Buckeyes Land Meyer

The next best thing.  Urban Meyer.  You know its extremely rare for very distinguished college coaches to jump ship and go from one major FBS program to another.  However, this is a huge hire for OSU and that football program.  Let me start off with some of the speculation I had been hearing after talking with a few individuals the past couple weeks surrounding the topic of Meyer.  It was clear, that Tim Tebow and the Florida Gators were Meyer's pride and joy and those two National Championships where the best years of his coaching legacy.  Suddenly Meyer announces his thought to retire because of health issues and wanting to spend more time with his family.  Here we are now, a year later and we are seeing one of the best coaches in CFB return to one of the most demanding college football programs in the country.  Ironic, some individuals actually believe Meyer wanted to get out of Florida because some of his best players were departing The Swamp.  

Regardless, here we are at the tail end of the 2011 CFB season and Coach Meyer has decided to get back into the saddle as the new head coach of the scarlet and gray.  Returning to his home state of Ohio and where he first started coaching back in the 80's is seemingly a dream job for any big time coach.  It is going to be interesting to take a note to all of the recruit's who decide to maybe alter their decisions solely because of this coaching change.  Meyer is very capable of bringing in the best of the best.  10 of the 20 Michigan Wolverine recruits hail from the state of Ohio.  Watch out, Michigan.  

So how long until he wins?  The answer is right away.  This Buckeye team has gone through a lot in the last eight months with the scandals and losing some of their best players.  However, with a year under their belt without former QB T. Pryor, look for B. Miller to make a splash in 2012.  Michigan State will return next season as a very hard team to beat in the Big 10.  Michigan is continuing to improve and there are other teams like Iowa and Nebraska who are always tough competition in the conference.   I am not saying Meyer will win the BCS next year, no.  I think the Buckeyes have a good chance to win the conference and get a BCS bowl game appearance.  

Meyer is going to bring in some of the best coaches in America to help lead the Buckeyes back to the promise land and if anyone is capable of doing it, its this man.  It will be an interesting story to follow over the next few months and looking at the staff he puts together and what recruits decide to sign on the line to come play in the Horseshoe.  

NFL Power Rankings Week 13 - Top 10

NFL Power Rankings Week 13 

1. Packers - No change here, the Packers continue to surge and that defense is improving week by week.  Can you say undefeated season?

2. Steelers - The lers play down to their opponent.  Rough week in KC, lets hope the status of Troy gradually gets better throughout the week.  The defense goes as he goes.  

3. Saints - Dont sleep on the Saints.  This team is the only team in the NFC who can knock off the Pack from going undefeated.  Drew Brees is having a career year, don't forget about that guy down in on Bourbon Street. 

4. Ravens - Yeah, I know some of you may not like their placement right now but guess what; all the teams above have way better offensive fire power and they say defense wins championships, but if the Ravens are going to go the distance, they need to find a way to start putting up more points.  

5. Patriots - Offense, offense, offense.  Pretty much defines the Pats and the onslaught they had against the Birds.  Big problem, defense.  You can't give up 400 yards passing, especially when their names not Drew or Aaron.

6. 49ers - Tough loss last week to the Ravens and their offensive line just got eaten up by the purple and black.  This has been a great year for the 49ers and they are about to clinch their first division title since '02.  Hats off to them, but the real favorites in the NFC are above.  

7. Houston - Good win last week for Houston.  As I said in my prediction for the South, they will win and actually if the playoffs started today, Texans would have home field through the playoffs.  Ironic.

8. Falcons - Matt Ryan is finally back to old form.  Solid performances in the last few weeks have jolted the Falcons back up to the top 10 in the PR.  

9. Cowboys - Jerry Jones is finally walking around with a smile on his face.  Tony Romo and Co. have been impressive the last few weeks.  Robinson continues to surge as the new go to guy in Texas, their running game has no signs of slowing down either.  

10.  Oakland - Picked the Chargers to come back and win the division in Week 17, does not look like that is going to happen.  Oakland controls their own destiny and looks like they are going to win the division.  Bad pick by me.  

AFC Playoff Projections

It's been an exciting season of NFL football and we're coming down to the last five weeks of the regular season.  As we look ahead to the remaining games we can start to get a gage of the 2011 AFC Playoff Picture.

Heres my projections for the AFC.


AFC North - Baltimore Ravens.  Few questionable losses in my book this season for the Ravens and Flacco's performance has been generally mediocre this season.  The defense is in my opinion the best in the league, after watching them against the 49ers on Thanksgiving Day they will definitely move up in my PR for next week.  The thing that obviously stands out for the Ravens is their season sweep of the Pittsburgh Steelers.  The Ravens will win the AFC North.

AFC East - New England Patriots.  I look for the Patriots to seemingly run the table the rest of the regular season.  Lets face it, their Week 3 collapse in the game vs. Buffalo was a joke.  Brady threw more picks in that game than he ever has in his career.  They were in close games with the Steelers and Giants, just could not pull it out.  They finish the year with three road games vs. Philadelphia, Washington and Denver.  They face Indianapolis, Miami and Buffalo at home.  Buffalo is falling off the map and look for Brady to seek revenge against the Bills.  They win the AFC East and clinch home field.

AFC  South - Houston is 7-3 and 3-0 in the division.  I know they lost Matt Shaub but the AFC South is all but locked up for the Texans.  They can ride Arian Foster to the playoffs but don't expect much after that.  The rest of the AFC South outside of Houston has a combined 8-22 record.  Jacksonville, Tennessee and winless Indy remain.  Tennessee is 5-5 and has the best shot but even so, don't look for the south to have any the division winner make it out of the first round of the playoffs.  Houston wins AFC South.

AFC West - What a mess.  This is hard to call.  A wide open division that could easily have a first place swing in two weeks.  If McFadden comes back and Bush continues to produce I like Oakland to finish 9-6.  Denver has been impressive as of late with their outstanding defensive effort.  This just is not the year for the Broncos and with all the media surrounding Tim Tebow.  They have a tough remaining schedule with games against New England, Chicago and San Diego who they will face this week.  San Diego has been disappointing and thats all there is to it.  The Chargers have favorable games the next three weeks against Denver, Jacksonville and Buffalo before heading to Baltimore, Detroit and Oakland.  I would say its safe to say the AFC West winner will be determined Week 17 against the Raiders. I know the Chargers are 4-6 but they should be 5-5.  It's tough, but I think that San Diego will turn it around and end up edging Oakland at the end of the year.  San Diego wins Week 17 and clinches AFC West.


Wild Card - Pittsburgh Steelers.  Cincinnati Bengals.

Steelers - Despite their loses to the Ravens.  Hats off to them for their performance to this point with the amount of injuries they have had to deal with. So they lost twice to the Ravens, so what. Tomlin has his troops geared up and motivated every week to come out and play.  They should not of lost the second game to the Ravens but their defensive collapse is going to make it hard for the Steelers to have a chance at the Division Title.  This is not a bias pick with sending the Steelers to the Superbowl.  Come play off time the Steelers are extremely hard to beat.  You have a relentless QB, solid defense and a crew of young playmakers in Wallace, Mendenhall, Brown, Sanders and Cotchery.

Bengals - What a start for rookie QB Andy Dalton.  This is what the Bengals needed out of Carson Palmer for years but they never got the production and their defense was quite stagnant.  I think the Bengals are going to fight off the Jets for the final Wild Card spot.  The Jets have three games coming up they should win which would put them at 8-5 and the Bengals still have to face the Steelers and Ravens again.  This is going to be a tight race coming to the end.  I am giving the edge to the Bengals.  However, don't expect them to make it far because they are going to end up playing Tom Brady at Gillette first round and we all know how the Patriots play at home in the playoffs.  Good comeback season though.


AFC Championship Game - Steelers vs. Baltimore.  AFC Champion - Pittsburgh Steelers.

No way Pittsburgh loses to Baltimore three times in one year.  The Steelers are likely going to have to go through New England to get to see the Ravens in the AFC Championship game but I don't see that being too much of a struggle.  It will be a good game but I think that the Steelers run game will wear down that Pats defense who is yet to shine this season.  Thats the downfall of the Patriots which is why, unless it improves, won't be making it to Indianapolis this February.

Steelers will beat Baltimore in this game for one reason; the QB Matchup.  Flacco does not even compare to Ben and seemingly never will. The Steelers have way to many playmakers on offense and by Week 18 the veteran Ravens defense won't be able to hang with the young guns of Pittsburgh.

Look for the NFC Playoff Projections this coming week.

PJG

NFL Picks Week 12

Compiled a 12-2 record after last weeks picks.  Looking to do more of the same this week.

Lets get it rollin.

Green Bay vs. Detroit - The Motor City is in for a Thanksgiving Day showdown.  The Packers are showing no signs of slowing down and are looking to improve to 11-0 on their quest for the undefeated season.  The defense is slowly improving and having the best QB in the game can't hurt.  I like the Pack in this game, closer than some think though.  Look for Calvin Johnson to sneak loose into that Packers secondary.  Packers 32-21

Miami vs. Dallas - Two hot teams right now in their own regard. Jason Witten had a big game last week.  Murray continues to improve.  Bush is finally starting to look like an NFL running back.  Dallas disappointed me last week merely sneaking by the Redskins but, I'll stick with them again at home on Thanksgiving.  Dallas 24-17

Cleveland vs. Cincinnati - Look for Andy Dalton and the Bengals to keep their Wild Card hopes alive and stay ahead of the Jets in the AFC.  They will get back on track on track against the Browns.  I don't expect this game to be high scoring though. Bengals 21-10

Minnesota vs. Atlanta - Matt Ryan is finally starting to put up big numbers like he did last season.  Tony Gonzalez does not look a day over 25 and Minnesota.....well with AP hurt, I guess all they have to look forward too is the snow.  Falcons 30-10

Arizona vs. St. Louis - Sorry, I got nothing on this one.  St. Louis 17-10

Carolina vs. Indianapolis - Poor Indianapolis.  At least they are going to get Andrew Luck come draft day.  Carolina's record really does not show the potential this team has.  One of the biggest disappointments this season.  Cam will put on an onslaught against the winless Colts.  Panthers 31-7

Chicago vs. Oakland - With the injury to Jay Cutler, the Bears playoff and wildcard hopes are not looking so good now.  I had them high in my PR last week but, like Houston, they are going to struggle without their QB.  Low scoring game. Oakland 21-13

Washington vs. Seattle - Disappointing loss last week for the strugglin Redskins.  Seattle's Marshawn Lynch will be the catalyst for the Hawks to pull this one out.  Seattle 21-17

Denver vs. San Diego - Do I dare take the streaking Broncos and Tim Tebow over the struggling San Diego Chargers?  I have got a feeling Norv Turner's welcome might soon be running out if he does not start winning more football games. Chargers will slow down the Broncos surge this week.  San Diego 24-13

New England vs. Philadelphia - New England looked like they were getting back to good form this past week.  However, Wes Welker struggled as the Chiefs had the perfect game plan locking up the league leader in receiving yards.  Does that really matter though when you have the leagues best tight end outside of Saints Jimmy Graham?   Pats 30-17

Pittsburgh vs. Kansas City - Steelers are fresh off their bye week on SNF against the Chiefs.  It will be interesting to see how Ben handles his injured thumb.  Regardless, Steelers will win this game.  Lers' 23-10

New York Giants vs. New Orleans Saints - Eli Manning disappointed me last week in a game that I thought the G-Men would make a big statement in the NFC and with a win that would of had bigger implications on this weeks' match up with the Saints.  I think this game will be a high scoring, back and forth game.  Drew Brees will air it out early and often and look for Eli to do the same.  Gotta give this week's edge to the Saints, they have given me no reason to suspect otherwise, IN OVERTIME.  Saints 30-27

Happy Thanksgiving!

A night to remember - #87

It might of been the most riveting regular season hockey game I have ever witnessed in my life.  You know, in my Monday write up on Sid I said I thought this is what he would expect from himself.  He only knows how to play the game one way and last nights game was a statement to the rest of the National Hockey League.


After ten months of injury, first shot of the game off the backhand of Sidney Crosby jumps up over Nilsson's left shoulder and hits the the top of the net.  The perfect story, right?  The greatest hockey player in the world did an amazing thing last night.  How about his smooth backhand pass over to teammate Brookes Orpick for a one time rip top shelf. 


Scoring again later in the game just added the icing on the cake.  There's so many different ways in which you can script this story and write about the hype surrounding the Pittsburgh Penguins.  Every media outlet, sports writer and newscast is featuring this focal point of the Penguins.  Can they stay healthy?  Will they win the cup?  Will Sid continue to climb the scoring ladder?  Are they as good or better than the team that went to back-to-back cups just a few seasons ago?


So whats my take.  The Penguins are #1 in my Power Rankings for a reason.  The Eastern Conference and Atlantic Division will remain tough with the resurgence of the New York Rangers and ever present Philadelphia Flyers.  They need to stay healthy all year long.  The chemistry between new line mates needs to grow and that deadly powerplay needs time to work their magic.  Will Sid climb the scoring latter? That doubt from some will soon be nullified.  Who can stop a line in the NHL of James Neal, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Brooks Orpick and Kris Letang.   Probably no one.  


You have your critics, of course.  So what he scored four points against a team with 13 total points all year and two wins in the last fourteen games.  Generally speaking, the Islanders are the worst team in the NHL.  So what will happen when he plays Detroit, San Jose, Philadelphia?


It does not matter.  The magnitude and the level of play that Sidney Crosby brings to the ice is greater than anyone who laces up a pair of hockey skates.  These are the types of stories you reminice about when your older as some of the greatest things you have witnessed in your life when it comes to sports.  Sure - I'm a diehard Pens fan and supported them through their tough years even before Mario bailed them out.  But Penguins fan or not, last night you had to be moved by the performance you saw on the ice. 


The rest of the team just watched their captain return at a pivitol moment early in the season.  Down a few games from last week, they rise up to the occasion and rout the Islanders 5-0.  If this is a sign of things to come for Sid and the rest of the Pens.  Beware. 


I will always remember the day Sidney scored the winning goal in the shootout of the Winter Classic.  I will always remember the goal #87 scored to win the Olympic Gold for Canada. I will always remember when Sid rushed his hand shake with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to lift Lord Stanely as the youngest captain ever to win the cup.  


I'll always remember the return of the brightest young star in professional sports coming back and just adding another piece of his greatness to his legacy.  


This is great for Sidney and the Penguins.  Great for the NHL and amazing for Penguins Nation. 
Let the ride to Lord Stanley begin (again)

NHL Power Rankings - Top 15 Only

Well, now that the NHL has got itself going and I have been able to read enough to actually give some rankings, this week will start my NHL Power Rankings.  I am not going to rank the bottom portion of the league right now, just my top fifteen will be featured each week.   I mean, I do need something to write about after Christmas when the NFL season winds down.  I will give my reasons for the top 5 and why I think each of them are where they are.

Enjoy, puck heads.

NHL Power Rankings - Week of November 21

1. Pittsburgh Penguins - They dropped a few games this past week in Florida but with the return of Sidney, hot streaking James Neal, Coach Dan behind the bench, who can stop the Pens?  Oh yeah, the Pens also have the best penalty killing unit in the NHL.  

2. Boston Bruins - Deserving of the number two ranking this week.  Running off eight straight wins and the B's are the defending Cup Champs.  They get my #2 spot this week.  

3.  Chicago Blackhawks - Love the Hawks. Disappointed that they lost 9-2 to Edmonton, they routed the Canucks last week 5-1 and have a big Western Conference rivalry game with the Sharks this week. 

4. San Jose Sharks - Fifth in goals per game and third rated power play in the league.  Big matchup with the Blackhawks this week.  Look for Patrick Marleau to continue to produce in the early stages of this season.  

5.  Philadelphia Flyers - Flyers hold the number one spot in goals per game.  They continue to struggle north of the border but look for the Flyers to keep pace with the Penguins atop the Eastern Conference.  

6. New York Rangers

7. Minnesota Wild

8. Detroit Red Wings

9. Phoenix Coyotes 

10. St. Louis Blues 

11. Buffalo Sabres 

12. Florida Panthers 

13.  Vancouver Canucks 

14. Dallas Stars 

15. New Jersey Devils 

The return of #87

  

For starters, let's all realize what the PIttsburgh Penguins and Head Coach Dan Bylsma have accomplished throughout 87's absence.  After your done, read on.  Actually, I lied - since I don't really think many people reading this understand what the Pens have done with out their captain, let me recap.   Lets start with the man behind the bench, Coach Bylsma.  Personally, this is not bias whatsoever, but how is he not considered the hands down best coach in the NHL.  Obviously, he deservingly won the 2011 Jack Adams award for Coach of the Year with half his squad beaten and battered.   Individuals should not of even had to vote for that award last year, they should of just handed it to Dan. The 'Guins ran up the standings and finished second in the Atlantic Division with 106 points.  The closed out the season with 4-straight wins and were looking like they could run all the way to the finals.  They were stopped short of this goal by a disappointing game 7 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.  

The summer went on and the team got healthy and came back to camp fresh, wondering when Captain Sid would come back.  His delay of returning continued....but all you would read about is the resurgent Penguins continue to pile up points.  Now tied for first place atop the Atlantic with the Flyers, they continue to fly around the ice.  New addition James Neal is finally showing his talents that he portrayed in Dallas.  GM Ray Shero looks like a genius, yet again. But, fear no more Pittsburgh, here comes #87.  

Sidney is back and probably healthier than ever.  Many fans, writers and some players have criticized the face of the NHL for taking such a long absence.  However, if you look at it now - would it of really been worth it to rush Sid back in late March to help the already surging Penguins go over the 100 point mark for the season?  What if Sidney would of taken a blow to the head one more time, he could of risked his entire career.  Now, it seems like only yesterday Sid hit the ice in the Winter Classic towards the end of the first period after a big hit from Mike Green.  Here we are, ten months later.  The greatest hockey player in the world will finally lace his skates up in front of the electric atmosphere of the Consol Energy Center.  This has got to be the hottest ticket in sports right now, and why would it not be?  Sid has torched the New Yorks Islanders throughout his career.  

Before his injury last season, #87 was on pace to shatter a handful of records and set career highs.  Sid had 32 goals and 34 assists to give him a total of 66 points through 42 games.  Unbelievable? I'd say so.    I receive Pens Alerts through my phone after every game as most Pens fans do, and I would be lying if I said I was not baffled by the numbers that Sidney was putting up to that point. 

So what should we expect from Sidney.  Well, he is in top shape as always.  He has been practicing, taking hits and flying around the ice.  Personally, I don't see why we wont see what we are used to seeing from him.  He has waited and waited solely because he does not know how to play any other way then how he had played before his injury.  The Penguins, team doctors and Coach Bylsma went through this process perfectly.  It may take a few games for Sid to get used to the game rhythm and top speed, but I would not bet against the greatest player in the world.

Welcome back Sidney, we've been waiting for you.