Sunday, November 16th, 2008

Anybody think it is a little suspicious that three Montreal Canadiens are flattening the field in All Star Game voting? Hell, Sidney Crosby has fewer than half the votes of Alex Tanguay. I find it incredible that anyone thinks fan voting is worthwhile...the Tampa Bay Lightning fired Barry Melrose and replaced him with Rick Tocchet? Bet that ends badly. Pun intended...how does six years and $140 million sound, CC Sabathia? Of course, that could just be the opening bid by the New York Yankees, who also intend to pursue AJ Burnett and Derek Lowe...since wrestling is always an entertaining topic here, how about 20 wrestling moves that sound like sexual acts? What, no "sidewalk slam", "sweet chin music" or "the gore"?...Clarence Seedorf, who isn't afraid to give his opinion whether asked or not, speculates that David Beckham might not even get into game action for AC Milan. Clearly, Seedorf doesn't know how huge Beckham remains globally, and his ability to move shirts still counts for something. What's with Beckham wearing #75 though? Lame...as if you needed any further proof that Lawrence Taylor isn't normal, check out this video from The Best Damn Sports Show Period...the Grey Cup is set, and it'll be Calgary facing Montreal for all the marbles next Sunday. In honour of that, how about a few cheerleaders, CFL style?...one day after a Jake Peavy trade to Atlanta was all but done, the Braves have backed off, citing the asking price as being too high...the red-hot Prime Time Picks are back (12-6, +635), and tonight, am picking the Dallas Cowboys (-1) to turn the tide. They really have to have this one if they're to have any playoff hopes, and Washington being minus Clinton Portis certainly helps. As always, get your bets down at Pinnacle Sports. Also like Atlanta today (-6)...it took just over three minutes of the second round for Brock Lesnar to floor Randy Couture and win the UFC Heavyweight Championship. It's tough to say anyone looks like they'll stay on top for a time in MMA, but Lesnar is just so big and fast he could be the one to do so, provided Lesnar doesn't get bored and decide he wants to try another sport. If Frank Mir wins his next fight, it'll set up a rematch with Lesnar..the Toronto Raptors game today will air only on TSN2, shutting out two million homes in Ontario that are Rogers subscribers, who are not offering it. I suspect an all-time low rating will be coming in...have a great Sunday.

Saturday, November 15th, 2008

The MLB off-season is about to heat up. Added bonus of the New York Yankees deal for Nick Swisher: he's good friends with CC Sabathia, though a deal with Mark Teixera seems unlikely now. Looks like Jake Peavy is almost Atlanta Braves bound to make the NL East even more interesting...Chelsea striker Didier Drogba could be in a world of trouble. After scoring a couple days ago, a coin was thrown on the field, which he responded to by promptly firing it back into the crowd. Not smart, DD...another day of EPL action goes today. Interested to see if Tottenham continue their smoking form as they travel across London to face Fulham. Arsenal vs. Aston Villa also looks like a juicy matchup...it's actually hard to believe the Friday Night SmackDown is produced by the same company that brings us Monday Night Raw. The former is a terrible, terrible mess...the big sporting even of the day is of course UFC 91, when heavyweight champion Randy "The Natural" Couture faces former college and WWE wrestling champion Brock Lesnar for the title, in only Lesnar's third fight in UFC. Frankly, I'll be surprised if Lesnar doesn't win, though Couture can win the fight by outthinking the inexperienced Lesnar. Should be an awesome fight...have a great Saturday.

Friday, November 14th, 2008

Evander Holyfield will fight Nikolai Valuev for one slice of the world heavyweight boxing championship on December 20th. This tells you all you need to know about the state of heavyweight boxing...Jose Calderon will miss at least a game? Memo to Pinnacle: I'm betting against the Raptors, money line...things I love about Hi Def: sports, Sarah Meehan, Kelly Kelly, Rachelle Leah...Nick Swisher is a Yankee? I think the Yankees have finally found a heart and soul guy like Paul O'Neill, provided Derek Jeter can't suck the personality out of him. And hey, they picked up Texeira - Kanekoa Texiera. Yes, I know the spelling is different, but the idea that Tex could be a Yankee has me moist...the MLB free agent season starts today, just over two hours ago. This is gonna be the best one in recent memory with the Yankees having lopped $90 million off their 2008 payroll. Here's a solid primer on who is available. It sounds like the Yankees will pounce on CC Sabathia, and fast..missed out on a Prime Time Pick yesterday, I blame this whole "not used to Thursday games" thing...rumors are flying that the Tampa Bay Lightning might soon be unable to meet payroll, which of course the NHL vehemently denies...the New York Jets are in first in the AFC East after a 34-31 OT win last night. Colour me shocked...Jason Blake wants to be moved from the Toronto Maple Leafs. No doubt they'd love to move him, if there was a big market for an overpaid goal scorer who can't score...Diego Maradona may quit as Argentina coach after a disagreement with a big wig in the Argentine FA. Hard to believe that situation would be volatile with the notoriously volatile Maradona, no?...UFC President Dana White says tomorrow's Randy Couture/Brock Lesnar fight will be the biggest pay-per-view fight in MMA history. Here's betting he's right...with three weeks to go, the amount of advertising for the Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins game in Toronto is incredible. Is anybody going to this thing?...in a result that should shock nobody, Cliff Lee is your AL Cy Young winner. Unlike the NL voting, there were not real candidates from winning teams that should've been ahead of Lee, unless you take the view a closer - Francisco Rodriguez - should be in the running..have a great Friday.

Thursday, November 13th, 2008

Houston and Phoenix got in a brawl last night - how is Yao Ming not raining haymakers in this or any picture?...Brian Burke's days in Anaheim are done, and no doubt some Toronto media outlets (read: Toronto Sun) will have their chests puffed out over predicting he'd be free by Christmas. If he's not the Toronto Maple Leafs GM and President before the week is out, I'll be shocked...Gregg Zaun railed on about his allegedly poor treatment by JP Riccairdi this past season from Toronto, and hopes to land with a contender. It would be good if somebody told him that he is Gregg Zaun...Liverpool could be for sale, unless American owners Tom Hicks (also owner of the Texas Rangers) and George Gillett (also owner of the Montreal Canadiens) can come up with $525 million (USD)...also needing some cash to cover some bad debt and rising stadium construction costs: Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who needs $350 million...the Baltimore Orioles are getting new uniforms, if you care...the latest FIFA world rankings are out, and somehow, Canada climbed three spots to #81. England is also back in the Top 10...Stephon Marbury is going to the Gregg Zaun School of Self-Esteem. He thinks the San Antonio Spurs would be a good fit for him. Guessing the Spurs think a little differently...if Mats Sundin is coming back to the Maple Leafs, he'll be looking for a new place to live as he sold his previous house last week for a mere $5.7 million. Sundin, for his part, told a Swedish publication he'll likely be back this calendar year...if anyone were to say that Ontario could "probably" support another NHL team, their sanity would be questioned for even suggesting that it is anything less than a certainty. When it is the commissioner, Gary Bettman, you have concrete evidence the man just doesn't understand the game or the people who support it. In any other industry, a leader would be fired for such a plainly wrong statement...Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz says he knew Manny Ramirez had to go. He didn't mention that his bat disappeared at the precise time the far better ManRam jetted off to L.A...with The Office making a trip north to Winnipeg tonight, how about the 20 Funniest Moments From The Office?...the Toronto Raptors thin roster is about to be seriously exposed if Jose Calderon is out for any length of time. Judging from last night, it doesn't look like Will Solomon or Roko Ukic are ready to carry any significant minutes. Meantime, TJ Ford is averaging 17 points and 5 assists in Indiana...have a great Thursday.

Wednesday, November 12th, 2008

The worst-last-year-to-first-this-year streak in the NFC Central could well continue if the Atlanta Falcons keep playing like they have been. And when they've trailed at home for all of 11 seconds this year and have four home games left, they just might finish tops after being a distant last last year...the New York Giants have the toughest schedule remaining, with no teams left that are sub .500...well it is a good thing Notre Dame has Charlie Weis signed for the next eight or nine years, especially with his 1-15 record against teams that are better than .500. If boosters want to dump Weis this year, it is estimated that it will cost $16-$20 million so that seems unlikely given the pinch that type would be feeling in these financial market conditions...must be rough being a fan of the San Diego Padres, what with your owner looking to cut payroll to pay for his divorce. That ought to be grounds for a forced sale, though I'm guessing the number of potential buyers is greatly reduced in these financial market conditions...the Russian Super League KHL might be going through a financial crisis of its own. There are reports that UFA, the team that signed Alexander Radulov even though he was still under contract to the Nashville Predators, hasn't paid players in three months...Tim Lincecum picked up the NL Cy Young? Sure he had some great numbers, but what was the impact in the end for a brutal team? Pretty negligible really. I know he wasn't there all year, but CC Sabathia would've had my vote, or Brandon Webb, or Brad Lidge, or Johan Santana...three more days until Brock Lesnar and Randy Couture lock horns - cannot wait for that one...U.S. President elect Barrack Obama would like to see a playoff system put in place instead of the lame BCS format for college football. Hardly takes a MENSA member to see the wisdom in that. In news that surprises nobody, the BCS committee disagrees with the idea...the Manny Ramirez offer from the LA Dodgers is for two years and $37.5 million, or a $2.5 million decrease from what he would've made had he stayed in Boston. But, there is an option for a third year for another $22.5 million or a $7.5 million buyout. I'll be somewhat surprised if he gets anything better than that, but Hank Steinbrennner could do something over and above Yankees GM Brian Cashman's head if he hasn't had a headline in a couple weeks...RM reader Big Headed Jerk is missing and presumed dead following his Habs beatdown loss to the Maple Leafs on Saturday. He'll be missed...have a great Wednesday.

Tuesday, November 11th, 2008

So if Matt Holliday's numbers weren't padded by hitting at Coor's Field - and his splits away suggest they were - we're sure going to find now that he'll be playing most of his games at the cavernous Oakland Coliseum. But what are the A's doing grabbing a guy like that who is a year from a big free agent deal? Doesn't add up, and seems like Billy Beane has another move up his sleeve...RM reader Gammy notes that somehow, the Denver Broncos are atop the AFC West at 5-4 despite scoring 27 points fewer than they've scored...is there anyone that can snatch defeat from the jaws of victory like Sam Mitchell and the Toronto Raptors? Up in the mid teens in the second half and they lost by seven to the Boston Celtics. It'd be nice if SMitch kept a tie on for his post-game interviews, at least then we'd know that the broadcasters aren't showing a taped interview of previous games. The man is incapable of saying anything that diverges from "they hit their 'shats' and we didn't"...can't believe how much the Arizona Cardinals have improved since Rod Tidwell roamed the field. Last night's thrilling 29-24 win was their first Monday Night win in 20 years..it gives me some perverse pleasure to know that outside of Dustin Pedroia's and Kevin Youkilis wives, pretty much all the Red Sox wives are well, pretty freaking unattractive. Hell, I'll go one further - David Ortiz wife looks like a dude! I'd have given a thumbs up to Curt Schilling's wife but being married to that guy automatically means she has to have the brain of a squashed grape to listen to that clown...the New York Jets signed Ty Law. How old is that guy now anyways?...not sure if these are the 13 worst pro-wrestling gimmicks of all time - no Duke "The Dumpster" Droese? Beaver Cleavage? The Goon? Red Rooster? That Australian Guy Whose Name Escapes Me? - but there are some great ones on the list to be sure...Toronto FC have ownership approval to pick up a designated player - now to find one...have a great Tuesday.

Monday, November 10th, 2008

The Charlotte Hornets draw fewer than flies. And the NBA went back there why, exactly? Some on hand might have noticed the visiting Toronto Raptors went on a 17-0 fourth quarter run to turn a two point deficit into a blowout win, 89-79...so much for the St. Louis Rams playing hard under Jim Haslett. Doesn't matter who you're playing, when you give up 40 in a half, you're more than just a bad team - you're also lacking desire...Chris Bosh broke the 7,000 point mark in his career in yesterday's Raptors win. 2,400 more and Vince Carter's Raptors record will - in fitting Wince fashion - fall. CB4 had a mere 30 points and 15 boards yesterday...not the same since he was concussed: Buffalo Bills QB Trent Edwards. That porous offensive line doesn't help the cause either. What seemed like a sure playoff trip is looking a lot more doubtful now after yesterday's 20-10 loss at New England...of course, after mentioning the Tennessee Titans went 8-0 without a 200-yard passing game, off went Kerry Collins for 289 yards to send the Titans to 9-0...14 teams since 1966 started the NFL season 9-0. 6 won the Super Bowl and 9 reached the big game. Bodes well for the Titans...a Sports Illustrated poll of NFL players listed Tom Coughlin (16%), Bill Belichick (11%), Eric Mangini (9%), and Tony Sparano (7%) as the four coaches they'd least like to play for. All were one time assistants of Bill Parcells, who despite now being a team President, still finished fifth in the voting...the Philadelphia Phillies had 16 days off in the post-season to play 14 games. They had 19 off to play 162 regular season games. Time to look at a flexible playoff schedule, no?...Edmonton Oiler Ales Hemsky is putting together quite the hilight real in the first month of the season, scoring one beauty goal after another...that is now 12-6 (+645) on the Prime Time Picks. If you ain't riding this wave, sucks to be you. Tonight, going to take the Arizona Cardinals (-9) to punish the San Francisco 49ers. Who knows, maybe Mike Singletary drops his pants at halftime again? Won't matter, the Cards are rolling and have way too much offense to not put up 40 tonight...wouldn't it be something if Brian Burke, Maple Leafs President and GM in waiting, instead went to the Boston Bruins?...have a great Monday.

Sunday, November 9th, 2008

With a win over the Buffalo Bills, the New England Patriots will tie the longest active win streak against one team with 10 wins...the New York Giants have won 13 of 14 on the road. Tough not to like them plus the points today as they travel to face the Philadelphia Eagles...Josh Childress life as a basketballer in Europe: commercial flights, five hour bus trips, roommates in modest hotels and occasional games in 1,000 seat gyms. Yeah, I can see Kobe and Lebron going there, approximately never...somehow, the Tennessee Titans have gone 8-0 despite not having a single 200-yard passing game...Manchester United's Gary Neville really should retire. His brutal performance yesterday could be a championship deal breaker as United dropped a 2-1 thriller to Arsenal...CC Sabathia and Derek Jeter have been exchanging phone calls. Here's hoping it is for CC asking Jeter about a good place to live in New York...I know Remembrance Day is around the corner, but anybody able to guess what pictures of Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan are doing airing between periods of a hockey game? I prefer religion, politics and sport to not cross into each others domains...Al Strachan suggested on Hockey Night in Canada that if General Motors, Ford and Chrysler go bankrupt as some are predicting they will next year, the Detroit Red Wings won't last a year in Detroit because there will be a mass exodus from Detoilet. Scary thought, no? And actually seems possible in this environment...the last decade, no Stanley Cup winner played lower than .636 hockey in October (1999/2000 New Jersey Devils), with the other nine going .750 or better and an overall average of .801. Make of this what you will...the New York Rangers are looking for a compensatory draft pick because - wait for it! - Alexei Cherapanov was unsigned when he died last month. Seriously...Pat Gillick to run the Toronto Maple Leafs? Hardly ridiculous...the Leafs hammered the Montreal Canadiens last night 6-3, shocking anyone who cares about hockey...11-6 (+435) and that increases to 12-6 tonight when the New York Giants win outright at Philadelphia. The three points you're being given by the fine folks at Pinnacle are just a bonus. Also a big fan of Atlanta (-1), and have a weird belief that the Buffalo Bills (+4) can win in New England...have a great Sunday.

Saturday, November 8th, 2008

The painful "will he or won't he?" saga of Mats Sundin appears as though it is a "he will", with December 1st as the likely return date for the legenary Swede. The Leafs don't seem a likely landing spot, and as mentioned here before, that is for the best for both. Where he does end up remains a mystery, but there could be some interesting trades coming as some teams look to clear cap room to try to land Sundin...the Oakland Raiders are an NFL worst 7-29 on the road since 2003...the LA Dodgers offer to Manny Ramirez is said to be two years and $45 million. No chance that is accepted. SI.com's Jon Heyman still has the Toronto Blue Jays listed prominently as a possible suitor. Makes a lot of sense, no?...that thud you just heard was the Toronto Raptors coming back to reality after a beatdown at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks last night...are the Montreal Canadiens for sale? Depends who you believe, but hard to figure that George Gillett would be airing such a possibility in their 100th season...Bud Selig and MLB want no part of Mark Cuban owning the Chicago Cubs. How does that make any sense? He took over the sad sack Dallas Mavericks and made them an absolute first class operation where players want to go now, so why not? Because he criticizes the establishment on occasion, and usually with good reason? Pathetic...that's it for today, Manchester United vs. Arsenal beckon...have a great Saturday.

Friday, November 7th, 2008 - No sweat

The pressure of a steeplechase can be too much to bear, but it helps when you've got someone to cheer you on. Check this out...we're but one week away from when MLB free agents can start signing with teams other than their own. New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman says his team "will show a lot of love"...the Washington Nationals are said to be interested in Matt Holliday, Mark Teixeira, A.J. Burnett and Adam Dunn, according to SI.com's Jon Heyman. I'm guessing they get shut out in that pursuit. Don't imagine too many guys think going to a team that routinely loses 90+ is appealing if you have a choice...them wacky Manchester United Red Devils set up a nice prank on Cristiano Ronaldo after pics of him sweating through a blazer during a night out were published in UK papers. Seems Ronny didn't appreciate a deluge of deodorant falling out of his locker when he opened it. My money is on Paul Scholes and Nemanja Vidic. It can't be Patrice Evra - everybody knows the French don't shower...hard to believe that Ben Roethlesberger is hurt. He's taken worse hits this year than when he became a hood ornament minus a helmet a couple years back...the Jacksonville Jaguars couldn't possibly lose to previously winless Cincinnati one week and then Detroit the next, could they?...Brady Quinn looked like a seasoned vet for the most part, but Jay Cutler's 447 yards aided a big Denver Broncos comeback - as predicted in the now 11-6 Prime Time Picks - for a wild 34-30 win...Jacksonville Jaguar Matt Jones fired back at Joey Porter, asking who made him commissioner, and mixing in an inference about Porter's sexuality...after a less than impressive start to life as a Toronto Raptor, Jermaine O'Neal has been dubbed in some circles as "Sl-O'Neal" and "Bl-O'Neal"...it took a while, but seems the Dallas Cowboys have finally found a leader and a conscience willing to state the obvious: that they're a flawed team and were before Tony Romo went down. The source? Would you believe it is one Terrell Owens?...have a great Friday, and be sure to tune in to Setanta Sports at 7:45 tomorrow morning for Manchester United and Arsenal.

Thursday, November 6th, 2008

The Tampa Bay Bucs running attack is about to improve, if talk of Cadillac Williams returning is true...have to say, I'm more than a little disappointed that there hasn't been a firing in Dallas yet. But, am more hopeful that Jerry Jones will come to his senses and offer someone like Bill Cowher the keys to the car in the offseason...you're an NFL team that spent significant dollars to sign player in the off-season. Entering Week 10, you look to release those players and as many as ten others. Who else could you be but the Oakland Raiders?...the New York Yankees have not won the World Series with a Republican in the White House since Dwight Eisenhower was president. This bodes well, I guess...with talk that Greg Maddux might be done pitching, and Tom Glavine and John Smoltz possibly done, Cooperstown is going to have one bumper crop of pitchers coming in together in five years, presumably all as Atlanta Braves...the San Antonio Spurs finally got off the schneid last night, led by Tony Parker's 55 points to go to 1-3...usually when you get an English team - Chelsea in this case - going to Rome for a Champions League game to face AS Roma and somebody dies, you figure it had to be a riot, brawl or the like. This time, it was a 13-year old getting killed by a falling tree after it was hit by lightning...one of the NFL's all-time draft busts Ryan Leaf was busted for drugs. Who would've thought he'd stay off the rails, other than everybody?...the Detroit Pistons didn't even need Allen Iverson or home court to knock off the Toronto Raptors last night. Was it me, or did the Air Canada Centre seem deathly quiet? Like, Maple-Leafs-quiet?...Brady Quinn gets the start tonight in Cleveland, which ought to make for an interesting fork in the road if he plays well. Derek Anderson's stock is falling in line with the markets of late. They face the Denver Broncos, and what the hell happened to them? If not for a couple wins aided by some interesting calls, they might be sitting at a single win...10-6 (+435) on Prime Time Picks going into tonight, and am thinking that despite their play of late, Denver at +3 is the right play. Cleveland still can't stop anybody and Denver gets the edge in the secondary, and Quinn's only had a day of practice with the first unit to get acclimated good enough for me. Get yours in with the fine folks at Pinnacle...Joey Porter is turning into the Curt Schilling of the NFL - an authority on everything that you ask him about. This week, he's spouting on Jacksonville Jag Matt Jones, saying he shouldn't be playing after his drug bust this past summer...NHL Players Association boss Paul Kelly, who doesn't believe in doing anything other than boosting revenues which will get his players bigger salaries, is a big fan of a second NHL team in Toronto. Gary Bettman is really not going to like Mr. Kelly...in keeping with the tradition that American NHLers are the only guys worth listening to, Dallas Star Mike Modano went off about the acts of teammates Sean Avery and Steve Ott in Boston on Saturday, calling it "embarrassing" and "idiotic and stupid"...have a great Thursday.

Wednesday, November 5th, 2008

Check out T-Mac going throwback to his college days with the t-shirt underneath his uniform. Oh, wait, lazy-eye didn't go to college. My bad...the Ottawa Senators are real hot on getting Mats Sundin inked, which would give them two lethal lines presumably with a top four of Sundin, Jason Spezza, Dany Heatley and Daniel Alfreddson. Also said to be interested are the New York Rangers, Philadelpia Flyers, Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, Anaheim Ducks, and of course, the Toronto Maple Leafs. My money - and hope - remains on my second fav team, the Rangers...apparently the declining price of oil has been felt by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich: he's fired 15 of Chelsea's scouts...another day of Champion's League action goes today. I'm starting to feel a fever coming on at about 2:45 that will take me out of the office...guess who studies show as the worst defensive player in all of baseball? Yours truly checks in at comment 179 (on page 9)...how's this for election news: AJ Burnett has elected to opt out of his contract with the Toronto Blue Jays and has declared free agency. No word on if the New York Yankees have a rule about nipple rings being added to his contract language...there has always been that argument that Martin Brodeur, while great, has been aided significantly by a team that is defence first and defence second. With Brodeur now out three months or more with an injury, it'll be interesting to see what kind of numbers Kevin Weekes puts up as he takes over between the pipes...co-NBA player of the week Chris Bosh and the Toronto Raptors travel to Detoilet to face the Pistons tonight in an early season measuring stick. Bet Jose Calderon is thrilled that Chauncey Billups is gone from the Pistons. He typically whips him...Former NCAA, Olympic, WWE and TNA wrestling champion Kurt Angle is taking his MMA physical today and plans to venture into that world. Will be real interesting to see how he progresses, especially as he has talked of wanting to fight the winner of Randy Couture and Brock Lesnar. My money says he'll do just fine. Angle made a passionate argument on The Max Kellerman show for why pro wrestling is a lot harder on you than MMA...I find it strange how many people in Canada religiously bash the U.S. and claim to be anti-media, but have slurped the kool-aid on Barrack Obama and the "change" he will bring. Fact is, he's as establishment as any other politico but a heavily liberal leaning media has built him up as the Second Coming. Will he do a good job? Sure. Considering who he is following, the bar is pretty low. But don't expect miracles and a sudden arrival of world peace and roaring financial markets. You'll be sorely disappointed, no matter what Oprah tells you. Besides, I'd wager the vast majority polluting Facebook and the like with their declarations of how proud they are of the U.S. for electing Obama don't know their ass from an electoral college..have a great Wednesday.

Tuesday, November 4th, 2008

About the only thing that doesn't make sense about the big NBA trade that has Allen Iverson off to Detroit with Chauncey Billups and Antonio McDyess heading to Denver is the timing of it, less than a week into the season. The Toronto Raptors will get the first look at The Answer in a Pistons uniform Wednesday night. For my money, A.I. ranks as a top ten guy I'd pay to see watch in any sport in the last decade...John Daly says "nothing is going right in my life is right now." Umm, right now? But while we're at it, how about eight great J.D. moments...it has been seven consecutive drafts since the Dallas Cowboys drafted a quarterback. They might want to think about taking one next time around. Or two. The lack of a capable backup could well cost them a playoff spot this year...not sure if you were aware, but there is an election in the U.S. today...spotted next to legendary retired Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer at their 2-0 win over Aston Villa yesterday: Toronto FC coach John Carver, a former Magpie staffer himself...Mats Sundin is said to be less than a month away from his NHL return, destination unknown. For his sake and the Leafs, I hope it is not together again. He deserves better than the morons of "Leafs Nation" and the Leafs need to win fewer games this year, not more...the Brady Quinn era starts for the Cleveland Browns on Thursday night. Wonder if the Browns regret signing Derek Anderson to that big contract in the off-season? He looks a shell of the guy we saw most of last season. Given that the Cowboys traded that pick to Cleveland that netted Quinn, I expect him to be nothing short of a Hall of Famer, even for a former Domer...cannot wait for the baseball wheeling and dealing to get started. It is gonna get wild, with Milwaukee already offering 4 years and $100 million to CC Sabathia...16 of the last 17 times the Washington Redskins won the game immediately preceding the U.S. election, the incumbent party - the Republicans in this case - won the subsequent election. With the Skins losing last night, well, we know that streak isn't in play...that's now 10-6 and +435 on the year on Prime Time Picks. Hope you're playing along at Pinnacle...another day of Champions League group play goes today, with the final 16 spots in site for more than a few sides. I've got a small wager on Barcelona at -2.5 to pound Basel so will be watching that intently...have a great Tuesday.

Monday, November 3rd, 2008

In the November 3rd issue of ESPN The Magazine, Bill Simmons says he honestly believes NBA commissioner David Stern sent former employee Gary Bettman to the NHL to sabotage it. Funny, and strangely believable...call me crazy or wildly optimistic, but I wouldn't be opposed to a firing of a certain Dallas Cowboys coach named Wade Phillips. That team is a disaster and it goes beyond Tony Romo, Terrance Newman and others being hurt. They've got top drawer talent, but lack the discipline to play well. They're not leading the league in penalties because they're playing smart, that's for sure...is there anything more played than the Fox robot during NFL broadcasts? Not sure if it was as annoying as all the political ads airing during games...the Memphis Grizzlies have sold all of 3,000 season tickets this year. How'd that move from Vancouver work out?...yesterday on Fan590's gambling show, the host referred to interceptions as "Brett's". I like it...Sports Illustrated and ESPN The Magazine both have the Toronto Raptors pegged to finish 6th this season...Ilya Kovalchuk to the Toronto Maple Leafs? What could the Leafs possibly offer the Atlanta Thrashers to rip him from them?...nevermind they used the #1 overall pick to get JaMarcus Russell, but the Oakland Raiders - and who else could it be? - are interested in Michael Vick when he gets out of the Crowbar Motel...good of Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson for not taking the bait and getting into a war of words with the irrelavent Don Cherry, who has called Wilson "arrogant,"
typical American", and a "bully". The height of irony, thine incarnation is Don Cherry...good to see the MLS get a proper trophy for its champion...a nice and easy New England Patriots cover brings the Prime Time Picks to 9-6 (+310) on the year. Tonight, liking the Pittsburgh Steelers at +1.5 (+125). Get your wagers in at Pinnacle...have a great Monday.

Sunday, November 2nd, 2008

As finishes go, they don't get more exciting than last night's last gasp TD by Texas Tech to knock off #1 Texas...what is this world coming to when Zamboni drivers are getting nailed for DUI?...the Green Bay Packers extended Aaron Rodgers contract through the 2014 season. Wonder if Brett Favre has reached the "acceptance" stage of grieving yet?...Cristiano Ronaldo is looking like he's got his legs under him now, as he scored a pair in yesterday's thrilling 4-3 Man United win over Hull City. It was a day of some big upsets in the EPL, as Stoke City punched out Arsenal and last place Tottenham beat then fourth place Arsenal..after getting booed at the All-Star game and getting caught on TV saying "Boo? Fuck you!" to the fans at Yankee Stadium, the Philadelphia Phillies Chase Utley was a little more obvious at the World Series parade. Watch here...sounds like the Yankees won't be in on the Mark Teixera sweepstakes. They must be planning ahead for a place for Derek Jeter to play in the next couple years. Personally, I'd rather have Teixera there in his print long term than a declining Jeter. Dugout Central wrote a great piece on the Jeter conundrum the Yankees face. If he were with the Boston Red Sox, I'm thinking Theo Epstein wouldn't move him to first, he'd let him walk altogether...the Detroit Lions signed Daunte Culpepper, and one of the things that attracted them to him was his knowledge of their division. Then again, we know how divisional knowledge panned out with old man Favre...the Prime Time Picks are back at 9-6 ($306) and tonight, I L-O-V-E New England at +6. Also a big fan today of Miami (+3) and St. Louis (+3). Get your wagers in at Pinnacle...have you ever seen a collapse like the one staged by the New York Rangers last night visiting the Toronto Maple Leafs? Up 2-0 in the third, they lose 5-2. Oh you have? Then you must have been watching the Montreal Canadiens furious comeback from 4-1 down to win 5-4. Pretty wild night in the NHL...have to say, I did not figure the Toronto Raptors would open the year at 3-0. A team that historically struggles badly on the back end of back-to-back games, they went into Milwaukee last night in that situation and dropped an "L" on the Bucks...have a great Sunday.


If you haven't seen Wednesday's goal from Cristiano Ronaldo at the 30 minute mark, watch here for the most amazing set-up you're ever likely to see. It's at the 3:40 mark here...
Manchester United v West Ham

Saturday, November 1st, 2008 - Contrarian Theory?

I have yet to hear a single person - analyst or otherwise - suggest the Dallas Cowboys (+9) have even a hope of even being in the game Sunday. When that happens, almost invariably the masses are in for a shocker. You've all been served notice...four years of Daniel Alfreddson for $21.6 million seems like a pretty fair deal on its own, but the Sens have a lot of money tied up in him, Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley, leaving scant room for other areas of need in the coming years like, you know, a second or third liner perhaps, a defenceman or mayhaps a goalie who can play the position well...Washington Capital Alexander Semin had this to say about NHL golden boy Sidney Crosby: "what's so special about [Crosby]? I don't see anything special there. Yes, he does skate well, has a good head, good pass. But there's nothing else." Very interesting stuff...even Don Matthews, widely regarded as the best coach in Canadian Football League history, couldn't conjure this Toronto Argos squad into a win. Wisely, he jumped ship and went back into retirement...word is AJ Burnett will declare his free agency no later than Monday, and his agent was saying as far back as a year from now that if Burnett was healthy this year, he would definitely be opting out, or so says Keith Law in talking to Prime Time Sports...who would you trust to walk a mile and not get hurt: Greg Oden, or Alex Zanardi?...surprise of the early season Hull City host Manchester United in what should be a great day of English Premier League matches. First place - for now - Liverpool travel to London to face Tottenham...recall Shaquille O'Neal complaining a few weeks back about the San Antonio Spurs employing the "Hack-a-Shaq" strategy in the playoffs last season? Well, guess what the Spurs did to Shaq all of five seconds in to their season opener a couple nights back? Yep, they hacked him again. And the reactions of Shaq and Spurs coach Greg Popovich were priceless...after two spectacular games and two wins for the Toronto Raptors, Chris Bosh is looking like he might be ready for the next level: super stardom...have a great Saturday.

Friday, October 31st, 2008

The World Series is now over, and the next baseball season is upon us: Free Agency Season. Mark Teixera, Ben Sheets and Manny Ramirez wasted no time in filing and no doubt, will soon be joined by CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett and loads, loads more. Even for this Yankee fan, it was a great season where it was hard not to be impressed by the Tampa Bay Rays and their boat load of talent, the plotlines that followed Manny Ramirez, the annual collapse of the New York Mets, the Chicago Cubs remaining losers, the Philadelphia Phillies are champions. It's a long way til February 14th though, when pitchers and catchers report to camp...got a few million to burn? Looking for a place in New York? Alex Rodriguez has a place for sale that might fit the bill...check out this Philadelphia Philly fan celebrating on top of a lamp post. Well, at least til another fan lobbed an empty bottle at him...I'm hardly a fan of NASCAR or Formula 1 racing, but those guys pull some seriously hot ladies. Here are one man's Top 10...it's been years since the NHL added the OTL column to their standings, and it is just as lame now as it was when first conceived...it is official, as of January 7th, David Beckham will be in AC Milan colours. Somebody alert Adidas to get their jersey production into overdrive...cannot believe how quickly the Ottawa Senators have become a bad, bad hockey team...Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark was fined by the NFL for paying tribute to his late friend Sean Taylor by "radically" altering his uniform, or at least that is how the league viewed him etching the number 21 in his eye black. Some days, the NFL makes accountants and the Tax Man look easy going...Bud Selig got booed worse in Philly than Apollo Creed back in the day...with that beard he's rocking, San Antonio Spurs coach Greg Popovich looks a lot like Donald Sutherland, no?...Derek Jeter talks. Derek Jeter says nothing. Again...the New York Rangers opened in Europe and a month in, have played at least two games more than anyone else in the NHL at 13, and six more than the Phoenix Coyotes who have only played seven. What was the schedule maker doing when he came up with that? Despite that, they've picked up 21 points. Giving up fewer than two goals a game will help that...have a great Friday.

October 30th, 2008

An abbreviated RM today thanks to a work conference so no boldface or linkage, my apologies...the Toronto Raptors are one of two NBA squads that have less than the maximum 15 on their roster. Either they know something the rest of the league doesn't, o they're seriously gambling, particularly when Chris Bosh, Jermaine O'Neal and Jose Calderon are hardly strangers to stints on the disabled list...Greg Oden got hurt his first game, all of two and a half minutes in. That's what happens when you're forty and playing as a rookie...have a great Thursday. Enjoy The Office. Back tomorrow with a full update.

Wednesday, October 29th, 2008

It never dawned on me that the World Series wouldn't resume last night. What a joke. Some enterprising fans have put their tickets on StubHub for prices ranging from $600-$3000 per...the Dallas Cowboys injury parade grows. Add Tight End Jason Witten to the mix with a broken rib, though Witten is talking about playing. Bad idea, Witten. The 'boys aren't likely to win with him at a thousand percent with Brad Johnson at QB, so why risk it with a bye week to follow so he can heal fully for the big run they've got to go on to ensure a playoff spot?...when asked where good friend CC Sabathia would sign, Philadelphia Phillies Jimmy Rollins replied "New York, American League" as if there was no doubt...si.com's Jon Heyman picked up on the comment here about Pat Gillick being a winner. Fantastic read here...if I didn't know better, I'd swear reading this that it was April Fool's: Diego Maradona, my favorite Croatian Argentine, is now the head coach of Argentina's national team. No clue how a guy of such a thin coaching resume - and thick drug resume - gets to lead one of the world's best sides...hey, the NBA tipped off last night. Their start of the season is always so under the radar relative to the other major league's, even the NHL, no?...the old saying is everything is bigger in Texas, so of course when the Dallas Mavs are lined up to host the 2010 NBA All-Star Game, they're thinking of hosting it at the new Dallas Cowboys stadium which will hold up to 100,000 for football...in discussing the New York Knicks, one of my all time favs Charles Barkley had this to say: " "I think they have a better coach. This coach probably won't try to kill himself"..50 words women really hate, including one favored by a certain regular poster at RM, namely, well, see here...have a great Wednesday.

Tuesday, October 28th, 2008

With the rain pouring down and the Phillies leading, you have to know that MLB Commissioner Bud Selig was praying the Tampa Bay Rays would tie the game so they could halt play, which they did. Of course, baseball rules state that after four and a half innings, the game is official and no way they wanted the clinching game to be decided in less than nine innings. Wonder what would've happened if Tampa was leading? They'll pick it up tonight at 2-2 in the 6th...what's a bigger lock for a baseball playoff birth: a big payroll, or having Pat Gillick as your GM? I'd have to say having Gillick, considering he's done it multiple times with Toronto, Seattle, Baltimore and now Philly. The man is a flat out winner. Of course, in Toronto, there was both at play but that's besides the point...there is talk the Milwaukee Brewers may drop a 4-year, $100 million offer CC Sabathia's way. This could get expensive for the New York Yankees, who would top that I'm sure...there is also talk that A.J. Burnett may not want to be a Yankee, though his agent is wisely denying that. Always a good play to keep the Yankees as a possibility when you're a free agent, even if only to drive the price up...Kellen Winslow might not have played Sunday, but thanks to keeping text messages from a Cleveland Browns staffer that told him to keep his staph infection quiet, he'll be getting paid. Best play he's made all year...Jose Morinho, now coaching Inter Milan, has been talking openly of how he'll one day return to the English Premier League. My initial guess was Manchester City, who are going to be splashing big cash around, with the other clubs more or less out of the mix. But could it be Manchester United? Rumors of that move could be why Cristiano Ronaldo is also talking of staying beyond this year. Shocking stuff. Here's hoping if he does go there he doesn't intend to play the drab style he worked at Chelsea...the NHL is still talking expansion to Kansas City and or Las Vegas? Seriously? Have they looked at the crowds in Atlanta, Florida and others of late? Move there, maybe. Expansion? No...so, anybody still think the Indianapolis Colts are an elite team? That was a beating they took last night...the newest Dallas Cowboy and former Detroit Lion Roy Williams showed up at a Halloween party dressed as a bell-hop wearing a "My Name Is T. Bell" name tag. That is freaking awesome...have a great Tuesday.

Monday, October 27th, 2008

Have to say, I'm shocked at the ease with which the Philadelphia Phillies are disposing of the Tampa Bay Rays, who are playing tighter than a snare drum. Not sure what is more surprising, Evan Longoria and Carlos Pena grinding their bats to sawdust or some of their fielders looking like they're sporting frying pans in place of gloves. As for the umps, I didn't know Ed Hochuli worked baseball too, there have been some real curious calls the last couple games. It is 3-1 Philly in the Series, and with Cole Hamels on the bump tonight, the National Guard best get mobilized to Philly, there's gonna be one impressive riot in that town if they close the deal tonight...it's always a good laugh for me when a guy's wife or mother needs to play public relations on their husband's/son's behalf. So this week, I'm laughing at you, Brett Favre...Patti LaBelle just finished the Star Spangled Banner in a time that a marathon runner would think slow. Her act was a total advertisement for why anthems at sporting events should be scrapped...what is with the World Series players introductions including what country they're from? Annoying...the Detroit Lions and Cincinnati Bengals remain winless after Week 8 action. Still think the Lions have the bads to go the distance winless...as wins go, yesterday's was a huge one for the Dallas Cowboys. Sure the offence looks feeble, but the defence looked great yesterday against the Tampa Bay Bucs. That said, don't like their chances facing the New York Giants next week, who have some serious mojo working after tying yesterday's game in Pittsburgh on a snap over the punter's head for a safety and then scored on the ensuing drive after the free kick...lookie here: Guns 'N Roses Chinese Democracy has leaked...in a bit of news that brings glee to this Toronto FC season ticket holder, David Beckham will be returning to the L.A. Galaxy after his loan to AC Milan, which should be finalized this week. I say "glee" because selling those tickets has brought a healthy windfall the last two seasons...Cristiano Ronaldo has seen the light, and says he'll be with Manchester United next year as well as this...here's a little Monday entertainment: 15 great sports broadcasting bloopers...have a great Monday.

New San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Singletary goes OFF post game yesterday...

Sunday, October 26th, 2008

It took a while to get going, and a wild ninth inning, but the Philadelphia Phillies took game three 5-4 to take a 2-1 series lead...Busy day in Philadelphia. If you've ever been to Philly, you'll know that the homes of the Flyers, Eagles and Phillies are all in the same complex - literally sharing a parking lot. Today at 1pm, the Eagles host Atlanta. At 7pm, The Who is playing the home of the Flyers, the Wachovia Center. And of course, at 8pm, the Phillies host the Tampa Bay Rays in game 4 of the World Series. Traffic should lift by about Tuesday...what do Tony Hawk, Michael Phelps, Alex Rodriguez and Kobe Bryant have in common? They did a Guitar Hero World Tour ad. In their underwear, a la Tom Cruise in Risky Business. Check it out...St. Louis Blue goalie Manny Legace went baseball on us, pulling his hammy slipping on the carpet laid out for Republican Veep nominee Sarah Palin for the ceremonial faceoff. Seems odd, don't it? Wipe out on carpet, but no sweat on ice?...word is the Toronto Blue Jays are willing to give AJ Burnett four years and $54-million in a take-it-or-leave-it offer. Bank on the latter...there is talk the LA Dodgers will make a two-year, $60 million offer to Manny Ramirez. If you're ManRam, how do you not take that? When your agent is Scott Boras, that's how...surprise, surprise, the Ottawa Senators are looking for a goalie. Shame Ray Emery is in Russia...hey, no PrimeTime Picks tonight. But, a big fan of Buffalo (-1), Pittsburgh (-3) and Seattle (+5). Place your wagers at Pinnacle...it wasn't easy, but Anderson Silva beat Patrick Cote by TKO last night after Cote blew out his knee...Buffalo Bills QB Trent Edwards is completing 76% of his passes in the fourth quarter. That'll do. Oddly, the Bills are playing their first divisional game of the season this week, and 6 of the next 10...the Detroit Lions have yet to score in the first quarter this season...freaking Penn State. Sour...funny that ten NFLers can get busted for steroids and it's almost a non-story, but one baseball player is even suspected and it is top billing everywhere. Strange...Isaiah Thomas trying to cover up the overdose story and say it was his daughter puts him in O.J. Simpson territory for worst father ever...have a great Sunday.