Just have some random thoughts going from Sunday, so let’s get to it!
The Game’s Quick Hits
- Heath “If ya Got ‘em” Slocum drained a 21-foot par putt on the 72nd hole to finish at 9-under par and win The Barclays by one shot over PGA heavyweights Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Padraig Harrington, and Steve Stricker. The shocking win by Slocum vaulted him from 124th in the FedEx Cup standings to 3rd and got the playoffs off to a riveting start. I watched coverage of the entire final round and thoroughly had a great time. As I stated yesterday, Tiger lurking near the top of the leaderboard on Sunday makes for great TV and there was certainly drama to be had. I predicted that Woods would not win the tournament yesterday and even though I was right, he tried damn hard to make me eat those words. That is one reason why Tiger makes things exciting even if you are only a casual fan of golf. Even though he might not be playing his best, he always finds a way to keep grinding and scoring and then by the end of the tournament, he is always right there at the end. Once Stricker and Slocum both found a fairway bunker with their drives on 18, I thought for sure there was going to be a 5 way playoff. But I have to give Slocum major credit for rising to the occasion and draining a huge pressure packed putt.
If you watched the final round, Tiger actually should have won the event and just could not make enough happen at the end. He had a cruel lip-out from under 3 feet on the 3rd hole which cost him a shot and then he shockingly missed a birdie that was within 10 feet on the 18th. Draining either one of those would have gotten him into a playoff and both would have given him the win outright. You could also blame his play on the par 5’s, where he was only able to birdie one of them. Or just blame his slow start and poor putting in the first two rounds. However you slice it, it is just amazing how Tiger’s “mediocre” game can be better than other player’s best efforts. There was a huge pack of players trying to get the lead on Sunday and the tournament went right down to the wire. I really appreciate the drama that is created and the skill of the players. I realize golf is not for everyone, but when the best players in the world are playing, I honestly believe that spending a Sunday afternoon watching a golf tournament is some of the best time that you can spend as a sports fan.
- According to a report on the Detroit Free Press’s website, several University of Michigan football players alleged that the program has been violating NCAA rules limiting the amount of time they can spend on training and practice sessions. The players claim that the amount of time they are asked to put in by the program is mandatory and greatly exceeds the limits. Of course, Coach Rich Rodriguez and the University deny this and say there is nothing for them to self-report. In my estimation, I would have to believe these players because there is no reason to talk if it wasn’t true. They must have a bone to pick with the football program and what they are asked to do and I would have no trouble believing that Rodriguez and his coaching staff are pushing these players to the limit and beyond. Football at the University of Michigan is an institution and the program has been down in recent years. The pressure on Rodriguez to produce results is immense and I guess he thinks more practice and workouts will bring better results. That is generally true, but the NCAA sets limits so the kids aren’t run into the ground and they need to be followed. I’m sure it would be hard for the NCAA to really come down on the University for this, but Michigan had better be careful. And in fact, it seems as if they will at least give the appearance that they are. It was reported later on Sunday that the University would be looking into the allegations of the players. I guess we will have to wait and see if anything comes of that and also if this increased workload on the players helps because Michigan will struggle to get to 7 wins and be bowl eligible.
- Reports indicate that free agent LW Alex Tanguay has agreed to a 1 year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning. A division rival getting a good player like this is definitely not good news for the Capitals. Tanguay is still young at 29 and has been a very consistent scorer, logging 580 points in 659 games played. He was limited by a separated shoulder last year but still got 41 pts in 50 gms. Tanguay will join Vincent Lacavalier, Martin St. Louis, and rising star Steven Stamkos on a team that is starting to look up. If the Lightning can get some solid goaltending, they will start to be a force in the Southeast Division. I still expect the Caps to be the class of the division this year, but a healthy Tampa Bay lineup will make it tough for the Caps to take any game against them easy this year.
- Let’s take a trip around the NFL and look at some of the news from Sunday: The Cincinnati Bengals finally signed top draft pick, offensive lineman Andre Smith. The #6 pick in the draft and the Bengals had been unable to work out an agreement due to the fact that Cincinnati tried to pay Smith less than the #7 pick, Darrius Heyward-Bey of the Raiders. You see, this is why the Bengals can never get to the next level. They needed help on the offensive line and they tried to be cheapskates with Smith. I actually side with Smith on this one because the sliding salary scale for draft picks is what it is, so I blame the Bengals on this. The signing now leaves that idiot Michael Crabtree as the only unsigned 1st round draft pick…
There is still no word on the severity of the injury to Kansas City Chiefs QB Matt Cassel, who left Saturday’s preseason game with a leg injury and is undergoing medical tests. As if there would be any surprise, the Chiefs and their fans are now very concerned as the team seems to be staring at another disappointing season. I am looking forward to the Ravens crushing the Chiefs come week 1…
The Patriots are still being tight-lipped on the severity of Tom Brady’s shoulder injury, but they could have given everyone a clue by the surprise release of QB Kevin O’Connell. O’Connell was the front runner to be Brady’s backup and it seems really strange that the team would cut him after Brady went down. So obviously, the speculation is now that Brady’s shoulder may not be too bad…And in other Patriots news, it is being reported that LB Tedy Bruschi will announce his retirement tomorrow. That is fairly surprising, so I can only assume he believes that his body or mind is not up for the grind of an entire season. I give the guy a ton of credit for coming back after his heart problems and wish him well since he seems like he was a class act…
And now time for your daily dose of Michael Vick news…today it seems offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg came out and told the media that Vick will not disrupt the flow of the offense and that he will help the Eagles and not be a distraction. Well if you ask me, I will believe it when I see it. If anything, the media will try to make this into a big story, so sooner or later, Vick will have to produce on the field and as I stated before, the Eagles need to define a role and package of plays for Vick and stick to it.
- And finally, just want to send out congratulations to Chula Vista, CA for defeating Chinese Taipei 6-3 to win the 2009 Little League World Series. This is always a fun event to check out every year and the California team was damn impressive, hitting a LLWS record 19 home runs during the tournament.
Showing posts with label PGA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PGA. Show all posts
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Ready to Rave N Roll?
Well we’ve reached the third week of the preseason and that means things are getting serious for every NFL team. Typically, the 3rd preseason game is treated as a “dress rehearsal” for the regular season and each team takes it seriously as if the game counted. The starters usually play the first half and a series or two into the second half and the coaches are trying to make the final determinations as to who will be making the final 53 man roster. With that said, the Ravens had their 3rd preseason game last night against the Carolina Panthers, so what is the verdict after seeing their performance?
I have to say that I really liked what I saw in the Ravens 17-13 victory over the Panthers last night. On the defensive side of the ball, the Ravens continued to look in midseason form. During the first half, they only gave up 3 points and very few big plays down the field. The defensive prevented QB Jake Delhomme and the rest of the Panthers offense from getting into any type of rhythm. The Panthers first unit could not get anything going until the Ravens entire defense had the second unit in at the end of the third quarter. I do worry some if the injury bug starts to bite, but that is true of every team and the Ravens do have good depth to stand up to a few injuries. I was impressed with the play of new Ravens QB Dominique Foxworth. Foxworth was brought in to make the secondary a bit younger and faster, and he was able to make some good plays last night and seems to be picking up the defensive schemes. This bodes well heading into the regular season.
On the offensive side of things, I continued to be very impressed and encouraged in what I saw. Joe Flacco was extremely good in the first half as he completed 17 of 22 passes and threw his first touchdown of the preseason. What impresses me most is the development of his decision making. He is making smart plays and picking up when he needs to check down to his other receivers and also dump the ball off. Flacco also made some good down the field throws and I am hopeful that the downfield passing game will continue to improve. If it does, the Ravens will get more and more dangerous with the aerial attack. As an extra note, I noticed on Twitter that ESPN’s Chris Mortensen and CBS’s Pete Prisco both see the improvements in Flacco and are predicting good things ahead for him. I can dig that.
I was also impressed with the play of RB Ray Rice. Last season, everyone could see the speed and quickness of Rice and knew at the very least, he would be a good third down back and also a back that could give your starter a good rest every now and then. But now, Rice is starting to prove himself as capable of being a starter and carrying the offensive load when it comes to the run game. He continues to make strides when it comes to patience and he is getting better at picking his running lanes and openings and not trying to do too much. I also saw him make some good plays in the passing game, taking a few short passes from Flacco and turning them into good gains. This is a very good sign for Baltimore and again, CBS’s Prisco made mention on Twitter that he believes Rice will be a steal in fantasy football drafts this year. If Rice can handle the load and Willis McGahee stays healthy and can come in and continue pounding the ball, the Ravens offense may finally start to turn the corner.
It also seems as if Todd Heap is rounding back to form after dealing with injuries last season. He made a few nice catches and caught the TD pass from Flacco. Heap still has the ability to be extremely effective if he can stay on the field. A healthy year will give Flacco another weapon and allow him to work the middle of the field. WR Derrick Mason is also showing no signs of slowing down. He made a few nice grabs on deeper passes and the guy just knows how to get the job done.
So after seeing this performance tonight and watching all three preseason games, I have to say that the Ravens are looking more and more like legitimate contenders this season. I will still not get overly optimistic, but I will say that it will be a hell of a battle in the AFC North this year. The games against Pittsburgh should be off the hook and I will be glued to the TV for them. The Ravens don’t have a cupcake schedule by any means, but I think they can seriously challenge for the division title and if the offense keeps developing and the defense plays to its usual standard, the Ravens will have a shot this season.
And a final tidbit for Ravens fans out there…the last time the team started 3-0 in the preseason was in the 2000 campaign, the year in which Baltimore won the Super Bowl. Just some food for thought…
The Game’s Quick Hits
- I would be remiss if I did not mention the funeral for Ted Kennedy which took place on Saturday. I watched the proceedings and thought that it was a great service. The eulogies delivered by his sons Ted Jr. and Patrick were very poignant and offered a glimpse at the type of man Ted Kennedy was and what he stood for and tried to instill in others. As always, President Obama eloquently delivered a tribute to a friend and mentor and spoke about trying to honor Kennedy’s memory by always moving forward and trying to do what we can to persevere and make the world a better place. It was cool to see the funeral procession and final ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery as it was the first time I really witnessed and sat down to watch a burial like that for a prominent national political figure. The scene on the steps of the Capitol was pretty remarkable and the spontaneous singing of “God Bless America” was touching. Truly Ted Kennedy left his mark on America and whether you agreed with his politics or not, he was a man to be respected for what he endured and tried to accomplish.
- In an attempt to bolster their roster and hold off the Texas Rangers in the AL West, the Los Angeles Angels acquired P Scott Kazmir from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for 2 minor leaguers. I definitely have to give credit to the Angels for getting this done and trying to do what they can to make their team stronger for the playoffs. Kazmir has been pretty effective when he has not been slowed by injuries and the guy also has playoff experience, having started Games 1 and 5 of the World Series last year. I think the Angels need all the help they can get when it comes to pitching because it seems like the Yankees, who won a 1 hit, 10-0 shutout over the White Sox yesterday for their league leading 81st win, are still pressing full speed ahead and they look like the team to beat come playoff time.
- Tiger Woods tried to make a move on Saturday at The Barclays, but his 4-under par round of 67 only was able to bring him to within 5 strokes of co-leaders Steve Marino and Paul Goydos. Again, Tiger was able to leapfrog higher up the leaderboard into a tie for seventh place, but he still has a daunting task in trying to win on Sunday. I watched a good bit of the 3rd round and Tiger finally got some putts to drop and he kept grinding away. Only because of what Tiger Woods is capable of will I be tuned into the final round tomorrow. I do not expect Tiger to win, but he has made comebacks before, so you just never know. Final round Sundays are always a good watch when he is on the front page of the leaderboard.
- Sources indicate Golden State Warriors forward Stephen Jackson is seeking to be traded to a contender. The 31 year old made statements saying that he only has about 4 or 5 years left and he wants to be traded to a team that consistently makes the playoffs and is in position to win a championship. I can’t recall hearing about this guy being a trouble maker or anything, so I can respect his position and where he is coming from. Golden State is one of those franchises in sports that just seem like they always will be mediocre and have nothing going for them. Constantly losing takes its toll, so I have no problem with a veteran player wanting to try and win a title. Jackson averaged a career high 20.7 points per game last season and is a career 15.4 ppg scorer over 9 NBA seasons. Obviously Jackson could help a contending team, but his production would also come with a decent price tag that I am not sure a contender is willing to pay.
- Back to more Michael Vick news…as if it was any surprise, head coach Andy Reid stated that Vick will play in the Eagles final preseason game against the New York Jets. Reid said that he felt Vick looked good and he could see a more extended period playing QB in the final preseason game. I really feel that the Eagles need to let him play at least a series or two and let him stay in at QB to see what he can do since this might be the last time they will see Vick for a few weeks. Roger Goodell will make a decision by week 6 on whether Vick will be fully reinstated, so the Eagles might as well get a good look in the last preseason game. My guess is that Vick will sit 2 to 4 more games before being reinstated and then the fun can begin.
- Another QB battle was settled on Saturday when Tampa Bay announced that QB Byron Leftwich would be the team’s starter come week 1. Coach Raheem Morris said that Leftwich had the edge on QB Luke McCown heading into camp and held it with steady play in the preseason. In my estimation, it really didn’t matter who the Bucs picked to be their started because I don’t think they will be a big contender this year and probably will struggle to have a shot at the playoffs. I don’t think Leftwich or McCown are that consistent or dynamic, so the Bucs will really have to rely on running the ball and defense this year if they hope to compete.
- Other football notes: Patriots coach Bill Belichick insisted that Tom Brady was pulled from Friday night’s preseason game because the plan was to evaluate the other QBs. Speculation is already running wild as to whether or not Brady has any sort of serious injury. We will be playing the waiting game on this because you know Belichick will not say a word…Kansas City Chiefs QB Matt Cassel left in the first quarter of the Chiefs preseason game against the Seahawks with an apparent leg injury. Reports indicated that the injury was not believed to be that serious, but one has to wonder why Cassel did not try to return then. That is definitely something Kansas City doesn’t need. They need all the help they can get, especially with a week 1 game against the Ravens…Starting USC WR Ronald Johnson broke his collarbone in a mock game on Saturday and will be out for 6-8 weeks. Coach Pete Carroll described the loss of Johnson as “just a crusher”. I would say it is. You don’t want to lose your #1 WR when you are starting a true freshman at QB. I am on record saying that USC will not be in the hunt for the National Championship and I still believe that because this injury does not help them at all…Alabama head coach Nick Saban signed a contract extension which will keep at the school until 2017. Good to see that he actually might want to stay put this time. He can dream of trying to become the next Bear Bryant, but don’t count on it.
I have to say that I really liked what I saw in the Ravens 17-13 victory over the Panthers last night. On the defensive side of the ball, the Ravens continued to look in midseason form. During the first half, they only gave up 3 points and very few big plays down the field. The defensive prevented QB Jake Delhomme and the rest of the Panthers offense from getting into any type of rhythm. The Panthers first unit could not get anything going until the Ravens entire defense had the second unit in at the end of the third quarter. I do worry some if the injury bug starts to bite, but that is true of every team and the Ravens do have good depth to stand up to a few injuries. I was impressed with the play of new Ravens QB Dominique Foxworth. Foxworth was brought in to make the secondary a bit younger and faster, and he was able to make some good plays last night and seems to be picking up the defensive schemes. This bodes well heading into the regular season.
On the offensive side of things, I continued to be very impressed and encouraged in what I saw. Joe Flacco was extremely good in the first half as he completed 17 of 22 passes and threw his first touchdown of the preseason. What impresses me most is the development of his decision making. He is making smart plays and picking up when he needs to check down to his other receivers and also dump the ball off. Flacco also made some good down the field throws and I am hopeful that the downfield passing game will continue to improve. If it does, the Ravens will get more and more dangerous with the aerial attack. As an extra note, I noticed on Twitter that ESPN’s Chris Mortensen and CBS’s Pete Prisco both see the improvements in Flacco and are predicting good things ahead for him. I can dig that.
I was also impressed with the play of RB Ray Rice. Last season, everyone could see the speed and quickness of Rice and knew at the very least, he would be a good third down back and also a back that could give your starter a good rest every now and then. But now, Rice is starting to prove himself as capable of being a starter and carrying the offensive load when it comes to the run game. He continues to make strides when it comes to patience and he is getting better at picking his running lanes and openings and not trying to do too much. I also saw him make some good plays in the passing game, taking a few short passes from Flacco and turning them into good gains. This is a very good sign for Baltimore and again, CBS’s Prisco made mention on Twitter that he believes Rice will be a steal in fantasy football drafts this year. If Rice can handle the load and Willis McGahee stays healthy and can come in and continue pounding the ball, the Ravens offense may finally start to turn the corner.
It also seems as if Todd Heap is rounding back to form after dealing with injuries last season. He made a few nice catches and caught the TD pass from Flacco. Heap still has the ability to be extremely effective if he can stay on the field. A healthy year will give Flacco another weapon and allow him to work the middle of the field. WR Derrick Mason is also showing no signs of slowing down. He made a few nice grabs on deeper passes and the guy just knows how to get the job done.
So after seeing this performance tonight and watching all three preseason games, I have to say that the Ravens are looking more and more like legitimate contenders this season. I will still not get overly optimistic, but I will say that it will be a hell of a battle in the AFC North this year. The games against Pittsburgh should be off the hook and I will be glued to the TV for them. The Ravens don’t have a cupcake schedule by any means, but I think they can seriously challenge for the division title and if the offense keeps developing and the defense plays to its usual standard, the Ravens will have a shot this season.
And a final tidbit for Ravens fans out there…the last time the team started 3-0 in the preseason was in the 2000 campaign, the year in which Baltimore won the Super Bowl. Just some food for thought…
The Game’s Quick Hits
- I would be remiss if I did not mention the funeral for Ted Kennedy which took place on Saturday. I watched the proceedings and thought that it was a great service. The eulogies delivered by his sons Ted Jr. and Patrick were very poignant and offered a glimpse at the type of man Ted Kennedy was and what he stood for and tried to instill in others. As always, President Obama eloquently delivered a tribute to a friend and mentor and spoke about trying to honor Kennedy’s memory by always moving forward and trying to do what we can to persevere and make the world a better place. It was cool to see the funeral procession and final ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery as it was the first time I really witnessed and sat down to watch a burial like that for a prominent national political figure. The scene on the steps of the Capitol was pretty remarkable and the spontaneous singing of “God Bless America” was touching. Truly Ted Kennedy left his mark on America and whether you agreed with his politics or not, he was a man to be respected for what he endured and tried to accomplish.
- In an attempt to bolster their roster and hold off the Texas Rangers in the AL West, the Los Angeles Angels acquired P Scott Kazmir from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for 2 minor leaguers. I definitely have to give credit to the Angels for getting this done and trying to do what they can to make their team stronger for the playoffs. Kazmir has been pretty effective when he has not been slowed by injuries and the guy also has playoff experience, having started Games 1 and 5 of the World Series last year. I think the Angels need all the help they can get when it comes to pitching because it seems like the Yankees, who won a 1 hit, 10-0 shutout over the White Sox yesterday for their league leading 81st win, are still pressing full speed ahead and they look like the team to beat come playoff time.
- Tiger Woods tried to make a move on Saturday at The Barclays, but his 4-under par round of 67 only was able to bring him to within 5 strokes of co-leaders Steve Marino and Paul Goydos. Again, Tiger was able to leapfrog higher up the leaderboard into a tie for seventh place, but he still has a daunting task in trying to win on Sunday. I watched a good bit of the 3rd round and Tiger finally got some putts to drop and he kept grinding away. Only because of what Tiger Woods is capable of will I be tuned into the final round tomorrow. I do not expect Tiger to win, but he has made comebacks before, so you just never know. Final round Sundays are always a good watch when he is on the front page of the leaderboard.
- Sources indicate Golden State Warriors forward Stephen Jackson is seeking to be traded to a contender. The 31 year old made statements saying that he only has about 4 or 5 years left and he wants to be traded to a team that consistently makes the playoffs and is in position to win a championship. I can’t recall hearing about this guy being a trouble maker or anything, so I can respect his position and where he is coming from. Golden State is one of those franchises in sports that just seem like they always will be mediocre and have nothing going for them. Constantly losing takes its toll, so I have no problem with a veteran player wanting to try and win a title. Jackson averaged a career high 20.7 points per game last season and is a career 15.4 ppg scorer over 9 NBA seasons. Obviously Jackson could help a contending team, but his production would also come with a decent price tag that I am not sure a contender is willing to pay.
- Back to more Michael Vick news…as if it was any surprise, head coach Andy Reid stated that Vick will play in the Eagles final preseason game against the New York Jets. Reid said that he felt Vick looked good and he could see a more extended period playing QB in the final preseason game. I really feel that the Eagles need to let him play at least a series or two and let him stay in at QB to see what he can do since this might be the last time they will see Vick for a few weeks. Roger Goodell will make a decision by week 6 on whether Vick will be fully reinstated, so the Eagles might as well get a good look in the last preseason game. My guess is that Vick will sit 2 to 4 more games before being reinstated and then the fun can begin.
- Another QB battle was settled on Saturday when Tampa Bay announced that QB Byron Leftwich would be the team’s starter come week 1. Coach Raheem Morris said that Leftwich had the edge on QB Luke McCown heading into camp and held it with steady play in the preseason. In my estimation, it really didn’t matter who the Bucs picked to be their started because I don’t think they will be a big contender this year and probably will struggle to have a shot at the playoffs. I don’t think Leftwich or McCown are that consistent or dynamic, so the Bucs will really have to rely on running the ball and defense this year if they hope to compete.
- Other football notes: Patriots coach Bill Belichick insisted that Tom Brady was pulled from Friday night’s preseason game because the plan was to evaluate the other QBs. Speculation is already running wild as to whether or not Brady has any sort of serious injury. We will be playing the waiting game on this because you know Belichick will not say a word…Kansas City Chiefs QB Matt Cassel left in the first quarter of the Chiefs preseason game against the Seahawks with an apparent leg injury. Reports indicated that the injury was not believed to be that serious, but one has to wonder why Cassel did not try to return then. That is definitely something Kansas City doesn’t need. They need all the help they can get, especially with a week 1 game against the Ravens…Starting USC WR Ronald Johnson broke his collarbone in a mock game on Saturday and will be out for 6-8 weeks. Coach Pete Carroll described the loss of Johnson as “just a crusher”. I would say it is. You don’t want to lose your #1 WR when you are starting a true freshman at QB. I am on record saying that USC will not be in the hunt for the National Championship and I still believe that because this injury does not help them at all…Alabama head coach Nick Saban signed a contract extension which will keep at the school until 2017. Good to see that he actually might want to stay put this time. He can dream of trying to become the next Bear Bryant, but don’t count on it.
Friday, August 28, 2009
As the Vick Turns
Since Michael Vick’s on field return to the NFL was scheduled for last night, it was probably pretty obvious as to what I would be discussing today. No other significant topic that I want to discuss and go into a fuller analysis about has crept into my mind, so how about we just do some quick hits today? Yeah, sounds good to me…
The Game’s Quick Hits
- Well without question, the top story from Thursday was Michael Vick. It seems like it is all Vick, all the time around here, but that’s how it goes with an intriguing story like this. On Thursday morning, Vick appeared in bankruptcy court in Newport News, VA. A judge approved Vick’s plan to repay creditors who are owed about $20 million and allow Vick to emerge from bankruptcy. Not surprisingly, all of the creditors and representatives in court supported the plan. Obviously they see that NFL money coming back to Vick and they want their piece. I don’t have much to comment on about this. Vick’s actions caused all of this mess and he still has to pay the piper. For his sake, his performance on the field had better be at a high level, or he won’t be getting millions in those contracts as his NFL career continues.
And speaking of on the field, Vick hopped a plane right after his court appearance to get back to Philadelphia for their preseason game against the Jaguars. It was reported earlier in the day that the game plan called for Vick to see action in the first quarter. He would play at QB for the most part and then be a part of Wildcat formations. Coach Andy Reid was most concerned about seeing how Vick would adjust to the speed and intensity of a live game and also if he could take care of the ball. So with all that said and all the hype leading up to his return, how did Vick look on the field?
The short answer: decent and passable. When Vick trotted onto the field during the Eagles first offensive series, he was met with a standing ovation for the most part…so much for all of those anti-Vick efforts. Vick was in the game for only 6 plays and was 4-4 for 19 yards and had one rush for one yard. Pretty pedestrian numbers, but it was what I expected. I said I would be shocked if Vick pulled off a game breaking type of play and indeed, that never even came close to happening. Vick displayed good arm strength and zip on his one down field pass that he threw and he did not look lost out there or shocked by the speed of the game. However, the Eagles looked sloppy and one can argue that Vick being in the game messed up the rhythm of the offense. I tend to agree and I feel the Eagles really need to develop a package of plays for Vick and stick to them. You will not have success in the NFL trying to do a QB rotation. Vick stated after the game that he is at about 70% of what he needs to be and he thinks the sky’s the limit when he gets back fully into game shape. Without question, this will continue to be a hot topic of discussion in the coming weeks.
- Very big news coming from WWE land. Current Intercontinental Champion Rey Mysterio has been suspended for 30 days due to violating the company’s wellness policy. I debated on whether to save this for tomorrow, but I really don’t feel I can offer a great deal of in depth analysis. I am certainly surprised to hear this news, but when I think about it, it is not THAT shocking. Rey has been flying around the ring for well over a decade now and has put his body through a great deal of punishment. He is also a small man, but you have to admit he is pretty muscular. So, I am left to speculate that either he was taking too many drugs to deal with some pain or he flat out got caught on some juice which he was using to try and keep his body going. The suspension is supposed to be effective next Wednesday, so be prepared to see Mysterio drop the IC Title to Dolph Ziggler at the Smackdown tapings on Tuesday. I am wondering if the WWE now regrets not giving Ziggler the win at Summerslam. I would if I were them…
- Former Kentucky men’s basketball coach Billy Gillispie was arrested and charged with DUI after being pulled over by police early Thursday. They detected the smell of alcohol on him and his speech was slurred. This is now the third incident involving Gillispie and drunk driving. It seems like this is becoming a pattern now and maybe Billy needs to consider the possiblility that he has a problem here. I am all for having a few drinks and having a good time, but you can’t jump behind the wheel. It can be a tough thing to admit that you have a problem, but it seems like Mr. Gillispie might have one. Hopefully he can address the issue and get back on his feet. He was able to get the head coaching job at Kentucky, so I am sure that there is still a job out there somewhere for him in the future.
- Tiger Woods returned to the PGA tour yesterday with an underwhelming 1-under par 70 at The Barclays, the first FedEx Cup Playoff event. This put him 5 strokes off the lead shared by Paul Goydos, Steve “Don’t Call Me Dan” Marino, and Sergio Garcia. Well those guys certainly are not powerhouses (and yes I include Sergio because of his inconsistency) and Tiger, most of the time, gets off to slow starts and builds momentum, so it should be fun to see what happens this weekend. I love watching Tiger and I enjoy how skilled he is and how dominant he can be. If he is near the top of the leaderboard this weekend, you can bet I will be tuning in. He probably needs to make a move on Friday though if he wants to win this tournament because you have a great field in this event and they are trying to move on to the next playoff event.
- Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane escaped jail time by pleading guilty to a noncriminal charge of disorderly conduct after he and his cousin were accused of assaulting a cab driver over 20 cents. Kane was ordered to send an apology to the man and he will avoid any other penalties if he stays out of trouble for 1 year and sends the apology. No question Kane should apologize to this guy, but he should also apologize for his sheer stupidity. Now I can see how Kane and his cousin could be a bit scared and uneasy when the cabbie locked them in the car. But after they paid the guy, for them to rough him up over not getting 20 cents back is just idiotic. Kane is a star athlete, a role model, and is making millions of dollars. He should not be putting himself in a dumb situation over 20 cents. I haven’t read anything about him being drunk (and that is a good thing since he is only 20 years old), so I don’t know what he was thinking. Let’s hope he learns from the situation.
- The Boston Red Sox released P Brad Penny late Wednesday night after he has struggled this season going 7-8 with a 5.61 ERA. Sources indicate that 3 NL teams, the Rockies, Giants, and Marlins, immediately had interest. Because of the way his contract is structured, it is unlikely he will be picked up off waivers (that could cost a team almost $2.5 million if he pitched 50 more innings this year and he sure as hell isn’t worth that), but if he clears them, he would only cost a team about $100,000. Considering that Penny has a healthy arm and is a veteran who has had success in the big leagues, he would probably be worth the pickup. Now will he be effective? No one knows. But Cliff Lee and John Smoltz have benefited from moving to the NL from the AL, so maybe Penny can follow suit. Just some more intrigue as we head toward the home stretch of the season.
- Lou Piniella has offered himself up to critics looking to blame somebody for the Chicago Cubs' disappointing season. "You want to blame me? Take your shots. It doesn't bother me one bit, OK?" Well OK Lou, I’ll jump on the bandwagon then! You suck and you and the Cubs are cursed, CURSED I SAY! BWAHAHAHA! Ahem, sorry about that. Seriously though, you have to feel a little bit for the fans of the Cubs because it is just disappointment after disappointment. As an outsider though and a fan who has seen plenty of woes from hometown teams, I don’t have a great deal of sympathy and it is nice knowing some other franchises and fans have it worse. LOL
- Other football notes: Vikings QB Brett Favre did some talking yesterday and said that it is a “work in progress” trying to integrate himself into the Vikings locker room. When asked about the “schism” reports, Favre blew it off and said that he doesn’t even know what it means. As I stated yesterday, the only way Favre will truly win over his teammates is by leading them to victories and I believe Favre is well aware of that…Bills WR Terrell Owens is inching closer to recovering from a sprained toe. He was able to work out and catch passes in individual drills yesterday and Bills coach Dick Jauron was encouraged by the progress. He could be cleared to return to full practice next week. Well let’s hope T.O. recovers fully so he can get on the field and cause drama when QB Trent Edwards doesn’t get him the ball…Cowboys WR Roy Williams left practice after colliding with a teammate and injuring his shoulder. Sources are saying that Williams is done for the preseason, but there is no announcement yet on how severe the injury is. I hope for the Cowboys’ sake it is not that serious because Williams is being counted on to replace Terrell Owens. Owens even chimed in on Twitter saying that the pressure is building after he heard about the injury. Indeed it is…True freshman Matt Barkley was named the starting QB for the #4 USC Trojans yesterday. Coach Pete Carroll said that Barkley has exceeded expectations and is ready for the role. I don’t know anything about this guy, but it seems like he was the most sought after recruit last year, so the guy must have potential. I will be very interested to see how he performs when I get a chance to catch a USC game.
The Game’s Quick Hits
- Well without question, the top story from Thursday was Michael Vick. It seems like it is all Vick, all the time around here, but that’s how it goes with an intriguing story like this. On Thursday morning, Vick appeared in bankruptcy court in Newport News, VA. A judge approved Vick’s plan to repay creditors who are owed about $20 million and allow Vick to emerge from bankruptcy. Not surprisingly, all of the creditors and representatives in court supported the plan. Obviously they see that NFL money coming back to Vick and they want their piece. I don’t have much to comment on about this. Vick’s actions caused all of this mess and he still has to pay the piper. For his sake, his performance on the field had better be at a high level, or he won’t be getting millions in those contracts as his NFL career continues.
And speaking of on the field, Vick hopped a plane right after his court appearance to get back to Philadelphia for their preseason game against the Jaguars. It was reported earlier in the day that the game plan called for Vick to see action in the first quarter. He would play at QB for the most part and then be a part of Wildcat formations. Coach Andy Reid was most concerned about seeing how Vick would adjust to the speed and intensity of a live game and also if he could take care of the ball. So with all that said and all the hype leading up to his return, how did Vick look on the field?
The short answer: decent and passable. When Vick trotted onto the field during the Eagles first offensive series, he was met with a standing ovation for the most part…so much for all of those anti-Vick efforts. Vick was in the game for only 6 plays and was 4-4 for 19 yards and had one rush for one yard. Pretty pedestrian numbers, but it was what I expected. I said I would be shocked if Vick pulled off a game breaking type of play and indeed, that never even came close to happening. Vick displayed good arm strength and zip on his one down field pass that he threw and he did not look lost out there or shocked by the speed of the game. However, the Eagles looked sloppy and one can argue that Vick being in the game messed up the rhythm of the offense. I tend to agree and I feel the Eagles really need to develop a package of plays for Vick and stick to them. You will not have success in the NFL trying to do a QB rotation. Vick stated after the game that he is at about 70% of what he needs to be and he thinks the sky’s the limit when he gets back fully into game shape. Without question, this will continue to be a hot topic of discussion in the coming weeks.
- Very big news coming from WWE land. Current Intercontinental Champion Rey Mysterio has been suspended for 30 days due to violating the company’s wellness policy. I debated on whether to save this for tomorrow, but I really don’t feel I can offer a great deal of in depth analysis. I am certainly surprised to hear this news, but when I think about it, it is not THAT shocking. Rey has been flying around the ring for well over a decade now and has put his body through a great deal of punishment. He is also a small man, but you have to admit he is pretty muscular. So, I am left to speculate that either he was taking too many drugs to deal with some pain or he flat out got caught on some juice which he was using to try and keep his body going. The suspension is supposed to be effective next Wednesday, so be prepared to see Mysterio drop the IC Title to Dolph Ziggler at the Smackdown tapings on Tuesday. I am wondering if the WWE now regrets not giving Ziggler the win at Summerslam. I would if I were them…
- Former Kentucky men’s basketball coach Billy Gillispie was arrested and charged with DUI after being pulled over by police early Thursday. They detected the smell of alcohol on him and his speech was slurred. This is now the third incident involving Gillispie and drunk driving. It seems like this is becoming a pattern now and maybe Billy needs to consider the possiblility that he has a problem here. I am all for having a few drinks and having a good time, but you can’t jump behind the wheel. It can be a tough thing to admit that you have a problem, but it seems like Mr. Gillispie might have one. Hopefully he can address the issue and get back on his feet. He was able to get the head coaching job at Kentucky, so I am sure that there is still a job out there somewhere for him in the future.
- Tiger Woods returned to the PGA tour yesterday with an underwhelming 1-under par 70 at The Barclays, the first FedEx Cup Playoff event. This put him 5 strokes off the lead shared by Paul Goydos, Steve “Don’t Call Me Dan” Marino, and Sergio Garcia. Well those guys certainly are not powerhouses (and yes I include Sergio because of his inconsistency) and Tiger, most of the time, gets off to slow starts and builds momentum, so it should be fun to see what happens this weekend. I love watching Tiger and I enjoy how skilled he is and how dominant he can be. If he is near the top of the leaderboard this weekend, you can bet I will be tuning in. He probably needs to make a move on Friday though if he wants to win this tournament because you have a great field in this event and they are trying to move on to the next playoff event.
- Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane escaped jail time by pleading guilty to a noncriminal charge of disorderly conduct after he and his cousin were accused of assaulting a cab driver over 20 cents. Kane was ordered to send an apology to the man and he will avoid any other penalties if he stays out of trouble for 1 year and sends the apology. No question Kane should apologize to this guy, but he should also apologize for his sheer stupidity. Now I can see how Kane and his cousin could be a bit scared and uneasy when the cabbie locked them in the car. But after they paid the guy, for them to rough him up over not getting 20 cents back is just idiotic. Kane is a star athlete, a role model, and is making millions of dollars. He should not be putting himself in a dumb situation over 20 cents. I haven’t read anything about him being drunk (and that is a good thing since he is only 20 years old), so I don’t know what he was thinking. Let’s hope he learns from the situation.
- The Boston Red Sox released P Brad Penny late Wednesday night after he has struggled this season going 7-8 with a 5.61 ERA. Sources indicate that 3 NL teams, the Rockies, Giants, and Marlins, immediately had interest. Because of the way his contract is structured, it is unlikely he will be picked up off waivers (that could cost a team almost $2.5 million if he pitched 50 more innings this year and he sure as hell isn’t worth that), but if he clears them, he would only cost a team about $100,000. Considering that Penny has a healthy arm and is a veteran who has had success in the big leagues, he would probably be worth the pickup. Now will he be effective? No one knows. But Cliff Lee and John Smoltz have benefited from moving to the NL from the AL, so maybe Penny can follow suit. Just some more intrigue as we head toward the home stretch of the season.
- Lou Piniella has offered himself up to critics looking to blame somebody for the Chicago Cubs' disappointing season. "You want to blame me? Take your shots. It doesn't bother me one bit, OK?" Well OK Lou, I’ll jump on the bandwagon then! You suck and you and the Cubs are cursed, CURSED I SAY! BWAHAHAHA! Ahem, sorry about that. Seriously though, you have to feel a little bit for the fans of the Cubs because it is just disappointment after disappointment. As an outsider though and a fan who has seen plenty of woes from hometown teams, I don’t have a great deal of sympathy and it is nice knowing some other franchises and fans have it worse. LOL
- Other football notes: Vikings QB Brett Favre did some talking yesterday and said that it is a “work in progress” trying to integrate himself into the Vikings locker room. When asked about the “schism” reports, Favre blew it off and said that he doesn’t even know what it means. As I stated yesterday, the only way Favre will truly win over his teammates is by leading them to victories and I believe Favre is well aware of that…Bills WR Terrell Owens is inching closer to recovering from a sprained toe. He was able to work out and catch passes in individual drills yesterday and Bills coach Dick Jauron was encouraged by the progress. He could be cleared to return to full practice next week. Well let’s hope T.O. recovers fully so he can get on the field and cause drama when QB Trent Edwards doesn’t get him the ball…Cowboys WR Roy Williams left practice after colliding with a teammate and injuring his shoulder. Sources are saying that Williams is done for the preseason, but there is no announcement yet on how severe the injury is. I hope for the Cowboys’ sake it is not that serious because Williams is being counted on to replace Terrell Owens. Owens even chimed in on Twitter saying that the pressure is building after he heard about the injury. Indeed it is…True freshman Matt Barkley was named the starting QB for the #4 USC Trojans yesterday. Coach Pete Carroll said that Barkley has exceeded expectations and is ready for the role. I don’t know anything about this guy, but it seems like he was the most sought after recruit last year, so the guy must have potential. I will be very interested to see how he performs when I get a chance to catch a USC game.
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