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Pianow's Championship Game Thoughts

Published on 2007-01-22 11:28:00

Off the top of my head, in no particular order . . . One so-so game, one unreal game. Congrats to the Bears, the Colts, and their fans. If I ran the New Orleans secondary, and I don't, I would have had Mike McKenzie on Bernard Berrian and I'd take my chances with Fred Thomas on Muhsin Muhammad. When will teams realize that Berrian is the guy who's more likely to hurt you?Okay, I'll just say it: I'm glad we don't have to look at Reche Caldwell's eyes anymore.Joe Theisman was trying to make the po

Inside Peyton's Head

Published on 2006-10-02 10:01:00

People are talking about many things involving the very fascinating Jets-Colts game yesterday. But the play that actually won the game for the Colts is getting little attention.It caught my eye in real time, from high above the field in the press box. And it placed in sharp relief all of the qualities that make Peyton Manning a great QB (and the word "great" is so often misused in sports).First, let's set the stage. Fourth quarter, Jet lead 28-24. Colts have the ball on the Jets 35 and it's thir

On The Couch: Week 3

Published on 2006-09-24 12:02:00

REFRESH THIS PAGE!Manning had those deep ins to Burress all day last year in Seattle and went to the well again into triple coverage and got picked. See it, Eli, before you throw it.A fade is not a good call on fourth and two, Minnesota.A huge drop by Williamson really did in the Vikings. It would have set them up for an easy tying field goal.Lee Evans stepped up big in garbage time.Rex Grossman really passed maybe his first big test as a QB with that TD drive near the end after the critical mis

On The Couch: Week 2

Published on 2006-09-17 11:07:00

REFRESH THIS PAGE!!Oh, one more thing. The time has come to get Joseph Addai. And DeAngelo Williams, too. Don't move a mountain. But be willing to move a small hill.Okay, ran out of steam in the p.m., as I'm fighting an illness. So, we're doing the 4 p.m. games all at once. But first, the Giants left me speechless. There are more flags with this team than any Giants fan cares to admit right now. New York can't protect the QB and can't stop the pass. Still, they win. Somehow. I don't want to be a

On The Couch: NFL Week 1

Published on 2006-09-14 13:12:00

Jeremy Shockey is badly limping after every play. He does this every game, no? And there's a TD catch one play after he hobbled off the field. Is Jeremy a drama queen?John Madden: "It's always started with the running game with the Colts." Huh? Didn't Peyton Manning throw 50 TD passes a couple of years ago? Madden used to be cool but the game has passed him by. Passing offense and defense wins games and champioships. Period.Dungy says Addai is 40/60 splitting carries with Dominic Rhodes, who jus

Weekly Fantasy Touts: September 4 - 10

Published on 2006-09-03 11:18:00

By Michael SalfinoAMERICAN LEAGUEPut 'em inJon Garland, P, White Sox: Gets two starts and don't be scared by the first one, at Fenway, where homers are way down this year and the Red Sox will likely be fielding a spring training lineup (no Ramirez or Ortiz).Delmon Young, OF, Devil Rays: Okay, he threw a bat at an ump. Put it behind you like Tampa Bay has and get this power-hitting speed demon in your lineup immediately.Bench 'emJustin Duchscherer, P, A's: He earned some cheap saves for savvy ow

Further Review Post: Battle of the NFL Power Ratings

Published on 2006-08-20 18:23:00

On my other blog, Further Review, which critically examines opinion/analysis in other places, we see how my RotoAction Stat Power Index ranks vs. the heralded Football Outsiders' DVOA ranking system.

Interceptions vs. Fumbles as a Winning Stat

Published on 2006-08-20 16:34:00

NFL stat maestro Bud Goode said long ago that interceptions are three times more costly than lost fumbles and that lumping lost fumbles with interceptions as "turnovers" made as much sense as lumping doubles and homers together under "hits" in baseball.Of course, this is incredibly counterintuitive. Goode never came up for a reason for the discrepancy. But he speculates that lost fumbles are actually a "power" stat because teams that win more run more in the second half and thus, presumably, fum

Weekly Fantasy Touts: August 21-27

Published on 2006-08-12 12:17:00

By Michael SalfinoAMERICAN LEAGUEPut 'em inCoco Crisp, OF, Red Sox: It's been a season of stops and starts for Crisp, who has been hurt by being placed at the bottom of the Boston lineup. But Crisp is running enough to be a decent fifth outfielder in mixed leagues.Craig Monroe, OF, Tigers: He's been on fire and is now cemented at the top of the lineup given the injury to Placido Polanco, who is out indefinitely. The pop has been there all year (now slugging .500 after a batting-average surge).Be

Weekly Fantasy Touts: August 6 - 12

Published on 2006-08-05 09:52:00

By Michael SalfinoAMERICAN LEAGUEPut 'em inJavy Lopez, C, Red Sox: He's not likely to hit much better than the injured Jason Varitek (knee surgery), but anyone can get hot for two months and he's in a great lineup.Cory Lidle, P, Yankees: Gets two starts this week after a stellar debut in 120 degrees of heat index. Everything is seeming to roll the Yankees way right now, so get on board the bandwagon where you can.Bench 'emMatt Garza, P, Twins: The Twins are letting him rot in Rochester in favor

Weekly Fantasy Touts: July 31 - August 5

Published on 2006-07-29 12:55:00

By Michael SalfinoAMERICAN LEAGUEPut 'em inMark Teahen, 3B, Royals: Very quietly has become one of the best slugging third baseman in the majors since his recall in June. He's should be started now in all formats.Alexis Rios, OF, Blue Jays: Finally back from his staph infection. Put him in immediately and hope he didn't lose his mojo, as he was a top 20 fantasy player before getting sidelined.Bench 'emScott Kazmir, P, Devil Rays: The D-Rays say they're going to trot him out there on Tuesday in D

Weekly Fantasy Touts: July 24 - 30

Published on 2006-07-21 18:52:00

By Michael SalfinoAMERICAN LEAGUEPut 'em inFausto Carmona, P, Indians: The new closer in Cleveland, replacing the traded Bob Wickman (Atlanta). Carmona has top-shelf stuff and the Indians are a good team despite the record.Javier Vazquez, P, White Sox: Rumored to be on the block for some relief help. He's been very unlucky on balls in play. Has three times as many Ks as BBs and gets two starts (Twins, Orioles).Bench 'emAlex Rios, OF, Blue Jays: His staff infection has proved a much greater setba

Weekly Fantasy Touts: July 17-23

Published on 2006-07-16 11:52:00

By Michael SalfinoAMERICAN LEAGUEPut 'em inKevin Mench, OF, Rangers: Nice buy-low candidate, as he'll get regular at-bats due to some All-Star break roster shuffling by Texas.Milton Bradley, OF, A's: If you're unfortunate enough to own Bradley, you must activate him now because it's not likely going to be long before the next strain or sprain.Bench 'emEric Chavez, 3B, A's: Tendinitis in both forearms does not bode well for a second-half breakout. Chavez says he's focused on the last two months o

Weekly Fantasy Touts: July 10-16

Published on 2006-07-09 17:52:00

By Michael SalfinoAMERICAN LEAGUEPut 'em inMike Napoli, C, Angels: Who could have seen this coming? Napoli (11 bombs in his first 131 Angel ABs) flashed good power in AA last year, but he was old for the league and K'ed 140 times. Randy Johnson, P, Yankees: The glass is half empty for disappointed Johnson owners. But lower your expectations and you'll see he still projects as a solid, mixed-league starter the second half.Bench 'emMike Sweeney, 1B, Royals: He's allegedly beginning a rehab assignm

Mike Tackles Mainstream Sports Media in New Blog

Published on 2006-07-02 07:38:00

On his new blog, Further Review, Mike throws the challenge flag and puncture media pundits with laser-like scrutiny of their sports analysis.Be sure to bookmark it and check it out regularly.

Weekly Fantasy Touts: July 3-9

Published on 2006-07-02 07:36:00

By Michael SalfinoAMERICAN LEAGUEPut 'em inAdrian Beltre, 3B, Mariners: The Seattle third sacker has hit well over .300 with decent power since being moved up to the No. 2 spot in the batting order. On pace for 20-plus steals, Beltre can be safely started in all formats.Ervin Santana, P, Angels: The subject of trade rumors with the Angles itching to roster phenom Jared Weaver, Santana has been very effective of late and gets two starts this week.Bench 'emJon Lester, P, Red Sox: Gets just one sta

Weekly Fantasy Touts: June 26 - July 2

Published on 2006-06-23 11:36:00

By Michael SalfinoAMERICAN LEAGUEPut 'em inJhonny Peralta, SS, Indians: He's been on fire since being benched for three-days to clear his head. Has returned to the No. 3 hole in a good Cleveland lineup.Jeff Weaver, P, Angels: Fantasy baseball has labeled him "the stinky Weaver" (as opposed to phenom brother Jared). But Jeff gets two starts off an impressive three weeks that have seen a tremendous spike in his K-rate (24 punch-outs in 24 innings).Bench 'emJustin Verlander, P, Tigers: He says his

Weekly Fantasy Touts: June 19 - 25

Published on 2006-06-16 16:46:00

By Michael SalfinoAMERICAN LEAGUEPut 'em inDanny Haren, P, A's: Yes, he's got one start in Colorado this week, but also is slated to pitch in San Francisco. Haren's red hot right now, has almost five times as many Ks as BBs and has stopped giving up the long ball.Rocco Baldelli, OF, Devil Rays: He came back swinging and is playing the field, so there are no worries during the entire inter-league slate. He'll quickly find his 2003 form.Bench 'emTodd Jones, P, Tigers: Just awful and has no busines

Weekly Fantasy Touts: June 12 - 18

Published on 2006-06-09 22:12:00

By Michael SalfinoAMERICAN LEAGUEPut 'em inDavid DeJesus, OF, Royals: He's being ignored in mixed leagues, but a .900 OPS going forward is possible and he's red hot since returning from the disabled list.Mark DeRosa, 2B, Rangers: This year's David Delucci. We've mentioned him here before, but he's owned in only one percent of mixed leagues. DeRosa spends a lot of time batting fifth in a potent Rangers lineup and also qualifies in the outfield.Ervin Santana, P, Angels: The Angels have some decisi

Weekly Fantasy Touts: June 5 - 11

Published on 2006-06-02 09:34:00

By Michael SalfinoAMERICAN LEAGUEPut 'em inJorge Cantu, 2B, Devil Rays: He'll be back sometime during the week from his foot injury, so monitor his status closely so as not to lose ABs from this power-hitting middle-infielder.Rich Harden, P, A's: Finally back from the DL. Yes, he gets only one start this week against the Yankees, but that's not such a tough matchup anymore with both Hideki Matsui and Gary Sheffield out indefinitely.Bench 'emPlacido Polanco, 2B, Tigers: He's been battling back pa

Royals vs. All-Time Worsts

Published on 2006-05-26 09:29:00

The Royals currently sit at 11-35 and are on pace for 123 losses. They clearly are the wrost team in baseball this year. But how do they stack up against the all-time worst teams?There's a lot of subjectivity in this ugly pageant. But we've narrowed the focus down to five teams, with a bias agaisnt selecting one team per era.We start off with the 1916 Philly A's, who finished 36-117. Their offensive OPS is .612, which seems really bad but was actually 96th percentile in the AL that year. We don'

Weekly Fantasy Touts: May 29 - June 4

Published on 2006-05-26 09:27:00

By Michael SalfinoAMERICAN LEAGUEPut 'em inIan Kinsler, 2B, Rangers: Homered twice on Thursday when he finally returned from a dislocated thumb. He's a good bet to finish with 20 homers and 15 steals and thus should be active in all formats.Jose Lopez, 2B, Mariners: This year's Jorge Cantu is for real. But Lopez is smooth with the glove, too, and projects long-term at second base. Unlike Cantu, Lopez is a groundball hitter, which helps his average but limits his homer upside to the low 20s.Benc

Happy Birthday Bob Dylan

Published on 2006-05-23 09:20:00

There's a great celebration about to take place on WFUV here in New York. To celebrate Bob Dylan's 65th birthday tomorrow, fans are voting for their 15 favorite Dylan songs and stating why. Each person gets three picks. Here were mine:Girl of the North CountryDylan's most touching song. For me, it's about the timelessness and persistence of innocent love, which somehow always manages to survive earthly constraints. The song brilliance is in the remoteness of the narrarator, who either can't bear

Weekly Fantasy Touts: May 22 - 28

Published on 2006-05-19 13:44:00

By Michael SalfinoAMERICAN LEAGUEPut 'em inFrancisco Liriano, P, Twins: Finally in the rotation after toiling away in middle relief while the Twins trotted out mediocrities like Carlos Silva and Kyle Lohse. Don't buy into the Johan Santana Jr. hype, but get him active in all formats.Justin Verlander, P, Tigers: He's only striking out five guys per nine innings despite being clocked at 100 MPH. But his walk rate is about half that and one of his two starts this week is vs. KC.Bench 'emMatt Clemen

Dan Pompei is an Idiot

Published on 2006-05-16 09:08:00

There's always a lot of stupid things said in the Sporting News (which has improved over the past five years to the point where it now takes seven minutes to read anything useful in it as opposed to five).For example, we get the "Scouts Views," which are always packed with insight. This week, we were told "Cliff Floyd's hitting zone is limited..." That's really unusual, a guy not being able to hit certain pitches, say high and tight and low and away.This week, Dan Pompei treated us to his breath