49ers

1 Comment Posted on December 10, 2015December 10, 2015 Fantasy Football, sports

NFL Week 14 Fantasy Mailbag

If you made your Fantasy league’s playoffs…

CONGRATS!

If not, thanks for reading anyway. If people don’t send in questions, there is no Mailbag. So sincerely, thank you for making this fun for me every week to write up and try to help you get where you want to be.

December is the month that matters now, ask Russell Wilson. In December, Wilson is 13-2 as a starter which is the highest win percentage for a quarterback since 2000. All of a sudden the Seahawks look like a team nobody wants to play against and so do the Steelers. That’s who you have to be now as a Fantasy owner, and it doesn’t hurt having players from both squads either.

Quick Hits

Speaking of the Steelers, having any of their top 3 WRs for the last 2 weeks is not a bad thing. Sunday night was further proof Antonio Brown is the best weapon in the NFL right now (118 yards and 3 total touchdowns). Markus Wheaton is lighting things up, likely from your league’s waiver wire, with 19 targets, 12 catches, 251 yards and 3 touchdowns in that time. Then there’s Martavis Bryant, who has scored in 5 of the 7 games he’s played in since returning from suspension and injury. The trio faces a Bengals defense that is thin at cornerback with Leon Hall and Pacman Jones banged up, and is allowing more than a touchdown to opposing WRs per game.

Every week Martavis Bryant makes some incredible play that leaves you shaking your head This is that play #INDvsPIT https://t.co/0y3W3Fjs6k

— NFL (@NFL) December 7, 2015

Very quietly and unsuspectingly, Saints running back Mark Ingram was put on IR for the shoulder injury he was nursing the past two weeks. It seems as though the Saints are shelving him with nothing to play for, just in time for your playoffs. It’s the year of the backup running back though! CJ2K has given the reigns to DJ2K (David Johnson) in Arizona. DeAngelo Williams is doing his best Le’Veon Bell impression. And Thomas Rawls has a higher touchdown rate in the red zone (21.4%) then the league leader in touchdowns, Devonta Freeman (20%).Go snag Tim Hightower now, if you haven’t already, as he’s expected to get Ingram’s early down workload.

If the Titans have anything going for them, besides a good shot at the #1 overall draft pick for a second year in a row, it’s Delanie Walker. Over the past 5 weeks, Walker has the most targets, catches and yards of any tight end in the game. He also faces a Jets defense this week that will be missing Revis Island and safety Calvin Pryor.

Mail Time!

RB: Despite Giovani Bernard having more rush yards and 300 more receiving yards than Jeremy Hill, Hill is getting an actual starter’s workload with 20 more touches than Gio over the last 2 weeks. You should feel good going with him. Doug Martin has the New Orleans dumpster fire D this week. Now you’re left between Javorius Allen and Todd Gurley. Go with Buck. He’s averaging 123 yards per game since taking over for Justin Forsett. Meanwhile, Gurley is on the back of a milk carton and we can’t find him.

TE: Close call, but I would go with ASJ for matchup reasons. He played limited snaps last week but still managed to be the 2nd most targeted receiver by Jamies Winston.

Even though I gave a ton of love to both Wilson and the Steelers to start this post, I’m going against them for this choice. Andy Dalton has 3+ touchdowns in half of the games he’s started this season and could be in for a total shootout with the Steelers this weekend. Considering what Russ was able to do against Pittsburgh, you should like ADalt even better.

First reaction – Yikes.

*Taking a second to process*

Ronnie Hillman. CJ Anderson is playing on a bum ankle which opens up a lot more for Hillman against Oakland. As stated earlier, Gio’s usage doesn’t give me enough confidence to start him when I have other options.

WR: I really don’t like the Bucs as much as I sound, but I hate the Saints defense way more. This is a great week for V-Jax because the Saints have given up 9 touchdowns to #2 WRs over the last 5 weeks.

FLEX: Going against one of the worst run defenses in the league, it’s a good week to play Shaun Draughn. I feel weird typing that, but Draughn has turned into the 49ers’ everything back and Cleveland has allowed at least 95 yards or a touchdown to RBs in 10 of the 12 games they’ve played this season.

Have more lineup questions? Feel free to ask on both Facebook and Twitter! Also, don’t hesitate to post any questions for next week’s Mailbag. Good luck this weekend!

Leave a comment Posted on December 3, 2015December 3, 2015 Fantasy Football

NFL Week 13 Fantasy Mailbag

Each Week 13 I like to remind Fantasy Football participants to thank their league commissioners for organizing everything…as long as they scheduled the playoffs to start next week and the championship to take place Week 16.

By the end of the season, you’ve come too far to worry about players on teams who have their division clinched and will potentially be rested Week 17 to make a run in the playoffs. Right now, I would worry about the Patriots, Cardinals and even the Panthers (who could be undefeated still) doing exactly that.

Now for immediate concerns, you are…

A) all good and have clinched a playoff spot. Just playing for the best seeding possible.

B) fighting for a playoff spot. It’s already win or go home.

C) hoping to spoil things for anyone that (B) applies to. It’s about pride at this point.

There is a “D” but you don’t want to be that person. You know, the person who drafted a team and didn’t give enough of a shit to do any maintenance on their roster at all, even after paying dues for a cash league. I played against Jordy Nelson last week. That’s all you need to know.

Quick Hits

Perhaps the most exciting individual matchup this weekend will be Odell Beckham Jr. vs. Darrelle Revis. In the past, Revis Island had scared away fantasy owners from even considering starting a #1 WR against him, even quarterbacks at times. In recent weeks though, Revis has allowed big games to DeAndre Hopkins (5 catches, 118 yards, 2 TDs) and Allen Robinson (6-121). Meanwhile, Beckham has cracked 100+ yards in 4 straight weeks, and has done so 13 times in his last 20 games.

[Update] Jets Head Coach Todd Bowles was asked about Revis’s status this week and responded with “I don’t think so.”

Another team that could potentially clinch their division by Week 17 are the Minnesota Vikings. Big reason why, and the player they’d likely be resting, is Adrian Peterson. AP has 634 yards and 5 touchdowns in his last 5 games, is 72 yards off his 2012 pace when he recorded 2,097 yards, and faces a Seattle defense this week that allowed 117 total yards to DeAngelo Williams. He’ll be the Viking’s best chance against the Seahawks in a black and blue matchup.

The funniest thing in football may in fact be the biggest difference for tonight’s matchup between the Lions and Packers…Jim Bob Cooter. The Lions have won 3 straight and now have a chance to sweep Green Bay. During that win streak, Matthew Stafford has thrown for 861 yards, no interceptions and 7 touchdowns (5 last week against Philly). Amazing how good Cooter, the OC (try not laughing), looks when his quarterback actually throws the ball to Calvin Johnson.

Mail Time!

I don’t like Antonio Andrews, or any Titans RBs, at all but seeing Charcandrick West practicing with the Chiefs again leads me to believe Spencer Ware is going to lose a lot of touches. If West plays this week, go with the starters in Andrews and Shaun Draughn. I wouldn’t expect touchdowns out of either, unfortunately. If West doesn’t go, plug Ware in for Andrews.

I understand the concern with Tom Brady, but haven’t we seen this story before? Without Gronk, Julian Edelman, and Danny Amendola, Brady threw 3 touchdowns against the best defense in the league. This week he plays the Eagles and could likely have Amendola back. Philly has given up 10 touchdowns in the last 2 week, and Brady has built a reputation for making something out of nothing (no-name receivers).

If you’re having strong enough doubts, this could be a great week for Ryan Fitzpatrick if he’s miraculously available on your waivers. Bryan Hoyer and Ryan Tannehill could be okay plays if you’re desperate.

The James Starks thing has come and gone, as Eddie Lacy has woken up finally. Now it becomes a question of whether or not you believe in CJ Anderson or not…

If Anderson is going to keep coming back into our good graces, it would be against the Chargers. They have allowed double-digit rushing TDs and 1,800+ rush yards. My gut tells me the Broncos will ride the hot back, just like they should ride the hot quarterback. So start CJ.

For matchup reasons, I have to lean toward LaGarrette Blount over Latavius Murray. The Chiefs have only allowed one back to run for more than 71 yards and have given up 1 rushing touchdown since Week 5. Meanwhile, the Eagles look like they’ve quit on their coach.

Similar to my reasoning to start Tom Brady and LeGarrette Blount, that’s why I like Scott Chandler this week. I picked him up in both my leagues (starting him in the one without Gary Barnidge), because Brady loves targeting his tight end. Last time Gronk missed significant time, Brady made Mike Hoomanawanui relevant.

If that doesn’t convince you, Eric Ebron would be a sneaky pickup tonight as the Packers have allowed a touchdown to TEs in 4 straight matchups. The even sneakier move would be Cameron Brate against the Falcons with Austin Seferian-Jenkins still down.

RB: If the Rams offense wasn’t a complete dumpster fire right now, I would say Todd Gurley is a no-brainer. But they are and that means he isn’t. Tony Romo going down means Darren McFadden is going to get all the checkdown passes he could dream of from Matt Cassel. I feel better about McFadden’s floor than Gurley’s ceiling this week.

QB: If Jay Cutler is available, go get him. The 49ers defense is a very different squad on the road than they are at home, allowing 35 points per game away from Levi’s Stadium.

WR: TY Hilton and Eric Decker are easy picks for me. The Steelers are giving up the most catches and 2nd most yards to receivers, and Decker is a touchdown machine scoring in 8 of 10 games. I like what D-Jax has done since returning, but the Cowboys pass defense is brutal.

QB: I am going to go with my common theme for this post, trust the Cooter. I am going to use the Lions OC’s name for as long as I can, so deal with it. Stafford’s got a hot hand and Rivers has a bad matchup.

I feel weird saying this, but I like Ryan Fitzpatrick a lot more this week. The Giants secondary is allowing 250+ yards and at least one touchdown to every QB they’ve faced. Meanwhile, I think the Packers are going to get Rodgers killed tonight…but he could always be “RODJAS!” again.

We do have a “Thor” in our league. Otherwise, I recommend GREG, SON OF OLSEN!

Have more lineup questions? Feel free to ask on both Facebook and Twitter! Also, don’t hesitate to post any questions for next week’s Mailbag. Good luck this weekend!

5 Comments Posted on August 24, 2015August 26, 2015 Fantasy Football, sports

Fantasy Cheat Sheet 2015: Quarterbacks

If you haven’t already, now would be a good time to start preparing for your upcoming Fantasy Football Draft.

Whether you’re playing in Yahoo!, ESPN, CBS, or some other website, you don’t necessarily want to base your picks off of their pre-draft rankings. That’s why I write up a CHEAT SHEET with players I prefer, based on their production last season, their team’s recent acquisitions, schemes/sytems, and injuries.

Here are my Top-20 quarterbacks and where I would prioritize drafting them round-by-round.

1. Andrew Luck, IND

2014: 40 TD/ 16 INT, 4,761 yards

Throws the ball A LOT. Just added Andre Johnson and a legit running back in Frank Gore to keep defensive backs honest. 5 Good WRs, 2 decent TEs…Yeah. The Beard’s ceiling has been raised.

Pick: Late 1^st, Early 2^nd round

2. Aaron Rodgers, GB

2014: 38 TD / 5 INT, 4,381 yards

Doesn’t turn it over often and plays better down the stretch. Rodgers is missing his #1 receiver, but could make someone else into a star very quickly. Also scary in the red zone on the ground.

Pick: Late 1^st, Early 2^nd

3. Drew Brees, NO

2014: 33 TD / 17 INT, 4,952 yards

Brees can be great or he can kill you. If Brandin Cooks stays healthy, he’ll bounce back and tear it up. May not throw as many TDs but he’ll pick up plenty of yardage and completions. Led the league in both last year.

Pick: 3^{rd or}4^th round

4. Tony Romo, DAL

2014: 34 TD / 9 INT, 3,705 yards

Expect Romo to throw it more with DeMarco Murray gone. Cowboys have the best offensive line in the league and give him plenty of time to find an open man, and has sure hands in Dez Bryant and Jason Witten.

Pick 4^th Round

5. Peyton Manning, DEN

2014: 39 TD / 15, 4,761 yards

I don’t believe Manning would have come back if he wasn’t healthy. He will still throw a ton. Plus Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders are great after the catch.

Pick: 4^th Round

6. Russell Wilson, SEA

2014: 20 TD/7 INT, 3,475 yards

Doesn’t get a ton of passing points but makes up for it with rushing yards and TDs on the ground. Also just added Jimmy Graham, so passing points should go up.

Pick 4^th Round

7. Ben Roethlisberger, PIT

2014: 32 TD / 9 INT, 4,952 yards

Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell definitely help Ben get his points. He’ll throw 5 TDs one day, but none another.

Pick 5^th Round

8. Matt Ryan, ATL

2014: 28 TD / 14 INT, 4,694 yards

New coach and OC, super young RBs, and healthy Julio Jones and Roddy White…Matty Ice is going to let it fly.

Pick: 5^th Round

9. Eli Manning, NYG

2014: 30 TD / 14 INT, 4,410 yards

Eli doesn’t have an excuse not to produce big time in year two of Odell Beckham Jr and having a healthy Victror Cruz back. Rashad Jennings provides solid relief in the run game when he isn’t sidelined, and Tom Brady could tell Manning how good Shane Vereen is on passing downs.

Pick 6^th Round

10. Tom Brady, NE

2014: 33 TD / 9 INT, 4,109 yards

This obviously can change if his suspension goes away, but Brady can be your first pick after most of the Top 10 go. Next couple QBs can bridge you to after he returns and he’ll be a boss when he does.

Pick 6^th Round or a few after you pick your first QB

11. Phillip Rivers, SD

2014: 31 TD / 18 INT, 4,286 yards

First half of last year, was Top 3 among QBS. Rivers just got paid too, which should motivate him to earn his keep. He also gets Danny Woodhead back to throw to and Keenan Allen should be better as well.

Pick 7^th Round and beyond

12. Matthew Stafford, DET

2014: 22 TD / 12 INT, 4,247 yards

This really depends on how healthy Calvin Johnson is. Megatron at his best is devastating and would make Stafford an awesome backup or even starter. Golden Tate proved to help him out too in Johnson’s absence. Theo Riddick and Joique Bell are proven to be solid pass catchers out of the backfield too.

Pick 7^th Round

13. Jay Cutler, CHI

2014: 28 TD / 18 INT, 3,812 yards

Jay is poised for a bounce back year and not just because #CuttyDoesIt. Former Peyton Manning OC Adam Gase has emphasized utilizing Cutler’s strengths throwing on the run and play-action. He’ll be missing Kevin White for at least the first half of the season, but finally has a true slot receiver in Eddie Royal. Also expect Martellus Bennett to be big when spread out, like Julius Thomas in past years.

Pick 8^th Round and beyond

14. Ryan Tannehill, MIA

2014: 27 TD / 12 INT, 4,045 yards

Gets better every year. Added proven veteran receivers, Kenny Stills and Greg Jennings, who can also play in uptempo offenses. Jarvis Landry will be Tannehill’s best weapon to stretch the field though.

Pick 8^th Round and beyond

15. Cam Newton, CAR

2014: 18 TD / 12 INT, 3,127 yards

Newton is sliding in most drafts after losing Kelvin Benjamin for the season to injury. Rookie Devin Funchess isn’t as depended on as advertised with veterans like Jericho Cotchery and Ted Gin Jr. in the mix, but can put up Benjamin-like production. Ability to run for TDs makes up for lack of passing points too.

Pick 8^th Round

16. Joe Flacco, BAL

2014: 27 TD / 12 INT, 3,986 yards

Lost Torrey Smith and his replacement, Breshad Perriman, is questionable. Flacco will be throwing a lot though with Marc Trestman as OC. Could be either really good or really meh.

Pick 9^th round and beyond

17. Teddy Bridgewater, MIN

2014: 14 TD / 12 INT 2,919 yards

The Vikings are a run heavy team, without question. Teddy has looked excellent in preseason though, and he has Mike Wallace and Charles Johnson to throw to. The training wheels are off in year two and you can expect Kyle Rudolph to provide a nice security blanket in the Norv Turner system

Pick 10^th Round and beyond

18. Andy Dalton, CIN

2014: 19 TD / 17 INT, 3,398 yards

Dalton’s last season was thrown off with AJ Green getting injured. The Bengals added Denarius Moore to go with Marvin Jones and Sanu. Don’t bank on him but he’s a nice backup with nice options.

Pick 11th Round and beyond

Colin Kaepernick, SF

2014: 19 TD / 10 INT, 2,369 yards

The 49ers could potentially be the worst team in the NFL, but Kaepernick can still take over a game in desperate times. He still has Anquan Boldin, plus Torrey Smith and Reggie Bush who are both helpful in the passing. Kaepernick does run better than anyone on the team too. The defense will be awful so he’ll have to score plenty to stay in games.

Pick 11^th Round and beyond

20. Derek Carr, OAK

2014: 21 TD / 12 INT, 3,270 yards

Carr showed flashes of the quarterback the Raiders need him to be last season. Drafting Amari Cooper helps along with a receiving group that also includes Michael Crabtree, Kenbrell Thompkins and Andre Holmes

Pick 12^th Round and beyond

Do your rankings look different? Let me know on Facebook and Twitter!

Also…

Running Backs Cheat Sheet

Wide Receivers Cheat Sheet

Tight Ends Cheat Sheet

Defenses & Kickers Cheat Sheet

5 Comments Posted on July 30, 2015September 12, 2015 #TBT Year in Review

#TBT Year in Review: 2007

In the year that doesn’t feel like it was 8 years ago…

Steve Jobs announced the first generation iPhone.
J.K. Rowlings releases “Harry Potter and The Deathly Hollows”, the fastest selling book ever.
Track Star Marion Jones surrendered her 5 Olympic gold medals after admitting to doping.
Legendary 49ers head coach Bill Walsh passed away at the age of 75.
4-time Best Drama Series Emmy award winning Mad Men premiered.

(Fingers crossed for Jon Hamm this year) And here’s the what happened in Movies, Music and Sports…

Movies

Comedy

Knocked Up, Superbad, Enchanted, Blades of Glory, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, Hot Fuzz, Juno, Evan Almighty, Balls of Fury, Good Luck Chuck, Hot Rod, Death at a Funeral, Lars and the Real Girl, Epic Movie, Wild Hogs, The Game Plan, The Heartbreak Kid, Who’s Your Caddy?, Dan in Real Life, Fred Clause, The Bucket List, Mr. Woodcock, License to Wed, AND…

The Simpsons Movie

Action

The Bourne Ultimatum, Grindhouse, Zodiac, Live Free or Die Hard, Transformers, I Am Legend, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, The Kingdom, Sweeney Todd, Hitman, Death Sentence, 28 Weeks Later, Disturbia, Spiderman 3, Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead, Hannibal Rising, The Mist, Fracture, Ghost Rider, The Condemned, Vacancy, Rush Hour 3, War, Funny Games, Paranormal Activity, Mr. Brooks, The Hitcher, Resident Evil: Extinction AND…

Shooter

Drama

Into the Wild, Gone Baby Gone, Atonement, There Will Be Blood, American Gangster, Michael Clayton, Reign Over Me, Charlie Wilson’s War, The Visitor, The Girl Next Door, Premonition, We Own The Night, 3:10 To Yuma, In the Valley of Elah, PS. I Love You, The Lookout, Across the Universe, The Invisible, Breach, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, The Man From Earth, Control, Evening, Trade, Rendition, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Eastern Promises AND…

No Country For Old Men

The 80th Academy Awards

Best Actor

George Clooney, Michael Clayton
Johnny Depp, Sweeney Todd
Tommy Lee Jones, In the Valley of Elah
Viggo Mortensen, Eastern Promises
Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood – Winner

(This was the 2nd of Daniel Day-Lewis’s 3 Best Actor Oscar wins)

Best Supporting Actor

Tom Wilkinson, Michael Clayton
Casey Affleck, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Charlie Wilson’s War
Hal Holbrook, Into the Wild
Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men – Winner

(It was Javier Bardem’s first win out of 3 Oscar nominations)

Best Actress

Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Julie Christie, Away From Her
Laura Linney, The Savages
Ellen Page, Juno
Marion Cotillard, La Vie en Rose – Winner

(Marion Cotillard has been nominated twice for Best Leading Actress. This was her first win)

Best Supporting Actress

Cate Blanchett, I’m Not There
Ruby Dee, American Gangster
Saoirse Ronan, Atonement
Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone
Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton – Winner

(Swinton is batting 1.000 going one-for-one in Oscar nominations and awards, so far)

Best Picture

Atonement
Juno
Michael Clayton
There Will Be Blood
No Country For Old Men – Winner

(Won 4 of the 8 Oscars it was nominated, including Best Writing and Directing)

Music

Rock Albums

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Hip Hop Albums

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Pop Albums

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Billboard Year-End Top 25

01. “Irreplaceable” – Beyonce

02. “Umbrella” – Rihanna

03. “The Sweet Escape” – Gwen Stefani and Akon

04. “Big Girls Don’t Cry” – Fergie

05. “Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin’)” – T-Pain featuring Young Joc

06. “Before He Cheats” – Carrie Underwood

07. “Hey There Delilah” – Plain White T’s

08. “I Wanna Love You” – Akon featuring Snoop Dogg

09. “Say It Right” – Nelly Furtado

10. “Glamorous” – Fergie featuring Ludacris

11. “Don’t Matter” – Akon

12. “Girlfriend” – Avril Lavigne

13. “Makes Me Wonder” – Maroon 5

14. “Party Like a Rockstar” – Shop Boyz

15. “Smack That” – Akon featuring Eminem

16. “This Is Why I’m Hot” – Mims

17. “It’s Not Over” – Daughtry

18. “The Way I Are” – Timbaland featuring Keri Hilson

19. “Fergalicious” – Fergie featuring will.i.am.

20. “Crank That (Soulja Boy) – Soulja Boy Tell’em

21. “Give It To Me” – Timbaland featuring Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake

22. “What Goes Around…Comes Around” – Justin Timberlake

23. “Cupid’s Chokehold” – Gym Class Heroes featuring Patrick Stump

24. “How To Save A Life” – The Fray

25. “Home” – Daughtry

Sports

Baseball

League Leaders

Offensive

Average: Magglio Ordonez (DET) – .363

Hits: Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) – 238

Home Runs: Alex Rodriguez (NYY) – 54

RBI: Alex Rodriguez (NYY) – 156

OPS: Alex Rodriguez (NYY) – 1.067

Stolen Bases: Jose Reyes (NYM) – 78

Pitching

Wins: Josh Beckett (BOS) – 20

ERA: Jake Peavy (SD) – 2.54

Strikeouts: Jake Peavy (SD) – 240

Complete Games: Roy Halladay (TOR) – 7

Shutouts: Brandon Webb (AZ) – 3

Saves: Jose Valverde (AZ) – 47

MVP

AL – Alex Rodriguez (NYY)

NL – Jimmy Rollins (PHI)

CY Young

AL – CC Sabathia (CLE) NL – Jake Peavy (SD)

Rookie of the Year

AL – Dustin Pedroia (BOS)

NL – Ryan Braun (MIL)

World Series

Boston Red Sox sweep the Colorado Rockies (4-0)

Basketball

NCAA

Final Four

(1) Florida, (1) Ohio State, (2) Georgetown, (2) UCLA

National Championship

(1) Florida over (1) Ohio State 84-75

NBA

League Leaders

Points Per Game: Kobe Bryant (LAL) – 31.6

Rebounds Per Game: Kevin Garnett (MIN) – 12.8

Assists Per Game: Steve Nash (PHX) – 11.6

All-NBA Team

Kobe Bryant (LAL)

Tim Duncan (SA)

Steve Nash (PHX)

Dirk Nowitzki (DAL)

Amar’e Stoudamire (PHX)

MVP – Dirk Nowitzki (DAL)

Rookie of the Year – Brandon Roy (POR)

NBA Finals

San Antionio Spurs sweep Cleveland Cavaliers (4-0)

Football

NCAA

Heisman Trophy – Tim Tebow, Florida

BCS National Title

(2) LSU over (1) Ohio State 38-24 in the Sugar Bowl

NFL

League Leaders

Passing Yards: Tom Brady (NE) – 4,806

Passing Touchdowns: Tom Brady (NE) – 50

Passer Rating: Tom Brady (NE) – 117.2

Rushing Yards: LaDainian Tomlinson (SD) – 1,474

Rushing Touchdowns: LaDainian Tomlinson (SD) – 15

Receiving Yards: Reggie Wayne (IND) – 1,510

Receiving Touchdowns: Randy Moss (NE) – 23

Receptions: T.J. Houshmandzadeh (CIN) & Wes Welker (NE) – 112

AP MVP: Tom Brady (NE)

Super Bowl XLII

New York Giants over New England Patriots 17-14

Hockey

League Leaders

Goals: Vincent Lecavalier (TB) – 52

Assists: Joe Thornton (SJ) – 92

Points: Sidney Crosby (PIT) – 120

Hart Memorial Trophy: Sidney Crosby (PIT)

Stanley Cup

Anaheim Ducks over Ottawa Senators (4-1)

Did I miss anything? Let me know on Twitter @Mike_PiFF03.

Also checkout past #TBT Years in Review.

2011

2006

2005

1999

1998

1992

1989

1988

1987

1 Comment Posted on July 16, 2015 sports

#TBT Poll: Best Sports Moment of 1988

If you haven’t yet, check out this week’s Throwback Thursday Year in Review.

Not a bad year for sports, right?

#1.

Michael Jordan vs. Dominique Wilkins Dunk Contest

#2.

Kirk Gibson’s Walk-off Home Run, Game 1 of the World Series vs. A’s.

#3.

Joe Montana leads 49ers on 92 yard drive to win Super Bowl XXIII vs. Bengals

Anything else better than these 3 choices? Let me know on Facebook or Twitter.

7 Comments Posted on July 16, 2015September 12, 2015 #TBT Year in Review

#TBT Year in Review: 1988

In the year that Michael Jordan took flight…

The Winter Olympics were held in Alberta, Canada.
The Supreme Court sided with Larry Flynt in the Hustler vs. Falwell case.
George H.W. Bush was elected President of the United States.
The first “World AIDS Day” was held on December 1st.
The NBA’s youngest MVP, Derrick Rose, was born.

And here’s what else happened in Movies, Music, and Sports…

Movies

Comedy

Beetlejuice, Big, A Fish Called Wanda, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad, The Great Outdoors, Bull Durham, Hairspray, Heathers, Working Girl, Midnight Run, Punchline, Twins, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Earth Girls are Easy, My Stepmother is an Alien, Mystic Pizza, Scrooged, Crocodile Dundee II, Big Top Pee-Wee, She’s Having a Baby, Short Circuit 2, I’m Gonna Git You Sucka, AND…

Coming to America

Action/Thriller

Young Guns, Rambo III, Child’s Play, They Live, Frantic, The Dead Pool, Red Heat, Dead Ringers, The Vanishing, Action Jackson, Off Limits, D.O.A., Tequila Sunrise, Spellbinder, Halloween 4, Shoot to Kill, Shakedown, The Bourne Identity, Friday the 13th VII, Maniac Cop, The Presidio, Bloodsport AND…

Die Hard

Drama

Cocktail, Willow, The Accused, Dangerous Liaisons, Beaches, The Last Temptation of Christ, Evil Angels, The Accidental Tourist, Mississippi Burning, Dead Solid Perfect, Eight Men Out, And God Created Woman, Another Woman, Patty Hearst, Betrayed, Bright Lights Big City, Torch Song Trilogy, Stealing Home, The Moderns, Sweethearts Dance, Cocoon: The Return, A Summer Story, Running on Empty, Bird, Stand and Deliver, Colors, Gorillas in the Mist, AND…

Rain Man

The 61st Academy Awards

Best Actor

Gene Hackman, Mississippi Burning
Tom Hanks, Big
Edward James Olmos, Stand and Deliver
Max von Sydow, Pelle the Conquerer
Dustin Hoffman, Rain Man – Winner

It was Dustin Hoffman’s second Oscars win after Kramer vs. Kramer in 1980 out of 7 nominations.

Best Supporting Actor

Alec Guinness, Little Dorrit
Martin Landau, Tucker The Man and His Dream
River Phoenix, Running on Empty
Dean Stockwell, Married to the Mob
Kevin Kline, A Fish Called Wanda – Winner

Kline is 1-for-1 at the Oscars

Best Actress

Glenn Close, Dangerous Liaisons
Melanie Griffith, Working Girl
Meryl Streep, A Cry in the Dark
Sigourney Weaver, Gorillas in the Mist
Jodie Foster, The Accused – Winner

Of 4 nominations, this was Jodie Fosters first of 2 Oscar wins.

Best Supporting Actress

Joan Cusack, Working Girl
Frances McDormand, Mississippi Burning
Michelle Pfeiffer, Dangerous Liaisons
Sigourney Weaver, Working Girl
Geena Davis, The Accidental Tourist – Winner

Geena Davis has won 1 out of 2 nominations, the second for Thelma and Louise.

Best Picture

The Accidental Tourist
Dangerous Liaisons
Mississippi Burning
Working Girl
Rain Man – Winner

Rain Man won 4 of the 8 Academy Awards it was nominated for, including Best Director and Best Writing.

Music

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Hip Hop Albums

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Pop Music

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Billboard Year-End Top 25

01. “Faith” – George Michael

02. “Need You Tonight” – INXS

03. “Got My Mind Set On You” – George Harrison

04. “Never Gonna Give You Up” – Rick Astley

05. “Sweet Child o’ Mine” – Guns N’ Roses

06. “So Emotional” – Whitney Houston

07. “Heaven is a Place on Earth” – Belinda Carlisle

08. “Could’ve Been” – Tiffany

09. “Hands to Heaven” – Breathe

10. “Roll with It” – Steve Winwood

11. “One More Try” – George Michael

12. “Wishing Well” – Terrence Trent D’Arby

13. “Anything For You” – Gloria Estefan

14. “The Flame” – Cheap Trick

15. “Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car” – Billy Ocean

16. “Seasons Change” – Expose

17. “Is This Love” – Whitesnake

18. “Wild, Wild West” – The Escape Club

19. “Pour Some Sugar On Me” – Def Lepard

20. “I’ll Always Love You” – Taylor Dayne

21. “Man in the Mirror” – Michael Jackson

22. “Shake Your Love” – Debbie Gibson

23. “Simply Irresistible” – Robert Palmer

24. “Hold On To The Nights” – Richard Marx

25. “Hungry Eyes” – Eric Carmen

Sports

Baseball

League Leaders:

Offensive

Average: Wade Boggs (BOS) – .366

Hits: Kirby Pucket (MIN) – 234

Home Runs: Jose Canseco (OAK) – 42

RBI: Jose Canseco (OAK) – 124

OPS: Wade Boggs (BOS) – .965

Stolen Bases: Rickey Henderson (NYY) – 93

Pitching

Wins: Frank Viola (MIN) – 24

ERA: Joe Magrane (STL) – 2.18

Strikeouts: Roger Clemens (BOS) – 291

Complete Games: Danny Jackson (CIN) & Orel Hershiser (LAD) – 15

Shutouts: Orel Hershiser (LAD) & Roger Clemens (BOS) – 8

Saves: Dennis Eckersley (OAK) – 45

MVP

AL – Jose Canseco (OAK)

NL – Kirk Gibson (LAD)

CY Young

AL – Frank Viola (MIN)

NL – Orel Hershiser (LAD)

Rookie of the Year

AL – Walt Weiss (OAK)

NL – Chris Sabo (CIN)

World Series

Los Angeles Dodgers over Oakland Athletics (4-1)

Basketball

NCAA

Final Four:

(1) Oklahoma, (1) Arizona, (2) Duke and (6) Kansas

National Championship

(6) Kansas over (1) Oklahoma 83-79

NBA

League Leaders

Points Per Game: Michael Jordan (CHI) – 35.0

Rebounds Per Game: Michael Cage (LAC) – 13.0

Assists Per Game: John Stockton (UTAH) – 13.8

All-NBA Team

Charles Barkley (PHI)

Larry Bird (BOS)

Magic Johnson (LAL)

Michael Jordan (CHI)

Hakeem Olajuwon (HOU)

MVP – Michael Jordan (CHI)

Rookie of the Year – Mark Jackson (NY)

NBA Finals

Los Angeles Lakers over Detroit Pistons (4-3)

Football

NCAA

Heisman Trophy: Barry Sanders (Oklahoma State)

National Championship

Notre Dame over West Virginia 34-21 in the Fiesta Bowl

NFL

League Leaders

Passing Yards: Dan Marino (MIA) – 4,434

Passing Touchdowns: Jim Everett (LAR) – 31

Passer Rating: Boomer Esiason (CIN) – 97.4

Rush Yards: Eric Dickerson (IND) – 1,659

Rush Touchdowns: Greg Ball (LAR) – 16

Receiving Yards: Henry Ellard (LAR) – 1,414

Receiving Touchdowns: Mark Clayton (MIA) – 14

Receptions: Al Toon (NYJ) – 93

AP MVP: Boomer Esiason

Super Bowl XXIII

San Francisco 49ers over Cincinnati Bengals 20-16

Hockey

League Leaders

Goal: Mario Lemieux (PIT) – 70

Assists: Wayne Gretzky (EDM) – 109

Points: Mario Lemieux (PIT) – 168

Hart Memorial Trophy: Mario Lemieux (PIT)

Stanley Cup

Edmonton Oilers over Boston Bruins (4-0)

Did I miss anything? Let me know on Twitter @Mike_PiFF03.

Also checkout past #TBT Years in Review.

2011

2006

2005

1999

1998

1992

1989

1987

10 Comments Posted on May 14, 2015September 12, 2015 #TBT Year in Review

#TBT Year in Review: 1989

Yes, I know…

It’s the year Taylor Swift was born, but also happening in 1989…

George H.W. Bush succeeded Ronald Reagan as the 41st President of the United States.
MGM Studios at Disney World opened to the public.
The world’s first HDTV broadcasts commence in Japan
Nintendo released Game Boy portable gaming system to North America.
Pete Rose received his lifetime ban from Major League Baseball.

And here’s what we saw from the world’s of Movies, Music and Sports.

Movies

Comedy

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Back to the Future Part II, Ghostbusters II, Honey I Shrunk the Kids, Parenthood, When Harry Met Sally…, Seen No Evil, Hear No Evil, Say Anything…, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, Look Who’s Talking, The Burbs, Uncle Buck, Weekend at Bernie’s, Driving Miss Daisy, Turner & Hooch, Fletch Lives, Harlem Nights, Going Overboard, The War of the Roses, UHF, New York Stories, The Big Picture, Gross Anatomy, Crimes and Misdemeanors, We’re No Angels, AND…

Major League

Action/Thriller

Lethal Weapon II, Black Rain, License to Kill, The Abyss, Dead Calm, Next of Kin, Lock Up, The Punisher, Leviathan, Pet Sematary, Kickboxer, DeepStar Six, The Killer, The Package, Samurai Cop, The January Man, Cutting Class, Johnny Handsome, Halloween 5, Sea of Love, Blue Steel, Far From Home, Shotgun, Ministry of Vengeance, An Innocent Man, The Mighty Quinn, AND…

Road House

Drama

Dead Poets Society, Do The Right Thing, Glory, Steel Magnolias, My Left Foot, Casualties of War, Sex Lies and Videotape, Always, Rooftops, Born on the Fourth of July, Driving Miss Daisy, Sea of Love, Small Sacrifices, Lean On Me, Gleaming the Cube, True Believer, Scandal, Look Back in Anger, The Ryan White Story, Drugstore Cowboy, The Karen Carpenter Story, Immediate Family, Listen To Me, Dad, Music Box, AND…

Field of Dreams

The 62nd Academy Awards

Best Actor

Kenneth Branagh, Henry V
Tom Cruise, Born on the Fourth of July
Morgan Freeman, Driving Miss Daisy
Robin Williams, Dead Poets Society
Daniel Day Lewis, My Left Foot – Winner

Best Supporting Actor

Dan Aykroyd, Driving Miss Daisy
Marlon Brando, A Drive White Season
Martin Landeau, Crimes and Misdemeanors
Danny Aiello, Do the Right Thing
Denzel Washington, Glory – Winner

Best Actress

Isabelle Adjani, Camille Claudel
Pauline Collins, Shirley Valentine
Jessica Lange, Music Box
Michelle Pfeiffer, The Fabulous Baker Boys
Jessica Tandy, Driving Miss Daisy – Winner

Best Supporting Actress

Anjelica Huston, Enemies, A Love Story
Lena Olin, Enemies, A Love Story
Julia Roberts, Steel Magnolias
Dianne Wiest, Parenthood
Brenda Fricker, My Left Foot – Winner

Best Picture

Born on the Fourth of July
Dead Poets Society
Field of Dreams
My Left Foot
Driving Miss Daisy – Winner

Music

Rock Albums

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Hip Hop Albums

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Pop Albums

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Billboard Year-End Top 25

1. “Look Away” – Chicago

2. “My Prerogative” – Bobby Brown

3. “Every Rose Has It’s Thorn” – Poison

4. “Straight Up” – Paula Abdul

5. “Miss You Much” – Janet Jackson

6. “Cold Hearted” – Paula Abdul

7. “Wind Beneath My Wings” – Bette Midler

8. “Girl You Know It’s True” – Milli Vanilli

9. “Baby I Love Your Way/Freebird Medley” – Will to Power

10. “Give You The Best That I Got” – Anita Baker

11. “Right Here Waiting” – Richard Marx

12. “Waiting for a Star to Fall” – Boy Meets Girl

13. “Lost In Your Eyes” – Debbie Gibson

14. “Don’t Wanna Lose You” – Gloria Estafan

15. “Heaven” – Warrant

16. “Girl I’m Gonna Miss You” – Milli Vanilli

17. “The Look” – Roxette

18. “She Drives Me Crazy” – Fine Young Cannibals

19. “On Our Own” – Bobby Brown

20. “Two Hearts” – Phil Collins

21. “Blame It On The Rain” – Milli Vanilli

22. “Listen To Your Heart” – Roxette

23. “I’ll Be There For You” – Bon Jovi

24. “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” – Simply Red

25. “Like A Prayer” – Madonna

Sports

Baseball

League Leaders

Offensive:

Average: Kirby Puckett (MIN) – .344

Hits: Kirby Puckett (MIN) – 215

Home Runs: Kevin Mitchell (SF) – 47

RBI: Kevin Mitchell (SF) – 125

OPS: Kevin Mitchell (SF) – 1.023

Stolen Bases: Rickey Henderson (NYY & OAK) – 77

Pitching:

Wins: Bret Saberhagen (KC) – 23

ERA: Bret Saberhagen (KC) – 2.16

Strikeouts: Nolan Ryan (TEX) – 301

Complete Games: Bret Saberhagen (KC) – 12

Shutouts: Tim Belcher (LAD) – 8

Saves: Mark Davis (SD) – 44

MVP

AL – Robin Yount (MIL)

NL – Kevin Mitchell (SF)

CY Young

AL – Bret Saberhagen (KC)

NL – Mark Davis (SD)

Rookie of the Year

AL – Gregg Olson (BAL)

NL – Jerome Walton (CHC)

World Series: Oakland Athletics def. San Francisco Giants (4-0)

Basketball

NCAA

Final Four:

(1) Illinois, (3) Michigan, (3) Seton Hall and (2) Duke

National Championship:

Michigan over Seton Hall in overtime 80-79

NBA

League Leaders

Points Per Game: Michael Jordan (CHI) – 32.5

Rebounds Per Game: Hakeem Olajuwon (HOU) – 13.5

Assists Per Game: John Stockton (UTAH) – 13.6

All-NBA Team

Charles Barkley (PHI)

Magic Johnson (LAL)

Michael Jordan (CHI)

Karl Malone (UTAH)

Hakeem Olajuwon (HOU)

MVP: Magic Johnson (LAL)

Rookie of the Year: Mitch Richmond (GSW)

NBA Finals: Detroit Pistons over Los Angeles Lakers (4-0)

Football

NCAA

Heisman Trophy

Andrew Ware, University of Houston

National Champion

(2) Miami over (7) Alabama 33-27 Sugar Bowl, (1) Colorado lost to (4) Notre Dame 6-21 Orange Bowl

NFL

League Leaders

Passing Yards: Don Majkowski (GB) – 4,318

Passing Touchdowns: Jim Everett (LA) – 29

Passer Rating: Joe Montana (SF) – 112.4

Rushing Yards: Christian Okoye (KC) – 1,480

Rushing Touchdowns: Greg Ball (LA) – 15

Receiving Yards: Jerry Rice (SF) – 1,483

Receiving Touchdowns: Jerry Rice (SF) – 17

Receptions: Sterling Sharpe (GB) – 90

AP MVP: Joe Montana (SF)

Super Bowl: San Francisco 49ers over Denver Broncos 55-10

Hockey

League Leaders

Goals: Mario Lemieux (PIT) – 85

Assists: Wayne Gretzky (LA) & Mario Lemieux (PIT) – 114

Points: Mario Lemieux (PIT) – 199

Hart Memorial Trophy

Wayne Gretzky (LA)

Stanley Cup

Calgary Flames over Montreal Canadiens (4-2)