QB’s that I love this week not named Peyton Manning:
Ryan Fitzpatrick (Buffalo Bills): Fitzpatrick has been on fire, throwing for at least 2 touchdowns every game he has started this year. He threw for 4 touchdowns and 382 yards against a vaunted Baltitmore Ravens defense. Now Kansas City is a much improved defense, but they are ranked 16th overall in giving up fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. So if Fitzpatrick played that well against Baltimore, he should at least be able to put up 250 yards with 2 touchdowns against Kansas City. If you had Romo and need to replace him for the rest of the season, Fitzpatrick would be a good route to take.
Carson Palmer (Cincinnati Bengals): He’s averaging 280 yards and 1.6 touchdowns for the season, and has been particularly putting up numbers over the last 3 games. The Miami Dolphins are ranked 19th overall in giving up fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, so everything seems to be adding up to another big week for Palmer.
Jon Kitna (Dallas Cowboys): Obviously there isn’t much to go on as Kitna hasn’t started a game since 2008, but when he did start, he always put up solid numbers. Kitna is a thrower, and in a Dallas offense that doesn’t run the ball well, and has most of its weapons in the receiving game, look for Dallas to be throwing all day long. Especially since the Dallas defense loves to give up points, so Dallas will be throwing in order to catch up every game. This week Dallas is playing the Jacksonville Jaguars, ranked 31st in giving up fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, he should have a solid first start of the year. I even picked him up in one of my leagues to fill in while my QB is on a bye.
Matt Cassel (Kansas City Chiefs): Playing the Buffalo Bills. That’s all you need to know.
QB’s that I hate:
Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints): Listen, you drafted him so you can start him every week, so you’re obviously starting him, even against one of the best defensives in the league in the Pittsburgh Steelers. The fact that he is facing the Steelers though, makes me pause just slightly. If Brees threw 4 picks against the Cleveland Browns, what do you think he’s going to do against the Steelers?
Brett Favre (Minnesota Vikings): Broken ankle in two different places, wasn’t playing well even before that happened, so I’m going to say, stick a fork in him, Brett Favre is done. You know he’s going to start this week since he’s selfish and doesn’t care about what benefits the team the most, which would be him sitting out. With him being injured, I’m sure the Vikings will be running the ball with Adrian Peterson and Toby Gerhart heavy and often, giving few opportunities for Favre to even throw. If you have a better option this week, play that guy instead.
Vince Young/Kerry Collins (Tennessee Titans): Whichever one ends up starting this week it won’t matter. The San Diego Chargers are ranked 1st overall in giving up fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, so it’s a horrible matchup. Maybe they sneak in a touchdown pass, but I would expect Tennessee to run the ball with Chris Johnson and Javon Ringer more than normal.
RB’s that I love not named Adrian Peterson or Chris Johnson:
Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones (Kansas City Chiefs): Second straight week with a good matchup, this week against the Buffalo Bills. Expect big days from both.
Marshawn Lynch (Seattle Seahawks): If Denver knew how to run the ball, maybe they wouldn’t have got smacked down by Oakland like they did. Peter Carroll likes to run the ball, and he especially should against an Oakland Raiders defense that is ranked 31st in giving up fantasy points to opposing running backs. Lynch should get at least 20 carries this week, so the potential is there for a big week.
Ryan Torain (Washington Redskins): The worst defense against the run is the Detroit Lions, which works out well for Torain, since he’s playing them this week. Torain is a hard runner, who is proving he can handle the load. He has had at least 20 carries and 100 yards over the last two games, against better defenses than the Detroit Lions.
LeGarette Blount (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): Cadillac Williams is being phased out, and the guy doing the phasing is LeGarette Blount. He had 11 carries for 72 yards against an improved St. Louis Rams defense. This week Blount is facing the Arizona Cardinals, who are ranked 27th overall in giving up fantasy points to opposing running backs. Good matchup for him, and I picked him up in both of my leagues to put him in my starting lineup. That’s an endorsement from me.
RB’s I hate:
Cedric Benson (Cincinnati Bengals): So it appears that Cincinnati has completely changed their identity from a run first team to a pass first team. That being said, Benson is still getting about 20 carries a game, but he’s only been over 100 yards once this season, with his next closest game being 81 yards. The Bengals are playing the Miami Dolphins, who are ranked 6th overall in giving up fantasy points to opposing running backs, so definitely not a good matchup for a guy struggling to get yards.
DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart (Carolina Panthers): Williams hasn’t seen 100 yards yet this season, he’s slightly injured with a foot sprain, and he’s playing the St. Louis Rams, a top 15 defense against the run. With the small injury to Williams, that should be Stewart gets a couple more carries, but not enough to make much of a difference. Carolina just doesn’t want to play Stewart like they did the past two years, so don’t expect that to change, and I’d drop him like its hot if I were you, I did.
Ryan Mathews/Mike Tolbert (San Diego Chargers): Neither one has been doing much of late, the Chargers are a pass first team, and they are facing the Tennessee Titans, who are the 4th ranked defense in giving up fantasy points to opposing running backs. No doubt you have better matchups with your other running backs, so I’d go with those guys first.
All Saints Running Backs: Chris Ivory had one good game, but that was it. Ladell Betts and Julius Jones haven’t done much either. Now they are facing the 2nd ranked defense against the run in the Pittsburgh Steelers. You’re definitely not starting any of the backs, and even flexing them is a stretch.
WR’s I love not named Reggie Wayne:
Santana Moss (Washington Redskins) (8th in targets): Moss gets the targets, he’s producing for the most part this year (yards, not touchdowns), and now he gets to face the Lions, an improving defense, but they are still the Lions. When teams play Detroit, it turns into a shootout, so don’t expect much difference this week. Plenty more targets, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see a deep bomb for a touchdown.
Pierre Garcon (Indianapolis Colts) (tied for 34th in targets): Don’t let the small amount of targets fool you. Garcon missed two games with a hamstring injury, and he was basically the 4th option for a couple of weeks. But now there is no Dallas Clark (out for the rest of the season) and Austin Collie is out for a couple of weeks. That now makes Garcon the 2nd receiver on the team. Expect big things the rest of the year from Garcon, especially this week against one of the worst pass defenses in the league in the Houston Texans.
Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens (Cincinnati Bengals) (tied for 10th in targets and 2nd in targets): As I said when talking about hating Cedric Benson this week, the Bengals are now a pass first team, which is understandable when you have weapons like Owens and Ochocinco. Miami is ranked 22nd in giving up fantasy points to opposing wide receivers, which bodes extremely well both guys. I could easily see big days for both.
Roy E. Williams (Dallas Cowboys) (tied for 33rd in targets): I had Williams on my hate list last week, which was 100% correct as he has 0 catches. This week, I flip flop him to my love. When Williams was in Detroit, the guy throwing the ball to him was Jon Kitna. Now the old duo is reunited as Kitna is stepping in for the injured Romo. Expect Kitna to fall back in love with Williams, leading to a nice week for Roy. He’s a solid #2 this week and a definite flex play.
WR’s I hate:
Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals) (7th in targets): He gets the targets, that’s for sure, but the problem is that neither Max Hall or Derek Anderson are accurate enough to make those targets worth anything. It’s not a bad matchup against the Buccaneers, but again, without a QB, I’d stay away. At this point, Fitzgerald is a flex play week in and week out, maybe a borderline #2 option.
Kenny Britt (Tennessee Titans) (tied for 30th in targets): I was completely wrong with Britt last week, placing him on my hate list. He performed out of this world, and no doubt Britt was the number 1 pick up this week off the waiver wire if he was still out there. But here’s why I place Britt on the hate list this week for the second week in a row. He’s facing the #2 defense in giving up fantasy points to opposing wide receivers, so bad matchup there. He’s not going to be under the radar, so expect San Diego to be rolling the safety his way, putting him in double coverage. I wouldn’t feel comfortable with more than a flex or #3 wide receiver this week.
Michael Crabtree (San Francisco 49ers) (tied for 18th in targets): There is a Smith starting this week for San Francisco, but his name isn’t Alex. Troy Smith will be the starting QB for San Francisco in London this week against the Denver Broncos. As an Ohio State fan, I love Troy Smith and want to see him do well, but I don’t think Singletary is going to give him many chances. The Niners will pound the ball heavy and often on the ground with Gore, taking the ball out of Troy’s hands as much as possible. This will limit Crabtree’s targets which obviously will lead to decreased production. Maybe you flex him at best, but I’m benching him for Lee Evans this week.
Donald Driver (Green Bay Packers) (tied for 27th in targets): Last week Driver had no catches for the first time in forever, mainly because he was injured and had no separation from the corners. He should be healthier this week, but unfortunately he’ll be facing the New York Jets secondary, and a 100% healthy Revis. Not a good matchup, and with a lingering injury, I don’t see much production out of him this week.
TE’s I love not named Antonio Gates:
Dustin Keller (New York Jets) (tied for 26th in targets): Dustin Keller is finally producing at the level we all hoped and thought he would. This week he is facing the 22nd ranked defense in giving up fantasy points to opposing tight ends, so the opportunity is there for him to keep the good season rolling.
Jason Witten (Dallas Cowboys) (tied for 17th in targets): Just like a tight end is a rookie quarterback’s best friend, a tight end can also be the best friend of a quarterback making his first start in 2 years. Look for Kitna to be looking Witten’s way a decent amount, especially against a bad defense in the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Owen Daniels (Houston Texans) (tied for 39th in targets): This is the first week of the season that Owen Daniels has entered my top 10 rankings at tight end. He’s been getting healthier week in and week out, with all indications being that he is almost 100%. He has had 8 catches for 124 yards over his last two games proving that his health is definitely improving. Look for that improving health to translate into a very good week against the Indianapolis Colts.
TE’s I hate:
Marcedes Lewis (Jacksonville Jaguars) (tied for 29th in targets): Lewis has a bad matchup this week in facing the Dallas Cowboys, who are ranked 4th overall in giving up fantasy points to opposing tight ends. His production has decreased the last two weeks, which could be a buy product of Garrard not playing. Even if Garrard does play this week, I still don’t think he does much because of the bad matchup. But if Garrard is out another week, expect little to no production at all.
Tony Moeaki (Kansas City Chiefs) (tied for 38th in targets): Yes he has looked good for a rookie tight end. Yes he is facing a Bills defense that is ranked 29th overall in giving up fantasy points to opposing tight ends. Yes he’s basically the 2nd best receiving option on his team. But all that being said, one, he’s no Aaron Hernandez when it comes to rookie tight ends, and two, he doesn’t get very many targets. Add to that the fact the Chiefs are a run first, run second, pass third team, and you can see why is targets are limited. Finally, if you believe in trends, Moeaki produces about 4 catches and 50 yards receiving every other week. Last week he had 3 catches for 42 yards, getting him close to that average. So the trend says it should be a down week for him.
John Carlson (Seattle Seahawks) (tied for 30th in targets): In the last 3 games that Carlson has played, he has 4 catches, 39 yards, and 0 touchdowns. Clearly Carlson is now an afterthought on this team, which is sad, as he has plenty of talent and would no doubt produce if given the chance. But he’s not being given a chance, so neither should you. Bench him this week, particularly if you have a better option, which no doubt you do. I wouldn’t even use him as a bye week fill in.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles
I've just been informed by a reliable source that Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles has been "Terminated."
My first reaction was to push back from my desk quickly, stand up and start screaming about how FOX is a bunch of morons, who wouldn't know a good series if it bit them in the ass. A lot of F bombs would have been dropped, and most likely I would have been fired. Instead, I swore in my head (I think I'm up to about 35 F bombs so far).
The utter stupidity of the FOX executives who state that the show had"run its course," baffles me. They had a fantastic series, with fantastic actors. Derek Reese was the man. Cameron was hot and the actress that played her, Summer Glau, was extremely talented. John was tormented yet resilient and just growing into his role as leader of the Resistance. We were leaving Sarah Connor behind as John teleported to the future, but she had her quality moments.
Now us fans are left wondering, what the hell happend to John Connor and the hot read headed Terminator? Derek Reese had died, but miraculously he was back when John went to the future, so his badassness could continue. We could see how John became the leader he is supposed to be. So many things left unanswered.
No doubt a petition will be started, but let me tell all you petitioners out there, it doesn't work. A bazillion people petitioned NBC to get the Black Donelly's back on the air, but that never happened. So don't get your hopes up about Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.
I'm pissed. I want to say Fuck as loud as I can. I want to punch all Fox Executives in the face. Nex thing you know, they'll be cancelling 24, and the most badass man left on TV, Jack Bauer (fucking idiots, I hope Jack Bauer karate chops them all in the throat).
My first reaction was to push back from my desk quickly, stand up and start screaming about how FOX is a bunch of morons, who wouldn't know a good series if it bit them in the ass. A lot of F bombs would have been dropped, and most likely I would have been fired. Instead, I swore in my head (I think I'm up to about 35 F bombs so far).
The utter stupidity of the FOX executives who state that the show had"run its course," baffles me. They had a fantastic series, with fantastic actors. Derek Reese was the man. Cameron was hot and the actress that played her, Summer Glau, was extremely talented. John was tormented yet resilient and just growing into his role as leader of the Resistance. We were leaving Sarah Connor behind as John teleported to the future, but she had her quality moments.
Now us fans are left wondering, what the hell happend to John Connor and the hot read headed Terminator? Derek Reese had died, but miraculously he was back when John went to the future, so his badassness could continue. We could see how John became the leader he is supposed to be. So many things left unanswered.
No doubt a petition will be started, but let me tell all you petitioners out there, it doesn't work. A bazillion people petitioned NBC to get the Black Donelly's back on the air, but that never happened. So don't get your hopes up about Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.
I'm pissed. I want to say Fuck as loud as I can. I want to punch all Fox Executives in the face. Nex thing you know, they'll be cancelling 24, and the most badass man left on TV, Jack Bauer (fucking idiots, I hope Jack Bauer karate chops them all in the throat).
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
TV Thoughts
A few things I've been wondering about.
1. Will Tom Welling, who is now 32 years old and plays Clark Kent in the series Smallville, ever look his age? He was 28 at one point playing a 20 year old. Impressive.
2. Will Smallville ever end? Apparently Tom Welling is contracted for a 9th and 10th season according to a co-worker who reads the rumor mills.
3. Why does network TV continually get rid of good shows? NBC cancelled the Black Donellys, which was a fantastic show about the Irish and Italian Mobs, ABC cancelled Big Shots, which had Michael Vartan from the show Alias and Dylan McDermot, who was a badass, and finally, FOX in all its stupidity hasn't decided if they are bringing back Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles yet for the fall lineup. All I know is that the Terminator show is phenomenal. It made Brian Austin Green relevant for the first time since 90210 in the mid 90's and had incredible action, acting, and story lines.
4. Speaking of Brian Austin Green, how did he ever land himself Megan Fox? She is either a huge fan of 90210 re-runs, or she is dumb. I refuse to believe someone as hot as her (and not that Olivia Wilde (formally of the Black Donellys show mentioned previously) isn't hot, but Megan Fox should have been #1 in Maxim's Hot 100) is dumb, so she must really love 90210.
5. If you aren't a Transformers fan, but you are a fan of hot chicks, Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen is a must see, just to see Megan Fox curving herself ever so nicely on a motorcycle. I'm stating that it will be one of the most iconic scenes that no one will ever forget. And you don't want to be the guy (or girl I suppose) who has never seen it, but pretends they have, cause trust me, if you don't start drooling while talking about it, you haven't seen it.
6. I never watched 24 until this season (thanks go to my friend Jimmy Patterson for showing me the light.) Jack Bauer is a badass who will do anything, and I mean anything (including knowingly infecting himself with an incurable bioagent to stop mass casualties), to win. Prior to the two hour season finale, I predicted to my wife that Jack Bauer was going to kill a lot of people, most of them by either snapping their neck, slitting their throat, or karate chopping their trachea. Well, Jack didn't kill a lot of people, only 3 actually, but all 3 were neck deaths in the manner previously mentioned. I'm glad the writers were on the same page as me. I might have to buy the first 6 seasons just to see Jack be a badass and kill lots of people (and even the 7th season since it was released the day after the season finale. Genius)
7. There are a lot of quality TV Shows out there right now which I will now list.
1. Friday Night Lights (the best show I've ever seen. And I mean ever.)
2. Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (saved the Terminator franchise since T3 was atrocious.)
3. Lie To Me (I now profess to be a human lie detector)
4. Fringe (some crazy shit goes down and makes you wonder if it could actually happen in today's world)
5. Supernatural (A vastly underrated show. Dean, played by Jensen Ackles, is freakin' hysterical)
6. How I Met Your Mother (the only half hour tv show I watch, cause Neil Patrick Harris is the man, even though he's gay in real life)
7. Grey's Anatomy (hot lesbians now in the show with other hot chicks. Can't beat that)
8. Smallville (been around forever, but I think it's on its last leg.)
1. Will Tom Welling, who is now 32 years old and plays Clark Kent in the series Smallville, ever look his age? He was 28 at one point playing a 20 year old. Impressive.
2. Will Smallville ever end? Apparently Tom Welling is contracted for a 9th and 10th season according to a co-worker who reads the rumor mills.
3. Why does network TV continually get rid of good shows? NBC cancelled the Black Donellys, which was a fantastic show about the Irish and Italian Mobs, ABC cancelled Big Shots, which had Michael Vartan from the show Alias and Dylan McDermot, who was a badass, and finally, FOX in all its stupidity hasn't decided if they are bringing back Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles yet for the fall lineup. All I know is that the Terminator show is phenomenal. It made Brian Austin Green relevant for the first time since 90210 in the mid 90's and had incredible action, acting, and story lines.
4. Speaking of Brian Austin Green, how did he ever land himself Megan Fox? She is either a huge fan of 90210 re-runs, or she is dumb. I refuse to believe someone as hot as her (and not that Olivia Wilde (formally of the Black Donellys show mentioned previously) isn't hot, but Megan Fox should have been #1 in Maxim's Hot 100) is dumb, so she must really love 90210.
5. If you aren't a Transformers fan, but you are a fan of hot chicks, Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen is a must see, just to see Megan Fox curving herself ever so nicely on a motorcycle. I'm stating that it will be one of the most iconic scenes that no one will ever forget. And you don't want to be the guy (or girl I suppose) who has never seen it, but pretends they have, cause trust me, if you don't start drooling while talking about it, you haven't seen it.
6. I never watched 24 until this season (thanks go to my friend Jimmy Patterson for showing me the light.) Jack Bauer is a badass who will do anything, and I mean anything (including knowingly infecting himself with an incurable bioagent to stop mass casualties), to win. Prior to the two hour season finale, I predicted to my wife that Jack Bauer was going to kill a lot of people, most of them by either snapping their neck, slitting their throat, or karate chopping their trachea. Well, Jack didn't kill a lot of people, only 3 actually, but all 3 were neck deaths in the manner previously mentioned. I'm glad the writers were on the same page as me. I might have to buy the first 6 seasons just to see Jack be a badass and kill lots of people (and even the 7th season since it was released the day after the season finale. Genius)
7. There are a lot of quality TV Shows out there right now which I will now list.
1. Friday Night Lights (the best show I've ever seen. And I mean ever.)
2. Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (saved the Terminator franchise since T3 was atrocious.)
3. Lie To Me (I now profess to be a human lie detector)
4. Fringe (some crazy shit goes down and makes you wonder if it could actually happen in today's world)
5. Supernatural (A vastly underrated show. Dean, played by Jensen Ackles, is freakin' hysterical)
6. How I Met Your Mother (the only half hour tv show I watch, cause Neil Patrick Harris is the man, even though he's gay in real life)
7. Grey's Anatomy (hot lesbians now in the show with other hot chicks. Can't beat that)
8. Smallville (been around forever, but I think it's on its last leg.)
I will say that for a first post, I think that was terrible and I apologize to all those who eventually read (if that ever happens).
In sticking with the West Coast theme, I will now talk about the LA Lakers.
The Lakers are an enigma to me. Sometimes they come out and just dominate the other team (such as the 40 point win over Houston in this years playoffs as well as their win in Game 7 against that same Houston team). Othertimes they look as uninspired as one of my students during a lecture (I used to be a Spanish Teacher).
So you never know exactly which team is going to show up, and it scares the crap out of you. As shown by Game 1 of Lakers/Nuggets Conference Finals, the Nuggets are going to bring it every game, no matter whether they are playing on the road or at home. As a Laker fan, this gives me pause based upon the Houston Rockets series. If the Lakers take off 4 games against the Nuggets, they will get beat, and the dream matchup of Kobe v. LeBron will not happen. Instead it will be Melo v. LeBron. But based upon Melo's playoffs so far and game 1 against the Lakers (Melo going for 39 points thanks to Trevor Ariza's atrocious defense, although his steal with about 29 seconds to go sealed the deal), I don't think that would be too bad of a series.
But I digress, as I am here to talk about the Lakers. Bottomline, they worry me. They make me nervous. They have all the talent in the world, yet most times come with little to no intensity (except Kobe, as he is Mr. Intense in my book). Pau Gasol often looks like the state puff marshmallow man, being moved all around the block. He should get at least 20 and 15 every game, but most nights ends up with like 12 and 10. Not good enough to win the Finals. He needs to produce.
Then the three headed point guard monster that is Fisher, Farmar, and Brown. Combined I guess they get the job done, but it would sure be nice to have one of those 3 be a consistent performer night in and night out. I myself think Farmar can be that kind of guy. I've been down on Fisher lately, but he was clutch last night, so he gets a reprieve from me on his suckiness.
Lakers, you are an enigma, so please, figure it out so you can beat the Nuggets, otherwise the dream Finals of Kobe v. LeBron won't happen.
In sticking with the West Coast theme, I will now talk about the LA Lakers.
The Lakers are an enigma to me. Sometimes they come out and just dominate the other team (such as the 40 point win over Houston in this years playoffs as well as their win in Game 7 against that same Houston team). Othertimes they look as uninspired as one of my students during a lecture (I used to be a Spanish Teacher).
So you never know exactly which team is going to show up, and it scares the crap out of you. As shown by Game 1 of Lakers/Nuggets Conference Finals, the Nuggets are going to bring it every game, no matter whether they are playing on the road or at home. As a Laker fan, this gives me pause based upon the Houston Rockets series. If the Lakers take off 4 games against the Nuggets, they will get beat, and the dream matchup of Kobe v. LeBron will not happen. Instead it will be Melo v. LeBron. But based upon Melo's playoffs so far and game 1 against the Lakers (Melo going for 39 points thanks to Trevor Ariza's atrocious defense, although his steal with about 29 seconds to go sealed the deal), I don't think that would be too bad of a series.
But I digress, as I am here to talk about the Lakers. Bottomline, they worry me. They make me nervous. They have all the talent in the world, yet most times come with little to no intensity (except Kobe, as he is Mr. Intense in my book). Pau Gasol often looks like the state puff marshmallow man, being moved all around the block. He should get at least 20 and 15 every game, but most nights ends up with like 12 and 10. Not good enough to win the Finals. He needs to produce.
Then the three headed point guard monster that is Fisher, Farmar, and Brown. Combined I guess they get the job done, but it would sure be nice to have one of those 3 be a consistent performer night in and night out. I myself think Farmar can be that kind of guy. I've been down on Fisher lately, but he was clutch last night, so he gets a reprieve from me on his suckiness.
Lakers, you are an enigma, so please, figure it out so you can beat the Nuggets, otherwise the dream Finals of Kobe v. LeBron won't happen.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
For the first post on PEB I would like to talk about Manny Ramirez and the stupidity that is him.
I myself am a LA Dodgers fan, and have been for as long as I can remember. I was born during the Dodgers World Series victory in October of 1981, my parents were both from LA, so I basically had no choice for my rooting allegiance. I was 7 the next time the Dodgers won the World Series, in 1988, with the likes of Orel Hershiser, Fernando Valenzuela, Steve Sax, Mickey Hatcher, and of course the hero of them all, Kirk Gibson.
Since 1988, I have been praying year in and year out for another chance to go back to the World Series and have been let down every year since. My Nana and myself referred to them as those "Bums," who always seemed to have talent, but never could put it all together. Then Joe Torre showed up and finally the Dodgers had a manager who knew what he was doing, just like Tommy Lasorda (who my Papa looks exactly like. It's uncanny. If I had a picture, I would post it, but take my word for it, they could be twins). Being that I'm a Dodger Fan, and have read every single biography that I could about the Brooklyn Dodgers, I despise the Yankees. But even my hatred for the Evil Empire couldn't dampen my optimism about Torre.
As the season progressed I knew the Dodgers had a lot of young talent, and that Torre was coaching them up right, but we needed a piece to the puzzle. Needed that bat in the lineup that opposing pitchers feared. Enter Manny Ramirez.
I knew Manny was a clubhouse cancer so to speak. He forced himself out of Boston, alienating his former teammates and fans, but that didn't matter to me. I was starving for a winning team, and I knew that Manny was the perfect fit. He seemd like an LA kind of guy. Charismatic, laid back, and Hollywood talented. The addition of the Mannywood section in left field this season proves he was all that and more.
Manny went on a torrid pace, even through the National League Championship Series, galvenizing an entire fan base and team. Hope was restored to me and all Dodger Fans, who had been thirsting for a World Series caliber team since 1988, and we finally had one. Alas it was not to be had in 2008, as the Phillies managed to overcome Manny and the Dodgers (and if Brad Penny could have been healthy, or Clayton Kershaw a year older, things may have been different.)
Then came the offseason and the negotiations with Manny and his agent, Scott Boras, who I absoultely despise, but that's a whole other post. Everyone knew that Manny was going to be a Dodger, no matter what was being said by Boras. Sportscenter continually updated us on the situation, often calling in the expertise of hall of fame analyst Peter Gammons an Buster Olney, who in my opinion is a future hall of fame analyst himself. Each man always stating that no other teams had an interest in Manny, and that Boras was making that up. That Manny was going to be a Dodger, it was just a matter of when.
So in true Boras fashion, he drug out, Manny signed, everyone in LA (and Dodger fans around the world too) were happy. We got our difference maker back for another season, and optimism was through the roof, but always with hint of cynicism, as when you have talented teams, but nothing comes from them in about 20 years, you tend to temper your enthusiasm just a little. But nonetheless, things looked promising and our optimism was proven correct as they came out of the gate on fire, winning 13 games in a row at home.
But then game the Manny Mistake, getting caught for a woman's fertility drug used by many steroid users to restart their bodies natural production of testosterone. He gets suspened for 50 games as everyone knows.
Now most people would naturally think I would hate Manny for being stupid and selfish, and screwing up my team's chances to win it all. However that was not the case. I have never liked Manny, even in his days as a Cleveland Indian or for the Boston Red Sox. I always knew he was selfish and only played for himself. So when the Dodgers obtained him, I knew all that going in, but what I wanted from Manny wasn't his attitude, it was his talent. I could care less about all the rest of the baggage he bought, and feel like the fans of LA felt the same way. We just wanted a chance to feel good about our team.
So is Manny selfish as I have already stated? Him doing steroids (as I think we can all agree even without physical proof, that he did) was a selfish act, that selfishly landed him a 50 game suspension, and selfishly hurt his teammates and his perception of a savior for the franchise. So yes, Manny is absolutely the definition of selfish.
But here's the thing. I do care that Manny is out for 50 games. Not because the club will miss his personality, or his leadership. I care that we will miss his talent. He his the best hitter of this generation, let alone one of the best hitters ever to play the game. Roids doesn't give you better hand eye coordiantion. He's just that good at what he does. Manny Ramirez: Professional Hitter.
So Manny, I will miss your bat, maybe your dreads, and you're helmet flipping off your head as you round third base trying to score a run. What I won't miss is your selfishness. I will be patient and wait your return on July 3rd. The Dodgers will still be in first, but with the return of Manny, the Dodgers will win the World Series. You have to believe as a Dodgers fan don't you? Otherwise, you're not a true fan.
I myself am a LA Dodgers fan, and have been for as long as I can remember. I was born during the Dodgers World Series victory in October of 1981, my parents were both from LA, so I basically had no choice for my rooting allegiance. I was 7 the next time the Dodgers won the World Series, in 1988, with the likes of Orel Hershiser, Fernando Valenzuela, Steve Sax, Mickey Hatcher, and of course the hero of them all, Kirk Gibson.
Since 1988, I have been praying year in and year out for another chance to go back to the World Series and have been let down every year since. My Nana and myself referred to them as those "Bums," who always seemed to have talent, but never could put it all together. Then Joe Torre showed up and finally the Dodgers had a manager who knew what he was doing, just like Tommy Lasorda (who my Papa looks exactly like. It's uncanny. If I had a picture, I would post it, but take my word for it, they could be twins). Being that I'm a Dodger Fan, and have read every single biography that I could about the Brooklyn Dodgers, I despise the Yankees. But even my hatred for the Evil Empire couldn't dampen my optimism about Torre.
As the season progressed I knew the Dodgers had a lot of young talent, and that Torre was coaching them up right, but we needed a piece to the puzzle. Needed that bat in the lineup that opposing pitchers feared. Enter Manny Ramirez.
I knew Manny was a clubhouse cancer so to speak. He forced himself out of Boston, alienating his former teammates and fans, but that didn't matter to me. I was starving for a winning team, and I knew that Manny was the perfect fit. He seemd like an LA kind of guy. Charismatic, laid back, and Hollywood talented. The addition of the Mannywood section in left field this season proves he was all that and more.
Manny went on a torrid pace, even through the National League Championship Series, galvenizing an entire fan base and team. Hope was restored to me and all Dodger Fans, who had been thirsting for a World Series caliber team since 1988, and we finally had one. Alas it was not to be had in 2008, as the Phillies managed to overcome Manny and the Dodgers (and if Brad Penny could have been healthy, or Clayton Kershaw a year older, things may have been different.)
Then came the offseason and the negotiations with Manny and his agent, Scott Boras, who I absoultely despise, but that's a whole other post. Everyone knew that Manny was going to be a Dodger, no matter what was being said by Boras. Sportscenter continually updated us on the situation, often calling in the expertise of hall of fame analyst Peter Gammons an Buster Olney, who in my opinion is a future hall of fame analyst himself. Each man always stating that no other teams had an interest in Manny, and that Boras was making that up. That Manny was going to be a Dodger, it was just a matter of when.
So in true Boras fashion, he drug out, Manny signed, everyone in LA (and Dodger fans around the world too) were happy. We got our difference maker back for another season, and optimism was through the roof, but always with hint of cynicism, as when you have talented teams, but nothing comes from them in about 20 years, you tend to temper your enthusiasm just a little. But nonetheless, things looked promising and our optimism was proven correct as they came out of the gate on fire, winning 13 games in a row at home.
But then game the Manny Mistake, getting caught for a woman's fertility drug used by many steroid users to restart their bodies natural production of testosterone. He gets suspened for 50 games as everyone knows.
Now most people would naturally think I would hate Manny for being stupid and selfish, and screwing up my team's chances to win it all. However that was not the case. I have never liked Manny, even in his days as a Cleveland Indian or for the Boston Red Sox. I always knew he was selfish and only played for himself. So when the Dodgers obtained him, I knew all that going in, but what I wanted from Manny wasn't his attitude, it was his talent. I could care less about all the rest of the baggage he bought, and feel like the fans of LA felt the same way. We just wanted a chance to feel good about our team.
So is Manny selfish as I have already stated? Him doing steroids (as I think we can all agree even without physical proof, that he did) was a selfish act, that selfishly landed him a 50 game suspension, and selfishly hurt his teammates and his perception of a savior for the franchise. So yes, Manny is absolutely the definition of selfish.
But here's the thing. I do care that Manny is out for 50 games. Not because the club will miss his personality, or his leadership. I care that we will miss his talent. He his the best hitter of this generation, let alone one of the best hitters ever to play the game. Roids doesn't give you better hand eye coordiantion. He's just that good at what he does. Manny Ramirez: Professional Hitter.
So Manny, I will miss your bat, maybe your dreads, and you're helmet flipping off your head as you round third base trying to score a run. What I won't miss is your selfishness. I will be patient and wait your return on July 3rd. The Dodgers will still be in first, but with the return of Manny, the Dodgers will win the World Series. You have to believe as a Dodgers fan don't you? Otherwise, you're not a true fan.
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