May 29, 2012

Stat Line of the Day

Adam Jones line vs the Blue Jays

The Orioles Adam Jones kept up his incredible season by hitting two more HRs in today's loss against the Blue Jays.  It's rare that I include a score line from a losing team but in this case it's acceptable.  Jones is having a breakout year and is a massive reason why the Orioles are contending in the AL East this year.  Jones recently agreed to a 6 year contract extension with the Orioles, showing both sides believe he will be a cornerstone of the young and rising Orioles.  The 3 hits today also extended his hitting streak to a MLB best 20 games.  If Jones can keep up this production over the rest of the season, the Orioles will be in the thick of the playoff hunt right until the end.  

May 28, 2012

I'm back for a bit this Memorial Day night.  Had some great storms and excitement this weekend, lots of tubing and disc golfing also.  Hopefully I'll be able to get some more posts this week, stay tuned.

Stat Line of the Day

The Cubs and Padres Scoring Plays

For two teams that have trouble scoring runs, the Cubs and Padres really unleashed a slugfest today.  There were 8 home runs hit in the game, 4 by each team.  This game doesn't really mean anything in the standings (as both teams are in the cellar) but it does show that anything can happen at any time.  No team can be underestimated and that even the worst can bust out and beat the best.  This also shows the rough state of pitching for each team as well.  The Cubs Matt Garza was also shelled on Sunday as well.  He now has a 7.20 ERA on the road this year, even as the Cubs staff ace.  

May 22, 2012

Very very sorry I've been a little slow on the posts lately.  I'm still adjusting to my new work schedule and am finding it hard to get free time.  But fear not!! I'll be back stronger than ever shortly.  Thanks everyone.

May 20, 2012

G&B Draft: Day 4-7


7.  Andre Branch, DE - Mega
8.  Harrison Smith, S - Louder
9.  Ryan Broyles, WR - Jodi
10. LaDarius Green, TE - Seth
11. Brock Osweiler, QB - Knotts
12. Bernard Pierce, RB - Matt
13. Nick Toon, WR - Knotts
14. Chandler Jones, DE - Knotts
15. NO PICK
16. Russell Wilson, QB - Fallen

Round 4


1.  Robert Turbin, RB - Bryan (MY PICK)
2.  NO PICK
3.  AJ Jenkins, WR - Andrew
4.  Bruce Irvin, DE - Matt
5.  Marvin Jones, WR - Seth
6.  Chris Givens, WR - Fallen
7.  Junior Criner, WR - Louder
8.  Whitney Mercilus, DE - Andrew
9.  Brandon Taylor, S - Knotts
10. Greg Childs, WR - Chris
11. Zach Brown, LB - Louder
12. DeMario Davis, LB - Andrew
13. Tommy Streeter, WR - Mega
14. James Michael-Johnson, LB - Swit
15. Sean Spence, LB - Chris
16. Jerel Worthy, DT - Menke

Round 5


1.  Bryan Anger, P - Louder
2.  Ryan Lindley, QB - Louder
3.  BJ Cunningham, WR - Louder
4.  Chris Polk, RB - Knotts
5.  Janoris Jenkins, CB - Fallen
6.  Dwayne Allen, TE - Bryan (MY PICK)
7.  Blair Walsh, K - Louder
8.  Edwin Baker, RB - Swit
9.  Alfonzo Dennard, CB - Strong
10. DeVier Posey, WR - Matt
11. Dontari Poe, DT - Bryan (MY PICK)
12. Derek Wolfe, DT - Fallen
13. Devon Still, DT - Mega
14. Danny Coale, WR - Swit
15. Michael Egnew, TE - Andrew
16. Nick Foles, QB - Andrew

Thus concludes the 2012 draft!!! Shortly I'll be releasing my team by team draft grades as well.

Draft Grades


Architecture of Aggression - Swit
Best Pick: James Michael-Johnson, LB
Questionable Pick: Edwin Baker, RB
Overall Grade: C-
Needs Met: 1/4
Overview: The lack of picks really was the deciding factor in this grade.  It's difficult to put together a good draft when your first pick is late in the 4th.

Columbus Buckeyes - Micro
Best Pick: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB
Questionable Pick: NONE
Overall Grade: C-
Needs Met: 1/4
Overview: Kirkpatrick was the Buckeyes lone pick, and while addressing a need and getting a player I rank fairly well, having one pick brought this grade way down.

Dalton's Pondering - Louder

Best Pick: Mark Barron, S
Questionable Pick: Jerel Worthy, DT
Overall Grade: B
Needs Met: 1/4
Overview: Getting Barron and Alshon Jeffery made the top of the draft very good, while even Nick Perry in the 2nd round could prove to be a great pick, did a good job with only a few picks.

Discount Double Check - Bryan (MYSELF)

Best Pick: Morris Claiborne, CB
Questionable Pick: Dwayne Allen, TE
Overall Grade: B-
Needs Met: 2/4
Overview: Did a good job to fill needs and may have a major sleeper in Shea McLellin.  Was solid throughout the draft and didn't reach on any players, including taking Dontari Poe in the final round.  If Allen pans out at all, this grade would go way up.

Drew's Crew - Andrew

Best Pick: Andrew Luck, QB
Questionable Pick: AJ Jenkins, WR
Overall Grade: B
Needs Met: 2/4
Overview: It's difficult to have a bad draft when Luck's your first pick, but after taking Lavonte David in the 2nd round the draft was fairly unspectacular, but solid nonetheless.  Jenkins is questionable only because he may have been taken too early for the production he'll have for a few seasons.

Expansion Team - Louder

Best Pick: Trent Richardson, RB
Questionable Pick: Junior Criner, WR
Overall Grade: A-
Needs Met: 3/4
Overview: Made 12 picks in the draft and did great work deep into the draft.  He addressed nearly all his pressing needs and acquired a few specialists that could produce right away.  Some of the WRs that were drafted late are a little questionable however.  From top to bottom, the best draft in the league.  Harrison Smith could prove to be one of the steals of the draft also.

Philly Cheesesteaks - Knotts

Best Pick: Doug Martin, RB
Questionable Pick: Chris Polk, RB
Overall Grade: B+
Needs Met: 3/4
Overview: The top of the draft was dynamite and remained strong throughout.  Quality players were taken even in the late rounds and Chandler Jones could prove to be a huge breakout.  One of the top 3 best drafts and did it using 9 picks.

Primanti's Sandwiches - Jodi

Best Pick: Fletcher Cox, DT
Questionable Pick: Ryan Broyles, WR
Overall Grade: C-
Needs Met: 1/4
Overview: Once again, the lack of picks really hurt, and the ones that were made didn't really do much to save the draft.  LaMichael James could be the best pick in the long run, but for now his value is extremely limited.

Ravens / 49ers - James

Best Pick: Kendall Wright, WR
Questionable Pick: Marvin McNutt, WR
Overall Grade: B+
Needs Met: 3/3
Overview: A deep and solid draft gave them one of the top 3 drafts in the league.  They addressed all position needs and gained great depth at other important positions.  Getting Courtney Upshaw and Mohamed Sanu were also great picks.  The only question is McNutt, who isn't guaranteed to even make the final Eagles roster.

Raiders / Reskins - Fallen

Best Pick: Robert Griffin III, QB
Questionable Pick: Chris Givens, WR
Overall Grade: B
Needs Met: 2/4
Overview: Griffin and Bobby Wagner bring up the grade by themselves, as the rest were uninspiring though decent picks.  Givens is a question in the absolutely muddled Rams receiving corp.  It's difficult to have a poor draft though with Griffin's immense upside.

Seahawks / Titans - Mega

Best Pick: Ryan Tannehill, QB
Questionable Pick: Tommy Streeter, WR
Overall Grade: C+
Needs Met: 2/4
Overview: This is a classic high risk / high reward draft.  Tannehill has great potential but is in the end a multi-year project.  Streeter has potential as well, but it remains to be seen how he would fit with Torrey Smith already a blazing deep threat.  Andre Branch could end up being the best pick here.

Steelers / Broncos - Strong

Best Pick: Alfonzo Dennard, CB
Questionable Pick: Alfonzo Dennard, CB
Overall Grade: D+
Needs Met: 1/4
Overview: Having only 1 pick really makes it difficult to have a good draft, and the pick itself was unimpressive as well.  Dennard has potential in the poor Patriots defense but also has a lot of questions, extremely boom or bust.

The Stompers - Matt

Best Pick: Brandon Weeden, QB
Questionable Pick: DeVier Posey, WR
Overall Grade: B
Needs Met: 4/5
Overview: Overall a solid and high upside draft.  The first 3 picks could all turn out to be stellar, but hinges on Weeden figuring out the NFL very quickly.  Coby Fleener has high upside and even Bernard Pierce could prove to be a steal.  Posey could also breakout, or end up as nothing.

Tebow Mania - Chris

Best Pick: Lamar Miller, RB
Questionable Pick: Sean Spence, LB
Overall Grade: C-
Needs Met: 1/5
Overview: The lack of picks hurt, but there is a small bit of potential.  Lamar Miller could emerge, but he's buried behind two running backs the Dolphins believe in and will have a hard time securing playing time.  Likewise, Spence is buried in Pittsburgh's deep linebacking group.

West Canaan Coyotes - Seth

Best Pick: Justin Blackmon, WR
Questionable Pick: Marvin Jones, WR
Overall Grade: B-
Needs Met: 1/4
Overview: Not a lot of picks, but did good work with them.  While Blackmon has limited upside for this year his future potential is limitless and has the ability to be a true #1 receiver.  David Wilson will get plenty of playing time in his rookie season and could emerge as a star.

Wife Wears da Pants - Wife
NO PICKS
Overall Grade: F
Needs Met: 0/3
Overview: Having no picks makes it impossible to build a team and severely limits the upside of the team in coming years.  They'll have to do work in FA after having a dismal draft.

May 16, 2012

G&B Draft: Day 5


2.  Dre' Kirkpatrick, CB - Micro
3.  Shea McLellin, DE - Bryan (MY PICK)
4.  Rueben Randle, WR - Knotts
5.  Mychal Kendricks, LB - Knotts
6.  LaMichael James, RB - Jodi
7.

With my 2nd pick I chose Shea McLellin, the LB/DE from the Chicago Bears.  I projected him to go in the mid 2nd round so I figure this to be quite a steal in the 3rd.

May 15, 2012

G&B Draft: Day 3


15.  Coby Fleener, TE - Matt
16.  Isaiah Pead, RB - James

2nd Round
1.  Lavonte David, LB - Andrew
2.  Brian Quick, WR - Andrew
3.  Nick Perry, LB - Menke
4.  Bobby Wagner, LB - Fallen


G&B Draft: Day 4


5.  Donta' Hightower, LB - Knotts
6.  Mohamed Sanu, WR - James
7.  Courtney Upshaw, LB - James
8.  Morris Claiborne, CB - Bryan (MY PICK)
9.  Stephen Hill, WR - Louder
10. Stephon Gilmore, CB - James
11. Ronnie Hillman, RB - Louder
12. Fletcher Cox, DT - Jodi
13. George Iloka, S - James
14. Quinton Coples, DE - James
15. Michael Brockers, DT - James
16. Marvin McNutt, WR - James

3rd Round
1.  Melvin Ingram, DE - Louder
2.

The run on defense is finally beginning.  After waiting 23 picks I was finally able to select my first player, and I chose Morris Claiborne of the Cowboys.  He adds much needed depth to my CBs and will probably push for a starting job this year.

Stat Line of the Day

Cliff Lee's line vs the Astros

The Phillies have dearly missed Cliff Lee over the course of his DL stint, and are currently wallowing in last place in the NL East.  It's starts like this that show just how valuable Lee is to the Phillies and how he will be an integral part of the team getting back on track and rising to the top of the NL again.  Of course, the lack of offense afforded Lee a no-decision but it was nonetheless another masterful performance from the veteran ace.  

May 13, 2012

2012 G&B Draft: Day 2
1st Round:
5.  Justin Blackmon, WR - Seth
6.  Michael Floyd, WR - Matt
7.  Ryan Tannehill, QB - Mega
8.  Luke Kuechly, LB - Louder
9.  Kendall Wright, WR - James
10. Lamar Miller, RB - Chris
11. David Wilson, RB - Seth
12. Brandon Weeden, QB - Matt
13. Alshon Jeffery, WR - Menke
14. ON THE CLOCK

The offensive run continues.

BW Top 5 Available: Melvin Ingram - DE, Mark Barron - S, Morris Claiborne - CB, Donta Hightower - LB, Coby Fleener - TE

May 12, 2012

Today marks the opening day of the Good & Bad fantasy football league draft, which is the hardcore dynasty that I play in.  You may say it's too early for football, but that's just not possible.  This league runs year round and is incredibly exciting and intense.  I'll be live-updating during the draft, which began at noon today and should run for a few days at least.  It's been offensive heavy so far, but that may change soon.  Each team has 24 hours to make a pick.

2012 G&B Rookie Draft

1st Round
1.  Robert Griffin III, QB - Fallen
2.  Andrew Luck, QB - Andrew
3.  Trent Richardson, RB - Louder
4.  Doug Martin, RB - Knotts


BW Top 5 Best Available: Justin Blackmon - WR, Luke Kuechly - LB, Brandon Weeden - QB, Ryan Tannehill - QB, Michael Floyd - WR

May 11, 2012

Happy Friday readers!!!  Another work week is in the books and I'm now back home in Wisconsin after completing another year at the U of M.  First off, I'd like to comment on a story that popped up on ESPN today, where an Arizona HS baseball team forfeited their state championship game to their opponent, because they were fielding a girl.  The forfeiting team, Our Lady of Sorrows (OLOS, HORRIBLE name by the way) is run by the Society of Saint Pius X, which is inherently conservative and doesn't allow co-ed sports, and says they were just following their doctrine, understandable.  The now winners, Mesa Prep Academy, have allowed 15 year old Paige Sultzbach to play on the team, as they didn't field a girls softball team.  Now this makes sense.  Not much of the reaction does.  On ESPN there was a lot of backlash towards OLOS about their handling of the situation, and countless people saying they were crazy Catholic conservatives living in the early 1900s.  Well I do take issue with OLOS doctrine, which seems outdated and woefully advised in todays society, I do respect that they stuck to their beliefs and didn't play the game, no matter how stupid that may be.  I would also like to point out that if a boy tried to play on a girls team, how then would you react?  Why does this situation seem different?  Once we see boys being allowed to play on girls teams, then come talk to me about how unfair this occurrence is.  Mesa should bask in their championship, and deserves all the credit they are due.  Also, the people that said OLOS pulled from the game because they were afraid of LOSING to a girl, are just idiots.  Another case of a massive American double standard when it comes to sports.  I'm not arguing for women's rights in sports, I'm just pointing out why separation is necessary on the playing field.      

May 9, 2012

Stat Line of the Day

Josh Hamilton's line vs the Orioles

The one man wrecking crew returned as Josh Hamilton clubbed 4 HRs in tonights game against the Orioles.  He's now hitting .406 on the season to go along with 14 HRs and 38 RBIs!!  He's now the 16th player in MLB history to hit 4 HRs in a single game and is definitely making a case to the Rangers to get a new deal worked out, sooner rather than later.  Of course, once he has that deal it remains to be seen if this production will continue.  Until otherwise, Hamilton is back as one of the 3 most dangerous hitters in baseball.

May 6, 2012

The drought is over!! After 110 at-bats Albert Pujols finally hit his first home run of the 2012 season, in an Angels win over the Blue Jays.  It's also no coincidence that as Pujols has struggled, so have the Angels.  They currently rank 16th in team average and also 16th in team home runs, far below the expectations that the team had.  While the hitting hasn't been pulling its weight up to expectations, the pitching, and more specifically, the bullpen, has been even worse.  The bullpen has only converted 4 out of 10 save chances this year, a ratio that has to improve if the Halos hope to possibly challenge the juggernaut Rangers in the AL West.  It's only a matter of time until the lineup wakes up and begins mashing the opposition, but they'll only go as far as their pitching can take them, Jered Weaver can't pitch everyday.

Stat Line of the Day

Orioles pitching line vs the Red Sox

This is the first stat line that's not just one player, as I've actually included the entire Baltimore Orioles bullpen from their insane effort against the Red Sox.  The game went 17 innings and Adam Jones hit a 3-run homer in the top to give them the edge.  Though Tommy Hunter struggled, as he's prone to do, the bullpen dazzled the potent Red Sox lineup in 12.2 innings, giving up only a SINGLE earned run.  As you'll also notice, the strikeout numbers are crazy as well.  If this bullpen can maintain this level of pitching, the Orioles may contend in the AL East much longer than people figure they will.  Kudos to the O's pitching staff in a marvelous effort.  Oh, and the winning pitcher was Chris Davis, their first baseman.  

May 5, 2012

Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone!!! I've been a little busy lately, our finals and last week of classes are kicking into gear and so I've been trying to wrap up school for the year.  While I was gone, Jered Weaver threw a no-hitter against the Twins, Junior Seau passed away, Mariano Rivera suffered a torn ACL, and the NFL passed down its judgement on the Saints' players involved in the bounty scandal.

My topic for today is the unexpected rise of the Washington Nationals.  Before the season began they were seen as a team on the rise, but no one could have projected that they would be contending this year already.  They have all the ingredients for a solid playoff run, mainly their rock-solid starting rotation, led by the phenom Stephen Strasburg.  The rest of the rotation rounds out with Gio Gonzalez, Edwin Jackson, Jordan Zimmermann, and Ross Detwiler.  While Detwiler is a serviceable 5th starter, the 4 ahead of him are absolutely one of the best lineups in the majors.  Gio is finally having his breakout season after moving from the AL and Strasburg is already emerging as a league ace.  The lineup also has solid bats, led by the young superstar Bryce Harper, who was called up this week.  In 6 games he's batting .316 with 3 RBIs.  Once Ryan Zimmerman returns from injury the lineup will be even more potent, and with their great depth on the bench the Nationals should be taken for real, they'll be in the playoff races until the end.  As I write, they are engaged in a matchup with Vance Worley and the Phillies in an important NL East tussle.