Memphis' Barton Declared Eligible

After further review from the NCAA, Memphis freshman guard Will Barton has been cleared and is now eligible to play this season. This was after being ruled ineligible about 3 weeks ago by the NCAA. Coach Josh Pastner says he is very pleased with the decision. Of course you are Josh. What else are you gonna say? This is major for the Tigers as they attempt to claw back into elite company.

Legarrette Blount Still Has That Fighting Spirit

After supposedly learning his lesson after punching a Boise State player last year, Legarrette Blount is at it again. That punch lowered his draft stock and cost him most of his senior season, also a whole lot of money.

After Blount's helmet was taken off for the second time in a goal line drill defensive end Eric Bakhtiari got in his face and Blount retaliated with a punch. This is standard training camp fare so this might not be as costly. Unless Jeff Fisher thinks he hasn't changed and it costs Blount a roster spot. He did apologize to Fisher and Fisher stated that he wasn't disappointed.





Blount looked like he was ready to go. I think he needs to go to some kind of counseling or something. In my opinion it looks like he hasn't learned anything from his last mistake and from stories that were put out, the Boise State incident wasn't the first time. Maybe he can look up Ron Artest's doc.

The Hits Keep Coming

Ever since Rich Rodriguez set foot on Michigan's campus nothing has gone right. As you've heard about the latest news, cornerback Troy Woolfolk suffered a dislocated ankle and broke a bone in his leg, leaving the secondary thin as Kate Moss. This is the latest in a string of bad luck and misfortune since Rodriguez has taken over in Ann Arbor.

My personal opinion is that Rich Rod could be done in Ann Arbor by midseason if the team gets off to a slow start, as much as I hate to say it. I also hate to read between the lines, but I'm going to read between the lines. Newly minted atletic director David Brandon is old school Michigan. Definition-He's a former player from the Schembechler era and he doesn't mess around. Deep down I don't think he approves of Rodriguez too much. Brandon said that Rodriguez would coach this season. Meaning that he will start the season as coach, but might not last the season if things don't go right. Brandon couldn't fire Rich Rod in the offseason because he would've been cutting his own throat. He wouldn't be able to find a suitable coach in  time for the season opener. The Wolverines would've been stuck with an underqualified assistant, like when Brian Ellerbe took over the basketball program. So as of now Rich Rod gets a quasi, dreaded vote of confidence. Even if he lasts for the full season, who knows if he lasts beyond this year. I believe Brandon has  list of who HE wants on the sidelines in the Big House.

Another factor is the recruiting game. I'm no insider for the school or football team. Nor am I a recruiting guru. I know plenty of schools take in plenty of questionable talents year after year. Even the mercurial Willie Williams got chances at two schools. I know Michigan accepted them year after year until they do something ridiculously stupid (Larry Harrison) or smoke too much chronic (Kelly Baraka). Demar Dorsey was no angel. He wasn't gonna be on the dean's list anytime soon either. But knowing what I know, Michigan has had players dumb as stumps on the field. If it had been Lloyd Carr, Gary Moeller, or Bo Schembechler on the sideline, I'm pretty damn sure Dorsey would be suiting up for the Maize and Blue. Since it's fact, that will somehow be denied, that there are alumni and regents that don't like Rodriguez, Dorsey doesn't get in. He's also being shortstopped in recruiting players because they say that type of player doesn't belong at Michigan. It happened recently with some kid from Florida, I believe,but I could be wrong. I've heard that the kid was told to get his grades up before he thought about Michigan. Reminds me of the Tom Goss era, when he said he wanted Michigan basketball to be like Duke and he didn't want anymore questionable kids (Detroit kids) playing at Michigan. If coach Rod is to stay at Michigan, this is another hurdle he's gonna have to overcome.

As far as the NCAA inquiry, plenty of teams do the same thing Michigan and Rodriguez are accused of doing. I'm not well schooled in the screwy ways of the NCAA rulebook, but I feel that this was something personal against Rodriguez. I'm sure Michigan had been guilty of this offense for years. I believe there was a personal dislike for Rodriguez so the story comes out.

I like Rodriguez and I do feel he hasn't been given a fair shake. Some of this mess he created on his own, some of it I believe has been the result of higher ups and other powerful people within the adminstration that don't want him there. The best case scenario is that he gets 8 wins to have a stay of execution. I just don't think it's gonna happen. I hate to say it but he could be gone by week 2 and the coaching search will be in full swing.

    

K-Rod Done For 2010

I didn't figure the New York Mets would make a late season run, and even if they think about it they will have to do it without closer Francisco Rodriguez. Rodriguez suffered a torn ligament in his right thumb during the well publicized altercation with the grandfather of his children. Well, I really don't consider it too much of an altercation as K-Rod roughed up the grand old man.

I hate to see anyone get hurt, but I do find it kind of funny he gets injured jacking up the old man. Now that's karma for you. I'm not going to get into the undecodeable statements manager Jerry Manuel had to say about this mess. All I can say is that he seems very disappointed. I guess the next time K-Rod decides to drop hammer on someone, he'll be more careful.

UH OH! Haslem Arrested On Drug Charge

This was probably his reaction during the traffic stop.

 Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem was arrested on a drug charge after a routine traffic stop in Miami-Dade County. I'm pretty sure this is a marijuana related charge which Haslem would get a slap on the wrist for everyone's trouble. An FHP spokesman  said that Haslem and an unnamed passenger were both cited. I know Pat Riley didn't want the team to have this kind of press in the offseason.

NO GOOD!

Baltimore Ravens wannabe lineman gets hung on his dunk attempt.





The kicker is that he played basketball at Western Michigan. Pretty good too, as he was third on the school's all time scoring and rebounding lists. All in all, I hope he makes it. Just don't try redeeming yourself against the goalpost.

The Agony Of Defeat

I know the agony of defeat is an overused phrase. With the coverage of the Little League World Series that's what it truly is. The network that covers the games are always focusing on the losing team. Then they get the inevitable close up of the kids on the losing team crying. I don't think it's right, but deep down I find it kind of funny. I know whoever reads this figures I must be some cruel, dastardly individual. I just have a sick sense of humor like that sometimes. The people at the network (ESPN) must be worse than me since they always focus on this all the time. 

Ron English Needs To Think Before He Speaks

Normally anything to do with Eastern Michigan football is relevant. I'm from the area so I should know. They've been lousy for quite a while and have ran through a bevy of coaches. Current head Eagle in charge Ron English has a monumental task for a program whose greatest acheivement is their win in the1987 California Bowl. Yes, that game doesn't exist anymore and they were also the Hurons back then. CBSSports.com has them rated 119th out of 120 FBS schools. And now the aformentioned English decided what kind of family potential recruits should come out of.


In a July 31 story in the Detroit News, English said: "We wanted guys that had a father in their background. A guy that's raised by his mom all the time, and please don't take me wrong, but the reality is that you've got to teach that guy how to be taught by a man." Ok Ron, go insulting single mothers,meanwhile killing your recruiting.

I hate to say it, but a lot of these kids do come from broken homes and use football as a means to improve themselves. Their high school coaches become more of the father figure to them. In some cases their mothers are doing their best to hold things together, in the meantime instilling their kids with morals and pride and hoping they don't fall prey to the dangers of the streeets.

Some of the area high school coaches also took offense to English's comment, since they know that some of the kids they coach wouldn't meet his standards.


"I didn't have a father," said Southwestern coach Andre Harlan, who played for Earl Moore at Murray-Wright. "I was raised by my mother, and I didn't do anything dumb. I didn't cause Coach Moore any problems. My mother raised me and my two brothers in the Brewster Projects -- that's a drug haven -- and we never sold drugs or did drugs and we all have master's degrees."


Renaissance coach Antonio Watts played at Cody and found football to be something that reinforced his mother's teachings.

"I was raised by my mother," he said. "She instilled values in me, and football enhanced her values."

Not that Eastern gets the pick of the litter when it comes to recruits to begin with, but this could be a program killer unless he mends the fences and quickly. In today's world you have to relate to thyour players, no matter what they're background is. English needs to think before he speaks about certain topics.

Tebow's New Haircut

Even though Dez Bryant didn't want to go through the hazing process, Tim Tebow so far has gotten it far worse than what Bryant was asked to do. Tebow got the worse haircut I've ever laid eyes on.

I'll give him credit though, he was a trooper about it. Much more than Dez in Dallas. It does make him look a little cartoonish though.

A True Hall Of Famer

Didn't Century 21 have the same jackets?

As a player, I never really cared to much for Michael Irvin or his antics. It probably had more to do with the Dallas Cowboys team he played for, since everyone jumped on the bandwagon back then. As time went on I grew a healthy respect for the man, even when he was on ESPN. He was elected to the Hall of Fame, even though that probably had more to do with who he played for because there are some receivers who have better stats. But he was enshrined and received one of those old Century 21, I mean yellow Hall of Fame blazers. The best part is how he put the yellow jacket to use two days after the ceremony. I'll let Irvin tell it.

Irvin, from the Chicago Tribune:

"I remember when I was inducted into the Hall of Fame and they gave me my Hall of Fame yellow blazer. I wore it for two straight days. Finally my wife was in bed and said she wanted to make love but that I had to take the coat off. I refused and kept the blazer on because I wanted to perform like a Hall of Famer on the field and off."

Spoken like a true player. A real pimp move Mike. He just became one of my favorite all time humans. Right next to the likes of Coleman Young and Bill Clinton. That yellow jacket deserves a spot right next to Monica Lewinsky's blue dress. I guess that's why he's the playmaker.

Tiger Needs More Time Off

Tiger needs moments alone like this.

It's fairly obvious that the cheating scandal and subsequent divorce Tiger Woods has gone through is affecting his golf game. I'm no golf honk, but he's just not right. He had one,maybe two good showings since he came back and now he shoots a 74 (however you calculate that) in the first round at the Bridgestone Invitational. He has fallen and fallen hard.

He's been struggling with his game, missing short putts and butchering the course altogether. I don't watch golf so bear with me. I think this is more mental than what he's letting on. Everything he has gone through has affected him and his glf game in the worse way. He says he intends to play his way on to the Ryder Cup team. I don't think so. He needs to take some time off. Like the rest of the golf season, however that works out. Hit some links at the local muni and get some practice in. Hell, even Allen Iverson thinks you need practice. Knock the rust off and maybe call old swing guru Butch Harmon to get your game back. It's obvious you don't have it right now.

As a sports fan, you keep waiting for the old Tiger Woods to appear. The one that whacked the competiton early in a tournament, or distanced himself from the field on Saturday, or made the late charge on Sunday. Right now, none of that is happening. The only way he gets it back is to clear his mind, because it doesn't seem to be on golf. Maybe not having his mistresses around has also affected his game.        

Shaq, The Big Leprechaun

The Big Leprechaun, The Big Clover, or whatever Shaquille O'Neal decides to call himself these days has landed in Boston. The Celtics signed the 38 year old O'Neal to a two year deal. Now he gets to join all the star geriatrics in Boston. To be honest, I kinda like the deal, even though the Big Diesel is on the verge of breaking down. Boston gets someone to fill the hole left by Kendrick Perkins and people like me still get to hear quick one liners from Shaq. Especially this year a they try to keep up with the Miami Heat, who rounded out their roster with a bunch of ring chasing vets.Hopefully we can see more ESPN commercials like this.



Even though Shaq really didn't fit in with Cleveland, he might do just fine in Boston. The Celts do like to run when they have the chance, but they are more likely to shut you down on defense, wear you down, and be effiecient on offense. As long as they don't let Shaq dominate the ball when he's in the game, the Celts should be ok. Only if he has a matchup he can still exploit. Also don't have him in late in the game. If they can do that this experiment just might work out. If not it might go the way of the Stephon Marbury experience. Hey at least there's still a character in the game. Which means i get more ridiculous Comcast commercials and maybe get one more hilarious ESPN spot.

Detroit Lions

Being the wife of a sports fan and living in the Detroit area, I thought it was funny the Detroit Lions made it on Jeopardy. The Detroit Lions didn't make it on Jeopardy for their great plays.  They made it on Jeopardy for their lack of great plays.

Mrs. E.

Dennis Rodman Involved In Car Accident

No matter how much they try, you can't get rid of Dennis Rodman. Rodman and another passenger were unscathed after the Land Rover they were in flipped on Interstate 95 in Fort Lauderdale. Authorities say the SUV flipped over after having a tire problem.

Rodman's agent, David Prince, talked to Rodman today to confirm he was unhurt. Prince said that Rodman told him, "'I'm still living brother. They can't get rid of me.'"

Rodman was returning from St. Tropez, where he has a job as a DJ. Who knew that Rodman was in that line of work. All is well in Rodman's world and he's still alive. 

Tyreke Evans In The Fast And The Furious-Sacramento Style

Yes, this is Sacramento Kings star guard Tyreke Evans in a high speed chase with the California Highway Patrol. He reportedly was driving 120-130 mph on Interstate 80. The video was shot on Memorial Day weekend. Evans was arrested at gunpoint after the chase.

Come Reke. You know as an NBA star you can't be out there racing cars. take up NASCAR training if you want to do that. It's dangerous and you don't need to be doing it. Remember what happened to Bobby Phills in Charlotte. Your a star baller, take up a less dangerous hobby.

Amare Stoudemire Is Going Alex Haley On Us

I know.He's a Knick now

New York Knicks forward Amare Stoudemire is set on tracing his Israeli roots and possible Jewish heritage. Stoudemire is on a visit to Israel, says he has Hebrew roots through his mother.

She studied the scriptures and history and she believes she is a Hebrew,” he told The Associated Press on Friday in Jerusalem. “I grew up in a very spiritual home. It’s not about religion, it’s about spirituality for me.”

This is very interesting that Stoudemire might have Jewish lineage. I'm interested in seeing how this turns out. I'm glad that he's tracing his roots, since you don't hear too much about this going on with professional athletes.