Non-Madness Sports News

I think I know what being post-partum is like now. I'm suffering from Post-march madness depression. We'll never have 4 games playing at the same time for a long time. Regardless, here's some non-madness notes.

- This week seemed to be a turning point in the world of the NFL Draft. With more and more free agent signings, teams needs are starting to change. Check out NFLDraftcountdown for their latest Mock. Their links page is another great way to find solid draft coverage. I love the fact that the Raiders have the #1 pick in a draft where the top QB is no lock and the best player is a WR that if they draft him, they'll have no way to get him the ball.

- Roger Clemens still loves the limelight and just can't seem to stay out of the headlines. For the fifth time since pitchers and catchers reported, he is announcing that he has nothing to say. Until May. No kidding you fat toad.

- I'll consider my fantasy draft a success this weekend if I don't get sucked into Eric Bedard like half of humanity did last year. Even if he is starting the Oriole's opener.

- Don't wind up sitting next to a freshman in college's family if you want to avoid a $30k fine.

- Pretty interesting article from the Boston Globe's football notes yesterday.

Pardon me if I don't bleed for the NFL players who retire and don't get their tuition reimbursed under the current program. Here's an idea: Put 50 grand away out of the $10 million signing bonus that you just got to pay for your tuition.

Professional athletes are unbelievable to me.

Here's a novel idea for the NFL: Take the money that you pay for tuition reimbursement and invest the hell out of it. Then use it to fund pensions for pre-AFL/NFL merger players. You know, the guys in the Hall of Fame that get 800 bucks a month from the league?

I think Michael Vick can do without his Va Tech education. I had a buddy who knocked up his girlfriend the summer after his Junior year and had to drop out of school...who's reimbursing his tuition for him to go back to school.

- The iditarod is idiotic.

- Check out ESPN.com's San Diego Chargers draft preview article. I love this stuff.

Here's something you should take into account when you're handicapping next season. When a team's Key Addition reads like this:

Key additions
The biggest addition is head coach Norv Turner, who has his third head
coaching job. While he is generally regarded as a solid offensive coordinator,
Turner's teams in Oakland and Washington underachieved with him as head coach.

Then that's a warning sign for the season. "Underachieved" is an understatement.

-*****BREAKING NEWS*******

Roger Clemens still fat, and still un-decided on future plans. Will make announcement in May. Still.

News and Notes and Nightly Links

Tough day of work for the kid today, so the stories of the day will be boiled down to a nightly summary.

My favorite story of the day, PacMan Jones. I love this guy. I need friends who bring 80 g's to a strip club in Las Vegas with them. Today on the barstoolsports message board I commented that PacMan Jones may kill a teammate at some point in his career.

I dare someone to argue with me.




I'm fairly certain Pat Riley wishes he didn't come back last night for the Heat. Losing Dwayne Wade is way worse than losing Shaq, and we all know that Riley isn't a huge fan of when he has to actually coach a team. My money is on another required leave with no information given. If Wade opts for season-ending surgery, that team doesn't stand a chance.



In more NFL news it looks like Adalius Thomas isn't going to be franchised by Baltimore after-all. I have to think this makes Thomas the #1 defensive Free Agent for 3-4 teams, which are growing by the year. Look for the Patriots to take a long look at this guy with the cap room they have available this year.

NFL combine starts this week, the list of stars who are choosing not to work out and to wait for their pro-day is growing. Thatguysports is hoping Zach DeOssie from Brown will have a good week. Great article about the kid from the Boston Globe.


Its Manny-gate here in Boston. I have nothing to say about it. Its the most tired story around. He'll put up the same #'s he always does. I don't care if he shows up now to gamble on pepper behind the batting cages. Nothing gets done in Spring Training. He's probably been working out since the season ended last year...give him 2 weeks to get his timing down and watch him rake.

The fat blowhard, Roger Clemens is making himself a story again by hanging out but not actually doing anything at Houston Astros spring training. God I hate that guy.

Some Links tonight:

Joumana Kidd hasn't been in the news lately (and that must just kill her). - The Big Lead

I hate the "PC Police." But making fun of Illinois fans is funny. - The Postmen

Cold Hard Football Facts makes more light of the Norv Turner hiring. I can't get enough of it. Rich Kotite legitimately has a better winning percentage. And identical playoff record.



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Last but certainly not least, its been a tough year for all things Boston Celtics. First, Red Auerbach. Add to that a horrendous season. But not horrendous enough to get the worst record and #1 lottery spot.

Now, Dennis Johnson...former player, current NBDL coach passed away after running with his team. I'm probably a year or two too young to remember DJ vividly as a player, but the fact that he was such a mainstay for the Celtics during their 80's championship run cemented him in Boston sports history. Tragic loss for the Celtics. Again.

Rest in peace DJ.