November 23rd: My 1000 Words

When I was in middle school, I decorated my walls with photos I had pulled out of Sports Illustrated. It was like wallpaper, each photo telling it's own story about a single moment in sports. I loved that I could lay in bed and look around at dozens of different narratives, each with details that, if I looked close enough, I could discover all over again.

My earliest SI cover, from November 27th, 2006.

I began to collect photos for my wall, at first a small handful that I could swap out (I had to take down photos of Mark McGuire and Barry Bonds after I learned they were cheaters) and storing up reserves for a future room, office, home that I imagined I'd have one day.

When I went to college, the concept followed me. My collection had grown since 2006, and I had plenty of images to choose from. I kept the photos in pizza boxes under my bed, occasionally taking them out to sort them by sport. I even collected advertisements I thought were clever or well designed.

Now, after 8 years, I was looking through my collection of thousands and thousands of photos, trying to figure out what to do with them all. This was far too cool a collection not to share with someone, especially in the world of social media. I decided that there was enough content here that, if I posted one photo a day, I would never run out of material.

SI Covers from big moments are a huge part
of my collection. This is one of my favorites,
from the Blackhawks' 2010 Stanley Cup win.

That being said, the ZP: Left Fielder is going to begin a photo section of the blog. Every weekday, I will post a different photo from my collection. I will also include a short, 50 to 100 word description of what the photo is and why it is a favorite of mine. This will, of course, be in addition to the other great content coming out of the ZP: Left Fielder and other ZPMedia outlets. (If you haven’t seen the Zoot Perspective blog and the Web Congregation, make sure you subscribe!)

These photos are all physical copies of images found in Sports Illustrated Magazine since 2006. The collection continues to grow, so some content will be current, while others will be throwbacks.

There are photos of superstar professional athletes from their days in college. There are photos of unbelievable plays and incredible moments. There are portraits of men and women in the best and worst moments in their careers. In any and all cases, these images are what make sports so incredibly enthralling, so deeply emotional and meaningful.

I have, for almost a decade, related to sports through the perusing and pruning of images from my favorite magazine. I can’t wait to show you all just a few of the highlights.

November 20th: NFL Week 12

The ZP: Left Fielder has taken the last two weeks off from NFL predictions, which has left football unable to decide what to do. The Broncos lost to a (maybe-not-so) lowly Rams team, the Jets beat an all-over-the-place Steelers team, and the Chiefs win without a single wide-receiver based touchdown.

That being said, we’re ready to get back to the crystal ball and take a stab at the outcome of Week 12 in the NFL!

Chiefs at Raiders

I don’t see the Chiefs as a real powerhouse in the AFC, but they keep winning, and nobody is really sure why. At least this week, we’ll know exactly why.

Browns at Falcons

Would anyone have guessed that, at 4-6, the Falcons would be leading their division? Would anyone guess that the Browns would be near the top of theirs? With Josh Gordon coming back, the Browns might just be trustworthy.

Buccaneers at Bears

The first home win for the Bears last week was a huge sigh of relief. While there will be good feelings for Lovie Smith’s return to Soldier Field, the Bears are desperate to string some positivity together with another win.

Bengals at Texans

One week, the Bengals get blown out at home against the Browns. The next, they storm into the Superdome and steal one from the Saints. I’m going Bengals here, but only if they can contain J.J. Watt.

Jaguars at Colts

These Colts got embarrassed for the second time in three weeks. The Jaguars are a perfect opportunity to bounce back in a big way. I still think the Colts could be a power in the AFC, but only if they find help for Luck.

Packers at Vikings

The Packers are getting huge production out of their quarterback. Aaron Rodgers is looking like the full-package. I hate to say it, but the Packers look like one of the most complete teams in the league, especially against the weak Vikings.

Lions at Patriots

I so desperately want to pick the Lions, both because I like Detroit and because I think the Patriots are due to crash back to earth (or at least back to Kansas City). Alas, I don’t think New England will be the location for that fall.

Titans at Eagles

The Eagles come off a bad loss to the Packers. The Titans gave the Steelers a run for their money. The world will return to normal this week, with the Eagles flying high and the Titans losing in new and creative ways.

Dolphins at Broncos

What in the world happened to the Broncos? Peyton was downright bad, although the defense held the Rams to just field goals. Manning will not allow a losing streak, so the Dolphins should be very, very scared.

Rams at Chargers

Apparently, St. Louis is where good teams go to lose. The Chargers were everyone’s favorites to make a run this year. This week, though, I’m thinking we will see the teams we were expecting at the beginning of the year, with the Chargers taking down the Rams.

Cardinals at Seahawks

Everyone is fairly squarely on the Cardinals bandwagon, but, with a backup quarterback and the 12th man, I’m not nearly dumb enough to bet against the Seahawks. Plus, this is a team that will thrive as the “underdog,” if you can be an underdog as the defending champs.

Redskins at 49ers

Nobody is really sure what the hell is happening in Washington, although, at times, the same could be said for San Francisco. The 49ers will take merciless advantage of a team that they can embarrass.

Cowboys at Giants

This would be an awesome prime-time game, except that the Giants have no realistic chance at making it interesting. The Cowboys are coming off a bye, which should settle some of the subtle issues that were arising at the end of their streak of success.

Ravens at Saints

All of a sudden, the Saints can’t win at home, either. The Ravens are good, if not with a few holes. I think this might be the closest game out there, but it has the potential to dramatically change the playoff picture.

According to my predictions on ESPN’s Playoff Machine, the playoffs will be as follows:

AFC:

Seed 1 - Patriots

Seed 2 - Broncos

Seed 3 - Colts

Seed 4 - Steelers

Seed 5 - Ravens

Seed 6 - Chiefs

NFC:

Seed 1 - Cardinals

Seed 2 - Packers

Seed 3 - Eagles

Seed 4 - Panthers

Seed 5 - Lions

Seed 6 - Cowboys

November 18th: Cubs Staying the Course

Welcome to the Cubs bandwagon, baseball world. I’ve been here all along, but it’s nice to know that the sports writers across the country are now ready to realize just how good the Cubs could be next season and into the future.

There is plenty of work to be done, though. The starting pitching is weak, the position players are talented but very young and inexperienced, and the free agent market requires a smart mind, rather than a happy trigger finger. Throughout the whole Theo Epstein era, fans have been told that this is a long-term situation and that the Cubs are going to do what it takes to be contenders not for one year, but for many years to come.

Russell Martin just turned the free agency field upside down by forsaking the front-runner Cubs to go for a home-town contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, who were willing to massively overpay for a Canadian star. All of a sudden, a type of panic set in: maybe the Cubs won’t be as much of a player this year in free agency as we thought.

The Cubs did not get into this position as a young, exciting team by making rash decisions and overpaying veterans. As a matter of fact, that’s exactly the situation Theo inherited from a Jim Hendry team that tried to use one free agent signing to fix an overwhelmingly bad team (yes, I’m looking at you Alfonso). I know I’m going to get in trouble for making a Packers reference to Chicago fans, but everyone needs to listen to Aaron Rodgers and “R-E-L-A-X”. One catcher was not the thing standing between the Cubs and a World Series title.

The biggest area where Cubs fans and sports writers are working themselves into a tizzy is with Starlin Castro. The free agent market for shortstops is incredibly thin. The demand is extraordinarily high, though, meaning the Cubs, a team with a stockpile of young middle infielders, could be a huge player. Everyone wants to see Starlin traded for pitching, helping to ease the log-jam, while also adding to the weakest area on the Cubs.

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, though, folks. Castro is a three-time all-star, returning to form after having a very rough 2013. He is the longest tenured Cub, and has an incredibly team-friendly contract for the next 5 years. While he is a valuable trade chip, the Cubs just might get more value out of him on the team than they would getting rid of him. Castro has the opportunity to be a leader with Anthony Rizzo, the stable core of an otherwise very inexperienced roster. Even with Javier Baez already in the majors and Addison Russell not far behind, the Cubs would rather have a bird in the hand than two in the farm system (not exactly the saying, but ya know).

Another important piece of the puzzle is the possibility for a long-term outlook. If the Cubs can get a catcher, a stud pitcher, and/or a veteran outfielder, they should be in a pretty good place to get started for 2015. Now, if we were to only get one or two of those pieces, we could very well be in position to make a move at the trade deadline. Then, teams will be all the more desperate for a player like Castro, who could be the difference between a division winner and a October couch surfer. By holding on to Castro, the Cubs have the opportunity to see how he develops, and watch the teams line up, willing to blow good long-term talent for short-term wins.

The future looks bright for the Cubs, and it looks bright for many years to come. While some may be tempted to call for $300 million in free agent signings and four or five big trades this offseason, the Cubs need to stay the course. Patience and scouting got the Cubs to where they are now. It would be a terrible time to change the plan.

October 29th: NBA Preview

The NBA season is ready to kick off after one of the most exciting off-seasons in recent memory. LeBron has come home, the Clippers have new ownership, and the Bulls have a healthy Derrick Rose (we hope).

That being said, things are going to get exciting right off the bat. Here is the Zoot Perspective: Left Fielder’s NBA Preview for the 2014-2015 season:

MVP Award: LeBron James

Coming back home is going to be good for LeBron’s psyche. He will also have more help in Cleveland than he did in Miami, leaving him open to dominating at his game. There is nobody on this planet who balls better than LeBron, and he will regain his control over the MVP award fairly easily.

Rookie of the Year: Jabari Parker

My favorite player coming out of college this year, Parker is primed to have a monster rookie year. Playing for the Bucks will help, as they’ll take all the talent they can get. He can score, is growing as a defender, and will become an instant leader on a team with nowhere to go but up.

Surprise Team: Charlotte Hornets

The Bobcats finished their short-lived career with a playoff berth. Now, the Hornets are going to have a coming out party. The new logo and color scheme are awesome, and the team is ready to compete. Lance Stephenson is a huge addition, and the duo of former Hoosiers, Cody Zeller and Noah Vonleh, will both be big role-players as they develop (although I’m clearly biased). I expect this team to emerge as a md-level competitor in the East.

Disappointing Team: New York Knicks

The Knicks are excited about Phil Jackson, and thrilled that they were able to re-sign Carmelo Anthony. Other than that, there isn’t much to look forward to. They will have occasional bursts of scoring enthusiasm, but this team needs a whole lot more of a supporting cast than Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith can provide. I think this team will be competitive in 2016, but not this year.

Eastern Conference Playoff Picture:

1. Chicago Bulls - Derrick Rose is the key to this team. He doesn’t need to be an MVP, he just needs to stay healthy and produce.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers - This team is terrifying on paper, although a learning curve is to be expected.
3. Washington Wizards - The Wizards will have to answer to whether or not last year was the start of something or a fluke.
4. Charlotte Hornets - A surprise team to watch, the Hornets are young, can run the court, and look like a sleeper pick for the East.
5. Toronto Raptors - An overtime loss was all that stood between the Raptors and a deep run in the playoffs. This year they’ll look to get back there.
6. Miami Heat - Oh, how far they fall. The Heat got Luol Deng to replace LeBron, which will be good enough for the playoffs, but nowhere near championship level.
7. Brooklyn Nets - A lot has changed for the Nets, but I like their competitive edge. Lionel Hollins was huge for the Grizzlies, and will do great things for the Nets.
8. Detroit Pistons - This is another sleeper for a lower-level playoff team. The Pistons could be competitive in a powerful division.

Western Conference Playoff Picture:

1. San Antonio Spurs - The defending champs know how to get it done in the regular season. They will cruise to a top-seed finish.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder - The first few months without Durant will hurt, but this team is deep enough to overcome it and make a run.
3. Los Angeles Clippers - There might be some growing into new ownership, but this team will wind up even better than they were a year ago.
4. Dallas Mavericks - Dallas gave San Antonio a run for their money in last year’s postseason, and they’ve added the pieces to make it back there.
5. Portland Trail Blazers - Lillard is a beast, and Aldridge is a reliable star. This team will be fun to watch, although they are one star away from contending for the West.
6. Golden State Warriors - The Splash Brothers make the Warriors exciting, but, if you live and die by the hot hand, you aren’t destined for long playoff drives.
7. Houston Rockets - Everyone was singing the Rockets’ praises this time last year. Now, there are too many questions about their reliability. A low-seed playoff team is all you can expect.
8. New Orleans Pelicans - This isn’t so much picking the Pelicans as it is picking Anthony Davis. He will eat the rest of the league for breakfast.

Eastern Conference Finals: Chicago Bulls over Cleveland Cavaliers

A midwestern battle, this should be the best matchup all year. In the finals, the Bulls will have home-court advantage, and will use their experience and defense to beat the still-gelling Cavaliers in 6.

Western Conference FInals: Los Angeles Clippers over San Antonio Spurs

The Clippers were distracted during last year’s playoffs, no matter what anyone tells you. The Spurs are constantly finding ways to be there at the end. This will be an epic 7 gamer, but Chris Paul and Blake Griffin will lead the charge.

2015 NBA Finals: Chicago Bulls over Los Angeles Clippers

Two major markets squaring off. This will be a showdown of two of the game’s best point guards and two of the game’s best big men. It’s nearly impossible to predict how things will go, but the Bulls have the championship pedigree to bring home the championship.

October 23rd: NFL Week 8

The Zoot Perspective: Left Fielder missed last week, which only means this week is all the more important. After this week, we will be at the half-way mark, and we will know where most teams stand heading into the playoff push. That being said...HERE WE GO!

Chargers at Broncos

This might be the epic battle of the season to this point. The Broncos and Chargers have positioned themselves as the cream of the AFC crop. That being said, the Broncos are riding too high, and the Chargers are too banged up to steal a win in Denver tonight. Bottom line: Denver will win a fun one.

Lions at Falcons

The Lions are the best team receiving no attention this year. I don’t necessarily believe they are a strong threat in the playoffs, but they are making a push to be there. The Falcons, meanwhile, are just straight-up bad.

Seahawks at Panthers

Seattle is coming off a bad loss in St. Louis, while the Panthers were embarrassed by the Packers. The Seahawks are the team more likely to come out angry, though, and they will manhandle Carolina. This is their big opportunity to keep doubters at bay.

Ravens at Bengals

This was the first matchup of the season, and it looked like the Bengals were crusing. Now, though, the Bengals are falling like a stone, and the Ravens are putting their offense together. I’m picking the Ravens, but the winner of this game wins the AFC North either way.

Dolphins at Jaguars

I really wanted to pick the Jaguars. The Dolphins just aren’t that good, and the Jaguars finally got into the win column. At the same time, though, the Fins are coming off a win on the road, and the Jaguars...well, they’re still the Jaguars.

Rams at Chiefs

Both teams knocked off legitimate title contenders last week, and both are trying to put a season together to prove they shouldn’t be forgotten. I like what Austin Davis is doing, and the Chiefs have been all over the place. This is my upset of the week.

Bears at Patriots

This would be an awesome week to pick the Bears. Teams that come off locker room friction often come out with chips on their shoulders, ready to produce. That being said, the Patriots are coming off a few weeks in a row of similar fight. I also can’t trust Jay Cutler. Ever.

Bills at Jets

Everyone was surprised (well, ok, I was surprised) this past week when the Jets played a competitive game against New England. The BIlls have also surprised, as there is no reason Kyle Orton should be leading this team. I have to go with the Big Man and his creative defense.

Vikings at Buccaneers

This is the “Who Cares” game of the week. I’m going with the Vikings, only because I want to see Teddy win one. Funny how, at the beginning of the year, I thought Tampa Bay would be competitive...

Texans at Titans

The Texans were slapped in the face at the end of the second half, and still were able to pull within a touchdown. This team is decidedly meh, while the Titans are so desperate they’re willing to turn things over to a third round rookie.

Eagles at Cardinals

Fly, birds, fly! Two one-loss teams are ready to square off. This is really anyone’s guess, but I would say the Eagles are more likely to get their goose cooked.

Raiders at Browns

Again, I was itching to pick the Raiders here. Nobody wants to see a winless team, and the Browns looked flat last week. That being said, if Brian Hoyer wants to prove he’s the guy in Cleveland, this is the time to do it.

Colts at Steelers

I’m in love with the Colts. They do such a good job at doing what they do, and they seem to overcome not being what they aren’t (was that English?) The Steelers aren’t even the same team quarter to quarter, let alone game to game, and they are ripe for the picking for a team that is on  tear.

Packers at Saints

What happened in NOLA? Everyone loves Drew Brees, but he just hasn’t been able to right the ship. I think we can safely say that this team isn’t just hitting a bump in the road. The Packers, meanwhile, are prepped for an upset, I think, but this isn’t going to be the week.

Redskins at Cowboys

The Cowboys might be the first team in a long time that is equal parts really good and really overrated. With one win against Seattle, everyone wanted to give them the Lombardi trophy early. I don’t think that’s the case. But they’re lucky enough to get the Redskins, who have a whole bucket of trouble.

October 9th: NFL Week 6

Week 5 saw the ZP:Left Fielder correctly predict 12 of 15 games. That’s pretty good, but this week, we’re looking for perfection. Harder still is to predict not only what happens, but how. That, though, is the ultimate challenge of the NFL.

So Week 6, here we come!

Colts at Texans

The Texans have turned things around, and the Colts have rebounded from their early losing streak. The Colts come to Houston and win a tight one, although the Texans once again come off with an impressive game, despite a loss.

Patriots at Bills

Both teams are coming off wins, but in very different ways. The Patriots hope to continue to prove that they aren’t losing steam, while the Bills look like they’re just treading water...again. The Patriots win, but not nearly as dominantly as they did a week ago.

Panthers at Bengals

The showdown of the cats comes with two teams that look like they’re trying to figure out who they are. The Panthers are on the upswing, while the Bengals got their first loss in ugly fashion against the Patriots. This week, they rebound, and win big against an overmatched Panthers team.

Steelers at Browns

This the earliest division rematch, and the two teams are very different than they were last time. I have no faith in the Steelers, and the Browns came back in fine fashion against the Titans. I’m giving the Browns the edge.

Packers at Dolphins

Another team with which I have trust issues: the Dolphins. I liked them to challenge in the division, and they refuse to play like THEY want that to be true. The Packers are getting better every week, and are a force to be reckoned with.

Lions at Vikings

I don’t think the Lions need Megatron to win in Minnesota. The only team that can beat the Lions is...well, the Lions. This game will be as competitive as Detroit allows it to be.

Broncos at Jets

This isn’t going to be fun, Geno. It won’t even be close. Peyton will pick this team apart. Decker will play hard against his old team, but will miss the good ole' days.

Ravens at Buccaneers

The Ravens have holes, but the Buccaneers will help them get on the same page. This will be a more competitive game than the Ravens might like, but it will come out the right way in the end.

Jaguars at Titans

After an embarrassing loss, the Titans would love to rebound. Blake Bortles, though, smells blood in the water. This could be his big chance to get himself his first win in the NFL. I’m hoping we get to see it.

Chargers at Raiders

The Chargers are the second best team in their division, but they may be the second best in the NFL too. This will be easy pickings, even for a Raiders team that is looking to turn over a new leaf. The running back situation will come to bit the Chargers, but not this week.

Redskins at Cardinals

Nobody looks good against the Broncos, and the Cardinals had to deal with an embarrassing first loss. This will be a good chance to come back and get a win at home against a Redskins team that apparently doesn’t need victories to have fun.

Bears at Falcons

Both teams are coming off games they let slip away, and both are wishing they could have another crack at it. The Bears, though, are looking like they would like to take that big contract back from Cutler, who is a bigger liability than he is a legitimate threat. The Falcons won’t win this game so much as the Bears will lose it.

Cowboys at Seahawks

BOLD PREDICTION OF THE WEEK. For some reason, I’m feeling like Big D has a chance this week, even in Seattle. The Legion of Boom looked a little lackluster this past week, and Dallas is putting together a good team. If the Cowboys can stop the offense, I think they’ll produce offensively.

Giants at Eagles

The Giants started badly and got hot lately. The Eagles started unstoppable, and have sputtered. Eli looks like he’s about to come up big, and the Eagles are about to be his next prey. This should be one of the best games to watch this week, and should give some clarity as to how the NFC East will come out in the end.

49ers at Rams

The Rams try hard, but not hard enough. This is a bummer of a Monday night game. I guess everyone will just have to watch baseball. At least that’s a San Francisco team worth watching.