Front Row.com Blog

 For the legions of Patriots ticket holders that pack Gillette Stadium, missing the NFL playoffs in 2008 must have carried whispers of withdrawal. These Patriots under King Bill are penciled into the post-seasom without a thought. But the loss of Tom Brady early in the season pretty much set the tone for a down year. Here’s my startling though of the day: New England may not have made the playoffs even with Brady. Matt Cassel pushed the Patriots to 11-5, generally considered good enough for a playoff run. Would Tom Brady have made enough of a difference to garner another win? Maybe.

 But that’s the past and it’s useless to hash over a bunch of maybes. Now let’s look at the 2009 Patriots. Brady is back and the issue become whether he is completely recovered or will there be lingering effects from injury and rust? My guess is the Pro Bowl QB will take a few weeks to really get in stride but eventually he’ll be all the way back.

More importantly in my mind is whether Bill Belichick can keep up the pace. Early in his career he was surrounded by good assistant coaches. Now, he’s watching his people walk out the door every year. The lack of cohesion could come back and bite New England. Anyway, on to the 2009 Patriots. Big Bill has filled the uneven spots in his roster and attained quality backups across the board. Should Laurence Maroney falter then Fred Taylor is there to pick up the slack. While nobody expects Randy Moss to slip, New England still has Wes Welker, and got Greg Lewis and Joey Galloway to round things out. Defensively the Patriots have some issues. The line has taken a beating and the aging of the linebackers could be of some concern. While Belichick has been busy plugging in replacements there has been no crop of young defensive backs to spring up.

The Patriots schedule for 2009 has some challenges. The hot Atlanta Falcons and Matt Ryan, the Miami Dolphins, and an opener with Buffalo that could expose a rusty Tom Brady. It all remains to be seen but Bill Belichick and Patriots tickets have been down this road before. Expect a return to the playoffs and a shot at another Super Bowl.  

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 Miami Dolphins tickets have undergone a complete transformation under Bill Parcels. Here’s a guy who has taken a 1-15 team and in just one NFL propelled Miami into the NFL playoff picture. While the Dolphins still have to contend with the New England Patriots in their own division, they now face the 2009 NFL season with complete faith that they can beat anybody. Parcells is the ultimate master of the NFL turnaround. He’s done it with the New York Giants, the Dallas Cowboys, and now the Dolphins.

 Entering 2009 Miami faces perhaps an even greater challenge. Many things have to happen for the Dolphins to get back to the playoffs. Tom Brady has returned to the Patriots. The Dolphins have to have the same Chad Pennington in 2009 that they had in 2008. If not, Miami really likes Chad Henne and rolled the dice on Pat White, a rookie ideally suited for the latest offensive rage of the Wildcat. Head Coach Tony Sparano can also dish out a dose of pounding with Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, who combined for over 1,700 yards in 2008. Both should be healthier and in better shape this season, running behind a young and talented offensive line, a Bil Parcels trademark.

 Dolphins ticket holders will have every opportunity to see their team perform under pressure. Home games include an early contest with the Indianapolis Colts, then offers up the Buffalo Bills, New Orleans Saints, and of course the Patriots, ending the season with a home stand against the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. If Parcells pulls off another playoff spot, he really is the Big Tuna in Dolphin Town.

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 I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve been on a kind of Buffalo Bills kick for awhile. Somehow I just think this team is underachieving. So when the Bills took off on a winning streak last season I strutted around like a star studded prognosticator. Eventually though, I came crashing back to earth as Buffalo reverted to form and finished at 7-9 and out of the playoffs for the ninth straight year.

 Now 2009 Buffalo Bills tickets have a new impetus, a focal point for fans and press. It comes in the form of T. O. The star crossed reciver has been praised for his talent, lauded for his feats on the football field, and lambasted for his antics and tendency to stir the pot whenever the chance arises. Booted from the Philadelphia Eagles and tossed away by the Dallas Cowboys, Terrell Owens is at a crossroads. To cement his legend he HAS to do well with the Bills and keep his mouth shut. Whether his ego allows him to do that remains to be seen.

 There is no doubt in my mind that Owens will have a huge impact on the offense of the Buffalo Bills. With a solid NFL running back in Marshawn Lynch, a potential star in Trent Edwards, and now the presence of T.O. in the opponents backfield, Buffalo can look forward to keeping defenses honest and opening up opportunities in both the running game and passing game. If it’s a success the T.O. experiment will continue for the next few years. Anything less than a playoff spot and perfect behavior could see Owens packing his bags for the next daring coach with his head on the chopping block,

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While the NFl may be drawing more attention right now, there’s a soft spot in my heart for college football tickets. As much as I love the pro’s, college football comes directly from the heart while the pros always factor in a big dose of dollars. All that aside, let’s look at my top five college football teams.

Florida Gators Tickets - The Gators will be back in force, led by what may be the most dangerous and talented quarterback Tim Tebow. 20 starters returning and loads of young talent make the Flrida Gators one of the favorites in the SEC.

Texas Longhorns Tickets - Texas always has one of the finest football programs in the country. The 2009 Texas Longhorns have Colt McCoy, a fine offensive line, and solid defense. they’ll be contenders in the Big 12.

Oklahoma Sooners Tickets - My buddy Dancin Dave would have the Sooners listed at #1. The problem for me is that they’ll have to get past Texas by using their defense, the best unit on the team. But Sam Bradford, a super running game, and Bob Stoops male the Sooners annual contenders.

USC Trojans Tickets - Another team that has to be in the mix. It’s been awhile since USC claimed a BCS National Championship and that means they’re due. And this is a dangerous program to face when they’re hungry.

LSU Tigers Tickets - The LSU Tigers just won a national championship in baseball. 2008 was a wash because of QB problems. Jordan Jefferson might be the answer. If he is the LSU Tigers could win the SEC and hoist the crystal again.

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 Once again monster concert tickets are coming to my hometown and probably yours. This time it’s Journey tickets. Journey is a group my wife has pounded into mu kids heads as being one of her favorites. My oldest daughter has passed up the chance one time to see Journey and it won’t happen again. She’s determined to see Journey in concert. Naturally, the onus falls on me to procure the tickets, an easy task because of my familiaruty with Frontrow.com. It’s going to be a Happy Birthday for my oldest spwan as the Journet concert falls within a couple of days of her birthday. And I get to kill two birds with one stone.

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 In a move long anticipated the Cleveland Cavaliers have reached out and touched Shaq to put all the pieces in place. LeBron James and O’Neal will team up to hopefully bring the Cavaliers up to an NBA Championship level. Truthfully, I’m extremely leery of this move and can’t bring myself to believe that the former Lakers star has what it takes to make Cleveland a champion.

 At 37 years old O’Neal is way past his prime. More importantly I’m not convinced that the two can coexist on the same team. Lebron James owns the Cavaliers as much as Kobe Bryant owns the Los Angeles Lakers. Shaq is a media diva. His predeliction for demanding the spotlight comes into direct conflict with the appointed leader of the Cavs. I think sparks will fly.

 Of course, this move is exactly what the NBA is looking for. In 2009 every media pundit in the world, including myself, fully anticipated a Cavaliers - Lakers Finals that would be everything an NBA Championship should be. We didn’t get it mostly because it’s hard for any one man to carry a team the way James carries Cleveland. I admire the Cavs for making the attempt but I believe there were other options. They simply went for the one that made the most splash.

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I have three daughters. And one crazy wife. They demand constant attention, cuddling, positive feedback, …. and concert tickets. In the last few months I have provided, via Frontrow.com, the following concert tickets:

Bon Jovi Tickets - These were my wife’s idea since she’s in love with Jon Bon Jovi. Luckily I was still in Afghanistan and didn’t have to watch her drool through the whole concert.

Miley Cyrus Tickets - Having a 10 year old daughter is great. My older daughters took her to a New Kids On the Block concert and she’s returning the favor by providing them with Miley Cyrus Ticket via my MasterCard.

Taylor Swift Tickets - Is this one of those American Idol things? I’ve listened to this girl and she’s a great singer. I prefer the idiot early shows on American Idol though.

With Journey tickets on the horizon, this is a just the beginning of what I’m sure will be an impressive list of concert tickets by the time 2010 rolls around.

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 My friend Dancin Dave is eating his heart out. Dave has an undying love for all things Oklahoma, so seeing the NBA Draft develop will generate some sympathy. The biggest attention is always paid to the first choice, naturally. So when that time comes and the Los Angeles Clippers announce their pick, Dave heart will probably sink. The Clippers are expected and have all but announced to the world that they will be taking Blake Griffin of the Sooners with the top pick. It’s hard to feel sorry for a guy with the earning potential of Blake Griffin. But really, for anyone who wants to win, the Clippers have not been the team to pick. Can this rangy Sooner turn the Los Angeles Clippers into a contender? Not by himself. But then he’ll have Scrooge McDuck-like pile of money to console himself with.

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 Sometimes less is more. While it’s hard to get anything better than a great World Series run of seven games, the boys who haven’t made the show, and probably never will, can put up some awfully exciting games. Last night the College World Series hit the mark with one of the best games in years.

 A showdown betwen LSU and Texas turned out to be one of the best games in years, going 11 innings. For most of 2009 the Texas Longhorns have been the epitome of small ball, using the bunt and strategic hitting to overcome opponents. The LSU Tigers sent out their ace pitcher, Louis Coleman, a guy who hasn’t given up much all year. In a shocking display of power Texas whipped 5 solo home runs off Coleman, propelling Texas to the lead for most of the game. In fact I can only remember twice when the Longhorns used the bunt effectively. Meanwhile, LSU was playing catchup all night long. And catch up they did. With Texas leading 6-4 heading into the 9th inning, the Tigers looked like they were would be preparing for a must win Game 2.

 But you can’t count on anything except great baseball in a World Series. LSU’s rally in frame 9 began with a single and a walk, lived through a K, and flamed up with a two run double. The Bayou Boys were back in it. The top of the 11th saw LSU draw a walk from the Longhorns fifth pitcher. Two outs later, Mikie Mahtook, who was 0-4 at the time, singled up the middle to bring in the winning run. From there it was a fine pitching job by the LSU reliever and some solid but routine defense that put the LSU Tigers one win away from a World Series win.

 But make no mistakes, the  Texasonghorns are a dangerous team. LSU can ill afford to let the Longhorns run up another power hitting contest. That’s LSU’s domain. For Texas to come back in Game 2, they’ll have to hold down the Tigers hitters and get back to small ball and the gutsy, do what has to be done style of play that got them to the World Series to beging with. I think it’s going to be another good game.

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 The U.S. Open at Bethpage Black has been a humbling experience for many elite golfers on the tour. Rainy weather has changed the nature of the course and given some of the best players fits. While I was watching yeterday it struck me that I had not seen one really good putt in over two hours. Most tended to fall just a little short or not make the break in time. Anyway, the changing conditions have kept things in a constant state of change. Rickey Barnes started the day well, racked up a six shot lead, then watched it slip away along with the day. Barnes will have his hands full keeping the lead and needs to play well under pressure to win this thing.

A look ahead for Golf Tickets in June and July - Travelers Championship June 25-28 at TCP at River Highlands.

John Deere Classic - TCP at Deere Run July 9-12

Buick Open - Warwick Hills July 30 - Aug 2

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