This Week's Links (2/11-2/15)

Mr. I: "If there was ever a Douchebag Smurf, this is what he would've looked like."

Guesses on the lines for tomorrow's college basketball games.

More projected standings, this time using CHONE. 89 wins for the Rays?

Pomeroy:

Louisville probably won't win the Big East regular season title, but don't let that fool you. They're the best team in the conference.

A very flattering picture of Josh Beckett.

YouTube was forced to delete all the Berman videos. Deadspin wasn't.

NL Spring Training previews from Sheehan: East, Central, West. On the Giants:

Winter grade: F
They took a 71-91 team and replaced its best position player with a guy coming off a career year who’s had two above-average seasons in his life. For $60 million. Good luck with that.
One move to make: Release half the roster. And the general manager.

Indeed.

This Week's Links (10/8-10/12)

Shockingly, Dick Vitale's playoff predictions were quite poor.

There is a new "Boom King", apparently.

Basketball Prospectus made its debut this week.

The PITCH f/x data is available to everybody, which is kind of cool.

Manny Acta dislikes bunting, and enjoys blogs.

Sheehan in his chat yesterday:

"I'll go one further: no one should sign any free agents this offseason. The chance that a 2007-08 free agent will generate a positive return over the life of his contract is comfortably under 10%"

Leitch's NY Times playoff blog:

"Analysts are still trying to figure this whole Rockies business out. During last night’s game, TBS broadcaster Bob Brenly went back to the basics. “They play the game,” he said. “They pitch. They catch.”

These are admirable attributes in a baseball team, and are undoubtedly keys to a successful baseball franchise. That no one thought to mention this before September 2007 speaks poorly of previous Rockies management, I think."

Finally, music news that nobody except me cares about. In a recent interview, Jay-Z described his upcoming album as "the lyrical side of Reasonable Doubt meets the musical majesty of Blueprint". That would be incredible, and though I doubt it's even possible, I appreciate the sentiment. More Hov: "Roc Boys", "Blue Magic" video.