Root, root, root, root for the home clothes!

As the 2013 baseball season enters its second month, New York Mets first baseman Ike Davis looks as though his major league career might not be long for this Earth.  This is the second straight year that Ike has gotten off to a horrifically brutal start.  Last year it was slightly understandable as his ankle wasn’t fully healed and he had a slight bout with Valley Fever.   But this season after posting better than a .300 average in spring training (I know spring training doesn’t mean much.)  it looked like Ike would be closer to where he was before his ankle injury in 2011. Read the rest of this entry »

Baseball season is officially here. This offseason was one unlike any we have seen in recent history. The Upton brothers joined forces in Atlanta, the Dodgers have spent a boatload of money to improve their roster, and the reigning World Series champs are ready to defend their title.  Right now, every team in the MLB is tied for first place with a 0-0 record. Here’s how I see each National League division playing out.

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On the field for game 2 of the World Series

Follow me on Twitter @JorelPetree

It’s almost impossible to describe the last 48 hours of my life, as one of my life long dreams have come true.  After game one of the World Series, we had gone to dinner with the Detroit Tigers infield coach Rafael Belliard, for his birthday, at The House of Prime Rib in San Francisco.  While waiting for our table, we started talking about our experience at the Detroit Tigers World Series game 1.  I became teary eyed and almost started to cry! Read the rest of this entry »

Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints are masters of the “Screen Pass”

Over the past decade, the NFL has transformed from a ground and pound league, to an ultra heavy passing league.  In 2002, four QB’s threw for over 4,000 yards.  Last year ten did.  And of those ten, three threw for over 5,000 yards (Eli Manning had 4,933).  We also saw Drew Brees break Dan Marino’s record for passing yards in a season, with 5,476.

When you see those gaudy passing statistics, you would figure that the QB’s are taking seven step drops and just letting it fly, 50 yds down the field.  While there are some teams that do have QB’s that are able do that, the short passing game is where they rack up the yards.  With the evolution of the slant route (Jets fans LOVE this pass pattern), it has essentially taken over as a run for some teams.  If you have a wide receiver who can get off the line quickly and cleanly, then cut to the middle of the field, it’s an instant six to ten yard gain if he holds on.  But while that pass play can lead to big gains, there’s nothing like the screen pass. Read the rest of this entry »

With only a few days left until Superbowl 46, TSB’s football guys Scott (@ttlsportsblog), Chris (@HookTSB) and Connor (@CJScutts) share their thoughts for the big game.  If you are looking for analysis or predictions of the commercials and/or the halftime show, you’re not going to find it here…. Read the rest of this entry »

Should the Patriots even bother showing up on Sunday?   That’s the question that I have been asking myself for about a week now.

Living in the New York City area allows me to listen to the best sports talk radio anywhere.  90% of the people who call up WFAN (Sorry 1050 ESPN Radio.  If your signal can’t reach 30 miles outside Manhattan and has hosts like Michael Kay and Stephen A. Smith, I’m not listening to you.  Those two make Mike Francesa sound like the nicest guy on the radio.) are knowledgeable fans who make good points.  Sure, you’ll get a few per hour that live in a bubble, but that’s to be expected.

So when the line came out Monday of the Patriots -3 against the Giants in the Super Bowl, I thought it was a little low, but -3 was fine with me.  Then came the newspaper articles and phone calls.

“Deah ain’t no way dat duh GMEN ain’t blowin’ da Pats out!  Brady sux, he ain’t dat good.  Eli beat em duh last two times day played!” Read the rest of this entry »

Alex Smith and Vernon Davis made a believer out of me

I’ll be honest.  I was pulling for the 49ers to beat the Saints.  All season I was trying to tell myself that they are a mediocre team and play in a mediocre division. But when they come out of the tunnel on Saturday, they were looking for respect.  And they got it.  Never in a million years did I think that the Saints would lose…again…as a road favorite.  But it just goes to show you that a hungry fan base, hungry players, and a hungry coach, can make the biggest non-believers, believers.

I wrote on Friday that I didn’t have faith in Alex Smith to make any big plays and that the 49ers couldn’t score enough to win the game.  Once again, I was proved wrong.  On the final drive of the game with the 49ers down 32-29, Smith had ice water coursing through his veins.  It was just incredible to watch him progressing through his reads.   Read the rest of this entry »

We

If I were a gambling man, I would have been a rich man after last week.  4 games.  All 4 correct.  Now, I’m not going to puff out my chest just yet, because this is the NFL and everyone knows that the unexpected always happens.

Wild Card Weekend Results

Scott aka “Earl” (@ttlsportsblog) 4-0 (doubted Tebow’s will to win)

Chris aka “Hook” (@HookTSB) 3-1 (picked all the winners)

Connor (@CJScutts) 1-3 (2-2 winners)

New Orleans -3.5 @ San Francisco

@ttlsportsblog – I’ve been burned all year by San Fran.  And boy do I want them to prove me right this weekend.  I’ve thought they are a mediocre team that’s gotten by on a solid defense.  Bottom line is that you need to be able to score in this league. When you have a QB who hasn’t thrown for over 300yds in a single game this year, you obviously can’t get behind early.  I just don’t see the 49ers putting up 28 or so points on offense.  BUT……I do see them making a big defensive or special teams play that will make this game close.  The Saints on grass will be slowed down, but that just means that Brees will be throwing the short ball all game and at a 75% clip.  I like the Saints to win, but not cover.  27-24 Saints win on a last-minute FG.

@HookTSB - San Francisco had an excellent year.  Their defense was top-notch and Alex Smith did enough not to lose games.  Their biggest wins during the regular season were Philly, NYG and Pittsburgh.  They lost to their 2 other quality opponents in Dallas and Baltimore, and dropped a 3rd to the lowly Cardinals.  They haven’t played a team like the Saints all year.  Drew Brees is rolling right now.  If his public image was more religious and less family-man, we’d all be calling him Breesus.  Saints -3.5 could be the easiest call of the weekend, I’m thinking blow-out city 38-21. Read the rest of this entry »

Scott aka “Earl” (@ttlsportsblog), Chris aka “Hook” (@HookTSB) and Connor (@CJScutts) break down Wild Card Weekend.

CIN @ HOU

@ttlsportsblog I feel as if everything is leaning towards the Texans in this game.  The Texans have the best player in this game in Arian Foster.  Although “Youz-din” is on their 9th QB of the season, their running game and defense are top-notch.  The fans should be going crazy for the 1st playoff game in team history and play a big factor in the game.  I like the Texans to win and cover.

@CJScutts  I really like both of these teams in what I consider the tightest of these wild card weekend games to call. Houston may have the better offense, but Cincinnati has the better defense. Both are young and inexperienced at this level so I’m expecting lots of nerves and maybe a few mistakes. I’m going with a 24 – 21 Houston win.

@HookTSB  I just don’t think Andy Dalton is ready for the big time yet.  If Jerome Simpson tries to flip over roided-up Brian Cushing there’s a good chance he becomes a paraplegic.  Look for the Texans to cover and win.

PIT @ DEN  Read the rest of this entry »