Chargers vs Falcons, Recap

The Chargers played the Falcons this past Saturday night and I did watch a fair amount of the game...

No Tomlinson, no Gates, no Jamal Williams...just to name a few of the Chargers 'big guns' that did not see any action...but the Chargers first team, which played much of the first half, looked fairly impressive...it did seem as if the Chargers were able to move the ball fairly effectively against the Falcons, including early in the second half...the Chargers seemed to be in third and long situations all evening and seemed to be able to convert them most of the time..that's the good...the bad...well, that's the obvious, they shouldn't be consistently putting themselves into 3rd and long situations which seemed to be the case. Once the regular season starts, one would have to think that the conversion rate will decrease.

The offensive line for the Chargers continues to worry me...but it is only preseason...but it seems as if the line is unable to give Rivers adequate protection and their run blocking is very suspect. I will give some credit to Turner in the play calling because it did seem as if the Falcons were going to 'stack the line' and to counter that, the Chargers ran screen passes that oftentimes went for big gains, including a touchdown score for Micheal Bennett.

My other concern, as of right now, is the defensive pressure...so far this preseason the Chargers have had very little pressure on opponents' quarterbacks...a problem that was prevalent all last season as well. I know some coaches don't like to reveal their blitzes and may not even blitz much at all in the preseason and that might be the case here...but a stout defense is one that can get pressure on the quarterback without having to blitz.

Overall, though, the Chargers didn't look too bad...and what is typically the norm in the NFL, it was likely the last time many of the starters will play this preseason...which is good, let those guys sit and rest up for the following week and then the real games will begin!

Pitino: Mad At Media

I'm not a huge college basketball fan, but of course I gain more interest in March for the tournament. I'm also not a 'fan' of any one particular school/coach...sure there are some schools I like more than others but as a whole, I am pretty much neutral.

So the Rick Pitino scandal broke a week or 2 ago...and from my first reading of the article and the first statements given by Pitino and/or his lawyer, I could tell that their 'gameplan' for damage control for Pitino was to paint him as the 'victim' and the media should just gloss over any of the negative facts that correlate to Pitino. Their logic is, that the woman that tried to extort money from Pitino is a mental case and anything she is saying now or has said in the past is a lie. Now whether this is true or not will not change the focus of the media...for you see, Rick Pitino, you are the 'person of interest' in this story. The media wants to know more about how you were screwing women in restaurants and then paying for 'medical insurance' (which everyone now knows was an abortion). The media is more than happy to print anything this 'crazy' woman is saying right now because, Rick Pitino, you have already admitted that you did indeed screw this chick in a restaurant, you did indeed give her money and, by all apperances, you have kept this affair under wraps for 6 years.

Pitino's press conference yesterday, he came out and was 'mad' at the media for reporting the story and 'reporting lies'. Pitino was also sure to throw the death of Ted Kennedy in there ... but his primary 'jist', from what I can tell, is again, that Pitino wants the media focus to be on the lady he had an affair with and not him...but you see Rick, again, no one cares about Karen Sypher, she is not a highly public person nor a successful college head coach...that is you and that is why there is even any media interest in the story. If this story was about John Doe and Kaern Sypher having an affair in a restaurant after hours no one would even pick the story up...but insert Rick Pitino's name for John Doe...then you've got something there...

I think this ladies story might have some fabricated elements but at the same time I don't think anyone can dismiss everything she is saying... I do think there might be some merit to her claims that her marriage to one of Pitino's close friends was a set up to keep her quiet. It really does seem extremely coincedently that divorce proceedings are happening after the affair became public. But of course the lady does have to be somewhat crazy... if she was getting 'paid' to keep quiet, all she had to do is keep her demands reseonable and she would still be getting paid off. She tried to go for the big payoff and instead gets nothing... it is a good reminder to all the vindictive women out there...that getting something good is better then getting nothing and regardless of how much power you think your pussy has, a man can and will eventually 'rat himself' out just to shut you up and end your power-play. And then in the end what is the woman left with? Nothing...which is far more less than she had before...never realizing and appreciating how good you had it.

Chargers Extend Rivers Contract

Late yesterday word came from the Charger camp that they were able to come to terms with Phillip Rivers and he signed a 6 year contract extension with the team. I was glad to hear that the contract issue with Rivers got resolved before the season started and we didn't have to sit through the sometimes mundane contract squabbling that sometimes occurs...especially when Charger GM A.J. Smith is involved, a man that has proven he does not usually break.

I like Rivers, he is a player that has one of the greatest intangibles a player in any sport can have...he hates to lose, or as a co-worker and I have affectionately called these types of players, he is a 'winner'. Anyone that has watched sports know who these players are...often times they physically may not look like anything special and in practices and scrimmages would rarely stand out amongst other players...but the difference is on game day. These players are the players who do not give up on game day, regardless of the score. These are the players who thrive in game conditions and know that they can control their destiny and take every advantage to do so. Rivers even said how the money isn't really a motivating factor for him but rather that he hates to lose and that in itself is a motivator for him.

A couple years ago Rivers was getting a bad rap from ESPN media types because they caught Rivers jawwing with the crowd as he was hurt and walking off in Indy... if you have seen any of Rivers' press conference or interviews you know that Rivers is really a kind of humble and nice guy, just having a fun time...and that was exactly what he was doing in Indy that day...having a fun time with the crowd, it is just the ESPN hype-machine that had to spin it into a potentially negative moment for Rivers.

I couldn't be more pleased to know that Philip Rivers is going to be the Charger quarterback for several years...I also like the way the Chargers continue to 'lock in' their talent for an extended time... of course Merriman and Gates are up next for new contracts...I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they go as smoothly as Rivers's deal did...

Rivers Signs New Deal With Chargers

There's the short report (courtesy San Diego Untion Tribune) of Phillip Rivers signing a new 6 year contract extension with the Chargers...early word is that it could be worth up to $92 million! I think it is good news, I'll have follow-up reaction up soon...

Chargers vs Cardinals, Preseason Game 2

Chargers play the Arizona Cardinals tomorrow night ... the game is not airing live but I do have the DVR set up to record a replay of it and intend on zipping through it Sunday morning...

Merriman had Tweeted that he was to get some more playing time tomorrow, so maybe get to see him in action a bit more. Chargers first round pick, Larry English, is not expected to play. A lot of buzz was coming from this week's practice about Antoine Cason, Charger DB ... so maybe I'll look for him as well...

NY Times Merriman Writeup

The NY Times had a good write-up of Shawn Merriman on how he is working hard to make a successful comeback this season...

Without a question, I think he is a big key to the Charger defense and if he can regain his form, the defense too should be much improved from last season without him...

Hochuli To Officiate Charger Game

I can not believe what I just read... Ed Hochuli is going to officiate this weekend's Charger preseason game. Are you kidding me? For his own safety I would think Ed Hochuli would not be allowed to officiate another Charger game for the rest of his life after last year's bullshit call in Denver that gave the jackasses a win. And yes, I know the Broncos still had to score and get a 2 point conversion to eventually win but that will not temper my rage for his bullshit call.

It also appears as if our bud Ed will be officiating other Charger games throughout the season...I just hope the Charger fans in San Diego boo him relentless anytime he opens his mic to drown out his bullshit...

Reading a story like this right away in the morning really can ruin a person's day....

I despise Ed Hochuli....I loathe Ed Hochuli...

It's Official Favre Signs With Vikes

It's done and done...

Cry-baby, selfish, lazy, over-rated, egomaniac Brett Favre has finally signed with the Vikes. He even is already wearing No. 4, which was David Booty's number until Favre signed...apparently he knows his 'number' is about up with the Vikes...

Tune into ESPN for 24 hour coverage on this story until either the Red Sox or Yankees have another player test positive for steroids...

Chargers vs Seahawks, Preseason Game 1

The Chargers played their first preseason game this past Saturday and I did tune it in for much of the first half...

Tomlinson did get a few carries but overall nothing special happened. I have become concerned that LT likes to either spin or juke before going through the hole in the line...a young LT saved all the fancy footwork after he blasted through the hole...this was something I noticed last season as well...he seems to hesitate before accelerating.

Gates looked good as did Rivers, but with all the starters, there really wasn't enough play to make an absolute determination...and besides, it's preseason.

The Seahawks third string beat the Chargers third string and thus won the game...but who really cares...it is preseason...

Favre To Sign Today

I called it...with almost 100% accuracy this time! I predicted Favre would be with the Vikes on or around the 2nd preseason game... and reports are now coming out that Favre will be signing with the Vikes today!

Good for the Vikes... I think Favre can successfully leave that team in disarray for several years after leading them to a 5-11 season...

I think both parties will get what they deserve...

Sturgis Bike Rally: Commericalism And Clean

The annual Sturgis Bike Rally held in South Dakota every August use to be an event that was like Vegas...what happens in Sturgis (during the bike rally) stays in Sturgis. I am not a 'biker' nor do I even own a motorcycle, but I have been to Sturgis a few times but not since the mid-90's. At that time I could see how the event once was and how it was slowly transforming into what it is slowly becoming... it once was a wild spectacle...bikers from all over the globe came and let loose...there was plenty of drinking and wild activities that would happen around the clock...at the campground we stayed at there was a biker that made 'dirt bombs' and would set them off throughout the day and seemed to increase in frequency as the night went on...and these 'dirt bombs' could be heard for quite some distance...

At this time, my friends and I knew that if we wanted to have the 'best' time possible during the bike rally we needed to stay in a campground because the town of Sturgis had already begun to crack down on a lot of the wild biker activities...bikers would/could drive their cycles right into a bar and rev it up...peel out down the main drag and so on...but that was already stopped by the time we went there...so these activities were moved to the campgrounds and other locations. The town of Sturgis, at one time, could have rivaled New Orleans' Mardi Gras...plenty of boobs, drinking and fun...but not any more.

As time has passed since even my last visit to the rally I have paid attention to what has happened...and it is disheartening to say the least. There is clearly an overt attempt to 'clean up' the rally and make it more of a 'family' like atmosphere. The latest change is that bars and campgrounds need a nudity license if they are going to permit nudity in their bar/campground. This attempt is firstly, just another way to make money off the event and secondly, another way police can find another 'law' to enforce. Of course if a bar/campground has any other 'legal' problems I'm guessing one of the first 'punishments' will be to take that license (or prevent them from obtaining) away. I know during my trips to Sturgis, it wasn't like there was naked women running around non-stop (or else I would probably still be attending on an annual basis...wink, wink) and the little nudity we did see...well, if you are familiar with what most 'biker chicks' look like, a person really wouldn't spend too much time concerned about it.

Now of course this nudity license isn't the 'straw that broke the camel's back' for me but just another in a long list of things being done to take all the fun out of Sturgis...or at least strip the Sturgis Bike Rally of the identity it once had and the identity that I had once associated it with...that being a carefree, wild, yet good time.

I remember seeing Motley Crue in 1994 at the Buffalo Chip campground and, to date, is one of the craziest spectacles I have ever seen... the stage was a very respectable stage in size and for the first 3-6 rows from the stage, parked side-by-side...solid...were Harley's and after each song the Crue cranked out every one of those cycles would 'fire up and rev up' their motors sending a huge plume of exhaust and noise into the air and then all the cycles scattered throughout the crowd would follow suit... I am telling you right now it almost sends shivers up my spine just thinking about it, it was unbelievable. I recall seeing the 'anti-gravity' rings that would be lit up at night and girls would get on the ride and just before it would start would pull down their tops... I remember watching W.O.W. (Women's Oil Wrestling) and the Budweiser Jet Car melt a Honda Civic and 2 motorcycles (of Japanese manufacture) among other things that a person could see without paying a dime... these things are probably no longer even permitted near Sturgis...or at least not without a license and then you would probably have to pay to view them now to cover the insurance, permits, etc...

Another thing I have noticed in many of the articles and shows I have watched about Sturgis of late, is the fact that it has become extremely commercialized...again, while I was there the 'wild' activities in the city had pretty much ceased and there was one major camprground, The Buffalo Chip, where all that 'wildness' migrated too. Now there are a lot of campgrounds owned (or co-owned) by celebrities and sponsors ... so there is much more competition for the entertainment ... so that in itself, diversifies the 'mass of humanity' that a person could have once seen ... since there was only one big entertainment stage back in the 90's EVERYONE went there and the wild-ness ensued ... now with a bigger selection no one place could possibly gather enough crazies to match the wild nights that once happened...it is just not possible.

The wild west of America is about fully tamed when the Sturgis Bike Rally beomes a fully commercialized and regulated event...

Bronson Arroyo Details Supplement Use

When David Ortiz's name was recently leaked as to have tested positive in 2003, most of the media and fan focus was on him. He came out to say that he did take vitamins and supplements but never steroids. Well another Red Sox player (at the time), Bronson Arroyo, said his name may also be on the list for taking tainted supplements.

Arroyo came out to detail all little bit about his 'supplement' use and a person can clearly see that he, as well as all the other players doing the same thing, knew that they were walking a very thin line and were aware that they could possibly taking tainted supplements.

What his admission does, more than anything, is prove that all these players that come out (like Ortiz) and claim that they were only taking vitamins and supplements also were well aware that some of these 'supplements' were likely tainted...and really, tainted is the wrong word...they knew full well that the supplements were likely laced with roids.

Interesting, Arroyo drops Curt Schillings name as a person that introduced him to a caffeine drink that he consumes prior to pitching...I wonder what else Schilling might have been consuming to assist him?

Preseason Football In Full Gear

The NFL preseason kicked off last weekend with the Hall of Fame game but really doesn't fire up in earnest until tonight... starting tonight and through the weekend the rest of the teams in the NFL will be playing in their first preseason game, including the San Diego Chargers who will play the Seahawks at the Q on Saturday night...and lucky for us fans, the NFL Network will be airing the game.

As usual, I put little stock into preseason games but I am likely to DVR the Charger game and probably zip through most of it...but I am curious to see if LT and Merriman play, just to get a 'first look' at them for the season...

LT To Play In Preseason?

Word from San Diego is that LaDainian Tomlinson wants to get in on some preseason play. Tomlinson hasn't played much preseason football his entire career but with the last two seasons he has seemed to come out of the gate a little slow and sluggish and then end up injured by season's end. I don't think it would hurt (keeping fingers crossed) to have him play a few downs the first couple of games to get hit a few times and maybe better prepare him for the upcoming season...

Darren Sproles: Pick Me Reebok Commercial

Reebok's latest NFL Fantasy Files, fantasy football commercials features San Diego Charger runningback Darren Sproles...

Pretty cool...

Mike Greenberg: Leaving A Game

As many of my regular readers know, I am very dissatisfied with ESPN's product which has turned into mostly sound effects and flashy graphics with little substance...and let's be honest, unless you are a Red Sox or Yankees fan there is no reason to watch Sportscenter (or ESPN) at all.

Then there is ESPN Radio...again, a product I have grown mostly tired of but for some reason I subject myself to listening to Mike and Mike in the morning for as long as I can take it...which is usually less than a 1/2 hour because within that 1/2 hour they will essentially recap their entire show which occurred well before I even woke up.

But what has recently just been driving me insane is Mike Greenberg and his endless quest to determine "When is it ok to leave early from a ballgame?" It just goes to show what an elitist, out-of-touch person he is. I can not believe any person that calls themself a 'sports fan' or even a 'fan of sports' (there is a difference which I will not go into right now) would even ever dare think about leaving a game early and especially a professional sporting event, with the costs a person would pay to go, would be out of the question.

Yes, Mike Greenberg is a wuss...I think most of us 'real' sports fans get this...but why does he have to be such a whiny bitch as well? I mean is going to a professional sporting event so boring to you that, even before you arrive at the event your most prevalent thought is "I wonder when I can get the hell out of here?" Whether the excuse is to beat traffic or because you have to get up early, it is not good enough for me.

I would not have commented on this at all, but it seems like everytime I have listened to this whiny wuss lately, that is his 'topic' and he wants answers. He runs down scenario after scenario and asks others if it is ok to leave early... As a person that does not have the disposable income and the resources to attend any and every game I desire and as a person that has to drive at least 3 hours to see a professional sporting event I have grown sick and tired of him continuing on and on and on about how he can just hardly wait to leave early from a sporting event. I hope Greenberg never labels himself as a sports fan and by no means should any sports fan align their thoughts and opinions on attending sporting events with that of Greenberg's. I think what irritates me the most is here is a guy that is on a 'sports related' radio show, talking about sports yet, he can not wait to not see the end of it...give me a break...

Ortiz Rolls Out Same Old Excuse; Leyland Tired Of Roid Talk

So David Ortiz, the latest victim of a 2003 steroid list leaking, held a press conference on Saturday to answer questions about his positive steroid test and offered up one of the excuses that has been used over and over again..."I only took vitamins and supplements...but not steroids." Of course when it comes out what specific steroid he was one, he will of course stick with that excuse and say the supplements were tainted or whatever... but the bottom line is, his excuse is about as believable as all the rest of the roid users and that is not at all...

And Jim Leyland, the manager of the Detroit Tigers, spoke out yesterday that he is sick and tired of all the steroid talk and that he believes Ortiz did not take steroids because he (Ortiz) said so. To me, it sounds like Leyland is just trying to do what the MLBPA and probably most others associated with MLB would like to happen right now...for everything to get swept under the rug and lets just move on. But what Leyland and the roid users don't realize, is that fans don't want to idolize and cheer for cheaters. I remember cheering for Mark McGwire in 1998 as he was going after Roger Maris' record thinking how I am witnessing an extremely historical moment. After the steroid story broke open and it was revealed that all these incredible numbers were all artificially produced, I felt like I was lied too and that entire season, all the time I put into following the homerun chase, was just a complete waste.

I too am sick and tired of steroids, but to quell my disdain for MLB and the steroid era, nothing short of a big eraser and/or asterisks will satisfy me. I refuse to accept any records posted from 1995-2004 by any player...as time has gone on, all it has proven is that every 'great' player during this era used steroids... I see no need to continue to glorify and accredit these players with anything other than cheating.

Clutch - First Avenue, 8-5-09

I was off for the past week on vacation...was up at the lake for a few days and wrapped it all up with seeing Clutch at First Avenue in Minneapolis, MN. They, of course, are on tour right now in support of their "Strange Cousins From The West" album. It was a really good time, Clutch sounded really good and it is always great to go see them... here are some pix from the show...of course they are cell-phone quality...

Big Names Continue To Roid In Baseball

I had been away on vacation when David Ortiz's name was finally linked to steroid use. His name of course leaked, along with many others now, with the 2003 MLB random drug tests that were suppose to remain anonymous and are obviously not. Anyone that saw Daivd Ortiz play for the Minnesota Twins and then after he went to the Boston Red Sox, like me, had to have some serious doubts about how he became 'Big Pappi'. With the Twins Ortiz was of average size and certainly wasn't any incredible 'powerhouse'. Then he went to the Red Sox and became an incredible prolific hitter as his size grew to enormous proportions at an incredible rate.

I always thought he was on roids, like Sosa, Bonds, McGwire and the rest of the cheaters... it's good to have the validation now in his case... and not that any team would have been clean...it probably does taint the Red Sox World Series wins because now Ortiz and Manny have both been outed and they were both cornerstones to that team's success....