Pro Bmx dirt bike rider TJ Lavin is currently in critical condition at a Las Vegas hospital after attempting a dangerous stunt Thursday evening. Lavin, an X Games star who hosted MTV's Real World Road Rules Challenge for 10 seasons, was attempting a "nac nac" jump combination and couldn't return his feet to the pedals before landing, Espn reports. The 33-year-old was competing in the Dew Tour Championships in Las Vegas, Nev., when the accident happened. He suffered a shattered right wrist and broken ribs and was knocked unconscious, and is reportedly in a coma.
This is the wreck
Here's T.J. as a rapper
The guy can do it all
Friday, October 15, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Week 7 college football
Decent slate as the college football season is firmly entrenched in conference play with a couple of a swing games this weekend in the Big Ten. The conference had a good bowl season last year with two BCS wins and the conference looks to be heading toward mediocrity again this year which would be a giant step up after the national beat downs suffered by the conference in the better part of the last decade. In a revelation as shocking as Brett Favre admitting to marriage problems we found out that some college players actually get paid. Only this revelation would stun the NCAA who wants to continue to make millions off of these kids while they get nothing. Don't try selling the "free education" line as these players want as much to do with school as Bud Selig does instant replay. Pay them or create a feeder league where players who don't want to go to college can play for pay and go from there to the NFL. Obviously this feeder league would turn the college game into a club sport and the NCAA would lose their golden ticket while the NFL would lose their de facto free minor league, making this idea implausible so the "amateur" charade continues. On that note below are the plays for this week and the road map for how some "friends of illbefrank" can bankrupt the Monte Carlo this weekend. Illinois @ Mich. St. (-7): There has been no more impressive team in the Big-10 this year than Mich. St. who can beat you on the ground or in the air. Illinois is coming off a steamrolling of PSU on the road where they dominated the game on the ground. The Illinois offense is up against a tough matchup in the Mich. St. defense who has proven you will not be able to just the run the ball against them to have success. Mich. St. LB's Greg Jones and Eric Gordon will stop the run and force Illinois QB Nathan Scheelhaase into obvious throwing downs. That is a bad formula for Ron Zook's team during the second of back to back road games making MSU -7 the play. Iowa (-3.5) @ Michigan: Watching Michigan last week I was left with the same question I have after watching any Kate Hudson/Matthew McConaughey flick; haven't I seen this movie before? Michigan gets out off to a good start with a favorable schedule and high octane offense led by a Heisman trophy candidate and then Big Ten play proves they can't win consistently with a defense only Don Nelson could love. Iowa will pound the ball with RB Adam Robinson and Michigan will need all 11 and more to slow down him down. Michigan QB Denard Robinson is exciting and will make a few plays, but Iowa with the best D line in the nation will stymie the spread and leave Robinson banged up and Rich Rod shaking his head making Iowa -3.5 the play. Texas @ Nebraska (-9.5): Texas coming off a loss to Oklahoma and a bye week would seem like a lock against most teams in most years, but Nebraska with QB Taylor Martinez and the revived "Blackshirts" are not most teams. Nebraska will be looking to make a national statement as a team that should be included in the national championship discussion and for revenge after last year's Big 12 title game. The college game is all about QB play and Nebraska has a huge advantage in Taylor Martinez who should have a big game vs. a Texas defense that has had big problems against the run all season. Texas should keep it close in the first half, but I expect Martinez to break some long runs and the Nebraska defense to harass Texas QB Blaine Gabbart into some game killing mistakes. 9.5 seems like a lot of points today, but Nebraska is the play as they will make a statement Saturday on their way to contending for the title. Arkansas @ Auburn (-4): For my money the most interesting game of the weekend in the now wide open SEC West. Auburn QB Cam Newton has replaced Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett as the Heisman hopeful due to his ability to deliver in the clutch. Newton has led Auburn to comeback 3 point victories against Clemson, South Carolina, and Kentucky to keep the Tigers undefeated and in the process has made up for his team's defensive weaknesses. Meanwhile, Arkansas has not scored a point in the fourth quarter of a game since beating Georgia almost a month ago, but only has the one loss vs. Bama. Mallett should have every opportunity for a big game against the Auburn secondary that has made average quarterbacks look like NFL first rounders this year. Auburn has been living on the edge all season and I think we are about to find out if this is a team of destiny or a team whose defense is so bad that every game will be an adventure. I wouldn't take Arkansas on the money line, but they are the play +4 with Auburn's recent history. Ohio State (-4) @ Wiscy: A home dog at night in this rivalry looks to be a solid bet until you ask yourself the question; What has Wiscy done all year that would make you think they are capable of beating a good team? The vaunted running game and O-line have looked average for most of the season and below average in the loss to Mich. St. and 1 point victory vs. Arizona State. Ohio State seems to make enough plays to beat Big Ten teams year in and year out under Jim Tressel and this game looks to be right in his comfort zone. A defensive or special teams score could swing this low scoring game and I think OSU is more capable of both and Wiscy's body of work has left be unable to find the courage to make them the play. Ok St @ Texas Tech (-3.5): When you are riding shotgun on the Kendall Hunter train you don't jump off in the middle of the ride. Missouri @ Texas A&M (-3.5): Doesn't A&M QB Jerrod Johnson deserve better? Didn't we say the same thing about Josh Freeman a couple years ago? That is the reason to believe better days are ahead. Miss St. @ Florida (-7.5): It just seems poetic if former OC Dan Mullen puts the stake in this Florida team. |
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
First and Goal (from the 1 and a half)
1) I never really cared or paid attention when there were allegations against a university or player about taking money from an agent. It always seemed arbitrary as to which players were publicly indicted. I assumed it happened everywhere, all the time, so when news came that Reggie Bush was taking money while he was at USC, it seemed almost unfair that he was singled out. A part of me felt bad for him to have to go through this, while hundreds of others do the same thing but it never makes it on ESPN.
Then, I started reading the confessional article coming in the new Sports Illustrated about former agent Josh Luchs. (Ex-agent Confessional) It was one of the greatest things I’ve ever read. Each line drew me further into the rest of the story. It was Jerry McGuire with the names of real athletes, but without the sappy love story. (I wonder if Jerry O’Connell modeled his character in Jerry McGuire after Ryan Leaf, or if that was just an insane coincidence.) Finally, someone on the inside not only confirmed what everyone knew, he gave a detailed play-by-play account. This article is the Goodfellas of sports agencies.
With all the allegations that it brings, the article is sure to spark the “Should college athletes be paid?” argument. The answer is no, but it’s complicated. The arguments for paying the players: The amount of money football programs bring in is astronomical and the majority of players are getting paid anyway, might as well make it legal and regulated.
Both are true, but think about how many players are on a college football team. With many of the big schools, it’s over 100 players including redshirts. Out of those hundred, maybe 40 of them see the field. The remaining players are either being groomed for the future or are used as tackling dummies for the others at practice. Do you really think the starting quarterback should be paid the same amount as a fourth string, former walk-on? No. People pay to see the quarterback, not the tackling dummy. They aren’t bringing in the same amount of money for the university, so why should they get paid the same. This isn’t communist China.
So, in light of this article, there is nothing wrong with the system the way it is now. The purists are satisfied because, on the outside, it seems like no one is getting more than a free education, but the realists are satisfied because the best players are making the money they’ve earned.
The only problem is arbitrarily singling players out and putting schools on probation. But, this can be done with tact. Remember a few years ago, when Appalachian St. beat Michigan and a ton of other upsets were going on across the country? That was one of the best college football seasons I can remember. A limited number of powerhouses and general parity across the rest of the board is what drives sports. So, when any one school (USC) or one conference (SEC) becomes too dominant, the NCAA can knock them back down so they are level with the rest of the country by “suddenly” uncovering violations of a player getting paid. There’s nothing that the schools could say about it; they are technically in the wrong for fielding a team with players who are getting paid. Plus, any school would gladly accept 10 years of success in exchange for 2 years of probation. It would be the 'circle of college football life'.
1/2) If your golf game’s ever been in a slump, I’m sure there were moments when you thought about quitting the sport for good. If you're playing this badly, what’s the point? You’re not having fun. There are better things you could be doing on your Saturday afternoon. As you're standing over your ball in the rough on 18, after you broke 100 two holes ago, you swear this is it for you and the game of golf. You’re going to stop at Goodwill on the way home and donate your clubs to some other sap. Then, you hit a picture perfect 6-iron approach shot that bounces past the hole and spins back to pin high. That sums up Alex Smith.
Then, I started reading the confessional article coming in the new Sports Illustrated about former agent Josh Luchs. (Ex-agent Confessional) It was one of the greatest things I’ve ever read. Each line drew me further into the rest of the story. It was Jerry McGuire with the names of real athletes, but without the sappy love story. (I wonder if Jerry O’Connell modeled his character in Jerry McGuire after Ryan Leaf, or if that was just an insane coincidence.) Finally, someone on the inside not only confirmed what everyone knew, he gave a detailed play-by-play account. This article is the Goodfellas of sports agencies.
With all the allegations that it brings, the article is sure to spark the “Should college athletes be paid?” argument. The answer is no, but it’s complicated. The arguments for paying the players: The amount of money football programs bring in is astronomical and the majority of players are getting paid anyway, might as well make it legal and regulated.
Both are true, but think about how many players are on a college football team. With many of the big schools, it’s over 100 players including redshirts. Out of those hundred, maybe 40 of them see the field. The remaining players are either being groomed for the future or are used as tackling dummies for the others at practice. Do you really think the starting quarterback should be paid the same amount as a fourth string, former walk-on? No. People pay to see the quarterback, not the tackling dummy. They aren’t bringing in the same amount of money for the university, so why should they get paid the same. This isn’t communist China.
So, in light of this article, there is nothing wrong with the system the way it is now. The purists are satisfied because, on the outside, it seems like no one is getting more than a free education, but the realists are satisfied because the best players are making the money they’ve earned.
The only problem is arbitrarily singling players out and putting schools on probation. But, this can be done with tact. Remember a few years ago, when Appalachian St. beat Michigan and a ton of other upsets were going on across the country? That was one of the best college football seasons I can remember. A limited number of powerhouses and general parity across the rest of the board is what drives sports. So, when any one school (USC) or one conference (SEC) becomes too dominant, the NCAA can knock them back down so they are level with the rest of the country by “suddenly” uncovering violations of a player getting paid. There’s nothing that the schools could say about it; they are technically in the wrong for fielding a team with players who are getting paid. Plus, any school would gladly accept 10 years of success in exchange for 2 years of probation. It would be the 'circle of college football life'.
1/2) If your golf game’s ever been in a slump, I’m sure there were moments when you thought about quitting the sport for good. If you're playing this badly, what’s the point? You’re not having fun. There are better things you could be doing on your Saturday afternoon. As you're standing over your ball in the rough on 18, after you broke 100 two holes ago, you swear this is it for you and the game of golf. You’re going to stop at Goodwill on the way home and donate your clubs to some other sap. Then, you hit a picture perfect 6-iron approach shot that bounces past the hole and spins back to pin high. That sums up Alex Smith.
Clip of the Week
He goes by many nicknames, Boomer, Schwami, how about a new one. Dick.
Enjoy watching Chris Berman flip shit on his crew.
This is what it must be like in a San Diego Chargers huddle after Philip Rivers gets sacked or when the collar on one of his polos gets "un-popped".
Enjoy.
Enjoy watching Chris Berman flip shit on his crew.
This is what it must be like in a San Diego Chargers huddle after Philip Rivers gets sacked or when the collar on one of his polos gets "un-popped".
Enjoy.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
There's Something About Jenn
The only thing that would be funnier than these awkward "middle school" voicemails is if John Madden would have called Sterger and said that Favre has a 12-inch penis and is an absolute animal in bed.
Madden: Um Jenn? John Madden here, you gotta spend the night with Brett, BOOM! And this is what it's all about, BOOM here and a BOOM there, everywhere a BOOM BOOM. I'll even let you borrow the Madden cruiser so he can take you to Outback Steakhouse for some bloomin' onions. Then the cruiser will take you on a one-way nonstop trip to pound town, BOOM! If you want we can study some film of Brett making love, I have a few tapes, me and Pat Summerall used to get a nice boxed wine and sit in the press box and analyze his moves; he is quite impressive. It's like if a rabid wolverine mated with the sensual sounds of the Backstreet Boys, BOOM, that's what Brett Favre is all about. It's like he'll go left, then circle back, flip you upside down, spin this way, then that way, Brett will penetrate that line of scrimmage and BOOM! Oh yeah be careful, Brett Favre sperm can swim up to 60mph and impregnate every woman in a 3 block radius. You don't want a Brett Favre baby in your stomach, cuz BOOM! that baby can already throw a football with such velocity that it will explode through your stomach. When it is born it will already be wearing Real.Comfortable.Jeans.
I gotta go, I'm on my way to Ace, the helpful hardware place. Call me back.
Madden: Um Jenn? John Madden here, you gotta spend the night with Brett, BOOM! And this is what it's all about, BOOM here and a BOOM there, everywhere a BOOM BOOM. I'll even let you borrow the Madden cruiser so he can take you to Outback Steakhouse for some bloomin' onions. Then the cruiser will take you on a one-way nonstop trip to pound town, BOOM! If you want we can study some film of Brett making love, I have a few tapes, me and Pat Summerall used to get a nice boxed wine and sit in the press box and analyze his moves; he is quite impressive. It's like if a rabid wolverine mated with the sensual sounds of the Backstreet Boys, BOOM, that's what Brett Favre is all about. It's like he'll go left, then circle back, flip you upside down, spin this way, then that way, Brett will penetrate that line of scrimmage and BOOM! Oh yeah be careful, Brett Favre sperm can swim up to 60mph and impregnate every woman in a 3 block radius. You don't want a Brett Favre baby in your stomach, cuz BOOM! that baby can already throw a football with such velocity that it will explode through your stomach. When it is born it will already be wearing Real.Comfortable.Jeans.
I gotta go, I'm on my way to Ace, the helpful hardware place. Call me back.
Friday, October 8, 2010
College Football Week 6
Columbus Day weekend is always a good time to evaluate the college game as most of the pretenders have been smoked out (Florida, Texas, Big East) while the contenders (Bama, OSU, Boise, Oregon) and surprise teams (Michigan, MSU, Pac-10) look to continue their early season success. Below are the picks for this week coming off two nice weeks and what would have been two great weeks if underdogs NC St. and Stanford would have been able to hold big leads late in last week’s games. The best thing about college football is there are at least 30+ games on the schedule for next week.
Michigan State @ Michigan (-4.5): Two surprise teams of the year put their undefeated records on the line. Stating the obvious like Brent Musburger would say “Herbie, something has to give in this game”. Michigan QB Denard Robinson has been as spectacular as a Real World/Road Rules challenge girl fight and in the process is the leader in the Heisman race and has saved Rich Rod’s job. Robinson as he has been all year will be forced to make a ton of plays to make up for a defense that has been one of the worst in all of D-1. Michigan State has been one of the most balanced teams in the country and the RB combo of Edwin Baker and Le’Veon Bell will keep Robinson off the field and allow QB Kirk Cousins to have success off play action. The pressure will be on the Mich St. defense and specifically LB Greg Jones to slow Robinson and I think this game will come down to a field goal making Mich. St + 4 and a hook the play.
Alabama @ South Carolina (+7): Bama faces their third straight SEC ranked opponent and for the second time in that stretch they are on the road. The Tide defense made the biggest statement of the year last week when they dismantled and embarrassed Florida making this an ideal “trap” game. South Carolina will try to pound the ball with RB Marcus Lattimore and load up to stop the run on defense. Their ability to run the ball and stop the run makes this team the best Spurrier has had at South Carolina and maybe the best team in the SEC East. I would subscribe to the “trap” theory against any other coach but Nick Saban. He will have his team ready to play and a no team will dominate his defense on the ground and South Carolina QB Stephen Garcia does not have the game to beat this defense on his own. Bama RB Mark Ingram is running the ball as well if not better than his Heisman winning year last year and as we have been saying all year the SEC West is dominate while the SEC East is pedestrian making Bama -7 the play even on the road.
FSU @ Miami (-6): At one time this was the biggest and best rivalry game of the year and it is nice to see both teams ranked again for this year’s matchup. Miami has been riding a Randy Shannon defense that has brought back memories of defenses from the glory days and QB Jacoby Harris has only needed to make a few plays usually to WR Leonard Hankerson to win this year with that defense. The Canes will need to do a much better job of protecting Harris as he has been harassed into 8 INT’s in the last four games and FSU, specifically DE Brandon Jenkins will continue that trend. FSU will try to establish the run with RB’s Jermaine Thomas and Chris Thompson and QB Christian Ponder will need to play like he has the previous three weeks and not as he did at Oklahoma for FSU to stay close on the road. FSU has to be fired up after last year’s last second loss in Tallahassee and the past nine matchups between these two teams have been decided by an average of 4.1 pts. I like this game to come down to the wire and Miami should make enough plays to win at home but 6 points is too many making FSU the play. Can’t pick against FSU this week with famous alumni Jenn Sterger and her “Greg Oden like” Favre pics, that only John Madden could positively identify.
Texas A&M vs. Arkansas (-5) @ Texas Stadium: An intriguing matchup of two of the best quarterbacks in the country who can put up points in a hurry. This game could easily be higher scoring than a basketball game between these two schools. Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett should bounce back from his poor performance against Alabama with the game in doubt and the Texas A&M defense is the perfect defense to rebound against. It is hard to believe that A&M was a good team who was tough to play against and built around their defense, almost as hard to believe as coach Mike Sherman being a fairly successful NFL coach. QB Jerrod Johnson is reason enough to watch A&M’s games and he will put on a good show, but he is like Rick Nash in Columbus and eventually his team will let him down. Arkansas -5 is the play and with it another chance to take an SEC west team out of conference.
Pittsburgh @ Notre Dame (-6): The Big East enters play this week with no team ranked in the Top 25 and with their best out of conference wins being UConn and WVU at home vs. Vandy and Maryland respectively. No wonder this conference is actively reaching out to TCU since only a big fish addition will allow the conference to keep their automatic BCS invitation with a review scheduled for 2012. Pittsburgh has been the biggest disappointment in the conference and it always did seem overly optimistic to count on a Wannstedt coached team to make noise nationally since only Bernie Madoff has stolen more money over the years than the mediocre Pittsburgh coach. How the Notre Dame defense fares against a Pittsburgh offense that is as unimaginative as Boston College will go a long way in determining how long Brian Kelly’s rebuilding process will take. ND should score points and that should be enough against any Big East team this year making ND -6 the play.
Boston College @ NC ST (-9.5): Tom O’Brien’s new team is the play, even after their fold up last week they are in better shape than his old team.
Clemson @ UNC (-2.5): Good spot for Clemson as more suspensions hit Butch Davis’ crew this week.
Auburn (-6) @ Kentucky: The SEC this year can be summarized with Jim Morrison’s quote “The West is the best.”
Columbus Day weekend is always a good time to evaluate the college game as most of the pretenders have been smoked out (Florida, Texas, Big East) while the contenders (Bama, OSU, Boise, Oregon) and surprise teams (Michigan, MSU, Pac-10) look to continue their early season success. Below are the picks for this week coming off two nice weeks and what would have been two great weeks if underdogs NC St. and Stanford would have been able to hold big leads late in last week’s games. The best thing about college football is there are at least 30+ games on the schedule for next week.
Michigan State @ Michigan (-4.5): Two surprise teams of the year put their undefeated records on the line. Stating the obvious like Brent Musburger would say “Herbie, something has to give in this game”. Michigan QB Denard Robinson has been as spectacular as a Real World/Road Rules challenge girl fight and in the process is the leader in the Heisman race and has saved Rich Rod’s job. Robinson as he has been all year will be forced to make a ton of plays to make up for a defense that has been one of the worst in all of D-1. Michigan State has been one of the most balanced teams in the country and the RB combo of Edwin Baker and Le’Veon Bell will keep Robinson off the field and allow QB Kirk Cousins to have success off play action. The pressure will be on the Mich St. defense and specifically LB Greg Jones to slow Robinson and I think this game will come down to a field goal making Mich. St + 4 and a hook the play.
Alabama @ South Carolina (+7): Bama faces their third straight SEC ranked opponent and for the second time in that stretch they are on the road. The Tide defense made the biggest statement of the year last week when they dismantled and embarrassed Florida making this an ideal “trap” game. South Carolina will try to pound the ball with RB Marcus Lattimore and load up to stop the run on defense. Their ability to run the ball and stop the run makes this team the best Spurrier has had at South Carolina and maybe the best team in the SEC East. I would subscribe to the “trap” theory against any other coach but Nick Saban. He will have his team ready to play and a no team will dominate his defense on the ground and South Carolina QB Stephen Garcia does not have the game to beat this defense on his own. Bama RB Mark Ingram is running the ball as well if not better than his Heisman winning year last year and as we have been saying all year the SEC West is dominate while the SEC East is pedestrian making Bama -7 the play even on the road.
FSU @ Miami (-6): At one time this was the biggest and best rivalry game of the year and it is nice to see both teams ranked again for this year’s matchup. Miami has been riding a Randy Shannon defense that has brought back memories of defenses from the glory days and QB Jacoby Harris has only needed to make a few plays usually to WR Leonard Hankerson to win this year with that defense. The Canes will need to do a much better job of protecting Harris as he has been harassed into 8 INT’s in the last four games and FSU, specifically DE Brandon Jenkins will continue that trend. FSU will try to establish the run with RB’s Jermaine Thomas and Chris Thompson and QB Christian Ponder will need to play like he has the previous three weeks and not as he did at Oklahoma for FSU to stay close on the road. FSU has to be fired up after last year’s last second loss in Tallahassee and the past nine matchups between these two teams have been decided by an average of 4.1 pts. I like this game to come down to the wire and Miami should make enough plays to win at home but 6 points is too many making FSU the play. Can’t pick against FSU this week with famous alumni Jenn Sterger and her “Greg Oden like” Favre pics, that only John Madden could positively identify.
Texas A&M vs. Arkansas (-5) @ Texas Stadium: An intriguing matchup of two of the best quarterbacks in the country who can put up points in a hurry. This game could easily be higher scoring than a basketball game between these two schools. Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett should bounce back from his poor performance against Alabama with the game in doubt and the Texas A&M defense is the perfect defense to rebound against. It is hard to believe that A&M was a good team who was tough to play against and built around their defense, almost as hard to believe as coach Mike Sherman being a fairly successful NFL coach. QB Jerrod Johnson is reason enough to watch A&M’s games and he will put on a good show, but he is like Rick Nash in Columbus and eventually his team will let him down. Arkansas -5 is the play and with it another chance to take an SEC west team out of conference.
Pittsburgh @ Notre Dame (-6): The Big East enters play this week with no team ranked in the Top 25 and with their best out of conference wins being UConn and WVU at home vs. Vandy and Maryland respectively. No wonder this conference is actively reaching out to TCU since only a big fish addition will allow the conference to keep their automatic BCS invitation with a review scheduled for 2012. Pittsburgh has been the biggest disappointment in the conference and it always did seem overly optimistic to count on a Wannstedt coached team to make noise nationally since only Bernie Madoff has stolen more money over the years than the mediocre Pittsburgh coach. How the Notre Dame defense fares against a Pittsburgh offense that is as unimaginative as Boston College will go a long way in determining how long Brian Kelly’s rebuilding process will take. ND should score points and that should be enough against any Big East team this year making ND -6 the play.
Boston College @ NC ST (-9.5): Tom O’Brien’s new team is the play, even after their fold up last week they are in better shape than his old team.
Clemson @ UNC (-2.5): Good spot for Clemson as more suspensions hit Butch Davis’ crew this week.
Auburn (-6) @ Kentucky: The SEC this year can be summarized with Jim Morrison’s quote “The West is the best.”
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Why Bill Belichick is Smarter Than Anyone Else in the NFL:
The Patriots surprised many on Tuesday when the news broke that they were in serious talks with the Vikings on trading Randy Moss for a draft pick. On the surface this looks like a no-brainer for the Vikings. And really, it is a no-brainer from their side. With Sidney Rice out, they are in desperate need for a deep threat receiver. Favre has admitted that last year, when he would get in trouble, he trusted Rice enough to throw a jump ball. More often than not, Rice was able to bail his quarterback out and come down with the ball. Favre has obviously struggled without this safety blanket. Their initial target was Vincent Jackson from the Chargers, but the asking price was too high. San Diego wanted a 2nd and 3rd round pick for their disgruntled receiver. Now, two weeks later, the Vikings get a better deep threat, although he is older and they don’t have a long-term deal in place with him like they did with Jackson, for only a 3rd round pick. With the uncertainty surrounding Favre, Minnesota’s window to go after a championship is razor thin. Moss gives them a chance to win this year. Giving up a third round pick to dramatically increase your chances before it’s too late is well worth it.
From the Patriots side, it doesn’t look that great at first glance, but if you dig a little deeper, you can uncover some of Belichick’s mastery.
First, they only gave up a fourth rounder 3 years ago to get Moss from the Raiders. Granted, at the time, Moss was coming off two horrible years with Oakland and there was the possibility that he was washed up, but if you look at just the straight numbers, the Patriots made out over the entire situation. They got a record breaking year, a nearly undefeated season, 3900 yards, and 50 touchdowns in a 3+ year span. Three years seems to be about the time it takes for Moss to get disgruntled and we’ve all seen what happens when Moss isn’t happy (i.e. Oakland). So to recap, they give up a fourth round pick, get unbelievable production for three years, and get a third rounder in return just when things start to go south. Belichick at work.
However, the main argument against this trade is that it sends the message that the Patriots are giving up on this year and only worrying about the future. OK...so what? Look at their secondary. They weren’t going to win a title this year regardless of whether Moss is on the field or not. Let’s say Tom Brady has 5-6 more years in him. With the youth surrounding him now, they are going to have to wait at least one more year to make a serious run, more realistically 2 or 3 years. With the moves that the Patriots have made over the past two years, they now have the Raiders first round pick this coming draft (most likely a top 10 selection), Carolina’s second round pick (should be early in the round), and now Minnesota’s third round pick, not to mention all of their picks the entire draft (except for a seventh rounder). With the young players they have now, plus everyone they get in the draft this year, they will be in prime position for Brady to make a late career run at a couple Super Bowls, a la John Elway. I know there is still a long way to go, but Brady breaking the record and winning five Super Bowls is certainly not out of the question.
One last thing about Belichick stock-piling picks for this coming draft. With the Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations coming up this off-season, one of the main points the owners are going to demand is a new rookie pay scale. They are going to want it to start at an estimated 70% of what it is now, meaning the Patriots are going to be getting all of this young talent on the relative cheap. It’s not a coincidence that Belichick targeted this year to get all of these early round picks. There’s a reason he’s regarded as the best in the business.
To end for this week, I want to rip off Peter King once again and give the quote of the week:
Kevin Harlan, when Titans Offensive Coordinator Chuck Cecil was caught on camera giving the middle finger to the refs:
“Ohhh...And there’s the Hawaiian Peace Sign given there.”
From the Patriots side, it doesn’t look that great at first glance, but if you dig a little deeper, you can uncover some of Belichick’s mastery.
First, they only gave up a fourth rounder 3 years ago to get Moss from the Raiders. Granted, at the time, Moss was coming off two horrible years with Oakland and there was the possibility that he was washed up, but if you look at just the straight numbers, the Patriots made out over the entire situation. They got a record breaking year, a nearly undefeated season, 3900 yards, and 50 touchdowns in a 3+ year span. Three years seems to be about the time it takes for Moss to get disgruntled and we’ve all seen what happens when Moss isn’t happy (i.e. Oakland). So to recap, they give up a fourth round pick, get unbelievable production for three years, and get a third rounder in return just when things start to go south. Belichick at work.
However, the main argument against this trade is that it sends the message that the Patriots are giving up on this year and only worrying about the future. OK...so what? Look at their secondary. They weren’t going to win a title this year regardless of whether Moss is on the field or not. Let’s say Tom Brady has 5-6 more years in him. With the youth surrounding him now, they are going to have to wait at least one more year to make a serious run, more realistically 2 or 3 years. With the moves that the Patriots have made over the past two years, they now have the Raiders first round pick this coming draft (most likely a top 10 selection), Carolina’s second round pick (should be early in the round), and now Minnesota’s third round pick, not to mention all of their picks the entire draft (except for a seventh rounder). With the young players they have now, plus everyone they get in the draft this year, they will be in prime position for Brady to make a late career run at a couple Super Bowls, a la John Elway. I know there is still a long way to go, but Brady breaking the record and winning five Super Bowls is certainly not out of the question.
One last thing about Belichick stock-piling picks for this coming draft. With the Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations coming up this off-season, one of the main points the owners are going to demand is a new rookie pay scale. They are going to want it to start at an estimated 70% of what it is now, meaning the Patriots are going to be getting all of this young talent on the relative cheap. It’s not a coincidence that Belichick targeted this year to get all of these early round picks. There’s a reason he’s regarded as the best in the business.
To end for this week, I want to rip off Peter King once again and give the quote of the week:
Kevin Harlan, when Titans Offensive Coordinator Chuck Cecil was caught on camera giving the middle finger to the refs:
“Ohhh...And there’s the Hawaiian Peace Sign given there.”
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