2014 NFL Playoffs Mini Helmet Guide

Home team on left

Arranged by time of kickoff, Saturday double header followed by Sunday's

Bye teams in 2nd row

Keefe Hosting Schedule This Week

Monday, December 29

2-6pm with Dan Roche (WBZ) on 98.5/CSNNE

Tuesday, December 30

2-6pm with Kyle Draper (CSNNE) on 98.5/CSNNE

Wednesday, December 31

3:30-6:30pm (after Celtics before Bruins) with Sean McAdam (CSNNE) on 98.5

Thursday, January 1

OFF - Happy New Year!

Friday, January 2

2-6pm with Trenni Kusnierek (CSNNE) on 98.5/CSNNE

A Muppet Family Christmas

Celtics Future 1st Round Picks

2015
Own
Los Angeles Clippers
Dallas Mavericks

2016
Own
Brooklyn Nets
Cleveland Cavaliers (Top 10 Protected)

2017
Own
Right to Flip with Nets

2018
Own
Brooklyn Nets

Rondo To The Mavericks

This could be the deal according to reports. (Plus a 1st rounder going back to Boston.)

UPDATE:

Rajon Rondo and Dwight Powell to the Mavericks for Brandan Wright, Jameer Nelson, Jae Crowder, 2015 1st round pick and a future 2nd round pick.

These Guys Got The World All Fired Up

I still can't believe their movie, "The Interview," will not be released.  Unreal. Here's the plot..

"Dave Skylark and producer Aaron Rapoport run the celebrity tabloid show "Skylark Tonight." When they land an interview with a surprise fan, North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, they are recruited by the CIA to turn their trip to Pyongyang into an assassination mission."

Oh, also... it's a COMEDY.  But there's nothing funny about movie theater bomb threats, so Sony decided to pull the plug.  Overreaction? Probably.  With all this buzz though they may want to get this bad boy up on Pay-Per-View.

#FantasyExpert vs. #FantasyExpert

It's Rich Keefe vs. Mike Lockhart in the 98.5 The Sports Hub Fantasy Football League Final.  Really no surprise there as they are the co-hosts of the wildly popular Sports Hub Fantasy Football Show (Sunday mornings 8-10).

Here's a look at the match up...

Jamaal of America (Rich Keefe)

QB Tom Brady
RB Jamaal Charles
RB Fred Jackson
WR Antonio Brown
WR T.Y. Hilton
FLEX Giovani Bernard
TE Antonio Gates
D/ST Titans (vs. Jax)
K Cody Parkey

Bench Options: LeGarrette Blount, Doug Baldwin, Martavis Bryant, Ryan Mathews, Dolphins (vs. Min)



The DUB (Mike Lockhart)

QB Matthew Stafford
RB Eddie Lacy
RB Joique Bell
WR Kelvin Benjamin
WR Mike Evans
FLEX Jeremy Hill
TE Travis Kelce
D/ST Patriots (vs. Jets)
K Nick Novak

Bench Options: Justin Forsett, Michael Floyd, Dwayne Allen

Sidney Crosby Has The Mumps, But It Could Get Much Worse

I'm no mumps expert. No use for that expertise since the 1950s really, but according to Wikipedia.org there is a 15-20% things could be getting serious for Sid the Kid. 

Workaholics Season 5 Trailer

Current Red Sox Rotation

1.
2.
3. Clay Buchholz, Rick Porcello, Wade Miley, Joe "Machine Gun" Kelly
4.
5.



I have no use for Justin Masterson.  Maybe he goes to the bullpen, maybe he throws batting practice, who knows.

Another arm would be nice.

Keefer Madness: CM Punk Joins UFC

Click Here for Keefer Madness: CM Punk Joins UFC

#SmearCampaign

Our buddy Billy Lanni started a Nationwide trend today on twitter.  Jon Lester signed with the Cubs (and NOT the Red Sox), so Lanni knew it was only a matter of time until the smear campaign would be out in full force. (See the job on Terry Francona from a couple years back.) This is how it started...

"Lester was a terrible clubhouse guy." We are the Red Sox Front Office and we approve this message. #SmearCampaign

— Billy Lanni (@BillyLanni) December 10, 2014

He continued with ones like this...

Lester thought House Party 2 was better than the original. #SmearCampaign

— Billy Lanni (@BillyLanni) December 10, 2014

The thing really took off, all day with this... Here were my contributions to the cause.

Lester gave Adam Sandler movie advice AFTER Happy Gilmore. #SmearCampaign

— Rich Keefe (@Keefe21) December 10, 2014

Lester thinks Brian Hoyer should still be starter in Cleveland. #SmearCampaign

— Rich Keefe (@Keefe21) December 10, 2014

Lester thought Jar Jar Binks was a "fun character." #SmearCampaign

— Rich Keefe (@Keefe21) December 10, 2014

Lester leaves Voice Mails. #SmearCampaign

— Rich Keefe (@Keefe21) December 10, 2014

Lester chants "Let's Go Cena!" AND "Cena Sucks!" #SmearCampaign

— Rich Keefe (@Keefe21) December 10, 2014

Lester introduced Manti Te'o to his "girlfriend." #SmearCampaign

— Rich Keefe (@Keefe21) December 10, 2014

Lester thinks George Clooney was the best Batman. #SmearCampaign

— Rich Keefe (@Keefe21) December 10, 2014

You get the idea. And it's fun for the whole family!

Heisman Trophy Finalists

QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon
3,783 passing yards, 52 total touchdowns, 2 INTs

RB Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin
2,336 rushing yards, 26 touchdowns

WR Amari Cooper, Alabama
115 receptions, 1,656 receiving yards, 14 touchdowns

Great crew, Mariota will win in a landslide, but I like all three guys.

CM Punk Joins the UFC

I'm a CM Punk fan. I'm a UFC fan. (I'm still a reluctant WWE fan.)  So needless to say I am wildly intrigued by this move.   We've known Punk was interested in MMA for awhile based on his attendance at a few events and his relationship with a number of fighters and trainers including Rener Gracie.  But Punk as a fighter?  Well it's happening in 2015. 

News came out last night at UFC 181 that CM Punk signed a multi-fight deal with the company. He also did a 20 minute interview with Ariel Helwani (Google that, solid stuff). 

I know the immediate reaction by many will be "He's going to get killed."  "Does he know this is real?" Etc. etc.  But he's not stupid.  And neither is the UFC.  I do question if they are struggling with PPV numbers and with the loss of Brock Lesnar (more on him in a minute) and the long lay off of Georges St. Pierre and Anderson Silva, they're just trying to add a popular figure.  

Is it a publicity stunt a la Kimbo Slice?  To be fair Dana White put Kimbo through the reality show before his chance in the octagon and he's not nearly as popular, however a guy who many felt didn't belong and turns out they were right. 

I think Punk is different.  And maybe that's the fan in me talking, but his training in ju jitsu and knowledge/passion for the sport gives him a leg up (in my mind) over a dude who beat the shit out of guys in his back yard. 

Punk has seen countless fights and knows what those fighters go through leading up to and during the fight.  He won't be surprised and he won't be expecting to land a one-punch KO (see Slice, Kimbo). 

As optimistic as I am, there are still a number of questions and concerns.  CM Punk is 36 years old. He has never had a mixed martial arts fight and his first will be at the highest level.  That's like you playing your first football game in the NFL.  

He's listed at 6'2, 218 pounds.  (Where I found it.)  Of course Ultimate Warrior was from Parts Unknown so...

What division will he be in?  He mentioned in his interview with Helwani it might be Middleweight (185) but didn't rule out Welterweight (170). 

For those not familiar with MMA but may recognize names...

Middleweights include: Chris Weidman (champ), Anderson Silva, Vitor Belfort. 

Welterweights include: Robbie Lawler (champ), Johny Hendricks, Georges St. Pierre. 

He's obviously not fighting those guys anytime soon (perhaps ever).  Who does he fight?  Do they throw tomato cans at him for awhile?  Are they looking to protect him?  

He will be a big name and help with pay-per-views. He told Helwani that his first fight would definitely be on a PPV (UFC sprinkles in free fights on FOX channels as well.) But he's here for PPVs.  

How long can you have him fight bums?  Probably a little while, assuming he wins. If he goes 0-2, 0-3 he's probably done. Although the UFC emphasizes wins, they also demand entertaining fights.  If he loses a thrilling fight by decision that could keep him around we well. 

Good news is the UFC is not revolving around him.  Not to keep bringing up Kimbo Slice but we all remember EliteXC and all the eggs they put in the Kimbo basket.  Well a loss on free TV to Seth Petruzelli (who was an injury replacement for Ken Shamrock) all but shut down the company.   Again, this won't be an issue with Punk.  Good gamble by the UFC and great challenge for Punk.  

So he's old, inexperienced, and uncertain of weight class.  What about others who have gone from the WWF/WWE to the UFC?

Brock Lesnar (5-3, UFC)

Far and away the most success for a wrestler turned mixed-martial-artist. He was a dominate collegiate wrestler which made the transition smooth.  In fact almost all the best guys in the UFC are exceptional wrestlers or ju jitsu practitioners.  Lesnar was at one time the UFC Heavyweight Champ, but lost his last 2 fights in brutal fashion and returned to the WWE.  Rumors swirl of a possible UFC return however.  

Bam Bam Bigelow (0-1)

The late great Bam Bam Bigelow had one career MMA bout.  He got choked out by the legend Kimo Leopoldo in the 1st round. He was 35 at the time. 

Bart Gunn (1-1)

One half the Smoking Guns took his success from "Brawl for it All" (forget the Butterbean fight, he doesn't remember it and neither should you) and had two MMA bouts.  He beat Cabbage Correira via TKO (cut) in 2006 and followed that up with a loss to Ikuhisa "The Punk" Minowa by decision at Pride Bushido 13 (I have the DVD, need to go back watch that one.)

Bobby Lashley (12-2)

Lashley, another elite college wrestler, has had MMA success.  He has not faced the level of competition that Brock Lesnar has, in fact all 14 of his fights have been outside the UFC. He had some bouts in Strikeforce and is currently signed to Bellator.  He's taking this smart and not going after the biggest names right away. If he continues to win a move to the UFC makes sense. 

Batista (1-0)

All due respect to something called Vince Lucero, Batista had one MMA fight where he picked up a 1st round TKO win. He was 43 at the time.  This counts I guess.  

Obviously a mixed bag here.  Lesnar and Lashley have made that transition and looked good doing it.  The others?  Not as much.  The big challenge for Punk is coming from the wrestling world while not having that elite wrestling skill.  He has his work cut out for him.  

I'll be rooting for him and I'll be watching. Say what you want, but you have to respect a guy for getting in there.  I hope he does well, and who can difinivedly say he won't?  I haven't seen him train and neither have you.  Be skeptic all you want but I'm not going to rule him out.  

UFC 181 Results

Main card:
Robbie Lawler def. Johny Hendricks via split decision (for Welterweight Championship)
Anthony Pettis def. Gilbert Melendez via submission (guillotine) (for Lightweight Championship)
Travis Browne def. Brendan Schaub via first-round TKO
Todd Duffee def. Anthony Hamilton via first-round KO
Tony Ferguson def. Abel Trujillo via submission (rear-naked choke)

Undercard:
Urijah Faber def. Francisco Rivera via submission (bulldog choke)
Josh Samman def. Eddie Gordon via second-round KO
Corey Anderson def. Justin Jones via unanimous decision
Raquel Pennington def. Ashlee Evans-Smith via submission (bulldog choke)
Sergio Pettis def. Matt Hobar via unanimous decision
Clay Collard def. Alex White via unanimous decision

Thanks to MMAFighting.com for complete results.  

More on CM Punk joining the UFC later here on The Sports Brief...

Deadpool Spin-off Movie?

Uh... It's Chimichanga Time. pic.twitter.com/ZlknW4HOtj

— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) December 4, 2014

I'm in. Deadpool needs a movie. He was very "eh" in the Wolverine movie, but I'm on board.

Great Randy Marsh Tribute

Suicide Squad Movie Cast

Another comic book movie to look forward to, this from DC, Suicide Squad.  Set to be released August 5, 2016.   So, you got time.  But there is an intriguing cast coming together...


Jared Leto – The Joker

Will Smith – Deadshot

Tom Hardy – Rick Flagg

Margot Robbie – Harley Quinn

Jai Courtney – Boomerang

Cara Delevingne – Enchantress

Sounds like Jesse Eisenberg could play Lex Luthor as well.

That "Margot Robbie" who is playing Harley Quinn (can't wait for that) is the hot girl from Wolf of Wall Street.

The Walking Dead Mid-Season 5 Finale Recap

SPOILERS (obviously)

Last night marked the Season 5 mid-season (for lack of a better word) finale of The Walking Dead.  The episode entitled "Coda" was the eighth of the season. 

No surprise, someone was going to die.  That's kind of how mid-season and season finales work. Build up, build up, tense moments, death... How they deal with said death, do they need to move locations (yes), and then when things are going ok (can't ever be great) then back to the build up.  

I'm not knocking it. I've seen every episode since day 1 and have read the comic book (still reading in fact, as they are still writing it.) So they've got me. 

The big death this time around?  Beth.  Beautiful, innocent, tougher than she looks Beth.  This probably should not have been a huge shock as after episodes of being away they dedicated a whole show to her one week and she was just starting to become a major character.  Also her loss will have an enormous trickle down on the others, Daryl, Carol, Rick, and her sister Maggie. 

Well, speaking of Maggie, her emotional reaction to seeing Beth being carried out of the hospital would have been a lot more powerful had she, you know, even mentioned Beth ONCE since they've been a part. 

I don't get it.  Maggie would walk to the end of the Earth for Glen, she was a mess when her dad died, but Beth?  Never a word about her until an hour (or so, hard to say) before her death she heard she was alive and looked relieved. 

Not saying Beth's death wasn't emotional, it was.  And if they replace her with the dude with the limp, Noah, as a cast member?  Brutal.  Give him a bullett.  I just think it could have been a lot more intense and overall sad had Maggie given a crap about Beth for more than 30 seconds before seeing her body.  

I'm going to miss Beth, she turned into a great character.  Where they go from here will be a fun watch.  How close will it line up with the comics?  Is Negan around the corner?  

One last thing, the episode opened with Rick chasing down the cop who escaped. He hit him with a car and then shot him.  Not messing around.  It took a few seasons but Rick is officially Shane. (Always had the same taste in women, I mean right?). 

Now we wait until Februrary...