Bleacher Report - Articles by Greg G.

Sizing Up the AFC Playoff Picture

Greg G. — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 09:21:46 -0500

No. 1 Titans (14-2)

Easy wins over Cleveland and Houston, a gritty win over Pittsburgh and a loss to surging Indy in Week 17.

No. 2 Ravens (12-4)

Somehow this team goes 4-0 down the stretch with huge wins over Dallas, Washington, Jacksonville and Pittsburgh. I don’t know how I don’t know why but I can’t change my NFC predictions now. Screw the Cowboys and the Steelers. Go Ravens!

These guys affect the entire NFL Playoff picture with games against the above mentioned teams and tie breakers over the Jets. They are your Dark Horse and the team that will make or break my entire Playoff predictions.

They could easily lose three or four of those games which would change the entire seeding in both the NFC and AFC Playoffs. The Baltimore Ravens are the most influential team in the NFL over the next four weeks. If they lose just one of those four games they may not even make the playoffs as they would lose tie breakers to the Patriots should they win out.

My head hurts thinking about this.

No. 3 Jets (11-5)

Favre leads the Jets to wins over the Niners, Buffalo and a hard fought victory over Miami. But a trap game boner loss in Seattle costs them the No. 2 seed (if everything pans out the way I have it).

If they finish 4-0 they could end up as your No. 2 seed depending on the outcome of the Baltimore—Pittsburgh game. Jesus.

No. 4 Broncos (9-7)

Unless San Diego wins out and Denver loses every game they get into the playoffs by default of a horrid division. They’ll probably win a Wild Card game too somehow.

No. 5 Colts (12-4)

Manning puts it together and they win their last 4 games against the Bengals, Lions, Jaguars, and a huge win against Tennessee in Week 17.

No. 6 Steelers (11-5)

2-2 with a possible third win over Baltimore giving them the AFC North and the No. 2 seed. A win in Tennessee and they could finish as your No. 1 seed at 13-3 if the Colts manage to beat the Titans as well. What a swing that would be—from 6 to 1.

The Steelers could feasibly go 1-3 the final four weeks and finish 10-6 but they’re Conference record all but guarantees them the No. 6 seed. 0-4 would knock them out but a boner loss to Cleveland at home is highly unlikely—but would be karmic justice for their 2005 fluke run.

Outside Shot

Patriots (10-6)

How this team got such a weak schedule is beyond me.

Final four games vs. Seattle, Oakland, Arizona and Buffalo. I think Cassel blows one of those games (Buffalo or Seattle) and they finish 10-6, a game short. Win out and they finish 11-5 but don’t have the Conference Record to beat out the Steelers or Colts (assuming Indy can beat the Bengals or Jaguars).

Once again, they could win out and my Dark Horse Ravens could go 0-4 instead of 4-0 and change the whole damn thing

Miami (9-7

Tough game this week in Toronto that I think they lose and ultimately costs them a playoff spot. They’ll get two easy wins vs. KC and SF and a huge Week 17 match up against the Jets that if they win could put them at 10-6 with a punchers chance of landing that No. 6 seed should Baltimore, Indy, or the Patriots blow it.

Sizing Up the NFC Playoff Picture

Greg G. — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 09:05:42 -0500

I won't predict the playoff results but this is how I see the NFC Playoff picture shaping up….

No. 1 Panthers (13-3)

4-0 down the stretch including a surprising upset at NYG to give them the tie breaker for No. 1 seed

No. 2 Giants (13-3)

Finish 2-2 after dealing with loss and media orgy over Plax. Lose at Dallas and they finish 13-3, win at Dallas and they knock Dallas out of the playoffs and finish 14-2 for No. 1 seed. I think Dallas wins at home

No. 3 Cardinals (10-6)

Finish 3-1 with easy Division wins over Rams and Seahawks, a huge win in Minnesota and a loss to the Patriots @ Foxboro. It may be to the Cardinals advantage to lose that game in Minnesota and take the No. 4 seed to play the Bucs instead of the Cowboys in the Wild Card Round.

No. 4 Vikings (9-7)

2-2 down the stretch with wins over Detroit and Atlanta and help from Chicago losing to Green Bay. If Minnesota beats Arizona at home (I think the Cards pull that off) then they flip flop the Nos. 3 and 4 seeds with Arizona and finish 10-6.

No. 5 Buccaneers (11-5)

2-2 finish with a key loss to Carolina this week and an upset by San Diego cost them the NFC South title and a No. 2 seed

No. 6 Cowboys (10-6)

2-2 finish with huge win over Giants and Eagles (trap game) but losses to the Steelers and Baltimore. Win at Baltimore and they finish as the No. 5 seed at 11-5 with tiebreakers over Tampa Bay. Lose and they’re in danger of missing playoffs all together depending on tie breakers with Washington.

Outside Shot

Washington (10-6)

I think Washington can go 3-1 down the stretch with an easy schedule but will lose tie breakers with a 3-3 NFC East record to Dallas’ 4-2. Dallas MUST WIN at home vs. the Giants or the Redskins take they’re spot at the No. 6 seed if they win three of four (@ BAL, @ CIN, PHI, @ SF—very possible).

Atlanta (9-7)

I don’t think this team is for real and they drop three straight Conference games to the Saints, Bucs, and Vikings. Win one of those games and they finish 10-6. All four of their remaining games are conference games but they’re a game behind Dallas and Washington and would need both of those teams to lose at least 2 games to NFC teams to win a playoff spot.

Chicago (8-8)

Has a relatively easy schedule down the stretch but sits a game back of Minnesota and I see upsets at home by New Orleans and Green Bay on the horizon. Win three of their four remaining games and they take the NFC North title at 9-7 (very possible).

2008 NL All-Star Predictions: Some Familiar, Some New, and Some Unknown Faces

Greg G. — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:28:02 -0400

The 2008 MLB season has been the stuff of baseball lore.

We had the meteoric rise and subsequent collapse of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the emergence of the surging take-no-prisoners Tampa Bay Rays.

We've woke up in late June to find the Yankees in last place and the Rays in first place.

We've witnessed the late arrival of a bonafide superstar (Josh Hamilton), and the early arrival of another one (Evan Longoria), as well as a plethora of overhyped rookie pitchers (Max Scherzer, Johnny Cueto, Clayton Kershaw, Jeff Niemann).

We've seen relatively unknown players morph into stars (McLouth, Quentin, Ludwick, Volquez), the rise of the two bagger (Utley, Kinsler, Uggla, Phillips, Upton, Roberts, Pedroia) and the fall of the shortstop (cricket chirp).

We've watched Lance Berkman and Chase Utley positively tear the cover off the ball and enjoyed Chipper's pursuit of history as he attempts to become the first player to hit .400 since Ted Williams almost seventy years ago.

Despite the NL's dominance at the skill position (offensively speaking at least) the AL still seems to have its way with the National League. Berkman, Utley, Chipper, Han-Ram, and McCann are all the best offensive players at their respective positions right now, but the AL dominates. Can this year's NL team return respect to the Purists League? If they field this team, they most certainly can...

At the turn, here are my picks for the NL 2008 All-Stars. I stuck to the premise that every team should have a representative and the bench must be able to field a player at each position.

Starters

C – Russell Martin, LAD: Toss up between McCann and Martin here. Martin gets the nod for his defense, plus the Dodgers need a representative.

1B – Lance Berkman, HOU: Banner year for Berkman. Top five in the league in R, H, HR, RBI, AVG, OBP.

2B – Chase Utley, PHI: Leads league in HR and top five in R, H, and RBI.

3B – Chipper Jones, ATL: Chipper is batting .391 as of July 3, and has a chance to become first .400 hitter in almost 70 years.

SS – Hanley Ramirez, FLO: With speed and power, Han-Ram does everything well.

LF – Ryan Braun, MIL: Last year’s ROY proving he was no fluke. On pace for 90 R, 40 HR, 120 RBI, and 20 SB.

CF – Nate McLouth, PIT: From out of nowhere, he is on pace for 120 R, 30 HR, 100 RBI, and 20 SB.

RF – Matt Holliday, COL: Despite injuries early on, Holliday is hitting .330 and leading his team in RBI.

DH – Adrian Gonzalez, SAD: Third in the league in both HR and RBI.

Bench

C – Brian McCann, ATL: Best offensive catcher in baseball.

1B – Albert Pujols, STL: Apologies to Derek Lee but this position is just too deep in the NL.

2B – Dan Uggla, FLO: The Rule Five Draft poster boy.

3B – David Wright, NYM

3B – Aramis Ramirez, CHC

SS – Jose Reyes, NYM: Washington’s Christian Guzman was close here, but in the end, you can’t deny Reyes’ skill set, even if he is a head case.

OF – Carlos Lee, HOU

OF – Pat Burrell, PHI: Pat the Bat finally makes an All-Star squad.

OF – Ryan Ludwick, STL: Joins McLouth, Ludwick, Quentin, and Volquez on the All-Surprise team.

Pitching

Starter – Brandon Webb, ARI: Gets the start on the strength of his Cy Young award and 9-0 start.

SP – Tim Lincecum, SFG: The only thing Tiny about Tim is his 2.38 ERA. He’s 9-1 with 114 K.

SP – Ben Sheets, MIL: Can he stay healthy and lead his team to the playoffs?

SP – Edinson Volquez, CIN: Nearly unhittable through July. 10-3, 113 K, 2.24 ERA.

SP – Johan Santana, NYM: Even a bad season by Santana’s standards is stellar.

SP – Dan Haren, ARI: Biggest acquisition of the offseason has kept Arizona atop the pitiful NL West.

SP – Cole Hamels, PHI: The future in Philly.

SP – Aaron Cook, COL: Unimposing staff ace in Mile High City leads team with 11 wins.

RP – Jon Rauch, WAS: Someone from Washington had to make the squad. Rauch has had a great year.

RP – Taylor Buchholz, COL: Only six runs allowed in 40 innings of work.

RP - Hong-Chih Kuo, LAD: Steady as a rock for the floundering Dodgers.

RP - Brandon Lyon, ARI: Lyon answered skeptics by not allowing a single run from April 9th to June 17th and converting 17 of 17 save opps. in that time.

SU – Brad Lidge, PHI: A return to form.

SU – Billy Wagner, NYM

CL – Kerry Wood, CHC: A career saved, this converted starter has been automatic.

Holy Scherzer! Arizona Diamondbacks Rookie Stellar in Debut

Greg G. — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:15:33 -0400

On a day that the Phoenix Suns once again broke the hearts of Arizona sports fans, a 23-year-old wunderkind from Missouri helped ease the pain by providing a glimpse into the already blindingly bright Diamondback future.

April 29, 2008: Max Scherzer set a Major League record in his debut, a 6-4 Arizona Diamondbacks loss to the Houston Astros. Scherzer became the first major league pitcher since 1956 to start his career in a relief role and retire his first 13 batters.

Scherzer was electric in 4.1 innings of relief work for woeful starter Edgar Gonzalez, touching 98 mph on the gun. He threw a total of 47 pitches, 35 for strikes, and struck out seven.

He struck out his first major league batter in only five pitches that registered at 93, 95, 96, 92, and 96 mph, respectively, on the radar.

The Mizzou graduate dominated the Houston Astros with full command and pinpoint accuracy. His sinking fastball destroyed hitters, and his knee-buckling change-up left them looking downright foolish, clocking in anywhere from 83 to 92 mph. He also displayed a filthy slider, showing a three pitch arsenal that should baffle NL West batters for years to come.

Scherzer mowed through Houston’s lineup with efficiency and panache, a lineup that includes such feared hitters as Carlos Lee, Lance Berkman, and Miguel Tejada.

The crazy-eyed phenom, fell one ‘K’ short of the Major League record for most strikeouts by a reliever in a Major League debut. He no doubt would’ve broken that record if Manager Bob Melvin had kept him in for the eighth inning.

Scherzer is just the latest addition to what is shaping to be the best and most entertaining young team in the Big Leagues, the 2008 Arizona Diamondbacks.

With one more 3.2-inning, six-run outing by Edgar Gonzalez, Mad Max could join Brandon Webb, Danny Haren, Micah Owings, and Randy Johnson in the Arizona rotation - what could easily be the best rotation in the Bigs.

After watching Steve Nash and the Suns fumble away yet another playoff series to the San Antonio Spurs, Max Scherzer provided all the therapy Phoenicians needed.

As the Suns set in the Arizona desert, a new star was born on the diamond and the pain of another season of disappointment was put to sleep by a 98 mph heater.

Reverse the Curse: ’08 Suns Eerily Similar to ’04 Red Sox

Greg G. — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 22:03:24 -0400

**Author's Note: This article was written between games four and five of the the Suns 2008 opening round matchup with the Spurs. I'd like to preface this article by saying NEVERMIND**

Believe.

Down 0-3, had someone told you Mike D’Antoni would be tossed from a must win Game Four, Amare Stoudemire would score only seven points, and Steve Nash would dish only four assists, you would’ve no doubt conceded the San Antonio sweep.

Phoenix indeed looked poised to accept the broom treatment from their arch nemesis going into Game Four, but one fabulously fickle Frenchman had other plans. Boris Diaw put the Suns on his back, locking up his French counterpart, Tony Parker, and willing Phoenix to victory.

Raja Bell even chimed in by matching his season high 27 points and playing a vital role in putting the clamps on Ginobili and the gang. The Suns finally showed up for the 2008 NBA Playoffs en route to a 105-86 route of the Spurs in Game Four of their first round matchup.

But after the ether of Game Four wore off for Suns fans, reality stared them dead in the face: No team in the history of the NBA has EVER come back from a 0-3 deficit in the Playoffs. Ever.

This daunting task before the Suns brought back memories of that fateful October Series in 2004 between the Yankees and Red Sox. Prior to that series, no team in MLB history had EVER come back from a 0-3 hole in the Playoffs. Ever.

In fact, there have been over 1,000 playoff series since the inception of the seven game series between the NHL, MLB, and NBA. Two NHL teams have accomplished the feat, one MLB team and zero NBA teams. That means the Suns have less than a .003% chance of winning this series.

Believe.

As I waxed philosophically of what could be, I began to see similarities between the 2008 Phoenix Suns and 2004 Boston Red Sox. Let’s break them down:

The Curse: Both teams suffer from curses involving arguably the most dominating players in the history of their respective sports. The Red Sox suffering from ‘The Curse of the Bambino’ stemming back to Boston’s sale of Babe Ruth's contract to the New York Yankees in 1920. The Suns have been haunted by ‘The Curse of the Coin Flip’ ever since losing out on the draft rights to Lew Alcindor aka Kareem Abdul-Jabar to the Milwaukee Bucks after their inaugural season in 1968, despite having an 11 game lead on last place. From 1920 to 2004, the Yankees won 26 World Series titles to Boston’s zero. After the infamous coin flip, Alcindor led his teams to six NBA championships to Phoenix’s zero.
The Arch Nemesis: Boston faced the New York Yankees, their most hated division rival in their 2004 Conference Series, a storied rivalry that has divided the North East Peninsula. The Suns face the San Antonio Spurs, a rivalry with much bad blood that gains more credence with every game. Both rivalries were one sided in the favor of the teams with all the rings who dawn black and white.
The Proverbial Monkey on the Back: Not only did the Red Sox and Suns have to face their arch rivals, but they had to face teams who had consistently knocked them out of the post season. The year prior, both Boston and Phoenix were sent packing by the Yankees and Spurs. Both series were nail biters each team felt they should’ve won.
Regular Season Dominance: Like the Red Sox, the Suns have enjoyed continued success in the regular season only to come up short in the Playoffs. Despite all of the playoff appearances between the two teams, there were a total of zero titles between them in a combined 126 seasons of play prior to Boston’s 2004 World Series Title.
The Questionable Trade: In the 2003-2004 season, Boston traded several young talented players for the rights to Curt Schilling, a seemingly old, crusty, and slightly washed up veteran who had won a title with the ARIZONA Diamondbacks. In 2008, the Suns traded one of the best players in the game for Shaquille O’Neal, largely regarded by his piers to be well past his prime.
The Salary Dump: The ’04 Red Sox in a payroll motivated move traded the rights to Tony Womack (a former ARIZONA Diamondback) to the St. Louis Cardinals, their eventual opponent in the World Series. In ’08, the Suns, in a cap related move, traded the rights to Kurt Thomas who eventually landed in San Antonio, the Suns opponent in this odyssey.
The Elusive Division Title: The ’04 Red Sox finished two games back of the AL East title. The ’08 Suns finished two games back for the Pacific Division title.
The Emergence of Role Players in Game Four: The Red Sox beat the Yankees, largely in part to the contributions in Game Four of players like Dave Roberts, Doug Mientkiewicz, Bill Mueller, and Orlando Cabrera. The ’08 Suns got break out performances from players like Boris Diaw, Raja Bell, Gordon Giricek, and Brian Skinner. In both cases, defensive minded role players stepped up to the challenge.
The Enigma: Both teams have an enigmatic player that both teammates and fans have struggled to understand and relate to. Both men possess insane natural talent and both men are favorites of the media for their quirky soundbites: Manny Ramirez and Shaquille O’Neal.
The Karma: In 1976, the Phoenix Suns lost the NBA Championship to the Boston Celtics. In Game Five of that series, what is largely considered the Greatest Game of All Time, with the score tied and only a few ticks left on the clock in the first of three overtimes, the Celtics called a timeout they did not have. Although the infraction was blatant and done right in front of the Ref’s eyes, no technical foul was called. The Celtics went on to win that game and eventually the NBA title in what turned out to be the pivotal game of the Series. The city of Boston carries karmic debt to the city of Phoenix. A little of that Boston good fortune can and should be spared.

Believe. Believe. Believe.

Earth to Matt Leinart: Anybody Home?

Greg G. — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 22:19:03 -0400

By now, we've all heard about Matt Leinart's little beer bong escapade with the local Delta house from ASU. The guy got crucified here in Phoenix, and in my opinion, rightfully so.

While surfing the Bleacher, I couldn't help but notice the amount of support Leinart was getting from the community. It actually appalled me.

I had to throw my hat in the ring. Even if it is two weeks late and beat to death. (I'm new to the forum!)

I'm an under cover Cardinal fan living in Phoenix (it’s bad when you’re undercover in your home town). I'm also a 28-year old man who has grown up considerably over the last several years. Waaaay back when I was in my prime like Leinart is now, I was out of control. Beer bongs, normal bongs, parties, chicks, you name it...I was basically a piece.

The difference? I wasn't the face of an NFL team or a million dollar golden boy charged with the task of rescuing a floundering franchise.

If you are fortunate enough to be an NFL quarterback and are even hyped at one point as 'The Football Jesus', as Leinart was here locally in Arizona, then you should show a little grace for your good fortune and professionalism for your craft.

I have no problem with a young successful guy partying and enjoying his fame—to an extent. You have to be smart enough to do it in the privacy of your own home and try your best to prevent the college coeds gone wild from whipping out there iPhones while carousing in the spa with you and your Reality TV cronies.

Especially if you are an NFL Quarterback.

Most certainly, if you are an under-performing and overpaid NFL Quarterback who held out for top five money, despite being the 11th pick in the draft.

Mind you, the local media was already gunning for him due to his complete failure to show any signs of development over the last two seasons. In fact, most would say he's regressed.

A quick Google of "Matt Leinart" will tell the casual fan all they need to know about the USC playboy. You will find ten times more information on his celebrity than you will his football career.

Time to grow up Matty. You're 25 years old, a father and a well paid PROFESSIONAL athlete. Act like it.

The guy has done next to nothing in the NFL. He's one more bad season away from becoming Uncle Rico in Napoleon Dynamite. I can see it now:

"Hey Nick, how much you wanna bet I can throw a football over that mountain?"

Matt Leinart holds clipboards for Kurt Warner for god's sake! It wasn't two seasons ago that Warner couldn't go three snaps deep with out drooling all over himself before fumbling the handoff. Leinart backs him up!

Rumors abound that Anquan Boldin (the most under-appreciated WR in the NFL) wants out. I can't blame him. All Q's hard work goes by the way side while his QB tries to sack 18 year old sorority pledges.

Leinart does not have this team's confidence. They are not behind him. They do not believe in him. They don't trust him further than his weak arm can toss the ball.

Sadly, Leinert’s career thus far has been a joke. Career is what is important when you're paid millions of dollars to play football and be a leader, not jello shots, wet t-shirt contests, and chumming with 35 -year old tool boxes like Nick Lachey.

If I sound like a stiff it's because I hold athletes to a higher standing, just as they hold themselves. Like I said, I can roister with the best of them, but I spend good money on tickets, TV packages, jerseys and hats. Not to mention countless wasted hours and emotions.

I believe I am owed a good performance on the field. I believe he owes it to his employer to keep his nose clean.

Truth be told, I still hold out hope that Matt Leinart is the 'Football Jesus' and can be the guy to rescue the Cardinals from the misery that is their very existence. But that hope is fading more and more with each mental picture of him nodding off in his Bud Light.

What he does behind closed doors is of no concern to me—until he allows it to be public knowledge—which he has. For all I know he was studying game film two hours before the party bus arrived. Unfortunately there were no pictures of that occurrence posted on TheDirty.com.

I'm concerned with how he performs on the field and thus far he hasn't. Brett Favre could have been photographed sniffing cocaine with hookers in a Milwaukee strip club and it would have been ok. One, because the media loved Favre, but more importantly, because Favre was a gamer. He came to play. He left it all between the 20's.

Perhaps you've seen that NFLshop.com commercial of Matt Leinart fast asleep on a La-Z-Boy and being awakened by someone tossing a football in his lap. Irony in art. That is the real Matt Leinart, a lazy boy.

I guarantee Kurt Warner isn't doing beer bongs at his home right now.

And right now, Kurt Warner is the starting QB for the Arizona Cardinals.