America's Pastime Needs an Extreme Playoff Makeover

Baseball unlike any other "MAJOR" team sport in the United States has only an 8 team playoff system for both leagues and only one "wild card" team get into their playoff system per league. So this means for each league only 4 teams make the playoffs while the rest sit at home. Of course it could be worse. Before 1995 it was only the top two teams in each league with the best record. Forget each division. Yet I can't help but think that adding at least one more wild card into the mix that would solve much of baseball's money problems. Look at the other "Major" leagues in the country.

The MLS (Major League Soccer) has created a playoff system that allows for 8 of the 16 teams in the league to get into a position to win a championship. The MLS system of course is based solely on their points system, but . However, the NHL has a playoff system similar to the way the NBA's system was previously where even if you win your division you are still seeded based on record for each conference. The top 8 teams in both conferences play in the playoffs (Eastern and Western Conferences) This gives their league a total of 16 teams out of a possible 30. In the NBA it is also the same as the NHL in terms of two conferences sending 8 teams per conference to the playoffs for a total of 16 out of 30 teams in the playoffs. The way the NBA structures the playoffs is less than desirable, but they at least have it right in terms of teams in the playoffs. In the NFL it is probably the best playoff system in my opinion. You take 4 division winners from each division in each conference and then add two wild-card teams per division thus giving the NFL a total of 12 playoff teams for the entire league.

Yet why isn't baseball like this? The Texas Rangers just clinched their division and are headed to the playoffs since 1999. Currently they have a record that is equally as good as the Boston Red Sox. Yet because of the current playoff system they will be well short in the wild card race and in their own division. If there was another two wild card teams in place and a shorter series for the first round that would mean that a total of six teams per league (American and National) would be in and the teams that won their divisions would host a 3-5 game playoff series. You could either have a bye for the series for the top two, or just have teams 1-6 playing each other depending on record. Another idea would be if baseball only added one team more you still have a 3-5 game playoff and then just automatically have the team with the best record have a bye series. Yes I know baseball is a game of momentum, but who couldn't use a few days off. Typically teams play quite well coming off the all-star break so why not give the best team or teams a playoff break.


So for teams like the Reds and the Rangers who are making the playoffs for the first time in over a decade that means at least one round of extra tickets. Why not give that opportunity to another team as well? It would be great for baseball and it would certainly give us another deserving team.

In other news Jim Mora Jr. or Jim Mora II is like his Dad once said "didily poo." I refer to this because Mora the jerk on the radio today didn't seem like he wanted to comment on Michael Vick playing the Redskins this Sunday.




Maybe because Vick is playing better than any of us though and because we all know the Moras couldn't win a thing he's a little bitter! Also could it be that he is also bitter that Pete Carroll has his old job now. Since I am not necessarily one to promote the four letter sports network I'll let y'all go to the archive page for ESPN Radio and search under today's date and Jim Mora.

Maybe next week I'll have something more meaningful to talk about.

What makes men stupid?

What makes men stupid? For you women out there who have lots of reasons why men are stupid I suggest you save them for another day. Maybe even save them for your husbands, brothers, boyfriends, or any other type of man I have left out. The two reasons for me that come to mind are women and sports.

When a man falls in love with a woman that isn't necessarily a stupid thing at all. It is what the man does to get that woman's attention. For example, the man may buy a car, house, expensive trips out to eat, expensive jewelry, etc. and all to impress a woman. Yes, unfortunately for you men out there who may have done this I am sorry. My wife is probably reading this now thinking when am I going to get any of that stuff! Well this really isn't why the men and stupid topic came up dear. So I guess just chalk this up to another stupid man and his sports.

Jerry Jones, Dallas Cowboys Owner, who is a smart man or at least is a billionaire has shown that sports has made him either blind or stupid. Jones actually played college football at the University of Arkansas, was voted co-captain of the team of the 1964 National Championship team, and has setup the Cowboys to win three Super Bowls under his tenure as owner. He has spoiled that team with lavish contracts, a new stadium worth a billion dollars, new facilities for training, and has made their players stars even if they don't deserve it. Yet for whatever stupid reason he's so in love with that team that he has done stupid things.

1. Fired Tom Landry in 1989 at the time the only Cowboys coach in franchise history.
2. Hired Jimmy Johnson former Miami coach and teammate of Jones one of two good coaching moves since owning this franchise.
3. Fired Jimmy Johnson after winning back-to-back Super Bowls.
4. Hired Barry Switzer who really wasn't ready for the NFL using the leftover player from the Johnson era.
5. Hired Chan Gailey after that who also has proven he's a good coach but not a head coach.
6. Then hired long-time assistant Dave Campo to be coach, another good coach who still coaches for the team, but not a good head coach.
6. Hired Bill Parcels, the only good move in the 21st Century.
7. Signed T.O. to a deal that obviously wasn't good because they won without him last year.
8. Hired Jason Garrett as Offensive Coordinator before he hired a head coach.
9. Finally, hired Wade Phillips as the current head coach in Dallas.

Jerry has been just plain stupid over the last 14 years when it comes to this team. Either he just doesn't care because we know that isn't the case otherwise he would have put this team in the tank just like Al Davis owner of the Raiders has done. Jones just doesn't cover his eyes like Bengals Owner Mike Brown when anything goes wrong both on and off the field. So what is it? I don't get why and I don't understand.

If any of you were to tell me that you would have hired Wade Phillips to coach anything but a FCS (Football Championship Subdivision or 1 Double A Team) you're nuts. There is a reason why this guy didn't win any playoff games!

Look at his track record!

Team	Year	Regular Season					Post Season
		Won	Lost	Ties	Win %	Finish	Won	Lost	Win %	Result
NOR	1985	1	3	0	.250	3rd in NFC West	-	-	-	-
NOR Total		1	3	0	.250		-	-	-
DEN	1993	9	7	0	.562	3rd in AFC West	0	1	.000	Lost to Los Angeles Raiders in AFC Wild-Card Game.
DEN	1994	7	9	0	.437	4th in AFC West	-	-	-	-
DEN Total		16	16	0	.500		0	1	.000
BUF	1998	10	6	0	.625	3rd in AFC East	0	1	.000	Lost to Miami Dolphins in AFC Wild-Card Game.
BUF	1999	11	5	0	.687	2nd in AFC East	0	1	.000	Lost to Tennessee Titans in AFC Wild-Card Game.
BUF	2000	8	8	0	.500	4th in AFC East	-	-	-	-
BUF Total		29	19	0	.604		0	2	.000
ATL	2003	2	1	0	.667	4th in NFC South	-	-	-	-
ATL Total		2	1	0	.667		-	-	-
DAL	2007	13	3	0	.813	1st in NFC East	0	1	.000	Lost to New York Giants in NFC Divisional Game.
DAL	2008	9	7	0	.562	3rd in NFC East	-	-	-	-
DAL	2009	11	5	0	.687	1st in NFC East	1	1	.500	Lost to the Minnesota Vikings in NFC Divisional Game.
DAL	2010	0	2	0	.000	NFC East	-	-	-	-
DAL Total		33	16	0	.673		1	2	.333
Total		81	55	0	.596		1	5	.167

Phillips has had the likes of John Elway, Doug Flutie, Shannon Sharpe, Ray Crocket, Steve Atwater, Andre Reed and the list goes on and he still couldn't win a playoff game. How many years, seasons, months, hours, etc does it take to figure out a guy shouldn't be a head coach! I'll never understand it nor will I ever get it. Maybe I'm stupid along with my fellow Cowboy fans for even being a fan of this team.

Yet it just makes no sense why Jerry Jones continues to stick with Jason Garrett who was a third string QB and Wade Phillips. I remember Thanksgiving 1994 and Jason Garrett playing and having the best game of his career. I'm sure Brett Favre remembers it also. My point is this, usually smart people like Jerry Jones don't make dumb mistakes. Jones hasn't even had a decent kicker on this team for quite some time either. Billy Cundiff who was released in 2005 had a great season with the Ravens last year making 70% of his kicks. While the Cowboys have suffered through Jose Cortez, Mike Vanderjagt, Nick Folk, and now currently David Buehler.

I don't know what is going to happen to this team? I'm thinking of giving up on football altogether and maybe taking up under water basket weaving or starting a miniatures collection.

I probably won't, but I hate to see this team be ruined because of being blinded by men being stupid!

*photos Tim Sharp 1st photo and Sharon Ellman last photo AP File

Catching Up

I haven't really given much thought as to where to begin so I thought I would begin with something that is as good as any topic over the past week and a half. I thought I would begin with something I have yet to blog on. I am quite surprised myself I haven't talked about this yet.

The NASCAR Chase for the Cup is finally about to begin and as always let's take a look at the numbers, or in this case let's look at the standings.

1		Denny Hamlin	5060	Leader
2		Jimmie Johnson	5050	10
3		Kyle Busch	5030	30
4		Kevin Harvick	5030	30
5		Kurt Busch	5020	40
6		Greg Biffle	5010	50
7		Tony Stewart	5010	50
8		Carl Edwards	5000	60
9		Jeff Gordon	5000	60
10		Matt Kenseth	5000	60
11		Jeff Burton	5000	60
12		Clint Bowyer	5000	60

I for one am not surprised one bit to see any of these names on this list. Denny Hamlin leads the pack with 6 wins and has a bit of momentum winning the last race, The Air Guard 400, at Richmond. This of course is followed by Jimmie Johnson, a man that is on a quest to do something only the Celtics of old have been able to do, and that is win a record 5th championship in a row. Then of course the "usual suspects" of Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Carl Edwards, are in with Clint Bowyer rounding out the chase.

Basically my take is this, either you need to be at least in the top 10 to even think about having a shot at this chase in the first 5 races. Second, Jimmie Johnson was last year's winner in four of the chase races, so obviously keep pace with him. Finally, if you're in the chase don't get beat by someone who is not in the chase. It only hurts you even more in the long run.

Now onto College Football.


There really wasn't a terribly impressive game around my zip code so for another first I will jump into the Ann Arbor Michigan zip code instead.

I watched part of this game on Saturday and boy was I impressed with this guy!

Michigan Wolverines	Comp	Att	Yds	Pct	Y/A	Sack	YdsL	TD	Int	Rating
Denard Robinson	24	40	244	60.0	6.1	0	0	1	0	119.5

Denard Robinson while not exactly an NFL quarterback certainly has the complete package. He not only didn't throw any picks against a fairly good Notre Dame defense, but he also rushed quite well also.

Michigan Wolverines	Rush	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	FumL
Denard Robinson	28	258	9.2	87	2	0
Vincent Smith	7	17	2.4	6	0	0
Michael Shaw	5	12	2.4	5	0	0
Stephen Hopkins	1	1	1.0	1	1	0

Now don't get me wrong Ohio State is still the best team in the Big Ten, but watch out for the Wolverines. Coach Rich Rodriguez actually could take this team to a decent bowl game instead of the whatever bowl.com bowl game this season. Their schedule in the next four games especially looks favorable. They play Massachusetts, Bowling Green, Indiana, and Michigan State. The real test for this squad of course starts on October 16th and doesn't let up with Penn State on the road, Wisconsin at home, and then finishing the season at Ohio State.

For those of you who care. BYU lost to Air Force for whatever reason and Utah played Vegas and won and then play this week at New Mexico. BYU will of course play Florida State, but with Bronco Mendenhall still looking ahead to next season they might as well not even get on the plane.

Finally...

Ines Sainz and her alleged sexual harassment brought up by the Jets allegedly "cat calling" and whistling is just stupid. She has done and continues to do what so many women at Fox News, CNN, ESPN, etc. continue to do and that is flaunt what they got. This includes Kelly Ripa, Elizabeth Hasslebeck, and oh yes Erin Andrews. They want to get ahead and get attention so they dress a certain way. What do they expect? I am not going with either side on this only to say if you dress a certain way you're going to get attention good or bad. You drive a Mercedes in East LA or in the projects and you don't want people to look at and touch it then cover it up. If you don't want men to look at your legs, boobs, or anything else, and you don't want to attract attention to yourself then cover up. Besides it isn't like they actually touched her, called her names, or ran around naked in front of her. They basically thought she was hot!

Yes, I do agree, the Jets shouldn't have allegedly done what they did, nor is any man not at fault when he does something like this. Although, shouldn't we all just admit here that we're wrong? In going on You Tube and typing in Fox News and Women I found several videos of just that very thing, women who aren't covering up. No surprise that there are men and maybe women who are looking and watching. Maybe they aren't exactly and totally pornographic, but they aren't exactly leaving much to the imagination either.

I'll leave that up to you the 7 of you who read this thing. whatever your moral fibers are saying go with that. Even if you're a dirty perv, gay, straight or whatever, look at this your own way. If you don't see a problem with it great. If you do that's ok too! Last time I checked this was America, but at the same time where does it end?

(I'll let CBS do the reporting on this one if you're looking for a picture of her.)

The Big Two Not Impressive!

All of you Utah and BYU homers save your, "we won big" crap for someone who didn't watch the games because I sure did and I wasn't impressed with either team, especially since they both PLAYED AT HOME! I'll start with Utah because they should have put up at least 40 on Pittsburgh.

First of all let's do as I usually like to do and that's look at the numbers.

Team Stats
	PITT	UT
First Downs	17	21
Third Down Efficiency	5-14	7-14
Fourth Down Efficiency	1-1	0-0
Plays-Net Yards	64-266	63-405
Rushes-Yds	36-82	27-122
Passing Yds	184	283
Kick Return Yds	75	63
Punt Return Yds	18	-2
Passes	16-28-1	21-36-1
Punts	4-178	4-125
Fumbles-Lost	1-1	2-2
Penalties-Yds	12-75	11-99
Time of Poss.	34:6	25:54

As you can see from these stats Utah had almost 100 more passing yards, 139 more total yards than Pitt had, and had a better rating on third down. Jordan Wynn threw 21 completions and three touchdowns and yet they still only managed to score only 27 points to Pitt's 24. Pittsburgh practically stopped running the ball in the second half along with Utah. Utah's defense shut down the All-American Dion Lewis holding him to only 75 yards. Last season this Utah defense couldn't stop anyone. Yet they still let Tino Sunseri and company come back to tie the game up.

Meanwhile Utah stopped running the ball altogether with Matt Asiata and Eddie Wide III both combined for 112 yards on 25 carries. That's over 9 yards per carry. Not only were they having a great game but Utah needed to run clock off in the fourth quarter and did not allowing Pitt to get back into the game to force overtime.

I get that Pittsburgh was ranked #15 in the AP Polls. So what! That's why they call it pre-season rankings. It means that at camp they looked pretty good, however, that doesn't mean that they looked good in the regular season or season opener for that matter. Pittsburgh did not and for anyone that knows anything about Dave Wannstedt you should know that all of his jobs are based off of another head coach's i.e. Jimmy Johnson's Super Bowl rings.

• 41-57 record with the Chicago Bears
• Fired from Bears after back-to-back 4-12 seasons
  
• 42-31 record with the Dolphins
• Wannstedt resigned as head coach midway through the 2004 season, with the Dolphins record standing at 1-8.
• 35-27 at Pitt including Utah loss thus far
• Only two winning seasons since he took over the program

Let us go down south shall we.



BYU on the flip side of things on Saturday should have really put up some big numbers against Washington. Again let's take a look at the numbers.

Team Stats
	WA	BYU
First Downs	20	23
Third Down Efficiency	5-15	5-16
Fourth Down Efficiency	0-3	1-1
Plays-Net Yards	70-394	73-408
Rushes-Yds	31-128	33-146
Passing Yds	266	262
Kick Return Yds	20	72
Punt Return Yds	0	26
Passes	20-39-0	24-40-0
Punts	6-271	6-223
Fumbles-Lost	2-0	2-0
Penalties-Yds	5-66	6-60
Time of Poss.	25:53	34:7

Now unlike Utah these numbers are a bit deceiving. Yes this game was close, but here's why. One, Washington actually had the lead in this game for more than just a few minutes unlike the game in Salt Lake City. Utah on their first possession matched Pittsburgh and didn't blow it until the second half. Kudos to BYU for actually coming back. However, here's where it wasn't impressive and really needs to be fixed.

Brigham Young Cougars	Comp	Att	Yds	Pct	Y/A	Sack	YdsL	TD	Int	Rating
Riley Nelson	11	17	131	64.7	7.7	0	0	2	0	168.3
Jake Heaps	13	23	131	56.5	5.7	0	0	0	0	104.4

Here's the big problem I see and it all starts at this position as I have outlined above. This team isn't built like Florida Gators of old and these two BYU QB's couldn't even carry Chris Leak or Tim Tebow's jock strap let alone wear it. However, having said that Nelson is the better of the two QB's.

• Who threw the touchdowns against Washington? Nelson
• Who had a better completion rating? Nelson.
  
• Who has been waiting four long years to start and has been the backup to some pretty good BYU QB's? RILEY NELSON!

So if Riley Nelson had the big numbers in the game why is he being forced to sit there and share his time with Jake Heaps. Heaps will still be here next season. Nelson will not if not given the starting job more than likely. If Nelson wasn't ever going to be the starting guy why didn't they just cut him? He could have been starting somewhere else from what I saw the other night! If Heaps is better than Nelson, Bronco Mendenhall doesn't like Nelson, or they are planning for the future just start Heaps in that case. Just don't start both because again you aren't the Florida Gators!

If you're one of those Cougar fans who thought this was an impressive win than think again! Not only was this not impressive, but Washington was unranked, didn't have near the weapons you have, and still had a chance to win the game towards the end. BYU also had the ball more than 9 minutes more in actual time of possession. For you math wizards that's more than half a quarter that your BYU Cougars couldn't do anything against a mediocre Pac-10 opponent. It isn't like you were playing Oregon St, Oregon, or USC. Just ask TCU and New Mexico how hard it is.

So ends week 1 in college football. While it is good that the Mountain West played well aside from New Mexico crapping a goose egg it is still only week one. If Utah and BYU wants the United States of America to recognize them as BCS contenders and deserving of automatic bids than they they need to schedule better, play better at home, and look better. (Which BYU has sorta done for next season)

Maybe they should watch the Utah State film from Saturday. I'm sure they could give BYU and Utah some pointers on how you play a BIG-BOY football team on the road.