I'm baaaaaaack!

I know you have all waited patiently (or at least most of you) as I studied for the California Bar exam. Thank God that hell is over. So anyways, I have a crazy month of vacations planned, so my postings will be sporadic. Don't worry, I'll get into a routine before the season starts. So here is my first post-bar posting! Leave comments!

1. I know I’m about to have the best month ever! Not only is the bar over with, and my twelve freaking hour days in the library, but I was able to get a whole month off from work. I’ll be hanging out in San Diego, enjoying boredom; then Ill be heading to Laughlin to gamble away all the money I don’t have, then going on a cruise, followed by a two-week stint in good ol’ Arizona to visit friends, family, and to conduct TWO fantasy football drafts.

2. I know the Atlanta Falcons will be the worst team in football. Face it, its not like they were good last year. They went 7-9 after starting 3-1 in a season where Michael Vick rushed for over 1000 yards. Moreover, the circumstances of Vick’s departure will plague the Falcons all year long. Now they are forced to start Joey Harrington with a 23-43 win-loss record and a career passer rating below 70. Finally to top it all off Warrick Dunn their leading rusher is out. I expect their inexperienced coach to lead them to a 3-13 record.

3. I know Daunte Culpepper will unfortunately be a Tampa Bay Buccaneer. I HATE this! I can’t believe Golden was right. It is really unbelievable! However, Chris Simms still hasn’t recovered from his spleen removal. It seems he is subconsciously protecting his torso while playing, and it has screwed up his mechanics. The Bucs need to upgrade their back-up QB situation. If the Bucs sign Daunte, then I think they will likely drop Simms. Gradkowski is not ready to be a back-up yet, but his potential should keep him as the team’s third string QB. (Little known fact about Gradkowski is that in high school he played in the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League in Pennsylvania topping records set by Dan Marino, Joe Montana, Joe Namath, and Johnny Unitas… maybe you heard of them.) The Bucs season (and Gruden’s career) will live or die with Garcia’s play. I wish my boy Plummer would save the day and report to camp!

4. I know that Simeon Rice will be a Detroit Lion. Rice has a great relationship with Detroit head coach Rod Marinelli who was formerly the Bucs defensive line coach. If Matt Millen does something smart and ponies up the dough, the Lions could add a defensive play-maker improving their 28^th ranked Defense last year that gave up over 345 yards per game.

5. I know that if I catch Bonds’ record breaking homerun ball, I’m selling it. For those I didn't text, the Giants are playing the Padres this Friday and I got fourth row seats in the section that sticks out of the right-field corner. So hopefully Bonds doesn't break the record during his three L.A. games this week, and the Giants don't end up resting him on Friday. So if I catch that ball there’s no giving it back, and getting an autograph in return. An auction house has already made a MILLION dollar offer for the ball that they were forced to retract for safety precautions. So like my boy Asante Samuels says I’ll need to “Get Paid!” I got bills! So show me the money!

My previous thoughts on Michael Vick

With the Bar exam less than a week away, I do not have the time to say all that I want to on this matter. So I am going to cheat and remind you all of my statements back on June 6th. This will also provide a new thread so we can debate the implications of this recent indictment.

On June 6, 2007, I said....
I know this dog-fighting issue will plague Vick all season. Most recent reports indicate that there is sufficient evidence to indict Vick on his illegal dog-fighting ring. I believe that even if found guilty he would not receive jail time, and any jail time he did receive would not be a substantial amount. Best case scenario for Vick is that the Virginia DA would hurry up and decide if he is going to press charges, and if so, sooner is better than later. The sooner they press charges, the sooner Vick can plead out, accept probation, and move on with his life. The longer they drag this out, the greater the chance it will carry into the NFL season. Then Vick will be forced to defend the case while trying to keep his job as the starting QB of the Falcons. Once charges are filed, Vick is entitled to a speedy trial. Not a right he will welcome if charges are filed in August. So Vick could spend the beginning of the 2007-08 season dealing with his legal troubles. Moreover, unlike with Pacman, Goodell will come out and say he will wait for the legal system to run its course, before he makes a decision on Vick (no rationale to explain the hypocrisy in that decision... but watch, it WILL happen). So in November, when Vick finally wraps up his case, Goodell will suspend him for two games. By that time, it will probably be irrelevant, because with the distraction all season long, and the competitive NFC south, the Falcons will probably be out of playoff contention anyways.

Guest Blogger: Brad Denny

Hey Everyone, the bar is 8 days away! Brad Denny has put together a good article on why his favorite team, the Pittsburgh Steelers will win their division. In the comments go ahead and tell him why he is sooooo wrong, and then explain why your favorite team will win their own division.

Here are Brad's arguments...

Ben Roethlisberger – It was a tale of three seasons for Ben Roethlisberger. The first began with his horrific motorcycle accident, climaxed with his emergency appendectomy shortly before the season opener, and ended with a Week 5 loss to San Diego. In that first stretch of 3 games, he was picked off 7 times without throwing a TD. However, after that, he clearly found his groove again and played like the Ben of 2005, lighting up the Chiefs and Falcons before a Falcons cheap shot (a blow admitted as such by the NFL) gave him a concussion and knocked him out of in the 3^rd Quarter. His number in a game and a half,,,5 TD, 0 INT. He struggled for 2 more games, throwing 1-7, before again getting comfortable for begin the “third season”. He was brilliant in a 3 TD/0 INT win over the Saints, and led the Steelers to a 6-2 mark in the second half of the season, as he was finally able to be free on injury. Now with a full off-season and perfect health, new OC Bruce Arians (the quarterback coach of, yes…Peyton Manning for 3 years) is giving Ben much more control of the offense, and planning to use 3 and 4 WR formations to exploit the excellent weapons at their disposal. Ben may not throw for 3,513 yards again, but his QB rating will be much more in line with the 98s of his first two seasons. Oh, and the W-L record will be more like those years as well. It’s amazing how after 1 injury riddled, yet ultimately promising year, some superficial fans are ready to right off a QB who in his first two years went 27-4, and won a Super Bowl. Well, people in the league know how good he is, and soon enough, all of the cretins will get a refresher course.

Santonio Holmes – The Steelers rarely trade up in the first round of the draft, but when they do, the best drafting team (a fact) in the NFL never misses (Troy Polamalu anyone?). They did so again last year for Ohio State wideout Santonio Holmes. Despite being the top rated receiver in the 2006 draft, some questioned this move, as WR was not a huge need for the Steelers. Holmes had a shaky first half, as did the Steelers, posting only 16 catches. However, Holmes emerged as one of the most explosive receivers in the NFL down the stretch, and he finished with 49 grabs for 824 yards. His 16.8 yards per catch was 2^nd in the NFL among players with as many catches. Blessed with a solid frame and lightning speed to get the deep ball, he also is adept at turning a short route into a long gain, as his 10.5 yards per short pass attempt led all NFL WRs by a staggering 2.5 yards. With new offensive coordinator Bruce Arians planning on running more 3 and 4 wide sets, look for Holmes to breakout in a big way.

Dick LeBeau – Despite the coaching change, the Steelers were able to retain Dick LeBeau, one of the top defensive minds of the NFL, master of the 3-4, and inventor of the zone blitz. The defense is still among the NFL’s elite, having ranked in the top 3 in rush defense each of the last three seasons (1^st, 3^rd, 3^rd), and the core of this unit returns. All Pro tackle Casey Hampton anchors the line, and despite the loss of Joey Porter, whose bark was much more than his bite in recent years (only 1 season of 9+ sacks since 2002), the Steelers have great quality, with rookies Lawrence Timmons (16^th overall pick) and LaMarr Woodley (Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year) to compliment veterans James Harrison and Clark Haggans. The key to the defense will be the secondary. Obviously, Polamalu is the best and most versatile safety in the league, and second year safety Anthony Smith is drawing rave reviews as his partner. The CB play, especially that of Ike Taylor, regressed from 2005, and is the top concern. However, with Tomlin’s expertise and Cover 2 schemes, along with the continued development of Bryant McFadden, the early reports around the league are very promising for this young secondary. One thing is for sure, teams won’t be able to run of the Steelers, which is a damn good start.

Dan Rooney – There is no better owner than Dan Rooney. Period. End of debate. Owner of five titles, the best winning percentage of any team since 1992, and the most respected owner in the NFL, Mr. Rooney knows what it takes to run a successful and respected franchise. His right hand man, Director of Football Operations Kevin Colbert is among the best in the business. Year after year, the Steelers reload through the draft after losing key verterans, yet they still win. After a horrific 2-6 start, the Men of Steel rebounded to go 6-2 for a .500 finish, and very nearly made the playoffs. After Coach Cowher retired, everyone (myself included) thought either Ken Whisenhunt or Russ Grimm would get the job, yet the team surprised everyone by hiring Minnesota Defensive Coordinator Mike Tomlin. The Rooneys have a proven track record of hiring coaches, having only 3 (Tomlin included) since 1969, resulting in 5 rings. The last time they hired an energetic, no-name DC in his 30s, it turned out pretty well, wouldn’t ya say?

Steve McNair – The primary threat in the division is reigning champion Baltimore, led by the 34 year old McNair. While he started fast, his play tailed off immensely late in the year, only having one game among the final 4 with a passer rating over 70, and couldn’t led the offense to a touchdown in their home playoff loss to Indy. He also showed the typical McNair nagging injuries, and with Kyle Boller as his backup, the Ravens offense is one hit away from hitting a wall. His age and injuries will catch up to him, and his play will fall well short of magic of last year, leaving the door wide open for Pittsburgh.

Bonus Reason
The Cincinnati PD – Thanks to the boys in blue for tirelessly cleaning up the streets of the scum and villainy that is the roster of the Bengals. At the current rate, most of the starters of this young and immature team will be locked up by midseason.

Quickie #2

So I JUST read a story on espn, and some thoughts crossed my mind that I wanted to get down real quick. Oklahoma was just forced to vacate their 2005 football season because their QB and a lineman received payments from a car dealership when they actually never worked there. When I read about this I immediately thought of USC and Reggie Bush. It is pretty obvious that Bush and his family received money while he was playing. My bet is the NCAA will also end up forcing USC to vacate their two seasons he was their running back... taking away a national title and his heisman trophy. I haven't seen anyone make this connection... but if that happens it will be a huuuuuge black eye for USC and Reggie Bush...

What are your predictions??? Leave some comments!

Quickie

Okay, so as you know I am studying for the bar and I definitely should not be wasting time writing blogs, but I just wanted to cover one quick baseball topic and then back to my studies. I wanted to get this in writing, so I can go back and say I told you so come October.

I know the New York Yankees will make the playoffs. Every single season ESPN goes on and on and on about the damn Yankees. Every year they write them off.... and every year they are wrong. Well this season was the first in 12 years that the Yankees were not above .500 at the All-Star break. So of course, every one claims they are done, and they should become "Sellers" before the trade deadline. Well, I am definitely not a damn Yankees fan, but you can't spend $200 million on a team and not make the playoffs! Despite "the world is ending" predictions by the so-called experts... its really not that bad. They are only 8.5 games out of the wildcard. They are behind Seattle, and teams have overcome much bigger defecits than 8.5 games. They only play Boston 6 more times the second half.... they play a million games against Tampa Bay... and even play Seattle 3 times in September. So despite being under .500 the Yankees will still make the Playoffs.... exit in the first round... followed by the firing of both Cashman and Torre. Remember you heard it here first.

Guest Blogger: Corey Bennett 3rd edition

Hey Everyone,

So I am absolutely swamped with the bar exam. Putting in 12-14 hour days at the library. 16 days until the big day... I have been meaning to put up Battle of the Brads Part 2, but the format is a little messed up and too time consuming right now to figure it all out. I'll try to post the parts that are still relevant in about two weeks. Sorry Brads, don't mean to waste your hard work! Anyways, so Corey provided three short topics to keep the discussions ongoing.

Here they are:

1. I know John Kitna’s 63 sacks last season have caused brain damage.
ESPN is reporting Kitna said, "I'll keep to myself what I think we actually will win. But it's more than 10 games.” He apparently thinks his rookie WR Calvin Johnson will help them make the jump from 3-13 to a playoff team. "I don't like putting a lot of pressure on people, but Calvin Johnson, to me, will have about the same impact that Reggie Bush had in New Orleans," Kitna said. I am a big fan of Reggie Bush, but I seem to recall he wasn’t the only difference-maker in New Orleans last season. If each of Detroit’s first-round picks spent on WRs had a similar impact, then by Kitna’s logic we would be talking about one helluva dynasty. I can just see Matt Millen in his office right now leaning back in his chair, arms behind his head with a smile on his face, thinking, “If it ain’t broke…”

2. I know Rex Grossman is going to be the laughing stock of NFL QBs for another season.
He keeps trying to assure the media and fans that he intends to be more consistent in the coming season. How has he worked on his mechanics? “I tried to work to make everything muscle-memory.” Oh thank God! Muscle memory! I suppose it’s unfair to expect an NFL QB to come to the NFL with muscle-memory. Rex “That big man in the helmet scared me” Grossman is also heavily relying on experience to get him over the hump—ahem, mountain—of becoming a consistent QB. Experience. That must be the problem. I might believe it if his three worst performances last season weren’t again Arizona, Minnesota, and Green Bay (the latter two at home, mind you). I might believe it if he had at least one above-average performance in the post-season. I might believe it if his two best games last season hadn’t been against San Francisco and Detroit…oh wait, that’s the Detroit that’s going to be in the playoffs this season. I’d better watch my words.

3. I know something fishy is going on the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Referees don’t make mistakes like that. They don’t in the middle of the season between the two worst teams in any given league. They don’t in regional cup semifinals. I really don’t care for conspiracy theories, but it is outlandish to have a Mexican referee call a game when Mexico is playing in the other semifinal and there is a clear fan and organizer preference for a US v. Mexico final. Usually, both sides can argue about calls. Usually, you can say it evens out. But that was call made ignorant to a basic rule. Basic.