Friday, November 29, 2013
2013 MLB Review
This has been long time coming. I'm up to my neck in football footage but needed this off my chest. First, the embarrassing part: my picks with my wife, Ems.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
QB Corner - Colin Kaepernick (Carolina @ San Francisco)
I've had a ton of fun breaking down QB mechanics with Josh Freeman the last couple of weeks, but A) I needed a break from that cloud of negativity, B) if he is a healthy scratch, so am I, and C) I wanted to take a look what's happening in the rest of the league! I've created a new moniker for these posts: QB Corner.
One game in particular stood out: Week 10's Carolina at San Francisco match. As you can tell by the 10-7 final score, this one was dominated by defense - and rightfully so as these are two of the best defenses in the league. Not lost among the offensive ineptitude was dismal the performance of the two quarterbacks: Cam Newton and Colin Kaepernick. This is especially interesting because Cam and Colin, like Josh, are young, athletic quarterbacks that have had various ups and downs during their brief careers. But both of these signal callers are entrenched in their starting roles, despite their struggles, while Josh is on his way to journeyman status. Why do they get a pass for sometimes uneven, sometimes outright debilitating performance?
First, the numbers - these are courtesy of Pro Football Reference and are pro-rated for a 16 game schedule. Let's see if you can guess which QB is which:
One game in particular stood out: Week 10's Carolina at San Francisco match. As you can tell by the 10-7 final score, this one was dominated by defense - and rightfully so as these are two of the best defenses in the league. Not lost among the offensive ineptitude was dismal the performance of the two quarterbacks: Cam Newton and Colin Kaepernick. This is especially interesting because Cam and Colin, like Josh, are young, athletic quarterbacks that have had various ups and downs during their brief careers. But both of these signal callers are entrenched in their starting roles, despite their struggles, while Josh is on his way to journeyman status. Why do they get a pass for sometimes uneven, sometimes outright debilitating performance?
First, the numbers - these are courtesy of Pro Football Reference and are pro-rated for a 16 game schedule. Let's see if you can guess which QB is which:
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Thoughts on the U.S.A. Gold Medal in the FIBA World Championships
I was cleaning up my old drafts and found this post about the 2010 World Basketball Championships that was never published. Enjoy my thoughts about the team and the players from three years ago. Goodness how some of these guys have grown - I will always remember watching them come together for this run and how fun this team was.
First of all, this was Kevin Durant's coming out party. I know he's good. He's been good for a while. But I don't think he's ever been this good. Sure, making the playoffs last year with the Thunder was huge. Getting in your reps with a defender like Artest against a championship-caliber team is something great youngsters have to go through. But this was something else. You could see it in his eyes during the gold medal game against Turkey. How he glared at the fans. How he celebrated after a long three. How he laughed off the pitiful Turkish defense after burying another, longer three. Not that the Turkish defense was bad. Their extended zone was a problem for teams all tournament, and this team played with intelligence and class (well, outside of maybe Turkoglu). But they could not match up with Durant, and Durant knew it. And he feasted. He looked a lot like Michael Jordan or Larry Bird, when they got that look in their eyes that said: "I got this. They can't guard me. Let me take us home." It's arrogance and leadership and confidence. I think this will be a real turning point for him, the point where he learns how to win.
Another thing that I loved seeing from Team USA: the ball movement. In early games (especially against Brazil), you would see the team swing the ball crisply around the perimeter, passing up long shots to probe the defense. Guys seemed to be driving the lane with purpose: even the younger guards (Westbrook, Rose) seemed to cut down on the senseless forays into the paint. A couple hard dribbles, kick out, rotate the ball, reverse, etc. Durant beating zone defenses by himself helped, but they always identified the hot hand. That can be a tough ask for a talented young guard, and it's what separates many from a Chris Paul or John Stockton or Magic Johnson. Those guys know how to manage a game, constantly have a mental ledger of who needs the ball, who can go a few more possessions without, and who gives the team the best chance to win.
Speaking of the young guards: they are fun to watch, aren't they? I forgive them for the hotheaded rim runs they do put on due to the sheer athleticism they exhibit through such displays. Yeah, Rose probably played with too big a chip on his shoulder, causing him to run through a few too many guys, but you know what? I like that he doesn't feel he belongs. He is a bona fide superstar in the league, was a superstar in college, and a superstar in high school, and yet he's here with something to prove. I think all this stems from the whole training camp competition between Rose, Westbrook, and Rondo. Rondo couldn't handle it. I hope he's back. But for Derrick and Russell, this is a valuable time to learn how to play in a system and how to not be the man all the time. But when they do have the ball in their hands? Look out, world.
The final thing that stood out to me about this USA team in particular was the coaching. Coach K pulled some rabbits out of his hat. Small-ball lineups, multiple guards, trusting Lamar Odom at center... he really tried something different, and I loved the way the team played. Each guy knew his role. Guys would come off the bench and fly on defense. I loved watching Iggy whenever he was in the game. He was so infectious. It seemed like these guys really bought into Coach K, bought into Team USA, and in London, that will matter when the All-Stars are there. Some of these guys will make it to London, and I'm so happy for them.
First of all, this was Kevin Durant's coming out party. I know he's good. He's been good for a while. But I don't think he's ever been this good. Sure, making the playoffs last year with the Thunder was huge. Getting in your reps with a defender like Artest against a championship-caliber team is something great youngsters have to go through. But this was something else. You could see it in his eyes during the gold medal game against Turkey. How he glared at the fans. How he celebrated after a long three. How he laughed off the pitiful Turkish defense after burying another, longer three. Not that the Turkish defense was bad. Their extended zone was a problem for teams all tournament, and this team played with intelligence and class (well, outside of maybe Turkoglu). But they could not match up with Durant, and Durant knew it. And he feasted. He looked a lot like Michael Jordan or Larry Bird, when they got that look in their eyes that said: "I got this. They can't guard me. Let me take us home." It's arrogance and leadership and confidence. I think this will be a real turning point for him, the point where he learns how to win.
Another thing that I loved seeing from Team USA: the ball movement. In early games (especially against Brazil), you would see the team swing the ball crisply around the perimeter, passing up long shots to probe the defense. Guys seemed to be driving the lane with purpose: even the younger guards (Westbrook, Rose) seemed to cut down on the senseless forays into the paint. A couple hard dribbles, kick out, rotate the ball, reverse, etc. Durant beating zone defenses by himself helped, but they always identified the hot hand. That can be a tough ask for a talented young guard, and it's what separates many from a Chris Paul or John Stockton or Magic Johnson. Those guys know how to manage a game, constantly have a mental ledger of who needs the ball, who can go a few more possessions without, and who gives the team the best chance to win.
Speaking of the young guards: they are fun to watch, aren't they? I forgive them for the hotheaded rim runs they do put on due to the sheer athleticism they exhibit through such displays. Yeah, Rose probably played with too big a chip on his shoulder, causing him to run through a few too many guys, but you know what? I like that he doesn't feel he belongs. He is a bona fide superstar in the league, was a superstar in college, and a superstar in high school, and yet he's here with something to prove. I think all this stems from the whole training camp competition between Rose, Westbrook, and Rondo. Rondo couldn't handle it. I hope he's back. But for Derrick and Russell, this is a valuable time to learn how to play in a system and how to not be the man all the time. But when they do have the ball in their hands? Look out, world.
The final thing that stood out to me about this USA team in particular was the coaching. Coach K pulled some rabbits out of his hat. Small-ball lineups, multiple guards, trusting Lamar Odom at center... he really tried something different, and I loved the way the team played. Each guy knew his role. Guys would come off the bench and fly on defense. I loved watching Iggy whenever he was in the game. He was so infectious. It seemed like these guys really bought into Coach K, bought into Team USA, and in London, that will matter when the All-Stars are there. Some of these guys will make it to London, and I'm so happy for them.
Sunday, November 17, 2013
NFL Midpoint Review: The Contenders
In Part 1, I broke down where each team was in relation to it's pre-season over/under. Here, I'll discuss what I believe to be the playoff contenders:
AFC
Kansas City Chiefs
Why They'll Win It All: A dominant defense anchored by a great DT in Dontari Poe is stout against the run. Edge rushers Justin Houston and Tamba Hali are menaces. Jamaal Charles can win games by himself on offense and Alex Smiths' sack (7.6%) and interception (1.3%) rates are near career-lows. They're staring at home-field advantage throughout the AFC. Andy Reid is an underrated coach, as is Dave Toub (formerly Chicago's special teams coach, and special teams matter in the playoffs).
Why They'll Fall Short: Charles' 2.3% rating is only 17th in Football Outsiders' DVOA chart despite ranking 12th in total yards above replacement (DYAR). That means he is producing via a huge number of carries but is not as explosive as some other backs. Dwayne Bowe (-1.7% DVOA, 50th among WRs) is nonexistent and there isn't a second receiving threat. They have played a soft schedule and need to prove themselves against playoff teams. They've allowed teams with backup QB's to make games close in recent weeks as they've been unable to put together long offensive drives. Andy Reid is weak at clock and situation management and can afford no mistakes in the playoffs (though he did well in tonight's loss to Denver, using his timeouts to stop the clock earlier rather than late).
AFC
Kansas City Chiefs
Why They'll Win It All: A dominant defense anchored by a great DT in Dontari Poe is stout against the run. Edge rushers Justin Houston and Tamba Hali are menaces. Jamaal Charles can win games by himself on offense and Alex Smiths' sack (7.6%) and interception (1.3%) rates are near career-lows. They're staring at home-field advantage throughout the AFC. Andy Reid is an underrated coach, as is Dave Toub (formerly Chicago's special teams coach, and special teams matter in the playoffs).
Why They'll Fall Short: Charles' 2.3% rating is only 17th in Football Outsiders' DVOA chart despite ranking 12th in total yards above replacement (DYAR). That means he is producing via a huge number of carries but is not as explosive as some other backs. Dwayne Bowe (-1.7% DVOA, 50th among WRs) is nonexistent and there isn't a second receiving threat. They have played a soft schedule and need to prove themselves against playoff teams. They've allowed teams with backup QB's to make games close in recent weeks as they've been unable to put together long offensive drives. Andy Reid is weak at clock and situation management and can afford no mistakes in the playoffs (though he did well in tonight's loss to Denver, using his timeouts to stop the clock earlier rather than late).
NFL Midpoint Review: Overs and Unders
Catching time to blog has been a struggle lately. I'm knee-deep in some QB analysis projects (you've seen some, others to come) but needed to take a break and get a glimpse of what's going on in the NFL (and the final MLB post isn't up yet, either). I thought a mid-season review on my NFL picks and comments on probably playoff teams would be a fun diversion. And we're off:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)