Phillies are the Clear Cut #1

Just about 50 games remain in the regular season of the baseball season and only a few teams have truly separated themselves from the rest of the pack. In the American League, the division leaders are the Rangers, Tigers, and the Red Sox. The Yankees hold a large lead in the wild card, as the Angels are 7 games back. The AL West is becoming one of the best races of the summer, with the Angels pulling within 1 game of the Rangers. The Central is still undetermined, but the White Sox and Indians have struggled so much lately that the Tigers seem to be the only consistent team in the division.

In the National League, the Giants have fallen back a bit, which has allowed the Arizona Diamondbacks to climb back in the race. The Snakes are just a half game back and play their next seven games against the Houston Astros and New York Mets. The Giants play Pittsburgh this week, before travelling to Florida during the weekend. Despite the surge by the Diamondbacks, they still trail the Braves by 4 games in the Wild Card. The only other team with a realistic shot at the Wild Card are the Cardinals, who are 4.5 games back. With the recent 10 game losing streak of the Pirates and the fall of the Cincinnati Reds, the NL Central has become a two-team race, with the Brewers leading by 3.5 games.

With all of these close races, there is one team in the NL that has basically cemented their name for October. The Philadelphia Phillies have won 9 of their past 10 and have a ridiculous record of 73-40. They own the best pitching staff in baseball, but more importantly their offense is doing enough to win games. The addition of Hunter Pence will be crucial for this team in October, as it adds a right handed bat to protect Ryan Howard. The Phils seem to be unstoppable right now. They hold a 8.5 game lead on the Braves and have proven they have the guns to beat the Giants this timearound. The Phillies are a battle tested team and are clearly the best team in baseball right now. With all the hype around the Red Sox and Yankees, the Phillies are better than both. Just looking down the roster, the Red Sox and Yankees don't have enough pitching to match the Phillies. The only team with the rotation to give Philadelphia a problem is San Francisco.

VU Hoops: 2011 Football Preview

For all of you die-hard Villanova Football fans, be sure to check out VU Hoops' detailed position-by-position preview. There's even some videos of training camp and a projected depth chart!

VU Hoops 2011 Football Preview

Bright Clothes; Bright Future

It seems that the next generation of standout golfers is making its way up the leader board and up the world rankings. Over the past few years, the likes of Dustin Johnson, Jason Day, Rickie Fowler, and Rory McIlroy have established themselves as legitimate contenders on the PGA tour.

Johnson, Day, and McIlroy all have at least one PGA tour win under their belt, McIlroy being the only one with a major victory. Each of these three have page one leaderboard experience in a major. I’m sure we all remember Dustin Johnson’s breakdown at Pebble Beach in 2010 and Rory McIlroy’s similar meltdown at Augusta earlier this year.

However, Johnson and McIlroy have bounced back nicely from their recent struggles. McIlroy had a historic win at Congressional in June, shooting a 72-hole score of 16-under par, a U.S. Open record. Johnson had a runner up finish at The Open Championship in July. Jason Day has also fared well in recent majors, finishing second at both the Masters and the U.S. Open.

So, where is Rickie Fowler?

The 22 year old has yet to win on the PGA Tour but is coming off of a top 5 finish at The Open Championship. When I had the opportunity to watch the Oklahoma State star play at the AT&T National earlier this summer, I liked what I saw. He has a quick, yet consistent pre-shot routine and a compact, yet powerful swing. He ranks in the top 25 in driving distance and has better putting statistics than that of Johnson, Day, and even McIlroy.

Rickie Fowler is the definition of a young gun. He has charisma, flashiness, power, and confidence. What he does not have at the moment, however, is accuracy. Nearly every other one of his drives misses the fairway, and this certainly hurts his chances to put up a low score.

Despite his wild tendencies, I believe that Rickie will make a serious run, both in the FedEx Cup and in the world rankings. He hits nearly 70% of his greens in regulation, despite his driving troubles, and when he makes the cut, he is a contender, shooting under par in every tournament this season. Fowler has less experience than Day, Johnson, and McIlroy, which means that he can be easily molded into a more accurate player.

Rickie tees off this weekend at Firestone in Akron, Ohio, and despite the hype of Tiger’s return, I would not be surprised to see him finish in the top 10.

Welcome Brandon Dornblaser

The Point After keeps on growing! We've added another blogger, Brandon Dornblaser. Brandon is a big-time Philadelphia sports fan and attends Villanova. He will be covering mostly golf and football, but he certainly knows a lot about baseball as well.

We look forward to his contributions to The Point After and hope that he will take on the role as our lead golf writer. Everybody wish him luck!

Villanova Football Update

After a long summer of a NFL lockout, football fans crossed their fingers tightly and hoped for a professional football season. Now as the pros get back into action, the college football hype continues to increase as well as students and fans countdown the days until opening kickoff for the 2011 season.

After two stellar seasons, the Villanova team is preparing for the season with many questions at hand. First, with the loss of the 6-2, 233 lb quarterback Chris Whitney, the Widcats are searching for a leader of the pack. Senior Marlon Calbi is next in line along with Christian Culcerto, however their heights and lack of playing time may limit their chances at getting the starting role behind center. So what does this mean for Nova? Coach Andy Talley in a recent video said that this years freshman class has an extreme amount of talent and redshirt-freshman QB Dustin Thomas could potentially start. Though the quarterback postion is uncertain, Talley believes in his fierce defense which the Wildcats have displayed the past few years from winning a championship, to knocking off two #1 seeds in the playoffs, and falling just shot in the semifinals in 2010. For more information about the Villanova football team check out other interviews with players (Lawrence Doss and Rakim Cox) and coaches (WR Coach Brian Flinn) on the "Point After". Stay tuned for more updates. Also, be sure to "like" the Point After on Facebook @ http://http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/The-Point-After/207708102591621.

Villanova Football Preview: Interview with DL Rakim Cox

As we near the start of Fall Semester, College Football is finally in the air. Villanova is less than a month away from starting what could be its final season as an FCS football school. A few weeks ago, we had the opportunity to talk to WR Coach Brian Flinn, where you can find here. Continuing our football preview, we spoke to Defensive Lineman Rakim Cox, who will be entering his third season at Villanova. Rakim is a 6-4, 265 lb force from San Diego, who improved greatly last year, after red-shirting his Freshman season.

To catch Rakim on Twitter, visit his profile: @rakim99

Here's our interview:

How is the preparation going for the upcoming season?

The preparation has been great. Since the first summer session everyone has been working extremely hard and has been improving tremendously. Our freshman came in and got right to work, a few guys were struggling the first few days but by the next week they were right on track. I think I speak for the whole team when I say I'm glad camp is starting and the season is around the corner, we're ready to get after Temple!

Temple has a tremendous running game. What are the keys to slowing them down?

I think it all starts with our Defensive Line. If we out-"physical" there offensive line and play hard and fast, I can guarantee that we will be fine. Of course our linebackers and secondary will step up, no doubt about it, but it all starts up front with us.

With a lot of players from last year's team gone, is there a different feel this offseason and during practices?

Maybe a little bit just because you're not seeing those guys' faces and we've been with them for years, but honestly it hasn't affected our team's work ethic and desire to step up. This has been a great summer and everyone has been getting better. That seems to be the main thing everyone talks about. No Szczur, No Ijalana, No Whitney, etc. We still have all the confidence that we had when they were here, nothing has changed.

Who has been the most influential player/coach to you at Villanova thus far?

In my years of being here, I would have to say Coach Galac, our strength and conditioning coach. This man is amazing. He's there whenever you need him: phone, football field, weight room, etc. He pushes everyone to their limits and makes everyone work hard. He encourages us in all aspects of our training, he wants us to be the best that we can. Our relationship with him might be the closest of all the coaches. Great guy!

How do you see your role on the line expanding this season?

I'm putting some pressure on myself actually. I feel like I have to step it up a lot and do what is expected of me by my coaches' standards, my teammates' standards, and my own standards. I'm going to work hard no matter what. Since I'm not really a "vocal" player, I plan on leading by example. I'm willing to do whatever I can to help my team win games.

What do you consider to be the biggest strength as a player?

I believe my biggest strength is my athleticism. I feel like I move very well for my size and am proud of where I am. I plan on using my athleticism to get to those QB's and Running backs in the backfield.

Can you tell us more about Andy Talley's Bone Marrow Program?

The Bone Marrow Program is an incredible thing. We are actually saving lives and are helping people out. We've had a few guys on the team already get calls, so that's very impressive. It's even amazing that Coach Talley has gotten many other colleges to join in which is also a big help. I think what we are doing is a great thing. It's always a good feeling to help someone in need.

To learn more about Andy Talley's Program, visit Talley Bone Marrow

What's the Point: Leadership and Bears Football 2011

The Bears declined to resign Olin Kreutz over a difference of $500,000. Yes, the same Olin Kreutz who has started in over 180 games in a Bears uniform, who anchored the offensive line for years at center, and, most importantly, was an unquestioned leader in the Bears locker room. Out went the only capable center on the team, and in came malcontent wide receiver Roy Williams. These moves create possible locker room problems which may result in more losses this season.

Just looking at the football side of not bringing back Kreutz, many questions arise. First of all, how do you replace Kreutz's experience on a growing offensive line? The Bears have many young lineman who will be vying for starting spots, including J'Marcus Webb and Gabe Carimi, Chicago's projected starting tackles. On a reconstructed line, the crafty Kreutz would have been invaluable. Secondly, and maybe more importantly, Kreutz's departure leaves the Bears without a capable and experienced center. Roberto Garza and the newly signed Chris Spencer should split the snaps, but on a line that gave up 57 sacks last year, that may not cut it.

The most important quality that Kreutz possessed as a player was his leadership ability. He has long been a leader in the locker room, pushing his teammates to do better. He has also been vocal with the front office as well. After a disappointing 7-9 2010 campaign, Kreutz got into a heated arguement with General Manager Jerry Angelo, quoted as saying "Things need to change." What Olin was speaking of was a sense of entitlement, and an undisciplined attitude that had crept into the Bears organization. Lovie's refusal to call out his veteran players had led to an underachievement of a season by an underachieving and injured bunch of players. In 2011, Lovie's new message was one of accountability and results. Never in the old days would Tommy Harris have sat on the bench while Matt Toeina played defensive tackle.

These past tendencies make the recent moves by Chicago potentially destructive. Leaving the fold is a stand up guy, and entering the fold is Roy "Diva" Williams. Not only has his performance been poor (worst percentage of dropped balls among wide receivers last season), but he never stops talking. With a loose cannon quarterback in Jay Cutler and a coach who will never see a glass half empty even if it has a single drop in it, a diva wide receiver is the last thing the Bears need from a team chemistry perspective. There is a need for receiver talent, but not this receiver.

Maybe I am all wrong about this. Maybe Kreutz was too greedy, maybe Roy Williams has seen the light and will make beautiful music with his old coordinator, Mike Martz. But, on a team with a coach that expects his players to police themselves, leaders will have to emerge on offense. Putting a diva on a team with a leadership void is just a bad idea. Saving $500,000 and standing firm on a contract might make the Bears look good now. But, if they are a crumbling, undisciplined team by mid-season, the Bears may wish they had made that investment.

What's the Point is a column written by David Straple. Feel free to comment.

Angels vs. Tigers Fiasco

If you didn't get a chance to see the highlights of the Angels-Tigers game yesterday afternoon, I strongly urge you to check it out: Angels-Tigers Recap. There were so many violations of the "unwritten" baseball rules, as you could probably tell.

It all started with a homerun by Magglio Ordonez off of Angel's ace Jered Weaver in the third inning. Magglio hit a bomb to left field right down the line. Ordonez stood at the plate, unsure if the ball would be fair or foul. Weaver thought that he was attempting to show him up, and started barking at Ordonez to start running around the bases. Magglio answered back, saying that he was unable to run faster than he was at his old age.

Then in the 7th inning, Carlos Guillen hit a no-doubt homer to right field off of Weaver again. Guillen didn't hide the fact that he was showing Weaver up, as he flipped his bat, stared down his homer, and took a few step sideways while focused on Weaver. Weaver was furious and his next pitch, which was to Alex Avila, went right over his head. He was promptly ejected and left the mound screaming at the Tigers dugout. 

I completely side with Jered Weaver on this one. He's an all-star pitcher and although Magglio probably didn't show him up, Guillen has no right to do what he did. This is a game of respect and a veteran like Guillen shouldn't take part in something so stupid. We don't see this much fire in pitchers anymore and it's good to see. Nolan Ryan would have thrown at Avila also and you'd have to think a lot of pitchers would have.

The drama in this game didn't just end there, as Justin Verlander carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning. Aybar of the Angels tried to bunt for a hit against Verlander in the eighth and reached on a throwing error by Verlander himself. It is against baseball etiquette to bunt for a hit to break up a no-hitter that late in a game, but Verlander handled it the right way. He was obviously displeased, but he told Aybar that he'd get him back next year when they see him again. Aybar was obviously just trying to get on base in a three-run ball game, but still bunting for a hit in that situation is considered "bush-league" for pitchers.

Anyways, I can't wait for the Angels-Tigers game next year. I'll definitely have that circled on my calendar, as there definitely will be retaliation. Verlander will go after Aybar, while Weaver will definitely hit Guillen.