Sunday, August 31, 2008

CFB Mini-Wrap Week 1

Wow...bunch of good games today it looks like...I finally got to a TV just in time to see Missouri put away Illinois with a pick 6...to ensure that I'm going at best 1-3 with my picks today (with Washington still playing)....
  • Michigan went down....I've heard/read alot about it...looks like we were ineffective running the football (somehow?) and had some sloppy QB play by both Sheridan and Threet with repeated high/inaccurate throws in key spots summed up by the final drive when Threet couldn't connect on a couple of routine throws....I honestly thought we were in deep trouble, so I'm not shocked by the result...but I am troubled by the lack of success in the run game and the defense being relatively ineffective albeit against a quality QB in Johnson....
  • Yikes...Illinois' defense gives up 50+ in a neutral site rivalry game....
  • Alabama absolutely lays the wood to Clemson....making me and everyone else that bought into Tommy Bowden and company look foolish once again....Good news for SEC fans again...looks like they have yet another quality team...
  • Funniest score of the day: Oklahoma 57, Chattanooga 2.....yes, 2.....laughter ensued when I saw this...My boy Demarco Murray goes 15 carries for 124 and 2 tds....
  • 2 upsets that everyone saw coming (Utah over Michigan isn't an upset....it was Michigan by 3 as the line...and since everyone knows that Vegas factors homefield as either 3 or 3.5 points...you get the picture) went down.....Va Tech goes down to East Carolina thanks in part to the immortal Sean Glennon going for under 150 yds. and 2 INT, and it prolly didn't help that All-American DB Macho Harris was out.....Pitt goes down to Bowling Green .... Now, this one wasn't quite as widespread to be picked as the VT one....but it should've been....Pitt got the benefit of the doubt being ranked without really proving anything other than that one victory over W. Virginia last year in a fluky game...they were beaten in all facets today by a MAC team...
  • Top Teams hold serve: USC was the most impressive by far...going on the road to a reasonable opponent across the country and winning 52-7....they seem to do this alot....Georgia and Ohio State utterly cruise against 1-A teams.....yawn...
That's all for tonight....enjoy

Saturday, August 30, 2008

An update on my Vegas picks....

Let's just say....Colt Brennan and June Jones aren't walking through that door for Hawaii....still getting shutout deep into the 2nd half....In fairness to them...there's been a pick 6 and a punt return for Florida to put them up 35-0....

Chris Wells goes down....

Remember a couple hours ago when I said Beanie Wells was my Heisman guy?....He got carted off moments ago with a foot injury....good karma Brad

Live on the road...

Well...I'm getting wireless from backstage in Kansas City at the Starlight Theatre....don't ask me how I got here....

To date: 
  • LSU is rolling over App. State....not shocking...even though Dan Shanoff somehow picked App. State outright...good luck to you sir...
  • Nice hire on June Jones so far for SMU...giving up 56 to Rice...Jarett Dillard is the fire at WR for Rice though....just thought you should know...
  • No Upset alerts to report as of 12:30 eastern...everyone that's supposed to be winning is winning and winning big....Beanie Wells for Heisman....as much as it pains me....I think he goes for up to (or maybe even over) 2,000 yds if he stays healthy
All for now....and I'm getting more confident for Michigan as we go here....don't ask me why....I don't even know who's starting at QB (but I think it's Nick Sheridan)

Friday, August 29, 2008

8/29: All College Football Today....

Well...last night was fun...
  • South Carolina rolled over NC State (injured QB and all) 34-0 to make me 0-1 in my picks segment....ouch...NC State looked flat terrible on offense....and really overall...come on Tom O'Brien...
  • Stanford wins their Pac 10 opener due to some faulty ball-handling around the goal line for Oregon State...I'd say their the Pac 10 favorite...okay, I kid, I kid....
Now onto the weekend....Well...Number 1..I'm partly angered here...I'll be in Kansas City doing musician-like things this weekend...and thus, will not be glued to the TV as I would normally be...so there it is....BUT if I were home....here would be my TV lineup....
  • 10:00 am-Noon- College Gameday (ESPN)
  • Noon-12:30 pm- Va Tech @ East Carolina (ESPN2)
  • 12:30 pm-3:30 pm- Hawaii @ Florida (MyAtlTV or whatever it is)
  • 3:30 pm-7:00 pm- Utah @ Michigan (ESPN2 for me lol) OR USC @ Virginia if you aren't a Michigan fan like myself (ABC)
  • 8:00 pm-11:30 pm- A real toss-up here...I would go Illinois/Missouri (ESPN) but many would go Alabama/Clemson (ABC)....two very good games...
  • 10:00 (or whenever pre-game ends) - 1:30 am- Washington @ Oregon (FSN)
Pretty full day right? Well...its what I do....

Onto the spread picks for this weekend
YTD: 0-1

Washington +13.5 @ Oregon
Hawaii +34.5 @ Florida
Illinois +9 vs. Missouri
UCLA +7.5 vs. Tennessee
Michigan -3 vs. Utah

Have a great weekend...Ill share when I can

Thursday, August 28, 2008

NFL Preview Part 4: AFC West

And we're back....
  1. San Diego Chargers (12-4) - Well...here we are again with the prohibitive Western favorites in San Diego....The core is back and with LDT (Lawrence Taylor is LT after all), Rivers, Gates and the boys on offense, they should be fairly formidable if the lack of depth at the RB position can be overcome, along with the some improved play from the receivers highlighted by a full-season of potential #1 WR Chris Chambers. There are, however, some question marks on that side of the ball....a #2 receiver is still lacking and between young guy Craig Davis and Vincent Jackson, somebody has to step up....and that's just the half of it....Pro-bowl TE Antonio Gates has a serious toe problem and is definitely up in the air health-wise but hey....they still have LDT.....The defense comes back in full but with a huge question in the form of Shawn Merriman playing on a torn-up knee....but nonetheless, this is the best unit in this division even without Merriman, so that won't come into play until playoff time really
  2. Denver Broncos (8-8) - For some reason, I'm higher on Denver than most everyone else.... I'm a fan of Jay Cutler in the backfield, and if Shanahan can pick a running back and stick with him (I'd go Selvin Young), they'll be a reasonably complete offense with Brandon Marshall and Tony Scheffler catching balls....The defense got a bit younger in the offseason, and the addition of Boss Bailey is big alongside DJ Williams...Champ Bailey is still the best CB in the league, and this is an above-average unit....Not quite a playoff team...but very competitive
  3. Oakland Raiders (8-8) - I'm of the mindset that there is always that one time that comes out of nowhere to make the playoffs in the NFL...and if Oakland was in the NFC, they'd be my pick...but since they aren't...I'll stick them here....They have the very young but very talented backfield duo of Jamarcus Russell and Darren McFadden, and although I'm on the record thinking Russell was very overrated being taken where he was...he definitely has the physical tools, and if he puts together the mental side, he'll be a star....McFadden is capable of 1400-1500 yards this year if they give him the carries, and he could be dynamic...the problem with this offense isn't either of these guys...it's the OL and WR corps...there is, however, one possibility of a star out wide for the Raiders in newly acquired Javon Walker, if he gets his head on straight.....The defense should be very good...Deangelo Hall joins Nnamdi Asomugha to form a top-tier CB tandem to go along with pro-bowl caliber LBs in Kirk Morrison and Thomas Howard...I love the upside of this team
  4. Kansas City Chiefs (2-14) - This could be the worst offense in the entire league...it's definitely the worst group of QBs in the league, and with Larry Johnson looking old and slow last year they could be ridiculously bad on that side of the ball unless LJ returns to past form....Dwayne Bowe and Tony Gonzalez are obvious bright spots but with no one to throw them the ball, they could be looking at the Steve Smith in Carolina treatment...The defense is also pretty terrible, but #1 pick Glenn Dorsey could help to change that if healthy...all that to say, I don't see a single game on this schedule in which I'd say this team is favored, but since it's the NFL, i'll give them 2 wins with the Falcons and Dolphins on the schedule, along with the ability to steal a game from a division rival possibly

8/28: College Football Kickoff, etc.

Was (and still really am) under the weather yesterday..but couldn't miss today....
  • I'll lead with a passion of mine....and that is college football....the season kicks off tonight with some reasonable matchups even....NC State @ South Carolina and Oregon State @ Stanford headline the day....In addition, ACC heavyweight (again, I don't know how) Wake Forest kicks off at Baylor in a game they should handily win...There are a few more games of interest (such as Georgia Tech against Jacksonville State and Ryan Perilloux) but these are the main draws this evening.....and that brings me to my year-long running segment....a fan favorite...of picking 5 (at least) games every week against the spread.....
  • here's my debut (and no to my family and friends, I am not really wagering on these games): I'll take NC State +14 on the road
Other things....
  • The Chargers Shawn Merriman is likely insane....as he will risk further damage to his knee in order to play this season....now, I admire the dedication and realization that this might be a Super Bowl team....that said, as young as he is, he is potentially risking 10 or so years of NFL game checks for this...pass....
  • In other NFL injury news, the Colts leader on their O-Line, Jeff Saturday, will be out approx. 6 weeks....this is a significant blow and even moreso since Peyton will be even less mobile than usual coming off the knee surgery....
  • Man, there's a definitely injury theme here....Warriors G Monta Ellis will miss 3-4 months (fresh off that $66 million contract) due to a torn ankle ligament....that sounds serious? They're gonna need him....on the bright side, they did go out and get what seems to be a decent replacement in Marcus Williams (former UCONN guard) and are even scheduled to bring in former prodigy Shaun Livingston for a workout....
  • MLB: The Yankees are done, done, done.....2 teams going in opposite directions now....the Dodgers who have suddenly lost 6 in a row (despite that awesome fakeout maneuver by Greg Maddux, tivo it) and the previously trainwrecked Indians have won 10 in a row....but hey....at least neither of them are as bad as my hometown Braves who are suddenly in full firesale....giving away Mark Kotsay for a prospect (in a move I actually liked since there's no way they're bringing him back anyway)
  • Derrick Harvey ends the longest NFL rookie holdout and comes to camp in Jacksonville....they say he may actually play in this weekend's preseason game? I guess the learning curve for pass-rushing DE's isn't so steep....
And that is all....I will be giving the whole weekend's college football rundown tomorrow as I will be out of town for the weekend starting then....and praying for wireless in my hotel....

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

8/26: Not a whole lot going on...but a few things

Sort of a slow period til football starts (all of 2 more days!).....
  • I'll lead with the LPGA announcing that it will require its members to speak English....resulting in SUSPENSION if they do not learn how...wow....I don't know where to start with that....#1) I've felt that to be an American citizen...you SHOULD (not be forced however) learn English....BUT the downfall here is that....there's nothing requiring people on the LPGA to be American....and even if there was....suspension? Get outta here....I have no idea how this flies...
  • Chad Johnson has a torn labrum...ew...I think he plays through it though...despite all the antics...guy is a gamer....
  • Kevin Duckworth, former Portland big man in the NBA, dies at 44....cause not released....RIP sir...
  • Latest news from Arizona has Ken Whisenhunt saying the QB battle is still not over.... a ray of sunshine for Matt Leinart fans maybe?
  • Last thing...let's try and not make this Michael Strahan thing into what it isn't.....here it is....the guy retired because he's done everything there is to do in the league....BUT let's be real....he's set an $8 million level to which he'll come back....flat out.....if the Giants don't pay it, he'll chill at home and work at FOX....plain and simple...."help the team" is a bit overrated here in this instance....at least from his prospective it seems....

Monday, August 25, 2008

8/25: Back Again..Actual Content....

Nothing else I could possibly lead with except for the Gold Medal hoops game...it's me after all....
  • I'm one of the probably dozens (laughter) of people on the east coast that stayed up til around 5:30 am watching the US go for the gold in basketball....and I wasn't disappointed....118-107 and the gold returns home....yes...225 points in a 40 minute game....over 5.5 points per minute or the equivalent of about a 142-127 NBA final in regulation...The offensive artistry of both teams was on full display....the slashing/pick-n-roll/floater-shooting play of Spain was honestly very impressive....if they could only stop the above-the-time/well-executed drive-kick offense of the US that resulted in over 60% shooting...In case you didn't know...Dwyane Wade is back full-strength....was definitely the MVP of the tournament.....BUT despite his 27 points....I'd give the MVP of this one to Kobe Bean Bryant....By my count, Kobe scored or assisted on 21 straight points in the 4th quarter when the game was in doubt....TWENTY-ONE.....including the memorable 4-point play followed by the statuesque pose to quiet the crowd....a great moment....In short, the US got it right...sort of....they put together a squad that cared enough to play together for one goal of OLYMPIC gold....That said....I'm very interested to see what type of performance this new-found patriotic team gives us at smaller events like the World Championships....just sayin....
Well that was long....
  • Osi Umenyiora out for the year for the Giants....everybody is saying it already...but at least they have a Hall of Fame DE just chillin in retirement they can bring in.....
  • 2 QB Starters named in the NFL: 1) Matt Ryan for the Falcons....this one is obviously relevant to me as a Falcon fan....and they made the right call...in some rookie QB situations, I tend to favor sitting and watching....but by all accounts Ryan is very mature, and this team is going nowhere fast this year....so I'll go to play right away route on this one...I liked it.....and 2) Kurt Warner over Matt Leinart in Arizona....this one surprised alot of people....but on the basis of who helps them win the most games this season....I support Warner...he was infinitely better than Leinart last year, and better in the Preseason this year....
  • The Olympics are over....now we have to wait for football...which starts in 3 days!!!! Hurray....
  • K-Rod has 50 saves for LA of Anaheim (lol)....he's still on the pace for Bobby Thigpen's record...but has slowed a bit in the last few weeks....I think he gets there though...and there won't be enough talk about it...
  • 47-3....That's the preseason score for the Carolina-Washington preseason game this weekend....yes...44 point blowouts do happen in preseason....
That'll be all for now....good to be back

Friday, August 22, 2008

NFL Preview Part 3: AFC South

Here we are again....
  1. Indianapolis Colts (11-5)- I just can't seem to pull the trigger on Jacksonville...so I'll stay with the pat answer....The Colts still have all that firepower on offense with Manning/Addai/Wayne/Harrison/Clark forming the most completebattery in all of football (sorry New England, Laurence Maroney isn't Joseph Addai....same with Ben Watson).... The O-Line has significant questions for the first time in a long time...and I've never been a huge believer in this defense, especially when Dwight Freeney is one-dimensional AND hurt at the same time.... I think the offense will stay potent even with the slight decline/availability issues of Marvin Harrison (mostly because Anthony Gonzalez would be a solid #2 option if necessary) and their is depth at RB with Mike Hart and Kenton Keith behind Joseph Addai....Too many questions elsewhere for me to put them in the Super Bowl hunt...but they'll stay atop the South....
  2. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-6)- First of all, I'm a big fan of what Jack Del Rio and company have put together here.... there are just a tick more questions with them than Indy and all things equal, I'll take Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne over David Garrard and Reggie Williams any day.... The offensive X-Factor is the acquisition of one-time 1000-yard receiver Jerry Porter who should, in theory, fill the WR gap just a little bit...but it really depends on which Jerry Porter they actually are getting.... The formerly stout run D has taken a few hits, namely the loss of Marcus Stroud and the use of smaller, pass-rushing DE's via the draft....The defense should be more complete, but more pressure will be put on that vaunted front 4 than ever and they need to get Top 10 pick DE Derrick Harvey into camp sooner rather than later or they'll be playing 240 lb. Quentin Groves on 1st and 2nd down..ouch....Alot of talent and they'll be in the mix for the playoffs again, but I can't see them getting over the hump....
  3. Houston Texans (8-8)- Here come the Texans...this should be the best team the franchise has ever yielded (not saying all that much) behind Matt Schaub and the boys....the defense has tons of young talent in the form of Mario Williams, Amobi Okoye, and under-rated LB Demeco Ryans....if they can get a full season out of the Schaub/Andre Johnson duo and any sort of consistency out of whoever emerges at RB between Ahman Green, Chris Brown, and Steve Slaton....they'll be in the playoff hunt....but that's too many if's for me....I'm a fan of the defensive side of the ball, but too many injury questions/consistency issues on offense to be a serious threat...but hey...even the stars align sometimes....
  4. Tennessee Titans (6-10)- I just don't see what the fuss is about with Tennessee....the offense, both on paper and live, is just unacceptable to a playoff contender....I'm a fan of what I've seen from rookie Chris Johnson, but he seems more like a big-play once in a while type of guy rather than an every-down beast....and then you have the Passing game....Vince Young has been, and will forever be a below average passer in this league....and it certainly doesn't help him to be without really any semblance of a go-to guy in the passing game....He can move...he can create....he can throw down the field...but you have to have someone to go to...maybe Alge Crumpler will help as a safety valve? I have no idea....the defense is above-average...but they'd have to be stellar to get this team to the playoffs...and I don't see it outside of Albert Haynesworth and maybe Kyle Vanden Bosch.....Cellar dwelling in the Volunteer state....

8/22: Shortened for a couple days

Due to a trip to good old North Carolina, I'll be shorter the next couple days....Just some bullet points
  • Shawn Merriman has knee ligament damage...yikes if you're a Chargers fan...
  • Question?...What is there to watch between Sunday's closing ceremonies and Thursday's college football opener? 
  • Speaking of olympics....The US Men take Beach volleyball to complete the first ever US sweep in both men's and women's....congrats...
  • The US Hoops squad is minutes away from their biggest challenge of the games in the Semis against a veteran-laden Argentina squad that has beaten US pros twice in competition...this one isn't foregone...and yet the Vegas line is still 19.5....laughter
  • Some closure to the "there's no way they're 16" Chinese gymnasts...the IOC has stated there is no proof they are using false ages....and that's that....
More to come...

Thursday, August 21, 2008

NFL Preview Part 2: AFC North

Title is pretty self-explanatory...
  1. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6): I'm picking the Steelers over the Browns for 2 reasons....#1 I'd rather have Ben Roethlisberger than Derek Anderson....and #2 I like this defense infinitely more than the Browns' counterparts.....When I went roster vs. roster...It just looks like the Steelers have the advantage pretty much everywhere except for the receiving corps....yes, Santonio Holmes isn't Braylon Edwards, but he's one heck of a player that could challenge for the pro bowl...and don't forget about the ageless Hines Ward doing the little things on the outside....The huge strength of the Pittsburgh team is the rushing offense....a solid offensive line and what I think is probably the best duo of RB's in the league after what I saw out of Mendenhall in college...All that together, and Pittsburgh gets the nod
  2. Cleveland Browns (9-7): More than anything, I think Cleveland will fall victim to their schedule....rated by many as the hardest in the entire NFL....I'm still not completely sold on Derek Anderson OR Jamal Lewis....they could both play well or both become busts for the year....I really don't know....Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow won't disappoint on the outside....but alot of the passing offense depends on Donte Stallworth being a reliable #2 on the outside to keep the doubles off Braylon....On paper, the defense looks improved with 2 D-line acquisitions in Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams....both come with question marks (especially Rogers' health and effort level).....Eric Wright and Sean Jones anchor the back end of the defense....Wright is only legitimate cover guy, so they'll need to be very good against the run (and they weren't last year).....I think this team is right there for the wild card but falls just short
  3. Cincinnati Bengals (6-10): Here we go again in Cincy...same old story...explosive passing offense....subpar running game...and huge questions on D....Even the huge strength of this team in its receiving corps has questions this year with both TJ and Chad Johnson having nagging injuries at the moment....The running game has issues...incumbent Rudi Johnson is honestly the third best running back on this team in my opinion behind Kenny Watson AND Chris Perry...Rudi became a 230 lb. dancer in the backfield last year and his ypc and production suffered from it....The defense, horrendous last year, lost its 3 most productive players in free agency (Justin Smith, Madieu Williams, and Landon Johnson)....so it could and likely will be a relative trainwreck on that side of the ball.....Marvin Lewis should be on job watch....like now....
  4. Baltimore Ravens (5-11): This team perplexed me in the offseason....a recognized star at the GM spot in Ozzie Newsome managed to bring back pretty much the exact same team that went 5-11 last year....and it's not like this was a young, developing roster....the defense is still pretty old....the Quarterback(s) are a question mark in Troy Smith, Kyle Boller, and rookie Joe Flacco....and their new upstart on offense (Ray Rice) plays the same position as their best offensive player (Willis McGahee).....This team is going nowhere fast....but at least they made the right call (it seems) at QB with Troy Smith....

8/21: MLB Replay, Gene Upshaw, etc.

Leading news today is the passing of Gene Upshaw, former NFL player (HOF'er) and current head of the Player's Union, RIP Sir....To other stuff
  • MLB Replay is officially in....the umpires were the last group to sign off...and now they have....and what rightfully had to be done is done...I wanna see the lag time in passing this and actually instituting it...
  • Steven Jackson is back in camp after a camp-long holdout while negotiations ramp up now...good to see their x-factor back...There is definitely a precedent of long hold-out running backs getting hurt though...just a fantasy note...
  • Anytime you hear the 3 words...Doctor...James...Andrews....it's definitely bad news....I heard the name twice yesterday...once with Tom Glavine where it was actually positive news...as he will not immediately retire, and will try and and rehab for next year....secondly, Shawne Merriman had his knee checked out after sitting out about a week of practice with soreness....it goes without saying how important he is to that defense in San Diego...
  • 2 women's Olympic highlights.....1) USA Softball...loses!? The unbeatable USA softball team goes down in probably the biggest upset of the olympics.....2) Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor win Beach volleyball....without dropping a set....congrats ladies
More later

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

NFL Preview Part 1: AFC East

This is a bit of an undertaking....but here we are.... a full-scale NFL Preview by team....
  1. New England Patriots (13-3) - What can you say about the Pats? Totally loaded on offense....loaded (if not old) on defense....there really are no flaws to speak of....I don't exactly foresee 16-0 again because that's really not their goal and there are some scheduling landmines such as @SD, @Indy and @Seattle for Brady and the boys to wade through...Brady will once again go ballistic and with Moss and Welker back, the offense should be back up to their record setting self....I'd say their biggest need area is definitely secondary play with the loss of Asante Samuel...but the scheme really covers up the corners for the most part....Watch out for two young guys...Rookie Jerrod Mayo at LB and #3 WR Chad Jackson....if it's any indication....Donte Stallworth had a fairly good year as the #3 WR in this wide-open system last year.....
  2. New York Jets (9-7) - The Brett Favre road show will certainly generate some buzz...and they'll be much improved...but I don't see them challenging the Pats...The O-Line will take 2 huge steps forward with the acquisitions of Pro Bowlers Alan Faneca and Damien Woody...This team is very solid along the line of scrimmage on both sides as the front 7 on defense includes many top-flight players such as David Harris, Calvin Pace, and possibly rookie Vernon Gholston....If Favre can get on the same page with his go-to guys Coles and Cotchery, their could be a little firepower.....Thomas Jones is the X-Factor for me...coming off a big free-agent deal and a subpar season last year...he has some pressure on him without question....
  3. Buffalo Bills (7-9) - For me, the Bills season comes down to QB play...Trent Edwards is the guy for the full year and he's the clear X-Factor....Marshawn Lynch was very consistent last year (even moreso that rookie counterpart Adrian Peterson)...Marcus Stroud is a huge addition to the D-Line and rookie Paul Posluszny is back to anchor the linebacking corps.... The real downfall for me with this team is youth....just youth everywhere...relying heavily on rookies like James Hardy at WR and various young guys in the secondary makes me wary on this team's ceiling....
  4. Miami Dolphins (5-11) - The Dolphins are an interesting team to follow...on paper, they look much better with the acquisitions of Chad Pennington, a healthy Ronnie Brown, and some increased experience.....but I think Pennington's signing has its downfalls...namely with former #1 Ted Ginn...Ginn has one real skill...he's a downfield threat....Chad Pennington has one GLARING weakness...the inability to throw the ball....down the field....see what I'm getting at? That said, I like what they've done overall....Ricky Williams is back to somehow compete (?) with Ronnie Brown and take some carries (for all you fantasy guys)....that's a storyline to follow....I see a marked improvement here but not enough to challenge for relevance in the division....

8/20: Baseball, Olympics....the usual lately

Greetings from the raucous location of Tucker, GA...
  • There's officially a shifting of the guard in the AL power structure....well...at least if you read any major news outlet...yes, Tampa Bay has overtaken the Angels for the best record in MLB...by a half-game...in August...Hand them the rings....
  • MLB Roundup: AJ Burnett is a strikeout machine...and with as many wins as he has (16), I guess Cito Gaston is probably right that he's out the door with his opt-out clause after the season....There aren't many better pitchers than Rich Harden when healthy...hope he stays there...The Yankees are done, done, done.....but at least Carl Pavano is back!! lol....The hapless Atlanta Braves blew another late lead imploding for 5 runs in the bottom of the 8th in New York last night...at what point does this stop being amusing? Oh wait...I'm wayyy past that point...
  • Usain Bolt is officially the baddest man on the planet....well...the fastest at least....shattering Michael Johnson's 12-year-old 200m record in style....now come the accusations of PED use...oh the times in which we live....
  • I have a bit of a beef with NBC...and really every media outlet...when someone's dreams are literally crushed before our very eyes (see Lolo Jones in the 110m hurdles last night after she clipped a hurdle to end her race when it looked like Gold was a mere formality), they really have to follow her into the back rooms of the stadium to get a reaction? Let her be....let her be....
  • Joe Horn released....if only Rich McKay had released he was done before he gave him a huge pile of cash in free agency...only to see him end up as the 5th WR for a dreadful team last year...savvy managerial work Rich
  • And finally....USA Hoops lays the wood once again...a 30+ point victory over the one time that "challenged" them thus far in Australia...Australia hung in for 3 quarters in the first meeting...but not so this morning....Kobe decided to wake up a bit with 25...good to see that....bring on Argentina or Greece (currently in progress) for the spot in the finals....
More later

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

8/19: MLB, Nadal, Preseason Gridiron

No huge lead story outside of the olympic stuff...will catch that later...
  • MLB: CC Sabathia has been utterly unhittable since going to the NL....another dominating performance from him, and he may actually have an NL cy young shot even with only half a season....BJ Upton just won't run full-speed to first...I don't get it?....Greg Maddux to the Dodgers....well I'd certainly rather have him than Glavine...laughter...he's still a fairly consistent option and I'm sure they didn't give up much....I like it...
  • Ian Kinsler, having a breakout campaign in his own right, will likely be shelved for the year with a hernia injury....this is damaging for him as he's literally been lighting it up...get well soon
  • Remember all those big defensive signings for the Browns? How bout giving up 30 points before the starters even came out in the first half last night against the Giants? On the bright side, Brady Quinn looked very good in relief of Derek Anderson who may have a concussion....
  • Kyle Orton to start! He's no Caleb Hanie...lol....but Orton's been the better option (over Rex) for years now...it's about time....
  • I'm so sick of the Bengals...they took a morality stance against Chris Henry (finally!) and now are going back on it the minute Chad Johnson looks dinged.....what could possibly motivate them to resign this clown? I don't understand the logic....
  • Rafael Nadal is tennis' new number 1....ending the unmatched reigns of both Federer at #1 AND Nadal with a ludicrous 160 straight weeks at #2...Congrats to him as he's clearly been the better of the 2 players lately...that said...My money's on Federer at the US Open...
  • OH THE HUMANITY! Mark Sanchez's huge injury for USC has turned out to be so minor that he may even start the opener....yea...this one is DEFINITELY larger than Sturdivant's for UGA....
More later

Monday, August 18, 2008

College Football Preview Part 3: Conference Predictions

This will be to the point....Sleepers are not necessarily conference runners-up or anything...just dangerous teams that could sneak up

ACC
  • ACC Champion- Clemson (10-2 overall, 7-1 Conf.)
  • Coastal Div. Champ (Conf. Runner-Up) - Virginia Tech (8-4 overall, 6-2 conf.)
  • Sleeper- Florida State (9-3 overall, 6-2 conf.)
  • Off. Player of the Year - Cullen Harper, QB - Clemson
  • Def. Player of the Year - Macho Harris, CB - Va. Tech
Big East
  • Big East Champion- West Virginia (9-3 Overall, 6-2 Conf.)
  • Sleeper- Pittsburgh (9-3 Overall, 6-2 conf. but lose tiebreaker while losing to WV)
  • Off. Player of the Year- Pat White, QB - West Virginia
  • Def. Player of the Year - George Selvie, DE - South Florida
Big Ten
  • Big Ten Champion - Ohio State (12-0 overall, 8-0 conference)
  • Sleeper- Michigan State (8-4 overall, 5-3 conference)
  • Off. Player of the Year- Chris "Beanie" Wells, RB- Ohio State
  • Def. Player of the Year- Malcolm Jenkins, CB- Ohio State
Big Twelve
  • Big Twelve Champion - Oklahoma (11-1, 7-1 Conf.)
  • North Div. Champ and Runner-up- Missouri (9-3, 6-2 conf.)
  • Sleeper- Colorado (8-4 overall, 5-3 conf.)
  • Off. Player of the Year- Michael Crabtree, WR- Texas Tech
  • Def. Player of the Year- Gerald McCoy, DT- Oklahoma
Pac-10
  • Pac 10 Champion- USC (11-1, 8-0 conf.)
  • Sleeper- Arizona (8-4, 4-4)
  • Off. Player of the Year- Joe McKnight, RB- USC
  • Def. Player of the Year- Rey Maualuga, LB- USC
SEC
  • SEC Champion- Georgia (11-1, 7-1 Conf.)
  • SEC West Div. Champ and Runner-Up- LSU (10-2, 6-2 conf.)
  • Sleeper- Alabama (9-3, 6-2 conf.)
  • Off. Player of the Year-  Andre Smith, OT- Alabama
  • Def. Player of the Year- Eric Berry- S, Tennessee
Best of the Non-BCS Conferences:

BYU: 11-1
Utah: 10-2
Fresno State: 11-1

Players to Watch:
  • QB- Dan Lefevour, Central Mich; Max Hall, BYU
  • RB- Damion Fletcher, Southern Miss; Ian Johnson, Boise State
  • WR- Chris Williams, New Mexico State; Jeremy Childs, Boise State
  • Defense- Gerald McRath- LB, Southern Miss; Quin Harris- LB, La. Tech; Jan Jorgensen- DE, BYU; DeAndre Wright- CB, New Mexico
There you have it....Let the comments fly




8/18: All over the Map....

Here we are again....
  • USA Hoops wins by about 50....this team is suddenly putting up Dream Team-like numbers in upsets.... and it means exactly...nada.... but now they start to count in the Quarters against Australia (who the US should manhandle)....take care of business fellas....
  • Jamaica sweeps the "feature" track event in both the men's and women's 100m...following Usain Bolt's insane 100m display where he pulled up 15m short and still broke the world record...Shelly-Ann Fraser takes the women's gold....
  • MLB: Josh Beckett gets roughed up.....but I stand by my "one game with life on the line" sentiment that he's my guy....Roy Oswalt is back with the living! The wildly inconsistent Astro went 8 IP allowing only 1 hit to go with his 10K.....My man, knuckleballer R.A. Dickey threw FOUR wild pitches in a single inning....I'm thinking that can't all be his fault...get together with your catcher in the next 4 days huh?....
  • This gets its own bullet....Jeff Kent taking pot-shots at Vin Scully now? Apparently Scully made a comment on how it helps Kent having Manny in that lineup...and now Jeff Kent (idiot that he is) comes up with this gem...."Vin Scully talks too much"....Oh really Jeff? He's probably the most famous baseball broadcaster ever (Jack Buck is right there) and pretty much is above judgment at this point...but thank you...as always...
  • I love the over-reaction about Matt Ryan's poor performance the other day....guy made one bad throw that turned into a pick 6...in a preseason game.... and now he's definitely gonna be a bust right? Calm down....please....it matters almost as little AS.....
  • Brett Favre going 5-6 in his debut....let the MVP discussion begin! And ESPN showed every single pass attempt....I'm going to have to boycott if this continues to get out of hand...
  • I'll close with this....Legendary (for the wrong reasons, lol) NBA forward Shawn Kemp is headed to Italy to try and resurrect his dead career....Kemp was formerly one of (if not the) best athlete in the NBA at his time....a 6'10 Power Forward who could jump out of the gym and finish with authority...but he's now known for fathering dozens (literally) of children...terrible legacy to leave...remember the player too...

Saturday, August 16, 2008

CFB Preview Part 2: National All-Americans

Here we go....Guys in bold are the award winners at each position
  • QB: Sam Bradford....Honorable Mentions: Tim Tebow, Chase Daniel, Pat White, Graham Harrell, Max Hall (BYU)
  • RB: Beanie Wells and Knowshon Moreno......Honorable Mentions: Noel Devine, Javon Ringer, Arian Foster, Demarco Murray
  • WR: Michael Crabtree and Percy Harvin.....Honorable Mentions: Jeremy Maclin, Aaron Kelly, Brian Robiskie, Arrelious Benn, Quan Cosby
  • TE: Travis Beckum....Honorable Mentions: Chase Coffman, Jermaine Grisham, Rory Nicol
  • OL: Andre Smith (Alabama), Duke Robinson (Oklahoma), Anthony Parker (Tennessee), Ciron Black (LSU)
  • DE: Tyson Jackson (LSU), George Selvie (USF)
  • DT: Geno Atkins (Georgia), Gerald McCoy (Oklahoma)
  • LB: James Laurinaitis (Ohio State), Rey Maualuga (USC), Brian Cushing (USC)
  • CB: Macho Harris (Va. Tech), Vontae Davis (Illinois)
  • S: Patrick Chung (Oregon), Taylor Mays (USC), Honorable Mention: Eric Berry (Tenn.)
  • K: Thomas Weber (Arizona State, returning Groza Award Winner)
  • P: Zoltan Mesko (Michigan)
Well that was fun....the O-line is based on word of mouth...let's be honest about that....but there you have it....Conference predictions to come....

8/16: Olympics, MLB, Ben Gordon....

To Beijing....
  • I've never seen anything like what happened in Michael Phelps' 7th gold medal.....dude was in SEVENTH place at the half-way point...and well-behind very late when he somehow made up like 3 feet in the last instant....it was ridiculous...that said, his 8th gold medal looks even more likely now because the final event is the 4x100 medley relay that the US completely owns in the past....check please! lol....
  • Tyson Gay of the US, considered to be their only shot at 100m gold in track, didn't make it out of the quarters while favoring an injury....NBC isn't happy...track is the highlight event of the 2nd half of the games (once swimming and gymnastics are over) and they need US storylines....
  • How crazy is it that somebody's entire life's work can be over in 10 seconds? 20 seconds? If you are a 50m swimmer or a 100m track runner....that's all it is...and it's done...crazy
Elsewhere.....
  • Ben Gordon makes the strong statement that he's "played his last game in a Bulls' uniform"....wow, Ben...do you really wanna go to Europe that bad? lol....They might deal him, but I'm really not sure there's a big market for him at the asking price he has set for himself...he's a pretty one-dimensional player that almost has to be a 6th-man spark off the bench due to the fact that he can't play PG and is about 6'2.....
  • Speaking of shoot-first small guards.....Jannero Pargo, coming off his career year in New Orleans, is headed to Moscow....nobody could sign this guy? This one is weirder than Josh Childress even to me....Childress just took an out-of-this-world offer and ran with it...it's like nobody even came after Pargo....
  • MLB Roundup: Both Cy Young front-runners notched wins....Brandon Webb with number 18 for Arizona...and Cliff Lee with a complete-game 17th victory (against TWO losses) for Cleveland....Cliff Lee is an amazing story...that team is 55-66 and he's 17-2 with an under 2.5 ERA....imagine how bad they'd be without his career resurrection...
  • USA Hoops tips off in under an hour in what I think is their toughest game in the whole tournament....Argentina disagrees....but Spain is the most talented team in the world without a doubt....and I can't wait to see Ricky Rubio....especially if he's being guarded by Kobe Bean Bryant....talk about a test....

Friday, August 15, 2008

8/15: Olympics, Marbury

The olympics are still going on...not sure if you've heard....
  • Nastia Liukin peels the gymnastic all-around gold....I always watch this event...and I don't know why? I guess it's because it's usually the most hyped/highlighted moment of the games until track starts (this year obviously Phelps has taken most headlines)...but the US goes 1-2...not bad....speaking of Phelps....
  • Michael Phelps wins #6....in #6 WR record fashion...this is just getting to be stupid.....
  • US Hoops dismantles former "nemesis" Greece easily....there was definitely a different intensity there....and that alley-oop (Youtube it if you haven't seen it) by Wade was ridiculous.....
  • Last olympic item...Roger Federer goes down! And not even to Nadal this time....my favorite tennis player (James Blake) took it to Federer in straights....is the unbeatable Federer no longer so? I have no idea really..but it's a good story
Other news....
  • That Buffalo Bills to Toronto thing is going to happen....I read up on it yesterday and with the amount of marketing dollars, and foreshadowing that is going on...there's no way Toronto is doing that simply for an 8 game slate over 5 years....
  • Patriots sign John Lynch....what a very "Patriots" move....he's a thousand years old...but for 15-20 plays a game...he'll come in as a savvy vet, hit somebody in the mouth, and make that D better...
  • Baseball: The White Sox go back-t0-back-to-back-to-back (yes, that's 4) for only the 6th time in MLB history....wow...Braves OF Mark Kotsay hits for the cycle....a brightspot for the no longer relevant Bravos.....if you don't know who Ryan Ludwick is....recognize...dude has 30 bombs....
  • Bucks sign Francisco Elson....why does this matter you ask? Well, because my Hawks were the listed #1 suitor for him...yet another management battle lost....laughter....
  • Steph Marbury is on his way to Europe reportedly...remember when it was laughed at when he said he'd go there a couple years ago? Well...not so far-fetched now
More later

Thursday, August 14, 2008

8/14: An NBA Trade, Pacman, etc.

Coming to you live from Americus, Georgia! Where? It's not important....I'll lead with the 3-team NBA trade...
  • The Cavs get Mo Williams, the Bucks get Luke Ridnour, Adrian Griffin and the artist formerly known as Damon Jones, and OKC gets Desmond Mason and Joe Smith....Ummm...I'll take the Cavs side of this one....they semantically dealt Joe Smith and Damon Jones for Mo Williams...I'll take that...this doesn't make them the East favorite but they had to get a point guard...and he qualifies as that...
  • Pacman's back! Well....hold the excitement....Goodell is mulling over his reinstatement...but all "Hard Knocks" (laughter) reports say he's playing well....we'll see I guess
  • MLB to have instant replay by end of August....it's been a long time coming....no excuse not to at this point

That's all the time I got....will likely add to the CFB preview later in the day...stay tuned

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

CFB Preview Part 1: National Top 10

I'm going to be sort of short and sweet here....that's how I live my life....

National Top 10:
  1. Ohio State - They get my top spot because of the returning defense led by James Laurinaitis (my Butkus front-runner) and Malcolm Jenkins (who would've been a 1st round NFL pick) at corner....but not just that...Beanie Wells will be the nation's top running back (sorry Knowshon) as he'll get the huge bulk of the carries and with returning 30-year-old (only slightly exaggerated) starting QB Todd Boeckman, I'm going with the experience and the Buckeyes.....pain......
  2. USC - This was Georgia until Trinton Sturdivant went out for the year....you're saying to yourself....isn't Mark Sanchez hurt? Well...he very well may be but I don't think it matters when you have former #1 overall recruit Mitch Mustain behind him....and what has Mark Sanchez proven anyway? Not a whole lot....The Men of Troy are here because of returning Butkus candidates Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing leading likely the most athletic and fastest defense in the country....How bout Super Soph Joe McKnight getting more carries this year? How bout a receiving corps that comes back in tact and now can put that talent with some experience?
  3. Oklahoma - Whoa...no Georgia yet? just wait....Oklahoma returns the best QB in the country not named Tebow and the best offensive line in the country bar-none....and since I'm a sucker for O-line...they go here...DeMarco Murray should be the first-team all-conference tailback, and their only concerns are consistency (an Oklahoma staple) and replacing Curtis Lofton who is currently playing for my hometown Atlanta Falcons....I think they are up to the task....
  4. Georgia - Okay fellas...here you go....The Sturdivant injury is ENORMOUS for the Dawgs....that said, you can't ignore the talent level...especially in the backfield....Matt Stafford has the best group of QB tools in the country including Mr. Tebow and would go higher in the NFL Draft if it were today....Knowshon Moreno is the most electrifying runner in the country and is now finally being joined by speedster and former #1 RB recruit Caleb King to form the country's fastest (apologies to Clemson) backfield....Rennie Curran and All-American candidate Dannell Ellerbe anchor an experienced defense that didn't lose a whole lot from last year's fine squad....the issue, as it has been for years with UGA is on the outside....both the secondary and especially the Wide Receiver corps have issues that need to be addressed....
  5. Clemson - I'm taking the dive with this team....the perennial under-achievers return the single best group of skill guys on offense in the country with Cullen Harper, James Davis, CJ Spiller, and Aaron Kelly....in addition they have a recruiting class that is primed to play right away....and the most talented defense in the conference without fail....Clearly, there are issues starting at the top with Tommy Bowden who has never succeeded in putting a full season together...but I'll put some faith in them for now...
  6. Florida - I was alot more excited about Florida until Cornelius Ingram went down.....the WR/TE combo man in the Antonio Gates mold didn't allow for defenses to key on the speedsters on the outside by providing a big/athletic target over the middle of the field....without him...they are still hugely talented with Tebow, Percy Harvin, and the gang on the outside....The D is somehow still very young...but there's only so many big-time talents on that side before they put it together...watch for true freshman Omar Hunter (out of Buford, GA) to contribute right away....
  7. Texas - Everyone has forgotten about the Horns....but I haven't....last year, I thought they were sort of a mess...but with a healthy Colt McCoy back and minimal losses outside of Jamaal Charles, I like this team.....New DC Will Muschamp should have that unit on full blast....I think Quan Cosby was actually their best WR even when Limas Sweed was around...and he gets a chance to prove me right this year....
  8. Wisconsin - Allan Evridge gets a whole lot of pressure put on him as a first-year starter joining the 2nd most talented team in the Big-10....the offensive line is always a strength here but all 4 D-Line members return as well...and with 1st-team All-American lock TE Travis Beckum running wild...I'm thinking something in the neighborhood of 10-2 for the Badgers....
  9. LSU - Boy if they had a quarterback....this team has talent everywhere yet again....they very well may have all 4 D-Line starters drafted on the first day of the NFL Draft...which is totally ludicrous....and coupled with a nationally-recognizable O-Line, LSU, I believe has the best lines in the country....that said, they lose a whole lot in the back 7 on the defense, and obviously Matt Flynn, Jacob Hester, and Early Doucet aren't walking through that door....the defense and running game have to be dominant here....
  10. Auburn- My sources have been whispering about good this defense could be and I don't doubt it....this is likely the most talented secondary in the country...in a theme this year...the QB controversy will likely overshadow how good the defense could be....but if Kodi Burns is ready...he's gotta be the guy or the Auburn faithful will be calling Tommy Tuberville....alot....
Notable omissions: Missouri (a benefit of a nothing schedule last year...not a believer), West Virginia (Pat White and Noel Devine can't make up for the rest of the deficiencies) 

8/13: More Phelps, AI #2, 19-17?

  • Olympics=Laughter...Michael Phelps is unbeatable...to the tune of 2 more WR's and 2 more golds....USA women gymnastics goes down....hard....Bela Karolyi (long-time USA gymnastics coach) was utterly priceless in the studio...in his crazy accent yelling and screaming about China having 13 year-olds on the team and stuff....classy...
  • Enough of that....How bout a 19-17 baseball game! Boston "holds on" to win 19-17 after putting up a 10-spot in the first and being caught from behind....David Ortiz hit 2 separate 3-run bombs in the inning....wow....only in a game involving the Rangers...
  • MLB: Gary Sheffield is on waivers...in probably the most public waiver clearing process I've ever seen....isn't it supposed to be on the DL?....Tim Lincecum got bashed in the knee with a liner....best wishes to the best pitcher in the NL this year IMO....
  • Madden 2009 is out....it's a shame I don't have a game system anymore....but this is a national holiday for the gaming world....don't play with the Falcons! but if you do...I'd use Jerrious Norwood....alot...
  • Andre Iguodala signs for 6 years/80 mill to stay in Philly....that's almost 13.5 mill a year for those of you scoring at home...I think it's a bit much...but so is 11.5 for Josh Smith....so who's counting?
  • To recap a story from yesterday, Georgia OT Trinton Sturdivant is in fact out for the year...big blow to them....as much as no one wants to admit it...I thought Ohio State had the most complete returning roster even before this....ugh....
More later... 

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

8/12: USA Hoops, Adam Dunn, etc.

  • I'll lead with Adam Dunn....just to avoid leading with the olympics so I don't get berated....The leading HR guy in the entire league gets dealt after the "deadline"....This definitely helps put some pop in Arizona...and wherever he and Conor Jackson decide to play (between LF and 1B), they have some legit bats now....My money is still on the Dodgers though
  • A little MLB...Evan Longoria (great name) and Carl Crawford both to the DL...trouble in Tampa is brewing...Manny is still mashing....is there anyone you'd rather have on the mound for one game with your life on the line than Josh Beckett? yea...me either....
  • Michael Phelps chalks another gold...and another WR....dude is ridiculous...
  • The Hoops team is playing as we speak....Angola isn't exactly a test....I honestly can't wait to see them play Spain...Spain's got a bunch of legit players that have been playing together forever (much like Argentina)....and I wanna see Ricky Rubio....You'll know who that is pretty soon....
  • Mike Vick may be playing in this new football league? awesome...lol....Honestly, that's the first guy I'd go get if I was an upstart league...can't hurt to have one of the most "famous" (if not infamous) guys around....plus his style of play is obviously watchable...
  • Really NFL? Bruce Springsteen to do the Super Bowl halftime show....and the streak of irrelevant musicians at this point in life continues....the last time anyone under 40 enjoyed the halftime show was the Aerosmith/Britney Spears, etc. compilation....and that was a good while ago....come on....
  • Big injury in college football....that won't get the same pub as Mark Sanchez but I believe is a bigger injury....Trinton Sturdivant (left tackle and best lineman for UGA) is out now....no timetable known....the difference between Mark Sanchez and Mitch Mustain and the difference between Sturdivant and his backup aren't the same....Sturdivant would be a gaping hole for the red and black....
All for now...

Monday, August 11, 2008

8/11: A couple wow's....

  • Off the top....I have NO earthly idea how the US won the 4x100 Freestyle relay that kept Michael Phelps' 8-gold dream alive...oh wait...Jason Lezak (who? lol) decided to swim the fastest 100 meter leg in world history and erase a half-body length lead by the fastest freestyle swimmer in the world not named Phelps....Definitely some high drama...and yes, it's swimming...but it was pretty cool to see a guy completely take his game to another level on the biggest stage
  • Oh my....Brett Favre coverage....he ran a lap at practice!??!? stop the presses....
  • Ben Olsen (of UCLA QB fame) is out 8 weeks....again...the guy can't stay healthy...and they already weren't exactly the favorites in the Pac-10...Oh well....at least Rick Neuheisel has a comfortable job status....do me a favor and look at Washington's schedule and tell me Ty Willingham isn't fired....go ahead....try...
Pretty slow news day outside of the olympiad...lol...more later

Sunday, August 10, 2008

8/10: Sorry I'm late...

Sundays are raucous right now....but here I am...better late than never....shortened even
  • Michael Phelps is stupid good....the guy even with him half-way through the 400 IM was rumored to have been better than him on the breaststroke....Phelps beat him by over a second in what amounts to 100m breast....lol...he's stupid....hail to the victors valiant
  • Padraig Harrington wins...another...major....and your boy Sergio still can't get on the board...I wrote it before the week...but Harrington needs national love...not that he'll get it
  • I won't pretend to have seen the great majority of it (I hate NFL Preseason)...but Matt Ryan looked good from what I saw....not overjoyed by this....but a good sign if any
  • Barry Bonds....um, sir...you've retired if no one will sign you and you're in your mid-40s...
  • Ho-hum for USA Hoops....the huge (in comparison) China team simply didn't have the ball-handling to deal with a focused US defense this morning....I liked what I saw
More later

Saturday, August 9, 2008

8/9: Olympics begin, Josh Smith staying...

  • The spectacle that was the Opening Ceremony last night was.....a spectacle....it was so over-the-top to me...but I guess it's just not my thing as it got positive reviews....but honestly, the walk of nations or whatever it is consumes more time than it ever should....that's all I got there...
  • Actual competition: Michael Phelps (a Michigan man, btw....) broke his own olympic record in a qualifying heat of the 400 IM this morning....if he wins 8 gold medals, it'll be the greatest athletic feat I've ever seen....and yes, it's swimming....USA women's soccer and bball win early games....shocking...
  • MY lead story of the day...The Memphis Grizzlies issue a 5yr/58 million tender to Hawks forward Josh Smith....that the Hawks almost immediately match...ugh....I was looking forward to a Smith-less Hawks team....that said, he at least makes them semi-relevant this year....if he had gone, and they ate all that cap space, this was a 25-win team...with him....looking at 35-40 again I'd imagine...
  • Do you hear that? It's the sound of the Soft Throwing Chad Pennington bouncing out routes in Miami....laughter...I actually like Chad if the offense fits him....and I won't claim to know if it does
  • Brian Westbrook signs a new 3-year deal with Philly....he's definitely earned it...he's the top 5 RB that nobody thinks is a top-5 RB....
  • A non-sports story...I just heard (while blogging) that Bernie Mac died at the age of 50...wow..."denim like a jean" is one of my favorite lines in any movie (Ocean's 11)...and he's fantastically funny....RIP....
More later

Friday, August 8, 2008

8/8: Olympic Kickoff, NFL Preseason

Well the lead story has to be the Olympic opening tonight.....
  • Yes, it is 8/8/08 and that means the worst day of the Olympics! lol...the opening ceremonies are on tonight on NBC....tune in? ehhhh maybe...On a SERIOUS note....I don't know much about the protests and I won't pretend to...but from a pure physical standpoint...how can you expect world-class athletes to perform when the air pollution is so bad that people wear masks just walking around? That seems highly ridiculous to me....
  • NFL Preseason action: 1st of all I really can't stand the whole preseason process but hey...it's on....Caleb Hanie (who?) looked good for Chicago....can somebody comment this blog if they remember who got laughed off the set of Around the Horn for pimping Caleb Hanie? Maybe it was Mariotti....I digress....Chris Williams (the Bears #1 overall pick) had major surgery and no timetable on a return....yikes....if you're Chad Pennington...I push really hard for Miami or Minnesota....he starts immediately both of those places doesn't he?
  • Cornelius Ingram (Florida) out for the year.....the first thing that struck me on the bottom line was....wait, he's a tight end? Good god....if he's a tight end, he's Antonio Gates...but I'm thinking he, at least, used to play receiver....A significant blow to the Gators....but they have plenty of talent on the outside
  • A little NBA....Jason Williams signs with the Clippers...to backup Baron....man, they have alot of people....and alot of head cases.....Tim Thomas, Ricky Davis, Jason Williams....on the same team....
  • MLB: Johan Santana can't catch a break...the Mets win again....and they blow another lead for him in the process....hilarious....he has at least 6 or 7 of these this year....Mike Mussina has HOW many wins? (Fifteen).....Cito Gaston re-ups for the 2009 season with the Blue Jays....I still think it's funny that he's managing them again....is it 1993?....I found it interesting that the world-famous David Wright had never hit a walk-off HR til last night....weird

Enjoy your day...

Thursday, August 7, 2008

8/7: Back in full....with Favre

Finally some actual Brett Favre NEWS to report...


  • Favre to the Jets for a conditional pick....hmmm...in theory this story should slow down...,but it won't...yet, it will here....I think he makes them viable (and the Soft-throwing Chad Pennington is out on the market, lol) but not a threat to New England so who really cares?

  • For those Braves fans that still hold onto to any shred of hope....I'm here to take that away from you...we're done....done.....done.....

  • The NBA Schedule is out! lol.....I highly doubt most people even perused this...but I did...and the Hawks have a national TV date! It's been close to a decade unless you count last year's playoff series...and of course....we only get this national game because it's a rematch with Boston...I'll take it though...

  • Lebron's not going to Europe....there...I said it

  • I've spent some of my day actually diving into college football stuff....can't wait for my full preview....that said....my Wolverines....are extremely OVER rated at #24...I can't see more than 7 wins for this team....yikes....but on the bright side (sarcasm) my 2 most hated squads are ranked #1 and #3 respectively....it's going to be a long year for me

  • I'm really interested in the PGA Championship...and Padraig Harrington needs all sorts of love....the guy just won another major...and is in contention literally every week it seems....I know Tiger's not playing...but it's still a major

  • The last major story here....the OLYMPICS....begin tomorrow...well the opening ceremonies at least.....and no one seems to really be talking about it (unless you watch NBC)....I think it's time for some focus on this....it's a 1 in every 4 years event....and while the only athletes most of us have ever heard of are on the Men's basketball team (or maybe Michael Phelps)....It's still a big-time spectacle...so tune in....but feel free to skip the ceremonies....that's not sport

More later

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

ANNOUNCEMENT

Starting tomorrow (8/7) I will be back in a daily mode.....I apologize to all my diehard readers (if there are any, lol) but I am now in town full-time and will be ramping it up for football season, etc....Good to be back