Good to be back after taking some time off to enjoy my birthday. And, I did it at the Ballpark. What's not to love about that? Oh, and a specal thanks to the rangers third base coach for throwing me that ball. I appreciate it. Now, on to the news.
Is there a bigger moron than Joe Theismann in the world today? If you missed it, here's a guy that went on a national sports talk radio station and absolutely blasted the Toronto Argonauts and the CFL for taking a flyer on Dolphins running back Ricky Williams. Now, we all know Ricky got the boot for a year from the NFL for failing another drug test. OK, nobody is questioning that. It's not like we all thought Ricky was a candidate for Mensa membership. But, for Theismann to go on air, in a public forum, and blast, not only the team that gave him his start in pro football, but Williams as well. Theismann is the guy that gave us the very entertaining quote of "There are no geniuses in football. A genius is someone like Norman Einstien." True story. I can't make that one up. Theismann is a guy who loves to hear himself talk, and his teams always did it "the right way". Hey Joe, last time I looked, your team was on the short end of a 38-9 beatdown in a Super Bowl game against the Raiders, and there were nothing but tears coming off your stupid looking one-bar helmet. Sorry about that one folks, but as I've said before, in this column, if someone needs to get told, then it's all fair game in the Soap Box! With Theismann now going to MNF, I guess I'm now thankful that I can't get cable where I work. That way, I don't have to hear the windbag drone on endlessly about how good a football player he was. I hope Kornheiser slaps him before the season is out.
The basketball playoffs are going on now, and I'll say this:When you have a team down three games to one, DO NOT let them back in the series. Finish them off. Apparently, this message hasn't filtered through the AAC, where the Dallas Mavericks just about lost out to San Antonio in the conference semi-finals. Great teams in NBA history have always displayed a killer instinct. The Bulls had it, the Lakers had it (Kareem-Magic's Lakers, not the other one), the Rockets had it, the Celtics had it. Utah didn't have it. That's why they don't have any banners hanging from the rafters of the Delta Center. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see the Mavs win it all. I'm from the old school of Mavs fans, at least, when I got to Texas in 1995. I've been through the Shawn Bradley's, the Greg Drieling's, the nine-player deal with New Jersey that did nothing for the team. I stuck with them through the Jim Cleamons era and the Samaki Walker draft. I just wish that the Mavs would show a bit more of a killer instinct now. If the Mavs can get to the Finals, it will erase the disappointing Stars season, and basically, take us right up to Cowboys training camp with the debut of TO. I want them to win, but more importantly, I want them to put opponents away with more of a surgical precision than with a win-it-at-the-buzzer mentality. Go Mavs.......but please go for the kill when it presents itself.
Roger Clemens is coming back. Big shock there. He's returning to the Astros. Once again, big shock there. His son is in the Astros organization, his best friend still plays there, and his family is close by. Nobody else could compete with that. I would have loved to see what he could have done at the Ballpark in Arlington (still can't get used to that new name), but now that the suspense is over, the watch is on for him to make his first start. Houston won't catch St. Louis in the Central division, but they have now made themselves a serious contender for the wild-card. I hope Houston has to fight it out with the Mets for that spot, since I want my Braves to win another division title!
Now, we look at the NFC South
Carolina- loved what they did with the drafting of DeAngelo WIlliams. The kid from Memphis made running the football look easy. And, while C-USA football is not the NFL, Williams gives the Panthers a fresh approach at the running back spot. Williams will be the understudy to DeShaun Foster. They also signed Keyshawn Johnson to take some heat off Steve Smith. Say what you want about Johnson, he's not araid to go across the middle, and he comes up with a big catch more often than not. They picked up a cornerback to replace Ricky Manning when they drafted Richard Marshall out of Fresno State. Add some more of their "depth" picks, and Carolina looks to have another strong season next year.
Tampa Bay-You'd think a team that won eleven games last year didn't need to add anything, but Tampa bay did a nice job of shoring up some weak spots on their roster. Most important, they got some pretection for QB Chris Simms. Their defense still has Derrick Brooks and Simeon Rice, who play as if every game will be their last. With Cadillac WIlliams in their backfield, and a young Simms running the show, Tampa Bay will be a problem for any team that faces them.
Atlanta- Now, people might think that I'm a Falcon fan, just because I pull for the Braves. But, the Falcons are one-dimensional, period, end of story. They did get a great CB in Jimmy Williams. He'll partner up with former VaTech teammate DeAngelo Hall. But, their draft was sparse, and the emphasis in the Georgia Dome will always be the same thing: Michael Vick is running the show. Warrick Dunn continues to have fine seasons for the Falcons, as well as Keith Brooking. They've added John Abraham from the Jets in the hopes he'll be able to give the team more of a defensive presence. In my opinion, until Atlanta gets a full supporting cast, it will continue to be the Michael Vick show, with sellout crowds, and a .500 record.
New Orleans-OK, they got Reggie Bush. Who saw that one coming? Anyway, they're going to need a lot more than Bush to help revive this moribund franchise. But, they will get to play in the Superdome, which is a step in the right direction. They got Drew Brees in free agency, which gives them a legitimate option at QB. Deuce McAlister is coming off a knee injury that took his season last year, and there's a new coaching staff in place. Not quite the bag-faced team of the 80's here, but I don't think anybody is going to look on their schedule this coming season and be afraid of what the Saints are bringing to the table. I don't see Sean Payton as a strong, leadership type guy to right this franchise. Who knows? In a few of years, we could be hearing...."With the first pick in the 2010 draft, the Los Angeles Saints select......" .
Before I close, my player of the week is Russ Springer. This is a guy that had the guts to plunk Barry Bonds with a pitch. His efforts got him tossed from the game. Lousy umps! Springer should have aimed for the ear hole, but I'll take him getting popped, nonetheless.
Take care, everybody. Good talking to you again.
Till next time....
Patrick
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
I have signed with a new team.......
Remember in my previous posts about me declaring myself an NFL team free agent? What with Dallas signing the "human cancerous tumor" in Terrell Owens, and Miami trading for "he of the shredded knee" Daunte Culpepper, I was at the end of my rope. The Dallas thing had been sometime in the making, and I still love the play of Roy Williams. But, when Dat Nguyen, who was my favorite player on the team, retired, I knew my days with them were numbered. I'll still keep my interest in them, which is a lot more than I could have said in the early 90's, but it's just not the same now in Dallas for me. South FLorida, as well, holds nothing but bad things right now, as a team I'll still have a soft spot for has now announced they will be inviting Marcus Vick to training camp. OK, follow me on this one. You have a player who was suspended to start his first year of college because of the infamous "team policy" voilation. Second, he misses an entire season due to the fact he was convicted of contributing to the delinquency of a minor....well, you know the rest of THAT sordid affair. Third, he stomps the leg of a fallen player in the Gator Bowl, other team, of course. Then, while serving that suspension, he gets in trouble again, resulting in his dismissal from Virginia Tech. Now, he could have gone to Division 1-AA to play his final year, improve his draft stock, rehab his image, etc. But, no! He sees the lifestyle his brother enjoys, and he declares himself eligible for the NFL Draft. OK, big shock that he doesn't get taken. Miami is now reaching out to him by inviting him to camp, which tells me that the proposed Joey Harrington trade may be more complicated than it seems. So, in light of all that, I am now here to say that my team for the 2006-2007 NFL season will be..................
To be continued
If you're Charlie Casserly, how much do you just want to crawl into a hole if Reggie Bush goes on to be the next brightest star of the NFL? Instead of taking Bush with the number one pick, the Texans took DE Mario Williams from NC State. Now, I kind of understand the selection. Houston is deep at RB, with Dominick Davis and Vernand Morency. Also, Houston plays in a division where they have to face Peyton Manning twice a year. So, with those two in mind, I understand. But, when you have a chance to get a player like Bush, you take it...period. New Orleans jumped all over Bush at two, but they have Deuce McAlister at RB. He's coming off a torn ACL, so maybe its a safe bet to get a RB there. But, while I'm talking about all of this, would someone please remind me.......What happened to the last Heisman Trophy winning running back that went to New Orleans? That's right....he's out of the league now because he couldn't stay off the nickel bags. Let's hope Bush's fate is better, and that New Orleans doesn't heap the entire load on Bush's young shoulders too early.
We look at the NFC North now, and that's kind of a sad division. Let's begin.
Green Bay- OK, so Favre is coming back, and they've traded Javon Walker. They get A.J. Hawk in the draft, and improve at the wideout slot. Are these the answers? in a word....no. Favre should just ride off into the sunset. He has absolutely nothing to prove. The Arron Rodgers era should be this season, so this team can take their lumps, and improve over time. I like the pick of Abdul Hodge in the third round. He'll help to replace Na'il Diggs, who went to Carolina via free agency. Bottom line, the Pack might win six next year. Anything more than that will be a pleasant surprise for a new head coach in Mike McCarthy.
Chicago- Did what they had to do, and that's get help at the defensive back position. They got a great one in Danieal Manning from Abilene Christian. I've seen the guy play many times, and he's going to represent the Lone Star Conference well. Chicago also got Ricky Manning from the Panthers in free agency. For a team that got scorched in the play-offs by the pass, they went a long way in shoring that position up. Devin hester might have been a reach at #57 overall, but he can absolutely fly, which is what the Bears return game needs. DT Dusty Dvoracek might help, lining up alongside former teammate Tommie Harris, but remember, this is a guy that was suspended for almost beating a kid to death at Oklahoma following a night of drinking. Let's monitor him, shall we?
Detroit- Well, Ernie Sims will help at the OLB spot, but this team is still a ship without a rudder. It's run like a fantasy team, and their team president seems to be coated in teflon, since nothing sticks to him. I wonder if people up in Detroit aren't pining away for the days of Wayne Fontes now? This team stinks, plain and simple.
Minnesota- For a team whose biggest story from last season was the "Love Boat" cruise on Lake Minnetonka last year, there's nowhere to go but up. New coach Brad Childress looks a little like he fell off of the set of a Nick At Nite re-run, but that's another story for another day. But, they're putting their money on Brad Johnson at the QB spot, a guy whose best days are behind him. I love the pick of OLB Chad Greenway, and getting CB Cedric Griffin will certainly help this club. But, at the end of the day, Minnesota will stink, and this division will be won by Chicago.....almost by default. I guess its good to be Lovie Smith these days.
OK, two more divisions to go, and we'll cover those in later postings. Some teams did well over the weekend, and some teams acted like they were new to the whole process of drafting. Arizona, San Francisco, NY Jets, and Cleveland did very well in the draft, while Detroit and Buffalo really caused a lot of head scratching. Mini camps are coming up soon, so we'll see how these new picks will work out once they step up to the penultimate level of football.
Now, getting back to my new team to follow for the 2006-2007 NFL season, it can be summed up in very few letters.
J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets!
I love what they did in the draft, with D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold for the O-line. I love what I've seen of Kellen Clemens, out of Oregon. Let me tell you something about this guy. He breaks his ankle in a game last season, and rather than go to the locker room, he insists on going back out on the field on a cart, so he can call signals to the backup quarterback. The guy is in pain, and all he's thinking of is helping his team. Gutsy!!! Schlegel out of Ohio State will complement Jonathan Vilma at the LB position. The X factor could be Brad Smith out of Missouri. He played QB at Mizzou, but NY took him as a WR. Didn't everyone laugh at Pittsburgh for taking a guy that played QB in college and making him a WR in the NFL? How did that work out? Watch Super Bowl XL. There's your answer. So, with all that in mind, I'm jumping on the Jets bandwagon. In a division with New England, they'll have to compete for a wild card spot. But, with Miami and Buffalo in their division, and playing a last-place schedule, they'll be a much better team this season.
That's all for now. Talk to all of you soon.
Patrick
To be continued
If you're Charlie Casserly, how much do you just want to crawl into a hole if Reggie Bush goes on to be the next brightest star of the NFL? Instead of taking Bush with the number one pick, the Texans took DE Mario Williams from NC State. Now, I kind of understand the selection. Houston is deep at RB, with Dominick Davis and Vernand Morency. Also, Houston plays in a division where they have to face Peyton Manning twice a year. So, with those two in mind, I understand. But, when you have a chance to get a player like Bush, you take it...period. New Orleans jumped all over Bush at two, but they have Deuce McAlister at RB. He's coming off a torn ACL, so maybe its a safe bet to get a RB there. But, while I'm talking about all of this, would someone please remind me.......What happened to the last Heisman Trophy winning running back that went to New Orleans? That's right....he's out of the league now because he couldn't stay off the nickel bags. Let's hope Bush's fate is better, and that New Orleans doesn't heap the entire load on Bush's young shoulders too early.
We look at the NFC North now, and that's kind of a sad division. Let's begin.
Green Bay- OK, so Favre is coming back, and they've traded Javon Walker. They get A.J. Hawk in the draft, and improve at the wideout slot. Are these the answers? in a word....no. Favre should just ride off into the sunset. He has absolutely nothing to prove. The Arron Rodgers era should be this season, so this team can take their lumps, and improve over time. I like the pick of Abdul Hodge in the third round. He'll help to replace Na'il Diggs, who went to Carolina via free agency. Bottom line, the Pack might win six next year. Anything more than that will be a pleasant surprise for a new head coach in Mike McCarthy.
Chicago- Did what they had to do, and that's get help at the defensive back position. They got a great one in Danieal Manning from Abilene Christian. I've seen the guy play many times, and he's going to represent the Lone Star Conference well. Chicago also got Ricky Manning from the Panthers in free agency. For a team that got scorched in the play-offs by the pass, they went a long way in shoring that position up. Devin hester might have been a reach at #57 overall, but he can absolutely fly, which is what the Bears return game needs. DT Dusty Dvoracek might help, lining up alongside former teammate Tommie Harris, but remember, this is a guy that was suspended for almost beating a kid to death at Oklahoma following a night of drinking. Let's monitor him, shall we?
Detroit- Well, Ernie Sims will help at the OLB spot, but this team is still a ship without a rudder. It's run like a fantasy team, and their team president seems to be coated in teflon, since nothing sticks to him. I wonder if people up in Detroit aren't pining away for the days of Wayne Fontes now? This team stinks, plain and simple.
Minnesota- For a team whose biggest story from last season was the "Love Boat" cruise on Lake Minnetonka last year, there's nowhere to go but up. New coach Brad Childress looks a little like he fell off of the set of a Nick At Nite re-run, but that's another story for another day. But, they're putting their money on Brad Johnson at the QB spot, a guy whose best days are behind him. I love the pick of OLB Chad Greenway, and getting CB Cedric Griffin will certainly help this club. But, at the end of the day, Minnesota will stink, and this division will be won by Chicago.....almost by default. I guess its good to be Lovie Smith these days.
OK, two more divisions to go, and we'll cover those in later postings. Some teams did well over the weekend, and some teams acted like they were new to the whole process of drafting. Arizona, San Francisco, NY Jets, and Cleveland did very well in the draft, while Detroit and Buffalo really caused a lot of head scratching. Mini camps are coming up soon, so we'll see how these new picks will work out once they step up to the penultimate level of football.
Now, getting back to my new team to follow for the 2006-2007 NFL season, it can be summed up in very few letters.
J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets!
I love what they did in the draft, with D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold for the O-line. I love what I've seen of Kellen Clemens, out of Oregon. Let me tell you something about this guy. He breaks his ankle in a game last season, and rather than go to the locker room, he insists on going back out on the field on a cart, so he can call signals to the backup quarterback. The guy is in pain, and all he's thinking of is helping his team. Gutsy!!! Schlegel out of Ohio State will complement Jonathan Vilma at the LB position. The X factor could be Brad Smith out of Missouri. He played QB at Mizzou, but NY took him as a WR. Didn't everyone laugh at Pittsburgh for taking a guy that played QB in college and making him a WR in the NFL? How did that work out? Watch Super Bowl XL. There's your answer. So, with all that in mind, I'm jumping on the Jets bandwagon. In a division with New England, they'll have to compete for a wild card spot. But, with Miami and Buffalo in their division, and playing a last-place schedule, they'll be a much better team this season.
That's all for now. Talk to all of you soon.
Patrick
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