Previewing The Real Bowl Games

Okay, so we've had fifteen bowls or so and maybe three have been worth watching.  I'm sorry, but the San Diego Credit Union Poinsetta Bowl does not get me all tingly inside.  It just doesn't.  Neither did the New Mexico Bowl, the PapaJohns.com Bowl or the New Orleans Bowl between Florida Atlantic vs Memphis.  

The Eight Bowl Games I Am Looking Forward To:

1.  BCS Championship -- LSU vs Ohio State -- Okay, so I talked earlier in the fall about how I understood people saying we really don't need a playoff because the whole season is a playoff.  I'm taking that back.  A team with two losses (LSU) and a team that didn't beat anybody all year (OSU) should not be playing for the national title just because everybody else lost in the final weekend.  Hey, LSU is a great, great team, but are they one of the top two teams in the country?  Maybe.  Is Ohio State?  No, they are not.  This should be a good game, but yet again, the SEC speed will take over and dominate, especially in the Superdome, 50 miles from LSU's campus.  Prediction:  LSU - 37, OSU - 21.

 Louisiana State defensive lineman Glenn Dorsey, the best defensive player in the country.

2.  Sugar -- Georgia vs Hawaii -- Hawaii is undefeated and I truly believe they deserve a BCS shot, because A. they are undefeated and B. Boise State was undefeated last year and *sigh* beat my Sooners in the Fiesta.  I also know that in the last game of the year Hawaii was getting absolutely smoked 21-0 by Washington before coming back to win 35-28.  Hawaii's QB Colt Brennan is very good, but he's a system QB.  Chuck the ball deep and let his wide receiver's run underneath it.  He won't have time to do any of that.  Georgia's defense is fantastic and will swarm Brennan so he can't breath.  Bulldog's running back Knowshon Moreno will run wild on Hawaii's defense and Georgia whips Hawaii.  Prediction:  Georgia 41, Hawaii 27.

3.  Fiesta -- Oklahoma vs West Virginia -- Oklahoma is playing as good as any team in the country at the moment and with Mountaineers coach Rich Rodriguez leaving for Michigan, West Virginia might be in for a long night in the desert.  WVU also sent back 7,500 tickets that they didn't sell.  Sooner fans will probably eat those up and the stadium will be filled with Sooner Crimson.  After losing to Boise State last year, I expect the Sooners to make this a memorable game by taking care of business early and often.  Love Mountaineers QB Pat White, but is he 100%.  Prediction:  OU 35, WVU 27.

 Oklahoma All American linebacker Curtis Lofton makes big plays.

4.  Rose -- Illinois vs Southern Cal. -- Ron Zook has done amazing things in Champaign in his first couple years in Champaign, but taking on USC in the Rose Bowl is a whole different ball game.  USC was also one of the top couple teams at the end of the year and if a playoff were to be played, they would be one of the teams to beat.  The Trojans have a great defense, speed on offense and a healthy John David Booty.  Prognosis negative for the Illini.  Prediction:  USC 31, Illinois 21.

5.  Capital One -- Michigan vs Florida -- The year didn't turn out quite how Chad Henne, Mike Hart and Jake Long wanted for the Wolverines.  All three returned for their senior seasons for a chance to win the national championship.  Yeah, didn't happen.  On the other hand, the country found out that Tim Tebow wasn't just a running quarterback like he was as a freshman backing up Chris Leak.  The lefty did it all for the Gators in his Heisman Trophy season.  The losses can't be blamed on him.  On offense the Gators averaged 462 total yards and 43 points per game.  Tebow had 51 total touchdowns with 29 passing (vs only 6 interceptions).  He is the real deal.  Also, watch for lighting fast sophomore Percy Harvin for the Gators.  Prediction:  Florida 41, Michigan 28.

6.  Outback -- Wisconsin vs Tennessee -- The Badgers inexperienced secondary will be tested against Volunteer quarterback Erik Ainge and wide receiver Lucas Taylor and the return of tight end Joff Cottam.  To keep up, the Badgers will rely on fifth-year senior quarterback Tyler Donovan, All-American tight end Travis Beckum and running back P.J. Hill to keep up with the Vols.  Tennessee is 2-5 in their last seven bowl games; Wisconsin is 9-3 in it's last twelve.  Prediction:  Wisconsin 31, Tennessee 27.

Arkansas All World running back Darren McFadden has some muscle.

7.  Cotton -- Arkansas vs Missouri -- Chase Daniel and the Tigers should be playing in a BCS game after beating Kansas and Illinois (two teams who are in the BCS).  Tigers freshman kick/punt returner, Jeremy Maclin, is spectacular and a human highlight reel.  Arkansas has lost coach Houston Nutt to Mississippi after being run out of town.  The Razorbacks still have the best running back in the country in Darren McFadden, but in the past few days he has been going through some off the field stuff.  A car in his mother's name was supposedly bought in a shady deal.  The NCAA is looking into it.  Arkansas also has another fantastic running back in Felix Jones, who is expected to go in the first round of the draft, so points should be aplenty.  Prediction:  Missouri 41, Arkansas 34.

8.  Orange -- Kansas vs Virginia Tech -- The Jayhawks are 11-1, but they had one big game...and lost.  Don't get me wrong, Kansas is fun to watch and quarterback Todd Reesing is a pinpoint passer.  A. This is a BCS game and should feature a team better than Kansas and B. Virginia Tech deserves to play somebody better.  The Hokies defense should contain Reesing like they did every other quarterback they faced this year (besides the last two minutes of the first Boston College game when Matt Ryan went off for two touchdowns).  Hokies freshman quarterback Tyrod Taylor helped VT win the ACC with his arm and his legs.  If Kansas thought Missouri was good, they are in for a rude awakening.  Hokies easy.  Prediction: Virginia Tech 31, Kansas 17.

 Virginia Tech freshman quarterback Tyrod Taylor led the Hokies to the ACC Championship.

Also, Auburn vs Clemson should be a great matchup.  Florida State vs Kentucky should be fun because Wildcats quarterback Andre Woodson can go deep and Florida State has 36 players suspended for the game after being caught in a cheating scandal.  The Sun Bowl will definitely miss Oregon's injured QB Dennis Dixon who took the Ducks to No. 2 in the country. 

The Best Hockey Goal Ever...

 Absolutely incredible

And it was scored by a NINE YEAR OLD!!!

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Merry Christmas From Coldplay

 Last Christmas I gave you my heart.  The very next day you gave it away....

The best band in the world, but I might be a little biased.

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This Is Ingrid Michaelson

 'If you are chilly, here, take my sweater....'

The Way I Am by Ingrid Michaelson

Seinimation - The Big Race

'I CHOOSE NOT TO RUN!'

R.I.P. Sean Taylor

 R.I.P. Sean Taylor

One of the best defensive players in the NFL passed away early Tuesday morning after being shot in the leg.  Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor, 24, had been shot by an intruder who broke down his bedroom door and fired two shots, with one hitting Taylor just below the groin in the femoral artery which caused massive blood loss.

After an All American career at the University of Miami, Taylor was the fifth player drafted in the 2004 NFL draft by the Redskins.  Taylor, who leaves a girlfriend and a 1-year-old daughter, Jackie, behind, will be remembered as a hard-hitting safety who was quiet and rarely gave interviews. 

 Taylor signs an autograph for a lucky fan.

Sean's father, Pedro Taylor, said this morning 'It is with deep regret that a young man had to come to his end so soon.  Many of his fans loved him because the way he played football. Many of his opponents feared him the way he approached the game. Others misunderstood him, many appreciated him and his family loved him."

R.I.P. Sean Taylor.  You were a fantastic football player and left this earth long before you should have. 

College Basketball's Dominating Freshman Class

 Rose, number 23, has already graced the cover of ESPN the magazine.

With the college basketball season in full swing, fantastic freshman are popping up all around the country.  This isn't unusual.  Every year players come from high school where they dominate and dominate in college.  What is unusual is the number of players this year.  Last year there were two:  Greg Oden and Kevin Durant.  Both have graduated to the NBA.  This year there is at least six players who can take over and lead their team deep into the postseason.  These top six could start for any team.  They have the potential to be top 5 picks in next years NBA draft and all six could win national player of the year honors...as freshman.

This is my top eight list of college basketball freshman:

1.  Derrick Rose, Memphis -- Without Rose, the Tigers are a top 5 team with a chance to win the national title.  With Rose, they are nearly unstoppable.  Rose, who is being called the second coming of Jason Kidd, can do everything, but what he is doing for Memphis that the Tigers needed is being a leader.  Memphis always had talent, but Rose is the glue that will keep them together.  Watch for Memphis in March.

 Love has been dominating for the Bruins already scoring 21 points and having 11 rebounds for a win over Michigan State and being named MVP of the CBE Classic early in his freshman year.  Don't you Love it?  (Sorry, had to do that)

2.  Kevin Love, UCLA -- Love is another player who fills a need much like Rose with Memphis.  Love is a force down low and is the center the Bruins have been missing the past couple years.  As a son of a former NBA player, he has the smarts, the passing ability, and the 15-foot jumper to be an amazing collegiate and professional player.  Love has said he wants to stay for four years.  How many top freshman do you hear that out of?  The Bruins have been to the Final Four the last two years.  What have they been missing?  A center.  Check.

3.  Michael Beasley, Kansas State -- Beasley is another dominating force in the middle as his numbers are already showing (30 points per game, 20 rebounds per game).  He came to Manhattan, Kansas to play for the master coach and recruiter, Bob Huggins.  When Huggins left for West Virginia, KSU fans wondered if Beasley would follow Huggins to WVU.  Thankfully for Wildcats, Beasley is in uniform this year and is leading the team in nearly every category.  KSU has the number two ranked incoming class of freshman (including top five player from last year, Billy Walker) and if they stay together for a year or two without defecting to the pro's, Manhattan will be in for some fun winters.  UPDATE:  Beasley scored 30 points and had 10 rebounds in a loss to George Mason on Thursday night.  WAY below his average.  Slacker!

4.  Eric Gordon, Indiana -- Gordon is from Indiana but committed to Illinois then turned his back on the Illini when then new coach Kelvin Sampson started calling from his office at Indiana.  Illinois coaches and fans are still not happy about this nearly two years later and Gordon will hear the boo's when he arrives to play.  What Indiana has is a 6'4 guard who can play three positions and gives the Hoosier's what they desperately need: a shooter.  With D.J. White inside, Gordon will open up the inside and give White move to roam.  Gordon will be the best freshman in the Big 10 and should also be first team All-Big Ten this year too.

5.  O.J. Mayo, USC -- Mayo has been talked about as the next Lebron James for the last five years.  As a seventh grader in Kentucky (that is not a misprint, seventh grader), he played varsity high school basketball and scored 27 points in his first game.  The hype just grew from there.  Mayo played for four different high schools playing his last two years in his true hometown of Huntington, West Virginia.  Mayo faced some trouble when a car he was in was pulled over and found to have marijuana in it.  Charges were eventually dropped.  Mayo was also kicked out of a game his senior year for shoving a referee.  Mayo's reputation has been shady at best, but from all indications his first few months out in Los Angeles, he's been polite with coaches, teammates and students at USC and just wants to 'help the team' as he says.  Let's hope it stays that way.  Trojan Coach Tim Floyd is expecting Mayo for only one year before he leaves for the NBA. 

6.  Kyle Singler, Duke -- Singler is a 6'8 versatile small forward who has walked into the Blue Devil's starting lineup.  For South Medford High School in Oregon, he led his school to a record of 110-10 over four years.  As a senior, he averaged 29 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals per game.  Versus a top fifteen Marquette team, Singler scored 25 points.  What more needs to be said?  He is absolutely fantastic and makes Duke a much, much better team.

 Ohio State's Koufos scored 24 in helping the Buckeys beat Syracuse.

7.  Kosta Koufos, Ohio State -- The seven-footer is more of a finesse player than the center he replaces in Columbus (Oden), but Koufos is bigger and has already helped the Buckeyes immensely already.  Buckeyes Coach Thad Matta is trying to keep the pressure off Koufos, but he is already leading the Buckeyes.  Koufos scored 18 points in his first game (a win of UW-Green Bay), 19 in his second game and 24 in a win over Syracuse in the preseason NIT.  Matta is trying to keep the lid on Koufos but when a freshman is shining already it will be hard to keep him down.  Greg Oden is forgotten already.... Also watch out for another freshman in Columbus.  Jon Diebler.  What's special about Mr Diebler?  You mean other than the fact he averaged 41 points per game in high school?  Read more about Koufos at ESPN.com here.

8.  Johnny Flynn, Syracuse -- The 6 foot point guard has already stepped into the starting lineup and produced a game winning three for the Orange in the Preseason NIT vs Saint Joseph's.  Another team with talent galore who needed a leader, the 'Cuse missed out of the NCAA Tournament last year, primarily because they didn't have a point guard.  Well, they do now and he is producing already. 

 

This Is What I Want

 Unfixable.  Obviously.

This is what I want to be told:  I want to be told that I am great.  I want to be told I have changed your life forever.  I want to be told that I'll never find anybody like you.  Then I want to be told I don't make enough money.  Then I want to be told I don't fit.  Then I want to be told I'm broken.  Then I want to be told I need to fix things.  Then I want to be told what to do. 

When a person is never going to be happy is there any reason to try and make them happy?  When they come from a background that is completely different than yours (and definitely not better), can it work?  Should you even try?  If somebody is told that it's not going to work, should you just listen to what you are being told and not follow your heart? 

I guess so.  But I am wrong.  I am broken.  I need to work on things.  I need to change my life.  You are perfectly fine the way you are.  Don't follow your heart, it never makes anybody happy in this life. 

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Backstreet Boys in Full Effect

 You go girl...

FINALLY!  A girl that knows how to dance....

Larry King Asks Jerry Seinfeld If Seinfeld Was Canceled

 Come on Larry, figure it out.

Jerry Seinfeld was on Larry King Live last week to promote his new movie, Bee Movie.  During the interview, Larry, being the bright interviewer that he is, asked Jerry if his NBC hit sitcom, Seinfeld, had been canceled.  Seinfeld's last episode was seen by 75 MILLION VIEWERS!  Are you kidding Larry?  Get with the program.

BO RYAN DOES THE SOULJA BOY!!!

Try telling me that Bo Ryan is not the coolest person on earth.

Christopher McCandless and other quotes from Into the Wild

'If you want something in life, reach out in grab it.' -- McCandless

'I read somewhere... how important it is in life not necessarily to be strong... but to feel strong.' -- McCandless

'Rather than love, than money, than faith, than fame, than fairness... give me truth.' -- McCandless

'Some people feel like they don't deserve love. They walk away quietly into empty spaces, trying to close the gaps of the past.' -- McCandless 

'If we admit that human life can be ruled by reason, than all possibility is destroyed.' -- McCandless

'The core of mans' spirit comes from new experiences.' -- McCandless

'When you forgive, you love. And when you love, God's light shines upon you.' -- Ron Franz

"So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more dangerous to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man’s living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greather joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun." -- Chris McCandless

This Is Why College Football Is Great!

This is the first year that I've truly understood what some college football experts mean when they say the whole year is a playoff.  As it looks right now, no team will be undefeated at years end.  Why do I love college football?  Saturday was the No. 1 reason.  Great games, exciting plays and every emotion.

 Kentucky players celebrate their win over LSU on Saturday.

On Saturday, Louisiana State, one team everybody thought looked invincible, was beaten 43-37 in three overtimes by Kentucky.  Also, No. 2 California, with backup redshirt freshman quarterback Kevin Riley leading the Bears down the field in the final minute, let the clock run out inside the ten yard line and lost to Oregon State 31-28.  Down by 3 with 15 seconds left and no timeouts, Riley scampered around and took off for the endzone, but was tackled and the clock run out. 

 Cal coach Jeff Tedford was expecting overtime, but instead left with a loss in regulation.

With Cincinnati losing to Louisville, four teams remain undefeated.  Ohio State who ran roughshod over Kent State 48-3, Boston College is 7-0 after beating Notre Dame 27-14, South Florida who had a bye (or beat Central Florida 64-12....same thing) and Arizona State.  The Sun Devils are ranked No. 14 and have no chance of jumping over a bunch of one-loss teams (i.e. Rutgers of last year when they were undefeated until late in the season).  ASU beat Washington 44-20. 

I don't believe any of these undefeated teams can stay unbeaten for the rest of the year.  Ohio State plays Michigan State next weekend but Michigan waits in a couple of weeks and with a young quarterback, the Buckeyes will struggle to run the table in the Big 10.  Boston College looks good, but the Eagles take on Virginia Tech in Blacksburg next Thursday night in a nationally televised game on ESPN.  Doubtful the Eagles will walk out of there with a win.  South Florida travels to Rutgers this Thursday and will not be undefeated on Friday.  Arizona State?  They will not get through the rest of the Pac-10.  Cal, USC, UCLA, etc, etc, etc. 

What happens in the national championship?  Get ready for the one loss game.  Oklahoma vs LSU would be my guess right now.  LSU obviously will have to run the table from here on out in the SEC and rise back up the rankings after last night's loss.  Oklahoma, who last night beat Missouri in Norman, have already beaten Texas and will walk through the Big 12. 

I'm all for a playoff in college football, but now I understand that we have a playoff already to a certain extent.  Teams are playing their way into a BCS game (Boston College, Ohio State, Oklahoma) and playing their way out (Florida, Michigan, Wisconsin, Notre Dame...well, the Irish will probably still get a BCS bid even if they go 1-11). 

Into the Wild trailer.

This is Chris McCandless

 Chris McCandless sitting by the abandoned bus in Alaska he lived in a for a couple months.

"So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more dangerous to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man’s living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greather joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun." -- Chris McCandless

Bill Simmons ESPN Sunday Morning

 Instead of a quarterback....you should have been a waterboy....

Okay, so the last video I wanted to put up (Fantasy football draft commercial with a dude who can't pronounce T.J. Houshmandzadeh...up now on my myspace page) wouldn't go through, I'm putting up this awesome video.  Bill Simmons is a writer for ESPN.com and also wrote for Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Upset Saturday in College Football

 Freshman kicker Wes Byrum made a 43 yard field goal as time expired to give Auburn a win over No. 4 Florida.

My Top Eight Observations From Upset Saturday in College Football:

1.  Tim Tebow isn't all that.  Yet.  Tebow came in last year for the Gators, ran for a few first downs, pumped up the crowd and....Chris Leak won Florida the National Title.  This year Tebow has to do everything including be the running game.  He is special and will be great, but Saturday Auburn's defense showed Tebow isn't ready to lift the Gators to back-to-back National Title's. 

2.  So Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford isn't ready for the big time yet.  But up 24-7 at the half, the Sooners still should have beaten a sad Colorado team.  Where is the best defense in the country?  Where is the amazing wide receivers?  Where is the All-American running backs?  Somebody else has to step up. 

3.  South Florida has talent galore and beating West Virginia on Friday was not an upset.  USF beat the Mountaineers last year and went up and down the field vs a poor WVU defense this year.  Yes, West Virginia has injuries but who doesnt?  You need to beat teams you are better than to play for the National Title.  South Florida is a better team than West Virginia.  Bar none.

4.  Kansas State put a whipping on Colt McCoy and the Texas Longhorns.  The sophomore quarterback had four interceptions and was knocked out of the game in the fourth quarter with a 'mild concussion.'  Most people who know me know that I have never liked Texas.  I am an Oklahoma fan yes, but I don't think UT coach Mack Brown gets the most out of his players.  This year won't be any different.  Especially with that scrawny quarterback of his getting knocked around like he did on Saturday. 

5.  For the second year in a row, Rutgers reached the top 10.  For the second year in a row, the Scarlet Knights promptly lost the first week after being ranked in the top 10.  Hey, Rutgers coach Greg Schiano is great and is working wonders.  Don't expect conference championships and BCS games just yet.

6.  Georgia Tech upended a Clemson team that ran all over them last year.  Clemson running backs James Davis and C.J. Spiller ran for 332 yards vs Georgia Tech last year.  This year?  62.  Big difference and a win for the Rambling Wreck. 

7.  Cal beating Oregon in Eugene isn't an upset but it was a fantastic game.  In the games final moments, Oregon wide receiver Cameron Colvin stretched for the goal line and fumbled the ball into the endzone.  The Bears took over and ran the clock out.  A great game and two teams who will give USC all they can handle this year.  Desean Jackson caught 11 passes for 160 yards and two touchdowns.  I love Arkansas' Darren McFadden but in my mind Jackson is the most exciting player in the country. 

8.  Illinois beat Penn State for the first time in my life.  Actually, I'm not sure when the Fighting Illini last beat the Nittany Lions, but it has to have been a long time.  PSU QB Anthony Morelli had three interceptions and Illinois freshman wide receiver, Arrelious Benn, is living up to his hype returning a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown and caught 6 passes for 84 yards and another touchdown.  Ron Zook will always be able to recruit and if the recruits play to their ability, the Big 10 will have a new contender. 

** Looking towards next weekend:  Next Thursday the college football weekend starts off with a bang.  No. 8 Kentucky and their Heisman trophey candidate, Andre Woodson, travel to South Carolina to take on the Old Ball Coach, Steve Spurrier.  Early on Saturday, the fifth-ranked and undefeated Wisconsin Badgers travel to Champaign to face Juice Williams, Arrelious Benn and upstart Illinois.  The Red River Shootout lost a little bit of it's luster this weekend with both Oklahoma and Texas losing but I guarantee this game in Dallas will be a war.  Both teams still have the Big 12 title on their minds and a BCS bowl game. 

No. 12 Georgia and quarterback Matthew Stafford travel to Knoxville to face Tennessee.  No. 15 Virginia Tech travels to Clemson to play the 22nd ranked Tigers.  Undefeated Cincinnati travels to Rutgers riding quaterback Ben Mauk.  Mauk helped the Bearcat offense score on six of it's first seven possessions.  Mauk also threw for four second quarter touchdowns to lead the No. 20 Bearcats to a 52-21 win over San Diego State.  Ohio State and the No. 4 ranked Buckeyes take on undefeated and No. 23 ranked Purdue Boilermakers in West Lafayette, Illinois.  Purdue QB Curtis Painter could do no wrong vs Notre Dame throwing for 252 yards and two touchdowns. 

The weekends best game starts at 7pm central time on CBS with Florida, stewing over their loss to Auburn, traveling to Baton Rouge to take on the new No. 1 in the country, LSU.  All-American defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey and the best D line in the country will be swarming all over Tim Tebow and the Gators. 

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmanidiot is Clueless!

 'I am clueless!!!'

“In Iran we don’t have homosexuals like in your country. In Iran we do not have this phenomenon. I don’t know who’s told you that we have this.”

- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, speaking at Columbia University in NYC on Monday

** Wait, wait, wait.  Iran doesn't have them or this guy doesn't know it's 2007?  Right you are.

Manchester United Thrashes Chelsea!

         2        -          0         

On Sunday, Manchester United added to Chelsea's misery with a 2-0 win at Old Trafford.  Without their beloved manager, Jose Mourinho, and Chelsea down to ten men, Man United's summer signee Carlos Tevez scored a fantastic header in what would turn out to be the game winner in the 45th minute.  Mikel Jon Obiwas sent off for the Blues in the 30th minute for a studs up tackle on Patrice Evra.  Louis Saha finished the scoring in second half injury time with a penalty after being taken down by Chelsea defender Ben Haim. 

 Giggs' wonderful cross was headed in by Tevez in the 45th minute

Both managers left the game with a bitter taste in their mouth.  New Chelsea manager, Avram Grant, was upset about Obi Jon being sent off and also about the penalty handed to Saha.  Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, was furious at the Blues Joe Cole for a tackle he thought should have sent him off.  Cole slid at Cristiano Ronaldo in the second half and took his legs out from under him while making no effort for the ball. 

 Chelsea fans will miss Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho Leaves Chelsea!

 Mourinho never looked happy in charge at Stamford Bridge.

After Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Rosenborg in the Champion's League, Jose Mourinho has informed his player's he was leaving through mutual consent with Russian oil tycoon and Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich.  Mourinho, who has had numerous run-in's with the owner, leaves Chelsea just four days before his team faces Manchester United in a big clash at Old Trafford on Sunday.

 Abramovich has spent a lot of money and wants to win...now.

Mourinho hinted he was ready to leave the Blues this past summer saying he was 'a bit fed up' with things at the club.  Some of what Mourinho is talking about is not getting the money he'd like to buy players and having Abramovich hovering over his every move didn't help.  Also, Chelsea have spent approximately $800 million over the past four years on players who have not lived up to their billing.  Andriy Shevchenko, from AC Milan, and Michael Ballack (Bayern Munich) are just two big names who have not made an impact at Chelsea. 

 GLORY GLORY MAN UNITED!!!  :)

I'm O.J. Simpson's Defense Attorney

 Yeah, would never hurt a soul....

Dear O.J.,

As your legal council, I have to tell you that you're an idiot.  First of all, you killed Ron Goldman and Nicole.  That's obvious.  Second, this 'alleged armed robbery' thing in Vegas.  What were you thinking exactly?  Before being arrested on Sunday, you gave interviews saying the stuff was yours.  Please explain to me why, if you thought this memorabilia was yours, that you had to crash through this door, guns raised, scream at people to get up against the walls and take off with this stuff. 

I am lost in the confusion that is O.J. Simpson.  I understand you probably don't have much money.  Everything you earn goes to the Goldman family and your kids....of which, you probably spend yourself.  This book you wrote 'If I Did It' describes you how you killed...I mean, would have killed Ron and Nicole if you had the chance.  What is wrong with you?  Why can't you just sit in your big mansion in Florida (which can not be taken away by the Goldman family) and die off quietly? 

Last, but not least, I quit.  You are not bright and you need to be put in jail for the rest of your life.  Best of luck with your latest legal woes.

Sincerely,

Ryan A. Wilmot

P.S. You owe me $7,453,692.  I will expect that check in the mail in the next week.  Thanks

HEY EVERYBODY, WE'RE GOIN' STREAKING!!!

 Don't worry guys, you don't see anything. 

Haha.  This is hysterical.  We've seen streakers in sports before, but this one is different.  Not one, not two, but three streakers on the same field.  Absolutely fantastic.  You know when the next streaker is on the field, because the girl doing the taping starts screaming at the top of her lungs.  Wild, wild stuff.

Oklahoma Reloads

 Mr Sam Bradford will lead the Sooners to another Big 12 title.

You'd think with the best running back in college football, Adrian Peterson, leaving for the NFL, Oklahoma would have problems running the football.  Not quite.  You'd think with starting quarterback, Paul Thompsen, graduated, Bob Stoops and his Sooners would have trouble finding a successor.  Well, think again college football fans. 

Just one game into the 2007 season and these two questions have already been answered.  Granted, Oklahoma did just beat North Texas on Saturday 79-10, but redshirt freshman QB Sam Bradford went 21 of 23 for 363 yards and three touchdowns.  With a fantastic defense behind him, Bradford showed what is needed for the Sooners to win this fall; short, crisp passes, keeping the mistakes to a minimum and hand the ball to another top running back

 The next Heisman Trophy winner for the Sooners is DeMarco Murray.

Speaking of the running game, the top running back in high school football in 2005 watched last year and waited patiently for his shot.  DeMarco Murray, a Parade first-team All-America and ESPN's No. 1 running back, showed Saturday why he is so hyped.  Rushing only 17 times for 87 yards (5.2 per carry), Murray was patient when needed and showed the burst in the open field (4.43 in the 40 yard dash) that will come in handy this Saturday vs Miami (Fla.) and new, defensive-minded coach Randy Shannon.  (The Sooners also still have Senior Allen Patrick who stepped in extraordinarily well when Peterson went down with his broken collarbone last fall.)

With the pressure in Norman always at fever pitch for a Big 12 and National Title, Stoops has his work cut out for him, but with Murray and Bradford stepping in and stepping up early, this takes the pressure off.  Well, just a little bit.

** Also on Saturday, Notre Dame freshman quarterback Jimmy Clausen starts for the Irish as they travel to Happy Valley to take on Penn State.  Clausen, as coach Weis has said, gives the Irish the best chance of winning, but don't expect much of that this year.  With a young offensive line and a weak running game, Clausen will take his lumps.  Next fall, however, Clausen will show why he was the best quarterback in the country last year.  With a rifle for an arm and mobility to run away from defenses, Clausen will lead Notre Dame back into the top 10.  But like I said...not until next year. 

 

 

Any of you know who Todd Marinovich is?

 Times long gone by for Todd....

I'm pretty sure hardly any of you know who Todd Marinovich is.  Let me give you the rundown.  When I was in high school, I heard of a quarterback in high school who was out of this world.  He could run, he could pass, he could do everything.  We've heard of a lot of those quarterback's over the years (Jimmy Clausen, Ron Powlus, Tim Tebow, etc).  Marinovich was different.  Why you ask?  Well, his dad was completely crazy.  His dad didn't let his son do ANYTHING.  He couldn't go out past dark, he couldn't drink soda and didn't let his son eat out.  Ever!  Todd actually didn't have a cheeseburger at McDonald's until he was in COLLEGE.  Are you serious?  I know this because it was big news when he actually had gone to McDonald's. 

Yo Pops, I completely agree that McDonald's is not healthy food, but you need to let you son live a little.  The elder Marinovich figured he was doing what was best for his son and up until college, he was.  Todd was the best high school football player in the country.  He was a decent quarterback in college at USC, but bombed, and I mean BOMBED, at the pro level and was out of the NFL by the time he sneezed.  Marinovich played Arena league for a while before turning to music as his way of life.

Why is this news now you ask?  Well, Tuesday night Marinovich was arrested for the *ahem* TENTH time for drug possession while skateboarding in Newport Beach, Cali and resisting arrest.  While skateboarding in an illegal area, police officers wanted to talk to him (that's no big deal), he bolted.  The police caught up with him a mile or so away and in his guitar case was his green.  (This is one reason he's been known as Todd Marijuanavich).

In 2005, Marinovich was arrested for drug possession and child pornography.  On the police report, also in Newport News, Marinovich listed his occupation as 'unemployed artist' and 'anarchist.'  It's hard to believe that at one time he was listed as the top high school football player in the land.  ESPN listed Marinovich as the No. 4 sports flop EVER.  Yeah, so he was good at one pointed..then well...he stunk.

In conclusion, you parents out there, let your children live a little bit.  If you don't, this is what you will have to deal with for the rest of your lives as parents.  Well, maybe.

R.I.P. Antonio Puerta

 You will be sorely missed Antonio.

One of Spain's bright young football stars, Antonio Puerta, has passed away at the age of 22.  Puerta collapsed from a heart attack *sigh* during a match over the weekend and died of 'multiple organ failure stemming from prolonged cardiac arrest' and subsequent coronary problems. 

'Today is one of the saddest days in the history of Sevilla Football Club,' A tearful Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido told reporters.  'That diamond left foot of Antonio Puerta's has left us, that left foot that changed our lives has left us.'

 Puerta would have helped Sevilla win La Liga this year.

Making this story even more sad, if that can really happen, Puerta is survived by his wife...who is six weeks away from making Puerta a father.  Incredibly, incredibly sad story.

Michael Vick Should NEVER Play In The NFL Again!

 'I look good in dis suit dough....'

I have followed Michael Vick since his high school career in Virginia, through his years at Virginia Tech and to the Atlanta Falcons.  It's been hard not to be amazed by all that is Michael Vick.  On the field, it seemed he could do anything.  As a quarterback, he's been the most athletic player in the history of the game.  Off the field, as we have found out in recent weeks, it seems he can also do anything...amazingly in poor, sad taste.

I am completely and utterly disgusted with Michael Vick.  Hey, he flipped off his fans last season.  So be it, the competitive nature gets ahold of people at times and they lose it.  I understand.  A secret compartment in his water bottle that smelled like marijuana?  No biggie, charges were not pressed so you can't really hold it against him, can you?  Or can you? 

In July of this year, Vick and three other men were charged by federal authorities with felony charges of operating an unlawful six-year long interstate dogfighting venture known as 'Bad News Kennels' at Vick's 15-acre property in Surry County, Virginia.  Vick was accused of financing the operation, directly participating in dog fights and executions, and personally handling thousands of dollars in related gambling activities. 

Vick agreed to a plea bargain for the federal charges on August 20 and will plead guilty to a single felony conspiracy charge on August 27.  He and the three other men are expected to each receive federal prison sentences between 12 months and a maximum of five years.  His sentencing date has not yet been set.  Possible state charges in Virginia in the matter have not yet been determined, but a grand jury will meet on September 25.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell directed Vick not to report to training camp and has stated that he wants the legal processs to run its course before he rules on Vick's future in the league.  Today, August 24, 2007, Goodell indefinitely suspended Vick without pay.  In a letter from the Commissioner to Vick informing him of the suspension, Goodell states 'Even if you personally did not place bets, as you contend, your actions in funding the betting and your association with illegal gambling both violate the terms of your NFL Player Contract and expose you to corrupting influences in derogation of one of the most fundamental responsibilities of an NFL player.'  In addition to making Vick's playing future in the NFL doubtful, the suspension also allows for the Atlanta Falcons to 'assert any claims or remedies' to recover the $22 million signing bonus from Vick's 2004 contract.'

If I were to play Devil's advocate, I would have to say that Michael Vick was not brought up in the best situation.  His mother and father were 16 and 17 respectively when he was born.  His parents had three other children, lived in a public housing project named 'Ridley Circle Homes' that was financially depressed and a crime-riddled area.  They lived in one of the worst areas of Newport News where drive-by shootings, drug dealers and other killing's were 'common occurences.' 

It's hard to throw the book at Vick, but what else are you supposed to do?  Give him some time off to think about the problems he has caused himself, the Atlanta Falcons players, fans and the city of Atlanta?  Bring him back in a couple of years?  He will be nearly 30 in a couple years and his skills will soon start to diminish.  Would another team in the NFL want to give Vick a shot? 

I'm sorry, but with what I have learned recently, my contention is Michael Vick should never play in the NFL again.  I left out the nice details of how Vick actually killed these dogs because they are unnecessary, but are a vital reason in my decision.  It's incomprehensible how a human being can do what he has done to these dogs.  Vick also lied to Arthur Blank, owner of the Falcons, by saying he had 'nothing' to do with the dog fighting ring.  Enough said.  I never want to see Vick again in the National Football League. 

** Read more about the plea bargain at ESPN.com here.

This is Colbie Caillat

 Fall in love with this song.  I have.

Bubbly by Colbie Caillat

(will you count me in)

I've been awake for a while now
You've got me feeling like a child now
Cause everytime I see you're bubbly face
I get the tinglies in a silly place

(chorus)
It starts in my toes and I crinkle my nose
Wherever it goes, I always know
You make me smile please stay for a while now
Just take your time, wherever you go

The rain is falling on my window pain
But we are hiding in a safer place
Undercover staying safe and warm
You give me feelings that I adore

Its starts in my toes, make me crinkle my nose
Wherever it goes, I always know
You make me smile please stay for a while now
Just take your time, wherever you go

What am I gonna say
When you make me feel this way
I just...hmmmm......

And it starts in my toes makes me crinkle my nose
Wherever it goes, I always know
You make me smile please stay for a while now
Just take your time, wherever you go

I've been asleep for a while now
You tuck me in just like a child now
Cause everytime you hold me in your arms
I'm comfortable enough to feel your warmth

It starts in my soul and I lose all control
When you kiss my nose, the feeling shows
Cause you make me smile
Baby just take your time now
Holding my tight....

Wherever, wherever, wherever you go
Wherever, wherever, wherever you go
Oh wherever you go, I always know
Cause you make me smile even just for a while

Thank You Adam Levine!

 Wake up girl....you need something more, you can't just lay there....

Lead singer for the rock band Maroon 5, Adam Levine, has completely ruined any visions I might have of Maria Sharapova in the future.  The two had a romance a couple years back but the musician had to call it off.  Why you ask?  Maria sucked in the sack.  I knew she had to be bad at something. 

Said Levine:  “She wouldn’t make any noise during sex. I can’t tell you how disappointed I was. I really thought, like a lot of guys, that she’d be the loud screaming type. But instead, she just lay there like a dead frog. She even got angry if I started to moan, said it ‘ruined her concentration.’ It was so disillusioning that I went on Paxil for a month afterwards. Really, it was much more of a shock than when I found out there’s no such thing as the Easter Bunny.”

Andy Roddick dated her a year back too.  Let's get his thoughts.  Anybody have his e-mail addy?  I lost it.

Obviously I Like Sports....

 Dish Network gets the Big Ten Network.  How about every other television company get BTN and Charter can be the only one without? 

I like Michael Moore documentaries.  His 'Sicko' on Health Insurance here in America was outstanding and so was 'Bowling for Columbine.'  He's one Oscar's and deservedly so.  I have a topic for his next documentary.  Here is what it's going to be called:  'Rounding the Channels.'  It has to do with Charter Communications.  Lord knows it probably happens to your cable company wherever you live in the country.  It's the sports channels that are not being picked up by Charter. 

Listen, I'm not expecting Fox Soccer Channel, Gol TV or ESPN Deportes to be on my basic cable package.  I pay the extra $30 per month to get those already.  What I am upset with is the NFL Network, the Tennis Channel and the upcoming Big Ten Nework not being on basic cable. 

 I click on this banner, but I still don't get the channel...

My argument?  Let's start with the Tennis Channel.  This one is easy.  The Golf Channel is on basic cable, and that'ss not even a sport.  Nobody watches the garbage on the Golf Channel and if they do they are complete losers.  Also, the Tennis Channel is getting all four majors (Wimbledon, French, US Open, Australian) for the first week and a half of each tournament.  This means ESPN, ESPN2 or the USA Network will NOT be showing the first ten days of the tournament, the Tennis Channel, which most of us do not get, will.  Next up, the NFL Network.  I can not for the life of me figure out why Charter can't put this on basic cable.  I am not alone in this one.  If you don't have a dish (either Directv or the Dish Network), then we are starting to miss regular season NFL games.  This is ridiculous.  Nobody in this country that has cable should be missing games.  The opening game of this upcoming season?  Colts vs Saints.  Yep, you got it.  NFL Network.  If I want to see this game (and other regular season games this year), I have to go to some stupid watering hole and watch people all liquored up and yelling at the tv's.  Oh yeah, that sounds like fun.  Not only that, I'll have to spend $20 on food and drinks.  Give me a break. 

Last, but certainly not least, is the Big Ten Network.  Why should we get this channel?  Let me think.  That's right, WE LIVE IN WISCONSIN.  THE BADGER STATE!!!!  Again, I really can't get over this one.  Charter has said they will put this channel on a 'sports tier' where cable subscribers will have to pay extra to get the channel (yes, I already get it), but it's completely ridiculous.  The Big Ten Network higher ups say they will only allow the channel to be on basic cable.  So guess what?  If this problem doesn't get resolved in the next few weeks, a couple Badger football games, basketball games, volleyball matches, we will not be able to see.  Fantastic!  It's frustrating.  I understand Charter can't have 3,000 channels on it's basic cable package, but these three channels should most definitely be on regular tv. 

So like Bowling for Columbine, I'd like Michael Moore to walk into the Big Ten Network building (wherever that is....) with three Badger football players, like he did with the wounded of Columbine to K-mart executives in Detroit and have the football players crying saying that the Big Ten Network should be on tv.  Or just take me along.  I can cry with the best of them.  "*Wah* I was *snif, snif* waiting to see my Badgers *WAH* play and *snif snif* I can't get the channel. *WAH*  Please help us Wisconsinites *snif* Big Ten Network!!!

You think that would change their mind?  Me neither.  Worth a shot though.

 

Manchester United signs 9 year old Rhain Davis!

 The next Man U wonderkid.

Nine year old Rhain Davis was signed by Manchester United today after his grandfather sent the team this homemade video.  How young is too young?  Won't matter when this kid is helping the Three Lions win the World Cup in 2018. 

Carnoustie's 18th Is Cursed!

 Harrington won't put this trophy down for a while

Coming to the 18th tee on Sunday night, Irishman Padraig Harrington led the British Open by two strokes.  Harrington was at -9 with Sergio Garcia at -8 and back a hole.  Harrington just needed to par out to assure himself the win or at least a playoff.  Padraig, with Jean van de Velde's shadow lurking, hit not one, but TWO balls into the Barry Burn (the creek on the 18th fairway).  He double-bogeyed the hole to go to -7.  Garcia came up 18 and needed a ten foot putt for par to win the Open.  His putt lipped out.  The Spaniard looked completely distraught and a two way playoff started with Harrington and Garcia.  (Steve Stricker again wilted in the fresh, cool Scottish air, but it was nice while it lasted....)

 Padraig wasn't about to hop in the burn like van de Velde

The playoff consisted of the two men playing holes 1, 16, 17, and 18.  Whoever lead after the four holes, wins.  If they are still tied, they would play hold 18 over and over again until somebody wins.  The playoff didn't last that long.  Harrington birdied the first playoff hole while Garcia bogeyed.  Harrington hung on to win with an even par score for the four holes while Garcia was +1. 

Congratulations to Padraig Harrington.  You are a well deserved champion.

THIS IS STEVE STRICKER!!!!

Do you know who Steve Stricker is?  If you don't, you should and you will come Sunday morning if you turn on ABC.  Stricker, from Edgerton, Wisconsin, shot a course record 64 at Carnoustie and is at -6, three strokes behind leader Sergio Garcia (-9).  Tiger Woods is 8 strokes back from Garcia at -1 after shooting a two under par 69. 

Stricker has had a tough time finishing this year.  He has been near the top or at the top in three tournaments and faded on the back nine.  Let's hope Steve turns it around on Sunday at Carnoustie.  I for one will be glued to the television hoping he does.

GO STEVE GO!!!!!

British Open Leaderboard thru Saturday, July 21, 2007.

pos	players	holes	par
1	Sergio GARCIA	18	-9
2	Steve STRICKER	18	-6
T3	Chris DiMARCO	18	-3
T3	Paul McGINLEY	18	-3
T3	Stewart CINK	18	-3
T3	Padraig HARRINGTON	18	-3
T3	Ernie ELS	18	-3
T3	Paul BROADHURST	18	-3
T3	KJ CHOI	18	-3
T10	Vijay SINGH	18	-2

TNT is Tiger Network Television This Weekend!

 Sergio is fun to watch, but it's highly unlikely he'll be at the top at the end of the weekend.

Being a golfer, enjoying to watch a golf major now and then and having been to the British Open, I turned on the Open at Carnoustie Friday morning.  The course is playing easier than it did in 1999 obviously because so many players complained after the last time it was played at the course.  Everything looks great, the course looks fantastic.  Sergio Garcia is the leader at -6 heading into the weekend.  Madison native Steve Stricker and Tiger Woods is at +1, seven shots back. 

My problem is that I love watching everything and everybody.  I love watching all the leaders.  I love watching the gallery.  I love seeing the entire golf course.  Turner Network Television has turned into Tiger Network Television this weekend and I hate it.  Trust me, I love Tiger.  He's out of this world incredible.  I was in Sports Illustrated next to the guy for goodness sake so of course I think he is great.  TNT feels a need to show EVERYTHING Tiger.  I'm not talking about shots.  Show the shots, I have no problem with that.  I'm talking about walking up the fairway, talking to his caddie, eyeing up every putt and shot, etc.  It's getting old.  I want to see Tiger's shots as much as anybody, but we don't need to see every second of his round.  Show us some other guys.  Show us other Americans, show us other guys near the top of the leaderboard, just stop showing every second of Tiger's round. 

The Open at Carnoustie!

 I think somebody fell in the burn at Carnoustie.

This weekend in Scotland, the British Open will be played at Carnoustie Golf Club.  The last time the Open was played at Carnoustie was in 1999.  If you don't remember what happened, you need to be reminded.  Frenchman Jean Van de Velde led by three strokes on the 72nd, and last, hole.  Van de Velde needed a double-bogey six to win the Open Championship.  He decided to hit a driver off the tee, which was a HUGE mistake.  That ended up in the rough, which he tried to hit for the green.  From there, he ended up in the creek (called a burn in Scotland).  From the creek, he went back into the rough.  Oh yeah, you get the picture.  Van de Velde took a 7 and ended up losing in a four-way player to Scot Paul Lawrie. 

 Van de Velde in the burn.

From all indications the course at Carnoustie is much easier than it was in 1999.  The rough is nearly gone which will allow Tiger to smack the living snot out of every drive and not have to worry about landing in 4 foot tall rough.  Look for Tiger to win his third Open in a row this weekend.  Jim Furyk could be a sleeper pick. 

More importantly, Van de Velde has been ailing and will not be able to attend the Open this weekend.  For the past few months, the Frenchman has been ailing from a mysterious illness that doctors in France have not been able to pinpoint.  Losing a three shot lead on the 18th hole at Carnoustie didn't ruin van de Velde.  He realized that life was bigger than golf and wouldn't have changed what he did or how he played the 18th.  Good for him.  We need more athlete's like him.  I wish Jean van de Velde all the best with his health now and in the future. 

** Read more about van de Velde here.

 

Beckham Finally Arrives!

 Bend It Like Beckham.

On Friday afternoon, David Beckham was introduced to the world as a Major League Soc...er, I mean Los Angeles Galaxy player.  Before Becks spoke, Alexi Lalas, General Manager of the Galaxy, said a few words.  Cool.  He's an important person.  Then the owner of the Galaxy spoke.  Neat.  Then Major League Soccer's President spoke.  Right.  Then the major of L.A. spoke.  Great.  LET DAVID SPEAK ALREADY!!!

Beckham took the microphone, the crowd went wild, confetti flew, pictures were taken, everybody was excited.  Will it last?  Will the shine wear off?  Will the '$250 million' price tag be worth it?  Will Beckham be a soccer player first and foremost?  I say yes; to all of the above. 

Here is what I know.  I have followed Manchester United and David Beckham for 15 years.  Beckham is a winner.  Wherever he has gone, his teams win.  England's Premiership titles?  Check.  F.A. Cup titles with Man U?  Check.  Champions League titles?  Check.  La Liga titles with Real Madrid?  Check.  (Let's leave the England squad out of this for the moment....)

 'I can't hear you!'

Yes, Becks has a lifestyle that Sir Alex Ferguson, manager of Manchester United, did not like.  Real Madrid signed Becks, in my opinion, for the money he would make them.  (It was announced last week that Real made $500 million in the five years he was with the club)  His wife and him are all over the place in magazines, newspapers, the internet and television.  (Plus, Posh's tv show, which David will NOT be a part of, is on NBC starting Monday night).  The Galaxy has already announced plans to go to Australia and England next summer to rake in the cash and to make up some of the cash they are giving him.  Good, great.  

All I want is for people to watch Major League Soccer. I want people to not look at soccer as the 15th best sport in America.  I want people to see how great football is to me and to everybody else around the world.  I can honestly say that I love European football more than any other sport on earth (except for maybe 3 weeks in March when college basketball is fantastic and Oklahoma and Wisconsin football in the fall...).  I have never watched a full Major League Soccer game.  I have felt the level is no where near what it is in Europe.  I know David Beckham will not raise the level of MLS to my European standards, but I know that, at 32, Becks still has some good years left in him.  I know, as discussed before, he is a winner, he will make the Galaxy players better and I know, for a fact, people will watch. 

So, in conclusion, David Beckham coming to America is a great, GREAT thing.  I know people will watch Beckham play.  I know the ratings will go up.  I know people will go to games.  As Pele, who came to America about the same age that Beckham has, said Beckham will have to win for any of this to sustain.  I believe the Galaxy will be successful and I believe Major League Soccer will benefit greatly from the greatness that is David Beckham. 

** Read Beckham's cover story article in this weeks Sports Illustrated here.

This Is Lionel Messi

Argentine wonderkid Lionel Messi at his best.

Wednesday night in the semifinals of the Copa America, Argentina ran all over Mexico.  What was even more incredible than the 3-0 win was Barcelona's Lionel Messi who scored one of the most amazing goals I have ever seen.  In the video above, the young Messi chipped the ball over a defender, over the goalie and just under the bar for a sweet goal.  Argentina will now face a young Brazilian squad who is without Kaka  and Ronaldinho.  Brazil destroyed a hopeless Uruguay team in the other semifinal on Monday night.

 

I miss Coldplay!

Thank God for television, concerts and youtube.

I'm Addicted to Embedding Vids To My Journal

Great new website.  VeryAngryNeighbors.com.  Hilarious skits. 

Pulp Fiction on The Simpsons

Huh!  Shakes?  Ya don't know what you're gettin'.

Haha. 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, 5 SECONDS, WATCH!!!

Goal!! Or Not! - video powered by Metacafe

Transformers!

STOLEN:  ONE (1) BLASTER THE AUTOBOT COMMUNICATOR TRANSFORMER.  JANESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS ON THE CASE!!!!!!!!!!!

Everybody has stories they remember from elementary school.  I will never forgot a few of mine.  A.  Paula Roenenberg giving me a lolipop and a kiss on the cheek the last day of 3rd grade then never seeing her again (still waiting for her to come back...)  B.  Waiting for music class in 6th grade only to throw up, miss the garbage can and have Deucer Slavin say 'Wow Wilmot, that's the only shot I've ever seen you miss.' (Stud basketball player I was).  C.  Watching Billy Frye put pins on the seat of our substitute teacher in 3rd grade and just laughing along with everybody else instead of helping out the poor, old sub; not the fearless leader I am now obviously....

This next story, or nightmare I should say, has haunted me for the last 20 years.  Picutre this:  6th grade 1986-87.  Second floor of Roosevelt Elementary School.  Transformers at the time were a big deal.  We had grown out of G.I. Joe's, Cabbage Patch Kids and all the other kiddie toys.  We had moved on to the amazing Transformers.  Can you imagine 12-year-olds with a new toy that is not only a car but could change into a robot?  CAN YOU IMAGINE THAT?  No, neither could I.  My family wasn't able to go out and buy every new toy that hit Toys r Us so I couldn't run and get the Transformer I wanted.  I honestly can't even tell you the name of my favorite one (found it online, Autobot Communicator which I so elequently posted above).  It was a boom box that transformed into a gun.  It was great.  To me, it was the coolest toy the world had ever seen.  So here's what happened:

I traded to a friend of mine some baseball cards that were worth a good bit of money for the Transformer boom box/gun.  I was in heaven.  The next day I took it to school and it wasstolen out of my locker.  I will never ever forget my favorite toy.  I will find another sometime soon on ebay.  I just realized this story is kind of lame.  Very important to me in 6th grade. 

In conclusion, if you are 32 and still have a ringing in your soul to still be a kid and want to see Transformers: The Movie this coming Wednesday, then do it.  I know I will.

R.I.P. Chris Benoit and Family

Over the weekend, one of the best wrestlers in the history of the World Wrestling Federation took his wife and son's lives in a despicable act, then took his own.  It's an incredibly sad story that happens every day in America.  What sets this story apart is that Chris Benoit was, as his peers call him, "the dad you always wanted to have," Bill Apter a pro-wresting writer and friend of Benoit, told FOX News.

This is another death the wrestling industry, World Wrestling Entertainment, CEO and President Vince McMahon in particular, is going to have to explain.  Trace Gallagher on Fox News Tuesday afternoon said 'somebody is going to have to face the music.'  With 60 deaths of wrestlers under the age of 45, most coming through the WWE, the hammer, I believe, should fall on Vince McMahon.

Far too many wrestlers from McMahon's organization have passed away too soon.  Benoit, Brian Pillman, Eddie Guerrero, Crash Holly, Kerry Von Erich, Chris Candido, Yokozuna, Davey Boy Smith, Terry Gordy, Rick Rude, Big Boss Man, Earthquake, Mike Awesome, Dino Bravo, Curt Hennig, Dick Murdoch, Bam Bam Bigelow, Junkyard Dog, Big John Studd, Andre the Giant and Michael Hegstrand (Hawk of the Road Warrirors) to name a few.  This is just a short list of popular WWE wrestlers who have passed away.

Picturing most of these wrestlers I can tell you I'd bet 90% of them were on steroids, which are illegal and were found in Benoit's home. Steroid's lead to 'roid rage.'  Roid Rage on BodyBuildingPro.com is defined as the popular name given to the uncontrolled outburst of anger and violence exhibited by anabolic steroid users. Despite never being proven by the medical community, the term is continuously exaggerated by the mainstream media (this might also be known as Red Bull here in Madison, Wisconsin).

Yes, wrestlers have the choice to take steroids, but as Gallagher said 'the bigger you get, the badder you get, the more money you make.'  Do you really think Mr. McMahon was telling his guys not to take steroids knowing they are illegal?  Me neither.

R.I.P.Chris Benoit, Nancy Daus and 7-year-old Daniel Benoit. (Benoit had two children, David and Megan, through another marriage who were not at the house at the time of the murders).

** THZ.com has a photo gallery of wrestlers who have passed away.

 

Summer Readin' (Until the Fall)

 Thank you Street & Smith's for putting a Sooner on the cover....at least in that region.  In Madison, we get a Buckeye on the cover.  That should never happen.

For me, the Fall can't come soon enough.  I'm sorry but baseball is not fun to watch on tv.  Going to a game?  Now that's fun.  Tour de France?  Lance is done so I really don't watch that anymore.  Golf?  The British Open I'll watch having been there a bunch of times.  What else is there?  Having played, coached and taught tennis for the last 25 years the French Open and Wimbledon are fun, but come on...it's not college football.  I know it, you know it, the country knows it.  Granted, the NBA Draft is this Thursday and with With that, I'm going to run down my top eight reasons that I can not wait for the fall to get here.

My Top Eight Reasons I Can Not Wait For The Fall:

1.  With a No. 3 ranking in Street & Smith's preseason magazine, Wisconsin has a chance to be better than they were last year when they were 13-1.  Giddy up.

2.  The English Premiership starts and, thankfully, it starts in mid-August.  Can Man U repeat?  Can Chelsea regain the title?  Arsenal lost Thierry Henry.  Will they drop out of the top four in the league?  Yes, I can't wait for the Premier League to start again.  Can you tell?

3.  NFL.  Yes, our Packers seem to have no chance of making the playoffs (where is the running back to replace Ahman Green?), but as my friend Josh always says...well, he really doesn't say anything in particular, but he loves the NFL and his love of it makes me love it.  Or something...

4.  MLB Playoffs.  Yes, they do go into the winter now, but they do actually start in the fall.  Thus something I am looking forward to in the Fall.

5.  Ironman Wisconsin.  Every time I hear about this or see a participant I want to sign up.  Do I think my body can withstand the torture?  Doubtful.  Would be an amazing experience though.

6.  Wisconsin foliage.  I am not gay and I just used the word foliage.  Is that alright?  Should I leave it?  I am a big enough man to know I have a feminine side.  Either way, Madison in the fall is awesome.

7.  College basketball practice starts and, for me, that's better than almost any other sport that is in season. 

8.  THE NHL.  YES, I LOVE THE NHL!!!  BOY, I CAN'T WAIT FOR IT TO START AGAIN.  Wait, has the season ended?  Could really care less, I just can't think of anything else I am looking forward to in the fall.  If I do think of something, I'll delete this one and put it here. 

8A.  The US Open.  This almost isn't fun anymore because Roger Federer will completely dominate this tournament again.  NHL trumps US Open.

** The NBA Draft is this Thursday, June 28 and the Portland Trailblazers have a huge decision on their hands.  Durant or Oden.  Granted, Oden is the man and he'd solidy the middle in Portland for years to come, but if you remember the 'Blazers had the No. 1 pick in 1985 and they went with a center, Sam Bowie, instead of a great guard, Michael Jordan.  Portland's management, after working out both players earlier this week, said Durant's workout for the team was 'one of the best we've ever seen by anybody.' 

Oden is NOT Sam Bowie.  Enough said. 

 This is a great billboard put up by an evangelist earlier this week.

Never Too Soon To Talk College Football

I look forward to fall more than any other time of year (except for March).  Knowing that each week counts if you want to play for a National Title makes every game huge.  It's only June and two full months until the season starts, but there are at least ten teams that have a shot at winning it all. 

My Top Eight College Football Questions for 2007:

1.  Here in Madison, the Badgers are ranked as high as No. 4 in preseason mags.  Doesn't matter who is quarterback (Donovan or Evridge), Camp Randall will be rocking.  Can Wisconsin win the Big 10?  Heck, let's aim higher.   The National Title? 

2.  Can the Lebron James of high school football, Jimmy Clausen, walk into South Bend and lift the Irish to places (recently) unknown?  Sure, Brady Quinn was good.  Jimmy Clausen is much better. But will Clausen get the surrounding cast to bring a National Title in Notre Dame in the next few years?  All I ask of the BCS is not to put the Irish into a BCS game if they aren't worthy.  Is that so much to ask? 

3.  Will Ohio State be able to replace Troy Smith, Ted Ginn, Antonio Pittman and Anthony Gonzalex and stay at the top of the Big 10?  No.  Next question.

 'What?  Me worry?'

4.  What can Nick Saban do with Bama?  This year the SEC, along with every other year, is far too strong for Saban to lift the Crimson Tide in the upper tier of the best conference in college football.

5.  Can Hawaii QB Colt Brennan throw for 5000 yards this year?  I wouldn't put it past him.  He is in the right offense, has a great arm and wide receivers who can fly.  Not that we'll ever get to see any of his games when they start at midnight here in the Midwest.

 Can this be John David Booty's year?

6.  Who is the best team in the country?  USC?  Florida?  Can John David Booty take the Trojans to Matt Leinert territory?  Can Tim Tebow actually throw the ball?  Yes and yes.  But who wins the National Title? 

7.  Yes, Arkansas has the best player in college football (Darren McFadden), but can Coach Houston Nutt keep his job into 2008?  Best recruits leaving, parents fuming, playbooks going up in smoke, etc.  Houston Nutt isn't going to be able to win enough in the SEC to keep his job after this season.

8.  Who wins the Big 12?  Sophomore Colt McCoy returns for just his second season in Austin and has a fantastic offense around him (think Limas Sweed, Selvin Young, Jamaal Charles, etc).  Who replaces Paul Thompson as Oklahoma's QB? 

** I'd like to have a question about the Heisman Trophy, but since the player who wins the award never amounts to jack squat, I'll pass on that one.

The Sopranos!

Did we really expect Tony Soprano to sleep with the fishes?  Did we really think he would rat out his mafia family and go into the Witness Protection Program?  Fahgetaboutit!

In a classic Soprano murder, Brooklyn Boss Phil Leotardo and his wife were at a gas station.  Phil got out of the car, was shot in the head and, with the car still in drive, was run over.  Don't mess with Soprano.

Tony lives!  A reunion show or movie down the line would be fantastic.