So Much to Say...
And so little time. It's been far too long my friends (deja vu), but here we are so let's make the most of it. I'm serious, I don't know where to even begin...
NFL (Because I just miss it so damn much):
Very interesting off season thus far - none more gut wrenching than the Panthers having to cut Delhomme a year after that monster extension. Ouch. Couple that with the loss of Peppers and they're in full-blown rebuilding mode.
And the award for going "balls to the wall" in the off season goes to the Chicago Bears. If Smith and company are going down, they're going down swinging - I like that. I know he got a lot of money, but he had a good thing going in Minnesota - especially with Peterson's fumble-itis and he has a tendency to slow down as the season goes on. And I think Matt Forte is petty good, right? Chicago...outdoor stadium...I don't know.
Big move by the Jets getting Cromartie - *should* really bolster their defense. I say should because he's kind of a Randy Moss at times where sometimes he plays and sometimes he doesn't. Nevertheless, Rex Ryan has proven to be pretty successful at getting the most out of his players so you have to like this move. Million dollar question is does this propel New York ahead of New England in the AFC East? I think it just may. I think next year for the Patriots will be very interesting as the mystique is pretty much gone.
Sounds like it was a good weekend for Bradford and McCoy - even though neither of them threw the ball. St. Louis will have some tough decisions to make - it's a top-loaded draft with lots of good options, and that means lots of teams may be looking to deal a lot to get their man. Personally I think Bradford is going to be a pretty damn good QB in the big leagues.
Hell, why not, Favre - ride that horse till she bucks you.
Limpin' Horns:
Can you recall a collapse of this magnitude in college basketball in the last 15 years? I sure don't. Plain and simple, this team has thrown in the towel on this season - it would not at all shock me to see them not win another game this year.
I'm certainly not on the Barnes bashing bandwagon (that's ridiculous), but it will be interesting to see how he responds to this season - I'm not sure he's faced this much criticism and adversity since he's been here and that has a lot to do with the expectations he's created with his success. I mean, I know they've had a couple of injuries, but that isn't the difference. Their were 3 games this year - Baylor at home, at OU and at UCONN that they had no business losing. Losing those games pretty much summed up the second half of the season.
Next year will be interesting - they're losing some key players (James, Pittman, Mason). Barnes will have his work cut out for him, especially if any of those youngsters decide to test their fate in the NBA draft. I don't think they quite lived up to expectations - we saw glimpses of greatness from each of them, but they all need at least one more year. I think they'll come back.
Tiger:
Sorry, but the press conference was pretty lame. It was quite the charade that was clearly very carefully orchestrated - but that's OK, I mean don't all big stars do some variation of that? It's not that big of a deal I guess, but thought it was just a little bit lame.
Either way, just tell me when he's back out playing golf.
NCAA Puppet Show:
Really? 96 teams? How greedy can these guys get? You literally have a perfect system in place that is envied by most all other post seasons. Besides, can you really get THAT much more money out of this? I mean, you've got a huge TV deal and I'm just not sure what else you can get.
With that, we've still got this year's tournament. The way it's looking, it may just be a Big East slug fest with a couple of mid-majors and Kansas sprinkled in. If I had to pick a projected final four I'd go with Kansas, Syracuse, Villanova and Butler.
Texas you ask? I'm going to say an 8 or 9 seed (barring some surprising run in the conference tournament) and matching up against a Marquette or Clemson and likely getting their asses handed to them by a hungrier team.
NBA:
Trust me folks, we're getting very close to the good part of the season. About a quarter of the season left and it's time for some real jockeying. The crazy thing is the Spurs are sitting firmly in the 8 spot in the western conference right now - and with Parker out with a broken hand the next 6 weeks or so, that won't help.
After today's loss to the Magic, the Lakers have dropped 3 straight for the first time in 2 years. Not a good run here losing on the road to Miami, Charlotte (really?) and Orlando. They've still got a good 5-game cushion over Denver and Dallas for the top spot, but that can evaporate quickly if they aren't careful. They're still within striking distance on Cleveland's top record, but they can't be losing to the Charlotte freaking Bobcats.
Don't look now, but Dallas is putting together a pretty wicked run right now. I'm still in the show me-don't tell me boat with the Mavs, but they are looking good and you can't deny that. Oh and speaking of the Mavs (or used to be Mavs) - that, Josh Howard, is called karma.
The Oklahoma City Thunder front office/coaching staff deserves a lot of credit for how they've handled the building of this team. They've been smart in the draft and developed players well. Of course having Kevin Durant doesn't hurt, but Russell Westbrook is quite the offensive power too. These guys were in the bottom of the conference as an expansion team just 3 short years ago and now they're sitting at 6 in the West.
For what it's worth, I don't think Lebron is going anywhere - I've wavered on this the past few months, but I think he's in it to win it in C-town. Sprinkle in a little Chris bosh or Dwayne Wade and you've got yourself a 4-5 year long dynasty run.
College Football:
I have to do what I can to squeeze some CFB in here, right? Something....
Are college football coaches stupid or do they just not care about the NCAA hand slapping? I'm guessing a little bit of both - especially in Rodriguez's case. Remember when he was adamant about not breaking the rules last summer? Well, guess what, he was breaking the rules. It's not like they're bad rules (most of the NCAA rule book is a joke anyway), but give me a break.
It's waaaay early, but all signs out of spring ball are that Mr. Gilbert is picking up right where Colt left off in terms of taking control of the team and leading it. This is going to be quite a different looking team next year and expectations need to be tempered a bit. Non conference schedule is the usual patsies for the most part, but they do add UCLA which is good. Other than that it's Wyoming, Rice, and Florida Atlantic. For what it's worth, they'll have BYU and UCLA in 2011 and then they start a home and home with Ole Miss in 2012. Getting there. Beyond that they travel to Lincoln, to Manhattan and to Lubbock. Will be interesting.
Here's actually a very novel idea from SI's Andy Staples - can't argue with it...check it out.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/andy_staples/02/16/conference-realignment/index.html
Non-Sports Thoughts for the Week:
Add NCIS to the list of crazy shows that I can't turn off if I start watching for 10 minutes. I don't get it, it's not even that good.
I'm officially off of Chinese food until further notice - I love it, but I'm mad at it right now. I can't get into it right now, but we need a break.
Ate a Perla's a couple of weeks ago - some of the best fried okra I've ever had. As well as some of the best oysters. Good place.
Went from getting a couple of grand back to owing over three grand in taxes this year....lousy democrats.
Don't you hate it when you take a leap of faith and you step in sh*t? Yeah, me too.
That's what I got gang - have a great week. Who the hell knows when I'll be back at yeah, so soak it in.
NFL (Because I just miss it so damn much):
Very interesting off season thus far - none more gut wrenching than the Panthers having to cut Delhomme a year after that monster extension. Ouch. Couple that with the loss of Peppers and they're in full-blown rebuilding mode.
And the award for going "balls to the wall" in the off season goes to the Chicago Bears. If Smith and company are going down, they're going down swinging - I like that. I know he got a lot of money, but he had a good thing going in Minnesota - especially with Peterson's fumble-itis and he has a tendency to slow down as the season goes on. And I think Matt Forte is petty good, right? Chicago...outdoor stadium...I don't know.
Big move by the Jets getting Cromartie - *should* really bolster their defense. I say should because he's kind of a Randy Moss at times where sometimes he plays and sometimes he doesn't. Nevertheless, Rex Ryan has proven to be pretty successful at getting the most out of his players so you have to like this move. Million dollar question is does this propel New York ahead of New England in the AFC East? I think it just may. I think next year for the Patriots will be very interesting as the mystique is pretty much gone.
Sounds like it was a good weekend for Bradford and McCoy - even though neither of them threw the ball. St. Louis will have some tough decisions to make - it's a top-loaded draft with lots of good options, and that means lots of teams may be looking to deal a lot to get their man. Personally I think Bradford is going to be a pretty damn good QB in the big leagues.
Hell, why not, Favre - ride that horse till she bucks you.
Limpin' Horns:
Can you recall a collapse of this magnitude in college basketball in the last 15 years? I sure don't. Plain and simple, this team has thrown in the towel on this season - it would not at all shock me to see them not win another game this year.
I'm certainly not on the Barnes bashing bandwagon (that's ridiculous), but it will be interesting to see how he responds to this season - I'm not sure he's faced this much criticism and adversity since he's been here and that has a lot to do with the expectations he's created with his success. I mean, I know they've had a couple of injuries, but that isn't the difference. Their were 3 games this year - Baylor at home, at OU and at UCONN that they had no business losing. Losing those games pretty much summed up the second half of the season.
Next year will be interesting - they're losing some key players (James, Pittman, Mason). Barnes will have his work cut out for him, especially if any of those youngsters decide to test their fate in the NBA draft. I don't think they quite lived up to expectations - we saw glimpses of greatness from each of them, but they all need at least one more year. I think they'll come back.
Tiger:
Sorry, but the press conference was pretty lame. It was quite the charade that was clearly very carefully orchestrated - but that's OK, I mean don't all big stars do some variation of that? It's not that big of a deal I guess, but thought it was just a little bit lame.
Either way, just tell me when he's back out playing golf.
NCAA Puppet Show:
Really? 96 teams? How greedy can these guys get? You literally have a perfect system in place that is envied by most all other post seasons. Besides, can you really get THAT much more money out of this? I mean, you've got a huge TV deal and I'm just not sure what else you can get.
With that, we've still got this year's tournament. The way it's looking, it may just be a Big East slug fest with a couple of mid-majors and Kansas sprinkled in. If I had to pick a projected final four I'd go with Kansas, Syracuse, Villanova and Butler.
Texas you ask? I'm going to say an 8 or 9 seed (barring some surprising run in the conference tournament) and matching up against a Marquette or Clemson and likely getting their asses handed to them by a hungrier team.
NBA:
Trust me folks, we're getting very close to the good part of the season. About a quarter of the season left and it's time for some real jockeying. The crazy thing is the Spurs are sitting firmly in the 8 spot in the western conference right now - and with Parker out with a broken hand the next 6 weeks or so, that won't help.
After today's loss to the Magic, the Lakers have dropped 3 straight for the first time in 2 years. Not a good run here losing on the road to Miami, Charlotte (really?) and Orlando. They've still got a good 5-game cushion over Denver and Dallas for the top spot, but that can evaporate quickly if they aren't careful. They're still within striking distance on Cleveland's top record, but they can't be losing to the Charlotte freaking Bobcats.
Don't look now, but Dallas is putting together a pretty wicked run right now. I'm still in the show me-don't tell me boat with the Mavs, but they are looking good and you can't deny that. Oh and speaking of the Mavs (or used to be Mavs) - that, Josh Howard, is called karma.
The Oklahoma City Thunder front office/coaching staff deserves a lot of credit for how they've handled the building of this team. They've been smart in the draft and developed players well. Of course having Kevin Durant doesn't hurt, but Russell Westbrook is quite the offensive power too. These guys were in the bottom of the conference as an expansion team just 3 short years ago and now they're sitting at 6 in the West.
For what it's worth, I don't think Lebron is going anywhere - I've wavered on this the past few months, but I think he's in it to win it in C-town. Sprinkle in a little Chris bosh or Dwayne Wade and you've got yourself a 4-5 year long dynasty run.
College Football:
I have to do what I can to squeeze some CFB in here, right? Something....
Are college football coaches stupid or do they just not care about the NCAA hand slapping? I'm guessing a little bit of both - especially in Rodriguez's case. Remember when he was adamant about not breaking the rules last summer? Well, guess what, he was breaking the rules. It's not like they're bad rules (most of the NCAA rule book is a joke anyway), but give me a break.
It's waaaay early, but all signs out of spring ball are that Mr. Gilbert is picking up right where Colt left off in terms of taking control of the team and leading it. This is going to be quite a different looking team next year and expectations need to be tempered a bit. Non conference schedule is the usual patsies for the most part, but they do add UCLA which is good. Other than that it's Wyoming, Rice, and Florida Atlantic. For what it's worth, they'll have BYU and UCLA in 2011 and then they start a home and home with Ole Miss in 2012. Getting there. Beyond that they travel to Lincoln, to Manhattan and to Lubbock. Will be interesting.
Here's actually a very novel idea from SI's Andy Staples - can't argue with it...check it out.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/andy_staples/02/16/conference-realignment/index.html
Non-Sports Thoughts for the Week:
Add NCIS to the list of crazy shows that I can't turn off if I start watching for 10 minutes. I don't get it, it's not even that good.
I'm officially off of Chinese food until further notice - I love it, but I'm mad at it right now. I can't get into it right now, but we need a break.
Ate a Perla's a couple of weeks ago - some of the best fried okra I've ever had. As well as some of the best oysters. Good place.
Went from getting a couple of grand back to owing over three grand in taxes this year....lousy democrats.
Don't you hate it when you take a leap of faith and you step in sh*t? Yeah, me too.
That's what I got gang - have a great week. Who the hell knows when I'll be back at yeah, so soak it in.
posted by The Bearden Wonder at 4:06 PM
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