Saturday, October 24, 2009

Sporting Rants and Raves: October 24, 2009

Happy 83rd Birthday to Mr. Yelberton Abraham Tittle, the Hall of Fame quarterback who played for the Baltimore Colts, San Francisco 49ers, and New York Football Giants. Although he never won an NFL Championship, he did get the G-men to the title game from 1961-1963. He retired in 1964 and now owns a California-based insurance company, which he started 40 years ago.

Trivia of the Week
Y.A. Tittle was the first of 7 quarterbacks to achieve consecutive 30-touchdown passing seasons. Name 4 of the remaining 6.

Answers to October 17's Trivia of the Week
In what year did Mr. Ernie Els win The Open Championship? 2002
Extra Credit: Which American golfer is tied for second most number of 'British Open' wins? Tom Watson How many did he win? 5 - 1975, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1983

Devine rallies No. 22 WVU past UConn 28-24
Since last I wrote the Sporting Rants and Raves column, a sad story has been reported across the country. A young man, a student and football player at the University of Connecticut, was killed at a party on the Storrs campus after the Louisville win. With one stab to Jasper Howard's stomach, another person took the 20-year old's life too soon. I hope they find the killer soon, as well as whomever is threatening potential witnesses - if not the killer himself. As for the game, UCONN played as inspired a game as they could have wished gaining 501 yards of total offense. Unfortunately, whether grieving or not, they simply could not overcome so many second half mistakes - a fumble, 3 interceptions, and 2 missed field goals. Still, they played. And as the sign in UCONN's visiting tunnel in West Virginia stated, today everyone's a Husky.

Game 6 of AL championship series postponed by rain
First, the umps have sucked. I'm a Yankees fan, tried and true. But Posada and Cano were both out at third. I acknowledge it. I couldn't believe it when I saw it. Yes, that ball was fair too. But all of you Yankee haters also have to agree that Swisher didn't go too early in that same game. In any case, here they are at 3-2. I think the Yanks can close em out in New York, but I'm not betting on anything. Not after 2004. Now we'll have to wait for tomorrow... Oh, P.S. Swisher, please get your head out of your...

TD's NFL Picks - Week 7
It's the seventh week. Terrible Monday Night game. There's a game in London. And my brain's mushed mulch from the GMAT. Onward, ho...

Chicago @ Cincinnati
I don't get the Bagels. Lost to Houston? Don't get me wrong, I think Houston is one of the best bad teams out there. It's because of Odom, I've heard. If so, then they're sunk cuz he ain't comin back. That would mean Chicago wins. Da Bears who have lost just about every linebacker they've had play this year. Ugh. Except that Benson wants revenge or something. This one ain't as easy as it didn't seem to be before I was going to choose. TD chooses: Chicago Bears

New England (kinda) @ Tampa
This is the London whopper. The venue is sold out; our brethren across the sea seem to enjoy the novelty value. Because that's all they're going to get from this one. Are they really trying to make the NFL popular in Europe, or is the league just tossing bones? TD chooses: New England Patriots

Indianapolis @ St. Louis
Story before the game: None. Story after the game: Colts 6-0. TD chooses: Indianapolis Colts

San Diego @ Kansas City
Easy, right? Chargers by a mile is my first instinct. And yet last year, they only beat the Chiefs by 1 point in each of their games. It's still a division game. And KC has the momentum after winning last week. I'm going to make a completely ridiculous pick. Remember, brain mush. TD chooses: Kansas City Chiefs

San Francisco @ Houston
Houston, we've fixed the problem. Yes, indeed. Their defense is actually playing the way everyone thought they might. Their offense too. San Fran, on the other hand, not so much even though they're still at the top of their division. I trust Singletary to get them back on track; having Gore in the lineup won't hurt either. But it'll be close. TD chooses: San Francisco 49ers

Green Bay @ Cleveland
The Seattle Seahawks have the 12th man. The Buffalo Bills have lake effect snow in the dead of winter. And the Green Bay Packers have the flu. No, they don't actually have the flu. Cleveland's players have the flu. But the Packers have the flu as an ally. Like the 12th man and... Oh, forget it. TD chooses: Green Bay Packers

Buffalo @ Carolina
Yes, Buffalo beat the Jets; please see 5 Sanchez INTs. Carolina won too, you know. Against Tampa, yes, I know. But how much better is Buffalo really? I think Carolina is still in the thick of the south, strangely. By the way, anyone know where T.O.'s home planet is? I think he finally returned there and left the human body on Earth. TD chooses: Carolina Panthers

New York Jets @ Oakland Raiders
Three weeks ago, this would have been a laughable game. Now, the Jets have sunk back into mediocrity, and the Raiders have a one-game winning streak after defeating the Iggles. This game honestly shouldn't be too difficult to decide. I think the Jets defense will decide it. And Sanchez may be handing off and / or throwing shorter passes come Sunday. TD chooses: New York Jets

Atlanta @ Dallas
A southern battle in the palace. Atlanta on a short week. Dallas on a short leash. Atlanta's the better team in 7 of 10 meetings. But there are those other 3. And when you combine that short week with Dallas' bye week, it seems like it could be one of those 3. But I don't want to choose Dallas. So, I won't. TD chooses: Atlanta Falcons

New Orleans @ Miami
Yes, I know. New Orleans beat the living snot out of the Jints last weekend. I've heard the condolences all week. Now New France goes to Miami to see if they can handle a Wildcat offense. And to see if Drew remains as hot as a Miami breeze. I think Miami can be competitive in this game. But the Saints are just too hot right now. TD chooses: New Orleans Saints with a warning. Beware peaking too soon in the season.

Arizona @ New York Giants
I'm almost glad I didn't see the game last weekend. A big game and what do the Jints do? Roll over. Why? Because they have a bunch of injuries in the defensive backfield and because they weren't at all disciplined. If that's the case, then they're potentially in BIG trouble this week, because Warner has the ability to pick apart the Giants defense. Of course, that always depends on which Cardinals team shows up. The one from the first half of last year's Super Bowl? Or the one from the second? I think the Jints are reeling right now. TD chooses: Arizona Cardinals

Philadelphia @ Washington
How is it that one of the biggest clunkers is on Monday Night this week? Yes, I know it's about NFC East rivals meeting on the big stage. But I don't want to see Washington play terribly. I also don't want to see a team that lost to the Raiders. I may very well not even watch the game. Still, I have to choose. TD chooses: Philadelphia Eagles

Game of the Week
Minnesota @ Pittsburgh
Again, one of the best games of the week - or at least it's expected to be - is on at 10 a.m. when I go to church. Oh well. The family will have to give me an update when I get out. Right, the game itself. Minnesota at 6-0 showed a few chinks in the armor last week. At least their defense did. You better believe that Tomlin's grinning a bit - he was their defensive coordinator once upon a time - and he's preparing the Pittsburgh offense to bombard that D. But what about the Pittsburgh D against the Minnesota O? That's the real question mark. This could very well be a shoot out. Then again, it could be exceptionally low scoring. I don't think it'll be a blow out either way. Tough one. TD chooses: Pittsburgh Steelers

And there you have it sports fans. By this time next week, we'll be smack dab in the middle of the Fall Classic. See you then. Until next I write, happy sporting...

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