Sunday, January 23, 2011
Cardinal goes down
We were down 22-8 when I first walked in and saw the scoreboard. I guess we really didn't miss much. The rest of the way we outscored the cardinal 60-35. Someone should thank me.
I like that Lazeric and Malcolm combined for 19-21 on FTs. Our much improved guard play is the biggest reason for our massive improvement from last year. Last year was the first time Howland has ever been without a future NBA-er at PG here at UCLA. Jones might not be NBA quality, but he looks to be an above average solid college starter.
Malcolm's defense has been a huge story for us this year. If Howland calls you one of the best wing defenders in the country, that's definitely something. I'll get off Lee's back for his lack of consistent offense now.
Back to the game - when Honeycutt hit that 3 to finally tie the game late in the 1st half, Pauley went nuts. The band appropriately struck up Mighty Bruins, which is exceedingly exciting for my toddler since he sings it multiple times a day.
He got to sing it again in the 2nd half after we went from a tie game to 10 point lead in span of 6 game minutes. Its nice to beat the Cardinal since memories of losing to Montgomery's Pac10 dominating squads a decade ago are still fresh in my mind.
Anyway, the advantage of a Sat morning game is that I don't have to rush home to put my boys down to bed right after. We were able to hang around after the game and get my younger son's first picture with Joe Bruin. We also got to meet and take pics with Tyus Edney, Josh Smith and Brendan Lane. I guess we could've waited longer for other players but meeting Edney was enough for me.
Friday, January 21, 2011
NFL Playoffs Conference Championships
While the wildcard weekend could not have gone much worse (Carroll won, Peyton lost), the divisional weekend turned out great. The Belicheats and Brady were beat down and befuddled in their loss at the hands of their divisional rival. Better yet, the Jets publicly and shamelessly savored their victory as well. Brady has not won a playoff game (0-3) since their epic failure to go undefeated in the Super Bowl vs the Giants. Finally karma is catching up with the Bill Belicheat, who was badly outcoached and defeeted, sorry, by Ryan. Also, while I was supposed to be rooting for the Falcons last weekend, I really didn't mind that the Pack won.
Jets at Steelers
The Jets have served their purpose and I'm done rooting for trojan Sanchez. The Steelers D is much tougher than the Colts or Patsies so Sanchez won't have his way again. Big Ben is a big game quarterback and though I'm tired of seeing Pittsburgh in the Superbowl, its better than another 2 weeks of the Jets. I'll pick Steelers at home.
Packers at Bears
I still can't get over the fact that Chicago is one of 4 teams left. Cutler seems ripe to have a disaster game, and this could be it. That said, the Pack only won 10-3 at Lambeau in the regular season even though the Bears had nothing to play for. And I'm a little bothered by the fact that most experts are picking the Packers (and the Steelers for that matter), but there's no way I'm taking Cutler over Rodgers. Rodgers won't ever lose the game for the Packers, Cutler might, any given Sunday.
Jets at Steelers
The Jets have served their purpose and I'm done rooting for trojan Sanchez. The Steelers D is much tougher than the Colts or Patsies so Sanchez won't have his way again. Big Ben is a big game quarterback and though I'm tired of seeing Pittsburgh in the Superbowl, its better than another 2 weeks of the Jets. I'll pick Steelers at home.
Packers at Bears
I still can't get over the fact that Chicago is one of 4 teams left. Cutler seems ripe to have a disaster game, and this could be it. That said, the Pack only won 10-3 at Lambeau in the regular season even though the Bears had nothing to play for. And I'm a little bothered by the fact that most experts are picking the Packers (and the Steelers for that matter), but there's no way I'm taking Cutler over Rodgers. Rodgers won't ever lose the game for the Packers, Cutler might, any given Sunday.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
NFL Playoffs Divisional Rd
Okay, apparently Eagles to win the Superbowl was not such a great pick. The entire wildcard weekend was not so great either. My rooting interest, the Colts, got dumped out first round by the Jets while Reggie Wayne only had 1 catch for 1 yard. And worst of all, the Saints pathetically allowed 41 points by the Seahawks including a ridiculous 67 yard, 8 broken tackle run by Marshawn Lynch to seal the game. That run should have been a 4 yarder. Ugh.
Seahawks at Bears
Of course cheatey petey gets to play the weaker of the top seeds in the Bears. You never know what kind of catastrophe Jay Cutler will perpetrate on his own team. I'm going to pick Chicago anyway - their defense is much better than the Saints.
Ravens at Steelers
This is a can't miss violent collision waiting to happen of mirror image teams. I think Polamalu is currently better than Reed, Harrison is better than Lewis, and Roethlisberger (broken nose notwithstanding) is better than Flacco. So I'll take the Steelers.
Jets at Patriots
Yes, I'm rooting for trojan Sanchez to beat Brady. Yes, I'm rooting for potty-mouthed Rex Ryan to beat classless Bill Belicheat. But I think Rex Ryan will only taste defeet. No, I did not come up with that.
Packers at Falcons
I hope the winner of this game wins it all. Hate the Seahawks. Don't like Cutler and the Bears. Steelers have won way too much. Ravens are uninteresting. Jets are too uncouth for me and they have trojan Sanchez. I can't believe I'm saying this but I'd rather Pete Carroll win a Superbowl instead of Belicheat/Brady. So that leaves GB and the ATL. I like Rodgers - he's definitely my favorite QB left. His success will also affirm GB's decision to pick him over Favre. But, the Packers have won way too much. I'm still sore about what they did to my 9ers in the 90s. So, I guess I'm officially rooting for the Falcons. But I'm picking the Pack to win on Sat.
Seahawks at Bears
Of course cheatey petey gets to play the weaker of the top seeds in the Bears. You never know what kind of catastrophe Jay Cutler will perpetrate on his own team. I'm going to pick Chicago anyway - their defense is much better than the Saints.
Ravens at Steelers
This is a can't miss violent collision waiting to happen of mirror image teams. I think Polamalu is currently better than Reed, Harrison is better than Lewis, and Roethlisberger (broken nose notwithstanding) is better than Flacco. So I'll take the Steelers.
Jets at Patriots
Yes, I'm rooting for trojan Sanchez to beat Brady. Yes, I'm rooting for potty-mouthed Rex Ryan to beat classless Bill Belicheat. But I think Rex Ryan will only taste defeet. No, I did not come up with that.
Packers at Falcons
I hope the winner of this game wins it all. Hate the Seahawks. Don't like Cutler and the Bears. Steelers have won way too much. Ravens are uninteresting. Jets are too uncouth for me and they have trojan Sanchez. I can't believe I'm saying this but I'd rather Pete Carroll win a Superbowl instead of Belicheat/Brady. So that leaves GB and the ATL. I like Rodgers - he's definitely my favorite QB left. His success will also affirm GB's decision to pick him over Favre. But, the Packers have won way too much. I'm still sore about what they did to my 9ers in the 90s. So, I guess I'm officially rooting for the Falcons. But I'm picking the Pack to win on Sat.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Perusal of preseason's postseason picks
Here's a quick lookback at my preseason divisional / playoff picks and a new playoff prediction for good measure.
NFC West Champ: 49ers (Actual: Seahawks)
Well, that didn't go according to plan, did it? Had we beat the 1-15 Panthers like every other team this year AND not have literally given the game away vs the Falcons, when Clements got stripped by Roddy White when he should've just knelt down after the INT with the lead, we'd be in the playoffs. Heck, had we beat the stinkin Rams in Week 16, we'd be in the playoffs. But no. Of all teams, cheatey petey's team made it. And now we don't have a QB or a head coach. WORST SEASON IN THE NFC WEST EVER. At least we have the World Series.
NFC North Champ: Packers (Actual: Bears)
Who knew the Bears would go 11-5? I still think if the Pack were healthy, they would've won this division going away.
NFC South Champ: Saints (Actual: Falcons)
I know the Falcons only lost 3 games but I still think the Saints are the more feared team come playoffs. Still, great season for Atlanta. You gotta be happy for Arthur Blank.
NFC East Champ: Giants (Actual: Eagles)
No one could predict the Cowboys' pathetic start. No one could predict Vick's mercurial season. But you'd think the Giants would at least snag a wild card spot for goodness' sake. You'd think I'd get at least 1 of the 4 NFC division champs right too.
NFC Wildcards: Cowboys and Vikings (Actual: Packers and Saints)
Well, if I could replace the Seahawks with the Giants, then this would definitely be the 6 best NFC teams going at it. I'm just glad that the Cowboys and Vikings' circuses help to overshadow the disappointment that is the 49ers.
AFC West Champ: Chargers (Actual: Chiefs)
0 for 5 for division champs. Who knew that SD couldn't even get a punt off? Who would've thought that Oakland wouldn't lose a single AFC west game and still lose the division by 2 games? Chiefs surprised everyone.
AFC North Champ: Ravens (Actual: Steelers)
Well, even with Big Ben's suspension, their defense singlehandedly won games. But hey, the Ravens and Steelers did finish with the same record.
AFC South Champ: Colts (Actual: Colts)
In a league of unpredictability, you can always rely on Peyton, even though they were 6-6 at one point and in serious danger of missing the playoffs...
AFC East Champ: Patriots (Actual: Patriots)
I just knew it. I just knew Belicheat and Brady would be back. So who am I rooting for this playoffs? The Los Angeles Aetps - Anyone except the patriots.
AFC Wildcards: Steelers and Texans (Actual: Ravens and Jets)
Unlike the NFC, the 6 best AFC teams did make the postseason. The Texans are just perennial losers, aren't they? They need to sign a new secondary.
NFC Championship Game: Eagles over Falcons
I had previously taken the Packers over the Saints, but the Vick at Atlanta championship game is intriguing. This weekends' Eagles-Packers wild card game could be an early matchup of the best 2 teams in the NFC right now.
AFC Championship Game: Steelers over Patriots
Its looking unlikely that my Colts over Ravens prediction will come true. I think the banged up Colts probably won't even get past the Jets. The Steelers and Pats will probably hold home field and I'm hoping for a minor Pittsburgh miracle.
Superbowl: Eagles over Steelers
Vick might be struggling now, but somehow teams that were on a ridiculous roll in the regular season, then faltered late, can sometimes find their mojo again seemingly out of nowhere. Then again, they haven't really protected Vick this season at all, have they? Heck, what do I know, anyway?
Go Colts.
NFC West Champ: 49ers (Actual: Seahawks)
Well, that didn't go according to plan, did it? Had we beat the 1-15 Panthers like every other team this year AND not have literally given the game away vs the Falcons, when Clements got stripped by Roddy White when he should've just knelt down after the INT with the lead, we'd be in the playoffs. Heck, had we beat the stinkin Rams in Week 16, we'd be in the playoffs. But no. Of all teams, cheatey petey's team made it. And now we don't have a QB or a head coach. WORST SEASON IN THE NFC WEST EVER. At least we have the World Series.
NFC North Champ: Packers (Actual: Bears)
Who knew the Bears would go 11-5? I still think if the Pack were healthy, they would've won this division going away.
NFC South Champ: Saints (Actual: Falcons)
I know the Falcons only lost 3 games but I still think the Saints are the more feared team come playoffs. Still, great season for Atlanta. You gotta be happy for Arthur Blank.
NFC East Champ: Giants (Actual: Eagles)
No one could predict the Cowboys' pathetic start. No one could predict Vick's mercurial season. But you'd think the Giants would at least snag a wild card spot for goodness' sake. You'd think I'd get at least 1 of the 4 NFC division champs right too.
NFC Wildcards: Cowboys and Vikings (Actual: Packers and Saints)
Well, if I could replace the Seahawks with the Giants, then this would definitely be the 6 best NFC teams going at it. I'm just glad that the Cowboys and Vikings' circuses help to overshadow the disappointment that is the 49ers.
AFC West Champ: Chargers (Actual: Chiefs)
0 for 5 for division champs. Who knew that SD couldn't even get a punt off? Who would've thought that Oakland wouldn't lose a single AFC west game and still lose the division by 2 games? Chiefs surprised everyone.
AFC North Champ: Ravens (Actual: Steelers)
Well, even with Big Ben's suspension, their defense singlehandedly won games. But hey, the Ravens and Steelers did finish with the same record.
AFC South Champ: Colts (Actual: Colts)
In a league of unpredictability, you can always rely on Peyton, even though they were 6-6 at one point and in serious danger of missing the playoffs...
AFC East Champ: Patriots (Actual: Patriots)
I just knew it. I just knew Belicheat and Brady would be back. So who am I rooting for this playoffs? The Los Angeles Aetps - Anyone except the patriots.
AFC Wildcards: Steelers and Texans (Actual: Ravens and Jets)
Unlike the NFC, the 6 best AFC teams did make the postseason. The Texans are just perennial losers, aren't they? They need to sign a new secondary.
NFC Championship Game: Eagles over Falcons
I had previously taken the Packers over the Saints, but the Vick at Atlanta championship game is intriguing. This weekends' Eagles-Packers wild card game could be an early matchup of the best 2 teams in the NFC right now.
AFC Championship Game: Steelers over Patriots
Its looking unlikely that my Colts over Ravens prediction will come true. I think the banged up Colts probably won't even get past the Jets. The Steelers and Pats will probably hold home field and I'm hoping for a minor Pittsburgh miracle.
Superbowl: Eagles over Steelers
Vick might be struggling now, but somehow teams that were on a ridiculous roll in the regular season, then faltered late, can sometimes find their mojo again seemingly out of nowhere. Then again, they haven't really protected Vick this season at all, have they? Heck, what do I know, anyway?
Go Colts.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
NFL Week 17 Predictions
Dolphins at Patriots - Hard to say. Starters shouldn't play much but Belicheat hates to lose. X
Bills at Jets - Rex Ryan is one weird dude.
Bengals at Ravens - Baltimore won't roll over for you like the Chargers did, Cincy.
Raiders at Chiefs - Chiefs will be an interesting team to watch come playoffs. X
Steelers at Browns - Pittsburgh is motivated. Cleveland isn't.
Vikings at Lions - Lions pull the mini upset here.
Panthers at Falcons - next
Buccaneers at Saints - Saints pull this one out. X
Jaguars at Texans - No Garrard or MoJo.
Cowboys at Eagles - Cowboys beat Eagles backups. barely.
Giants at Redskins - Giants need a W and help.
Chargers at Broncos - I think the Chargers will finish strong. But I'm going with Tebow. X
Cardinals at 49ers - Hire Parcells. Hire Holmgren. Hire Gruden. Anybody with experience please. York is like the Donald Sterling of the NFL.
Bears at Packers - Great game. Rodgers leads team into the playoffs.
Titans at Colts - Been many years since Peyton has been in a must win last regular season game.
Rams at Seahawks - I should pull out my old Warner jersey for this one. X
Week 17 Record: 11-5
Final Season Record: 158-102
Bills at Jets - Rex Ryan is one weird dude.
Bengals at Ravens - Baltimore won't roll over for you like the Chargers did, Cincy.
Raiders at Chiefs - Chiefs will be an interesting team to watch come playoffs. X
Steelers at Browns - Pittsburgh is motivated. Cleveland isn't.
Vikings at Lions - Lions pull the mini upset here.
Panthers at Falcons - next
Buccaneers at Saints - Saints pull this one out. X
Jaguars at Texans - No Garrard or MoJo.
Cowboys at Eagles - Cowboys beat Eagles backups. barely.
Giants at Redskins - Giants need a W and help.
Chargers at Broncos - I think the Chargers will finish strong. But I'm going with Tebow. X
Cardinals at 49ers - Hire Parcells. Hire Holmgren. Hire Gruden. Anybody with experience please. York is like the Donald Sterling of the NFL.
Bears at Packers - Great game. Rodgers leads team into the playoffs.
Titans at Colts - Been many years since Peyton has been in a must win last regular season game.
Rams at Seahawks - I should pull out my old Warner jersey for this one. X
Week 17 Record: 11-5
Final Season Record: 158-102
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Whooped by Washington
Went to this game. Udubb's more athletic overall and their guards are faster and quicker than ours. Hopefully we can hang around and steal the conference from them at the end. That is all.
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