5 Observations from NBA's Opening Night

1. The Kobe Bryant situation needs to be resolved. Since the Lakers traded Shaq three summers ago they have been a one man team, but rarely have I seen one player blantantly attempt to steal the spotlight like Kobe did last night. For about 45 of the 48 minutes of last night's game, it was the Kobe show. He took 32 shots and 27 free throws while the rest of the team stood helplessly and watched. This will not change for a variety of reasons including Kobe being Kobe and his feeling that his teammates are worthless, which is why the team needs to trade him and move on. The fans will get over it, it's LA for cryin' out loud. It's time both sides come to the realization that Kobe will take this franchise no where without Shaq or a complimentary superstar and his daily drama will do nothing but suck the life out of the team. Count your losses, ship him off, and look to the future with a young star like Luol Deng.

2. The Rockets are a work in progress. This is a scary thought for the NBA because for the 2.5 quarters where they were in rhythm, they looked as good as anybody. The Jeff Van Gundy defense is still there, holding Kobe to 45 points on 150 shots, and the offense looked like it will really benefit McGrady and Yao in the long run because it is an offense that involves everyone, thus they will have the energy when they need it in the late stages of ball games. However, it took them five minutes to score a point in the game last night and they had just two field goals in the game's final five minutes when they nearly snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. Turnovers were a big problem down the stretch and they showed a serious lack of composure in the final 90 seconds, something that has sadly become a staple of the franchise the past few years. With that said, it was the first game of the season and these struggles can be attributed to a new coach, a new offense, and a load of new faces. Once these Rockets hit their stride, the city of Houston may once again be referred to as Clutch City.

3. Pardon me for stating the obvious here, but the Spurs are going to be one tough load to bring down this season. As you may have noticed in my NBA preview, I have the Suns winning the NBA championship. That pick was based more on my wishful thinking that the Rockets will beat the Spurs in the West-Semis meaning the Suns would completely avoid playing them. The reality is, the Spurs will be there all season long and it is going to be very difficult to keep them from repeating. Tony Parker is a darkhorse for MVP, Tim Duncan so "boringly" went off for 24 and 13 last night, and they had five guys off their bench play 12 minutes or more. That is what we call a deep squad. As hard as it is for me to admit, if the Spurs stay healthy, this will finally be the year we see them repeat.

4. Andrei Kirilenko holds the key to Utah's success. I know they have soon-to-be-perennial All-Stars Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer, but Kirilenko's play will ultimatly determine how far the Jazz advance this year. Last night the fragile foreigner, who recently begged to be released from his contract with the team, had 9 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists and 5 blocks in the Jazz 117-96 bashing of Golden State. If that isn't a complete stat-line then I don't know what is. Kirilenko, with his long arms and versatility, can bring so much to the Jazz, especially defensively, if he can keep his face dry and his head on straight. The Jazz have a nice deep team of nobody's that play very well together and are coached by one of the games legends in Jerry Sloan. However, the success or failure of the Jazz in 2007-08 rests on the shoulders of Kirilenko.

5. It's great to be back. The start of November is such a great time of year in that the NFL is at its mid-season point, but more importantly, basketball season is getting underway. The NBA season started with a bang last night with a very competitive game between a Portland team on the rise and a team they aspire to be one day, the World hampion Spurs, and ended with a crazy finish between the Kobe's and the Rockets. If opening night was a sign of things to come then this NBA season is going to be one of the best in recent years. As Charles Barkley said last night, the league is deeper then it has been since his playing days. There are no more easy games. Thats right people, parity in the NBA has returned. It's going to be a great season, and I expect to see many surprises come April and May. However it plays out, I'm sure of one thing: It's great to have the NBA back.

Until next time,
DTM

Yankees Universe and Props to Jon Lester

Now that the Yankees managerial search and the A-Rod "will he or won't he" situation has been settled, it's time for some reflection. Starting with Brian Cashman's decision to offer former Yankees catcher Joe Girardi the job to be the next manager, I couldn't be more in favor of this decision. A week or so ago I wrote right here that the Yankees shouldn't hire Don Mattingly because they didn't need to replace Joe Torre with someone who poses as Torre because that would completely defeat the purpose of getting rid of him. They needed a guy with experience, and while it isn't much, Girardi has some. In his opening act as a Major League manager, Girardi took a Florida Marlins team who most predicted to lose 120 games in 2006 to the brink of a playoff birth, which earned him the NL Manager of the Year Award. A pretty good debut, I'd say. He's made in-game decisions, and has been dealing with pitchers his whole career; he called two perfect games in his career. Mattingly has never worked with pitchers, has made no in-game decisions, and most importantly, has managed the same number of games as you and I. Girardi is a hard-line manager who will get in your face and tell it like it is. This is a big change from the calm demeanor Joe Torre used so well, and it was a change the Yankees needed, which is why Cashman made the right decision.

As for the A-Rod situation, I have to think about 80% of the Yankees organization breathed a sigh of relief last night when his agent Scott Boras so classlessly text messaged to Yankees GM Brian Cashman that A-Rod had decided to opt out. Classless is a word that summarizes Rodriguez rather well. Not even a phone call from Alex to tell the team that paid him some $100M the past four years that he would be testing the free agent waters. Classless. Couldn't find a day to fly down to Tampa to at least hear the parameters of the record extension the Yankees were going to offer him. Classless. Quite frankly, the Yankees owe Rodriguez nothing. They won much more in the pre-Rod era then in his four years there. He was 8 for his last 59 in the postseason and hitless in his last 18 postseason at-bats with runners in scoring position. I think it's some coincidence that the Curse of the Bambino ended in Alex's first season as a Yankee, and a new curse has been placed on the Yankees because they have yet to advance past the 1st round since. Call it the Curse of A-Rod.

Boras stated that Rodriguez opted out because he was unsure of the status of Rivera, Posada and Pettitte. That is a baldfaced lie. Everyone knows that all three of those players will be back. They, unlike Rodriguez, will not turn down record money and a chance to win a title every year for the remainder of their careers. He opted out because he never fit in to New York, because he could never be #1 in the hearts of New York fans and escape the shadow of the better, more clutch player, Derek Jeter. A-Rod could never handle New York and the postseason expectations that came with being a Yankee. The daily drama he brought to the clubhouse, warranted or not, was a drain on everyone in the organization, and that is why I believe a large majority of Yankees Universe breathe a heavy sigh of relief when the news spread that he was gone. Hopefully he knows that, no matter what he accomplishes from here on out in his career, Alex's Hall of Fame legacy will be somewhat tarnished because he failed in pinstripes, and that is something people will always remember.

A quick word on Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester. Lester won the clinching game in the World Series last night, just a few short months after overcoming lymphoma cancer, which has taken the lives of more then 18,000 people in 2007 alone. I hate the Red Sox, but I know a great story when I see one, and this is one that deserved mention. Congratulations Lester, all things considered, it was a performance for the ages.

Until next time,
DTM

My Visions of the '07-'08 NBA

Below are my predictions for the 2007 NBA season. I want you to be aware that these are based on what we know as of October 28, 2007. I'm giving you the eight playoff teams in each conference and major award winners.

Western Conference:

1. Phoenix Suns (Pacific champs)
2. San Antonio Spurs (Southwest champs)
3. Houston Rockets
4. Dallas Mavericks
5. Denver Nuggets (Northwest champs)
6. Utah Jazz
7. Golden State Warriors
8. LA Lakers
Just Missing: New Orleans Hornets/Memphis Grizzlies

Eastern Conference:

1. Chicago Bulls (Central champs)
2. Detroit Pistons
3. Toronto Raptors (Atlantic champs)
4. Boston Celtics
5. Miami Heat (Southeast champs)
6. Cleveland Cavaliers
7. New Jersey Nets
8. Washington Wizards
Just Missing: Orlando Magic/New York Knicks

Playoffs:
West 1st round winners: Suns, Spurs, Rockets, Nuggets
West Semis: Suns over Nuggets, Rockets over Spurs
West Finals: Suns over Rockets

East 1st round winners: Bulls, Pistons, Raptors, Celtics
East Semis: Bulls over Celtics, Pistons over Raptors
East Finals: Bulls over Pistons

NBA FINALS: Suns over Bulls

Awards:

MVP: Yao Ming, Houston Rockets. 2. Carmelo Anthony 3. Chris Bosh
Rookie of the Year: Kevin Durant, Seattle Sonics. 2. Al Thornton 3. Luis Scola
Coach of the Year: Scott Skiles, Chicago Bulls. 2. Mike D'Antoni 3. Rick Adelman
Defensive Player of the Year: Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic. 2. Bruce Bowen 3. Ben Wallace

1st Team All-NBA
G Deron WIlliams
G Steve Nash
F Carmelo Anthony
F Lebron James
C Yao Ming

2nd Team All-NBA
G Tracy McGrady
G Kobe Bryant
F Kevin Garnett
F Chris Bosh
C Tim Duncan

A Quick Word on the Celtics

Before I issue my NBA Preview this weekend, which will start with the Eastern Conference, I couldn't wait any longer to state my feelings on the Boston Celtics. First I'll give the readers the floor. As fast as you can, without looking it up, name one player on the Celtics not named Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen or Paul Pierce. Take a minute. Ok, its been five minutes, time's up. I am a basketball junkie and the only other player I could name, Rajon Rondo, I have followed since he arrived at Kentucky as a college freshman. Fans and analysts all across America are handing the Celtics the Eastern Conference title, and a few too many people are saying the Celtics are going to raise their 17th championship banner next November.

You'll see this weekend just how many teams in the East I feel are better than the Celtics. I'll tell you now that it isn't many, but the fact that there are teams in the East that are better tells you that they won't win the NBA Championship because no one in the East can beat whichever team emerges from blood bath that is the Western Conference Playoffs. Apparently many NBA insiders and analysts haven't seen the ADIDAS "It takes five," ad campaign. Well with respect to ADIDAS, yes it does take a strong starting five. But it also takes a deep bench. And a coach.

Start with the starting five. Rondo, Allen, Pierce, Garnett, and Kendrick Perkins. The middle three, as we know, are great and the teams success hinges on their play. But Rondo, while high on potential, is still an inexperienced second year PG with no jump shot, and who the hell is Kendrick Perkins?

I had to look up their roster to see who is coming off the bench for the Celtics and I'm guessing Tony Allen, James Posey, Eddie House, and everyones favorite red head, Brian Scalabrine, should get some minutes. Aside from Allen, this makes for a very poor bench that sorely lacks in athleticism.

The biggest problem of all in Beantown is the head honcho. Doc Rivers is the coach. Doc Rivers. Could you ever see Doc Rivers talking to Jim Gray while accepting the NBA Championship Trophy? Doc Rivers. The same coach that has notched 58 and 63 loss seasons. That would be a great total in Major League Baseballs 162 game schedule, but it's not so great in an 82 game sked. Doc Rivers!

The Celtics improved themselves greatly this past offseason, but as you can see, it is a bit premature to crown them NBA, or even Eastern Conference champions. If the ADIDAS claim was "It takes 3," and that in fact was true, the Celtics would be set because they have one of the best, if not the best, trio of players in the NBA. Unfortunatly, until the NBA switches to a 3 on 3 floor game, the Celts will remain what they are: a three man team coached by Doc Rivers.

GO ROCKIES,
DTM

Hate to say I told you so..

While I didn't come out and state that I thought the Red Sox would come back from a 3-1 series defecit to claim the AL pennent, had you read the post regarding the ALCS, you would've had the impression that was my premonition. As it turns out, my gut feeling was right and the damn Red Sox are moving on to the World Series for the second time in four years. While watching Red Sox Nation celebrate another improbable comeback at Fenway last night was horrific and stomach turning, it did not come as a surprise. Ever since the Red Sox fell behind 3-0 to the Yankees four Octobers ago, they have rallied behind their leader, Manny Ramirez (I know its crazy, but stay with me), and his ridiculous "I don't care if we lose, there's always next year" demeanor. It's this attitude that keeps the Sox clubhouse loose, yet quietly confident, in times of desperation while other teams try to put them away and ultimatly fail because they don't know how to deal with the pressure of the moment. There's a saying in sports that says a teams personality comes from their captain and their coach. If that is the case, then you would have to say that Man-Ram is the unquestioned leader of the Red Sox because they all take on his personality in times of trouble. And did you hear any of the players or coaches respond negatively last week when Manny came out and said "if we lose it's not the end of the world, there's always next year?" No, you didn't, because, thanks to Manny, they all felt the same way!

I believe the Red Sox have something the Yankees have lost and something that teams like the Indians and Rockies are searching for: a champions swagger. The Yankees of old used to play just like these Red Sox, where determination, not "I don't care," pushed them to four World Series titles in six years. They had a swagger about them where they knew no matter the score or situation that they would not be denied. They have since lost that swagger as the new age Yankees curl up into a ball whenever adversity hits them in October, which has been in the first inning of Game 1 of the ALDS the past 3 years. My point is, the Red Sox clubhouse probably felt they only had to win one game to win that series when they trailed 3-1, and that was game 5 in Cleveland. You just knew that based on the fact alone that the Indians are from Cleveland that they would fold and the fans would burn down the city in response. The Indians couldn't handle the pressure that the Red Sox handle so well, or just pay no attention to at all, and that is why they are going back to the October Classic.

As for my World Series prediction, I'd first like to say that it was difficult to pick against either team because the Rockies are the hottest team on earth in any sport right now. In fact, if the Rockies were to play football on a neutral field against the Patriots, I would pick the Rockies. However, you would have to think the Red Sox go into this series with the momentum because they have been playing and playing well, outscoring Cleveland 30-5 in the final three games. On the flip side the Rockies will have been off for eight days by the time Game 1 rolls around. I don't see the Rockies pitchers dominating the Red Sox line up the way they did the Phillies and DBacks, and I think their week off will effect their rythem at the play. Sadly, I don't see this series getting back to Fenway, but I do see the Rockies getting a game, which will end the streak of three straight World Series ending in sweeps. I have the Sox in 5 and, as a result, a stomach ulcer.

GO ROCKIES,
DTM

Who is College Football's Best QB?

Of all the great quarterbacks in college football this season- 11 of the 14 players in ESPN.com's Heisman Watch play the position- I believe the countries best quarterback can be found in this group of three: Kentucky's Andre Woodson, Boston College's Matt Ryan, and Louisville's Brian Brohm. I refuse to put Tim Tebow in the Top 3 because any quarterback that is a better runner then they are a passer just can't be considered.

When coming to my decision on which of these three was the nation's best I looked at three areas in order of importance: team schedule, numbers, team record, and the player's best performance. I awarded each player points based on these four things, with the player being rewarded 3 for the highest grade and 1 for the lowest. Remember that all of this is based on what the players have done through the weekend of October 13th. Based on those numbers, here is what I came up with:

3. Matt Ryan, Boston College

- Schedule: Of the three QB's, Ryan's Boston College Eagles edged Brohm's Cardinals for easiest schedule. Ryan's stiffest test came @Georgia Tech, who is not ranked. Aside from a decent GT team, the Eagles have played the likes of UMass, Bowling Green, Army and NC State. Points: 1

- Numbers: 192-304, 2,148 yards, 63% completion, 17 TD, 6 INT. Ryan's numbers are comparible to only Woodson's, as Brohm's numbers, as you will see, dwarfs the other two. Because Woodson's numbers have come against a much stiffer schedule, I believe Ryan has the weakest numbers of the three. Points: 1

- Record: Ryan's Eagles are 7-0 and the highest ranked of the three quarterback's teams. While the schedule has been the softest, Ryan doesn't make the schedule, thus he lands the highest mark for record. Points: 3

- Best Game: Ryan went 30-44 for 435 yards, 1 TD and no turnovers in a 38-28 road victory at Georgia Tech, which ended up being the toughest game on the Eagles schedule. Points: 1

Total points: 6

2. Brian Brohm, Louisville Cardinals

- Schedule: As stated above, Brohm's competition has been slightly more difficult then Ryan's. Both have played only two notable teams and Brohm's (@Kentucky, @CIncinnati) were unquestionably more difficult then Ryan's (Wake Forest, @GT). Points: 2

- Numbers: 230-338, 2,993 yards, 68% completion, 24 TD, 6 INT. Brohm's numbers aren't just the best between these three QB's, but they may just be the best numbers in all of America. Brohm has thrown for over 400 yards in three games, including a 555 yard effort in a loss to (gulp) Syracuse. Points: 3

- Record: Louisville is a disappointing 4-4 this season despite starting off as a BCS Championship contender. Those losses include home losses to Syracuse and Utah, and a bad road loss against UCONN. Points: 1

- Best Game: One would have to say it was his 555 yard, 4 TD performance against the Cuse, but since they lost that game to possibly the worst program in college football, I went in another direction. He had a fine performance against in-state rival Kentucky, going 28-43 for 366 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT. Unfortunatly the team lost 40-34, and Brohm was outdueled by the QB who I feel is the nations best... Points: 2

Total Points: 8

1. Andre Woodson, Kentucky

- Schedule: To this point, Woodson has played one of the nation's toughest schedules, which comes with playing in SEC territory. Woodson has already played at Arkansas and South Carolina, and home against then #1 LSU and Louisville. Not to mention, he has to go to Florida tonight, which has no bearing on these rankings. Points: 3

- Numbers: 156-245, 1,786 yards, 64% completion, 21 TD, 4 INT. Woodson's numbers were similar to Ryan's, but again he was given the edge because of who the numbers came against. It's alot harder to throw for 300 yards against the likes of Arkansas and LSU then it is Army and Notre Dame. However, his numbers, like all QB's, aren't in the same area code as Brohm's. Points: 2

- Record: Kentucky is 6-1, with their lone loss coming at South Carolina. While Kentucky's 6-1 record is probably more impressive and improbable than Ryan's 7-0 record, a loss is a loss. Points: 2

- Best Game: Woodson has mostly performed admirably against the stiffest of competition. Coincidentally, his worst game came in UK's only loss of the season, which shows how much they depend on the effectiveness of their star QB. His best game came last weekend against mighty LSU as he went 21-38 for 250 yards with 4 total TD (3 passing) and 2 INT's. Woodson's efforts helped lead Kentucky back from a 13-point 4th quarter defecit to claim a 43-37 OT victory, knocking LSU from their #1 rank. Points: 3

Total Points: 10


Andre Woodson's performance against some of the nation's best teams is what makes him the nation's best quarterback. It could also be argued that Woodson has spearheaded Kentucky's improbable 6-1 start with much less talent around him then that of Brian Brohm or Matt Ryan. Brohm and Ryan may be better NFL prospects then Woodson, but I feel, through this criteria, that he is the best QB in America through the games of October 13th.

Until next time,
DTM

Torre's Decision Best For Both Sides

Joe Torre's essential resignation this afternoon marks a sad day for myself and all people associated with the orgranization. That being said, I do believe Torre's decision to decline the Yankees embarrassing offer was best for both sides. The Yankees, Randy Levine in particular, should be ASHAMED with how they handled this situation. And that's where I'll start when explaining why this decision is best for both the Yankees and Joe Torre.

Regarding Joe Torre, this is the right decision for a number of reasons, but I'll just highlight one: had he accepted a one year contract today, the countdown to his firing would've immediatly begun. A one year contract, especially for managers, basically says you're hired, but you're fired at the first sign of trouble. It's no secret that everyone in the Yankees front office, sans Brian Cashman, didn't want Torre back. There is no question that if the Yanks got off to a slow start in '08, which has become commonplace over the past four years, Torre would've been fired before June. He didn't deserve such treatment and therefore his reason to turn down the offer was justified. I don't feel I need to get into the numbers of the deal because that is all you'll hear for the next few days, but just know that for a man of Torre's stature, the numbers were insulting enough for Torre to walk away.

From the Yankees point of view, Torre's decision was the best case scenario for no reason other then it was time for a change. Clearly they too felt this way, otherwise they wouldn't have lowballed Torre to the point where it became obvious they wanted him out. But I do believe the Yankees organization needs a new leader. It has become clear through the lack of progress in the last three postseasons that the Yankee players need to hear a new voice. You know when a team goes into the postseason as Major League Baseball's hottest team and flame's out in the first round to a lesser opponent that something just isn't right. I know the Yankees have a flawed pitching staff, but pitching hasn't been the team's reason for success since 2001. Their bread and butter has been the offense and the same lineup that carried them from April 'til late September was the same lineup that couldn't hit a basketball if it were pitched right down the plate in October. Joe Torre was admirable in digging the Yankees out of their early holes and most analysts will argue until they're blue in the face that the team would've folded by early July if they were under any manager other than Torre. Thay may be true, but if that were all his doing, couldn't those same magic words or managing styles have saved the Yankees from another early exit this past October? Joe Torre had taken this group as far as he could and it was time for a change.

I love Joe Torre. His first year as manager in '95 was the first year I began following baseball, so him at the helm is all I know. I will miss Torre for the same reasons that every Yankees fan will miss him. I think baseball will miss him as well, but I don't think the team will miss him as much as people think, provided Rivera, Posada, and Pettitte don't go elsewhere as a result of him being gone (that has already been added to my nightly prayers). The Yankees are loaded with talent and that will not change. They need to choose a manager that is the opposite of Torre, an in your face Lou Pinella type, because it will be a different voice for the players to hear. Going out and hiring a manager that poses as Torre (Don Mattingly), or a manager strikingly similar to Torre (Tony LaRussa), would do the franchise no good because no one is better at managing like Joe Torre then Joe Torre. Hopefully Joe finds happiness in Maui or wherever he ends up, and here's to hoping the Yankees make the right choice.

Until next time,
DTM

ALCS Far From Over

With today being an ALCS off day, I figured now would be a good time to issue a serious warning to the city of Cleveland and its suddenly proud franchise, the Indians: You have not wrapped up the ALCS. Not by a long shot. Take this warning seriously because it's coming from a Yankee fan who is still coming to terms with seeing his team blow a 3-0 lead in the 2004 ALCS against a similar, but an arguably better Red Sox team. Here are some facts for the Indians to consider before they have their locker room celebration prior to game 5:

1. The Red Sox have been here. If they had the heart and determination to overcome a 3-0 defecit, which had never been done before, I see no reason why they would throw in the towel now being down 3-1 with two of the remaining three games (if necessary) in Fenway Park.

2. Both teams throw out their aces tomorrow night, Sabathia and Beckett. If Beckett can get the Sox to game 6, it will really be a toss up as far as who has the edge in game 6 and a possible game 7. Game 6 would be Schilling vs. Carmona in all likelyhood, and while many would be quick to give the Indians the edge here, never underestimate Curt Schilling at home in a must win playoff game. Again, just reference the Yankees, who he beat in game 6 of the '04 ALCS in New York to force a game 7. If a game 7 was again forced by a stellar Schilling, wouldn't you give the Red Sox line-up the edge against Jake Westbrook in Fenway in a winner takes all ball game?

3. Reason #3 is more binding than either of the first two. The longer this series goes, the more it favors the Red Sox. I know I'm beating a dead horse here, but just look at the 2004 ALCS. The Yankees lose game 4 in extras, "no big, still up 3-1." Lose game 5 in extras, "eh, no big we're going home, no way we lose both games in Yankee Stadium." Lose game 6, "alright now we're in some trouble, but the Curse of the Babe alone will lead us to victory." The next night the Yankees were pondering why they went after Kevin Brown so hard that offseason instead of locking up Andy Pettitte, which should have been their first priority. Brown lasted an inning and a third, and the Yankees already trailed 6-0. My point is, if Boston sends this thing back to Fenway, the Indians are in trouble. And if they don't close it out in game 6, I would bet these Indians give everyone in the city of Cleveland another reason to jump off a bridge.

The odds are with you Cleveland, and history is on your side. Only 10 teams have recovered from a 3-1 defecit, but only one team is SPORTS HISTORY has recovered from a 3-0 defecit, and you're looking at them. Tread carefully.

Until next time,
DTM

Ode to Chris Chambers

First off I'd like to say congratulations to Chris Chambers for his release from the maximum security prison that is the Miami Dolphins. I'd also like to thank the front office of the Dolphins for once again being stupid and inhumane by not ending the Miami misery of future Hall of Famers Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor, for if not for those two, I would have no desire to watch the Dolphins play on Sundays. I would also like to say shame on you to those same people regarding the same issue because those two deserve better. They have done everything imaginable for the franchise and deserve the chance to retire a winner. Trading them from an 0-6 team to a 3-3 team with a chance is the least the franchise could've done for two players that will one day enter Canton as Miami Dolphins regardless of where ever they were shipped.

But moving along, this entry is a fitting farewell to Chris Chambers. In sending off Chambers, I'm gonna play a game called Thank You/Damn You, because so often in his 6+ years in Miami, one minute you'd be thanking God he wore 84 for Miami and the next you'd be wondering why he was making $84 a year, let alone the $7M a year salary he was granted. So here goes, my first installment of Thank You/Damn You..

1. Thank you for your fantastic rookie season, which inspired so much hope into the minds of Miami fans everywhere that the franchise had finally landed the #1 receiver they had been searching for since the Duper/Clayton tandem, but damn you for sitting out the playoff game at the end of that season against Baltimore because of a sore knee. Fittingly we scored 3 points, lost, and havent played a playoff game since.

2. Thank you for never turning into the whining, whoa-is-me premadonna receiver that otherwise covers the landscape of the NFL. You had more to actually cry and complain about during the last 6 years then Terrell Owens and Randy Moss ever had at any stop in their careers. If Owens played for Miami, he may have actually went through with suicide and Moss would have likely just retired rather then playing "when he wants to." Damn you for the same reason because maybe if you were a bit more demanding and a lot more of a "me, me, me" player, you may have been given more opportunities.

3. Thank you for giving me what still to this day is the greatest catch I've ever seen in a football game week 1 of the 2003 season against the Houston Texans (now I know this blog is Ultra-Biased, but youtube this reception and see for yourself, if you don't you are just as biased as me and we dont want that now do we?). Damn you for being able to make sickly acrobatic, improbable one-handed snags such as this one, yet struggling to find the consistency and concentration to catch the basic slant that so often bounced off your chest and into the hands of the nearest defender.

4. Thank you for the finest season I've seen out of a Miami receiver in 2005- your only Pro Bowl season- where you posted 82 catches for 1,118 yards and 11 touchdowns. In the final 6 games you scored 7 touchdown and had the best single-game performance I've seen out of a receiver against Buffalo with 15 catches for 238 yards and the game winning touchdown as time expired to cap a 20 point 4th quarter rally. Damn you for putting up such incredible streaks as this, while at the same time disappearing in games and posting a string of performances that are equally as pathetic, such as the one you left Miami with: 14 straight games without a single touchdown reception.

5. And lastly on a personal note, Thank you for taking the time to meet and talk briefly with me at the Holiday Inn in February of 2002. I appreciated the autograph and you acknowledging my sporting of Michigan State apparel at the time of our meet and greet. And damn you for torching them time and again your junior and senior year as a member of the Wisconsin Badgers.

Farewell for now Chris Chambers, and thank you for all the highlights in an otherwise dismal time in Miami Dolphins history. I promise I won't be saying "damn you" if you win a ring as a member of the Chargers.

Until next time,
DTM

'72 Dolphins in Trouble?

The most talked about issue in the sports world today revolves around the greatness of the New England Patriots. And while you are probably tired of it, I know I am, you had better get used to it because as much as it pains me to say this, the Patriots are 6-0 and there is no end in sight to their winning streak. They have now won 11 of their last 12 games dating back to last year, with the lone loss coming in the AFC Championship game where they blew an 18 point second half lead. Now understand that I'm not proclaiming they are going undefeated, but what I am saying is the odds of them going undefeated are greater then them losing a game. Nine games remain and six of them (Miami x2, Buffalo, Jets, Philadelphia, and Baltimore) are almost sure victories, and you can pretty much add their home game against Washington to that list as well simply because Jason Campbell has never faced Bill Belicheck and that almost certainly spells disaster. That leaves an AFC Championship rematch in Indianapolis and a home visit from the Steelers as the only two real threats left on the Patriots schedule. I give them the edge against Pittsburgh because the game is at home and the Steelers likely won't have enough weapons to match New England's fire power. The Colts are the last team standing here and I honestly can't predict what will happen because it's such a great rivalry and the games have been down to the wire and unpredictable. Here's a warning for Tony Dungy and Peyton Manning: I wouldn't suggest falling behind by 18 this time because Jabar Gaffney and Reche Caldwell won't be dropping wide-open game clinching touchdowns in the 4th quarter this time around. If the Pats leave Indiana at 9-0, and the team stays healthy they more than likely will join the Dolphins as the only team to run the table in the regular season.

Until next time,
DTM

Welcome to my blog

I created this blog because a number of my friends have recently requested that I create an on-line sports blog. After much thought I decided it would be a fun thing to do so here I am. Most people who read this will be my friends, but for those of you who slip up and accidently find this blog, know that I am an insane sports fan. I follow football, basketball and baseball and think I know everything about those three sports. That is not accurate, but I know my fair share and that is what this blog will consist of....my opinion on the issues and happenings in those three sports and probably not much else. So read up and feel free to drop a comment every now and then, I like hearing what others think of my insane opinions. I'll try to post something as often as possible and let me end my first post by saying Matt Holliday just jacked a solo shot over the wall in left field giving the Rockies a 1-0 lead. The kid is a stud and the Diamondbacks are in real trouble.

Until next time,