Around the horn with Craig Dewa t AROUND THE HORN With Craig Dewalt Hello and welcome back for the fourth edition of Around the Horn with Craig Dewalt. In case you don't know the rules; I prepare a series of questions and ask four contestants for their responses. The four contestants will give their answers and be scored with pluses and minuses. If a comment is really good they can receive up to three pluses. If their comment is downright awful they can receive up to three minuses. If their answer is so terrible I will shut them up by putting them on mute. After each question one person will be eliminated. The winner will then get their time to shine in the "Moment of Fame" section. Here is this weeks round of questions: 1. What do you think about the Patriots running up the score on opponents? Disrespectful or part of the game? 2. With the NBA season underway, who do you think will be competing in the Finals as the East and West champions? 3. The Red Sox are world champions, but that seems to be overshadowed by the free agency of A-Rod and Bonds. Where do you think these players will showcase their skills in 2008? QUESTION I Sarver: "Unfortunately I do not believe that any team should run up the score in the NFL and if you do it should be your second or third string players that are doing it. (++) When you're up 38-0 in the beginning of the Lill' Quarter I think it is safe to put your second string in. (+) However the other argument is if you can't stop them then you deserve to get blown out. That's a bunch of crap. Granted the Patriots had a cake-walk of a schedule to start the season. But seeing what a good defense, like the Colts, can do against this high-powered offense proves that they can be stopped. I think that Bill Belichick has been running up the score to get the Spy- Gate allegations off his back. (+) The Patriots are winners but I think they are disrespectful and it starts with their Head Coach. (+) Did you see the hand shake after the game between Belichick and Dungy? Way to step up and be a man Belichick. (6 points) Me: "This is probably the perfect answer to this question. Sarver, great job." Aumiller: "Part of the game. The Patriots are playing with a chip on their shoulder for being called cheaters earlier this year. (+) If you got insulted, you would come out and punish some people too. (-) A lot of writers came out and said their rings were tainted so Brady, Belichik, and crew are coming out week by week and dismantling everyone in sight." (0 points) Me: "Aumiller, people weren't calling them cheaters as an insult, they were calling them cheaters because it was a proven fact. I hope that one of these weeks the Patriots are running the score up on a Dolphins or Redskins like team, and that team sends out a scrub to blindside Brady, then proceed to run to the sideline and drop kick that sweatshirt wearing prick." Carroll: "Running up the score? The Patriots have no running game and cannot run out the clock the way many other great teams have done. (-) Look at most of their opponents and the explosive offenses they have, no lead is safe in today's NFL. (-) Plus with teams concentrated on stopping their passing attack, leaving only 6 in the box, the Patriots are only 8' in the NFL in rushing and have only had 3 100 yard rushers and twice had a team leader in rushing under 50 yards. (+) Besides you have to go get yours while you can to reach all the players individual bonuses. (+) It's like beating up on Aumiller in Wii tennis, its fun and no one really gets hurt. (++)" (2 points) Me: "Carroll, Maroney and Sammy Morris are both backs that are capable of keeping the offense on the field. The Patriots. ust choose to pass. Yes they played some good offenses, but when you're running up the score, do you want to risk the golden boy, Tom Brady? Bonus points for the cheap shot on Aumiller, and the tasty Watchamacallit." McComas: "It is definitely just part of the game. Last year, the Indianapolis Colts made a great comeback against the New England Patriots in the AFC championship game. (+) That game probably taught the Patriots a lesson about shutting down the offense and playing a prevent defense. (+) Anytime a team can score they should. I don't care what the situation is. In the world of sports, you never know what can happen. (+) Historic comebacks are part of the game, even though they are some what of rarity. And I mean they are a rarity in the sense of making up major points in about half the game. If the other teams have a problem with the Patriots running up the score then maybe they should play better defense and not allow themselves to be put in that situation. (-) (2 points)" Me: "I agree with you 100% when you're in the playoffs, but would it hurt to pull your key players like Brady and Moss, and throw in reserves. If the team scores and gets close, you can always throw them back in." QUESTION 2 "Sarver: "This is a pretty ridiculous question to be asking since it is only 2 games into the season. (-) However us sports analysts or guru' always like to make these stupid picks to see how much luck is, on our side at the end of the season. So for the little basketball that I have seen so far I will have to go with the Boston Celtics led by the Big 3; Kevin Garnet, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce to come out of the East and have home court advantage throughout to finals. (++) There is no team in the East with a defense that can stop this force. (+) Not even my boys in Detroit. Lebron does not have enough talent around him to get through the Green Machines. (+) So Celtics will be waiting for the San Antonio Spurs in the Finals. The Spurs led by Duncan, Ginoboli, and Parker are too talented for anyone in the West to compete. (-) I believe that the Celtics and Spurs match up in the NBA Finals will be the best that any of us have seen in the last five years. (+) feel that KG, RA, and PP will get their first championships and bring the 18th title to Beam town. (-) (2 points)" Me: "I like the Celtics. Look for Lebron and the Cays to come close though. In the West, San Antonio is a good answer, but I think Dallas and Phoenix can compete with them, and maybe take it. If Boston is in the Finals playing the Spurs, Suns, or Mays, it should be a great game. Also, Beam town is Bean town." Carroll: "The Suns will win the West. (+) You have to believe that it's finally their turn. With Nash, Amare Stoudemire, and Shawn Marion you have to give them the edge. (+) None of the teams in the West really improved in the off season so this season the Suns should get to the finals in the West again and hopefully not get robbed by the refs again. (+) Predicting the East is like trying to catch fire in a bottle, im-freaking-possible. I'll go with the Celtics though, because I'm Irish and they landed Garnett and Allen. (+) Garnett single-handedly carried a team of bums into the West playoffs every year so why not win the anemic East. (--) For Garnett it should be like beating Khoa in Wii Tennis, good kid, no skills, he laughs too much to dominate. (+) (3 points) Me: "Garnett hasn't been to the playoffs in three years, therefore your comment is false. Stick to something you know, like dressing up, schmoozing your girlfriend, and building sports bars on run-down golf courses just to get a break on your liquor license. Thanks for the Watchamacallit, but you're out of here. (Insert Khoa giggle here), yes, when I eliminate you, I can and will steal your material." McComas: "I'm sure there are no surprises when I say the Boston Celtics and their bandwagon (+) will play the defending champs, the San Antonio Spurs (-). The Spurs are in the midst of a dynasty and until they are dethroned I think you have to pick them. (+) In addition, Tony Parker is getting better and that means trouble for every other team, not only in the Western Conference, but the entire NBA. (+) As far as Intermural flag Photo by MARIN BENDORITIS/Capital Times The intermural flag footbal teams, Ownage and Team Do Work competed in playoffs Thursday the Bth. Team Do Work won 26-12. Penn State Harrisburg offers IM sports such as flag football, water polo and table tennis though out the year. THE CAPITAL TIMES the Celtics go, there "Big 3" is off to a good start. All three superstars are getting along because of Kevin Garnett. In his first meeting with Paul Pierce and Ray Allen he said this is Pierce's team. He expressed that comment to let Pierce know he wasn't trying to take over the team and to tell Allen he shouldn't try to either. (++) Also, with the passing of Red Auerbach in the off season, you knew the "Green Machine" was going to play with passion this year. (+) In a weak Eastern Conference and an even weaker Atlantic Division, "Beantown" ill be celebrating more than the Red Sox and Patriots. (+)" (6 points) Me: "McComas, I like the Celtics pick, but you seem to think that the Spurs will dominate anyone in the West and I ew arver dominant player on your team. I do not believe that he is going to get $350 Mil, but with the recent signing of Joe Torre with the L.A. Dodgers takes the spot light away from the Angels. Look A-Rod to be wearing football highlight: playoffs disagree. The Suns added some defense, and the Mays are deadly. Any of the three can make it to the finals; it just comes down to who's hot, and who doesn't get screwed by the refs. It's time for a Sarver/McComas showdown, and one of them will walk away with their first career victory." QUESTION 3 Sarver: "Well Stat Boy A-Rod and his agent Scott Boras were reported to tell the Yankees to not even schedule a meeting unless they had an offer of at least $350 MILLION!! Are you kidding me? The Pittsburgh Pirates are only worth $270 Million. (+) Yes I do believe that A-Rod is the greatest player in the game and I hope he does break Bonds' Homerun Record but no player is worth that much. (+) You can not win a World Series with one November 12, 2007 an Angels uniform. (+) I leek we'll all probably find out about the signing during the halftime of the Super Bowl. As for Barry Bonds there is not a National League team that wants his old worn out legs in left field. (+) However he would make a nice fitting with the Oakland Athletics or even the Angels. (+) Even though I don't think the Angels have enough payroll to sign both A-Rod and Bonds, but Barry Bonds will not be signing with anyone east of the Rocky Mountains. (+) (5 points) Me: "This is probably the best Matt Sarver answer ever. Great research and good answer. I think A-Rod will end up in LA whether it's the Dodgers or the Angels. If it's the Dodgers, look for the Angels to snag Bonds. If he goes to the Angels, I believe Bonds may be wearing the pin stripes, giving me more reasons to hate New York." McComas: "A -Rod turned down the Boston Red Sox once and I don't see him accepting this time around either. (+) I do think Alex Rodriguez would follow Joe Torre to the Dodgers, but Los Angeles doesn't have the money to sign him, so that eliminates them. The New York Mets are a definite possibility, but I think Rodriguez is looking for a change of scenery and preferably a warmer climate. (+) Earlier I mentioned that the L.A. Dodgers do not have the money, but the L.A. Angels, of Anaheim, do. I think you will see A-Rod leave one big market for another and trade coasts. Look for him to trade in his pin stripes for a halo next season. (++) (4 points) Me: "McComas, thanks for answering half of the question. You left out Bonds, and therefore I must leave you out of the Moment of Fame. Sarver is the champion. What has this world come to when Sarver is winning Around the Horn'? McComas you dropped the ball." MOMENT OF FAME Sarver: "Finally the true Champ has won. First I would like to say that I will never be able to tailgate at any sporting event again like the way myself, McComas, Aumiller, and others did with Mr. Matthew Carroll. The man brought a turkey fryer to the PSU vs. OSU game and we fried a 121 b turkey, a chicken, pirogues, hash browns, and Oreos. Carroll you are officially a tailgating legend in my books. Now I would like to call out a certain Sports Buff who beat me in the last issue, Mr. Kupfer (a.k.a. - the greatest teacher ever). You act like you know it all in every sports history class, but we know deep down you got no knowledge about sports. I'm challenging you in the next couple of issues to Bring It. I will embarrass you like my Steelers did to your Ravens last Monday!!
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers