Through a Dad's Eyes

As we recognized Prematurity Awareness Day last weekend, it got me to thinking...why not share my story.  Many of you know our families story, but I wanted to share a different perspective of the roller coaster ride that has been the last two years of my life.  So I'm taking a break from sports (somewhat) to share Austin and Cole's story through their dad's eyes.

It all happened so fast and to be honest if I told you that I remembered all of it, I would be lying.  From getting the call at work to driving to the Central Vermont Medical Center and then to Dartmouth, it seemed like an hour when in reality it had already been a full day.  After a couple of days sleeping on a hospital recliner it was back to work for me and nightly trips from our home in Montpelier to Dartmouth.  Honestly, working was the hardest part for me, having to be away from my family.  I was miles away from where I wanted to be, always hoping for a good call, but expecting a bad one.  Those crazy solo trips lasted for a week until January 28th when Austin and Cole arrived at 31 weeks, both weighing under 4 lbs.

The first hour of their lives was one that I will cherish forever.  After meetings with various doctors whose faces I vaguely remember, I spent the next hour alone with my two boys for the first time.  I was the only one allowed in the room as they were placed into separate incubators. While all this was going on, I found myself praying for the first time in years.  It wasn't my finest hour, spending most of it scrambling around trying to make sense of it all and trying to be where I was supposed to be.  It is also a time that I always reflect on when I think times are rough on me, imagining what they were going through during that first hour.  Right then, I knew it was going to be a long road, but a road I was so happy to be on. 

When you deal with events like this, you learn to cheer for the small victories.  Days like leaving one NICU for another NICU closer to home.   Bigger events were celebrated louder like when the tubes disappeared, breathing on their own became easier and the alarms faded away.  Through the first couple of months there were countless tests and not to sound pessimistic but one of them had to turn up something right? Wrong.  The boys fought through and were finally able to come home after 41 days spent at the two different hospitals.

One thing I have learned over my first two years of being a dad is how you need to have a positive outlook for your kids no matter how stacked the odds seem to be against them.  There have been selfish moments don't get me wrong.  On trips to the hospital, many thoughts race through your head.  Thoughts like, are one of these tests going to turn up something that prevents my kids from playing sports? While this kind of thinking is shortsighted, especially for someone working in the Mental Health field, I think it only made me like any other person.

There have been plenty of athletes who have persevered through various disabilities.  You can't help but be inspired when you come across stories like All-American wrestler Anthony Robles who won an NCAA championship in 2011 despite being born without a right leg or the story of Jason McElwain who erased autism stereotypes a few years ago after scoring 20 points in a high school basketball game.  These types of stories helped me realize there could be a way for my kids to follow their dreams no matter what challenges they were dealt.  Thankfully though it has been so far so good.

With hopefully the toughest of times behind them, Austin and Cole are now  active and healthy 22 month year olds.  They were even up cheering for their first Red Sox World Series championship last month (it took me 17 years).  Like I mentioned earlier, we learn to cheer the small victories and celebrate the big ones.

Pigskin Picks- Week 12

Wow, week 12 already? It seemed like just yesterday I was picking the Jaguars to get slaughtered, and yet here I am about to write the same thing. Here are the week 12 predictions:

Tampa Bay @ Detroit

Don't look now, but the Buccaneers are on their first win streak of the year. The 2 wins matches the same total of the Texans, Vikings, and Falcons, all playoff teams last season. Those in Tampa shouldn't be getting too confident though. The Lions allowed the Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger to show up last week, something that hadn't happened in some time. The Lions are still a dangerous team though, watch out if they catch fire at the right time down the stretch. 

Prediction: Lions 31 Buccaneers 20

Jacksonville @ Houston

Well I've been calling for a Texans win for weeks now to no avail, but I'm sticking with them again this week. The Texans have been bad, but the Jaguars take bad to a whole different level.

Prediction: Texans 28 Jaguars 17

Minnesota @ Green Bay

This rivalry game could be an interesting one to watch. The Packers have been unable to find the winning column since superstar QB Aaron Rodgers went down.  In order to remain in the thick of the playoff hunt, the Packers need to win this game. As long as the Vikings continue to lack a reliable quarterback, they will be hard pressed to put together a few victories. The Packers should take care of business on the frozen tundra. 

Prediction: Packers 24 Vikings 20

San Diego @ Kansas City

The Chiefs faltered last week against the Broncos as predicted by most. They have the chance to bounce back with a win against the respectable Chargers. For San Diego on the other hand this is a chance at a win that could inject some life into their hopes of extending their season. 

Prediction: Chiefs 26 Chargers 21

Carolina @ Miami

Following the Chiefs loss last week the Panthers are now statistically the hottest team in the league. Coming off a nail biter victory against the Patriots, there isn't much that scares the Panthers at this point. A road trip to face off against a fledgling Dolphins team shouldn't be much of a hurdle.

Prediction : Panthers 23 Dolphins 17

Pittsburgh @ Cleveland

In an AFC where the final wild cars spot is anyone's for the taking at this point, this matchup has some significance. Both teams sit at 4-6 and look for a win to spark the team. The steelers finally looked decent last week, but there is no proof this team can do it again in consecutive weeks. 

Prediction: Browns 21 Steelers 20

Chicago @ St Louis

Despite losing their starting quarterback, the Rams have somehow remained a somewhat respectable football team. The Bears are a team that badly needs to rattl e off a couple wins to build some self confidence. If they can't pull one off this week, they suddenly find themselves in hot water headed down the home stretch.

Prediction: Bears 23 Rams 19

NY Jets @ Baltimore

The Jets showed last week why they shouldn't be in the playoffs, playing terribly against the Bills. The Ravens are a team that has the potential to take a step forward as a talented team capable of claiming a playoff position. This could be a statement game for the Ravens.

Prediction: Ravens 24 Jets 16

Tennessee @ Oakland

The Titans were once a team that looked like they had a chance to be successful. Two straight losses later and they're suddenly looking like a less than mediocre team. The good news for them is the competition this week isn't much different. This one could go either way but I think the Titans get back on the right path.

Prediction: Titans 23 Raiders 20

Indianapolis @ Arizona

This is a great test for a Cardinals team fighting to prove their legitimacy. If they can figure out a way to take down the Colts then there is no more questioning the Arizona squad. Andrew Luck will lead what we know is a dangerous Colts team.

Prediction: Colts 26 Cardinals 24

Dallas @ NY Giants 

An NFC east rivalry showdown with possible playoff implications. Who'd have thought the Giants would be in this position. As poorly as they played in the first meeting, the G Men still should have won. They won't make the same mistakes this time around. 

Prediction: Giants 28 Cowboys 24

Denver @ New England

A possible AFC championship preview? It will be interesting to see how these two matchup. My hunch is that the Pats can't cover all the dangerous targets Peyton Manning has at his disposal. While a road win in New England won't be easy, I think the Broncos can really prove they are an elite team this week. 

Prediction: Broncos 31 Patriots 24 

San Francisco @ Washington 

What better way to snap a losing streak than to face the faultering Redskins? This could be just what the 49ers need to right their ship. Although Washington could themselves wake up soon, San Fran should cruise to victory.

Prediction: 49ers 26 Redskins 21

MLB Blockbuster- Breaking It Down

There is nobody that could have predicted the trade consummated between the Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers last night. This trade was a true rarity- An all star caliber one-for-one swap. The trade is one that benefits both teams. It's not often where you see two top clubs deal a top player to one another. We often see prospects swapped for a veteran, with one team keeping more of an eye on the future. Not exactly the case here. Let's break it down a little more.

Fielder is coming off a career low season in slugging, OPS, and home runs. He really struggled in the playoffs during the Tigers previous two October runs. But Fielder is still just 29 years of age and has been one of the most powerful hitters if thesst few years. It speaks to this fact that he has batted behind a league MVP in each of the past three years. His presence in the Rangers lineup will provide a great boost to those surrounding him. Prince will also find the confines of Arlington much more favorable to his big lefty stroke than the spacious right field and right center of Comerica.

Where the real bitterness in the deal for the Rangers is the contract remaining owed to Fielder. The burly first baseman is still due $168 million over the next seven years. So while Fielder should still have a few seasons left of his prime, the back end of this contract could get real ugly. Fielders ahem... large frame... doesn't seem to give confidence that he will age gracefully. It will be worth watching how his body holds up in the Texas heat during the dog days of summer. While this looks like an all out 'win now' approach by Jon Daniels and the Rangers front office, it acuay sets them up well for the future too. By moving Ian Kinsler, the Rangers can finally insert top prospect Jurickson Profar into the everyday lineup. The middle infield of Elvis Andrus and Profar could develop into one of the best. 

The move by the Rangers to trade Kinsler was by no means based on his skills or performance. Kinsler has been a main component of the successful teams Texas has been rolling out for years now. It was simply a matter of making pieces fit. As mentioned, Texas had Profar in waiting, and needed a power bat and 1st baseman. For the Tigers, they saw a chance to shed some payroll while still improving the team. One thing this deal succeeds in doing for the Tigers is to increase their defensive abilities in the infield. Miguel 

Cabrera can now shift from the hot corner where he was a bit of a liability, and return across the diamond to 1st base. The Tigers also free up room for a top prospect, as Nick Castellanos is expected to get a chance to be the every day 3rd baseman. Kinsler is not exactly a subpar offensive player anyhow. He is on the wrong side of 30, but in 2013 Kinsler still posted a solid .277/.344/.413 with 13 HR 72 RBI. Kinsler provides a lead off option for Detroit, which could allow Austin Jackson to move elsewhere in the lineup where he is more comfortable. The biggest advantage to this deal from the perspective of Detroit, is how much money they can save. Kinsler is due $62 million over the next four years. They did have to send $30 million to Texas to help cover a small portion of the amount of food Fielder will eat next year, I mean money he will earn, but that still leaves over $70 million saved. This will be helpful in going towards trying to sign Max Scherzer to a long term deal.

Overall, both teams get something they need out of this deal, and both teams will still be playoff contenders. In the long term the benefits will certainly favor the Tigers, but for now it will at least make for an intriguing matchup next year when these two meet. 

Quick Picks - NFL Week 11

No time for any long write ups about the Week 11 games, but there are a handful with major playoff implications. The weather seems like it will also play a part this week with a major storm rolling through the Great Lakes region.

New York (A) 17  @   Buffalo  20
  
Baltimore  14   @  Chicago 13

Cleveland  13   @   Cincinnati  24

Oakland  10  @   Houston 27

Arizona  23  @   Jacksonville 17

Washington  24 @   Philadelphia 27

Detroit 23  @   Pittsburgh 24

Atlanta 13  @   Tampa Bay 17

San Diego 20  @   Miami 28

San Francisco 27  @  New Orleans 31

Minnesota 14  @  Seattle 35

Green Bay 16  @   New York (N) 14

Kansas City 20  @  Denver 27

New England 24  @  Carolina 17

Week 11 NFL Picks

Week 11 NFL Picks

Ah NFL Week 11. One week closer to the playoffs for some teams, while one week closer to the draft for others (Jaguars). There are some good matchups this week that should making for an entertaining Sunday on Redzone.

Jets @ Bills
Gang Green gets it done on the road in this one to sweep the season series and continue its surprising 2013 campaign. The Bills after last weeks loss to the Steelers can't find consistency on offense. Maybe E.J. Manuel can shed the injuries and make a late season push, but I can't bank on that this week. Geno gets the best of E.J. in this one. Jets 24, Bills 10

Browns @ Bengals
The Bengals after holding on for one possession wins against New England, Buffalo and Detroit have dropped back to back contests to Miami and Baltimore by a combined 5 points. Last week's rally against the Ravens was impressive, only to lose after a questionable 4th down try at midfield (where was the confidence in the defense Marvin Lewis?). The Browns, after a bye week will look to sweep the battle for the Buckeye State. Not happening. Josh Gordon can provide the home run play, but Cleveland will need some LeBron James firepower to get by a hungry Bengals team. Bengals 34, Browns 17

Raiders @ Texans
It's been a rough season for Houston. Case Keenum was close to picking up this first NFL win last week against Arizona, but came up just short. Gary Kubiak is set to rejoin the team after suffering a mild stroke a couple weeks back and the team is sure to rally around him. Oakland has been interesting this season, hanging around in most games (minus against Denver and Philly) and shows flashes of being a contender. I think this game will be shootout, with Keenum and Pryor airing it out. I'll give Houston the edge at home. Texans 38, Raiders 31

Redskins @ Eagles
Eagles have to win at home eventually, right? Foles continues his hot streak and the Eagles offense is too much for R3III to overcome. Eagles 34, Redskins 17

49ers @ Saints
Kaepernick has had some struggles at times during his sophomore season, and the Saints are rolling at home, 5-0 at home this season and averaging 35.2 ppg in the Superdome . I'll ride the Saints again this week. Saints 37, 49ers, 31

Chargers @ Dolphins
Chargers are hot, Dolphins are "distracted" all the critics say. Enough already. The 'fins right the ship, grinding out a win. Dolphins 13, Chargers 10.

Viking @ Seahawks
Seattle has taken a couple steps back in recent weeks, but they're still #1 in NFC in my book. The Seahawks haven't lost at home since the 2011 season finale to the 49ers, and that trends continues today. Minnesota can't consistently move the ball, and unless AP runs wild (granted he get get more then 12 touches in the game) chalk this one up for Seattle. Seahawks 45, Vikings 13

Ravens @ Bears In the Bears 4 losses this season, each has been by 8 points or less. Chicago stays in games and keeps it close. They are a different team without Cutler, but McCown can manage a game. I expect the D to keep Chicago in it. Baltimore snapped a 3-game losing streak last week by holding on against the Bengals comeback (knock the ball down on a hailmary!). This one will be close, and I predict the Bears will get by. Bears 13, Ravens 7.

Lions @ Steelers
Megatron has a field day against the Steelers secondary. Lions win big on the road. Lions 38, Steelers 6.

Packers @ Giants
Green Bay overcomes injuries to get by the G-men, Lacy has a big day on the ground for the Pack. The Giants win streak ends at 3 as Eli throws 4 INTs. Packers 17, Giants 6.

Patriots @ Panthers MNF
Patriots are coming off a bye and its young crop of receivers (Dobson/Tompkins) are starting to hit their stride in the NFL. Gronk adds the go-to target for Brady that he covets. The Panthers are second in team defense, allowing a mere 283 ypg (the Texans are someone #1 at 280). Carolina has been hot, led by its defense and duel-threat Cam Newton. The Patriots defense has been forced to overcome injuries to key personnel Wilfork and Mayo, and it may have trouble slowing Newton down. This game should be close and low scoring. I'll give the edge to Carolina at home. Panthers 13, Patriots 10.

Snoozers

Cardinals, 24, Jaguars 14

Buccaneers 24, Falcons 17

Pigskin Picks Week 11

The work week is winding down, and that can only mean one thing: Sunday football is getting closer! Let's take a look at this weekends matchups with some predictions on what we could see. 

Atlanta @ Tampa Bay

Having to pick one of these teams is a lot like having to choose between being kicked in the balls or kneed in the groin. Neither is very enjoyable and they're  essentially the same. Looking on the bright side for Atlanta, Steven Jackson can only improve upon his 9 carry 11 yard performance. Mike Glennon for the Bucs only completed 11 passes and threw an interception last week, but I still think he is the kind of quarterback that can work on this team. Riding momentum from their first win of the year and playing in front of their home crowd, expect the Buccaneers to double their season win total. 

Prediction: Buccaneers 23 Falcons 21

New York Jets @ Buffalo

The Jets are an impossible team to figure out. The fact that they currently stand at 5-4 and are in the thick of the playoff race is nothing short of a miracle. The Jets have the fifth lowest total points scored in the whole league, and have allowed 52 more points than they have scored. Yet here they are facing the lowly Bills with a chance to keep a firm grasp on the final wild card spot. The Bills are without anything consistent in their offense to make them the favorite here, so I'm going with the Jets to continue their improbable run.

Prediction: Jets 20 Bills 17

Detroit @ Pittsburgh

The Lions had a huge win last week going into Chicago and knocking off the Bears for sole possession of the NFC North. The Steelers picked up their 3rd W on the year, but coming against the Bills it was hardly impressive. The Steelers defense is a shell of what it used to be, and the Lions offense should have no problem marching down the field Sunday. 

Prediction: Lions 31 Steelers 17

Washington @ Philadelphia 

A key division matchup, and really a must win for the Redskins. The Eagles have hit their stride since Nick Foles took over, and they could finally put an end to their home woes. The Redskins secondary has been vulnerable all year and this one has the potential to get out of hand if they can't contain the passing game. 

Prediction: Eagles 30 Redskins 20

San Diego @ Miami

The Dolphins just allowed Tampa to get their first win of the season and with all the other troubles the team is facing they may be the league door mat at this point. San Diego should have no trouble here as Philip Rivers has a chance for at least a few touchdown passes.

Prediction: San Diego 28 Miami 17

Baltimore @ Chicago

Both teams are battling for playoff positioning in this inter conference matchup. Baltimore just eeked out a key win last week while Chicago fell just short  at home. Jay Cutler didn't look 100% last week and they may be better off this week with backup Josh McCown taking snaps. The Bears win this game by controlling time of possession and winning the battle of field position.

Prediction: Bears 23 Ravens 18

Cleveland @ Cincinnati 

The Browns have a great opportunity to win a big game against a rival to remain in the hunt. The Bengals also have a lot at stake here, and their talent overmatched the Browns by too wide of a margin. There's no way Andy Dalton can turn in a performance like last week again. If he does however, the Browns may have some hope.

Prediction: Bengals 26 Browns 16

Oakland @ Houston

I keep thinking that each week is the week that the Texans find their form and return to being a winning team. Maybe this will finally be it. Case Keenum has looked good and they've got some talent at the wideouts with Andre Johnson and Deandre Hopkins. Losing Arian Foster will hurt, but I still believe this team can win, especially this week against the subpar Raiders. 

Prediction: Texans 27 Raiders 17

Arizona @ Jacksonville

Jacksonville finally got their first win out of the way, but let's not get used to it. Though they've improved, don't expect the Jags to rip off a few wins. The Cardinals should start to be taken seriously as a contender, and they should take care of business Sunday.

Prediction: Cardinals 28 Jaguars 13

Minnesota @ Seattle

The Vikings short and simply don't have a chance this week. The Seahawks have solidified their status as the team to beat in the NFC. If Adrian Peterson can run for over 200 yards he may give his team a chance, but even then it's unlikely. 

Prediction: Seahawks 31 Vikings 14

San Francisco @ New Orleans

Even though the 49ers are currently sporting a 6-3 record, they could find themselves in hot water if they lose this week. There is a swarm of teams nipping at their heels, and after dropping last weeks matchup versus the Panthers, many are wondering if the niners truely are a championship caliber squad. There's no better matchup to prove it than the one this week, as we already know the Saints can play in that upper echelon of teams. 

Prediction: Saints 27 49ers 20

Green Bay @ New York

Things have somehow turned around for the Giants, as a win this week could possibly leave them only a game out of first place. Quite the opposite for Green Bay who may be headed for a free fall after losing Aaron Rodgers. Though Scott Tolzien looked pretty good last week, it wasn't enough to top the Eagles. It will likely be the same result this week, as the Giants continue to find a way to win.

Prediction: Giants 26 Packers 18

Kansas City @ Denver

Despite being the only undefeated team in the league, the Chiefs are out to prove themselves this week. For good reason too: All 9 of their victories have come against teams without winning records. We'll find out if they are for real, but I think they're in for a rude awakening. The Broncos have looked hands down like on of the best teams all year, and they should bring the Chiefs win streak to a screeching hault.

Prediction: Broncos 34 Chiefs 20 

New England @ Carolina

You can make a case for the Panthers being the hottest team in the league right now. Their 5 game win streak is second only to the undefeated Chiefs. They were able to defeat the defending NFC champs last week, and this time around have the opportunity to knock off the highly successful Patriots. The Pats are not as good as their 7-2 record might indicate, and they will soon find out they are in for a challenge this week. 

Prediction: Panthers 24 Patriots 21

NFC Playoff Picture

Taking a glance at the NFC playoff picture you notice one thing...it is UGLY. Injuries have ravaged many teams within the conference leaving them fighting for playoff spots when just a few weeks ago they were all but guaranteed January football. 

When taking a look you can only safely eliminate the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings from playoff contention. This leaves 13 teams battling for 6 spots.  Let's take a closer look at how this will potentially shake out over the coming weeks.

NFC East

It is hard to imagine a scenario in today's NFL where a team that starts 0-6 can not only make the playoffs but have a legitimate chance of winning the division.  That is exactly the scenario the New York Giants find themselves in.  Currently riding a three game win streak, the Giants will have a chance to bolster their playoff hopes this weekend as they host the injury ridden Green Bay Packers.

When you think of inconsistency in the NFL over the past decade one team springs to mind...the Dallas Cowboys.  This season seems to be no different as they find themselves sitting at 5-5.  Tony Romo has shown glimpses of being the franchise quarterback his contract suggests he is including a five touchdown performance against the Denver Broncos earlier in the year.  This past weekend, former Cowboys Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan got the best of Romo as he was held to a measly 128 yards passing in a loss to the New Orleans Saints.  Which Cowboys team will we see in December? That is an impossible question to answer, but they will have a chance to once again prove their doubters wrong.  Each division opponent shows up one more time on the Cowboys schedule. 

One of the major questions entering the NFL season was how the knee of Robert Griffin III would hold up after off-season surgery.  Through nine games it still seems as though RGIII is still not at 100% and his numbers reflect that.  Griffin was explosive during his rookie campaign, running for 815 yards and seven touchdowns while only throwing five interceptions as the Washington Redskins reached the playoffs. In 2013 it has been a different story as he has already eclipsed his interception mark of last year throwing nine while also not finding the end zone once on the ground thus far.  The Redskins currently sit at 3-6 and with the toughest remaining schedule in the division, they should begin to look towards next year where RGIII will hopefully be back to his normal self.

After losing the starting quarterback position to Michael Vick in the preseason, who would have thought Nick Foles would be leading the Philadelphia Eagles towards the postseason.  In a division with Romo, Griffin III and Eli Manning, Foles has stood tallest, throwing 16 touchdowns and no interceptions under first year coach Chip Kelly.  With weapons on the outside like DeSean Jackson and Riley Cooper and with LeSean McCoy in the backfield there is no reason why Foles can't continue his hot play down the stretch and have the Eagles competing for the division title. 

So what do we make of the NFC East?  Four teams seperated by only two games, most likely competing for one playoff spot.  The Eagles are my favorite as they are hitting their stride at the right time, while the Cowboys can't seem to put any sort of momentum together.  The Giants are playing good football and have once again rallied around their coach Tom Coughlin.  A team that has started the season 0-6 has never made the playoffs and I don't expect the Giants to have enough time to dig out of the early hole they made themselves.  It will be a race that will come down to the final week of the season with a big play or mistake being the difference between who gets in and who is left on the outside looking in.

NFC North

Much like the NFC East, nothing has been decided in the NFC North.  The North is a prime example of how in the NFL, one play can flip an entire division on it's head.  Just two weeks ago, it seemed the Green Bay Packers were headed for another division title.  All of that changed during a Monday night game against the Chicago Bears when All-Pro quarterback Aaron Rodgers was sacked, fracturing his collarbone.  Rodgers will be out at least another few weeks, leaving the quarterbacking duties to journeyman Scott Tolzien and newly signed Matt Flynn.  Tolzien looks more like a high school chemistry teacher than the prototypical NFL quarterback, but he did show flashes of potential when he was called upon last week after an injury to Seneca Wallace.

The Packers have been disseminated by injuries on both sides of the ball this season.  Rodgers, along with impact players Clay Matthews, Randall Cobb, JerMichael Finley, Bryan Bulaga and Nick Perry have all been sidelined for significant time.  Can the Packers hold up over the next couple of weeks to give themselves a shot when Rodgers returns? They will need to at least split their next two games against the New York Giants this Sunday and division rival Minnesota Vikings the following week.  

Another team that has been bitten by the injury bug this season have been the Chicago Bears.  Quarterback Jay Cutler is once again sidelined this week and will be replaced by Josh McCown who has looked good this season when called upon.  On the defensive side of the ball is where the Bears have been impacted most by injuries with Pro-Bowlers Charles Tillman, Lance Briggs and Henry Melton all currently out.  The Bears got a massive win over the Packers two weeks ago after Rodgers was forced to leave.  They host the Packers again Week 17 in what could be a deciding game for the two teams.

The team that has taken advantage of the injury problems to the Bears and Packers are the Detroit Lions who currently sit at the top of the division.  They control their own destiny at this point and with winnable games at Pittsburgh and home to Tampa Bay and the aforementioned Packers on Thanksgiving, the Lions could find themselves sitting pretty at 9-3 at the end of November.

While the division is far from decided at this point, you have to expect the injury problems to eventually take there toll on the Bears and Packers.  I expect the Lions to take advantage and claim their first outright division championship since 1993, leaving the Bears and Packers battling for a Wild Card spot. 

NFC South

Sean Payton has proved this season that a great head coach in the NFL may be a more valuable commodity than we thought.  Returning to the sidelines after a year-long suspension, Payton along with All-Pro quarterback Drew Brews have guided the New Orleans Saints to a 7-2 start.  With the scandal that surrounded the 2012 season behind them, the Saints appear to have regained the form that led them to three straight playoff appearances prior to last season.

With all of the attention focused on the rejuvenated Saints, the Carolina Panthers have quietly crept into the playoff picture.  Trailing the Saint by just one game, the Panthers have won five straight including a win over the San Francisco 49ers this past weekend.  With the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers struggling at the back end of the division this season, it is a two horse race for the division title.  The teams meet twice in the month of December so it will all be decided on the field between two of the leagues hottest teams.  Whoever doesn't come out on top will be one of the favorites to claim a Wild Card spot.

NFC West

In the NFC West, the Seattle Seahawks have been in cruise control from the start and look to be a good bet to have home field advantage for the NFC playoffs.  The Seahawks have been unbeatable at home recently, sporting a 12-0 record at CenturyLink Field since the beginning of the 2012 season.

The San Francisco 49ers are still in the drivers seat for a Wild Card berth despite their loss to the Panthers on Sunday.  Colin Kaepernick has been a far cry from the quarterback that ran his team all the way to the Super Bowl last year.  With a defense that forces turnovers and a balanced running attack led by Frank Gore, the 49ers have had to rely less on the playmaking of Kaepernick.  The 49ers, barring a collapse should find there way into the playoffs.

The Arizona Cardinals and St. Louis Rams have both played better of late, which makes the division an entertaining one to follow down the stretch.  The Cardinals have played the Seahawks and 49ers tough, while the Rams nearly knocked off the Seahawks as well before blowing out the AFC South leading Colts last week.  Neither of these teams will likely make the playoffs this season, but the future is bright.  With plenty of young talent on both squads it will make the NFC West one of the better divisions in football over the coming years.

Like the AFC, parity is reigning supreme in the NFC as there is much that is left to be decided.  I believe the Eagles will emerge from the the mess that is the NFC East and join the Lions, Saints and Seahawks as division champions.  The 49ers will return to the playoffs as one of the Wild Card teams, while the Packers will sneak in as long as they can hold on until Aaron Rodgers is able to return.  If Rodgers doesn't return at or near 100%, look for the Panthers to round out the NFC playoff field.

Who Is Masahiro Tanaka?

If you've been paying attention to the baseball offseason, you've probably heard the name Masahiro Tanaka come up. What you may not know is who exactly that is? Japanese Emperor? Latest character in a popular anime cartoon? No, the correct answer is he's the most recent hyped Japanese pitcher. Before we go further, let's get a few things out of the way: No, he does not throw a 'gyroball', no he will not throw 200 pitches in a game, and no he cannot morph into a dragon and start spitting fire at batters. So, what's all the fuss about?

Tanaka is a 25 year old starting pitcher for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of the Nippon Professional Baseball league. Tanaka is eligible for international free agency via the posting system that brought Daisuke Matsuzaka and most recently Yu Darvish to America to play ball. The posting system requires teams to submit a bid for the right to negotiate with the player, and then they must come to terms within an alotted time frame. You may remember the Red Sox winning bid for Matsuzaka in 2006 was $51.11 million, and the club would then shell out another $52 million for a six year contract. Darvish was posted in 2011 and the winning bid presented by the Rangers amounted to $51.7 million, and they proceeded to ink Darvish to a $60 million 6 year contract. Current estimates are that the winning bid for Tanaka could reach upwards of $70-$75 million, and he  expects to command a deal in excess of the $60 million Darvish received. 

So who is Tanaka more likely to take after, Matsuzaka or Darvish? Matsuzaka was a top draft pick into the NPB out of high school, and had a successful career in the league. His career numbers are a 108-60 record, 2.95 ERA, with 1,355 strikeouts. What drove Matsuzaka fever through the roof in 2006 was his dominating MVP performance in the World Baseball Classic. Matsuzaka had a good year in 2008 for Boston but participated again in the WBC the following year and never seemed the same. Darvish was received with similar fanfare, being hailed as the best in Japan at the time. His NPB career stats include a 93-38 record, 1.99 ERA, and 1,259 strikeouts. He was clearly a dominating pitcher there, and so far has displayed much of the same talent here. 

The signings by teams of these Japanese stars are dangerous to say the least. There has been several cautionary tales: see Hideki Irabu (RIP) and Kei Igawa. Irabu was famously referred to as a "fat toad" by George Steinbrenner on his way to a career 34-35 record and 5.15 ERA. Igawa represented a huge waste of money by the Yankees as they paid over $46 million to retain his services, which ultimately was a career 6.66 ERA. So while pursuing Tanaka is a gamble, here are the facts we do know:

 -Tanaka was rookie of the year in 2007 and hasn't slowed down since

-Tanaka's career stats: 99-35 2.30 ERA 1,238 strikeouts. This puts him somewhere between Darvish and Matsuzaka

- he finished 2013 24-0 with a 1.27 ERA

- In 5 playoff starts he threw 4 complete games, including a 160 pitch effort in game 6 of the championship series, then came back to get the save in game 7.

This last feat is what should cause teams to think twice prior to making such a big commitment to the Japanese star. There is a lot of fear he could breakdown much in the mold of Matsuzaka before him. Nonetheless there will be a handful of teams lining up to submit a bid when the time comes. Expect the usual big players to get involved: Dodgers, Yankees. Also the Rangers and Angels will likely make some kind of play.  

In Honor of Movember: The Top 5 Mustaches in the History of the NHL, NBA, NFL and MLB

Movember is once again upon us...

In honor of one of my favorite annual traditions, I've compiled my list of the greatest sports mustaches.

The following list is a list of men. Real men. Because it takes a man to not only grow a mustache, but to go out in public with a mustache as well.

NHL

Let's start with the NHL. In a league where playoff beards are frequent, there are a surprisingly low number of respectable mustaches. We need some players today to put the razors away.

5.) Wendel Clark (1985-2000)

As a rookie in 1985 he had 227 penalty minutes, which earned him the nickname "Captain Crunch." Although the debate remains open as to if this nickname came strictly because of his mustache.

4.) Eddie Shack (1959-1975)

Shack played for six teams in his career. Perhaps the most disappointing part of his retirement came with a Schick razor promotion in which he shaved off his famous mo'.

3.) Cal Clutterbuck (2007-present)

Who cares what he's done with his short career. His name is "Clutterbuck" and he has the second greatest active mustache in hockey.

2.) George Parros (2005-present)

One of the baddest guys in the NHL with the best mustache in the league. Oh, and for what it's worth, he went to Princeton.

1.) Lanny McDonald (1973-1989)

Two words: Ginger 'stache.

NBA

Imagine showing up to a pick up game at your neighborhood court rocking a mustache. Chances are, no one is gonna pass to the guy with the 'stache.

Honorable Mentions:

David Stern

Mike D'Antoni

Phil Jackson

Cliff Paul

5.) Adam Morrison (2006-2010)

Much like Morrison's career, his mustache was a bit lacking. Fortunately he looks ridiculous enough to land him the five seed.

4.) Clyde Drexler (1983-1998)

Cylde "The Glide" is one of the 50 greatest players of all time. He is known for his fast pace play on the court and his smooth laid back attitude off the court. It's tough to be anything but smooth with a 'stache like Drexler's.

3.) Larry Bird (1979-1992)

Known as "The Hick from French Lick," Bird is arguably the greatest Celtic of all time. There is no debate about the fact that he has the best mustache in the history of the storied Boston franchise. It could be the ugliest 'stache on this entire list but it could also be the greatest blonde caterpillar in all of sports.

2.) Kurt Rambis (1980-1995)

Rambis is perhaps the first ever hipster. With his thick framed glasses and his even thicker mustache he has paved the road of style for thousands of twenty-somethings in modern day Brooklyn. Rambis was once clotheslined by Kevin McHale in the 1984 NBA Finals because McHale was jealous of Kurt's upper lip.

1.) Walt "Clyde" Frazier (1967-1980)

Words cannot describe the swagger this man possess. Frazier needed every inch of his 6'4" frame to support the growth on his upper lip. Bonus points given for the sideburns...not that he needed it, as the 'stache speaks for itself.

NFL

It's tough to rock a 'stache as a football player due to the fact that no one sees your face under your helmet. These guys didn't let that kill their upper lip caterpillar. 

Honorable Mentions:

Peyton Manning

Joe Flacco

5.) Walter Payton (1975-1987)

Contrary to popular belief, Payton gained the nickname "Sweetness" after Coach Mike Ditka (see below) was asked to describe Payton's upper lip.

4.) Aaron Rodgers (2005-present)

Although Rodgers took home Super Bowl XLV MVP honors, his career really took off when he started sporting an epic trucker 'stache during the 2012 season.

3.) Joe Namath (1965-1977)

Broadway Joe was usually a clean cut, fashionable guy, but when you've slept with more women than the average porn star, eventually a mustache is bound to make an appearance.

2.) Dave Wannstedt (1975-present)

Coach Wannstedt has the look that begs the question, "did that man come out of the womb with a full mustache?" 

The answer is no, he was not born with a mustache. That would be ridiculous.

1.) Mike Ditka (1961-present(?))

A mustache that needs no introduction. From gracing the playing field, to the sidelines, to your television on Sundays, Coach Ditka's 'stache is head and shoulders above the rest.

MLB

Major League Baseball takes the cake for the best mustaches. In a sport full of strange traditions, it's no surprise that the mustache thrives.

Honorable Mentions:

Clay Zavada 

Carl Pavano 

Randy Johnson 

John Axford

5.) Don Mattingly (1982-1995)

Despite currently losing his hair as manager of the Dodgers, Mattingly once sported a nice bushy caterpillar on his upper lip in his days with the Yankees.

4.) Wade Boggs (1982-1999)

Only a man with a mustache could drink 64 beers during a single cross country flight, as Boggs is rumored to have done during a road trip. Although 64 beers is a stretch, it is impossible to exaggerate the greatness of the Boggs 'Stache.

In Boggs' words "Let's put it this way, it was a few Miller Lites."

3.) Dennis Eckersley (1975-1998)

Eckersley owns possibly the greatest achievement of all mustache's on the list as his mo once graced the pages of Playgirl. When he wasn't saving games, his 'stache was surely breaking hearts.

2.) Goose Gossage (1972-1994)

Gossage lead the American League in saves three times and in greatest mustache nine times during his 22 year career. Fortunately for Gossage, our number one ranked player retired in 1985 allowing Gossage to take over the title until his retirement in 1994.

1.) Rollie Fingers (1968-1985)

Closing out our list we have a mustache that needs no introduction. The King of Face Furniture, The Sultan of Snot-Mops, The Wizard of Whiskers, Mr. Rollie Fingers.

So there you have it, the top five Mo's in the four major sports.

I leave you with perhaps the manliest stache in all of sports:

Dale Earnhart Sr.