debatable issues so I'll get right to it...

Top 10
1) Peyton Manning QB Colts
2) Tom Brady QB Patriots
3) LaDanian Tomlinson RB Chargers
4) Julius Peppers DE Panthers
5) Jason Taylor DE Dolphins
6) Champ Bailey CB Broncos
7) Brian Urlacher MLB Bears
8) Drew Brees QB Saints
9) Carson Palmer QB Bengals
10) Walter Jones OT Seahawks

Does everyone else see the Offensive Tackle at number 10! Over Shawn Merriman, Ed Reed, Marc Bulger, Torry Holt, and many more. Not only is that on there, but Phillip Rivers is #39 over players like Marvin Harrison, Vince Young, Frank Gore, Donovan McNabb, and Ray Lewis. What a ridicule, I mean I think even Chargers fans should agree with me when I say Rivers is no long term solution and too bad Eli is a stubborn selfish little girl because he is a heck of a lot better than Mr. Rivers. Oh yea speaking of Marvin Harrison, Andrea Johnson is ranked higher than him. While Harrison is ranked at #42 Johnson is ranked #33. Kind of bold I say, I mean Johnson will be great in the future, but the BEST reciever in the game today is Marvin Harrison, well him and Torry Holt are up there together. I find this funny though, SI ranked, despite having been suspended for the year, Pacman Jones at 110. They said this woul dbe his rightful place had he behaved himself. Well in my opinion had he behaved himself he would have a rightful spot on the list and if he is on there then where the hell is Mike Vick? The highest ranked Tight End is Antonio Gates, ranked at #15. Over Holt and Harrison, I love GAtes, but once again not good enough to be over Holt and Harrison. Now I'm not sure if I agree with this one either, Reggie Bush at #19 over guys like Steven Jackson, Larry Johnson, and Shaun Alexander. I mean Bush is good...GREAT actually, but needs a littl emore experience to above those three guys. Anyways here is a list by position...

Top 10 QBs
1) Peytong Manning Colts
2) Tom Brady Patriots
8) Drew Brees Saints
9) Carson Palmer Bengals
18) Marc Bulger Rams
20) Matt Hasselbeck Seahawks
38) Phillip Rivers Chargers
41) Vince Young Titans
72) Donovan McNabb Eagles
85) Ben Roethlisberger Steelers

Top 10 RBs
3) LaDanian Tomlinson Chargers
19) Reggie Bush Saints
30) Steven Jackson Rams
34) Larry Johnson Chiefs
36) Shaun Alexander Seahawks
71) Frank Gore 49ers
84) Maurice Jones-Drew Jaguars
96) Brian Westbrook Eagles
97) Joseph Addai Colts
115) Laurence Maroney Patriots

Top 10 WRs
22) Steve Smith Panthers
24) Torry Holt Rams
33) Andre Johnson Texans
42) Marvin Harrison Colts
48) Chad Johnson Bengals
58) Larry Fitzgerald Cardinals
63) Calvin Johnson Lions
68) Reggie Wayne Colts
69) Devin Hester Bears ***Also listed as a KR (why he is so high)
80) Javon Walker Packers

Top 5 O-Lineman
10) Walter Jones T Seahawks
23) Steve Hutchinson G Vikings
39) Jason Peters T Bills
46) Marcus McNeil T Chargers
50) Shawn Andrews G Eagles

Top 30 Defensive Players
4) Julius Peppers DE Panthers
5) Jason Taylor DE Dolphins
6) Champ Bailey CB Broncos
7) Brian Urlacher LB Bears
11) Shawn Merriman LB Chargers
12) Ed Reed FS Ravens
13) Dwight Freeney DE Colts
14) Kevin Williams DT Vikings
16) Aaron Kampman DE Packers
17) Jamal Willaims DT Chargers
21) Adalius Thomas LB Patriots
25) Tommie Harris DT Bears
26) Richard Seymour DE Patriots
27) Adrian Wilson SS Cardnials
28) Troy Polamalu SS Steelers
29) Kerry Rhodes SS Jets
31) Antoine Winfield CB Vikings
32) Aaron Schobel DE Bills
35) Lance Briggs LB Bears
37) Ty Warren DE Patriots
40) Asante Samuel CB Patriots
44) Casey Hampton DT Steelers
45) Nnamdi Asomugha CB Raiders
47) Rashean Mathis CB Jaguars
49) Nate Clements CB 49ers
51) Shaun Phillips LB Chargers
52) John Henderson DT Jaguars
53) Bart Scott LB Ravens
54) Pat Williams DT Vikings
55) Brian Dawkins FS Eagles

Fantasy Football Draft Guide

I wouldn't call myself an expert, but I know a thing or two about drafting a near perfect team in fantasy football...

Rule #1 Do your homework...Read up on reciever quarterback relationships, make sure you know about all injuries, and make sure your guy has a starting spot.

Rule #2 When drafting a runningback make sure you look at his offensive line's ranking, typically the higher the offensive line rating the better the runningback will be.

Rule #3 Find out your league's scoring system and you first pick should be the position that can score the most points which is typically the runningback in most leagues, but every know and then there is a league where the quarterback can score the same amount as the runningback so make sure to do your homework.

Rule #4 When drafting a wide reciever, try to draft a reciever-quarterback combo, which means draft recievers and quarterbacks from the same team...for example, Marc Bulger and Torry Holt

Rule #5 NEVER...NEVER EVER second guess yourself, always go with your first instinct, second guessing usually results in bad moves.

Rule #6 This is for leagues with a time limit during their draft. Make sure you prepare a couple rounds ahead and also have a backup plan because if your not prepared or your guy gets drafted and you don't have another guy to draft your time could run out.

Rule #7 Don't be afraid to take a risk, sleeper picks (if you have studied up on them enough) can always benifit you and can sometimes turn out to make or break your season.

Rule #8 It's okay to draft a high profile tight ends before drafting any recievers. In such a case last year I drafted Antonio Gates before any recievers and he was among the top recievers. Only do this with high proifle tight ends though such as A. Gates, T. Gonzalez, and A. Crumpler. Also, don't forget to try and pair up your tight ends with your quarterback.

Rule #9 Defenses and Kickers are a very unimportant aspect your team, pick them as late as possible, no questions asked.

Rule #10 Try to stray away from picking favorite players or favorite team players unless they could really benifit your team.

Rangers 30, Orioles 3

What an embarassment...WOW, that's all I can muster up is wow...This is unbelievable, what a comeback, lol. The Texas Rangers were trailing the Baltimore Orioles 0-3 going into the top of the 4th. It happened when there were 2 on with 1 out and Ramon Vazquez came up to the plate batting in the ninth spot in the lineup and he hit a three run bomb. The Rangers scored five in the top of the 4th. Then in the top of the 6th they scored nine runs...NINE RUNS! Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit a solo jack in that inning. Then they scored ten runs in the eigth where Saltalamacchia hit another jack. Finally in the top of the eighth inning, Vazquez hit another homerun and the Rangers scored six runs that inning. The reason I meantion Saltalamacchia and Vazquez is because they batted eight and ninth, in respective order, in the lineup and they each had 7 RBIS! A ridiculous game in which the Rangers also had twenty-nine hits. Talk about raising your team ERA, hate to be the Orioles.

R.A. Watch #3

Rick Ankiel started in RF and batted 2nd in the lineup. Ankiel played his best offensive game of his career blasting two home runs, his first multi-homerun game of his career. His first homerun came in the 1st inning with Aaron Miles on base and his second homerun was a solo shot in the 7th. Ankiel is showing that he can play with the rest of the position players in the majors. Braden Looper came away with the win and Derek Lowe was hit with the loss in the Cardinals 6-1 victory over the Dodgers.

Rick Ankiel

Game: 3-4 2HR, 3RBI, 3R

Season: .417 3HR, 6RBI, 4R