Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Winding Down The 2006 Baseball Season

The Braves have 20+ games left and need to hurry and get on a season ending winning streak if they want to be playing well into October. But to harken back to better times here is a picture of a Tom Glavine signed baseball given to my Grandfather (who has since passed away) by my cousin Sean who happens to live in Atlanta.


Wednesday, August 16, 2006

College Football Preview Part One: Top 25

Even though it not complete I'm posting this thing.

I'm not done with this, but I have to post it. It's taken a long time just to format this sucker. Sorry for the inconveinance. You can tell by reading it, so try your best.

*4 Seam Note*....
I have a "great" estimation system for ranking of the teams below, A-F grades.

Top 25

1. LSU

Offense

QB

In terms of talented depth, no one in the country compares. JaMarcus Russell, Matt Flynn, and Ryan Perrilloux make up the deepest QB stable *ever* it appears. Perrilloux is third-string and he was the number one rated prospect in the country accoridng to many rating services in 2004-2005. Russell who wil be the starter, was best described by Larry Munson as "Big Russell" in the SEC Championship Game, Munson also correctly pointed out about Russell is that "He just flicks his wrist and th eball goes 50 yards". JaMarcus Russell has the best arm strength of any QB in all of College Football, and maybe the pros. He can throw a football through the goalposts while kneeling at the 50 yard line. In addition to that, he is a great athlete, in terms of mobility not so much (He's no Vince Young or even Jay Cutler) , but he's not the worst he has abover average speed and quickness escpecially for a guy his size. Russell's massive upper body strength which comes form thathuge fram of his gives him the ability to shrug off with ease potential tacklers (i.e. Juwan SImpson last year vs. Alabama). Flyn provides more mobility and a quality arm, jsut not as strong as Russell's. Perriloux has the best balance of mobility and arm of the two, but his bad attitude plues inexperience makes him the third option.


RB

At the Tailback position Justin Vincent compliments the returning from injury Alley Broussard, who was LSU's first choice at TB, even ahead of the Colt's First-Round selection Joseph Addai, before a torn ACL put him out for the season in 2005. The RB stable should be bolstered even more with the arrival of the highly touted Keiland Williams who after spending some time getting his grades acceptable at Hargrave Military Academy is now on campus. This a deep backfield with experience (Vincent and Broussard) and a lot of power and speed. Williams reinforces this position with even more excellent atheticism.

WR

The WR Corps consists of Craig Davis, Early Doucet, Dwayne Bowe, and Brandon Lafell. There of three who are upperclassmen, 2 Sr.'s (Davis and Bowe) and 1 Jr. (Doucet) . Lafell is a RDFR. No receiving group in the nation has the combination of size, speed, and experince than LSU's. Davis and Bowe can catch the ball in traffic and are tough. DOucet provide athleticism. Lafell's young and will be the 4th option.

OL

The Offensive Line goes as follows, Ciron Black (RSFR) LT, Will Arnold (JR) LG, Brett Helms (SO) C, Brian Johnson (SR) RG , Pete Dyakowski (SR) RT. The question as to whether which is harder "How to get to JaMarcus Russell" or "How to tackle JaMarcus Russell" will be decided by Ciron Black who at RDFR will start at LT. Considering Black the line still has a large number of starts, and should be solid during the 2006 season.

2005 LSU Offenseive and Defensive Statistics

LSU: 13 Games played

Offense NCAA RANK Attempts Yards Avg. TDs Att/PG YPG
Rushing-----#52------------509----1951-3.83--21---39.15-150.1
Defense
Rushing-----#10------------402----1190-2.96---8---30.90--91.5

Offense NCAA RANK Comp/Att Yards Avg. TDs Ints Att/PG YPG QB Rating
Passing--------------------216/360-2912--8.1---22--10----27.7-224.0-142.56
Defense
Passing--------------------204/431-2279--5.3---12--10----33.1--175.3---96.30

----Takeaway/Giveaway
Ints----10----/-----10
Fum----4----/-----13
Total--14----/-----23

Minus-9 Turnover Differential

2. WVU

Easy schedule, they return almost all of their defense and offense. Pat White is a freak, and Steve Slaton along with talented backups provide many weapons from which to choose for a very powerful running team. Their defense should be very good. Rich Rodriguez is a Head Coach who is starting to make a name for himself. Only test is Louisville, which they should pass. Considering last season's clsoe win vs. Louisville, you think the game would be close, but I suspect Louisville's defense to more suspect this escpecially with the departure of Elvis Dumerville. WVU should win this game by 10-14 points in my non-expert opion, although it may be a high-scoring affair (i.e. 40-30).

WVU: 12 Games played

Offense NCAA RANK Attempts Yards Avg. TDs Att/PG YPG
Rushing------#4------------625----3269-5.23--34---52.08-272.4
Defense
Rushing-----#10------------452----1316-2.91--14---37.70-109.7

Offense NCAA RANK Comp/Att Yards Avg. TDs Ints Att/PG YPG QB Rating
Passing--------------------122/193-1398--7.2---12--7----16.0-116.5-137.32
Defense
Passing--------------------221/370-2413--6.5---12--17----30.8--201.1---116.02

----Takeaway/Giveaway
Ints----17----/-----7
Fum----14----/-----10
Total--31----/-----17

NCAA RANK #9
Plus+14 Turnover Differential


3. FSU

Drew Weatherford is a year older and so are FSU's Wideouts. Decody Fagg, Chris Davis, and Greg Carr. Lorenzo Booker remains in the backfield along with Leon Washington's replacement Antoine Smith. The defense still has MLB Buster Davis, DL Anthony Fluellan, and newcomer Myron Rolle reinforces an experienced secondary. So depsite losses on the line with Bunkley and losses elsewhere to the NFL Draft(Pat Watkins, Ernie Sims etc.) they remain solid. Their offensive-line which resembled a triage scene after a natural diaster was decimated by injuries last year. They return the majority of their line intact. The talent at the skill positions and the improved and healthy offensive line should make for a team with enough run balance to a ferocius passing attack to score on anyone. Bobby Bowden has Mickey Andrews, who last year assembled a defense loaded with stars but few good results. An unlikely stat for FSU is that in their last 9 games their opponets have scored at least 20 points against them. But with more blue collar types now in place, a more experienced and athletically bolstered secondary, and a front 7 with the same amount of talent but less epxerince than Broderick Bunkley and the rest of the NFL Draft departed, FSU's defense should hold their own. Holding their own and not letting NC State score 30+ against them should mean more wins and their offense powering them to those victories. Weatherford got pounded last year thanks to the depleted offenisve line, this year expect him to pound opposing secondaries into submission.

FSU: 13 Games played

Offense NCAA RANK Attempts Yards Avg. TDs Att/PG YPG
Rushing----#111------------376----1222-3.25--20---28.92--94.0
Defense
Rushing-----#10------------492----1409-2.86--17---37.80-108.4

Offense NCAA RANK Comp/Att Yards Avg. TDs Ints Att/PG YPG QB Rating
Passing--------------------303/526-3674--7.0---21--19----40.4-282.6-122.23
Defense
Passing--------------------239/404-2611--6.5---15--12----31.0--217.6---119.76

----Takeaway/Giveaway
Ints----12----/-----19
Fum----11----/------8
Total--23----/-----27

NCAA RANK #
Minus-4 Turnover Differential


4. OSU

They lose pretty much almost all of their defense in the "Back 7" and their best WR Santonio Holmes. Despite this Troy Smith, Antonio Pittman, freshmen 6'2 230 pound Eddie George wannabe Chris Wells are wearing Scarlet and Gray. The Offensive-Line, the D-Line, and Anthony Gonzalez will have enough to make it a Top 5 finish. They have the traditional bump in the road Michigan as their last game, they also have to go to Texas to play the Longhorns. I expect for them to come away with an easy victory in the Texas game because of an inexperienced QB (Colt McCoy) will be facing his firt true test against a defense that has athletes (besides his own team in practice which is reall different). OSU will be inexperinced at LB and in the Secondary, but with an intact D-Line and enough athletes they should hold their own and give the OSU offense a good effort that will enable them for many victories.

OSU: 12 Games played

Offense NCAA RANK Attempts Yards Avg. TDs Att/PG YPG
Rushing-----#24------------506----2360-4.66--23---42.2-196.7
Defense
Rushing-----#10------------375-----881-2.35--12---31.3--73.4

Offense NCAA RANK Comp/Att Yards Avg. TDs Ints Att/PG YPG QB Rating
Passing--------------------196/302--2708--9.0---18---5----25.1-225.7-156.58
Defense
Passing--------------------246/405--2495--6.2----8---6----33.8-207.9-116.04

----Takeaway/Giveaway
Ints-----6----/------5
Fum-----6----/-----16
Total--12----/-----21

NCAA RANK #
Minus-9 Turnover Differential


5. Auburn

Brandon Cox, the Irons brothers, Courtney Taylor, a veteran and talented D-Line compliment a fairly deep team with no real glaring weaknesses except concerning injuries to their LB's and Blackmon's suspension for the first 3 games of the season which includes the LSU game. Auburn has a brutal schedule, Georgia, LSU, and Florida. The only saving grace behind these games is that they will be played at home where Auburn has been sparsely defeated over the past few years. Their biggest test will be not be these 3 games, but the final game at the end of the regular season in Tuscaloosa against Alabama. In 2004 Auburn came into Tuscaloosa undefeated, against an Alabama team that had it's entire backfield(Croyle vs. Western Carolina, Castille vs. UT, Hudson vs. Kentucky) go down for the season with ACL tears before the final gun sounded in the Tennessee game. Despite the injuries Alabama put up the best game by any team other than LSU against Auburn all season long and lead 6-0 at halftime with Spencer Pennington under center and Aaron Johns taking the handoffs due to the the sports hernia Darby suffered in the LSU game the previous week.

In short The Iron Bowl like so many other times in history will be the measuring stick of the season for AU and UA.

AU: 12 Games played

Offense NCAA RANK Attempts Yards Avg. TDs Att/PG YPG
Rushing-----#25------------481----2329-4.81--28---401-194.1
Defense
Rushing-----#10------------396----1395-3.52--11---33.0--116.3

Offense NCAA RANK Comp/Att Yards Avg. TDs Ints Att/PG YPG QB Rating
Passing--------------------195/339--2589--7.6---19---8----28.3-215.8-135.45
Defense
Passing--------------------202/360--2388--6.6----8---8----30.0-199.0-114.72

----Takeaway/Giveaway
Ints-----8----/------8
Fum-----7----/-----10
Total--15----/-----18

NCAA RANK #
Minus-3 Turnover Differential


6. Notre Dame

ND: 12 Games played

Offense NCAA RANK Attempts Yards Avg. TDs Att/PG YPG
Rushing-----#55------------491----1765-3.59--21---40.9-147.1
Defense
Rushing-----#10------------403----1588-3.94--17---33.6-132.3

Offense NCAA RANK Comp/Att Yards Avg. TDs Ints Att/PG YPG QB Rating
Passing--------------------294/454--3963--8.7---32---8----37.8-330.3-157.82
Defense
Passing--------------------218/410--3175--7.7---18--13----34.2-264.6-126.37

----Takeaway/Giveaway
Ints----13----/------8
Fum-----11---/------6
Total--24----/-----14

NCAA RANK #
Plus+10 Turnover Differential



7. Texas

Colt McCoy to replace Vince Young, depsite that the bulk of the Offensive Line returns, Jamaal Charles there despite Ramonce Taylor now gone, and Limas Sweed and Michael Griffin return. Texas won the National Championship in 2005 thanks to solid defense, a power veer like running game, and efficient passing. The key to all of this was the force known as Vince Young who Pop Warnered his way all over teams in the Big XII, had a good passing game against Ohio State, and then ignited USC's defense in the Rose Bowl. This year they will have to rely more on the running backs for the yards, but with another year of their defense melding together they should win all of their games, except for Ohio State. Oklahoma and the Red River Shootout remains a signifigant road bump, Nebraska also poses somewhat of a challenge. Look for Texas to lose no more than 2 this year playing in the weak BigXII.


UT: 12 Games played

Offense NCAA RANK Attempts Yards Avg. TDs Att/PG YPG
Rushing------#2------------605----3574-5.91--55---46.5-274.92
Defense
Rushing-----#10------------461----1702-3.69--15---35.5-130.1

Offense NCAA RANK Comp/Att Yards Avg. TDs Ints Att/PG YPG QB Rating
Passing--------------------218/336--3083--9.2---26--11----25.9-237.2-160.95
Defense
Passing--------------------223/436--2236--5.1---10--11----33.5-172.0-96.75

----Takeaway/Giveaway
Ints----11----/-----11
Fum----16----/------9
Total--27----/-----20

NCAA RANK #
Plus+7 Turnover Differential

8. Florida

Urban Meyer's second year provides one with cautious optimism. Chris Leak should know what to do a bit btter, Tim Tebow adds depth to the QB situation, a depth that could replace Chris Leak if he struggles mightily. Markus Manson, DeShawn Wynn, Kestahn Moore, and Chevon Walker will compete for carries. Wide Receiver is where it gets intresting. Dallas Baker, Andre Caldwell, Jemalle Cornelius, Nyan Boateng, and of course incoming freshman Percy Harvin make for a deep receiving corps. The OL has some issues but the talent is there. On defense Ray Macdonald comes back after suffering from an ACL tear to team up with Jarvis Moss to make a great pair of bookend DE's. The rest of the defense is well above average.

In the secod year of Meyer's offense the question arises again "Will his offense work in the SEC"? Of course not! He had to make drastic adjustments last year, like bringing in a TE and cutting down on the option to make the offense at least servicable. This year should be a bit better, which means they will score 40 on Vanderbilt and Kentucky, but expect the same or near the same results as the games against Tennessee and Alabama. Chris Leak is an excellent passer, he is more capable character wise to lead a team, he has the experience to do so also. One glaring problem though, he cannot run with the football well wnough to make the option game legitimate. His height is also of concern in terms of quarterbacking, but that is a small one (no pun intended) as compared to him running a spread option which is doomed to failure if tried because he can't do it, and the scheme is one made up not considering SEC DE's and their speed. Nonetheless he should have enough of a quality passing year to make the Florida offense work. The defense with it's pass rushing and speed should be the cause of the victories for Florida this year, expect from them a good season.

UF: 12 Games Played

Offense NCAA RANK Attempts Yards Avg. TDs Att/PG YPG
Rushing-----#56------------455----1761-3.87--19---37.9-146.8
Defense
Rushing-----#10------------373----1139-3.05--14---31.1-130.1

Offense NCAA RANK Comp/Att Yards Avg. TDs Ints Att/PG YPG QB Rating
Passing--------------------241/385--2720--7.1---20---7----32.1-226.7-135.45
Defense
Passing--------------------196/375--2459--6.6---16--16----31.3-204.9-112.90

----Takeaway/Giveaway
Ints----16----/-----7
Fum----15----/------6
Total--31----/-----13

NCAA RANK #
Plus+18 Turnover Differential


9. Louisville

LOU: 12 Games Played

Offense NCAA RANK Attempts Yards Avg. TDs Att/PG YPG
Rushing-----#30------------472----2262-4.79--41---39.3-188.5
Defense
Rushing-----#10------------367----1368-2.97--16---30.6-114.0

Offense NCAA RANK Comp/Att Yards Avg. TDs Ints Att/PG YPG QB Rating
Passing--------------------246/376--3523--9.4---24--10----31.3-293.6-159.88
Defense
Passing--------------------199/367--2520--6.9---16---9----30.6-210.0-121.38

----Takeaway/Giveaway
Ints-----9----/----10
Fum----19----/-----10
Total--28----/-----22

NCAA RANK #
Plus+6 Turnover Differential



10.Michigan

MICH: 12 Games Played

Offense NCAA RANK Attempts Yards Avg. TDs Att/PG YPG
Rushing-----#44------------499----1939-3.89--16---41.6-161.6
Defense
Rushing-----#10------------430----1648-3.83--12---35.8-137.3

Offense NCAA RANK Comp/Att Yards Avg. TDs Ints Att/PG YPG QB Rating
Passing--------------------238/409--2672--6.5---23---8----34.1-222.7-127.72

Defense
Passing--------------------223/391--2494--6.4---14--12----32.6-207.8-116.29

----Takeaway/Giveaway
Ints----12----/-----8
Fum----11----/-----10
Total--23----/-----18

NCAA RANK #
Plus+5 Turnover Differential



11. Georgia

GA: 13 Games Played

Offense NCAA RANK Attempts Yards Avg. TDs Att/PG YPG
Rushing-----#43------------455----2108-4.63--16---35.0-162.1
Defense
Rushing-----#10------------486----1870-3.85--17---37.4-143.9

Offense NCAA RANK Comp/Att Yards Avg. TDs Ints Att/PG YPG QB Rating
Passing--------------------201/363--2977--8.2---26---7----27.9-229.0-144.04

Defense
Passing--------------------211/369--2205--6.0----8--16----28.4-169.6-105.86


----Takeaway/Giveaway
Ints----16----/-----7
Fum----13----/-----11
Total--29----/-----18

NCAA RANK #
Plus+11 Turnover Differential



12. Miami

UF: 12 Games Played

Offense NCAA RANK Attempts Yards Avg. TDs Att/PG YPG
Rushing-----#70------------448----1651-3.69-18----37.3-137.6
Defense
Rushing-----#10------------474----1415-2.99-11----39.5-117.9

Offense NCAA RANK Comp/Att Yards Avg. TDs Ints Att/PG YPG QB Rating
Passing--------------------195/340--2586--7.6---20--12----28.3-215.5-133.59
Defense
Passing--------------------165/354--1826--5.2----8--14----29.5-152.2--89.49


----Takeaway/Giveaway
Ints----14----/----12
Fum----14----/-----11
Total--28----/-----23

NCAA RANK #
Plus+5 Turnover Differential



13. Nebraska

NEB: 12 Games Played

Offense NCAA RANK Attempts Yards Avg. TDs Att/PG YPG
Rushing----#109------------420----1152-2.74--10---35.0--96.0
Defense
Rushing-----#26------------459----1491-3.25--14---38.3-124.25

Offense NCAA RANK Comp/Att Yards Avg. TDs Ints Att/PG YPG QB Rating
Passing-----#44------------238/444--2692--6.1---20--13----37.0-224.3-113.77
Defense
Passing--------------------212/415--2495--6.0---13--13----34.6-207.9-105.65

----Takeaway/Giveaway
Ints----13----/----13
Fum------9---/-----11
Total--22----/-----24

NCAA RANK #
Plus-2 Turnover Differential



14. Iowa

IOWA: 12 Games Played

Offense NCAA RANK Attempts Yards Avg. TDs Att/PG YPG
Rushing-----#56------------436----2096-4.81--19---36.3-174.7

Defense
Rushing-----#10------------470----1512-3.22--10---39.2-126.0

Offense NCAA RANK Comp/Att Yards Avg. TDs Ints Att/PG YPG QB Rating
Passing--------------------241/385--2720--7.1---20---7----32.1-226.7-135.45
Defense
Passing--------------------196/375--2459--6.6---16--16----31.3-204.9-112.90

----Takeaway/Giveaway
Ints----16----/-----7
Fum----15----/------6
Total--31----/-----18

NCAA RANK #
Plus+18 Turnover Differential


15. Alabama

UF: 12 Games Played

Offense NCAA RANK Attempts Yards Avg. TDs Att/PG YPG
Rushing-----#56------------455----1761-3.87--19---37.9-146.8
Defense
Rushing-----#10------------373----1139-3.05--14---31.1-130.1

Offense NCAA RANK Comp/Att Yards Avg. TDs Ints Att/PG YPG QB Rating
Passing--------------------241/385--2720--7.1---20---7----32.1-226.7-135.45
Defense
Passing--------------------196/375--2459--6.6---16--16----31.3-204.9-112.90

----Takeaway/Giveaway
Ints----16----/-----7
Fum----15----/------6
Total--31----/-----18

NCAA RANK #
Plus+18 Turnover Differential


16.USC

UF: 12 Games Played

Offense NCAA RANK Attempts Yards Avg. TDs Att/PG YPG
Rushing-----#56------------455----1761-3.87--19---37.9-146.8
Defense
Rushing-----#10------------373----1139-3.05--14---31.1-130.1

Offense NCAA RANK Comp/Att Yards Avg. TDs Ints Att/PG YPG QB Rating
Passing--------------------241/385--2720--7.1---20---7----32.1-226.7-135.45
Defense
Passing--------------------196/375--2459--6.6---16--16----31.3-204.9-112.90

----Takeaway/Giveaway
Ints----16----/-----7
Fum----15----/------6
Total--31----/-----18

NCAA RANK #
Plus+18 Turnover Differential


17. Oklahoma

UF: 12 Games Played

Offense NCAA RANK Attempts Yards Avg. TDs Att/PG YPG
Rushing-----#56------------455----1761-3.87--19---37.9-146.8
Defense
Rushing-----#10------------373----1139-3.05--14---31.1-130.1

Offense NCAA RANK Comp/Att Yards Avg. TDs Ints Att/PG YPG QB Rating
Passing--------------------241/385--2720--7.1---20---7----32.1-226.7-135.45
Defense
Passing--------------------196/375--2459--6.6---16--16----31.3-204.9-112.90

----Takeaway/Giveaway
Ints----16----/-----7
Fum----15----/------6
Total--31----/-----18

NCAA RANK #
Plus+18 Turnover Differential


18. Georgia Tech

UF: 12 Games Played

Offense NCAA RANK Attempts Yards Avg. TDs Att/PG YPG
Rushing-----#56------------455----1761-3.87--19---37.9-146.8
Defense
Rushing-----#10------------373----1139-3.05--14---31.1-130.1

Offense NCAA RANK Comp/Att Yards Avg. TDs Ints Att/PG YPG QB Rating
Passing--------------------241/385--2720--7.1---20---7----32.1-226.7-135.45
Defense
Passing--------------------196/375--2459--6.6---16--16----31.3-204.9-112.90

----Takeaway/Giveaway
Ints----16----/-----7
Fum----15----/------6
Total--31----/-----13

NCAA RANK #
Plus+18 Turnover Differential


19. Cal

UF: 12 Games Played

Offense NCAA RANK Attempts Yards Avg. TDs Att/PG YPG
Rushing-----#56------------455----1761-3.87--19---37.9-146.8
Defense
Rushing-----#10------------373----1139-3.05--14---31.1-130.1

Offense NCAA RANK Comp/Att Yards Avg. TDs Ints Att/PG YPG QB Rating
Passing--------------------241/385--2720--7.1---20---7----32.1-226.7-135.45
Defense
Passing--------------------196/375--2459--6.6---16--16----31.3-204.9-112.90

----Takeaway/Giveaway
Ints----16----/-----7
Fum----13----/-----11
Total--29----/-----18

NCAA RANK #
Plus+18 Turnover Differential


20. Clemson

UF: 12 Games Played

Offense NCAA RANK Attempts Yards Avg. TDs Att/PG YPG
Rushing-----#56------------455----1761-3.87--19---37.9-146.8
Defense
Rushing-----#10------------373----1139-3.05--14---31.1-130.1

Offense NCAA RANK Comp/Att Yards Avg. TDs Ints Att/PG YPG QB Rating
Passing--------------------241/385--2720--7.1---20---7----32.1-226.7-135.45
Defense
Passing--------------------196/375--2459--6.6---16--16----31.3-204.9-112.90

----Takeaway/Giveaway
Ints----16----/-----7
Fum----15----/------6
Total--31----/-----18

NCAA RANK #
Plus+18 Turnover Differential


21. Penn State

UF: 12 Games Played

Offense NCAA RANK Attempts Yards Avg. TDs Att/PG YPG
Rushing-----#56------------455----1761-3.87--19---37.9-146.8
Defense
Rushing-----#10------------373----1139-3.05--14---31.1-130.1

Offense NCAA RANK Comp/Att Yards Avg. TDs Ints Att/PG YPG QB Rating
Passing--------------------241/385--2720--7.1---20---7----32.1-226.7-135.45
Defense
Passing--------------------196/375--2459--6.6---16--16----31.3-204.9-112.90

----Takeaway/Giveaway
Ints----16----/-----7
Fum----15----/------6
Total--31----/-----18

NCAA RANK #
Plus+18 Turnover Differential


22. Texas Tech

UF: 12 Games Played

Offense NCAA RANK Attempts Yards Avg. TDs Att/PG YPG
Rushing-----#56------------455----1761-3.87--19---37.9-146.8
Defense
Rushing-----#10------------373----1139-3.05--14---31.1-130.1

Offense NCAA RANK Comp/Att Yards Avg. TDs Ints Att/PG YPG QB Rating
Passing--------------------241/385--2720--7.1---20---7----32.1-226.7-135.45
Defense
Passing--------------------196/375--2459--6.6---16--16----31.3-204.9-112.90

----Takeaway/Giveaway
Ints----16----/-----7
Fum----15----/------6
Total--31----/-----18

NCAA RANK #
Plus+18 Turnover Differential


23. Boston College

UF: 12 Games Played

Offense NCAA RANK Attempts Yards Avg. TDs Att/PG YPG
Rushing-----#56------------455----1761-3.87--19---37.9-146.8
Defense
Rushing-----#10------------373----1139-3.05--14---31.1-130.1

Offense NCAA RANK Comp/Att Yards Avg. TDs Ints Att/PG YPG QB Rating
Passing--------------------241/385--2720--7.1---20---7----32.1-226.7-135.45
Defense
Passing--------------------196/375--2459--6.6---16--16----31.3-204.9-112.90

----Takeaway/Giveaway
Ints----16----/-----7
Fum----15----/------6
Total--31----/-----18

NCAA RANK #
Plus+18 Turnover Differential


24. Boise State.

UF: 12 Games Played

Offense NCAA RANK Attempts Yards Avg. TDs Att/PG YPG
Rushing-----#56------------455----1761-3.87--19---37.9-146.8
Defense
Rushing-----#10------------373----1139-3.05--14---31.1-130.1

Offense NCAA RANK Comp/Att Yards Avg. TDs Ints Att/PG YPG QB Rating
Passing--------------------241/385--2720--7.1---20---7----32.1-226.7-135.45
Defense
Passing--------------------196/375--2459--6.6---16--16----31.3-204.9-112.90

----Takeaway/Giveaway
Ints----16----/-----7
Fum----15----/------6
Total--31----/-----18

NCAA RANK #
Plus+18 Turnover Differential


25. South Carolina

UF: 12 Games Played

Offense NCAA RANK Attempts Yards Avg. TDs Att/PG YPG
Rushing-----#56------------455----1761-3.87--19---37.9-146.8
Defense
Rushing-----#10------------373----1139-3.05--14---31.1-130.1

Offense NCAA RANK Comp/Att Yards Avg. TDs Ints Att/PG YPG QB Rating
Passing--------------------241/385--2720--7.1---20---7----32.1-226.7-135.45
Defense
Passing--------------------196/375--2459--6.6---16--16----31.3-204.9-112.90

----Takeaway/Giveaway
Ints----16----/-----7
Fum----15----/------6
Total--31----/-----18

NCAA RANK #
Plus+18 Turnover Differential




*4Seam Note.....

For the small, okay who am I kidding, the *ridiculously* small amount of people who read this blog. I am going to be kind of sporadic in posting for personal reasons. As the College Football season picks up I will have more topics to discuss of intrest to me and a little bit more time to do so.

Thursday, August 10, 2006

Braves Lose!, Braves Lose!, Braves Lose!

Some people get embarrassed by their own actions.

Others are embarrassed by, well, others.

This is a case of the "others".

If you have been a Braves fan this past season, you have been embarrassed by your team's reckless disregard for losing. They will hit 8 Home Runs in 9 Innings (May vs. Cubs at Wrigley), then try their best to blow a save, blow that save, and despite all best attempts get out futiled (I know, not a word) by the *most futile* ones who allow a fly ball (Aramis Ramirez) to boink off their noggin into right-field.

But the Braves didn't have the luck of playing the Cubs everyday, no instead it was the Diamondbacks, Red Sox, and Blue Jays who they now had to face in 10 consecutive games at home. All of whom whipped your team to the point of you shedding tears with each of the whip's lashes, whether that lash be a blown save, an untimely but entirely expected error, or another "Brave" specialty, 3 straight outs with runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs.

The Braves "baseball" that played in June was down right suicidal and painful beyond desrciption to watch.

A self-evident truth to all who say it, the bulk of this suicidal type of "Baseball" played by this team was inflicted upon itself by the bullpen. The bullpen managed to blow near 20 saves before the All-Star break. But the horrible pitching by this group did not end after the All-Star Break. Nope, immediately after the All-Star break, in fact, the very first game after the Mid-Summer Classic the Braves had a great offensive game (along with a great offensive series I might add) but traded blown save oppurtunity after blown save oppurtunity with the Padres.

Now after the back end of the bullpen has been addressed with such stalwarts as Bob Wickman and Danny Baez, the middle-relief (specifically Tyler Yates) has stepped up, proffessed their belief in the UFO behind the Hale-Bopp Comet, and is trying to take the entire team down with them, black sneakers, cut off testicles, poisoned kool-aid and all.

When the Braves were blowing saves, their middle-relief managed barely to give the closer(s) the ball so they could lose the game. Now with that option gone, they have decided that they would be the ones to destroy the 14 Straight Division Titles streak (which was severely damaged in June, and of course was and is now history) and the 14 Straight Playoff Appearances streak that comes with it.

This awesome display of flexible losing, by managing to lose in every possible conceivable way is quite impressive and entertaining, if you are a sado-masochist or a Mets fan (same thing).

Since myself and pretty much every Brave's fan is not, I would love to see a reorganization of the entire team next season, dedicated to building a team that wants to win games, and does the little things to win them.

I would love to see a return to Braves Baseball, waiting for Andruw to hit that walk-off Grand-Slam to win a 9-8 game ain't it and never should be considered such.

Saturday, August 05, 2006

Moneyballing

For my first true post I have decided to talk about a subject that gets my blood boiling.

It may be Hizbollah, Jane Fonda, or better yet The Devil, although I can't say the previous ones are that far behind...

No Instead I have decided to rant about something I really hate. Moneyballing. Thats right, Moneyballing. Now I don't hate Moneyballers, but I am severely annoyed by Moneyballers themselves, in fact I like some Moneyballers even though they are totally unforgivable nerds.


















---"He is talking about us"- Moneyballers


When Moneyballers decide to attack a player or defend a player based on OBP or BB/K ratio they once and while might have something kind of right. In the case of one Darin Erstad they are FLAT OUT INSANELY WRONG!

Here is a quote from one Moneyball wateringhole known as

http://firejoemorgan.blogspot.com/#archives

And I quote from their "glossary"

"Darin Erstad A former punter at the University of Nebraska who had one good year for the Angels, signed a huge contract, and stinks at baseball, despite the strident arguments of hundreds of sportswriters who continue to talk about how important he is to the Angels and how he’s intense and a leader and the Angels would be nowhere without him. Trust us: he stinks at baseball."

http://firejoemorgan.blogspot.com/2005/04/glossary-of-terms.html

To the Baseball Reference website!

Career Averages Per Year

G 128 AB 653 R 103 H 188 2B 34 3B 4 HR 14 RBI 78 SB 21 CS 6 BB 52 SO 98

BA .287 OBP .342 SLG .417 TB 273

2 All-Star Games and 3 Gold Gloves at 2 different positions

Darin Erstad

Can't play Baseball??? He's in the Majors 10 years, been in the All-Star game TWICE, and has won 3 Gold Gloves at 2 different positions! As we all know DEFENSE is completely ignored by the Moneyballers. Erstad has been an EXCELLENT defender and a solid bat, he even puts down some bunts here and there in the AL, which is saying something.

Erstad gets a fair amount of walks, can situationaly hit, great fielder, solid clubhouse guy, hasn't been caught naked with a stripper, a midget, and 50 open cans of cranberry sauce(I just thought of Little Richard....eewwww).

Trust me and the stats, not these abacus collectors, Erstad is a good player.

Unlike this guy, who was so bad, Rafeal Belliard reminded me of Babe Ruth

Another thing to consider about Erstad is how effective he would be if he wasn't injured so much. In his 10 seasons Erstad has only had 4 of those in which he played in more than 150 games. Including his 1st and 8th year were by injury (8th) or some other cause (being called up late) he did not play in 70 games. Nagging injuries effect him, so his potential of a good healthy season would look something like .290+ .340+ 17HRs 85 RBI and 110 Runs. He also runs the bases very well, is tough nosed, along with being a vicious head hunter (see: Johnny Estrada).

His "one good season" (Bull) was a great season (In 2000) was one in which he was for the most part healthy with no nagging injuries. The next season he had a slump/probably some nagging injuries. In short Erstad is a great fielder, who can run, and has an above average bat.

A solid B+/A- player.

One more thing concerning Erstad. How many World Series rings do the Oakland A's have?

ZERO!

How many does Erstad have?

One.

Erstad is batting .339 in post-season play, along with 18 runs-12RBI-4SBs-0CS, included in these numbers is a 14 Run-7 RBI-2HR postseason in 2002.....you get where I'm going with this.















"Where is he going with this?"-Moneyballers



If you are so much in love with your calculator you call it "snookums" and "honey" you are probably a "Moneyballer" and think that crappy book with the same name is something.

Unlike Erstad, it's you Nerds, thats right it's you who can't play Baseball.

You truly are a bunch of losers.






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"He is talking about us again"-Moneyballers

Just to kick you while you are down, Frank Thomas DOES clog up the base paths, he ain't scoring from second on no gapper, he ain't gonna be seen tagging up ever, and never ever being waved around.

Test Post

Braves are horrible.