Bored

Using Baseball Propsectus' Defensive Efficiency numbers the Mets were a slightly better defensive team than the Red Sox last year.

Mainly because of his strong strikeout numbers. He's worth a long term contract more than the likes of Wright, Pavano, and Ortiz were. Not pitching in one league is pretty much irrelevent now.

You want to win by forfeit or just penalize bravesfan for tonight's game? Your call.

Just waiting on bravesfan now... Edwin and Vern disagree on the Orange Bowl. Hopefully it comes down to that game so we have some drama. Bored Bowl Picks Virginia (Edwin MacPhisto) December 14th New Orleans: Southern Miss December 21st Champ Sports: Georgia Tech December 22nd GMAC: Memphis December 23rd Fort Worth: Cincinnati Las Vegas: UCLA December 24th Hawaii: Hawaii December 27th MPC Computers: Virginia Motor City: Toledo December 28th Independence: Miami University Insight: Oregon State December 29th Houston: Colorado Alamo: Ohio State December 30th Continental Tire: North Carolina Emerald: New Mexico Holiday: California Silicon Valley: Northern Illinois December 31st Music City: Alabama Sun: Purdue Liberty: Louisville Peach: Miami January 1st Outback: Georgia Cotton: Texas A&M Gator: Florida State Capital One: LSU Rose: Michigan Fiesta: Utah January 3rd Sugar: Auburn January 4th Orange: USC Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Orange Bowl? 59 Tiebreak #2: How many total yards of offense will there be in the Liberty Bowl? 682 Minnesota (Vern Gagne) December 14th New Orleans: North Texas vs. Southern Miss December 21st Champ Sports: Georgia Tech vs. Syracuse December 22nd GMAC: Memphis vs. Bowling Green December 23rd Fort Worth: Cincinnati vs. Marshall Las Vegas: Wyoming vs. UCLA December 24th Hawaii: UAB vs. Hawaii December 27th MPC Computers: Virginia vs. Fresno State Motor City: Connecticut vs. Toledo December 28th Independence: Iowa State vs. Miami University Insight: Notre Dame vs. Oregon State December 29th Houston: UTEP vs. Colorado Alamo: Ohio State vs. Oklahoma State December 30th Continental Tire: North Carolina vs. Boston College Emerald: Navy vs. New Mexico Holiday: California vs. Texas Tech Silicon Valley: Northern Illinois vs. Troy December 31st Music City: Minnesota vs. Alabama Sun: Purdue vs. Arizona State Liberty: Louisville vs. Boise State Peach: Florida vs. Miami January 1st Outback: Wisconsin vs. Georgia Cotton: Tennessee vs. Texas A&M Gator: West Virginia vs. Florida State Capital One: Iowa vs. LSU Rose: Michigan vs. Texas Fiesta: Utah vs. Pittsburgh January 3rd Sugar: Auburn vs. Virginia Tech January 4th Orange: USC vs. Oklahoma Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Orange Bowl?45 Tiebreak #2: How many total yards of offense will there be in the Liberty Bowl? 1187

But, but, but, but they have SCHILL!!!! He pitched with an amputated ankle and fetus growing out of his head or something. I find it funny people are worried about team chemistry from a team that was mainly made up of free agents.

I can name 20 shortstops who had a better year than Cabrera last year. Seriously this overpaying shit is getting out of hand this offseason.

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet we've found our excuse for the Moneyball bashers if the Red Sox don't repeat. Chemistry, smemistry. The '72-'74 A's say "what the fuck?"

PETA Bowl Picks Hawaii (Will Scarlet) December 14th New Orleans: Southern Miss December 21st Champ Sports: Georgia Tech December 22nd GMAC: Memphis December 23rd Fort Worth: Marshall Las Vegas: UCLA December 24th Hawaii: Hawaii December 27th MPC Computers: Virginia Motor City: Toledo December 28th Independence: Miami University Insight: Oregon State December 29th Houston: Colorado Alamo: Oklahoma State December 30th Continental Tire: Boston College Emerald: Navy Holiday: California Silicon Valley: Troy December 31st Music City: Alabama Sun: Purdue Liberty: Louisville Peach: Miami January 1st Outback: Georgia Cotton: Texas A&M Gator: Florida State Capital One: LSU Rose: Texas Fiesta: Utah January 3rd Sugar: Auburn January 4th Orange: USC Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Orange Bowl? 44 Tiebreak #2: How many total yards of offense will there be in the Liberty Bowl? 600 Maryland (MarvinisaLunatic) December 14th New Orleans: Southern Miss December 21st Champ Sports: Syracuse December 22nd GMAC: Bowling Green December 23rd Fort Worth: Marshall Las Vegas: UCLA December 24th Hawaii: Hawaii December 27th MPC Computers: Virginia Motor City: Toledo December 28th Independence: Iowa State Insight: Oregon State December 29th Houston: Colorado Alamo: Oklahoma State December 30th Continental Tire: Boston College Emerald: Navy Holiday: California Silicon Valley: Northern Illinois December 31st Music City: Alabama Sun: Arizona State Liberty: Louisville Peach: Miami January 1st Outback: Georgia Cotton: Tennessee Gator: West Florida State Capital One: LSU Rose: Texas Fiesta: Utah January 3rd Sugar: Auburn January 4th Orange: Oklahoma Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Orange Bowl? 42 Tiebreak #2: How many total yards of offense will there be in the Liberty Bowl? 980 Douche Bowl Picks Oregon (nogoodnick) December 14th Southern Miss December 21st Champ Sports: Georgia Tech December 22nd GMAC: Memphis December 23rd Fort Worth:Marshall Las Vegas: UCLA December 24th Hawaii: Hawaii December 27th MPC Computers: Virginia Motor City: Connecticut December 28th Independence:Miami University Insight:Oregon State December 29th Houston: UTEP Alamo: Oklahoma State December 30th Continental Tire: North Carolina Emerald: Navy Holiday: California Silicon Valley: Northern Illinois December 31st Music City: Minnesota Sun: Purdue Liberty: Boise State Peach: Miami January 1st Outback: Georgia Cotton: Texas AM Gator: Florida State Capital One:LSU Rose: Texas Fiesta: Utah January 3rd Sugar: Auburn January 4th Orange: USC Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Orange Bowl? 42 Tiebreak #2: How many total yards of offense will there be in the Liberty Bowl? 900 Bowling Green (iggymcfly) December 14th New Orleans: North Texas vs. Southern Miss December 21st Champ Sports: Georgia Tech vs. Syracuse December 22nd GMAC: Memphis vs. Bowling Green December 23rd Fort Worth: Cincinnati vs. Marshall Las Vegas: Wyoming vs. UCLA December 24th Hawaii: UAB vs. Hawaii December 27th MPC Computers: Virginia vs. Fresno State Motor City: Connecticut vs. Toledo December 28th Independence: Iowa State vs. Miami University Insight: Notre Dame vs. Oregon State December 29th Houston: UTEP vs. Colorado Alamo: Ohio State vs. Oklahoma State December 30th Continental Tire: North Carolina vs. Boston College Emerald: Navy vs. New Mexico Holiday: California vs. Texas Tech Silicon Valley: Northern Illinois vs. Troy December 31st Music City: Minnesota vs. Alabama Sun: Purdue vs. Arizona State Liberty: Louisville vs. Boise State Peach: Florida vs. Miami January 1st Outback: Wisconsin vs. Georgia Cotton: Tennessee vs. Texas A&M Gator: West Virginia vs. Florida State Capital One: Iowa vs. LSU Rose: Michigan vs. Texas Fiesta: Utah vs. Pittsburgh January 3rd Sugar: Auburn vs. Virginia Tech January 4th Orange: USC vs. Oklahoma Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Orange Bowl? 59 Tiebreak #2: How many total yards of offense will there be in the Liberty Bowl? 815

Southern Miss Golden Eagles (6-5, tied for 2nd in Conference USA) Last Bowl Apperance: 2003 Liberty Bowl (Lost to Utah 17-0) Last Bowl Win: 2000 Mobile Alabama Bowl (28-21 over TCU) All-Conference USA Players First Team LB Michael Boley (2nd Team All-American, Conference USA Defensive POY) -117 Tackles, 6.5 Sacks, 13 Tackles for Loss, 5 Forced Fumbles CB/KR John Eubanks (Conference USA Special Teams POY) -3 Interceptions, 12 Passes Defended; 29.4 Yards per KR, 1 TD Second Team T Jeremy Parquet DT Chad Ruffin S Trevis Coley -97 Tackles, 3 Interceptions K Darren McCaleb -15/15 FG North Texas Mean Green (7-4, Sun Belt Champions) Last Bowl Apperance: 2003 New Orleans Bowl (Lost to Memphis 27-17) Last Bowl Win: 2002 New Orleans Bowl (24-19 over Cincinnati) All-Sun Belt Conference Players First Team RB Jamario Thomas (3rd Team All-American, Sun Belt Conference POY) -1709 Yards Rushing, 17 TD C Andy Brewster DE Adrian Awasom -45 Tackles, 8 Sacks, 14.5 Tackles for Loss, 3 Fumbles Forced S Jonas Buckles -55 Tackles K Nick Bazaldua -10/13 FG, 51 Long A-P Johnny Quinn -848 All-Purpose Yards Second Team QB Scott Hall -1684 Yards Passing, 13 TD, 2 INT WR Johnny Quinn -41 Receptions, 693 Yards Receiving, 8 TD T Lonnie Chambers G Dylan Lineberry DT Evan Cardwell -40 Tackles, 5 Sacks DT Michael Pruitt -46 Tackles, 5 Sacks, 11.5 Tackles for Loss CB Markeith Knowlton -4 Interceptions

Since there is no more than two games a day thru the 29th I think the thread will be fine until then. Maybe could create daily threads for the 30th thru the 1st.

Bowl season kicks off tommorrow night, all be it the only game this week. This thread will just be for general bowl discussion to talk about upcoming games and make in game comments. If there is a bowl game you feel will deserve it's own thread feel free to make one although I'd advise waiting at least until a couple of days before the game. Now there are two bowl threads already created for the Orange Bowl and Rose Bowl. The Orange Bowl thread is currently closed and will remain so until the day of the game. You can read why in the thread but please don't discuss it here. Here is the full television schedule for the bowls. Tuesday, December 14 New Orleans: North Texas vs. Southern Miss, 7:30/4:30 PM, ESPN Tuesday, December 21 Tangerine: Syracuse vs. Georgia Tech, 7:45/4:45 PM, ESPN Wednesday, December 22 GMAC: Memphis vs. Bowling Green, 8:00/5:00 PM, ESPN Thursday, December 23 Fort Worth: Cincinnati vs. Marshall, 6:30/3:30 PM, ESPN Las Vegas: UCLA vs. Wyoming, 9:45/6:45 PM, ESPN Friday, December 24 Hawaii: UAB vs. Hawaii, 7:00/4:00 PM, ESPN Monday, December 27 MPC Computers: Fresno State vs. #18 Virginia, 2:00 PM/11:00 AM, ESPN Motor City: Toledo vs. Connecticut, 5:30/2:30 PM, ESPN Tuesday, December 28 Independence: Iowa State vs. Miami University, 6:30/3:30 PM, ESPN Insight: Oregon State vs. Notre Dame, 9:45/6:45 PM, ESPN Wednesday, December 29 Houston: Colorado vs. UTEP, 4:30/1:30 PM, ESPN Alamo: #25 Ohio State vs. #24 Oklahoma State, 8:00/5:00 PM, ESPN Thursday, December 30 Continental Tire: Boston College vs. North Carolina, 1:00 PM/10:00 AM, ESPN2 Emerald: Navy vs. New Mexico, 4:30/1:30 PM, ESPN2 Holiday: #22 Texas Tech vs. #5 California, 8:00/5:00 PM, ESPN Silicon Valley: Northern Illinois vs. Troy, 11:00/8:00 PM, ESPN2 Friday, December 31 Music City: Alabama vs. Minnesota, Noon/9:00 AM, ESPN Sun: Purdue vs. #19 Arizona State, 2:00 PM/11:00 AM, CBS Liberty: #10 Louisville vs. #9 Boise State, 3:30/12:30 PM, ESPN Peach: #23 Florida vs. #14 Miami, 7:30/4:30 PM, ESPN Saturday, January 1 Outback: #17 Wisconsin vs. #7 Georgia, 11:00/8:00 AM, ESPN Cotton: #20 Texas A&M vs. #15 Tennessee, 11:00/8:00 AM, Fox Gator: West Virginia vs. #16 Florida State, 12:30 PM/9:30 AM, NBC Capital One: #12 Iowa vs. #11 LSU, 1:00 PM/10:00 AM, ABC Rose: #13 Michigan vs. #4 Texas, 4:30/1:30 PM, ABC Fiesta: #21 Pittsburgh vs. #6 Utah, 8:30/5:30 PM, ABC Monday, January 3 Sugar: #8 Virginia Tech vs. #3 Auburn, 8:00/5:00 PM, ABC Tuesday, January 4 Orange: #2 Oklahoma vs. #1 USC, 8:00/5:00 PM, ABC

Hmmm I don't think I ever declared mine. Rebels of Oakland Albert Pujols Bobby Abreu Marcus Giles Curt Schilling

Great trade by the Brewers although probably half the thanks has to go to dealing with Kenny Williams. He still has a job how again?

AP All-American Team announced. First Team OFFENSE Quarterback: Matt Leinart, Southern California, junior. Running backs: Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma, freshman; J.J. Arrington, California, senior. Wide receivers: Braylon Edwards, Michigan, senior; Taylor Stubblefield, Purdue, senior. Tight end: Heath Miller, Virginia, junior. Center: David Baas, Michigan, senior. Guards-Tackles: Jammal Brown, Oklahoma, senior; Alex Barron, Florida State, senior; Elton Brown, Virginia, senior; Michael Munoz, Tennessee, senior. Kicker: Mike Nugent, Ohio State, senior. All-purpose: Reggie Bush, Southern California, sophomore. DEFENSE Linemen: Erasmus James, Wisconsin, senior; David Pollack, Georgia, senior; Shaun Cody, Southern California; senior; Marcus Spears, LSU, senior. Linebacker: Derrick Johnson, Texas, senior; Matt Grootegoed, Southern California; senior; A.J. Hawk, Ohio State, senior. Defensive backs: Carlos Rogers, Auburn, senior; Antrel Rolle, Miami, senior; Marlin Jackson, Michigan, senior; Ernest Shazor, Michigan, senior. Punter: Brandon Fields, Michigan State, sophomore. Second Team OFFENSE Quarterback: Alex Smith, Utah, junior. Running backs: Cedric Benson, Texas, senior; Carnell Williams, Auburn, senior. Wide receivers: Dante Ridgeway, Ball State, junior; Mark Clayton, Oklahoma, senior. Tight end: Alex Smith, Stanford, senior. Center: Marvin Philip, California, junior. Guards-tackles: Chris Kemoeatu, Utah, senior; Marcus McNeil, Auburn; junior; Dan Buenning, Wisconsin, senior; Jonathan Scott, Texas; junior. K: Tyler Jones, Boise State; senior. All-purpose: Chad Owens, Hawaii, senior. DEFENSE Linemen: Jonathan Goddard, Marshall, senior; Dan Cody, Oklahoma, senior; Matt Roth, Iowa, senior; Ryan Riddle, California, senior. Linebackers: Ahmad Brooks, Virginia, sophomore; Michael Boley, Southern Mississippi, senior; Kevin Burnett, Tennessee, senior. Defensive backs: Corey Webster, LSU, senior; Thomas Davis, Georgia, junior; Junior Rosegreen, Auburn, senior; Morgan Scalley, Utah, senior. Punter: Matt Payne, BYU, senior. Third Team OFFENSE Quarterback: Jason White, Oklahoma, senior. Running backs: Jamario Thomas, North Texas, freshman; DeAngelo Williams, Memphis, junior. Wide receivers: Mike Haas, Oregon State, junior; Roddy White, UAB, senior. Tight ends:Trey Haverty, Texas Tech, senior. Center: Ben Wilkerson, LSU, senior. Guards-tackles: Rob Petitti, Pittsburgh, senior; Sam Mayes, Oklahoma State, senior; Wesley Britt, Alabama, senior; Travis Leffew, Louisville, junior. Kicker: Andrew Wellock, Eastern Michigan. sophomore. All-purpose: Ted Ginn Jr., Ohio State, freshman. DEFENSE Linemen: Mathias Kiwanuka, Boston College, junior; Mike Patterson, Southern California, senior; Travis Johnson, Florida State, senior; Jonathan Babineaux, Iowa, senior. Linebackers: Barrett Ruud, Nebraska, senior; Lofa Tatupu, Southern California, junior; Leroy Hill, Clemson, senior. Defensive backs: Mitch Meeuwsen, Oregon State, senior; Jamaal Brimmer, UNLV; senior; Charles Gordon, Kansas, sophomore; Jason Allen, Tennessee, junior. Punters: Daniel Sepulveda, Baylor, sophomore.

Two sources out of Boston are reporting that he has signed a 4-year, $56 million deal with the Mets. Will Pedro last all four years? *shakes magic eight ball* "Outlook not so good"

Traditional Bowl Picks UCLA (phoenixrising) December 14th New Orleans: North Texas vs. Southern Miss December 21st Champ Sports: Georgia Tech vs. Syracuse December 22nd GMAC: Memphis vs. Bowling Green December 23rd Fort Worth: Cincinnati vs. Marshall Las Vegas: Wyoming vs. UCLA December 24th Hawaii: UAB vs. Hawaii December 27th MPC Computers: Virginia vs. Fresno State Motor City: Connecticut vs. Toledo December 28th Independence: Iowa State vs. Miami University Insight: Notre Dame vs. Oregon State December 29th Houston: UTEP vs. Colorado Alamo: Ohio State vs. Oklahoma State December 30th Continental Tire: North Carolina vs. Boston College Emerald: Navy vs. New Mexico Holiday: California vs. Texas Tech Silicon Valley: Northern Illinois vs. Troy December 31st Music City: Minnesota vs. Alabama Sun: Purdue vs. Arizona State Liberty: Louisville vs. Boise State Peach: Florida vs. Miami January 1st Outback: Wisconsin vs. Georgia Cotton: Tennessee vs. Texas A&M Gator: West Virginia vs. Florida State Capital One: Iowa vs. LSU Rose: Michigan vs. Texas Fiesta: Utah vs. Pittsburgh January 3rd Sugar: Auburn vs. Virginia Tech January 4th Orange: USC vs. Oklahoma Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Orange Bowl? 52 Tiebreak #2: How many total yards of offense will there be in the Liberty Bowl? 900 Syracuse (CanadianChris) December 14th New Orleans: Southern Miss December 21st Champ Sports: Georgia Tech December 22nd GMAC: Bowling Green December 23rd Fort Worth: Cincinnati Las Vegas: UCLA December 24th Hawaii: UAB December 27th MPC Computers: Virginia Motor City: Connecticut December 28th Independence: Miami (Ohio) Insight: Oregon State December 29th Houston: Colorado Alamo: Oklahoma State December 30th Continental Tire: North Carolina Emerald: Navy Holiday: California Silicon Valley: Troy December 31st Music City: Alabama Sun: Arizona State Liberty: Louisville Peach: Miami (Fla) January 1st Outback: Georgia Cotton: Tennessee Gator: Florida State Capital One: Iowa Rose: Michigan Fiesta: Utah January 3rd Sugar: Auburn January 4th Orange: USC Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Orange Bowl? 48 Tiebreak #2: How many total yards of offense will there be in the Liberty Bowl? 888

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=1945058 I'm starting to think the A's floated the rumor to the media in an attempt to get one of the other team's to panic and put a bigger package together.

Gee another thread to have an excuse to talk about Jason White, eh?

After Beane's courting of him all those years and coming off a year where he was the A's best hitter I just can't see them dealing him. He is arb eligible but most reports have him inking a new deal. I personally would like them to deal Hatteberg to free up some salary to improve their weak middle relief and give Johnson the first base job to get more power in the line-up. Added note it's possible the Bay Area media jumped the gun on the Hudson deal. There has been absolutely nothing about the deal being finalized today. And now this from rotoworld.com:

A's have three left-handed hitting first baseman on their current projected Opening Day roster (Durazo, Hatteberg, Dan Johnson) so they didn't need another one. Oakland played as a neutral park this past year. Dodger Stadium is much more of a pitcher's park than the Coliseum.

Ellis moved to first base? That's a bizarre idea. Anyways Ellis is NOT assumed to be 100% healthy by April. His shoulder injury is not progressing well at all. His future is probably as a back-up middle infielder anyway. Just doesn't have the bat to be an everyday player.

Dammit no Chow time at Stanford.

Tar Bowl Picks Notre Dame (Lando Griffin) December 14th New Orleans: Southern Miss December 21st Champ Sports: Syracuse December 22nd GMAC: Memphis December 23rd Fort Worth: Cincinnati Las Vegas: UCLA December 24th Hawaii: Hawaii December 27th MPC Computers: Virginia Motor City: Connecticut December 28th Independence: Iowa State Insight: Notre Dame December 29th Houston: UTEP Alamo: Oklahoma State December 30th Continental Tire: Boston College (The team I hate above all others) Emerald: Navy Holiday: California Silicon Valley: Troy December 31st Music City: Alabama Sun: Purdue Liberty: Louisville Peach: Miami January 1st Outback: Georgia Cotton: Texas A&M Gator: Florida State Capital One: LSU Rose: Texas Fiesta: Utah January 3rd Sugar: Auburn January 4th Orange: Oklahoma Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Orange Bowl? 54 Tiebreak #2: How many total yards of offense will there be in the Liberty Bowl? 799 Texas (Flyboy) December 14th New Orleans: North Texas vs. Southern Miss December 21st Champ Sports: Georgia Tech vs. Syracuse December 22nd GMAC: Memphis vs. Bowling Green December 23rd Fort Worth: Cincinnati vs. Marshall Las Vegas: Wyoming vs. UCLA December 24th Hawaii: UAB vs. Hawaii December 27th MPC Computers: Virginia vs. Fresno State Motor City: Connecticut vs. Toledo December 28th Independence: Iowa State vs. Miami University Insight: Notre Dame vs. Oregon State December 29th Houston: UTEP vs. Colorado Alamo: Ohio State vs. Oklahoma State December 30th Continental Tire: North Carolina vs. Boston College Emerald: Navy vs. New Mexico Holiday: California vs. Texas Tech Silicon Valley: Northern Illinois vs. Troy December 31st Music City: Minnesota vs. Alabama Sun: Purdue vs. Arizona State Liberty: Louisville vs. Boise State Peach: Florida vs. Miami January 1st Outback: Wisconsin vs. Georgia Cotton: Tennessee vs. Texas A&M Gator: West Virginia vs. Florida State Capital One: Iowa vs. LSU Rose: Michigan vs. Texas Fiesta: Utah vs. Pittsburgh January 3rd Sugar: Auburn vs. Virginia Tech January 4th Orange: USC vs. Oklahoma Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Orange Bowl? 54 Tiebreak #2: How many total yards of offense will there be in the Liberty Bowl? 625

Speaking of Willingham, ESPNews is reporting that he'll be named the head coach at Washington.

Can someone change Dama's screen name to Mark David Chapman?