It was a typical summer's day in New Jersey and the weather was harsh due to the aftermath of Tropical Depression Ernesto when I went online.  But what made this day unusual to the typical outsider was that I was just finishing five hours on the computer for my fantasy sports teams.  I would go from my fantasy football teams, to my fantasy baseball teams to even the fantasy golf team; I knew I needed some help.  After all, how many 15-year olds waste their time inside when they should be outside?  Wait, just ignore that question completely. 

The NFL is a complex business, as we all know and their fans (including myself) are amongst the most passionate in American Sports.  But the evolution of fantasy football has taken passion to a whole new level.  How many Eagles fans have Terrell Owens on their fantasy football team?  How many Patriots fans have Peyton Manning or Marvin Harrison?  Though I'm geared towards winning all the time, I have to set up benchmarks.  I have never drafted a New England Patriot player in ANY of my leagues nor a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers defense.  If I have to choose between Daniel Graham or Ben Utecht?  I go with the former Gopher WR who (keep track on this) just emerged as the #2 in Indy, overtaking Bryan Fletcher.  Another silent ground rule of mine is what if my fantasy team is running on the team that is opposing my favorite team?  Well in that scenario, I would have to bite the bullet and root against my fantasy team.  Also, always draft at least ONE player from your fantasy team (yes, even you SF fans) just to keep yourself sane.

I'm an addict on sports as I have mostly followed the NFL, MLB, NASCAR and NHL since I was around 3 years old but fantasy sports has improved my appreciation even more.  Anyone notice that Brooks Bollinger trade to Minnesota?  Yeah, that Brooks Bollinger, it's a shame when you closely follow the situation of a player of his caliber.  This is why I am ashamed of myself as I start getting paranoid and thinking "Tavaris Jackson is on my team in my keeper league?!?!?!?!?!?!" will the two-year deal given to Bollinger affect that in anyway?  Pathetic, isn't it?

This is the best part of most fantasy sports owners.  We know that we are in a sense, geeky or nerdy though we keep that to ourselves, and we know that we should probably spend time finding other hobbies.  But I've also slightly improved myself as a human being on the planet Earth.  I learn to feel more sympathetic towards people who get hurt during my HS baseball games.  I also have improved my knuckleball as I get more attentive to the tiniest details in my mechanics and have even learned to forgive people for about a wekk.

Well, all I have to say is that while fantasy sports is what we would call a "cool geek", it is still something that is fun and eats away time with your girlfriend's parents (believe me).

Comments, like always, Appreciated.

Perhaps the most important NFL storyline, the "race" to succeed Paul Tagliabue as NFL commissioner, has taken a backseat to headlines of Reggie Bush, rookie holdouts and fantasy football.  While there have been no political ads, mudslinging or catchy campaign slogans; Make no mistake this is one fierce election. 

Now it's time for some fantasizing and "What If? thoughts", I will take one day as the glorious life of the NFL commish.  I will make rule changes which could make the NFL not only exciting but better towards the players.  In this article, I will take the role as "COMMISH FOR A DAY!"

Rule 1, Franchising Rookies?-There has only been one major headline this offseason and that was the holdout of Reggie Bush and the continuing saga of the Matt Leinart and Broderick Bunkley holdouts.  This rule will make signings better for owners, fans but maybe not for the agents and playears.  We all know about how the "franchise tag" system works but plese correct me if I'm wrong or misguided but is a possible $58 million contract to an unproven commodity a great idea?  I know contracts prorate from year-to-year but this will limit holdouts and make the rookies pay for their absences.  As soon as you are drafted, you are given an automatic 3-year deal based on the salaries of the 5 lowest paid starting QBs from the previous NFL season.  Now that leaves the team inclined to either extend the deal (if wanted) or keep it and give the rookies a salary.  If the rookies don't like it?  They can hold out and get fined like a normal player to up to $15,000. 

Rule 2, Schedule Extension-Maybe that title is a little misleading but here's my take.  This Saturday we will see the first preseason game (The Hall of Fame game) between the Philadelphia Eagles-Oakland Raiders.  My idea would be to have all camps open between July 18th to July 21st and postpone the season by one week.  That way when players enter the preseason and regular season, they may be in better shape which could lead to less injuries.  Now that means a team like the Indianapolis Colts who started camp late, could save up to two weeks for players.  If you had an offseason surgery, you would have more time to recover fully as well.  Wishful thinking perhaps but I believe that would be great for the fans and teams. 

Rule 3, Blood Testing-After the Olympics, the NFL is most likely the sport that the players would want to use some "enhancements" to gain an upper edge.  Now while that enhancement may be small or Anna-Nicole Smith big (if you catch my drift), players will be tested as soon the week BEFORE they report to training camp.  That way by the time you report, the test results would be in.  It would make for a cleaner league and perhaps less drug-related arrests in the offseason.  Also, hopefully most NFL players will realize what they are under the 'scope and stop taking illegal drugs IF THEY DO take them that is.

Rule 4, Down in the Farm-Sometimes you may be too "raw" or not good enough to make the NFL, but the dream shouldn't continue in Canada.  I propose a minor-league affliate system (shared by two clubs each) for players on the practice squad or early preseason cuts.  It would coincide with the NFL season and that way teams can develop their Joey Hawkins and Ed Nelson-type (former NCAA basketball players turned TE) players and give them some playing time.  Also you can send backups down and bring up players all year which would frustrate some but make dreams come true.  Everyone likes a rags-to-riches stories and the NFLRL (NFL Rookie League) would help. 

That ends my tenure as NFL Commissioner, as always I will end my articles the same way they are always ended.

Comments (and Suggestions this time) Appreciated.

As I continue the four-part "Ode to Simmons" articles, I will now highlight the Philadelphia Phillies starting rotation.  This will be the hardest part of this whole article as is there anyone good on the Phillies rotation?  Probably not but still the show must go on and let's start the comparisions.

SP-Jon Lieber:  Well what would you call a middle-aged SP who gives up HRs as many times as the Jason McElwain story has been retold on ESPN?  Jon Lieber is that man (though case could be made for Lidle) and while he's battled injuries throughout the season, he's not the ace that was destined to be this year.  Lieber has a fastball tapping around 90, a decent breaking ball and a knack for giving up a LOT of HRs.  A comparision is impossible to find almost, but hey, I think I got it:  John Burkett

SP-Brett Myers:  The Philadelphia Phillies best starting pitcher is without a doubt, Brett Myers.  While he's domestic abuse charge is the most known thing about him, let's not forget that he does have a sub-4 ERA which is lower than most of the bullpen.  Myers has a great fastball but an even better curveball and a slider, to my knowledge.  Myers has come a long way after his first two seasons in which he struggled heavily.  But with pitching coach Rich Dubee, it appears that he's turned the corner for good.  The Comparision was hard this time around, but I settled for:  Derek Lowe

SP-Cory Lidle:  I guess I have to give Lidle credit here, he's lasted the entire season so far in the rotation.  Nothing great, yet nothing poor; Lidle doesn't have dominating stuff, yet can still get you out.  Granted, pitching about 6 innings per start is not really worth a "Wow!" factor but his 4.91 ERA does not get him off the hook in my eyes.  Lidle is also being discussed as trade bait, and while he's not like him now, this guy was similar to him (without the success) in BOS:  Bronson Arroyo pre-2004

SP-Cole Hamels:   I still like what I see out of Hamels as he's still adjusting to the major leagues.  It takes time for some people and I would rather see him gain confidence up here, then lose it at Scranton.  He's showcased his dominant change-up and good fastball but still needs to learn how to pitch a curveball to a major league hitter.  He can be great, but let's not give him the title of the "Next Christy Matthewson" quite yet, he's still got a way to go.  The Comparision:  Inconclusive

The other members of the rotation are also inconclusive as we don't know what Randy Wolf will be like it when he returns on the 30th.  Madson is dreadfully inconsistent and Mathieson needed more than two starts to find out what he's really worth.

Part 4-The Bullpen/The End

The second chapter of my "Ode to Bill Simmons" continues in this article.  Basically, all I am doing is comparing the current Phillies roster with the Red Sox that Simmons loved (and at times hate).  I feel the same way about the Phillies, except there is the whole "playoff" scheme and it's similar to the Red Sox World Series drought.  Of course, the Phillies avoid the playoffs like audiences avoided "Ishtar" (see Simmons has the Shawshank Redemption, I have Ishtar?!?! What kind of inspiration is that?).  Part Two will compare the Phillies outfield and bench to the Bo Sox of '04 and earlier. 

RF-Bobby Abreu:  Though sometimes I hope the Phillies drop his large salary, Abreu is as solid and consistent as they come.  He's got an unbelieveable blend of speed, power and unbelieveable arm strength (sounds eerily like Vince Young), and is probably the most patient batter in baseball right now as his walks (83) and OBP (.477) indicate.  But he still has this whole "wallphobia" deal that has plagued him since he became a Phillie.  Also on the downside is his power since the magical Home Run Derby of 2005, Abreu has 8 HRs which considering he hit 41 in one night, is below subpar (think Mickelson at 18).  The Comparision is hard because right now he is looking like Troy O'Leary, but before this year he was:  A Poor Man's Manny Ramirez (with more glove)

CF-Aaron Rowand:  Who could forget his unbelieveable catch on May 11 in which he suffered a broken nose after running into a wall?  Apparently, Philly (and myself) haven't forgotten either as we still cheer him even though he is batting a Burrell-like .232 since he's returned to action.  Rowand never quits as he always goes the extra length to catch a ball in right-center field that Abreu is avoiding.  He can come up with a clutch hit, but once his average returns to the .280-.290 area, he will be embraced here.  The Comparision?  Oy vey, this is tough.  The Comparision makes sense just because he's attitude (never say never) and grit got him to this and not his play:  Johnny Damon (Attitude and Glove)

LF-Pat Burrell:  I still like him a bit, but as you can tell by my comment about him in Rowand's scouting report, he is the most inconsistent player on the team.  He still has great power and a freak arm, but he strikes out too many times.  He gets in horrible slumps and appears to put a lot of pressure on himself in the batter's box.  He makes dumb errors occasionally but when he strikes out, it can destroy the rest of his game.  He's a headcase to himself and the comparision I am making is not because he's a jerk or anything, but you never know which Pat Burrell will show up in the first inning:  Carl Everett

The Bench

OF-Shane Victorino:  I will admit at first that I was a bit skeptical of former GM Ed Wade when he picked Victorino out of the Rule 5 Draft from the Dodgers.  Wade saw great speed and raw potential but at the time his glove and bat were often questioned.  Victorino responded by playing admirably in Triple-AAA Scranton (I believe, correct me if I'm wrong but won Internationl League MVP as well) and made the team out of spring training this year.  Victorino has kept up as the team's utility outfielder (playing RF, CF and LF) and has come up big when needed.  His average at .277 is decent for a player of his caliber and I still believe he can improve.  His glove is great and wait did I say "come up big when needed".  That sounds an awful lot like;  Dave Roberts (for now)

OF-David Dellucci:  Again, I will admit that Dellucci is better than a fourth outfielder (he'll start if/when Abreu/Burrell departs) and though a tad old (32) he is going to be awfully hard to keep with his .315 average.  He's got a good amount of pop (6 HRs) and he is right now the only Phillie hitting the ball (take away Chase).  He probably won't be in a Phillie uniform next season, but I like this player.  His numbers if he stays on the bench will be high (in limited at-bats) but his knack for hits and getting HRs reminds me of:  Bill Mueller

C-Sal Fasano:  He may not exactly be Joe Mauer in terms of athleticism or Victor Martinez in power, but Fasano is approaching cult status here similar to Randy Wolf's Wolf Pack.  Though not as clever and witty, Fasano's fan club is called "Sal Pals" and you gotta love it when 20 or so men and women, where Fu Manchus.  His average is low as his power but he gets the Comparision of fellow backup and cult hero; Doug Mirabelli

C-Chris Coste:  A journeyman but alas there is no close comparision to a 33-year old journeyman who played for the first time at the MLB level this season.  He's played well too, shockingly; I like him but the only Comparision I can think of is; Adam Hyzdu (without the absurd high school and minor league stats)

IF-Abraham Nunez':  After a good year in '05 with St. Louis, Abraham Nunez has not flourished at all while riding the pine.  Batting below the mendoza line, Nunez has been a huge disappointment and Gillick may have screwed up here.  Since I have to make a Comparision, he gets; Damian Jackson

That concludes Part Two as Chris Roberson and Carlos Ruiz are too incomplete

Up Next:  Starting Pitchers

Comments, like always, Appreciated.

Oh man, oh man; I knew it was going to happen eventually.  Though it was still being kept in denial, talks are continuing in what could be the biggest NASCAR-related newspiece of the season (providing no changes to the Chase).  Danica Patrick, IRL driver, may possibly move to the NASCAR circuit in the near-future.  While "talks" apparently recently started, let's not forget the revenue in IRL and in NASCAR is tremendous.  TJ Patrick, Danica's representative, was a guest of honor at team owner Jack Roush's hauler for the USG Sheetrock 400 at Chicagoland Speedway. 

Danica is currently going through a minor-sophomore slump that can be attributed to the switch from Panoz to Dallara or just plain bad luck.  I, for one, believe Danica Patrick is deservedly the most hyped racer in all forms of auto racing (with competition from Dale Jr. and Michael Schumacher) as sex sells in America and she's by far had the most success of any female racer.  She was an accomplished racer, who was running in the Barber Dodge Pro Series but then posed quite provocatively in the magazine FHM soon after signing a deal with Rahal/Letterman Racing to race in the Toyota Atlantic Championship Series (consider it a Busch Series to the IRL).  In her two years running in the "TAC", Danica had some success, but never won a race in far-superior equipment.  Though she found Top-5 consistency and in her second year, finished 3rd in her 2nd year in the final standings.

Then the switch to IRL (in my opinion, she needed another year of development) came and the media boom known as "Danicamania" erupted after she nearly won last year's Indy 500.  She finished 12th in the points and won ROTY with virtually no competition outside of Ryan Briscoe who didn't finish the season due to injuries.  Rahal/Letterman was turning into a major powerhouse with Danica, Buddy Rice (a title contender in '04) and Vitor Meira (who departed to Panther Racing following the season). 

Fast forward to 2006; and Danica is 12th in points out of 18 full-time drivers, a respectable position considering she's been running a Panoz body for most of the season (now switched to Dallara) and teammate Buddy Rice has raced well but has been plagued by bad luck as of late.  She hasn't qualified as well as she did last year nor finished but can that be attributed to the Panoz?  Yes, it can and also she and Rice did not race in the season opener at Homestead due to the untimely death of teammate Paul Dana (who was replaced by Jeff Simmons) can hurt the points position.

Now the news broke that Danica is considering bolting to the grandaddy of all forms of auto racing; the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series.  My opinion on this is clear; I do not support this decision for her.  I remember Tony Stewart driving an Indy car around the Brickyard with one hand on the wheel and saying "how his grandmother could even drive this thing" in an interview before a race once.  Tony is the only one that has had major success bolting to NASCAR and the failures include Jimmy Vasser (couldn't find a ride), Christian Fittipaldi and to a lesser scale, Hideo Fukuyama (wasn't from the open-wheel ranks).  The odds of failing are so high that I can only think of one way she can fare well.  Start off in ARCA for about a year, then jump to Busch for 2-3 and then go to NEXTEL Cup.  But with NASCAR's "Drive for Diversity" is pretty much forcing you to take your young, inexperienced driver and run them in Busch (see Erin Crocker).  I for one, believe Erin Crocker will be the most successful female driver ever but needs time to adapt to the stock car ranks.  Danica on the other hand?  Quite possibly, no but I can still be proved wrong.

Before I finish up this article, I want to say by no means am I sexist.  I told you what I believe about Crocker and Katherine Legge will be successful too.  Katherine Legge is a standout on the Toyota Atlantic Championship Series (where Danicamania started) and won three races in her only season.  Right now Champ Car (which is basically IRL on road courses), she's having success eerily similar to Danica's but Champ Car is more competitive than oval racing.  I also feel Juan Pablo Montoya is making a mistake to by going to NASCAR but that is a different story for another time.

I apologize to those if anyone is offended and I sincerely mean it.  This was not to point fingers at the sexes, merely just an observation, I have had. 

Comments Appreciated.