Dom's Dish - Tuesday, March 27, 2007
I know, I'm double-dipping here - 2 dishes in 2 days! What are you crazy Dominic? I have to take 5 minutes out to read this sh!*??? Yeah, that's right, I timed myself while slowly reading yesterday's edition - 5 minutes 4 seconds.
Anyway, I kinda rushed getting the dish done yesterday to do real work, after my lunch hour and missed out on a few key points that my boss yelled at me for - and if by boss, I mean Mrs. Dom's Dish. First, Peyton Manning. I know, I read through many of my dishes in the past few months and maybe I am on his 'jaun' or however they say it, but he's Peyton Manning! Mrs. Dom's Dish wishes she were married to him and often asks if since he's from the South, might he be a polygamist. Just 'cuz I'm not 6-foot-five, with a laser, rocket arm....
Peyton hosted "SNL" on Saturday night. I was probably one of the few of you awake, but only lasted about a half hour. The opening monologue was pretty funny - he had a few good lines, but I wanted more. Then they cut to "commercial". If you haven't seen it yet, it is worth the 2-3 minutes of your viewing pleasure - the United Way commercial: http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/#mea=84993
I love Peyton Manning too!
More football. I knew I was missing something yesterday - I heard something over the weekend about the possibility and forgot to mention: Takeo Spikes is now a Philadelphia Eagle. I called it last week - Darwin Walker is gone too - contract to expire at end of 2008. As soon as it was reported the Eagles were in talks for Spikes, and knowing Dick Jauron in Buffalo trying to copy the Eagles' style of building through the Offensive and Defensive lines, this is a good deal for both teams. Little did I know that Kelly Holcomb got thrown in there too! Now, don't go waving your pickle yet, Browns fans, Holcomb, the former Cleveland Brown and "god" for some fans at Savoy's Boilermaker Bar in Hamilton that used to wave their pickles at the TV - no like real actual dill pickles - may still have some left in the tank. With Feeley and Holcomb in the fold, expect it to be a toss-up before the regular season starts if McNabb is not ready to go. As for Spikes - he's 2 years removed from a gruesome Achilles injury. What do I think, Cougar Wright? I love it. Good move all around - Spikes can still be an impact player on and off the field. The Birds have more LBs on their roster than John Goodman has above his waist! Spikes is a proven leader, and having he, Trotter, Dawkins, Montae Reagor and even Dhani ("Donnie") Jones on the roster will take the defense one step closer to developing all the young talent they have. Looking at the roster now, my gut for the draft next month will be to take these positions: OG, DT, CB, S, TE, and maybe a RB and a QB. I'll work on some projections in the coming weeks before I release my draft issue of the Dish.
Last but not least, "Comedian Griffin wrecks $1.5M Ferrari at track" - Eddie Griffin of -Undercover Brother- (on DVD) and Miller Lite commercial fame, was practicing for a role in a movie in which he got to drive an actual Ferrari Enzo. A little too fast into the corner and wham! "Undercover Brother's good at karate and all the rest of that, but the brother can't drive," Griffin said after the accident. That's it - laugh it off. I'm sure the owner of the car, Daniel Sadek is crushed just like the front end. His "dream car" he referred to it.
Sorry folks, no Around the Balls today, go get outside and get some air!
Time to un-pause DMB - "Under the Table and Dreaming" for a few more minutes while the windows and doors are open airing out the house.
--------------------------------
For those new to "the dish", I once dreamed of being a sports-caster having my own column. Let me know if you don't like it, and/or want to be discontinued from the list. If you have another email address to send it to, send that to me also. For older issues of the dish, email me. domsdish@gmail.com or go to http://domsdish.blogspot.com
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Monday, March 26, 2007
Dom's Dish - Anna Jaws Saban aerial basketball suit edition
Dom's Dish - Monday, March 26, 2007
The best football news this offseason just came over ESPN's wires this morning: Ron Jaworski will join Tony Kornheiser and Mike Tirico on ESPN's Monday Night Football. Not that I hate Joe Theismann...he's just so damn annoying! Tony Kornheiser has joked about it on "Pardon the Interruption" - PTI - that there exists some angst between he and Theismann, and I always though he was kidding, but there wasn't much chemistry in that box. Mike Tirico is awesome - he was a guest host with Tony on PTI last week, and he's actually pretty funny. Now, if they can stipulate in Jaws' contract to not be such a "homer" when they broadcast the Eagles this year, then that will be some pretty good coverage on ESPN all year. "We appreciate the work Joe has done for 19 years and continue to talk with him about another high-profile football role with ESPN," said an executive with ESPN. Riiiiiggghhht. I hope not, we want to see less of him, not more.
Now, seriously, what is up with that? It's not just CBS that wastes their money on it - ESPN/ABC, and others do it. Aerial coverage for an indoor sporting event?!?!? Especially places like East Rutherford, Sacramento, anywhere for that matter. "Here is the building where everyone is - you'll notice these vast parking lots around it," like why? I think we've all seen an arena before, and cars from about 1,000 feet up. Daytona Speedway, Giants Stadium, Citizen's Bank Park, heck even Augusta National works - BECAUSE THERE ARE PEOPLE OUTSIDE! It's cool when they show a place like Dallas or Miami at night with the lights on for a basketball game - but can't they just take a picture from a tall building or a local news helicopter one time, and save that. We don't know - and frankly, I wonder how many others care if the shadows fall to the left or right of the picture. Stop wasting money - give whoever the sponsor is (Goodyear, Southwest Airlines) a few extra shout outs on air - no need to waste gas. Another reason American's are hated 'round the world.
Speaking of the NCAA tournament: "Memphis, Georgetown, Ohio State, UCLA will go far." I should have picked one from each bracket, but I really don't like Florida. I think I would like them if that Troy Polamalu look-alike Joakim Noah weren't there. I don't really know what it is, other than the hair. I had these same sentiments against Adam Morrison (porn 'stache might be the main factor there), Troy Polamalu, Michael Bolton...but not Cole Hamels or Jared Weaver. Guess it's the long nappy hair - I wonder why Santillo's? Anyway, hopefully we don't have to see him (Noah) dancing again or doing the stupid gator chomp, instead he can look more like the shot of Morrison crying on the court after a loss. Against UCLA on Saturday about 10:30pm. I'm hoping for a Georgetown-UCLA matchup on Monday, though the only team I can't stand of these four is Florida. All those years rooting for Florida State in college football will make one learn to dislike the Gators. Two #1 seeds and two #2's - somewhat boring and predictable, not sure if 2007 counts as "March Madness."
ESPN needs to go out on a limb, I say for like a week at least. When I'm watching the 5 or 6pm news, chances are, I might be just getting home from work, in a business suit or at least a nice button down shirt. Watching Larry Mendte, Vince DeMentri, Bill Evans or Katie Couric are times it's neat that they're dressed up for TV. When I watch Sportscenter, I'm in jeans, sweats, gym shorts or pajamas. For one week, I say, let the hosts of Sportscenter and other shows dress like they're in the comfort of their homes. Make-up is fine, just no suits. I wanna see Stuart Scott wearing matching pajamas with a classy Hef-style robe. Tony and Wilbon on PTI wearing matching sweatsuits, and Linda Cohn in jeans and a flannel. If they get complaints in the week, switch it back to suits, but I say try it out.
Nick Saban is already on the same level with ESPN. Confused? An Alabama fan named their first son "Saban." Kind of weird going after the last name. You'll remember there have been somewhere in the area of 20 known cases of people naming their children "Espn" over the past few years from Colorado to Denmark, I believe. I guess we're not too far off from my son Donovan "Tiger" Santillo.
Breaking Entertainment News: Anna Nicole Smith died from an "accidental overdose" according to the Medical Examiner. "Anna Nicole Smith was taking a long list of medications from methadone for pain and Valium. There was no foul play indicated." Those are the facts in a nutshell, but be prepared to watch it on the evening news for 5 minutes at a whack. How long before this plays out on an episode of "Law & Order"?
Around the balls:
Big-brown-oblong- NFL Owners' meeting is this week in Phoenix. Aside from punishments for off-the-field issues, revenue sharing and a stadium for the Giants and Jets will be discussed. News out of New Orleans today is that the Saints will remain there until at least 2010. I wonder if Goodell will try to live up to Tagliabue's expectation of getting a team to LA by 2009. Results of the revenue sharing discussion will play a part.
Giant-orange- Barton College over Winona State in the Division II Championship game looks like one of the best endings to a basketball game in the last 20 years - college or pro. Anthony Atkinson hit the lay-up with 0.1 seconds left. They'll probably show it on ESPN highlights tonight if you haven't seen it. Along with the Reggie Miller's 8 pts in 8 or so seconds in the playoff game against the Knicks like 10 years ago, or the Christian Laetner shot in the Final Four, this is up there. And by the way, Winona State had won 57-straight games - wow.
White-leather-stitched- Carl Pavano looks to be the Yankees opening day starter. It would be awesome to see him actually earn some of the money from the contract he signed in 2005. Rubber-non- It's almost over people - most teams have 6 or 7 games left in the regular season. Now if only the Devils can stop giving up 6 and 7 goals and maybe do something in the playoffs this year.
Tiny-white- Tiger. Need I say more.
Only-when-they-wreck- "The car of tomorrow" debuted in Bristol, TN this past weekend. I know you all were watching.
Program Alert:
Is this the week I turn off "24"? "Lost", "24" and "Grey's Anatomy" - three shows on the decline.
6 days to the regular season!
--------------------------------
For those new to "the dish", I once dreamed of being a sports-caster having my own column. Let me know if you don't like it, and/or want to be discontinued from the list. If you have another email address to send it to, send that to me also. For older issues of the dish, email me. domsdish@gmail.com or go to http://domsdish.blogspot.com
The best football news this offseason just came over ESPN's wires this morning: Ron Jaworski will join Tony Kornheiser and Mike Tirico on ESPN's Monday Night Football. Not that I hate Joe Theismann...he's just so damn annoying! Tony Kornheiser has joked about it on "Pardon the Interruption" - PTI - that there exists some angst between he and Theismann, and I always though he was kidding, but there wasn't much chemistry in that box. Mike Tirico is awesome - he was a guest host with Tony on PTI last week, and he's actually pretty funny. Now, if they can stipulate in Jaws' contract to not be such a "homer" when they broadcast the Eagles this year, then that will be some pretty good coverage on ESPN all year. "We appreciate the work Joe has done for 19 years and continue to talk with him about another high-profile football role with ESPN," said an executive with ESPN. Riiiiiggghhht. I hope not, we want to see less of him, not more.
Now, seriously, what is up with that? It's not just CBS that wastes their money on it - ESPN/ABC, and others do it. Aerial coverage for an indoor sporting event?!?!? Especially places like East Rutherford, Sacramento, anywhere for that matter. "Here is the building where everyone is - you'll notice these vast parking lots around it," like why? I think we've all seen an arena before, and cars from about 1,000 feet up. Daytona Speedway, Giants Stadium, Citizen's Bank Park, heck even Augusta National works - BECAUSE THERE ARE PEOPLE OUTSIDE! It's cool when they show a place like Dallas or Miami at night with the lights on for a basketball game - but can't they just take a picture from a tall building or a local news helicopter one time, and save that. We don't know - and frankly, I wonder how many others care if the shadows fall to the left or right of the picture. Stop wasting money - give whoever the sponsor is (Goodyear, Southwest Airlines) a few extra shout outs on air - no need to waste gas. Another reason American's are hated 'round the world.
Speaking of the NCAA tournament: "Memphis, Georgetown, Ohio State, UCLA will go far." I should have picked one from each bracket, but I really don't like Florida. I think I would like them if that Troy Polamalu look-alike Joakim Noah weren't there. I don't really know what it is, other than the hair. I had these same sentiments against Adam Morrison (porn 'stache might be the main factor there), Troy Polamalu, Michael Bolton...but not Cole Hamels or Jared Weaver. Guess it's the long nappy hair - I wonder why Santillo's? Anyway, hopefully we don't have to see him (Noah) dancing again or doing the stupid gator chomp, instead he can look more like the shot of Morrison crying on the court after a loss. Against UCLA on Saturday about 10:30pm. I'm hoping for a Georgetown-UCLA matchup on Monday, though the only team I can't stand of these four is Florida. All those years rooting for Florida State in college football will make one learn to dislike the Gators. Two #1 seeds and two #2's - somewhat boring and predictable, not sure if 2007 counts as "March Madness."
ESPN needs to go out on a limb, I say for like a week at least. When I'm watching the 5 or 6pm news, chances are, I might be just getting home from work, in a business suit or at least a nice button down shirt. Watching Larry Mendte, Vince DeMentri, Bill Evans or Katie Couric are times it's neat that they're dressed up for TV. When I watch Sportscenter, I'm in jeans, sweats, gym shorts or pajamas. For one week, I say, let the hosts of Sportscenter and other shows dress like they're in the comfort of their homes. Make-up is fine, just no suits. I wanna see Stuart Scott wearing matching pajamas with a classy Hef-style robe. Tony and Wilbon on PTI wearing matching sweatsuits, and Linda Cohn in jeans and a flannel. If they get complaints in the week, switch it back to suits, but I say try it out.
Nick Saban is already on the same level with ESPN. Confused? An Alabama fan named their first son "Saban." Kind of weird going after the last name. You'll remember there have been somewhere in the area of 20 known cases of people naming their children "Espn" over the past few years from Colorado to Denmark, I believe. I guess we're not too far off from my son Donovan "Tiger" Santillo.
Breaking Entertainment News: Anna Nicole Smith died from an "accidental overdose" according to the Medical Examiner. "Anna Nicole Smith was taking a long list of medications from methadone for pain and Valium. There was no foul play indicated." Those are the facts in a nutshell, but be prepared to watch it on the evening news for 5 minutes at a whack. How long before this plays out on an episode of "Law & Order"?
Around the balls:
Big-brown-oblong- NFL Owners' meeting is this week in Phoenix. Aside from punishments for off-the-field issues, revenue sharing and a stadium for the Giants and Jets will be discussed. News out of New Orleans today is that the Saints will remain there until at least 2010. I wonder if Goodell will try to live up to Tagliabue's expectation of getting a team to LA by 2009. Results of the revenue sharing discussion will play a part.
Giant-orange- Barton College over Winona State in the Division II Championship game looks like one of the best endings to a basketball game in the last 20 years - college or pro. Anthony Atkinson hit the lay-up with 0.1 seconds left. They'll probably show it on ESPN highlights tonight if you haven't seen it. Along with the Reggie Miller's 8 pts in 8 or so seconds in the playoff game against the Knicks like 10 years ago, or the Christian Laetner shot in the Final Four, this is up there. And by the way, Winona State had won 57-straight games - wow.
White-leather-stitched- Carl Pavano looks to be the Yankees opening day starter. It would be awesome to see him actually earn some of the money from the contract he signed in 2005. Rubber-non- It's almost over people - most teams have 6 or 7 games left in the regular season. Now if only the Devils can stop giving up 6 and 7 goals and maybe do something in the playoffs this year.
Tiny-white- Tiger. Need I say more.
Only-when-they-wreck- "The car of tomorrow" debuted in Bristol, TN this past weekend. I know you all were watching.
Program Alert:
Is this the week I turn off "24"? "Lost", "24" and "Grey's Anatomy" - three shows on the decline.
6 days to the regular season!
--------------------------------
For those new to "the dish", I once dreamed of being a sports-caster having my own column. Let me know if you don't like it, and/or want to be discontinued from the list. If you have another email address to send it to, send that to me also. For older issues of the dish, email me. domsdish@gmail.com or go to http://domsdish.blogspot.com
Friday, March 23, 2007
Dom's Dish - The really, really short edition (no, really)
Dom's Dish - Friday, March 23, 2007
Kobe Bryant is unbelievable - and no, I don't just mean his side of the alleged rape in Colorado. I mean on the court. One sportscaster called them "the Los Angeles Kobes" - only the fourth player in NBA history to score 50+ in three straight games. He scored 175 points in those games. When you watch him, it's like the people around him are high school players, well at least sometimes.
Dribbles into a corner, picks up his dribble, then looks for someone to pass to. That's Josh McRoberts, every time I watch him get the ball in the half court, he'll dribble down the right side, about 20 feet from the basket and pick up his dribble. They won't show that on his highlight tapes, but I've seen it every time I watch. And he is declaring for the NBA. Hopefully the Sixers aren't THAT stupid....are they? By the way, how old is Greg Oden of Ohio State? Damn, there are all these comparisons to Patrick Ewing how he plays, but its sad that he looks AS OLD as Patrick Ewing, right now!
Andy Reid is back - listening to the Press Conference, he had to ask the media TOO many times to stop asking questions about his family. The guy has been through enough, come on people. With about a month left before the draft, I still don't see the "leave" as a big issue - the Eagles signed some quality people, and you know he had a hand in it. The key will be staying free of the devastating injuries again. And by the way, he has the two older sons, and three younger sons.
Around the balls:
White-leather-stitched- I hate that I jinxed the Phillies - my prognostication came true - one of the starters is hurt and now they'll keep Lieber. Having too many starting pitchers is as much of a problem as having too many defensive linemen. Even if they are "OK" or "good" - keep them fresh.
Big-brown-oblong- Ron Mexico in the news again - he claims this time that his "water bottle" that security officials thought had "marijuana" in it, is a "hiding place" for "jewelry" and "earings." Sorry Ron, still don't believe you. You better hope you grasp Bobby Petrino's offense, otherwise you'll wind up replaced like David Carr. "Marijuana" won't help you grasp it - that only works when playing Madden.
Small-bug-with-noisy-legs- In world Cricket news, reports out of Jamaica say the Pakistani coach was strangled. What is this soccer? You lose and get off-ed?
Program Alert:
NCAA basketball is on this weekend again!?!?
Oh, and Tiger is playing golf this weekend in Orlando.
--------------------------------
For those new to "the dish", I once dreamed of being a sports-caster having my own column. Let me know if you don't like it, and/or want to be discontinued from the list. If you have another email address to send it to, send that to me also. For older issues of the dish, email me. domsdish@gmail.com or go to http://domsdish.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Dom's Dish - Spring Sprung edition
Dom's Dish - Wednesday, March 21, 2007
The NCAA tournament. What else can I say? So far my prediction has held up: "Memphis, Georgetown, Ohio State, UCLA will go far." The first and second round games were somewhat uneventful. Not many upsets, and not many last second or OT wins. Sure, everyone's brackets are screwed, but that's every year. Problem is, almost every year, the 5/12 matchup is the biggest upset. Not one time did that hold true this year. All 7's won (over 10's), two 11's beat 6's, no 1's or 2's lost in the opening round, however three 9's beat 8's. The seeds left? 1-5, 3-7; 1-4, 3-2; 1-5, 6-2; 1-5, 3-2. Bad year to be a 4 seed - UVA, Maryland, Texas - 7, UNLV and 6, Vanderbilt have the chance to be "Cinderellas" if you can call a 6 or 7 an underdog. There have never been all four #1 seeds in the Final Four - will 2007 be the year? (Why is six afraid of seven? Because 7-8-9!) I should have checked with a doctorate in Stat before filling out my bracket this year!
(Someone let President Bush know that he is not Donald Trump - "ya fired!" Eight US attorneys let go? What's going on, lame duck?)
Breaking news: The Eagles have signed DT Montae Reagor, formerly of the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos, to a 3 year $8.25 mil. I was waiting for over 20 minutes for the "11:30" news conference, but Adam Schefter of the NFL network had already reported it. I was able to listen to Dave Spadaro while I waited! Reagor is 6-3, 285. His season was ended prematurely last year because of an automobile accident on his way to a home game in Indianapolis, week 6 last year. He did not play another game after the accident on the Colts Super Bowl run. (The accident caused a fractured orbital bone below his left eye, that required surgery.) "Experts" are already questioning his ability to come back from this injury, but we're not talking an ACL or hamstring injury. Then I looked at him once the PC started. Wow. His face is swollen and his eye is almost shut, however he did just have cosmetic surgery this past Friday. As long as the swelling goes down by the middle of Training Camp, expect Reagor to be on the roster as a DT, specializing in the pass rush. What does that mean to the DT picture? Gut feeling? Don't be surprised if Jerome McDougle and/or Darwin Walker wind up being traded before or on draft day for some more draft picks. Why them? Expiring contracts - 2007 and 2008, respectively. (last year, Hank Fraley, Hollis Thomas, Josh Parry, and Mark Simoneau were all traded - contracts were set to expire 2006, 2006, 2007 and 2007 respectively)
No doubt, free agency for the Eagles has been subdued (compared to the T.O., Kearse year and frenzy last year), however when asked for comment on the recent free agent signings, die hard Eagles fan "Cougar" Wright on the Kevin Curtis signing, "It's good!" Thanks Cougar, back to Merrill in the studio...
"Sorry Roger, you tiger now"
(After too many years, I've officially had a "Philly Cheesesteak". Sunday marked the day (National Irish Hangover Day) that a car load of four of us went down to Sout' Philly and got ourselves the glorious sandwich. Not Geno's or Pat's, we tried the place that Bobby Flay challenged on "Throwdown" - Tony Luke's right near the stadium and food warehouse section of town. We parked right under 95 - lots of pigeon shit there - and we tried the more modern "beef and beer" building. Onions, provolone and pure 100% rib eye steak - scrumptious. And you don't have to worry about how the heck you order it. The wings are good too! I can now say I am from "South Jersey" after all these years. Now I can live up to my name = "Cheesesteak.")
Around the balls:
Giant-orange- Gilbert Arenas and John Dorian, what do they have in common? Both shout odd things after a "zinger" of sorts. "Zoom zoom zoom" is what J.D. (of "Scrubs") shouts after a good zinger. "Hibachi!" is what Arenas aka "Agent Zero" shouts after he knows a shot is going in...I don't know what my thing will be, but you'll know it...
White-leather-stitched- There is still talk that the Phils will trade Jon Lieber, a starting pitcher, for a reliever. I still question the possible move - traditionally it's harder to find a good starting pitcher who can throw for 6-7 innings every five days versus a guy to throw 1-2 quality innings every other or third day, right? Maybe I don't know enough about baseball, but still there's the possibility of injury, then they're up a creek...
Big-brown-oblong- Word on the street is that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (no, not Dom Goodell) may in fact suspend Adam "Pac man" Jones for up to 1 year for his conduct off the field. For those that missed all 10 run-ins with the law since his draft in 2005, the kid "can't cut off his friends" according to interviews that appeared on ESPN all weekend long. He's going to wind up suspended, piss the rest of his money away and be broke by 32. Sad.
Tiny-white- Tiger collapsed last weekend. From 6-under the first day, he had a three-hole series of bogey, double-bogey, triple-bogey. With only two weeks to go, I'm sure he'll be out on the range and on the course every day until Augusta begins. Tiger or the field in the Masters? I'll Take Tiger.
--------------------------------
For those new to "the dish", I once dreamed of being a sports-caster having my own column. Let me know if you don't like it, and/or want to be discontinued from the list. If you have another email address to send it to, send that to me also. For older issues of the dish, email me. domsdish@gmail.com or go to http://domsdish.blogspot.com/
The NCAA tournament. What else can I say? So far my prediction has held up: "Memphis, Georgetown, Ohio State, UCLA will go far." The first and second round games were somewhat uneventful. Not many upsets, and not many last second or OT wins. Sure, everyone's brackets are screwed, but that's every year. Problem is, almost every year, the 5/12 matchup is the biggest upset. Not one time did that hold true this year. All 7's won (over 10's), two 11's beat 6's, no 1's or 2's lost in the opening round, however three 9's beat 8's. The seeds left? 1-5, 3-7; 1-4, 3-2; 1-5, 6-2; 1-5, 3-2. Bad year to be a 4 seed - UVA, Maryland, Texas - 7, UNLV and 6, Vanderbilt have the chance to be "Cinderellas" if you can call a 6 or 7 an underdog. There have never been all four #1 seeds in the Final Four - will 2007 be the year? (Why is six afraid of seven? Because 7-8-9!) I should have checked with a doctorate in Stat before filling out my bracket this year!
(Someone let President Bush know that he is not Donald Trump - "ya fired!" Eight US attorneys let go? What's going on, lame duck?)
Breaking news: The Eagles have signed DT Montae Reagor, formerly of the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos, to a 3 year $8.25 mil. I was waiting for over 20 minutes for the "11:30" news conference, but Adam Schefter of the NFL network had already reported it. I was able to listen to Dave Spadaro while I waited! Reagor is 6-3, 285. His season was ended prematurely last year because of an automobile accident on his way to a home game in Indianapolis, week 6 last year. He did not play another game after the accident on the Colts Super Bowl run. (The accident caused a fractured orbital bone below his left eye, that required surgery.) "Experts" are already questioning his ability to come back from this injury, but we're not talking an ACL or hamstring injury. Then I looked at him once the PC started. Wow. His face is swollen and his eye is almost shut, however he did just have cosmetic surgery this past Friday. As long as the swelling goes down by the middle of Training Camp, expect Reagor to be on the roster as a DT, specializing in the pass rush. What does that mean to the DT picture? Gut feeling? Don't be surprised if Jerome McDougle and/or Darwin Walker wind up being traded before or on draft day for some more draft picks. Why them? Expiring contracts - 2007 and 2008, respectively. (last year, Hank Fraley, Hollis Thomas, Josh Parry, and Mark Simoneau were all traded - contracts were set to expire 2006, 2006, 2007 and 2007 respectively)
No doubt, free agency for the Eagles has been subdued (compared to the T.O., Kearse year and frenzy last year), however when asked for comment on the recent free agent signings, die hard Eagles fan "Cougar" Wright on the Kevin Curtis signing, "It's good!" Thanks Cougar, back to Merrill in the studio...
"Sorry Roger, you tiger now"
(After too many years, I've officially had a "Philly Cheesesteak". Sunday marked the day (National Irish Hangover Day) that a car load of four of us went down to Sout' Philly and got ourselves the glorious sandwich. Not Geno's or Pat's, we tried the place that Bobby Flay challenged on "Throwdown" - Tony Luke's right near the stadium and food warehouse section of town. We parked right under 95 - lots of pigeon shit there - and we tried the more modern "beef and beer" building. Onions, provolone and pure 100% rib eye steak - scrumptious. And you don't have to worry about how the heck you order it. The wings are good too! I can now say I am from "South Jersey" after all these years. Now I can live up to my name = "Cheesesteak.")
Around the balls:
Giant-orange- Gilbert Arenas and John Dorian, what do they have in common? Both shout odd things after a "zinger" of sorts. "Zoom zoom zoom" is what J.D. (of "Scrubs") shouts after a good zinger. "Hibachi!" is what Arenas aka "Agent Zero" shouts after he knows a shot is going in...I don't know what my thing will be, but you'll know it...
White-leather-stitched- There is still talk that the Phils will trade Jon Lieber, a starting pitcher, for a reliever. I still question the possible move - traditionally it's harder to find a good starting pitcher who can throw for 6-7 innings every five days versus a guy to throw 1-2 quality innings every other or third day, right? Maybe I don't know enough about baseball, but still there's the possibility of injury, then they're up a creek...
Big-brown-oblong- Word on the street is that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (no, not Dom Goodell) may in fact suspend Adam "Pac man" Jones for up to 1 year for his conduct off the field. For those that missed all 10 run-ins with the law since his draft in 2005, the kid "can't cut off his friends" according to interviews that appeared on ESPN all weekend long. He's going to wind up suspended, piss the rest of his money away and be broke by 32. Sad.
Tiny-white- Tiger collapsed last weekend. From 6-under the first day, he had a three-hole series of bogey, double-bogey, triple-bogey. With only two weeks to go, I'm sure he'll be out on the range and on the course every day until Augusta begins. Tiger or the field in the Masters? I'll Take Tiger.
--------------------------------
For those new to "the dish", I once dreamed of being a sports-caster having my own column. Let me know if you don't like it, and/or want to be discontinued from the list. If you have another email address to send it to, send that to me also. For older issues of the dish, email me. domsdish@gmail.com or go to http://domsdish.blogspot.com/
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Dom's Dish - Throwback uni's, NCAA confusion and Jehova's edition
Dom's Dish - Thursday, March 15, 2007
The Ides of March have come....Aye, but not gone, Caesar! (Happy Belated Pi Day to everyone: 3-14! ~ 355/113 baby!)
Ah, the throwback uni! I have to say, it seems like the NBA teams wear throwback or special uniforms about 20 of their 80 game schedule. One I'm kind of sick of, is the neon orange Cleveland Cavaliers uni. I mean, they're ORANGE! I don't know what it is about orange, I'm just not a fan, especially for uniforms. Now some people in my family will say that I have "orange" Reebok mesh shorts, but I will dispute that and mention that they initially were "rust" color, and are now, especially after about 9 years of service. The one exception though, is Syracuse. It's just a nice orange. The other night, the Chicago Bulls wore green uni's in honor of Saturday's Holiday.
One I am fond of that I saw last night, is the Dallas Mavericks green and blue trim. Back in 1992 (when I had the full set of NBA Fleer trading cards) (and also had Run DMC "Down with the King" for my "Walkman") when I was really getting into the league, I thought the green uni's were one of the best in the NBA. Seeing those throwback colors reminded me of the old Hartford Whalers (NHL) uniforms. But I digress...great uni's, but an even better battle between the Suns and Mavericks. I do enjoy the half-court offense mentality of the East Coast - it's like a chess match, but the style of play these two teams run is like a fast half-court offense. It's unbelievable how fast they can score without even a real "fast-break". It's crazy how good the teams shoot - obviously both defenses are not top in the league, but the "plays" they run where someone is almost always open for a 3-ball, all the movement away from the ball, and the high percentages they shoot, they epitomize professional basketball. Talk about entertaining - fans there barely sat down from the mid-4th quarter on! (Side note, the announcers just mentioned that Jason Terry (Mavs) wears 5 pair of socks for each game - that has to add like a shoe size and a half - good cushioning, but when they say he's on fire, do they mean his feet?) What a shot by Terry with 4.9 seconds left in OT to tie it up with Nash's hand in his face! Now into the second OT, I've decided Steve Nash should definitely appear next to the word "awareness" in the dictionary. Double team him? He'll make an amazing dish. Single coverage, he'll put it up from anywhere or drive on you. Someone should give him an award! And, oh by the way, Amare Stoudamire is back: 41 pts on 16-19 FG, 9-12 FT, 10 REB, 2 BLK.
Lance Briggs' agent? Drew Rosenhaus. Bears coming off a Super Bowl loss, 2 years ago, the Eagles were too when T.O. made noise in the offseason. Chicago and Philly are both blue-collar towns. In an interview on ESPN, he likened his job to, in a way, being an average Joe. Last I checked, not many of "us" have $7.2 mil on the table or would have turned down a 7-yr $33 mil deal (as he did last offseason. To quote Little Richard from the Geico commercial: "Oooo - LOOK OUT!"
Apparently the NCAA Tournament starts this week. Who knew!? You all probably filled out your brackets by now, but here's a few predictions: Memphis, Georgetown, Ohio State, UCLA will go far. In maybe five brackets I've filled out, I have Ohio State, UCLA, Memphis, Georgetown and UNC winning it all, pick one. Still never a 16 has beaten a 1. 12/5 and 8/9 are the most common upsets. Aside from that, you might statistically be better off picking the higher seed in the rest of the games. (I'll have to ask somebody I know with a doctorate in Stat) Some major complaints: what the hell is this "opening round" / "play-in" game b.s.? What about this East/West/South/Midwest two years ago to city names last year to city names AND "regions" this year? How about mixed regions playing in the same place? (West and Midwest playing opening round games in Buffalo, NY) What is going on? Disorder! Disorder! Dis-Ooooerder! And they talk of expanding the field from 64....er, 65? I guess we can go to 256 teams. That might satisfy everyone. 256 to 128 to 64 in one weekend (last weekend), then 64 on from this weekend. Now that would be some madness! I mean after all, there are only 119 D-I football teams and all those Bowl games (33 in 2006/2007) - there are 326 D-I Mens basketball teams. Tennessee Technological University? Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University? University of Texas, Pan American? NCAA - if you do expand, my vote is 256! Then every network will have to cover those games.
Little did I know when my wife and I were looking for a house, but my neighborhood is definitely the "training grounds" for Jehova's Witnesses. To each his own - religion and spiritualism is something that I believe is, and should remain personal for everyone. Each has their own way (or non-way) of expressing it, and their own beliefs. Anyway, being that I work from home now and used to work odd hours in the restaurant business and be home during days, I've been caught standing at the door talking to them twice before. It's crazy, a mini-van will pull up, 10 people pile out and walk the streets. It kind of reminds me of a large family of trick-or-treaters in a safe neighborhood, a family dispersing in the mall with a meeting time/place, or worse yet, a clown car, except in suits and ties wielding pamphlets. They won't catch me anymore. Yesterday, while waiting for a fence estimate, the doorbell rang; but before I unlocked the door, I spotted the guy in the suit and army crawled right behind the chair. I tell you, I hid quicker and better than my brother watching the Wicked Witch in "The Wizzard of Oz." Yeah sure, that was last weekend, but I learn quick. Those Jehova's weren't gonna get me this time, no sir. Morale of the story? Nothing good ever happens when someone wearing a suit shows up at your front door. By the way, if anyone wants me to scan in the latest copy of the "Watchtower" pamphlet, let me know.
Some more of the best commercials on TV:
- "Carne asada." "CAAAR-nay Asada." "Ricardo Montelban?" (Taco Bell lions)
- "MOOOU-LA!" "You save El-Moula!" (Comcast Cable)
- The catchy acoustic guitar playing the background music for "Zoom zoom zoom!" (Mazda)
- "YOU COME PUSH IT! You push it real good!" (Comcast)
(Speak of the devil, Comcast all of the sudden sucks ass in my neighborhood - I feel like Mr. Slowsky during the day on the internet and at times at night, I'm lucky if I get every third word on digital cable, watching through the green bars)
For the catch phrases:
- "Boost mobile! Where you AT!?!"
- The new "Day Dreams" commercials (gentleman's club in Philly) "Where the girls wear nothing but a smile."
The worst:
- The Mazda commercial with the song "Let the sunshine...." (getting up there in frequency with the Dodge Rock-em sock-em commercial)
Around the balls:
Giant-orange- Syracuse did not disappoint as did Drexel. 10-6 in the Big East gets an NIT birth, not even a #1 seed there either. I think they'll win it all, Jim Boeheim is that kind of coach. On great coaching - any press conference with Bobby Knight is worth watching. Such an entertaining cocky prick.
White-leather-stitched- Gary Matthews Jr. finally came out and said he never took HGH. Yeah, we believe you know that you're all lawyered up (such a good term, "Law & Order"). Oh yeah and Pete Rose said yesterday - on radio - that he bet on the Reds while managing them, every night.
Rubber-non- The Flyers gave their new GM Paul Holmgren a 2-year contract extension. Am I missing something? "Has made great moves since taking over in late October," so says The Hockey News. They are in last place, right? Ah well, go Devils - get healthy, will ya!
Big-brown-oblong- JaMarcus Russell of LSU had his Pro Day yesterday. He's dropped 10 lbs since the combine and he again flaunted his arm strength. (85 yards standing up, 65 yards from his knees and 45 yards from his back) Hopefully he is all the Raiders need to again come back from the "black hole" they're in. Otherwise he might be the next Tim Couch or David Carr, and throwing from his back will be a useful trait.
Program Alert:
Uh....someone said the NCAA Tournament started sometime soon....not sure when...ah well, maybe it'll be on ESPN sometime?
Game of the workday prediction: 10 Texas Tech vs. 7 Boston College - 12:25pm EDT
Links:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/photos?photoId=1480360&gameId=270314006 - Mavs in green
http://web1.ncaa.org/onlineDir/exec/sponsorship?sortOrder=0&division=1&sport=MBB - 326 teams
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pi - Pi
--------------------------------
For those new to "the dish", I once dreamed of being a sports-caster having my own column. Let me know if you don't like it, and/or want to be discontinued from the list. If you have another email address to send it to, send that to me also. For older issues of the dish, email me. domsdish@gmail.com or go to http://domsdish.blogspot.com/
The Ides of March have come....Aye, but not gone, Caesar! (Happy Belated Pi Day to everyone: 3-14! ~ 355/113 baby!)
Ah, the throwback uni! I have to say, it seems like the NBA teams wear throwback or special uniforms about 20 of their 80 game schedule. One I'm kind of sick of, is the neon orange Cleveland Cavaliers uni. I mean, they're ORANGE! I don't know what it is about orange, I'm just not a fan, especially for uniforms. Now some people in my family will say that I have "orange" Reebok mesh shorts, but I will dispute that and mention that they initially were "rust" color, and are now, especially after about 9 years of service. The one exception though, is Syracuse. It's just a nice orange. The other night, the Chicago Bulls wore green uni's in honor of Saturday's Holiday.
One I am fond of that I saw last night, is the Dallas Mavericks green and blue trim. Back in 1992 (when I had the full set of NBA Fleer trading cards) (and also had Run DMC "Down with the King" for my "Walkman") when I was really getting into the league, I thought the green uni's were one of the best in the NBA. Seeing those throwback colors reminded me of the old Hartford Whalers (NHL) uniforms. But I digress...great uni's, but an even better battle between the Suns and Mavericks. I do enjoy the half-court offense mentality of the East Coast - it's like a chess match, but the style of play these two teams run is like a fast half-court offense. It's unbelievable how fast they can score without even a real "fast-break". It's crazy how good the teams shoot - obviously both defenses are not top in the league, but the "plays" they run where someone is almost always open for a 3-ball, all the movement away from the ball, and the high percentages they shoot, they epitomize professional basketball. Talk about entertaining - fans there barely sat down from the mid-4th quarter on! (Side note, the announcers just mentioned that Jason Terry (Mavs) wears 5 pair of socks for each game - that has to add like a shoe size and a half - good cushioning, but when they say he's on fire, do they mean his feet?) What a shot by Terry with 4.9 seconds left in OT to tie it up with Nash's hand in his face! Now into the second OT, I've decided Steve Nash should definitely appear next to the word "awareness" in the dictionary. Double team him? He'll make an amazing dish. Single coverage, he'll put it up from anywhere or drive on you. Someone should give him an award! And, oh by the way, Amare Stoudamire is back: 41 pts on 16-19 FG, 9-12 FT, 10 REB, 2 BLK.
Lance Briggs' agent? Drew Rosenhaus. Bears coming off a Super Bowl loss, 2 years ago, the Eagles were too when T.O. made noise in the offseason. Chicago and Philly are both blue-collar towns. In an interview on ESPN, he likened his job to, in a way, being an average Joe. Last I checked, not many of "us" have $7.2 mil on the table or would have turned down a 7-yr $33 mil deal (as he did last offseason. To quote Little Richard from the Geico commercial: "Oooo - LOOK OUT!"
Apparently the NCAA Tournament starts this week. Who knew!? You all probably filled out your brackets by now, but here's a few predictions: Memphis, Georgetown, Ohio State, UCLA will go far. In maybe five brackets I've filled out, I have Ohio State, UCLA, Memphis, Georgetown and UNC winning it all, pick one. Still never a 16 has beaten a 1. 12/5 and 8/9 are the most common upsets. Aside from that, you might statistically be better off picking the higher seed in the rest of the games. (I'll have to ask somebody I know with a doctorate in Stat) Some major complaints: what the hell is this "opening round" / "play-in" game b.s.? What about this East/West/South/Midwest two years ago to city names last year to city names AND "regions" this year? How about mixed regions playing in the same place? (West and Midwest playing opening round games in Buffalo, NY) What is going on? Disorder! Disorder! Dis-Ooooerder! And they talk of expanding the field from 64....er, 65? I guess we can go to 256 teams. That might satisfy everyone. 256 to 128 to 64 in one weekend (last weekend), then 64 on from this weekend. Now that would be some madness! I mean after all, there are only 119 D-I football teams and all those Bowl games (33 in 2006/2007) - there are 326 D-I Mens basketball teams. Tennessee Technological University? Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University? University of Texas, Pan American? NCAA - if you do expand, my vote is 256! Then every network will have to cover those games.
Little did I know when my wife and I were looking for a house, but my neighborhood is definitely the "training grounds" for Jehova's Witnesses. To each his own - religion and spiritualism is something that I believe is, and should remain personal for everyone. Each has their own way (or non-way) of expressing it, and their own beliefs. Anyway, being that I work from home now and used to work odd hours in the restaurant business and be home during days, I've been caught standing at the door talking to them twice before. It's crazy, a mini-van will pull up, 10 people pile out and walk the streets. It kind of reminds me of a large family of trick-or-treaters in a safe neighborhood, a family dispersing in the mall with a meeting time/place, or worse yet, a clown car, except in suits and ties wielding pamphlets. They won't catch me anymore. Yesterday, while waiting for a fence estimate, the doorbell rang; but before I unlocked the door, I spotted the guy in the suit and army crawled right behind the chair. I tell you, I hid quicker and better than my brother watching the Wicked Witch in "The Wizzard of Oz." Yeah sure, that was last weekend, but I learn quick. Those Jehova's weren't gonna get me this time, no sir. Morale of the story? Nothing good ever happens when someone wearing a suit shows up at your front door. By the way, if anyone wants me to scan in the latest copy of the "Watchtower" pamphlet, let me know.
Some more of the best commercials on TV:
- "Carne asada." "CAAAR-nay Asada." "Ricardo Montelban?" (Taco Bell lions)
- "MOOOU-LA!" "You save El-Moula!" (Comcast Cable)
- The catchy acoustic guitar playing the background music for "Zoom zoom zoom!" (Mazda)
- "YOU COME PUSH IT! You push it real good!" (Comcast)
(Speak of the devil, Comcast all of the sudden sucks ass in my neighborhood - I feel like Mr. Slowsky during the day on the internet and at times at night, I'm lucky if I get every third word on digital cable, watching through the green bars)
For the catch phrases:
- "Boost mobile! Where you AT!?!"
- The new "Day Dreams" commercials (gentleman's club in Philly) "Where the girls wear nothing but a smile."
The worst:
- The Mazda commercial with the song "Let the sunshine...." (getting up there in frequency with the Dodge Rock-em sock-em commercial)
Around the balls:
Giant-orange- Syracuse did not disappoint as did Drexel. 10-6 in the Big East gets an NIT birth, not even a #1 seed there either. I think they'll win it all, Jim Boeheim is that kind of coach. On great coaching - any press conference with Bobby Knight is worth watching. Such an entertaining cocky prick.
White-leather-stitched- Gary Matthews Jr. finally came out and said he never took HGH. Yeah, we believe you know that you're all lawyered up (such a good term, "Law & Order"). Oh yeah and Pete Rose said yesterday - on radio - that he bet on the Reds while managing them, every night.
Rubber-non- The Flyers gave their new GM Paul Holmgren a 2-year contract extension. Am I missing something? "Has made great moves since taking over in late October," so says The Hockey News. They are in last place, right? Ah well, go Devils - get healthy, will ya!
Big-brown-oblong- JaMarcus Russell of LSU had his Pro Day yesterday. He's dropped 10 lbs since the combine and he again flaunted his arm strength. (85 yards standing up, 65 yards from his knees and 45 yards from his back) Hopefully he is all the Raiders need to again come back from the "black hole" they're in. Otherwise he might be the next Tim Couch or David Carr, and throwing from his back will be a useful trait.
Program Alert:
Uh....someone said the NCAA Tournament started sometime soon....not sure when...ah well, maybe it'll be on ESPN sometime?
Game of the workday prediction: 10 Texas Tech vs. 7 Boston College - 12:25pm EDT
Links:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/photos?photoId=1480360&gameId=270314006 - Mavs in green
http://web1.ncaa.org/onlineDir/exec/sponsorship?sortOrder=0&division=1&sport=MBB - 326 teams
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pi - Pi
--------------------------------
For those new to "the dish", I once dreamed of being a sports-caster having my own column. Let me know if you don't like it, and/or want to be discontinued from the list. If you have another email address to send it to, send that to me also. For older issues of the dish, email me. domsdish@gmail.com or go to http://domsdish.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Dom's Dish - Big Babies edition
Dom's Dish - Tuesday, March 13, 2007
So, Glen "Big Baby" Davis, aka "Baby Shaq" is supposedly going to declare for the NBA draft. Not bad, he made it three years in college hoops, though this past injury-plagued season means his draft stock will probably fall out of the first few picks (I don't think he was every that high anyway). Last year's SEC player of the year and of Final Four fame, missed three games due to injury this year and LSU never got it going, finishing in last place in the SEC West. He may not sign an agent just yet, making him able to possibly come back for next season - the Brian Brohm rule. He did end the season with a double-double average, over 17 pts and 10 rebounds and he does have a nice 6'9" frame. It's the 295 lbs that will make him a presence inside and limit him to "East Coast" style play (aka the half-court offense). At the rate they're going, Sixers could be a playoff contender this season, falling a few picks in June's draft. Will #0 of LSU get drafted by the Sixers? That's what they ought to do...
Speaking of big babies...Lance Briggs. Dude made $700k last year and is going hard at the Bears management for franchise tagging him without a long-term deal. The franchise tender would be around $7.2 million (yeah, 10x his salary) and he is resigned to sitting out a year if need be. I hate asses like that. Even after the government and his agent gets their piece, he still will walk with let's say $4 million to play football for one season. Stay healthy, get a long term offer next season and you're still a millionaire. Idiots. You're playing with Brian Urlacher. You made it to the Super Bowl. There are 7 million reasons why you should shut your pipes and take the tag. I see two worse cases: sit out the year, get a smaller contract next year, don't prove yourself and get cut, out of football in 2 years with only a few hundred k in your pocket. Or, get a long term deal, blow out both knees and never play again.
As for the Eagles, they thought they had that kid Ryan Fowler from the Cowboys. Aside from being a special teams player, he has started only 3 games and for some reason the Birds were willing to throw around $10 million at him for 4 years. I'm glad he took the Titans offer and not the Eagles. They don't need to overspend on mediocre talent. Draft mediocre talent and pay accordingly. How about Ike Reese? Bring him back to play special teams, you know you want to.
So, while at Trenton's St. Paddy's Day parade/drinkfest, I got to observe something I haven't seen since my childhood: silly string. What is that stuff? String? Soap? Plastic? Foam? Toxic? My favorite part is when all the kids are spraying all the firetrucks as they pass by. What's up with that? One of my favorite moments was when a former co-worker I saw handed two kids a few cans and instructed them to do it, "Here, go spray the firetrucks. When I was a probee those bastards used to make me clean it." Case closed.
Around the balls:
Giant-orange- "Jesus Christ could come back and we still wouldn't have a chance because we've ruined the mix by not playing together," said Coach Phil Jackson when asked about the Lakers current injury situation. Now listen Colonel Sanders! That's one way to motivate your team, you Zen-ist!
White-leather-stitched- The Washington Nationals new stadium, to be completed by next April, will have a "grove of cherry trees" behind its left field bleachers. Get it? Washington? Cherry tree?
Rubber-non- Chris Simon was suspended 25 games by the NHL. His coach thought he would only be suspended 12 games. The Islanders better drug-test their coach, 'cuz he's smokin' something.
Big-brown-oblong- The Giants finally realized free agency was on and signed a washed up RB that only had a few great seasons due to Mike Shannahan. Reuben Droughns was a full back at one point. Brandon Jacobs is 6-4. The "Hefty Lefty" is up there too. Talk about a goal-line package...
Only-when-they-wreck- So I was watching a little NASCAR on Sunday. FOX does this thing where they tell you to turn up the volume so you only hear the cars (commentators take a smoke/dip break). I followed along (sounds good with surround sound). I tell ya what man, as fast as they go, it's got to be a sport. I mean they want to keep trim for less weight in the cars, they're sweating in those suits and there has to be a few G's they pull in some of those turns. Oh and there's as much cheating as baseball. Sport!
Program Alert:
"The Opening Round Game" is tonight on ESPN for the Mens NCAA tournament. It's not a "play-in game" since both are in- such crap. Stick to 64 teams and stop being lazy and cut someone. Anyway, tonight 7:30pm. It's either that or "Idol".
Links:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2797237http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-lakers13mar13,0,86149.story?coll=la-home-sportshttp://www.nationwidespeakers.com/images/biopics/phil_jackson.jpg
--------------------------------
For those new to "the dish", I once dreamed of being a sports-caster having my own column. Let me know if you don't like it, and/or want to be discontinued from the list. If you have another email address to send it to, send that to me also. For older issues of the dish, email me. domsdish@gmail.com or go to http://domsdish.blogspot.com/
So, Glen "Big Baby" Davis, aka "Baby Shaq" is supposedly going to declare for the NBA draft. Not bad, he made it three years in college hoops, though this past injury-plagued season means his draft stock will probably fall out of the first few picks (I don't think he was every that high anyway). Last year's SEC player of the year and of Final Four fame, missed three games due to injury this year and LSU never got it going, finishing in last place in the SEC West. He may not sign an agent just yet, making him able to possibly come back for next season - the Brian Brohm rule. He did end the season with a double-double average, over 17 pts and 10 rebounds and he does have a nice 6'9" frame. It's the 295 lbs that will make him a presence inside and limit him to "East Coast" style play (aka the half-court offense). At the rate they're going, Sixers could be a playoff contender this season, falling a few picks in June's draft. Will #0 of LSU get drafted by the Sixers? That's what they ought to do...
Speaking of big babies...Lance Briggs. Dude made $700k last year and is going hard at the Bears management for franchise tagging him without a long-term deal. The franchise tender would be around $7.2 million (yeah, 10x his salary) and he is resigned to sitting out a year if need be. I hate asses like that. Even after the government and his agent gets their piece, he still will walk with let's say $4 million to play football for one season. Stay healthy, get a long term offer next season and you're still a millionaire. Idiots. You're playing with Brian Urlacher. You made it to the Super Bowl. There are 7 million reasons why you should shut your pipes and take the tag. I see two worse cases: sit out the year, get a smaller contract next year, don't prove yourself and get cut, out of football in 2 years with only a few hundred k in your pocket. Or, get a long term deal, blow out both knees and never play again.
As for the Eagles, they thought they had that kid Ryan Fowler from the Cowboys. Aside from being a special teams player, he has started only 3 games and for some reason the Birds were willing to throw around $10 million at him for 4 years. I'm glad he took the Titans offer and not the Eagles. They don't need to overspend on mediocre talent. Draft mediocre talent and pay accordingly. How about Ike Reese? Bring him back to play special teams, you know you want to.
So, while at Trenton's St. Paddy's Day parade/drinkfest, I got to observe something I haven't seen since my childhood: silly string. What is that stuff? String? Soap? Plastic? Foam? Toxic? My favorite part is when all the kids are spraying all the firetrucks as they pass by. What's up with that? One of my favorite moments was when a former co-worker I saw handed two kids a few cans and instructed them to do it, "Here, go spray the firetrucks. When I was a probee those bastards used to make me clean it." Case closed.
Around the balls:
Giant-orange- "Jesus Christ could come back and we still wouldn't have a chance because we've ruined the mix by not playing together," said Coach Phil Jackson when asked about the Lakers current injury situation. Now listen Colonel Sanders! That's one way to motivate your team, you Zen-ist!
White-leather-stitched- The Washington Nationals new stadium, to be completed by next April, will have a "grove of cherry trees" behind its left field bleachers. Get it? Washington? Cherry tree?
Rubber-non- Chris Simon was suspended 25 games by the NHL. His coach thought he would only be suspended 12 games. The Islanders better drug-test their coach, 'cuz he's smokin' something.
Big-brown-oblong- The Giants finally realized free agency was on and signed a washed up RB that only had a few great seasons due to Mike Shannahan. Reuben Droughns was a full back at one point. Brandon Jacobs is 6-4. The "Hefty Lefty" is up there too. Talk about a goal-line package...
Only-when-they-wreck- So I was watching a little NASCAR on Sunday. FOX does this thing where they tell you to turn up the volume so you only hear the cars (commentators take a smoke/dip break). I followed along (sounds good with surround sound). I tell ya what man, as fast as they go, it's got to be a sport. I mean they want to keep trim for less weight in the cars, they're sweating in those suits and there has to be a few G's they pull in some of those turns. Oh and there's as much cheating as baseball. Sport!
Program Alert:
"The Opening Round Game" is tonight on ESPN for the Mens NCAA tournament. It's not a "play-in game" since both are in- such crap. Stick to 64 teams and stop being lazy and cut someone. Anyway, tonight 7:30pm. It's either that or "Idol".
Links:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2797237http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-lakers13mar13,0,86149.story?coll=la-home-sportshttp://www.nationwidespeakers.com/images/biopics/phil_jackson.jpg
--------------------------------
For those new to "the dish", I once dreamed of being a sports-caster having my own column. Let me know if you don't like it, and/or want to be discontinued from the list. If you have another email address to send it to, send that to me also. For older issues of the dish, email me. domsdish@gmail.com or go to http://domsdish.blogspot.com/
Friday, March 9, 2007
Dom's Dish - March Craziness edition
Dom's Dish - Friday, March 9, 2007
So, I was up in North Jersey, away from home, and I briefly caught something about this somewhere on ESPN or the radio, but didn't get all the specifics. Then I found an article in USA Today and had to rip it out, since I was perplexed at the story. You probably heard about this huge steroid bust/online pharmacy sting that involves the states of NY, FL and Alabama (AL - I know AL is the state abbreviation, but not sure if all of you out there do...). First, Gary Matthews, Jr. a baseball player who was a Texas Ranger, but in "hot stove" negotiations got sent to the Anaheim/LA Angels (I think they're still "The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim") accepting a 5 year $50 million contract. When it leaked that he might be involved, he did not refute or deny the statement like many before him (Palmiero, Bonds, McGuire) that were suspected. Nope, he said "he needed more information." Earlier this week, he hired star attorney Robert Shapiro, yes, THAT Robert Shapiro of O.J. Simpson fame. (I wonder if Shapiro will use a Cochran move and have Matthews try on an old batting glove...never mind) Ridiculous what all of this means, especially getting to my next point...
...So, the article I clipped was one that cited a report on all of this that a former major leaguer right here in the Philly area received up to 6 shipments of HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) for a "medical condition." The player is former third baseman, David Bell. Now, when I read this, I thought, "self, there's no way," I mean, the guy's father, Buddy Bell is the skipper of the KC Royals and had an MLB career, maybe that's why he's stuck around this league so long. Like others suspected before him though, they got bigger, stronger and performed better. Not David Bell. Unless we're talking about his stats from 2004 that shot up with the Phils from .195 AVG in 85 games with 4 HR in 2003 to a stunning .291 with 18 HR in 143 games in 2004. Even still, the average isn't indicative of a "performance enhancing drug" - they don't improve eye-hand coordination, do they? Also in this 37-pg report, it points out one common factor: Bell, Matthews and Jerry Hairston all have former major league fathers. Conspiracy theory? Now, David Bell is nowhere to be found on any MLB roster after not being re-signed by the Milwaukee Brewers, so there's no reason to rain on his non-parade. I'd still have to say that these "performance enhancers" didn't work for David and do wholeheartedly agree with the guy, who looked like Hugo from "Lost," in section 104 of Citizen's Bank Park - "David Bell: YOU SUCK!"
Dominic Rhodes, near Super Bowl MVP, has visited more than a few teams in this free agency period, including the Giants and Bills. However, today he agreed to a deal with the....Oakland Raiders? Lamont Jordan restructured his deal a week ago, now they bring in another back? I guess Lane Kiffin (31 yr old coach) who at USC last year, didn't have a "feature back" plans to utilize the same system. I guess Dominic's DWI charge a few weeks ago really made an impact - he's sent to the island of misfit toys...er, NFL players, out in Oaktown. And it was mentioned yesterday on NFL radio by the Afternoon Blitz team - do the Giants know free agency started? They've lost a good kicker (Jay Feely to Miami), a huge Left Tackle (cut Luke Pettigout, now in Tampa) and cut a mistake they made last offseason (Lavar Arrington).
What's with the ACC Championship location? The majority of the conference is centered around the Carolinas (with BC being in Mass.), and they hold the tournament down in Tampa? Great city, but why make 90% of the teams travel on a 1 1/2 hour flight? Couldn't get the arena in Charlotte or DC this year? And I don't get how some tournaments let everyone in. Miami was 4-12 in the ACC this year, and they almost had another upset. I guess 5 wins in a row is a big feat for an NCAA auto-bid.
This whole new Daylight Savings Time is getting out of hand. So a few people will be late for meetings? I heard people compare it to Y2K. What? The threat of financial institutions shutting down back in 1999 vs. a few people being at the right place at the wrong time? There is no other comparison other than the fact that it affects all computers and has to do with date/time. P.S. don't forget to spring forward and lose sleep on Sunday morning at 2am! A week into free agency, with all the money being thrown about, the Eagles are entering the fold. For those out there calling for a WR, you've got one and maybe another on the way. Those same people won't be happy even still. Bethel Johnson? Kevin Curtis, possibly? Does anyone remember how excited we got about Jabar Gaffney last year? Look where he ended up, not on this roster. Today, they added William James, my guess is that he'll be their Nickel CB for the year, but don't be surprised if they draft a CB this year in the late rounds (for cheap).
(side note - not just because I'm an Eagles fan, but I've visited most every NFL site, and am perplexed to see that not many of them keep writing articles and updating all areas of their site during the offseason. http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/ has a great staff, has won awards for NFL content, have a regular contributor in Dave Spadaro (who honestly writes a column 330 of the 365 days every year I bet) and always have new features and interviews with players. I guess other teams don't see the value...)
Around the balls:
Giant-orange- Villanova was getting spanked yesterday and nearly came close to tying the game in the final minutes. For a team who lost some key pieces to the pie in the last few years to the NBA: Randy Foye, Allan Ray, Kyle Lowry, etc. they're having a great season. Goes to show Jay Wright is a great coach and Nova will definitely be in the brackets come Sunday night.
White-leather-stitched- Mike Hampton of the Braves, a pitcher, who was trying to come back from an elbow injury, was injured the other day while taking batting practice. He strained his left oblique while swinging and could be out 2 months. To DH or not to DH? Another chip for the entire league to go DH...?
Rubber-non- It's definitely worth watching the hit, as it's up there with the Todd Bertuzzi hit a few years ago (when he slammed another player's head into the ice). Last night, Chris Simon of the NY Islanders used his stick to hit NY Ranger Ryan Hollweg in the face. Ok, sure he got put in the boards by another player, but holy cow - he used his stick swinging it at Hollweg's face like a baseball bat or an axe. Ugly. I'm all for fights in hockey, but totally uncalled for. He's been suspended for (my favorite word that I don't know what it means:) indefinitely. Probably the remainder of the season.
Big-brown-oblong- Willis McGahee was traded from Buffalo to Baltimore for 3 draft picks - 2 in April and one in 2008. Funny, that's also the number of children he has supposedly fathered during his stay in Buffalo...
...March definitely has "come in like a lion"...
Program Alert:
Borat is out on DVD as of Tuesday. Very nice!
Sunday night, NCAA Brackets come out. If you don't watch, you're not a true sports fan...or you're busy. Whether you watch on CBS or ESPN, you're right!
--------------------------------
For those new to "the dish", I once dreamed of being a sports-caster having my own column. Let me know if you don't like it, and/or want to be discontinued from the list. If you have another email address to send it to, send that to me also. For older issues of the dish, email me. domsdish@gmail.com or go to http://domsdish.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Dom's Dish - Free Agency - eNormously Frikken Loaded edition
Dom's Dish - Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Since Friday, the NFL "business season" has not disappointed. (There is no offseason people). With well over $1/2 billion thrown around on contracts to players in these last five days, there sure are some hefty signing bonuses being thrown around. And how about those that have signed in the state of Florida - Dennis Northcut and Tony Pashos (JAX), Joey Porter and David Martin (Miami), and Jeff Garcia (Tampa) who soon will suddenly realize that their signing bonuses are state income tax free! But it's been crazy all the moves thus far. And most of the names recently are 30-something players: Brad Johnson (Dallas), Ahman Green (Texans), Joey Porter (30 in 2 weeks) (Miami), Jeff Garcia (Bucs), and Kevin Carter (Bucs).
For all these years, the Patriots have kept quiet in free agency and been praised for the way they have managed the cap. What happens? They lose to the Colts who win the big one and now they skip their management style? Throwing all kinds of money around...on Kyle Brady, Adalius Thomas, Sammy Morris and Wes Welker. I rescind my offer that Jeff Garcia will end up the Gil Meche of the NFL free agency period. That title now goes to Wes Welker. Welker signed a 5 year, $18.1 million contract (with $9 mil guaranteed money in bonuses), AND the Patriots gave up two draft picks for him to Miami (2nd and 7th), all for a 5-9 wide receiver who had a freak season last year with 67 catches. He does fit the Patiot-jack-of-all-trades mold, he is a returner and actually back in his rookie season (2004), kicked a 29-yd field goal and an extra point during the regular season. But only two career TD's - one return and one reception. The next Wayne Chrebet? Last year, of his 67 catches, more than 30 went for 1st downs. Still, $18 million?!? And oh, by the way, 12 fumbles in 3 years (most as a returner).
And how about the Cowboys? Leonard Davis was a bust for years in Arizona, so sign him to a huge deal. Best signing though is Brad Johnson. He can still play, yes, but in the past few years, the Cowboys have tried Vinny Testaverde, Drew Bledsoe and now Brad Johnson as a QB for their roster. This is 2007 and not 1997, right?
(Moral of the story, when you're sitting in the first row and the flight attendant asks you to turn off the cell phone, do it. I don't agree with it, especially when still on the ground and at the gate, but on Friday I witnessed a male flight attendant go off on some guy sitting right in front of me. Apparently, the gentleman (passenger) gave a signal like brushing off the flight attendant's request. After the second time and during the safety presentation (that this flight attendant apparently takes very seriously), the gentleman turned his phone back on to do something. Whoah! The flight attendant yelled at the passenger so loud I can only compare it to a teacher yelling at a kid with their hand on the fire alarm. The passenger took it well, but when he asked the flight attendant his name calmly, he went off even more. After a call to the captain to notify of the situation, an announcement from the captain to follow the direction of flight attendants, and a call from the captain to the flight attendant to ask the gentleman if he wanted "to fly with us today" (mind you the flight was already delayed 2 hours and we were pushed back from the gate)...we finally left. It made for an uncomfortable first hour of this three hour "US Airways Express" flight from Houston to Philadelphia! After having to serve the passenger a drink and that hour to calm down, eventually the gents shook hands and all was well. Was even more fun "waiting for a gate" on the ground in Philly, that the pilot then overshot and had to do some interesting things with the engines to move us toward the gate, then the gate attendant not being able to open the front door. And then US Airways has problems with their reservation system...I think I'll fly United or Continental from now on....all I could do was laugh the entire way home.)
Around the balls:
Giant-orange- From the NCAA, Sam Ashaolu, the Duquesne player who was the most seriously injured of the group of players shot on campus on Sept 17, was cleared to begin participating in the offseason program in a few weeks. Ashaolu still has two fragments of a bullet in his head, but has recovered from his near-death experience. The announcement comes today, one day before the Atlantic-10 tourney in AC, NJ when the Duquesne Dukes (10-18) play an opening round game. The Dukes will also receive an award at the Final Four for being the Most Courageous NCAA team.
White-leather-stitched- Cole Hamels of the Phillies has drawn lots of criticism already for his comments the other day in which he said he expects to win 20 games this season. Hey, that may not be far off with the lineup the Phils have. Hey, I hope he does, 20-wins would most certainly mean a Cy Young winner in Philly, on the way to a NL East title.
Rubber-non- The Pittsburgh Penguins are moving again. They are, they aren't, they are...I wish someone had a blue streak following this story so I knew what the progress of the talks for the new arena were...
Big-brown-oblong- Brady Quinn, "the most NFL ready QB in the draft" worked out in Notre Dame on Sunday at his "pro day." And, the Detroit Lions weren't there at his workout. I guess they're looking hard at drafting another WR with their second pick. They've made some nice moves this offseason, but leave it to Matt Millen to start messing up draft time. Talk about a franchise that should move to Los Angeles...
Tiny-white- Did you see, some guy missed a 3 foot putt and as a result lost out on the top prize of $990k and a 3 year exemption from qualifying for the PGA tour? And no, his name was not Dominic Santillo.
Green-fuzzy- Roger Federer won in Dubai. 41 straight matches and counting, six more sets an all time record with 47. He hasn't lost a match since August.
Big-black-and-white- David Beckham bent something other than the ball this past weekend, his knee. Reports out of Spain, Real Madrid (I hate that fake one) say that it could be his MCL (which would be a 6-week injury recoup time) or his ACL (possibly up to a 6 month recovery). Stinks throwing $250 million at someone who is hurt. And then you wonder why the world hates the US.
Giant-black-holey- The PBA Open (yeah, bowling) was held in NJ this past weekend, up in New Brunswick. And I thought bowling was a teenager and midwest thing...
Program Alert:
Beginning tomorrow night, the mens Big East starts at MSG in NYC on ESPN. With Villanova cruising lately, if they make some noise in NYC, expect them to be higher than a #8 seed this year. If they win it all, I predict a #4 or 5 seed for the Wildcats.
--------------------------------
For those new to "the dish", I once dreamed of being a sports-caster having my own column. Let me know if you don't like it, and/or want to be discontinued from the list. If you have another email address to send it to, send that to me also. For older issues of the dish, email me. domsdish@gmail.com or go to http://domsdish.blogspot.com/
Since Friday, the NFL "business season" has not disappointed. (There is no offseason people). With well over $1/2 billion thrown around on contracts to players in these last five days, there sure are some hefty signing bonuses being thrown around. And how about those that have signed in the state of Florida - Dennis Northcut and Tony Pashos (JAX), Joey Porter and David Martin (Miami), and Jeff Garcia (Tampa) who soon will suddenly realize that their signing bonuses are state income tax free! But it's been crazy all the moves thus far. And most of the names recently are 30-something players: Brad Johnson (Dallas), Ahman Green (Texans), Joey Porter (30 in 2 weeks) (Miami), Jeff Garcia (Bucs), and Kevin Carter (Bucs).
For all these years, the Patriots have kept quiet in free agency and been praised for the way they have managed the cap. What happens? They lose to the Colts who win the big one and now they skip their management style? Throwing all kinds of money around...on Kyle Brady, Adalius Thomas, Sammy Morris and Wes Welker. I rescind my offer that Jeff Garcia will end up the Gil Meche of the NFL free agency period. That title now goes to Wes Welker. Welker signed a 5 year, $18.1 million contract (with $9 mil guaranteed money in bonuses), AND the Patriots gave up two draft picks for him to Miami (2nd and 7th), all for a 5-9 wide receiver who had a freak season last year with 67 catches. He does fit the Patiot-jack-of-all-trades mold, he is a returner and actually back in his rookie season (2004), kicked a 29-yd field goal and an extra point during the regular season. But only two career TD's - one return and one reception. The next Wayne Chrebet? Last year, of his 67 catches, more than 30 went for 1st downs. Still, $18 million?!? And oh, by the way, 12 fumbles in 3 years (most as a returner).
And how about the Cowboys? Leonard Davis was a bust for years in Arizona, so sign him to a huge deal. Best signing though is Brad Johnson. He can still play, yes, but in the past few years, the Cowboys have tried Vinny Testaverde, Drew Bledsoe and now Brad Johnson as a QB for their roster. This is 2007 and not 1997, right?
(Moral of the story, when you're sitting in the first row and the flight attendant asks you to turn off the cell phone, do it. I don't agree with it, especially when still on the ground and at the gate, but on Friday I witnessed a male flight attendant go off on some guy sitting right in front of me. Apparently, the gentleman (passenger) gave a signal like brushing off the flight attendant's request. After the second time and during the safety presentation (that this flight attendant apparently takes very seriously), the gentleman turned his phone back on to do something. Whoah! The flight attendant yelled at the passenger so loud I can only compare it to a teacher yelling at a kid with their hand on the fire alarm. The passenger took it well, but when he asked the flight attendant his name calmly, he went off even more. After a call to the captain to notify of the situation, an announcement from the captain to follow the direction of flight attendants, and a call from the captain to the flight attendant to ask the gentleman if he wanted "to fly with us today" (mind you the flight was already delayed 2 hours and we were pushed back from the gate)...we finally left. It made for an uncomfortable first hour of this three hour "US Airways Express" flight from Houston to Philadelphia! After having to serve the passenger a drink and that hour to calm down, eventually the gents shook hands and all was well. Was even more fun "waiting for a gate" on the ground in Philly, that the pilot then overshot and had to do some interesting things with the engines to move us toward the gate, then the gate attendant not being able to open the front door. And then US Airways has problems with their reservation system...I think I'll fly United or Continental from now on....all I could do was laugh the entire way home.)
Around the balls:
Giant-orange- From the NCAA, Sam Ashaolu, the Duquesne player who was the most seriously injured of the group of players shot on campus on Sept 17, was cleared to begin participating in the offseason program in a few weeks. Ashaolu still has two fragments of a bullet in his head, but has recovered from his near-death experience. The announcement comes today, one day before the Atlantic-10 tourney in AC, NJ when the Duquesne Dukes (10-18) play an opening round game. The Dukes will also receive an award at the Final Four for being the Most Courageous NCAA team.
White-leather-stitched- Cole Hamels of the Phillies has drawn lots of criticism already for his comments the other day in which he said he expects to win 20 games this season. Hey, that may not be far off with the lineup the Phils have. Hey, I hope he does, 20-wins would most certainly mean a Cy Young winner in Philly, on the way to a NL East title.
Rubber-non- The Pittsburgh Penguins are moving again. They are, they aren't, they are...I wish someone had a blue streak following this story so I knew what the progress of the talks for the new arena were...
Big-brown-oblong- Brady Quinn, "the most NFL ready QB in the draft" worked out in Notre Dame on Sunday at his "pro day." And, the Detroit Lions weren't there at his workout. I guess they're looking hard at drafting another WR with their second pick. They've made some nice moves this offseason, but leave it to Matt Millen to start messing up draft time. Talk about a franchise that should move to Los Angeles...
Tiny-white- Did you see, some guy missed a 3 foot putt and as a result lost out on the top prize of $990k and a 3 year exemption from qualifying for the PGA tour? And no, his name was not Dominic Santillo.
Green-fuzzy- Roger Federer won in Dubai. 41 straight matches and counting, six more sets an all time record with 47. He hasn't lost a match since August.
Big-black-and-white- David Beckham bent something other than the ball this past weekend, his knee. Reports out of Spain, Real Madrid (I hate that fake one) say that it could be his MCL (which would be a 6-week injury recoup time) or his ACL (possibly up to a 6 month recovery). Stinks throwing $250 million at someone who is hurt. And then you wonder why the world hates the US.
Giant-black-holey- The PBA Open (yeah, bowling) was held in NJ this past weekend, up in New Brunswick. And I thought bowling was a teenager and midwest thing...
Program Alert:
Beginning tomorrow night, the mens Big East starts at MSG in NYC on ESPN. With Villanova cruising lately, if they make some noise in NYC, expect them to be higher than a #8 seed this year. If they win it all, I predict a #4 or 5 seed for the Wildcats.
--------------------------------
For those new to "the dish", I once dreamed of being a sports-caster having my own column. Let me know if you don't like it, and/or want to be discontinued from the list. If you have another email address to send it to, send that to me also. For older issues of the dish, email me. domsdish@gmail.com or go to http://domsdish.blogspot.com/
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Dom's Dish - On the Brink Edition
Dom's Dish - Thursday, March 1, 2007
31 days to Phillies opening day! With the March 11th deadline fast approaching to sign MVP Ryan Howard, word is Howard will finally get a little dough in the area of $1 million for the year. Doing so, the Phils payroll would be in the area of $95-$100 million this year. Big news for small market teams, but Philly is no small market. With the Yankees consistently over the $200 M mark and the Mets fast approaching, a state of the art ballpark (it gets rowdy in Left field), and some die hard fans looking for a pennant run this season, $100 M is not too big a deal to me. At least the Phils didn't overpay for Soriano or Gil Meche! Now if we can only find a way to keep the starting pitching healthy, Lieber under 250 and Burrell to hit at least .275, that pennant run isn't so far off after all.
Lovie pay day! The Super Bowl (losing) coach who was the worst paid (not least, worst paid) in the league last year, well now he'll make up for those years. The coach received a 4-yr $22 million extension putting him in the elite $5 mil club. It sure did take them long enough, everyone out in Chicago was starting to worry "on the inside" and if by "on the inside" I mean "in public" "in newspapers" and "not on the inside." I do wonder though if the contract includes a clause whether or not to back Rex Grossman as his QB?
NFL free agency starts in 7 hours! Word is Jeff Garcia will be elsewhere (likely the Raiders now since his former QB Coach is there in Oak-town) and since Stallworth hasn't been signed, the Eagles will be sticking to their guns in not overpaying for older and injury prone players. Some other big names have already moved around and/or been re-signed. My boys out in San Diego have re-signed Lorenzo Neal and cut Keenan McCardell. Some other big names cut: Jamal Lewis (RB, Ravens), Joey Porter (LB, Steelers) and Brad Johnson (QB, Minnesota). Already a trade involving 3 players and a pick, the Lions get RB Tatum Bell, T George Foster and likely a 5th round pick for CD Dre Bly. Dre Bly, Champ Bailey, John Lynch all in the same defensive backfield? That sure will be a force to stop the Colts. As for players that have already re-signed? Mike Alstott and Fred Taylor in the state of Florida. Some big names to watch out for and the huge contracts they'll get: Adalius Thomas, who has played every defensive position for at least one snap the Ravens in the past few years - wow, Nate Clements, a "shut-down" type corner up in Buffalo who will be worth every penny if not hurt. The Gil Meche of this year's offseason who gets extremely overpaid? I'd hate to say it, but Jeff Garcia or Leonard Davis (T from the Az Cardinals). Let the madness begin tonight!
Oh and by the way, Bill Parcells signed with ESPN as an analyst and will be on radio and TV for the upcoming system. No maybe they're out of room for Marty-ball?
What's the deal with the Oscar's? It's worse than a Monday Night Football Overtime game! I was up until like 12:45 am watching so I could see who won Best Picture! Every year, they know it is going to run late, but why do they insist on pushing the start time back to 8:30pm EST this year? I don't watch it religiously, but it seemed to lack some of the star quality at the event, at least they didn't show them on TV. It seemed to be a much older, more serious crowd. Again, maybe that's just me. And Jack Nicholson - what a piece of work. I can't wait to actually see The Departed.
Around the balls:
Giant-orange- LeBron James' girlfriend is expecting the couple's second child. Second?!? I didn't know he had a first? I guess David Stern looks down on it, since a.) it was out of wedlock and b.) LeBron, Jr. doesn't wear a 3-piece suit to home games. Though I'm told Jr. does play with a plastic ball, not a leather one. This also explains why LeBron always looks tired. Base- Something you may have seen, the 2007 Topps Derek Jeter baseball card contains Photoshopped images of Mickey Mantle holding a bat and watching Jeter hit, and President George Bush. I'm sure having Mantle on the card will appreciate the value of the card, however I am a little skeptical as to President Bush on the card. At least he doesn't have a cartoon bubble coming out of his mouth saying something dumb...
Rubber-non- Man I hate still bringing this up, but Martin Brodeur is a beast. The other night he posted his 12th shutout of the season. He is in his 13th season in the league and this is his best so far, in a "new game" that's supposed to be higher scoring and more exciting. Gary Bettman, the Commish must hate him. Talk about hot too - 10-3 the NJ Devils went in the month of Feb!
Brown-oblong- For those that missed the combine coverage, the best part (aside from John Locke, the Strength coach from Arizona that yells and calls everyone meatheads) was the coin toss. The toss decided the draft order between two teams for the 3rd pick in the draft: Tampa Bay and Cleveland. Cleveland won that one. (They have to NBA-ify the draft in some way) Now if they could only stop ending up at the top of the draft every year.
Little-white- So, maybe Tiger is not back. Then again, the media will come up with something saying that a match play tournament is not a "real tournament" and they'll keep his 7-event PGA streak going. Either way, I think the pressure is off and in about a month at the Masters Tiger will prevail for his fifth Green Jacket.
Green-fuzzy- Roger Federer, though, is still going. 38 straight wins and counting. This time he is doing it down in Dubai, U.A.E. He is having much success there as has Tiger and former TCNJ President Harold Eickhoff (of Eickhoff Commons fame (TCNJ dining hall)). He is only 8 away from the record set in 1977. Again, instead of an ambulance chaser, I'm a history chaser. Go Roger!
Program Alert:
This Sunday on ABC, Arena Football, the ESPN way. Mike and Mike (ESPN Radio morning hosts) will be leading the coverage. This coupled with free agent news, FOOTBALL IS BACK!!!
--------------------------------
For those new to "the dish", I once dreamed of being a sports-caster having my own column. Let me know if you don't like it, and/or want to be discontinued from the list. If you have another email address to send it to, send that to me also. For older issues of the dish, email me. domsantillo@gmail.com
31 days to Phillies opening day! With the March 11th deadline fast approaching to sign MVP Ryan Howard, word is Howard will finally get a little dough in the area of $1 million for the year. Doing so, the Phils payroll would be in the area of $95-$100 million this year. Big news for small market teams, but Philly is no small market. With the Yankees consistently over the $200 M mark and the Mets fast approaching, a state of the art ballpark (it gets rowdy in Left field), and some die hard fans looking for a pennant run this season, $100 M is not too big a deal to me. At least the Phils didn't overpay for Soriano or Gil Meche! Now if we can only find a way to keep the starting pitching healthy, Lieber under 250 and Burrell to hit at least .275, that pennant run isn't so far off after all.
Lovie pay day! The Super Bowl (losing) coach who was the worst paid (not least, worst paid) in the league last year, well now he'll make up for those years. The coach received a 4-yr $22 million extension putting him in the elite $5 mil club. It sure did take them long enough, everyone out in Chicago was starting to worry "on the inside" and if by "on the inside" I mean "in public" "in newspapers" and "not on the inside." I do wonder though if the contract includes a clause whether or not to back Rex Grossman as his QB?
NFL free agency starts in 7 hours! Word is Jeff Garcia will be elsewhere (likely the Raiders now since his former QB Coach is there in Oak-town) and since Stallworth hasn't been signed, the Eagles will be sticking to their guns in not overpaying for older and injury prone players. Some other big names have already moved around and/or been re-signed. My boys out in San Diego have re-signed Lorenzo Neal and cut Keenan McCardell. Some other big names cut: Jamal Lewis (RB, Ravens), Joey Porter (LB, Steelers) and Brad Johnson (QB, Minnesota). Already a trade involving 3 players and a pick, the Lions get RB Tatum Bell, T George Foster and likely a 5th round pick for CD Dre Bly. Dre Bly, Champ Bailey, John Lynch all in the same defensive backfield? That sure will be a force to stop the Colts. As for players that have already re-signed? Mike Alstott and Fred Taylor in the state of Florida. Some big names to watch out for and the huge contracts they'll get: Adalius Thomas, who has played every defensive position for at least one snap the Ravens in the past few years - wow, Nate Clements, a "shut-down" type corner up in Buffalo who will be worth every penny if not hurt. The Gil Meche of this year's offseason who gets extremely overpaid? I'd hate to say it, but Jeff Garcia or Leonard Davis (T from the Az Cardinals). Let the madness begin tonight!
Oh and by the way, Bill Parcells signed with ESPN as an analyst and will be on radio and TV for the upcoming system. No maybe they're out of room for Marty-ball?
What's the deal with the Oscar's? It's worse than a Monday Night Football Overtime game! I was up until like 12:45 am watching so I could see who won Best Picture! Every year, they know it is going to run late, but why do they insist on pushing the start time back to 8:30pm EST this year? I don't watch it religiously, but it seemed to lack some of the star quality at the event, at least they didn't show them on TV. It seemed to be a much older, more serious crowd. Again, maybe that's just me. And Jack Nicholson - what a piece of work. I can't wait to actually see The Departed.
Around the balls:
Giant-orange- LeBron James' girlfriend is expecting the couple's second child. Second?!? I didn't know he had a first? I guess David Stern looks down on it, since a.) it was out of wedlock and b.) LeBron, Jr. doesn't wear a 3-piece suit to home games. Though I'm told Jr. does play with a plastic ball, not a leather one. This also explains why LeBron always looks tired. Base- Something you may have seen, the 2007 Topps Derek Jeter baseball card contains Photoshopped images of Mickey Mantle holding a bat and watching Jeter hit, and President George Bush. I'm sure having Mantle on the card will appreciate the value of the card, however I am a little skeptical as to President Bush on the card. At least he doesn't have a cartoon bubble coming out of his mouth saying something dumb...
Rubber-non- Man I hate still bringing this up, but Martin Brodeur is a beast. The other night he posted his 12th shutout of the season. He is in his 13th season in the league and this is his best so far, in a "new game" that's supposed to be higher scoring and more exciting. Gary Bettman, the Commish must hate him. Talk about hot too - 10-3 the NJ Devils went in the month of Feb!
Brown-oblong- For those that missed the combine coverage, the best part (aside from John Locke, the Strength coach from Arizona that yells and calls everyone meatheads) was the coin toss. The toss decided the draft order between two teams for the 3rd pick in the draft: Tampa Bay and Cleveland. Cleveland won that one. (They have to NBA-ify the draft in some way) Now if they could only stop ending up at the top of the draft every year.
Little-white- So, maybe Tiger is not back. Then again, the media will come up with something saying that a match play tournament is not a "real tournament" and they'll keep his 7-event PGA streak going. Either way, I think the pressure is off and in about a month at the Masters Tiger will prevail for his fifth Green Jacket.
Green-fuzzy- Roger Federer, though, is still going. 38 straight wins and counting. This time he is doing it down in Dubai, U.A.E. He is having much success there as has Tiger and former TCNJ President Harold Eickhoff (of Eickhoff Commons fame (TCNJ dining hall)). He is only 8 away from the record set in 1977. Again, instead of an ambulance chaser, I'm a history chaser. Go Roger!
Program Alert:
This Sunday on ABC, Arena Football, the ESPN way. Mike and Mike (ESPN Radio morning hosts) will be leading the coverage. This coupled with free agent news, FOOTBALL IS BACK!!!
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For those new to "the dish", I once dreamed of being a sports-caster having my own column. Let me know if you don't like it, and/or want to be discontinued from the list. If you have another email address to send it to, send that to me also. For older issues of the dish, email me. domsantillo@gmail.com
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