Hump Day

Nothing new really to report today, really a slow day in sports. I don't know about you guys, but I have no interest in the Super Bowl this weekend. The storylines for me are a little too forced. For instance, we know about Peyton Manning and his big game performances or lack thereof in his career. And we know he got over one hump against the Patriots. And we know that he really isn't over this "thing" until he wins the Super Bowl. And we know we don't really care one way or another. Another storyline being shoved down our throats is how both coaches are black, a first. In fact, it's the first time a black head coach has led a team to a Super Bowl. Isn't this more disturbing than praise-worthy? It just speaks to how exclusive the head coaching fraternity is in the NFL, and how pitiful the diversity among head coaches over the last 40 years has been. Either way though, I'm sick of hearing about that too. That's the problem with the Super Bowl. The media doesn't have a choice but to overdue stories and come up with ones with hardly any relevance. There's two weeks in between conference championships and the Super Bowl. It's simply too much time for those who don't have any stock in the game whatsoever. Am I just making too big a deal out of this? Am I just grumpy that there's still two whole weeks (two weeks from this very day for the Sox actually), until spring training starts? I don't know. Regardless, my top priority Sunday is crashing somewhere with good eats. And that's about it really.
On another note, thanks to all of those who joined the Facebook group we made, "WaveNaion Fan Club". An even bigger thanks to those who actually read us on a constant basis. Feel free to drop us a line at our email or the comments and let us know what you think, what you want, or damnit how you feel if you've had a bad day. Basically just let me and Raymond know we're not writing for nothing, and people may actually be reading our stuff. Anyway, that is all. Good day, kids.
-MC
14 days until Sox fun in the sun...

Schill

Bloody sock legend Curt Schilling, who is on the last year of his contract, decided this morning that he will be toeing the mound for at least two more seasons, although he is not positive about pitching in Fenway in 2008. Citing his family as one of the main driving forces behind his return, I feel it safe to say that he will sign an extension with the Sox before the season starts for financial security. You would think that a guy who has pitched in the majors since the mohawk was in style and has over 200 wins would be financially secure, right?. Well, the truth is that even a man like Curt needs to eat, and it seems that he needs to feed his upstart video game company, Green Monster Games. (you can check out their website at the bottom) Schill has assembled some of the biggest names in the industry, such as Spawn creator Todd McFarlane, and needs to finance the company, so why not come back for one more glorious year. And plus, who wouldn’t want a few (or probably 12) extra mil.

Dave

Everybody...to the quad!!! We're going streaking!!

Historically, the Sunday before the Super Bowl is a drag. After 20 straight weeks of football, the NFL teases everyone by giving their fans a week off before the biggest game of the year. Usually not much fun. The guys at Surviving Grady called it possibly the worst sports day of the year. It could not have been further from the truth; if you enjoy streaks at least. Sunday saw three pretty impressive streaks extended. Tiger Woods stretched his PGA Tour tournament winning streak to seven straight victories. The man who is quickly becoming the best tennis player of all time, Roger Federer, won his third straight major (Australian Open), his sixth in his last seven tries, and his 36th match overall. Although, does the guy really need to fall down and start sobbing like a little girl after he wins so frequently? It is still tennis, got to keep that in mind. And the Phoenix Suns joined in the streaking, winning their 17th straight game, dismantling LeBron James' Cavaliers in Cleveland.

These are three great examples of how each respective sport is to be played. Each are dominating their sports at historic rate. There is hardly any question whether or not Tiger and Federer are the best ever in their sports. They are. And the Suns, who seem like they may never lose another NBA game, could be the most dominating single-season team in league history, at least statistically speaking. Watching a bit or all of all three of each party's conquest Sunday, you just knew how each would end up. That is the true defining factor of how dominating a player or team is. There was no question at one point or another before the conclusion of each contest, who was going to come out on top. When you watch these guys, you're watching history. Like watching these guys is what it was like for the generation before us to watch Jack Nicklaus play golf. Hell, watching Tiger Woods dominate a golf tournament has got to be comparable to something like the way Babe Ruth dominated baseball in the 20s. This is big time stuff people. I'd compare Federer to something, but it's tennis and you can't really compare it to anything else or anyone else, because the guy is just in a league of his own. He's better than Sampras, Agassi, you name it. And the Suns could be our generation's Showtime Lakers, minus the rings for now. Maybe I'm throwing around names and teams I shouldn't be, but come on. If you caught any of these three today, you were very lucky. It's history right before eyes. When you're old, you'll read it. In a book. Happy Monday, kids.
-MC

The Long Awaited Return

No worries, kids. I am alive. And I'm back. Spring semester started back up, as did baseball fully equipped with 6 a.m. lifts. I'm devoted to the Nation though and now I'm back. I'm back today with just some commments regarding all things sport.

The Denver Nuggets - Bo wanted me to write a whole post devoted to the new tandom of Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony in the Mile High City. And then I got to thinking about it, and realized that would require me to write upwards of 500 words about an NBA teamed not from Boston. I just can't do it. I will say this about the Nuggets. The trade doesn't mean anything. It makes a decent team good in a great conference. Does anyone really believe that the Nuggets can play with the likes of Dallas, San Antonio, or Phoenix? Carmelo, AI, and company do not play defense. God help them if they run into the offensive buzzsaw that is the Phoenix Suns. They're a stopper, a true point guard, and a couple more stoppers away from being true contenders. Until then, they're not beating the aforementioned teams and will have to resort to being just fun to watch.
JD Drew - He signed with the Red Sox. You've all had seven weeks to discuss and analyze the deal, its implications, and how Drew will fare. So I'm not going to, but I'm glad it's over with and I'm very confident with the team that's going to Fort Myers in a short two and a half to three weeks.
Super Bowl XLI - It took all the restraint in the world not to write a whole post about how nice it was to see the Patriots get knocked off, but hell it was very nice. I'm not going to gloat or anything, the Colts aren't my team or anything, but like I said I do enjoy watching Pats lose. And Bill Bellichick is an assclown. He's as close as there is to a genius as there is in football, but an assclown nonetheless. Guy can't take losing. Is it time to demote Tom Brady from a god to like a saint or something now too? Four picks in two weeks, including the back-breaker on the final drive of the game. I'm happy for Peyton Manning, I think his time is here too. I wouldn't be surprised if he and the Colts go on a Pats-esque run of Super Bowl wins now. That is, if he gets past that Chicago Bears defense. I like his chances though after watching Drew Brees tear them up last week in a losing effort. My early inclination says Colts 31, Bears 24.

Just one last note, make sure you check out Tiger Woods' new Buick commercial. Absolutely hilarious. Just know that while watching it, that Tiger does his own stunts. That, and he'd make a great middle linebacker.
That's all I've got for now. Back soon. -MC

Buzzer Beater

Sean Marshall and BC pulled out a close one last night at the buzzer, just a great game (really a great finish). It was a testament to the will of the Sean William-less team, a team who will be fearless against any opponent despite the glaring lack of depth. Tyrese Rice is playing at an extremely high level right now, and dominated the game last night.
I don’t really have much else to report, the win last night was the first good sporting news in a while, since in the last week BC hockey lost twice to Vermont, basketball lost to Clemson, and that whole football fiasco. (Apparently you can run into receivers in the endzone without attempting to make a play on the football without a penalty. That is, only if you are wearing a Colts uni, if not, first and goal at the one.)
Enough sour grapes. What I do have to look forward to is BU/BC hockey tonight in Conte Forum. Should be fun. Also, tickets to the Beanpot Tournament between Harvard, Northeastern, BU, and BC go on sale tomorrow at 7 AM, so my buddies and I are planning to take a taxi over to the ticket office at 6:30. It is not Duke basketball, we don’t have to go camping. This is a very good thing in New England. Have a good one.

Dave

Uh oh

Clemson took it to BC today. It was close for most of the first half, then Clemson went on something like a 11-1 run to end the half and was up 8 at the break. Clemson stretched it out to about 15 and was never really threatened for the rest of the game. Won by 20 I think. There was a point in the second half when BC scored at got within 10, and they were sucking me back into thinking they could win the game. Then they gave up successive non transition layups, and I cried. Without Williams, this team will struggle for the rest of the season, and will need some big wins to make it to the dance. At 5-1 in the ACC and 13-5 overall, even if they go 6-5 in their last 11 to finish at 19-10, the tournament committee might look at them as a 6-6 team, because that is what they are without Williams. I hope they can right the ship and get a few more wins, but Wednesday was a sad day for the university, and a sad day for the two young men involved.
I tried not to make NFL picks this week, but I am just to excited not to. I really don’t think there has been a single game in the last few years that I have been as pumped to watch as the Colts-Pats tomorrow. I’m going to have to take the two road dogs this week, lets go Pats over Colts, 25 – 18 (don’t ask why). Saints over Bears, 20-17.

Hook That Horn

For the first time in a long time, I have woken this morning feeling excited about the Celtics. It's true, the Celtics did not play last night. And if they did, I'm sure they would lose, and look pretty bad doing it. With the amount of the injuries the C's have right now, they are the worst team in basketball. It's not even that close in my opinion. However, hope came out of something at least last night. And it wasn't even near Causeway Street. It wasn't even in the same time zone. In icy Stillwater, Okla. last night, the Oklahoma State Cowboys took down the Texas Longhorns in a triple-overtime classic. I don't even want to call it a classic. That doesn't do it justice. This game was one of the best college basketball games in the last ten years, tournament or not. The encouraging sign for Celtics' fans should've been generated by the freakish man-child pictured above. That man, or boy even (he was born on 9/30/88!!!), is Kevin Durant. Durant is hands-down the best freshman in the college and is taking the Big 12 by storm. The 6-9 swingman leads the conference in points and rebounds. After registering 37 points and 12 rebounds last night to go along with four blocks, Durant's averages sit at 24.5 points per game, and 11.5 rebounds per game. He is averaging 34 ppg in conference play. He is the real deal, a combination in my eyes of Kevin Garnett and Tracy McGrady. And as he showed last night, even as an 18-year old freshman, he is not afraid to take over a game. Every big shot the Longhorns took last night came from Durant. He showed no fear. I for one hope that Durant comes out of college after this year. I am a fan of David Stern's rule saying that kids can no longer come out of high school and enter the draft, but with Kevin Durant, it would not have mattered. This is where Celtics fans, like myself should be excited. The Celtics obviously suck. If they keep sucking (they most likely will), they will have the best chance of acquiring the first overall pick in the NBA Draft in June. With that pick, I hope they would take Durant. Sure, Greg Oden will probably be available as well, and the Celtics should be happy to get either. In Oden, you have a legitimate center prospect, something extremely rare in today's game. And two weeks ago, I'd be all for taking the Ohio State big man. Not anymore though. I think it will take Oden a few years to really come into his own. Sure, playing with his offhand has slowed Oden some this year, and he's still been great. But it just doesn't seem he is totally ready yet. When he comes totally into his own, he will be amazing, but Durant is ready to be amazing now. And hopefully he can be amazing in Celtic green. The Celtics are off until Friday when they take on the Sacramento Kings. It almost hurts me to say it, but go Kings. The Celtics will be better off for it, as they limp towards the end of the season. They'll need as much help as they can to get the number one pick. Even then, nothing's guaranteed. It's all about the way the ping pong balls bounce. Just ask Rick Pitino.

-MC

Playoffs!??

Yes, Jim Mora, I am talking about playoffs. This week we have an exciting slate of matchups in the AFC, and if last week was any indication, the NFC should be good as well. I figure I might as well try my hand at some picks, but don’t take these to the bank, I have always been more enamored with ex post facto analysis. Here we go anyway.

Colts at Ravens- I really haven’t seen the Ravens this year, but I have seen enough Peyton Manning. And I am not very impressed. Ravens 31 Colts 24

Pats at Chargers- The toughest game for me because I am a Pats fan. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Changers come out and dominate, but then again Brady and Belichick are 11-1 together. I got to go with my gut here though, I think Phil Rivers can get them the win. Plus I like Nate Kaeding over Gostkowski. San Diego 27 New England 21

Eagles at Saints- I feel like this one is going to be all Saints. You have to believe that even if it is any different the refs and replay officials will make sure that America’s new team will win this one. Saints 30 Eagles 17

Seahawks at Bears- If the Bears are who I think they are, then they will have too much pride to loose this game in a cold Chicago. The Seahawks shouldn’t be there anyway, and I don’t think they are a “team of destiny,” Tony Romo just blew the game. Bears 20 Seahawks 13


That's all I got,

Dave

Rogahhh, Rogahhh, Rogahhh...

Roger Clemens is going to pitch again this year. That much has become pretty inevitable. The mystery is in regards to which uniform he will be donning. Will it be the hometown pinstripes of the Houston Astros, the pinstripes of the New York Yankees, or the scarlet hosiery of the Olde Towne Team? It's becoming pretty obvious that it's going to be the New York Yankees. It makes the most sense in a few ways. The main being that the Yankees need him, or at least they think they do. The 44-year old Clemens has shown nothing but the ability to keep pitching well. So the Yankees would be interested in adding another pitcher, especially after trading away Randy Johnson, in an attempt to get younger. Right, signing a 44-year old kind of contradicts the youth movement, but apparently the Yankees are willing to put that on hold for the chance to sign the Rocket. Also, the Yankees inked Andy Pettite (who is in my opinion, not going to do much this year), who is painfully well-known as Clemens' work out buddy and best friend. A little sidetrack here, but who gives a damn? Clemens is a big boy, does he really need to confide in Pettite when he makes decisions? When Clemens is at Subway debating on whole wheat or Italian herbs and cheese on his foot-long BLT, does he call Pettite to see what he would choose, or chose recently? Whatever. Also, it's clear that Clemens is going to want a lot of money for his short-term service. No surprise that the Yankees have that cash. This is where the Red Sox come into the picture. As a Sox fan who doesn't want Clemens to come "full circle" and end his career in Boston, I feel that the Red Sox do not need him. They already have one of, if not the best rotations in the American League (Daisuke-pending). I just don't see the point in investing all of that money into a guy who will pitch half a season. That, and I'm still bitter about Clemens pissing away his last few years here, when it seemed he was more likely to hit the clubhouse buffet harder than he hit the gym. But from a financial aspect, after spending the money the Red Sox spent this offseason (Dice-K: 103 mil, Lugo: 36 mil, Drew: 70 mil, Piniero: 6 mil), is there really room for Clemens? I think they financially don't need him, along with having a solid enough rotation as it is. And don't get started with nostalgia, or "he can teach the young guys new stuff". Jon Papelbon is already a stud, and will get that much better and polished with innings. Not Roger Clemens. As far as the Houston Astros, Clemens' most recent employer go, he's not going back there. Sure, he's got the whole being home thing, and not going on road trips going for him, but he also won't get any run support. He'll get more run support in 8-10 starts with the Sox or Yankees than he will in 20 with the Astros. So if he really wants to win, he'll go north.

I'm putting the odds of Clemens going back to the Bronx at like 60%. I really can't wait either. There are so many Red Sox fans who are talking about how excited they are about the possibility of Clemens coming back and being one with the chapel of Fenway Park again. So what happens when Clemens gets an absurd amount of money to go pitch against them with the New York Yankees? What happens to the Clemens advocates then? Are they still going to be ready to embrace the Rocket when he's pitching for a division title in Fenway in September wearing the visiting grey? I can't wait for that at least. I just hope that if he ends up in New York, he goes (big) belly up come this fall.

-MC

(Insert favorite school here) Wins National Title!!

Football and basketball national championships. It is the first time that one school holds both at the same time. It is the ultimate dream of every athletic director and every fan. If I had to make a list of the best schools in both sports in the last couple of season it would look like this 1. Florida, 2. Texas, 3. Ohio State, 4. LSU, 5. Wisconsin, 6. West Virginia, 7. Louisville, 8. BC (just had to throw them in). Now typical football schools also demand excellent basketball teams (Texas), and typical basketball schools are moving into the upper echelon of Division 1-A football (Uconn). Every coach is now asking his AD for a bigger weight room, more funding, and that is put onto the boosters who in return demand wins from all the university’s teams. But here is the truth: now everybody has the proverbial “big weight room.” With the allocation of resources to sports at most division 1 institutions, every school feels like they could win a national championship. As you see a school like Florida come from nowhere to dominate the competition, the George Masons and Boise States of this world are now believing they could win one now. Parody can be found on every street corner. Wake Forest football was a game or two away from playing for the national title. Who couldda believed that? In this age, it is awesome to be a fan because any team can win. The drawback is that teams can fall off the map faster than Percy Harvin’s 40 time. Just ask Miami or Florida State football, or ask that same Wake Forest how their basketball team has been doing lately. These teams could easily turn it around, and win a championship in a year or two down the road. In the final AP Poll, one voter had Boise State as their national champion. Now everybody asks, could we be next?

Dave

Florida Swamping

As it stands right now, there is about eight and a half minutes remaining in the BCS National Championship. With Ohio State running it up the middle on third and long, they've just told the world they're done. No kidding. The Buckeyes were done out of the tunnel. Ted Ginn, Jr.'s 93=yard kick return on the opening kickoff was a fluke it seems in hindsight. The Florida Gators are going to win the National Championship going away. Thank God we had to wait 50 days for this. As a fan of neither squad, I was just hoping for a good football game. No dice. Florida was good, yes, they were very good, but Ohio State was terrible. In every aspect of the game, they were dominated. They rolled over and gave up in the second quarter. Of the National Championship. C'mon now. Florida just killed the clock, by the way and it's over.

All we heard for the weeks leading up to this was how great Troy Smith was. Yeh, well, he went 4 of 14 for 36 yards and a pick. Fantastic. Jim Tressel, supposedly one of the best coaches in the nation, which he is. Not tonight. Going for it on fourth and short on his own 35 with his team down 10 points in the second quarter. That was basically the game right there, as Florida piled on 10 more points after that to take the 20 point lead into halftime. Sure, people thought Florida could take Ohio State. I don't think anyone saw a blow out. And they shouldn't have really. The ones who took Florida, and the ones who took Ohio State for that matter, actually thought the Buckeyes would show up. That didn't happen though obviously.

While we're at it, this one was very reminiscent of the Rose Bowl in which a favored Michigan squad got picked apart by USC. Which leads me to this conclusion. Get over the Big Ten. The fact that the Buckeyes got dump-trucked, should even further quiet those who were advocates of a Ohio State-Michigan rematch. It would have been a better game, sure. It just wouldn't have been a National Championship. Not even close really. It's interesting to look at in hindsight, how much more impressive a one-loss record in the SEC is than an undefeated record in the Big Ten. Florida played the likes of LSU, Arkansas, Alabama,the list goes on. Ohio State? Michigan State, Indiana, Northwestern. Even the Pac-10 looks really strong compared to the Big Ten. Which I believe is one of the reasons, USC made taking out Michigan look so easy.

Where do things go from here? Well, Troy Smith will probably still be projected higher in the draft than Chris Leak. Ted Ginn, Jr. will still be a first round pick. And Florida has got to be excited about having Tim Tebow for at least two more years. Don't see much change there, but I'm not really a big talent evaluator, nor have I ever claimed to be.

But if I'm Ohio State and fatigue is Florida right now, it's about time for me to run it up the middle on third and long, and call it a night. But hey, at least it I made it seem like I showed up ready to write for longer than Ohio State showed they were ready to play.

Night kids. -MC

On A Cold, Wet, Winter Day...

Granted we had 70 degree weather in some spots of New England, we've got quite the crummy day today. The cold, rainy day got me thinking. How close is it until those magic words appear? The words are synonymous with hope and faith. Those words are "pitchers and catchers report". That's right, there's under 40 days until the first signs of baseball start to spring up with the beginning of spring training. With the college football BCS Championship tonight (a little late, I'd say), I take full comfort in knowing that baseball will be here in little more than a month.

"Don't talk back to me!!"

Just a few random thoughts. First off, I went to a high school girls' basketball game tonight. Since no girls read this blog really, especially basketball players, it was a tough experience viewing the "basketball" activity in front of me. The thing it reminded me most of was playing a basketball game on the old Super Nintendo system. A game like NBA Live '95. You know, where the guys on the court cant make swift movements. Every movement they make is preceded by a 90 degree turn. Well that's high school girls basketball. Dribble to a spot. Turn to your right. Dribble to another spot. Turn back to your left, with a slight angle and go. And you're almost to the basket. Even the shots look like the video game. It's fantastic really. Check it out next time you attend.
- Nick Saban is a punk. There, I said it. He lied to everyone who would listen and then lied to the owner who gave him the freaking world. And come to think of it really, who the hell cares? Why are we putting so much stock into a decision that any middle-aged person makes that doesn't affect 99% of the nation directly.
-I love the Boston Bruins. But, they're struggling right now. They lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight, 10-2. 10-2 people. 10-2. I typed it one more time to emphasize that is not a typo. This is coming off a 5-1 loss to the Leafs the other night and a 5-0 loss a few nights prior to that. Do the math, and it's 20-3 over the past few games. But at least the goal totals have increased each night.
- Randy Johnson is on his way out of New York. Maybe I'm giving the guy too much credit, but shouldn't we be more excited that a 5-time Cy Young award winner is leaving New York? Sure he hasn't been great since coming to New York, but he's still Randy Johnson. Maybe this means the mullet's coming back too. I'm not really going to miss him, especially if they miss out on Old Man Clemens.
- Notre Dame sucks.
-Peter Gammons said he wouldn't be shocked if JD Drew didn't play with the Red Sox because of this ongoing physical examination nonsense. You think Theo wouldn't mind hitting the "reset" button and start all over with that one?
-Gilbert Arenas is the real deal. The guy can score from anywhere on the court, and if he had any real significant help, he would be Dwayne Wade. That's right, I said it. Who cares though, it's the NBA.
-I don't really have the balls to make NFL picks for the weekend, but if I did, here's what they'd look like.
Indianapolis over Kansas City - Larry Johnson will get his yards, but seriously, who even knew the Chiefs were in the playoff hunt?
New England over New York - Pains me to make that one, but I'll take the Patriots experience over the Mangenious. For this week.
Seattle over Dallas - I just hate the Cowboys. Like I've been saying for 2 months too by the way, Tony Romo was Drew Bledsoe's back up for the past two seasons for a reason.
New York Giants over Philadelphia - You could call this an upset, but let's face it. It's 2 NFC East teams. By law, they both suck. Pick 'em.
That's all I have tonight. Wisdom teeth out tomorrow, gonna be a fun weekend. Take it easy, kids.
-MC

Not Ready To Let Go

He was himself again last night. There he was, one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history, tearing up the Chicago Bears' first team defense. He had nothing to play for, because the Giants limped into the final playoff spot, making what was about to become a four-game winning streak for his team obsolete. For some reason, it didn't matter. Brett Favre went into Soldier Field and helped his Packers defeat the Chicago Bears. He was Brett Favre, the one that has become known as one of the league's best and most durable. And then, the game ended. And Favre wasn't himself. In a moving post-game interview, Favre was moved to tears, hinting that this would be the gunslinger's last game. Now to anyone who knows me, I'm totally partial in this situation. Favre has been my personal favorite for the better part of ten years. I basically idolize the guy. That being said, I don't want him to hang it up quite yet. I think the Mississippi native, has one more year in him. And from a football stand point, it makes sense. He can still play, he showed that last night. The Packers have money to spend this offseason. And if Favre is coming back, they better damn well spend it on some big free agents. It's the very least they could do. He also has unfinished business in the record books. He can still catch Dan Marino on the all-time touchdown list, among other records that he hasn't already set. Brett Favre loves football. And if he can still play at high enough level (and honestly, you're crazy if you say he can't, and there some who do), then he should play. His family says they're still behind him playing if he wants. It's just so hard to envision the Green Bay Packers or the NFL even without Brett Favre. It's hard to imagine anyone within the last 15 years who has embodied the spirit of the game better than Favre. It's just so tough to see him even think about leaving. While he was standing there with Andrea Kramer last night, tears running down his face, I couldn't help being crushed myself. That wasn't him. While I've come to the conclusion that he's not going to play forever (or at least I think I have), all I really ask for is one more year.
Happy New Year, kids.
-MC