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.
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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. domsdish@gmail.com or go to http://domsdish.blogspot.com/
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