by H.B. Baumgardner

Found this MLB Team Salaries chart, for the coming years (obviously this is guaranteed contracts only). Thought it was interesting how many teams don’t have ANY major league players locked up into 2013.

Also as a note, Boston in 6th makes me happy, and it is truly absurd that the Yankees spent over $200 million in 2009.

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=p4ew-fwu2XT3cpPRtt9qIGw

This is truly awesome right here. A salary breakdown by position.

Who the hell do the Reds have in their bullpen?

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=p4ew-fwu2XT2lWXJtUXCoYA

by H.B. Baumgardner

Awesome clip.

I’m assuming Donald Brown is supposed to shade to Peyton’s blindside, and not come across him on coverage.

by H.B. Baumgardner

So maybe Novak Djokovic ISN’T on The Real World/Road Rules Challenges, but maybe Clint Dempsey, the American midfielder for Fulham FC of the English Premier League and U.S. National Team is actually that dude from Linkin Park?

by H.B. Baumgardner

Is it possible that Novak Djokovic, currently ranked third on the ATP, is moonlighting as Kenny, the womanizing, arrogant two time winner of The Challenge?

by H.B. Baumgardner

Two games today, an enigma (Jets-Colts) and a possible shoot-out for the ages (Vikes-Saints). Let’s get to the gravy.

New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts

What more is there to say about either of these teams, really? Before their starters were yanked, the Colts dominated the Jets in the first half of their Week 16 match-up. This triggered this amazing wild-card run by New York that has led us to where we are now.

Rex Ryan defenses haven’t had much success against Manning and his cronies, but this is a different Rex Ryan team, witha  bit of luck or destiny or whatever on their side. Baltimore always seemed to penalize themselves out of games, and as good as their defenses were they never had a Darrelle Revis.

The funny thing about this game? It’s the same match up the Jets have had the last 2 weeks: Pass happy offense (42.1% DVOA, 6th), can’t rush the ball (-3.0% DVOA, 22nd), can’t stop the run (0% DVOA, 22nd). Now, I’m not saying the Colts are like the Bengals/Chargers (they certainly are much, much better) but it’s just an interesting tidbit to think about.

What do I expect in this game? Close game at half: 13-6, 14-7 or the like with Manning taking over in the 4th quarter, with one of those ‘8 play for 5 minutes and 26 seconds and a 3rd and 12 conversion to Dallas Clark behind the linebackers’ drives.  There’s 2 outcomes ill be completely shocked by: Colts win 38-10, or Jets win 27-10. Anything other than that is entirely possible.

Indianapolis v New York (+8)

Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints

Do you know how loud it is going to be in the Super Dome? For the first time all year Brett Favre will be wearing a wristband with the plays on it, will be using silent counts and won’t be using audibles. Brett Favre kills opponents with audibles. You think Gregg Williams isn’t salivating and snickering to himself about this? It’s like the arson beetle from Family Guy sitting on his couch going “good…good” and rubbing his hands together (claws? snappers?)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HV35p47c6sk&NR=1

AdrianPeterson hasn’t rushed for 100 yards since week 10. Does this mean hes due? I think it’s a product of the Vikings morphing into a “Let’s make Brett happy” offense. Unfortunately, AP has a serious fumbling issue, and the last thing you want to do in a shootout is give the Saints the ball on a shortened field.

Minnesota HAS to rush the ball and stay effective on the ground, while limiting the touches for Brees. This is much easier to read and write than it is to DO. The Vikings have the advantage on both sides of the rushing spectrum, but the reason why the Saints are so damn good is because they’ve scored 17 points before you know it. It doesn’t matter if they stop the run, the Saints don’t care.

NEW ORLEANS (+4) v. Minnesota

by H.B. Baumgardner

In case none of you have noticed, there seems to be a growing epidemic of retarded All-Star voters. I’m not sure why this is NEW to any of the sports columnists or analysts on ESPN and the like, this has been going on for years. When Allen Iverson and Tracy McGrady make all-star teams and Deron Williams sits at home, there’s obviously a problem.

The debate seems to be if the fans are smart enough to vote (I think this question has already been answered) and if the voting should be changed.

I understand the point of the fans voting, it’s THEIR game, and they want to see who they want to see. The problem I have with this whole thing, and the reason why I’m writing this is because not one person is arguing this point: Hall of Fame voters (read my take on HOF voters here: http://www.dudusports.com/?p=45 ) look to “all-star appearances” for some sort of fucked up HOF resume. I understand the need for a Cy Young, or an MVP to get into any sports Hall of Fame, but the fans don’t vote on such awards. All-Star and Pro Bowl votes only show the most popular players, not the best in the sport.

by H.B. Baumgardner

God damn if this picture isn’t fucking funny. You almost expect Wade to turn around and Jerry Jones to chokeslam him, ala The Undertaker.

Wade Phillips should be canned after this shitshow.

by Apollo Jackson

by H.B. Baumgardner

Alright so I accidentally did both NFC previews yesterday, but for what it’s worth I would have picked the Ravens getting 8, with Indy winning outright. (I put money on it, and lost. Fucking turnovers)

Let’s get to the one game I haven’t talked about.

New York-San Diego

The Jets, hot off a win at Cincinnati, travel to the west coast to play San Diego. History suggest teams traveling coast-to-coast never fair well, but the Jets do have on extra off-day since they played on saturday. This game seems pretty cut and dry. San Diego is clearly the better team with the the better offense, but San Diego hasn’t been able to run the ball AT ALL this year. They aren’t just dead-last in rushing offense, they’re astronomically bad with a -11.2% rushing DVOA. That’s fucking horrible. So, the translation here is: San Diego will have 55 rushing yards in this game. Which is fine, but this leads to an interesting match-up, and probably the best match-up this week: Philip Rivers and the Chargers passing attack (62.2% , clearly first in the league) vs the Jets staunch passing defense (-34.6%, clearly first in the league, a well). 

The Jets should have no problem running the ball on sunday, and Mark Sanchez should feel a lot more acclimated to the warm, sunny vistas of San Diego. If Sanchez throws less then 16 times I think the Jets are in this game to the end, and have a VERY good chance to win. Once again, just like the Bengals game, the Jets can’t rely on Sanchez to win this game for them. This time they might have to.

SAN DIEGO v. New York (+8)

by H.B. Baumgardner

I was 3-1 last week, and I looked pretty damn intelligent in doing so. The Ravens ran all over the Patriots, as I predicted an outright win, even going so far as to say the Patriots would be fine with Edelman (who scored twice).

Correct Pick #1

Although I said Thomas Jones would run all over the Bengals en route to a win, it was Shone Green instead. Regardless, the Jets ran all over Cincinnati, Mark Sanchez thew the ball 15 times (correct again, H.B. !) and they won outright.

Correct Pick #2

Dallas got a shit-ton of pressure on McNabb, the Eagles looked like my ass, and the Cowboys generally cruised to victory over an as-expected egg from Philly.

Correct Pick #3

Well, I don’t think anyone predicted what we saw as the finale on sunday. When the Packers were down 31-10 with 11 minutes left in the 3rd, I thought that was going to be my one major mistake. But, although I was wrong in predicting the outcome with a Packers win, Aaron Rodgers DID torch the Cardinals. However, he missed  a wide-open Greg Jennings that would have been the OT win. Do you know that after the Packers were down 31-10 they scored a touchdown on their next FIVE possessions? That can’t happen in Madden!

Kind of right pick?

I’m saying 3.5-.5, and this is my blog post, so you’re giving it to me.

********************

Let’s get to today. As always, home team in CAPS, pick in bold.

 New Orleans-Arizona

The Saints haven’t look good in a number of weeks, and Arizona could be mentally drained from the aforementioned shootout with Green Bay, but this is for sure: The Cardinals passing game is firing on all cylinders. Can New Orleans get their shit straight? Probably. Were not going to see any running in this game, as Arizona simply can’t run, and New Orleans just signed Deuce McAllister (I’m serious).  But here is the thing: They Cardinals SHOULD be running, Beanie Wells needs to carry the ball a lot. From week 10 on Mr. Wells has a 7.1% DVOA, compared to Tim Hightower’s -2.9%. The Saints have the 29th ranked rushing defense on the league. Let’s see what Ken Whisenhunt does here.

The Saints started the season 13-0 because they aired it out early, forced teams to stop running the ball, and ran the clock out. Here’s the problem with that against Arizona: They can toss that fucking ball all over the place.

Althought I will not be surprised AT ALL in what happens in this game (Unless it’s 14-10, hey..saturday playoff games are always whacky) I have to like the Cards getting points, and at a PLUS 260 moneyline I’m putting money on them to win outright.

NEW ORLEANS v. Arizona (+7)

 

Dallas-Minnesota

God damn if this isn’t not only the best game of the week, but the shittastic “who the fuck do I root for” game. You gotta lay money one way or the other, or all game you’re going to say “fucking Wade Phillips” “fuck Jerry Jones” “Tony Romo can suck my ass” or any variation of Brett Favre comments.

There is no way Minnesota runs the ball in this for two reason: They stopped running with Adrian Peterson, because then Brett gets unhappy.** But, that doesn’t really matter, because Dallas’ rushing defense has a -8.1% DVOA.  Do you know what Dallas’ rushing DVOA is on offense? 16.4%, that’s 3rd in the league. Translation: The Cowboys dominate the line on both sides of the ball.

In interesting point of fact from Aaron Schatz at footballoutsiders dot com:

“Another thing to expect from this game is a lot of flags. Dallas ranked sixth this year in total penalties, including those declined or offsetting. Minnesota ranked seventh.”

I always assumed that penalized teams meant bad coaching, so I guess these 2 teams show I might be right? I need more information on this.

I’m taking Dallas with the points, but this game is a coin-flip.

MINNESOTA v. Dallas (-3)

** This is what I hate about the media. Brett Favre cries about whatever he wants, and CHANGES the offensive play calling on Brad Childress, but it’s because “he’s a gamer! He’s having fun out there!”. That’s horseshit. Peyton Manning does it, and  he’s a genius. But, if Jay Cutler or Philip Rivers pull some shit like that, it’s because they’re “arrogant” and “they’re punks”.