Brought to you by the purple jolly rancher...shit those things are gross.
So my roommate was kind enough to invite me to to along with him to cover Michigan Football Media Day with him last sunday. I have never been to an event like this before so it was rather exciting. So here are my thoughts from the day and probably some long winded thoughts about football for this year.
Rich Rodriguez is awesome.
Mike Barwis is the most intimidating man I have ever met.
Will Johnson can bench 575 lbs.
If I could hang out with anyone on the team it would definately be Terrance Taylor. That kid is hilarious.
There are a lot of positions on this team that I truly believe we are absolutely stacked at. And then there is the offensive line and quarterback. Having been there and also watching the big ten network special for Michigan's practice I can safely say I am truly scared for both of these positions. Steve Schilling is the only returning starter on offensive line and I think we can all remember last year if there was a sack...it was probably his fault. Aside from the inexperience, there were two o line guys injured when we were there bringing our grand total of eligible offensive linemen to like 8.
So barring incredible improvement, the offensive unit is going to struggle. This useful bit of information makes me understand a little better why Steven Threet is not set in stone as the starter. Nick Sheridan isn't a statue standing in the pocket and can avoid the massive onslaught of defenders who will most certainly be in the backfield at will. Now comes the next problem...I literally don't think he is capable of completing a pass longer than 15 yards. Not to mention he looks like a kid I would ask to fix my computer when it breaks, not be the starting QB for the University of Michigan. I can't help but think that our offense is going to look something like Joe Tillers offense at Purdue, but with a worse QB and FAR better position players. Sheridan might actually get the start against Utah...but I promise it won't last long due to either injury or just sheer lack of talent.
Other things of note...
Michael Shaw is going to be a stud and is wearing number 20. Upon talking to him he sounded supremely confident and displayed the kind of moxie one looks for in a potential star athlete.
Donovan Warren is a pretty boy who I am sure can bag pretty much any tail he wants at Michigan, including mine... But in all seriousness I really think he can be the next Charles Woodson. Rumors of plans for him returning kicks and/or punts along with guaranteed greater amounts of interceptions will sky rocket his popularity and value to the team.
Sam Mcguffie doesn't like people...and if he didn't already have a freakin' sweet nickname (White Lightning) it would most definately be Sabre Cat.
Look out for Obi Ezeh's mean face...it was on display for all to see at media day.
If this team is going to finish in the likes of 9-3 it will be almost completely be because of the defense. I believe that if the offense can just put up around 20 points a game, and not be ridiculously turnover prone (shot in the dark I know), the defense can carry this team to 9 wins.
Michigan Media Day and more...
Olympic Spoilers and Praise
I'll admit it, I have become a women's gymnastics fan, and I am perfectly okay with that. I love it.
I have also become a big Nastia Loukin fan. What can I say, I am a sucker for blondes. Also, Nastia, if you are reading this and are ever in the Michigan area... I apologize, this is a sports blog, not a medium for hooking up with gorgeous gymnastics stars. (or is it both???)
Back to business, my excitement for watching the uneven bars final last night was somewhat diluted given the fact that my good friend and co-writer of this blog, Brian, texted me that Nastia received a silver medal approximately 11 hours BEFORE it was televised. Thanks for ruining it, BRIAN!
Now, today. All I wanted to do was surf over to espn.com and find out what the score of the USA vs. Germany score in basketball was, only to accidentally learn that Shawn Johnson had won the gold medal on the balance beam. Shoot, it was printed on the front page of the paper 5 hours before it was televised.
I realize that Beijing is 12 hours different from us, but it just seems like the press should have some sort of gentleman's agreement not to publish the outcome before the American people can watch it. Im sure it is impossible with this whole internet thing that is sweeping the nation, but I just wish that when I watch Shawn Johnson smile as she won the gold medal, my head didn't say, "I already know."
That said, I still watched the balance beam final. I still loved every minute of it, and I still was so happy for both Nastia Loukin and Shawn Johnson.
I suppose that the Olympics are fun whenever you get to watch them, but I just wish I could use the internet without feeling like I heard the ending to a movie with a twist before watching it.
They better not do this for men's basketball, I'll be even more pissed.
Again, congratulations to the American women's gymnastics team and especially Shawn Johnson and Nastia Loukin for everything they have accomplished.
My Turn to Gloat
There really isn't a topic that I have written about more than Gary Sheffield.
To recap, I think Sheffield is a total crazy person. For some reason, playing for the playoffs and meeting the expectations of his team aren't enough to motivate him anymore. He has to be talked about extensively in the media, then have all fans get on his back and doubt him before he goes on a tear. Then the next day people say "oh, maybe Gary's back?" And then he sucks again.
Is there a better example of how right I am than the past few days?
Gets put on waivers, his name on the front page of ESPN, throws a fit through the BOSTON GLOBE (??????) about not playing the outfield, and then hits 2 home runs. So far tonight? O-1 with a Walk, so I guess the jury is still out as to if he can keep it up.
Regardless, I was right wasn't I? I love this feeling, I want to do naughty things to this moment
Okay, back to business Look Gary keeps feeding us lines like "I can still play" and "I wanna be the leader of this team" and "I want to stay in Detroit." But the fact is, this dude is totally and completely done. He may have flashes of his former glory, but he cannot maintain it over an entire season.
Gary makes 14 million dollars next year. He also isn't an idiot.
It would be every Tiger's dream, along with Dave Dombroski and Mike Illitch, for Gary to call it a career at the end of the year. But, I actually believe that Gary thinks that he can still play next year. He might also be crazy enough to think he is the leading candidate to play Left field next year. So, lets rule out retirement
The other option is play him the rest of the year and next. Assuming I am right and that he cannot maintain a good average and power numbers over a year, he will likely have similarly bad numbers next year. That just wont get the Tigers to the playoffs. And face it, Magglio's contract is almost up, same with Polonco, Guillen is getting up there in age. Next year may be the last of the championship window. So lets rule that out.
There is always trade, but is any team going to want Gary's ugly contract and terrible numbers? Lets be serious, this option really isn't an option.
The last option is release. As disgusting as paying Sheffield 14 million dollars to do absolutely nothing sounds, it may be the best option. The Tigers have other options, namely Mike Hessman and Marcus Thames. But, Mr. Illitch isn't going to be excited about wasting 14 mil, and Dombrowski isn't going to be excited to admit he screwed up.
The Tigers are in a bad situation as a result to granting a bad contract (other examples include Brandon Inge, Nate Robertson, and Dontrelle Willis's contracts). The best option seems to be release. Give him to the end of the year and maybe even spring training to try and prove himself to be an everyday player, otherwise, you gotta cut ties.
Maybe Superman isn't wearing Dave Dombrowski pajamas after all.
The "Redeem" Team
Lets not sugar coat it, Olympic mens basketball is the most important event to America.
While all our sisters grew up loving girls gymnastics, and everyone loves watching Michael Phelps dominate, and the 100m, "fastest man in the world" race is equally entertaining; American sports fans need America to win the mens Basketball gold.
The American Basketball Superiority mentality slowly grew over the years when our amateur, collegiate players dominated the international basketball scene, and then exploded when the original Dream Team destroyed every other country. Need I remind you the Dream Team's average margin of victory was over 43 points.
We are America, damnit. We invented this game and made the NBA is the premier league in the world for basketball. Although maybe a bit extreme, Olympic Basketball to America is like Hockey to Canada, only without an equal playing field
But, as I said above, American Sports fans need this gold medal. They need to reminded of how fun it is to see a team of All-Stars dominate the international competition. They need to have a reason to watch this team. And because they need to be reassured America is the best basketball country in the world. But most important of all, the American fans need to see the best American players represent this team.
So, after that lengthy introduction, here we are, a day away from playing our new found nemesis, Greece. I have a few observations.
1. It is good to see that NBA players are serious and excited about playing in the Olympics again. Kobe Bryant is on the team, Lebron is back on the team, and most of our best players are representing the best Basketball country in the world.
Clearly this is a result of the wake up call that was a bronze medal. Anything less than Gold is an utter disappointment and these days the improved international competition requires the best American players to represent this team. I really give Kobe a lot of credit here, because I believe he promised to be on this team, and likely lobbied other players to join the team.
2. The FIBA Rules could cause problems.
Some of the rules are very different. Differences in travelling and the lack of an "Above the Cylindar" rule are the most glaring. While these may seem minor, the players need to adjust. That is a bit scary.
3. However! Talent always wins.
Is anyone in doubt that Lebron James is the best player in the world? If, you are, just watch. America's talent is far and away the best in the games. Now, it really is just up to Coach K to put that talent in a position to dominate.
He has already done an excellent job. He has worked on improving the perimeter defense so the next Carlos Arroyo can't single handedly embarrass our perfect team. Although, I did question the starting of Jason Kidd over Chris Paul. However, I can understand because Paul has limited international competition experience. Just dont like J-Kidd shoot the three, and well be fine.
4. My Expectations? Gold medal. But Spain will give us a real fight.
The players know the needs and expectations of the American supporters, and they wont disappoint.
Jason Lezak
When I flipped to NBC the other night, I already expected Phelps to be on the medal stand with another gold draped around his shoulders. Didn't have a clue who else was on the 4X100 relay team, didn't really care. Just happened to be interested in Phelps quest for 8 gold medals. I figured Phelps didn't even need teammates, since everyone knows he doesn't swim races, he just walks on the surface from end to end holding the stars in one hand and the moon in the other. Kind of like another famous person we've all heard of.
What I did not know at the time, however, was that we were undoubtedly NOT going to win this relay, since the French team was considered the best in the land, stronger and deeper throughout their team than any other country, and anchored by Alain Bernard. When Bernard was asked about the upcoming race, he very simply said his team came to Beijing to "smash the Americans." Apparently his swimming stroke wasn't quite as fast as his mouth.
Now I happen to like France and a lot of the wonderful culture their historic civilization has provided. French toast, French bread, French fries, French braids, French kissing, and let's not forget French manicures and petticures for the ladies. Remember fellas, happy wife happy life.
However, my candor only goes so far. I hoped that Bernard wouldn't fulfill the stereotype of French people being rude, but in this case Alain was a posterchild of unnecessarily provoking and calling out the American team who had not asked for, or responded to his extremely off color comments. Obviously he doesn't fulfill the other requirements of French stereotypes, he's in the pool every day, so he doesn't stink gawdawful, ah the wonders of chlorine. And he's not hairy as all hell, since most swimmers don't even have eyebrows. So why did he have to go and shoot his mouth off?
Well I'm glad he did. The American swimmers didn't answer in the papers, they answered in the pool. And while we all thought that Phelps would be their savior, it turns out the unlikely hero of the red, white, and blue turned out to be Jason Lezak. Phelps was not even in the lead when he touched the wall, and Garrett Weber-Gale took the lead but was followed by Cullen Jones who promptly gave it back to the French by a full body length.
Then came Lezak. Trying to beat Bernard straight up would have been a tall task in itself, but the American team put him in a position of having to actually make up ground on a world record holder. It seemed impossible. Lezak had been the anchor on the last two American 4X100 teams, and had not been able to bring home the gold. He was getting too old, and even the American announcers on NBC were saying that Lezak just didn't have the ability and began recounting his earlier failures until the last 50 meters.
Those few meters will go down as something of a legend. A short distance that will be long remembered. Jason drafted off Bernard's wake the entire leg, hugging Bernard's lane and timing his Herculean effort to the wall. His time? 46.06. The fastest split ever recorded. More astonishing, if that's possible, was that he took over a second off his own personal best time. No one does that. Not at 33. Swimmer's personal bests are beaten hundredths of a second at a time. It's infeasable that this occurred, and yet it did.
Jason was the American swimmer who walked on water this day. And he had a gold medal in one hand, and his teammates in the other. I'll take that over the moon and the stars.
My Tone Has Changed
I am not longer a big fan of this trade seeing how big of a baby Farnsworth is.
Last week, we saw the dude literally crying because he got traded. But, I gave him the benefit of the doubt thinking that he could be a professional about it.
However, based on his statements to the Detroit media and his play on Sunday, its pretty clear, he doesn't care about this team or this teams players.
I know I may be overreacting to this, it has been only 1 game. And, I am not making the proposition that Farnsworth is bombing his own career to screw this team. But, his effort did not seem the same on Sunday than as it did when he was wearing pin stripes.
Basically, I am at the point with this team where I just hope that the White Sox put us out of our misery. Just put us out of the race so we can play Mud Hens and find out if there are any more Armando Galaraga's or Curtis Granderson's left in the system.
Is this team just going to keep toying with our hearts? Play good enough to get us excited and then play like they dont care?
How many times has Jim Leyland said something along the lines of "Losing hurts us less than it should."
HUH?!?!
Doesn't that attitude just scream Gary Sheffield?
Look at Gary's season. He plays well when people begin to doubt him. Somebody in the media says they should release him and then he hits 2 home runs. People wonder if his latest injury is his demise, and he hits a walk off single to beat the Cardinals.
Isn't this team kind of the same? Almost 2 months ago, we swept the White Sox to climb out of an 11 game hole; played great against the National League; and then Todd Jones blows the biggest save of the season once we get pretty close to first.
Has Gary and his crazy attitude become our leader? Jim Leyland cannot combat this?
Somebody needs to step up as the leader of this team.
My vote: Curtis Granderson. I shouldnt have to elaborate.
This team is done, hopefully the White Sox can just put us out of our misery so we can see what guys like Chris Lambert and Jeff Larish have.
(Farns)Worthless...
Brought to you by Chuck Hernandez and Jim Leyland always pulling the starting pitcher at the wrong time. Shit.
As to avoid saying rash things about my sincere distaste for the Pudge/Farnsworth trade, I waited a few days to completely respond. THEY DID WHATTTTT??? For who?????
That also being said...I like trading Pudge so long as they intend on Brandon being the full time catcher and assuming that he is solid enough behind the plate to do it for the forseeable future. So I was thinking we could get a starter maybe? A closer maybe? Some prospects maybe? NO! We got Kyle freaking Farnsworthless, astonishly bringing our total 8th inning guys to approximately 4. Jones on the DL with an undisclosed shoulder injury. How many 8th innings are there in baseball seriously. Last I checked there was one. Good news is our set up guys can have an order similar to the group of starters.
This trade gets us no where. Trying to get something out of Pudge is fine but did we even really strengthen our bullpen? Without a closer and without a solid 4th and 5th starter I don't see how we improved at all.
I sure hope Dombrowski is right about this cause back in 2005 I was extatic to get Zach Miner for him, and I think Kyle was even happier he got to leave Detroit. Bad blood both ways between him and the fans, giving up 2 home runs on sunday, and a mediocre tenure in New York just don't seem like good terms to bring someone back on.
How 'bout Jamie Walker for Magglio next???
I hope I'm wrong...