Sports Agenda for Wednesday (4/11/12)
Big Story:
Man, I have quite a selection to choose from today. The Heat are snakebitten by the Celtics, the Marlins make the right move with Guillen but MLB should shut its mouth about it, a Dolphins draft update, and why Arkansas shouldn't be surprised by their head coach's antics.
Lyrics of the Day:
"But tell me can you heal what father's done? Or fix this hole in a mother's son? Can you heal the broken worlds within? Can you strip away so I may start again?" – from the song Fixxxer by Metallica.
Marlins/Guillen:
Well, the Marlins suspended Ozzie Guillen for five games over his comments.
I think that was about right, because they had to do something over the outcry that exploded.
I also think the guy was honest when he said he was sorry. He looked distraught over it.
That said, Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig needs to shut his mouth about the incident.
You see, many may not remember but in 1999, Bud Selig and Peter Angelos (Orioles owner) held a game in Cuba and sat with Castro beside the dugout.
It's why Selig is the worst commissioner in all of sports not named David Stern.
Here's what Selig said yesterday.
"All of our 30 Clubs play significant roles within their local communities, and I expect those who represent Major League Baseball to act with the kind of respect and sensitivity that the game's many cultures deserve. Mr. Guillen's remarks, which were offensive to an important part of the Miami community and others throughout the world, have no place in our game."
So let me get this straight….13 years ago, when Castro was in full power, it was cool to sit with him and enjoy a baseball game with him.
But now Selig and baseball are trying to act all holier than thou about it?
Please.
Selig and Angelos did more to legitimize Castro than Guillen's remarks ever could.
Miami Heat: (off Wednesday)
The Heat won't lost tonight, I know that for certain.
Unless the Celtics fly over Miami then all bets are off.
You want to see defense, watch the Celtics.
It was impressive, the Heat looked lost, Spoelstra couldn't settle on a good lineup, D-Wade and Chris Bosh disappeared again, it was ugly.
I know, you see the score of 115-107 and say it was a close game.
No, it wasn't, Boston dominated the game.
I love the decision in Boston to move Garnett to Center.
Hey Bosh, that's how you play as a big man.
Remember what I've been saying about shooting the 3 and defending the 3?
The Heat did neither well last night.
The Heat threw up 18 3-pointers, and I threw up watching them only make 8.
The Heat's overall shooting percentage was 45 percent while Boston shot 60.6 percent from the field.
Here's the difference in the game.
Boston's Garnett, Pierce, and Rondo all had at least 18 points, plus they got 12 from Brandon Bass.
LeBron and Mario Chalmers carried the load for the Heat, Wade had 20, but if you watched, it's hard to remember many of them.
Bosh had 13 points and nine rebounds.
Well, at least he's found the rim again.
I don't know about you, but I'm starting to have an idea flash in my head that I know will be denied, but I think it's out there.
Amnestying Chris Bosh at the end of the season, or trying to trade him for a legitimate big man.
LBJ and D-Wade may only be here two more years so getting a big to finally help ease the load is crucial.
Quick someone call the Magic and see if they'd take Bosh and Udonis plus draft picks for Dwight Howard!
Dolphins & The NFL Draft:
It's been quiet on the Dolphins draft front, which means they likely have their draft board finished and are finishing up interviews now.
If I had to handicap the first round possibilities, here's how I'd order them for the Fins.
1. QB – Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M
2. DE – Melvin Ingram, South Carolina
2a. WR- Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State/Michael Floyd, Notre Dame
3. OT – Riley Reiff, Iowa
That's my top four I think the Dolphins are looking at.
I agree with NFL Network's Mike Mayock that if you believe in Tannehil, you go get him whatever the costs.
I'm not sure the Fins would consider moving up for him, because frankly, I'm still not sold he can make the short, accurate passes needed in a West Coast Offense.
I think they are leaning defensive end/wide receiver with the pick if Tannehill is gone when they pick.
So what can Dolfans expect with the 8th overall pick? Well, it's a mixed bag.
In 2011, Tennessee took QB Jake Locker 8th overall. In 2010, the Oakland Raiders selected LB Rolando McClain. In 2009, Jacksonville selected OT Eugene Monroe. In 2008, Jacksonville took defensive end Derrick Harvey. And in 2007, Atlanta took DE Jamaal Anderson.
Okay, you know what , that's not a mixed bag….that's pretty awful.
Locker will start in Tennessee soon and McClain may improve into a better than average linebacker. But before that those picks were just flat out bad.
Course two of them came from Jacksonville, so that's not surprising.
Arkansas & Bobby Petrino:
Finally this fine Wednesday morning, it's time to address the big story overnight, the firing of Bobby Petrino by the Arkansas Razorbacks.
First off, I had to laugh at Arkansas because they hired a sleazeball to start with and then the fans are shocked he acted this way.
Remember, this was the same Petrino who left Louisville to coach in the NFL.
After starting out 3-10, Petrino quickly realized he was in completely over his head and decided to quit with 3 games left in the season.
He told the owner and the general manager and was going to walk out of the building.
The GM, Mckay I believe, had to physically walk Petrino to tell his assistant coaches.
Petrino put notes in the players lockers and never faced them.
That's what he did to get the Arkansas job.
He recruited well and built a good program at Arkansas, but there was always something seedy about him no matter what.
He was caught over the weekend riding a motorcycle with an ex-volleyball player he had a "inappropriate relationship" with.
But before that came out, he lied to the administration about being alone on the bike when it crashed.
It also came out he had hired his mistress for a job in the football program.
Seriously, this guy was arrogant, a liar, and didn't deserve to be a coach anymore.
I just don't know why it took so long.
Petrino is now persona non grata as a coach as his career is over.
Now who will take over as Arkansas coach?
I'm pulling for the former head coach of my undergraduate school, Mark Hudspeth.
He's a fast riser and built a winner at Louisiana-Lafayette, which isn't easy to do.
He's coached in the SEC West as well.
We'll see who they pick.
Until then, hey Arkansas players, Missouri plays a similar offense and is in the SEC too, we're open for business with a stable coaching staff!
