After all the problems that have come from cycling, we have another dope (pardon the pun) , Manuel Beltran found with the doping enhancer EPO. Haven't these bikers learn by now, that they are going to be caught, they are under the proverbial microscope, and that they are destroying the very sport they are involved.

I find this utterly ignorant. Please chalk up for the next ####, I have a feeling another rider will be found, shortly.

Being I live so close to Chicago, one would think I would be a Cub's fan - Think again.

It is that time of year when the Cubs find reality and sink from their lofty perch to the sea below. Like the Titanic, Da Cubs start to burbble and sputter during this time of year as if they are part of an ill-fated tragic play.

They give hope to their fans, only to yank the rug out from underneath them at the last moment. It reminds me of Lucy pulling the football out from under Charlie Brown as he goes to kick it... and then he falls flat on his back looking up into the sky wondering why he even attempted.

So Cub fans, can you say one hundred and one? Or how about wait until next year?

But wait, I do see a possibility for the Cub team this year. The possibility they will make the playoffs, go to the World Series, and then have Steve Bartman interfere with a foul ball - which will cost them game seven. There is nothing like a bittersweet nightmare that haunts the hallow field named Wrigley.

There are some people that do not know when to quit, so it is up to the team to decide it. In this case, we speak of Brett Favre.

No one denies how good of a player that Favre has been during his career, but one should question his decision on coming back to play for another year or more. It is time for Brett to retire for good, and stop playing these peek-a-boo games. Brett needs to allow for the younger quarterbacks to develop.

Recently, Dario Franchitti has lost his ride because of lack of sponsorship. With NASCAR having eight fewer cars for the Daytona 500 than they did the year before, doe this mark the fall of NASCAR.

The fall I refer to is not one of monumental proportions, but it does give one a moments hesitation to see Chip Ganassi unable to get a sponsor for a Indy 500 and IRL Championship winner.

For the moment we can blame the economy, but if this trend continues,  are we looking at a more serious reason? Has NASCAR lost it's base?

As NASCAR went after the wine, loafers, and polo shirt crowd, did they forget about the ones that help sustain and create the racing series as we know it? - The die-hard blue collar fan.

In other words, did NASCAR over extend? I believe they have, and now we are looking at the resettling of the sport. Not to say NASCAR is going to cave anytime soon, but the boom is over and the proverbial bubble has burst.

Though it appears Dallas might have the edge by picking up T.O., I believe the canker sore will show himself sooner, then later. No one denys his talent and ability. The problem is obvious, and I hope for Dallas that problem does not show up.

When it comes to Dallas, I believe the aquisition of Mike Vanderjagt is of more importance then that of Terrell Owens. If one looks at the dismal kickers of the Cowboys in the recent past, one will surely understand why Vanderjagt is needed more then Terrell Owens.

The biggest loser team is the Chicago Bears. So you got Brian Griese- bigging frigging deal. You lost three much needed talented players to the Redskins. Why? Because this cheap team could not open up the purse strings, though they sit under the cap by a substantial amount. If the Bears want to redeem their pathetic attempt to aquire a free agent of worth, they should negotiate with Charles Woodson before the Bucs grab him. Otherwise, the Bears have stunk this off season at getting quality free agents to plug a few holes. The Bears are the biggest off season losers of 2006- 2007.

But I do put an asterisk by the New England Patriots. If one was looking for a fire sale, I believe the line starts in New England. They have unloaded a heap of free agents, but it is too early to see if it is going to hurt them in the upcoming year. I am not really sure if I can call the team a loser team, yet. But with that much talent allowed to walk, I can not see where the plus is at, unless one is looking at the financial charts.

The Carolina Panthers aquiring Keyshawn Johnson was a good move, not a great, but a good move. Anything that will help Steve Smith is a plus. To see if this takes away the double coverage on Smith this upcoming season will show how good of a move this truly was for the Panthers. It is definitely one that does not hurt. Keyshawn Johnson is not Terrell Owens in many ways, and that is not a snipe at Keyshawn.

As far as winner teams and free agency, I find many teams did well, but I do not see a clear cut winner. So, I will abstain from giving out a winner team for now.

Q Jordon

In the days of criers and whiners, are we really surprised by A.So's unwillingness to move to the outfield? He is just the lastest prima donna that can be found in any sport, but unfortunately for the Nationals, he has become their problem child.

A.So is an individual that thinks he can actually play second base. I beseech those in the know to wake this man up before he waste his entire career on this delusion. A.So can play second base, but not to the level of competence that is needed by most teams, including the Nationals. His fielding at second base is sub-par, at best, and his batting is slightly better.

One can only wonder why the Nationals gave up so much for so little. A.So's value is around his ankles, along with his jock strap. And now with this resistance to do as the team asked, other teams could find this as a warning sign before they would be willing to trade for or sign him. But in the crazy world of sports, especially baseball, I would wager there is another sucker team out there willing to take a lick.

Q Jordon

The last I remember, Mr. Tillman is deceased. Perhaps, we should all allow him to rest in peace, but no, we will continue the discussion on him. I may be to blame as well by putting up this post.

So, I am simply saying, allow  him to rest in peace. Enough said.

Q Jordon

With so many of the Cup regulars going down into the Busch series, why do they not call it Nextel Lite? I have given a lot of thought on the issue of the Cup drivers going into the training grounds for future drivers and whether this helps or hinders the Busch drivers.

It is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it can only improve the ability of the Busch drivers if they have to compete on a weekly basis with the Cup drivers, but many of the Busch Series drivers do not have the funds or sponserships it takes to keep up with the Cup drivers.

And I have always felt the Busch Series was for the up and coming drivers, not for the Cup drivers to practice for the next Nextel Cup race, though I understand why they need to do it.

I am still non-commital on this issue. I just hope it doe not become a bigger issue in the future.

Q Jordon

Yes, it is finalized. The Totally Obnoxious has found a home in Big D, but that was already addressed in a prior posting a few days ago.

The question I have been asked of late-- Was Dallas prematurely speaking to T.O. prior to the time they are allowed to speak with him? Of course, they were talking to him.

 The better question- Does anyone in Philadelphia care? Hell no! If I were an Eagle executive, coach, or fan, I would have been fantasizing about it in a Wizard of Oz way.

In my dream, T.O. is saying, "Help me, I am melting toward the Cowboys." And the Philadelphia crowds are chanting, "Ding #### the Wicked Receiver is dealt."

Hey, it is my fantasy and I will use whatever corny dream I have. Did I mention good riddance, yet?

I can not wait to see these two teams play this coming season. I feel it might get personal.

Q Jordon

Recently, I have heard a good joke coming from a NASCAR regular, and defending NEXTEL CUP Champion, Tony Stewart. For those of you that missed it, it has something to do with etiquette and younger drivers.

I could say this is the pot calling the kettle black or perhaps, I could say it is the cat laughing at the dog for not being able to take a dump in a litter box, though neither ever use toilet paper.

One must tell Mr. Stewart that he is as much of the cause as he is the solution. As a NASCAR fan, I see plenty of blame to spread around to many of the drivers, young ones and veterans.

So, it is time for everyone to step up to the proverbial plate, and swing in favor of etiquette or you might lose a NASCAR faithful that is tired of seeing someone doing an asinine move on the track and creating the "BIG ONE".

Q Jordon

Is Terrell Owens going to the Cowboys? Does the Pope live in the Vatican? I will reiterate from a prior posting-- It is all squared, but the math. The terms of the deal need to be seen, but if I were a betting man-- money was given, and the ink has dried.

The Philadelphia Eagles can make good deals. By signing Jeff Garcia to a one year deal, they have given Donovan McNabb room to breath.

Is it me or are the Patriots slashing anything that cost too much, and is long in the tooth? Now, I am beginning to understand why this organization is a perennial play off contender- they know when to hold them, and they know when to fold them. If only my beloved Raiders knew that tune.

Mr. Gibbs, you are so right. As you have stated, "The thing I want to emphasize is this: We haven't done one thing that anybody else can't do." You have no need to defend yourself or the team's spending spree. A team has a right to improve... so what is the big deal?

If I could make one suggestion though, spend more money on tissue paper. I hear many whining fans in Chicago.

Q Jordon

 

 

I told you I was not impressed with the WBC, and I am equally unimpressed by Team US-Ahhh..... <----- being a symbolic way in typing to show someone falling off a cliff.

TEAM USA showed that underachieving usually proves to ones demise. I believe the American teams should stick to the professional sport league they are associated, and not go global to show how to embarrass a country.

The following TEAM USA sports teams should never leave the confines of the United States:

1. US Hockey Team, 2. US Baseball Team, 3. US Mens Basketball Team.

Keep your underachieving butts where they belong- in the underachieving United States. And before I forget, thanks for the memories that I have already forgotten by the time I have typed this sentence.

Q Jordon

As free agency plays out in the NFL, it is apparent some teams are willing to spend for the big names that are out there, while other teams stash their loot.

Speaking of stashing, the Chicago Bears sat on their pile of cash so long, they lost three free agents that they conveted to one team- Washington Redskins. As I stated in an earlier post, I felt the Redskins had made some key pickups, but were without a quarterback- that has not changed. What the Redskins did do was pick up some major talent, offensively and defensively.

With the Redskins on a spending spree, enter Jerry Jones- Papa Cowboy. The Cowboys have released their much maligned wide receiver, Keyshawn Johnson. And with the Eagles releasing Terrell Owens, the math is all but squared away.

The claim of the Dolphins taking the AFC EAST is now rescinded. The prior blog statement of the Dolphins making and winning the AFC CHAMPIONSHIP is equally rescinded. With the Fish taking Duante Culpepper, I believe was not only the wrong choice, but a liable risk.

Furthermore, Duante Culpepper fits in better at? Domes. If anything, Culpepper is a good dome player, and would have fit nicely in with the sAints. Where Brees would have fit in nicely with the Dolphins, considering the weather and turf in San Diego is a lot alike that in Miami. And the team surrounding Brees would have been more like that which he left.       Now, poor Mr. Brees is going to a team with a new coach, an unproven system for years, and an indoor dome. Was it really worth holding Miami in abeyance? I think not, and nor did Miami.

Q Jordon

So far, I am not impressed with the WBC. I am not sure if I am the norm or the deviant. I suppose it is admirable to see the different countries of the world gathering to play baseball, and not warring over political differences. Even Cuba was allowed in, as long as the country was not to make monetary gains over it. So, Cuba gave one hundred percent of their proceeds to the Hurricaine Katrina Relief Fund.

It does not take a genuis to realize where this is headed. In essense, you are seeing the start to the end of MLB. You may say, Q, you cynic, and you would be right. However, if this becomes a success, one day in the near future this will become a league of its own.

Though I could be wrong, I cannot see where MLB and WCB will be able to exist together without conflicting with the players schedules and priorities to one or the other entity.

I will reiterate, I was not impressed. Perhaps, I am old school and I dislike the concept, or I am a realist and see where this is heading.

Q Jordon

I have been a NASCAR fan since I was a five year old child, sitting on the lap of the King. And I am not referring to Elvis. What is unusual with my situation- I am a northern boy from the Chicago area, and I am a NASCAR fan.

I realize that might sound strange, but not when one considers my father use to help build roll cages for many late model drivers in the Northern Illinois area in the early 70s. Hence, he was a racing fanatic.

Enough of the family background, and on with my concern with the BIG ONE. I remember a time when I was a kid watching the drivers at the local tracks racing around those small ovals and hearing people talking about "waiting to see the wreck" because it was the only reason they came to the track. I was steamed, to put it mildly.

The idea of racing is to enjoy competition between multiple drivers trying to use the car's and their ability to win. The idea was never to see them crash in the process. At least, it was never my idea to see them crash.

Now, in the present day, I hear it almost every Sunday on NASCAR telecast --THE BIG ONE. I realize the competition is fierce on any given Sunday, but if the only thing some people watch the race for is the BIG ONE, I believe it cheapens the product that I have come to enjoy.

For the sake of us that enjoy the racing aspect versus the demolition derby that seems to be the norm, now. Please lets get it back to racing.

Q Jordon