 Saturday, February 03, 2007
Bill Polian, Unsung Super Bowl Hero
As Super Bowl XLI is approaches tomorrow, most people focus on Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, and other "star" players. Those players are of course important but would have never been there without being drafted by Mega Super GM Bill Polian and his counterparts across the NFL. Mr. Polian built the great Bills teams of the early 1990s, the expansion Carolina Panthers from scratch, and now the Colts.
Before championships are won on the field, they are won by scouts picking the "right" player who may not be as talented but fits into their team's particular system. The scouts data is brought into the draft war rooms and then to the practice fields and training rooms.
Here's to you, Mr. Polian, your staff, and other unsung heroes behind the scenes. May you get the Super Bowl ring you so richly deserved with the Bills back in the early 1990s tomorrow night.
Posted by The Tank in Tampa, Florida.
Friday, February 02, 2007
Tank's Gotta Take Personal Responsibility
The Tank (yours truly) usually mans up when he screws up.
Tank Johnson (no relation) unfortunately tried to pass off his three gun related arrests in the past 18 months on the media, race, and other reasons during Tuesday's Media Day.
Media Day at the Super Bowl is no easy task and it's hard to simulate or prepare for. Tank Johnson was repentant at times but defiant at others. The Tank can't relate (thankfully) as he has never had a bodyguard, much less one killed recently as Tank Johnson has.
If the Bears win on Sunday, all will be forgiven. If the Bears lose, expect Tank Johnson to continue to be further scrutinized for his future off field activities. Life isn't fair but winning and losing is how society judges its athletes (warts and all).
Posted by The Tank in Tampa, Florida.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Mets' Starting Pitching
I love the scrappy start-up. That is why I root for the little guy. The underdog. The Mets.
The way the Mets have spent money in the last few years it is hard to view them as the scrappy start-up or the underdog. So there has been panic in Metville recently when Barry Zito signed for a gazillion dollars elsewhere and Pedro on the DL and announced today Dave Williams on the DL..
While I was disappointed, I am not worried. Tom Glavine and el Duque can anchor a young rotation of John Maine, Oliver Perez and Mike Pelfrey. That’s two pitchers over 40 and three under 25. Toss in rookie reliever Philip Humber and you have yourself a young pitching staff. (I am thinking that Pedro is mid-season backup if one of the rotation goes down.)
If the kids can give you the innings, say 150 each, the lineup and bullpen can accommodate any lack of experience the kids have. Maine and Perez have both pitched extremely well in must win elimination games (Games 6 & 7 of the NLCS vs. St. Louis) and Pelfrey has shown promise in his few emergency mid-season starts last year. With the masters Pedro, Glavine, and el Duque to shepard these guys along with Rick Peterson, I feel the staff is good enough. Factor in that the Mets should make the playoffs again this year and the kids will get even more post-season experience.
Posted by Steve in New York.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Super Bowl XLI Prediction
The Tank was 1-1 in his conference champion picks and 7-3 overall in the NFL Playoffs, touch wood.
For new readers, my picks are designed for you to win the Super Bowl in your office pool which are normally predicated on wins and losses, NOT the Vegas line. I do not bet Vegas lines because they are subject to change and Vegas knows more than everyone except God. Furthermore, Vegas lines are designed for the "vig" or the balance of the betting money which is why you sometimes see ridiculous double-digit lines to get people to take chances and care about potential blowouts. Whereas, I want you to win your office pool and be the talk of your office based on won-loss record.
Remember, bet within your limits, past performance is not indicative of future results (mutual fund speak legalese disclaimer), and have fun. The predicted winning team is in bold.
The Colts win the Big Game 27-21.
I pick the Colts for the following reasons:
(1) Their offense is better than the Bears. We'll see which Rex Grossman shows up If he is off, the Bears will get killed. I think Lovie Smith is smart enough to have a game plan for Rex not to be Superman, just not screw it up.
(2) Yes, the Bears defense is great but not as good at the 1985 "Super Bowl Shuffle XX" Bears. The Colts defense isn't chopped liver either. Remember, Colts Coach Tony Dungy is a defense coordinator at heart and I am sure that he'll come up with some schemes to confuse Rex Grossman.
(3) The Colts have Adam "Mr. Clutch" Vinateri.
(4) God knows that Tony Dungy and Peyton Manning are way overdue.
(5) The Colts were my pre-season pick to win it all.
(6) The Colts are my brother's team.
Good luck in your office pools, square games, and enjoy watching the Super Bowl and its ads with family and friends!
Posted by The Tank in NY.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Peyton Manning has Nothing to Prove
Peyton Manning leads the favorite Indianapolis Colts into the Super Bowl on Sunday. Already the talk is “ if he doesn’t win, he is not capable of winning the big one.”
What a crock! Hello, did anyone watch the AFC Championship Game? An 18 point comeback in a “big” game. Manning completed 27 of 47 passes for 349 yards and a touchdown, with one interception, and scored a rushing touchdown. Getting to the playoffs is more challenging than actually winning the Super Bowl-so much can happen, one bad call, one dropped catch that can end your season. So give Peyton the credit he deserves.
Posted by Steve in New York.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Start the Super Bowl Sooner
Today the Chicago Bears have arrived in Miami for the Super Bowl. They clinched the Super Bowl berth 8 days ago. My question is: Why is there a week delay from the end of the Conference Championships to the beginning of the Super Bowl?
I think the Super Bowl should be the week immediately following the Conference Championships. I feel that there is lost momentum during that dead week. This is a test as how your team performs under the gun, not well rested. The World Series Starts right away, why can’t the Super Bowl?
Posted by Steve in New York.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Let's Go Crawford!
After listening to the Knicks-Heat game this past Monday evening while grabbing a bite to eat, I was afraid to check the score of Friday night's rematch at the Garden before I went to bed this morning. I braced myself for another 27-0 run that the Heat ran off against the Knicks WITHOUT D-Wade and Shaq on Monday. Much to my pleasant surprise, Jamal Crawford hit 16 consecutive shots and scored 52 points enroute to the Knicks 116-96 victory over the Heat.
Wow! Dyno-mite!
Perspective: With all this season's ups and downs, the Knicks are only 3.5 games out of first place of the Atlantic Division behind the Raptors and only 2.0 games behind the Nets for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. This is still time for the Knicks to make a run at the playoffs.
Posted by The Tank in NY.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Super Bowl XLI Picks Congratulations!
The Tank always likes to receive e-mails from his friends. Please find the following e-mail from Buffalo Steve (as we always review our pre-season picks just before the Big Game):
Dear Tank/Marathon Man/Don Vito "The Godfather" (I am honored to be Godfather for both his daughters),
Congratulations on your picks getting to BG 41.
The Tank's Response:
Dear Buffalo Steve,
Mega thanks brother and I'll call you this weekend.
Sincerely,
The Tank / Marathon Man / Don Vito "The Godfather"
Posted by The Tank / Marathon Man / Don Vito "The Godfather" in NY.
P.S. The Tank plans to post his Super Bowl Prediction next week.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Smart Move: Mets Resign Willie
The New York Mets and manager Willie Randolph agreed to a new $5.65 million, three-year contract that runs through 2009. Getting Willie resigned was a very smart move. His discipline and professionalism are responsible for the Mets' turnaround.
Three weeks to spring training!
Posted by Steve in Istanbul
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Yankees Radio Announcer Calls The Tank
The Yankees Radio Announcer, John Sterling, called the Tank earlier today about the upcoming 2007 season.
Since the Tank does a good impersonation of "The Yankees Win, The Yankees Win!", John called me about the upcoming season and hoped to see me at the Stadium.
Though a pre-recorded message, the Tank was still grateful to hear from John. Before you know it, I could become a fill-in announcer if John ever needs a day off and/or when he chooses to retire.
Wait, my phone is ringing and the caller ID displays "Yankees". It's probably Mr. Steinbrenner asking me for advice. Gotta go... 
Posted by The Tank.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Cano to Give Up #22 for Rocket
On Tuesday, Robinson Cano gave #22 to take #24 according to ESPN 1050 AM New York. #24 is the reverse of his dad's favorite ball player, Jackie Robinson, who wore #42 which has been retired in MLB for almost a decade.
Furthermore, #22 is Roger Clemens' old number. Therefore, this is a promising sign for the return of the Rocket, God Willing.
Posted by a cautiously optimistic Tank.
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