Soul Renovatus

I'm looking forward to your recruiting Michigan...

Because it was nice to see you embarrassed on national TV today.

Too bad the Buckeyes can't go to the Rose bowl, and too bad I have to listen to Joe and all my Pennsylvania friends gloat about Penn State for the rest of the year.

Michigan college football teams this year are as bad as the economy right now.

 

Dart videos...

Some of you know that I participate in a dart league on Tuesday nights.  I'm getting much better at it.  For those of you that think it's pretty easy, or don't know much about the sport.  Go to YouTube and type in "World Championship Darts."  They have this year's World Championship pairings that just finished over the last couple weeks of December.

I've been aspiring to get into the best division on our league (I'm one division away).  It's just a fun and challenging sport.  Plus, the people that you meet there at the bar are fascinating.  Now, people just call me "preacher," or the "drinkin' preacher."  They're always surprised to find out what I did before coming here.  At the same time, it's really led to some incredible dialogue about the church, Jesus, and living the life now.

Check out those videos, it's ridiculous how accurate these guys are!

Super Bowl Prediction...

As much as I don't want to say this, but I say...

Patriots 38
Giants   16

Belechick has had 2 weeks to plan, and the Giants will be much more nervous than the Pats.  As much as my friend Joe will cringe, I just don't see the Giants getting in the way of the best team in NFL history.

Enjoy the game.

The greatest football play has now been trumped...

I'm sure most of you who follow sports know about the infamous Cal/Stanford game kickoff where there were a few laterals (throwing the football backwards or sideways to another player) to win the game as the band was coming on the field thinking it was over. 

Well, this one has just trumped it.  It was a Div. III game yesterday b/w Trinity and Millsaps.  Check it out.

Darts, darts, darts...

This last weekend I was playing in one of the major dart tournaments in the Midwest (the Great Lakes Dart Challenge) right here in GR.  5 of the top 10 players in the United States were there, and I thought I'd see how I measured up.

I already knew it was going to be tough, but 2 out of the 4 tournaments I played in I drew the #1 player in the US in the first round.  For those of you that don't know much about darts that inside ring going around the middle of the dartboard is a triple-score.  I watched as this man (Darin Young), hit triple after triple after triple.  You felt absolutely hopeless. 

I got to hang with a lot during the weekend, ask him questions about darts, improving your game, and chatting life.  That's what I love about playing...hearing people's stories, going beyond darts.  I'm am saddened by some of the stories I hear, those of pain and living a way of life that just doesn't satisfy, while at the same time am inspired by the sense of community there is with the dart family.  The Grand Rapids dart family has a great reputation for being just that.  They take care of each other.  People are going through so much in their lives and I watch constantly this dart family taking care of each other.  If they're down and out on funds, or food, jobs, etc...they just meet their needs.  It's exactly what the church should be!

Of course my arm is sore, but I am steadily getting better.  I am grateful that I have been a part of this, picking up a new sport I love, getting to know some interesting people I never would have if I wasn't playing, and letting me that God is moving everywhere, even those circles many Christians wouldn't normally encounter.

It's fantasy football season again...

If you're not interested in fantasy football, don't read this, it will bore you.  If you're vaguely interested, then some of this commentary might win you a title, or least give you a shot.

Well mid-August means fantasy football drafts. I was watching the ESPN show last night and it continues to prove how horrible the ESPN fantasy guys are.  First of all, they spend 40 minutes drafting the first 21 players (in commentating), it's just a waste of time compared to rounds 4-8, where drafts are mainly made.

Personally, I play in a lot of 3 WR and/or PPR leagues (point per reception), which balances out WR's and RB's. It's a lot more fun in my opinion brings a lot more variables into your draft.  After drafting a few teams, let me give you some tips on draft day:

1. Know your league scoring rules.  If your QB's are getting points for completions, you might want to bump them up a little.  If they get the same of amount of points for TD's as backs and receivers, then the same applies.  If you start 3 WR in your league, then you might be at an advantage to make more wide receivers in the early rounds.  Every league is different, so know the scoring rules inside and out.  Watch to see if players get points for return yards. If so, players like Wes Welker will get a bump.  In PPR leagues, Reggie Bush and Brian Westbrook will get a bump up.

2. Let draft position determine most of your strategy.  Where you draft is important.  I've won titles drafting from all positions.  And while I believe you don't win your league from your draft, I think you can lose your league from it.  If your drafting at the beginning position, get the big RB, but be aware of what WR's are on the board on your way back.  If there's 1 tier 3 RB and a 4-5 Tier 2 receivers, you might want to get the RB and get one of the tier 2 WR's on the way back (if you do serpentine drafting).  Along with position, KEEP TRACK OF THE OTHER TEAMS' PICKS.  That way you know what their needs are down the road as you are making your decision between 2-3 players.

3. Handcuff your big RB's.  Handcuffing is taking the big RB's backup.  There's nothing worse than trying to ride your big player until that freak injury, leaving you stuck getting some nobody on waivers that won't even come close.  Handcuffing gives you some relief from that.  Some handcuffs should get drafted earlier than others, and more than likely you want to draft them a round early then their average draft position (ADP).

4. Defenses and Kickers are a dime a dozen. Of course in some leagues (like CBS Sportsline, where DT are more valuable, you can get a top-10 defense in the later rounds and build up some great RB or WR depth.  If your league takes special teams along with DT, then be aware of the return game (this is what makes Chicago much more lethal).  But for the most part, DON'T DRAFT A KICKER UNTIL THE LAST ROUND.  Unless your scoring rules have big points/kicker, the difference b/w #1 and #20 isn't that much in the end.  Defensively there is always a couple who break out.

5. Come prepared to the draft.  There is nothing more annoying than someone fumbling through a magazine they just picked up at the store on the way to the draft, always asking if Larry Johnson's been drafted when it's round 4.  Have a cheatsheet with you, and if you have a chance to know your draft position before the draft, plan a strategy based on your position.

I'll try to post on a draft I had recently and give you an idea of what I was thinking with those picks, why I selected them when I did, and how I was planning ahead.

Hope it's helpful, and hope you have fun this fantasy football season.

On Barry Bonds and sterioids...

I was reading some quotes by David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox yesterday regarding Barry Bonds.  What he said resonated with what I've been thinking all along with this steroid thing.

First of all, let me say I don't know whether Barry Bonds used steroids or not.  One must wonder...

Regardless of that, how to steroids help you hit a baseball?  It takes tremendous talent to hit that little leather ball like Bonds does.  I don't see how steroids helps you with that.  Can we just admit that Bonds is one of the best of all time?  I would put him in the top 5 of all time.  The man is sick.  Not only do most people not pitch to him, but when a pitcher makes ONE mistake, Bonds most of the time will hit it out of the park.  It is a marvel to watch. 

I mean think about Ryan Howard this year.  People are finally pitching around him, and he's getting really frustrated.  What do you think Barry's gone through the last few years?  The man is disciplined at the plate and is clutch when someone makes a mistake.

I'm just having a hard time seeing where steroids actually helps here.  The man was hitting home runs for a long time before this.  Besides, think about the last 2-3 years.  I'm sure he's being tested almost everyday with the microscope that's on his life, and he's still got 11-12 dingers this season, LEADING the National League.  Do you think that's steroids?  Or do we actually want to admit Bonds is one of the best of all time?

NCAA Championsip 2007 Commentary

Great game last night.  There were a few observations I had during the game.

1. Wow.  This is the best year I've ever had for predictions.  I called 7 of the last 8 teams, all Final-4, title-game, the winner, and I almost nailed the score.  I had originally said 85-72...so I'm proud I was close.  I don't think I'll ever have another year like this.

2. Oden showed why he is a monster. I've heard many people rip on Oden. He just started using his right hand again about 10 games ago.  Now you see what happens when you don't double team him.  He is a monster.  I honestly think he should come back next year to have a full season.  As long as he's not injured, he's going to be the #1 overall pick when he declares.

3. Billy Packer is the worst color guy on TV.  I mean seriously people.  He adds nothing to the game. He (and others I've read) said Florida's defense were the contribution to OSU not hitting 3's.  Are you serious?  The only reason OSU didn't hit 3's is because they choked.  They had wide open looks so many times and just flat-out missed them.  If they would've hit half of those 3's (or even 5 of them) they would be cutting down the nets instead of Florida.  I remember at one moment Packer says that not hitting the 3's are the difference in why the Buckeyes are losing, then literally the next time down mentions the fact that it was all Florida's defense that was the difference.  I started booing.

I personally loved Jay Bilas color commentary. I just like him period. The dude knows what he's talking about. Although I never like the "best in the country" statements. You know what I'm talking about.  "He is the best pure shooting guard in the country."  Seriously, you've seen all 120+ teams in Division 1?  Please say "one of the" instead of "the best."

4. Florida is one of the best teams in history in regards to being a team.  The balance they have, the play makers, and unselfish play they exhibit is beautiful to watch.  Of all the people on that team that I will think have the best impact in the NBA, it's undoubtedly Cory Brewer.  He's 6'9" with a powerful stroke, extreme quickness, and stellar defense.  I think he'll be a star in the NBA.

5. The age of the mid-majors going deep in the tournament is over.  Because of the new rule not allowing high schoolers do go directly to the NBA, all of the high profile players are going to the premier programs, which means you will see what you saw this year in the tournament.  Sure, you'll have an exception here and there, but the major programs will dominate until they change the rule.

6. Great games this year after the first round. Just a fabulous tournament.  The committee did an incredible job with the seeding this year.

7. Next year's champion?  North Carolina hands down.  If everybody stays, I don't see how anyone's going to stop them.  They should have beat GTown, and just choked.  I don't see them doing it again next year.  Obviously if Florida's junior class stays, we might be talking 3-peat. 

I think that's enough for now. 

GO BUCKS!

Ok so I'm a little excited.  OSU playing for the title tomorrow.

The funny thing is, I had picked this game, and picked Florida to win it all.  So, I'll be rooting for the Buckeyes to win, but not feel bad if they don't, given that I've picked Florida to win the title. 

I've already made some money with the final four picks, and I'm set to make more depending on the outcome of this game.  It's nothing big, it wasn't a big pot, but just something fun. 

I had originally picked Florida to win 85-72.  I'll stick with it.

Look, Oden's going to get into foul trouble, and the Buckeyes cannot duplicate what they did against GTown last night.  Florida has way too much balance and too many big bodies to let that happen.  If Oden can stay out of foul trouble, they we have a chance. Ron Lewis has to be en feugo tomorrow too. He was ice cold last night.  Conley was tremendous again, and if the Buckeyes win he will be the MVP of the tournament.  I think the OSU has an advantage with the guards but a much bigger advantage down low.  I think Noah, Horford, and Williams will be too much for Oden, Harris, Hunter, and Terwilliger to handle. 

But hey, the Buckeyes have defied the odds all season long, why not make it magical.

GO BUCKS!

Money...

Florida, UCLA, OSU, and GTown.  That's the first time in awhile I've nailed all the Final 4 Teams.  The NBA rule brought back the majors this year, and probably here to stay for a while.

I originally picked Florida over UCLA and OSU over GTown.  I'm still going to hold to that, although the games have been tremendous.

UCLA has the lineup to compete with Florida.  If the guards are hot, no zone will work.  If they don't play Zone, then Horford and Noah will have a field day with the UCLA big men.  Florida is the defending champion, I'm going to give them the nod in the rematch of last year's title game, 67-59.

In the other game, Roy Hibbert is good, but he's not Greg Oden.  Oden is quicker, more agile, and more poised.  The key in this game is Jeff Green.  There's not too many people that can match up with him, although Ivan Harris is the best for size.  I suspect David Lighty would be an okay matchup.  Lighty plays like he's 6'9 because of his vertical, and his quickness can keep up with Green. It's defintley going to be a problem for them.  I just think OSU's guards are too much for GTown's, and see them grinding out to the title game with a 83-71 victory.

In the final, the experience will really show through.  Oden is much better now than the first time, but Noah and Horford will send Oden to the bench quickly, and playing the guard game with Florida will not work for OSU in the end.  I honestly don't think it'll be a contest, with Florida winning 85-72.  I think whoever wins the Florida-UCLA game will be the champion, regardless of who comes out on the other side.

I'll still be cheering for the Buckeyes though to win it all.  You don't get too many Greg Oden's to come around, and I think you've got one shot with him this year as he'll bolt after this one.  Make it worthwhile Buckeyes!