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Doug’s NFL Power Poll - Week 12

Published by Doug & Wolf on November 20, 2007 in Doug Franz and NFL Power Poll. 0 Comments

1.PATRIOTS: Can’t you go undefeated with class?

2. COWBOYS:

Can we just skip the Jets game and move straight to the Pack?

3. PACKERS: How did they get screwed and have to play both Thanksgiving teams on the road in successive weeks? (@DET and @DAL 11/29)

4. JAGUARS: In the name of Ron Wolfley, do not lose to BUF as you look ahead to the trip to INDY

5. COLTS: If you need a FG to beat KC, you’re not that powerful

6. GIANTS: Remaining 3 road games aren’t tough–@CHI, PHI, BUF (did you know I’ve picked every Giants game correct?)

7. STEELERS: Shell game!

8. BROWNS:

Very impressive

9. BUCS: I hate putting them ahead of DET since the Lions beat them but TB is getting better (we’ll learn a lot with WASH coming to town)

10. LIONS: Do you realize this is the team standing in the way of the Cardinals in the playoffs and the Cards have the tie-breaker?

11. SEAHAWKS: Not good, but not bad

12. TITANS: Were you listening to the ESPN storyline of Vince v Cutler and thinking of Leinart the whole time, like I was?

13. BRONCOS: If they would have won in TEN I would have moved them up higher but they’re still just 5-5 (and just 3-3 @ home)

14. CHARGERS: Is there anyone who wants to win the AFC West?

15. CARDINALS: Will be 7-5 going to SEA

16. BILLS: I’m sure you picked BUF and SD to have the same record in Week 11—yeah, me neither

17. SAINTS: When I said 10 wins, I thought they’d win the last two (I recant)

18. EAGLES: Since they won, that’s not McNabb’s fault either

19. REDSKINS:

Played much better, and lost

20. CHIEFS: So bad and yet only one game out

21. BEARS: What’s amazing about their collapse is they’re not getting better for next year either

22. PANTHERS:
I knew they’d lose yesterday, I think they’ll lose to NO (don’t worry, it’s SF after that)

23. RAVENS: Billick has as many wins in the AFC North as I do

24. TEXANS: Last place in the South is the same as 1st in the West (sorry, you’re in the South)

25. BENGALS:

Hey Carson, Rolle’s open

26. VIKINGS:
If it wasn’t for SF, I might say they wouldn’t win again

27. FALCONS: Everyone on their schedule is either good or playing well

28. RAIDERS:

Explosive offense ranked 30th in passing

29. RAMS:

Movin’ up faster than the Jefferson’s

30. JETS: Below 50 percent and 162 yards in the passing game—and they won

31. 49ERS: And to think, their first round pick goes to NE

32. DOLPHINS: It actually gets worse from here

Late great Sam Kinison

Published by Doug & Wolf on November 20, 2007 in Show recap. 0 Comments

Here’s what happened today on Doug and Wolf:

* Suns play in Sacramento tonight. Is it time to break out “Shoulder Watch” for Steve Nash again? The guys debate which teams are better than the Suns right now.

* Lloyd Carr potential successor could be Les Miles, who sounds like he wants that job. Doug thinks he sounds like the late great Sam Kinison (cue the scream).

* Raiders’ owner Al Davis is a crazy old man. He will not retire until the Raiders win two more Super Bowls.

* Lil Romeo will be a USC basketball player. Who’s next, Bow Wow playing for UCLA?

* Why has Christmas stole Thanksgivings’ thunder?

The Grid Iron Griddle:

Wolf was irritated because Michigan coach Lloyd Carr quoted a poet in his retirement press conference that he didn’t know.

Guests:

ASU football coach Dennis Erickson: Coach Erickson previewed Thanksgivings’ huge game at home against the Trojans.

Cardinals defensive end Bertrand Berry: Bertrand is confident that the Cardinals will make the playoffs

Tomorrow’s Show:

A cavalcade of stars and Wolf’s big announcement

 
icon for podpress  Cardinals defensive end Bertrand Berry [11:04m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 
icon for podpress  ASU football coach Dennis Erickson [10:30m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The “Turnover Machine” that is Boris Diaw

Published by Doug & Wolf on November 16, 2007 in Show recap. 0 Comments

Here’s what happened today on Doug and Wolf:

* Barry Bonds will be posting bond soon. But will he be in the hall of fame if convicted? Wolf says that he should be, while Doug believes he should not be enshrined in Cooperstown.

* Another win for the Suns, and another nice performance from Leandro Barbosa. Doug isn’t so happy with “turnover machine” Boris Diaw, and both agree that Steve Nash’s 10-point performance is a good sign.

* UA pulls off another November upset and another No. 2 team goes down. No. 2 Oregon also losing their quarterback and Doug & Wolf agree that the game was lost the minute Dennis Dixon went out and Leaf II came in. The guys also agree that Dixon may have lost out on the Heisman as well. It also looks like another bad ending for the BCS, and Wolf doesn’t understand how an 8-team playoff wouldn’t solve EVERYTHING.

* A-Rod’s now worth more than all, but four NHL teams, three baseball teams, and six NBA teams. Doug & Wolf don’t think he’ll be worth the money by the end of this deal, if he’s even worth it now.

Grid Iron Griddle/Chick Picks

The consensus pick this week was the Cardinals over the Bengals, although Wolf thinks they’ll need to score at least 30 to do so. Wolf also thinks Michigan will pull the upset over Ohio St., while Gayle thinks the Chargers will knock off their 2nd straight AFC South opponent, but D&W think Jacksonville will win their 2nd straight.

Guests:

ESPN NFL analyst Mark Schlereth: Schlereth agrees with Doug that the injury riddled Indianapolis Colts have dropped from their #2 standing in the NFL. As for the #1 team in the league, the New England Patriots, Schlereth would like to see them go unbeaten if for no other reason than to shut up the 72’ Dolphins.

The Real McCoy with Al McCoy

 
icon for podpress  ESPN NFL analyst Mark Schlereth [12:27m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 
icon for podpress  The Real McCoy with Al McCoy [2:06m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Mercury Morris is crazy

Published by Doug & Wolf on November 16, 2007 in Show recap. 0 Comments

Here’s what happened today on Doug and Wolf:

* Doug & Wolf ponder how the fans will react to Coach D ripping their passion and enthusiasm.

* Phil Jackson had the worst apology in the history of apologies. DW didn’t think he should have to apologize to begin with for his “Brokeback” comment.

* Should ASU fans root for UA tonight as they take on Oregon. The guys were split which approach is better.

* The guys were very happy for Bob Melvin being rewarded for the teams’ great season with the Manager of the Year Award.

The Grid Iron Griddle:

Member of the ’72 Dolphins, Mercury Morris is CRAZY! He practically taunted the Patriots. The ’72 Dolphins need to shut up.

Guests:

NFL Hall of Famer Mike Ditka - Powered by BodogFootball.net: Coach Ditka gave us his thoughts on Ricky Williams returning to the NFL again from a drug suspension. It is time to give the Green Bay Packers the credit they deserve.

ESPN college football analyst Bob Davie: Coach Davie thinks that Lloyd Carr will resign at the end of the year. He told some stories about coaching in rivalry games.

Tomorrow’s Show:

Chick Picks at 6:20 a.m.

Mark Schlereth, ESPN NFL Analyst at 8:00 a.m.

 
icon for podpress  NFL Hall of Famer Mike Ditka - Powered by BodogFootball.net [11:47m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Stephon Marbury Soap Opera

Published by Doug & Wolf on November 14, 2007 in Show recap. 0 Comments

Here’s what happened today on Doug and Wolf:

* The Suns beat the Stephon Marbury-less Knicks and afterward Mike D’Antoni beats on the fans for their lack of enthusiasm during the win. Doug & Wolf think that it’s justified, although Doug believes that the crowd may be a byproduct of the Suns lethargic effort, which both D’Antoni and Steve Nash were critical of last night.

* The Stephon Marbury soup opera continues. Doug & Wolf agree that Marbury would have been fired in any other profession, although he may have some dirt on his boss, according to the New York Daily News.

* CC Sabathia beats Josh Beckett - finally. Wolf has no problem with Sabathia getting the AL CY Young Award because his regular season resume was better than Beckett’s.

Grid Iron Griddle/NFL Power Poll:

With their players dropping like flies, Doug drops the Colts to No. 4 in his power poll. The Steelers aren’t even in his Top 5. He has problems. Meanwhile, the Packers debut in Wolf’s poll at No. 5.

Guests:

Suns analyst Dan Majerle: Dan talked about his former teammate Stephon Marbury, whom he liked when they played together in 2001-2. Majerle also talked about how the Suns fans may be a bit spoiled by the team’s success, but that they’re still great fans and will be there in the end. Like Doug, Majerle was a little confused by Nash and Dantoni’s tough assessment of last night’s effort.

ASU men’s basketball coach Herb Sendek: Coach Sendek stopped by for his weekly visit and talked about his team’s upcoming trip to Hawaii for the Maui Invitational.

 
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icon for podpress  Suns analyst Dan Majerle [11:14m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Doug: Who should supply the energy for the Suns?

Published by Doug & Wolf on November 14, 2007 in Column and Doug Franz. 3 Comments

After the Suns/Knicks game, Mike D’Antoni ripped the fans. He said, “The crowd is deader than we are.”

Let’s separate message from messenger.

I think D’Antoni’s message is dead on. The crowd is dead. There is no home court advantage created by the fans. Unlike D’Antoni and Nash, I think the Suns played well against the Knicks. Therefore, the Suns deserved better from the crowd. I will never understand why Phoenix prides itself in being a boring crowd. I was watching the San Antonio Sterns the same night the Suns played NY and saw a crowd that lifted the Sterns in the second quarter and the Lakers were crushed. Suns fans expect a championship and are willing to invest their money into one but not their energy. Judging by passion alone, the Sterns have better fans than the Suns do.

In my one year in town, I’ve seen a ton of sporting events as a fan, not just a media member (meaning I sit in the crowd with my family—or at least I’m not up in a press box somewhere). The Suns crowd in game 5 versus the Sterns was the greatest crowd I’ve ever seen in sports. Cardinals’ fans are outstanding. I haven’t been to a home game yet without seeing an offensive miscue by the visiting team that wasn’t directly related to the crowd. The crowd even won a game for the Cardinals against Seattle. The Sun Devils crowds have been pretty pointless until the Cal game. I thought that was a very impressive performance and people are realizing how much fun they can have when they go to Sun Devil football games. D-Back fans I just don’t connect with and I think you and I are both tired of going down that road. Other than these examples, the crowds just aren’t impressive.

I agree with D’Antoni completely, but I don’t think he’s 100% right for being the messenger.

You’re the coach of a professional basketball team. Why do your players need the crowd to play inspired basketball? Why didn’t your scouting department find players who are motivated by competition and the attempt to achieve greatness? Don’t your players get a paycheck? Aren’t they driven by their own sense of professionalism and personal pride to play with energy? You were talking about energy problems last year, Coach. We were told the chemistry is better this year. If your team lacked energy last year, why didn’t Kerr go get the players that will provide that energy? If he did, why can’t you coach them up to achieve the energy level you seek? If you think that’s wishful thinking, may I present to you the city of Boston. Red Sox have two championships in four years and the Pats and Celtics are undefeated. Obviously, no one is questioning their energy. If you’re relying on a Phoenix crowd to provide energy, you’ll be waiting for a long time.

If we compare the Braves and Suns, you’ll see a similar attitude. When the Braves first exploded on the scene of national prominence (1991) Braves fans went nuts. Fulton County stadium was loud and intimidating and Atlanta loved their Braves. As more and more fans showed up, the prices went up. As prices went up, the place became a place to be seen and not heard. Then they got a new stadium as the Olympic Stadium was remodeled. Prices went through the roof while crowd noise dropped to all-time lows. Eventually, fans got so bored with the regular season, they just waited for the World Series before they’d take the team serious. It’s kind of sad but a similar trend is developing in Phoenix.

Simple supply and demand says the Suns are 100% correct for raising ticket prices. The sell-out streak shows that the Suns could charge even more. If D’Antoni comes out and decides to buy thousands of tickets for more obnoxious fans who can’t afford to go, then he has every right to complain about those fans who don’t reach his expectations. Higher ticket prices will always equal quieter fans. I don’t see D’Antoni complaining about crowd noise when he cashes his paycheck that is being funded by the tickets purchased by the fans that are upsetting him. If the Suns took one month of tickets away from season ticket holders and only allowed fans to buy cheap tickets by judging them on a noise meter throughout the game, would D’Antoni agree to be paid like a high school coach for that month?

The head coach should not be the one ripping dead fans. Leave that to talk show hosts and other fans. Of course, when I bring it up, as I did with the D-Backs, I’m evil. When D’Antoni brings it up, he’s dead on.

On second thought, Coach, thanks for taking the lead on this so I can have some breathing room.

Wolf vs. Jaws - Part I

Published by Doug & Wolf on November 13, 2007 in Show recap. 2 Comments

Here’s what happened today on Doug and Wolf:

* Justin Timberlake is going to host a PGA event in Las Vegas. The guys try to figure who Justin Timberlake is and if he is even a golfer.

* The Suns are home and play the Knicks tonight. Doug & Wolf repond to Coach D defending Iron Man (Grant Hill) attempting to be a three point shooter.

* The guys talked about last night’s Monday Night Football game in Seattle. The 49ers are really bad and the Cardinals need to continue to keep up with the Seahawks.

Grid Iron Griddle:

Does Wolf have a problem with ESPN NFL Analyst Ron Jaworski? He’s been on Jaws’ case all show long, but denies having dispute with the former NFL quarterback.

Guests:

ASU football coach Dennis Erickson: Coach Erickson gave us an update on Rudy Carpenter’s thumb. He gave us his thoughts on playing on Thanksgiving and playing high school games on the holiday.

Cardinals defensive end Bertrand Berry: Bertrand confirmed to us that he is out for the season with a torn triceps muscle. He is not planning to retire anytime soon.

Tomorrow’s Show:

Dan Majerle, Suns Analyst at 6:20 a.m.

Herb Sendek, ASU basketball coach at 7:20 a.m.

Al McCoy, Hall of Fame Suns Broadcaster at 8:20 a.m.

 
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Doug’s NFL Power Poll - Week 11

Published by Doug & Wolf on November 13, 2007 in Doug Franz and NFL Power Poll. 0 Comments

1.PATRIOTS: Who’s more to blame for perfection: Mangini or Shula?

2. COWBOYS:

Since they beat a Top-5 team on the road, they take the coveted spot

3. PACKERS:

Even though the Vikings aren’t good, they still shut them out

4. COLTS: 6 INT’s mean they’re not as good as I thought—the fact that they still should have won despite the turnovers means they’re still really good

5. JAGUARS: Only one game behind the Colts, only one place behind them in the poll

6. STEELERS: I’m forced to move them up because everyone around them in last week’s poll lost (and because of Cleveland’s prevent- a-win defense)

7. GIANTS: Did you know I’ve picked every Giants game correct?—did you know the Lions have never lost at home?—since I’m picking the Giants to win, what streak ends?

8. TITANS: Why do I think JAX is just the start of three in a row?

9. LIONS: Face NYG and GB in a five day span (you’re not winning 4 more, John)

10. BROWNS:

That prevent defense against PITT might have prevented a playoff birth

11. BUCS: Hey Kitna, I do see 10 wins here - Hello No. 3 seed!

12. CHARGERS: LT gets five carries on one drive and gets a TD and a 23 point lead, he gets only nine more carries over the last 38 minutes (but remember, Norv’s a great offensive coordinator)

13. BILLS: What do you want me to do?—you look at the rest of the teams and tell me who should be here

14. SAINTS: I’m still on their band wagon, but I’m walking up the aisle to the door

15. SEAHAWKS: I don’t care they have a better record, just couldn’t put them past the Saints since New Orleans won head-to-head (although shut-outs are impressive)

16. EAGLES: Since they won, that’s not McNabb’s fault either

18. REDSKINS: There’s talent and there’s good coaches so there must be bad chemistry, but is it between the coaches? The players? Coaches and players?

17. CARDINALS: Enormous game Sunday @ CIN—they could be 5-5 with 4 of 6 at home

19. CHIEFS: This team is bad and in first place (yea, I’ve written this for four weeks but the whole division lost this week)

20. BEARS:

The highest they’ll be the rest of the year

21. PANTHERS:

ATLANTA!—you lost to Joey Harrington?

22. RAVENS: The holidays are the only thing I’m looking forward to more than Billick’s firing

23. BRONCOS:

So, if Vinatieri could kick, they’d be in first place?

24. TEXANS:

Saints were on fire and Texans will still get burned

25. BENGALS:

HOORAY! KICKER!

26. VIKINGS:
Hey Brad! I’m sure you’ve got your team ready to run through a wall as long as their grandmother doesn’t die when it’s time to start running

27. FALCONS: Would they really be that much better with Vick?

28. RAIDERS: 193 yards of offense and still no win remaining on the schedule (how’s that explosive offense doing, coach)

29. 49ERS: Since OAK has never been shut-out, down you slide

30. RAMS:

LOOK OUT!

31. JETS: If you give the team the week off, isn’t that saying they have nothing to work on?

32. DOLPHINS: It actually gets worse from here

Holiday plans

Published by Doug & Wolf on November 12, 2007 in Show recap. 0 Comments

Here’s what happened today on Doug and Wolf:

* The Suns leading rebounder needs to be someone else besides Barbosa. Can Marion continue to play well even though he doesn’t want to be here?

* Cardinals get a huge win at home against the much improved Detroit Lions. Doug & Wolf didn’t want to say it was a must win, but it was a very important.

* ASU’s holiday plans could come up roses. The guys talk about the BCS and how Oregon being No. 2 affects the Sun Devils’ chances to play in the Rose Bowl.

Grid Iron Griddle:

Brad Childress and the entire Minnesota Vikings organization recanted and will not dock Troy Williamson his pay check for last week’s game. Doug & Wolf still can’t believe it took the entire world and Tony Dungy for him to change his mind.

Guests:

ESPN college football Mel Kiper, Jr.: Mel wants the Patriots to go 19-0 to keep the ’72 Dolphins from popping the champagne. He told us why Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon has jumped into senior big board.

Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt: Coach Whisenhunt is excited that the team finally played at home and is looking forward to five home games in the second half of the season. Even though they won, he is still not happy with the turnovers.

Tuesday’s Show:

Dennis Erickson, ASU football coach at 7:20 a.m.

Bertrand Berry, Cardinals defensive end at 8:00 a.m.

 
icon for podpress  Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt [10:50m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 
icon for podpress  ESPN college football and NFL draft expert Mel Kiper, Jr. [10:42m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Should David Stern be tazed?

Published by Doug & Wolf on November 8, 2007 in Show recap. 3 Comments

Here’s what happened today on Doug and Wolf:

* Wolf designates Suns’ players as characters from the Wizard of Oz.

* The Suns lose to the Hawks last night. Can anyone rebound for the Suns?

* The 2009 All Star Game was officially announced to be coming to the Valley today. It is the first time that David Stern is in town since the Spurs series. Is there any way that Stern could get tazed?

* Chris Henry is a waste of space. Just when the NFL reinstates him, he gets into another run in.

The Grid Iron Griddle:

Doug and Wolf have a huge problem with the prospects of Tom Brady posing in a Calvin Klein underwear ad.

Guests:

NFL Hall of Famer Mike Ditka - Powered by BodogFootball.net: Coach Ditka is not a big fan of the New England Patriots and Bill Bellichick. Ditka said the hand shake that Bellichick and Dungy had wouldn’t have happened with him. He would have ripped Bellichick’s arm off.

ESPN college football analyst Bob Davie: Davie’s greatest fear as the Notre Dame Coach was losing to Navy. He said that the best player from the Navy team might be third string at Notre Dame.

Tomorrow’s Show:

Chick Picks at 6:20 a.m.

Mark Schlereth, ESPN NFL Analyst at 8:00 a.m.

 
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icon for podpress  NFL Hall of Famer Mike Ditka - Powered by BodogFootball.net [7:58m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
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