Big Papi In Big Trouble

By: Jake

"I would suggest everybody get tested, not random, everybody," he said. "You go team by team. You test everybody three, four times a year and that's about it." This is what Red Sox DH David Ortiz said when asked about the steroids testing. However, he didn't stop there. When asked about what the consequences of a positive steroids test should be, he replied,"Ban 'em for the whole year". Now these words have undoubtedly become infamous as obviously he himself reportedly tested positive for steroids in 2003 along with former teammate Manny Ramirez. This report will certainly cast a dark shadow on the World Series Championships that the Red Sox won with those players during that time frame.

But know judgement day comes for Manny (again) and especially David Ortiz. How will he handle the reporters and their questions? That question is on the mind of every sorts fan right now. However, that is not where this article ends. What really needs to be talked about is the legitimacy of the rings that were won by the steroid using catalysts of the offense that steamrolled through the AL and all the way through to win the World Series. When does baseball step in and take away the accomplishments that these two players accrued? Is it even necessary considering the circumstances that most everyone else in the league was using performing enhancers too? The answer ultimately has to be that we do void the awards of the cheaters who were caught and reward the ones who did it the honest, right way, with no outside help. It may be tough and painstaking to legally get the names of the people on the list, but it needs to be done in order to make things right. 

The people who took the steroids had their moments in the spotlight, and broke the records and they'll never be forgotten for what they did, but the MLB can't send the message that we're going to let the cheaters keep their awards, and pretty much reward the ones who took the enhancers and made the sport look good. You would never let a thief keep the money after he stole it from a bank. It just doesn't make sense. The MLB has a lot of work to do to fix tis gigantic mess, which they really made for themselves, if they want to come out smelling like roses.

Would Favre Have Helped?

By: Matt

After a summer of indecision former Green Bay legend Brett Favre has decided to stay retired and not prematurely end his second retirement to join the Minnesota Vikings. Last year Favre retired, but quickly returned and left Green Bay to join the New York Jets. The Jets became a better team, but they did not make the playoffs and Favre did not go out on top. The Minnesota Vikings, unlike the Jets, were a playoff team without Favre, but few have thought about whether Favre would have made the playoff incumbent a better team.

Even with Favre, the best player on the Vikings Offense would have been third year runningback Adrian Peterson, a pro-bowler in every year of his short career and arguably the most dangerous runner in the league. The Vikings also added Percy Harvin, a multi-faceted players from Florida. Harvin, despite his rookie status, is a dangerous player and playmaker that, along with Peterson, is likely to be a key component in the Vikings offense. The Vikings offense is already highly talented, what they need to win is a game-manager and not a third playmaker. Although Favre is the all-time touchdown leader he also throws a lot of interceptions, last year he led the league with 22, and his gunslinger mentality would be a detriment to a Vikings team that wins by running the ball and playing solid defense. The Vikings have tried using a playmaker at quarterback when they started Tarvaris Jackson in the playoffs, the team lost and Jackson lost his job. Adding Favre would bring experience to the quarterback position, but not the type of mentality that the Vikings need. The current Vikings Quarterbacks, Jackson, Sage Rosenfels, and John David Booty, represent a group much better suited to help the Vikings win. Rosenfels is a veteran game manager who seems to be the best fit; however, it seems likely that a #4 will start games at Quarterback for the Vikings. John David Booty, the current #4 in Minnesota, was a Heisman candidate at USC, a school that has produced countless NFL quarterbacks over the last 10 years, and is also the youngest quarterback on the Vikings roster. Booty has talent and having sat on the bench last year will give him a greater level of comfort with the Offense than Rosenfels. Booty has the right mentality to play quarterback in Minnesota and, if he plays well this summer, could show Head Coach Brad Childress that he is the right guy for the Vikings. The Vikings do not have any big names or amazing talents at the quarterback position, but given the surrounding talent on their offense, one has to wonder if they need one.

Bobcats trade Okafor, original Face of the Franchise

By: Matt

Today the Charlotte Bobcats traded Emeka Okafor to the New Orleans Hornets for their center Tyson Chandler. The swap marks only the most recent of the connections between the teams. The Bobcats were founded in 2004 as a result of the Hornets relocation to New Orleans. In 2004 the expansion Bobcats had the 2nd pick, but drafted Emeka Okafor, a player widely considered the best talent in the draft. At the time, it seemed that the Bobcats had the face of their franchise, and that their stay as a lowly expansion team would be short.

Those early expectations for Charlotte have been proven very wrong. Dwight Howard, the player taken before Okafor has proven himself as easily the best player taken in 2004 and possibly the best Center in basketball. Howard’s Magic recently lost the NBA Finals while the Bobcats have yet to record a winning season. The Bobcats today are a much better team than they were in 2004, but they are not the team that anyone expected to see. The expansion franchise has already fired two head coaches, and now has the successful but traditional Larry Brown. Under Brown the team has become competitive by creating roster filled with hard working players with high basketball IQ’s. That description is fitting for Chandler, the big man who will be charged with anchoring Brown’s defense. The Bobcats will likely reach the playoffs within the next few years, but that is a result of an incredibly weak Eastern Conference. After drafting Okafor, the Bobcats added Raymond Felton and Sean May the next year, and Adam Morrison the year after. All 3 players were considered talented athletes with high ceilings. None of them have reached them. May and Morrison couldn’t stay healthy and are now playing elsewhere (Morrison was traded to the Lakers and May was not-resigned this off-season). Felton is still considered a talented young point guard, but he has not lived up to his draft potential and coach Brown has already drafted D.J. Augustin to take Felton’s place.

Trading Okafor has completed a transformation of the Bobcats from a talented but uninspired team into a collection of players who lack truly elite ability but know how to win and play smart basketball. Stated another way; the Bobcats have finally become a Larry Brown basketball team, a smart team with one offensive star. The trade of Emeka Okafor comes as a surprise to many, but it is a smart decision that will give the new Bobcats a more legitimate Center with much greater size. With Larry Brown as coach, and a roster filled with experienced, smart veterans the Bobcats will likely become a contender for an Eastern Conference playoff spot; but one has to wonder, if the Bobcats continue to trade away their draft picks, when will they contend for anything more?

Ranking the NHL Mascots

By: Jake

For the first NHL article on GetOuttaHereArticles.blogspot.com, I have decided to take an in-depth look into..... the NHL Mascots. Yes, I will be giving you my rankings of the top 5 NHL mascots and the bottom 5.

Top 5:

1. Gnash, Nashville Predators

Gnash is the epitome of a mascot. His tough exterior which features two protruding fangs and a chilling stare that would strike fear into any opposing fan. Just the attitude he brings with his facial expression is swagger enough to make him the unanimous #1.

2. Blades, Boston Bruins

Once again, we have another mascot with two fangs and a chilling stare. This time its not coming from an extinct animal, but a giant brown bear. Blades' huge blue eyes and smug smirk add the finishing touches to a classic mascot who no one would wanna drop the gloves with.

3. WildWing, Anaheim Ducks

WildWing is a cartoon adaptation made to fit the new look of the team, but you'd never guess that by looking at him. His face mask is straight out of a horror movie and his glare will give you nightmares. I give him creativity points for involving the duck aspect by painting part of the mask orange and having it curve like a beak.

4. Iceburgh, Pittsburgh Penguins

Iceburgh is the first mascot to place as a soft lovable character. (This one's for you Dan) The first thing that jumped out at me was his clever name, it very nicely melds the penguin theme with the name of the city. His cheerful demeanor cannot help but make you smile when you look at him, so he earns #4 in the rankings.

5. Tommy Hawk, Chicago Blackhawks

While it is a stretch to tie the native american definition of blackhawk and a literal black hawk, the Blackhawks get the benefit of the doubt here as Tommy Hawk is a great representation of the hawk, a very "beautiful" bird. His red eyes and sharp beak are two more qualifications for this mascot to be ranked #5.

Bottom 5:

5th Worst: Stormy, Carolina Hurricanes 

Stormy is an "ice hog", which I am surprised anyone thought would be a great idea for a mascot. It took a lot of research to find out why the hell they would choose that as a mascot for a team named the Hurricanes, but I found out why: there is an abundance of hog farms in the Carolinas. What else is there to say? Ice Hog, hmmmm.......

4th Worst: Spartacat, Ottawa Senators

Spartacat has many downfalls and one is clearly his name. Spartacat is definitely a mouthful and just doesn't roll off the tongue the way Iceburgh does. But his main problem that is glaring to me, is his absolutely awful hair. I mean wtf were the designers thinking? "Ok lets get some hair outta the drain and throw it on the mascots head, that'll look really good". Well it doesn't look good at all.

3rd Worst: Thunderbug, Tampa Bay Lightning 

Thunderbug never stood much of a chance from the beginning as his name makes you hate him before you see him. His spread out eyes and seemingly red eyeliner give him a girlish look especially with the black fur above the eyes which can easily be mistaken for eyelashes. Don't even get me started on the antenna either....

2nd Worst: Youppi, Montreal Canadiens 

Youppi is supposed to represent a Canadian? Uhhhh.... Am I the only one not getting why he looks very confused and for some reason hasn't had access to a razor for a good 20 years?

Worst: Stinger, Columbus Blue Jackets

Stinger is the worst mascot in the NHL. Can you guess why? Yep, it is the combination of gigantic red eyes, a full lime green body, and the two right angle pieces of black cardboard that are supposed to look like eyebrows. Not to mention, he always looks frustrated. Just wait until he reads this article.....

The Best & Worst Athlete Tweets

By: Chris

Recently, Twitter has exploded onto the scene as the perfect mean for fans to religiously follow their favorite athletes and celebrities, hearing it straight from the source. Here are some of the best and worst "Tweets" over the past few months:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shaquille O'Neal

"Happy birthday , main harry potter charachter dude" posted July 23rd, 4:28 AM

Nice touch with the spelling, Shaqtus. You completely failed to recall the name of one of the most famous actors in the world yet you still seem to feel the need to wish them a happy birthday. Wow.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mark Madsen

"wondering about airport screening lines and taking your shoes off for metal detector....bacteria/fungus/parasites on the ground? barefeet?" posted on July 20th, 11:50 AM

Hm.. so a site that fans follow you through (wait... does anybody follow him?) is where you ask about foot fungus at an airport?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chad Johnson

"My damn television lamp light went out, the sound is on but no picture, can i get the lamp light for my TV from HOME DEPOT?" posted on July 27th, 8 hours ago

Yes, Chad, the megastore for home improvement and construction services is sure to have a bulb. I mean, Best Buy or Circuit City surely don't carry that.

"My flight get to ATL at 7pm, is somebody gonna pick me up? Straight up i am serious, trying to interact with my damn followers, no kidnappin"

Great idea. Let some one you don't know pick you up! That's the way to teach kids. Chad

'Advocate of Driving with Strangers' Ochocinco.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Paul Pierce

"Lakers vs orlando. Looked like a german sherperd vs a poodle that's ok the rotwieler celtics will b back in 2o10" posted June 17th, 4:06 PM

Ah.. the horrible grammar, horrible similes, horrible trash talk. Stay classy, Pierce.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Andy Roddick

"definitely had buerhle on the bench for my fantasy baseball team toady..... doh!"

Many people feel the guy's pain, including Jake on this site actually too. Very personal guy, displayed here in one of his tweets.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jose Canseco

"Manny Ramirez tested positive for performance enhancing drugs and has been suspended by MLB for 50 games." Posted May 7th, 6:05 AM

Oh the irony... it almost seems cynical of him to be breaking/posting the news like that.

"Of the 103 unnamed palyers on the list who tested positive for steroids in 2003, Manny Ramirez's name is most likely on the list, 90%"

Damn, this guy sort of predicted it. Maybe the seemingly useless **** coming out of his mouth (or sometimes on paper in his books) might not be so worthless after all.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eli Manning

"pro bowl was fun"

Very exciting Eli. Which is more boring.. this tweet or his on-the-field football expression?

Pete Rose’s Potential Return

By: Matt

It was reported this week, just days after Jim Rice and Rickey Henderson were inducted into the Hall of Fame, that Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig is considering removing the permanent ban of Pete Rose from the MLB. Selig is widely regarded as both the worst commissioner in sports today and in the history of baseball; however, this decision could become a small positive among Selig’s many mistakes. Pete Rose was banned from baseball for gambling on games, an action that warrants some type of punishment, but not a lifetime ban.

There are a number of reasons why Pete Rose deserves to have his lifetime ban removed. The first of those reasons is Rose’s play: Rose was a dominant player; he won World Series’, Gold Gloves, an MVP, and went to 17 All-Star games. Rose was a dominant player for over 20 years, the majority of which he was not involved with gambling. Rose’s actions as a manager have prevented him from entering the Hall of Fame, a place where his numbers absolutely indicate he belongs to be, as a player. Rose was an elite talent who, despite his misdeeds, should be remembered. While Rose’s career numbers warrant a Hall of Fame induction, the greatest reason why Rose should have his ban removed is because he never gambled against his own teams. Gambling on sports is bad; gambling on your own games is worse, but Rose never bet against himself or his team. Pete Rose was the consummate competitor, he played 100%, 100% of the time and his gambling money on his team shows the faith he had in him self and his players. Pete Rose broke the rules of baseball and for that he deserved to be punished, but when commissioner Bart Giamatti suspended Rose he was a rookie commissioner trying to make his mark on the sport. As a new commissioner Roger Goodell increased the NFL’s punishment of rulebreakers, in the late 1980’s commissioner Giamatti did the same thing. Sadly, Bart Giamatti died under a year into his tenure as commissioner and only 8 days after suspending Rose, making the suspension his dying action. Had Giamatti survived the Rose suspension would be viewed differently and it’s importance would be lessened. Had Giamatti died, Pete Rose would not be suspended from baseball today and this would not be a question. Now, nearly 20 years after the death of commissioner Giamatti, Rose could return to baseball, and clearly should.

Around the NBA: July 26th

By: Chris

In this segment, I'll briefly comment on the events/news of the past few days concerning the NBA. Here are the top three stories:

ESPN.com: "Heat's Wade continues Odom recruitment in LA"

Apparently, via Wade's twitter account (http://twitter.com/DWadeOFFICIAL), he has flown to LA in an effort to convince Odom to rejoin him in South Beach (see above). At this point, Odom is in a really tough spot. After stupidly having played tough guy with Jerry Buss (a la Trevor Ariza) over just a few millions, Buss promptly pulled the offer and promised to never re-offer the same amount. Odom truly screwed himself over there, as Miami really can't provide more money than the Lakers were offering. Why would he do that? Didn't Odom see that the Lakers easily moved past Ariza and ended up getting an upgrade for the same, if not cheaper? Ultimately, I believe Odom will return to LA. Even with the addition of the 6-10 forward, the Heat would still be lagging behind teams like the Magic, Cavs, and Celtics. As for Wade, if this does not work out, I'm not too certain about his status regarding his extension or staying in Miami. He really seems to love the fans and city, and vice versa, but at some point one has to realize he is a winner and would love to go get a championship again. Conclusion: Odom will sign with LA, for a lot less, because he frankly was an idiot and pushed too hard. Wade will be stuck again on a mediocre team and ditch in 2010 for a contender.

Yahoo! Sports: "Nash signs 2-year, 22 million extension with Suns"

Honestly, I'm puzzled by what the Suns are doing. Seemingly in a limbo between being contenders and rebuilders, they seemed to have further taken a step to being old and mediocre by signing the 35 year old permanently back-injured Nash. This seems to be more a move out of respect and loyalty (unlike say.. the Philadelphia Eagles) and they really wish for him to end his career there. Still, I really don't know what to think of the Suns right now and it really wouldn't surprise me if Stoudamire wants out. Even though they were one of the top teams in the West the past few years, they never ever seemed to have enough to get over the hump and were just never poised to be much of a title contender. Anyways, good luck to Nash and the rest of his career. The guy is a class act and deserved this extension!

NBA.com: "Mavs, free agent Gooden agree to contract"

The fact that we are talking about Gooden's signing just shows how lifeless and dead recent happenings have been in the NBA. However, boy, the Mavs got a steal after they lost out with Marcin Gortat, I mean Gooden has so much more upside and potential! All kidding aside, this is still a solid move for the Mavs. They did need help in the front court and Gooden is just a "show up every game to play" player who can board and is at least average on the offensive end. At 27, he still hasn't peaked (although his ceiling isn't much higher than the level he plays at now) but at least he isn't aging. Not a fan of though goatee-twisted-facial-hair-thing though (Stay classy ;-). See above. Good luck Drew!

Obviously, not much new in the NBA world. Hence, I am announcing my Eastern and Western conference previews coming in the next few days or weeks!

Selig... Need I Say More?

By: Jake

The recent report that Bud Selig is now considering lifting the lifetime ban on Pete Rose just makes it even more evident who the worst commissioner in sports is. (as if it was even close before this) Selig has already wreaked havoc on baseball and its fans by doing nothing throughout the steroid era. His turning a blind eye to to steroid madness has ended up coming back to bite him in the worst way. Fans have lost almost all confidence in all the players and nowadays EVERYONE is under suspicion of steroid use. It seems more guilty until proven innocent than the opposite. Had Selig taken a stronger stance on the roids, he could possibly be known as one of the best of his time, however he chose to let it go and watch the fireworks that ensued. Sure it may have temporarily "saved" baseball, but in the long run, it's killing it slowly.

The steroids are undoubtedly the blackest mark on Selig's career, but not far behind is his decision to make the All-Star game count for home field advantage. There are so many things wrong with this proposition, but i'll start with the fact that players like Ryan Zimmerman of the Nationals are "playing" for the home field advantage they will never need. If you are going to make the game count for something as important as home field advantage in the biggest series of the year, don't require that at lest one person from each team is required to be in the game. Also, the managers of the All Star teams sure don't manage like they need to win the game. If they really wanted to win, why would you pull Tim Lincecum or Roy Halladay when they are one the best pitchers in their respective leagues? The only answer is that they are more concerned with getting everyone in the game and preserving arms for the regular season than winning the game.

Last but not least, the story that inspired this article, the Pete Rose possible reinstatement. If Bud Selig has the gall to reinstate a player/manager after he was given a lifetime ban, I will lose the single shred of respect I still have for him. Rose was given that ban for a reason. Just because The Hall of fame voting came along doesn't mean you should go out and start reinstating people who committed the ultimate no-no and bet on baseball, especially because he bet on games in which he managed himself. That type of man, no matter is accomplishments on the field, is not someone you want representing your league in its most famous shrine that is Cooperstown, New York. Bud, be sensible for once and forget about this idea, you're already going toi be remembered as one of the worst commissioners of all-time, don't make it any worse than it already is.

Farewell Andre: A Recap of the Saga

By: Chris

A few days ago, Andre Miller signed a 3 year, $21 million offer from the Portland Trailblazers, ending the continuing contract, sign & trade, and other negotiations that were ongoing over the past few weeks. Miller's departure leaves a bitter taste in the mouths of Sixer fans. Last season after losing in the first round of the playoffs against the Orlando Magic, Miller didn't even show up for the season-ending team meeting. Furthermore, the 76ers were actually interest in retaining the aging point guard, yet his ridiculous demands of having a contract north of 30 million over 3 years (minimum) were too much. Not only is Miller almost 34 now, but he also has no 3 point shot nor seems to be that great of a locker room guy. Last season there were many plays in which I doubted whether Miller put in any effort on defense, or maybe he just loved getting burned by opposing guards on a nightly basis.

The thing that Philly basketball fans are most disappointed in is GM Ed Stefanski's inability to somehow get any type of return for losing Miller. Many had predicted a sign and trade in which the Sixers would land above-solid point guards such as Chris Duhon from the Knicks or Kirk Hinrich from the Bulls. Neither worked out, and the Sixers were left with nothing but the hard realization that Lou Williams is the current starting point guard of the 76ers. Still, I have been advocating all along for the Sixers either to get a great point guard (Hinrich for example, who can dish, shoot the 3, and be a field general) or just forget about it and throw the young gun platoon of 2009 NBA Draft pick Jrue Holiday and Lou Williams. There is no point in signing a guy like Jamal Tinsley either who is aging like Miller and would just eat the minutes of the young guys that are developing and in need of minutes on the court.

In retrospect regarding the Miller situation, many believe that Stefanski made a grave mistake by not trading him at the deadline this year. This presents an argument that can get pretty heated at times. One side is that the Sixers were playing very well at that point (the deadline) and Miller was one of the key reasons for this great play. The Sixers were poised to make the playoffs, around the 5th seed or so, which meant that in a way they were "contending". So, it would make sense to keep your best player, and go to the playoffs and see what happens. Others clearly see that there was no chance against the Eastern Conference powerhouses like the Celtics, Cavs, etc. and at that point it would have been better to dump Miller and get something formidable in return. Stefanski didn't do this. I just never think, regardless of the situation, a team should just give up and shed one of their key players when clearly they are a playoff team. If in sports if you are mediocre and can't necessarily compete with the powerhouses that you just dump talent, then the league would only have around 5 top teams with the rest not even needing any hope or aspiration to make noise in the playoffs. As I repeatedly say, "you never know". The Sixers last season were up 2-1 on the Orlando Magic. Yes, the Orlando Magic which ended up going to the NBA Finals.

Overall, good riddance to Miller. His tenure here in Philly was solid, but I was just a bit disappointed in the way he left the city. I doubt he'll get a warm reception when he returns. As for Stefanski, he hasn't done anything (aside from the Kapono deal) in terms of signing free agents. Get on it, Ed!

Rejuvenated Cards Look to be Major Contenders

By: Jake

Sure, I could've used some horrible pun involving the use of the word "Holliday", but since I love our readers (all 4 of them), I decided not to. All fun aside, the addition of a star like Matt Holliday adds what would look like one of the final pieces to complete this team. Holliday brings a huge bat to the line up and also does the job of being the protector of Pujols that the Cards have been looking for since he started playing. You can look at him as the player Scott Rolen was for the Cards in '06 when they won the WS against the Tigers. Holliday will enter an already crowded outfield which includes star fielder Rick Ankiel, Rookie of the Year Colby Rasmus and Ryan Ludwick who is 2nd on the team with 17 HRs and is hitting .275. With the likely move being benching Rasmus in favor of Holliday, it will only make the Cards better having a hitter like Rasmus available to spot start of pinch hit whenever you want.

One other addition that has immensely improved the cards is the addition of Julio Lugo. Not only is Boston paying most of his salary this year, but he also adds an element of speed to the lineup that it was missing. Despite the questions about his work ethic, maybe a true baseball environment like St. Louis, will be the inspiration he needs to become an integral part of this team if its going to advance far into the playoffs.

As we all know, pitching in the playoffs is what wins Titles, and the Cardinals have no lack of pitching. Ace Chris Carpenter who has a 2.26 ERA through 15 games of work, has successfully comeback from a early season setback and pitched beautifully this season alongside the 11-6 Adam Wainwright who is sporting a slim 2.95 ERA more than half way through the season. However, the solid pitching does not end there as Kyle Lohse stands as a very good 3rd pitcher despite his 4-6 record. The cardinals are also blessed with All-Star closer Ryan Franklin who is 22 of 24 in save situations and has posted a 1.25 ERA and a 3:1 K to BB ration.

It looks like something special is in the works over in St. Louis and it will surely be interesting to watch it all unfold in the next 2 months.

An apple a day, keeps the Doc away...

By: Chris

If not the apple, then Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi is keeping Roy Halladay from teams desperately looking to add a stud pitcher for a late-season spurt and ace for the playoffs. Halladay is an incredible pitcher, and is most likely the best in the league this year. Over the past few years, he has shown that he is a dependable, hard-working horse with electric stuff. One of the teams clawing for Halladay are the Philadelphia Phillies, who have reportedly already been turned down twice. At this point, it looks to be unlikely that Halladay will be moved (at least according to Ricciardi) but the amount of leverage he is holding right now is incredible.

To be in J.P. Ricciardi's position right now is like sitting on top of the baseball GM world (At least for the moment. Considering the team is garbage and has no hopes of ever making it past the "road block" of the Red Sox and Yanks in the AL East, his short-reigned supremacy and hype will all come to an end after the deadline, where he will basically disappear). However, the guy is playing his cards so, so, so right. By setting a deadline, he is not only giving himself a cushion for teams that are entering the negotiations late but he is also giving himself plenty of time to completely seal any deal that might come up, which some teams fail to do after the deadline looms closer and closer. Additionally, by publicly stating that it "won't be likely" that Halladay will be traded, he further grips his leverage over the situation as well as saying that if Halladay wasn't moved, it wouldn't be a big deal and they would be happy to keep him another year until he comes off the books.

Still, Riccardi has to stop playing tough at some point. Why keep Halladay for another year if your team is not even a contender anyway? Might as well dump him off now and get solid prospects for the farm and future. At some point though, the Blue Jays might receive a "rape" offer from a team like the Phillies. Although they haven't been caught in the trap yet, it seemingly is going in that direction. That is what Riccardi is sitting on, like a lion observing its prey, waiting for a mistake to then go in for the kill. The next few days should be very, very interesting. Teams, like the Phillies, whose starting rotation really needs a fix especially for the playoffs (although recent play has demonstrated they can very well win without) will be looking to acquire this stud ace. You virtually never see a guy of this caliber and talent (starting pitcher) getting dangled the way Halladay is right now. Somebody WILL take advantage, yet get robbed in the process. C'est la vie.

NBA Draft 2008: Revisited and Re-ranked!

By: Chris

As this year's draft class are finishing up contracts and summer league play.. predictions are already being thrown around. What stats will Griffin put up? Will Thabeet be an impact player down low? Will young Jrue Holliday play significant minutes for the 76ers? All of these questions can only be answered at the end of the season. In fact, evaluating NBA talent is quite difficult, hence the number of rather frequent busts seen in the first round, many times in the lottery picks. This small article will do the easy thing: evaluating talent after a year's play and re-ranking how the draft "should have been" if you would. As the saying goes.. hindsight is 20/20. Here we go...

1. Chicago Bulls PG - Derrick Rose (NBA Draft 2008 Pick #1)

This one is pretty obvious. Aside from the fact that I have a notorious man crush on Rose, he really was able to produce right away from the start of the season and his career. Averaging a nice combination of 17 ppg and 6 dimes, the Bulls have found their future PG, a position that is so crucial to a team's success. He proved to be a big leader too, in addition to showing streaks of clutch play in the playoffs (his playoff ppg average increased to 19) which vaulted him not only to the top rookie spot of the '08 class, but also an elite and respected player in the league (albeit no Wade or Kobe yet). The guy can score at will, isn't afraid to take it to the hole, unselfishly dishes the ball, and can play D (The block on Andre Miller, anyone?)

2. New Jersey Nets PF/C - Brook Lopez (2008 NBA Draft Pick #10)

The Nets really found a "diamond in the rough" as Lopez miraculously dropped to number 10 in the draft. Brook is a rare breed that some teams are desperately in need of (76ers for one): A big 7 footer that can bang down low. His 13 point and 8.1 rebound average in his rookie campaign, paired with a staggering 1.8 blocks, set Lopez far apart from the other big men. Great shooting percentages from the field and the line make this guy truly a rare combination from all aspects!

3. Orlando Magic SG - Courtney Lee (2008 NBA Draft Pick # 22)

This pick easily qualifies as one of the top steals of the draft in which the Orlando Magic were able to pick NBA-ready talent even past the lottery picks. Lee's great value was measured well when he was a core piece in a blockbuster deal that made Christmas come early for the Magic in acquiring All-Star guard Vince Carter. Lee is a stud perimeter defender and has a nicely-rounded offensive game as well, including a solid three point stroke. In the playoffs, he eventually earned a starting job and was able to "show off" his skills, where his stock seemed to gain immensely. Now, the Magic have cashed in, opting for the (in their mind) better "Win Now" option in Carter.

4. Memphis Grizzlies SG - O.J. Mayo (2008 NBA Draft Pick # 3)

Anytime a rookie comes out of the draft and lights up opposing teams for almost 19 points per game, they deserve a spot in the top 5 in these rankings. Mayo, although nothing special on the defense end, lead the rookies in points per game and shot almost two three pointers a game. He was an offensive juggernaut, much like teams expected him to be coming out of USC's system, and is at least one of the bright spots going forward for the Grizz franchise.

5. Miami Heat SF - Michael Beasley (2008 NBA Draft Pick #2)

Although Beasley disappointed early on, which included his lack-luster play resulting in his virtually permanent demotion to the bench for the season, he still was able to make up in the latter half and playoffs. Obviously the expectations were set extremely high during the Rose vs. Beasley draft rivalry, and they were shattered after Beasley, frankly said, sucked and Rose flourished. Still, the guy has talent, put up a good amount of points and boards, to go along with the occasional three and solid shooting percentages. On my board, he drops to 5.

So, that wraps up the Top 5. As said before.. hindsight is ALWAYS 20/20 making it quite easy to look back and call some draft picks absolute crap or others amazing steals. Either way, the 08 Draft went as predicted (well.. maybe not for Lopez dropping that far) and teams really can't get criticized by drunk-sounding fans that get on local sports radio shows to scream about draft picks. Drop the bottle, get off the couch, and try to scout some NBA-ready talent first.

Media Silence for Big Ben

By: Matt

The sports world was shocked this past week when Ben Roethlisberger, quarterback of the reigning Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers, was accused of rape. What is even more shocking than the accusations is that ESPN, by far the largest broadcaster of sports television, has chosen to provide minimum coverage of the story. The charges themselves come as a surprise. Roethlisberger has had no reputation for poor behavior off of the field, he has never been involved in anything criminal since being drafted 11^th overall in 2004. The only controversy about Roethlisberger stemmed from a motorcycle accident in 2006 in which the only victim was Roethlisberger himself. The controversy was about whether an NFL quarterback should ride a motorcycle. Roethlisberger has addressed the media and has stated that the charges are “reckless and false.” Given Roethlisberger’s lack of a prior record and clean reputation it would come as a major shock if the allegations are proven true; however, the actions of ESPN with regard to the coverage of the allegations will likely prove more lasting.

While the charges against Roethlisberger may not be true, they are undeniably an important news story. The fact that there has been no investigation into the charges is irrelevant, in the past NBA superstar Kobe Bryant faced similar charges and became a fixture in ESPN’s “the lead.” Football fans and supporters of an open media alike have been left asking why as the most popular figure in sports media has ignored the story. No clear reason has been given for why ESPN is protecting Roethlisberger, but it would not be a far reach to assume that there is a racial component. To call ESPN racist would be an unfair claim; however it is hard to say they don’t see color when Michael Vick coming home was a major news story for 4 days, Steve McNair’s blood-alcohol level at the time of his murder was reported within hours, and Kobe Bryant’s rape charges were scrutinized for months while Roethlisberger is given a pardon.

Ultimately, ESPN’s actions have made a rape accusation into a media behavior controversy. Hopefully, the charges against Roethlisberger, who will likely remain a dominant starting quarterback for the next 10 years, will be proven false and the issue at the heart of this article will fade away. What people will remember about this incident will likely not be the real story, but the way the ESPN decided to reverse their normal course of action and protect the reputation of the young Steeler. There may be a valid and acceptable reason for ESPN’s questionable actions, but until anyone hears it, questions about the network’s integrity will remain.

Nothing Lasts Forever

By: Matt

Growing up as a basketball lover in the greater Philadelphia area during the mid 90’s I had the privilege of being able to watch Allen Iverson throughout the duration of his 76ers tenure and his prime. Iverson, the #1 overall pick in the legendary 1996 NBA Draft, was an immediate star in Philadelphia. Despite his small size, 6’0” 165lbs, Iverson was a stud; he was faster, more agile, and tougher than anyone else. Throughout the first 8 years of his career Iverson was one of the most feared scoring threats in the NBA, he averaged over 30 points and could score both from the 3 point line and on a fast break. Iverson took hits, went to the foul line, won over the hearts of fans despite a “bad-boy” reputation, and carried a 76ers team made up of mediocre role-players to the NBA Finals. As a little boy, it was hard to imagine that Iverson would ever fade, in a decade with the Sixers he never lost a step, defenders never learned how to counter his cross-over dribble (a move Iverson perfected), and he never stopped competing. Iverson was also an ironman, he played hurt and rarely was able to be hurt badly enough that he had to sit. One year Iverson suffered a wrist injury that was supposed to sideline him for a month, the Sixers started to lose and he was back after only a week. Pound-for-pound, Allen Iverson was the toughest athlete in sports and when he left Philadelphia I realized that I would never see another player like AI again. I also believed that Iverson would remain an elite NBA player for the better part of the next 10 years.

I was wrong. After becoming league MVP and one of the most feared players in basketball over 10 years with the Sixers, in just 3 years since leaving Iverson has faded. Iverson no longer has the lightning quickness he possessed while in Philadelphia, defenders have learned how to prevent his drive, and AI’s inability to make jumpers at will has left him a shell of his former self. While Philadelphians will always love AI, it seems that the man who once carried a franchise cannot find one that wants him. Like Raef LaFrentz before him Iverson became an expiring contract, and after that deal ended AI was left as an over-the-hill free agent. Detroit wouldn’t start him, Iverson wouldn’t come off the bench, and now he might retire. Today, Iverson is left trying to decide whether to sign with the lowly Los Angeles Clippers or equally bad Memphis Grizzlies as a potential starter, with Dwayne Wade’s Miami Heat as a 6^th man, or to retire after an esteemed 13 year career.

Long after winning NBA MVP honors Allen Iverson is, much like Karl Malone and Gary Payton, as a veteran player trying to win a Championship before his time runs out. Last time he was seen on the court Iverson had lost his iron-man reputation, he had lost his speed, and he had even lost his well recognized number 3. Sadly, it seems that Iverson will not be able to reach the ultimate stage again, and he, like Karl Malone, will retire without a ring; however, Iverson’s legacy will still be great, he brought respect back to the 76ers, revolutionized the fast break, and brought a new swagger to the NBA. For 76ers fans, the image of Iverson with his hand to his ear will live forever, and regardless of how his career ends, his accomplishments will land him in the Hall of Fame and in the hearts of Philadelphians as well.

Vick's Reputation Will Follow Him

By: Jake

With Mike Vick's 2 month house arrest ending this monday (July 20th) much speculation is being made about his future playing football in the NFL or even at all. Overall, Vick has lost 2 years of NFL football and most of his fortune. But is that really enough? 

When you consider what he did, bankrolled, and allowed to happen on his property, you can't help but cringe at the grisly details. Stories of dogs being hung by their necks because they didn't "perform" well in the ring. Dogs being slammed to the ground until the last breath is crushed out of him. But no, he didn't stop there, he even drowned the dogs by holding them underwater s they struggled for breath under his hands. Dogs being wet down with hoses and being electrocuted to death.  All while Vick either sat by and watched or even participated. Not only did Vick assist in the brutal killings of the dogs outside the rings, but he undoubtedly assisted in the countless deaths of dogs inside the dog fighting rings by providing a place for the fights to take place and funding the operation. 

All of this brings the question: Does a human being like this deserve the privilege of playing in the NFL? No, a truly sick and disturbed man like Mike Vick who can watch innocent dogs, who were sometimes stolen from neighborhood families, fight to the death and somehow get enjoyment or entertainment out of it certainly does not deserve a second chance, especially on such a big stage like the NFL. Because playing in the NFL is a privilege, not a right. 

Some people may argue that "Mike Vick payed his debt to society, give him a second chance", well somehow they are missing how twisted and disturbed the man is. True, he did pay his debt to society, and I have no problem with him being released to do whatever he wants as a normal citizen, but to allow such a man like Mike Vick in the league is a disgrace. Believe me, I am one of the biggest Jaguars fans out there, my room is painted teal, I have Jaguars band aids, and much more, but if they were to somehow sign Vick, I'd go to Home depot the day of the announcement and paint my room any other color. I'm sure i'm not alone too, there are many groups who have written letters to Goodell and many others who will protest any team who signs him. Vick will obviously be a Public Relations nightmare as Americans own a total of 73 million dogs and you bet a good percentage of their owners are NFL fans who cannot imagine their precious dog being drowned, electrocuted, beat to death, or hung, much less in a dog fight, ending up like this:

(WARNING- Graphic Content: http://www.jollybengali.net/theconfluence/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/gypsy.jpg). Any team that signs Vick is playing with fire because they are guaranteed to lose many season ticket holders who simply will not support a person like Mike Vick.

Graham Harrell Left Out In The Cold

By: Jake

The star of the Texas vs. Texas Tech upset this year was forced to sign a 2 year deal with the already QB heavy Saskatchewan RoughRiders, who have 4 more quarterbacks under contract. Harrell, who became the first QB in college history to throw for 5,000 yards in consecutive seasons reportedly had many offers from the upstart UFL, but declined due to a close relationship with a kick returner who already plays for the RoughRiders. Harrell's career numbers at Texas Tech leave some wondering why he wasn't drafted and how he only worked out for one NFL team at mini-camps. The one reason they all cite is arm strength. However, if you look at game tape from any of his college games, to the naked eye, there seems to be no deficiency at all. But then again, I'm not an NFL scout. 

In my opinion, Harrell would have been the wisest to accept a contract from the UFL and go where he'll have starting time and an American audience who already know him and respect him. Not only would this be better for him as an NFL prospect, but it would just be one more reason that people would tune into the new league and watch a few games. With that and the connection that supposedly is between the UFL and the NFL, Harrell could easily have a backup job depending on his performance. We can only think of a very slim group of players who have successfully come from the CFL to play in the NFL, leaving Harrell a big challenge in front of him if he indeed wants to someday be an NFL QB.

Phillies Add Pedro to Fix Pitching Woes

By: Matt

The reigning World Series Champion Phillies have struggled throughout this year. While they did win 9 of their last 10 games going into the all-star break, they slumped through the month of June and leadoff hitter Jimmy Rollins got off to the worst start of his career. While injuries and the Rollins’ struggles have hurt the Phillies, the biggest problem has been the Starting Rotation. Brett Myers, the Phillies #2 starter went down early with a hip injury and, IF he recovers, the soonest he could be available is September. Cole Hamels has also struggled; the 25-year-old southpaw was arguably the best pitcher in baseball at the end of last year. He was named both World Series and NLCS MVP, he won his last 3 starts (all of which were in the playoffs) and at times was simply un-hittable. After being penciled in as the opening day starter Hamels suffered a minor elbow injury and missed the first few games of the season. Even when he has played, Hamels has been inconsistent. After winning 15 games in 2007 and 14 last year Hamels has only 5 wins going into the All-Star break this year, he has lost games where he only gave up 2 runs, but he has also been roughed up, particularly when he gave up 5 runs in two innings in his final start before the All-Star break. Ultimately, Hamels has a 4.87 era and a .500 record, numbers that hardly back the title of staff ace Hamels seemed to have earned during the post-season. The injury to Myers, and to his young and inconsistent replacement Antonio Bastardo, and the underwhelming play of Hamels leaves the Phillies starters with a 5.03 era, ranked last in the NL. Clearly, something needs to be changed.

The change that Phillies fans are clamoring for is a trade for Roy Halladay. Halladay has been, arguably, the best pitcher in baseball over the last few years, he is going to start the All-Star game this year, and would easily become the staff ace and leading right hander in the Phillies rotation. The price for Halladay is high, the Jays would definitely want a highly valued player like young starter J.A. Happ, top pitching prospect Kyle Drabek, or young outfielder Michael Taylor. A package for Halladay would likely hurt the Phillies long-term future, but the best offensive team in baseball could potentially be a dynasty over the next 3-4 years with a pitcher like Halladay at the top of the rotation. If Cole Hamels ever returns to form, the Phillies could have the best 1-2 punch in all of baseball, however, the dream situation seems unlikely. Phillies GM Reuben Amaro Jr. feels that the cost for Halladay is too high, and the likelihood of a trade for the highly touted pitcher is looking like a lost opportunity. While Halladay may remain a Jay, the Phillies have made a move, they signed veteran right-hander Pedro Martinez.

Pedro, most recently seen as a member of the New York Mets, ironically the Phillies hated division rival, is not the pitcher he once was. In the late 90’s and early 2000’s Martinez was one of the best power pitchers in baseball, now he has a mid 80’s fastball, but he has produced results. Clearly, the 37 year old Pedro is not a long-term solution, but signing Martinez to the reported 1 year, $4 million deal makes a lot of sense for the Phillies. Martinez is no longer an elite pitcher, he does not have his great power, and he has lost some of his ability to generate K’s at will, but he is still Pedro Martinez. Despite his advanced age, Pedro could stabilize a Phillies rotation that has been anything but stable in 2009, and his experience and control could make him an effective pitcher for the Phillies. Pedro won’t be the rotation, but if Cole Hamels gets under control and Jaime Moyer and Joe Blanton pitch effectively, the Phillies starting pitching will not be the problem it has been so far in 2009. The other advantage to signing Martinez is that it is a 0 risk move, the Phillies lose no players, and in the worst case would simply cut the pitcher. Martinez will take a physical in Philadelphia on Tuesday; however, the team has scouted the pitcher twice in the Dominican Republic already, making Tuesday’s visit a formality. Nobody can know if adding Pedro will help the Phillies, but change is good and adding a future hall-of-famer can never hurt.

Fan Vote: Yay or Nay?

By: Jake

They do it in every sport and we all vote, but is it best for the game?

Every year, the "experts" come out with their "snub list" after the all-star game, which is usually a list of deserving players who were left out of the all-star game because of the biased fans who wanted their team's players in the game. This kind of fan involvement is particularly detrimental to players of small market teams who have a smaller fanbase and cannot compete with markets like New York, Los Angeles, or Dallas. 

This year we got a good taste of this when the Philadelphia fans voted OF Shane Victorino into the game over San Francisco's Pablo Sandoval. Sandoval is hitting .331 and carrying the Giants this year offensively, while Victorino is hitting only .314 and serving as number two batter for the Phillies. Not only does Sandoval have a better batting average, but he also has 8 more HRs and 11 more RBIs.This is definitely not the first time something like this has happened. Last year's NFL Pro Bowl had Brett Favre make the Pro Bowl over Phillip Rivers who had 4 more TDs and 6 less INTs than Favre. Once again showing that a major market like New York can "out-vote" one like San Diego.  

Because of this flawed system, many deserving players that play in smaller markets don't get the recognition they deserve. The only way to fix this is to either have the fan vote count significantly less or just let writers vote for everything. 

Top 10 NFL Receiving Corps

By: Jake

1. Arizona Cardinals- No doubt here, Larry Fitzgerald has established himself as the best WR in the game, and then you add in Anquan Boldin AND Seteve Breaston, (all 3 were 1,000 yd receivers) and you have a truly complete WR corps that strikes fear into every teams defense.

2. New England Patriots- Again, the easy pick is the Patriots. Randy Moss is likely a future HOFer and Wes Welker is a constant 1,000 yard receiver. These two make this choice a no brainer especially with Brady coming back. We all know his accord with Moss. 

3. Carolina Panthers- When you think Carolina Panthers, you think of Steve Smith, but not many people realize how well Muhsin Muhammad  succeeded with Delhomme at the helms. The 2 time pro bowl WR had a astounding 923 yards and 5 TDs last year. He did all this with Steve Smith ahead of him taking most of the receptions and a very strong running game. 

4. Denver Broncos- The Broncos come in 4th just behind the Panthers with the pairing of Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal. Marshall was dominating at times and invisible at others. This combined with his tendency to fumble dropped the Broncos to 4th even with Rookie Eddie Royal being 20 yards away from a 1,000 yard season. Add in Scheffler at TE and you have #4 in the rankings.

5. Green Bay Packers- This underrated group comes in at #5 with two 1,000 yard receivers in Jennings and Driver. Aaron Rodgers was wildly successful last year thanks to the development of Jennings and the reliability of Driver, not to mention the emergence of Jordy Nelson, as a surprise receiver who chipped in 400 yards and 2 TDs

6. Buffalo Bills- The Bills surprised everyone by signing T.O. to a contract in the off-season, and it lands them in #6. The combination of Lee Evans, T.O. and Josh Reed asa  slot receiver is hard to deny a place in the top 5, but they just missed it. If Trent Edwards becomes a legitimate QB, this group could definitely rise by the end of next year.

7.Houston Texans- They do have a dynamic duo of WR and TE in the Andre Johnson and TE Owen Daniels who shockingly had 862 yards and 2 TDs. However, Kevin Walter is what puts this team so high on the list as he had 900 yards and 8 TDs last year on a team with a disfunctional QB rotating door between Sage Rosenfels and Matt Schaub.

8. Atlanta Falcons- Once again, an off-season addition vaults a team into the top ten. Tony Gonzalez is a key receiver that Matt Ryan will know he can throw to on 3rd down if he gets in trouble. Add him to Roddy White, who has put up back to back very impressive seasons, and you have a very dangerous pairing who will definitely wreak havoc on opposing defenses. Last but not least, Mike Jenkins is not a bad 2nd receiver to compliment Gonzalez and White.

9. Pittsburgh Steelers- The reigning Champs have reason to be excited again next year as they fall into the rankings at #9. When you have both Santonio Holmes, who makes catch after catch and gets a lot of YAC, and the timeless Hines Ward, the top 10 is no stretch for you. When you throw in TE Heath Miller too, this teams corps gets even scarier.

10. San Diego Chargers- The Chargers have a very well balanced receiving corps led by Vincent Jackson and Antonio Gates. These players give Phillip Rivers many options on each play, and if some how they're both covered, Chris Chambers and Malcom Floyd probably aren't. Even though Chambers hasn't performed to the expectations of when they traded him, he's a good 3rd WR.

Nike’s Censorship: Will it work?

By: Matt

LeBron James has been the most famous and noted player in the NBA since the day he was drafted, and possibly even before then. James, once a high school kid with tremendous talent, has lived up to his pre-draft hype, becoming one of the best players in basketball. The reigning MVP has become a media darling, any time he says the word 2010 an alarm goes off in sports news stations around the country, puppets were made in his honor and he has his own line of shoes. James can do no wrong; he talks about leaving his team in a free agency two years away, argues with future Hall of Famer Charles Barkley about the appropriateness of his actions, and now is un-prohibited from getting posterized in public. At a skills academy hosted by King James in Akron Ohio this Monday, basketball Jesus himself got dunked on, by Jordan Crawford, a college guard from Xavier. Nike, to prevent potential damage to James’ reputation as the greatest athlete in basketball, confiscated all tapes of the dunk and has prevented the footage from being seen. While Nike has successfully prevented the world from seeing James get dunked on, will their China-esque censorship prevent the star from being humiliated? It is hard to imagine that the tape would be even remotely comparable to a classic Shawn Bradley posterization video. Kobe has been dunked on before, Shaq flopped against Dwight Howard, Michael Jordan whiffed a dunk in an All-Star game, but somehow all of these star’s reputations were preserved without Nike being there to prevent the world from seeing their less-than-shining moments. It is hardly unfair to say that LeBron James’ reputation and marketability would be completely unaffected by allowing the world to see the video. What Nike has accomplished with their disappearing act is outrage the basketball loving public. The public’s imagination likely has created a much worse image of James being dunked on than the true event was, and now the whole world is talking about one minor incident in a skills academy that counts for nothing in the Basketball world. Earlier today Jordan Crawford received a segment on Sports Center, countless articles have been written, and now instead of blowing over quickly, the censorship incident has become a black mark on LeBron’s permanent record. Congratulations Nike, I hope you accomplished what you set out to do.

Athletes Mourning of Michael Jackson a Real "Thriller"

By: Matt

Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, died late last month in a hospital in Los Angeles. Jackson’s death was shocking and unexpected, the 50 year old gained fame early in life as a member of The Jackson 5. As a solo act Jackson was one of the most successful musicians of all time, but later in life his true colors showed (and also faded). In 1984 Jackson had the first of countless plastic surgeries that left his face disfigured in a multitude of ways, his skin faded as a result of vidaligo, and he was revealed to be a child molester and general pedophile. Horror stories of Jackson’s Neverland Ranch and Jesus juice came out. The former world famous musician became a literal freak, a should-be social pariah whose former fame prevented him from receiving the unacceptable status he should have had. Jackson’s passing was a shock, but the emotion and affection shown for him in death is completely undeserved. One must wonder what is wrong with society when Michael Vick is hated for his vicious actions against dogs, Barack Obama is criticized by PETA for swatting a fly, but Michael Jackson is beloved despite traumatizing multiple children. The relation to sports comes because many athletes have joined the rest of society in showing respects for a man undeserving of respect. Many athletes twittered about their feelings, and Ron Artest has chosen to wear #37 in honor of the number of weeks Thriller topped sales charts. Athletes, as with all other celebrity figures, have failed to mention the crimes of Jackson, and have remembered him only for his musical prowess. As people seen in the social mainstream, athletes have an ability to criticize the horrible actions of Jackson, but have instead chose to celebrate the child-molesting musician. I am not going to lie, I enjoy Jackson’s music and was even looking forward to hearing what he has prepared for his new tour, but I also understand that Michael Jackson was not a good or sane person, and that he is not someone deserving of the respect or honor he has received over the last few weeks. Ultimately, this is a minor issue that will soon be irrelevant, but you have to wonder, when OJ Simpson dies someday would the NFL running back discussing the inspiration they received from The Juice be able to get away without criticism?