Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tabor's Big League Chew: Atlanta Braves 2012 Lineup Preview
Tabor's Big League Chew: Atlanta Braves 2012 Lineup Preview: I recall sitting, dejected, depressed, tearful and generally upset after game 162 last year. I said what I always have said when the Braves...
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Atlanta Braves 2012 Lineup Preview
I recall sitting, dejected, depressed, tearful and generally upset after game 162 last year. I said what I always have said when the Braves blow it, "God it's gonna be a long winter." And lo and behold, we're already at the cusp of another Braves spring training; be it my human need to forget the pain and suffering the Braves put us fans through last September (going an abysmal 8-18 and thus conceding the wild card birth the the now world champion Cards), but I'm jazzed for this season like I haven't been since our heyday in the 90s. Perhaps its the fact we no longer have that guaranteed L every 5th day in Derek Lowe (the Braves literally paid Cleveland 10 million bucks to just take this idiot and never look back), or perhaps its the high hopes for A+ prospect Tyler Pastornicky getting his shot at shortstop. Lets take a look at our lineup from top to bottom to see why this Braves fan is salivating at the thought of opening day:1) Michael Bourne: This lineup has the capability to score a ton of runs, and it all starts and stops with speedster Michael Bourne in the leadoff spot. The Braves really aren't known as a running team, but you have to imagine that with Bourn in the fold for a full season, Fredi will turn him loose on the basepaths. If Bourn is able to up his OBP to the .350 range that it was when he was a commodity with the Astros over the past couple of seasons, and his defense rebounds to the stellar level it was at, Bourn will absolutely be a spark plug for the Braves in CF.
2) Martin Prado: Martin Prado was an All-Star in 2010, and many Braves fans thought he was the Atlanta Braves MVP that season. He had a .307 batting average to go along with 15 home runs and 66 RBI’s. He struggled last year with a staph infection as his numbers dropped to .260/13/57 and played in 11 less games. If Prado can turn it around in 2012, he can do a lot of damage at the top of the order.
3) Chipper Jones: The Ol' Grey Mare still keeps on going, and at almost 40 years of age, this could be (and should be) Chipper's last hurrah. Chipper Jones has battled constant nagging injuries over the last three or four years, but he is still one of the best hitters in the Atlanta Braves lineup when healthy, as well as arguably the best player of the steroid era to not be tainted with the stigma of being a "juicer." Jones started slow and dealt with some injuries last season, as per usual, but still managed to hit .275, which is below average for him, but good nonetheless. Chipper got his power stroke going around mid-season and finished the year with 18 home runs and 70 RBI’s. It is incredibly important for Chip to be in the lineup, he brings invaluable leadership and necessary protection for Uggla in the cleanup spot.
4) Dan Uggla: 2011 was the tale of 2 seasons for Dan Uggla. Before the all-star break, moreover, prior to his 33 game hit-streak, Uggla was well below the Mendoza line (.200). On the flipside he went on the warpath (pun intended) and was arguably the MVP of the League in the 2nd half of the season. His 33 game hitting streak set the Atlanta Braves record for longest hitting streak. Uggla finished the year with a .233 Batting Avg., A career high 36 HR’s & 82 RBI’s, and the Braves have high expectations for the buffest 2b to ever play the game!
5) Brian McCann: McCann matched his career high for home runs in 2011 with 24, as well as missing considerable time on the DL. His RBI production dipped to a career low (71), but that can be attributed to the anemic bats in front of him in the lineup; before the Braves acquired Michael Bourne, they didn't have a true leadoff hitter. I fully expect Mac to be healthy and to earn his 7th consecutive all-star appearance.
6) Freddie Freeman: In my opinion, Freeman was the Rookie of the Year for the NL, because I don't feel this award should go to anyone but a position player. Be that as it may, the Braves had the winner of the ROY in Craig Kimbrel, so no harm no foul in the Braves fan's eyes. He hit .282 with 21 home runs and 76 RBI’s in a very impressive rookie campaign. Freeman will probably bat in the 6 spot behind Chipper Jones, Brian McCann, and Dan Uggla, and in front of Jason Heyward, so he should have plenty of protection and run producing opportunities.
7) Jason Heyward: This kid needs to step up and be the player he was his rookie year in 2010. He looked like he was going to be the next Chipper Jones after a rookie campaign where he hit .277 with 18 Homers and 72 RBI’s, most baseball analysts thought that Heyward would continue to rise. This was not the case; Unfortunately Heyward suffered through a big sophomore slump in 2011 as his average fail 50 points to .227. His power numbers were down too, especially his RBI’s. He hit 14 homers with only 42 RBI’s. His walks also fail dramatically; he walked 91 times in 2010 and only 51 times in 2011. So far in camp, he has displayed a different swing and is, according to Chipper, "tearing the cover off the ball." The Braves have big expectations for this kid, and he cannot afford another season like last year.
8) Tyler Pastornicky: This kid has been the talk of the town in Atlanta since he was called up for the final game last year (he did not play.) There was talk after last season's horrific collapse to buy a journeyman SS for 1 season to give Pastornicky some more grooming time. That plan was scrapped and the 22 year old kid will have his chance as the everyday starter at SS. Pastornisky started 2011 in AA Mississippi where he hit for a .299 batting average with 6 home runs and 36 RBI’s in 90 games. During him time at AA, Pastornisky stole 20 bases out of 28 attempts. Pastornisky got called up to AAA Gwinett for 27 games and hit .365 with a home run and 9 RBI’s; he was 7/10 in stolen base attempts. This kid reminds me a lot of Chipper, and good things are expected out of him for 2012.
As a whole, the Braves don't expect to break the Phillies stranglehold on the NL East, but they expect to be more than competitive; its hard to dethrone a team that has over DOUBLE the Braves payroll, but not every team has the near limitless purse-strings the Phillies, Yankees or Red Sox have. I will examine the Braves phenomenal (young) pitching staff in the days to come, so until next time, keep those tomahawks chopping!
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Tabor's Big League Chew: Lost in the Linsanity: An Editorial
Tabor's Big League Chew: Lost in the Linsanity: An Editorial: This is Jeremy Lin, that's all that's going on in sports. Right? (Reuters/ Mike Segar) Right now, you can't turn on the television or ra...
Lost in the Linsanity: An Editorial
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| This is Jeremy Lin, that's all that's going on in sports. Right? (Reuters/ Mike Segar) |
Red Wings Dominate at Home
The Detroit Red Wings have not lost a game at home since November 3rd. The Wings have rattled off 23 consecutive wins and go for #24 tonight against the Vancouver Canucks. While turning Joe Louis Arena into Fort Neverlose, the Red Wings have earned the best record in hockey. Their home winning streak has been a big part of that as on the road, Detroit is a sub .500 team. It will be interesting to see if they can continue their winning ways without the continued services of assist leader, Pavel Datsyuk.
Coming into town, the Canucks boast a great road record, 20-10-2. Vancouver will be the toughest test in JLA until the Chicago Blackhawks come back into town. If they make it to that point with the home winning streak still in tact, the Wings will attempt to set the all time record for most consecutive home wins across sports against the last team to beat them.
Hope Springs Eternal at Spring Training
Pitchers and catchers have already reported to baseball's spring training and the rest of the players are filtering in. All eyes will be on newcomers such as Yu Darvish, but what interests me is the players trying to make another run at one last summer in the sun.
49 year old Jamie Moyer is trying to get on with the Colorado Rockies. Moyer has 260 wins on his career and feels he can contribute both on and off the field. He's going to have a chance to make it, as the pitching staff for the Rockies are comprised of mostly new faces from the off season. According to the Washington Post, Moyer has already been establishing himself as a clubhouse leader, teaching the former American league pitchers on staff the nuances of hitting and bunting.
In the American League, making a less auspicious return is Manny Ramirez. General Manager Billy Beane haas described the signing of Ramirez as "low risk" but critics haven't been as kind to the signing. ManRam's best years are behind him and he still must serve a 50 game suspension from his positive PED test. The signing is nothing new in the home of Moneyball where aging sluggers have spent their last seasons, often without impact on the roster.
Heat Leading the League
Even within the same league, there are stories that are being missed in the Linsanity. The Miami Heat are playing great basketball and it seems the chemistry between the big three is working. They are tied for the best record in the league with the Oklahoma City Thunder at a 26-7 mark. The two squads look like they are in an early collision course in the Finals.
The only teams that look like they could challenge the Heat and Thunder respectively are the Bulls and the Spurs. The Spurs themselves have put on quite a winning streak, at one point rattling off 11 consecutive victories to propel themselves to the top of their division. Tony Parker has been unconscious, leading the aging roster on one last journey against time and trying to get to the Finals, themselves. This could be the effect of the lockout shortened season benefiting the teams who had established chemistry over the years and know how to rev themselves up to make a run.
The Bulls, lead by reigning MVP Derrick Rose go into the break with a 5 game lead on the second place Pacers. The Bulls lost a close one against the Heat in their first match up on the road. The teams have three more meetings in what will decide who the king of the East is going into the playoffs.
Finally, Jeremy Lin
A lot has already been said about Jeremy Lin. I haven't watched many of his games but from what I've seen, I know this. The guy can play ball. The biggest knock on him so far is that he turns the ball over too much. In his 10 games he has had 56 turnovers which is most ever for a player in their first ten games. However, stats don't matter. Wins do. The Knicks are shooting 15% better from the floor when he's out there and they are winning games. Before Lin, the Knicks were looking at the lottery once again but with him at the helm, they are in the playoffs at the midway point.
Now that Carmelo Anthony has returned, I would expect Lin's production to go down some but overall I think his return will be good for the Knicks in the long run. Anthony provides something that no one else on the team can. Anthony is a strong player and can get to the rim out of his small forward position. What separates him from his teammates is his willingness to create difficult points, especially late in games. I think that with Anthony back in the lineup, the Knicks can make some serious noise moving into the second half of the season. Right now, New York is the hottest team in their division and if they continue to play like they have been playing the past 3 weeks, they will win the Atlantic Division.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Manning leads Giants over Pats in Super Bowl XLVI
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| Ahmad Bradshaw runs for tough yards against the Patriots (William Perlman/The Star-Ledger) |
The Giants received the opening kickoff and the offense was clicking early. The Patriot defense seemed to have trouble tackling the the running back tandem of Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs. As the game wore on though, the New England strategy became more apparent. Instead of trying to make the tackle early on they were trying to strip the ball from the ball carriers. They did so with success on several occasions but they were unable to capitalize on the defensive plays all the fumbles being either recovered by the Gaints or negated on a fumble.
Eli and the Giants moved the ball into Patriot territory, using a healthy does of the run game, mixing in passes to keep them honest but the New England defense buckled down in their own territory and forced a loss on three consecutive plays, two of them sacks on Manning. This brought on the punter Steve Weatherford who would be an unsung hero through the game.
After Weatherford's punt was downed on the 6 yard line the Patriots went to work. Brady dropped back to pass and on the first offensive play from scrimmage Justin Tuck got pressure up the middle and forced Brady into an intentional grounding penalty in the end zone which resulted in a safety for the defense. After the ensuing free kick, the New York offense was back on the field.
This time they would take advantage of the New England defense going 78 yards on 9 plays. The Patriots appeared to have taken over on a fumble recovery in the red zone as Sterling Moore stripped the ball from Victor Cruz after a completion but the Pats' recovery was wiped off the board when the defense was penalized for having too many men on the field. Hope sprang eternal and Cruz would make up for his mistake two plays later when he caught Manning's only TD pass on the day from two yards out.
At the end of the first quarter, the Giants were in control. both of the ball and the scoreboard, leading 9-0 after the opening period. The Patriots ended the quarter having only possessed the ball for three and a half minutes, but Brady and company were on the move.
As much as the first quarter belonged to the Giants, the second belonged to the Patriots. Tom Brady lead the Pats down the field into the Giants red zone. The Patriots stalled but got a field goal out of it, finally showing signs of life from the offense. The Patriots would stand tall on defense again, not allowing another point throughout the first half. Weatherford's third punt of the day was downed on the one yard line but Brady would respond with a 14 play 99 yard drive which lead to the end of the first half. Brady was left without much to work with on the scoring play but Woodhead found a hole in the defense and Brady found him, putting the Patriots ahead going into the second half.
To open the game, the Patriots had elected to kick the ball so they would essentially get the ball for two consecutive possessions, having had the last say in the first half. By this time, New England had all the momentum and quickly marched up the field, scoring another touchdown. Brady this time found Aaron Hernandez for a 12 yard touchdown pass to put New England up 17-9. They would not score again.
The Giants responded with a drive which gave them a field goal, drawing closer to the Pats. Defensively, the Giants dug in and forced a New England 3 and out but again were only able to convert the possession into a field goal. The next possession truly changed the face of the game. Two plays into the fourth quarter, Brady was pressured, nearly fumbled but escaped the pressure. He saw Gronkowski deep and threw it up, but the ankle was clearly bothering Gronk this evening as Carter Blackburn intercepted Brady's pass giving the ball back to the Giants.
New York wouldn't do anything with the possession though and ended up trading punts with the Patriots. The next time the Giants had the ball it became the Eli Manning show. Starting with the ball inside his own 15 Manning went deep to Mario Manningham in what would be the play of the game. Manningham tiptoed the sideline and held onto the ball getting the ball to midfield in one play. After an incompletion, Manning would complete his next four passes and put the Giants in position to win the game. Ahman Bradshaw took a hand off up the middle and Bradshaw's momentum would carry him into the end zone. The Giants failed on the two point conversion, giving them a 4 point lead with just under a minute to go in the game.
Brady would convert on a 4th and 16 deep in his own territory and got the Pats within striking distance with one play to decide it all. Brady threw up a hail mary and the ball fell to the turf after being batted down, falling just out of reach of Rob Gronkowski. Brady broke Joe Montana's record of consecutive completions in the Super Bowl but did manage 276 yards passing without much help from the running game. A couple drops late from normally sure handed receivers did not help his cause but at the end of the game, the Giants came out on top.
MVP Eli Manning turned in a 30-40 passing performance for 296 yards and the touchdown pass to Cruz. In the wake of the game to this point, coach Tom Coughlin has stated he wants to keep coaching and Belicheck has stated that "It's too early to make a decision." It was a tremendous cap to a season that was up in the air from the very beginning. Much like the season, the game wasn't decided until the 11th hour and left fans on the edge of their seats till the final whistle.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Braun, If You Did it...Just Admit it
Ryan Braun will accept his National League MVP Award at the Baseball Writers’ Association of America’s winter awards dinner on the 21st of this month and after recently testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. Braun contests that the substance that was found in his PED test was that of a medicinal nature; whether that is the truth remains to be seen. One thing this amateur sports writer knows is that "if ya did it just admit it;" Jason Giambi admitted to taking the "juice," as well as A-Rod and we the general populous collectively moved onward towards the future. Such was not the case with my former favorite athlete (not just baseball player) Barry Bonds; he decided to go the way of Pete Rose and deny, deny, deny, then tell the truth in a schlocky "autobiography" that was nothing more than a ghost writers interpretation of a degenerate gambler's proclivities; perhaps in 20 years Bonds will write a book to let us know what we already watched with eyes wide shut and why his cap size grew from a 7 to a 7 3/4 in just under 3 years. Braun has a chance to be a man, take his licks, and keep on with a career (though tainted horribly) but a career nonetheless. I digress:
Braun falling down while trying to complete an inside-the-park home run, is the purest form of allegory I could find when I began penning this editorial; if Braun does indeed deny the PED allegations and they are found to be true, this would be a literal fall from grace and further solidify the guilty until proven innocent mentality the athletes in the MLB have forced upon each of us fans; overnight Braun will go from MVP to baseball pariah.
Braun's positive test for performance-enhancing drugs took a potentially final turn Thursday when he made a desperate plea and stated his case before a three-member panel. The panel could meet as early as Friday, but no decision is expected prior to what will prove to be an awkward Saturday night; That is when Braun is expected to accept his MVP award at a New York Chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America’s dinner. avoid what could be a devastating suspension; not only for himself as an athlete, but the whole Milwaukee organization.
The evidence against Braun seems insurmountable; A source told the NY Daily News the following:
(Braun tested) insanely high, the highest ever for anyone whoNow we have a clear cut case of he said/she said against a panel the has never been wrong or been proven to have made any mistakes in the 9 years of testing (beginning at the minor league level.) No player has ever successfully overturned a suspension; zero, zip, NADA and there is no reason to lean towards the contrary. Braun will either be vilified or vindicated from this moment forward, and this fan can't help but see Braun twist his metaphorical mustache while having some damsel tied to some railroad tracks. This is the biggest battle of Braun's career, and he's losing...badly. I make no bones about it, I'm a tomahawk chopping Brave, but Braun was my overall favorite player (behind Chipper Jones, naturally) and I feel like I fell for it the same way the " great home run chase of '98" duped me and the rest of the free world.
has ever taken a test, twice the level of the highest test ever taken.
If Braun would just stop listening to his team of pirahna, err, lawyers, he would see that the truth will indeed set him free; like the title of this story states: IF YOU DID IT BRAUNIE, JUST ADMIT IT and go take your 50 game suspension like a man and maintain what little dignity you have left.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Rose Bowl Game Diary
Disclaimer: This is written through my eyes as a fan. These are the thoughts I had through the game. I decided not to edit them so the excitement and insanity could be palpable through my musings. At least I hope. Enjoy.
1 57 Incredibly nervous for the kick off. Hearing the Gladiator song makes me feel a little better.
1 58 YOU ARE LOOKING LIVE AT THE GRAND DADDY OF THEM ALL! What are the odds on a prop bet that Musberger says that?
2 00 So is this a game of power vs speed?
2 01 I want Oregon to defer and kick off. Defense needs to show they aren’t afraid and give DT a chance to settle down.
2 02 I just got a stupid little grin, hearing OMB play the national anthem. My uncle had better be in the stadium by now.
2 03 Closeups of horns are bad. Stealth bombers are good.
2 04 I would much rather hear Switchfoot than that awful Nelly song they’ve been cramming down our throats for the past two weeks.
2 06 That song will probably annoy me too, in about an hour.
2 07 These uniforms are sweet. They look awesome on TV
2 08 Sounds like two very passionate fan bases. Wisconsin’s uniform tweaks are…well less drastic than Oregons.
2 09 Am I a bad person for not knowing who J.R. Martinez is?
2 09 Wisconsin receiving…I’d prefer it that way. Let’s see what this defense is made of
2 10 “We can’t turn the ball over early” When do Chip and Erin announce the engagement?
2 12 Channelling coach Bellotti, Special teams, be special.
2 13 Montee Ball with a good hole early. Oregon has to close that up
2 14 Ball is getting everything he wants right now
2 15 Oregon steps up and makes a stop. Oregon is going to cycle this D Line.
2 16 First 3rd down. Wiscy gets it easilu.
2 16 Perfect play action. Wiscy on the board first.
2 20 The best way to curb kick off returns is to kick it out of the end zone.
2 22 LaMichael opens with a good run. Seems like LMJ is ready.
2 23 DT needs to bring the ball down
2 24 Big. Big response drive. 7-7. Who is going to blink first?
2 24 Herbstreit says LMJ has no BCS TD’s but he did receive 2 TDS which where essentially extended runs. You can spin stats any way you like.
2 28 Oregon’s kick coverage is pretty solid so far
2 28 Musburger sounds really subdued.
2 30 Montee Ball is really really good.
2 31 Huge hit by Alonso
2 32 Another big 3rd down early. This feels like 4 down territory
2 32 Russel Wilson showing how dangerous he really is. Montee Ball breaking back and getting inside the five.
2 34 Russell Wilson runs it in to put Wiscy back up. Ducks need to answer again. This game may set the record for fewest punts ever.
2 35 Why is there a movie about a horse?
2 38 Oregon is quick to the edges so far. If Wisconsin gives up 7 yards a play, they won’t be able to keep this up.
2 39 Well Wisconsin gets the 3 and out first
2 43 Oregon reads the play action much better the second time. Big sack right there.
2 44 3rd and 17 for Oregon D, can they return the favor? Do NOT give up a big scramble.
2 45 Make that 3rd and 22. Wisconsin gets bailed out there on the PI call.
2 47 Oregon is making good plays, just not often enough.
2 49 Big stop on 3rd down there. Michael Clay steps up and puts Ball down. Here comes the punt. Downed inside the 5 but a punt is better than a score.
2 51 See ya. De’Anthony Thomas just ran 91 yards almost as fast as I said “Is that Thomas?”
2 52 What a first quarter, this is ridiculous. 14-14 after 1.
2 55 Another record falls. Longest run from scrimmage.
2 56 Seems like the adjustments are starting for the defense. Winning first down right now.
2 58 Great call by Paul Chryst. 1st down Badgers
2 59 It’s Kiko Alonso. Not Kiki. Who’s guarding Toon?
3 00 Wiscy is back inside the 5 yard line with a first down.
3 01 Touchdown, Montee Ball. Wisconsin strikes back.
3 03 I think I just got fired up from a Gatorade commercial.
3 05 Musburger trying to make sunshine a story.
3 05 DeAnthony Thomas is dangerous.
3 06 One play. Touchdown. Darron Thomas threw a perfect pass to him. I’m guessing that Hot California sun didn’t hurt much.
3 07 Mayhem is my favorite.
3 10 “Here we go again” Well said Brent.
3 11 14 plays 4 minutes of possession 21 points.
3 11 My toes clench every time I see Montee Ball get the rock.
3 13 Alonso came in like a shot and made a great play forcing 3rd down.
3 13 Someone has to cover the crossing routes.
3 15 Good pressure by the Ducks on that play.
3 16 Oregon won first down. Wisconsin won second. Who will win third?
3 17 Oregon.
3 17 Big play here. 4th and short. Oregon stops Wilson on 4th down and gets out of the red zone allowing a big ZERO in the red zone.
3 20 Oregon is winning first down right now on offense. That’s hugely important. Bring that pass down, Darron!
3 21 Big time 3rd down conversion.
3 21 Huff just got popped. I hope he’s okay. Looks like he took a shot to the head. Darron Thomas…bring the ball down.
3 25 Wow. It appears that all the momentum Oregon just had went out the window. It’s close. I can’t tell if that hand was going forward or not. Guess not.
3 26 Oregon with the first mistake in the game. Ducks get the ball back at least and they start the second half with it.
3 29 DeAnthony Thomas got overzealous and cost his team 8 yards.
3 30 LaMichael James makes up for it though. He’s running like he has something to prove.
3 32 The Ducks are getting to the edges every time they want. It will be interesting how Wisconsin does in the second half.
3 33 A Bryan Bennett sighting. He’s 100% completions and Darron Thomas shows his athleticism. Clearly Bennett should throw passes to Thomas more often. /sarcasm.
3 34 Inside run and Badgers are there. Seems like theyre setting it up for later.
3 35 Is this 4 down territory for Oregon?
3 36 Nope. Touchdown Ducks. 28-28 with less than a minute to go.
3 38 “That drive took an eternity” Nice, Kirk.
3 38 I’m really glad I’m not doing push ups in this game like I did for Stanford. That Bennet to Thomas pass reminded me of the Harrington pass back in the Holiday Bowl against Texas.
3 40 John Boyett just introduced himself to Nick Toon.
3 42 Can we get ACC refs in the Pac-12? They know what they’re doing.
3 42 HALF TIME. Holy crap. Oregon ball, let’s see how it winds up.
4 07 Apparenly Josh Huff is okay. That’s good for the Ducks.
4 08 How did LMJ get through there? First down Ducks.
4 08 DeAnthony Thomas is the MVP so far in this game. Another huge run from him. Oregon gets their first lead of the game.
4 13 Aberaderas just answered back and put Wisconsin in business at the Oregon 36
4 14 Ball is running hard but if the lane isn’t there, the defense can stop the Badgers.
4 15 Ball just hurdled John Boyett, but got a helmet to an unfriendly place.
4 19 If LaMichael doesn’t have a huge game, does he go pro?
4 19 There was space there, luckily for Oregon Ball slipped and fell down. 3rd down.
4 20 Ducks keep the Badgers out of the end zone. Huge stop right there. Ducks still with the lead. Can they get separation?
4 21 DIrectv is doing a good job with these cause and effect commercials.
4 23 For as well as De’Anthony is playing he’s doing some silly things. Learn the rules fans. The ball has to come all the way out of the end zone.
4 25 That’s how Oregon got hurt with a safety against Auburn last year. I don’t like bad fans. Stop booing.
4 27 That screen isn’t gonna work. Oregon unable to capitalize on the field goal.
4 31 Ricky Heimuli is hurt. The Ducks need that guy against this offense.
4 34 Wiscy still running the ball well.
4 34 Russel Wilson saves the day on that third down play.
4 36 Another huge third down here. Oregon needs to get their offense back out there.
4 37 First down, Wisconsin.
4 37 Beautiful throw from Wilson to Toon. Touch down Wisconsin and the Badgers have scored 10 straight.
4 38 Ducks have been answering all day, let’s see what happens next.
4 41 Big throw and catch there. Oregon across the middle of the field and in striking distance.
4 42 LaMike has been slipping free all day.
4 42 Oregon bogging down now. Interesting, down or distance? Wisconsin chooses distance. Seemed to work out well as now it’s 3rd and long.
4 44 Pass was too high. Interception. Badger ball, Oregon may be in trouble, especially if Carson York is out.
4 49 Why is everyone booing now?
4 52 So, is there no Gator cart in the Rose Bowl? Seriously.
4 53 Ball took a hit and kept running.
4 54 Oregon needs a big play on defense.
4 55 Kiko Alonso just made it! Interception! Oregon ball.
4 56 First down Ducks. Here they come.
4 56 4th Quarter time. Championship minutes.
5 00 My player of the game, DeAnthony Thomas breaks a tackle and gets the first down.
5 01 Great throw by Thomas. Oregon back on top 42-38.
5 05 Forcing the throwaway on first down is big. Watch for a draw here from Ball
5 06 Michael Clay comes through and makes a big stop in the backfield. Third and long. Seems the Ducks are playing for Carson York
5 07 Badgers are forced to punt. Big stop there.
5 08 Oregon ball, first and 10 from their own 10.
5 11 For all the passes Tuinei has dropped this year he picked a good game to catch everything.
5 12 Barner with a little hop and a first down for the Ducks. Clock ticking with about 11 minutes.
5 13 Another huge play to DeAnthony Thomas but it’s negated by a holding call on Darrion Weems.
5 14 Ducks shooting themselves in the foot now. 2nd and 25 after what would’ve been first and 10 inside the 15.
5 15 4th down…going for it. Play of the game.
5 16 Tuinei! 1st down Ducks!
5 17 Another 4th down.
5 20 I still haven’t forgiven Maldenado.
5 20 That will help. 45-38
5 22 LaMichael James has 144 yards on 19 carries and no one has noticed.
5 23 Oregon is getting into the back field suddenly.
5 24 More records falling. Most points ever in a Rose Bowl.
5 25 Great individual effort by Nick Toon to get that first.
5 26 Montee Ball looks like he’s a little dinged up.
5 26 Aberderas makes a great catch but then coughs the ball up and the Ducks pick it up. May have just won the game right there.
5 28 Tick tock tick tock. Musburger is right the ACC has great officials.
5 29 612 yards for the Ducks. Apparently the Badgers didn’t have enough time to game plan for the offense.
5 31 Timeout, Wisconsin. A first down wins it for the Ducks.
5 34 One minute remaining. Oregon is gonna punt the ball away here and see what Wisconsin can do.
5 35 23 seconds remaining.
5 36 Oregon has running backs as their gunners on punt coverage.
5 36 Big pass play to start the drive. Ball on their own 42.
5 37 Clock is at :00 but what’s the call?
5 38 Herbie, you know the rules. Once the clock is wound it starts.
5 39 DUCKS WIN THE ROSE BOWL!
5 39 I guess Chip Kelly can win the big one.
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