SeaTown Sports

Grinds My Gears

noreply@blogger.com (divad ellas) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:00:00 +0000

You Know What Really Grinds My Gears....

The BCS Format- After seeing USC whomp on Penn State, and seeing Utah dominate on Alabama, I realized that these teams would have a legitimate chance against Oklahoma and Florida.

Obama supports it, so why not, try the tournament? It works for Division 2. Give it a try, if it does not work, go back to the old way. There are flaws, but it needs a chance.

Lebron James- The "Crab Dribble", also known as an extra step, was Lebron's excuse for traveling and blowing the game. Everybody makes mistakes Lebron, no matter how talented they are. Get over yourself and take the blame, it isn't like people will hate you for it.

Making excuses is what makes people hate you, so just take the blame and be honest, unless you actually think that it was not a travel, then I am sorry that you do not know what a travel is.

The Oklahoma Sooners-Ever since that crushing UW loss I have hated Oklahoma. Finally somebody just crushed their spirits, like they had earlier crushed ours. Thank you Florida, I actually liked something that you did.

Game Recap: UW 84, Stanford 83

husky.madness@gmail.com (karazekevin) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 06:36:00 +0000

A close one, but just another win for the Huskies! Make it 9 straight wins for the Dawgs. Although I would've liked a win by a larger margin, I believe this close game will benefit this team later on.

After watching this game, I have the impression that the Dawgs now have a better ability to finish games and not crack under pressure.

You got to give it to Stanford, they're a legit team that will compete at the top of the Pac-10 this season. It did not seem like the Cardinal could miss a shot. Anthony Goods was on complete fire.

Mitch Johnson may not be the flashiest or athletic of all the guards in the league, but he is one of the best floor generals in college basketball. He makes others around him better which is why he is such a valuable commodity to Stanford despite his less than stellar statistics.

The Huskies three-point shooting was awful today. The team went 2-9, Dentmon 1-6, and Thomas 1-3. Will Dentmon be a consistent enough threat and zone-breaker? The Huskies will need Elston Turner to recover quickly as they might be running out of options for their 3-point shooting.

The biggest, most glaring weakness the Huskies have right now is their free-throw shooting. The Huskies would have won this game a lot easier if they would not have gone 22 for 33 from the free-throw line.

The main culprits were Brockman who went 3-9 and Overton went 3-5. However, Pondexter went 6-6 and Amaning went 7-10. We're going to analyze the Huskies' free-throw shooting woes deeper a little later.

Jon Brockman played stellar as always, scoring 19 points and tying a career high by grabbing 18 rebounds (12 offensive rebounds). However, Brockman's standout play came while the Huskies were off the court.

After scoring the game-winning points, Stanford called a timeout and then the Huskies went to the bench in jubilation. However, Brockman commanded his teammates to keep focus pointing his two fingers to his head and then pointing to the clock reminding them that there was still 4.6 seconds left.

Quincy Pondexter, who has become the cliche X-Factor for the Huskies, played well tonight again. He scored 14 points and grabbed six rebounds. He did turn the ball over three times though. It'll be important to see if his scoring numbers will remain consistent.

Overall, this game provided the Huskies with invaluable situation game-play at the end. Maybe Dentmon throwing the ball up in the air at the end of the game was actually a smart thing to do....

Game 14: UW (10-3) vs. Stanford (11-1)

husky.madness@gmail.com (karazekevin) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 19:00:00 +0000

The Opponent: Stanford (11-1) Pomeroy Rating: (44) (What is this?)
Game time: 7:30 p.m.
TV: FSN Northwest
Radio: 950 KJR

Riding an 8-game win streak, the Huskies come into this game on fire. On the other side, Stanford was undefeated until they lost against Arizona St. last week. I see the Huskies winning this game with a fairly decent margin, by maybe 10 points. With this game at home and the way that the Huskies have been playing of late swing the momentum in UW's favor.

Stanford seems to be on the border between the top-half and the bottom-half the Pac-10. They don't have the extreme talent like other teams in this league, but they do have an experienced leader in Mitch Johnson who will help them in a lot of close games.

For the Huskies, there are some key players that have to step up for them in this game. One key player is Quincy Pondexter. He played out of his mind against the Cougars. He led the team in rebounds, scored 21 points, and dished a couple of assists as well. The Huskies have benefited from his stellar post play. When posting up, Pondexter turns the ball over less and helps the team with his scoring and his ability to pass out of double teams.

It also looks like the Huskies have finally found their trademark style and are able to use it against higher-level opponents. Their defense provides constant pressure on the ball, enabling more fastbreak points off of turnovers.

On the offensive side, Matthew-Bryan Amaning has turned into an offensive option along with Pondexter and Brockman. When those three get hounded in the post they will pass it out to either Dentmon or Thomas who can make a play whether it be a 3-point shot or a drive to the basket.

Keys for the Huskies:

Feed Quincy Pondexter in the post
Stay active on the defensive end
Transition offense

Bottom Line:
The Huskies should be able to win this game. The Huskies have the advantage in every position matchup, it's just a matter of execution

Husky Projected Starters: (Pomeroy Rating: 24)))

PG-Isaiah Thomas
SG-Justin Dentmon
F-Quincy Pondexter
F-Darnell Gant
F-Jon Brockman

Injuries: Elston Turner (Ankle)

Go Dawgs!

BCS National Championship Game

noreply@blogger.com (Dom) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 17:00:00 +0000

BCS National Championship Game: 1/8, 5:00pm PT Oklahoma vs. Florida

Finally, the game that everyone has been waiting for. The game that makes or breaks the season. The game that is a goal for every team in the nation to reach. Tonight everyone will see the National Championship Game. And the battle of two Heisman winners.

Oklahoma has an amazing offense in all aspects. They have a great group of receivers that can make plays and they have hard runners in the backfield.

They have this years' Heisman Trophy winner at quarterback, Sam Bradford. Bradford has had an amazing season so far. He’s only a sophomore and he’s leading the best offense in the nation. He can make plays both on the ground and in the air.

Also the Sooners have the best O-line in the country. These guys dominate the line of scrimmage. They are big, strong, and mobile. They can block effectively for both the run and the pass. On the other side of the ball, OU’s defense is just O.K. They give up a pretty good amount of points just not as much as their offense scores.

Florida also has a great offense. They have amazing speed in the skill positions and their line gets the job done. Percy Harvin is their most dangerous weapon besides Tebow.

Quarterback Tim Tebow is the backbone of this whole team. He is simply amazing. He plays harder than anyone else on the field and it shows. He is effective while running and passing and he is a huge problem for defenses. Ever since he made the promise to lead his team earlier this season the Gators have been unstoppable. Tebow carries his team on his back and he doesn’t stop fighting until the clock reaches zero.

Florida also as a pretty good defense that has a lot of speed which will be interesting against the great offense of Oklahoma.

There’s no doubt that both of these teams are great. It will be an offensive shoot out and whichever defense can step up will win the game. Oklahoma’s offense will be huge like they have been all season but I don’t think it will be enough. Each of these teams have had a close game in the fourth quarter, Florida prevailed in theirs, and Oklahoma lost.

Florida’s defense can slow the Sooners a little bit and that’s all that Tebow will need. Tim Tebow plays too hard and is too good to let his team lose this game. He has already heard smack talk from Oklahoma and that’ll just be more fuel to the fire. Tebow will take over in this game and show the nation that he is a boss. This will be a great game but I like the Gators to pull it out in the 4th quarter and come away with the National Title.

Husky Stadium Renovation Update

husky.madness@gmail.com (karazekevin) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:00:00 +0000

I received an email from Brandon Burmeister regarding the pending renovation of Husky Stadium. Burmeister is a recent UW graduate and a former Husky basketball player. I've highlighted some key parts that you need to read.

The Steve Sarkisian era of Husky football is officially here. Coming off the worst season in the history of the program the young, energetic Sarkisian has restored hope and excitement that has been missing for quite some time. This is a program that has two national titles, 15 conference championships and 14 Rose Bowl appearances but has not had a winning season in over five years. The days of Tyrone Willingham and winless seasons are over. “It’s 2008 and about time for us to come back and compete for Conference Championships and National Championships” Sarkisian enthusiastically proclaimed at his introductory press conference. Unlike the Willingham era, Sarkisian wants the community involved. He wants students, alumni, media and fans of all ages to be a part of the resurgence of Husky football. “It’s going to happen quickly, it’s going to happen fast, it’s going to take the support of everyone involved” he said.

So the question is: how do we, the fans, help bring the Dawgs back into the national spotlight? Well, we do are part in making sure Husky Stadium gets the renovation it desperately needs. The stadium is almost 90 years old and has barely had any upgrades since it was built. Not only will it improve the fan experience but it is imperative to have up to date facilities if we want any chance of returning to the national stage. The program cannot expect to get top recruits with a stadium that is falling apart. “You got to recruit really well” Sarkisian responded when asked what the main thing he will take from his time at USC is. New facilities attract better players and makes recruiting much easier for coaches. An example of this can be seen when looking at the Husky basketball program. Hec Ed was renovated in middle of a few miserable seasons for the basketball team in the early 2000s. The new Bank of America Arena attracted Brandon Roy and Nate Robinson to commit to the Dawgs even before coach Lorenzo Romar was hired. Before then part of the problem was losing in state talent to more prominent programs around the country. The new facilities played a major role in keeping top prospects such as Jon Brockman, Spencer Hawes , and Isaiah Thomas close to home and also to bring in talents like Justin Dentmon, Quincy Pondexter and the recruiting class of 2008 that was one of the best in the country.

I will be writing updates on the Husky Stadium Renovation project as well giving a more in depth look at the basketball season in the weeks and months to come. For now, go to www.tellthehusky.com and read about the stadium renovation. The challenge we are facing is getting the State to give $150 million to the project. The other $150 million is coming from private donations. It is imperative that when the time comes in March (most likely) we all call or email our local representatives to make our voices heard, to tell that it is important to the community to create the best possible fan experience at Husky Stadium. This is how WE can be a part of the revival of Husky football. Stay tuned and get ready to be a part of the game when the time comes!

“It’s going to take this entire university, this entire community.”
- Head Coach Steve Sarkisian

I've got to admit, I haven't necessarily been following the renovation project so I am not aware of all of the politics involving the project. However, as a season ticket holder, it is obvious that Husky Stadium needs some work done.

Granted, I've never been to any other college football stadium besides Martin Stadium (don't ask), all of Husky Stadium is getting old, rusty, and grimey. Even icons need a makeover. Husky Stadium is an icon, it's important that this renovation gets done sooner or later.

Fixing Husky Stadium will be the key the sustainability of future success. We'll keep you updated as news comes in regarding this.

My Final Word On Mays (For Now)

noreply@blogger.com (James) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 06:06:00 +0000

I posted this in the comments section in the last Mays post, but I thought that since the subject has stirred up so much controversy, I should bring it up to the main page. Kevin and I are not necessarily in agreement on this one, and I won't detail all the reasons I don't like him as a prospect, but these are the bottom line reasons on why we should not draft him. I will not talk about Mays any more after this until the NFL Combine.

I feel like I have said all I have to say about Mays, so I'll just wrap this up. For better or worse, the hawks are probably stuck with the 4 pick. It's simply too expensive to trade away, and that expense (Darren McFadden, last year's #4 pick, signed for 60 million over 6 years) makes getting this pick right simply too important to mess up. The Hawks can not endure a bust.

The last time a safety taken in the top 4 was in 1991. Even Sean Taylor went #5. Could Taylor Mays possibly justify being the 4 pick? He has incredible tools, but it's really not likely. Mays looks like more of a boom or bust prospect, way too big of a risk for a top 5 pick. Even if he succeeds, he will need to perform at a perennial pro bowl level to justify his contract.

The Hawks have other big needs to fill, and there are safer players than Mays. With the great group of safeties in the second and third rounds, it's really not worth the risk for Mays. That's what it all comes down to for me.

One thing I haven't mentioned is that I don't see Seattle drafting a player like Mays. Tim Ruskell has shown in the past that he is not really interested in players with fantastic tools who don't back them up 100% in their play. In fact he goes after the opposite type of player, ones who outplay their 40 yard times. Lofa Tatupu and John Carlson are both excellent examples of this. Ruskell has never really shown any interest in the tools monsters before, and I don't think that changes this year. I would be absolutely shocked if the Seahawks drafted Mays.

Scouting Report: Taylor Mays

husky.madness@gmail.com (karazekevin) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:00:00 +0000

If Taylor Mays declares for the draft, there will be a lot of people wanting the Seahawks to draft him with their No. 4 pick. Brian Russell was arguably the worst player on the entire Seahawks' defense throughout the past NFL season.

One thing is for sure, Taylor Mays is one of the biggest hitters in College Football and may be the best tackler in the whole country. If you are an opposing receiver, you will get laid out if you are coming down the middle. There is some concern that he doesn't wrap up well. There is also some concern that his hits could cause injuries to other players, but also himself.

Besides his obvious knock-out ability, Mays has also played a significant role in USC's defense by preventing the long pass from burning the USC defense. He has been exceptional at knocking down passes and reading opposing quarterbacks. With a 6' 3", 230lb frame, Mays is a freak of nature at the safety position. He can also run a 4.28 40time.

Unreal.

NFL players are fast and athletic, but to be as enormous as Mays is at the safety position along with his speed, he is a prime-time prospect. USC coaches believe he is mentally ready for the NFL already. It's known that he is a film rat and is obsessed with getting better. This insatiable desire to get better is harder to find among players now days. I'd be surprised if he stayed at USC, I think there is a 9/10 chance he declares for the draft.

Are you sold on Taylor Mays if he declares? Should the Seahawks consider him with their No. 4 pick?

photo source: [pe]

Opposing View: Why the Seattle Sounders FC Matter

husky.madness@gmail.com (karazekevin) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:00:00 +0000

After writing this, I had to pick the brain of a local soccer junkie to get their point of view. Enjoy.

By Alex Wilson
Seattle Sounders Guest Writer

In 72 days the Seattle Sounders FC will play their first as a MLS team vs. the New York Red Bulls. Sounders FC has come at just the right time for Seattle. With many disappointments last year with the Mariners, Seahawks, and Huskies/Cougars (for those who are WSU fans) all having miserable seasons.

Sounders FC has been signing some big names that even some non-soccer fans may have heard of like Kasey Keller and Freddie Ljungberg from the US and Sweden National teams. They even went and hired a proven coach, Sigi Schmid, who won the MLS Championship last year for the Columbus Crew. With all of these signings and more, the Sounders FC are looking for instant success in the MLS.

The hope for success also came from recent years with the Seattle Sounders from the USL (United Soccer Leagues) with a championship in 2007 and making it to the Semifinals in the US Open Cup, which is a tournament between all US teams including the MLS teams. This shows that even as a division 2 team in the USL could compete in the MLS already.

Soccer has always been a big sport around the world and is just starting to grow here in the US. Soccer may not require the most strength like Football, but it is a mental game with teams always on the attack and exciting moments that can happen at any time. Soccer is more about the little things you notice like nice finesse passing, crosses that you always hope they score on, long shots from goal, and for me the amazing diving saves by goalkeepers, and of course any goal scored by your own team.

Being a soccer player myself it is easy to say that this is the best sport in the world, but those that aren’t fans can’t just say if they like the sport by watching it on TV. The best part for fans is the experiences at the games and all the chanting, singing, and yelling. It is kind of like football, and until you experience that then don’t judge the game that so many love.

The Sounders over a few years will hopefully be gaining many supporters after showing their ability to win. I’m not saying that they will replace the Seahawks or Mariners as the top team in Seattle but they will be an entertaining team to watch for years to come, and will hopefully bring a championship to Seattle.

Go Sounders!

Dude. Nate Robinson's Middle Name is Cornelius

husky.madness@gmail.com (karazekevin) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:00:00 +0000

You got to admit, that is a pretty weird middle name. If someone can tell me the orgins of this name, please let me know immediately. I think a lot of people are dying to find out. It's actually starting to bother me. I love you Nate.

Weekly Grades

noreply@blogger.com (Evan) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:00:00 +0000

It has been a bit of a slow week for Seattle sports news. The Seahawks' season is over, and the only sports teams we have playing now are our college basketball teams. However, some exciting moves are being made in the off seasons of our other teams. That said, here are my weekly grades:

Nick Holt: Holt, as announced yesterday, was hired by the University of Washington to be their next defensive coordinator. After initially turning down the job in December, Holt accepted the offer from his former USC colleague, now UW head coach Steve Sarkisian.

It seems amazing to me that Holt would leave USC, where he was the head of one of the most dominant perennial units in the nation. He was likely drawn to Washington would have total control of the defense, which is mostly run by Pete Carroll at Southern Cal.

Nevertheless, this is a big hiring for Washington football. Holt was one of the highest-paid assistants in college football. He coordinated a defense that put USC in the contention for a national title every year and were second in the nation this year in total defense. The hiring of Sarkisian is looking better and better, and maybe next year we’ll finally have a winner! Grade: A+

UW Basketball Team: UW extended their winning streak to 8 games, defeating the WSU Cougars, 68-48. Even more significant, they snapped a seven game losing streak against the Cougars. Also important was that they got their first win in a while against a quality opponent, and on the road as well.

Outside of Jon Brockman, the entire team looked good Saturday. They showed they have many scoring threats that can pick up the slack if Brockman has a bad day. Pondexter scored 16 points on 7-10 shooting, Dentmon had 17 and 4-4 on threes, and Thomas had 19.

UW plays a couple of very tough teams in Stanford (11-1) and California (13-2) next. But these games are at home, and if the Huskies are able to keep their winning streak alive against them, then we may have a legitimate Final Four contender come March.
Grade: A

Caleb Forrest, WSU Basketball team: Forrest received a technical foul Saturday against Washington for hitting UW forward Darnell Gant on the head. He was provoked by Gant, who was taunting him.

The hit was very childish and immature. It seemed like the kind of thing you would see at a junior high game. Sure, Forrest was irritated by his team’s poor performance in the twenty point loss. But he is a grown man! He should know better than to let his temper slip. Set a good example for the kids, and hold your anger in. Grade: F

Nick Holt will leave USC to join UW as Defensive Coordinator

husky.madness@gmail.com (karazekevin) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 02:00:00 +0000

After a successful Rose Bowl victory, Nick Holt is leaving the USC coaching staff to join his colleague Steve Sarkisian at the UW. Nick Holt has been the defensive coordinator for the Trojans for the past three years. This is big news. Pete Carroll is pretty much left helpless as the Huskies have now taken both of their lead coaches on their defense and offense.

It is important to note that Pete Caroll did call the shots on the defensive side of the ball so it might not hurt USC that much. How in the hell was Sarkisian able to get Holt to leave a BCS contender to an 0-12 team? Sarkisian is working the magic and it looks like things are finally starting to turnaround for this program. Holt also was the head coach of the Idaho Vandals in 2004 and 2005 where he went 5-18.

The press conference was scheduled for today but has been delayed until tomorrow at 12:00pm.

UW Football Recruiting Update

husky.madness@gmail.com (karazekevin) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:00:00 +0000

With Tyrone Willingham out and Steve Sarkisian in, here is an update on the Huskies' current recruiting class for 2009:

Three Star Recruits:
Nathan Fellner-Safety (Fresno, CA)
Keith Price-Quarterback (Bellflower, CA)
Marlion Barnett- Tight End (Corona, CA)
Andru Pulu- Strong side Linebacker (Federal Way, WA)--Federal Way HS

Two Star Recruits:
Aaron Grymes- Cornerback (Seattle, WA)--West Seattle HS
Kenneth Pinkard- Cornerback (Dallas, TX)
Talia Crichton- Defensive End (Lakewood, CA)
Josh Moten- Quarterback (Harbor City, CA)

One Star Recruits:
Semisi Tokolahi- Defensive Tackle (Hilo, HI)

As you can see, this recruiting class currently sucks. Sarkisian has a lot of work to do as Willingham had no chance to recruit good players as he was to busy avoiding a win-less season. With only 9 commits, the Huskies' class ranks last in the Pac-10 and 77th in the country according to Scout.com. Here are some notable recruits that currently have UW on their short list:

Four Star Recruits:
Michael Clay- Wide Receiver (San Jose, CA)
Stan Hasiak- Offensive Tackle (Kapolei, HI)
James Boyd- Defensive End (Los Angeles, CA)

Hopefully Sarkisian will be able to pick up at least one of the above mentioned players in the four-star zone. There are still some three/two star prospects that are from local high schools, Sarkisian needs to recruit those guys hard and lock them up. Again, don't expect any miracles, but the buzz surrounding Sarkisian should help his chances in getting people to come play football at UW.

What is Sabermetrics? Some Stuff You Should Know

husky.madness@gmail.com (karazekevin) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:00:00 +0000

By Kevin and James

While we're not the foremost experts on the topic (James has been learning about this for about two years and Kevin for a couple of months), it's important that we share with you something that you may or may not be familiar and how we analyze and view baseball.

Neither of us ever knew what exactly Sabermetrics was until we read books like Baseball Between the Numbers. Before that, the lingo and the content on websites like Lookout Landing and USS Mariner seemed like a foreign language. But after reading and learning about the concepts that make up Sabermetrics, our whole view of the game of baseball changed for the better, and we think that yours might as well.

It's important to at least be acquainted with these terms and concepts as we might reference or use them as reasoning in the future (and the past). So, according to our trusty Wikipedia guide, Sabermetrics is defined as:

the search for objective knowledge about baseball." Thus, sabermetrics attempts to answer objective questions about baseball, such as "which player on the Red Sox contributed the most to the team's offense?" or "How many home runs will Ken Griffey, Jr. hit next year?" It cannot deal with the subjective judgments which are also important to the game, such as "Who is your favorite player?

Here are basic concepts you should know, if you want reasoning, click on the corresponding link. I'm going to paraphrase from what I can discern:

Evaluating Pitchers:
W-L record, ERA, and WHIP are flawed statistics because they take into account things that are not within the pitcher's control, such as defense, and in the case of W-L, offense. A pitcher can't help it if his defense is terrible or amazing.

Better statistics to use: FIP (available at fangraphs.com) or tRA (available at statcorner.com)
These stats take out things that are outside the pitcher's control and properly weigh stats like line drive percentage, strikeout percentage, ground ball percentage, home run percentage, and other batted ball or "raw" statistics in order to provide a clear picture of how that pitcher has done regardless of the defense behind him.

Evaluating Offense:

Bad ways to do this: AVG, RBI, Runs Scored, etc. The problem with these stats is, like conventional pitching stats, it takes into account things outside the batter's control. RBI and Runs Scored are the worst of these because they take other hitters into account. Don't use them; don't listen to others who use them.

Before we move onto good methods, we should discuss OBP, SLG, OPS, and VORP. OBP was brought into the baseball forefront by the book Moneyball by Michael Lewis, a fantastic book whose point was badly misunderstood. OBP is the percentage of how often the hitter gets on base. SLG is the average amount of bases the batter accumulates per plate appearance.

OPS is the two stats combined. For a long time this was the best way to evaluate a hitter. However, it is flawed. OPS is flawed because it sees OBP as equal to SLG, which it isn't (OBP is almost four times as important). Another reason is that all these stats are prone to luck, both good and bad. We could go on for hours about luck's role in baseball, but suffice to say, it exists, it matters, and it must be accounted for.

VORP is a stat made by Baseball Prospectus a couple of years ago. At the time it was revolutionary. It introduced the important concept of replacement level, which in theory is the performance one would receive from a theoretical AAA guy (more info here). It has been made fun of by stupid people because of its name. It is now outdated. It's not terrible, but there are better stats to use.

Good stats to use: wOBA, wRAA
These are essentially the same stat in different forms. wOBA properly weighs possible outcomes by a hitter to evaluate hitting (more info here).wOBA is modeled to look a little like OBP. .300 is bad, .340 is average, .400 is really good. wRAA is the same thing but in the form of runs above an average player.

Ten runs = 1 win contributed or lost by the hitter. If a player has a wRAA of 20, he has contributed two wins more at the plate than the average hitter. If he has a wRAA of -14, it means he has contributed 1.4 wins less than the average hitters would have.

Advanced hitting stats are the best stats we have. They are almost perfect and the most stock should be put into them.

Evaluating Defense:
Defense is the one facet of the game that has been truly underrated for a long time. Very few realize its importance outside of Major League front offices, and they just started realizing it a few years ago (and some still don't get it).

There are three "true outcomes" of a plate appearance which are not affected by the defense. These are the K, the BB, and the HR. Any other outcome is affected by the defense. Defense makes up a very large part of what is commonly recognized as pitching.

Bad ways to evaluate defense: Fielding percentage, errors, range factor, hearing a sportswriter or radio host say a player is fantastic, and worst of all, Golden Gloves
They are totally worthless, built on reputation and lies. Need proof? Rafael Palmeiro won a gold glove in 1999 despite playing 135 games at DH.

There aren't any surefire ways of evaluating defense. There are some pretty good metrics out there, including UZR (available at fangraphs), PMR (available at baseballmusings.com, but difficult to find) and +/- (available at Fielding Bible for a cost).

The problem is that these stats don't always agree with each other, and they can vary based on the batted ball statistics they take their info from. The results can often be inconsistent (mainly because players are inconsistent). They also do not take into account positioning and the angle of the ball.

However, that doesn't mean that they are worthless, and it doesn't mean that one shouldn't use them in evaluating talent. How to do it is to look at different years to find a good range for how good a player is.

Instead of saying a player is ten runs above average at defense, we will often say that a player is between 5 and 15 runs above average and split the difference. This provides a more accurate depiction of the player.

Important to note: UZR is the stat we will quote most because it is the easiest to find (right now). UZR is in runs saved or lost compared to average. Remember, ten runs = 1 win contributed or lost. So if a player has a -10 UZR then he is 1 win worse than the average player at his position.

When determining total value compared to players at other positions, the UZR must be modified to include an adjustment for that position. Naturally some positions are harder to play than others and the run value must reflect that.

It is harder to be a league average shortstop than it is to be a league average first baseman. Dave Cameron wrote a good article about positional adjustments, including the adjustments themselves last week on fangraphs.

Catcher defense is really difficult to evaluate, so take any results there with a grain of salt.

WAR and how to calculate it:

WAR, Wins Above Replacement, is the current end-all stat, combining offensive and defensive value and putting it into an easy to understand form. It can be found without having to calculate it, but if you are so inclined it is quite easy to do, so we will provide a sample calculation.

To get WAR for a position player (pitchers are a little different), simply combine the hitter's WRAA, defensive value in runs (any advanced metric works but UZR is great because it's already in runs format), add a positional adjustment, and then add 20 (This makes it so that the player is being compared to replacement level. If you want to compare a player to the average player, then do not add 20). Divide that number by 10 (10 runs = 1 win), and that's WAR.

WAR is the number of wins that player is worth compared to a replacement level player. A player with a WAR of 3 is worth two more wins to a team over a player with a WAR of 1 with the same amount of playing time. Here is a sample calculation:

Raul Ibanez 2008

WRAA= 16.3

UZR is a little inconsistent with Raul but a generous estimate is that he's somewhere between -5 and -15 in LF. Let's split the difference at -10

Positional Adjustment= -7.5

Replacement level= 20

16.3-10-7.5+20= 18.8

18.8/10=1.88 WAR, rounded up to 1.9

Raul was around a 1.9 WAR player last year, 1 runs worse than average.

And that's WAR. It won't be the last time you see it on this site. If that was confusing you can look here for more.

Why Bother?

Sabermetrics can be confusing, it requires a basic understanding of math, and sportswriters love to contradict, ignore, and cry against it. So why should we learn more about it? For one, we at the blog can't analyze baseball and show none of our thought process, so introducing these concepts is a necessary step.

It's vital to understand that learning more about the game of baseball results in a greater understanding and appreciation of the game. Not that these stats are everything there is to know. Here, we had to rush through everything to introduce key concepts, but there is still so much else to see.

Baseball's little intricacies are part of what make it different from any other popular sport in America, and are what make the game so appealing. Sabermetrics don't take away from enjoyment of the game as some have argued, they enhance it.

Weekly Poll: Who Will be the 2009 Redeemer?

husky.madness@gmail.com (karazekevin) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Now that the year of 2008 is finally past us, which person, team, or group of people will lead the turnaround for Seattle sports in 2009?

Here are the contenders:

Steve Sarkisian:

Wouldn't it be great if Steve Sarkisian could lead the Huskies to a winning record in 2009? I don't know what a winning football team is like anymore. Scratch that. I think I've forgotten how it feels to even win a college football game. Please brings us out of this pitiful state Mr. Sarkisian. I bleed purple for wins, not 0-12 seasons.

The Seattle Mariners:

With an improved defense, a healthy Erik Bedard, a new manager, no Jose Vidro/Richie Sexson, Brandon Morrow starting, and a weakened AL West division you just never know. I won't be surprised if the Mariners are competing for the AL West title come September 2009.

The City of Seattle:

Bringing the NBA back to Seattle? Improving snow response? Letting Tony Wroten attend Garfield? 2009 is a chance for redemption.

Jim Mora:

With the Mike Holmgren era over, Jim Mora is officially the new head coach of the Seahawks. He had success in turning around the Falcons, and now has his chance to turn around the Seahawks. Maybe Jim can lead us to the playoffs, but I don't think daddy would be too pleased with that wish...

The UW Basketball Team:

The Huskies are off to a 10-3 start, are riding an eight game streak, have the best rebounder in the country (Brockman), beat the Cougars, and are extremely confident right now. The sky is the limit for this team right now. Focus, concentration, and execution all will be needed to get the Huskies into their first NCAA tournament since 2006.

Vote here:

Note: If you are viewing this through your email or through your feed reader, please visit the site directly to participate in the poll.

photo source: [insidetheballpark] [daylife] [seattlepi]

Seatowning 1/4/09, More Griffey Rumblings

husky.madness@gmail.com (karazekevin) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 01:30:00 +0000

Random Musings: I feel bad for Adam Morrison. Talk about a guy who was a superstar in College and now is being ridiculed day after day on how bad he is and how he looks. I wonder what's going on through his head right now. Can he turn it around? I doubt it. He'll forever be a bench player which is really sad. But you never know, maybe the Bobcats aren't the right fit for him. I guess there is no debate on who is better, Brandon Roy is WAAAY sicker than Adam Morrison.

Local
+Seahawks Offensive Line analysis [Seahawks Addicts]
+People forget the potential of Carlos Triunfel [Bleeding Blue and Teal]
+Jake Heaps has been selected for the 2010 All-American Army Bowl [Seattle Times]
+Brandon Roy will be out for 7-10 days, he's getting an MRI on his left knee [Blazer's Edge]
+Both the Mariners and the Rays are showing interest in Griffey [MLB]

National
+Unranked Boston College has stunned No. 1 North Carolina [Dagger]
+Mike Shanahan an option for the Cowboys in 2010? [ESPN]
+Humans can fly. This is amazing. [Digg]
+Once upon a time I will stop linking Morrison-bashing links, but for now I can't help myself [Can't Stop the Bleeding]

Will the Sounders be Irrelevant?

husky.madness@gmail.com (karazekevin) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 17:00:00 +0000

Who is not psyched about the Sounders FC and their upcoming inaugural season? Me. I could care less. I hate watching soccer. It is one of the most boring games on the planets to watch. It reminds me of hockey, nascar and golf. Whenever you turn the channel to those sports and you try to concentrate, nothing entertaining happens.

But then, for some odd reason, right when you change the station or turn off the TV something entertaining happens. I'm sorry, but I can't handle watching soccer because it takes forever for one team to score. Soccer is a fun sport to play, but being a spectator sucks.

People can talk all they want about how soccer is the world's most popular sport. But what they didn't know is that basketball is starting to officially prove that statement false. As a traditional sports fan (baseball, football, basketball), I will never be able to connect to soccer the same way I connect to those sports.

It is cool to have a pro team in a professional league. But isn't the MLS a crappy league with crappy players anyways? If I am going to watch soccer, I want to see real skilled pros. I've heard the English premier league is the biggest and most competitive soccer league in the world.

It's too bad the Sounders FC will never be able to replace the Sonics. I have a feeling this buzz is going to die after the first season. The Sounders will have their share of fans and a section in the newspaper, but they'll have a tough time converting casual fans like myself to enjoy watching a game of soccer.

And sure they'll be successful, but their success will never reach the same excitement as the Mariners or the Seahawks are capable of. Their impact may be as much if not a little bit more than the Seattle Storm. Does anyone care at all that they won the WNBA championship in 2004? Will pundits call a Sounders FC MLS cup victory a major championship?

Even David Beckham wasn't that big of a deal in his 1st season. Don't get me wrong, I'm still a Sounders' fan, but I won't get super excited when someone brings it up, because honestly, I don't care.

What's your take on the Sounders? Am I being too arrogant with my views?

photo source: [daylife]

Top 5 NBA Washington-Natives

husky.madness@gmail.com (karazekevin) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 15:00:00 +0000

1. John Stockton:

When John Stockton was in his prime I was only four years old, so I'm not going to lie and say I've seen him play a lot. But his legendary status is unquestionable. A humble Spokane native, Stockton attended both Gonzaga Prep and Gonzaga in Spokane. He is by far the best player that hails from the state of Washington.

In his 13 seasons with the Utah Jazz he set NBA career records for steals and assists. He is the definition of a point guard. The chemistry in that beautiful pick-n-roll with his legendary teammate, Karl Malone, is the best combination of all-time. It's a bummer he never ended up winning a ring, (blame M.J).

What now? John Stockton is likely to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame with Michael Jordan, David Robinson, and Jerry Sloan this year. He is also the current head coach of one of his daughters' AAU team.

2. Brandon Roy:

Some might say number two is way too high for a player in only his 3rd season in the NBA. However, Brandon Roy has emerged as a superstar. Opposing teams face the task of guarding a player that is so good at so many things making it practically impossible to shut him down.

He can shoot well from the perimeter, blow pass his man with his dribble moves and crossovers, draw contact and get to the free throw line, and drop dimes to any of his teammates. Ever since his days at UW, you could tell he is always one of the most unselfish players on the court. He always wants to see his teammates succeed as much as he wants himself to succeed.

I knew he was destined for great things after witnessing all of the UW 2005-06 season. The one particular game that stands out to me is a game in which the Huskies lost, but one in which Roy made two buzzer beaters to keep the game alive for the Dawgs against Arizona. The Huskies could have gone to the final four that year if they were able to beat UConn in the Sweet 16.

Who knew that this Garfield graduate would go on to become on of the NBA's elite players? He has a bright future ahead, and might one day pass John Stockton on this list.

What now?
Brandon Roy will look to be competing in his 2nd straight all-star game, but more importantly is looking to lead the Blazers into this years' playoffs. With Roy playing along with Steve Blake, Greg Oden, Rudy Fernandez, and LaMarcus Aldridge, the Blazers have a shot to not only make this year's playoffs, but go deep and compete for a spot in the NBA finals.

3. Detlef Schrempf:

Wait, he's from Germany, how does he qualify to be on this list? If you didn't know, Schrempf attended Centralia High School in Centralia. In his senior year he led the Centralia Tigers to a high school state championship in 1981. After his playing days at Centralia, Schrempf stayed home and became a legend at the University of Washington.

Like Stockton, Schrempf had his glory years also in the 90's. Most will remember him for his role in the Sonics' 1996 NBA Championship run. Perhaps his best strength was his three point shooting. He became the first German-born American player to play in the NBA finals.

What now? I recently saw Detlef up close in-person, damn he's tall! He seems to have settled down in Seattle and has a son currently attending Bellevue High, who actually made our player power rankings a while back.

4. Jason Terry:

Jason Terry is straight tearing up the NBA right now. With his signature long socks and headband, he is averaging a little over 20 points a game for the Dallas Mavericks. Terry has not forgotten his roots as he has the area code 206 tattooed across his chest.

His number, 31, is retired at Franklin High School. Whenever Terry is in the game it seems that the energy level of his team goes up, he is one of my favorite players just because of his consistency.

What now?
It looks like he'll end his career as a Maverick, as he is signed through 2012 with Dallas. When he retires will he return to his hometown of Seattle? Time will tell, who knows, maybe he could become a successful coach at Franklin.

5. Jamal Crawford:

Although he's not necessarily a super star, the legacy Jamal Crawford has left at Rainier Beach has inspired years and years of success for the local high school basketball powerhouse. Crawford has paved the way for the likes of Nate Robinson, Terrence Williams, and many others to follow.

The greatest aspect of Jamal Crawford is off the court, as he has not forgotten where he came from. Crawford funded a brand new basketball gym for Rainier Beach and the school properly named the court, "Crawford Court". After playing for the Knicks for four seasons, Crawford now plays for the Warriors.

What now? Crawford is starting to peak; he still does not have a defined position on the court. He can play both the one and the two guard. Will he permanently move to the two guard position and become a consistent scoring threat for the Warriors?

Other Notables: James Edwards, Byron Beck, Doug Christies, Luke Ridnour, and Steve Hawes

photo source: [itusozluk] [foundtrack] [nba]

Game Recap: UW 68, WSU 48

husky.madness@gmail.com (karazekevin) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 05:15:00 +0000

Wow. What a game! The Huskies have proven that they are contenders in the top half of the Pac-10. They did not just beat the Cougars, they dominated them. In almost every aspect of the game the Huskies outplayed the Cougars.

Not only has this broken the streak of seven straight losses against the Cougars, but it has provided a crucial road win for the Huskies. It also will provide confidence for the Huskies going into the Pac-10 season. Winning these early games are important as they set the tone for the rest of the conference season.

The best part of the Huskies' win today? Their defense. The Huskies played stifling defense. Isaiah Thomas and Venoy Overton are going to be pestering opposing guards the whole season.

The Huskies rotated really well around the perimeter. I also noticed that when they brought the double team on Baynes, they were able to recover when WSU tried to reverse the ball.

In the first half I noticed that the Huskies were playing into WSU's slow style, but were able to still stay in the game and actually have the lead. That was a good sign. Then, the Huskies were able to come out of the 2nd half with some passion which helped cement the game for the Dawgs.

Looking at the Cougars, you can tell that they really miss Weaver and Low. Without the two, they really have no first option on the offensive end. Rochiestie and Baynes aren't explosive enough to carry their offense.

Pondexter played spectacular. He scored 16 points, had 3 assists, and led the team with seven rebounds. He is starting to live up to his potential. Hopefully he can keep it up and stay consistent throughout the conference season.

I'm beginning to think Dentmon is as good as a shooter as Ryan Appleby with his feet set. He could not miss from behind the arc. I think him and Thomas, and Turner will be able to be sustain the Huskies from the three-point line this season.

I cannot find any negatives for the Huskies. They were able to hold Baynes to 11 points and 4 rebounds. They out rebounded the Cougars 31-18, and they forced 13 cougar turnovers, while only turning the ball over 11 times. Overall, a solid win for the Huskies. Stanford is up next.

Game 13- UW (9-3) vs. Washington State (8-4)

husky.madness@gmail.com (karazekevin) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 17:00:00 +0000

The Opponent: Washington State (8-4) Pomeroy Rating: (40) (What is this?) Game time: 3:00 p.m.
TV: FSN Northwest
Radio: 950 KJR

This game will be the third game I pegged as a must-win at the start of the season. The Huskies have not beat the Cougars since 2005.

Here is a quick run-down of the last seven games between the two teams:
1/7/06 WSU 78 UW 71 at Hec ed
2/4/06 WSU 77 UW 64 in Pullman
1/20/07 WSU 75 UW 47 in Pullman
2/14/07 WSU 65 UW 61 at Hec Ed
3/8/07 WSU 74 UW 64 in the 2nd round of the Pac-10 Tournament
1/5/08 WSU 56 UW 52 at Hec Ed
3/8/08 WSU 76 UW 73 in double overtime in Pullman

The Huskies were close to beating the Cougars last year losing one at UW by only four points and losing another at Pullman in double overtime. Remember, last year the Cougars were a sweet 16 team and were led by two all-conference players in Derrick Low and Kyle Weaver.

If the Huskies are going to break their losing streak against the Cougars, it is going to be this game. The Cougars are in a rebuilding phase while the Huskies are on the rise looking to compete in the top half of the Pac-10.

When the Huskies step on the court today, not one player on the team will have beaten the Cougars. Unless you count Lorenzo Romar. If the Huskies can pull this game out, then it will do wonders to boost the morale of this team.

A win against the Cougars will provide for the confidence that the Huskies can move past their old demons, and take a positive step forward going into conference play.

This will be the first tough the Huskies will have played since the games against Florida and Kansas in November. For the Cougars, this will also be a test to see how they can bounce back from a tough game. The Cougars lost a tough non-conference game against LSU, in a game that the Cougars held the league for a good majority of the game.

Unlike the Huskies the Cougars have yet to beat any quality teams, while losing against Pittsburgh, Baylor, Gonzaga, and LSU. Why can the Cougars not beat elite teams this season? They simply do not contain the necessary offensive power to compete against high level opponents.

With no Derrick Low or Kyle Weaver, the Cougars' first options are Klay Thompson, Tyler Rochiestie, and Aron Baynes. All three of those players are below average offensively.

The outcome of this game hinges on Romar's ability to get his team to impose their own style of play on the Cougars. The Huskies cannot get caught up in WSU's tactical defensive style or the Huskies will have a hard time scoring and making things happen on the defensive end.

The Huskies need to push the ball continusly, work the WSU defense tired and take good quality shots.

If I remember anything from the last match up between the two, it's that Artem Wallace blew up and scored over 20 points. I'm pretty sure Jon Brockman was injured at that point of the season, which made the loss even more frustrating. The Huskies front court just looks a lot scarier with Bryan-Amaning suddenly emerging as a scoring threat in the post.

Keys for the Huskies:

Containing Aron Baynes
Win in the rebound column
Limit Turnovers. Force Turnovers

Bottom Line:
This game promises to be a close one, expect it to be decided in the final minutes. I'll take UW who is riding a wave of momentum into this game.

Washington State's Projected Starters:
G-Taylor Rochestie (Can't make a layup)
G-Klay Thompson (Enjoys man hugs like this one)
F-Daven Harmeling (Enjoys hunting mule deer)
F-Caleb Forrest (averaging .3 assists per game)

F-Aron Baynes (Lookalike)

Husky Projected Starters: (Pomeroy Rating: 24)))

PG-Isaiah Thomas (14.8ppg, 3.1apg)
SG-Justin Dentmon (12.4ppg, 2.6apg)
F-Quincy Pondexter (8.8ppg, 5.7rpg)
F-Darnell Gant (3.8ppg, 4.2rpg)
F-Jon Brockman (16.5ppg, 10.2rpg)

Injuries: Elston Turner (Ankle)

Go Dawgs!

Bowl Picks Part 9: International, Fiesta, an GMAC

noreply@blogger.com (Dom) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 16:45:00 +0000

International Bowl: 1/3, 9:00am PT Connecticut vs. Buffalo
This game was one of the toughest to decide on. Both teams are new to the Bowl scene and are excited to be playing. Buffalo was a huge surprise this year making their first bowl appearance in many years.

Both teams have offensive weapons that they can turn to and that will make the game interesting. This game will be very exciting because of the enthusiasm that each team will bring. The only big difference that I can see between the teams is the size advantage that UConn has. I think that Connecticut’s size and power up front will lead them to victory.

Fiesta Bowl: 1/5, 5:00pm PT Ohio State vs. Texas
This is a great match up between a Texas team that’s trying to prove they should be playing for the title, and an Ohio State team that was a disappointment this year. Texas is a team full of motivation. They feel that they got snubbed out of the championship game and they want to show the nation why. They have a good defense and an amazing offense lead by Colt McCoy.

McCoy is one of the best players in the country, he can utilize his teammates, and move the ball like no other. Ohio State will finally have a full, healthy, team. They have a great defense that can make plays and of course on offense they have running back Beanie Wells. Wells is a great back that can fly and he could be big in this game. In the end I like Texas coming out and showing that they deserve to be in the title game.

GMAC Bowl 1/6, 5:00pm PT Ball State vs. Tulsa
This game features two very good offensive teams. Tulsa is a solid all-around team but at times struggles passing the ball and defending the pass. Ball State is a great team that was unbeaten until they faced Buffalo. Ball State has offensive weapons in both the passing and running games.

This game is hard to call because neither of them really played a tough schedule. Although Ball State has more weapons, I think that Tulsa will show up ready to play and catch Ball State by surprise. They are both good teams but I think that Tulsa will be the better team in this game.

Seatowning 1/3/09, Griffey's Nike Shoe to be Re-released!

husky.madness@gmail.com (karazekevin) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 15:00:00 +0000

New commercial for the upcoming Seattle Sounders FC reality show:

props to [GOALSeattle]

Local

+Here are the top 10 finalists for the above mentioned reality TV show [GOSounders]

+YES! Griffey is releasing is shoe in April! [Nice Kicks]
+Top 100 draft picks, see who the Seahawks can get! [Seahawks Addicts]
+Husky defensive coordinator update [seattle times]

National
+Steve Nash would like to play in either Phoenix, New York, or Toronto when 2010 rolls around [SLAM]
+Here is another reason why Kobe Bryant is so freaking good [LA Times]
+Head coach of Cal, Jeff Tedford has signed through 2015 [ESPN]
+Manny Ramirez to the Giants? [cbs5]
+Top 10 plays of 2008 so far in the NBA [dime]

Taylor Mays is a Beast

noreply@blogger.com (Evan) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 20:00:00 +0000

The Seahawks could use some help at safety. 2009 NFL Draft? He's come a long way since his O'Dea days...

Bowl Picks Part 8: Cotton, Liberty, and Sugar

noreply@blogger.com (Dom) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 17:00:00 +0000

Cotton Bowl: 1/2, 11:00am PT Texas Tech vs. Mississippi
This game features a Texas Tech team that got snubbed by the BCS and an Ole Miss team that is playing great right now. Ole Miss has a great defense that is capable of competing with the high-powered Texas Tech offense.

Ole Miss is strong on both sides of the ball and may be able to take advantage of a struggling offensive line for Texas Tech. The key to this game will be Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell. He is a great passer and can distribute the ball all over the field. I think that Harrell will have a big game along with his star receiver Michael Crabtree and Texas Tech will pull this one out in an extremely close game.

Liberty Bowl: 1/2, 2:00pm PT Kentucky vs. East Carolina
This game has a Kentucky team that is really struggling and an East Carolina team that seems to have hit its stride. East Carolina has a very athletic defense that will cause problems for Kentucky. Both teams have struggles with their quarterbacks which is why defense will be key in this game. I think that East Carolina’s defense will step up and be the difference maker in this game and bring them to a victory.

Sugar Bowl: 1/2, 5:00pm PT Alabama vs. Utah
I like this match up because of how good both of these teams are. Utah, although from a weaker conference, is undefeated and is solid on both sides of the ball. They have an effective, balanced offense and they can march the field. Alabama had a great season going undefeated all the way until the last game. They have a great offense led by quarterback John Parker Wilson and their defense is also great.

But the huge advantage that Alabama has is their offensive and defensive lines. They have massive linemen that can take control of the line of scrimmage all night. Alabama’s lines are the difference maker in this game. They will own the line of scrimmage and ware down the much smaller linemen for the Utes. I like Alabama to ware down Utah and win this game.