2016 NLL Picks and Power Rankings: Week 7

Mammoth are continuing a good run of form as all of the West game were played on Friday and Saturday. Safe to say they are the best team at the moment Despite Toronto's start, it won't be as easy to get a playoff spot given the improvement of Georgia and New England and that there is an extra team in their division.

Week 7:

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Weekly Total: 4/5

Season Total: 19/28 (.679%)
*Away team is above the home team; underline below arrow indicates correct pick.

Week 8:

    

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Week 7:
1. (1) BUFFALO - First time to eclipse 20 in a while...
2. (3) COLORADO - Mammoth want the division this year badly.
3. (2) SASKATCHEWAN - .14 and 0 start in 2014 and last year's trophy starting to wear the team out?
4. (6) NEW ENGLAND - Toronto has been desperate to break goose-egg, but the Pack didn't make it easy and held on to win.
5. (5) CALGARY - Retooling starting to take a back-seat at the moment.
6. (8) ROCHESTER - Got a legitimate scare from improved Stealth.
7. (4) GEORGIA - Saw some fight after Bandits 7 goal run, can still keep heads high, despite another lackluster Gurts interview with John Arlotta.
8. (7) VANCOUVER - I see a playoff team that has potential, still far away unless Calgary struggles to any extent like last year.
9. (9) TORONTO - Fought back and haven't shook off the proverbial monkey.
View Brian Shanahan's picks on IL Indoor.

-Ricky

Another Switch in Fantasy Baseball

Those of you that may not be aware that the Inland Empire 66ers, LA Angels affiliate in the Advanced-A ranks of the minors, changed their logo and colors recently. Below is one of their alternate logos - however, I've altered it to match the color scheme and uniforms I've put forth.

It was different and has an intimidating look though more cartoony than realistic. But I needed to change the look after another dismal season despite strong pitching. In time, I will revisit team logo and uniform history. But until then the above is up to be analyzed.

-Ricky

Down the Track

Recently, I have been putting a little extra attention to bobsledding. Well, wearing literally identical type uniform are luge and skeleton competitors. It is very exciting that I've decided to bring such a template to existence. It's relatively loose and abstract, but there is always a time that it can be updated. I haven't found a stellar one, so this will incentivize me to revisit this template.

The helmet is the bright spot in this template, but the translucent visor actually replaces the addition of goggles and the corresponding positioning of them. This for the short term puts closure on the respective sports. A will give this a test run and I think you know where I will go with it, but still leave your imagination free to wander.

-Ricky

Near Whiteout Today, Projected Whiteout Tomorrow

Tomorrow's projected forecast is all day snow from 5 AM to 5 PM in the Niagara Frontier with up to three inches of accumulation. But today, A white jersey is the subject of a contest run by our friends at Hockey Jersey Concepts. It had to be easily identifiable as white and had to be standalone (no equipment or other jerseys). So this is what I came up with. I have used this exact design before but was never released to the public with the rest of the corresponding set and here is displayed with minor changes from the original.

This was a second alternate for the fictional St. John's Journeymen which was created from a figment of my idea to begin a fantasy league based on players from the IRHL and MRHL (both long defunct). As I had previously done with the fictional soccer team I based in St. John's, I featured the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. This replaced a yellow jersey with the shape of the province as the crest design (which you also saw for the fictional Australian rules football team for which I borrowed the identity). However, they provincial cut-out would not be suitable for this particular jersey. Obviously team colors would not be appropriate for the jersey, hence it's second alternate status. The arm design consists of a pattern used by Team Canada curling for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy. Now I think we're caught up. Enjoy it and the weekend starts right now (if you're including Friday as the weekend).

-Ricky

Les Equipes de Montréal

There was a time when Montréal had two professional sports teams in the North American "Big 4" (before 2005) and the one no longer with us was most recently commemorated by the remaining franchise when Gary Carter passed away in 2012. A fan favorite with the baseball Expos, Carter was also recognized by the on of his other teams Mets that spring in a pre-season exhibition in Montréal. Outside of the recognition of this individual, no such memorial has been mentioned. The following merges such the connection of this city's sport heritage. There is one team replacing the one that played the horsehide in the "Big 6" that extends to soccer (starting in 2012) and Canadian football (since 1946) for a total of three.

As this shows, elements from a couple different jerseys in Expos history is prominent. The script is from the most recent set of jerseys until the teams departure to Washington DC while the other mildly takes notes from the powder blue that the 'Spos and other teams like the Reds in Cincy or the Phillies with the arms being split by a form of striping from the majority of the body. I have also treated my desire to see a blue Canadiens jersey as well as keeping traditional elements of both a hockey jersey and a Habs jersey (font in particular). Hope you've enjoyed reminiscing the days of old in Montréal. I saw recently a rendering of the never built Labatt Park which actually looked gorgeous with the downtown backdrop. But no sense in dwelling on what could have been when we can incorporate it in other things.

-Ricky

Grading the Golden Super Bowl

Those wanting offense were disappointed. Others (like myself) seeking defense were pleased. We knew that regardless of who won between the top two ranked league defenses, "defense wins championships" - simple as that. Lets' have a look at how the teams did on Sunday night.

PASSING: As I anticipated the older Manning wasn't going to have a stellar performance in another big game. After the opening drive, it was all down hill from the almost over the hill quarterback. Cam showed that he was prepared to throw the football when his legs or his backs weren't a viable option.

RUN: We'll get to the main reason I think the Panthers drop the mark in this category. But even when Newton was in situations he had previously seemed to welcome running himself didn't work out so well. However, Denver's running game was almost as ineffective. Again, that opening drive wasthe biggest positive in this department.

DEFENSE: Outside of the first and last drive, Carolina had a normal day at the office it seemed. Denver was just that much more aware and quicker on this day. his save what would've been an otherwise boring first half (and overall game).

SPECIAL TEAMS: Nothing that wowed you other than that new record for single punt return yards. early in the second half before everyone fell asleep despite the then close score. No matter who caught the ball for Carolina, they just couldn't return the ball - punts or kickoffs.

COACHING: Kubiak has come a long way since departing for the mile high city since being let go by the Texans in 2013 and spending brief time in 2014 as a Ravens assistant. But it came down to the defensive strategy of defensive coordinator and former NFL head coach Wade Phillips, who most controversially of all during his career started Rob Johnson over Doug Flutie in the loss during the Music City Miracle (a.k.a. "the Revenge" as I have dubbed it). It seemed like the rush was everywhere surrounding Cam Newton, no thanks to his offensive linemen. No discredit to Ron Rivera and company, but he did everything right and things still went a bit wrong for his Panthers.

Super Bowl C (100) would be just after my seventy-fourth birthday and it surely will have similar hype as this golden Super Bowl. But until then, we'll keep the nostalgia going.

-Ricky

2016 NLL Picks and Power Rankings: Week 6

As it has been known among fans of The Price is Right, an imperfect game (nobody wins a pricing game and there is a double overbid in the showcase and nobody wins money in the showcase showdown) is known as "El Skunko" (think a perfect game or no-hitter in baseball, showcase showdown results don't matter at the moment). Well I came razor thin close to my first El Skunko for the 2016 box lacrosse season. Buffalo and Calgary made it a close call. Champions night in Buffalo was a success as over forty past  championship players returned and the Black jersey alumni beat the orange 6-2, including the return of an early 90s designed goalie mask as worn by Bill Gerrie. Another stellar SaskTel showing by the Rush was in store with a rout of a team who got their redemption against a Swarm team looking to stay near atop the east. Vancouver did the unthinkable: win by a large margin, at home, and against Colorado - something they failed to do at the LEC two weeks ago having come fresh of a victory at the SaskTel a week before that.

Week 6:

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Weekly Total: 1/4

Season Total: 15/23 (.652%)
*Away team is above the home team; underline below arrow indicates correct pick.

Week 7:

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Week 6:
1. (6) BUFFALO - This was an inspired team, but almost lost the wheels.
2. (1) SASKATCHEWAN - Only one team gets to rebound, but Rush don't need to play a pair.
3. (2) COLORADO - This is the same team that won in the same building two weeks ago?
4. (3) GEORGIA - Will this team be consistently inconsistent?
5. (5) CALGARY - Would've been better to win the division game...
6. (4) NEW ENGLAND - At least they're back home for the TO game. Rock just want to break the goose egg.
7. (8) VANCOUVER - Wow, just wow.
8. (7) ROCHESTER - Two teams with a bye? This will be interesting with Stealth in town at the Blue Cross.
9. (9) TORONTO - Rock may have moved up being idle if Vancouver didn't pull out a rabbit despite better performances as of late.
View Brian Shanahan's picks on IL Indoor.

-Ricky

The Golden Super Bowl

It is a little later than normal, but non-American time zones are up watching at least some feed if not a delayed version of this game somewhere. The BNG staff and Sports Talk with R&B contributors took to the upcoming golden Super Bowl in Santa Clara and our summarized thoughts regarding the game's outcome. We're sharing that with you. May the spoils go to the victor (though nobody will actually win anything other than a temporary increased sense of pride, perhaps).

I was torn personally in making a pick for the sentimental pick in one number eighteen, but he hasn't always shown up when it has mattered most. I expect to see a good defensive game, thus Luke Kuechly will be a likely MVP candidate if what I anticipate is true. I hold the lowest total individual and combined scores under the spread while Mr. Lane actually did pick Denver (if so, I anticipate large points for the Denver Post's Woody Paige to get a myriad of points while other Around the Horn panelists surfer being muted and receiving point deductions on their next respective panel appearances). Elsewhere, everyone picked the under and there is a split on both sides of the spread. Have fun watching this continent's most watched and world's second-most watched sporting event.

-Ricky

Patton: From Tanks to Bobsleds

George Smith Patton Jr., the four-star US general that led the charge on D-Day during the second World War for the Allied Powers using his specialization in tank warfare seemed o be a decent fit for the livery for an American national bobsled. Combined with a business, no-nonsense black look that seems to be absorbed b US sled teams, this vehicle for speed becomes an immediate nightmare to it's opponents.

I was glad to be able to put this template to use pretty much right away. The tough thing was the black to light gray gradient, which was difficult even after I figure out how to avoid an all black US sled. For bringing in Patton, I felt it necessary to include his decorated history and signature to characterize the sled while including the tanks posthumously named in his honor to induce the power of the sled while in operation. Now that, my friends, is all work and no play - strictly business - and we know Al Davis' philosophy: "just win, baby."

-Ricky

2016 NLL Picks and Power Rankings: Week 5

If there was ever a team to end Colorado's chance for perfection this early, it would be the defending champs and holding Adam Jones to just one point is a great way to do it (Something the Bandits failed in Week 3). Georgia winning two along the two typical toppers of the East is always a good weekend while New England continues to show momentum signaling a lot of movement in the rankings.

Week 5:

       

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Weekly Total: 3/5

Season Total: 14/19 (.736%)
*Away team is above the home team; underline below arrow indicates correct pick.

Week 6:

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Week 5:

1. (4) SASKATCHEWAN - Silence Adam Jones, usually a good way to start a winning streak.
2. (1) COLORADO - Can't say it's a surprise, but can't say they should've lost either.
3. (7) GEORGIA - Impressive performances to get the weekend double.
4. (6) NEW ENGLAND - Nice stick ceremony for JT prior to solid Black Wolves performance.
5. (5) CALGARY - Got a fight from Vancouver, but want revenge on Rush.
6. (2) BUFFALO - It'll be nice to watch the "Champion's Night" festivities...
7. (3) ROCHESTER - Not taking advantage of Bandits loss.
8. (8) VANCOUVER - Looking like same team from last year with minor improvement.
9. (9) TORONTO - History repeats itself with rock experiencing 2015 Rigger Syndrome.
View Brian Shanahan's picks on IL Indoor.

-Ricky