Recently, I was just thinking about sports in general and I started to think about some of the weird things involved with sports such as mascots, fan behavior, team names, etc.

Will someone please explain to me why the Seattle Mariners have a moose as a mascot? Mariners have to do with people of the sea because Seattle is towards the coast. That part makes sense, but what does a moose have to do with the ocean? Fill me in?

Another mascot that bothers me is the Philly Phanatic. I have no clue as to how the big green guy relates to baseball or to the Phillies in any way. It is just some random guy in a fat green suit that appears to be more fit for Sesame Street than a Major League Baseball Mascot.

I have never understood why fans need to be quiet at golf tournaments. Golfers are professional athletes and should be able to hit the ball despite the noise from the crowd. When Tiger goes to putt, it is dead silent. We can only imagine what it would be like if the arena was expected to be silent when Kobe Bryant stepped to the free throw line. Golf is one of the few sports where you are only allowed to cheer at select times and I disagree.

Although it may arguably be one of the best rivalries in college football, how intimidating is a game between the Ducks and the Beavers. When people think of football they think of tough guys playing a mean and physical game. The brutality and masculinity of it is something that we all love, but the Ducks and the Beavers? Those aren’t exactly the most intimidating team names out there.

Why is soccer the most popular sport in the world, but in one of the best sports countries of the world it is hardly relevant? The most popular sport in the world is probably the fifth most popular sport in the United States. Soccer follows the NFL, MLB, NBA, and the NHL.

Why are there sausage races at Miller Park in Milwaukee? It is just a stupid idea to begin with. I don’t want to watch some guy dressed up like a bratwurst, running around the field. But, maybe some people find that amusing?

Shaq has now decided that he can rap. Good for him. Some people will say that his rap was horrible and it was, but I don’t think that Shaq cares about public humiliation. Just look at his free throw stats or his acting “career”…

Where did Barry Zito go? The former CY Young award winner is currently 3-12 with an era just under 6.What has happened to him? $126 million bust. I guess I do have a little sympathy for Giants fans as they have to watch that debacle every fifth day as well as realize that they can’t sign free agents because Zito has taken up all of their money. I’m glad that I don’t have to deal with that.

Will Brett Favre really make a return? Would returning really be a good idea if he is unable to play for the Packers? It is also important to note that Brett was on the Madden cover. The “Madden Curse” could hit Brett and nobody would want Brett to go out in a bad way. However, he is already going out with his last pass being intercepted…

As much as I love being a part of it, the “Black Hole” and the Raider Nation are a bit over the top. Passionate fans are great, but it can only take you so far. The intimidation caused by the rowdy fans is lost when the visiting team realizes who they are actually playing against. When the fans are more intimidating than the team itself, you have a problem. No doubt about it, the Raiders have a problem…..or two……

Barrel Man is a Denver Broncos fan that attends every home game dressed in nothing but a barrel. What is the point of this? Are there people that actually enjoy seeing a fat half naked man run around in a barrel?

How can a team lose when throwing a no-hitter? Wow, at a baseball game it is truly possible to see something new each and every day. I would hate to be a member of that Angels team and realize that you lost a game without giving up a hit. This is even worse because it was a rivalry game. If I was an Angels fan, I would hate to go to school or work and listen to Dodger fans say, “Wow we didn’t even get a hit, but were still able to beat your team.”

Why do the Arizona Diamondbacks have a bobcat as their mascot? Please correct me if I’m wrong, but the last time I checked a Diamondback was a type of snake. Snakes and bobcats are nowhere near related so why is there a wildcat? The other problem I have with the stupid cat is that it is nicknamed Baxter. Baxter!!!!! Who in their right mind is going to be intimidated by Baxter? And what fans are going to be pumped up by some stupid cat named Baxter?

Maybe it is because I dislike the Angels, but the rally #### annoys me. What is the point of some dumb #### jumping up and down on the jumbotron? #### have nothing to do with Angels and the rally #### is simply annoying.

Warren Sapp is going to participate in Dancing with the Stars. Although he may have good footwork, I need to see this to believe it. Can anyone imagine a 6-2 300 pound man doing the tango with a small skinny dancer? Try picturing this without laughing…..

Darren McFadden is a great running back and should be a great player on whatever offense he is added to. However, the Raiders already have Justin Fargas, Lamont Jordan, and Dominic Rhodes. Although the latter two are probably on the way out, Justin Fargas showed talent last year and was Raiders decided to resign him. The other thing that cannot be forgotten is that the Raiders still have Michael Bush. Bush has tremendous upside and potential, but was unable to play in his rookie year due to injuries. Once healthy, Bush has the talent to be a franchise running back. With Fargas and Bush why did the Raiders take McFadden?

I am excited to see McFadden coming to Oakland because of his talent and potential, but I think it would have been smarter to trade up and get some more talent in other places, draft Dorsey, or an offensive lineman because that is where the Raiders are truly weak.

 Apparently McFadden was too great of a talent to pass on and the Jamarcus Russell Darren McFadden backfield should be fun to watch.

Every year as NFL training camp rolls around we have a handful of holdouts as people want more money. Some deserve the money (Larry Johnson) and some do not (Jamarcus Russell).

Larry Johnson is a proven NFL veteran who has put up great numbers and deserves to be paid and rewarded for his on the field accomplishments. On the other hand Jamarcus Russell has never taken an NFL snap and still thinks he should be paid like a star. Russell has the talent to become a star and earn this money however he needs to get on the field and prove it.

Russell’s agents have a combined 30 years of experience and they have dealt with 25 first round pick contract negotiations. The problem is Al Davis. Al Davis will not compromise he wants what he wants and you will not tell him otherwise. One of the advantages of having the number 1 overall pick is that you can take any player you want and you can start talking about contracts early on. The Raiders should have begun talking earlier and this far along they should be a lot further in the negotiations.

Davis will not give Russell all the guaranteed money he wants in case he turns out to be a bust. Davis is trying to play it safe and have Russell earn his money on the field, but Russell thinks he deserves his money based on his performance in college. Davis is not going to change his mind for anyone and Jamarcus needs to realize this. Your college career mean nothing once you get to the next level just ask Ryan Leaf. If Russell feels he is so great why doesn’t he get on the field and earn his money himself?

I think that the signing of Culpepper is a huge sign that this holdout is not ending any time soon. Culpepper gives the Raiders 4 quarterbacks including Russell. They will not carry three so it seems as if they don’t expect Russell on the field by the opener on the ninth.