11/21/24
January 03, 2010
SportsFilter: The Sunday Huddle:
A place to discuss the sports stories that aren't making news, share links that aren't quite front-page material, and diagram plays on your hand. Remember to count to five Mississippi before commenting in anger.
The way Texas Tech played in the Alamo Bowl yesterday reminded me of how West Virginia played in their bowl game right after Rich Rod left them. Inspired, undistracted, unburdened
One of us watched the wrong game.
Texas Tech was trailing in the 4th quarter to a team that finished with a losing record. A team that suspended 14 players prior to the game, many of them starters. A team that used several WR's that had never taken a snap in a regular season game. Nevermind that Tech playing in San Antonio is pretty close to a home field advantage. Sure, Leach was gone, but they used the same game plan, so not a big deal there. Their 4th down plays were signature Leach. Michigan State was a couple of missed field goals from winning that game.
posted by dviking at 10:43 AM on January 03, 2010
The way Texas Tech played in the Alamo Dysfunctional Bowl yesterday...
That's more like it.
posted by NoMich at 10:57 AM on January 03, 2010
Man Utd 0 Leeds Utd 1 -- no, that is not a match report from the 1970s.
Michigan State was a couple of missed field goals from winning that game.
And I'm not sure how you get "inspired, undistracted" from "can't defend the run, pull the QB when down in the 4th".
posted by etagloh at 11:50 AM on January 03, 2010
Riley pulled Potts after he sustained an injury to his non-throwing hand.
Mich State was competitive this year, close losses to ND, Iowa, and Wisconsin, beatin a pretty good Northwestern team and winning the rivalry game against Michigan. They represented themselves well, and the game was far more entertaining than any other played yesterday, if you listened to the play by play on the radio instead of the ESPIN hacks.
Dysfunctional describes the OK State - Ole Miss clash... One of the ugliest bowl games ever played.
posted by mjkredliner at 12:09 PM on January 03, 2010
Michigan State was somewhat competitive during the year (not sure that a close loss to ND counts for much) with their full team. They played without too many key players yesterday to say they were the same team.
Tech's style of play is alway entertaining, but that's Leach's shoot out style.
posted by dviking at 12:56 PM on January 03, 2010
Well, the entire Vikings team decided to show up today.
Favre and the defense were awesome. I hope the last few games doesn't cost them the first week bye. (damn, I'm reduced to cheering for the Cowboys)
Given the way the Saints have limped into the playoffs, I think one could make a case for any of the NFC teams to go to the Super Bowl. Yes, I know they benched Brees, but losing three straight isn't the way to go into the playoffs.
posted by dviking at 04:13 PM on January 03, 2010
Bill Bellichek, for all his genius, is making some atrocious decisions today.
Tom Brady, broken ribs and all, plays most of today's game and takes a couple of big hits. Wes Welker injures his knee. Dan Connolly limps off. At the end of a game he plays to win the entire way, even at the expense of his best players....he throws Brian Hoyer to the wolves for the last series.
We weren't even playing for anything; the AFC is so complicated right now there's no way to know who we were going to play. If we were playing to avoid Indy, we're going to have to play them eventually. It makes no sense.
I used to be a disciple of the school of Bellichek but lately, I'm wondering if he just makes risky calls for the sake of getting credit for the ones which go right.
posted by dfleming at 04:41 PM on January 03, 2010
I would just like it noted that the Atlanta Falcons have back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in franchise history. Can't wait until next season to hear a sportscaster intone, "The Falcons, who've put together two winning seasons only ONCE in their history..."
posted by BitterOldPunk at 06:18 PM on January 03, 2010
Well, the Ravens could have played better, but they're in. Broncos got embarrassed. Eagles' offense looked broken (and the 'Boys D looked good). And congrats to Chris Johnson on breaking the 2000 yard mark.
Also, who fancies the Houston Texans in the playoffs if they make it? They're in if the Bengals win tonight.
posted by boredom_08 at 07:45 PM on January 03, 2010
On second thought, I think one could make the case for any of the NFC teams, except the Cards, to go to the Super Bowl.
I'd love to see the Texans do something in the playoffs.
posted by dviking at 07:54 PM on January 03, 2010
My case for the Cards is that's what everyone said last year too. They still CAN outscore almost anyone in the league. They probably won't, but it's possible.
posted by boredom_08 at 07:59 PM on January 03, 2010
It will be interesting to see what happens with Josh McDaniels in the offseason. Runs the franchise quarterback out of town, publicly fights with his pro bowl receiver and other team's players and finishes a disappointing 2-8 collapse by giving up 44 points to the Chiefs. Not exactly a good sign heading into the offseason.
posted by dfleming at 09:04 PM on January 03, 2010
Actually, I do think the Cards have an outside chance to make it...just will be very tough. Odd scenario in how we have to rematches back to back like this.
posted by dviking at 10:21 PM on January 03, 2010
Also, who fancies the Houston Texans in the playoffs if they make it? They're in if the Bengals win tonight.
The Bengals will have to actually show up to New York for that to happen.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 10:30 PM on January 03, 2010
One L, two Is, dfleming.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 09:56 AM on January 04, 2010
I hate his name. There, I said it. I've had to Google him previously to get it right and didn't this time. Shame.
posted by dfleming at 04:04 PM on January 04, 2010
Methusaleh Mark Brunell is getting a start in relief of Drew Brees today. His NFL career may end up lasting longer than that of his old nemesis, Tom Coughlin.
The way Texas Tech played in the Alamo Bowl yesterday reminded me of how West Virginia played in their bowl game right after Rich Rod left them. Inspired, undistracted, unburdened.