Archive for August, 2009
It’s Official – Larry Smith Announced Starting QB
Vanderbilt Coach Bobby Johnson has named sophomore Larry Smith the starting quarterback for Saturday’s season opener against Western Carolina.
Smith, who started the Commodores’ 16-14 victory over Boston College in the Music City Bowl, beat out senior Mackenzi Adams for the job during preseason camp.
“I think Larry’s got a lot of tools to run our offense and be able to throw the ball downfield and do some things,” Johnson said today at a press conference. – via The Tennessean
I always thought Larry Smith was the best QB on the roster, and now he’ll get to show off his talent. It was really good for Smith to get some game experience last year against Wake Forest and starting the bowl game against BC. Mackenzie Adams has always performed much better coming off the bench, so if Smith does get hurt or is ineffective in a game, we have a more than capable player to replace him. And Jared Funk is no slouch either as the 3rd string QB. Its a shame Terrence Jeffers isn’t going to be able to suit up at receiver, where we are really lacking some experience. Jeffers was looking real good spring drills, so we’ll need the other guys, to step up big time. Hopefully the offense can gel this season and get some points on the board – they were miserable to watch at times last year, and were bailed out by the defense multiple times.
I expect big things from Smith this year
WNBA Live 2008
Well now I know that a yeast infection can knock you out for a season.
They Need to Hang Nets Behind the Goalposts in High School
Wow – you couldn’t try to throw a football and have that happen again in a hundred years. What was this kid doing – he clearly knows that the ball is going to be coming in his direction when they’re lining up for the extra point, and he’s just wandering aimlessly figuring out the meaning of life or something. You gotta love these folks from Minnesota – “It hit the kid right in the head eh?” If I were there, I would be trying my best to keep from laughing my ass off. I mean to witness this first hand would have been fantastic and very fulfilling. This video is reminiscent of the kid being hit in the head with a full court basketball shot – but that was much more impressive since he was running full speed.
Huddy is Back on Monday
ATLANTA (AP) — Braves pitcher Tim Hudson will make his first big league appearance in more than a year on Monday, replacing Kenshin Kawakami for a start against the Florida Marlins.
Hudson was the ace of the Atlanta staff before his season-ending elbow ligament-replacement surgery on Aug. 8, 2008. Now, nearly 13 months later and after more than a month of rehab starts in the minors, the right-hander is set to rejoin a rotation that is already one of the strongest in the big leagues.
Hudson was 11-7 with a 3.17 ERA when he blew out his elbow. He could become a free agent after this season.
Hopefully having Hudson back will bring some life into the lineup and jump start playoff run. The pitching for the most part has been great this year, but the offense has been inconsistent at best. And if they quit pitching to Ryan Howard – they might actually beat the Phillies and gain some ground in the NL East. Hopefully Frank Wren is smart enough to exercise Hudson’s option for next year – because that is going to be a nasty pitching rotation – Lowe, Hudson, Vazquez, Jurrjens, Hanson. Each of these guys can be the number 1 starter on a lot of staffs. Throw in Kawakami in the mix - this pitching rotation is going to be lights out next year just like the Braves of the 90’s.
This Wasn’t Part of the Plan
Josh McDaniel, aka Boy Wonder, was brought to Denver from the New England Patriots looking to install his playbook and offensive genius on an already great offense and take Denver back to the promise land. Well things didn’t go as smoothly as planned – first he chased off the star quarterback and pro-bowler, Jay Cutler, when he tried to bring in is own guy, lifetime backup Matt Cassel. Now pro-bowl receiver Brandon Marshall wants out of Denver and has been suspended infinitely:
Pro Bowl receiver Brandon Marshall, openly unhappy with the Denver Broncos, was suspended by the team through Sept. 5 for what coach Josh McDaniels called “detrimental” conduct.
Marshall, who has brooded since demanding a trade and asking for a new contract, was informed of the suspension by McDaniels on Friday.
“We tried to handle this situation with Brandon as privately and professionally as we could throughout the entire process with he and his agent, Kennard McGuire,” McDaniels said at a news conference. “This morning, we made the decision as an organization to go ahead and suspend Brandon and that suspension will last through Sept. 5th. We’ll look forward to having him back on Sept. 6th as we begin our preparations for Cincinnati” in the Sept. 13 regular-season opener.
McDaniels did not single out a specific episode, but said the suspension resulted from a series of incidents, though some boorish antics during the team’s practice Wednesday — after Marshall had been warned about such conduct that very morning — seemed to be the final straw for the coach.
“His actions didn’t really change after that warning. That leads us to today,” McDaniels said.
Marshall went out during pre-practice warm-ups and walked while the rest of the team ran. He punted a ball away instead of handing it to a ball boy, and swatted a pass thrown to him. His actions were caught on video and broadcast by KMGH-TV.
The Broncos already have had discussions with the league regarding Marshall’s suspension. They are expected to reassess the situation when the preseason ends Sept. 5. – via ESPN
Dont you love it when multi-million dollar athlete acting like a whiny kid. But in Marshall’s defense – “we only talkin’ about practice”. Last year’s team was loaded on offense, and needed an overhaul on the defense to get things back on track But they did the complete opposite – overhauled the offense and brought in old, castaways from other teams on defense. Hopefully McDaniel knows what he is doing, because this off season has been an absolute train wreck for the Broncos, and they look even further from a playoff team. I don’t think Boy Genius was expecting a Kyle Orton-to-Jabar Gaffney aerial attack when he got hired. But at least Kyle Orton can grow a killer neck beard – I’m sure he’ll have to bring that thing back to keep warm in Denver.
Another One Bites The Dust
NEW YORK — Johan Santana needs surgery for bone chips in his left elbow and the star pitcher is out for the season, the latest blow to a New York Mets team battered by injuries.
The team said their 30-year-old ace is expected to be OK for spring training next year. He was examined Tuesday by Mets medical director Dr. David Altchek in New York.
“It’s not the worst,” Santana said on a conference call. “Believe me, I’m going to be ready.”
The Mets also announced Tuesday that reliever J.J. Putz had a setback in his recovery from elbow surgery and will miss the rest of the season after an MRI revealed “some new fraying and a slight tear” in his right forearm. He will not need surgery and it is merely a preventative measure, the team said.
Well, at least the Mets don’t have to worry about another late season meltdown like the last two seasons. Call it the curse of the new Citi Field, how else do you explain all the inuiries and luck that they’ve gone through?
Pow, Right in the Kisser
So number 3 gets slightly bumped in the goal area, feigns being hurt, chases down and tries to slap around an opponent sporting a mullet, and then come with a blind-sided dropkick to the face of mullet-man. Man I love soccer. That is how you earn respect on the soccer field. Notice how no one wants to mess with him once he unleashed the fury.
She’s a Man, Baby!
Tests have revealed Caster Semenya’s testosterone level to be three times higher than those normally expected in a female sample, BBC Sport understands.
Analysis prior to the World Athletics Championships and the 18-year-old’s big improvement prompted calls for a gender test from the sport’s governing body.
It was made public only hours before the South African, who has been backed by her nation, won the 800m in Berlin.
A high level of the hormone does not always equate to a failed drugs test. – via BBC Sports
Um, what, three times higher the normal testosterone levels? There’s only one thing that can explain this – (in best Austin Powers voice) She’s a Man, Baby, a Man! I’m sure it has to be the much improved times that raised a red flag for her to be tested again – not the fact that he-she looks like a 5 star D-1 football or basketball prospect.
You Don’t Mess With the Mexican National Basketball Team
Awesome – Who knew Central and South America took their basketball this seriously? You would have thought this was a world cup match based on the chaos that broke loose. I bet Uruguay is going to think again before stepping up to the Mexican National Basketball team. I am slightly disappointed in the fans though, there is no sign of people throwing stuff on the court or jumping down and getting involved – they should have watched the video of those folks at the Palace at Auburn Hills going toe-to-toe with the Indiana Pacers. I expected someone to put on a lucho libre mask and bust out some aerial moves.
Michael Beasley Gets New Tattoo, Checks Self Into Rehab Clinic
Damn you Michael Beasley – you stole my tattoo idea. I guess we can never be around each other with our shirts off, or else everyone will get us confused. And I agree with sojuicyswa – Beasley “needs ta brang it bac” so I can follow his sexy ass.
Beasley recently had some other concerning tweets on his account (since been deactivated) “Feelin like it’s not worth livin!!!!!!! I’m done” and “I feel like the whole world is against me I can’t win for losin” – not really sure what the last one means, I guess I am not down with the new lingo.
Whatever his issues are, hopefully Beasley can can get them worked out in rehab, but so far he’s been getting no love from other athletes.
“What is wrong with that kid Mike Beasley? His not to smart is he. Need to get his head right”
– Jermichael Finley (Green Bay Packers)
“Micheal Beasly is trip’n. Life def isn’t ez,that’s 1 of the challenges of living”
— Keith Bulluck (Tennessee Titans)
Again – I probably need to get out more or listen to rap music to understand what anyone is talking about anymore, but I think they both just called Beasley a bitch.