Playoff Trivia: Bulls and Blackhawks

What is the only year in history of Chicago did both the Bulls and Blackhawks make it to the Finals?

Why Not?

I'm so damn happy with this Bulls team.

The Masters: A Tradition Unlike Any Other

Its that time of year again where I contribute something to this blog. The Masters is upon us and I'm estatic. This is my favorite major out of the four. There is so much tradition that goes with this tournament and so many great golf moments come The Masters. It is a goal of mine to one day go to Augusta National, I would like to play but that would never happen sadly.

Last years champion, Phil Mickelson, looks to repeat his performance from last year. Ill never forget last year when he went 7 under (I think thats right, I cant remember and I dont feel like looking it up) through three holes. He had that unbelievable shot where he was in the trees and he knocked to about 3 feet. Pretty sure it made Sportscenters top ten list, however probably wasnt able to beat some lame ass dunk. It became an instant classic Masters moment and gave Phil the momentum that carried him through the rest of the weekend towards the victory.

This year im not so sure if he can repeat and for really one reason, and that is because he is Phil Mickelson and you cant really predict what he is going to do. As I write this the St. Louis Blues just tied the Hawks 3-3 in the 3rd and makes me miss how awesome last summer was with the Hawks winning it all (It was a crappy goal and I let Duncan Keith know how I felt about his effort on that play). Back to The Masters, this year should be a good one though. Tiger will be going for another major win getting closer to the all-time record, however I dont think he will win. I dont think he is back to his old form and I havent seen anything that makes me think otherwise.

I would like to see Ricky Fowler do well just because he is young and will win a couple majors in his career, so why not start with this one. I'm also interested in watching Rory McIlroy. He is another youngen that has a bright future in the PGA. Plus his name sounds like Roy Mcavoy from the movie Tin Cup which is a good movie.

My pick to win this year is Bubba Watson. I think he has played well this year so far and because it seems like a good pick. Also look for Mark Wilson to do well. He is the current money leader and FedEx Cup Points leader. He is having a good year and could carry the momentum he has gained into this tournament. Alright thats it from me, hope you enjoy tournament.

Am I The Only One Who Thinks Erin Andrews Is Not That Hot?

I keep seeing those stupid Mountain Dew commercials and I cannot get over how Big Erin Andrews' nose is. It makes her look like a troll. I don't think she is ugly, but I don't think she is hot. I don't get why everyone thinks she is. Perhaps I am the only one, but I think she is incredibly overrated. I mean her head is too large, and her nose is a mountain on her face. I don't know, I really don't get it. What does everyone else think?

Playoffs: A closer inspection

I know what you must be thinking: Holy crap two articles in a row from Dan.

So recently, (about when the final four was determined) I heard somebody on CBS make the assertion that the tournament was not the best forum for determining a national champion. This struck me as absurd, however I then thought about every league and their playoff systems to see where improvements could possibly be made. Here is what I came up with. In advance I look forward to the feedback that this will receive.

NCAA Basketball

With the tournament just recently expanded, and VCU taking full advantage of this new system, the current format doesn't seem to need any adjustments. However, lets for the sake of argument lets assume there is a holy grail playoff to be attained. What would it be. To me there is only one playoff system better than the current format: World Cup format. In my new scenario the underdogs all have a chance to advance in a round robin first round. This gives even more chances for upsets to occur, and would eliminate fluke losses due to cold shooting as quality teams would still win 2/3 assuming they had a bad night. After these round robin games the stage would be set for the sweet 16 to advance from the round robin rounds. From there the tournament would play out as usual, just like the world cup.

NCAA Football

I am a huge hater of the current BCS system. I think that a simple 8 team playoff would be the best solution. Throught last season on my radio show we routinely compared what an 8 team tournament versus a 16 team tournament would look like and a majority of the time the first round was a waste of time in the 16 team format. However, the 8 game format posed some exciting firts round match-ups. This system would also add a few games to the BCS games which would result in better games for veiwers to watch and more profits for the bowls. Win-Win.

Baseball

I have always been a tad uncomfortable sending only 4 teams to the playoffs from each league. That being said My new system only adds two teams per side in an NFL format. In the new format, the three division winners get a spot and then the next three best records also get a spot. The top two records overall get first round byes. At first this seemed unfair as it sets up the first round bye teams rotations very well. However to combat this the opening rounds will be shortened. The first round will be best of 3, the second round best of 5, the championship series will be best of 7 and the world series will be best of 9. This seems excessive, however I think its time the game adapts to its players again. In the past in order to give batters a chance the lowered the mound. I feel that in recent world series it has been a race to see if you can get your ace and your #2 to pitch games 4 and 5 and wrap it up as fast as you can. In a 9 game series this would allow your whole rotation to compete and also take your bullpen into account. I think that with actual managerial decisions to make the world series would be way more interesting.

Hockey/Basketball

Unlike baseball I feel there are too many teams in each of these playoff scenarios. Realistically an 8 will hardly ever beat a one but on occasion it happens. Therefore I am willing to leave these playoff systems alone but put them on notice that they are subject to change.

As I stated earlier I think all of the proposed changes would make the games more interesting to watch while further testing the teams to determine a "truer" champion.

Baseball Time

I am too lazy to come up with my own format, so here is my take on how this season will shake out in baseball.

NL.

Cy Young: Tim Lincecum
MVP: Joey Votto


NL East: Braves
NL Central: Brewers
NL West: Giants
NL Wild Card: Reds

NL Pennant: Reds


Unlike my Noffke counterpart, I think the Phillies are extremely overrated and although they have the pitching, I heard on ESPN that the Phillies scored less than 3 runs in 73 of their games last year and losing Werth means having to win games 1-0. I really like the Brewers lineup top to bottom this year and with Prince's contract situation I expect great things this year. The Giants and Rockies could be interchangeable in the west and it will come down to who goes on a winning streak down the stretch. I will however take the Giants.



AL

AL Cy Young: CC Sabathia
MVP: Carl Crawford


AL East: Red Sox
AL Central: Twins
AL West: Rangers
AL Wild Card: Yankees


AL Pennant: Red Sox

As a Yankees fan it really hurts to have the Red Sox win the pennant, but they are STACKED! That being said the Yankees will win enough games this year to mae the wildcard. No real competition in the west making the Ranges pick easy and then there was the central... The tigers and sox have greatly improved, but much like the brewers I like their lineup way to much not to pick them. Their only drawback is that they will have to score 6 runs a game to win. I really like the sox rotation but I'm not sure if it will hold up down the stretch.


World Series Title: Boston

Too. Much. Talent.
Pending a team killing plane crash or a curse that hurts their entire rotation there is no way that the Red Sox will not roll through the playoffs. As previously stated I hate picking them but I cant foresee an alternate ending.

Brand New One Month Away Mock Draft

Alright, we've had the combine, the senior bowl, and most of the pro days. Now, all that is left, is the really the draft, which happens in one month. So, here I go, taking my second to last shot at the draft (I will post my last mock draft in the comments of Steve and Fodor's annual mock draft). So, I will begin:

1. Carolina Panthers - Blaine Gabbert QB

I see the Panthers making a costly, costly mistake and drafting a Bust of QB with their first overall pick. Shoulda gone with...

2. Denver Broncos - Patrick Peterson CB

Easily the best player in the draft IMO. The guy has the size of a safety and the speed of a corner. Not to mention he played man-to-man coverage through out most of his college career. This guy is the sure fire pick of the draft.

3. Buffalo Bills - AJ Green WR

The Bills cannot afford to take a risk on Cam Newton since they have been bad for waaaaay too long.

4. Cincinatti Bengals - Cam Newton QB

I see the Bengals making a dumb pick here, and selecting a raw, headcase, who doesn't have as much NFL caliber talent as everyone is saying.

5. Arizona Cardinals - Marcell Dareus DT

The first defensive lineman off the board in a draft that is stocked with them. The Cardinals improve the interior of their d-line since there is no one worth picking here.

6. Cleveland Browns - Julio Jones WR

The Browns need to improve their WR corp for the sake of both Colt McCoy and Peyton Hillis.

7. San Francisco 49ers - Prince Amukamara CB

The 49ers could use some help at CB. They would first look for a young QB to select, but there is honestly no one worth value here. They could wait til the second round and nab someone like Christian Ponder, Ryan Mallet, or Jake Locker.

8. Tennessee Titans - Vonn Miller DE

The Titans could go Nick Fairley here, but I think they see Miller as too much of a value pick at this position. Thus, I can't see them passing up Fairley.

9. Dallas Cowboys - Tyron Smith LT

I know the Cowboys have never selected an O-Lineman in the first round under Jerry Jones, but I cannot see them being that stubborn. I think they'll improve their old as balls OL with the best prospect on the board.

10. Washington Redskins - Nick Fairley DT

The Redskins can finally replace Albert Fatass Haynesworth with someone who is eager to play.

11. Houston Texans - DaQuan Bowers DE

The Texans are ecstatic that Bowers dropped this far. They add him to their d-line in hopes that him and Mario Williams will be a beastly combination for quite a few years.

12. Minnesota Vikings - JJ Watt DE

I could see the Vikings taking the Wisconsin boy. They would've had a great opportunity to scout him over the college season, and would likely have great access to him. Not to mention he is flying up the Boards anyways.

13. Detroit Lions - Gabe Carimi OT

People seem to love Carimi's work ethic, and motor. Plus, this is another guy the Lion's likely have a strong scouting report on. I see the two Wisconsin products going back to back.

14. St. Louis Rams - Corey Luiget DT

The Rams are apparently extremely interested in Luiget. Since both the WR's are gone, I can see them nabbing Luiget here.

15. Miami Dolphins - Mark Ingram RB

With what is available at this position, I cannot see the Dolphins doing much else. If one of the two QB's fell, then yes. However, I cannot see them reaching for a QB at this point. But, my money is on the Dolphins trading out of this pick, as long as there is a CBA.

16. Jacksonville Jaguars - Robert Quinn DE

The Jacksonville Jaguars almost always select a DE with their first pick (which is extraordinarily sad). Quinn drops far enough for the Jaguars to jump at the chance to nab him.

17. New England Patriots - Aldon Smith DE

The Patriots need help in the pass rush, which is why they select Smith. Why do the Patriots continue to get tons of picks in the draft? Despite their multitude of picks in rounds 1-3, they were awarded 4 compensatory picks, I believe I read an article which said that (gotta love fact checking).

18. San Diego Chargers - Brooks Reed DE

I just have a feeling that they will by-pass the other lineman and select Reed. He is moving up the charts fast, and had an amazing combine.

19. New York Giants - Nate Solder OT

The Giants need an olineman, and decide that this is the best value at their pick. Solder, IMO, will be a bust, but hey, I've been wrong MANY times before.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Cameron Jordan DE

The Bucs cannot believe Jordan drops to them, so they select him. I feel like the first round is 100% d-linemen.

21. Kansas City Chiefs - Phil Taylor DT

The Chiefs need a nose tackle, and Taylor can be that, sort of... However, the Chiefs are hard up to give Hali more help with the pass rush.

22. Indianapolis Colts - Anthony Castonzo OT

The Colts want to help Peyton Manning stay upright. That way, he won't throw as many picks. Somehow the media understands that this is what caused Manning's issues, but has yet to address the same issues in a fair light with Cutler. Biased much?

23. Philadelphia Eagles - Mike Pouncey OG/C

The Eagles need help on their o-line, so that way Vick can "look down field," as the commentators would have you believe he does, as opposed to taking off running. My guess is that Vick continues to be the same guy that cannot beat great defenses because he relies too much on his legs.

24. New Orleans Saints - Muhammad Wilkerson DT

The Saints land a nice 3-tech DT for their defense. They continue to improve their defense so that they can return to the Superbowl.

25. Seattle Seahawks - Jake Locker QB

The Seahawks surprise everyone by going with their hometown hero. They need a QB, he is projected to be a second round pick, but one QB always gets nabbed, and he played for Washington. Could this pick make any more sense?

26. Baltimore Ravens - Torrey Smith WR

The Ravens need a downfield threat to keep the defenses honest. They think they land that here, but I think they landed Troy Williamson part duex.

27. Atlanta Falcons - Ryan Kerrigan DE

Boy did he ever drop in my mock draft. Going from top 15 pick to late first round. However, the Falcons improve their pass rush by adding Kerrigan.

28. New England Patriots - Derek Sherod OT

The Patriots draft Matt Lyghts eventual replacement. The guy is getting old, and they need someone to take over at LT.

29. Chicago Bears - Cameron Jordan DE/DT

Let me just say I HATE HATE HATE this pick for the Bears. I have a lot of quality DE's dropping in this draft, but all the DT's being nabbed early. Further, there are almost no O-lineman in this part of the draft. I almost went with Jimmy Smith CB, simply because he was the best value in my opinion. But really? I cannot see us drafting that. Don't get me wrong, I think Jordan is an amazing talent. However, at 285 I'm not sure if he's big enough to play DT. If he can play DT, which I guess Tommie was only 10 lbs heavier, then I wouldn't be surprised if the Bears selected him.

30. New York Jets - Adrian Clayborne DE

The Jets need a good pass rushing DE. Last Year, Clayborn would have gone top 10, but he played bad this year. The Jets don't seem to care too much about character issues as they have Cromartie, Braylon Edwards, and Santonio Holmes. Thus, this seems to make sense to me.

31. Pittsburgh Steelers - Jimmy Smith CB

The Steelers could definitely use another corner. Especially if they want to stop the Patriots and Packers passing attacks. Smith falls to them here, and they don't hesitate.

32. Greenbay Packers - Benjamin Ijalana OG

Everyone talks as if the Packers have a great offensive line. They don't. They could take Houston here, but instead they go with Ijalana because they need to protect their investment. Rodgers had 2 concussions last year. And at the current rate, he will be on the cover of Madden, and we all know what happens then...

Bears picks:

1 - Cameron Jordan DE/DT

2 - Orlando Franklin G/T

3 - Ras-I Dowling CB

4 - Austin Pettis WR

5 - Lee Ziemba G/T

6 - Alex Linnenkohl C

I will probably do a 3 round mock when Steve and Fodor do their mock drafts. Mine will be in the comments though and no explanations.