Monday Grab Bag: Brady Quinn Update

Regretably, I forgot to include my thoughts on Brady Quinn going to the Broncos in the grab bag. Let me get this out of the way: Kyle Orton is a better NFL QB than Quinn. Orton may not have the measurables, but til the day that Kyle retires, I will defend his ability to play to the hilt. He wins. And, yes Herm Edwards, YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME. Brady Quinn, much like Jimmy Clausen in this years draft, is less than the sum of his parts. For one reason or another, Quinn just isn't "the one." Sure he'll throw some great looking balls, with a nice spiral. But, he isn't going to lead the 'cos to where they want to be. Kyle Orton may not be that guy, but Brady Quinn sure as hell isn't either. Not convinced Broncos fans? Let's put this in simple terms: The Browns would rather have Seneca Wallace and Jake Dellhome than Brady Quinn. That's good enough reason to doubt the kid for me.

(The one on the right is your new Denver Broncos QB.)

But, yet again, the Bears look dumb. The Broncos gave up almost nothing to get an over-hyped "face-of-the-franchise" QB. They Bears gave up almost everything. (I'm sorry, but just because Peyton Hillis does "everything" and plays "hard" doesn't equal the bajillion draft picks the Bears gave up for Le Sulk.) Still the dumbest trade ever, the Cutler trade just got worse today. I may never get a handle on player valuation in the NFL, but I sure as hell know that when you can get Brady Quinn (Who Bears fans would've loved just as much as Le Sulk. Being from Notre Dame and all...) for peanuts, then giving up a year and a half's worth of draft picks for his SEC equivalent is moronic. Nice work Bears, keep fucking that chicken.

Monday Grab Bag: Bracket Day!

What does America understand? Brackets! Much like Nudie Magazine Day was for Billy Madison, Bracket Day is a day of celebration for me.... until I look at my completed sheet and sigh.

The NCAA Tournament Field: In an upset, CU had its bubble burst, and got left out of The Tournament (*chortle*). With them out of the field, I'm gonna have to go with Kansas. Seriously, who worries them? Maryland, Michigan St, Georgetown, or Ohio State don't. Same with Duke. Those two teams have a pretty easy road-a-hoe'n ahead of them. Look for KU vs Duke in the final. And, as always, I am completely wrong about everything related to the Tourney. Since I actually follow basketball, I have no chance of winning any pool I am entered in.

(Even Cory and Marcus think my bracket is a joke)

Upset Picks: Like everyone else, I like UTEP (even as far as the Sweet Sixteen!). I also like Washington, St Mary's, and Utah State. Siena and Cornell are fool's follys and are just a waste of time to pick them. My internal jury is still out on Old Dominion vs Notre Dame. The Irish are closing the season strong, so I'll probably stick with them.

Leave the Tournament Alone: Over the past few months, and especially this morning, I have been bombarded with calls to tweak the Tourney. Notions to include more teams or change the selection committee continue to pop up every now and then. Let's get this straight: The Tournament is fine, leave it alone. Coaches just want to expand the dance to save their friends jobs. The media wants to tweak the selection committee because.... well I don't know (It's probably because they can't stand to let a good thing be good). The field, as currently situated is perfectly fine; a good number of BCS schools get in, and there are still enough at-large bids left over to include some "mid-majors." If you expand the field, there there is no more meaning to being a "tournament" team (forgetting for a moment, that the regular season would mean nothing). The selection committee does an exemplary job in a small amount of time. What's the problem with the field? Who got left out? Illinois? I love the Orange and Blue, but if they wanted to dance, they should've beaten Bradley, or won an extra Big 11 tournament game. The point is, more mediocre teams would not necessarily make for a better tournament.

(Villanova coach Jay Wright would just love to mess with the Tournament. Leave it alone, Jay!)

David Beckham is out, and it doesn't necessarily hurt the U.S.: English Right-Midfielder David Beckham tore his Achilles Tendon over the weekend, and will miss the World Cup. With England being the U.S.A.'s opening opponent in the WC, I looked at how this will affect the match-up. Initially, when you look at his probable replacements (Aaron Lennon, Ashley Young, Theo Walcott) you should notice the massive change in pace. Becks superstar 30+ year old legs can't come close to the speed that his replacements can bring to the table. The interesting thing is that it shouldn't matter much against the U.S. In recent match-ups against speedier wing players (Netherlands and Spain) the U.S. has simply let the speed wings do their thing, while locking down on midfield. Obviously, Becks talent lies with his free kick. Add to that his ability to quickly shift the field of play (through long crosses) and he would probably have caused more trouble for the U.S. than his theoretical replacements. Still, U.S. wing backs will have to be sure to eat their Wheaties before the suddenly speedier England team takes the field.

(Essentially, his international career is over. Buck up, David: the MLS will still have you! From: The BBC)

Rex Ryan and his soon to be less Flabby Gut: Rex Ryan, awesome guy and coach of the New York Jets, has opted for lap band surgery. Another dude falls from the noble "fat man" club. We'll miss you Rex.

Jared Mitchell out for season: The top Sox prospect, CF Jared Mitchell, is probably out for the season with a torn ankle tendon suffered while making a sweet grab against the hated Cubs. While he is just a prospect, and still probably a year or two away from leading off for the South Sider's before the injury, he was very exciting to watch in Spring Training. The Sox sure have done well for themselves, taking championship level college players over "high-ceiling" high school question marks in recent drafts (See: Beckham, Gordon). Hopefully, Mitchell will make a full recovery, and not have his outstanding athleticism diminished because of this.

(Get well soon, Jared! From: Mlb.com)

Have a happy Monday!

Quick Post: Graphical contemplation of esoteric and physical power

I Found this funny.... yes I'm a dork.

(Updated) Friday Beer Post: Despite the Great Recession, Craft Beer grows

A short article in the Daily Camera caught my eye this week. It seems that, despite the sluggishness of the overall economy, the craft brewing industry continues to grow.

Based on a report from the Brewers Association, the article describes an uptick last year in not only craft beer sales, but growth in market share and number of craft breweries. In 2009, craft breweries reported an overall increase in sales by dollar (10.3%) and by volume (7.2%). Market share increased to 6.9% by dollar amount of the whole beer industry.

(Oskar Blues, who opened this new facility in Longmont, reported a sales increase of 145% last year)

This is welcome news. That craft brewing, which can be considered a premium product, can expand its economic heft during a time of wallet tightening is impressive. Besides the raw numeric growth, 49 extra breweries jumped into the market over the past year. This shows that investors and entrepreneurs see continued potential in the craft brewing market, and are willing, despite the economic downturn, to jump in feet first.

Going further, specialty brews, like seasonals, grew 25% last year. People want interesting new, and sometimes challenging, options. Craft brewing is providing those options. We haven't hit any sort of market saturation point yet. There are still opportunities out there for new brewers with new ideas.

(Update: You can find a further writeup of the uptick in craft brewing at the Denver Craft Beer Examiner Blog)

Have a Happy Friday!

Soccer: commercial free, relegation, and the free market

I'd like to take a small detour from my normal discussion points (Baseball, Basketball, and Beer) and focus on soccer. Specifically the English Premier League.

I find English Soccer fascinating because of a couple of intriguing aspects. Initially, I was drawn in by the lack of commercials and constant pace. Recent studies by the Wall Street Journal have found that there is only about 11 minutes of actual game action in a typical NFL game. You get 67 minutes of players just standing around, and almost an hour of commercials. (Short aside: it's because of this, that I find football particularly boring. I cannot watch a football game that I don't have a horse in, it just bores me to tears. Football, as a sport, is by far, my least favorite of the "big 4" 'Murikan sports) Soccer, on the other hand, has no commercial breaks during the games. It's just 45 minutes of game, followed by a break for halftime, followed by another 45 minutes of game. All-in-all, from kickoff to conclusion, a soccer match finishes in under 2 hours, every time. It's very easy to get wrapped up in a soccer match.

I find commercial breaks to be abhorrent. Obviously, the T.V. networks need to have a revenue stream to re-coop the broadcast rights cash that they dole out, but the over-commercialization of sports kills the flow of the game. Did you like that Olympic hockey? It possibly has to do with the lack of media timeouts during the periods. NBC had to cram commercials in between normal whistles on the ice. The flow of the game, when uninterrupted by artificial media breaks, in massively enhanced. Who hasn't been stuck in football commercial hell? Interception, 3 minute media time-out for the possession switch, score on the next play, extra point, 4 minute media time-out for the possession switch, kick-off, 3 minute media time-out for the possession switch. It makes me want to rip (what's left of) my damn hair out. Don't even get me started on the 2 1/2 minute breaks between half-innings in baseball. What I don't get is why we sit for this shit.

A further aspect is the free wheeling nature of player transfers. Because of the large number of clubs and leagues around the world, there is plenty of competition and options on the player market. You are not forced to deal with your primary competitors in order to improve your team . If an NFL team want to improve their roster, they almost have to talk to another NFL team, which can create an inflated value system.

International soccer leagues are also devoid of a draft system. If you want new talent, it won't come to you, you have to beat other teams to get it. Teams also have youth systems, creating an in-house talent pool that, hopefully, will create the next generation of on field talent. Baseball has started down this path as many teams have youth organizations in the Dominican Republic and other Caribbean nations, specifically to cultivate talent that isn't covered by the draft system.

A final intriguing aspect is the concept of relegation. Relegation is the manner by which soccer clubs are pressured to constantly produce a winner. For example: in the 20 team EPL, the bottom 3 teams in the standings, each year, are relegated (sent down) to a lower league (In this case the Coca-Cola Championship League). This system is in place throughout the English soccer system, down to the smallest recreational club teams. Since higher revenues (and glory) come from playing in higher level leagues, it constantly puts pressure on teams to perform if they want to stay financially viable. Even this past year, traditional power Newcastle United was sent to the equivalent of AAA baseball because they had such a shitty season. No one is safe, there are no free rides. You have to constantly be improving you club and your investment if you want to stay at the top.

In 'Murikan sports, teams (and owners) are protected from such a reality. A prime example are the Florida Marlins. About every 6 or 7 years they spit out a championship level group of talent, then sell it off for scraps. For the next 5 years, the team is typically awful and an embarrassment to baseball. They are enabled in this by the system of revenue sharing. This system, set up with good intentions, essentially rewards a team for repeatedly fielding young, cheap talent, and selling them off before they attain a truly competitive level. The Marlins, and other teams like the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Kansas City Royals, have repeatedly taken advantage of this system, throwing their young, cheap talent the the wolves, pocketing the revenue sharing payments, and starting over the next year (To the extent that recently Commissioner Bud Selig has told the Marlins ownership group that they have to start actually spending the money they receive on players, or they will receive less.). No matter how bad a team they field, the clubs are rewarded, rather than punished for failure and excess. Isn't the nature of relegation a little harsh? Sure. But isn't the free market supposed to be harsh? American sports, as currently constituted, make up little more than corporate welfare for the rich backed by tax-payer dollars (Free stadiums, tax breaks, etc...).

While the EPL isn't a perfect league (One of their teams, Portsmouth F.C. is about to essentially cease to exist following this season), it does offer a bunch of different aspects that I feel contrast favorably with the traditional American sports model. With the World Cup coming up, this is the perfect time to give international soccer a chance. I bet you might find something that you enjoy.

This ones for you Rico...

Live Blogging the CU vs Texas Tech game

Ok, so here's how this is going to work. I'll make this initial post, and then I'll repeatedly update it throughout the game. I'll include time-stamps with game time and score along with my comments.

(Final 82-67 Tech) Well, it's a shame that this is how it ends. I'm not sure how the CBI tournament goes, but the NIT is definitely out the window. Turnovers were the key. If CU had kept them down, it's probably a different story. Tech goes on a 74-49 run from the 11 minute mark in the 1st half. Burks plays well in his first Tourney Game, grabbing a double-double and 24 pts. Cory adds 18, but where was Relphorde after the 1st 5 minutes? Great adjustments by the 8 Tech coaches to quiet him, and get their guys to turn up the pressure to get the 19 turnovers CU was willing to offer them. CU finished with (only) 42% shooting. Tech ended up out shooting CU. CU was out rebounded 36-26.

Next year will, hopefully, be a great opportunity to watch winning CU basketball. Hopefully we'll be hearing about an incoming big man in the next few months. Cross your fingers.

(2nd Half 1:50 77-63 Tech) CU not getting calls in the lane that I'm sure they'd like (Personally, I'd rather no one get them, but I'm partial so, in this instance, they're terrible no calls). Roberson gets ESPN's player of the game.... sure, why not. CU has quieted him to an extent in the 2nd half, but that's fair. It really is over now as the lead is 14.

(2nd Half 2:50 73-63 Tech) Well, they're still trying. Al Burks has a double-double. OK, so when I said the season was over.... maybeee I was a little hasty. CU out working Tech right now. Tech has taken the foot off the peddle. It was down to 8 but Tech hits 2 free throws.

(2nd Half 4:40 71-58 Tech) Yep, the season's over. No coming back now. Press starting to get to Tech a little bit, though.

(2nd Half 5:50 67-52 Tech) Tech, wisely, just attacking the rim at this point after taking time. They have this game, as long as they don't get crazy. CU full-court-pressing in desperation mode. Hoping to cause a turnover... which they do! CU, also, trying to attack the rim on every possession

(2nd Half 6:50 65-49 Tech) Tech now in the bonus. We have a Keegan Hornbuckle sighting! Al Burks, much like the KU road game, seems to be the only one playing hard for 40 minutes. Shame that senior Dwight Thorne has had limited minutes today.

(2nd Half 8:00 61-46 Tech) 2nd chance points.... Tech just got 3 separate looks to get a bucket. That's been the story this year. It could be mitigated if CU didn't have 17 turnovers... oh, well.

(2nd Half 9:30 59-46 Tech) I'm still not convinced that Levi Knutson consistently provides anything on the court other than a warm body in Big XII play. ESPN running a nice package of CU's turnover's right now. Cory starting to wake up? Kind of?

(2nd Half 11:00 56-42 Tech) Tech is expanding it's rebounding lead (27-19), while CU continues to turn the ball over.

(2nd Half 12:50 52-37 Tech) Relphorde picks up his 3rd foul. He's really cooled off as the game has progressed. 8 quick points to start. Only 2 pts since. Al Burks starting to really show himself in whats essentially his home town. Where is Cory Higgins? CU jumps to a 1-3-1 matchup zone to try and change things up... and gives up 5 quick points. It's getting away from the Buffs. I doubt CU will be able to come back from the 15 point lead Tech has opened up.

(2nd Half 15:00 45-35 Tech) Of the 11 times CU trailed at the half in Big 12 games this year, CU only came back to win 2. CU finally scores in the 2nd half. Al Burks gets his 500th point on the season. Congrats Al!

(2nd Half 16:15 41-31 Tech ) CU yet to score in the 2nd half... turnovers, turnovers.... starting to look bad. Remember when I questioned if they'd panic? They are on defense, and they're starting to take weird shots.

(2nd Half 17:30 37-31 Tech) Mark Johnson rightly points out that there has been no interior presence so far. The 3's haven't been falling from Dufault and Crawford. CU really scrambling on D, Tech's speed is causing problems.

(Halftime) It really is a shame CU started turning the ball over. With 10 minutes to go, this game was a replay of Saturday. Focus drifted, Tech got some confidence, and the run was on. CU needs to turn the switch back to on in the 2nd half if they want to taste the NIT. Shooting slowed, dropping below 50%, as Tech's shots started falling. Foul troubles are almost non-existent (Nate has 2), which is nice to see. It'd be nice to see some lock-down-d on Roberson as he has 12, and is hitting every open shot. Lapses in D are a carbon copy from the 2nd half of Saturday. Relphorde and Al Burks are in double figures in points.

(Halftime 35-31 Tech) Big 3 from Burks, big stop on d, and CU releases. Foul on the break, and Burks goes to the line. Burks hits both free throws. He's really turned it on over the last few minutes. Tech hits a 3 right before the end of the half.

(1st Half 1:40 32-26 Tech) Really sloppy play from the Buffs. Missing easy shots, throwing passes away. Tech extending their lead... where has the energy gone? CU in bad need of a spark. CU losing turnover battle 11-7... just awful. Also being out rebounded 14-11. CU will not win anything with numbers like that. Tech has gone on a 24-6 run.... sigh.

(1st Half 4:00 28-24 Tech) Tech takes the lead... will CU panic? Man-Man D really causing difficulties for CU, TO's and lethargy really killing CU right now. CU again leaving Roberson open from deep. He has 3 3's. Just like Saturday, perimeter D letting the Buffs down.

(1st Half 6:00 22-22) TO's really starting to stunt CU's game. They're the only reason Tech is close. Relphorde continues to be big, as he gets a steal which leads to a slam. Tech starts to hit their 3's and ties up the game. Charles Johnson notes that CU is playing slower.

(1st Half 8:00 20-16 CU) CU defense is really aggressive early. Force Tech to call a timeout on an inbounds play. Tech is having to take tough shots. CU really trying to kick out on rebounds to jump-start offense. Tech goes on a mini-run, starts to close gap as CU starts to turn the ball over.

(1st Half 11:20 18-8 CU) An offensive rebound! That's 2! CU is out rebounding Tech 8-5. CU also spreading the ball around. Have 5 assists early compared to 2 TO's. Tech is only shooting 2-11. Good defense, too.

(1st Half 13:15 16-8 CU) Much like Saturday, Tech is getting in foul trouble with grabbing cutters. CU is shooting over 50% right now (5-9) as Dwight Thorne hits a 3. Good stuff.

(1st Half 15:30 11-5 CU) Relphorde is really showing himself today. Hoop and harm here just symbolic of his aggression. Good to see. As much as I like his shooting, he needs to attack the rim. Has 8 pts in the early going.

(1st Half 17:00 8-3 CU) If you're stuck at work like me, you can watch the game at http://channelsurfing.net/watch-ncaa-basketball-6.html. (Thanks, Trev!)

(1st Half 18:30, 3-0 CU) CU came out quick, winning the tip and converting on a back-cut. Relphorde is attacking the basket early, which is nice to see. Mark Johnson mentions that Tech is a little sloppy early

(Pregame) For what it's worth, ESPN Insider has CU as having 63% probability to win the game.

(Pregame) Coach Bz talked in the Daily Camera about the concept of better vs better. Both teams will, theoretically, play "better" than they did on Saturday (Certainly, if either team repeats effort or scheme, they will get killed). It's all an issue of who's "better" will be better today.

Things to watch for:

• Foul Trouble - Thankfully, CU has generally stayed out of this over the past few weeks. But, if the 8 coaches of Tech are smart, they'll try to get CU's two bigs (Dufault and Crawford) into trouble quickly. When a team wants to get fouls called on the Buffs, Dufault especially is usually willing to oblige them early in games.
• Shooting - Throughout the season, the story has been the disparity between home and road shooting. Watch CU's shooting early. If shots are falling, the Buffs have a great shot to win.
• Rebounding vs Turnovers - It's been noted that over the recent 3 game win streak CU hasn't rebounded well. But the key, rather than the glaring rebounding deficiencies, has been not only causing turnovers, but limiting those CU commits. Rebounding is almost inconsequential if CU cuts down on TO's, causes some of their own, and shoots the ball the way they are capable of doing.

I'm wary of the whole rematch factor. It's difficult to beat a team twice in less than a week's time. Hopefully Coach Bz has something extra up his sleeve.