Draft Is Done

I'm not a big 'draft watcher' and don't get into the draft hype that every sports program on the planet has been hyping for the past 2 weeks. All the hype surrounding new players and every fan thinks their team will hopefully make the right moves that will improve the team. Don't get me wrong, when I was younger, I use to watch and follow the draft as much as anyone, but after doing so for a few years a person begins to realize that after the draft day itself the draft holds little to no luster afterwards. Now begins the contract negotiations, hold-outs and injuries...all the feel good stories of the draft are instantly erased and it all turns to money now. And most of all, the draft is really, really boring television. At least this year the NFL network had draft coverage so a person wasn't stuck watching crappy ESPN and their endless player features instead of the actual draft.

Well, enough with talking about how boring the draft is to watch and can quickly recap the Charger picks. The Chargers used their first pick to draft a wide receiver, Craig Davis, after last year's playoff loss exposed a glaring deficiency at that position it was addressed quickly in the draft.
They then traded several picks to the Bears to draft safety Eric Weddle and finished the first day by drafting linebacker Anthony Waters. Day two the Chargers selected tight end Scott Chandler, wide receiver Legedu Naanee and linebacker Bandon Siler. Charger fans like the draft and think Weddle could be an instant starter at safety, a position the Chargers needed to fill.

I of course am always suspect of draft prospects until I can see them play. The Chargers do need a big time wide receiver threat and it isn't likely that a rookie is going to be that threat right away so it will be interesting to see how much of an impact these draftees make on the Chargers squad.

NHL Playoffs Continue

I've been really slacking lately....but I am a slacker by nature. I did totally neglect to make may NHL playoff predictions prior to the first round, but I will make up for it that be doing it now before the second round...

Tonight we got game one of Buffalo vs the NY Rangers. Buffalo has been solid all year long whereas the Rangers have gotten their first playoff win in 10 years. New York is clearly out-manned in this series and I'd be surprised if it went more than 5 games with Buffalo winning.

Also starting tonight out west is Anaheim vs Vancouver. A very interesting game one for sure. Anaheim took care of the Wild in relatively easy fashion in 5 games. Vancouver was in a slugfest with Dallas. In most sports you would think the well rest team would have the upper hand, but in hockey most general sport rules don't apply. But I still like Anaheim. Goaltending is more times than not the determining factor in a Stanley Cup team and I just don't think Luongo is good enough but Giguere has been a stud all season long and has kept it up in the playoffs. I think Anaheim wins this series in 6.

Ottawa-New Jersey start their series tomorrow. Ottawa has traditionally been disappointing in the playoffs and the Devils have traditionally been surprising in the playoffs. New Jersey is beginning to see Zach Parise step up his game and at no better time than the playoffs. I think New Jersey survives this series and wins in 6.

The final conference semi-final matchup is San Jose vs Detroit. Detroit is always a team that makes a charge at the cup and has as much playoff experience on that squad as you could get. San Jose is one of these teams from the west that play good throughout the regular season but just doesn't have that extra gear yet for the playoffs. Detroit's experience will factor in these series and they should win in 7.

Landis Second Sample Positive

So the 'B' sample of Floyd Landis came back positive for synthetic testosterone. But of course it is never that simple to finally say that yes, Landis is guilty of cheating. No, instead the French lab that did the testing did not permit a Landis expert in to observe the testing so it still gives Landis an argument to claim unfairness...does it even matter any more? With these results, regardless of technicalities, I think most people think Landis did cheat.

Vince Young Madden's Cover, Hockey Playoffs

Word is that the Chargers are unlikely going to trade Michael Turner before the draft. Not really a surprise here, I'm sure the Chargers have had some discussions with the Titans and the Bills - both teams that expressed interest in Turner - and know the value those teams are putting on Turner. Of course on draft day, and all teams knowing that Turner is available for the right deal, who knows who will end up with him.


In the good news department, no Charger is the cover image for Madden 08...if you were thinking of taking Vince Young in your fantasy draft this year, you may want to reconsider.
There's a couple of the screenshots of Madden 08 and Vince Young in action.

I have, of course, also been watching the NHL playoffs. Last night the Wild avoided a sweep and beat the Anaheim ducks. The Wild coach, Jacques Lemaire, shuffled the lines a bit and it appeared to help. Now can they get some momentum going and make a series of it? I've watched at least 1 game from every series and I think the Stars-Canucks series is the most exciting at this time. Their games are non-stop, all-out all-the-time.

Still Here - Quick Stop

I am still here, just been a bit busy the past week or so and after today I hope that things return back to normal.

Have time to just briefly comment on the two big news stories of the past 7 days...the first being Don Imus being fired from his radio program after his derogatory comments about the Rutgers women's basketball team. Just think if he as smart as 99% of America he wouldn't have been paying any attention to the NCAA women's basketball championship game. The whole thing is a joke though and I was honestly surprised that it escalated to the point it did. But I am willing to bet that he will be on the air somewhere shortly.

And, what Imus needed to save him from the headlines, the largest mass murder in modern America history at Virginia Tech. Unbelievable events and very tragic. What I am always curious to see/hear is after a very tragic event such as this, what details about the suspect is found out and then the ensuing efforts to ban and/or change things because this one individual went psycho. Like if they find out this guy liked playing Grand Theft Auto - banned immediately. Did this guy like watching violent movies? Ban them. Did this guy like peanut butter? Ban it.

Chargers 2007-08 Schedule

So the 2007 NFL regular season schedule is out. Chargers currently have at least 3 games played in prime time, 2 Sunday nighters - week 2 vs New England and week 10 vs Indianapolis - and a Monday Night Football game Christmas Eve vs Denver which is in week 16. The Chargers don't get totally screwed by traditionally being awarded a bye in the first week or two of the season but it is still before November which makes it fairly useless. The Chargers last five games are against Kansas City, Tennessee, Detroit, Denver and Oakland. I think Tennessee could be much improved from last season but by all appearances, the Chargers would finish the season with a good chance to not only control their own destiny but obviously make their statement and defend their AFC West championship they won last season. But of course all bets are off because Norv Turner is the head coach and the Chargers will likely finish last in the AFC West with the most talent in the NFL.

NFL Schedule Out Today

The NFL will announce next season's schedule today. I am most interested to know when the Chargers will be playing the Vikings in Minneapolis because I will of course make every attempt to attend that game.

From the no surprise here department, the charges against players of the Duke LaCrosse team are going to be dropped. This was one of those cases a person could smell the 'fishiness' of it from the beginning. And as details of the victim's story surfaced and was clearly not truthful but because of the sensationalism of the charges and the people involved it appeared as if the prosecutor was trying to grab some headlines for himself.

Imagine this, a law enforcement agency actually doing what it is suppose too. Yes, in Grand Forks, ND - located in the barren wasteland - they have a police officer that actually goes around and checks up on sex offenders before they have re-offended . A person usually doesn't hear about repeat sex offenders until they have committed another crime and then most just shake their heads and say what more can we do? These sex offenders have to be roaming the streets because we need more room for the pot-heads and drunk drivers.

And here's a deceptive headline: "Summer Gas Forecast: Slightly Lower Prices". Of course they mean slightly lower prices than last year but higher prices than right now. I think it is all bullshit and the price of gas will go higher because it rained in Florida last month preventing an oil shipment from getting to port on time so prices will increase $2 on that news. And then another $2 per gallon because Iran printed some mean-spirited letters on the internet about America.

Masters Concludes, Duncan Wins Hobey Baker

Michael Turner was in Buffalo late last week visiting with them. With a few teams interested in acquiring Turner and the Chargers essentially holding all the cards, it is fairly well known that whatever deal is made to get Turner, it will likely have to be a favorable one to the Chargers.

If you thought gas prices were high before just wait. Iran came out and announced that they are prepared to start enriching uranium on a mass scale. Just what everyone in America wanted to hear. And because America has already unsuccessfully invaded 2 countries in the past 6 years we certainly can't invade Iran now. Not to mention if America did do so it would probably be so cluster-fucked that who knows how many nuclear components would be unaccounted for and in the hands of even more nefarious folks.

The Masters was pretty exciting to watch. Zach Johnson outlasted Tiger Woods and if you watched the end of the third round on Saturday, I thought Johnson was all but done. But if you wanted to see players making birdies and incredible shots...not this year. Conditions were tough for the players and I do believe this year set a Masters record for the highest score to win the tournament.

I also watched the NCAA Division 1 hockey tournament. UND lost to Boston College on Thursday and BC went on to lose to Michigan State in the Championship. Also being awarded over the weekend was the Hobey Baker award given to the best collegiate hockey player, which was given to UND's Ryan Duncan.

Masters Starts, Google's My Maps

The first PGA major of the year and "A Tradition Like No Other," The Masters starts today and plays through Easter. I'd be watching the tournament regardless of whether or not Tiger is playing, but I admit that I do cheer for Tiger because he could very easily be the greatest golfer of all time. I will often pull for a person who can be considered a great if I can respect them. Barry Bonds I have no respect for and is not nor ever will be the greatest home run hitter of all time in my world. I pulled for Walter Payton, Michael Jordan and Wayne Gretzky. All of which are the greatest players of all time in their respective leagues. Right now Jack Nicklaus is the current holder of greatest golfer of all time but anyone that is following Tiger's progress knows that his reign of greatest golfer of all time may not last his lifetime.

There's a pic of the kids dyeing Easter eggs. My son was especially excited to dye eggs and has wanted to do so for 2 months already.

Google is releasing their 'MyMaps' web site which is interesting. Just goto http://maps.google.com and it lets you create your own 'map' and share pictures, videos, text, etc. And obviously Google is allowing public sharing so it will only be a matter of time when a 'master map' will have pictures of almost every place in America...it will be cool!

Wouldn't you think Apple Inc. would be all about be environmentally friendly? Being that it is so 'hip' with the p.c. crowd, but no! Apple was ranked LAST in environmental friendliness by Greenpeace. If Apple has to start revamping its production and manufacturing to become more environmental friendly their products' price would be even more astronomical and not worth it.

Clark The Canadian Goalie

A friend sent me this video about Clark, The Canadian Hockey Goalie. It is pretty funny and most importantly, you finally get to find out how the term 'hoser' originated....you friggin' hoser..

Titans Talk To Turner

The Titans met with Michael Turner yesterday but there are other teams that have an interest in acquiring his services as well. So it will be interesting to see what team steps forward and puts forth an offer.

Chargers Preseason Schedule Announced

The NFL has released the preseason schedule for the 2007. The Chargers will host the Seahawks on August 12th to kickoff their 2007 preseason. The Chargers then travel to play Arizona and St. Louis and are home for the final game against San Francisco. If Norv is smart he will take a page out of Marty's book and you won't be seeing Tomlinson at all in the preseason.

Form Your Own Rock Band, Wacky Weather

Looks as if the Chargers are shopping Micheal Turner, backup to Tomlinson. Early 'rumors' are stating Packers, Bills, Jets, Cowboys and Titans all have an interest in Turner. How can this Charger team possibly suck next year? By all appearances, the team is stacked for a couple more years with young players that all like playing together. Tomlinson has set a path that barring something unforeseen will land him in the Hall Of Fame. Now, if the right deal comes along, the Chargers would likely acquire draft picks or a player - the latter option is what I would like to see - that will hopefully improve the team What could possibly stand in the way of Charger domination in 2007? Oh yeah, Norv Turner...my dreams are already shot.

As I have mentioned, I enjoy the Guitar Hero. Now the company that makes the game, Harmonix, is releasing 'Rock Band'. Where you can create your own band online with people playing guitar, drums and even a singer. Sounds pretty neat. Currently our PS2 is not functioning, but plans for a new one are already in motion so I think we will likely get this game when we can. Sounds fun but I doubt I will ever do any singing...

Yeah, baseball season has started. The sport that you care about for this week and then you don't watch it again until September.

Looks like there will be no China Bowl for the NFL. Looks like the Chinese market will have to wait at least another year to get the spectacle that is the NFL. I don't mind preseason games played outside the U.S. but I certainly do not like the idea of regular season games being played outside of this country.

Crazy weather around here. I think the first weekend in March it was 70. This past weekend it was raining since Thursday and now there are forecasts for sub-30 degree weather and 3-5 inches of snow tomorrow. Are you kidding me?