I’ll be live blogging today about what I’m doing and things I think about sports. Enjoy! Remember to keep checking in throughout the day as I update the blog with more tidbits.
11:02 a.m. - Willie Parker broke his leg. I’d say the Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl hopes are now ruined, but they were ruined a long time ago when Tomlin decided to make Pittsburgh a pass-first, run-second team. Sidenote: Pettey and I picked Willie Parker with the 6th pick in our fantasy draft and got mocked for passing on Frank Gore. As always, we were right.
11:12 a.m. - They just showed a hockey highlight on Sportscenter in the first 15 minutes. That’s ridiculous. Hockey belongs at the end with off-season golf, European basketball, and a rant from Sean Salisbury.
11:23 a.m. - So Jonathan Papelbon claims that the ball he had from the final out in the World Series got “eaten by his dog”. I find it shocking that anyone actually believes this. If anyone in that house ate the ball, it was probably Papelbon himself.
11:31 a.m. - 31 minutes into Sportscenter until Jessica Simpson got mentioned. God I hate this story. She has nothing to do with the Dallas Cowboys and Tony Romo’s performance on the field. However, there is a gambling website where you can bet on how long the Simpson/Romo relationship will last. 6 to 1 odds that it’s over within the next 3 months. Pettey put his Christmas bonus on it.
12:20 p.m. - On ESPN 2’s “First and 10″, the two debaters were asked a question: “Which injury hurt’s his team more - Jeremy Shockey’s or Willie Parker’s?” Skip Bayless gave a truly insightful answer with one word, “Neither.” What??? That doesn’t even make sense.
The Pro Bowl rosters were announced yesterday and despite the fact that ultimately they are meaningless, it serves as a bit of an early Christmas for me. See, young Drob and I are of different schools of thought concerning the NFL’s all-star extravaganza. He seems to think that every all-star game is a waste of his time, while I enjoy seeing players in different helmets playing on the same field. For some reason it looks so damn chaotic out there, and I love every minute of it. Also, being on the lookout for your someone on the field with your teams favorite helmet when you’re 10 years old might be one of the highlights of my youth. Which explains why Drob, a Bears fan, doesn’t like the Pro Bowl since they probably didn’t have a single entry from 1986 until 2004.
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I have been asked to publish a list of the players’ names in the Mitchell Report, so here it is:
1. A bunch of guys you already knew took steroids.
2. A bunch of guys you never heard of because they stunk and have been out of the league for 5 years.
That’s it. That’s all you’ve got. “Wait,” you say, “What about Roger Clemens and Andy Pettite?!?” C’mon guys. Clemens has been better at 42 than he was at 28. That pretty much lines up with Barry Bonds. Pettite has been pitching 200 innings a year for like 20 years and is Clemens’ best friend. Neither of these guys is a real shocker.
There are other new names too, like Nook Logan and Jerry Hairston, but do you really care? No, because you have no idea who they are unless you are from the state of Maryland. Oh, John Rocker is on the list, but he had been a walking ‘Roid Rage for his entire career, so who cares? Tejada is a big name, but Palmeiro called him out years ago. Bonds and Sheffield have been in the spotlight for years because of BALCO. There’s no new proof on them here.
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This Thursday the NFL Network will be blacked out in a few of the cities whose teams will be playing, leading even the most casual fan at home to think, “Uh, you’re kidding right”. Oh, they’re not kidding, but at least they have a solution to your problem. And no, it does not involve you watching the game in your house. The Network (if you want to call it that) is going to fly a rather large blimp over the blacked out cities with a large television screen attached to it. And I guess a giant megaphone speaker. And what if it’s cloudy?
Basically, this is going to be just like when you’re at the beach and those planes fly by with advertisements that you could barely read. Except these planes (blimps) will be flying 1,000 feet higher and the advertisements (the football game) will need to be viewed with binoculars, which is all a waste of time. And again, what if it’s cloudy?
Luckily for us, our old Presidential candidate, John Kerry is on the case. His beloved Patriots play the last game of their potential undefeated season on the NFL Network, and Kerry is fired up that some of his Boston pals will have to listen to the radio, go to a friends house, or walk to a neighborhood bar. At least now there’s a chance you’ll see the Pats/Giants game. Good work American Government, and keep getting those bad steroid baseball guys that are worse than al-Qaeda.
“Here Senator Kerry is eating the blimp. He obviously hates the idea.”
It’s times like these when you have to sit back and say, “You know what, maybe Bush isn’t all that bad, and we made the right decision four years ago.” And trust me people, I bought NFL Network in the beginning of the season and you are better off watching Bionic Woman than listening to these ’sports talents’ try and call a game.
I was joking about the Bush thing by the way…
Yes, Samurai and Konichiwa are back for another week of sushi, haikus, and poorly dubbed movies. But before we begin, we would like to give our endorsement to one team on behalf of the entire nation of Japan - the Cleveland Browns. There are many reasons we love the Browns and believe they will go on to win the Super Bowl. First, Romeo Cremmel looks a lot like Buddha. Second, Jamaal Lewis is training to be a samurai warrior who specializes in breaking tackles (did you see that run last week???). Third, in the official 2007 Cleveland Browns book, Derek Anderson lists his favorite movie as “Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift”. We also just find it hysterical that they are called the Browns but their helmet is clearly orange. Stupid Americans! Hahahaha!!!
Minnesota versus Chicago
Vikings are on fire
But have a tough road ahead
N.Y. Jets versus New England
Best part of this game
Is when the game is over
And coaches shake hands
Pittsburgh versus Jacksonville
Pitt’s safety Smith
Can guarantee that next year
He’s cut by Steelers
Seattle versus Carolina
Look out for Seahawks
Hasselback can do no wrong
‘Hawks lock of the week
Cincinnatti versus San Francisco
It’s on Saturday???
I hate NFL Network
Thank god this game sucks
Denver versus Houston
Oh, Sage Rosenfels
Best Jewish QB alive!
Sorry Jay Fiedler.
Washington versus N.Y. Giants
Who is Todd Collins?
I think I remember him,
He’s on Tecmo Bowl
Detroit versus San Diego
Detroit just can’t win.
Lions are fading faster
Than Jon Kitna’s faith.
Baltimore versus Miami
Ravens quit on coach
Finally the perfect chance
For ‘Fins to upset!!!!
Indianapolis versus Oakland
Message to Marvin:
Colts don’t miss you all that much,
Time to retire?
Philadelphia versus Dallas
Watch Wade on sidelines,
He doesn’t do anything
Garrett coach of year?
Buffalo versus Cleveland
No one can stop them!
Browns won’t lose again this year!
Super Bowl, baby!!!
With only 3 weeks to go in the regular season and teams already clinching playoff berths, one can’t help but make Super Bowl predictions. Now I’ve been saying this for weeks, and any of my friends who probably weren’t paying attention can attest to it, that it’s going to be Packers and Patriots. The Patriots are going to be undefeated going into the Super Bowl and they will have to face the one man who has had a date with destiny all year - Brett Favre. And guess what? The Packers are going to win. The teams that have played close with the Pats this year - Indy, Philly, and Baltimore, have exposed weak spots in the Patriots. First off, you need a great performance from your quarterback. Not a problem. Second, you need shutdown corners. Enter Charles Woodson and Al Harris. Third, you need pressure on Tom Brady (preferably without blitzing). The Packers starting defensive line has combined for over 28 sacks. So I just want everyone to be clear on who they heard this from first - the Packers are going to defeat the Patriots in the Super Bowl (unless the Colts do it first).
Getting tickets to the Super Bowl is a whole other story. I imagine that every fan in Boston is salivating over seeing both a World Series victory and a Super Bowl victory in the same year (and then possibly going for the trifecta with the Celtics). Anyone who isn’t a Pats fan is still dying to go just for the chance to see history. Plus, it’s the Super Bowl, who wouldn’t want to go? Well, Jim Kelly probably doesn’t want to go, he HATES the Super Bowl. But you love it…
For you lucky sports bloggers out there, Tickets of America is offering a chance for one of you to win 2 tickets to the Super Bowl. That is not a misprint. Here is how you do it: First, write an article on your blog of at least 100 words talking about the Super Bowl. You can talk about it in any capacity that you like as long as the Super Bowl is the main topic. Second, put the link www.ticketsofamerica.com/super-bowl-tickets somewhere in the article. Finally, so that we know that you have posted your article, put a comment on this blog with the URL of the article you have written. Once you’ve done that, you are entered into the contest. Then there will be a drawing sometime in January for one winner who will be rewarded with TWO FREE TICKETS TO THE SUPER BOWL. Everyone say it together now, “We love you, Tickets of America.”
*If you have any questions about the contest, please take a look at the website at www.ticketsofamerica.com/giveaway
Here’s the situation: The Patriots have three games remaining in the regular season on their quest for perfection; the Jets, Dolphins, and Giants. You’d have to assume that they will play their starters against the Jets, the team that provoked Belly-check to simply ravage every opponent this season. Brady and company will likely be in there against the Dolphins as well, the only team in the modern era with an undefeated record, and a team that has upset the Pat’s a few times late in the last few seasons. Not that it would matter anyway since I’m pretty sure the Patriots backups could beat Miami by 20.
“Honey, can I build our mailbox into a Dolphins helmet?.”
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Oh man what a game. It really had everything…Defensive first half, offensive second half, turnovers, backup QB’s, and ultimately, a Redskins victory. What more could you ask for? Actually, I would have asked for about 20 more degrees. Anyway, here are some thoughts on the greatest single day of my life up to this point.
-Todd Collins can’t keep playing to that caliber. It’s not possible. He doesn’t have the intangibles to be successful against our next three opponents. But still, boy did he put on a show last night. I’m not saying I’m gonna go buy his jersey, I’m just saying that I won’t judge anyone that I see wearing one.
-18 degrees is much much colder than you think it is. After every big play from the Skins I would hug the random guy next to me, not in celebration, but to keep warm. And I’m not ashamed to admit that.
-The Bears are terrible. The only reason the Skins won that game is because the Bears secondary refused to tighten up their horrific zone coverage leading to about three Skins receivers being open on every play. And if youre Lovie Smith, how can you expect us not to throw the ball when our “best” player has 33 yards on 14 carries. Come on.
-I heard the NFL Network did a better job on this game than their first of the season. This is impressive since there must have been TONS of downtime during the first half, which is valuable time for Gumbel to giggle like a school girl and mispronounce common football terms such as ‘football’.
-The Bears are in talks with Derek Anderson to be their QB of the future since it’s obvious that this Rex/Griese thing they got going will bring them nowhere. I can’t imagine the Browns giving up the best player on their team.
It’s time again for our weekly haikus, but these aren’t as easy to make as one might think. Now that we’re deep into the season, a lot of these games are totally meaningless and draw no interest whatsoever (except in our Japanese Fantasy Football League - the winner gets sushi, a bottle of sake, and a Hyundai!). So again, leave this to the professionals.
Indianapolis versus Baltimore
Billick blows kisses
If he thinks Harrison’s hot,
Check out Bob Sanders!
Pittsburgh versus New England
The line on this game
Has a heavy favorite
Refs are +15
Donaghy will ref all Patriots games from now on
Buffalo v. Miami
I don’t understand
How the Bills are 6 and 6
‘FINS UPSET OF WEEK!!!!
San Diego versus Tennessee
Chargers in first place
Despite how bad Rivers is
Norv - Coach of the Year
N.Y. Giants versus Philadelphia
Eli or A.J.?
There’s really no difference
Except their pay check
Carolina versus Jacksonville
Panthers in playoffs?
Only in the NFC
6 and 10 gets in?!?
Cleveland versus N.Y. Jets
You knew that the Browns
Could not keep it up all year
Jets lock of the week
Arizona versus Seattle
Battle of the birds
Both teams could make the playoffs
It’s hunting season!!!
And Kearney sacks Warner!!!
Detroit versus Dallas
Kitna is failing
Romo’s dating J.Simpson
I’ll take Romo’s god
Houston versus Tampa Bay
One team just plain sucks
The other plays in Tampa
Rather watch hockey
Minnesota versus San Francisco
Vikings are red hot
Forty Niners are ice cold
This game is luke warm
Chicago versus Washington
We’ll be at the game!
22 freaking degrees
Please pass the bourbon
Who needs a winter coat when you’ve got whiskey???
Although this story broke a few months ago, the date has officially been released as to when the New York Yankees will travel to Blacksburg, VA during spring training to play an exhibition game with the Virginia Tech Hokies baseball team. The date will be March 18th, about two weeks after the minor leaguers have left and the actual team is suiting up, which could mean the Hokie student body gets to watch a future hall of famer or two play in their own backyard.
Hopefully someone sober mowes the lawn come next March…
As an alumn of Virginia Tech, I find this story fascinating, especially considering the Yankees organization already donated one million dollars to the Hokie Fund one month after the tragedy. The Yankees? The Evil Empire? Growing up an Orioles fan this was essentially my least favorite team, and this hatred has remained despite the fact that I call myself a Nationals fan these days. But now, I find it hard to dislike the most controversial (in the sense that you either love them or hate them) organization in the history of sports. Next spring will be a difficult time of rememberance for the residents of Blacksburg, and it’s the little things like this gratitude that make it easier to go to class and continue the schools proud legacy.
Obviously not much information has been announced regarding the rosters, time of the game, or television programming, but hopefully we can view the game from up here in D.C., as well as the rest of the country. This would be a nice event to attend in person except for the fact that the Hokies baseball stadium (if you want to call it that) only seats a few thousand individuals, all of which should be Hokie students and faculty that day.
What amazes me about the Yankees involvement in this event is that they are doing this simply out of kindness and respect during an important time of their preseason. Maybe this is part of the new regime considering owner George Steinbrenner has begun the process of giving up some of the control of his organization. Or maybe the owner is recalling the gratitude his team received from the country during the playoffs of 2001, when baseball resumed after 9/11. Whatever the reason, it’s a remarkable gesture from a team that is normally on the losing end of the ‘nice guys’ label, and I know all of Hokie Nation will at least change their opinion somewhat whenever they think of the New York Yankees.
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