2010 Vancouver Moments

The Moment of 2010

Must be December 31st, year end countdowns and remembrances dotting the media landscape. Let's make this easy, there was the New Orleans Saints kicking off the year with a stirring and emotionally charged Super Bowl win,taking the notion of civic resurgence to a new plateau. A World Series championship in San Francisco with a roster populated by a group of guys named "Joe"- quick, name 3 GIANT players? The 7 game finale that went beyond our expectations between Boston and the champion LA Lakers in the NBA and the end of championship drought that began in 1961 for the Chicago Blackhawks, finally closing out 49 years of futility by hoisting the Stanley Cup this spring. However, for Canadians nationwide the sporting moment (s) of the year were the 14 days in February where the city of Vancouver was the epicentre of the world's attention as we played host to the best athletes in winter sports and came away with, arguably, the finest Winter Olympics ever. While there are more than a few emotional moments forever emblazoned on our Canadian memories, the biggest was the winning goal in overtime by Sidney Crosby in the men's hockey gold medal game vs. the USA. For a nation that defines itself by its success on a frozen ice surface it was the embodiment of a swelling national pride and passion unseen within these borders for years. It was simply The Moment of 2010.

Happy New Year to all- best wishes for health and happiness and thanks for reading Full Gorilla

This is Awesome

Compliments of ESPN.com

Brett, we were gonna get you a gold watch, but here's your reputation instead

Imagine that office retirement party where the long serving and perhaps suffering retiree receives the obligatory gift from the company and his or her peers before being dispatched into the golden years of their life...on the sidelines. Gold Watch, cruise, goofy novelty gifts? This and more for years of distinguished service. Now move the picture over to the NFL and envision the grey bearded retiree being none other than our favourite weekly reality show- Brett Favre. No gold watch or cruise here compliments of Commish Roger Goodell, just Favre's reputation and legacy ensured based on the 50k fine assessed yesterday as finality to the Jenn Strerger affair. The 50 grand assumes that Favre was less than honest and, whats the word in NFL parlance? Oh yeah, "forthcoming" in explaining and detailing his part in the genital photos, texting and harassment possibilities surrounding Ms. Sterger. But the cash punishment and NFL's less than CSI intense investigation into the case assures that the Favre legend rides into the sunset on his John Deere tractor with the veneer as one of the game's greats in tact. Make no mistake as well, Goodell's ruling cements Favre's retirement plans- as in, we'll slap your wrist, do a small ATM withdrawal and you go- forever. A small price to pay to retain your place in history. If Favre had returned next year, pressure to go beyond yesterday's punishment would likely have been intense particularly as it seems impossible for Number 4 to stay away from leagues headlines week after week-think Metrodome roof collapse under the gaze of cameras and microphones. So Brett, best of luck, one Wrangler ad and you'll have that $50,000 back in your jeans before you know it. Enjoy your time in Mississippi and the pundits that will rave about your greatness alongside Montana, Unitas, Marino and more. Its not a gold watch, but it's the least we could do.

The South is Gonna Do it Again

The Charlie Daniels band had a single circa 1975 called, "The South's Gonna Do It" and it could easily be used as the anthem for the NFL's Dixie Division, the NFC South. Atlanta, New Orleans, Tampa Bay and Carolina possess the defending Super Bowl Champs (New Orleans), the likely top seed in the NFC in the upcoming playoffs (Atlanta), a resurgent team in Tampa Bay who last year finished 3-13 and at this writing are 9-6 and a Carolina team that despite its woeful record will very likely add Stanford standout QB Andrew Luck to their roster with the first pick in the draft in April. Not too shabby for fans south of the Mason-Dixon line as Super Bowl possibilities seem real for 3 of the 4 teams over the next several seasons. Last night's Monday Night Football finale was arguably the best Monday night match of the year and highlighted the quality that the divisions top two teams have on their rosters. Drew Brees' winning drive was as much a result of his overwhelming will to win as it was the execution on the field. Matt Ryan appears poised to be "the next one" and Tampa's emerging star Josh Freeman ensures that this division could enjoy superb play from the quarterback position for the next decade. In fact, if the Panthers do draft Luck then you have arguably the best 4 team parlay at the pivot position that has been seen in a generation. Part of conventional NFL wisdom dictates that you cannot win without a reliable QB, so the NFC South appears primed to be the strongest division in football if not the most entertaining for seasons to come. So, dust off the Charlie Daniel's 8 tracks , polish the pick-up truck, grab some Cajun cuisine and lets get ready for some football- Southern Style.

Let the Games Begin

Philadelphia Freedom??? Not from the snow......

courtesy of ESPN.com

The South is Gonna Rise Again- Tonight should be dandy

compliments of ESPN.com

A Christmas Story

Remember when you were a kid and you were on the edge of hysteria with the anticipation of Christmas only to have that moment arrive and find that Santa did not quite bring you what you wanted? Selfish? Absolutely, it was, but who can blame a child for that kind of behaviour based on the holiday hype machine. So it was, that like a child I eagerly anticipated yesterday's flurry of sports in 2 major leagues- the NBA and NFL. Since LeBron's decision, the Noel matchup with the Lakers was the can't miss game of the year and like that kid on Christmas morn it just didn't quite deliver on its promise. The Heat appear to be rounding into shape and yesterday's win over the defending champs in LA only underscore the reality that they are indeed rising to the level of pre-season promise. The atmosphere appeared electric yesterday as those in attendance pined for the opportunity to be part of the "game" of the year but alas Kobe and crew just could not rise to the occasion losing by double digits 96-80. Sets the table nicely for a finals showdown with much to prove for the Los Angelers but for a Christmas Day treat, nah, not so much. Thank goodness we had the early Eastern Conference match between Boston and Orlando to excite us with a surprise Magic win. Like the often overlooked goodie in the Christmas stocking, that game more than satisfied. Fast forward to Christmas night in the desert and the Cowboys/Cards in what looked at the beginning of the year like a possible playoff preview. Turned into a Christmas wish come true for 2 first year quarterbacks as John Sketon and Stephen McGee provided some intrigue for Arizona and Dallas respectively leading to a one point, last minute Cardinals win in a sloppy and largely uninteresting tilt. So, like the big sucky kid I am, I tucked myself in for a long winter's nap last eve and realized that the holidays are infused with a whole lot of hype-particularly in the realm of pro sports.

A Holiday Tradition

It's the time of year where traditions, large and small surge to the forefront with families, companies and friends alike. In this part of the world the World Junior Hockey Championships are a Christmas/New Years tradition that cause a swell of patriotism and pride in our national pastime- it does not hurt that the games are played with a passion and skill level umatched even at a pro level. This year, the hype is seemingly more intense with the event being held in Buffalo NY and the Americans defending their gold medal status. Throw in the possibility of another 49th Parallel Final and some competitive residue from the gold medal hockey game at the Vancouver Olympics and the next couple weeks will no doubt hold us completely engrossed.

So draw up a chair, a flag and some holiday bevvies and warm yourself with some superb, exciting junior hockey action.

Finally, from everyone here at Full Gorilla, best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season and all the best for 2011. Thanks for reading us, hopefully you enjoyed the posts... more big time stuff ahead for next year.

HBO gets it F***ing right on their hockey doc

If you have not had a chance to see the HBO Penguins/Capitals 24/7 documentary detailing the NHL team's trials and tribulations leading up to their January 1st date in the Outdoor Classic at Heinz Field, it's too bad. The current 4 part mini-series has gained notoriety for Caps Coach Bruce Boudreau's F-bomb laced dressing room tirade but besides that 45 second clip, its pace, production, and all access style is tremendous. Honestly, the aforementioned F-word flies throughout the entire program, from coaches, players and officials alike, not just in Boudreau's speech . It's Locker Room talk and it competeley fits in with the environment the series is profiling.It helps that the Penguins and Caps are heading in different directions right now ramping up the drama leading towards the January 1st game, and the Crosby v. Ovechkin rivalry always piques hockey fans interest but seeing both superstars in this context only adds to the Luke Skywalker/Darth Vader element of their hockey relationship. HBO should consider doing more of this type of programming, they have demonstrated real savvy and skill in capturing the best moments of the 2 teams journey to New Years day- warts and all. If you can find a friend to PVR it for you this holiday season should you not have HBO- do so, it makes for great sports doc viewing.

Week 15- NFL Table Scraps

How do you spell choke? G-I-A-N-T-S? My God, that was ugly beyond words. Couple of thing that stuck with me : Joe Buck from FOX throwing the love all round for Giants Defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell and his inevitable head coaching possibilities just before the end of the first half when Big Blue had a 24-3 lead and then WHAM, collapse for the ages. I would bet Buck wishes he could have his comments back as they just provide salt on a wound that will be remembered for a long time. Secondly, Tom Coughlin's sideline meltdown and dressing down of his punter after the Eagles roared back for the winning score....Tom, players do as they are told and coached in situations like that...if the kid screwed up, dress him down in private, if its a coaching error let's hope you are as voracious in holding you and your staff responsible behind the podium this week.

Lions- never say die and deal a death blow to the playoff hopes of the TB Buccaneers. As I blogged a week or so ago, The Lions are better than their record shows and yesterday's win is surely something that this team can build on for 2011.

Green Bay- no one and I mean NO ONE gave the Pack a sniff in this game and if they did- they are lying. Matt Flynn and The Pack gave New England all they could handle in arguably the best Sunday night game of the year. Champions win the close ones and the Patriots did just that, scoring in the 4th to eek out a victory but Green Bay deserves total tip o' the cap for keeping it close. Looks like their playoff aspirations are through, but The Packers can claim at least some kind of moral victory from the way they played last night.

The Jets- what do you do with these guys? All season long I have been preaching how "lucky" Gang Green is and then this??? Pittsburgh should have run away with this but after the snow settled, Rex Ryan and crew still standing. This game perhaps says more about Pittsburgh than NY, second seed likely for The Steelers but they appear vulnerable, even at home.

Other- Falcons- okay- one of these weeks, we will pay attention to how good you are

Ravens- the single most exasperating team in this league

Colts- when they had to have it, showed some True Grit...don't rule out the postseason

Monday night's game- only watching cause of the weather...Bears and Vikings, who could possibly care about either one of these teams? Bears will no doubt get a home date for the playoffs and with January weather in Chicago can the Saints or Giants beat them in the Wildcard round?

Shanahan Shenanigans

Word comes from DC that Canton lock Rex Grossman :) will be Sunday's starter for the Skins versus the Buccaneers. And so the latest episode of the dysfunction that is the 2010 Washington Redskins takes hold. After what seems like an incredible season of on and off field screw-ups we arrive at Week 15 with Donovan McNabb on the bench and head scratching in Redskins nation at an all time high. I cannot figure the end game here for Mike Shanahan, actually heard a podcast this week in which the host asked his guest if Shanahan was trying to get fired, his moves have been that bizarre. The Albert Haynesworth situation was deplorable, on both sides of the argument but the treatment of McNabb this season has just been....well, strange, for lack of a better adjective. Now, with the season lost, Grossman gets the call. In fairness to Donovan, the O-line is weak beyond words, they have had a running back by committee and wide receivers that were dismal. Not the stuff of legendary rejuvenation. My best hope for McNabb is that he moves on- Minnesota, San Francisco...maybe even Buffalo in a piece of inspired casting, but another season in DC with Shanahan just seems beyond comprehension. This year alone the coaching staff has cast aspersions on Donovan's mental acuity, conditioning and game management skills. Too much for a player of McNabb's pedigree it would seem to this scribe. Get the QB out of there and do both men a favour. It would have been interesting to see what Shanahan's legacy would have been if John Elway had not been his pupil. Super Bowl rings are the ultimate judge and jury so Shanahan does deserves the plaudits, however his limited body of work with The Redskins has done nothing more than leave a lot more questions than answers. Getting McNabb out of Dodge and moving on would be the first step in a new direction that this club so obviously needs.

What will everyone do if Brett Favre jumps on a plane and heads back home into retirement and the pages of NFL history? How will ESPN survive, what will pre-game talking heads spend hours chatting about? Looks like Number 4 is indeed finally at the end and his body of work, including consecutive start streak is the stuff of legend but the last few months have finally tilted perception to the negative it seems, at least they have here....For once Brett do the best thing for you and your legacy....say goodbye, for good.

Love College Football, always have, and I am rabid enough to really be interested in the Beef o Brady Bowl or the Humanitarian Bowl played on the blue turf...but I think we have reached the point of overkill.....time for a playoff, time to revisit the Bowl system at large not just the BCS....just can't ever envision young fans ever being regaled and held rapt by stories of the great match ups in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl.

Got the chance to watch the Chicago Bulls play for the first time this NBA season. This is a fun team to watch, and they could be "one of those teams" come playoffs. Would the Heat have enough to beat these guys? Likely- but I think the Bulls would give them a series and the entertainment value would be off the charts.

Whoever the NFL scheduler is, they need a pay increase. It seems that year after year as the calendar moves into December we get some beauty games that have real post season implications. Look at this Sunday alone: New Orleans/Baltimore, Jax/Indy, Philly/NYG and NYJ/Pitts/ Green Bay/NE- some seriously important tilts, late season divisional games are gold but with Week 15 games like this occupying almost 30% of the matches played, I think the scheduling works....which is why I am curious to see the plan if the season moves to 18 games as seems inevitable.

How jaded am I as a Leaf fan...Tuesday night vs the Oilers, two of the youngest teams in the league squaring off, and the Leafs win....how come I feel so much more energized by the possibilities of the Oilers roster than Toronto's? Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle that's why...

"The Decision"....the right way

So......how come I am so much more impressed and enthusiastic about watching Cliff Lee and the 3 other studs in the Phillies rotation take on all comers during this year's baseball season than I was and have been watching LeBron et. al pound the hardwood with his South Beach Sweethearts? Call me cynical and old fashioned but "The Decision" was an obvious PR disaster as was the Wade, James, Bosh pep rally a couple days after. Maturity, perhaps or better advisers in Cliff's ear but it seems implausible to envision Cliff Lee holding court with Jim Gray in a prime time ESPN special to announce that he was taking his "talents to south Philly". The optics of that are just impossible to digest. Possibly it was Lee's decision to spurn the Yankees that adds something to his decision, for once , it seems, MLB's Kingpins did not get the services of the most attractive player on the market. Yet, Lee did not return to Texas either and has not received the same criticism that LeBron did for choosing not to stay in Cleveland, an indication that James' presence in Ohio took on substantially more importance not only as the poster boy player but civic standard bearer as well. The Rangers did just complete a World Series appearance and are the home of America's Team and a surging group of NBA Mavericks so Lee's decision to leave Texas does not seem to be the same community death blow that James' departure from Cleveland was. The simple fact remains though I find myself eagerly
anticipating the Phillies march through 162 games this year whereas I was, like so many others, rubbing my hands together with the notion that LeBron James and the Heat would find some serious obstacles on their way if only because of the trumped up, over the top, bigger than the game spectacle that was "The Decision."

Jerry Jones on 60 Minutes

In case you missed this piece from Sunday night- Jerry Jones and his big screen tv...compliments of CBS

Dear Baltimore....

To the Football Fans in Charm City-

I wonder if the names Cam Cameron and Joe Flacco will ever adorn the roster of Super Bowl winning coaches and QB's? After last night I would not hold my breath. It's easy to react with some concern Dear Baltimore about how your defense let the Texans storm back with touchdown drives of 91 and 99 yards in the 4th quarter, plus make a 2 point conversion to tie the game and force an extra period. Let's also remember it was a pick 6 in OT that gave the win to the Ravens, not superb play from the offense in the 5th quarter. Both sides of the ball can cement a win and with under 5 mins to go, championship offenses squeeze the air out of the ball, grind out 1st downs, force competing defenses to burn time-outs and in effect use offense as defense and grab the "W". The Ravens could not do that last night and paid the price- almost. The old adage says "Defense wins Championships" and the Ravens Super Bowl win of 2000 was largely a function of that mantra. Perhaps though it was also better coaching, tailoring game plans to the skill sets of players and putting a QB (Trent Dilfer) in a position to not lose games as much as win them. However dear fans of the Ravens ,you were told that this QB was different, and for the most part he has been, but last week in the dying seconds against the Steelers and last night when he and Coach Cameron could have salted it away- they failed to deliver. Baltimore.,I am somewhat in your camp this playoff season, I can Ace of Cakes with the best of them.... but not if you continue to play to lose.

Number 4's Streak is Over....who cares?

<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/video/?vid=e407f5f5-7dd3-4773-af3b-d62e24c2a788&amp;from=IV2_en-us_foxsports_videocentral_player" target="_new" title="Highlights: UFC 124">Video: Highlights: UFC 124</a>

UFC......what am I missing?

In the interests of full disclosure, I will admit I have never seen a live UFC event, never watched one on television and have absolutely no idea who the personalities are who drive the sport and capture the affection and imagination of its partisans. Like Nascar, rodeo and pro wrestling, I just don't get it, I am also of a vintage where I remember the glory days of heavyweight boxing.... cue Howard : "Down goes Frazier...down goes Frazier..." The concept of UFC events seems foreign and full of senseless brutality to me, missing the grace of the sweet science. There you have it, I have admitted my ignorance and bias.However, even I understand the overwhelming power and passion that this sport engenders among its loyal denizens. It's a cultural phenomenon filling the space with old and young, male and female, black and white alike. The 23,000 delirious lunatics who filled the Bell Centre in Montreal this past Saturday for UFC 124 is all the endorsement you need to recognize that UFC now occupies the space that boxing held for so long. While I have no idea who Georges St- Pierre is, there are many in this country who openly advocate for him as our nations preeminent male athlete and consider it a crime he is never considered for the Lou Marsh Award which recognizes that achievement. Those of us fuddy duddy old -schoolers who continue to talk about the Crosby's and Morneau's of the athletic world as Canada's top male are no doubt likely to be steamrolled soon enough by the emergence of MMA within our borders and the verve and spirit of its fans.

Metrodome Collapse- December 12/2010

Courtesy of Fox Sports-

<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/video?vid=ca15cffb-3b66-49a0-84ca-20ed0a175567" target="_new" title="">NFL on FOX: Metrodome collapse</a>

The Lion Sleeps Tonight...in a sling

Be too easy here to make a joke about how thankful Michigan football fans must be to have Vikings/Giants moved to Ford Field tomorrow night so at least they can see one pro game this weekend....hahhaha (okay not so much) even though Packers and Lions strap it on this aft in Motown. Poor Detroit, again this year they were the subject of much pre-season love from those who felt that this was the step up and make a statement season, the addition of defensive force Ndamukong Suh the latest addition to a steadily improving roster. Alas, as we begin the final quarter of the season and the promise of more in Motown than a last place finish seems unlikely. Packers, Bucaneers, Dolphins and Vikes left on the docket and 2-10 morphs into 3-13 easily. So....another high round draft pick, mock boards thinking that a 2 through 5 choice nets them Patrick Peterson, CB from LSU, a force, like Suh to shore up the defensive secondary. Now this group of weapons gets even better...Challenge for the division? Maybe. Wildcard? Like it. Super Bowl?? A girl can dream.. My thinking is the Lions problems could be a Quarterback issue. Not that number 1 pick Matt Stafford doesn't have the talent, smarts or drive...he just seems to be made of glass. Stafford has spent too much time on the bench due to injury and without him Detroit is not even close. If the QB is not able to string together 8-12 starts and finishes, post season football for Detroit looks unlikely. I would be stunned if come April the Lions considered taking a QB from the Mallett, Locker, Newton group. However, if they could find someone second or 3rd round like the Browns did with Colt McCoy this past spring, I would not be surprised if they do it to shore up what has proven to be an injury prone pivot. They are, on paper an interesting and talented group, better than their projected record shows. But with a young team like this a quality QB with some durability is vital in gaining some "W's" and making up some ground.

"Get your Popcorn ready...."

Feeling lazy today and not much to write about so thought I'd pass along some memorable sports moments from the silver screen.....enjoy

Movie Videos & Movie Scenes at MOVIECLIPS.com

Movie Videos & Movie Scenes at MOVIECLIPS.com

http://movieclips.com/akuK3-planet-of-the-apes-movie-the-human-hunt/

Table scraps....

some end of the week sports scraps...

Sidney Crosby- force of nature. Him vs. The Maple Leafs makes you realize the huge disparity professional hockey possesses.

Hey Titans...nice clock management last night....what's with running the kicker out and then changing your mind in the dying seconds? 5-8 and the scrap heap for 2010.

Like the possibility of Urban Meyer and Tim Tebow working together in Denver. Never happen but would be interesting to watch that play out at a pro level.

Poor Darren Pang..."NHL on TSN" panel host had a slip of the tongue the other night regarding PK Subban, please don't tell me he is going to have to defend himself against charges he is a racist?

You keep moving Randy Moss around I guess he becomes insignificant after all....even with my middle aged male memory at play, I had forgotten until last night's game started he was even with Tennessee.

RIP Don Meredith- Monday Night Football has never been the same since you, Giff and Cosell left the booth.

Yanks/Red Sox just got more interesting with Carl Crawford part of the mix....Paging, Cliff Lee, Mr Lee??

Good thing we had Howard Cosell's historic call of John Lennon's murder, otherwise sports radio and tv would not have been able to get in on the action this past Wednesday. Some things are just better left alone.

4th television blackout for the Bills this year coming up Sunday vs the Browns- even the most die hard of fans will only put up with crap for so long. Be nice if Leaf Nation took a cue.

Happy Friday

Full Gorilla

"You gotta YouTube this......"

I am not what you would call an early adopter of new technologies.Yes, our family has moved past dial-up and I get that WiFi is not a fruit drink but I likely fall into the category of users who move into web and wireless based products when it reaches a level of usage that could be called, "common" or "everyday". So it was with the decision to finally try blogging and also exploring YouTube and all that it offers. The online video service is truly overwhelming for someone like myself who fumbles through its possibilities recognizing that the curve of innovation and imagination is so far ahead of me, its already in another town. This week provided the chance to see the best and worst of this technology, both within the realm of sports media. The video of Howard Cosell informing viewers that John Lennon had been shot and killed during a Monday Night Football broadcast is one of those "moments in time" that is forever emblazoned in the memories of many. I had forgotten it, in all honesty until yesterday when I viewed it again-several times, listening to Cosell's iconic and unforgettable delivery and the resounding silence as booth partners Frank Gifford and Fran Tarkenton stayed quiet long enough to let the devastating news wash over viewers across North America. Compare that with the "foot in mouth moment" from Darren Pang from "The NHL on TSN" hockey panel from earlier this week. Pang, talking about Montreal Canadiens PK Subban got tongue tied and said Subban (who is black), should comport himself on and off the ice, "the white way" as opposed to the "right way". Credit to Panger and TSN for quickly apologizing for the slip in the next intermission but the damage is done with almost 122,000 views since it was posted on YouTube 2 days ago. The good and not so good of this age we live in, where we are thankful we can relive a moment like Cosell's performance. For Darren Pang, 200,000 views awaits and the embarrassment he will carry with him longer than usual because of the availability of his mistake on laptops all over the world. It is easy to say that for technology like YouTube, and those who are saved within its video archives, it is the best and worst of times.

In our dreams, we are the best General Manager our teams could ever have. Reality, as always, is a much different animal. Take the recent case of The Toronto Blue Jays trade of Shaun Markum to the Milwaukee Brewers for blue chip second baseman Brett Lawrie. Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos has taken significant criticism for the deal from the Closet GM's in JaysLand who believe that the move has cost the team a critical piece of any championship drive. I am prepared to give Anthopoulos the benefit of the doubt on this deal until we get a chance to see what Lawrie can bring to the J's roster. His reputation as a 5 tool player who perhaps could play 2nd, 3rd, outfield or catch gives the organization some nice room to maneuver and juggle the puzzle pieces. It does hurt losing a proven Opening Day starter like Markum but the J's front office seems to be demonstrating some deftness of touch in building a roster that will be competitive. The issue that any of the Fantasy GM's nor the actual man himself cannot solve is the financial disparity that the Blue Jays face based solely on the division they play in and the teams that reside in that group. The Yankees contract to Derek Jeter this week puts a fine point on the reality that a team with pockets that deep can afford the kind of deal that allows their captain and signature player of a generation to retire with grace as a Yankee, diminishing skill and return on investment aside. The seismic cry that would have ensued if Jeter had gone across town to the Mets or LA or, heaven forbid, the Red Sox would have drowned out any concerns about term and amount on his latest contract. Faced with these kind of economic realities, how can the Jays really compete? Tampa had its window and now appears ready to take a step back and even though baseball watchers love the argument about small market ,small payroll Tampa or Minnesota playing deep in October, truth is you have to get their first. The AL East is the money pit of Major League Baseball, where cash is king. So, this closet GM is prepared to cut Anthopoulos some slack as he tries to build the best team that Rogers' money will allow him to field. Salary cap and expanded playoffs appear to be the best hope the Jays have to reach the post season earlier than later. In the meantime, let's enjoy the J's moves, debate their merit, relish the fact that baseball made the front pages and blogosphere in December and look forward with anticipation to Opening Day 2011.

"A Fun Night"

ESPN.com reporting that Tom Brady said last night's 45-3 rout of the Jets was "a fun night". Fun? Sure, why not? And a resounding statement about who the class of the AFC East is could be easily characterized with words like, "overwhelming", "unstoppable" and "magnificent". It was not even close, huge embarrassment for the Jets and a call to all that this year, Super Bowl glory more than likely runs through Foxboro. Did Belichek run it up? Two schools of thought: A 45-3 pounding may inspire the Jets if they meet in January in the playoffs... or again, a "statement" to contenders and pretenders alike that the Pats are complete, healthy, younger and hungrier than other editions of this roster. Randy Who? Tell me that won't rank as one of the best personnel moves of the last several years, because the Pats are flush with picks- again. So lets look ahead:

Possible AFC Playoff Seeding

1. Patriots

2. Steelers

3. Chiefs

4. Jaguars

5. Jets

6. Ravens

so let's say that Jets and Ravens advance and suddenly the possibility of a Jets/Pats AFC final is alive if Baltimore and Pittsburgh fail in the divisional round. Time for Rex Ryan and crew to make a statement that last night was an aberration, a fluke, a one-off. That would provide the perfect stage for the Jets to have a little "fun" of their own.

Full Gorilla

http://movieclips.com/akuK3-planet-of-the-apes-movie-the-human-hunt/

Monday Morning Hash Marks

Some Monday morning musings on the weekend that was :
NFL- good bad and ugly

The Good- Browns, Jags and Raiders
The Bad- Bills, Titans and Broncos
The Ugly- Bengals....way ugly

is it me or what were the Ravens thinking last night on 4th down with the game on the line? Better to have Cundiff try and miss for the tie that have Flacco skip the ball of the turf and hand the game to the Steelers.

Jayson Werth- got the ring with the Phillies and now the payday with the Nats, enjoy the scratch because I think your playoff baseball days are over.

BCS- so I guess everything worked out okay in the end, as it always seems to. Two undefeated teams vying for the title...Yes, Virginia a playoff in our stocking would be ideal, but do not get your hopes up.

Not sure if there is any poetry in Phil Kessel winning a game for the Leafs in the shootout vs the Bruins Saturday night. Seems to me Tim Thomas took the puck with him as he fell back into the net. Not exactly Crosby in the snow at the Winter Classic a couple of years ago.

Week 13

Some beauty games today as the NFL Kicks off Week 13. Time to separate the real contenders and this is the week that the schedule does exactly that. Sunday night and Monday night marquee games as Steelers/Ravens and Jets/Pats play under the lights to determine first place in AFC North and East respectively. Lots of compelling play elsewhere this December Sunday as well including Jacksonville and Tennessee and the incredibly important Atlanta and Tampa Bay. Throw in the Cowboys @ Peyton Place and it all adds up to a dynamite day of football. For the record then:

Steelers @ Ravens- Big Ben with boot issues and Ravens at home. I like Baltimore by a field goal.

Jets @ Patriots- 9-2 both and the Jets winning every way imaginable including lucky. Without Jim Leonard, Jets lose something in the secondary and Tom Brady at home on the Monday night stage means Pats win by 4.

Jacksonville @Tennesee- so easy to overrate the Jags but they have been the team that won't go away. Marry that with a weak year from Indy and SHAZAM, Jax in first place. Think the Tennesee QB situation is ridiculous, Kerry Collins reportedly may go. Nevertheless, Jacksonsville winning all kinds of ways and it continues today- Jags by 6

Cowboys @ Colts- Indianapolis,the M*A*S*H unit of this year's NFL is still led by "The Man" and they find a way to be competitive every week, despite the 6-5 record. Jason Garrett looking to notch as many wins as possible so Jerry may consider offering him the gig full time, but this week home teams prevail, Indy by 3.

Best game no one seems to care about- Atlanta @ Tampa Bay- NFC leading Atlanta is the current media darling but Raheem Morris has the Bucs seriously in a playoff hunt as the NFC South shows its depth heading to playoff time. The term, "statement game" comes to mind for the Buccaneers but a solid Falcons team on both sides of the ball continues its run to first overall in the NFC playoff seeding. Falcons by 6

NCAA Conference Championship Saturday

Time for some quick picks in this Championship Saturday as we are half hour from kick-off between Auburn and South Carolina and the Civil War in Oregon. So here we go....

SEC- Let down for the Tigers? Entirely possible. After last week's incredible comeback for Auburn it is possible that Cam Newton and teammates may suffer heading into the SEC title game against the Gamecocks. All the pressure is on Auburn as a date for the BCS Championship is on the line, not just a Conference title. Despite the worry of a letdown, Auburn has risen to the task time and again this year and will not disappoint this weekend either.

Auburn 38 South Carolina 31

Big XII- Swan song for Nebraska in an old fashioned Big XII championship game against Oklahoma. Nebraska is pulling up stakes and changing conferences for 2011 and would like to leave the Big XII as outgoing champ. Should be a dandy as both teams finished 10-2 overall and 6-2 within their Conference. Oklahoma won the game in 07 and 08 and these two teams met in 2006 as the Sooners kicked off 3 straight years of championship appearances that year beating the Huskers. Oklahoma usually rock solid in these games but something tells me...

Nebraska 27 Oklahoma 24

Civil War- not a Championship game but involves the number one team in the nation so we will give it some blog real estate.Simple, if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck.. it's going to Glendale

Oregon 42 Oregon St 24

ACC- Virginia Tech started the year as the first victim of Boise State and then the wheels looked to be completely off as they lost to James Madison on September 16th. However, the Hokies regrouped and showed their mettle going undefeated the rest of the way,finishing 10-2. Florida State comes out of the ACC Atlantic and coach Jimbo Fisher looks to reclaim the Florida school's position as conference champion with a win in Charlotte tonight. Tech is on a roll and Frank Beamer caps the '10 season with an ACC crown.

Virginia Tech 24 Florida State 17

Ronnie Wilson's War

Earlier this week on The FAN 590, Toronto's all sports radio station, morning host Andrew Krystal asked former NHL bench boss Barry Melrose what it would take to get Melrose away from the relative calm of the media world and into the Leafs dressing room as head coach. Melrose's answer was firm and final- not enough cash, authority or incentive on the planet to coax him to take over the Leafs if the job was ever offered. All of which points out that despite the naivete of Maple Leaf supporters that there's no life like it, a smart hockey man would avoid the Leafs top job like the plague. Ron Wilson may not be the next Scotty Bowman but he certainly has deserved a better fate than what appears to be staring him in the face if the Leafs fail to make the post season- that is, dismissal at the hands of his friend, Brian Burke. The simple truth is despite a fast and successful start this team is simply not very good- again. Last year's woes, compounded by poor goaltending from Vesa Toskala have been replaced by an anemic offensive output that has left the Leafs shutout in 2 of their last 3 games. Leaf faithful were buoyed by Brian Burke's mid-season changes last year and felt enthused by the off season signings of Colby Armstrong and Chris Versteeg but very little of these personnel moves has borne substantial fruit. Important to remember that both Armstrong and Versteeg were 3rd or 4th liners with Pittsburgh and Chicago and although key parts of Stanley Cup winners they were the ultimate role players, not exactly rivals for frontliners like Crosby and Toews. Thinking they could be anything more in T.O. was wishful thinking at best. Lastly, where would this or any blog be lamenting the team's poor showing without pointing out yet again the debacle that is the Phil Kessel deal? This one appears to be history making and could follow Brian Burke forever- you're welcome, Boston Bruins. So tally it up and Coach Wilson is stuck fighting through an NHL season where once decent expectations have been dampened by too many nights when the Leafs looked like, well, the Leafs. Ron Wilson deserves his share of the responsibility for the lousy record that this team has under his tutelage and he will likely pay for that with his job at the end of the year, but open admissions by former coaches like Melrose that the Leaf gig is radioactive reinforce the notion that it's a lot more than just the coach that has, yet again, in 2010-11 left this franchise hopelessly underachieving and frustrating beyond explanation to the fans of Leaf Nation.

Miami Vice

Sports media loves a story of redemption, see this year model, one Michael Vick, slayer of dogs, ex-con and now poster boy for the forgiveness that pro sports provides and a serious candidate for MVP of the National Football League. So with the concept of redemption on my mind, I can only sit here waiting and wondering if King James and his Miami Heat will become the second great story of redemption this year before the current NBA season ends next spring. I and many others were more than a little disgusted by LeBron's over the top ESPN broadcast of "The Decision" that sent Cleveland's best to south beach to be paired up with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh to form the uber team designed to win in James' words,"6 or 7 championships". From the announcement of his new team to the spectacular pep rally in Miami days later sports media mouths echoed the sentiments of many that seeing this team falter, even fail outright would provide moments of sick satisfaction. Fast forward to December and the Heat are failing by many accounts, even though an 11-8 record to the date of this post puts them 5th in the conference heading into tonight's mega-game versus the Cavaliers. Sports media personalities have delighted in taking the "I told you so " position in regards to the Heat's failures to date arguing that they alone possessed the vision and insight to see this coming and opining on the gravitas of player only meetings and the inevitable demise of Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. It is gleeful, exuberant and the topic du jour for more than one phone in show or column. So perhaps with all this media intellect at play we should not be surprised by where the team and its superstar roster sits but we should also remember that 19 games do not a season make and the humble pie of a rough autumn could easily be replaced by a monstrous winter and spring as the Heat get their act together.If they win, will it be because they have seen the error of their ways in terms of ego and effort and have found glory with hard work, desire and commitment to the cause of winning it all? Mail it in now- if, come mid June, Miami becomes NBA champ at least one sportscaster will consider it a championship earned because they redeemed themselves from the sins of their off season and early season trials. They will swear the salvation gained from perspiration and perseverance was key in getting to the promised land and they will delight in the notion that redemption, not talent made them winners.