Saturday, February 28, 2009

Saturday Night Special

1. The Playmaker notched his second consecutive double-double, with 10 points and 10 boards in today's 20-14 victory. That W puts us at 6-5 for the season.


2. Just finished watching OS-Who and Travis Ford knock off Texas. Longhorn forward Damion Jones is one of the most underated players in the country. The silky smooth junior is already NBA ready.

3. Kentucky can never lose enough for us. We were thrilled to watch them lose at the end to LSU. Wildcat coach Billy Gillispie just looks plain sleazy and creepy.

4. We caught some of NFL Network's drool fest over Brian Dawkins. Yes, he was the HEART of the Eagles' defense, as NFL Network told us at least 30 times today. Yet, it was that defense that needed just one fourth quarter stop against the Cardinals in the NFC Championship Game. And Dawkins and company couldn't get it done.

5. Finally, the Patriots move Mike Vrabel and Matt Cassel to KC and all they get is...wait for it... a second round pick?!? Maybe those wild rumors of a Coach Bill sex tape really were true. If so, KC's Scott Pioli must be holding the copy.


Friday, February 27, 2009

B-Dawk to Broncos?!? ZZZ

It looks as if Brian Dawkins, the greatest safety in the history of the Philadelphia Eagles, has signed with the Denver Broncos.

S'cuse us while we yawn.

Five years ago, we would have been screaming obscenities. We would have hurled dirty comments about Andy Reid's drug addicted sons.

Now, we don't even care.

Brian Dawkins was once the best safety in football. But that was many, many seasons ago. For at least the last two years, he has been nothing more than an emotional leader who is decent against the run and a huge (huge!) liability against the pass. Yes, he still makes an occasional big hit. The problem is they always come after being burned for a big play.

The other reason we are so cavalier about him moving on is the fact that he did it purely for...wait for it...the money. We would be bummed out if he left Philly for a winner, in hopes of a Super Bowl ring. Denver will be lucky to even make the playoffs before Dawkins retires. Like so many others, he chased the Mighty Buck.

B-Dawk. A great Philadelphia Eagle. (And a Great Guy off the field.)

B-Dawk, a guy who is no longer a good player.



Thursday, February 26, 2009

Yes, we agree!

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

T-Will

Terrence Williams is undervalued by many.

How good is he?!?

So good that despite only scoring 10 points last night, he dominated the Georgetown Hoyas and led Louisville to a 76-58 victory. The small forward dominated with 12 rebounds. He dominated with 7 assists. He dominated defensively with 2 steals and 2 blocks. He dribbled. He slashed. He played with confidence and passion. Is he a good outside shooter? Um, no. Is there a spot for him in the first round of June's NBA Draft?!?

Of course.




Dealing w/ Donovan

This whole Donovan McNabb thing is interesting, to say the least. It was reported yesterday that #5 will hold off on signing a contract extension until he sees if/how the Eagles add more offensive weapons. k

First things first. McNabb is under contract for the next two years. However, his cap number next year is something asinine like $ 14 mill. So the "extension" is really ripping up the existing contract and making a more cap friendly one for the Eagles and in return giving D-Mac an additional year or two.

That being said, he does need more weapons around him. Anyone who disputes this is either crazy or going by the name Andy Reid or Joe Banner. And a major reason why McNabb needs more weapons is because he's not a great player. Hell, he's not even a good player. No, he's merely pretty good. There are at least 12 other QBs who could have "led" the Eagles to 9 victories last season.

His backers (if there are any) point to the year he was given Terrell Owens. The result was a Super Bowl. (Where McNabb's miscues helped lead the team to defeat.) But what about the (injured) Golden Boy, Tom Brady?!? He won his first Super Bowl throwing to wide outs Troy Brown and David Patten. Those two were no better than Kevin Curtis and DeSean Jackson. The problem, of course, is the fact Brady is five times (five!) the player McNabb is.

We don't have a problem with McNabb waiting to see what the Eagles do this off-season. However, can you picture this kind of crap happening with the Patriots?!? Whatever requests Tom Brady has made have been done in private, without bruising any egos. This is just the latest example of McNabb using poor judgement. The only difference is it's usually done on the playing field. Given the Eagles refusal in recent years to add offensive weapons (Lorenzo Booker, anyone?!?), it's a good bet McNabb will not get the help he is "seeking." But maybe he already knows this. And he definitely knows that unless he reworks his contract, the Eagles will not bring him back next year. So maybe this is his way asking for a trade -- without actually asking, of course.

Finally, we think it would be hilarious if DeSean Jackson came out and said he was not going to sign a contract extension until the Eagles made an upgrade at quarterback. Seriously, we'd take Matt Cassel over #5 in a second!

Get over yourself, Donovan. You're really not that good.


Monday, February 23, 2009

Monday Morning Thoughts...

1. The 24 hour getaway with The Family was quite nice. Kids got to go swimming. We ate some great food. The hotel was beautiful. ***However, there were two bummers - both bed related. The first one was the mattresses were way too soft. We shared one queen with The Playmaker (while The Wife bedded with The Playmaker's Sister). No back support = waking up stiffer than stiff with a bad case of sciatica. Ugh. And perhaps "waking up" was the wrong term. It seems as if The Playmker is a high roller. As in he rolls around a lot while he sleeps. If we were bumped into once, we were bumped into a dozen times. Total number of hours we slept? Definitely less than four. Even worse, they came in 15 or 20 minute bursts -- until the next bump. Still, it was a good time.

2. Saturday morning's b-ball games went well. The Playmaker's Sister's Team improved to 8-2. She has shown major improvement this season, scoring in 3 of the seven games she has played. Perhaps her biggest accomplishment was sinking a foul shot at the end of a quarter when the other 9 players were already off the court. As we Twittered, The Playmaker got his elusive Double-Double (14 points, 10 boards) while leading his team to to the .500 Level at 5-5.

3. Rain in February totally and completely sucks. Reminds us that spring is not far off. We love fall and winter...have come to enjoy summer...but spring is The Worst.

4. The newspaper business continues to struggle Big Time. Philadelphia Newspapers, owners of the Inquirer and The Daily News, filed for bankruptcy protection yesterday. Yikes.

5. Caught a new show on the DVR yesterday afternoon -- Being Erica. Absolutely loved it and will be blogging about it soon.


Sunday, February 22, 2009

W-O-R-K, 2.0

W-O-R-K

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Last Night's Dinner...

Steak tips...marinated in Italian dressing...grilled for 8 minutes.

Friday, February 20, 2009

TGIF = TGIEA



Thursday, February 19, 2009

Thursday Morning Thoughts

1. Reports out of Philadelphia say the Eagles are trying to trade offensive tackle Winston Justice! Wow! You don't say!?! And what, exactly, does Big Boy Andy hope to get for the third year pro stiff? A doughnut?!? Justice, a former 2nd round pick out of USC, has played in...wait for it...12 games in three years. And by conservative estimates, he has STUNK in all 12 games. What does it say when your two starting tackles (Jon Runyan and Tre Thomas) are both free agents, as well as older than dirt, and the team is looking to move the backup to those players?!? Maybe Big Boy Andy will get some sucker to give him a 7th round pick. Otherwise, Justice will simply be released.

2. Trade Andre Miller today or not?!? That's the question facing the Philadelphia 76ers about their free-agent-to-be point guard. We're not Big Fans of him. Yes, he is an above average point guard -- a pretty good player. He will also be 33 next month. Anything more than a 3 year deal in the range of $32 million would be ludicrous. However, Miller's current deal already plays him 10 mill per. Would he be willing to accept what would basically amount to a 3 year extension? If he walks this summer, the 76ers have nothing to show for their A.I. trade -- except one Jason Smith, who has one very bad knee. Surely, there must be someone out their who will give Ed Stefanski an expring contract, as well as a young player with upside. Might Orlando, minus Jameer Nelson, be willing to move dead money and Mickael Pietrus for Miller? They would almost definitely be willing to move dead money and J.J. Redick. Redick, by the way, hit 4-8 on treys last night. Do the Sixers have anyone who has hit 4 treys this season?!? Ultimately, our big gut tells us Miller will walk this summer and end up out west. Fast Eddie should get as much as he can today and move him.

3. We are beyond tired of A-roid coverage! What's worse -- the nauseating 24/7 coverage or the fact that it's a near given that A-roid is lying out his ass?!? Ah, yes, there is always a cousin lurking in everyone's shadows.

4. Our Louisville Cardinals played one half of ball against Providence, yet won by 18! They still have no point guard (Pouty Sosa scored 18 points, but had just 2 assists in 20 minutes). And how can a 6'9" power player like Samardo Samuels be such a poor rebounder?!? He logged 30 minutes, but grabbed just 3 boards. Bottom line: When Earl Clark and Terrence Williams (a combined 13-23, 30 points, 16 boards and 15 assists) play well, the Cards are one of the top five teams in the country. When they don't, they are simply a bottom half top 25 team.

5. Penn State basketball is having a great year, BUT... Last night's game against Illinois was downright atrocious. The Nittany Lions won, 38-33. (38-33!) And no, the game was not cancelled at halftime. The two teams shot a combined 29 percent from the floor! And we thought Louisville was ugly (at times) on offense. The Big Ten Haters will be out in full force today.





Tuesday, February 17, 2009

***Office Pool Alert***

Anyone who's anyone watched last night's Pitt-UConn tilt on ESPN. Keep that in mind when every Schmo in your office rides the Panthers into the title game in the office pool. And honestly, who will blame them?!? Pitt looked pretty frigging tough last night. To wit:

1. DeJuan Blair turned in one of the All Time Big East Performances! The 6'7" sophomore dominated the game with 22 points and 23 rebounds! He abused 7'3" UConn center Hasheem Thabeet. With more than 20 NBA scouts in attendance, Blair earned millions off last night's effort. He constantly backed Thabeet down and then used his hulking (265, easy) frame to gain separation. And the back to back, reverse lefty spin shots? Who knew?!?

2. Sam Young carried Pitt from the outside! The 6'6" Maryland native went off for 25 points on 8-13 shooting, including knocking down 4 treys.

3. Levance Fields was money in the clutch! He went 36 minutes without a hoop, before exploding for 8 points in the final four minutes to seal the win. Healthy for the first time in years, the senior point guard is in the best shape of his career.

4. Blair on the inside, Young on the outside and a talented senior point guard...what's not to like?!? Well, the bench is nothing to write home about. The scrubs played 56 total minutes, yet netted only 3 points (though Gilbert Brown did snare 7 boards).

5. And what about UConn?!? We certainly can see the Huskies joining the Panthers in the Final Four, though it would be a helluva lot easier if injured guard Jerome Dyson was not lost for the year. Who else has a Blair to score over Thabeet? Um, not many teams. However, Jim Calhoun can expect teams to pack in the D and sag on Thabeet and Jeff Adrien and dare UConn to fire from long range. Calhoun went with Craig Austrie in Dyson's spot. Too bad, as he coughed up a 2-9 night, including 1-5 on treys. To put Austrie's (lack of) talent in its proper perspective, he was headed for Mighty UMass as a high school senior until Loser Flint got fired. Then he got a late offer from UConn in the spring. From mediocre mid-major to starting on on the #1 team in the country. Rather, the team that was #1 until last night.



Monday, February 16, 2009

All-Star thoughts...

1. Reggie Miller is tough to take! His voice is not smooth. He tries (and fails) to be funny. And he continually brings everything back to himself. He would make a solid announcer for the hometown Pacers. On the national stage, however, he is terrible.

2. The Slam Dunk contest needs to be reigned back in! Dwight Howard stepping into a phone booth to change clothes is something out of the XFL. And how many times must we watch Rudy Fernandez miss his dunks?!? You should be allowed three failed attempts -- after that, take a seat.(Speaking of which, why is Rudy Fernandez even in the event?!?)

3. Speaking of dunks, yes Nate Robinson is a great dunker! But, that's all he is. You know damn well he does nothing all year except practice his dunks for his five minutes of fame every February. The fourth year pro has not improved one bit since somehow managing to sneak into the first round of the 2005 draft. Hey, Holmes, maybe you want to work on developing a jump shot? We actually suffered through three Knicks games on TV this season and Robinson is a Human Turnover. Even worse, he struts around thinking he's all that.

4. Nice to see Shaq and Kobe together and friendly! It's clear that at this point in their careers, they both see What Could Have Been had they put their egos aside. It says here that Shaq will be back in the Purple and Gold before retiring.


Sunday, February 15, 2009

MLB Power Rankings


The Yankees are on top?!? Um, not sure about that one. And the Rays are second, ahead of the Phillies -- the team that kicked the sheeeeet out of them in the World Series?!? Yeah, these rankings are good for squat. (OK...they are kind of interesting to read. Click here to check 'em out.)


For the first time in 13 years...

A.I. cut his hair. Wow.

New kicks = time to honor The Man

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Happy Valentine's Night

The morning started off quite well, as The Playmaker's team ended its three game losing streak, winning 28-26. As we hinted at (via Twitter) this morning, we did, in fact, take the handcuffs off The Playmaker. He went off for 14 points, on 7-14 shooting. He was aided by the fact that two teammates were missing, so we were able to double-shift him more than normal.


After the W, we came home and grabbed some lunch before settling in for quality college basketball viewing:

1. We have to admit that Hasheem Thabeet is pretty darn good! We have never liked him for several reasons: He came thisclose to signing with Louisville, he can't do anything on O other than dunk and it just seems wrong that he should be that much taller than the rest of the players. But he has had a season worthy of Player of the Year consideration. Today, he damn near had a triple double as UConn beat Seton Hall in its first game without guard Jerome Dyson.

2. But the Player of the Year will be Blake Griffin! The Oklahoma sophomore bagged 40 and 23 today against Texas Tech. (40 & 23!) While Thabeet has at least five teammates who are future NBA ballers, Griffin has one (rookie guard Willie Warren).

3. Great finish between Syracuse and Georgetown! What a great game to watch, as the Hoyas came back from 16 down with under 8 minutes to play to force overtime. The 'Cuse missed some foul shots (shocker!) and Georgetown finally hit some outside shots. However, it was too much Jonny Flynn (25 points & 13 assists) and Eric "8-Mile" Devendorf (23 points and a killer trey to start the OT), as the Orange won, 98-94.

4. While that was going on, we switched over during commercials to the UCLA-Arizona game! There is no way UCLA is the 6th best team in the country. They don't play tough D and they are soft on the glass. Jordan Hill (22, 13, 2) is an athletic wonder for Arizona, and Nic Wise (26 big ones) shot the lights out. As for Chase Budinger, how is it possible he is still in college?!? It seems like he is on the Milt Wagner 10 year plan. The junior surfer/volleyball star/small forward literally did it all...17 points, 5 steals, 5 assists and 5 rebounds. (Heck, he even through in 6 turnovers.) Anyway, the Wildcats beat the overrated Bruins, 84-72.

5. Before dinner, we watched the Kansas-Kansas State game! K-State led early and often (up 16 at one point in the first half), but faltered in the second half, losing 85-74. This is not a championship caliber Kansas team, yet they will be a tough out next month. Point guard Sherron Collins (19 & 5) is back from last year's Title Team and center Cole Aldrich (21 & 7) has moved into the starting lineup quite nicely. One guy We Love, is guard Tom Brady Morningstar. Last year, he never played. Now, he logs 30 plus minutes a game. He was 4-4 on three pointers and was tough as nails on defense.


Thursday, February 12, 2009

Three and out...

1. He's not so smooth when you strip him of his teleprompter! We did not waste much time listening to President Hussein's "speech" on TV Monday night. And lord knows we could never survive having to get up and speak to The Country, but what happened?!? Where was the smooth, eloquent speaker that fooled captivated the people on the campaign trail?!? Liberals constantly crapped on W for his (lack of) public speaking. Was Huseein that bad?!? No. But he was plenty bad.

2. The part of speech we did watch was nothing more than blaming W for the country's problems! Hussein constantly referred to the issues he "inherited." And that's so funny, because he never once fingered the One Person who started the mess. Um, that would be Barney Frank, the chairman of the House Finances Committee. You remember him, right?!? He's the guy who felt everyone in America deserved a mortgage to buy a house. Didn't matter how unqualified they were to even begin to make the monthly payments. Nope Liberal Barney only cared that even the lowest of the lower class got a chance to be a homeowner. Of course, 30 days later, when many of those people could not make the mortgage payments, the housing market went into the crapper. Followed quickly by the banking industry. And now here we are today.

3. Wow -- Timothy (Franz) Geithner is off to a great start! For those who don't know, he's the guy Hussein named as his Treasury Secretary. (A tad ironic, since he is also the guy who failed to pay rough $30,000 in back taxes.) Franz got up Tuesday and made his first big speech. And what did he say? How does he plan to fix the mess? Well, he really didn't say much. There were few details and not much oomph. How bad was it? Even Mr. Teresa Heinz found fault with it. When John Kerry, King of Liberals, finds fault with other liberals -- you've got problems. Wall Street was similarly disappointed and plunged 382 points.


All in all, not a great week for President Hussein.



Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Good stuff

Classic...


Tuesday, February 10, 2009

The next J.D. McCoy heading to OU?!?


J.D. McCoy is the hotshot freshman quarterback who is thisclose to taking Matt Saracen's starting job on Friday Night Lights. Now, it looks like OU is in line to get a real life J.D. McCoy (albeit two years older).

Monday, February 9, 2009

The Microwave



Sunday, February 8, 2009

Sunday Afternoon Thoughts...

1. Don't sleep with on Coach Cal! Will his Memphis Tigers return to the Final Four? No, they won't. Will they be a tough out next month?!? Most definitely. They crushed a solid (17-4) Gonzaga team on the road last night, 68-50. Highly touted freshman Tyreke Evans had 22 points and we have never seen Robert Dozier (18 & 10) play as well as he did last night.

2. Can't wait for Wednesday's North Carolina-Duke game! It says here the Tar Heels will win by double digits. Duke has no one who can even remotely guard Tyler "I'm Jumping Off The Balcony" Hansbrough. The Dukies only hope?!? Maybe Gerald Henderson will punch Hansbrough in the face again, like he did two years ago.

3. This A-Rod stuff is downright boring! Seriously, is anyone surprised?!? Jose Canseco basically told us this two years ago.

4. Learning about a legend! The Playmaker was held scoreless for over half the game yesterday. Then he went down hard, courtesy of a cheap-shot elbow to the head. He stayed down for a minute, got up, refused a sub and dried off his tears. Then over the final 15 minutes of the game, he exploded for 10 points on 4-5 shooting -- including nailing his final 4 shots. After the game, we told him the legend of The Microwave, AKA Vinnie Johnson.


Friday, February 6, 2009

More Twitter Stuff

76ers 99 Pacers 94: Iggy has guns!

(And he scored 20 points, grabbed 8 boards, had 11 assists and 4 blocks.)

The Best Player in the World(!) loses game for team!


Notice Kobe did not even bother to put his hand up!

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Lakers 110 Celtics 109

Just wondering:


1. Why everyone thinks Ray Allen got fouled on the final shot. He threw himself to the ground -- why would that be a foul?!?

2. Why Doug Collins said, "With Kevin Garnett out, the Celtics miss Brian Scalabrine."?!? How could anyone miss Brian Scalabrine?!?

3. Why Pau Gasol does not play more physical. Oh, wait -- he's a Euro. Forget we asked.

4. Why if Paul Pierce is the self proclaimed "Best Player in the World", he missed an easy 15 footer to win the game with five seconds left.
k
5. Why Lamar Odom can't play that way (20, 6, 3) every game.


Thursday Morning Links

Derek Jeter did the whole lunch thing with Lyla Garrity! (Does Riggins know this?!?)

k


Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

The 'Ville: Good, certainly not great

Last night's match-up between top ranked UConn and 7th ranked Louisville was highly anticipated by many. ESPN brought out the big guns, Dick Vitale and hottie Erin Andrews. Vegas made the host Cardinals 2.5 point favorites.

Oh, to live in Sin City. We would have bet The Ranch on UConn. Ea$y money, baby! Final score: "underdog" UConn 68 Louisville 51.

We are down with Louisville. They have been our homies since the seventh grade when Scooter and Rodney McCray ran around pressing the whole game, Charles Jones blocked everything and Lancaster Gordon scored at will in transition.

We have seen nearly everyone of their games this year (thanks, ESPN). We know them better than anyone.

While the public, including those of the "expert" variety, has fawned over Rick Pitino's guys for six weeks, we have been less enthusiastic. They have a very good all around player in Terrence Williams. A rugged rebounder in Earl Clark. And a bundle of energy off the bench in Preston Knowles.

And that's it, folks. They have no point guard. Pitino privately wishes junior Edgar Sosa would up and leave the program. He had a solid rookie year, capped off with a 35 point March Madness effort against future first round pick Acie Law. Since then, it's been a year and a half of poor play, bad decisions and tons of sulking. (By the way, if Sosa is sulking these days, wait until next year when he sees incoming freshman floor general Peyton Silva start from day one.)

Their poor point guard play (senior backup Andre McGee tries hard, but is physically limited) is compounded by the fact that the Cardinals shoot from the outside as well as your mutha. Shooting guard (a relative term with this cru), Jerry Smith is suffering from Sosa-itus, minus the 'tude. He had a great freshman year, but now can't hit anything. A 6'1" former sniper, he has been unable to get good looks. The few times he is able to, the shot seldom goes in. That has led to more minutes for the aforementioned Preston Knowles. This kid is a bulldog, going full-board all the time. The only problem is...you guessed it...he's not great from beyond 16 feet.

Outside deficiencies can be masked by strong interior play. Freshman Samardo Samuels has had a solid first season (averaging 12 points and 5 boards), but he is not a great athlete, nor is he an ideal center (being only 6'9"). And last night, playing against 7'3" giant Hasheem Thabeet, he soiled his shorts -- going scoreless in 19 useless minutes.

Louisville's third problem is enigmatic 6'9" junior forward Clark. After dominating last March, Clark declared for the NBA draft, where first round earnings were waiting for him. Pitino went ballistic, calling him out for being selfish and ignorant. Presto! Clark said he would be back for his junior campaign. Last night, in front of over 30 NBA scouts, Clark shot 2-16 (1-6 on treys) on his way to a 5 point night. Scared stiff of Thabeet, he was content to say on the outside and hoist jumpers all night. And the master of the double-double managed only 3 (3!) rebounds in 33 minutes.

Now, we live in a society where people wait 5 seconds before passing judgement. Is Louisville as good as UConn, clearly not. But outside of North Carolina and Wake Forest, and perhaps two or three other schools (Oklahoma? Pitt?), no one else is either. So while the Cards are not the best team in the Big East, they are still not a team non-Big East schools want to play in March.

And if they could just hit a few threes, they can still make the Final Four.



Monday, February 2, 2009

Super Bowl commericals: the 2 worst!

Awful: The Coke one with the sleeping man!

Even worse: The Audi transported-through-the-decades one!


Sunday, February 1, 2009

Bruce Springsteen

Dude, you're, like, 65 years old and throwing yourself down all over the stage. We seriously thought you were going to have a heart attack. Stop wearing black, lose the earrings and act your frigging age.

Huh?!?

You have Matt Millen on to talk about winning?!?

One game is 4 quarters...

1. No one wants Bobby Abreu?!? Here's why!

2. Peter Vecsey: What team had someone texting from the bench in the 4th quarter?!?

3. John Madden: The good and the bad!

4. Bob Stoops closing in on top 10 recruiting class!

Michael Phelps: Just another Loser Druggie

The other side of the coin

Friday, we had a link to The 50 Best Sports Announcers. Today, we link Yahoo's 50 Worst Sports Announcers.

Number one is Billy Packer. Again, he is a specialist (college hoops), so we are not sure he should be on top. Plus, people forget that 20 years ago, he was the best around. Old Timers remember that. Newbies know him only as the pompous ass of the last 10 years.

Others:

Chris Berman (#2) - Our Father will have a fit over this one.

Dick Vitale (#5) - How does he make it on the Best List (#11) and the Worst?!?

Bill Walton (#6) - We actually like listening to him.

Stuart Scott (#11) - Everyone we know, thinks he should be #1.

Troy Aikman (#16) - Are you kidding us?!?

Pam Ward (#34) - One word: Underrated.

Joe Theismann (#44) - Wow. He's, like, 41 spots too low.