(1:55, 4th, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Pittsburgh stun everyone by going empty backfield, Roethlisberger runs around and finds Antonio Brown for 15 and this game is over as Roethlisberger will take several knees. Pittsburgh progress an we have two of the most historic franchises in history in the Super Bowl. Green Bay and Pittsburgh. Keep checking in on Bottom of the Barrel for coverage and opinion. Pittsburgh 24-19.
(2:00, 4th, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Steelers will come out after the two minute warning facing a 3rd and 6 from the Jets 40. New York is now out of time outs and needs a miracle; provided they can first stop them on 3rd down here.
(2:43, 4th, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Ben typically escapes the pocket and throws to Miller for 14 and a huge, huge first down. Goes a very long way to finishing this game. Jets use their second time out.
(2:55, 4th, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Brown does some funky moves after the deep kick and gets out to the 41, unlikely to be especially meaningful field position. Can Pittsburgh get a crucial first down?
(3:06, 4th, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Got it. Cotchery on a quick out, Sanchez finds him and that will make it irritatingly 24-19, still need a touchdown. Onside kick? Probably not with all their timeouts. Pittsburgh 24-19 and trying to hold on, the Jets have scored 19 in a row.
(3:34, 4th, New York @ Pittsburgh) - New York moving the ball but relatively slowly, down to the goal line now, but then how to play it? Still running the ball on first and goal with Tomlinson but cannot get it in.
(5:09, 4th, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Another 4th down fllowing Tomlinson's inability to convert a 3rd and short (potentially due to Nick Mangold's injury and subsequent taking out of the game. This time Sanchez hooks up with Edwards to convert.
(7:03, 4th, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Decent return on the free kick by Cotchery, 11 yards to the Jets 42. Followed by a great pass from Sanchez to Edwards for 22 yardsafter escaping the sack. He hasn't been perfect, but Sanchez has been very good in the second half.
(7:38, 4th, New York @ Pittsburgh) - And they get the safety on a mishandled snap. Pittsburgh are lucky they didn't give up a TD. Pittsburgh 24-12 and the Jets are just breathing, just.
(7:44, 4th, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Tomlinson cannot do it. They passed on 3rd down and did get a yard with Tomlinson but not enough and that, considering the eight minutes the Jets soaked up there, is likely the game, unless they can force a turnover or safety. Pittsburgh get the ball on the 1.
(7:53, 4th, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Simms says two running plays to try and punch it in and I agree. It has to be 4th down territory and it's three yards.
(9:57, 4th, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Sanchez really has looked great on this drive but not there. Fumbls the snap, recovers but makes it 2nd and 18. They call draw and Green bounces around like a pinball and has a huge 16 run. This is a huge drive for New York but it has taken some time - all their chips are in on a TD here.
(11:15, 4th, New York @ Pittsburgh) - No secrets there, 3 TE and Shonn Green gets it up the middle.
(11:34, 4th, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Sanchez does well to evade the sack and scramble, but it's yet another third down opportunity for Pittsburgh to blitz. The call was a pitch to Green, looked like a bad play from the get go and did not produce results. 4th and 1 and the thinking is this will be a go for it situation.
(13:23, 4th, New York @ Pittsburgh) - A wide receiver screen to Cotchery (great blocking from Brad Smith and Edwards) and a third down quick slant to Keller gives the Jets another first down.
(14:33, 4th, New York @ Pittsburgh) - A slant to Edwards, a reasonable run up the middle from LaDanian and an out to Keller gets the Jets into Pittsburgh territory. Some atmospere to this game now.
(0:50, 3rd, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Next play is a run, stopped for a 3 yard loss from David Harris and brings up a seeming Roethlisberger specialty, 3rd and 20. Not this time however, as Trevor Pryce gets to Ben for another sack, 4th and 25. Nice effort. Cotchery (back on the field after an earlier injury) calls for a fair catch at the 19 and they get another chance. This might have to be the drive though, might not be able to stall for much longer.
(2:20, 3rd, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Ben runs for the first again, in truth, he hasn't looked like being sacked all night. The Pittsburgh line, even with Pouncey out since the first series, has bee so much better than expected. A defensive holding penalty adds another five yards. Pittsburgh are inching towards a clinching score here. As I say that, the Jets get their first sack of the night, from Calvin Pace.
(4:44, 3rd, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Five wide again on third down, Roethlisberger takes off pretty quickly and the Jets seemed to be vaguely ready for it. Still, he puts his head down and trucks to get the four yards needed and a first down.
(6:44, 3rd, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Weatherford makes a booming punt, and the Jets needed it after going three and out inside their own twenty. It's muffed by Randle El and goes out of bounds at the 30.
(6:56, 3rd, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Jets go five wide, which you don't see very often, and maybe for good reason, Sanchez narrowly escapes an interception.
(7:42, 3rd, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Jets go crazy blitz, like six or seven guys at Ben, who connects with Mewelde Moore. That's another third down conversion. Pittsburgh fumble the next snap but recover the ball. The escape a turnover only for one play however, as Ben's deep throw is again broken up, and this time, intercepted by Brodney Pool. He's forced out at the 14 however, so it's basically a goodish punt. Still, Jets ball,which is what they need.
(10:25, 3rd, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Man, Pittsburgh love these five wide sets on third and short-medium. Nearly pay for it this time as Ben throws a strike to Kyle Wilson who drops it. New York need those plays. That's followed by my most hated rule in the game, running into the kicker, which costs the Jets a valuable first down.
(11:27, 3rd, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Brown brings it back to the 28. Roethlisberger scrambles on the first play and threatened to break a big run, but DeVio grabsa handful of jersey and brings him down for just 4.
(12:13, 3rd, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Sanchez on play action goes deep and finds Holmes, who had lost his man and is absolutely on his own and it's 45 yards for a touchdown. Well, again, pretty much the perfect start and that was necessary. You'd be surprise if the defense didn't stop Pittsburgh on th following drive, as that will pump everyone up. Just a sniff of hope now. Pittsburgh 24-10.
(12:50, 3rd, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Apparently the timeout wasn't taken, a bizarre period of play. Sanchez to Holmes gives them another first down, and while this is still a million to one shot, they've done everything they needed to do.
(13:54, 3rd, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Greene goes outsde the tackles on the left for 24 yards and Tomlinson backs up with a good carry as well. However there is confusion and for some reason the Jets have burnt a timeout. Just really does not seem like their night.
(14:52, 3rd, New York @ Pittsburgh) - And it begins like it ended. Another defensive squib like kick, which Smith fumbles on the bounce. Manages to recover, but quite late and the Jets start on the ten.
(Halftime, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Man, lol. Totally thought that kick would miss. At that point I think the Jets would have committed mass suicide. I think even Rex Ryan might be speechless at this carnage. The field goal makes it 24-3 and the Jets will need, obviously, a score on the opening drive and probably 2 turnovers here to have any hope, but realistically, what happens when Ben (7/14 for 96 yards and a pick) plays well?
(0:23, 2nd, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Another Steelers penalty (where would the Jets be without them?) and a short completion to Keller gets the Jets currently in field goal range. God, no chance for a turnover right?
(0:39, 2nd, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Sanchez connects on consecutive throws, an achievement. That's just the second first down by the offense (two from penalties) as Brad Smith scurries out of bounds. A field goal would be something.
(1:08, 2nd, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Another defensive kick to the Jets 31. Now Cotchery is down. This is unbelievable. Sanchez is trotting out there, it looks like he's going to try.
(1:13, 2nd, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Sack again, this time from Taylor, fumble, Gay picks it up and takes it to the house. Sanchez is also hurt. Basically Rex Ryan is in hell. There's a booth review as Mark Brunell warms up. It's confirmed. My God. Pittsburgh 24-0.
(1:46, 2nd, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Steelers still kicking defensively regarding the Smith issue. It bounces into Smith's arms who returns it to the 33. Desperation time now for the Jets who open the drive with a sack, from Woodley.
(2:00, 2nd, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Checkdown to Mendenhall, who has 127 all purpose yards in this half. Roethlisberger follows up by scrambling in for the touchdown and this is a beatdown at this point. The time of possession is getting worse, now 20:55 to 7:05. Pittsburgh has nearly ten times as much offense. First downs? 17-3. Rushing is 136-1. They have run three times as many offensive plays. If Mark Sanchez has any value, just must get points in the two minute drill. This is graphic stuff. Pittsburgh 17-0.
(3:51, 2nd, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Ben, who had not completed a pass in his last five tries, completes a 24 yarder to Miller and the Steelers are back in New York territory once again. Two plays later, a 20 yard completion to Emmanuel Sanders, and the Steelers are threatening to break this one open.
(5:57, 2nd, New York @ Pittsburgh) - A tipped pass on 3rd down and another punt. The punt goes to the 24 and Randle El makes a reasonable return to the 33.
(6:35, 2nd, New York @ Pittsburgh) - A foolish mistake from Pittsburgh as they kick it out of bounds and the Jets will take the break to start the drive on their 40. Need some points here. They have 22 yards of offense. They've had 25 yards in penalties.
(6:52, 2nd, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Pittsburgh 20 rushes, 10 passes. Time of possession, Pittsburgh 16:58, New York 6:11. Nevertheless, the Jets put in a goal line stand and force the field goal. Just barely hanging on here. Pittsburgh 10-0.
(8:13, 2nd, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Redman picks up 8 and 13 in consecutive runs. Pittsburgh have 124 yards on 18 carries. No one runs like this on the Jets. The Packers run defense might be getting worried about now.
(9:54 2nd, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Ben goes deep and gives everyone who bet on the Jets or cheers for them a coronary. Revis had shifted to Wallace and not only breaks it up but nearly picks it. He's amazing. New York survive the first Roethlisberger bomb, but they still cannot stop Mendenhall, who runs around the outside and picks up an amazing 35 yards. He has 85 yards and we're not halfway through the second quarter.
(10:32, 2nd, New York @ Pittsburgh) - While the Jets O-Line does a customarily great job holding off the blitz, but Sanchez had no one to throw to on a 3rd and 13 play, as one would expect against the Steelers and the "drive" comes to an end. To cap a rather depressing few minutes, Weatherford shanks the punt and it goes out on the Pittsburgh 47, gaining just 29 yards.
(11:37, 2nd, New York @ Pittsburgh) - An end around with Cotchery loses four yards. They don't put up with that shit in Pittsburgh Brian Shottenheimer. A false start makes this 2nd and 19 and against Pittsburgh, that's spelt P-U-N-T.
(12:32, 2nd, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Jets make their first statement here, stopping the Steelers on a important third and short. The field goal is considered untenable, would be 50 yards in Heinz and so cold, so the Steelers leave the offense out there. They throw (?) and it is tipped at the line and intercepted by Bryan Thomas. Hey. Maybe we got a game now.
(14:49, 2nd, New York @ Pittsburgh) - The Jets are not getting to Ben Roethlisberger with the regularity that I had envisioned. They break up a couple of pass plays, but still more penalties here. Unnecessary roughness gives Pittsburgh 12 and they are staring down more points.
(0:13, 1st, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Rashard Mendenhall has been absolutely brilliant, with 41 yards on the ground on 10 carries - an excellent return against this defense. He also bailed Ben out with an eight yard reception on a broken play and finishes the first quarter with a screen pass for 18 yards. Ha dominated this game so far.
(1:43, 1st, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Drive comes to the end, Pittsburgh are trying to jump these screens/quick outs and sending lots of men at Sanchez. While that was a reasonable drive of 29 yards, Pittsburgh's defense seems very, very switched on. Weatherford punts to the Pittsburgh 13 where Randle El claims a fair catch.
(3:01, 1st, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Steelers really stacking the box, but the Jets haven't been very keen to run it, understandably. A pass interference call keeps things moving.
(4:17, 1st, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Sanchez, with plenty of help from his line, does convert though. Pretty big play considering how early it is. He follows that up by going deep to no one in particular, but does, however, draw an illegal contact call and the Jets get a free first down and five yards.
(5:17, 1st, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Pittsburgh seem to be kicking away from Brad Smith, as the kickoff is quite short. Cotchery gets it and takes it to the 27. A tipped pass and a draw which I said would work which didn't and it's 3rd and long. Not a good place to be.
(5:54, 1st, New York @ Pittsburgh) - A nine minute, six second opening drive. 15 plays. Quite a statement. Punctuated with a Mendenhall, who rushed eight times, touchdown. Pittsburgh 7-0.
(6:14 1st, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Just a battle to hold them to a FG here. A battle the Jets seem likely to lose, as the drive looks to enter its tenth minute. It won't just yet as Pouncey is taken away. That offensive line looks awful thin now. Nevertheless, 1st and goal at the one here as Ward gets a key catch over the middle.
(7:15, 1st, New York @ Pittsburgh) - More classic Roethlisberger. You're almost more worried in 3rd and 12. He takes off with it and has a paddock to run in. No one was close and he could have gotten more but dies at the first down marker.
(8:44, 1st, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Mendenhall has started this game great, he has not had a poor rush as yet, 24 yards on 5 carries. Redman also getting involved to get the fourth first down on the drive, this one on the ground. Ben responds with a big completion to wide open, diving Heath Miller, 21 yards, challenged and overturned, no catch.
(11:14, 1st, New York @ Pittsburgh) - Classic Roethlisberger as a broken play leads to an impromptu pitch to Mendenhall. Eight yards but Roethlisberger comes up hobbling somewhat.
(11:59, 1st, New York @ Pittsburgh) - It's a struggle, but the Steelers are moving the ball, and the offensive line has started OK, holding their own. Another first down on a throw to Mike Wallace.
(13:02, 1st, New York @ Pittsburgh) - David Harris pulls off a great tackle on Hines Ward to stave off the first down. Cromartie, as expected, opens on Wallace. 3rd and long, blitz situation and the Jets come, Sanders drops the reception but the Jets give up an illegal use of hands penalty and the games first first down.
(Kickoff, New York @ Pittsburgh) - The big question is - how much can the Jets get to Ben? The Jets have won the toss, and as they are want to do for some reason, will defer. If you like to run, wouldn't you want to establish a lead early? Guess it's not such a big deal. Had a great feeling about this game all week. I think it could be very special. Antonio Brown to return, and does so to the 34, good effort.
(Pregame, New York @ Pittsburgh) - I'm especially hoping New York win now, as Revis vs Jennings would basically be the entire Superbowl. I fancy Revis heavily in that matchup. I think both these defenses are substantially better than Chicago, and based on that performance, I wouldn't be rushing to take Green Bay there. Much like against Philly did not capitalise on their chances, in both games should have scored much more than 21. A better team would have had them. It's 14 degrees farenheit in Pittsburgh tonight, but clear. Let's see what the Jets and Steelers have in response, Shaun Ellis will play.
(0:50, 4th, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Chicago's record on 3rd down's continues with a very ambitious end around on 3rd and 3, creating 4th and 3. Hanie finally turns into a pumpkin as Sam Shields picks it off and returns to the 43. Rodgers kneels to finish this one off. Green Bay really should have won this easily. Had a very poor second half but escape Green Bay 21-14.
(1:21, 4th, Green Bay @ Chicago) - They convert and Matt Forte (again!) gets a pass for a first down and 13 yards. Forte has 10 catches for 90 yards.
(1:54, 4th, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Hanie under constant pressure at the moment, and it costs an intentional grounding call. Consecutive checkdowns to (who else?) Forte leaves Chicago in a must have 4th and 1 at their 49. Two minute warning.
(2:38, 4th, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Hanie is nearly sacked, and then nearly fumbles a snap in the shotgun. Starting to think that last drive was something of a fluke (perhaps obviously). But he does make a huge third down conversion (Chicago's first), escaping a seemingly sure sack and finding Greg Olsen for just enough.
(2:53, 4th, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Rodgers has to scramble but gets just 1 yard. At least the clock continues to move. Hester is waiting for the punt. It's a good punt near the sideline and keeps Hester under control. He's stopped at the 29.
(3:50, 4th, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Woodson returns to the 25. Back to back runs go nowhere and Rodgers is in a 3rd and 12. Rodgers has been generally good in this situation, what does he have here?
(4:43, 4th, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Bennett gets a throw and runs between a seemingly confused Nick Collins and Charles Woodson. A mixup for Green Bay there, and bizarrely, Chicago get a 35 yard touchdown pass. A 65 yard drive in 5 plays and 81 seconds. Surely this is over right? Green Bay 21-14.
(5:02, 4th, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Green Bay continue to selectively kick away from the return men of Chicago, especially on kickoffs. This time Davis again gets the call and returns to the 35. That's followed by three good completions from Hanie and two first downs.
(6:04, 4th, Green Bay @ Chicago) - More Matt Forte inevidably leads to another 3rd down situation. Chicago are still waiting for their first conversion, as Raji drops into coverage to confuse the unknown QB and picks off the pass, waltzing into the endzone. Finally, finally, Green Bay have iced this game. Green Bay 21-7.
(7:22, 4th, Green Bay @ Chicago) - They love that quick slant to Jennings, who gets his eighth catch and 130th yard there, but Rodgers cannot complete either of his other passes and it's a three and out. Rodgers is 7/16 in this half. Masthay's coffin corner effort isn't that great, Chicago at the 16.
(8:22, 4th, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Same old story, 5th three and out for Chicago this afternoon and still waiting for their first third down conversion. The Maynard punt is a terrible one and Green Bay gets yet another short field on Chicago's 44 with yet another chance to put this game away for good.
(8:59, 4th, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Brent suggests Green Bay needed points there. I'm not so sure, I mean it's Caleb fucking Hanie for God's sake. It's Matt Forte or bust right now for Chicago, and that train only goes so far. His first rush on the new drive nets no gain.
(9:19, 4th, Green Bay @ Chicago) - The 38 yard drive comes to an end with a Rodgers incompletion. 29 of the yards from penalties. Rodgers has looked profoundly mortal in the second half. The punt is a touchback, as Green Bay try valiantly to down it inside the five.
(11:08, 4th, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Huge roughing the passer penalty bails Green Bay out of a 3rd and long. Chicago are furious, seething about the call, but Rodgers doesn't look too flash and is bleeding.
(11:23, 4th, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Starks with a vanilla return to the 22 and Green Bay rushes immediately for no gain. They've been very rush conscious in the second half, but need Rodgers to have the ball here as the crowd begins to find it's voice.
(12:02, 4th, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Hanie completes a pass and the crowd goes wild! Knox for 32 yards, is pushed out at the 1, and Taylor stomps in. Green Bay 14-7 but you still have to have serious doubts for the Bears here with this kid at QB, they ran all but twice on that drive, with six rushes. Green Bay remain strong favourites.
(13:22, 4th, Green Bay @ Chicago ) - Forte has picked up all three Bear first downs on this drive and is the only hope remaining as Chicago get, for the first time in this game, to the Green Bay 30.
(15:00, 4th, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Matt Forte 101 all purpose yards, rest of Chicago 46. 31 if you factor in sacks.
(0:57, 3rd, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Urlacher, who is having a big game, gets into the backfield and smashes Brandon Jackson for a five yard loss. Brings up 3rd and 13, and a subsequent punt. Mysteriously Hester isn't back there but Bennett. A great punt and a very good return leaves us on the Chicago 33. Approaching last chance saloon now for the Bears and some dude named Caleb Hanie is on the field at QB.
(2:59, 3rd, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Collins throws another near pick but again it's incomplete. This is just pathetic, Chicago still have just one completion to a non running back. They have just six completions in all. It's a miracle they even have those six first downs. Tramon Williams continues his horrible returning day with another fumble. Again it is recovered, and Green Bay gets a bonus five yards due to an ineligable man downfield, just to rub salt into the wound for the Bears. Packers start on their 32.
(4:29, 3rd, Green Bay @ Chicago) - It's been a while since Chicago have forced a punt but they do just that and Hester can get back in the game. But he slips and gets just two yards. Time for more Todd Collins! They'll start on the 18.
(7:18, 3rd, Green Bay @ Chicago) - A holding call negates another big run from Starks, but Rodgers again finds his way out of tough down and distance. Tell me if you've heard this before - a 22 yard completion to Jennings. Green Bay has 21 first downs. Chicago has 6.
(8:26, 3rd, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Pretty chaotic out there as Collins throws a pick (just before they had his numbers on the season, 10/27 with 0TD's and 5 INT's, safe to say this game is over) to...Collins. Nick Collins is down immediately but gets up and runs regardless. It's challenged and the call is overturned, it bounced. The Bears 4th third and out is followed by a Maynard punt which is not returned at the 21.
(8:50, 3rd, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Following a pass interferance goal, Rodgers throws a pick to Urlacher who returns to the 45, Green Bay were lucky not concede a TD, as Rodgers is required to trip the linebacker up and it seemed on a reasonable field Urlacher would not have gone down. Really poor throw, unlike the first, unlucky pick. And my God, Todd Collins is in at QB...panic stations for Chicago
(11:06, 3rd, Green Bay @ Chicago) - This is almost getting tedious, 20 yard reception to Jennings (98 receiving yards) and Starks follows it up with a 9 yard run. Wasn't this Chicago defense supposed to be good? They've conceded 304 yards.
(12:07, 3rd, Green Bay @ Chicago) - The only thing Chicago have taken away is the deep throw, Rodgers has tried to connect with Jennings on a couple of 30+ yard completions and has not had success. He doesn't here either, but does find Nelson on 3rd and 8 for 22 yards and Green Bay are on the march again.
(13:22, 3rd, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Another three and out (Chicago's third in this game) as another Cutler pass hits the turf. The punt is not returned and Green Bay start on their 17. Chicago is 0/6 on third down and you just wonder if the Packers can put the game away on the upcoming drive.
(14:52, 3rd, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Ridiculous kicking to Devin Hester when this first possession so huge. Mike McCarthy is fucking insane. He returns to the 40, relatively good considering the risk.
(Halftime, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Cutler has been simply atrocious, after a reasonable start, he has completed three of his last eight throws for 31 yards, sacked once and with a pick. Chicago also cannot stop Green Bay on the ground, 104 yards on 18 carries total. Rodgers has been great but really, those first two points are enough for Chicago to get killed today even if he was just average. If not for a very fortunate turnover, Chicago could be down by much more than just 14. They must score on the opening drive of the second half.
(0:32, 2nd, Green Bay @ Chicago)- And there is the inevidable Cutler INT. Shields running back on a streak, leaping back and takes the grab. Hard to be too tough on Jay there as it was near the ten yard line when it was taken and was a truly exceptional catch. Considering where Green Bay will start here (on about the 11) that should end proceedings in this half.
(0:42, 2nd, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Forte's one man show continues as he gets 17 out of a checkdown as Chicago sneak towards FG territory with two time outs left.
(0:48, 2nd, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Rodgers scrambles for 12 and then sneaks to convert on third down. Against the run of play, Rodgers throws the first pick, was very unlucky, as it comes off Driver's boot and Briggs takes it. A break the Bears desperately needed.
(1:44, 2nd, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Sack #2 given up by Chicago, this one causes a fumble, but the Bears recover. Putrid offensive performance by Chicago thus far, 86 yards total. Maynard's punt is not returned and Green Bay get it on a short field again, this time from their 36. Rodgers in the two minute drill is scary.
(2:00, 2nd, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Cutler has one completion so far to a non running back.
(3:51, 2nd, Green Bay @ Chicago) - The first Cutler interception candidate is a little loop out about 12-15 yards to the right to Forte. Gets away with it though. Follows up with another, similar throw to Olsen, who has to knock it away from Clay Matthews. A thirteen yard run from Forte bails Cutler, who hasn't made a completion in forever it seems, out.
(4:18, 2nd, Green Bay @ Chicago) - A good, but not great punt is not returned (the most important thing considering Hester) and Chicago resume on their 11. Every field is short for the Packers and long for the Bears.
(5:03, 2nd, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Rodgers could be whistling out there this looks so easy for him. Hooks up with Jennings for 9 and Green Bay has 230 yards of offense with 5 minutes left in the half.
(6:32, 2nd, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Brent mentions that Chicago now are in a situation where they have to throw. As I mentioned in my preview, this was exactly the scenario Chicago were worried about. I couldn't agree more. Cutler was always going to throw at least one in this game, even if he played well. The pick is coming. Meanwhile Starks gets ten on a rush and Rodgers scrambles left again for 25. Green Bay have 91 yards rushing on 13 carries with two touchdowns. Impossible for Chicago to win if Green Bay get yards on the ground.
(7:40, 2nd, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Holding penalty negates a first down completion and Chicago stalls on the 32, in these conditions, Chicago again decide to turn the field goal down. Maynard's punt is a touchback.
(10:24, 2nd, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Cutler finally gets something through the air; 24 yards to Knox. Chester Taylor makes a nice move on a screen to convert a first down as Green Bay throw a poorly timed blitz at them. Feature of this game so far has been the receiving of backs, difficult to stop them on this field on those short throws that invite one on one tackling.
(11:08, 2nd, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Brent suggests the poor field conditions may help the offense more than the defense, due to defenders needing to make more reactions and decisions in terms of movement. Certainly seemed like that on that Brandon Jackson reception. Green Bay opts to kick deep as normal this time, and Daniel Manning has a nice return but nothing more to the 34. Packers will live with that.
(11:13, 2nd, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Two plays, two first downs. Another gash on the ground, this time Starks for 13 yards. Rodgers then hits Nelson for 15. All pretty easy here as Green Bay are at the goal line. Followed up by a five yard rush from Starks for a TD, no challenge from Lovie Smith although it was close. Green Bay 14-0.
(12:50, 2nd, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Brandon Jackson, who is having a nice game here, takes a checkdown and jukes out Urlacher (easier said than done, especially on this field) and gets a first down from 2nd and 13.
(14:06, 2nd, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Chicago again get nothing. Nearly sacked Cutler in the endzone, and stopped Forte for a loss on third down that was also nearly a safety. Tramon Williams muffs the punt which costs the Packers about 10 yards but they maintain possssion at Chicago's 44. The Bears have 1 first down in three possessions and it seems only a matter of time before they concede more points, especially continuing to give Rodgers short fields.
(0:22, 1st, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Urlacher gets Rodgers on what looked like a coverage sack, Rodgers had time. Big play as it takes them out of field goal range. Masthay's punt is downed by Green Bay on the 3. Wow. Green Bay's coverage team actually made a play. A flag on the play will bring it to the 2.
(2:14, 1st, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Rodgers finds Jennings again, this time for 21 yards. Jennings has 69 receiving yards already.
(2:50, 1st, Green Bay @ Chicago) - First sack of the day from the Pack (Cullen Jenkins) forces a punt, three and out from Chicago who have been extremely conservative on offense. It's the all Matt Forte offense at the moment, he has all of the Bears 33 yards (he actually has 38, but the sack lost 5). Tramon Williams returns to the Green Bay 49.
(4:49, 1st, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Masthay's first punt in two weeks goes straight to Hester, but Hester gets only three yards and Green Bay fans can exhale. Comes on the back of three straight incompletions for Rodgers, he is human after all it would seem. Chicago will resume on their own 16.
(5:45, 1st, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Another run. Brandon Jackson converts a 2nd and 9. This is looking a bit ominous for the Bears.
(7:44, 1st, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Starks carries for 16 yards. Big problem that for Chicago. If they let Starks run, they have no chance whatsoever today.
(7:53, 1st, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Maynard punts to the Green Bay 11, in what looked like a kickable field goal. The Bears were on the 34 but not great conditions out there, lot of players slipping and sliding. Cutler checked down to Forte again (who touched the ball on 4/5 snaps) but without success this time. Thought the Bears O-Line dealt with the 3rd down blitz (albeit a very predictable blitz) quite well actually.
(10:03, 1st, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Cutler checks down to Forte on 2nd and long and the Packers do not deal well with it, concede 24 yards. Is this a long term strategy, the underneath route thing?
(10:45, 1st, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Green Bay does a kind of squib, low kick and gives away a few yards in the process. The kick is "returned" by Kellen Davis to the 37. More or less just fell on it. Green Bay are well aware of the special teams issue and are prepared to pay insurance to keep away from Manning and Hester. I'll keep an eye on this issue throughout the game.
(10:50, 1st, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Raji in at fullback in the goal line set, and Rodgers scrambles to an empty left side for a score. Starks looked awful on that drive, barely getting in second gear on the return and tackled at the 15, and doing nothing at the goal line. But none of this matters with Rodgers putting on a clinic. He is 4/4 for 76 yards in the first 4 minutes of the game. Green Bay 7-0. Chicago really don't wanna get in an air war.
(12:40, 1st, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Rodgers showing his mobility, escaping the pressure with ease and completing outside of the pocket for a third first down on the drive.
(14:09, 1st, Green Bay @ Chicago) - After a sluggish return from Starks, first throw of the day is a 21 yard completion by Rodgers, followed by 26 yards, both to Jennings. Following the script early.
(Kickoff, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Brent mentions the gulf of an advantage the Bears have on special teams and I couldn't agree more. I think even with Masthay kicking away from Hester he will be a factor and almost expect a touchdown from him. But it seems a fools gambit to pick against Rodgers at the moment - I think Atlanta were better (especially at home) than Chicago and he just mutilated them by 27 points...and they got a special teams TD. No snow in Chicago as yet, Green Bay will be looking for points early in case that comes to fruition. I think for both these reasons, Hester (and Manning for that matter) returning the kickoff, and Green Bay's need to strike early, make it a surprisingly important toss to win, and Green Bay get the first break of the day and will receive.
(Pregame, Green Bay @ Chicago) - Hello and welcome to the liveblog to the AFC and NFC Championship games. I will be your Bottom of the Barrel sherpa for the next seven hours or so. Comments are very much appreciated also. It is currently 20 degrees farenheit and snowing in Chicago, which you would think will keep scoring down and give Chicago more of a chance. I've actually been surprised how much support the Bears have coming into this game, I really am of the opinion Green Bay will tear them up, however maybe the weather will be the great leveller. Looks like Bears starting safety Chris Harris is going to play. As for the matter of picks, Pittsburgh and Green Bay are both favoured by 3.5, as the last word before the game, here's what we've picked;
Ben - Chicago and New York
Dylan - Chicago and New York
J.S. - Green Bay and New York
Bill Simmons - Green Bay and New York
Showing posts with label live blog. Show all posts
Showing posts with label live blog. Show all posts
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Monday, December 6, 2010
2 comments Jets vs. Pats Live Blog
Since my technological skills do not allow me to actually post my live blog in real time, I am posting it now. Anyway, here are my thoughts as the game progressed.
1st Quarter
14:45 - Okay, so he went to Welker. It was a nice thought.
8:17 - No sound on my television. Instead, the only way to enjoy sports announcing: radio. Bring joyous music to my ears, Bob Wischusen.
8:20 - Mark Sanchez is wearing a ski mask for warmth. Out of all the people who buy ski masks, what percentage of those masks are used for illegal activities? I'll go with 23%.
8:22 - Only two Monday Night Countdown analysts pick the Jets. But since Tom Jackson possesses the only legitimate opinion due to his ability to both enunciate and use logic, their near consensus is useless
8:27 - Jon Gruden is wearing an oddly colored brown jacket. Can't tell whether or not it's suede. If it is, my respect for him will triple.
8:30 - Sanchez is wearing eye-black. I find it hard to believe that the stadium lights affect his sight so drastically that eye-black is necessary. This is not Remember The Titans or any other classic sports movie. Enough with the eye-black on sight. (I don't mean to pick on Sanchez, but ESPN has shown a close-up of his face at least 8 times already.)
8:35 - Jets call tails on the coin toss. Always a good sign. AND they defer. Clearly someone plays Madden.
8:37 - Brady has that "I'm going to stick it to them because I can," look. Saying it now: Pats TD on the opening drive.
1st Quarter
14:54 - Danny Woodhead in the huddle on the first play. I wouldn't put it past Belichick to throw it to Woodhead just as an "eff you" to the Jets.
14:45 - Okay, so he went to Welker. It was a nice thought.
8:42 - Bob Wischusen insists upon saying "BenJarvus Green-Ellis" every single time. I guess there's really no nickname for him that incorporates his name. Ben? Jarvus? Green-Ellis? All of them just sound awkward.
12:34 - Pats give an extra cheer for Woodhead after a 7-yard carry for a first down. Not at all surprised. Then a huge gain to Branch. Brady is doing whatever he wants. He's just as locked in as he was against Pittsburgh.
11:50 - Brady's got the ski mask also. I thought he was tougher than that.
11:50 - Belichick is wearing his classic women's ski headband. He's reach such a high status that he can wear literally whatever he wants.
11:02 - 41-yard field goal is good and the stadium sets off fireworks. A little excessive for 3 points, no?
8:45 - The worst QB sneak attempt ever. Sanchez looked like he was afraid of any contact and just flopped to the ground like a dead fish.
8:35 - Shonne Greene converts. There's no way they were going to give it to Sanchez on the sneak again.
8:45 - The worst QB sneak attempt ever. Sanchez looked like he was afraid of any contact and just flopped to the ground like a dead fish.
8:35 - Shonne Greene converts. There's no way they were going to give it to Sanchez on the sneak again.
7:34 - Jerod Mayo proves why he plays linebacker, not tight end. When the Jets get points, the guilt will fully sink in.
6:55 - Jets missed a 53-yard field goal. Why is it that everyone in the stadium knew the FG attempt was a bad move except for the man making the decision? It's cold, it's windy, it's the first quarter. Unnecessary. Brady will make the Jets pay. Mark my words.
6:55 - Wischusen: Nick Folk misses a 53 yard field goal by 53 yards - well put.
4:49 - Eric Smith proves why the Jets miss Jim Leonhard. I can't tell if Brady intentionally underthrew the ball knowing Smith was hell bent on knocking Gronkowski down.
4:04 - And Brady makes Rex Ryan pay for his poor decision-making. 10-0 Pats.
3:55 - Woodhead on the special teams tackle. Who didn't think that he would haunt the Jets?
2:34 - A 12 yard punt by Steve Weatherford. Sanchez is rattled - not a surprise. But Weatherford rattled too? There's something wrong with New York punters.
2:01 - Eric Smith had a chance at redemption, but did not capitalize. Can't let those chances go against Brady. He's the type of QB that will make a point to say "you should have caught that ball. Now I'm going to get six thanks to your incompetence."
1:15 - Belichick going for it on 4th down shows both is immortality and his insane confidence. But he's giving a chance to get back in the game. Ask Mark Sanchez to come back from a 13 point deficit. Don't give him renewed confidence.
1:07 - Of course the Pats convert and score a touchdown. Against any other team, a 17-0 deficit on the road on Monday Night signals the end of the game. But it's the Jets, and they love them some comeback magic.
2nd Quarter
12:24 - 3rd and 3 for the Jets at the Pats 21. A team with confidence runs the ball. But the Jets do not have that confidence. Instead, no hands Braylon drops the ball. The Nick Folk saga continues.
12:19 - Nick Folk field goal is barely good. The entire stadium was only inches from laughing at a Folk miss.
12:19 - This is what separates Tom Brady from Peyton Manning. While I'd probably take Manning over Brady in general, Brady has the emotional maturity and hatred of a 12-year-old boy. Except he manages to harness that hatred into a positive. He'll punish the Jets for only managing three points.
12:06 - The ghost/real body of Danny Woodhead is back to work. Huge gain to the Jets 33.
11:18 - Wischusen (David Harris hurt): "Harris is motionless down on one knee." I think that more accurately explains a position of prayer than an injury.
10:18 - Tom Brady QB sneak. He went in with reckless abandon. I hope Sanchez is taking notes.
9:07 - Deon Branch complains that he didn't set a pick (there was an offensive pass interference penalty on the play). I'm tired of players complaining regardless of the call. Tim Duncan syndrome seems to have spread to the NFL. Just in case professional athletes were wondering, you lose credibility when you argue every single call. Pick and choose your spots.
8:21 - Pats touchdown. Rex Ryan can't challenge because he does not want to be out of challenges early in the second quarter. It just goes to show that challenging the spot of the ball is by far the worst reason to challenge in the NFL. 24-3, New England.
8:21 - Donald Trump's hair makes its first appearance. A light wind gives the hair a life of its own. Simply put, it's moving like jello.
8:21 - This game just proves that a win is not a win. The Jets have squeaked by against mediocre teams. They are 1-2 against teams above .500. That, and not their record, is the true indicator of their team's true ability.
8:08 - Santonio is flapping his gums for no discernible reason after a first down reception. I wonder what Pats smack talk sparked this? They must have talked about his mother. It's the only thing that can bring a man to such angry emotion.
4:06 - Jets actually make a stop, then get a good return. But it was too good to be true. The return is called back by a penalty. Holmes is still flailing his arms like an angry alcoholic. I'm very curious about what set him off.
2:31 - Weatherford with another terrible punt. Maybe he should just get the snap and take off running. The Pats would have similar field position anyway.
1:03 - Sanchez is running the least hurried hurry-up offense I've ever seen. They need points on this possession. Scratch that. They need any sort of positive. Even five yards is a good sign.
0:00 - Jets can't even get the hail mary off to end the half - Wischusen's reaction: "wow."
Alright folks, it's halftime. Food break.
3rd Quarter
14:55 - And we're back. And of course to start the half, Jets fans hearts jump through their throats as Tomlinson inexplicably drops the ball. Good thing #52 on the Pats has stone hands.
12:27 - Braylon Edwards finally shows some signs of life. For the first time in the game, the Jets are in the Wendy's red zone. Yes, Wendy's. That's whom the Jets chose to sponsor their red zone. Coors light or some other beer probably would have been more appropriate.
12:27 - Marty Lyons, Wischusen's co-host, gives extensive stats indicating that the Pats cannot defend in the red zone. He might as well guarantee that they attempt a field goal with that jinx.
11:23 - In a surprising turn of events, Brad Smith is stopped a yard short of the first down on 3rd down.
11:23 - Jets going for it. Definitely not a QB sneak coming since Sanchez has proven himself inept. Slant to Santonio Holmes and he catches it. Holmes gets up and poses for the cameras. Yes, the Jets are still down 21.
9:23 - And Sanchez throws a pick. The Jets can thank Lyons for that one.
9:15 - 14-yard gain for Woodhead on a pass from Brady. On the bright side for the Jets, Joe McKnight has played well this season.
4:47 - Welker literally drags Drew Coleman into the end zone. Any time the small, weak, and extremely lightweight Wes Welker is dragging a defender into the end zone, you know your team has issues. 31-3, New England.
4:47 - Brady headbutts Welker in celebration of the TD, then keeps their heads locked as he says something to Welker. There are only two possibilities here.
1) "Great play Wes, keep it up and we'll really embarrass them."
2) "Aren't you glad that you're not on Miami anymore?"
4:04 - Joe McKnight getting ready to receive the kick. The only way he justifies his roster spot over Woodhead is by returning this kick for a TD. But it's a pooch kick. Can't really explain that one. It's not like McKnight's reputation warrants a pooch kick...
3:58 - Sanchez picked off again - this feels like those times when your friends do something so embarrassing that you have to look away. I might just turn this game off and end the live blog early.
3:30 - This is why I love Belichick and Brady. The Pats are up 28 with the game in the bag, but they are still throwing and going for more points. Lay the hammer down, and then some.
:55 - Woodhead - again. And then again. 49 more yards. Now he's got 2 carries for 11 yards and 4 catches for 104 yards. I think this has to be the single worst cut televised Hard Knocks cut of all time.
14:57 - 4th TD for Brady. No one covering Hernandez. I hope the Pats go for two.
10:50 - Pats get the ball back and go for it on 4th down in the red zone. Belichick hates the Jets too. Whether or not he wants to admit it is a different story.
9:26 - Another "eff you" TD from the Pats as BJ (not sure if that works) goes up the middle for 5 yards. Belichick is secretly loving this.
6:53 - Jets are back in the Wendy's red zone! YES! Apparently they have new french fries. That's about just as exciting as this game has been.
5:53 - Jets turn it over on downs - Tomlinson watches the ball go by him, literally. He could have stuck his hands out, but chose not too. That felt like a Randy Moss move.
5:49 - Jets turnover on downs. And Fred Taylor in the game! I think that's the biggest indicator that the game is over.
Alright, I think that's enough for one day. If you managed to make it through this monstrosity, leave a comment about the Jets/Pats game. Or something else that was immensely more interesting.
6:55 - Jets missed a 53-yard field goal. Why is it that everyone in the stadium knew the FG attempt was a bad move except for the man making the decision? It's cold, it's windy, it's the first quarter. Unnecessary. Brady will make the Jets pay. Mark my words.
6:55 - Wischusen: Nick Folk misses a 53 yard field goal by 53 yards - well put.
4:49 - Eric Smith proves why the Jets miss Jim Leonhard. I can't tell if Brady intentionally underthrew the ball knowing Smith was hell bent on knocking Gronkowski down.
4:04 - And Brady makes Rex Ryan pay for his poor decision-making. 10-0 Pats.
3:55 - Woodhead on the special teams tackle. Who didn't think that he would haunt the Jets?
2:34 - A 12 yard punt by Steve Weatherford. Sanchez is rattled - not a surprise. But Weatherford rattled too? There's something wrong with New York punters.
2:01 - Eric Smith had a chance at redemption, but did not capitalize. Can't let those chances go against Brady. He's the type of QB that will make a point to say "you should have caught that ball. Now I'm going to get six thanks to your incompetence."
1:15 - Belichick going for it on 4th down shows both is immortality and his insane confidence. But he's giving a chance to get back in the game. Ask Mark Sanchez to come back from a 13 point deficit. Don't give him renewed confidence.
1:07 - Of course the Pats convert and score a touchdown. Against any other team, a 17-0 deficit on the road on Monday Night signals the end of the game. But it's the Jets, and they love them some comeback magic.
2nd Quarter
12:24 - 3rd and 3 for the Jets at the Pats 21. A team with confidence runs the ball. But the Jets do not have that confidence. Instead, no hands Braylon drops the ball. The Nick Folk saga continues.
12:19 - Nick Folk field goal is barely good. The entire stadium was only inches from laughing at a Folk miss.
12:19 - This is what separates Tom Brady from Peyton Manning. While I'd probably take Manning over Brady in general, Brady has the emotional maturity and hatred of a 12-year-old boy. Except he manages to harness that hatred into a positive. He'll punish the Jets for only managing three points.
12:06 - The ghost/real body of Danny Woodhead is back to work. Huge gain to the Jets 33.
11:18 - Wischusen (David Harris hurt): "Harris is motionless down on one knee." I think that more accurately explains a position of prayer than an injury.
10:18 - Tom Brady QB sneak. He went in with reckless abandon. I hope Sanchez is taking notes.
9:07 - Deon Branch complains that he didn't set a pick (there was an offensive pass interference penalty on the play). I'm tired of players complaining regardless of the call. Tim Duncan syndrome seems to have spread to the NFL. Just in case professional athletes were wondering, you lose credibility when you argue every single call. Pick and choose your spots.
8:21 - Pats touchdown. Rex Ryan can't challenge because he does not want to be out of challenges early in the second quarter. It just goes to show that challenging the spot of the ball is by far the worst reason to challenge in the NFL. 24-3, New England.
8:21 - Donald Trump's hair makes its first appearance. A light wind gives the hair a life of its own. Simply put, it's moving like jello.
8:21 - This game just proves that a win is not a win. The Jets have squeaked by against mediocre teams. They are 1-2 against teams above .500. That, and not their record, is the true indicator of their team's true ability.
8:08 - Santonio is flapping his gums for no discernible reason after a first down reception. I wonder what Pats smack talk sparked this? They must have talked about his mother. It's the only thing that can bring a man to such angry emotion.
4:06 - Jets actually make a stop, then get a good return. But it was too good to be true. The return is called back by a penalty. Holmes is still flailing his arms like an angry alcoholic. I'm very curious about what set him off.
2:31 - Weatherford with another terrible punt. Maybe he should just get the snap and take off running. The Pats would have similar field position anyway.
1:03 - Sanchez is running the least hurried hurry-up offense I've ever seen. They need points on this possession. Scratch that. They need any sort of positive. Even five yards is a good sign.
0:00 - Jets can't even get the hail mary off to end the half - Wischusen's reaction: "wow."
Alright folks, it's halftime. Food break.
3rd Quarter
14:55 - And we're back. And of course to start the half, Jets fans hearts jump through their throats as Tomlinson inexplicably drops the ball. Good thing #52 on the Pats has stone hands.
12:27 - Braylon Edwards finally shows some signs of life. For the first time in the game, the Jets are in the Wendy's red zone. Yes, Wendy's. That's whom the Jets chose to sponsor their red zone. Coors light or some other beer probably would have been more appropriate.
12:27 - Marty Lyons, Wischusen's co-host, gives extensive stats indicating that the Pats cannot defend in the red zone. He might as well guarantee that they attempt a field goal with that jinx.
11:23 - In a surprising turn of events, Brad Smith is stopped a yard short of the first down on 3rd down.
11:23 - Jets going for it. Definitely not a QB sneak coming since Sanchez has proven himself inept. Slant to Santonio Holmes and he catches it. Holmes gets up and poses for the cameras. Yes, the Jets are still down 21.
9:23 - And Sanchez throws a pick. The Jets can thank Lyons for that one.
9:15 - 14-yard gain for Woodhead on a pass from Brady. On the bright side for the Jets, Joe McKnight has played well this season.
4:47 - Welker literally drags Drew Coleman into the end zone. Any time the small, weak, and extremely lightweight Wes Welker is dragging a defender into the end zone, you know your team has issues. 31-3, New England.
4:47 - Brady headbutts Welker in celebration of the TD, then keeps their heads locked as he says something to Welker. There are only two possibilities here.
1) "Great play Wes, keep it up and we'll really embarrass them."
2) "Aren't you glad that you're not on Miami anymore?"
4:04 - Joe McKnight getting ready to receive the kick. The only way he justifies his roster spot over Woodhead is by returning this kick for a TD. But it's a pooch kick. Can't really explain that one. It's not like McKnight's reputation warrants a pooch kick...
3:58 - Sanchez picked off again - this feels like those times when your friends do something so embarrassing that you have to look away. I might just turn this game off and end the live blog early.
3:30 - This is why I love Belichick and Brady. The Pats are up 28 with the game in the bag, but they are still throwing and going for more points. Lay the hammer down, and then some.
:55 - Woodhead - again. And then again. 49 more yards. Now he's got 2 carries for 11 yards and 4 catches for 104 yards. I think this has to be the single worst cut televised Hard Knocks cut of all time.
14:57 - 4th TD for Brady. No one covering Hernandez. I hope the Pats go for two.
10:50 - Pats get the ball back and go for it on 4th down in the red zone. Belichick hates the Jets too. Whether or not he wants to admit it is a different story.
9:26 - Another "eff you" TD from the Pats as BJ (not sure if that works) goes up the middle for 5 yards. Belichick is secretly loving this.
6:53 - Jets are back in the Wendy's red zone! YES! Apparently they have new french fries. That's about just as exciting as this game has been.
5:53 - Jets turn it over on downs - Tomlinson watches the ball go by him, literally. He could have stuck his hands out, but chose not too. That felt like a Randy Moss move.
5:49 - Jets turnover on downs. And Fred Taylor in the game! I think that's the biggest indicator that the game is over.
Alright, I think that's enough for one day. If you managed to make it through this monstrosity, leave a comment about the Jets/Pats game. Or something else that was immensely more interesting.
Friday, May 21, 2010
5 comments Bill Simmons Is Still Mailing In Retro-Diaries
I saw that Bill Simmons posted ANOTHER retro-diary a few days ago and knew I had to post something about it. This retro-diary further made me suspicious that he was leaving ESPN when his contract ran out this year and he was just mailing in columns at this point. Apparently that's not true. So I guess Bill is just tired of writing good columns and feels like rehashing his Twitter jokes and using hindsight to do a live blog after a basketball game was played. Is there a more pointless exercise than to live blog a game that has already happened? No, there is not. It is basically openly saying, "I know I am clever and I compel you to listen to me make jokes about a game we already know the outcome to. I am pretty damn clever aren't I?"
Check out Bill's archive. There are a lot of retro-diaries and accounts of games that have already happened in there. I feel like Bill is having a real shortage of ideas for the 1-2 columns per week he writes. A couple retro-diaries are no big deal, but it is becoming a habit for him. I guess he knows his SimmonsClones will eat up anything he writes, so why think of a great original idea when you can just do a retro-diary and they will idolize you just the same?
I missed the second half of Tuesday's Magic-Celtics game because I had to attend a dinner event for my daughter's school.
This was the first sentence to this "column." For a guy who loves privacy and tries to keep his family life as secretive as possible, Bill sure does talk about his wife and two kids a hell of a lot in his columns. Someone is going to pull a KSK on Simmons one day and he is going to get really pissed off about it. If you are a public figure and want people to leave your family alone, don't mention said family in nearly every single column, because it draws a certain amount of interest to your family. It's a pretty simple principle.
Anyway, Bill goes on and tells a story for about a 1/10 of this retro-diary about his family and this isn't the first time lately he has done this. It's already bad enough that Bill's wife is a trending topic at times on Google because SimmonsClones are desperately doing an internet search on her name to get a picture for God knows what purposes. One of the biggest things about Bill that has annoyed me over the last 4-5 years is him putting his family in his columns repeatedly, yet I also know he tries to keep his family life and private. It doesn't work both ways and I am afraid one day he will figure it out in a way he won't like.
There are two choices for such a conundrum:
But here's where it's good to be me. See, I write about sports for a living.
In such a disconnected, "yeah, sort of" way does Bill Simmons write about sports. Mostly he writes about Boston-area teams and other events that may affect a Boston-area team.
Still, you can't milk it. You have to pick your spots. Which is why I love my son (aka the CEO) for what happened Tuesday night.
Yes, this is an inside joke from a different column when Bill was talking about his son and had given him a nickname. There are now inside jokes involved with Bill's family that he throws into his columns. This is a lot of family talk and I can't imagine even the SimmonsClones enjoy it too much.
You may ask, "but why does Bill call his son the CEO?"
I will tell you. Because his son wakes up early in the morning and then begins demanding things Bill and his wife have to give him because he is young and thinks he is in charge...because he IS in charge! Bill's son is the ONLY child under the age of 3 years old that does this. Most other young children sleep soundly in their bed until 9:30am, wake up and go for a light jog, and then sit down and watch some "Dr. Phil." Not Bill's son. He is the CEO! He wakes up and immediately wants to be fed (the outrage!), THEN his son demands a certain television program and they have to give it to him or he will throw a fit. Yes, Bill's child throws a fit! Who could ever see this happening when a 2-3 year old doesn't get what he/she wants? Thereby, Bill's child is known as the CEO.
I'm going to skip the story from this retro-diary that no one but Bill and his immediate family care about, but I will spoil the ending. His son has the flu and threw up everywhere so Bill got to check his Blackberry more often as if he was checking to see if the babysitter texted him. If only the Sports Gal was literate and could read this column. BILL WOULD BE SO BUSTED!
(Here at BotB, I don't take shots at sportswriter's families, but constantly talking about your family makes it hard for me to stick to this principle)
So just for the hell of it, let's retro-diary the second half -- the night that Orlando's season fell apart and we inched significantly closer to Celtics-Lakers XI: This Time It's For Blood.
Which as we know is the only NBA Finals anyone in America gives a shit about. Are there even other NBA teams?
10:20 remaining, third quarter (tied at 55): Missed three by Vince Carter, long rebound to Paul Pierce ... and Dwight Howard stupidly swipes at the ball for his fourth foul. We're about 25 more of those away from Stan Van Gundy just keeling over like Tommy Boy's dad during the wedding dance scene.
Pop culture reference!
Do you know why Orlando can't beat the Celtics? It's because they built their team improperly, at least in my mind. They traded for a small forward who doesn't want to drive to the basket, even though he should, a center that is too busy blocking shots out of bounds (and giving the opposing team another possession) and looking at his muscles to focus on the fact he has a limited offensive game, and they have a bunch of three-point shooters who can't create their own shot very well.
It's a flawed team and while the Magic can still beat the Celtics, they lack one or two guys on that team who can get the tough rebound or aren't afraid to take a big shot. Vince Carter doesn't want to take a big shot (he takes it, but you know he doesn't want to) and the Magic don't even try to get Dwight Howard the ball often times late in games.
Now? The forwards are a wash; Wallace gives Boston 12 fouls to use on Howard instead of six;
Everyone remember Bill's column a few months ago about Wallace that was well-thought out, but also the ramblings of a homer who is bitter towards his team? Yeah, forget that, Wallace is just fine now. Bill takes some half-hearted shots at Wallace, but they are cool now.
and Rondo has evolved into one of the 10 best players in the league.
I personally love Rondo, but he isn't one of the 10 best players in the league. No fucking way.
LeBron James
Kobe Bryant
Kevin Durant
Chris Paul (sorry, he doesn't lose the spot just because he is injured)
Carmelo Anthony
Dwayne Wade
Dirk Nowitzki
Brandon Roy
Steve Nash
Deron Williams
Rondo is a great fit for these Celtics, but he doesn't have a great jump shot and still makes too many careless passes for me.
8:22: Rondo (17 points, five assists so far) pulls off what can only be called "The Rondo" (drive into the lane, flip your right hand out like you're passing, cup the ball, keep it, make a running layup). Let the record show that Deron Williams kept the "Best Point Guard Alive" belt for about as long as the Iron Sheik kept the WWF title between Bob Backlund and Hulk Hogan. In a choose-up game, you're taking any other point guard before Rondo right now?
I would absolutely take Chris Paul over Rondo. Rondo is a great player, but until we throw 3 Hall of Fame players on the same team as Chris Paul it isn't a fair comparison. Yes, I know the "
Big 3" for Boston aren't Hall of Fame players right now, but they aren't playing terribly either.
Rondo starts beside Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Kendrick Perkins.
Chris Paul started beside Emeka Okafor, Julian Wright, David West, and Morris Peterson to start this year.
7:15: After Garnett's jumper puts Boston up by five, Vince Carter (12 points, 3-for-10 shooting so far) explicably collapses while running down the floor. (I say explicably because it's always explicable when Vince Carter decides to fall down in a heap. It's not like anyone would ever say, "My God, what just happened! Vince Carter fell down!")
One of my best friends loves Vince Carter and I don't. It used to get somewhat heated when he discussed Carter, but we don't talk about it anymore. Let's say Vince Carter can be a dividing issue in the Carolinas. Vince Carter is a disappointment and he always will be to me. He loves the fade-away jumper and he isn't tough enough for my liking.
Quick Vince Carter story: Everyone remembers Game 7 of the 2001 series when Carter was playing for the Raptors against the 76ers. I would assume most people remember this. Carter graduated from college that day and he went to his graduation, setting about a flurry of people who criticized him for this. Carter says he graduated and then immediately caught a plane to Philadelphia to get ready for the game. I went to law school for one year and there were multiple people who were in the same graduation class as Carter at UNC and three of them had pictures of themselves after graduation with Carter smiling and having a good time after graduation. There's nothing inherently wrong with that, except this was after graduation when Carter should have been on his way to Philadelphia. That's just three people I know who had pictures taken with him and I don't know that many people. I don't think he jumped on that plane quite as quickly as he claims.
5:59: Down six, Vince heroically returns to the game (Mike Breen: "Sigh of relief from the Magic fans") while of course massaging his left wrist to remind everyone that, "Hey, if I suck for the rest of this game, just remember, I'm hurt." This is why he's Vince Carter.
After Carter missed those two free throws at the end of the game, he went and punched a chair and then looked at his hand briefly as if to say, "why didn't you clutch your hand while you were shooting those foul shots to give yourself an excuse? Remember that for next time."
Ok, no more Carter bashing I promise. Why doesn't he drive to the basket as much as he should though? Why do I try to have an open mind about him and he just proves consistently I shouldn't? If I could answer these questions I might lay off him.
(Note: This is why ESPN could never make me the third announcer of a three-man NBA booth,
That and the fact Bill's voice would drive away viewers, as well as his mere presence in the booth would cause me to rupture an artery.
we now know the blueprint for beating the 2009-10 Magic: defend Howard one-on-one (and use your fouls on him), stay home on the 3-point shooters and dare their perimeter guys to beat people off the dribble.
Otherwise known as, "the formula for beating nearly every single Duke University men's basketball team since the year 2000."
3:15: Jameer Nelson sinks a 3-pointer (Orlando's first field goal in six-plus minutes) to cut it to seven. Doc Rivers quickly calls a preemptive timeout before the crowd gets going. Smart.
This is one of my problems with this stupid retro-diary. The Magic had hit one field goal in the last six minutes, what are the odds this means they will get red-hot at this point? Is this really worth taking a timeout? Probably not. Normally calling a timeout here would seem a bit of a panic move by Rivers and if the Celtics were one timeout short at the end of the game, we would remember this useless timeout call...but the Celtics won the game and it doesn't matter, so in this retro-diary it goes down as a smart move.
3:15: Joke I would have made if I were writing this diary in real time: "Could somebody go to Google Maps and print out directions to the Eastern Conference finals for Rashard Lewis?"
Joke Bill Simmons made on Twitter:
Could somebody go to Mapquest and print out directions to the Eastern Conference Finals for Rashard Lewis?
Booooooooooo!!!!!! Exact repeat jokes stink.
I'd like to thank Stan Van Gundy for avoiding his best lineup for this particular series: Nelson, J.J. Redick (who does a nice job following Ray Allen through screens), Lewis (whose length would bother Pierce defensively), Gortat and Howard (for a little Twin Towers action).
We all know I hate agreeing with Bill Simmons, but he is exactly right about this. This lineup could compete best with the Celtics lineup. People thought I was crazy when I said J.J. Redick would actually be a decent NBA player because he plays defense and can shoot. It took a few more years than I expected, but we're at that point.
For a third Duke reference in this post, I feel the same way about Jon Scheyer. He'll never start for a team, but he is crafty driving to the basket and can play defense better than you would think.
(Note to Lewis: It's only going to get worse when the series shifts back to Boston. Let's just say your 10-game suspension may inspire a tweet or two at twitter.com/celticschants this weekend.)
I am torn on what to think about Bill's CelticsChants Twitter account he set up. While it is a creative idea (even though it has been done before, just not on Twitter), it seems more like a chance to massage Bill's ego and let him hear the crowd at a Celtics game chant things he has created. It just feels like one big ego trip to me, but I honestly do like the idea.
1:02: Spinning, herky-jerky, foul-line jumper from Pierce (26 points so far). Too easy. Celtics by nine. Lewis answers with a 3. Big Baby answers by finishing a pretty pass by Pierce. Howard (23 points so far) hits two free throws. Rondo hits an end-of-the-quarter jumper. End of the third: Boston 78, Orlando 70.
How the hell is this enjoyable for anyone to read? It's like watching a game narrated on tape. Is it fun to read an account of a game AFTER the game has been played? I say "no." God, I hate retro-diaries, they serve no purpose other than to give a columnist out of ideas something to write about.
Isn't it interesting that this year's happy-go-lucky playoff teams -- Cleveland and Orlando, both known for having fun in pregame warm-ups, organizing funky dances and laughing/strutting with big leads -- suddenly got that collective deer-in-the-headlights look as soon as someone punched them in the collective mouth?
Remember Bill talking about the 2008 Celtics and how much they liked each other and how they were having fun? Ubuntu and all that crap? It's funny how Bill changes his opinion on whether a team is a better team based on whether that team is successful or not. Maybe they didn't pose for fake pictures or anything, but for his Celtics, having fun on the court was a sign the team was cohesive and enjoyed playing with each other. For other teams who aren't successful, this is a sign the team isn't taking the game seriously enough.
Look, I love chemistry as much as the next guy, but if we've learned anything this spring, it's that the "look how much fun we're having!" routine doesn't fly in May and June. At some point, you have to suck it up, stay focused, bang bodies and make plays.
It also helps when that team is successful to be able to judge that team one way or another. No matter the chemistry, a team has to prove it on the court at some point. LeBron James is usually the ringleader of what the Cavs do and he tends to show up in the playoffs, so it may actually be a question of how good his teammates around him are overall.
A few seconds later, there's a TV timeout and we see Pierce and Rondo walking toward the bench ... with Pierce's arm draped around Rondo's shoulder like a big brother. That's been the biggest change this season. It took the veterans six solid months to accept that (A) this was now Rondo's team, and (B) they were along for the ride.
I would say that Paul Pierce singlehandedly gave the Celtics the lead in Game 2 and I won't give Rondo too much respect as one of the best players in the NBA until I see a defender guard him when he is 17 feet away from the basket. His jumper has improved, but it is still in a work-in-progress. Rondo is a great player, but I still believe Garnett, Allen, and Pierce aren't just along for the ride.
Pierce, Allen and Garnett can't bring it every night. The Celtics can always get a big game from one of them, and if they get two of them going, they're unstoppable. But Rondo is the constant. It's his team now. If you want to go deeper, one reason they struggle down the stretch is because Rondo (a poor free throw shooter) doesn't want to get fouled, so he plays the last four minutes a little differently than the first 44.
Whatever, I would like to see how good Rondo would be as the best player on a team. I don't know how that would go. My guess is not very well. Bill's the expert though right?
That was fast. By the way, where did this Orlando crowd come from? There are 16,000 people at this game? Since when???
No fan base cheers as loudly as the Celtics fan base does. NO ONE DENIES THIS!
3:36: Text from my dad during this timeout: "Magic up by 1 -- bad last 3 minutes again." I'm just proud that my 62-year-old father can text me with crucial updates during basketball games.
I'm just glad we got an update on what Bill's dad thinks. My life is now complete. (Bengoodfella dies)
3:07: After a Celtics miss (good D by Orlando), the Magic clear out for Vince, who goes left, thinks about going to the rim, decides against it and settles for an awful fadeaway 10-footer.
TVC= Typical Vince Carter
(This goes back to the whole, "If you knock down Vince a few times, he'll stop going to the rim and settle for jumpers" argument that I've been making all playoffs.
Right. Bill Simmons has been making this argument and quite possibly believes he originated this argument. Let me be the 1,000th person to say this has been a stigma on Vince Carter since he got to the NBA and possibly follows him back to college as well. Bill Simmons did not create this argument as much as he might believe he did. If Carter had a killer instinct and didn't enjoy his jump shot as much as he does, I really believe he is a Top 50 all-time NBA player. It won't happen. Either way, Bill Simmons didn't create this knock on Carter.
Down three, season effectively on the line, less than two minutes remaining ... where do they go? Last year, they would have run a high screen with Hedo and Howard.
Here's a clue...not to Dwight Howard. That's where the ball doesn't go.
I just have a hard time believing Howard is a Top 10 NBA player when the players who get the shot in crunch time for the Magic during his tenure are Hedo Turokglu, Jameer Nelson, Rashard Lewis and Vince Carter. They are great players, but if Howard is that great of a player he wants and demands the ball at this point in the game to get on the foul line or make a basket...but he is ultimately content to just sit back.
Now, look at the 2010 Magic. We'll give them a pass on Game 1 -- rusty, lethargic, it happens. But Game 2? Howard didn't touch the ball in the final four minutes.
Dwight Howard and his defenders here don't seem to have too much ammunition. Does Tim Duncan go 4 minutes in a close game without touching the ball and did Shaq have this lack of touches down the stretch of a game happen to him? Even for better or worse, Patrick Ewing touched the ball down the stretch of a game for the Knicks. Howard just isn't a Top 10 player in my mind and I even question sometimes if he is a Top 20 player.
The Celtics showed up for the 2010 Eastern Conference finals on Sunday afternoon. We're still waiting for the Magic.
I hate retro-diaries. They are simply accounts of a game that has already been played with a few jokes thrown in to break up the monotony of it all.
I still say Rondo isn't one of the Top 10 players in the NBA right now.
Check out Bill's archive. There are a lot of retro-diaries and accounts of games that have already happened in there. I feel like Bill is having a real shortage of ideas for the 1-2 columns per week he writes. A couple retro-diaries are no big deal, but it is becoming a habit for him. I guess he knows his SimmonsClones will eat up anything he writes, so why think of a great original idea when you can just do a retro-diary and they will idolize you just the same?
I missed the second half of Tuesday's Magic-Celtics game because I had to attend a dinner event for my daughter's school.
This was the first sentence to this "column." For a guy who loves privacy and tries to keep his family life as secretive as possible, Bill sure does talk about his wife and two kids a hell of a lot in his columns. Someone is going to pull a KSK on Simmons one day and he is going to get really pissed off about it. If you are a public figure and want people to leave your family alone, don't mention said family in nearly every single column, because it draws a certain amount of interest to your family. It's a pretty simple principle.
Anyway, Bill goes on and tells a story for about a 1/10 of this retro-diary about his family and this isn't the first time lately he has done this. It's already bad enough that Bill's wife is a trending topic at times on Google because SimmonsClones are desperately doing an internet search on her name to get a picture for God knows what purposes. One of the biggest things about Bill that has annoyed me over the last 4-5 years is him putting his family in his columns repeatedly, yet I also know he tries to keep his family life and private. It doesn't work both ways and I am afraid one day he will figure it out in a way he won't like.
There are two choices for such a conundrum:
1. Ignore your Blackberry completely, fight off following any road that might lead you to finding out the score, avoid any televisions, avoid anyone else who's looking at a Blackberry. Sounds great on paper. Never actually works. There's always someone who screws it up.
2. Ignore your Blackberry as much as you can, furtively check it every few minutes, and whenever your wife catches you, explain, "I just wanted to make sure the babysitter didn't text us." This definitely doesn't work, and if anything, it might make your wife angry.
Actually, there are three choices. The third choice is give your phone to your wife or have your wife bring her phone and leave yours at home. Or don't have a Blackberry with Internet on it. Or don't call your cell phone by it's brand name just to let everyone know you have a Blackberry.But here's where it's good to be me. See, I write about sports for a living.
In such a disconnected, "yeah, sort of" way does Bill Simmons write about sports. Mostly he writes about Boston-area teams and other events that may affect a Boston-area team.
Still, you can't milk it. You have to pick your spots. Which is why I love my son (aka the CEO) for what happened Tuesday night.
Yes, this is an inside joke from a different column when Bill was talking about his son and had given him a nickname. There are now inside jokes involved with Bill's family that he throws into his columns. This is a lot of family talk and I can't imagine even the SimmonsClones enjoy it too much.
You may ask, "but why does Bill call his son the CEO?"
I will tell you. Because his son wakes up early in the morning and then begins demanding things Bill and his wife have to give him because he is young and thinks he is in charge...because he IS in charge! Bill's son is the ONLY child under the age of 3 years old that does this. Most other young children sleep soundly in their bed until 9:30am, wake up and go for a light jog, and then sit down and watch some "Dr. Phil." Not Bill's son. He is the CEO! He wakes up and immediately wants to be fed (the outrage!), THEN his son demands a certain television program and they have to give it to him or he will throw a fit. Yes, Bill's child throws a fit! Who could ever see this happening when a 2-3 year old doesn't get what he/she wants? Thereby, Bill's child is known as the CEO.
I'm going to skip the story from this retro-diary that no one but Bill and his immediate family care about, but I will spoil the ending. His son has the flu and threw up everywhere so Bill got to check his Blackberry more often as if he was checking to see if the babysitter texted him. If only the Sports Gal was literate and could read this column. BILL WOULD BE SO BUSTED!
(Here at BotB, I don't take shots at sportswriter's families, but constantly talking about your family makes it hard for me to stick to this principle)
So just for the hell of it, let's retro-diary the second half -- the night that Orlando's season fell apart and we inched significantly closer to Celtics-Lakers XI: This Time It's For Blood.
Which as we know is the only NBA Finals anyone in America gives a shit about. Are there even other NBA teams?
10:20 remaining, third quarter (tied at 55): Missed three by Vince Carter, long rebound to Paul Pierce ... and Dwight Howard stupidly swipes at the ball for his fourth foul. We're about 25 more of those away from Stan Van Gundy just keeling over like Tommy Boy's dad during the wedding dance scene.
Pop culture reference!
Do you know why Orlando can't beat the Celtics? It's because they built their team improperly, at least in my mind. They traded for a small forward who doesn't want to drive to the basket, even though he should, a center that is too busy blocking shots out of bounds (and giving the opposing team another possession) and looking at his muscles to focus on the fact he has a limited offensive game, and they have a bunch of three-point shooters who can't create their own shot very well.
It's a flawed team and while the Magic can still beat the Celtics, they lack one or two guys on that team who can get the tough rebound or aren't afraid to take a big shot. Vince Carter doesn't want to take a big shot (he takes it, but you know he doesn't want to) and the Magic don't even try to get Dwight Howard the ball often times late in games.
Now? The forwards are a wash; Wallace gives Boston 12 fouls to use on Howard instead of six;
Everyone remember Bill's column a few months ago about Wallace that was well-thought out, but also the ramblings of a homer who is bitter towards his team? Yeah, forget that, Wallace is just fine now. Bill takes some half-hearted shots at Wallace, but they are cool now.
and Rondo has evolved into one of the 10 best players in the league.
I personally love Rondo, but he isn't one of the 10 best players in the league. No fucking way.
LeBron James
Kobe Bryant
Kevin Durant
Chris Paul (sorry, he doesn't lose the spot just because he is injured)
Carmelo Anthony
Dwayne Wade
Dirk Nowitzki
Brandon Roy
Steve Nash
Deron Williams
Rondo is a great fit for these Celtics, but he doesn't have a great jump shot and still makes too many careless passes for me.
8:22: Rondo (17 points, five assists so far) pulls off what can only be called "The Rondo" (drive into the lane, flip your right hand out like you're passing, cup the ball, keep it, make a running layup). Let the record show that Deron Williams kept the "Best Point Guard Alive" belt for about as long as the Iron Sheik kept the WWF title between Bob Backlund and Hulk Hogan. In a choose-up game, you're taking any other point guard before Rondo right now?
I would absolutely take Chris Paul over Rondo. Rondo is a great player, but until we throw 3 Hall of Fame players on the same team as Chris Paul it isn't a fair comparison. Yes, I know the "
Big 3" for Boston aren't Hall of Fame players right now, but they aren't playing terribly either.
Rondo starts beside Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Kendrick Perkins.
Chris Paul started beside Emeka Okafor, Julian Wright, David West, and Morris Peterson to start this year.
7:15: After Garnett's jumper puts Boston up by five, Vince Carter (12 points, 3-for-10 shooting so far) explicably collapses while running down the floor. (I say explicably because it's always explicable when Vince Carter decides to fall down in a heap. It's not like anyone would ever say, "My God, what just happened! Vince Carter fell down!")
One of my best friends loves Vince Carter and I don't. It used to get somewhat heated when he discussed Carter, but we don't talk about it anymore. Let's say Vince Carter can be a dividing issue in the Carolinas. Vince Carter is a disappointment and he always will be to me. He loves the fade-away jumper and he isn't tough enough for my liking.
Quick Vince Carter story: Everyone remembers Game 7 of the 2001 series when Carter was playing for the Raptors against the 76ers. I would assume most people remember this. Carter graduated from college that day and he went to his graduation, setting about a flurry of people who criticized him for this. Carter says he graduated and then immediately caught a plane to Philadelphia to get ready for the game. I went to law school for one year and there were multiple people who were in the same graduation class as Carter at UNC and three of them had pictures of themselves after graduation with Carter smiling and having a good time after graduation. There's nothing inherently wrong with that, except this was after graduation when Carter should have been on his way to Philadelphia. That's just three people I know who had pictures taken with him and I don't know that many people. I don't think he jumped on that plane quite as quickly as he claims.
5:59: Down six, Vince heroically returns to the game (Mike Breen: "Sigh of relief from the Magic fans") while of course massaging his left wrist to remind everyone that, "Hey, if I suck for the rest of this game, just remember, I'm hurt." This is why he's Vince Carter.
After Carter missed those two free throws at the end of the game, he went and punched a chair and then looked at his hand briefly as if to say, "why didn't you clutch your hand while you were shooting those foul shots to give yourself an excuse? Remember that for next time."
Ok, no more Carter bashing I promise. Why doesn't he drive to the basket as much as he should though? Why do I try to have an open mind about him and he just proves consistently I shouldn't? If I could answer these questions I might lay off him.
(Note: This is why ESPN could never make me the third announcer of a three-man NBA booth,
That and the fact Bill's voice would drive away viewers, as well as his mere presence in the booth would cause me to rupture an artery.
we now know the blueprint for beating the 2009-10 Magic: defend Howard one-on-one (and use your fouls on him), stay home on the 3-point shooters and dare their perimeter guys to beat people off the dribble.
Otherwise known as, "the formula for beating nearly every single Duke University men's basketball team since the year 2000."
3:15: Jameer Nelson sinks a 3-pointer (Orlando's first field goal in six-plus minutes) to cut it to seven. Doc Rivers quickly calls a preemptive timeout before the crowd gets going. Smart.
This is one of my problems with this stupid retro-diary. The Magic had hit one field goal in the last six minutes, what are the odds this means they will get red-hot at this point? Is this really worth taking a timeout? Probably not. Normally calling a timeout here would seem a bit of a panic move by Rivers and if the Celtics were one timeout short at the end of the game, we would remember this useless timeout call...but the Celtics won the game and it doesn't matter, so in this retro-diary it goes down as a smart move.
3:15: Joke I would have made if I were writing this diary in real time: "Could somebody go to Google Maps and print out directions to the Eastern Conference finals for Rashard Lewis?"
Joke Bill Simmons made on Twitter:
Could somebody go to Mapquest and print out directions to the Eastern Conference Finals for Rashard Lewis?
Booooooooooo!!!!!! Exact repeat jokes stink.
I'd like to thank Stan Van Gundy for avoiding his best lineup for this particular series: Nelson, J.J. Redick (who does a nice job following Ray Allen through screens), Lewis (whose length would bother Pierce defensively), Gortat and Howard (for a little Twin Towers action).
We all know I hate agreeing with Bill Simmons, but he is exactly right about this. This lineup could compete best with the Celtics lineup. People thought I was crazy when I said J.J. Redick would actually be a decent NBA player because he plays defense and can shoot. It took a few more years than I expected, but we're at that point.
For a third Duke reference in this post, I feel the same way about Jon Scheyer. He'll never start for a team, but he is crafty driving to the basket and can play defense better than you would think.
(Note to Lewis: It's only going to get worse when the series shifts back to Boston. Let's just say your 10-game suspension may inspire a tweet or two at twitter.com/celticschants this weekend.)
I am torn on what to think about Bill's CelticsChants Twitter account he set up. While it is a creative idea (even though it has been done before, just not on Twitter), it seems more like a chance to massage Bill's ego and let him hear the crowd at a Celtics game chant things he has created. It just feels like one big ego trip to me, but I honestly do like the idea.
1:02: Spinning, herky-jerky, foul-line jumper from Pierce (26 points so far). Too easy. Celtics by nine. Lewis answers with a 3. Big Baby answers by finishing a pretty pass by Pierce. Howard (23 points so far) hits two free throws. Rondo hits an end-of-the-quarter jumper. End of the third: Boston 78, Orlando 70.
How the hell is this enjoyable for anyone to read? It's like watching a game narrated on tape. Is it fun to read an account of a game AFTER the game has been played? I say "no." God, I hate retro-diaries, they serve no purpose other than to give a columnist out of ideas something to write about.
Isn't it interesting that this year's happy-go-lucky playoff teams -- Cleveland and Orlando, both known for having fun in pregame warm-ups, organizing funky dances and laughing/strutting with big leads -- suddenly got that collective deer-in-the-headlights look as soon as someone punched them in the collective mouth?
Remember Bill talking about the 2008 Celtics and how much they liked each other and how they were having fun? Ubuntu and all that crap? It's funny how Bill changes his opinion on whether a team is a better team based on whether that team is successful or not. Maybe they didn't pose for fake pictures or anything, but for his Celtics, having fun on the court was a sign the team was cohesive and enjoyed playing with each other. For other teams who aren't successful, this is a sign the team isn't taking the game seriously enough.
Look, I love chemistry as much as the next guy, but if we've learned anything this spring, it's that the "look how much fun we're having!" routine doesn't fly in May and June. At some point, you have to suck it up, stay focused, bang bodies and make plays.
It also helps when that team is successful to be able to judge that team one way or another. No matter the chemistry, a team has to prove it on the court at some point. LeBron James is usually the ringleader of what the Cavs do and he tends to show up in the playoffs, so it may actually be a question of how good his teammates around him are overall.
A few seconds later, there's a TV timeout and we see Pierce and Rondo walking toward the bench ... with Pierce's arm draped around Rondo's shoulder like a big brother. That's been the biggest change this season. It took the veterans six solid months to accept that (A) this was now Rondo's team, and (B) they were along for the ride.
I would say that Paul Pierce singlehandedly gave the Celtics the lead in Game 2 and I won't give Rondo too much respect as one of the best players in the NBA until I see a defender guard him when he is 17 feet away from the basket. His jumper has improved, but it is still in a work-in-progress. Rondo is a great player, but I still believe Garnett, Allen, and Pierce aren't just along for the ride.
Pierce, Allen and Garnett can't bring it every night. The Celtics can always get a big game from one of them, and if they get two of them going, they're unstoppable. But Rondo is the constant. It's his team now. If you want to go deeper, one reason they struggle down the stretch is because Rondo (a poor free throw shooter) doesn't want to get fouled, so he plays the last four minutes a little differently than the first 44.
Whatever, I would like to see how good Rondo would be as the best player on a team. I don't know how that would go. My guess is not very well. Bill's the expert though right?
That was fast. By the way, where did this Orlando crowd come from? There are 16,000 people at this game? Since when???
No fan base cheers as loudly as the Celtics fan base does. NO ONE DENIES THIS!
3:36: Text from my dad during this timeout: "Magic up by 1 -- bad last 3 minutes again." I'm just proud that my 62-year-old father can text me with crucial updates during basketball games.
I'm just glad we got an update on what Bill's dad thinks. My life is now complete. (Bengoodfella dies)
3:07: After a Celtics miss (good D by Orlando), the Magic clear out for Vince, who goes left, thinks about going to the rim, decides against it and settles for an awful fadeaway 10-footer.
TVC= Typical Vince Carter
(This goes back to the whole, "If you knock down Vince a few times, he'll stop going to the rim and settle for jumpers" argument that I've been making all playoffs.
Right. Bill Simmons has been making this argument and quite possibly believes he originated this argument. Let me be the 1,000th person to say this has been a stigma on Vince Carter since he got to the NBA and possibly follows him back to college as well. Bill Simmons did not create this argument as much as he might believe he did. If Carter had a killer instinct and didn't enjoy his jump shot as much as he does, I really believe he is a Top 50 all-time NBA player. It won't happen. Either way, Bill Simmons didn't create this knock on Carter.
Down three, season effectively on the line, less than two minutes remaining ... where do they go? Last year, they would have run a high screen with Hedo and Howard.
Here's a clue...not to Dwight Howard. That's where the ball doesn't go.
I just have a hard time believing Howard is a Top 10 NBA player when the players who get the shot in crunch time for the Magic during his tenure are Hedo Turokglu, Jameer Nelson, Rashard Lewis and Vince Carter. They are great players, but if Howard is that great of a player he wants and demands the ball at this point in the game to get on the foul line or make a basket...but he is ultimately content to just sit back.
Now, look at the 2010 Magic. We'll give them a pass on Game 1 -- rusty, lethargic, it happens. But Game 2? Howard didn't touch the ball in the final four minutes.
Dwight Howard and his defenders here don't seem to have too much ammunition. Does Tim Duncan go 4 minutes in a close game without touching the ball and did Shaq have this lack of touches down the stretch of a game happen to him? Even for better or worse, Patrick Ewing touched the ball down the stretch of a game for the Knicks. Howard just isn't a Top 10 player in my mind and I even question sometimes if he is a Top 20 player.
The Celtics showed up for the 2010 Eastern Conference finals on Sunday afternoon. We're still waiting for the Magic.
I hate retro-diaries. They are simply accounts of a game that has already been played with a few jokes thrown in to break up the monotony of it all.
I still say Rondo isn't one of the Top 10 players in the NBA right now.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
1 comments Live Blog!
12:39- We are live in my mom's attic today live blogging the Carolina Panthers-Minnesota Vikings game and whatever game is on CBS (I am going to flip periodically when I get angry/bored with the NFC game). My Mexican panther-cat is in his blue reclining chair, which also happens to be the only piece of furniture in the room, so I am on the floor with a computer and a weak wireless connection. I have no friends so I am not going to call anyone or converse with anyone about the game, a la Bill Simmons. Life could not be better. Three guarantees of what we will see today:
1. The Panthers are going to have a let down game. They have won two straight hard fought games and Steve Smith comes back this week from his suspension for punching Ken Lucas. By the way, I have wanted to punch Ken Lucas many times, so I think he should have gotten a new contract. Combine the fact the Vikings have a QB who doesn't one hops screen passes with the fact Adrian Peterson is "injured," and I think I see a Vikings win in the future. How sad is it that Gus Frerotte is the savior of the Vikings and I am actually afraid he will have a good game? He concussed himself against a wall a few years ago!
2. I am currently choosing between starting Jerricho Cotchery and Devery Henderson for Ronnie Brown in my fantasy WR/RB spot. The guarantee is that no matter who I choose, it will be wrong, it is just one of those years for me in my fantasy leagues. I just benched LT and am going to bench Ronnie Brown. I may not win a game this year. I look at my roster and have zero confidence.
3. We will get to see one or two Chris Gamble "I can not believe I did not intercept that pass that was right in my hands" dance. He played WR at Ohio State periodically. I actually tried to YouTube video of this because I did not believe it. It is like he has Hulk Hands out there. Two straight weeks and there have been two straight balls right to him, he has dropped. Just know it is going to happen, followed by Tim Ryan saying, "that was right in Gamble's hands, I don't know how he did not catch that." Followed by Dick Stockton calling Jason Baker, John Baker, and Jake Delhomme, Jim Delhomme. Those two things happened the past two weeks.
All times are Eastern Standard Time.
1:00- All I know is Charissa Thompson is the sideline reporter and has informed us the "injured" Adrian Peterson is going to play.
1:08- First pass to Steve Smith and he did not punch anyone. Good start.
1:09- DeAngelo Williams got the start over Jonathan Stewart and is immediately stuffed by the Vikings defense. John Fox continues his 6 year goal to make sure the second best RB always starts every game.
1:10- Field goal by John Kasey. Panthers winning 3-0. Settling for field goals...another John Fox staple. If he were a sheriff in the Wild West he would have brought flares to a gun fight.
1:11- "Crazy Eyes" from Curb Your Enthusiasm is in a Southwest Airlines commercial. He is now in literally every commercial. I just am waiting for him to be in a Sonic commercial and go into Crazy Eyes' character and stab the two men talking about the Sonic food in the car from the backseat.
1:16- Gus Frerotte just completed a long pass to Shicanthoeoeoe but it was dropped. He looks good. It took me five minutes to write that sentence because I am afraid to say it.
1:17- No clue yet on who the announcers are...but one is being called Tony, so I will assume that is Tony Biselli. Fox's production values need help.
1:19- We have Pats-Dolphins on CBS. So why did Jerry Porter talk shit this week? It is not wise to piss off the Patriots. Also, I have been watching for one minute and heard the word "team concept" so I am going back to Fox.
1:22- Boselli just said Jared Allen respects the game. If only he respected each state's drinking and driving laws. At least he never killed anyone....uh, Leonard Little.
1:26- Chris Gamble just intercepted a pass. I don't have TiVO, so I will just have to believe my eyes. This covers up the fact nearly every receiver for the Vikings has been open, they can't catch the ball though. In their defense, they are not used to catching the ball without a hop.
1:30- Jonathan Stewart is stuffed on a third straight run up the middle. I am all for running the ball but against the Vikings I would just run shotgun all day. They are very good.
Momentum destroying plays while on offense is another John Fox staple. I think he is a great coach but Tucker Carlson is less conservative than him.
1:37- My Mexican panther-cat has fallen asleep. I am not far behind. I feel a turnover coming.
1:39- DeAngelo Williams gets tackled while running backwards. Paging Jonathan Stewart....
1:40- Jake Delhomme fumbles the snap. Viking ball. I hate it when I am right.
1:42- Gus Frerotte just bounced a screen pass. Chris Simms or Daunte Culpepper are looking really good right now. The fans are booing....Thomas Davis was injured laying on the ground during a sack and Fox went to a Hardee's commercial. We got a Jimmy Kimmel commercial where he is being a smug asshole talking about the Giants game we missed last year and if we had DirectTV then that would not happen. Is there a type of television provider that actually shows football players and updates you on their injuries? Then Adam Carolla does a Taco Bell commercial. The Main Show huh?
1:45- We are back and no word on Thomas Davis. Possibly dead but not on the field. Fox comes through again with great production. What is the opposite of an Emmy Award?
Jonathan Stewart runs for 8 yards on first down...John Fox, angry with forward movement, puts DeAngelo Williams back in the game STAT.
1:55- Panthers are still insisting on running the ball up the middle. On third down, Delhomme throws to no one in particular and gets a mercy pass interference call according to Tony Boselli. Replays clearly show Boselli is watching a different game. Boselli then announces his knees and back hurt too much to call the game, he'll take Fox's money but is not going to be in the booth. No wait, he did that to the Houston Texans...not Fox.
1:58- Jared Allen horse collars DeAngelo Williams but the officials say Allen was just trying to slip a beer to Williams, so it was not a penalty.
The most interesting sub plot so far: Adrian Peterson has two rushes so far and the Panthers are insisting on running the ball three straight downs and not getting the ball to Steve Smith. Brad Childress and John Fox are locked in a death battle to see who can use their star player the least. Invigorating to watch.
2:02- Jonathan Stewart scores a touchdown to make it 10-0 Panthers.
On CBS the Pats are losing 14-3, so I am torn between the Pats winning or Joey Porter being right. Tough situation for me. Renaldo Hill almost intercepts a Cassel pass, tips it and Wes Welker catches the rebound. The announcer says, "that is why the Patriots are so good, you make a mistake and they make you pay." True but not incredibly relevant to the situation.
Then announcer says the Dolphins could have gotten the ball back and chewed up the rest of the quarter but couldn't make the play. There were 6 minutes left in the quarter at that point...That is a drive, not just chewing up the clock.
2:09- Fox interrupts live action for a commercial about Lowe's and NASCAR. My high school A/V club had better production. Then it went back to football action, then to a Barack Obama commercial, then to Charissa on the sidelines, then to a Ford commercial. It went to commercial after every...single...play.
2:11- The Vikings start running the ball with Adrian Peterson. John Fox starts yelling at Brad Childress across the field about "broken promises."
2:14- GameBreak time! Chicago v. Tampa Bay Kyle Orton throws an interception to Gaines Adams, a Tampa Bay DE, though to be fair, the intended receiver was his left guard.
2:17- Just a quick reminder Julius Peppers does not have a sack this year and had 2.5 last year. Overrated much?
2:19- Ken Lucas gives his typical 9 yard cushion to a receiver. Robert Ferguson takes advantage of this and gets a 9 yard gain on a pass from Gus Frerotte. No, this is not the CFL either.
Ronnie Brown just scored a touchdown. Just a big "fuck you" from my new fantasy benchwarmer.
2:22- Vikings are in the red zone and Ken Lucas is still giving a 9 yard cushion. He does this even on the goal line. They settle for a field goal.
Panthers will have the ball with 1 minute and 40 seconds left. I have $50 that says the Panthers down the ball to end the half. Stewart is returning kicks. Nothing like having your best RB on special teams willing and able to be injured.
2:26- 3rd and 6. They will run a screen pass or a draw. Which is it????
2:27- Neither. Delhomme got sacked, fumbled and Antoine Winfield ran it back. Delhomme is complaining on the sidelines about something, but probably not the fact that it is his job to read the blitz.
2:30- Panthers run the clock out.
Let's take a halftime break. I am getting a bad feeling.
2:48- It is Ron Pitts and Tony Boselli calling the game. I am drinking now...it is the middle of the afternoon.
I have a feeling we are going to get a steady diet of Adrian Peterson this half.
2:50- 48 yard completion to Benard Berrian. I am currently double fisting.
2:52- 34 yard TD pass from Frerotte to Shiancoe. So to sum it up, the Vikings can now throw the ball easily against the Panthers "defense" and that is when they don't run the ball with the best running back in the NFC. Things are not looking up for the Panthers.
My Mexican panther-cat is disinterested, but this let down game prediction is looking pretty good right now. Remember we still have not seen the Chris Gamble "I should have intercepted that pass" dance, so that has to come at some point.
2:56- Stewart runs a kickoff back to the 17 yard line...of course there was a block in the back by Jeff King, so it was called back to the 8 yard line. I have and never will understand the block in the back. Why not just not block in the back? I can't see how it would be that hard. You will get caught by the officials, so why try?
3:03- The game momentum has turned at this point. The Vikings has established the run and are passing well, while the Panthers can't throw or run at this point.
3:07- Gus Frerotte looks like David Carr. I hope they replaced Frerotte with David Carr.
Also Julius Peppers got his first sack of the year! Unfortuntely Ron Pitts called him Julius Peters. Is it that hard to get these player's names right?
3:08- Ronnie Brown has run for three TD's and now thrown for one TD. Not my fantasy year. If I benched Tavaris Jackson last week, maybe I would not have to be worried about Gus Frerotte right now.
3:11- Williams is back at running back for the Panthers and has run up the middle twice. I don't know whether to complain they are running up the middle too much, don't throw to Steve Smith enough or Jonathan Stewart should be in the game. I will just comment on it and then let it go.
3:16- Ken Lucas is still giving 9 yards to his receiver so passing is easy and the Vikings just realized they have Chester Taylor, so now he is running the ball well and the Vikings are driving.
3:19- Vikings are in a 3rd and long. This is where the Panthers should be able to control the game better...since Gus Frerotte is the quarterback.
..........1st down Vikings on a screen pass. The Panthers have never been able to cover a screen pass. Never ever.....
3:21- According to Ron Pitts, it is the end of the 1st quarter now. Two and a half hours for the first quarter, man, they need to hurry these games up.
I don't like being so hard on announcers but it is hard to believe these guys are the best Fox could find.
3:24- Back on CBS, Matty Ice is not looking too good. He missed a wide open receiver and fumbled. The New England fans are heading for the exits. Bill Simmons must be pissed.
Simmons had a theory earlier this week that Kevin O'Connell was going to be starting come Week 11 and that is why the Pats did not sign a QB when Brady went down. I think it is because Cassel has been in the offense for 3 years now and would be better at any point this year than anyone they bring in.
Of course he also said he thought they could get a first round pick for O'Connell down the road, so he clearly doesn't know what he is talking about.
3:28- Back to Fox, Chester Taylor just scored on another screen pass. It is called back on a hold and then Thomas Davis illegally contacted Shaincooeoehehe downfield. I am glad we finally found out Thomas Davis is not dead from his injury earlier.
This game is all FUBAR. Here is my question:
If the Panthers can't get a pass rush, which they can not, how can teams run screen passes on them so successfully? Usually you run a screen just to slow down the rush. The Vikings are running them just to fuck with the Panthers.
3:31- On CBS, I see that Trent Edwards does not have a touchdown, so Marshawn Lynch must have scored the touchdown. That is the good thing about the Bills. When you see they have 7 points, you know either Lynch scored it or Edwards through a touchdown pass, so you really only need to draft those two in any fantasy league and you will get 7 points every week!
That was my justification for drafting both of them.
3:34- Back to Fox. My Mexican panther-cat just passed gas, I think, and that is about how I feel about this too.
3:38- Field goal for the Vikings. 20-10 Vikings.
3:41- Panthers need a good drive, decide to run on second down, though they have 46 yards all day rushing and need 10 points in 7 minutes...and then go 3 and out. They are clearly playing for overtime at this point.
3:44- Back to CBS for my sanity. O'Connell is playing for the Patriots and Chad Henne is in for the Dolphins, so this is going to get ugly as well.
1. The Panthers are going to have a let down game. They have won two straight hard fought games and Steve Smith comes back this week from his suspension for punching Ken Lucas. By the way, I have wanted to punch Ken Lucas many times, so I think he should have gotten a new contract. Combine the fact the Vikings have a QB who doesn't one hops screen passes with the fact Adrian Peterson is "injured," and I think I see a Vikings win in the future. How sad is it that Gus Frerotte is the savior of the Vikings and I am actually afraid he will have a good game? He concussed himself against a wall a few years ago!
2. I am currently choosing between starting Jerricho Cotchery and Devery Henderson for Ronnie Brown in my fantasy WR/RB spot. The guarantee is that no matter who I choose, it will be wrong, it is just one of those years for me in my fantasy leagues. I just benched LT and am going to bench Ronnie Brown. I may not win a game this year. I look at my roster and have zero confidence.
3. We will get to see one or two Chris Gamble "I can not believe I did not intercept that pass that was right in my hands" dance. He played WR at Ohio State periodically. I actually tried to YouTube video of this because I did not believe it. It is like he has Hulk Hands out there. Two straight weeks and there have been two straight balls right to him, he has dropped. Just know it is going to happen, followed by Tim Ryan saying, "that was right in Gamble's hands, I don't know how he did not catch that." Followed by Dick Stockton calling Jason Baker, John Baker, and Jake Delhomme, Jim Delhomme. Those two things happened the past two weeks.
All times are Eastern Standard Time.
1:00- All I know is Charissa Thompson is the sideline reporter and has informed us the "injured" Adrian Peterson is going to play.
1:08- First pass to Steve Smith and he did not punch anyone. Good start.
1:09- DeAngelo Williams got the start over Jonathan Stewart and is immediately stuffed by the Vikings defense. John Fox continues his 6 year goal to make sure the second best RB always starts every game.
1:10- Field goal by John Kasey. Panthers winning 3-0. Settling for field goals...another John Fox staple. If he were a sheriff in the Wild West he would have brought flares to a gun fight.
1:11- "Crazy Eyes" from Curb Your Enthusiasm is in a Southwest Airlines commercial. He is now in literally every commercial. I just am waiting for him to be in a Sonic commercial and go into Crazy Eyes' character and stab the two men talking about the Sonic food in the car from the backseat.
1:16- Gus Frerotte just completed a long pass to Shicanthoeoeoe but it was dropped. He looks good. It took me five minutes to write that sentence because I am afraid to say it.
1:17- No clue yet on who the announcers are...but one is being called Tony, so I will assume that is Tony Biselli. Fox's production values need help.
1:19- We have Pats-Dolphins on CBS. So why did Jerry Porter talk shit this week? It is not wise to piss off the Patriots. Also, I have been watching for one minute and heard the word "team concept" so I am going back to Fox.
1:22- Boselli just said Jared Allen respects the game. If only he respected each state's drinking and driving laws. At least he never killed anyone....uh, Leonard Little.
1:26- Chris Gamble just intercepted a pass. I don't have TiVO, so I will just have to believe my eyes. This covers up the fact nearly every receiver for the Vikings has been open, they can't catch the ball though. In their defense, they are not used to catching the ball without a hop.
1:30- Jonathan Stewart is stuffed on a third straight run up the middle. I am all for running the ball but against the Vikings I would just run shotgun all day. They are very good.
Momentum destroying plays while on offense is another John Fox staple. I think he is a great coach but Tucker Carlson is less conservative than him.
1:37- My Mexican panther-cat has fallen asleep. I am not far behind. I feel a turnover coming.
1:39- DeAngelo Williams gets tackled while running backwards. Paging Jonathan Stewart....
1:40- Jake Delhomme fumbles the snap. Viking ball. I hate it when I am right.
1:42- Gus Frerotte just bounced a screen pass. Chris Simms or Daunte Culpepper are looking really good right now. The fans are booing....Thomas Davis was injured laying on the ground during a sack and Fox went to a Hardee's commercial. We got a Jimmy Kimmel commercial where he is being a smug asshole talking about the Giants game we missed last year and if we had DirectTV then that would not happen. Is there a type of television provider that actually shows football players and updates you on their injuries? Then Adam Carolla does a Taco Bell commercial. The Main Show huh?
1:45- We are back and no word on Thomas Davis. Possibly dead but not on the field. Fox comes through again with great production. What is the opposite of an Emmy Award?
Jonathan Stewart runs for 8 yards on first down...John Fox, angry with forward movement, puts DeAngelo Williams back in the game STAT.
1:55- Panthers are still insisting on running the ball up the middle. On third down, Delhomme throws to no one in particular and gets a mercy pass interference call according to Tony Boselli. Replays clearly show Boselli is watching a different game. Boselli then announces his knees and back hurt too much to call the game, he'll take Fox's money but is not going to be in the booth. No wait, he did that to the Houston Texans...not Fox.
1:58- Jared Allen horse collars DeAngelo Williams but the officials say Allen was just trying to slip a beer to Williams, so it was not a penalty.
The most interesting sub plot so far: Adrian Peterson has two rushes so far and the Panthers are insisting on running the ball three straight downs and not getting the ball to Steve Smith. Brad Childress and John Fox are locked in a death battle to see who can use their star player the least. Invigorating to watch.
2:02- Jonathan Stewart scores a touchdown to make it 10-0 Panthers.
On CBS the Pats are losing 14-3, so I am torn between the Pats winning or Joey Porter being right. Tough situation for me. Renaldo Hill almost intercepts a Cassel pass, tips it and Wes Welker catches the rebound. The announcer says, "that is why the Patriots are so good, you make a mistake and they make you pay." True but not incredibly relevant to the situation.
Then announcer says the Dolphins could have gotten the ball back and chewed up the rest of the quarter but couldn't make the play. There were 6 minutes left in the quarter at that point...That is a drive, not just chewing up the clock.
2:09- Fox interrupts live action for a commercial about Lowe's and NASCAR. My high school A/V club had better production. Then it went back to football action, then to a Barack Obama commercial, then to Charissa on the sidelines, then to a Ford commercial. It went to commercial after every...single...play.
2:11- The Vikings start running the ball with Adrian Peterson. John Fox starts yelling at Brad Childress across the field about "broken promises."
2:14- GameBreak time! Chicago v. Tampa Bay Kyle Orton throws an interception to Gaines Adams, a Tampa Bay DE, though to be fair, the intended receiver was his left guard.
2:17- Just a quick reminder Julius Peppers does not have a sack this year and had 2.5 last year. Overrated much?
2:19- Ken Lucas gives his typical 9 yard cushion to a receiver. Robert Ferguson takes advantage of this and gets a 9 yard gain on a pass from Gus Frerotte. No, this is not the CFL either.
Ronnie Brown just scored a touchdown. Just a big "fuck you" from my new fantasy benchwarmer.
2:22- Vikings are in the red zone and Ken Lucas is still giving a 9 yard cushion. He does this even on the goal line. They settle for a field goal.
Panthers will have the ball with 1 minute and 40 seconds left. I have $50 that says the Panthers down the ball to end the half. Stewart is returning kicks. Nothing like having your best RB on special teams willing and able to be injured.
2:26- 3rd and 6. They will run a screen pass or a draw. Which is it????
2:27- Neither. Delhomme got sacked, fumbled and Antoine Winfield ran it back. Delhomme is complaining on the sidelines about something, but probably not the fact that it is his job to read the blitz.
2:30- Panthers run the clock out.
Let's take a halftime break. I am getting a bad feeling.
2:48- It is Ron Pitts and Tony Boselli calling the game. I am drinking now...it is the middle of the afternoon.
I have a feeling we are going to get a steady diet of Adrian Peterson this half.
2:50- 48 yard completion to Benard Berrian. I am currently double fisting.
2:52- 34 yard TD pass from Frerotte to Shiancoe. So to sum it up, the Vikings can now throw the ball easily against the Panthers "defense" and that is when they don't run the ball with the best running back in the NFC. Things are not looking up for the Panthers.
My Mexican panther-cat is disinterested, but this let down game prediction is looking pretty good right now. Remember we still have not seen the Chris Gamble "I should have intercepted that pass" dance, so that has to come at some point.
2:56- Stewart runs a kickoff back to the 17 yard line...of course there was a block in the back by Jeff King, so it was called back to the 8 yard line. I have and never will understand the block in the back. Why not just not block in the back? I can't see how it would be that hard. You will get caught by the officials, so why try?
3:03- The game momentum has turned at this point. The Vikings has established the run and are passing well, while the Panthers can't throw or run at this point.
3:07- Gus Frerotte looks like David Carr. I hope they replaced Frerotte with David Carr.
Also Julius Peppers got his first sack of the year! Unfortuntely Ron Pitts called him Julius Peters. Is it that hard to get these player's names right?
3:08- Ronnie Brown has run for three TD's and now thrown for one TD. Not my fantasy year. If I benched Tavaris Jackson last week, maybe I would not have to be worried about Gus Frerotte right now.
3:11- Williams is back at running back for the Panthers and has run up the middle twice. I don't know whether to complain they are running up the middle too much, don't throw to Steve Smith enough or Jonathan Stewart should be in the game. I will just comment on it and then let it go.
3:16- Ken Lucas is still giving 9 yards to his receiver so passing is easy and the Vikings just realized they have Chester Taylor, so now he is running the ball well and the Vikings are driving.
3:19- Vikings are in a 3rd and long. This is where the Panthers should be able to control the game better...since Gus Frerotte is the quarterback.
..........1st down Vikings on a screen pass. The Panthers have never been able to cover a screen pass. Never ever.....
3:21- According to Ron Pitts, it is the end of the 1st quarter now. Two and a half hours for the first quarter, man, they need to hurry these games up.
I don't like being so hard on announcers but it is hard to believe these guys are the best Fox could find.
3:24- Back on CBS, Matty Ice is not looking too good. He missed a wide open receiver and fumbled. The New England fans are heading for the exits. Bill Simmons must be pissed.
Simmons had a theory earlier this week that Kevin O'Connell was going to be starting come Week 11 and that is why the Pats did not sign a QB when Brady went down. I think it is because Cassel has been in the offense for 3 years now and would be better at any point this year than anyone they bring in.
Of course he also said he thought they could get a first round pick for O'Connell down the road, so he clearly doesn't know what he is talking about.
3:28- Back to Fox, Chester Taylor just scored on another screen pass. It is called back on a hold and then Thomas Davis illegally contacted Shaincooeoehehe downfield. I am glad we finally found out Thomas Davis is not dead from his injury earlier.
This game is all FUBAR. Here is my question:
If the Panthers can't get a pass rush, which they can not, how can teams run screen passes on them so successfully? Usually you run a screen just to slow down the rush. The Vikings are running them just to fuck with the Panthers.
3:31- On CBS, I see that Trent Edwards does not have a touchdown, so Marshawn Lynch must have scored the touchdown. That is the good thing about the Bills. When you see they have 7 points, you know either Lynch scored it or Edwards through a touchdown pass, so you really only need to draft those two in any fantasy league and you will get 7 points every week!
That was my justification for drafting both of them.
3:34- Back to Fox. My Mexican panther-cat just passed gas, I think, and that is about how I feel about this too.
3:38- Field goal for the Vikings. 20-10 Vikings.
3:41- Panthers need a good drive, decide to run on second down, though they have 46 yards all day rushing and need 10 points in 7 minutes...and then go 3 and out. They are clearly playing for overtime at this point.
3:44- Back to CBS for my sanity. O'Connell is playing for the Patriots and Chad Henne is in for the Dolphins, so this is going to get ugly as well.
3:50- Jared Allen had approximately 4 sacks on the Panthers final drive...they actually lost 20 yards, so I don't want to really call it a drive.
Let's just end it here. Nothing good can come of either game on television right now.
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