Sports Agenda for Wednesday (8/1/12)
Big Story:
It's August 1? Man, time is flying this year. FSU lost a dynamic punt returner who also plays cornerback. The Dolphins are back at training camp. And the Marlins still stink. Seems about right for the first day of August!
Quote of the Day:
"You're kidding!?!" – me to the Dadeland Macy's store on Tuesday after they called to tell me they had my wallet. It disappeared on Sunday when I was there and someone turned it in. My faith in humanity has been somewhat restored.
Florida State:
You kinda had the feeling this was coming for some time, but Wednesday morning, FSU made it official.
The school dismissed cornerback Greg Reid three weeks after his arrest on a drug charge.
Ironically, Reid came back to school instead of heading to the NFL early in January.
D'oh.
He was officially dismissed under the notorious "violation of team rules."
I just have to ask though…why are so many athletes so dadgum stupid when it comes to marijuana.
Should it be illegal? That's a completely separate discussion.
For now, it's illegal and if you're caught with it you're in trouble. It's pretty simple.
Yet all of these athletes keep getting popped for it. Kinda makes you wonder how these kids who are that dumb get into college in the first place doesn't it?
Same with those who get popped for DUI's.
Nevertheless, head coach Jimbo Fisher will miss Reid in the punt return game, but I think his value as a cornerback was a tad overrated, just my opinion.
Luckily, Fisher's been stocking the cupboard with ridiculous amounts of talent and should be ready to move the next guy in without much trouble.
Plus, FSU gets two scrimmage games to open up the season this year to get the new guy into good game shape before the third game against Wake Forest.
Miami Dolphins:
Yup, they're back at training camp this morning.
According to the Sun-Sentinel, which has a handy blog about what's going on at practice…Hartline is still out, no shocker there.
The team's starting wide receivers are Legedu Naanee and Chad Johnson.
Speaking of Johnson, he's sporting gold shoes out there today.
Matt Moore was the starting quarterback today, but Garrard worked with the first team in 7-on-7 drills.
Oh, and Ryan Tannehill is in pads for the first time today.
I think Tannehill may shock some people and start at number 2 on the depth chart, but mark it down he will be the starter at some point this season.
By the way, if you were hoping for Braylon Edwards, tough luck because he's now signed.
Oh well, they could also go after Plaxico Burress…..I almost wrote that with a straight face.
I'm not as worried about receiver as many others because I think Bush will come out of the backfield and I think the tight ends will help a lot.
That said, next year it's all about receivers….but there's not a snowballs chance in you know where I'd trade for Mike Wallace of the Steelers.
He had a huge contract sitting in front of him and said he was worth more.
The Steelers disagreed and franchised him. He waited, pouted, and kept waiting and the Steelers gave his contract to Emmanuel Sanders instead.
Now, Wallace will have to either sign, or hold out until the 10th game, then sign and join the team.
But realistically, he gave up tens of millions of dollars and priced himself out of town.
And I don't think there's going to be another team to offer him as much money as the Steelers did for essentially a one-trick pony.
Miami Marlins: (@ Atlanta Braves, 7:10 p.m.)
You know, I really want the Marlins to be good. I think it'd be great to see the team pack the stadium and be in the heart of the pennant chase.
Playoff baseball is a lot of fun, kinda like playoff hockey!
But it's going to be awhile until these Marlins are any good.
In the squads' last five games against the Braves, they've been outscored by a combined 27-9.
Yikes.
Plus with the roster moves, I could swear this is the exchange that goes on in the Marlins front office when evaluating players.
• Samson: Here's some of the guys we're looking at.
• Guillen: Most of these guys never had a prime.
• Beinfest: This guy here is dead.
• Samson: Cross him off then!
(from Major League, which is still up there with The Natural for me as best baseball movie ever…along with Field of Dreams of course)
I think the Marlins got a good young pitcher in Jacob Turner and possibly a new catcher in Rob Brantly, but after that, it's kinda sparse.
Plus, Carlos Lee is gone after this season and if the Marlins can find a sucker to take on Heath Bell's albatross of a contract, he'll be gone too.
And don't forget Josh Johnson only has one year left on his contract and will either be traded during the winter meetings or by next year's trade deadline.
Same old Marlins, cut payroll at all costs, build with young talent that may or may not be major league ready.
See, in baseball it's not always about spending wildly on average free agents, like the Marlins did. It's about spending wisely on good free agents, but always keeping your farm system full, which the Marlins haven't done at the AAA level very much in recent years.
It will turn around eventually, I think….or the team should hire Harry Doyle to do their games for radio and television.
But hey, it's an new month and everything starts anew, so c'mon Marlins!
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