Sorry, dear readers, for the lapse. I was in Canada, getting engaged. This, apparently, is what you do while in Canada.
Back to the cougs. Last week against an actual jv girls volleyball team, Southern Methodist, the cougs had to come from behind in the 4th quarter and pulled out a victory in overtime. So technically, yes, the cougs can beat a j.v.g.v.t. Good job cougs. Barely.
This week against USC, the cougs could not amass more than 6 points, which was 6 better than last year's total. USC is not the same team as last year, but they didn't exactly sweat it out against the wazzus, so this week's summation? WSU can no longer beat a j.v.g.v.t.
Oh, how fleeting this gridiron glory.
Next up, the Ducks, who are most certainly NOT a j.v.g.v.t. At least this year. Should be embarrassing.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
Seahawks eat cupcakes for breakfast
After watching the Hawks opener on tape delay, I'm left with a couple of thoughts. One; things are not all right with Hasselbeck just quite yet, and two; the Rams still suck.
It's as if the Seahawks were a Division 1 football team who scheduled an NAIA school to come to town so they could run up the score, try some things out and generally not be tested at all until conference play started. Woohoo, what a show. Here's to the thought that when the Seahawks play an actual NFL team, they will be ready. It's kind of hard to judge how good the defense is, if the receivers are really that good at getting open, etc. against the inspired play of the St. Louis practice beach volleyball squad.
That being said, I enjoyed the 2nd half very much. If I had just watched only the 2nd half, I probably would have a much higher opinion of the ball club. Not that it matters, as we're still in the NFC West and the Cardinals look like their old selves again and probably won't be making their way to the superbowl.
My prediction after one game? We get 9 wins and a playoff berth. Or maybe more, if everyone stays healthy and Hasselbeck doesn't throw 4 interceptions a game.
Two more notes on the Rams:
It's as if the Seahawks were a Division 1 football team who scheduled an NAIA school to come to town so they could run up the score, try some things out and generally not be tested at all until conference play started. Woohoo, what a show. Here's to the thought that when the Seahawks play an actual NFL team, they will be ready. It's kind of hard to judge how good the defense is, if the receivers are really that good at getting open, etc. against the inspired play of the St. Louis practice beach volleyball squad.
That being said, I enjoyed the 2nd half very much. If I had just watched only the 2nd half, I probably would have a much higher opinion of the ball club. Not that it matters, as we're still in the NFC West and the Cardinals look like their old selves again and probably won't be making their way to the superbowl.
My prediction after one game? We get 9 wins and a playoff berth. Or maybe more, if everyone stays healthy and Hasselbeck doesn't throw 4 interceptions a game.
Two more notes on the Rams:
- Their punter Donnie Jones is a stud. I wish he played for the Huskies. The talent level is probably about the same, so he might not notice.
- For all St. Louis' issues, I feel Greg Easterbrook's football gods will end up rewarding Steve Spagnola for not pansying out and kicking a meaningless field goal at the end of the game just to put a score on the board. He went for it on 4th, and you don't see attitudes like that very often. Hell, that might be the last time you see it from him, but I applaud the attempt.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Sunday morning fb notes
Oh, how I forgot how stupid the talking voices can be. I swear, listening to football commentators can definitely make you more dumber. I would pay darn good money for a t.v. App that allows you to switch from the nationally backwards network spokespersons to the local radio coverage of either team. Either that, or have an alternate channel with articulate commentators that can dispense inside knowledge without using cliches and sounding like news anchors trying to convince us that a rainstorm is a national tragedy. Is that too much to ask?
Speaking of, I heard one announcer in the Broncos/Bengals game say that he wouldn't feel comfortable putting the ball in anyone's hands save for the QB in a 3rd and 2 situation. This was in reference to the wildcat. Really? Because the running back can't handle the ball? Because you wouldn't hand it off in a 3rd and short situation anyway? Good lord. Another genious in the Vikes/Browns game said "Favre is one of the all time great players of all time." Exact words.
Other quick notes:
All for now, as I have to work soon. It's kind of like having to work on Christmas morning, which sucks, but needed if you have bills.
I would also like to have an app which would erase the necessity of having to pay bills.
Speaking of, I heard one announcer in the Broncos/Bengals game say that he wouldn't feel comfortable putting the ball in anyone's hands save for the QB in a 3rd and 2 situation. This was in reference to the wildcat. Really? Because the running back can't handle the ball? Because you wouldn't hand it off in a 3rd and short situation anyway? Good lord. Another genious in the Vikes/Browns game said "Favre is one of the all time great players of all time." Exact words.
Other quick notes:
- The Browns will not win the Superbowl when Eric Mangini can't trust his offense to get 3 yards on 4th down and would rather kick a field goal.
- Braylon Edwards is a stud.
- I hope Brett Favre suffers a season ending injury and goes away forever. Then, and only then will the Vikings be a "superbowl threat." Until then, I feel sorry for their defense, which will have to carry that team.
- Chad Johnson now officially Esteban Ocho Cinco? Awesome.
- Sideline reporters, still superfluous and unnecessary, except for Charissa Thompson, who is superfluous and necessary.
All for now, as I have to work soon. It's kind of like having to work on Christmas morning, which sucks, but needed if you have bills.
I would also like to have an app which would erase the necessity of having to pay bills.
Can the cougars beat a JV girls volleyball team?
I'm going to start a new weekly column titled, "Can the cougars beat a JV girls volleyball team?" where I will pose and try to answer the question, "Can the cougars beat a JV girls volleyball team?"
Tonight, dear reader, the answer is no. Sadly, if you're a cougar fan. Of course, if you are a cougar fan, why are you reading this? I have also determined not to capitalize the word cougar(s) until they show they can beat a JV girls volleyball team, which might be a while.
Today, the cougars came to Qwest to play a Hawaii team that supposedly was one of two possibly winnable games on their schedule. Seriously? The lower-case c's were down 35-6 at the half. The other game is next week against Southern Methodist, who hasn't won a game versus a Pac-10 team since before Methodists were invented.
I made up that last statement because I didn't feel like doing the research. You get the point, though. The cougars are so bad that Ohio State payed them $450,000 to get out of their match so they could play USC, a real college football team. Yes, you read that correctly. OSU payed the wazzus four hundred and fifty thousand American dollars NOT to play them (in real money!), as it would have made the Buckeyes look bad. They probably could have payed in Busch Light and received a satisfactory response.
In effect, the Buckeyes were saying loud and clear that they do not feel the cougars can beat a JV girls volleyball team. If the Buckeyes, a very smart and powerful actual college football team are saying it, I have no alternative but to agree with them. Even though they suck in large bowl games.
Tonight, dear reader, the answer is no. Sadly, if you're a cougar fan. Of course, if you are a cougar fan, why are you reading this? I have also determined not to capitalize the word cougar(s) until they show they can beat a JV girls volleyball team, which might be a while.
Today, the cougars came to Qwest to play a Hawaii team that supposedly was one of two possibly winnable games on their schedule. Seriously? The lower-case c's were down 35-6 at the half. The other game is next week against Southern Methodist, who hasn't won a game versus a Pac-10 team since before Methodists were invented.
I made up that last statement because I didn't feel like doing the research. You get the point, though. The cougars are so bad that Ohio State payed them $450,000 to get out of their match so they could play USC, a real college football team. Yes, you read that correctly. OSU payed the wazzus four hundred and fifty thousand American dollars NOT to play them (in real money!), as it would have made the Buckeyes look bad. They probably could have payed in Busch Light and received a satisfactory response.
In effect, the Buckeyes were saying loud and clear that they do not feel the cougars can beat a JV girls volleyball team. If the Buckeyes, a very smart and powerful actual college football team are saying it, I have no alternative but to agree with them. Even though they suck in large bowl games.
Huskies win! Huskies win! ( for the 1st time in 2 whole years)
Weeeeeeell, things is almost back to normal. The team beat an underdog opponent like a sack of potatoes in a rainstorm, but that hasn't happened in so long I almost forgot what it means. The offense rolled, the defense rolled over, and the special teams rolled around, but we still won handily.
In an odd turn of events, the Purple and Gold were outgained by an opponent, but still won. It appears we outgained an opponent last week, but lost. The Vandals passed all day on the Husky defense, but couldn't score touchdowns until it no longer mattered. Holding the visitors to field goals in the red zone is a positive, for all you half full glassers out there. Getting worked for 349 passing yards is a negative, for all you realists.
Also, it seems to be that our kicker, Mr. Folk, cannot send a kickoff more than 40 yards to save his ever-lovin ass. This will not be effective when playing teams named USC. Last week it was thought his short kickoffs were a strategy to play keep away from one of the fastest dudes in D-1. Either he didn't get the memo that LSU left town, or he sucks. Time will tell. I know how large organizations tend to have inter-departmental communication issues, so we'll see.
The LSU game gave me hope that this team could compete with USC, possibly, possibly even win. I'm semi-crazy that way, and it's been a long time since I've had any happiness in my college football-related life. I overdosed on ridiculousness. After today's performance by the D, I have to say we could possibly, possibly get slaughtered. USC's true frosh QB beating Ohio State in Ohio Stadium tonight did not help my outlook.
What a weird start to the year. After a loss, I get hopeful. After a win, I get not hopeful. Well, not exactly. I still feel this team can post a winning record and get-maybe-to a bowl game. In any case, it will be much more fun to watch than the last 6 nightmarish seasons.
In an odd turn of events, the Purple and Gold were outgained by an opponent, but still won. It appears we outgained an opponent last week, but lost. The Vandals passed all day on the Husky defense, but couldn't score touchdowns until it no longer mattered. Holding the visitors to field goals in the red zone is a positive, for all you half full glassers out there. Getting worked for 349 passing yards is a negative, for all you realists.
Also, it seems to be that our kicker, Mr. Folk, cannot send a kickoff more than 40 yards to save his ever-lovin ass. This will not be effective when playing teams named USC. Last week it was thought his short kickoffs were a strategy to play keep away from one of the fastest dudes in D-1. Either he didn't get the memo that LSU left town, or he sucks. Time will tell. I know how large organizations tend to have inter-departmental communication issues, so we'll see.
The LSU game gave me hope that this team could compete with USC, possibly, possibly even win. I'm semi-crazy that way, and it's been a long time since I've had any happiness in my college football-related life. I overdosed on ridiculousness. After today's performance by the D, I have to say we could possibly, possibly get slaughtered. USC's true frosh QB beating Ohio State in Ohio Stadium tonight did not help my outlook.
What a weird start to the year. After a loss, I get hopeful. After a win, I get not hopeful. Well, not exactly. I still feel this team can post a winning record and get-maybe-to a bowl game. In any case, it will be much more fun to watch than the last 6 nightmarish seasons.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Game stats
The statistical breakdown for the LSU game was impressive for the Dawgs. Impressive because we beat them in every category. Unfortunately every category also includes penalties and turnovers. Here we go:
As you can see, this is a very different team from last year. If it weren't for the turnovers, it could have been a favorable outcome for the Huskies. The stats tell the story, and the story is getting much, much better.
| Team Stat Comparison | ||
 |  | |
| 1st Downs | 17 | 25 |
| Total Yards | 321 | 478 |
| Passing | 172 | 321 |
| Rushing | 149 | 157 |
| Penalties | 3-35 | 11-83 |
| 3rd Down Conversions | 5-10 | 11-19 |
| 4th Down Conversions | 0-0 | 1-1 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Possession | 23:08 | 36:52 |
As you can see, this is a very different team from last year. If it weren't for the turnovers, it could have been a favorable outcome for the Huskies. The stats tell the story, and the story is getting much, much better.
I embrace you, new era.
Couple of thoughts about the LSU game before I pass out. Haven't got the stats yet, but I believe we outgained them. What? Our defense stepped up and shut down a top 15 team? That hasn't happened in a while. I think we rushed for more than 100 yards. That hasn't happened in a while. Our offense converted at least 9 of 11 3rd downs at one point, many of them looooong 3rd downs. That certainly hasn't happened in a while. We looked very, very competitive. That hasn't happened in a while, either.
God bless this new coaching regime, so far.
This Husky team looked infinitely better than the last one, and they're basically the same one. What a difference a staff change can be. Locker was more poised, more accurate, and still broke out some runs. Chris Polk was impressive, as was our defense. The secondary got burned twice, and Locker threw an ill advised pick-6, but other than that and some stupid penalties (and some stupid Pac-10 officiating) it was by all intents and purposes, a success.
Oh, how far the mighty have fallen that I would deem a loss a success. But seriously? A success.
I will go so far as to predict a win v. Idaho next week. Doesn't sound like a stretch.
Also, Nick Holt looks like the the Thing from the Fantastic 4. I like it.
God bless this new coaching regime, so far.
This Husky team looked infinitely better than the last one, and they're basically the same one. What a difference a staff change can be. Locker was more poised, more accurate, and still broke out some runs. Chris Polk was impressive, as was our defense. The secondary got burned twice, and Locker threw an ill advised pick-6, but other than that and some stupid penalties (and some stupid Pac-10 officiating) it was by all intents and purposes, a success.
Oh, how far the mighty have fallen that I would deem a loss a success. But seriously? A success.
I will go so far as to predict a win v. Idaho next week. Doesn't sound like a stretch.
Also, Nick Holt looks like the the Thing from the Fantastic 4. I like it.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Par!
In a shocking twist, the Mariners took 2 of 3 from the visiting 1st place Angels, but still finished -63 in total runs scored. Wait, I'm sorry, it was just -6. I suppose I should be happy they're not 101 games out of first place, but the fact remains that if we had hitters to go along with our pitchers, we'd be making a nice playoff run right about now. I'd also feel better about it if King Felix wasn't planning on leaving at the end of the year.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)