During the latest installment of what many call the greatest rivalry in sports history between the Red Sox and Yankees, we had a good deal of controversy in the late innings over something that used to be so commonplace in baseball. Celebrating. After Francisco Cervelli's fifth inning dong shot last night, he rounded the bases, got to home plate and clapped. Just a simple clap at home plate. Well sensitive, short tempered John Lackey took exception to this and plunked Cervelli in his next at-bat, feeling he was being shown up by Cervelli two innings earlier. In Sox and Yanks fashion, tempers flared and benches cleared. Cervelli was simply fired up about a key home run that he hit and decided to do as most players do and clap his hands together in a celebratory manner.
Which brings me to my point. In today's MLB, it seems as though anytime a player shows a tad of emotion after a key hit, they are guaranteed to get a nice little ched piece between the shoulder blades in their next at-bat. After that player gets hit, the umpire is sure to warn both sides, which leads to pitchers getting unfairly thrown out if they accidentally hit someone in the following innings. It's a vicious cycle and it's hurting the game. Nobody is allowed to have a cool home run celebration anymore. It wasn't always this way, not at all. If you ask me I think a celebration in moderation is good for the game. Remember some of these great home run antics?
- Barry Bonds' home run spin
- Sammy Sosa's gigantic hop
- Brett Boone and Dante Bichette's obnoxious bat flips
- Manny Ramirez with what always seemed like a 10 second observation of his homers before running to first.
- Bash Brothers forearm bump (McGwire and Canseco)
That is just to name a few of the greats. Hell, the Great Bambino had a notoriously long home run trot and I guarantee that man never felt 95 to the spine because of it. Major League pitchers, if you see this, I am begging you, lighten up a little bit and let the boys enjoy their home runs. Hitting players because you are angry you gave up a key bomb isn't the solution. It hurts the game. Pitch better, that'd probably work.
That brings me to my next point. The Bengals suck. Because Mike Brown refuses to spend money on his franchise. NOBODY wants to play there. Carson Palmer requested a trade, one that was rebuffed by Brown. Brown is a man who believes in loyalty, which is commendable as a human trait. But when it becomes a point where he expects the players to give their all, and he not pry open that chastity-belted checkbook of his to help the team back, he is a one-way street. Chad Ocho Cinco got out. Corey Dillon got out long ago. But why will Brown not grant Palmer his wish? In Brown’s words: “Carson signed a contract. He made a commitment. He gave his word. We relied on his word. We relied on his commitment. We expected him to perform here. He’s going to walk away from his commitment. We aren’t going to reward him for doing it.” This man just refuses to better his franchise by getting something for a player who obviouslyDOES NOT WANT TO BE THERE.
You have got to be smoking some serious peyote if you try to tell me the Bungals cannot get something for their franchise quarterback. Prior to being placed on the Failed to Report list, I would have ranked Palmer as the tenth best quarterback in the National Football League, just behind Eli Manning of the New York Football Giants, and just ahead of Bucs signal-caller Josh Freeman. In my humble opinion, Brown could pry two second-round picks, or even a conditional first-rounder, from five-to-eight franchises as they are presently constructed.
The Definitely Maybes
9. Denver Broncos
The Broncos unsuccessfully tried to unload incumbent starter Kyle Orton every second of every day between the end of the lockout and the first preseason game, where they then realized that their two backup quarterbacks were Brady Quinn and Tim Tebow, both awful choices for John Fox if he hopes to keep his job, and are really career United Football League starters at best from what we have all seen thus far. Orton will likely remain the starter in the Mile High City until either Quinn shows he has even just a little bit of Bryan Hoyer in him, or Tebow decided to stop turning water into Gatorade, whichever comes first.
8. Tennessee Titans
The Titans signed Matt Hasselbeck to take over for the immortal Kerry Collins and the woefully inconsistent Vince Young, who was so atrocious last year that when Collins was out for a week, Jeff Fisher chose to start the man, the myth, the legend: Rusty Smith. Hasselbeck can be loosely described as a “Game Manager” which is the same title that was bestowed upon the likes of greats Brian Griese, Jay Fiedler, and the aforementioned Kyle Orton. Hasselbeck can get it done, and he is a great seat warmer for first-round pick Jake Locker, so there is little to no chance for Palmer to go here unless Locker’s arms fall off or he by chance runs into JaMarcus Russell at a local McDonalds.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars
For those of you who have probably been wondering, Jacksonville still does have an NFL team. David Garrard is the incumbent starter, another game manager, who is keeping the seat warm for first-rounder Blaine Gabbert, which for all intents and purposes, could be somewhere around week seven to ten. Behind Gabbert is Luke McCown, brother of fellow shit-sandwich third-stringer Josh McCown of the 49ers, and Todd Bouman, who was signed so the Jags could have another quarterback for week one of the preseason. Much like the Titans, no Palmer here, as Gabbert is primed and ready to most likely have Jack Del Rio send Garrard out to pasture sooner rather than later.
Could Definitely use the Help, But Who Knows
6. San Francisco 49ers
The Niners have most likely tried the Alex Smith Experiment to its fullest extent. The former number-one overall pick in the 2005 draft has amounted to an average NFL quarterback at best after being the WAC Player of the Year in 2005 while at Utah. Was it living outside of the Mormon-y confines of Utah that may have done him in? I don’t know really, but what I do know is that throwing a ball to a receiver is a little easier for them to catch when the ball isn’t trying to be thrown through them. With former Nevada great Colin Kaepernick as the backup and perennial journeyman/shit-sandwich Josh McCown as the third-stringer, the 49ers have effectively put together an underachieving quarterback core that is about right on par with the rest of the offensively challenged NFC West. Who knows how much longer Jim Harbaugh will put up with Smith, especially considering how Aaron Rodgers just won the Super Bowl after being drafted twenty-one picks behind good ol’ Alex in 2005. (Side note: I wrote this column too late to mention that San Fran sent Daunte Culpepper packing from a training camp invitation. Oh how the mighty have fallen.)
5. Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders. Where do I begin? First off, it started with the JaMarcus Russell draft, where everyone knew that he would eat more McDonalds, than convert successful completions. JaMarcus had a penchant for overthrowing the widest open of receivers on a regular basis, eventually leading to his pink slip in May of 2010. JaMarcus finished with eighteen touchdowns against twenty-three interceptions in his NFL career (I say this barring some unforeseen circumstance in which he somehow miraculously gains a whiff of interest from another team) , and is still making it rain with twentys at the club because of that ill-advised $32 million guaranteed that Al Davis’ Corpse gave him. I am inclined to agree with most in that backup core of former Baltimore Ravens franchise quarterback hopeful and current third-stringer Kyle Boller, former Buffalo Bills franchise quarterback hopeful “Checkdown Trent” Edwards, and the 4,983 person that Al Davis has drafted based on his 40 time in Terelle Pryor, will end up helping former Washington Redskins franchise quarterback hopeful Jason Campbell in any way, shape, or form. Campbell was supposed to be the savior for Daniel Snyder when he was drafted in the same 2005 draft as Aaron Rodgers and Alex Smith, but he was flipped to Oakland for a fourth-rounder and has lost his job to the likes of Bruce Gradkowski, who is now a Bengals’ backup. Palmer could help immensely, unless Pryor acclimates to the heavy pay cut he has been forced to take by going pro and becomes a star in the Bay Area.
4. Carolina Panthers
What we do know:
The Panthers should really think about paying Jimmy Clausen to not wear their clothing anymore, much like Abercrombie did with Mike Sorrentino and the rest of the Jersey Shore cast.
Derek Anderson went from starting sixteen games with the Arizona Cardinals last year to battling former Cincinnati Bearcat Tony Pike for the emergency quarterback spot behind Clausen and Cam Newton
Cam Newton still has that new car smell
What we don’t know:
How long it will be before Ron Rivera and Jerry Richardson decide to sign someone who may actually be able to play quarterback
How Cecil Newton will take to the news that his son isn’t allowed to have tattoos, considering he already sold space on his back, left biceps, and legs
When the last time the Panthers were actually relevant was
Definitely Needs a Quarterback
3. Washington Redskins
2. Miami Dolphins
I only need to say a couple words on this one. I felt as though that Miami’s three-headed monster of Chad Henne, Matt Moore, and Pat Devlin (or Kevin O’Connell, who’s goal in the league seems to be to play for every team in the AFC East) is weaker and in more need of a quarterback than the three-headed monster of Rex Grossman, John Beck, and Kellen Clemens that Washington will sport this season. Matt Moore lost his job to Jimmy Clausen last year. Enough Said.
1. Seattle Seahawks
Any time your team’s starting quarterback is Tavaris Jackson, who looks to be in mid-season form this preseason, and the backup is Chaz Whitehurst, you need a quarterback. Mike Brown could easily pry a couple second-rounders from Seattle, but chooses not to. He instead chooses to do the following when asked about possibly trading his former franchise quarterback:
Palmer: “Mr. Brown I would really appreciate it if you could trade me, or I will take my ball and go home. Can you help me out?”
After Cliff Lee shocked seamheads in Arlington and the Bronx and decided on a second tour of duty in Philadelphia, baseball pundits penciled the Fightin’ Phils in to running away with the NL East, and making their third World Series trip in four years. Add in the blockbuster deal for Hunter Pence made just before the deadline, and the rich seemed to be getting richer. Before anointing the Phillies kings of the NL, one need only look back to this time last year when the eventual World Series champion San Francisco Giants were in second place behind the San Diego Fathers, with the Colorado Rockies making their patented second half charge. In other words: not so fast baseball fans.
Until recently when the Phillies started to pull away from the offensively challenged Braves in the East, all three NL division races had been hotly contested, with the West in a deadlock and the Central a three horse race. For one of the second place finishers, the Wild Card consolation prize will be awarded, but that tends to mean a slightly harder path to the ultimate goal then finishing on top of your division. In the end, each team wants to be crowned division champ. So without further adieu, here’s your handicap on the contenders in each of the three division races in the old circuit.
NL East
Current standings: Phillies (78-41) Braves (70-51) 9 GB
The Phillies own baseball’s best record and the largest division lead in all of the majors. A three game losing streak (including 2 straight losses to the NL East cellar dwelling Nationals) last week hurt the Braves who had been hanging tough within striking distance thanks in no small part to their strong pitching staff. Derek Lowe bounced back from a miserable 3 straight outings (0-3, 14 IP, 14 ER) with a strong outing (6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER) but Jair Jurrjens has seen his league leading 1.85 ERA before the All Star break rise to 2.63 post break. If Jurrjens and Lowe can pick up the pace set by Tim Hudson and Tommy Hanson the Braves might give the Phillies a run for their money. Don’t count on it though with Roy Oswalt coming back to the Phillies rotation to team up with Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, and Cole Hamels. Prediction: The Phillies continue to stretch out that lead and run away with the division. Phils are 9-1 in their last 10 with no signs of slowing down. Expect to see the Braves sneak into the playoffs as the NL Wild Card winners.
Instead of beefing up their lackluster starting rotation in free agency the Brewers surveyed the trading landscape and landed RHP SP’s Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum. Greinke came with more hype but so far this year Marcum was an All Star with a 10-3 record, 3.58 ERA, and 116 K’s in 135.2 IP. Greinke has struggled with the long ball this year but the 2009 AL Cy Young winner has the potential to carry the beer makers to the playoffs. With their offense led by All Stars Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder, and Rickie Weeks the Brewers are poised to continue their solid play of late (11-1 last 12) and at home all year (41-15 at Miller Park). The Cardinals though aren’t going to go down quietly with an offense led by current NL home run leader Lance Berkman, Albert Pujols, and Matt Holiday. With the additions of SS Rafael Furcal (.976 fielding %) and RHP Edwin Jackson (3.78 ERA in 128 IP) at the deadline the Cards have also shored up their defense and starting rotation. The Brewers took 2 out of 3 from the Cards in Milwaukee last week but now it’s the Cards turn to try and hop up into first with the Brewers visiting for 3 this week. The Pirates are MLB’s feel good story for the year but after running the gauntlet through St. Louis, Atlanta, and Philadelphia they have slipped back to earth and now sit below .500 after a 10 game losing streak. A winning season would be a great accomplishment for this young team in a city starved for anything positive from their Buckos. After 18 straight years of losing you’d settle for an 82-80 record too. Prediction: The Brewers and Cardinals will be locked in a dogfight right down to the wire but in the end I think the Brewers solid defense and offensive firepower will carry them to the division title. Bernie the Beermaker running around the concourse of Miller Park and sliding down that every kids dream slide will be a welcome playoff sight.
NL West
Current standings: DBacks (67-53) Giants (66-55) 1 .5 GB
After defeating the Giants’ 2-time Cy Young Award winner, ace, and proven stopper Tim Lincecum on Tuesday night the Diamondbacks tied the Giants for first place in the Wild West. The Giants made headlines at the deadline by picking up coveted RF Carlos Beltran from the Mets for prized pitching prospect Zack Wheeler but the Diamondbacks quietly strengthened their pitching staff by adding veterans SP Jason Marquis (tho the Giants lit him up in his 1st start) and RP Brad Ziegler. Holding a 4 game lead and adding a primetime bat like Beltran it appeared the Giants were going to run away with the division but their offense hasn’t ignited the way many expected it would. The Giants lost 2 out of 3 to the DBacks, 3 out of 4 to the Phillies and helped the Pirates stop their 10 game losing streak. The DBacks haven’t been able to take advantage though and are still in a virtual tie for first instead of on top. Budding ace Daniel Hudson (11-8, 3.83 ERA, 1.26 WHIP in 157.1 IP) has carried Arizona’s staff this year (he was part of the Edwin Jackson deal with the White Sox) but the back end of their bullpen is a crapshoot (I’ll take black beard’s delight Brian Wilson over the human DL that is J.J. Putz). The Giants might not be able to score more than 3 runs a game but with their pitching staff led by Lincecum, Matt Cain, and revelation Ryan Vogelsong they don’t have to on most nights. Prediction: Arizona has done a great job charging up the standing and won’t go away without a fight but I’ll take the Giants experience and pitching to win out and grab the NL West crown. Watch out for the 2nd place finisher to make a run at the Wild Card.
Welcome to 'Views from the Couch', what we hope to make into the most comprehensive blog that a group of college-aged individuals can bring you.
If you are familiar with the grammatical stylings of myself, Jabs, or the Birdman, you will know that we tried to make this blog about three years ago, under the moniker of "Sweaty Towels". While initially successful and beginning to garner a bit of interest from the powers that be, it made like Dontrelle Willis' pitching career and fell into mediocrity, before I eventually set it out to pasture.
Along with Jabs, Bird, and myself, we will be joined my new blogger Morellz, and Bottom of the Ninth blogger Ryan Norton, who can also be found on Bottomofthe9.blogspot.com, and will be helping us with baseball coverage on the site.
You will most likely become to know me by any range of names, but I will mostly post under Lang. I am a UNH Senior, and hope to bring you as much enjoyment as possible in the blogosphere, as I have the ability to entertain like few before me. My focus is mostly going to be on college basketball, but I will also provide half-assed commentary on a potpourri of other subjects.
Jabs, recently a former Minutemen from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and a former high school colleague of mine (along with the aforementioned Birdman and Norton), will provide social commentary on many different sports. I won't pidgeonhole the man into one specific category because he can dip his pen in all of those inks, but he is a baseball man for the most part, but can argue Celtics, Bruins, and Patriots with the best of them.
The Birdman, most recently of New Hampshire State Liquor Store workman's fame, will also focus on a lot of baseball, basketball, and football (he abhors hockey to the fullest extent of the sport, even with the Bruins' Cup victory), and you will most likely walk away nodding your head in agreement. I expect big things out of this lad, and you will also most likely agree that he has the potential to be one of the stalwarts of this blog.
Norton is a baseball man. He can tell you the ins and outs of a prospect, can dig deep into Marco Scutaro's decision making, and can tell you what WAR is (I don't have one fucking clue what that acronym even means). He will be deep into the trenches for us with baseball coverage, and he is a man who knows his shit when it comes to the sport of baseball.
Morells is the only non-NHS graduate to write for this blog, but he is the best man I know when it comes to football coverage. I know very few people who can read a draft magazine cover-to-cover to know what The Hoodie is thinking, but this is a guy who can do it. He will bring you mostly football coverage, but can be relied upon to touch up on other subjects as well.
We will be around writing about different daily subjects every day of the week, and can provide you with entertainment and sports coverage. For the record, as an introductory post, this is not gonna be very entertaining, but it will be what we are all about, and the humor and ideas will start on Monday, so sit back, relax, and grab a beer. It will be a bumpy ride.
