Day 30: John Riggins, NLCS Game 1, Sunday picks and more

HEADLINES

1) Former Redskins running back John Riggins created a video ripping into current Redskins head coach Jim Zorn and posted the video onto his own youtube account? Are you alright with this?

Ben: Not at all. All that tough running must have done some brain damage to Riggins. I agree with Boz here, who does Riggins think he is? What does he know about coaching? Seriously, he was a running back for some good Redskins teams back in the day -- but the NFL has changed quite a bit since then. Look, I don't think Zorn has done all that great of a job either, but I think Riggins went a little over the top.

I could have my own video that says that Riggins doesn't know anything about being a running back because of 4 bad games strung together in the beginning stages of his NFL career, like when he averaged 54 yards per game his rookie season. C'mon Riggs, let's be grown ups about this. You have no say on the head coaching change, stop acting like you get to swing a big bat at headquarters.

Boz: No. Who the hell does John Riggins think he is? I don't care if he is a Hall of Famer. He's only making the situation worse in Washington by doing stupid things like this. Does he think he has his own television show on youtube or what? A lot of people are saying that they should just fire Jim Zorn because the situation is becoming a distraction inside the locker room. Well John Riggins, along with former quarterback Sonny Jurgensen, are making it a distraction. Both old guys need to shut up and just let the guy try to coach. If he fails and is fired, I want Riggins to get hired as head coach so he can fail and Jim Zorn can post a youtube video about how much Riggins sucks as a head coach.

2) The Phillies pulled out an 8-6 win in Game 1 of the NLCS against the Dodgers. With Game 2 tonight, what did you learn after Game 1?

Ben: I learned it's going to be an interesting series, and that Manny Rameriz is still one of the best right-handed hitters of all time. When you need a hit, Manny is your guy. The man cannot be phased - he just can't be. A decent pitch, low out of the zone, and Manny hits it 345 feet to left center. Is he for real?

And Brad Lidge was far from electric last night, and allowed two runners to get on, and at least one ball to be hit hard. Boz, the jury is still out on his condition.

Boz: I learned that Ben was wrong and I was right about Phillies closer Brad Lidge. When the closer controversary between Lidge and Ryan Madsen first started, Ben (and many, many others) wanted Madsen in the closer role. I stated that Lidge should stay in there because he is playoff tested and could come up big in postseason play (if you don't believe me see Day 14). So now here we are just one game into the NLCS and Lidge already has three saves in the playoffs. Have all of them been pretty saves...no, but they are saves none the less.

3) Midnight Madness kicks off tonight for most college basketball teams and I love that we are finally talking college basketball. Who is your preseason favorite to win it all in Indianapolis 2010?

Ben: I'm going to throw out the usual suspects, UNC, Kansas, and Duke. But, my surprise teams are going to be two teams from opposite areas. I'll take UCLA to be a minor surprise team at the top, and Louisville to compete for a Final Four spot. I think both schools have great head coaches, and typically have been able to recruit good athletes. I also think those two conferences, Pac-10 and Big East are two of the top 3 conferences in the nation. Look out for the Bruins and Cardinals late in March.

Boz: I like to think that Kansas because they have experience in both the post and in the backcourt. However, I'm going with Kentucky. Calipari brought in one of the best recruiting classes since the Fab 5 and even though they'll be young, Calipari knows how to get the best out of those very talented younger players (i.e.- Derrick Rose). The only hope is that he brought in all of those top recruits legally, which hasn't always been the case at his previous two schools.

4) Ravens middle linebacker Ray Lewis was fined $25,000 for his hit late in the game on Chad Ochocinco. Did the punishment fit the crime?

Ben: Sure. If you are going to fine players for pulling the jersey, or face-masks, then you have to fine him substainally for this hit. Ray Lewis hits like a runaway train, and Chad Ochocinco can attest to that. A defenseless player is about the only fine recently that I will completely stand behind, and therefore Lewis deserves to write that check to charity.

Ben: I guess so. You could tell that the hit was intentional and the video obviously shows Lewis lunging toward Ochocinco. The problem is that $25,000 for Ray Lewis is pocket change and most likely won't prevent him from laying out a wide receiver coming across the middle again. What I think is ironic is that this hit happened the very next week after Lewis was very public about his opinions on the league's rules protecting the quarterback.

NFL PICK 'EM

Last week          Ben: 2-4           Boz: 3-3
Season               Ben: 11-14       Boz: 17-8

1) New York Giants (5-0) at New Orleans (4-0)

Ben: NEW ORLEANS. They are coming off the bye week, and teams that have 2 weeks to prepare for an opponent have a big advantage. I'll take Drew Brees at home.

Boz: NEW ORLEANS. I know that the Giants are a tough road team, but Drew Brees has a very strong record in the Superdome. The Saints showed that they have a strong defense to match the offense. This is going to be a great game but I got the Saints in a close but high scoring game.

2) Baltimore (3-2) at Minnesota (5-0)

Ben: MINNESOTA. Brett Farve, Adrian Peterson, and that defense are going to make it tough on the Ravens. That, in addition to a difficult environment at the Hubert Humpherey Metrodome, will make this a Vikings victory to make it 6-0.

Boz: BALTIMORE. I like the Ravens and I think they have suffered two tough losses in as many weeks to good teams. The Vikings are another good team but the Ravens won't make it 3-0. It's a road game but I like the Ravens offense as the two defenses already match up even.

3) Detroit (1-4) at Green Bay (2-2)

Ben: DETROIT. I can't stop picking them. This ends a 18 year losing streak in Green Bay.

Boz: GREEN BAY. I believe Daunte Culpepper is starting at quarterback. Not that it matters in this one.

4) Arizona (2-2) at Seattle (2-3)

Ben: ARIZONA. They are the more talented team, and will start get things rolling with last weeks big win over Houston. I think Kurt Warner gets hot this week.

Boz: SEATTLE. The Cardinals need to start running the ball and become a more balanced offense before they can think about repeating as NFC Champs. I liked how Seattle looked at home last week with Hasselback back and see it happening again this week.

5) Chicago (3-1) at Atlanta (3-1)

Ben: ATLANTA. Is this even a question? Did anyone else see what they did to the 49ers last week in San Fran? Atlanta takes it to the Bears this week.

Boz: CHICAGO. I think the Bears can go into Atlanta and beat the Falcons, but I am more hoping that the Bears go into Atlanta and beat the Falcons.

6) Denver (5-0) at San Diego (2-2)

Ben: SAN DIEGO. The Chargers are always the best .500 team in the NFL. Every year. This game will end the cinderalla story that is Josh McDaniels and the Denver Broncos. Things start going the other way after this week.

Boz: SAN DIEGO. I'm still not on the Broncos bandwagon. Yes, they are tough team but all of their big wins have come at home. They'll be tested on the road against the Chargers.

HAPPY HOUR

Ben: Happy 68th Birthday Tim McCarver. The Phillies and Mets catcher from way back when was a pretty good catcher and had a solid career. Now he is an average announcer that I can't stand at some points during broadcasts. I will give him a shout out though, because he has his moments where he provides real insight -- and he was a pretty good player.

Boz: Happy 37th Birthday to Kordell Stewart! Slash's best years at quarterback came in college at Colorado where he is most known for the hail mary pass in 1994 to beat Michigan, 27-26. His best years were in Pittsburgh where he was used as a receiver before being handed the reigns at quarterback for a short period of time. He also started at quarterback at Chicago before being benched for Chris Chandler. His 38 rushing touchdowns are second most in histrory for a quarterback, behind only Steve Young. With the new UFL forming, Slash still won't be playing quarterback, but instead will be a sideline reporter.