MIDWEEK MIXIES AND MUSHIES!!

WEDNESDAY WHEREABOUTS

Oh Wednesday, you're here again…you dirty little minx you.  Teasing us into believing that the weekend is close while at the same time we hate you because we had to fight through Monday and Tuesday just to get here.  

It's a love/hate relationship and is kind of my theme for today's ramblings.  I like most Americans love the NCAA men's basketball tournament affectionately known as March Madness and all the revelry that goes along with it.  I love the NBA and NHL's long drawn out regular seasons because I can pretty much count on at least one of those professional sports being on TV from October until May, especially those late night games on the West Coast (thank you West Coast road trips!!!)

What I really can't stand/hate is the NCAA men's basketball coverage that picks apart every single win and loss…every single one.  For instance, the Duke Blue Devils have gone from unbeaten to having lost 2 games in a row.  NEWS Alert!! The universe is collapsing around, coaching legend Coach K has lost his touch, the freshmen led team is too young and inexperienced to lead themselves and their long standing love affair with the 3 point shot is turning sour and they can't find another girlfriend fast enough!!  Bleh!  I am not saying that 2 losses in a row for a previously unbeaten team of their level (perennial top ten team) is not cause for concern but I mean it's January…they have 2 losses.  They also have the potential number draftee for this year's NBA Draft.  No one has been declared out for the season, no one failed physics and can't play again until March…I say give it some air and focus your sports reports on something more exciting like this - www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpBvBRn4juw Aaaaannd some of this - 

Looping back to the love for the NBA/NHL super long seasons with games every night, garners my hateful attention when it comes to the same exact thing…the long drawn out season!!  While I am addicted to sports and therefore must watch something each day/night but tuning into some of these games billed as "MARQUEE" match-ups is enough to make you go cold turkey on the whole idea of watching televised sports…it's that bad.  Whether it is a "highly touted" rivalry game between the Knicks and Celtics or Heat and Nets…they are usually duds.  Even the teams doing well end up playing a lot of midweek snoozers in Charlotte or Sacramento but get air time because LeBron James or Keving Durant are on the other side of the match up.

I don't know what the solution is but 82 games seems like it's too many for most teams/fans to handle.  Maybe play 48 games and have 2 All Star weekends in there filled with entertaining dunk, skills and 3pt competition.  Have one in Vegas and have one in New Orleans.  Get the word out, the NBA is about partying!!!  As for the NHL, it's just too many games…It's apparent with the speed and skill of most games played that there are no plays off because if you do, you get yourself snapped in half by the other team's goons (which I love that aspect of hockey).

Well that's about all I have to LOVE & HATE in sports right now.  Enjoy the rest of your Wednesday!!

HAPPY WATCHING!!!

Running Of The Bulls or Bull Fight?

¡Hola mi amigos!

It has been a while since the last post, but honestly I have been all over the place. But whatever, less bitching and more typing so here we are. This weekend the MLS playoffs continue on their merry way with the first leg of the Eastern and Western Conference Championships. I will be in attendance for the Eastern piece the New York Red Bulls (who play in New Jersey) against the New England Revolution who play in…you guessed it, New England (specifically in Foxborough, MA). I have followed the Red Bulls since their MetroStars days (Donadoni, Tab Ramos and Tony Meola) and I have to say that basically their playoff runs go in one of two directions - 

They are either the bulls in the Pamplona, Spain running of the bulls where annoying tourists get gored and trampled or the bulls in a bull fight. I had the chance to catch one of these in Madrid a few years ago and let me tell you something, the bull never wins. SO who will we see on Sunday afternoon? I surely don't know but Steve does, so take it away Steve! To Red Bulls fans, this is uncharted waters. When the late season setback happened vs Columbus, most fans expected the same tailspin that has haunted the Red Bulls through the Metro/Red Bull history since 1996. Just make the playoffs, lose early, and wonder what could have been. Well, the fans prayers for something different finally have been answered. Maybe it’s the magic of 37 year old Thierry Henry not wanting to say goodbye just yet, or front runner Bradley Wright-Phillips (BWP,#DARE2BWP) wanting to show he can score the goals in the crucial games, but this playoff run has the different. 

Following the loss to Columbus, the Red Bulls have gotten the job done. Back to back wins vs. Sporting KC (one regular season, one wildcard play-in), followed by finally defeating DC United in a meaningful playoff series, Red Bull fans will flock to Harrison Sunday (1:30PM) for the first leg of the Eastern Conference Championship vs. The New England Revolution. Led by MLS MVP finalist Lee Nguyen(#MVLEE) and US World Cup 2010 team member Jermaine Jones, the Revolution have been on a tear in the second half of the season. They finished in 2nd place.  Owner Bob Kraft needs a hug...he isn't getting one on Sunday!!!

Since Jones has come on board following the games in Brazil, the Revolution have turned into one of the best teams of the league. Along with defensive mid Scott Caldwell, the Revs midfield pressures high to cause turnovers that lead to goal scoring opportunities. Former US National Team member Charlie Davies leads a front line that dismantled the Columbus in their 2 legged semifinal series. Their backline is very solid led by defending MLS defender of the year Jose Goncalves. The Red Bulls come into this game riding the high of knocking out #1 seed and rival DC United. Thierry Henry and Bradley Wright-Phillips have connected this season like few have in MLS history. Lloyd Sam and Peguy Lluyindula have pushed the ball through the midfield and the wings giving the Red Bulls a vaunted attacking group that can score with anyone. The key to this series will be how the defensive midfielders and center backs co-exist. Midfielders Dax McCarty and Eric Alexander must provide cover and outlet for Ibrahim Sekagya and Jamison Olave at center back. If they fail to provide necessary outlets for them the Red Bulls will have a hard time possessing the ball down the field. 

At left back, Roy Miller will be suspended for the series due to a red card he picked up at the end of the DC series, rookie and Cameroonian international Ambrose Oyongo will need to be ready to step in a play in a big moment for a Red Bull team and fan base desperate for a win in the first leg on Sunday. Harrison will be rocking on Sunday. 25,000 tickets have been sold. Five guys will have burgers and peanuts for fans pregame. The fans will be ready. In the league’s 19th season, the Red Bulls are two games away from MLS Cup. Can the Red Bulls stop MVLEE and the Revolution on their march to the finals? Will the magic of Henry and BWP carry the Red Bulls one more time in the last Red Bull home game of the season? For those who can’t make the trip to Harrison, tune in Sunday 1:30 on NBC to find out. As long as were breathing……

You are already calling my name my dear - 

HAPPY WATCHING!!!

Red Bulls Are Second Legging It Out in DC!!

This guys is clearly taking things very seriously...and you know what? You should!  MLS (apparently there is no 'the' MLS) Playoffs are in full force and quite honestly, the hottest game in town.  Today it gets real - 4th row correspondent Steven walks us through the major points and the nitty gritty for the second leg of the RBNY-DCU game.  Steve help us figure it all out!

Following a first leg 2-0 home win, the New York Red Bulls travel down I-95 to take on DC United in the return leg of this Eastern Conference semifinal matchup. Led by Thierry Henry, the Red Bulls dominated from the open last Sunday's scoring in each half to put themselves in firm control of this series heading to DC. DC will be looking to score early to take some of the pressure off of having to come from 2 goals down to even the matchup. Their attack, led by Eddie Johnson and Fabian Espindola, will hope to have the addition of 11 goal scorer Luis Silva. Silva missed the first leg with an injury, and hopes to be ready for today's match. DC will use its familiar high line of pressure to hope to force the Red Bulls possession game into turnovers and goal scoring opportunities.

For the Red Bulls, coach Mike Petke hopes the team can continue its late season run, 5-1 in their last six matches, to advance to the Conference Finals. The recipe for the RBs has been the same all year, compact at the backline, play through midfielders Dax McCarty and Eric Alexander, and provide service to the attacking trio of Thierry Henry, Bradley Wright-Phillips(BWP), and right winger Lloyd Sam. Usually a much different team on the road than at home, the Red Bulls are looking to advance to their first conference finals since 2008. Does BWP have any more of that magical powder for that one goal that could be the deciding factor? Can Thierry Henry’s Achilles tendon hold up for what will surely be a back and forth affair between two fierce rivals? Or will it come down to what most Red Bull fans dread, does the defense have what it takes to stay compact, mark properly, and play together for 90 minutes? The Red Bulls have played themselves into another opportunity to prove their doubters wrong…Can they take the next step?

Tune in today at 2:30 on NBC to find out.

“As long as we’re breathing…”

Thanks Steve, top marks on your preview!!

HAPPY WATCHING!!

Red Bulls Rampaging In Harrison!!

Soccer Spookiness in New Jersey!!

Happy Halloween everyone!  There is much to be excited about today - 1.  It's Friday.  2.  It's Halloween.  3.  It's Halloween on a Friday, believe that!!

Playoffs?!  Last night I was fortunate enough to attend the NY Red Bulls - Sporting Kansas City MLS playoff game.  What is interesting about the MLS and the way they conduct their playoffs is that the structure is all out of whack!  First off, European leagues do not have playoffs.  If you stunk the whole season you don't get to participate in the playoffs and make a late run to win a title (I am looking right at you NBA…you know I am, too).  The first round is a winner take all game and then there's the home and home but they don't follow the Euorpean goals aggregate rules (this makes no sense) and above all else…they don't have playoffs!  Wait, I mentioned that already.  Thing about playoffs is that they are exciting as anything.  Last night's game was great, awesome atmosphere and a brilliantly crisp fall evening.  

I have once again turned to the resident MLS & Red Bulls fanatic to run through a recap of last night's tilt.  So without further ado, Steven Humiston, take us through the game - 
For 76 minutes last night at Red Bull Arena, Red Bull fans and players felt that sinking feeling coming across them yet again. Another year over, another playoff let down. Having control of the ball for the majority of the game, a 72-28% possession ration in the home sides favor, a sloppy midfield giveaway saw the RBs down 1-0 to Sporting Kansas City(SKC). 22 goal man Dom Dwyer calmly slotted the ball past RB goalie Luis Robles. For large stretches of the game, the RBs seemed to be okay with holding possession without penetrating the SKC defense. Head coach Mike Petke seemed to pull the right string at the right time inserting 23 year old Cameroon international Ambrose Oyongo in at right back and shifting to a back three allowing right winger Lloyd Sam to shift to the left side to team with Thierry Henry. This switch opened the field for the Red Bulls. In the 77th minute, Sam sprung Henry free down the left side. Streaking down the middle was just the man the Red Bulls need, 27 goal scorer and MLS record holder for goals in a season Bradley Wright-Phillips(BWP). Henry found BWP in the cross and slotted the ball home to tie the game. 

For much of the game, SKC sat back and defended. They took 30-40 seconds and walked every throw-in 15 yards forward before throwing the ball in. Following the goal that leveled the match at 1, SKC did not change their game plan. The next 10-12 minutes were spent watching them waste clock, seemingly trying to will the game to overtime and penalty kicks. In the last minute of regular time, the Red Bulls finally broke free once again. Red Bulls defender Jamison Olave played what could have been his best pass of the year up to this point down the right to the recently inserted Oyongo. Ambrose attacked down the line, and found the Red Bulls talisman once again streaking down the middle. The cross went to near post instead of far, which wrong footed both SKC central defenders and their keeper. BWP leaped and headed the ball just inside the far post for his second goal of the match. Four finger crossing minutes of extra time felt just as long as the first 90, but the Red Bulls did it. They didn’t fold when they went down 1-0, or hit everything but the back of the net. Thierry Henry provided the setup and the magical season of BWP continues as his two goals pushed the Red Bulls into the eastern conference semifinals. 

Next up for the Red Bulls is the Eastern Conference’s top seed, DC United. This is the original rivalry in MLS. Supporters Groups - The Empire Supporters Club vs. La Barra Brava, Coaches - Mike Petke vs. Ben Olsen, DC vs NY is a rivalry rich in MLS tradition. From their 1996 playoff tilt which saw the RBs then METROSTARS win the home leg in a shootout, only to crash in DC, to the recent touch line shouting matches between head coaches, these two clubs flat out don’t like each other. DC United comes into the playoffs as the top seed in the east. They play a high line of pressure and will try to force the Red Bulls into turnovers and mental mistakes. DC Keeper Bill Hamid is one of the best in the league, and the Red Bulls will have their work cut out for them to put goals past him. Perry Kitchen, Nick DeLeon, and Sean Franklin will be key figures working the ball up to a lethal trio of attackers; Eddie Johnson, Luis Silva, and Fabian Espindola. Keys to victory for the Red Bulls remain the same, defend as a team, work the ball to speedster Lloyd Sam through French Legend Henry, and hope that magical dust that BWP seems to have found hasn’t washed up yet. Tune in Sunday 4PM MSG for the first leg in what is sure to be another storied battle in this I-95 rivalry. 
Thanks a ton Steve, I look forward to Sunday's game!  It has a lot to live up to after this one.  AND, as I mentioned earlier this week…if you're hitting up Red Bull Arena, you gotta get one of these.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN - watch out for razor blades in apples, pills pushed into chocolate bars and men with mustaches and trench coats…you've been warned!

HAPPY WATCHING!!

You Go And Do Something Like This...And Totally Redeem Yourself!!

HARRY, I TOOK CARE OF IT!!

So yesterday I wrote about how depressing the sports world had been lately…and you know what, the facets I spoke about are actually still really annoying BUT the sports world as a whole goes ahead and totally redeems itself tonight and tomorrow!!  Finding intrigue and excitement in some dark corners (at least for me) has revitalized my sports interest…for now.  Here's a look at what can get you pumped over the next two day (nights really) - 

Tonight at 8:07PM on FOX the Kansas City Royals host the San Francisco Giants in Game 7 of Major League Baseball's World Series.  Last night in KC the Royals rolled on the Giants 10-0 behind more stellar pitching from Yordano Ventura.  Ventura honored fellow Dominican Oscar Tavares by writing an RIP message on the front of his blue Royals hat.  Tavares was killed earlier this week in an automobile accident in the DR.  Ventura's classy move surely would have set him up for some sort of uniform violation had he been playing in the NFL.  KC pounded SF pitching last night and took care of the other side only giving up 6 hits.  I am not going so far as to call anyone who is a citizen "un-American" but you really should tune in for an inning or two on this one with a perennial winner (SF) taking on the underdogs (KC) in a winner take all match up.

Thursday Night Under The Lights!  The MLS Playoffs come to Harrison, New Jersey at Red Bull Arena!!  I will be there in the flesh to take it all in, should be a great time.  Here is some great insight and predictions for tomorrow's game from Steven Humiston (a hardcore Red Bulls fan, adamant sports follower and also happens to be my brother).  Steve take it away - 

Thursday night’s MLS Eastern Conference Play-in game is a rematch of the season finale as the New York Red Bulls (RBs) take on Sporting Kansas City (SKC) from Red Bull Arena in Harrison. Sunday night’s finale saw MLS Golden Boot winner and Red Bulls striker Bradley Wright-Phillips score in each half leading the Red Bulls to a 2-0 win in Kansas City. With only three days of down time, the teams will play Thursday in a winner take all for the chance to take on Eastern Conference regular season Champ DC United in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Red Bulls are a streaky team led by a strong backbone in the middle of the pitch with central defenders Jamison Olave and Ibrahim Sekagya providing a solid base the RBs rely on to sure up their defense as well as key their attack. Through the midfield, Dax McCarty and Erik Alexander rely on work rate and pin point passes to spring speedsters Lloyd Sam and Wright-Phillips in on goal. The question marks for the Red Bulls are big ones. The first is what Red Bulls team will show up, the one that dismantled SKC to ensure this game would be played in Harrison, or the one that looked sluggish and disinterested in their 3-1 home defeat to the Columbus Crew on October 19th. The second one centers around the RBs big money players. Thierry Henry missed Sunday’s win with an Achilles injury and is a game time decision for Thursday night. The other, Tim Cahill has been the enigma for the Red Bulls all season. He scored perhaps the goal of the 2014 World Cup, but his club form has not been on the same standard. They will need one of them to play up to their potential to see their side through to the semifinals. 

SKC comes into the match with only one win in their last five games. Let in the back by Matt Besler and Aurelien Collin, the defending MLS Cup champions have had the target on their backs all season. SKCs midfield is controlled by US World cup veterans Graham Zusi and Benny Feilhaber, with 22 goal scorer Dom Dwyer leading the way upfront. Questions about this team as they have played more than their fair share of games this season with MLS, US Open Cup, and CONCACAF Champions League games on the schedule. The last few games they look to have been playing on tired legs, and with the short turnaround, this could provide the difference in Thursday’s pivotal match. The main two concerns for SKC are things they have full control over. In Sunday’s match up, they seemed to have trouble keeping track of the runners for New York. Their defensive organization must be better to ensure a different result this time around. Also, Dom Dwyer has scored 22 goals this season. They must find ways to get him the ball in dangerous attacking positions. 

In all, the Red Bulls don’t play their best when the lights are brightest, but have made Red Bull Arena a nightmare for visitors since opening in 2010. Sporting Kansas City does, but are their legs too weary to defend their crown after a long campaign? Will the home field advantage that the Red Bulls have be the difference? Tune in Thursday 8PM on ESPN2 to find out.  Editor's note:  If you are attending the game you gotta grab one of these on the way in at Five Guys!

Thanks a ton Steve!!

And last but not lease the NBA kicks of it's regular season tonight with a whole slew of games.  It is a cool night for basketball, a lot of fan fare BUT I am holding off for tomorrow's NYK vs CLE game.  LeBron plays Carmelo in Cleveland and I assume the TV networks will be bumping with chatter…Worth watching tonight are CHI vs NYK and OKC and POR…the rest of the games are fine but nothing special, check your local listings.

And that my friends is how sports got me interested again!  Let's keep it going.

HAPPY WATCHING!!!

Excuse Me Sir, You're Standing On My Throat

How The Sports World Is Beating Me Down Lately

It's been a while since my last post and I know you're probably thinking that I am a lazy bag.  That I don't care to stick to this nice little side project I have kicked off on the tail end of this past summer's scintillating World Cup...you'd probably be right in most cases (I am pretty lazy), but not here.  The truth is that I am burnt out with the sports world right now.  

My teams have been miserable in 2014.  The Mets actually did the best they could but still ended up below .500 in the win column and really showed zero life at the plate.  The bright side is ace pitcher Matt Harvey returns to the rotation next season and that is a very bright side indeed, but it's not enough to get excited about just yet.  

Manchester United (my favorite soccer team) has been so far below average this season that they just keep making transactions, roster shake ups and increasingly annoying predictions from their front office.  Brand new head coach Louis Van Gaal has been flapping his gums since the summer as to how he was going to shake things up at Old Trafford and revitalize the club who has struggled mightily since the departure (retired) of United demi-god Sir Alex Ferguson.  The team lacks identity as all of their players of yester-year are now gone…Ryan Giggs is on the coaching staff but that doesn't seem to be helping…at all.

The Jets make me just sad.  There is very little upside this season other than at least we now know that Geno Smith is not the QB of the future.  Rex Ryan has benched him a few times already during games and has now decided to flat out start Michael Vick this week.  Geno completed more passes to players on the other team (3) than his own (2) before getting the hook.  It's sad, I have removed emotions from the mess and am looking forward to the playoffs.

Moving right along on the Melancholy March, things haven't improved around the NFL with regards to the domestic and substance abuse policies.  Since the start of the season, players have been arrested, arraigned, sentence and so on…it's pretty depressing when you think about getting excited about an organization that allows this type of thing to go on while raking in the dough and not giving back enough to the fans.  

But you know what?  It's our own fault.  Heck, a report came yesterday that at the miserable Jets-Bills game a few fans got into scuffles in the stands with one of them getting knocked out cold.  Is this what we really want to do with our Sundays?  And it's both sides.  The report quotes a high level of intoxication, Buffalo fans being obnoxious and a Jets fan punching his face off.  That's too stressful for my tastes on Sundays.  I have chosen a different path with sports lately, it's one of indifference most the most part.  I enjoy watching small doses and find some stories utterly fascinating like the Royals playoff run (not going well lately) and the lead up to the insanity that will surely come about when the college football mafia begins to determine which teams will be competing in their brandy new COLLEGE FOOTBALL SUPER PLAYOFF EXTRAVAGANZA!!!  Slow golf clap….

Maybe I am just being a crotchety old man who is having a tough time dealing with a recent rough patch with his favorite teams, but the other day while I was working through my drawers of clothing, rotating my warmer weather clothes into the bins for storage and colder weather gear into the drawers I can across a few items of clothing - 

1.  Marc Sanchez jersey (not sure why this wasn't burned)

2.  Jose Reyes jersey (see comment above)

3.  Carlos Beltran & K-Rod t-shirt jerseys smashed into the back of one drawer (you can tell I have been lazy in rotating some years)

4.  And worst of all - Darrelle Revis jersey (a really nice one that was a Christmas gift from my mother-in-law, incredibly thoughtful!)  The saddest thing about the Revis scenario is now he plays for the Patriots…

Honestly, I have no answers…

Hope this brightened your day by comparison!

HAPPY WATCHING!!!

Manchester United Complete Mega Transfer Deal & Ice, Ice Baby!!

Less farting around and more productivity!

Hi Everybody!  It's Tuesday, let's celebrate with some soccer news!

Angel Di Maria (Argentine soccer player) has been purchased from Real Madrid by the Red Devils of Manchester United for a club record 

£59.7M!!  That is some serious scratch just for the right to then sign him to a long term contract.  Di Maria a world class winger will really add poise and punch for a currently punchless and directionless ManU side.  He had a very solid World Cup for Argentina back in July and was named Man Of The Match at the Champions League final, where Real Madrid took down cross town rival Ateltico Madrid.  The signing piles up the total summer transfer costs incurred by Manchester United to a whopping  £132M.  The jury is out on the productiveness of the signings (the EPL season is only 2 games old for the squad) but I feel like it will not be enough to get them back to where they want to be (on top of the EPL table).  They missed out on a ton of top notch talent this summer with most of it either resigning with their current club or heading to the "new" Super Powers, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.  I am not saying that they haven't been good in the past but now they are all drawing THE top talent.  Toss in the top English and German clubs and someone is bound to get boxed out.  The REST of the soccer world does not operate with the high level of socialism found in our MLS.  **I am looking right at you New England Revolution and this pathetic "lottery" for Jermaine Jones**

Moving right along - I was called upon to do the  Ice Bucket Challenge, kinda nailed it...a big ol' bowl of frosty ice water...which was welcomed given that it is in the mid 80's in Jersey City and the more important part is that my dad, mom and brother were nominated for the challenge.  I am sure it will be great to see their interpretations of the challenge!  This charitable endeavor goes to raise money for curing ALS aka Lou Gehrig's Disease.  I have always found him to be a fascinating figure in baseball history despite being a life long New York Yankee.  He was nicknamed the Iron Horse for having played in 2130 consecutive games in the majors, a record since broken by Cal Ripken Jr.  Not to take anything away from Ripken, but when comparing Gehrig's career statistics to his, the only way Gehrig's playing were cut short was due to this debilitating disease.  The Iron Horse was a lifetime .340 hitter with 493 HRs and 1995 RBIs compared to Ripken's .276/431/1695 stat line.  Again, it takes a great player to play this long and for this many consecutive games but as evidenced by his stats, Lou Gehrig was not slowing down any time soon if not for getting ALS.  I am reminded of a post I put up last week or the week prior about silly sports injuries and the reasons some guys missed playing time.  It would have been interesting if fantasy baseball were around in 1939 and the little injury note icon popped up next to Gehrig's name in your lineup.  And you're like WHAT?  He can't be injured...and the note just simply says - "considers self world's luckiest man, potentially out for season because he's slowly dying."  Gehrig died 2 years later.  Let's find a cure!!

Also - I am matching my ALS donation with a donation to The Water Project they help people (kids, moms, dads and everyone else) who do not have easy access to potable water.  There are nearly 1 billion people like this around the world.  That's not fair and we need to help.

Keep it real my friends, and Dad, Mom and Steve you are on the clock!!!!

Happy Watching!!!

Reporting to you from the US Open tomorrow - will be a good one!

NFL QB Battle Run Down & Mario Balotelli is an Idiot

QB Competitions & Mario Balotelli Makes Moves

Happy Friday and welcome to the almost weekend!  A few housekeeping items to wade through before we get started, trust me…you'll be happy when it's done.  

1.  Simpsons marathon in full swing on FXX…all 522 episodes (or thereabouts) played in order…25 seasons.

2.  New York Giants versus New York Jets (game played in New Jersey) tonight…week 3 of pre-season is always the most interesting game.  Starters get some real burn.   VICK-GENO will be discussed later.  Thanks Avid Appetite for the pic shown below! The Avid Appetite! My wife likes the Giants, I am a Jets fan...my daughter is being groomed to be a Giants fan (I pushed for the Mets...inevitably 

3.  Nothing to report on the "football players getting pinched for weed" front.  The Pittsburgh RB duo of Blount and Bell are seemingly getting slaps on the wrist and will be ready for your fantasy draft.  Well, maybe there was an update…my bad.

4.  There is a dude in California growing crazy watermelons and pumpkins shaped like hearts and Frankenstein heads…it's pretty cool and thought it was worth mentioning - Nice Melons!!

Ok, time for NFL QB Battle talk!

New York Jets - Geno Smith v. Michael Vick - I really don't think there is much of a battle here but it would be nice if there were.  I am 100% not tied to Geno Smith being the #1 QB for the Jetties this year, but I feel like overall Mike Vick was brought in to back him up and just hang around in case Geno's start this year is a disaster (which it could be).  Newly acquired WR Eric Decker will help this struggling bunch…but is it enough?

Cleveland Browns - Brian Hoyer v Johnny Foosball - This one has already been decided.  Browns head coach Mike Pettine has come out with Hoyer as his week 1 starter.  I do think that this is only temporary, unless Foosball finds a way to screw it up.  The Browns stink and despite being a relatively decent QB Hoyer will take the blame when they are 2-4…Here's Johnny!!


Minnesota Vikings - Teddy Bridgewater, Christian Ponder & Matt Cassel - The Vikes are a mess.  Despite having the best running back in the game (Adrian Peterson) they seemingly can't get the other parts of their offense together…or at least together enough so that they can balance out their attack.  This one doesn't matter but I think Cassel wins out over Bridgewater.  Not really sure why Ponder has fallen out of the race but that seems to be the case.  Ponder has been pretty solid when healthy, while Cassel has been useless when a starter…go figure.  Bridgewater gets the bulk of the snaps by season's end if the Minnesota Petersons can't get a few Ws by November.


Jacksonville Jaguars - Blake Bortles v. Chad Henne - Bortles has been great so far this pre-season and is lady friend (Lindsey Duke) is very attractive, but I don't think that factors into play here.  Henne has been around the block once or thrice and I feel like the hapless Jags need/crave that stability that a Chad Henne led offensive brings (impossible not to laugh uncontrollably).  Either way, this team is not going to be good.  Zero fantasy value as well.

Oakland Raiders - Matt Schaub v. Derek Carr - no one cares.  The Raiders are miserable, key players are always injured (here's looking at you Mr. McFadden) and overall their division is a pretty darned tough one.  They could start either one of these guys and wind up with the same record, 5-11 and miss the playoffs.  Of course they will end up having a few big weeks when you pick them on your eliminator pool, thank Al Davis (shown below)…keepin' it real, real dumb.

Mario Balotelli Headed to Liverpool?

Balotelli is pretty much as crazy as Luis Suarez (the biter).  Both players are awesome forces up top but lack the mental capacity to not be annoying ungrateful bums.  Both guys make a ton of dough (technical term) to play soccer and seemingly are not able to grasp the fact that, that alone is awesome and is the goal of millions of kids around the world.  No, no…not enough for Super Mario though.  Born in Palermo, Italian national team stud…just hates playing by the rules of life.  He thinks everyone is out to get him…maybe in Italy (where he has long suffered racist attacks due to his family's African origins do they refer to him as African-Italian?, that would be funny) they are out to get him.  Otherwise, it's mostly in his head, which is why LFC is putting crazy clauses in his contract.  He goes crazy, he don't get paid...got it?  Good Luck Liverpool, I hope that this move goes tragically wrong for you.  Sorry, but I had to throw that one in there.

Then there's this to send you off to the weekend - 

Again, enjoy your weekend!!!

Happy Watching!!!

Tony Stewart Kills a Dude & Other Stuff

Tony Stewart Kills a Dude & Other Stuff

Welcome back from the weekend everybody!!  Apologies for the delay (missed Monday, but I was swamped after a very enjoyable weekend), but what can you do?  I mean really, want can you do?  Not much…

Anyways, let's jump right in here.  Raise your hand if you saw the clips of Tony Stewart run over a dude (Kevin Ward Jr.) from Saturday night.  Now, raise your hand if you think he ran him over on purpose.  I watched the clip a few times and as other drivers are flying by Ward (who by the way, got out of his car after a dust up and was walking around on the dirt track) it looked pretty suspicious when Stewart's dirt buggy comes smashing into Ward leaving him with fatal injuries.  I don't know what will become of Tony Stewart after this move but it does seem like he has some anger issues especially on the race track.  I really do not watch a lot of NASCAR (I just don't find it all that interesting), but from the highlights I have seen on SportsCenter and the like there are scuffles all the time.  I am not saying that Stewart intentionally hit Ward but watching the other cars dodge the human target and then Stewart a highly accomplished driver mows him down…something just seems fishy.  The local police has yet to charge Stewart with any wrongdoing, but they are continuing to investigate the situation.  How do you feel about it all?

Rapid Fire Sports Catch Up

I am throwing a new little segment to hit the main stories in the world of sports without inundating you with tons of words…Ah, I hate words…dumb!!

+  Former NBA #1 overall draft pick Greg "Old Man" Oden charged with felony level battery for punching out his girlfriend…ouchie

+  Rory McIlroy wins the PGA Championship win dramatic fashion on Sunday.  Watch out Tiger & Nicklaus…he's coming for you!  Oh and it was RAINY!!

+  Spanish international super star soccer player David Silva resigns with Manchester City…He is good and as a Man U fan I don't like this one bit…not one bit

+  Arsenal whips the butts of Man City at the Community Shield on Sunday (3-0)…It's kinda the start to the English soccer season…EPL this Saturday!!  Very excited for this to get started, missing soccer since the WC ended about a month ago!

That's all for now my friends!

Happy Watching!!

Ted Lasso Returns! EPL IS COMING!!!!

Watch, Laugh, Enjoy your Weekend!

Awesomely Funny! Thanks Slate.com

Happy Watching!!

Landon Donovan Is Retiring…Anyone Care?

Landon Donovan Is Retiring…Anyone Care?

"Do you hear that? It's the winds of change" - Randall from Monsters Inc. (yes, I just did that…I don't care how lame it is, when you've watched the movie eleventy billion times it's forced into your molecules.)  Those winds you are hearing will quite possibly change the face and direction of the USMNT (US Mens National Team) and the MLS for the better if not best, when Donovan retires at season's end.  Look, I am not saying that Landon Donovan is not/was not a very good player and a fantastic spokesperson for the National Team, MLS and soccer in the US in general, BUT my issue with him is that he could never get either of those 3 to where it needed to be.  I know I am being crabby (come on dude, it's Friday…give it a rest) and I know that he is the all-time leader in MLS and USMNT goals scored…but honestly and I mean this with the utmost respect for all parties involved…being the coolest kid at chess camp isn't really much to hang your hat on.

I am just a little salty over this whole thing because he is "moving on to the next chapter" passing on playing in the nation's highest league at 32.  I must have forgotten that he was so awesome that he could just walk away and make a big deal about it…oh wait he already did when he went on hiatus after stating that he was burnt out mentally.  I just wonder, if I was 32 (which I am) and I was playing soccer for a living instead of tech support at a large bank (which I happen to enjoy, but playing soccer sounds much nicer) would I walk away right now or enbrace the level of skill and effort I have put into things and ride it out for a few more years… Is this about the USMNT snub?  Does LD feel like an outsider?  Should he care?  Apples and Oranges but LA pays and wins, USA doesn't and doesn't (well at least not enough).

Will you miss Landon Donovan?

Happy Watching!!