Monday, December 19, 2005

Monday's Heroes and The "Runners Up"

Hey peeps, and anyone else checking in...from those of you that check in regularly to see who gets a Hazie...to those of you that have happened on this page for the first time - Monday's posts highlight a few of the more notable performances in the world of sports from the past seven days or so (NFL, NHL, MLB and European Soccer garner most of the attention).

A special "hey" goes out to Ms. Hazel Mae, here's hoping she would agree to hand out the hardware to this week's winners and "runners up". (how is that for showing Christmas spirit? No Zeros or "Not-So-Heroic" this week)

It was one ugly weekend in the NFL - well, at least it was for me, Hazel and anyone else who is a fan of the Cowboys or the Chiefs...while you are at it, throw fans of the Colts in there too, they must be one worried bunch right about now. If they aren't worried yet, point them to Dan Shaughnessy's column in today's edition of the Boston Globe. Seems like Mr. Shaughnessy and I were thinking the same thing when we were writing this past weekend. What's that old saying - Great minds think alike. Please, no smart remarks on that one. Let's just chalk it up to the notion that some of my ideas aren't so nuts...

THIS WEEK'S NOTABLES - THE HEROES

NFL
Matt Hasselbeck of the Seahawks just keeps rolling along - this week against the Tennessee Titans. The Seahawks pivot was 21/27 for 285 yards and 3 TDs. What made it more impressive was Tennessee's record against teams visiting for the first time - it was something like 21 - 4. He doesn't get enough credit, but there aren't many playing as well as he is right now.

Tom Brady of the Patriots (Hazel's Patriots?) is playing like he is in the playoffs. Brady, who is arguably one of the three best players in the NFL (LaDanian Tomlinson and a healthy Ray Lewis would get plenty of votes) has been torching some good teams over the past few weeks - the latest victims a very good Tampa Bay Buccaneers D. Brady was a very efficient 20/31 for 258 yards and 3 TDs. New England is in very good hands.

Drew Brees of the Chargers lead his team into the RCA Dome and beat the Colts - that right there gets him a Hazie. While his numbers weren't outstanding - 22/33 for 255 yards, 1 TD and 2 INTs - he did it without a healthy LaDanian Tomlinson. Brees gets some hardware.

Other notable performances from QBs (though not quite there in terms of getting an award from Hazel) include:

    • Carson Palmer - 2 INTs were his undoing (and playing the Lions);
  • Jake Plummer - the Manager managed;
  • Steve McNair, Brooks Bollinger and Peyton Manning - all of whom couldn't lead their teams to wins.

Tiki Barber of the Giants ran all over someone's team (no, I'm not naming names - that brings me bad karma). Barber rushed 29 times for 220 yards and 2 TDs - a lot of those yards came in clutch situations and for first downs. While Tiki had some great runs - the Chiefs tackling was atrocious to put it mildly...if that didn't make Vermeil cry, I don't know what would.

Shaun Alexander of the Seahawks had another great game - this week against the Titans. Alexander rushed 26 times for 172 yards and a TD.

Other notable performances from RBs this past weekend -
  • Larry Johnson (from you know who's team) - another great game goes for not;
  • Rudi Johnson - good numbers, but he was playing the Lions;
  • LaMont Jordan - You big dummy Lamont - 132 yards and not 1 TD? (if you don't remember Sanford and Son...never mind);
  • Clinton Portis - ya ya, but he didn't score a TD;
  • Michael Turner - clutch 83 yard TD against the Colts - but only 8 carries.

David Givens of the Patriots was the only receiver to have a great game in a victory. Givens caught 6 passes for 137 yards and 1 TD - against Ronde Barber and Co.

Other notable performances from WRs and TEs this past weekend -
  • Chad Johnson - 11 catches and 1 TD, but only 99 yards.
  • Anquan Boldin, Marvin Harrison, Ben Troupe - all in losing efforts.
  • Rod Smith good numbers, but he fumbled once...and he plays with Plummer.
Shawn Merriman of the Chargers, I watched the game yesterday - he made Manning miserable. Tonight on ESPN's Monday Night pre-game show, Ron Jaworski highlighted what Merriman did to the Colts yesterday - he looked like Lawrence Taylor, and the late great Derrick Thomas of Hazel's Chiefs.

Marcus Washington of the Redskins pretty much killed the Cowboys yesterday...I'd rather not discuss this anymore.

NHL
This past week was a great week for goalies in the NHL - well, pretty much everyone but Eddie Belfour.

Roberto Luongo posted a record of 3-1 with a GAA of 2.25 and a save percentage of .942 - when you play for the Panthers...that's saying a lot.

Other notables in the "new, high flying" NHL this week included:

    • Martin Biron of the Buffalo Sabres...3-0-0, 2.98 GAA;

    • Martin Gerber of the Carolina Hurricanes... 3-0-0, 1.67 GAA; and

    • Michael Garnett of the Atlanta Thrashers...3-0-0, 2.92 GAA.

EUROPEAN SOCCER
Brazilian sensation Ronaldinho won his second consecutive FIFA World Player of the Year award. Widely regarded as the most electrifying player in the last 10 - 20 years...Ronaldinho is really one of the good guys in the world of soccer. Other notables who have won this award include - you got it...Luis Figo.

Michael Owen of Newcastle United had three goals this past Saturday in leading the Magpies to a 4-2 victory against West Ham.


THE RUNNERS UP

As I said earlier, there are no Zeros or “Not-So-Heroic” – after all, it is the Christmas season…so we are calling them “Runners Up”.

My Dallas Cowboys were awful – the whole damn team. The offence was anemic, the defence looked like they were overmatched and confused and Billy Cundiff’s missed field goal in the first quarter really took any wind out of Dallas’ sails. As a matter of fact, the only positive I took away came courtesy of Keyshawn Johnson – yes Keyshawn. He showed me something on Sunday, he really does care…enough to call out the kicker for a bad miss.

Hazel’s Kansas City Chiefs couldn’t beat a depleted Giants team – missing two linebackers, starting a rookie MLB, injuries on the offensive line…and still the Chiefs couldn’t win.

In the English Premier League, Middlesborough couldn’t pull out a win at home against a struggling Tottenham Hotspur. Middlesborough not only blew three leads, they blew two of my Pro-Line tickets and potential winnings of over $400 (enough to buy a pair of hot golf cleats for Christmas – if you don’t get the humour in that…Hazel would).

I refuse to put the Maple Leafs in this category…EVER.

Well, that’s about all I have for now. I hope Hazel would agree with tonight’s winners and those who didn’t quite make it. I’m outta here for the night.

Have a great one peeps. Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world.

Song of the Evening on Hazelspeeps…for FIFA’s World Player of the Year – Ronaldinho. He’s kinda funny looking – with the trademark overbite; ut he is a shining example of “The Beautiful Game”.

You Are So Beautiful – Joe Cocker

What? Yes…for Ronaldinho’s game. Who else would that song be for?

Peesth Out!





posted by Pogue @ 10:55 PM 

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