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Friday, January 25, 2002
Friday Thoughts, Opinions and Notes  By Ben Maller Marty Schottenheimer is climbing to the top of the list of whipped men. According to several reports, one the reasons he has yet to be named coach of the Chargers is his wife's concern of moving to the west coast. The way the Chargers have sucked the last few years maybe they should bring back Bobby Ross. The Chargers are 23-57 since Ross left and there is no end in sight. There is no reason that John Fox should get the Carolina Panthers coaching job. Rumors are that Al Davis will wait until all the coaching jobs in the NFL are filled and then fire Jon Gruden so that he can't get another coaching gig next season.  Tony Dungy is a very bright guy, he's not a miracle worker. Dungy was named the new head coach of the Indianapolis Colts and it's assumed that next season Dungy will turn the Colts into one of the NFL's top defensive teams. Last season Indy's defense ranked 29th in the NFL allowing a league-high 486 points in the NFL last season. Look for television commentators to make NFL assistants Lovie Smith, Jim Johnson and Mike Mularkey out to be the second coming of Bill Walsh, Joe Gibbs and Bill Parcells. This happens every year in the NFL. In 2000, it was Mike Martz who got the Rams' job. Last season, it was Marvin Lewis and John Fox. The Baltimore Ravens made a decision that will hurt the franchise for years to come. The Ravens said they are going to pick up the option for Quarterback Elvis Grbac. Despite a horrible year and being hated in the locker room, Grbac is staying in Baltimore.  I'm looking forward to the NFL expansion draft. I think the League should let the Houston Texans have a salary cap exemption for their first 2 years. How much fun would it be to see the Texans draft Rob Johnson, Jamal Anderson, Rob Moore, Tony Boselli, William Roaf and Bill Romanowski. Ricky Williams is putting pressure on the Saints to trade him to Miami. The Dolphins should give up whatever it takes to get a star running back. The biggest problem for the Miami offense is no star players at quarterback or running back.  The Philadelphia Eagles paid $35,000 dollars for the right to play in the NFC title game. That's the amount the NFL fined Hugh "the thug" Douglas for knocking Jim Miller out of the divisional game, thus ending the Bears' season. I was at the Clipper-Lakers game Wednesday night at Staples Center. Call me nuts, but I think the Clippers were more fun when they played at the Sports Arena. The Clippers are now an average team playing in the Lakers gym. Before they were the laughing stock of sports and played in a giant bathroom that reaked of urine, the Sports Arena. Now those were fun days. Lamar Odom's days as a Clipper are numbered. I get the feeling that the first good offer the Clips get, they will send Odom packing, Elton Brand is now the leader of the Clippers. Ben Maller Trivia Question of the Week: In his entire coaching career, what is Pats' coach Bill Belichick's record in Pittsburgh? Dan Evans is putting a lot of stock in Cesar Izturis, the young shortstop who was picked up from the Toronto Blue Jays for Luke Prokepeck. Evans is now leaning against signing Pokey Reese so that Izturis can get the bulk of the playing time. This has "bust" written all over it. 20 days until the Anaheim Angels' pitchers and catchers report to spring training. Someone should tell the Angels' broadcast department this little nugget of info. The Halos have yet to hire a radio broadcaster.  David Cone's best years are past him yet the Yankees and Mets are battling to sign him. This is example A of when a player is good with the media he can play longer than jerks like Tony Phillips and Albert Belle. Kenny Lofton is about to bring his bad attitude to the Detroit Tigers. I can't think of a more valuable player than a 34 year old leadoff hitter/center fielder who's a dick. Chan Ho Park could be reunited with a former Dodger soon. The Texas Rangers are interested in Ismael Valdez who was let go by the Angels.  The Houston Astros are like the ballpark they play in: The Astros look good on paper, and many feel, have a good future, but when you look deeper they are a fraud.  Carls Jr. has been running spots in So Cal saying that Chicken Nuggets don't exist. That's false advertising. The Chicken Nuggets beat the Lakers by 16 Tuesday at Staples.  I, like many, grew up watching Pat Summerall and John Madden broadcast every big NFC game for the last 21 years. From the 49ers vs. Rams to the Cowboys and Giants if there was a big game these guys were on hand. It's sad to have seen the way Summerall has slipped the last few years. I don't know how John Madden will go on with a new partner. Many fans and radio people have taken time out to send in notes and rumors. I wanted to thank everyone. If you have some info you would like to pass on as a "BenMaller.com Mole" then click here to e-mail me. My big deal will be on this website Tuesday. Look back then for an exciting announcement. Now a message from our sponsors...  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 coast-to-coast) Sunday night listen to my new program from 10pm till 2am along with Jason Smith on your local Fox Sports radio station. (Heard coast-to-coast and around the world.)  Ben Maller Trivia Question of the Week Answer: In his entire coaching career (1975-2001), Patriots' head coach, Bill Belichick, is 0-7 all-time in Pittsburgh, including two playoff losses. But Belichick's teams are 4-1 in conference championship games (one with Denver, New England and the Jets and two with the Giants). Big Ben Maller's Five Star NFC Championship Game Pick   Philadelphia Eagles (13-5) at St. Louis Rams(15-2) The Line: Rams -12 Ben's Pick: Rams and lay the points and win some cash. Did You Know? The Rams will make their 14th championship game appearance, the third most all-time. Did You Know 2? Since the start of the 1999 season (including the playoffs), the Rams are 19-0 when winning the turnover battle, 31-1 when winning or tying, and 10-11 when losing. Last Meeting: Teams last met in playoffs in 1989, with L.A. Rams beating Eagles 21-7. Big Ben's Breakdown: The Rams have their work cut out for them. Philadelphia's defense has allowed 24 or fewer points in 34 consecutive games (including the playoffs), the longest such streak since Minnesota's 41 from 1968-71. It should be noted that the Eagles have not played the Rams in St. Louis during that streak. The Rams are clearly the best team in the NFL and much better than the Bucs and Bears who Philly beat in the first two rounds of the playoffs. This game will be close for a half before the Rams pull away in the 3rd quarter. BenMaller.com Final Score: Rams 24, Eagles 10 Big Ben Maller's Five Star AFC Championship Game Pick   New England Patriots (12-5) at Pittsburgh Steelers (14-3) The Line: Steelers -9 1/2 Ben's Pick: Patriots and the Points!! Did You Know? New England is 10th team to start 0-2 and win division. Last 2 teams to accomplish feat, 1993 Cowboys, 1996 Patriots, went to Super Bowl. Did You Know 2? Visiting team has won 5 of last 9 AFC championship games. Last Meeting: Teams last met in playoffs in 1997, with Steelers beating Patriots 7-6 in Pittsburgh. Big Ben's Breakdown: Everyone is just giving the Steelers the AFC Central Title. I happen to like the underdog Patriots in this game. Tom Brady has the magical touch this season with a 12-3 record as a starter and coming off 312 yards passing last week in a snow storm against the Raiders. A key stat for the Pats is their red zone defense, They have allowed just 2 TD's in the last 11 trips to their red-zone. Pittsburgh seems to be over confident and that will cost them in this game. I think it's a boring hard fought game that will be close heading into the fourth quarter when Tom Brady will make a big play while Kordell Stewart and Kris Brown mess up. BenMaller.com Final Score: Patriots 17, Steelers 16 permalink Thursday, January 24, 2002
Earl Weaver Bloopers  by Ben Maller If you read this site on a regular basis then you know that one of my influences for getting into radio was Jim Healy. I used to listen to Healy everyday on KMPC 710am at 5:30 and would laugh my ass off as he told behind the scenes stories on LA sports figures and media members. Healy would have alot of fun playing sound bites of Howard Cosell and Tommy Lasorda among others. To honor the great Jim Healy I present to you one of the great tirades in sports blooper history. An out take of Earl Weaver's "Coaches Corner" **WARNING** Foul Language Rated X **WARNING** CLICK HERE AND THEN CLICK ON ORIOLES LOGO TO HEAR THE EARL WEAVER UNEDITED TAPES permalink Wednesday, January 23, 2002
The NBA's $4.6 Billion Dollar Mistake  By Ben Maller The National Basketball Association is at a critical stage. More and more Americans are deciding that there are other things to do than watch spoiled teenagers play basketball. The NBA just signed a six-year $4.6 billion dollar deal with The Walt Disney Co. and AOL Time Warner. Starting next year almost all of the league's nationally televised games will be on cable. This is a mega mistake! ESPN, ESPN 2, TNT and a new cable network to be run by the league and AOL will get most of the telecasts. Whether you liked NBC's coverage or not, there was something special about basketball broadcasts on the Peacock Network. The way I look at it, the NBA was special for NBC. On ESPN the NBA will be just another broadcast, more network filler. You can mix in Major League Baseball, College Basketball & Football, NHL and the NFL it's all going to look and sound the same. I used to think that everyone in America has cable television. A friend of mine in the Television biz pointed out that the reality is many American's still don't have TV and a good chunk of folks who do have TV don't get cable. That mean's the NBA has said screw you to its less well-off fans. Another problem with the NBA hooking up with ESPN Disney. You can now forget hearing any Sportscenter anchor rip a pro athlete. How can Kenny Mayne, Stuart Scott, Dan Patrick or Bill Pidto give honest opinions when ESPN has billions invested in the NFL, NBA, MLB and Hockey?  Commissioner David Stern should have thought long term. The NBA has the money but the product is lacking and this is not going to help. permalink Tuesday, January 22, 2002
"Burnie the Brewer" meets the Mets  By Ben Maller Juan Gonzalez is who the New York Mets wanted, they'll have to settle for Jeremy Burnitz who they picked up from the Milwaukee Brewers last night. Burnitz hit 34 HR's and drove in 100 runs for the Brew Crew in 2001. The problem with Burnitz is making contact, he struck out 150 times this past season 6th worst in the NL. Many feel that this move gives the NL East title to the New Yorkers. I happen to still give the edge to the guys in Georgia. The Mets just don't have the starting pitching to win over 162 games. The starters are going to struggle and that puts pressure on the bullpen that's not all that good. That's why the Braves with Gary Sheffield in the lineup have the edge. New York Mets 2002 Starting Rotation  1.)Al Leiter (11-11 3.31era 36 years old) 2.)Pedro Astacio (8-14 5.09era Bad Arm) 3.)Shawn Estes (9-8 4.02era best season was in 1997) 4.)Steve Trachsel (11-13 4.10era and trip to the minors) *79-97 lifetime 5.)Bruce Chen (7-7 4.20era, was so bad last season the Phillies sent him to Double A) That's a 46-and-53 record last season. Good luck to the Metropolitans permalink Monday, January 21, 2002
Big Ben's Weekend Wrap By Ben Maller Elvis Grbac is a stiff and the Ravens should dump his patheic ass. It just didn't work out for him in Baltimore. Grbac threw more interceptions (18) then touchdowns (15) this year and had a 71.9. quarterback raiting. This after Grbac received a $30 million dollar contract. Baltimore has an out in the contract and should use it.  Tony Siragusa played his final football game. The NFL will miss the "Goose," Here is hoping that he ends up with Fox Sports. Siragusa would be perfect on the FOX NFL Pregame show. I have been a critic of the Pittsburgh Steelers all season, that said I was very impressed with there defense against the the Ravens. Pittsburgh was able to shutdown the running game for the Birds holding them to 22 yards on 11 carries and forced Elvis Grbac to beat them. Baltimore was just 1-for-12 on third down.  Some people seem to think that the Steelers are unbeatable. I happen to feel the Patriots have a good chance of upseting the Black & Gold. Lets remember that the Steelers dropped the 1994 championship game at home and lost there again in 1997. In between, they managed to squeeze out a championship game victory. Is the AFC Championship game going to be the day that the Steelers fold? BenMaller.com NFL Trivia Question of the Week: What franchise has lost the most playoff games in NFL History?? Tim Brown the veteran receiver of the Raiders turned some heads when he called out the NFL Refs for their poor work. According to Brown their might be some truth to the "NFL against Al Davis conspiracy theory's". In the Oakland Raiders two playoff games just one flag was thrown against the Jets and Patriots. The Silver & Black was called for nine penalties. The Oakland Raiders should do everything they can to keep Jon Gruden in the Bay Area. The Bucs say they want Gruden in Tampa. Walt Coleman should be taken out and flogged. The NFL should ban him from the league, he gave the Patriots the game. What is the point of having instant replay if it can take a team's season away from them. Tom Brady was not trying to throw the ball, Charles Woodson knocked the ball loose, the right call was made on the field only to be overturned. Eagles DL Hugh Douglas is a thug and his hit that knocked Bears QB Jim Miller out of the game was a cheap shot. How does Shane Mathews have a job in the NFL? You would think that the Bears would have learned from the Raiders who saw Bobby Hoying cost them a trip to the Super Bowl last year when Rich Gannon was hurt.  Donovan McNabb has done a nice job in the Eagles playoff wins against the Bucs and Bears, its going to be a different story in St. Louis Aeneas Williams dosen't know much about playoff football. Heck he has spent his career with the Arizona Cardinals. Don't ask Brett Favre if Williams is a good player or not after those 2 interceptions for touchdowns.  Big Ben's Three Game Balls 3.) Tom Brady, Patriots QB, 312 yards passing and a rushing touchdown as the Pats gave the Raiders a Snow Job. 2.) Donovan McNabb, Eagles QB, 299 Total yards and three touchdowns against the Bears. 1.) Aeneas Williams, Rams CB, Picked off a pair of Brett Favre passes and returned them for touchdowns Big Ben's Three Bums 3.) Brett Favre, Packers QB, threw six interceptions, three that were returned for touchdowns by the St. Louis Rams. 2.) Shane Mathews, Bears QB, Completed just 8-of-17 passes for 66 yards of pathetic football. 1.) Walt Coleman, NFL Referee, Overturned the fumble call with 1:43 to go in the fourth quarter of the Patriots vs. Raiders game, giving New England new life and the game. BenMaller.com NFL Trivia Question of the Week Answer: The Minnesota Vikings have lost 24 playoff games the most in NFL history. NFL Stat of the Week: Since the NFL expanded to 12 playoff teams in 1990, NFC clubs are 22-2 at home in the divisional round. The lone loss came in 1995 when the Green Bay Packers won at San Francisco, 27-17. In the AFC, home teams are a less-dominant 17-7 in the divisional round since 1990 and only 9-5 since 1995. Random Weekend Thoughts... Bill Parcells couldn't take the heat so he didn't take the job in Tampa Bay. In the process he screwed over the Bucs.  Wild rumors in the NFL over the weekend that the Chicago Bears GM Jerry Angelo would like to bring Tony Dungy to the windy city. The Bears lost 33-19 to the Philadelphia Eagles and Dick Jauron was named NFL Coach of the year. I think Dungy should get the Colts job. A caller to my show Sunday night with Jason Smith on Fox Sports Radio brought up a good point. He said the reason the Chargers are about to hire Marty Schottenheimer is so they will continue to suck to clear the way for a move from San Diego to Los Angeles. Its safe to say now that the Lakers have the mental edge over the San Antonio Spurs. Without Shaq to beat the Spurs by 18 points was amazing. It looks like the Sacramento Kings are the second best team in the Western Conference. Steve Lavin is up to his old tricks for UCLA. The Bruins blew a 20-Point lead in the final 13 minutes at Arizona.  The Mets are close to a deal to get Jeremy Burnitz from the Milwaukee Brewers. Burnitz had 150 strikeouts last season and is a Rob Deer type hitter. In another great move, Dodger GM Dan Evans signed 16 players to minor league contracts and invited them to spring training. Including Mark "Home Run Hittin" Whiten who hit four homeruns in one game back in 1994. Whiten was playing in the Mexican league last year. The Dodgers also signed Roberto Kelly who is really old. In Honor of Jason Smith of Fox Sports Radio the NFL Logo of the week is:  permalink
NFL DIVISIONAL PICTURES permalink Sunday, January 20, 2002
Big Ben Maller's Five Star NFL Divisional Lock for Sunday
 Baltimore Ravens (11-6) at Pittsburgh Steelers (13-3) The Line: Steelers - 5 1/2 Ben's Pick: Ravens and the points Did You Know? The top two defenses in the NFL will square off. This is just the sixth time in NFL history that the #1 and #2 defense have played in the post-season. The team that is ranked second has won three of the previous five meetings, including last season when the #2 Ravens defeated the #1 Titans in the AFC Divisional playoff. Did You Know 2? Only one of the AFC's #1 seeds has made it to the Super Bowl in the past seven years (Denver in 1998). Last Meeting: Steelers 26, Ravens 21 (Last Month) Big Ben's Breakdown: Pittsburgh and Baltimore split their two matchups during the regular season despite the fact that the Steelers controlled both matchups and outgained the Ravens in total yardage, 824-390. Well that was the regular season and this is the playoffs. Kordell Stewart will try to become the first player ever to throw a touchdown pass in the playoffs against Baltimore. The Ravens have yet to give one up in five playoff games. In the four games since they lost to Arizona, they have allowed three or fewer points three times (22 in the other) and allowed an average of just 105 passing yards per contest. Baltimore's defense has not allowed a touchdown in 54 straight drives during the postseason. The good news for the Steelers is Jerome Bettis will be in the lineup for this game. Bettis will have to carry to load with 20-25 carries to free things up for Kordell. The Ravens' offense has turned to Terry Allen the running back who is with his 5th team in 11 NFL seasons. Allen has come on of late, rushing for 133 yards against Minnesota and gaining 109 in last week's win - his first back-to-back 100-yard games since 1994. Baltimore has outscored the opposition 115-26 in five playoff games. That will be tested in this game. Look for Kordell Stewart to turn the ball over with a pair of interceptions and Kris Brown to miss a pair of field goals. The Ravens will live to play another day. BenMaller.com Final Score: Ravens 13, Steelers 7 Other Game: I love the Rams against the Packers!! permalink |
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