I love Fred Willard's character in A Mighty Wind repeating that and thought it was appropriate for this editions title. What an engaging weekend, and not just because I put a ring on it. Memories.....On with the much sadder news......
My Wildcats broke Ashley's and my heart with their Boy's and Girl's Club 6 year old instructional league shooting display, en route to their early exit (again!) out of this year's big boy's tournament. All hail to the one D Butler. Another great all around effort, showing Wall and other youngsters just how to make other's around you not just better, but winners. I will say it again. Butler will be an impact NBA guard. Maybe not out of the gate, but down the line. Not an All-Star, but a solid starter. Watch. I must add that Wall and Cousins, and maybe Bledsoe and Patterson will be monsters in the league. J/S But enough hole licking, my boys couldn't buy a bucket. That's been our Achilles heel all season. If we are on, we're deadly. And, on most occasions, if our shooting was off, our overpowering defense would make up for it. Problem with this game though was the fact the opponent was also an elite team. They never slipped, and played hard, and consistent for the full forty minutes. They never wained, which never allowed us to make our customary late game surge. Our knockout punch worked in the SEC tourney against Miss. St. Too bad this was West Virginia. With their improbable win, they get a date with the new tourney fave....
Dooooookie! Once again I reiterate how easy of a path this team has had to the Final Four. Baylor was their toughest opponent, and not to make excuses, but when you've played warm up games the first two rounds, this of course allows the Devils to become noticeably more well rested down the stretch. And that just so happens to be where they won the game. A haggard and exhausted Baylor squad looked helpless late, deferring to touch fouls and hands-on-knees enthusiasm. I will give kudos to Duke for exploiting this. Plus the fact that Baylor's main inside presence fouled out with about half of the second half to go. But that couldn't have help the Blue Devils right? Well Zoubek's Serge Zwikker reminding garbageness had four fouls and looked worried. Three seconds later Baylor's whole inside game fouls out and the look the Plumlee twins and Zoubek had on their faces resembled six year olds at Dylan's Candy Shop. Suffice it to say Zoubek was a dominating force late, grabbing two monster offensive rebounds for kick out spasm inducing threes, that in turn left Baylor with nothing but gasped air to focus on. Clutch free throw shooting from Scheyer, Mr. O-fer Singler, Smith, and even Lance Thomas sealed the game for Duke. Hey, maybe Cal should conference with Coach K in the off season and learn free throw teaching drills. Lord knows we could have used those against the Mountaineers.
Final Four....WVU dammit. Screw Duke. I'm a hater til the end.
Other side tommorrow.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Closing time? Not if your an MLB team.
So today's edition will include my take on some of sports most recent stories. You might not agree, but dammit you'll listen. So with that said, here we go.
-Tiger Woods is an idiot. That's a given, but what makes him even more moronic is the lackadaisical effort he is putting into his apologies. Any man will tell you if you expect to win your significant other back in any way, shape, or form the word is grovel. I mean, like a damn mole. And not a witty mole like in Fantastic Mr. Fox, but an actual sympathetic partner. Does he realize not only did he sleep with half of the porn industry, but he very likely brought something back from those excursions that was not obtained with money. Or was it? Haha, they were whores mind you. Yet I digress. So the real question at hand is how much he truly wants his wife back. Not his life, because Golf can cure that ill. What I speak of is his relationship with her. Because if you ask me, based on the two interviews I have seen, Golf is all that he's concerned about. If I would have made this large of a Do'h I instantly would have gotten my wife's name tattooed on my forehead and dared some uppity golf jerk to question it. But that's me, and I ain't Tiger. I honestly think he could give two shits about his family. The only people he is interested in getting back into their good graces is the American public. And unfortunately, Elin is Swiss. Tiger just make up your mind so I can start rooting for you again. Hey, MJ did Ok after Juanita. Have you seen his new arm candy!? Google her right now.
-So the Jets are talking about giving LT more carries than Leon Washington this upcoming season. So let me get this straight. You are committing to an aging back when you have one of the most dynamic ball carriers in the league partnering in the backfield? And little Ryan's comment was we want to get him back to a Pro Bowl returner. Who the hell is he, Vai Sikahema? You know why Sikahema was a returner? Becasue he couldn't run or fucking catch. Nor did Dante Hall, Mel Gray, or any other only returner throughout history. Leon has game and if the Jets want to curb Sanchez's inevitable sophomore slump they will adhere to this. If not, 6-10 here we come! Oh, and an injured LT.
- Is Favre coming back? Is he not? I could give two shits because his body WILL NOT make it through another 16 game season and playoffs. I said this last year, and the year before that, but this time I'm right. Or, maybe I'm not. Someone get me Digger Phelps!
-Andy Reid and the rest of the Eagles brass are apparently listening to offers from other teams on all three of their QB's. My take? Yes baby!! My dream 2010 ticket of Vick/Tebow is still a possibility. Vick come on over to Buffalo. McNabb enjoy your eventual collapse into obscurity a'la Culpepper, and Kolb, welcome to the League.
UPDATE *now it's eventually just McNabb. Dammit. Stop toying with me Eagles. Give Vick up or not. The Eagles are like a straggler at the end of a drunk bar night. You've been eyeing her all night and she keeps slobbering over drinks telling you how cute you are, but won't confirm that she's going home with you. Stupid Andy Reid stragglers.
-Did you see that Help Needed sign outside of almost every major league teams gates? No, well there should be. With seemingly every closer battling some kind of ailment I am guessing that teams won't truly make their surges until May, at the earliest. My Twinkies (Nathan), Rockies (Houston Street), Indians (Wood), and even the Champs (Lidge) all have problems at the closer position, just to name a few. Add to that a number of other teams that are looking "in house" to solve their own problems and what you have is a market with a need, and not enough quality pieces to fulfill that demand. Bottom line is teams better score runs in bunches because any close games will not have a guaranteed savior at the end. I don't trust the Mets Rodriguez or another-year-older Mo either. If there was ever a time to summon a job as a closer, now is the time. Someone get me Rod Beck!
-Tiger Woods is an idiot. That's a given, but what makes him even more moronic is the lackadaisical effort he is putting into his apologies. Any man will tell you if you expect to win your significant other back in any way, shape, or form the word is grovel. I mean, like a damn mole. And not a witty mole like in Fantastic Mr. Fox, but an actual sympathetic partner. Does he realize not only did he sleep with half of the porn industry, but he very likely brought something back from those excursions that was not obtained with money. Or was it? Haha, they were whores mind you. Yet I digress. So the real question at hand is how much he truly wants his wife back. Not his life, because Golf can cure that ill. What I speak of is his relationship with her. Because if you ask me, based on the two interviews I have seen, Golf is all that he's concerned about. If I would have made this large of a Do'h I instantly would have gotten my wife's name tattooed on my forehead and dared some uppity golf jerk to question it. But that's me, and I ain't Tiger. I honestly think he could give two shits about his family. The only people he is interested in getting back into their good graces is the American public. And unfortunately, Elin is Swiss. Tiger just make up your mind so I can start rooting for you again. Hey, MJ did Ok after Juanita. Have you seen his new arm candy!? Google her right now.
-So the Jets are talking about giving LT more carries than Leon Washington this upcoming season. So let me get this straight. You are committing to an aging back when you have one of the most dynamic ball carriers in the league partnering in the backfield? And little Ryan's comment was we want to get him back to a Pro Bowl returner. Who the hell is he, Vai Sikahema? You know why Sikahema was a returner? Becasue he couldn't run or fucking catch. Nor did Dante Hall, Mel Gray, or any other only returner throughout history. Leon has game and if the Jets want to curb Sanchez's inevitable sophomore slump they will adhere to this. If not, 6-10 here we come! Oh, and an injured LT.
- Is Favre coming back? Is he not? I could give two shits because his body WILL NOT make it through another 16 game season and playoffs. I said this last year, and the year before that, but this time I'm right. Or, maybe I'm not. Someone get me Digger Phelps!
-Andy Reid and the rest of the Eagles brass are apparently listening to offers from other teams on all three of their QB's. My take? Yes baby!! My dream 2010 ticket of Vick/Tebow is still a possibility. Vick come on over to Buffalo. McNabb enjoy your eventual collapse into obscurity a'la Culpepper, and Kolb, welcome to the League.
UPDATE *now it's eventually just McNabb. Dammit. Stop toying with me Eagles. Give Vick up or not. The Eagles are like a straggler at the end of a drunk bar night. You've been eyeing her all night and she keeps slobbering over drinks telling you how cute you are, but won't confirm that she's going home with you. Stupid Andy Reid stragglers.
-Did you see that Help Needed sign outside of almost every major league teams gates? No, well there should be. With seemingly every closer battling some kind of ailment I am guessing that teams won't truly make their surges until May, at the earliest. My Twinkies (Nathan), Rockies (Houston Street), Indians (Wood), and even the Champs (Lidge) all have problems at the closer position, just to name a few. Add to that a number of other teams that are looking "in house" to solve their own problems and what you have is a market with a need, and not enough quality pieces to fulfill that demand. Bottom line is teams better score runs in bunches because any close games will not have a guaranteed savior at the end. I don't trust the Mets Rodriguez or another-year-older Mo either. If there was ever a time to summon a job as a closer, now is the time. Someone get me Rod Beck!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Dance, Dance
As we continue on......
In the East we have a for sure blowout (UK v. Cornell) and the most intriguing match up on the right side of the bracket (Washington v. WVU). As far as Cornell goes, what a great story. And your witty quips and team camaraderie really makes me wish you weren't playing the team that is just now slated to win it all. Although biasly, I always knew that UK would take out KU come title time, but now I know for sure that we have a clean path to the trophy. Who's going to stop us? Surely not an Ivy league school that beat up on Temple and Wisconsin. What is this the 90's? Don't they know we have the best PG in the country and an absolute tree trunk in Cousins? All that snippy "Friday Night Lights" quoting won't stop you from getting J'd up. Sorry.
In the regions other match up I can honestly say that I had Washington losing in the first round to Marquette, but I always knew that if Isaiah Thomas went off, the rest of the tournament needed to worry. I would also warn W.V. of the same, but Butler is a beast. Period. He'll be a fine pro and because of his unwillingness late in games to allow his team to lose (Did you see the Big East tourney?), they'll pile it on and beat a over matched U Dub squad. I guess the real question to ask is whether Butler can beat UK by himself? Uh, No way.
Final Four: UK all the way!
In the South, God's team stayed the course and rubbed out purposely placed weaker teams, and of course has a Sweet 16 match up with the most downtrodden of all participants. How Purdue has advanced this far still boggles me, but that will all end here. No Hummel means no one to stop Singler. (Whom I despise, but I recognize game when it's elevated) The Blue Devils cruise into the Elite 8, but then lose to..... Baylor baby! My new favorite cuz Dunn and the boys will continue their unbelievable story by crushing the Gaels slipper and taking out a too-easy-so-far Duke squad. Or should I say Dukie. Ha ha How have I never thought about that? Reverting back to Baylor for a second. How unbelievable is their story? First a player murders a teammate. Then their coach breaks all kinds of collegiate rules to get the program suspended. How does this school respond? You then scrape the bottom of the talent pool in order to recruit, and now a decade later you are dancing into the Final Four. Now that's Cinderella.
But I ain't one of the gossips so you ain't heard that from me.
In the East we have a for sure blowout (UK v. Cornell) and the most intriguing match up on the right side of the bracket (Washington v. WVU). As far as Cornell goes, what a great story. And your witty quips and team camaraderie really makes me wish you weren't playing the team that is just now slated to win it all. Although biasly, I always knew that UK would take out KU come title time, but now I know for sure that we have a clean path to the trophy. Who's going to stop us? Surely not an Ivy league school that beat up on Temple and Wisconsin. What is this the 90's? Don't they know we have the best PG in the country and an absolute tree trunk in Cousins? All that snippy "Friday Night Lights" quoting won't stop you from getting J'd up. Sorry.
In the regions other match up I can honestly say that I had Washington losing in the first round to Marquette, but I always knew that if Isaiah Thomas went off, the rest of the tournament needed to worry. I would also warn W.V. of the same, but Butler is a beast. Period. He'll be a fine pro and because of his unwillingness late in games to allow his team to lose (Did you see the Big East tourney?), they'll pile it on and beat a over matched U Dub squad. I guess the real question to ask is whether Butler can beat UK by himself? Uh, No way.
Final Four: UK all the way!
In the South, God's team stayed the course and rubbed out purposely placed weaker teams, and of course has a Sweet 16 match up with the most downtrodden of all participants. How Purdue has advanced this far still boggles me, but that will all end here. No Hummel means no one to stop Singler. (Whom I despise, but I recognize game when it's elevated) The Blue Devils cruise into the Elite 8, but then lose to..... Baylor baby! My new favorite cuz Dunn and the boys will continue their unbelievable story by crushing the Gaels slipper and taking out a too-easy-so-far Duke squad. Or should I say Dukie. Ha ha How have I never thought about that? Reverting back to Baylor for a second. How unbelievable is their story? First a player murders a teammate. Then their coach breaks all kinds of collegiate rules to get the program suspended. How does this school respond? You then scrape the bottom of the talent pool in order to recruit, and now a decade later you are dancing into the Final Four. Now that's Cinderella.
But I ain't one of the gossips so you ain't heard that from me.
Monday, March 22, 2010
"Mauer" bang for your buck
Oh, I'll get to that news ray of sunshine later. First, let's pick apart these Sweet 16 match ups shall we? What a helluva weekend in college basketball! I have watched alot of tournament games in my day and have not been more perplexed by an outcome than Northern Iowa's beat down of Kansas. Of course upon its finale I was clamoring for a ODU-UNI Championship rematch. I swore we could have taken them this time. That was until my distant Texan cousin LaceDarius Dunn decided to be the Dunn to take out ODU. (I was gearing up for it you know) Anyways, shall we start this dance?....
Like before, day 1 will cover the West and Midwest.
The West gives us 'Cuse v. Butler and Kansas St. v. Xavier. At first glance both games look like for sure blowouts. But beneath the surface, oh how things, well look, the exact same. 'Cuse has won convincingly without their most dominating inside presence. These Orange "crushes" (how many times do I have the chance to quote R.E.M.?) occurred against a Vermont team that dominated their conference all season, in addition to having dunk-of-the-year momentum, and over a Zag team that never loses by 20 this time of season. If they can make it look that easy against those opponents without an interior defensive presence then I can't see Butler winning. Even though they are playing out of their minds right now. But they only beat UTEP (not as good as I thought) and Murray St.(ditto), so Cuse should walk through this one. Kansas State, with Clemente and Black Wolverine, uh I mean Pullen, were the best team to take out Kansas during the season in the Big 12 and now they have shown it. If Crawford doesn't miss, Xavier can win. If he does his best Aerenas impression, then it will be a long night for the Ohio representers.
Final Four: Still 'Cuse
In the Midwest we have a Cinderella who could very well March on and another match up that truly should be this divisions final. First, if you would have asked me yesterday I would have told you that the Panthers of UNI had absolutely no shot against Kalin Lucas and Izzo's unwillingness to lose in the tournament. But then news broke that Michigan St. has all but guaranteed Lucas out for the remainder of the tournament, and oh how the wheels of destiny have turned. Farokhmanesh is clutch and Spartan countries best player just took a nosedive off of that cliff those Mastadon/elephants fell off of in "300". America, get yourself familiar with the Northern Iowa Panthers. In the other match up, If Tennessee can somehow stop Turner, and Hopson plays the game I know he can, UT will advance. If Hopson and Chism's bitch ass both lay eggs like in the SEC tournament then the Buckeyes can punch their ticket to Indianapolis. Those are both strong if's though.
Final Four: Ohio St
To the topic du jour. Yes, yes, yes Mauer deserved every penny of this deal. And if one more person comes at me with that "this move will invariably tie up the Twins payroll in the future, disallowing them to add key guys later" argument I'll kill you myself. So is this the "double-edge sword" that everyone was jarring about last week? No. Because if we didn't sign him, we Twins fans would have been crushed and the reverberations of Johan number two would have been broadcast in high definition for all to debate over. Bottom line is we had to do this signing. For Minny. For fans. Heck, even for Mauer. Do you think he would have appreciated not being given maximum dollars from his hometown team. A team he killed himself for since being drafted. A team that he has not been shy about stating his unfathomed love and devotion for. I mean if I were his lady I would be scared of him cheating on me with the Twin cities. That's how much he loves this town. So before you go ripping the signing let me give you a few pointers to think about. First, we have billionaire owners. The money was there so we spent it. If we aren't competing in five years, Mauer will wave his full no trade clause anyways and another team, I'm sure, will be happy to scoop him up. So not being able to sign big time free agents or resign hometown pieces won't matter because we'll be rebuilding anyways. Second, allow me to remind you that three of the top four salaries in baseball belong in New York, with CC's not being far behind. If they can pay Jeter six million dollars more and Tex only four million less, and Mauer is giving you Jete's no lose attitude and leadership,and Tex's power and plate discipline, how could you not resign him. Third, do you even begin to understand the consequences of us NOT resigning him. The Twin cities would have imploded and caused a ripple effect in the sports circuit that my hero Kirby would have felt in his grave. The Vikes, T-Wolves, and even the Gophers would have felt the pinch. Their are die-hard fans there. They would not have accepted anything less. Lastly, read my Re-sign Mauer. Yes, we can! article. This backs up these points and provides you with more. This guy just made a wonderful decision. A decision that will ripple through sports as well. No? You telling me that LeBron, D-Wade, the Cavs, and Heat weren't all paying attention to this display of loyalty. It proves that you can have your cake AND eat it too. Or at least your millions. Thumbs up Twins!!
A quick note from this weekend to end on.
Chew on this. You know there are only four tracks that Jimmy hasn't won on. Only four! That's like the amount of people that think Cornell actually has a shot against UK. Or the amount of times I have watched "Winning Time". Or, the amount of times the lady has made me watch 500 Days of Summer.(An extremely well acted and underrated film BTW) So what does this all mean? It simply means that 48 is as an unstoppable force as Nascar has seen in sometime. Reggie is the purest jump shooter of all time. And, I am slowly falling in love with Zooey Deschanel. And Joseph Gordan Levitt for that matter. (Sorry but I have to say Bella and Edward they were not. Chemistry was actually alive and well here, whereas with those two, dare I say it, the chemistry seemed to have been sucked out of them. ha ha Had to do it.) Great show Jimmy! Sorry Kurt Busch. Maybe five tire changes would have worked on that last pit. Or simply a winning car. Next time, try harder. In the immortal words of one Richard Bobby "If you ain't first, you're last!"
Like before, day 1 will cover the West and Midwest.
The West gives us 'Cuse v. Butler and Kansas St. v. Xavier. At first glance both games look like for sure blowouts. But beneath the surface, oh how things, well look, the exact same. 'Cuse has won convincingly without their most dominating inside presence. These Orange "crushes" (how many times do I have the chance to quote R.E.M.?) occurred against a Vermont team that dominated their conference all season, in addition to having dunk-of-the-year momentum, and over a Zag team that never loses by 20 this time of season. If they can make it look that easy against those opponents without an interior defensive presence then I can't see Butler winning. Even though they are playing out of their minds right now. But they only beat UTEP (not as good as I thought) and Murray St.(ditto), so Cuse should walk through this one. Kansas State, with Clemente and Black Wolverine, uh I mean Pullen, were the best team to take out Kansas during the season in the Big 12 and now they have shown it. If Crawford doesn't miss, Xavier can win. If he does his best Aerenas impression, then it will be a long night for the Ohio representers.
Final Four: Still 'Cuse
In the Midwest we have a Cinderella who could very well March on and another match up that truly should be this divisions final. First, if you would have asked me yesterday I would have told you that the Panthers of UNI had absolutely no shot against Kalin Lucas and Izzo's unwillingness to lose in the tournament. But then news broke that Michigan St. has all but guaranteed Lucas out for the remainder of the tournament, and oh how the wheels of destiny have turned. Farokhmanesh is clutch and Spartan countries best player just took a nosedive off of that cliff those Mastadon/elephants fell off of in "300". America, get yourself familiar with the Northern Iowa Panthers. In the other match up, If Tennessee can somehow stop Turner, and Hopson plays the game I know he can, UT will advance. If Hopson and Chism's bitch ass both lay eggs like in the SEC tournament then the Buckeyes can punch their ticket to Indianapolis. Those are both strong if's though.
Final Four: Ohio St
To the topic du jour. Yes, yes, yes Mauer deserved every penny of this deal. And if one more person comes at me with that "this move will invariably tie up the Twins payroll in the future, disallowing them to add key guys later" argument I'll kill you myself. So is this the "double-edge sword" that everyone was jarring about last week? No. Because if we didn't sign him, we Twins fans would have been crushed and the reverberations of Johan number two would have been broadcast in high definition for all to debate over. Bottom line is we had to do this signing. For Minny. For fans. Heck, even for Mauer. Do you think he would have appreciated not being given maximum dollars from his hometown team. A team he killed himself for since being drafted. A team that he has not been shy about stating his unfathomed love and devotion for. I mean if I were his lady I would be scared of him cheating on me with the Twin cities. That's how much he loves this town. So before you go ripping the signing let me give you a few pointers to think about. First, we have billionaire owners. The money was there so we spent it. If we aren't competing in five years, Mauer will wave his full no trade clause anyways and another team, I'm sure, will be happy to scoop him up. So not being able to sign big time free agents or resign hometown pieces won't matter because we'll be rebuilding anyways. Second, allow me to remind you that three of the top four salaries in baseball belong in New York, with CC's not being far behind. If they can pay Jeter six million dollars more and Tex only four million less, and Mauer is giving you Jete's no lose attitude and leadership,and Tex's power and plate discipline, how could you not resign him. Third, do you even begin to understand the consequences of us NOT resigning him. The Twin cities would have imploded and caused a ripple effect in the sports circuit that my hero Kirby would have felt in his grave. The Vikes, T-Wolves, and even the Gophers would have felt the pinch. Their are die-hard fans there. They would not have accepted anything less. Lastly, read my Re-sign Mauer. Yes, we can! article. This backs up these points and provides you with more. This guy just made a wonderful decision. A decision that will ripple through sports as well. No? You telling me that LeBron, D-Wade, the Cavs, and Heat weren't all paying attention to this display of loyalty. It proves that you can have your cake AND eat it too. Or at least your millions. Thumbs up Twins!!
A quick note from this weekend to end on.
Chew on this. You know there are only four tracks that Jimmy hasn't won on. Only four! That's like the amount of people that think Cornell actually has a shot against UK. Or the amount of times I have watched "Winning Time". Or, the amount of times the lady has made me watch 500 Days of Summer.(An extremely well acted and underrated film BTW) So what does this all mean? It simply means that 48 is as an unstoppable force as Nascar has seen in sometime. Reggie is the purest jump shooter of all time. And, I am slowly falling in love with Zooey Deschanel. And Joseph Gordan Levitt for that matter. (Sorry but I have to say Bella and Edward they were not. Chemistry was actually alive and well here, whereas with those two, dare I say it, the chemistry seemed to have been sucked out of them. ha ha Had to do it.) Great show Jimmy! Sorry Kurt Busch. Maybe five tire changes would have worked on that last pit. Or simply a winning car. Next time, try harder. In the immortal words of one Richard Bobby "If you ain't first, you're last!"
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Today is the day for "Dancing" in the street
As we continue on here is my breakdown of the East......
Although every game in this bracket is a game to watch, a few stand out. Texas v. Wake, Temple v. Cornell, Marquette v. Washington, and Clemson v. Mizz all seem like tasty treats. Texas, who has played sub par all season, seems like that "they should be better than they are" team, ala Michigan St. last year, that just turns it on in the dance and rides that momentum to the title game. Many say VT should have made it over Wake. I agree. Because of this Texas handles this ACC lightweight easily before succumbing to a championship ready Kentucky squad. PPatt and Cousins are just too much for Pittman's whiny antics. When we pass them, we then face either Temple(my pick) or Cornell(the analysts "sexy" pick). This could be a huge upset for Cornell. They can shoot and play extremely well-executed basketball. But Temple has big guns who have played well all season. Close game early, but the Owls pull it out late. Then, I don't seem them advancing past Trevon Hughes and Wisconsin. This is a team that plays so slow it could hurt UK. Next up is speedy Marquette at U-Dub. Many people are picking Marquette to make an extended run. Yeah, really? Well I heard that as well during the Big East tournament. They are good, but please do not sleep on Isiah Thomas(not the coach) and the Huskies. I had them on upset alert last year, and these guys are only more experienced with another year under their belts. Although should Marquette advance, it won't get past my Wildcats. Why? Because there is no unknown powerhouse of a guard generating the first triple double I have ever seen in the dance, let alone college, by the name of Dwayne Wade playing for them, that's why. I still pick Marquette over UW, but barely. Lastly, I agree Da'Sean Butler is a beast. I did witness his complete dominance over the comp in the Big East tourney, but Clemson and Missouri look like they types of teams that show up every year and you ask yourself "Who are these guys?". A sweet 16 appearance later and you realize just why they are so good. They are a team in every since of the word and play with heart. Plus, having big talent doesn't hurt. I wouldn't compare them to Mason of a few years back, but watch out for these two. Or Butler will just dice them for like 25 and WVU waits to play Marquette.
Final Four: Kentucky
On to the South.....
I just want to start this off with a reminder of the B.S. that goes on in college basketball. Thank you jackass committee members for giving Kentucky by far the hardest bracket on the road to the championship. Less, Morgan St. (Who dominated the MEAC), Montana(Who erased a 20 point halftime deficit to win their conference title), and maybe Wofford(Who was good enough to merit a 13 seed), any team could beat us. And what do the assholes give bitch ass Duke!!! The play-in game! I hope they lose to APB. Jerks. OK, I'm good now.
Not much to add here that wasn't just covered, but a few games do stand out. The best game of this bracket is going to be over early in coverage as Cal takes on Louisville. I can't just give this to Louisville. I know Pitino always has them ready, but I don't trust the inconsistency of Sosa. I do give the Cards the edge though because California just lost a big time player inside and that could be the difference. Next up is my upset city alert team as Siena will beat a demoralized Purdue team, as well as take out A&M on their way to the Sweet 16. This team, I just like. I hear about them in the Dance every year and this just seems like the time where they really push. Call me crazy, but this is my team. Now simply for shits and giggles, you know I picked ODU over Notre Dame. I don't trust the Irish basketball team in big games like I don't trust their football team. Boo, Harangody! Watch out for that locomotive known as Gerald Lee baby! Go Monarchs.
Final Four: Duke (just because I want the chance to see them get waxed by Kentucky)
I also must add a quick comment on Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington dabbling with the white devil. LOLOLOL, love it. That is all.
See you tomorrow.
Although every game in this bracket is a game to watch, a few stand out. Texas v. Wake, Temple v. Cornell, Marquette v. Washington, and Clemson v. Mizz all seem like tasty treats. Texas, who has played sub par all season, seems like that "they should be better than they are" team, ala Michigan St. last year, that just turns it on in the dance and rides that momentum to the title game. Many say VT should have made it over Wake. I agree. Because of this Texas handles this ACC lightweight easily before succumbing to a championship ready Kentucky squad. PPatt and Cousins are just too much for Pittman's whiny antics. When we pass them, we then face either Temple(my pick) or Cornell(the analysts "sexy" pick). This could be a huge upset for Cornell. They can shoot and play extremely well-executed basketball. But Temple has big guns who have played well all season. Close game early, but the Owls pull it out late. Then, I don't seem them advancing past Trevon Hughes and Wisconsin. This is a team that plays so slow it could hurt UK. Next up is speedy Marquette at U-Dub. Many people are picking Marquette to make an extended run. Yeah, really? Well I heard that as well during the Big East tournament. They are good, but please do not sleep on Isiah Thomas(not the coach) and the Huskies. I had them on upset alert last year, and these guys are only more experienced with another year under their belts. Although should Marquette advance, it won't get past my Wildcats. Why? Because there is no unknown powerhouse of a guard generating the first triple double I have ever seen in the dance, let alone college, by the name of Dwayne Wade playing for them, that's why. I still pick Marquette over UW, but barely. Lastly, I agree Da'Sean Butler is a beast. I did witness his complete dominance over the comp in the Big East tourney, but Clemson and Missouri look like they types of teams that show up every year and you ask yourself "Who are these guys?". A sweet 16 appearance later and you realize just why they are so good. They are a team in every since of the word and play with heart. Plus, having big talent doesn't hurt. I wouldn't compare them to Mason of a few years back, but watch out for these two. Or Butler will just dice them for like 25 and WVU waits to play Marquette.
Final Four: Kentucky
On to the South.....
I just want to start this off with a reminder of the B.S. that goes on in college basketball. Thank you jackass committee members for giving Kentucky by far the hardest bracket on the road to the championship. Less, Morgan St. (Who dominated the MEAC), Montana(Who erased a 20 point halftime deficit to win their conference title), and maybe Wofford(Who was good enough to merit a 13 seed), any team could beat us. And what do the assholes give bitch ass Duke!!! The play-in game! I hope they lose to APB. Jerks. OK, I'm good now.
Not much to add here that wasn't just covered, but a few games do stand out. The best game of this bracket is going to be over early in coverage as Cal takes on Louisville. I can't just give this to Louisville. I know Pitino always has them ready, but I don't trust the inconsistency of Sosa. I do give the Cards the edge though because California just lost a big time player inside and that could be the difference. Next up is my upset city alert team as Siena will beat a demoralized Purdue team, as well as take out A&M on their way to the Sweet 16. This team, I just like. I hear about them in the Dance every year and this just seems like the time where they really push. Call me crazy, but this is my team. Now simply for shits and giggles, you know I picked ODU over Notre Dame. I don't trust the Irish basketball team in big games like I don't trust their football team. Boo, Harangody! Watch out for that locomotive known as Gerald Lee baby! Go Monarchs.
Final Four: Duke (just because I want the chance to see them get waxed by Kentucky)
I also must add a quick comment on Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington dabbling with the white devil. LOLOLOL, love it. That is all.
See you tomorrow.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Dance, Dance.... Resolution?
It feels great to be back and oh what a weekend we had.
So the NCAA wants to expand the field to a ridiculous 96 teams. Considering there are only three teams that have a legitimate beef with being left out of the guest list (Miss St., VT, and maybe Illinois), I don't see why this would be a good idea at all. The disparity amongst good teams and awful teams would be drastic. Could you imagine Coastal Carolina facing Wisconsin: Blowout city! (This actually almost happened. Nice job losing to Winthrop in the Big South title game after winning 28 games CC. The main problem is that teams like this would get in. Do they deserve to, no way. The toughest team they played all season was the team that beat them in the conference championship, or the D-1 powerhouse that beat them by 30. There is always the sad case for a few teams that should have gotten in but didn't. But with talent either wanting to forge their own name at a non power conference school, or some life choice forcing them to, the days of the guarantee just aren't there anymore. Heck, ask UNC, UConn, Arizona, and UCLA. This is why we have two mini-dances. Middle school socials if you will. The NIT and the CBI will gladly take those that just missed the invite handout, and give them a chance to say "See, we were good." Yes you were, just not good enough to play in the Varsity tournament. Maybe next year.
Speaking of the DANCE, here we go. Today I'll give you the Midwest and West. Tomorrow will feature the East and South.
Let's start with the Midwest.
The intriguing match ups of this bracket are Maryland v. Houston and OK St. v. Ga Tech. First off, I watched Houston in their conference tournament final and they are good. Simple as that. Add to that the fact that they are rolling, and Maryland with their lone star player in Vasquez is just the type of team ripe for the upset. If Houston can keep this hot streak going and find a way to neutralize Greivis, then Houston is on their way to a second round match up with Michigan St. If not, then oh what a joy I will have watching Kalin Lucas battle Vasquez. Next up, I'm really excited for OK State's James Anderson to reach the big stage. If you don't know him, this guy can shoot the sky out. I mean watermaker does not call it. I know Favors is a NBA talent in the waiting, but he is not a guard and Anderson very well could make GT pay with his outside shooting. The winner of this game also sets up a tasty second round match up with Ohio St. I'm calling an OK St. upset over GT, but they fall to Mr. Everything, Evan Turner and Ohio St. This of course is all to play second fiddle to Kansas in the Elite 8. And I don't see Ohio St. beating Georgetown. Monroe is too much for any big man Ohio State has (Lauderdale is garbage.), and I think Freeman can offset some of the work Turner will put in. I watched OSU almost lose to Illinois. And the this Illini team, with all due respect to Bruce Weber, finished 19-14, is weak, and does not deserve to be in the dance. Unless they are a lucky mid-major who just happen to upset a stud in conference play (Here's looking at you ETSU). This Illini squad though, is just a subpar Big Ten team.
Final Four: Kansas
Next is the West.
Quite a few first round dandies in this bracket. Florida St v. the Zags, UTEP v. Butler, Murray St. v. Vandy, and BYU v. Florida. (interesting note that there are two Florida schools in there. Isn't this the West?) Upset City baby! The first two are Murray St over Vandy and UTEP over Butler. Yes, Jenkins, Beal, and Ogilvie are good, but I watched UK neutralize their offense with touch match ups, tiring Vandy with multiple weapons on the floor. Have I mentioned that Murray State has five double digit scorers? I think Vandy's lack of size will cause early foul trouble for Ogilvie, and without his tenacity on the court I think Murray St. will pull away early and hold on. Plus, Murray St. already has won 30 games this year. This team can, and will, win. Alot of people are jumping on the Butler bandwagon and rightfully so. They are always a sleeper around St. Patty's Day, but they very well could have gotten the toughest first round draw this side of the Bucs of ETSU. Yes, UTEP was upset by the aforementioned Houston (they were hot, remember?), but I believe they are built for the long haul and with a win, will have a clean path to the Sweet 16 because of the outcome of the Murray State game. Butler has shooters but no monsters to take over late in a close game. UTEP just so happens to have those big guns with Character's massive inside presence and Culpepper's sweet J. I won't go as far as to say the Miners will beat Cuse in the Sweet 16, but they could. They could.
Next we have the Zags who will annihilate Florida State. Sorry to say this. Coach Few makes sure the Bulldogs guard play is always top notch this time of year. In the second round, Cuse being without Onuaku poses a big hole in what would have otherwise been a dominating inside presence. Because of this maybe loss, Gonzaga might a have a chance against the Orange. As far as BYU, I am just excited to watch Jimmer Fredette shoot the sky out against the Hokies..oops I meant Gators. Oh what the karma Gods can do. Hopefully UF doesn't lose by 30. Why always a 30 point loss to signify a blowout? Because it just seems like a beatdown. Say it aloud; "Yo, Florida lost by thirty to BYU." Ouch is right. This all leads up to what looks to be a nice scrappy match up between guard play in Cuse and K-State. Whomever comes out might not have enough for Kansas.
Final Four: Syracuse
Lastly, in case you were assuming otherwise, I watched Miller Time: Reggie Miller vs the New York Knicks and yes I cried from sheer excitement. Great job all around. Oh, and yes, Ewing DID travel.
So the NCAA wants to expand the field to a ridiculous 96 teams. Considering there are only three teams that have a legitimate beef with being left out of the guest list (Miss St., VT, and maybe Illinois), I don't see why this would be a good idea at all. The disparity amongst good teams and awful teams would be drastic. Could you imagine Coastal Carolina facing Wisconsin: Blowout city! (This actually almost happened. Nice job losing to Winthrop in the Big South title game after winning 28 games CC. The main problem is that teams like this would get in. Do they deserve to, no way. The toughest team they played all season was the team that beat them in the conference championship, or the D-1 powerhouse that beat them by 30. There is always the sad case for a few teams that should have gotten in but didn't. But with talent either wanting to forge their own name at a non power conference school, or some life choice forcing them to, the days of the guarantee just aren't there anymore. Heck, ask UNC, UConn, Arizona, and UCLA. This is why we have two mini-dances. Middle school socials if you will. The NIT and the CBI will gladly take those that just missed the invite handout, and give them a chance to say "See, we were good." Yes you were, just not good enough to play in the Varsity tournament. Maybe next year.
Speaking of the DANCE, here we go. Today I'll give you the Midwest and West. Tomorrow will feature the East and South.
Let's start with the Midwest.
The intriguing match ups of this bracket are Maryland v. Houston and OK St. v. Ga Tech. First off, I watched Houston in their conference tournament final and they are good. Simple as that. Add to that the fact that they are rolling, and Maryland with their lone star player in Vasquez is just the type of team ripe for the upset. If Houston can keep this hot streak going and find a way to neutralize Greivis, then Houston is on their way to a second round match up with Michigan St. If not, then oh what a joy I will have watching Kalin Lucas battle Vasquez. Next up, I'm really excited for OK State's James Anderson to reach the big stage. If you don't know him, this guy can shoot the sky out. I mean watermaker does not call it. I know Favors is a NBA talent in the waiting, but he is not a guard and Anderson very well could make GT pay with his outside shooting. The winner of this game also sets up a tasty second round match up with Ohio St. I'm calling an OK St. upset over GT, but they fall to Mr. Everything, Evan Turner and Ohio St. This of course is all to play second fiddle to Kansas in the Elite 8. And I don't see Ohio St. beating Georgetown. Monroe is too much for any big man Ohio State has (Lauderdale is garbage.), and I think Freeman can offset some of the work Turner will put in. I watched OSU almost lose to Illinois. And the this Illini team, with all due respect to Bruce Weber, finished 19-14, is weak, and does not deserve to be in the dance. Unless they are a lucky mid-major who just happen to upset a stud in conference play (Here's looking at you ETSU). This Illini squad though, is just a subpar Big Ten team.
Final Four: Kansas
Next is the West.
Quite a few first round dandies in this bracket. Florida St v. the Zags, UTEP v. Butler, Murray St. v. Vandy, and BYU v. Florida. (interesting note that there are two Florida schools in there. Isn't this the West?) Upset City baby! The first two are Murray St over Vandy and UTEP over Butler. Yes, Jenkins, Beal, and Ogilvie are good, but I watched UK neutralize their offense with touch match ups, tiring Vandy with multiple weapons on the floor. Have I mentioned that Murray State has five double digit scorers? I think Vandy's lack of size will cause early foul trouble for Ogilvie, and without his tenacity on the court I think Murray St. will pull away early and hold on. Plus, Murray St. already has won 30 games this year. This team can, and will, win. Alot of people are jumping on the Butler bandwagon and rightfully so. They are always a sleeper around St. Patty's Day, but they very well could have gotten the toughest first round draw this side of the Bucs of ETSU. Yes, UTEP was upset by the aforementioned Houston (they were hot, remember?), but I believe they are built for the long haul and with a win, will have a clean path to the Sweet 16 because of the outcome of the Murray State game. Butler has shooters but no monsters to take over late in a close game. UTEP just so happens to have those big guns with Character's massive inside presence and Culpepper's sweet J. I won't go as far as to say the Miners will beat Cuse in the Sweet 16, but they could. They could.
Next we have the Zags who will annihilate Florida State. Sorry to say this. Coach Few makes sure the Bulldogs guard play is always top notch this time of year. In the second round, Cuse being without Onuaku poses a big hole in what would have otherwise been a dominating inside presence. Because of this maybe loss, Gonzaga might a have a chance against the Orange. As far as BYU, I am just excited to watch Jimmer Fredette shoot the sky out against the Hokies..oops I meant Gators. Oh what the karma Gods can do. Hopefully UF doesn't lose by 30. Why always a 30 point loss to signify a blowout? Because it just seems like a beatdown. Say it aloud; "Yo, Florida lost by thirty to BYU." Ouch is right. This all leads up to what looks to be a nice scrappy match up between guard play in Cuse and K-State. Whomever comes out might not have enough for Kansas.
Final Four: Syracuse
Lastly, in case you were assuming otherwise, I watched Miller Time: Reggie Miller vs the New York Knicks and yes I cried from sheer excitement. Great job all around. Oh, and yes, Ewing DID travel.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
C.A.P.S. continued.....
UPDATE!!!
Thomas Jones signs a 2 year deal with the Chiefs to split time with Jamaal Charles. I like this signing. This gives Cassel another option on offense, and if Charles was able to break 1,000 yards rushing without playing a full season, the O-line seems capable enough to block down front for Jones. He's a weapon, and as always is the case with TJ, he has something to prove. Look for the Cheifs to make strides next season. Especially since their divisions best weapon.....
LT just scheduled a visit with the Vikes. This could be dangerous for the league. Since we all know that AP (why am I initialling every player?) couldn't continue his headfirst running style as the lone back if he wanted to play past 2013, so this would be a great pick up. A smarter, quicker, Chester Taylor to star opposite an absolute bruiser. Think Favre would come back for that? I do.
In yet another insignificant release Mangini may have signaled his own version of the Brady era, as the Browns let Derek Anderson go. I don't know how to feel about this. I mean a few years ago Anderson looked great, now he looks awful. The problem is the Brown's "Brady" is of the Quinn variety, and his hairline has looked sharper than his passes. Is this the guy you want to commit to? The "Arenas" of the NFL. At least Gilbert has a couple of All Star selections under his belt. I am just praying that my immediate fear doesn't come to fruition. Ever since the K-Gun left town, someone loves taking castaways under their belts under the belief that they can re-mold them into a star. (Bledsoe, Flutie, T.O. to rattle off a few) Here's looking at you Buffalo. Let's just stick to our Vick/Tebow '10 campaign shall we.
Speaking of Mr. VH-1, he is reportedly meeting with the Bengals. I have to say first and foremost if this happens, HBO better bring the Bengals back for Hard Knocks next season. OMG T.O. and Ochocinco of Dancing with the Stars fame together! My wish finally came true! I can't wait for these two to battle it out for screen time. Also Cincy, thank you for resigning Tank Johnson. I swear I have eight cousins in Florida just like him. Great guy. As far as on the field, this could be a good thing. Maybe T.O. will take motivation from knowing he's the second best receiver on the team. Something he couldn't seem to grasp in Buffalo. Or, he could not do anything and waste my fantasy pick, like last year. Your call Cincy.
In quick baseball news.
Solid outing for Strasburg yesterday. Wicked bender after wicked bender. Then he smokes 98 high! This kid has it. Maybe I should rethink this whole minors thing. Maybe not, but he'll be up in the Show long before September.
Also, sayonara to Nomah!! Great career. Of the elite SS in the late '90's I always liked him best. Here's to gaining weight and playing second fiddle to Mia.
Lastly, as promised, my favorite analysts decision came down to a tight race. One of the finalists were the tandem of Mark Jackson, Mike Breen, and Jeff Van Gundy. I mean Van Gundy plays little brother to the other two so well I catch myself laughing at times. Mark Jackson and Van Gundy go after Breen nonstop over his lack of direct basketball knowledge, which Breen rebuttals ever so nicely time after time. The winner though by a hair was Walt "Clyde" Fraizer on MSG during Knicks telecasts. I mean how many people can make up this many words in a one game telecast and still be on the air? Please YouTube it if you can. My favorite of all time "There goes David Lee swishing and dishing through the lane." What? Exactly. Gold.
Thomas Jones signs a 2 year deal with the Chiefs to split time with Jamaal Charles. I like this signing. This gives Cassel another option on offense, and if Charles was able to break 1,000 yards rushing without playing a full season, the O-line seems capable enough to block down front for Jones. He's a weapon, and as always is the case with TJ, he has something to prove. Look for the Cheifs to make strides next season. Especially since their divisions best weapon.....
LT just scheduled a visit with the Vikes. This could be dangerous for the league. Since we all know that AP (why am I initialling every player?) couldn't continue his headfirst running style as the lone back if he wanted to play past 2013, so this would be a great pick up. A smarter, quicker, Chester Taylor to star opposite an absolute bruiser. Think Favre would come back for that? I do.
In yet another insignificant release Mangini may have signaled his own version of the Brady era, as the Browns let Derek Anderson go. I don't know how to feel about this. I mean a few years ago Anderson looked great, now he looks awful. The problem is the Brown's "Brady" is of the Quinn variety, and his hairline has looked sharper than his passes. Is this the guy you want to commit to? The "Arenas" of the NFL. At least Gilbert has a couple of All Star selections under his belt. I am just praying that my immediate fear doesn't come to fruition. Ever since the K-Gun left town, someone loves taking castaways under their belts under the belief that they can re-mold them into a star. (Bledsoe, Flutie, T.O. to rattle off a few) Here's looking at you Buffalo. Let's just stick to our Vick/Tebow '10 campaign shall we.
Speaking of Mr. VH-1, he is reportedly meeting with the Bengals. I have to say first and foremost if this happens, HBO better bring the Bengals back for Hard Knocks next season. OMG T.O. and Ochocinco of Dancing with the Stars fame together! My wish finally came true! I can't wait for these two to battle it out for screen time. Also Cincy, thank you for resigning Tank Johnson. I swear I have eight cousins in Florida just like him. Great guy. As far as on the field, this could be a good thing. Maybe T.O. will take motivation from knowing he's the second best receiver on the team. Something he couldn't seem to grasp in Buffalo. Or, he could not do anything and waste my fantasy pick, like last year. Your call Cincy.
In quick baseball news.
Solid outing for Strasburg yesterday. Wicked bender after wicked bender. Then he smokes 98 high! This kid has it. Maybe I should rethink this whole minors thing. Maybe not, but he'll be up in the Show long before September.
Also, sayonara to Nomah!! Great career. Of the elite SS in the late '90's I always liked him best. Here's to gaining weight and playing second fiddle to Mia.
Lastly, as promised, my favorite analysts decision came down to a tight race. One of the finalists were the tandem of Mark Jackson, Mike Breen, and Jeff Van Gundy. I mean Van Gundy plays little brother to the other two so well I catch myself laughing at times. Mark Jackson and Van Gundy go after Breen nonstop over his lack of direct basketball knowledge, which Breen rebuttals ever so nicely time after time. The winner though by a hair was Walt "Clyde" Fraizer on MSG during Knicks telecasts. I mean how many people can make up this many words in a one game telecast and still be on the air? Please YouTube it if you can. My favorite of all time "There goes David Lee swishing and dishing through the lane." What? Exactly. Gold.
Monday, March 8, 2010
No Cap? What is this, formal?
So with Lady Dunn being under the weather I have to make today's edition short and sweet. With that being said, I am devoting my sports-breakdown-prowess strictly to the craziness that has been the first weekend of this NFL free agency extravaganza free-for-all! I'll start with the new Yankees of the NFL. Must be the Cowboys right? Nope, they stayed uncharacteristically quiet. Must be the DeadSkin's then. Snyder is Steinbrenner reincarnated. But without the championships. No the new ballers of the league, no pun intended, are the.....Bears? Yep, those Chitown Grizzlies. Not only did they get a premiere End in Julius Peppers (6 year deal), but they also courted a great ball back in Chester Taylor (4 year deal). I call him this because he is the type of player that always seems to do those little things that turn a tough loss into a big win. Need a third and 2 or great field percentage on a kick off, he's your guy. The best thing is they locked them up long term which is great for them. What is not so great is a kick returner is still their prime receiver. Look I love Hester like most, but would Jim Kelly have been a monster with Steve Tasker being his long ball threat? OK, ok no more Bills comparisons. Well how about Brees getting to the SB with Devry Henderson and not Colsten? Catch my drift? I will say though that the idea of Peppers demanding double teams and freeing up Urlacher IS enticing. So here's to the Bears scratching out wins with their new improved defensive attitude and to Chester Taylor giving them "an" option to dump the ball to on offense, so at least for that play Cutler won't throw a pick 6.
Other notables:
-my "hometown" Jets gave up a 3rd round pick to obtain Cromartie and his bakers dozen of kids (J/K, but sadly I'm not too far off) from the Chargers. Pairing him opposite Revis solidifies their CB's as the best duo in football. Nuff said. Good luck throwing against them. What division are the Bills in again? D'oh. They also traded Kerry Rhodes and his huge promised bonus dollars to the Cards.*(more on this team later)
-Kyle Vanden Bosch snubbed the Jags to go to the Lions after signing a 4 year deal. So both teams are garbage, and you choose cold-ass, gray Detroit over sunny Jacksonville. Maybe the Jags ARE losing their team. Which sucks for......
-Aaron Kampman, who just signed a 4 year deal of his own to fill Jax's need for a big time pass rusher. (They almost set the NFL record in sack futility last season(14 sacks) so Kampman should be good to at least double that) He was a monster for GB so the warmer climate should make him even crazier late in the season.
-The Panthers followed up letting Peppers go by also releasing Delhomme and his $12.5 million roster cost. Jesus, was he that garbage? I guess so. I initially took this as them heeding Vick's words and freeing up a spot to sign the Bad News/BET representer. Yet, officials are saying it's to hand the reigns over to Matt Moore, who played extremely well at the end of last season, winning four of their last five. I also could have done without Jake's fake LT impression as someone truly crushed by having to leave a franchise. Problem is LT did it because he, as well as the Chargers, will really miss each other. He was their franchise for years. Jake got lucky cause Chris Weinke sucked, and the Panthers overpaid for him. Yeah he took them to the SB and NFC Championship, but who cares. Stop crying because you aren't guaranteed another job and the one you had got taken from you. Ask Vanden Bosch to speak to the people in his new hometown about job loss. Theirs didn't come with a 12 million dollar severance package. Jerk.
-So if Vick is not going to Carolina, then he must surely land in.....Philly?
So says Eagles execs who just posted that they are picking up his just over 1 million dollar roster bonus, electing to pay their third stringer almost six million dollars this season! Dammit! He was supposed to be mentoring a young Tebow in Buffalo! I was going to have my second number 7 jersey for the home team! (Mauer's is my other) They better be pulling my leg. Hopefully, more to come on this developing story.....
*- The Ravens said thanks but no thanks to T.O. and signed Arizona's Boldin instead. Great move all around. VH-1, HERE COMES T.O.!
Tomorrow: more sans cap room NFL shenanigans. Also, you asked for it, you got it, Toyota. LOL sorry couldn't help myself. Anyways, my first panel question gets answered: Who are/is my favorite analysts? Til tomorrow.
Other notables:
-my "hometown" Jets gave up a 3rd round pick to obtain Cromartie and his bakers dozen of kids (J/K, but sadly I'm not too far off) from the Chargers. Pairing him opposite Revis solidifies their CB's as the best duo in football. Nuff said. Good luck throwing against them. What division are the Bills in again? D'oh. They also traded Kerry Rhodes and his huge promised bonus dollars to the Cards.*(more on this team later)
-Kyle Vanden Bosch snubbed the Jags to go to the Lions after signing a 4 year deal. So both teams are garbage, and you choose cold-ass, gray Detroit over sunny Jacksonville. Maybe the Jags ARE losing their team. Which sucks for......
-Aaron Kampman, who just signed a 4 year deal of his own to fill Jax's need for a big time pass rusher. (They almost set the NFL record in sack futility last season(14 sacks) so Kampman should be good to at least double that) He was a monster for GB so the warmer climate should make him even crazier late in the season.
-The Panthers followed up letting Peppers go by also releasing Delhomme and his $12.5 million roster cost. Jesus, was he that garbage? I guess so. I initially took this as them heeding Vick's words and freeing up a spot to sign the Bad News/BET representer. Yet, officials are saying it's to hand the reigns over to Matt Moore, who played extremely well at the end of last season, winning four of their last five. I also could have done without Jake's fake LT impression as someone truly crushed by having to leave a franchise. Problem is LT did it because he, as well as the Chargers, will really miss each other. He was their franchise for years. Jake got lucky cause Chris Weinke sucked, and the Panthers overpaid for him. Yeah he took them to the SB and NFC Championship, but who cares. Stop crying because you aren't guaranteed another job and the one you had got taken from you. Ask Vanden Bosch to speak to the people in his new hometown about job loss. Theirs didn't come with a 12 million dollar severance package. Jerk.
-So if Vick is not going to Carolina, then he must surely land in.....Philly?
So says Eagles execs who just posted that they are picking up his just over 1 million dollar roster bonus, electing to pay their third stringer almost six million dollars this season! Dammit! He was supposed to be mentoring a young Tebow in Buffalo! I was going to have my second number 7 jersey for the home team! (Mauer's is my other) They better be pulling my leg. Hopefully, more to come on this developing story.....
*- The Ravens said thanks but no thanks to T.O. and signed Arizona's Boldin instead. Great move all around. VH-1, HERE COMES T.O.!
Tomorrow: more sans cap room NFL shenanigans. Also, you asked for it, you got it, Toyota. LOL sorry couldn't help myself. Anyways, my first panel question gets answered: Who are/is my favorite analysts? Til tomorrow.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Re-sign Mauer? YES WE CAN!
So as promised here is my first account prognosis on when, and for how much Mauer will be re-signed for. I'll preface this with a statement to disparage you from thinking that there is anyway possible that this will not happen. It will. Why am I so sure? Here's why. I was watching MLB Network the other day and they were interviewing Mauer from our spring training complex in Ft. Meyers, a place that I love BTW. Of course they were feeding him filler questions such as "How do you top last year's success" and "How do you feel, health-wise, this spring, as opposed to the back pain that caused you to miss the first month of last year. This is all filler because you could tell the reporter simply wanted to talk about "the contract". Mauer answered the inevitable question with the same plead the fifth attitude that he has had since the Twins season ended last October. None of this of course explains why he will resign. That significant clue came not what came out of his head, but more so what was on top of it. As Mauer seamlessly answered questions, perched on top of his cranium was a huge Univ. of Minnesota "M" hat staring right at NY, Boston, LA, and whomever else to see. Simply put, the man IS Minny. He was Mr. all-state in baseball AND football. He was offered a full ride to QB Fla. St, but turned it down to be the number 1 pick by his hometown team. A team whose stadium was five minutes from his house. (I have to say that all of those people who said we were crazy when we drafted Mauer ahead of Mark Prior should all have their ball's cut off. Nice call, jerks.) Anyways, his family lives here. He has been pressurized in the spotlight since he was a teenager. Money truly is no object to him. (Can't say the same about LBJ, who professed that he wants to be the next Warren Buffett. Hello, NY!) He loves Minny and we love him back. All he wants is the chance to compete for a Championship. Uh, have you looked at the offseason moves we have made? When was the last time you heard of the Twins bringing in three big time free agents(Thome, O-Dog, JJ Hardy) and resigning another(Pavano)? Never, that's when. We don't sign free agents, just like we supposedly don't spend. Well guess what else we are about to change. Terry Ryan, our old GM, arguably retired and handed the job over to his long time assistant Smith because of the backlash over not getting anything back for Santana. That will not happen again. The Pohlad's are billionaires, and for Mauer, they'll spend. It all started with Morneau, and the idea of winning, especially with a new city financed stadium, will make owners spend. The logistics have to be worked out, but my guesstimation would be: He will sign somewhere in the first two months of the regular season and it will be a 6 year deal worth $100-$115 million. Back loaded, that would pay him over 20 million annually towards the end of the extension, making this a sure bet. That will keep he and Morneau together for at least the next half decade, giving us more than enough time to wrap up a championship. If I am wrong, then expect to hear something on the news about hysteria in NYC. Either way, win-win for me.
Keeping with follow-ups, and the aforementioned Prior, regardless of what non-baseball followers will say, Strasburg needs to start the season in the minors. Not to say that he couldn't handle big league batters now, but I so much don't want to see him get overworked. It's not like the Nats are threatening this season, or next for that matter, so why take the risk? Let's see him work on some pitches (Changeup, Slider) and location for a half a season and call him up after the all-star break to really see what the kid is bringing. He'll have confidence and more importantly, know-how. I hate seeing kids get called up and rocked for a million runs their first few starts. I don't care how good you are, that kind of beat down takes a toll on your ego. How about let him get comfortable with professional hitting, and I guarantee he'll be better in the long run. If not he won't be pitching for a team, he'll be pitching for a minor league deal in five years. Take your time Nats. Lord knows you have plenty of it.
Keeping with beat downs, although the scoreboard did not show it, man, what a massacre Vasquez did on Duke's morale last night. He and Scheyer, whom I actually like, had a nice Bird-'Nique thing going on for a while. Then the last two minutes came. Start with ferocious defense from the Terps and add to that a couple of impossible Vasquez fallaway's and we have a tie atop the ACC standings. What gave me so much pleasure was not watching Vasquez terrorize Duke the whole night, but it was watching a bubble team overpower a supposed #1 seed. This is the team clamoring for the last #1 spot? The book on these guys could be dissected just off lats night's game. Allow Scheyer to get his usual buckets, but you can't do much to stop him. Double up on Nolan Smith because he's there only threat to penetrate. Play one on one with Singler cause he sucks. If the other team has any remnants of an athletic big man, Singler's all thumbs. Maryland proved that last night. It took an impressive display from Maryland's top scorer, but in it they exposed Duke's weaknesses. Allowing my prediction of a first round Duke loss to fall right in place. J/S
Keeping with follow-ups, and the aforementioned Prior, regardless of what non-baseball followers will say, Strasburg needs to start the season in the minors. Not to say that he couldn't handle big league batters now, but I so much don't want to see him get overworked. It's not like the Nats are threatening this season, or next for that matter, so why take the risk? Let's see him work on some pitches (Changeup, Slider) and location for a half a season and call him up after the all-star break to really see what the kid is bringing. He'll have confidence and more importantly, know-how. I hate seeing kids get called up and rocked for a million runs their first few starts. I don't care how good you are, that kind of beat down takes a toll on your ego. How about let him get comfortable with professional hitting, and I guarantee he'll be better in the long run. If not he won't be pitching for a team, he'll be pitching for a minor league deal in five years. Take your time Nats. Lord knows you have plenty of it.
Keeping with beat downs, although the scoreboard did not show it, man, what a massacre Vasquez did on Duke's morale last night. He and Scheyer, whom I actually like, had a nice Bird-'Nique thing going on for a while. Then the last two minutes came. Start with ferocious defense from the Terps and add to that a couple of impossible Vasquez fallaway's and we have a tie atop the ACC standings. What gave me so much pleasure was not watching Vasquez terrorize Duke the whole night, but it was watching a bubble team overpower a supposed #1 seed. This is the team clamoring for the last #1 spot? The book on these guys could be dissected just off lats night's game. Allow Scheyer to get his usual buckets, but you can't do much to stop him. Double up on Nolan Smith because he's there only threat to penetrate. Play one on one with Singler cause he sucks. If the other team has any remnants of an athletic big man, Singler's all thumbs. Maryland proved that last night. It took an impressive display from Maryland's top scorer, but in it they exposed Duke's weaknesses. Allowing my prediction of a first round Duke loss to fall right in place. J/S
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
23 or 6? I pick 3!
What is it about Tuesday's that makes the sports world all of sudden suck? I knew there was a problem when I saw the same Sabres highlight eleven times this morning. Okay, okay Sabres so you want to save Ryan Miller for a gentleman's welcoming back at Buffalo so you decide to start the backup. Who played well by the way. Got it. Again.
So with that being said, I give you another set a bulletins, points, observances, ideologies from a Tuesday that sucked. Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you another rousing edition of Terrible Tuesday!
-So LBJ wants to change his jersey number to 6 ala Dr. J. So let me get this straight, you want to "honor" Michael Jordan by not wearing his old number. Yet you choose a number of someone that arguably passed the greatest-ever torch over to this "honoree". Not sure if I understand this. Yes, I do believe that for what Jordan did for the NBA as far as from a marketing and sheer dominance on the court standpoint he should have his number retired. But how about we leave that decision up to the people that have the authority to make it. I applaud LBJ for stirring the pot so to speak on the idea, but not so fast. The interesting thing is I do not believe he is giving it up to honor MJ. I believe that he has finally broken from those "he's the next MJ or Kobe" talks and ventured into the "LBJ is unbelievable, and there is no comparison" talk. Do you understand how great of an individual player he is? No comparison needed. Who would win in a 21 game between the three? Who knows, but I would love to add DWade and Melo into the mix and let them go at. At least there's no little Chris Dunn's who have to hope for a deflected rebound because he's shorter than everyone else. Sorry that came out of nowhere. Bottom line on the decision: Good idea.
Keeping with the NBA, I have to pardon Bubbachuck for concluding (finally I think) a HofF career. Albeit that it took an illness to his daughter(undisclosed mind you) to force him out of the game. I read a refreshing quote from Dalembert that stated how much he was looking forward to playing with this "new" A.I. Apparently the pre-old Iverson offense was designed to space the floor and let him go to work. (Really!? No Way!?) Now, with a less explosive A.I. the offense was more structured and he felt they could have used that to exploit defenses thinking Allen had lost a step. What a teammate Dalembert was. I mean that seriously. I am sure A.I. ripped into him a few times back in the day. Or, for all I know, he protected him when others thought he was overpaid. (I being one of those. He still can't dominate and his contract dollars are of someone who should be dominating) I now see that Dalembert is the one with the hefty contract and Chuck was simply looking to latch on. Dalembert was square with that. That, in itself, is solid. Well wishes to the Iverson family.
Has anyone paid attention to the massacre Russell Westbrook has left on the NBA recently. Talk about coming into your own. I was watching the Thunder game last night, (Yes, it was weird to officially type Thunder) and while being thoroughly entertained by a team that more people should be noticing, I witnessed this kid in his full glory. I mean a tough pull up jumper, sweet no looks, PF type rebounding, and a complete willingness to let Durantula take over. Ladies and Gentlemen, your prototypical PG! Wow, he is shiny. And a beast to boot.
In random NFL news, so the Jets are cutting Va's own Thomas Jones. I am guessing because Westbrook and LT want to win a SuperBowl, and Jones simply wants to continue his annual "I can still be a star back" campaign, I call his next stop to be in our nations capital. Well west of it anyways. The Skins need a hard nose back, and being that he is originally from near D.C., what a great place it would be to play out the last two years you have left in the league.
I'll end with Justin Upton signing a 6 year deal. This was not only a great lock up of a surefire future multi-AllStar selection, but a great central piece to build a team around. He has improved his stats every season since his call-up, and only looks to be getting a better grasp on the game. Good luck kid. BTW he's another Va prospect. This is not on purpose, I swear. (wink, wink)
Tomorrow get my final word on Mauer's resigning (oohh) and Strasburg starting in the minors. Baseball baby! Finally.
So with that being said, I give you another set a bulletins, points, observances, ideologies from a Tuesday that sucked. Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you another rousing edition of Terrible Tuesday!
-So LBJ wants to change his jersey number to 6 ala Dr. J. So let me get this straight, you want to "honor" Michael Jordan by not wearing his old number. Yet you choose a number of someone that arguably passed the greatest-ever torch over to this "honoree". Not sure if I understand this. Yes, I do believe that for what Jordan did for the NBA as far as from a marketing and sheer dominance on the court standpoint he should have his number retired. But how about we leave that decision up to the people that have the authority to make it. I applaud LBJ for stirring the pot so to speak on the idea, but not so fast. The interesting thing is I do not believe he is giving it up to honor MJ. I believe that he has finally broken from those "he's the next MJ or Kobe" talks and ventured into the "LBJ is unbelievable, and there is no comparison" talk. Do you understand how great of an individual player he is? No comparison needed. Who would win in a 21 game between the three? Who knows, but I would love to add DWade and Melo into the mix and let them go at. At least there's no little Chris Dunn's who have to hope for a deflected rebound because he's shorter than everyone else. Sorry that came out of nowhere. Bottom line on the decision: Good idea.
Keeping with the NBA, I have to pardon Bubbachuck for concluding (finally I think) a HofF career. Albeit that it took an illness to his daughter(undisclosed mind you) to force him out of the game. I read a refreshing quote from Dalembert that stated how much he was looking forward to playing with this "new" A.I. Apparently the pre-old Iverson offense was designed to space the floor and let him go to work. (Really!? No Way!?) Now, with a less explosive A.I. the offense was more structured and he felt they could have used that to exploit defenses thinking Allen had lost a step. What a teammate Dalembert was. I mean that seriously. I am sure A.I. ripped into him a few times back in the day. Or, for all I know, he protected him when others thought he was overpaid. (I being one of those. He still can't dominate and his contract dollars are of someone who should be dominating) I now see that Dalembert is the one with the hefty contract and Chuck was simply looking to latch on. Dalembert was square with that. That, in itself, is solid. Well wishes to the Iverson family.
Has anyone paid attention to the massacre Russell Westbrook has left on the NBA recently. Talk about coming into your own. I was watching the Thunder game last night, (Yes, it was weird to officially type Thunder) and while being thoroughly entertained by a team that more people should be noticing, I witnessed this kid in his full glory. I mean a tough pull up jumper, sweet no looks, PF type rebounding, and a complete willingness to let Durantula take over. Ladies and Gentlemen, your prototypical PG! Wow, he is shiny. And a beast to boot.
In random NFL news, so the Jets are cutting Va's own Thomas Jones. I am guessing because Westbrook and LT want to win a SuperBowl, and Jones simply wants to continue his annual "I can still be a star back" campaign, I call his next stop to be in our nations capital. Well west of it anyways. The Skins need a hard nose back, and being that he is originally from near D.C., what a great place it would be to play out the last two years you have left in the league.
I'll end with Justin Upton signing a 6 year deal. This was not only a great lock up of a surefire future multi-AllStar selection, but a great central piece to build a team around. He has improved his stats every season since his call-up, and only looks to be getting a better grasp on the game. Good luck kid. BTW he's another Va prospect. This is not on purpose, I swear. (wink, wink)
Tomorrow get my final word on Mauer's resigning (oohh) and Strasburg starting in the minors. Baseball baby! Finally.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Hockeyfrown USA
Enough with the sad faces and aww man's. That was arguably THE most entertaining and heart pounding hockey game I will ever watch. I say congrats to the Canucks for pulling out the win. And Sid scores the game winner to boot. I knew this was something special when lady Dunn continually shrieked at the countless near goals that eluded the US in the 3rd period, before their unbelievable game-tying rebound goal with a little over thirty seconds to go. I heart these guys. They played as hard and as nationalistic(if that's a word, if not, I am officially making it one right now)as any American athlete has this side of 1980. Parise is a new God and I have never felt more down for a guy who lost than I do for US netminder Miller. (note: I will not use the term "stood on his head" because I hate that expression) Dare I say, with Nobokov's disappearance in these games, and the fact that my love for the Sharks can be attributed to a not so smart Starter jacket wardrobe choice in the mid '90's, the Sabres might be my new hockey team. Hey, I'm already a Bills fan. But back to the game. I thought, as most, that the good guys were done after Canada's second goal in the second period. it just seemed like the wind had been completely knocked out of us. No one wanted it. No one, except Kane. This kid showed me more guts and willpower than any "Yankee" will ever show me. Those quotations were for any New York Yankee not known as the big four(Pettite, Jete, Mo, and Posada). With every stopped goal and every failed PP opportunity I thought it must be Canada's night. Than we tied it up at the end of regulation! Oh man I could feel it. Then one destiny laced Crosby goal later and those good guys were celebrating while we looked like we had just lost a life or death consequenced battle. So here's to team U.S.A. for making me care about hockey again. Are we sure Mr. NHL commish that you don't want to use Pros in the 2014 games? I am sure this tournament was proof that people do care about hockey. Just not your hockey.
Speaking of sad faces, none of this shame should be extended to my UK Wildcats. Yeah, yeah, so they lost to a tough Tennessee squad that has played top ten basketball, even after losing top talent, for the entire year. The real long faces should go to Kansas, who I must admit, looks a lot more dominate than we do. Have you seen the size of Cole Aldrich? They look like what a college basketball powerhouse should look like. Every time I see them I think I am watching Blue Chips 2. Where's Nolte when you need him? Yet I digress. Extra kudos to Purdue for playing valiantly, but without their closer, in heartbreaking fashion came up short against a Michigan State team that I just can't get a grip on. Are they good or aren't they? Last year I thought Kalen Lucas should have gone pro. This year, marred by inconsistency. But that has been the case for college basketball all season hasn't it? This has been as entertaining a game of musical chairs with the seedings as I have ever witnessed. Quick, who is going to win it all? Kansas? UK? Newly cemented No. 1 Cuse? Who knows, which will definitely generate "Madness" later this month.
With that being said, thanks, but no thanks to Georgetown for losing and dropping to 20th in the nation. Why does this blow? Because just as with UNI's loss, this hurts ODU's SOS.
What a segue! A big F.U. to Rams nation and all the Richmond bums who made the trek to see ODU handle VCU in the regular season finale for both squads. ODU secured the top seed in the CAA tournament, which is great news considering the #1 seed has won 7 of the last 8 tournaments. The lone exception; '06's Mason squad that hogtied the nation into a witnessing a Final Four bow out. I do not believe that we need to win the whole thing to get at least an at-large bid, but how about we not tempt fate huh? Good luck Monarchs.
I must end today's edition with more raising of the middle appendage to all of Nascar for their immense hatred towards 48. Uh, so was Sunday's beat down in Vegas also luck. Keep fucking with a sleeping giant and all you little Harvick and Edwards clowns will just keep fighting for second. And for all of the Nascar jokes that I hear, I must point out that he had to catch Mr. Colorful Gordon to win the race. J/S Give the man his damn due. If I could do it with the Spankees, then so can you. Til next time.
Speaking of sad faces, none of this shame should be extended to my UK Wildcats. Yeah, yeah, so they lost to a tough Tennessee squad that has played top ten basketball, even after losing top talent, for the entire year. The real long faces should go to Kansas, who I must admit, looks a lot more dominate than we do. Have you seen the size of Cole Aldrich? They look like what a college basketball powerhouse should look like. Every time I see them I think I am watching Blue Chips 2. Where's Nolte when you need him? Yet I digress. Extra kudos to Purdue for playing valiantly, but without their closer, in heartbreaking fashion came up short against a Michigan State team that I just can't get a grip on. Are they good or aren't they? Last year I thought Kalen Lucas should have gone pro. This year, marred by inconsistency. But that has been the case for college basketball all season hasn't it? This has been as entertaining a game of musical chairs with the seedings as I have ever witnessed. Quick, who is going to win it all? Kansas? UK? Newly cemented No. 1 Cuse? Who knows, which will definitely generate "Madness" later this month.
With that being said, thanks, but no thanks to Georgetown for losing and dropping to 20th in the nation. Why does this blow? Because just as with UNI's loss, this hurts ODU's SOS.
What a segue! A big F.U. to Rams nation and all the Richmond bums who made the trek to see ODU handle VCU in the regular season finale for both squads. ODU secured the top seed in the CAA tournament, which is great news considering the #1 seed has won 7 of the last 8 tournaments. The lone exception; '06's Mason squad that hogtied the nation into a witnessing a Final Four bow out. I do not believe that we need to win the whole thing to get at least an at-large bid, but how about we not tempt fate huh? Good luck Monarchs.
I must end today's edition with more raising of the middle appendage to all of Nascar for their immense hatred towards 48. Uh, so was Sunday's beat down in Vegas also luck. Keep fucking with a sleeping giant and all you little Harvick and Edwards clowns will just keep fighting for second. And for all of the Nascar jokes that I hear, I must point out that he had to catch Mr. Colorful Gordon to win the race. J/S Give the man his damn due. If I could do it with the Spankees, then so can you. Til next time.
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