Number Twenty: Browns are done for

So Ty Law got signed by the Jets, while the Browns decide to keep the same secondary that allowed 450 something yards against Cutler? Wow. What are the Browns doing? Are they giving up? Especially after a Steelers loss, you'd think the Browns would have some hope left for this season. The Browns would be better off just full out blitzing every player on every play and having no secondary. At least that would boost their 26th in the league rating at stopping the run, as they are allowing a whooping 145.2 yards a game. They are 27th in total yards allowed per game with a despicable 372.1 yards per game. The Jets, the new employers of Law, were 10th in the league with 299.9 yards allowed per game, and it seems to me that they should let the less fortunate or just downright less talented Cleveland Browns sign Law. Last year, they could allow a lot of points but still get more and win. Unfortunately, the once feared Browns passing game is getting 180.4 yards per game, good enough for a whooping 25th in the league. The Cleveland running game doesn't help much either, as they are getting 101 yards a game, 21st in the league. I'm not sure if anything can save the Browns 3-6 season now.

Number Nineteen: Nfl on Sunday, Thursday, Monday, Saturday

When is football NOT played? I guess never, considering later in the season, there is no single day without a game. That just cuts down on the days when I can watch football and hockey which is a really dumb scheduling mistake. Not only that, but I can't find ANY time to watch NBA during this time because either football or hockey is also on. So heres the QOTD: which sport do you like most: football, hockey, or basketball, and why?

Number Eightteen: Vancouver... same as last year?

The Canucks have always been defencive, ugly hockey for the past 3 years. Now they finally got that scoring punch back, or did they? It may seem like it, but on NHL.com, I learned that the Canucks had more goals against than for, and were in the bottom half of the league in goals for. So is the same old Vancouver? Not really. They have much more depth on offence now, and plus one big difference is that they are not off to a fast start, right now they are last in the division with a 4-5-0 record, while the Flames are off to an uncharacteristically good start, 2nd in the division at 5-3-1 and with less goals against than goals for. Like I said last year, I think the Canucks are in a rebuilding stage while the Flames are in the 'win now' situation Vancouver had a year ago. The Flames are losing some key guys at the end of the season. and they will not be able to afford them all. That said, Vancouver is in a pickle, as they will probably not be able to sign both Sedin twins, as they are asking for a whooping 12 million combined, a little over a quarter of every teams salary cap. I see a second round playoff exit by Calgary, and I see another year with no playoffs for the Canucks.

Number Seventeen: Parody in the NFL

Cowboys lose to the Rams. Green Bay loses to Oakland. Tennessee is the only undefeated team. Last years 2nd best team, the Colts, is a measly 3-3. A playoff team last year, Seattle, now has a 1-5 record. Only two teams, Detroit and Cincinnati, have no wins and they were supposed to be terrible this season anyway. Every team can beat any other team this season, unless you are Cincinnati or Detroit, of course. Last week, more than half the underdogs beat the favourites they were facing, and I can't wait to see who makes the playoffs. If it continues like this, we could even see a Rams vs. 49ers Superbowl. Hey, you never know.

Number Sixteen: Toronto Teams Stink, Buffalo Bills

The Maple Leafs are not going to make the playoffs, the Blue Jays have officially missed the playoffs, and the Raptors have struggled in the playoffs recently never making it past the first round. Now, I acknowledge that the Raptors will be better this year than they were last year, but they aren`t championship material. The reason I am so amazed about these teams is they always seem to draw a huge crowd, no matter how terrible they are. They could get a bunch of random people from the street to play for the Toronto teams and I bet you they would still get a great turnout. It seems slightly unfair that good franchises like the Nashville Predators and the Florida Marlins get so few fans when they are actually better than the Toronto franchises.

What`s going on in the NFL right now is crazy. The Colts are 1-2. The Chargers are 1-2. The Ravens are 2-0. The Titans are 3-0. And, most of all, the Bills are 3-0. They can`t lose a game right now with new starting QB Trent Edwards. They will definitely win the game they are scheduled to play against the Miami Dolphins in Toronto. They biggest reason this is a surprise is last year they went 6-10, which is really bad. They are on pace to go 16-0 like the Pats, and they have no real superstars. Marshawn Lynch is a great running back who fights for extra yards and uses his full effort, and I think he is the main reason why the offence is clicking, other than the QB swap of the skilled Trent Edwards for the disappointing J.P. Losman.

Today`s QOTD: Why do fans continue to go to games in Tornonto if the teams stink? Also, why do you think Buffalo turned around thier season this year?

Number Fifteen: CFL vs. NFL

During the first half of the CFL, I was watching the sport and I started thinking to myself, 'This is much better than the NFL'. I was under the impression that the actual product on the field was better in the CFL than the NFL. And then the NFL came back, and I realized I was SOOO wrong. I especially realized it when I watched the Monday Night Football game between the Philadephia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys. Touchdown after touchdown was scored and the final score was an unbelievable 41-37. With 48 of those points in the first half, I could not remember a time I was anywhere near as excited by a CFL game. Then I decided to watch a Saskatchewan Roughriders versus Hamilton Tiger Cats game, and I realized that maybe both sports were equal, because that game was exciting. I think for me, the only thing that makes me like the NFL more than the CFL is the talent level. If you really think about it, had anyone actually heard of Ricky Ray in the NFL? No, and I bet you never knew that he tried to earn an NFL job twice once in 2001 with the 49ers, and again with the Jets in 2004. He never even earned a replacement backup spot (a.k.a. 3rd best QB on the NFL team) and both times he came to the CFL in a starting role. Casey Printers of the Tiger Cats, bet you didn't know he tried out as QB for the worst team in the NFL last year at the QB spot, and he was cut from the roster. The talent level is so great that a TE Teyo Johnson, who had four backups jobs in his NFL career, was signed by the Stampeders and he now leads the CFL in stats for the TE position. Not that I'm saying the CFL sucks, but the NFL has more talent. Today's QOTD: Which league do you like better, the CFL or NFL and why? Next time: Buffalo Bills.

Number Fourteen: Cleveland Browns

Wow, after the Browns, my favourite team, finished 10-6 last year, they've started 0-2 this year. Now that may partially be because of a schedule that is 6th hardest in the league and both their losses have come against playoff teams in 2007. But if the Browns want to prove last year wasn't a fluke, they better win at least half their games, which would still mean going 8-6 in the rest of their games, which won't be easy seeing as they'll play 1. the Steelers again, a team they have lost 9 straight games to, 2. last years Superbowl winner, the Giants, once, 3. the Jags 4. the Redskins, 5. the revitalized Bills, 6. the 2-0 Broncos, 7. Peyton Manning and the Colts, 8. the Eagles, 9. and lastly the Titans. Those nine games will all be difficult to win, and if they even win 5 of those, and assuming they even beat all of the weaker teams on their schedule, they will finish 10-6 again, which wasn't enough to make the playoffs last year, so they better start winning. They only have 1 touchdown in 2 games, which is last, dead last, in the league. So much for the second best offence in the league. One upside, their defence has been good so far, but the offence needs to start scoring points.

Number Thirteen: Fantasy Football

This is less of a blog and more of a suggestion. I recommend that anyone who likes football checks out this website and joins a fantasy league. It's very fun and the team names and pictures are very fun to create. Today's QOTD: Did you like the website, and what was your favourate part of making a fantasy team? click this for the website

Number Twelve: Brett Favre part 2

After all the summer bonanza surrounding Brett Favre, it would be easy to call him either a dedicated veteran or a past his prime old-timer. Lots of people think he is only returning to pad his NFL records so they will be harder to break, and while I think that probably factored into his decision, I think he is still a good football player who deserved to start for Green Bay this year and the team didn't give him a chance. The Jets gave him a chance though, and they traded a conditional draft pick to the Packers for Favre's services. I think he has got enough left in the tank to have a good season, but playing in New York will be an ordeal. If he threw an interception in a preseason game they'd probably boo him out of town, and I'm not sure Favre can handle another city giving up on him. Overall, I think Favre gives the Jets a chance to go 8-8, without him I think they'd go 5-11, but i still don't see Favre and the Jets making the playoffs. I think losing Favre will greatly hurt the Packers chances at making the playoffs, in fact I'm guessing they'll finish 7-9 and miss the playoffs, and therefore I think the Packers made a bad decition to give up on Favre. Today's QOTD: Is it a good idea for the Packers to be thinking about the future and getting rid of Favre, or do you think they should have attempted a Superbowl run by keeping him? Next post: fantasy football.

Number Eleven: Brett Favre Part 1

There has been a lot of news this summer in every sport, but there is only one piece of news that will stay in my mind: the Favre saga. As anyone who read my last entry knows, I was just in the U.S., and on the front page of every newspaper was Brett's lovely mug. Here is the story: Favre played for the Green Bay Packers for 16 seasons and was a huge fan favourite there. At the end of last year however, he retired from the sport. Because of this, Green Bay went in a new direction and promised Brett's old backup QB Aaron Rodgers that he would be the new starter. Early this summer, Brett, for the second time, decided to return from his retirement. I say for the second time because he retired last year too before returning for last season, where he set many NFL records and milestones. Now unless this guy has a mad passion for the game or he just wanted to buff his stats, he would likely retire because most QBs play till they're 34, not 38 like Brett. Today's QOTD: Do you think Favre is staying in the league another season to pad his records, for a chance at the championship, or for his passion for the game? And why do you feel that way? Textual answers would be much apreciated :). Brett Favre part 2 is next! Stay tuned and please comment.

Number Ten: Cottages don't have internet, Sundin

First of all, I'd like to say that the published date is wrong, this entry was published August 3rd. As you can guess, I wasn't thinking when I wrote article #9. You see, 2 days later, I would be going to the cottage we have on a lake in Alberta. This cottage did not have internet, so i couldn't post any blog entries. Fortunately I'm back now, and I'm going to San Fransisco tomorrow which DOES have internet, so prepare for more blogs. Here is a rant I have about what has happened this summer. It is about Mats Sundin. He is still thinking about his future, even though the Canucks offered him a HUGE contract of $20,000,000 over two years. That's 10 million a year. That would be the biggest contract ever signed in the history of the NHL. How do you pass up 10 million dollars a year, even if you want to retire or play for a contender? So, the QOTD is: Should Sundin sign with the Canucks, sign with a contender, or retire? Thanks for reading and answering the QOTD. Five blogs a week starts now.

Number Nine: I'm back, woo hoo!

Well, exams are over, and I've started relaxing for summer, but even better: McSports Blog is back! Even better still, I've decided to write 5 blogs a month. Also, I'm looking for more comments, so to do this, I've created a new thing: Question of the day. Today's QOTD: Is 5 blogs a month too much, too little, or just right?
Lucas McSports

Number Eight: Luc Bourdon

An intense competitor. A good human being. A skilled hockey player. A first round pick of the Canucks. A good friend. The hockey world is grieving over the loss of hot prospect Luc Bourdon who died on Thursday, May 28th. Bourdon was a promising young defenceman who played his junior hockey with the Moncton Wildcats, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles and Val d'Or Foreurs of the QMJHL. He split his first pro season in 2007-08 between Vancouver and the American Hockey League's Manitoba Moose. He scored two goals and had a plus 7 rating in 27 games with the Canucks last season. He was hit by a truck after losing control of his motorcycle and crossing over to the wrong side of the road where the traffic was going the other way. A truck came straight at Luc, and ended the blueliners life at a far too young age of 21. This is a tragic loss for the hockey world. His best friend Kris Letang missed Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final after hearing the news. He said there were more important things to think about than hockey at a time like this.

Number Seven: The Roger Clemons Steroid Scandal

I'm doing two blogs today because I'm a little behind schedule after not doing a blog for two weeks. I heard on Sports Illustrated today that, finally, there is a REAL witness and REAL evidence in the Roger Clemons case. For those of you that don't know what happened, I will tell you. Clemons was one of the best pitchers ever to pitch in the MLB, and he was a shoe in for the Hall of Fame. But it was found out about 6 months ago that he was receiving steroids and HGH to improve his play. Although the evidence was great, he denied ever using the steroids, saying things like "It was for an injury" or "I didn't use them, my wife did". That's real low, blaming his wife for using steroids. Instead of a sport related question at the end, I have a question that will challenge you in many ways. If you could be a world famous Hall of Famer for [insert job name here], would you blame your husband/wife for using steroids that you clearly used? But back to the story... there is finally a decisive witness that claims he injected Roger with steroids and HGH. If this is true, this will finally be the end of a loooooong court case.

Number Six: The Dallas/Detroit Brawl

After the final whistle on Saturday night at Joe Louis Arena, and another Detroit home win, (which isn't hard to predict anymore because they've won every playoff game this year at home) a fight started behind the net. The annoyed Dallas team had just gone down 2-0 in the series, and they needed something to happen late in the game to spark their confidence. Mike Ribeiro, a Dallas Star, decided to take matters into his own hands. He slashed Detroit's starting goalie, Osgood, across the chest pad. Now, this may not hurt much because he hit him right in the protector, but still that kind of action is not acceptable as it could have seriouly hurt Osgood. For some reason though, the league did not suspend Ribeiro. After the slash, Osgood definatly dived, but should that really excuse Ribeiro of his slash? Even worse, both players recieved fines. The NHL fined Chris Osgood for diving after getting slashed by Ribeiro, and both fines were for the same amount of money. Wow. What do you guys think?

Number Five: Celtics

The Boston Celtics finished with the best record in the NBA this season. But when they played the eighth ranked Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the playoffs, it took them a full series, 7 games, to dispose of them. It's hard to say if this is a sign of weakness or strength. It showed that they struggle against bad teams but at the same time, it showed that they could win a very intense elimination game, like game 7. So is this a mentally tough juggernaut or a lame poser team that barely got out of the first round? I'd like to hear what you think, so please respond to this blog. I personally think this is still a great team that has many players on it who have never made the playoffs, let alone win a playoff series. They are just working out the kinks. They will win the Eastern Conference and they could possibly win the championship.

Number Four: What do you need to win in the NHL playoffs?

A good goalie? An agitator? A proven scorer? Veterans with experience? All of the above? What about a steady defencemen? A gritty attitude? Divers like Crosby? A team that doesn't take penalties? A great powerplay? The answer to all of these is YES! I will take an example of each from playoff teams. When I think of a good goalie, I think of a consistent goalie. In my mind, the most consistent NHL goalie is Marty Turco of the Dallas Stars. He only lets in about one or two goals a game and he makes key saves when he has to. There is no use having a good goalie if he is not consistently good. An agitator that I think jumps to everyone's mind in the NHL is Sean Avery of the Rangers. Not only is he a solid offensive and defensive player, he is also great at annoying the other team and drawing penalties. A proven scorer is crucial to winning offensive shootouts. Guys like Danny Briere of the Flyers, who has 7 goals to lead the playoffs, are reliable scorers who give their team a chance to win every game. Veterans who know what it takes to win are great for helping the team know what to do and teaching the younger players. A guy like Joe Sakic of the Avalanche is a great example, as he has won the cup twice and he knows what it takes to win. Steady defencemen who rarely make mistakes are also important to have. Brian Campbell of the San Jose Sharks is a good defender, and he can also score. A gritty, physical attitude like the one the Flyers have is important for intimidating opponents and forcing big turnovers that can result in goals. A good special teams is important, and it can dictate the winner of a series. you have to score on powerplays and kill penalties if you want to win the cup. Lastly, people who can draw penalties, such as Sidney Crosby of the Penguins, are vital to a team because you can't score a powerplay goal if you don't get any powerplays in the first place.

Number Three: Poor Ole Baseball

When the hockey season starts, there are no playoffs being played in another sport. When the football season starts, no playoffs are being played. The same is also true for basketball. So why is it that when the baseball season starts, they have to contend with the NHL and NBA playoffs cutting into their time? Sure, some fans come out to see baseball, but most of them are seeing exciting basketball or hockey action in a packed house. It is rare to see a packed house in baseball anymore, especially during the first month or so, and that is because playoff action is more exciting and has more team impact than the regular season. Why would people want to see players give a 50% effort on the diamond instead of elbows flying in an intense playoff match up? The answer is they don't, and baseball has to do something about it. They could shorten the preseason and start the season sooner, giving people a chance to see the opening couple of weeks of hardball instead of ditching baseball for a more exciting match up. Whatever they do though, they should probably do it quick, because if baseball loses fans and people don't go to the games, they will lose some serious dough.

Number Two: Playoff Structure

I officially hate playoff structures in sports. Teams that win their divisions are given too much of an advantage over their opponents. A great example of this is the Washington Capitals finished 3rd in the East at the end of the season because they won the division. This means that they will get home advantage at least in the first round and will play weaker teams in their quest for the cup. The Capitals won the division, but they only had the 8th highest point total in the East. Instead of coming third, I think they should have gotten 8th because they were not better than any team that is in the 8th to 4th spots in the playoffs. This happens in lots of sports, like in football, when two teams are tied for a playoff spot, the tie is won by the team with the best division record. No tiebreaker game or point differentials, just the best division record. Don't get me wrong, I think that a team should be rewarded for winning their division, but not this much.

Number One: Canucks

Hello everybody. This is the first ever post on my soon-to-be-world-famous McSports blog. I guess I should tell you all, first of all, that I will always state my opinion, but I will never blog in a bias way. So I will not torch the Titans just because they eliminated my Browns from playoff contention, and I will try not to gloat when my longtime favourite New Orleans Hornets win the NBA championship. One thing I will gloat about today though is the fact that, for the second time in three years, the Canucks will not qualify for the NHL playoffs. The problem for them is depth, in the forward position especially. There have been too many below-average players that started for the Canucks farm team, Manitoba, at the start of the season that are now starting lots of games for the big team. Even without injuries, this team still lacks scoring punch, and although Luongo frequently bails out his teams weak offence, the Canucks can't expect him to steal every game. Also, the Canucks played badly against divisional teams such as Minnesota and Colorado, something no team can afford to do if they expect to excel in this NHL. Now with the likely loss of Naslund and Linden looming, this team will have even more trouble scoring. Only two players on the team eclipsed 20 goals this year, and one of them was Naslund. The Canucks year, in my opinion, should have been 2007/08, and I believe they might be starting a lengthy rebuilding period that Roberto won't want to be a part of. Well, that is all I have to say for my first post, feel free to write comments or replies.
McSports