Week 2 Picks

Alright, I apologize for not posting my picks last week, but unfortunately The Conzz was out after some minor surgery.  As for my picks last week, I went 9-7 (ask anyone in my Yahoo! Pick 'Em league for validity).  I won with the Giants, Saints, Eagles, Bills, Jets, Patriots, Panthers, Packers, and Broncos; while I lost with the Lions, Texans, Jaguars, Bengals, Browns, 49ers, and Colts.  Week 1 brought some shenanigans, I just hope to improve upon the performance because I feel lucky I am still in a tie for first with 9 wins.  Without further ado my week 2 picks are as follows:

Titans (+1) over BENGALS

The Titans without Vince Young, people may say is a terrible pick.  However, are you really convinced that a team that was in the playoffs a year ago can be stopped by that daunted Cincinnati Bengals defense?  Also Kerry Collins I feel provides more stability to the passing game than Vince Young does.  Vince Young adds a whole different dynamic to the game...just not in the pocket.

Packers (-3) over LIONS

A lot of people had the Lions as the best team in the NFC North last week.  Those same people are starting to dust off those infamous Fire Matt Millen t-shirts now after last week's abysmal performance to Michael Turner, Matt Ryan, and the Falcons.

Saints (Pick 'em) over REDSKINS

This game should not be a pick 'em in my mind.  The Saints started off the year with a great performance against a divisional rival last week, and the Redskins were lucking their defense kept the game as close as they did.  I give to the Saints by a touchdown at least.

CHIEFS (-3.5) over Raiders

Brodie Croyle is not the answer for the Chiefs.  Damon Huard is not the answer for the Chiefs either.  However, watching Oakland basically get turned into a mop, soak up a beating by Denver's offense, and then get wrung out to dry on Monday night....I think a Damon Huard led offense that almost beat the Patriots could fare pretty easily against a poor Oakland Raiders' defense.

Bears (+3) over PANTHERS

Both of these teams had very surprising Week 1 victories last week over whom a lot of critics felt were far superior opponents.  I was impressed by both of these teams, but I give the nod to the Bears this week because I feel their victory over the Colts last week was much more dominating.  Matt Forte established himself as a significant threat in the Bears offense in the running game, something lacked last year, and Kyle Orton led this team to the playoffs a few years ago.  Da Bears are a sleeping giant to be reckoned with.

Giants (-8.5) over RAMS

The Rams are in a lack of better words....pathetic.

Bills (+5.5) over JAGUARS

The Bills are probably the most underrated team in the league this season.  Trent Edwards looked solid against the Seahawks who Chris Berman picked to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl this year.  Look for them to continue their success against a weakened Jacksonville team who are still reeling from some major injuries.

Colts (-2) over VIKINGS

The Colts really can't lose 2 in a row to start the season to the NFC North can they?

SEAHAWKS (-7) over 49ers

The Seahawks will be looking to recover from a weak Week 1 performance.  All I have to say is J.T. O'Sullivan better be prepared to see the ground because the Seahawks defense will be angry and have a bullseye square on his back after their terrible performance in Buffalo.

Falcons (+7) over BUCCANEERS

I am not necessarily saying the Falcons will win this game, but I am saying I was impressed with what I saw last week versus the Lions.  I say a late score will decide this game with a touchdown.  Remember...for the last few years the last place team in the NFC South has come back to win the division the following year...Who knows what the Falcons have in store for us this year?

CARDINALS (-6.5) over Dolphins

This was a tough pick.  I mainly took Arizona because I need to balance out my pick against home teams vs. away teams.  I feel this game can go either way, but given Arizona covered last week...I will give them the benefit this week.

Chargers (-1.5) over BRONCOS

The Chargers got a reality check last week versus Carolina.  It will probably work out for the best because they will have a bad taste in their mouths as they head up to Denver.  San Diego will be looking to put that win up in the divisional column, but Denver will be no pushover in the fight.  Look for a late score to put this game away in the Chargers favor.

JETS (-1.5) over Patriots

This just scares me all together.  As a Jet fan, its not I am obliged to pick the Patriots, but Mr. Boston Sports Guy himself...Bill Simmons...picked the Jets as well.  For certain, my pick for wild card of the season goes to Matt Cassel.  If he performs well, this game will be close...if not, I can't even start to think about the possibilities this season has ahead.

Steelers (-6) over BROWNS

The Browns failed to impress me last week.  They really did.  My biggest question in all of my fantasy drafts was how much could I trust Derek Anderson?  Well, he cost me my week one matchup in one league so I have a bad taste in my mouth.  Also, after last week I think with Brady going down the Steelers will be looking to solidify itself as one of the favorites in the AFC.  A win versus Cleveland goes a long way to helping that cause.

Eagles (+7) over COWBOYS

The Eagles might not win this game, but they most certainly will not lose by less than a touchdown.

Will be back later next week with an assessment of the Jets in Week 2.

Peace,

The Conzz

Jets Week 1 Breakdown

In Favre I Trust.

Alright, so the Jets did not play the perfect game against the Dolphins in Week 1, but some great things did come out of it.  Here are a few of things I noticed:

• Brett Favre did what he had to do out there.  He didn't do anything over the top to make himself seem superhuman (Yet, that toss up prayer throw to Chansi Stuckey was amazing)

• Thomas Jones will have a very solid fantasy year.  And all the moves along the offensive line have seemed to pay off.  Jones had a solid day of rushing with 101 yards on 22 attempts.  Even though the line was called for a handful of penalties, they will easily provide Jones with the holes he needs to become a 1,000 yard rusher again.

• When he was drafted in April,  I said Dwight Lowery would win out the starting corner job by the end of the season...well with opening day done, I think he secured it up yesterday.  All around, our secondary played solid.  Most notable play of the game was obviously Revis' interception that saved the game in the end.

• Finally, our front 7 played very well and gave Chad Pennington adequate pressure.  It was sad seeing Chad go, but I still feel Favre can get us further than he ever could.   It was nice to see Calvin Pace get involved, as well as Bryan Thomas realizing his job is on the line all season get two sacks for us.  If we can keep this up, our defense should be a formidable unit for the entire season.

With that said,  I do not count my chickens especially after week 1.  Yes, Tom Brady might be out for the season but once again we must understand...this is the New York Jets.  This is the team that breaks their fans hearts year after year after year.  However, the buzz is out there.  We are 1-0, and it seems like we were noticed.  It will be an interesting year as we move forward.

I give the Jets performance all around a B+.  There was plenty of room to improve with penalties and a near collapse late, but I was very impressed by what I saw in the first week.

Until next time,

The Conzz

Favre, FedEx Cup, Olympics

I asked somebody the other day, a fellow Jets fan, I am sorry I have been sitting in a cave in Mars with my fingers in my ears and my eyes shut; Did the Jets get a new quarterback or something?

I think its time to finally give my opinion the Brett Favre trade.  This deal was a STEAL for the Jets.  We gave up a fourth round pick if he does not perform up to the way we hope he does.  We give up a first round pick if we make the Super Bowl.  Think about it...would you give up a first round pick to see your team in the Super Bowl?  It makes perfect sense.  He is far better than anyone else we had.  I will miss Chad, he has brought many highs to our team, but he is still NO Brett Favre.

I actually shedded some tears for the acquisition.  I was just so happy to finally see the Jets do something that they had never done.  They finally decided to just act boldly and make the big headlines they have never made.  It was almost surreal to see how much of the city was finally talking about the Jets...even after the Giants won the Super Bowl back in February.  I am looking forward to this upcoming season because even if we don't do anything big...we finally took the chance to put ourselves in position.

Yesterday, the first leg of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedEx Cup, The Barclays, ended on a very high note.  Vijay Singh defeated Sergio Garcia and Kevin Sutherland on the second playoff hole to claim his fourth Barclays title.  The players gave plenty of praise to the new course, Ridgewood Country Club, which hosted the tournament after 41 years in Westchester.  The new format for FedEx Cup points also proved to be more successful in creating drama.  Kenny Perry who came in as the highest ranked active player (Tiger Woods was #1 but is out due to injury) fall five places to #7.  Vijay Singh is now the leader, followed by Sergio Garcia and Kevin Sutherland is second and third respectively.  The FedEx Cup looks to bring a lot of drama to the TOUR over the next month.  I can't wait to see who will bring home the $10 million.

Finally, the Olympics ended on a high note this week.  This was the most watched Olympics ever in history.  Thanks to Michael Phelps' dominating 8 gold medal performance, and Usain Bolt's 3 world record breaking gold medal races.  Beijing put the spark back in the Olympics that had been missing since Atlanta in 1996.  I am anxiously awaiting to see how Vancouver in 2010, and London 2012 can try and top this superb performance we saw.  Also, rumors are circulating that Chicago is starting to be seen as the favorite to host the games in 2016 (Sports Business Daily 8/25).

More to come as the NFL season is right around the corner, and my preview to come shortly.

Keep on fighting the good fight,

The Conzz

Favre is a Jet!

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/trainingcamp08/news/story?=id=3522971

More news to come as Brett Favre is traded to the Jets!!!

Favre era ends in Green Bay with trade to Jets

Its a mad, mad, mad, mad, world.

Over the last few days we have seen two major brawls in the world of sports. The WNBA brawl was fairly fascinating to watch. The biggest story to come out of it was the fact the WNBA was getting publicity, granted it was not good publicity. Telelvision host Jimmy Kimmel on his late night show even went so far to replay the tape with a different announcer voiceover saying "Oh my God! This is the most action in a game in WNBA history! Why isn't anybody watching this right now?"

The question I pose from this is: Is any publicity really good publicity?
I would in this case have to vote yes. The WNBA is in desparate need of publicity, and the way the fight went it almost seemed as if it was staged. I am not saying it was, but it was a great marketing ploy because all over the internet people have actually been googling the WNBA. It gives the exposure out of a popular sport in a not so popular league. Sure, the fight might have not been a great thing to happen but it is getting the WNBA out there more. This is probably the most SportsCenter has covered the league since its inception in 1997.

The brawl that was in the minor leagues the other night was just your typical baseball brawl, with just one twist. Julio Castillo decided it would be a great idea to hurl a baseball at full speed into the opposing team's dugout. Well, one thing Julio didn't take into play was his accuracy and he unfortunately beaned a fan who had to be taken out on a stretcher. This incident will most likely mean an immediate end to Castillo's career but the trouble doesn't end there. He was arrested after the game and is due in court this morning to face charges of assault. What a way to go out there pal, the Illinois Penal League awaits!


In other news,
Kudos to Padraig Harrington on winning his second straight British Open. It was a great day for the Irish once again, but it was also great to see Greg Norman playing well again. He said that Chris Evert has really inspired him to start playing more competitvely. Perhaps this marriage will mean that we will see Chris Evert make a dramatic run at the US Open next month in Flushing. Hey stranger things have happened.

Jets training camp has opened, and the early word is that Chad Pennington is ahead of Kellen Clemens in the race for the starting quarterback position. I like Chad, but remember he is 32 years old. People should not be waiting to 'see what he's got' at that age. This is Chad's last stand. If he does not win his job back from Clemens, its safe to say his career with the Jets does not stand to have much of a lifespan left.

Thanks again for visiting The Conzz's Sports Lounge, we look forward to seeing you again.

Cheers,
The Conzz

Keith: Alright we got Tom from Staten Island on the phone; Me: Keith, let me give you some thoughts on the call-in idea SNY has.

Alright, I have been meaning to comment on this for over a week.  Last week I was out eating dinner with my family, and there were two games on.  Obviously, one was the Yankees and the other was the Mets.  Even though I am a die hard Yankee fan, I could not keep my eyes off of SNY.  The reason why:  SNY is allowing fans to call into the booth to talk to the commentators.  Do I like this idea?  Actually, I think its great.  It gives the Mets the feel of a small market ball club (which compared to the Yankees they practically are) and at the same time gives fans a chance to be like "this franchise is terrible (turrible for you Charles Barkley fans)".  If you are so far off the mark with your franchise and television coverage that you need fans to call in and voice their opinions.  I can only imagine it now:

Caller: This Mets team is pissing me off.

Keith: Well,, derrrr ughhh derrrrr (glug)

Caller: What?

Keith: Im Keith Hernandez, I don't need to respond.

Frankly, I give SNY props for being innovative, but you would never see Michael Kay talk to viewers during a broadcast...Thank God for the callers.

Other than that, had the chance to meet Dan Patrick and Keith Olberman the other day.  The 'Big Show' returns from Sportscenter's hayday to NBC's Football Night in America this fall.  Should be a lot of fun, just judging how these two guys interact on a personal basis.  Not just good anchors, but good friends as well.  Potential for some great chemistry.

Things are looking up, and my pick for television this weekend:  The American Century Championship on NBC.  A fun tournament with celebrities ranging in skill from Rick Rhoden (a semi-professional pro golfer now) to who else but...Charles Barkley (just turrible...what a knucklehead...is he in your five?)  Look forward to having more good times with you all next week. For now I leave you.

Peace be with y'all,

The Conzz

US Open and CELTICS CHAMPIONSHIP!!!

This has been a great week for sports for me.  The US Open being a hit, the Celtics winning the NBA Championship to become the first one of my teams to win since the Yankees in 2000, and the Yankees are on a seven game winning streak.  Times are good.

The US Open finish was spectacular.  That playoff made anyone who questioned the 18 hole playoff system for the US Open shut up.  Granted you are not going to get the goofy journeyman pro like Rocco Mediate in the playoff everytime but it was great television.  Perfect timing too, weekday daytime.  I am sure with all the storylines surrounding Tiger's knee, if he was going to win, and Rocco's comeback that NBC did not really throw a curveball to its soap opera viewers.  Every hole was like a soap opera.  Tiger grimaces in pain, Rocco goes three down to Woods, Rocco charges back, will Tiger pull it out?  Great television. Great golf.  Great US Open. Period.  Unfortunately Woods will not be seen for the rest of the year as the PGA TOUR ratings will not plummet once again.

Speaking of Mediate, how could you root against this guy?  He had this attitude of an "aww shucks, I don't know how I got here" country boy from South Florida, he smiled every hole I think and his round goes up and down and never stayed steady.  I compared him to watching the New York Jets on Monday.  As mentioned in previous entries, the Jets just can't let you have a definitive ending.  Neither could Rocco.  The Jets will be down 20 at halftime, charge back to come within a touchdown or even take the lead, only to blow it real late.  Rocco was 3 down to Tiger, and came back to take the lead by one, lost the lead when Tiger sent the playoff into 'overtime', and then lost on the first possession of OT.  My heart was in my stomach rooting for this guy.  Its not that I dislike Tiger, I just couldn't root against Rocco.  Granted also, at The Barclays I had to give him his umbrella during the final round last year that he left in his locker which would have made golfers I came in direct contact with at the tournament 2 for 2 at the majors this year (drove Trevor Immelman back after the Pro-Am).  If that happened I was putting my money on Steve Stricker, Paddy Harrington, Jim Furyk, and Zach Johnson at the remaining majors.  

Anyway, Rocco brought out the heart of the average golf fan.  He was David going up against Goliath.  My emotions were on a rollercoaster watching this guy and I couldn't help but not root for him.  When he didn't sink that putt on 18 it was like the point in the Jet game my dad looks over and says...Tommy, nothing good can come out of this game anymore, lets go home.  You knew it was over.  He had fought valiantly, but it was time to just throw in the towel.  Great Open though.  It had everyone talking, offices stopping work to watch, just the USGA should pat themselves on the back for a job well done.

I would like to congratulate Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and the rest of the Boston Celtics for winning the NBA Championship.  Well done!  I just want to make a quick comment that even though KG provided an excellent sound bite with "ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE", I felt Michelle Tafoya was a little too aggressive in her post-game interview.  She wanted to keep KG there as long as she could, kept saying Kevin one more question, Kevin one more question.  The man just won his first NBA Championship, Michelle.  How about you let him celebrate it and stop trying to force the sound bite out of him when he almost incomprehensible with tears of joy.  Other than that, decent coverage of my Celtics championship.

Its been a good week, lets hope the Yanks can keep on rolling.

Till the next time,

The Conzz

Forgive me

Yes, I know I started this page with the intentions of updating it regularly, but computer difficulties were at a premium this past semester.

Its US Open week and we got people wondering who the hell are these guys at the top of the leaderboard?  Personally, do not write off Kevin Streelman right away.  Back in February he was in second place at the Buick Invitational through two rounds.  The course the tournament was played at: Torrey Pines.  Streelman's third round playing partner?  Tiger Woods.

For a guy like Kevin Streelman, a guy who played on basically every tour except the AST Dew Tour (airing on NBC next weekend), his journey to the PGA TOUR is almost like that of an immigrant coming to Ellis Island.  He fought and fought and had to go through screening after screening (Q-School) until he qualified for his exemption or "citizenship" rights on the TOUR. 

So Streelman is now 2 months into his official first stint as a card carrying member of the TOUR, and you get paired with the best player...or at least the most dominant player...in the world ever.  This is almost like being invited to dinner in your honor to accept an award then being told hey...your picking up the bill on this one.  Playing with Woods obviously is no easy task (just ask Davis Love III who just seems to see his scores balloon when he does).  Streelman would go onto shoot 75-77 on the weekend and finished tied for 29th.

However, he has seen success on this golf course this season.  I am not saying that Kevin Streelman will win this tournament...but don't count him out of it just because you don't know his name.  Every immigrant came to Ellis Island in search of the American Dream.  Well, maybe the golf equivalent of Kevin Streelman's journey through Q-school to the TOUR has a decent finish at the US Open in the cards.

Hope to post more often now that I have my own laptop again.

To US Open week,

The Conzz