Monday, November 25, 2013

Long day yesterday, and paying for it today as I try and recover from another devastating loss by the Dolphins and an incredible Sunday night game between the Broncos and the Patriots.

I told you that the Dolphins were in a position to make a statement this week against the Carolina Panthers.  The only statement they made is that they are definitely not even close to being ready for prime time.  The Fins blew another 10-point halftime lead, still cannot run the football behind a decimated offensive line, and the $60 million man cannot come up with a difficult catch.  I don’t want to just lay it on Mike Wallace, but the elite wide receivers in the NFL make the difficult catches when needed.  Rishard Matthews and the other receivers can make the catches they have to make.  Wallace and Brian Hartline are paid like elite wide receivers.  They need to start playing like they belong in that category.  

Some of the responsibility also has to fall on the shoulders of QB Ryan Tannehill.  He has to grab the bull by the horns and start making plays, if not just with his arms, with his running ability.  This guy runs the 40 in 4.57 seconds.  He is a gifted runner that can make plays when the crappy offensive line shows its wares.  It is incredible that the guy has survived the beatings he takes week in and week out.

Some blame also has to land on the desk of the offensive coordinator, Mike Sherman, and the head coach, Joe Philbin.  Sherman has to make adjustments in his play calling to take advantage of his team’s strengths and cover some of their glaring weaknesses.  When your running backs average just over one yard per rushing attempt, and your QB is going to set a record for number of sacks, it shouldn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that there is a problem.  Six straight games in which your offense doesn’t score in the fourth quarter should also raise some concerns, shouldn’t it?  

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is still looking for his first winning season since he took over ownership of the team.  More and more, it looks like he isn’t going to get it this season, although they still have a chance, albeit a remote chance.  This team cannot afford to go into next season with general manager Jeff Ireland at the controls.  Mr. Ross needs to bring in a new GM immediately, and start evaluating everything NOW, including the present coaching staff.  With five regular season games left, four of them in your division, you have a chance to look at everything and make an intelligent decision for the future of this franchise.  Please get a good football guy in here, preferably one with a hall-of-fame pedigree as a QB.  A competitive guy with a fire burning in his belly to show that if John Elway can do it in Denver, he can do it in Miami.  Get the message?

Here is the remaining schedule for the Fins:

12/01 @ NY Jets 1:00 pm CBS
12/08 @ Pittsburgh 1:00 pm CBS
12/15 New England 1:00 pm CBS
12/22 @ Buffalo 1:00 pm CBS
12/29 NY Jets 1:00 pm CBS

Here’s more on the Dolphins:







More on the Dolphins from Armando Salguero:



Here are the results from around the NFL this past weekend.   I’m 4-2 so far this week, getting the Saints, Dolphins, Steelers, and Arizona games.  A last second win by the Cowboys and the incredible comeback by the Patriots handed me the two losses.  Tonight, the 49ers visit the Redskins in the Monday Night Football extravaganza on ESPN.   last week, and still under the .500 mark.  I’ll try and take care of that this coming week.   Record this season on my picks is 40-39-4 against the spread, and 48-35 straight up.  

By the way, as much as Dolphins’ fans hate to hear this, there is no better coach in the NFL than the Patriots’ Bill Bellichik.  No one out-coaches Bellichik, and no one has his team better prepared and makes adjustments on the fly more effectively than him.  

THURSDAY

New Orleans 17   Atlanta 13

SUNDAY

Carolina 20 Miami 16

Pittsburgh 27   Cleveland 11

Arizona 40   Indianapolis 23

Dallas 24   NY Giants 21

New England 34   Denver 31  OT

San Diego 41   Kansas City 38

Baltimore 19   NY Jets 3

Jacksonville 13   Houston 6

Tampa Bay 24   Detroit 21

Minnesota 26   Green Bay 26  TIE  OT

St. Louis 42   Chicago 21

Tennessee 23   Oakland 19

MONDAY NIGHT

San Francisco @ Washington +6 ½ 8:30 pm ESPN

After taking the NFL by storm last season, both Colin Kaepernick and Robert Griffin III have struggled this season.  Another one of those hunches that Washington is due to have a strong game against a quality opponent.  I’ll take the Redskins at home, plus the points.


Here’s ESPN’s NFL Nation Blog, with more news from all around the league:


Of course, we can all continue to sleep at night, knowing full well that Aaron Hernandez remains in jail, where he belongs.  

In baseball, some free agent movement this weekend.

The Yankees solved their catching situation by signing free agent catcher Brian McCann to a five-year deal, with an option for a sixth season.  The 29-year old is an All-Star and his left-handed bat will benefit from the right field porch at Yankee Stadium.




Other free agents on the move:





In case you missed it last week, here again is the latest from the bizarre, eccentric, freakish, freaky, flaky, off-the-wall, outlandish Jose Canseco:


More rumors:



In college football, the University of Miami Hurricanes beat Virginia on Saturday, 45-26.  It wasn’t easy, but at least they didn’t lose to Georgia Southern. The Canes will close out their season this Friday, November 29th, in Pittsburgh, against the Pitt Panthers. 





Manny Navarro and Susan Miller Degnan have more from Coral Gables:


The FIU Panthers are now 1-10 this season, and will mercifully close out their season in Boca Raton on Friday, the 29th, in their annual crosstown battle against Florida Atlantic.  A victory against the Owls could make FIU’s season A LOT BETTER.  The game will be televised on Fox Sports 1 on your cable or satellite system.

Here’s all the latest from FIU, courtesy of David J. Neal:




Here’s the latest from Tallahassee and #2-ranked FSU:




From Gainesville and the University of Florida:



Here are the NCAA Football rankings for this week:  


Here is the complete schedule in College Football for week 12, including TV listings:


Moving to the hardwood,

The Heat take on the Phoenix Suns tonight at 7:30 pm at the AAA. The Heat has not lost to the Suns in Miami since November 3, 2009.  Miami is on a roll right now, having won six in a row and nine out of their last ten.   You can watch the game on Sun Sports on your cable or satellite system. 

TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION:  The Heat are 10-3 going into tonight’s encounter with the Phoenix Suns here at the AAA.  What was their record the last three seasons after 13 games?  The answer comes later, alligator.

More Heat coverage:










Here is the Heat’s complete regular season schedule:


On the NHL ice, George Richards has all the latest on the Panthers, as they conclude their road trip against the Calgary Flames tnight.  The team will be back home to take on the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday.



In boxing, Manny Pacquiao dominated Brandon Rios on Saturday Night. ESPN’s Dan Rafael brings us his take:


Here is Santos Perez’ weekly boxing spotlight column from the Miami Herald:


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I’m selling three lots totaling a little over five acres in the beautiful North Carolina mountains, overlooking the New River, a quick 35-minute drive from Boone and Blowing Rock.  Click here to see some photos and feel free to contact me if you have any questions: 


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THE ANSWER TO TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION: The Heat are 10-3 going into tonight’s encounter with the Phoenix Suns here at the AAA.  What was their record the last three seasons after 13 games?

2012-2013 10-3
2011-2012   9-4
2010-2011   8-5

By the way, in 2005-2006, when they also won the NBA title, the Heat were 7-6 after 13 games.


Behave yourselves, and always remember that tomorrow will bring us a brand new day. 

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Friday, November 22, 2013

TGIF - Friday November 22, 2013

On a very personal note, today marks the 50-year anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.  I remember vividly exactly what happened that day.  I was a fifth-grader at Citrus Grove Elementary, and our class was in Mr. Schneider’s PE class.  We were taken to our classroom by our teacher, Mrs. Keinert, and she instructed the class to sit quietly at our desks with our heads down.  At that point, through tears, she told us of the horrible event that had taken place in Dallas a few minutes earlier.  The rest of the weekend, everything revolved around the television coverage of what happened, with journalists like Walter Cronkite trying to explain what and why.  I distinctly remember watching two days later when Lee Harvey Oswald himself was shot to death by Jack Ruby.  As an innocent 8-year old, I was overwhelmed by the general feeling of sadness that gripped my adopted country.  I was also very scared that the killing was going to continue and continue, and when my mom asked me to go outside and play, I really didn’t want to wander off very far from home, choosing to stay in our yard and coming in again and again to sit in front of the TV to watch Cronkite.  That day I went from just watching Mighty Mouse, Top Cat, Quick Draw McGraw, and Tom & Jerry cartoons, watching Yankee baseball, saving baseball cards and clipping box scores from the paper to seeing life and death before my eyes.  Unfortunately, we are not much closer today, 50 years later, to knowing what really happened on November 22, 1963.  However, I still carry the memory of how I felt and what I saw around me that day in my mind. 

Back to sports:

The Dolphins are in a position to make a statement this week when they take on the Carolina Panthers at the Seven Names Stadium on Sunday.  Kickoff is set for 1:00 pm, and the game will be televised by CBS, Channel 4 in South Florida.  Here’s more on the Dolphins:



More on the Dolphins from Armando Salguero:


Here are this week’s NFL games, along with the early lines, that continue to move around.  Record this season on my picks is 37-37-4 against the spread, and 45-33 straight up.  

LAST NIGHT

New Orleans 17   Atlanta 13

The Saints got two first-half touchdown passes from Drew Brees and their defense made those two scores stand.  New Orleans improved to 9-2, the disappointing Falcons dropped to 2-9.  

SUNDAY

Carolina @ Miami +5 1:00 pm CBS

Call me a glutton for punishment and a homer.  I guess I am.  Taking the Dolphins at home plus the points.  History tells us that winners of the Monday Night game that go on the road the following Sunday have a hard time.  I have a hunch.

Pittsburgh @ Cleveland -1 ½ 1:00 pm CBS

The Steelers and Ben Rothlisberger may be waking up, even though their defense is still not fully conscious.  I’m still not convinced that Jason Campbell is the answer at QB for the Browns.  For Pittsburgh to win, Big Ben is going to have to carry the team on his shoulders.  I’ll take the Steelers on the road plus the points.

San Diego @ Kansas City -4 ½ 1:00 pm CBS

NY Jets @ Baltimore -3 ½ 1:00 pm CBS

Jacksonville @ Houston -8 ½ 1:00 pm CBS

Tampa @ Detroit -9 1:00 pm FOX

Minnesota @ Green Bay -4 ½ 1:00 pm FOX

Chicago @ St. Louis -1 1:00 pm FOX

Tennessee @ Oakland -1 4:05 pm CBS

Indianapolis @ Arizona -2 ½ 4:05 pm CBS

Arizona’s defense has surprised everyone this season, ranking second against the run and ninth overall in the NFL.  Head Coach Bruce Arians knows the Colts well, and will have his team ready for them, although Cardinals’ QB Carson Palmer is 0-3 in his career against the Colts, and Indianapolis has beaten Arizona four straight times.  I’m still going against my heart here and taking the Cardinals minus the 2 ½ points.

Dallas @ NY Giants -2 ½ 4:25 pm FOX

The Cowboys come off their bye week ranked as the NFL’s worst defense.  The Giants have won four games in a row, albeit against four teams playing with their backup QB’s.  Regardless, I’ll stick with the Giants and give the 2 ½ points.

Denver @ New England +2 ½ 8:30 pm NBC

In the Manning - Brady showdown, Manning is 4-9 overall against Brady, and 2-7 playing on the road.  Advantage Brady.  That was then, this is now.  I’ll cautiously take Manning and the Broncos minus the points over the Patriots.  

MONDAY NIGHT

San Francisco @ Washington +6 ½ 8:30 pm ESPN

After taking the NFL by storm last season, both Colin Kaepernick and Robert Griffin III have struggled this season.  Another one of those hunches that Washington is due to have a strong game against a quality opponent.  UPSET ALERT!!!  I’ll take the Redskins at home, plus the points.

Here’s ESPN’s NFL Nation Blog, with more news from all around the league:


Of course, we can all continue to sleep at night, knowing full well that Aaron Hernandez remains in jail, where he belongs.  

TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION:  We’ll stay in the NFL today.  The list of pass receivers in NFL history in yards gained is headed by the incomparable Jerry Rice, who not only gained 22,895 receiving yards, but also hauled in an incredible 197 TD passes.  Who are the top three ACTIVE receivers in career receiving yardage?  The answer comes later, alligator.

Off to baseball.  I LOVE THE HOT STOVE!!

The Detroit Tigers traded first baseman Prince Fielder to the Texas Rangers for second baseman Ian Kinsler.  The Tigers also sent $30 million to the Rangers to cover the long term obligation with Fielder, 7 years and $168 million.  The Tigers save $72 million overall by making this deal and there are long-term implications for both teams:

Detroit can take the savings and use the money to keep Cy Young winner Max Scherzer.  Getting rid of Fielder could possibly impact Miguel Cabrera, who could move back to first base to keep him healthier and open up a slot for Tigers minor league prospect Nick Castellanos at third base.  

The ramifications for the Rangers are also interesting.  They immediately add power in the middle of the lineup, and open up a spot for their hotshot prospect Jurickson Profar at second base.  Here’s another interesting possibility: Texas could move Profar, a natural shortstop, or Elvis Andrus to a team desperate for a SS, such as the Cardinals, for outfield prospect Oscar Taveras or quality pitching, or work out a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays for former Cy Young winner David Price.  It then gets better for Texas:  The Rangers would possibly then be in a position to pursue free agent 2B Robinson Cano.  Keep your eyes on this developing situation.

In something I definitely hate to cover, the MLB vs A-Roid circus is over for now, and we will have to wait until the arbitrator rules.


MY TAKE:  Like I said in this blog the other day, A-Roid is trying not to have to lie again under oath and possibly face additional consequences.  A-Roid showed up on New York talk radio after he stormed out of yesterday’s  hearing, specifically the Mike Francesa program on WFAN. and denied that he used PED’s.   Let us not forget that we’ve seen this A-Roid performance before.  Remember that A-Roid denied using PED’s before he later admitted using them in 2009.  His continued denials are telling everyone that he lied before, but he is telling the truth now.  PLEASE!  This is nothing more than a smokescreen for A-Roid to abandon the sinking ship that his attorneys and advisors are piloting.  

If MLB used “shady methods” to obtain documents that prove that A-Roid and other players were guilty, so be it.  That does not change the fact that these players are guilty.  These documents and other allegations also may show that A-Roid leaked information incriminating other players.  How do you think that is going to look for a cheater turning snitch?

The American public is quick to forgive and forget when athletes admit their wrongdoings and accept responsibility for their actions, and apologize, whether sincere or not.  Lance Armstrong denied, denied, and denied some more before finally having to disappear from public view.  Where is Rafael Palmeiro after pointing his finger at a congressional panel denying he ever used steroids, only to be busted by a drug test later?  

Alex Rodriguez is a good guy, and is one of the best baseball players ever to grace the diamond.  A-Roid, however, is just another loser, full of himself and another example of a professional athlete who forgot where he came from and who he was after surrounding themselves with the never-ending collection of leaches and parasites that want to live off the successful athletes by humoring their behavior and always telling them just what they want to hear, not what they need to be told.

YOU HAVE TO READ THIS:

Speaking of steroid-induced crazy people, here is the latest from the bizarre, eccentric, freakish, freaky, flaky, off-the-wall, outlandish Jose Canseco:


More rumors from around baseball:



In college football, the University of Miami Hurricanes play Virginia this Saturday, at 12 noon, at the Seven Names Stadium.  Virginia is 2-8 this season, and 0-6 in the ACC.  The Cavaliers could be exactly what the doctor ordered for the Canes, or could be the nail in the coffin for this season.  Virginia is 109th in the country in points scored this season.  You can watch the game on ESPN-U. The Canes have lost three in a row, and in those three losses, their non-existent defense has given up 1,609 yards and 131 points.  Miami has also managed to lose three straight games to Virginia.

The Canes will close out their season on Friday, November 29th, in Pittsburgh, against the Pitt Panthers. 


Manny Navarro and Susan Miller Degnan have more from Coral Gables:


The FIU Panthers are now 1-9 this season, and will take on the Thundering Herd of Marshall at FIU Stadium this  Saturday, at 6:00 pm.  No TV or radio.

The Panthers mercifully close out their season in Boca Raton on Friday, the 29th, in their annual crosstown battle against Florida Atlantic.  That game will be televised on Fox Sports 1 on your cable or satellite system.

Here’s all the latest from FIU, courtesy of David J. Neal:



Here’s the latest from Tallahassee and #2-ranked FSU:


From Gainesville and the University of Florida:


Here are the NCAA Football rankings for this week:  


Here is the complete schedule in College Football for week 13, including TV listings:


Moving to the hardwood,

The Heat are enjoying a couple of days with no games and will return to the AAA tomorrow night against the Orlando Magic at 7:30 pm.  You can watch the game on Sun Sports on your cable or satellite system. 

More Heat coverage:








Here is the Heat’s complete regular season schedule:


On the NHL ice, George Richards has all the latest on the Panthers, as they conclude their road trip against the Calgary Flames tnight.  The team will be back home to take on the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday.



In boxing, Manny Pacquiao takes on Brandon Rios on Saturday Night. ESPN’s Dan Rafael brings us his take:


Here is Santos Perez’ weekly boxing spotlight column from the Miami Herald:


PERSONAL QUESTION:  Can someone please explain to me why the Miami Herald Sports Department has a “PRO WRESTLING EDITOR” (Jim Varsallone)?  Hasn’t the Herald figured out that Pro Wrestling is only entertainment, and not a real competition sport?  Do they also have “SANTA CLAUS, EASTER BUNNY, AND TOOTH FAIRY EDITORS? 

I enjoy watching professional wrestling, and I agree that wrestlers are tremendous athletes, but the fights are staged and the results are preplanned.  The Herald needs to step it up when it comes to their boxing coverage.  They’re boxing coverage is pathetic, and they are totally underutilizing one of the most talented boxing writers in the industry in Santos Perez.  C’mon, Herald!  Get with the program!

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I’m selling three lots totaling a little over five acres in the beautiful North Carolina mountains, overlooking the New River, a quick 35-minute drive from Boone and Blowing Rock.  Click here to see some photos and feel free to contact me if you have any questions: 


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THE ANSWER TO TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION:  We’ll stay in the NFL today.  The list of pass receivers in NFL history in yards gained is headed by the incomparable Jerry Rice, who not only gained 22,895 receiving yards, but also hauled in an incredible 197 TD passes.  Who are the top three ACTIVE receivers in career yardage?

Tony Gonzalez of the Atlanta Falcons leads all active receivers with 14,879 yards.  The next two on the active list are two guys that I had the pleasure of covering and getting to know very well when they were at the University of Miami - Reggie Wayne (13,566 yards) and Andre Johnson (12,220 yards).

Behave yourselves, and always remember that tomorrow will bring us a brand new day.  HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!

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