So I was reading through old notes of mine on Facebook, and I found my bucket list. It made me laugh for probably five solid minutes, so here it is:
1. Go to a Yankees vs. Red Sox game in Boston. Sit in the Monster Seats and have beer thrown on me by an angry Red Sox fan. Beating him senseless is optional but suggested.
2. Go to baseball games at every Major League ballpark by the time I'm thirty.
3. Road trip across America and back.
4. Write a scary supernatural thriller, see it published, and mail a signed copy to each of my old teachers at PCC.
5. Play bass (and maybe even sing) for an intense rock band, maybe called Blunt Force Trauma, with my buddies Josh and Shane. Record at least one album and sell it on iTunes. Play at Water Street. Sign at least one forehead.
6. Own a brand new car at some point in my life.
7. Start a family and watch my kids succeed.
8. Teach aforementioned kids to play baseball. Coach their teams.
9. Write something that changes lives.
10. Be interviewed on the news.
11. Do at least one stand-up comedy show. Spencer will probably be in on this.
12. Own a dog and, when I have teenagers, teach him to pee on my daughters' boyfriends.
13. Interview a member of the Yankees.
14. Write a Hollywood screenplay.
15. Be able to wrestle one of the Karnes brothers and win. (These don't actually have to be physically possible, right?)
16. Prove to someone that the Bible is true.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Bills player visits
Free agents ILB Andra Davis and DE Dwan Edwards have visited the Bills, and draft prospect QB Colt McCoy is set to visit next month. All three would be good fits for the Bills. Davis is one of the best run-stuffing linebackers in the league, and was a surprise cut by the Broncos after posting a 90-tackle, 3.5-sack season. He has spent the last four seasons in 3-4 defense, so he'd bring much-needed experience as the Bills transition to their first season in the 3-4. He also has ties to new Bills Defensive Coordinator George Edwards: Edwards was his linebackers coach in Cleveland. Dwan Edwards can play several positions along the defensive line, and showed last season that he is fully recovered from spinal surgery, as he reached a career-high with 47 tackles. Edwards also has 3-4 experience. One interesting side note here is that both Davis and Edwards said that former Bills recommended Buffalo to them as a great place to play. Davis said former Denver teammate LB Mario Haggan talked to him for about thirty minutes about playing in Buffalo, and Edwards said that former Ravens teammate DE Justin Bannan gave Buffalo high marks in conversation. QB McCoy will probably be available in the second or third round and would fit into Head Coach Chan Gailey's planned quarterback competition with Trent Edwards, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Brian Brohm. McCoy has all the tools but would need some time to adjust to running an NFL-style offense.
Albert vs. Tiger?
I'm always amazed at how much our fascination with public figures' personal lives often trumps coverage of stories that are actually important. The recent major story in the headlines has been a rumor--and a massive one, at that--which has the Phillies trying to trade Ryan Howard to the Cards for Albert Pujols. But today, that headline isn't even on ESPN's homepage major headline list; it's been replaced by the news that Tiger Woods will be returning to PGA action at The Masters. True, this is a big story. But, really, who didn't see this coming? The same day that the Woods media dam broke, spilling the story of his many misdeeds, I read multiple stories prophesying his return at The Masters. It just made too much sense. Meanwhile, today, a theoretical trade involving two former MVPs, one of whom is the hands-down greatest active player in baseball, has been bumped to the back-burner.
Speaking of that trade rumor, ESPN's Buster Olney reports that it was, at best, an internal conversation by the Phillies. According to Olney, Phils GM Ruben Amaro Jr. "denied his team had discused a trade and used 'lies' and 'ridiculous' and 'irresponsible' to describe the report." If this idea actually did come up in Phillies internal discussions, it was probably around the water cooler and went something like this:
Executive A: Dude, imagine if we had Pujols. With him and Halladay, we'd win the Cy Young and the MVP!
Executive B: That'd be sweet. We'd probably have to give up Howard though.
Mailroom Guy: Oh man! I better call ESPN!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Around the NFL Offseason
The NFL doesn't have a real offseason; right now, we're simply in a period where no games are being played on the field. The NFL is still in the daily headlines, however, as we all speculate about free agent signings and mock drafts. A quick roundup of recent news:
The Brandon Marshall-to-the-Seahawks rumors persist. Seattle writer Chris Sullivan posts this complicated plan for the 'Hawks and Broncos to effectively switch out their draft picks in a Marshall trade. I, for one, do not see Marshall being traded this offseason. Denver won't deal him unless they're blown away by an offer, but teams may be even less inclined than ever to do that, considering that the Ravens just got Anquan Boldin and a 5th-rounder for only their 3rd- and 4th-round picks.
Another Bronco receiver on the block is tight end Tony Scheffler. Nobody seems to be mentioning this, but the Buffalo Bills would be wise to at least kick the tires on a deal. The Bills have lacked a pass-catching tight end since Jay Riemersma left town, and Scheffler would prove especially useful if Trent Edwards (known to Bills fans as Captain Checkdown) returns as quarterback, and if the Bills don't bring in another wideout to complement Lee Evans and negate the loss of Josh Reed. Young Bills tight end Shawn Nelson has shown promise, but his progress last season was slowed by injury.
Speaking of the Bills, they have signed offensive tackle Cornell Green to a three-year deal. Green is expected to replace the retired Brad Butler at right tackle. Green is expected to bring "leadership by experience," which Bills fans can only hope isn't code for "an old guy collecting a paycheck on a team desperate for help on th eoffensive line." He does have a Super Bowl ring from his days with the Bucs, however.
One major topic of debate has been the quarterback situation in Philly. The Eagles have, in a sense, three starting quarterbacks: incumbent Donovan McNabb, backup Kevin Kolb, who many feel is ready to start, and Michael Vick. Word is that Vick has not generated much interest, but several teams have inquired about McNabb and Kolb. I wonder if perhaps the Eagles could follow in the footsteps of the Browns and seek a complete overhaul at quarterback. The Browns have already dumped former Pro Bowler Derek Anderson and traded for Seattle backup QB Seneca Wallace, and are rumored to be making Brady Quinn available. The Eagles would likely get the biggest package in return by trading McNabb, but he can limit their options because any team acquiring him in a deal would almost certainly want him to sign a contract extension (his deal has only one season left on it). Should McNabb refuse, any deal would probably fall through.
Fantasy owners are presumably torn over the Chiefs' signing of former Jets running back Thomas Jones. Jamaal Charles was Kansas City's primary back after they dumped Larry Johnson, and Charles rushed for seven touchdowns and over 1,000 yards. Now he will have Jones stealing carries, and possibly getting the bulk of goal-line carries.
The Bengals are taking a long, hard look at Terrell Owens as a number two receiver to pair with Chad Ochocinco. Seriously, who didn't see this coming? I'm sure Cincinatti sportswriters are droooling at the amount of front-page quotes they would have to print next year if T.O. brings his act to Ohio. This signing would make sense, as the Bengals could use another offensive weapon, and nothing T.O. could say would faze quarterback Carson Palmer. I'm just wondering if there would be a clause requiring Owens to commit a felony so he'd fit in with the rest of the guys in the locker room.
I know it's old news now, but in my opinion, the Jets' tremendous pickup of cornerback Antonio Cromartie gives them the leg up on New England for the division title in 2010. Opposing teams could pick on Lito Sheppard all season, often leaving Darrelle Revis all by himself on Revis Island. But now, if you're an opposing offense, where do you throw? Their aggressive, blitzing defense doesn't give QBs much time to make reads, and they will now have to deal with two shutdown corners instead of one.
The Brandon Marshall-to-the-Seahawks rumors persist. Seattle writer Chris Sullivan posts this complicated plan for the 'Hawks and Broncos to effectively switch out their draft picks in a Marshall trade. I, for one, do not see Marshall being traded this offseason. Denver won't deal him unless they're blown away by an offer, but teams may be even less inclined than ever to do that, considering that the Ravens just got Anquan Boldin and a 5th-rounder for only their 3rd- and 4th-round picks.
Another Bronco receiver on the block is tight end Tony Scheffler. Nobody seems to be mentioning this, but the Buffalo Bills would be wise to at least kick the tires on a deal. The Bills have lacked a pass-catching tight end since Jay Riemersma left town, and Scheffler would prove especially useful if Trent Edwards (known to Bills fans as Captain Checkdown) returns as quarterback, and if the Bills don't bring in another wideout to complement Lee Evans and negate the loss of Josh Reed. Young Bills tight end Shawn Nelson has shown promise, but his progress last season was slowed by injury.
Speaking of the Bills, they have signed offensive tackle Cornell Green to a three-year deal. Green is expected to replace the retired Brad Butler at right tackle. Green is expected to bring "leadership by experience," which Bills fans can only hope isn't code for "an old guy collecting a paycheck on a team desperate for help on th eoffensive line." He does have a Super Bowl ring from his days with the Bucs, however.
One major topic of debate has been the quarterback situation in Philly. The Eagles have, in a sense, three starting quarterbacks: incumbent Donovan McNabb, backup Kevin Kolb, who many feel is ready to start, and Michael Vick. Word is that Vick has not generated much interest, but several teams have inquired about McNabb and Kolb. I wonder if perhaps the Eagles could follow in the footsteps of the Browns and seek a complete overhaul at quarterback. The Browns have already dumped former Pro Bowler Derek Anderson and traded for Seattle backup QB Seneca Wallace, and are rumored to be making Brady Quinn available. The Eagles would likely get the biggest package in return by trading McNabb, but he can limit their options because any team acquiring him in a deal would almost certainly want him to sign a contract extension (his deal has only one season left on it). Should McNabb refuse, any deal would probably fall through.
Fantasy owners are presumably torn over the Chiefs' signing of former Jets running back Thomas Jones. Jamaal Charles was Kansas City's primary back after they dumped Larry Johnson, and Charles rushed for seven touchdowns and over 1,000 yards. Now he will have Jones stealing carries, and possibly getting the bulk of goal-line carries.
The Bengals are taking a long, hard look at Terrell Owens as a number two receiver to pair with Chad Ochocinco. Seriously, who didn't see this coming? I'm sure Cincinatti sportswriters are droooling at the amount of front-page quotes they would have to print next year if T.O. brings his act to Ohio. This signing would make sense, as the Bengals could use another offensive weapon, and nothing T.O. could say would faze quarterback Carson Palmer. I'm just wondering if there would be a clause requiring Owens to commit a felony so he'd fit in with the rest of the guys in the locker room.
I know it's old news now, but in my opinion, the Jets' tremendous pickup of cornerback Antonio Cromartie gives them the leg up on New England for the division title in 2010. Opposing teams could pick on Lito Sheppard all season, often leaving Darrelle Revis all by himself on Revis Island. But now, if you're an opposing offense, where do you throw? Their aggressive, blitzing defense doesn't give QBs much time to make reads, and they will now have to deal with two shutdown corners instead of one.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Headlines and thoughts
So today I read here that since 1960 in America, the average waistline has increased seven inches in women and four inches in men. The article contends that airlines should make their seats bigger to accomodate fatter flyers. I'm not so sure about this... then again, haven't we all flown next to some massive slob who absorbed the armrest and dropped crumbs all over us?
The same site has an amazing story, recounted by the embedded journalist who lived through it, of a firefight in Ganjgal, Afghanistan, which wounded several US and Afghan troops. It's a great story and gives you a much greater appreciation for our soldiers and a better picture of what they go through on a daily basis to protect our freedoms.
Quote of the week: an ESPN blogger says, "Pairs figure skating is only sport in the world where participants are rewarded for dressing like Elton John." To say nothing of those colorful curling pants...
Did anyone else watch any of the Daytona 500, or were you all too engrossed in the requisite Valentine's Day chick flicks? I'm not a NASCAR guy, but I admit that the whole pothole fiasco got me curious. It's the Daytona 500...NASCAR's biggest race, on its biggest stage, with weeks to prepare, and they get a pothole so bad that the race is stopped for over an hour so it can be fixed, only to get bad again and require a second fixing. Then a bunch of the cars ended up in even worse shape. In other words... there was just enough action to keep me interested. Of course, I was my fiancee's house, and with only two laps to go, that aforementioned chick flick went in and I missed the end. Oh, well...
Right about now, the Buffalo Bills have got to be wondering what it will take to build an offensive line and actually keep it together. After suffering decimating injuries to the O-line all season, to the point where they were signing guys off the street, they figured they could draft a couple guys this offseason, sign some free agents, and let their young line from last year get healthy. But...surprise! Twenty-six-year-old starting right tackle Brad Butler has announced he's retiring from football. Says Butler: "My passion for education, country and community is something that I am ready to devote my full attention to. I believe the best way to pursue these spheres of interest is to step away from the game of football at this point in my life." I'm no Mel Kiper, but I'd guess this probably means Bills fans can kiss goodbye any chance of drafting a quarterback and start preparing ourselves for yet another first-round offensive lineman. I can't help but be a bit nervous; I still remember Mike Williams.
It has been reported that a massive criminal hacking organization called the ZeuS Compromise has been discovered. Apparently they have built a massive network which has stolen information from an estimated 74,000 computers worldwide. All this, and still nobody can find President Obama's birth certificate?
The same site has an amazing story, recounted by the embedded journalist who lived through it, of a firefight in Ganjgal, Afghanistan, which wounded several US and Afghan troops. It's a great story and gives you a much greater appreciation for our soldiers and a better picture of what they go through on a daily basis to protect our freedoms.
Quote of the week: an ESPN blogger says, "Pairs figure skating is only sport in the world where participants are rewarded for dressing like Elton John." To say nothing of those colorful curling pants...
Did anyone else watch any of the Daytona 500, or were you all too engrossed in the requisite Valentine's Day chick flicks? I'm not a NASCAR guy, but I admit that the whole pothole fiasco got me curious. It's the Daytona 500...NASCAR's biggest race, on its biggest stage, with weeks to prepare, and they get a pothole so bad that the race is stopped for over an hour so it can be fixed, only to get bad again and require a second fixing. Then a bunch of the cars ended up in even worse shape. In other words... there was just enough action to keep me interested. Of course, I was my fiancee's house, and with only two laps to go, that aforementioned chick flick went in and I missed the end. Oh, well...
Right about now, the Buffalo Bills have got to be wondering what it will take to build an offensive line and actually keep it together. After suffering decimating injuries to the O-line all season, to the point where they were signing guys off the street, they figured they could draft a couple guys this offseason, sign some free agents, and let their young line from last year get healthy. But...surprise! Twenty-six-year-old starting right tackle Brad Butler has announced he's retiring from football. Says Butler: "My passion for education, country and community is something that I am ready to devote my full attention to. I believe the best way to pursue these spheres of interest is to step away from the game of football at this point in my life." I'm no Mel Kiper, but I'd guess this probably means Bills fans can kiss goodbye any chance of drafting a quarterback and start preparing ourselves for yet another first-round offensive lineman. I can't help but be a bit nervous; I still remember Mike Williams.
It has been reported that a massive criminal hacking organization called the ZeuS Compromise has been discovered. Apparently they have built a massive network which has stolen information from an estimated 74,000 computers worldwide. All this, and still nobody can find President Obama's birth certificate?
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Quick thoughts on the sports world
1. The Red Sox stole the show at the non-waiver trade deadline...and are still fading fast in the AL East. We all knew they'd unload Adam LaRoche somewhere...but to the Braves for Casey Kotchman? That one left me scratching my head. I guess they're already preparing to jettison Mike Lowell after the season. The person most affected by that deal is, of course, Kevin Youkilis, who played left field--LEFT FIELD--the other night during the Sox' loss to the Yankees. Youkilis had been the team's everyday first baseman after doing some Pujols-esque position-bouncing early in his career, but he now will play first here, third there, outfield every now and then, until next season; then, Lowell will presumably be gone and Youk would move across the diamond full-time to man the hot corner. The team's deadline deal for Victor Martinez, although making the team a heckuva lot better, further complicates things because Martinez will play a lot of first base so that captain Jason Varitek (in the first year of his new deal with Boston) can stay behind the plate.
2. Terrell Owens is completely right in his take on the Cromartie fining in San Diego. For those who live in a cave and missed it, Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie whined in a Tweet that the team's training camp food was "nasty." Cromartie was summarily fined NFL pocket change for his comments. T.O. then blasted the ruling, saying that Cromartie should be able to speak his mind, and ya know what--he's right! This is yet another clear case of the No Fun League stepping in to censor players' rights to free speech. Had Cromartie Tweeted that the Commish didn't wash his underpants, I might have understood. But he was stating a fact that didn't hurt anybody...because I bet if you asked the guys mass-producing the food in San Diego, they'd probably say it was nasty, too.
3. I turned on ESPN the other day, and the World Series of Poker was on. How does poker get on ESPN? For that matter, how do NASCAR, pro bowling, and cheerleading get on ESPN? Thank God for the internet.
4. Disc golf is addictive. There, I said it.
5. 49ers first-round pick Michael Crabtree is still unsigned. His cousin spoke out last week, saying that Crabtree is prepared to sit out the season and re-enter the draft. Crabtree's agent, however, said that the cuz's statement is far from accurate and that he's working to get a deal done. Whatever the case here, why is this cousin speaking to the media at all? Whichever story is true, he's either a) making himself look like an idiot, b) giving away details of an NFL team's negotations with a player, which obviously makes neither party happy, or c) all of the above. I vote c).
2. Terrell Owens is completely right in his take on the Cromartie fining in San Diego. For those who live in a cave and missed it, Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie whined in a Tweet that the team's training camp food was "nasty." Cromartie was summarily fined NFL pocket change for his comments. T.O. then blasted the ruling, saying that Cromartie should be able to speak his mind, and ya know what--he's right! This is yet another clear case of the No Fun League stepping in to censor players' rights to free speech. Had Cromartie Tweeted that the Commish didn't wash his underpants, I might have understood. But he was stating a fact that didn't hurt anybody...because I bet if you asked the guys mass-producing the food in San Diego, they'd probably say it was nasty, too.
3. I turned on ESPN the other day, and the World Series of Poker was on. How does poker get on ESPN? For that matter, how do NASCAR, pro bowling, and cheerleading get on ESPN? Thank God for the internet.
4. Disc golf is addictive. There, I said it.
5. 49ers first-round pick Michael Crabtree is still unsigned. His cousin spoke out last week, saying that Crabtree is prepared to sit out the season and re-enter the draft. Crabtree's agent, however, said that the cuz's statement is far from accurate and that he's working to get a deal done. Whatever the case here, why is this cousin speaking to the media at all? Whichever story is true, he's either a) making himself look like an idiot, b) giving away details of an NFL team's negotations with a player, which obviously makes neither party happy, or c) all of the above. I vote c).
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