World Series Preview

The Word of the Day is Anticipation.

Tonight is the beginning of the World Series. I know I said in last night's blog I'm picking the Phillies in seven games, but now to go into detail as to why I'm picking the Phillies, starting with a position by position breakdown.

Catcher: Carlos Ruiz vs Jorge Posada

Jorge Posada is the sexier name, but I'm not necessarily so sure he's the better catcher at this stage of his career. I like the defense that Ruiz brings to the table, and outside of the power their offense is the pretty similar. I think based on the defense, I'm giving the slightest of edges to the Phillies.

First Base: Ryan Howard vs Mark Teixeira

Both first basemen are perennial All-Stars. However, Teixeira is the better player. His defense is annually in the Gold Glove discussion, and he is a better all-around hitter. Advantage Yankees.

Second Base: Chase Utley vs Robinson Cano

Cano had a much improved season over the 2008 season where he struggled mightily and the press and fans were calling for him to be replaced. However, his improvements this year still keep him behind Utley, although I am worried about the Steve Sax impersonation he's been doing lately. Advantage Phillies.

Shortstop: Jimmy Rollins vs Derek Jeter

Rollins has an MVP to his credit, whether deserved or not is another discussion. Unfortunately, this year Rollins played hit more like Mark Belanger, whereas Derek Jeter has his usual offensive season. Jeter also had a very improved defensive season as well. Big Advantage Yankees.

Third Base: Pedro Feliz vs Alex Rodriguez

Do I really need to make the comparison? Infinite advantage Yankees

Left Field: Raul Ibanez vs Johnny Damon

Ibanez had a career year this year for the Phillies, while Damon was hot early and cooled off as the season progressed. In a series where power is going to be the name of the game, advantage Phillies.

Center Field: Shane Victorino vs Melky Cabrera

Victorino is the spark plug of the Phillies lineup, and Cabrera is, well, Melky Cabrera, which means inconsistency. On a big stage like this, I like The Flyin' Hawaiian's experience. Advantage Phillies

Right Field: Jayson Werth vs Nick Swisher

If I were basing this on just the regular season, I would call this a dead heat. Both right fielders had great years this year. However, Swisher's poor postseason play has been well chronicled, and Werth has the best outfield arm in the playoffs. Advantage Phillies

Starting Rotation: Phillies (Cliff Lee, Pedro Martinez, Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton) vs Yankees (CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, Andy Pettitte, Chad Gaudin)

As I sat here trying to compare the rotations, my initial reaction was to give the edge to the Phillies just because of the Yankees need to use Chad Gaudin as their fourth starter. However, the more I sat here and thought about it, I'm not sure the Phillies are making the right decision using Joe Blanton as the fourth starter instead of J.A. Happ. If the Phillies used Happ, this would be an easy decision. However, it's not. Push.

Bullpen: Phillies (Ryan Madson, J.A. Happ, Brett Myers, Scott Eyre, Chan Ho Park, Antonio Bastardo, Brad Lidge) vs Yankees (David Robertson, Joba Chamberlain, Alfredo Aceves, Phil Hughes, Phil Coke, Damaso Marte, Mariano Rivera)

I'm not sure where to go with this one as well. I think a lot is going to depend on how Myers and Lidge pitch for the Phillies, and how Joba and Hughes pitch for the Yankees. Lidge blew 11 saves in the regular season, but has been flawless in October. Rivera is the best postseason closer ever, and arguably the best ever period. Edge Yankees, albeit timidly.

Bench: Phillies (Eric Bruntlett, Matt Stairs, Paul Bako, Ben Francisco, Greg Dobbs) vs Yankees (Hideki Matsui, Francisco Cervelli, Jose Molina, Jerry Hairston Jr, Brett Gardner, Freddy Guzman)

I don't understand the Yankees' reasoning for carrying three catchers in the World Series. I know Posada is old, but Molina is only good for defense, while Cervelli has seen VERY little time since Posada's return. Other than Matsui and Stairs for their respective clubs, neither bench is very terrifying. Each team has a super sub (Bruntlett, Hairston Jr), but other than that, nothing is really impressive. Push.

Intangibles: Phillies vs Yankees

The Phillies come in as the defending champions, and have 18 players on their roster from last year's championship team. The Yankees, meanwhile, only have 8 players with World Series experience. I don't like how Girardi has poorly mismanaged his bullpen during the postseason, and I think that is going to kill him in this series. Advantage Phillies

Breakdown: Phillies 6, Yankees 4, Push 2

This is why I'm picking the Phillies to win in 7 games.

In related news, a Philadelphia woman was arrested for selling sex to two undercover cops to get World Series tickets. Not a wise idea posting on Craigslist that you're desperate for tickets and will do anything for them.

Larry Johnson used gay slurs in a Twitter post against his coach Todd Haley. The man Herm Edwards once called a crybaby needs to be suspended by the NFL, and released by the Chiefs immediately. His play this season (under 3.0 yards per carry average) is bad enough, his character is much worse.

Andre Agassi is coming clean in an upcoming autobiography about everything he did in his life, which apparently includes using crystal meth during his struggles in 1997. While I don't condone his actions, which apparently didn't help his struggles on the tennis court, I applaud Andre for coming clean. Hopefully this tell-all book can be a motivational tool for people (Martina Hingis for example) to recover and live by. This book will be on my must read list when it comes out.

Tampa Bay is moving to its third starting quarterback already, proclaiming rookie Josh Freeman as their new starter. It's about time. Now if Carolina would only get rid of Jake Delhomme, Oakland with JaMarcus Russell, and Tennessee with Kerry Collins. They suck, and they all need a spark that none of the guys can provide.

NBA Begins Tonight

My apologies. Lost my internet last night, so I was unable to post last night.

The Word Of The Day is Emergence.

As I write this, the Boston Celtics have already won their opener on the road at Cleveland. That win already gives the Celtics the early nod as the Eastern Conference favorite. Rasheed Wallace looked impressive in his Celtics debut, and the Celtics bench is MUCH deeper than it was a year ago. The Celtics can run their second team against some of the weaker first teams in the league and be better. 'Sheed's prediction of 73 wins is going to come short I think, but not by much. I see them as a 67, 68 win team this year.

The Raiders shot themselves in the foot letting Jeff Garcia go before the season started. Now they are stuck with JaMarcus "Incomplete" Russell at the quarterback position.

I think Tom Brady is back. I could be wrong, but I think he's back.

The World Series starts tomorrow. That means I have to listen to all the Yankees hacks proclaim how they are back and are the best in the world. (Unfortunately, living in NY as a Red Sox fan is NOT a recommended idea. I could be wrong. Fuck that, I know I'm right.) With that in mind, I'm picking the Phillies in 7. I won't pick the Yankees. Ever. Even if I think they are the better team. It's going to be an explosive series offensively, because other than the two aces (Sabathia and Lee), the pitching staffs aren't that solid.

What is with the officiating in the SEC this year? There hasn't been any complaints from any other conference this year, yet the officiating in the SEC has been ridiculous. We've seen one crew already suspended for a game, and now two coaches have been fined for speaking out against the crews in their games. Fix it.

It's gonna be a short blog tonight. Just not feeling so good. Probably a longer blog tomorrow.

TGIF... Sort of...

I'm currently on hour 23 of my joyride through the working weekend. I figure I still have at least another 28 hours before I can finally go to sleep comfortably. It's not gonna do any wonders for my sinus infection, but at least I will have about 120 hours to relax before my next shift.

Therefore, the word of the day today is exhaustion.

It's Friday, and since I didn't write one last Friday, we will call this the debut of the Friday Football Column, NFL style.

New England vs Tampa Bay in London

New England put 59 on Tennessee. Tampa Bay is no Tennessee. New England 70, Tampa Bay 3

San Francisco at Houston

Quick, name the quarterback who leads the NFL in touchdown passes? If you guessed Matt Schaub, you would be correct. Houston 27, San Francisco 21

Green Bay at Cleveland

Ugh. Aaron Rodgers is gonna have a field day with Cleveland in this one. It's gonna get ugly in a hurry. Green Bay 45, Cleveland 7

San Diego at Kansas City

San Diego lost a must win game against Denver last week at home, while the Chiefs are coming off their first win of the season. I think this is where we officially begin the Norv Turner watch. Kansas City 17, San Diego 14

Indianapolis at St. Louis

Peyton Manning will throw for 376 yards and 5 TDs. By halftime. Indianapolis 49, St. Louis 13

Minnesota at Pittsburgh

Probably the game of the week this week. Roethlisberger is coming of a career high in passing yards, while the ageless wonder is leading the charge for the Vikings. Vikings lose their first game of the season here. Pittsburgh in a close game, 24-21.

New York Jets at Oakland

Mark Sanchez against Nhandi Asomugha. I don't like the Sanchise's chances. Oakland in a slight upset, 16-10.

Buffalo at Carolina

Two putrid quarterback situations in Buffalo and Carolina. Terrell Owens having the worst year of his career. Steve Smith whining that he isn't a vital part of the offense. Carolina 6, Buffalo 0

Chicago at Cincinnati

The Cedric Benson Bowl. The Bears are asking where was this Cedric Benson 4 years ago. He just didn't fit in. Cincinnati 24, Chicago 17

Atlanta at Dallas

Miles Austin gets the starting nod over Patrick Crayton at wideout for Dallas. They're going to need every single one of those yards, but they won't get them. Atlanta 27, Dallas 17

New Orleans at Miami

New Orleans has the league's highest rated passer in Drew Brees, and a very improved defense over last year. This will be Chad Henne's first real test. New Orleans remains undefeated, 33-20.

Arizona at New York Giants

Two high powered offenses collide in the Sunday night game. It's a wet dream for NBC to get a good game like this early in the season. Giants rebound from their first loss, 28-23.

Philadelphia at Washington (Mon. night)

Jim Zorn was stripped of his play calling duties after their debacle last week. Philadelphia suffered their own embarrassing loss last week to Oakland. This is Washington's first game this year against a team who has won a game. Chalk another one up for the Eagles, 27-7.

Next column comes either Sunday after the college football games and the ALCS Game Six, or Monday after the BCS standings and the NFL games. Have a great weekend, and hopefully I get some sleep.

College Football Preview

The word of the day is... Blind. As in the blind umpires in the playoffs this year. I don't really feel the need to pile on, as the mainstream media is doing a good job of that already.

Here is my preview of this week's college football slate.

NCF Top 25 preview

Minnesota at (19) Ohio State

Terrelle Pryor has been thrown under the bus for his terrible performance this season for Ohio State. He seems to look like a perfect candidate for a Wildcat type quarterback, not a typical drop back QB. I don't like the Vegas line (Ohio State 17.5 favorite), mainly because I don't like Ohio State to win this game at all. Minnesota in an upset, 27-17.

South Florida at (20) Pittsburgh

South Florida suffered their first loss of the season at home against Cincinnati. Pittsburgh has become a strong team since an early loss to NC State. South Florida suffers it's second straight loss here. Pittsburgh wins comfortably, 31-14.

(12) Georgia Tech at Virginia

Virginia has come back nicely since starting the season 0-3. However, their loss against William and Mary is still a loss against William and Mary. Georgia Tech in a romp, 35-10.

Connecticut at (23) West Virginia

Connecticut comes into this game reeling after the tragic death of cornerback Jasper Howard Saturday. West Virginia is in the polls for the first time this season as Noel Devine will most likely have to carry the load after losing their starting QB due to injury last week. As much as my heart wants to pick Connecticut to win this game in memory of Jasper Howard, I just can't see it happening. West Virginia 27, Connecticut 21.

(15) Oklahoma St at Baylor

Oklahoma State has come along quietly in a powerful Big 12 conference this year, with their only loss coming to Houston. It won't change against Baylor. Oklahoma State in a rout, 49-10.

(13) Penn State at Michigan

Michigan was ranked earlier in the season after their big win over Notre Dame. However, they have fallen out of the top 25, after losing back to back games on the road against Michigan State and Iowa. Now they host Penn State at home, and while the win over Notre Dame is big, I just don't think they are that good in the Big Ten. Penn State wins easily, 33-16.

(11) Oregon at Washington

This isn't your brother's Washington Huskies team. They have a couple of huge wins on their resume already this year, over USC and Arizona. Both of those wins were at home, and their only home loss this year was an opening week loss to LSU. I think this week continues the trend. Washington upsets Oregon, 20-17.

Tennessee at (2) Alabama

Lane Kiffin's mouth has gotten him in trouble all year, and he finally officially signed his six year contract earlier this week. Alabama is just too good, with Heisman Trophy candidate Mark Ingram carrying the load. Alabama in a rout, 45-17.

Louisville at (5) Cincinnati

Cincinnati picked up their first huge win of the year last week, going to South Florida (ranked at the time) and beat them decisively without their own Heisman candidate QB Tony Pike. Louisville just isn't that good now. Cincinnati 30, Louisville 7

Oklahoma at (25) Kansas

Oklahoma will be without QB Sam Bradford for the remainder of the season most likely due to shoulder surgery. The team has struggled without Bradford this year, and going on the road to face Kansas isn't going to help. I think Oklahoma's fall continues. Kansas in a close contest, 27-23.

Clemson at (10) Miami

The U is back. They are as good as advertised. Clemson isn't as good as they used to be. Miami has a legitimate shot at a BCS game this year. Miami wins big, 34-13.

Air Force at (18) Utah

Utah's only loss this year came at the hands to Oregon, and are a half game back in the Mountain West Conference. Air Force has a very stingy defense, allowing an average of only 12 points per game. The problem is, their offense numbers are skewed by a 72-0 shellacking over Nichols State. Air Force is 0-3 against better teams, and Utah is a better team. Utah 24, Air Force 10

UCLA at (22) Arizona

Arizona has been up and down in their last four games, alternating wins and losses. Both of their losses, however, came on the road at Iowa and at Washington. UCLA is in the middle of the pack defensively, which doesn't bode well against Arizona's high powered offense. Arizona wins a slugfest, 35-24.

(6) Iowa at Michigan State

Kirk Ferentz has brought the Hawkeyes back to respectability this year, with a number of big wins already on their resume. Michigan State has come back to life after struggling early in the season, including an embarrassing loss to Central Michigan. Iowa's run continues here, as they look to leapfrog Boise State in the BCS standings. Iowa 37, Michigan State 20

vanderbilt at (24) South Carolina

Vanderbilt has remembered that they are Vanderbilt. South Carolina is coming off a tough loss to #2 Alabama. Prior to that they had run off four straight wins, including over then #4 Mississippi. Vanderbilt is no good, and they show it here. South Carolina 28, Vanderbilt 6

Auburn at (9) LSU

LSU is coming off a controversial loss last week to #1 Florida, and are in a foul mood. Auburn is a good team, but they've lost their last two games to Arkansas and Kentucky. Those teams aren't LSU, so make it three straight losses for Auburn. LSU 44, Auburn 17

SMU at (17) Houston

No description necessary. Houston in a rout, 66-7.

(8) TCU at (16) BYU

The game of the week this week. TCU is looking to maintain its BCS bowl hopes, while BYU could use a big win to vault them up the rankings a couple of spots. As much as I'd like to see TCU continue it's undefeated run and destroy the BCS, I don't see it happening. BYU in a close game, 21-20.

(1) Florida at Mississippi St

Florida has struggled in their last two games, as evidenced by the media leaping Alabama over them in their rankings. They will have no such struggles this week against Mississippi State. Florida 28, Mississippi State 10

Oregon St at (7) USC

USC won a close contest over then #25 Notre Dame last week, and that fact alone shows that USC isn't as good as in previous years. However, Oregon State is no Notre Dame. USC in a rout 45-10 over Oregon State.

(3) Texas at Missouri

Colt McCoy has struggled in the last couple of weeks, in particular against Oklahoma's strong defense. Missouri is a team that I have had a hard time figuring out this year. Even with their recent offensive struggles, Texas still leads the nation in scoring this year at 42 points per game. Look for that to continue. Texas 45, Missouri 20.

(4) Boise St at Hawaii

The last game of the night puts BCS darling Boise State on the road against the Rainbows of Hawaii. This isn't your Timmy Chang or Colt Brennan led Rainbows. Boise State in a laugher, 37-10.

Monday In Review

What an exciting day we had last night in sports.

The word on the farm today is barn-burner.

Before I get into last night's action, let me give my condolences to the University of Connecticut football team and to the family of cornerback Jasper Howard, who was murdered Saturday night after a school sponsored dance. While I mourn his death, I have to question why a bunch of football players were out after midnight. Doesn't the team have a curfew? I can't put myself in the situation of the two kids who were holding him, watching him die in their arms. It's very understandable if they end up not playing this Saturday against West Virginia.

I'm going to pile on to the mainstream media's criticism of the way Joe Girardi handled his pitching staff last night. I don't understand why Girardi took out David Robertson, who has nasty filthy stuff, for Alfredo Aceves in the 11th inning. I would rather have the guy with the best stuff out there in the playoffs, and save a guy like Aceves for a blowout game.

Bobby Abreu, what were you doing in the 8th inning? There was no need for you to try to turn a double into a triple with no outs. If the Angels get that run in the 8th inning, we don't see the 11th inning. And for all of the people (Jimmy Traina) who are slurping the kool-aid that is Derek Jeter's defense, get a clue. ANY shortstop with ANY defensive talent makes that play. The shortstop of the local high school team here makes that play. And he's no Derek Jeter.

Joe Torre, I told you this last night, I'm going to tell you this again. DON'T PITCH TO RYAN HOWARD. The man is a beast. This series is now over.

Memo to the Chargers and Broncos special teams: Make a tackle. Lay a hand on the returners. It's inexplicable that Eddie Royal can catch a punt ON A BOUNCE and run it back for a touchdown. To have three kick returns for a touchdown in one game is inexplicable. I know Darren Sproles and Royal are excellent returners, but still, it should not happen. And I'm officially starting the Josh McDaniel for Coach of the Year campaign. Who had the Broncos at 6-0? I didn't.

Steve Smith (the Carolina one, not the NY Giants one), just shut up. I understand your frustration, I really do. You're saddled on a team whose quarterback I could outplay. But to whine that you are not a vital piece to the Carolina Panthers? Just shut up and play, you're no longer the best Steve Smith in football now. Prove me wrong. I dare you.

Speaking of horrible Carolina Panthers players, how did cornerback Dante Wesley only get a one game suspension for that horrible hit on Clifton Smith? He launched himself in Smith for crying out loud. Wesley needs to be out for the season to make him an example for the rest of the league. He was trying to make a play? That was an absolutely ridiculous, classless play by Wesley. Anyone who thinks otherwise is a fool. (Yes, I'm talking to you Tim Hasselbeck.)

The BCS rankings are out. Yawn. Talk to me in December.

The Detroit Shock are moving to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Yawn. But seriously, what does it say about the WNBA that a team with THREE championships can't make it in their city? Let me know when the league folds, because this is the beginning of the end.

I think Tom Brady just threw another touchdown pass to Randy Moss.

My NFL Top Five:

1. New Orleans Saints. Destroyed the Giants defense for 48 points.

2. Minnesota Vikings. Adrian Peterson and Brett Favre are leading this team.

3. Denver Broncos. They are really good. Seriously. They have all three components going, special teams, offense AND defense.

4. Indianapolis Colts. This low only because they had a bye last week.

5 (tie). New England Patriots. Their offense just woke up. I would be scared if I'm the rest of the NFL.

5 (tie). New York Giants. They're still good. They're just not as good as we thought they were.

My NFL Bottom Five:

32. Washington Redskins. I know there are still winless teams. But they've struggled against winless teams in EVERY game this year.

31. St. Louis Rams. They are weak. Very, very weak.

30. Tennessee Titans. Maybe they should be 32 because a team quitting is completely unacceptable.

29. Cleveland Browns. Their offense is pathetic, their defense isn't much better.

28. Tampa Bay Buccanneers. They will fall even further after this week's game against New England.

Quick prediction on tonight's Yankees/Angels game. Sabathia on three days rest, I'm not sure I like that idea. Girardi has been micromanaging too much, so I'm going to give the Angels another win tonight in game four.

Embarrassing

What's up peeps?

The word on the farm today is... Embarrassing.

It's got to be embarrassing if you're a fan of the Tennessee Titans or Washington Redskins right now. First off, how do you quit on your coach TEN MINUTES into the game? That second quarter that you let Tom Brady, Randy Moss, etc. have was completely embarrassing. To allow FIVE touchdown passes in one quarter says a lot about the character of your team, and it isn't very good. I'd like to officially be the first one to coin the Terrible Towel Curse on the Titans. They haven't won a game since they stomped on the towel in Pittsburgh. I haven't heard many people call for Jeff Fisher's head, but after that performance yesterday, I think his time might be coming to an end in Tennessee. That was just flat out embarrassing. Vince Young needs to be your starting quarterback NOW. Your season is over, it's time to see if this kid has what it takes to be a starting quarterback in the NFL. Maybe he can put a spark in this franchise that hasn't been seen all year.

And leave it to the Redskins to be the first team to lose to the Kansas City Chiefs. I think it's very telling that the management has yet to back Jim Zorn, and who can blame them. Their two wins were squeakers over teams (St. Louis, Carolina) who in themselves have major holes. Their loss to Kansas City is almost as inexplicable as the Titans loss. Zorn's another coach who is on the hot seat, and deserves to be. I can see them finishing 3-13 this year.

Was that Jets/Bills game embarrassing? It was a horrible display of offense by both teams. The only game I've seen worse was last week, when the Bills lost to Cleveland. So much for Mark Sanchez being the posterboy of the NFL. He has looked horrible now the last couple of weeks. Gimme Matt Ryan or Joe Flacco over Sanchez.

Tom Brady and Randy Moss just hooked up for another touchdown. Embarrassing.

How do the Eagles let JaMarcus Russell put up those good numbers? And then lose on top of it? Yeah, you guessed it. Embarrassing. Donovan McNabb under 50% passing, and JaMarcus around 60% for the game? Are we living in some sort of alternate universe? Bring me back to reality, PLEASE!

I don't know about you, but I am not looking forward to next Sunday's game in London. I am about as big a New England Patriots fan as you can get, but any time you have to fly across the ocean to play a game, it's going to be sloppy. At least the opponent can't get any better for the Patriots. They get the 0-6 Buccanneers. I think Tom Brady's already thrown three touchdown passes, two to Moss, one to Welker, and the plane hasn't even landed in London yet. I think the Hoodie is salivating over this one.

Now, onto tonight's matchup. It's do or die time for the San Diego Chargers. They need to prove they belong in the playoff discussion now, or Denver is running away with the division. The Broncos are looking really good right now and are clearly the class of the AFC West. This is San Diego's last stand. They lose here, they will never in my eyes be considered a valid Super Bowl contender. (On a side note, I never really did think of them as one anyway, they are a glorified 8-8 team every year because of the division they play in.) I don't see the Chargers winning, even at home. Broncos 27, Chargers 13.

Game Three of the ALCS is tonight as well as Game Four of the NLCS. I'm not going to get too much into these games, as I haven't had the opportunity yet to watch either of these series yet. I will say this, however. The Angels and Dodgers had better win tonight for either team to have a chance to get to the World Series. Oh, and Joe Torre, you might want to pitch around Ryan Howard. I hear he's pretty good. Same goes for you Mike Scioscia. I wouldn't be pitching to Alex Rodriguez right about now. He's dialed in, and that's a bad sign for anyone who is playing the Yankees. Yankees take a 3-0 lead tonight, and the Dodgers even up their series.

That is all from this side of the farm.

Talk By The Fence

First off a melancholy goodbye to former Giants pitcher Larry Jansen who passed away last night at the age of 89. He'll be mostly remembered as the winning pitcher in the classic 1951 Shot Heard Round the World game.

Speaking of thrilling games, the Word of the Day is in fact, Thriller. We had two thrilling games last night, one in the NLDS, and the other on Monday Night Football.

First, the NLDS. The Phillies come back in the 9th inning to score three off Rockies closer Huston Street to finish off the Rockies 3 games to 1. AND Brad Lidge saved another game for the Phillies. Good for him after the year he's had this year. He rewarded Charlie Manuel's faith in him by giving him two decent, if not stellar outings. It's a sign for baseball that three of baseball's most reliable closers this year (Nathan, Papelbon, and Street) struggled, while Lidge, who had arguably the worst season by a closer ever, was a perfect two for two in save opportunities.

Now, the Monday night game. Chad Henne was superb for the Dolphins, going 20 for 26 and leading the Dolphins on a game winning drive. Ronnie Brown runs that Wildcat formation as well as anyone in the business. And the golden boy, Mark Sanchez, wasn't exactly golden, as he went 12 for 24 for the Jets in the 31-27 loss. That's a couple of bad games in a row for Sanchez. I think his inexperience is starting to show for the Jets. Matt Ryan, he's not. But he won't be Ryan Leaf either.

Chad Ochocinco is looking like a prophet right now, and Skip Bayless is probably somewhere eating some humble pie. Chad went onto First Take and said that the Bengals would win 12 games this year. Well, they're on pace to win 12 games, and they just went through the trifecta of beating the Browns (no tough chore), the Steelers at home (a tough task, something they hadn't done since 2001), and the Ravens on the road (a very difficult task no matter who you are). Definitely the most surprising team of the NFL season so far, positive or negative.

The Week Five Top Five NFL Power Rankings:

1. New York Giants (5-0)

2. Indianapolis Colts (5-0)

3. New Orleans Saints (4-0)

4. Minnesota Vikings (5-0)

5. Denver Broncos (5-0)

The Week Five Bottom Five NFL Power Rankings:

32. St. Louis Rams (0-5)

31. Cleveland Browns (1-4)

30. Oakland Raiders (1-4)

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-5)

28. Tennessee Titans (0-5)

If I'm the coach of the Calgary Flames, I would have that entire team on the ice RIGHT NOW. Yeah, that's right, on the ice at 4 A.M. How do you score 5 goals in the first 12 minutes of the game, and LOSE??? A 5-0 lead in hockey is supposed to be like 35-3 in football. Oh wait, that comeback has been done too.

I think the Rams just gave up another touchdown. So did Oakland.

What a quirky schedule the Patriots have had this year. (0-0) Buffalo, then (1-0) New York Jets, then (2-0) Atlanta, then (3-0) Baltimore, then (4-0) Denver. Now they get (0-5) Tennessee with a great shot of facing (0-6) Tampa Bay the following week in London. Amazing how the NFL schedule works out sometimes. The streak ends in week 9 when they play Miami.

A quiet day on the sports front tonight, so unless there's some breaking news, you probably won't get any Words On The Farm until Thursday or Friday.

The Weekend In Review

Thank you for reading the debut of Word On The Farm.

The word of the day is Ugh.

You all know the streak had to end sooner or later. 26 innings of shutout ball to start his playoff career. Then, in an instant, he yakked up a two run lead almost as fast as Brad Lidge. (Oh wait, he ACTUALLY did save a game last night for the Phillies.) Now the rumors are already flying about whether the Red Sox are going to trade Jonathan Papelbon and let the kid Daniel Bard take the closer role. Papelbon is in his second year of arbitration, and could command upwards of $9 million per year. (That is strictly a personal guess based on what he is currently making now.) Financially speaking, it wouldn't be a bad move for the Sawx, as Bard will be making league minimum money next year, and middle relievers are a dime a dozen.

So what should the Red Sox do with the money. Simple. KEEP JASON BAY. Whatever it takes. After the Mark Teixeira debacle last year, can the Sox really afford to take another PR hit by seeing Bay succeed somewhere other than Boston? JB carried the Sox offense for the first four months of the season until they got help from V-Mart.

I hate to say it, because I've been a big fan of his since he came up to the bigs in 1997, but Jason Varitek needs to retire and join the Sox front office staff. He has nothing left in the tank either offensively or defensively. Catchers age quicker than just about any other position in sports. That's right. All of sports, not just baseball. 'Tek has been around the game a long time, and is one of the smartest men in the game. It's time for him to take his knowledge and use it to work his way up the management level. I think he becomes a major league manager in no more than five years, if he leaves Boston.

It's nice to see A-Rod finally showed up for a playoff series. It's about time DJ got some help. Speaking of DJ, the people who makes the plaque in Cooperstown can start etching his name right now. The heads up play he made last night to nail Nick Punto in a 2-1 game at the time was classic Derek Jeter. Probably the second best play he has made in his career (behind the play he made to nail Jeremy Giambi in the playoffs in 2001). I only wish that ESPN and everyone else who claims the play he made in July 2004 to dive into the stands against was his best would shut up, because it wasn't even close. The only reason people think it was big was because he ended up in the stands with a bloodied nose. HE MADE THE CATCH FOUR STEPS AWAY!!!! HIS MOMENTUM CARRIED HIM INTO THE STANDS, NOT THE CATCH. You can look it up.

What happened, Bill Belichick? Did you feel bad that you were putting a whooping on your pupil Josh McD? What is the excuse for Randy only getting one catch this week? He had a better game on DEFENSE than he did on offense, and that's inexcusable. Get this man more touches Bill. And draft a running back. A GOOD running back. Maroney's a bust. Take a couple of these draft picks that you always seem to have in hand and trade up to get a power back.

Can I just say for the record that I have never seen three teams in the NFL worse than what the Browns, Raiders and Rams are doing right now? If you combined the best players on those three teams, they would STILL finish below .500. In the NFC West. The worst division in the NFL. I can name at least three college football teams right now that I would put as a favorite in Vegas over all three of those moribund, pathetic teams. Give me the Gators, the Longhorns, and the Crimson Tide right now as at least a 7 point favorite. I think USC and Oklahoma could give them a run for their money too.

The Redskins aren't too far behind on this train of suckdom. How can you barely beat St. Louis, lose to Detroit, barely beat Tampa Bay, and then lose to Carolina, and STILL have your job? I hear there's a help wanted ad being placed in the Washington Post for a soon to be vacant head coaching position. I hear Bill Cowher and Mike Shanahan already turned down the job because Dan Snyder is a dunderhead. (Dunderhead. A word that rarely gets used but is a perfect definition for Snyder.)

I think Eli just threw another touchdown pass against the Raiders.

I think Terrell Owens is requesting a trade from Buffalo. If he's not, that's probably the biggest upset so far this year.

The United States clinched a spot in the World Cup. Yawn. Wake me up after we actually win the damn thing. Then I might care about soccer. Might.