David Jensen
We are now deep into the sports abyss. Pitchers and catchers report in less than 10 days, and the Twins have done next to nothing this offseason. They signed Punto, Kubel and Guerrier to contract extensions. There have been a lot of rumors floating around, but the only free-agent signed has been a groundskeeper. Unfortunatly it wasn't Kubel, who, for some reason, is the only DH on the 40-man roster. I can tell already that it's going to be a hell of a season.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Not Another Yankee Freak Out
By TS
My freshmen year of college at DSU, I had a speech class in the spring semester. During this class, one of the students gave a speech on why baseball needed a salary cap. This student was a die hard Oakland A's fan, and that week the Yankees had signed Jason Giambi, and many people felt that they Yankees were going to win many championships. Six years later, Giambi is finally off of the Yankees' pay role, and they did not win a championship.
The Yankees have gone crazy again this off season and GM's and speech classes around the country have been filled with cries for a salary cap. However, is this time around any different? Are the Yankees going to run the field and win the title for the rest of mankind? If the last six years were any example, the answer is no.
The Yankees will be a very good team. However, there are three big reasons why the Yankees will not be a dynasty team. Steroids, farm leagues, and chemistry are three things that the Yankees do not have.
The first reason the Yankees are not going to be a dynasty is because the game has changed. Good teams today are teams that have upcoming youth that can stay healthy. Getting a huge free agent won titles in the past. However, how many of these players were on the juice? There is a lot of risk playing with older players who have already gotten their big payday. Jetter and A-Rod are getting older, will they be able to keep production up into their late 30's? This question will determine if they Yankees are on a different level.
A lack of minor league development is the second reason why the Yankees may be outdated. The Yankees should have taken half of the money they spent this off season and plugged it into their farm and scout systems. If you think youth development doesn't matter at the big leagues, consider the following:
The Chicago Cubs were owned by the Wrigley company in the early 1900's (hence the stadium name). Wrigley, the owner, decided early into his tenure that he did not want to pay any players without major league experience; he completely destroyed his farm system. Before this time, the Cubs were a championship ball team. One-hundred years later, the Cubs have yet to recover from the break down of their minor league system (which only lasted a few years). Are the Yankees in this much trouble? Probably not.
Chemistry is the last thing the Yankees need. This team is too business minded, it's amazing that Giambi's mustache was allowed last season. Let's not all freak out...this has happened before, and it will happen again. In the last six years, the Yankees signed Giambi, Pavano, A-Rod, The Big Unit, Johnny Damon, and Abreau. This system has failed, and it will fail again.
My freshmen year of college at DSU, I had a speech class in the spring semester. During this class, one of the students gave a speech on why baseball needed a salary cap. This student was a die hard Oakland A's fan, and that week the Yankees had signed Jason Giambi, and many people felt that they Yankees were going to win many championships. Six years later, Giambi is finally off of the Yankees' pay role, and they did not win a championship.
The Yankees have gone crazy again this off season and GM's and speech classes around the country have been filled with cries for a salary cap. However, is this time around any different? Are the Yankees going to run the field and win the title for the rest of mankind? If the last six years were any example, the answer is no.
The Yankees will be a very good team. However, there are three big reasons why the Yankees will not be a dynasty team. Steroids, farm leagues, and chemistry are three things that the Yankees do not have.
The first reason the Yankees are not going to be a dynasty is because the game has changed. Good teams today are teams that have upcoming youth that can stay healthy. Getting a huge free agent won titles in the past. However, how many of these players were on the juice? There is a lot of risk playing with older players who have already gotten their big payday. Jetter and A-Rod are getting older, will they be able to keep production up into their late 30's? This question will determine if they Yankees are on a different level.
A lack of minor league development is the second reason why the Yankees may be outdated. The Yankees should have taken half of the money they spent this off season and plugged it into their farm and scout systems. If you think youth development doesn't matter at the big leagues, consider the following:
The Chicago Cubs were owned by the Wrigley company in the early 1900's (hence the stadium name). Wrigley, the owner, decided early into his tenure that he did not want to pay any players without major league experience; he completely destroyed his farm system. Before this time, the Cubs were a championship ball team. One-hundred years later, the Cubs have yet to recover from the break down of their minor league system (which only lasted a few years). Are the Yankees in this much trouble? Probably not.
Chemistry is the last thing the Yankees need. This team is too business minded, it's amazing that Giambi's mustache was allowed last season. Let's not all freak out...this has happened before, and it will happen again. In the last six years, the Yankees signed Giambi, Pavano, A-Rod, The Big Unit, Johnny Damon, and Abreau. This system has failed, and it will fail again.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Keep Your Pads On Gus
By TS
Sunday's Vikings' game against the Eagles will have an interesting twist; if Tarvaris Jackson starts out the game with a bad start, will Brad Childress put in Gus Frerotte? In his last three starts, Jackson has been playing fair football. His completions are up, his passing yardage is greater than or equal to 100 yards, and he is also scrambling for some great yardage. However, the Jackson offense has been shut down in the past, it is very possible the Eagles will hold the Vikings to minimal yardage in the first quarter. If this happens, Childress needs to put in Gus Frerotte, here is why:
Petterson is a better runner with Gus in the game:
Yes, A.P. had a 70+ yard touchdown run in the game against the Giants. His other runs were not the greatest. During the game, Fox showed all the yards Peterson got on each carry and it looked like this: 2,1,2,4,-1,78. The 78 is great, but the Giants were doing a good job shutting him down. With Gus in the game, the long ball was a bigger threat and teams could not tee off on A.P. Peterson was able to chip away 6 to 20 yard runs with consistency against teams. Nothing beats away a defenses' momentum like a long sustained drive down a field.
Shaiancoe is great, but Berrian is better:
Jackson playing has let Shainanoe shine in the offense. Jackson's short passing abilities have led to some big games for Shainancoe. The emergence of Jackson has also hurt Berrian's performance. Did anyone else see Jackson totally miss Berrian wide open for a touchdown in the Falcons game? That was the same type of play that Gus connected with Berrian in the Bears game to turn around the season (only Gus was passing out of the end zone). Ten yards to Shaincoe is good, but 99 to Berrian is better.
Go with who got you there:
Think back to 2001. The Patriots are in the playoffs, Brady hurts his ankle and Bledsoe comes in, and helps the Pats go to the Super Bowl. Does Bledsoe start in the Super Bowl? No, because the Pats were smart and went with the player who got them there over the player with the hot hand. When Gus took over the team they were 0-2, Gus has not played good, but the team has won while he was in charge.
Having Gus in the game would give a steady run game, bring back the long pass, and let him finish what he started. You can also bet that the Eagles have pulled last years film against the Redskins--why reinvent the wheel? The Jackson offense has been exposed in the past. If Jackson starts out poor, Childress needs to go to Gus.
Sunday's Vikings' game against the Eagles will have an interesting twist; if Tarvaris Jackson starts out the game with a bad start, will Brad Childress put in Gus Frerotte? In his last three starts, Jackson has been playing fair football. His completions are up, his passing yardage is greater than or equal to 100 yards, and he is also scrambling for some great yardage. However, the Jackson offense has been shut down in the past, it is very possible the Eagles will hold the Vikings to minimal yardage in the first quarter. If this happens, Childress needs to put in Gus Frerotte, here is why:
Petterson is a better runner with Gus in the game:
Yes, A.P. had a 70+ yard touchdown run in the game against the Giants. His other runs were not the greatest. During the game, Fox showed all the yards Peterson got on each carry and it looked like this: 2,1,2,4,-1,78. The 78 is great, but the Giants were doing a good job shutting him down. With Gus in the game, the long ball was a bigger threat and teams could not tee off on A.P. Peterson was able to chip away 6 to 20 yard runs with consistency against teams. Nothing beats away a defenses' momentum like a long sustained drive down a field.
Shaiancoe is great, but Berrian is better:
Jackson playing has let Shainanoe shine in the offense. Jackson's short passing abilities have led to some big games for Shainancoe. The emergence of Jackson has also hurt Berrian's performance. Did anyone else see Jackson totally miss Berrian wide open for a touchdown in the Falcons game? That was the same type of play that Gus connected with Berrian in the Bears game to turn around the season (only Gus was passing out of the end zone). Ten yards to Shaincoe is good, but 99 to Berrian is better.
Go with who got you there:
Think back to 2001. The Patriots are in the playoffs, Brady hurts his ankle and Bledsoe comes in, and helps the Pats go to the Super Bowl. Does Bledsoe start in the Super Bowl? No, because the Pats were smart and went with the player who got them there over the player with the hot hand. When Gus took over the team they were 0-2, Gus has not played good, but the team has won while he was in charge.
Having Gus in the game would give a steady run game, bring back the long pass, and let him finish what he started. You can also bet that the Eagles have pulled last years film against the Redskins--why reinvent the wheel? The Jackson offense has been exposed in the past. If Jackson starts out poor, Childress needs to go to Gus.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Nothing's Going to Stop us Now!
By Tyler Savage
The Vikings had a great opportunity the last two games--win and your in the playoffs. This is a scenario that usually gets fans excited; with the Viking's fans, this is not the case. I personally felt horrible about the Viking's chances against the Giants, and all the fans calling in on KFAN also felt the same way. Surprisingly, the Vikings won on Sunday, and they are going to the playoffs. So here is the point--if we want the Vikings to win, we have to have zero hope for them. If the hope train starts we are in big trouble. Here is what is likely going to happen:
1. The Vikings are going to kill the Eagles at home. Why? Because the hope has not started for the Vikings just yet. Fans are still timid, the Vikings have whispered that they loved us many times after screwing up, and we are sick of taking them back (I have already let them come back to my home after 3 late night bar calls). I honestly see the offense looking like a Juggernaut in this game and going for over 500 yards of total. The key to the hope train will be Tavaris Jackson going crazy in this game.
2. (option 1): This is the hard part, even with the huge win against the Eagles, the fans may not have much hope with the Vikings going on the road in the second round to face the Panthers. If this is the case, the Viks will roll over the Panthers.
(option 2): People get excited, and the real T.J. shows up. Hovan marches off the field and gets hit with chew (hey! how did he get back on the team?).
3. (if option 1 happens): The Vikings go into Giant Stadium 1 win away from the Super Bowl. Want to know what will happen: google 41-0 NFC Championship. If the Viks do make the Super Bowl, I could not tell you what will happen, I will then be back on the hope train and all hell will break loose.
The Vikings had a great opportunity the last two games--win and your in the playoffs. This is a scenario that usually gets fans excited; with the Viking's fans, this is not the case. I personally felt horrible about the Viking's chances against the Giants, and all the fans calling in on KFAN also felt the same way. Surprisingly, the Vikings won on Sunday, and they are going to the playoffs. So here is the point--if we want the Vikings to win, we have to have zero hope for them. If the hope train starts we are in big trouble. Here is what is likely going to happen:
1. The Vikings are going to kill the Eagles at home. Why? Because the hope has not started for the Vikings just yet. Fans are still timid, the Vikings have whispered that they loved us many times after screwing up, and we are sick of taking them back (I have already let them come back to my home after 3 late night bar calls). I honestly see the offense looking like a Juggernaut in this game and going for over 500 yards of total. The key to the hope train will be Tavaris Jackson going crazy in this game.
2. (option 1): This is the hard part, even with the huge win against the Eagles, the fans may not have much hope with the Vikings going on the road in the second round to face the Panthers. If this is the case, the Viks will roll over the Panthers.
(option 2): People get excited, and the real T.J. shows up. Hovan marches off the field and gets hit with chew (hey! how did he get back on the team?).
3. (if option 1 happens): The Vikings go into Giant Stadium 1 win away from the Super Bowl. Want to know what will happen: google 41-0 NFC Championship. If the Viks do make the Super Bowl, I could not tell you what will happen, I will then be back on the hope train and all hell will break loose.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Merry Christmas and Happy Festivas!
By Tyler Savage
It is official--if you like sports this is the greatest time of the year. Thanksgiving officially kicked off this greatest time, and it will end instantly at the end of the NFC and AFC Championship games. Here are the things that make the next month and a half a great time to watch sports:
Thanksgiving football:
Yes, the games sucked--but who cares. Is there anything better than a family holiday that is all about watching football and stuffing your face--I don't think so. Wait...yes there is something better, if we could get rid of the family part to Thanksgiving and make it a holiday that we have to share with our friends.
Baseball Winter Meetings:
This is my second favorite time of the baseball year (only the spring training with the hope of a World Series is better). In a way, the winter meetings are the official start to the new hope of a new season, and Red...hope is a good thing. There is nothing better than reading the rumors flying around, and waiting for the Twins to sign their big free agent. Wait...yes there is something better, and that would be when the Twins actually do sign that big free agent (note to readers, this has yet to happen in Twins' history).
Crappy College Bowl Games:
This is the only time of year that you would watch Troy play Akron on a Tuesday night. Why...because both teams are playing for the pride of godaddy.com (whoever the hell that guy is). What's my idea for a good new crappy bowl game? Glad you asked: take two crappy teams-records don't matter-who average around 30 points a game, and match them against each other. Also, the teams have to be only a high powered jittery passing team, and they have to have horrible pass defenses. Then, you fly these teams to the country of Colombia and host the first every Coffee Bowl presented by Folgers Morning blend. Final score: 110-108 on a last second safety.
Good Bowl Games:
The magic of the Christmas season is all about the great bowl games, and the fact that you don't have to work or go to school during most of these games. What would I change about sports if I were president? Glad you asked: Make it illegal to play any bowl games after New Year's Day. Why are the games being pushed back all the way to the 5th of January? I want one day of super football to end with the BCS game.
Sports Documentary Shows During Xmas Eve:
The year in review, the top ten games of the year, and the top performers of the year--I love those shows. Who could forget in '99 when ESPN ended their 100 Greatest Athletes Series over Christmas? Patrick Ewing not in the top ten is still confusing.
Fight Night:
MMA season officially kicks off. Ordering the December UFC with a group of 20 guys is never a bad idea. Going downtown shortly afterwards will always have a story that starts with: "Remember that fight that (insert drunk guys name here) got into after we watch UFC..."
These are just a few of the things to look forward to in the rest of the year. Why didn't I mention the Super Bowl? Because the Super Bowl sucks, and is officially the downfall of sports, and it kicks off the worst month and a half or sports watching (watch for that column soon)!
It is official--if you like sports this is the greatest time of the year. Thanksgiving officially kicked off this greatest time, and it will end instantly at the end of the NFC and AFC Championship games. Here are the things that make the next month and a half a great time to watch sports:
Thanksgiving football:
Yes, the games sucked--but who cares. Is there anything better than a family holiday that is all about watching football and stuffing your face--I don't think so. Wait...yes there is something better, if we could get rid of the family part to Thanksgiving and make it a holiday that we have to share with our friends.
Baseball Winter Meetings:
This is my second favorite time of the baseball year (only the spring training with the hope of a World Series is better). In a way, the winter meetings are the official start to the new hope of a new season, and Red...hope is a good thing. There is nothing better than reading the rumors flying around, and waiting for the Twins to sign their big free agent. Wait...yes there is something better, and that would be when the Twins actually do sign that big free agent (note to readers, this has yet to happen in Twins' history).
Crappy College Bowl Games:
This is the only time of year that you would watch Troy play Akron on a Tuesday night. Why...because both teams are playing for the pride of godaddy.com (whoever the hell that guy is). What's my idea for a good new crappy bowl game? Glad you asked: take two crappy teams-records don't matter-who average around 30 points a game, and match them against each other. Also, the teams have to be only a high powered jittery passing team, and they have to have horrible pass defenses. Then, you fly these teams to the country of Colombia and host the first every Coffee Bowl presented by Folgers Morning blend. Final score: 110-108 on a last second safety.
Good Bowl Games:
The magic of the Christmas season is all about the great bowl games, and the fact that you don't have to work or go to school during most of these games. What would I change about sports if I were president? Glad you asked: Make it illegal to play any bowl games after New Year's Day. Why are the games being pushed back all the way to the 5th of January? I want one day of super football to end with the BCS game.
Sports Documentary Shows During Xmas Eve:
The year in review, the top ten games of the year, and the top performers of the year--I love those shows. Who could forget in '99 when ESPN ended their 100 Greatest Athletes Series over Christmas? Patrick Ewing not in the top ten is still confusing.
Fight Night:
MMA season officially kicks off. Ordering the December UFC with a group of 20 guys is never a bad idea. Going downtown shortly afterwards will always have a story that starts with: "Remember that fight that (insert drunk guys name here) got into after we watch UFC..."
These are just a few of the things to look forward to in the rest of the year. Why didn't I mention the Super Bowl? Because the Super Bowl sucks, and is officially the downfall of sports, and it kicks off the worst month and a half or sports watching (watch for that column soon)!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Dream Bowl Games
David Jensen
The College football season is done and all the bowls are set. Yes, the BCS is terrible, but since the 1A postseason was bought and paid for a long time ago, there's really no sense in bitching about it. The only way to console ourselves is to dream up games we actually want to see, not which games Federal Express wants to shove down our throats. I thought I'd share some of the match-ups I'll be dreaming about.
Note: It is now 1990. A strange time when bowls were named for the stadium's they were played in, usually having something to do with the region or host city. Keep in mind that playing on New Years Day is a great honor at this time in history.
Liberty Bowl-Georgia v Oklahoma State. Both are very good teams in great conferences. Both would score in the 30's. 35-31 UGA
Fiesta Bowl-USC v Oklahoma. The imovable object versus the irresistable force. USC gave up 93 points in 12 games, 27 of those to Oregon St. OU scored 645 points. They gained 39 first downs against the 20th ranked team in the land. It would be a clash so epic, we would be lucky if the football Gods let us know who won, much less watch it.
Orange Bowl 1-Oklahoma v Texas. A rematch for all the marbles! 45-42 Texas.
Orange Bowl 2-USC v Alabama. Two great defenses, two very good offenses. 27-20 USC.
Sun Bowl-Nebraska v Minnesota. Great mismatch no. 1. I love it when the Huskers score 60+ in bowl games. 65-28 Nebraska.
Sugar Bowl-Ohio State v Florida. Great mismatch no. 2. Isn't it great to see the Buckeyes get run over by the SEC on the National Stage? 55-18 Gators.
Cotton Bowl-Boise State v Texas Tech. Two programs trying to prove their not just a gimmick or a fluke. 43-42 BSU.
Gator Bowl-Nebraska v Ole Miss. Two programs striving for the top tier in great conferences. 27-24 Nebraska.
Citrus Bowl-Nebraska v Miami (FL). Always great when these two meet in bowl games. This time, the 2 point conversion succeeds! 32-31 Nebraska.
Sugar Bowl-Texas v Alabama. With the national championship on the line, there would be bodies everywhere! 28-24 Texas.
Las Vegas Bowl-Buffalo v Ohio. Both coaches were Big Red running backs. 28-17 Buffalo.
Boise Bowl-Minnesota v Wisconsin. I never get tired of watching the Gophers blow late leads. 33-31 Badgers.
Scout Team East v West Allstar Game. A new spin on the Senior Bowl. I would love to see this game happen. Make allstar teams of the best freshman players in the country who red-shirted that season and toiled all fall running their opponents' plays. It would be a futures game! Play it on Christmas eve at the L.A. Collesium.
The College football season is done and all the bowls are set. Yes, the BCS is terrible, but since the 1A postseason was bought and paid for a long time ago, there's really no sense in bitching about it. The only way to console ourselves is to dream up games we actually want to see, not which games Federal Express wants to shove down our throats. I thought I'd share some of the match-ups I'll be dreaming about.
Note: It is now 1990. A strange time when bowls were named for the stadium's they were played in, usually having something to do with the region or host city. Keep in mind that playing on New Years Day is a great honor at this time in history.
Liberty Bowl-Georgia v Oklahoma State. Both are very good teams in great conferences. Both would score in the 30's. 35-31 UGA
Fiesta Bowl-USC v Oklahoma. The imovable object versus the irresistable force. USC gave up 93 points in 12 games, 27 of those to Oregon St. OU scored 645 points. They gained 39 first downs against the 20th ranked team in the land. It would be a clash so epic, we would be lucky if the football Gods let us know who won, much less watch it.
Orange Bowl 1-Oklahoma v Texas. A rematch for all the marbles! 45-42 Texas.
Orange Bowl 2-USC v Alabama. Two great defenses, two very good offenses. 27-20 USC.
Sun Bowl-Nebraska v Minnesota. Great mismatch no. 1. I love it when the Huskers score 60+ in bowl games. 65-28 Nebraska.
Sugar Bowl-Ohio State v Florida. Great mismatch no. 2. Isn't it great to see the Buckeyes get run over by the SEC on the National Stage? 55-18 Gators.
Cotton Bowl-Boise State v Texas Tech. Two programs trying to prove their not just a gimmick or a fluke. 43-42 BSU.
Gator Bowl-Nebraska v Ole Miss. Two programs striving for the top tier in great conferences. 27-24 Nebraska.
Citrus Bowl-Nebraska v Miami (FL). Always great when these two meet in bowl games. This time, the 2 point conversion succeeds! 32-31 Nebraska.
Sugar Bowl-Texas v Alabama. With the national championship on the line, there would be bodies everywhere! 28-24 Texas.
Las Vegas Bowl-Buffalo v Ohio. Both coaches were Big Red running backs. 28-17 Buffalo.
Boise Bowl-Minnesota v Wisconsin. I never get tired of watching the Gophers blow late leads. 33-31 Badgers.
Scout Team East v West Allstar Game. A new spin on the Senior Bowl. I would love to see this game happen. Make allstar teams of the best freshman players in the country who red-shirted that season and toiled all fall running their opponents' plays. It would be a futures game! Play it on Christmas eve at the L.A. Collesium.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Winter of Change?
By Tyler Savage
What do the Twins need to do to win the World Series this off season. Before you read this make sure that you realize that the Twins are not going to accomplish these things, because it's not in their nature. Also realize that I am going to mention some things that are pretty realistic. I am not going to make up some weird trade situations that would be completly impossible (example: Boof Bonser for K-Rod, a player to be named, and cash).
First, the Twins need to lock up third base and shortstop with legit middle of the road players. To accomplish this, they need to sign a proven free agent at short or third. Then they need to use their abundance of outfielders to trade for another proven MLB short or third basemen.
Next, the Twins need to sign some form of middle relief this off season. With the injury of Ole Pat N. the Twins may need to overpay Reyes to get things done. Young arms are coming up, but the team will still need a proven arm in the end.
Then, Re-sign Punto as a utility infielder and use him 2-3 times a week. Punto is not an everyday player, but he is a damn good utility player. With proper use, this will keep our infielders healthy and in the lineup.
Lastly, put Kubel on a short leash. He looks good at times, then he drops the S-bomb on TV and strikes out with three men on. I think he could become a break out star of the league...he is too damn relaxed though. The team needs to give him an ultimatum--produce or pack up your stuff.
The Twins have issues to fill this off season, making the right moves could make for a great dome get away. I have a feeling Bill Smith will make some moves and noise this off season.
What do the Twins need to do to win the World Series this off season. Before you read this make sure that you realize that the Twins are not going to accomplish these things, because it's not in their nature. Also realize that I am going to mention some things that are pretty realistic. I am not going to make up some weird trade situations that would be completly impossible (example: Boof Bonser for K-Rod, a player to be named, and cash).
First, the Twins need to lock up third base and shortstop with legit middle of the road players. To accomplish this, they need to sign a proven free agent at short or third. Then they need to use their abundance of outfielders to trade for another proven MLB short or third basemen.
Next, the Twins need to sign some form of middle relief this off season. With the injury of Ole Pat N. the Twins may need to overpay Reyes to get things done. Young arms are coming up, but the team will still need a proven arm in the end.
Then, Re-sign Punto as a utility infielder and use him 2-3 times a week. Punto is not an everyday player, but he is a damn good utility player. With proper use, this will keep our infielders healthy and in the lineup.
Lastly, put Kubel on a short leash. He looks good at times, then he drops the S-bomb on TV and strikes out with three men on. I think he could become a break out star of the league...he is too damn relaxed though. The team needs to give him an ultimatum--produce or pack up your stuff.
The Twins have issues to fill this off season, making the right moves could make for a great dome get away. I have a feeling Bill Smith will make some moves and noise this off season.
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