Jeremy Shockey - The Deal is Done

I was not surprised that Jeremy Shockey was traded from the New York Giants to the New Orleans Saints this week. You had to know his time in the 'Big Apple' was up, you just weren't sure he would land in the 'Big Easy'. The Giants view Shockey's negatives to their team on a greater scale than they do his positives. He sulks, and pouts, and has tantrums, but he also plays a pretty mean tight end. It is true he has dropped his share of passes, but his blocking his one of his stronger attributes. He remains a very good all-around NFL tight end. The change of environment will be good for him in New Orleans. He will thrive under the Saints' down field passing attack, and he will add a new dimension to their offensive scheme. You will also see a more contented Shockey, a more intense Shockey, and a more productive Shockey. He's a good addition to the Saints roster. The Giants will not miss his attitude in New York, but down the road they might just miss his talent. That will remain to be seen. Nevertheless, they are pleased that Shock is now a part of Giants' history. Sounds like one of those deals that might turn out benefiting both teams.

Lou Pinella: Don't Look Back!

Hey "Sweet Lou", that loud noise you hear is not the "L" Train pulling into Addison Street. Nor is it "'Da Bears" opening training camp. And it isn't Ozzie screaming across town. No, it's the Cardinals and the Brewers bearing (no pun intended) down on your Cubs in the division race. That's right, your lead is down to two over your old nemesis the Cards, and the Brew Crew is right behind at three back. Did I also hear that your closer, Kerry Wood, is heading to the DL also? That's not too sweet Lou, so you keep those Cubbies focused and looking straight ahead. No need to look back now, I've already told you who's back there. And they're gaining.

Matt & Jon Stinchcomb: "Countdown to Kickoff"

Matt and Jon Stinchcomb started Georgia's "Countdown to Kickoff" in 2006 as a way for current and former players to say thank you to fans and to give back by raising money for worthy causes. These causes include Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, the Georgia Transplant Foundation, the Children's Tumor Foundation, and UGA's Pediatric Exercise and Motor Development Clinic. Last year the event raised $121,000, and this year's attendance nearly doubled that of 2007. The Stinchcomb Brothers both played at Georgia, and went on into the Pro's. Jon is currently an offensive tackle with the New Orleans Saints. Celebrities for the event included 50 current and former Dawgs.

Durant Brooks: It's Signing Time!

The Washington Redskins announced that they have signed rookie punter Durant Brooks to a four year contract. The contract is reportedly a $1.821 million deal with a $116,450 signing bonus. His rookie pay will be $295,000 this year. In 2009 he will be paid $385,000, in 2010 $470,000, and in 2011 $555,000. He would become a free agent in 2012. All of this is contingent upon Brooks making the Redskins squad of course. He will battle incumbent punter Derrick Frost for the starting job. The Redskins drafted Durant in the 7th round earlier this year in the NFL draft. He was selected for his ability to boom long distance punts with great hang time, as well as for his knack for reversing field position in favor of his team. Even though he is the rookie in this duel, he is the man to beat, not vice-versa. Frost is an adequate NFL punter at best, and you don't use a draft pick, regardless of the round, on a specialty player if you aren't confident he can cut it. Brooks will be given every opportunity available to make this team, but he won't be given the job. He'll earn that on his own!

Greg Norman: Back in Time...

This photo was taken in 1993 just after Greg Norman won his third British Open. Guess who the leader in the clubhouse is after his second round of the 2008 Open? You got it, none other than "The Shark" himself. After just marrying former tennis great Chris Evert, I'd say this is a shaping up to be one heck of a honeymoon!

Steve Spurrier

In a recent interview, Steve Spurrier said he has no plans to leave the University of South Carolina any time soon. After all, don't they say "South Carolina is where old coaches go to die" .He says his health is great, his golf game is great, and coaching football is all he wants to do. For those of you who thought he was relinquishing his play calling duties and overall offensive responsibilities, think again. Super Steve emphasizes that he is still the offensive coordinator with total control of that side of the ball. He will work with Steve Spurrier, Jr. with play calling, but those will be Dad's calls in the end. It is true that Spurrier has made the Gamecocks a team to be reckoned with. However, being that team as opposed to being an SEC contender are two different things altogether. If Carolina is on your schedule, you better prepare well for them. But you won't have to prepare for them in an SEC Championship Game anytime soon, because they will not be there!

M.L.B. All-Star Game

After Major League Baseball's All-Star marathon classic Tuesday night, some concerns have prompted those interested in the game to wonder if changes need to be made to the game. The primary question coming out of the game is one relating to roster size. Managers are caught in the dilemma of wanting to get all the players in the game, but at the same time, being concerned that they will have enough players on their bench if the game goes into extra innings (you know, like perhaps 15 innings!). Then there are the pitchers who are concerned about pitching too many innings, or going over a certain pitch count. And you also have closers who are up and down in the bullpen when a game runs long, and they too become conscious of pitch counts. All of this really is a big deal because there is something at stake now. The winning league wins home field advantage for its representative in the World Series. That is a benefit not to be taken lightly. It translates into an advantage in the Series. So to help out the managers, players, as well as the fans, let's expand the roster for pitchers only and implement a system of free, or open, substitution for position players. I'm not saying turn it into a softball game, just put some rules on the way players can return to the game after being taken out. Take some of the pressure off of the managers, and benefit the players at the same time. Pitchers will be less likely to be overused, and a guy pulled in the 3rd inning might just be called upon to re-enter the game in the 12th. It needs a lot of 'tweaking', but it could work...possibly...?

Knowshon Moreno: How "Sweet" It Is!

Sports Illustrated Galleries has Knowshon Moreno listed as one of last years top 22 "Break-Out Freshmen". This group was composed of college freshmen across the country in both male and female inter-collegiate athletics. After coming in for an injured Thomas Brown, Knowshon ripped off 5 consecutive games of 100+ yards rushing. The last tailback at Georgia to do that? You got it, Herschel Walker. Nice company you're keeping there, 'Shon! He finished the year with 1,334 yards and 14 touchdowns to earn SEC Freshman of the Year honors.

Phil Mickelson: If Only You Would

Ten Reasons Phil Mickelson will not win the 2008 British Open:

1. Only 1 Top 10 in 15 starts in The Open.

2. He hits the ball too high to negotiate British Open winds.

3. He has trouble combining all facets of his game to score well in Open conditions.

4. His mind tends to 'leave the course' at times during major tournaments.

5. His game is too erratic; ranging from fantastic to utterly terrible.

6. The weather forecast is not for "warm", which he much prefers.

7. He just doesn't seem to 'want it' bad enough.

8. No "lefty" has won the British Open in 45 years.

9. He isn't playing particularly well going into the tournament.

10. Because I would really love to see him finally win the Claret Jug!

Josh Hamilton - What a Show!

Josh Hamilton did not win the 2008 MLB All-Star Home Derby Monday night. But you know what, no one cares. Justin Morneau owns the trophy, but Hamilton owned the night. And the grand old historic House That Ruth Built. And the city that let 'Ole Blue Eyes do it his way. And all those hard-nosed New York fans. They were chanting Ham-il-ton, Ham-il-ton, Ham-il-ton. This is the stuff fairy tales are made of. This is a "goose-bump factory". This is Hollywood script material. This is a time for all those "un" words: unbelievable, unreal, unthinkable, and unimaginable. Last night the world belonged to Josh Hamilton; he was just letting us live in it! The guy hit 28 home runs in a single round. One after the other sailed through the New York night sky in the form of towering blasts. He hit more than a couple over that magical 500' mark. He had the joint rockin'! And the man throwing all those perfect pitches to him? None other than 71 year old Claybon Council, who was in Yankee stadium in 1956 when Don Larsen pitched his perfect game in the World Series. The man probably threw over a hundred pitches before the night was over. What a gamer! He was Hamilton's American Legion baseball coach, and Josh thought that much of him to bring him to Yankee Stadium. It makes you wonder just how many other kids Mr. Council has coached, helped, and influenced. After turning on the evening news and hearing negative story after negative story, it's really great when sports steps up and gives us some positives to help us escape the "real world". An unlikely story of a number one draft pick who became victim to a crack addiction. He was out of the game for three years before coming back to make the All Star roster and to give us a story for the ages during some crazy contest known as a home run derby.

Billy Packer Sent Packing...

CBS has decided to end its 27 year relationship with Billy Packer by not renewing his contract. His final four commentary streak will end at 34. He will pursue "other projects in basketball'. Jim Nantz will remain as the play-by-play broadcaster, and Clark Kellogg will replace Packer. This is good new for tons of basketball fans who have grown tired of Packer's style and comments. He made absolutely zero friends during this year's semi-final when he declared the "game over" early in the contest with North Carolina trailing Kansas 38-12. The Tarheels came back to close the gap to 54-50 with 11 minutes remaining before Kansas pulled away again. For all practical purposes, he told his audience they might as well turn the channel. I'm sure the CBS execs had to smooth that out with a few sponsors. Their spots only cost a few million, right? His most infamous gaffe probably was uttered in a 1996 Georgetown-Villanova game when he referred to Allen Iverson as a "tough monkey". Had he waited a few years to pull that one out, this post would be about his retirement activities. 'Monkey' won't cut it on the airways, it will just get you cut off the airways. On the other side of the coin, no one can dispute Packer's genuine passion for the game of college basketball. His love for it and his knowledge of it are inarguable. His longevity speaks for itself, altough in reality, he did overstay his welcome. CBS should have made this change several years ago. It was a decision that was overdue. Packer got into a habit used by southern Baptist preachers, he stayed too long. (I can do you a long post on that one!). It's been a long run. Good luck Billy!

"Snake" Eyes and 3 D.U.I.s

Alabama color analyst Kenny "The Snake" Stabler has been given a leave of absence from the broadcast booth for the 2008 football season. This follows his recent arrest on a drunken driving charge. He will devote full attention to the problems in his personal life. The Snake has two other DUIs in his past, the first in 1995 and the next in 2001. He has been the Tide's color commentator for the past ten years. Alabama fans love his style in the booth and adore him as one of their all-time greats, but they aren't surprised by this third arrest. His reputation precedes him. He's always been known as one of the hardest drinkers to don the crimson and white. He couldn't fathom why his ex-wives didn't understand that he just wanted to ride around in his truck and drink Jack Daniels. (Maybe you should have cleared that up in a pre-nup, Kenny, or had the preacher say "Do you take Kenny, 'Jack' in one hand, steering wheel in the other!). Oh well...Good luck to Kenny and I hope he makes it back to the booth in 2009. But first get some help and get well before you hurt yourself, or worse, someone else.