tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27557851677599040752012-10-11T13:34:35.001-04:00Saver SportsMike Saverhttps://plus.google.com/108729883359413063489noreply@blogger.comBlogger201125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2755785167759904075.post-13310781048770979972011-11-20T12:53:00.000-05:002011-11-20T12:53:20.067-05:002011-11-20T12:53:20.067-05:00Week 11 PicksForgot to put my picks in last week, here they are for this week.
New York Jets over DenverBaltimore over CincinnatiJacksonville over ClevelandDetroit over CarolinaGreen Bay over Tampa BayBuffalo over MiamiMinnesota over OaklandDallas over WashingtonSan Francisco over ArizonaSeattle over St. LouisTennessee over AtlantaChicago over San DiegoNew York Giants over PhiladelphiaNew England over KansasMike Saverhttps://plus.google.com/108729883359413063489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2755785167759904075.post-57211190478272644272011-11-06T10:26:00.001-05:002011-11-06T10:29:44.784-05:002011-11-06T10:29:44.784-05:00Teams are catching on to the Anti-Patriots O forumlaPower Rankings, Week 9 Picks
This week's matchup between the Giants and Patriots revisits that infamous (to Pats fans) Superbowl back in the 2007 season. However, its also fitting this game falls the week after the Patriots offense was just dismantled by the Steelers defense. The Giants laid the groundwork of how to beat the Patriots offense, the key being to create pressure with just four Mike Saverhttps://plus.google.com/108729883359413063489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2755785167759904075.post-4012052363884816312011-10-29T17:24:00.001-04:002011-10-29T17:26:37.545-04:002011-10-29T17:26:37.545-04:00The Arizona Cardinals are the Worst Team in the NFLPower Rankings, Week 8 Picks
I don't feel too great about my picks for this week, after two straight solid weeks of picking games. However, one thing I do feel I know for certain after last week is that the Cardinals could be the worst team in the league. I know how badly the Colts and Rams were beaten, and logic would say that the Cardinals would at least be ahead of the three teams still Mike Saverhttps://plus.google.com/108729883359413063489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2755785167759904075.post-84461725414420178032011-10-21T16:44:00.002-04:002011-10-21T16:48:54.434-04:002011-10-21T16:48:54.434-04:00The 49ers are the new JetsPlayoff Predictions, Power Rankings, Week 7 Picks
Under coach Jim Harbaugh, the 49ers have hit their stride and now, at 5-1, have a stranglehold on the NFC West. The way that Harbaugh has turned San Francisco around is a little similar to the formula the New York Jets have used the last two years: smash mouth football. With quarterback Alex Smith, the 49ers are limited with that they could Mike Saverhttps://plus.google.com/108729883359413063489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2755785167759904075.post-8746490870929233352011-10-16T11:57:00.001-04:002011-10-19T09:51:03.526-04:002011-10-19T09:51:03.526-04:00NFL Power Rankings, Week 6 Picks
Let's see if Buffalo can beat a quality opponent on the road before we crown them the next AFC East champion...
Power Rankings
1. Green Bay Packers
2. New Orleans Saints
3. Baltimore Ravens
4. New England Patriots
5. Dallas Cowboys
6. Detroit Lions
7. San Diego Chargers
8. Pittsburgh Steelers
9. Cincinnati Bengals
10. Tennessee Titans
11. New York Giants
12. Oakland Raiders
13. San Mike Saverhttps://plus.google.com/108729883359413063489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2755785167759904075.post-25864370808151867212011-10-08T15:28:00.001-04:002011-10-08T15:34:47.369-04:002011-10-08T15:34:47.369-04:00Dont' jump ship on the Jets, Power Rankings + Week 5 PicksI feel like I've heard this story with the Jets before. Yet, for whatever reason, whenever this team has their back against the wall they always seem to respond. That's as true in a game (Browns, Lions and Texans games last year and Cowboys game this year) as it is over the season.
Remember the Ravens-Jets game in Week 1 last year? The Jets offense couldn't do anything, and they were immediatelyMike Saverhttps://plus.google.com/108729883359413063489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2755785167759904075.post-43921942955923626882011-10-01T14:53:00.003-04:002011-10-01T14:58:01.838-04:002011-10-01T14:58:01.838-04:00NFL Power Rankings, Week 4 Picks
I counted on Elvis Dumervill's return
from injury helping Denver, not him
getting injured again.
I usually let my 2011 Predictions speak for themselves for the first couple of weeks, but after the season's been rolling for a couple weeks you start to get a better handle on how the season might shape out.
For instance, my pick of the Broncos going to the playoffs might have been a bit off. IMike Saverhttps://plus.google.com/108729883359413063489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2755785167759904075.post-64453780248357533442011-09-08T03:27:00.001-04:002011-09-08T03:30:59.462-04:002011-09-08T03:30:59.462-04:002011 NFL PredictionsI'll fill in explanations later, it's late. Haven't had internet while moving so doing this day before season starts, click read more to see all the predictions, each teams schedule game by game. Looking at the schedules, I think the Broncos will have a big year.
I also did this last year, see how I did for the 2010 season, click here.
AFC NORTH
AFC SOUTH
AFC WEST
AFC EAST
NFC WEST
Mike Saverhttps://plus.google.com/108729883359413063489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2755785167759904075.post-13771923108731256142011-06-10T16:14:00.001-04:002011-06-10T16:19:45.523-04:002011-06-10T16:19:45.523-04:00MetroWest Daily News archiveHere's a roundup of all my game stories for the MetroWest Daily News thus far:
2/12/11- Hillers place in five events at sectional swim meet
2/21/11- L-S pools its resources
3/6/11- Red and Blue ousted from tournament
3/7/11- Loss of containment
4/9/11- Neilan, Warriors nearly get shutout
4/16/11- Scarlet Hawks get relaxing win
5/15/11- Maher nets 100th goal in win
5/22/11- Milford reachesMike Saverhttps://plus.google.com/108729883359413063489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2755785167759904075.post-87611986606431111082011-05-06T00:05:00.000-04:002011-05-06T00:05:04.258-04:002011-05-06T00:05:04.258-04:00Lester and Buchholz unveil Charity WinesThursday may not have been one of the better days in the Red Sox season -- featuring two losses in just over 12 hours. After falling in the 13th inning to the Angels at close to three in the morning, they were trounced later that afternoon, 11-0. However, while the Sox weren’t giving their fans many reasons to cheer on the field, two of their star players gathered at the House of Blues foundationMike Saverhttps://plus.google.com/108729883359413063489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2755785167759904075.post-11653883526397336402011-04-14T11:08:00.001-04:002011-04-14T11:10:00.942-04:002011-04-14T11:10:00.942-04:00Dustin Pedroia, the lovable idiotThere's something awesome about watching Dustin Pedroia this year. Yet I have to admit I haven't always been the biggest fan. I don't mean I've rooted against him or even had anything against him. It's hard to ignore his credentials (2008 AL MVP, 2007 AL Rookie of the Year, 2008 Gold Glove and Silver Slugger). There just wasn't the attachment I've had to long time players like Ortiz, Varitek or Mike Saverhttps://plus.google.com/108729883359413063489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2755785167759904075.post-33668151424351676402011-04-06T18:12:00.002-04:002011-04-06T21:41:50.822-04:002011-04-06T21:41:50.822-04:00Odds stacked against Red SoxThe Red Sox have yet to win a game in the young 2011 season. Say what you want about it only being a small four game sample but there's some daunting statistics now stacked against the preseason favorites to take the AL East.
Only six teams in MLB history have ever made the playoffs after an 0-4 start. Of those six, only the 1985 Cardinals made it to the World Series, where they lost to the Mike Saverhttps://plus.google.com/108729883359413063489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2755785167759904075.post-33002123258627718182011-04-03T20:34:00.000-04:002011-04-03T20:34:52.493-04:002011-04-03T20:34:52.493-04:00Father Time takes down Shaq, C's win anyway: BOS 101, DET 90Shaquille O'Neal played in his first game for the Celtics since February 1st tonight. Unfortunately for Boston, that return lasted all of five and a half minutes due to another injury as the Celtics defeated the Detroit Pistons 101-90. Sunday night at the TD Garden in Boston, MA.
Shaq made his return in the first quarter looking great and making an immediate impact. He gave the Celtics the Mike Saverhttps://plus.google.com/108729883359413063489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2755785167759904075.post-8859360916315859042011-04-03T11:54:00.000-04:002011-04-03T11:54:03.900-04:002011-04-03T11:54:03.900-04:00Off to a history making start, Ortiz silences doubtersDavid Ortiz probably isn't happy that the Red Sox have yet to get a win in the young 2011 season. Even so, there's a couple of reasons for him not to get too bummed out about.
So far, Ortiz has started fast and he's made history in the process
As detailed in his player preview Oriz belongs to a dying breed -- the Designated Hitter. Yet even if the DH is going the way of the dinosaurs, Big PapiMike Saverhttps://plus.google.com/108729883359413063489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2755785167759904075.post-74044186645050659272011-04-03T11:46:00.001-04:002011-04-03T11:47:30.454-04:002011-04-03T11:47:30.454-04:00Waiting for SupermanJust looking at Shaq, the reason for his “Superman” nickname is pretty clear. He’s big (325 lbs), tall (7-1) and strong. At the old age of 39 the big man has still remained a force to be reckoned with in the NBA. However, he hasn’t been that force since February 1st after being sidelined with a nagging Achilles injury.
Shaq now needs to take on the role
of Superman and save the team.
The Mike Saverhttps://plus.google.com/108729883359413063489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2755785167759904075.post-36829031993984336402011-03-31T23:02:00.002-04:002011-04-01T11:50:22.144-04:002011-04-01T11:50:22.144-04:00Celtics close out Spurs in second half: BOS 107 SA 97In the Celtics' recent slide, it's been arguably the subpar play of Rajon Rondo holding the team back the most. Tonight, he had 22 points, 14 assists, five rebounds and no turnovers as he sparked the Boston Celtics to an inspiring 107-97 road win over the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, TX.
It's the fifth consecutive loss for San Antonio -- the longest losing streak for the Mike Saverhttps://plus.google.com/108729883359413063489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2755785167759904075.post-68073317567898110422011-03-31T20:05:00.001-04:002011-03-31T23:04:22.191-04:002011-03-31T23:04:22.191-04:00Red Sox Player Preview: The BullpenSox fans can feel pretty confident about their team due to the big name hitters the Red Sox brought in during the off-season. They can also feel good about their starting rotation, which looks to be set up as one of the best in the Majors. However, as valuable as hitting and starting pitching are, there's another key piece to completing every World Series run. The bullpen.
Last year, the World Mike Saverhttps://plus.google.com/108729883359413063489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2755785167759904075.post-19396904620482733832011-03-30T08:41:00.001-04:002011-03-30T08:42:13.852-04:002011-03-30T08:42:13.852-04:00Red Sox Player Preview: David OrtizThe Boston Red Sox are branded into the identity of the city like no other team and, arguably, no player has meant more to the franchise in the last 10 years than David Ortiz.
Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield may still be on the team but Ortiz is the only player from that 2004 curse reversing Red Sox team that exemplified "the bunch of idiots", as Johnny Damon called it.
Lefties, slow starts Mike Saverhttps://plus.google.com/108729883359413063489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2755785167759904075.post-88248879671864993842011-03-26T16:47:00.002-04:002011-03-26T16:49:04.581-04:002011-03-26T16:49:04.581-04:00Red Sox Player Preview: Josh BeckettAfter a 2010 season riddled with injuries and disappointment, Josh Beckett is determined to forget it and move on.
Josh Beckett attempts to rebound
from a season of injury and disappointment.
“I can’t change last year. I just have to do the best I can this year," Beckett told ESPNBoston.com. "My dad said, ‘Throw the rear-view mirror away, because you can’t change anything that’s already Mike Saverhttps://plus.google.com/108729883359413063489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2755785167759904075.post-34122304486924915112011-03-26T08:10:00.001-04:002011-03-26T08:25:43.599-04:002011-03-26T08:25:43.599-04:00Ubuntu is goneRight now, the Celtics are in a funk. It looks a little familiar too. Last season, Boston sleepwalked through the last half of the regular season -- posting a mediocre .500 record from Christmas on.
Boston was losing games to the Washington Wizards and the New Jersey Nets. Fans were worried, dissatisfied and pissed off. They booed.
We all know how that turned out. The Celtics turned it on in Mike Saverhttps://plus.google.com/108729883359413063489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2755785167759904075.post-87430015380144032712011-03-24T12:53:00.003-04:002011-03-24T12:53:56.649-04:002011-03-24T12:53:56.649-04:00Perkins trash talks Heat, Dwyane WadePerkins may not be sporting a Celtic uniform anymore, but he's still talking trash like one. It seems he's been making headlines left and right dishing out insults to Boston's rivals ever since the the trade. I guess it's like CelticsLife said after the trade, "Once a Celtic, Always a Celtic".
Earlier this month, Perkins called the Lakers' Pau Gasol 'soft and Phil Jackson 'arrogant'. Go Perk.
Mike Saverhttps://plus.google.com/108729883359413063489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2755785167759904075.post-27498595377816327722011-03-24T08:00:00.003-04:002011-03-24T11:10:49.620-04:002011-03-24T11:10:49.620-04:00Doc, Ainge talk new contractAfter the crushing loss to the Lakers in the NBA Finals, coach Doc Rivers almost didn't return this season because he wanted to spend more time with his family. He came back for one year but many have speculated whether this could be his last go-around with Boston. Not according to CSNNE.com's A. Sherrod Blakely:
"You'd be hard-pressed to find any one with ties to the NBA that is looking forward Mike Saverhttps://plus.google.com/108729883359413063489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2755785167759904075.post-6460998838655931572011-03-23T22:40:00.004-04:002011-03-23T23:33:35.834-04:002011-03-23T23:33:35.834-04:00Celtics lose a tight one to Memphis: MEM: 90 BOS 87It's normally Paul Pierce or Ray Allen making the clutch game winning shots for the Celtics. Yet, that wasn't quite the case tonight as Pierce didn't get his chance until just 4.2 seconds were left in the game.
Rajon Rondo, Glen Davis and Pierce each missed shots that could have tied or won the game with the final seconds ticking away as the Boston Celtics fell to the Memphis Grizzlies 90-87 Mike Saverhttps://plus.google.com/108729883359413063489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2755785167759904075.post-19599704104722132322011-03-22T23:39:00.000-04:002011-03-22T23:39:04.392-04:002011-03-22T23:39:04.392-04:00Tampa Bay still primed for successAs much attention and hype the rivalry between the Red Sox and Yankees garners, it hasn't been the "Evil Empire" that's given Boston most of its fits in recent years.
The Rays are missing a lot from last year,
yet they'll still have many reasons to celebrate in 2011.
Since scrapping the word Devil from their name in 2008, the Tampa Bay Rays have boasted a 30-24 record against the Red Sox -- Mike Saverhttps://plus.google.com/108729883359413063489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2755785167759904075.post-33561510869399034992011-03-20T14:49:00.000-04:002011-03-20T14:49:09.165-04:002011-03-20T14:49:09.165-04:00Rondo's slump needs to end...soon.As much of a story as Boston's recent slide had been, it was the play of star point guard Rajon Rondo that has really bugged fans around New England.
Aside from being a phenomenal writer, Jackie MacMullan's most famous skill is the way she gets players to open up. That's no less the case in her most recent column for ESPNBoston.com, where she talks to Rajon Rondo about his recent slump.
Mike Saverhttps://plus.google.com/108729883359413063489noreply@blogger.com1