Tonight is the start of the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs. With the playoffs beginning comes the start of the annual “playoff beard.” If you are not familiar with the playoff beard, here’s a bit of history. The playoff beard started back in the 1980’s with the New York Islanders. They grew the beard at the start of their playoff run and didn’t shave it until they were either eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs or won the Stanley Cup. Especially since 1995, the playoff beard has been grown by not all, but most NHL players.
It’s simple: the longer your team plays, the bigger, better, itchier, and cooler the beard gets. The Detroit Red Wings had the slogan “The Beard is Back” last season for their playoff run, which as we all know, ended in heart-breaking fashion we never want to relive.
The Detroit Red Wings open up the 2010 playoff race…on the road for the first time in 1991. I was three years old the last time the Red Wings opened the playoffs away from the Joe. Anyways, it’s great to see the Red Wings at the 5th seed this season, especially after all the injuries that the team seen throughout the year. Coach Mike Babcock should get some votes for coach of the year; I don’t know of another team- or coach- who could have made the playoffs with the amount of injuries that the Red Wings have. This just shows you how good this team- and the organization is as a whole.
Now onto the real business- the Phoenix Coyotes, who are the surprising #4 seed in the Western Conference. Make no mistake- the Coyotes are a very legitimate threat to the Red Wings. Phoenix is stacked with veteran leaders and young, promising superstars. Ed Jovanovski heads the Coyote defense with former Red Wing Mathieu Schneider. Wojtek Wolski, and Lee Stempniak, and Shane Doan head the Coyote offense that the Wings will need to shut down.
Phoenix is most dangerous in between the pipes- Ilya Bryzgalov. Bryzgalov has been solid in goal for the Coyotes all season long. He finished the season with 42 wins and eight shutouts, which is why Bryzgalov is a finalist for the Vezina trophy, which goes to the best goaltender of the 2009-2010 season.
We all know about the Red Wings; the likes of Lidstrom, Zetterberg, and Datsyuk must carry the Red Wings once again this playoff season. The big question mark for the Red Wings is in goaltending- Jimmy Howard- the rookie who has carried the Red Wings the entire season. If he can come up just as big in the playoffs as he did all season long, the Red Wings can do some damage this postseason.
Prediction time- this is going to be the best series in all of the NHL’s first round series’. The Red Wings are experienced in playoff games from head to toe. The Coyotes have home ice advantage and are hungry to make their mark on the NHL by sending the Red Wings home. I think this is going to be a low scoring series; both goalies have the potential to keep the other team off of the board. I believe the advantage is the special teams- the Red Wings power play and penalty kill have been as best as they’ve been towards the end of the year, which I think makes the difference in the series. Plus the Red Wings are totally healthy, motivated, and ready to go. They’ve been in playoff mode since the Olympic break just to make sure they made it into the playoffs. Oh yeah, plus they have Nick Lidstrom. That’s all I need to hear. Red Wings win in the series in six games. Let the playoff beard growing commence- and hopefully for the Red Wings, they will have some grizzly looking beards come June when they are (hopefully) still playing.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Tiger Getting his Second Chance
This past Monday afternoon, Tiger Woods addressed the media at Augusta National Golf Course in preparation for The Masters Tournament that starts this Thursday. This was Woods’ first open press conference with the media since his five months away from the game of golf.
We all know the story by now- Tiger crashed his Cadillac Escalade into a fire hydrant on November 27. On December 11, Woods admitted through his website that he had been unfaithful to his wife and was taking time away from golf to straighten out his personal life.
Woods’ sponsors jumped his ship very quickly- TAG HUER, Accenture, Gatorade, and AT&T to name a few. The once heralded golfer, who thousands and thousands of people admired and looked up to- was a liar; a cheater. His game was as real as real gets on the golf course- he was a fake off of the course. I looked up to Tiger- I enjoyed watching him play. The man made pressure shot after pressure shot looked like it was nothing; he makes difficult shots look easy that we only dream of hitting. He would birdie 6-8 holes every 18 holes; when I golf I hope for 6-8 birdies a year.
Woods disappeared for several months- most of the rumors placed him at a sexual rehabilitation clinic in Mississippi. After his extended stay in rehab, and a statement or two by Woods himself, it was fitting to finally see him hit some golf balls.
Make no mistake- Tiger still has a long way to go to win back not only his fans- but his family too. Now I cannot condone what Woods’ did off the course, but enough is enough. The media coverage that Woods is getting is- how should I put this- over the top.
Tiger has always been a top draw wherever he goes and he always will be. The American people are pretty forgiving, especially in the way of giving second chances (remember Kobe Bryant?). Tiger can recover from this whole incident; how much time it time it will take is all up to the man who wears a red sweater on Sundays. He can start wearing the sweater this Sunday afternoon at The Masters.
We all know the story by now- Tiger crashed his Cadillac Escalade into a fire hydrant on November 27. On December 11, Woods admitted through his website that he had been unfaithful to his wife and was taking time away from golf to straighten out his personal life.
Woods’ sponsors jumped his ship very quickly- TAG HUER, Accenture, Gatorade, and AT&T to name a few. The once heralded golfer, who thousands and thousands of people admired and looked up to- was a liar; a cheater. His game was as real as real gets on the golf course- he was a fake off of the course. I looked up to Tiger- I enjoyed watching him play. The man made pressure shot after pressure shot looked like it was nothing; he makes difficult shots look easy that we only dream of hitting. He would birdie 6-8 holes every 18 holes; when I golf I hope for 6-8 birdies a year.
Woods disappeared for several months- most of the rumors placed him at a sexual rehabilitation clinic in Mississippi. After his extended stay in rehab, and a statement or two by Woods himself, it was fitting to finally see him hit some golf balls.
Make no mistake- Tiger still has a long way to go to win back not only his fans- but his family too. Now I cannot condone what Woods’ did off the course, but enough is enough. The media coverage that Woods is getting is- how should I put this- over the top.
Tiger has always been a top draw wherever he goes and he always will be. The American people are pretty forgiving, especially in the way of giving second chances (remember Kobe Bryant?). Tiger can recover from this whole incident; how much time it time it will take is all up to the man who wears a red sweater on Sundays. He can start wearing the sweater this Sunday afternoon at The Masters.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
A Complete Guessing Game
Over two weeks ago, the annual NCAA Men’s Basketball Bracket was unveiled to the nation on a Sunday night. After the bracket with all 65 teams (1 play-in game) was announced, the so called “experts” on sports channels throughout television gave their predictions.
The #1 overall seed was Kansas; Kentucky, Syracuse, and Duke were the other #1 seeds. As soon as the bracket came out, I did a lot of “studying.” A lot of thoughts went through my head: Who would I pick for my #12 seed to beat a #5? Who is the possible Cinderella story? How many #1 teams will make it to the Final Four? And most importantly- who do I have winning the tournament?
After looking through stats and stats and records and records and considering this and considering that- I narrowed down my Final Four: Kentucky, Kansas, Kansas State, and Baylor; and I had Kentucky winning it all. Two weeks later, after what is being called one of the best tournaments in years due to the number of upsets, #1 Duke, #2 West Virginia, #5 Michigan State and #5 Butler are your final four. Yep that’s right- add them up- my number- ZERO. None correct for me.
ESPN had 4.6 million brackets filled out online; not one perfect bracket remained after the second day. Only 200 brackets of the 4.6 million filled out had correctly picked Butler, MSU, WVU, and Duke. Do the math: only 0.0004% of the brackets filled out had the correct final four- and I couldn’t even manage to get ONE TEAM RIGHT.
Do all the studying you want- compare a players free throw percentage, a team’s three point defense, what defense a team runs, what their positives are, what there negatives are- do it. Do it all. Compare all you want. In the end, the games are not played on paper, but on the basketball court. Forty minute games are played- sometimes more time is necessary- but in the end- all the tournament is for us fans is a lot of excitement- and a guessing game.
-Jerry Taylor
News Central 34 Sports
The #1 overall seed was Kansas; Kentucky, Syracuse, and Duke were the other #1 seeds. As soon as the bracket came out, I did a lot of “studying.” A lot of thoughts went through my head: Who would I pick for my #12 seed to beat a #5? Who is the possible Cinderella story? How many #1 teams will make it to the Final Four? And most importantly- who do I have winning the tournament?
After looking through stats and stats and records and records and considering this and considering that- I narrowed down my Final Four: Kentucky, Kansas, Kansas State, and Baylor; and I had Kentucky winning it all. Two weeks later, after what is being called one of the best tournaments in years due to the number of upsets, #1 Duke, #2 West Virginia, #5 Michigan State and #5 Butler are your final four. Yep that’s right- add them up- my number- ZERO. None correct for me.
ESPN had 4.6 million brackets filled out online; not one perfect bracket remained after the second day. Only 200 brackets of the 4.6 million filled out had correctly picked Butler, MSU, WVU, and Duke. Do the math: only 0.0004% of the brackets filled out had the correct final four- and I couldn’t even manage to get ONE TEAM RIGHT.
Do all the studying you want- compare a players free throw percentage, a team’s three point defense, what defense a team runs, what their positives are, what there negatives are- do it. Do it all. Compare all you want. In the end, the games are not played on paper, but on the basketball court. Forty minute games are played- sometimes more time is necessary- but in the end- all the tournament is for us fans is a lot of excitement- and a guessing game.
-Jerry Taylor
News Central 34 Sports
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Make Every Point Count...
The Detroit Red Wings have been a perennial powerhouse in the National Hockey League over the last fifteen years. The likes of Captain Stevie Yzerman, forward Brendan Shanahan, and head coach Scotty Bowman have been here and gone since then; the likes of Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, and head coach Mike Babcock are currently leading the current and future Red Wings franchise. The Red Wings have been a favorite to win the sport’s biggest prize- The Stanley Cup- since the early 90’s and have won four Stanley Cups (almost 5- courtesy of the Pittsburgh Penguins…..rrrrr….) in the last 12 seasons.
This year has been quite different. After being in the playoffs the last 18 straight seasons, Detroit is in danger of NOT making the playoffs. The Red Wings caught a bug- the injury bug- to the likes that has never been seen in the history of the franchise. At this time of the year, the Red Wings are usually fighting for playoff positioning to get a shot at the Stanley Cup; this year, they are fighting to the end just to get a chance to right for the Stanley Cup.
Eight teams make the playoffs from both the Western and Eastern conference. As of 3/21, The Red Wings, in the Western Conference, are currently in 8th place with 83 points with 11 games to go. Right below the Red Wings are the Calgary Flames- they have 81 points with 10 games to go. That leaves the Red Wings with a two point cushion- a one game lead- not very big. However, the Red Wings are gaining steam; they are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games, including tying and winning their recent two games with 0.2 seconds to go- in regulation and in overtime. Detroit has 11 games left to get into the playoffs. Let’s hope that they keep up that momentum up and in stride- to make a run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It’s been four years since the Red Wings have not played into late May; it would be awfully weird watching just the Tigers and no hockey come the end of April.
This year has been quite different. After being in the playoffs the last 18 straight seasons, Detroit is in danger of NOT making the playoffs. The Red Wings caught a bug- the injury bug- to the likes that has never been seen in the history of the franchise. At this time of the year, the Red Wings are usually fighting for playoff positioning to get a shot at the Stanley Cup; this year, they are fighting to the end just to get a chance to right for the Stanley Cup.
Eight teams make the playoffs from both the Western and Eastern conference. As of 3/21, The Red Wings, in the Western Conference, are currently in 8th place with 83 points with 11 games to go. Right below the Red Wings are the Calgary Flames- they have 81 points with 10 games to go. That leaves the Red Wings with a two point cushion- a one game lead- not very big. However, the Red Wings are gaining steam; they are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games, including tying and winning their recent two games with 0.2 seconds to go- in regulation and in overtime. Detroit has 11 games left to get into the playoffs. Let’s hope that they keep up that momentum up and in stride- to make a run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It’s been four years since the Red Wings have not played into late May; it would be awfully weird watching just the Tigers and no hockey come the end of April.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Watching the Rise....and the Fall....
In August of 2008, I transferred to CMU from my community college down home. I came to CMU a die hard Michigan fan, as I have been all my life (we’ll forget those 3 years of rebellious teenage idiodacy wearing green and white) in which the Wolverines dominated every football game on the weekends prior to the coaching change in which Rich Rodriguez was brought in. Don’t forget that yeah the basketball team was ok, but not great. But back then, a few years ago, football was Michigan’s thing, which still reigns true to this day.
Oh boy how times had changed- Michigan has not had a winning football season since Rodriguez has arrived in Ann Arbor. 8-16 in two seasons- not good. Watching them play football and losing every rivalry game (except ND this year) and their bowl streak ended at 33 consecutive years was painful.
However, I now had a new team to cheer on- the CMU Chippewas. I had heard of this Dan Lefevour guy- seen him on TV a few times, but never in person. Before Lefevour arrived, the Chips were just another sorry MAC team. With Lefevour at the helm playing QB, the Chippewas were on the rise quickly. By the end of this last football season, the Chippewas won their 3rd MAC Championship in 4 years- while U of M has won nothing.
CMU lost two head coaches to the University of Cincinnati- Brian Kelly and Butch Jones- due to their success during their time at CMU. Rich Rodriguez at Michigan on the other hand, is on the proverbial “hot seat”, and oh yeah it’s not hot or on fire, it’s a freaking inferno right now.
CMU has a new coach in Dan Enos, formerly the running backs coach at Michigan State, has been brought in to replace Jones and keep the Chippewas climbing the ladder of success, while Rodriguez and his Wolverines look to just get back on the ladder. Thank goodness I’ve had the Chippewas these last few years. It would be nice to see both programs rise to the top- at the same time.
-Jerry Taylor
News Central 34 Sports
Oh boy how times had changed- Michigan has not had a winning football season since Rodriguez has arrived in Ann Arbor. 8-16 in two seasons- not good. Watching them play football and losing every rivalry game (except ND this year) and their bowl streak ended at 33 consecutive years was painful.
However, I now had a new team to cheer on- the CMU Chippewas. I had heard of this Dan Lefevour guy- seen him on TV a few times, but never in person. Before Lefevour arrived, the Chips were just another sorry MAC team. With Lefevour at the helm playing QB, the Chippewas were on the rise quickly. By the end of this last football season, the Chippewas won their 3rd MAC Championship in 4 years- while U of M has won nothing.
CMU lost two head coaches to the University of Cincinnati- Brian Kelly and Butch Jones- due to their success during their time at CMU. Rich Rodriguez at Michigan on the other hand, is on the proverbial “hot seat”, and oh yeah it’s not hot or on fire, it’s a freaking inferno right now.
CMU has a new coach in Dan Enos, formerly the running backs coach at Michigan State, has been brought in to replace Jones and keep the Chippewas climbing the ladder of success, while Rodriguez and his Wolverines look to just get back on the ladder. Thank goodness I’ve had the Chippewas these last few years. It would be nice to see both programs rise to the top- at the same time.
-Jerry Taylor
News Central 34 Sports
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Spring's a coming!!!!!
We are a WEEK away from Spring Break around here at CMU, which means that the Detroit Tigers are down in Lakeland, Florida preparing for their 2010 season.
The Tigers have had a busy offseason, with most of the buzz being around the trade of popular player Curtis Granderson and pitcher Edwin Jackson. Closer Fernando Rodney and setup man Brandon Lyon were both chose to sign with other teams in free agency. Jose Valverde was signed away from Houston to fill the Tigers closer role.
Oh yeah, last week- can’t forget- the Tigers signed left fielder Johnny Damon last week away from the Yankees- just his veteran presence on the team is worth the one year, eight million dollars he got. He’ll put people in Comerica Park too- Damon has been a fan favorite everywhere he has went.
The Tigers blew a 5 game division lead with just a few games to play- and lost to the Minnesota Twins in a one game playoff. This team should be motivated to play.
There are three main questions and concerns for this team this season. The first- stay healthy; the healthier, the better. Two- pitching staff; Verlander, Porcello, and Scherzer are bonafide starters; Bonderman (back from injury), Coke (relief/starter acquired in Granderson trade), Robertson, and Willis (he’s still on the team??) will have to fight it out for the other two starting spots (or the Tigers can just hope for three days of straight sunny skies and pray for two days of drenching rain every five days).
Next week is the Tigers’ first pre-season game. Opening Day will be here before we know it.
-Jerry Taylor
News Central 34 sports
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
USA Today "Player of the Week" poll not fair to fans
Before I begin, let me reiterate that the arguments contained within this blog are not due to the fact that my school's Quarterback(Dan LeFevour) did not win the award. There are no sore losers at Central Michigan University. Okay, that feels better.
USA Today SHAME ON YOU!
"America's Newspaper" has turned its back on the diehard fans of America's game, College Football. Every week the publication has a "Player of the Week" award, in which five players are in the running for the accolade. USA Today then allows an online vote (the fan's vote) as well as two College Football expert's votes, Erick Smith and Mike Lopresti respectively, to be combined into an equation to form the "Player of the Week".
Problem: This week, like the BCS, the voting is flawed and not fair to fans who have voted online. Running Back Kevin Smith from Central Florida rushed his way to 284 yards and four touchdowns. He also received a staggering 91% of the online vote. The winner of this week's award: Hawaii Quarterback Colt Brennan. Despite having great stats: 442 yards and 5 touchdowns, Brennan only received 1% of the online vote. Essentially USA Today is allowing two so called experts to have a larger voice than the 82732 fans who voted online.
Solution: Unlike the BCS, it feels like there is a logical way of fixing this issue. USA Today needs to conduct two different weekly awards. The first award is simple: an online award. The second: put together a panel of College Football experts (more than 2, some number like 10 seems fair) and have those experts vote amongst themselves for an "experts pick" award. In addition the players voted on would be the same list to preserve integrity.
Ah, the smell of Democracy...
'Til next time
Phil Byrne
USA Today SHAME ON YOU!
"America's Newspaper" has turned its back on the diehard fans of America's game, College Football. Every week the publication has a "Player of the Week" award, in which five players are in the running for the accolade. USA Today then allows an online vote (the fan's vote) as well as two College Football expert's votes, Erick Smith and Mike Lopresti respectively, to be combined into an equation to form the "Player of the Week".
Problem: This week, like the BCS, the voting is flawed and not fair to fans who have voted online. Running Back Kevin Smith from Central Florida rushed his way to 284 yards and four touchdowns. He also received a staggering 91% of the online vote. The winner of this week's award: Hawaii Quarterback Colt Brennan. Despite having great stats: 442 yards and 5 touchdowns, Brennan only received 1% of the online vote. Essentially USA Today is allowing two so called experts to have a larger voice than the 82732 fans who voted online.
Solution: Unlike the BCS, it feels like there is a logical way of fixing this issue. USA Today needs to conduct two different weekly awards. The first award is simple: an online award. The second: put together a panel of College Football experts (more than 2, some number like 10 seems fair) and have those experts vote amongst themselves for an "experts pick" award. In addition the players voted on would be the same list to preserve integrity.
Ah, the smell of Democracy...
'Til next time
Phil Byrne
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