The All Out Fall Out

Now, we all sit in the midst of another Penguins loss in the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs.  Not a person on earth could of envisioned the current outcome of the first three games.  Since 2009, there has not been a more resilient team in all of hockey.  Battling injury after injury, it was as if the city of Pittsburgh was brought back to life after the hype of the possibility in becoming the next dynasty in professional sports slowly faded away following two years of game seven defeats to the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning in the playoffs.

It's not over yet, but only three times in the history of the NHL has a team come back from a 3-0 deficit in the playoffs.  Some optimistic individuals and true Penguin fans will stand firmly behind their team, saying "Hey, they won three in a row, why can't we"?  Unfortunately, the play of the Flyers is not going to change.  They have absolutely owned every aspect of this series.  The Pens just have no answer for the Flyers resiliency which they have shown since the drop of the puck for the 2nd period of Game 1.  Twenty goals in three games, given up by the Penguins.  To put that drastic statistic more in retrospect, fifteen games in the month of March, the Pens gave up just over 30 goals.

Reflect back on the Flyers dramatic comeback against the Boston Bruins in 2010, coming back from three games down on what ended up being a monstrous comeback and made history.  Now, the hockey world will look upon the Penguins to complete that same feet starting on Wednesday evening.  The Penguins are now squandered and need an absolute miracle to get back into contention in this series.  Call it a colossal comeback, because thats exactly what it would be.

We are now witnessing arguably the greatest meltdown in Penguins hockey history. A team filled full of players who had career years, a goaltender who set his career mark for wins in a season, a fifty goal scorer, forty goal scorer, and an unsung hero in Pascal Dupuis who set his name in stone with one of the longest point streaks in Pens history along with #66.  Could all be forgotten and really not matter if they don't win the Cup.

Bob Johnson once coined the term, It's a great day for hockey.  Well folks, today, unlike most days in this city filled with rich hockey roots and tradition, is not one of those days.

Pray for a miracle.  I sure will.

Stunned

Call it what you want, last nights performance from the second period on was not a true display of Penguins hockey.  The NHL favorite to win the Cup came out flying last night against Philadelphia, posting three goals in the first period before going soft for the next forty minutes.  It appeared for the moment, that the Pens were going to post six goals to the shaken Bryzgalov over the next two periods.  However, we all watched the Penguins for the second time in as many weeks get blown away by the come back kids of Philadelphia in their own building.

If I would not of known any better, I would also say that 71 was a scratch last night and didn't play.  Malkin was non existent as well as his two line mates Chris Kunitz and James Neal.  Throughout the second and third period the Penguins looked out of sync, rattled and in a daze.  I questioned whether Bylsma was in a daze as well, the fact that he could not believe his eyes when the orange and black stormed from behind again to dominate the last two periods of play.  The Pens did not present any offensive presence last night outside of the first period, they had eight giveaways to the Flyers three.

The Flyers led the league with 20 come from behind victories this past season, a team which for the better part of the year has always had a slow start then really got into the game come the second and third period.  You would love to think Bylsma presented that statistic again to his locker room after the first twenty.  You would also love to think he would take a time out half way through the second period when they were being absolutely dominated on both ends of the ice.  "We got away from our game, thats really what it was", said Sidney Crosby.

Despite it all, the Penguins have a true test in front of them.  This is going to be a long series, but the Pens have a must win game in front of them at home Friday evening.  Don't expect the type of start you saw last night, that will not happen again.  The Pens need to control the tempo of the game from the drop of the puck or we could see this series head back to Philadelphia with the Penguins down 2-0.

But then again, anything could happen, last night was a true testament to that.  

Right In Time

Anytime Tiger Woods wins a golf tournament, its electrifying.  I loved watching every second of Sunday's final eighteen holes at Bay Hill and if you did not, well, I feel sorry for you.  Back on December 4th of last year I wrote up my article "A Fist Pump & A Smile"  essentially testifying that I believed 2012 was Tiger's year. 


After the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship I was pleased with the performance Tiger put on to start the year, shooting (-11) and T-3 for the week it was a good jump start to 2012.  You could start to feel Tiger coming back into his own at the Honda Classic after his final round on Sunday of 62 to finish the tournament at (-10).  This has been TW's trend ever since his comeback, he has always put together good rounds but has never played the golf he is capable of playing for four straight days.  If your an avid follower of Tiger's career, you know that after a 54 hole lead heading into Sunday, he's seemingly unbeatable.  No one even gave him pressure Sunday, and if anyone was going to do it, G-Mac was going to be the one.  Graeme had a rough start to his day with his double bogey on the first and showed signs of life throughout the afternoon but really never got it going.  When Tiger was faced with putts inside ten feet this week, he buried nearly every single one of them.  As far as greens in regulation, Tiger was on point all day & all week long, firing at every single pin and hitting great golf shots.  


With his up and down performances in the last couple years, anytime TW plays with such dominance as he did this week, you really have to appreciate it.  Playing the game of golf takes an immense amount of confidence and when Tiger has it, he's unbeatable.  He played well for 72 holes this week, but the key was his putting, which at one point was the most questionable club in his bag.  Nevertheless, it all came together in Bay Hill this week.  


This is exactly what he needed heading into Augusta National which he played last weekend.  The entire course has always played extremely favorable to Tigers swing and his ability to cut the golf ball into those treacherous greens.  Tiger has not won the Masters since 2005, and has not won a major tournament since 2008.  He is hungry to get his fifth green jacket.  This years field at the Masters will arguably be on of the most competitive in recent years.  However, the weight of the world was just lifted from Tiger's shoulders just a few hours ago.  He showed his uncanny ability to stay calm and get the job done in his sunday red.  With that, this Masters tournament will be one of the most anticipated for Tiger in a long time, he's showing signs of life again, and I sure hope to see Charl Schwartzel lift that green jacket over Tiger's shoulders in Butler Cabin on Sunday April 8th.  


PJG

Superbowl Sunday - Patriots vs Giants

Happy Superbowl Sunday,

I have been going back all week with the debate on this one.  After 20 some weeks of analyzing football more than ever, you think I would have a better grasp on todays pick, wrong.  Even the best in professional sports never get it right, so certainly don't expect me too.  But I'll give you my best shot.

The Patriots Fall Off

After surmounting one of the best runs in professional sports in the early 2000's the Pats sure have faltered off the last few years.  Heres the number one reason that may be obvious to some but not to all.  Defense.  The brilliant man in the sweatshirt has let his defense become one of the worst in the NFL since their last run at the Superbowl.  Sure, you have arguably one of the best quarterbacks in history behind center but without a defense you cant win in the post season.

Terrific Tom

Tonights football game could only improve Tom Brady's already growing legendary status in the NFL.  One of the most threatening pocket passers in the last 20 years has steered and been at the helm at one of the best offenses in the history of the league.  He puts on an arial onslaught nearly 15 out of 17 weeks of the regular season.  Then he comes out in the post season and has a bit of a set back in the AFC Championship Game but hey, every dog has his day.  He is always going to have his critics and people are going to say this loss tonight could hurt his legacy, maybe it might for some.  However, he is still a first ballot hall of fame QB.

Elite Eli

I remember sitting at the country club this past summer, opening up my twitter and reading an update from Sports Center saying "Giants Eli Manning claims he is just as elite as Tom Brady"  I almost had to laugh because I really never believed Eli was an "elite" quarterback.  Truth be told, I thought the Giants got lucky those few years ago with the catch by David Tyree when they stopped the Patriots from their perfect season.   Hey, I already said I am not always right so I have to tip my hat to the younger Manning.  This late season run has been impressive and one to remember for him.   If he wins tonight, he will have changed the opinions of a lot of people around the world of sports.  (Peyton who?)

Giving The Edge

They always say defense wins championships.  Truth be told it does and we saw it in the BCS National Championship game.  Tonights football game is going to determined by who does not turn the football over.  Whoever makes the big play in what will be a very low scoring game, will change the entire complexion of the game.  With All Pro and record setting TE Rob Gronkowski's status still unsure for tonight, its hard for me to pick the Patriots to win this game because of how important he is to their offense.  Outside of him and Wes, very few balls get throw to Hernandez, Branch and Ocho.   The Patriots are truthfully one sided and they want a high paced game or else they really stand no chance.

The Giants Offensive Line

If anyone actually watched the NFC Championship game you will immediately notice one thing.  Eli had no time to throw the football.  Granted, the 49ers being a top two defense in football surely showed their reason why they deserved that right.  If Eli gets protection tonight against the sluggish but slightly improved Pat's defense, watch out.  Bradshaw and Jacobs are going to play a huge role in this football game.  Eli needs to convert on second downs and leave 3rd and short each time for the ability to mix it up with handing it off to a big back or dropping it off to Cruz in the slot.   The Giants line owned the Pats in their first SB meeting four years ago.  Look for the same today as they are in the same position.

Who wins?

Congratulations Eli, you are elite.  The Giants are going to win this football game tonight because of their defense and the ability to slow Tom's offense.  The Giants receiving core will be too much for the Pats defense to combat tonight.

Giants win Superbowl XLVI 24-21

AFC Championship - Patriots vs. Ravens

Baltimore Ravens vs. New England Patriots 

Best defense in the AFC against arguably the best offense in all of football square up this weekend in the frosty tundra of New England.  Last week, the Patriots commandingly handled the Denver Broncos seemingly putting the game away in the first half.  Sport fans alike have to believe this is the Patriots year to get back to the promise land.  Disappointing early playoff exits in the last few years and after their devastating loss to the Giants in Superbowl XLII, Brady and Belichick are hungry for another title.

After the Ravens sluggish second half performance against the Texans, an offense that primarily focuses on the run ever since the injury to Shaub. It's hard to envision the veteran Ravens defense shutting down the high flying Pats offense when they look this good.  I was not surprised to see Veteran defensive back Ed Reed call out Joe Flacco on his lack of production.  Even though his words were "he needs to be better".  Well, that's the truth.  Last week Flacco's performance again was sub par, again.  This week, if there is a lapse in the secondary for the Ravens, or on defense at all for that matter Tom Brady is going to make them pay big time.  The Ravens want to make this game a defensive battle, thats the only way they win.  The need to dial up several different blitz packages to get Brady feeling uneasy early (if thats at all possible) and begin to run the ball and keep the Pats offense off the field.

I love the veteran leadership on the Ravens D, so I know they are going to come to play this week.  However, the match ups just do not fit suit.  With the Patriots late season defensive surge and their great offense, its hard to pick against them.  I'm going to be interested in seeing how the purple and black handle Gronkowski over the middle along with Wes in the slot.  No one all year has been able to cover Gronkowski and this certainly wont be a week to slow the record setting TE down.

Patriots advance to Indianapolis and Super Bowl XLVI.  27-17

NFL Divisional Round - Who Wins?

Welcome back everyone, I've taken entirely too much time off from this blog and I feel bad when I look at the amount of views I received in the past month and people always had to read the same thing.  Nevertheless, enjoy sports fans.

New Orleans Saints vs. San Francisco 49ers

Drew Brees and the best offense in the NFL, against Alex Smith and the resurgent 49ers.  When you break this game down immediately recognize that the 49ers are not a typically high scoring offense.  They win games with their defense and pounding the run game with Frank Gore.   Sorry 49ers fans, but when your passing offense ranks 29th in the league behind the young Alex Smith and your facing one of the best quarterbacks in recent years, its not looking great for you. 

 Another note on the 49ers defense, they run a base 3-4 which could either really hurt them or greatly benefit them depending on their pass rush.  They are going to have to rely heavily on their Lbs to get pressure on Drew Brees or its going to be a long day for that defense.  They must have an efficient pass rush for four quarters and get Brees moving outside the tackles.  If they do that, and don't turn the ball over, they have a shot at winning the game.  They need to stay fresh and shut down the Saints on third down so they can get off the field. 

However, what about the Saints?  Everyone knows about Drew Brees and the phenomenal year he has had but the weak point for the Saints is on the outside on defense.  For the Saints to be effective on defense they have to rush from the outside and pressure Smith.  They already crowd the box with their front seven so stopping Frank Gore should not be a huge challenge.  Bottom line, if this game turns into an offensive shootout, the 49ers stand no chance.  They would not be able to keep up with Brees and the Saints offense and that's exactly what Head Coach Sean Payton wants.  Odds makers have this game very close, not me.  

Saints win  30-14

Denver Broncos vs New England Patriots

I'll be honest, I just cant wait for this game to be over so this talk of Tebow goes away until pre season next year.  However, if you suddenly wake up this off season and miss hearing his name, simply turn on First Take at 10 Eastern and Skip Bayless will be talking about what Tebow had for dinner last night.  Sorry Denver, but you are going to be quite disappointed Saturday evening when the best playoff quarterback in the last ten years welcomes you into his barn where the Patriots are nearly unbeatable. 

Come playoff time, the Patriots win football games and they do it well.  Gillette Stadium has not been friendly to visiting opponents come playoff time.  Since 2004, the Patriots have been hungry for another Superbowl victory.  The once early dynasty of the 2000's slowly faced early playoff exits the last few years.  However, this might be the easiest road to the Superbowl the Patriots have had in the Bill Belichick era.  They are still my favorite to win the AFC and simply put, no stats are needed to define why odds makers have New England as 14.5 point favorites. 

Patriots win 35-20

Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens

Two words.  Joe Flacco.  Thats going to define whether the Ravens advance to Gilette Stadium next week to play for the AFC Championship.  Flacco has faced a lot of negativity for his poor performances in playoffs the last few years.  Flacco has become the first NFL quarterback in history to take his team to the playoffs his first four years consecutively.  Two more words.  Ray Lewis. Realistically, for the future Hall of Famer this is his last real shot at getting back to the Superbowl.  That Ravens defense is tough to go against in the playoffs, furthermore, even harder to throw against. 

Hats off to my runner up in the Coach of the Year award.  Gary Kubiak.  The Houston Texans have faced serious injuries all year. I credit their coaching staff and leadership for continue to push forward in the AFC South.  This football game Sunday would be completely different if QB Matt Shaub was not on IR for the season.  I think their luck runs out this weekend against the veteran Ravens.  It's not going to be a high scoring game that's for sure, but look for Houston to really try to pound the ball and ride Arian Foster to the AFC Championship game.  Unfortunately, it wont work against the Ravens front seven.  Then, when the Texans try to open up the pass they are going to face even bigger problems with Ed Reed and the Ravens secondary.  Raven's get their last win of the 2011 season.

Ravens win 27-13

New York Giants vs. Green Bay Packers

I really am torn with this game.  I love the way the Giants are playing as of late and they look like the Giants who knocked off the 18-0 Patriots just a few years ago.  They are peaking at the right time.  Their defense has been outstanding especially their front four.  Oh, how could I forget about the year Eli Manning has had.  With him in the shotgun the Giants are seriously difficult to defend against.  The coaching staff of the Giants has done a great job of finally mixing in more of the run with their offense to let Bradshaw get loose.  Let me tell you, RUN THE BALL SUNDAY, KEEP AARON RODGERS OFF THE FIELD!  This game is going to be extremely high scoring and the Packers are going to face their toughest opponent this season. 

Again, Aaron Rodgers has the Packers right back in contention for their second straight Superbowl.  But there are a few things I would like to pick out about the new "America's Team".  Number one, their defense.  Yes, I am totally aware they have improved at the late stages of the season.  On the other hand, they still give up an average of 299 yards of passing offense per game.  Number two, their run game, they dont have one. In the playoffs, you need to have a balance.  The Giants know exactly what the Packers are going to do this weekend. 


 I'm picking the Giants to pull the upset this week simply because of their defense.  The Giants have a better chance at getting to Rodgers and pressuring him then the Packers do of getting to Eli.  The Packers run game is nonexistent and game planning against a specifically one way driven offense plays into the hands of the Giants.   Don't make me look stupid Eli.


Giants win 38-35