NCAA Championship Game TV Schedule and Tickets

April 4, 2009 By Leave a Comment
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2009 Mens NCAA Championship Game TV Schedule and Tickets A real quick post here while watching the Michigan State-UConn game as the two teams battle for the right to play in the Mens NCAA Championship game. So far so good for the Spartans, who look fantastic again. UConn does not at all look like the team I’ve seen play this year. If I’d known they were going to play like this, I never would have picked them!!! Lots of credit to the Spartans though. We’ll see if the Huskies have one more run left.

Anyway, for the Spartans fans out there (presumably), there will now be plenty of UConn fans’ tickets (presumably) out there for buying. And if UConn ends up coming back, the opposite is true. Here is the TV schedule for the Mens NCAA Championship game on Monday, plus some resources to buy tickets if you’re looking to go to the game:

2009 Mens NCAA Championship Game in Detroit


Okay…time to go watch the rest of the game and see if UConn and make a miracle happen. They’ve got it within six…


Filed Under: CBB, TV and Betting Tagged With: 2009 Final Four, 2009 NCAA Tournament, March Madness, Michigan State Spartans, UConn Huskies

Jerry Angelo Finally Brings Hope to Chicago Fans By Acquiring Jay Cutler

April 3, 2009 By Leave a Comment
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Jay Cutler Traded to Bears - Anlysis | Jerry Angelo DayI got in the car on Thursday afternoon wondering if the sports radio would be talking about the Bulls’ playoff hopes, the Hawks’ recent stuttering, or opening day being around the corner.

I was not expecting to hear anything about Jerry Angelo.

I presumed he was still on vacation until September 1st, until football commanded his attention. The GM for the Bears was one of the most despised in the city, where falling on ill favor is not that easy. Fans, while loyal and passionate, are usually comfortable here. It is hard to find a terrible rant about a sports figure in Chicago. Jerry Angelo, however, was on the verge of finding Windy City protesters at his house.

The Bears’ 2008 season proved nothing, except that the Bears had a franchise that desperately needed help. Questions popped up everywhere and it seemed that we would have to wait for the draft to have any of those questions answered.

The I hear on 670 the Score immediately upon getting into my car, “The Sun-Times website is reporting that the Bears got Jay Cutler.” Terry Boers stays on the mic reporting the story, while Dan Bernstein clearly pushed the rolly chair back from the mic and said, “Good GOD!” You would think that a stripper walked into the studio with a huge cardboard check, with his name on it.

The news about Cutler coming to the Bears was shocking, an amazing franchise move, something warranting exaltations.

But I paused.

I paused because of my not-so-emotional connection to the Bears. I am a transplant, and while I love the team and the city, my mind immediately began to dissect the pick, the pros and cons. Here’s what I got:

PROS

1. Jerry Angelo is alive and cares about his job. In fact, he has an eye for football talent; in fact, he actually seems to understand the amazing loyalty of Chicago’s fans and will try to reward that by performing the duties of a competitive GM.

All kidding aside, this was huge for Angelo.

On ESPN radio The Afternoon Saloon declared April 2 “Jerry Angelo Day”. The GM has never been a fan favorite but won over hearts by making a decision that will help the franchise in the long term.

2. Jay Cutler. Dude is All-Pro. He’s up and coming at 25 and has proven his competitive edge in the AFC West with a team that struggled last year with injuries and a brutal defense. Finally a quarterback will actually hold the football for the Bears whose major value is not the jokes you can throw around about his neck beard or errant passes.Bears Trade for Jay Cutler - Jerry Angelo Day

3. The fans get a shot of life at long last. Bears fans weren’t thrilled about the future of the franchise at the end of last season. The McCaskeys couldn’t hide behind the accidental NFC championship in 2005 and Brian Urlacher. Moves needed to be made, so they were.

CONS

1. When I think of Cutler, I think of the highlight reel of him hitting Brandon Stokely in the slot, Eddie Royal deep, and Brandon Marshall in the end zone. Then I thought about Rashied Davis tripping on poorly run routes, Devin Hester apologizing to Lovie on the sideline cause he can’t run anything but a streak, and Greg Olsen dropping balls.

Who the hell does Cutler throw the ball to?

Yes, Brandon Lloyd showed some talent last year and barring injury maybe he’ll do it again. Of course you hope that Hester and Olsen improve with a talented QB placing the ball or else they’re just more dead weight waving around their two handed “U” on MNF. I understand that things will have to build around him but with a great running game you hope that Cutler doesn’t waste that deadly arm on pitching the ball to Matt Forte 35 times a game.

2. The cost was monumental. It is a fact that the Bears have a terrible history with first round picks but you must understand the value of those picks for two years is humongous. You can kiss that chance at grabbing Jeremy Maclin or some other first round caliber receiver you desperately need (I won’t even consider Crabtree or Harvin, because that’s just unreasonable…)

Forget replacing the aging and injured line. Last year’s 1st rounder, the OT Chris Williams went down with a flimsy back before he even saw the inside of Soldier Field and now you got to look to the later rounds to find that kind of talent again. I’m sure it’s out there, but the Broncos certainly now have a monopoly on it.

3. The buildup could hurt. Let’s remember, Cutler had one All-Pro year. Yes, he is talented. Yes, he can play. Is he Jesus? Well, if you’re going on looks alone Kyle Orton was just as close to this team’s personal Jesus. The reality is, we know nothing yet and if it proves to be a whole lot of not-that-great then this city will have blue balls for the next decade.

4. IF JAY CUTLER IS INJURED OR HIS DIABETES ACTS UP, REX GROSSMAN IS REQUIRED TO PLAY QUARTERBACK, DUE TO THE LOSS OF KYLE ORTON. REXTASY REMAINS DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO THE FOOTBALL, FOLKS.

Are we excited? Damn right we are.

Football season has new blood in this city. Enough blood that I might start inviting people over to watch the games again because it’s worth getting excited about. Unfortunately, Jay Cutler hasn’t even been fitted for his jersey, and has a lot riding on him.

It was a great day in Chicago. For a city that has never had a quality QB, at least not a consistent one, loyalty was rewarded and fans are thrilled. Well done, Mr. Angelo. Perhaps if the Bears go 11-5 this year and win the division with Cutler, April 2nd 2010 will be Jerry Angelo Day. We’ll have to wait and find out, though, and now fans are happy to wait.


Filed Under: NFL Tagged With: Chicago Bears, jay cutler, Jerry Angelo, kyle orton, NFL, nfl offseason, rex grossman

Kyle Orton In Memoriam Photo Diary — And Will Jay Cutler Be a White Sox Fan or a Cubs Fan?

April 3, 2009 By 9 Comments
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Jay Cutler Traded to Broncos Now that Jay Cutler has gone from beautiful, mountainous Denver to the Windy City, and Kyle Orton has done the opposite, there are three very important issues that must be addressed:

  1. A complete analysis of the football implications of the Orton-Cutler trade from each team’s perspective.
  2. An analysis of whether Jay Cutler will be a Cubs fan or a White Sox fan.
  3. A pictorial reminder of the unintentional comedic joy that Kyle Orton takes with him from Chicago to Denver.

Regarding a football analysis of the trade, I am hoping that our buddy Kaner will be logging in at some point today to provide this. I could do it, but it would take time away from the fun I plan on having with #’s 2 and 3. So, if you are thirsting for serious football talk and just want a football-specific analysis on the trade, here are some links for you:

So there you go. Satisfy the “serious” football side of you at those sites.

Now, let’s analyze what is really important in the Cutler-Orton-draft-picks deal consummated between the Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos: now that Jay Cutler is a proud Windy City citizen, will he be a White Sox fan or a Cubs fan?

Reasons Why Jay Cutler Might be a White Sox Fan:

We all know that Jay Cutler is talented. In fact, in some ways he is the NFL equivalent of Alexei Ramirez: he has put up great stats and he has worlds of talent, but no one is really sure just how good he really is. Can Jay Cutler Traded to Broncoswe believe the numbers? Is it more hype than long-term, sustainable success? I mean, we’re all pretty sure that Alexei Ramirez will be a badass moving forward, but we’re not positive. Same with Jay Cutler. So there is that connection.

Hmm…that’s about all I got, and it was a stretch just to come up with that.

Reasons Why Jay Cutler Might be a Cubs Fan:

Let’s just start with the things that come to right off the top of my head:

  1. Jay Cutler is a whiny baby who complains, bitches, and moans when things don’t go his way.
  2. Jay Cutler has exhibited levels of douchebaggery rarely seen from a starting NFL quarterback.
  3. Jay Cutler’s reputation far exceeds his actual level of production or achievements. Hell, at least Alexei Ramirez made the playoffs in his one season.

All three of these truths are far more descriptive of a Cubs fan and the Cubs organization than a White Sox fan or their organization.

At the end of the day, Jay Cutler has proven that he will act like a petulant child when he does not get his way. Hmm…is there anyone who works at Wrigley Field that makes demonstrative displays when things do not go his way?

Now, I’m sure that all of the Cubs fans and White Sox haters out there will try to compare Ozzie Guillen to Sweet Lou and say that Ozzie acts like a child when he doesn’t get his way. And the differenJay Cutler-Kyle Orton Trade | Kyle Orton Picsce, of course, is that Ozzie Guillen is a championship-winning badass who did what no one thought possible: bring a World Series to the city of Chicago.

When Lou Piniella and the Cubs do that, we’ll give Sweet Lou and his sychophants the benefit of the doubt. Until then, enjoy it when Jay Cutler shows up in the bleachers and then starts complaining because its too hot, or his beer is warm, or the Cubs are losing, or that it’s Saturday, or that…well, you get the picture.

The point is this: is there anything that defines a Cubs fan more than wanting recognition and deference despite the complete void of substantive accomplishments by them or their team? And by comparison, is there anything that defines Jay Cutler more than the same thing?

Conslusion: Jay Cutler is definitely a Cubs fan.

And when the Cubs get swept in the first round of the playoffs again this year (if they make it), Cutler will be there sitting on his hands not cheering, basically acting like the selfish brat he is, right along with the rest of the most overrated fan base in sports.

Now, let’s move on to the other quarterback in the deal: Kyle Orton.

When Orton was playing at Purdue, no one could have imagined the sheer volume of hilarious Kyle Orton pictures that would one day populate the Internet. As a Midwest farewell to Orton, we will run down a few of the more infamous and unintentionally hilarious picture here, in our Kyle Orton In Memoriam Photo Diary:

No longer will Bears fans be able to see this lovely image on their sidelines:

Kyle Orton photos | Kyle Orton Traded to Broncos

And, of course, this infamous image that first appeared on Deadpsin is now one that Broncos fans can proudly call their own:

Kyle Orton Pics | Kyle Orton Traded to Broncos

But the real losers in this deal are the fine ladies of Chicago, who will no longer have the pleasure of being grinded upon by their city’s fearlessly bearded and tanked quarterback. Killer shades Orton. At least he didn’t pull a Corey Hart on us:

Kyle Orton Pictures | Kyle Orton Traded to Broncos in Jay Cutler Deal

No, now the ladies of Denver will be the ones with the nightly chance to enjoy Kyle and all of his Ortonness. Broncos fans, I present to you Kyle Orton, the new next John Elway:

Kyle Orton Pics | Traded from Bears to Broncos

And that’s all the time we have for today folks. Good luck to both the Bears and Broncos with their new QBs. When neither team makes the playoffs again next year, we’ll all be wondering why we spent so much time worrying about this trade in the first place.


Filed Under: Featured Column, NFL Tagged With: Chicago Bears, Cubs Fans, jay cutler, kyle orton, NFL, nfl offseason

Reports and Rumors Surface of Many Positive NFL Combine Drug Tests

April 3, 2009 By 2 Comments
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Although the purpose of this post was merely to report the existence of rumors of failed drug tests (which was true), and then to comment on this hypothetical situation, I do feel a sense of responsibility to continue to update the post with the latest updates — especially considering that many of the updates suggest that the original reports that I based this post off of were wrong. All of the following are from ProFootballTalk.com:

And you can some other links to denials below.  It sounds like NFL Draft Bible is standing by their reports, so we’ll see how this plays out.  Continue on to read the original story/rumors that “broke” last week.

Failed Drug Tests for Raji, Davis, Harvin, Matthews, CushingYesterday, SI.com reported that former Boston College defensive tackle B.J. Raji had failed a drug test at the NFL Combine. The SI.com report does not confirm which drug Raji tested positive for; however, he tested positive for marijuana before his 2008 season at Boston College. Raji also missed the entire 2007 season for Boston College because of academic issues.

BJ Raji is a behemoth in the trenches who ran the 40 yard dash around 5.1 at the Combine in February. His draft stock has recently been trending upward as the focus shifts more to his physical abilities and football talent (8 sacks as a senior), and away from his off-field troubles. This new report certainly throws a wrench in that trend.

Each NFL team receives a list of which Combine participants fail the mandatory Combine drug tests later in April. Any player who tests positive for “street drugs” is then subject to the NFL’s drug program and must submit to random testing. If this report is true, and there is no reason to doubt it, then obviously someone wanted this information to be made public, and to be made so before the official list is delivered to NFL teams.

And this morning, new reports have surfaced that B.J. Raji was not the only player to fail a drug test at the combine; far from it, in fact, if the website NFL Draft Bible is to be believed. As of right now, I have no reason to believe nor disbelieve them. My own eye test on their site tells me this is not some fly-by-night operation, and they certainly have a wealth of draft information. I’ll wait for the facts to make a judgment, but hereRumors of Failed Drug Tests for Raji, Davis, Matthews, Cushing, Harvin are the reports/rumors from NFL Draft Bible:

Please go ahead and click through the the reports at the NFL Draft Bible site, because they are original reporters of the rumors. However, you won’t get much more info than what I just posted, other than their claim that the reports were confirmed by “one NFL team”. Literally, each of the posts is one line long. I assume that there will be more info coming.

If these rumors prove true, this would undoubtedly be the biggest NFL Draft drug scandal we’ve ever seen.

For the record, this morning is my first time ever visiting NFL Draft Bible, which I found through a story on the rumors of positive Combine drugs tests at ProFootballTalk. Allow me to echo Mike Florio’s comments:

In mentioning the NFLDraftBible.com reports, we’re not taking a position as to whether the information is true or false. But since the site previously was run by John Murphy, a long-time Internet scribe who now serves as G.M. of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, we think the operation is sufficiently legit to justify at least mentioning the substance of these reports, without taking a position as to whether the information is true or false.


I agree with that sentiment wholeheartedly, and will withhold outright judgment until we hear more facts. However, as a general statement, when these reports surface usually where there is smoke there is fire. So as it stands right now, and this is sad to say, I would be more surprised if the rumors and reports end up debunked than if they prove to be true. I hope they are wrong, and that I’ve wasted my time writing this post; but we’ll see.

Update: Not sure where I’ve been (knee deep following the NCAA Tournament, actually) but apparently rumors have already been flying about Brian Cushing’s suspected steroid use:

Again, it’s all still in the rumor phase, but becoming more and more believable by the minute.

Major League Baseball also catches the most flack for drug use, but the NFL is right there as well. The NFL has just played the PR game better and somehow always seems to skirt by without significant consequence. But I am no longer a naive sports fan.

Seriously, if these reports are false, why doesn’t each and every player come and say, “These reports are totally untrue. If I failed a drug test it had to be a mistake and I’ll go to whatever lengths are necessary to clear my name.” SI.com said that B.J. Raji declined comment. If he did not fail a drug test, or had not used marijuana, why wouldn’t he come out and say so? I know that there are “legal issues” to be dealt with, but that somehow prevents you from saying that there is no conceivable way you could have tested positive — if that is, in fact, true?

Update: And now, according to PFT, at least one of the NFL draft prospects implicated into the Combine drug test rumors has come out with a denial. Mark Humenik, VP and general counsel at Athletes First, which represents Clay Matthews, said in a note sent to Rick Serritella at NFL Draft Bible that “neither Matthews or his agents have been informed of any failed drug test. Plus, he added that a lawyer for the league office told him that the NFL hasn’t received notification that any players have tested positive for steroids at the combine.”

Update: Representatives for Vontae Davis and for Brian Cushing (including Pete Carroll) have also come out and refuting the reports of positive drug tests. The NFL also denied the report, saying that only the players themselves, but anyone of the teams, have been notified about positive drug tests.

Anyway, enough ranting. The more interesting question is how does this information always get out? The drug tests and Wonderlic scores are supposed to be confidential. yet there are always stories of one or the other leaked out. My best guess is that teams lower in the draft than where the players they like are slotted to go leak the info in hopes the player will fall to them. I don’t really know any other explanation that makes sense.

Update: And, as if in direct answer to my question, Aaron Wilson over at PFT has a posted a new item discussing how the drug test leaks occur.

I’ll keep my eye on this story and update you when there is something to update. As for now, these reports of positive combine drug tests could, if they prove true, be the best thing that ever happened to Andre Smith. If 1/5 or 1/6 of the first round has failed drug tests, Smith starts to look a little less risky, no?


Filed Under: NFL Tagged With: 2009 nfl scouting combine, drugs, NFL

AL Central 2009 Preview: Betting Lines and Season Predictions

April 2, 2009 By Leave a Comment
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AL Central 2009 Preview, Betting LinesDetroit fell hard under the expectations of MLB betting players last year, as a number of big-money moves failed to pay off. Chicago edged Minnesota in an exciting playoff game to win the Central, but sportsbook odds are backing the Tigers to recover and win their first Central title.

MLB odds have the Tigers at +125, and Detroit had no problems scoring runs last year, finishing fifth in the majors with an attack powered by Miguel Cabrera’s 37 HR and 127 RBI. Miguel Cabrera - AL Central 2009 Preview and Betting Lines and Predictions

However, Detroit allowed 857 runs, fourth-worst in all of baseball, and Justin Verlander must return to his 2007 form for the Tigers to have a chance. Jeremy Bonderman missed most of last season with a blood clot, and he has to show he’s healthy if the Tigers are to get out of the Central basement.

Cleveland is next with MLB odds of +175 to win the Central, and the Indians were inconsistent all season before ending with a .500 mark.

Cliff Lee proved a fine replacement for the traded C.C. Sabathia, winning the AL Cy Young award, but it’s also essential for Fausto Carmona, who suffered through a hip ailment in 2008, to emerge as the No.2 pitcher. Grady Sizemore is back to spearhead a potent attack that was seventh in the majors in runs scored, while Jhonny Peralta is one of the best hitting shortstops in the league.

Minnesota was on the losing end of the playoff loss to the White Sox in 2008, and the Twins have MLB odds of +240 this season.

Minnesota quietly built one of the strongest offenses in the majors, as Justin Morneau led the way with 23 HR and 129 RBI. The Twins’ pitching soldiered on without Johan Santana, coming in 16th in runs allowed, and after an 11-4 record, 27-year-old Scott Baker could be the next pitching star in the American League.

The defending champions haAL Central 2009 Preview and Betting Linesve MLB odds of +600, and they’ll have to replace Javier Vazquez in the starting rotation. The White Sox finished right behind the Tigers in runs scored, and Carlos Quentin will be eager to come back from a freak broken wrist after being a favorite for the AL MVP for a good part of the season.

Kansas City brings up the rear with MLB odds of +800, and the Royals acquired Coco Crisp from Boston in the offseason for their outfield. The Royals were sixth-worst in runs scored and ninth-worst in runs allowed, but they should be better this year, based on a better performance in the second half.

14.5 games separated first from last in the AL Central last year, and it should be another closely contested season. On paper, Detroit should run away with it, but their pitching is a huge question mark. Minnesota is probably the most consistent, but if Lee has another Cy Young season, the Indians will be right there as well. If you’re looking for a good value pick, take Minnesota and their MLB odds.

What do you think?

Who do you think will win the AL Central in 2009?

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Filed Under: MLB Tagged With: AL Central, Chicago White Sox, cleveland indians, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, minnesota twins, MLB

Youth Movement in Cincinnati Leads to High Hopes for Reds in 2009

April 1, 2009 By 12 Comments
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Cincinnati Reds logo - Reds 2009 Season PreviewAfter the pennant-winning success of Detroit in 2006, Colorado in 2007 and Tampa Bay in 2008, I was trying to deduce if the Cincinnati Reds or Kansas City Royals would be “that team” in 2009, and have decided it is in fact the Reds. I should add that I am not a Cincy fan, so this is as objective as you’ll find. I cheer for Cleveland, but cannot ignore the giant upside for Ohio’s NL team in 2009.

Many love the potential of the Reds, especially in a large, but less-than-stellar division. I’ve personally been preaching the virtues of the Reds since last summer when they decided to fully immerse themselves in the youth movement.

After the necessary losses of Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn’s age and huge contracts, this team could seriously push for the Wild Card, unless the Phillies/Mets/Cardinals contingent runs away with it. Ninety wins, as some quixotic folks have predicted, might be a stretch, but this team should be incredibly improved.

Jayson Stark of ESPN agreed Tuesday morning as I drove to work. Already this spring he has written about the Reds high hopes for 2009.

“There’s something happening here in Reds Land. Something building. Something growing,” he claimed. “There’s as much spring buzz about the Reds as there is about any team in Florida. And frankly, Griffey and Dunn needed to get out of the way for that buzz — and this team — to prosper.”

Stark’s thesis seems to be that the Reds are following the 2008 World Champion Phillies’ formula for success.

Comparing the Phils’ trade of Bobby Abreu to the Reds parting ways with Griffey and Dunn, he writes, “They became a different team that day. A team with a whole different personality, a whole different chemistry, a whole different energy level, a whole different aura…And if you look closely, it’s not hard to envision a very similar phenomenon erupting in Cincinnati.”

No, it is not at all.Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto | Cincinnati Reds 2009 Preview and Outlook

The pitching is dynamite on paper, and most experts like Stark believe it’s second best in the six-team NL Central.

Edinson Volquez (25 years young), emerging star Johnny Cueto (23), the mercurial Bronson Arroyo, and a trimmer Aaron Harang “anchor” the frontline starters, while a maturing Homer Bailey (22) and Micah Owings round it out.

The Reds also have a solid closer in Francisco Cordero, and oh by the way, a powerful offense led by Brandon Phillips, still just 27, and Joey Votto, a Canadian who hit 24 homers as a 24 year old last season. They go alongside veteran acquisitions Willie Taveras, Jonny Gomes and Ramon Hernandez — plus arguably baseball’s best young hitter in Jay Bruce, who turns all of 22 this week. (He hit 21 homeruns as a 21-year-old last season in just over 100 games.)

The versatile veteran Jerry Hairston, and speedy Chris Dickerson should get at bats as well, with shortstop Alex Gonzalez returning after missing all of 2008. The Reds go even deeper, with another rookie, Paul Janish, showing strides and challenging Gonzalez. Another phenom in Adam Rosales waits his turn.

The depth on the banks of the Ohio is evident when they’re sending veterans like Jacque Jones and solid contributors such as Norris Hopper down I-71 to Louisville a week before the season’s first pitch in America’s oldest baseball town. Already, infielder Jeff Keppinger, who had been a valuable role player the past two seasons for the Reds, has been traded.

Therefore, any problem won’t be the squad itself – there’s plenty of talent there — but it may be the skipper, though that’s my personal opinion.

“Dusty’s way” may not work with this kind of roster, as, if history is a guide, he’ll lean too much on underachieving veterans. Those would be pitchers, especially relievers, who he’ll overwork in the heat of summer. With the pitching depth Cincinnati has, young arms like Bailey and Ramon Ramirez — who showed signs last September — this is not a good idea.

Dusty Baker - Cincinnati Reds 2009 Season Preview and OutlookAt least Baker seems to be saying all the right things for now:

“Not to take anything away from Griff and Dunn, because they’re outstanding guys, and they were good guys on this team,” he said. “But when you lose something, sometimes it permits you, or forces you, to grow.”

Then again, late Wednesday night on the Reds’ flagship station (700 WLW-AM in Cincinnati), Baker said he is interested in Gary Sheffield, of all people. In fact, before departing Florida for good, Baker will meet with the recently-released Tiger Thursday morning. This prompted an array on angry callers/fans, incensed and befuddled at why a team like the Reds would even consider the volatile, over-the-hill slugger. I could not agree more. Baker will have to answer anything further on that topic.

Bottom line: The Reds leave spring training in Sarasota for the final time as you read these words — like the Indians in ’09, they’re relocating to West Phoenix in 2010 — with hope renewed for October baseball in the Queen City for the first time since 1995.

The latest news on Cincinnati’s potential opening day roster can be found here.


Filed Under: MLB Tagged With: Cincinnati Reds, MLB

Pistons Bring Cell Phones, 100-Pound Trucks, and Whining to Cleveland: Cavs Win 79-73

April 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment
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Allen Iverson Comments After Pistons-Cavs Game | Cavs winThere was a time in the not so distant NBA past where the Detroit Pistons were the class of the Eastern Conference, a team to be reckoned with on a nightly basis to be sure. And they also stood for something: No real superstar. Five solid, All-Star caliber players playing together and putting individual accolades on the back burner with team goals in mind every time they laced ‘em up.

Those Pistons were, in a lot of respects, the model NBA team. Like them or not, you had to respect them. But, as I said on Sunday night, its hard to even Remember those Pistons anymore.

The Cavaliers played a bad game last night for the most part. Now granted, a bad game from LBJ still nets 25 points, 12 rebounds, and a few assists, but he was noticeably off for most of the night. In that same game, Mo Williams couldn’t throw it in the ocean, Ilguauskas had 4 points, and Delonte West had to sit for stretches in the 2nd half after getting a technical foul.

But with all that said, they still beat the Pistons 79-73, and are now 25 games up on Detroit in the standings, with a record of 61-13.

25 Games Up.

In addition to that, as reported by Cleveland’s ESPN 850 WKNR talk show host Tony Rizzo today, there were Piston players “talking on their cell phones duAllen Iverson Comments After Pistons-Cavs Gamesring warm-ups.” Maybe they were calling Chauncey Billups for a “trade-back” because, other than Chauncey, it’s all the same faces in the D these days, and it ain’t all good.

The guy they got for Mr. Bigshot, Allen Iverson, isn’t exactly helping things. A.I. had this to say in response to the Tuesday night loss to the Cavaliers:

“How many minutes did I play? It seemed way, way, way less than that. Eighteen minutes? Come on, man. I can play 18 minutes with my eyes closed and with a 100-pound truck on my back. It’s a bad feeling, man. I’m wondering what they rushed me back for? For that?

“It’s a bad time for me mentally.”

And its a pretty bad time for the Pistons too Allen. Mentally, physically, and in the loss column. 36-38 isn’t exactly what Joe Dumars had in mind this season.

If only that Darko pick had worked out the way he thought it would…

———-
Custom Cornhole Boards and Accessories JD Shaver is a featured columnist at Midwest Sports Fans who also runs Shaver Sports, where they discuss everything you ever wanted to know about Cleveland sports.

JD Shaver’s contributions to Midwest Sports Fans are sponsored by BigTimeGameBoards.com, the company that helps you tailgate like a champion with our high quality cornhole boards, sets and accessories. And if you don’t know what cornhole is, you aren’t a Midwesterner.


Filed Under: NBA Tagged With: Allen Iverson, Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA

Report: Arrest Warrant Filed, Donte Stallworth Facing DUI Manslaughter Charges

April 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment
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Donte Stallworth Charged with DUI Manslaughter - Warrant IssuedThe sad story of the fatal car accident involving Donte Stallworth that killed 59-year old Mario Reyes has resulted in an arrest warrant being filed charging Stallworth with DUI manslaughter.

Based on AP and ESPN.com reports on Stallworth facing DUI manslaughter charges:

Two people told the AP that an arrest warrant charging the 28-year-old Stallworth with DUI manslaughter will be filed Wednesday in the March 14 accident that killed 59-year-old Mario Reyes. The people requested anonymity because the charges haven’t been announced.

The charge carries a possible 15-year prison sentence. Stallworth’s blood-alcohol level after the crash was .12, well above Florida’s legal limit of .08, according to results of a blood test. Stallworth will also be charged with DUI, according to the people informed about the case.

Stallworth, who is expected to surrender in court Thursday, released a statement after the incident saying, “My family and I are grief-stricken over the tragic accident which occurred Saturday on Miami Beach where Mario Reyes sadly lost his life.”

He returned to Cleveland and has been working out with the team, which Miami Beach police were aware of, according to Stallworth’s attorney, Chris Lyons

According to a report at ProFootballTalk.com, charges will not be formally entered against Stallworth for up to a month. PFT also reminds us that fellow former Tennessee Volunteer Leonard Little received only 90 days in prison following his conviction for driving drunk and killing Susan Gutweiler in 1998. Little was also arrested again a few years later for drunk driving.

For more background on the story, follow the links to MSF’s coverage and discussion of the Donte Stallworth accident:

Without question, this is a disappointing day for fans of Donte Stallworth, the Cleveland Browns, and the Tennessee Volunteers. The Browns were counting on Stalloworth to begin providing value this season for the seven-year, $35 million contract he signed last offseason. Stallworth was essentially a non-factor last year because of injuries and ineffectiveness.

The true disappointment, however, is the fact that a man with a family needlessly lost his life, and we now have confirmation that Donte Stallworth was impaired at the time of the accident. Stallworth now becomes the third Tennessee player from the successful late 90s era to be convicted of drunk/reckless driving, joining the aforementioned Little and Dwayne Goodrich, who is currently serving aDonte Stallworth DUI Manslaughter Charges - Warrant Issued multiyear prison sentence.

We have grown used to NFL players being involved in stories like this one, and it is a trend that needs to stop. As big a fan as I have always been of Donte’s, there is absolutely nothing to be said in his defense. You can say that he was unlucky, and that it could happen to lots of people on lots of nights/mornings, but any amount of “unluck” for Stallworth pales in comparison to that experienced by Mario Reyes and his family.

Whether Donte flashed his lights at Reyes or not, and whether Reyes was in a crosswalk or not, Stallworth obviously did not have the reaction time nor was he driving with the caution necessary to reduce his threat to pedestrians and other cars.

This is just a sad, sad story on so many levels. I wish there was something I could say to defend a player that I’ve always liked, but obviously there is not. And if the charges prove true once the justice system has run its course, Donte Stallworth should face the same penalty that any “normal”, non-celebrity citizen would face. And hopefully, maybe, that will send a message to NFL players and people at large: there are grave consequences for getting behind the wheel impaired. So don’t do it.

Time to get back to work.


Filed Under: NFL Tagged With: Cleveland Browns, donte stallworth, NFL
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