Coming home

As ideas go, the idea of dropping a basketball court into the very middle of a domed football stadium is not a great one. Expect a very poor atmosphere tonight at Ford Field for the Final Four. Pretty sad when you've got to spend good money to essentially watch the game on a big screen because you're so far away you can't see a thing on the court. I'm liking UConn and UNC to emerge victorious and set up the final match-up Monday, though Michigan State is essentially playing at home and could punk UConn...at the opposite end of atmosphere will be BMO Field today for the home debut for 2009 of the undefeated Toronto FC as they face the expansion - and very good - Seattle Sounders FC. The Sounders have opened at 2-0 but won't have their 21-year old Columbian scoring ace Fredy Montero, who not only has been accused of sexual assault in the last week, but also stalking. I'm counting on TFC to go back to Fortress BMO form and win this one. Montero's might not ever visit Toronto. Word is Juventus is hot on his trail which means there are surely other squads chasing. If you're attending, drop by the beer vendors around Section 114 pre-game and at the half. Mango is thirsty!...the New York Giants have cut Plaxico Burress. Only question is what took them so long? It's been over four months since he took target practice on himself...it only took a couple days since he was cut by the Detroit Tigers, but Gary Sheffield is now a New York Met. I haven't read much about CitiField but presumably the outfield is a lot smaller than the mammoth one that was at Shea Stadium. Don't think you'd want that butcher in a large outfield...it was only an exhibition game, but the New York Yankees and Mets both won their openers last night in their new digs...if you're gonna lose, lose big, and that's what the Cleveland Cavs did in last night's PTP, getting crushed by the Orlando Magic. In other wagers, won my first ever golf wager as I took Anthony Kim (+120) to beat Ernie Els in the first round of the Houston Open, completed yesterday. Today, we're playing Chelsea -.5 -1 +106 to ruin Alan Shearer's debut as manager of Newcastle United. That's solid value for a team that has to win to stay in the race against a team that, well, isn't good...that's all I've got today, time to bust open a beer shortly for TFC prep. So freaking jacked!!

Sixburgh!

You can now call them the Sixburgh Steelers as the Super Bowl champs now have six of the trophies to top the rest of the league. It was a fantastic game virtually start to finish and particularly the fourth quarter. Maybe the best one yet? Ben Roethlesberger completed 70% of his passes and was money when needed most in the final drive. Is it me, or does every play Santonio Holmes makes seem huge? Not sure anyone would think the Steelers win a game in which they gave up 407 yards, but win they did...another season of the NFL come and gone in a flash. The beauty of the NFL is in its intensity - 5 months of meaningful games. By comparison, the NHL started a month later and is barely half way through its regular season. You simply cannot sustain attention for that long...destined to be the hottest selling jersey in the CFL: Saskatchewan Roughriders running back Justin Beaver...you'd think that Michael Phelps would know enough to not let a picture be taken while he's hitting a bong, no?...the Detroit Tigers are looking at trading a starting pitcher or two. I'd imagine you would, when they're virtually all garbage...wanna know what 1474 megapixels looks like? Check out this incredible picture of Barack Obama's inauguration, and zoom to any point in the picture. Crazy stuff...Toronto Raptors GM Bryan Colanagelo is denying a report from Stephen A. Smith - and we know what the "A" is for - that says Chris Bosh has told the team he will not be staying after his contract expires after next season. My guess is that Smith will end up being right, but doesn't have any actual information of substance. He's likely just playing the guessing game so he can end up saying "told you!" when Bosh leaves, which I think he will...Craig Hartsburg's out as the Ottawa Senators coach and surprisingly, Pat Quinn isn't coming in, at least not yet. How a team with Jason Spezza, Dany Heatley and Daniel Alfreddson can't score is beyond me...word is Matt Cassel could be moved to Kansas City, where former New England Patriots personnel whiz Scott Pioli is now the general manager. Could he net the Pats a #1 pick? You'd think so, when Cassel is proven unlike everyone else in the top of the draft class the Chiefs might be looking at...Jamie Langenbrunner scored three game winners in multiple goal games last week. Impressive...New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs says Plaxico Burress cost the Giants a trip to the Super Bowl. That ought to do wonders for team chemistry if, as believed, Burress comes back...back with the PTP later. Have a great Monday.

Wednesday, December 31st, 2008

It is the last day of the year and a time to briefly look back. The latest cover of Sports Illustrated calls it the best sporting year ever and frankly, hard to disagree. From the fantastic Super Bowl finish that saw the New York Giants down the 18-0 New England Patriots, the incredible Wimbledon final that saw Rafael Nadal down Roger Federer, great soccer in the English Premier League and Champions League - both won by Manchester United - and a superb Euro 2008 won by Spain, the year had no shortage of individual and team performances to remember. Usain Bolt owned the Olympics with two awesome performances, and you have to mention Michael Phelps too, though Bolt covering the 100m in four fewer strides than has ever been done before screams "special," and, well, "freak". There were great come-from-nowhere teams in baseball's Tampa Bay Rays and Turkey at the Euro's who kept pulling out last gasp miracles and there were teams that lived up to expectations like the Detroit Red Wings, Stanley Cup winners and the Boston Celtics who transformed from the depths of the NBA to league fav and champion in one season. Not sure about you, but I continually was stunned at the rising popularity of UFC this year, and the conversations you'd hear at the office and about town before and after an event were unlike anything else, it is HUGE. At the same time, some stories just refused to go away - Roger Clemens and the performance enhancing drugs stories, Brett Favre's retirement and comeback, Mats Sundin's future and of course, the Brian Burke as Leafs General Manager soap opera - these stories got old and old fast. More locally, Toronto teams were a collective disaster, but at least Toronto FC has its newness to fall back on, for now. The Maple Leafs, Raptors and Argos? Not so much. What are your fav memories? Feel free to add them to the discussion today...in the Year of the Rat, it is only fitting that the last coach axed in the NFL this calendar year could well be a total rat lookalike in Mike Shanahan in Denver. Long time coming, to be sure, but that team's kept him through worse so it is certainly surprising he gets the axe now...the International Ice Hockey Federation is contemplating expanding the World Junior Hockey Championships to 12 teams at a time when the field of 10 looks bloated. Yeah, just what the game needs - Canada and other top nations pounding weak sisters by double digits...this is the first time in NFL history that all four road teams have been favored on Wild Card weekend...the Orlando Magic are 11-1 in their last 12 against the Western Conference...since becoming the starter in San Diego, Phillip Rivers is 14-0 in the month of December...Curtis Joseph picked up his 450th win last night in the Maple Leafs overtime win over Atlanta. Now, go and retire Cujo...word is that when he passed out in the shower on Sunday post-game, Tony Romo fumbled the soap and it was returned for a touchdown...have a great New Year's Eve everyone, catch you on the other side.

Thursday, December 18th, 2008

I know Mike Tyson is on Zoloft to keep him from killing us all, but I'm guessing it has some pretty obvious side effects, one being he's starting to look like King Hippo from Punchout...Minnesota T-Wolves coach and GM Kevin McHale says bloggers are to blame for the rash of early firings in the first two months of the season. While I'd love to claim credit for Sam Mitchell's ouster in Toronto, the fact is that losing costs jobs, not bloggers. If the latter had that kind of stroke, George W. Bush wouldn't have made a second term, nevermind through it...Tony Romo is 5-6 in the month of December for his career, and an incredible 22-4 in all other months. He's going to need to go over .500 on that first stat and fast...why Canada is better than the U.S.: Canadian Idol has been cancelled for 2009...word from Real Madrid is they've got a deal in place to purchase Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United next summer. The way his form's been up and down this year - he's got no goals away from home - United will do well to get the big bucks discussed this past off-season...the Toronto Raptors are now 7-14 since their 3-0 start to the year. They're more likely heading towards the draft lottery than the playoffs at this point. Memo to Rogers Digital: if you promise not to add TSN2, I'll be glad to move over from ExpressVu so I don't have to watch this garbage squad..Cris Collinsworth tells Bill Simmons - The Sports Guy - he thinks that the Dallas Cowboys are the New York Giants of last season, right down to predicting Dallas knocks the Giants out in the playoffs. I like the sounds of that. Another prediction: if that prediction is right, me and TS are gonna have one fantasic Super Bowl Sunday...San Diego Padre Brian Giles is being sued for $10 million by an ex-girlfriend who he allegedly beat while pregnant and there's video of what appears to be the girlfiend hitting the ground after Giles smacked her. Most inappropriate but hilarious response: so Giles can hit...proof it is December: Peter Forsberg is talking about coming back...tonight, Prime Time Picks shoots for 19-12 and the play is on Jacksonville at +6.5. While the Colts are seemingly the easy play, they historically struggle against the Jags and have played a pile of close games this year. 6.5 points on the road is a lot of lumber. Do the Colts win? Likely. Cover? I'm saying no, and maybe there's even an upset in store...if you had bet the New York Yankees to win the World Series 10 days ago, you'd have got 6-1 odds, putting them behind the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox, each at 5-1. Today, the Yankees are 3-1...have a great Thursday.

Monday, December 15th, 2008

A Prime Time Pick never felt so good as the Dallas Cowboys easily covered the three points in a 20-8 win over the New York Giants. Tonight, we're gunning for 18-12 and playing the Philadelphia Eagles at -14 to keep pace in the NFC playoff race...in Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice, the Dallas Cowboys have three fantastic running backs...you're up with 2 minutes to play in an NFL game. You run, right? Not the Buffalo Bills. They confounded the six losers who still play QB1 and called a pass play, leading to a big hit on QB JP Losman, a fumble recovery for a touchdown and a sudden win by the New York Jets...the Miami Dolphins haven't given up a touchdown in three games. Them or Jets will win the division if they win out, and to make it real interesting, they face each other in Week 17...scratch the Ottawa Sens off the list of possible destinations for Mats Sundin. He's expected to sort out his landing spot this week, with the New York Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks and Vancouver Canucks the likely landing spots...during the writing of this entry, Eli Manning was sacked again. And again...say what you will about the Pittsburgh Steelers not winning with a whole lot of style, the fact remains they're getting it done despite the NFL's toughest schedule. They're my pick to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl...in a move that ought to surprise nobody, Sean Avery is done in Dallas. Wonder if NHL owners will push for non-guaranteed deals at the next labour deal? Bryan McCabe would "never" play in such an environment, of course, but the world would adjust...so much for Chelsea going tops yesterday. Like the other top sides, they drew this week as well. This is shaping up to be the best EPL race in years, just for how many teams are in the mix...former Giant Tiki Barber admit that he was wrong about Eli Manning's leadership abilities. Thanks Tiki, what's next, the sky is blue?...have a great Monday.

Friday, December 12th, 2008

The picture to the left is not doctored in any way - that's UFCer Corey Hill's leg snapping like a twig when Dale Hartt blocked his kick at "UFC: Fight For The Troops" on Wednesday...I cannot recall the last time the Dallas Cowboys lost a game where there wasn't some sort of drama in the week that followed. The latest - just in time to face the New York Giants - is that Terrell Owens is sour (allegedly) over how tight Tony Romo and Jason Witten are, and that he thinks they secretly meet to sort out plays that would see the ball go to Witten more often. There are a whole heap of "behind the scenes" quotes from the dreaded Unnamed Source. Mark my words: the Cowboys will beat the Giants on Sunday night...the last two Phil Jackson-led teams to open 14-1 went on to win the NBA title. The LA Lakers are going to look to be the third...46-0 boxing champ Joe Calzaghe says boxing is a dying sport with too many champions and as a result, not enough stars. He also talked of how UFC's popularity has hurt the game stateside. Right about now, Jim Lampley is crafting an overly verbose retort to inform us that Calzaghe is being intellectually dishonest. Fact is, Calzaghe is dead on...the Mats Sundin sweepstakes are said to be down to the Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers...Manny Ramirez is said to be so frustrated at the lack of movement in his contract discussions he's contemplating retirement. Yeah, that'll show the world, Man Ram! The upside? That'll be two straight years that super agent Scott Boras looks the fool with a big name client...Philadelphia Philly Cole Hamels has glossed the New York Mets "choke artists". How can you not love this guy?...if this isn't every photo of Marissa Miller ever published, it is damn close...Adam "Pacman" Jones neck injury could be career threatening? Somebody might want to check if Roger Goodell has a voodoo doll...have a great Friday.

Wednesday, December 10th, 2008

Why unions are ridiculous, Part 4, 237, 226: the NFL Players Association is challenging the suspension and fine of New York Giant Plaxico Buress who, of course, shot himself in the thigh a couple weeks back. Wonder what the unions stance will be when he goes to the slam?...you know what I find hilarious? The fact that last year most of the Toronto media - and a majority of fans - hammered TJ Ford as a chemistry and locker room killer. I think Stevie Wonder could see that he's gone, and things are worse in Raptorland. This is a team that needs more than a few heart transplants based on what we've seen the last few weeks, and I'm not convinced a coaching staff or Red Auerbach, Phil Jackson, Gregg Popovich and Jerry Sloan could get much more out of these guys. TJ and the Indiana Pacers are rolling in tonight, and if I'm Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo, I'm hoping TJ falls flat because if it is a good night for TJ - and you know he's taking no prisoners - then I'm figuring my kid glove treatment from fans and the media the last couple years is about over in Toronto...since 1996 - the last time they won a playoff game - the Dallas Cowboys are 18-32 in December...Rando reader TS passes on this link to pics of the Montreal Canadiens practice facility. As you might expect, first class top to bottom...Molly Sims, Jamie Lynn Sigler, and a hilarious video from Andy Samberg of Saturday Night Live that makes "Dick In A Box" seem cryptic. And what's this I hear that Sigler is dating Turtle of Entourage for real? Talk about punching over your weight! Well done, Turtle...former Tampa Bay Lighting coach Mullet Melrose, axed recently, says he hopes the Bolts don't win another game all year. Keep it classy, Melrose...the New York Mets finally started getting some bullpen depth in signing Francisco Rodriguez. He'll do little to calm the nerves of Mets fans with his highwire act. Surprised the Blue Jays didn't offer out BJ Ryan to the Mets. He's cheaper than the three years, $37 million, and arguably as good, and the Jays could use that money elsewhere, not to mention getting some talent back...at CC Sabathia's request, Yankees GM Brian Cashman flew out to his home in California to meet with Sabathia's family. This can only be a good sign, also considering it is the third meeting in three days. Here's hoping Cash has a crystal ball and knows CC will stay healthy...have a great Wednesday.

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008

Memo to Brett Hull: next time you survey your players about signing a guy like Sean Avery and they say "don't do it" - or Avery himself - you best listen. Avery has been suspended by the league, and would have been by the Dallas Stars, for referencing Calgary Flames defenceman Dion Phaneuf's girlfriend Elisha Cuthbert as his "sloppy seconds". On the ice, that stuff is the norm. Off it and to the media? Juvenile in the extreme. He's likely done in Dallas like Debbie, and what GM would pick up a guy that would bring that kind of infamy to the league? I've got one: Brian Burke...New York Giants receiver Steve Smith was robbed at gunpoint last Thurday. Anybody know if Plaxico Burress has an alibi? I'm a little sour it only came to me today after Burress self-inflicted gunshot wound: Plaxico beat another safety. Word is that he faces a minimum 3.5 years in the crowbar motel if convicted and New York mayor Michael Bloomberg has already gone on record as saying he'd be disappointed if he wasn't convicted. Nice knowing you, Plax. He's done for the season, and playoffs...after New England Patriot Wes Welker got de-cleated Sunday, here's fifteen fantastic hits in the NFL this year...and while we are at it, how about some great stadium sex acts...finally in today's video fun: Florida State Tuba Players vs. Wet Football Field. Who ya got?...as always, USC coach Pete Carroll is showing his opposition all kinds of respect. NCAA rules specify that a visiting team wears white or they'll forfeit a timeout per half. Pretty hefty penalty for such a triviality, no, timeouts being important and all? No biggie to Carroll. He wants his Trojans in red when they face UCLA...in a decision that should surprise nobody, Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo earned the Ballon d'Or as European player of the year. Unlike his EPL award for the same earlier, he actually thanked his teammates for this one...a mere 39 point loss for the Toronto Raptors as they visited Denver last night. Sam Mitchell needs to go. His "best before" date is about as gone as Charlie Weis...have a great Wednesday.

Tuesday, November 25th, 2008

It took a few days, but finally found a solid picture of Ricky Hatton post-fight on Saturday with a couple fellow Mancunians who he had carry his belts in. Awesome...while General Motors and the others in the Big Three automakers are busy fighting for a U.S. government bailout - and they showed up in Washington in private jets to underscore how desperate they are - they announced they will not be renewing their endorsement deal with Tiger Woods. I'm sure Tiger is thrilled he'll no longer have to maintain the charade he's a Buick fan and he can now move on to the BMW's of the world...the Arizona Cardinals are complaining because the New York Giants listed Brandon Jacobs as probable and he didn't play? They do know that Jacobs is good, right?...the Pro Bowl looks like it'll move to the week before the Super Bowl which will only make it slightly more relevant...After Tom Brady's first 11 starts in the NFL, his completion percentage was 66.3%. Matt Cassel's over the same time frame? 66.3%...a bad idea: the Philadelphia Eagles, circling the toilet bowl, and a Thursday night Thanksgiving Day game. Expect ugliness...Michael Vick is eyeing an early release once his last charge is resolved, and will be out July 20th, 2009 or sooner it appears. It'll be interesting to see how Roger Goodell handles his status following that...Doug Flutie is being mentioned as a possible Toronto Argos coach. Maybe they can look to see if he still feels at all like playing. With their inability to get a solid QB of late, it couldn't hurt...while completing today's entry, Drew Brees passed for another 300 yards. Wonder if San Diego would like a do-over on that deal that saw them favor Phillip Rivers?...have a great Tuesday.

Monday, November 17th, 2008

Detroit Red Wing Johan Franzen has 36 goals in his last 43 games yet somehow flies under the radar...the Department of Lame is at it again: if you want tickets to the World Baseball Classic, you have to purchase tickets to each game at that venue. Guess baseball hasn't learned from the Buffalo Bills that that kind of selling doesn't fly in Toronto, where Canada will host the U.S. I predict they'll have similar success...the New York Red Bull will face Columbus Crew in the MLS Cup next Sunday. Prediction? Red Bull win, and ratings that the NHL could only dream of...with the economic crisis where it is, you've gotta think that if the NBA is concerned about its impact, it has to be ready to euthanize the WNBA...it is a time honored tradition that Toronto Raptors fans point out that the back-up point guard is undefeated as a starter, which Will Solomon is after a 107-96 win over Miami. And what was with Jose Calderon doing his "six fingers" to indicate a three pointer thing for other guys buckets? Glory hound...usually a big fan of the Toronto Sun's Steve Simmons, but when he says he misses Chuck Swirsky on Raptors broadcasts, I'm less a fan of Simmons. Matt Devlin is a night and day improvement...in a prison somewhere yesterday at around 7:00pm, Tim Donaghy watched the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Diego Chargers finish and thought the fix was in...seven Liverpool players have had their houses robbed in the last year while they were playing...the most popular ingredient on pizza in Costa Rica is coconut. Seriously...Marion Barber looked like a rejuvenated man coming off the bye week. His impact in the Dallas Cowboys win over Washington was far greater than Tony Romo's. There is still a pulse in that team...banner day for Vegas and gambling houses everywhere yesterday. When a tie in the NFL happens like it did with Philadelphia and Cincinnati, you've got money line losers across the board. That was the first tie since November 10th, 2002...most impressive win of the day? That has to be the New York Giants shredding the Baltimore Ravens 30-10, who came in real hot and playing airtight defence...Yankee fan Lebron James, good friends with CC Sabathia, says "we're gonna get him, absolutely." Good enough for me...13-6 on Prime Time Picks. Heady times, indeed. Tonight, going to make it 14-6 by riding the Buffalo Bills at home (-4.5) who will take the Cleveland Browns down with a double digit win in what should be a frigid, snowy Buffalo. Do yourself a favor and pick up some free Christmas shopping money at Pinnacle..have a great Monday.

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.

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 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.

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...

Monday, October 20th, 2008 - Cowbell up!

Cowbell up! The Tampa Bay Rays won a 3-1 nail biter over the Boston Red Sox last night to advance to the World Series and continue their cinderella run. They'll tangle with the Philadelphia Phillies starting Wednesday night. Hard not to like the Rays in this one, they've just got it all right now. And how good was David Price in relief? Wow...and why are players - in the singular - not referred to as being "a Red Sock" and instead are said to be a "a Red Sox"?...the New York Giants remaining schedule has them facing one team currently under .500...no lame jokes here on how there was a power failure in Buffalo while the "Chargers" were in town, but have to laugh that the outage came after three small helium balloons got caught up in power lines. The Bills are a playoff lock and a real threat to do damage...NFL linemen today weigh an average of 50 pounds more than they did 10 years ago. That is a lot of meat colliding out there each week...good of the NFL schedule makers to send San Diego across the country to Buffalo before they hit the road again for a game in London, England next week against New Orleans. Let's hope this time no NFLers are asking if they speak English in England like Miami Dolphin Channing Crowder did last year, a comment that is only rivalled by a major league baseball player saying he didn't want to go for a tour of Japan because he "didn't like Chinese food"...wonder if Jerry Jones likes 4-3 as much as he professed to like 4-2 after the Dallas Cowboys were hammered by the St. Louis Rams? If they don't get that defense ironed out, it could well be 4-5. Wade Phillips is a defensive guy, non? He's gonzo when the season ends, if not sooner, and with good reason...the 6-0 Tennessee Titans haven't given up more than 17 points in a game this year...anybody else waiting for Scott Boras to issue a Manny Ramirez free agency update in the middle of a World Series game?...not sure about you, but I can't take any guy seriously who is rocking a sun visor. Just wear a hat, it looks way better...make the world a better place, punch Johnathan Papelbon in the face...the Toronto Maple Leafs are struggling to score goals. Didn't everybody see that coming?...have a great Monday.