So now we have our Super Bowl teams. Green Bay and Pittsburgh. I feel good, I picked them both but feel like perhaps the Jets would like a different call on that fumble before the half. I still feel like it was an incomplete pass.
So who will win. My original thought would be to pick the Steelers. Today I have heard much talk about Green Bay. They are hot, their is a strong belief in Aaron Rodgers and the question is how good are the Steelers really.
It is not an easy choice. I will be rooting for the Packers. I would like to see Rodgers put the Favre memories to rest. If I were betting however I would have to pick the Steelers. I just think they have the players that when the time comes will make a big play.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Athletes Out of Money
I read an interesting article in the Boston Globe recently about retired basketball player Ray Williams a k a Sugar Ray Williams when he played. I honestly do not remember him but I do remember his brother, also mentioned in the article, Gus Williams.
Williams had played in Boston as a backup near the end of his career during one of the mid eighties championship runs so there was a Boston connection.
His story illustrates what is something we hear about all the time. Athletes who make millions in their lifetimes going bankrupt and blowing through all their money. Growing up poor with no reliable financial examples is not a good starting point. This can lead to bad investments, extravagant purchases, and the two biggest problems drugs and or alcohol and the inevitable hangers on that follow many of the professional athletes.
Of course this should be no surprise to us. There is a television show that shows us lottery winners and what happens to them. All too frequently lottery winners end up in the same boat as these athletes.
What does it mean. It means that being responsible is a skill that is learned and assimilated. If a person is not responsible financially before they get money it is much more unlikely that they will be after they do.
Nothing is ironclad of course. Some athletes such as Magic Johnson have done very well and he is just one of hundreds.
The story told in the Boston Globe has a good ending. Larry Bird and Kevin McHale helped get this man on his feet (one wonders if his brother Gus could have or is in the same boat)
A common argument is that the NBA should do more to help those ex players down on their luck. I agree with this. One wonders though in these days of immense salaries if todays players might be well instructed to pay a portion of this retirement fund. It would certainly make an investment against potential later misfortune.
Williams had played in Boston as a backup near the end of his career during one of the mid eighties championship runs so there was a Boston connection.
His story illustrates what is something we hear about all the time. Athletes who make millions in their lifetimes going bankrupt and blowing through all their money. Growing up poor with no reliable financial examples is not a good starting point. This can lead to bad investments, extravagant purchases, and the two biggest problems drugs and or alcohol and the inevitable hangers on that follow many of the professional athletes.
Of course this should be no surprise to us. There is a television show that shows us lottery winners and what happens to them. All too frequently lottery winners end up in the same boat as these athletes.
What does it mean. It means that being responsible is a skill that is learned and assimilated. If a person is not responsible financially before they get money it is much more unlikely that they will be after they do.
Nothing is ironclad of course. Some athletes such as Magic Johnson have done very well and he is just one of hundreds.
The story told in the Boston Globe has a good ending. Larry Bird and Kevin McHale helped get this man on his feet (one wonders if his brother Gus could have or is in the same boat)
A common argument is that the NBA should do more to help those ex players down on their luck. I agree with this. One wonders though in these days of immense salaries if todays players might be well instructed to pay a portion of this retirement fund. It would certainly make an investment against potential later misfortune.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
NFL Playoffs Week 3
Three out of four last week with only New England failing to win as predicted. That was a surprise.
So now we are down to two games for the Super Bowl.
The Jets after taking out the Colts and Patriots will be traveling to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers. I have to take the Steelers.
Green Bay has been on fire this postseason and Jay Cutler just does not seem like a Super Bowl quarterback. This is a tough one to call but Greem Bay should not be ill effected by any weather. I will take Green Bay
So now we are down to two games for the Super Bowl.
The Jets after taking out the Colts and Patriots will be traveling to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers. I have to take the Steelers.
Green Bay has been on fire this postseason and Jay Cutler just does not seem like a Super Bowl quarterback. This is a tough one to call but Greem Bay should not be ill effected by any weather. I will take Green Bay
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Oregon vs Auburn
TCU had a great year and was undefeated. That said after watching this game one has to think the BCS got it right. Oregon and Auburn came down to the last play of the game. This was a well played game.
Oregon was stopped on the goal line once and missed a two point conversion so they lost the game as much as Auburn won it.
The play Auburn will remember is the " he's not down" play that enabled them to run 30 more yards after all thought he was down. This might well have set up the winning field goal.
Still a great game. Auburn deserved the win. I was rooting for Oregon. Too bad
Oregon was stopped on the goal line once and missed a two point conversion so they lost the game as much as Auburn won it.
The play Auburn will remember is the " he's not down" play that enabled them to run 30 more yards after all thought he was down. This might well have set up the winning field goal.
Still a great game. Auburn deserved the win. I was rooting for Oregon. Too bad
NFL Playoffs Week 2
It is hard to predict the playoffs. The only game I got correct was Baltimore. In the interests of being .500 I am going to also claim victory on the Seattle game as I had said that I felt that it was very possible that Pete Carroll could figure out a way to win.
I had picked Indianapolis and Philly but Green Bay and the Jets prevailed.
In the coming week the marquee game is New England hosting the Jets. No matter what tricks Rex Ryan brings I pick the Pats. Tom Brady is on a roll.
The matchup between the Steelers and Ravens is a hard one to pick. Pittsburgh is at home. Much of Baltimore's offense this past week came off defense. I do not think the Steelers make as many mistakes. I will take the Steelers but by a whisker.
In the NFC Atlanta is the most unknown top rated team I have ever seen. The weather should not be a factor. I will take Green Bay in the upset.
Seattle will travel to Chicago. I cannot see Chicago losing at home and even moreso I cannot see Seattle winning on the road so we will take Chicago.
I had picked Indianapolis and Philly but Green Bay and the Jets prevailed.
In the coming week the marquee game is New England hosting the Jets. No matter what tricks Rex Ryan brings I pick the Pats. Tom Brady is on a roll.
The matchup between the Steelers and Ravens is a hard one to pick. Pittsburgh is at home. Much of Baltimore's offense this past week came off defense. I do not think the Steelers make as many mistakes. I will take the Steelers but by a whisker.
In the NFC Atlanta is the most unknown top rated team I have ever seen. The weather should not be a factor. I will take Green Bay in the upset.
Seattle will travel to Chicago. I cannot see Chicago losing at home and even moreso I cannot see Seattle winning on the road so we will take Chicago.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
NFL Playoffs
The Playoffs are with us so I will make some predictions for the opening round.
Ravens at Kansas City: Kansas City has homefield and had a surprisingly successful season, still it is hard to see them beating the Ravens a playoff tested team. Take the Ravens in this one.
The New York Jets visit the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts had an uneven season and astonishingly Peyton Manning is just a lifetime 9 and 9 in the playoffs. The Jets had some strong moments but in the end if you have to choose between Manning and Sanchez you have to give the edge to Peyton. Colts win.
The Philadelphia Eagles host the Green Bay Packers. Most I have heard like the Packers in this game but as successful as Vick has been I see no reason to think Green Bay can hem that in. I like the Eagles and Andy Reid.
The New Orleans saints visit Seattle. Seattle by virtue of a 7 and 9 record in a terrible division makes the playoffs. The Saints, defending champions had a good if not great year. They do have Drew Brees however. No reason to pick the Hawks and I am not going to. I would not be ' fall of a cliff " surprised if Pete Carroll somehow got a win here however.
Ravens at Kansas City: Kansas City has homefield and had a surprisingly successful season, still it is hard to see them beating the Ravens a playoff tested team. Take the Ravens in this one.
The New York Jets visit the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts had an uneven season and astonishingly Peyton Manning is just a lifetime 9 and 9 in the playoffs. The Jets had some strong moments but in the end if you have to choose between Manning and Sanchez you have to give the edge to Peyton. Colts win.
The Philadelphia Eagles host the Green Bay Packers. Most I have heard like the Packers in this game but as successful as Vick has been I see no reason to think Green Bay can hem that in. I like the Eagles and Andy Reid.
The New Orleans saints visit Seattle. Seattle by virtue of a 7 and 9 record in a terrible division makes the playoffs. The Saints, defending champions had a good if not great year. They do have Drew Brees however. No reason to pick the Hawks and I am not going to. I would not be ' fall of a cliff " surprised if Pete Carroll somehow got a win here however.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Hockey
I have had great moments of interest and elation in hockey. Watching Maine hockey or the Boston Bruins on a playoff run hockey can at times be the greatest spectator sport there is.
Thus the question remains, why have I not watched more than a click through of hockey all season. The hockey season is too long. The Bruins have had a good start, Tim Thomas was on fire in goal early this year, and the Bruins have a true standout rookie prospect in Tyler Seguin.
Yet the interest is slim. I have watched quite a few Celtics games and the Patriots from time to time.
As the season moves to the second half I am sure I will catch up with Bruins. The Celtics will be interesting and the Patriots will be something I watch with great interest as the playoffs start.
Yet for me, always, these sports pale to baseball. It is ingrained in me. Nothing compares to baseball and we are now that we are in the New Year it is truly downhill to baseball.
Thus the question remains, why have I not watched more than a click through of hockey all season. The hockey season is too long. The Bruins have had a good start, Tim Thomas was on fire in goal early this year, and the Bruins have a true standout rookie prospect in Tyler Seguin.
Yet the interest is slim. I have watched quite a few Celtics games and the Patriots from time to time.
As the season moves to the second half I am sure I will catch up with Bruins. The Celtics will be interesting and the Patriots will be something I watch with great interest as the playoffs start.
Yet for me, always, these sports pale to baseball. It is ingrained in me. Nothing compares to baseball and we are now that we are in the New Year it is truly downhill to baseball.
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