Sports Agenda for Wednesday (9/5/12)
Big Story:
Well, the Dolphins finally released David Garrard…can they finally admit they are going to really, really suck this year? The Marlins best player continues to get better. And my NFL picks of the week, seeing as how the season starts tonight!
Quote of the Day:
"Power is not a means, it is an end. One does not establish a dictatorship in order to safeguard a revolution; one makes the revolution in order to establish the dictatorship." – George Orwell
Miami Dolphins:
If you listen to Dolphins players, they believe they can really play this year.
Isnt that sweet?
They've convinced themselves of something that is simply not going to happen.
I mean, it's not like they can just say, well, we're going to really be awful this year, but you know some of the veterans have to know what's coming.
I still blame Jeff Ireland for constructing this abomination of a roster.
But I also blame Stephen Ross for not having the gunction to blow up the franchise last year and start over with a new GM and everything.
It's really sad because eventually it's going to have to happen.
But, Ross' inaction last year means that if the Fins can't win in the next say two years, he'll be fired and then a new GM may not want to keep Philbin around which will necessitate another coaching change.
I still love Parcells apologists saying it's not all his fault. Yeah, I know Huizenga screwed him, but he screwed everyone else too, so Parcells knew what he was getting on board for when he accepted.
Anyways, that's in the past, now for the current roster.
The Fins jettisoned David Garrard yesterday and sent starting right guard Artis Hicks to injured reserve for the season.
They had to go and re-sign Ray "Pull My" Feinga to give them a little depth.
Of course that's assuming Jake Long is back at full strength by Sunday. There's still a chance he may not play and that would be disastrous for Miami.
Right now, the starting offensive line looks like this: LT – Jake Long; LG – Richie Incognito; C – Mike Pouncey; RG – John Jerry; RT – Jonathan Martin
That right side is, well, frankly if I was Ryan Tannehill, I'd be scrambling a lot to my left.
And trust me, Tannehill is going to be running for his life a lot with this group of receivers failing to get any separation from the defense.
As you might have guessed, I don't have especially high hopes for the Dolphins this season, which is too bad because South Florida needs a football winner.
NFL Picks:
If you haven't signed up for Pro Football Pickem, why not? Other than the system being slow and tough to log-in to?
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2012-pro-football-pickem/?jsx0073300#/home/
C'mon see if you can match wits with me…many have tried, none have succeeded.
First you have to come up with a better team name….mine is "A Boy Named Suh" playing off of Ndamukong Suh's name.
Anyways, here are my picks for Week 1.
Giants over Cowboys
Colts over Bears
Eagles over Browns
Patriots over Titans
Falcons over Chiefs
Jaguars over Vikings
Saints over Redskins
Bills over Jets
Lions over Rams
Texans over Dolphins
Packers over 49ers
Seahawks over Cardinals
Panthers over Buccaneers
Broncos over Steelers
Ravens over Bengals
Chargers over Raiders
Miami Marlins: (vs. Milwaukee, 7:10 p.m.)
Yes, Miami is still playing baseball for the next month.
In that time, it'll be interesting to see if Giancarlo Stanton can crank out 10 more homers.
He's hit 30 this year, which makes him the fifth player in MLB history to hit 30 home runs in two seasons by the age of 23.
I don't want to say the kid is really good, but man, he's on a heckuva pace.
He's hit 86 home runs in his career and he's got probably 12 years ahead of him.
If he stays healthy, a big if based on this season, I think it's safe to say he may go down as one of the better power hitters of all-time.
Which of course means the Marlins will be trading him by 2015-2016 when he is eligible to become a free agent.
So enjoy him while he's here, because right now, he looks like something very, very special.
Like I said, if you get a chance, go watch him take batting practice and look out below because he will be hitting BOMBS!
College Football:
Kind of a quiet day on Tuesday after a full weekend of action.
Alabama ascended to number one, as I said they deserved to do.
I loved hearing Lane Kiffin talk about it, he said something along the lines of "I didn't get to see their game, but whatever."
Yknow, right now I really, REALLY wish USC had to play Alabama in the regular season.
Cause I think Saban would tell his defense…don't let them cross the 50.
And I don't think USC would.
That's it for today.
Follow me on Twitter @timkephart33
