The Dumbest Play of All Time

Sometimes the sporting world offers up one of those moments where you just have to laugh. Chuck Pagano and the Indianapolis Colts did such a thing in their loss to the New England Patriots this week. In a game that happened to be broadcast internationally from the American primetime.

They were trailing, sure. The decision to try something on fourth and short wasn’t in itself stupid. But even if this bad boy had paid off – which it never, ever would have with zero blockers on it, like at least try it outta the shotgun or something and give the fella the chance to use his legs – it wouldn’t have counted anyway because it was an illegal formation.

The only possible thread of logic here was that they were trying to get the Patriots to do something stupid in response, but as soon as the ball was snapped the flag came out. Someone missed the brain boat there.

"Not pleased with the way I prepared the guys, coached the guys to go out and execute the play. That's on me. I have to do better. But I don't regret the play call." – Coach Chuck Pagano.

The idea, apparently, was to get the Patriots confused and hopefully get them to burn a timeout. Instead it was the Colts that should’ve called one. They went on to lose 34-27.

THE CUBBIES ARE COMING!

But maybe not. It’s hard to tell.

They are in the National League Championship Series for the first time since 2003, though. Quite an achievement for a famously embattled franchise without a World Series win since 1908. If they can overcome the New York Mets (and their incredible starting pitching staff) then they’ll make their first World Series since 1945, the year that World War II ended.

They’re not off to the best start, however. Down 2-0 after struggling to plate runs against Matt Harvey and Noah Syndergaard (aka Thor, so they say) and getting done by the power of Daniel Murphy’s bat. But they’re back home for three games now in the best of 7 series. There’s a way to go yet.

After all, their game three and four heroics to beat the Cardinals in the ALDS were heroic. Three rookies homered in that third game, six batters in total - a MLB record - and homers to Anthony Rizzo and Kyle Schwarber helped them advance in the fourth game, riding a strong bullpen night as well for their first postseason series-clinching win at Wrigley Field.

If you need a team to cheer for these playoffs, there are four pretty decent candidates (eh, maybe not the KC Royals…). The Mets have always been the ugly stepsister of New York compared to the Yankees but here they are two wins from a World Series appearance. The Cubs are historically and endearingly tragic. And as for the Toronto Blue Jays, well, how can you not cheer for this:

One of the craziest playoff games in baseball history. Texas took the lead in the deciding game five on a play you’ll see maybe twice a season and it came in a late-innings tied ballgame in the playoff. There was mass controversy, and the game was played under protest from the Jays bench after that. Fans threw cans and debris onto the field. It was the correct call but that didn’t appease anyone.

In the bottom of that seventh innings, though, things got wilder. It was error after error for the Rangers. First shortstop Elvis Andrus mishandles a grounder up the middle. Andrus is a fine defensive player but one prone to errors now and then (he easily led the MLB in fielding assists but was also third in SS errors - 22). Runner safe on first, next play a bouncer to first where Mitch Moreland (also usually a safe glove) hurls his force-out throw into the dirt and the runners are safe on first and second. Cole Hamels, Texas’ ace, is still on the mound here but his count is already over 100 pitches. Next man bunts and Adrian Beltre plays it perfect on the wheel shift, only for Andrus to drop the catch at third, three errors and bases loaded. After a force out at home, second baseman Rougned Odor gets lobbed by Josh Donaldson on a ball he might have caught if he’d turned on it and the run scores, game tied. Unbelievable circumstances but nothing like what would follow. Up steps Jose Bautista, now with two outs and Sam Dyson pitching, absolutely crushes one into the stands to put the Blue Jays up with a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. A monster hit from a monster player, this bat flip will live on forever:

The Hayne Refrain VI

Week six brought an opportunity for Jarryd Hayne. Reggie Bush was ruled out with a calf injury – his third inactive game in six for the Niners – and rookie Mike Evans, who Hayne duelled with in pre-season, came in as a RB. But while Corey Hyde took the majority of the workload as usual, Hayne found himself on the park on offence ahead of Davis. Although he didn’t get the ball in his hands, he did see 9 snaps at RB (Hyde taking 47 and Davis 3). Hayne also got 6 counts on special teams.

And while this was a resurgent game for QB Colin Kaepernick (who’s been better the last couple weeks), Hayne’s gonna be dreading the film room. He made a couple rookie errors in this one, stuff that he’s been working on too.

First off, the initial punt return he took. Taking it with a bit of room inside, he weaved by a few tough tacklers for seven yards but as he busted one tackle, he didn’t notice the cover coming back from behind him, the ball poked away from out of his hands. Luckily a teammate (Dontae Johnson) was there to recover it. Hayne credited with a four yard return.

“I was obviously devastated with the fumble. We always talk about how the most dangerous man is the man you don’t see. I felt like I was clear and I went for that bit extra. I knew if I beat that one guy and the guy wasn’t behind me, it was just me and the punter and the boys were there. We’re always talking about making plays on special teams. It’s just one of those things I need to learn from. The most important thing is protecting the ball.” - JH

At least that was one where you could see the thought process. Late in the first quarter, after forcing a punt below the two-minute warning, the Niners were able to get the ball back with 40 seconds left in the half and a chance to add to a 16-6 lead. Hayne’s back for the punt and he takes the fair catch with pressure coming at him. The 49ers get the ball on the 7 yard line. It may sound innocuous, but that’s a big brain fade by Hayne. He’s too worried about the gunner closing down the return lanes to think about the situation and if he leaves that ball to bounce inside the 10, there’s a very high chance it goes out for a touchback and the Niners start on the 20. As it was, they ran the ball twice and let the clock expire.

There was also a 64 yard punt that Hayne let roll out at the 14 yard line (nothing much wrong with that, it was a beautiful kick). Curiously, as the Ravens rallied to close the gap to 25-10 with a little over 5 minutes left to play, Hayne was put in at kick returner. That duty had been shared between WRs Quinton Patton and DeAndrew White before then. Patton went on to make a couple big plays on offence including a touchdown catch in the fourth quarter and perhaps that’s why he wasn’t involved, though White only saw one snap of offence. Regular kick returner Bruce Ellington was inactive for the game due to injury. The kick went sailing dead, however, just as the four previous Baltimore kickoffs had done so also.

Maybe his worst play though was this one. Just outside the two minute warning, Hayne in at RB and Kaep drops back looking downfield for the pass. Hayne completely misses his man, letting Daryl Smith swing through the gap (created by a huge block on RT Erik Pears). On passing plays such as this one, Hayne’s job is to pick up the blitz and he completely misread this one, culminating in a third down sack.

It’s those blocking responsibilities that will take the most time to get used to. We know what he’s like as a runner, we know how tough he is and how dedicated he is to this. But he needs to be able to round off his game more completely, glaring weaknesses will be punished mercilessly in this league (his QB knows that all too well). He was better on other occasions, to be fair.

Next up is a brutal one with the Niners taking on big rivals the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football. The short turnaround is a troubling one with Carlos Hyde playing through an undisclosed foot injury and Reggie Bush having missed this game, though Coach Tomsula says he’s optimistic both will suit up. That likely means third string duty for Hayne, which he’s accustomed to. It’s an incredibly inexperienced backfield without Bush there.

Having said that, the 49ers are still taking precautions, working out former New Orleans Saints RB Pierre Thomas as they try fill the potential void. In the meantime, Hayne and Davis got plenty of work in last week with the first team, which is always helpful:

“It helped us out a little bit. We definitely had a lot more reps. … It’s just getting used to it. Getting reps with the starters, building camaraderie and getting a feel for it.”

The Seahawks are coming off a late loss to the Carolina Panthers. Incredibly, San Fran and Seattle both share 2-4 records. Hayne actually toured the Seahawks facility last year before he decided to sign with the Niners, though there’s no guarantee there was any real interest from Seattle.

Corey in the USA

Actually, he’s not in the USA any more. Corey Webster was waived by the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday (NZT), flying back to re-join the NZ Breakers in the Aussie NBL. It didn’t end in an NBA contract but he definitely went further than most people expected him to when he first flew over and he’ll return a vastly improved player with an international reputation. Shout out to Corey Webster for making it happen.

What cost him was the Norris Cole injury that we initially looked as an opportunity for Corey... it ended up being the worst thing possible. It left them with only Tyreke Evans and Jrue Holiday (on a minutes limit) as fit point guards and they weren’t ready to give Webster those reins when he’d not played 10 mins in any of his three pre-season games. Instead he was waived and the Pellies brought in former University of New Orleans star guard Bo McCalebb, who has made a career for himself in Europe after going undrafted in 2008, often considered too small to play NBA. That’s obviously not a concern for the Pelicans because on the same day they also announced a 1 year deal with former Bull & Nugget PG Nate Robinson. In order to make room for him, centres Jerome Jordan and Mirza Begic were both waived. Each had only been at the club a week as cover for the injured Omer Asik and Alexis Ajinca.

Webster departs having averaged 1.3 points and 2.0 assists in his three pre-season games. And of course, he leaves with an enormous impression left upon this franchise. Because Corey Webster won the team skeet shooting day the other week, despite by his own admission never having shot a gun in his life.

Tell us all about it, Webby.

Money Where Ya Mouth Is

John Wall is a top five point guard in the NBA, believe it. But if he has a major weakness it’s his turnover rate, giving it up 3.8 times a game last season. So as incentive to fix that dilemma, Wall’s reportedly paying Washington Wizards assistant coach Howard Eisley $100 for every game in which he has three or more turnovers. If he’d made that wager last year, he’d owe the bloke $6,200. Work it out.

NFL Week 6 Power Rankings:

1. New England Patriots (Last week = 2)
2. Green Bay Packers (1)
3. Cincinnati Bengals (3)
4. Denver Broncos (6)
5. Carolina Panthers (7)
6. Arizona Cardinals (4)
7. New York Jets (9)
8. Atlanta Falcons (5)
9. Pittsburgh Steelers (NA)
10. Seattle Seahawks (8)

TAAAAAAKE ME OOOUT TO THE BAAAALLGAAAME!

Go Long, Alex!

Grudge Match

Backflip > Bat Flip

Quote of the Week:

"I apologize for us being healthy, I apologize for us playing who was in front of us. I apologize for all the accolades we received as a team and individually. I'm very, truly sorry, and we'll rectify that situation this year." – Steph Curry

The MVP ain’t copping it if you think they won the title through a healthy dose of luck – as if every other championship team didn’t get lucky on their way too. We’re with ya, Steph.

Borderline Illegal Rumour of the Week

Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls apparently removed the wing-mirrors of his car because he never wants to look backwards. Pretty sure that’s not a thing you’re allowed to do. Some metaphors are best left metaphoric.

Good Week:

Chris Ivory (New York Jets) – If the Jets are truly gonna threaten the playoffs, and at 4-1 they are off to a good start, then it’s gonna be Ivory leading the way on offence. Without the ball, this team is as good as almost any but they need to back that up with points. Nights like Ivory’s 20 carry, 127 yard, 1 TD game against Washington sure help.

Lamar Miller (Miami Dolphins) – Another running back, but maybe this should go to his coach Dan Campbell? The Dolphins bounced bag big time with Miller the main benefactor in a comfortably win over the Titans. He came into the game averaging 3.45 yards per rush and he boosted for 113 yards and a TD on 19 carries. All it took was a new coach to get things rolling, aye? (There’s a shifty precedent).

Bad Week:

Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers) – The big fella prospect’s been run through the ringer this week by those pesky anonymous sources that always seem to pop up in exposés. From a piece in The Cauldron, it’s said the Sixers are so worried about Embiid’s diet that they’ve been stocking his hotel fridge themselves (to no avail). And when they checked his room service bill it turned out he’d mostly been ordering: “junk food along with his signature beverage, a pitcher of Shirley Temples”. Thirsty boy. There’s also a rumour that the foot surgery that’s cost him a second straight NBA season might not have been necessary if he hadn’t refused to wear a walking boot on it.

Philip Rivers (San Diego Chargers) – There aren’t many men capable of throwing for 503 yards with no interceptions and still losing the game. Rivers hurled 63 (!) pass attempts, completing 43 of them. All three of those numbers are franchise records and he did it with a busted up offensive line. That’s tragic. For the record, they were playing the Packers at Lambeau, so, yeah.

Player of the Week:

Daniel Murphy (New York Mets) – For a 30 year old journeyman first baseman, Murphy sure has some clutch. After hitting .333 with 3 HRs against the Dodgers, he’s buggered up the Cubs in the first three games of the NLCS with another 2 homers, slugging at an insane .929 average these playoffs. Oh and he's a free agent next season if anyone’s keen.