Monday, February 28, 2011
Cross Your Fingers....
Apparently I am having issues allowing for your comments, and comments from the masses is equally important as it sparks further conversation, discussion and debate. All apologies for this inadequacy.
My Monday Opinions....
A new work week is here, and whether or not you want my thoughts, here they are:
The Scotties wrapped up yesterday with a very well played game between Jennifer Jones and Amber Holland. As I stated last week, Linda Moore's repeated efforts at making Jennifer Jones out to be the greatest curler to ever grace a pebbled sheet of ice gets really old really fast, not too mention frustrating. At every point in yesterday's game all they talked about was what Jones and Co. did right and what Holland's crew did wrong. In the end that makes a home town victory that much sweeter, capped off by the coverage of Jones, victoriously raising her broom in the air only to see it quickly replaced with the realization that her reign as the Queen of Canadian curling had come to an end. Here is my question, why did Jones feel the need to throw that much weight on her final shot...it had to be hit absolutely perfectly with that type of weight. And to nobody's surprise Linda Moore sure didn't point that out. Irregardless that is three Saskatchewan victories in Canadian curling within a month. Here's hoping Pat Simmons can keep up the momentum of the 'green maching' in London, Ontario starting on Saturday.
The NHL trade deadline has come and gone with a fair amount of deals being completed. The bockbuster of the day if you will, Dustin Penner to LA for Colten Teubert, A first round pick this year and a second round pick next year. Will the Kings have to buy an extra airline ticket for that piano that Penner drags around with him on most nights????
Like most events that I once thoroughly enjoyed, the media has pretty much ruined the trade deadline. Every edition of Sportscentre or Sportsnet Connected over the past two weeks has been inundated with speculation over who is going where. There is nothing wrong with a little speculation but these guys totally kill it, especially when it is the same names everyday..Brad Richards, Ales Hemsky, Stephen Weiss...and what makes matters worse, how much do you think guys like Darren Dreger and Bob Mackenzie are getting paid to essentially text and twitter for the last month about who may or may not have a new 'office' as of today.
Sticking with the NHL, how annoying is John Tortorella continually blaming the officiating for his teams inadequacies? Yesterday his Rangers dropped a 2 - 1 decision to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Bolts scored the winner on a 5 on 3 power play which Tortorella referred to as horse feces and stated that he wished the NHL would stay out of it. So what John, are you saying you want the players to officiate themselves??? Come on..take the time to cool down and collect yourself before you squack off like that...it only makes you sound like an uneducated idiot. And for the record, he felt the Dan Girardi penalty, the first of the two penalties leading to the goal was a poor call. I am pretty sure that since then Tortorella has probably seen the highlight on TV and has a different opinion...it was the right call, just like Brian Boyle firing the puck over the glass is the right call also. If you don't want to give up PP goals in the future John, don't take penalties.
As I was sitting at home over the last week, my fondness for watching NBA basketball was all but eliminated. Not because the games aren't exciting to watch but rather because the league is full or primadonna's who want to make things all about them. It started this summer, when Lebron James couldn't do what every other self respecting individual who signs a free agent deal does; sign the deal and release a press notice. Rather he chose to make people hum and haw about his destination and then had the audacity to take over one hour of national programming to announuce his decision. If that wasn't bad enough, how about Carmelo Anthony...he made the entire first half of the season about him, and why??? So he could end up where he wanted to end up. The TSN Reporters had it right yesterday morning when they talked about how guys who are able to dictate where they will play is ruining small market teams, and they couldn't be more right. As if it isn's enough to get paid millions to play a game you love which everyone I am sure has dreamed of at numerous points in their life, now they are going to choose who they will accept these millions from??? Shame on you Lebron, 'Melo and whoever pulls similar antics in the future.
From Riderville, the Riders today cut ties with ten year CB Omarr Morgan. In my opinion, this was the right time to do this. Cut ties now, rather than during camp which could be embarassing for a guy like Morgan who has given a lot to the franchise. While he has 'bleed green' for the better part of a decade, it was time for this move. He really struggled last year with the open field tackle, can't cover anyone inside of ten yards from the line of scrimmage and had what I thought was a dreadful game in the Grey Cup. Jamel Richardson, who is very good, looked a lot better than he needed to look with Morgan covering him. All the best in the future to Omarr but I truly think the Riders are better without him in the secondary.
For you Junior A Hockey followers, Jamie Fiessel is catching a lot of the camera and attention in recent weeks, and not for the right reasons. Near the end of the regular season, he threw sticks on the ice and pretended to be blind, an obvious blast at the officials, after being ejected against Yorkton. That garnered him two games. Not that his actions over the weekend are deserving of a suspension but out on the ice, but following a play off victory over the Estevan Bruins, he was shown jumping around like a baboon and flinging his arms up in the air which I thought showed him to be lacking a little in class. Hey, maybe him and Tortorella are 'brothers from different mothers'???
Can't think of anything else that is 'burning' me today...See you tomorrow and by all means tell your friends about this place...
The Scotties wrapped up yesterday with a very well played game between Jennifer Jones and Amber Holland. As I stated last week, Linda Moore's repeated efforts at making Jennifer Jones out to be the greatest curler to ever grace a pebbled sheet of ice gets really old really fast, not too mention frustrating. At every point in yesterday's game all they talked about was what Jones and Co. did right and what Holland's crew did wrong. In the end that makes a home town victory that much sweeter, capped off by the coverage of Jones, victoriously raising her broom in the air only to see it quickly replaced with the realization that her reign as the Queen of Canadian curling had come to an end. Here is my question, why did Jones feel the need to throw that much weight on her final shot...it had to be hit absolutely perfectly with that type of weight. And to nobody's surprise Linda Moore sure didn't point that out. Irregardless that is three Saskatchewan victories in Canadian curling within a month. Here's hoping Pat Simmons can keep up the momentum of the 'green maching' in London, Ontario starting on Saturday.
The NHL trade deadline has come and gone with a fair amount of deals being completed. The bockbuster of the day if you will, Dustin Penner to LA for Colten Teubert, A first round pick this year and a second round pick next year. Will the Kings have to buy an extra airline ticket for that piano that Penner drags around with him on most nights????
Like most events that I once thoroughly enjoyed, the media has pretty much ruined the trade deadline. Every edition of Sportscentre or Sportsnet Connected over the past two weeks has been inundated with speculation over who is going where. There is nothing wrong with a little speculation but these guys totally kill it, especially when it is the same names everyday..Brad Richards, Ales Hemsky, Stephen Weiss...and what makes matters worse, how much do you think guys like Darren Dreger and Bob Mackenzie are getting paid to essentially text and twitter for the last month about who may or may not have a new 'office' as of today.
Sticking with the NHL, how annoying is John Tortorella continually blaming the officiating for his teams inadequacies? Yesterday his Rangers dropped a 2 - 1 decision to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Bolts scored the winner on a 5 on 3 power play which Tortorella referred to as horse feces and stated that he wished the NHL would stay out of it. So what John, are you saying you want the players to officiate themselves??? Come on..take the time to cool down and collect yourself before you squack off like that...it only makes you sound like an uneducated idiot. And for the record, he felt the Dan Girardi penalty, the first of the two penalties leading to the goal was a poor call. I am pretty sure that since then Tortorella has probably seen the highlight on TV and has a different opinion...it was the right call, just like Brian Boyle firing the puck over the glass is the right call also. If you don't want to give up PP goals in the future John, don't take penalties.
As I was sitting at home over the last week, my fondness for watching NBA basketball was all but eliminated. Not because the games aren't exciting to watch but rather because the league is full or primadonna's who want to make things all about them. It started this summer, when Lebron James couldn't do what every other self respecting individual who signs a free agent deal does; sign the deal and release a press notice. Rather he chose to make people hum and haw about his destination and then had the audacity to take over one hour of national programming to announuce his decision. If that wasn't bad enough, how about Carmelo Anthony...he made the entire first half of the season about him, and why??? So he could end up where he wanted to end up. The TSN Reporters had it right yesterday morning when they talked about how guys who are able to dictate where they will play is ruining small market teams, and they couldn't be more right. As if it isn's enough to get paid millions to play a game you love which everyone I am sure has dreamed of at numerous points in their life, now they are going to choose who they will accept these millions from??? Shame on you Lebron, 'Melo and whoever pulls similar antics in the future.
From Riderville, the Riders today cut ties with ten year CB Omarr Morgan. In my opinion, this was the right time to do this. Cut ties now, rather than during camp which could be embarassing for a guy like Morgan who has given a lot to the franchise. While he has 'bleed green' for the better part of a decade, it was time for this move. He really struggled last year with the open field tackle, can't cover anyone inside of ten yards from the line of scrimmage and had what I thought was a dreadful game in the Grey Cup. Jamel Richardson, who is very good, looked a lot better than he needed to look with Morgan covering him. All the best in the future to Omarr but I truly think the Riders are better without him in the secondary.
For you Junior A Hockey followers, Jamie Fiessel is catching a lot of the camera and attention in recent weeks, and not for the right reasons. Near the end of the regular season, he threw sticks on the ice and pretended to be blind, an obvious blast at the officials, after being ejected against Yorkton. That garnered him two games. Not that his actions over the weekend are deserving of a suspension but out on the ice, but following a play off victory over the Estevan Bruins, he was shown jumping around like a baboon and flinging his arms up in the air which I thought showed him to be lacking a little in class. Hey, maybe him and Tortorella are 'brothers from different mothers'???
Can't think of anything else that is 'burning' me today...See you tomorrow and by all means tell your friends about this place...
Friday, February 25, 2011
It's Been a While...
It has been a while since I have blogged. A week off of school, but a wife at work everyday made for Daddy/Daughter week...all in all a good week thus far, but enough about the family.
As mentioned last week I was looking forward to the Scottie's coinciding with a week away from work. While I did watch a lot of curling, I have to say that on the whole, the week was not what I had hoped. Generally speaking I thought a lot of shots were missed by all teams; from wrecking on guards to issues with draw weight, I thought we would see better curling. Don't get me wrong I am no world class curler and I do respect all the teams there but when you are watching the best in Canada, you just expect a lot more shots to be made.
That does NOT mean there weren't a couple of moments which stand out that I would like to address with the week that was in Charlottetown. First off, early in the week, Sunday afternoon I believe, Amber Holland and the girls from Kronau hung a licking on Jennifer Jones and Team Canada. That was not the issue; what stood out to me was TSN's continued attempt to make excuses for the inferior curling of Jones and her foursome. From the rocks being too sharp to the ice not having enough curl, Russ Howard and Linda Moore did all they could to try and help ease the pain of Jones followers as to why they were off. Here's a crazy thought; if you are the three time defending champion, shouldn't you be able to adjust to these supposed 'issues'???? I mean it wasn't effecting Holland and the girls who seemingly made everything. I guess that is what irks me about sports sometimes; commentators who won't admit that sometimes what is supposed to happen, doesn't. Had Holland and Co. missed all those shots, do you think similar excuses would have come up??? Not on your life.
While we are on the topic of Jennifer Jones, I have not enjoyed one team defeating another in curling as much as I did when Cathy O. and Manitoba downed Canada on Wednesday night. It was almost like fate was in the air as a Manitoba team, who struggled for much of the week curled like they were the three time defending champions. Addind to my glee was the fact that all 3, 000 plus in attendance were loud and racous supporters of Manitoba and Cathy O. the whole night, and you could tell Jones didn't exactly enjoy that. Well Miss Jones, that is what you get when you drop a popular, personable member of your team who is as much a part of that team's success as anybody.
The NHL trade deadline is T-minus three days away. I personally don't think a whole lot of deals will be made on Monday; at least not as many as usual. This is because of the fact so many trades have been completed leading up to it. While we are on the topic of trades, has Alex Kovalev depreciated to the point that all he is worth is a measly seventh round pick, who chances are will never play a game in the NHL? I mean I know he hasn' t done much in Ottawa and his character and consistency have been brought into questions but surely more could have been taken in return for a guy with his type of skill level. On any given night Alex Kovalev can be the best player on the ice and a difference maker, and if a seventh rounder is all you can get, then so be it.
Sticking with hockey, should have brought this up last week but forgot. Mario Lemieux had quite a problem with what took place two Friday's ago between his Penguins and the New York Islanders. Obviously as the owner of a team, and one of the greatest to ever play, his words and thoughts are worthy of our ear, BUT....Mario, if you want to complain about the direction the NHL is going, you should serioulsy look at yourself and your team in the mirror because in a lot of ways Matt Cooke, one of your players, is everything that is wrong with the NHL today. He has absolutely no respect for anybody on the ice. It is one thing to play tough, hard nosed hockey but I honestly think he is out there to hurt people. If you ask me, Matt Cooke ended Marc Savard's career with that cowardly elbow last year and if I were in charge, Cooke would be allowed to play when Savard is medically able to play again. So Mario, all numbers and records aside, before you call out the NHL, look in the mirror and realize that throwing stones in a glass house isn't always a great idea.
Last week I gave my thoughts on Tiger Woods and his conduct on the course. Tiger lost his opening round match to Thomas Bjorn this week at the WGC Match Play. When questioned about his performance, leave it to Tiger to use profanity to explain his feelings. Give Bjorn some credit Tiger; he didn't hit it sixty yards right off the tee in the play - off. Oh I love watching the migthy fall.
That is all I have for today, back to Daddy/Daughter week for a few more days. Talk to you Monday...
As mentioned last week I was looking forward to the Scottie's coinciding with a week away from work. While I did watch a lot of curling, I have to say that on the whole, the week was not what I had hoped. Generally speaking I thought a lot of shots were missed by all teams; from wrecking on guards to issues with draw weight, I thought we would see better curling. Don't get me wrong I am no world class curler and I do respect all the teams there but when you are watching the best in Canada, you just expect a lot more shots to be made.
That does NOT mean there weren't a couple of moments which stand out that I would like to address with the week that was in Charlottetown. First off, early in the week, Sunday afternoon I believe, Amber Holland and the girls from Kronau hung a licking on Jennifer Jones and Team Canada. That was not the issue; what stood out to me was TSN's continued attempt to make excuses for the inferior curling of Jones and her foursome. From the rocks being too sharp to the ice not having enough curl, Russ Howard and Linda Moore did all they could to try and help ease the pain of Jones followers as to why they were off. Here's a crazy thought; if you are the three time defending champion, shouldn't you be able to adjust to these supposed 'issues'???? I mean it wasn't effecting Holland and the girls who seemingly made everything. I guess that is what irks me about sports sometimes; commentators who won't admit that sometimes what is supposed to happen, doesn't. Had Holland and Co. missed all those shots, do you think similar excuses would have come up??? Not on your life.
While we are on the topic of Jennifer Jones, I have not enjoyed one team defeating another in curling as much as I did when Cathy O. and Manitoba downed Canada on Wednesday night. It was almost like fate was in the air as a Manitoba team, who struggled for much of the week curled like they were the three time defending champions. Addind to my glee was the fact that all 3, 000 plus in attendance were loud and racous supporters of Manitoba and Cathy O. the whole night, and you could tell Jones didn't exactly enjoy that. Well Miss Jones, that is what you get when you drop a popular, personable member of your team who is as much a part of that team's success as anybody.
The NHL trade deadline is T-minus three days away. I personally don't think a whole lot of deals will be made on Monday; at least not as many as usual. This is because of the fact so many trades have been completed leading up to it. While we are on the topic of trades, has Alex Kovalev depreciated to the point that all he is worth is a measly seventh round pick, who chances are will never play a game in the NHL? I mean I know he hasn' t done much in Ottawa and his character and consistency have been brought into questions but surely more could have been taken in return for a guy with his type of skill level. On any given night Alex Kovalev can be the best player on the ice and a difference maker, and if a seventh rounder is all you can get, then so be it.
Sticking with hockey, should have brought this up last week but forgot. Mario Lemieux had quite a problem with what took place two Friday's ago between his Penguins and the New York Islanders. Obviously as the owner of a team, and one of the greatest to ever play, his words and thoughts are worthy of our ear, BUT....Mario, if you want to complain about the direction the NHL is going, you should serioulsy look at yourself and your team in the mirror because in a lot of ways Matt Cooke, one of your players, is everything that is wrong with the NHL today. He has absolutely no respect for anybody on the ice. It is one thing to play tough, hard nosed hockey but I honestly think he is out there to hurt people. If you ask me, Matt Cooke ended Marc Savard's career with that cowardly elbow last year and if I were in charge, Cooke would be allowed to play when Savard is medically able to play again. So Mario, all numbers and records aside, before you call out the NHL, look in the mirror and realize that throwing stones in a glass house isn't always a great idea.
Last week I gave my thoughts on Tiger Woods and his conduct on the course. Tiger lost his opening round match to Thomas Bjorn this week at the WGC Match Play. When questioned about his performance, leave it to Tiger to use profanity to explain his feelings. Give Bjorn some credit Tiger; he didn't hit it sixty yards right off the tee in the play - off. Oh I love watching the migthy fall.
That is all I have for today, back to Daddy/Daughter week for a few more days. Talk to you Monday...
Friday, February 18, 2011
Random Thoughts
The Toronto Maple Leafs have FINALLY traded Tomas Kaberle to the Boston Bruins. Hasn't this deal been on the table since last year's draft? Why do so many people think so highly of Brian Burke...I for one think he is just a big bully who likes to run his mouth off. Remember the Kevin Lowe thing...throwing Lowe under the bus for signing Penner. Since when did it become a crime to try and improve your hockey club? In Burke's case he should feel fortunate that there are no laws about having to improve your hockey club or he'd be incarcerated. The problem with Toronto is a donkey could run that team and they would still sell out every night. As long as Leaf fans keep showing up, he and Wilson will never be held accountable for the job with they are doing with that club.
The Riders schedule is out for the 2011 season. In the last seven games they play all three western rivals twice each; BC is here twice and four games in Edmonton and Calgary. What are Stamps' fan going to use as the scapegoat when we march in there and beat them in late October to take away their aspirations of a division title? Personally how sickening was it having to listen to Calgary make excuses for last years WDF loss to the Riders, then only to have the Alouettes cry about this CFL's diabolical scheme to prevent them from winning the Grey Cup. A little late but to those no mind Alouettes who complained about the Riders being the home team in the Cup and getting the Esk's dressing room, learn a little about tradition, whatever division hosts will always have their entry use the home teams dressing room.
I dislike the Als' even more than I did last week with their signing of Dwight Anderson. The only unfortunate thing about him moving to the East is we only get to watch the Riders make him look and sound ridiculous in person once a season.
The Scottie's Tournament of Hearts kicks off tomorrow in Charlottetown....yes, I watch curling. Anyhow while I obviously hope Amber Holland and the girls can bring it home, what we will hear about all week at nauseum will be the Jennifer Jones and Team Canada match against Manitoba who is skipped by Jones' former third Cathy Overton - Clapham. Not sure why but Jones told Clapham to find a new team this year, and she did. If Holland doesn't win it all this week I would love to see Clapham beat Jones in the final...and say on camera 'how ya like them apples'????
As you will get to know soon, I love the Edmonton Oilers. Yes I know they are brutal again but who cares, how much potential is there on that team. They are the Chicago Blackhawks of five years ago. There still are my beefs with the club, namely Ales Hemsky...how can a guy be so good one night and so bad the next. Seeing as he played pretty well against the Habs last night, he will stink the joint out on the weekend. Tambellini, if you are reading this, which you probably aren't, trade him while he is worth something.
Nikolai Khabibulin is supposed to serve thirty days in jail at the end of the season for his DUI last winter in Arizona. Here is an idea, let him serve it now!!! He has not been close to the goalie that he was when he came here. Devan Dubnyk is clearly the better option in net.
The Toronto Blue Jays locked up Jose Bautista yesterday to a five year deal worth $64 million dollars. While I am fully aware that he hit 54 homers and drove in 120+ last season, this was a one time deal. Remember Brady Anderson, way back when he hit 50 bombs as a lead off man for the Orioles and I don't think he hit fifty total the rest of his career but he did have great sideburns. Nonetheless if Baustista plummets to his career totals before last year, the Jays are going to be paying a lot of money for a lot of nothing. Don't get me wrong though, I like the Jays and think new GM Alex Anthopoulos has them going in the right direction.
NBA All Star Weekend goes this weekend, and here is my beef. The Eastern team is almost entirely composed of players from three teams. While I realize there aren't enough players for each team to be represented, and yes the East is the inferior conference, does it really have to be the Heat, Hawks and Celtics against the West. For the record, Blake Griffin is ridiculous.
Last but not least, Tiger Woods. How bad have things gone for this guy recently? While you have to respect his talent, is there anything more enjoyable than watching him stumble? He has got to be the biggest freak show on the tour with his club smashing, spitting, pouting over every missed putt antics. How are you supposed to be a role model for aspiring 12 year old golfers when they already display higher levels of sportsmanship and maturity than him?
That's all...see ya Monday.
The Riders schedule is out for the 2011 season. In the last seven games they play all three western rivals twice each; BC is here twice and four games in Edmonton and Calgary. What are Stamps' fan going to use as the scapegoat when we march in there and beat them in late October to take away their aspirations of a division title? Personally how sickening was it having to listen to Calgary make excuses for last years WDF loss to the Riders, then only to have the Alouettes cry about this CFL's diabolical scheme to prevent them from winning the Grey Cup. A little late but to those no mind Alouettes who complained about the Riders being the home team in the Cup and getting the Esk's dressing room, learn a little about tradition, whatever division hosts will always have their entry use the home teams dressing room.
I dislike the Als' even more than I did last week with their signing of Dwight Anderson. The only unfortunate thing about him moving to the East is we only get to watch the Riders make him look and sound ridiculous in person once a season.
The Scottie's Tournament of Hearts kicks off tomorrow in Charlottetown....yes, I watch curling. Anyhow while I obviously hope Amber Holland and the girls can bring it home, what we will hear about all week at nauseum will be the Jennifer Jones and Team Canada match against Manitoba who is skipped by Jones' former third Cathy Overton - Clapham. Not sure why but Jones told Clapham to find a new team this year, and she did. If Holland doesn't win it all this week I would love to see Clapham beat Jones in the final...and say on camera 'how ya like them apples'????
As you will get to know soon, I love the Edmonton Oilers. Yes I know they are brutal again but who cares, how much potential is there on that team. They are the Chicago Blackhawks of five years ago. There still are my beefs with the club, namely Ales Hemsky...how can a guy be so good one night and so bad the next. Seeing as he played pretty well against the Habs last night, he will stink the joint out on the weekend. Tambellini, if you are reading this, which you probably aren't, trade him while he is worth something.
Nikolai Khabibulin is supposed to serve thirty days in jail at the end of the season for his DUI last winter in Arizona. Here is an idea, let him serve it now!!! He has not been close to the goalie that he was when he came here. Devan Dubnyk is clearly the better option in net.
The Toronto Blue Jays locked up Jose Bautista yesterday to a five year deal worth $64 million dollars. While I am fully aware that he hit 54 homers and drove in 120+ last season, this was a one time deal. Remember Brady Anderson, way back when he hit 50 bombs as a lead off man for the Orioles and I don't think he hit fifty total the rest of his career but he did have great sideburns. Nonetheless if Baustista plummets to his career totals before last year, the Jays are going to be paying a lot of money for a lot of nothing. Don't get me wrong though, I like the Jays and think new GM Alex Anthopoulos has them going in the right direction.
NBA All Star Weekend goes this weekend, and here is my beef. The Eastern team is almost entirely composed of players from three teams. While I realize there aren't enough players for each team to be represented, and yes the East is the inferior conference, does it really have to be the Heat, Hawks and Celtics against the West. For the record, Blake Griffin is ridiculous.
Last but not least, Tiger Woods. How bad have things gone for this guy recently? While you have to respect his talent, is there anything more enjoyable than watching him stumble? He has got to be the biggest freak show on the tour with his club smashing, spitting, pouting over every missed putt antics. How are you supposed to be a role model for aspiring 12 year old golfers when they already display higher levels of sportsmanship and maturity than him?
That's all...see ya Monday.
Welcome!
Who knows...maybe nobody will ever read this blog, but this is still something that I have always wanted to try so here I go. Like the profile says, I love sports, always have and always will. I have an opinion on most matters in sports, and am not afraid to let these ideas be known. Essentially this is my chance to get my ideas/opinions/thoughts out there. If you choose to read, enjoy them and come back often as I intend to write on a regular basis. Have a great day!
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