The best seat in the house is the view from the couch

So, four days wiser, and what do we know now? Well, here are a few random thoughts off the top of my head to wrap up this NFL season...

- It was so unbelievably good to feel happy about sports again. And thank God the Pats didn't totally blow that game, because I'm still not fully over Game 7. I might have gone on some sort of spree if Carolina had won the Super Bowl.

- How is it possible that Tom Brady is not yet endorsing Gillette? Has this marketing campaign really just eluded everyone?

- Terrell Owens, Corey Dillon and Kurt Warner are the marquis names available this offseason, and Owens will probably be the only one who actually moves.

- Maurice Clarett will be in the NFL next year, but he will not be drafted before the second round, if at all. However, if he does get drafted, look for either New England (7 picks in the first 4 rounds) or the Cowboys (Parcells has a knack for egotistical players out of Ohio State).

- Jim Fassel got a truly raw deal. He went from a Super Bowl head coach to an offensive consultant for the team that beat him in the Super Bowl in just four years. At least Bill Callahan lost his team's respect in between.

- Speaking of coaches, looking around the league next year, I see another coaching carousel after the 2004 season. Mike Martz, Dennis Erickson, Andy Reid, Jim Haslet, Dave Wannestedt, Mike Holmgren, Marty Schottenheimer, Butch Davis and Bill Cowher are all on the hot seat, before the season even starts.

- Heading for the biggest disappointment: Peyton Manning and Clinton Portis. No way Manning duplicates this past year, or his playoff success. The word is out on how to stop him. Portis is already complaining about his contract (and rightfully so), and threatening holdout only four days after the Super Bowl. Perhaps he didn't see Quentin Griffin run wild all over Indianapolis. Granted, it was Indy...

- Biggest breakout season: Charles Rogers and Quentin Griffin. Already mentioned Griffin, if Portis holds out or gets hurt again, look for Q to step right in and show what he can do. Rogers got hurt early last year (a week after I traded him for Rod Smith... heh heh heh), so he never got to show his abilities. With Joey Harrington one year more mature, James Stewart returning from injury, and some solid drafting, Rogers should get a chance to showcase his natural abilities.

- Finally, let me explain my pick of the Redskins to represent the NFC in next year's Super Bowl. Joe Gibbs is back. I realize that a coach doesn't make that much difference to a team, unless he's named Parcells or Belichick. But Joe Gibbs has not only the ability, but the team talent to take this team far. The Redskins have a pretty solid defense, anchored by two Pro-Bowl caliber CB's and one of the best LB's in the league. On offense, Patrick Ramsey is a serviceable QB. Joe Gibbs' signature is a big, strong O-Line, exactly what Ramsey needs. As for a running-back, Trung Candidate is not going to get it done. They need to draft here, and they need to do it soon. They have the #5 overall pick, and I think that if Kevin Jones, from Virginia Tech, is still available, they should grab him and run. Speed, strength, and a smart player.

Well the NFL season is completely over (I don't consider the Pro Bowl part of the NFL season, it's useless). So what's next?

Basketball season is over if you're a Celtics' fan, Danny Ainge has seen to that for the next few years. Although, God Bless Vin Baker, but if he can't straighten up and fly right, the team has an out clause in his contract, and they need to exercise it. Maybe he'll get his life together with a few months out of the game. Again. But it will provide the Celts with enough cap room to go out and get a free agent. One year too late to get the major players, but still, it's a start. Maybe Kobe will change coasts. It would be the ultimate way to get away from Shaq (Beat L.A.! Beat L.A.!)

As for hockey season, well, I heard on the radio today that the Bruins are in second place. Good for them! I'll admit, I had to look it up to confirm the number (They're tied with Toronto), since I haven't really been following the NHL, but still, nice work guys. Too bad this is going to be the last time anyone sees pro hockey for awhile. IF you're a fan, watch it while you can, because after the Finals, the NHL is gone for quite awhile until they get the collective bargaining thing straightened out.

I guess that leaves baseball. Aw shucks. Well, pitchers and catchers do report in 10-14 days, depending on team. So I guess we're stuck focusing on baseball again. Since there haven't been any games yet, let's decide who's done the best this offseason. This is all subject to change depending on where Greg Maddux signs. Is this stunning to anyone else that he isn't signed yet? A sure-fire first ballot Hall-of-Famer with a World Series ring, 289 career victories, and 16-straight seasons of 15 or more wins? C'mon people, pony up the dough!

Anaheim Angels: Bartolo Colon and Vlad Guerrero added to a team that won the World Series two years ago? Just not right. For all the noise the Red Sox, Yankees, Astros and Rangers have made this offseason, the Angels are, by far, the most improved.

Houston Astros: They added Andy Pettite and Roger Clemens, both at reasonable rates. But more importantly, they didn't actually add much to their payroll because of their ability to ship Billy Wagner out of town. Granted, their bullpen was extremely overworked last tear, so no one knows how two aging starters and one less bullpen stud will affect them. But they got better at the top, which is a good start.

Boston Red Sox: Quick, name the two things the Red Sox needed more than anything else this offseason? 1) A reliable closer. 2) An innings eater to start. Not only did they get a solid closer in Keith Foulke, but they got the best innings eater in the game in Curt Schilling. Plus they added the right-handed DH they so desperately needed last year by resigning Ellis Burks today, and swung a deal for Pokey Reese to pick up where Todd Walker left off. They added the pitching and the speed they needed, and didn't lose anything from their record-setting offense of last year.

New York Yankees: They lost 3/5 of their main starting rotation from last year, yet they simply retool, reload, and come back again. Simply amazing. As much as I may hate every man to ever put on Pinstripes, I do respect each and every one of them. So this year, the list adds new members Kevin Brown, Javier Vasquez, Gary Sheffield, Tom Gordon, Paul Quantrill, Mike Lamb...

Philadelphia Phillies: All they needed was a healthy Pat Burrell and a better bullpen. They went out and added Billy Wagner, Tim Worrell, Roberto Hernandez, Eric Milton, and somehow, stunningly, resigned Kevin Millwood. Pat Burrell looks pretty solid, and mot reports have him rededicated to his game. Not a bad start...

Baltimore Orioles: They got Miguel Tejada, Rafael Palmeiro and Javy Lopez, among others. They've probably added enough offense to out - slug just about any team game for game. But they are in serious danger of becoming the 2001 Mets - All hitting, no pitching. You can't outhit everyone (see: Boston).

Detroit Tigers: OK, in all fairness, they could have improved by just cutting everyone on the roster from last year and starting from scratch. But by making the moves they have, and getting Pudge, they've probably added 20-25 wins to their total from last year. It's not playoff caliber, not even close. But it's certainly improvement. Besides, no team could lose 119+ 2 years in a row, could they?

Best available free agents:

Greg Maddux - Inexplicable. Chan Ho Park has a long-term deal, and Maddux doesn't. Pfff.

Raul Mondesi - He's still going to get his .280 - 20 - 60, even if it has to be off the bench.

Ugueth Urbina - It's just fun to try and type his name. He's a solid closer with a ring now. Might be too pricey, but he's in no hurry.

Fred McGriff - Probably too old to play first everyday, but he can be a big bat off the bench for someone.

Andres Galarraga - See above.

Chuck Finley - Yes, I realize he didn't play last year. But he had the eye of many teams coming down the stretch. Time for someone to take a chance on him.

Rickey Henderson - It might be back to Newark for now, but this is another sure-fire hall - of - famer who can get some things done for you. Put him on first as a pinch runner late in a game against some young kid; see how many balks or wild pitches are induced just by his aura and reputation.

So I guess, just like football, I'm going to have to pick my playoffs early. Well, again, everything changes if Maddux or even Urbina gets a deal soon.

A.L. Playoffs

East - Red Sox

Central - Royals

West - Angels

Wild Card - Yankees

N.L. Playoffs

East - Phillies

Central - Astros

West - Giants

Wild Card - Cubs

First Round:

Red Sox over Angels in 4, Yankees over Royals in 3

Astros over Phillies in 5, Cubs over Giants in 4

LCS':

Red Sox over Yankees in 6

Astros over Cubs in 7

World Series: (don't hate me)

Red Sox over Astros in 7 - Pedro/Clemens in Game 7. Again. Schilling gets the save.

So that's what I see right now. Of course, this all goes down the toilet the first time someone pulls a hammy or chips a tooth or gets suspended for steroids. But I still can’t wait.

14 more days...

posted by Big D @ 12:00 AM