InVINCEable? Or Insubordinate?

Welcome 2011! Thank God 2010 is gone. On a personal note this has been arguably the worst year for football for myself being a fan of the Cowboys, Brett Favre, Vince Young, and the Texas Longhorns... and to top everything off, Tony Romo was my fantasy QB. So I think I am going to give another run at this blog and will be posting again probably 2 - 3 times a week. So welcome back to Smartass Sports with Cody. Now let's get down to business.

Bud Adams you have lost your mind.

I get it, it has been a rough 2 years for your franchise. But you absolutely made a horrible decision to part ways with Vince Young.

What' the matter don't believe me? Well numbers don't lie sir. You decided to let a mediocre coach dictate the talent on the field. Your boy Jeff has led your franchise to an abysmal 14-18 over the last two years, in a division that won FEWER games than the AFC West this year. Oh, and by the way that division fired half of it's coaches this year. But wait it gets worse for Fisher still... Let's look at the win-loss records over the last two seasons:

Games where VY played start to finish: 10 - 3
Games where VY was hurt or pulled: 2 - 3
Games without VY: 2 - 12

Wow is all I can say there Bud. Look at what your boy Jeff was able to do... 2 wins in TWO SEASONS without Vince. That's hard to cut it anyway you see fit. And let's not forget Vince was the third overall draft pick in 2006. You don't exactly get to pick that high because your team had a good season.

But hey it's not like anyone was ever put in this position before right? Oh wait, that's right this just happened to another franchise... the Denver Broncos. Because you know, that worked out so well for them. Daniels didn't like Cutler so he got traded. Chicago won the NFC North this year and grabbed a first round bye, while Denver is in complete shambles as it tries to miraculously find another franchise QB sorting through the ranks of Tim Tebow, Brady Quinn, and Kyle Orton. And Daniels? Sure he got fired eventually, but not before practically giving away the three best players on the team, Cutler, Marshall and Hillis.

So great job Mr. Adams, way to find your voice by letting go of the best player on your team and sticking with a coach who didn't even respect your original draft pick. Oh and by telling everyone you were cutting ties with Vince... you lost any extra value you might have had left in him.

I mean who needs leverage when you clearly just flip coins to make your decisions.

I'm sure Arizona is rejoicing as we speak.

First Podcast : Superbowl Preview '09

Stars hockey back in playoff chase

A season that started with such optimism has instead become a dog fight for the Dallas Stars. Dallas entered the season with plenty of confidence after making the Western Conference Finals last season. The signing of Sean Avery was supposed to bring toughness to a talented hockey team, what the Stars got instead was a horrible start to the season where after 20 games the Stars were dead last in the Western Conference. Players didn’t get along with their new enforcer and tension was evident in the Stars’ locker room. A season ending knee injury to Brendan Morrow didn’t help the already struggling Stars. Avery would soon dig his own grave and talk his way out of a Stars uniform. His interview in Calgary about “sloppy seconds” got himself suspended by the NHL, not long after the suspension the Stars released him and from that moment on Dallas has looked like the team of old. Led by Mike Modano, Marty Turco, and rising star Joel Lundquist, Dallas has been on a tear heading into the All Star Break. The Stars are now only 4 points out of eighth place in the ultra competitive West. The Stars’ success should continue now that the All Star Break is over. Over the last five seasons only Detroit has a better second half winning percentage. The Stars have fought through adversity to get back in the playoff chase and look to continue their winning ways all the way to a Stanley Cup.

-Alex

Mountain West - Chumps or Champs?

It takes little time to realize, the Mountain West Conference has become an elite league.

Their one problem, is that John Swofford is the current BCS Coordinator. Oh, and he also happens to be the ACC commissioner, one of the conferences who hasn't played like league deserving of an automatic BCS bid. Why is this a problem? Because the MWC is petitioning the BCS to join them as an official BCS conference.

After a fantastic season by Utah, TCU and BYU, the Mountain West commisioner Craig Thompson has a great arguement to bring to the table. The MWC had three teams that were ranked in the top 25 in the final BCS poll this year. However, the ACC and the Big East did not exactly enjoy their finest years in recent memory. Virgnia Tech represented the top team out of the ACC, they barely broke into the top 15, while you won't even find the Big East champion in the top 15 as they finished 17 in the fnal polls.

Here is a little better break down:

Mountain West
#2 Utah
#7 TCU
#25 BYU

ACC
#15 Virginia Tech
#21 Florida State
#22 Georgia Tech

Big East
#17 Cincinnati
#23 West Virginia

Even the PAC - 10 was only able to put three ranked teams in the final poll.

But the Mountain West still needs a little help. Obviously having a few good teams in one year doesn't just grant you permission to join a club that receives probably the best advantage in all of sports (an automatic BCS bid). So the conference is looking to strengthen their case by adding another recent 'BCS buster', Boise State. If Boise State joins the MWC, it would be hard to keep them out. Now as deserving as the Mountain West is, I think that by working to become a BCS league, it cools the fires that have been blazing over the lack of a playoff system.

Is this what we really want? If they succeed, how often will one of the teams from the MWC run the table? Will they go to the NC game every year? Every two years? Will Utah become the next Ohio State, a team that beats up on their conference only to get destroyed in the Championship game?

Probably not.

But if the Mountain West becomes a BSC conference, how much longer will we have to wait for a Playoff?

- Cody

NBA Mid-Season Report

At roughly the halfway point of the NBA season, we have four teams that look like sure title contenders and a heated playoff race in the Western Conference. While there are still plenty of games to be played here’s a midseason look at playoff predictions and awards at the midway point of the 2008-09 season.

MVP: Lebron James, Cavaliers

Don’t Count out: Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Kobe Bryant

This is a tough one to pick given the play of Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, and Dwight Howard. However Lebron’s play has overshadowed all of them. He is the best player in the game today. Lebron has turned the Cavs from an after thought when he first entered the league to the best record in the NBA through Friday night.


Rookie of the Year: Derrick Rose, Bulls

Don’t Count Out: O.J. Mayo: Memphis, Brook Lopez: Nets

I can’t even imagine how bad the Bulls would be without Rose, who is blossoming into a star. Mayo has been brilliant in Memphis and has better stats than Rose in every category but assists however the Bulls are two games out of a playoff spot and the Grizzlies are already thinking of next year that’s why Rose gets the nod here.


Most Improved Player: Devin Harris, Nets

Don’t Count Out: Paul Millsap: Jazz, Jameer Nelson: Magic

Wouldn’t Harris look great in a Mavs jersey this year? Harris has been rolling since joining New Jersey in the Jason Kidd trade. Harris is third in the NBA in free throw attempts a game at 9.8 which is unheard of from a point guard. Paul Millsap of the Jazz is a close second. Since entering the starting lineup in December when Carlos Boozer was injured Millsap has 16 double doubles. Not bad for a second round pick in the 2004 draft.

Playoff Predictions:

A lot can happen between now and the end of the season but barring a significant injury among the playoff contenders here is the Playoff Predictions.

Eastern Conference:

1. Cavaliers: My MVP Lebron James has this team playing championship caliber basketball.

2. Magic: Dwight Howard is playing out of his mind leading the NBA in rebounds and blocks per game while averaging 19.9 ppg.

3. Celtics: The champs are showing signs of the team that started 27-2 and hada 19 game winning streak. Still the team to beat in the East.

4. Hawks: After the East’s Big Three the hawks are the best of what’s left in the East and are the one team Boston doesn’t want to see in the playoffs.

5. Pistons: Sending Rip Hamilton to the bench is a big mistake but when Iverson refuses what can you do? This team is heading down.

6. Heat: Dwayne Wade and the Heat will make the playoffs but the East is a 3 team race.

7. Nets: The emergence of Devin Harris and Brook Lopez has the Nets in the Playoffs

8. Bucks: Richard Jefferson and Michael Redd score at will for this team but lack enough defense to contend once the playoffs start.

Outside looking in:

9. Raptors: Raptors go from playoff team to lottery. Chris Bosh can’t do it alone.

10. Bobcats: Coach Larry Brown has this team showing big improvement.
11. Sixers: With Elton Band hurt the Sixers can’t quite catch the top 8.

12. Knicks: The Knicks are more exciting but are still headed to the Lottery.

13. Bulls: I'd hate to see where this team would be without Derrick Rose.

14. Pacers: Danny Granger is amazing for this team too bad there’s not much else in talent.

15. Wizards: With Gilbert Arenas out all season the Wizards never had a chance.



Western Conference:

1. Lakers: L.A. shows that they are the class of the West and the early favorite to go back to the finals.

2. Spurs: The Spurs just won’t go away and are finally healthy and could ruin the Lakers championship dreams.

3. Hornets: Chris Paul is playing lights out while his teammates are sputtering. Look for them to rebound in second half.

4. Nuggets: The Chauncey Billups trade proved huge for the Nuggets. trading away a ball hog like Allen Iverson for a team player like Billups has the Nuggets rolling. This team will only be better once Carmelo returns.

5. Jazz: Once Carlos Boozer returns look for the Jazz to make a big run.

6. Mavericks: I may have the Mavs too high here but if the Mavs can avoid defenses lapses that have plagued them this season, this team could be a spoiler out West.

7. Rockets: Every year the Rockets look like a sleeper pick to win the west then every year injuries ruin their season. This year is no exception with Houston’s Big 3 McGrady, Yao, and Artest all hurt.

8. Blazers: Greg Oden continues to show why he was the #1 pick in the draft last year. Look for the Blazers to hold off the Suns for the final playoff spot.

Outside looking in:

9. Suns: There's no way around it. A legitimate playoff team from the West is going to the lottery. The Suns are showing signs of falling apart.

10. Timberwolves: The Wolves continue to improve but in the tough west they’ll have to settle for improving. PF Al Jefferson is an absolute stud for this team.

11. Warriors: A big disappointment. This team has a ton of talent and little to show for it.

12. Grizzlies: Could be the Blazers of this year in a few years. This young team led by OJ Mayo and Rudy Gay are showing flashes of future greatness.

13. Thunder: Interim Coach Scott Brooks has the Thunder on the right track after an awful 2-25 start.

14. Clippers: The Clippers continue to be The Clippers. BAD, BAD, BAD.

15. Kings: Hard to believe that only a few years ago this team was challenging the Lakers for West supremacy. Outside of Kevin Martin this team has nothing.


-Alex