Surrounded by some of the most talented players in the league: Halladay, Burnett, Rios, and others being very technically sound; Halladay, Zaun, Rolen, Overbay - Wells' strengths weren't being accentuated by his team.
He would (I assume) take batting practice with Overbay and Rolen and those two would fight off pitcher's pitchers and hit to the gaps, and then he would take batting practice with Rios and Thomas and they would swing at anything, and Wells (like any other person) absorbed what made them great.
This year, playing with kids who will take pitcher's pitches and mash meatballs - Wells will trend toward that strategy and that will match his skill set much better. More Rene Bourque and less Daymond Langkow.
Even if it's not Wells doing it subconsciously, pitchers will do it for him.
Last year, opposing pitchers were willing to go deep into counts because the team lacked power (a 3-2 meatball is likely just a single) whereas this year an upgrade of power this year will require a pitcher to throw more early fastballs and less breaking balls. Of course there are scouting reports for everyone - but I do think most teams pitch with a general strategy.
I could see a borderline allstar season from the $25M man.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Kumaritashvili: Olympic Fatality
A luger died in a warm-up run at the Olympics in Vancouver.
I feel strongly about how readily the video is available and the risk this track puts athletes at - but I want to post about the Olympic mindset and the inevitability of this incident.
I have never been drawn to to the Olympic sports, and whether I am rationalizing personal taste or have been jolted into stark clarity, I now know why.
Olympic events are predicated on precision during the most arduous of tasks. The sport that best fits my definition is the sport that I consider the quintessential Olympic event: the biathalon. Physical exertion (cross country skiing) combined with delicate precision (rifle shooting) symbolic of a survival skill (hunting).
Sadly, Olympic events have lost the symbolism of every-man survivalism and increasingly has become highly specialized brinkmanship. Downhill racing, speed skating, luging and many other sports require their athletes to push themselves to the fastest speed on the fastest tracks - and these athletes work their entire lives for a single race and that emotional investment overshadows any reservations they have.
Two sports I enjoy, basketball and baseball, have a certain level of danger that is virtually unavoidable in most aspects of life. But the sports are predicated on deliberate and repeatable skill in a team atmosphere - and the rules are intended to downplay risks. Even hockey and football, far more dangerous sports, are also fraught with challenges based on strategy and skill and the dangers of the sport legislated within limits.
Olympians have no union, crowds have no limits, and the current host city (and perhaps country) has an inferiority complex that combines to make for the most dangerous Olympics in recent history.
I always used to refer to baseball as merciless - a slightly imperfectly hit ball often leads to an out and a bobble in the field costs a defense an out. But merciless just doesn't fit because the outcomes are innocuous. Olympic sports are merciless. The hue and cry from the Olympics is that driver error led to the crash - but what kind of sport is our country rallying around where error leads to death?
Worse yet, is that no one was shocked by this outcome. Some have claimed it "an unimaginable sequence of events" but that is ignorance unworthy of rebuttal.
We wanted the greatest and most dangerous Olympics in history with the most efficient equipment and most committed athletes (even desperate athletes with Canada's rallying cry) and Kumaritashvli's death is just collateral damage.
I do not wish to denigrate the participants of the Games. They have worked very hard and deserve international praise far moreso than the oversized and overpaid professional athletes that I follow. But let's be honest, the risks these athletes put themselves at approach the classification of bloodsport. This death was not an rare tragedy, it was inevitable.
I feel strongly about how readily the video is available and the risk this track puts athletes at - but I want to post about the Olympic mindset and the inevitability of this incident.
I have never been drawn to to the Olympic sports, and whether I am rationalizing personal taste or have been jolted into stark clarity, I now know why.
Olympic events are predicated on precision during the most arduous of tasks. The sport that best fits my definition is the sport that I consider the quintessential Olympic event: the biathalon. Physical exertion (cross country skiing) combined with delicate precision (rifle shooting) symbolic of a survival skill (hunting).
Sadly, Olympic events have lost the symbolism of every-man survivalism and increasingly has become highly specialized brinkmanship. Downhill racing, speed skating, luging and many other sports require their athletes to push themselves to the fastest speed on the fastest tracks - and these athletes work their entire lives for a single race and that emotional investment overshadows any reservations they have.
Two sports I enjoy, basketball and baseball, have a certain level of danger that is virtually unavoidable in most aspects of life. But the sports are predicated on deliberate and repeatable skill in a team atmosphere - and the rules are intended to downplay risks. Even hockey and football, far more dangerous sports, are also fraught with challenges based on strategy and skill and the dangers of the sport legislated within limits.
Olympians have no union, crowds have no limits, and the current host city (and perhaps country) has an inferiority complex that combines to make for the most dangerous Olympics in recent history.
I always used to refer to baseball as merciless - a slightly imperfectly hit ball often leads to an out and a bobble in the field costs a defense an out. But merciless just doesn't fit because the outcomes are innocuous. Olympic sports are merciless. The hue and cry from the Olympics is that driver error led to the crash - but what kind of sport is our country rallying around where error leads to death?
Worse yet, is that no one was shocked by this outcome. Some have claimed it "an unimaginable sequence of events" but that is ignorance unworthy of rebuttal.
We wanted the greatest and most dangerous Olympics in history with the most efficient equipment and most committed athletes (even desperate athletes with Canada's rallying cry) and Kumaritashvli's death is just collateral damage.
I do not wish to denigrate the participants of the Games. They have worked very hard and deserve international praise far moreso than the oversized and overpaid professional athletes that I follow. But let's be honest, the risks these athletes put themselves at approach the classification of bloodsport. This death was not an rare tragedy, it was inevitable.
Monday, February 8, 2010
NFL Super Bowl Review
Congrats to the Saints. They deserve full marks for the win as the better team. The bolder team.
The Colts? Timid.
The Colts looked timid all game. Didn't take shots down the field, didn't challenge or gamble with deep throws into coverage or unconventional playcalls. Even with the clock ticking down the final minutes in a two-touchdown game, Peyton Manning was taking quick check-downs and running dive plays.
Even at the end of he first half, where the Colts and Manning had gouged their opponents in earlier rounds, the Colts seemed satisfied with a dormant drive and limping to halftime - the Saints called timeouts to take the ball and momentum they would never surrender.
On defense, Freeney was a non-factor in the second half but the Colts seemed unwilling to break from their base defense that relies on him so heavily. Special teams were nothing special.
And this blogger is willing to point the finger at coach Jim Caldwell.
At 14-0 and with an undefeated season in the works, Caldwell pulled the plug on his own team by pulling his multi-million dollar offense off the field in the 3rd quarter of a close game at home. This timidness characterized the Colts for the remainder of the season - it may have been advantagous against a Jets team that the Colts outclassed in pure talent and did not need to take the game from - but the Saints exposed the Colt's reluctance on the biggest stage in the sport.
Commenter shout-out: Franks called out this cowardice long before this blog recognized it.
The Colts? Timid.
The Colts looked timid all game. Didn't take shots down the field, didn't challenge or gamble with deep throws into coverage or unconventional playcalls. Even with the clock ticking down the final minutes in a two-touchdown game, Peyton Manning was taking quick check-downs and running dive plays.
Even at the end of he first half, where the Colts and Manning had gouged their opponents in earlier rounds, the Colts seemed satisfied with a dormant drive and limping to halftime - the Saints called timeouts to take the ball and momentum they would never surrender.
On defense, Freeney was a non-factor in the second half but the Colts seemed unwilling to break from their base defense that relies on him so heavily. Special teams were nothing special.
And this blogger is willing to point the finger at coach Jim Caldwell.
At 14-0 and with an undefeated season in the works, Caldwell pulled the plug on his own team by pulling his multi-million dollar offense off the field in the 3rd quarter of a close game at home. This timidness characterized the Colts for the remainder of the season - it may have been advantagous against a Jets team that the Colts outclassed in pure talent and did not need to take the game from - but the Saints exposed the Colt's reluctance on the biggest stage in the sport.
Commenter shout-out: Franks called out this cowardice long before this blog recognized it.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
NFL Super Bowl Preview
The most anticipated game in the NFL calender is upon us. A season of frustrating football with lousy teams and embarrassing performances has distilled the competition to two fine franchises and worthy opponents.
The Saints are chracterized by excellent versatility. A roster than can play any brand of football better than most teams play their best. However, the Saints do not have a single dominant area on offense and I suspect that will be their undoing against a Colts defense that is fast enough to chase Payton's gimmicks and doesn't need to close (and therefore open) holes with schemes.
The Jets exposed the Colts defense on a couple of occasions with big plays, but these plays were based on a power rushing offense that required the Colts to commit safeties. The Saints versatility does not lend itself to the same level of offensive progression and the Saints do not have the same prowess as a power running team as the Jets.
The Saints will produce, but will not be able to dominate the Colts on offense.
The Colts offense obviously revolves around Peyton Manning and the passing game. The Jets might have the best personelle in the league to match up with Peyton and they tried the strategy of blitzing Peyton heavily with a safety on top of Wayne...and they got roasted. The Saints are expected to try a similar strategy, but the only strategy that has a chance is a constantly changing scheme. The Colts offense is the ultimate pick-your-poison dilemma;
-Crash the edges pass-rushing? Their interior offensive line spreads the field too wide to contain the run, illustrated in the first scene of this clip.
-Balanced base defense? The Colts execute a sliding zone-blocking scheme with a partial bootleg that opens up a plethora of throwing lanes the defensive secondary can't handle.
(against the Jets, the Colt's first passing play was this sliding protection with a backside triple-move comeback route to Wayne for a first down)
-Overload blitz? Quick drops and precision route running will eat you up. The Jets tried to 'sit' on quick in routes and Peyton adjusted seamlessly, featuring an immature wheel route to Collie for crucial first down.
-Double-team the best and hottest receivers? Please.
-Prevent defense? This is what the Saints ran against the Vikings, relying on tackling and forcing fumbles. However, route running would make this strategic suicide - proven if you saw the Colts running after catches against the Jets.
-The Colts offensive line also heavily relies on cloud blocks against interior lineman (which is why you rarely see Peyton pressured from A-gaps against a 4-3). If the interior d-line widens their alignment to evade a double team from the center then the offensive tackle will engage the defensive tackle with the aid of the center while the guard pulls to engage the rush end - even in pass protection.
While lacking the pure talent and athleticism of the Saints, the Colts offensive line is superior working as a team to foil any schematic or athletic advantage their opponents have.
For that reason, the versatile Saints will require a combination of luck and emotion to contain Peyton Manning and the Colts in order to build a lead and force turnovers.
Prediction:
Though picking against the team of destiny and the best guard in the game is foolish, the Colts will leave no doubt.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
Madness!
The second trade in as many days is now complete.
In a Flames trade that befuddles even Ranger fans, the long-sought prototypical center has been shipped off with a fan favourite for two wingers that chiefly add bad contracts to the team.
I'm still trying to digest the recent moves, this post will be a stream-of-consciousness point/counterpoint.
(Sutter refers only to GM Daryll for this post)
Point: Removing Jokinen from the team suggests Sutter wants players with a winning pedigree. FLA and PHX didn't win and Jokinen just didn't win enough.
Counter-point: Adding Higgins, Kotalik, and a merry band of Maple Leafs throws water on that.
Point: A huge influx of pure skill suggests Sutter wants to move away from grinding defensive system and toward a more open "firewagon" style of hockey.
Counter-point: Removing Cammy, Dion, and Keenan are incongruent with an offensive brand.
Point: This is parts 1 & 2 in a multi-stage roster shuffle.
Counter-point: It's difficult to accept that when, viewing the trades together, the three most valuable assets (Dion, Joker, Aulie) leave the team.
However, that is the straw I am currently clutching at.
Conclusion:
Trading Dion suggests only one conclusion. Sutter wants the cup this season and is working on adding a superstar forward.
How?
-Working backwards, Stajan could replace Lankow's role on the team,
-Higgins and Hagman fit on the wings and both are rumoured to have been coveted by Sutter. Dawes, Bourque, and Glencross have had their chance and have failed to fill the role as 2nd line contributors.
-Kotalik did not want to come to Calgary and (allegedly) needed convincing to waive a no-trade-clause negotiated solely to prevent a return to western Canada.
-Even with the Aulie move, there is a plethora of minor league defense. Negrin, Palin, Seabrook, even Erixon.
-Backlund's call-up looks like an audition.
-There has been a shuffling of minor league goalies. I don't claim to know the circumstances behind it, but Keetly/Iriving/Mcelhinney appear to be redundant and ripe for the picking.
Those appear to be the "chips" the Flames have to play poker with:
(asterisk denotes a 'must go' if my theory holds water)
C Langkow*, Backlund
W Glencross/Bourque, Kotalik*
D Pelech/AHL stable
G Irving/Keetly/Mac
That is not an insignificant package of assets. I expect (hope?) that Sutter completed a trade in principle before either of the trades of the last couple days (that included Kotalik, specifically or generally), and needed to move Dion to fill in the gaps created by this upcoming trade.
Role needed to be filled: #1 playmaking center.
Sutter will not leave this role unfilled, and evidently does not see Backlund filling it.
Who would?
Vincent Lecavalier seems to be the most logical.
Why Tampa?
Subtracting a center, but remaining a Stanley cup contender, Tampa would require a Langkow-type center.
Jokinen and his expiring contract have salary cap repercussions (the Lightning actually have to have cap space allocated for an expiring contract) or the Bolts simply don't like the Finn.
Kotalik and his combo of skill and howitzer shot may be coveted to pair with Stamkos.
Hedman, Ohlund, and Mezaros comprise a solid defensive core would limit Dion's value for TB.
These circumstances answer some puzzling questions, and combined with other assets from the Flames would comprise a very competitive package.
Dreaming?
Probably.
Madness?
Surely.
In a Flames trade that befuddles even Ranger fans, the long-sought prototypical center has been shipped off with a fan favourite for two wingers that chiefly add bad contracts to the team.
I'm still trying to digest the recent moves, this post will be a stream-of-consciousness point/counterpoint.
(Sutter refers only to GM Daryll for this post)
Point: Removing Jokinen from the team suggests Sutter wants players with a winning pedigree. FLA and PHX didn't win and Jokinen just didn't win enough.
Counter-point: Adding Higgins, Kotalik, and a merry band of Maple Leafs throws water on that.
Point: A huge influx of pure skill suggests Sutter wants to move away from grinding defensive system and toward a more open "firewagon" style of hockey.
Counter-point: Removing Cammy, Dion, and Keenan are incongruent with an offensive brand.
Point: This is parts 1 & 2 in a multi-stage roster shuffle.
Counter-point: It's difficult to accept that when, viewing the trades together, the three most valuable assets (Dion, Joker, Aulie) leave the team.
However, that is the straw I am currently clutching at.
Conclusion:
Trading Dion suggests only one conclusion. Sutter wants the cup this season and is working on adding a superstar forward.
How?
-Working backwards, Stajan could replace Lankow's role on the team,
-Higgins and Hagman fit on the wings and both are rumoured to have been coveted by Sutter. Dawes, Bourque, and Glencross have had their chance and have failed to fill the role as 2nd line contributors.
-Kotalik did not want to come to Calgary and (allegedly) needed convincing to waive a no-trade-clause negotiated solely to prevent a return to western Canada.
-Even with the Aulie move, there is a plethora of minor league defense. Negrin, Palin, Seabrook, even Erixon.
-Backlund's call-up looks like an audition.
-There has been a shuffling of minor league goalies. I don't claim to know the circumstances behind it, but Keetly/Iriving/Mcelhinney appear to be redundant and ripe for the picking.
Those appear to be the "chips" the Flames have to play poker with:
(asterisk denotes a 'must go' if my theory holds water)
C Langkow*, Backlund
W Glencross/Bourque, Kotalik*
D Pelech/AHL stable
G Irving/Keetly/Mac
That is not an insignificant package of assets. I expect (hope?) that Sutter completed a trade in principle before either of the trades of the last couple days (that included Kotalik, specifically or generally), and needed to move Dion to fill in the gaps created by this upcoming trade.
Role needed to be filled: #1 playmaking center.
Sutter will not leave this role unfilled, and evidently does not see Backlund filling it.
Who would?
Vincent Lecavalier seems to be the most logical.
Why Tampa?
Subtracting a center, but remaining a Stanley cup contender, Tampa would require a Langkow-type center.
Jokinen and his expiring contract have salary cap repercussions (the Lightning actually have to have cap space allocated for an expiring contract) or the Bolts simply don't like the Finn.
Kotalik and his combo of skill and howitzer shot may be coveted to pair with Stamkos.
Hedman, Ohlund, and Mezaros comprise a solid defensive core would limit Dion's value for TB.
These circumstances answer some puzzling questions, and combined with other assets from the Flames would comprise a very competitive package.
Dreaming?
Probably.
Madness?
Surely.
Flames shakup continues
Jokinen and Prust to Rangers for Higgins and Kotalik
There will be another post if-and-when this trade goes down, but my initial reaction is mostly confusion.
The Phaneuf trade screams that the Flames want to make a cup run this season, this trade suggests otherwise. Prust, a real heart and soul guy, can't feel welcome after being traded for a second time in two years.
Kotalik is awful, and a terrible contract. These (past and pending) trades are a indictment of Bourque and Glencross, wingers this blogger assumed would be $3M 2nd line wingers next year. If those roles are filled by Hagman and Kotalik then we're looking at these guys being first liners or off the roster.
I hope this move falls through or there is another move coming after this. This team isn't appreciably more talented in the short term, are smaller and less mean, and clearly the Flames are worse in the long term.
This post is all contingent on this trade going through, and it sounds like the phones are off until after tonight's game. Stay tuned....
There will be another post if-and-when this trade goes down, but my initial reaction is mostly confusion.
The Phaneuf trade screams that the Flames want to make a cup run this season, this trade suggests otherwise. Prust, a real heart and soul guy, can't feel welcome after being traded for a second time in two years.
Kotalik is awful, and a terrible contract. These (past and pending) trades are a indictment of Bourque and Glencross, wingers this blogger assumed would be $3M 2nd line wingers next year. If those roles are filled by Hagman and Kotalik then we're looking at these guys being first liners or off the roster.
I hope this move falls through or there is another move coming after this. This team isn't appreciably more talented in the short term, are smaller and less mean, and clearly the Flames are worse in the long term.
This post is all contingent on this trade going through, and it sounds like the phones are off until after tonight's game. Stay tuned....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)