CATCHING UP ON A FEW STORIES...

As many of the patrons here at Goldy's know, ye ole tender is a huge Ravens fan and had to take a couple days to get over that loss Sunday.  In doing so I have fallen behind on a couple of sports stories for the week.  SO here is a roundup of what has happened since Sunday.....

The Super Bowl is Set......


Super bowl 46 is set now as we have a tremendous rematch between the New York Football Giants and the New England Patriots.  Both teams were involved in Super Bowl 42 as the Underdog Giants came back to beat the UNDEFEATED Patriots 17-14, led by "the Catch" by David Tyree.  Both of these teams had to earn their spots this year though as both were pushed to the brink by their Conference Championship opponents.  The Patriots were able to escape with an AFC Championship when Baltimore's Lee Evans was unable to use his 9 yr veteran know how and hold on to the game winning TD pass from Flacco, and then Billy Cundiff's missed 32 yd FG.  Plain and simple the Patriots were out played this game, but as they always seem to do, they made one more play then their opponent and earned a victory.  The Giants were taken to overtime by the "feel good" San Francisco 49ers and came out victorious after the Niners Punt returner Williams fumbled for the second time in the game.  The 49ers were over matched by the UNBELIEVABLE play of the Giants Defensive line.  However, Jim Harbaugh's team showed that their defense is absolutely legit with their game play.  In the end this weekend proved that Special Teams is DAMN important!!!

The Tigers add a PRINCE!


I honestly tried to find the sign Prince used as his name through the 90's but couldn't get it added. Scott Boras has done it again!  Somehow got a ridiculous deal from a mystery team in a big player's free agent year.  The Nationals, Rangers and Orioles (honestly this is laughable) were the team names we heard coming down to the wire with everyone convinced DC was going to have a permanent royal resident.  Out of nowhere (and one week after GM Dave Dombrowski said no chance) the Tigers come in and offer a STUPID 9 yr $214 Million contract to the largest Vegetarian anyone has ever seen.  Now I do believe the addition makes sense for the Tigers based only on V-Mart's injury, and I honestly do not think the $23.1 mill per year is ridiculous (its what the market bares people), but the 9 years is ABSURD!!!  I said the same about Pujols' 10yr deal, and I know Prince is only 27, but 9 yrs is just stupid....I mean hello has anyone read the Mayan calendar....Seriously though it seems crazy to me that 9 yrs is agreeable to anyone.  Now the other issue is that they are going to move "The Chunky Drunk Monkey" Miguel Cabrera back to 3rd base where, even when he was in shape, wasn't very good.   My guess is the Tigers have decided that defense isnt that important on the infield, yep Prince is average at best too, and that they will just hit a HR for every error they commit....Then again when your rotation includes Verlander, Fister and Scherzer not many balls are going to get hit anyway.....

The Death of a Legend...


Coaching Great Joe Paterno died Monday at the age of 85 after complications from Lung Cancer.  Joe Pa was the symbol for what was right about college football for so long, and I hope that is what he will be remembered for most.  Joe Pa embodied that University like so few coaches do when they are done.( Bear Bryant, Tom Osborne, Bobby Bowden to name a few) Joe was asked why he was still coaching at his age and his response was simple, and telling, "My idol has always been Bear Bryant.  He died so quickly after he retired, that I am afraid of the same fate."  Well he wasn't afforded the chance to retire...he was fired 3 months ago amid a scandal that will ravage the University and shook everyone to their core.  Coach Paterno has more wins than any coach in Division 1 Football history (409), and coached for an unprecedented 46 seasons.  He transformed the town of State College and built an UNBELIEVABLE program at Penn State.  I honestly hope that is how he is always remembered because he deserves that.....RIP Joe Pa

NFL PLAYOFFS---NFC CHAMPIONSHIP PART DEUX

Earlier I gave you my thoughts on the New York Football Giants and now it is time to address the home team in this game....

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

This 49ers team has been one of the biggest surprises and best stories of this season.  Without many changes, other than at head coach, this same team as awful last year and somehow managed to not only make the playoffs but get the NUMBER 2 SEED!!!  Jim Harbaugh has figured out how to motivate this team that neither Mike Nolan or Mike Singletary could.  He has made Alex Smith a name that isn't followed by "draft bust" anymore and somehow gotten that young defense to play at a level only comparable to those great defenses in history.  Patrick Willis may be the second coming of Ray Lewis, Ryan Smith is as dominant an end as there is in the league and unlike his time in Washington Carlos Rodgers has GREAT hands!!!  With that said Jim Harbaugh has earned himself a Coach of the Year award and a spot in the NFC championship game as a first year head coach.

I will be the first to say I got last weeks match up waaaaaaaayyyy wrong!  I did not think that this 49ers offense would be able to keep up with the Saints, but boy was I wrong.  Alex Smith proved he belongs here by throwing for 299 yds and 3 td's and 0 int.  Vernon Davis was the beneficiary of a lot of that action as he caught 7 passes for for 187 yes and 2 tds, that includes the game winner with less than 30 sec on the clock.  The niners defense caused 5 turnovers against the Saints and the last 5 minutes was better than any 5 minutes this year, PERIOD.  Now though Harbaughs team has to face the team playing possibly the best football in the NFL right now. 

For the 49ers to sand a chance they are going to need big play from their offensive line to protect Alex Smith.  Frank Gore is going to get his yds but if they do not protect Smith there is no chance.  You can bet the Giants will take a page from Thanksgiving game and attack the line fo scrimmage with that ferocious pass rush.  On the other side of the ball, Patrick Willis is going to need to be the star he is and control the field with his leadership.  If the niners can continue to stop the run and get pressure on Eli then this game could be there's for the taking.

Unfortunately with my pick coming up I do not think that can happen and the majic carpet ride that is the 2011 49ers is over.  I can't see them stopping the pass attack of the Giants and keeping Alex Smith upright.  The dream that is the Harbowl is no more....

49ers---14
Giants---24

WHAT IS YOUR PICK?

NFL PLAYOFFS..NFC CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION

This morning I am going to cover the New York Football Giants and this evening the 49ers.  I will make my pick with the 49ers analysis tonight.  Here we go.....

NEW YORK GIANTS

This team has really played some of the best football in the NFL the last 4 weeks.  With 2 weeks left they were 7-7 and no one knew which Giants team would ever show up.  Then sexy Rexy opened his big mouth and Tom Coughlins team has gone on an amazing run, starting with the Jets and now leading them into the NFC championship game.  This wasn't a cake walk either for them as they had to defeat the Cowboys on the last day to win the division and get in to the playoffs, and then went on to beat up the Falcons (showing once again that Matty Ice left all his big game wins at BC).  Last week may have been the game thought that was most impressive as they went in to Green Bay ( with Tom Coughlins fact lubed up with high doses of vaseline this time) and rolled the defending Super Bowl Champ Green Bay Packers, who oh by the way were 15-1!!  They simply out played the defending champs especially on OFFENSE!!!

I know that the big story for the G-men has been the play of their defense, and especially that pass rush (Jason Pierre-Paul may get defensive player of the year), but Eli Manning has become an elite QB this year with the way he has led the Giants offense.  With the emergence of Victor Cruz as a deadly receiving threat, and Hakeem Nicks playing out of his mind Eli has been simply outstanding all season.  He has cut down on the turnovers in a big way and has that offense clicking on all cylinders.  Now before anyone goes off an says he benefits from that 2 headed monster of a running attack, you better check yo self fool!!  (Sorry I get gangsta sometimes)  That vaunted running attack was TERRIBLE during the regular season.  They barely avg 3.4 yes per carry and were almost non existent all together in all 7 Giant losses.  I do believe that their playoff success running the ball has been set up by the way Eli and those receivers have been playing. 

Now they have to go to San Francisco and try to carve their way back to the Super Bowl against the "feel good team of the year"in the 49ers.  These 2 teams met in the regular season with the Niners coming out on top 27-20.  The thing to remember is that that game should have been tied when Eli layed out a beautiful pass to Mario Manningham, who got behind the defense, and he simply didn't catch the ball.  Victor Cruz and that running game hadnt emerged as weapons yet either that week.  None the less the 49ers still held on to win.  With that said let me point something out AGAIN...

Giants last Super Bowl year
Regular season---NE 38 NYG 35
SUPER BOWL---NE 14 NYG 17

THIS YEAR
Regular season GB 38 NYG 35
Playoffs--GB 20 NYG 37

Regular season 49ers 27 NYG 20
Playoffs?????

Tom Coughlin gets his team ready to play, and makes adjustments, better than almost any coach in the NFL.(whether Giany fans admit it or not..how bad did they want him fired by week 6)  Can he pull it off one more time to get to his second Super Bowl ( as many as the immortsl Bill Parcells went to in NY)?  Is Eli ready to cement his place as the only Manning brother with 2 Super Bowl rings?  The biggest question of all is..can this Giants team play as consistently as they have the last 4 weeks when they have been one of the most inconsistent teams in the NFC all year?  We will see Sunday at 630 pm..1230 hawaiin...

One more thing to think about.  We have seen something very VERY similar to this Giants run before...a team that squeaks in to the playoffs on the last day of the season... whose QB is playing lights out...whose running game has become a huge weapon in the playoffs...whose defense has been phenomenal...whose regular season record was 9-7.....

Yep, you guessed it, Last years GREEN BAY PACKERS......

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE GIANTS CHANCES ARE?  WHAT DO YOR FRIENDS THINK?

NFL PLAYOFFS---CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP PART DEUX...

Well I covered the Baltimore Ravens earlier today and now on to the home team.....

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

The Patriots are looking to make it 4 Super Bowl titles in a decade, and their next step towards that goal is welcoming in a team that they do not match up well against.  They welcome the Ravens in to Foxboro where they are 3-0 in AFC title games under Bill Bellichek.   Their last home playoff loss came at the hands of the Ravens 2 years ago to the tune of 33-14.  In that game the Ravens defense man handled the offensive line and attack Tammy all day.  He was never able to get comfortable in the pocket and has never been able to stay comfortable when playing the Baltimore defense..With that said the Ravens D has had trouble in recent weeks getting any pressure on opposing QB's.  Brady has made a living picking apart defenses who cant get pressure on him. 

This years Patriots Offense has been almost unstoppable.  Rob Gronkowski is having the best year any Tight End has ever had, and maybe one of the best total offensive seasons anyone has had.  He has become the favorite target for Brady, especially in the Red zone.  The scary part is he is a nightmare to cover and has the speed of a wideout.  Linebackers cant keep up and DB's are too small.  Oh and by teh way Wes Welker still had a huge year in catches, OH AND WAIT Aaron Hernandez may be the best TE on every other team in the NFL!!  Tammy catches alot of ridicule from me, but the respect is there as he is the best QB in the league right now.  I know Rodgers and Brees had great years but look who is still standing and oh by the way also through for 5k yards.  He knows how to win no matter what the situation.  To beat the Ravens the Patriots will need to use their most effective game plan, which is no huddle quick passes.  The Ravens have always had a trouble with this and the Patriots execute no huddle better than anyone.

New Englands biggest issue this year, however, has been its defense.  It has been the achilles heal all year.  They have a young secondary that has been picked apart more than once this year.  Vince Wilfork has not been the domionant run stopper as in the past and teams have been moving the ball against the Patriots better than any team in the league.  The interesting part though is that even with the 31st ranked defense in terms of yards they are 15th in points allowed, which I believe is the more important stat.  In my opinion though, as long as Bill Bellichek is on the sideline their defense will have a great gameplan.  He is absolutely the best at taking away your best offensive weapon.  I am sure his gameplan this week will be to eliminate Ray Rice as much as possible.  The issue is that was his plan 2 years ago and Rice broke an 80 yd td run the first play of the game.

Largely because of the Defense, the Patriots have struggled against teams over .500 all year.  THe Ravens have the personnel to do it but the Patriots also played their best game (especially on D) last week against Denver.  They blew them out 45-10 and their defense played outstanding.  Combine that with the weak O-line play of the Ravens and this will be one of those historic AFC championship games.  The weather is scheduled to be mid 30's and rain, and if the referee's continue to let the playoff teams play this is gonna be a fun ride.    All said and hashed out here is my AFC pick...

RAVENS---27
PATRIOTS---21

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE PATRIOTS KEYS ARE?  WHAT IS YOUR PICK FOR THE GAME?

NFL PLAYOFFS---CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND PART 1..

Well ladies and germs we have arrived at what is arguably the best round of football playoffs each year, the conference championships!!!  Last week ye ole tender went 3 for 4 with his picks, and I am not sure anyone expected the niners to go point for point with the Saints.  Alas the 2 biggest offenses in football are gone, 3 of the best defenses are left and no one is surprised Tammy and the Patriots are still standing. 

This weeks matchups are about as even as they can get and in the AFC the top 2 seeds all year will face off, which hasnt happend since 2004 with the Pats and Steelers (Just pointing out again that someone from the AFC North is always in this game).  The NFC is not the game most people expected but may actually be the game, when all is said and done, that everyone is talking about. 

This week I am going about this a little different.  First it is Thursday, not Saturday that I am laying the picks out, but also I am going to analyze each team and cover each game on separate days.  Today we go with the first game Saturday between the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens.  Here is what I think of the visiting Baltimore Ravens and later this afternoon I will post my thoughts on the Patriots and make my game pick.....


BALTIMORE RAVENS:

The Ravens did something last week that they have never done, and that was win a playoff game at home after a first round bye.  They defeated the Houston Texans 20-13, and by no surprise were led to victory behind a tremendous defensive effort that caused 3 turnovers.  The offense did struggle a bit but some credit must be given to Houston's 2nd ranked defense.  The first thought I had coming out of that game was, "The AFC better watch out next year for a healthy Texans team."  With that said the Ravens offense will need to play better this week in Foxboro, which I believe will happen as the Patriots D is ranked 15th in points allowed and 31st in yards. 

The amazing part about this week is that if you listen to the local media and fans it sounds as if the Ravens lost last week.  Yes the offense did not make some necessary adjustments and play calling was suspect at times, but the team won and is going to their 2nd AFC Championship in 4 years of the Harbaugh/Flacco era.  Ultimately all that matters in the playoffs is WIN!  It doesnt have to be pretty, and it doesnt have to be a blow out it simply has to have you score more points than the other team PERIOD!!  There are plenty of other team fans around the league that would be happy with making the playoffs 4 years in a row and going to their conference championship 2 of those years (Just look 40 miles down the road to that sad sack of a franchise before you complain too much). 

With all of that said the Ravens offense has to come ready to play this week, but so does the defense.  Contrary to popular belief Joe Flacco does not need to have an elite game to prove his worth because trying to out shoot Tammy and that Pats offense will only bring and L.  Joe Flacco is not elite, but that is okay because this team doesnt need elite.  They need better than average, which he is.  This is the most balanced Ravens team ever, yes EVER!  FEED THE BEAST this week by letting your best offensive weapon, Ray Rice, touch the ball 30 times (rush and receiving) and use the clock to keep Tammy off the field.  Have Joe then use play action and the gun to run the effective offense he can because this defense can be scored on, ALOT! In games that the Ravens have used playaction, the shotgun and ran Ray Rice, Joe Flacco averages a QB rating of 97.4 which aint too shabby.  Using time of possession as a weapon has worked against the Patriots most years.  Defensively the Ravens will need to look back at their gameplan from '09 when they walked in to Foxboro and manhandled the Pats.  They also need to look at what the Jets and Steelers have done recently to beat the vaunted offense.  Baltimore needs to rush 4 and drop all the rest back in to coverage.  They need to chip and press those RIDUNKULOUS TE's as much as possible to throw off the timing and routes. The 4 pass rushers need to get pressure and collapse the pocket as much as possible so Tammy is uncomfortable and makes bad throws.   

I have said all year that this Ravens team is the most balanced team in football and the best team in the AFC.  They are now 7-0 against playoff teams this year, but are 1-6 against Tammy and the PATS.  If the Ravens want to take the next step they will need to get this game to "ugly" status as quick as possible and play physical Ravens football.  The Patriots arent built for Ravens Football. 

What are your thoughts and keys to the Ravens keys?

NFL DIVISIONAL ROUND PREDICTIONS

The bar is open this week to discuss the divisonal round of the NFL playoffs this weekend.  Last weekend ye old tender batted .500 and looks to improve on that record this week. Here we go.....

Saints at 49ers

Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints performed their best Detroit stomp last week and tamed the upcoming Lions.  The Saints showed their offense os something to fear and that Greg Williams is again proving he is in another class as a d coordinator.  This week however the Cajun Offensive juggernaut faces its toughest defense all year.  The 49ers are led by the next great backer Patrick Willis and are as stingy a defense as the league has to offer.  Top that with a monster down hill runner in Frank Gore, and this NEW Alex Smith and there is no surprise they were as good as they were this year.  Jim Harbaugh may get coach of the year, but Sean Payton is going to show him how the big boys play.  The niners best defense is their offense.  They need to be succesful running the ball to keep Brees on the sidelines as long as possible.  Unfortunately Greg Williams has a few tricks up his sleeve too...Saints---27 49ers---10

Broncos at Patriots

OK, a friend asked me last week if I had a million dollars would I bet it all on Steelers or keep 500k and bet the other 500k on the Broncos.  I bet all $1mill on Steelers and like the rest of the world watched in utter divine shock!!  The Mile High Messiah did it again!!!!  This time against a real defense and a playoff staple in the Steelers.  He had some help of course as the Denver Broncos D was outstanding in pressuring a gimpy big Ben.  This week is another chance for all of us to wonder if God really is a Broncos fan.  Can The Tebowner pull another miracle out of his crucifix?  Tammy Brady and the Patriots are going to pose a real challenge as they will score, and often.  Bill Bellichek is a sour puss but nobody game plans better than he does...nobody. New England's D is awful though and if the Broncos can put the same pressure on Tammy as they did big Ben this game could be very very close.  Remember in their last meeting the Broncos jumped out to a big lead until they started turning over the ball.  If they erase the turnovers, the Patsy's could have another one and done year...unfortunately I think the credits are about to role on the Tebow Disney movie we all have loved watching...Broncos---24 Patriots---34

Texans at Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens are 19-2 at home over the last 2 1/2 seasons  and are undefeated, under John Harbaugh, after a bye week.  They also are unrelenting against rookie QB'S. Add all that up and then mix in a crowd of 75k + that have waited 5 years to erase the last home playoff game debacle and this is the mt Everest of hills for the Texans to climb.  TJ Yates has played well but never in this kind of environment, and Arian Foster only mustered 49 yes on 15 carries when the 2 teams met in week 6.  However the 2nd rated Texans D is playing out of this world, and the match up to watch in this game is JJ Watt vs Michael Other.  If Other doenst lock him down this game will get interesting.  The Ravens are the best team in the AFC when they show up.  They have showed up at home the last 2 years with no problem and will again this week...Texans---13 Ravens---23

Giants at Packers

When the Giants won the Super Bowl in,'07 they lost the last game of the season against the then undefeated Patriots 38-35,and then went on to beat them in the Super Bowl.  This year the Giants lost to then undefeated Green Bay 38-35 hmmmmmmm.  The last time these 2 met in the playoffs was that 07 Super Bowl year for the Giants in the "Tom Coughlins face is gonna fall off" bowl.  The Packers haven't forgotten and are poised to get revenge...EXCEPT the Giants are playing great football and aren't afraid of this years Packers.  They were a blown Jody Nelson coverage away from beating them in the regular season.  This is the only game I am going out on a limb for...Giants---30 Packers---27

NFL WILDCARD ROUND PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR BAR MATES!!!!!  GOLDY'S is officially back and open a day earlier than I anticipated.  Today I want YOUR predictions on who is going to win in the wildcard round of the playoffs this week.  Here are ye old bartenders picks........

Bengals at Texans

The Bengals have had one of the more surprising seasons led by rookie Ginger qb Andy Dalton and Rookie wideout Phenom AJ Green.  The defense under Mike Zimmer (A headcoaching candidate for sure this year) has been steady and better than others thought, while the offense led by both rookies has done enough to win.  The Texans are not only playing their first playoff game but their first HOME playoff game this week.  We all know how Texas does football, and I think that coupled with rookies on the Bengals sidelines will be the key to this game.  The Bengals made it 3 teams out of the AFC NORTH (best division in football...just saying) to make the playoffs but unfortunately I think they the first to go too...BENGALS---17 TEXANS---24

Lions at Saints

I am going to surprise some people here.  I believe Drew Brees is the league MVP....I believe the Saints, not Packers, have the best offense in football....I believe The Superdome is a nightmare for road teams....BUT....I also believe Megatron is the best WR on the planet....Matthew Stafford and Kevin Smith are healthy....AND I believe this Lions D is on a mission to prove they are not the weakness of this team.  The secondary is banged up for the Lions and the Saints secondary is playing great football.  With that said this whole game depends on a boy named Suh and that d line of the Lions.  They dominate and this happens....LIONS---38 SAINTS---35

Steelers at Broncos

Regulars of this sports bar hangout know my man crush with Timmy T (aka Jesus little bro), but I am terrified as to what is going to happen to him when James Harrison comes to get him head on when he tucks and runs.....it will make the Colt McCoy hit look like a sweet lovers kiss.....I just can not see a way The Broncos have any shot what so ever even with Ben hobbled AFC north represents!..STEELERS---20 BRONCOS---6

Falcons at NY Giants

This might actually turn out to be the best game of the whole weekend.  Matty Ice needs to prove he can win a playoff game and The NY football Giants need to prove they are as good as they showed in both wins vs Dallas and vs the Jets.  The Falcons have started to really play well down the stretch by feeding the beast, Michael Turner.  The Giants can't seem to run the abll effectively when they need to, but Eli has an all pro new favorite target in Doctor Cruz.  I honestly believe the Atlanta Falcons are going to have trouble covering Nix and Cruz, which leads Matty Ice to ANOTHER playoff loss (J Flacalicious but the way drafted the same year has 7 playoff wins, again just saying)....FALCONS---20 GIANTS---24

Let me know who your picks are!!  GOLDYS IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS.....TELL YOUR FRIENDS