The NHL And Its Love of the Short Term Dollar

"The 2010 Vancouver Games could be the end of the NHL's brief participation in Olympic hockey. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told Reuters on Tuesday that, following Vancouver, his league may rethink its policy of suspending play in mid-season so players can compete in the Olympics. That means the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, could be the first since the 1994 edition in Lillehammer to not feature hockey's best men's players." (CBC)

The NHL doesn't make any money off the Olympics. In fact, they probably lose a buck or two. And much like when the League decided to sign a TV deal with Versus, instead of ESPN, the NHL sees things only in dollars and cents. They don't see the Olympics as a way to grow the game, particularly in European markets. They don't see that if Team USA were in the Gold medal game, many people in the States would become fans of the game.



The NHL doesn't have much going for it, but it does have two things the other leagues don't. It has players who would all kill to represent their countries, and it has more international appeal than every sport except basketball.







So instead of using these tools to grow the game in burgeoning hockey markets like Germany and Britain, the NHL wants to make sure the Ottawa Senators can play the Atlanta Thrashers without any interruption.

The NHL is dying. As BMack wrote earlier, the players aren't happy with the CBA. Teams like Phoenix are hopelessly bankrupt. Then there's an ever-growing threat in Europe called the KHL: A potential pan-European league that wants to someday contend with the NHL.

Right now, leagues like the KHL are prevented from signing NHL players, but more and more Russians are staying home instead of competing against North American players.

The NHL could grow a pair, let things like the Olympics be played, and work together with the KHL to one day have the first truly global sports league. But instead, they'll sign TV deals with Versus, constrict the salary cap to piss off players (because revenues are down because nobody in Miami cares about hockey), and prevent hockey fans from seeing Finland play Canada, and the US play Russia, and Germany play Belarus, and the Czech Republic play Latvia.

The biggest miracle in hockey history isn't the US Olympic team in 1980, it will be if the NHL is still alive in 2020.

-The Commodore

Top 25 Under 25: #10 Felix Hernandez

What more can you say about this kid, he was dubbed King Felix at the age of 19, and thus far, he has lived up to the hype. Hernández throws a fastball that has been clocked as high as 100 mph, although he does not rely entirely on overpowering velocity. Instead he often uses a two-seam fastball, which comes in just a bit slower but with more movement and sink as it approaches the batter. His repertoire of pitches also includes a hard curve, a changeup, and a slider, all of which he can throw extremely well (he avoided the slider early in his career because the team was concerned it might injure his arm). When at his best, Hernández can induce a steady procession of groundball outs and strikeouts, with very few balls being hit in the air.

Already in his short career he has 772 Ks, and 52 wins (he would have more but he's lame.) He has been nothing short of spectacular this year with 13-5 with a 2.77 era and 179 Ks and was selected to his first of many all-star game.

Pogo Backflip Master

Still damn impressive...

T.O. Returns To Practice

"After missing three weeks nursing a sprained toe, T.O. returned to practice Monday, raising hopes that his presence might spark a lifeless offense. The receiver has been out since jamming his toe in the Hall of Fame game on Aug. 9, and returns as Buffalo prepares to close the preseason hosting Detroit on Thursday. No word has been given as to whether or not he'll play in the team's preseason finale, but assuming all is well otherwise, Owens should be ready for the start of the regular season (Sportsline)."

The Bills offense has looked terrible without T.O. They are really going to need him to get in game shape quickly. These toe injuries scare me, because we have seen it too many times before that this kind of injury can linger for a long period of time...

Moran Atias In Maxim

This girl is so hot (she is from that show Crash on Starz)...

NHLPA Fires Paul Kelly

This could be really bad news for the NHL...

"Paul Kelly is out as executive director of the NHL Players Association. The union announced at its annual meeting Monday that its executive board voted "overwhelmingly" to remove Kelly. The executive board is made up of one player from each of the 30 teams. Kelly held the job for less than two years. The NHLPA didn't give a reason, saying that after a review of the "overall operation of the NHLPA, it was decided that Paul Kelly should no longer continue to serve as executive director." The union said it would immediately form a committee to find a replacement (Sportsline)."

At first when I read this I thought maybe Kelly really fucked up (he is a Needham guy), but as I have read more sites it sounds like this could be a much larger problem. There are rumors going around now that the NHLPA is going to dig in their heels and really fight for a better bargaining agreement (which is coming up soon). This could lead to another lockout, so keep an eye on who they pick to replace and what that means for the next bargaining agreement...

Bruschi Retirement Speech

One of the first times I have seen emotion from Belichick...

Kessel To Sharks?

"We wrote earlier that three teams, including the Rangers, are interested in Phil Kessel. Another team interested might be the Sharks, Canwest News Services reports. The Boston Bruins don't have the cap space to sign the restricted free agent because the 21-year-old center is demanding $5 million. For the Bruins to sign Kessel, they would have to dismantle their roster to stay under the cap. As for the Rangers, But the talks have died down with the Bruins (ESPN)."

Sounds like ESPN is really reaching here. I don't really believe any of this. If a team wanted to trade for Kessel they would have already done it, or they will wait till he proves he is healthy. I expect Kessel to eventually cave and sign a 1 year deal with the Bruins.

Yao Back This Season?

"Yao Ming's return from foot surgery might come sooner than anyone expected. In an interview with ESPN The Magazine's Sam Alipour, Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said Yao could return at some point in the 2009-10 season and the team no longer feels his broken left foot is a career-threatening injury. "Yao Ming is progressing well. I don't think that [a career-ending scenario] is something that will happen, based on what I'm hearing from the doctors," Morey told Alipour. "They do know that the bone will heal and he'll get back on it. And they have not actually ruled out [his return] this season. I think that's less likely than likely, but they haven't ruled it out. "And next season, the outlook is very good. He just took off the cast for a short period [two weeks ago], so the doctors could examine it, and everything is going well. Everything is on track (ESPN)."

this is a complete 180 from the talk that was going on when he decided to have surgery. I don't know how much I believe all this, but I hope it is true, because the Rockets have had just terrible luck with injuries. Yao really looked like he was finally becoming a top player in the NBA, but every time he gets it rolling his feet ruin it for him. We'll see how this sudden optimistic view goes, but at least the Rockets are finally getting some encouraging news.

Tom Brady Injury Update

"During his regularly scheduled appearance on WEEI’s “Dennis & Callahan” program this morning (6:40 a.m.), Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said he is expecting to play in the season-opener against the Bills, but acknowledged there is a chance he might not. Brady said he fell awkwardly while getting hit by Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth during Friday's exhibition victory, before noting that “any time a 350-pound man lands on you, most people would be a little sore -- which I was.” A source close to the team told the Globe's Chris Gasper on Saturday that Brady is sore, but "there is no need for hysteria (Boston.com)."

I was just as nervous as everyone else, but I really think he will be fine. Even if he didn't get hurt I was not expecting Brady to play in the final preseason game. He has looked great, and there is no reason to risk injury anymore. The Patriots are going to do their thing of being mysterious, and I guarantee that Brady will be on every injury report for the rest of the season, but I do not expect him to miss any time with this shoulder injury. If any news gets out we will let you know...

Dice-K Rocked In Rehab Start

Well this is the last thing the Red Sox wanted to hear...

"Daisuke Matsuzaka struggled in a rehab start for the Portland Sea Dogs this afternoon, going two innings and giving up five runs on four hits to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats in Manchester, N.H. Matsuzaka had three walks and one strikeout on the day and threw 58 pitches (Boston.com)."

This was a horrible start, and I hope it is just a bump in the road, but I doubt it. Hopefully I am wrong, but Dice-K might be done for the season, and you add that to the fact the the Wake doesn't seem like he is going to be able to hold on much longer and the Red Sox have a serious problem. Right now all the wheels are popping for the Sox rotation. Beckett is pitching like shit, Wake is hurt, Tazawa is not ready, Bowden sucks, Penny is gone, Smoltz is gone, and you never know what you are going to get from Buchholz. Right now Lester is the only consistent starter. The Sox might make the playoffs, but if Dice-K continues to struggle, and Beckett can't be the ace then the Sox are going to be making an early exit.

Bengals Finally Sign Andre Smith

"Offensive tackle Andre Smith signed a contract Sunday with the Cincinnati Bengals, ending an impasse that dragged on a month into the preseason. The Bengals originally planned to have Smith start at right tackle, but he has missed three preseason games. He was in Cincinnati and agreed to the deal shortly before the start of a late afternoon practice, allowing him to get back on the field. The four-year deal includes $21 million guaranteed. The team has an option after the 2010 season that would turn it into a six-year deal that includes $29.5 million guaranteed (Sportsline)."

About fucking time. I don't know about everyone else, but this kid has bust written all over him. He has missed so much of camp, and you add that to all the trouble he had around draft time, and you are just setting yourself up for an implosion. If you have been watching Hard Knocks then you would know the Bengals have been ripping on this guy all the time, while he was not there. It will be interesting to see how the team brings him in...

Exploding Scooter

Cassel Out 2-4 Weeks

"Kansas City quarterback Matt Cassel has a strained medial collateral ligament in his left knee and could miss the Chiefs' season opener and beyond, Yahoo Sports! reported on Monday. Citing a source within the organization, Yahoo Sports! reported Cassel could miss two to four weeks. He was hurt Saturday night when sacked on the third play of a 14-10 preseason loss to Seattle (ESPN)."

Been a rough preseason for Cassel. He hasn't been playing well, and there were even rumors that he might be losing his starting job already. Now it looks like he won't be ready for the regular season. Kansas City made a very risky move handing a kid with just 1 year experience such a big contract, and so far it looks like it might blow up in their faces...

Patriots Cut Kevin O'Connell

"The Patriots have made a surprising move at quarterback today, informing backup Kevin O'Connell that he has been waived, according to a league source (Boston.com)."

This is very strange, but if you have been watching the Patriots during the preseason it shouldn't be completely unexpected. O'Connell has been nothing short of horrible during the preseason. O'Connell struggled in the team's preseason win over the Redskins on Friday, throwing two interceptions. Even with a possible injury to Brady (more on that later) Belichick must be thinking that O'Connell is a lost cause. The reason that it is so surprising is because this guy was a 3rd round pick in 2008, and the Patriots are already giving up on him. This means it look like Walter and Hoyer are the Patriots backups...

iPhone For Stalkers

Bruschi To Announce His Retirement

"Tedy Bruschi is retiring after a 13-year career marked by an inspiring return to the New England Patriots as a starting linebacker eight months after a stroke. A person familiar with his decision tells the Associated Press that the 36-year-old Bruschi will announce his retirement at a news conference Monday morning. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made. The team declined to comment Sunday night and called a news conference "for an important player announcement" Monday morning (Sportsline)."

I had been rumoring it on this site for a couple weeks now that Bruschi was not going to make this team. I think what sealed the deal was during the Patriots game Friday vs. Washington when Bruschi got toasted by Cooley for over 70 yards. He just doesn't have it anymore. I got this text last night from WEEI, and I have wanted Bruschi to retire for about 2-3 years now, but I have to admit a part of me was sad. He is really the last link to the 1996 Super Bowl team. Now it has passed, and it is time, but just for a second it did make me feel sad. Still, it is great to get him finally off the field...

Here are a list of some of his accomplishments...

- Bruschi has played in 189 regular-season games, more than any linebacker in club history. His 631 total tackles over the past six seasons are the most on the team in that period.

- For his career, he had 1,134 tackles, 30½ sacks and 12 interceptions, four of which he returned for touchdowns.

- Bruschi, an inside linebacker, played on all three Super Bowl-winning Patriots teams. The last championship game was on Feb. 6, 2005, against the Philadelphia Eagles. He played in his only Pro Bowl on Feb. 13. Three days later, he was hospitalized after experiencing numbness in his left arm and left leg and blurry vision and was diagnosed with a mild stroke. He recovered to play nine of the last 10 games that season, all starts, and was named the AP Comeback Player of the Year.

- 2 Pro Bowl selections 2004, 2005

- 3 time Super Bowl champion

Red Sox 7, Blue Jays 0

After a 10 month hiatus, Paul Byrd's return to the Sox rotation was more than impressive. He scattered 3 hits and 3 walks over 6 shutout innings, and helped propel the Red Sox past Roy Halladay and the Toronto Blue Jays. The victory gave the Sox their first series sweep since they took 3 from Baltimore in Camden Yards at the start of August.

Alex Gonzalez is having the hot-streak of his life. He's 10 for his last 23 (.435). He's hit 3 HR and knocked in 11 RBI in only 15 games with the Sox. He was 2 for 3 this afternoon with a double and a triple.

It's just one start, and it was against a weak offense that wasn't prepared to face him, but if Byrd can come up with some Brad-Penny-in-April kind of starts, then things aren't so dodgy at the bottom end of the rotation.

It was apparently Old Timers Day at Fenway. Not only did 38 year old Paul Byrd look solid, 38 year old Billy Wagner was lights out in his Sox debut. He threw 16 pitches, 11 strikes, allowed 1 hit, and struck out the side in the 8th.



The Sox have Monday off before starting a HUGE 3 game series down in Tampa Bay. The Rays lost today, so the Sox are 5 games ahead of them in the loss column. Taking 2 of 3 down there would be a killer blow to the Rays.

Texas also lost, so the Sox have a 3.5 game lead over the Rangers.

-The Commodore

Hilarious

From: Jeff Peters
Date: Wednesday 8 April 2009 10.22am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Membership Renewal

Dear David

This is a friendly reminder to let you know your gym membership expired last week. Your membership is important to us and we would like to take this opportunity to show our appreciation by offering you a 20% discount on your membership renewal. We look forward to seeing you again soon.

All the best, Jeff Peters

From: David Thorne
Date: Wednesday 8 April 2009 1.37pm
To: Jeff Peters
Subject: Re: Membership Renewal

Dear Jeff,

Thankyou for your friendly reminder and the kind offer to reduce my membership by twenty percent. I own a calculator but I could not work out how to do percentages on it so have estimated that I save around $372.10 off the normal price of $420.00 - Please confirm that this is correct and I will renew my membership immediately. Also, do I get a Fitness First sports bag with towel and drinking bottle included in the price? I own my own legwarmers and headband.

Regards, David.

From: Jeff Peters
Date: Thursday 9 April 2009 10.01am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Membership Renewal Due

Hello David

How did you come to that amount? Our half year membership fees are actually $460 but with the 20% discount as an existing member your renewing membership fee would be only $368 for the six months saving you almost $100 off the normal price. We are not Fitness First so do not have those bags.

Cheers, Jeff

From: David Thorne
Date: Thursday 9 April 2009 10.18am
To: Jeff Peters
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Membership Renewal Due

Dear Jeff

Do I get free shipping with that?

Regards, David.

From: Jeff Peters
Date: Thursday 9 April 2009 12.48pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Membership Renewal Due

Free shipping with what? The $368 covers your membership fees for six months.

From: David Thorne
Date: Thursday 9 April 2009 2.26pm
To: Jeff Peters
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Membership Renewal Due

Dear Jeff

By the power of Greyskull that is a lot of money but I admit to being in desperate need of increasing my body strength. My ten year old child often turns the taps off in the bathroom very tightly and I have to go several days without washing. I feel bad constantly having to ask the lady from next door to come over and loosen them for me, what with her arthritis and limited wheelchair access to my apartment. To be honest, I originally joined your gym with full intentions of attending every few days but after waiting in vain for someone to offer me steroids, I began to suspect this was not going to happen and the realisation that I may have to exercise instead was, quite frankly, horrifying. My aversion to work, along with the fact one of your employees, Justin, was rather rude, telling me to 'lift this', ''push that' dulled my initial enthusiasm of becoming muscular and I stopped attending.

Regards, David.

From: Jeff Peters
Date: Friday 10 April 2009 9.17am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Membership Renewal Due

Hello David

Not sure how to take your email, nobody here would offer you steroids, it is illegal and none of our staff would do this. Justin is one of our most experienced trainers and if you found him rude while he was trying to be helpful and just doing his job then there are plenty of other gyms you could look at joining instead.

Cheers, Jeff


From: David Thorne
Date: Friday 10 April 2009 10.02am
To: Jeff Peters
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Membership Renewal Due

Dear Jeff

Yes, I have noticed that there are many gyms in my area. I assume the low qualification requirements of fitness trainers means that there is an over supply of these buffed but essentially otherwise purposeless professionals. I knew a guy in high school who couldn't talk very well and collected sticks, he used to call the teacher 'mum' and during recess we would give him money to dance. Then sell him sticks to get our money back. He went on to become a fitness instructor so I view gyms as kind of like those factories that provide a community service by employing people with down syndrome to lick stamps and pack boxes. Except with more Spandex obviously.

Regards, David.

From: Jeff Peters
Date: Friday 10 April 2009 10.32am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Membership Renewal Due

Go yourself.

From: David Thorne
Date: Friday 10 April 2009 11.38am
To: Jeff Peters
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Membership Renewal Due

Dear Jeff

I was, at first, quite surprised at your response; one minute you are inviting me to renew my membership and asking me for money, the next insulting me. After doing a little research however, I have learnt that mood swings are an expected side effect of steroid abuse. As another side effect is a reduction in the size of your penis, this gives you understandable cause to be an angry person. I have also learnt that Spandex contains carcinogenic properties so this does not bode well for yourself and your shiny friends. If I woke up one morning and my penis was a quarter of the size AND I had testicular cancer, I would probably take my anger out on those around me as well. There are probably support groups or websites that could help you manage your problem more effectively and picture based books available on the subject for people with limited reading skills. When I am angry I like to Listen to music by Linkin Park. The added angst and desire to cut myself works similarly to the way firefighters fight forest fires by burning off sections, effectively canceling each other out and I find myself at peace. I understand that you guys usually listen to Pet Shop Boys or Frankie Goes to Hollywood so this may be worth a try.

Regards, David.

From: Jeff Peters
Date: Friday 10 April 2009 1.04pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Membership Renewal Due

DO NOT EMAIL ME AGAIN

From: David Thorne
Date: Friday 10 April 2009 1.15pm
To: Jeff Peters
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Membership Renewal Due

Ok.

From: Jeff Peters
Date: Friday 10 April 2009 1.25pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Membership Renewal Due

Is that you being a smartarse or agreeing not to email me again?

From: David Thorne
Date: Friday 10 April 2009 1.32pm
To: Jeff Peters
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Membership Renewal Due

The middle one.

Jays @ Red Sox Preview (Lineup Is In)

Beckett needs to come out tonight, and prove that he is the ace of this team. He certainly hasn't pitched like it lately. Beckett got hit hard on Sunday against the Yankees, getting tagged for 8 runs and nine hits including a career high 5 HRs in eight innings of an 8-4 loss. That performance came 5 days after Toronto roughed up Beckett for 7 runs and 9 hits (three of them HRs) in 5 1-3 innings, though the Red Sox eventually won 10-9. The right-hander had been 3-0 with a 1.61 ERA in his prior four outings.

Beckett will be going against Scott Richmond. The rookie right-hander is 0-3 with a 5.48 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 23 innings over his four outings since returning from right shoulder tendinitis, which landed him on the disabled list July 4-28. He's 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA in two games against the Red Sox.

***UPDATE***

Looks like Ellsbury is fine, since he is in the lineup tonight. Here is how the rest of the lineup looks...

CF Ellsbury
2B Pedroia
1B Martinez
3B Youkilis
DH Ortiz
LF Bay
RF Drew
C Varitek
SS Gonzalez

Game starts at 7:10pm on NESN.

Jesus Being A Jerk

Things To Watch For In Tonight's Patriots Game

Well we are at the 3rd preseason game, and if you know football at all this is by far the most important. Usually this is the game when the starters play the deepest into the game. So here is what to watch for...

1. Running back Situation - We are finally going to get to see how the Patriots plan to use all their running backs. A lot of people have been saying how well Maroney has looked in camp. If he wants to get his touches then he is going to need to step up in this game.

2. Pat Chung needs to have a much better game. Last time out he muffed a punt, and missed some tackles. This is a team with Super Bowl aspirations, so a young guy like Chung really needs to play like he belongs all the time, or he will be riding the pine.

3. What is the deal with the patriots defense. Last time out they went 3-4, but there has been a lot of talk of switching to 4-3 (which I like). If they do go 4-3 is there really any need for Bruschi on this team? Watch for how they use him tonight...

4. Will Shawn Springs play? He hasn't yet, but you would really like to see him out there getting comfortable with the other guys on the defense. Keep an eye to see if he is out there and healthy.

5. This could be Watson's last game as a Patriot. He needs a big night to even stay on the roster. Keep an eye to see how they use him, and how he is able to preform.

Phil Kessel Update

"Trade talks surrounding Phil Kessel are heating up. The Boston Bruins don't have the cap space to sign the restricted free agent because the 21-year-old center is demanding $5 million. For the Bruins to sign Kessel, they would have to dismantle their roster to stay under the cap. At least three teams, including the New York Rangers, are rumored to be interested (ESPN)."

I would Kessel to be back on the Bruins, and for some reason I still think he will be, but for that to happen the Bruins are going to have to make a trade, or Kessel is going to have to back down. My guess is that Kessel backs down and signs a 1 year deal, and then try his luck again next offseason. We'll keep ya posted...

This Guy Is Just Dumb

Some people shouldn't be allowed to drive boats...

Cashman A Thorn In The Red Sox Side

Sox tried to put Chris Carter through waivers to make him the player to be named later in the Wagner trade. Cashman claimed him, forcing the Sox to basically keep Carter on their 40 man at least until the end of the year. Mets will still be able to acquire him over the winter, but now the Sox roster flexibility is a little less than it would be. Someone else will have to be taken off the 40 man in order to put Byrd on.

Man this this fucking annoying. It is a good move by the Yankees, and you would have to think Theo is just fucking pissed, but I respect it...

Friday...

The Best Parts Of Every Earnest Movie

Jared Allen Is The Man

This is Jared Allen's response to the whole Favre schism story:
"I don't think anyone on this team knows what schism means let alone use it in a sentence form. At first I thought schism was an STD, and I was like WOAH we practice abstinence here!"

Amazing.

Fat People Shouldn't Bull Ride

She didn't stand a chance...

Naked Man Hijacks Bus

You can't make this stuff up....

"An angry, naked man commandeered a school bus full of teenage students Thursday in Atlanta, police said. The man drove the bus for less than a mile before a student confronted him and the bus crashed into a wall off the road, according to police. The incident started Thursday afternoon when the bus stopped to let students out, said Atlanta police officer James Polite.

Arris Pitmon, 23, darted toward the bus and hoisted himself in through an open window, Polite said. Pitmon took control of the bus as the frightened driver ran to the back of it, the officer said. While the bus was moving, the man abandoned the steering wheel and walked toward the back of the bus, Polite added. A student then ran toward the steering wheel, prompting the man to fight the student. The unmanned bus continued until it left the roadway and crashed. Students fled the bus, many using the back door emergency exit, and onlookers subdued the man until police arrived (CNN)."

Going to school sucks enough without some dude in the birthday suit running in and crashing the bus into a wall. What I want to know was why this guy was running around naked? And then was like hmmmm YES!!!! A bus...I'm taking that shit!!!

Top 25 Under 25: #11 Mario Williams

Born: January 31, 1985

Mario Williams had it rough when he was drafted. People thought the Texans should have taken Reggie Bush or Vince Young. In his first year he struggled, and people were already calling him a bust. Boy were they wrong. In 2007 Williams had 14 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. In 2008 when teams started to notice that he was the real deal, and put two men on him he still put up 12 sacks. He is now one of the premiere DEs in the game, while Vince Young has lost his job, and Reggie Bush has moments of greatness, but has endless injury problems. Fort his efforts in the 2008 season Mario Williams was selected to the Pro Bowl.

He continues to grow as a player, and he seems like he could be starting a Hall of Fame career, which is only helped by the fact that he hasn't missed a game in his 3 year career. At only 24 years old Williams is already a top 5 DE in the NFL. Not too many people can say that have accomplished that at such a young age...

Grandma Hoe Attack

Wow, Brandon Marshall Is A Cunt

Just watch This

I really don't know what to think of this other than he is just a baby. He admitted he didn't bother with the playbook, and that he doesn't care. He said he wants to be traded, however, who is going to want to trade for this prick if he keeps acting like this. I really want to blame Josh McDaniels, however, I have never seen a grown man act like this before.

Irina Voronina Fired From Entourage For Not Getting Her Knees Dirty

"Irina Voronina was once a Playboy Playmate, is a regular on Adult Swim's first ever live action show Saul of the Mole Men on the Cartoon Network and has graced the pages of men’s mag "Perfect 10," but the Russian model said the worst treatment she ever received was from HBO’s "Entourage" boys during a guest role earlier this year.

"They were very rude and unprofessional and I was fired from the set along with another girl," Voronina told Tarts. "Technically we were told there wasn't space for us to be in the shot anymore, but we knew we were fired because we weren't nice to the actors. They just treated me like a piece of meat without any respect and every conversation would start and end with "what are you doing later?’"

"I decided that I was just going to be very reserved and rude and preferred never to talk to them, we wouldn't give them the time of day or any hope of there being an after party and we did not express that we were remotely interested in hanging out with them at any point, so I guess that made them upset and bitter," she added. "If there is a shot where we're all in the limo and the camera is rolling, it’s us all having fun, they have their hands all over us and then when the cameras stop I expect them to reel back to being normal, but they continued the partying off camera and we made that clear." HBO did not respond for comment but has previously dismissed the allegation as "unfounded and unsubstantiated (FoxNews)."

I think this makes me like Entourage even more. I always thought the guys on the show were basically playing themselves, and this kind of just proves it. All they want to party and fuck....good for them. Irina needs to get over her self. She does nude shoots, and the only reason she has a career is because she is made hot and looks slutty, so how can it be surprising that she was treated this way?

Friday...

Vick Does A Blah Job

I know, I know, I shouldn't have expected Vick to have an awesome game or have awesome highlights, but I did, so child please. But his stat line was 4 for 4 for 19 yards, and 1 rushing yard. I'm now questioning whether the Eagles made the right decision with Vick, because I don't really see how he will be incorporated into this offense without pissing Donovan McNabb off. I already foresee McNabb eventually blowing up when he is constantly being asked about Michael Vick. Lets face it Michael Vick is a starting QB time off or not, at one point he is going to grumble about not getting enough playing time and I don't know how the Eagles are going to handle it.

Daniels To Back-up Rondo?

Recently in a John Hollinger Chat On ESPN he answered a couple of questions regarding the Celtics, however, one question and answer stuck out in my mind.

Q. Who should the celts sign as back up PG?

JH: They already have a deal with their guy, Marquis Daniels, they just haven’t inked yet because they’re desperately trying to make it a sign and trade. Daniels will play with House in the backcourt with the second unit and they’ll trade assignments on D.

I don’t know if Daniels is best used as a 1, rather than a back-up to Pierce. Daniels has the handling of a one, but he isn’t a true point guard. Plus I would hate to waste his height there. There isn’t much difference mentally between him and Eddie House when it comes to playing the 1. He would be a shoot first, pass second player. So what is the solution? Either we sign some scrub point guard to waste a roster space, or we go internally and keep Eddie House at point or see what Lester Hudson can do. I don’t have a reason to really have this much faith in this kid, but I really think he can hold down the back-up point roll. Either way, I really think this is a situation that people are looking to deep into. When the Celtics won it all Eddie did just fine as the back-up, sure we tinkered with Sam Cassell (and that experiment failed miserably), but at the end of the day the Celtics won the chip with Eddie as the back-up.

USC Starting True Freshman QB Matt Barkley

"Matt Barkley felt honored and thrilled when he learned he'll be No. 4 Southern California's starting quarterback in his first college game. What this precocious freshman didn't feel was surprise. From the moment the nation's most coveted high school player chose the Trojans last year, he envisioned his first season on campus working out exactly this way. "I don't feel intimidated at all," Barkley said Thursday night after another practice with the first-team offense. "There's been some great quarterbacks here, we all know that, and I'm just excited to be a part of it. ... I've been preparing this whole time like I'm the starter. That's what I came in here in January hoping to do (Sportsline)."

From everything I have read this kid is going to be a stud, but I still question this move my Carrol. USC is supposed to be in the running for a National Championship, and at head of the team will be a true Freshman? It is ballsy, but I have to admit I kind of like it. When Carrol picks a QB he usually sticks with him until he goes pro or graduates, so USC seems to have a QB for the next 3-4 years. Should be fun to watch if this gamble pays off...

White Sox 5 Red Sox 9

I think Junichi Tazawa time in the majors is just about over. I was at the game last night, and let me tell you the 9 runs he let up don't tell you the whole story of how bad he pitched. The Sox didn't really help him with all the bad fielding, but every out was a laser.

After just 4 innings the Sox were down 9-0. Danks has a solid outing for the White Sox, but the Sox could have put a lot more runs on the board during the 5th inning, but poor base running by Pedroia cost them that chance. The game got so ugly that in the 8th and 9th innings the Sox put Nick Green on the mound, and he actually pitched 2 scoreless innings.

Jacoby Ellsbury left the game after suffering a high ankle sprain in the bottom of the fifth. Francona said he didn't think it was serious, but I really question if he will be able to play tonight.

With the loss the Sox are up just 1 1/2 games in the Wild Card race.

Chick Of The Day

Today's chick is Carin Ashley. Smoking.

For more Carin Click Here

White Sox @ Red Sox Preview (Lineup Is In)

Boston looks to complete a four-game sweep of Chicago and earn its eighth win in 10 games overall when the teams meet tonight. Junichi Tazawa will be going again John Danks. Tazawa has been a pleasant surprise for the Sox with a 2-2 record and a 3.57 ERA. Tazawa threw six scoreless innings in Saturday's 14-1 win over New York, giving up eight hits and two walks but holding the Yankees hitless in eight at-bats in RBI situations.

Danks is having a solid year with a 11-8 record and an ERA of 3.85. Danks has struggled against the Red Sox, losing all three times he's started while compiling a 6.06 ERA. He's pitched well lately, going 2-0 with a 1.66 ERA in his last three starts. He'll have to get through Ortiz though and he is a White Sox killer hitting .309 with 22 homers in 311 at-bats.


***UPDATE***

This is the Sox most deadly lineup...

1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. Victor Martinez, C
4. Kevin Youkilis, 1B
5. David Ortiz, DH
6. Jason Bay, LF
7. Mike Lowell, 3B
8. J.D. Drew, RF
9. Alex Gonzalez, SS


Game starts at 7:10pm on NESN.

September Run?

As the 2009 season heads toward September I still don’t feel as though the Red Sox have gained a real identity. Actually, more to the point, their perceived strengths have changed from month to month and we don’t really know what this team is capable of down the stretch. Is this a team that can strike fear into the Yankees if they meet up? Will they even make the playoffs? Let’s take a look at the three areas that have fluctuated at different points for the Sox.

Early on, the Sox’ superior rotation depth was supposed to leave them with a conundrum in June when future Hall-of-Famer John Smoltz would be waiting in the wings and Clay Buchholz ready if everything went south. Now as of August 27, everything went wrong and (great start from Tim Wakefield aside) he could be considered the third starter. I wish I had an answer to why Brad Penny and John Smoltz failed so badly in Boston or why Dice-K’s high-wire act from 2008 finally dissolved. The last time I was this wrong about a rotation was when I thought Jeff Suppan was the answer in 2003. We’ll have a better idea of whether this team will be making a deep run in October when we see how Dice-K looks upon his return and if Wakefield can stay healthy.

Next was the Jason Bay-led offense (despite the absence of David Ortiz). Bay had 15 home runs and 49 RBI by the end of May and that dreadlocked guy who used to reside in left field was no longer a fixture in WEEI conversation. A .230 June and .192 July from Bay shed light on the fact that not only is this offense not deep enough to succeed with its RBI man in a bad slump, but makes you wonder how it was able to produce runs early on in the season. Maybe Bay getting hot in the playoffs and pushing the Rays to a game 7 combined with the good start gave us the illusion this offense was just fine without Manny or Mark Teixeira.

While having Victor Martinez in the picture makes this lineup much more dangerous and I believe Kevin Youkilis to be the team’s MVP because of his versatility and consistent month-to-month numbers (at least 4 HR and 13 RBI in every month so far), it’s clear Jason Bay holds the key to this offense. The stats support the obvious result of him driving in runs as the Sox are 10-3 since July 26 when Bay drives in a run but when he’s hot it gives Youkilis, Martinez and Mike Lowell better pitches to hit.

The solid, consistent numbers from this bullpen would lead you to believe this could be its identity. I’ll ask you this, though: are you confident in these young guys in the playoffs? Daniel Bard’s eighth inning implosion on Sunday Night Baseball on August 9 in Yankee Stadium scared the hell out of me . I had visions of the Yankee magic of old when he gave up those bombs to Damon and Teixeira. He’s a young guy with some of the best stuff on the staff and I want to have confidence in him in that situation because it very well could present itself again in October. Bard’s bad outing aside, Ramon Ramirez has never pitched in the playoffs (even though he was on that ’07 Rockies team) and Manny Delcarmen hasn’t proven himself in the playoffs either.

Jonathan Papelbon hasn’t been exactly bullet-proof in 2009. He already has more walks this year than ’07 and ’08 combined. Needless to say, his command is a concern but he gets it done come October. Along with Papelbon, Hideki Okajima has been a rock for this team both in the playoffs and regular season. His value can’t be dismissed. I hope Billy Wagner is anything close to the guy with a 2.39 ERA but he’s spent his whole career in the NL and he isn’t exactly Sean Casey in the clubhouse.

The fact that this team hasn’t found a niche isn’t necessarily a bad thing. A rotation of Beckett, Lester, Wakefield, Buchholz and Tazawa/Dice-K/Bowden could be very good and Wagner could make an already deep bullpen the best in the majors. I think this offense has finally found itself and will be clicking in September. Terry Francona will earn his money in September as he juggles the offensive impact a Lowell/Martinez lineup has vs. the game calling and defense Jason Varitek brings. Good luck, Tito.

A few side notes:

-Look for a huge September from Dustin Pedroia. He’s been driving the ball again recently and I’d be shocked if he didn’t start showing more power soon.

-So long, Brad Penny. I won’t miss watching your John Wasdin-eqsue fastballs and overall d-bag mannerisms on the mound.

-How dumb is Tony Pena for locating his slider to Ortiz in the same exact spot he struck Youkilis out on? If I were a White Sox fan I’d take my nearest Ron Karkovice card and rip it to shreds.

-Shut up, Milton Bradley. No one likes you and you aren’t a good enough player for anything that you say or do to be considered real news.

-A .291 batting average with 2 homers and 9 RBI in August for Manny Ramirez in August. Feel free to make your own joke about Manny’s empty stats during a time in which his team has let the Rockies crawl to within 3 games of the division lead. Good stuff.

-Joe Mauer is a .373-hitting catcher with 25 home runs and more walks than strikeouts (52-49). I don’t care if the Twins are in the playoff hunt or not, he’s the AL MVP.

-Aaron Hill has 30 home runs. With a huge September he could be the fourth second baseman ever to hit 40 bombs. The others? Ryne Sandberg, Rogers Hornsby and Davey Johnson. Jay Bell came close with 38 in 1999 but no one has done it since Sandberg hit 40 in 1990.

-Chris Carpenter’s comeback has been impressive. If anything, he’s better than before.

Jenna Jameson Hot Again?

Looks a lot better then she did a year or two ago...

Proof That The Loch Ness Monster Exists

"This amazing image on Google Earth could be the elusive proof that the Loch Ness Monster exists. Sun reader Jason Cooke spotted "Nessie" while browsing the Web site's satellite photos. The shape seen on the surface of the 22-mile Scottish loch is 65ft long and appears to have an oval body, a tail and four legs or flippers. Some experts believe Nessie may be a Plesiosaur, an extinct marine reptile with a shape like the Google image.

"This is really intriguing. It needs further study," said researcher Adrian Shine, of the Loch Ness Project. Sightings have been claimed for centuries. To see the object, enter co-ordinates Latitude 57°12'52.13"N, Longitude 4°34'14.16"W in Google Earth (FoxNews)."

It is about damn time if you ask me. As long as Zombies aren't real I am cool with the rest of this stuff...

NL Teams Looking At Penny

"As Brad Penny, who was told by Boston Red Sox officials Wednesday night that he is being released, is being moved through waivers, at least three NL contenders -- the Colorado Rockies, San Francisco Giants and Florida Marlins -- have expressed interest in the veteran right-hander, sources said (ESPN)."

If I was an NL team I would grab him. If we have learned anything this year, we have learned that the NL is the AL's farm league. It is a joke (excluding the Phillies), so Penny will probably sign with one of these teams and be nasty down the stretch...

Skating With Paralysis

Laugh and you'll go to Hell...

Yea, I'll see you there.

Tony Batista Scares Asians

HAHAHAHAHA

Here Is An Interest Stat

Boston.com came up with this interesting tidbit of information...

There are two players who rank in the top five in home runs and RBI in the American League since May 20. Mark Teixeira is one. Who is the other?

Home runs
1. Carlos Pena, 24
2. David Ortiz, 22
3. Russell Branyan, 21
4t. Mark Teixeira, 20
4t. Nelson Cruz, 20

RBI
1. Bobby Abreu, 68
2. Mark Teixeira, 65
3. Justin Morneau, 63
4. David Ortiz, 62
5t. Joe Mauer, 60
5t. Juan Rivera, 60

His batting average might not be great, but he has been hitting the cover off the ball...

Top 25 Under 25 #12: Calvin Johnson

Born: September 25, 1985

23-year old Calvin Johnson was drafted second overall by the Lions in 2007. At 6’5 235 pounds, Johnson certainly fits the mold of a star wide receiver. When you combine that with a 4.35 40 yard dash, you get the second coming Randy Moss.

While that may be a bit gracious, Johnson certainly has the ability to be the NFL’s best receiver by the time his late twenties roll around. In his rookie season he caught 48 passes for 756 yards and 4 touchdowns. Fairly pedestrian numbers, however, he was the number two option behind Roy Williams and Jon Kitna was his quarterback… Not exactly a recipe for success. In his second season, CJ started all 16 games, and although the Lions struggled, Johnson excelled. Quarterbacks Dan Orlovsky, Daunte Culpepper, and Jon Kitna combined for 18 total touchdowns, 12 of which were received by Johnson. In addition to his 12 TD’s (tied for most in ‘08) Calvin had 78 receptions for 1,331 yards.

Johnson’s numbers will continue to grow as he matures, another factor to his success may be the play of rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford. Although Johnson has shown he doesn’t need an all-pro QB in order to put up numbers, it certainly wouldn’t hurt his situation to have somebody with a big arm getting him the ball. The Lions epitomize the current state of Detroit, but at least there is hope in a new foundation of Johnson and Stafford.

Derek Jeter and Minka Kelly Are Engaged

"ARE Derek Jeter and Minka Kelly (above) ready to take the next step? "Derek and Minka are secretly engaged," an insider told Page Six. The Yankee captain and the actress are telling close pals to "save the date" for nuptials in the fall. "The wedding is being planned and will take place after baseball season is over," said our source (NY Post)."

Derek Jeter is a guy I'll also hate, but at the same time I probably have more respect for him then anyone else...

Good for him. She is a hottie...

Grizzlies Make Offer To Iverson

"Allen Iverson twittered again Wednesday, saying the Grizzlies have made him an offer -- and Memphis says it's true. Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace told ESPN.com Wednesday night that negotiations between the sides have heated up to the point where the Grizzlies have made their first formal offer. "We're heading into the home stretch before the season, and we have had interest in Allen all summer," Wallace said. "We've been in touch on a fairly consistent basis and had dialogue with his agent, Leon Rose, since the beginning of free agency (ESPN)."

Iverson is all washed up, and is looking for 1 more contract before retirement. Don't get me wrong I actually think he'll have a good year with the Grizzlies, because he is at his best when he is the focus of the team. This is perfect for him, because he sucks on good teams...

Why Not?

Slow day....here are a bunch of funny signs