I'm tossing out a few hits in all areas today trying to be true to the blog title description.
PEBBLE
Congrats to Jennifer Jones and her team for winning Gold in Vernon. They should have been eliminated in the semi finals by Japan but the Japanese skip couldn't swallow her nerves and gave the game away to Jones in the final ends. In the Gold Medal game China followed the traditional game plan for championship games - keep it clean the first few ends, play a bit defensive, bank some time, settle the nerves. Bad game plan for the young team that was super aggressive all week. It just meant the nerves increased as the ends went along with a close game and Jones with her experience took over.
World Men's starts this week in Grand Forks. Teams are here in Winnipeg getting in some exhibition games against local talent. A really cool thing is happening tonight (April 1) at the Pembina Curling Club. Here's a snapshot from Resby Coutts at thecurler.com.
The Pembina CC's championship matches will use three sheets. Teams from Czech Republic, Denmark and Scotland will play local teams as an awareness/fundraiser for the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation.Scotland will play Jeff Stoughton; Denmark will play Lionel Walz; Czech Republic will play Norm Magnusson.
Resby has been featuring the participating World Men's teams and countries on Rock Talk. Local Radio 1290 cfrw. Check out Resby's website for radio archives and other great curling coverage.
PUCKS
New York Rangers in 1992-93. That's the answer to a question my friend asked last night. When was the last time a team won the President's trophy then missed the playoffs the following year? We even wondered if it had happened before. The Canadiens also did it in 1969-70. The Buffalo Sabres will be the third team soon.
Saku Koivu just can't catch a break unless it's in a bone in his body. Out for rest of the season with a broken bone in his left foot. Playoffs are uncertain.
Sens started the season 15-2 and may miss the playoffs. That's brutal. Good job Paddock had them out of the gate fast. Too bad he got dumped.
Kyle Turris will join the Coyotes. This kid is very good. Another gem for the NHL.
PIGKSIN
Vikings will play Green Bay on Monday Night to open the NFL Regular Season. The game will be at Lambeau Field in Green Bay and obviously the first for the Packers without Favre. It's the early game of a double header. Broncos are at the new look Raiders in the second game.
The ESPN MNF crew stays in order. Mike, Tony and Jaws will call the early game.
Vikings have reportedly offered a 3rd round pick for Sage Rosenfels. Texans have declined despite signing QB Quinn Gray recently. They insist that Rosenfels is a key part of their team. Vikings chasing Rosenfels....What a mess at QB for the Vikings?
Miami is on the clock for the entry draft. I am totally looking forward to that. Unlike the NHL draft where the players selected are just learning to shave and may not impact their team for years, the NFL draft provides immediate impact for teams. There's no projecting growth and development here..at least not very much anyway. Miami is looking for someone to take their #1 pick off their hands. They have so many needs they could use a package of picks instead of 1 pick that will cost them $30 million. The problem is not many people sound in love with a certain guy enough to pay the Dolphins their asking price and/or the $30 million for the first overall pick. If Parcells can't move the pick I would be surprised if they don't take a pass rushing defensive end. My theory is the defensive end value has gone up since the Giants win in the Superbowl. How do you beat Tom Brady? It's not with a clever cornerback or safety picking him off and it won't be on the offense. No, it's by setting him on his butt and rushing his throws. Brady can be extended to Brothers Manning. The past two Superbowl winners.
SACKSIDE THOUGHTS
The ankle injury had a setback. I could barely get out of bed this morning. I curled last night in the my club playoffs. It was the semi final of the consolation event. First slide I ended up on my butt. Second wasn't much better. I just couldn't slide out with any power transfer to my left leg and foot. I managed to not kill my team and ended up finding a slide that worked and made some contributions. The price is sharp pain and more swelling...well worth it.
It's April Fools...go out and fool someone.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
I completely agree with your analysis of Miami going into the first pick of the draft. No matter what the Mock Drafts say, I can't believe they would spend $30-$35MM on a high risk QB. They've seen how that's worked out [Are you listenting, David Carr?]
Ah, get that ankle heeled. Our pitchers and catchers (and fielders and batters) report back to action in about four weeks.
Post a Comment