Sunday, June 28, 2009

July's a coming...

Honestly July has to be the most boring month in all of sports for me. No knock on the MLB All-Star game, or the start of NBA Free Agency, but there really isn't anything to get excited about in the world of sports in the hottest of Texas months.

July is stuck between June and August.

June------- NBA Finals and the NBA Draft. College World Series. MLB Amateur Draft. Maybe June being so action packed nullifies the month that comes next.

August----- NFL Training camps are underway. NFL Pre-Season. More NBA Free Agency. MLB playoff races start to heat up. Oh and did I mention the NFL?

It's not that I'm not a baseball fan, but July baseball is only highlighted by All-Star game. The playoff races have not yet to heated up or taken any other shape than the obvious. July isn't a horrible month in sports its just not as good as the other 11 months.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Tears in my beer...

It's taken me a few days to try to get over this enough to write about it. The University of Texas Longhorns baseball team dropped a stunner in the College World Series to Louisiana State University in a three game set this past week. I could understand that you drop Game 1 to the best team you've faced all year but you didn't need to drop Game 3 in that fashion. I mean giving up a three fun shot to a first rounder with 2 outs in the first inning is not the way you should go down in a decisive game for the CWS title. Its was a nice delight to see all the home runs since the team arrived in Omaha but the team almost completely dropped the style of play that made them the number one seed in the entire tounament. Then the fact you give up a HUGE inning after tying the ball game at 4 to spark another great comeback this year.

The burnt orange blood running through my veins started to run a little thin when a great defensive, ball control team gives up 11 runs to lose a title when many people considered the Horns the "Team of Destiny" after all of its comeback wins. My wounds have started to heal but a lost title will be in the back of my mind until THE University of Texas takes the CWS title next year.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Brothers

Brothers in sports are sometimes great and sometimes they can create an ultimate rivalry. Jered and Jeff Weaver both took the mound tonight as the Dodgers faced the Angels. This is the first time in their pro careers that they have matched up against each other. This got me thinking no only about me and my brother's back yard games, but also those of Tiki and Ronde Barber and all the other brothers that have squared off. Whether its in the street or in an NFL stadium with 60,000 fans in it, brothers bring everything to the tabel to get the "W."

My brother and I have battled at every sport known to man. He's athletic and quick and I'm strong and beastly. It always made for an interesting situation with my impatiance and his short temper but as a team we were great. From Madden to back yard football the rivalry never stopped. Neither let up or gave the other an advantage. "Your hurt?! So, shut up and get up, we aint done!"

Brothers are the ones there to push you to see how good you can actually be. No one lets up and you see what kind of athlete you can actually be. So to all the brothers out there: "Never give up and fight all the way. Push each other to the limit and you wil come out better. Blood is thicker than water and brotherly love conquers everything!"

Pap

Jonathan Papelbon was quoted saying that he won't ever sign with the Yankees and stressed this fact to the extreme. Even though Johnny Damon said the same thing before jumping ship to the "Evil Empire" a few years back, I actually believe Papelbon. Congrats to this great Sox closer for killing this rumor until he does actually become a free agent in 2011. Whether he keeps his word or not he is still stanking up to the Yankees "spend at all cost" mentality and and may determine the fact that every player can not be bought.

It would actually be refreshing to hear of a big name that's not going to sign with the Yankees. I honestly could live off one of A-Rods game checks for a very long time. Im actually suprised that Manny Ramirez wasn't courted by the Yankees and that wouldv't added another $20 million+ to an already huge team salary. It seems everything in baseball either deals with the Yankees or will eventually deal with them.

All I'm saying is "Thank you very much Papelbon," you actually give hope that alot of the other players will follow suit and say "NO!"

Roy L. Williams

Can I say that as a faithful fan of the Dallas Cowboys I am happy to see one of the fifty greatest Cowboys finding a team that fits his physical style and gives him a chance to start with a familiar face. Former Cowboys Strong Safety Roy Williams has reunited with former Cowboys Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer with the Cincinnati Bengals. Williams has been working extensively with the first team defense for the Bengals and is said to be the favorite for the starting spot on the depth chart.

Even though Williams was a force at Oklahoma University, I have put that bias aside because of the respect he earned from me in the old 4-3 defense the Cowboys played under Zimmer. Williams made five Pro Bowls in his prime in Dallas but injuries and a different style of defense limited Williams this past season or two. I understand the reasoning behind letting him go early this offseason, but the selfish side of me wanted to see him still play to his high level and retire with the star on his helmet. Williams is joined by Defensive Tackle Tank Johnson to sign with the Bengals from last seasons Dallas team that didn't quite get to the level expected by all the fans and Jerry Jones.

If Williams goes into the season in great shape, and not battle injuries, I would not be suprised to see him make yet another Pro Bowl and help the Bengals become a better defensive team that finished 12th in the league last season. However this season and the rest of his career go, Williams will always be #31 in my roster book and top ten in my heart. Best of luck bud and make the rest of the league remember why they name rule changes after you.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Plax

Some more stuff looming around the NFL with one of its players in legal trouble. No this is nothing new but the player in question shot himself with an gun that he illegally possessed at a night club. I would love to see him get at least suspended by the league just to be consistent with every other legal crisis.

Plaxico Burress should not be let off easy even though he did not harm anyone but himself. He obviously thought the gun was a necessity and planned that he MAY have to use it or he wouldn't have had it loaded or in his possession at all. If this was Adam Jones or Tank Johnson they would be sitting out until they go to jail and then MAYBE hit the field again when they get out. And not to mention the prison time he is looking at which is said to be three and a half years minimum and fifteen years maximum. Major officials in New York have already said they want to see him punished maybe even the full extent of the law.

Many people say they want to see him be made an "example" but I don't see it like that. He is an American citizen like you and me and should not be treated any different. If I was dumb enough to shoot myself in the club with an unregistered gun I would expect to be punished.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

G.O.A.T.

For anyone who has doubted that Phil Jackson is the greatest NBA coach of all time, he proved you all wrong on June 14, 2009.

There are the arguments that he got lucky by inheriting Jordan and Pippen then the same with Shaq and Kobe. To that I have to say: "Ok?!" Honestly when was the last time anyone won an NBA Championship without having a good squad? I've never seen it or heard of it happening. If that's the only reason you can't give him the title over Red Auerbach, who had Bill Russell and a great team, or Pat Riley, who had Magic and Kareem and Shaq and D-Wade, then every coach who has a ring should be tainted.

I honestly believe you HAVE to have luck along with all the other tools for a seccusful title run in any sport. Saying thats the only thing the "Zen Master" had on his side with just complete BULLSH*T in my book. With 10 Championships to his credit get off his back and give Phil the immense respect that he deserves for being the greatest coach this league has ever seen.

Great Coaching + Openminded team + At least 3 legitatmate Get 'em done players = NBA Title

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Mr. Vick pt. 2

There is still another month and a half until Michael Vick is actually released from prison, even though the Falcons have officially released him this week, and I'm already tired of hearing which team would be the "perfect fit" for him. Honestly the Falcons three years ago was a team built to fit him but we all know what happened later.

We all know he wants to compete for a starting quaterback job but that more than likely wont happen for a few years. His best bet would be to get on a good team as a backup and they should start to run the "wildcat" formation just for his immense talent. The "wildcat" was a formation that he basically ran his entire career, even though it wasn't called that. He is incredibly fast and his above average throwing ability puts him above the running backs that have been running it. Quaterbacks like Vick and Pat White will become much more valuable to a team than just a backup quaterback with their speed and arm strength.

We hear almost all 32 teams in the NFL are saying "no" but when it comes down to it Vick is a great talent that shouldn't be overlooked for his paid debt to society. So lets leave the suggested places of his next career stop until he is actually a free man. Teams will get more serious when he actaully gets released.