Concerns About the Comcast Purchase of NBC

Buzzflash is of course very much a left-leaning political website, but I would consider this column to not be overtly leftwing:

http://blog.buzzflash.com/analysis/943

The article fails to mention it but Comcast has also been playing hardball with DirecTV (I cannot speak for Dish as I don’t work for them) the past couple months on the rights agreement for Versus. They are charging an exorbitant rate that DirecTV is refusing to pay. And where I live MSNBC is still in basic but CNBC requires a digital package.

About Face on Judicial Filibusters

It would seem that Republican US Senators are capable of hypocrisy:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/17/AR2009111703401.html?wpisrc=newsletter

lol

NFL Coverage Maps for Pittsburgh/Youngstown/Wheeling Areas for Week 11

The action starts on Thursday night at about 8:20pm on the NFL Network with Miami @ Carolina with Bob Pappa and Matt Millen on the call. Sunday afternoon CBS has the doubleheader and all local affiliates are scheduled to show Pittsburgh @ Kansas City with Ian Eagle and Rich Gannon. Note this means that WKBN Youngstown is NOT showing the Browns game at Detroit which is on at the same time also on CBS. Youngstown is a secondary market of both Cleveland and Pittsburgh, but when there is a direct conflict WKBN usually goes with the in-state Browns. However it appears they have abandoned the floundering Browns in favor of the Steelers for the duration of 2009 but I will keep you updated if that changes. On Fox the Youngstown and Wheeling areas will get the primary game at 1pm which is Washington @ Dallas with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman. So as to avoid being opposite the Steelers game Fox Pittsburgh will wait until 4:05pm to show Arizona @ St. Louis with Ron Pitts and John Lynch. At 4:15 none of the local affiliates are currently scheduled to show the primary doubleheader game of Jets/Patriots. Pittsburgh is slated to show San Diego @ Denver with Dick Enberg and Dan Fouts while Youngstown and Wheeling show Cincinnati @ Oakland with Kevin Harlan and Solomon Wilcotts. I am not sold this will happen as Pittsburgh and Huntsville, Alabama are the only two markets east of the Mississippi slated to show the Denver game. Maybe KDKA figures Steeler fans are willing to concede the division and see the game with a primary impact on who the Steelers are contending with for a wildcard spot? I frankly almost assume this will flip to either show the main network doubleheader game or to join the entire rest of the Ohio River watershed in showing the Bengals game (even the Johnstown/Altoona/State College corridor is slated for the Cincy game). Not that I am complaining as I would like to see the Denver game as perhaps being more competitive than the other two late games. Stay tuned. Either way the NFL Red Zone Channel will offer its customary continuous whip around the league all afternoon Sunday. The Sunday Night game on NBC is Philadelphia @ Chicago with Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth and the Monday Night game on ESPN is Tennessee @ Houston with Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, and Jon Gruden. As always this info courtesy of the506.com and subject to change. Enjoy the games!

Week 12 College Football TV Schedule

As usual this info courtesy of awful announcing:

Wednesday, November 18th

Buffalo @ Miami-OH (ESPNU, 6pm)- Dari Nowkhah, Tom Luginbill
Central Michigan @ Ball State (ESPN2, 8pm)- Dave Lamont, Trent Dilfer

Thursday, November 19th

Colorado @ Oklahoma State (ESPN, 7:30pm)- Chris Fowler, Craig James, Jesse Palmer, Erin Andrews

Friday, November 20th

Akron @ Bowling Green (ESPNU, 5:30pm)- Kevin Negandhi, Jon Berger
Boise State @ Utah State (ESPN2, 9:30pm)- Joe Tessitore, Rod Gilmore

Saturday, November 21st

Ohio State @ Michigan (ABC, Noon)- Sean McDonough, Matt Millen, Holly Rowe
Minnesota @ Iowa (ESPN, Noon)- Dave Pasch, Bob Griese, Chris Spielman
North Carolina @ Boston College (ESPN2, Noon)- Pam Ward, Ray Bentley
Duke @ Miami (ESPNU, Noon)- Clay Matvick, David Diaz-Infante
Mississippi State @ Arkansas (SEC Network, Noon)- Dave Neal, Andre Ware, Cara Capuano (Will Air on MSG2, CSN California)
Chattanooga @ Alabama (SEC Network, Noon)- Doug Bell, Chris Doering
Louisville @ South Florida (Big East Network, Noon)- Mike Gleason, John Congemi, Quint Kessenich (Will Air on Altitude, CST, MASN, SNY)
Maryland @ Florida State (Raycom, Noon)- Tim Brant, Rick Walker, Mike Hogewood
Oklahoma @ Texas Tech (FSN, 12:30pm)- Joel Meyers, Gary Reasons, Jim Knox
Memphis @ Houston (CSS, 1pm)- Matt Stewart, Chuck Oliver, Allison Williams
Florida International @ Florida (SUN PPV, 1pm)- Larry Vettel, Nat Moore, Steve Babik
Texas Christian @ Wyoming (MTN, 2pm)- Dan Gutowsky, Blaine Fowler, Natalie Vickers
Tulane @ Central Florida (Bright House, 2pm)- Drew Fellios, Mark Royals, Dave Baumann
Connecticut @ Notre Dame (NBC, 2:30pm)- Tom Hammond, Pat Haden, Alex Flanagan
Louisiana State @ Mississippi (CBS, 3:30pm)- Verne Lundquist, Gary Danielson, Tracy Wolfson
Penn State @ Michigan State (ABC/ESPN, 3:30pm)- Mike Patrick, Craig James, Heather Cox
Virginia @ Clemson (ABC/ESPN, 3:30pm)- Bob Wischusen, Brian Griese
North Carolina State @ Virginia Tech (ESPNU, 3:30pm)- Todd Harris, Charles Arbuckle
Air Force @ Brigham Young (CBS College Sports, 3:30pm)- Tom Hart, Aaron Taylor
Purdue @ Indiana (BTN, 3:30pm)- Craig Coshun, Anthony Herron, Mark Campbell
Wisconsin @ Northwestern (BTN, 3:30pm)- Wayne Larrivee, Chris Martin, Charissa Thompson
Alabama-Birmingham @ East Carolina (ISP Sports, 3:30pm)- Patrick Kinas, Billy Weaver, Brian Meador (Will Air on MASN)
Arizona State @ UCLA (FSN, 4pm)- Barry Tompkins, Petros Papadakis, Michael Eaves
San Diego State @ Utah (Versus, 4pm)- Tim Neverett, Glenn Parker, Lindsay Soto
Florida Atlantic @ Troy (Sun Belt TV, 4pm)- Todd Kalas, Derek Rackley (Will Air on CSS, CST)
Arkansas State @ Middle Tennessee (Blue Raiders TV, 4pm)- Chip Walters, Kelly Holcomb
Colorado State @ New Mexico (MTN, 6pm)- James Bates, Todd Christensen, Keenan McCardell
Vanderbilt @ Tennessee (ESPNU, 7pm)- Eric Collins, Brock Huard
California @ Stanford (Versus, 7:30pm)- Ron Thulin, Kelly Stouffer, Lewis Johnson
Tulsa @ Southern Mississippi (CBS College Sports, 7:30pm)- Dave Ryan, Akbar Gbaja-Biamila
Kansas State @ Nebraska (ESPN, 7:45pm)- Brad Nessler, Todd Blackledge, Erin Andrews
Kentucky @ Georgia (ESPN2, 7:45pm)- Mark Jones, Bob Davie
Kansas @ Texas (ABC, 8pm)- Ron Franklin, Ed Cunningham
Oregon @ Arizona (ABC, 8pm)- Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit, Lisa Salters
Hawaii @ San Jose State (Time Warner-Oceanic, 8pm)- Bill Leahey, Russell Yamaoha
Nevada @ New Mexico State (ESPNU, 10:30pm)- Terry Gannon, David Norrie

NFL Playoff Picture After Week 10

Here are the updated standings at the 9/16 pole, starting in the AFC (please note that teams are ranked in at least approximate correct order 1-16 in both conferences):

1. Indianapolis
2. Cincinnati
3. Denver
4. New England
5. Pittsburgh
6. San Diego
1 game out of 6th: Jacksonville, Baltimore, Houston
2 games out of 6th: Miami, NY Jets
3 games out of 6th: Tennessee, Buffalo
planning for 2010: Kansas City, Oakland, Cleveland

At this point the Colts have a near mortal lock on a bye seed being 4 games up in their own division and 3 games over a New England team they just beat and Denver/San Diego. After last Sunday night’s win they seem well on their way to getting the top conference seed locked up. The Bengals and Patriots look real good for winning their division. Cincinnati already has series sweeps over Pittsburgh and Baltimore and will therefor win any divisional ties, and their remaining schedule is almost all games they’ll be favored in. New England has to avoid going into a funk after the way the Indianapolis game played out but the rest of the division is pretty mediocre. Denver is currently scored the leader in the West but that will change if the Chargers beat them this coming Sunday which I think will happen. I can see Denver falling out of the playoff picture if someone currently on the outside gets hot. The Steelers will need luck to win the North but should be okay for making the playoffs if they avoid getting swept by Baltimore (and maybe even if then), as the other remaining schedule includes Kansas City, Cleveland, and Oakland along with Green Bay at home and finishing at Miami. Of the teams currently on the outside the Ravens are obviously the team to keep an eye on, but I wouldn’t sleep on Houston or Miami. Its not an easy schedule for the Dolphins but their style of play usually means they are in the game and they are due a couple good bounces. I am less sold on Jacksonville and the Jets seem to be in free fall. Tennessee winning out to 10-6 I would consider more likely than a Jets resurrection.

NFC:

1. New Orleans
2. Minnesota
3. Dallas
4. Arizona
5. Philadelphia
6. Atlanta/Green Bay
0 games back of 6th: Green Bay/Atlanta, NY Giants
1 game back of 6th: San Francisco, Carolina, Chicago
2 games back of 6th: Washington, Seattle
Planning for 2010: Tampa, St. Louis, Detroit

New Orleans, Minnesota, and Arizona all seem to have clear leads in their divisions while the NFC East is a legit 3 team race. Philadelphia and New York actually have one more division win than Dallas but a 1 game worse overall record at this juncture. The wildcard picture is a jumble with 6 teams currently either 5-4 or 4-5. I put Atlanta and Green Bay tied for 6th as they both have 4-3 conference records, but even this is splitting hairs as no one at 5-4 has a wonderful or lousy conference record. An important thing to keep in mind as the season progresses is that division ties are broken first and the 4 2nd place teams are considered for the 5th seed, and those teams only. Then the 3 remaining 2nd place teams and the 3rd place from the 5th seed division are considered for 6th. So while Atlanta is currently 2nd in the South, Carolina has stormed back to within one game of them and could overtake them if the Falcons lose another division game down the stretch. I ranked Seattle and Washington as still being alive (6 degrees of Jim Zorn?) but I think that is likely just a formality until they take more losses.

Anyhow, my plan is to continue to update this every Tuesday the rest of the season. Enjoy the games!

Gruden to Remain at ESPN

He has signed a multi-year contract with the folks in Bristol, CT:

http://awfulannouncing.blogspot.com/2009/11/jon-gruden-not-so-interested-in.html

I would assume he does have a coaching gig out clause, but that he signed this probably implies he is at least taking himself out of the impending January 2010 coaching sweepstakes. He of course should do what he wants, but I for one would welcome him staying in the Monday Night Football booth. I have been a big fan of his work so far and can see the parallels between him and John Madden if he wants to stick with his 2nd career.

A Great Feel Good Story

Involving Cleveland Browns wide receiver/kick returner Josh Cribbs:

http://www.ohio.com/news/break_news/70113032.html

And done all class, as signified by the fact he was introduced as “brother Josh” and not “family friend Josh Cribbs” so as to not create a total distracting mob scene. Also this was October 30th and it took over 2 weeks be become widespread public knowledge what even happened.

Rose Bowl Bound

Ohio St is after yesterday’s thrilling 27-24 OT victory over Iowa. Buckeyenewshawk was in attendance at the ‘Shoe and it was just a wonderful experience. Of course the Buckeyes had the Hawkeyes stymied until the kick return got Iowa back within 24-17 and then a couple missed opportunities for a turnover stop on Iowa’s game tying scoring drive. But 3 plays of exquisite defense didn’t let Iowa even attempt a field goal on their overtime possession and the backup kicker stepped up and nailed the 40 yarder for the win and pandemonium.

I would assume that Iowa fans are questioning Kirk Ferentz’ decision to not use his timeouts to force Ohio St to punt late in the 1st half, and to not try harder to move the ball for a winning field goal in the last 50 seconds of regulation. Ohio St wasn’t going to do anything to try to get that 1st down at the end of the 1st half, and the Hawkeyes had the momentum at the end of regulation.

As for the Buckeyes they have clearly buttoned things up after the Purdue debacle last month. Pryor was efficient but not asked to throw the ball much, especially in the 2nd half it was almost exclusively running plays. It is frustrating at times (I personally wanted to try harder for a 1st down in OT instead of trusting the kicker on a 40+ yarder), but I generally think it is the right strategy.

Now I think Jim Tressel faces an interesting conundrum. On the highly theoretical level the game this coming Saturday visiting The Team Up North is without meaning. The Rose Bowl bid is clinched and the Buckeyes have no shot at the national title game. Do you open things back up and try to get Pryor some experience, practice, and confidence throwing the ball? Do you not do that against UM but in the Rose Bowl? Or do you keep it buttoned up until spring practice? And, or course, The Game is never one to be taken lightly even when the conference title is not at stake. Still, its an interesting conundrum I think.

Michelle Wie Gets 1st LPGA Victory

At Lorena Ochoa’s event in Guadalajara. I cannot speak intelligently on the tournament as a whole having my attention other places on a November weekend, but I did notice this was a very deep field that Wie was able to defeat. Paula Creamer, Christie Kerr, and a couple of the better Asian players were in contention down the stretch, but Wie was able to overcome them and hoist the trophy. Hopefully this win, along with her strong Solheim Cup performance and a solid 2009 campaign overall will help quiet her critics. Of course major titles are expected of her, but after some bumps in the road her career seems to be on a good trajectory again. Congrats!

Steelers Lose Critical Showdown with Bengals

18-12 was the final score at Heinz Field. Stellar play by both defenses meant that the ultimate difference was a kickoff return touchdown by Cincinnati after the Steelers got the first score of the game on a field goal. Pittsburgh had 4 trips to the red zone and got merely 4 field goals to show for it. Ben wasn’t his sharpest today throwing the ball, but it was a very good defensive effort by the Bengals. They got consistent pressure, only let Ben escape the pocket a couple times all day, and did a solid job covering the receivers downfield.

So now the Steelers are 6-3 and will need help down the stretch to win the division over a 7-2 Bengals team that holds ironclad tiebreaking advantage by sweeping the season series. However the Steelers are still in good shape for a wildcard unless they get swept by Baltimore. They are 1 game (assuming they win tomorrow night in Cleveland) ahead of the Ravens, which is important because being 2nd in your division and not stuck in 3rd is of paramount importance in trying to get a wildcard berth. Also the Steelers have wins over both Denver and San Diego and are therefor on solid footing vis a vis whoever finishes 2nd in the West. With games remaining against Kansas City, Cleveland, and Oakland along with a home game against Green Bay and finishing the year at Miami, games which look at least winnable, Steeler fans don’t need to get too disconsolate about their fortunes yet. Then again, today’s loss robs of them of some of their margin for error. And this does make 3 straight games that the Steeler offense has not had tremendous success. Hopefully the trip to Arrowhead next Sunday can prove therapeutic.