Just got back from my mini-vacation to the North Coast. What a nice and relaxing time. Of course, I'm playing catch up with all that is going on in the sport world. So let's see, Jim Tressel is getting in deeper, Brandon Marshall gets stabbed, Mark Cuban bails on the Mavs in Portland, and some judge decides to stop the NFL lockout.
MLB . Major props to Bud Selig for finally saying “ENOUGH” with this friggin’ drama in Lower Alabama. McCourt had no business owning the Dodgers and was running what used to be a glamour franchise down into the toilet. Now McCourt and his wife can humiliate each other and the rest of the world doesn’t have to hear or know about it.
Hey SF Giants, It's almost May - the party's over. You let Atlanta beat you down this past weekend - not cool. Oh, and as my Monday brothers here at the Gab said yesterday Brian Wilson, enough is enough. There were 24 others and one good manager who earned that World Series along with you. Stop with the "superstar crap" and get back to work.
A team that I find interesting is the Oakland A's. Yeah, they're only .500, but I like their pitching staff with Braden, Cahill, Anderson, and now McCarthy. Maybe they'll get lucky, find another bat and contend for the wild card.
NBA. Isn't it "interesting" that on the eve of the CBA negotiations, "all of a sudden" the "small-market teams" are rising up and giving established teams a hard time? Indy certainly isn't laying down for Chi-town, Philly is giving Miami fits, OKC is destroying Denver, Memphis is playing out of their minds against San Antonio, Portland is rising up on Dallas, and New Orelans is punking (Phil Jackson's word - not mine) the Lakers?
Oh, before I forget, HEY SPIKE LEE, HOW'D THE CELITICS ASS TASTE?
Will ABC/ESPiN put Jeff Van Gundy out of his misery and fire his ass PLEASE!!! This guy is starting to rival Bill Walton for NBA's most ignorant troll!
Speaking of ignorant trolls, hey Atlanta Hawks, going hack-a-shaq on Superman Dwight Howard all game Sunday? Way to set the NBA back even further than it already is. By the way, didn't he hit all or most of his foul shots???
Hey Jeff, would you do a drive-by at ATT Center and wake the Spurs asses up? The Grizzlies are improved, but to be giving the Spurs this kind of battle? The Spurs are really down 3-1 to Memphis?
LA Lakers - Whatcha gonna do about Derek Caracter? Who you say? Oh this is only the dude who after drinking went into an IHOP in Louisiana, was refused service then decided to put his hands on the cashier. Damn, I wish Stevel Seagal was there to bust that jerk-offs ass! Hey douche bag, this is the real LA, Weeeeeeez-e-ana! They don't play fuck fuck with the law down there. Have fun dealing with the judges down there. Geaux Hornets!
Oh yeah, an on the court take for the Court Jester - Dude, stop taking game ending shots. Your continuous misses are just putting Dictator Stern in a bad position of having to be a little more obvious about rigging the Heat/Laker Finals everybody "says" they want.
Hey Gabbers, I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but damn if the freaking NHL playoffs are so much more exciting than the NBA playoffs.
NHL. Barry Melrose made an excellent point Sunday - Philly Flyers have no goaltending yet they are going to game seven against Buffalo - quite simply, Philly deserves to win this series. Buffalo needs to close out Game Seven quickly, give the Flyers no hope, and keep attacking the whole game. Don't sit back and try to kill time. If you're gonna go out, go out fighting. C'mon Buffalo - jeez!
Thank you Tampa Bay Lightning for smoking Pittsburgh 8-2 on Saturday, followed by that win on Monday. If anybody deserved a beatdown like that, it was the Pens.
Hey Vancouver Canucks, your fans might just be classless pukes high on some wicked ganja weed, but what the hell are you doing allowing the Black Hawks back into this Game 7?
NFL . Ryan Mallett, just what the hell are you thinking? You’re in Charlotte the night before you’re supposed to have an interview with the Carolina Panters, yet you go out and ALLEGEDLY get tanked? Dude, this is the biggest week of your life, and it's the NFL - not some freaking Frat House party in Fayetteville. You have put your young life's work into getting to this point, only to damn near blow it and for sure costing yourself some coin?
Would it be fair to say that it's kinda hard to get excited about the upcoming draft? This draft has to absolutely suck for the many teams with new coaches and philosophies. No OTA's, and a minimal chance of no Training Camp puts teams like the 49ers and Raiders at a big disadvantage for 2011. The 49ers wouldn't have really mattered as this was yet another rebuilding year, but the Raiders (as crazy as this sounds) started making some strides last year. This upcoming season could have been really big for the Silver and Black.
While I'm on the subject of the NFL draft, I wanna say my peace to the Carolina Panthers. It is my opinion that taking Cam Newton with the #1 pick is flat out not a good idea. While I agree that he's an amazing athlete with plenty of "upside" (whatever that means), his head just isn't screwed on straight, and worse yet you will have to deal with a meddling father. I honestly hope I'm wrong, but I don't think I am here. Carolina would be far better off letting Newton pass to those idiots in Cincinnati, selecting defense with the pick, or better yet, trading down and grabbing Gabbert.
I hope all had a happy Easter...Or if that isn't your thing, I hope you had a good weekend...Mine was alright...But before I get to that...Let me pimp something I started Friday...The first of a series that I call IGNORANCE_WAS_BLISS...
So let me hang my head first...My New York Rangers lost their series to the Washington Capitals Saturday...They played hard...They gave the Capitals every thing thy had...But sadly, they didn't have much scoring...Goalie Henrik Lundqvist did all he could, as he has all year...Oh, and he got snubbed for a Vezina nomination...But I like the Rangers' future...They have stopped bying big-name players, and started drafting well, and developing well...Their blue line is stocked with talent...And guys like Dubinsky, Callahan, and Anisimov give them a nice core...Plus guys like Boyle and Prust, 4th liners before, have show they can play like second and on special teams...I have high hopes for next season...
Right now I'm rooting hard for the Chicago Blackhawks, after the crap CANUCKS fans pulled...It's a must win for the 'Hawks...I'll let you know what happens...(2-2 in second itermission) If the 'Hawks don't win it, then I'm pulling for whoever is playing the Canucks, and there overrated goalie Roberto Luongo...
Canucks fans weren't the only people talking trash lately...The Habs and Bruins have been going at it hard...Canadiens fans weren't happy about Andrew Ference flipping them the bird...
Then Saturday night injured Canadiens player Max Pacioretty talked some smack via Twitter about Brad Marchand, which got the Bruins fans talking shit about Pacioretty's broken neck and concussion...WOW! All this social media has made us all so much more classy!
But enough Hockey for now...Sunday morning I was awakened by the sound of two kids searching for Easter baskets...Oh the joy of kids finding candy, and toys...Yes, we give them a couple of small toys, and less candy...After the dental hell we went through with our oldest, fuck the candy, go play!
In the afternoon, the Little Beeze and I were heading to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History...He loves that joint...Before we left he dropped a deuce...To everyone's surprise, his shit was totally, and completely blue...Seriously blue...He didn't feel sick...Nothing hurt...Just some blue logs...Then I saw that the wife had left a couple of the tablets for coloring eggs, out on the table...She said one was missing...How much you want to bet it was blue, and the little dolt thought it was candy!?!
So to the Museum we went....Here's a tip...Go on Easter! Place was almost empty...Hell, they didn't even charge us for the parking...Here he is with Triceratops...
('Hawks and Canucks are tied at 3 now)
Last week I wrote about my disgust over how the American media has been gushing over the upcoming Royal Wedding...It's gotten worse...All the morning shows are talking about it...The Nightly News is spending at least 10 minutes on it...Every network is sending shit-tons of staff to cover it...My Mother-in-law showed up today to visit for the week, and said she was getting up at 4:00AM Friday to watch this horse shit...
Seriously America, what is wrong with you? Why? Why? are you so obsessed with powerless, figureheads, from the country that or forefathers fled from? ANSWER ME!?!
Before I go, I thought I'd give you a quality, Easter Hockey Fight...Evgeny Artuykhin ain't taking anyone's shit apparently...
And the Blackhawks just won 4-3 in overtime, on a goal by Ben Smith...Vancouver you just lost 3 in a row to Chicago...How does that feel? Folks, take my word for it, Tuesday night around 9 PM you want to tune into Versus...The Blackhawks will be looking to win 4 straight against the Canucks and that hack Luongo!
Well another Easter is here in the USA, but Easter is celebrated in the Philippines too. Howvever it is very late on Sunday evening there. No matter what your views on this holiday might be, it tends to affect us all, from Easter Eggs to Mass. The really cool thing is the thought of redemption. One of my favorite contemporary christian songs is 'Ocean Floor'. The song talks about the love of God, to the extent, that our sins are buried on the Ocean Floor, after our salvation. For many it is too hard to be grateful to God these days, after that terrible eaarthquake in Japan and the Tsunami or the young girl still missing after seven weeks in the Seattle area. But that said,. it is God's way through prayer to change our minds about our situations. We can find peace if we let that renewal happen in our hearts.
You can go far as to say, that this strike in the NFL or the myriad troubles associated on and off-field problems being a condition of the heart and whether you believe in God or not, there is a need for release. A renewing of our minds but importantly, a renewing of our hearts. So Barry Bonds was indicted. It isn't like the commissioner has vindicated himself, or the owners. They pay out big dollars for these prima donnas to do the River Walk Dance in the end zone while racing around in half million dollar cars with full loaded guns and shooting themselves in the foot. Ask Plaxico how it felt or how it feels for Tiger to losing that winning feeling. Speaking of winning, Charlie Sheen may be going back to 'Two and half Men'. I tried to watch that last night, but gave up. I gave the show 2 1/2 seconds. Somehow, his impending 'mental break' made me a little sad. Hopefully, he can find a renweing that doesn't involve girls my age and a lot of drugs.
To give perspective today and the need for somewhere to lay our heads, 500,000 people lost their homes in Japan and around 14,000 people perished. Though most are not Chrstians, I don't try lo limit the power of Faith. It is a wonderful powerful thing, where there is faith and I believe, God has found the dead and alive and does what he does. To guys like Bonds, Lawrence Taylor and even Big Ben Rohtlisberger, they can find this happiness too, through some kind of faith.
Unlike the past few years, I will be unable to do a full mock due to other obligations. I did quite well in those, so I suspect I will do horribly in this abbreviated mock.
We all know trades are part of drafts, but I will not theorize there and pretend the teams will draft in order.
So let's get to it and start ripping apart my decisions.
Carson Palmer might get dealt this draft, but the Bengals cannot allow themselves to be held hostage by the malcontent. Even if he stays, his weak arm could find itself benched by 2012.
5. Arizona Cardinals : Von Miller, Linebacker
The Big Red gets their speed rusher off the edge.
6. Cleveland Brown : A.J. Green, Wide Receiver
Cleveland gets both a big and a big play receiver with one pick.
7. San Francisco 49ers : Patrick Peterson, Cornerback
Nate Clements gets to mentor this kid while forming a very nice CB tandem in 2011.
8. Tennessee Titans : Da'Quan Bowers, Defensive End
He drops because of knee concerns, but this kid could be a Pro Bowler for many years if he stays healthy.
9. Dallas Cowboys : Tyron Smith, Offensive Tackle
Tony Romo gets his left tackle to protect the blindside.
10. Washington Redskins : Robert Quinn, Linebacker
Washington needs bodies on defense. Quinn can bookend Brian Orakpo as a demonic pass rushing force off the edge for years.
11. Houston Texans : Prince Amukamara,Cornerback
Houston needs defensive backs like a fish needs water. Amukamara starts right away.
12. Minnesota Vikings : J.J. Watt, Defensive End
The huge Watt makes the loss of Ray Edwards OK. He also keeps Minnesota's fine run defense stout.
13. Detroit Lions : Aldon Smith, Defensive End
He has good speed and is a force against the pass. Line him next to 2010 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Ndamukong Suh and enjoy.
14. Saint Louis Rams : Julio Jones, Wide Receiver
Jones has a ton of ability if he can stay healthy. Getting Sam Bradford more guys to play catch with is a big need.
15. Miami Dolphins : Mark Ingram, Running Back
It is very possible the Fins grab guard Pouncey here. With their running back situation a mess right now, Ingram has a chance to be the guy.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars : Ryan Kerrigan, Defensive End
Kerrigan is good to have in the locker room. An overachiever, much like their head coach was when he played.
17. New England Patriots : Cameron Jordan, Defensive End
Jordan has the skill set you want from a DE in the 3-4. An immediate upgrade over everyone on that roster at this position, with the possible exception of Ty Warren, and should start pretty quickly.
18. San Diego Chargers : Justin Houston, Linebacker
General manager A.J. Smith likes linebackers who can get to the quarterback, something they haven't had in a few years. Larry English has been a disappointment, so now Houston gets a shot to fill the void.
19. New York Giants : Anthony Castonzo, Offensive Tackle
The Giants offensive line needs bodies right now. Castonzo is ready to play right away, and do not be shocked if he beats out one of the veterans in camp.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers : Jimmy Smith, Cornerback
Ronde Barber has a year or two left in him. Until then, he can mentor a guy who often gets compared to Nnamdi Asomugha. Smith has that ability to lock down any receiver, and he has excellent size to be physical.
21. Kansas City Chiefs : Corey Liuget, Defensive Tackle
The Chiefs get their nose tackle so the defense can keep moving forward.
22. Indianapolis Colts : Gabe Carimi, Offensive Tackle
Carimi is experienced and ready to go. Something the Colts need for their aging quarterback who is getting set to get an enormous contract.
23. Philadelphia Eagles : Mike Pouncey, Guard
The Eagles need blockers and Pouncey could man a guard spot for the next decade for them
24. New Orleans Saints : Akeem Ayers, Linebackers
Stephen Dunn/Getty Images Defensive coordinator Greg Williams loves pressure off the edge, something the current Saints OLB's don't give much of. Ayers fills that need and probably will start immediately.
25. Seattle Seahawks : Ryan Mallett, Quarterback
Pete Carroll gets a huge QB with a rocket arm. He might have Matt Hasselbeck back for one year as the kid learns, but Mallett has the ability to be a franchise player.
26. Baltimore Ravens : Brandon Harris, Cornerback
He is from the U, like Ed Reed and Ray Lewis are. Harris has the ability to start right away, which the Ravens depleted secondary needs.
27. Atlanta Falcons : Kyle Rudolph, Tight End
Gonzo is as good as gonezo. This is his last year, as it was apparent the 2010 the Hall of Famer has little left. Rudolph is excellent in the passing attack and with get to learn under an all-time great for a season.
28. Patriots : Danny Watkins : Guard
With Logan Mankins as good as gone, replacements are needed. Don't be shocked if Pouncey is snagged with their first pick, because Bill Belichick is a fan of Florida University players.
29. Chicago Bears : Stephen Paea, Defensive Tackle
He fills a big hole in the middle of the Bears defense, made a little bigger by the recent departure of Tommy Harris. Lovie Smith will enjoy coaching this hard-working gym rat up.
30. New York Jets : Orlando Franklin, Offensive Tackle
The Jets will not pick again for a long time, so getting their right tackle needs to be done now. Franklin has every tool needed to excel and he plays with a real mean streak. Rex Ryan will love this guy.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers : Phil Taylor, Nose Tackle
Casey Hampton is in his twilight years, so an infusion of youth is needed.
32. Green Bay Packers : Aaron Williams, Cornerback
He gets to learn from Charles Woodson this season, but Woodson is 34-years-old and nearing his end.
33. Patriots : Ryan Williams, Running Back
New England could use another back and this kid is a hard worker who would be perfect in their rotation.
33. Bills : Jake Locker
Chan Gailey gets his quarterback to develop, but Locker might need to sit and learn a season or two.
34. Bengals : Rahim Moore, Safety
Best safety in the draft and fills a big Bengals need.
36. Broncos : Muhammed Wilkerson, Defensive Tackle
They got Dareus, now they can put the athletic Wilkerson next to him and have a pair of DT's who could play the next decade together. Wilkerson can also play defensive end if needed.
37. Browns : Cam Heyward, Defensive End
Now that Shaun Rogers is gone, Heyward can step in and start the next decade. A strong kid who most know is Ironhead Heyward's son.
38. Cardinals : Christian Ponder
Arizona needs a quarterback, so they will hope Ponder is ready to push for a starting job right away.
39. Titans : Nate Solder, Offensive Tackle
Solder needs some work, but his athleticism had some think of him as first-round talent. He fills a need here.
40. Cowboys : Adrian Clayborn, Defensive End
An All-American who drops over a mediocre senior season statistically. His fills a huge need for Dallas, whose current defensive ends besides Olshansky, are questionable NFL talents.
41. Redskins : Torrey Smith, Wide Receiver
With Santana Moss possibly on his way out, Smith add much needed depth to a wide receiver corp looking for players. Even if Moss returns, he fills a big need and offers a huge upgrade as a third receiver.
42. Texans : Marvin Austin, Defensive Tackle
All Houston should do this year is draft defenders. Austin is another big body for their trenches, though some feel he could be special down the road.
43. Vikings : Derrek Sherrod, Offensive Tackle
His questionable work ethic drops him, but many think he has first-round talent. Minnesota needs blockers, so he fills a need.
44. Lions : Mikel Leshoure, Running Back
As good as Jahvid Best was last year, it is apparent he needs help. Leshoure will be the Mr. Inside to his Mr. Outside.
45. 49ers : Jurrell Casey, Defensive Tackle
With free agency, the Niners are very thin on the defensive line. Casey is a hard-worker who should help right away.
46. Broncos : Daniel Thomas, Running Back
Thomas is a brute between the tackles and is excellent in pass protection. He has quick feet and bursts off the snap hard. While not a home run hitter, he has very good speed for his size and has the ability to be a bell cow for the franchise that selects him.
47. Rams : Allen Bailey, Defensive Lineman
He can play all over the defensive line, and the Rams need bodies in the trenches.
48. Oakland Raiders : Ben Ijalana. Offensive Lineman
With Robert Gallery apparently gone, getting a guard is needed. This kid has some right tackle ability, but most feel he will be an excellent guard at the next level.
Attended the same college as Raiders Hall of Famer Howie Long.
49. Jaguars : Robert Sands, Free Safety
It seems the Jags have forever beem looking for a free safety. Sands has great size and speed. While not great in man-to-man, he plays a good centerfield and os physical.
With so few NFL-ready safeties, the Jags need to grab Sands now before he's gone.
50. Chargers : Titus Young, Wide Receiver
With their best three wide receivers free agents, the Chargers tab the versatile Young and give quarterback Philip Rivers another weapon to play with.
51. Buccaneers : Bruce Carter, Linebacker
A solid linebacker who will add depth at the least, but could find himself starting right away.
52. Giants : Martez Wilson, Linebacker
Some think he will be a very good SLB, while others think he has potential to be excellent in the middle. The G-Men need a MLB, so Wilson could fill a very big need.
53. Terrell McClain, Defensive Tackle
He is stout against the run, a type of player the Colts do not have too many of right now.
54. Eagles : Ras-I Dowling, Cornerback
Seemed destined for the first round until he got injured during his senior year. He makes all the plays and could start sooner than expected.
55. Chiefs : Brooks Reed, Linebacker
Reed is a pass-rushing type who the Chiefs hope will replace Mike Vrabel one day.
56. Saints : Christian Ballard, Defensive End
Ballard is a solid player with some versatility. Depth at defensive end is a need that he can fill.
57. Seahawks : Marcus Cannon, Offensive Tackle
Seattle hopes the mammoth Cannon will be able to man right tackle and bookend Russell Okung for many seasons ahead.
58. Ravens : Tanden Doss, Wide Receiver
With receivers like T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Donte` Stallworth being free agents, Doss has the ability to press veteran Derrick Mason for a starting job. At the very least, he adds quality depth.
58. Falcons : Quan Sturdivant, Linebacker
Atlanta desperately needs a SLB and Studivant can play it.
60. Patriots : Jonathan Baldwin, Wide Receiver
His knock is he needs work on route running.
How long do you think that will be a problem with Tom Brady?
The guy has freakish talents and could end up replacing the long-departed Randy Moss as the red zone threat. A real sleeper.
61. Chargers : Jarvis Jenkins, Defensive Lineman
San Diego needs depth on the defensive trenches. Jenkins is a run stuffer who can be rotated in to give guys like Luis Castillo a rest.
62. Bears : Brandon Burton, Cornerback
Getting more corners is needed. He might earn a starting job as a rookie.
63. Steelers : Marcus Gilbert, Offensive Tackle
Gilbert has the makings of being a solid right tackle. A big need for Pittsburgh.
64. Packers : Leonard Hankerson, Wide Receiver
Not only is James Jones a free agent, but Donald Driver is nearing retirement. Hankerson will be another big target for Aaron Rogers to have fun with.
I think it is safe to say that I have never been a big supporter of Commissioner Bud Selig. Over the course of my years of blogging and writing, I’ve taken my fair share of shots of the beleaguered boss of Major League Baseball. Some of those shots were fired because of some action or another that was deemed stupid at the time and maybe some of them were fired simply from the hip, as a knee-jerk reaction to something that made more sense down the road.
I sit here tonight, before my keyboard, a humbled man. Rather than further kicking a dead horse and chastising Bud for his actions during the steroid years or for his complete idiocy in trying to further expand the play-offs, I feel I need to something that doesn’t come naturally to me.
I want to praise Bud Selig. It is Good Friday after all.
The state of the Los Angeles Dodgers, one of baseball’s most storied and beloved franchises, is reprehensible. Embattled in a bitter struggle brought on by a divorce between Frank and Jamie McCourt, the Dodgers are in a financial state much more dire than that of the New York Mets and possibly even more so than the Montreal Expos a few years back. Forced to borrow money from Fox Sports against future ticket sales just to make payroll is no way to run a sports franchise
When Commissioner Selig opted yesterday to take over control of the Dodgers, he made a bold and gutsy move, and it was absolutely the right call. There is no reason that one of baseball’s most high-profile teams should be held captive by two scorned children who cannot live within their means enough to keep their team afloat and competitive. Selig acted with consideration for the game and its fans, especially those in Dodger country, and I applaud him for having the gumption to do so.
Still, I need to ask the most obvious of questions here. Why was Frank McCourt awarded a franchise in the first place? He was efforts to buy the Red Sox had been unsuccessful, and thankfully so, due in part to his inability to show financial fortitude enough to first buy the team and then afford to operate it. However, the owners and the Commissioner saw it fit to award him a franchise with the stature of the Dodgers on 100% borrowed funds? That makes about as much sense as handing a monkey a stick of dynamite painted like a banana and expecting him to do something smart with it.
Allowing McCourt to assume ownership in the first place was a folly of astronomical measure. The divorce further clouds the picture on if the current ownership group will ever functionally recover. By stepping in, Selig sent a clear message to McCourt with only two options; either find a way to make this work and make the team financially sound again under the guidance of MLB or find a buyer who is willing to do so. Given that the Dodgers play in a major media market and the history of the franchise, there would be no shortage of potential suitors willing to step in and try to take the team off McCourt’s sleazy hands.
Operating under the current status quo was not an option in which made any sense for the Dodgers or Major League Baseball. Selig took the correct measures in ensuring that the team could sink no further. He’s not a hero or a savior, but in a time of need, he stepped up, as an authority figure should.
And for once he deserves some praise for that.
Other Fragments
- Selig may be earning some praise for his actions with the Dodgers, but his announcement that the playoff system will likely be increased to 10 teams from 8 is misguided. With the longest season in American sports and arguably an already watered-down playoff system, adding another team to the mix in both leagues further pollutes the gene pool. All it does is tire out the wild card teams so that they pose less of a threat to division winners. It doesn’t make the system more exciting. It simply drags it out.
- Learning a lesson from the NFL’s problems, Major League Baseball has announced it would increase pension payments to players 1947-1980 who didn’t normally meet service time limitations. Seeing how the NFL treated its retired players, MLB showed that its future is also in its heritage.
- The San Diego Padres and Taylor Made have partnered to attach an 80ft replica of their R11 Driver to the right field foul pole. The shaft of the club extends past the top of the foul pole and balls that hit it above the pole will be deemed a home run. I can’t wait to see the instant replay arguments when the first one rings off of it.
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