Americans love deadlines...
- In the NBA and MLB, most significant moves don't happen until the moment before the trade deadline. On the opposite end, the deadline to start signing NFL free agents was midnight last night and the fury started at 12:01.
- Julius Peppers is lined up to go to Chicago. Peppers is the most talented player in this year's class, but he's an awkward fit for a blue-collar town. He cannot be the primadonna that he was in Carolina, playing well in spurts. Aaron Kampman would have filled the same need and been a better fit than Peppers, but the Bears are reaching for the stars.
- The Jets plan is simple. If you're going to ignore Darrelle Revis, we'll get another top corner and leave you with no options. So, they traded for Antonio Cromartie. Athletically, Cromartie is one of the best in the game. However, the Bolts wanted to jettison him for a reason. He's known to have some major character question marks. Will those rise to a head in New York? Until then, the Jets defense should be the best in the league.
- The Lions are active early. They are on the brink of signing DE Kyle Vanden Bosch, plus they traded for DT Corey Williams and signed WR Nate Burleson. Matt Millen really was the problem. They have a brand new stadium, a franchise QB and an improving team. Plus, the Rams are going to do them a giant favor by leaving Ndamukong Suh on the table for the #2 pick.
- The Giants appear to have prioritized Antrel Rolle over Karlos Dansby. I agree that they have needs at both safety and middle linebacker and I love both players. However, the draft is rich with first round safety talent this year. Earl Thomas and Taylor Mays should be available when the G-Men pick. Rolando McClain is the only middle backer with an instant impact grade, so GM Jerry Reese would be taking quite a gamble that he'll still be there at #15.
- The Panthers are paying Jake Delhomme a lot of money to NOT play for them. What a country!
- Great comment yesterday by someone who claims to be Gary Lineker, but spells his name wrong (Linneker). I actually agree with everything in the comment. However, the U.S. team is not realistically expecting to win the World Cup. If they can match their quarterfinal feat of 2002, everyone will be thrilled. They don't have the midfield talent to play a possession game, so when they're faced with top competition, they need Tim Howard (one of the best goalies in the world) to play like Ryan Miller. And, they need to score goals on the break with a hopefully healthy group of wingers and strikers (Jozy Altidore, Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, DaMarcus Beasley and Charlie Davies).
- Speaking of Gary Lineker, reminds me of my favorite Clive Owen youtube clip.
- Red Sox Nation has gone back to its roots this Spring and they're rallying around an old battle-cry, "Yankees Suck!". Check out these two hilarious commercials.
- By the way, my buddy Tino once wore a "Red Sox Suck" tee-shirt to Yankees Stadium and the security made him turn it inside-out. He told them that Red Sox fans wear "Yankees Suck" tee-shirts at Fenway all the time. The security answered, "Exactly."
- On the field, the Yankees biggest debate is over the #2 spot in their lineup. First, Nick Johnson was basically hand-picked for that role, so there is not much of a debate. Second, every hitter in the majors would kill for that lineup spot. Would you like to hit between Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira? Yes please. The bigger concern should be the #5 spot. Jorge Posada is pencilled in as Alex Rodriguez's protection in the absence of Hideki Matsui, but Posada has age and injury concerns. At best, he plays 120 games. Against right-handed pitching, I would put Curtis Granderson in that spot. He looks like a speed guy, but the numbers say he's a power hitter and that was before the short porch.
- "Roach coach" or mobile dining is all the rage in Los Angeles right now. Yesterday, I finally tried Kogi BBQ, which is considered the king of truck food. I'm not a taco connoisseur, but I have to say they were the best I've ever had. I had a spicy pork taco, a chicken taco and the short rib sliders. For those that don't know, Kogi is Korean/Mexican fusion.
- As with anything cool, some people have to take it too far. The guy in front of me was hyperventilating with excitement when the truck pulled up and then ordered from the cashier like a 16-year-old girl talking to Taylor Swift. Also, he ordered 11 tacos, sliders and a quesadilla. I know I'm not one to talk, but that's gluttony.
- "The Office" is the opposite of most successful sitcoms. While the laughs have slowed down over the years and the storylines have been played up, they are actually doing better with the "moments episodes." "Friends" fell apart when it became all about babies and weddings, but "The Office" nailed Jim and Pam's wedding and now Pam's baby.
- As for the weekend, I will be calling four high school championship games tomorrow at the Honda Center (live on iBN if you're interested), but the Madness really heats up Saturday. The small schools earn their bids into the field and the big schools play for bubbles and seeds.
- Headliners: Louisville needs a home upset over #1 Syracuse after the Cardinals were blown away by Marquette earlier in the week. They beat the Orange in the Carrier Dome, but doubling up will be a tall task. Madison Square Garden will host some desperate teams next week (Louisville, UConn, Notre Dame, Seton Hall and South Florida). Of course, desperate will be a welcome change from hapless (New York Knicks).
- Also in the Big East, #8 West Virginia will visit #9 Villanova. I don't like either of these teams right now. The Mountaineers cannot shoot and the Cats cannot defend.
- #2 Kansas at Missouri is one of the most underrated rivalry games in the country. At least for this year, North Carolina at #4 Duke is one of the most overrated rivalries. However, I'd love to see a UNC/Duke quarterfinal at the ACC tournament.
Roy Williams's team is currently tied for 9th in the ACC with one more loss to come Saturday.
