2010 Bowl Season Preview: Part VIII

The guru is back for today's second segment. After Kansas State and Syracuse wrap up their Pinstripe Bowl, North Carolina will do battle with Tennessee. Following that matchup will be Nebraska and Washington.

After having seven players suspended for the entire season, the Tar Heels season took a nosedive. The lone bright spot was senior QB TJ Yates, who holds 31 school records. UNC completed 67.5% of their passes this season, a very impressive number. Tennessee has been known to yield yardage through the air, but they have picked off 17 passes against just 13 TDs in 2010. If the Volunteers can limit the damage done by Yates, they will be in a position to succeed as the Tar Heels struggle in the rushing game. UNC totaled the second fewest rushing yards in the ACC and average a paltry 3.6 YPC.

At the helm of the Volunteer offense is freshman QB Tyler Bray, who has thrown for more yards than any freshman in school history, including Peyton Manning. The Vols 56.4% completion percentage is the third lowest in the SEC, but they still manage to accumulate 250 yards per game through the air. UNC has a decent secondary, allowing 19 TDs against 16 INTs. If the Tar Heels defensive backs are sharp, the team should have success because Tennessee also has a weak rushing attack. Their 116.1 rushing yards per game and 3.7 YPC are both by far the worst in the SEC.

In a game with two strong passing attacks and two anemic rushing offenses, the winner may be decided on special teams. UNC averages 9.2 yards per punt return, while Tennessee averages just 3.6. This may be the deciding factor of the game.

The guru selects UNC with 21 confidence points.

Tonight's Holiday Bowl between Nebraska and Washington should be one-sided. The Cornhuskers were one win away from a BCS bid, while Washington became bowl-eligible only after scraping past Pac-10 bottom-dweller Washington State 35-28 in their season finale. Nebraska defeated Washington 56-21 in Seattle earlier this season. Two seasons after going 0-12, the Huskies will be no match for the 'Huskers.

The guru selects Nebraska with 35 confidence points.

2010 Bowl Season Preview: Part VII

Today's slate presents us with four games, the most of any day thus far. Southern Methodist and Army kick off the action at 12:00 EST in the Armed Forces Bowl, while Nebraska and Washington close out the day at 10:00 EST in the Holiday Bowl. With game previews from the guru, there is no reason to leave the house today. Just sit back and enjoy the action.

SMU and Army bring two contrasting styles of play to Dallas. The Mustangs, playing in their home stadium, love to air it out, putting up 273.8 passing yards per game. On the other hand, the Black Knights prefer to pound their opponents into submission. Their 678 rushing attempt are the third most in the FBS. Which philosophy will prove superior in the teams' first meeting since 1967? Read on to find out.

As mentioned, SMU makes their hay throwing the football. On the surface, it appears Army has a strong pass defense, but one must look further. They yield just 190.5 aerial yards per game, a respectable number, but opponents attempt less than 25 throws per game against them, meaning the Black Knights allow 7.8 yards per attempt. For those of you unfamiliar with this stat, that's not very good. Army's ball-control offense drains the clock and reduces the number of plays per game, giving the illusion they have a stout defense. That's not the case. Forcing opposing defenders to drop back into coverage, the Mustangs have gashed their opposition for 4.8 YPC. While the SMU offense may not get enough stats to produce monster stats, they will have success when they are on the field.

Like most service schools, Army utilizes a triple-option offense. But they may encounter some difficulty running the ball on SMU. The Mustangs allow just 3.7 YPC. Should Army fall behind early, a likely scenario against the SMU offense, they will struggle to catch up. They don't pass because they can't. They are the only team in the country who failed to eclipse 1,000 passing yards in 2010.

The guru selects SMU with 31 confidence points.

Playing in the Pinstripe Bowl, contested in the new Yankee Stadium, will be the Syracuse Orange and the Kansas State Wildcats. This should prove to be an interesting matchup of two teams who will run the ball down each other's throat. Kansas State RB Daniel Thomas has a bright future and will likely be playing on Sundays. Syracuse uses a two-back rotation with Delone Carter and speedster Antwon Bailey.

Offensively, the Wildcats rely on the abilities of Thomas. The senior averages over 20 carries per game and still runs for 5.3 YPC. He will undoubtedly rip off some highlight reel runs against an Orange defense that has played surprisingly well this season. Syracuse has allowed the fifth fewest yards per game in the nation, but they will struggle to contain Thomas. With the sad state of the Wildcats' passing attack, expect the Orange to stack the box with regularity.

Syracuse hasn't produced gaudy numbers on offense this season, but the stats don't do them justice. While they won't light up the scoreboard, they are capable of moving the ball efficiently, especially against a Kansas State run defense ranked 118th of 120 FBS teams. The Wildcats have been unable to stop anyone on the ground in 2010. They yield 229.1 rushing yards per game and a pitiful 5.9 YPC. Cupcake schools North Texas and Missouri State combined for 464 rushing yards against the Wildcats. Carter and Bailey will be licking their chops to gash the Kansas State front seven.

The guru selects Syracuse with 20 confidence points.

2010 Bowl Season Preview: Part VI

After an embarrassing miscall on the Hawaii Bowl and getting burnt by a last-second, game-winning field goal in the Little Caesar's Pizza Bowl, the guru was very displeased with himself. He followed up the two misses, the only two of the bowl season, by ignoring the Independence Bowl. Yes, the early start time on a weekday was missed by the guru, who started his analysis at halftime. No excuse for this, totally unacceptable.

But he is hoping to bounce back with a solid prediction for the Champs Sports Bowl, which pits North Carolina State against #22 West Virginia. The game will be played Tuesday night in Orlando, far from the storm that ravaged the Northeast. Fans and players should be able to enjoy warm weather in the Sunshine State.

The Mountaineers will bring a stout defense to Orlando. They are second in the FBS in scoring defense and surrender the third least yards, allowing just 12.8 points and 251.3 yards per game. West Virginia yields only 81.5 yards per contest on the ground. Their 2.7 YPC is tied for the lowest in the country, while the three rushing touchdowns they allowed this year are only half of those allowed by second place Alabama and Clemson. The Mountaineer pass defense is equally potent. Their 10:12 TD:INT ratio is astonishing, as is their ability to stop both the run and the pass. NC State will have a tough time putting points on the board, even with their powerful offense. They led the ACC with over 280 passing yards per game, utilizing the abilities of sophomore QB Russel Wilson. However, they logged just 3.5 YPC and 125 yards per contest on the ground. Expect the Wolfpack to throw early and often against WVU.

The Mountaineers offense is an impressive unit. QB Geno Smith completed 65.0% of his passes this season for 23 TDs and only 7 INTs. Yet they prefer to move the ball on the ground. Their 501 rushing attempts are 41 more than UCONN, who rushed the second most times in the Big East. The Wolfpack secondary isn't particularly daunting. They allowed 20 touchdowns in 2010 against just 8 interceptions. Their strength lies in their run defense, which yields just 113 yards per game and 3.3 YPC.

The crucial matchup is Smith vs the NC State secondary. If the Wolfpack can contain the Mountaineer passing attack, then they should be able to stay in the game, assuming their run defense holds strong. After a poor stretch, the guru is ready to bounce back. He doesn't foresee Smith being held under 200 passing yards and a touchdown.

The guru selects WVU with 25 confidence points.

2010 Bowl Season Preview: Part V

We have seen six bowl games played out thus far in 2010, and only one of them has been decided by fewer than 20 points. This trend may be reversed as the next few games pit teams with similar styles against one another. For instance, tonight's Hawaii Bowl figures to be exciting as two of the nation's premiere offenses prepare to battle. If you love watching two high-octane attacks duke it out, make sure to tune in tonight.

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The Hawaii Warriors (playing in their home stadium) will take on the Tulsa Golden Hurricane in what will surely be a high-scoring affair. Hawaii boasts the nation's top-rated passing attack, averaging a ridiculous 387.8 yards per game. The Warriors should have little difficulty putting up points against the Golden Hurricane, owners of the second worst pass defense in the nation. Hawaii is more than capable of moving the ball on the ground as well, averaging 5.0 YPC. Running back Alex Green has over 1,100 yards on the season and has recorded an obscene 8.8 YPC. Likely forced to drop seven or eight defenders into coverage on most plays, Tulsa will have difficulty stopping Hawaii's running game. If the Warriors fail to score 30 points, it will be a major disappointment.

Fortunately for Tulsa, they have a potent offense themselves. They are averaging over 500 combined rushing and passing yards per game, good enough for 5th in the nation. Their rushing attack accounts for over 200 yards per game and averages 5.2 YPC. Hawaii has a stingy run defense, yielding just 3.5 YPC and and has recovered 13 fumbles on the year. The Warrior pass defense is impressive too, allowing 21 aerial touchdowns against 23 interceptions, the most in the FBS. For Tulsa to have success, they must protect the football. Hawaii's offense is too good to give any extra chances. However, avoiding turnovers is a tall task against the nation's leader in takeaways and interceptions.

For those fans interested in more than just the final score, there are plenty of other things to keep an eye on tonight. Tulsa junior Damaris Johnson is fourth on the NCAA’s career all-purpose yardage list with 7,470 yards. Johnson needs just 104 yards to pass DeAngelo Williams for third place. Hawaii WR Greg Salas needs three receptions and 39 receiving yards to break the Warriors’ single-season records in both categories. The 6'2," 210 pound has 106 receptions for 1,675 yards and 12 touchdowns this season.

The guru selects Hawaii with 30 confidence points.

2010 Bowl Season Preview: Part IV

As we have seen numerous times this year, tonight's Poinsettia Bowl contest between San Diego State and Navy will played by two teams with two wildly different mindsets. The Midshipmen have long been known for their triple-option offense, a sharp contrast from the Aztecs air-it-out philosophy. When the dust settles tonight in Qualcomm Stadium (where the Aztecs play their home games) we will see which strategy proves to be superior.

As stated, Navy loves to pound the ball down their opponent's throat, employing the rushing talents of QB Ricky Dobbs. With this philosophy, the Midshipmen have earned the nation's sixth-ranked rushing attack, averaging 5.4 YPC. However, they have difficulty gaining yards through the air. Their 117 passing yards per game is the third worst in the FBS. Unfortunately for Navy, the Aztecs have a stout run defense, allowing only 3.6 YPC. In an earlier matchup against Air Force, another triple-option team, San Diego State prevailed 27-25. They conceded 312 yards on the ground, but this extreme number is due to the 62 carries they faced in that game.

On the other hand, San Diego State employs a pass-heavy offensive scheme, averaging just shy of 300 yards per game. Put alongside a rushing attack with 4.6 YPC, the Aztecs are an offense to be feared. The Midshipmen allowed their opponents to complete 67.8% of their passes this season, third worst in the country. Their run defense isn't particularly strong either, being gashed for 156 yards per game and 4.4 YPC.

Navy has had trouble playing from behind, a situation they will likely face tonight. If forced to abandon their run-heavy strategy, the Midshipmen will be in bad shape. The Aztecs enter the game on a hot streak, losing to #3 TCU and #25 Utah by a combined nine points. Navy's last game against an opponent with a winning record was played in October. Due to excessive rain, field conditions will be poor, which benefits Navy. At the end of the day, I don't believe this will help them salvage a win.

The guru selects San Diego State with 17 confidence points.

2010 Bowl Season Preview: Part III

Tonight's MAACO Bowl features two teams that were ranked in the nation's top ten this season, adding some excitement to a stretch of dry matchups. Or so you would think. The game has the makings of a blowout, as Boise State tries to show why they were in the national title picture just weeks ago.

Before their devastating defeat at the hands of Nevada, the Broncos were legitimate candidates to the play in the BCS title game. However, the overtime nightmare dropped the team with the blue turf to #11 in the polls and a pre-Christmas bowl game, a far cry from their BCS hopes. Utah was enjoying an undefeated season as well before a 47-7 shellacking at the hands of TCU dropped the Utes from the top ten. They followed TCU debacle with a 28-3 defeat at South Bend, showing the effects a disappointing loss can have on a team.

The stats favor Boise, and it's not even close. Offensively, the Broncos are among the nation's elite. They rushed for over 200 yards per game and 5.4 YPC, scoring 33 touchdowns on the ground. The Utes field a stout run defense, allowing slightly over 100 yards per game and just 3.0 YPC. However, their problem begins with a suspect secondary. They have allowed opponents over 200 yards per game and to complete 60% of their passes. That will be an issue against Heisman finalist Kellen Moore, whose 70.3 completion percentage is second best in the country. He has thrown 36 TDs against just five interceptions while averaging 319.4 yards per game. Advantage Broncos.

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The Boise defenders are rather impressive too, finishing fourth in the FBS in total defense. Utah is second in the Mountain West with just under 3,000 passing yards in twelve games, but they will be without starting QB Jordan Wynn, who sustained a season-ending shoulder injury. Backup Terrance Cain has proven himself capable throughout his career, leading his team to a 9-1 record in his ten starts. Unfortunately for the senior Cain, his last college game will come against a Broncos defense ranked third in the country in passing defense. Boise has picked off 14 passes while allowing only 8 aerial touchdowns, a ridiculous ratio. The Utes will likely be stuffed on the ground as well, where their rushers will face a defense surrendering 2.9 YPC, fourth best in the nation.

An argument can be made that the Broncos will be dispirited and therefore play poorly, just as Utah did after their slaughter against Texas Christian. However, Boise State bounced back after their loss to beat Utah State 50-14. I believe they will be anxious to prove their imperfection was a fluke and that they should be playing in a BCS game. With all the talent on the Broncos roster, it's hard to make a case against them.

The guru selects Boise State with 32 confidence points.

2010 Bowl Season Preview: Part II

After correctly predicting the winner in all three bowl games played Saturday, the guru is back to preview the always popular Beef ‘O’Brady's Bowl. The Tuesday evening matchup will be played between the Louisville Cardinals and the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles. Before the Cardinals moved to the Big East, these two teams were rivals in Conference USA. Southern Miss leads the all-time series 18-9-1.

As with the New Orleans Bowl, these two teams bring contrasting styles of play to the table. Southern Miss is one of only thirteen FBS teams to average over 200 yards per game both rushing and passing. On the other sideline, the Cardinals are ranked 11th nationally in total defense, allowing just over 300 yards per game. Keep an eye on Golden Eagles QB Austin Davis, who has completed over 63% of his passses this season. His two favorite targets are WRs Kelvin Bolden and Johdrick Morris, who both caught over 40 passes in 2010. Fantasy owners may want to take a look at the 6'3" Morris, who will be licking his chops to play against a Louisville secondary lacking a CB over 5'11".

Louisville prefers to pound the ball down their opponents throat; they rushed on over 36 plays per game this season, leading the Big East with 4.9 YPC. This should create an interesting matchup considering the success of the Golden Eagles' run defense, who yield just 3.6 YPC. With a strong running game, look for the Cardinals to try and control the time of possession and keep the Southern Miss offense off of the field.

The guru selects Louisville with 9 confidence points.

2010 Bowl Season Preview: Part I

Bowl season is here, capturing the attention of millions of egg-nog chugging, cookie-gorging Americans, especially those involved in pick 'em challenges. The first few matchups are rather bland, but after a few weeks without college football, plenty of pigskin-deprived fans will be tuning in. Besides, if you don't watch the first one, you can't watch them all. The guru is here to give you his take on the opening games, so that you can impress your relatives with your knowledge of University of Texas El Paso Miners. Quick, what's the name of UTEP's mascot?

The first postseason matchup of the year is the New Mexico Bowl, famous (?) for its symbolic trophy. (A traditional Native American clay pot emblazoned with the image of one of the state's great football players, for those of you who don't click the link.) Comparable to the Lombardi Trophy? You bet. The games pits the BYU Cougars against the aforementioned Miners of El Paso. The Cougars come in having won four of their last five, while UTEP has dropped five of their past six. Neither team has a notable ranking in offense or defense, passing or rushing. But give the edge to the Cougars, who come in hot having nearly defeated rival Utah, currently 19th in the BCS rankings, in their regular season finale.

The guru selects BYU with 16 confidence points, for you pick 'em players.

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My hat goes off to any of you who knew correctly identified Paydirt Pete.

The second game on the schedule is the Humanitarian Bowl, played in beautiful Boise, Idaho. (What a sweet destination for a mid-December game.) Duking it out will be Northern Illinois and Fresno State. The Huskies (Northern Illinois. Again, I bet most of your relatives won't know that one.) enter the game looking for their eleventh win, which would be the most in school history. But they are dealing with the departure of head coach Jerry Kill, who fled for the University of Minnesota. Fresno State, sans NFL first round pick Ryan Mathews, took a major step backwards in 2010. The Bulldogs aren't weak in any one field, but they lack a defining quality. NIU's potent rushing attack (6.2 YPC, 28 TDs) leads them past Fresno State.

The guru choose NIU with 10 confidence points.

Rounding out Saturday's action, the Troy Trojans will square off against the Ohio Bobcats in the New Orleans Bowl. The Trojans have a high-flying passing attack, which contrasts sharply with Ohio's strong rushing offense. The Bobcats' anemic passing game will keep them from capitalizing on Troy's miserable secondary, which yields some of the most yards in the FBS. The Bobcats have a stout run defense, which will do them little good against the arm of Troy QB Corey Robinson, who threw for over 3,000 yards this season. In a game of conflicting offensive strategies (light up the scoreboard vs control the clock), it will be interesting to see which method comes through.

The guru says Troy with 12 confidence points.

With almost a month of bowl games ahead of us, take the time to start the holiday season on the right foot. Tune in for these seemingly boring games because, you never know when they may get interesting. (Just kidding. That link is actually really boring. I never thought I would find a Youtube video with only 1 view. Never underestimate the magnitude of the New Orleans Bowl.)

College Bowl Pick 'Em Challenge

After yet another glorious year, we have reached the pinnacle of the college football season. Yes, the bowls are finally here. There are thirty five this year, meaning that there will undoubtedly be some duds. However, this this is the time when we see more inter-conference games than ever, ending debates (somewhat) that have been raging for months as to who has a tougher schedule.

To celebrate, the guru is hosting a tournament. All are welcome to compete in the College Bowl Pick 'Em Challenge, where contestants must predict the outcome of all 35 bowl games. To complicate matters, challengers must rank the games in order of their confidence in the selection. If you correctly predict the winner of the game you ranked highest, then you receive 35 points, second highest, 34 points, etc. However, if you do not choose the winner, you receive no points.

The tournament will be hosted by the fine folks at Yahoo! Sports. To enter, contestants must have a Yahoo! username, which are free and simple to create. Once signed in, navigate to the fantasy sports page. About half-way down the right-hand side, there will be a link that says "College Bowl Pick 'Em: Sign Up Now." Choose "Join A Group," then enter the following information:

League ID: 5593
Password: college

If you have difficulty registering, contact the guru at FANTASYguru37@gmail.com.

As always, the winner earns a spot in the prestigious fantasy football expert league hosted by the guru. Don't miss out on your chance to compete head-to-head with the guru himself.

NBA Offseason Changes

As baseball playoffs roll on and the football season kicks into high gear, it is easy to forget that basketball is about to begin. However, with the emergence of the Heat as everyone’s favorite villains, the NBA is sure to be noticed this year even in markets without a team. In order to compete with Miami, several other teams have made big moves this offseason, many of them bringing in multiple stars instead of just one. The uneven distribution of talent this season is unlike anything we’ve seen in recent years, but it could make for an especially interesting season.

The most notable offseason moves were, of course, made by the Heat. By bringing in superstars SF/PF LeBron James and PF Chris Bosh to compliment SG Dwayne Wade, Miami can make a case for having assembled the most talented team in the modern era of the NBA. With the signings of clutch three point shooters SF Mike Miller and G Eddie House, it looks like everyone is bringing their talents to South Beach.  While Miami will be weak at center, likely starting Chris Bosh out of his natural position, it seems inevitable their incredible talent level will ultimately overcome their other weaknesses and the team could well make a run at the record for wins in a single season (72, set by Michael Jordan’s Bulls in 1995-96).

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The team with the second biggest improvement in the offseason was surely the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls already had rising young stars PG Derrick Rose and C/PF Joakim Noah. After having signed PF Carlos Boozer (though he will miss significant time at the start of the season because of a hand injury) and SF Kyle Korver, the Bulls look to be even better than last year and are likely one of the top three teams in the Eastern Conference.

Other potential contenders that made important moves include Phoenix, Utah, New York, and Boston. After making it to the conference finals last year, Phoenix took a step back by losing PF Amare Stoudemire, one of the best scoring big men in the game. However, they still have perennial all star PG Steve Nash, and they acquired PF Hedo Turkoglu in a trade with Toronto, so they should continue to contend in the West. Utah lost Carlos Boozer to free agency, but traded with Minnesota for PF/C Al Jefferson, a premier low post player who will surely work well with PG Deron Williams. The New York Knicks, perennial bottom-feeders, acquired Amare Stoudemire in free agency, and are likely to jump from irrelevancy to contention in the relatively weak Eastern Conference. The Celtics brought in two competent centers to shore up the position after finding out that C Kendrick Perkins would miss much of the beginning of the season. They signed both C Shaquille O’Neal and C Jermaine O’Neal, raising questions not only about playing time but also about how two keep straight two players at the same position with the same last name.

While many big name players have changed teams this offseason, most of the powerhouse franchises of the past few years will still have the star power and chemistry to contend for the title. While everyone’s attention is focused on the Heat, the proven teams will at least challenge this superteam for supremacy, and we will undoubtedly have another entertaining season in the NBA.

written by BirdOfPrey18

edited by Fantasy Guru 37

NCAAF Pick 'Em: Week 2

Opening week was a wake-up call for many of college football's top teams. Florida struggled against Miami (Ohio) in their first game sans Tim Tebow. Oklahoma barely came out on top against Utah State playing without Sam Bradford. More disastrous was Ole Miss' loss to FCS opponent Jacksonville State. The guru got off to a slow start as well, but he is expecting improved results in the second week. Good luck to all pick 'em contestants.

Note that the number in parentheses denotes the spread.

Wake Forest (-6) vs Duke     Wake Forest
Georgia Tech (-14) at Kansas     Georgia Tech
South Carolina (-3) vs Georgia     South Carolina
Army (-3) vs Hawaii     Army
Florida (-15) vs South Florida     Florida
Oklahoma (-7) vs Florida State     Florida State
Iowa (-13.5) vs Iowa State     Iowa
Ohio State (-8.5) vs Miami (Florida)     Miami (Florida)
California (-10) vs Colorado     California
Notre Dame (-4) vs Michigan     Michigan
Air Force (-1) vs BYU     Air Force
Washington (-13.5) vs Syracuse     Syracuse
Oregon (-12) at Tennessee     Oregon
LSU (-9.5) at Vanderbilt     LSU
Alabama (-12) vs Penn State     Penn State
Texas A&M vs Louisiana Tech     Texas A&M
Central Florida (-3) vs NC State     NC State
Ole Miss (-20.5) at Tulane     Ole Miss
Southern California (-19.5) vs Virginia     Southern California
Stanford (-6) at UCLA     Stanford

Wake Forest is without Riley Skinner and the Blue Devils are missing Thaddeus Lewis. The Demon Deacons win at home in the new QBs first ACC game...Turner Gill will turn his new team around after a 6-3 loss to North Dakota State in his debut, but recall the Jayhawks surrendering 4.0 YPC in 2009. Not helpful against Georgia Tech's triple-option attack...The Bulldogs may be ranked higher than the other USC, but expect the Gamecocks to come out on top. It seems as though Steve Spurrier has finally implemented the high-scoring offense he was famous for at Florida...The Black Knights do one thing offensively, and that is run the football. The Warriors surrendered 246 yards on the ground last week (7.0 YPC) and 2,624 yards in 2009 (4.9 YPC). Expect Army to pound the ball with success almost every snap. Plus, Hawaii can't be happy about playing in West Point...Florida certainly struggled offensively in Week 1, fumbling eight times en route to 25 total yards of offense after three quarters. But the athletes the Gators have are just too much for USF to handle...After allowing 341 passing yards to Utah State, expect Oklahoma to have trouble containing FSU QB Christian Ponder, who went 12-14 on Saturday. Don't sleep on the Seminoles this week in Norman...With one of the nations' premiere defenses, Iowa should have no trouble handling their in-state rival Cyclones, whom they have held without a touchdown since 2006, a streak currently at 14 quarters. QB Ricky Stanzi (18-23 last week) will keep things moving offensively to cover the spread...The premiere game of the weekend will be the battle between Ohio State and Miami (Florida). Playing in Columbus, Terrelle Pryor will likely lead his Buckeyes to victory, but the 8.5 point spread may be too much to overcome...The Irish defense answered questions about their supposes lack of speed against Purdue, but Michigan QB Denard Robinson will give them headaches. Wolverines upset Notre Dame in South Bend...BYU looked impressive in their win against Washington, but Air Force is an entirely different opponent. Expect the Cougars to struggle containing the Falcons' option offense...Washington will likely win the game, but won't outscore Syracuse by two touchdowns...Oregon brings their ultra-explosive offense to Knoxville this weekend, where Volunteer fans are missing NFL first round draft picks Eric Berry and Dan Williams. The Ducks win comfortably on the road...Vanderbilt played well against Northwestern in their opening game, but LSU is too good for a 9.5 point spread...Alabama will be without Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram, but backup Trent Richardson has the goods to pick up the slack. The Tide, who lost three cornerbacks to the NFL, will be victorious, but not by 12 points...

NCAAF Pick 'Em: Week 1

College football season is upon us and for those dedicated fans who partake in weekly pick 'em competitions, the first weekend is as crucial as they come. Fortunately, the guru is here to share his predictions on the opening week, along with some short commentary to explain his thinking. Enjoy.

Missouri (-12.0) vs Illinois     Missouri

Colorado (-11.5) at Colorado State     Colorado

Kansas State (-1.5) vs UCLA     Kansas State

Michigan (-2.5) vs Connecticut     Connecticut

Texas (-30.5) at Rice     Texas

Kentucky (-3.5) at Louisville     Louisville

Notre Dame (-11.0) vs Purdue     Notre Dame

Virginia (Off) vs Richmond     Richmond

Syracuse (-8.5) at Akron     Syracuse

Mississippi State (-21.0) vs Memphis     Mississippi State

BYU (-2.5) vs Washington     Washington

Northwestern (-4.5) at Vanderbilt     Vanderbilt

TCU (-13.5) vs Oregon State     TCU

LSU (-6.5) at North Carolina     LSU

Fresno State (-2.5) vs Cincinnati     Cincinnati

Wisconsin (-20.5) at UNLV     Wisconsin

Tulsa (-7.5) at East Carolina     Tulsa

Texas Tech (-13.5) vs SMU     Texas Tech

Navy (-6.0) at Maryland    Navy

Boise State (-2.0) at Virginia Tech     Boise State

Illinois prepares to play its first game in the post- Juice-Williams-era against Missouri. The Fighting Illini enter the game minus two starters in what was already a shaky secondary, not a problem you want to have against Missouri...Colorado attempts to avenge last year's opening week upset against in-state rival Colorado State. Look for the Buffs to pressure true freshman QB Pete Thomas from the first snap...Playing without four starters on the offensive line, look for UCLA to have trouble getting settled offensively against Kansas State. It doesn't help that the Bruins are traveling half way across the country to play in a different time zone...Self-proclaimed experts are writing off UCONN's chances because of their inability to handle the pressure of playing in the recently expanded Big House, but those clowns fail to note that the Huskies won on the road in South Bend last year and that their five losses in 2009 came by a total of fifteen points...While Texas won't score at the same rate they have over the past few seasons, look for the Longhorns defense to shut down Rice. Garret Gilbert should be able to accumulate 35 points against the young Owls...Look for Louisville to upset Kentucky in the Governor Cup. The Cardinals will have an entirely different look on both sides of the ball this season under new head coach Charlie Strong, formerly employed as the defensive coordinator at Florida...Have faith in the hurry-up offense of new Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly. If the Irish can execute the new system, overcoming an 11 point spread should not be too difficult...Don't sleep on Richmond in their upcoming game against Virginia. The Spiders, FCS National Champions in 2008, won't be an easy win for the Cavaliers...After holding Akron's offense to 50 yards in the second half last season, Syracuse should have no trouble overcoming an 8.5 point spread against the Zips...After going 2-10 in 2009 while playing in Conference USA, Memphis will struggle on the road against SEC foe Mississippi State...BYU will be a tough test for Heisman candidate Jake Locker and Washington, but the guru foresees the Huskies winning in Provo, which would be their first road win since 2007...Northwestern may be without QB Mike Kafka, but the Wildcats should be able to outscore Vanderbilt by five points...Playing in Cowboys Stadium will be one heck of a debut for Oregon State QB Ryan Katz, who will make his first collegiate start against sixth-ranked TCU. On the other side of the ball, QB Andy Dalton needs one more victory to become the winningest signal caller in Horned Frog history. Fourteen extra points will be tough for the Frogs to muster, but take a gamble on them covering the spread...Distracted by a recent investigation and without at least one dozen players, UNC will be at a serious disadvantage against LSU this weekend...The Cincinnati Bearcats are without coach Brian Kelly and QB Tony Pike, but Zach Collaros proved himself as a passer last season. Fresno State will be missing Ryan Mathews, the nation's leading rusher in 2009. In what will likely become a shootout, give the edge to the Bearcats...Assuming the Badgers can avoid the temptations of Sin City, #12 Wisconsin should be able to dispatch UNLV with ease...Expect the high-octane Golden Hurricane offense to pounce on the Pirates of East Carolina. Tulsa covers the spread without difficulty...While Texas Tech may not have the obscene passing statistics from 2008, they are still Texas Tech and SMU is still SMU. Enough said...Maryland will certainly improve on a disastrous 2009, but they will struggle to stop the triple-option attack of Navy's Ricky Dobbs...Virginia Tech will be a tough opponent for Boise State, but we all know how the Broncos perform in big games. With 20 returning starters, the men of the blue turf will be too much for the ACC-favorite Hokies.

Fantasy Take: The Return of Favre

It's official: Favre Watch 2010 is over. The forty year-old announced this week that he will return for a twentieth NFL season, hoping to extend his record for most consecutive starts (285 regular season, 309 including playoffs). What does this mean for fantasy owners? Those who already drafted Vikings can breathe a sigh of relief, but just how much?

The biggest benefactor from the return is undoubtedly wideout Sidney Rice. The former Gamecock exploded onto the fantasy scene in his third season, catching 83 passes for 1,312 yards and eight touchdowns with Favre at the helm. Draft him with confidence as your #1 fantasy receiver because he will certainly produce. In order to do so, you will likely be forced to spend a high pick; he is typically the sixth or seventh receiver off the board, a price you should be willing to pay. As with all Vikings, his success is tied to the health of Favre, but keep in mind that the graybeard hasn't sat out a game since 1992.

Adrian Peterson should be the first pick in every league this year, PPR or not, for reasons outlined here. He is the only player in the league, with the exception of Drew Brees, that brings zero questions to the table. He has the talent, the opportunity, and the supporting cast to put up solid numbers week in and week out. Landing him at #2 overall is a steal. A bold statement, but true. The return of Favre is simply icing on the cake.

Percy Harvin continues to struggle with migraine issues, reportedly collapsing on the sideline during training camp. Should he be able to play this season, and those who owned him last year remember the headaches his headaches caused, he should improve on the 790 receiving yards from his rookie year. He also adds some yards on the ground and returns kicks, which helps his draft stock. Drafting Harvin comes with big risk, one the guru is not willing to take at the current ADP (#60 overall, #24 WR).

You have certainly heard the story with tight end Visanthe Shiancoe. He doesn't rack up a ton of yards, but he makes up for it in the TD column. The fact of the matter is that this leads to wild inconsistency, one of the most frustrating traits of a fantasy player. If you can handle ups and downs, pull the trigger on Shiancoe because Favre targets him in the redzone. Owners looking for reliability should look elsewhere.

As for Bernard Berrian, scratch him off your draft list. He is listed as #2 on the Vikings depth chart, but he doesn't get enough looks from Favre to warrant consideration as a fantasy receiver. With a late pick in your draft, take a shot on someone with potential instead of burning one on a guy with the ceiling of Berrian.

Favre himself becomes solid starter at QB. Assuming improvement from the Minnesota defense and an unwillingness to expose the old man, the Vikes will look to run more this year. His recent ascendancy into the top 3 fantasy quarterbacks will be short lived. Look for him after guys like Matt Schaub and Philip Rivers are off the board.

So there you have it. After months of uncertainty, we can now be sure that Brett Favre will play in 2010. For now, anyway.

Image of the Week

reuters.com

Surprisingly garnering little attention from the media, Usain Bolt was beaten in a track event earlier this month, his first defeat in two years. The Jamaican, owner of world records in both the 100 and 200 meter sprints and reigning Olympic Gold Medalist in both events, turned in the second slowest final time (9.97 seconds) of his career, finishing .13 seconds behind American Tyson Gay. The upset occurred during a Samsung Diamond League event in Stockholm, the same venue where Bolt suffered his previous defeat in 2008. While both runners acknowledged that the Jamaican was not at 100%, it is certainly notable when a world record holder is defeated. More interesting than the NFL preseason? Without a doubt.

Image of the Week

golf.com

Once again, we head back to the golf course for the week's most notable image. This time around we are here to recognize Stuart Appleby's greatness in posting a score of 59 to claim victory at the 2010 Greenbrier Classic. Appleby, fist pumping above, became just the fifth man in PGA Tour history to break 60 shots in a single round. His card included nine birdies (Nine!) and an eagle, while being completely devoid of ugly squares.

Appleby was an unlikely source for such greatness. His last PGA Tour victory came in 2006. Since then, he had fallen to 159th in the official World Golf Rankings. The fabulous final round at the Greenbrier propelled him to 94th in the world entering this weekend's Bridgestone Invitational.

Fantasy Take: Ben Roethlisberger Suspension

You are most certainly aware of Ben Roethlisberger's alleged sexual assault cases. More than likely you know that he faces a minimum four game suspension. What you don't know is how this will affect the fantasy world. Self-proclaimed experts will fill your head with garbage about how this is Rashard Mendenhall's big break. They're wrong. They haven't been to Pittsburgh Steelers training camp. The guru has. He has been at St. Vincent College numerous times since the team reported to Latrobe. Trust the guru.

Do not, under any circumstances, draft Roethlisberger in the top 15 quarterbacks. Most rankings around the web have him between 12 and 15. Don't be the moron that wastes a pick on him. He will miss the first four games of the season, enjoy the Steelers' bye in Week 5, and possibly miss more games after that. This means he won't be available to fantasy owners until Week 6 at the earliest. Can you go five games without him and deploy the former stud down the stretch? Only if he returns without any rust and earns the respect of his teammates, two big if's. Still tempted to take a shot? Realize that he will face the Bengals, Jets, and Panthers in Weeks 14-16, three teams that ranked in the top six against the pass in 2009. In the three games leading up to the fantasy playoffs, the Steelers take on the Raiders (7th), Bills (2nd), and Ravens (8th). Why mess with these matchups? Let someone else take the headache while you grab up-and-coming QBs like Chad Henne and Matthew Stafford.

Pundits will tell you that Mendenhall will be a beast in the opening games because he will get plenty of carries with Byron Leftwich under center. Then they say his domination will continue when Big Ben returns because he won't see stacked defensive fronts. They will spin the argument whichever way it satisfies their stance, regardless of whether or not they switch back and forth. The Steelers had a shaky offensive line to begin with and now RT Willie Colon is out for the year with a torn Achilles tendon. (This won't help Roethlisberger either. The Steelers surrendered 50 sacks in 2009.) Avoid Mendenhall in the first round.

Everyone is high on second-year receiver Mike Wallace. As a rookie, Wallace produced 756 yards and 6 touchdowns, quite an impressive feat for a first year player. Looking further into the data, as the guru always does, will reveal that Wallace is primed for a disappointing season. He is known best for his deep-ball catches, reeling in passes of 51, 47, 40, 60, 45, and 54 yards in 2009. These six catches accounted for nearly 40% of his yardage total. How much time will Steelers' QBs have in the pocket to hit Wallace downfield? Not much, meaning that Heath Miller and Hines Ward are the Steelers you want to own.

Will Big Ben return in Week 6? And will he have the respect of his teammates? Does Rashard Mendenhall warrant a first-round selection? Will speedster Mike Wallace prove me wrong? Will Antwaan Randle El be a source of passing yards in 2010? Make yourself heard in the comments.

Image of the Week

PittsburghPenguins.com

It's always time to talk about hockey. Even a story totally irrelevant in the fantasy world, such as the christening of a new arena, demands attention. So when an all-time great like Mario Lemieux joins a superstar like Sidney Crosby as the first to skate at a $300+ million facility like Consol Energy Center (Click that link. It's a great article on a terrific website.), the event will be frozen in time and enshrined as an Image of the Week.

Most people may not appreciate the magnitude of this day, quickly forgetting the near certainty of the franchise's departure from Pittsburgh. Seeing the most influential man Pittsburgh sports history, a man so revered by all, stepping onto fresh ice alongside the Penguins' future should evoke euphoria in anyone who calls his or herself a Pens fan. As chronicled on the team's official site, this is the day for which Lemieux and the entire organization has yearned for. Do yourself a favor and take a moment to reflect on the significance of this skate.

Fantasy Take: Terrell Owens Signing

Fantasy owners are buzzing over the Cincinnati Bengals' signing of wide receiver Terrell Owens. While it is never surprising to see the Bengals look beyond a player's perceived off-field issues, this decision is particularly befuddling. Owens will be paired with Chad Ochocinco, possibly the only player in the league with a stronger desire for attention. In 2009, the pair combined for 1,876 yards, 13 touchdowns, and two reality TV shows. This has the ingredients for disaster.

The receiver formerly known as Chad Johnson clashes with Owens two seasons ago.

eurweb.com

From a fantasy perspective, the move isn't exactly major. The Bengals will remain a run-first team. They intend to give RB Cedric Benson around 20 touches per game, while mixing in the elusive Bernard Scott. Owens will step into the role originally filled by Antonio Bryant, who is recovering from knee surgery. TO's presence will force opposing defenses to decide which aging, overrated wideout they want to focus their attention on. Ochocinco will benefit from having Owens drawing coverage to the other side of the field and will likely remain QB Carson Palmer's first look in the redzone. Neither receiver should be relied upon as more than a low-end #2 receiver on your fantasy squad this year. The move is also a strong indicator that Cincinnati has little faith in Bryant's recovery. It's typically best to avoid #3 receivers coming off of knee surgery on teams that are inclined to run. Palmer gets a slight boost in the quarterback rankings, but he remains nothing more than a fantasy backup.

Do you have faith in either receiver? Does Carson Palmer have enough left in the tank to capitalize on the receiving corps upgrade? More importantly, how foes Mrs. Palmer feel about the signing? Let your voice be heard in the comment section.

Image of the Week

Sports Illustrated

Admittedly, there is not much to discuss in the world of sports, at least not important sports. Call my decision to discuss magazine covers from 2009 desperation. I prefer the term creativity. This week's pair of images were printed by Sports Illustrated in June of 2009 after the Pittsburgh Penguins and Los Angeles Lakers were both declared champions. Subscribers received an issue with one of these two images on the cover, depending on where they lived geographically.

I am going to examine the difference in reaction of Sidney Crosby and Kobe Bryant. As you can clearly see, Crosby displayed a much higher level of emotion. It's fair to say that hoisting Lord Stanley's Cup was the happiest moment of his life. Bryant, on the other hand, was much calmer. The NBA star simply squatted on the court and flashed a smile of content.

Why was Crosby so much more ecstatic than Bryant? Each man had claimed the most elusive title in their respective sports, leading their team through months of hard-fought battles to reach the pinnacle of their careers. Of course, Bryant has won the NBA Title before, while Crosby was lifting the Stanley Cup for the first time. That may have contributed slightly to the difference of expression. But this was "Kobe's Moment." He had finally proven that he could win without Shaq. Shouldn't he have been more enthusiastic?

The answer is yes. Bryant should have been bouncing off the walls, running around like a maniac, acting like a kid, "The Kid and the Cup." Crosby spent his entire childhood dreaming of the day when he would hoist the Cup, not because he wanted to validate his career or win the Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to hockey's playoff MVP, but because he wanted to win the team title. Bryant's motives for winning were much more self-centered. He wanted to prove he could win on his own, lead a team to a championship without any help. He wanted to assert himself as the best basketball player in the world.

Sid the Kid, in contrast, was much more animated. His life-long dream of hoisting hockey's Holy Grail had been realized. His expression, untainted by his prepubescent playoff beard, was one of pure joy. The Stanley Cup is the world's greatest trophy, one that bears the names of past champions, one that is passed on from year to year, not replicated for each season. It is the most storied and hallowed trophy in all of sports, a tangible object that symbolizes an intangible feeling. The Stanley Cup is the world's greatest trophy, and the NHL is better for it.


Special thanks to the Caboose for his help with the brainstorming of this story.

Blog Features

The blog has undergone a recent expansion, extending the guru's infinite wisdom into a wonderful place called Philadelphia. (Insert Filthydelphia joke here.) With many new viewers checking out the blog, I felt it would be beneficial to explain the layout of the site.

The newest feature of the blog is the mailing list. You may sign up for the guru's newsletter by entering your email address and first name. The opt-in form can be found on the right-hand side of the page near the top, directly under the "banner" advertisement. There is no cost to join the mailing list. Those who sign up will receive exclusive offers from the guru himself, including personal fantasy consulting and draft-day advice. Your information will not be given to any third-party, nor will we spam you.

Under the mailing list, you will find the blog archive. From this area, you can link to any previous post ever written on the blog. The articles are organized by month. This is also an easy way to get to the comment section of each post.

Beneath the archive is a Google gadget to search the blog. Type in your keywords and you will be redirected to any article containing those search terms.

The search gadget is right above the section entitled "Sites to Check Out." These are six websites the guru frequents that contain interesting content. You are encouraged to visit these sites. They are not affiliated with the blog in any way, but they are worth your time. To better understand the link entitled "Guru Withdrawal Hotline," read this post from late January.

The next section down is one of the most important on the entire site. This is the Followers feature, which allows you to officially pledge your support for the blog. If you choose to "follow" the site, you become part of a network of fellow followers (tongue twister) that can offer you certain advice. These experienced blog veterans may point you to other quality blogs or teach you more about navigating this particular site. This is a very useful feature.

At the very bottom of the page, you will find a link that reads "Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)." This is the guru's RSS feed. Simply put, this puts the blog in a different format that some followers find easier to read. There is no cost to subscribe.

To the right of the RSS feed link is a link to "Older Posts." This will take you to, you guessed it, older posts. Here you can find even more fantasy insight and works of pure genius from the guru.

Earlier I mentioned commenting. If you feel like publishing your thoughts on a post, you may do so by name or anonymously. To comment, click on the link at the bottom of each post that reads "# comments (click here to add yours)." The guru will respond to most comments left here.

You may have heard something about an expert league. This league is sponsored by the blog. Participation is by invitation only. It is comprised of the best fantasy managers on the face of the planet. There are numerous ways to qualify, the next of which will be available shortly.

I would like to take another opportunity to welcome all viewers to the site. I hope you find it to be interesting and informative. You are all encouraged to come back and be enlightened again. If you have any questions or would like to contact the guru directly, feel free to email him at FANTASYguru37@gmail.com. Good luck this season, and be a part of The Solution.

Trivia Challenge Winner

The time has come to crown the champion of the first ever Trivia Challenge. In order to capture victory, a knowledgeable blog follower must be able to successfully identity a mystery figure from a set of clues designed to trick even the brightest of minds. To complicate matters even further, only one contestant may be awarded victory, meaning that only the first challenger to correctly identify the mystery man receives anything. This adds a level of stress and uncertainty to an already difficult task.

But the reward for winning is great. The champion receives an invitation to play in the 2010 Fantasy Guru 37 Fantasy Football Expert Challenge, the guru's own expert league. Slots in the league are filling quickly, as champions of prior challenges have accepted their positions. Be sure to check back early and often for the next Trivia Challenge, as you too can earn a slot in the prestigious league.

Without further ado, the guru would like to welcome Auz to the 2010 FG37FFEC. Auz was the first of multiple contestants to successfully identify Kordell Stewart as the mystery man. In addition to his trivia success, Auz was also named Gatorade Player of the Week for his performance at the Penn State Advanced High School Hockey Camp, where he captained the Blue Bandits to a 3-0-1 record. Auz has requested an opportunity to recognize his roommate, to whom he attributes his success. Congratulations, from the guru, and unofficially from Kordell Stewart himself.

myspace.com

Image of the Week

This week's image depicts golf legend Tom Watson saying farewell to St. Andrews, the most storied course in all of golf. Most casual fans have focused on Miguel Jimenez' incredible bank shot Louis Oosthuizen's seemingly out-of-nowhere domination, but the true story line lies in Watson's final moments on the Old Course. The native of Missouri has been on tour for nearly forty years, creating scores of memories for golf fans to treasure, such as his near British Open victory at age 59.

The image of Watson kissing the Swilcan Bridge will be replayed for as long as golfers flock to Britain for the prestigious tournament. His farewell will go down alongside the likes of Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, who both gave touching goodbyes from the ancient stone structure. While Watson may have missed the cut this year, likely the final time he competes at St. Andrews, he tapped in for birdie on the final hole, a sendoff befitting of a five-time British Open champion.

Trivia Challenge

You are all well aware of the guru's very own fantasy football expert league. In this league, the guru competes against some of the best fantasy managers in the world. Participation is by invitation only. Don't be discouraged because you too can qualify for admission to the league.

The next slot up for grabs will be filled by the winner of the Trivia Challenge. The guru will give several hints about the identity of a certain player, coach, or a well-known sports enthusiast of a different vocation. More and more clues will be given as the competition goes on. The first contestant to successfully identify the mystery man (or woman) will be invited into the expert league.

To enter, simply send an email to the guru at FANTASYguru37@gmail.com with your guess. There will be a limit of one entry per email address per day, so choose wisely. If you are unable to identify the mystery man at first, be sure to check back later for more clues.

Clue #1

Selected in the second round of the 1995 NFL Draft, this player started more than 75 games over the course of his career.

Clue #2

The player was once named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his punting prowess.

Clue #3

This versatile player's career totals eclipse both 1,000 rushing yards and 300 receiving yards, but you won't confuse him with a paint supply store.

Think you know he is? Take a shot and send an email to FANTASYguru37@gmail.com. If not, check back soon for more hints. Good luck to all contestants.

Effects of Lockouts and Strikes of Professional Sports

I am fully aware that the posting frequency has decreased rather dramatically as of late. This is a trend that we all want to avoid. But I can promise you that much time has been put into the blog. We have begun experimenting with podcasting, which is a feature I am sure the followers will love. The time usually spent writing has been focused on the following research paper. With lockouts looming in both the NFL and NBA, the guru found it appropriate to inform the masses of the effects these labor disputes may have. While not fantasy related, I hope you find the article interesting and informative.


Sports fans are finally recovering from the devastation caused by the recent lockout of the National Hockey League (NHL), and already the threat of a new cancelled sports season has come to life. National Football League (NFL) owners are at odds with the players’ association, a standoff that may result in a year without football. With significant rule changes affecting the upcoming season, it seems unlikely that the sides will reach an agreement before the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) expires. Negotiations are at a standstill, causing many to believe that the 2011 season may be cancelled.


Labor disputes are not uncommon in professional sports, but rarely do they result in cancelled seasons. When they do, widespread trouble is created. Lockouts and strikes should be used as a last resort during negotiations because the effects they have cause trouble for many people, few of whom have a say in league matters.

It is common to hear the terms strike and lockout used interchangeably. While they have similar effects, there is a difference between the two. A strike is a “work stoppage by a body of workers to enforce compliance with demands made on an employer” (Webster). A lockout is the “withholding of employment by an employer and the whole or partial closing of his business establishment in order to gain concessions from or resist the demands of employees” (Webster). Simply put, strikes happen when the players will not play, and lockouts occur when the owners will not let the players play.

Matters become more confusing when government regulation comes into play. A 1922 US Supreme Court decision deemed Major League Baseball not “interstate commerce,” giving them exemption from federal antitrust laws (Jacobson). In 1957, the Supreme Court decided that the NFL should not be exempt from these same laws (Jacobson). I am unsure of the reasoning behind these verdicts since no apparent differences existed between the two leagues at the times of their respective decisions. Since their ruling, the MLB has added franchises in Canada. Canadian cities have teams in the NHL and National Basketball Association (NBA) as well. This international expansion leads to complications with legal issues such as jurisdiction. Additionally, international governing bodies exist to regulate individual sports. For example, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) frequently intervenes when players under contract leave to play in other leagues.

Much criticism of labor disputes has to do with their far-reaching economic effects. It does not take much effort to see some sign of professional sports in society. From apparel to advertising, pro sports dominate today’s culture.

Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal estimates that $10.5 billion worth of licensed sports merchandise was sold in the United States in 2005 (Jacobson). This number is not surprising when one spends time in a city with a sports team. From clothing to bumper stickers, fans love to show their support of their favorite teams. This is obviously a major component of the economy for any city with a professional team. In fact, David Littmann, the chief economist for Comerica, claims that a typical NHL season puts $85 million into the Detroit economy (Weber). For a city with such publicized struggles, this spending is a necessity. When a season is cancelled, much money goes to waste. American Airlines has a hefty naming rights deal with the arena in Dallas. They are paying $195 million dollars for the building to be named the American Airlines Center (Jacobson). Imagine their disgust when the Dallas Stars were not playing hockey. Rinks that cost over $500 million to build, much of which paid for with taxes, were sitting vacant (Weber). Locals were quick to voice their concerns with the missed seasons. Michael Shaim, a Boston bartender, expressed his thoughts during the lockout, “People don’t want to read about contract disputes in the sports section. It was the one place in the paper where those things could be avoided” (Thomas). Like many small business owners, he saw reductions in his revenue correlate with an empty arena.
 
These effects are not limited to the geographic area of teams in the locked out league. When news broke of the NHL lockout in the summer of 2004, 205 NHL players had signed contracts with European teams by October 16th of that year (“Skating on Thin Ice”). While this may seem like a good backup plan to Americans, the players in those European leagues may not agree. The NHL players put 205 Europeans out of work (“Skating on Thin Ice”).


This seems more selfish when one looks at the money North American athletes make. From 1975 to 1985, MLB player salaries increased from an average of $44,000 to $360,000 (Thomas). According to Thomas, “1954 MLB MVP Willie Mays earned $25,000, about the equivalent of what a utility infielder makes in today’s (1985) dollars.” Fast forward to the present, where NFL rookie Matthew Stafford signed a six-year, $72 million contract with $41.7 million guaranteed (Myers). This astronomical sum was the most guaranteed money in NFL history (Myers), given to a player who had yet to partake in a professional practice. As ridiculous as that may sound, Stafford only made $3.1 million in 2009 (“USA Today Salaries Database”). That same year, Alex Rodriguez made $33 million in salary, excluding deferred payments and incentive clauses (“USA Today Salaries Database”). In fact, the New York Yankees, for whom Rodriguez plays, paid their players $209,081,577 in 2009 (“USA Today Salaries Database”). Baseball and football are not the only sports in which players make vast amounts of money. In 2008-09, Kevin Garnett’s salary was $24,751,934 (“USA Today Salaries Database”). In 2004-05, the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks paid their entire team less than that (Jacobson). Even with the NHL’s salary cap, Dany Heatley received $10 million from the Ottawa Senators in 2008-09 (“USA Today Salaries Database”), the highest salary in the league. Heatley was followed by Sidney Crosby, who made $9 million that year (“USA Today Salaries Database”). The demands of players seem absurd when compared to their predecessors. The NFL Players Union came about in 1956 when players joined forces to request minimum salaries and team-paid uniforms and equipment (Jacobson), a far cry from the selfish ultimatums of today’s athletes.

Owners have enjoyed great increases in revenue over the past few decades as well. From 1975 to 1985, the same span in which the average MLB player salary increased nine fold, annual revenue per club quadrupled to $624 million (Thomas). During that stretch, attendance increased roughly 50% (Thomas). In an attempt to diminish the advantage some teams possess by playing in a larger market, the NFL implemented revenue sharing. By the terms of the CBA that governed the NFL in the early 21st Century, the home team gets 60% of the ticket sales, while the visitors receive 40% of the take. The host gets all the income from luxury boxes, one reason why clubs are building stadiums with more and more of these suites (Jacobson).

It is true that during disputes, certain circumstances may arise that improve the sport. For example, during the NHL’s recent lockout, Commissioner Gary Bettman aimed to increase scoring in hopes of attracting fans (“The NHL Has Improved. Other Rinks, Please Take Note.” A14). The rule changes include a crackdown on obstruction, enlarging the offensive zone, and shrinking goalie pads (“The NHL Has Improved. Other Rinks, Please Take Note.” A14). It is the opinion of most fans that the post-lockout NHL is much more exciting than the “clutching and grabbing contests” of the late 1990’s. While negotiating the 2005 CBA, the NBA formed rules (legislation) against players entering the league straight out of high school. Although widely considered ineffective, the rule was intended to increase the maturity level of NBA players (Jacobson). While these statutes may have enhanced their respective sports, their benefits are dwarfed by the negatives that arise from labor struggles.

Neither side wants seasons to be cancelled, whether partially or in entirety, but sometimes the negotiators hold strong. Several disputes have caused little or no games to be missed, such as the 1990 MLB lockout, which evoked the cancellation of spring training (Jacobson). The 1992 NHL strike lasted just 10 days. Every missed game was able to be rescheduled (Jacobson). Other times, it takes months for the two parties to reach an agreement. Lockouts in the NBA (1998-99) and the NHL (1994-95) both caused roughly one third of those seasons to be cancelled (Jacobson). The 1994 MLB strike led to the cancellation of the World Series (Jacobson), the first time there was no postseason baseball since 1904 (Stewart).
 

“Baseball Fans Protest Against Major League Strike.”

Owners, as well as players, should think long and hard before threatening to lockout or strike. The effects of an abrogated season negatively affect people around the globe. Some good may come out of labor disputes, but it is largely overshadowed by the trouble that it accompanies. Lockouts and strikes should be used as a last resort during negotiations, for the benefit of not only the game, but of professional sports’ most esteemed component, the fans.

Works Cited

"Baseball Fans Protest Against Major League Strike." Opposing Viewpoints Resource

Center. Web. 2 Mar. 2010.

Jacobson, Robert. "Professional Team Sports." Sports In America: Recreation, Business,
Education, Controversy. Detroit: Thomson Gale, 2006. Web.

Myers, Gary. "Matthew Stafford's Contract with Lions at Root of Rookie Wage

Dilemna." New York Daily News 25 Apr. 2009: n. pag. Web. 25 Apr. 2010.

"Skating on Thin Ice." Globe & Mail (Toronto, Canada) 16 Oct. 2004: n. pag. Web. 2
Mar. 2010.

Stewart, Mark. Baseball: A History of the National Pastime. New York: Franklin Watts,
1998. Print.

"The NHL Has Improved. Other Rinks, Please Take Note." Globe & Mail (Toronto,
Canada) 17 Oct. 2005: A14. Web. 3 Mar. 2010.

Thomas, Evan. "A Win For the Fans; the Owners Balk, the Players Walk, then Ueberroth
Gets the Save." Time 19 Aug. 1985: n. pag. Web. 2 Mar. 2010.

"USA Today Salaries Database." USAtoday.com. USA Today. Web. 11 Mar. 2010

Weber, Bruce. "Lockout in NHL Pushes Businesses to the Brink." New York Times 9
Dec. 2004: n. pag. Web. 1 Mar. 2010.

Webster, Merriam. Webster's Ninth Collegiate Dictionary. Springfield, Massachusetts: Merriam-Webster Inc., 1983. Print.

Image of the Week

images.yahoo.com

This week's image depicts professional eater Takeru Kobayashi being detained by law enforcement officials on the Fourth of July. Kobayashi, widely recognized as the second best eater in the world, held out from the Nathan's International Hot Dog Eating Contest this year after negotiations with Major League Eating ground to a halt. Instead of completing boycotting the event, Kobayashi attended the  competition at Coney Island to watch from the crowd. During the awards ceremony, Kobayashi rushed the stage. Police officers quickly grabbed him and easily dragged the 132 pound (pre-competition weight) native of Japan off the stage. Kobayashi, wearing a "Free Kobi" shirt, valiantly resisted the arrest, prompting the eating fans to chant "Let Him Eat!" He has since been charged with resisting arrest, trespassing, and obstructing governmental administration. The guru would like to withhold comments on the incident.

By the Numbers: Early Summer

After receiving heaps of praise for his award-winning article detailing interesting statistics from the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the guru has decided to write another post in the same format. This second article will highlight events that have occurred in this boring time in the sports world between the Stanley Cup Finals and the NFL preseason, also known as the MLB regular season.

2
Zambonis (a brand name that has transcended the technical term "ice resurfacing machine") promised to LeBron James for "personal recreation," should he choose to forgo offers from NBA teams and sign with the Seattle Thunderbirds, a junior hockey team in the WHL.

20
age limit (in years) for players in the WHL, proving the Thunderbirds' offer to James (age 25) nothing more than a publicity stunt typical of minor league hockey teams.

21
seasons played in the NHL by Rod Brind'amour, who has officially retired. As a reward for a successful career, the Carolina Hurricanes have offered him an unspecified position in their front office.

0
NFL teams that have offered contracts to free agent wide receiver Terrell Owens. TO's future in the NFL certainly looks bleak, but don't rule out a signing as training camps approach. The Redskins may be in need of a receiver...

also 0
the guru's interest level in the FIFA World Cup. He gave it a sincere opportunity to garner his respect, but how can you watch a game that is ninety minutes long and has the high possibility of one team being held shotless? SHOTLESS!

98
toughness rating of Tim Tebow in the newest version of Madden, making him the highest rated player in that category in the entire NFL. His strength rating (84) places him ahead of fifteen offensive linemen from around the league, yet his overall rating is still just 70, which I must say I find rather disappointing.

"all these"
number of "white boys ganging up on me (Cedric Benson) and kicking me (CB) out." Benson has been arrested for an alleged assault on a bartender in Austin, Texas. You may recall Benson's history of poor decisions, which more or less derailed his career before his 2009 resurgence.

Consider yourself up to speed on the happenings of early summer. If you have any stats worth mentioning, feel free to pass them on to the guru at FANTASYguru37@gmail.com. Similarly, I encourage you to take part in The Solution.

NHL Free Agency Preview Update

nhltalk202.com

Free agency officially kicks off at 1:00 this afternoon. In a class with a stud at each position, everyone is focused on three or four players. After they go, the dropoff is pretty steep. Now is the time to sit back and trust in your team's general manager.

As an update from the earlier Free Agency Preview, the Flyers have re-signed goaltender Michael Leighton. It is likely that they will pursue another goalie in free agency, however don't expect to see blue chip free agent Evgeni Nabokov become a Flyer. Leighton will earn $3.1 million over the next two years in addition to the $925,000 Brian Boucher is set to make in 2010-11. Nabokov is reportedly seeking at least $5 million per season, rendering his services too expensive for a Philadelphia team with only 15 skaters currently under contract. Considering the Flyers' remaining cap space, a cheaper alternative, possibly Ray Emery, makes a lot more sense.

The biggest name available this year is without a doubt left winger Ilya Kovalchuk. He has faced criticism since becoming a member of the New Jersey Devils at the trade deadline, despite scoring at a point per game pace on a brand new team. The Devils are keen on securing his services for a few more years, but are hamstrung by the salary cap. They will be forced to choose between Kovalchuk's six straight forty goal seasons and dependable defenseman Paul Martin's +51 over the last three years. If the Devils are unable to re-sign the 27 year old Russian phenom, he will likely head west. Rumors continue to list Los Angeles as the favorites to get him under contract, but don't sleep on the Avalanche. With a dynamic group of young centers, Colorado would love to bring in an explosive winger like Kovalchuk. With over $30 million in cap space, they certainly have the funds to do so, assuming the front office is willing to spend some dough.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are connected to two of the biggest available names on defense. Veteran Sergei Gonchar remains committed to returning to Pittsburgh. Fans love his offensive ability (259 points in 322 post-lockout regular season games), but are frustrated by his diminishing defensive skills (-3 in five seasons with Pittsburgh) and brittleness (77 missed games in the past two seasons, not a typo). GM Ray Shero is willing to let Gonchar and his $5 million salary walk in favor of bringing in the younger and more dependable Dan Hamhuis. Traded twice in one week, Hamhuis has chosen to hold off on a deal until July. Negotiations with the Penguins are reportedly progressing, but Hamhuis will most definitely entertain offers from several teams in the upcoming days.

Remember to look under "sites to check out" and click on NHL Salary and Contract Info for a link to NHLnumbers.com, the guru's preferred provider of NHL salary information.

Which teams will walk away with each blue chipper? Are these guys truly the best available this year? Are elite goalies really worth the money, or can teams find success with lower-level journeymen? Let your voice be heard by leaving a comment (click "# comments") or email the guru at FANTASYguru37@gmail.com.

Image of the Week

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This week's image, while frustratingly small, depicts Taylor Hall donning his ceremonial jersey and hat after being selected #1 overall by the Edmonton Oilers in Friday's NHL Draft. Hall has an impressive resume from his time in juniors. As a member of the Windsor Spitfires, Hall has captured two Memorial Cup titles, earning MVP honors both years. He represented Canada at the World Junior Championships, scoring once and adding two assists in the Canucks' overtime loss to the Americans in the Gold Medal game.

Having nothing left to prove in juniors, Hall turns his focus to the NHL. Assuming he makes the team, he should be able to step in and contribute to an Oilers squad that finished dead-last with just 62 points, twelve behind the 29th ranked Maple Leafs and barely over half of the President Trophy winning Capitals. He already has Oilers fans thrilled, despite rooting for the rival Calgary Flames as a youth.

NHL Draft Review and Free Agency Preview

After an exciting awards ceremony in Las Vegas, the NHL continued its fun in the sun with Friday night's draft in Los Angeles. Unlike the NFL, hockey's prospects are drafted as teenagers, meaning that only a handful of first rounders will make the big squad, let alone have any impact. As a result, Saturday's coverage of rounds two through seven will not affect the upcoming season, allowing me to feel no shame in ignoring the selections. Instead, I will focus on Round 1 and its impact on free agency, which begins July 1st.

The Edmonton Oilers got the ball rolling with the first overall selection. Unable to acquire the second pick from Boston, general manager Steve Tambellini was forced to choose between Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin, the consensus top two prospects. The Oilers ended the anticipation by immediately selecting the Windsor Spitfire's Hall, despite the Central Scouting Association's decision to rank Seguin as North America's top skater.

Boston was forced to "settle" for Seguin, adding another center to their deep supply of middle men. Goaltender Tim Thomas has been the focus of numerous trade rumors after losing his starting role to NHL SV% leader Tuuka Rask. It would come as no surprise to see the Bruins package Thomas and one of their current centers in a deal to acquire a winger. Their blue line has a vacancy after the trade of Denis Wideman.

San Jose's decision to let goaltender Evgeni Nabokov walk will have the greatest effect on signings this July. Labeled as a choker, Nabokov compiled the league's sixth best SV% (.922) in the regular season. But his poor performance in big games frustrated the Sharks' front office. Instead of re-signing the native of Kazakhstan, who will turn 35 in July, San Jose will trust their goaltending duties to the German Thomas Greiss.

What most "experts" overlook is Nabokov's excessive playing time. In the regular season alone, Nabby made 71 starts, in addition to his time in the Olympics and the preseason. It should come as no surprise that he is fatigued each April, when his game total nears 100. The 2008 playoffs will forever be remembered as a major choke for Nabokov, who started 77 regular season games and logged 4,560:56 minutes between the pipes. Should he go to a team where he can be allowed nights to rest, the guru expects him to maintain his high level of play well into the playoffs.

He may have that opportunity in Philadelphia. In the Flyers goaltender carousel, no individual started more than 29 games in 2009-10. While this was likely due to numerous long-term injuries, GM Paul Holmgren cannot be confident in his current goalies. Playoff starter Michael Leighton is an unrestricted free agent. Ray Emery is returning from a serious injury. Brian Boucher has played for six different teams since the lockout, which tells you all you need to know about how he is viewed by GMs. The Flyers have over $11 million left in cap space, giving them significant funds to throw Nabokov's way. There are still some holes on the blue line after the team could not come to terms with restricted free agent Dan Hamhuis. He was dealt to Pittsburgh for a third round selection in 2011.

The guru will return to continue the free agency discussion. As a reminder, there is a link to NHLnumbers.com under "sites to check out." There you can find accurate salaries and contract information for all thirty teams.

Image of the Week

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This week's image depicts golf phenom Tiger Woods celebrating his victory in the 2000 US Open Championship. Woods gave the tournament, played annually since 1895, with the exception of a few cancellations caused by World Wars I & II, one marvelous 100th birthday present, winning by an unprecedented 15 strokes. Tiger's thorough domination of Pebble Beach's scenic course cemented his legacy as one of the greatest golfers of all time. He was just 24 years old at the time.

Words cannot grasp the significance of the tournament. As stated, Tiger won by 15 strokes, a record for largest margin of victory in any major. His play was so brilliant that he beat the second best golfer in the world by nearly four strokes every round. He registered the only under par score (-12) for the tournament. In an event where no other competitor could break par, Tiger made 21 birdies. He dominated the field so thoroughly that he not only graced the cover of Sports Illustrated, he relegated the Lakers NBA Title to a tiny corner of the cover.

This past weekend, Pebble Beach hosted the US Open for the first time since 2000. While Tiger didn't live up to expectations (his own), he still turned in a decent performance. Finishing in a tie for fourth at +3 was a solid recovery after posting rounds of 74 (+3) and 75 (+4). He showed that he still has otherworldly talent by recording a five under 66 on one of the hardest golf courses in the world. If he can ever get away from his off-course distractions, he will get right back to winning majors and break Jack Nicklaus' record with ease.