Why am I a sports know it all?

I guess it's because as a child I wanted to have the best card collection or more trophy's than anyone else. Maybe it's because I constantly studied stats on every player in every sport. I was a sports nerd and to this day I still remember stats that only you peon's dream about knowing. I can remember saying if they only had a sports knowledge tournament similar to the spelling bee. I would be the one who probably would annoy most people, consistantly stating over and over again in your face that I know more than you and break dance on home wearing my classic Tony Eason number 11 shirt. I don't mean to annoy you but you need to hear me. If this blog annoys you then go somewhere else. I promise to keep it entertaining and informative. I've had about 55 profile views since I started this so it's only going to get better and bigger. Yes, I love all Boston teams and I'm a damned Yankee who lives in the South. Southerners can only wish to talk smack like a northerner so I guess that's why our Northern temper gets the best of us some times. I want your feed-back and need it, without it, I'm talking to myself. If you want me to touch on certain subjects, let me hear ya!!!!!

Is Giambi Juicing again?

I'm sorry but how can we (meaning baseball fans) like the fact that Jason "Right Guard" Giambi is hitting the hell out of the baseball again. He's a cheater and will always remain a cheater. I think they should check Sheffield and his Hitler moustache for roids. I can't stand how professional atheletes always get 3, 4 and sometimes 5 or more chances. Giambi has been juicing for a long, long time. How can we believe that what we are seeing is actually his god given ability to hit a baseball or is it the needle? I ask you, do you think he's juicing again?

Who's ready for College Football? Breaking down the ACC

Florida State: Bobby Bowden could play both quarterbacks (Xavier Lee and Drew Weatherford). The point is, in the old days both would have spent at least a couple of years on the bench before they got their chance.

Boston College: Does anyone else think BC can win the Atlantic? The Eagles last won fewer than seven games in 1998. They've won at least eight four years in a row. They are coming off a share of the Big East title and a 9-3 season. BC hosts FSU in Week 3. That might be a showdown for the Atlantic.

N.C. State: The shine has worn off Chuck Amato a bit. The defense led the nation last year but the offense didn't measure up. The key to a turnaround is better ball security. Only three teams were worse in turnover margin.

Maryland: There's little reason to think the Terps will be better than last year's unwatchable 5-6 squad. There are only 11 starters back from Ralph Friedgen's first non-bowl team. Fridge is upset at the lack of productivity at quarterback.

Clemson: How thin is the ACC at quarterback? Charlie Whitehurst (seven touchdowns, 17 interceptions) was the media's pick as the All-ACC quarterback.

Wake Forest: Hopefully, Jim Grobe can use Wake as a steppingstone to a bigger, better program. He drives opponents crazy with his game planning. The Demon Deacons believe they can shock the world -- sort of -- Sept. 10 at Nebraska.

Virginia Tech: Beamer doesn't necessarily have to rely on Vick's arm. There are his legs and those of tailbacks Cedric Humes and Mike Imoh. Defensive end Darryl Tapp is set for an All-America season. The schedule comes down to opening day against N.C. State and a visit by Miami on Nov. 5.

Miami: Just can't bring myself to pick the Canes to win the Coastal. It comes down to this: Is Miami going up or going down? Larry Coker is breaking in a new quarterback and has lost one, two and three games the last three seasons. What would be a run of excellence at other schools is reason for concern in Coral Gables. Plus, Virginia Tech has won seven of the last 10 meetings.

Georgia Tech: Chan Gailey is off to the best three-year start by a new coach since Bobby Dodd (21-17). Yet high expectations and a mild heart attack in the offseason cloud the picture. Quarterback Reggie Ball has to have a breakout year.

Virginia: The best system in the ACC hasn't translated to the best record. Al Groh has recruited like a madman. Now the Cavaliers must take two out of three from Florida State (Oct. 15), Virginia Tech (Nov. 19) and Miami (No. 26) for the season to be a success.

North Carolina: John Bunting delivered an upset of Miami and a bowl when no one gave him a chance of surviving. Now with 16 starters returning, dare we say the Tar Heels might be on their way back?

Duke: Eight victories this decade. Twenty-three lettermen are gone from last year's 2-9 team. Next question?

Tiger's going to miss the cut!!!!!

For all of you that thought Woods was out of it, F off!! I guess some people want him to fail, I for one are NOT one of those people. We are witnessing one of the greatest athletes in our generation. Yes, MJ, Montana, Elway and Bonds are great but Tiger is an individual in an individual sport. He has no one else to blame but himself if he screws up. I was one of those guys growing that thought golf was a sissy sport but he has generated so much to the sport and has actually made it cool for youngsters to play the game. I applaud him and I do want him to squash all of Jack's records. He may not win the PGA Championship tomorrow but what a comeback.

Over and under on Tigers Major Championships is now 20. I pick the over.

In case you all missed it.......

The New England Patriots are embarking on a goal, winning a third consecutive NFL championship, that hasn't been accomplished since the legendary Green Bay Packers of Vince Lombardi. Even novice fans must realize that this coach named Lombardi must have been damn good in the 1960s because the Super Bowl trophy is now named after him.

Behind every great team, there generally is a great coach and that's why the Patriots have won two consecutive titles to go with their great upset of the St. Louis Rams after the 2001 season. Bill Belichick is this era's great coach. And like Jimmy Johnson and Bill Walsh, his expertise at evaluating personnel has been equally as important as his overall strategies. It is a major ingredient to both his success and that of the Patriots.
With that in mind, here are five reasons why the Patriots can make it three straight:
Quarterback Tom Brady figures to improve. He is already the best quarterback at anticipating blitzes and knowing a defense's weakness. His main receivers, starting with Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch, are all young. Plus, he should have a new weapon underneath and deep down the seams in TE Ben Watson, who was injured last season.
The Patriots' special teams ranked only 21st overall last season, a very bad number for a championship team. But they should be better since personnel guru Scott Pioli signed two very good returners in Tim Dwight and Chad Morton. The Pats had their worst punt return average in 15 seasons (5.8 yards) a year ago. Plus, they improved their kick coverage teams by signing Wesly Mallard away from the New York Giants. They retain the game's best clutch kicker in Adam Vinatieri.
This may be hard to accept, but Brady and his offensive buddies may be better off with Belichick calling the plays and devising the offense than they were under former offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, who left for Notre Dame. Outsiders believe this is a huge gamble on Belichick's part, but he surely understands offenses because he's been devising defenses his entire career to stop them. He's smart enough, and inventive enough, to develop some intricate game plans. Plus, he has the guts to call a game. There are offensive coaches in this league who can install an offense, but can't call a game to save their jobs.
Tom Brady is already pretty good ... and he's just going to get better. (Robert E. Klein / Associated Press)
Both DT Richard Seymour and SS Rodney Harrison will be taken care of financially. Seymour is pleased with his one-year deal while both sides work toward an extension for the 25-year-old, four-time Pro Bowler. Harrison, who was dumped too early by the Chargers, is expected to receive a new contract as well. Harrison, with linebacker Tedy Bruschi out for the season, assumes much of the daily practice leadership role. Harrison has been more than even Belichick expected.
WR David Terrell, who had tons of personal issues with the Chicago Bears, could blossom in New England where the focus definitely won't be on him. He played at Michigan with Tom Brady and was a first-round draft choice. He has big-play ability, but his career suffered in Chicago because he became a distraction on and off the field. Of course, Terrell was stuck with some awful quarterbacks in Chicago, too. Don't forget that Belichick has had success with so-called bad boys. Corey Dillon was unloved in Cincinnati and all he did was rush for 1,635 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.
That being said, there's a reason why no one's won three championships in a row since Lombardi's Packers ... it's unbelievably hard to do.
So before you start thinking a three-peat in New England is inevitable, here are five reasons why the Patriots can't repeat:
With the losses of both defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel (now head coach of the Browns) and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis (now head coach at Notre Dame), Belichick has turned the defense over to young coordinator Eric Mangini. "Bill has been used to being involved in every facet of his team," said Jimmy Johnson, "but it looks like his focus will be offense. He's counting on Mangini to take care of the defense and that could be a lot to ask for a first-year coordinator."
Will Bill Belichick's focus on the offense hurt a potentially fragile defense? (Jim Rogash / FOXSports.com)
Belichick has a plan for the offensive play-calling, but he's going to experiment with it in the preseason. He's counting on himself and new tight ends coach Pete Mangurian, who he knows from when both worked for the Giants. Quarterbacks coach Josh McDaniels will also be involved. Bottom line though, he's counting on the rapport he has with Tom Brady. But maybe his focus on the offense takes away from his customary work with the defense and special teams.
The Patriots are without both inside linebackers, Tedy Bruschi and Ted Johnson, from last season. Bruschi was a huge leader and a playmaker on defense. Johnson was rock solid against the run. But if the experiments of shifting Mike Vrabel inside or using newcomer Chad Brown, who hasn't started in a 3-4 since 1996, aren't the solutions, the defense could be a mess instead of a strength. Brown and ex-Chief Monty Beisel (since when do you find defensive stars in Kansas City?) will be given the first crack at the inside positions. Most believe, though, that Brown is better as a weak-side linebacker, considering his sacking potential. Brown has also missed 19 starts in the last three years.
The law of averages catches the Patriots. Everybody will be gunning for them. They have to play at Carolina, at Pittsburgh and at Atlanta in the first five games. Plus, their division competition may be the stiffest in the NFL with the arrival of Nick Saban in Miami. Yes, they have won three Super Bowls, but they've won them by the smallest of margins: three points each time. They are very good, but they haven't dominated anyone.
The offensive line has never been filled with Pro Bowlers. But they failed to sign leader Joe Andruzzi and it appears that rookie Logan Mankins is set to replace him. Dante Scarnecchia is one of the game's finest offensive line coaches, but what if Mankins doesn't develop as quickly as Scarnecchia needs him to? Remember, this isn't a stellar pass-blocking unit. Left tackle Matt Light has been beaten by speed rushers. If they get dominated, it could be a long season for Brady and Corey Dillon.

Why am I jealous of Professional Athletes?

I guess it could be the amount of money they make or the life styles they live or it could be that I'm pissed off that my parents never put a golf club in my hands at the age of two. I guess I can dream of that life style or do something about it. At the ripe old age of 30 I can't swing a bat or golf club without complaining of shoulder pain. I can always improve on my H-O-R-S-E (Hoops) game or try and enter a flag football league with my 6.2 40 speed time. I can't even stay on a workout program for longer than 2 weeks. I guess my Jealousy for Professional athletes is more of an admiration for them. They have the lives, money, fame and body to conquer anything. But, there's a flipside to every coin. I guess signing autographs, getting constant attention from annoying fans and having the pressure to win every night would be kind of tough. Would I choose a couple million over being an average Joe, probably, but your life is what you make of it. Doritos or working out every day? Constant Media attention or watching it on tv? Hell, I can always make a million placing little classified ads in newspapers all over the country just like Don Lepre says or sell real estate just like Carlton Sheets. I do admire Professional athletes but I wouldn't want their life, atleast, all the time.

Another thought, I think I'll start charging anyone who reads this blog $5 so that way by the year 2062 I would have made my million dollars.

Question of the day: Is Rafeal Palmero a HOFamer? I was completely floored by the steriod thing, people that take steroids are supposed to be big, right?

Preseason Football sucks, as well as other things

Why is the Preseason 4 and sometimes 5 games? The hell if I know. I guess it's so some of the players on your favorite team can get hurt and totally F up your season. It's also extremely annoying when you have your fantasy draft a few weeks before the season opener only to find out that your 2nd and 4th round draft picks have a torn bicep or ACL and are now out for two months. Preseason football to me is more annoying than watching the Manning Family on Direc TV's NFL Sunday Ticket preview or watching Stephen A. Smith and his ridiculous "Quite Frankly" show. Which brings up another thought, why in the hell is ESPN airing that show? His commercial segments leading up to the show with him dancing make me want to end my life, I'm kidding, of course, but really, five days of Stephen A. telling me that Allen Iverson is a great man, what the hell. What's next on his show, him telling us that Ron Artest is a solid community leader!! Please end his show and end his horrid run in the booth on TNT. There has to be someone better.

A few more thoughts to think about

1. Why does A-Rod frost his hair?
2. Why do the William's sisters scream like they are giving birth every time they hit a tennis ball?
3. Why does Mike Tice have that pencil nestled between his ear and head, you know, the place when you stick your own finger there it smells like crap
4. Why does Coach K talk like he's holding his nose? Not to mention the close up of his face in the credit card commercial.
5. Why do athletes complain about their salaries?
6. Why don't woman softball players wear bra cups? It's gotta hurt if you take a line drive off of the breasts.
7. Why does Barry Melrose still have a feathered Mullet?
8. Why can't I get more people to come to this site?

All thoughts to think about. What are yours?

Do I know my sports betting?

I've taken some heat because of my love for Boston sports but I'm going to try and give every team that I talk about the benefit of the doubt. After all, I want to make sure that I'm fair to every team out there. During my college years in Boston I was known to take in a bet or two so I'll be giving you all my bet of the day, yes I said it, well maybe I didn't, my "Guaranteed Lock" bet of the day starting tomorrow. I'll keep track of my winning percentage. Remember that in betting the gambler always ends up losing but I'll try to feed off of all your addictions and help you all out. Also stay tuned for two exclusive interviews this week with T-Rex talking a little NHL and Hickory's own SG talking a little ACC Hoops and Football. Are we all anticipating the NHL season, will the fans come back? Who has the best chance this year in the ACC? Both interviews ought to be very interesting, atleast I hope they are. Also, we'll be having a little trivia challenge in the coming weeks and of course, a whole lot of smack talk in between. Remember, when in doubt, don't worry because I already know everything about sports.

NFL season is coming

The NFL season is fast approaching and one thing remains the same. Another title run for the New England Patriots who have bettered them selves in many areas. Yes the loss of Bruschi and Johnson will hurt but the Patriots have it covered. They do by far have the toughest schedule but remain the early season favorite to return to greatness.

I want this blog to be informative not only in the NFL but for all sports. As the self proclaimed sports know it all guy, I will do my best to help build your fantasy teams as well as give my point of view to anyone out there. I love all sports and want this site to be a great, fun and an informative way of helping all my fellow sports enthusiasts out there.