Recent Comments by NerfballPro

SportsFilter's 15th Anniversary

Congratulations on turning 15! Does this mean we qualify for a learner's permit now?

posted by NerfballPro at 07:46 PM on January 25, 2017

NFL Network Airs 'Lost' Super Bowl on Friday

Apparently, a video of the game as originally broadcast does exist. Not complete, but a major find nonetheless.

posted by NerfballPro at 07:10 PM on January 15, 2016

NFL Approves Rams Move to Los Angeles, Chargers Invited to Join

St. Louis really has gotten the stiff arm from major league sports over the years

It all started here.

posted by NerfballPro at 07:20 PM on January 13, 2016

SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle

The Black Monday tally so far:

Chip Kelly

Mike Pettine & Ray Farmer

Jim Tomsula

Tom Coughlin

Ruston Webster

One was last week, three last night. Seems a little tame this year so far, in my opinion.

posted by NerfballPro at 02:52 PM on January 04, 2016

SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle

The owners have a nightmare PR scenario brewing. Firing a head coach because he's not playing your son as often as you'd like?

posted by NerfballPro at 02:04 PM on November 09, 2015

SportsFilter: The Friday Huddle

Hey, has anyone been following the story about Daily Fantasy sites like FanDuel and DraftKings? There's been an ongoing debate about whether or not it's gambling, based on whether you win based on skill or chance. Just recently, the state of Nevada has weighed in with its own opinion on the matter.

posted by NerfballPro at 02:17 PM on October 16, 2015

SportsFilter: The Tuesday Huddle

Well, the Cubs have a long way to go. But taking out the Cardinals? Yep, we're officially on notice now.

posted by NerfballPro at 10:27 AM on October 14, 2015

Miami Dolphins Fire Coach Joe Philbin

Honestly, I thought Philbin should've been canned after the 2013 season due to the Richie Incognito-Jonathan Martin flap. Not to mention not making the playoffs during his time there.

posted by NerfballPro at 05:37 PM on October 05, 2015

SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle

Papelbon, Harper brawl in Nationals' loss to Phillies

Captain Obvious says: Matt Williams will be looking for a new job starting next week.

posted by NerfballPro at 07:16 PM on September 28, 2015

SportsFilter: The Friday Huddle

Some ways to become a Padre....

1. Get drafted

2. Get traded from another team

3. Have this happen

posted by NerfballPro at 04:50 PM on September 25, 2015

Super Bowl Ditches Roman Numerals

It seemed pretty obvious to me why they didn't go with the Roman numeral for 50

If only.....ONLY....you could've found and posted a pic of Roger doing that.....

posted by NerfballPro at 04:04 PM on September 10, 2015

2 High School Players Intentionally Hit Referee

Even if the coach didn't have anything to do with this, it's a reflection of how he's running the team.

And probably one incident away from having the team shut down for the season, too. I know if I were a coach in the same league I'd be concerned for my players' safety after this, if my team is on John Jay's schedule.

Coach Gutierrez has a serious shitstorm brewing he won't have any control over.

posted by NerfballPro at 01:44 PM on September 07, 2015

2 High School Players Intentionally Hit Referee

According to the article, and a similar one in Yahoo, two other players were ejected in separate players, which allowed the opposing team a first down late in the game that sealed the win, letting them just take snaps to wind the clock down. That's probably when these two smarty pants decided to send their message.

posted by NerfballPro at 10:43 PM on September 06, 2015

Federal Judge Tosses Brady's 4-Game NFL Suspension

I figure Goodell's current shelf life is good for another five years, when the current CBA expires. If he's still the commish, and there's no re-wording to reflect a fairer punitive system, expect a players' strike. And if that prediction comes true, I'd also bet one demand the NFLPA will have is a new commissioner.

posted by NerfballPro at 11:05 AM on September 04, 2015

Federal Judge Tosses Brady's 4-Game NFL Suspension

Also, Goodell won't be in Foxboro next week as originally planned. Can't say I blame him; New Englanders anxious to burn an effigy of the commissioner wouldn't have minded swapping out for the real thing, as if it were late 17th century Salem.

posted by NerfballPro at 09:32 AM on September 04, 2015

Teammate Sucker Punches Geno Smith, Breaks His Jaw

beaverboard, you nailed it.

posted by NerfballPro at 05:54 PM on August 12, 2015

Teammate Sucker Punches Geno Smith, Breaks His Jaw

Who knew that Geno's first interception of the season would come before the Jets even play a down?

I wonder if IK is in Rex's Rolodex

Since it was Rex and Co. that initially drafted him, I'm sure he'll get snapped up in short order.

posted by NerfballPro at 02:20 PM on August 12, 2015

Roger Goodell Upholds Tom Brady's 4-Game Suspension on Appeal

There is no way that the carrier would hand over the information as part of some internal NFL investigation. Even if this goes to federal court, the content of those text messages (or recipients of the messages or phone calls) is irrelevant at this point. The argument is whether the punishment is fair, not whether the ruling was correct in the first place.

An appeal in federal court would be about procedure and method of rule enforcement, not the deflation issue. Cell phone records are, as you said, no longer relevant toward any appeal or legal procedure going forward. But to me, all that does is deflect the issue of Brady's culpability. Does Brady's reputation get rescued, win or lose? It didn't seem to help the bountygate players and coaches when their suspensions and punishments were overturned.

posted by NerfballPro at 02:50 PM on July 30, 2015

Roger Goodell Upholds Tom Brady's 4-Game Suspension on Appeal

I'm no Goodell fan, but whether or not you want to believe his judge jury and executioner act is good for the league, you have to look with a critical eye at Tom Brady for destroying his cellphone during the midst of this investigation. And I just can't buy the story that he thought investigators wouldn't need it during their collection of evidence in the case.

- He may or may not have used it to send and receive texts on the matter.
- It's possible the NFL could petition his carrier to turn over records of texts both sent and received using the phone (the legalities of this are another subject altogether)
- It may even be his practice to destroy old cellphones to protect his privacy once he obtains a new one for use.

If he wanted a chance at reducing (or preferably, eliminate) his suspension, he should've held onto it. Destroying it just made him look like he was trying to hide something, or at least showed everyone he's a complete imbecile.

posted by NerfballPro at 02:10 PM on July 29, 2015

NFL Announces Punishment for Patriots' Deflated Balls

Net Savings to Patriots: $2,700,000

Also have to factor in: lost ticket sales in the first four games because people want to see Brady, not Garoppolo; missed playoff games if they miss the playoffs by a game or two (or if seeded 3 or 4 instead of 1 or 2, the extra playoff game they host), not to mention the salary of the players they don't draft (or the resulting trades to replenish the roster to cover the missed picks). It can get convoluted, but the point is, it's all speculative and hard to pin a true price on this.

But you're right Joey, they'll probably still come out way ahead in the long run.

posted by NerfballPro at 07:38 AM on May 13, 2015

NFL Announces Punishment for Patriots' Deflated Balls

I could see them going 1-3 or 0-4 if the backup stinks. As for the draft picks not fazing them, losing a first rounder is huge.

The backup stinks? On a Belichick team? Really?

The draft picks might hurt some long-term, but the Pats have already been through this (Spygate)

posted by NerfballPro at 10:40 PM on May 11, 2015

NFL Announces Punishment for Patriots' Deflated Balls

Brady is 37. This suspension could help keep the Pats out of home-field advantage next season.

Odds are, Brady would welcome the additional rest at that age. And Belichick can weather four games of Brady-less ball against a fairly easy schedule (Steelers, @Bills, Jags, @Cowboys) and the Patriots will still contend.

Plus, they get to keep their rings and the lost draft picks won't faze them much.

The NFL has meted out the punishments to silence the haters. Goodell reasserts his judge, jury and executioner persona. Everybody goes home happy today.

posted by NerfballPro at 06:14 PM on May 11, 2015

NFL Pick 'Em Contest, Final Scoreboard

Points, rebounds, assists, Tony Awards.

Does that mean that flops are tracked as a statistical category now?

posted by NerfballPro at 01:02 PM on February 14, 2015

NFL Pick 'Em Contest, Final Scoreboard

The only thing I can say about my performance is that old cliche: Even a stopped clock is correct twice a day.

Other than that, I do vote for tightening the spread as well, and would like to add increasing the bonus points for being dead-on with the number picks (increase to two points instead of one, maybe?)

Thanks for running the game, rcade......and thanks hincandenza and everyone.

posted by NerfballPro at 08:34 AM on February 13, 2015

SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle

I haven't seen any results posted either. I know everyone's busy, but I have to admit, I'm a little curious too...

posted by NerfballPro at 01:54 PM on February 11, 2015

Semi-regular update: Julio Franco is still playing baseball.

I hope he keeps on keeping on for as long as he can.

Me too. How many get the chance to play for as long as he has? Heck, how many have the same career for this long? And it seems he's done with without chemical enhancement as well.

posted by NerfballPro at 11:45 AM on February 10, 2015

Semi-regular update: Julio Franco is still playing baseball.

I hope he keeps on keeping on for as long as he can.

Me too. How many get the chance to play for as long as he has? Heck, how many have the same career for this long? And it seems he's done with without chemical enhancement as well.

posted by NerfballPro at 11:45 AM on February 10, 2015

NFL Playoff Pick 'Em Contest, Super Bowl 0x31 Round

hincandenza's suggestion sounds good to me if you want to do it that way

posted by NerfballPro at 03:13 PM on February 01, 2015

NFL Playoff Pick 'Em Contest, Super Bowl 0x31 Round

New England by 7
Most Passing Yards: Brady
Most rushing Yards: Lynch
Most Receiving Yards: Gronkowski
First Touchdown: Gronkowski
Sack: Wilfork
Interception: Revis
Total Score: 52
1st Quarter: 17
Halftime: 31
3rd Quarter: 45

posted by NerfballPro at 01:28 PM on January 31, 2015

"Give 'em the works, Cubby! We ain't got a minute to lose!"

And to think that's how it all evolved into "I'm just here so I won't get fined"

posted by NerfballPro at 04:28 PM on January 28, 2015

Josh Gordon Fails Substance Test, Out for Another Year

I don't see him staying on the Browns roster after this.

With the DUI arrests and the missed team meetings prior to this he was already on a short leash. It's pretty sad to see someone as talented as he is choose substance abuse over his livelihood.

posted by NerfballPro at 02:39 AM on January 26, 2015

Don't hit me in the mouth, I gotta play tonight

A good alternate title for this piece would be: Kind of Black and Blue

posted by NerfballPro at 11:38 AM on January 24, 2015

NFL Playoff Pick 'Em Contest, Conference Championship Round

I'd wanted to pick Suggs but with the Ravens-Steelers already going when I finally got to a computer on Saturday I elected to stay away from that game to avoid any potential disputes with scoring.

Seattle by 7
Indianapolis by 3
Most points: Indianapolis
QB most yards: Andrew Luck
RB most yards: Marshawn Lynch
Most receiving yards: Reggie Wayne

posted by NerfballPro at 05:39 PM on January 16, 2015

NFL Playoff Pick 'Em Contest, Divisional Round

I'm late; reserve duty sucks sometimes. I'm making my picks after the Bal-Pitt game has kicked off, and I don't know what all has happened, so if anything I put on here doesn't qualify feel free to take the point off.

Baltimore by 3

Seattle by 14

Green Bay by 3

Denver by 4

Most points: Seattle

Most rush yards: Marshawn Lynch

Sack: Von Miller

GB Temp: 20F

posted by NerfballPro at 06:17 PM on January 10, 2015

Four players voted into the baseball Hall of Fame

Who the heck voted for Aaron Boone?

Who the heck is Darin Erstad?

posted by NerfballPro at 04:56 AM on January 07, 2015

ESPN Anchor Stuart Scott Dies

One of the few credible ESPN anchors gone way too damn soon.

.

posted by NerfballPro at 01:39 PM on January 04, 2015

NFL Playoff Pick 'Em Contest, Wild Card Round

Carolina by 10

Baltimore by 3

Dallas by 6

Indianapolis by 13

Most points: Indianapolis

Most passing yards: Andrew Luck

Interception: Glover Quin

posted by NerfballPro at 12:51 PM on January 03, 2015

Ducks v. Bucks in Arlington

The BCS matchup for this season would have almost certainly been Florida State (undefeated, defending national champions) vs. Alabama (one-loss SEC champion), with Oregon and Ohio State battling it out in the Rose Bowl as a consolation prize.

One of the biggest cliches in sports is that "this game isn't played on paper; it's played on the field." While I still have reservations about this new playoff system, I still favor it over the previous BCS methodology where the games were seemingly "played on paper" (or on computer, if you will) to determine who gets to play for the championship. Here, Florida State and Alabama were taken out on the field whereas before, they would've merely defaulted to the championship game as Etrigan stated. Really, this isn't a bad thing at all.

posted by NerfballPro at 01:04 PM on January 02, 2015

New York Jets Fire Rex Ryan, GM John Idzik

He never had a really good QB

Rex had two highly-regarded prospects (acknowledging they weren't Peyton Manning sure things, but neither were many in the top 10), both of whom seemed to regress rather than progress under his leadership.

Ownership tasked him over the years to develop a franchise quarterback (Sanchez, Tebow, Smith, to name three) and that's not something you ask a defensive-minded coach to do. And the material he was given to develop one wasn't exactly the best to begin with:

Sanchez: USC stock, who traditionally don't adapt well to the pro game anyway

Tebow: let's not get started with this discussion again

Smith: Jury's still out on him, but doesn't look promising so far.

This is probably why Idzik is unemployed along with Ryan.

posted by NerfballPro at 09:24 AM on December 31, 2014

Denver Broncos Fan Disappears During Game

Kitterman was found, unharmed Tuesday. But the mystery behind his disappearance still remains.....

posted by NerfballPro at 05:08 AM on October 29, 2014

SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle

A salute to veterans at Saturday's Giants-Nationals game. Army SFC Brian Keaton throws out the first pitch with a certain style.

posted by NerfballPro at 10:29 AM on October 06, 2014

Brady Hoke's Dangerous Incompetence So Bad ESPN Announcers Denounce It

Considering how bad Morris was, the fact that Brady Hoke is still employed at the University of Michigan nearly 48 hours after the game makes me think the AD should join the list of those who should be relieved of their duties as well.

posted by NerfballPro at 01:56 PM on September 29, 2014

SportsFilter: The Sunday Huddle

An interesting historical find: a newsreel of the 1919 World Series, Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago White Sox. These are excerpts taken from various games and compiled into this report. For a perspective, this was assembled before word of the "Black Sox Scandal" broke and even includes a play where a Sox pitcher bobbles what arguably should've been an easy double-play ball. (Note: the edges of the film are noticeably degraded and do distract a little from the viewing)

posted by NerfballPro at 06:58 AM on May 04, 2014

SportsFilter: The Wednesday Huddle

The Rays' Yunel Escobar strikes out on a 4-2 pitch.

posted by NerfballPro at 12:47 PM on April 23, 2014

DeSean Jackson released by the Eagles

Raiders maybe, but no chance with NE if his background reveals even a tiny bit of gang-related activity. Hernandez has taught them well.

No chance with anyone, likely, regardless of his talent. Hernandez schooled 32 NFL owners and GMs on what it's like to have a player with alleged gang issues and is known as a locker room distraction. It's a lesson that's going to stick for awhile, so it's tough to imagine any team picking him up for awhile.

posted by NerfballPro at 04:36 PM on March 28, 2014

SportsFilter: The Friday Huddle

At least we now know the true genesis of Incognito's tweets a couple of days ago. He must've been going crazy waiting for the report knowing the axe was going to fall squarely on his neck.

posted by NerfballPro at 12:08 PM on February 14, 2014

SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle

Shanahan is thinking about benching RG3 for the season. Why not just resign now?

Why not have a little fun pissing off Dan Snyder on your way out?

posted by NerfballPro at 03:59 PM on December 10, 2013

Raider, 'Renaissance Man' Todd Christensen dead at 57

One of my favorites growing up.

.

posted by NerfballPro at 08:55 AM on November 14, 2013

SportsFilter: The Thursday Huddle

When satisfying the terms of a wager, in this case the Bears-Packers Monday night, goes horribly but comically wrong.

posted by NerfballPro at 09:13 AM on November 07, 2013

Red Sox Write Love Letter to Cardinals

So when do we all sit in a circle and start to sing "Kum-Ba-Yah"?

posted by NerfballPro at 09:51 AM on November 06, 2013

Gary Kubiak Collapses on Texas Sideline

I was fearing that Houston fans would be cheering his collapse.

posted by NerfballPro at 03:48 PM on November 04, 2013

Dolphins Suspend Incognito For Bullying, Intimidation Towards Miller

Can anyone see a scenario where the NFL or the Dolphins allow Jr to play another down of football ?

Incognito's contract ends after this season; smart money's on the following: not only has he already played his last down in Miami, even if Goodell allows him to play in the future he's likely played his last professional down, period.

posted by NerfballPro at 03:46 PM on November 04, 2013

Cards Win Game 3 Through Game-Ending Obstruction Call

Yes, that's the same umpire, but unless you're a time travelling person, that was over 3 years ago (June 2010).

Yep, I know better than to argue with the grum. I had the right game, the pitcher (Armando Galarraga), but had the date wrong. Though I could've sworn it happened not so long ago. Guess the chronometer in my TARDIS needs repair.

posted by NerfballPro at 08:53 AM on October 27, 2013

Cards Win Game 3 Through Game-Ending Obstruction Call

Hey, wasn't that Jim Joyce who made the call at third base? Wasn't he the guy who made that botched call that cost a pitcher a perfect game in the ninth inning last season?

posted by NerfballPro at 08:45 AM on October 27, 2013

SportsFilter: The Tuesday Huddle

In search of a lost baseball.

posted by NerfballPro at 01:02 PM on October 15, 2013

Mark Sanchez Hurt in Fourth Quarter of Preseason Game

I really do think Rex wants out of New York. He's an idiot, but if that's true I honestly can't blame him.

posted by NerfballPro at 03:38 AM on August 26, 2013

Ryan Braun Admits Using PEDs, Lying to Cover It Up

Lying is one thing; taking down someone else with your lies is a bigger issue.

And Dino Laurenzi should be on the phone to his lawyer making arrangements to sue Braun for an amount that he won't have to worry about putting his, grandkids, and great grandkids through college, all expenses paid.

posted by NerfballPro at 09:49 AM on August 24, 2013

SportsFilter: The Tuesday Huddle

MLB suspends Ryan Dempster for 5 games for allegedly hitting Alex Rodriguez deliberately.

Probably for failing to knock A-Rod out for 211 games with his fastball.

posted by NerfballPro at 07:35 AM on August 21, 2013

Philadelphia Eagles' Riley Cooper apologizes for racial slur

We've all said stupid shit in anger, often when we've been drinking.

That's true, but alcohol can't make a stone bleed. I've seen it too often, whatever vice a person believes but keeps hidden from the world, be it racism, misogyny, anti-semitism, homophobia, or what have you, put enough alcohol in that body and watch it come to the surface. No matter how well Cooper mans up here, apparently the context and circumstance was enough to make Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson speak out against him. Now, say what you will about those two, but I don't see Cooper as an Eagle come opening day.

posted by NerfballPro at 10:34 PM on August 01, 2013

Cowboys Stadium Renamed AT&T Stadium

Finally the Cowboys will have enough money to field a competitive team.

You mean Jerry's relenting and hiring a decent GM and letting football-knowledgeable people run the team? I thought this discussion thread was about the renaming of Cowboys Stadium.

posted by NerfballPro at 07:01 PM on July 26, 2013