Monday, September 28, 2009

State of the Cougars: September

I'm sure some BYU fans consider this season a failure already. After the win over Oklahoma, it was natural to see this as a non-BCS team's best chance to be in the BCS-title game. And it could have been BYU's best season since 1996, and its first unbeaten season since 1984.


But the season hasn't changed that much for me. Lost in the euphoria of the OK win was the fact that the Cougars were still unlikely to finish the season undefeated. The FSU game worried me (though I thought we'd win), and Utah and TCU are both very good teams. And there's the inevitable let-down game where a good team struggles against a lesser opponent (see USC losing to Washington).

Offense
I love Max Hall. He may be the most confident/cocky QB we've had since Ty Detmer. He believes he can make any throw at anytime.

But that's also his problem. Sometimes I wish he would throw it away instead of throwing the picks. His numbers this year aren't very good. Yes, his completion percentage is high (67%), but he has 8 picks to go with his 8 TDs. Yes, he's averaging almost 300 yards, his passing efficiency is 150+, but if he doesn't get more accurate (from an INT perspective), we may see him throw away a big game.

The biggest problem in passing game though is lack of consistency at WR. Besides Pitta, who can Hall depend on? The announcers on Saturday said Jacobson was on the same level with Austin Collie. Sorry man, Jacobson is fast, but he's not even close. He's very inconsistent. And after Jacobson the consistency is almost zero.

The running game will be fine. Unga looked awesome against CSU. I know everyone was high on Kariya and Di Luigi after the OK game, but they are back-ups. Unga is needed for the long-term health of the offense.

Defense
The defense played the game of their life against the Sooners. It's been a mixed bag since. They got beat up by the speed of FSU, and CSU had more success than they should have.

As usual, my biggest problem with the defense is speed at LB and below-average play in the defensive backfield. I really like Brian Logan, but man taller receivers pick on him and there's nothing he can do about it. The LBs have played well, especially against the run.

Special Teams
Is it possible for BYU to have a decent kick-off team? Less than 20 yards, really? Bad field position hurts both the offense and defense.

The Mtn and DirectTV
I hate DirectTV. Don't dare tell me you're not carrying Versus because Comcast is greedy. I don't care. Get it done. I switched over to your stupid service just to get BYU football, and then two of the biggest games of the year (FSU and TCU) I can't see at home. Let me make the choice and pay a little extra. On top of that, I won't be able to watch the NHL this year. Curse you DirectTV! Curse you!

Overall, I love having the Mtn and getting to see the all the BYU games while living in Wisconsin. But here are some improvements they could make:
  • I want all games in HD. I know, I know. I sound like a whining 3 year-old. But I've gotten used to watching football in HD and it's hard to go back.
  • Get rid of Todd Christensen. He's awful. We need some good announcers. Come on guys. Go find somebody who doesn't suck and makes observations I couldn't make.
  • The half-time studio show is painful. Why do you need three awkward guys? Just go down to one awkward guy until you find a good group.

I realize this will likely get better with time; the Big Ten Network is having similar growing pains.

RISE AND SHOUT!

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Don't want to be like Mike

A friend of mine once said that the differences between Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant was: 1) MJ was a better player; and 2) MJ was better as portraying himself as lovable to his adoring public.

I disagreed with my friend at the time, claiming that MJ was a nicer guy and a better teammate, though not an example for human behavior in either of those areas. After watching MJ's Hall of Fame induction speech, I've changed my mind. The only question now is whether MJ is a bigger jerk than Kobe, just that much more talented and a better actor (who also was never accused of rape).

MJ came off in the speech as a bitter, tired aging man who dislikes everyone. As Rick Reilly points out, he dissed anyone who might personally care about him, including his kids and family.

So it leads me to one of three conclusions: 1) He's always been a jerk; 2) He became a jerk over time; and 3) He's not really a jerk, his speech just made him sound like one. I believe it's somewhere between No. 1 and No. 2. There are plenty of stories about his demanding behavior as a teammate, and we know he's a compulsive gambler. Most of what I've read about the man points to a conceeded jerk, and his speech reinforced that.

I don't know if that makes him a bad teammate or not. But in retrospect, he certainly looked like one by how he spoke.

But I can say this for sure: He was a total jerk in his speech, and showed no class, especially compared to David Robinson. Maybe we all want to be like Mike, but we'd rather have our kids grow up to be like David.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Heroes lives, Terminator dies

Last year I had two favorite shows in traditional fall-winter season: Heroes and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. (My two favorite shows on TV, Psych and The Closer, both come in the 'off-season' and are on cable, while Heroes and Terminator appeared on NBC and Fox respectively.) But I had very different relationships with each show.

Heroes was the fulfillment of a life-long dream. Super heroes have never been done particularly well on live-action television, with the possible exception of The Incredible Hulk (1978). The Flash (1990) I loved at the time, but I was 14 and would have loved anything attached to comic books.

So I watched Heroes 2006 debut with eager anticipation. I absolutely loved the first season. Compelling characters, comedy, cool powers, good acting. It worked oh so well, until the season finale, which was a little bit of a mess. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't very good.

And the bleeding continued into Season 2, which was interrupted by the writer's strike. That season was a mess. Nothing made sense, and they messed with every character so much (especially Sylar) that you had no idea who the characters were. That was kind of the point for Season 2, but it didn't work.

Season 3 was also flat. The basic plot was fine; but the individual elements of the plot fell flat. But then the last three episodes before the finale picked up. Sylar was gaining steam. The government conspiracy was falling apart. I was starting to enjoy it again.

Then came the finale. It was awesome. Cool conclusions, and cool character fulfillment. But the ending took a quick right turn into Suckville. Sylar was transformed into Nathan Petrelli? What? This was there only option? Nobody saw tragedylooming behind this decision? I decided then and there I may finally ditch this show after three years.

And then I saw the trailers for Season 3. They looked awesome. So yes, I will be watching tonight, eagerly anticipating again.

Why have I stuck with this show for three years when only a handful of episodes have caught my attention? Because it should be everything I want in television. It should be compelling drama. It should have great characters. It should have cool action. But the show rarely delivers on any of this. But I am still looped in because of the tease: it's a premise I want to see succeed, and enough episodes have delivered to not turn me off completely.

Terminator's debut in 2007 was totally different. I started watching because I liked the first two movies, and I love the premise, but I wasn't entirely sold on it. The first few episodes were OK, but the violence turned my wife off and I was getting a little bored. Then something happened: I began to care about the characters, and each episode was compelling. And my wife was so intrigued she came back and enjoyed the show almost as much as I did.

So here I was watching the Season 2 finale last spring, thinking that the show might survive despite low ratings. First, it was a very good show. Second, with the Terminator: Salvation movie coming in the summer, this might give Fox the juice to keep it going. And third, it was an awesome show!

But then two things happened to doom the show. First, the season finale sucked. It really did. I loved every episode of Season 2, except that one. They changed everything by throwing John Connor into the future, and it took the air out of the narrative. Second, Terminator: Salvation wasn't very good. The cinematography was awesome, but the story was pretty lame. So Terminator was not renewed at Fox, though there are rumors of a TV movie/mini-series to finish things off for the fans. Don't hold your breath.

So here I sit. The better show was canceled and Heroes will probably just tease me again and leave me flat. Maybe I should just rent some DVDs if 24 and Mad Men and call it good.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

NFL Preview

For my NFL season preview, I will not bother you with reams and reams of data. I will not give you my sleeper fantasy picks (I’m keeping those for my own fantasy domination). I shall also not give you my gambling secrets, because I don’t gamble. What I will give you is almost completely baseless picks and some teams who I think will surprise for better or for worse.

Playoff Picks
NFC
Giants (East)
Green Bay (North)
Carolina (South)
Arizona (West)
Chicago (WC)
Dallas (WC)

AFC
New England (East)
Baltimore (North)
Tennessee (South)
San Diego (West)
Pittsburgh (WC)
Houston (WC)

WC Round
Chicago @ Arizona
Dallas @ Giants
Pittsburgh @ San Diego
Houston @ Baltimore

Divisional Round
Chicago @ Green Bay
Giants @ Carolina
Pittsburgh @ New England
Baltimore @ Tennessee

Conference Championships
Giants @ Green Bay
Baltimore @ New England

Super Bowl
Green Bay vs. New England

Surprises
Indianapolis – I don’t think this is the end of the line for Peyton Manning, but I think the transition to a new coach and the tough division will result in Peyton watching his brother’s playoff games from a luxury box.

Minnesota – I make no apology for not picking them for the playoffs. For two seasons I have believed the Vikes would be a Super Bowl team if they could fix their QB problem. Unfortunately, it’s not 1999, and Favre sucks. You read that right. Favre sucks.

San Diego – As a Pats fan, two teams scare me going into the playoffs: San Diego and Baltimore. And then I remembered something: Norv Turner is still the coach of the Chargers. Then I’m not so scared anymore.

Green Bay – I am drinking the green and gold Kool Aid man. I like the defense to improve, I think Aaron Rodgers makes the leap, and I don’t think Chicago or Minnesota is as good as advertised. Good luck in the Super Bowl fellas, unless you play the Pats.

Detroit – The Lions won’t go 0-16 again. But 2-14 is not out of the question, as well as 1,345 sacks of Matthew Stafford. Hope you have good insurance dude.

Denver – Josh McDaniels started flirting with other girls while he had a pretty good one in Jay Cutler. I don’t think his relationship with Kyle Orton ends well. And yes, I’m pretty sure this analogy would really creep Cutler out.

New England – I think Tom Brady is going to cut through the NFL this year like never before. I think the defense will be much improved (even without Richard Seymour). Is this a complete homer pick? Absolutely, but say hello to Super Bowl #4 boys!

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

BYU: As Good as it Gets

It's hard to describe the feelings I had after BYU's stunning 14-13 victory over No. 3 Oklahoma. It had been a long day, and I didn't start the DVR until just before 10pm here in Wisconsin. But man was I excited. I compare it to a lesser version of when the Red Sox won the 2004 World Series. It's been a long-time coming, and BYU has fared poorly against top competition for a long time.

It also got me thinking about my favorite BYU victories of all time. In chronological order:

1984: BYU beats Michigan and wins the National Championship. This is the first BYU game I clearly remember, and made Robbie Bosko my hero. I kept a poster of him on my wall for two years after that.

1990: BYU beats No. 1 Miami. I was inexplicably at a church dance, and then heard the end of the game on the radio on the drive home. I've never had so much fun on a car ride.

1996 Texas A&M and Cotton Bowl. I would mention these, but I was on my mission and didn't see them.

2001 BYU late comeback victory over Utah. Brandon Doman was one of my favorite players, and I just knew he was going to win this one. Interesting side note: I was in the stands for this one with my wife Kathleen. She threw out her back in the third quarter, and we had to take her to first aid. I watched a good portion of this game on a small TV in a room in the bowels of Cougar Stadium. I finished watching the game in the aisle. My wife may not feel the same, but I have very fond memories of that game.

2006 BYU last-second victory over Utah. Two words: Johnny Harline.

Where does this victory over OU rank? Right up there with these absolutely. The defense was awesome, and Max Hall delivered when he had to.

What does this mean for this season? Everything and nothing. If BYU runs the table, this will be viewed as the catalyst that launched a potential BCS-champion squad. If we drop the next two against Tulane and Florida State (I think we will win both), then this becomes an interesting footnote in a good season. Oh, and don't forget tough games against TCU and Utah, luckily both in Provo.

But regardless of what happens over the next couple of months, I will always remember sitting there on my couch, quietly fist pumping (my wife and daughters were sleeping), dreaming of what this season could become.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

The Truth of the Steroids Era

The steroids issue lingers in baseball like a public appearance of Britney Spears. It’s really not that interesting, but no one can stop talking about it.

After David Ortiz’s name was revealed to be on the list of 2003 ‘offenders’, I was honestly shocked at the response. People were asking me whether Boston’s titles in 2004 and 2007 were now tainted with cheaters Big Papi and Manny on the team. No, I said. I was offended that someone in the know was leaking confidential information and that the leak had not been discovered and prosecuted. No one seemed at all interested in that discussion.

I have reflected a lot on this issue since the McGwire-Sosa 1998 homerun chase. I thought at the time that both were using something, especially Sosa. That now seems likely to be the case. And my response ever sense has been, so what? At the time, it wasn’t against the rules and wasn’t tested for. MLB didn’t have a truly meaningful drug policy until 2005. Think about that. Seven years after McGwire and Sosa chased Maris, the powers that be finally did something to stop it.

I am in no way endorsing cheating. I wish these drugs had never entered professional sports, but they did, the leagues, players, fans and media looked the other way, and now it’s just an era we have to deal with. So get over it. Do you want to stop being a baseball fan? Fine, walk away, your call. Do you want to hate McGwire, Clemens, Manny, Canseco, etc., for the rest of your life? Be my guest. But it’s a massive waste of energy.

So without further ado, here are the greatest myths of the ‘steroid era.’

It Taints the Champions (any team with ‘proven cheaters’)
How is this even rational? Yes, I’m a Boston guy, so of course I want my team’s recent positive history to stick. But unless someone can tell me that Boston and New York had more ‘cheaters’ than everybody else, the playing field was even. Just because the Pirates sucked doesn’t mean they didn’t have PED users.

It Taints the Records
Total crap as well, it just reframes them. When MLB raised the mounds in 1968, ERAs fell through the floor. Do we ‘raise’ Bob Gibson’s 1.12 ERA? Heck no, but as we look at the time period, we just know that was part of the reason. Yes, you say, but Gibson had the same advantage as everyone else, and that’s true. But we have had spitballers (aka cheaters) throughout baseball history, and we had players popping uppers since the late 1960s. So in order for it to taint the records, we’d have to go back and look at all ‘cheaters’, not just steroid users. And then it becomes ridiculous. Bill Simmons does a great job exploring that in a recent column.

What is does taint are the individuals. McGwire, Manny, the Rocket, Giambi, Big Papi, Bonds. All these guys will forever be connected to this era, and not in a good way, fair or unfair. If they used, it was ethically wrong, no doubt, and likely caused harm to ‘clean’ players. They should be labeled as users.

But let’s lay off the legal argument. Besides a misguided and wasteful federal investigation of Bonds, buying these drugs is not a huge deal for the government. If it was, they would crawling around clubhouses looking for users. Luckily they have better things to do.

They Don’t Deserve to be in the Hall of Fame
As J. Jonah Jameson would say: “Crap, crap, double crap.” A Hall of Fame without Bonds, Clemens, McGwire, Sosa, etc., is a joke. You’re going to exclude the greatest player of my lifetime (Bonds) because he has been accused of taking PEDs but never tested positive or was convicted of anything? Come one. Get off the self-righteous soapbox.

This is where I get really revved up. The sportswriters pointing the finger are hypocrites. Where was the investigative journalism? Where was the scandal? You guys profited off this, got raises, sold books, and watched your popularity soar and now want to point the finger? That indignation would have felt sincere in 1989 (when the Fenway crowd chanted ‘steroids’ at Jose Canseco). It feels hallow now. Any writer who doesn’t vote for Bonds will prove themselves a fool.

Could you ding a borderline guy like Palmeiro? Sure. Could you devalue people because of the inflated era? Absolutely. But keeping some of the best players in baseball history out of the sport’s shrine for breaking a rule that didn’t exist is stupid.

The World Will End if Jeter Tests Positive
Gene Wojciechowski recently wrote that if Derek Jeter tested positive, baseball would die. Come on dude, not even the man every sportswriter and sportscaster wants to father their children could bring down America’s Pastime.

First off, I would be surprised if Jeter tested positive. But holding up any of these guys (Griffey, Ripken, Jeter) as non-users is ridiculous. I don’t believe they used anything, but would it shock me? No. They are highly competitive men trying to gain every edge.

The name that should scare everyone isn’t Jeter but Jordan. There has been no basketball PED scandal yet, but that doesn’t mean the sport was clean. You don’t think the hyper-competitive Jordan wouldn’t have looked for every advantage, especially during his comebacks? Now a revelation like that would rock the sports world. A Jeter admission wouldn’t even bring down the Yankees (unfortunately).

It Taints Memories
Well, this one is very individual. For me it just changes them. I remember working as a waiter in 1998 when McGwire hit No. 62. I had a pager at the time, and my roommate Keith paged me with a simple message: 62. I cheered out loud. I told my section, and everyone clapped.

If McGwire’s numbers are tainted by his non-denial, so be it. It changes my perspective on that moment, but it doesn’t change the joy of that baseball memory. And Manny testing positive does nothing to dim my memories of 2004 and 2007. You can choose to have it change your memories, but I’m going to keep mine as is.