Forums http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums en Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:41:13 GMT vBulletin 60 http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums/images/misc/rss.jpg Forums http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums This just in: TheDean1 is a new Jabberhead! http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums/showthread.php?t=64112&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:35:37 GMT Image: http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j311/regdev/sjnetbanner.jpg Welcome to the forums of Sports Jabber, TheDean1! Make yourself at home,...

Welcome to the forums of Sports Jabber, TheDean1!

Make yourself at home, please. If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact any member of our staff by clicking on the "View Forum Leaders" link at the bottom of the forums menu.

Also, Be sure and check out info on all that SJ has to offer at http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums/showthread.php?t=5784 here in the Jabber Welcome Center.
]]> Jabber Welcome Center The Jabber Door Greeter http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums/showthread.php?t=64112 The Program: Thanks For The Memories... http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums/showthread.php?t=64111&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:30:39 GMT *By: The Program, SJ Contributing Authors, Hockey Bloggers * If you did not listen to the show last night, we are losing a dear friend to this... By: The Program, SJ Contributing Authors, Hockey Bloggers


If you did not listen to the show last night, we are losing a dear friend to this great thing called life.* Rick Bartolotta leaves us after 2+ years of being more than just a co-host.* Let's face it The Program just will not quite be the same.* However, our goal to become bigger and better than ever remains the same.* We are indeed looking for a co-host to fill Rick's shoes.* If you are interested at all, just drop us a line.

In the meantime, here is the Sunday Night archive that was just a little crazy with Scott Norton, Tom Chorske, and Dustin Brown.* Enjoy everyone.

The Program -- Sunday Night Edition

*

*

*

This beer is for you buddy!

More... ]]> NHL Jabber TheProgramBTR http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums/showthread.php?t=64111 <![CDATA[Joe Montana says 'Rudy' is (gasp!) not completely factual]]> http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums/showthread.php?t=64110&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:26:46 GMT The movie in question, of course, is "Rudy", the inspirational story of Notre Dame walk-on Rudy Ruettiger. Montana was a freshman on the 1975 Irish squad, and witnessed firsthand Ruettiger's improbable sack in the season-finale against Georgia Tech.

Some of the other stuff surrounding the movie, though? Meh, not so much.

Asked by Patrick about being there with the real-life Rudy, Montana said he was while adding "it's a movie, remember. Not all of it's true." The Hall of Famer then took the time to note some of the historical inaccuracies for Patrick contained in the film.

"Well, the crowd wasn't chanting. No one threw in their jerseys. He did get in the game. He got carried off [at the end of] the game. ... Back then they tried to play someone at the end of [the season] that all the seniors could get in the last home game. The schedule was kind of set that way.

"So he got in. He did get a sack. And then the guys carried him off, just playing around. I won't say it was a joke, but it was playing around. He worked his butt off to get where he was and to do the things he did. But not any harder than anyone else."

[/urinating all over the varnished myth]

Source: CFT ]]> NCAA Pigskin Jabber TrojanHorse http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums/showthread.php?t=64110 <![CDATA[Winning coach rubs Jayhawks' nose in loss]]> http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums/showthread.php?t=64109&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:22:05 GMT Still riding high from the 6-3 win over the Jayhawks, North Dakota State head coach Craig Bohl was asked about his team's upcoming game against fellow 1-AA school Northern Iowa. In praising his next opponent, Bohl takes a shot at both Kansas' "docile" fans and the Jayhawks' toughness -- or lack thereof.

"I think the environment that we're going to play in Cedar Falls is going to be much more of a hostile environment than Memorial Stadium in Kansas. That was pretty docile," Bohl said. "And the type of team that we're going to be playing is going to be a much more physical, aggressive football team than KU. And quite frankly I think we're going to be playing a better opponent. I know one school is in the Big 12 and the other one is in the Missouri Valley. I think that gives an indication on how we see Missouri Valley play and the respect we give Northern Iowa."

Source: CFT ]]> NCAA Pigskin Jabber TrojanHorse http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums/showthread.php?t=64109 The Ghost of Moonlight Graham: A Tale Of Two Fantasy Man Crushes http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums/showthread.php?t=64108&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:00:14 GMT By Adam Bernacchio
Blogger, SJ Contributing Author

At the onset of each season, I take a look at a guy who is the year’s fantasy man crush. A fantasy man crush is a guy who had a tremendous one or two months the previous season, is high on everyone’s draft board come draft day, and then goes about three to four rounds higher than he should have because that person thinks that player is going to be the breakout star of that season.

The 2009 fantasy man crush was Texas Rangers’ 1B Chris Davis. In 2008, Davis hit .285 with 17 HR’s in just 80 games for the Rangers and was on everyone’s radar come draft day of 2009.

Davis was a huge disappointment last season




Unfortunately for everyone who drafted Davis in 2009 was disappointed because he was a complete flop. Davis hit just .202 and was sent to the minors in the second half. He never lived up to the hype and ruined many fantasy seasons last year.

On the other hand, Colorado Rockies’ OF Carlos Gonzalez was this year’s fantasy man crush and he has exceeded expectations and then some. Gonzalez hit .285 with 13 HR’s* and 16 SB’s in 89 games for the Rockies last year. Fantasy owners were eying him for 2010 based on those numbers, but when he had his national coming out party in the playoffs, everyone really started to take notice.

He hit .588 in the four game series against the Philadelphia Phillies and he was really a one-man wrecking crew. His talents were on display for the world to see and everyone wanted him on draft day.

To say Gonzalez has exceeded expectations is the understatement of the century. “Cargo” is going for the triple crown in the National League, hitting .340 with 32 HR’s and 100 RBI in 124 games. He has also added 23 SB’s and eight triples to boot.

So who are the candidates to be next year’s man crush and potentially the next Cargo? Here are some candidates…

Logan Morrison: .318/.426/.493 in 38 games. Will be the Florida Marlins’ full time right fielder next year.

Domonic Brown: .214/.242/.375 in 30 games. Doesn’t have the numbers, but will most likely replace the departing Jayson Werth and will be hitting in a solid lineup and in a hitter’s ballpark.

Mitch Moreland: .253/.349/.451 in 29 games. A first baseman in the deep Rangers’ lineup should produce. Then again, that’s what we said about Davis.

Seth Smith: .259/.320/.497 with 17 HR’s in 116 games. With Brad Hawpe gone, Smith could find himself in a full time role in 2011. A regular in Coors Field is always enticing.

Carlos Santana: .260/.401/.467 with six HR’s in 46 games. Santana was off to a fast start in Cleveland before getting run over and blowing out his knee at home plate in a game against the Boston Red Sox. With Santana expected to make a full recovery and the catcher position thin offensively, he will be on the radar of every fantasy owner next season.

You can follow The Ghost of Moonlight Graham on Twitter @ theghostofmlg



More... ]]> MLB Jabber SJ Town Crier http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums/showthread.php?t=64108 bettor.com: The rise and fall and rise again of Jason Booth http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums/showthread.php?t=64107&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:00:14 GMT *SJ Blog Partners/Contributing Authors* The rise and fall and rise again of Jason Booth When Jason Booth steps into this ring this weekend to face... SJ Blog Partners/Contributing Authors

The rise and fall and rise again of Jason Booth When Jason Booth steps into this ring this weekend to face Steve Molitor for the IBF world title, he won&rsquo;t just be glad that he&rsquo;s fighting for an international strap, he&rsquo;ll be glad that he is still alive. &ldquo;2 Smooth&rdquo; showed a tremendous amount of talent from a very early age and by the time he was 25 he had the IBO super-flyweight belt in his possession. The world of boxing was very much his for the taking. However f...

More... ]]> Combat Jabber Sports Guru http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums/showthread.php?t=64107 <![CDATA[Puck Daddy: In which Canucks' Ryan Kesler annihilates us in NHL 2K11]]> http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums/showthread.php?t=64106&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:00:14 GMT By Greg Wyshynski Yahoo Sports Image:... By Greg Wyshynski
Yahoo Sports

NEW YORK CITY -- The biggest change in the hockey video gaming world in the past year was the news that 2K Sports would be taking their NHL series strictly to the Nintendo Wii. Given the dominance in the hockey video games market by EA Sports, taking NHL 2K to the Wii is a good decision as it's the perfect platform for it.

Last year, we reviewed NHL 2K10 on the Playstation 3 and found that while the game was graphically impressive, the controls sluggish to the point you'd get incredibly frustrated.

Now exclusively on the Wii, 2K might have found its niche. While EA's NHL series is geared toward the hardcore hockey fan looking for realistic gameplay and ultra-deep franchise mode, if you're a casual fan looking for a "pick up and play" kind of game, 2K might be the way to go.

To help promote NHL 2K11, featuring Ryan Kesler of the Vancouver Canucks on the cover, 2K Sports took an RV from Calgary in mid-July to New York City yesterday, stopping at 14 different cities along the way.

The tour ended yesterday at Chelsea Piers where fans could demo the game and meet Kesler and Travis Zajac of the New Jersey Devils. Later in the afternoon Kesler and Zajac took part in a pick-up game and then helped run an on-ice clinic for a local youth travel team.

Being the adventurous gamer, I challenged the cover boy to a friendly game between his Canucks and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Last summer, Kesler guaranteed that Team USA would defeat the Canadians in the Olympics and medal.

I asked him if he had any guarantees for our match, to which he replied, "I guarantee I won't lose by less than five goals."

Practicing earlier this week so as to not embarrass myself, things were going fine, with Kesler holding a one-goal advantage in the second period.

Then things went haywire.

A faulty Wii nunchuk hindered the skating ability of my Penguins, which in turn allowed Kesler to pop five goals during that time, all but ending my hope of victory and giving the Canucks' assistant captain an 8-2 victory.

A big gamer himself, Kesler said he mostly plays during the season and likes to spend his off-season outdoors. He's already received numerous requests from teammates for free copies of 2K11 and will now be on the receiving end of complaints regarding player ratings and likenesses.

We took some video during the day of the 2K setup outside of Chelsea Piers, the pick-up game and shootout afterwards and inside the 2K RV including the some interesting messages on the bathroom wall:



Puck Daddy / NHL2K11 feat. Ryan Kesler & Travis Zajac from Sean Leahy on Vimeo.



More... ]]> SJ Gallery of Blog Affiliates SJ Town Crier http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums/showthread.php?t=64106 <![CDATA[Ball Don't Lie: Matt Barnes disputes domestic violence arrest]]> http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums/showthread.php?t=64105&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:00:14 GMT By J.E. Skeets, Kelly Dwyer, Trey Kerby, Rod Benson, Dan Devine, Adrian Wojnarowski & Marc J. Spears---Yahoo Sports

This was mentioned in today's Suicide Lines, but if you lost consciousness after seeing Carmelo Anthony in an awkwardly-fitting tank top here's a recap on Matt Barnes' situation, via the Associated Press:
Los Angeles Lakers forward Matt Barnes has been arrested on suspicion of domestic violence, Sacramento County authorities said Wednesday.

Deputies arrested Barnes after responding to what was termed an incomplete 911 call from a residence around 4:16 p.m., according to sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Tim Curran.

Deputies found Barnes and a woman both with visible injuries, but took Barnes into custody after determining he had been the primary aggressor, said Curran.

The name of the woman was not released, but she was described as "a woman who lived with him and with whom he had a dating relationship."
That's the official report &mdash; that Barnes was the "primary aggressor" in this domestic dispute. Barnes, however, disagrees. From ABC News 10's Jason Kobely:
Former Sacramento Kings forward Matt Barnes told News10's Bryan May "I was the victim but still got arrested" after police say he was involved in a physical fight with his girlfriend Wednesday at the couple's Fair Oaks home, according to a Sacramento County Sheriff's spokesman. [...]

Barnes responded to a text message from News10's Bryan May late Wednesday, texting, "U know any domestic violence situation 9 outa 10 times the man gets arrested. That's the case here I was the victim but still got arrested. No matter what I say people are gonna think what they want..."
Because this is 2010, Barnes also took to Twitter to defend himself, declaring in all-caps: "DON'T LET YOUR EARS WITNESS, WHAT YOUR EYES DIDN'T SEE!!!" Fair enough &mdash; there's no way we can know what happened since we weren't there. That being said, something happened and that's bad enough. Maybe Barnes didn't start it and maybe he was the victim, but it's unlikely that he'd be taken in to custody if he didn't respond in some way. However, the best move is to reserve judgment until all the facts come out.

Surely, that's what David Stern will do, even though he'll definitely not be very happy with this situation regardless of what really went down. Depending on how things play out, Barnes could be looking at some sort of suspension to start the season. Just guessing that's not how he wanted to start his stint with the Lakers.



More... ]]> SJ Gallery of Blog Affiliates SJ Town Crier http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums/showthread.php?t=64105 Big Ten Guru: Northwestern vs. Illinois State: the Brutally Honest Game Preview http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums/showthread.php?t=64104&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:00:14 GMT *By Paul Banks* .Image: http://www.thesportsbank.net/core/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/go-cats-300x225.jpg ... By Paul Banks

.
Last weekend, I drove to both Ohio State and Notre Dame to cover their openers. Therefore, the Indiana Toll Road and I became quite familiar with one another.

This weekend I'm home; back in Chicago's Lakeview East neighborhood, a place described by Baseball Prospectus writer Christina Kahrl, in her latest Cubs piece as...there are still enough trust funders knocking around Lakeview, the Corn Belt's Riviera, to keep their sozzled watch with semi-indifference.

Uh-oh! trust fund babies afoot! And I have to go up Lake Shore Drive to an elite, private University to take in the Northwestern Wildcats home opener! I better a bring a gun to protect myself from the two comma kids (yes, I did make a "Finding Forrester" reference)

Hopefully, I'll survive the 25 minute trek to NU so we can discuss the game.

Chicago's official Air and Water Show may have been last month, but I expect airspace over Evanston's Ryan Field Saturday to be busier than the final approach corridor of O'Hare International Airport. Why? Read on.....



More... ]]> SJ Gallery of Blog Affiliates SJ Town Crier http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums/showthread.php?t=64104 <![CDATA[We're Bucked: College Football Picks Week 2; Saints Over Vikings; USA vs Russia]]> http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums/showthread.php?t=64103&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:00:14 GMT * By Justin Malaise SJ Contributing Author, blogger* Week 2 of the College Football season starts tonight with a decent matchup of Auburn at... By Justin Malaise
SJ Contributing Author, blogger

Week 2 of the College Football season starts tonight with a decent matchup of Auburn at Mississippi State.* The NFL gets going tonight with Minnesota at New Orleans.* And there is even some basketball today with Russia vs USA in the FIBA basketball quarterfinal game. College Picks Auburn -1.5 at Mississippi State – Auburn is an under-rated team ready to make a run towards the SEC West title,*Mississippi State is a year away from being a real pest. Georgia +3 at South Carolina – I picked Georgia as my darkhorse so I am sticking with them.* I am nervous about AJ Green being [...]

More... ]]> SJ Gallery of Blog Affiliates SJ Town Crier http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums/showthread.php?t=64103 The Sports Bank.net: Notre Dame vs. Michigan: the Brutally Honest Game Preview http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums/showthread.php?t=64102&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:00:14 GMT Image: http://www.thesportsbank.net/core/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/notre-dame-players-300x225.jpg ...

Here we go #1 vs. #2…(not in the national polls mind you, as both of these teams are unranked. However, Michigan is number one all time in winning percentage (.737) and Notre Dame is second (.734).

In all-time wins, the Wolverines are first with 877, ND is third with 838. This match-up clearly doesn’t have the same sizzle as years past, but it does feature two decent programs in the rebuilding process. And we’ll learn who’s taken a step further in their development on Saturday.

And if you’re like me, someone who’s borderline sexually aroused by games with a lot of passing yards (ok, that’s bit of an exaggeration, but you get the idea) then you’ll love this contest. Two fast, athletic and talented wide receiving corps squaring off against two mediocre-on-a-good-day secondaries.

There will be so much aerial combat, it’s time to cue up “Highway…..to….THE DANGER ZONE,” Kenny Loggins’ theme from “Top Gun.”

Throughout the season, I’ll be bringing you these informative yet blunt game previews of every contest I cover (and a second game that week that interests me); with a heavy focus on my three “home teams” Northwestern, Illinois, Notre Dame, and the Big Ten in general.

By Paul M. Banks



Notre Dame synopsis: Brian Kelly is a brilliant tactician. He didn’t throw it downfield all that much last week because he didn’t have to. In facing the 94th ranked rushing defense of Purdue, senior Armando Allen and sophomore Cierre Wood ran wild.

The “pass-first” spread-option attack opened up plenty of running lanes, and Coach Kelly was able to keep much of his playbook close to the vest. This week, he should open things up and exploit Michigan’s biggest weaknesses in defending the pass. Look for TE Kyle Rudolph early and often underneath, and in the intermediate routes, then WR Michael Floyd in the deep routes. Expect converted running back Theo Riddick and freshman wideout T.J. Jones, who had his first career start/TD reception last week, to get involved too.



Michigan synopsis: The Wolverines lit up a pretty good UConn defense last week, as Denard Robinson set school records with 383 yards of total offense and 197 rushing yards by a quarterback to lead the Wolverines to victory. He became just the second QB in Big Ten history to accrue 180+ yards rushing and receiving in the same game. For Michigan’s sake, let’s hope he doesn’t pull a Tate Forcier, where he starts hot (as does the team) only to flub later in the season.

I’m not sold on the Michigan defense, especially the secondary. Donovan Warren, last year’s best DB, left early for the NFL, and that decision is right up there with anything you’ve agreed to do at 4 a.m. over text message. Then they lost their best returning DB Troy Woolfolk for the season in camp. And their most disruptive pass-rusher from last year, Brandon Graham, is gone too.

If I’m ND Offensive Coordinator Charley Molnar (and one day, God willing I will be) I’m thinking “bombs away.”

LB Obi Ezeh is a gamer, last week he recorded a team-high nine tackles (six solo) and recovered a Connecticut
fumble near the goal line in third quarter. He’ll need to be huge in order for the Wolverines to spring the mild upset.

Guys you’ll see Saturday eventually playing on Sundays: Floyd could be a first rounder, Te’o looks like a 2012 first rounder, and ND tight ends Kyle Rudolph, and to a lesser extent Mike Ragone should also be in “the shield” one day. DE Kapron Lewis-Moore and NG Ian Williams have potential too. On the Michigan side, Steve Schilling could follow in the footsteps of Jake Long, Ezeh will get some looks and Troy Woolfolk had some promise before the season ending injury.

Prediction to be taken with a grain of salt (actually make that a whole truckload of salt)

ND 37, UM 30 (Banks’ season picks record 2-0)

Written by Paul M. Banks, president and CEO of The Sports Bank.net , a Midwest-focused webzine. He is also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, the Chicago Tribune’s blog network, Walter Football.com, the Washington Times Communities, Yardbarker Network and Fox Sports.com

You can follow him on Twitter @thesportsbank and @bigtenguru

Possibly Related Posts:




More... ]]> SJ Gallery of Blog Affiliates SJ Town Crier http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums/showthread.php?t=64102 Dr U: 2010 DR U Fantasy Football Players Rankings-Week 1 Running backs http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums/showthread.php?t=64101&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:00:14 GMT 1. Chris Johnson, Tennessee vs Oakland 2. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota at New Orleans 3. Frank Gore, San Francisco at Seattle 4. Rashard Mendenhall,... 1. Chris Johnson, Tennessee vs Oakland 2. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota at New Orleans 3. Frank Gore, San Francisco at Seattle 4. Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh vs Atlanta 5. Steven Jackson, St. Louis vs Arizona 6. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville vs Denver 7. Ray Rice, Baltimore at New York Jets 8. DeAngelo Williams, Carolina at New York Giants 9. Arian Foster, Houston vs Indianapolis 10. Michael Turner, [...]

More... ]]> SJ-Original Fantasy Columns and Advice SJ Town Crier http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums/showthread.php?t=64101 BTB: Fantasy Football Starts Tonight http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums/showthread.php?t=64100&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:00:14 GMT Image: http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/381802/234x60_FFC_medium.GIF ...

CBSSports.com is SB Nation's fantasy football partner. SB Nation has a deal with CBSSports.com offering their Fantasy Football Commissioner leagues at half-price. If you're interested in purchasing a league for the price of $90, make sure you do it through this link so BTB gets the credit. You get lots of cool features with the league.

Not only does the NFL kick off the 2010 season tonight, but Fantasy Football gets its start, too. This is a friendly reminder from BTB: Don't forget to set your lineups! You don't want to be that guy that has a stud on the bench who scores 40 fantasy points just because it slipped your mind that the games start tonight.

With the Vikings and the Saints playing tonight, there are plenty of fantasy prospects that you'll want to get into your starting lineup.

For reference about Week 1 of the fantasy season, here are some convenient links.

SB Nation's Fantasy page.
SB Nation Vikings/Saints fantasy preview.
SB Nation Vikings blog, Daily Norseman.
SB Nation Saints blog, Canal Street Chronicles.
CBSSports.com fantasy football page.
CBSSports.com Week 1 projections.
CBSSports.com injury page.

Consider this an open thread to discuss Fantasy Football.

CBSSports.com is an SB Nation partner and paying sponsor of the SB Nation football communities.This post is one of a series of sponsor endorsed posts relating to the CBSSports.com Fantasy Football Commissioner League.






More... ]]> SJ Gallery of Blog Affiliates SJ Town Crier http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums/showthread.php?t=64100 Footbasket: This Triple Crown Race is Insane http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums/showthread.php?t=64099&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:00:14 GMT *By Josh Dhani Jabberhead Contributing Author* Well, figures, since I wrote that article about the Padres sucking... By Josh Dhani
Jabberhead
Contributing Author

Well, figures, since I wrote that article about the Padres sucking, they sweep the Dodgers and look solid again. *I still think they’ll choke but that’s not what this article is about. *This post is about the ridiculously awesome Triple Crown/ MVP race in the National League. *I honesty can’t remember a time when it was so close, so late in the season in my life. *Battling for the prestigious award are Albert Pujols, Joey Votto, and the suddenly unstoppable Carlos Gonzalez (aren’t the A’s happy they traded him for Matt Holiday last year). *Here’s a look at their stats.

Pujols: .311 36 HR 98 RBI

Votto: .326 32 HR 99 RBI

Gonzalez: .340 32 HR 100 RBI

My thoughts are that Pujols is still the best hitter in the game and it’s just so hard to bet against him but this year I am. *His average is by far the lowest, a solid 29 points behind Gonzalez. *That just might be too much ground to make up as Gonzalez is the hottest hitter of the three. *Although, Pujols’s 36 HR’s leads them both by 4 and that might also be too many for Votto and Carlos to catch up on with only a month remaining with the inevitable 4 or 5 more homers by Albert. *Votto’s in the same boat for HR’s, but his average is .326, and he has a solid shot at catching Carlos if he heats it up in the final few weeks. *I don’t think anyone will actually win the Triple Crown because of the relatively large gap in homers and average, but it will be pretty cool to watch and it’ll keep things interesting for Cardinals, Reds, and Rockies fans.

For the MVP I see Joey Votto taking it home. *He’s lead the Reds all season long and is looking at his first trip to the post season. *He’s outmuscled Pujols just as the Reds have done the same to the Cardinals. *Although, if the Rockies continue their hot play and sneak in to the playoffs, the voting for MVP will get really tough because then I feel like Gonzalez has to get the award. *Regardless of who wins, I’m just happy that it isn’t Albert dominating the National League like he does*pretty much*every year where he’s the obvious MVP winner by August 1st. *It got pretty boring and I’m happy to see two guys really step it up and (hopefully) take him down.



More... ]]> SJ Gallery of Blog Affiliates rocksballer58 http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums/showthread.php?t=64099 Shutdown Corner: Are you ready for the Shutdown Corner Opening Night Chat? http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums/showthread.php?t=64098&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:00:14 GMT By MJD Yahoo Sports Well, we are! Come join me and buddies Scott Pianowski and Andy Behrens from Roto Arcade... By MJD
Yahoo Sports

Well, we are! Come join me and buddies Scott Pianowski and Andy Behrens from Roto Arcade (you've been reading their "Juggernaut" articles, of course), plus a special guest or two, for the first official Shutdown Corner Game Chat of the 2010 season.

We'll be talking about all angles of the Vikings-Saints opener, and we promise to mention Brett Favre only 3,912,450 times, which is 49,123,093,325 fewer times than you'll hear it anywhere else. And unlike other outlets, we're going to try and remember that the Saints are coming into this game as Super Bowl Champions. Sound like fun? Well, it is! Here are some NFL greats who can testify to the healing powers and strong karmic payoff one can experience as a result of SC game chats:

"Before I participated in my first Shutdown Corner Game Chat, I was just another defensive coordinator with no media savvy whatsoever. Now, I'm the head coach of the New York $%^&**&^% Jets, I'm a (*&^%^& TV star, and I can have all the )^%$^&*()_(* snacks I want!" "While I respectfully disagree with some of the more flippant dialogue that occurs during these &lsquo;Game Chats', I must admit that they seem, on the surface, to be acceptable examples of relatively harmless fun. I will be monitoring tonight's chat, however, and will be filing a full report with the National Football League on the morrow should anything offend my delicate sensibilities." "As a professional Shutdown Corner myself, I heartily endorse these live chats, especially when these guys recount my ability to turn any elite receiver into a practice squad lookalike. Like the receiver in the picture below. I forget his name ..." "The Shutdown Corner Game Chat is straight cash, homey!"Are you ready for some football? Yeah, us too. Join us a little before 8:30 ET as we go live with what should be a thrilling NFC Championship Game rematch. The stars! The great plays! The totally bogus roughing-the-passer calls! Football is back, kids!




More... ]]> SJ Gallery of Blog Affiliates SJ Town Crier http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums/showthread.php?t=64098