Anyone that has been around the blogosphere for a while undoubtedly knows this guy.  Whether you've visited his legendary Expletive Blog, or just witnessed his humorous comments...odds are you've run into this hoser a time or two.

For well over a year, Miracle (aka - Dr. Phil McCracken) has been an integral part of the blogging community here at FoxSports.  The original Expletive Blog he invented was the ultimate cyber-porch.  It was a place where bloggers could gather to rant and rave about anything.

A while back...the Expletive Blog was deleted by Fox Administrators.  Apparently, someone had reported the blog post as inappropriate content, even though it had existed for almost an entire year.  Keep in mind, the post itself contained no profanity at all.  The same can't be said for the comment section, which several bloggers (including myself) contributed to.  So in a way, I was responsible for the post being deleted.  Several of us were.  Bottom line, our most frequently used gathering place was gone...and Miracle had done nothing wrong.

Then came along Expletive Blog - Part Deux.  Sure, it wasn't quite the same as the original.  But hey, it had a picture of Tawny Kitaen in a sexy black dress...so who am I to argue?  Part Deux has just slightly over 1100 comments to date, which is still a far cry from the original.

Ever since Miracle's Blog was edited by Fox Admin, it hasn't been the same.  The most visible problem is that his blog has seemingly been tossed in the penalty box.  He's allowed to post blogs, but no matter how many comments are generated...his blog never appears on the "Most Popular Discussions", or the "Most Popular Blogs" sections.  Now I know he isn't out for popularity, but his discussions are just as important as anyone else's.  More importantly, other bloggers WANT to engage in his discussions.  But instead, his posts get lost in cyberspace before everyone has a chance to see them.

Whether it was intentional or not, the problem with Miracle's blog needs to be fixed.  Maybe it isn't that big of a deal, but I think it's only fair that his blog has the same opportunities as others to be seen on the front page.

And that's why I need your help!  Let our collective voices be heard...

I haven't seen any sort of contact information for Fox Admin, so the only way I know to make them aware of the problem is to report Miracle's most recent post.  Notice that it has more than enough comments to be in the "Most Popular Blogs" section, but is nowhere to be found.

So please join with me, as we try to get Miracle's blog fixed.  There is no need to be mean about it (unless you want to be)...let's just request it from Fox Admin.  A short & simple message should work, especially if there are enough of them to cause a stir.  Also, please be sure to specify that you are NOT reporting the blog because it has inappropriate content.  Just follow these instructions:

1)  Click on this link.

2)  Click on the "report this" link under the title.

3)  Type in your message, requesting that they fix Miracle's blog.

There you go, it's as easy as 1-2-3!  Help me out, everyone...

So Where's The Music?

Ah, crap!  I promised a benefit concert.  OK, here we go.  Leading off the evening, we have Miracle's favorite musician...and every woman's fantasy...

That's right, it's...

MICHAEL BOLTON

Michael will be singing all of his greatest hits.  And since all of his songs suck...we'll be moving right along to the next act.

STYX

Here they are, performing their classic hit - "Can't Fight This Feeling".  Wait, what's that guys?  What do you mean that isn't your song?  You're right, I mixed you up with REO Speedwagon.  Sorry, it happens.  Well, you guys are here...what is one of your songs?  "Come Sail Away"?  What the...are you kidding me?  That's sissy garbage!  Take off, you hosers!

OK, this is getting ridiculous.  I don't even know who we have scheduled next.  Wait, here they come.  Thank goodness!  I barely recognized you guys from way back there.  Ladies and gentlemen, set your time machines back to 1990 and put your hands together for the musical stylings of...

NELSON

Oh wait, that's my bad.  That wasn't the Nelson brothers...it was just a couple of transvestite hookers that wandered in looking for a Pig Roast.  Sorry about that.  OK, can we please just have one band to get this concert rolling?

Oh my gosh, what's that sound?  I hear drums in the background.  Where is that noise coming from?  No...it couldn't be!

I said go if you wanna go,
Stay if you wanna stay
I didnt care if you hung around me
I didnt care if you went away
And I know you were never right
Ill admit I was never wrong
I could never make up my mind
I made it up as I went along

And though I treated you like a child
I'm gonna miss you for the rest of my life

All I need is a miracle, all I need is you
All I need is a miracle, all I need is you
All I need is a miracle, all I need is you

Good night folks, and a special thanks to Mike & the Mechanics for actually showing up to support one of our favorite bloggers. 

Miracle, may you blog on forever! 

About this time last year, I was up to my eyeballs in the "Next Great Sportswriter" Contest.  What seemed like a simple concept turned into one giant ball of stress, as I struggled to find my cowbell.

A little while after I was sent packing faster than an ugly fat chick singing a Britney Spears tune on American Idol...I received a gift.  A friend sent me an actual cowbell!  Sometimes I just have to sit and stare at it to remind myself why I enjoy blogging.

And for those of you that aren't following the concept of cowbell...sorry, I can't help you. 

Writing is supposed to be fun.  And it is.  Aside from sneaking into an aerobics class for super-models, it really is the least expensive form of entertainment you could ever ask for.

During the stress of last year's contest, I managed to belt out a couple of posts that were exceptionally fun for me.  One in particular got the ball rolling, and I had a blast with it.  It was my induction into the fictitious "National Sarcasm Society".

The irony is I wrote that post as somewhat of a concession speech.  The NGS finalists had not been announced, and with very little time left before the deadline...I figured if I hadn't earned 1 of the 16 spots, that it was probably too late.  After writing it, I debated on whether or not to post it...then ultimately decided - eh, what the hell?

This year, the summer looks a little different.  My only stress comes from watching my Utah Jazz try to make their way to the NBA Finals.  And I can't even call that stressful, because I've enjoyed every minute of their playoff run.

But nevertheless, I wanted to get back to fun...which for me, usually means reverting to my smart-ass sarcastic nature.

So here is a long overdue assignment...call it paying my Sarcasm Society membership dues:

With everyone focused on Barry Bonds surpassing Hank Aaron's Home Run record, I went down to Vegas to place my sleeper bet.  They offered really good odds...as Cinderella Craig Counsell currently stands just 724 home runs shy of baseball immortality.  Come on, Craiger...you can do it buddy!  Shooter needs a new pair of shoes!

The NFL Pre-Season hasn't even started, and the New England Patriots are already the consensus favorite to win a Super Bowl.  Be still my constantly quivering heart!

Poor Ricky Williams.  Why can't they just give this guy a break?  After all, he is a dedicated vegetarian.  In fact, he's so dedicated to his dietetic regimen...that he's fallen in love with one particular plant.  Is there such a thing as a Cannabistarian?

Spiderman 3 broke opening day box office records by raking in about $59 million in ticket sales.  And let me tell you from experience, this movie has it all.  Kirsten Dunst singing on stage, a Tobey Maguire makeover montage, and a green-sweater wearing villain that transforms into sand.  Who says a K.D. Lang look-a-like can't be cool?

When playing a normal pick-up basketball game, how many times do you see a defender knocked down because of contact from a post move?  Good thing these NBA players train all year to become strong athletic machines.

Hockey players can hit opponents regularly with an over-sized stick, but basketball players that commit hard fouls are considered "dirty".  Yep, that sounds about right.

Just for one game, don't you think it would be something if they allowed NBA players to use hockey sticks?

With Bud Selig "looking into" all the steroid issues of the past, how does he have time to do his job...in the present? 

Someone was charged for stalking actress Sandra Bullock.  Sandra Bullock, are you kidding me?  What's next, is someone going to use a date-rape drug on Rosie O'Donnell?

To save his presidency, George W. is putting the focus back on education.  To learn more about this stunning development, read his latest essay titled - "Dyslexia for Cure Found".  (sorry, that's a cheap obscure ripoff from a Naked Gun movie...but I had to add it somewhere)

CHASING AARON:  Craig Counsell still 724 home runs shy of Hank Aaron's record.

Another NFL Draft has passed, and the Lions have yet another wide receiver.  Somewhere, Matt Millen must be trying to eat a 5-gallon tub of Jello pudding with chopsticks.

I think Brett Favre is my new hero.  Only in America can you perform your job that poorly, and still hold your employer hostage.  I believe not only that Brett Favre should be traded to a contender, but George W. should be the new Prime Minister of Canada.

If everything is bigger and better in Texas, somebody please explain the Houston Texans.

Why doesn't Alaska have a professional sports franchise?  I think the Nome Gnomes has a nice ring to it.

I have to admit, at first, I was a little angry about the ban on internet gambling.  But after I pondered a while, I decided it was for the best.  After all, we don't want people wasting their hard-earned money online.  Oooh, look...my bid on Ebay for a talking Prison Edition Paris Hilton doll went through!  Gotta go...

With Utah taking a 3-1 series lead, the Warriors are facing elimination for the first time in the post-season.  As things heat up, here are a few reasons to watch tonight's match-up:

Game 5 - Golden State Warriors vs. Utah Jazz, 10:30 ET

10)  Just in case Mehmet Okur and Jason Richardson decide to continue their spat, and start throwing hooks.  However, keep in mind...if this happens while you are watching, your cable bill will automatically be charged $59.95

9)  If either teams gets a big lead, Don Nelson may crack open a cold one before the 4th quarter.

8)  There will likely be a David Blaine NBA Playoffs commercial where you can hear him talk just like Forrest Gump.  Do you think perhaps he stayed in that underwater tank just a little too long?

7)  This game may cause "We Believe" T-shirts to go on sale for 50 cents each.

6)  Baron Davis may try one of those spectacular dunks again, because nobody got a good poster-worthy camera shot the first time.

5)  If Andris Biedrins gets to the free throw line, this may be your only opportunity to see a shooting technique worse than Shaquille O'Neal.

4)  You can watch Baron Davis initiate more contact than Paris Hilton's pimp.

3)  Because Bruce Bowen and Robert Horry won't be playing in this one.

2)  This may be your last chance to watch the fast-paced Warriors play until next season...or at least until the Alcatraz Intramural Summer League starts.

1)  But most of all, because Stephen Jackson is one bad call away from a monumental meltdown.

Hey Warriors, Miami called...and they're all out of ink!

Here's my in-depth analysis of why the Jazz won Game 2:

I would add more, but this one I have to keep just for me...

Game 3 on Friday

Game 1 of the Warriors/Jazz series is in the books, so I decided to give a few quick thoughts about the series opener...and what else to expect from this intriguing playoff match-up.

Monday Night Results - Utah Jazz 116, Golden State Warriors 112

One Crazy Game

Tempo:  The Warriors clearly set the tempo they wanted in this game, but ended up losing anyway.  The Jazz managed to keep up with Golden State's frantic pace somehow, even though that isn't the strategy that Jerry Sloan had intended.  Utah picked up the "W", despite being kicked out of their comfort zone.  The "Execution Offense" was caught off-guard by Golden State's zone defense, which led to 23 three-point attempts by Utah...a team that usually averages about 12 per game.

Deron Williams was goaded into the fast-paced tempo in the first half, but seemed to adjust nicely in the 2nd.  He led the team in scoring with 31 points, but also committed 6 turnovers.  Considering the speed and quickness on the other side of the ball, that isn't too bad for the 2nd year point guard...who is making his first appearance in the playoffs.

Rebounding:  The saving grace for Utah was their dominance on the boards.  The zone defense seemed to take power forward Carlos Boozer out of the offensive flow, but he found other ways to score by pulling down 10 offensive rebounds.  Okur, Kirilenko, and Harpring were also active on the glass...a theme they will need to continue in this series.

Danger Zone:  Even after Utah slowed the pace a bit in the 2nd half, they really didn't find the answer to the zone defense.  Perimeter players were indecisive when passing the ball into Boozer, as defenders swarmed him from all angles.  Jerry Sloan won't necessarily have to deviate from his normal offense, but some adjustments must me made.  Off-the-ball cuts can still work, but only if they can find open spaces and pass quickly.

Stopping the Madness:  As expected, Utah had trouble defending against Golden State's quickness.  The Warriors were eager to launch from trey-land, but also had success driving to the basket.  The Jazz got back in transition for the most part, but still had their share of defensive lapses.  Most notably, Gordan Giricek was slow getting back...which gave Golden State a few easy buckets.

The Rest of the Story

The remainder of the series figures to be every bit as exciting as Game 1.  These teams match-up about as evenly as Rosie O'Donnell and a low-calorie rice cake.  But their differences are countered by a common intensity and hustle.

Golden State played their best game in the series opener.  The tempo was right, and the Warriors received huge contributions from unsung heroes like Matt Barnes and Al Harrington.  Consider that Harrington scored 21 points in only 27 minutes of play, and Barnes exploded for an unexpected 20 points on 8-15 shooting.  As a team, the Warriors shot 38%(12-31) from 3-PT range...numbers that would ordinarily give them a win.

Utah, on the other hand, didn't play their best game...and should be expected to improve.  Primarily, they need to find a way to get more open looks inside the 3-point arc...and get Carlos Boozer into a comfortable scoring rhythm.  The Jazz also need to win the turnover battle...something they failed to do in Game 1.

Derek Fisher's absence was also a factor, especially on the defensive end.  Without his veteran presence, Jerry Sloan was forced to use inexperienced players like Dee Brown and Ronnie Brewer.  Even though Brown gave a solid contribution, Fisher's experience was sorely missed.

From purely a fan's perspective, this was one of the most entertaining games I've ever seen.  It definitely wasn't a style of basketball commonly seen at the NBA level.  As the series rolls on, look for the same type of relentless battle to continue in each game.  I may have to stock up on some extra caffeine, because this one is liable to be exhausting...

Let the good times roll...