Bruins Take Care of Business

Yesterday the NHL Power Rankings came out for the week, putting the B’s at 2nd place behind the Blackhawks. Not too bad, considering we did move up three spots since losing our 1st place ranking two weeks ago. What gets me is the fact that the Flyers are still ranked third after the Bruins destroyed them Saturday. Correction…Absolutely EMBARRASSED them on their home ice. Without Pronger and Giroux there is no way this team keeps pace with top teams, and the B’s game was just the beginning of that slide. But who cares, we’ll just take care of our business and let Philly’s misfortune pan out.

Taking care of business is exactly what the Bruin’s did last night at the garden. Despite struggling so far this season, Montreal always poses a threat when they come into Boston. It doesn’t matter how well either team is doing, the rivalry brings out the best in both squads. Last night the B’s held their ground with a 3-2 victory, and sent the Canadiens back across the border with their heads down. Krejci, Pouliot, and Marchard netted the goals for Boston, as Timmy stood solid once again between the pipes. The B’s scored a late goal off a turnover in the Montreal zone, which would prove crucial as the Habs pulled their goalie and netted one with under 2 minutes to play. With a few days’ rest, the Bruins are looking for revenge at home when the Florida Panthers come into town Friday.

Rex Ryan vs. New York

You know, I used to think Rex Ryan was a fantastic coach, especially for the Jets. I mean this guy has the charisma and swagger to actually survive in a city that chews people up and spits them out. He handles the media like a true New Yorker should, but as of late I really think that he is losing his touch. Every year, everybody is all over the “new and improved Jets” and how that this will finally be their year. Rex constantly makes some serious promises and goals, but everything seems to be coming up short. Is it me or does it still feel like Mark Sanchez is a rookie (and plays like one sometimes)? I know it’s his third year in the league, but I swear he just got drafted in April. With that being said, it appears that Rex has decided to back off the AFC East and is looking to pit the Jets against a new cross-town rival, the Giants. Last night, after coming off a truly demoralizing defeat to a very hot Philly squad, Rex had this to say about the upcoming match next week against the Giants: “There’s no way I’m going to be second fiddle. If we were playing the New York Yankees, I don’t want to be second fiddle to them. This is the same type of deal. I want to be the best team in football, not just the best team in this city. But we’ll start by being the best team in this city.” I really like the fire out of this guy, but at what point does an 8-6 record speak for itself? You can’t survive in the AFC with that. Every year we see the Jets losing to the same, consummate teams in the AFC after making a miraculous run late in the season to get into the playoffs. He is creating yet another rival for his Jets, trying to motivate them through his words to the media, but has this tactic worked yet? I hate to say it but if the Jets fail to at least make it to the Superbowl this year (which they won’t) I think it’s time to make some serious changes in that organization.

Golf Cart Takes Out Crowd At Cowboys Stadium

Fortunately no one was seriously injured in this accident but this video is just hilarious. The funniest part of this video is the guy that gets taken out, but ends up landing in the driver’s seat. What’s his first instinct? Lets kick my legs up on the front of the cart and hope for it to stop. Once his first brilliant plan failed the guy decided to gracefully barrel roll out of the cart. Wouldn’t your first instinct be to try to stop it by moving the pylon out from under the brake? Nah, screw it. I’ll just jump off and let someone else handle it. Thank god they had that well-educated guy that works at the stadium there to move the bright orange pylon out from under the brake or this really could’ve gotten ugly.

 

Best Players in College

Just over a month in and there have already been a few different #1 teams in the country.  There have also been many players who have stepped up, or fell off the radar.  I thought it would be fun to vote on who has been the best player in the NCAA ( I only did ranked teams players).  If you are unsure, do not just vote for North Carolina players because I’m pretty sure thats what everyone in the coaches poll does…

 

MNF Pick ‘Em – Week 15

Monday, December 19, 2011

Steelers @ 49ers 8:35PM

In what could be one of the best battles of the season, a few players on one side might be watching from the sideline. My guess is that Big Ben will play tonight, but with Lamarr Woodley and Troy Polamalu’s hamstring concerns, along with James Harrison being out on suspension for his hit on Colt McCoy last week, the Steelers defense might not be exactly what we are all used to. That being said, I still am not convinced the 49ers offense can make them a Super Bowl contender. The Steelers are going to have to throw the ball around tonight if they want to escape with a victory against a team that has one of the top run defenses in the NFL. I’m going to the Steelers tonight.

Prediction: Steelers-21 49ers-17

 

Yesterdays Picks: 9-5

Season Total: 23-10

All Is Well In Boston

20111219-121540.jpgIt’s been great writing these weekend recaps lately. Of course it helps being a Boston sports fan, but Monday always seems a little brighter when there isn’t much to complain about in the sports realm.

The Bruins absolutely embarrassed the Flyers on Saturday, capping off a two game road trip with a 6-0 stomping in Philly. They now sit tied with the Flyers in points atop the Eastern Conference. Tim Thomas was once again a rock in net, recording his 30th career shutout. The B’s take the ice at home tonight against the struggling Canadiens team as they look to expand their new winning streak to 5 games and pull ahead to sole possession of the conference lead.

Order was restored in Denver this Sunday, and “Tebow Time” was put on standby. As expected, the Pats took down Tebow and the Broncos, putting an end to all the miracle boy chat (at least for the next week). Oh how about Timmy boy running for his life towards the end of the 4th quarter? I mean how do you let yourself get sacked for a 29 yard loss? Brady would never allow that. Speaking of the legend, Tom threw for 2 TDs and rushed one in himself, capping off the score with a “Gronk-esque” type spike. With the win, the Pats claimed the AFC East title for the 9th time in 11 seasons with Brady at the helm.

For the first time in 7 months we got to watch the Celtics squad take the court. First things first…it was an ugly game, but basketball is back so I’ll take it! Doc played everyone, giving the starters some late game rest and the newcomers a chance to show what they got. After giving up a commanding lead in the 4th quarter, the C’s were able to hold off a late game push by the Raptors to seal off a 76-75 win in Toronto. The Raptors come to Boston Wednesday night for both teams’ final preseason game before the regular season tips off Christmas Day.

With another passing weekend, again Boston sports fans cannot complain. Our two division leaders have continued to advance, one moving ahead in their conference and the other clinching a division title. Our lost boys in green are back in action, looking to make one more run at the Larry O’Brien trophy. Once again, all is well in Beantown. Happy Monday!

 

Weekend College Round Up

Previously unbeaten Xavier lost their first game Sunday against Oral RobertsWait, What? Oh yeah, 3 of their best players are suspended because of their brawl against Cincinnati last week (in case you somehow missed it) so they lost against a team with “Oral” in their name…  Since these 3 didn’t play, I don’t see Xavier dropping far below their previous rank of #9, just as Ohio State remained near the top even though they lost a game last week when they didn’t have Sullinger, who got hurt again on Saturday.  In my opinion he is the most dominant player in college right now, when he is healthy that is.  I hope they drop below UConn who should climb a little bit higher with another win on Sunday.

On Saturday night, Syracuse almost felt the curse of the #1 but somehow held on against North Carolina State, which would have been a huge upset once again.   #19 Illinois lost but I wouldn’t be surprised if they stay in the top 25 since it is their first loss, even though they have not played anyone that tough.  #21 Alabama and #25 Vanderbilt both lost, which will most likely move both of them out of the top 25 come Monday morning.  Every other team that played and should have won, did win.  Unfortunately, that includes the Tar Heels.

Let the Games Begin

And basketball season is upon us. I know it’s not the start of the regular season or even an actual game, but the C’s will be on the parquet tonight at the Garden for an intrasquad scrimmage in front of roughly 5,000 fans, BSB staff included. I hope they win…no nothing? Anyways, I figured I’d send you into the weekend and the NBA season with a classic video from C’s locker room last year. Go Celts!

 

Homerun Champ Barry Bonds Sentenced

20111216-153325.jpgFormer MLB Slugger, and all time home run champ Barry Bonds received his sentencing today after being convicted of obstruction of justice back in April. Bonds received a sentence of 30 days of house arrest followed by two years of probation.

I’m sure Bonds really learned his lesson this time. It must be really tough to have to live in a mansion for thirty days. Our government spent millions of our tax-paid dollars to prosecute Bonds and the end result is a millionaire gets to continue to live his luxury lifestyle from the comfort of his own home. Americans complain every day about taxes being too high, and our country being in a depression. Meanwhile our government continues the unnecessary spending just to attempt to prove a point. Imagine if we stopped the ridiculous spending like this? I’m sure the next guy that gets called to the stand will be 100% truthful in fear of paying the consequences Bonds paid.

 

Harrison Takes Frustration About Suspension to Twitter

The NFL upheld Steelers LB James Harrison’s attempt to appeal his one game suspension he received for leveling Browns QB Colt McCoy in a game last week. I’ll be the first to complain about the way the NFL has turned the Quarterback position into a position for girls, but once again Harrison took it too far. Apparently Harrison isn’t very thrilled about it and less than an hour ago he expressed his views via twitter.

@jharrison9292 James Harrison

“17 games,1000+ snaps, 100+ tackles, 12+sacks and 2 forces fumbles since my last incident and I get a suspension for a football play! ”

First, I want to congratulate Mr. Harrison on his two forced fumbles; very relevant to the matter. (John Abraham did that last night in one game.) Basically he is saying since he has been well behaved in the NFL for one season’s worth of games, he doesn’t deserve to get suspended when he steps out of line. A football play would have been to lower your shoulder and drive it into McCoy’s ribs for the tackle, not lead with your head and drill the defenseless QB with a helmet to helmet hit. Those are legitimate penalties and the NFL should continue to focus on those and not call a penalty when a defenders hand taps a quarterback’s helmet. I am all for a hard hit in the NFL, its part of the game, and it’s what makes the NFL what it is today. At the same time I am glad the NFL is cracking down on the guys like Harrison and Ndamukong Suh who don’t think twice about attempting to end players’ careers.