Roller Coaster
Quite an interesting several days in the sports world - I couldn't not open my big mouth...
From Eight to Out?:
Yet again, the Horns are up and down on a weekly basis. Following a couple of good wins with a very poor showing in Stillwater. Other than a brief point with about 6 minutes to go, I never really felt like Texas was in the game. I don't know how many shots within 3 feet that they missed, but it was a lot. And they never really matched the intensity. Big showing by the Cowboys.
Looks like Texas is going to take care of business tonight against Baylor which is huge - they really had to have this game in convincing fashion. Call me pessimistic, but I really can't see them beating Kansas in Lawrence this weekend. Point is, latest Bracketology on espn.com has them as an 8 seed (getting Pitt in second round should they stumble into a win). I really don't think they can afford to go one and done in the Big 12 tourney - they need to have a good showing to really secure that. We'll see, but the consistency is what worries me and although Bobay is flashy, he's making a TON of mistakes (as many freshman do). Teams are going to smother Abrams and they need to find someone else to step up if they're going to have any chance in the tournament.
Voodoo Chiles:
You may have heard this little story over the weekend: John Chiles, backup QB for the Longhorns, has requested a move to wide receiver. All I can say is it's about time. I understand coaches were excited about the prospect of having someone so athletic as the backup, but he's just not a solid QB. I really like this move as it gives them a chance to showcase and leverage Chiles' athleticism without completely throwing a wrench into the offense in the middle of the games.
This will also give us a chance to see a little bit more of Sherod Harris which I'm somewhat anxious to see. My only hesitation is how (or if) this will affect incoming superstar (maybe) Gilbert. In other words, will he still redshirt. I sure hope so - I want this guy around for a while and no need for him to waste a year of eligibility with Colt, Sherod and even Chiles still around. Stranger things have happened though.
Manny:
This really isn't a story anymore. I would say that Scott Boras has some explaining to do to his client - I would bet any amount of money that Boras told Manny he could get him $100 Million in a multi-year contract. Have these idiots forgotten there is a recession going on? I know they don't care, that's a fact, but at least acknowledge it when you're setting your sights on your next contract. Remember, Manny is 37. I know he's great, but 37?? The Dodgers will get him and he'll be there in time for opening day - old players don't like training camp anyway and we all know that Manny is going to do what Manny wants to do. But I'll tell you this, if the Dodgers were to get impatient and walk away, Manny might not be playing ball this year - at least not without giving in and swallowing his pride (which he won't do).
NFL Free Agency:
Quite an interesting weekend to kickoff the NFL free agency. Some actual real stories to touch on.
That's what I got gang. Enjoy.
From Eight to Out?:
Yet again, the Horns are up and down on a weekly basis. Following a couple of good wins with a very poor showing in Stillwater. Other than a brief point with about 6 minutes to go, I never really felt like Texas was in the game. I don't know how many shots within 3 feet that they missed, but it was a lot. And they never really matched the intensity. Big showing by the Cowboys.
Looks like Texas is going to take care of business tonight against Baylor which is huge - they really had to have this game in convincing fashion. Call me pessimistic, but I really can't see them beating Kansas in Lawrence this weekend. Point is, latest Bracketology on espn.com has them as an 8 seed (getting Pitt in second round should they stumble into a win). I really don't think they can afford to go one and done in the Big 12 tourney - they need to have a good showing to really secure that. We'll see, but the consistency is what worries me and although Bobay is flashy, he's making a TON of mistakes (as many freshman do). Teams are going to smother Abrams and they need to find someone else to step up if they're going to have any chance in the tournament.
Voodoo Chiles:
You may have heard this little story over the weekend: John Chiles, backup QB for the Longhorns, has requested a move to wide receiver. All I can say is it's about time. I understand coaches were excited about the prospect of having someone so athletic as the backup, but he's just not a solid QB. I really like this move as it gives them a chance to showcase and leverage Chiles' athleticism without completely throwing a wrench into the offense in the middle of the games.
This will also give us a chance to see a little bit more of Sherod Harris which I'm somewhat anxious to see. My only hesitation is how (or if) this will affect incoming superstar (maybe) Gilbert. In other words, will he still redshirt. I sure hope so - I want this guy around for a while and no need for him to waste a year of eligibility with Colt, Sherod and even Chiles still around. Stranger things have happened though.
Manny:
This really isn't a story anymore. I would say that Scott Boras has some explaining to do to his client - I would bet any amount of money that Boras told Manny he could get him $100 Million in a multi-year contract. Have these idiots forgotten there is a recession going on? I know they don't care, that's a fact, but at least acknowledge it when you're setting your sights on your next contract. Remember, Manny is 37. I know he's great, but 37?? The Dodgers will get him and he'll be there in time for opening day - old players don't like training camp anyway and we all know that Manny is going to do what Manny wants to do. But I'll tell you this, if the Dodgers were to get impatient and walk away, Manny might not be playing ball this year - at least not without giving in and swallowing his pride (which he won't do).
NFL Free Agency:
Quite an interesting weekend to kickoff the NFL free agency. Some actual real stories to touch on.
- On the surface it would appear that the Redskins just paid $100 million dollars to a defensive lineman who has never once played a 16-game season in his career. Don't get me wrong, he's a difference maker, big time, but only when he *wants* to be and that's key here. Haynesworth was in a contract year last year and he still took plays off. I'm guessing that he'll never see the last few years of that contract, but he's still getting a TON of guaranteed money. If I were a betting man I would say that like most players who go to Snyder's Redskins, he'll wither away into oblivion.
- Great work Giants, getting Canty this weekend. They are doing very well in adding depth to their defensive front 7 while also coming to terms with Brandon Jacobs. I hate to say it, but there's a reason why the Giants are a little bit more eager to get Plaxico back now that they've seen life without him.
- Typical media, fabricating something "fishy" with Cassell to Chiefs trade. Rumor has it (and I don't doubt it) that the Patriots were offered much more than the second round pick for Vrabel and Cassell, but chose to trade them to Kansas City for a single, second round pick. Remember, Pioli, Belicheck's old boss, now resides in KC so therein lies the "something fishy". Look, if they Patriots were to have taken a number 12 pick and used it, then they would have had to pay someone number 12 pick money and that's not how they role. With this move, they now have a pick late in the first round and 3 in the second round - something like 4 picks in the first 60 spots. That's how they like it - they take later round players, develop them and turn them into super bowl contenders. Hell, they got Brady and Cassell in VERY late rounds and traded a fourth rounder for Moss. They know what they're doing and I assure you they would not just give over a commodity like Cassell just because the GM is Hoodie's friend.
- One more thing on Canty - go read page 2 of Peter King's MMQB. It's a great little story of Canty's weekend and waiting to find out where he would go and how much $ he would make. No one takes you into the real world of this business like King: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/peter_king/03/01/freeagency/1.html
- Brian Dawkins, beloved Eagle for the last few years, just bolted to Denver. He's getting the same amount of money for his first season with Denver next year as he got the last 3 years with Philly. And I think he's 35. Who says there's a recession in the NFL???
- But wait, it gets weirder. The Houston Texans just spent over $9 million on Dan Orlovsky. In case you're wondering (and you likely are), he's a backup QB to replace the recently-departed Sage Rosenfelds. And, if you'll remember, he's the guy who while steering the Lions offense this past year, ran out of the back of the end zone on a play because he didn't realize where it was. Listen, I can do that for a fraction of his contract. Really, just call me in for a workout.
- There is no better fit right now than Fred Taylor in Foxoboro, Mass. Perfect, perfect pickup for the Patriots.
- I'm shocked that TJ Houshmandzadeh went with the Seahawks. Unless he's just looking for the perfect place to *live*, he has no chance of playing for anything significant. I know Seattle needed a wide receiver in a bad kind of way, but all teams will do is load up on TJ. Good move for Seattle, not so good move for TJ.
- Jon Kitna is a nice pickup for the Cowboys - they absolutely had to do something for a backup QB and Kitna can at least get the ball to the receivers.
- Jay Cutler, you've got a lot of learning (and growing up) to do. You're no longer at your crappy-ass Vanderbilt any longer - this is the NFL and there are a few realities you need to grasp quick: First, you are a commodity, just like every other player. Period. Second, you're a nice player and getting back, but you haven't done sh*t. Sub .500 record and no playoff appearances don't really earn you the right to bitch about something that didn't actually happen. In case you're wondering, Denver evidently fielded some inquiries about Cutler (in other words, teams looking to try and trade for him) that were apart of other, bigger trades. Of course they didn't really entertain them seriously, but Cutler heard of it and got his panties in a wad. Then, he refused to go to the Bronco offices to listen to management give him the full story and now he's refusing to take the new coach's phone calls. What a total puss. Listen, Jay, this league is a business. Period. If it's in the best interest of the Broncos, you're ass will be traded, but I'm sure you'll get over it. Those millions of dollars should help. My respect for Cutler is now down to zero.
- One more thing on Cutler - he actually said this: "you don't see Peyton Manning or Eli Manning or Tom Brady in trade discussions so why am I?" Hmmm, well first, each of those guys has been to and won at least one super bowl. You haven't. Secondly, those guys are Peyton Manning, Eli Manning and Tom Brady respectively and you are not. That's why. Idiot.
- Other than Fred Taylor, Antonio Smith to the Texans is the best snag of the weekend. Great complement to Mario Williams. Baby steps Texans fans, baby steps. You STILL need a much, MUCH better quarterback though.
That's what I got gang. Enjoy.
posted by The Bearden Wonder at 10:53 PM
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