Mail Call With a Side of Football Friday

Football Friday, Volume 5

A little twist to this week's edition of Football Friday: it will not be entirely about football!  Shocking I know.  I have also decided to incorporate a few of my loyal readers into this entry as part of The SLReport's first mailbag! 

With today's news that Terry Francona will no longer be the manager of the Red Sox let's get to today's first question...

Now that Tito Francona is out as Red Sox manager, who do you think are some viable options and who do you think will ultimately replace him? (Mike in Holbrook, MA)

With this news still being fresh I haven't given a ton of thought to this but will give it my best shot.

If they wanted to go the big name route there is one obvious choice: Joe Torre.  It would be a high profile hire for the club with the added bonus of sticking it to the Yankees.  Torre most recently managed with the Dodgers and has worked for Major League Baseball since departing after last season.  He took the Dodgers to back to back NLCS appearances in 2008 and 2009.  I see this as a longshot though.

Another fairly big name who the Red Sox ownership is a fan of is Bobby Valentine.  He would bring a tough, hard nosed approach to the Boston clubhouse, which would be a contrast to Terry Francona's more laid back demeanor.  Valentine has not managed in MLB since 2002 and currently works for ESPN as an analyst.  He interviewed for the Orioles last season after Dave Trembley was fired and it is well known that he wants to get back into MLB.  If they go the big name route I see this being the best chance.

My gut tells me that Red Sox ownership and management will not go in that direction.  Francona was not high on anyone's list heading into 2004 when he was hired.  Boston's brass will probably hire someone that no one has even mentioned yet and give some statistical analysis from Bill James to back up the hire. 

With the Patriots' upcoming stretch of games against the Jets (twice), Dallas, Pittsburgh, and Giants do you think the lack of a consistent running game will prove their achilles heel or will their passing attack be enough to overcome it? (Brian in Chicago, IL)

The need for a more balanced attack will probably be most needed against the Ryan brothers.  I can see both Rex (Jets) and Rob (Cowboys) trying to re-create what Rex and the Jets did to the Pats in January in the playoffs.  They played a lot of defensive backs and took away a lot of New England's passing attack.  The sacks the Jets got in that game mostly were a result of great coverage instead of heavy blitzing.  

If they both try that strategy again the Patriots will have to be more committed to a balanced attack.  They will have to run the football to get both teams out of those looks.  

The Patriots have proven over the last several years that they can defeat Pittsburgh by throwing the football and I expect that to continue.  Troy Polamalu's strength is playing close to the line of scrimmage but the Patriots do a good job of exploiting him in coverage.  I also still don't buy the Giants as a legitimate contender.  I think the Pats can handle them. 

Which team is more likely to continue their early season success, the Bills or the Lions? (Poopa in Abington, MA)

They represent two of the three surprise teams in the NFL this season (with the Raiders being the other).  The Lions were a trendy pick in the NFC this season but I don't know that anyone saw them starting out 3-0.

I see the Lions being more likely to continue their success though.  First of all their schedule heading into their bye week is relatively soft (at Dallas, home vs Chicago, San Francisco, and Atlanta, and at Denver).  With the way they have been playing and that schedule they should be no worse than 6-2 at their bye.  Buffalo meanwhile visits the Bengals this week before entering into an extremely tough stretch (home against the Eagles, at the Giants, bye, home against the Redskins and Jets, and at Dallas). 

The other factor in the Lions' favor is a stronger defense.  They have possibly the best defensive front in the league, anchored by Ndamukong Suh.  Meanwhile the Bills have won their previous two games despite giving up 66 combined points.  Defense wins in the NFL and the Lions look to be ahead of Buffalo in that department right now.

Were Coach James Franklin’s (Vanderbilt) first 3 wins an anomaly or are they a sign of things to come? Are there examples of worse offenses winning 3 games in the SEC? (Jonathon in Nashville, TN)

Outside of possibly the Ole Miss game I don't think any of Vanderbilt's opening 3 wins were a big shock.  The bad sign for things to come was the South Carolina game.  The Commodores racked up a grand total of 77 yards on offense in their 21-3 loss.  South Carolina was struggling defensively prior to last weekend and are not considered one of the stronger defensive teams in the SEC.  

All of this could lead to some struggles as the season continues.  Vandy has a bye this weekend before heading to Tuscaloosa next weekend.  If Coach Franklin's offense plays like they did against USC then they may only gain 40 yards against the Tide.  

In their favor though is the fact that they only have to face two of the SEC's elite defenses (Alabama and Florida).  They should beat Army and Kentucky (who makes Vanderbilt look like Oregon offensively).  I would also tend to predict them to beat Wake Forest.  Those 3 games right there would make them bowl eligible.  An upset over Georgia, Arkansas, or Tennessee could still see Vandy winning 7 games.  I said before the season that I saw them as a year away and still stand by that but a bowl is definitely not out of the question.  Get excited Nashville!

John Cena vs The Rock at next year’s WrestleMania: Who do they book as the heel, and who should walk out with the win? Should it be clean? Personally, I think Cena goes over clean, they shake hands to end credits, and then the smarks riot.  If I had it my way, The Rock gets a controversial win then Cena beats him at Summerslam 2012 as The Rock's curtain call. (Chuck in Halifax, MA)

As great as the CM Punk era has been over the last few months next year's WrestleMania main event is still looming over everything in the wrestling world.  As we get closer to the event the internet will be alive with debate over how to book this match.  I have already heard rumors that Vince McMahon is trying to get Dwayne to stick around for several matches next year, which would allow for at least one re-match with Cena.  If his schedule allows it I see this happening because there would be a lot of money in it for both Vince and The Rock.

November's Survivor Series could give people a strong indication of how this feud will play out.  Cena and The Rock are supposed to be teaming up at the event and one would have to expect one to turn on the other.  I see Cena playing the heel role in all of this.  Survivor Series is being held at MSG this year and I expect the crowd to be heavily in The Rock's corner, much like it will be in Miami for Mania.  This would provide the perfect chance for the WWE to finally turn Cena heel.  If he is going to be heavily booed regardless then they might as well capitalize on it.  

I see a controversial Cena win to get him more heat at WrestleMania followed by The Rock winning a re-match.  If they turn it into a trilogy I see Cena ultimately prevailing since he is the one sticking around.

On to the picks...

Predictions (Home teams in CAPS)

NCAA

Northwestern (+10) over ILLINOIS

INDIANA (+15.5) over Penn State

ARKANSAS (+3) over Texas A&M
Mississippi State (+7) over GEORGIA

BOSTON COLLEGE (-1) over Wake Forest

Nevada (+27.5) over BOISE STATE

Michigan State (+3.5) over OHIO STATE

VIRGINIA TECH (-7) over Clemson

Alabama (4.5) over FLORIDA

Nebraska (+10) over WISCONSIN

Last Week: 2-7-1

Season: 18-18-4

NFL

Lions (+1) over COWBOYS

Saints (-7.5) over JAGUARS

EAGLES (-9) over Niners

RAMS (+2) over Redskins

Titans (+1) over BROWNS

Bills (-3) over BENGALS

CHIEFS (+2) over Vikings

Panthers (+7) over BEARS

Steelers (+4) over TEXANS

SEAHAWKS (+5.5) over Falcons

Giants (-1) over CARDINALS

CHARGERS (-7) over Dolphins

Broncos (+13) over PACKERS

Patriots (-4.5) over RAIDERS

RAVENS (-4) over Jets

Colts (+10.5) over BUCS

Last Week: 9-7
Season: 22-23-3

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