Possibly my all time favorite athlete accomplished a goal last night that has been tainted by guys like Sammy Sosa and Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 600th home run last night and he called that he would too.

 A few days ago Griffey said he was waiting to hit the 600th until he was playing against the Marlins, I'm sure he was half joking about it but he did it. The Kid, The Natural, Junior were just some of the nicknames we had for him here in Seattle, those magical years in the mid ninties were all about #24 and the Mariners, the Glove, Kemp, and Sonics. They were exciting sports times in the state of Washington and The Kid was right there with his backwards hat and playful attitude.  We LOVED him and always will. He played with reckless abanden, hit homerun after homerun, stole bases, drove in runs like nobodies business, and stacked up the gold gloves. He was everything good in baseball. He had reached such an iconic status that was very new to this area. He was the talk of the town everyday and every night. I remember going to a game when I was a younger, and I will always remeber it, I was sitting in center field with one of my friends and we both yelled his name and turned around made eye contact and waved at us, it was just one small moment that showed he wasn't just a great baseball player he was a great guy as well. A true class act, he never talked bad about his teamates or his city. We all understood why he wanted to go to Cincy but when he left we were all in disbelief still, it was one of the sadest days in Seattle sports history. It went from great times only a few years before and brought in a new era in sports here, along with Junior leaving GP was traded away and Kemp got into all kinds of trouble and basically disapeared from the NBA all together. When he left there was a new look to the team and they suceded very well after he left a year later they put together a 116 win season that was another magical time in our sports history. however it was quite the same without The Kid.

 

Now we get to the could have been part, Junior who's swing that is conisdered probably the best of all time, the swing that hit 398 homeruns in a Mariner uniform was in a Red's jersey. His first season with Cincy was a productive one knocking in 118 runs, hitting 40 homeruns, and batting a .271 average. That by any standards is a pretty good season. Then everything went down hill injury after injury plagued him, in 2001 he played 111 games then down to 70 in 2002, to 53 in 2003 and 83 in 2004, 128 in 2005, then down once again to 109 in 2006.

                               

 Year after year Griffey missed game after game after game and what once looked like the most promissing possibly of all time turned into a carreer that will never be what it should have been. It's amazing to be able to say that someone's baseball career was a disapointment after hitting 600 homeruns, winning an MVP award, winning 10 time gold glove awards, winning seven silver slugger awards, and after going to 13 all star games, but sadly you can. Not only did the injuries take their tole in terms of games it took aged Griffey in a way that he shouldn't have been aged. I can only imagine where he would be at if he hadn't been injured so often. Maybe we would have already celebrated him hitting 700 not too long ago maybe we would be just counting down the days until he passes Bonds for number 1 all time, but now we will never know. 

 Now we are counting down the days until he is traded away from the Reds, counting down the days until his contract ends and he comes back to retire as a Mariner, now we count down the days to his induction as a hall of famer, now we count down the days until an almost for sure will be legend becomes just another great player that used to play back in the day. Everything about Junior was great and in my eyes he's always going to be one of the best of all time, but maybe, just maybe he could have been the greatest.

 

That swing is just an asolute thing of beauty though isn't it?

Cooperstown here we come.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=53pwUlRjXIg thi
s is just a small sample of a man with giant talent.

 

he's baaaaaack http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/media/player/mp_t
pl_3_1.jsp?w=2007/open/tp/archive06/062207_cinsea_
griffey_ceremony_tp_350.wmv&pid=mlb_tp&gid=2007/06
/22/cinmlb-seamlb-1&vid=1&mid=200706222043893&cid=
mlb&fid=mlb_tp400&v=2&id=579571

With the NFL draft a mere days away now I've decided to take out some time and make another mock draft. My last one was mainly to try and make a point that Run DMC isn't going to be a top five pick and it was kind of exaggerated, now that we know a little more I think its easier to make a more accurate mock. With that said we really don't know what's gunna happen saturday until it's all said and done. Although this is based on who has which picks and where they have them right now, without trades.

 

1. Miami Dolphins - Jake Long
They already signed him, done deal.

 

2. St. Louis Rams - Glenn Dorsey
They've got a very shaky D and I think that Dorsey is the second or third best player in the draft.

 

3. Atlanta Falcons - Matt Ryan
I really don't think this guy is the franchise Qb that everyone seems to think he's gunna be. I really don't like him right here but with big Glenn Dorsey off the board and none of their other need positions having the talent to be selected here, this is their only choice. I wouldn't be surprised if they move out of this pick if Dorsey does go #2.

 

4. Oakland Raiders - Chris Long
Despite what most people seem to think Darren McFadden WILL NOT be taken here. The Raiders really don't need a running back, with Justin Fargas, Dominic Rhodes, LaMont Jordan, and Micheal Bush all on the roster they do not need a running back. However they could use a DE to either play opposite Derrick Burgess or to replace him, I believe that Gholston just has a better burst and pure athleticism than Chris Long however Long is a much better football player. They could also use a lineman or a linebacker but there isn't anyone talented enough from those two to go here.

 

5. Kansas City Chiefs -  Vernon Gholston
After trading away Jared Allen they could use another DE, it's apparent they need an offensive lineman or two as well but there is a lot of depth in the first round for lineman and they could get a very talented tackle at 17, but they wouldn't get the same talent from the defensive end position there.

 

6. New York Jets - Darren McFadden
I love this pick, although I do really like Jesse Chatman who they picked up via free agency, I think that Darren is the best player in the draft and will take a lot of pressure off of Kellen Clemens, Chad Pennington, or whoever may be the QB in New York next year. They could really use an explosive offensive weapon and Rum DMC is definitely someone that can be that player for them.

 

7. New England Patriots - Keith Rivers
I don't like him this high, in fact I don't think any of the linebackers should go in the top 15 of this draft but they definitely need a linebacker to come in and take the place of one of the starters. This defense is getting really old really fast and it's gunna catch up to bite them next year. If they are picking close to this spot again next year don't be surprised. I really think that they are going to be one of the teams that has a huge drop off after a super bowl loss. I'm calling it right now, they will not win the AFC east again next year.

 

8. Baltimore Ravens - Leodis McKelvin
This is another situation where the defense is getting very old very fast, Ray "one of my all time favorite athletes" Lewis, Chris McAlister, Samari Rolle, and Trevor Pryce are all over the age of 30 now and it's showing. The secondary really needs a face lift and McKelvin would be able to come in and help them out, as well as in the return game. I would not be surprised if they try to move up, maybe trade with Atlanta. I really like this guy and I think he's the best talent from the cornerback spot. They might also take a guy like Brandon Albert or Ryan Clady here.

 

9. Cincinnati Bengals - Sedrick Ellis
Defense, defense, defense, the Bengals have none of it and they desperately need to get some. Ellis is the second best defensive tackle in the draft and head over heals better than the next guys.

 

10 New Orleans Saints - Mike Jenkins
This is a great pick for the Saints who already added Randall #### this off season, but that really doesn't mean much because they really don't know how productive he's gunna be.

 

11. Buffalo Bills - Devin Thomas
This may be a bit of a stretch but I really like him, I think that he is the best receiver in the draft and he's got a whole lot of talent. They need another talented receiver to go along with a good core group of Lee Evans, Marshawn ####, and Trent Edwards.

 

12. Denver Broncos - Brandon Albert
The Broncos are salivating right now with the thought of that. Having someone that talented slipping down to them. I really don't know why I have him going here I think he's a top 10 pick and could go as high as 5 to Kansas City.

 

13. Carolina Panthers - Ryan Clady
Again this just doesn't seem right to me another guy thats a top 10 type of guy. He may go as high as 5 as well. It's really between Clady, Albert, Long, and Gholston at 5 I really don't know yet.

 

14. Chicago Bears - Chris Williams
There is going to be a lot of lineman taken in the first round, that is because there is a lot of talent there and like the Bears, a lot of teams would love to bring in another young tackle. They may take Mendenhall here as well.

 

15. Detroit Lions - Rashard Mendenhall
They got rid of Kevin Jones and Tatum Bell really isn't the answer so they've gotta address that position of need.

 

16. Arizona Cardinals - Dominique Rodgers - Cromartie
They have a need at corner as well as at running back but with Mendenhall off the board and some questions about Stewarts health, although I think he is going to be fine, this is still a really good pick.

 

17. Kansas City Chiefs - Jeff Otah
They get their offensive lineman here at this pick.

 

18. Houston Texans - Aqib Talib
This isn't really the guy that they want to get but they have a really big need at corner and he's the best one left in my opinion.

 

19. Philadelphia Eagles - DeSean Jackson
They need an explosive guy, a playmaker on offense, and although I think that Jackson is overrated, after watching him play a little I didn't see anything that would translate into a whole lot of talent in the next level. With that said they still need somethin' Westbrook can't do it all by himself every year.

 

20. Tampa Bay - James Hardy
This guy is big, in every sense of the word. Comin' in at 6'6'' or 6'7'' depending on who you ask, and around 220. He's a big target and with Joey Galloway putting on some years they need someone else to come in and help him out.

 

21. Washington Redskins - Derrick Harvey
I really don't think this guy is gunna be all that good to be honest. I think he may also go at 17 is Kansas city takes a lineman with the 5 pick, or at 15 to Detroit maybe even to Carolina who may lose Peppers, but if there is one of the really good backs left that's what Detroit will go with.

 

22. Dallas Cowboys - Felix Jones

They want to get a good back out of Arkansas and they're gunna get one. Jones may not be the  back that they're wanting but he's the only one that's gunna left out of the top tier backs.

 

23. Pittsburgh Steelers - Calais Campbell

They have a need for a DE and with Campbell wieghing in at 280 he's got the size needed to work in the 3-4 defense. They could also try and get Balmer here and maybe move him to the D end spot I think that's where he would fit in best.

 

24. Tennesse Titans - Kentwan Balmer

They  would like to take a good reciever here but with Malcolm Kelly falling way down on draft boards and Mario Manningham not showing a whole lot to anybody, they have a need for DT so he seems logical, they could also move him to DE after losing a couple this off season.

 

25. Seattle Seahawks - Dustin Keller

I will say this again, I've said it over and over again, even if Balmer is still on the board they will not take him. THEY DON'T NEED A DT. They do however need a TE, they might try to trade their first rounder for Jeremy Shockey as well.

 

26. Jacksonville Jaguars - Quentin Groves

I really like this guy, he's a great athlete and he's really impressed me these months leading up to the draft. They need a DE and with the other guys that are maybe a little more talented off the board, he's good value here.

 

27. San Diego Chargers - Jonathan Stewart

They would like to get a very good back up for Tomlinson, and his eventual replacement. He is a great value here, I watched him a lot playing for Oregon and I really like him, this is an absolute steal. He's a top ten pick, or he would have been if it weren't for the toe injury.

 

28. Dallas Cowboys - Malcolm Kelly

This seems like a bit of a stretch but they would really like a reciever to go along with T.O. and he is the best one left.

 

29. San Fransisco 49ers - Gosder Cherilus

They can really use another big lineman, and he's the best talent at the tackle positon.

 

30. Green Bay Packers - Brandon Flowers

With Al Harris and Charles Woodson getting older and a little less productive they would really like a guy to come in and take the third corner spot, he was productive playing for Va. Tech.

 

31. New York Giants - Jerrod Mayo

This is an easy pick for the Giants, and a steal by the way. Although I think that most of the linebackers are overated (most people like to think he's a top 25 pick, I don't) he has good value at this spot. They need a linebacker to replace Kawika Mitchell.

 

Okay so I have seen some pretty bad mock drafts out there this year, some of the guys out there I swear no nothing about the NFL or atleast none of the teams in it. So I decided I would show everyone my opinion on how things are gunna shake down next month. Another thing, this is based on none of the teams trading picks around which is a very high possibility.

1. Miami Dolphins - Chris Long

Yes I know that Jake may be better and they do need a QB but lets be completly honest is Matt Ryan a franchise QB, is he really worthy of a #1 selection? I'm not too sure that he is, and if you watched some of their games last year they didn't have all that bad of an O-line, in fact I would say that was one of their only areas that wasn't all that bad. With Jason Taylor thinking more about his post career ocupations and Zach Thomas gone the D is in need of some revamping. They would probably like to draft either a linebacker or defensive back but there is definatly not enough talent at the top end of either of those positions to take one #1 overall, but they need to do something for that D.

 

2. St. Louis Rams-  Jake Long

I can see the Rams going from Vernon Gholston, to Chris Long if he drops to them, Glen Dorsey, or possibly even Sedrick Ellis, but Pace is aging, and the rest of the O-line looked lost without him last year (yeah I know most of them were hurt but still they weren't very good) Jake Long is by far the best tackle in the draft, and any team at anytime could afford to take on a really talented tackle, I don't think anyone in St. Louis would argue taking a tackle if avaible.

 

3. Atlanta Falcons - Glenn Dorsey

I debated whether I think they will take Dorsey, Sedrick Ellis, or Matt Ryan, but like I said earlier I'm not sold on Ryan as a franchise quarterback, Ellis probably has more athletic and Dorsey has questions about his health, but when it comes down to it I beleive that Dorsey is a little better than Ellis

 

4. Oakland Raiders - Vernon Gholston

I would like to think that they would help out the offense with this pick but they used the #1 on a QB last year and they resigned Fargas and still have Micheal Bush, LaMont Jordan, and Dominic Rhodes behind him, all of them capable of starting. They could also use a reciever since there are questions about Javon Walkers health and for whatever reason they think that Drew Carter is talented enough to start (P.S. Carolina tried that several times and he's not on their team anymore if that tells you anything). Instead they are gunna get an end that will help Burgess on the D-line to try and rush some bad passes for that fancy new secondary they've got which I think has potential to be the best in the NFL next year.

 

5. Kansas City Chiefs - Ryan Clady

They could definatly draft a defensive player with this pick, or for that matter they could go with Ryan if available but I think they will be able to help out the secodary in a later round like I said earlier its hard to pass up on a really good tackle most teams don't like letting them slip by.

 

6. New York Jets - Leodis Mckelvin

They would love to see Vernon Gholston fall down to them and its very possible that he will, they will also be very tempted to go with the sexy pick of Run DMC as I affectionatly call him but to be honest Mcfadden really wouldn't answer any real pressing issues, Thomas is still capable of 1,000 yards and they signed a guy I really like Jesse Chatman (a career average of 4.6 yards per carry and at 5 foot 8 inches 223 pounds of muscle and some pretty good speed, that was a steal in free agency, all of their other moves were way more noticed than this one but it could have been one of their best) and they have return specialist Leon Washington who can play some RB as well. They do however want some help in the secondary Justin Miller (who didn't play a very large number of games last season) and Darrelle Revis have shown promise but still have something to prove.

 

7. New Englad Patriots - Mike Jenkins

They want Mckelvin to fall to them and he just may but if not I think that honestly you couldn't go wrong with either Roders - Cromartie, Mike Jenkins, or Aqib Talib and any one of them could go here with this pick. The point is, is that they are gunna take a CB after Randal #### Asante Samuel left via free agency.

 

8. Baltimore Ravens- Matt Ryan

Even though I have said it many times I will say it again Matt Ryan doesn't stand out in my mind as a franchis QB, but the Ravens are desperate and not smart enough to look in their own system and give the former buckeye Troy Smith a shot, from what I've seen him play he looked pretty good. What I do know is that they need someone to play QB for 'em and air Mcnair and Kyle Boller are not gunna be the one to do so.

 

9. Cincinatti Bengals - Sedrick Ellis

They desperatly need some sort of answer on defense and he could help them out a lot. He will be a real good plug in the middle of their defense.

 

10. New Orleans Saints - Dominique Rodgers- Cromartie

Yes they did sign #### and last year they did sign Jason David, but David didn't quite live up to hype and #### really hasn't been a number 1 or even number 2 cornerback yet he's been a number 3 guy or a dime package defensive back, but hey you never know whats gunna happen.

11. Buffalo Bills - Malcolm Kelly

They need a reciever the question is who. They are most likely going to be the first team to take a reciever so they've got a shot anyone of the big name guy's such as Desean Jackson, Limas Sweed, Mario Manningham, Devin Thomas, or even Early Doucet, but they already have a smaller quicker reciever in Lee Evens (who had a very dissapointing first half last season). So now they need to get a bigger reciever to compliment him.

 

12. Denver Broncos - Chris Williams

Once again teams don't usually pass up on really talented offensive tackles and this will also fill a spot of need for Denver

 

13. Caronlina Panthers - Jeff Otah

Do I need to repeat myself once more?

 

14. Chicago Bears - Darren McFadden

And the biggest steal of the draft goes to.... the Chicago Bears. Yes my friends call me crazy but if you give a good look at all the teams in the top 15 none of them have a need for a running back. Just look for yourself Miami - Ronnie Brown, St. Louis - Steven Jackson, Atlanta - Micheal Turner and Jerious Norwood, Oakland - Justin Fargas, Dominic Rhodes, LaMont Jordan, Micheal Bush, Kansas City - Larry Johnson, New York Jets - Thomas Jones, Jesse Chatman, and Leon Washington (this is probably the only team I could see making him their first round choice), New England - Laurence Maroney, Baltimore - Willis McGahee (who could be one of the more underated RB's in the league just because they don't give him the ball in positions to score), Cincinatti - Rudi Johnson (they need to draft for defense), New Orleans - Reggie Bush (I called that he would be overrated before he went #2 in the draft and still don't believe he is a NFL running back) Duece McCallister (although there are questions about his health), Buffalo - Marshawn ####, Denver - Travis Henry, Caroina - Deangelo Williams. I could see them go with someone else with this pick but if he's here they shouldn't. Just think about it Peterson was in a similar situation last year, and most people conisdered him the best prospect in the draft. Mcfadden also has some off field issues such as his attitude that could let him slip a little ways down.

 

15. Detroit Lions - Aqib Talib

They have got the offense we all know that now they just need to make that defense a little better and Bryant leaving didn't help them any in the secondary which is in need of some speed and talent.

 

16. Arizona Cardinals - Rahard Mendenhall

They still have James but he is getting older and they could use a running back with talent to help take some of the emphesis off the passing game which they are so good with. I HATE to see them pick him because I'm a huge Hawks fan.

 

17. Minnesota Vikings - Derrick Harvey

I would like to see them take a reciever with this pick but they do need an end that can get some pressure and cause some havack in the backfield. Erasmus James has some health questions and Kenechi Udeze is getting treatment for leukemia so defensive end has become a need.

 

18. Houston Texans - Felix Jones

They would like to go with Stewart but with injury problems he might not even be a first rounder anymore. They would aslo appreciate if one of those top four corners would fall to them, I also think that this pick is to high to take Brandon Flowers, Antoine Cason, or Justin King, So I think they will take Jones and in the long run they will be pretty happy with the pick, the only other way I could see them going is with Kenny Phillips which may happen because they could use a good DB.

 

19. Philadelpia Eagles - Kenny Phillips

They lost Donte Stallworth last season and they had several guys help out and step up, Reggie Brown had a really good season last year and has good size and athletisism, Kevin Curtis also had his share of big games, Greg Lewis is a decent deep threat, and of course Westbrook is very talented at both running and recieving. So I'm not sure I see them taking a reciever in the first round but possibly later on. They do however need someone along side of Brain Dawkins after losing Micheal Lewis, Sean Considine showed some promise but there isn't any evidence he'll be great.

 

20. Tampa Bay Bucaneers - Desean Jackson

Gruden wants a big playmaker and he missed out on the Calvin Johnson sweepstakes last season. They've already got a guy similar to Jackson in Joey Galloway but he's going into his 14 season in the league and he's got some wear and tear on his tires.

 

21.Washington Redskins - Limas Sweed

They would love for a guy like Sweed to fall to them a big reciever that has good speed to go along with Santana Moss and Randel El. He could be a huge boost to Jason Campell, it would give them a stacked offense, Portis running the ball Moss, Sweed, Randel El, and Cooley catching the ball, and Campell making plays with his legs and arm.

 

22. Dallas Cowboys -  Mario Manningham

Manningham was dissapointing early in the 2007 season but picked up some slack later in the season. He doesn't have great size but his althetic ability is there, and they want another playmaker along side of T.O. because as much as he would like to think its true, one man can't do it all. Yes the do have Jason Witten and he is very talented and they also have Terry Glenn (he is also getting up there in age and his ability has dropped off a little), and they have Barber but he isn't the greatest pass catcher in the backfield. They may also go with Devin Thomas who was very impressive at the combine.

 

23. Pittsburgh Steelers - Branden Albert

They need to draft a gaurd to replace the recent departure of long time starter Alan Faneca. It may be a bit of a reach to take a him here but there isn't too much talent at the top of the class of guards.

 

24. Tennesse Titans - Devin Thomas

They absolutly need to put some playmakers around Vince Young as I just said, "one man can't do it all" this is a case where they have a very very talented quarterback and a lot of cap space but refuse to spend it on playmakers. Thomas was very impressive at the combine and he has good size and ability. Yes the did sign Alge Crumpler and Justin McCariens but honestly that's just not enough.

 

25. Seattle Seahawks - Dustin Keller

As much as I would love to see my favorite team end up with one of the tackles that I have going earlier in the draft they probably won't fall that far. I also keep hearing they need a DT. I will say this once and only once THEY DO NOT NEED A DEFENSIVE TACKLE. That would be absolutly stupid if they drafted one here. Not only is there not a talented enough DT to take here they simply don't need one they have a healthy - er Tubbs, a very talented young guy in Brandan Mebane, Rocky Bernard, and a very unknown but still talented Craig Terrill. It may be a reach getting Keller here because I'm not sure if he is worth a first round pick but we need a TE and after signing Duckett and Jones no longer need to draft a RB first round. There may not be a TE this talented left in the second or third round either.

 

26. Jacksonville Jaguars - Phillip Merling

Reggie Hayward had a fairly dissapointing season last season and they also lost Bobby McCray so they need to fill a spot on the line. Merling has very good size and could play some DT for them as well since they traded away Stroud. They could go with a reciever if they think there is one good enough at this pick.

 

27. San Diego Chargers - Brandon Flowers

They don't need a real #1 or 2 guy at DB they need to bring in someone to add depth. They already have Jammer and Antonio Cromartie they just need another guy back there with them. They could also take a saftey and don't be too surprised if they go with a guy like Jonathan Stewart here.

 

28. Dallas Cowboys - Justin King

They could go either Flowers or Justin King (who is probably the most phisically gifted of the corners but showed little success playing for Penn State last year). Either way, they have a need in the secondary that they will probably fill with this pick. whichever is available will possibly go here.

 

29. San Fransisco 49ers - James Hardy

He has very unique size at 6'6'' and 220 pounds. He could add some muscle and he also, to an extent lacks speed, but I think that he can help out a reciving corps that was not very good last year. They could potentially go with an offensive lineman here too.

 

30. Green Bay Packers - Gosher Cherilus

 They would really like anyone of the talented cornerbacks already taken to fall to them. Since Woodson and Harris are both getting older, but they probably won't so they could help fill another spot of some weakness at offensive tackle with Cherilus

31. New England - they don't get a pick cause they are a bunch of class less cheaters (New England has been my least favorit team for years and not until this year did everyone realize what I realized years ago, that they are a class less bunch and that Belichik has the least amount of class and integrity of all the NFL coaches, but thats just my opinion, you don't have to agree.)

 

32. New York Giants - Keith Rivers

With the departure of  Kawika Mithcell and they would also like to eventually move Mathias Kiwanuka back to DE to replace Strahan if he retires this season or if its next season

Ok so I'm kinda bored and I thought I'd breakdown the NFC West and say what I think about these guys.

 

Arizona Cardinals 3-2 1st in division

The Cardinals haven't looked all that bad at times this year, and actually they are much better than I expected them to be and they're in first but only because of a botched handoff. The passing game will be a threat no matter who is throwing the ball with two freak receivers like Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin your always going to have something thru the air. Then to add to that James is running the ball much better this year than last with almost 450 yards on about 110 carries and 3 td's. To go with that the defense has looked a lot better this year as well they've still alowed 110 points but it's better than what they were at last year and they can atleast stop the run they are 14th in yards allowed per game. They are however 23rd in pass yards allowed and 20th in points per game allowed. With Matt out for the year Warner is going to take the snaps from here on out congratulations you now have a has been at QB but he'll still be more productive than Tim Rattay.

 

Seattle Seahawks 3-2 2nd in division

Seattle has looked really good and really bad at the same time.  They're playing a lot worse than they should be, not converting on 3rd downs and letting everyone else convert on 3 downs. They also aren't scoring Td's when they should be and haven't been able to put away games like they should. With Mike Holmgren looking like he's never heard of the two minute drill they've had a hard time after the two minute time has showed up on the clock. Shaun Alexander is running a lot like he did last year as well like a little girl, but the O-line also doesn't look like they know how to run block but the pass blocking is looking very nice. On a good note the defense looks a million times better than last year only allowing 74 points. The pass defense is 17th and that's after playing the Bengals and the Cardinals two very pass oriented teams with two extremly talented recievers. Last week they just played a much better team in the Steelers but the problem was that they went into the game thinking that you could tell from the fist few drives the Hawks weren't into the game and letting up about 3 3 and 20 conversions didn't help. Then again the offense couldn't stay on the field either. I could break them down for hours upon hours but that seems good enough for now.

 

San Fransisco 49ers 2-3 3rd in division

When everyone started to say they would win the division I knew they would be a dissapointment. Alex Smith seems as though he has taken a little step back from last season he's only thrown one touchdown pass and his completion percentage is at about 51 percent. He's only thrown one pick but this passer rating is down to 66 percent. He also isn't even in the top 32 in pass yards but then again he's only played 4 games this season. Frank Gore has also taken a step back being 17th in rushing yards, he's fumbled twice already and he's averaging only 61 yards per game. His 3 td's have him tied for 4th in the nfl for rushing td's but that's his only bright spot. Now to continue to rip on this terrible offense they have a 24% conversion on third downs which is awful. The defense has also been fairly over rated because they are 25th in rush yards allowed 21st in pass yards allowed 19th in points allowed and they only have 3 interceptions and 4 forced fumbles, but defensivly on third downs they are looking very good only allowing opponents to convert 39% of the time.

 

St. Louis Rams 0-5 last in division

The Rams are just plain bad as I thoroughly explained in my last blog. Injujuries have just destroyed this team. Not that they would be all that much better off if there were none. I didn't think that this was that good of a team to start the season but maybe good enough for 2nd in the west. I didn't see them being just plain awful though. The greatest show on turf has turned into the laughing stock on turf. The offense is not scoring at all they have only 5 passing Td's and not a single rushing touchdown. When not a single runner on your team has so much as smelled the endzone in your first 5 games you probably haven't won too many games as is the case with these Rams. When Gus Ferotte is an improvement at the Qb position you know your starting Qb isn't having a great year. Yes Bulger is hurt but still the guy that took ten years to throw one pick last year has twice as many int's as td's that's no good. I called that he would have an off year but I didn't suspect at all that Steven Jackson would be as bad as he is. he is also hurt now but before his injury he had 69 rushes for a wopping 233 yards and an average of 3.4 yards per carry (BAD). As I already mentioned he hasn't recorded a td yet and has two lost fumbles and a longest run of 14 yards. The line hasn't been too terrible letting up 12 sacks which is right around middle of the pack. The defense is very bad just as most of us thought they've let up the 5th most points with 137 and they've only scored 70. This is just not a good team hey better luck next year.

THE RAMS ARE BAD

this is mainly a I told you so to a certain Rams fan who thought his team would go undefeated. Oh yeah he was wrong hey they might still get .500

Well so far it seems that the Rams are just simply terrible today they lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who in case you missed it basically got tore up by my Seahawks.  The offense which is supposed to be the "Greatest show on turf" is bad to put it nicely.  They were held to only a field goal. That's not even as good as another show on turf the Twins who scored 7 today. With the defense they have which in case you didn't relize this in the preseason aren't good enough to win the Rams a game if they don't give them atleast 3 touchdowns. The Rams offense who is one of the worst in the league right now has a total of 2 touchdowns. The suppossed amazing Steven Jackson is averaging less than 80 yards a game and is averaging only 3 yards a carry to top it off he doesn't even have a TD.  Now as for Marc "underrated" Bulger, he doesn't seem to be so underrated anymore because he now has thrown 3 interceptions and has basically all of the Rams O-Fence with 2 TD's. The Rams have scored a wopping 32 points while giving up 68, that usaully means you probably haven't won yet, and you know what that stands to be true.  With all of that said the Rams are sitting in last place in the NFC West.

While all that is going on my Seahawks are 2-1 and the only team in the NFC West to have outscored it's opponents 64 to 50 and a defense that I said would be good although nobody felt like believing me and an offense that looks a lot better in the second half than the first but they're still getting the job done. Brian Russell and Deon Grant are making a huge impact as I said they would. Lofa Tatupu is looking like he wants this defense to be the best in the NFL, the guy is all over the place he's a freak. As for the offense Matt Hasselbeck has looked very close to amazing, he threw his first two picks today and both were completely the recievers fault other than that he's looked very good and as good as his 2005 season. Shaun doesn't look exactly like he should but he still has 275 yards and over 4 yards a carry and 2 TD's (which is better than Steven Jackson). The Team also looks to be working together very well and they have a lot of chemistry, or course other than the blunder Shaun had in the end of the game against the Cardinals.

So do you still think the Rams are going to the superbowl because I certainly don't think so, because in case you didn't pick up the point of this whole rant it was that the Rams are bad and Seahawks are lookin pretty good if you ask me. Just thought I'd emphisize this, TBIAH you were wrong admit it.

    Watching the team USA group not even try and win the games they're winning by like 30 and 40 makes me feel that there is no way that these guys won't win it all in Beijing. The way these guys are coming together is amazing especially since they've got Kobe on the team its making him look unselfish which is near impossible. These guys almost remind me of the dream team of '92 but with a cross of the globe trotters.

     They have a good balance of talent they've got the perimeter game with Mike Miller, Micheal Redd, Lebron James (he doesn't shoot 3's but he's a perimeter G/F, you could make a case for Kobe being a perimeter guy. and surprisingly Carmelo Anthony who lit it up from beyond the range against Puerto Rico. They also have good post presence with Cris Bosh (who is out with a foot injury) Amare Stoudemire and Dwight Howard.  They have very good leadership from the guard play with Jason Kidd and Chauncey Billups.

    Overall I think this team looks very good and as always if they don't come out with the gold everyone will be very disappointed since we're America and we're supposed to have the best sports in the world.

After watching the very talented Jake Locker and company beat up on the Orange (and yes I do know that they aren't a good team at all but that's beside the point) my feelings that this would be a good season were re-assured. With Rankin rushing for over 8 yards per carry, Locker running and throwing all over the Cuse' defense, and the defense getting amazingly good pressure I felt that the Huskies might live up to MY expectations for this season. I think that the Huskies are on the right path to becoming a power house football team once again. Arguably our best seasons were taken away because of d u m b #### Rick Neuheisel ruined everything and made it so we couldn't even go to a bowl game for a few years. After that happened the Washington football program was in the cellar but with Willingham as the new head coach (Thank you Notre Dame) they're on they're way back up. Every year since he has came to our program the Huskies have had more wins every year.

I know that we've got arguably the toughest schedule in the NCAA and they are in the underrated PAC-10 (I say it's underrated because for some strange reason everyone thinks that the SEC is the toughest conference but it defiantly isn't the PAC-10 is much tougher) but I think that they will open a few more eyes this year but I think that they could pull off a few upsets especially since a few of the big games we have the season are in Seattle such as the USC, OSU, CAL,and Boise State all playing in the Huskies house and maybe they could make a bowl game if they win a couple of those games. I wouldn't say that they will get ranked but that would be really nice maybe in a year or so. Since they do have probably the toughest schedule they will probably lose some games. But from the looks of things they are starting to return to greatness and the recruiting is getting much better again with Tyrone so the future is looking a lot better too.

Jake Locker who was one of the highest rated quarterbacks coming up in his class looks to be living up to expectations and the very big receiver 6 foot 3 inch 240 pound Marcel Reece is starting to live up to his hype as well. Now if only Junior J.R. Hasty would live up to the hype the Huskies could have a dominant offense. Until then Louis Rankin is filling in very nicely. The defense is also looking much better the way they were getting pressure was very good to see. They also have a lot of youth that could step up on defense in the next few years.

Overall I have very high expectations for this team this year and for the future. I think and hope they show up to play this year and if they do watch out for the Huskies they could pull off a few surprise wins.

This had to of been a very bitter sweet deal for the Celtic's they made a very big upgrade right now and you can't even argue that they didn't KG has been an all star almost every year of his 12 year career.  He's averaged over 20 points 10 rebounds and 4 asissts for 9 years in a row not even the greatest player of all time Wilt Chamberlin could do that him a Bird have the second most at 6 years.  Garnett was also the rebound champion this last season. With the best pure shooter in the game Ray Allen who I have had the privlidge of watching the past several years, he's been one of the best kept secrets of the league since he's been playing in Seattle.  Paul Pierce is still a very talented player and averaged over 25 points per game last year.  With those two out on the perimeter there won't be any stoping the Celtics in the JV league called the Eastern Confrence thats a very lethal combo.

 

Now for the bitter part, in 5 or 6 years or however long it takes for the pretty good looking trio to either retire or be inaffective, this won't be very good team. Since they got rid of thier first round pick this year, and two future first round picks they won't have any new young talent coming in.  Sending away Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, and Gerald Green had to be very very hard.  All three of those guys showed huge promise for the future.  Those factors leave the Celtics with no future.  Once these three aren't any good the Celtics will be back in the cellar of the Eastern Confrence once again but this time it's going to take even longer to get good becuase they will have absolutly nothing not even Paul Pierce to force them to make moves.

One of my favorite parts of the new Madden every year when it comes out is playing with new guys that weren't in the game last year and also playing with guys that didn't have good ratings before and now are some of the best in the league. I love first getting it and putting it in to Madden it up and looking at all the new player ratings.  What I was wondering is what every one else thinks some of the ratings my be of some new guys, some improved players, or even some players that might have taken a huge dip in thier rating. Feel free to talk about your favorite teams or who you think the best teams/players will be.

For instance I love the Seahawks but after last year when Shuan ran like a little girl because he shouldn't have been playing he probaly got a lot worse on the other hand I believe a guy like D.J. Hackett will have some really good ratings this year.

FIRST OF ALL TO EVERYONE WHO IS TELLING ME THAT MY TEAM LOST AND FOR ME TO STOP WHINING ABOUT MY TEAM LOSING IT WASN'T EVEN MY TEAM THAT LOST I'M NOT EVEN A SUNS FAN I'M FROM SEATTLE I LOVE THE SONICS I JUST REALLY HATE THE SPURS THEY'RE GARBAGE

 

As you all know tim donaghy (I didn't capitalize his name on purpose because he's gargage) is involved in a huge scandal that possibly could forever ruin the credibility of the NBA. Gambling over the past two years and possibly being affiliated with the mob.  Many people have wondered about something like this for a very long time. We all also know that he officiated the worst officiated game in playoff history (with superbowl XL coming in second) game 3 of the Western confrence finals.

 

Right after that game was over I knew that the Suns wouldn't win that series as much as I wanted them to and as much as I hate the Spurs I had a feeling that even the refs didn't want them to win. How are you gunna win when the refs are cheating for the other team theres no way.  Now that we know for sure that there was foul play involved the Suns deffinetly should have won that game and they also should have not had two of thier best players suspended. Which was very rediculous and was what I believe one of the first chain of events that is going to ruin the NBA. 

 

The Suns should have won game 3 and they probaly would have also won game 5 when Amare was suspended.  Which means that the Spurs shouldn't have gone to the Finals.  Therfore they couldn't have won a title. I hated the Spurs before but now I really dislike them and I sure hope thier qoute unqoute dynasty is over and they don't even make the playoffs next year because they don't deserve it, believe me in 3 or 4 years when duncan is done the Spurs will end with him because no matter how much people would like to think that Parker is amazing without someone like Duncan he'll be a nothing without him.

 

I saw this video on another blog and thought that it seemed like it would fit on here because that was what my whole rant was about was the Suns, Spurs playoff series and this is a video which shows all of the "blunders" or most likely purposly blown calls from donaghy and Rush who also should be investigated for this gambling scheme.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvkKdXLwt0
U

PLEASE READ THIS and tell me what you think maybe im blowing it out of porportion and its just another one of those east coast writers that has his head so far up his #### he doesn't know whats going on http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/insider/columns/st
ory?columnist=law_keith&id=2934251

 

In the begining he makes it sound like we're all good and it even says if we can play the way we did in the first half we'll probaly make the playoffs. The more you read it the more he doubts it and starts going off on how bad of a team they are. I'm officially sick and tired of listening to ESPN writers they're just complete idiots and they have no idea what thier talking about when it comes to Seattle teams or west coast teams for that matter they don't repect them at all personally I'm very tired of listening to them rip on my teams all the time when thier teams aren't any better at all this writer is a "speacial assitant" for the Toronto Blue Jays correct me if I'm wrong but aren't they 3 in thier division behind the .500 Yankees I think he should take a step back and look at his own team before he starts to say things like this about my Seattle Mariners who by the way swept the Blue Jays about 2 weeks ago

Vladimir Guerrero won the homerun derby just like I said he would.  The guy is an absolute freak.  Shhh don't tell anyone but he's amazing.  Most people on the east coast I'm sure dont know much about him becuase they have thier heads so far up #### when it comes to sports and they think everyone and everytime this side of the Mississippi is inferoir to the east coast teams. If you believe that then look at the stats there are a total of 3 teams over the .500 mark in the east AL and NL.  In the west there a total of 5 and not to mention the west is 101-80 against the east this season a winning percentage of .558, to add to that the two worst teams in baseball are also in the east, your beloved Mets are 10-12 the Red Sox are only one of two teams over .500 at 13-12 the Yankees are 12-13.  This started as me patting myself on the back for picking Vlad but now the longer this goes on the more this turns into me proving that the east isnt as good as the west. Atleast there is the Red Sox one of the few teams I like from the east but they just got swept by the Detroit Tigers. Ocassionally I just get tired of hearing so much about thier teams when hardly any of them are even that good. Here's to those good ol' over glourified east coast teams.

The guys is just plain evil.  I love the Sonics a lot and he is trying as hard as he can to take them away. Very far away.  It's not even subtle at all.  He is obviously driving away every connection to Seattle, not hiring Dwayne Casey, Lenny Wilkens just stepped down (I wonder why that happened caugh caugh)  then he gets rid of the entire front office, trades away or gets rid of all the players we love, and gets everyone from the midwest or the east coast.  I absolutly hate the guy and I think that Howard Schultz should buy back the franchise.  Clay Bennett doesn't desirve to own the SEATTLE Supersonics.