Maybe he's just one of the biggest trash talkers in the NFL. Or maybe it's because he's 1-6 against the Patriots. Whatever the motivation, Joey Porter has all but publicly predicted a Dolphins victory on Sunday.
"I just know he’s not Tom Brady."
"You treat him like you treat a backup. How do you prepare for a backup? He don’t get that many snaps, right? So you throw the kitchen sink at him. that’s what we’re going to do."
"It’ll be good to go out there and get our first victory."
It's one thing to be confident. It's another thing to be cocky. And it's a whole other thing to be cocky on an 0-2 team. A team that was 1-15 last season.
Hopefully this year, Porter will play the role of Anthony Smith. Those at that game last season will remember the chants of "Guarantee" as Smith's mug was flashed on the jumbotron.
Source:
Boston Herald
Boston sports blog featuring Patriots propaganda, and opinions on the Red Sox, Bruins, and Celtics.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
ARE THE SOX WORRIED THEY'VE OVERWORKED PAPELBON?
September 16th, a 1-1 game between two teams tied for first in the AL East. Bottom of the 9th, bases loaded, 1 out. Yet the visiting team didn't have their best reliever on the mound? Why? Why was Jonathan Papelbon milling around the bullpen and not on the mound.
With the bases loaded and 1 out, you want a strikeout pitcher out there. Papelbon is the most prolific K-man on the team, striking out 10.13 batters every 9 innings, or 1.13 every inning. Masterson, on the other hand, has struck out 6.91 batters every 9 innings.
I don't have to deploy an armada of statistics to prove to you that Papelbon is more likely than Masterson to get out of that jam. So why wasn't he used?
They must think he's tired. He's given up 6 runs in his last 3 outings, and only struck out 1 in that stretch. He's relying more and more on his fastball. He's not throwing his slider for strikes. He's falling behind in counts, or struggling to stay ahead in them.
We've seen something like this before back in 2006. Papelbon was overworked, and broke down in September. This season, thanks to the lacklusterness of Okajima, Delcarmen, and the rest of the pen; Papelbon has been used too often.
Here's a chart comparing the wear and tear on Papelbon in 2006, 2007, and 2008. Ext Out = Extended Outings (Appearances of 1.1 innings or more). All stats are totals at the end of August:
| Year: | Games: | Innings: | Ext Out: |
| 2006 | 58 | 68 | 18 |
| 2007 | 47 | 47.1 | 4 |
| 2008 | 56 | 58 | 11 |
The Sox haven't abused Papelbon like they did in 2006, but they haven't been as conservative with him as they were in 2007. Now I think they're worried that he'll be ineffective in October, like he was ineffective in September of '06.
You can't blame Francona for the overuse of Papelbon in 2008. What choice did he have? Okajima took a lot of the slack in 2007, but he's been mediocre at best in '08. Delcarmen hasn't stepped up, and neither have any of the other relievers. The starters are also having difficulty going deep into games.
So in the 11 remaining regular season games, don't expect to see much Papelbon. He'll be used in 3 out save situations, but shouldn't be brought in to get 4 outs. I also wouldn't be surprised if they avoid pitching him on back-to-back days.
Without Papelbon, the Red Sox have little chance to do damage in the playoffs. He gave the Sox 10.2 scoreless innings in the 2007 postseason, including 4.1 innings and 3 saves in the World Series. And the bullpen is even thinner in '08, so we need him healthy and strong.
Source:
ESPN.com
Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Winslow Townson
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
APPARENTLY THE YANKEES HATE NEW YORKERS JUST AS MUCH AS WE DO
It was shoved down our throats at the All-Star Game, and it will be shoved down our throats this weekend. The Yankees are moving across the street to a new Yankee Stadium.
Their new ballpark will be bigger (albeit with slightly fewer seats), with luxury boxes and all the modern amenities of a new stadium. And unlike the original Yankee Stadium, it will be owned by the team, not the City of New York.
But the city and state are still footing the bill for it, at least most of the $1.3 billion price tag. An estimated $550 to $850 million in subsidies from the financially strapped city and state governments of New York will go to help build the new Yankee Stadium. And since the Yankees own the new ballpark, that money is as good as gone.
According to the Westchester Democrat, the Yankees quietly threatened to leave New York in order to secure this massive chunk of public financing.
The Yankees raked in $327 million in revenues last year. That number could nearly double once the new Stadium and its luxury boxes open in 2009. With this kind of present and future cashflow, the Yankees could have easily financed their new ballpark on their own, with the help of a few business loans which would be quickly paid off.
But why pay for something when you can squeeze the city and state in order to get it for free?
I'm all for governments supporting their sports teams. Philadelphia built new facilities for the Eagles just a few years ago. But the city owns that stadium. Massachusetts improved infrastructure around the new Gillette Stadium. But the cost of that paled in comparison to the price Bob Kraft paid to build the actual stadium with his own money.
The state of New York will have an estimated $6.4 billion budget deficit next year. But the Yankees don't care. They have a new Yankee Stadium, financed to a large extent by the taxpayers of New York, and the team will pocket ALL the revenues it generates.
Sources:
Associated Press via Yahoo! Sports
Crain's New York Business.com
Gotham Gazette
Their new ballpark will be bigger (albeit with slightly fewer seats), with luxury boxes and all the modern amenities of a new stadium. And unlike the original Yankee Stadium, it will be owned by the team, not the City of New York.
But the city and state are still footing the bill for it, at least most of the $1.3 billion price tag. An estimated $550 to $850 million in subsidies from the financially strapped city and state governments of New York will go to help build the new Yankee Stadium. And since the Yankees own the new ballpark, that money is as good as gone.
According to the Westchester Democrat, the Yankees quietly threatened to leave New York in order to secure this massive chunk of public financing.
The Yankees raked in $327 million in revenues last year. That number could nearly double once the new Stadium and its luxury boxes open in 2009. With this kind of present and future cashflow, the Yankees could have easily financed their new ballpark on their own, with the help of a few business loans which would be quickly paid off.
But why pay for something when you can squeeze the city and state in order to get it for free?
I'm all for governments supporting their sports teams. Philadelphia built new facilities for the Eagles just a few years ago. But the city owns that stadium. Massachusetts improved infrastructure around the new Gillette Stadium. But the cost of that paled in comparison to the price Bob Kraft paid to build the actual stadium with his own money.
The state of New York will have an estimated $6.4 billion budget deficit next year. But the Yankees don't care. They have a new Yankee Stadium, financed to a large extent by the taxpayers of New York, and the team will pocket ALL the revenues it generates.
Sources:
Associated Press via Yahoo! Sports
Crain's New York Business.com
Gotham Gazette
SOX HOMER THEIR WAY INTO FIRST PLACE
The Sox hadn't won a game in Tropicana Field in nearly a year (September 22nd, 2007). But Scott Kazmir had absolutely nothing last night. The Sox hit 6 homeruns, 4 of them off Kazmir in his 3 innings. The Rays, for their part, hit 3 homers of their own.
Every Sox starter got a hit, except Lowrie, who walked 3 times. Jason Bay hit his 30th RBI of the season. Matsuzaka had a typical Dice-K start, throwing 101 pitches through 5 innings and getting win #17.
Weird stat: 4 of Akinori Iwamura's 6 homeruns this season have come off Red Sox pitching.
The Twins lost, so the Red Sox also have a 7 game cushion in the Wild Card.
Josh Beckett (12-9, 4.10 ERA) faces Andy Sonnanstine (13-7, 4.47). Beckett's allowed 1 earned run in his last two starts. Sonnanstine held the Sox to an unearned run in his last start, a 7 inning Tampa Bay victory (he got a no decision).
A win tonight, and the Red Sox would have sole possession of first place for the first time since June 28th.
Source:
ESPN.com
Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Mike Carlson
Monday, September 15, 2008
DEAR DIARY... IT'S ME, PEYTON
Sunday was scary. We nearly lost... again. That would have made me sad. I got so nervous that I'd cry if we lost, that I started to cry. Usually when I cry, Jeff Saturday consoles me, but I couldn't find him. Nor could I find Dallas, who usually lets me play with his sock puppets when I'm upset.
We won though, and Coach Tony took us all out for pizza (YAY!). Adam got the last slice, which made me sad. Tony said "You threw two interceptions and Adam won us the game, sorry little buddy." I didn't cry, but I locked myself in the Chuck E Cheese bathroom for 3 hours, pouting.
But ESPN cheered me up this morning. They reminded everyone that I didn't get to play in the preseason because of an owie. And they focused on how I brought the Colts back from 15 whole points down, even though it was my fault we were down by 15.
I was happy we played in Minnesota. They have a dome too! I don't like playing sports in the outside, especially in chilly places like Minnesota and Indiana. Brrrrrrrrr! Football was meant to be played away from bad weather with sunshine and short sleeves and rainbows!
Looking at that picture reminds me to ask Bill Polian to rename the Colts. We should be the Indianapolis Unicorns. Colts are mean. Unicorns are magical!
Well, I have to go, it's Monday which means the team is watching film. Last week it was The Muppets Take Manhattan. This week I hope it's Toy Story 2. I love Buzz Lightyear! I've dressed up as Buzz the last 6 Halloweens.
After that I have 15 commercials to film. But you know my normal Monday routine.
Goodbye, diary! I'll miss you!
To infinity, and beyond!
Love,
Peyton
We won though, and Coach Tony took us all out for pizza (YAY!). Adam got the last slice, which made me sad. Tony said "You threw two interceptions and Adam won us the game, sorry little buddy." I didn't cry, but I locked myself in the Chuck E Cheese bathroom for 3 hours, pouting.
But ESPN cheered me up this morning. They reminded everyone that I didn't get to play in the preseason because of an owie. And they focused on how I brought the Colts back from 15 whole points down, even though it was my fault we were down by 15.
I was happy we played in Minnesota. They have a dome too! I don't like playing sports in the outside, especially in chilly places like Minnesota and Indiana. Brrrrrrrrr! Football was meant to be played away from bad weather with sunshine and short sleeves and rainbows!
Looking at that picture reminds me to ask Bill Polian to rename the Colts. We should be the Indianapolis Unicorns. Colts are mean. Unicorns are magical!
Well, I have to go, it's Monday which means the team is watching film. Last week it was The Muppets Take Manhattan. This week I hope it's Toy Story 2. I love Buzz Lightyear! I've dressed up as Buzz the last 6 Halloweens.
After that I have 15 commercials to film. But you know my normal Monday routine.
Goodbye, diary! I'll miss you!
To infinity, and beyond!
Love,
Peyton
PATS STILL AMONG THE BEST IN THE AFC
After winning against Kansas City, but losing Tom Brady, the Patriots slipped from 1st to 9th in ESPN's NFL Power Rankings last week. Many others had them falling further then that. Meanwhile, 0-1 San Diego, and 0-1 Indianapolis moved up ahead of them.
But neither of these teams have impressed. The Chargers defense looked godawful yesterday, giving up 39 points to Denver. The Colts may have won their game against Minnesota, but they they played like shit.
The Steelers are legit. 10-6 wins might not make much for highlight reels, but that's how Pittsburgh wins games when they're playing well. They threw 19 times and ran 31 times last night. That's a good indicator that they're on their game.
The Bills could prove troublesome, especially once the weather turns in Buffalo (which happens alarmingly quick, believe me). The 0-2 Jaguars don't look like the "team nobody wants to play." The Titans look solid even without Vince Young. But that's about it for impressive AFC teams.
The Pats have a not-so-secret weapon on their side: the schedule. Going by last week's power rankings, they get to play the 32nd ranked Rams, 30th ranked Raiders, 28th ranked Dolphins (twice), and the 27th ranked 49ers.
But neither of these teams have impressed. The Chargers defense looked godawful yesterday, giving up 39 points to Denver. The Colts may have won their game against Minnesota, but they they played like shit.
The Steelers are legit. 10-6 wins might not make much for highlight reels, but that's how Pittsburgh wins games when they're playing well. They threw 19 times and ran 31 times last night. That's a good indicator that they're on their game.
The Bills could prove troublesome, especially once the weather turns in Buffalo (which happens alarmingly quick, believe me). The 0-2 Jaguars don't look like the "team nobody wants to play." The Titans look solid even without Vince Young. But that's about it for impressive AFC teams.
The Pats have a not-so-secret weapon on their side: the schedule. Going by last week's power rankings, they get to play the 32nd ranked Rams, 30th ranked Raiders, 28th ranked Dolphins (twice), and the 27th ranked 49ers.
J-E-T-S STILL SUCK SUCK SUCK
A friend of mine put it best:
Mangenius + Favre - Brady = 10 points and still lose
What Patriot fan wasn't reminded of 2001 during this contest? The 19-10 score looks like something you'd see from that season. Matt Cassel's stat-line was eerily similar to Tom Brady's typical day 7 seasons ago. 16/23, 165 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT. And when was the last time a Patriot kicker had 4 field goals?
Matt Cassel didn't look great. He didn't look bad. He was a bit unpolished at times, which is to be expected for someone making their first NFL start. But he didn't play like the "career backup" some have labelled him. He looked like a talented guy that's played behind two Heisman winners and a Hall of Famer.
I'll admit, it was frustrating at times. Last year, the Pats scored at will, and could do so in one big play. That wasn't true Sunday afternoon.
But with the offense becoming less explosive, the defense has stepped up and become much more exciting. How many times can you remember the Pats forcing 3 and outs last year? The defense had four 3 and outs yesterday.
They pressured Favre, did a good job in coverage, bent, but didn't break.
Ellis Hobbs had a great game, as did Deltha O'Neal. Seymour and Adalius did a good job of pressuring Favre. It was Adalius' double-sack of Favre and Jones at the end that sealed the victory.
We learned two very important things Sunday:
#1: The Jets still suck. Their coach is a wannabe. Brett Favre isn't a savior. The Bills are more of a threat than the team from New Jersey.
#2: The Patriots DON'T suck. Matt Cassel isn't a bum. The defense is making big plays. Bill Belichick is an amazing coach (although we already knew that).
Dolphins @ Patriots, next Sunday.
Source:
ESPN.com
Photo Credits:
AP Photo/Julie Jacobson
AP Photo/Bill Kostroun
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
ROUND 1 GOES TO SOX
The Red Sox and Rays meet 6 times in 11 days, and the Sox took round 1 thanks to a brilliant start from Papelbon, and a 4 out save from Papelbon. The Sox also set the record for most consecutive sellouts at 456.
All the scoring came in the 1st inning. Ortiz, Youkilis, and Bay each drove in a run, Bay's RBI came via a solo homer.
Lester was the star of the evening, throwing 7.2 scoreless innings, striking out 9. He got into a jam in the 8th, which is why Papelbon came in early. With runners on 2nd and 3rd, Papelbon struck out Rocco Baldelli.
In the 8th inning this year, which is typically a crucial situation if Papelbon is pitching, the Sox closer has held batters to a 1 for 14 clip, striking them out 7 times.
The victory cuts Tampa Bay's AL East lead to half a game. The Sox are 8-2 in their last 10 games. The Rays have lost 4 straight, and have yet to win at Fenway Park this season.
The Twins were idle last night, so the Sox have a 7 game cushion in the Wild Card race. The Yankees are losing 11-1 as I write this. They really do suck.
Tuesday night, 11-6 Scott Kazmir takes on Daisuke Matsuzaka in a battle of sub 3.00 ERAs.
Source:
ESPN.com
Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Winslow Townson
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