The San Diego Padres took a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the ninth inning against the hapless Milwaukee Brewers yesterday afternoon. Milwaukee had nothing to play for, as they had already been eliminated from playoff contention after a miserable September, and with Trevor Hoffman, owner of 42 saves and a 2.53 ERA, coming into to close out the game, you'd figure the Padres had it all wrapped up right? Wrong. With two outs and Corey Hart on second, Tony Gwynn Jr. ripped a triple into right field to bring in Hart. Ironic that Tony Gwynn's son would do this to San Diego, huh? The Brewers would then proceed to win it in the 11th inning, setting the National League playoff race into a frenzy.
The Philadelphia Phillies also made things much more difficult for the final day of the season, as they dropped the second game of a three-game set to the Washington Nationals, 4-2, allowing the New York Mets, who defeated the Florida Marlins 13-0 behind a spectacular performance from John Maine, to pull even with the Phils in the NL East. However, things would not have been complete if the Colorado Rockies didn't do their part. Unfortunately for baseball analysts everywhere, they did, trumping the Arizona Diamondbacks 11-1 to bring themselves back within a game of the NL Wild Card-leading Padres.
So, what does all that mean? It means that we're in for a very confusing Sunday afternoon of baseball, that's what. Let's examine the most confusing scenario:
If the Mets and Phillies both win, the Padres lose and the Rockies win, the Mets and Phillies will play a one-game playoff tomorrow to decide the NL East division title. The loser of that game will be tossed into a three-game playoff with Colorado and San Diego. If that is the case, the Rockies, thanks to winning the season series' with each of the remaining squads, get to decide if they want to play two games at home or play the winner of the Padres/Phillies or Mets game on the road.
Is your head spinning yet? And the worst part is that this is only one of a possible 1,548 scenarios to determine which teams fill out the final two playoff spots in the National League. That's where the Diamondbacks come into play. They have already clinched the NL West title and home-field advantage throughout the NL playoffs, making life much easier on the Rockies today. Doug Davis was scheduled to pitch for Arizona, but he was scratched from his start and will be replaced by Yusmeiro Petit, owner of a 3-4 record and a 5.02 ERA in 13 appearances (nine starts) this season. Manager Bob Melvin also said that he will sit catcher Chris Snyder, second baseman Augie Ojeda, and center-fielder Chris Young. I'm sure that's not all of the Diamondbacks who will be benched today, and I'm also sure that there will be a few that see one at-bat and are replaced after a few innings.
In the case of the Padres, their fans have reason to take valumes before the game's 2:05 ET start against Milwaukee. Why? Because Brett Tomko (4-11, 5.39 ERA) will be taking the mound for their team, and he will be opposed by Jeff Suppan, a pitcher who thrives in late September and October. You can be sure that he will bring his best stuff today and that the young Brewers will fight until the finish. Even more scary for San Diego fans is the success that some of the Milwaukee players have experienced against Tomko. Geoff Jenkins is 10-for-28 (.357) with two homers versus the right-hander, Johnny Estrada is 4-for-10 with a long ball, and Prince Fielder has homered one against him in three at-bats. Bill Hall has also gone deep against Tomko and is 3-for-9 when facing him lifetime. Also take into account that the Brewers are 81-80, meaning that today's game will determine whether they finish with a winning season or end at .500, so this contest does mean something to Milwaukee.
I'm sure plenty of Met fans also have doubts, as they are facing their arch-nemesis in Florida's Dontrelle Willis today. Willis sports an 11-3 record and a 2.49 ERA in his career against the Mets. He also hit all three of his home runs against the Mets last year, two in one game in September and a grand slam in July. On the mound for New York is Tom Glavine, a pitcher whom these same Marlins rocked for 11 hits and four runs in five innings just a week-and-a-half ago down in Miami. The Phillies will send out 44-year old Jamie Moyer to try and take care of business versus Jason Bergmann and the Nationals, who have made life very tough on several contenders as of late, most notably the Mets.
So, what are my predictions for today?
1. The Marlins will take out the Mets behind an outstanding performance from Willis in what may be his final game as a Marlin.
2. The Phillies will beat the Nationals handily.
3. The Brewers will down the Padres thanks to a great effort from Suppan.
4. Colorado will blow out Arizona.
This will make things a lot less complicated, as Philadelphia will have won the NL East to avoid a one-game playoff with New York, meaning the only extra contest that would have to be played is an NL Wild Card-deciding game between the Rockies and San Diego, in which I think Colorado will win. The National League would then look like this heading into the postseason:
1. Diamondbacks
2. Phillies
3. Cubs
4. Rockies
Phew.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Friday, September 28, 2007
Mets continue tailspin, fall to Marlins
Things just keep getting worse for the defending National League East champion New York Mets. After getting swept by the lowly Washington Nationals and then getting shut-out by the St. Louis Cardinals in a make-up game yesterday, the Mets dropped the first game of a three-game set to the Florida Marlins tonight, 7-4. They have now fallen behind the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East standings and are in second place in the division for the first time since May 15th. New York is on the verge of the biggest September collapse in MLB history. Never before has a team had a seven-game lead with 17 games left to play and lost it.
The Marlins busted out of the gates early as Jeremy Hermida blasted a two-run home run off the scoreboard in right field off Oliver Perez in the first inning. Perez then singled in a run in the bottom half of the frame to bring the Mets to within one run, but Florida added two runs in the third, both off hit-batsmen with the bases loaded. Perez loaded the bases with nobody out. Hermida then grounded out sharply to third baseman David Wright, who threw home to get the force out. Catcher Paul Lo Duca then threw back to Wright in an attempt to get the out at third, but Wright failed to remember to step on third base, leaving the bases juiced with one out. Perez then struck out Miguel Cabrera and emphatically pumped his fist into his glove, only to hit Cody Ross and Mike Jacobs in succession and give the Marlins a 4-1 advantage. He also hit Dan Uggla earlier in the inning.
Carlos Beltran made it a 4-3 game in the bottom of the third with a long two-run blast off of Byung-Hyun Kim. However, Florida answered right back in the top of the fourth. With two outs, the Marlins loaded the bases to set the stage for a two-run single by Cabrera, putting the Fish up 6-3. Matt Treanor then added to the lead with a solo homer in the top of the fifth. An RBI ground-out by Wright made it 7-4 in the bottom half of the inning, but neither team would score after that.
Kevin Gregg pitched the ninth to pick up his 32nd save for the Marlins, whose bullpen came up with another phenomenal collective effort after Kim left the game in the sixth with a blister on his throwing hand. Taylor Tankersley, Matt Lindstrom, Lee Gardner, and Gregg combined to throw four scoreless innings. Lindstrom pitched out of a first-and-third, one out jam in the seventh, striking out Beltran and Moises Alou to end the inning. Florida's bullpen has not allowed a run in the past four games.
The Marlins busted out of the gates early as Jeremy Hermida blasted a two-run home run off the scoreboard in right field off Oliver Perez in the first inning. Perez then singled in a run in the bottom half of the frame to bring the Mets to within one run, but Florida added two runs in the third, both off hit-batsmen with the bases loaded. Perez loaded the bases with nobody out. Hermida then grounded out sharply to third baseman David Wright, who threw home to get the force out. Catcher Paul Lo Duca then threw back to Wright in an attempt to get the out at third, but Wright failed to remember to step on third base, leaving the bases juiced with one out. Perez then struck out Miguel Cabrera and emphatically pumped his fist into his glove, only to hit Cody Ross and Mike Jacobs in succession and give the Marlins a 4-1 advantage. He also hit Dan Uggla earlier in the inning.
Carlos Beltran made it a 4-3 game in the bottom of the third with a long two-run blast off of Byung-Hyun Kim. However, Florida answered right back in the top of the fourth. With two outs, the Marlins loaded the bases to set the stage for a two-run single by Cabrera, putting the Fish up 6-3. Matt Treanor then added to the lead with a solo homer in the top of the fifth. An RBI ground-out by Wright made it 7-4 in the bottom half of the inning, but neither team would score after that.
Kevin Gregg pitched the ninth to pick up his 32nd save for the Marlins, whose bullpen came up with another phenomenal collective effort after Kim left the game in the sixth with a blister on his throwing hand. Taylor Tankersley, Matt Lindstrom, Lee Gardner, and Gregg combined to throw four scoreless innings. Lindstrom pitched out of a first-and-third, one out jam in the seventh, striking out Beltran and Moises Alou to end the inning. Florida's bullpen has not allowed a run in the past four games.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Week 3 NFL scores
Dolphins 28 Jets 31
MIA: Green: 23/36, 318 yds, TD, INT Brown: 23 car, 112 yds, 2 TD, 6 rec, 99 yds, TD Chambers: 6 rec, 101 yds
NYJ: Pennington: 15/22, 124 yds, 2 TD Jones: 25 car, 110 yds Cotchery: 5 rec, 54 yds
Bills 7 Patriots 38
BUF: Edwards: 10/17, 97 yds, INT Losman: left game in 1st (knee) Lynch: 20 car, 74 yds, TD
NE: Brady: 23/29, 311 yds, 4 TD Maroney: 19 car, 103 yds Morris: 12 car, 46 yds, TD Moss: 5 car, 115 yds, 2 TD Welker: 6 rec, 69 yds
Vikings 10 Chiefs 13
MIN: Holcomb: 14/28, 165 yds Peterson: 25 car, 102 yds, TD, 3 rec, 48 yds Shiancoe: 3 rec, 51 yds
KC: Huard: 20/29, 206 yds, TD Johnson: 24 car, 42 yds Gonzalez: 7 rec, 96 yds Bowe: 5 rec, 71 yds, TD
Colts 30 Texans 24
IND: Manning: 20/29, 273 yds, TD Addai: 22 car, 72 yds, 2 TD Wayne: 4 rec, 84 yds Clark: 4 rec, 58 yds, TD
HOU: Schaub: 27/33, 236 yds, TD, 2 INT Davis: 4 rec, 70 yds
Chargers 24 Packers 31
SD: Rivers: 27/36, 306 yds, 3 TD, INT Tomlinson: 22 car, 62 yds, 3 rec, 33 ysd, TD Gates: 11 rec, 113 yds Jackson: 6 rec, 98 yds, TD
GB: Favre: 28/45, 369 yds, 3 TD (ties Dan Marino- 1st all-time) Driver: 6 rec, 126 yds, TD Jennings: 4 rec, 82 yds, TD Jones: 6 rec, 79 yds
Cardinals 23 Ravens 26
ARI: Warner: 15/20, 258 yds, 2 TD James: 10 car, 57 yds Boldin: 14 rec, 181 yds, 2 TD Fitzgerald: 5 rec, 85 yds
BAL: McNair: 20/27, 198 yds, TD McGahee: 21 car, 98 yds Mason: 8 rec, 79 yds, TD Heap: 4 rec, 60 yds
Rams 3 Buccaneers 24
STL: Bulger: 17/26, 116 yds, 3 INT Jackson: 30 car, 115 yds Holt: 5 rec, 63 yds
TB: Garcia: 14/22, 151 yds Graham: 8 car, 75 yds, 2 TD Williams: 12 car, 46 yds, TD
49ers 16 Steelers 37
SF: Smith: 17/35, 209 yds, TD, INT Gore: 14 car, 39 yds Jackson: 4 rec, 69 yds Davis; 4 rec, 56 yds
PIT: Roethlisberger: 13/20, 160 yds, TD Parker: 24 car, 133 yds Davenport: 5 rec, 47 yds, TD Miller: 4 rec, 82 yds
Lions 21 Eagles 56
DET: Kitna: 29/46, 446 yds, 2 TD, INT Williams: 9 rec, 204 yds, TD McDonald: 5 rec, 76 yds, TD
PHI: McNabb: 21/26, 381 yds, 4 TD Westbrook: 14 car, 110 yds, 2 TD, 5 rec, 111 yds, TD Curtis: 11 rec, 221 yds, 3 TD
Bengals 21 Seahawks 24
CIN: Palmer: 27/43, 342 yds, TD, 2 INT Watson: 9 car, 60 yds, TD Houshmandzadeh: 12 rec, 141 yds, TD Johnson: 9 rec, 138 yds
SEA: Hasselbeck: 24/37, 248 yds, 3 TD, 2 INT Alexander: 21 car, 100 yds Branch: 6 rec, 77 yds, TD Burleson: 6 rec, 76 yds, TD Engram: 5 rec, 62 yds, TD
Jaguars 23 Broncos 14
JAC: Garrard: 14/20, 154 yds, TD, 12 car, 52 yds Taylor: 17 car, 84 yds
DEN: Cutler: 16/23, 222 yds, TD, INT Henry: 11 car, 35 yds, TD Marshall: 7 rec, 133 yds
Browns 24 Raiders 26
CLE: Anderson: 18/37, 248 yds, TD, 2 INT Lewis: 15 car, 56 yds Winslow: 6 rec, 88 yds Edwards: 4 rec, 83 yds, TD
OAK: McCown: 6/12, 108 yds, TD Culpepper: 8/14, 118 yds Jordan: 29 car, 121 yds, TD Curry: 3 rec, 62 yds, TD
Giants 24 Redskins 17
NYG: Manning: 21/36, 236 yds, TD, 2 INT Ward: 26 car, 94 yds, 6 rec, 26 yds Droughns: 2 rush TD Burress: 5 rec, 86 yds, TD Shockey: 5 rec, 79 yds
WAS: Campbell: 16/34, 190 yds, TD Portis: 14 car, 60 yds, TD Moss: 3 rec, 82 yds
Panthers 27 Falcons 20
CAR: Delhomme: 10/18, 109 yds, 2 TD Foster: 20 car, 122 yds, TD King: 4 rec, 56 yds, TD
ATL: Harrington: 31/44, 361 yds, 2 TD Dunn: 11 car, 55 yds White: 7 rec, 127 yds, TD Jenkins: 6 rec, 76 yds Crumpler: 6 rec, 63 yds, TD
MIA: Green: 23/36, 318 yds, TD, INT Brown: 23 car, 112 yds, 2 TD, 6 rec, 99 yds, TD Chambers: 6 rec, 101 yds
NYJ: Pennington: 15/22, 124 yds, 2 TD Jones: 25 car, 110 yds Cotchery: 5 rec, 54 yds
Bills 7 Patriots 38
BUF: Edwards: 10/17, 97 yds, INT Losman: left game in 1st (knee) Lynch: 20 car, 74 yds, TD
NE: Brady: 23/29, 311 yds, 4 TD Maroney: 19 car, 103 yds Morris: 12 car, 46 yds, TD Moss: 5 car, 115 yds, 2 TD Welker: 6 rec, 69 yds
Vikings 10 Chiefs 13
MIN: Holcomb: 14/28, 165 yds Peterson: 25 car, 102 yds, TD, 3 rec, 48 yds Shiancoe: 3 rec, 51 yds
KC: Huard: 20/29, 206 yds, TD Johnson: 24 car, 42 yds Gonzalez: 7 rec, 96 yds Bowe: 5 rec, 71 yds, TD
Colts 30 Texans 24
IND: Manning: 20/29, 273 yds, TD Addai: 22 car, 72 yds, 2 TD Wayne: 4 rec, 84 yds Clark: 4 rec, 58 yds, TD
HOU: Schaub: 27/33, 236 yds, TD, 2 INT Davis: 4 rec, 70 yds
Chargers 24 Packers 31
SD: Rivers: 27/36, 306 yds, 3 TD, INT Tomlinson: 22 car, 62 yds, 3 rec, 33 ysd, TD Gates: 11 rec, 113 yds Jackson: 6 rec, 98 yds, TD
GB: Favre: 28/45, 369 yds, 3 TD (ties Dan Marino- 1st all-time) Driver: 6 rec, 126 yds, TD Jennings: 4 rec, 82 yds, TD Jones: 6 rec, 79 yds
Cardinals 23 Ravens 26
ARI: Warner: 15/20, 258 yds, 2 TD James: 10 car, 57 yds Boldin: 14 rec, 181 yds, 2 TD Fitzgerald: 5 rec, 85 yds
BAL: McNair: 20/27, 198 yds, TD McGahee: 21 car, 98 yds Mason: 8 rec, 79 yds, TD Heap: 4 rec, 60 yds
Rams 3 Buccaneers 24
STL: Bulger: 17/26, 116 yds, 3 INT Jackson: 30 car, 115 yds Holt: 5 rec, 63 yds
TB: Garcia: 14/22, 151 yds Graham: 8 car, 75 yds, 2 TD Williams: 12 car, 46 yds, TD
49ers 16 Steelers 37
SF: Smith: 17/35, 209 yds, TD, INT Gore: 14 car, 39 yds Jackson: 4 rec, 69 yds Davis; 4 rec, 56 yds
PIT: Roethlisberger: 13/20, 160 yds, TD Parker: 24 car, 133 yds Davenport: 5 rec, 47 yds, TD Miller: 4 rec, 82 yds
Lions 21 Eagles 56
DET: Kitna: 29/46, 446 yds, 2 TD, INT Williams: 9 rec, 204 yds, TD McDonald: 5 rec, 76 yds, TD
PHI: McNabb: 21/26, 381 yds, 4 TD Westbrook: 14 car, 110 yds, 2 TD, 5 rec, 111 yds, TD Curtis: 11 rec, 221 yds, 3 TD
Bengals 21 Seahawks 24
CIN: Palmer: 27/43, 342 yds, TD, 2 INT Watson: 9 car, 60 yds, TD Houshmandzadeh: 12 rec, 141 yds, TD Johnson: 9 rec, 138 yds
SEA: Hasselbeck: 24/37, 248 yds, 3 TD, 2 INT Alexander: 21 car, 100 yds Branch: 6 rec, 77 yds, TD Burleson: 6 rec, 76 yds, TD Engram: 5 rec, 62 yds, TD
Jaguars 23 Broncos 14
JAC: Garrard: 14/20, 154 yds, TD, 12 car, 52 yds Taylor: 17 car, 84 yds
DEN: Cutler: 16/23, 222 yds, TD, INT Henry: 11 car, 35 yds, TD Marshall: 7 rec, 133 yds
Browns 24 Raiders 26
CLE: Anderson: 18/37, 248 yds, TD, 2 INT Lewis: 15 car, 56 yds Winslow: 6 rec, 88 yds Edwards: 4 rec, 83 yds, TD
OAK: McCown: 6/12, 108 yds, TD Culpepper: 8/14, 118 yds Jordan: 29 car, 121 yds, TD Curry: 3 rec, 62 yds, TD
Giants 24 Redskins 17
NYG: Manning: 21/36, 236 yds, TD, 2 INT Ward: 26 car, 94 yds, 6 rec, 26 yds Droughns: 2 rush TD Burress: 5 rec, 86 yds, TD Shockey: 5 rec, 79 yds
WAS: Campbell: 16/34, 190 yds, TD Portis: 14 car, 60 yds, TD Moss: 3 rec, 82 yds
Panthers 27 Falcons 20
CAR: Delhomme: 10/18, 109 yds, 2 TD Foster: 20 car, 122 yds, TD King: 4 rec, 56 yds, TD
ATL: Harrington: 31/44, 361 yds, 2 TD Dunn: 11 car, 55 yds White: 7 rec, 127 yds, TD Jenkins: 6 rec, 76 yds Crumpler: 6 rec, 63 yds, TD
Friday, September 21, 2007
Bonds will not play for Giants in 2008
San Francisco Giants' outfielder Barry Bonds will not be in a Giants' uniform next season. Owner Peter Magowan broke the news to Bonds this past week.
The 43-year old Bonds has spent 15 of his 22 professional seasons in San Francisco, in which span he led the Giants to four postseason appearances and one World Series appearance in 2002. Bonds is batting .279 with 28 home runs and 66 RBI this year and broke Hank Aaron's all-time home run record by slamming his 756th career long ball against the Washington Nationals in August. He has hit six homers since, making his total 762.
However, the Home Run King will not retire. "There is more baseball in me and I plan on continuing my career," said Bonds. "My quest for a World Series ring continues." Bonds was also not too thrilled with San Francisco's decision to inform him on such short notice. "Although I am disappointed, I've always said baseball is a business, and I respect their decision. However, I am saddened and upset that I was not given an earlier opportunity to properly say goodbye to you, my fans, and celebrate with the city throughout the season as I truly believe this was not a last-minute decision by the Giants, but one that was made some time ago."
The 43-year old Bonds has spent 15 of his 22 professional seasons in San Francisco, in which span he led the Giants to four postseason appearances and one World Series appearance in 2002. Bonds is batting .279 with 28 home runs and 66 RBI this year and broke Hank Aaron's all-time home run record by slamming his 756th career long ball against the Washington Nationals in August. He has hit six homers since, making his total 762.
However, the Home Run King will not retire. "There is more baseball in me and I plan on continuing my career," said Bonds. "My quest for a World Series ring continues." Bonds was also not too thrilled with San Francisco's decision to inform him on such short notice. "Although I am disappointed, I've always said baseball is a business, and I respect their decision. However, I am saddened and upset that I was not given an earlier opportunity to properly say goodbye to you, my fans, and celebrate with the city throughout the season as I truly believe this was not a last-minute decision by the Giants, but one that was made some time ago."
Saturday, September 08, 2007
New York Giants: season preview
Projected record: 12-4, 1st in NFC East
Offensive MVP: Eli Manning. Manning showed a lot in the pre-season, but he is known for getting off to great starts and then tailing of late in the year. Still, I think this is one year Eli will really stand out, as he has no choice but to take charge of the offense now that Tiki Barber is gone. Also, Amani Toomer is healthy, which helps Manning a lot. His stats with and without Toomer last season were eye-poppingly different.
Defensive MVP: Michael Strahan. Seeing that this could be Strahan's last season, he is going to be as hungry as ever to get that elusive Super Bowl title. He is still the most dominant defensive end in the league when healthy and can easily record double-digits in sacks once again. Look for a big 15+ sack campaign out of the captain.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Steve Smith. Smith turned heads in camp and even gave Toomer a run for his money as the number two receiver. He is explosive and runs great routes and, most importantly, has sure hands. He will have the impact on the Giants that most people expected Sinorice Moss to have on the team last season.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Aaron Ross. Not really much of a surprise here, as Ross will be the only defensive rookie on New York that will see considerable playing time. He has struggled so far, but the extremely talented cornerback needs an adjustment period and needs to fully adapt to the style of play in the NFL. Once he does that, he will be something special.
Surprise rookie: Ahmad Bradshaw. Bradshaw, a seventh-round pick, was a very pleasant surprise for Tom Coughlin and company in training camp and the pre-season. He is a very intelligent back who knows how to hit the holes and get to the outside. He's blessed with good speed and great field awareness and will definitely see ample playing time this year.
Comeback Player of the Year: Osi Umenyiora. He missed a good portion of last season with a pesky hip injury, but Umenyiora is now 100% and should return to his 2005-06 form when he led the Giants with 14.5 sacks.
Best offensive lineman: Kareem McKenzie. One of the most under-appreciated tackles in the game, McKenzie is one of the best run-blockers in the league and did a superb job in pass protection last year as well. He is a wall.
Best receiver: Plaxico Burress. Expect Burress to have a much more productive year than last season now that Toomer is back at full strength to take some pressure off him. Not to say that Plax didn't have a good year last year (10 touchdowns), but Burress failed to reach 1,000 yards receiving and wasn't the same dominant wide-out that he was in his first season with the Giants when he accumulated over 1,200 yards.
Best defensive lineman: Strahan. See "Defensive MVP."
Best linebacker: Mathias Kiwanuka. Kiwanuka impressed the coaching staff so much last season as the team's second-string defensive end that they figured they had to start him this year no matter what position they put him at. Either way, linebacker might be Kiwanuka's best position after all. He will be a LaVar Arrington/Julian Peterson type of linebacker who will rack up sacks and force opposing quarterbacks into bad throws.
Best defensive back: Gibril Wilson. Wilson has quietly developed into one of the best safeties in the NFL. He is a tackling machine who was arguably the defense's MVP in the second half of last season. Look for a big year from the fourth-year star out of Tennessee.
Five predictions:
1. Strahan and Umenyiora will combine for the most sacks by a defensive end tandem in the NFL.
2. Brandon Jacobs will rush for over 1,200 yards and score 15 touchdowns.
3. Jeremy Shockey will have the best year of his career and will reach 900 yards receiving.
4. New free safety James Butler will record four interceptions this season.
5. The Giants will represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.
Offensive MVP: Eli Manning. Manning showed a lot in the pre-season, but he is known for getting off to great starts and then tailing of late in the year. Still, I think this is one year Eli will really stand out, as he has no choice but to take charge of the offense now that Tiki Barber is gone. Also, Amani Toomer is healthy, which helps Manning a lot. His stats with and without Toomer last season were eye-poppingly different.
Defensive MVP: Michael Strahan. Seeing that this could be Strahan's last season, he is going to be as hungry as ever to get that elusive Super Bowl title. He is still the most dominant defensive end in the league when healthy and can easily record double-digits in sacks once again. Look for a big 15+ sack campaign out of the captain.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Steve Smith. Smith turned heads in camp and even gave Toomer a run for his money as the number two receiver. He is explosive and runs great routes and, most importantly, has sure hands. He will have the impact on the Giants that most people expected Sinorice Moss to have on the team last season.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Aaron Ross. Not really much of a surprise here, as Ross will be the only defensive rookie on New York that will see considerable playing time. He has struggled so far, but the extremely talented cornerback needs an adjustment period and needs to fully adapt to the style of play in the NFL. Once he does that, he will be something special.
Surprise rookie: Ahmad Bradshaw. Bradshaw, a seventh-round pick, was a very pleasant surprise for Tom Coughlin and company in training camp and the pre-season. He is a very intelligent back who knows how to hit the holes and get to the outside. He's blessed with good speed and great field awareness and will definitely see ample playing time this year.
Comeback Player of the Year: Osi Umenyiora. He missed a good portion of last season with a pesky hip injury, but Umenyiora is now 100% and should return to his 2005-06 form when he led the Giants with 14.5 sacks.
Best offensive lineman: Kareem McKenzie. One of the most under-appreciated tackles in the game, McKenzie is one of the best run-blockers in the league and did a superb job in pass protection last year as well. He is a wall.
Best receiver: Plaxico Burress. Expect Burress to have a much more productive year than last season now that Toomer is back at full strength to take some pressure off him. Not to say that Plax didn't have a good year last year (10 touchdowns), but Burress failed to reach 1,000 yards receiving and wasn't the same dominant wide-out that he was in his first season with the Giants when he accumulated over 1,200 yards.
Best defensive lineman: Strahan. See "Defensive MVP."
Best linebacker: Mathias Kiwanuka. Kiwanuka impressed the coaching staff so much last season as the team's second-string defensive end that they figured they had to start him this year no matter what position they put him at. Either way, linebacker might be Kiwanuka's best position after all. He will be a LaVar Arrington/Julian Peterson type of linebacker who will rack up sacks and force opposing quarterbacks into bad throws.
Best defensive back: Gibril Wilson. Wilson has quietly developed into one of the best safeties in the NFL. He is a tackling machine who was arguably the defense's MVP in the second half of last season. Look for a big year from the fourth-year star out of Tennessee.
Five predictions:
1. Strahan and Umenyiora will combine for the most sacks by a defensive end tandem in the NFL.
2. Brandon Jacobs will rush for over 1,200 yards and score 15 touchdowns.
3. Jeremy Shockey will have the best year of his career and will reach 900 yards receiving.
4. New free safety James Butler will record four interceptions this season.
5. The Giants will represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.
Friday, September 07, 2007
2007-08 NFL predictions
DIVISION WINNERS:
AFC East
1. Patriots (14-2)
2. Jets (11-5)
3. Dolphins (5-11)
4. Bills (5-11)
AFC North
1. Steelers (12-4)
2. Ravens (11-5)
3. Bengals (10-6)
4. Browns (5-11)
AFC South
1. Jaguars (12-4)
2. Colts (9-7)
3. Titans (6-10)
4. Texans (5-11)
AFC West
1. Chargers (11-5)
2. Broncos (10-6)
3. Chiefs (7-9)
4. Raiders (2-14)
NFC East
1. Giants (12-4)
2. Cowboys (7-9)
3. Eagles (6-10)
4. Redskins (6-10)
NFC North
1. Packers (10-6)
2. Bears (9-7)
3. Vikings (6-10)
4. Lions (5-11)
NFC South
1. Panthers (12-4)
2. Saints (10-6)
3. Falcons (5-11)
4. Buccaneers (4-12)
NFC West
1. Seahawks (10-6)
2. Rams (8-8)
3. 49ers (8-8)
4. Cardinals (5-11)
PLAYOFF TEAMS:
AFC
Patriots
Steelers
Jaguars
Chargers
Ravens
Jets
NFC
Giants
Packers
Panthers
Seahawks
Saints
Bears
AWARDS:
Most Valuable Player: Tom Brady, Patriots
Offensive Player of the Year: Steven Jackson, Rams
Defensive Player of the Year: Michael Strahan, Giants
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Marshawn Lynch, Bills
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Patrick Willis, 49ers
Comeback Player of the Year: Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
Step-back player: Tony Romo, Cowboys
Step-back team: Chicago Bears
Team on the rise: New York Giants
Best off-season pickup: Randy Moss, Patriots
Coach of the year: Bill Belichick, Patriots
Super Bowl: Patriots over Giants
AFC East
1. Patriots (14-2)
2. Jets (11-5)
3. Dolphins (5-11)
4. Bills (5-11)
AFC North
1. Steelers (12-4)
2. Ravens (11-5)
3. Bengals (10-6)
4. Browns (5-11)
AFC South
1. Jaguars (12-4)
2. Colts (9-7)
3. Titans (6-10)
4. Texans (5-11)
AFC West
1. Chargers (11-5)
2. Broncos (10-6)
3. Chiefs (7-9)
4. Raiders (2-14)
NFC East
1. Giants (12-4)
2. Cowboys (7-9)
3. Eagles (6-10)
4. Redskins (6-10)
NFC North
1. Packers (10-6)
2. Bears (9-7)
3. Vikings (6-10)
4. Lions (5-11)
NFC South
1. Panthers (12-4)
2. Saints (10-6)
3. Falcons (5-11)
4. Buccaneers (4-12)
NFC West
1. Seahawks (10-6)
2. Rams (8-8)
3. 49ers (8-8)
4. Cardinals (5-11)
PLAYOFF TEAMS:
AFC
Patriots
Steelers
Jaguars
Chargers
Ravens
Jets
NFC
Giants
Packers
Panthers
Seahawks
Saints
Bears
AWARDS:
Most Valuable Player: Tom Brady, Patriots
Offensive Player of the Year: Steven Jackson, Rams
Defensive Player of the Year: Michael Strahan, Giants
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Marshawn Lynch, Bills
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Patrick Willis, 49ers
Comeback Player of the Year: Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
Step-back player: Tony Romo, Cowboys
Step-back team: Chicago Bears
Team on the rise: New York Giants
Best off-season pickup: Randy Moss, Patriots
Coach of the year: Bill Belichick, Patriots
Super Bowl: Patriots over Giants
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