GarageGabs

Going into the 2006 season Miami Dolphins fans had high hopes. Miami was coming off a 9-7 campaign, during which they won their last 6 games. They returned future stud running back, Ronnie Brown who had a successful rookie season. They upgraded at quarterback, going from NFL journeyman Gus Frerotte to former All-Pro Daunte Culpepper. A solid, veteran defense returned along with team savior Nick Saban. Much of the hype surrounding the Dolphins involved them over-taking the New England Patriots in the AFC East.

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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

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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Our Denver Correspondent, Ruben Romero chimes in with some Allen Iverson “man love” and the impact Iverson will have on the Denver Nuggets

Allen Iverson

What does he bring to Denver?

I think A.I. will bring leadership and intensity to the Nuggets! Yes Leadership!!! I know what your thinking, Doesn’t Carmelo lead that team? Yes, but in a different way…Carmelo leads by example (With the exception of one sucker punch). Allen Iverson will be the vocal leader of this team. I believe that A.I. wants a championship more then ever now and is willing to do whatever it takes to win one. For example: Allen Iverson was willing to go play for George Karl who is a Larry Brown guy…These two are very close and coach very similar…For those who have been on Pluto (which is no longer a planet) for the last five years A.I. and Brown could not stand each other in Philly. Also he wants to play with Carmelo so that everything is not on his shoulders. The buzz around the Denver area is ridiculous….even more ridiculous than the Blizzard we just had!!! I am exited about these two greats playing together, it’s just too bad we have to wait 14 more games. Thanks Isiah!!!

Anyone that reads my blog knows I am a Cowboys fan.  This is my own personal blog, and in my opinion I am not binded by your normal journalistic code of ethics.  The National Sports Media used to have a code of ethics as far as team allegiance, but things have gotten all out of whack in the past few years.  Big time media is starting to report sports from VERY slanted angles.  Why do I get the impression that much of the national media will be pulling for the Eagles on Christmas day vs. the Cowboys?  Maybe because they just come out and say it…..Boomer Esiason has gone as far to say that he hopes the Eagles can beat the Cowboys Monday….so poor Jeff Garcia can get the last laugh on T.O.  Hey Boomer, you can call your content a “blog” or “special feature” but it doesn’t change the fact that you are SUPPOSED to be a NON BIASED NFL Analyst…not only do you work as a television analyst but you are submitting your “special feature” to NFL.com, not IHATEDALLAS.com.  It’s fantastic that you have some sort of hidden love for Jeff Garcia, and of course an inner hatred for Terrell Owens and the Dallas Cowboys, but as a professional that is information that you should keep to yourself.  Esiason goes on to explain that the spitting incident was another cry for help from Owens and that at some point Owens is going to kill the Cowboys.  Is it me, or have analysts been saying that T.O. was going to tear apart Dallas all year?  I’m wondering when that is going to happen…..maybe come playoff time??  Funny, Dallas sits at 9-5 and has an opportunity to lock up the NFC East this week….yet all you hear is how the Eagles have this wonderful opportunity to dethrone Dallas.    John Clayton goes on and on about a Dallas loss being another dagger in the heart of T.O. and his future with the Cowboys….Clayton is quick to note that Owens was behind Drew Bledsoe being benched in favor of Tony Romo….Uhhhh, THANK GOD!  John, not sure if you checked, but benching Bledsoe for Romo was the best thing to happen to Dallas all year.  I just don’t get it…..the whole impending doom for the Cowboys, vs. wonderful opportunity for Philadelphia.  Ugggh.  I sit here and remember back to back to back 5-11 seasons and figure a trip to the playoffs would be anything but gloomy.
Meanwhile you have articles like this that continue to tout Tiki Barber as some sort of saintly team leader.  Clarke Judge goes on to write that Barber has been handicapped by a “team wide slump” as the Giants have lost 5 of 6.  So, let me get this straight….Dallas makes a QB change and promptly wins 6 of 8 (after starting 3-3) and it is IN SPITE OF Terrell Owens, yet the Giants lose 5 of 6 (interestingly enough after Barber announces he will retire at the end of the year AND criticizes the play calling) yet it is the Giants that handicap Tiki.  Seriously folks, I know you are sick of me heralding Owens as some sort of savior (which is part true and part not true) but at least I look at things with some perspective.  I’m not saying that Barber is the sole reason for the Giants slide, but if you want to look for some locker room turmoil, look no further than Barber. Judge also comments that the Giants should appreciate what Barber has done for them during his career in what could be his last home game….I know Barber has been an Stat-hog during his blank year NFL career, but where exactly has he gotten the Giants during his 10 year career?  In 6 post-season games Barber has averaged less than 3 yards per carry, with only 1 TD, and just one 100 yard game.  In the Giants lone Super Bowl appearance with Barber he was made into a non-factor as the Giants fell behind quickly to Baltimore before losing 34-7.  He’s mouthed off more than once about coaching decisions, has his own radio show on Sirius (with his brother) where he openly talked of retiring next year,  (this, smack dab in the middle of this season) and has routinely disappeared in the playoffs, yet is touted as some sort of classy leader?  Huh?  Just because Barber speaks properly and dresses like he is auditioning for an OLD NAVY commercial doesn’t mean he emanates class.

Long story short?  The media is just like you.  They all have favorite teams and favorite players…..they pull for teams and players.  Then they write about it and try not to seem slanted, while constantly steering you in the direction THEY want.  I’m not trying to steer you in any direction.  I know I’m a homer.  I embrace it.

  Oh Tiki, you’re so great!!  

Deion Sanders talked DeAneglo Hall into joining a 3-way phone conversation with Terrell Owens during which Owens and Hall put the whole spitting incident behind them.  That’s great that the two finally spoke, but there are a couple inconsistencies:  Hall was quick to mention earlier in the week that Owens had yet to apologize to him.  However, now he says Owens had been trying to call him for the past couple of days.  If Hall were so upset about the lack of an apology….why not take the call?  Also, Hall ends things by saying that “For me to be able to keep my cool for the sake of my team and my teammates speaks volumes”-  Ok, this is true, it does speak volumes that he was able to control himself….but message to Mr. Hall, the term “speaks volumes” isn’t often used to describe yourself.  Allow other people to speak positive of you rather than doing it for them.  Of course, many athletes do this (including Owens) but most of them don’t go around whining for 2 days because someone spit on him…..Hall LOVES to toot his own horn but wants to act like an innocent choir boy.  I’ve heard Hall say too many times how Champ Bailey anointed him the best corner in football.  Also, it would have spoke more volumes if Hall could have covered T.O. for the sake of his teammates, huh?  Anyway, it appears this story is finally behind us….Hall hopes to meet Owens again in the playoffs.

By the way, how about Deion Sanders acting as the moderator in all this??  Makes you wonder if Deion is trying to become the Jesse Jackson of sports??

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