BenMaller.com - Ben's Takes

Friday Thoughts, Opinions and Notes

By Ben Maller

Mo Vaughn got his wish and was traded out of Anaheim. Big Mo will be playing at Shea Stadium with Roger Cedeno, Roberto Alomar and Mike Piazza batting infront of him. The Mets have put together baseball's best lineup.

When Vaughn signed with the Angels following the 1998 season, it was hailed as the dawning of a new era both for the halos and for Mo. He had beefed up his stats in seven-plus seasons with the Red Sox, including an American League MVP season in 1995. He was supposed to be the big piece of the puzzle that would get the Angels into the postseason for the first time since 1986.

Instead Vaughn figures to play in the NL Playoffs in 2002 with the Mets.

The Mets still have a lot of work to do. They've got a huge void in their starting rotation now that Kevin Appier, their number two starter, is in Anaheim. New York is expected to try to get Rick Reed back from the Twins and might sign one of the free agent pitchers still available. Pedro Astacio, Rick Helling, Terry Adams and James Baldwin are all out there.

Right now, the Mets rotation is Al Leiter (11-11 3.31era), Shawn Estes (9-8 with the Giants), Bruce Chen (7-7, combined, with the Phillies and Mets), Steve Trachsel (11-13, with a 4.56 ERA), Glendon Rusch (8-12). Now that's a below average pitching staff.

Aaron Sele was an all-star for the Seattle Mariners in their first half. Sele was a stiff in the second half of the season with a 5-4 record. Sele also can't win in the playoffs he has an 0-6 record in seven playoff starts.

The Angels have a consistent starting rotation now. Problem is they aren't good enough to beat out the Athletics or Mariners in the ALCS.

Attention Dan Evans. The Dodgers still need a closer, a starter, and a lead-off hitter.

Ben Maller Trivia Question of the Week: What player has hit the most homeruns in his career and never played in a World Series?

The Pittsburgh Steelers have the 28th easiest schedule, have an inconsistent kicker, poor punt and kickoff coverage teams and a quarterback who has yet to prove himself. The Steelers should win their last two games but are in serious trouble against the first good team they play.

Look for Chris Carter to be playing for the Chargers or Packers next season. The Vikings receiver took some shots at teammate Randy Moss for admitting he doesn't play hard all the time.

After looking at the numbers, Kurt Warner of the St. Louis Rams is the clear cut MVP. Warner has passed for 4,191 yards and 30 touchdowns already. Tom Brady of the Patriots is a good story, but Warner is the MVP.

Jake Plummer of the Cardinals, for the first time in his career, is on pace to throw more touchdown passes than interceptions. I still think the Cards should dump Plummer.

Now that Seattle is on the brink of being knocked out of the AFC playoff picture, Mike Holmgren has named Trent Dilfer the starting QB against the Chargers. Now that's great coaching!

Ricky Waters is a free agent after the season and the Cleveland Browns could do worse than signing the Seahawk back.

The Washington Redskins should do what it takes to get Drew Bledsoe after the season from the New England Patriots.

Baltimore's Marvin Lewis is not such a hot shot assistant anymore. The Ravens' defense is not what it was a year ago and Lewis isn't mentioned for any NFL head coaching job.

The Reason for the Dolphins December crash of 2001? Run Defense. In Miami's last five games, it has given up 143.0 rushing yards per game.

According to ProfootballWeekly.com Elvis Grbac might not be the QB for the Baltimore Ravens next year. There's a very specific "out clause" in the contract after this season.

Biggest Fantasy Football bust of 2001? How about Eddie George of the Titans. George is averaging 2.8 yards per carry, the lowest of his career.

Not only have the Denver Broncos been eliminated from the NFL Playoffs, but they are also expected to be some $8 million dollars over the salary cap after the season. That means dumping many veteran players.

It's very frustraiting to think that Kansas State and Virginia Tech have better football programs than USC and UCLA. Having grown up in Southern California, I should think that America's 2nd largest city could get blue chip talent.

Attention USC Fans... Thunder Collins the star running back of the Nebraska Cornhuskers is from Southern California. Something tells me he would have run for more than one yard against Utah at the Las Vegas Bowl.

Luke Staley of BYU announced he is entering the NFL Draft early. I'm trying to think of the last white Running Back who was drafted in the first round. Tommy Vardell? Of course Staley is a longshot to be drafted in the first two rounds.

Cal, Kansas, Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech all were able to hire coaches before Notre Dame.

Chan Gailey is a good hire for the Yellowjackets. Gailey had a winning record with the Cowboys, is from Georgia, and should be able to recruit thanks to his NFL experience.

Steve Mariucci, Mike Shannahan and Rick Neuhisel all joined the "I'm not going to Notre Dame" club this week.

ESPN Radio Network had a funny bit this week. They had listeners e-mail in reasons why they were qualified to coach Notre Dame. My two favorites were the guy who said he had a career 700% winning percentage at John Madden Football, my other favorite was the guy who said he had read Tom Landry's book so he knows how to coach.

George O'Leary could have coached the rest of his life at Georgia Tech and they would have named a stadium after him and nobody would have checked his resume.

Terry Bowden, George Seifort and Mike Riley are all still candidates for the Irish job.

Everyone says how great the Notre Dame job is but then say, "No thanks!"

Why does the NBA always put the Knicks on national TV? New York stinks this year.

The Lakers are in trouble without Shaq. That's obvious. No excuse losing to Golden State and Memphis of late.

Dan Issel had been with the Denver Nuggets from 1975 'til just this Wednesday when he was forced to resign. Sources at Fox Sports have told me that Issel would have been fired had he not accepted the team buyout.

Bill Cartwright is expected to get the worst job in the NBA: head coach of the high school Bulls.

Tim Floyd moved up in my book quitting as coach of the Chicago Bulls on Christmas Eve! The odds are against there ever being a coach with a worse run than Floyd who was 49-and-190. Floyd left Iowa State and was promised big free agents like Tracy McGrady & Grant Hill, instead he got Greg Anthony and high school players.

The Dallas Mavericks have almost as many assistant coaches as players.

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A friendly reminder to listen to my radio show this weekend on your local Fox Sports Radio station. It's me along with Bob Page at the Fox Sports Update desk from 5am till 8am(est) Saturday morning. Sunday morning from 4am till 7am I'll be back again.
(Heard on the "Burgh" in Pittsburgh.)

Sunday night, listen to my new program from 10pm till 2am along with Jason Smith on your local Fox Sports radio station. (Heard on the Sports Animal in Tampa.)

Ben Maller Trivia Question of the Week: Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants has hit 567 career homeruns while never playing in a World Series.

Big Ben Maller's Five Star NFL Pick of the Week

Atlanta Falcons (7-7) at Miami Dolphins (9-5)

The Line: Dolphins -7

Ben's Pick: Falcons and the Points!

Did You Know? Miami QB Jay Fiedler needs 11 yards passing to become just the second Miami quarterback to throw for 3,000 yards in a season. Dan Marino reached that mark 11 times.

Last Meeting: Falcons beat Dolphins 38-16 on Dec. 27, 1998, at Atlanta.

Big Ben's Breakdown: Betting against the Dolphins in December has become a very profitable habit. Miami has seen their season fall apart over the last 4 weeks. The Dolphins' rush defense has been a nightmare. Last week, they allowed 196 yards rushing in a road loss to the Patriots. The key to this whole bet is the Falcons ability to run the football with Maurice Smith. Miami still has a very solid secondary, the Dolphins front seven is their weak spot and Atlanta must take advantage of that. The Falcons are 4-2 on the road this season.

BenMaller.com's Final Score: Dolphins 26, Falcons 24 (Take the Points)

Other NFL Picks: Bucs -1 vs. Ravens, Rams -13 vs. Colts, Green Bay -11 vs. Vikings, Arizona +1 at Carolina, Buffalo +7 at NY Jets, Chicago -3 1/2 at Detroit, Browns -6 1/2 at Titans, Steelers -7 1/2 at Bengals, 49ers -6 at Dallas, Giants +4 1/2 at Eagles.

Jason Smith of Fox Sports Radio, NFL Pick of the Week

Buffalo Bills (2-12) at New York Jets(9-5)

The Line: Jets by 6 1/2.

By BenMaller.com contributor Jason Smith:

Like the song says...oooh, can you smell that smell! (I also say that when I'm in a room with Ben Maller.) But here it applies to the NFL playoffs. We're riding a hot streak with the Lead-Pipe-Cinch Lock of the Week brought to you by the folks at Black & Decker,Valvoline Motor Oil,and EZ Pass. At this time of year, you ride the team with the most at stake. It worked last week, so we'll try it again.

The Bills invade the Meadowlands (although at 2-12 invade is rather overstating it) as the Jets can lock up a playoff berth with a win. The Jets were in the same position at the same time last year, a home game in the next to last week of the season against a team they should beat, instead, they lost to the Lions 10-7. That will not happen again. Shrek is out for blood, and the Bills are in the way of the ogre. Buffalo's defense is just as bad as the Colts, which wouldn't be a problem except the Bills offense is not as good as the Colts. Alex Van Pelt will start at QB for the Bills, and if he gets hurt, he'll give way to Lucy and then Linus Van Pelt, followed by Brad Van Pelt, Vann McElroy then Leeland McElroy. Travis Henry, the Bills'best running back with 55 yards on the season is hurt and will not play either. I think the Jets are giving something like 40 in this game (7 actually) which all adds up to the Lead-Pipe-Cinch Lock of the Week being the Jets over the Bills.

Jason Smith's Final Score: New York continues to open up the offense, Testaverde throws for 3 TD's and Curtis Martin is over 100 yards as the fans will leave the Meadowlands screaming for the Raiders, 34-14. (I can hear Dick Vitale now, - 'The Jets are going to the dance, they're going to the dance!!!..."

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Thursday, December 27, 2001

Attack of Big Red

By Ben Maller

Ready or not Southern California has come under attack. This New Year's week it's expected that a "Red Army" of Cornhusker fans, 80,000 strong, will storm the southland from Nebraska. They are expected to attack a small group from Miami on January 3rd at the Rose Bowl.

According to tourism officials quoted in the Omaha World-Herald a crowd in the neighboorhood of 80,000 will come to Pasadena for the New Year's day parade, the football game, and just to soak in the atmosphere.

Cornhusker fans are expected to pump an estimated $250 million into the local economy. The only thing bigger than the BCS title game for a city is said to be the Super Bowl. The biggest group of Big Red fans will be in Beverly Hills; NU's California headquarters are at the Beverly Hills Hilton.

While Nebraska is a university that has loyal fans, Miami doesn't figure to bring many more than a few thousand fans from South Florida. According to a recent poll, Miami finished among the three worst traveling schools in college football joining UCLA and USC.

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Wednesday, December 26, 2001

New Look Halos

By Ben Maller

The Anaheim Angels will have a new logo in 2002. The club has yet to release the new look but that has not stopped us at BenMaller.com. A source that has some Disney Magic e-mailed the following new look logo. The source tells BenMaller.com that this is the goofy baseball team's new logo. Team Disney is going back to its old look before adding pinstripes and periwinkle.

2002 New Logo

Old Angels Logo

New Angels Hat Logo

Old Angels Cap Logo

New Angels Side Logo

Old Angels Side Logo

Do you like or dislike the new Anaheim Angels logos? E MAIL BEN MALLER.COM permalink

Tuesday, December 25, 2001

BenMaller.com Las Vegas Bowl Preview

Utah (7-4) at U S C (6-5) preview

Kickoff Time: 12:30 (Pacific)

Line: Southern Cal -3 1/2

Location: Sam Boyd Stadium Las Vegas, NV

The Series: The Trojans lead the all-time series between these two schools on the gridiron with a mark of 6-2. The series dates back to the 1915 season, with the Utes winning that contest and the one the following year in Los Angeles.

Last Meeting: USC beat Utah 28-21 at the 1993 Freedom Bowl

Did You Know? USC has played in 39 postseason contests, winning 25.

Three things to watch for Utah:

1.) Lance Rice, The Sophomore quarterback came out of nowhere to pass for 2,086 yards, completing 169-of-302 attempts. Rice tossed 16 Touchdown passes. The key stat to remember heading into this game is the 11 Interceptions that Rice threw.

2.) Dameon Hunter, One of the top running backs in the nation. Hunter, ranks third in the conference and ninth in the nation overall with an average of 126.9 yards per game. He's a second-team all-conference selection who carried the ball 257 times, generating 1,396 yards, for an average of 5.4 ypc, scoring nine times. Hunter's rushing total represents the second highest total in school history. Hunter has been banged up with a sore elbow but is expected to play in this game.

3.) Utes Defense, Before the season Utah was thought of as a defensive team with little offense. The "D" lived up to the hype as it ranked in the nation's top 25 in four different categories; scoring defense (13), total defense (17), pass efficiency defense (17) and rush defense (24). In the Mountain West, the Utes were the best, ranking in the top two in nearly every major statistical category, including scoring defense (1), total defense (1), rushing defense (2), pass defense (2) and pass efficiency defense (2). The unit allowed 308.2 yards in total defense, which led to just 18.5 ppg. Sheldon Deckert is the star player for the Utes "D". Sheldon picked up First-Team All-MWC honors for his efforts. Deckert finished the regular season with 86 tackles (eighth in the conference). He also led the squad in TFLs (13), quarterback sacks (6) and pass breakups (6).

Three Things to watch for USC:

1,) Red Hot Trojans, USC started the season 1-4 and looked to be heading towards another last place finish in the PAC-10. SC turned their season around winning its last four games including a shutout of UCLA. The Trojans take great pride in the fact they made it to a bowl game while the Bruins will be home watching.

2.) Carson and Pray for Rain, The Trojans offense was pathetic this season. USC could not run the ball at all. The team rushed for only 95.5 yards per game. Sultan McCullough was the teams leading rusher and he played just six games. That means if Southern Cal scores they do it with Carson Palmer. The junior had 2,567 passing yards and 13 touchdowns. Although, he did have almost as many interceptions (12) as TD passes. Palmer's top target in the passing game is talented wideout Kareem Kelly, who caught 46 balls, for 768 yards, for an average of 16.7 ypc.

3.)SC Front Seven, The Trojans rush defense will be tested against the Utes. SC's defensive front allowed almost 150 yards a game on the ground. The defense did a better job against the pass holding opposing teams to just 179.2 yards a game through the air. USC's secondary was one of the best in the nation with 19 interceptions. Junior Safety Troy Polamalu lead the way with three INTs and a team-high98 tackles to become a First-Team All-American.

Why USC will win and Cover: Alot of betting on bowl games comes down to who wants the game more. The Trojans are the hotter team and a win here would send the program to another level. Utah was expecting to play in the Liberty bowl before falling apart at the end of the year losing there final 2 games. Utah shouldn't be too excited playing on the Strip, after all UNLV is in the Mountain West. The Key is the Trojans stopping the big Utes offensive line and running game, do that and it should be an easy SC Victory

Ben's Final Score: USC 27, Utah 17

Coming Tommarow on Ben's Takes: The 2002 Anaheim Angels Logo (HERE FIRST) permalink

Sunday, December 23, 2001

Big Ben's Weekend Wrap

By Ben Maller

It dosen't say much for the NFL when the two super bowl teams from last season are fighting to make wild card spots. The Ravens defense has gone from legendary to good and the Giants offense is a mess.

Call me crazy but I don't see anyone in the NFL who's going to beat the Rams in a Dome in the playoffs.

Shannon Sharpe of the Baltimore Ravens said he is ending his fude with Bengals TE Takeo Spikes. Sharpe said he's never going to get in a disagreement with a guy who has won 16 games in his career!

Is it too early to say the New Orleans Saints were a one-year wonder? Nice roll over job against the Bucs.

The Saints looked like a 1-AA college team playing at Nebraska in college football. The Bucs outgained the Saints 269-to-34 in the first half in building up a 30-0 lead.

The 48 points allowed by New Orleans was the most they've allowed in a game since Oct. 13, 1977, when they lost 49-31 at the St. Louis Cardinals. The Saints looked like they were making a video on how not to tackle.

The Bucs are 12-1 at home in December under coach Tony Dungy.

Hail to the Redskins, Washington will be home for the playoffs.

The New York The Jets beat the Colts in the final minute - and eliminated Indianapolis, Denver, Tennessee and Cleveland from playoff contention.

Just when you thought the California Power Crises was over. Doug Flutie is up to his old tricks in San Diego. The Chargers have lost eight straight.

It's hard to get excited for his MVP campaign when I see Kordell Stewart run up his stats with four touchdowns against the Detroit Lions.

The 47 points the Lions allowed on Sunday was a season high, but also the fifth time this season the team has allowed an opponent to score 30 or more points.

As I pointed out on FOX SPORTS RADIO over the weekend the Steelers are a bit of a fraud team when you consider the fact that they have the NFL's 29th toughest schedule.

The Panthers (1-13) are on their own collision course with the record books, on track to become the first NFL team to lose 15 straight. Carolina has not won since opening day and went winless in the NFC West for the first time in franchise history.

Best NFL weather of the week: Cold and Snow at Lambeau Field for the Packers game against the Browns.

The post season could be extra fun with Green Bay, Chicago and New England all making the playoffs. Dome football is nice for the superbowl, but the real fun is in the snow and cold.

Nobody is going to want and travel to Wisconsin to play the Pack. The Packers have never lost a playoff game at Lambeau Field.

If you had asked me before the season to name a pair of coaches who were likely to be fired I would have named Bill Belichick of the Patriots and Dick Jauron of the Bears.

Belichick is the AFC coach of the year and Jauron the NFC coach of the year.

According to the stats maybe Randy Moss is not the only Minnesota Vikings reciever that takes games and plays off. WR Chris Carter finished the season with 46 catches for 502 yards at home. On the road, he has just 21 receptions in six games.

Merchandise bearing Carter's No. 80 was selling for half price at memorabilia stands around the Metrodome. Wonder if the Vikings know something about his future?

BenMaller.com NFL Trivia Question of the Week: When the Cowboys and Cardinals play again next season in Tempe what will have changed for Arizona?

Congradulations to the Dallas Cowboys who clinched at least a tie for last in the NFC East with a loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

One reason I like New England is there defense. The Patriots have limited the opposition to 17 or fewer points in five straight games and 10-of-15 contests in '01.

Updating the near riot in Cleveland from a weekend ago. Four of the 15 fans arrested Dec. 16 at the Browns' game have pleaded innocent, and the team says more arrests are to come. The team should try to arrest the offical for acting like a ref.

What are the odds that in back to back weeks kickers Bill and Martin Gramatica were both injured after field goals. I never knew kicking was such a tough sport.

Giant Year: Michael Strahan had a sack in addition to the touchdown against the Seahawks, giving him 18 for the season. Lawrence Taylor holds the Giants' team record with 20 1/2 in 1986. Mark Gastineau holds the NFL record of 22.

Big Ben's Three Game Balls

3.) LB Brian Urlacher, Bears, caught a 27-yard touchdown pass, his first career NFL reception, from holder Brad Maynard on a fake field goal in a 20-15 win over Washington.

2.) Chris Chandler, Falcons, threw for a career-high 431 yards, his first 400-yard game, and two touchdowns in a 33-30 victory against Buffalo.

1.) Brett Favre, Green Bay, three touchdowns against the Browns. Packers clinch a playoff spot.

Big Ben's Three Bums

3.) Quincy Carter threw two interceptions and fumbled the ball into and out of the end zone for a touchback in Dallas' 17-10 loss to Arizona.

2.) Chargers S Rodney Harrison was called for roughing the passer, wiping out Leonardo Carson's interception and giving the Chiefs a first-and-goal from the 4. Then, Harrison was whistled for defensive holding against Tony Gonzalez, setting up a 1-yard touchdown run by Tony Richardson with 48 seconds left that lifted the Chiefs to a 20-17 victory.

1.) Sebastian Janikowski, Raiders, Missed three field goals including a potential game tieing kick in the final seconds of a loss to the Titans.

BenMaller.com NFL Trivia Question of the Week Answer: When the Cards and Boys play next year Arizona will be representing the NFC West after leaving the NFC East.

NFL Stat of the Week: The Lions, who fell 47-14 in Pittsburgh, have more losses in Heinz Field than the Steelers, who are 6-1 at home. Detroit also lost an exhibition game there. ...

Random Weekend Thoughts...

According to my friends at Baseball-Reference.com, Chan Ho Park, who just signed a five-year $65 million dollar deal with the Texas Rangers is not all he's hyped up to be. Park's career numbers are most similar to the likes of Ben McDonald, Jose Guzman, Hideo Nomo and Teddy Higuera.

If Bud Selig and Major League Baseball end up running the Montreal Expos next season, I would love to see the Expos draw 4-Million Fans! permalink

NFL Week 15 Saturday Pictures permalink