I'm sure most of you have already seen the brutal footage of Titans DT Albert Haynesworth blatantly stomping on the exposed head of lineman Andre Gurode. Well the league has made it's decision on the punishment...
5 Game suspension without play.
I think the NFL is being waaay to flexible on this. The man stomped on an exposed heads with his freaking cleats! That could have potenially killed the lineman, or fractured an eye socket. He ended up with multiple stitches, and he's lucky it wasn't much worse.
This schmuck then after the play was screaming at the refs acting like he did nothing wrong, and proceeded to chuck his helmet on the ground. It was a totally pathetic act, and 5 games is not harsh enough. He needs to be suspended for the entire season, at the very least.
Titans coach Jeff Fisher said to Bill Parcells after the game that he would punish Haynesworth more severely if the NFL didn't give him a sufficient penalty. Well here's your chance Jeff. Your team stinks, and you may be out of a job soon. This is a chance to lay down a iron fist against thugs like Haynesworth.
This is the most pathetic act I've seen since Todd Bertuzzi in the NHL, who cheap shotted a player in the neck, and that player has since returned to action. Gurode got lucky that it wasn't worse than it was, and Haynesworth needs to be done for the year.
Well, it is time now for part 6 of the partially well-written "MrNFL Presents, The NFL Preview Extravaganza!" Today, as we get closer to the end of the series, we preview the AFC South, home of the Colts, Texans, Jaguars, and Titans.
Before we start, if you haven't joined yet, Join the bloggers Pro Pick'em group on Yahoo. 37 bloggers, and shooting for 50.
LAST YEAR: The Titans didn't think they could do worse than their 5-11 season in 2004. But last year they were a sad 4-12. Nothing seemed to go right for the Titans. Of their 4 wins, two were against the Titans, one against the 49ers, and one against the Ravens.
Quarterbacks: Billy Volek, Vince Young, Matt Mauck Volek when he has played for the injured McNair has done a solid job, averaging 2 touchdowns to every one interception. Volek doesn't tend to make the stupid mistakes, however he won't do anything special. His backup is the rookie Vince Young, who is a very dynamic scrambling quarterback, however he has to adjust to many things, and would likely make a lot of rookie mistakes.
QB Score 2/5
Running backs: Chris Brown, Travis Henry, LenDale White, Jarrett Payton, Troy Fleming. Chris Brown is very unhappy, and may very well get traded before the season starts. Travis Henry had success for two years in Buffalo, but since he has burned out. Jarrett Payton is inconsistant, and LenDale White has a poor work ethic. This group is bad.
RB Score 5/10
Recieving Targets: Drew Bennett, David Givens, Tyrone Calico, Jonathan Orr, Courtney Roby, Bobby Wade, Brandon Jones, Roydell Williams, Erron Kinney, Ben Troupe. Drew Bennett is a solid reciever who puts up good numbers each year. Givens did a solid job while playing for the Patriots. The rest of the guys however are inconsistant, leaving this team without a proven slot reciever. Kinney and Troupe are both solid tight ends.
WR Score 8/10
Offensive Line: Kevin Mawae, Benji Olson, Zach Piller, Michael Roos, David Stewart, Jacob Bell, Daniel Loper, Eugene Amano, Joel Rodriguez. Adding Mawae at center helps what is otherwise a weak line. Benji Olson and Zach Piller are solid, but the rest of these guys are very inconsistant. Of the rest of the line, the most experience any of them have is 3 years.
OL Score 6/10
Defensive Line: Albert Haynesworth, Kyle Vanden Bosch, Travis LaBoy, Antwan Odom, Bo Schobel, Randy Starks, Marcus White, Jared Clauss. Haynesworth is a solid defensive tackle and Vanden Bosch stepped up last year showing his talent. Odom and LaBoy are both decent players. This lines concern however is inexperience.
DL Score 7/10
Linebackers: Keith Bulluck, David Thornton, Peter Sirmon, Spencer Toone, Marcus Randall, Ken Amato, Terna Nande, Jared Newberry, Robert Reynolds, Cody Spencer, Stephen Tulloch. Keith Bulluck is a great veteran linebacker who typically puts up good numbers each year. Adding Thornton from the Colts was a great move, as he is a talented young linebacker. Sirmon is a solid player. However, the depth is a big concern.
LB Score 7/10
Defensive Backs: Andre Woolfolk, Pacman Jones, Reynaldo Hill, Cortland Finnegan, Antonie Harris, Michael Waddell, Chris Hope, Lamont Thompson, Vincent Fuller, Calvin Lowry, Donnie Nickey. This is a very young and inexperienced group of defensive backs. Woolfolk has done a good job so far, but the rest of them have done nothing. Hill and Jones are both extremely inconsistant, but have shown talent. Adding Chris Hope from the Steelers help, along with Lamont Thompson, they have solid safeties, but they are both very young and make young mistakes..
DB Score 6/10
Special Teams: Rob Bironas, Craig Hentrich, Pacman Jones. Bironas is a decent kicker. Not great, not bad, just decent. Jones is an alright kick returner.
ST Score 7/10
Coach: Jeff Fisher Fisher has coached this team since they were the Oilers. He's had some great years, but he has had more average years than great years/
Coach 8/10
FINAL THOUGHTS: It is an incredibly young and inexperienced team which doesn't look to contend this season, however in the future, they could be great.
Jacksonville Jaguars
LAST YEAR: The Jaguars had their best season in the 21th century, finishing a strong 12-4 and earning a playoff spot. However, they had a short stay, as the Patriots beat them in the first round.
Quarterbacks: Byron Leftwich, David Garrard, Quinn Gray. Leftwich had injury problems last year, but prior to that, he was doing a solid job. Altough he is young, he doesn't make too many mental mistakes. David Garrard did a solid job filling in for him during his injury.
QB Score 3/5
Running Backs: Fred Taylor, Greg Jones, LaBrandon Toefield, Maurice Jones-Drew, Rich Alexis, Alvin Pearman, Derrick Wimbush. Fred Taylor is talented, but he has seemingly an injury every year. Last year he had his lowest average yards per carry in his entire career, averaging only 4.1. Greg Jones and LaBrandon Toefield both couldn't get 4 a carry, and are unproven. They did draft the rookie Drew, but they can't expect too much from him.
RB Score 7/10
Recieving Targets: Ernest Wilford, Reggie Williams, Matt Jones, Troy Edwards, Cortez Hankton, Marcedes Lewis, Kyle Brady, George Wrightster, Chad Owens, Fred Stamps, Todd Yoder. This team has no #1 reciever, but a bunch of #2 guys. Reggie Williams looks like a bust, as he has yet to produce to his pick in the draft. Wilford is a solid possesion guy, but lacks the great speed needed to be a #1. Matt Jones showed some talent last year, but is inconsistant. Edwards and Hankton are both inconsistant as well. At tight end, Brady is a good blocker, and the rookie Lewis is a solid reciever.
WR Score 6/10
Offensive Line: Brad Meester, Maurice Williams, Vince Manuwai, Chris Naeole, Mike Williams, Khalif Barnes, Daniel Connolly, Derrick Fletcher, Shannon Snell, Stockar McDougle, Adding Mike Williams from the Bills strengthens this line. Mauirce Wiliiams is a solid tackle, Manuwai and Naeole are both good guards, and Meester is a good center. The backups aren't very good, but the starting 5 are pretty good.
OL Score 9/10
Defensive Line: Marcus Stroud, John Henderson, Paul ####er, Marcellus Wiley, Reggie Hayward, James Wyche, Rob Meier, Walter Curry, Elton Patterson, Bobby McCray, Stroud and Henderson are possibly the best 1-2 defensive tackle combo. Wiley and ####er aree both solid veteran defensive ends, along with a decent Hayward, and a rookie Wyche. Pretty good group.
DL Score 9/10
Linebackers: Mike Peterson, Nick Griesen, Clint Ingram, Brent Hawkins, Daryl Smith, Pat Thomas, Tony Gilbert, Jorge Cordova, Mike Peterson is a good linebacker. However, the rest of this group is in question. Griesen is decent, but he can't make up for losing Ayodele. They have two late round rookies in Hawkins and Ingram, along with Daryl Smith, who showed some promise last year. Along with a bunch of other unproven guys.
LB Score 7/10
Defensive Backs: Terry Cousin, Rashean Mathis, Donovan Darius, Deon Grant, Nick Sorenson, Gerald Sensabaugh, Dee Webb, Brian Williams, Scott Starks, David Richardson, Chris Roberson Darius is a pretty good safety, and Cousin a solid veteran corner. But the rest of this group is in question. Mathis has shown flashes, but is inconsistant, and the rest of the corners are all young inexperienced guys.
DB Score 7/10
Special Teams: Josh Scobee, Chris Hanson, Derrick Wimbush Scobee can kick the ball a long distance, however the young guy still have some accuracy problems. Wimbush is a good returner, as he had a touchdown last year.
ST Score 7/10
Coach: Jack Del Rio Del Rio's first season as a head coach wasn't so good, finishing 5-11. But since he has improved this team, getting them a 9-7 record, and last years 12-4 record. However, he is still a young coach.
Coach 7/10
FINAL THOUGHTS: The team has its strong points, but it also has some glaring weaknesses which may end up hurting them in the end.
Onward...
Houston Texans
LAST YEAR: In the franchises fourth year, they looked to have success, as their record had improved each of the first three years. However, the team had a HUGE setback finishing with the worst record in football finishing 2-14.
Quarterbacks: David Carr, Sage Rosenfels, Cody Pickett. Carr has yet to put up great numbers, altough his offensive lines have yet to do anything for him. He's getting a bit smarter with age. Rosenfels and Pickett aren't great backups to have either.
QB Score 2/5
Running backs: Domanick Davis, Vernand Morency, Antowain Smith, Nick Luchey, Jameel Cook, Wali Lundy. Domanick Davis is the best running back that no one has ever heard of. He typically puts up good numbers, altough last year he struggled to get in the endzone. They brought in old man Antowain Smith, which won't help too much. They also have the inconsistant Morency. They did add Luchey from the Packers at fullback,
RB Score 7/10
Recieving Targets: Andre Johnson, Eric Moulds, Jake Schifino, Kevin Walter, Derrick Lewis, David Anderson, Derrick Armstrong, Jeb Putzier, Mark Bruener, Patrick Hape, Donovan Morgan Adding Moulds will help this group big time, as not only does he add a great target, and he also takes pressure off of Andre Johnson. They really don't have much at reciever after that, with a bunch of unproven average no names. Putzier was a solid addition at tight end as he provides a solid recieivng threat.
WR Score 7/10
Offensive Line: Mike Flanagan, Ephraim Salaam, Chester Pitts, Zach Wiegert, Fred Weary, Steve McKinney, Eric Winston, David Loverne, Charles Spencer, Brad Bedell, Bryan Pittman. Adding Flanagan from Green Bay helps what has been a horrible line. He is a good center who also provides some veteran leadership. They've also drafted Spencer and Winston to help out this line, since the rest of the starters are inconsistant. Salaam and Pitts are decent, Wiegart is alright.
OL Score 7/10
Defensive Line: Mario Williams, Seth Payne, N.D. Kalu, Jason Babin, Travis Johnson, Robaire Smith, Anthony Weaver, Alfred Malone. This team has added 3 people to this line. First, the #1 overall pick Mario Williams, who looks to make an impact quickly. They've also added a solid vet in Kalu, and a decent Anthony Weaver. Payne is an alright defensive tackle.
DL Score 7/10
Linebackers: Kailee Wong, Morlon Greenwood, Sam Cowart, Demeco Ryans, Saleem Rasheed, Barrett Green, Shantee Orr, Kenneth Pettway, DaShon Polk, Troy Evans, Charlie Anderson. They've added a solid veteran in Sam Cowart to this group. Wong and Greenwood are both alright, but not great outside linebackers. They have added young unproven guys like the rookie Ryans, and Rasheed. They also added Barrett Green, who is solid.
LB Score 7/10
Defensive Backs: Phillip Buchanon, Chris McKenzie, Dexter McCleon, DeMarcus ####gins, Dunta Robinson, Earthwind Morland, Kevin Garrett, Michael Stone, Glenn Earl, C.C. Brown, Ramon Walker, Anthony Floyd, Lewis Sanders. They added a good center in McCleon to this group of corners with the talented Buchanon and Robinson. ####gins is also a decent corner. However, they really have no one at safety. All of the candidates for both safety positions are unproven and inconsistant guys, and that is a huge problem for this secondary.
DB Score 6/10
Special Teams: Kris Brown, Chad Stanley, Phillip Buchanon Brown is a bit shaky, as he misses 30 yarders a good amount, which is not good. Buchanon is a decent returner.
ST Score 6/10
Coach: Gary Kubiak Kubiak was a very successful offensive cooridinator with the Broncos, as they have had amazing rushing success and good passing numbers as well. However this is his first head coaching job, so he can only get so many points.
Coach 6/10
FINAL THOUGHTS: This team looks much better than last year's disaster, but they still look flawed to the point that they won't go far.
Last but not least...
Indianapolis Colts
LAST YEAR: The regular season was about as good as it could be, as they won 14 straight games, however resting the entire team the last two games backfired, as they would get bounced in their first playoff game by the Steelers.
Quarterbacks: Peyton Manning, Jim Sorgi, Shaun King Manning has put up great numbers each year, putting up 29, 49, and 28 touchdowns in the last three years, while only throwing 10 interceptions in each of those years. Manning is great. The backup Sorgi when he has played has been decent, but don't expect him to do great things.
QB Score 5/5
Running backs: Joseph Addai, James Mungro, Dominic Rhodes, Kory Chapman, Tony Hollings. Getting rid of Edgerrin James was a stupid mistake, as they currently have no real starter. Last year, Rhodes averaged a whopping 3.0 a carry, and is very inconsistant. The rookie Addai has to probably do big things, and can you really put that much faith in a rookie? Mungro is inconsistant as a runner, and Hollings can't gain yards.
RB Score 6/10
Receiving targets: Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Brandon Stokley, Aaron Moorehead, Dallas Clark, Bryan Fletcher, Ben Hartsock, Ben Utecht, Dan Sheldon, Levon Thomas, Terrence Wilkins. Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne may be the best 1-2 reciever combo in all of the NFL. Brandon Stokley is a great slot reciever as well, and they added the veteran Wilkins to be the 4th guy. Dallas Clark is a great recieving tight end, and Fletcher is a solid backup.
WR Score 10/10
Offensive Line: Jeff Saturday, Ryan Diem, Tarik Glenn, Ryan Lilja, Jake Scott, Makoa Frietas, Dylan Gandy, Charlie Johnson, Bo Lacy, Matt Ulrich, Michael Toudouze. Saturday is one of the best centers in football, and the tackle combo of Diem and Glenn is very good. However the guard spots are a concern, as Lilja and Scott are both inconsistant. The rest of the group doesn't look great, but those big 3 are great.
OL Score 8/10
Defensive Line; Dwight Freeney, Corey Simon, Raheem Brock, Montae Reagor, Robert Mathis, Darrell Reid, Josh Thomas, Johnathan Goddard, Jonathan Welsh. Dwight Freeney is one of the best defensive ends in all of football. Brock is a solid run stopping DE, and Mathis is a great pass rusher. Simon and Reagor are both very good defensive tackles for this team.
DL Score 9/10
Linebackers: Cato June, Gary Brackett, Rob Morris, Gilbert Gardner, Keith O'Neill, Freddie Keiaho, Tyjuan Hagler, Chris Laskowski. Cato June and Gary Brackett are both solid young linebackers. Rob Morris is a decent veteran backup for Brackett, but the other outside spot is a bit of a concern. Gardner is inconsistant and the rest of the guys are unproven.
LB Score 7/10
Defensive Backs: Bob Sanders, Mike Doss, Nick Harper, Kelvin Hayden, Marlin Jackson, Jason David, Von Hutchins, Tim Jennings, Waine Bacon, Matt Giordano, Dexter Reid, T.J. Rushing. Bob Sanders and Mike Doss have both shown flashes of greatness at the safety spots. However, Sanders has had injury problems, and Doss is inconsistant. Nick Harper is a solid veteran at corner, but the other spots are all owned by young inexperienced guys.
DB Score 6/10
Special Teams: Adam Vinatieri, Hunter Smith, Dominic Rhodes. Vintieri is a great kicker, who has good accuracy, and the ability to make the clutch kick. Rhodes is a decent kick returner.
ST Score 8/10
Coach: Tony Dungy Dungy has only had one losing season in his coaching career, and that was a long time ago with the Bucs. Since joining the Colts, they have made the playoffs in each of his 4 years, and have had records of 10-6, 12-4, 12-4, and 14-2.
Coach 10/10
FINAL THOUGHTS: The offense looks good as always except they have that glaring hole at running back, which may bring down the entire offense. With the defense, the secondary still looks shaky, and may prevent the Colts from going all the way.
Well, that is the end of the AFC South. Two more divisions to go, and then we put all of this together, and we will have the 2006 NFL Champions.
Well, its one of those days again where ESPN has decided to replace Around the Horn and Pardon the Interruption with some game. Today, its Dodgers vs Rockies (when did that matchup matter?) and the deuce has Soccer, SOCCER!Well, as always when these shows aren’t on, its time
For my cheap knockoff, Excuse the Distraction!
OPENING RANTS
Barry Bonds, we've heard that name so many times by now that it makes us go crazy. The latest is, he's been terrible lately. He can't hit, and he's always hurt. Which brings me to, why are people still intenionally walking him? He isn't much of a baserunning threat, and he can barely hit the ball. His average is far from good. Barry is no longer that superman who hits everything out. If you want to walk people, start walking Albert Pujols. Yesterday against the Astros, they plunked Barry, and it looked intentional from my view. For god sakes, just let the guy play!
Yesterday, I was watching the end of the Heat and the Nets. Good game, good series. My complaint is the cheapness of TNT. Towards the end of Game 5, the sound at the arena went away, and you could no longer hear the game or announcers. They then cut the sound to Ernie, Kenny, and Chuck in the studio. By the time they got it back, there was 1 second on the clock! TNT, you spent a lot of money getting the rights to these games, you shouldn't be having problems like this!
In other NBA playoff news, the Suns beat the Clippers last night in double OT. I didn't catch this, because its on SO FREAKING LATE, but it sounded pretty exciting. The Suns now have a 3-2 lead, which makes me nervious about my Clippers in the Confrence finals prediction. But if the Clippers get bounced, all I have to say to them is bravo. They hadn't made the playoffs in god knows when, and they were only good for being the punch line to the joke. Elton Brand, Sam Cassell and crew have made people finally give respect to this franchise. Even if they lose the series, it was still a winning season for the Clippers
I think that if someone said, "Between the Cavs/Pistons series and the Mavs/Spurs, one will be 2-2 and one will be 3-1", you would have thought it would be Pistons leading 3-1. Well, the exact oppisite has happened. The Cavaliers have won two straight. However, they were both at home. For the Cavs to win this series, they have to win once at the Palace. I don't know if they can do that. The Pistons have looked sluggish lately, but at home, they always mean business. This series is a lot closer then I expected. But the Mavericks and Spurs one has been surprising. I had the Mavericks winning it, but I was expecting 7 games. Of course, we all wrote off the Suns down 3-1 to the Lakers, maybe the Spurs can come back. But their odds, not so good.
In NHL news, the Eastern Confrence finals have already been determined, it will be the Sabres facing the Hurricanes. In the West, we know the Mighty Ducks will be there, but will they be joined by the Sharks, or the Oilers? The Oilers lead it 3 games to 2 right now as they set for game 6 at home. Now, home ice has been big in the first 4 games of this series (the home team won), but after winning game 5 in San Jose, the Oilers look to be in the drivers seat. Who would have guessed that this 8 seeded team would be this far? They overcame the mighty Red Wings, and look like they may overcome the Sharks as well. Ah, the craziness of the NHL Playoffs.
Comercial Break time
MMMMM BURGER
Ok, now thats out of the way, lets do some over/under.\
OVER/UNDER 100 points scored by the Pistons in game 5. Under, the Pistons never score a whole lot of points. The Cavs probably won't score over 100 either. Should be a good game though.
OVER/UNDER 5 more years of coaching for Larry Brown. Under, his dream job was New York, and look how thats working out. He'll probably go to the Warriors or Kings for a few years, but after that, his health will partially cause him to call it quits.
OVER/UNDER 1 pass thrown or caught in a regular season game this year for Marcus Vick Under, I don't see him making the final roster.
OVER/UNDER 1 Win for the Cubs in the next 2 weeks. I really hope Over, but I'm not sure. Maybe we can get another solid performance out of Zambrano, or Maddux.
OVER/UNDER 2 Goals scored in todays Barcelona vs Arsenal soccer game. Under, Its soccer. You don't score goals in soccer. Its just not happening.
Time for another Commercial.
ALWAYS LOW PRICES, ALWAYS
Now time for some Oddsmakers!
ODDS that the WNBA season opener gets 1/4 of the ratings that the NBA Playoffs games get. 95%. I personally don't know if the WNBA games are any good, but no one seems to have interest. The fact that there is a game on ABC is big for them. National exposure will help that league, since all they get is the rare game on ESPN. I wonder if those refs call traveling?
ODDS that the Cavaliers win their series with the Pistons 15% Thats a low number, but with LeBron James, I'll always give them a shot.
ODDS that the Ravens land Steve McNair 87%. The Titans have been very stupid with how they have dealt with McNair. They could have had him prepare Vince Young for the future. Now it looks like they will likely get nothing. 87 because they may keep him or someone else might get him. Even if he goes to the Ravens, they won't go far with Jamal Lewis at halfback.
ODDS that I make the Next Great Sportswriter Final 16. 1%, and thats if the judges get drunk. Just kidding about the drunk thing. There is so many better writers then me, so I'm out of my league just a bit. But it should be fun to see.
Commercial time!
Refreshing!
So that ends another chapter of Excuse the Distraction. Lets end with my moment of deep thought...
Situation in baseball. Fast runner on 1st base, slow guy at the bat. He pops it up in the infield. Now, shouldn't you not catch it on purpose, then throw it to second. You have the same number of outs, but a slower runner on base. Think about it...
As I change back and forth between the NHL playoffs and NBA Playoffs, I saw something very interesting. The NBA coverage was cutting to breaking news. That news was Chris Mortensen of ESPN saying that the Texans had signed not Reggie Bush, but Mario Williams. That is right. Bush, after being talked about all offseason as the best thing since sliced bread, is being passed for the Defensive End Mario Williams.
Personally, this makes a lot of since to me. Granted, Bush looks as if he could become a future all-star, but running back wasn't a need. They already have a great young back in Domanick Davis, who is the best back you've never heard of. Many of the draft "experts" compared Mario to Juilus Peppers of the Panthers, and even the Hall of Famer, the late Reggie White. Plus this entire Bush investigation may have played a small role, even though I think this whole deal with Bush is just dumb.
But this changes everything.
Now you have the Saints with the number 2 pick, and Reggie Bush in their lap. The question is, do they really need a running back? Deuce McAllister is solid as well. They would have more need for D'Brickshaw or A. J. Hawk. But would they trade down, and who would trade up?
The Titans are unlikely to trade up, With Brees signed, and Jamie Martin just brought in, the Saints won't pick one the QBs. The Titans will still have likely Lienart and Young still there to take. But with Chris Brown always hurt, would they consider trying for Bush?
Enter the Jets. The Jets running back Curtis Martin, while still solid, is getting up there in years. He could have Curtis mentor him. But if they pick Bush and not a QB, that leaves them with Chad Pennington, Patrick Ramsey, and Brooks Bollinger. Yeah, not great names there, but they could wait until the 2nd and get Kellen Clemens. (OR MARCUS VICK!!! hehe)
The Packers, I really don't know what to think with them and this Favre deal. Do they need a running back? Ahman Green is pretty good, and running back isn't a need. The assumed pick is either Brick or Hawk, as they don't need one of the QBs. (We think). But would they trade up for Bush to help Favre, and later Rodgers?
Which brings me to what I hope happens. As a 49ers fan, I've suffered through Kevan Barlow. Nothing would help Alex Smith more then a good running game. The speed and versitality of Bush, with the power of young Frank Gore, and the 49ers could have a dangerous running game. The 49ers could trade both 1st round picks they own to get the #2. They could stay with the 6 and likely Vernon Davis...
All I know is, after this, to quote good ol JR, "Business has just picked up!"
The Titans are denying reports that they did not allow Steve McNair to work out in their facilities. Why is this even happening? McNair has been the franchise player of that team forever, and he still has a lot left. Doing this is showing the true colors, they don't want him their. They will draft one of the QBs, then boot McNair probably at the end of 2007. Sad.
In a couple days, NBA and NHL playoff previews from me.
Barry Bonds has been the talk of baseball, but many probably are unaware of the season at hand. Greg Maddux has been great, going 3-0 to keep the Cubs injured pitching staff afloat with Zambrano struggling and Rusch giving up homers to pitchers. The Braves have been #### so far, but John Smoltz is pitching solidly. All of these veteran old guy pitchers doing so wel, along with Clemens from last year, it makes me ask; How much does experience help? These guys have abviously faced most of the batters in the league, and over time have figured out how to stop them. Most importantly, these older guys are surprisingly durable (other than the fat, bald, and drunk old pitcher.) Having a veteran pitcher is great thing to have.
I probably am not alone in saying that the Miami Heat are over-rated. Yes, they are a good team, I'm not questioning that. But I really don't see this team having any realistic chance of beating the Pistons, or for that matter the Nets. Shaq is good, but isn't the dominant guy of the past. Dwayne Wade is great, but what can you expect from Jason Williams and Udonis Haslem. I'll take the Pistons 5 and Nets 3 over the Heat.
Doesn't it seem like every year we hear rumors about Allen Iverson being traded. He is the only guy holding that mediocre franchise together. Hell, if I was AI, I would want out since they don't give him anything to work with. But he wants to stay in Philly, and probably not win a championship.
I've heard very little mention about the upcoming NHL players. Hell, are these going to even be televised outside of OLN and local networks? I'm not sure I'm going to be able to even find the Stanley Cup. Going on strike definetly was a shot to the foot.
WWE Raw sucked last night. I guess putting Cena (sucks) Edge (sucks) and HHH (over-rated) in matches each week is supossed to be good. The only good thing about that match was the outfit Lita was wearing at ringside. Then they are having McMahon vs God? Is this just the dumbest thing you've ever seen? I miss the good old days of wrestling.
Am I the only who thinks NASCAR's current race schedule is terrible? They got rid of North Carolina speedway, which was always exciting, for a dull race in California. Then they tossed one of NASCAR's most historic tracks, Darlington, for races at Phoenix? My god, bring me back the good NASCAR. It kinda seems that this correlation into suckiness started the day Earnhardt died. I think when he died, the sport that was NASCAR, became something else.
The NGS 2 competition will start soon. I don't see me making the cut. Not because my articles suck, but because 1.Bunch of better guys like Socal and Northsider are in it, and 2. No one reads my stuff.
Finally, I'm going to talk about the dying sport of Boxing. A week or so ago, one of the boxers got hit in the yambag by another guy. That is pathetic. In fact, boxing has become pathetic. People used to actually want to want boxing. Now its just a crooked, thug sport only alive because of betters.
