GarageGabs

One story that hasn’t gotten a lot of ink this season has been Alex Smith’s growth from a historically bad rookie quarterback into a somewhat competent sophomore. One reason for Smith’s success: he isn’t fumbling as much as he did last year because he now brings his own footballs to games.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported last week that an NFL rule change allows each team to bring a dozen balls with them to away games for use on offense. The balls must be examined by a referee, but they can be doctored to some extent to remove the slick waterproofing from their surface. Smith and Niners equipment supervisor Steve Urbaniak give Smith’s balls a good working over during the week, running them under some water, scrubbing them with a brush, and drying them with a towel. “I’ll go through them and check them to where they’re feeling decent,” Smith said of the process. “From Alex’s standpoint, he’s very happy with it,” Urbaniak said. “.”It gives him confidence going in knowing he doesn’t have to worry about it.”

Smith isn’t the only one who is happy after a thorough ball-buffing. Frank Gore had some fumbling problems early in the year. But Gore doesn’t seem to have any trouble holding onto Smith’s balls. The Broncos, who come from the capital of ball-doctoring, may want to keep Jay Cutler’s balls in a humidor so the rookie’s passes don’t sail on him. But the Broncos backs and receivers may have trouble grasping soggy balls.

Ok, I didn’t make this up, the full story can be found HERE.  Scroll down to the Niners/Broncos preview

Wanna know how to cause some commotion in a small town? Call 911. That’s just what I did today…..

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I admit, I’m amazed.  Tiki Barber led the Giants to a 34-28 victory over the Washington Redskins which pretty much assures the 8-8 Giants a playoff spot.  Barber ran for 234 yards and 3 TD’s in what many thought would be his last NFL game.  I guess all those after Christmas Old Navy sales weren’t enough to pull Tiki away from football just yet.

The win pretty much assured the Giants a playoff berth, which also eliminates the hopes of Carolina, Atlanta and St. Louis.  Best I can tell, only Green Bay still has a SLIVER of hope.  The Packers would first need to beat Chicago.  Then they would need Arizona, Detroit, Miami, Minnesota and San Francisco to all win and Carolina, Houston and Tampa Bay all lose.  That’s asking for quite a lot, so I’m guessing you can go ahead and pencil the Giants into your playoff brackets.  There, I hope I jinxed them!

With so much parity in the NFL almost EVERY game matters this weekend.  Here’s the rundown.

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Miami Dophins defensive STUD Jason Taylor is on record as saying Shawne Merriman shouldn’t be this years defensive MVP because he tested positive for steroids.

For those that don’t know, I’ve always been a defender of Barry Bonds in concern to the whole steroid issue. I’ve said on multiple occasions that I don’t believe Bonds should have an asteric beside his statistics. There are a couple reasons I believe this:

1. He has never officially tested positive for steroids. The writing might be all over the wall, but until the guy tests positive, lets move on.

2. The MLB testing policy before 2004 was a joke. If Bonds were doing steroids, he probably wasn’t in the minority. Why put a star beside his name because he achieved his statistics while enhanced….vs. players that were enhanced.

3. I just happen to be a San Francisco Giants fan, so of course I probably have some bias.

As for Merriman, I have a different stance. I agree, 100% with Jason Taylor. Early this season my friend Mike and I were discussing the beastliness of Merriman. We talked of his size and speed, and how we’ve never seen an athlete quite like him. Mike looked at me and said…”he’s juicing, guys gotta be juicing”..A few weeks later, sure enough, BUSTED.
The NFL has, and has had a testing policy in place for quite some time. In theory, it catches everyone that cheats. (of course we all know this isn’t true) Merriman got caught. It was reported that BOTH of Merriman’s samples tested positive and that his suspension was definintely for steroids, not one of those supplement deals. I’ve heard through the grapevine that Merriman was suspended for nandrolone, also known as Deca-Durabolin. Merriman claims that he took this unknowingly as part of his daily supplement routine. Nandrolone is a banned anabolic steroid. It’s not something you take “by accident”. You’re going to tell me that a freakish athlete, that has been taking supplements for years, and probably has a trainer as well, took a banned anabolic steroid by accident? Hmmm, yeah, ok Shawne.

Why or how Merriman took the steroid doesn’t really matter until you consider Merriman’s reaction to Taylor’s comments. Merriman notes that he handled this matter correctly, apologized, and served his suspension. Yeah, sorta. Handling the situation correctly would have included saying you took the steroid, and that you wouldn’t do it again. Haven’t heard him say that, only that it was an accident.

All that being said, how does a player that tests positive for steroids get ANY acclaim? His numbers are amazing, but the thing that makes this situation different is that Merrimans play is a direct result of athletic freakishness. Him beating two blockers to a QB isn’t a result of great hand/eye coordination…it’s a direct result of strength and speed…..the two attributes that have ALWAYS made Merriman stand out from the crowd. When your superpower is exposed as being a farce…..how do you continue to be included in a premier group of NFL athletes? Barry Bonds has been nailed to the cross and has never even tested positive…..people can’t mention Bonds without the word steroids as well. Olympic athletes test positive and are immediately stripped of all awards and banned from further competition. That includes several that tested positive for nandrolone. Yet an NFL player fails a test…..that includes 2 samples, where a STRICT policy is in place, that they are well aware of (this isn’t like baseball where it’s drawn in the sand) and they get a slap on the wrist 4 game suspension, lose some pay, then come back later and finish leading a team to the playoffs. I don’t get it and I don’t like it.

I now find myself pulling against the Chargers and Merriman. I finally understand why the people that feel the way they do about Bonds….feel that way. Here’s to hoping Jason Taylor wins NFL Defensive Player of the Year. I applaud him for speaking out against Merriman in a sport where athletes aren’t so comfortable talking about other athletes.

The NBA is scattered with players that have huge potential and never fulfill it. Guys with high upsides that are just waiting for the right situation to turn into NBA All Stars. I don’t like calling them sleepers….because you know who they are, they are just high upside guys. I watched Caron Butler in college and said to myself: “this guy is going to be a star in the NBA”. He had the total package; He was already gifted with a mans body at 6′7″, 220+, was silky smooth with the ball, had range on his jumper, could finish, and…the biggest thing….his game had a EDGE to it. Butler played with some sort of emotional edge….like he had something to prove.

Butler was chosen with the 10th overall pick in 2002 by the Miami Heat. He didn’t disappoint as a rookie making the NBA all rookie team, and led all rookies in scoring at 15.4 per game. He dropped off dramatically during his 2nd year with Miami to a career low 9.2 points per game while only shooting 38% from the field. Then came the trade. Butler was traded to Los Angeles, along with Lamar Odom, Brian Grant, and a 1st round pick for Shaquille Oneal. Just so you know, no one can replace a guy like Shaq…Butler couldn’t either. He spent a year in L.A. watching Kobe Bryant shoot before being moved to Washington for Kwame Brown and Laron Profit. He spent most of last season learning to fit in with the Wizards….he still averaged a career high 17.6 points per game, and was a nice compliment to Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison.  With four years of NBA experience under his belt Butler was a good player.  Not a great player…but good.  He was primed for a breakout.
All Butler needed was an opportunity. With the starting SF spot nailed down in Washington and a career high 39 minutes per game, Butler is having a career year. 20 points per game, 8.2 rebounds per game, 3.7 assists and 2 steals per game. Butler is putting up the numbers, and a lot of people probably don’t even realize it. The Wizards are an exciting young team, led by SUPER talented Gilbert Arenas at PG, and Antawn Jamison at PF.  Butler is giving them a potent third option as scorer, leading the team in rebounds, and playing some tough defense.

Want more?  Butler has scored in double figures in every game this season.  He’s had 12 double/doubles.  He played perhaps his best game of the year last week in a 144-139 win over the Phoenix Suns.  Butler hit 12 of 24 field goals, all 9 of his free throws, and picked up 10 rebounds in helping the up and coming Wizards end the Suns 15 game winning streak.  Butler was HUGE down the stretch, scoring 10 of the Suns 17 overtime points…..remember, Gilbert Arenas plays for the Suns…and scored 54 points that evening….but it was Butler taking and making some very big shots in that overtime period.  Butler has become a man.

I believe this is the beginning of a very nice career for Butler.  I call this year a career year, but I believe he’ll get even better.  He reminds me a lot of Scottie Pippen.  Versatile player that can do it all who doesn’t forget the importance of defense……and a scowl.

Philly clinched a playoff berth yesterday, and the Jets might as well have.

Philly dominated the Cowboys, 23-7, at Dallas, to clinch a playoff spot and are a win away from winning the NFC East.  Meanwhile, the Jets traveled to Miami and beat the Dolphins 13-10, and now only have to beat the lowly Raiders next week to make the playoffs.

Gabs Take:  Ok, this will be a first from me.  T.O., can it!  After the loss yesterday Owens said that they didn’t try to get him the ball enough, and when they did it was too late.  Of course, Owens dropped yet another long pass yesterday, he didn’t mention that.  He did mention that Dawkins bumped him just before the ball came in….if that’s so why in the hell didn’t Owens spit on him!!!  Wow, I’m baiting.  I’m a CONSTANT Owens supporter, but his comments yesterday about “getting him the ball” were dead wrong.  I just wish for once he would say something like….”you win as a team and you lose as a team”…It seems I am slowly slipping to the other side…sad, I know.  As for the playoffs, well, my Super Bowl dreams are SHOT.  I’m sorry, this Dallas team doesn’t have what it takes to win a Super Bowl.  I’m not exactly sure what it does take, but they just don’t seem to show up for BIG games…..Yesterday was about as big as it gets.  Dallas still has a decent shot to win the division…They would have to beat Detroit and then the Eagles lose to Atlanta, which is entirely possible, especially given the unpredictable nature of the NFL lately.  Honestly, it doesn’t make a lot of difference to me, the 1st round bye is lost……well, I take that back, home field in the first round would be nice.  What can you say about Philadelphia and Jeff Garcia?  Just an amazing run during which they have proved just about everyone wrong, including me.  I know yesterday had to feel REALLY GOOD.

As for the Jets.  I called the Jets in the playoffs on a gabscast a few weeks ago….I searched for it and can’t find it, but I know I said it….then again, I said the Vikings would make the playoffs also.  Anyway, Chad Pennington led the Jets to a late FG and the 13-10 win at Miami.  Needless to say, I gotta figure they will beat Oakland next week and advance to the playoffs so they can lose in the Wildcard round.  They Jets really need to get the ball to the little Washington guy more often..in space, utilize him like the Saints do Reggie Bush, the kid has great speed and quickness.  Chad Pennington is a pretty good NFL QB, even with a robo shoulder.  Eric Mangina should be your coach of the year if he gets this talenenless, faceless, runningbackless, team the playoffs.

Updated Playoff Scenarios 

It looked like the Colts had solved most of their defensive problems after they beat the Bengals 34-16 on Monday night.  Gone were the thoughts of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew running rampant on their defense.  Then came today’s matchup with the Houston Texans.  If I had told you that Peyton Manning threw 3 TD’s and Joseph Addai ran for 100 yards against the Texans you would have probably figured the Colts won.  You would have been wrong, as the Colts rush defense was shredded once again, this time by Ron Dayne of all people.  Dayne ran for 153 yards and 2 TD in leading the Texans to a 27-24 win over the Colts.  What does this mean?  Well, it pretty much means the Colts are going to have to go on the road at some point in the playoffs…..more than likely to San Diego or Baltimore….Two teams that run the ball pretty well.  It also means that Indianapolis doesn’t have a snowballs chance in hell of making the Super Bowl.  Defense has always been their problem but it has never looked THIS swiss cheese.  When you start giving up 150+ to Ron Dayne AND losing to the Houston Texans you have pretty much booked yourself an exit from the playoffs.

Not that some other AFC teams don’t seem to have problems.  San Diego escaped, and I do mean escaped Seattle, surviving a 10-30 passing performance from Philip Rivers.  Rivers has seemed a bit off lately but was able to hit a wide open Vincent Jackson for a 37 yard go ahead touchdown with 29 seconds to play, giving the Chargers a 20-17 win over Seattle.  Quite frankly, Seattle should have won this game, but they won the NFC West anyway, thanks to the ineptitude of the division.
Jay Cutler led Denver to a HUGE win over Cincinnati, 24-23.   Carson Palmer hit T.J. Houshmanzadeh with a 10 yard TD with 41 seconds to play on to see the extra point attempt muffed.  An extremely big win for the Broncos playoff chances, and a tough blow for Cincinnati.  I’m ready to admit, it appears I was wrong about Cutler…..sorry Ruben.
Here is the rest of the NFL rundown from ESPN

Here is the Playoff Picture as of tonight

I told you a week or so ago to hold your horses on anointing Greg Oden the best player (scroll down to #9 to read my wise evaluation of Oden) in college basketball.  Well, today the fruits of my wisdom fell from the tree for everyone to see.  Oden, saddled with foul trouble much of the day, tallied just 7 points on 2 of 6 shooting as Ohio State lost to Florida, 86-60.  Oden did pick up 6 boards and 4 blocks but looked lost much of the time he was on the floor, especially when Florida went to a zone defense.  I’m not saying the guy isn’t any good, but it’s gonna take some time for his coordination to catch up with his size…..sorry, I don’t think he is coordinated.  He gets the ball in the paint, sorta falls around, nearly travels, almost loses the ball, then jumps up and dunks it from right under the rim about 50% of the time.  In other news the always cheerful Bobby Knight tied up Dean Smith in wins tonight with a 72-60 win over Bucknell.  For some reason I don’t care….I’m not sure why.  Finally, Clemson has made the ESPN front page with 12-0 start after blowing out Western Carolina tonight.  Somehow Clemson, with a CUPCAKE CITY schedule has made it up to #22 in the rankings and is getting some national publicity.  With 12 wins already under their belts, I’d be willing to bet they are an NIT participant this season.

Here is the rest of the college scoreboard via ESPN-

The top sports awards for 2006 as compiled by yours truly. Video warning: Just a word of caution- Many of the links contained in this post are linking to youtube videos. So, if you are on a dragging computer, you might want to stay away from those….otherwise, enjoy!

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