The Sportz Guru Report

Turkey Day is upon us, and boy am I hungry.  What a slate of football games on tap tomorrow.  The Falcon-Lions game should at least be entertaining with Mike Vick, and the Denver-Dallas game is shaping up to be a classic.  Being a Bronco fan, it looks like it won't be a relaxing dinner for me, but I am looking forward to it all the same.  I will be giving my Week 12 picks a little later today, but wanted to touch on a couple things on the past weekend....

***Something special is happening down at the Q.  LeBron james has been comapred to several All-World players in the past:  Jordan, Magic, Oscar, etc...What I witnessed last night in the 3rd quarter was like no player I have ever seen.  After blowing a 16 point first half lead and Damon Jones on the bench with a bum ankle, Lebron switched to point guard and proceeded to score the next 10 Cavalier points and play some of the best defense I have seen.  King James literally took over the game.  I have said on this site many times that once LeBron realizes that he can get to the hoop ANYTIME he wants he is truly going to be SCARY.  I think it has happened.  The last two games, LeBron has scored 36 each night, last night on only 20 shots.  He took over in the second half of each game, and each time it was his penetration, not his jumpshot, that led the way.  The outside shooting of Donyell Marshall, Damon Jones, and Larry Hughes has opened up the interior for James to get to the hoop at will.  It has definitely been SCARY!  As is two great football games weren't enough on Thanksgiving, the Cavs will get a BIG test on the road against Indiana.  How much fun is that?!?

***Just had to mention that Cavs-76'ers game one more time.  A 123-120 up and down the floor game reminiscent of old Denver Nugget games.  This is shaping up to be a special season in Cleveland.

***NBA Power Rankings -- 1. Detroit 2. Dallas 3. San Antonio 4. Cleveland 5. LA Clippers

***The Arbitrator Ruling in the T.O. fiasco should come down later today.  In my opinion, all that will happen will be a reduction of the 4-game unpaid suspension.  No matter what we all think, the Eagles are legally within their right to de-activate T.O anytime they want.  They have to pay him,but they don't have to play him.  He would look great with a horse on his helmet, but don't expect him to play again this year.  What a true waste of premier talent.  I would love to have 10% of the money he has thrown away with all his BS.

***The Packers lost again on Monday night, losing to the Vikings, falling to 2-8.  In the 2005 draft, the Packers selected a Quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, as the QB of the future.  Part of the reason for that was the CONSTANT talk of retirement by Brett Favre.  It seems in every interview for the last 3 years Favre has talked of walking away.  That talk caused the team to react by getting a QB instead of addressing other weaknesses, such as the entire defense, and has led to a total collapse.  Now the Packers need to see what they have in Rodgers.  The question becomes, "Do personal accollades trump team focus?"  We all know Favre has started every game for the last 11 years.  Has the time come to sit Favre in order to see what you have in Rodgers?  The Packers need to be very careful in a delicate situation.  Favre has earned the right to go out the way he wants, but at what price to the future of the team?  Earlier this year, Favre said he would only consider returning next season if Mike Sherman returned.  BINGO!  If I'm Mike Sherman, I'd be talking to Realtors.  Favre gave the Packer organization the "out" it needs.  Fire Sherman, and Favre will retire, we think.  Definitely a situation to keep our eyes on.

***Speaking of Favre, how many horrible interceptions can he throw beofre people STOP giving him a free pass.  Without dragging this point on and on, consider this.  If you compare INT's per game by Favre and everyone's whipping boy when it comes to bonehead throws Jake Plummer, you'll find something interesting...Favre has averaged 1.1 INTs/game....Plummer - 1.1 INTs/game.  And until now, Plummer has had NO help, NONE, ZERO, NADA!  In the media's eyes Favre is a "Gunslinger trying to make something happen".  Plummer?  "Not smart enough to play the QB position, you'll never be able to win with Jake".  Amazing how perception is 95% of reality.  Luckily I am here to battle for the other 5%!

***True, the Buckeyes of Ohio State beat Michigan on Saturday to make it 4/5 for Jim Tressel in the rivalry.  I have noticed a disturbing trend with the Buckeyes, however.    Against inferior talent, the Buckeyes go for the throat.  They win big, score alot of points, yada yada.  Against tougher opponents things are a bit different.  To me it seems Tressel gets ultra conservative.  In the three games this year against top quality opponents(Texas, Penn State and Michigan) the Buckeyes reverted back to a conservative, run the ball, short pass, low risk offense.  In tow of those games, costly mistakes late cost the Buckeyes the game.  Against Michigan it was happeniing again until Troy Smith HAD to go down field, then the Buckeyes opened up and moved the ball at will.  I think the Buckeyes have the most talented group of wideouts in the country, but you wouldn't know it they way Tressel runs his offense.  I hope he has learned that at OSU you have some pretty talented athletes.  Let them do what they do best....

|  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this