The World Series, Randy Moss, And College Football

In another week filled with sports stories ranging from sublime to bizarre, three events of note caught my eye that has inspired me to write yet another post of multiple subjects.

Baseball season is now over, a mercurial wide receiver makes headlines yet again, and college football's landscape goes through more turnover.

Let's get this show on the road!

San Francisco Giants End Long World Series Drought.

The San Francisco Giants ended a 56 drought between World Series titles by defeating the Texas Rangers in 5 games to become the 2010 World Champions. The Giants rode the arms of starting pitchers Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, 21 year-old Madison Bumgarner, and closer Brian Wilson to what was to be easy pickings against the Rangers vaunting hitting attack.

But the surprise star was aging shortstop and World Series MVP Edgar Renteria. Renteria hit 2 homers and knocked in 6 teammates including the series clinching 3 run shot in game five. Edgar is now contemplating retirement after a very good major league career that included 2 World Series titles.

Congratulations to both the Giants and Renteria!

Randy Moss Moving Again.

In what I thought was a stunning development, The Minnesota Vikings suddenly waived wide receiver Randy Moss just a month after acquiring his services from the New England Patriots for a third round draft choice in the 2011 NFL draft.

Moss did little to revitalize the Vikings passing game and reportedly got upset over bad food from a catering service. Whatever the case, it was Randy's attitude that bit his butt yet again and Vikes' coach Brad Childress has publicly regretted making that trade.

Moss has been claimed on waivers by the Tennessee Titans to bolster their passing game which surprised me as I thought the St. Louis Rams would claim him ahead of the Titans. We'll see what happens.

The Ever Changing Landscape Of College Football.

More upsets last weekend led to more changes to the headache that is the BCS standings. Previously unbeaten Michigan State and Missouri got thrashed by Iowa and Nebraska respectively and Oregon leapfrogged Auburn as the nation's new top dog (or duck).

Two key games to keep an eye on this weekend as #3 TCU travels to #5 Utah for what should be the Mountain West title and #6 Alabama plays #10 LSU in what should be a defensive struggle for positioning in the SEC West.

Then we can watch the BCS show at 8:15 PM Sunday to see the new standings...Or not.

Dick

Send email to dlafrance2@207me.com

hit counter

Screen Capture Software

The World Series, BCS #1, And The New York “Football” Giants

Much has happened this past weekend in the wonderful world of sports. We have witnessed Major League Baseball crowning league champions, the #1 ranked team in college football's BCS getting hammered, and the emergence (or re-emergence) of a potential NFC power.

One by one, I will briefly recap these events and give opinions on the future of upcoming events as pertains to these subjects.

Here we go!

The 2010 World Series ---

This season's World Series pits the National League champion San Francisco Giants versus the Texas Rangers, champion of the American League. The Giants feature a strong pitching staff, as witnessed in the NLCS by defeating defending champion Philadelphia Phillies, while the Rangers have a potent batting attack as the defending world champion New York Yankees encountered. San Francisco has not won the Series since 1954 while Texas is playing in its first ever fall classic.

It has been stated and proven that good pitching beats good hitting most of the time, but I feel that the Ranger bats and aggressiveness will be too much for 'Frisco's call to arms.

I like Texas in six games and bring home their first world title.

Game 1, to be played Wednesday evening in San Francisco, will feature Giants ace Tim Lincecum against Texas stopper Cliff Lee, one of the all time post season's best hurlers.

It's NOT Good To Be The King ---

Being #1 in major college football has not been to the liking of three teams in the last three weeks. Alabama was knocked off the AP's top rung by being upset by South Carolina three weeks ago. The following Saturday, newly anointed #1 Ohio State gets bounced by Wisconsin and then this past Saturday night, initial BCS #1 Oklahoma got shelled by Missouri. The one thing in common is that all three top dogs lost on the road and this week the new BCS leader Auburn plays Mississippi … yup, at Mississippi.

I believe the string gets broken this week as Auburn overpowers “Ole Miss” and retains its lofty perch.

The New York Giants Becoming An NFC Power ---

If someone had told me that after seven weeks into the NFL season that the New York “Football” Giants would be tied for the best record in the NFC, my response would have been, “You're crazy!”. But yet,the Giants --- my Giants are in that position. After a bumbling start, including an embarrassing 29-10 loss at home to Tennessee, the G-Men have ripped off four consecutive victories, including a 41-35 victory in Dallas against the Cowboys. The offense is well balanced with a very good offensive line that opens holes for both Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs and protects quarterback Eli Manning sufficiently.

Speaking of Eli, he has what is the best young receiving corps in the NFL with possession slot man Steve Smith, deep threat Mario Manningham, and budding superstar Hakeem Nicks.

Defensively, New York has regained it's vaunted pass rush, added run stopping ability, and improved its pass coverage under new defensive coordinator Perry Fewell. Truly, the defense has been sparkling this month and is among one of the better units in the NFL.

The Giants hope to continue playing well after this weeks bye as the meat of their schedule is upcoming as they must face the Cowboys again and have divisional foes Philadelphia and Washington for a pair each.

Now if Eli can stop throwing needless interceptions...

Enjoy!

Dick

Send email to dlafrance2@207me.com

hit counter

Screen Capture Software