New NFL Rules

Before I start this post, I'd just like to say one thing about the previous post. That's right, ladies. He's all mine.

Anyway, I have found myself growing more and more disturbed by the idiocy of the NFL. They seem to do a lot of dumb things. Players, owners, coaches, you name it. It goes all the way to the top. So, in light of this, I have composed a few new rules I would like to see the NFL adopt.

1) Stop caring who the hell Bill Belichick will and will not hug. Dude, if he doesn't want to rub his man parts against Eric Mangini leave him be. Grown men who coach football shouldn't hug anyway. I say Rochambeau.

1a) Stop calling him Man-genius. The Jets suck, let it go.

2) No more celebrating for simple things like tackles. I hate nothing more than seeing some guy get up after a tackle and act like someone handed him the Publisher's Clearing House check. Have some dignity, it is your job to tackle after all.

3) When someone drops a pass and it is clearly incomplete, don't pick up the fucking football and run with it. You're not fooling anyone, you're not going to score, you're not going to fix up your room.

4) No more shit talk from pine riders. End of story.

5) Stop blaming Jessica Simpson for the failings of Tony Romo. Blame his tiny, tiny eyes.

6) Tom Brady has to stop dressing like Brad Pitt for his post game press conferences.

7) Perfection is the realm of the creator. The Patriots didn't lose. Let's get a little perspective.

8) A shot in the mouth to a receiver is no longer illegal if everyone agrees he's a douchebag. Dub it the Moss/Owens Rule.

9) Elaborate dances from players must be in direct correlation to how good they are. Sorry Ray Lewis. It's time to tone it down.

And Finally, just for fun

10) To enhance the drama of overtime, two things. All back ups, no kickers. Think about it.

So, here's to another great year and the hopes that the NFL will someday get their big old head out of their asses one day. Until they, I shall remain ever vigilant.

Stiff of the Week: Greazy Tony II

This is the second time I am naming myself "Stiff of the Week" this year. The first was back on November 12, the day after the Redskins lost a game at home against Philly. That put the Skins at 5-4, and I named myself SOW because I was still letting myself be optimistic about the Skins' playoff chances, despite all evidence to the contrary. And I quote: "But then I woke up this morning and looked at the standings, and a funny thing happened. I found myself thinking that if they just go 4-3 over their last 7 games they will be 9-7 and that may be enough to make the playoffs." What happened next was totally unexpected, of course. The Skins lost the next two games to Dallas and Tampa (both games they could have, and probably should have won) and then endured the murder of a teammate.

When they couldn't rise up against the Bills in the days after Sean Taylor's death, I didn't think they would win another game. But, then came the Thursday night game against the Bears that turned into a battle of the backups who went to Michigan. Washington won that game to keep a faint pulse in their hunt for January football, but with their starter out, they would have to do it with Todd Collins. I didn't think they could win with Collins, but I was impressed with the career he had forged for himself.

Then came the win in Minneapolis which made me realize that I couldn't downplay their chances any longer. But with all that I had been through in the last 6 week, I sat down to watch the game today thinking the Skins would get their doors blown off. I've conditioned myself to think this way, so when they do lose it stings less. I'm an eternal pessimist, and for this I must be made the last stiff of the week for 2007. I would have to thing that Cowboys fans will be at the gates of the game in two weeks (be it vs the Skins, Giants or Tampa) trying to stop this woman from entering:

We Can Let Jessica Go Now

The Game was rife with story lines, hell, Redskins v Cowboys is always big, no matter the steaks or records. But, here we had one team trying to come from a 5-7 record to make the playoffs. The other team is supposed to be one of the best in their conference, but they haven't played like it over the last month. Dallas barely beet Carolina and Detroit and lost in the Jessica Bowl to Philly. Even though T.O. didn't play, the did let Romo stay out there for an awful long time for a team that wasn't trying. In the end the Skins wiped the floor with the Cowgirls to the tune of 27-6.

One storyline that I didn't hear anyone mention was the Todd Collins v Wade Phillips story. Collins was drafted to be Jim Kelly's successor, but when Marv left town and Phillips took over he was cast asunder. After kicking around as a back up for the last decade, he finally got a chance to show Phillips what he is made of, playing a near flawless game. For his part, Romo looked positively average and the 'Boys rushed for 1 yard. One. Three feet. 91.44 centimeters. You can fall forward and gain a yard and a half.

Meanwhile the Skins D looked like 11 ballhawks, Santana Moss and Clinton "Sheriff Gonna Get Ya" Portis are playing at the top of their form. I just wish the next game wasn't in Washington State, but you have to play the ones you're dealt.

The Rocket Doth Protest Too Much, Methinks

I am sick and tired of hearing how Roger Clemens is hiring a team of private dicks to go after the guy who once stuck him in the ass. No not Andy Pettitte, Brian McNamee. We'll never know if Roger, Barry or Big Mac used or not, but we're pretty sure. In the end that's all it takes in the court of public opinion and it works both ways. We didn't know if Clemens was really a hard working competition junkie but we all believed it because that was the image that was crafted. We all believed that Cal Ripken (one of my favorite players mind you) was the kind of guy who relaxed after the game by chugging a few bottles of milk and helping old ladies across the street. Nothing is as it seems, and sometimes that helps your image and sometimes it hurts it.

Did Clemens get a little extra "rocket fuel" back in '98? I don't know. Do it think he did? Hell yes, and that won't change when his High Priced lawyers tear this douche bottle, McNamee, apart the way sleazebag attorneys go after a rape victim because she had consensual sex with more than one guy in the days leading up to a rape. Just because you have sex, that doesn't mean you're asking for it, and just because you were a drub pusher doesn't mean you are lying about one of the guys you said you sold to.

Who Are You?

In the midst of a stream of consciousness conversation with Inky last night something odd occurred to me. I don't know exactly how we landed on the topic, but I came to the realization that Tom Brady's jersey doesn't say T. Brady even though there is another guy named Brady (super virgin Kyle) on his team. I started to ruminate on the topic of first initials on the back of a jersey. Is it really necessary? Who decides if it is done or not? My guess is that it isn't up to the league to mandate if the first initial is used or not, because some teams do it and other's done.

One could argue that it is generally accepted that when two guys have the same name on the same team that they get a letter or two followed by a period to differentiate them from one another. Hell, sometimes it's the whole first name. Think of the time in the late 80's when the Orioles had Jerseys that Read C. Ripken, C. Ripken Jr. and B. Ripken. What has always driven me crazy about this phenomenon it the fact that the jersey also contains a handy dandy number to help you differentiate between the players. If they all said Ripken the 7, 8 and 3 would have let us know who was who, not to mention the fact that you should know by where they are standing. If a guy with a Ripken jersey is at Short, it's Cal, if he's at Second it's Billy, if he's in the dugout it's Cal Sr.

So why the initials? As a skins fan I don't even need to see the #17 to know that I'm looking at Jason Campbell and not Khary Campbell. Likewise, when watching Tom and Kyle Brady play it is very easy to distinguish them from one another even if you can't see their 12 or 88. Tom will generally have his cock in a supermodel and Kyle will be preaching no sex before marriage. Also, Tom is smaller and throws the ball, Kyle is big and catches it. So I'm going to give a tip of the cap to the Perfect Patriots for not bowing to the first initial pressure.

Stiffs of the Week: Giants Fans.

If you're a fan, you show up and watch your team get it's butthole pushed in by the Patriots. If you're a REAL fan you show up this weekend to watch in the hopes that Eli and the boys can somehow manage a win over the 15-0 Pats. What you don't do is sell your ticket for tons of money to Pats fans, or anyone else for that matter, who just want to be at the 16-0 game. Don't get me wrong, I think any fan has the right to sell a ticket to a game and the owners like Dan Snyder and Bob Kraft who try and bust the fans are assholes. This is a game, however, that you have to go to as a fan. And so it is for that reason that I have named the fans of the New York Giants my stiffs of the week.

Wait...What Just Happened?

Over the last few weeks I've gone on and on about how my football teams season was ostensibly over. I talked in my last post about how I had nothing to look forward to over the next few months in the sports world. Then a funny thing happened: The Washington Redskins backed up two wins that I found unimpressive (and in fact detrimental to our draft spot) with a win Sunday night that put them in the drivers seat for the last playoff spot in the NFL JV, or the NFC.

The Skins played some good ball, and were the benefactors of the greatest "get out of jail free card" plays I've seen in years. While rushing to the line to get a play off, to stop the Vikings from challenging the previous catch, Washington QB Todd Collins fumbled the snap and the Vikings recovered. I was on my knees and elbows in front of the TV saying "Why, Why, Why?" But then Joe Gibbs threw the red challenge flag himself. I was beside myself, thinking the old man was making another one of his trademark "senior moment" mistakes that he has become famous for this year. It was obvious that the Vikings recovered the ball, what was he challenging?

There were 12 Vikings on the field at the time the Skins fumbled. Bam! Just like that, we get the ball back, get a first and 5 and go on to win the game. The win coupled with Green Bay's loss means that if the Skins beet the resting Cow Boys next week they go to the playoffs. How did this happen? This is the team that couldn't sack up and beet Buffalo in the days following the murder of their teammate. The team that won a game over the hapless Bears despite losing their starting QB to a leg injury. Sure they backed that up with a win over the Giants in Jersey, but I thought this is where they would fall apart. In the Dome they would be victims of that vaunted Minnesota rushing game and would drop out of playoff conjecture if not contention.

A funny thing happened, however. They won and now I may have two more weeks to be interested in. Hell, I may have 3 since the Seahawk's are about as big a fraud of an 10-5 team as the Giants are. Crazy man, crazy.

How Long Till Draft Day?

It's about this time every year when my thoughts turn, not to sugar plumbs dancing in my head but to Cinderella's second record. It is indeed a "Long Cold Winter" (oh yeah like you didn't love the song Coming Home). When your football team blows, your baseball team blows despite having a ton of guys on roids, and you hate the NBA and NHL, it makes for a long cold winter.

My countdown has begun till Baseball Spring Training, The Start of the Australian Rules season and the NFL draft. I can't get excited about college basketball until after the first of the year, unless it's my Alma mater, and they aren't doing so hot this year. The NBA is positively unwatchable and in no way shape or form compelling and the NHL keeps shooting it's self in the foot.

What is a boy to do from Christmas till mid January? I have no interest in the Bowl Games, since they all suck and won't really tell me who the best team in the land is. A USC v LSU game might have done that, but alas the $ won't allow it. Oh well, till we get a playoff I guess I do the unthinkable for this stretch of time: read.

Till then, have a Happy Holiday Bitches!

Look Who's Turning Me On Now

I know all the hype peaked over Amanda Beard back when she did Playboy, but I just wanted to take a moment to acknowledge her as one of the hottest women in sports. I don't get down with the rail skinny chicks who just need to eat a steak. Give me an athletic woman with a world class body to go along with being a world class talent at her sport any time. Here are a few pictures from a recent photo shoot that serve as my evidence that Amanda Beard has THE best body in all of sports:

Exhibit A)

Exhibit B)

Exhibit C)

Exhibit D)

And of course, thanks to Heff, Exhibit E(rection):

Snatching Defeat From The Jaws of Victory....Ravens Football 2007

Well yesterday the inevitable finally happened...the Miami Dolphins got their first win and it came at the expense of the pathetic Baltimore Ravens. After dominance on both sides of the ball in the first half it seemed as though the Ravens stayed in the locker room for the second half. Kyle Boller was reasonably sharp early completing better than half of his passes including one for a touchdown to Derrick Mason. He didn't make any huge mistakes and kept the Ravens in manageable 3rd down situations. The defense was ok however was not dominant at any point in the game. The main reason for this is because half the starters are either on IR or playing injured. Neither starting corner was in so the secondary was exposed early and would carry over into the second half.

In the second half the offense looked confused and could not move the ball. Kyle Boller was constantly pressured and McGahee had no room to run. The only turn over came on an improbable play on a deep pass to soon to be stiff of the week Devard Darling. Darling was wide open over the middle in the Dolphins red zone and somehow managed to turn a catchable ball into an interception for the Dolphins. The Dolphins turned this turn over into 3 points which caused the OT period. The only good thing to come of this game was Boller got knocked out and Troy Smith got to play. Why he is not the starter for he rest of the year is beyond me. We've struggled through Kyle Boller for years now and he is obviously never going to make it as a Raven. Smith has a pocket presence and best of all he doesn't hesitate to throw which led to quick yardage at the end of the game and ultimately the tying field goal. We can debate all day whether or not the Ravens should've just gone for it all on 4th down and inches on the goal line but I'd have bitched about it either way. We had a chance to win in OT and Stover who is normally automatic from that distance pushed it. What are you gonna do, the defense was over matched all day and finally gave up the big play at the end. I'm pretty sure the Ravens will not win another game the rest of the year unless Pittsburgh rests their starters the last week of the season. I'm just hoping some of the other really bad teams keep winning so our draft pick is that much better in April!!

What A Life

If you could pick one NFL QB to be most people would probably say Tom Brady, and why not? Three and a half rings, bangs hot, famous chicks and he has the cute dimple in his chin. But, with all that notoriety come hassle. He can't just go out and be an ordinary guy, and that kind of blows. For me, I think I'd rather be Todd Collins.

Follow me on this: He was kind of a big deal at Michigan back in the day. I'm sure he got more ass then a toilet seat on campus in Ann Arbor and reaped the benefits of being BMOC. Not to mention that he was a damn big deal as a stand out High School athlete back in Walpole Mass, just down the path a bit from Foxboro. After 8 years as a stand out armature he got drafted by the Buffalo Bills to be the successor to a guy you might have heard of named Jim Kelly. He plays a pretty respectable season in his second year, leading the second largest regular season comeback in NFL history when the Bills come from down 26-0 to win 37-35 over Indy. This was the year before they got Peyton, so this loss really did them some good. They might have been forced to take Ryan Leaf had Collins not torched them.

Back to Collins: Then Wade Phillips comes in and decides to bring Doug Flutie down from Canada to helm the Bills and Collins heads to Kansas City where he draws a pay check for 8 more years, all the while playing in 12 games, starting NONE. This guy gets paid high six figures to low seven to work out and hold a clipboard.

Along the way he goes to Harvard Business School to learn how to become a success in his post Clipboard holding life. Not a bad get for a guy who gets paid to wear tight pants. He has a beautiful wife, a son and another on the way, and he's worked exactly zero days in his life. Then Jason Campbell breaks his freaking leg, and Collins gets to have another go at this football thing. He leads the Skins to a win over the Bears in relief then comes out and completes 32% of his wind blown passes in a win over the Giants. There is some crazy scenario that would have the Skins in the playoffs with Collins at the helm if he is able to beet the Vikings and Cowboys (which they won't do mind you.) All this means to Collins is a few more stories to add to his collection before he retires after this year or next.

You can be Tony Romo and have to try and make conversation with Jessica Simpson. You can be Brett Favre and not be able to go anywhere from see to see in the US with out being hounded. Or you can be Peyton Manning and never live up to the impossible standard set for you by the public at large. I'll take being Todd Collins who has a foot firmly planted in the real world and the world of a hero QB.

Wow!

The Trentonian is one of the newspapers of my past. I used to read the sports, and take the time to enjoy the "Page 6 Girl of the Day" but I was never one for their news. If they had had hedlines like this when I was a kid you can be sure I would have taken a gander from time to time. The only thing that could have made this headline more inflamatory is if there had been an inset photo of Andy Pettitte making a sex face on the mound after striking someone out.

Tejada traded for bucket of balls

When people ask me why I don't go to 20 Orioles game a year, like I did when I was in college, I respond with two answers. The first is all about time, I had more of it then and the ball park was a great place to burn the excess. The second answer is all about how poorly the organization is run.

Today the O's traded Miguel Tejada to the Astros for three pitchers, a 5th OF and a 24 year old AA third baseman. At first blush I thought this was just as bad as the Glen Davis deal, now I just hate it. I know they probably wanted to move Miggy before his name came up in the Mitchell Report, or maybe they believe the rumors that he's really 36 not 32. Either way, they could have gotten a bit more in return for him, like, oh I don't know, a major league ready Short Stop. "Batting second and playing Short Stop, 38 year old Melvin Mora, Mora." That doesn't sound too good to me.

The O's picked up Luke Scott who in 132 games with Houston hit 255-18-64. Scott is 29 and may actually start in Left Field for the O's which is really sad. Next on the hit list was Dennis Sarfate, a 26 year old right handed reliever who had some nice numbers (1-0 1.08, 14 K's in 8.1 IP) in his stint in the majors this year. His minor league numbers (2-7 4.52 68 Ks 47 BB in 61.2 IP) aren't as great, but at least he's not over the hill.

The deal also included two lefty starters: Matt Albers and Troy Patton. Albers pitched to a 5.86 ERA with a 4-11 record in 31 games for the Astros, 18 of them starts. He posted a 2-3 record in AAA with a 3.74 record. Patton is one of the gems in this deal. He is just 22 years old and had a combined record of 10-8 with a 3.51 ERA between AA and AAA. He also pitched 12.1 innings in the majors, posting an 0-2 record and a 3.55 ERA.

The last peice the O's received in this deal was 3B Michael Costanzo, who the Astros got in a trade themselves with the Phillies. Costanzo, 24, was rated the Astro's 6th highest prospect and had very nice numbers with Reading last year (.270-27-86).

Now Batting, EatShitStadium

If I had my guess I would have said the Fuck You Dome was in Philadelphia not Chunichi Japan. Huh, who knew. Ok, I couldn't resist making the joke that every douche bag baseball fan/blogger will make at the expense of the Japanese ball player, Kosuke Fukudome (Foo-Ku-dough-MAY) because I'm kind of childish.

This guy is the next in a long line of ballplayers who made there bones playing at home, but want to test there mettle playing in the States. I wish him the best, and depending on where he lands I'll even support him by going out and buying a fuckyoudome jersey. Apparently The Padres and both Chicago teams are interested in Kosuke's services and I would guess that the bidding should get out of hand pretty quickly.

Best College Game of the Year

We all know that Ohio State is going to get it's butt hole pushed in my LSU, so there's really no mystery in the IA football title chase. The same can't be said for IAA (I refuse to use the new gay names) as Appalachian State prepares to defend their National Title on Friday against Delaware. On paper this game should be a white wash in App State's favor, being as Delaware didn't even win the CAA South, suffering losses to Richmond (who App beet) New Hampshire, and Villanova. The Mountaineers however, also lost a few conference games against Wofford and Georgia Southern, so they can be beeten... just not by a Big 10 school.

Both I-AA schools have their signature wins over I-A programs with App State taking down Michigan and The Blue Hens toppling Navy, who is also bowl bound. They both sport fantastic passers and runners. For Delaware Joe Flacco gets it done through the air with nearly 4,000 yards passing and 22 TDs. The Blue Hen running game is all about Omar Cuff who has racked up 1861 yards on 377 carries, and reached the end zone 34 times for the first starters. Down at Appalachian State the yards on the ground also come from the guy who gets them through the air: Armanti Edwards who Has 1750 yards passing, and 14 TDs but dose his real damage running with the ball to the tune of 1499 yards and 21 scores. Not, that the Mountaineers half back is a slouch either, as Kevin Richardson has totalled 1230 yards and another 15 TDs.

Make no mistake about it sports fans, this game will be a shoot out, with well over 90 points and 1000 yards in O. App State is scoring at a 42.3 clip, while the Blue Hens are averaging 37.3. And they are both comfortable winning a gun fight since App gives up nearly 4 TDs a game (27.1) and Delaware allows 24.1 point per game.

I'm ready to tune in to see who will score 70, and most importantly to see who will hoist the chestnut and bronze. Because that's what NCAA sports are supposed to be all about, the real trophy, not some crystal football sponsored by Sears or Visa or what ever.

Greazy's Prediction: Delaware 52-45.

Ricky Hatton is the Winner....

If the contest wasn't who is the better boxer, but who is the ugliest man on the earth, then and only then could Ricky Hatton be the champ. In a nation filled with terrible looking men, Ricky "the Manchester Mexican" Hatton (look it up) is by far the fugliest of all.

I though he had a chance to beet Floyd Mayweather Jr. because I thought he would scare Mayweather to death with his ditch face. But, alas in a defeat that lowered the spirits of white Americans and the English, Hatton got beet down.

This may be the only time I mention boxing on this blog, because I feel it is a complete and utter waist of time, let alone brain cells.

All that was missing was the Maize and Blue

Where was Scott Dreisbach? The Redskins and Bears played a game last night that started with two SEC QB's (Rexy is from Florida and Campbell went to Auburn) but may as well have ended with "Hail to the victors valiant." By the time Rex and Campbell were taken of the field with knee injures it was time for the Michigan boys to play. Todd Collins and Brian Griese were teammates in Ann Arbor at one time, but they faced off on the field in the battle of the back ups last night in DC.

Obviously Greise (pictured left) was the one with bragging rights for the wolverines. He was the one who won half a national title there in '97, but Collins (right) got the better of the match up lasts night. Not only did Collins guide his team to a 24-16 win in the battle of who can still pretend to have playoff hopes, but he had the better statistical night. Collins was 15 out of 20 for 224 yards with two TDs and no picks. Greise was 27 for 45, gaining 295 yards and a TD but throwing two picks. Lloyd and Bo would be proud, maybe not as proud as they are of the next guy in the UM QB tree, but proud.

Here's the list (Let's play "one of these things is not like the others):

Elvis Grbac: '89-'92

Todd Collins: '93-'94

Scott Dreisbach: '95

Brian Griese: '96-'97*

Tom Brady: '98-'99**

Drew Henson: '00***

John Navarre: '01-'03

Chad Henne: '04-'07****

*- Won National Title, Dad is Famous

**-Won 3 1/2 Superbowls, Bangs Hot Chicks

***- Played Pro Baseball...Kind of

****-Never Beet Ohio State, should be shot.

If You're Gonna Take Someone Out Don't Tell Them Ahead Of Time...

Terrence Newman, you are not smart. That statement alone should say enough but I'll explain. Evidently this week Newman was remarking that Lions quarterback Jon Kitna dissed the Cowboys last year after he beat the holy hell out of them. Newman went on to say that he had 10, 20, 30 thousand dollars and Kitna should watch out if he blitzes off the edge. Why the fuck would you say something like that? If he even lays a hand on Kitna he'll likely be flagged and now the officials will be calling a tight game on all Cowboy defenders. I'm no fan of the Cowboys but come on...how stupid can you be. Do you think mob guys have dinner with the guy they're supposed to whack the night before they do it to give them a heads up? Did Bin Laden say that America should probably beef up airport security on September 10th? Of course not, if you're gonna play dirty just do it don't announce it to the world. It never ceases to amaze me how stupid some athletes can be.

Speaking of stupid athletes Jay Gibbons has to be a pretty big moron as well. Who didn't know that idiot was taking HGH? He has had Popeye forearms since the Orioles acquired him from Toronto and the worst acne a late 20 something man should ever had. Not to mention his pussy ass is hurt all the time which is another indication of steroid use. How many current and former Orioles are going to be caught by the way? Baltimore must be like the the Colombia of steroids or somethings because most of the idiots getting caught wore Orange and Black at some point. If anything this should teach kids not to use the stuff cause it's not helping the O's win!! Gibbons, you get the stiff of the week distinction from me this week.

Situation in Retrospect: Sean Taylor

It's been 11 days since Sean Taylor was shot in his home in Florida. First and foremost this situation is sad because a person lost his life, and the family lost someone they love. That is true even when a person isn't a famous athlete, but just as the good things in the life of a celebrity are celebrated so to are the bad.

What this situation has brought to light again, is that the established news media has shit for brains. In their rush for a scoop or an exclusive they are guilty of making tremendous reaches and stumbling into huge lapses in judgment. This is true when it comes to the War or regular news as well, but the sports media world tends to be more daring when they make broad proclamations. This is best summed up in one turn of phrase "Gut Feeling." While watching Comcast Sports Net DC on Monday the 26th of November we were amazed to hear a reporter say that Sean Taylor was past the worst, and he was going to be OK. When the anchor in the studio asked what this report was based on the man in the field (who was a Washington Post writer who was reporting for CSN) said "It's just my gut feeling."

I was watching with a friend of mine who just so happens to be a news reporter, and we were aghast. How could someone be so gallant as to report that a person was going to survive a gun shot based on a gut feeling from 1000 miles away? Sadly, it wasn't the last time the phrase "gut feeling" was used in the Taylor discussion. Afternoon radio douche nozzle Colin Cowherd was sure that Taylor was gunned down due to his tainted past. What did he base that decision on? Apparently his "gut feeling" and some of his black friends, namely Stephen A-Hole Smith, Michael Wilbon and Jason Whitlock. Wow, that's some real hard hitting journalism. You called up a bunch of other overpaid sports reporters who just happen to be darker than you.

Then when Taylor's childhood friend Antrel Rolle guessed that Taylor was gunned down by someone from his past (also without any material evidence or firsthand knowledge) Cowherd gloated that his gut feeling had been proven correct.

All this does is reinforce the ages old stereotype that some people are just asking for it. It is a value judgment on a person based solely on general knowledge, when what is called for is specific investigation. Basically what Rolle and Cowherd were doing was saying that Taylor was shot by thugs and he was asking for it, just look at how he was dressed, a la the notion that a slutty woman can not be raped because she deserves it. A man who has chequered past can not be the victim of a random murder.

It's bush league plain and simple, and it needs to stop.

Meeting Place

The baseball winter meetings are going on at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville this week. There is a whole lot going on down there, take it from XL, Inky and I. We went to the meetings one of the last times they were held at the Opryland, way back in 1998. We had just graduated from college, and were all working at various first jobs, finding them lacking to say the least.

We flew in to Nashville and went to all the various sessions set up to help college kids get "jobs" or internships in minor league baseball. What they really were amounted to were indentured servitude, and I use that term as a means of avoiding the s word. We were paid less then $3 an hour to work from 9 AM till after midnight doing some really terrible shit. But, we were 22 and we wanted to know what it was like to work in Pro Ball.

This time around the winter meetings will serve as a bridge to an even more disproportionate future in MLB. Word has come down that it will most likely be the Red Sox who land Johan Santana. Add to that the reported deal that would send Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera to Detroit for a bevy of prospects and the rich just keep getting richer. I have no idea who will take the field for the Marlins next year, but chances are they either wont be able to shave, or speak English.

Stiff of the Week: One Ravens Fan

As I write this at a quarter of 11 on Monday night the score is tied at 17 in Baltimore. I can only assume the Patriots will end up winning 34-20, but I hope the Ravens will find a way to prevail. Before the game we saw three Ravens players from "The U" huddled up with Ray-Ray saying the were going to go out and play for Sean. (Why all the Hurricanes on the Skins couldn't pull this off, I have no idea.)

Then, the ESPN cameras got a great shot of Ray, just as the PA announcer called on all in attendance to observe a moment of silence. Just as Ray Lew's tears began to churn up some douche nozzle with in hollering range of the parab yells "Redskins Suck." (Please note the guy pictured above is probably not said douche nozzle)

Nice.

Now, I'm not saying all Ravens fans are my stiff of the week, just the one loser, who is no doubt from Dundalk and loves to listen to Nasty Nestor on 1570. I bet they didn't even do that shit in Philly or Dallas this week, but a lot of people in Charm City have a huge inferiority complex when it comes to the District, and I have no idea why. The Ravens have won recently, which is more than I can say for the Skins, and since they only play once every 4 years or so there's no rivalry to speak of. For that reason alone the comment was gay. Not to mention that there's a time and a place to yell "Your Team Sucks." And that time is not when memorializing a dead player, it's at a party, a bar or a bar mitzvah even.

Stay classy guy in the front row at M&T Bank Stadium, your my stiff of the week.

Quoth Jim Mora: Playoffs!?!

I know I've been harping on this, and I know I'm far from the only one. College football needs a playoff, there's no way around it. The NCAA runs those commercials where they talk about the thousands of athletes that will turn pro in something other than sports, and most of them will have had the opportunity to do so after striving to win a national championship. All football players can't say the same thing.

Quick: Who's #1? How about #2-#9? I bet you would have a total different answer to that then I would, and we both would have a different answer then the BCS will end up having. I'll go on record as saying that Ohio State will get waxed by the other OSU, LSU, WVU, UGA, USC or VA Tech. Hell, I'd bet my mortgage payment on 9-3 Florida beating the Buckeyes again if they had a shot. But, they have three losses and there's no way a team with three losses should be able to play for a title. Hey, remember when there was no way a team with 2 losses could play for a title, like a week and a half ago?

Once again #1 and #2 couldn't hold serve as Mizzou and West Virginia lost last night, and the whole system is in upheaval. I personally would like to see USC play Georgia for the title game, because I think that would be the best game on the field. But, I would also take LSU vs VA Tech in a rematch (and a game involving two schools who have gone through large scale tragedies over the last few years). What is clear is we need a playoff. 8 teams in a three round tournament to decide the champ:

#1 Ohio State vs #8 Hawai'i in the Fiesta Bowl

#2 Georgia vs # 7 Mizzou in the Orange Bowl

#3 USC vs #6 Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl

#4 LSU vs #5 West Virgina in the Sugar Bowl

The winner of 1v8 (Hawai'i') Plays the winner of 4v5 (LSU).

The winner of 2v7 (Georgia) Plays the winner of 3v6 (USC)

#8 Hawai'i loses to #4 LSU and #2 Georgia loses to #3 USC to set up:

The National Title game to be played at some huge stadium the week between the NFC/AFC Title games and the Superbowl, pitting #4 LSU (13-2) against #3 USC (11-2). I'd watch that, hell I'd even fill out brackets. And enough of this bullshit about the kids missing too many classes, most of them aren't even in session in the early part of January and it doesn't seem to impact that IAA and D-II or D-III kids.

MAKE IT HAPPEN!

How bout some Hot Stove...All Right Luke Warm Stove Baseball

I haven't posted in awhile so I kind of feel like I'm due here. I've always thought the term hot stove baseball was weird. It's one of those things I feel like I should research to see where it originated. Do you think some guys actually sat around an ol' hot stove and talked about baseball in the old days when you had to walk up hill in the snow to go to school? I'm not sure but I'd bet it has something to do with that.

Enough about that, I saw an article on Yahoo today about top "blockbuster trade" possibilities. Among the names listed were Miguel Tejada (no surprise there) and Erik Bedard (what the fuck??). As far as Tejada goes the Orioles aren't going to win with him any time soon but may be able to get some kind of rotation and bull pen help from trading him. I say do it and don't look back!! He hasn't wanted to be here for two years now anyway so send his Dominican ass somewhere else. If he hadn't gotten hurt he would've been traded in July anyway.

As for Bedard, the stupidest thing the Orioles could do is trade this kid. He is two years away from being able to file free agency and he led the league in strike outs til he got hurt in September. He is an ace of the future and if the team is run correctly the centerpiece of a franchise that could be on the up swing in about two years. If the Orioles don't contend in 2009 they may never contend again. All of their young talent is signed through that time frame (including Tejada) and they have the potential to be a really good team. That being said I'm sure Angelos will find a way to mis-manage it and cause us die hards more undue pain.

At least this season I'll be able to cross at least one new stadium off my list as DC will be opening. I also have plans to go to Chi-Town to see the Cubbys play possibly against the O's. That will probably be the high light of another sub par under .500 season for the Birds. As for the ol' hot stove I prefer my nice gas furnace.

Wait...He's not going for it?

I watched football from Noon until 11:30 yesterday with a group of my college buddies, which was a great way to spend a day. Never mind the fact that the Redskins are bitches and let the Bucs off the hook, or that my fantasy team got shit hammered by one of my old roommates, the big thing I took from this week was the inimitable proof that the Pats ran up the score in weeks past.

With the score tied at 14, and the ball resting on their own 6 yard line New England faced a fourth and goal. Rather than throwing it to Moss or bringing in all their linebackers to go for it (remember Belichick's quote "what are we supposed to do, Kick a field goal?) he kicked a field goal. Oh now, wait a minute. Is he saying that there are times when you just take the points rather than try and score a TD? (A fact I wish Joe Gibbs knew, since we went for it when we should have taken the chip shot FG)

Later with the score 17-14 another Pat's drive stalled in the red zone and rather than trying to convert a first down or score from the 14 they lined up for another FG. They missed this one, and at that point the Eagles fans in the room began to believe they could win. I did too, and more importantly I wanted them to. And the only thing that pisses me off more than Belichick actually remembering how to send in the field goal team is that the Patriots succeeded in making me inclined to side with the Eagles.

Mizzou goes #2 on Kansas

I don't think Kansas has been this down over the outcome of a game since back in '91 when they tied Ed Gennero's Texas State Armadillos 3-3 on a kick by a girl. This time, instead of "old guy" QB Paul Blake tearing Kansas up with his legs it was "short guy" QB Chase Daniel who torched the Jayhawks.

Now we have to wait to see if the Tigers can hold serve in the Big XII title game next week in order to make it to the BCS title game. As for Kansas, they should look on the bright side: At least your coach didn't eat you, and that's saying something. Major, dumb, silly-stupid props to the Mizzou fan who held up the sign behind the Game Day crew that said "Obesity Lives Here" in a play on ESPN's advertising and Mangino's amazing fatness.

More Evidence That We Need a Playoff

Once again #1 LSU couldn't hold serve, and once again we have more evidence that the NCAA needs a playoff. As of this moment there is no consensus as to who the best team in the nation is, and there won't be on Sunday if #2 Kansas beets #3 Missouri and takes over at the top of the polls. If you can't determine who the two best teams are, how in the world are you supposed to set them up to square off for the title? Hell, LSU could still be the best team in the country, they just fell victim to the guy who should win the Heisman. McFadden had 206 yards rushing, 3 rushing TDs and even threw a TD pass. In a playoff I wouldn't want to see LSU, USC or even Florida all teams the current process of crowning a champ have eliminated.

My New Favorite College BBall Team

Normally I hate St. Mary's, the one in Maryland that is, because they are in my Alma mater's conference. I also hate St. Mary's MD because one of their players once threatened my life from the floor because I was heckling him big time, but that's another story for another time.

The St. Mary's that I'm all about these days is the St. Mary's in the Oakland suburbs. The Gaels have started this year 4-0 including an early season upset of #12 Oregon last night. I'm all about mid-major schools who knock off the big boys, but even more so when 4 players on the team hail from down under. In the win over the Ducks the Gaels were paced by Patrick Mills who is from Canberra. Mills poured in 37 points to go along with his 5 assists and 2 steals, not bad for an 18 year old kid huh? Mills is a 6-0 guard, and is joined on the Gaels roster by fellow Aussies Carlin Hughes (G, 6-2) Lucas Walker (F, 6-8) and Ben Allen (C, 6-11).

All they need to field a starting 5 is the Aussie Shaq (pictured at the start of the post with Mills) Nathan Jawai (F, 6-8) is only 20 but skipped playing college ball with fellow Aussie Aborigine Mills so he could play pro ball in Australia for the Cairns Taipans.

So, I'll set my Tivo to record any St. Mary's Gaels games so I can watch my Aussie buddies hoop it up. I still hate the St. Mary's Seahawks, and they can go fuck them selves, even if they do get an Aussie player. That's doubtful, since all they seem to get are DI kids who can't spell or get caught dealing drugs.

How The West Was Lost

Hooray! The Broncos won last night and pulled into a tie with the Chargers (from Saun-DEE-AH-Go, German for a whale's vagina) in the putrid AFC West. Two teams, both 5-5 sit atop the division standings and 4-6 KC is only one game out. Pathetic! The NFC west isn't much better with 6-4 Seattle one game better than 5-5 Arizona.

Hasn't the time come to get rid of the Division winners automatic bid? Congratulations Denver: you beet the shit out of Oakland and KC and you get to play with New England, Pittsburgh and Indy. What kind of sense does that make. Why not just set it up so you can win your division but you have to have one of the 6 best records to make the playoffs. Or better yet, how about we get rid of the ridiculous divisions all together. 16 teams in the AFC, 16 teams in the NFC with the 6 best from each side making the playoffs.

How would the schedule work you ask, I'll tell you. You play everyone in the conference once for a total of 15 games and then play 3 against the other conference for a total of 18 games. Get rid of two of the preseason games and set up a season where we get to see who is truly the best in each Conference. Plus, by adding two more games we can start diminishing the Patriots accomplishment right away like people do to the '72 Dolphins. "Yeah but they only went 16-0 not 18-0... so it's not the same."

Quoth the Ravens "Can't We Catch a Fucking Break??"

It was an unbelieveable (it can't be believed Cotton) ending to a crazy game in Baltimore today. After the anemic Ravens offense sputtered through the first half managing something like 50 total yards in the first half 43 of which on the final posession they came to life after half time. The defense which had been on the field for more than a quarter at half time somehow kept this team in the game. Kyle Boller led four scoring drives including what looked to be a game winning field goal from Matt Stover with 26 seconds left. But as it's gone all season the ball was not going to bounce the Ravens way.

For some reason the kick off team can't fucking tackle the Browns return man as he ended up near the 40 on all but one kick and with 16 seconds the Browns have the ball near mid field. Of course the defense can't hold for this short period of time and give up two passes that give Phil Dawson the chance at a 51 yard field goal. At first glance this kick looked to be no good. It bounced off the cross bar and out onto the field of play and was ruled by both officials as no good. The Ravens ran off the field celebrating a long over due victory and all was right with the world. However after further reveiw on a play that is not reviewable it was determined that because the ball hit off the back of the goal post and then bounced out that it was in fact a good kick.

Half the Ravens were in the locker room untaping themselves and celebrating only to be told that the game was not over and they needed to play overtime. While I agree that ultimately the call appears to be right (even though there is no precedence for a play like this) if something is non reviewable (and the ref clearly went under the hood) than even if you're wrong you have to stick to your call. That is probably just the bitter taste of defeat talking but give me a break! A game that was a must win, an offense that finally comes alive and we still can't get a fucking win. Granted if we hadn't given up that 100 yard interception return for a touchdown or could fucking tackle Josh Cribbs before he gets to mid field it would've been different. Oh well, we've got the worst three game stretch in NFL history coming up with the Chargers, Pats, and Colts on consecutive weeks so if nothing else we should be at the top third of the drafing pool to get a decent quarterback of the future!!

More Proof: Boston is Title Town USA

I don't know what game you were watching yesterday at Noon, but Michigan v Ohio State ain't got shit on "The Game." Yale came into the game 9-0, and 6-0 in the Ivy, while Harvard traveled to the Yale Bowl 8-2 but also 6-0 in the Ivy. Just like Ohio St and Michigan this game was to decide who wins the Conference title.

In front of more than 57 thousand fans the Crimson had their way with Yale's vaunted defense thanks to three guys who look like they should be on the basketball team. QB Chris Pizzotti (6-5) and WRs Matt Luft (6-5) and Corey Mazza (6-4) are all big boys, and they played big boy football on Saturday. Pizzotti was 27 of 41 for 316 yards, with 4 TDs and no picks. Luft pulled in 8 of those passes for 160 yards and two scores while Mazza had 7 for 55. Harvard scored on a long TD on the first drive of the game and never looked back. It was 27-0 at the half and we were well on our way to adding the Crimson to the list of teams from the hub that can do no wrong. Harvard ended up winning 37-6.

Yale has a toe injury to star HB Mike McLeod to blame for their horrid performance on offense, but their D has no answers for their inability to slow down the Crimson passing attack. I hate to draw and obvious comparison, but with their stable of big receivers Harvard looked like the Patriots out there. A friend of mine who covers the Ivy was sure that the Bulldogs D would hold up against the Harvard passing attack, so this was an unexpected outcome... to some. I've been saying that Harvard was going to win the Ivy for weeks now.

Stud of the Week: This Song

This is pure unadulterated genius. I have no words… they should have sent a poet…

I've got to go ahead and give the Stud of the Week award to Riskay (feat. Aviance and Real) for this master stroke of a song. Rarely in this world have I ever been so touched by the beauty of the english language put into song like I have with "Smell Yo Dick." It reminds me of a song that XL and I heard in College by a band called Nasty N***Rs called "Why yo pussy ain't tight" only this is way beter. Please to enjoy...

(if the link gets cancled again and you can't play the video above just go check out Riskay's MySpace:

http://www.myspace.com/riskaydramaqueen

I also recomend "Krispy Kreme" and "My Candy"

Been Caught Dopin'

Well it looks as if the US Attorney in San Fran Finlay got of their ass and indited Barry Bonds. It's about fucking time! Maybe the folks in charge out there are Bonds lovers/Aaron Haters and were just waiting for him to topple the record. Or maybe Greg Anderson saw that interview Bonds did with Jim Gray a few weeks back and decided that he doesn't want to sit in jail for that douche nozzle anymore. Either way, I've got my fingers crossed that he gets convicted. Hell, Alcatraz is right there, maybe we can reopen it for Barry.

Hey New York....No Take Backs

Inky and I were driving through New York the day after the World Series ended and we spent our time listening to all the vitriol the Yankees had for Alex Rodriguez. Oops! Don't they know that you never talk shit about an ex to a friend until you're sure they've moved on. Now it looks like A Rod is going to be back in NYC for the discount rate of $275 Million, and the Yankee fans are going to have to start boasting about his MVP years again. If he had gone to any other team they would have gone on and on about how much better the team is with out him (hell they were doing that on WFAN already) but no matter, they'll just throw that into reverse and praise him.

This is one of those deals where I think everyone will get what's coming to them. Alex will play great, and get cheered; will play bad and get booed, and the fans will have plenty more early playoff exits to bitch about. But, the Boss will have a marquee name to hang out there when the new Stadium opens, and that's what this was always about.

This Is Why I Hate The NBA

This blog will be about a rare topic for me...basketeball and in particular the NBA. I have a lot of respect for the college game and follow my Division III Alma Mater as well as the Duke Blue Devils. I have never in my life been a fan of the NBA and the story about Stephon Marbury and the New York Knicks today is why.

Evidently on Marbury has not been playing real well as of late and found out on the plane to Phoenix that he may not be starting. Instead of thinking abou twhat he could do to play better or confronting coach Isiah "Long Dong Silver" Thomas about how to get back in the line up he picks a fight with him....at 10,000 feet. Granted he didn't choke him or anything but he was reported to have said that he "knows things" about Thomas and he has "leverage" so Isiah would have to start him. When he found out he was still benched (aka not starting but likely still playing a good bit) he skipped the game like a 5 year old.

The feud with these two goes back awhile evidently with Marbury having testified against Thomas in the now infamous sexual harrasment suit. This kind of stuff is the norm in the NBA on a lot of teams, nobody is happy and everyone is being "disrespected"...give me a break. These guys are over paid ball hawks who probably would lose to most top 5 college teams because they've forgotten the concept of team sports. They're all so out to get "mines" and "doing it for moms" that they don't know or care how to play like a team and have a good season. So Stephon, your fine is deserved, it shoul'dve been more and I'm sure you're still benched and now likely traded to raise hell somewhere else...Congratulations you are now the first NBA player to ever be XL's stiff of the week!

Attention Miami Ganja Pushers: Ricky is Back!

I'm going to go ahead and piggy back off the post XL did yesterday and do a little post about NFL bad boys. Ricky Williams is back for more cash! One could imagine how he ran through all his lose change playing in Canada, Vancouver is one of the few places a man can toke in peace. With Ronnie Brown out for the season, and the Fins at 0-9 is there any doubt that Ricky will get to Carry the ball once he's back? And just in time for fantasy football playoffs too! Welcome back Ricky... and stay off the Mary Jane this time.

Pacman Pleads...Henry and Johnson Returns What a Weird Season....

I see today that Pacman Jones is going to plead no contest to shooting up a titty bar in Las Vegas a few years back. He's not going to admit to actually shooting up the joint but he may be persuaded to point out the guy who did. For being this generous he gets a year probation plus a butt load of community service. What I find amazing about all of this is he still had the nerve to meet with the commisioner and ask to be reinstated. I also don't know why the Titans would want him back considering their 6-3 and not missing him on defense. If I were the Titans I'd cut his ass at the end of the season and be done with him. Someone will sign him for sure but he's caused enough problems in Tennessee.

This weekend also saw the return of Cincinatti receiver Chris Henry who unfortunately had a warm welcome in Baltimore. How he caught that 50 yard pass with safeties playing 30 yards deep is beyond me. I digress however, hopefully Henry has learned his lesson and will stay out of trouble. Tank Johnson suited up for the Cowboys although I didn't watch the game I'm sure he contributed. He couldn't have asked for a better scenario leaving the now awful Bears to end up in Dallas and in 1st place. Hopefully he left all of his unregistered guns in Chi Town.

It's been a weird year in the NFL this year with all the injuries and surprisingly bad teams that were supposed to be good. I know my fantasy team has suffered with LJ out and Ahman Green injured half the year. Now Dwight Freeney is out likely for the whole season to go along with all the other injuries the Colts have suffered. Looks like the Pats could run away with it all unless someone somewhere breaks Tom Brady's leg...if the Ravens could give me one thing this season that would be it....I'd love to here all the band wagon jumping, baked bean eating, tea bag dumping whiners from Baston cry when their pretty boy QB can't lead them anymore.

Trade Proposal

I have a trade proposal for the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals. How about Brian Billick for Marvin Lewis straight up? It's clear that each of these coaches have lost their teams, and lets face it, any success aside neither has done what they were brought on board to do. Did Billick win the '00 Superbowl for the Ravens, or did Lewis? Billick went from one team in purple to another to bring his vast offensive intellect, and in all those years the Ravens have been a modestly successful offense at best. They won the Superbowl on D, and it was that win that gained Lewis all his credibility. So he gets a gig in Cinci where they succeed based on the O not the D.

So why not just swap the coaches? Imagine how sick that Cinci O would look with BB pulling the strings. And, what would that Raven's D be able to do with their old leader back at the helm? I'm just sayin'. And while we're at it, can the Skins push Joe, Al, and Greg aside and hire The Chin or Russ Grimm?

Stiff of the Week: Greazy Tony

I've done it again, even though they keep treating me bad and rubbing my face in it. I keep going back to the one who's hurt me so many times before. In the end I know we're not right for each other. Sure, there were good times back in the beginning of our relationship when it was still new and exciting. There were those three Superbowl wins too. But, the Redskins have humiliated me for the last time. This time after they beet me up and stood there in a tank top, boxers and a John Deer hat I did the right thing. I told the cop that it was them who was wrong and not me. I stood up for myself and decided I would make it on my own.

But then I woke up this morning and looked at the standings, and a funny thing happened. I found myself thinking that if they just go 4-3 over their last 7 games they will be 9-7 and that may be enough to make the playoffs. When the Redskins turned up with flowers, a sixer of Miller Light, and my favorite candy I did what I always do: I took them back. And so our defective relationship goes on. One day maybe we'll go on Dr. Phil and I'll make a clean break, but until then I am my own Stiff of the Week this week.

Fumble In Minnesota

After all the bad press the Vikings got a few years ago with the boat scandal and all the good press they've gotten this year with rookie sensation Adrian Peterson you'd think they'd learn how to keep matters in house. However as reported today on espn.com the Vikings are witholding last Sunday's game check from receiver Troy Williamson because he went home to arrange and attend his grand mothers funeral. I mean are you kidding me?? I understand that athletes are held to a higher standard and all but they've got families too. Williamson isn't a big time paid player yet, he makes less than half a million a year so it's not like he can afford to lose a 16th of his income. Just about every profession allows you to miss a day from work I mean it's not like he missed the Super Bowl or something. You're talking about the woman who supposedly raised him so of course he wants to be there to honor her memory. Williamson will appeal the fine and hopefully win because otherwise it's bull shit. You'd think a team would have a little more sympathy for their players personal lives.

Stiff of the Week: Don Shula

Ok, we're all tired of hearing about how good the New England Patriots are. They've destroyed everyone in their path accept the Colts who they managed to come back on in the final 8 minutes. The remainder of their schedule looks as if they could actually be the first team since 1972 to go undefeated. It's all over the national media, ESPN seems to be able to talk of nothing less so of course someone finally asked Don Shula coach of the 72 Dolphins what he thinks about a new "flawless" team. Shula's response....pretty much if they do go undefeated it should have an * beside the record because they got caught spying on the Jets in week 1. While this was and is a big deal and New England deserves all the negative press they are getting about it they never truly benefited from that scandal. The employee was caught mid way through the first quarter before he could share the footage with anyone else on the Pats staff. No one ever saw that footage other than the NFL and the guy that shot it so no advantage was truly gained. How long this has been going on and if it had paid off in the past is an argument for another day.

Shula's comments are at best childish and immature and definitely beneath the former great coach. He comes off sounding like a whiner holding on to something that doesn't mean anything to anyone accept the remaining members of that team. Every year they get together at Shula's restaurant to pop champagne and eat steak to celebrate the fact that they are still the only undefeated team in NFL history (or since the merger I'm not sure which). It reminds me of a line from one of my favorite movies Anchorman where Ron Burgundy says to Brian Fantana "We've been coming to the same party every year and in no way is that depressing" I think that about sums up the feeling of the remaining 72 Dolphins.

I'm not routing for the Patriots to go undefeated by any stretch, actually I hope they lose more than one and Tom Brady or Randy Moss gets their leg broken. I wonder if Shula heard the great NFL trivia question I heard on the radio today. The question "Which 5 teams in the NFL have a Cat as their mascot?" The answer??? Bengals, Panthers, Jaguars, Lions........can't think of the 5th one? Are you sure you've checked all of your divisions?? Ok, the 5th team is the New England Cheetahs!!!! It was later reported that Shula had to be changed upon hearing this joke as he shit himself laughing so hard...

Retired Expectations

Being a Philly sports fan is hard. It is always something. Some drama, some story that makes us look stupid, some franchise player chased out of town to have his glory elsewhere. One of the most fraught and ridiculous stories to grace our town was the story of Eric Lindros. I personally fell in love with Eric Lindros very early on and thought that he would not only bring glory back to the Flyers, but make a fine father for my children.

Turns out I was wrong, on both counts. There are too many crazy and bizarre things that happened while he was a Flyer to go through here, but needless to say the high cost of high expectations caught up to him way too soon. After all the concussions, fights, the dad-as-manager drama, alleged drunken escapades and a collapsed lung, Eric was on his way out of town. But, he never did go on to have his glory somewhere else. And, I really hoped he would. But, it was not to be.

My bitterness over the whole situation has died over the years. And, mostly I'm just sorry it never worked out like it could have. It could have been good times for many years. But, like a lot of things, it never really delivered on the promises.

So, good luck with retirement Eric. I hope you have a good life. Lord knows it wasn't easy being one of Philly's favorite/hated sons. You did the best you could. Take care of your noggin, and remember, keep that head up crossing center ice.