Friday, November 2, 2007

Friday Notes

And WEEK 9 PICKS

Good morning and Happy Friday! I haven’t been on for awhile, but I joined Jeff Straub on the Minnesota Twins Fan Network podcast last night. You should be able to check it out here. Please do. I mean, I was told it would be about 15 minutes and we talked for about 55 minutes, so please listen!! Here are just a few more thoughts for you today:

· Miguel Cabrera is said to be available from the Florida Marlins. Should the Twins make a play for him? He has two years of arbitration remaining before becoming a free agent, but that doesn’t mean he’ll come cheap. He figures to make $10-12 million the next couple of years. Maybe more. But in ridding themselves of Torii Hunter, the money would be available. But like I said, he wouldn’t come cheap and that doesn’t just mean salary. The Yankees are said to be offering Phil Hughes and more which means the Twins would have to start with Matt Garza and then add more from there. Well, to maintain consistency, if I was willing to give up Matt Garza straight-up for Jason Bay, I absolutely would be willing to deal Garza for Monster Miguel. Cabrera would more than make up for any offensive loss of Hunter. Defensively, its’ not always pretty for Cabrera… but oh well!

· Another Miguel? Frequently as the season was coming to an end, I would have people write me about Miguel Tejada. The theory is that they could move him to 3B. I honestly think I would rather keep Torii Hunter.

· Joe Crede has been mentioned, assuming that the White Sox will not offer him arbitration. Essentially Crede has had one good year and now he is coming off of back surgery. Sounds a little too risky to me. Even if he is healthy, what will he do?

· Congratulations to Kevin Slowey and Brian Buscher for being named the Twins Minor League Pitcher and Hitter (respectively) of the Year. Slowey was the easy choice for Twins minor league pitcher of the year for what he did at Rochester. However, it is especially impressive that he was such an easy choice considering the excellent seasons put in by the likes of Brian Duensing, Nick Blackburn, Jeff Manship and Tyler Robertson. Buscher was probably the right choice as well. I think a case could be made for Garrett Guzman and Danny Valencia, but Buscher was terrific. Now, it is important to note he is the minor league player of the year. That does not mean he is the Twins best hitting prospect.

· Finally, apparently there is a pretty big football matchup this Sunday in Indianapolis. I have asked the members of our panel to give their thoughts on the game and what they think will happen. So, before we get to this week’s picks, here are some of our panel’s predictions on the Patriots/Colts game!

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS vs INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Seth’s Thoughts – It is a battle of two undefeated teams. It pits two teams with incredible quarterbacks and receivers. Their defenses are both solid. However, it is also a matchup of good against evil, of classy against arrogance. That is epitomized by the two head coaches. Tony Dungy exudes grace and class. Bill Bilecheck is all about arrogance. Everyone expects a great game, and I would agree with that. However, I also don’t think that either team will do terribly much. The reason? The same two teams will meet in the AFC Championship game in January. I think that the Patriots will win this game. Why? Because I want good to triumph in the end. I want the Colts to win in January to go to the Super Bowl. I also think that the Patriots defense is just a little bit better and may be able to stop the Colts once. Either that or whichever team wins the coin toss for overtime will continue the trend of the offense scoring on every series, to win the game. Seth Prediction – 42-38.

JD Arney - New England 38 - Indianapolis 24. I'm picking NE but I really hope Indy hurts them. If everyone doesn't hate the Patriots by now, then I'm sure they will by the end of this season.

Howard Sinker - indy 44, n-england 38 (OT). not that it will mean anything come the postseason, but good triumps over evil in this one. it's too bad that a fun-to-watch team like the patriots has a total schmo for a coach, all the more when you put him next to classy tony dungy.

Roger Dehring – Patriots 34-20

Nick Nelson - This should be a fantastic game. It's a tough one to pick; I think the Patriots are a better team but the game is in Indy which tilts things in the Colts' favor a bit. Both teams boast a good defense, but both of these offenses are nearly unstoppable so this could be a high-scoring affair if they start trading blows. I really think that New England has one of the best teams in league history, and I think they'll prevail. In fact, I firmly believe they are destined for a 16-0 season. They are just an incredibly good football team this year.

Wes Holtsclaw - First off, I'm a huge Indianapolis Colts fan, so I'm obviously going to go with the defending champs. However, this New England team is perhaps the best team I've seen on a field in quite some time. I don't know if anybody, including Indy, can stop them. I wish I could get into this game as Tom Brady is 0-4 with me in the stadium as late as last January's AFC Championship game. This game -- my presence wouldn't make one bit of difference. That streak would end on Sunday if I were there. I'm going to pick Indy with my heart 31-28 in a great game. But I know the truth (48-24 NE).

Josh Taylor – NE 21, IND 17 - I think this is going to be a highly entertaining game, and while many pundits are annoyed by the level of hype it's receiving, I think the hype is plainly deserved. The Patriots are the best football team I've ever seen -- they've executed nearly perfectly on both offense and defense, and are on pace to set some truly silly records. I think Indy is also a great team, and they'll gameplan effectively for the Patriots. The result will be a much closer game than the Patriots have had this season, but in the end it won't matter, as the New England offense is still potent enough to put up 3 TD's. My heart is with Indy (because who else is going to stop the Patriots juggernaut?), but my head is with the Pats.

Kyle Waldrop - As dominant as the Patriots have been this year, I have to stick with the Tennessee alum and Peyton Manning and a last second field goal by Vinatieri to win in a close one.  Home-field advantage will be huge in this years matchup and the Indy crowd will give the Colts the slight edge.  Colts 34-31

Will Young - Colts, 31-27; An Angel descends from heaven to block Tom Brady's hail-mary pass to Randy Moss and Wes Welker; the ground opens up and swallows Belicheck whole

Vic Quick - Patriots 28-24. I think it will be close. The New England defense keeps the Colts out of the end zone in the final minutes.

Joe Benson – Indianapolis by 10- Peyton Manning is an offensive juggernaut with an incredible sense of the offensive personnel that surrounds him. At Indy, with their first AFC challenge, Tom Brady cannot be a reckless gunslinger and will run into adversity when looking for the deep play. Although the Colts broke my heart last year in the Superbowl, I give Peyton and the boys my vote. GO COLTS!

Tim Kolehmainen - NE by 34-31. I expect this one to be high-scoring, but not necessarily a QB battle between Manning and Brady. I think Brady will have a big game, but I also think Addai is going to be the workhorse for Indy.

Al Bethke - Indy is favored by a TD, so I don't think most folks are that excited about this game. Obviously this is a game NE could win, but it seems like the Colts will win at home.

SBG - This just in: Randy Moss is pretty darned good.

La Velle E. Neal - New England, but they won't cover. Bob Sanders will NOT let his secondary get run over!!!

The rest of our Week 9 Picks

WEEK 9

	Seth Stohs	Roger Dehring	Kyle Waldrop	Kevin Slowey	Jeff Manship	Joe Benson
	SethSpeaks.net	Twins Minor League Expert	Reigning champ, and Twins pitching prospect	Twins starting pitcher	Twins Pitching Prospect	Twins Outfield Prospect
Arizona @ Tampa Bay	Buccs	Buccs	Buccs	Cardinals	Buccs	Buccs
Carolina @ Tennessee	Titans	Titans	Titans	Titans	Titans	Titans
Cincinnati @ Buffalo	Bengals	Bills	Bills	Bills	Bengals	Bengals
Denver @ Detroit	Lions	Lions	Lions	Broncos	Broncos	Broncos
Green Bay @ Kansas City	Chiefs	Packers	Packers	Packers	Packers	Packers
Jacksonville @ New Orleans	Saints	Saints	Saints	Jaguars	Jaguars	Jaguars
San Diego @ Minnesota	Chargers	Chargers	Chargers	Chargers	Chargers	Chargers
San Francisco @ Atlanta	49ers	Falcons	Falcons	Falcons	49ers	49ers
Washington @ NY Jets	Redskins	Redskins	Redskins	Redskins	Redskins	Redskins
Seattle @ Cleveland	Browns	Browns	Seahawks	Seahawks	Seahawks	Browns
Houston @ Oakland	Raiders	Raiders	Raiders	Texans	Texans	Texans
New England @ Indianapolis	Patriots	Patriots	Colts	Colts	Patriots	Colts by 10
Dallas @ Philadelphia	Cowboys	Cowboys	Cowboys	Cowboys	Cowboys	Cowboys
Baltimore @ Pittsburgh	Steelers	Steelers	Steelers	Steelers by 24	Steelers	Steelers
	John Bonnes	Stick & Ball Guy	Will Young	Nick Nelson	Josh Johnson	Josh Taylor
	Twins Geek and mngameday.com	Stick & Ball Guy	Will's Twins Blog	Nick & Nick's Twins Blog	Josh's Thoughts	Taylor's Twins Thoughts
Arizona @ Tampa Bay	Buccs	Buccs	Buccs	Buccs	Buccs	Buccs
Carolina @ Tennessee	Titans	Titans	Titans	Titans	Titans	Titans
Cincinnati @ Buffalo	Bengals	Bengals	Bills	Bengals	Bills	Bengals
Denver @ Detroit	Lions	Lions	Lions	Lions	Lions	Broncos
Green Bay @ Kansas City	Chiefs	Packers	Packers	Chiefs	Packers	Packers
Jacksonville @ New Orleans	Saints	Jaguars	Saints	Jaguars	Saints	Jaguars
San Diego @ Minnesota	Chargers	Chargers	Chargers	Chargers	Chargers	Chargers
San Francisco @ Atlanta	Falcons	Falcons	Falcons	49ers	49ers	49ers
Washington @ NY Jets	Redskins	Redskins	Redskins	Redskins	Redskins	Redskins
Seattle @ Cleveland	Browns	Seahawks	Seahawks	Seahawks	Browns	Browns
Houston @ Oakland	Raiders	Texans	Texans	Texans	Texans	Texans
New England @ Indianapolis	Patriots	Patriots	Colts	Patriots	Colts	Patriots
Dallas @ Philadelphia	Cowboys	Cowboys	Eagles	Cowboys	Eagles	Cowboys
Baltimore @ Pittsburgh	Steelers	Steelers	Steelers	Steelers	Steelers	Steelers
	Cory Hepola	Vic Quick	Wes Holtsclaw	Howard Sinker	Tim Kohlemainen	LaVelle E. Neal
	WENY-TV	KOTA-TV	Elizabethton Star	Section 220	Truth About Cats & Blogs	Twins Insider
Arizona @ Tampa Bay	Buccs	Buccs	Buccs	Buccs	Buccs	Buccs
Carolina @ Tennessee	Titans	Titans	Titans	Panthers	Titans	Titans
Cincinnati @ Buffalo	Bengals	Bills	Bills	Bills	Bengals	Bills
Denver @ Detroit	Lions	Lions	Lions	Broncos	Broncos	Lions
Green Bay @ Kansas City	Chiefs	Packers	Packers	Chiefs	Chiefs	Chiefs
Jacksonville @ New Orleans	Saints	Saints	Saints	Saints	Saints	Jaguars
San Diego @ Minnesota	Chargers	Chargers	Chargers	Chargers	Chargers	Chargers
San Francisco @ Atlanta	Falcons	49ers	49ers	Falcons	Falcons	Falcons
Washington @ NY Jets	Redskins	Redskins	Redskins	Redskins	Redskins	Jets
Seattle @ Cleveland	Browns	Browns	Browns	Browns	Browns	Browns
Houston @ Oakland	Raiders	Raiders	Raiders	Raiders	Raiders	Raiders
New England @ Indianapolis	Patriots	Patriots	Colts	Colts	Patriots	Patriots
Dallas @ Philadelphia	Eagles	Cowboys	Cowboys	Cowboys	Cowboys	Cowboys
Baltimore @ Pittsburgh	Steelers	Steelers	Steelers	Steelers	Steelers	Steelers
	Al Bethke	Bill Ferris	JD Arney	Mike Brasel	Melissa Lien
	Al's Ramblings	Detroit Tigers Blog	Reds Reporter	Fantasy FB Guru	SethSpeaks.net
Arizona @ Tampa Bay	Buccs	Buccs	Buccs	Buccs	Buccs
Carolina @ Tennessee	Titans	Panthers	Titans	Panthers	Titans
Cincinnati @ Buffalo	Bills	Bills	Bengals	Bills	Bengals
Denver @ Detroit	Broncos	Lions	Lions	Broncos	Broncos
Green Bay @ Kansas City	Chiefs	Packers	Chiefs	Chiefs	Packers
Jacksonville @ New Orleans	Saints	Saints	Jaguars	Saints	Saints
San Diego @ Minnesota	Chargers	Chargers	Chargers	Chargers	Chargers
San Francisco @ Atlanta	Falcons	Falcons	49ers	49ers	49ers
Washington @ NY Jets	Redskins	Jets	Redskins	Redskins	Redskins
Seattle @ Cleveland	Seahawks	Seahawks	Browns	Browns	Seahawks
Houston @ Oakland	Texans	Texans	Raiders	Raiders	Texans
New England @ Indianapolis	Colts	Patriots 37-31	Patriots	Patriots	Patriots
Dallas @ Philadelphia	Cowboys	Cowboys	Cowboys	Cowboys	Cowboys
Baltimore @ Pittsburgh	Steelers	Steelers	Steelers	Steelers	Steelers

Summary

Looking at the selections of the panelists, here is who the collective "We" think will win each game:

Sunday –

Arizona @ Tampa Bay – Buccs 22-1

Carolina @ Tennessee – Titans 20-3

Cincinnati @ Buffalo – Bills 12-11

Denver @ Detroit – Lions 14-9

Green Bay @ Kansas City – Packers 13-10

Jacksonville @ New Orleans – Saints 15-8

San Diego @ Minnesota – Chargers 23-0

San Francisco @ Atlanta  - Falcons 12-11

Washington @ NY Jets – Redskins 21-2

Seattle @ Cleveland – Browns 14-9

Houston @ Oakland – Raiders 12-11

New England @ Indianapolis – Patriots 15-8

Dallas @ Philadelphia – Cowboys 20-3

Monday Night –

Baltimore @ Pittsburgh – Steelers 23-0

 Thanks again for stopping by this site. If you have any questions, comments or ideas for future postings, please e-mail me. Have a great weekend!

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