The cupboard is bare

After Peyton Manning was let go, the Colts have decided to make a few more changes. Dwight Freeney is on the block. Indy cut Melvin Bullitt, Joseph Addai, Gary Brackett and Dallas Clark. Oh, and Curtis Painter. Let me touch on each of thse players individually.

Dwight Freeney - My favorite Colts player, maybe ever. A monster at Syracuse, he wasn't highly regarded coming out of school because of his size. Nevertheless, the Colts drafted him, and he became a star. Now, he is perhaps the only viable trade chip on the team. Hey, they have to get something this offseason, right?

Melvin Bullitt - I find it difficult to get attached to anyone who ever played for the Colts secondary. Because they are very bad, you see.

Joseph Addai - There are a lot of things Addai might be good at. Needlepoint. Baking apple turnovers. One of them is not "professional NFL running back". The only reason he ever looked competent is because he was propped up by a hall of fame QB. With Manning out of the picture, so is Addai. Mercifully.

Gary Brackett - Have you ever noticed in highlight clips of Brackett, it's always in games against the Texans? Do you know why that is? It's because in all the other games he is garbage. Watch him against the Chargers. Just awful.

Dallas Clark - When you no longer have any wide receivers (Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garcon are free agents) it's really hard to run a spread offense. Dallas Clark isn't really a component that fits anymore. Sorry Dallas. Hell, no I'm not. You don't have to play for the Colts anymore.

Curtis Painter - It's Painter's fault. Everything is Curtis Painter's fault. If Dan Orlovsky can come in and make the team look competent, you have to wonder about the guy he replaced. I do wonder. Well, no I don't. Painter is the worst QB to ever play in the league. Ever. And he played for most of a season. Worst. Ever.He should never have been drafted. If he was remotely competent, the Colts are drafting top ten, but not first overall. Manning sticks around, and they just reload for another run. But no. Curtis Painter was so incredibly, aggressively terrible that he changed the course of Colts history by being so bad. In fact, the only thing he could have done is go to his coaches and say "Listen, guys, you know that I'm awful, right? Shouldn't be in the league? Why are you starting me?" Go away Curtis Painter. Go away and never come back. I never want to hear your name again.

(All in all, positive developments form the Colts, even if it hurts a little Good to see the team moving on)

Links of the Day 3/9/12

It's my mom's birthday! I wish she read this blog...

A reminder of what, exactly, happened with conference realignment.

Glen Perkins was extended. The Twins are going to the World Series!

The Cubs and White Sox are still rivals. Rivals that are bad at baseball.

SCOREBOARD
NCAAB
Kansas 83, Texas A&M 66 - "It's been fun, now get our of our conference:"
Minnesota 75, Northwestern 68 - As much as I love the Gophers, I feel so bad for Northwestern. Can't you ever be good?
Purdue 79, Nebraska 61 - New conference, same crappy Cornhuskers.
NHL
Minnesota 3, Phoenix 2 (SO) - Well now they're just losing their draft pick

Here is a crazy-ass Peyton Manning scenario

Like I said, this is crazy-ass, and there is 0% chance of it happening. That said, what do you think of this scenario?
Let's operate first under the premise that the Peyton Manning is driven mostly to play where he is most comfortable, because he already has a ring, and is fabulously wealthy. That said, what about this?
What if the Saints used a cheap Drew Brees (because he is franchised) as trade bait for someone like the Redskins with high picks and a penchant for big name players, and then signed Manning for a lower price tag, brought back Colston, while grabbing, say, Justin Blackmon with the ‘Skins pick?
The Saints would then have a defense and a well established offense, even better with Marques Colston and Justin Blackmon as the downfield threats. They get only slightly weaker at QB while getting stronger elsewhere, The Redskins would end up with the elite QB they so desperately crave. And Peyton Manning would be playing at his father's team, in a division with two domes (the other being in Atlanta) so he can show off his arm, like he did in Indianapolis. 
Win-win for everyone, right? Well, except for Drew Brees. But he is used to getting hosed on stuff like this.

Links of the Day 3/8/12

Hey, are you watching basketball today? Good.

Peyton Manning is popular.

Fascinating story about soccer in Juarez, one of the most dangerous cities in the world.

The best season for several major TV networks ever.

SCOREBOARD
Nothing!

Thank you, Peyton Manning

I think things have been handled poorly over the past month or so with the Colts and Peyton Manning, but I am glad Manning is leaving without ill will towards the Colts. Best of luck, Peyton.

Links of the Day 3/7/12

Remember yesterday, how it was all warm and stuff? That was great.

A look at the tournament projections to this point.

Butt dials are the new thing in recruiting violations.

Let's talk about hope for the Twins season

SCOREBOARD
NHL
Colorado 7, Minnesota 1 - This game was on national television, so that's pretty cool.

I had a twitch of excitement over this

I've certainly admitted that I am a soccer fan, and am a little disappointed that there isn't an MLS franchise here in the Twin Cities. Granted, the Major League Soccer experience is significantly less than that of their counterparts overseas. The talent level is lower in the States, the international competition is non-existent and the entire nation doesn't get involved because there is no relegation, and no opportunity for smaller markets to get involved (never mind that soccer just isn't that popular in America, though it is getting there).
Still, the announcement that the new Vikings stadium in Minneapolis may lead to an MLS franchise here in the Twin Cities is one of the better side effects of the deal. Consider the positives for the region. There is no cost to the state or city for the team, as they would play at the new Vikings stadium. It would add another crowd to Minneapolis, and perhaps an additional source of tourism.
Yes, when talking about the positive impact of tourism a new stadium provides, any football based argument is BS. There is no value added, because it would not attract any new tourists. There would be a one time bump after the city gets the Super Bowl one time, but after that? Nothing. Soccer, on the other hand, actually has a chance to provide a bump to tourism. Nothing significant enough to build a new stadium over, mind you, but again, there wouldn't be anything invested in a soccer team by the state, as this stadium is being built with or without them.
With an MLS team, there would be exhibition matches, typically with foreign opponents. While Americans likely have their own opinions of the Twin Cities and Minnesota that a new stadium wouldn't change, there are a lot of Europeans that have never heard of Minneapolis. This is where a positive first impression could be made. Consider the inverse. Residents of England know Manchester to be a dirty industrial town, not much worth visiting. Soccer fans know it as a destination, thanks to their strong soccer clubs of United and City. Getting random foreign eyes on the Twin Cities would help raise the international profile of the city. Finally, a catch-free benefit to the new stadium.

Links of the Day 3/6/12

Holy crap, I went outside without a parka today!

Follow the logic: The Twins spent a lot of money ergo, they will be bad.

Suave

An interesting, fun fact about college basketball. The home team gets to pick the brand of basketball used.

SCOREBOARD
Nothin'

Joe Mauer hit into a double play!

Today in the Twins spring training game (or yesterday or whatever)Joe Mauer grounded into a double play. It triggered a lot of jokes about Mauer being back to his form, grounding into double plays and eerything, and I remembered a period a couple years ago, where Mauer actually bunted because he was flustered by the amount of double plays he was initiating.
Let's think about this a bit more rationally, though. There are reasons why Mauer hits into double plays. He makes contact. He makes solid contact. He drives the ball up the middle. These aren't bad things. Also adding to his double play conundrum: the batters ahead of him get on base.
So I guess the question I have is... what would you have him do? He's the best hitter on the team. Do you want to waste that by bunting? Would you rather he strike out? He grounds into double plays because he's unlucky. It's not a mental thing, and it's not a physical thing. So give it up. I would rather he keep trying to drive the ball. I can't believe this would even be a debate.

Links of the Day 3/5/12

It's only 10 days until the NCAA tournament. Joy!

This is... not going to be a channel.

All right, well this happened. A lion could do much worse things though, honestly.

Comparing the new Vikings stadium to Lucas Oil Stadium? There are holes in the logic.

SCOREBOARD
Nope

Cooking with Ryan: Creamy ham and potatoes

This is the second week in a row with some creamy potato action. This was cooked to make for a creamier, thicker sauce, and seemed more like a potato salad. The sauce had cream of celery and mustard, as well as some binders, and it was cooked on the stovetop, which allowed the potatoes to get soft and mushy, which is actually pretty good. I topped it with cheese, chives and cherry tomatoes to give it a little color. Of course, the best part, as with any meal in which they make an appearance, were the crescent rolls, which I can't wrap to save my life; They are always just big wads of dough. I just don't have that delicate touch. You know, the one to make pastry in a can.

Links of the Day 3/4/12

Busy day today. Sorry for the delay in posting.

Sick of your teams losing? Here's good news! The Purdue women won the Big Ten tournament!

Florida Gulf Coast (the other team involved in that game from January) couldn't take down Belmont in the A-Sun tournament.

Oh, by the way, speaking of Purdue and brackets, here is the Big Ten mens bracket.

SCOREBOARD
NCAAB
Kansas 73, Texas 63- Always fun to see Texas lose.
Indiana 85, Purdue 74 - Purdue can't beat the Hoosiers to finish off the season for the seniors, including Robbie Hummel.
Western Illinois 58, North Dakota State 53 - Oops. The Bison's season is now over after busting out to Western Illinois early in the tournament.
NHL
Colorado 2, Minnesota 0 - Maybe the worst year in Minnesota sports of my life.

Denard Span is way too excited by baseball

I mean, I love baseball too, and I know that I haven't had to sit out because of a concussion for any amount of time but... lordy, Denard, rein it in a bit, all right?

Links of the Day 3/3/12

Thank you for checking in today. I know it's Saturday and you have better things to do.

The New Orleans Saints were paying bounties. Nobody is surprised.

Not bad goalkeeping from the Arsenal-Liverpool game.

Maybe Temple isn't going to the Big East. Whatever.

SCOREBOARD
NHL
Detroit 6, Minnesota 0 - It was like the Wild weren't even a professional team.
NCAAB
Florida Gulf Coast 62, Mercer 58 - Sadly, the Bears have been eliminated, probably from the postseason as well. The Eagles are in the championship game, so there is a chance that one of the teams I saw this year still goes dancing.
Minnesota 81, Nebraska 69 - Nebraska is... not good.
EPL
Blackburn 1, Aston Villa 1 - Vital point for Blackburn, but they need a win next week against Wolves to stay in the EPL next year.

The Vikings get their stadium

After about 28 years of clamoring for a new stadium, the Minnesota Vikings have finally got their wish, it seems. I have to say, of all the possible scenarios that have been bandied about, this is not the worst result. It isn't even in the bottom half.
First and foremost, the team needed a stadium to remain viable in the NFL. Their revenues were near the bottom of all teams in the NFL If you are one that believes hat an NFL team is an enormous boon to a city, then building a stadium for the Vikings is and has always been essential.
No matter what side of the debate you were on though, rational people likely saw the Vikings proposals for what they were A fleecing of the Minnesota taxpayers for Zygi Wilf's personal profit, without regard for the Vikings at all. He, Wilf, wanted a stadium by itself to encourage people to drive there, rather than taking mass transit, and to develop his own little Zygiville. This would be fine, but cleaning the superfund site and redeveloping all the necessary infrastructure would add so much burden to the state without any tangible benefits, that it should never have been a viable option.
So the idea of building the stadium downtown, in my opinion, is the best result. The structure itself is less expensive, and there is less infrastructure that needs to be updated. The train runs right by the stadium, the team stays in the same neighborhood and any benefit is strictly for the Vikings and their fans, not for the sleazy owner who has held the town hostage for several years. There is no massive parking extortion, and the there won't bee an entire tract of terrible, Wilf run stores.
So congratulations, Vikings, fans. You look like you will be getting your new stadium, and it is less painful for people like me.

Links of the Day 3/2/12

There is a tornado outbreak in the Ohio Valley and Southeast today. Please be careful if you are reading from there.

The best baseball announcers around.

Sports Illustrated is self effacing.

Look how different downtown Minneapolis is since the Metrodome has been around.

SCOREBOARD

NHL

Montreal 5, Minnesota 4 (SO) The Wild lost in a shoot out, thanks in part to this.

Baseball playoff expansion: I am.... torn

People have a clarity of conviction when it comes to the additional two teams in the major league post season, and I wish I could join them in that stance, but I'm just not sure. Originally, I was uncomfortable with the expansion of the post season, because it watered down the post season. If more teams make the postseason, it get's watered down. The long regular season for a few cherished spots in the playoffs is one of the things that make the game unique.
But then, I reconsidered. One of the things about the wild card chase is that it allows some teams to coast in to the post season, assured their spot in a 5 game series. Wild Card teams have been met with a great deal of success since they were introduced in 1993, so there really isn't a stigma for ending up in that spot Now, if you are the best team not to win your division, you can't just skate to the playoffs. There is an impetus to win your division. The best teams have something to play for even as the season winds down, trying to avoid the ignominy of losing the 1 game playoff. The team they would face would have the advantage of aligning their starting pitchers, where as the wild card winner likely would have used their ace the game before. Of course, they would also have an extra day off.
But again, there is the whole idea of watering down the post season. That said, remember that baseball started with 16 teams and 2 teams in the post season. Then, when the Twins won, it was 26 teams with 4 teams in the postseason. It was expanded to 8 teams in the playoffs with the addition of the Rockies and Marlins, meaning 28 teams, 8 spots. If you want to do the math, that is 14, 22 and 20 teams left out of the post season. With 30 teams and 10 teams in the playoffs, we are still leaving 20 teams out, which is pretty much in line with the way it has always been.
I wish there was a better way to do this than a 1 game playoff, but for the life of me, I can't think of one. If anything, I just hope the season starts sooner going forward to accommodate the extra game Right now, that's my biggest sticking point. That and the inevitability of the Twins losing 5 1 game series in a row.

Links of the Day 3/1/12

Good afternoon, everyone! Happy March! I have a big announcement that will be coming up.... sometime this month.

I'm not entirely sure what a podcast is, but Bill Simmons had a pretty good get for Grantland.

This does seem.... a little fishy.

What can the Twins get from Trevor Plouffe?

SCOREBOARD
NCAAB
Purdue 80, Penn State 56 - The Boilers avenged their worst loss of the season, taking the Nittany Lions behind the woodshed.
Mercer 61, Lipscomb 53 - The Atlantic Sun tournament appears to have made the Bears a little stiff Hopefully they can loosen up and win the conference.