Friday, October 22, 2010

Mid-season Report Oct. 22

Greetings all. I want to start out by saying that I really enjoyed watching the Oregon Ducks practice against UCLA's starters last night. Seriously. Last night The Ducks proved that they are the should-be BCS #1. LaMichael James and the rest of the Ducks backfield rushed for 270 yards; only 10 yards less than the entire UCLA offense. Now I am not detracting from what Oklahoma has done this season (minus the scare against Utah State in Norman), but Oregon has proved their worth week in and week out. It is fair to say that the Pac-10 has a new powerhouse. Oregon is 4-0 in Pac-10 play, and 7-0 overall. By rolling conference foes like Stanford and Arizona State, Oregon has become the future of the Pac-10. Oklahoma is a different story. Despite having a redshirt freshman at the helm, the Sooners have only had two quality wins this season. Utah State almost upset them at home on opening Saturday. They dominated Florida State the following week, but up until last week (Iowa State, 52-0), they won their next three games, including two nail-biters to unranked Cincinnati and Air Force, by a combined 12 points.

My BCS(ucks)Top 5:

1. Oregon Ducks
2. Boise State Broncos
3. Oklahoma Sooners
4. Auburn Tigers/War Eagle/Whatever they are calling themselves this week
5. TCU Horned Frogs

The Ducks play again next Saturday again USC in the Coliseum which promises to be either a close, entertaining game, or a blow out of epic proportions. If the latter, Lane Kiffin's coaching chair will begin to heat up.....again.

Boomer Sooner travels to #11 Missouri in a game that could make or break Oklahoma's title hopes.

Moving on...

During the first week of the college football season, I made my Heisman predictions. I could not have been more WRONG! Jake Locker and Noel Devine have unimpressed and underachieved all season long. Case Keenum tore his ACL in the second game of the season. Terrelle Pryor has been the only solid pick I made, but the gap is narrowing. Drastically! LaMichael James increased his rushing total to 971 yards last night during their "practice," thus making him the Heisman front runner. In a close second, is Auburn quarterback Cam Newton. He ranks second in the nation in passer rating (180.5), fifth in the nation in rushing (860) and ranks in the top 5 in total touchdowns (25). Rounding out the top 4 is Boise State play caller Kellen Moore. He ranks first in the nation in passer rating (190.3) and has only committed one turnover. He has an outside chance at winning the Heisman, but the Bronco's schedule stands to prevent him from standing on the stage in New York.

Right now, no Brett Favre news is great news. He met with NFL Security officials earlier this week, and we are still waiting for the league to conclude its investigation. I'll keep you posted.

No big games in the NFL this week. Unless you are the Dallas Cowboys. Big D plays the New York Giants on MNF. A win keeps Wade Phillips in the coach's office for another week, a loss will seal the fate of Phillips, and the rest of the coaching staff.

More to come this weekend...

WHO DAT
-Kenny "Mo"

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

The Return October 12th

Hey everybody! It feels good to be back. Much has happened in the sports world since my last post. The baseball playoffs, NBA pre-season, both football seasons are in full swing, and Brett Favre has given me another reason to despise him.

First off...

The MLB post-season has finally arrived, and what a post-season it has been already. "Doc" Halladay became one of four men in baseball history to throw 2 no hitters in the same season, and the second player all time to throw a no-no in the playoffs (Don Larson being the other). In my opinion, his stuff was just as amazing as his perfect game against the Marlins this time around. The man only got into a 3 ball count three times in the game!!!! THE ENTIRE GAME!!!! I think this solidifies him as the best pitcher in baseball, don't you agree?

We have to feel bad for the Twins, though. They were swept out of the playoffs by the Yankees for the second straight season after battling for the best record in baseball for much of the last month of the season. With Justin Morneau out with lingering concussion effects, and Joe Mauer struggling at the plate, this in itself was recipe for disaster. I read a stat on ESPN.com that explained that Joe Mauer has never won a playoff game, and thinking back, it's true. Sad, but true. The Twins are a scrappy team, and I firmly believe that when Joe Nathan comes back next year, this team will be completely capable of going deep into October.

It was a sad day in baseball yesterday, as Bobby Cox made good on his promise to call it a career after the Giant defeated the Braves 3-2. He ranks 4th all-time in wins and first all-time in manager ejections, he was the leader of the Braves dynasty during the 90's and 2000's as he led the Braves to 14 straight division titles and one World Series title. I think on this day, we all should tip our caps to Bobby Cox.

What is there to talk about in the NBA that doesn't involve LeBron, D-Wade, and Chris Bosh? Oh yeah...

Shaq to the Celtics. I don't quite understand it, but whatever helps Danny Ainge sleep at night. The Celtics are one of the few good teams that have not had an ego problem in a long, long, long time. Now they bring in the Big Aristotle/Cactus who has been notorious for bringing his giant ego into the locker room. Do you really think he will be OK playing only 15 minutes per game coming off the bench? Didn't think so. If he starts calling himself the Big Leprechaun, I'm outta here.

Carmelo Anthony is playing the worst game of cat and mouse with the Nuggets. He won't sign an extension worth upwards of $63 million, but he has said he never asked to be traded? C'mon son! This is getting ridiculous, because we all know what he is waiting for. He is hoping that the Hornets play so bad that CP3 begs for a trade, and when he gets it, Melo will ask for the same thing. They will all go play for the Knicks with Amar'e and David Stern's dream will become a nightmare. Stern thinks that people will want to watch basketball now that the Big-3 has been established in Miami, and with the potential of another popping up in New York, he thinks ratings would soar. WRONG!!!! Everyone will hate basketball (except for those who live in LA, New York, Boston and Miami). I already hate pro-basketball, but this would make me want to watch bowling.

Moving on...

Who saw the antics of the Minnesota head coach at the end of the Gopher's, Wisconsin Badger game? I have to agree with Wisconsin's decision to run it up. That's what conference football is about, is it not? Wisconsin is in a battle for Big Ten supremacy, and a 20+ point drubbing of an opponent is purely acceptable in conference play. Boise State romped Toledo by over 35 points and we didn't hear a thing out of their coach. Hey Coach Brewster, if you have a problem with an opposing offense scoring at will on you, throw some defensive packages together to stop it!!!!

I hope all who watched the LSU, Florida game are out of the hospital by now. Les Miles never ceases to amaze me, and never ceases to piss off the opposing coaches. A fake field goal with his LSU career on the line, and play calling at the end comparable to that of a pick-up game (What do you think Jarrett Lee told the team in the huddle on the final play? "Same play on 2. Ready. Break.") further proves that Les is my favorite coach in college football. Urban Meyer, you sir, have been LES-ED!

How about Alabama going down, HARD to South Carolina? I was worried when Rammer-Jammer scored on the opening play of the fourth quarter to cut the lead to a touchdown, but the "Ol' Ball Coach" suppressed any hope of an Alabama comeback by trusting his quarterback and giving the ball to the man-child Marcus Lattimore. The rest of the SEC can take a hint from South Carolina's win. Pressure McElroy, and the 'Bama offense will fall like a house of cards on a windy day.

And now we arrive at the Brett Favre rant of the blog...

Earlier this season, I called for Brett Favre to drop the act and retire. Now, I am sure he wishes he had heard those words. A sexting scandal broken by Deadspin.com and sucky play has made this season of promise become a bad dream for Favre and the Vikings that none of them can wake up from. After another abysmal performance last night, Brett Favre gave one of the most uncomfortable post game press conferences of his life. He looked agitated, the whole time and when he finally was asked about the text messages and voicemails he allegedly sent to former Jets' employee Jenn Sterger, he just crumbled. He deflected the question away by mumbling almost incoherently about Percy Harvin and Randy Moss' performances. Brett, the gloves are off now and I am going to level with you, man to man. Hang it up, man. This isn't how you want your legacy to end, and as much as I hate to admit it, neither do I. I grew up watching you shred defenses and loved your emotion after a win, but now, you are tarnishing something that was so great. Your career.

Oh yeah...all Texas Rangers bandwagoners, please take a number and get in line. It seems there is going to be a lot of you showing up this week.

WHO DAT
-Kenny "Mo"

Friday, September 24, 2010

September 24th

Well after a little over a week off, I am back with a vengeance.

First off, let me reiterate my opinions on the Minnesota Vikings "Silver Fox." About a week ago, I called for Brett Favre to step aside and let Tavaris Jackson take some snaps, or just retire all together. I said it again after the Vikings loss to the Miami Dolphins. I am not knock what the Dolphins did, but Old Man River really screwed it up. Three INTs two in the redzone and one fumble in the their own endzone just added to the futility of the Vikings offense. Here is a letter that I am contemplating writing to Brett Favre:

#4,
Stop.

Sincerely,
Tired of your antics.

More to come this weekend.

WHO DAT
Kenny "Mo"

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Twitter Account

Hey guys. I reactivated my Twitter account.

Follow Me @TheKennyMorris


New Post Tomorrow

Friday, September 10, 2010

September 10th

WHO DAT? WHO DAT? WHO DAT TALKIN' 'BOUT BEATIN' DEM SAINTS?

Last night during the course of the Saints-Vikings game, Brett Favre looked like he was wondering why he came back for another season. While last night wasn't as physically taxing as last season's NFC title game, Brett Favre looked uncomfortable. The Saints defense only sacked Favre once and Roman Harper laid one good hit on Favre which led to an interception. The physicality didn't do Farve and the Vikings offense in, Old Man River's lack of preparation did. Farve was baited into making bad throws by the Saints secondary that he wouldn't have made last season, or any other in his career for that matter, had he attended training camp. Favre completed only four passes in the second half and made many awful throws. Brad Childress and the rest of the Minnesota Vikings thought that Brett Favre would be an asset this year, but they are 0-1 and five of the next eight teams they have on the schedule made playoffs last season. If Brett Favre had any respect for the Vikings, he would sit out until he figures out how to read a defense again, or just retire all together.

The Saints offense was a classic case of Jekyll and Hyde last night. They came out blazing on the first drive of the game, going 77 yards for the touchdown. Things fizzled after that. The Saints defense allowed nine points in the second quarter and the Saints trailed going into halftime after Garrett Hartley missed the first of two field goals. The Saints offense came out on fire again, torching the Vikings defense for another score on their first drive of the second half, but again things stalled for the offense as they failed to score again in the game. The Saints' defense clearly won the battle last night. Jonathan Vilma picked off a questionable throw by Brett Favre and it seemed that the Saints would hold on. Dropped passes by Devery Henderson, Reggie Bush and Robert Meachem could have doomed the Saints, but they skated by the Vikings who were stuck in neutral for the entire second half.

Look for both offenses to revamp their game plans for next Sunday's contests.

Saints v. 49ers, Monday Sept. 20, ESPN MNF
Vikings v. Dolphins, Sunday Sept. 19, CBS

WHO DAT
-Kenny "Mo"

Thursday, September 9, 2010

September 9th- "WHO DAT" Edition

It is here. The NFL regular season starts tonight with the rematch of last seasons NFC Championship game between the Minnesota Vikings visiting the Super Bowl Champion, New Orleans Saints, in the Dome. I will try to set my Saints bias aside and give an honest opinion as why both teams will win.

First, lets look at why Brett Farve will lead the upset-minded Vikings to a win over New Orleans.

The Saints didn't do much to ramp up a defense that succeeded based on strategic blitz packages and take-aways. If Adrian Peterson really did work on his ball handling skills in the off season, the Saints run defense will have a hard time keeping him from ripping off big gains for touchdowns. Despite Brett Favre's much talked about ankle, he is still coming off of his best statistical season ever. The ankle won't be a problem if the Vikings offensive line can hold the pocket open long enough for Old Man River (Favre) to be effective. The Viking's defense needs to cause problems for Drew Brees and the Saints' high flying offense. Brees did not make many mistakes last year, but if the Vikings can force Brees to make throws and not give him any time to do it, they will succeed in keeping Brees off of the field. Jared Allen, Vikings defensive end, will need to get to Brees early and often, similar to the way Bobby McCray and Will Smith got to Favre last season. Saints' offensive lineman, Jermon Bushrod, did a supreb job at containing Jared Allen in the game last season, so Jared Allen needs to get separation and be physical in the trench. If AP, Brett Favre, and the Vikings' defense can keep the Saints potent team on their collective heels, and prevent the turnovers that cost them a spot in the Super Bowl, the Vikes should have no problem putting this long awaited game away with a win.

Now here is why the Saints will win...

The Vikings are playing hurt. Brett Favre has said numerous times that his surgically repaired ankle is not healing properly, and Sidney Rice is out for at least half of the season after hip surgery. Bernard Berrian has been tapped as the #1 reciever for Brett Favre and the Vikings offense, which doesn't bode well for the Vikings' hopes of winning. The Saints' offense is returning almost all of their weapons from last season (Mike Bell sign with the Eagles via free agency), and Drew Brees has stated that the Saints have worked harder this off season than in any other to prepare to make another run at a Super Bowl Championship. The Saints forced turnovers on defense and capitalized on them, and despite being out gained by over 200 yards in the game against Minnesota last season, they still pulled it off on Garrett Hartley's overtime field goal. The Saints need to hit Brett Favre like they did last season. He was out of his comfort zone when his teammates had to start picking him up off the turf. The Saints' offense looked goo this off season, and the receiving corps. is in their best shape ever. NFL Live analyst, Mark Schlereth, picked the Saints to win 28-17 and make it back to the Super Bowl. This game should be a lock for the Saints if they can score, baby, score and make Brett Favre feel really uncomfortable. John Zaphyr of vegas-spreads.com has dubbed the Saints as the favorite tonight by six points, and if we know anything, it is to never bet against Vegas.

See Schlereth's analysis here: http://search.espn.go.com/nfl-live/
See Zaphr's analysis here: http://vegas-spreads.com/football/nfl-football/7025-090910-2010-nfl-predictions-minnesota-vikings-week-1-nfl-picks

There. Purely unbiased. Hope everyone enjoys the game tonight.

NBC, 8:30 E/T

WHO DAT
-Kenny "Mo"

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Drew Brees' Pre-Game Chant

Brees: 1
Players: 2
Brees: Win,
Players: For You
Brees: 3
Players: 4
Brees: Win,
Players: Some More
Brees: 5
Players: 6
Brees: Win,
Players: Again
Brees: 7
Players: 8
Brees: Win,
Players: Great
Brees: 9
Players: 10
Brees: Win,
Players: Again
All: Again, Again, Again, Again!