History or just another let down

Hey folks, hope everyone had a good Holiday...and now back to sports.

This Sunday, a couple of moments happened in NFL history, and none of them where a good thing.

Sunday say the Lions fall to 0-16, the first team in NFL history to do so. The question I bring to this is, are the Lions the product of a bad GM--who was fired in the middle of the season--or a bad coach. I look at it as the product that Matt Millen put on field, I mean how man wide receivers does a team need to have in the first round, and doesn't it make it hard for a wide receiver to get the ball when he has an inept quarterback and no offensive line or running game to speak off. With this season in the books, the Lions need to find a new GM and find a decent draft, and hope they can turn the season around. I feel sorry for Rob Miranelli, he will be the scapegoat for a season that was out of his control from the get go.

Second we bring you to the Denver Broncos, a team that was tops in the AFC west for all 16 weeks, and ended the season lossing to San Diego, and not making the playoffs. While injuries hit this team hard--7 running backs on injuried reserve--but having a defense that was 28th in the league was just sorry. While injuries can set a team back, the play of the Broncos was poor for the later part of the season. While out a running game, Jay Cutler was forced to pass the ball on almost every play, allowing defenses to key on the pass. Has the time come for the Broncos to part ways with Mike Shannahan? should he step down as head if personel decisions and just focus on coaching? Do Broncos need new set of Coordinators? there are a number of questions that need to be looked at this off season.

Well folks, the regular season is done, and it's time for the playoffs...should be a good year for some teams.

So I've been slacking off

Well, I did it again, despite my best efforts--or lack of--I have failed to post a blog in almost a month, so I would say we have some catch up to do.

A lot of stuff has happened since my last blog, the downfall of many NFL team and shots at the playoffs, my beavers getting crushed at home to Oregon in the Civil and having to ship off to the Sun Bowl once again, a classic BCS screw job--how does Texas not get in the Big XII title after beating Oklahoma at a neutral site. But we need to focus on the present.

Bowl season has started, and today features a team that get a bowl game just based on their name alone. I admit that at one time the sports guy followed The Fighting Irish--as any Irishmen in America I think you have too, unless you grew up in Boston. This is not the same ND team of the past, Charlie Weis has had top recruits come to South Bend and they are still losing to teams that they should have beat, I say Victories over North Carolina, Army, Air Force are not enough when you lose to the worst team in the Big East. I give this game to Hawaii, they are playing a home game, and the Warriors always play well at home.

Yesterday, was a low point in the history of the MAC Kennel, as my Zags, fresh off a lost to #2 UConn, lost at home to the Portland State Vikings. While I have nothing against the Vikings win, I wonder if the Zags have let the hype get to their heads. The Zags are not the teams they were when Big C was in the Stands at the Kennel. While I still feel Mark Few is one of the best coaches in the Country--the numbers don't lie people--I wonder if they are getting away from the players that made them great, where is the heart, where is the passion, where is my 6'8" or 6'9" 265+ center like we used to have, this team has not had a player like that since the graduation of JP Batista. The Zags need to start playing Zags basketball. The WCC is no longer a cake walk, with games against Tennesse and Memphis still on the schedule, it's time to start playing like Cinderella again.

The Holidays are a team that we must look to the world and see what hope can come from people, and this season the sports guy has found a cause he can support. Normally, I read ESPN page 2 to get a little humor with my sports, but this year I found a story involving hope, love, rebuilding, and sports. The 9th Ward Field of Dreams is a great story, I will post this link at the end if you want to read the story. I have always felt sports was a way to bring a community and people together when things were bad. Additionally, I have always viewed sports as a way to keep the youth of America involved, in shape, and working as a team and learning about wins and losses and what the real world is all about, and that not everyone will make it to the Pros, but with the help of sports, people who could not go to college can get a chance at a free education. Here is the link the the 9th Ward Field of Dreams story: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=clemmons/081222

On this Christmas eve I wish everyone a happy Holidays, Goodwill toward men (and women) Happy Holidays Everyone

The Sports Guy's First Sunday preview...and it only took till week 13

Good Morning, and welcome to Sunday...for some a day of rest, for others a day spent recovering from the their college team winning or losing and watching the big boys play.

With the help of Thanksgivng, instead of the normal single Thursday night game, we had three, which means, a couple less game to talk about today, and I don't have to try and defend my Seahawks once again.

This Sunday features some great conference and division match ups, so lets begin.

SF vs Buffalo: The 49ers seem to still have many of the struggles that force Mike Nolan out of his job earlier in the season, and while I like Mike Singletary--and I feel he will be a head coach with someone, I don't think they way he has coached will keep him as the head coach of the 49ers after this season. Buffalo was a team that was tearing up teams, and looked like the team to beat after Tom Brady went down for New England. Buffalo is 6-5 and currently tied with Miami for 4th in the division--ok it could be tied for third, but come on. I do feel that Trent Edwards is the best man to lead the Bills, the defense has been hurt by the injury bug. I just don't think the 49ers can pull this one off, I like the Bills

Baltimore vs. Cincinnati: Why people are not calling for the head of Marvin Lewis, I have no idea. The Bungles are playing the worst footbal they have play under Marvin Lewis, and with Owner Paul Brown flip flopping on police blotter prone Chris Henry, you wonder if they are really just trying to win at any cost. This team has not been the same since Carson Palmer was hit below the knee, pretty much making him a totally different QB. Baltimore, behind rookie QB and RB Joe Flacco and Ray Rice win this one, making it the 16th season for Cincinnati with at least 10 losses.

Colts vs Browns: I'm going to go with the Colts on this one, and I think this is the last season for Romeo Crennel and GM Savage. As much as I want to support former Beavers QB Derek Anderson, Cleveland is not the team it was last year, even if this is not the same Colts teams as before.

Pathers vs Packers: After getting blown out buy the Saints on Monday, you have to wonder how much the Packers are smarting after that one. The Panters are playing pretty well this season, currently tied with Tampa at 8-3, they have a good defense, and they seem to have found that power back in Jonathan Stewart to give them the running back tandom that is working so well in the NFL right now. As much as I see this as a must win for the Packers, I see the Panthers pulling it off in Green Bay.

Dolphins vs Rams: The Dolphins are winning, and they are playing good football on both sides of the field, I just don't know how they though the Hoodie would fall for the Wildcat formation twice in one season. The Lambs, are just bad, their defense--which they tried to up grade with DE Chris Long, do using the 2008 Mr. Irrelevant David Vobora as their starting MLB. The Dolphins and NFL Sack Leader Joey Porter have a field day against the former greatest show on Turf.

Saints vs Bucs: Coming off of a blow out of the Packers Monday night the Saints hope to crawl back in to the divsion picture against the Division Leading Bucs. While they might be the greatest show on Turf, the Saints might have a tougher time on grass playing and Raymond James Staduim

Giants vs Redskins: in a classice NFC East match up, we have a banged up Redskins squad, playing against a Giants Squad that has all of the member of Earth, Wind, and Fire back, but might be distracted by the actions of WR Plaxico Burress--the dude shot himself in the leg, he's lucky he didn't pull a chedder bob from 8 mile and blow his balls off. I think the Giants three headed monster helps them as they show that winning the Super Bowl last year was no fluke.

Atlanta vs San Diego: When will people learn that Norv Turner is a great coordinator, but a crappy head coach, a team with this many weapons should not be playing this poorly, and while the loss of LB Shawn Merrimen is a big loss, I just don't know how the rest of the defense can play so poorly. Atlanta is a team on the rise, forget Mike Vick, Matt Ryan is the QB for this team, and added with Michael "the Burner" Tuner, Hotlanta should be a team in the NFC south for a while.

Steelers vs Pats: Matt Cassel is the next Tom Brady...now that I said that, no, Matt Cassel is not the next Tom Brady, Matt Cassel is a QB that was so underrated he didn't even start at USC, and use that is the same as Tom Brady not starting at Michigan, but people trust Matt Cassel will be a great QB in the NFL, but not with New England. Pittsburgh is, well, Pittsburgh, defense plays well, Big Ben has moments, and they run the ball with who ever is healthy, I think the Pats pull this one off at home.

Denver vs NY Jets: This should be a good one folks, a very hot Jets team against a Broncos team that plays well on the Road. Broadway Brett has the Jets in the Divison lead, sure he might not know most of the plays, and he just gun slings it like he did in GB, but they are winning games and playing well. Denver has been hit hard by injuries, but super Rookies Peyton Hillis, Spenser Larsen, and Ryan Clady have kept the Broncos in it while they try to get their Pro Bowlers back. While Denver is a good team on the Road, I think old Gun Slinger Brett will take the Jets to the top in this one.

KC vs Oakland: why would I even care about this game

The night cap: Division rivals, and co-leaders Vikings vs Bears: the Bears are playing well behind Kyle Orton and Joe Forte, while the Vikings defense and AP are keeping them in the race, this should be a good old fashioned NFC North Game, and I like the Bears pulling it off in the Metrodome.

Look for follow up, and my Monday Night preview tomorrow! 

Oh what a day

Well, what can we say...the hope of a Beavers Rose Bowl Bid was crushed with the Civil war tonight, and folks it was not pretty.

We will get the that here in a bit, but first we must recap the weekend in sports so far.

Thursday I think I called most of the games pretty well, but to be honest I was very surprised not only by the play of the Eagle on Thursday night, but I was also impressed at how well Brian Westbrook played. I have never really given Westbrook the benefit of the doubt that he is one of the top players in the NFL, but he once again stepped up and not only helped his team in a game that they had to win, but help his QB get out of a funk which was making him one of the common targets of the Philly Boo Birds, but then again these people booed McNabb on Draft day when he was taken over Ricky Williams in the draft...then again who has had a better career so far...and then again Philly did Boo Santa.

I was luck enough to not have to watch the slaughtering that was layed on my Seahawks. It is hard to think that just three years ago the Seahawks were a couple of dropped passes, and crappy officating away from being the Super Bowl Champions, but now, now they are back to being a laughing stock, a team that is just an old shell of what they used to be, I feel like we are back in the Kingdome getting bowled over by Bo Jackson. Was losing Steve Hutchinson really the biggest blow to the Seahawks? Is Matt Hassleback out of the skills he needs to make it as a top QB in the NFC? Was the draft picks we sent to New England for Dieon Branch really a smart idea? we are not the team that went to the Super Bowl after the 2005 season. Seattle has a lot of work to rebuild on next season, but we do we need to make a better team next season, is Jim Mora the coach that we want, or is he going to pull a Nick Saban and jump ship to UW? we will get to that at another time.

Thanksgiving Night was able to attend my first Nuggets game at the Pepsi Center, and people, let me tell you, The Pepsi center is a great place to watch a game, and the show that is done for the game is top notch, and the Nuggets are doing pretty well to boot. Plan on a Nuggets focused Blog tomorrow.

Well I think it's time to face reality and spill out what happend to my Beavers, it was not pretty, and it was a sad way to end a season that was pointed in the right direction for a little while.

Oregon crushed Oregon State 65-38, setting a team record for most yards in a single game, 694, and Oregon State allowed the most points in a single game, folks, it was not pretty and not even close. The Beavers defense was over matched most of the game allowing Oregon to rush for 385 yards, and allowing Jeremiah Johnson to rush for 202 yards in the first half of the game alone. Why I have never really been a huge fan of the spread option offense--I'm more old school when it comes to offense, and more modern in my defensive philosopy--but Chip Kelly may have found the QB he needs to run that offense at Oregon in Jeremiah Masoli. Oregon State was playing with out Pac-10 leading rusher Jaquizz Rodgers, and in the second half older brother James went down as well. The Beavers did have a big game from QB Lyle Moevao, but is was well noticed that they need the Rodgers brothers to be the same team they were in the middle part of the season.

With the loss it leaves the Pac-10 bowl picture looking like this:

USC with play in the Rose Bowl against Penn State. Am I the only one who is tired of seeing USC in the Rose Bowl? I understand that they are the best team in the Pac-10, but I'm really tired of seeing Crimson and gold in the Rose Bowl what seems to be every New Years day playing a Big Ten team that was good on paper, and everyone says is the team to the bet and one of the top teams, and then just gets crushed by the Torjans.

Oregon, with it's win over OSU, will take second in the Pac-10, and will play the number three team from the the Big XII, and I don't even want get started on that conference yet, in the Holiday Bowl. Ducks have been to the Holiday bowl a number of times, last time in 2005 when they were crushed byt Oklahoma...it could be a rematch this season.

Oregon State witll go on to play in the Sun Bowl, again, against at Big XII team, possibly Mizzou...again, just like two years ago.

It was a rough loss for the Beavers, but it was a great season, and we have some things to work on, but things are looking up, not bad for a team picked to finish 5th in the Pac-10.

So much to be Thankful for

Welcome fans,

While I admit that I have always lived a little in the dark as far as the tech world goes, I was recently informed of podcast...for being 25 I am really behind in the times, but then again a life spent in construction will do that to a person. Now that I can listen to sports related material all most 24-7 now, things are looking up even more.

I post this blog on Thanksgiving, I must take some time to list all the things I am thankful for:

-My family, the only people I know who are still able to put up with all of my sports talk,.

-My friends, who willing listen to my sports talk

-the fact that all of my Seattle sports teams are reached a new low, and I have to defend then and say "you know, it wasn't that long ago that the_______ reached _____ and had a decent season."

-That the NFL does their draft listings by record and not some stupid lottery

-That I live in a city that has every major and minor sport I can think of.

-Wireless internet

-Football

-The Kansas plan

-the start of college baskeball

-That my Zags are ranked in the Top 10

-Coffee, thank god for coffee

While I write most of this in fun, we must look to what we really can be thankful for.

and now back to football.

This is a big week for the sports guy, not only does he get three NFL games this Thursday, and a Texas-Texas A&m game thrown in there, but we have sports all weekend long.

Thursday we start with the Lion at the Titans, two teams that seem to be headed in completely different directions. The Lions are a sad, sad team, I still remember the days of Barry Sanders and the decent Lions team that meet a up and coming Tampa Bay team in the Playoffs, oh how they have become a joke now, I feel sorry for Rob Marinelli, I know he has heart and passion, too bad his players don't.

The early afternoon game features and Cowboys team that must win and a seahawks team who, well...can we say we are back to being the Seachickens? I mean what happened, The walrus says that he's done after this season, did the players decide that they were done before the season? two weeks in a row we have a change to come back and Hassleback throw an INT, oh the joy of being a Seattle sports fan....I think I know how Cubs fans feel.

and the Suprise team of the year for me--in the NFC--the Cards play a Eagles team that is no in such a great place, your offense is stagnate, your QB get told he is benched by his position coach, and the back up plays no better, I like the Cards pulling off a big win over one of the old powers of the NFL.

Saturday we have the Civil War, the oldest rivallry west the the Mississippi...and this one has meaning, for the first time since 1994, for a little history in 1994 the Oregon Ducks needed to beat Oregon State to go to the Rose bowl, bear in mind that that Beavers team had only won 3 games all season, but this is the big one Beaver Believers, if our little bucked toothed mammals can win this one, we go to our first Rose Bowl in 65 years, for a rematch against Penn State. In the last 11 meetings 10 times the home team has one, the one exception was last season when OSU beat the Ducks .in Autzen to take the first away from home Civil War game in a long long time. This could be a difficult game. Oregon and Oregon State are both ranked in the top 20 in both polls, and Oregon is coming off of a week of rest and a career high game from the QB. The Beavers come in with some questions, Who will start at QB? is the 'Quizz show ready for this week? How bad is his shoulder? is the Defense ready for a big game?

Well I'm off for every fat kids favorite Holiday, enjoy the games, enjoy the food, enjoy the time with loved ones.

Happy Thanksgiving

Well Come to the First Blog

Welcome one and all the the first of Big C the Sports Guy's blog here on blogger. Now that the Sports guy has moved to a city with a lot more sports to cover plan to find this updated a little more. as always I can still be found at www.myspace.com/bigcthesportsguy.