A year ago, Richard Sandomir and Mark Reiter came out with "The Enlightened Bracketologist," an amazing book which basically put all sorts of fun debates into a bracket -- as one contributor to Page 2's epic bracket strategy of the earlier part of this decade, I obviously approve.
They have put out a new edition, now titled "The Final Four of Everything" -- a much better title, although I am shocked that the NCAA was cool with them appropriating the name "Final Four," which I believe is trademarked. (And doesn't ESPN own "bracketology?" How could they not?)
It's even better this edition: First, it's a paperback, so it's cheaper. Second, there is a ton more in there, including 28 brackets specifically dedicated to sports, prepared by the likes of David Maraniss (Olympic Athletes), Pete Thamel (Absurd College Nicknames), Stefan Fatsis (Field Goals and PATs), Advertising Icons (Bryan Curtis) and 21st Century Sports Books (Will Leitch).
Here is where the book takes it to another level: Bracket Smackdown, a Web site that not only promotes the book, but promotes the idea of creating your own brackets, across an infinite number of topics. It also lets you see what others have created, filtered by most recent or most popular. It is arguably the most clever book-promotion Web site I have ever seen.
Some enterprising sports site -- or entertainment or news site -- should partner with them to promote the widget and its results; it is a neverending source of fresh, clever content (and it speaks to the ways that open-source, let-the-fans-in editorial strategies can be huge winners).
When the first edition of the book came out, I said that it was an absolute must-have -- you'll want this on your coffee table or bookshelf, and it is a fantastic conversation/argument-starter. This new edition is even better -- if you haven't gotten it yet (or even if you have the first edition), it's a must-have. (And the Web site is a time sink, but so worthwhile.)
-- D.S.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Thursday 05/07 A.M. Quickie:
Kobe, Artest, Rondo, Johan, Big 12, More
I like the Lakers as underdog assholes more than regal favorites. It reminds you that Kobe's game is as much psychology as physiology -- same with Phil Jackson.
Ron Artest blowing up? You could see it coming. It's almost cliche. But it certainly makes Game 3 all the more intriguing. The Rockets don't have any fear of LA -- but they might be too intentionally willfully resistant.
Lakers-Rockets -- now a bruising battle out of the Eastern Conference circa mid-90s -- leads today's SN column.
More you'll find:
*Rondo: Better than Pierce. Better than Allen. More valuable than KG.
*Johan Santana: Better than Greinke. (Oh no you didn't!)
*Big 12: Coaches deliver an epic F-U to Texas.
*Pengins: Not dead yet! (I said "yet.")
*Calipari: Yikes, that's a really good recruiting class.
Complete column here. More later.
-- D.S.
Ron Artest blowing up? You could see it coming. It's almost cliche. But it certainly makes Game 3 all the more intriguing. The Rockets don't have any fear of LA -- but they might be too intentionally willfully resistant.
Lakers-Rockets -- now a bruising battle out of the Eastern Conference circa mid-90s -- leads today's SN column.
More you'll find:
*Rondo: Better than Pierce. Better than Allen. More valuable than KG.
*Johan Santana: Better than Greinke. (Oh no you didn't!)
*Big 12: Coaches deliver an epic F-U to Texas.
*Pengins: Not dead yet! (I said "yet.")
*Calipari: Yikes, that's a really good recruiting class.
Complete column here. More later.
-- D.S.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Launching Today: SportsBlogTweets.com
Great concept from SportsFanLive.com (founded by David Katz, who used to run Yahoo Sports): Sports Blog Tweets, which consolidates all the tweets from a huge list of good bloggers using Twitter. They did something similar for athletes: Athlete Tweets.
Most folks probably view Twitter through their own set-up (via Twitter) or maybe through Tweetie or TweetDeck -- obviously, this includes all of the folks whom you have opted into following. But I see the value of Sports Blog Tweets as a destination: Use it to keep track of the wider conversation or to scout for new quality folks to follow.
Twitter hit critical mass among sports bloggers, mainstream sports media, athletes and fans more generally about 6-8 weeks ago. If you're not on there, you should really check it out, as it is changing the sports-fan conversation and consumer experience dramatically, particularly during the day. (You are welcome to join me @danshanoff.)
-- D.S.
Most folks probably view Twitter through their own set-up (via Twitter) or maybe through Tweetie or TweetDeck -- obviously, this includes all of the folks whom you have opted into following. But I see the value of Sports Blog Tweets as a destination: Use it to keep track of the wider conversation or to scout for new quality folks to follow.
Twitter hit critical mass among sports bloggers, mainstream sports media, athletes and fans more generally about 6-8 weeks ago. If you're not on there, you should really check it out, as it is changing the sports-fan conversation and consumer experience dramatically, particularly during the day. (You are welcome to join me @danshanoff.)
-- D.S.
Drew Magary On Favre To His Vikings
Exactly the kind of Viking-fan self-recriminaton I was talking about in the column and Quickie post this morning.
Wednesday 05/06 A.M. Quickie:
Favre, LeBron, Nuggets, Royals, Vick, More
You all know I'm firmly in the Favre-hater camp. Would it surprise you to know that I want him to come back, to the Vikings?
Obviously, I can't stand the thought of the media coverage -- or Favre himself -- but I can't help but see the intrigue in Packers fans freaking when they realize that this isn't late-career Favre turning on him -- this is how Favre always HAS BEEN. As a bonus, we get to see Vikings fans abandoning their truest selves to root for him.
That leads today's SN column. It was enough to bump MVP LeBron and Cavs Game 1 from the lead today, although I'd argue that tonight's Game 2s are far more interesting than the throttlings going on in the other two series (Cavs-Hawks and Nuggets-Mavs).
Meanwhile, I'm still playing with this "bullet point" format for my daily MLB observations in the column. I'm not sure it gives me enough room to talk about the big stories -- like the Royals' surge or LA's 12-0 home record or even (yeesh) Yanks-Sox, which is so owned by the Red Sox right now that I'm not even sure that it qualifies as a real rivalry anymore.
Lots to cover today: Here's the complete column. More later.
-- D.S.
Obviously, I can't stand the thought of the media coverage -- or Favre himself -- but I can't help but see the intrigue in Packers fans freaking when they realize that this isn't late-career Favre turning on him -- this is how Favre always HAS BEEN. As a bonus, we get to see Vikings fans abandoning their truest selves to root for him.
That leads today's SN column. It was enough to bump MVP LeBron and Cavs Game 1 from the lead today, although I'd argue that tonight's Game 2s are far more interesting than the throttlings going on in the other two series (Cavs-Hawks and Nuggets-Mavs).
Meanwhile, I'm still playing with this "bullet point" format for my daily MLB observations in the column. I'm not sure it gives me enough room to talk about the big stories -- like the Royals' surge or LA's 12-0 home record or even (yeesh) Yanks-Sox, which is so owned by the Red Sox right now that I'm not even sure that it qualifies as a real rivalry anymore.
Lots to cover today: Here's the complete column. More later.
-- D.S.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Tuesday 05/05 A.M. Quickie:
Zack, Rockets, Magic, LeBron, More
Two words: Zack. Greinke. The best story in baseball this season had his best game ever.
It was almost -- almost -- enough to knock the NBA's double-trouble last night from the lead of today's SN column.
I will only say this once: If you look back to November, in the NBA preseason picks, I predicted Rockets-Magic in the NBA Finals. This morning may be as close as I get.
The Rockets were one of a very very short list of teams actually competing for a championship this year, and they seem to have the ingredients to hang with the Lakers: Yao as the hub, Ron-Ron as the X-factor, Battier as the defensive glue, Brooks as the backcourt scoring punch. Anyone else think the Rockets were sunk when Yao went out with 5 minutes to play? Houston was still ahead, but you could see the Lakers coming -- especially if the Rockets didn't have Yao. His return and subsequent contributions (8 pts in the final minutes)... let's just say that if that happened with KG in Boston or LeBron in NY, the hype would never stop.
The Celtics are another matter: Who DIDN'T see the Magic winning in Boston last night coming a mile away? The Celtics probably thought the first two quarters were a few more stanzas of OT against the Bulls -- of course, the Bulls weren't as good as the Magic.
As predictable as the Celtics' Game 1 loss was the notion that the Magic nearly let an umpteen-point lead slip away in the 2nd half. I almost thought they would throw the game away entirely -- but even the psychologically challenged Magic couldn't blow THAT big of a lead.
LeBron as MVP: Really, it was no contest. Statistically, he put together one of the greatest individual seasons of all time. And he led his team to the best record in the NBA, including the 40-win season at home. He makes everyone better and is, himself, unstoppable.
I asked this in the column: At what point does LeBron get the "Anyone But You" effect on his MVP votes? Presumably, he will be the best player in the NBA every year for the next, say, decade. Like they did with Jordan, the MVP voters will want some variety: Maybe Dwight Howard one year, maybe Wade, maybe Durant...eventually.
But let's not kid ourselves: LeBron is the best player in the game. He will remain the best player in the game. He may very well be the best player ever. Without a ring, it is all meaningless.
Complete SN column here. More later.
-- D.S.
It was almost -- almost -- enough to knock the NBA's double-trouble last night from the lead of today's SN column.
I will only say this once: If you look back to November, in the NBA preseason picks, I predicted Rockets-Magic in the NBA Finals. This morning may be as close as I get.
The Rockets were one of a very very short list of teams actually competing for a championship this year, and they seem to have the ingredients to hang with the Lakers: Yao as the hub, Ron-Ron as the X-factor, Battier as the defensive glue, Brooks as the backcourt scoring punch. Anyone else think the Rockets were sunk when Yao went out with 5 minutes to play? Houston was still ahead, but you could see the Lakers coming -- especially if the Rockets didn't have Yao. His return and subsequent contributions (8 pts in the final minutes)... let's just say that if that happened with KG in Boston or LeBron in NY, the hype would never stop.
The Celtics are another matter: Who DIDN'T see the Magic winning in Boston last night coming a mile away? The Celtics probably thought the first two quarters were a few more stanzas of OT against the Bulls -- of course, the Bulls weren't as good as the Magic.
As predictable as the Celtics' Game 1 loss was the notion that the Magic nearly let an umpteen-point lead slip away in the 2nd half. I almost thought they would throw the game away entirely -- but even the psychologically challenged Magic couldn't blow THAT big of a lead.
LeBron as MVP: Really, it was no contest. Statistically, he put together one of the greatest individual seasons of all time. And he led his team to the best record in the NBA, including the 40-win season at home. He makes everyone better and is, himself, unstoppable.
I asked this in the column: At what point does LeBron get the "Anyone But You" effect on his MVP votes? Presumably, he will be the best player in the NBA every year for the next, say, decade. Like they did with Jordan, the MVP voters will want some variety: Maybe Dwight Howard one year, maybe Wade, maybe Durant...eventually.
But let's not kid ourselves: LeBron is the best player in the game. He will remain the best player in the game. He may very well be the best player ever. Without a ring, it is all meaningless.
Complete SN column here. More later.
-- D.S.
Monday, May 04, 2009
Monday 05/04 A.M. Quickie:
Celtics, Nuggets, Crawford, A-Rod, More
Do we really have to talk about A-Rod today?
I guess the other option is to talk about how the NBA Playoffs have reverted to their original state from a few weeks ago -- blah. (But not so "blah" it couldn't lead today's SN column!)
In the end, what did the Celtics-Bulls series really matter? Like the Celtics can beat the Cavs. Game 7 was a let-down -- it certainly dropped the series behind Warriors-Mavs '07 as the best 1st-round series ever. (The difference? How great could it be if the higher-seeded team ends up winning?)
Beyond that, it looks like we'll get barely interesting series -- the Mavs seem overmatched, and though the Rockets are run fascinatingly, they have "won" simply by getting out of the 1st round.
In the East, the Cavs will blow past the Hawks, and -- again -- does it really matter if the Celtics or the Magic advance? I guess we want to see Celtics-Cavs for the East title.
Meanwhile, in MLB, there's A-Rod, but there are also more fun topics -- like Carl Crawford's 6 steals (not bad in an era where steals have been debunked as more harm than help). Or Verlander's 11 Ks. Or the Strasburg Watch.
Complete column here. More later.
- D.S.
I guess the other option is to talk about how the NBA Playoffs have reverted to their original state from a few weeks ago -- blah. (But not so "blah" it couldn't lead today's SN column!)
In the end, what did the Celtics-Bulls series really matter? Like the Celtics can beat the Cavs. Game 7 was a let-down -- it certainly dropped the series behind Warriors-Mavs '07 as the best 1st-round series ever. (The difference? How great could it be if the higher-seeded team ends up winning?)
Beyond that, it looks like we'll get barely interesting series -- the Mavs seem overmatched, and though the Rockets are run fascinatingly, they have "won" simply by getting out of the 1st round.
In the East, the Cavs will blow past the Hawks, and -- again -- does it really matter if the Celtics or the Magic advance? I guess we want to see Celtics-Cavs for the East title.
Meanwhile, in MLB, there's A-Rod, but there are also more fun topics -- like Carl Crawford's 6 steals (not bad in an era where steals have been debunked as more harm than help). Or Verlander's 11 Ks. Or the Strasburg Watch.
Complete column here. More later.
- D.S.
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Sunday 05/03 (Very) Quickie
I had thought that the Celtics-Bulls series couldn't possibly be diminished from its Game 7 -- how can you screw up a Game 7, when the first 6 were so awesome?
But that's what happened: BECAUSE the first 6 (well, 5 of 6) were so awesome, Game 7 felt... like a let-down. It didn't really go down to the final minutes -- the Bulls were a little too far out the entire way in. There was no last-shot drama, no buzzer-beater.
And, face it: For this to be truly special, the Bulls would have to have won in Boston, eliminating the defending champs.
Compare that to the Kentucky Derby, which was spectacular -- all you needed was that final 15 seconds, when Mine That Bird went from back-of-the-pack to the lead...then about 10 lengths beyond that. All at 50-1. It was an amazing race and amazing result.
Caps beat Pens in NHL Game 1: Simeon Varlamov's save with the game tied 2-2 may have been the greatest hockey save I have ever seen. If the Pens had gone up 3-2, who knows if the Caps would have been able to tie and win the game. Down 0-1, who knows if the Caps would have been able to rally to win the series. Beyond that, it was just a sick save.
MLB Highlights: Sabathia loses (again!)... Dan Haren (11 K) and Ted Lilly (10 K) are the best of the day... I REALLY picked the wrong day not to start Ryan Spilborghs on my fantasy team; it was the best day of his career (3/4, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 3 R, 2 SB)... Hey, the Red Sox finally won at the Trop!
Yeah, Manny Pacquiao is pretty good.
-- D.S.
But that's what happened: BECAUSE the first 6 (well, 5 of 6) were so awesome, Game 7 felt... like a let-down. It didn't really go down to the final minutes -- the Bulls were a little too far out the entire way in. There was no last-shot drama, no buzzer-beater.
And, face it: For this to be truly special, the Bulls would have to have won in Boston, eliminating the defending champs.
Compare that to the Kentucky Derby, which was spectacular -- all you needed was that final 15 seconds, when Mine That Bird went from back-of-the-pack to the lead...then about 10 lengths beyond that. All at 50-1. It was an amazing race and amazing result.
Caps beat Pens in NHL Game 1: Simeon Varlamov's save with the game tied 2-2 may have been the greatest hockey save I have ever seen. If the Pens had gone up 3-2, who knows if the Caps would have been able to tie and win the game. Down 0-1, who knows if the Caps would have been able to rally to win the series. Beyond that, it was just a sick save.
MLB Highlights: Sabathia loses (again!)... Dan Haren (11 K) and Ted Lilly (10 K) are the best of the day... I REALLY picked the wrong day not to start Ryan Spilborghs on my fantasy team; it was the best day of his career (3/4, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 3 R, 2 SB)... Hey, the Red Sox finally won at the Trop!
Yeah, Manny Pacquiao is pretty good.
-- D.S.
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Where Joakim Noah Happens
As THE defining play of the NBA Playoffs (so far), this play deserved the "Where ____ Happens" treatment.
Saturday 05/02 (Very) Quickie
Waiting for Celtics-Bulls Game 7...
Derby: What does it say when the best horse in the world right now -- Rachel Alexandra -- isn't racing in the Kentucky Derby, but cruised to a win in the Kentucky Oaks (...ladies).
NBA Playoffs: Heat-Hawks is going to a Game 7, too. It's just not as exciting as Celtics-Bulls, sorry. And won't the winner of Atlanta-Miami get crushed by the Cavs in 4 or 5 anyway?
MLB: AL East mania. Sox still can't solve the Rays... Yanks got a much-needed late rally... Jays remain the class of the division (fluke? well, just check out the AL-leading run differential).
More later.
-- D.S.
Derby: What does it say when the best horse in the world right now -- Rachel Alexandra -- isn't racing in the Kentucky Derby, but cruised to a win in the Kentucky Oaks (...ladies).
NBA Playoffs: Heat-Hawks is going to a Game 7, too. It's just not as exciting as Celtics-Bulls, sorry. And won't the winner of Atlanta-Miami get crushed by the Cavs in 4 or 5 anyway?
MLB: AL East mania. Sox still can't solve the Rays... Yanks got a much-needed late rally... Jays remain the class of the division (fluke? well, just check out the AL-leading run differential).
More later.
-- D.S.
Friday, May 01, 2009
Obamaball: No. 44 Beats Unbeaten UConn
I cannot get enough video of Barack Obama playing hoops. In this clip, he greets the UConn Huskies -- and beats them in P-I-G. That would be their first loss of the season, right?
Possible Supreme Court Nominee Sonia Sotomayor: Resolved 1994 Baseball Strike
As you see the names of possible Supreme Court nominees to replace David Souter, the one that comes up at the top is Judge Sonia Sotomayor.
She has a direct sports hook: She was the judge who ultimately resolved the 1994 baseball strike. If she can do that, navigating the thicket of Constitutional issues the Court sees should be easy.
-- D.S.
She has a direct sports hook: She was the judge who ultimately resolved the 1994 baseball strike. If she can do that, navigating the thicket of Constitutional issues the Court sees should be easy.
-- D.S.
John Wooden Meets THE_REAL_SHAQ
If John Wooden's Pyramid of Success met Shaq's Twitter feed: This is brilliant. (h/t: TK)
Friday 05/01 A.M. Quickie:
Bulls, Rockets, Derby, Rays, More
Yes, that WAS Joakim Noah with the signature play of last night's epic Bulls win over the Celtics. (Take that, Joakim-haters!)
It was virtually impossible to think that the series could produce a better game than 4 of the previous 5. But it was so much better. How could it NOT lead today's SN column?
It's not unreasonable to throw out the superlative: Best. 1st Round NBA Playoff Series. Ever.
Here's why: Can you remember any, ever? Maybe Nuggets over Sonics in '94, but wasn't that simply for the novelty of the 8-over-1 upset factor, not the quality of the games themselves?
This series is amazing for the actual gameplay. And you don't even have to be a fan of either team to appreciate. Or a loyal fan of the NBA. This is the series for the Everyfan.
The one problem for the NBA: Where can things go up from here? They can't. No matter how Game 7 goes, no series can possibly compare -- not even Kobe vs. LeBron in the Finals.
So let's all appreciate that we have one last game left in this epic Celtics-Bulls series. We'll all be able to say "Man, remember Celtics-Bulls '09? How amazing was THAT?"
Meanwhile: Which is the more remarkable advancement to the 2nd round -- Nuggets or Rockets? The Nuggets added Billups: They SHOULD have advanced. The Rockets added Artest, but didn't have T-Mac: Hmm, maybe they SHOULD have advanced, too. The Rockets had a much tougher opponent and no HCA -- this was a breakthrough for them.
MLB: Is it possible that the Rays' turnaround from a slow start to 2009 started last night with their 13-0 obliteration of the Red Sox? Absolutely.
Complete column here. More later. Stop back at 11:30. By then, it might be everywhere, but it's the most clever sports conceit I have seen in 2009. (Not done by me, obviously -- it's a link.)
-- D.S.
It was virtually impossible to think that the series could produce a better game than 4 of the previous 5. But it was so much better. How could it NOT lead today's SN column?
It's not unreasonable to throw out the superlative: Best. 1st Round NBA Playoff Series. Ever.
Here's why: Can you remember any, ever? Maybe Nuggets over Sonics in '94, but wasn't that simply for the novelty of the 8-over-1 upset factor, not the quality of the games themselves?
This series is amazing for the actual gameplay. And you don't even have to be a fan of either team to appreciate. Or a loyal fan of the NBA. This is the series for the Everyfan.
The one problem for the NBA: Where can things go up from here? They can't. No matter how Game 7 goes, no series can possibly compare -- not even Kobe vs. LeBron in the Finals.
So let's all appreciate that we have one last game left in this epic Celtics-Bulls series. We'll all be able to say "Man, remember Celtics-Bulls '09? How amazing was THAT?"
Meanwhile: Which is the more remarkable advancement to the 2nd round -- Nuggets or Rockets? The Nuggets added Billups: They SHOULD have advanced. The Rockets added Artest, but didn't have T-Mac: Hmm, maybe they SHOULD have advanced, too. The Rockets had a much tougher opponent and no HCA -- this was a breakthrough for them.
MLB: Is it possible that the Rays' turnaround from a slow start to 2009 started last night with their 13-0 obliteration of the Red Sox? Absolutely.
Complete column here. More later. Stop back at 11:30. By then, it might be everywhere, but it's the most clever sports conceit I have seen in 2009. (Not done by me, obviously -- it's a link.)
-- D.S.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Jeremy Tyler and the NBA D-League Option
Must-read from the blog 48 Minutes of Hell on why the NBA's D-League is a fantastic fit for Jeremy Tyler and -- in fact -- any player (at any age) that wants to put pro development first.
I hope my old friend Dan Reed -- Commissioner of the D-League (and, I predict, a future Commissioner of the NBA itself) -- checks this out. It is right in line with the D's role as NBA R&D.
-- D.S.
UPDATE: Ridiculous Upside also covered this angle.
I hope my old friend Dan Reed -- Commissioner of the D-League (and, I predict, a future Commissioner of the NBA itself) -- checks this out. It is right in line with the D's role as NBA R&D.
-- D.S.
UPDATE: Ridiculous Upside also covered this angle.
Thursday 04/30 A.M. Quickie:
A-Rod, Rondo, Hawks, Greinke, Caps
To lead today's SN column, I cannot muster much outrage about the latest A-Rod allegations. Or about Rajon Rondo not being suspended for his hit on Brad Miller. Or, really, about much.
For A-Rod, it's "what ELSE would you think?" For Rondo, it's "It's the CELTICS, people." Outrage is overrated, a wasted emotion.
Besides, if Rondo WAS suspended, the outrage would be on the side of the conspiracy nuts who think the NBA orchestrated a 7th game in their best playoff series.
I can't even get outraged about Brett Favre joining the Vikings -- I think everyone agrees that, beyond the cliched media coverage, it would be good for Minnesota and good for the league.
There is an antidote to outrage: Zack Greinke. But even his story has become a cliche -- merely 5 starts into the 2009 season -- thanks to fawning magazine covers.
Wash your hands, with soap.
Complete column here. More later.
-- D.S.
For A-Rod, it's "what ELSE would you think?" For Rondo, it's "It's the CELTICS, people." Outrage is overrated, a wasted emotion.
Besides, if Rondo WAS suspended, the outrage would be on the side of the conspiracy nuts who think the NBA orchestrated a 7th game in their best playoff series.
I can't even get outraged about Brett Favre joining the Vikings -- I think everyone agrees that, beyond the cliched media coverage, it would be good for Minnesota and good for the league.
There is an antidote to outrage: Zack Greinke. But even his story has become a cliche -- merely 5 starts into the 2009 season -- thanks to fawning magazine covers.
Wash your hands, with soap.
Complete column here. More later.
-- D.S.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Wednesday 04/29 A.M. Quickie:
Pierce, Favre, NHL Game 7s, Obama
There is no way a politics junkie like me could not resist tying the coverage of Obama's "first 100 days" to sports as the lead of today's SN column.
And the President has had a pretty spectacular first 100 days, at least from a sports perspective: His buddy Rooney won a Super Bowl. He picked the NCAA champs. He got to meet Tim Tebow.
In fact, he'll be hard-pressed to top this first 100 days. Good thing he's got that economy to keep him busy.
Meanwhile:
*Damn, is this Celtics-Bulls series amazing.
*You cannot have asked for two better NHL Game 7s than last night.
*Condolences to friends and fans of NASCAR writer David Poole.
And, yes: The Brett Favre Unretirement Watch begins. Why would he get his unconditional release from the Jets if he wasn't thinking about coming back...again?
You KNOW he thinks he can still play. And, now, he can play for the QB-starved Vikings -- his original team of choice -- which happens to have the league's best RB, a hot new rookie WR and everything in place... besides a QB... to make a run in the NFC.
I hate to say it: But he should do it, and the Vikings should quickly sign him. Sigh.
Complete SN column here.
-- D.S.
And the President has had a pretty spectacular first 100 days, at least from a sports perspective: His buddy Rooney won a Super Bowl. He picked the NCAA champs. He got to meet Tim Tebow.
In fact, he'll be hard-pressed to top this first 100 days. Good thing he's got that economy to keep him busy.
Meanwhile:
*Damn, is this Celtics-Bulls series amazing.
*You cannot have asked for two better NHL Game 7s than last night.
*Condolences to friends and fans of NASCAR writer David Poole.
And, yes: The Brett Favre Unretirement Watch begins. Why would he get his unconditional release from the Jets if he wasn't thinking about coming back...again?
You KNOW he thinks he can still play. And, now, he can play for the QB-starved Vikings -- his original team of choice -- which happens to have the league's best RB, a hot new rookie WR and everything in place... besides a QB... to make a run in the NFC.
I hate to say it: But he should do it, and the Vikings should quickly sign him. Sigh.
Complete SN column here.
-- D.S.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
2010 NFL Draft Mania: Tebow Goes To...
Today's SN column led with a look at the 2010 draft. Looks like SI.com was thinking the same thing that the Tuesday after the NFL Draft is for looking ahead to the next year's draft.
(Yes: Tebow in the top half of the draft... to the Redkins. God, that would be ironic for me, given that I grew up disliking the Skins intensely, a rarity for a kid growing up in D.C. in the 80s.)
-- D.S.
UPDATE: So even though I have a pretty good theory that the Patriots will draft Tebow, there is an equally compelling case to be made that his hometown Jaguars would take him, even as a reach.
(Yes: Tebow in the top half of the draft... to the Redkins. God, that would be ironic for me, given that I grew up disliking the Skins intensely, a rarity for a kid growing up in D.C. in the 80s.)
-- D.S.
UPDATE: So even though I have a pretty good theory that the Patriots will draft Tebow, there is an equally compelling case to be made that his hometown Jaguars would take him, even as a reach.
Tuesday 04/28 A.M. Quickie:
2010 Draft, Nuggets 58, NHL Game 7s
At least one Twitter person saw this coming: What does Pat White's draft selection by the Wildcat-crazy Dolphins mean? Tim Tebow's NFL future is on the line.
As I lead in today's SN column, if White takes the Wildcat to a new level -- and I think he will (I predict at least 10 TDs for White from the formation next season) -- Tebow's NFL future is secure. At QB, not tight end, mind you. And it probably even puts him in the top half of the 1st round.
Also, I put my sneaking suspicion/fear on the record: The team that will draft Tebow and deploy him creatively in their own version of the Wildcat? The Patriots. (Yes, I am dreading that, on so many levels.)
I also take a look at the top 2010 Draft prospects at each position, starting with QB: Sam Bradford. He will go No. 1 overall, and that's after the Lions secure the No. 1 draft pick, then trade out to the Seahawks, who have their own pick plus the Broncos' pick to dangle.
Meanwhile: 58 points! 58! That was the margin last night of the Nuggets over the Hornets. It was like New Orleans gave up, but Denver didn't let up at all. The difference between this year's Nuggets with Chauncey Billups and previous years without him is staggering.
There is nothing in sports as intense an NHL Playoffs Game 7 -- we get two tonight, including Caps-Rangers, which should be as intense as it gets. I'll need the split-screen to keep an eye on Celtics-Bulls Game 5 (take a sip of coffee/water/something stronger every time you see the cliche "pivotal").
Maybe it's because I'm in Denver. Maybe it's because I'm still stunned by the Nuggets' victory margin last night. Maybe it's the air. But I saw that Rockies OF Dexter Fowler stole 5 bases in a single game, and I had to pick him up for my fantasy team. And I'm already carrying Ryan Spilborghs as a reserve OF (my starters are Manny, Ellsbury and Choo), but I couldn't resist.
Complete SN column here. More later.
-- D.S.
As I lead in today's SN column, if White takes the Wildcat to a new level -- and I think he will (I predict at least 10 TDs for White from the formation next season) -- Tebow's NFL future is secure. At QB, not tight end, mind you. And it probably even puts him in the top half of the 1st round.
Also, I put my sneaking suspicion/fear on the record: The team that will draft Tebow and deploy him creatively in their own version of the Wildcat? The Patriots. (Yes, I am dreading that, on so many levels.)
I also take a look at the top 2010 Draft prospects at each position, starting with QB: Sam Bradford. He will go No. 1 overall, and that's after the Lions secure the No. 1 draft pick, then trade out to the Seahawks, who have their own pick plus the Broncos' pick to dangle.
Meanwhile: 58 points! 58! That was the margin last night of the Nuggets over the Hornets. It was like New Orleans gave up, but Denver didn't let up at all. The difference between this year's Nuggets with Chauncey Billups and previous years without him is staggering.
There is nothing in sports as intense an NHL Playoffs Game 7 -- we get two tonight, including Caps-Rangers, which should be as intense as it gets. I'll need the split-screen to keep an eye on Celtics-Bulls Game 5 (take a sip of coffee/water/something stronger every time you see the cliche "pivotal").
Maybe it's because I'm in Denver. Maybe it's because I'm still stunned by the Nuggets' victory margin last night. Maybe it's the air. But I saw that Rockies OF Dexter Fowler stole 5 bases in a single game, and I had to pick him up for my fantasy team. And I'm already carrying Ryan Spilborghs as a reserve OF (my starters are Manny, Ellsbury and Choo), but I couldn't resist.
Complete SN column here. More later.
-- D.S.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Monday 04/27 A.M. Quickie:
NFL Draft, Sanchez, Crabtree, More
Traveling Monday morning kept me from posting, but hopefully you headed over to SN to see my column, led by my 2009 NFL Draft superlatives.
Big winners: Mark Sanchez, Percy Harvin, Pat White, Michael Oher, the Seahawks.
Big losers: Michael Crabtree, Matt Stafford (sort of, in a narrowly defined way), Chris Wells, the Broncos.
Complete column here. More tomorrow.
-- D.S.
Big winners: Mark Sanchez, Percy Harvin, Pat White, Michael Oher, the Seahawks.
Big losers: Michael Crabtree, Matt Stafford (sort of, in a narrowly defined way), Chris Wells, the Broncos.
Complete column here. More tomorrow.
-- D.S.
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