It was an interesting scene in Toronto tonight as I arrived to the Air Canada Centre just an hour after news broke of the big trade between the Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies.  Over the last couple seasons we have waited to see if the Lake-show could pull the trigger on a deal - or if they had the players to deal for an impact player.

With Kwame Brown's contract about to expire and Memphis's intent to rebuild it made sense to make a deal.  Memphis grabs a young kid, a relatively young guy in Brown and 2 draft picks that need lots of prayer to become impactful.  This allows the Grizz to start over amd they will have some cash to show for it.

The Lakers grab a guy who can make an immediate impact.  This move allows them some breathing room as Andrew Bynum recovers from injury, and it gives them a blanket if Bynum does not return to form.  If he does return to form it allows Lamar Odom to slide to the small forward position while Pau plays the 4.  And, it gives them a deeper bench when Luke Walton slides beside some of the other contributors like Ronny Turiaf and Jordan Farmar.

This is a win-win for both teams without a doubt.  The need to crash the boards is imperative in the West and Los Angeles has more weapons than they know what to do with.  I should know; I watched a depleted Laker team roll over the Toronto Raptors.  Kobe Bryant was on tonight and unlike last night he got some help offensively.  Tonight's game proved that Toronto may be able to score but can't hold it together defensively on a consistent basis.  But with L.A. playing their 2nd game in as many nights they should have been stronger out of the gate.  Lakers got momentum and never looked back.

Last point on the Lakers: Prior to this deal I was still not on-board with putting them into the serious contender category despite their strong record.  Now, my view has changed.  They are absolutely a team that should be a factor in April.  This is a team built to go past round 1.  If they don't there is a problem.  They now have a great starting 5 (with Bynum back) and the forward position was a bigger need than point guard.  Derek Fisher can run the show because he won't try to do too much.  He knows the offense, he knows his limitations, he can still hit shots and knows how to play in big games.  Specifically speaking, Paul Gasol is a better acquisition than Jason Kidd.

Other stuff....

- I just realized Fox used the "Pau-er" line.  I'm pissed.

- After his 13.5 million is up in 2008, Johan Santana will pull in 137.5 million over 6 years.  That is phenomenal.  Hope the kid can hit.

All seriousness, the guy is one of the best pitchers in baseball and barring any setback or injury he should contend for a Cy Young.  Being able to avoid a big bopping DH and getting the opportunity to face pitchers with 1 or 2 out and runners on base will pay off for Johan.  It is a different ballgame with different scenarios when you play in the National League in comparison to the American League.

As for the contract itself, a lot of bad pitchers get paid a ton, so this is not a surprise and not out of this world in comparison to the #3 pitchers who make 8 figures per year.

- When Bill Belichick says his team is "ready to roll", I tend to believe him.  Some may feel the New York Giants can beat New England and they may be right, but I don't see it.  Yes, they played the Pats tight IN New York IN the cold IN front of their hometown.  In Arizona it will be warm and it is a neutral site.  The way I see it, the conditions favour the New England passing attack.  Passes that went through the hands of receivers will be easier to catch, and nobody is as accurate or precise as Tom Brady - even if he is disrupted in the pocket.

The real question should be if Eli Manning can continue his excellent play.  In my mind, he's grown as a player over the last month or so.  And he should be proud of the way he has battled throughout the playoffs.  He has beaten two teams he wasn't suppose to beat, outplay both quarterbacks and has defied expectations, which brings me to this...

- Tiki Barber is trying to protect himself now that his former team has made it to the Super Bowl the year after he reitres.  Tiki came with baggage and now that the baggage is gone the team can re-focus.  He had his quarrels with Eli Manning, Tom Coughlin and Michael Strahan.  This isn't a coincidence.  Somewhere down the line we have to look and say that maybe New York really IS better off without him.  I think they are.

- Who are we kidding when Pat Riley says Shaquille O'Neal should be in the All-Star game?  Should Magic be playing as well?

- Again, I realize nobody really cares about hockey but I will say it again: Alexander Ovechkin is THE best hockey player on the planet.  He is one of the very few players who has to single-handedly carry his team to victories.  I wonder how long he can keep this up.  Eventually he will need a stud playing alongside him.

Time to unwind.  And get ready for the Super Bowl.  I hope to witness history this Sunday.  It will be nice to explain how I got to watch a Football team go undefeated in one season.  Doesn't come around often folks.

The countdown has begun for...

- ...The Super Bowl, as New England and New York square off on Sunday.  What I'm not sure about is whether Bill Parcells or Dave Meggett will be cheering for the Giants or Patriots.  Perhaps Tiki Barber will put on a throwback Drew Bledsoe jersey and pray New York doesn't win.  If he says he's happy for his ex-teammates he's lying - he's wanted a ring so badly and it stings that the team has come together without him or his ego in that locker room.

Speaking of Bledsoe, it would have been interesting if Robert Kraft were to have called him for this game in case Tom Brady's foot fell off during a drive.  Kid you not, I was thinking about it.

What I do know is this is New England's game to win and to lose.  The New York Giants have fought hard to get here and should be credited for coming together and growing as a team through the pains they have shared together.  Nobody expected the week 17 matchup of these two teams to be the Super Bowl preview.  We'd be in for a great game if this was the case.  But instead of the game being played in New York we watch this in Arizona, a neutral site game.

That said, Arizona's warm weather plays into New England's passing attack and if their O-line stays one step ahead of the Giants defensive front it will be a long game for that Giant defense that has a very suspect secondary as is.

My call is New England will win and cap off one of the greatest seasons in sports history.

-...Jason Kidd sweepstakes have begun as the disgruntled point guard wants out of New Jersey.  The backboard and basketball rims inside the area breathe a sigh of relief.

Let's remember how he showed up; he left a deep West Conference and a checkered past with Phoenix to a depleted East with virtually no dominant point guard left (A.I. had moved to the 2 spot by then).  Though he couldn't shake off the rusty jump shot or his wife's makeup from his knuckles he gave New Jersey a lift into the NBA finals twice and quickly helped himself to becoming the best point guard on the planet - facing nobody in the East to get there.

Since then he helped Byron Scott get fired and he still dents rims with regularity.  He also went through a messy divorce and hasn't been that leader New Jersey can depend on.  Perhaps he will head back West to help a decent team get better, but he will quickly find out that there are point guards - LOTS OF THEM - that will shread him to pieces every night.  If he goes to the West he isn't a top 4 point guard in that conference.  Good luck with that trade.

-...Johan Santana is looking to get PAID by the New York Mets.  Is it just me or are these prospects not what they seem?  If I'm giving up potentially the best pitcher in baseball why would I want a mid-20's pitcher with a losing record and a 22 year old who makes Richie Sexson a batting champ?  I suppose the Mets needed this one as they held onto Lastings Milledge so long that they got, well, nothing in return.  Unless this 22 year old becomes legit overnight and learns to hit at least .260 in the major leagues this trade will be a success for the Mets - unless Santana goes Francisco Liriano in two months.  God forbid.

-...Tiger Woods attempt at the Grand Slam.  We say this every year and we see him fall short.  No slight on the guy - it's not like he sucks or anything.

But Tiger is entering his golf prime, or at least according to history as guys in their early 30's find their best success on the golf course, Seve Ballasteros excluded.  So if there was a shot at it we could see the best attempts over the next couple of years.  After that, we may not see another male golfer bring the kind of game or intensity or desire to win like Tiger Woods. 

It's sad, but wait and see when Tiger hits 45; we'll watch Tiger past his prime and obviously not the golfer he once was KILLING himself on the golf course for another major championship and he'll be playing with a young stud who just doesn't have the same will, focus or guts Tiger brings to the golf course.  It's great now that we see the guy who wants it the most winning the most - but how will we react when we see that same man unable to beat random Joe's who luck out a major victory? 

We'll probably be cheering for the fallen hero to return to glory one last time the way we rooted for Jack Nicklaus in 1986 and, for me, 1998.

The countdown has begun.  Tick tock, tick tock.

Supposedly the evening NFC Championship was a ratings success.  Apparently a lot of people tuned in to watch the New York Giants seal the victory over the Green Bay Packers in their 1700th attempt to end the game victorious. 

Problem is, I bet people just had their TV set on and was doing something else, because few people, if any, showed any guts to tell us how things went down in that game.

Brett Favre choked again.  The legend and Two-Time MVP (his co-MVP is fraudulent and a slap in the face to Barry Sanders' amazing season), proved he couldn't carry the load the way he use to back in the 1990's.  Don't take that as a sign that he should retire.  Not once have I ever said he should retire.  But, as usual, nobody call him out for that interception that ended Green Bay's season.  Nobody called him out for allowing New York to have numerous chances to win the game.  Nobody said he was outplayed by Eli Manning - because he was.

Did you watch the game? 

Or do you have to be Chad Johnson, Randy Moss, or Terrell Owens to draw attention to themselves and be ridiculed for it.  So much for throwing snowballs and "having a great time".  We watched Favre do what he has done several times in playoff games and that's crumble down the stretch.  Excessive celebrating with officials is "having fun" yet anyone else gets fined for that. 

At least Tom Brady clutched up when he had to.

We talked about Green Bay's defense and running game being the reason why they could get to the Super Bowl.  The running game stopped and their team became pass-oriented in the second half.  Big mistake - but they had to do it since the running game was shut down, right?  So they had to start gunslinging.  And they lost because of it.  Had Peyton Manning did what Favre did in overtime you'd be crushing him right now.  But Favre slides under the radar again.  Total hypocrisy. 

OTHER BULLCRAP

- If I haven't done enough to ruffle a few feathers (not that I'm trying to), this might do the trick.  A writer on Fox Sports decided to be cute with a blog post and certainly got some attention:

"I believe there should be rules for booing. One, you never boo amateur athletes on the team you support. Two, you boo professionals on the team you support only for a visible lack of effort. Booing because they screw up is for sub-morons"

- If I find out an amateur had beat his girlfriend, played while academically ineligible or started a fight on the playing surface would you like me to applaud?  You didn't think of all the angles, which makes me wonder who the real sub-#### really is.  You get your ticket punched and as long as you obey the stadium rules you can boo whoever you want.  You can boo an amateur athlete who has 3 kids with 3 different women.  Or I can just ask him politely to wrap up.  An amateur athlete will be ragged on if they absolutely deserve it.

"I don’t believe all Patriots fans are worthless cobags; I believe most Patriots fans are worthless cobags"

- This coming from a guy who wanted Green Bay to badly make the Super Bowl?  For what?  So that New England could slap them around with their junk?  I've been to Buffalo games and find New England fans to be a LOT better than other fans I have encountered over the years.  Whatever, I shouldn't bother critiquing this ####.  I will move on.

- The Miami Heat find ways to lose and they are suddenly doing it with flare.  It's as if they script this.  Put them on the clock for a nice draft position.

- Sidney Crosby is out 6-8 weeks and nobody noticed.  I guess they are the same people who watch Packer games.

- Roger Clemens gets an invite to Houston's pitching camp.  Maybe he can get back into pitching shape on Houston's clock so he can bolt for New York like he did last year.  Very smooth.

- Golf season begins this week.  Different year, same old storyline.  Let's see what Tiger does this season.

- The New England Patriots will complete the perfect season.  The venting is over, and so is this incredible post. 

What a wild 4th quarter between Seattle and Washington!

Sometimes when you watch these games you never know how the momentum will swing. The game has shown a lot of dramatics, especially in the last quarter.

One team that has shown some dramatics this season has been New England, who will continue to receive criticism for being caught with videocameras recording the New York Jets. Notice the word "cheat" was not mentioned - it would be unfair to do so since there have been traces of other teams using the same strategy as New England. It reminds me of the steroid scandal in baseball where we have seen a few people caught despite the fact that we have our su####ions - which are probably accurate - about other players who haven't been caught.

I go back to the Denver Broncos dynasty back in the late-1990's. They had some incredible teams that managed to win two titles back-to-back and turned John Elway into one of the greatest winners in NFL history. Yet the most interesting part of that story is the report that came out a few years later about the team being over the salary cap during those two years. First, how did the NFL not catch that when it all happened. Second, how could Denver run the risk of getting caught over something seemingly obvious. Lastly, how could the same people who call New England cheaters disregard the fact that Denver pulled a fast one on the NFL not once but twice?

If you think I am making this up just search for it on the internet and you will find the report. It pays off to have a great sports memory.

Speaking of which, I can recall some great seasons in the NFL and Tom Brady had one of the finest in history. The MVP was well-deserved. He received all but 1 first place vote. When I heard that my first reaction was, "good thing someone recognized Randy Moss's season". Come to find out they didn't give that vote to Moss. They gave it to someone else.

(At this point, I am about to take my blog out of the running to be featured on FOX's homepage. Why? Because nobody has the stones to do this....)

They gave the first place (pity) vote for Brett Favre. Over the course of his career he has won 2 MVP's and ripped half of one away from Barry Sanders (no way that should have happened). He has broken all the major passing records and will walk into Canton without a split second thought. That said, why the pity MVP vote? Did he really need it? Whoever voted for Brett Favre should have their vote ripped from them and should NEVER be able to vote in any sport ever again. That vote is an insult to Moss, who had one of the best seasons for a wide receiver in NFL history. That is embarrassing.

The nonsense catering for Brett can be compared to having a giant concert performed by the 10 best music artists to raise money for Bill Gates. Despite the great sports memory I cannot remember any current or future Hall of Famer that has received this kind of walk-on-water status like Favre. He's done some great things, he's gotten away with a lot of things and he's stamped his ticket as one of the best quarterbacks of all-time. Let's leave it at that and stop over-crediting him.

He may lose next week to Seattle.

SIDE THOUGHTS:

- Alexander Ovechkin is on pace to score 60 goals. That is phenomenal and he has done it almost singlehandedly. Said it before and I'll say it again: best NHL hockey player on earth.

- Jose Canseco must be trying to use the hurry-up offense to get his second book published. Or his second book may create a potential lawsuit. Either way, we'll at least listen to what he has to say this time around as the events that unfolded after his first book got our attention.

- Watching the desk guys on NBC with the sound down is only slightly better than when the sound is up. Just noticed that right now.

Jags v. Pittsburgh up next. It's a 99% sure bet that the winner will get first crack at New England. Shall be interesting.

My apologies to some of my blog friends as I have decided to double-dip today. I would say about 40 writers know what I am talking about. That's all I need before I begin to tackle some topics...

FOOTBALL

- The stage for the playoffs are nearly set as we conclude the 2007 season. It has been a sensational year for the New England Patriots - thus far.

I have been a Pats fan for now 14 years and despite what you may think I have no bias. Yes I am proud of the accomplishments they have had this year; Tom Brady putting up the greatest season by any QB ever, Randy Moss's resurrection and the perfect 16-0 season. But I have my fears as their team defense has looked old and inconsistent down the stretch. What do you think will happen when they go up against Indy - IF they get to face Indy? New England better hope for poor weather because a mild day may be enough for Peyton to go off. A loss in the playoffs and that would be a disappointment. I don't care about the perfect season if they don't win the Lombardi Trophy.

But, Indy could be in line to face 1 of 3 teams that have given them problems over the years: San Diego, Pittsburgh or Jacksonville. Out of all the teams, San Diego has the best shot at Indy. If Peyton walks into the first half of a playoff game playing "Panic-Peyton" by overthrowing receivers and dancing in the pocket this could be a long one for Indy.

Pittsburgh hasn't looked impressive over the last 6 weeks so I will go on a limb and say if they win against Jacksonville it will be thanks to J-Ville giving the game to them. Jacksonville should realize that despite playing on the road they are better than Pittsburgh.

- Also, I don't care what you people think of the whole cheating fiasco with the Patriots. I've already given you a glimpse of how New England can lose to Indy so I am not afraid to roll on my own team. But how many teams have cheated in the NFL to go 16-0? We know cheating has been going on for years. Heck, nobody raised an eyebrow when the Denver Broncos won 2 super bowls despite being over the salary cap - which was brought to everyone's attention a few years after the victories. So let's assume teams have cheated in one form or another. That said, they haven't gone 16-0. Give the Patriots some respect as they beat Indy, SD, Pitt and Dallas. Perhaps the 2nd-5th best teams in the NFL.

- But Green Bay could factor in too. However, this is where I get to do what I love to do and that's discuss Brett Favre. Favre, by the way, is a Hall of Fame quarterback who has had a fabulous career. Quarterbacks would kill to have his career.

(HERE COMES THE "BUT")

But, I love how the hypocrisy with the media shows up again. Favre throws a TD today and then celebrates with the referee. I will say right now that he will not get fined AND he was not penalized after the celebration. What is the difference between that and Chad Johnson grabbing a camera? When we deal with Brett Favre versus the rest of league why do we turn a blind eye? I have a multiple choice answer for you. Does Favre skate on his antics and selfishness because:

A) The media wants to suck his ####
B) The media is racist
C) We're all just blind
D) All of the above

Let's face it, if T.O. or Randy Moss did what Favre did today we'd be looking at them as goofballs. Favre does it and we say he's 'just having fun, acting like a kid at heart on the field!'. The double standard has always been there with #4 and a lot of it is NOT his fault. Then again he also refuses to celebrate touchdowns by his running backs the way he celebrates his throwing TD's. And nobody dares to talk about the Super Bowl when he showed up New England running around the field with his helmet off when he threw a TD to make it...7-0. Again, check the multiple choice answers for assistance.

BASEBALL

- Jim Leyritz decided to get behind the wheel while intoxicated and killed someone. Just to brace you guys right now, he will not get too much jail time. If he doesn't get at least 20 years in jail it's a light sentence. If your mother, father, son or daughter or anyone close to you was fatally killed by Leyritz in this situation you would agree with me 100%. People go behind the wheel because they think they are suited to drive and they won't be caught if something goes wrong. Obviously there are other factors as to why drunks decide to drive, but its time to make the decision an obvious "NO" by punishing those who drive under the influence and kill someone. Hopefully the judges in Leonard Little's DUI cases is reading this.

- Jose Canseco plans to name more people in his book. He may be right with these names but I am curious as to why he protected his buddy Roger Clemens and who else he is protecting by NOT naming them in his books.

BASKETBALL

- How dangerous is Portland going to be next year when they get Greg Oden back? Or is he trying to rehab his way onto the team in mid-March? Doubt that will happen but I can't believe they have been playing THIS hot. All the power to them.

- Who walked up the ladder to smoke Yao Ming's eyebrow?

- We've been waiting for the New York Knicks to make changes for over a year so why expect changes now? Even if they make changes they could mess that up too. They did put themselves in this position so how do you think they will get themselves out of the hole they dug in the first place?

HOCKEY

- 5 years and 37 million for Alexander Ovechkin is underpaying a guy who scores 30% of his teams goals. Asking for 9 million per season would be less than 20% of the team's salary cap so his demands are not that outrageous. In my opinion, he is the best hockey player in the world and his numbers would be monsterous if he played with Evgeni Malkin or Martin St. Louis like Sidney Crosby and Vincent Lecavalier do respectfully. And if you want to add Ilya Kovalchuk into the conversation then Marian Hossa is better than anyone Ovechkin plays with. SHOW OVECHKIN THE MONEY!!!

- This is a little off people's radar but the premise is something you have probably seen over time. The World Junior Hockey Championships have started and Canada just lost a game they had in control against Sweden. What bothers me about this team is they seem to be blaming goaltending even though goaltending hasn't been the problem. The problem is simple: defense and coaching. The defense has been exposed badly over the tournament and the coaches mentality should have him NEVER allowed to coach again. Why? Well, he has decided that the top OHL player and the projected #1 overall pick in the 2008 draft are not suited to play on the top line because they are "very young". WHAT!? You play them on the 3rd line because they are too young? Suck my #### coach! These guys would be #1 and #2 in the draft this year if the top OHL player, John Tavares, was old enough. Steve Stamkos got 3 assists ON THE 3RD LINE!!! Play the young guys more because they are the best players on your team. Past coaches have done the same thing and Canada has lost gold because of that stupidity. Play your best players - forget the age. If age was a problem then they wouldn't allow these kids to play in this tournament.

...I plan on adding some more to this post on another site, www.realsportsbloggers.com. Swing by if you want to check it out.

Sports can be funny sometimes.  We can witness an outstanding team run through an entire regular season and then take the championship as if it was theirs from the beginning.  We can also watch a team dominate in the regular season and then fall apart when the W's are more important.  We have also seen no clear cut favorite which increases intrigue amongst the viewing audience when the playoffs roll around.

Excuse me, did I say playoffs?

Indeed I did.  And I will apologize for that and for what I am about to say in regards to College Football: no team deserves to win the National Championship.

There has not been one single team this entire season that has stepped up and shown everyone that they are the team to beat.  Anytime a team would be ranked inside the top 3 they would become virtually allergic to their ranking and flame out against a team they should have whacked.  No clutchness at all from the teams that are playing for the National Championship. 

You can talk about parody all you want.  The National Championship lacks lustre this season thanks to certain teams inability to get the job done.  Someone will fall into winning the National Championship this year and many people will wonder if they truly deserved it.  The answer is no, and the solution is a tournament.  No matter how you attempt to schedule it and no matter where each game is played, this year is the clear-cut reason as to why a tournament needs to happen.  When every team has given us a reason not to be #1 you have a tough time arguing who really got screwed.  EVERY team did something to cost themselves a National Championships.  Unfortunately 2 teams had to attend and everyone figured LSU and Ohio State are the two that best fit.  Maybe.  I can't agree or disagree.  A tourney is in order and it cannot come soon enough.

Other stuff...

- I know a lot of people enjoy trying to debate the MVP race in the NFL but there is no debate - Tom Brady is the MVP.  That is it, no more discussion.  Look, Randy Moss is a great wide receiver without question.  And yes, Brady's numbers would not be as good without Moss.  Just like Moss's numbers would be worse without Brady.  The other difference between the two: one of them has a shot at breaking all the single season records.  That would be Brady.

And we are watching someone who finally has a lot of talent around him.  No way Deion Branch catches some of the balls both Moss and Dante Stallworth have grabbed.  I'm not saying Stallworth is better than Branch, all I am saying is there are certain catches certain guys can make over others.  Brady has adjusted very well and that is what great quarterbacks do.

- Or you can adjust your game in a negative way and completely went out of his way to make pass attempts that you would think a brainless rookie would make.  Or a guy who wanted to be a hero.  Yes I am talking about your beloved Brett Favre.  Again he did not look all happy when Ryan Grant ran for a fabulous touchdown.  All of his questionable long bombs points to the direction that his game plan was not for the good of the team but for himself.  It took an injury to him to get Green Bay back into the game.  That along with a Terrell Owens drop in the end zone.  That was ugly. 

- Eli Manning clutched up this week.  He's gotten beat up by the media more than Donovan McNabb.  Eli, in case you don't know, is white.  But my issue isn't race (obviously), its really if he truly deserves to get beaten up as much as he has by the fans and media.  There are certainly other quarterbacks who should be taking some more than Eli.

- Like Sean Taylor, the Washington Redskins lost to Buffalo because they didn't use their brain.  If both used them, Taylor would be alive and Washington could have won.  Or not.

- If I am a team in need of a bat I would be going after Miguel Cabrera HARD.  Apparently the Angels think they are close and that would really boost their lineup.  But again, who is going to play short for them?

- The New York Mets held out for a long time only to trade Lastings Milledge for nothing.  Good work guys. 

- And Elijah Dukes will join Lastings in Washington.  He's a character guy.

- I said before the NBA season that Tony Parker would shock everyone and win the MVP.  Yes I went out on a limb, and the prediction is a long shot.  But with Tim Duncan out for a bit this will be a good time to see if my Parker pick may actually be better than originally expected.  But he has never looked better in my opinion than he has this year.  He won't get 10 assists but when he shoots well over 50%, plays adequate defense and runs the floor extremely well he shows he is one of the top point guards around.  Let's see what he can do.

- Just looked up at the television screen and saw a picture of Ms. Puerto Rico who may not have been pepper sprayed after all.  You guys can take that line in any erec...sorry, direction you want.

America's hat is oblivious to the big matchup in College Football.  Except for me, who has the channel on ABC watching Ohio State just punch a TD in to make the score currently at 7-3.  But as all eyes are on that game, us Canadians are looking at hockey.  So overall we aren't having a stellar day. :)

Neither is Barry Bonds...

- And after 4 years Barry has been indicted for tax evasion and perjury.  Even if you believe there is no chance Barry can escape what is coming to you, we all should know better.  I keep going over the charges in my head and I am still not convinced the feds "have him".  Bonds' defense will find a way to exploit the lack of credibility the crown witnesses will be.  The investigators will do their thing on the stand, but will anyone roll over Bonds knowing they could find themselves stuck with perjury charges themselves?  You think you can get a guy convicted because several junkies say he did it?  Doubt it.

Knowing what we know now, my prediction is hell be guilty of tax evasion and not guilty for perjury.  He'll spend a couple or more months in jail and then he'll wait and see if he reaches the hall of fame on the first ballot.  I would not be surprised if Barry is held out in his first year of eligibility.

- So Alex Rodriguez opts to leave his agent, Scott Boras, out of the negotiation process with the New York Yankees.  He did not go Kenny Rogers and fire the guy during this process, he just got someone else to speak to the Yankees.  That is a total joke.  If you think Boras deserved it then you have no clue about commitment and loyalty.

When you sign with an agent to represent you, they are the ones you ask to negotiate your deals.  If you don't want him or her to represent you then fire them.  What Rodriguez did to Boras was a slap in the face.  Yet nobody wants to talk about that because of their despise of Boras.  Fair enough, but what A-Rod did was another example of his putrid selfishness.  Who was there for Alex when things were tough in New York?  Boras!  Who defended A-Rod when people were all over him for poor play, playoff chokes, defensive blunders, stripper boning and little league acts on the field?  Boras!  So for A-Rod to turn his back on his agent at any time is ridiculous.  He made his bed with Boras and this decision to leave him out of the latest deal shows how A-Rod has no guts - further explains why he may never win a World Series.

- Make no mistake about it: the success of the Green Bay Packers has been their improved defense this season, followed by their quarterback minimizing mistakes.  To say the Packers are where they are because of Brett Favre is a slap in the face to the defense that has shut teams down and to the receivers who are vastly underrated.  People want to whine about Brady winning the MVP because he has better weapons than Favre is a cop-out.  Brady has better numbers, at this point in time, than anyone in NFL history. 

Again, the Brett Favre fan club has an overflow of fans who reside in the "impartial" world of the media.  And Favre only wishes he was as selfish as A-Rod.

- You may think Chad Johnson is selfish, I'll call him an above average wide receiver.  He is exactly what you want out of your teams #2 wide receiver - because that's what he is.  If he has aspirations of becoming a #1 someday he'll need to stop dropping passes and make plays that elite receivers make.  He may think he is the best, but he's outside the top 10 until he proves otherwise ie. catch the balls elite receivers catch.

- The NHL....Uh, nevermind eh!

- Can Michigan stop dropping passes?

- Did you see the play in the Cleveland game?  I saw that with the sound down and I want to confirm that the play was done by Lebron, right?  He is the one that purposely tossed the ball out of bounds only to jump for it and passes it out to the open man, right?

Tomorrow night I will be in Buffalo for the Sunday Night game.  Glad I don't have to watch NBC pregame and feel bad for Bob Costas with that sad-sack crew he has to carry.  Pretty bad when I pray for Cris Collinsworth to talk over everyone.  Or hope that Al Michaels just cuts in and takes over.  Regardless...

Buffalo 10 - New England A LOT MORE THAN 10.

Have a great weekend.  Interception Michigan.

Some of the heavyweights came out to play this week and I hope the podcast is finally up.  We have been working diligently to get it up and running.  Regardless, here is the hard copy of today's Deeley-O:

Lisa4USC

- What does Hoser mean? Is it a derog term for a girl whose throat has more suction than a Hoover and more force than a garden hose? Does it mean someone screwing someone else over, as in, " he hosed me"? Or maybe the Canadian meaning of the female name, Paris? Finally, in the French speaking provinces of Canada, is it prounounced Hose-eh? Is that how the Mexicans got the name Jose? And how the term "eh' got introduced to the Canadian vocabulary? Inquiring minds want to know.

...The thing is I never use the term.  Perhaps I've been Americanized.  The real good part came when she asked if Eric is a cute as he sounds.  My answer is: I suppose. 

Miracle

- I Had a doctor’s visit this morning, and as a
tradition if you’re late you have to bring in doughnuts.

Do you have a similar tradition in Canada? If so I’ll
bet you don’t bring doughnuts, because we Americans
believe that the jelly doughnut is such a staple of
the Canadian diet that it wouldn’t be that special
for some hoser that’s an hour late to show up with
box of powdered jellies.

So what does any self respecting Canadian bring in as
a treat for his work mates?
Canadian Bacon
Poutine
Pam Anderson Sex Tape
Moose Chips
Molson

...Coffee, then donuts - in that order.  Canadian beer is next in line.

Smoketheblowfish

- What is the Canadian to English translation for "Everybody Wang Chung Tonight"?

  Does "Shrinkage of the Tallywacker" go away once a Cannuck travels south of the border? or is this a permanent condition?.....Lisa4usc and Bluegrasslady (BILFs) want to know   You read and commented on my "Apology Post".  As a fine representative of all that is America, I would like to add a few apologies to my list.....We're sorry about putting the cities of Cleveland, Detroit, Buffalo, Green Bay, and Tijuana, Mexico so close to Canada. We are sorry for thinking Lover Boy is a #### bar in Markham. We are sorry for believing that the Calgary Stampeders is really Kama Sutra Position #48.  We are sorry for letting Celine Dion complete the surgery (going from a man to woman)..........What are you guys sorry for (outside of letting your women think furry armpits are sexay)?  

I eagerly await your responses!

...And I eagerly answer them to the best of my ability Smoke!  Eric gave the answer to the first question because you had me stumped.  Literally I did not think the 80's pop duo would ever cross my mind like that.  They were big WHEN I WAS 5!!

Remember snowpants?  Or how about Long-Johns?  Well that's what keeps our #### from looking like lifesaver candy. 

And we're sorry for a lot of things but I'm not working on much sleep so check the podcast for our answers, hahaha.  www.chevradioam.com.

ShooterB

- 1)  In your latest blog, you snubbed A-Rod as a Hall of Famer…while giving the nod to Albert Pujols and Vladimir Guerrero.  I guess I underestimated the quality of weed in Canada…that must be some good stuff.  Anyway, I have nothing against either of those two guys…but come on!  That’s like replacing a nude pictorial of Pamela Anderson with a Margaret Thatcher beaver shot.  So what is your real excuse for snubbing A-Rod?  I’ll make it multiple choice so you don’t freak out looking for an answer:

  A)     The mystery stripper A-Rod was pictured with in Toronto is actually your girlfriend. B)     A-Rod’s stunning good looks makes you question your sexuality C)     You want an extra spot for the Hall of Fame just in case Josh Towers has a shot at making the ballot

D)     You’ve watched too much hoser hockey and went brain dead

- SLOW DOWN!!!!  WHOA!!!!  I did not snub A-Rod from the Hall of Fame.  I just think that this decade (2000-2007), Albert and Vlad have been the best hitters during this time frame with A-Rod and Bonds right there with them.  That's scary - I'll go with answer E. 

 

2)  I recently found out that Vladimir Guerrero has fathered 4 children with 4 different women.  And we all know about Tom Brady trying to do the same.  Are you going to take my advice, and teach these athletes how to go anal before they create an army of clones?  Maybe you could tell Eric Rosenhoser to give a seminar.

- Tell the women to keep their legs closed if they feel a little bloated and all athletes need to carry a purse that contains 2 unexpired boxes of Trojan Larges. 

  3)  What is this #### on your blog about an All-Star skills competition for hockey?  Skill in hockey?  You must be joking.  But please enlighten me, which of the following contests do they have? A)    Seeing who is better at stick-handling? B)     Couples ice skating with pink ballerina outfits? C)    Seeing who can fit the most pucks in their mouth? D)    Opening wide to see who has the most teeth?

 - They actually have a relay race around the rink which is pretty lame.  The skills competition's only good thing is the hardest shot.  Watching a net shake when a puck rings the post is incredible.

...So just click on "CHEV Podcasts" on the left side of the web page and hopefully the podcast is now up.  If it's not, I know I will be ticked but Eric will need consoling.  He will be extremely bitter.  Tomorrow should be the best show of this week, if not, my entire life - so check it out.  Cheers.