Friday, January 21, 2011

Is Nascar Trying To End Jimmie Johnson's Dominance?

It seems that Nascar could be changing how they give out points as the 2011 Nascar season approaches. Now almost everyone will agree that the point system should have been scrapped a long time ago. If changes are made were they designed to slow down Jimmie Johnson dominance in the sport. Johnson has dominated the Chase and has won five championships in a row.

Getting a new points system will not really bug Jimmie Johnson that much. Him and his team will just adjust and go after another championship, because that is what he does. Many people think that the change comes at a weird time. Did Nascar do it to stem the tide that Jimmie Johnson has built? Many think they did, but in the end we will see how this all plays out. I think it will have little effect on Jimmie Johnson.

Can The Jets Stop The Steelers?

This could be one of the best AFC Championship games in a very long time. The New York Jets travel to Pittsburgh to see who will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. Most people are picking the Pittsburgh Steelers to move on. I am not in the thinking as I think the Jets can stop the Steelers. Many people are overlooking what the Jets have done, so far in the playoffs. Beating Peyton Manning and Tom Brady in consecutive weeks on the road was impressive.

If the Jets want to win they will need to do a few things. The first thing that they must have happen is not turn the ball over. This means Mark Sanchez must play mistake free if they want to win. Santonio Holmes is a guy who must play big, and I think he will. Holmes use to be a Steeler and even though he said he holds no grudges the way he was sent packing had to hurt. Look for him to have a big game against the Steelers.

On defense the Jets must stop the run when the Steelers have the ball. To beat Big Ben you must make him one dimensional to beat him. If he is forced to pass he will make plays, but he will also make mistakes as well. He does not protect the ball all the time in the pocket either. The Jets can win this game and I like them to win 21-14.

NHL Schedule January 21, 2011

NY Islanders
Buffalo
7:30pm ET

Montreal
Ottawa
7:30pm ET

Tampa Bay
Florida
7:30pm ET

Dallas
Calgary
9:00pm ET

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Time To Give Roy Williams The Boot

When the Dallas Cowboys traded for Roy Williams not to many people thought he would be the answer except maybe Jerry Jones. So far the experiment has been something out of a horror movie. Williams has not lived up to what was expected of him. The Cowboys gave a lot away to bring him in and it's time to just cut those ties. The Cowboys will lose a lot, but trading him away would basically get them nothing in return. Who wants a guy with a huge salary and what the Cowboys would get in return would be virtually nothing.

It is also not fair to other players on the Cowboys. Patrick Crayton should play more and by cutting ties with Roy Williams will give him a chance to do just that. The Cowboys can also draft some wide receiver talent if they decide that is what they need to do. The bottom line is you cannot keep putting a guy on the field who is hurting the team and that is exactly what Roy Williams is doing to the Cowboys. Best to cut ties now before it gets worse and I'm afraid it could get worse when it comes to Roy Williams.

Chalk Talk: Atlanta Braves 2010 Preview

In this installment of Chalk Talk we will take a look at the 2010 Atlanta Braves. The Atlanta Braves had made 14 straight playoff appearances until last year where they fell a little short. This year will be Bobby Cox last year as manager of the Braves as he is retiring. The Braves are looking to bounce back and it starts with there offense. The Braves need a healthy Troy Glaus and adding Melky Cabrera should help them as well. Chipper Jones is still a good player who brings it every day. The offense will score runs, but must stay healthy all season long. Losing anyone in this lineup can really hurt the Braves.

Projected lineup

1. CF Nate McLouth
2. 2B Martin Prado
3. 3B Chipper Jones
4. 1B Troy Glaus
5. C Brian McCann
6. SS Yunel Escobar
7. LF Matt Diaz
8. RF Melky Cabrera

Pitching is something the Atlanta braves always seemed to have plenty of through the years. The Braves have one of the better pitching staffs and need all to perform at a high level this coming year. Adding Billy Wagner in the bullpen should help them as well. If Derek Lowe can bounce back this staff should keep the Braves in contention all season long.

1. RHP Tim Hudson
2. RHP Derek Lowe
3. RHP Jair Jurrjens
4. RHP Tommy Hanson
5. RHP Kenshin Kawakami

Projected closer

LHP Billy Wagner: 26 K's in 15 2/3 IP after return.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Chalk Talk: Los Angeles Angels 2010 Preview

On Chalk Talk today we will talk a little bit about the Los Angeles Angels and how they are looking for 2010. The Angels in the off-season lost some players they will need to replace. Gone are Chone Figgins, John Lackey, Vladimir Guerrero and Darren Oliver in free agency. Losing Figgins and Guerrero will hurt. The Angels did bring in Hideki Matsui to DH. He will not be any help in the outfield, but has a great bat. Brandon Woods will take over for Figgins and try to produce like Figgins did. This team will score runs as they still are very talented on the offensive side of it.

1. SS Erick Aybar
2. RF Bobby Abreu
3. CF Torii Hunter
4. 1B Kendry Morales
5. DH Hideki Matsui
6. LF Juan Rivera
7. 2B Howie Kendrick
8. C Mike Napoli
9. 3B Brandon Wood

Pitching is usually the key to a run at the playoffs and the World Series. Losing John Lackey will hurt the staff, but it is still a good one. Overall the pitching staff is good, but losing their ace Lackey really hurt them. They do have one of the best closers in the business so that will also help offset losing Lackey a little. They key is more consistent pitching out of the starting staff.

1. RHP Jered Weaver
2. LHP Joe Saunders
3. RHP Ervin Santana
4. LHP Scott Kazmir
5. RHP Joel Pineiro

Projected closer
LHP Brian Fuentes

NCAA College Basketball Schedule

East Region

11 Washington
3 New Mexico
5:50pm ET

9 Wake Forest
1 Kentucky
8:15pm ET

Midwest Region

14 Ohio
6 Tennessee
3:35pm ET

9 N Iowa
1 Kansas
5:40pm ET

South Region
10 St. Mary's
2 Villanova
1:05pm ET

11 Old Dominion
3 Baylor
5:45pm ET

West Region
13 Murray St
5 Butler
3:20pm ET

7 BYU
2 Kansas St
8:10pm ET