Random Thoughts from around sports

The Detroit Lions look like they won’t pick Aaron Curry of Wake Forrest number one. While linebacker was a glaring need the traded for Julian Peterson. The Lions gave up Cory Redding and a fifth round pick to Seattle to get Peterson. Peterson was a star at Michigan State and with Ernie Simms manning the other outside linebacker spot I can’t see the Lions using the first pick in the draft for a back up when there are many other glaring holes to fill. Looks like they will be deciding between a left tackle and a quarterback.

No worry of Sergio Garcia passing Tiger Woods for the number one ranking. Through three rounds both are not near the top and Sergio had to win to make it happen. If Phil Mickelson continues to hold on to the lead he will be in position to catch Tiger. With Tiger’s caddy spouting off about how he doesn’t like Phil this is the rivalry golf fans want to see.

No fighting in hockey. While I know they are not trying to eliminate all fighting just staged fights right when the puck drops this is still a bad move. Hockey is struggling to hang on to its popularity and MMA ratings are on the rise. Fans like the fighting just like NASCAR fans love the crashes (as long as no one gets hurt).

Team USA gets routed by Puerto Rico. 11-1 and they had to invoke the mercy rule. Isn’t this like getting your butt kicked by your little brother? Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the US. Maybe in the future we should make them play on our team like the Dutch do.

NCCA tournament is almost here and after Saturday’s action here are my number one and two picks. UNC will be the overall number one seed the other number one seeds will be Pittsburgh, Louisville and Memphis. Second seeds will be Michigan State, Uconn, Oklahoma and Duke. Let the fun begin

JD is a contributor to The Sports Information Hub and can be contacted at jdthesportsguy@gmail.com

Sergio Garcia the best golfer in the world

Does anyone actually believe that statement? Probably not but that is what the world rankings could say after this week. If Sergio wins and Tiger Woods finishes worse than twenty seventh Garcia will be the world’s new number one player. Unlike tennis or college basketball where rankings matter because you get seeded that way and it affects the possible outcome, golf rankings allow you enter in some tournaments that you otherwise would not get into but then it has no effect. If not for Tiger’s knee problem we would not even be having this discussion. It shows how great he is that after missing eight months he is still number one even the rankings only count the last two years. My problem is not that someone could pass Woods it is that that someone has never won a major and is generally regarded as a poor putter. Woods being injured kept him from accruing more points while out and it is a cumulative points system so if would makes sense that he would get passed but the system is messed up when the guys winning majors aren’t the ones doing the passing. Paddy Harrington or Phil Mickelson have both won majors in the last few years and have a much stronger case to hold the number one ranking. Sorry Sergio the only title you should hold is the best player not to win a major.

JD is a contributor to The Sports Information Hub and can be contacted at jdthesportsguy@gmail.com

Terrell Owens to the Bills

While I have never been a T.O. supporter I think this may be the best fit he could have found. First the good, he is not a criminal as much as the media tries to paint him in that corner and constantly places him along side of criminals. He has never had a brush with the law. He is very productive. Ten or more TDs the last three years. No other wide receiver can say that. Offense is all about putting points on the scoreboard and he does that. He is a winner and wants the ball in big situations. He always blocks down field. Now for the bad. He wants the ball all the time even if other options are better. He wants to win but it has to be because of him. He has to be the star. He drops the ball. As his speed and skills diminish this will become even a bigger problem. He creates a media circus, fair or not fair as some of my colleagues suggest. Now here is why I think this is the best fit for him and a good gamble for the Bills. Buffalo has not scared anyone on offense for years. Now with Lee Evans and T.O. going deep it will be pick your poison. Marshawn Lynch is having some troubles with the law but this will benefit him and give him running room for the first time since he got there. It will also take the media heat off him since T.O. will get almost all the coverage now. Trent Edwards is now on the hot seat. How will he and T.O. coexist and will he stand up to him? I think he will feed him the ball as much as he can because he wants big numbers and so does T.O.. Now for the city of Buffalo. It is a small market and more of a college town than any other place T.O. has been. This should help the team and him. Less media and more of a get behind you attitude from the fans. The team has been on the verge of the playoffs and he could help them get over the hump he will get all the credit and that is really what he wants. It is also only a one year deal so if it doesn’t work out you have not really lost anything. Can’t use popcorn again so get your Buffalo Wings ready.

JD is a contributor to The Sports Information Hub and can be contacted at jdthesportsguy@gmail.com

Has it really been four months…

Manny Ramirez finally signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Two years and 45 million. Does that sound familiar to you? Well it is the same offer that so called super agent Scott Boras called not a real offer when they first got it. Now they had to accept it which brought a little smile to my face. It is not that I don’t like Manny because I do. He is frustrating because he is so inconsistent but he is very entertaining. You never know what he will do. I don’t like Scott Boras. I am glad he had to eat his words. How do you accept a non offer? Scott bluffed and was called. Nice work. Glad Manny has to give you ten percent for doing nothing. Manny I would have done it for eight percent.

Kurt Warner re-signed with the Cardinals. Two years 23 million and an offer to give a million back to help keep Boldin. He could have got more money from the Niners but wanted to stay and gave the home town discount. I am glad he did it.

I am also glad Ray Lewis is staying with the Ravens. I love it when guys finish their career with the only team they ever played for.


JD is a contributor to The Sports Information Hub and can be contacted at jdthesportsguy@gmail.com