AL Central Preview

So it's been a few days - I got sidetracked by opening day and the NHL playoffs (the second best in pro sports, only to the run to the World Series, and not by much).  The AL Central is by far the easiest division to call - it's the Tigers and everyone else.  Only one team to the post season here this season.

JQ's Preseason Picks (or maybe early season picks)
1. Detroit Tigers
2. Kansas City Royals
3. Cleveland Indians
4. Minnesota Twins
5. Chicago White Sox

1. Detroit Tigers
What's not to like about Detroit's club?  Two of the best hitters in the game in Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrerra, a gamer in Austin Jackson, and decent bats at every spot on the field.  You've got the #1 arm in the game right now in Justin Verlander, and some other good pieces to back him up.  The bullpen is probably the weakest part of the the team, but with a lineup like this, there shouldn't be too many close leads to protect.  If there's a 100 win team out there this year, I'd say Detroit is the safest bet.

2. Kansas City Royals

KC hosts the All-Star Game in 2012

Yessireee.  This could finally be the year that KC breaks the .500 mark and gets over 80 wins.  Although most of the quality arms are still in the minors, the Royals may have just enough starting pitching to get them over the hump - and make no mistake, that's where the team's biggest weakness lies.  Jonathan Sanchez was a great off-season pickup, and maybe Luke Hochevar can finally deliver this season.  Mix in Bruce Chen, Danny Duffy, and Luis Mendoza (plus a call-up or two), and maybe this team can break into the positive numbers this year.  Even without Joakim Soria, the 'pen should be stout, and they have some bats all over the place - Alex Gordon, Mike Moustakas, Eric Hosmer, Lorenzo Cain, Billy Butler...hell, even Jeff Francour can hit (if he can make contact).  I can't stand Yuniesky Bentancourt - why this team picked him up is beyond me.  I'd rather put the mascot out at second base personally...but hey, it is still the Royals.

3. Cleveland Indians
Cleveland's season all come down to injuries and visa issues.  Can Sizemore stay healthy?  Doesn't look like it.  Can the player formerly known as Fausto Carmona make it across the border?  Doesn't look like it.  Can Johnny Damon show some pop and hit 20 HR for the Tribe?  Don't count on it.  Can Carlos Santana and Asdrubal Cabrerra carry the team offensively?  Maybe.  Can Ubaldo Jimenez stay un-suspended for an entire season?  No way in hell.  The only reason Cleveland isn't sitting at the bottom of this division is because someone has to finish third.

4. Minnesota Twins
See above, minus the visa issues.  Mauer and Morneau will each have to have monster years for this club to break .500.  Even then, the Twins have a much bigger issue: NO PITCHING.  Tough to win when you headline your rotation with Carl Pavano and Francisco Liriano.  With Scott Baker making his exit to the DL already this year, the load shift over the guys like Jason Marquis....yeah, that's just not gonna work.  If the pitching isn't bad enough, guys like Jamey Carroll and Josh Willingham are nice role players, but not cornerstones to a lineup if Morneau and Mauer struggle.

5. Chicago White Sox
There's just too many question marks for the White Sox this year -- it really says something to be picked to finish behind the Twins, Indians, and Royals for this club.  Paul Konerko can rake (one of the most underrated hitters of the past 2-3 years), but that's about it.  Pierzynski is past his prime, Alex Rios just looks like a huge bust, and the pitching staff will likely be gone by the end of the year (if the club can even find any takers).  It will be a miracle if this team even finishes better than the Cubs.

AL West Preview

Time to head to the American League, and to start things out here on a Tuesday, a look at the AL West.

For the record, the top two teams in this division are as safe of playoff bets as they get, and the bottom two don't have a chance in hell in my book.

JQ's Preseason Picks:
1. LA Angels
2. Texas Rangers
3. Seattle Mariners
4. Oakland A's

1. LA Angels

CJ Wilson helps LA

Sure, they get the biggest free agent prize of the century in Albert Pujols, but CJ Wilson might be the more important pickup for the Halos.  He's not a bona-fide ace, but the Angels didn't need one - they already had a great 1-2 punch in-house with Jered Weaver and Danny Haren, who is the most underrated player in the bigs in my opinion.  Add CJ Wilson at #3, and Ervin Santana at #4, and you've got a dynamite rotation.  While I think Wilson was overpaid (but who's not these days), he adds the strength to the middle of the rotation that LA has been lacking.  With a lineup that includes Pujols, LA will be a sure bet to make the post season.

2. Texas Rangers
Texas won't be far behind LA when it's all said and done, but their pitching depth just isn't quite what the Halos' have.  I don't blame Texas for taking a chance on Yu Darvish, but he miserable track record of Japanese pitchers speaks for itself.  Every sign points to Darvish being the exception, but I'll take the "wait and see" approach.  The Rangers boast an impressive lineup with Josh Hamilton being somewhat of an injury risk, but he's a top 10 player when he's healthy.  Not much else has changed for the Rangers, and I have no reason to think they'll see much of a fall-off this year.  The only difference in the Angels out-spending them this offseason and making the leap.

3. Seattle Mariners
Take your pick 3-4 in this division.  It won't much matter, as neither team is playoff worthy this season.  The Mariners are probably closer than the A's are this year - prying Jesus Montero away from the Yankees was a huge victory for the M's.  They still have Ichiro, and are hoping to get major-bounce back efforts from Justin Smoak and Chone Figgins.  Dustin Ackley has shown a lot of promise, and Miguel Olivo is coming off a decent season behind the dish.  But, once you get past King Felix in the rotation, there's just not much there.  When you list Kevin Millwood as your #3 starter, you've got a problem.

4. Oakland A's
Well, we're still waiting for the Moneyball philosophy to net a World Series title in Oakland, and it 'aint gonna be this year.  The lineup is a patchwork-affair, headlined by newcomers Yoenis Cedpedes and Josh Reddick, and a bunch of guys that a probably past their prime (or never really had one) - Coco Crisp, Kurt Suzuki, etc.  Really, it's the same story as Seattle: when Bartolo Colon is your #2, even coming off a great year, you've got a suspect rotation.

Coming soon to a blog near you: A look at the AL Central.    

Brew Review 3/30 - Harp

If there's one thing in life as much as my fiancé Christina and sports radio, it's a cold beer on a Friday night.  For this week's Brew Review, I take a look at Harp Lager, one of my favorites right now.

The Stats:
Est. Calories: 127
ABV: 4.3 %

The JQ Review:

I'll just lead off by saying nothing beats a good Irish beer around St. Paddy's Day.  While Harp may not be the best Irish beer in the world (heck, I haven't tried them all yet!), it rates pretty high in my book.

If you're looking for something to compare it to, it's a tough call without digging into some micro-brews that I've tried.  It's got a little bit of bite that you would find in a pale ale, yet the smooth finish of a traditional lager.

I'd call it a "pale lager" for those very reasons.

When trying to describe Harp, I'd say it's got sort of a fresh, springy finish with just enough hints of hops to scare off those that don't like the bite.  But, unlike a traditional pale ale, it goes down smooth has a great finish.  It's light only in the sense that it won't fill you up like a dark amber ale or a wheat beer.

I'd highly recommend Harp to everyone - one of the better Irish lagers available.

THE JQ Rating: 8.5/10

NL East Preview

I won't hold anything back - the NL East is my favorite division to watch, and favorite to talk about.  For what it's worth, I also think it's home to three of the best four teams in the NL, so the extra wild card will come from this division in my mind.

Hope you have a good weekend, lets send it out with a look at the NL East:

JQ's Preseason Picks: 
1. Atlanta Braves
2. Philadelphia Phillies 
3. Miami Marlins
4. Washington Nationals
5. New York Mets

1. Atlanta Braves

Can Jurrjens stay healthy?

I can hear the "HOMER" calls coming from a mile away, but hear me out for a second.  Besides the Phillies, its tough to argue that the Braves don't have the second best rotation in the division, with more depth than anyone.  In fact, if all the Braves' hurlers are healthy, I'd put them up against anyone in baseball.  The X-Factor for the Braves this season will be the lineup.  Jason Heyward has had a tremendous spring, and spent the entire off-season working on his swing and conditioning for a season long run.  Freddie Freeman has been one of the best in baseball this spring with his bat, Dan Uggla has been tremendous, picking up right where he left off after the All-Star break last year.  Michael Bourne has stolen more bases than anyone else in baseball over the past couple seasons.  Brian McCann is the best hitting catcher in baseball.  If you believe that Marin Prado can return to 2010 form, and that some combo or Hansen/Hudson/Jurrjens can be healthy to compliment up and comers Minor, Beachy, and Tehran/Delgado in the rotation...this is one dangerous team.  Oh, and did I mention the Braves have the best bullpen in baseball?  Add in Chipper's final season, and I'll take the chance and put the Braves #1.

2. Philadelphia Phillies 
They have the best 1-2-3 rotation in the game, no doubt about it.  I'm not sold on Joe Blanton at all, and am 50/50 on whether or not Vance Worley can have a repeat of 2011.  What concerns me the most about the Phillies is their lineup.  Ryan Howard won't be back until May at the earliest.  Chase Utley is hurt again...who knows when he'll be back.  Polanco is always an injury risk.  That leaves Hunter Pence, Dominic Brown, and....who?  I'm a firm believer that Pappelbon will be an upgrade at the close spot, but the Phils need to stay healthy for this team to be effective.

3. Miami Marlins
I think this team makes the playoffs as one of the wildcards this season - they're that good.  Pitching is the biggest concern for Ozzie's bunch, with Josh Johnson coming back from injury, and Carlos Zambrano suffering from a career-long injury between his ears.  That being said, if Johnson can bounce back, and Zambrano can find some sanity in South Beach, the Fish have a 1-5 that is among the best in the division.  I've always been a Mark Buerhle fan, and Anibal Sanchez and Ricky Nolasco can deal as well.  The Fish also boast one hell of a lineup: The artist formerly known as Mike Stanton, Gabby Sanchez, Logan Morrison, Jose Reyes, and Hanley Ramirez...wow.  I don't like the 'pen as much as some - I think Heath Bell may be nearing the end of his dominance.  It's a tough division, in some others the Fish would likely be on top, but here, I have to put them third.  

4. Washington Nationals 
Had this team signed Prince Fielder, they may have been the favorite to win the division in my mind.  That's a pretty big jump from where this team was to start the decade.  Michael Morse is a beast, and maybe this year will finally be the season he gets the respect he deserves.  Jason Werth can't be any worse than he was a year ago - I'd look for him to have a bounce-back season.  Zimmerman is locked up, and will be solid at the hot corner.  Give the kiddies (Bryce Harper, Stephen Strasburg, Drew Storen, Gio Gonzalez) another year to grow up, and this team is locked and loaded for the future.  

5. New York Mets
The biggest story for the Mets this season will be written on the trading wire.  Will they deal David Wright?  Can they find a taker for Santana?  Can they give away Jason Bay?  Bottom line...this team SUCKS.  I'd easily place them in the running with the Astros for worst club in the NL.  It's a long road to redemption for a club that was on top just a few short years ago.  But things change that quickly in the baseball world, and now the Mets will have to begin the long rebuilding process.

That's a wrap for the week friends.  I'll dig into the AL next week before the REAL opening day on April 4th.  Time for a few pops this weekend while I take in the Final Four.

NL West Preview

Time to head west my friends, home of great arms and mediocre lineups.

I will say that this is probably the toughest division for me to predict - but that being said, here's the preview

JQ's Preseason Picks:
1. Arizona Diamondbacks
2. Los Angeles Dodgers
3. San Francisco Giants
4. Colorado Rockies
5. San Diego Padres

1. Arizona Diamondbacks
You can't argue with good pitching and good hitting, and the Diamondbacks look to have both.  A surprising rotation last year headlined by former Yankee Ian Kennedy looks to be even stronger this year with the addition of Trevor Cahill.  The club resigned Joe Saunders, a formidable #4, and also brings back Daniel Hudson and Josh Collmenter.  On the offensive side of things, if you're looking for the next breakout MVP candidate, look no further than Justin Upton.  He's only 24 years old, and already has 5 years of experience under his belt.  He's the next superstar in my opinion, and this could be his breakout year.

2. Los Angeles Dodgers
Yep, that's right - the LA Dodgers.  Why?  Take a look at this team...three potential all-star bats with Kemp, Loney, and Ethier.  A rotation headed by Clayton Kershaw, the best young arm in the NL, and a legit run at 2-5, with Billingsly, Lily, Harang, and Capuano.  What's holding the Dodgers back is consistency - outside of Kemp and Kershaw, those listed above are a roller coaster ride on a ball-field.  The new ownership situation should help - if the Dodgers can get some production out of their bullpen and find some consistency, they could be the best in the West.

3. San Francisco Giants

Bumgarner could be big in 2012

It gets tricky from here, but I'll give the edge to San Fran based on the old adage that pitching wins championships - and the Giants may have the best 1-2-3 in the NL with Lincecum, Cain, and Bumgarner (and I REALLY like the latter to have a breakout season).  If you believe Barry Zito can still throw a strike or two, San Fran sets up with a nice rotation.  The problem for the Giants in offense - they had some of the worst run support in the league last year for their pitching.  Buster Posey coming back from injury will be a major boost this year, but the rest of the offense is still a question mark.  Pablo Sandoval has potential, Aubrey Huff has been good in the past, and the rest will just have to do their part to get by.

4. Colorado Rockies
The Rockies are the opposite of the Giants... this team can really rake, but may not be able to pitch a lick.  The lineup is incredible - Tulo, CarGo, Cuddyer, Dexter Fowler, Helton...the list goes on and on.  The problem for the Rockies is their rotation could be bad...and I mean REALLY bad.  Their staff ace is Jhoulys Chacin, who had a subpar second half to 2011, but does have some upside.  Jeremy Guthrie holds down the #2 spot - maybe the "change of scenery" theory will do him some good, but he is still a guy with a career ERA north of 4.00 and a WHIP over 1.25.  Colorado is a tough place to pitch in the first place, and the Rockies just don't have a ton of rotation depth right now.

5. San Diego Padres
The good news for the Padres is the future is bright.  They did a great job trading away valuable assets while their value was still high in Mat Latos and Adrian Gonzalez.  They get back a great piece in Yonder Alonso at first base, a load of prospects, and a guy in Edinson Volquez I still think is worth a gamble.  I don't think this club is there yet, but the future looks good.

Coming soon, the NL East, home to the heavy hitters in the league.

Baseball Preview : NL Central

It's been a while, but with spring in the air, I can't stop thinking baseball.  We'll officially dust off the cleats on Friday during the 6 PM on Miller and Brinson and talk some ball, but I figured I'd get things started with a look at many people's favorite division: the NL Central

JQ's Preseason Picks:
1. Milwaukee Brewers
2. Cincinnati Reds
3. St. Louis Cardinals
4. Chicago Cubs
5. Pittsburgh Pirates
6. Houston Astros

1. Milwaukee Brewers

Ryan Braun is back baby!

Even with the loss of Prince Fielder, the Brew crew looks set to contend for the division title in 2012.  Had Ryan Braun not been cleared and had to serve a major suspension, it would have been someone else sitting atop my preseason rankings.  As it is, even sans-Prince, the three way punch of Cory Hart, Braun, and Rickie Weeks should be enough to carry the lineup.  The 'Crew also like Jonathan Lucroy at catcher, buying out most of his arbitration years with a contract earlier this week.  If Zach Grienke can stay healthy and anchor a solid rotation that also includes Yovanni Gallardo and Shawn Marcum, the Brewers should win the division.

2. Cincinnati Reds
The Reds are the other team that seems to be the trendy pick to win the central.  I'm not a Dusty Baker fan - I thought his mis-management of arms over the years has led to shortening of promising careers (see: Mark Prior).  While it's not fair to pile all of the blame on Dusty, he's in another similar situation this year with Mat Latos and Aroldis Chapman.  Latos has a great arm, but has struggled with shoulder problems over the past year and half after being over-used the previous two seasons.  Chapman is a fire-baller that is looking to make the jump to the rotation this year.  Keeping his innings under control while he develops will be key to his future.  On offense, the Reds are set.  Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips, Jay Bruce, and a (hopefully) healthy Scott Rolen should be able to hang with the best of them.  I just don't see as much room for error with the Reds, which is why I put them second.

3. St. Louis Cardinals
Tough to imagine putting the defending champs in third place.  The problem is, you don't lose the best player in the game and not drop a few spots.  While Matt Holiday and Lance Berkman are nice pieces, Pujols was the key to the whole lineup.  Offensively, Pujols will take some time to replace.  On the pitching end, getting Wainwright back is huge, but Carpenter is already having problems with the elbow, which makes you wonder how long it will be before he's effective.  There's just too many questions on both sides of the equation to put the Cards 1 or 2 to start.

4. Chicago Cubs
The Cubs will come a long way this year.  They're not ready to contend yet - that will come over time by re-stocking the farm system, and dumping hefty contracts put in place by the previous administration.  How to fix the Cubs may be a conversation for a different day, but I'd certainly start by trading away some assets now for prospects for the future.  If I'm the Cubs, no player is off limits - even Starlin Castro and Geovanny Soto.  Brett Jackson may be the one untouchable in the system, just because he's an impact player that looks to hit the majors in the next year or so.  The Cubs need to find players that will hit their stride about four years from now by my estimation.  That's their time frame.

5. Pittsburgh Pirates
How long can the Pirates stay in it this season?  They needed an ace...they got an injured AJ Burnett and a injury prone Erik Bedard.  James McDonald and Charlie Morton may have decent arms, but they aren't guys you're going to win a world series with.  They didn't add much offense, although Andrew McCutchen and Neil Walker are nice players.  The best player on the roster is probably closer Joel Hanrahan, but you need to have a lead going in the ninth inning to give him a shot.  For Clint Hurdle's bunch, my suggestion would be to trade McCutchen and get a haul of close-to-major-league-ready prospects in return.  McCutchen is a star in the making - maximize his value now and get the most in return you can.

6. Houston Astros
Well, they still have Wandy Rodriguez and Carlos Lee.  The first should have been traded a year ago, and certainly will be dealt before this year's deadline.  This team has no chance- they need the complete overhaul they're going to get.  The best thing they did last season was trade Michael Bourne and Hunter Pence to contenders.

Coming soon, a preview of the NL West. See you soon.  

RB Marcus Coker granted release from Iowa

It's happened Hawk fans, what we hoped couldn't be true.

Marcus Coker has asked for his release from Iowa - and it's been granted.  From the University:

IOWA CITY, IOWA - - The University of Iowa announced today that sophomore running back Marcus Coker has withdrawn his application to enroll in spring semester classes.  Coker also asked for a release from his football scholarship and that request has been granted. 

 



Bye Bye Coker



So for those keeping track, that's two running backs this year, two last year, one the year before, and you have to go all the way back to Shonn Greene before you find a back that lasted an entire season.  Add in DJK, and you've got some MAJOR questions starting to surface. 

 

Remember those guys - Adam Robinson, Jewell Hampton, Brandon Wegher, Marcus Coker, and Mi'Kail McCall that used to carry the rock at Iowa?  Yeah, they're all gone now, and it's time for Kirk Ferentz to answer one simple question: Why? 

 

By all accounts, Marcus Coker was a "good kid."  So what went wrong?  I'll buy one bad apple, but five? 

 

Sorry Kirk- no more free passes, no more dodging questions, no more hiding behind the podium.  It's time for some real answers...no matter what they may be.

 

 

A Six Pack of Picks - 1/6 Edition

Coming off a 4-2 week, things get a little dicey this weekend in the NFL playoffs.  It's the time of year where we finally get to find out who is for real, and who will get a little bit longer off-season.

The picks this week:

1. Atlanta +3 over NY Giants
I'm not 100% sure Atlanta will win the game (seems foolish to bet against Eli Manning this time of year), but I think they'll keep it extremely close.  Show me a team that has a better 1-2 punch at WR then Atlanta does with Julio Jones and Roddy White (not even mentioning Tony Gonzalez at TE), and I'll gladly debate you.  Atlanta can run the ball with Turner, and have suddenly built up a reputation for having a nasty OL.  NY had to win last week to get in, and I just think Atlanta is the better team here.

2. Pitt -8.5 over Denver
An 8.5 point spread in a playoff game?  Someone doesn't really deserve to be here, as is the case with Denver.  As a Chiefs fan, Janikowski's FG to beat KC in overtime week 16 hurts even more now, as it should have been the Chiefs in this spot.  The Denver defense isn't what it was a few weeks ago pre-Von Miller injury, and Tebow's magic has burnt out.  In the playoffs, Troy Polamalu is THE MAN, and he's been coming on as of late.  It's an easy pick...it could be out of hand early.

Brees is good...really good

3. New Orleans -10.5 over Detroit
If you thought the last spread was a lot, check this one out.  Difference?  Drew Brees.  Sorry Lions fans, but I see the Saints nudged right up against the Packers as the best team in the NFL.  They can score pretty much at will, and I'm looking forward to the Super Bowl before the Super Bowl when the Pack and Saints finally meet.

4. Cincy +3.5 over Houston
The battle of two banged up teams.  The good news for Cincy is Andy Dalton is back from his bout with the flu, and Texas still has some question marks.  Arian Foster is good, and so is Andre Johnson.  Problem is, the QB situation at Houston is still a bit sticky.  Happy for Cincy...until they have to play the Patriots next week.

5. LSU +1.5 over Alabama
For the record, I hate the fact this is a re-match.  I can't stand it.  This game is the perfect example of why college football is broken.  Not because of the BCS...that debate is for another day.  Rather because LSU has been bet back to being an underdog.  THEY'VE ALREADY PLAYED you idiots.  LSU has beaten Alabama, Arkansas, and all other ranked comers.  They've proven they're the best team in college football over and over again, yet still get no love compared to Alabama.  Bama just seems to be one of those "anointed" teams that gets way more respect than they should some years.  On Monday night, Les Miles and the Tigers will prove once and for all, they are the top dog in 2011-12.

6.  Drake over UNI - no line
I'll just take the Dogs straight up in this one, as I couldn't find a Vegas line yet.  Drake is perfect on the season at home, and 0-for eternity on the road.  The game is in the Knapp Center, and Drake has the talent to win this game.  They need to play the game at their pace, instead of letting the Panthers control the tempo.  Drake has outstanding players, and have the talent to contend with most teams in the MVC.  They're just one or two pieces away from breaking out.  Watch the game closely on Saturday night, and you'll be able to see what's missing.  Guaranteed.

Enjoy your weekend - and always remember, the more you bet, the more you win.

A New Year's Six Pack of Picks

A little early for your holiday weekend.  For those keeping track, last week's selections would have gotten you to 2-3 (with one pick still outstanding).  So crack open that champagne, head out to the track, and always remember...the more you bet, the more you win.

1. KC Chiefs +3.5 over Denver
It's a tough week in the NFL, but one game I feel pretty good about is the Chiefs over the Broncs.  Not only because the Chiefs are better on the offensive side of the ball (Tim Tebow is a fraud...), but because the players want Romeo Crennel at the helm.  He needs this win to cement his resume, and his boys will come to play.

2. Green Bay -2.5 over Detroit
You think GB is going to lay down and die for a DIVISION OPPONENT?  I just can't see it.  GB is the better team on offense, and will continue to roll on their home field.  The Lions are already in the playoffs, so they'll sit just as many starters as the Packers in the second half.

3. Minn +1 over Chicago
The Bears suck.  Injuries are a major part of that.  The Vikings suck.  Injuries have a little to do with that.  I'll give the advantage to the Vikes with Toby Gerhart and Christian Ponder over Josh McCown and ??? at RB for the Bears.  Hey, someone has to win...

A bowl win for Iowa?  Don't count on it.

4. Oklahoma -13.5 over Iowa (Insight Bowl)
That Marcus Coker guy isn't going to play for Iowa (don't know if you heard yet), therefore 80% + of the run game is sitting at home.  You can't switch to a spread offense in 15 practices, so while some teams can survive without a running game, the Hawkeyes aren't one of them.  Sorry Hawk fans, but unless Jordan Canzeri, De'Andre Johnson, and Jason White have a third gear we haven't seen yet this season, it's going to be a long night in the desert.

5. Houston -7 over Penn State (TicketCity Bowl)
If you thought the off-field issues were bad for Penn State before, they've only gotten worse.  The QB's are fighting with the receivers, and who will be under center still remains to be seen.  The season can't get over quick enough for the Lions.  On the flip side, Houston was one win away from being in the BCS mix, but because of their conference affiliation, they ended up here.  Case Keenum will go out with a win.  Mark my word.

6. Oregon -5.5 over Wisconsin (Rose Bowl)
The Ducks score a lot of points.  The Wisconsin defense will give up a lot of points.  No matter how well the Badger offense decides to be, the game will be decided on the defensive side of the ball for Wisconsin. I'll take Oregon going away.

Have a great weekend and a happy new year!

Holiday Six Pack of Picks

Happy Holidays to everyone!  Here's your weekly six pack of picks for Christmas weekend.  And trust me, you can take these right to the bank.  As my friend Ken Miller reminds me, the more you bet, the more you win.  HERE WE GO!

1. Kansas City -2 over Oakland
It's not about Kyle Orton in KC, he just happen to come along at the opportune time.  It's about the coach.  With Todd Haley out of the way, Romeo Crennel has a roster stacked with up and comers, and should run the table the rest of the way out.  No offense to Haley, but he had to be the worst in the league at motivating his players.  Crennel getting the bath last weekend was my favorite scene of this NFL season. 

2. Dallas -1 over Philly
It just comes down to who needs it more here.  The division is up for grabs.  Dallas needs the win to basically lock in up, and Philly needs the win and a ton of help to get it done.  If the game is in Philly, I might go the other way, but Dallas won't lose in Jerry's house with a division title on the line.

3. GB -13 over Chicago
Green Bay has had their wake-up call.  And I'll be Jermichael Finley loads up on the stick-em this weekend.  On top of that, Chicago is going with...wait for it...Josh McCown at QB.  Where the hell is Brett Favre when you need him?  Green Bay rights the ship, and seals up home field advantage with the win.

Pass me another Matty Ice, Teddy!

4. Atlanta +7 over New Orleans
Two bitter division rivals.  Two playoff teams.  Too many points.  I'll bet the Saints win the game, and Drew Brees goes crazy, but Matty Ice and the Falcons will keep it close.  This Falcons team in dangerous...they're not one I'd like to face in the postseason. 

5. Prince Fielder's New Team: Milwaukee Brewers
Last week, I'd have thought the Rangers were a lock to sign Prince, but after committing $50 million plus just to TALK with Yu Darvish, I'm not sure Texas has the cash Fielder is asking for.  The Nationals seem to be the team now (after all, they gave a stupid contract to Jason Werth last year, so why not?), but have a great 1B in Michael Morse already.  I think the delay, and teams not wanting to give out ten years and big bucks, will open the door just enough for Milwaukee to make an offer Prince will listen to.  It won't be for ten years, it won't be for $200 million, but why wouldn't Fielder listen to an offer of 6 years and $150 million?  They're a long shot, but I think the Brew Crew creeps back into this thing.

6. Over/Under # of drinks Joe consumes this weekend: 10
I'd say the over is probably a pretty safe bet.  Holidays around the Quinn household mean a few pops with family and friends.  I wish the best to you and your family.  HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Coker, McCall, Fielder, and more

As we head into bowl season, here are a few hot topics we've touched on this week. 

Marcus Coker suspended for Insight Bowl
Nobody seems to know exactly what happened (except those closely involved), and as per the usual, no official answers will ever come from the Hawkeye mafia.  I've heard everything from theft, to assault, to cheating, to taking candy from a baby. 

Whatever Coker did, a feel safe in making a few educated guesses - first, the suspension didn't come from Ferentz.  All of his comments point to the University powers that be making this call.  Second, it sure sounds like it won't be a long term deal.  On his call-in show last night, Ferentz did say that he won't make the trip and they'll have more "next semester."  It makes me think academic, but I'm not sure it fits in this case. 

Everyone I've talked to has said Coker is a good kid, so I have no reason to think the worst...at least not yet.  All we know for sure is he's out for this game, and hasn't been removed from the program.

Mika'il McCall's future at Iowa looks grim
A source in Iowa City told me that it would be "surprising" if McCall ever suited up for the Hawkeyes again.  Unlike Coker, the buzz around McCall has not been positive.  When asked about McCall last night on his call in show, Ferentz was quick to respond with, "...he won't be making the trip." 

We know McCall hasn't been practicing, and was suspended after one carry (and one fumble) in the game against Purdue.  Based on everything that's out there and my gut feeling, I'd say McCall will forever live as a one-quarter wonder in a Hawkeye uniform.

Matt Barkley coming back to USC
Not surprising, but I'm glad to see the kid decide he likes playing college football enough to wait another year before heading to the NFL.  The rookie pay scale in the league no doubt takes some of the risk out of the decision, but still, good for Barkley.

Cubs set to blow up roster and rebuild
Our buddy David Kaplan of CSN Chicago floated this idea out there on the show yesterday, and it makes perfect sense.  The Sean Marshall deal is just a small portion of the equation - unload a costly veteran and pick up a cheap arm for the future in Travis Wood.  Cubs fans need to start thinking about this team two years from now.  Anyone that won't help you two years down the road isn't going to be a good fit. 

Unfortunately, that probably means no Prince Fielder on the North side.  Speaking of which...

Prince Fielder and his ten year deal
The days of ten year deals in MLB should be over.  It's too long.  I have no problem with a five year deal at $30 million per season in the right circumstance, but this is crazy.  In my opinion, any GM thinking of giving ten years is crazy and should be fired.

Happy Holidays everyone!

What's Up Wednesday? CP3 and more...

For this edition of "What's up Wednesday?," I'll take a quick look at some of the things I just don't get from the past week in sports, politics, and more.  Enjoy.

1. Chris Paul being held hostage by the NBA
So the NBA goes on strike for the better part of a year, nearly cancels their entire season, and now the owners are flexing their collective muscles trying to keep a struggling franchise from rebuilding?  WTF IS UP DAVID STERN?  I could see a problem if the Hornets were trying to trade Paul for JJ Barera and a second round pick, but this was a good deal for New Orleans.  They would have gotten two quality players from Houston, a great role player in Lamar Odom from the Lakers, and a first round pick in the deal.  That's almost a rebuilt starting lineup right there.  I'm not sure what the real story is, but my gut tells me the NBA's "small fish" (see: Dan Gilbert) don't want to let LA get any better than they already are.  You can bet the Lakers would have found a way to bring Dwight Howard into the fold, and another NBA "dream team" would have been born.  Only difference would be this one would be built to win - a scorer in Kobe, a distributor in Paul, and best big man in basketball underneath.

2. Cardinals fans being upset over the Pujols signing
Be happy you won't have to grotesquely overpay the man for five or six years down the road.  Is he a great player?  Yes...no question.  Is he the best fit in St. Louis?  I'm not as convinced.  You're already overpaying Matt Holiday, and would have been forced to go north of $200 million to land Pujols.  Pujols is on the decline - maybe it won't be for a few years, but on a ten year contract, you might get five or six quality seasons before age takes its toll. It opens the door to start a new era in St. Louis.

3. Rick Perry
I just don't get the guy.  Does he think the country is eager to elect another George W. Bush?  I get it...you're from Texas, probably carry a gun, and for some reason can't remember what you want to do if elected.  Those three facts alone probably don't qualify you for the job.     

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rosepetal236/2610974981/sizes/z/in/photostream/

Six Pack of Picks - 12/9

I think I'll make this a new Friday tradition here on the site - six picks for your weekend enjoyment.  Go out, have a couple of afternoon pops, start your weekend early, and take these bad boys right to the bank.

Fair disclosure, I've haven't done worth a damn over the past month, so you'll most likely get taken to the cleaners.  That being said, here we go!

1. NFL: Miami -3 over Philly
Not that Miami is that good, but Philly looks like they've given up on the season.  With each week that goes by, it starts looking more and more like Andy Reid will need to pick up some change of address forms after the season.  Maybe Michael Vick, too, if he can't stay healthy.  The NFL's "dream team" looks like they should be playing in the CIML, and I'd probably pick the Colts to beat them at this point. 

Don't worry - I'm just holding the other one...

2. NFL: Jets -10.5 over KC
Rex Ryan might run his mouth a lot, but he also puts up when he needs to.  The Jets are a team that has been hard to figure out this year, but look to me like they've been more consistent as of late, winning two in a row and are 5-1 at home. There are five teams in the AFC (including NYJ) that are 7-5, likely battling for one playoff spot.  The Jets need this one.   And besides, KC sucks.  I'm actually thinking about cheering for them to stick Stanzi under center as see what he can do.

3. NFL: San Fran -3.5 over Arizona
So a team that's 10-2 is only a three and a half point dog to a team that's 5-7?  Am I missing something here?  A win over Dallas does not make Arizona a quality team (see: stupid coaching decisions- who ices their own kicker?), and San Fran is the second best team in the NFL right now.  This one is an easy call.

4. NFL: Denver -3.5 over Chicago
Well, hate it or love it, Tim Tebow is a winner.  It aint pretty, but the kid makes DJ Khalid proud.  If Jay Cutler is under center for Chicago, it's a different story.  But Denver gets it done at home and wins by a TD.

5. NCAA BB: Iowa State -9.5 over Iowa
All favorites so far, so why switch now?  I love Royce White, I like Chris Babb, and I can tolerate Scott Christopherson for ISU.  As for Iowa?  Four technical fouls against an MVC school is just unacceptable.  It was a 20 point blowout that Iowa handed UNI on a silver platter...don't forget - it was a two point game when the T's starting flying.  Basabe looks like he's taken three steps back this year, Cartwright has been a cry-baby so far, and Gatens is still the pedestrian 10 points a game guy he was when he came in as a freshman.  Sorry Hawks, this one goes to ISU.

6. Andrew Luck wins the Heisman Trophy
It should go to Robert Griffin III, and I hope it does.  But Andrew Luck is the chosen one.  Remember the same guys that vote on these kind of awards haven't put Joe Jackson or Pete Rose in the Hall of Fame yet. 

Have a great weekend.

How good are the Angels?

With Albert Pujols signing with the Angels, it's hard to think that anyone else will be able to contend in the AL West.  However, I'm convinved it won't be the Angels offense that will carry them into the playoffs, it will be their pitching.

By acquiring CJ Wilson (who might be the highest paid #3 starter in the bigs now...), the Angels will trot out Jared Wever, Danny Haren, Wilson, and Ervin Santana.  For my money, that's as good of a rotation as what Philly brings, and it's a heck of a lot younger.

The better news for Angels fans, is with Albert taking over 1B/DH duties (and yes, I think Pujols will see time at DH as soon as next season), it makes either Kendry Morales or Mark Trumbo expendable, and thus available for trade. 

While the Angels already have a surplus of starting pitching, the team could look to trade Morales or Trumbo to add another pitcher or some young guns for the farm system.  If they team has one weakness, it might be the bullpen...but then again, what team couldn't use another arm out of the pen?

Bottom line: The Halos are set.  With an outfield that features Torii Hunter, Vernon Wells (assuming he can bounce back...), Peter Bourjos, AND Mike Trout, and a decent infield with Erik Aybar, Alberto Callapso, and Maicer Izturis, them team is loaded and ready to contend now. 

Today's moves make the Marlins look like small fish.  The Angels are for real.

High School Hoops - Hoover is GOOD.

It was a great way to start our high school hoops coverage last night, with two close games at Urbandale High School .

In the end, the Hoover girls and boys were both victorious, so we'll give the battle for Aurora Avenue to the Huskies.

A couple of observations - for the Hoover girls, a team with a proud basketball tradition that has struggled the last few years (and the first game of the season), it was nice to see them get into the win column early this season.  They won four games a year ago, and should easily pass that mark this season.  I really liked the way Sunday Duop played last night - she's got a nice move to the basket off the dribble, and has enough size to be a legitimate rebounding threat.

The Urbandale girls struggled to score when they needed points late in the game, and I'll chalk that up to youth more than anything.  Urbandale played a handful of sophomores last night and two freshman.  Even though top scorer Bailey Egger is a senior, the bulk of Coach Tiby's team are underclassmen.  They'll get a lot better as the year progresses, and could be really good in coming years.

Same story holds true for the Urbandale boys... a lot of youth, especially at key positions.  The big men for Urbandale need some seasoning, and will get better as the year progresses.  The point-guard combo of Alexander and Razor will work out well for Coach Bjorkgren...both of them have the ability to make good cuts and get to the rim.  The Jayhawks missed free throws in key situations last night, the mark of a young team.

As for the Hoover boys, look out.  This team is built to win now.  I thought the Huskies would struggle after losing top scorers Kelly Madison and Onterior Brown, but Coach Henderson's bunch has reloaded for another run deep into the state tournament.  We all knew Dwight Sistrunk Jr. would be good this season, but he was lights out last night.  Very few turnovers, several great assists, and he showed the ability to cut to the basket anytime he felt like it, including when he was double teamed.  He has two great shooters in Louie Ingoli and Cameron Woods on the wings, and forward Golat Toang showed flashes of brilliance last night.  Toang has put on some muscle over the off-season, and looks to be poised to jump onto the scene as the next star player in the CIML.  He can jump out of the gym and has good speed - so good, in fact, he over-ran some of the plays last night and got himself out of position.   Hoover is back folks...keep and eye on the Huskies.

Friday night we make our way to Valley High School for the Tigers vs. DM Roosevelt.  6 PM pregame, with the girls tipping off around 6:15.

Read more: http://www.kxno.com/pages/kxnoprepreport.html#ixzz1fDqR9tSW

Oh, and by the way...

Big breaking news from Ferentz's press conference today.  No Mika'il McCall and no Jordan Canzeri on the road at Nebraska this weekend.  McCall violated a team rule, and Canzeri still hasn't been able to practice.  Here's what Ferentz had to say on McCall:

Mikail McCall

Q. Can you elaborate on McCall?
 FERENTZ: He won't be with us. Violated team policy.
Q. Was it something after Purdue, after the game?
COACH FERENTZ: I think the fact he's not going this week, it's probably safe to assume that, yeah, something I learned afterwards, so...
Q. Just a one-week deal with him?
COACH FERENTZ: Haven't made that decision yet. We'll just take it a week at a time right now. I'm just trying to get through Friday. That's where I'm at.

That means Jason White and De'Andre Johnson will take over the #2 and #3 spots on the depth chart at RB.  A scary thought for Hawk fans at two levels: you don't have an explosive "change of pace" back, and you're looking at having to rely on one of those two guys if Coker goes down.

Iowa's overcome injuries and adversity at the RB spot before (remember when Coker was thrust into the spotlight last year?), but it makes you nervous thinking that such a pivotal part of Iowa's offense in one injury away from a big time question mark.

3 Players: Iowa vs. Nebraska

It's Farmageddon time!  (Or whatever you prefer to call it - I like Iowa vs. Nebraska, but you know...)

The Hawks start a new rivalry this Friday, and will come into the game as 9.5 point underdogs. The game seems to have lost a lot of cache, as both teams have failed to live up to their fan's expectations (welcome to Iowa football), but will still end up having an impact on what Bowl games both teams are destined for.  If Iowa is going to win the game, here are the three players that will need to step up.

And for the record, in the previous "3 players" entry for the game vs. Michigan State, McCall didn't see the field, Nielsen had a mediocre game, and Norm was...well...he was Norm and not much else.  Iowa got rolled, so I'll give myself a win.

1. Jordan Bernstine, S
You could make an argument that every player on the Iowa defense is going to have to play lights out if Iowa is going to win.  Against Nebraska, you've got a few extra challenges.  Rex Burkhead is a monster in the backfield, Taylor Martinez can still burn you with his feet, and has finally started to figure out how to throw the football.

When there's a big threat to run, it usually means the front four and linebackers need to step up.  Well, I'm just not sold that the big men in the trenches are capable this season, and the linebackers have been so-so throughout the year with a few flashes of brilliance.  When you start talking about a safety being involved to slow down the run, you know it's not a good thing, BUT, sometimes it's the way things play out.  Bernstine has shown real promise at times this season.  Literally, the difference between a gain of three and a gain of four could be what this game comes down to.  That's where having an active safety can save you. 

2. Keenan Davis, WR
Everyone and their dog knows Marvin McNutt can play.  Nebraska will make sure he's covered up more plays than not.  That means someone else is going to pose a "big play" threat down field, and that someone has to be Keenan Davis.  I like the way Martin-Manley plays, and he has a bright future, but in what's been a somewhat disappointing season, Davis needs to have a big day in Lincoln. 

3. The Iowa Fans
A little cliche, don't you think?  That's why I saved it for the end.  Former ISU QB Austen Arnaud told us that the entire stadium shakes in Lincoln when the crowd gets behind the Huskers, sort of like how an X-Box controller shakes in your hands.  How ever many Iowa fans manage to weasel their way into Memorial Stadium will need to cheer extra loud to help the Hawks feel at home in a hostile environment.       

ISU fans call for no more games vs. Drake? REALLY?

After watching Drake beat Iowa State at the Knapp Center last night, I woke up this morning to this little gem on my daily cruse through CycloneFanatic.com:

Despite our lackluster performance last night, there is still no reason that team should have lost to Drake last night. Our players were recruited to Iowa State because their talent was Big 12 level, not Missouri Valley. When you play in Hilton Coliseum in front of 12k to 14k fans, and the other arenas in the Big 12, it can be very difficult to transition down to play a game in a glorified high school gymnasium full of 4k to 5k fans. This letdown, along with Drake's extra motivation to beat the BCS conference team, plays extremely far into Drake's (and any other mid-major)'s favor. Mizzou does not play Missouri State; Kansas and Kansas State do not play Wichita State.... it's time for Iowa State to only play this game at home, at Wells Fargo, or else not at all. If this team hits its stride in Big 12 play, and develops a tournament resume, last night's game at Drake will be a thorn in our side, and possibly even a burst our bubble. It is time to quit catering to a private school who's success directly hampers our ability to compete and reach the next level. We might as well play a schedule North Carolina or Duke if we're going to lose at Drake, instead.

Nothing against the poster, you're certainly entitled to your opinion.  Now, let me express mine...

Let me shed a little light on the subject.  I agree with your first two sentences - there's no way Iowa State should lose to Drake.  Big 12 talent (especially the likes of Royce White, Chris Babb, and co.) shouldn't be losing games to a middle-of-the-pack MVC school. 

Too bad after that, your analysis totally goes to hell. 

Your contention that the size of the arena somehow contributed to the loss is total crap.  If you can't win in a "glorified high school gym" (your words), then how do you ever expect to win on the road at KU?  Or Baylor?  Or Texas?  The reason Drake is on your schedule in the first place is so you can get a win on the road over a mid-major program from a quality conference.  It would go a ways to help YOUR tournament resume- wins at home over cupcakes aren't going to get you an at-large bid.  

The more important issue here is why ISU lost the game, and in my mind it comes down to two key things. 

First, Iowa State hasn't developed any kind of "chemistry" yet on offense or defense.  Too many times down the court, it wound up being a one-on-one situation - one player brings the ball up the court, tries to make something happen, and ends up settling on an off balance shot driving wildly into the lane.  There was no set play, no scheme, just ballin'.  That won't work against a veteran team like Drake that's played together for a full year. 

On defense, there were some awful matchups.  On at least three occasions, I saw Scott Christopherson guarding Jordan Clarke (PF) while Royce White was on Karl Madison (PG).  Coach Hoiberg hit the nail on the head in the postgame- the team threw the defensive game plan out the window.  They don't understand the concept of "team defense" yet.  There needs to be more organization on both ends of the court.  For the first time since Mark Phelps arrived at Drake, it looked like the Bulldogs were in a solid scheme for all 40 minutes. 

The other red flag for Iowa State is their lack of size.  Royce White (6'9") was the biggest man on the court last night for ISU, and even he got out-muscled inside on a number of occasions.  If you got beat up by Drake, imagine what KU or Baylor will do.  ISU didn't run many fast breaks last night, and they may have to get out of the halfcourt, grind-it-out offense if they don't magically find some size.  

Iowa State may have top-25 talent, but they are far from a top-25 team.  The good news for ISU fans is Hoiberg is a good coach, and knows what has to be done.  By the time January rolls around, it will be a completely different team.  

I doubt Drake will be coming off the schedule any time soon.  And I wouldn't count on Duke or North Carolina coming to Hilton either. 

Can there be a "fair" trial for Sandusky?

For the record, I hate this story.  I wish it would go away and never come back.  That being said...

Bob Costas added yet another tremendous interview to his resume last night, as he had Jerry Sandusky on the phone, lawyer by his side, on Brian William's "Rock Center."  Give credit to Costas, who I consider to be one of the premier sports commentators of our time, for asking the right questions.

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Does Sandusky sound like an innocent man?  No.  Not even close.  Should he have to stop and think about whether or not he's sexually attracted to young boys?  Nope.  That should be an easy one.

What's starting to worry me about this case, is that the United State Constitution provides for a "fair" trial for those accused of a criminal offense.  With all the media hype and strong opinions being floated, they may have to move this trial to Mars to find an impartial jury. 

So while Mr. Costas may have another great interview on his resume, he may have been playing right into the hands of the defense by throwing this lunatic on national TV.  The last thing any of us want to see is a long legal battle that puts Sandusky back on the street through some loophole.    

Six-Pack of Picks

Call it a "sneak peak" if you want, be here's the six games I'm taking a look at for today's show - you can hear the complete breakdown around 6:15 on 1460 KXNO. 

NCAA:

1. Minnesota +27.5 over Wisconsin
Yes, Wisconsin will be leaving Minneapolis with Paul Bunyan's Axe.  And, Minnesota stinks.  BUT, I personally don't think they stink 27.5 points.  The Gophers are coming off their two best games of the season, a win over Iowa and a seven point loss to Sparty on the road.  There's no way Minnesota wins the game, but they play well enough in the rivalry game to keep it close.

2. Iowa +2.5 over Michigan State
Looking back two weeks ago, I liked Iowa's chances over Sparty better than I did against Michigan and Denard Robinson.  The Hawks defense woke up last week, and I like their chances against a pocket-passing Kirk Cousins much better than the mobile QB's they faced against Michigan and Minnesota.  Iowa wins the game outright, and heads to Purdue looking for their first road win of the year.

3. K-State +5 over Texas A&M
A&M has been somewhat inconsistent this year, losing four games, but to four good teams.  K-State has been the biggest surprise in the Big 12, giving Oklahoma State all they could handle last week.  The game is at K-State, and in my mind, the wrong team is favored.  Give me the Wildcats and the points.

NFL

4. Atlanta +1 over New Orleans

Matty Ice?  Yes please!

"Matty Ice" should finally get all of his weapons back this week.  Julio Jones had quite the coming out party last weekend, and Roddy White is finally (and I mean FINALLY) getting close to full speed.  Add in Tony Gonzalez and Michael Turner in the backfield, and this is an offense that can stand up to anyone in the league.  New Orleans isn't without weapons - I love what Darren Sproles has been able to do, and rookie Mark Ingram is on his way back from injury.  If the game was in New Orleans, it might be a different story, but I'll take the Dirty Birds in the Georgia Dome.

5. Green Bay -14 over Minnesota
All the stars have aligned against the Vikings in this one - Rookie QB?  Check.  First trip to Lambeau?  Check.  Prime time TV on Monday Night Football?  Check.  Oh, and the fact you're squaring off against the consensus mid season MVP and the defending Super Bowl champs?  Sorry Vikes fans, it's not going to happen. 

6. KC -3 over Denver

Tim Tebow, say hello to Tamba Hali.  And Derek Johnson.  And Brandon Flowers (yes, I think the secondary will play a role in this one).  An option offense just won't work in the NFL...especially when you go on TV and tell the opponent that's what you're going to do.  I can see the smile on John Elway's face already - my bet is Tebow get speared at some point in this game and is carried off the field.  For his sake, he's just lucky Eric Berry is injured.  KC gets the ship pointed back in the right direction with a win over Denver. 

Enjoy your weekend.