Will the Dodgers blow the NL West?

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Despite clinching a playoff spot last Sunday, the Dodgers still can't wrap up the NL West title. They have lost 5 in a row, and now have a one game lead over the Rockies with two games to play directly against them. Obviously, they only need to win one of the final two games to clinch the NL West title for the 2nd consecutive year, but will they do it?

Not only have they lost 5 in a row, but they are 3-7 over their last 10. In that time they have been outscored 49-44. It certainly doesn't help that Manny Ramirez has been ice cold the past week. He's hitting only .167 (2 for 12) with 1 RBI and a paltry 3 total bases. His struggles came to a head last night as he struck out 4 times. The Dodgers have an uphill battle tonight as they face off against the 16-9 Jorge De La Rosa. Clayton Kershaw will be pitching for the Dodgers as he tries to get back on track for the post season. If they can't take care of business tonight, tomorrow's match up isn't much better. The struggling Vincente Padilla will take on Jason Marquis.

It's unbelievable to think the Dodgers still have the best record in the National League at this point. My prediction is the Dodgers win tonight and wrap up the NL West. Jorge De La Rosa is a career 0-5 against the Dodgers with a 7.12 ERA. Most of those losses did come at home as he is only 0-1 at Dodgers Stadium with a 2.20 ERA. Still, I think the Dodgers will finally get a sense of urgency tonight. There is no way they want to go into the last regular season game with the division crown on the line, especially since they held a 15 1/2 game lead on the Rockies earlier this season.

Now all they need to do is play the game

Fantasy Football Friday: Week 4 Edition

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Yes, yes. I know this article is a day late, but I do have a reason. Not one that I'll divulge, but I do have a valid reason. In case you didn't notice, Week 4 marks the first week in the NFL season with teams on the bye. So, if you have fantasy players on the Arizona Cardinals, Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers make sure they are riding the pine this week. Of course bye weeks do cause a frenzy of waiver wire moves. What I'd like to do for this week is look at a few game match ups and see who's a good play, or who else should be riding the pine this weekend.

Match ups of the Week:

1. Bengals @ Browns - The Cleveland Browns are a god awful team. The Browns are 30th overall in team defense and have allowed 31.7 points per game so far this season. What does this mean for the Bengals. Watch out for Cedric Benson this week. The Browns have allowed 184.3 rushing yards per game. The Browns maybe middle of the pack (#16 overall) against the pass, but that is mostly due to the fact they've given up so many rushing yards. Another good play this weekend is Andre Caldwell. It seems Caldwell has turned into Palmer's 2nd favorite target after Chad Ochocinco. He's averaged nearly 5 catches per game in the first 3 games, so he's not a bad 3rd receiver with the start of the bye weeks. Don't sleep on Cincy's defense either. They're going up against the worst offensive team on the league.

2. Rams @ 49'ers - The St. Louis Rams now hold the longest current losing streak in the NFL of 13 games. Look for that to continue as they travel to San Francisco. With Frank Gore hurt, Glen Coffee gets the start. The Rams allow 148 yards per game on the ground. He'll also get the start for me in one of my fantasy leagues. Shaun Hill will also get the start for me in another league. Here's why. The Rams allow 253.3 passing yards per game and an opposing passer rating of 99.0. Nice!

3. Lions @ Bears - As much as it pains me to say this, Jay Cutler has been fantastic since the season opener. Look for him to continue that against a Lions defense that allows 399 total yards per game and 278 yards per game through the air. So, you should also make sure to have both Greg Olson and Johnny Knox in the lineup as well. This should be the week Matt Forte breaks out.Despite the Lions first win, you should also make sure you have the Bears Defense ready for a big day as well.

Make Em' Ride the Bench:

QB - Matt Cassel, David Garrard, Kyle Orton, Brett Favre (I don't care it's a revenge game)

RB - Larry Johnson, Jamal Lewis, Marshawn Lynch, Kevin Smith

WR - Dwayne Bowe, Roy Williams, Donnie Avery

TE - Ben Watson, Anthony Fasano, Todd Heap

K - Nate Kaeding, Jason Hanson

DEF - Seattle, New Orleans

Bye Week Pickups/Plays:

QB - Shaun Hill, Mark Sanchez

RB - Glen Coffee, Aaron Brown, Tashard Choice

WR - Bobby Wade, Pierre Garcon, Andre Caldwell

TE - Jermichael Finley, Mercedes Lewis

K - Shayne Graham, Robbie Gould

DEF - Bengals, Texans

Good luck to everyone in Week 4!

So who's tougher, Baltimore or New England?

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

So who's tougher?

We'll find out tomorrow when the undefeated Baltimore Ravens (3-0) travel to Foxboro to take on the New England Patriots (2-1).

I'm willing to bet this game isn't going to be pretty, it's going to be a knock-down-drag-em-out fight with some blood thrown in there, too. Basically, expect a fist fight from the opening play to the final whistle.

Both the Ravens and Patriots predicate themselves on playing physical, and we all know that's what they do, too.

This Ravens team appears to be complete with a very good defense (Ray Lewis, Ed Reed) and many weapons on offense. Yes, I said weapons. I know in year's past Baltimore has relied heavily on its defense to protect the offense, but now the offense is pulling its own weight. It's strange to say, but these Ravens are scary on both sides of the ball.

For the Patriots defense, which has been surprisingly solid in the first three games, they must shut down the Ravens' bread-and-butter which is still the power running game. They can hit you with speed (Ray Rice) and power (red zone and TD vulture Willis McGahee with five rushing TDs, and fullback Le'Ron McClain). But what has made Baltimore so good this year is the quarterback play of Joe Flacco. In his second year, the Ravens have taken off the training wheels and are letting his develop his passing skills. Flacco has thrown for 839 yards -- slightly under Tom Brady's 871 yards -- with six touchdowns and two INTs. He's got a passer rating of 101.4. Yes, he's been better than Brady, hands down.

And while the receiving corps of Derrick Mason, Mark Clayton, Kelly Washington (remember him in New England?) and tight end Todd Heap don't exactly scare you, they run good routes and find ways to get open. They're solid, bottom line.

I know it's easier said than done, but if the Pats can't limit the ground game -- plus nose tackle Vince Wilfork must play on his bad ankle and be in the middle because he's a game-changer -- and get some pressure on Flacco when he's forced to throw, New England has got a great chance to win. If the run can't be stopped then the passing game will be equally explosive, and that just means the Pats will get blown out.

For New England, I talked about balance -- running and passing -- last week to beat Atlanta, but throw that right out the window this week. The Ravens don't let anyone run on them -- they're allowing on average only 51 yards per game rushing -- and they haven't allowed a back to run for 100 yards in three years. So why should the Pats think they can run? They can't. If you see 3-yard pickups -- Pats will spread the Ravens out and run draws to slow down the defensive ends -- then that's a win for the Pats.

But Brady is going to have to win this game through the air. The Ravens allowing 231.7 yards passing per game, so they can be thrown on. But they also can ball-hawk (6 INTs), so Brady must be smart with the football and take what the defense gives him. Plus, he's got to hit the open receiver with accuracy and timing, something that's been lacking in the first three weeks. Wide receivers Randy Moss, Wes Welker (his knee better be ready to go this week) and Joey Galloway, plus tight ends Benjamin Watson and Chris Baker, should be licking their chops, knowing this is going to be an air show.

I know Brady hasn't been close to the old Brady, but all eyes are on him this week. Do you think he feels the pressure? I doubt it, he's been in much bigger games -- Super Bowls -- than a Week 4 regular season contest. He'll be fine and this is when we see the real Brady emerge.

Prediction: Patriots, 23-20

Red's Rants: Give somebody else a seat at the table

By Brendan Hall
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

By now, we’ve heard every argument and counter-argument.

“The computers are accurate.” There are many factors the computers don’t take into consideration.

“Getting rid of bowl games would exterminate years of tradition.” You whored out all the tradition years ago.

The BCS sucks. “No, it doesn’t.”

At this point, I’ve become numb to the BCS mishaps – it’s comedy at this point. When Oregon pounded Cal, and the Golden Bears hardly dropped, most of this country was up in arms. I sat back and laughed. Oh, BCS, you clown you. I’ve become immune to college football’s cantankerous drivel the way diseases will be immune to penicillin by the year 2200.

Boise State is coming in at No. 5 in this week’s AP poll, and they’ve got plenty of trap games left on their plate – Nevada and Fresno State come to mind. Logic says they’ll get caught looking at the big picture and stumble, and they’ll fall out of the championship contention.

Rinse and repeat for Houston (see: Houston, Tulsa, SMU, UAB).

Until these old farts handing in the ballots step down or die off, it’s going to be a steep uphill climb to get these “voters” to change their ways – you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, as my father would say.

I propose a more radical idea. Call me crazy, but just listen to the plan.

Ignore it.

All it takes is one news organization to start the ball rolling. Remember what a stir Bill Ballou caused when he immediately wrote Hideki Matsui out of the AL Rookie of the Year voting in 2003? Just imagine what would happen if, say, ESPN or SI decided not to recognize the BCS champ as the national champion.

No, you say? Impossible?

OK, here’s a more novel idea.

The myth that these “mid-major” conferences can’t hang is slowly eroding. I can’t pinpoint where this actually got steamrolling – right around 2002, maybe, when lowly Louisville knocked off Florida St.? – but the Mountain West, WAC and Conference-USA have closed the gap big-time. From herein, we’re going to see a whole lot more 2008 Utah’s than 2007 Hawaii’s.

These schools recruit just as hard, if not harder, and uncover gem after gem. In an age where high school juniors are verbally committing to schools unseen on September 1, they capitalize on the late bloomers, overlooked overachievers and unsung heroes.
But instead of punishing them for what they were in 1959, let’s reward them for what they are in 2009: legit conferences who may not be a wholesome top to bottom, but can definitely hang at the top.

So here’s the deal: if the conference has a school finish in the Top 15 for three consecutive years, that conference gets an automatic bid for the next two. That means the Mountain West and WAC finally get bids they deserve, but keeps them hungry. If you want to keep the bid, keep scheduling hard or you’ll lose it.

What do you think?

***

You know your basketball program’s a circus sideshow when the very entities you characterize the program as get offended. Allow me to explain…

This letter appeared in today’s Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin, which covers the Bearcats’ crip set, er, basketball squad. The school’s AD called the basketball program “a zoo”, and the local zoo got offended that he would compare them to such mongrels.

What I find funny about all these reactions about the program being a shame, is that everybody knew what they were getting into when they decided to go big-time. You don’t just make an NCAA Tournament overnight without cutting a few corners and bringing on some lunatics – just ask Jerry Tarkanian or John Calipari.
But this letter cracks me up. Bravo. Among the greatest hits:

“Not one of our tigers has done cocaine.”

“No otter knocks over old ladies to shoplift condoms.”

If sewer rats could talk, just imagine what they’d say to Linda Tripp.

***

Paul Finebaum, that flat-earth knucklehead at the Mobile Press-Register, strikes again. Which reminds me of a joke I came up with last night:

Q: Paul Finebaum, Mike Freeman and Andrew Perloff all jump off a cliff at the same time. Who lands first?

A: Nobody cares.

I digress. Hating on the Finebaums and Freemans of the world is like beating Tekken with Eddy Gordo, and this is why. I mean, seriously Mike Freeman, did Randy Moss run over your dog or something?

Am I bitter? No, just disappointed in the fact that Rick Reilly makes a million dollars to sit on his ass all day while I bust my ass as a deeply-sourced freelance writer who writes clean, fluff-free copy. What do I have to do to get some attention around here, pull a Jemele Hill?

Yep, still digressing…

Oregon eyeing an about-face

By Chris Maza
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

It seems like a long time ago now, but it was only about a month and a half ago.

After getting contained by Boise State in a 19-8 season-opening loss, Oregon starting tailback LaGarrette Blount delivered a punch to the chin of Byron Hout after the defensive end appeared to taunt him. He followed that up with what I find to be the more egregious offense, trying to get into the stands to go after fans, needing to be restrained by police and security personnel on his way to the locker room.

A day later Blount was suspended for the season by a unified head coach, Athletic Director and University President. Head coach Chip Kelly said reinstatement was not an option. In essence, the senior's college career was over.

Some believe Blount's punishment doesn't fit the crime and I can understand the argument that he was simply being made an example of. But I sided with the university on this one and I will always lean towards hard penalties if it means getting thuggery and buffoonery out of the game. The suspension seemed especially warranted given Blount's past history of behavioral problems. This was not a good guy who just lost his cool. This was a problem child just adding another bullet to his resume.

At that point, in the back of Oregon's mind had to be the same thought that everyone else had - the Ducks are done. But since the ugly incident on the Smurf Turf (both on the field and after the game), the Ducks haven't lost. They've won three straight, including a drubbing of Cal, holding the dynamic Golden Bears offense to three points.

The success has put the Ducks back up into the No. 16 spot they held before the season began. It also seems to have spurred a change in heart in the Oregon administration and coaching staff.

According to ESPN, who first broke the story Thursday, Blount could be reinstated at some point this season. The source who talked to ESPN said that Blount has impressed high-profile football people like Tony Dungy and Jon Gruden, but let's be real here. If Oregon was not in the Pac-10 hunt, Blount would not be even close to sniffing the field.

But especially now after beating Cal and USC reeling a bit, Oregon has a chance to snatch the Pac-10 title and a major bowl bid. The hardest part of their schedule is done. The timing couldn't be better. After Washington State and UCLA the next two weeks, the Ducks have a bye week, allowing Blount, who has been practicing with the team anyway, to get up to full speed in practice with the first team. They follow the bye week with the two toughest teams they have left on their schedule - Washington and USC. A good time to have fresh legs of Blount's caliber at your disposal.

This move is so transparent that the members of Oregon's administration and coaching staff should be ashamed of themselves. They can say all they want about Blount maturing and following the program they laid out for him, but the real thing that is going to get Blount on the field is the dollar signs. In terms of pure football ability, Blount gives the Ducks the best chance to win the conference and get to a bowl game. That equals huge amounts of money for the university.

As it stands, Oregon is one of three teams - and the only ranked team - in the Pac-10 without an in-conference loss. Stanford still has three games against ranked teams - including Oregon - as does Arizona. To think that either of these teams is going to get through conference play without a blemish is extremely optimistic and quite honestly bordering on fantasy.

This is a calculated move by Oregon. In a best-case scenario, USC knocks off Cal this weekend, giving the Bears two conference losses. Oregon does what it has to do until the USC game, then beats the Trojans, giving them two losses. In this scenario, as long as Oregon avoids hiccups the rest of the way, the Ducks could be the only team in the conference to go undefeated in the league.

Move past all the posturing about the progress Blount has made as a person and how his new baby has changed him and realize that this is all about football and about a pay day. Oregon made a strong statement when it suspended Blount and gave many hope that someone was finally taking a stand. But this move just proves that when it all comes down to it, Oregon is just like pretty much any other major university in the country and that they're willing to forfeit values for cash.

Huge weekend shaping up for college football

By Chris Maza
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

After a week of upsets among the Top-10, including unranked teams knocking off some high-profile teams, there are some very intriguing matchups shaping up this weekend in college football

No. 7 USC at No. 24 California
This could be the game that truly tells us if USC is back. After getting embarassed by Washington two weeks ago, the Trojans beat up a bumbling Washington State team that has won one game this season - Southern Methodist. California just got a wake up call against Oregon, but still has one of the most dynamic offenses in the country, averaging 37.3 points per game, even after being held to three points last week. While USC's defense remains its strength, the offense is the real x-factor here. Quarterbacks facing Cal have a 139.44 passer rating this year. While Cal might be able to put up some points, but the question really lies in whether or not the Golden Bears can stop the Trojans. I'm betting on no.
Prediction: USC 38, Cal 31

No. 8 Oklahoma at No. 17 Miami
Sam Bradford is not going to be a factor. The Sooners will hold him out. Big games are on the horizon, including Texas, so they want to make sure he's 100 percent for those. However, those big games will mean a whole lot less if they enter Big XII play with two losses and the very real chance of more losses. Two losses would put them in a very precarious position in terms of the BCS. Three would make it pretty much impossible. Freshman Landry Jones has played well, but he hasn't faced a good defense, but will face that in the Hurricanes. Quarterbacks facing Miami have completed just over 52 percent of their passes. Miami is still a formidable opponent, even after getting blown out by Virginia Tech. Jacory Harris saw what it was like to face a stiff defense and will see an even better one this week. How he reacts after a pretty pedestrian performance will be interesting to see.
Prediction: Oklahoma 30, Miami 17

No. 4 LSU at No. 18 Georgia
LSU could be in a very tough spot after barely getting by Mississippi State last week. The offense has still been in a transitional phase and some question Jordan Jefferson's abilitiy to lead to offense, even though he played well and the running game sucked wind last week. Georgia has not been the most stifling team on defense, so it could be just what the Tigers need. Geogia's offense is only scoring a couple points more per game and is going up against a tough LSU team that is giving up just over two touchdowns per game.
LSU 31, Georgia 13

The Bruins are Back! Season Preview

By Matt Ingram
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff


After a long off-season the Bruins finally return to the ice tonight to start the long road to redemption after a disappointing 2009 playoffs. The playoffs ended at the hand of the Carolina Hurricanes in game 7 overtime loss on home ice. This year Boston will need more consistency offensively and less injuries to jump to the next level in the NHL.

This off-season Peter Chiarelli traded away Boston's best offensive threat and goal scorer, Phil Kessel. With the long-term signing of Tim Thomas, 4 years $20 million, the Bruins handcuffed themselves and had to choose between the younger more dynamic Kessel or the cheaper and possible one year wonder David Krejci. Now, the B's have no proven goal scorer but are hoping that if Krejci comes back at full strength after off-season surgery, he will become the sniper he showed he could be last season.

Marco Sturm is also coming back off injury. Sturm missed most of the 08-09 season, playing in only 19 games, ending his season in January with knee surgery. The Bruins better hope he can return with 25 - 30 goals to make up for some of the 36 goals Kessel scored last year.

Another "if" for Boston is Patrice Bergeron. Bergeron is trying to come back from multiple concussions which has limited his ice time and effectiveness over the past 2 years. The good news is that Patrice showed great intensity in the 09 playoffs that hadn't been there since before the concussions.

The emergence of 21 year old Milan Lucic in the playoffs gave the Bruins fans a look into the past. Lucic was given high praise from all of New England with comparisons to Cam Neely. His hard-hitting, front of the net play and willingness to drop the gloves have fans remembering back to the late 80's and early 90's to when Neely ruled the garden ice. Those are big skates to fill but he does have the size and strength to do it, as long as he can stay healthy. Atleast the "gutless puke" Ulf Samuelsson isn't still playing to derail Lucic from his career like he did to Neely. Lucic was dominant in the playoffs leading his team in plus minus with a +12; the closest teammate had a +7, the departed Kessel. If Lucic's game does progress it should makeup some of the loss of Kessel.

There is one more "if" for the Bruins this season, goaltending. With $8.2 million of the possible $44.8 million given to Thomas and rookie Tukka Rask the goaltending better be a mirror image of last year. Thomas will need to again be a candidate for the Vezina in order for this team to succeed.

The good news for the goalies is that most of the stout defensive lineup were retained from last year, plus in my opinion an upgrade from Aaron Ward to Derek Morris. Morris is a bit younger and can move the puck better in the defensive zone than Ward.

There's no doubt in my mind that the Bruins will make the playoffs, there's just too much talent on the team. The question is what will they do when they get there. The difference will be the "ifs". These "ifs" could change the outcome of a Game 7 overtime loss that propels you into the next round or could send you home packing in the first round.


*Check out the weekly Bruins Blog every Wednesday, plus catch game recaps the day after a game with news and notes.