The Minnesota Twins have just clinched the division. Well as long as the White Sox don't stage a late innings comeback. What will be interesting though will be to see the Twins celebration. This will be their 6th division title in 9 years. So they aren't shocking the world anymore. The have a payroll of over 100 Million, and are the 11th highest paid team, so they aren't living on a small market budget anymore.
So it'll be interesting to see the celebration. I'm guessing that we'll see the goggles and the other typical horseplay. Don't get me wrong I celebrate a great fart 72 times a day, but the Twins need to act like this isn't the final goal. With all the expectations and the way they've been playing they need to save the crazy celebration, at least the big celebration for after the ALDS or even after winning the ALCS. The goal has to be different than in past years. The division title is nice, but they haven't accomplished much yet. They deserve this title, and earned it. They lost their closer, and best power hitter. So this is an accomplishment. But it's not THE accomplishment. So I'd like to see the Twins celebrate and move on. The goal is to reach the world series, not to reach the playoffs.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Kind of sucks doesn't it?
I'm sure most of you have heard by now, but former ESPN and Chicago columnist Jay Mariotti will be charged with a few counts of domestic abuse. I read an interesting article by Dan LeBatard, http://thebiglead.com/index.php/2010/08/23/dan-lebatard-on-jay-mariotti-the-vitriolic-reaction-to-mariottis-misery-frightened-me/. What I find funny is the double standard these public figures feel they have when the story is about them. It was the same way with Jeff DuBay locally. All the ex-ESPN guys who have been fired. They attack those who question them or even seek out information.
I have a couple of problems with this. First of all this is how these guys have made a living for so long. Criticizing and commenting on the on field and off field issues. Did they leave Ben Roethlisberger alone after his off the field issues. Did they leave Tiger alone? These guys are vultures. And it's not all their fault, they're only like that because their readers, viewers, and listeners want to know. But they also have to realize that when they become the story they'll be the subject of the same harassment and questioning. They can't stand behind their journalist badge. It's the old adage treat other people how you want to be treated. Especially guys like Mariotti who are edgy and in your face. They are treated like politicians who preach all day about how great they are and criticize those they are covering, but when it's all said and done with a lot of them are hypocrites and liars. Take the recent news that the Jets are under scrutiny for making rude comments to a female reporter. Who of these columnists that have ripped them haven't done the same. So these reporters should be the first to understand why when their own personal lives become news, we are quick to jump on the story.
Secondly I'm sick of journalists and radio talk show hosts criticizing bloggers and other amateurs who have used the internet as an avenue to voice their opinion. What makes these guys so high and mighty? What's the difference between Dan Barrerio and myself for example? He is a better writer, he is a better story teller, but as far as opinions go, we are each entitled to our own. So the main difference is he is broadcasting daily to thousands of people on a major market radio show. While I write periodically on a blog to a handful of my friends. But what makes him any more knowledgeable about football than me? I can understand the former players and coaches, who have an inside knowledge of the games they played. But these columnists have nothing on bloggers other than the size of their listening audiences.
Columnists and reporters now days can become news just as easily as the players and sports they cover. They can't hide behind their notepads when things go bad, just as they wouldn't let the players hide. So it's up to bloggers and other amateur media to pick up where they leave off when they're deciding to beat up a wife, or force them selves on an intern.
I have a couple of problems with this. First of all this is how these guys have made a living for so long. Criticizing and commenting on the on field and off field issues. Did they leave Ben Roethlisberger alone after his off the field issues. Did they leave Tiger alone? These guys are vultures. And it's not all their fault, they're only like that because their readers, viewers, and listeners want to know. But they also have to realize that when they become the story they'll be the subject of the same harassment and questioning. They can't stand behind their journalist badge. It's the old adage treat other people how you want to be treated. Especially guys like Mariotti who are edgy and in your face. They are treated like politicians who preach all day about how great they are and criticize those they are covering, but when it's all said and done with a lot of them are hypocrites and liars. Take the recent news that the Jets are under scrutiny for making rude comments to a female reporter. Who of these columnists that have ripped them haven't done the same. So these reporters should be the first to understand why when their own personal lives become news, we are quick to jump on the story.
Secondly I'm sick of journalists and radio talk show hosts criticizing bloggers and other amateurs who have used the internet as an avenue to voice their opinion. What makes these guys so high and mighty? What's the difference between Dan Barrerio and myself for example? He is a better writer, he is a better story teller, but as far as opinions go, we are each entitled to our own. So the main difference is he is broadcasting daily to thousands of people on a major market radio show. While I write periodically on a blog to a handful of my friends. But what makes him any more knowledgeable about football than me? I can understand the former players and coaches, who have an inside knowledge of the games they played. But these columnists have nothing on bloggers other than the size of their listening audiences.
Columnists and reporters now days can become news just as easily as the players and sports they cover. They can't hide behind their notepads when things go bad, just as they wouldn't let the players hide. So it's up to bloggers and other amateur media to pick up where they leave off when they're deciding to beat up a wife, or force them selves on an intern.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Let's get it started
Finally. This has been a long time coming. It's been a long time since we outplayed the Saints, and gave them the ticket to the Super Bowl. Since that time Brett Favre retired and unretired, LT turned us down, the Timberwolves and Wild each missed the playoffs. Well now it's time for us to pay the Saints back.
This is going to be tough game. The Super Bowl winners are 9-1 since the NFL started playing these Thursday opening games. It's going to be a tough environment with a huge home field advantage. But it was last time too. And that wasn't why we lost the last game there.
There are a lot of reasons we won't win this game. But I think there are two reasons we do.
Number one being our defense. Yes our secondary is weak at the moment, but I think our defensive line and linebackers make up for that. I think they'll cause chaos all night.
Number two is Adrian Peterson. I think he's the type of person who doesn't like being questioned. I think he takes pride in his craft, and doesn't like being recognized as the second best running back in the NFL. So I think he'll take it upon himself to have a monster year. And more importantly hang onto the ball.
I'm obviously extremely biased, but I think the teams are very similar to last years teams, I think the environment will be the same. So I think the Vikings hang onto the ball, and win the game 27 - 17.
This is going to be tough game. The Super Bowl winners are 9-1 since the NFL started playing these Thursday opening games. It's going to be a tough environment with a huge home field advantage. But it was last time too. And that wasn't why we lost the last game there.
There are a lot of reasons we won't win this game. But I think there are two reasons we do.
Number one being our defense. Yes our secondary is weak at the moment, but I think our defensive line and linebackers make up for that. I think they'll cause chaos all night.
Number two is Adrian Peterson. I think he's the type of person who doesn't like being questioned. I think he takes pride in his craft, and doesn't like being recognized as the second best running back in the NFL. So I think he'll take it upon himself to have a monster year. And more importantly hang onto the ball.
I'm obviously extremely biased, but I think the teams are very similar to last years teams, I think the environment will be the same. So I think the Vikings hang onto the ball, and win the game 27 - 17.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Optimism
It seems like the Vikings are hit daily with a bit of pessimism. I think a lot of it has to do with Vikings fans afraid to believe. Let's look at the facts.
Let's start with the 41 year old QB. Obviously if he gets hurt that is bad news. But it's also bad news if Peyton Manning, Aaron Rogers, Tony Romo, Drew Brees, or Tom Brady gets hurt. I'll take my chances with a guy who hasn't missed a game since 1992. And if he does get hurt, I don't mind T-Jack or Sage in the back up role. I think T-Jack might be one of the better back-ups in the league. He's like 18-12 as a starter.
Let's move onto the running back. He had a down year for his standards and is being labeled as a fumbler, rightfully so. So he has a lot to prove I think. I think we might need to rely on him more at times than we did last year, and I think if he can answer that and get back to the years prior to last year we'll be just fine. This is all based on the hope that the offensive line improves. I gotta believe that Loadholt is only going to get better. I think Center is becoming a big question mark for this team, so let's wait on that. Maybe they'll get some guy that gets dropped this weekend.
What was Sidney Rice before Favre? Who is Greg Camarillo without Favre? What has Javon Walker done without Favre? Is it the receiver or is it the Quarterback? What if Camarillo plays a Wes Welker like role, and picks up first downs and catches 80-90balls this year? Also how many games has Percy Harvin missed due to these Migraines? He missed one game last year. Let's hold off judgment until he starts missing considerable time with these head aches.
The defense is what I think separates us from the likes of the packer, cowboys, and saints. One corner position is a little weak. The other side is held by a pro bowler. Our linebackers and defensive line are the best in the NFL, and hopefully Ray Edwards can improve again, and give us 1 all pro D end, and another pro bowler on the other side. Teams can't run on us, and if we can put pressure on the QB then the secondary will look better too.
These other teams have problems too. It's just that the other teams weren't a play away from the Super Bowl last year. The other teams weren't in the spotlight all summer because of Brett Favre. Darren Sharper is missing time for the Saints, the Packers defense can't stop anybody in the preseason! So let's all calm down, step off of the ledge, and enjoy the season.
Let's start with the 41 year old QB. Obviously if he gets hurt that is bad news. But it's also bad news if Peyton Manning, Aaron Rogers, Tony Romo, Drew Brees, or Tom Brady gets hurt. I'll take my chances with a guy who hasn't missed a game since 1992. And if he does get hurt, I don't mind T-Jack or Sage in the back up role. I think T-Jack might be one of the better back-ups in the league. He's like 18-12 as a starter.
Let's move onto the running back. He had a down year for his standards and is being labeled as a fumbler, rightfully so. So he has a lot to prove I think. I think we might need to rely on him more at times than we did last year, and I think if he can answer that and get back to the years prior to last year we'll be just fine. This is all based on the hope that the offensive line improves. I gotta believe that Loadholt is only going to get better. I think Center is becoming a big question mark for this team, so let's wait on that. Maybe they'll get some guy that gets dropped this weekend.
What was Sidney Rice before Favre? Who is Greg Camarillo without Favre? What has Javon Walker done without Favre? Is it the receiver or is it the Quarterback? What if Camarillo plays a Wes Welker like role, and picks up first downs and catches 80-90balls this year? Also how many games has Percy Harvin missed due to these Migraines? He missed one game last year. Let's hold off judgment until he starts missing considerable time with these head aches.
The defense is what I think separates us from the likes of the packer, cowboys, and saints. One corner position is a little weak. The other side is held by a pro bowler. Our linebackers and defensive line are the best in the NFL, and hopefully Ray Edwards can improve again, and give us 1 all pro D end, and another pro bowler on the other side. Teams can't run on us, and if we can put pressure on the QB then the secondary will look better too.
These other teams have problems too. It's just that the other teams weren't a play away from the Super Bowl last year. The other teams weren't in the spotlight all summer because of Brett Favre. Darren Sharper is missing time for the Saints, the Packers defense can't stop anybody in the preseason! So let's all calm down, step off of the ledge, and enjoy the season.
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