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InsideCorner, R.I.P.

It really was magic. When we launched InsideCorner at the beginning of the baseball season, it was an opportunistic move made possible by the Morning News‘ shortsightedness. They had on their staff the best baseball beat writer in Texas, Evan Grant, and they decided to make him cover football (a move forced by their content-sharing agreement with the Star-Telegram). So, with the support of some visionary advertisers (Dr Pepper, Pappas Bros., Texas Rangers), we were able to make a home for Evan in our humble digital outpost. You know what happened after that: the Rangers had one of their best seasons in club history as a direct result of Evan’s comprehensive, insightful coverage (along with the fine work of Mike Hindman and Jeff Miller, it should be noted). Then, at the end of the baseball season, the News got its shortsighted vision corrected by ESPN and hired Evan back.

Meantime, we’d brought along some other writers to round out the coverage on InsideCorner, most notably Bob Sturm, he of Ticket fame. Bob broke down the Cowboys for us in the way that only he can. And Gina Miller of TXA 21 has been pitching in on the Mavs front. Zac and Eric threw up a few posts, too, from beyond the arc.

Here’s what we struggled with: we had this great baseball blog run by a full-time employee whose job was to feed and care for the thing more or less around the clock. Then we had this parentless sports blog that was getting passed around from babysitter to babysitter, each of whom gave the thing good care when they had the time but each of whom also had a full-time job (in Zac’s case, keeping Twitter in business; in Eric’s case, breaking necks and cashing checks; in Bob’s case, mediating on-air fights between his broadcasting partner and his producer on BaD Radio; in Gina’s case, keeping Derek Harper’s six-button suits in check on Mavs broadcasts; in Mike Hindman’s case, lawyering; in Jeff Miller’s case, writing books). This is no way to raise a child. A kid needs stability. Rules. An engaged parent.

So. We’ve decided to give our baby to a better home. Or, more accurately, we’ve decided to put the baby down. And not just for nap.

On Monday, we’re pulling the plug on InsideCorner. Its content will still live on the interubes should you ever want to search for a bit of information you remember reading, but there won’t be any links to it on our site. Thank you to everyone who was a part of the magic while it lasted. Thank you especially for your forbearance as we’ve figured out the right course of action.

God bless us all.

Game Plan Friday: Seahawks (oops)

On Monday, I spent a fair amount of time wondering about how/why Tony Romo has looked like ‘07 Romo. Many of you have offered your theories and I will answer some of those in a soon-to-be-released mailbag. The most important thing is not why, the most important element of this run that could put the Cowboys in the mix for the 2009NFC Title run would be that he is playing very well right now. He has 1 interception in his last 4 games, and his last 2 games have been nearly perfect.

And when Tony Romo plays well, this team wins. In the last 2 weeks, he has had QB ratings of 113 and 140 and has not looked this good in a long time. Here is a stat for you:

When Tony Romo has a passer rating above 80, the Cowboys are 28-5, for 85%.
When he doesn’t, they are 3-9 or 25%.

Continue reading "Game Plan Friday: Seahawks (oops)"

James Neal’s Winning Goal Only His Final Contribution to Dallas Stars’ Overtime Victory

DALLAS - The Stars cleverly announced during Wednesday night’s game that the Ott-toberfest ticket promotion has been extended into November by two games by the “league offices” since Steve Ott was slapped with a two-game suspension for his hit on St. Louis’ Carlo Colaiaicovo last Saturday night. And for much of the night, the Ott-less lineup looked limp and allowed a one-win Toronto team to rally twice and then grab the lead midway through the third period.

Only then did the Stars seem to get their dander up. Mike Ribeiro’s redirection in the slot tied the score with 2:45 left in the third period. Then young James Neal, devoted Leafs fans as a lad growing up in the Toronto suburb of Whitby, displayed his offshoot of the Gordie Howe hat trick to help get the game into overtime and win it almost three minutes in by a 4-3 score.

It’s the first time this season the Stars have won a game played beyond regulation. With Florida (2-7-1) coming in Friday and a Saturday night visit to Nashville (4-6-1), the Stars (16 points in 12 games) have a golden opportunity to push San Jose (17 in 13) for the lead in the Pacific Division after the first month.

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An Indirect Rangers-Series Scenario to Ponder

The Yankees are there. The Phillies are there. Not New York’s other team, the other alleged contender in the N.L. East, which was Sports Illustrated’s pre-season pick. And maybe the sorry state of the New York Mets is worth keeping an eye on for Rangers fans.

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Five on Five: Mavs v. Wizards

Five observations on a lackluster loss to the Washington Wizards, after the jump.

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Mavs/Wizards Hangover

Man, do I feel like I was drinking the Kool-Aid!  So much for this great chemistry the Mavericks have and obsessive focus on defense.  It’s only one game and I don’t want to rush too quickly to judge but the Mavericks season opening loss to the Wizards proved this team has some work to do. Continue reading "Mavs/Wizards Hangover"

Musings On Wednesday

On Wednesday, we go in any number of directions as sort of a “reset” day. It has also grown a life of its own with TC’s drive for the final 3,000 words or so at the bottom of the page. And, as someone who has previewed his work, allow me to say that he is debuting the “Easter Egg” strategy that some DVDs do these days. I will try not to spoil it.

But, before we get to all of that, here are a few other things before we check our weekly numbers:

1) Occasionally, while watching a Cowboys game, I will see something that I have no place for in one of my entries, but I just wanted to share it with you anyway. Here is one of those cases. I can’t explain why, but for some reason, nothing makes me crazier when watching a football game than the Defensive Backs who refuse to tackle altogether or refuse to tackle properly. It seemed like once upon a time there was the idea that DBs could tackle and would do so utilizing proper technique with arms wrapping up and driving. Somehow, over the years, DBs have found that it is easier (albeit lower percentage) to simply launch a shoulder and hope you knock the player silly.

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Dallas Stars’ Upcoming Diet (Leafs, Panthers, Predators) Could Be Filling in Points Column

The Toronto Maple Leafs team that will visit AAC on Wednesday night won’t drag in the NHL’s only winless record after all, winning at Anaheim on Monday night 6-3. You commit 17 penalties like the Ducks, and Niklas Hagman is going to make you pay - three power-play goals (giving him a team-high six this season). The Leafs have risen to 1-7-1.

The Stars’ schedule this week appears appetizing with the Leafs followed by Florida at AAC on Friday and a trip to Nashville on Saturday. Toronto and Florida are last and next to last in goals against. Nashville and Florida are last and next to last in scoring, with Toronto 25th. Dallas will face Toronto and Florida minus Steve Ott, suspended by the NHL for two games for his pop on St. Louis’ Carlo Colaiacovo on Saturday night.

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Football 301 – Week 7 – ATL – Targets/Sacks

Another week, and another chance for us to see where Tony Romo wants to go with the football. Also, who do we blame for the sacks? Let’s examine closely:

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Football 301 – Decoding Garrett – Week 7

DISCLAIMER: This is not for everyone. It may not be for you. This is a statistical study of the Cowboys offense with lots of numbers that may make your head tired if you are not up to it. Read it only if it is something that is of interest to you.

The Cowboys have had more successful days on offense than they had on Sunday, but when it came time to make a play, Tony Romo was absolutely up to the task. His new found favorite target, Miles Austin, has seemed to be the target that Romo has been missing for quite a while around here. Now that he has him, the offense does not rely on a running game to carry them.

A big WR who makes plays and demands coverage changes everything for the Cowboys. Hope he is not a mirage.

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A Little Mavs Chemistry Lesson

Does Jkidd + Smarion + Dgooden + Dnowitzki + Jhoward –> Division Title + Conference Championship + Title?????

We won’t know the answer to that for a while, but just about every person involved with this Mavericks team feels good about what they’ve got. Sure they like the additions. Shawn Marion provides speed and athleticism. Drew Gooden is a self-described “monster” who says he’s looking forward to being a physical force. I like them, too, but what has struck me through almost four weeks of the Mavericks preseason is that these guys really seem to like each other.

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IM Just Saying: Eric Celeste and Zac Crain Chat Up the Western Conference

After the jump, a short conversation between me and Eric Celeste regarding the Western Conference and the Dallas Mavericks’ place in it. It is unedited, to preserve the likely idiocy of our opinions. And also, let’s be honest: because we didn’t do it via Gmail so either one of us would have to work too hard.

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Monday Dallas Stars Update

FRISCO – Mike Modano was back skating with the team on Monday morning. Matt Niskanen is working toward returning for Wednesday’s next game. Nicklas Grossman’s face is healing nicely, thank you.

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Linkin’ Park: NBA Edition

On the eve of the 2009-10 season, the NBA finally has its referees back — just in time, too, after Drew Gooden was ejected and promptly un-ejected during Friday’s preseason finale by a replacement crew — and the Mavericks finally look to be healthy. Dallas’ season gets underway tomorrow night with a game against Washington at the AAC, and the club isn’t as spry as it was a few years ago. How Jason Kidd’s mind and Dirk Nowitzki’s body hold up are going to be key in determining the Mavs’ success, and there are those that feel the prognosis isn’t much better than last year.

Shawn Marion, Drew Gooden, Tim Thomas, and Quinton Ross headlined the crop of newcomers in the summer, but question marks remain on whether Kris Humprhies and high-upside rookie Rodrique Beaubois can build on promising preseasons to become regular contributors in Rick Carlisle’s rotation this year. It’s hard to say considering we don’t really know Carlisle that well, either.

But if your eyes are too tired to do all that reading on a Monday, you could just listen Doug Collins talk about the Mavs for a minute and a half, and then watch clips of the Mavs hanging out on media day. Your call.

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The Morning After: Cowboys 37, Falcons 21

I have never seen, nor do I plan on seeing, the 1998 movie, “How Stella Got Her Groove Back”. I assume Stella had a groove – lost it somehow – and then spent a great deal of time trying to figure out how to re-acquire this groove again. I will also assume that she found this groove by the end of the movie or the title would have been rather mis-leading.

I take you down this unlikely road to bring the conversation to Tony Romo. I think we can all agree he also once had a groove. In his first 25 or so games in the NFL, he was somewhere between amazing and unbelievable. Then, something happened where he hit adversity and we began to see the weaknesses in his game. And for the last 20 or so starts, he just has not been the same guy who seemed like he played the game with everything happening around him in slow motion. Was something wrong with him? Was something wrong with his coaching? What happened to a guy who seemed to have the NFL figured out?

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Hicks Watches Liverpool Blank ManU, End Skid

With Tom Hicks and co-owner George Gillett seated at midfield (together during the first half, separate during the second as seen on the telecast), Liverpool ended a four-match losing streak on Sunday and continued its Premier League mastery of Manchester United. It ended 2-0 with Fernando Torres breaking the scoreless tie in the 65th minute and Liverpool adding another in the closing seconds of stoppage time.

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Baseball Quick Hits

On Instant Replay

UPDATE: Click here for Joey Matschulat’s look at the state of umpiring in general this morning at BBTiA.

It’s been a rough October for MLB umpires, who have struggled to get some of the most obvious calls correct. Among a litany of his peers, Phil Cuzzi came under scrutiny in the ALDS series between the Twins and the Yankees when he ruled a Joe Mauer liner foul even though the ball landed well inside the chalk. The Twins went on to lose the game 4-3 in 11 innings and the series in three games.

But the general outrage may have culminated with Tim McClelland’s bizarre call Tuesday night — which you can watch here — that resulted in Robinson Cano being called safe at third base despite standing with his foot clearly off the bag as Angels catcher Mike Napoli tagged him with the ball. Though the call didn’t affect the outcome of the Yankees’ 10-1 blowout win, the miss was so evident that many fans and critics have spoken out for the expansion of instant replay in baseball.

Much maligned commissioner Bud Selig is uninterested in addressing the issue, seemingly not wanting to leave a legacy, fair or not, as the guy who let the Steroid Era happen and the guy who slowed the game down. The argument against says that a game based so heavily on pace and timing would be hurt by frequent interruptions to check fair or foul, out or safe, etc. And where do you draw the line? Foul tips? Hit batsmen?

But missed calls like we’ve seen so far can’t continue, especially not at this point in the year. After playing through a grueling 162 game schedule — 163 if you count their one game playoff with Detroit– the Twins were done in just three games, and at least one of them was affected by a shoddy call. And the fact that even experienced umpires are botching plays has only emboldened those who want to bring MLB into a more technological state of existence. So can baseball really afford to wait for a major umpiring meltdown before they implement some kind of change?

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Your 2009-10 Dallas Mavericks Preview

Grab a cup of coffee, and settle in. We’ll be waiting after the jump in a game-worn Nick Van Exel jersey with a big pile of words.

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Game Plan Friday: Atlanta Falcons

When the schedule came out in April, a few non-NFC East games jumped off the page at me. The Back-to-Back in December of my preseason Super Bowl teams San Diego and New Orleans looked incredibly formidable.

And then there was this one; the first ever Sunday Afternoon game played at the Brand New Death Star against last year’s Cinderella playoff story, the Atlanta Falcons.

I wrote about their franchise in pretty elaborate detail yesterday , so check that out if you want to see more about the impressive building of this team. But, today, let us visit about what this all means and how the Cowboys can seize a big opportunity to make a move in the NFC Playoff picture.

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Mavericks Have New Stats Guru: 82games’ Roland Beech

Hardcore NBA observers have long been familiar with the sports-nerd greatness that is 82Games. Now the man behind the site, Roland Beech, is applying his mastery of arcane stats and numbers on the side of the angels, aka the Dallas Mavericks. The Two Man Game’s Rob Mahoney has a brief Q&A with Beech right … here.

Programming Guide to InsideCorner’s Coverage of the Forthcoming 2009-10 NBA Season

The Dallas Mavericks kick off their season Tuesday night at the AAC against a finally healthy (for now) Gilbert Arenas and his Washington Wizards. Yrs truly will be in attendance in my usual spot in Sec. 319. Here is what you can expect from us in the next few days, as well as the coming weeks and months.

FRIDAY: A two-part Mavs preview. I will be taking a look at the returning members of the roster, while Eric Celeste will cast his eyes (and keyboard) toward the new additions.

MONDAY: A conversational look at the Western Conference (and the Mavs’ place in it) between me and Eric. We hope to have a few voices popping in to share their insights as well. I think it’s safe to say you will get predictions here. I don’t want to jinx myself, but I called the Mavs’ record EXACTLY last year.

TUESDAY: Eric will focus in on the season opener, followed that night (or the next morning) by me with our first Mavs game book. We’re calling it “Five on Five,” and, as the name implies, expect five cogent, potentially mind-blowing observations about the game. (Usually when Eric is writing it.)

For the rest of the season, look for a breakdown at the week ahead every Monday, previews of every game, recaps of the important or notable ones, and the occasional chat, as well as more good basketball talk from TXA 21’s Gina Miller, and a few guests we’re solidifying as I type this. And, of course, the great Bob Sturm will jump into the fray when the mood strikes and show us all up with his big sports brain.

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter for the stray Mavs/NBA thought: @InsideCorner, @zaccrain, @EricCeleste, @ThatSportsGirl (Gina Miller), and @bobanddan (Bob Sturm).

BASKETBALL!

Analyze the Enemy – Game 6 – Atlanta Falcons

THURSDAYS: We catch you up on this week’s opponent with an overall portrait of their team. This is not breaking down this week’s match-up, because that happens on Friday. This is just to set the table in preparation for laying out the gameplan.

Some teams are not as good as you think they should be based on their level of talent. And other teams are actually better than you think they should be because they play well as a team. They are coached well. They seldom beat themselves, and they just play football the way it was meant to be played. I suggest to you that one of those teams could very well be the 2009 Atlanta Falcons.

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Sunny Start for New Stars Coach Marc Crawford

Marc Crawford

They have a lot going on in Los Angeles, what with the Dodgers going out and the Angels following closely behind. Doesn’t appear the local papers or web sites are taking much notice of Stars coach Marc Crawford making his first return to Staples Center following his inglorious run as coach of the L.A. Kings.

It has been about a month since Crawford called together his first Stars training camp. It was no secret that Joe Nieuwendyk sought a tougher edge, a louder voice when hiring Crawford to replace Dave Tippett.

What did the players hear about their new coach? “That he was pretty tough and pretty demanding and likes to lose his mind once in a while,” Mike Ribeiro said with a laugh. And so far? “I think he’s trying to get not too emotional either way, after a big win or after a big loss,” Stephane Robidas said. “Sometimes he’ll snap on the bench, but that’s part of who he is. He’s a guy who’s trying to keep everybody honest. We knew he was going to be tough that way. I think so far he’s been really good for us.”

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How Good Are The Horned Frogs?

Last week provided a handful of highly anticipated matchups between top 25 college football programs, with five games featuring a pair of ranked teams going head-to-head. This Saturday seems to be lacking in that category. Among the best games slated for the weekend: No. 13 Penn State at Michigan, Oklahoma at No. 25 Kansas, No. 3 Texas at Missouri, and Oregon State at No. 7 USC. Not exactly a power lineup.

But, for college football fiends, all eyes should be on the small town of Provo, Utah on Saturday night. Frankly, if the game was happening in a conference with BCS Bowl affiliations, you’d probably have heard all about it by now. The matchup?

No. 8 TCU at No. 16 BYU.

Maybe not the long-standing rivalry or storied programs most college football slugfests boast, but these two are serious. And for Gary Patterson’s undefeated TCU team, it’s a chance to make a statement.

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And Now for Something Completely Different …

(Before discussing English football, the headline honors the 40th anniversary of the great English import Monty Python, subject of a new documentary.)

This has been more than simply a forgettable week for Tom Hicks’ Liverpool FC. It has been bad, bizarre and getting worse.

The Reds have lost four consecutive matches for the first time in 22 years, fallen well off the pace in the English Premier League only nine games into the season and are in danger of failing to advance out of opening-group play in the Champions League. They lost in stoppage time on Tuesday at home against Olympique Lyonnaise, and that wasn’t the worst of their week. Try losing when you give up a goal off a beach ball.

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