Russakoff Rules
NFL Power Rankings: Week 10
There's a lot of consternation over two Week 10 calls. One didn't work; Bill Belichick's decision to go for it on fourth-and-2 from his own 28. One did; Maurice Jones-Drew's kneel down on the one-yard line down 23-22.
Here's the thing about both: the possibility that a decision might fail does not make it the wrong call. Belichick didn't suddenly become a bad coach when Kevin Faulk bobbled the ball; had Josh Scobee missed the chip shot field goal to beat the Jets, MJD's play would not have become stupid.…
Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:39:13 GMT | Lee_Russakoff
NFL Power Rankings: Week 9
So ... I got your rankings. And before you dig in, let me say this. The Cowboys are getting a bit screwed here. They are winning tough games, Tony Romo is playing within himself, and the defense is both making big plays and stopping big plays.
But Dallas still can't crack the top 6. Here's the thing to take heart in Dallas fans. Right now, the NFL has an eight-team elite tier, and you're part of it. After the top 8, there's such a chasm that I had to move the Eagles up a spot into the nine-hole, even though they just lost a game at home to "yous guys."…
Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:05:07 GMT | Lee_Russakoff
Que Sera Sera
So I’m standing on the Yankee Stadium field, watching Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada celebrate … and I feel like I’m going to throw up.
It wasn’t supposed to be this way. The Phillies were supposed to beat down these overpaid prima donnas and show that city to the north that the town down the turnpike can play some ball.
And yet here we are. The Yankees are World Champions … again. For the 27th time.…
Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:53:07 GMT | Lee_Russakoff
NFL Power Rankings: Week 8
I’m in NYC covering the World Series (read: partying with Jay-Z). So the rankings will be short and sweet this week. I promise to make it up to you next week by bringing some extra funny.…
Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:06:34 GMT | Lee_Russakoff
Going the Distance?
You knew the Phillies weren’t going to make it easy. Not on the Yankees … and not on the Phillies fans. That just hasn’t been their way. They work hard, they make their opponent fight for all 27 outs and they make their fans sweat through their drawers, even with the chill of autumn in the air.
Why should the World Series be any different?…
Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:05:53 GMT | Lee_Russakoff
It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times
As a writer you look for irony in every situation. It’s second nature.
So when Pedro Feliz gave the Phillies new life with his game-tying eighth-inning home run, and a revitalized Brad Lidge came triumphantly marching onto the field with the score at 4-4, I knew exactly what was going to happen.…
Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:30:19 GMT | Lee_Russakoff
