OK so I went 3-2 after the first night of football, but I guess the SEC gods were punishing me for going against Vandy and taking Miami (OH). I was kidding. I promise. I meant Vandy. As for Stanford winning, well WOW. That was something wasn't it? I went to Chili's last night with the Wifey and her work folk and had a big discussion about who is the bigger celeb: Tiger or Oprah? I say Tiger because he has Asia, Sweden and the sports world in his back pocket. The other argument was that Oprah had all the women in the world or something. I still say Tiger. When you have 1.4B in your pocket, I think you win. Though if we went to downtown ATL this weekend with Black Gay Pride, we might just hear Oprah's name be called moreso than Tigers. Heck, we might even SEE Oprah and her "traveling buddy" there!
On to the picks!
Youngstown St @ #2 Duh Ohio State University. I realize that Tressel used to coach there, but do they HAVE to play them EVERY SINGLE YEAR? Can't Tressel just send the Penguins a check and take the week off? Though tOSU IS playing USC this season, so I'll give them a pass. Hey, I'd love to see Pryor play in this one...but I am not one of the 8 people that actually get the Big Ten Network. Duh Ohio State wins
Akron @ #13 Wisco. Could the Badgers knock of tOSU this season? Some folks are thinking so. I HOPE SO. But why do I think that even IF Wisco beats duh Ohio State, the Buckeyes will STILL make it to the BCSCG? Because Kirk Herbstreit RULES the world
Bagers burrow to the win. BURROW! BURROW!
#17 VaTech @ ECU. With the dismissal of the starting RB and a WR, and the two LBs having left for the NFL and Sean Glennon being named as the starting QB AND Macho Harris missing the game, you would THINK that ECU at home would have a SERIOUS shot at an upset. They almost won last year.....but then you remember the Skip Holtz is the coach. Take the castrated turkeys.
Da Cuse @ Northwestern. This is the battle between the two schools I thought about attending post-Midlothian, but I decided on UGA. From a football standpoint, I made the right call. And as for this game, take the Wildcats because Otto's Orangemen aren't that good.
Hawaii @ #5 Flo-rida. Even WITH Colt and June, I would say that the Gayturds would win this one. WITHOUT those two, Florida wins even bigger. Urban will want to make a statement so Urban's gators will come out and Urban's gators will play and Urban's gators will win by playing Urban's Way. And Urban, according to reports STILL hasn't forgotten about the endzone celebration. Apparently it is sticking in Urban's craw. Whatever that is.
#3USC @ UVA. Wow, if you had THIS YEAR'S USC v LAST YEAR'S UVA, this might be close, but now that CLong is gone as is 23 game QB starter Sewell, I will have to say, "Sorry Daddio, you won't be watching a very exciting game. But at least you'll get to watch it in a suite" Dirty Sanchez and the Trojans win this one. (PS, I'd still like to say THANKS to Stafon Johnson for bypassing UGA to wallow in obscurity out in Troy. If you HAD come to UGA, we would have lost Knowshon. Where can I send the flowers? The sidelines?)
Villanova @ #8 West VA. Well it's good to see that West VA still isn't playing anyone outside of the Big Least conference. Good for you guys. Way to not overexert yourselves! Neers win and we have to watch that assclown on College Gameday Live Monday on ESPN at 3:30.
Okie State at Wazzou. I think we ALREADY know who is going to win this one. The Cowboys. I mean if Mike Gundy was A MAN last year at 40, just think of how MAN-ish he is now at 41. THE MEN win. Plus this goes back to the dominance scale too, humans against Cougars. Of COURSE humans win. Come on!
App State @ #7 LSU. Someone actually said to me the other day, "This year's App State IS APP STATE!" I laughed at them before I hung up the phone. Beating Michigan last year was like the sophomore in high school thinking he was a badass for sleeping with the senior slut. You may seem cool to your friends, but honestly dude, EVERYONE had a turn on that last year. Come on! Geaux Tigers on this one
Miss State @ LaTech. OK, Sly, we've got to talk here. If you TRULY want to be an SEC Power here, you CANNOT travel TO LaTech. Can't do it. If you HAD been named coach of Bama a few years back when Shula was (and by the way, you TOO would have been fired so the school could go after Saban, just so you know. You are still employed because Bama was racist. You should thank someone), you would realize that the SEC NEVER travels to the cupcake. They just DON'T. Missy State wins this one, but I am tempted to root for LaTech just to teach the OTHER bulldogs a lesson.
UTChatt @ #4 Okiehoma. Oklahoma maybe has the easiest schedule of any team in the top 7, and they kick it off with TO's alma mater. Yep, a little bit of trivia there for you. Sam Bradford wins this one though. PS, I'd LOVE to play the Sooners if I'm UGA in the BCSCG. You are assured of a win. Stoops spits the bit in these games worse than Big Brown. Just saying.
Fla Atl @ #11 Texas. Hey Mack Brown, way to win that title a few years back with the playcall, "Hike it Vince and get out of the way." How is that playcall working out with McCoy? I will say congrats on your title, but I think Richt is a better coach right NOW, 5 years ago and 5 years from NOW than you. Just saying. Oh, but you'll beat FAU
Memphis @ Ole Miss. I've got a question. What have I done that the Ole Miss radio crew has NEVER done? Broadcast a game from the GA Dome. HA! Never made an appearance in the GaDome. HA! But seriously though Houston Nutt to Ole Miss might be the best hire this past year in all of college football (Paul Johnson included Techies!) The transfer QB from Texas is there. Nutt will make that work, especially in this game
EXCITING GAMES
#24Bama @ #9 Klimpsen. I would like to root for the SEC and I will, and I know TB has a history of choking in big games, but I don't think Bama is good enough to beat them. WHY ARE THEY RANKED? THEY LOST TO UL-Monroe last year? Tigers rag the tide.
#20Illi @ #6Mizzou. This is what I am talking about. I like Chase v Juice. Maclin v Benn. Pinkell v Zook. Wait, not that last matchup. That one is like a battle of the nimwits out there. Whichever coach gets out of the way faster, HIS TEAM WINS. I say Gary Pinkell does that. Tigers beat the Illini (PS, that would be like the Georgs. Just saying)
Sunday fodder
Kentucky @ Louisville. Has the program REALLY taken a HUGE step forward in Lexington? I don't think so. But I think Louisville's take a bigger step back. Wilcats win. (PS, how do you say Kentucky's capital? Louie-ville, Louis-ville, Lou-a-vul? NOPE Frankfort)
FrezNO @ Rutgers. OK, so I am going to pick the Bulldogs of Le Frez, but ONLY because I do not like Greg Schiano. I think he pulled an Eddie Fogler and I hope he ends up on ESPNU gamecasts or as the analyst for Pam Ward.
#18 Tennessee @ UCLA. If you have a choice between Spinal Tap's drummer and UCLA's QB, you MIGHT have a better chance of making it home as the drummer. Just saying. UCLA is on their 19th QB now and that isn't a good thing going against UT's Eric Berry. Just saying. Vols win and give the SEC some props.
LOCK OF THE WEEK
LaMonroe @ #10 Auburn. You just KNOW that as much as Tommy Twotone loves tweaking Bama, he will run up the score and say to the Bama media "Gee, these guys didn't seem so hard." Tigers, er Plainsmen, er War Eagles win this one.
UPSET OF THE WEEK
Utah @ Michigan. I am certain that Michigan is favored in this one, but I like Utah's QB and I'd love for RichRod to lose his first game. And don't think all of those backwoods folks in WestVa don't have some kind of voodoo dolls out. I know they are mostly mountain people, but losing RichRod was like their one tooth falling out. It was like their trailer burnt down. It was like they got a stain on their Sunday best overalls. It was TERRIBLE. They've put some sort of backwoods jinx on the Wolverines. Take the Stormin' Mormons!
Local Flava Flav..
DragonCon v GT's football game. I read in the paper that Tech could sell out the 42000 seat stadium and that Dragon Con has sold out 5 major downtown hotels. I have to say that the Nerds flocked to DragonCon. Tech loses.
GaSouthern @ #1 UGA. Wow, I love typing that. OF COURSE UGA WINS. On the flip side, I am looking forward to watching AJ Green and Blair Walsh and the rest of those new guys. Heck I am just excited about UGA football being back. I think it is funny that at 6:30 everynight, my dog Chimer is SOOOO excited that he literally cannot do anything but jump up and down. That is how excited he is and that's the only way he can express himself. Well I am sort of like that too. I had to run a lap yesterday and likely will today too as I am so thrilled college football is back. Does UGA go 14-0? Who knows. I would settle for 13-1 with a crystal football at the end of the year in Miami. Go Dawgs.
Enjoy the season everybody!
Friday, August 29, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!
Thanksgiving is #1 and Christmas is #2, but I would HAVE to say that Labor Day is my #3 favorite holiday of the year. WHY? It signals the kickoff of the COLLEGE FOOTBALL SEASON. OH YEAH! It is on a Monday, so I can recover from doing NOTHING but watching football on Saturday and even Sunday. It is ZONEtastic. I love it.
And now another season is upon us. Birds are singing, music is playing. I LOVE IT.
(The only thing I hate is now the folks on Dave FM are "talking" about football like they know something. It physically HURTS me when folks who know NOTHING about sports start talking sports on the radio, but somewhere out there a receptionist at a dentist office is going to hear them and think they know what they are talking about, then she is going to go home and annoy her husband with a stupid piece of trivia that the "radio experts" said earlier after reading off the ajc.com. OH that pisses me off. But I digress.)
Back to college football being here though. You know that on Fridays I will be giving my picks per usual, but with the kickoff here, I figured I'd give you a BONUS day of picks RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW. (And since this ISN'T a gambling site and the last time I checked, teams only have a win column and a loss column, not a win but didn't cover column and/or a lose but won with the points column. I only pick the straight up winners and losers.)
And HERE WE GO...........................
Vandy @ Miami. This should be a blowout. Vandy will get crushed by Miami. Wait, it is Miami (OH). Well they will STILL lose. PS, why is an SEC school going TO Miami of Ohio. (I also see that Miss State-a bowl team last year- is going to Louisiana Tech this Saturday? What's up with that? Hey Sly Croom, if you think you really have arrived as an SEC Program, start acting like one. UGA would NEVER travel to LaTech. Just saying.... Miami OH beats Vandy, but I will be rooting for the Commawhores.
NCSU @ SoCar. So Spurrier was going to wait to suspend four starters until the team's fifth game against Wofford, instead of game 1 v NCState, game2 v Miss State, game3 v UGA, game4 SEC Opponent, but his star tailback STOLE A POWERADE from a gas station so Spurrier was FORCED to suspend Mike Davis for tonight's game. IT'S ABOUT TIME! What is it with picking and choosing what game they are suspended for, huh? That is such crap. But you can tell Ole Ball Coach (Clickclack) finally realizes where he is and what little talent he has he needs for the big games. You wouldn't see CMR say "Hmmmmm I know we open with Okie State, then play SoCar, so I think I will wait to suspend my player until the third game." NO. And neither would Urban Meyer. Just saying. SoCar's Defense will carry them to this win though.On a side note, you will NEVER hear me use UGA's schedule as a crutch this season. It pisses me off when folks dismiss UGA because of their schedule-all winnable games fyi-but last night I almost lost it when Arnie Spainaird-whatever his name is-said that UGA's ooc schedule was too soft, compared to Florida was his example. Ummm Arine, let's break down the two skeds. You mentioned UGA plays no one like Miami or Fla State. Fla also plays Hawaii and Citadel, which you DID say was the Gators' cupcake. Florida state is on the SAME LEVEL as Georgia Tech at this point. Yeah, that's how far they have fallen. I am thinking GT beats FSU when they play this year. Just saying. As for Miami, wow, speaking of mediocre. But I will give you the "Name" of Miami if you are willing to concede #16 preseason Arizona State! And Hawaii, without Colt Brennan and June Jones, yeah THAT should be tough. WAIT, almost as tough as when UGA beat them LAST YEAR WITH both of those two. I think the Central Michigan team UGA faces would beat them. Finally, the Citadel and GaSouthern are a wash. Same conference. JUST SAYING. Florida's schedule is easier Arnie. SHADDUP!
#23 Wake Forest @ Baylor Of course Wake will win this. According to Da Kang Chuck Oliver of 790 The Zone Wake is a ZONETASTIC program, no longer a Zonetastic story. Gee Chuck, did TSN say that and you ripped it off like you do with all of your other "inside information"?
Oregon State @ Stanford. This game is on TV ONLY because....well I can't figure out why. Pac10 love from ESPN? They have to do this stuff so they have an excuse to go to USC 30 times a year? I can ONLY IMAGINE the creamfest that ESPN had when Duh Ohio State University agreed to play USC. Oregon State wins against the Smarty Pants.
Local Color-part one
Jacksonville State @ GT. I thought it was so funny that this game is ONLY on the internet. I think JCole said that the Tech Nerds could watch the game WHILE playing Magic on-line. I disagree. I think they have it on their i-phones while LARPING. And if you don't know what LARPing is, I just feel bad for you and your girlfriend/boyfriend. Wait, check that. I don't feel bad, because that means you AREN'T A NERD. Nevermind. PS, I also think that when Paul Johnson read that Ryan Perriloux (spelling) was going to Jax State after he was sent packing from LSU (Hey Spurrier, see you ARE allowed to kick repeat offenders at QB off the team. Stephen Garcia come to mind?), he probably thought, "Crap. Now we might actually have to play." No matter though. Tech might be pretty decent this season. I think they WIN TONIGHT and celebrate with a tickle pile!
Alright check back in tomorrow for the rest of the picks.
And now another season is upon us. Birds are singing, music is playing. I LOVE IT.
(The only thing I hate is now the folks on Dave FM are "talking" about football like they know something. It physically HURTS me when folks who know NOTHING about sports start talking sports on the radio, but somewhere out there a receptionist at a dentist office is going to hear them and think they know what they are talking about, then she is going to go home and annoy her husband with a stupid piece of trivia that the "radio experts" said earlier after reading off the ajc.com. OH that pisses me off. But I digress.)
Back to college football being here though. You know that on Fridays I will be giving my picks per usual, but with the kickoff here, I figured I'd give you a BONUS day of picks RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW. (And since this ISN'T a gambling site and the last time I checked, teams only have a win column and a loss column, not a win but didn't cover column and/or a lose but won with the points column. I only pick the straight up winners and losers.)
And HERE WE GO...........................
Vandy @ Miami. This should be a blowout. Vandy will get crushed by Miami. Wait, it is Miami (OH). Well they will STILL lose. PS, why is an SEC school going TO Miami of Ohio. (I also see that Miss State-a bowl team last year- is going to Louisiana Tech this Saturday? What's up with that? Hey Sly Croom, if you think you really have arrived as an SEC Program, start acting like one. UGA would NEVER travel to LaTech. Just saying.... Miami OH beats Vandy, but I will be rooting for the Commawhores.
NCSU @ SoCar. So Spurrier was going to wait to suspend four starters until the team's fifth game against Wofford, instead of game 1 v NCState, game2 v Miss State, game3 v UGA, game4 SEC Opponent, but his star tailback STOLE A POWERADE from a gas station so Spurrier was FORCED to suspend Mike Davis for tonight's game. IT'S ABOUT TIME! What is it with picking and choosing what game they are suspended for, huh? That is such crap. But you can tell Ole Ball Coach (Clickclack) finally realizes where he is and what little talent he has he needs for the big games. You wouldn't see CMR say "Hmmmmm I know we open with Okie State, then play SoCar, so I think I will wait to suspend my player until the third game." NO. And neither would Urban Meyer. Just saying. SoCar's Defense will carry them to this win though.On a side note, you will NEVER hear me use UGA's schedule as a crutch this season. It pisses me off when folks dismiss UGA because of their schedule-all winnable games fyi-but last night I almost lost it when Arnie Spainaird-whatever his name is-said that UGA's ooc schedule was too soft, compared to Florida was his example. Ummm Arine, let's break down the two skeds. You mentioned UGA plays no one like Miami or Fla State. Fla also plays Hawaii and Citadel, which you DID say was the Gators' cupcake. Florida state is on the SAME LEVEL as Georgia Tech at this point. Yeah, that's how far they have fallen. I am thinking GT beats FSU when they play this year. Just saying. As for Miami, wow, speaking of mediocre. But I will give you the "Name" of Miami if you are willing to concede #16 preseason Arizona State! And Hawaii, without Colt Brennan and June Jones, yeah THAT should be tough. WAIT, almost as tough as when UGA beat them LAST YEAR WITH both of those two. I think the Central Michigan team UGA faces would beat them. Finally, the Citadel and GaSouthern are a wash. Same conference. JUST SAYING. Florida's schedule is easier Arnie. SHADDUP!
#23 Wake Forest @ Baylor Of course Wake will win this. According to Da Kang Chuck Oliver of 790 The Zone Wake is a ZONETASTIC program, no longer a Zonetastic story. Gee Chuck, did TSN say that and you ripped it off like you do with all of your other "inside information"?
Oregon State @ Stanford. This game is on TV ONLY because....well I can't figure out why. Pac10 love from ESPN? They have to do this stuff so they have an excuse to go to USC 30 times a year? I can ONLY IMAGINE the creamfest that ESPN had when Duh Ohio State University agreed to play USC. Oregon State wins against the Smarty Pants.
Local Color-part one
Jacksonville State @ GT. I thought it was so funny that this game is ONLY on the internet. I think JCole said that the Tech Nerds could watch the game WHILE playing Magic on-line. I disagree. I think they have it on their i-phones while LARPING. And if you don't know what LARPing is, I just feel bad for you and your girlfriend/boyfriend. Wait, check that. I don't feel bad, because that means you AREN'T A NERD. Nevermind. PS, I also think that when Paul Johnson read that Ryan Perriloux (spelling) was going to Jax State after he was sent packing from LSU (Hey Spurrier, see you ARE allowed to kick repeat offenders at QB off the team. Stephen Garcia come to mind?), he probably thought, "Crap. Now we might actually have to play." No matter though. Tech might be pretty decent this season. I think they WIN TONIGHT and celebrate with a tickle pile!
Alright check back in tomorrow for the rest of the picks.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Midweek Entertainment report 8/27/08
The plebians are suing Tommy, a shot at Dancing with the starz and an azzclown breaks it off with his woman.
Ladies and gentlemen, it's the midweek entertainment report!
CLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAP!
Apparenlt 12 extras are suing Tom Cruise and United Artist for a combined 11M for suffering broken bones, cuts and bruises during filming when the side panel of a truck flew open and apparently struck the German extras. This happened over a year ago on the set of Valkyrie. All were taken to the hospital and treated, but now they are trying to get a little under a Mil per person for the booboos they suffered. First off, don't people sign waivers when they step on a movie set? Number 2, why wait a year? Third, you are a freaking EXTRA. Go away. Tom, don't pay them. Wait are they going to do? NOT go and see your movie. Well then I guess Tom Cruise hurt me, because I'M not going to see that movie.
I wanted to comment on the new cast of Dancing with the Stars. I know I don't watch this show, but I thought I'd comment on all of the poor schmoos that are doing it to try and stay relevant.
-Susan Lucci. I'm guessing that she won't win. HA. (that would be funnier if you know it took her something like 16 years to win an Emmy. Now that I've had to explain it, not so funny).
-Lance Bass, the gay former N*sync-er will try and win a few years after Joey Fat-one tried. Ummm, this guy DANCED. Shouldn't that DQ him? and let's just hope this doesn't lead to a making of On The Line2. PS. I saw where he will be dancing with Lacey Schwimmer of SYTYCD fame. Interesting. I would have thought he would have wanted to dance with her brother Benji. For obvious reasons.)
-Kim Kardashian. Let's just hope that when the judges go to the video tape to review some of her moves, they don't put in the wrong tape.......
-Warren Sapp. Why?
Finally, I see where Michael Bolton and Nicollette Sheridan have ended their engagment, which began back in March of 2006. They apparently dated in the early 90s too. I was wondering by they would break it off, but then I realized, that they could probably never be lovers, if they couldn't be friends. JUST SAYING.
Thanks everybody! And HEY, FOOTBALL STARTS TOMORROW!
Ladies and gentlemen, it's the midweek entertainment report!
CLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAP!
Apparenlt 12 extras are suing Tom Cruise and United Artist for a combined 11M for suffering broken bones, cuts and bruises during filming when the side panel of a truck flew open and apparently struck the German extras. This happened over a year ago on the set of Valkyrie. All were taken to the hospital and treated, but now they are trying to get a little under a Mil per person for the booboos they suffered. First off, don't people sign waivers when they step on a movie set? Number 2, why wait a year? Third, you are a freaking EXTRA. Go away. Tom, don't pay them. Wait are they going to do? NOT go and see your movie. Well then I guess Tom Cruise hurt me, because I'M not going to see that movie.
I wanted to comment on the new cast of Dancing with the Stars. I know I don't watch this show, but I thought I'd comment on all of the poor schmoos that are doing it to try and stay relevant.
-Susan Lucci. I'm guessing that she won't win. HA. (that would be funnier if you know it took her something like 16 years to win an Emmy. Now that I've had to explain it, not so funny).
-Lance Bass, the gay former N*sync-er will try and win a few years after Joey Fat-one tried. Ummm, this guy DANCED. Shouldn't that DQ him? and let's just hope this doesn't lead to a making of On The Line2. PS. I saw where he will be dancing with Lacey Schwimmer of SYTYCD fame. Interesting. I would have thought he would have wanted to dance with her brother Benji. For obvious reasons.)
-Kim Kardashian. Let's just hope that when the judges go to the video tape to review some of her moves, they don't put in the wrong tape.......
-Warren Sapp. Why?
Finally, I see where Michael Bolton and Nicollette Sheridan have ended their engagment, which began back in March of 2006. They apparently dated in the early 90s too. I was wondering by they would break it off, but then I realized, that they could probably never be lovers, if they couldn't be friends. JUST SAYING.
Thanks everybody! And HEY, FOOTBALL STARTS TOMORROW!
Kotsay to Beantown?
Before Tuesday’s game Braves CF Mark Kotsay was called into manager Bobby Cox’s office and told of a potential trade to Boston, following the Red Sox placing outfielder JD Drew on the DL. Kotsay has cleared waivers following the July 31 non-waiver deadline and two teams have reportedly contacted the Braves with interest.
Kotsay was held out of the starting lineup, but did come into the game to pinch-hit in the bottom of the ninth inning, only to be intentionally walked. Kotsay, if last night was his last game as a Brave, went out with a bang as he slid hard into second to break up a potential game-ending double play and in the process, allowing the tying run to score. The next batter up Yunel Escobar followed through with the game winning hit, one that would not have been possible without Kotsay’s hard work.
Should the Braves trade away Kotsay, countless Braves will miss Kotsay, including manager Bobby Cox. Earlier this season Cox told clubhouse reporters how he liked “that Kid,” and Kotsay is respected across baseball for his hustle and hard work. The former Oakland Athletic was brought in to serve as the bridge from Andruw Jones to super-prospect Jordan Schafer, but with Schafer’s suspension, some thought the team might try and resign Kotsay.
Now though it appears as though Kotsay is northbound to compete in a pennant race. If he is to leave, he will have been the first Brave since the 80s to go for the cycle, a feat he recently accomplished earlier this month. His .288 average and six home runs weren’t spectacular, but he provided a strong defense.
So if Kotsay’s run in Atlanta is over, his numbers won’t really be missed, but a consummate ballplayer will have left the team, and signs may be pointing towards a rebuilding year in 2009.
One interesting note, Tuesday on 790 The Zone, John Smoltz hinted in an interview that he and Glavine were both targeting a return to the team in 2009, and if he had to rate a return, he said chances were high. He also stressed that the Braves need to target pitching this offseason. Something to keep an eye on down the stretch.
A late edit, according to espn...."ESPN.com's Keith Law reports the player going back to Atlanta in exchange for Kotsay is 19-year-old outfielder Luis Sumoza, who is currently playing for Class A Lowell, Mass"
Kotsay was held out of the starting lineup, but did come into the game to pinch-hit in the bottom of the ninth inning, only to be intentionally walked. Kotsay, if last night was his last game as a Brave, went out with a bang as he slid hard into second to break up a potential game-ending double play and in the process, allowing the tying run to score. The next batter up Yunel Escobar followed through with the game winning hit, one that would not have been possible without Kotsay’s hard work.
Should the Braves trade away Kotsay, countless Braves will miss Kotsay, including manager Bobby Cox. Earlier this season Cox told clubhouse reporters how he liked “that Kid,” and Kotsay is respected across baseball for his hustle and hard work. The former Oakland Athletic was brought in to serve as the bridge from Andruw Jones to super-prospect Jordan Schafer, but with Schafer’s suspension, some thought the team might try and resign Kotsay.
Now though it appears as though Kotsay is northbound to compete in a pennant race. If he is to leave, he will have been the first Brave since the 80s to go for the cycle, a feat he recently accomplished earlier this month. His .288 average and six home runs weren’t spectacular, but he provided a strong defense.
So if Kotsay’s run in Atlanta is over, his numbers won’t really be missed, but a consummate ballplayer will have left the team, and signs may be pointing towards a rebuilding year in 2009.
One interesting note, Tuesday on 790 The Zone, John Smoltz hinted in an interview that he and Glavine were both targeting a return to the team in 2009, and if he had to rate a return, he said chances were high. He also stressed that the Braves need to target pitching this offseason. Something to keep an eye on down the stretch.
A late edit, according to espn...."ESPN.com's Keith Law reports the player going back to Atlanta in exchange for Kotsay is 19-year-old outfielder Luis Sumoza, who is currently playing for Class A Lowell, Mass"
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Two MAJOR disappointments for This Guy
So two things have really disappointed me recently....
Let's start with this season of The Hills
I'm sorry, but I am kind of getting tired of the boring old, same old same old story lines. HEY HILLS WRITERS, we get it. LC and Speidei don't like each other. WE GET IT. quit hitting us over the head with it. Also, we get that Twitney and LC's "boss" at People's Revolution is a beyotch. And that poor girl that worked there...it's about time she was fired. Wow. Did she not watch the show to see how she was portrayed?
But I WILL say that I do think Spencer is fantastic. I mean without him, we wouldn't have had this gold from last nights show:
"If I could unmake you as my sister, I WOULD."
"If there are two ships and you aren't on one, you've jumped ships"
and my favorite..."it's like asking Iran and Israel to get along!'
Hey writers, maybe some ORIGINAL story lines. and ps, that doesn't mean getting LC and Brody back together. JUST SAYING. And hey, where is Newport Harbor? I need Grant
I have also been disappointed with Taylor Swift's recent songs. THEY ALL SOUND THE SAME. I liked teardrops on my guitar and Our Song, but every other song sounds JUST LIKE THEM. I liked the originals. Not so much every OTHER one that sounds just like it. If she writes her own stuff, maybe her manager needs to take her aside and say, "Listen, Taylor, maybe we could get a few other folks in here to collaborate with you? Perhaps?"
Not trying to hate. I'm not mad. Just disappointed........
Let's start with this season of The Hills
I'm sorry, but I am kind of getting tired of the boring old, same old same old story lines. HEY HILLS WRITERS, we get it. LC and Speidei don't like each other. WE GET IT. quit hitting us over the head with it. Also, we get that Twitney and LC's "boss" at People's Revolution is a beyotch. And that poor girl that worked there...it's about time she was fired. Wow. Did she not watch the show to see how she was portrayed?
But I WILL say that I do think Spencer is fantastic. I mean without him, we wouldn't have had this gold from last nights show:
"If I could unmake you as my sister, I WOULD."
"If there are two ships and you aren't on one, you've jumped ships"
and my favorite..."it's like asking Iran and Israel to get along!'
Hey writers, maybe some ORIGINAL story lines. and ps, that doesn't mean getting LC and Brody back together. JUST SAYING. And hey, where is Newport Harbor? I need Grant
I have also been disappointed with Taylor Swift's recent songs. THEY ALL SOUND THE SAME. I liked teardrops on my guitar and Our Song, but every other song sounds JUST LIKE THEM. I liked the originals. Not so much every OTHER one that sounds just like it. If she writes her own stuff, maybe her manager needs to take her aside and say, "Listen, Taylor, maybe we could get a few other folks in here to collaborate with you? Perhaps?"
Not trying to hate. I'm not mad. Just disappointed........
Monday, August 25, 2008
The Rodney Dangerfield of the NFL
How come whenever the discussion of the best QBs of the NFL is started one name never gets kicked around but probably should: Jeff Garcia? Wait, did you just say Jeff Garcia? Yes. Yes I did.
Jeff Garcia has a career quarterback rating of 87.2, but this guy is a winner. Plain and simple, Garcia gets it done. He is enough of a QB that puts a borderline team all the way into the pool. Garcia has been in the league since 1999 and has been to four Pro Bowls in his NFL Career. But for some reason, folks (mostly fans, but some in the NFL) refuse to acknowledge his greatness. Let’s look back at his career, shall we? In his first season as a starter, replacing Hall of Famer Steve Young, Garcia set the San Francisco passing record with 4,278 yards. In his first season. Yep, that’s better than Young, and Montana and O’Sullivan. During the next few seasons, a few of them playoff appearances, he became joined some elite company in becoming just one of seven EVER to have two consecutive back-to-back 30 TD passing seasons. Only Favre, Manning, Tittle, Marino, Fouts and Bartkowski have accomplished that feat.
After a few unsuccessful stints in NFL wastelands Cleveland and Detroit, Garcia was signed on in Philly in 2006 to backup Donovan McNabb. Yet when McNabb got hurt, interestingly it was GARCIA that rallied to troops to five straight wins and another win in the playoffs. The team was OUT of it, and Garcia pulled them back in.
Yet at the end of the season, the team decided that McNabb was who the team wanted to hitch the wagon to and let Garcia walk. All he did was walk down to Tampa Bay and lead the Bucs to an NFC South Division title all while racking up the 3rd highest QB rating in the league and punching a ticket to the Pro Bowl. Philly, by the way, MISSED the playoffs with McNabb. Good call there Philly.
Garcia is a guy that has 149 career TD passes with an additional 26 rushing TDs. True his playoff record is 2-4, but I ask, what is Carson Palmer’s playoff record? How about Matt Hasselbeck’s playoff career? And I don’t need to bring up Michael Vick, but how come he was never able to thrive in the EXACT SAME SYSTEM that Garcia excelled in? I think Jeff Garcia should get mentioned as one of the better QBs in the NFL and he is certainly a top ten at this current time. If the Falcons had him last season, maybe they do a little better than how they finished. If they had had him during the Greg Knapp years, the Falcons would have achieved back-to-back winning seasons by now. BANK ON IT. No respect for Garcia? I can’t understand why the Bucs would have been trying to grab Favre last season. I am positive that the Bucs have the better season than the Jets and you’ll see Garcia in the Pro Bowl way before you see Favre there this season.
Jeff Garcia has a career quarterback rating of 87.2, but this guy is a winner. Plain and simple, Garcia gets it done. He is enough of a QB that puts a borderline team all the way into the pool. Garcia has been in the league since 1999 and has been to four Pro Bowls in his NFL Career. But for some reason, folks (mostly fans, but some in the NFL) refuse to acknowledge his greatness. Let’s look back at his career, shall we? In his first season as a starter, replacing Hall of Famer Steve Young, Garcia set the San Francisco passing record with 4,278 yards. In his first season. Yep, that’s better than Young, and Montana and O’Sullivan. During the next few seasons, a few of them playoff appearances, he became joined some elite company in becoming just one of seven EVER to have two consecutive back-to-back 30 TD passing seasons. Only Favre, Manning, Tittle, Marino, Fouts and Bartkowski have accomplished that feat.
After a few unsuccessful stints in NFL wastelands Cleveland and Detroit, Garcia was signed on in Philly in 2006 to backup Donovan McNabb. Yet when McNabb got hurt, interestingly it was GARCIA that rallied to troops to five straight wins and another win in the playoffs. The team was OUT of it, and Garcia pulled them back in.
Yet at the end of the season, the team decided that McNabb was who the team wanted to hitch the wagon to and let Garcia walk. All he did was walk down to Tampa Bay and lead the Bucs to an NFC South Division title all while racking up the 3rd highest QB rating in the league and punching a ticket to the Pro Bowl. Philly, by the way, MISSED the playoffs with McNabb. Good call there Philly.
Garcia is a guy that has 149 career TD passes with an additional 26 rushing TDs. True his playoff record is 2-4, but I ask, what is Carson Palmer’s playoff record? How about Matt Hasselbeck’s playoff career? And I don’t need to bring up Michael Vick, but how come he was never able to thrive in the EXACT SAME SYSTEM that Garcia excelled in? I think Jeff Garcia should get mentioned as one of the better QBs in the NFL and he is certainly a top ten at this current time. If the Falcons had him last season, maybe they do a little better than how they finished. If they had had him during the Greg Knapp years, the Falcons would have achieved back-to-back winning seasons by now. BANK ON IT. No respect for Garcia? I can’t understand why the Bucs would have been trying to grab Favre last season. I am positive that the Bucs have the better season than the Jets and you’ll see Garcia in the Pro Bowl way before you see Favre there this season.
What are you WAITING FOR?
I am getting sick of folks who are writing the columns and stories about how sick THEY are of folks anointing Michael Phelps as the greatest Olympian EVER.
They are saying, "He will be after 2012, but NOT NOW."
Right, like waiting four more years to do something you have ALREADY SAID you WILL do is going to make a difference.
Can you honestly explain to me your reasoning for saying that you aren't yet ready to crown him greatest ever? What is waiting four more years going to prove? You have already said you WILL do it then, so why wait? Why not do it now?
And my own radio station isn't above my annoyance right now too. A certain show that I REALLY like that comes on from 11-1 every Monday-Friday that I really like even said this. WHY? What are we waiting for? If you are saying that Jesse Owens should be #1, I retort, "I realize the situation was there, but you had a dude running against a bunch of white dudes that weren't that fast to begin with." Phelps is going up against WORLD CLASS Swimmers that are breaking records if not for Phelps. Some are even only swimming the one event, their speciality, and Phelps is taking them down. His range is greater than Carl Lewis's. Lewis ran and jumped. But did he run all the different distances and did he run some backwards? NO.
He did it over several Olympics and that is why some are saying, "Oh he needs to do it again." WAIT, he ALREADY DID IT ONCE. In Athens, the dude claimed HOW MANY GOLDS? he was going for 8 there too, and I think he got 6 golds plus two Bronze, so he HAS already done it in an Olympics other than 2008. Phelps as 14 Gold now (16 total) and is the most decorated Olympian ever. The greatest champion ever. How are people disputing this?
In all of the events he does? I just don't understand. If you try and say Carl Lewis, I still say, "Scoreboard." If you say Jesse Owens, I say "look at today's athletes, oh and scoreboard!"
You can't call this guy ANYTHING BUT Greatest Olympian, and waiting four more years just to crown this guy is stupid. Crown him now and let him live up to it in London. But WHEN he adds at LEAST 6 more in London plus probably two or three more the following Olympics, I will NOT be in the mood to slide over on the "Greatest EVER bandwagon." You should have gotten on when he broke the record.
They are saying, "He will be after 2012, but NOT NOW."
Right, like waiting four more years to do something you have ALREADY SAID you WILL do is going to make a difference.
Can you honestly explain to me your reasoning for saying that you aren't yet ready to crown him greatest ever? What is waiting four more years going to prove? You have already said you WILL do it then, so why wait? Why not do it now?
And my own radio station isn't above my annoyance right now too. A certain show that I REALLY like that comes on from 11-1 every Monday-Friday that I really like even said this. WHY? What are we waiting for? If you are saying that Jesse Owens should be #1, I retort, "I realize the situation was there, but you had a dude running against a bunch of white dudes that weren't that fast to begin with." Phelps is going up against WORLD CLASS Swimmers that are breaking records if not for Phelps. Some are even only swimming the one event, their speciality, and Phelps is taking them down. His range is greater than Carl Lewis's. Lewis ran and jumped. But did he run all the different distances and did he run some backwards? NO.
He did it over several Olympics and that is why some are saying, "Oh he needs to do it again." WAIT, he ALREADY DID IT ONCE. In Athens, the dude claimed HOW MANY GOLDS? he was going for 8 there too, and I think he got 6 golds plus two Bronze, so he HAS already done it in an Olympics other than 2008. Phelps as 14 Gold now (16 total) and is the most decorated Olympian ever. The greatest champion ever. How are people disputing this?
In all of the events he does? I just don't understand. If you try and say Carl Lewis, I still say, "Scoreboard." If you say Jesse Owens, I say "look at today's athletes, oh and scoreboard!"
You can't call this guy ANYTHING BUT Greatest Olympian, and waiting four more years just to crown this guy is stupid. Crown him now and let him live up to it in London. But WHEN he adds at LEAST 6 more in London plus probably two or three more the following Olympics, I will NOT be in the mood to slide over on the "Greatest EVER bandwagon." You should have gotten on when he broke the record.
That should be US!
The Braves are back from an unsuccessful road trip (0-3 vs. Mets, 1-2 vs. Cardinals) and have a day off before facing the Florida Marlins. Entering this series this late in the year the fact that one of these teams is 5 games back in the division and the other is 15 back isn’t surprising to anyone. What is surprising is that Florida is the team that’s closer to the top than to the bottom, where the Braves reside. (The Nationals sit 26 GB.)
When this season started the Braves, with a revamped rotation and Tex anchoring the lineup, looked like the team to beat in the NL East. The Marlins on the other hand looked like they might make a run at #3 in the division if all broke correctly. They had just traded the team ace and the team’s best hitter and many pundits figured, “maybe in 2010.” But Florida was out front early behind a strong bullpen and thanks to the power of second basemen Dan Uggla.
Eventually the Marlins faded back to No. 3 behind the Mets and the Phillies, but the Marlins have put the pressure on New York and Philadelphia that everyone thought Atlanta would. Injuries have certainly taken a toll on Atlanta’s chances, but the team’s road woes certainly have not helped. The Braves have now lost 27 straight one run decisions on the road and the clutch hit has eluded the team all season.
Teixeira was jettisoned at the end of July, but one month later, new first baseman Casey Kotchman hasn’t really stepped into the void. The team has had to rely on supersub Omar Infante to fill in at second, shortstop, centerfield and leftfield, and while he has stepped up, I think the Braves brass was hoping he would be a fill-in guy and not a necessitated starter.
Bottom line, injuries have crippled the team’s chances and possibly wrecked next season as well. With the uncertainty of a John Smoltz return as well as a Tom Glavine return, and with Tim Hudson out until August 2009 with an injury, this has not been one for the ages. Braves fans can only hope that Jeff Francoeur will use the last five weeks of the season to straighten out his swing; that McCann can snag another silver slugger award; that Chipper Jones can capture a batting title. There are still positives to strive for here. It is just a shame that some Braves fans have to look at Florida this week and say, “Why not us!?”
.
When this season started the Braves, with a revamped rotation and Tex anchoring the lineup, looked like the team to beat in the NL East. The Marlins on the other hand looked like they might make a run at #3 in the division if all broke correctly. They had just traded the team ace and the team’s best hitter and many pundits figured, “maybe in 2010.” But Florida was out front early behind a strong bullpen and thanks to the power of second basemen Dan Uggla.
Eventually the Marlins faded back to No. 3 behind the Mets and the Phillies, but the Marlins have put the pressure on New York and Philadelphia that everyone thought Atlanta would. Injuries have certainly taken a toll on Atlanta’s chances, but the team’s road woes certainly have not helped. The Braves have now lost 27 straight one run decisions on the road and the clutch hit has eluded the team all season.
Teixeira was jettisoned at the end of July, but one month later, new first baseman Casey Kotchman hasn’t really stepped into the void. The team has had to rely on supersub Omar Infante to fill in at second, shortstop, centerfield and leftfield, and while he has stepped up, I think the Braves brass was hoping he would be a fill-in guy and not a necessitated starter.
Bottom line, injuries have crippled the team’s chances and possibly wrecked next season as well. With the uncertainty of a John Smoltz return as well as a Tom Glavine return, and with Tim Hudson out until August 2009 with an injury, this has not been one for the ages. Braves fans can only hope that Jeff Francoeur will use the last five weeks of the season to straighten out his swing; that McCann can snag another silver slugger award; that Chipper Jones can capture a batting title. There are still positives to strive for here. It is just a shame that some Braves fans have to look at Florida this week and say, “Why not us!?”
.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Gwinnett County HS Football preview
As you all know I write for Score Atlanta and this year I've been moved from writing about Cobb schools to writing about 5 different Gwinnett schools. That's kind of cool. No disrespect to the Cobb Schools, but the Gwinnett schools are a little more "tradition-rich" than the Cobb schools. So I will be covering South Gwinnett, Brookwood, Norcross, Parkview, and Grayson. I am excited about it and I want to give a brief look though at all of the Gwinnett programs. I wrote this for Score originally, but it might not get run now. But I wanted to give an inside look at the county.
Any argument about the dominant high school football county in the state of Georgia MUST include Gwinnett County. With all due respect to the counties in South Georgia, Gwinnett features at least eight schools that enter each season counting on a state title. Any discussion of Gwinnett schools also must include the fantastic coaches that rival the collection of coaches of the SEC. And this season is no different.
Defending Class AA champ Buford lost a lot from the last year’s defense, but coach Jess Simpson does have his best defender from last season back in Dallas Lee, who also starts on the offensive line. The versatile Cody Getz also returns for the Wolves, and senior Michael May is scheduled to take over the quarterback position. GAC with new coach Ken Robinson will try and challenge the Wolves’ dominance with senior QB Colton Chapple and TB Blake Southerland. Both teams are young and the region should be decided when the two meet.
Another quarterbacks who will be taking over is Charles King of Norcross. He split time last season, but Coach Keith Maloof will need King to be steady and use standout RB DJ Adams and WR/DB Prince Kent as weapons to try and grab that elusive state title. The Blue Devils have been 22-3 the last two years, but both ended without a title. Bob Sphire of North Gwinnett has taken the Bulldogs to a 24-4 record the last two years and he came close to winning a title last season before losing in the championship game. The Bulldogs will have an explosive offense with QB Michael Tamburo (2900+ total yards 29 TDs), RB Tyler Jarry, WR Cordero Dixon, and TE Kenny Barnes, but the defense will be extremely young as the team lost 30 seniors from last year. Peachtree Ridge will be hard pressed to challenge these two for the region title as the defense, led by LSU-bound Kevin Minter, CB Connor Norman, and DE Michael Pate will have to carry a team still searching for an offensive identity. Mill Creek will try and sneak into the fourth playoff spot as the team returns Zach Landis at QB and RB Lenny Brooks. The Hawks went 7-4 last season to make the school’s first ever playoff appearance.
The Grayson Rams may be able to win Region 8-AAAAA with QB Tyler Horne and RB Ean Pemberton back, along with two tough Linebackers. The interior lines must have starters emerge, but look for the team to improve on its 2007 record of 10-3 with a third round appearance in the playoffs. Parkview will go as far as RB/LB Brandon Jacobs can carry them. The Panthers will have a strong backfield with TaRon Squires also toting the rock. Troy Davis and Berkmar will battle Brookwood and Kellen Williams for the third seed in Region 8-AAAAA.
With Buford and Parkview’s history and several others ready to make history, Gwinnett takes a backseat to no county for high school football. Success Plays Here.
PS be sure to tune in to 790 tomorrow for the Kell Powerade Classic, especially the Walton/Brookwood game at 2:30 and the Camden/Norcross game at 5:30 as THIS GUY is doing the games. Ohhhh yeah. High school football. I'm going home RIGHT NOW and watching Varsity Blues and Remember the Titans. Maybe even All the Right Moves. SWEET!
Any argument about the dominant high school football county in the state of Georgia MUST include Gwinnett County. With all due respect to the counties in South Georgia, Gwinnett features at least eight schools that enter each season counting on a state title. Any discussion of Gwinnett schools also must include the fantastic coaches that rival the collection of coaches of the SEC. And this season is no different.
Defending Class AA champ Buford lost a lot from the last year’s defense, but coach Jess Simpson does have his best defender from last season back in Dallas Lee, who also starts on the offensive line. The versatile Cody Getz also returns for the Wolves, and senior Michael May is scheduled to take over the quarterback position. GAC with new coach Ken Robinson will try and challenge the Wolves’ dominance with senior QB Colton Chapple and TB Blake Southerland. Both teams are young and the region should be decided when the two meet.
Another quarterbacks who will be taking over is Charles King of Norcross. He split time last season, but Coach Keith Maloof will need King to be steady and use standout RB DJ Adams and WR/DB Prince Kent as weapons to try and grab that elusive state title. The Blue Devils have been 22-3 the last two years, but both ended without a title. Bob Sphire of North Gwinnett has taken the Bulldogs to a 24-4 record the last two years and he came close to winning a title last season before losing in the championship game. The Bulldogs will have an explosive offense with QB Michael Tamburo (2900+ total yards 29 TDs), RB Tyler Jarry, WR Cordero Dixon, and TE Kenny Barnes, but the defense will be extremely young as the team lost 30 seniors from last year. Peachtree Ridge will be hard pressed to challenge these two for the region title as the defense, led by LSU-bound Kevin Minter, CB Connor Norman, and DE Michael Pate will have to carry a team still searching for an offensive identity. Mill Creek will try and sneak into the fourth playoff spot as the team returns Zach Landis at QB and RB Lenny Brooks. The Hawks went 7-4 last season to make the school’s first ever playoff appearance.
The Grayson Rams may be able to win Region 8-AAAAA with QB Tyler Horne and RB Ean Pemberton back, along with two tough Linebackers. The interior lines must have starters emerge, but look for the team to improve on its 2007 record of 10-3 with a third round appearance in the playoffs. Parkview will go as far as RB/LB Brandon Jacobs can carry them. The Panthers will have a strong backfield with TaRon Squires also toting the rock. Troy Davis and Berkmar will battle Brookwood and Kellen Williams for the third seed in Region 8-AAAAA.
With Buford and Parkview’s history and several others ready to make history, Gwinnett takes a backseat to no county for high school football. Success Plays Here.
PS be sure to tune in to 790 tomorrow for the Kell Powerade Classic, especially the Walton/Brookwood game at 2:30 and the Camden/Norcross game at 5:30 as THIS GUY is doing the games. Ohhhh yeah. High school football. I'm going home RIGHT NOW and watching Varsity Blues and Remember the Titans. Maybe even All the Right Moves. SWEET!
The Ultimate College Football Road Trip
I wrote this for Hooters magazine, but since everyone I know loves college football, I thought I'd throw this up here on the ole blog. Enjoy!
For those of us who live for college football, thank goodness kickoff is just around the corner. From Labor Day until New Years, college football junkies get their fix every weekend and several days during the week. College football has slowly seeped into nearly every day of the week that ends in “-ay” and the college pigskin sprawl now stretches from coast to coast.
But with college football being more popular than ever and with more games on more days, how will you know what game to watch each week? Where should you navigate the fully-loaded RV to each week, because road trips aren’t just for college students anymore?! Ice down the coolers, and let’s talk some football!
Week one starts off with a bang. You could head to the Georgia Dome to catch Clemson and Alabama and visit STATS Bar & Grill near the Dome for a pregame drink, but instead travel to St. Louis and grab tickets to the Missouri/Illinois game at the Edward Jones Dome. The Tigers will come into the season likely ranked in the top 10 and will face preseason top 25 the Fighting Illini. Illinois QB Juice Williams will be throwing to Arrelious Benn, but he doesn’t have a workhorse running back in Rashard Mendenhall to split the offensive burden. Juice will have to run it more against a tough Mizzou defense, and Chase Daniel will look to begin his Heisman campaign with a win. If you do catch this game, head to Ozzie’s afterwards for some St. Louis-style ribs. ESPN’s Cold Pizza recently named Ozzie’s, named for the former Cardinal shortstop, one of the top three sports bars in the country.
For the second week of the season you can head down to the Swamp to see a great Florida rivalry renewed. The Miami Hurricanes visit Gainesville to face reigning Heisman winner Tim Tebow and the Florida Gators. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium aka The Swamp is an attraction in itself and be sure to check out the new Tim Tebow plaque on the Ring of Fame. The noise during the fourth quarter of a close game, especially in a rivalry like this one, is deafening, so you may want to bring ear plugs. Plus, why would you want to miss out on seeing Tim Tebow? He is the only man alive to have ever counted to infinity…twice.
In what could be the biggest game of the regular season, Ohio State travels to Los Angeles on September 13 to face the men of Troy, aka USC. Many pundits are saying that the winner of this game has the inside track to a spot in the BCS Championship game. The two head coaches, Jim Tressel and Pete Carroll, may be the two best in the college game, and both teams might have a QB controversy in the works when this game rolls around. The song girls certainly make this game worth taking in by themselves!
On September 20, Tempe, Arizona, will be the place to be as Preseason No.1 Georgia will be heading west of the Mississippi River for a regular season game for the first time in seemingly forever. Former NFL head coach Dennis Erickson runs the Sun Devil program and the man certainly brings credibility to the program with a title from his Miami days. Mark Richt and his Dawgs will be a strong test for Rod Tidwell’s alma mater, but fans traveling to see the game will want to visit Monkey Pants Bar & Grill on South Mill Street.
The last week of September offers fans one of the best match-ups the Big Ten will offer all season. Wisconsin will travel to Michigan’s Big House and those cheering for the Maize and Blue will want to sing Hail to the Victors until they are hoarse. Meanwhile Badger fans might want to arrive on Thursday to check out the live music at the Irish pub Conner O’Neil’s. The food is traditional Irish cuisine and the strong whiskey drinks will leave fans in a tizzy come game time.
The following week fans will want to follow the Badgers back to Madison, Wisconsin, a place ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt once called, “the best college town in the country.” Ohio State will likely enter the game undefeated in Big Ten play and this battle could determine who takes the conference title. State Street Brats on State Street is the place to grab a pregame bratwurst. Also make sure to hit up a Copp’s Grocery store for some marshmallows to throw at the start of the fourth quarter.
The second weekend in October always means The Red River Shootout, even if OU and UT school officials won’t call it that anymore. The Texas state fair is held right outside the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, the site of the game. You can grab a deep-friend snickers or Twinkie before watching one team wrap up the Big 12 South Division title inside. This game will feature two good young QBs in Sam Bradford for the Oklahoma Sooners and Colt McCoy for the Texas Longhorns.
On October 18, the ACC will experience a Big East acid flashback as Virginia Tech will head up I-95 to face Boston College in Chestnut Hill. Last season, BC edged out VaTech in Blacksburg thanks to two late Matt Ryan TDs, but the Hokies got revenge in the ACC championship game. After the game, fans can tour around Boston to see historical sights or head to the Causeway for some general tomfoolery and a chance to scalp tickets to a Sox playoff game.
Notre Dame fans might need to hop on a plane to head out to Seattle for the team’s match-up with the Washington Huskies. This game might be Washington head coach’s Ty Willingham’s last chance to save his job by beating his former team. The controversy over Willingham’s dismissal angered a few, especially after the Irish’s terrible 2007 campaign. Willingham’s shot to remain with his current team will get a boost from his QB Jake Locker aka Tebow-lite. For those looking to party long into the night after the game, visit Earl’s on the Avenue with the stiffest drinks you have ever tasted. There is an unofficial bar rule that limits patrons to only two Long Island Ice Teas per night. After you’ve had your two beverages, stumble down to Pier 70 and visit the Real World House from MTV’s seventh season.
The beginning of November may clear a path for the BCS championship game for the winner of the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party (outside of Mardi Gras) in Jacksonville, Florida. This contest pits Hooters Magazine’s No.1 Georgia vs. No. 2 Florida. The “neutral site” game has become legendary over the years, and Florida owns the series recently, though UGA owns the overall series lead and won last season. In the days leading up to the big game, don your Halloween costume and head down to the Landing, and while you’re there, be sure and visit the Hooters for a great view…of the water!
Nebraska Cornhusker fans have had November 8 circled on their calendars ever since QB Todd Ressing and the rest of the Kansas Jawhawks laid the wood to the Huskers last season 76-39. This time the game is in Lincoln and the locals should be crazed animals when the game kicks off. If fans visiting Land o’ Corn also want to take in a true animalistic experience, visit the legendary Zoo Bar and take in live music ranging from reggae to blues for a walk on the wild side.
On November 15, you could travel down to the Swamp and watch the Old Ball Coach Steve Spurrier and his South Carolina Gamecocks face his old team Florida, but we recommend attending the border battle between Minnesota and Wisconsin, as the two schools battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe. Regardless of which team wins this contest, held this season in Madison’s Camp-Randall stadium, the victors will all carry around a huge axe. That’s just great theater.
The week prior to Thanksgiving gives fans the ultimate college football rivalry: Michigan/Ohio State. This season’s game take place in Columbus, Ohio and after you make your way past Kirk Herbstreit’s extended family, watch TBDBITL “Dot the I” in the Script Ohio formation. If you don’t get Goosebumps, I don’t believe you have a soul.
Post turkey-day the state of Alabama will shut down as the entire population will try and cram into Tuscaloosa and watch Auburn and Alabama battle in the Iron Bowl. The Tigers will attempt to make it seven straight over the Crimson Tide, but Nick Saban will likely have something to say about that. The Hooters in Tuscaloosa has a full bar, so grab some wings and a drink before heading to Bryant-Denny stadium for this classic feud.
The battle for LA highlights the final day of the schedule before all of the bowls commence. The USC Trojans will travel up to meet the Bruins of UCLA in Pasadena’s Rose Bowl in a game that could rekindle the rivalry. New UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel brought in former USC OC Norm Chow to coach the Bruins’ offense. The Rose Bowl is a national historic landmark, so feel the history dripping all around you as you take in this exciting tilt.
So from the opening kick to the final whistle, college football fans will once again display their passion and devotion to their teams in what could be the most explosive season ever. And if you can’t make it out on the Ultimate Football Road Trip, stop by your local Hooters and catch all the action.
For those of us who live for college football, thank goodness kickoff is just around the corner. From Labor Day until New Years, college football junkies get their fix every weekend and several days during the week. College football has slowly seeped into nearly every day of the week that ends in “-ay” and the college pigskin sprawl now stretches from coast to coast.
But with college football being more popular than ever and with more games on more days, how will you know what game to watch each week? Where should you navigate the fully-loaded RV to each week, because road trips aren’t just for college students anymore?! Ice down the coolers, and let’s talk some football!
Week one starts off with a bang. You could head to the Georgia Dome to catch Clemson and Alabama and visit STATS Bar & Grill near the Dome for a pregame drink, but instead travel to St. Louis and grab tickets to the Missouri/Illinois game at the Edward Jones Dome. The Tigers will come into the season likely ranked in the top 10 and will face preseason top 25 the Fighting Illini. Illinois QB Juice Williams will be throwing to Arrelious Benn, but he doesn’t have a workhorse running back in Rashard Mendenhall to split the offensive burden. Juice will have to run it more against a tough Mizzou defense, and Chase Daniel will look to begin his Heisman campaign with a win. If you do catch this game, head to Ozzie’s afterwards for some St. Louis-style ribs. ESPN’s Cold Pizza recently named Ozzie’s, named for the former Cardinal shortstop, one of the top three sports bars in the country.
For the second week of the season you can head down to the Swamp to see a great Florida rivalry renewed. The Miami Hurricanes visit Gainesville to face reigning Heisman winner Tim Tebow and the Florida Gators. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium aka The Swamp is an attraction in itself and be sure to check out the new Tim Tebow plaque on the Ring of Fame. The noise during the fourth quarter of a close game, especially in a rivalry like this one, is deafening, so you may want to bring ear plugs. Plus, why would you want to miss out on seeing Tim Tebow? He is the only man alive to have ever counted to infinity…twice.
In what could be the biggest game of the regular season, Ohio State travels to Los Angeles on September 13 to face the men of Troy, aka USC. Many pundits are saying that the winner of this game has the inside track to a spot in the BCS Championship game. The two head coaches, Jim Tressel and Pete Carroll, may be the two best in the college game, and both teams might have a QB controversy in the works when this game rolls around. The song girls certainly make this game worth taking in by themselves!
On September 20, Tempe, Arizona, will be the place to be as Preseason No.1 Georgia will be heading west of the Mississippi River for a regular season game for the first time in seemingly forever. Former NFL head coach Dennis Erickson runs the Sun Devil program and the man certainly brings credibility to the program with a title from his Miami days. Mark Richt and his Dawgs will be a strong test for Rod Tidwell’s alma mater, but fans traveling to see the game will want to visit Monkey Pants Bar & Grill on South Mill Street.
The last week of September offers fans one of the best match-ups the Big Ten will offer all season. Wisconsin will travel to Michigan’s Big House and those cheering for the Maize and Blue will want to sing Hail to the Victors until they are hoarse. Meanwhile Badger fans might want to arrive on Thursday to check out the live music at the Irish pub Conner O’Neil’s. The food is traditional Irish cuisine and the strong whiskey drinks will leave fans in a tizzy come game time.
The following week fans will want to follow the Badgers back to Madison, Wisconsin, a place ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt once called, “the best college town in the country.” Ohio State will likely enter the game undefeated in Big Ten play and this battle could determine who takes the conference title. State Street Brats on State Street is the place to grab a pregame bratwurst. Also make sure to hit up a Copp’s Grocery store for some marshmallows to throw at the start of the fourth quarter.
The second weekend in October always means The Red River Shootout, even if OU and UT school officials won’t call it that anymore. The Texas state fair is held right outside the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, the site of the game. You can grab a deep-friend snickers or Twinkie before watching one team wrap up the Big 12 South Division title inside. This game will feature two good young QBs in Sam Bradford for the Oklahoma Sooners and Colt McCoy for the Texas Longhorns.
On October 18, the ACC will experience a Big East acid flashback as Virginia Tech will head up I-95 to face Boston College in Chestnut Hill. Last season, BC edged out VaTech in Blacksburg thanks to two late Matt Ryan TDs, but the Hokies got revenge in the ACC championship game. After the game, fans can tour around Boston to see historical sights or head to the Causeway for some general tomfoolery and a chance to scalp tickets to a Sox playoff game.
Notre Dame fans might need to hop on a plane to head out to Seattle for the team’s match-up with the Washington Huskies. This game might be Washington head coach’s Ty Willingham’s last chance to save his job by beating his former team. The controversy over Willingham’s dismissal angered a few, especially after the Irish’s terrible 2007 campaign. Willingham’s shot to remain with his current team will get a boost from his QB Jake Locker aka Tebow-lite. For those looking to party long into the night after the game, visit Earl’s on the Avenue with the stiffest drinks you have ever tasted. There is an unofficial bar rule that limits patrons to only two Long Island Ice Teas per night. After you’ve had your two beverages, stumble down to Pier 70 and visit the Real World House from MTV’s seventh season.
The beginning of November may clear a path for the BCS championship game for the winner of the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party (outside of Mardi Gras) in Jacksonville, Florida. This contest pits Hooters Magazine’s No.1 Georgia vs. No. 2 Florida. The “neutral site” game has become legendary over the years, and Florida owns the series recently, though UGA owns the overall series lead and won last season. In the days leading up to the big game, don your Halloween costume and head down to the Landing, and while you’re there, be sure and visit the Hooters for a great view…of the water!
Nebraska Cornhusker fans have had November 8 circled on their calendars ever since QB Todd Ressing and the rest of the Kansas Jawhawks laid the wood to the Huskers last season 76-39. This time the game is in Lincoln and the locals should be crazed animals when the game kicks off. If fans visiting Land o’ Corn also want to take in a true animalistic experience, visit the legendary Zoo Bar and take in live music ranging from reggae to blues for a walk on the wild side.
On November 15, you could travel down to the Swamp and watch the Old Ball Coach Steve Spurrier and his South Carolina Gamecocks face his old team Florida, but we recommend attending the border battle between Minnesota and Wisconsin, as the two schools battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe. Regardless of which team wins this contest, held this season in Madison’s Camp-Randall stadium, the victors will all carry around a huge axe. That’s just great theater.
The week prior to Thanksgiving gives fans the ultimate college football rivalry: Michigan/Ohio State. This season’s game take place in Columbus, Ohio and after you make your way past Kirk Herbstreit’s extended family, watch TBDBITL “Dot the I” in the Script Ohio formation. If you don’t get Goosebumps, I don’t believe you have a soul.
Post turkey-day the state of Alabama will shut down as the entire population will try and cram into Tuscaloosa and watch Auburn and Alabama battle in the Iron Bowl. The Tigers will attempt to make it seven straight over the Crimson Tide, but Nick Saban will likely have something to say about that. The Hooters in Tuscaloosa has a full bar, so grab some wings and a drink before heading to Bryant-Denny stadium for this classic feud.
The battle for LA highlights the final day of the schedule before all of the bowls commence. The USC Trojans will travel up to meet the Bruins of UCLA in Pasadena’s Rose Bowl in a game that could rekindle the rivalry. New UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel brought in former USC OC Norm Chow to coach the Bruins’ offense. The Rose Bowl is a national historic landmark, so feel the history dripping all around you as you take in this exciting tilt.
So from the opening kick to the final whistle, college football fans will once again display their passion and devotion to their teams in what could be the most explosive season ever. And if you can’t make it out on the Ultimate Football Road Trip, stop by your local Hooters and catch all the action.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
and about NOW the execs wish they could rename the show
I watched the last 5 episodes of season two of Dawson's Creek last night and I saw...
-Abby die
-Jen freak out and get kicked out of Grams'
-Andie turn into a looney toon
-Andie leave
-Dawson get Joey to wear a wire and send her dad back to jail
and I have to say that even though I hate Jen, Joey and Dawson, PACEY IS FREAKING AWESOME. He totally saves this show. I think the producers realized what a douche Dawson was (and James Van Der Beek was) and decided, "F-it. I know it is called Dawson's Creek, but from now on, the hero is PACEY!" I am assuming THAT'S why he eventually will end up with Joey. But whether it's Pacey hitting his dad or getting Andie to come out of the bathroom, Pacey is a freaking superstar.
As for Jen, she freaks out after Abby dies, ummm you DID crash a wedding and then get drunk and watched your friend drown. And PS, what were you wearing to crash that wedding? I would have thrown you out if I were Andie and even if you HAD been invited for wearing that. SERIOUSLY? And hey Jen, way to crush a mother of a girl that just died with your You-Goog-ily there. REALLY? And as for your whole, "Grams, you have to admit, I've been through a lot for a 16 year old girl." How much was self-inflicted? Did someone FORCE you into all of those sex positions as a 14 year old? And your demands about moving back in? REALLY? Where were you going to go? On a bus to WHORESVILLE? You should have been BEGGING Grams to let you back in.
OK, Joey, I can't believe you wore a wire to bust your dad. REALLY? If I had been Mike Potter, I'd tattoo Joey's name on my knuckles, then if I EVER got out, I'd find her and treat her like one of Vick's dogs. You SNITCH! But how could you do that? Even if he IS doing something illegal, you MOVE AWAY with him. What was REALLY tying you to Capeside. Move away and start fresh somewhere where he won't fall RIGHT BACK INTO the traps. I am sure you can be poor somewhere else.
Now moving on to THE worst lead character EVER. I know you may say that "but it was the writers that made Dawson a 10lb bag of crap in a 7lb bag," but I disagree. I don't think JVDB brought much to the table. Just saying. And you got your girlfriend to wear a wire? Really? Did that make you feel good about yourself? (PS, this blog is brought to you by the word REALLY) As for your film career, I am not sure it is going to work out for you if you can't take criticism from a Hollywood washout that is now teaching in Capeside. Yeah.
Finally, I had a problem with Dawson's mom turning down Mitch by saying, "on no you want what we had. I need to go away for a while so we can find what we lost." Um isn't his asking you to stay FINDING WHAT YOU LOST, You know, what you HAD? I was a bit confused. REALLY.
Bottom line, Pacey hit his dad and finally stood up to him, then he broke down and cried, and it got a little dusty in Club Ferry. Yes it did. But Pacey continues to be the best freaking character in the whole show (actually Jack is pretty cool too now that he is gay and has a better hairstyle), but I am sure that the writers kicked Andie off the show so Pacey can get it on with Joey. And I hope that Joey becomes a cooler character now that the osmosis from Dawson might be over. By just osmosizing with Pacey she will become 10X cooler. Just saying.
All I can hope is that JVDB and Michelle Williams send Joshua Jackson some icy-hot and pillows for his back from having to CARRY the show for the entire second season. Just saying...............REALLY!
-Abby die
-Jen freak out and get kicked out of Grams'
-Andie turn into a looney toon
-Andie leave
-Dawson get Joey to wear a wire and send her dad back to jail
and I have to say that even though I hate Jen, Joey and Dawson, PACEY IS FREAKING AWESOME. He totally saves this show. I think the producers realized what a douche Dawson was (and James Van Der Beek was) and decided, "F-it. I know it is called Dawson's Creek, but from now on, the hero is PACEY!" I am assuming THAT'S why he eventually will end up with Joey. But whether it's Pacey hitting his dad or getting Andie to come out of the bathroom, Pacey is a freaking superstar.
As for Jen, she freaks out after Abby dies, ummm you DID crash a wedding and then get drunk and watched your friend drown. And PS, what were you wearing to crash that wedding? I would have thrown you out if I were Andie and even if you HAD been invited for wearing that. SERIOUSLY? And hey Jen, way to crush a mother of a girl that just died with your You-Goog-ily there. REALLY? And as for your whole, "Grams, you have to admit, I've been through a lot for a 16 year old girl." How much was self-inflicted? Did someone FORCE you into all of those sex positions as a 14 year old? And your demands about moving back in? REALLY? Where were you going to go? On a bus to WHORESVILLE? You should have been BEGGING Grams to let you back in.
OK, Joey, I can't believe you wore a wire to bust your dad. REALLY? If I had been Mike Potter, I'd tattoo Joey's name on my knuckles, then if I EVER got out, I'd find her and treat her like one of Vick's dogs. You SNITCH! But how could you do that? Even if he IS doing something illegal, you MOVE AWAY with him. What was REALLY tying you to Capeside. Move away and start fresh somewhere where he won't fall RIGHT BACK INTO the traps. I am sure you can be poor somewhere else.
Now moving on to THE worst lead character EVER. I know you may say that "but it was the writers that made Dawson a 10lb bag of crap in a 7lb bag," but I disagree. I don't think JVDB brought much to the table. Just saying. And you got your girlfriend to wear a wire? Really? Did that make you feel good about yourself? (PS, this blog is brought to you by the word REALLY) As for your film career, I am not sure it is going to work out for you if you can't take criticism from a Hollywood washout that is now teaching in Capeside. Yeah.
Finally, I had a problem with Dawson's mom turning down Mitch by saying, "on no you want what we had. I need to go away for a while so we can find what we lost." Um isn't his asking you to stay FINDING WHAT YOU LOST, You know, what you HAD? I was a bit confused. REALLY.
Bottom line, Pacey hit his dad and finally stood up to him, then he broke down and cried, and it got a little dusty in Club Ferry. Yes it did. But Pacey continues to be the best freaking character in the whole show (actually Jack is pretty cool too now that he is gay and has a better hairstyle), but I am sure that the writers kicked Andie off the show so Pacey can get it on with Joey. And I hope that Joey becomes a cooler character now that the osmosis from Dawson might be over. By just osmosizing with Pacey she will become 10X cooler. Just saying.
All I can hope is that JVDB and Michelle Williams send Joshua Jackson some icy-hot and pillows for his back from having to CARRY the show for the entire second season. Just saying...............REALLY!
No Tommy John for Tommy Glavine
If you can call elbow flexor tendon surgery a relief, you are a strange bird. But Braves lefthander Tom Glavine is considering himself lucky that he only needs surgery to repair his pitching elbow’s partially torn flexor tendon and not ligament transplant surgery aka Tommy John Surgery. Glavine received the results from the MRI and a diagnosis from Dr. James Andrews Wednesday that said the potentially career ending ligament transplant surgery was not needed. Glavine had hinted before receiving the results that should the pitcher need Tommy John surgery, he would end his career instead of undergoing the surgery and suffering through the 12-16 month rehab process. The surgery as is currently scheduled should only require a rehab stint of 4-5 months and Glavine, if he decides to come back next year and the Braves want him back, could put the starter back in time for the start of the season.
Glavine is 42 and has been on the DL now 3 times, all this season, his second stint with the Braves. He resigned with Atlanta on a one year/$8M deal before the season, but has only amassed a 2-4 record. The good news is that Glavine will get to choose whether or not to continue his career and not have his Hall of Fame career ended by injury. He has also told reporters that he would only come back next season to play for Atlanta. Now the front office has some decisions to make: begin to rebuild or take the payroll and resign Glavine and the also injured John Smoltz and make one last run in the last year of manager Bobby Cox’s contract.
Glavine is 42 and has been on the DL now 3 times, all this season, his second stint with the Braves. He resigned with Atlanta on a one year/$8M deal before the season, but has only amassed a 2-4 record. The good news is that Glavine will get to choose whether or not to continue his career and not have his Hall of Fame career ended by injury. He has also told reporters that he would only come back next season to play for Atlanta. Now the front office has some decisions to make: begin to rebuild or take the payroll and resign Glavine and the also injured John Smoltz and make one last run in the last year of manager Bobby Cox’s contract.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
First in Flight, last in PARENTING!
I was reading yahoo.com just a minute ago, and I threw up in my mouth. I saw where 16 year old Blake Peebles from Raleigh recently dropped out of high school OVER A YEAR AGO to devote more time to playing Guitar Hero. HUH? And apparently the state is letting him get away with it. According to the Raleigh News and Observer, this moron is "receiving at-home tuition in lieu of his schooling." WHAT? Tax dollars are going to this clown? I hope that was a typo on yahoo and from the newspaper.
Apparently it is all good though because this fool puts himself "among the top 15 or 20 Guitar Hero players in the country." That isn't an official ranking mind you. Just the one in his head. Why does he think that? well he's made about $1000 in prizes so far. Interesting. I saw a bar in downtown Atlanta that was giving away $1000 for ONE contest. Soooo in a YEAR of not going to school just to sit on his butt (actually I guess you don't sit while playing this game) he has basically won ONE tourney. Yeah, RIGHT UP THERE NEAR THE TOP JACK-OFF!
Listen, I realize that there ARE people out there making a living being "professional gamers" but they are PROBABLY making MORE than $1000 a year.
This is the worst part. He isn't an orphan. I would have thought MAYBE that's how his parents let him drop out of school, because they were dead. BUT NO. THEY ARE ALIVE, though maybe brain dead. The newspaper article said that the GUITAR HERO just "bugged them until they let him quit." "We couldn't take the complaining anymore," Peebles' mother Hunter told the News & Observer. "He always told me he thought school was a waste of time." Oh, well if a 16 year old says so, it MUST BE TRUE.
WHAT? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? If I tried to miss a day of school because I was sick, I was sent to school ANYWAYS. Are these parents for real?
I just think this is crazy. Am I in another universe right now where parents let their kids drop out of school to focus on video games? This isn't real right? Yahoo.com was kidding right?
no?
we are doomed.
Apparently it is all good though because this fool puts himself "among the top 15 or 20 Guitar Hero players in the country." That isn't an official ranking mind you. Just the one in his head. Why does he think that? well he's made about $1000 in prizes so far. Interesting. I saw a bar in downtown Atlanta that was giving away $1000 for ONE contest. Soooo in a YEAR of not going to school just to sit on his butt (actually I guess you don't sit while playing this game) he has basically won ONE tourney. Yeah, RIGHT UP THERE NEAR THE TOP JACK-OFF!
Listen, I realize that there ARE people out there making a living being "professional gamers" but they are PROBABLY making MORE than $1000 a year.
This is the worst part. He isn't an orphan. I would have thought MAYBE that's how his parents let him drop out of school, because they were dead. BUT NO. THEY ARE ALIVE, though maybe brain dead. The newspaper article said that the GUITAR HERO just "bugged them until they let him quit." "We couldn't take the complaining anymore," Peebles' mother Hunter told the News & Observer. "He always told me he thought school was a waste of time." Oh, well if a 16 year old says so, it MUST BE TRUE.
WHAT? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? If I tried to miss a day of school because I was sick, I was sent to school ANYWAYS. Are these parents for real?
I just think this is crazy. Am I in another universe right now where parents let their kids drop out of school to focus on video games? This isn't real right? Yahoo.com was kidding right?
no?
we are doomed.
Kell Powerade Classic to show off some of Georgia’s best talent
This Saturday when the Kell Powerade Classic kicks off the 2008 season at the Georgia Dome, a few of Georgia’s finest football players will be on display. Kicking off the kickoff classic will be Starrs Mill and their standout kicker Chirs Ward taking on Etowah. Ward has already committed to Tom O’Brien and NC State and Stephen Roberts has Ole Miss thirsting for the chance at this linebacker extraordinaire. Also, keep an eye on runningback Dan Ellis, a player Coach Mike Earwood says will be “one of the guys [they] can count on.”
In the second game, the Brookwood Broncos will face off against 2007 State semi-finalist Walton. Walton has senior Ray Rayburn returning to the quarterback position, but this should be his first season as full-time starter. He will be joined by David Paulsen DE/LB hybrid that can play offense and who has several offers on the table already entering his senior season. Brookwood lost a bunch of talent from last season, but the Offensive line, always a Bronco strength, will be anchored by Crimson Tide-bound Kellen Williams. He won’t have last year’s top rusher Kenny Miles to open holes for or last year’s QB Terence Davis making plays, but he should help establish a new running threat. On defense the Broncos are set at the linebacker position with Chris Martin and David Cooper and shouldn’t allow many points this season.
In the premier game of the classic, Norcross and its 22-3 record over the last two seasons takes on Camden, a state semi-finalist last year. Camden will be breaking in a new quarterback, but Christian Milstead has seen action under center before. Greg Baker and Maruqevious Myers join him in the backfield of this potent Wing-T attack. Norcross meanwhile will be run this season by Charles King, a dangerous runner and thrower and he will be tossing to Matt Autry and Prince Kent. The latter is also a standout on the defensive side of the ball and is committed to Miami. But any conversation involving the Blue Devils must begin and end with running back DJ Adams. The future Maryland Terp rushed for 1,400 yards last season while sharing the field with Brice Butler and DeVonta Bolton, but now it is the “Adams Show,” and he could grab 2000 all-purpose yards.
In the final game of the Classic, McEachern will debut its new Pistol offense, installed by new coach Kyle Hockman against the Rams of Grayson. The Rams have QB Tyler Horne and RB Ean Pemberton back and should again make the playoffs after going 10-3 last season with a trip to the third round of the playoffs. The Indians will be coming off the school’s first losing record in seemingly forever. Hockman comes to McEachern from Campbell and will utilize TE Terrell Mitchell in his new offense, a break from former coach Jimmy Dorsey’s Wing T.
So head down to the Georgia Dome this Saturday morning starting at 11:30 or just tune in to Sports Radio 790 The Zone and catch the action. Football is here and one week earlier than normal. Time to rejoice!
PS, this was also slated to be this week's 790 the zone article, but sometimes they don't post them in time.....
In the second game, the Brookwood Broncos will face off against 2007 State semi-finalist Walton. Walton has senior Ray Rayburn returning to the quarterback position, but this should be his first season as full-time starter. He will be joined by David Paulsen DE/LB hybrid that can play offense and who has several offers on the table already entering his senior season. Brookwood lost a bunch of talent from last season, but the Offensive line, always a Bronco strength, will be anchored by Crimson Tide-bound Kellen Williams. He won’t have last year’s top rusher Kenny Miles to open holes for or last year’s QB Terence Davis making plays, but he should help establish a new running threat. On defense the Broncos are set at the linebacker position with Chris Martin and David Cooper and shouldn’t allow many points this season.
In the premier game of the classic, Norcross and its 22-3 record over the last two seasons takes on Camden, a state semi-finalist last year. Camden will be breaking in a new quarterback, but Christian Milstead has seen action under center before. Greg Baker and Maruqevious Myers join him in the backfield of this potent Wing-T attack. Norcross meanwhile will be run this season by Charles King, a dangerous runner and thrower and he will be tossing to Matt Autry and Prince Kent. The latter is also a standout on the defensive side of the ball and is committed to Miami. But any conversation involving the Blue Devils must begin and end with running back DJ Adams. The future Maryland Terp rushed for 1,400 yards last season while sharing the field with Brice Butler and DeVonta Bolton, but now it is the “Adams Show,” and he could grab 2000 all-purpose yards.
In the final game of the Classic, McEachern will debut its new Pistol offense, installed by new coach Kyle Hockman against the Rams of Grayson. The Rams have QB Tyler Horne and RB Ean Pemberton back and should again make the playoffs after going 10-3 last season with a trip to the third round of the playoffs. The Indians will be coming off the school’s first losing record in seemingly forever. Hockman comes to McEachern from Campbell and will utilize TE Terrell Mitchell in his new offense, a break from former coach Jimmy Dorsey’s Wing T.
So head down to the Georgia Dome this Saturday morning starting at 11:30 or just tune in to Sports Radio 790 The Zone and catch the action. Football is here and one week earlier than normal. Time to rejoice!
PS, this was also slated to be this week's 790 the zone article, but sometimes they don't post them in time.....
Midweek entertainment report 8/20
A DMB founding member died, No Bigfoot in GA, We get two Hobbit movies and MLK's kids living off his dream.
Ladies and Gentlemen, it's the midweek entertainment report!
CLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAP!
Sadly saxophonist LeRoi Moore of the Dave Matthews Band died from complications from a June All-terrain vehicle accident. He had been released from the hospital recently but apparently he took a turn for the worse and passed away last night. Terrible and sad. I saw DMB several times and he will be missed. I hope the band can stick together.
The Bigfoot finding in Clayton County, GA, turned out to be, wait for it, A HOAX. Shocker. Apparently a used car dealer (shady) and a cop (shady) "found" bigfoot frozen in ice and a few fools from California flew the two AND the hunk of ice out to the Left Coast to examine the find, but the ice melted and the losers from CAL figured out it was a rubber monkey suit. DID YOU REALLY THINK BIGFOOT WAS REAL? I am not trying to defend the two idiots from GA who gave the state YET ANOTHER BLACK EYE, but did the people from the supposedly intelligent state of Cali REALLY think that there was a Bigfoot? Maybe they were smoking a little too much of that hydro sticky icky icky. OOOOOOWEEE!
Apparently the slovenly director Peter Jackson (who forgot to tuck his shirt in at the Oscars a few years back. I am guessing he was using the shirttail as a napkin?) has decided to make The Hobbit by JRR Tolken (spelling?) in TWO movies. I guess King Kong zapped all of his money from LOTR and he realizes that in order to REMAKE the money, he will have to prey off the losers that dress up like elves and make the LOTR PrequelS. Oh well, it gives Roomie and Myself a chance to MST the two movies to aggravate Sean enough to cry like we did for that Two Towers movies that ripped off Neverending Story. But the funniest part of the story is that PJax "looked around" for some writers to come up with a screenplay before deciding that...HE HIMSELF would do the screenplays. Duh. Did you REALLY think a guy that shows up to the Oscars looking like he has just worn his tux to cut his grass would let someone else try and seize his glory? No, he would lose all his LARP cred if he did that. And if you don't know what LARP is, that's OK. You likely didn't go to GaTech. Live Action Role Play.
Finally, I saw that Dexter King, son of MLK,Jr. is suing his brother and sister have established foundations that compete with the MLK Center and then used the Center for personal gain. SHOCKER! From what we've seen from this family, they are JUST like Selena's survivors in that they have devoted their lives to "honor" the deceased person, but really just suck off that person all that they can. Hey kids, have you EVER thought of turning the foundation over to people who KNOW how to run foundations? Then you can go out and make a name for YOURSELF and have YOUR OWN LIFE!? But that wouldn't be the easy way out I guess. It's just easier to NOT do real work and pretend to care about what your dad stood for. Quit being shady about what you do and get real jobs. COME ON. If you REALLY want your dad's legacy to live on without getting sullied by your own petty acts, then let someone ELSE run his center. You know, someone who KNOWS how to properly honor his memory. And you kids try and live by the standards he set.
Thanks everybody and RIP LeRoi Moore.
Ladies and Gentlemen, it's the midweek entertainment report!
CLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAP!
Sadly saxophonist LeRoi Moore of the Dave Matthews Band died from complications from a June All-terrain vehicle accident. He had been released from the hospital recently but apparently he took a turn for the worse and passed away last night. Terrible and sad. I saw DMB several times and he will be missed. I hope the band can stick together.
The Bigfoot finding in Clayton County, GA, turned out to be, wait for it, A HOAX. Shocker. Apparently a used car dealer (shady) and a cop (shady) "found" bigfoot frozen in ice and a few fools from California flew the two AND the hunk of ice out to the Left Coast to examine the find, but the ice melted and the losers from CAL figured out it was a rubber monkey suit. DID YOU REALLY THINK BIGFOOT WAS REAL? I am not trying to defend the two idiots from GA who gave the state YET ANOTHER BLACK EYE, but did the people from the supposedly intelligent state of Cali REALLY think that there was a Bigfoot? Maybe they were smoking a little too much of that hydro sticky icky icky. OOOOOOWEEE!
Apparently the slovenly director Peter Jackson (who forgot to tuck his shirt in at the Oscars a few years back. I am guessing he was using the shirttail as a napkin?) has decided to make The Hobbit by JRR Tolken (spelling?) in TWO movies. I guess King Kong zapped all of his money from LOTR and he realizes that in order to REMAKE the money, he will have to prey off the losers that dress up like elves and make the LOTR PrequelS. Oh well, it gives Roomie and Myself a chance to MST the two movies to aggravate Sean enough to cry like we did for that Two Towers movies that ripped off Neverending Story. But the funniest part of the story is that PJax "looked around" for some writers to come up with a screenplay before deciding that...HE HIMSELF would do the screenplays. Duh. Did you REALLY think a guy that shows up to the Oscars looking like he has just worn his tux to cut his grass would let someone else try and seize his glory? No, he would lose all his LARP cred if he did that. And if you don't know what LARP is, that's OK. You likely didn't go to GaTech. Live Action Role Play.
Finally, I saw that Dexter King, son of MLK,Jr. is suing his brother and sister have established foundations that compete with the MLK Center and then used the Center for personal gain. SHOCKER! From what we've seen from this family, they are JUST like Selena's survivors in that they have devoted their lives to "honor" the deceased person, but really just suck off that person all that they can. Hey kids, have you EVER thought of turning the foundation over to people who KNOW how to run foundations? Then you can go out and make a name for YOURSELF and have YOUR OWN LIFE!? But that wouldn't be the easy way out I guess. It's just easier to NOT do real work and pretend to care about what your dad stood for. Quit being shady about what you do and get real jobs. COME ON. If you REALLY want your dad's legacy to live on without getting sullied by your own petty acts, then let someone ELSE run his center. You know, someone who KNOWS how to properly honor his memory. And you kids try and live by the standards he set.
Thanks everybody and RIP LeRoi Moore.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Paddy Harrington steps up & OTHER STUFF I was right about
Every now and then I like to toot my own horn. This is a chance for me to toot it.
You can skip this if you'd like, but HEY, why not just read it and call me amazing?
Someone needed to win both the PGA and British Open and help the PGA Tour get back to treading water without Tiger. I hoped it would be a foreigner so when Tiger came back it could be like Rocky IV. I even hoped it would be someone from Europe that could maybe make a statement in the Ryder Cup to help spike ratings for Augusta and Tiger's return. Well Paddy Harrington stepped up, won his 2nd straight British Open as well as pulling off the rare feat of the British and PGA back-to-back, and now he looks like the strongest #2 Tiger has ever faced. Yes, I believe in Paddy over Phil at this point. Harrington won't blink under the pressure whereas Lefty still ALWAYS does. I think if Harrington takes down Mickleson at the Ryder Cup, the CBS folks would be thirsting for a Tiger/Harrington final pairing at Augusta. WOW. I said someone needed to step up ala Triple H when StoneCold went down, and Harrington did.
I said that the Hawks should have played the waiting game with Josh Smith because he wasn't worth max money. JSmoove couldn't believe that the Hawks wouldn't give a guy with a penchant for taking(not making, mind you) a 27 footer with 19 seconds left on the shotclock a max deal? What why not? Because you aren't smart enough to see you aren't worth it. Then they played it right, knowing he would panic and go sign with another team, not realizing that the Hawks were just waiting for a team to only offer him a deal in the 11.5 range instead of having to shell out 14/15 a year to keep him. Sure enough JSmoove did and the Hawks resigned their man to a smart deal so the team can still sign a PG this off-season. (HINT: Resign Bibby. you didn't make the postseason BEFORE he got there. You won't if the only true PG you've had the last 10 years leaves. Just saying...........)
Philip Rivers, Just saying. STILL Right about that one.
Mack Brown is NOTHING without Vince Young. Pretty sure that every season just confirms that one.
Florida would lose 5 games last year. Sorry, they only lost 4. Way to go Kentucky, letting them off the hook. Same with you Ole Miss. Good work losers!
Lastly, I wasn't right or wrong about this, but how about the season premire of The Hills last night? I like how LC said, "Oh I want you to meet my friends" to new man Doug. Umm I am pretty sure he knows your friends already. He went to a Lakers game with Frankie. And he is living in Hollywood and went to high school with them. You seem to still be hanging with them. I bet THEY KNOW HIM already. Lastly, can Lo get assassinated? She is just annoying at this point. She was rude to Audrina in their little talk and as for trying? Huh? When? In your room during her birthday party?
You can skip this if you'd like, but HEY, why not just read it and call me amazing?
Someone needed to win both the PGA and British Open and help the PGA Tour get back to treading water without Tiger. I hoped it would be a foreigner so when Tiger came back it could be like Rocky IV. I even hoped it would be someone from Europe that could maybe make a statement in the Ryder Cup to help spike ratings for Augusta and Tiger's return. Well Paddy Harrington stepped up, won his 2nd straight British Open as well as pulling off the rare feat of the British and PGA back-to-back, and now he looks like the strongest #2 Tiger has ever faced. Yes, I believe in Paddy over Phil at this point. Harrington won't blink under the pressure whereas Lefty still ALWAYS does. I think if Harrington takes down Mickleson at the Ryder Cup, the CBS folks would be thirsting for a Tiger/Harrington final pairing at Augusta. WOW. I said someone needed to step up ala Triple H when StoneCold went down, and Harrington did.
I said that the Hawks should have played the waiting game with Josh Smith because he wasn't worth max money. JSmoove couldn't believe that the Hawks wouldn't give a guy with a penchant for taking(not making, mind you) a 27 footer with 19 seconds left on the shotclock a max deal? What why not? Because you aren't smart enough to see you aren't worth it. Then they played it right, knowing he would panic and go sign with another team, not realizing that the Hawks were just waiting for a team to only offer him a deal in the 11.5 range instead of having to shell out 14/15 a year to keep him. Sure enough JSmoove did and the Hawks resigned their man to a smart deal so the team can still sign a PG this off-season. (HINT: Resign Bibby. you didn't make the postseason BEFORE he got there. You won't if the only true PG you've had the last 10 years leaves. Just saying...........)
Philip Rivers, Just saying. STILL Right about that one.
Mack Brown is NOTHING without Vince Young. Pretty sure that every season just confirms that one.
Florida would lose 5 games last year. Sorry, they only lost 4. Way to go Kentucky, letting them off the hook. Same with you Ole Miss. Good work losers!
Lastly, I wasn't right or wrong about this, but how about the season premire of The Hills last night? I like how LC said, "Oh I want you to meet my friends" to new man Doug. Umm I am pretty sure he knows your friends already. He went to a Lakers game with Frankie. And he is living in Hollywood and went to high school with them. You seem to still be hanging with them. I bet THEY KNOW HIM already. Lastly, can Lo get assassinated? She is just annoying at this point. She was rude to Audrina in their little talk and as for trying? Huh? When? In your room during her birthday party?
Monday, August 18, 2008
Fletcher Proctor thinks that's crazy!
Fletcher Proctor just thinks that Urban Meyer aka the old bawl coach is crying yet again. First it was that he was SO proud of his team DESPITE getting waxed by LSU in 2005. Then it was crying to get into the BCSCG in 2006, then it was that UGA hurt his feelings with the celebration.
Come on Urban Meyer, just admit that Urban Meyer got out-Urban Meyered.
Fletcher Proctor just wants Urban Meyer to stop with thinking that the celebration was way bigger than it was. Does Fletcher Proctor's memory serve Fletcher Proctor correctly when Fletcher Proctor remembers that the celebration happened IN THE FIRST QUARTER? Couldn't Urban Meyer fire Urban Meyer's troops up RIGHT THEN to win that game? Are you telling Fletcher Proctor that Urban Meyer wasn't good enough as a coach to do that?
Believe Fletcher Proctor or not, but Fletcher Proctor thinks that this year's Urban Meyer team is just USC 2005-06 remixed. That team was ALL offense with NO defense and Fletcher Proctor thinks that's what Urban Meyers team is this year. Urban Meyer has a great offense (that STILL doesn't work against great defenses, see Auburn, LSU, UGA, etc.) and not a lot of defense this year, so it might be YET ANOTHER 9-4, well maybe 10-3 team again this season. Sorry Urban Meyer. Would that get Urban crying again?
Fletcher Proctor just thinks that Urban's elephant-like memory is going to hurt Urban Meyer's team in that Urban Meyer's team will be TOO jacked up to play Urban Meyer's opponent on that first November weekend and Urban Meyer may not EVER forget what happened last year, but Fletcher Proctor thinks that Urban Meyer would serve Urban Meyer's team better to just forget it and move along.
PS, anyone that refers to him/herself in the third person in his/her own autobiography should realize that maybe he/she shouldn't be writing it if the reader needs to be reminded who the book is about. And if a person, say URBAN MEYER still refers to himself in the third person, he deserves to be danced upon as punishment. That's what Fletcher Proctor thinks!
Come on Urban Meyer, just admit that Urban Meyer got out-Urban Meyered.
Fletcher Proctor just wants Urban Meyer to stop with thinking that the celebration was way bigger than it was. Does Fletcher Proctor's memory serve Fletcher Proctor correctly when Fletcher Proctor remembers that the celebration happened IN THE FIRST QUARTER? Couldn't Urban Meyer fire Urban Meyer's troops up RIGHT THEN to win that game? Are you telling Fletcher Proctor that Urban Meyer wasn't good enough as a coach to do that?
Believe Fletcher Proctor or not, but Fletcher Proctor thinks that this year's Urban Meyer team is just USC 2005-06 remixed. That team was ALL offense with NO defense and Fletcher Proctor thinks that's what Urban Meyers team is this year. Urban Meyer has a great offense (that STILL doesn't work against great defenses, see Auburn, LSU, UGA, etc.) and not a lot of defense this year, so it might be YET ANOTHER 9-4, well maybe 10-3 team again this season. Sorry Urban Meyer. Would that get Urban crying again?
Fletcher Proctor just thinks that Urban's elephant-like memory is going to hurt Urban Meyer's team in that Urban Meyer's team will be TOO jacked up to play Urban Meyer's opponent on that first November weekend and Urban Meyer may not EVER forget what happened last year, but Fletcher Proctor thinks that Urban Meyer would serve Urban Meyer's team better to just forget it and move along.
PS, anyone that refers to him/herself in the third person in his/her own autobiography should realize that maybe he/she shouldn't be writing it if the reader needs to be reminded who the book is about. And if a person, say URBAN MEYER still refers to himself in the third person, he deserves to be danced upon as punishment. That's what Fletcher Proctor thinks!
Glavine's career over?
Braves pitcher Tom Glavine has said that should Tommy John surgery be recommended by the famed Dr. James Andrews to help fix his shoulder, he will just have the flexor tendon repaired and not get the ligament transplant surgery. This would effectively end Glavine’s career. Glavine returned to the mound this past Thursday after missing nearly two months while waiting for the tear in the flexor tendon to scar over, as surgery was not needed when the injury initially happened.
The typical rehab time for just a flexor tendon fix is 3-4 months, which means the 300 game winner could be ready for opening day next season, but a Tommy John transplant surgery’s rehab time is 12-16 months. Recently Braves starter Tim Hudson had the surgery and reliever Pete Moylan went under the knife near the start of the season. Mike Gonzalez is currently pitching for the Braves after having the surgery last year.
Glavine said though that he experienced pain while on the mound Thursday against the Cubs, a pain he didn’t have during or after two minor league rehab starts. He expects to have surgery to repair the flexor tendon, but has said he won’t have the ligament surgery, but that wouldn’t affect his golf game. He would still be able to live his normal life without the major surgery.
He has also said that if he did come back, it would only be to the Atlanta Braves and only if he was ready to go at the start of the season. He signed a one year , $8M deal before this season, and he has been on the DL three times this season, the first trips of his career.
In other news, Jair Jurrjens made a special trip to the Little League World Series in Williamspot, PA, Saturday to give Curacao a pep talk after the team’s morning game. Jurrjens is a 22 year old rookie that is 11-8 this season and the venture happened twelve hours after he scattered 2 runs on 8 hits over 7 innings while striking out a career high 9 batters but still picked up the loss as the Braves fell to the Giants 5-1. Jurrjens signed a few autographs and posed for pictures, but the team lost 6-2 to Mexico.
The typical rehab time for just a flexor tendon fix is 3-4 months, which means the 300 game winner could be ready for opening day next season, but a Tommy John transplant surgery’s rehab time is 12-16 months. Recently Braves starter Tim Hudson had the surgery and reliever Pete Moylan went under the knife near the start of the season. Mike Gonzalez is currently pitching for the Braves after having the surgery last year.
Glavine said though that he experienced pain while on the mound Thursday against the Cubs, a pain he didn’t have during or after two minor league rehab starts. He expects to have surgery to repair the flexor tendon, but has said he won’t have the ligament surgery, but that wouldn’t affect his golf game. He would still be able to live his normal life without the major surgery.
He has also said that if he did come back, it would only be to the Atlanta Braves and only if he was ready to go at the start of the season. He signed a one year , $8M deal before this season, and he has been on the DL three times this season, the first trips of his career.
In other news, Jair Jurrjens made a special trip to the Little League World Series in Williamspot, PA, Saturday to give Curacao a pep talk after the team’s morning game. Jurrjens is a 22 year old rookie that is 11-8 this season and the venture happened twelve hours after he scattered 2 runs on 8 hits over 7 innings while striking out a career high 9 batters but still picked up the loss as the Braves fell to the Giants 5-1. Jurrjens signed a few autographs and posed for pictures, but the team lost 6-2 to Mexico.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Bulldog Friday. GO Dawgs!
As I have done the last few weeks, I am throwing out my thoughts on The Dawgs, (you know, the Coaches' #1, SI's #1 and TSN's #1). (I am also going to put this out there to throw people off who I might be picking in the UGA Boy draft tomorrow. I feel like an NFL GM, throwing out smoke signals as to who I might pick...)
I saw where Knowshon Moreno might be returning punts this year. Wow. That's good and bad at the same time. Good in the sense that Knowshon is fantastic and could really do some stuff in the open field if given the chance. I like it whenever Knowshon touches the ball. He has moves that remind me of Reggie Bush (back in college, Bush was pretty good, in the NFL, not so much) and he COULD TAKE one to the house in a second. But the negative is, he is a sitting duck out there sometimes and those special teams players would LOVE to hit the coverboy of all of the magazines. I think it is interesting that 3rd string QB Logan Gray is also in the mix to return punts. WOW. shows you the athlete he is. I just wonder about the future of the GA QB situation. If Stafford leaves after this season (and if he wins a nat'l title, he will be the No.1 overall. Why stay?) then would Joe Cox or Logan Gray be the QB next year? Or would Aaron Murray the true frosh get it? I doubt that. Why burn up a year if Murray isn't going to be the full bore guy. What if stafford comes back? then in 2010, you have Redshirts Murray and Mettenberger and Redshirt JUNIOR at that point Logan Gray. I like the future of Georgia football at the QB position.
I saw where Asher Allen is being called just a kick returner, even though last season he set the Georgia record for PR yards, or something. That's fine. He is too good a CB that I would want to risk an injury there as a PR. Also, I would like to see true frosh Carlton Thomas from Frostproof, FL get back there. They say Noel Devine/CJ Spiller-type. I like that.
Finally, the injuries are bad, and the Trinton Sturdivant injury REALLY hurts, but I try to be glass half-full. At LEAST it happened NOW and not in week 2 before South Carolina. Now the Dawgs can get some guys in to try out the position or to get comfortable enough that Stafford will hopefully feel comfortable by the time the real games begin. Silver lining. THe new LT will get some game speed at him with GSU and CMU before SoCar and ZonaState.
Overall, I still don't want to back away from saying that UGA still have the fewest warts. Injuries are starting to take tolls on teams, UGA lost a LT, but Fla has lost 5 players to ACLs, USC is missing a QB and RB and having to go with Mitch Mustain early. Mizzou lost a DT, Ohio State still sucks as a whole (they could be COMPLETELY healthy and still bite. How about you try Tyrelle Pryor[spelling] on DEFENSE? get some speed out there. Look what it did for LSU and Fla, duh Ohio State!). And Clemson, really? Come off it.
OU's schedule really sets up well for them. I am thinking that UGA is now going to go against the Sooners for the title. The last time OU played for the title in Miami against a team coached (sort of) by Mark Richt, they had some success. If ONLY UGA could get that game moved to the Fiesta Bowl, then it would be a BLOWOUT!
I saw where Knowshon Moreno might be returning punts this year. Wow. That's good and bad at the same time. Good in the sense that Knowshon is fantastic and could really do some stuff in the open field if given the chance. I like it whenever Knowshon touches the ball. He has moves that remind me of Reggie Bush (back in college, Bush was pretty good, in the NFL, not so much) and he COULD TAKE one to the house in a second. But the negative is, he is a sitting duck out there sometimes and those special teams players would LOVE to hit the coverboy of all of the magazines. I think it is interesting that 3rd string QB Logan Gray is also in the mix to return punts. WOW. shows you the athlete he is. I just wonder about the future of the GA QB situation. If Stafford leaves after this season (and if he wins a nat'l title, he will be the No.1 overall. Why stay?) then would Joe Cox or Logan Gray be the QB next year? Or would Aaron Murray the true frosh get it? I doubt that. Why burn up a year if Murray isn't going to be the full bore guy. What if stafford comes back? then in 2010, you have Redshirts Murray and Mettenberger and Redshirt JUNIOR at that point Logan Gray. I like the future of Georgia football at the QB position.
I saw where Asher Allen is being called just a kick returner, even though last season he set the Georgia record for PR yards, or something. That's fine. He is too good a CB that I would want to risk an injury there as a PR. Also, I would like to see true frosh Carlton Thomas from Frostproof, FL get back there. They say Noel Devine/CJ Spiller-type. I like that.
Finally, the injuries are bad, and the Trinton Sturdivant injury REALLY hurts, but I try to be glass half-full. At LEAST it happened NOW and not in week 2 before South Carolina. Now the Dawgs can get some guys in to try out the position or to get comfortable enough that Stafford will hopefully feel comfortable by the time the real games begin. Silver lining. THe new LT will get some game speed at him with GSU and CMU before SoCar and ZonaState.
Overall, I still don't want to back away from saying that UGA still have the fewest warts. Injuries are starting to take tolls on teams, UGA lost a LT, but Fla has lost 5 players to ACLs, USC is missing a QB and RB and having to go with Mitch Mustain early. Mizzou lost a DT, Ohio State still sucks as a whole (they could be COMPLETELY healthy and still bite. How about you try Tyrelle Pryor[spelling] on DEFENSE? get some speed out there. Look what it did for LSU and Fla, duh Ohio State!). And Clemson, really? Come off it.
OU's schedule really sets up well for them. I am thinking that UGA is now going to go against the Sooners for the title. The last time OU played for the title in Miami against a team coached (sort of) by Mark Richt, they had some success. If ONLY UGA could get that game moved to the Fiesta Bowl, then it would be a BLOWOUT!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Struggling outfield could get boost from minors…
Because I KNOW you LOVE hearing my thoughts on the Braves.....
With manager Bobby Cox juggling his outfield lineup seemingly daily to try and find the juiciest setup, the short-term answer to the problem may be recalling Josh Anderson from the minors to step in. Anderson is currently sporting a 20 game hitting streak, one he extended last night with a leadoff home run. Acquired in the offseason from Houston for Oscar Villareal, Anderson lost out to Gregor Blanco for a roster spot out of spring training, but in 11 games earlier this year, all Anderson did was hit .318 with 7 hits in 22 at-bats with 2 RBI, 3 runs, 2 stolen bases with a .375 OBP (he has a career .404 OBP). He even played a solid outfield with no errors and one assist for a perfect 1.000 fielding pct.
Given the current outfield struggles, Anderson would fit in nicely to try and add some juice. To try and help Frenchy shake his funk, Cox has him batting 8th, but that hasn’t seemed to help raise his .224 average or cut down on his 85 strikeouts. Mark Kotsay in center is only hitting .288 with five home runs. Anderson would likely put up similar or better numbers over the remainder of the season, should he see time in the field. Omar Infante has been fantastic over the last few weeks and his .309 average is outstanding, but the do-it-all sees time in the infield just as much as the outfield and he may better be served as a fill-in here and there.
It all boils down to looking at the future of the team in 2009. Josh Anderson might be battling Brandon Jones for the role stopgap in left next year until Jason Heyward can make the jump to the majors in 2010. If he can get some at-bats now, he would have the inside track on the job and his speed could help the Braves add a few more runs to the board in a year where they are struggling to post numbers.
In other news, with Tom Glavine scheduled to make his first start since June 10, the likely candidates to be moved to create a roster spot are Vladimir Nunez and rookie Francisley Bueno. Bueno was ejected from his major league debut yesterday for throwing at Alfonso Soriano.
Also, the Braves will be wearing SKIP patches on their uniforms for the rest of the season to honor the late Braves broadcaster Skip Caray. The team is already wearing a BEACH patch for former Braves coach Jim Beauchamp.
With manager Bobby Cox juggling his outfield lineup seemingly daily to try and find the juiciest setup, the short-term answer to the problem may be recalling Josh Anderson from the minors to step in. Anderson is currently sporting a 20 game hitting streak, one he extended last night with a leadoff home run. Acquired in the offseason from Houston for Oscar Villareal, Anderson lost out to Gregor Blanco for a roster spot out of spring training, but in 11 games earlier this year, all Anderson did was hit .318 with 7 hits in 22 at-bats with 2 RBI, 3 runs, 2 stolen bases with a .375 OBP (he has a career .404 OBP). He even played a solid outfield with no errors and one assist for a perfect 1.000 fielding pct.
Given the current outfield struggles, Anderson would fit in nicely to try and add some juice. To try and help Frenchy shake his funk, Cox has him batting 8th, but that hasn’t seemed to help raise his .224 average or cut down on his 85 strikeouts. Mark Kotsay in center is only hitting .288 with five home runs. Anderson would likely put up similar or better numbers over the remainder of the season, should he see time in the field. Omar Infante has been fantastic over the last few weeks and his .309 average is outstanding, but the do-it-all sees time in the infield just as much as the outfield and he may better be served as a fill-in here and there.
It all boils down to looking at the future of the team in 2009. Josh Anderson might be battling Brandon Jones for the role stopgap in left next year until Jason Heyward can make the jump to the majors in 2010. If he can get some at-bats now, he would have the inside track on the job and his speed could help the Braves add a few more runs to the board in a year where they are struggling to post numbers.
In other news, with Tom Glavine scheduled to make his first start since June 10, the likely candidates to be moved to create a roster spot are Vladimir Nunez and rookie Francisley Bueno. Bueno was ejected from his major league debut yesterday for throwing at Alfonso Soriano.
Also, the Braves will be wearing SKIP patches on their uniforms for the rest of the season to honor the late Braves broadcaster Skip Caray. The team is already wearing a BEACH patch for former Braves coach Jim Beauchamp.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Midweek Entertainment report 8/13/08..the bg 2.7.
Phelps is the GOAT, an immigrant helps America be UGLY, Mrs. Pitt steals a role from Mr. Katie Holms and I am old
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE MIDWEEK ENTERTAINMENT REPORT!
CLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAP!
When he touched the wall last night to capture his 10th gold (and later his 11th career gold), Michael Phleps became, according to Dan Hicks, "the greatest of all time." He is the most decorated of all time with now 11 golds to go along with a few other colors from 2000 and 2004, and I think he has become one of THE MOST DOMINANT CLOSERS in all of Sports. Of all time. The list includes Jordan, Tiger and now Phelps. Roger Federer has fallen from the list. When there is something up for debate in the pool, Phelps goes in and crushes. Every single medal he's won in China has come with a world record. He is doing something so well that no one else even has a shot. He is doing events he didn't do in 2004 and he is planning on a few new events in 2012 that he isn't doing now. He is 23. In 2012 he is 27(another 6 golds), in 2016 he is 31(and he could win 2 or 3 medals in that one). The guy will be, if he isn't already THE MOST DOMINANT/GREATEST Olympian ever.
If you want to debate, fine. Jessie Owens..did he compete in the 1932 or 1940? Spitz did the 1968, but won two medals? Carl Lewis had a range, but so does Phelps. Phelps is probably the owner of a wider variety of skilss than Lewis.
I guess I have to wait until 2012 for everyone else to agree with me, but let's be real. He is the best closer in all of sports right now, especially with Tiger on the shelf and it cannot be argued. PERIOD
So Alicia Sacramone blew the gold for the Women's Olympic gymnastics team (well as much as Terrence Edwards blew the UGA/Florida game in 2002. He didn't really, the team did with the Pollack forward lateral and the JT Wall failure to get into the endzone, but we can forget all of that by just remembering Terrence dropping the wide open pass. Same with Alicia's two falls. The team had a shot, but the balance beam fall then the floor fall did the team in. And that hurts, I was rooting for her and the team. In fact I thought she was the hottest-sorry wifey.) but it was the coach Marta Krolyi that is making us the Ugly Americans again. She is claiming that the judges purposly froze Alicia before her beam routine. Then there was the claim that the judges were not taking off enough from China's wobbles. MARTA, just say Congrats to China and get your girls ready for the individual events. Shawn Johnson said it. Why Can't you?
(And on a side note, I feel really bad for Alicia because at 20 years old, her career is likely over, and she has probably been working on these routines since she was 3 or 4. Imagine pouring your ENTIRE life into these Games, only to fall or come up short and realize that your entire life has been a failure. Not saying she doesn't have time to rebound and make something of her life, but her entire life leading up to this week WAS for this week. It was Gold or bust and a silver is considered a bust by the Americans. I remember when I was 20, I wouldn't consider my life a bust because I was still striving for a career in radio and/or tv and upon graduation I got one. So I guess I was a success. Too bad for Alicia that it was not. I know that, as she goes to Brown, she WILL make something of herself in the future, but going on their arguments, it was all wasted. But at least she had the shot that a few of the other girls that were injured didn't get. That would be worse, to never know...)
I see where the Producers of "SALT" will replace Tom Cruise with Angelina Jolie in the leading role. They will change the character from male to female in the role of CIA operative accused of being a Russian Spy attempting to assassinate the prez. That is strange, isn't it? Going, "well we've got Tom Cruise, but his scientology stuff is freaking us out. We should replace him, but who to get? Matt Damon? Josh Hartnett? Brad Pitt? Wait, how about Pitt's wife/partner? Yeah, that would be PERFECT!" Male to female. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Oh well. I just hope Angelina signs on as Catwoman for the next Batman movie.
Finally, I feel old. I'm 27 now and I think i saw some gray hair this morning. I guess that's better than NO HAIR.
I would say sorry for the Olympics dominated mwer, but NO. That's what's on TV these days. And I can do whatever I want.
Have a good one, Everybody!
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE MIDWEEK ENTERTAINMENT REPORT!
CLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAP!
When he touched the wall last night to capture his 10th gold (and later his 11th career gold), Michael Phleps became, according to Dan Hicks, "the greatest of all time." He is the most decorated of all time with now 11 golds to go along with a few other colors from 2000 and 2004, and I think he has become one of THE MOST DOMINANT CLOSERS in all of Sports. Of all time. The list includes Jordan, Tiger and now Phelps. Roger Federer has fallen from the list. When there is something up for debate in the pool, Phelps goes in and crushes. Every single medal he's won in China has come with a world record. He is doing something so well that no one else even has a shot. He is doing events he didn't do in 2004 and he is planning on a few new events in 2012 that he isn't doing now. He is 23. In 2012 he is 27(another 6 golds), in 2016 he is 31(and he could win 2 or 3 medals in that one). The guy will be, if he isn't already THE MOST DOMINANT/GREATEST Olympian ever.
If you want to debate, fine. Jessie Owens..did he compete in the 1932 or 1940? Spitz did the 1968, but won two medals? Carl Lewis had a range, but so does Phelps. Phelps is probably the owner of a wider variety of skilss than Lewis.
I guess I have to wait until 2012 for everyone else to agree with me, but let's be real. He is the best closer in all of sports right now, especially with Tiger on the shelf and it cannot be argued. PERIOD
So Alicia Sacramone blew the gold for the Women's Olympic gymnastics team (well as much as Terrence Edwards blew the UGA/Florida game in 2002. He didn't really, the team did with the Pollack forward lateral and the JT Wall failure to get into the endzone, but we can forget all of that by just remembering Terrence dropping the wide open pass. Same with Alicia's two falls. The team had a shot, but the balance beam fall then the floor fall did the team in. And that hurts, I was rooting for her and the team. In fact I thought she was the hottest-sorry wifey.) but it was the coach Marta Krolyi that is making us the Ugly Americans again. She is claiming that the judges purposly froze Alicia before her beam routine. Then there was the claim that the judges were not taking off enough from China's wobbles. MARTA, just say Congrats to China and get your girls ready for the individual events. Shawn Johnson said it. Why Can't you?
(And on a side note, I feel really bad for Alicia because at 20 years old, her career is likely over, and she has probably been working on these routines since she was 3 or 4. Imagine pouring your ENTIRE life into these Games, only to fall or come up short and realize that your entire life has been a failure. Not saying she doesn't have time to rebound and make something of her life, but her entire life leading up to this week WAS for this week. It was Gold or bust and a silver is considered a bust by the Americans. I remember when I was 20, I wouldn't consider my life a bust because I was still striving for a career in radio and/or tv and upon graduation I got one. So I guess I was a success. Too bad for Alicia that it was not. I know that, as she goes to Brown, she WILL make something of herself in the future, but going on their arguments, it was all wasted. But at least she had the shot that a few of the other girls that were injured didn't get. That would be worse, to never know...)
I see where the Producers of "SALT" will replace Tom Cruise with Angelina Jolie in the leading role. They will change the character from male to female in the role of CIA operative accused of being a Russian Spy attempting to assassinate the prez. That is strange, isn't it? Going, "well we've got Tom Cruise, but his scientology stuff is freaking us out. We should replace him, but who to get? Matt Damon? Josh Hartnett? Brad Pitt? Wait, how about Pitt's wife/partner? Yeah, that would be PERFECT!" Male to female. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Oh well. I just hope Angelina signs on as Catwoman for the next Batman movie.
Finally, I feel old. I'm 27 now and I think i saw some gray hair this morning. I guess that's better than NO HAIR.
I would say sorry for the Olympics dominated mwer, but NO. That's what's on TV these days. And I can do whatever I want.
Have a good one, Everybody!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Dream Team v Redeem Team. Who'd win?
Before we begin, let's have a moment of silence for UGA LT Trinton Sturdivant, who will undergo season ending knee surgery. This is a big blow to UGA's season, but hopefully they can overcome. Champions have to rise up. Let's hope the Dawgs can.
Now then, ON TO the Dream Team v the Redeem team. I was breaking down the matchup of the two teams as a co-worker and I bemoaned the fact that Women's weightlifting is being shown on NBC, but not Men's basketball featuring the best collection of talent since 1992. We started to debate on whether or not this team is better than that team was. It seemed crazy at first, but you have to remember that the 1992 Dream Team was facing a bunch of bums and this team is facing fellow NBA players on other teams. (I still am a little disappointed that The Rat King can't get this team to beat teams until the 3rd Qtr. I mean I just don't get this. Kinda like how I don't get traffic, but I digress)
If you were to break down the rosters, the 1992 team is star-studded, but so is the 2008 team. The 1992 team is taller, but the 2008 is more athletic.
Let's look at the teams
1992
Barkley, Bird, Ewing, Magic, Jordan with Drexler, Laettner, Malone, Mullin, Pippen, Robinson and Stockton off the bench.
Barkley was in his prime, Bird was semi-retired, Ewing was destroyed by Hakeem two years later, Magic was HIV retired and Jordan was in his PRIME. On the Bench, Drexler was overrated, Laettner was on the team because...., Malone was a fantastic role player, Mullin could shoot I guess?, Pippen was a defensive stopper (as was Jordan for that matter. These two destroyed Toni Kukoch[spelling] in that one game), Robinson was never an aggresive player and Stockton was a good, solid (dirty) point guard.
Now then. Let's look at 2008
LeBron, Melo, Dwight Howard, JKidd, Kobe with Deron Williams, Michael Redd, Carlos Boozer, Dwyane[sic] Wade, Chris Bosh, CP3, Tayshaun Price.
LeBron is unstoppable right now, and he hasn't reached his prime yet. Just TRY and stop him in the open court. I hate to admit it, but he is ONLY going to get better. I like him when he is on Team USA, just not otherwise. Melo has embraced the role of Team USA for whatever reason. Just make sure he has a driver! Howard has a bit of the Robinson syndrome, but I think he could destroy any other Center alive today. yeah, I said it. JKidd has the international experience, and while he would have been perfect in 2004(age-wise) he holding the seat for CP3. As for Kobe, he is being asked to be a defensive stopper, something the Doberman/Mamba can do. As for the bench, DWill is a big physical point guard, who if these teams were playing, I'd start against Magic. He is physical enough not to be abused by Magic posting up. Redd can flat out fill the basket, and that is his role. Boozer is a wide body. Plus he's from Alaska. D-Wade. The 1996 team didn't have a D-Wade. A 6th man guard that can flat fill up the hoop and can't be stopped with a head of steam. Bosh is a Howard-lite and can defend anyone from a 4 to a 5, but might be better to be a 4 in the NBA, but can guard any world 5, if that makes sense. CP3 is going to be the best point guard in history when it is all said and done, and he is probably the best right now in the game. As for Tayshaun, he plays D and can shoot the 3, I am guessing that's why he's on the team.
OK, so let's look at how the two teams match up with one another.
First with the bench...
Drexler with Deron Williams. Both would be the backup combo guard. I never thought Drexler was all that good. I think he was on the team because he took the Blazers to the finals and lost to Chicago. DWill would body him up and break him down. I think Williams could post up The Glide and could neutralize him during the game. ADVANTAGE: 2008
Laettner v Boozer Both Duke Boys, but I can understandy why Boozer is on the team. It is 16 years later, and I STILL can't figure out why Laettner is there? Boozer would destroy Christian, much like booze has destroyed many christians over the years ADVANTAGE: 2008
Karl Malone v Dwyane [sic] Wade These two guys I think were the first ones off the bench for both teams, but both were/are vastly different players. Wade is a slasher while Malone could go 3-4-5 out there. Malone wasn't really called upon to score for this team if I recall, but as his career wore on, he became quite a scorer AND defender. Really a special player, but not sure if he was that in 1992 like Wade is (Finals MVP already) ADVANTAGE: WASH (They do stuff too differently to compaire them appropriately)
Mullin v Redd The two shooters. I would call this one a wash, but I am going to give it to Redd. I know Mullin, in his prime was something to behold, but to borrow a line from Isiah, if he was black, he wouldn't have been anything special. (I know that was in reference to Bird, but I think it also applies here.) ADVANTAGE: 2008
Pippen v Prince. The defensive stopper coming off the bench. Two guys asked to shelve their scoring potential for the good of the team. Pippen though was just a more talented player and he HAS to win this argument. ADVANTAGE: 1992
Robinson v Bosh. While my co-worker and I argued this one the most, at the end, he was right. Robinson wins this one, even though I think Bosh would try and beat him up. Robinson was once an MVP and he has a few rings. True the MVP came in a year without Jordan and the titles were after Jordan retired and thanks to Tim Duncan, but still that is WAY more success than Bosh will ever have. ADVANTAGE: 1992
Stockton v CP3. This one was close, but I think this was pre-Stockton becoming the Stockton everyone remembers from 1997 and 1998. So this was Pre-Prime for JS. I think we are also in the pre-prime for CP3. And I think CP3 is going to be head and shoulders above what JS ever was. I think CP3 is better RIGHT NOW than JS was. Maybe that is saying too much, but CP3 right now is better than Stockton-1992. ADVANTAGE:2008
So by just the bench, I have 4 for 2008, 2 for 1992 with one wash.
Starters. Magic v JKidd. Magic broke the mold for PGs and set the standard for PGs for all time. Some may have better stats, but he was the most dominant PG ever. Well until CP3 gets better than him. JKidd is just too old. He might have been able to D up Magic at one time, and DWill may have gotten my nod over JKidd in this matchup, but since the Rat King has started Kidd, I say...ADVANTAGE: 1992.
Ewing v Howard. I ALWAYS though Ewing was overrated and shrank in the big games. I think Howard would abuse him like Hakeem did in 1994/95, whenever that was. Howard is so much more athletic than Ewing ever was that Howard might even bring Ewing out to the wing only to run by him. ADVANTAGE: 2008
Bird v Melo. As much as Melo has embraced the role of Patriot and as much as Bird was hurting during the Olympics, I fear that Melo has peaked and an injured, over-the-hill Bird is better. Bird was just clutch. he would get into Melo's head and it would be over. ADVANTAGE: 1992
Barkley v LeBron. Barkley in his prime was unstoppable. LeBron is not yet in his prime and he is unstoppable. Just try and rake LeBron on a breakaway. He'll STILL finish on you. LBJ can do things that Barkley could only dream of, but Barkley would draw him down low and pound him into submission. Each player would score 35+ points in vastly different ways, but LeBron's running style might help his team a little more, whereas Barkley might force the team to slow down. But with Ewing, they would have done that anyways. ADVANTAGE: WASH
Finally.............Jordan v Kobe. Prime v Prime. These two players were told to just be the defensive stopper and don't worry about scoring, as the other players would take care of that. But if these two in their respective primes were matched up, I think the top would blow. No one else would touch the ball as Kobe would just want to top MJ, as he has tried to do his whole career, including with the 23+1=24 number. (He's ONE better. get it?). On the other side, MJ would NOT stand be trying to be outdone by some punk kid who think's he's ONE BETTER? We would see fallaways, drives to the basket.
It would be amazing. Jordan would go for 60 and Kobe would try and do 61. I don't even know how this would turn out. I would LOVE to have seen THIS MATCHUP Alone.
I can't even say who would win. Probably Jordan, but I can't discount Kobe's desire to outdo Jordan. He'd raise his game to a level we haven't seen. But then Jordan would do the same. I can't call a winner here.
Final tally 2008 with 5 advantages, 1992 with 4 and 3 washes, but the washes are so important (Malone/Wade, Barkley/James, Jordan/Kobe) especially Kobe/Jordan that you can't say who would win.
But it would be something to watch.
Now then, ON TO the Dream Team v the Redeem team. I was breaking down the matchup of the two teams as a co-worker and I bemoaned the fact that Women's weightlifting is being shown on NBC, but not Men's basketball featuring the best collection of talent since 1992. We started to debate on whether or not this team is better than that team was. It seemed crazy at first, but you have to remember that the 1992 Dream Team was facing a bunch of bums and this team is facing fellow NBA players on other teams. (I still am a little disappointed that The Rat King can't get this team to beat teams until the 3rd Qtr. I mean I just don't get this. Kinda like how I don't get traffic, but I digress)
If you were to break down the rosters, the 1992 team is star-studded, but so is the 2008 team. The 1992 team is taller, but the 2008 is more athletic.
Let's look at the teams
1992
Barkley, Bird, Ewing, Magic, Jordan with Drexler, Laettner, Malone, Mullin, Pippen, Robinson and Stockton off the bench.
Barkley was in his prime, Bird was semi-retired, Ewing was destroyed by Hakeem two years later, Magic was HIV retired and Jordan was in his PRIME. On the Bench, Drexler was overrated, Laettner was on the team because...., Malone was a fantastic role player, Mullin could shoot I guess?, Pippen was a defensive stopper (as was Jordan for that matter. These two destroyed Toni Kukoch[spelling] in that one game), Robinson was never an aggresive player and Stockton was a good, solid (dirty) point guard.
Now then. Let's look at 2008
LeBron, Melo, Dwight Howard, JKidd, Kobe with Deron Williams, Michael Redd, Carlos Boozer, Dwyane[sic] Wade, Chris Bosh, CP3, Tayshaun Price.
LeBron is unstoppable right now, and he hasn't reached his prime yet. Just TRY and stop him in the open court. I hate to admit it, but he is ONLY going to get better. I like him when he is on Team USA, just not otherwise. Melo has embraced the role of Team USA for whatever reason. Just make sure he has a driver! Howard has a bit of the Robinson syndrome, but I think he could destroy any other Center alive today. yeah, I said it. JKidd has the international experience, and while he would have been perfect in 2004(age-wise) he holding the seat for CP3. As for Kobe, he is being asked to be a defensive stopper, something the Doberman/Mamba can do. As for the bench, DWill is a big physical point guard, who if these teams were playing, I'd start against Magic. He is physical enough not to be abused by Magic posting up. Redd can flat out fill the basket, and that is his role. Boozer is a wide body. Plus he's from Alaska. D-Wade. The 1996 team didn't have a D-Wade. A 6th man guard that can flat fill up the hoop and can't be stopped with a head of steam. Bosh is a Howard-lite and can defend anyone from a 4 to a 5, but might be better to be a 4 in the NBA, but can guard any world 5, if that makes sense. CP3 is going to be the best point guard in history when it is all said and done, and he is probably the best right now in the game. As for Tayshaun, he plays D and can shoot the 3, I am guessing that's why he's on the team.
OK, so let's look at how the two teams match up with one another.
First with the bench...
Drexler with Deron Williams. Both would be the backup combo guard. I never thought Drexler was all that good. I think he was on the team because he took the Blazers to the finals and lost to Chicago. DWill would body him up and break him down. I think Williams could post up The Glide and could neutralize him during the game. ADVANTAGE: 2008
Laettner v Boozer Both Duke Boys, but I can understandy why Boozer is on the team. It is 16 years later, and I STILL can't figure out why Laettner is there? Boozer would destroy Christian, much like booze has destroyed many christians over the years ADVANTAGE: 2008
Karl Malone v Dwyane [sic] Wade These two guys I think were the first ones off the bench for both teams, but both were/are vastly different players. Wade is a slasher while Malone could go 3-4-5 out there. Malone wasn't really called upon to score for this team if I recall, but as his career wore on, he became quite a scorer AND defender. Really a special player, but not sure if he was that in 1992 like Wade is (Finals MVP already) ADVANTAGE: WASH (They do stuff too differently to compaire them appropriately)
Mullin v Redd The two shooters. I would call this one a wash, but I am going to give it to Redd. I know Mullin, in his prime was something to behold, but to borrow a line from Isiah, if he was black, he wouldn't have been anything special. (I know that was in reference to Bird, but I think it also applies here.) ADVANTAGE: 2008
Pippen v Prince. The defensive stopper coming off the bench. Two guys asked to shelve their scoring potential for the good of the team. Pippen though was just a more talented player and he HAS to win this argument. ADVANTAGE: 1992
Robinson v Bosh. While my co-worker and I argued this one the most, at the end, he was right. Robinson wins this one, even though I think Bosh would try and beat him up. Robinson was once an MVP and he has a few rings. True the MVP came in a year without Jordan and the titles were after Jordan retired and thanks to Tim Duncan, but still that is WAY more success than Bosh will ever have. ADVANTAGE: 1992
Stockton v CP3. This one was close, but I think this was pre-Stockton becoming the Stockton everyone remembers from 1997 and 1998. So this was Pre-Prime for JS. I think we are also in the pre-prime for CP3. And I think CP3 is going to be head and shoulders above what JS ever was. I think CP3 is better RIGHT NOW than JS was. Maybe that is saying too much, but CP3 right now is better than Stockton-1992. ADVANTAGE:2008
So by just the bench, I have 4 for 2008, 2 for 1992 with one wash.
Starters. Magic v JKidd. Magic broke the mold for PGs and set the standard for PGs for all time. Some may have better stats, but he was the most dominant PG ever. Well until CP3 gets better than him. JKidd is just too old. He might have been able to D up Magic at one time, and DWill may have gotten my nod over JKidd in this matchup, but since the Rat King has started Kidd, I say...ADVANTAGE: 1992.
Ewing v Howard. I ALWAYS though Ewing was overrated and shrank in the big games. I think Howard would abuse him like Hakeem did in 1994/95, whenever that was. Howard is so much more athletic than Ewing ever was that Howard might even bring Ewing out to the wing only to run by him. ADVANTAGE: 2008
Bird v Melo. As much as Melo has embraced the role of Patriot and as much as Bird was hurting during the Olympics, I fear that Melo has peaked and an injured, over-the-hill Bird is better. Bird was just clutch. he would get into Melo's head and it would be over. ADVANTAGE: 1992
Barkley v LeBron. Barkley in his prime was unstoppable. LeBron is not yet in his prime and he is unstoppable. Just try and rake LeBron on a breakaway. He'll STILL finish on you. LBJ can do things that Barkley could only dream of, but Barkley would draw him down low and pound him into submission. Each player would score 35+ points in vastly different ways, but LeBron's running style might help his team a little more, whereas Barkley might force the team to slow down. But with Ewing, they would have done that anyways. ADVANTAGE: WASH
Finally.............Jordan v Kobe. Prime v Prime. These two players were told to just be the defensive stopper and don't worry about scoring, as the other players would take care of that. But if these two in their respective primes were matched up, I think the top would blow. No one else would touch the ball as Kobe would just want to top MJ, as he has tried to do his whole career, including with the 23+1=24 number. (He's ONE better. get it?). On the other side, MJ would NOT stand be trying to be outdone by some punk kid who think's he's ONE BETTER? We would see fallaways, drives to the basket.
It would be amazing. Jordan would go for 60 and Kobe would try and do 61. I don't even know how this would turn out. I would LOVE to have seen THIS MATCHUP Alone.
I can't even say who would win. Probably Jordan, but I can't discount Kobe's desire to outdo Jordan. He'd raise his game to a level we haven't seen. But then Jordan would do the same. I can't call a winner here.
Final tally 2008 with 5 advantages, 1992 with 4 and 3 washes, but the washes are so important (Malone/Wade, Barkley/James, Jordan/Kobe) especially Kobe/Jordan that you can't say who would win.
But it would be something to watch.
Monday, August 11, 2008
The Hawks played it RIGHT
This is my weekly 790 The Zone Article as well. To read it there, zip over to www.790thezone.com
Believe it or not, but the laughingstock Atlanta Hawks front office played the Josh Smith saga out correctly. Whether it was intentional or not is another story, but let’s assume that they did this on purpose. Josh Smith, frustrated that no maximum offer was coming from the Atlanta franchise, sought out and received a contract offer in the form of 5 years, 58 Million dollar contract sheet. Because he was a restricted free agent, the Hawks were able to match this offer and he is now a Hawk for the next 5 years.
Considering what some of the other players in Smith’s draft class were receiving this offseason, the Hawks got a great deal. Luol Deng of Chicago recently received a 6/71M deal and Emeka Okafor reupped with the Bobcats for 72M. Smith reportedly was looking for this type of cash too, but I have to ask WHY?
Josh Smith is NOT a franchise player that deserves MAX money. By giving Smith less than max money, they can go after another player or two that will help them get back into the playoffs. I watched the Olympics yesterday and saw the Redeem Team out there running past China, and I thought, “now THESE guys deserve MAX money. These guys are franchise players.” Josh Smith will never be invited to represent the country in the Olympics. He just isn’t good enough. He doesn’t deserve the max money. The franchise money contracts should only go to guys you can build a team around. Smith isn’t one of them.
Interestingly enough the Cavaliers were in this situation a few years back with Anderson Varejao. He was holding out as a restricted free agent, believing the Cavs were lowballing him. He signed an offer sheet with Charlotte at below what he could have gotten with Cleveland, and the Cavs quickly matched. The system allows for the teams to play it this way and not overpay. The players can take the restricted qualifying offer, play the one year, then hit the open market, but so many of them just cannot seem to wait. You can put Smith into this category. They are trying to look out for number one, and that isn’t some one I’d want to build my team around.
If the Hawks HAD given max money to Smith, then they would have been unable to sign or resign anyone of note for the next few years. He would have eaten up the flexibility. And to be honest, Smith isn’t a guy that can carry a team by himself, he just isn’t. If he was, then why did it take him so long and require the importation of a point guard before the team reached the playoffs? Smith got the contract he deserved and the team can still go out and get a few more pieces. Now if they do that is another story.
I never said the Hawks could do two things right in a row.
Believe it or not, but the laughingstock Atlanta Hawks front office played the Josh Smith saga out correctly. Whether it was intentional or not is another story, but let’s assume that they did this on purpose. Josh Smith, frustrated that no maximum offer was coming from the Atlanta franchise, sought out and received a contract offer in the form of 5 years, 58 Million dollar contract sheet. Because he was a restricted free agent, the Hawks were able to match this offer and he is now a Hawk for the next 5 years.
Considering what some of the other players in Smith’s draft class were receiving this offseason, the Hawks got a great deal. Luol Deng of Chicago recently received a 6/71M deal and Emeka Okafor reupped with the Bobcats for 72M. Smith reportedly was looking for this type of cash too, but I have to ask WHY?
Josh Smith is NOT a franchise player that deserves MAX money. By giving Smith less than max money, they can go after another player or two that will help them get back into the playoffs. I watched the Olympics yesterday and saw the Redeem Team out there running past China, and I thought, “now THESE guys deserve MAX money. These guys are franchise players.” Josh Smith will never be invited to represent the country in the Olympics. He just isn’t good enough. He doesn’t deserve the max money. The franchise money contracts should only go to guys you can build a team around. Smith isn’t one of them.
Interestingly enough the Cavaliers were in this situation a few years back with Anderson Varejao. He was holding out as a restricted free agent, believing the Cavs were lowballing him. He signed an offer sheet with Charlotte at below what he could have gotten with Cleveland, and the Cavs quickly matched. The system allows for the teams to play it this way and not overpay. The players can take the restricted qualifying offer, play the one year, then hit the open market, but so many of them just cannot seem to wait. You can put Smith into this category. They are trying to look out for number one, and that isn’t some one I’d want to build my team around.
If the Hawks HAD given max money to Smith, then they would have been unable to sign or resign anyone of note for the next few years. He would have eaten up the flexibility. And to be honest, Smith isn’t a guy that can carry a team by himself, he just isn’t. If he was, then why did it take him so long and require the importation of a point guard before the team reached the playoffs? Smith got the contract he deserved and the team can still go out and get a few more pieces. Now if they do that is another story.
I never said the Hawks could do two things right in a row.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Sports thoughts going into the weekend...
Hey it is late Friday afternoon. I've just got two major opinions on some local sports stories as we head into the weekend....
I see where Josh Smith signed a 5 year/58M deal with Memphis, and Atlanta has seven days to match the offer as he is a restricted free agent. If the hawks match the offer and "sign" him, he should have known that the Hawks would do that. His agent should have known that (unless he has his boyhood pals serving as his agent like LeBron did for a while)! Bottom line, he isn't allowed to whine about the team because he is taking the money. He could have signed the one-year offer and left town next year. He could have pulled a Childress and signed in Europe. But no, he signed a low enough contract that the hawks could match. He knew he'd be a Hawk by signing this, at less money. This is on HIM. He can't complain for the next 5 years. He chose money over happiness.
I think the Hawks played this right. They didn't want to have to give him 65M or 72M. If Smith REALLY wanted to be free, he wouldn't have signed ANYTHING, made the Hawks give him a one-year qualifying offer then been unfettered next season. If he is mad at the Hawks for this, it is HIS fault, but he will never admit that. Whether he likes it or not, he is on a crappy team for the next 5 years. Oh, and if he goes to Memphis, Rudy Gay is in his position, and OJ Mayo will be the one hoisting up all of the shots, but I guess the opportunity to play with Javarris Crittenden and Kyle Lowery was too much to pass up......
Moving on to College football!
I think redshirt frosh RB Chris Rainey of Florida is too jitterbuggy from what I have seen. He has to be at his size. and in the SEC, those boys will eat you for lunch if you dance too much. UGA’s Knowshon Moreno can shimmy, but he mostly just runs. If Rainey tries to go through the tackles, he is going to get crushed. Knowshon, for being 5'11 still is a power back. He can run between the tackles (still waiting Reggie Bush...) Thomas Brown certainly could, but TB was never fast. Defenders could catch him from behind. if Knowshon gets in space, he is gone. If Rainey gets in space he is gone, but the trick will be getting him into space. In the sec that is tough to do. the blocking has to be FANTASTIC. Percy Harvin is the same way. Against UGA and Auburn, he has never gotten into space. The good defenses don't allow it.
Notice I didn't include Tennessee. They aren't a good D anymore.
Those little sweeps and crap just don't work against GOOD defenses. SoCar, Tenn, Ole Miss, Arkie, MissState, Vandy and Kentucky. Not good Ds, therefore you see Tebow and Harvin go off. And Rainey will go off against them too. But against Auburn (Fla wouldn't play them until the SECCG, which they WON'T be going to), LSU and UGA, you just don't see those plays breaking off. Why? Because they are good Ds. Rainey won't work against UGA. look at Meyer in his three games against UGA.
05, he put in a FB
06, he got the benefit of a punt off a PR's leg to score the winning score (and a frosh nearly led them back, if not for a crap facemask call)
07, he lost playing that crap spread.
Against good defenses, it just DOESN'T WORK.
I see where Josh Smith signed a 5 year/58M deal with Memphis, and Atlanta has seven days to match the offer as he is a restricted free agent. If the hawks match the offer and "sign" him, he should have known that the Hawks would do that. His agent should have known that (unless he has his boyhood pals serving as his agent like LeBron did for a while)! Bottom line, he isn't allowed to whine about the team because he is taking the money. He could have signed the one-year offer and left town next year. He could have pulled a Childress and signed in Europe. But no, he signed a low enough contract that the hawks could match. He knew he'd be a Hawk by signing this, at less money. This is on HIM. He can't complain for the next 5 years. He chose money over happiness.
I think the Hawks played this right. They didn't want to have to give him 65M or 72M. If Smith REALLY wanted to be free, he wouldn't have signed ANYTHING, made the Hawks give him a one-year qualifying offer then been unfettered next season. If he is mad at the Hawks for this, it is HIS fault, but he will never admit that. Whether he likes it or not, he is on a crappy team for the next 5 years. Oh, and if he goes to Memphis, Rudy Gay is in his position, and OJ Mayo will be the one hoisting up all of the shots, but I guess the opportunity to play with Javarris Crittenden and Kyle Lowery was too much to pass up......
Moving on to College football!
I think redshirt frosh RB Chris Rainey of Florida is too jitterbuggy from what I have seen. He has to be at his size. and in the SEC, those boys will eat you for lunch if you dance too much. UGA’s Knowshon Moreno can shimmy, but he mostly just runs. If Rainey tries to go through the tackles, he is going to get crushed. Knowshon, for being 5'11 still is a power back. He can run between the tackles (still waiting Reggie Bush...) Thomas Brown certainly could, but TB was never fast. Defenders could catch him from behind. if Knowshon gets in space, he is gone. If Rainey gets in space he is gone, but the trick will be getting him into space. In the sec that is tough to do. the blocking has to be FANTASTIC. Percy Harvin is the same way. Against UGA and Auburn, he has never gotten into space. The good defenses don't allow it.
Notice I didn't include Tennessee. They aren't a good D anymore.
Those little sweeps and crap just don't work against GOOD defenses. SoCar, Tenn, Ole Miss, Arkie, MissState, Vandy and Kentucky. Not good Ds, therefore you see Tebow and Harvin go off. And Rainey will go off against them too. But against Auburn (Fla wouldn't play them until the SECCG, which they WON'T be going to), LSU and UGA, you just don't see those plays breaking off. Why? Because they are good Ds. Rainey won't work against UGA. look at Meyer in his three games against UGA.
05, he put in a FB
06, he got the benefit of a punt off a PR's leg to score the winning score (and a frosh nearly led them back, if not for a crap facemask call)
07, he lost playing that crap spread.
Against good defenses, it just DOESN'T WORK.
Dawgs looking strong says SI
So Sports Illustrated has picked UGA to be #1 entering the season, and I would have to agree. I know I am a homer, but if I am looking at the Dawgs v the other top 10 teams, the Dawgs have the fewest holes of any of the teams. The fewest warts of any of them.
Georgia's warts, the O-line is young (as it was last year), the DEs lost Marcus Howard(they lost both QMo and CJ the year before), the kicker is a freshman(so was Billy Bennett a few years back, same with Coutu). That's it. But look at...
#2 USC. Umm they are going with Dirty Sanchez as the QB? Because Mitch Mustain the Arkie transfer isn't as good as everyone in Springdale thought he was. Last time I checked, Dirty Dirty was losing games last year at USC, like the two pick performance against Oregon that cost USC the BCS title game. Oh well. I am sure the kid is MUCH better now...And could someone please point Joe McKnight in the general direction of a classroom? Also, hey can I send some flowers to Stephon Johnson for NOT coming to UGA. Because he did not, Knowshon did. And we know how that turned out.
#3Duh Ohio State University. Let's see, the Defense looks pretty tough coming back, despite the loss of Gholston to the NFL. Beanie Wells is back and they have Pryor in there as a Tebow to TB's Chris Leak, but let's not kid ourselves. If UGA is playing duh Ohio State in the BCS title game (which they won't because duh Ohio State will be knocked out after a trip to the Land of Troy this September. Throw in at least one Big 11 loss..) then UGA is assured of a crystal ball.
#4 Oklahoma. They have Sam Bradford coming back, but the D lost Big 12 defensive player of the year Curtis Lofton. The have a strong running game, I guess, but will the D be good enough in the big games? Stoops seems to have lost his touch now that Mike Stoops is in Arizona (but in that regard, Mike seems to have lost EVERYTHING out in Tucson)
#5 Flawrduh. Oh, I get it. They are PISSED about the Georgia endzone dance last season. Let me ask you this...why didn't you guys win the game then last year when you had a lead? Oh the offense will be bolstered by Rainey and Moody. OK, so you are going to take away what makes Tim Tebow Tim Tebow? And if Moody was so good, why is he at UF right now instead of still being out in USC land? As for Rainey, oh, so you are fast, but you are 5'9. Kind of small. Percy Harvin is fast too, and UGA contained him enough last season to win by 12. Listen, I realize that Florida is going to score a bunch. They'll have to. The defense, which was young last year is STILL young and the DLine is going to be anchored by true freshman Omar Hunter (I watched him at Buford. Why isn't he going to Notre Dame? According to one of his high school teachers, "Omar is a nice young man." She said and she just smiled when I asked how he was as a student.) and the secondary will have true freshman Will Hill as safety, quarterbacking the entire defense. So a defense with two youngersters up the middle? And they are supposed to stop Knowshon and Matt Stafford? But Urban, you keep getting angry at Mark Richt because he out-Meyered you.
#6 LSU. They have a true freshman and a transfer from Harvard competing for the starting QB spot. Done. Moving on...
#7 Mizzou. Chase Daniel is back, but the rusher Tony Temple is gone. Mizzou couldn't beat OU last season...twice. Why should I think they can this season?
#8 West Va. They have a scary QB/RB combo in White and Devine, but Bill Stewart at coach scares NO ONE! That was the funniest hire since Dennis Felton at UGA.
#9 Clemson. They have a QB and a great RB combo, but Tommy Bowden is still the coach (which BTW Klimpsen fans, you have ALWAYS wanted to get rid of him, but once Arkie came acallin' you freaked out and signed him to big money. Therefore, since you showed your true colors and didn't dump him when you could, you cannot put him on the hotseat this year when he loses a game to UNC or Duke or NCState, which he WILL. In fact, you can't complain about TB for the next three years. PERIOD.). Also, let's not forget that your DL took a hit with Merlin leaving and the OLine is a little weak if you ask me.
#10 Texas Tech. OK, so clearly this is a joke right? Texas Tech in the top ten? Really? These guys will go pass-happy ONCE AGAIN, but just beat them up like UGA did to Hawaii, and you can EASILY take them down. Leach should have JUMPED at another gig, because he will ALWAYS be the third best team in his own conference. But hey, if he has stability in Lubbuck and likes it there, why not stick around.
SO will the Dawgs fall to the jinx of SI? I don't think they will. I think the line holds up with all the returning talent they have, even if some are switching positions. Doesn't matter if you ask me. Trinton at LT is a rock. Chris Davis at right guard or Center, Vince Vance at RG if Davis is at Center and Kiante Tripp at RT. Throw in Clint Boling (a returning starter) and possibly Ben Jones the true frosh at center and this line will be good for the next three or four seasons. Just because they are mostly Sophs doesn't mean they are outstanding. Boling Sturdivant and Davis all played last year, as did Vance and Tripp. These guys will be OK up front.
The kicking situation is this...Brandon Coutu made some big kicks as a freshman kicker (See: GT game) so why wouldn't Blair Walsh be able to make the kicks. The kid has a HUGE leg, plus they have some other options if Walsh sputters.
The DEs, well they STILL have Lomax and Battle and Wynn and don't forget, they will be getting a HUGE inside push from Irvin, Owens, Atkins and Westin. Those guys all made Marcus Howard a star last year. Throw in the strong LB options RIGHT BEHIND THEM, and they will be fine.
THIS IS THE BEST D in Willie's time at UGA. It will be OK. Trust me, I'm a blogger.
Georgia's warts, the O-line is young (as it was last year), the DEs lost Marcus Howard(they lost both QMo and CJ the year before), the kicker is a freshman(so was Billy Bennett a few years back, same with Coutu). That's it. But look at...
#2 USC. Umm they are going with Dirty Sanchez as the QB? Because Mitch Mustain the Arkie transfer isn't as good as everyone in Springdale thought he was. Last time I checked, Dirty Dirty was losing games last year at USC, like the two pick performance against Oregon that cost USC the BCS title game. Oh well. I am sure the kid is MUCH better now...And could someone please point Joe McKnight in the general direction of a classroom? Also, hey can I send some flowers to Stephon Johnson for NOT coming to UGA. Because he did not, Knowshon did. And we know how that turned out.
#3Duh Ohio State University. Let's see, the Defense looks pretty tough coming back, despite the loss of Gholston to the NFL. Beanie Wells is back and they have Pryor in there as a Tebow to TB's Chris Leak, but let's not kid ourselves. If UGA is playing duh Ohio State in the BCS title game (which they won't because duh Ohio State will be knocked out after a trip to the Land of Troy this September. Throw in at least one Big 11 loss..) then UGA is assured of a crystal ball.
#4 Oklahoma. They have Sam Bradford coming back, but the D lost Big 12 defensive player of the year Curtis Lofton. The have a strong running game, I guess, but will the D be good enough in the big games? Stoops seems to have lost his touch now that Mike Stoops is in Arizona (but in that regard, Mike seems to have lost EVERYTHING out in Tucson)
#5 Flawrduh. Oh, I get it. They are PISSED about the Georgia endzone dance last season. Let me ask you this...why didn't you guys win the game then last year when you had a lead? Oh the offense will be bolstered by Rainey and Moody. OK, so you are going to take away what makes Tim Tebow Tim Tebow? And if Moody was so good, why is he at UF right now instead of still being out in USC land? As for Rainey, oh, so you are fast, but you are 5'9. Kind of small. Percy Harvin is fast too, and UGA contained him enough last season to win by 12. Listen, I realize that Florida is going to score a bunch. They'll have to. The defense, which was young last year is STILL young and the DLine is going to be anchored by true freshman Omar Hunter (I watched him at Buford. Why isn't he going to Notre Dame? According to one of his high school teachers, "Omar is a nice young man." She said and she just smiled when I asked how he was as a student.) and the secondary will have true freshman Will Hill as safety, quarterbacking the entire defense. So a defense with two youngersters up the middle? And they are supposed to stop Knowshon and Matt Stafford? But Urban, you keep getting angry at Mark Richt because he out-Meyered you.
#6 LSU. They have a true freshman and a transfer from Harvard competing for the starting QB spot. Done. Moving on...
#7 Mizzou. Chase Daniel is back, but the rusher Tony Temple is gone. Mizzou couldn't beat OU last season...twice. Why should I think they can this season?
#8 West Va. They have a scary QB/RB combo in White and Devine, but Bill Stewart at coach scares NO ONE! That was the funniest hire since Dennis Felton at UGA.
#9 Clemson. They have a QB and a great RB combo, but Tommy Bowden is still the coach (which BTW Klimpsen fans, you have ALWAYS wanted to get rid of him, but once Arkie came acallin' you freaked out and signed him to big money. Therefore, since you showed your true colors and didn't dump him when you could, you cannot put him on the hotseat this year when he loses a game to UNC or Duke or NCState, which he WILL. In fact, you can't complain about TB for the next three years. PERIOD.). Also, let's not forget that your DL took a hit with Merlin leaving and the OLine is a little weak if you ask me.
#10 Texas Tech. OK, so clearly this is a joke right? Texas Tech in the top ten? Really? These guys will go pass-happy ONCE AGAIN, but just beat them up like UGA did to Hawaii, and you can EASILY take them down. Leach should have JUMPED at another gig, because he will ALWAYS be the third best team in his own conference. But hey, if he has stability in Lubbuck and likes it there, why not stick around.
SO will the Dawgs fall to the jinx of SI? I don't think they will. I think the line holds up with all the returning talent they have, even if some are switching positions. Doesn't matter if you ask me. Trinton at LT is a rock. Chris Davis at right guard or Center, Vince Vance at RG if Davis is at Center and Kiante Tripp at RT. Throw in Clint Boling (a returning starter) and possibly Ben Jones the true frosh at center and this line will be good for the next three or four seasons. Just because they are mostly Sophs doesn't mean they are outstanding. Boling Sturdivant and Davis all played last year, as did Vance and Tripp. These guys will be OK up front.
The kicking situation is this...Brandon Coutu made some big kicks as a freshman kicker (See: GT game) so why wouldn't Blair Walsh be able to make the kicks. The kid has a HUGE leg, plus they have some other options if Walsh sputters.
The DEs, well they STILL have Lomax and Battle and Wynn and don't forget, they will be getting a HUGE inside push from Irvin, Owens, Atkins and Westin. Those guys all made Marcus Howard a star last year. Throw in the strong LB options RIGHT BEHIND THEM, and they will be fine.
THIS IS THE BEST D in Willie's time at UGA. It will be OK. Trust me, I'm a blogger.
The Future of Women's Tennis lives in Marietta
I recently had a chance to catch up with one of Sports Illustrated's Top 18 under 18 for the next 18 years, Melanie Oudin, tennis phenom.
For most people, realizing what they want to do when they grow up is a long process that some don’t even figure out until they are grown. For sixteen year-old tennis phenom Melanie Oudin, the decision has been made and she’s already a success. Just one week after Oudin appeared in Sports Illustrated as one of the top 15 teens in American sports, the Marietta native won her first professional tournament in Lexington, Kentucky. Oudin, who trains at the RSC Academy under esteemed coach Brian de Villiers, reached No. 2 Junior Girls player in the world and was recently the top seed at the French Open Junior championship. Then after winning seven of ten ITF events, Oudin turned pro and has shot up to No. 232 in the professional ranks.
“It’s not that much different than Juniors,” Oudin said of turning pro. “Only, there’s money now if you win. I don’t think about that though. I play like I’ve always played because I love it.” Now that Oudin is a pro, her day has become drastically different than the typical 16 year-old’s life. A normal day starts with Oudin waking up at 7:30 then training from 11:30 until 4:30 with fitness training continuing into the evening. This is where Oudin, who is only 5’5 works on improving her game so she can tackle taller players. “I’m quick, that’s one of my strengths, so I hit all types of shots in practice.” Her coach de Villiers notes that she works hard and has wanted to go pro since she was nine years old. “You see the ones willing to put in the work, make the sacrifices and reach the goals. She is one of them.”
Due to Oudin’s age, she can only play in 13 tournaments this year and 17 next year. This restriction hasn’t stopped her though from seeking a wild card to this summer’s US Open, the grand slam event that Oudin has called her favorite. “New York is pretty cool itself and the event is nicely set up.” According to de Villiers pros can only gain entrance into qualifying rounds if they are ranked in the top 200-220, and Oudin is right on the cusp of that special number. If a wild card spot doesn’t come, the player and coach will still head to NYC for the US Open juniors, likely Oudin’s last event as a junior player.
As for the future, the sky is the limit. Oudin says that she’d love to compete for the Fed Cup and while she hasn’t thought about the Olympics in 2012, “that would be awesome.” Her coach knows she will be successful, as di Villiers says of Oudin, “I’ve always had a long-term plan for her and it’s started clicking.” If things keep clicking, Oudin may be the one to carry the mantle of best American player into the next decade.
For most people, realizing what they want to do when they grow up is a long process that some don’t even figure out until they are grown. For sixteen year-old tennis phenom Melanie Oudin, the decision has been made and she’s already a success. Just one week after Oudin appeared in Sports Illustrated as one of the top 15 teens in American sports, the Marietta native won her first professional tournament in Lexington, Kentucky. Oudin, who trains at the RSC Academy under esteemed coach Brian de Villiers, reached No. 2 Junior Girls player in the world and was recently the top seed at the French Open Junior championship. Then after winning seven of ten ITF events, Oudin turned pro and has shot up to No. 232 in the professional ranks.
“It’s not that much different than Juniors,” Oudin said of turning pro. “Only, there’s money now if you win. I don’t think about that though. I play like I’ve always played because I love it.” Now that Oudin is a pro, her day has become drastically different than the typical 16 year-old’s life. A normal day starts with Oudin waking up at 7:30 then training from 11:30 until 4:30 with fitness training continuing into the evening. This is where Oudin, who is only 5’5 works on improving her game so she can tackle taller players. “I’m quick, that’s one of my strengths, so I hit all types of shots in practice.” Her coach de Villiers notes that she works hard and has wanted to go pro since she was nine years old. “You see the ones willing to put in the work, make the sacrifices and reach the goals. She is one of them.”
Due to Oudin’s age, she can only play in 13 tournaments this year and 17 next year. This restriction hasn’t stopped her though from seeking a wild card to this summer’s US Open, the grand slam event that Oudin has called her favorite. “New York is pretty cool itself and the event is nicely set up.” According to de Villiers pros can only gain entrance into qualifying rounds if they are ranked in the top 200-220, and Oudin is right on the cusp of that special number. If a wild card spot doesn’t come, the player and coach will still head to NYC for the US Open juniors, likely Oudin’s last event as a junior player.
As for the future, the sky is the limit. Oudin says that she’d love to compete for the Fed Cup and while she hasn’t thought about the Olympics in 2012, “that would be awesome.” Her coach knows she will be successful, as di Villiers says of Oudin, “I’ve always had a long-term plan for her and it’s started clicking.” If things keep clicking, Oudin may be the one to carry the mantle of best American player into the next decade.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
So you THINK you can dance?
To be completely honest, I have not followed this season as closely as I have previous seasons because I have been doing EVHEI many a Wednesday night, so I can't very well walk into 790 and turn on SYTYCD. well, I could but I'd never hear the end of it.
But I did catch last night's final voting show (Tonight is the grand finale, where America's Favorite dancer is revealed). My guess as for Champ...Twitch. He might be the worst of the remaining dancers, but he is everyone's favorite. Plus Wifey voted for him 6 times.
I thought Nigel's statement that Joshua and Katee [sic] were the best couple ever on the show...Maybe a little much? How about Danny and Lacy last season? BETTER. How about Travis and that blonde chick the year before? So forgive me if Joshua and Katee [sic] aren't the best couple EVER on the show. But then he also said that Will didn't deserve to be in the finale. So his credibility was shot right there. But I would have been upset if Will had won and Danny didn't last year.
I also think that Joshua could clearly jump RIGHT OUT of the building. WOW. Dude has ups. I think he made the right call with going with Dance, because could he REALLY have gone on to be a track star or football star with his size? Probably not. Will he go on to be a successful dancer? Well he certainly has a stronger foothole than he did, IMO.
Also, I know Nigel said this was perhaps the best final four ever...really? Last year's final four puts this one to SHAME. Same with two years ago's final four. This was third....of four. Wow. Last year though with Sabra, Danny, Lacy and Neal (Neil?). THAT was a final four to rival this past year's NCAA field.
And lastly, Cat was looking FINE last night. But I am married, so I will just say she really did a good job holding the mic.
Twitch should win tonight. A popper has never won it. He'd be a good one to break that string!
But I did catch last night's final voting show (Tonight is the grand finale, where America's Favorite dancer is revealed). My guess as for Champ...Twitch. He might be the worst of the remaining dancers, but he is everyone's favorite. Plus Wifey voted for him 6 times.
I thought Nigel's statement that Joshua and Katee [sic] were the best couple ever on the show...Maybe a little much? How about Danny and Lacy last season? BETTER. How about Travis and that blonde chick the year before? So forgive me if Joshua and Katee [sic] aren't the best couple EVER on the show. But then he also said that Will didn't deserve to be in the finale. So his credibility was shot right there. But I would have been upset if Will had won and Danny didn't last year.
I also think that Joshua could clearly jump RIGHT OUT of the building. WOW. Dude has ups. I think he made the right call with going with Dance, because could he REALLY have gone on to be a track star or football star with his size? Probably not. Will he go on to be a successful dancer? Well he certainly has a stronger foothole than he did, IMO.
Also, I know Nigel said this was perhaps the best final four ever...really? Last year's final four puts this one to SHAME. Same with two years ago's final four. This was third....of four. Wow. Last year though with Sabra, Danny, Lacy and Neal (Neil?). THAT was a final four to rival this past year's NCAA field.
And lastly, Cat was looking FINE last night. But I am married, so I will just say she really did a good job holding the mic.
Twitch should win tonight. A popper has never won it. He'd be a good one to break that string!
The next otis nixon?
Injuries to the Braves 2008 roster have left the front office with a few questions and not many answers. Who will be the opening day starter come 2009? Who will bat cleanup for this team in 2009? Who will patrol centerfield for the Braves in 2009? One answer though has been found in this season. Gregor Blanco SHOULD be the leadoff hitter come 2009.
When Rafael Furcal bolted Atlanta a few years back for LA Blue (hats) and Green (dollars), the team was without a true leadoff hitter for the first time seemingly in years. Ever since I can recall, the Braves had Otis Nixon or Deion Sanders, Marquis Grissom or Kenny Lofton leading off and setting the table for the Braves bats. The last few years, the team has tried to make Marcus Giles, Kelly Johnson, Yunel Escobar, among others, their leadoff man, but to no avail. This season, due to injuries, Gregor Blanco was pressed into the role and he has excelled. His on-base percentage has gone through the roof since moving into the leadoff spot June 19, and he is off to a .471 OBP clip in August. He won’t blow the doors off with homers, but neither did Otis Nixon. All he did was get on base and wreak havoc once he was there. Blanco is a Nixon-clone in that respect.
Injuries to Matt Diaz and Mark Kotsay pressed Blanco into a full-time role and his wheels led manager Bobby Cox to experiment with him during the interleague series in Texas. Cox hasn’t looked back. Blanco is 10-14 in stolen bases this season, and he is bringing an element to Atlanta that this team hasn’t seen since Furcal was batting leadoff: speed on the base paths. Suddenly when Blanco reaches, he is a threat to steal a base, go first to third on a hit to the outfield, and he can score on a shallow fly ball to the outfield. This was something that the team simply could not do with Escobar batting leadoff or Johnson trying to set the table. Plus with Blanco occupying the top spot in the lineup, Escobar can focus on plain hitting. Chipper Jones can drive a runner in that is in scoring position.
Blanco may not be the long term answer in the outfield as Jordan Schaffer seems destined to man center in the near future and Jason Heyward will be penciled into leftfield starting in 2010. However Blanco is exciting to watch and he could be the catalyst this Braves team needs to make a run in 2009.
Other Braves Bits,
An open funeral service has been planned for Skip Caray to be held this Monday, August 11 at Christ the King Cathedral at the corner of Peachtree St and Peachtree Ave. The service is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. The Caray family is asking that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in the memory of Skip to Camp Twin Lakes, Winship Cancer Institute, or the Friends House.
And Tom Glavine will make another minor league rehab start this Saturday in Class-AA Mississippi. Glavine pitched well in Myrtle Beach, throwing 53 pitches and completing 4 innings, but team officials have stated they are hoping for 65 pitches this start so that Glavine can test his endurance. He has missed time due to a torn flexor ligament in his pitching elbow and has not pitched since June 11 in Chicago.
When Rafael Furcal bolted Atlanta a few years back for LA Blue (hats) and Green (dollars), the team was without a true leadoff hitter for the first time seemingly in years. Ever since I can recall, the Braves had Otis Nixon or Deion Sanders, Marquis Grissom or Kenny Lofton leading off and setting the table for the Braves bats. The last few years, the team has tried to make Marcus Giles, Kelly Johnson, Yunel Escobar, among others, their leadoff man, but to no avail. This season, due to injuries, Gregor Blanco was pressed into the role and he has excelled. His on-base percentage has gone through the roof since moving into the leadoff spot June 19, and he is off to a .471 OBP clip in August. He won’t blow the doors off with homers, but neither did Otis Nixon. All he did was get on base and wreak havoc once he was there. Blanco is a Nixon-clone in that respect.
Injuries to Matt Diaz and Mark Kotsay pressed Blanco into a full-time role and his wheels led manager Bobby Cox to experiment with him during the interleague series in Texas. Cox hasn’t looked back. Blanco is 10-14 in stolen bases this season, and he is bringing an element to Atlanta that this team hasn’t seen since Furcal was batting leadoff: speed on the base paths. Suddenly when Blanco reaches, he is a threat to steal a base, go first to third on a hit to the outfield, and he can score on a shallow fly ball to the outfield. This was something that the team simply could not do with Escobar batting leadoff or Johnson trying to set the table. Plus with Blanco occupying the top spot in the lineup, Escobar can focus on plain hitting. Chipper Jones can drive a runner in that is in scoring position.
Blanco may not be the long term answer in the outfield as Jordan Schaffer seems destined to man center in the near future and Jason Heyward will be penciled into leftfield starting in 2010. However Blanco is exciting to watch and he could be the catalyst this Braves team needs to make a run in 2009.
Other Braves Bits,
An open funeral service has been planned for Skip Caray to be held this Monday, August 11 at Christ the King Cathedral at the corner of Peachtree St and Peachtree Ave. The service is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. The Caray family is asking that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in the memory of Skip to Camp Twin Lakes, Winship Cancer Institute, or the Friends House.
And Tom Glavine will make another minor league rehab start this Saturday in Class-AA Mississippi. Glavine pitched well in Myrtle Beach, throwing 53 pitches and completing 4 innings, but team officials have stated they are hoping for 65 pitches this start so that Glavine can test his endurance. He has missed time due to a torn flexor ligament in his pitching elbow and has not pitched since June 11 in Chicago.
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