Sports Agenda for Tuesday (7/31/12)
Big Story:
Just like a bad fungus, we're back after a brutal vacation. So, let's see, the Dolphins are in training camp; the Marlins have mailed it in for the rest of the season; and college football is so close to starting you can taste it. Oh, and Team USA basketball is wreaking havoc in London. Let's dive into all!
Quote of the Day:
"Kiss my *expletive*. Shove it!" – Mitt Romney aide Rick Gorka to reporters trying to ask the GOP nominee questions during his overseas trip. Stay classy Rick.
Miami Dolphins:
Yup, the Dolphins are in camp and the first preseason game is a little more than a week away.
The possibly bigger news is the observations from Ben Volin of the Palm Beach Post who said rookie quarterback is looking really good throwing the football. "Showing good velocity, accuracy, and anticipation."
That's the good news.
The bad news is the wide receiving corps is exactly who we thought they were. (Stealing a Dennis Green line there.)
Brian Hartline can't stay healthy, and even when he is, isn't a good game breaking receiver thus far in his career.
Chad Johnson and Davone Bess have looked very good thus far, according to Dolphins beat reporters, but past them the cupboard is bare.
Clyde Gates can't stay healthy and when your third receiver is Legedu Naanee, you better be able to run the football well.
Looks like the team is going to try to sign Braylon Edwards to help out, but they better watch him and his diva receiver reputation.
I think it's safe to say that in next year's draft, the focus will be on receivers and possibly cornerback, safety, and Sam linebacker.
Hey, we're not hearing much about the tight ends out there.
I don't know if that's good news or bad news, but I've got high hopes for Michael Egnew as a pass catching tight end. Unlike two other Mizzou tight ends, he has the physicality to block, if he can learn how quickly. But he'll always be a pass catcher first.
Here's how you know you drew the short-stick at training camp.
Rookie right tackle Jonathan Martin is learning the position of right tackle after playing left tackle in college. Who does he get matched up against each day?
Cameron Wake!
Welcome to the NFL rook!
Of course, if you can block him, you'll be ready to go against most anyone this year.
Miami Marlins: (@ Atlanta Braves, 7:10 p.m.)
So I go on vacation and the Marlins decide to blow up the franchise again.
Is anyone really surprised by this?
Seriously, this is the same owner who ran the Montreal Expos into the ground and then was given a new franchise for his work. (Great job there Bud!)
Want to know how bad the Marlins are right now?
They have two hitters, TWO, who are hitting above .230 and one of them hasn't played in several weeks. (in at least 80 games played)
TWO?!?!
Giancarlo Stanton, aka the Franchise, is hitting .284 but hasn't played in close to a month and Jose Reyes is hitting .277. The next highest average is Logan Morrison who is on the DL at .230.
Are you freaking kidding me?
The Marlins are 6-11 since the All-Star break. "How'd we win 6? It's a miracle" (Bull Durham reference)
11 times during that span the team has scored 2 runs or less and they only won two of those games.
What's really stunning to me is the Marlins haven't hit last place yet. Man, the Philadelphia Phillies must really be garbage.
That's the bad news.
The good news is, the Marlins do have some really good talent in the farm system now.
According to Baseball America, the best prospects in the farm system include Christian Yelich and Marcell Ozuna, both outfielders, along with right-handed pitcher Jose Fernandez.
Unfortunately, those players are down deep in the farm system.
But they also picked up a few good players from their recent trades including: right-handed pitcher Jacob Turner, ranked 22nd overall by BA; right-handed pitcher Nate Eovaldi; and catcher Rob Brantly.
They have the potential, but can the Marlins avoid a riot as they continue to shed salary over the next year or two.
College Football:
Ahh, it's not even August yet and college football is in the air.
Here's an early guess at a top five, and I'll also refer to my cohort Jason Parker for his college football knowledge!
1. Alabama
2. USC
3. LSU
4. Oregon
5. tie with Oklahoma/FSU
It's almost practice time, so keep your fingers crossed that no ACL's snap or bones break for your favorite team.
And the SEC….it's gonna be a helluva lot fun again this season.
Adding two pass-happy spread attacks with Texas A&M's Air Raid and Mizzou's spread should make the games at least entertaining.
I'm looking forward to seeing TAMU's Air Raid offense go against Bama, LSU, and Auburn.
I'm not looking forward to my Mizzou Tigers facing South Carolina and Georgia.
Hey, but at least we get Georgia while the suspensions are still ongoing, so we've got that going for us.
But keep an eye on the Dawgs, they could sneak into preseason top 5's across the country.
Ran out of time for Team USA, but they're only 55 point favorites over poor Tunisia. Maybe they'll let some of the fans play?
Follow me on Twitter @timkephart33
