The Series That Could Save Hockey...

So, I cover hockey for the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Talking to a bunch of hockey fans and players (as the campus is primarily a hockey campus) I hear a lot of the same things from most people. This is the most common: Sidney Crosby sucks and Alex Ovechkin sucks. This is pretty much from Brett Favre syndrome. This is when a player is mentioned so much by a major media network, the public gets sick of them. However in this situation, it may be just the thing to get hockey back into the mainstream.

Hockey has suffered a lot since the lockout in the 2004-05 season. For starters they goofed up big time by not renewing their contract with ESPN and signing a more lucrative contract with Versus. Since then, hockey has not been seen by the public eye because ESPN has chosen to talk about it once a month with either Matthew Barnaby or Barry Melrose. While there are signs that hockey is coming back into the mainstream, such as last season's Stanley Cup ratings stemming from Crosby's Penguins against the Detroit Red Wings, this is the perfect storm for the NHL.

Crosby and Ovechkin will face off in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals in the upcoming weeks, and you bet that this will be all over the place and with good reason. Having two superstars duke it out like this is exactly what the sport of hockey needs. Remember Magic Johnson and Larry Bird? This could be the NHL's version.

Ovechkin and Crosby hate each other. Crosby's tag team partner, Evgeni Malkin also hates Ovechkin. Crosby thinks Ovechkin is too flamboyant on the ice and has too much fun off of it. Ovechkin asks Crosby "Why so serious?" The teams even hate each other. This is a perfect formula for a classic 7 game series.

Again, this is a perfect time for the NHL to make their comeback. Fans are becoming jaded of the NBA and they're "Ballin'" attitude and while the Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics series has been great, there was a 58 point blowout in the first round of the NBA playoffs. I REPEAT 58 POINT BLOWOUT! There is no parity in the NBA while in the NHL, a form of uncontrolled chaos could be promoted and it could actually happen.

You may not like these two, but you have to admit, this could be hockey's last gasp.

NFL Draft Thoughts

Now that you've heard all about our NFL Draft party, I should give you my thoughts on the NFL Draft.

Percy Harvin, Phil Loadholdt go to the Vikings on Day 1 -

The Vikings rolled the dice on Percy Harvin, which to me isn't that much of a gamble like people think it is. When it comes to Harvin's character issues, the Vikings have taken bigger chances before, such as Randy Moss. Moss turned out OK, but I think that Harvin isn't a cancer and should be an effective weapon in the Vikings offense. Especially when he's standing next to Adrian Peterson on third down....next to Brad Childress. Chilly, find ways to get these two men the football!

Matthew Stafford gets $41.7 million guaranteed from the Detroit Lions -

This is getting ridiculous. Matt Ryan got $34.75 million from the Atlanta Falcons last season and now this. Stafford may not even be a good quarterback, but teams are paying their draft picks based off potential rather than their performance. This, understandably, has NFL veterans pissed. The NFL should go to something like MLB does where they assign each slot a value. Although some teams are willing to go over that value, this reduces players refusing to sign and gets players into their team's camp sooner rather than later.

Packers select B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews III in the first round -

I don't get the hype on B.J. Raji, personally. Raji had one good week of practice and he skyrockets up boards because of it. Usually, players who don't come out until the senior bowl usually struggle in the NFL. Also, Raji has weight problems. This doesn't bode well for anybody in the NFL. The Packers second pick was a good one with Clay Matthews. Clay is the son of former Hall of Fame OL Bruce Matthews of Houston Oilers fame. Matthews projects to be a good 3-4 linebacker and if Aaron Kampman can learn the position, Green Bay's defense could be drastically different from a year ago.

Other notes -

The Raiders took Darius Heyward-Bey with the 7th overall pick. Shades of Troy Williamson all over again...

Tyson Jackson over Aaron Curry? C'mon KC, you just passed up on a 10-15 time pro bowl linebacker, congrats.

The rest of the Vikings draft looked good as they took Asher Allen, who's also a great kick returner, and Jasper Brinkley, who will be a solid backup at linebacker. Remember folks, football is just around the corner.

Ok, so that didn't work...

I really wanted to make that Drunken NFL Draft Chronicles thing work, but here's the real chronicles that are a little bit easier to understand. Thanks to Steven Linzmeier.

2:47- Crishad shows up and doesn’t bring frozen pizzas. 

2:57- We decided it was time to open the “Drunken Draft Chronicles” after about 4 beers. 

2:58- Miles takes first swig of beer, what a puss.

2:59- Chris Berman asks us if we are ready for the draft, channeling his inner Crishad. 

3:02- Crishad drops his first “F-bomb” of the day.

3:03- Why the fuck can’t Roger Goodell just make the first pick? Oh, there it is. Thank you.

3:04- The first pick in the draft, Matt Stafford. $41.7 million in guarantees, the biggest of all time.

3:06- Stafford calls Lions “a great organization.” No pro bowl QB since 1971, that usually means success. 

3:20- The 40’s have been open. We drink 40’s like Heyward-Bey runs the 40. Herm Edwards is talking about HIS Chiefs… oh wait. 

3:24- WHEN THE PICK IS IN LETS GO GOODELL!!!

3:26- Chiefs take Tyson Jackson, DE LSU. A guy who a month ago was being selected in the second round by most mock drafts. 

3:32- Seahawks take Curry. He might have cried but the guy is a good guy. Curry brought a sick kid to the draft, what a guy. 

3:34- Erin Andrews said she saw Aaron Curry at the hotel this morning… was she climbing out his bedroom window?? 

3:40- First trade of the day. Cleveland trades 5th pick to the Jets. It’s gotta be Sanchez here. 

3:43- Matt Sanchez is going to the Big Apple. Mixed emotions from the Jets fan at the draft. (I’m 5 for 5 so far)

3:45- Jets gave up 2nd round pick and three players. Crishad made a good point, “Mangini used to coach there he knows the lesser players on that team.”

3:51- Bengals take another guy with character issues (Andre Smith). Gotta love Marvin Lewis. 

3:56- The Raiders shock the world. They too Heyward-Bey… you got to be kidding me. Nick is fucking pissed. Speed reigns supreme with Al Davis. 

4:21- Forgot about the Draft Chronicles, because I am pissed that the Packers took BJ Raji with the 9th pick. Michael Crabtree and Brian Orakpo were both still on the board. ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!?! 

4:26- Dear ESPN, Quit showing the guys on the phone, it takes away the suspense. 

4:33- Redskins are elated that Orakpo falls to No. 13 they take all of 20 seconds to make their pick. Christmas comes early for the Redskins

4:56- Who knows who Cleveland will pick? Does anyone care while the Cavs are in the playoffs? 

4:58- Now they traded the pick. Good idea. I said they should do that about 10 mins ago. 

5:11- Crishad freaks out saying Percy Harvin and Adrian Peterson would make a great duo on the sideline next to Childress on 3rd downs next year. 

5:12- The Browns trade down for the 3rd time, great move by Mangini. There is no value for the Browns at the pick. 

5:14- Where is Jerry Clark?

5:26- Vikings pick is in, quickly. After someone asks, “Trade?” Blake says, “I hope we trade down.” Oh yeah, cause you can trade up still. 

5:28- Percy Harvin is wearing purple and gold. I think it’s a good pick, but I would have rather traded that pick to the Cardinals for Boldin. 

5:39- Michael Oher needs to stop talking. Why is Crishad yelling??

5:45- Crishad imitates Patrick Ewing commercial. 

5:54- THE PACKERS TRADED UP!! They took Clay Matthews, Ted Thompson must have been sold on him to move up. That is anti-Ted Thompson. Packers finally do something worth a fuck. 

6:18- What happened to the Draft Chronicles? Fuck

7:40- We return from China Moon… 

7:41- This is the end. 

7:47- Wait, wait... The girls are saying that they wasted their life watching the Draft... Jon says "What else were you gonna do, vacuum?" Priceless.

7:48- Finally over.

End of First Round

Reality is starting to become blurred. I need another beer to make the sense that I've missed two straight in the ESPN Beat The Streak Contest

Drunken experience

Called my mom to talk about the pick. She angrily responds "I DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY TO SIT AROUND AND WATCH THE DRAFT" This comes after Crishad works 8 hours prior to the draft. Crishad hangs up and grabs another beer.

Minnesota Vikings select....

Percy Harvin...just imagine what the Vikings can do now...with Adrian Peterson and Percy Harvin on third down standing next to Brad Childress on the sideline.

Cleveland Browns finally pick!

And the Cleveland Browns select...LeBron James BABY!!!

20th Overall

The Lions changed their logo a week ago to make it "fiercer". This just in...they still suck.

Cleveland Browns

Browns trade down for the third time in the draft. Do they want to pick at all?

Vikings pick looms

I really am getting nervous. What do the Vikes do at 22? They could take Jeremy Maclin (speed kills) or Percy Harvin (Which Peterson would not be the only one burning grass in Minnesota) or do they throw a complete cluster**** and trade down. Hakeem Nicks please? ANYTHING BUT A BIG DUMB O-LINEMAN! Hell, I suggest we draft Urban Meyer.

Drunken NFL Draft Chronicles

5:01 - The Bucs trade up and take the Daunte Culpepper clone, Josh Freeman. I give it two years before he blows his knee and starts rehabbing at strip malls.

Drunken NFL Draft Chronicles

So, I wanted to come on earlier, but I forgot my computer before I headed over to BK's for the third annual Drunken NFL Draft Chronicles. My buddy, Steven Linzmeier took care of the first ten picks, but here's what you need to know.

- I've drank 5 beers so far.

- The Jets gave up how much for Mark Sanchez?

- BJ Raji. HAHAHAHA!!!

- Crabtree to #10

- Josh McDaniels proves he's not Mike Shanahan by taking a running back in the first round.

- Larry English went to the Chargers...that's my sleeper guy...

Let's go...

Dear Wisconsin,

I'll be honest about this. I hate you and you hate me, but I have a suggestion for you that would benefit both of us. We need to band together and reach our common goals. Over our time as rabid sports fans, I know I haven't been the most supportive towards you, but we need to band together as one and declare war on the city of Chicago.

Chicago is the arm pit of the sports universe. (Notice how I'm giving that to Chicago instead of Detroit because Detroit is just plain the armpit of the entire world.) Their fans are abnoxious, loud, and most importantly incredibly intoxicated and worthless. The players that play there

aren't the loveable ones such as Kirby Puckett and um...uh...well I guess Wisconsin never had a loveable athlete (Brett Favre doesn't count because he was more like Oscar the Grouch than Elmo.) but in Chicago they have guys like AJ Pierzynski and Brian Urlacher. All of this makes you want to go down there and punt some superfan in the skull.

Every time you turn on the TV, you see something about the Chicago teams. Sometimes it's discrete such as ESPN showing another Ozzie Guillen rant. Most of which go something along the lines of "Mynameah Ozzie Guillen f@#$myfans butthefans they love me because i say f@#$my fans!" and then he spews out about 30 undecipherable sentences. Then there are the obvious ones such as Brian Urlacher's commercial for Old Spice. "MY NAME BRIAN URLACHER!! I PLAY DA FOOTBALL AND I HIT HARRRRRD!!! BRIAN URLACHER WEAR DA SWAGGER! WHO LAUGH NOW? URLACHER LAUGH NOW! HEHEH! SWAGGER!" Then there's the "We love AJ" moment where he acts like a moron and gets jacked in the face and nobody knows why the other guy did it.

Their fans are ridiculously moronic. "Yeah the Bears are going to da Super Bowl because they got their Cutler guy and if only they had some guy running the show. Like a certain coach Ditka." The baseball fans on the north side cheer for the White Sox despite their manager having a hatred for them. The fans on the South side whine more than Vikings fans. Bulls and Blackhawks fans aren't too bad, but back in the day the Blackhawks hated the North Stars so we can still hate them today.

Finally, the media is the biggest collective group of homers on the planet. Jay Marriotti is the slime of the universe. Every time I see him on Around the Horn, I just picture him stuffing his face full of Chicago style pizza like the pig he is. He acts like he is the all knowing figure in sports. Oh, and have you heard that Dane Cook joke about the sound that makes us punch infants? Here's mine...

"YOU CAN PUT IT ON THE BOAAAARRRRRD YESSSS!" As a matter of fact, I'm not alone here as Kent Hrbek once had a fued with Sox announcer Hawk Harrelson over his homerish ways.

Basically, we need to eliminate the city so arrogant that they need their own ESPN website. (The third city to recieve that honor as ESPN New York/Boston has been around since 1979.) Next time you see a Chicago fan stuffing his face with polish sausage talking about how Chicago is the greatest city ever. Why don't you stuff his face with something else? Your fist.

AL East Preview

The AL East has been the darling of ESPN for many years. Many ESPN analysts can't stop drooling when they hear the words Yankees or Red Sox. However, last season there was a changing of the guard when the Tampa Bay Rays won the division and would go all the way to the World Series. Would the Rays repeat their magic from last season?

1. Tampa Bay Rays (97-65, Lost to Phillies in World Series)

Yes. The Rays have all the pieces together to build a team that can sustain success for many years to come. The young talent that the Rays have is insanely good and they all have room for improvement. 3B Evan Longoria is a MVP candidate. CF B.J. Upton will be healthier than he was last year. Remember, in 2007 B.J. Upton hit 31 home runs. Their pitching is also very good. P Scott Kazmir is a solid lefty. P Scott Shields has struggled in spring training but I think that he'll get things worked out. P Matt Garza had a coming out party in the ALCS last season. Oh and by the way, they have P David Price, the number one pick in the 2007 draft. Price will start the season in Durham, but he should be in the majors by the end of April. The Rays are here to stay my friend. If their weak bullpen doesn't implode, they win the division.

2. Boston Red Sox (95-67, Lost to Rays in ALCS)

The Red Sox are the Red Sox and they have a lot of things to offer, but their strength may be the pitching. The rotation for the Sox looks like this: Daisuke Matsuzaka, John Smoltz, John Lester, Josh Beckett, and Justin Masterson. Um, wow. The Red Sox also have one of the best closers in the game. Even though Jonathan Papelbon is a psycho, he gets the job done and has the true mindset of a closer. The Sox offensive prowess may be down with the loss of Manny Ramierez. The Sox did get a solid player back in Jason Bay, but he may be trade bait in the middle of the season. The Sox are currently stalled in contract negotiations with Bay and that may distract Bay this year unless something gets done. However, the Sox still have MVP 2B Dustin Pedroia and 1B Kevin Youkilis so 2nd place isn't a reach.

3. New York Yankees (89-73, 3rd AL East)

The Yankees missed the playoffs for the first time since 1996 last season. So what did the Yankees do to solve their problems? They threw money around like Pac Man Jones at a strip club. The Yankees added P CC Sabbathia, P AJ Burnett, and 1B Mark Texiera. Of those three, Texiera has the biggest impact. Although the Yankees had problems with their pitching last year, having a solid first baseman should do wonders offensively and defensively. Texiera is one of the best 1B in the league and he should be a catalyst for the Yankee offense. The Yankees also have depth in their rotation for the first time in a long time. Outside of their rotation (Sabbathia, Chien Ming-Wang, Burnett, Andy Pettite, and Joba Chamberlain) the Yankees also have flamethrowers Ian Kennedy and Phil Hughes at Colombus. If the Yankees have injuries, they'll be able to withstand it. 

4. Toronto Blue Jays (86-76, 4th AL East)

If a team has 86 wins, they usually are considered a success. Unless you're in the AL East then you finish fourth. The Jays have plenty of talent but they play in an insanely difficult division. The Jays have the ability to break through, but they just can't get past the three great teams in front of them. OF Alex Rios and P Roy Halladay are both impact players, and the Jays could get a third great player in DH Travis Snider very soon. Snider is listed in the top 100 prospects. The Jays pitching staff is really good, but can they beat the three teams ahead of them consistantly? That will be the key to the Jays success.

5. Baltimore Orioles (68-93, 5th in AL East)

The Orioles are very similar to their beltway counterpart, the Washington Nationals. The Orioles have no true superstar or impact players...yet. Opposed to the Nationals, the Orioles have added a couple important pieces. The Orioles traded for OF Felix Pie and P Rich Hill who might benefit from a change of scenery. The Orioles also have OF Adam Jones and OF Nick Markakis. All three outfielders have a chance to be very good as does their best prospect C Matt Wieters. Wieters is being compared to Joe Mauer and some scouts say that Wieters has the power to be a great offensive catcher.  Alas, 2009 will not be the O's year.

NL West Preview

Take a look at the NL East Preview below for a schedule...

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (84-78, Lost in NLDS to Philadelphia)

The Dodgers had Manny Ramierez the second half of the season and it propelled them to the NL West championship. Then the Dodgers crushed the Cubs and lost to the eventual World Series Champion. This year, they'll have Manny for a full season after signing him to a two year deal. Now we all know that if there is a contract year athlete, it's Manny being Manny. However, here's something to consider. Manny's two year deal has a player option on it. We know that Manny will try and test the market again to try and get as much money as possible next offseason. If Manny puts up the same numbers over a full season, somebody will actually step up and throw money at Manny like they're Pac Man Jones at a strip club. Add that to the fact that the Dodgers have pretty solid pitching and they win this division easily.

2. Arizona Diamondbacks (82-80, 2nd in NL West)

The D'backs are the most intriguing team in baseball. They have a ton of talent, but they're also extremely enigmatic. The D'Backs have OFs Chris Young and Justin Upton anchoring their lineup, but sometimes they can be incredibly hot, while other times, they look like Hellen Keller at a pinata party. SS Stephen Drew is starting to develop into one of the games elite, but otherwise the hot and cold Diamondbacks aren't contenders despite a very strong pitching staff. Also the Diamondbacks do not have a reliable closer as they will turn to Jon Rauch to fill that role. The D'Backs hope to get a boost from returning OF Eric Byrnes as well, who had an injury riddled 2008 season.

3. San Francisco Giants (72-90, 4th in NL West)

The Giants have some solid youngsters as they try to rebuild from the Barry Bonds era. The team looked looser last season, but it didn't reflect in the standings. Of course the Giants have the reigning Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum, but other than that they don't have much to write home about as for players who can help right now. The Giants want to see Pablo Sandoval develop into their first baseman of the future, but it may be a while before that happens. The Giants also have a super catcher developing in the minors by the name of Buster Davis. Davis will be a stud when he gets to the majors and might even be called up by the end of the year.

4. Colorado Rockies (74-88, 3rd in NL West)

The Rockies have a sub par pitching staff and lost their best player, Matt Holliday, over the offseason. The Rockies do have a couple players that can help now in C Chris Ianetta and SS Troy Tulowitzki. Ianetta bashed 16 home runs in 2008 and that was in limited at bats. The Rockies hope that his numbers continue to get better and he winds up as a middle of the lineup bat. Tulowitzki had an injury marred 2008 season as he injured his hamstring and then nearly slicing his hand in half with a maple bat. Tulo didn't play well when he was in the lineup until the last week of 2008. A healthy Tulo could result in a bonceback season.

5. San Diego Padres (63-99, 5th in NL West)

They really should have traded Jake Peavy for some help at all postitions. They can't score runs for their pitching staff. Keeping Peavy will help, but it has a Santana like aura around it. Peavy will get dealt at some point the only question is when. A lot of teams may be willing to throw what the the Padres are asking for near the trade deadline as pitching is always a hot commodity. As for the current team, they stayed pat over the offseason and really just lost Trevor Hoffman to the Brewers which sounds like a great move at this point in time. Heath Bell should be a good closer for the Padres, but the Padres are a last place team. Plain and simple. 

NL East Preview

Here we go, I know I said I was going to put this up last night, but I got off of work late and had a test to study for. But as a reminder here's what I'm planning on doing.

4/1 - NL East, West, and AL East

4/2 - AL West

4/3 - NL Central and Brewers preview

4/4 - AL Central and Twins preview

4/5 - Predictions

NL EAST

1. New York Mets (89-73, 2nd NL East):

Death, taxes, and the Mets choking every year in September. That's what my generation has gotten used to. The Mets have been underperforming since they lost the World Series in 2000. Now, the Mets have some good players, but a lot of them seem like enigmas. Probably the biggest one is SS Jose Reyes. If Reyes comes to play, the Mets usually win. If Reyes doesn't the Mets usually lose, but Reyes was not the main problem last year. It was the bullpen. Take this into consideration. Johan Santana had 8 leads blown last season. If the bullpen hangs on to 4-5 of them, they win the division and if they hold just one, they get into the playoffs. The Mets did a great job at bolstering their pen by adding Francisco Rodriguez and J.J. Putz to the back end. If the Mets starters can go 6-7 innings, leads won't escape this team anymore. The Mets rotation is a bit of a concern past Santana, but we'll see if it will matter.

2. Philadelphia Phillies (92-70, Won World Series)

The defending world champions have a lot to worry about these days. The health of Cole Hamels elbow. It's been said that this isn't serious, but anything with a pitchers elbow has to proceed with caution. (Hamels won't start the opener Sunday against Atlanta.) Then there's the health of Chase Utley's hip. Utley played through it all last season, but had to have surgery. He was expected to be out until June, but now it looks like he might be ready to go. You have to be concerned that the injury might linger a bit so how will that effect his production? Ryan Howard is the other enigma. Howard constantly bashes 40-50 home runs a year, but his average is a problem. If he hits with runners in scoring postition, nobody's going to get on him. However, if that number takes a dive, the Phillies could be in trouble. Of course, if all three of these concerns turn out to be me worrying way too much the Phillies could win the division.

3. Florida Marlins (84-77, 3rd in NL East)

Yes, that is Florida's record from last season. Remember that the Marlins were in it for most of the year until they ran out of gas in August. They have a pair of great and exciting players in outfielders Hanley Ramierez and Cameron Maybin but their pitching is going to be outstanding. Ricky Nolasco will be the ace of this team and the Marlins also have Chris Volstad and Annibal Sanchez. Their pitching could be the key for the Marlins and the team has the potential to go deep into October with a little luck.

4. Atlanta Braves (72-90, 4th in NL East)

The Braves are in full fledged rebuilding mode. This was apparent when John Smoltz left for Boston. Now the Braves have to use their farm system to replenish the most successful team in the last two decades. Jordan Schaffer will be the starting center fielder for the Braves and he's a top 100 prospect. IF Yunel Escobar should continue to get better and 1B Casey Kotchman was a solid pickup in the Mark Texiera trade last year. The Braves still have a ways to go however as their pitching old and needs a youth infusion. Tom Glavine and Derek Lowe seem to be the anchors for the team, but I just don't see a way that they're going to close games. The Braves won't do anything this year, but with a couple years of solid drafting they should improve.

5. Washington Nationals (59-102, 5th in NL East)

The Nationals are continuing the tradition of the Montreal Expos by finishing in last place every year that doesn't end in a strike. I don't see any hope for this team to be perfectly honest. They signed Adam Dunn which gives them a power bat in the middle of the lineup, but they have no pitching. I mean NO PITCHING. P Jordan Zimmermann is a solid prospect and could develop into a dominating number one starter but there's just no hope right now for the team. They do have the first pick coming up in the entry draft, but in baseball it takes about 2-3 years for your first round pick to develop. It's going to be a while before we see the Nationals in the spotlight.