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Last Word On Sports

Sports News Since 2011. Honestly.

Last Word On Sports Logo

Sports. Honestly. Since 2011

Month: November 2011

Texas-Sized Problem

Posted on by Ben Kerr

ESPN.com is reporting the Houston Texans QB Matt Schaub will miss the remainder of the season with a Lisfranc injury.  This is devastating news for a Texans team that has never made the playoffs in franchise history but are currently sitting on top of the AFC South at 7-3.  I have never been a huge fan of Schaub and feel he has been over-rated due to his penchant for putting up great fantasy numbers.  This doesn’t mean he isn’t an effective player though.  His talents fit the offense well and the Texans offense has been clicking this season like one of the best units in the NFL.

If Schaub is out the Texans will have a bye week to get adjusted to their new quarterback, Matt Leinart.  Leinart is a former first round pick of the Arizona Cardinals.  He never played well enough to take over the starting QB role in Arizona long-term and he left the team in 2009, which is the last time he started a game.  If Leinart can not produce in this offense then there is no home for him in the NFL as a starter.  The offense has been tailored to suit Schaub with plenty of designed roll-outs and tons of throwing on the run, usually off of play-action.  These things won’t suit Leinart quite as well but there is reason to think he could succeed in this offense.

Schaub is an accurate passer but he does not have a rocket arm and cannot drive the ball down the field like many QB’s can.  But in this offense Schaub was not asked to drive the ball down the field.  Because of all the play-action and roll outs the throws Schaub often made were short passes to tight ends and running backs breaking free off of the formation.  Last season Houston ranked 2nd in number of play-action plays ran and 12th in number of times moving the QB out of the pocket.  When Schaub did need to throw it down the field he would usually look for the leagues best wide out, Andre Johnson.  With the massive Johnson you just need to put the ball in his area and watch him fight to go get it.  These are the types of throws that Leinart could succeed with.  Leinart does not have a strong arm so he could certainly use all the extra room afforded to throw the ball in the Houston offense.  Unfortunately for Leinart on top of arm strength, accuracy was also an issue at times for him in Arizona.  I don’t know if he has improved since he left Arizona but I do know there were times (usually earlyin his career) when Leinart showed the ability to be a strong player in the NFL.

I do think Leinart has enough ability to lead this offense, mostly because he won’t be asked to carry them.  The previously mentioned Johnson has been out most of the year but his return is imminent.  But something has happened while Johnson was out,  Arian Foster might have become the Texans most important player.  The Houston run game is near the top of the league right now.  In fact the last four games Houston have scored 41, 24, 30 and 37 points without Schaub ever having to complete 20 passes because the run game has been so dominant.  The offensive line is blocking so well that both Foster and backup Ben Tate are having stellar years.  But it is Foster who makes the offense go.  He is a special player and his style suits the Houston running scheme perfectly.  The Texans have to be careful not to burn him out though because right now his workload is too high and if it continues he won’t be playing his best football come playoff time.

If the run game can continue to produce without Schaub under center then I believe Leinart will be good enough to pick up some wins for the Texans and grow into a good quarterback for them.  If Leinart is even just competent then the Texans will still have a good shot at the playoffs with winnable games left against Jacksonville, Carolina, Indy and Tennessee. Watching the Houston Texans just got a lot more interesting for the rest of the year.

Week 1: Vandy and UCLA lose, everyone else wins.

Posted on by taketheleap
Even President Obama came out for the UNC season-opener. (via US Navy, flickr)

Week 1 is in the books, and somewhat as expected, the Top 25 won all of their games.

The top team in the NCAA, the North Carolina Tar Heels, opened the season aboard the USS Carl Vinson against a mediocre Michigan State University. The final, a 67-55 UNC victory, reflected the huge difference in talent each program currently contains.

The remainder of the Top 25 teams all came out with a victory, with two exceptions: Vanderbilt and UCLA. There were a couple close games – looking at you Duke, with your 77-76 win over Belmont – but in the end, the “better” teams came out on top.

Some quick notes after Week 1:

  • UCLA (formerly #17), lost to Loyola Marymount, 69-58. After taking a one point lead into halftime, Loyola came out gunning in the second half, outscoring the Bruins by 10 to cruise to an easy win. UCLA is no longer in the Top 25.
  • Vanderbilt (formerly #7, currently #18) lost on Sunday to Cleveland State. The reigning Horizon League champions put on a show for the Vandy home crowd, easily beating the high-expectations Vandy team, 71-58.
  • Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski tied the NCAA record for coaching wins, currently held by Bobby Knight, with his 902nd win on Saturday night against Presbyterian. If Duke can win against Michigan State on Wednesday night at Madison Square Gardens, Coach K will stand alone as the best coach to ever grace the NCAA benches. I may be a UNC Blue Blood, through and through, but you have to respect greatness.

Interesting games, Week 2:

  • Kansas (12) vs Kentucky (2), Tuesday night, 9PM EST: In what should be a great test for the Kansas Jayhawks, the Kentucky Wildcats begin their season in tough, looking to avenge their Final Four loss to Connecticut.
  • Florida (7) vs Ohio State (3), Tuesday night, 8PM EST: Speaking of avenging losses, Ohio State looks to slap the SEC back into submission after their top team, Kentucky, knocked the Buckeyes out of the tournament last March.
  • Duke (6) vs Michigan State, Tuesday night, 7PM EST: Although Michigan State started the season with a loss to UNC, they are still receiving votes for entry into the Top 25. A win over the sixth-ranked Duke would go a long way to gaining them more votes. If Duke comes out on top, Coach K will stand alone.

A good start to the season, but the best is yet to come.

… and that’s the last word.

UFC on FOX 1: Success or Failure?

Posted on by Mark Modeski

Last night marked the first time that the UFC touched conventional TV in its history. The hopes of the FOX and UFC brass are that this partnership will usher in a new era for the sport finally legitimizing it, by giving it exposure to the millions of eyeballs; a lacking part of the soon-to-be dead Spike deal. While this new collaboration between Fox and the UFC will undoubtedly grow the sport’s visibility, first impressions are often the most important – and I am still not sure it lived up to the hype.

One hour was devoted to a five-round showdown for the Heavyweight Championship. A premier fight for the UFC’s first showing, with all the makings of a legendary matchup between two incredibly talented fighters – Junior Dos Santos and Cain Velazsquez. Dana White was crossing fingers, hoping for a renaissance of “Griffin v. Bonnar I”. Unfortunately, Dana didn’t get his five-round war. A flash knockout that lasted less than two minutes, with Dos Santos leaving with his hand raised was the final result. One hour of TV, and less than two minutes of fighting.

For the hardcore MMA fan, you couldn’t have asked for more. Flashy knockouts and surprise endings are what makes this sport so great. Many fans have been anticipating this fight for months – and it couldn’t have ended in a more fitting way.

For those people who were getting their first glance of MMA, it’s still difficult to say if the brief adrenaline rush was enough to incite future interest. I can see people who actually tuned in at the same time as the fight started being happy with what they saw. That said, if I was someone new to the sport and I spent thirty-five minutes watching the fight build up, only to see the one fight end in two minutes, I may have been disappointed.

From an event stand-point I would say it went off without a hitch, but from a marketing point-of-view – I think it fell a little short. If you’re looking to gain new viewers (which was the sole purpose of that event), I am not sure it offered enough. I am not a promoter, but I would think a few more fights and a little more action would’ve been ideal. I know there is a certain induction that needs to take place to educate the uneducated, but they still could’ve squeezed in another fight – Henderson v. Guida would’ve been great to build excitement.

Yes, all of the fights were available on Facebook, but how many people who are new to the UFC are going to its fan page to watch the preliminary fights? It’s still not an ideal medium for building visibility; online is great once you get people there, but it’s getting people there that is the challenge.

As a fan, I am still satisfied. I can’t wait for the next event. And I am sure this deal with FOX will take the organization to new heights. I just felt like it was a luke-warm coming out for the lay person. It just means the first major card will have to be that much more!

… and that is the last word.

Quickest. Picks. Ever.

Posted on by Ben Kerr

DALLAS -5.5 over Buffalo – Buffalo stinks, don’t ever forget it.

ATLANTA -1 over New Orleans

Detroit +2.5 over Chicago

Cincy +3.5 over Pitt

CLEVELAND -2.5 over St. Louis

Jacksonville -3 over INDY

KC -3.5 over Denver

Washington +4 over Miami

Arizona +12.5 over Philly

Houston -3.5 over Tampa

Tennessee +3.5 over Carolina

Baltimore -6.5 over Seattle

Giants +3.5 over San Fran

New England +1 over Jets

Minny +13 over Green Bay

England vs. Spain: The Triumph of Three Lions

Posted on by Michael Kovacs, ADMIN
Flag by the crowd © by Jon Juan

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of watching the English defeat the Spanish.  Whenever two football giants clash, the world notices, and this was one such match.  Designated an International “Friendly”(more on that oxymoron later) the two teams met at the new-look Wembley Stadium in London in front of close to 80,000 pro-English fans.

The two sides featured many of the best each country has to offer.  From England’s perspective, they were missing the experience of Gerrard, goal-scoring ability of Rooney, shut-down centre back John Terry and the young phenom from Arsenal, Jack Wilshere.  Certainly, Fabio Capello must feel confident in his side considering the casualties that were not fit to play yesterday.

The first twenty minutes of the match yesterday saw much of the play dominated by Spain, and their typical tick-tack-toe passing style.  Wait, I meant their “tick-tack-toe and then repeat until the other team become disoriented” style.  They certainly looked their old championship self.  That said, England did not surrender, and their full-back and midfielders played honourably.  The Jagielka-Jones-Cole-Lescott combination in the bacsk did their duty well, keeping Iniesta, Xavi, Fabregas, David Villa et al at a distance for most of the match.

Only a few minutes into the second half, James Milner floated a free kick into the box, finding the forehead of Darren Bent.  Bent’s shot hit the post, but Frank Lampard, wearing the captain’s band for the match, seized the opportunity and knocked it home with his head, giving the home side a 1-nil lead.

The visitors mustered a good attack, highlighted by several chances by former Arsenal mid Cesc Fabregas, and career Spanish scoring champion David Villa, but the English defenders stood strong, continuously repelling their attempts.

In the end, England were victorious thanks to a complete team effort.  The defenders played well as a group, which is very encouraging, and the mids provided the support.  What is even more encouraging is that they defended without the likes of Terry in the back and Gerrard and Wilshere in the middle.  While the English attack was not spectacular, it was at least efficient, considering Wayne Rooney was not in the line-up.

To throw caution into the mix, I don’t want to sound as if this was a dominant effort.  Far from it.  Spain was its old self, passing with precision, finding through-balls that didn’t appear as options.  It’s just that they couldn’t finish, which is somewhat uncharacteristic.

I usually am not a fan of the “interlull” (I’m a league guy), this game was very much an exception.  I repeat, every time two football giants play the world, and me, watch with anticipation.

…and that is the last word.

Phantom Picks – Playing the Odds in the NHL

Posted on by Grant Alexander

Welcome to another edition of Phantom Picks! I will attempt to give you the inside track on the teams that are under/over valued throughout the Saturday night lineup. I’m no hero, just trying to make sure you get the best bang for your buck! Lets take a look…

Buffalo @ Boston

This is an interesting game, considering it is a divisional matchup, and both teams have won their last four straight. I also consider these teams to be pretty even, and if situations were reversed I would take Buffalo. But they’re not, and tonight’s matchup has Buffalo on the road after playing at home last night. And has Boston at home, well rested. I’ll take Boston and the measly 1.55 against a tough opponent. But I wouldn’t blame you if you took an equally hot team in Buffalo at 2.00.

Ottawa @ Toronto

This is already game 3 of the battle of Ontario. Both teams having won a game so far. I see Toronto going up 2 games to 1 though, in front of a hometown HNIC crowd. The Sens will battle hard for 2 divisional points, but having played last night, they might not have enough left in the tank. So despite shaky goaltending, I’ll take Toronto at 1.50.

New Jersey @ Washington

This matchup is the second of a home and home series, with Washington taking the first one in Jersey last night. I think Washington wins this one too. They just simply have a better team. I’ll take Washington at 1.40. But if you’re looking for a few long shots tonight, this could be one of them. Never count a team out of a grudge match. They have the second highest odds of the night at 2.30, and could be worth a look.

Pittsburgh @ Carolina

Both of these teams played last night, and as much as it is a battle of attrition, one of these teams is rolling, while the other is playing like an old bar shot (broken down golf cart). The real deal James Neal is hot right now, and so is Malkin. I can’t say the same for Carolina superstar Eric Staal, who has looked out of form since he sidelined his brother Marc from professional hockey. I wonder what Jordan has to say about it? Anyway, just take the pens for a buck sixty-five (1.65), and lets move on.

Dallas @ Detroit

Dallas is on the road for the second time in as many nights. While Detroit had the luxury of staying at home for their back to back. Detroit is hot, having won their last 3, and the odds reflect it (1.50). But Dallas has been solid all year long, and I like them to upset the older Detroit team, on the second of back-to-back nights. I’ll take the road dog (Dallas) here for 2.10.

Winnipeg @ Columbus

This one is as close to a toss-up as you are going to see tonight. Both teams need wins in a bad way, Columbus especially. I think they know this is an ideal matchup for them. And being at home this is a must win for Columbus. So I’ll take the home team for 1.70. Wait, who is the first round draft pick going to be this year? No, never mind, too early. Give me Columbus at 1.70.

Montreal @ Nashville

I always tend to lean towards the home team in cross-conference games, for a number of reasons. But in this case, I also think the home team is the better team. They are similar teams upfront, but the Preds look a lot better on the blue line and in net. Rinne is possibly the best goalie in the league. I’ll take Nashville at 1.65.

Tampa Bay @ St. Louis

Like I said above, I give automatic points to St. Louis. Plus I like their speed, youth, and goaltending. But Tampa is hot right now and I don’t really want to bet against them. Can anybody say 1-3-1? Tampa at 1.65.

Calgary @ Colorado

This is a divisional game against two slumping teams. I don’t like either of them, but I guess Colorado would be the lesser of two evils. They are at home and rested, while Calgary played last night. Colorado at 1.60.

Minnesota @ Los Angeles

Minnesota has stormed up the Northwest division ladder to sit 1 point behind current division leaders Edmonton, with one game in hand. They have been playing great hockey. But I’m not ready to drink the Kool-Aid. I think they are a mediocre team, and I think the Kings are a better one. Give me L.A, and king Kopitar, at 1.65.

Phoenix @ San Jose

If I have to tell you who to pick here, you obviously don’t follow hockey, and in retrospect, shouldn’t be gambling. San Jose at 1.30.

Favorites

Boston
Toronto
Washington
Pittsburgh
Los Angeles
San Jose

Pick ‘ems

Columbus
Nashville
Tampa Bay
Colorado

Long shots

Dallas

OWC (Odds Worth Considering)

Buffalo 2.00
New Jersey 2.30

That’s it for this week. Look for more Phantom picks coming next week. And as always, good luck, and let me know how you did!

Come and Get It!

Posted on by Grant Alexander
Lecavalier and Stamkos © by Dan4th

Which is exactly what Peter Laviolette and the Flyers said to the Tampa Bay Lightning Wednesday night. The Lightning were using their usual 1-3-1 defensive system (which is a favorite of head coach Guy Boucher). Wherein they line up three players across the red line, making it nearly impossible for the opposing team to stickhandle or pass through the neutral zone. This gives the opposing team the limited option of dumping the puck in, usually resulting in a turnover or an icing. It also has all five players on the ice in a defensive role, which is why none of the Lightning were pressuring the puck on Wednesday, and the Flyers were sitting in their own end, passing the puck back and forth, not being forced to move it.

This went on for almost the entire first period. Tampa’s philosophy; “If you want to score, you have to come down the ice eventually.” Philly’s equally boring philosophy; “We have the puck; if you want it, you’re gonna have to come and get it”.  The stalemate provided some of the worst hockey the NHL has ever produced, and had the hometown Lightning fans wanting their money back!  No kidding!

There is nothing wrong with playing defensive hockey. It isn’t a novel idea by any means. For instance, most teams looking to protect a lead (especially late in the game) will abandon the fore-check for a more defensive style of hockey. However, the “trap”, “neutral zone trap”, left-wing lock”, “1-3-1” or whichever variation you want to use, is a game plan and style of play initiated right from the opening face-off.  Guy Boucher implemented this system, relying strictly on turnovers and counterattacking for offense. It was made famous by Jacques Lemaire, coach the New Jersey Devils, throughout the 90’s. The “trap” was a major turn-off for fans, as they were forced to endure low scoring, low intensity games. During the lockout in 2005, the league sought to disrupt or remove the trap. They decided to remove the two-line pass, and took clutching and grabbing out of the game. The changes did work, as the NHL saw an increase in scoring again. However, coaches like Guy Boucher will always find a way to bring the trap back. Which is why it will be a major topic of discussion at the upcoming General Managers’ meeting next week.

So if you were in that room next week, what would be your stance? Would you be against the team sitting back playing the trap, and not pushing the pace of the game? Or would you be against the team that sits in their own end playing with the puck, not willing to move it forward? Or do you think there is nothing wrong with what either team was doing, because they were both doing what was in their best interest?

And what solution would you propose?

I have heard a few suggestions from people who are against what the Flyers did (not advancing the puck out of their end). Things like; A zone timer, a shot clock, or a delay of game penalty. A zone timer would give the team a certain amount of time, in which they would have to advance the puck beyond their own blue line, or they would incur a penalty. A shot clock, like in the NBA, would also give the team a certain amount of time to get a shot on net, or again, they would incur a penalty. Obviously a delay of game penalty would be just that, a penalty for not advancing the play.

Those who are against the way the Lightning played, seem to be in the larger majority. And that seems to be across the board, from players, to GM’s, to fans. However, the only suggestion I’ve heard so far is to instate a rule banning the use of any form of the trap, which I guess would fall under the referees’ discretion, and most likely result in a bench minor penalty.

Finally, for those who are in the middle and think neither team was at fault, and that nothing should be looked at or changed, I’m going to have to strongly disagree. This is a major problem, and it does have to be looked at. You can’t have two teams standing there looking at each other for 60 minutes, both claiming a point. First of all, every team would want to do it, which would have every team finishing with well over 100 points. Second of all, nobody would care. Nobody would be in the stands, and nobody would be watching it on TV. I don’t want to watch two UFC fighters get in the ring and stare at each other. And I don’t want to see two hockey teams skate circles in their own end. Lets make the appropriate changes and get on with the game!

…and that is the last word.

The CFL Playoff Picture

Posted on by Carl Mostacci

With the Canadian Football League season finishing last week, the Division Semi-Finals are set and here are my predictions on who will be advancing to the Division Finals next week.

Hamilton Tiger Cats at Montreal Alouettes

As a diehard Ticat fan I found it difficult to come to terms with the fact that the team has little chance at beating the Als in a jam-packed Stade Olympique this Sunday. The Cats have not been prepared at all for their last two regular season games, have come out very flat as a result and lost to two very beatable teams that aren’t in the playoffs. The Alouettes will be looking to re-establish themselves after being annihilated 45-1 by BC last week. Montreal has the edge on experience in being in situations like this. With Hamilton’s unstable quarterback starting situation and the Als having veteran quarterback Anthony Cavillo in tough situations, Montreal has the edge, I feel will win 30-17 and play Winnipeg in the East Final next week. Look for this to be Marcel Bellefeuille’s last game as Hamilton Tiger Cat Head Coach.

Calgary Stampeders at Edmonton Eskimos

Out West the Calgary Stampeders play their Albertan arch-rivals from Edmonton. Both teams are riding high into the playoffs and are coming off victories in the last week of the season. I feel the veteran leadership of Ricky Ray and company with running back Jerome Messam will out-last the feel-good story of upcoming Stampeders quarterback Drew Tate. Calgary has running back questions, which doesn’t help their situation. Look for Edmonton to win a close one, 24-21. This also may be Henry Burris’ last game as a Stampeder.

…and that is the last word.

The World’s Oldest Hockey Stick – A Piece of Canadian Heritage

Posted on by ScottyJ

The world’s oldest hockey stick could fetch more than $1 million.

What would you do if you owned the world’s oldest hockey stick? Would you hang it on your wall? That’s what George Ferneough did. He hung it on the wall of his barber shop. Would you use it? Well it is said to have been used over 170 years ago, made for W.M. Moffatt. Or would you sell it? Mr. Ferneough did that too; he sold it for $1000 to a man named Mark Presley. That was before either of them knew just how old, and valuable, the stick was.

Imagine being George Ferneough. How was he to know what he had in his barber shop? It doesn’t look quite as impressive as its story is. Mark Presley took a gamble, and then began to investigate the stick’s origins. The maple used to carve the stick luckily had a knot on the butt end of the shaft. Ideal for dating analysis because of the rings showing, it was dated back to the 1830’s. That was also the time that young W.M. Moffatt was growing up. The analysis also detected four types of paint common from eras long since past.

Mr. Presley found that he had purchased something special indeed. No stick has ever been found that proves to be as old as this one. He is opting to go with sell rather than use or display the stick. I think I might choose the same considering it could sell for over 2 million dollars. Not a bad investment for this 41-year-old Nova Scotia native. This chunk of maple is going to be sought after by collectors willing to pay crazy dollars for a splinter of Canadian sports history. Just for a basis of comparison, a similar stick was sold in 2006 for 2.1 million. That stick is about 150 years old.

Personally I would like to see the stick end up in a museum. It belongs somewhere where it can be seen by hockey fans from all over the country, and world. It’s hard to imagine what hockey would have been like so long ago. It is a piece of Canadian Heritage, but it is even older than Canada itself. That’s what makes the stick so precious, seeing it is like looking back in time.