Huge Hit of the Day

Your Huge Hit of the Day is brought to you by Dion Phaneuf, who introduces Denis Hamel to his shoulder.

Santana to the Mets-how this affects the M's

Johan Santana will be a Met-pending he gets the contract extension he wants. So how does this affect the Mariners? The Mets offered up Chris Gomez and three prospects for Santana, without a doubt the games best left-handed pitcher.

Erik Bedard, next on the list of deadly lefties, is reportedly commanding up to three prosects from the M's, as well as Adam Jones, the Mariners starting right fielder, and George Sherrill, one of the staples of the M's bullpen.

This from Peter Gammons: None of the four guys the Mets gave up for Santana would be in the top ten of the Yankees or Red Sox prospects

If this Santana deal goes through, it should be interesting to see what kind of effect this should have on the Bedard deal. If the market for Santana has been set with arguably less going the Twins way than the Orioles will see for Bedard, does this cause the Mariners to re-think this deal?

Going, going, gone?

The Mariners are about to make a big mistake

Normally, if your team is on the verge of trading for a bonafide star pitcher, you're happy as can be.

Well, when it comes to the Mariners potentially adding Erik Bedard for Adam Jones (and company) I'm not. At all.

Here's why: this trade shows the Mariner's ownership thinks that they are one pitcher away from a World Series. They're not even close. Bedard isn't going to get the Mariners past the Angels. Not with with the other holes the Mariners have: first base, DH, left field, oh and not to mention no starting right fielder since they are trading Jones.

Adam Jones has the talent to have a great career. It's sad it won't happen with the Mariners. And from what is being reported, the Orioles are to receive George Sherill and any number of prospects, including highly-touted Carlos Trunfiel.

This trade stinks. A rotation of Bedard, Felix, Silva,Washburn and Batista isn't going to carry the Mariners to glory, not with all of their other problems. They still have to beat the Angels, Yankees, Tigers, Red Sox and Indians. Good luck.

The other problem-what do you do with right field? The top free agents are gone, you can't replace from within, and your prospects (Wladimir Balentein) aren't ready for the everyday job.

This trade would make sense if the Mariners had all the tools to go World Series or bust this year, and were only one pitcher away from that happening. But they aren't.

Sure, I hope Erik Bedard tears the world apart just as much as the next person...but he can't do it all himself.

Leonard Weaver the Face Cleaver

Still bummed the Seahawks aren't playing in the Super Bowl? Well, here to cheer you up at some great stiff arms by Leonard Weaver the Face Cleaver.



and



That's just embarrassing

Leonard Weaver is the man.

Why can't Jose Canseco just go away?

Jose Canseco is a class act.

After ratting out everyone he ever met in his first book, Juiced, the former slugger is out to get more-money that is.

Canseco alledgedly tried to blackmail Tigers slugger Magglio Ordonez in order for Canseco to not mention Ordonez in his newest book, Vindicated. Canseco and Ordonez played together for the White Sox in 2001.

Canseco told Ordonez he would "clear him" if the outfielder would invest in one of Canseco's movie projects.

Wow, file this under me being completely unsurprised. Nobody has "profited" more under the whole steroids thing than Canseco. Not really a shock he would try to reap more benefits.

What's your take?

He's baccckkkkk

Yesterday Mike Holmgren announced he'd come back for one last year, saying the team had "some unfinished business" to deal with.

What are your thoughts on this? Personally, I think the situation was perfect for Holmgren to come back-the team can vastly improve its already good team by a smart draft and some key free agent signings COUGHALANFANACACOUGH.

Your thoughts?

The Stat the Turned Me

Let's get this straight right off the bat: I hate the Patriots.

I hate Bill Belichick. I really hate Rodney Harrison.

And I hate Tom Brady; but as Wes Mantooth once told an endangered Ron Burgandy, "goddammit do I respect you."

For years I hid behind "Brady has always been surrounded by talent," excuse. But I can't any longer. I have to admit, Tom is freakin' awesome.

Here's the stat that changed my life; in the AFC Championship game, Brady threw a pass that was picked off by Antonio Cromartie in the end zone.

It was the first time Brady had turned the ball over in the red zone IN OVER TWO YEARS . Seriously, think about that. I think most quarterbacks don't go two games without doing that. OK, maybe that's a little dramatic but you get my drift.

Brady broke the record for most touchdown passes in a season this year. That fell under the radar with his undefeated record.

I'm starting to think Mr. Brady might deserve that little NFL MVP.

But I still hate him.

Conference Championships

Don't have a lot of time this morning, so here are the breakdowns and picks.

New York Giants at Green Bay Packers

Brett Favre isn't going to lay an egg in this one. This close to the Super Bowl, playing at home? No way. If Eli Manning outplays him, it could finally be the turning point in his career. But I don't think it's going to happen. The Giants don't have enough weopens to match up with Green Bay.

Who Ya Got?: Packers 31, Giants 17

San Diego Chargers at New England Patriots

It's funny, the team I least expect to beat the Patriots will probably knock them off. Only because this is the one game I'd like to see New England win. Why? Favre vs. Brady in the Super Bowl.

Who Ya Got?: New England 27, San Diego 14

Rick Nash is awesome

That goal pretty much says it all.

BREAKING NEWS: HUGE SURPRISE

I'm just glad we got this out of the way. It appears Pacman Jones is in trouble yet again.

You'll recall Pacman was suspended for the season this year, has been arrested six times since 2005. This time he is accused of punching a woman in the face in a strip club.

Now, I've punched plenty of women in the face in strip clubs...wait, now I haven't. Jones, mad at the woman for stealing his money and bracelet, allegedly "sucker punched" the woman in the left eye.

Really, when you are a professional athlete fighting a women (I'm guessing a stripper) is the "sucker punch" necessary? I mean, she should at least know its coming.

THAT JUST HAPPENED

From 4-0 to 1-3, obviously I did not do well with last weekends picks. Without further ado, here's What Went Wrong.

Seahawks at Packers

My prediction: Seahawks 35, Packers 34
Actual score: Packers 42, Seahawks 20

What Went Wrong: What didn't go wrong? The snow for one. No team likes to blame the elements for a loss, and it certainly wasn't the only reason they lost, because the Packers played on the same field. But the weather absolutely killed the Seahawks defense.
The 'Hawks front seven are built on speed. Patrick Kerney was a non-factor, as was Darrell Tapp. Deon Grant left his jockstrap in Seattle on more than one play as Ryan Grant ran by him yet again.
Seattle couldn't buy a three-and-out.

Jaguars at Panthers

My prediction: Patriots 41, Jaguars 33
Actual score: Patriots 31, Jacksonville 20

What Went Wrong: The only game I nailed and the only game I thought was a sure-fire right pick. The easiest game to call, although I was really pulling for Jacksonville to knock off the Pats.

Giants at Cowboys

My prediction: Cowboys 31, Giants 23
Actual score: Giants 21, Cowboys 17

What Went Wrong: Why didn't I take the Giants? Of course Jessica Simpson is at fault for this loss. There's no other explanation.
And who is wearing that Eli Manning suit on the field the last few games?

Chargers at Colts

My prediction: Colts 42, Chargers 21
Actual score: Chargers 28, Colts 24

What Went Wrong: I never thought the Colts would play a stinker like the one they played yesterday. Didn't think Marvin Harrison would fumble away scoring chances, that Peyton would play like regular Eli (I did predict he might channel him, looks like I was half-right) or that the Chargers would even get close.
It's like salt in the wound that they did it without Rivers, Tomlinson or a healthy Gates.

Better luck next week?

Weekend Picks

So I hate to brag [Editor's note: No I don't] but I did go 4-0 in game calling last week. So this week, I thought I'd bring in some competition, namely Brandon Hansen of The Swede Factor to give his thoughts and make some picks as well.

Seattle Seahawks (11-6, NFC West champions) at Green Bay Packers (13-3, NFC North champions)

*Why the Seahawks can win-
The Swede Factor: Their defense could stop the United States Navy at the moment. Patrick Kearney is about to pull somebody's spine out and twirl it around just to re-enact a scene from "Predator" during an NFL football game.
FishBear Sports : Mike Holmgren will have his team ready to play. They won't be fazed by Lambeau Field, they're getting healthy (Deon Branch and DJ Hackett should both play) and the aforementioned defense is on a tear. I'm not convinced that Lofa Tatupu won't kill someone some day.

*Why the Seahawks can't win:
The Swede Factor: Their offense is sputtering and quarterback Matt Hasselbeck made some bad decisions during Seattle's first round game against the Redskins. If the Packers get a decent lead early, the Hawks may not be able to keep up.
FishBear Sports : Hasselbeck looked borderline retarded with some of his decisions in the first game. For the Seahawks to stay with the Packers, they'll need all of his chromosomes, and no additional ones.

*Why the Packers can win:
The Swede Factor: Do I really have to say why? Brett Favre, Lambeau Field, the playoffs, Jesus Christ coming down from the heavens to bless the entire team and smite Mike Holmgren from the face of the earth. There are a lot of reasons people will pick Green Bay in this game.
FishBear Sports: Brett Favre has had a tremendous year so far and that should continue. Their defense is tenacious and their offense should light it up.

*Why the Packers can't win:
The Swede Factor:They have no run game, but neither do the Seahawks since Shaun Alexander hasn't yet recovered from his Ifalldownwhenhitbyastiffbreeze-itis. Also, the same reason they're favored could be their downfall; if Favre throws a coupel picks, the opportunistic Seahawks will be waiting to take advantage of that.
FishBear Sports:I'll have to disagree with the lack of a running game-mid-season transplant Ryan Grant racked up 956 yards in only 188 attempts, good enough for an average of 5.1 yards per carry, fifth among all backs with over 100 attempts. So if the Packers lose, it shouldn't be because of their running game. It could be because the Seahawks defense is playing fantastic-it bailed them out of a loss last week by holding Washington to a field goal (eventually missed) after the Redskins scored 14 points in two minutes. A touchdown might have put the 'Hawks out of it. Leroy Hill is quietly having himself a great postseason.

*Final score:
The Swede Factor:Packers 34, Seahawks 20
FishBear Sports:Seahawks 35, Packers 34

New York Giants (11-6, NFC Wild Card) at Dallas Cowboys (13-3, NFC East champions)

*Why the Giants can win:
The Swede Factor:There might be a possibility that science manages to clone Michael Strahan 22 times to create a super team of gapped-teeth athletes. At least that option is more likely than Eli Manning have two good playoff game showings.
FishBear Sports: Photographs came up showing Tony Romo and Jason Whitten spending last weekend in Mexico with Jessica Simpson. "So is this chicken or Tuna?" "No Jessica, this is a threesome." Distractions anyone?

*Why the Giants can't win:
The Swede Factor:Because they're playing a professional football team, not a team from the NFC South.
FishBear Sports:Because the chances of Eli Manning playing well again is low; let's face it, he might have downs. New York should hope he gets hurt, that way we can all laugh when we see Jared Lorenzon play. Viewers will wonder why the guy that moves their furniture is playing quarterback for the Giants.

*Why the Cowboys can win:
The Swede Factor:Terrell Owens or not, Dallas will be able to move the ball against the Giants. If the game becomes a shootout, the toss up between Eli Manning and Tony Romo would most definitely go to the guy that can get hotties in the luxury suites wearing pink jerseys with their number on it.
FishBear Sports:The Cowboys have Jason Whitten. Jason Whitten is an awesomer football player than anyone the Giants have. And yes, I made the word awesomer up.

*Why the Cowboys can't win:
The Swede Factor:Lightning strikes twice. Eli will have to step up, because his brother can't sneak into the game wearing his Giants jersey like he did against the Buccaneers.
FishBear Sports:When 2/3 of your offensive weapons (Romo and Whitten) now have AID's thanks to Jessica Simpson, how can you win any game? Hopefully they took TO's advice to double-bag it.

Final score:
The Swede Factor:Cowboys 41, Giants 14
FishBear Sports:Cowboys 31, Giants 23

San Diego Chargers (12-5, AFC West champions) at Indianapolic Colts (13-3, AFC South champions)

*Why the Chargers can win:
The Swede Factor:There's this guy called L.T. I hear he can run the football, and even though he got shut down by a Tennessee Titans defensive line that likes to stomp on the heads of their opponents, he'll have no problem picking up some yards against the Colts. Their defense is good, but they can't prevent the sun from coming up, which would actually be easier than trying to stop the Chargers' running back.
FishBear Sports:LT can take a dump that can rush for 100 yards and two TD's.

*Why the Chargers can't win:
The Swede Factor:Young quarterback at the helm. Norv Turner is coaching. Don't underestimate this combination turning into a stinkbomb for San Diego.
FishBear Sports:The Colts have Bob Sanders. The Chargers have Philip Rivers. Advantage: Colts.

*Why the Colts can win:
The Swede Factor:These guys score more often than a fraternity located next to a weight watchers. Peyton Manning seems to have finally overcame that post-season jinx that he had on his head for so long.
FishBear Sports:Peyton Manning can give a word of advice to the Chargers, just like he gives his priceless words of advice on those TV commercials. "Hey Chargers, Peyton Manning here, you have no chance, might as well not play." Boom, instant win.

*Why the Colts can't win:
The Swede Factor:Indianapolis has a tendency to come out flat in the playoffs because they've rested guys for so long. You'll remember that last year they had to win three games to make it to the Super Bowl. This year they get a first round bye and played a stinker of a game against the Titans during their season closer with mostly backups.
That does tug on a postseason game just a little.
FishBear Sports:Peyton channels Eli and throws five interceptions. Or the Colts bus blows up. That seems to be the only two options for me.

Final score:
The Swede Factor:Chargers 24, Colts 21
FishBear Sports:Colts 42, Chargers 21

Jacksonville Jaguars (12-5, AFC Wild Card) at New England Patriots (16-0, Masters of the Universe)

*Why the Jaguars can win:
The Swede Factor:They play a very physical game, and seem poised to be the one team in the entire NFL that can knock off the New England Patriots.
FishBear Sports:We've talked about the fact that the Jaguars have two black quarterbacks. But how many do the Patriots have? ZERO. They're the goddamn KKK of the National Football League. That is sure to piss off David Garrard.

*Why the Jaguars can't win:
The Swede Factor:They're playing the New England Patriots. You can punch those guys in the mouth all day long and they keep coming back at you. Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York played fantastic games against the Patriots and still ended up losing. The Jags can play the Pats close, but in the end it's the team that wins that makes it to the next round.
FishBear Sports:Because they are playing the Patriots, the greatest team in the history of history. I don't know why Jacksonville is even bothering to show up.

*Why the Patriots can win:
The Swede Factor:Because Satan wishes it so.Plus any upset by the Jags is immediately offset by all this talk about how Jacksonville will beat them. New England might be the underdog in the points spread if this keeps up. The Patriots aren't going to allow a let down due to all this hype that Jacksonville is getting. They know what's coming now.
FishBear Sports:Because Tom Brady is so hot, just writing this makes me want his child.

*Why the Patriots can't win:
The Swede Factor:A meteorite hits the Earth and Bruce Willis is unable to stop it.
FishBear Sports:I'm with Brandon on this one...Jacksonville's screwed.

Final score:
The Swede Factor:Patriots 28, Jaguars 21
FishBear Sports:Patriots 41, Jaguars 33

Wild Card Weekend

This weekend marks the wild-card portion of the NFL playoffs. Although I'm not sure why we are even bothering with the playoffs, since most people seem to think that the Patriots should just be handed the trophy now.

But since things MUST be formal, here are the preview capsules for this weekends games.

Saturday

Washington Redskins (9-7, NFC wild card) at Seattle Seahawks (10-6, NFC West champions)

Why the Redskins can win: They're playing with the memory of Sean Taylor...at least that's what the story is. Maybe they'll start out with 10 men on the field again and Matt Hasselbeck can toss a long bomb for a TD. We can only hope.

Why the Redskins can't win: Because Clinton Portis is fucking weird. The link shows all the "characters" Clinton has been for interviews during the year. Extra tip: Coach Janky Spanky, second from the bottom, thinks the only way to stop Clinton Portis is to have two Sean Taylors on the field. Probably not going to happen since there won't even be one Sean Taylor on the field.

Oh and Todd Collins really sucks, it just hasn't shown yet.

Why the Seahawks can win: Because they are awesome and I will be there. Actually, because their passing attack is frightening: Hasselbeck has passed for 3,966 yards and 28 touchdowns to nine different receivers. The options are there.

Oh, did I mention Patrick Kerney is facing a rookie?

Why the Seawhaks can't win: Sometimes they play like turds. It hasn't happened lately (I don't count the Atlanta game. Why? Because it's my website and I don't have to.) Hopefully they don't pull something stupid and mess up a handoff to set up a field goal like the first Arizona game.

Final score: Seahawks 27, Redskins 17

Jacksonville Jaguars (11-5, AFC wild card) at Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6, AFC North champions)

Why Jacksonville can win: They have TWO black quarterbacks! How many do the Steelers have? ONE.

Why Jacksonville can't win: Maurice Jones-Drew is really short.

Why the Steelers can win: Because BIG Ben's been there before.

Why the Steelers can't win: Willie Parker is gone. Najah Davenport is the starter. Yes, the man who will break into your house and shit in your closet is now the running back for the Steelers. Yikes.

Final score: Jacksonville 17, Steelers 14

Sunday

Tennessee Titans (10-6, AFC wild card) at San Diego Chargers (11-5, AFC West Champions)

Why the Titans can win: Because LenDale White will sneak into the Chargers locker room and eat the ENTIRE pre-game spread. And we all know how football players perform on an empty stomach.

Why the Titans can't win: Vince Young might not play. That means Kerry Collins might.

Why the Chargers can win: LT, LT, LT, LT.

Why the Chargers can't win: Phillip Rivers is about as consistent a quarterback as wet paper bag is.

Final score: San Diego 35, Tennessee 27

New York Giants (10-6, NFC wild card) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7, NFC South champions)

Why the Giants can win: Because Tampa Bay absolutely sucks. Seriously check out that NFC South division. A regular cast of giants. The Bucs were the only team even over .500. The next-best team, the Panthers, were 7-9.

Why the Giants can't win: Eli Manning is a horrible quarterback and a person and I hate him.

Why the Buccaneers can win: See above.

Why the Buccaneers can't win: See higher above.

Final score: Giants 33, Buccaneers 21

What a game

That was awesome.

Seriously, the 2008 NHL Winter Classic was fantastic. What an environment for a game. If you missed it, you missed a great game.

Of course the game went to a shootout. One of the main reasons the game was played outdoors was to pay homage to "old-time pond hockey". And it was fitting that the game came down to a shootout. Honestly, I can't remember how many times growing up we settled street hockey or any other game with a shootout. It was great to see.

Fans also got a chance to see the league showcase some of its greatest young talents. Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Stahl, Colby Armstrong and Sidney Crosby shined...and thats just the Penguins. If anyone (and no one still does) had any doubt about Sid the Kid, it was probably erased with that game.

Truthfully, it was probably the first time for many people to actually see Crosby in action on a main station. And how he impressed. Whether it was lifting the puck past defenders or pulling spin-a-ramas, he was full of excitement. Not to mention scoring the final goal in a shootout in what was probably the NHL's biggest regular season game of the year.

I sure hope the NHL does this again. It was fun, creative, and gave casual fans a chance to see the game.