Day 26: NFL Surprises, MLB Sweeps, President's Cup and more

HEADLINES

1) It was a very exciting Sunday in the NFL world with the Broncos, Bengals and Falcons picking up big wins? What surprised you the most yesterday in the NFL?

Ben: What most surprised me was three things, first the fall from grace that the Jacksonville Jaguars are going through right now losing 41-0 against the Seattle Seahawks, the utter incompetence of the Cleveland Browns offense and yet they still win 6-3, and the dominating fashion in which the Atlanta Falcons beat up the S.F. 49ers. I can't believe that two seasons ago the Jags were beating the Pittsburgh Steelers in the opening round of the playoffs and now, they are getting manhandled on both sides of the ball. The Cleveland Browns somehow pull out a win while they have serious QB issues and a truly inept offensive strategy. It's amazing that this can happen after two seasons ago being 10-6.

And lastly, Matt Ryan, Mike Smith, and the Atlanta Falcons are for real. They are one of the best teams, top to bottom, in the NFC and possibly the NFL. They got beat by a good New England team, but no doubt have learned from that and put a WHOOPIN' on the 9ers. Tough day for the Bay Area, but at least the 9ers will rebound.

Boz: The outcome of the game for all three of those teams surprised me, but what surprised me the most yesterday was the amount of points that the Falcons put up on the 49ers defense. Everyone has been talking about the Niner defense and about the wonderful job that Mike Singletary has been doing with them. This was a major setback for that defense as the Falcons shredded the 49ers both on the ground and through the air. After a game like this, I think that the 49ers are thanking their lucky stars that they are in the NFC West.

As a Bears fan, I would like to state how upsetting it was to see Kyle Orton and Cedric Benson have HUGE days for their respective teams.

2) The Dodgers, Angels and Yankees all completed sweeps in their divisional series over the weekend. What sweep were you most surprsed by?

Ben: I was surprised by the listless Boston Red Sox. The pitching seemed like it was there for the most part, but the offense was just terrible. I can't remember the last time I saw such a "don't care" performance from the BoSox. The Angels are a good team and I don't mean to take anything away from them in winning this serier, but the Red Sox just mailed it in, and that's what's most surprising, given their crazed fan base.

Boz: If you were to tell me that the Dodgers were going to sweep the Cardinals I would have never of believed you. To think that the struggling offense of the Dodgers were going to win three straight games, two of which were started by potential Cy Young winners, is unbelievable. Everyone questioned the Dodgers starting pitching staff coming into the playoffs and they out pitched the Cardinals in every game. Their offense is coming around with some timely hitting and their bullpen is scary. I think the Dodgers have all of the momentum going into the NLCS.

With that being said, congrats to the Angels in their sweep of the Red Sox. I was also shocked by this sweep as well, but less shocked after seeing the Red Sox play in October without any passion or excitement.

3) The United States easily defeated the International team to win the President's Cup. Were you surprised at how easy the win was for the Americans?

Ben: Yes. These team competitions aren't easy, and rarely do you see complete dominance like you saw this weekend. I will say that if you told me Tiger, Phil, Stricker, and Anthony Kim would all play as well as they did, I would expect these kind of results. Typically those players have not had great International matches, but this year played exceedingly well. Therefore, it was a blowout from the get-go. I would be shocked if we saw a repeat performance like this next year in the Ryder Cup.

Boz: No. The United States team had the best players in the world and they played like the best players in the world over the weekend. Woods was dominate, Stricker was dominate, Phil was dominate. When that happens, I don't see why the Americans wouldn't easily beat the International team. What shocked me was how much Tiger adapted to the team's success. The best golfer in the world was less about his success, even though he had a ton, and became more about the success of the team. I hope that when golf returns to the Olympics that it is done in a team format and not an individual tournament. I think that this leads to more excitement and passion for the outcome.

4) Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh is bidding to buy ownership in the St. Louis Rams. Should the NFL allow Limbaugh ownership in the league?

Ben: I don't see why he should be kept out. I mean, if you're going to use the logic that he is loud and obnoxious, then Mark Cuban shouldn't be an owner, George Steinbrenner shouldn't be an owner, and Jerry Jones shouldn't be an owner. Although I don't particularly like Limbaugh, I think he would get some life into the Rams and help them get back on the right track.

And, let's throw this out there, it's a minority ownership in the Rams, so it's not like he would be the sole decision maker. I will say that there is a chance he says something stupid, but I think while Limbaugh is ultra-conservative, he only says some of those things to draw attention. He might stop doing that when he owns a team.

Boz: Absolutely not. Limbaugh has proven over and over that he is a pompous idiot and can repeatedly put his foot in his mouth. He has already dabbled in sport by doing pro football commentary and that didn't even last the season after making racist comments about Donovan McNabb. If he becomes an owner in the NFL, I would put the Greg Bouslog gaurentee on him shooting off his mouth in a controversial matter. There has to be some rich guy who wants to buy the Rams that wouldn't be so risky. That's the route the NFL should take.

ODDS

1) Tony La Russa has stated that he is unsure that he would return now that his contract has expired after the Cardinals were swept out of the playoffs. What are the odds that La Russa will be managing the Cardinals next season?

Ben: 50%. I think it's up in the air whether or not he comes back. I mean, Dave Duncan is gone, and he's been battling ownership/general management almost all season telling them who to trade and who they want. I think La Russa could come back if he wanted to, but I'm not sure he wants to be back in St. Louis next season.

Boz: 95%. The only reason that I'm not saying that it is 100% is because I am unsure of La Russa's desire to return to coaching in the MLB. However, if he does want to return to coaching then the Cardinals need to do everything possible to keep him managing the Cardinals. He is one of the best managers of all-time and can always get more out of a team than they are capable of.

2) Both LA teams have swept their way into the league championship series. What are the odds that there will be an all-LA world series?

Ben: 60%. The Angels and Dodgers both have decent odds to make a run to the World Series, and I would say the trip across country hurts the eastern time zone teams more because of the late start times, giving the LA teams the leg up.

Boz: 32%. I like the Dodgers to win the NL, but it won't be an easy matter for the Angels to knock off the Yankees. The Angels are playing good baseball right now but the Yankees still have the better pitching. As cool as an all-LA world series would be, a Yankees-Dodgers world series is just as cool, if not cooler.

3) Ineligible Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant is scheduled to have a meeting with the NCAA regarding his ineligible status. What are the odds that Dez Bryant will be reinstated by the NCAA?

Ben: 50%. He broke a rule. He should face consequences. I don't care how stupid the rule is, or how small the infraction was. Most likely, Dez Bryant has caught enough breaks in his life, I'm not concerned about giving him ANOTHER break. Life's not fair, deal with it.
Boz: 90%. I think he is clear here after hearing what Deion Sanders has said about his interaction with Bryant and how no rules were broken. I think Sanders has a clear understanding of NCAA rules and I feel as if I want to believe. I just hope that the NCAA can admit that a mistake was made and let the young man continue to achieve his dream.

HAPPY HOUR

Ben: Happy 39th Birthday to Charlie Ward. The former Heisman trophy winner, who switched to professional basketball, had a great career with the Knicks, had a stellar career as QB at Flordia State. I loved Ward as a Seminole and hated him as a Knick. Such a great all-around athlete earns a comment on the greatest all-around blog on the web.

Boz: Happy 41st Birthday to Leon Lett. The former Cowboys' defensive tackle was a talented football player but is more remembered for his duo of sports blunders. The first blunder was celebrating too early during his 55-yard fumble return and started slowing down at the 10 yard line and holding the ball out. Don Beebe chased him down, knocked the ball out of Lett's hands and out of the back of the end zone, resulting in a touchback. The Cowboys were up big and it did not effect the outcome of the game.

However, his second blunder did. In a Thanksgiving snow game, the Cowboys blocked a last second field goal attempt and everyone thought the game was over. However, Lett touched the ball and a Dolphins player recovered, allowing the Dolphins to kick the game-winning field goal.