HEADLINES
1) The Angels pulled out a come-from-behind win against the Yankees to force a Game 6 back in the Bronx. What chance are you giving the Angels to win the series?
Ben: I'll say something around 20-30%. The only reason I give them a fighting chance is because their will-to-win. Most teams I would write them off and start comparing Phillies vs. Yanks, but the Angels just seem to have something going for them and come up with HUGE hits all the time. I don't know if they have the pitching down the stretch to hang with the Yanks, but I'll give them a punchers chance to get this one to 7 and possibly win.
Boz: If today were a Monday and we were playing odds, I would probably give the Angels a 15% chance at coming back and winning the series. Not only are the remaining two games in New York, the Angles have to face Andy Petitte, who is attempting to tie John Smoltz for the most postseason wins all-time, and if they force a Game 7 they would face C.C. Sabathia, who has been lights out this postseason. The Angels are such a scrappy team that I wouldn't be completely shocked to see them pull this off, but the odds are stacked highly against them. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
2) In a new book written by Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, Johnson stated that after he retired from basketball in 1991, Thomas spread rumors that Johnson got his HIV because he was homosexual and that Johnson was the reason Thomas was not on the 1992 Dream Team. Isiah has said he feels blindsinded by the comments. Whose side are you on?
Ben: I'll take Magic's side. Although I do think Thomas has got a bad rap recently by his failed ventures after his playing days. Look Magic had to go through an amazing difficult situation, and had to do it while few people shunned him because of his disease. He has been an great person, and the way he has handled it should be an example of how to represent yourself in difficult times. That is the reason I side with Magic.
Isiah may not have been the first person to say these things about Magic, but he certainly seems to be the most notable. I also feel like Isiah was kept off of the Dream Team because of his personality as it was viewed by the rest of the league -- which was probably slightly egotistical. Like Boz, I won't pretend to know everything about this, but that's my view on the subject from my knowledge so far.
Boz: It's hard to say because we were so young at the time that all of this was going on and this is really the first I've ever heard of a dislike between the two players. I've seen a ton of video of the kiss before the 1988 finals and before the 1992 all-star game. From what I've heard the source that said that Thomas started the rumor was a credible source and that he wasn't the only one. And I've also heard that Magic wasn't the only person that disliked Isiah. So I guess I have to side with Magic on this one, but I don't claim to be the most informed person in the matter.
3) The Patriots and the Bucaneers are set to kick off the NFL's third game in London on Sunday. Are you a fan of playing NFL games across the pond in London?
Ben: No, not really. Does the NFL think they are going to put a permanent team in London, or anywhere in Europe for that matter? That is a total inconvience and really isn't much fun to watch on a consistent basis. So far, every year there has been terrible weather. And while there have been big crowds there during the one game a year trial the NFL is doing -- would they show up 8 games a year? Is it fair to take this home game away from the Bucs or Pats? I say no to both of those question, and I don't think this is a good idea at all. Sure, the idea of expanding is a good one, but there are probably other areas to improve the game before you go looking in other countries for teams.
Boz: I'm undecided. I'm always in favor of globalization in professional sports. What makes me undecided is if London is the right choice for where to globalize the NFL. London is soccer crazy and I don't believe that they want to take to football. I think if the NFL wanted to find a market across the pond it would more likely be in Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland. That's where a majority of the NFL Europa teams were located because there was an audience there. However, the first two games in London drew a big crowd, but I'd like to see if they can sustain it.
4) Back here in the states there is a lesser known football game taking place, but just as much importance to us here at The Sports Desk. Tonight on the gridiron as the Orion Chargers (Ben's high school) and Princeton Tigers (Boz's high school) square off at Bryant Field in the wonderful town of Princeton, IL. Who do you got in this high school battle?
Ben: Da Chargers! C'mon, you got Ted Leuck roaming the field, there is no way the Tigers stand a chance. I mean he's a starter at Center, Cornerback (that's right), holder, gunner, and special teams ace. That, my friends, is a deadly combination. That, and the Chargers throw the ball quite a bit, and even if they are a little undersized, they make up for it in clutch plays -- as evidenced by their close wins throughout the season.
All of that -- and my brother playing for the O-town gang -- I'll take the Chargers in a minor upset.
Boz: T-I-G-E-R-S. It's not easy for visiting teams to come into the Jungle and have to deal with the Blue Rush. If it were the same teams from when we were in high school, I have no doubt that the Tigers would come away with an easy victory led by the play of offensive lineman/middle linebacker Timothy James Scruggs and quarterback/safety Brian Stetson (went to Augustana with Ben). However, what little I've heard about the Tiger football team lately is not positive and I can't say that I know one player on the current roster since I am seven years removed from high school. But I'll still take the Blue and Silver because my older sister is the pom coach and if there is a Bouslog involved, it's always a good thing.
NFL PICK 'EM
Last week Ben: 4-2 Boz: 2-4
Season Ben: 15-16 Boz: 19-12
1) Minnesota (6-0) at Pittsburgh (4-2)
Ben: PITTSBURGH. It's at Hienz Field, and at some point Brett Farve will let his team down. I can't seem them continuing this trend, and I think we saw it last week against the Ravens that the Vikings are vulnerable to a phyiscal team on both sides of the ball. I'll take the Steelers in a close one.
Boz: PITTSBURGH. I know the Vikings are good, but I still haven't jumped on the bandwagon of putting them in the Super Bowl quite yet. This is a tough road test for the Vikings, something they haven't had yet. This one brings them back down to earth.
2) San Francisco (3-2) at Houston (3-3)
Ben: I want to take Houston, but I'm going with SAN FRANCISCO. Frank Gore is back, Micheal Crabtree is going to start, and they are coming off the bye where teams have an amazing winning percentage -- Houston continues to go up and down and loses a tough one.
Boz: SAN FRANCISCO. The Texans are so inconsistent and you never know what team will show up. They're offense is amazing but will the Niner defense can keep them in check and will be looking from a rebound after the Atlanta game. Plus Frank Gore is back and Michael Crabtree is making his debut.
3) Atlanta (4-1) at Dallas (3-2)
Ben: DALLAS. Again, I'll take the team coming off the bye and the Cowboys have the added bonus of playing at home. I like Matt Ryan and the Falcons, but this week, they stumble on the road.
Boz: ATLANTA. The Falcons really impressed me in their win against the Bears. Dallas hasn't impressed me at all this season and their defense won't be able to contain the the Atlanta offense.
4) Chicago (3-2) at Cincinnati (4-2)
Ben: CINCINNATI. The Bengals are a good team and have a great QB with very good weapons. There defense has stepped it up lately and I think they'll continue that this weekend. The Bears are close to being a contender, but they just seem too inconsistent, wtih too many mistake on offense for me to think they can compete all season.
Boz: CHICAGO. I gotta take the Bears. Plus, the Bengals showed me that they aren't perfect last week.
5) New Orleans (5-0) at Miami (2-3)
Ben: NEW ORLEANS. Drew Brees is unstoppable and that offense is fun to watch.
Boz: NEW ORLEANS. I like the Dolphins under Chad Henne and I think they'll compete for a playoff spot in the AFC. However, they can't compete with the Saints.
6) Arizona (3-2) at New York Giants (5-1)
Ben: NEW YORK GIANTS. The Cards suck when they come cross-country and that continues against a more talented and phyiscal football team in the Giants.
Boz: NEW YORK. The Cardinals can't defend against the pass and the Giants can really pass the ball with Manning and his selection of wide receivers.
HAPPY HOUR
Ben: Happy 34th Birthday Keith Van Horn and Happy 47th Birthday Doug Flutie. Both players were great college players that were solid, if unspectacular, professionals. Flutie was somehow successful as a 5'4" 124 pound QB, while Van Horn was possibly the least athletic swingman to ever play in the NBA. Both guys got it done and had long professional careers, so a congrats there. Enjoy retirement fellas'.
Boz: Happy 69th Birthday to Pele! Pele is the all-time leading scorer in Brazilian soccer history and helped guide them to three World Cup titles. He is arguably one of the best soccer players of all-time. He tried to make soccer famous in the states when he signed with the New York Cosmos. He has to very excited that his home country of Brazil will be hosting the 2016 Olympics.
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