Wednesday, October 29, 2014

The Fantasy Show with Mike & P.L. Week 9

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Rivaly Week prank could be blessing in disguise for Michigan

By now we've all seen it, the vandalism of the beloved block M that's proudly displayed on Michigan's campus. Apparently, some Spartans fans though it would be a good idea to paint the block M green...then spray S.U. next to it. Someone is feeling pretty cocky heading into our annual showdown.


And for good reason.


Michigan State is rolling, entering the season as the reigning Rose Bowl champs. They're currently ranked 8th in the country, and looking to position themselves for a slot in the inaugural four team playoff at season's end.


The Wolverines are obviously trending in the opposite direction.


As a die hard Michigan fan, I wouldn't miss the game...regardless of the team's records. But after I saw that picture earlier this week, I was fired up like never before to see Michigan go to East Lansing and shut them up. I can only imagine how fired up the players are.


Michigan State better be careful. If you do not learn from history...you will be doomed to repeat it. Sports karma has a way of rearing it's ugly head.


And if you're Michigan...that's a good thing.


In 2007, Michigan came from behind to beat Michigan State 28-24. It was their sixth straight victory in the series. At the post game press conference, UM running back Mike Hart...who ate the Spartans for lunch that game...coined the now infamous phrase..."Michigan State is our little brother". In it's context, Hart was implying that big brothers always let the little brother take the lead in games...only to come back and rip their hearts out...no pun intended.


The comments did not sit well with the Spartan Nation.


In fact, when head coach Mark Dantonio heard those comments he fired back that "pride comes before the fall". As we look at the Wolverines program from 2008-present, those words prove eerie.


Which brings me back to block M gate.


After Mike Hart's little brother comments, the Spartans have won five of the last six from the Wolverines. But sports karma extends far beyond this rivalry. The early 80's Miami Hurricanes infamous army fatigues national championship game. The war reference and smugness about them turned the public off. Miami would up losing to Penn State, who was a heavy underdog. And who can forget LeBron James' now infamous proclamation of "not five...not six...not seven" when he joined the Heat in 2010.


He's now playing with the Cavaliers.


Be careful of the karma you put out there Michigan State. Don't get too cocky Mark Dantonio. You of all people should know that pride comes before the fall.


follow @plcolter.











Thursday, October 16, 2014

Titans face mirror image this Sunday

If there was an NFL counseling center for frustrated fans...and an anonymous fan...who did not disclose their team...stood and said the following...which team would you think they were a fan of?


"Ok, I didn't think we were Super Bowl contenders coming into the season...but I never envisioned a start like this. We got rid off our old head coach, and brought in a new offensive minded one. Our qb...who was injured most of last year...had a productive training camp and is healthy heading into week 1. We even brought in a couple of new toys via free agency for him. It seemed to be clicking in the preseason. I was excited, because our division isn't that strong anyway.


Now our qb is hurt...again, and our offense is hurting the team more than it's helping. We used to run the ball at will, but now we're one of the worst in the league in that area. And that ain't helping our back up qb one bit. We just can't seem to get out of our own way, and I literally have no clue what to expect on game day...regardless of the opponent."


Now...who is this person a fan of?


Folks in Nashville would say the Titans. In the DC / Maryland area they would say the Redskins. They're both right...and their teams just happen to play each other this week.


Tennessee (2-4) and Washington (1-5) will be looking into a mirror when they look across the field this Sunday afternoon. The Titans narrowly avoided a fifth straight loss last Sunday when they defeated Jacksonville. Now they will try to ensure that the Redskins do not avoid a five game skid of their own.


The similarities do not stop there.


Jake Locker and RGIII are kindred spirits. Both are fist round draft picks that are closer to the bust label than they are the qb of the future. Both are tough guys...which we admire, but neither can stay on the field...which is frustrating.


Both teams brought in new head coaches who were successful offensive coordinators last year. So far this season, the Redskins are 23rd in scoring offense, while the Titans are 28th. So it should come as no surprise that both teams are the worst...as in 31st and 32nd...in third down conversions the last three weeks.


Just bad all the way around.


Pay close attention to the body language of both teams this Sunday, especially as the game progresses. The Titans...and their fans...believe that they should beat the Redskins as currently constructed. The Redskins should and probably feel the same way about Tennessee. But...both teams have endured enough losing recently for a seed of doubt to still linger.


What happens when two teams that have a propensity to give games away face each other?


We'll find out Sunday.                          follow @plcolter











Friday, October 3, 2014

Final reset reset button for the Titans

Four games in, and the Tennessee Titans are 1-3...after playing three playoff teams from a year ago (KC, Cincy, Indy)...all on the road. And by the way, the Dallas Cowboys  (3-1) look like a real contender this year.

A tough road out of the gate to say the least.

The Titans return to the Music City for a two game home stand. Cleveland...who is 2-22 in their last 24 road games, and Jacksonville...who is currently win less (0-4) this season...should be welcomed guests right?

Well...it depends on who you ask.

If you're a Titans fan...of course they are welcomed. This is the first time all season that fans feel good about the match up...so yes, a win...and all of the good feelings that come along with it are expected this week.

Translation...LP Field should be rocking Sunday afternoon.

But for coach Whisenhunt and the players, the last thing you want to see is a losing team come into your house and beat you. Especially with the way the season has unfolded so far. The last three games (losses) were brutal, but as bad as it was...no realistic Titans fan expected them to win. They were just disappointed in the lack of focus and execution.

But these next two games are not just critical, they could be franchise altering.

Let's get the obvious out of the way, a 1-4...or...(gulp)...1-5 start would all but eliminate the Titans from playoff contention this early in the season...and send fans away in droves as coach Whisenhint puts his "look to the future" roster on the field.

A great home schedule would be wasted.

It would also bring the Jake Locker era to an abrupt end. There would be zero incentive to keep a qb out there who you have no intention of bringing back next year. And more importantly, if Locker doesn't get things turned around quick, he may find himself completely out of the league next season. With the steady influx of quality college qb's each year, veteran backups are getting fewer and fewer camp invites.

Just ask Vince Young, Matt Leinart, and Tim Tebow...all out of the league in the prime of their careers.

But I digress.

To their credit, Titans fans have been patient with the rebuilding process...but even the most die hard fan would say that it's time to see some results. The first tangible evidence of an improved team is when they beat the teams they should beat. They may not pull off many upsets...but they do not get upset either.

We saw it with Arizona last year...they beat the teams they were supposed to beat...and just missed the playoffs. This year they are 3-0...with  signature wins over the Chargers and 49ers. The foundation was laid last season, and their confidence grew as the wins piled up. If the Titans are really improved, if Whisenhunt is truly an upgrade over Munchak, then we must see evidence of a foundation. Tennessee should beat Cleveland this Sunday.

But the Titans go as qb Jake Locker goes. His entire four year career with the Titans can be summed up in his first four games this season.

Inconsistent and injured.

Good Jake? The Titans go on the road and beat down the Chiefs in their own back yard. Bad/Injured Jake? Well you know..Tennessee is looking to avoid a four game losing skid. Locker is set to return this Sunday, and no one can say with any certainty that they know what to expect. Titans fans just break out their dice...throw them against the wall...then turn on the game.

In two weeks Tennessees can either be 3-3 with three wins over AFC opponents, and right in the playoff mix. Or they could be 2-4...or 1-5...and looking toward the future...before the present ever gained traction.

Shaking my dice.               follow @plcolter