Lance Briggs to the Redskins - Great move for Bears in my opinion.  There is tons of defense in the top 10 picks and maybe even a QB that they need so bad.  I'd trade the disgruntled LB and my 31st pick for the sixth pick overall. 

 

I don't think Billy Donovan is going anywhere.  He's saying the things he has to say while his team is still playing.  The president said Billy can go look, but he won't let him leave.  Donovan will be a well paid man in Gator Country next year.  Florida fans have got to love having both Urban Meyer and Billy Donovan as coaches. 

 

Anyone else besides the states of Florida and Ohio State excited about another rematch?  Could this be the next big rivalry?  We'll have to see.  I for one would love to see the Gators repeat over the Buckeyes.  It'd make it that much sweet.  I know OSU would love to finally stick it to the boys from Gainesville.  It's amazing how far these football schools have come in basketball.  I'm calling Ohio State vs Florida in Omaha this summer!

 

Does anyone else smell something fishy about this tourney?  After no upsets in the opening rounds, the high seeds sweep through.  Throw in some questionable calls and it makes you take notice. 

 

I'm also finally getting excited about basketball again.  Grant Hill killed my love.  Well, next year his $16 million plus will be off the books in Orlando.  Throw in a scoring threat that Jameer Nelson can pass to and another year of progress from Dwight Howard and the Magic could start to make a deep run in the playoffs.  (I know they are a few years away, but at least they will be competitive)

 

Please Orlando don't resign Grant Hill.  Please!

 

Peyton Manning is hilarious.  "I'll kill a snitch."  SNL is hardly watchable anymore.  Justin Timberlake is the only decent host in the last two years until Manning this last Saturday.   The only skits that are somewhat funny are Target (sometimes), Two A-holes (always), Blizzard Man (which only I find funny apparently) and Bronx Beat (most of the time).  Peyton's United Way is up there with Omletville.  (I'm only comparing SNL skits from recent years.  There is no way anyone could beat Steve Martin era or Adam Sandler era)

 

Baseball update.  It's about to start.  Dice K mania is everywhere.  I say he has 12-14 wins with an ERA of about 3.50 or so.  Hitters will eventually find him out.  If pitches come across the plate, Major League players will find ways to put it into play.  MLB has turned into an offensive game, I don't see one pitcher changing that. 

 

Could Bobby Cox and John Schuerholz really be retiring next year?  What will happen to the Braves?  Will John Smoltz wear another uni?  If Atlanta is out of the running, will Andruw Jones change his mind about the no-trade clause?  Can Chipper stay healthy for a full year anymore?  Will their starting pitching mirror their bullpen last year?  The Braves have lots of questions.  Every team does this time of year.

 

Will baseball ever have a salary cap?

 

I don't care if A-Rod leaves the Yankees without winning a title.  If I'm correct, Derek Jeter didn't win one while A-Rod was there either.  The Yankees just aren't as good as they once were.  They just don't have the pitching anymore. 

 

P.S.  Kobe is not better than Jordan.  It's an injustice that you even mention the two together. 

 

- Brady Quinn the QB is different from Notre Dame the football team.  People are confusing them.

- Why on earth would anyone want to move Reggie Nelson to CB?  Did they not watch any Gator game in the last year?

- Calvin Johnson is the best player in this draft.  I just wish he would stop looking so damn draftable and fall to my Bucs @ the four spot.

- In terms of overall value,  Amobi Okoye is only behind Calvin Johnson.  This kid is extremely smart and only 19.  Could be a defensive franchise piece for a smart NFL Club.

- I'd rather take Robert Meachem or Dwayne Bowe than grab Ted Ginn Jr.  In three years, Ginn Jr will be strictly returning punts and kickoffs (if that). 

- Anthony Gonzalez will be the best Ohio State WR and a steal late in the second round. 

- There's a huge drop off from QB after JaMarcus Russell and Quinn.  Not sure if anyone else could start on a team in the next two years and do well. 

- There is no safe pick at RB, Adrian Peterson is the best back, but is he healthy and can he stay that way?

- Welcome Reggie Bush to the NFL. Reggie ran ten times for 66 yards and had four catches for 24 yards in two preseason games. Can we officially stop the Bush hype? Here’s an inside scoop that you may not know: NFL defenses are faster than PAC-10’s. (Some high schools may be too)
A side not that I though was interesting. Another rookie running back out of New Orleans isn’t doing a bad job. Could he challenge Reggie and Duece for first string?
*Jamaal Branch had 87 yards on 22 carries and three catches for 70 yards.

- Staying with the Trojan theme. Is anyone luckier than Matt Leinert? He gets to command one of the youngest and up and coming offenses. He has a QB in front of him that’s as fragile as glass. It doesn’t hurt that ASU isn’t that far away. There female quantity and quality is quite underrated.

- Why does everyone who doesn’t play fantasy sports complain? If you don’t like it, don’t worry about it. I don’t play dungeons and dragons and I don’t have a problem with those that do. You can do whatever you want.

- Adam LaRoche has got to swing (not bunt) in that situation. I like his team first attitude, but someone with 25 HRs shouldn’t lay down a bunt. Of course, if he would have grounded into a double play, I would say that he should have bunted. Fans are never happy unless their team wins. Sometimes, that doesn’t work either.

- Back to the Braves…you have to believe that a few teams will be gunning for John Smoltz in the off-season. I’d like to see him retire as a Brave, but I also have to remember how we got him. Trading a veteran for a rookie prospect.

- Do you think any team in any conference could take on the Florida Gator’s schedule and make it out unscathed?

- I think Chris Leak could have been a first round pick. He’s looking like a third from where I sit. It’s going to be even harder this season with the trouble they are having with the o-line.

- Outkast new album is interesting. If you like Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, you’ll enjoy this one as well. Hollywood Divorce is my early favorite. I think Andre could give Jay Z a run for his money. If anyone else has some good music advice, I’m all ears. I’m into anything.

- I picked up Madden for both the 360 and the regular Xbox (rented). The Xbox plays great in the NFL Superstar mode. It’s not as easy and you can’t pick your “home run” plays all the time to blow up your stats. The Xbox 360 graphics look worse than Xbox.

- I’ve had my Xbox 360 for a little over a month now and it’s already on the market to be resold. It’s not worth it right now if you are thinking about it. NCAA 07, NBA LIVE 06, and Madden 07 are all better on the original Xbox. Save your money until they make some advancements.

Does anyone own a Dodge Charger out there? I’m looking to buy one and want to see how an owner enjoys it. Hit me up if you do.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Dear Reggie Bush,

I’m not sure if you know this or not, but the city of New Orleans (and the Gulf Coast) is counting on you. You were supposed to take our minds of our tragedy for at least one day a week. You were supposed to be our saving grace. The devastating hurricane that came through her ripped apart our city and our hopes and dreams. We regained some of those when Houston passed on you. You made a promise to be in training camp and that you would do whatever it took to be there for us. You promised to make contributions and to raise our spirits. What you’ve done so far is show us you are spoiled brat. I’m not sure if you are acting on your own or if your agent is asking for this extra money. If it is only about the money you have shown us why we should not celebrate athletes. Reggie Bush, we’re asking you to be a man. To be what you promised to be. I don’t think that is too much to ask. The city of New Orleans is counting on you.


Hopefully your new fans,
THE GULF COAST

I’m an avid fan of the Florida Gators. I have been since I can remember. Does that mean I can’t be friends with someone that cheers on Florida State? Georgia? Some of the best conversations I’ve had about college football were with an enthusiastic Georgia fan over a few Bud Lights.

There is never a reason why sports should come to blows or anger. They should never, and I mean never come to making death threats. I still don’t understand what kind a person it takes to write a letter in a cowardly fashion. A person that would put those hateful words out there because someone missed a play or called a play different than what you saw.

I think some people forget that it’s a sport. The dictionary says it’s “a source of diversion” and “physical activity engaged in for pleasure”. It’s meant to entertain you. I think it’s time for fans and cities to forgive those people who “ruined” your chances of going all the way.

Boston, Bill Buckner did not lose the World Series. Steve Bartman didn’t change the fate of the Chicago Cubs. The lady that hit Ben Roethlisberger didn’t know that she was hurting the Super Bowl QB.

The point is that sports are just that, sports. They are or fun and recreation. They are not a religion. That is the lamest excuse I’ve ever heard of for people to act the way they do.

It will be a sad day when I turn to TBS and find no Braves to be watched. That's what I read today on the Braves website just minutes ago. TBS is dropping the Braves for the Divisional Series and like 26 Sunday games in 07.

I know my family will be devasted. That's something that all of us have in common. After a trip to Atlanta in 91, my mom became hooked. She could tell you things about the Braves, that would make Bobby Cox check his diary.

I can only hope that another station tries to pick up the Braves for at least some of their games. We know ESPN and Fox can't do it. They will be too busy showing New York and Boston.

So heres to all the good times seen on TBS. Here's to the Dale Murphy's and the Terry Pendleton's. The Otis Nixon's and the Deion's. The Francisco Cabera's and the Sid Bream's. To the Ace's...Greg Maddux, Phil Niekro, John Smoltz, Tom Glavine. To the now...Chipper and Andruw Jones. To the future...Jeff Francoeur and Brian McCann. Hopefully we will get to see you again sometime.

SI.com’s NFL Writer, Peter King came out with a list of the top ten things he would change with the NFL if he was commissioner for a day. Peter King and the NFL to me is almost on the same grounds as Peter Gammons and MLB. I do agree he is a little bias with his love of the New England area. Picking the Patriots every year for the Super is getting old. Let’s look into some of the rules he proposed and the one he left off that to me is one of the most overlooked items that need to be fixed.

1. Expand the regular season to 18 games:
I just don’t like it. I like the 16 games. Just shorten up the preseason to two or three games and leave it alone.

2. Pass a bylaw prohibiting playoff expansion:
I also like the playoff system. What I would like to see sometime is an NFL game being played in a college stadium. The Titans in Neyland Stadium? Jacksonville in the Swamp? I know not all college stadiums can hold up to NFL team’s size, but give a guy a chance to dream a little bit.

3. Make long field goals more valuable:
Dead on. I thought they should do this for about five years or so. I also think that shots made in basketball behind the half court line should be worth 4.

4. Take NFL Sunday Ticket off the dish and put it on digital cable:
I don’t really care about this since I really enjoy the NFL, but my wife would kill me if we had to watch every single game. With the two games you can catch on cable, the live updates, the sports ticker at the top or bottom of the screen, halftime show, pre-game show, post-game show…see what I mean. If you don’t live in the region of your team, then you may need to shell out the money if it means that much.

5. Stop the love affair with Los Angeles
This isn’t really a rule. Why have a team out there? So we can over hype it like say, Kobe Bryant and Matt Leniert?

6. Put more mikes on players and officials, and put the game on a seven-second delay:
I’ve never thought of this. Sounds like a decent idea. I’m just not sure about how much I want to hear them call out, “Blitz” or “Check”. I don’t mind the commentators if they can give me the information and not make me want to shoot myself in the head with their yelling or lame jokes. I probably wouldn’t go for this idea if I had the option.

7. Let players wear the numbers of their choice -- with an asterisk: Make them pay for it. What a brilliant idea. There is one factor that can change any rule there is out there. Money! Make everyone pay for their number. After five years with the same team, you no longer have to pay. If you get traded or a free agent signing with a new team, you start all over again. I’m sure that money will drive this so it never happens.

8. Prohibit the moving of the Saints for five years:
I can care less. If you find a better place to put a team, do it. New Orleans is not safe. It’s not safe for players, it’s not safe for their families and it’s not safe for the fans. Why would you want to keep a team somewhere that is not adequately safe?

9. Put two computer chips in the football, and make the goal line, in essence, capable of sending a signal when the football touches the plane of the goal line:
If this idea could blossom, I would be a happy man. Why stop with the plane of the goal line though. Let’s have this sideline to sideline, end zone to end zone. No more bring the chains out wasting valuable time and momentum. No more instant replay for spotting the ball. Let’s get this technology rolling. I’m way excited about this.

10. Make the Super Bowl the best two out of three:
Yeah, he said it as a joke. The Super Bowl is fine. If I could change anything I would change the time. Play the game on Saturday Night. A majority of people have to go to work on Monday. Or…you could just start the game at 5 or 6pm instead of at 9pm.
I would also cut out the two weeks in between. One week is fine for the rest of the playoffs. No need for the extra week.

And to the thing I would change…

The overtime format. I like the idea of 12 min overtime with no clock stoppage except for the one timeout you are given (or to spot the ball if the technology hasn’t caught up with the blog yet). The game plays on until the end of the 12 mins. If and only then will there be a tie. I don’t like the idea of sudden death when you award one team the ball first. In basketball there is a tip, in baseball the home team still gets a chance. Why not change the format to where it is more exciting than the first team who gets the ball takes it to the 28 yard line where their kicker hits a field goal to win it.
Let me know what you think…what rules would you want?

Atlanta Braves will make the playoffs

New York Yankees will miss the playoffs

Exactly one Chicago White Sox gets picked for next years All Star

Pittsburgh Steelers will miss the playoffs

Colts finally win the big one

Detroit will finish the same without Ben Wallace (Lose in the Conference Finals to Miami)

Italy will win the World Cup 2-0

AnWhen I talk football with my boys over a few beers, shots of tequila, or a few Johnny Bravos, we always break down positions. We go position by position and determine who we would want on our team. It may not be the best at that position now, but he will be better in the long run.

Offense
QB – It’s got to be Peyton Manning. If you say any other name, than you are just hating. The guy is incredible with the football. I know what you are thinking. No ring, right? Well, he hasn’t really had a “D’ behind him. That’s changing.
Honorable Mention – Carson Palmer
Overrated – Tom Brady. Sure he has rings. Trent Dilfer has a ring. All the credit should go to Belichick. He is the ultimate coach that gets more out of his players than he really should.
Up and Comer – Charlie Frye

RB – Two initials go here. LT. He can do it all out of the backfield. LaDainian Tomlinson gives you what you need in a back. Anyone taking Larry Johnson thinking Larry Johnson belongs here should wait until he plays a full season.
Honorable Mention – Ronnie Brown or Cadillac Williams
Overrated – Reggie Bush. The new hope? The next best thing? Wasn’t that Michael Vick a few years ago? What has he done? I’m sure that Bush will make more than a few highlight reels as Vick does, but he won’t be a consistent back week in and week out.
Up and Comer – Joseph Addai

WR – Chad Johnson. I know people don’t like him because of his TD end zone dances, but this guy can flat out play. So what makes him great. He does what other WR can’t. He makes his teammates better and doesn’t whine about not getting the ball. His counterpart T.J. (I dare not try and spell his last name) had a break out year taking advantage of his single man coverage.
Honorable Mention – Randy Moss
Overrated – Terrell Owens. Why would you want this man on your team? Sure he may get you to the playoffs, but he won’t win you any games there. He’s a distraction and liability to any team he is on.
Up and Comer – Matt Jones

TE – Antonio Gates. A few years ago, Tony Gonzalez would have been a lock here. TEs are becoming a bigger part of
Honorable Mention – Vernon Davis
Overrated – Jeremy Shockey. He can play, don’t get me wrong. He’s just not the smartest player. He needs to think about what’s best for the team instead of what’s going to be good for him.
Up and Comer – Chris Cooley

Is the game not like how you remembered it? Would you like to see it sped up or see some more life in it? Here are some minor changes that could make your favorite sport more enjoyable.

Soccer
Ditch: Dives–Nothing is worse than watching soccer and seeing someone take a dive. Be a man. It’s supposed to be an honorable game. Treat it like such.

Add: Another ref or two to help get these calls right. That would be less expensive than say Instant Replay.


Football
Ditch: Holding- If it’s happening on every play, just make it legal. It slows the game down way too much.

Add: 10 Second Celebrations-If the celebration last longer than 10 seconds, call a 15 yard Excessive Celebration penalty. Come on, you know you want to know what Chad Johnson is going to do next.

Baseball
Ditch: Designated Hitter-If you can hit, you should be able to pick up a glove and play some D. If you can pitch inside, maybe you should get hit every now and then. You aren't an athlete if you DH, you are just taking batting practice every third inning.

Add: Salary Cap-Come on, you really think the AL is better? They just spend more. The AL East could fund the War of Terror and still have some money left over to build a few hundred schools. Baseball will never be considered a fair sport until a Salary Cap is in place.

Basketball
Ditch: Million Dollar Shoe Contracts-Anyone who knows shoes knows that no Iverson was a tight shoe. The T-Macs are ugly and the Jordan’s keep getting worse. Don’t even get me started on the horrifying LeBrons. I would rather play barefoot. Put the attention back to where it belongs...the play.

Add: Rules to the game-Remember when traveling was traveling? Now it’s a way to make it on the plays of the day. I didn’t know you could take three steps after you stopped dribbling. This is what we are teaching our kids. I know it may add some pizzazz, but please call it like more like the NBA and less like And 1.

It’s week 16. Monday Night football is on your HD Widescreen TV sitting on the wall. Your favorite team holding on to a 4 point lead going into the final 30 seconds of the game. They need this victory if they are to get to the playoffs. You are praying for a defensive stop.

But wait, you remember that this is the Championship Game in your Fantasy Football League. You forgot that Tom Brady is your QB and that all you need is 3 points to win $500 plus all that transaction money. Oh uh. In that split second you did the math. He needs to throw that TD for you to take home that money that you will surely spend on those five seasons of Saved By the Bell that you just could wait to revisit. Like Jesse, you were so excited…and now you are so scared.

You don’t need caffeine pills to get your heart jumping now. Whether you are the ultimate optimist or the ultimate pessimist, you know you have to root one way or the other. Either way, you will have bragging rights come Tuesday morning.

That’s what Fantasy has done. The NFL can say what they want about gambling and about who owns the stats. When the day is done, it draws in more viewers to games.

The only problem is who are you going to root for in those last seconds.