Does Boston have the arms to make the playoffs?

By Chris Maza
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

It's really sad to see.

The team that was said of have one of the best pitching staffs in the game heading into the season is now relying on Clay Buchholz and Junichi Tazawa to get into the playoffs.

Remember when nothing made you more confident than to look at the Red Sox' rotation heading into a pivotal series? It seems a million years ago. Brad Penny didn't look so bad when he was your fifth starter. Now he's your third and lo and behold, the Red Sox are being left in the dust in the AL East and now trail in the Wild Card race.

Josh Beckett and Jon Lester have been all that you would expect them to be. Beckett has to be one of the favorites for the Cy Young award, especially with his current tear. He's 7-1 in his last 10 starts with a 1.93 ERA. Clearly he has done everything you could ask of your ace. Lester, likewise, has looked more than solid. He hasn't earned a decision in his last four starts, but has only allowed nine runs in 24.6 innings (3.29 ERA) in that span.

But Penny has been simply atrocious basically since the All-Star break. He's won just one of his six starts and dropped four with an ERA north of 6.50 after making Theo Epstein look like a genius over the first half of the season, especially when June rolled along. Perhaps the whiplash is getting to him, as he's allowed seven post-All-Star homers after giving up just 10 taters in 17 starts to begin the year.

Buchholz has done nothing to give Sox fans a warm and fuzzy feeling. He's learning the hard way once again that there's a major difference between AAA hitters and major league ones. Yes, he's been left out to dry in his last two starts by zero run support, but he's very lucky he hasn't gotten blown up with that 20/19 K/BB ratio. In fact, he's failed to strike out more batters than he's walked in each of his last three outings.

Tazawa has been placed in one tough position after another. Ok, go hold off the Yankees in extra innings in your first big-league appearance. Ok, go beat the Tigers on the road. Ok, help us hold the lead in the Wild Card against Texas. The kid has 20 professional appearances before being called up and while people have raved about his talent (though he has been overshadowed by Buchholz and Michael Bowden), he's still a green 23-year-old. Expect a lot more where today's outing came from against quality opponents (5 IP, 10 H, 4 ER, 3BB, 0K).

Is this team and its postseason hopes fading away as its pitching staff falls apart? John Smoltz was an epic failure. You can't blame the organization for taking a gamble on a future Hall-of-Famer, but you can question their decision not to hold him out for longer, even when he complained. Anyone counting on Daisuke Matsuzaka needs to step away from the pipe and head to their nearest N.A. meeting. It seems ridiculous to say, but at this point, the Red Sox desperately need Tim Wakefield and unfortunately, he's still limping around.

Two pitchers does not a rotation make and at this point, that is what the Red Sox have to work with.

Vick given a second chance and I'm on board, too

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Michael Vick is now a Philadelphia Eagle!

I know everyone was jumping for joy, right?

Who cares either way, if he signed or not, I say.

But what I have a problem with is how every armchair quarterback is bashing Vick because that's what society says we should do to him. We all know he did a bad thing with the dogfighting ring he spearheaded. I get it. He paid the ultimate price, too, considering he was in federal prison.

But that's still not good enough to all the judge and the jury members around the nation.

They want Vick to be jobless, a bum with a bottle of Mad Dog on the side of the street, and it probably wouldn't matter if he was executed, either. 

I think it's a complete joke.

Most people deserve second chances to correct the mistakes they made -- well, not rapists, murderers, child molesters, ect. (you get the picture) -- but Vick was in the dogfighting business. Go on the Internet and see how popular dogfighting is, you'll be amazed.

I'm not saying it's right, at all. No animal should be treated that way; I think we can all agree on it.

But give Vick another chance. He's got a right to work and football is what he knows. Let's really see what type of person he is after taking a major paycut (he once did sign a $100 million contact and had to settle for $1.6 million this season with an option for $5.2 million next season with the Eagles).

Has he changed? Will he become a role model once again? He's got the platform to do good and correct the bad that he's done.

Not to mention, on the field, he's still tremendous talent and an entertainer. He'll back up Donovan McNabb -- the clear-cut starter with Philly -- and may play in some sort of Wildcat package or wide receiver.

Either way, Vick is a show. Admit it, you'll tune in to see him in a Philly uniform and to see if he'll step on the field in some sort of capacity.

Vick, who still must serve a six-game suspension with the NFL and can only practice and play in the final two preseason games -- has a lot more to do before he can be believed that he's rehabilitated. 

But give him a shot, the Eagles did.

SEC: Five storylines to watch

By Brendan Hall
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

You call it tabloid fodder. I call it just another week in the Southeastern Conference.

Week after week, there is no football drama from top to bottom quite as consistent as the SEC. Only in the SEC can you hold a Media Day that lasts 72 hours, and the two top stories coming out are whether its top quarterback is a virgin, and that somebody had the galls not to vote said quarterback as first team All-Conference.

This stuff just doesn't happen anywhere else. Mr. Brady, are you a virgin? "Next question. Get this a-hole outta here." In what other league do you have mid-season firings of coordinators? How outrageous do you think your recruiting stories are? How many supporters fall on your every word?

Some call it trivial gossip, of Us Weekly proportions. You probably call it obnoxious.

I call it a modern-day Othello.

And I love it.

Anyways, here are the top storylines to watch for the 2009 season...

Kiffin vs. Meyer I: Badd Blood!
Sold Out at The Swamp, 9-19-09!

In about as much time as it takes to bake a potato, Lane Kiffin made himself the most polarizing figure in the south upon his hiring at Tennessee, dethroning even Jimmy Hart as the new Mouth Of The South (OK, let's be fair, the throne was vacated after he died). You've probably heard the stories a million times by now -- Kiffin said this, Kiffin said that, Kiffin accused Urban Meyer of recruiting violations that were nonexistent -- and some of you probably think he's been acting a wee bit childish.

Don't be fooled, it's all very deliberate and calculated. Kiffin knows exactly what he's doing. The Vols had grown stagnant under Phil Fulmer, to the point where his national championship could no longer give him a buffer. Two losing seasons in four years is unacceptable to the people of Knoxville; even worse, the Vols were losing in-state recruits to Vanderbilt and Memphis.

The Vols are going to be very competitive. They have the top freshman running back, and Eric Berry is arguably one of the two best safeties in the country (along with USC's Taylor Mays). When they enter The Swamp on Sept. 19, they're going to be scorned relentlessly. But that's just what Kiffin wants. Rivalries are always so much better when one guy is playing the villain role.

I think Florida has too much speed for the Vols to box up; should be a win for the Gators along the lines of a 28-17, something in that range. But a point will be made -- Tennessee is back, baby, and here to stay.

Gator bait if you're not a Gator? In Kiffin's book, anyone who's not a Volunteer is Public Enemy No. 1.

Jevan Snead: trendy hype or the real deal?

We've seen many a college quarterback who ends the season on a high note get puffed up with praise and prose from all around (see: Stafford, Matthew). The tricky part comes in separating the hype from the substance.

This year's case study will be Ole Miss's Jevan Snead, who has thrived in the starting role for the Rebels since his transfer from Texas. Many of the national pundits put focus on the Heisman hype behind Tim Tebow, Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy, with Snead and Cal running back Jahvid Best the two most common dark horses.

Of the four quarterbacks mentioned, Snead might honestly have the highest ceiling for NFL potential. He has tremendous throwing mechanics, a quick release and that certain cool swagger under pressure. You can go ahead and say he's the best quarterbacking prospect since Eli Manning, but can you honestly name one quarterback they've had since?

The question lies in whether the Rebels live up to the hype. Houston Nutt-coached teams always have skilled backfields -- this goes back to his days as offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State (Barry Sanders, Thurman Thomas, Hart Lee Dykes). With the loss of Michael Oher to the Draft, can the Rebels fill some big holes in the trenches?

Sputtering Spurrier

Much like Arkansas, Missouri, or Texas A&M, it's very tough bringing South Carolina to the top of its division. Steve Spurrier has tried taking on the task nobly, and while he's has spurts of success, it hasn't been nearly consistent enough to warrant national attention.

This could be the year the Gamecocks bottom out. Other than linebacker Eric Norwood, there isn't really any other dynamic playmaker on the field. Couple that with the resurgence of Tennessee and two programs on the rise in Vanderbilt and Kentucky, and you could have the Gamecocks sitting at the dead bottom of the SEC East.

Does it warrant a hot seat for the Ol Ball Coach? Jury's still out. Before Lou Holtz took over over, the Gamecocks hadn't had a winning season since the 1980's, and they're historically a team that teeters around the .500 mark -- this goes back to their ACC days.

Expectations, with that in mind, ought to be lower. But this is the SEC, after all. The only thing low in this conference is your pad level.

Don't sleep on Agent Twenty-Eight

Is Javier Arenas related to Gilbert or not? Wikipedia seems to think so, but the Alabama official website mentions nothing of the sort. Either way, he may not be a tenth as quirky as the Halo-loving Washington Wizards point guard, but the athletic ability does not fall far from the tree.

With all the talk about Tim Tebow this, Tim Tebow that, oh-my-he's-got-another-Percy-Harvin-with-him, don't overlook the skill set of this electric Crimson Tide return man. He is the school's all-time leading punt returner, has six career return touchdowns, and even plays a little cornerback, too.

Pencil him in for an All-America selection. Playboy already has.

Mark Richt...on the hot seat?

If you take Paul Finebaum's hackjobs for gospel, then yes. Or maybe. Well, he could be, you never know. Nothing is ever made clear with Finebaum.

Hard to believe that a coach who has gone 82-22 in eight seasons, including a 6-2 mark in bowls, in one of the nation's toughest divisions, is on the hot seat. But the grumblings have begun. Look, just because you don't win a national title does not mean you are a terrible coach. The Dawgs have lost more than three games just once, in 2006, which was supposed to be a down year.

Let's quash this drivel before it starts. But if the Dawgs lose to Tennessee, expect more grumblings.

Predicted Order of Finish

East
Florida (12-0, 8-0)
Georgia (10-2, 6-2)
Tennessee (7-5, 5-3)
Kentucky (6-6, 2-6)
Vanderbilt (5-7, 2-6)
South Carolina (4-8, 1-7)

West
Alabama (11-1, 7-1)
Ole Miss (11-1, 7-1)
LSU (9-3, 5-3)
Arkansas (7-5, 4-4)
Mississippi St. (6-6, 4-4)
Auburn (6-6, 2-6)

SEC Championship Game: Florida 17, Alabama 10

Youkilis gets punked by a rookie

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Don't go picking on a rookie, Kevin Youkilis.

Did you see last night Boston Red Sox third/first baseman Youkilis charging the mound against Detroit rookie right-hander Rick Porcello? If not, take a look at it.

How funny was it to see Youkilis -- a player even Red Sox fans don't really like because he comes off like a cry baby most of the time -- charge the mound?

Well, if you're going to charge the mound and know you're going to get ejected and suspended for that action, you might as well get your money's worth by landing a flush haymaker or drop-kick, or something to inflict damage to your opponent. Right?

Not Youkilis. He charges the mound like a bad out of hell, and Porcello retreats backward like a timid field mouse.

But wait, Porcello stands up like a man at the last second, dodges a helmet thrown by Youk, and chucks him to the ground like a rag doll and lands on him while a sea of Red Sox and Tigers converge on the bench-clearing brawl.

Advantage, rookie for the textbook takedown.

I don't care if the pitch was intentional or not, if you charge the mound you better mean it. Youkilis lost the fight, no doubt, but either way it was worth the price of admission.

The Sox have recovered from that four-game sweep to the Yankees and obviously aren't going down in the AL East without a fight.

I don't think the UFC will be calling Youk any time soon, however.

So much for a rejuvinated offense

By Chris Maza
Fan Fanatic Sport Staff

Yes, Sox fans. It was as ugly as it seemed.

In the six-game embarasment that was the Red Sox' last road trip, they found pretty much every concievable way to lose a ballgame.

But in pretty much all of them, there was one common theme - an extreme lack off offense. And as bad as it looked, when you mull over the numbers, it's enough to make a grown man cry.

Let's start with the basics. The Red Sox managed to score a whopping 16 runs on 39 hits over the six-game stretch. Now remember that two of those games went into extras, so in reality, Boston scored 16 runs in 64 innings. Average that out and the Red Sox scored once every four innings. You can't win ballgames that way. Not against good teams.

Who can you blame? How about everybody? As a team, the Red Sox batted a dismal .176, accumulating just 39 hits in 222 at bats. At the top of the order, Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia were unproductive. The leadoff hittter batted .233, while the former MVP was just a shade better at .240. But wait, it gets worse. Here's a list of the Red Sox' key players who laid eggs in the pivotal series.

Victor Martinez: 6-for-26 (.231)
Kevin Youkilis: 5-for-23 (.217)
J.D. Drew: 4-for-19 (.210)
Mike Lowell: 2-for-13 (.154)
David Ortiz: 1-for-18 (.056)
Jason Varitek: 1-for-19 (.053)

Jason Bay was absent for most of the week because of a re-aggravated hamstring injury, but he went 2-for-8, extending his horrible post-All-Star slump. He's now batting .204 since the Midsummer Classic. (In the process, he's become a statistical enigma of sorts. He is slugging just .296, but stil has an on-base percentage of .377 in that time.)

The road trip was one of the worst stretches of offense in Red Sox history, including a scoreless streak of 31 straight innings. At least they avoided getting shut out in back-to-back-to-back games for the first time since 1981.

Say what you will about John Smoltz. The rest of the starting pitching in either series was good enough that they could have won. Jon Lester was superb in both of his starts. Josh Beckett was dominant through seven innings in his start against the Yankees. Clay Buchholz was less than spectacular, but still wriggled his way through six inning to put the Red Sox into a decent position in game three of the Yankees series. Brad Penny did not pitch well, but five runs is not exactly disastrous.

Some could point to the bullpen being the problem, having been tagged with the loss in three of the six games and some of the blame could be placed on it, but consider how much they have had to pitch over those last six games and it's not hard to see that they miss having a long man like Justin Masterson (though I doubt anyone would be willing to hand Victor Martinez back). And had the Red Sox been able to muster anything more than nine hits in the combined 28 innings of the two extra-inning games they played, maybe, just maybe those games could have been a lot shorter.

You have to also tip your cap to the opposing pitchers, especially the Yankees, but some of the blame has to fall on what was supposed to be one of the better, most balanced lineups in baseball. Now the Red Sox sit at a .262 batting average as a team, planting them behind the Seattle Mariners in that department. That's just not going to do it for a team that wants to hold onto its postseason dreams.

Stick a fork in the Red Sox?

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

So have you given up hope?

If you're a Red Sox fan, today is an official day of mourning. 

But you've got to get back up, brush yourself off and immediately get back to work.

Do you think the season is over?

While it never looks good to be back 6 1/2 games in the American League East -- to the archrival New York Yankees no less -- don't for one second think the season is over.

Boston can get hot at any time, especially with a lineup that features Victor Martinez, Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury and Jason Bay (he needs to start hitting again), and everyone knows it.

Big deal. The Yankees just swept the four-game series in the Bronx. It's only August and there's more than a month of baseball left. The Sox have the pitching to get right back in the race, but the offense needs to start hitting, and some clutch hits are going to be necessary.

Keep the faith, Nation. 

There's a lot of baseball left to be played -- 52 more and six against the Yanks. Plus, you don't actually think that the Red Sox will be ice cold for the rest of the year and Yankees will stay hot for that long do you?

So Red Sox Nation, do you think your hometown team is cooked or do they have a chance to win the East or at least get that Wild Card berth?

Fantasy Football: Defenses are important, but don't break the bank

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Defenses, you want an elite one and might be in a tough situation all season if you don't have at least a decent one.

But just when you think a team defense is going to pay off big time, that can't-miss unit gets decimated by injuries and then you're left getting a couple points per week. 

It happens more than you think, too.

So while top-notch scoring defenses -- and they don't have to equate to real life top defenses based on statistics-- are extremely valuable, they are like kickers in fantasy football. 

There are going to be values across the board, and you don't always have the jump and pay good money or draft too high to land the top squads based on projections.

But don't for one second think defenses aren't important. Remember, there are a lot of points to be had with sacks, interceptions, safeties, touchdowns, blocked kicks, special teams TDs. A high scoring output from time to time can make up for some iffy weeks by your stud players who produced like duds.

THE TOP 20

1. Pittsburgh Steelers

The defending Super Bowl champs, backed by James Harrison and Troy Polamalu, know how to rack up the points. The Steelers attacked the QB with 51 sacks, 20 INTs and 22 fumble recoveries. They even scored three touchdowns. The are solid all around and the pressure they put on opposing QBs always gives you solid points week to week.

2. Baltimore Ravens

The triple threat of Ed Reed, Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs are a scary bunch, and this a team that thrives on turnovers. While the Ravens only had 34 sacks, they did register 26 INTs, 23 fumbles and scored six touchdowns (5 INTs for TDs). They'll continue to produce and don't be afraid the land a top scoring unit.

3. Philadelphia Eagles

Pressure, pressure and more pressure. That's the philosophy of the Eagles. They sack the QB (48 last year) and get turnovers (15 INTs, 15 fumbles), and know how to score (7 combined, including special teams). DeSean Jackson also makes the Eagles dangerous on special teams.

4. Minnesota Vikings

You don't think the Vikings are very good on defense based on their mediocre record, but they can produce in fantasy. Last year the Vikings had 12 INTs and 25 fumbles, while scoring twice on fumbles, and nailing the QB 45 times. With rookie Percy Harvin in the mix, expect the special teams points to also help out. Considering how well the Vikings play the run, it's not surprising that teams have to throw and that's when mistakes are made and fantasy points are awarded.

5. San Diego Chargers

Without Shawne Merriman, the Chargers were trash last season (28 sacks), but with him back and playmaker Darren Sproles creating problems on kickoff an punt returns, expect the Chargers to be back among the best in the league. Don't sleep on this unit because they've got playmakers all over the field.

6. New York Giants

There's always a sack party going on in New York. The Giants front is unstoppable at times and it's a reason why they got 42 sacks in 2008, along with the defense getting 17 INTs and 18 fumbles. Remember, end Osi Umenyiora returns from injury and that defense gets that much better. 

7. New York Jets

As much as I hate to say it, the Jets defense is pretty solid, and gets a major boost with defensive wizard, Coach Ryan, now on board. The Jets had 43 takeaways last year and 41 sacks. They also had six total scores. Oh, ya, don't forget electrifying specials teams man Leon Washington on kickoffs and punts. he makes this group that much better.

8. Tennessee Titans

Albert Haynesworth might be gone, but coach Jeff Fisher always has his defense jacked up and ready to play. Plus, they work as a team and the numbers don't lie. The Titans had 44 sacks and 20 INTs and 19 fumbles last season, including 3 touchdowns from INTs. They may not be as dominant up front with the loss of stud Haynesworth, but they are deep and talented enough to be happy you landed them on draft.

9. Dallas Cowboys

Can you believe the Cowboys had 59 sacks last year and were considered a bust? While they had 27 fumbles, they only got 8 picks and two total TDs. If they can get more consistent in the secondary and get turnovers, then watch out. Because of special teams, Felix Jones is an explosive young player that can give you a quick six points with a kickoff return. They've got enough talent to not be a bust this year.

10. Chicago Bears

Chicago knows how to score on defense and special teams (1 kickoff return, 3 fumble return TDs, 1 INT TD), but they can't get to the quarterback (only 28 sacks). Devin Hester is money on special teams, and Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs spearhead the defense. But if the Bears can get more sacks this year, they could get back to elite status.

11. Green Bay Packers

12. Carolina Panthers

13. New England Patriots

14. Washington Redskins

15. Indianapolis Colts

16. Miami Dolphins

17. Arizona Cardinals

18. Seattle Seahawks

19. Jacksonville Jaguars

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

WATCH OUT FOR

Seattle Seahawks

Atlanta Falcons

BE WARY OF

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jacksonville Jaguars

TAKE A FLYER

New Orleans Saints

Oakland Raiders