A cursed franchise

I watched most of the second half of the Monday Night NFL game the other night and I have to admit the Arizona Cardinals are a cursed franchise. The club has moved from Chicago to St. Louis to Phoenix and for the last sixty years have just plain old sucked.

They modeled that again on Monday, blowing a 23-3 lead on Chicago, having possession of the ball with only 5 seconds left in the 3rd quarter. A fumble for a touchdown, another fumble for a touchdown, and a punt return for a touchdown put them down 24-23 with time running out in the 4th quarter. The Cardinals drove down field and gave themselves a 40-yard field goal to win it, and they missed. Worse yet - I knew they'd miss. Doesn't that tell the story in and of itself.

Playing the Cardinals is the only way a team like the Bears could win a game by not scoring a touchdown on offense. In fact, Grossman, the Bears quarterback, threw four interceptions and lost two fumbles before the game was over. Wow. Simply "wow".

And so the Cardinals did what they do best, lose, and snap defeat from the jaws of victory.

The Canucks in 2006-2007 - Don't crack the champaign yet!

Living in Vancouver, I figured I had better do a posting on the Canucks fortunes for the upcoming 2006-2007 year. Unfortunately for Canucks fans, I don't think they'll like this too much.

On the up side, I believe the Canucks made some solid moves in the off season. Bringing in a proven goalie like Roberto Luongo was a great move by the organization. Although default starter most of last season Alex Auld had his fans in town, I personally believe he did not have what it took to take this team where they hoped to go. At the same time, I also liked the dumping of constant distraction Todd Bertuzzi in the trade that brought Luongo here to Vancouver. Bertuzzi had one stellar year, but his production, attitude, and hustle never returned thereafter.

On the down side, the Canucks are at best a one line team - and that line is not that impressive. Although the Sedin twins have come on strong over the last few seasons, I don't see them as a number one line. A solid second line yes, but not a first. Markus Nasland still has All-Star potential, and I think he's honestly the only star on the team past Luongo. Unfortunately, one scorer does not a championship make. Compare these players to the other top players from teams in the West. Calgary has Iginla, Tanguay, Amonte, Phaneuf. Anaheim has Selanne and Pronger. The Red Wings have Lidstrom, Datsyuk and Zetterberg. The list goes on and on.

The Canucks also have a young and inexperienced defense on the blue line. This will cost them games and points, no question.

All in all, I believe the Canucks will have a decent year. Enough to win the cup? No. Enough to make the playoffs? Probably not - unless Luongo carries them there. If they do make it in, expect a 7th or 8th finish.

Sorry Canucks fans, more work needs to be done.

Welcome back NHL!

I'm among the millions of Canadians that are thrilled that the NHL is back in action this week. Perhaps it's our upbringing, perhaps it's the years of street hockey, or perhaps it's the thrill of competition. Whatever it is, I'm sure glad it's back!