Let me share one last hilarious anecdote to end the trip: Yesterday morning, we went to the Vancouver airport, and despite having the most incredible travel arrangements in the world, we do have to pass through customs just like anyone. Well, as fate would have it, the Canucks were right behind us in the customs line. I mean right behind us.
So, I was the last guy in the “Dallas” traveling party, and 2nd to last was Marty Turco. You may remember that he dominated play on Saturday night, but during the game he was run over by Canucks forward Matt Cooke , in a play in which Cooke earned a penalty.
Well, the two principles from this collision are 4 feet apart yesterday morning in the customs line and I am between them as they goof on eachother for about 2 solid minutes as Turco empties his pockets before walking through the security detectors. Cooke is telling Turco that he had the ref in his pocket, and Turco is laughing about Cooke not knowing where he was skating. It is all in good fun, but with me being the only human between them, I wondered what would happen if it suddenly turned hostile.
It never came close, but I couldn’t believe my luck of standing between these two clowns and their comedy routines. What an amusing moment as both teams were loading their respective planes to fly back to Dallas for tonight’s return match. By the way, the Stars plane won the race back to town…
Links:
Aggies in tournament for first time in 19 years …How is that even possible??? Oh well, congrats…
Players knocked over chairs as they rushed toward the scrum by the TV, the one showing the words Texas A&M in an NCAA Tournament bracket.
The Aggies jumped up and down and hugged as hundred of fans who had packed a Reed Arena banquet room Sunday evening celebrated alongside. A team that three weeks ago seemed to have no chance at a berth is now heading to Jacksonville, Fla., for a first-round matchup with fifth-seeded Syracuse on Thursday.
The Orange won a national title in 2003. A&M, a No. 12 seed, hasn't been to the tournament since 1987.
Two years ago, the Aggies went 0-16 in the Big 12.
Big 12 first-round matchups in the NCAA tournament: …
Thursday (approx. 8:40 p.m.): No. 12 Texas A&M vs. No. 5 Syracuse (Jacksonville, Fla. in Atlanta Regional)
Thursday (11:25 a.m.): No. 6 Oklahoma vs. No. 11 Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Jacksonville, Fla. in Minneapolis Regional)
Friday (approx. 8:40 p.m.): No. 4 Kansas vs. No. 13 Bradley (Auburn Hills, Mich. in Oakland Regional)
Friday (approx. 8:50 p.m.): No. 2 Texas vs. No. 15 Pennsylvania (American Airlines Center, Dallas in Atlanta Regional)
Mavs drop a game amongst the fallen bodies …
The rejuvenated Kings, who are making a push for the playoffs after looking dead until they traded for Ron Artest, have won their last 12 home games.
The Mavericks, meanwhile, finished 2-1 on this Western road swing. Respectable, certainly, but they were hoping for the sweep. But with Devin Harris (thigh), Keith Van Horn (knee) and Adrian Griffin (hamstring) out, they were plugging holes throughout the lineup. And Josh Howard tweaked his hamstring in the second quarter.
He didn't return.
Owner Mark Cuban conferred with the coaching staff after the game and agreed that, pending the results of tests on Harris and Howard today, the Mavericks might try to acquire a free agent to help them through this rough spot.
They have two needs: a point guard and a swingman. If they sign a player, they would have to waive somebody off their roster unless they are given special dispensation from the league.
What will it take to get Zubov some Norris consideration? …
Sergei Zubov has been the most quietly consistent defenseman in the NHL for the better part of 10 seasons.
Since coming into the league in 1992, Zubov ranks third among NHL defensemen in scoring with 630 points. Yet, he has never even been a finalist for the Norris Trophy, given to the best defenseman in the NHL. Nick Lidstrom, the leading scorer with 689 points, has won three Norris Trophies and finished second three times. Brian Leetch, who is second at 656, has won two Norris Trophies.
Bob’s NFL Update
Edge James signs in Arizona…
FOXSports.com has learned that the Cardinals have agreed to terms with Pro Bowl running back Edgerrin James on a four-year deal worth $30 million. The deal will pay James $14.5 million in the first year through salary, signing bonus and roster bonus.
James, who visited the Phoenix area with agent Drew Rosenhaus on Saturday, is the latest big-name running back over the last couple of days to bang out a lucrative deal. Earlier this off-season, Shaun Alexander (Seattle), Ahman Green (Green Bay) and DeShaun Foster (Carolina) all re-signed with their respective teams. Ravens RB Jamal Lewis remains the last big-name free agent running back on the open market.
Arizona was the first and only place he visited on a short-lived free agent tour as James probably knew that the market for running backs was soon to dry up.
The Redskins strike quickly …
The Washington Redskins signed Antwaan Randle El yesterday, completing an overhaul of their wide receiver corps, and added free agent tight end Christian Fauria as well. Randle El, 26, will join Brandon Lloyd, 24, who was acquired from San Francisco on Saturday, and Pro Bowler Santana Moss as the Redskins strive to invigorate their passing game, while Fauria replaces departed starter Robert Royal.
Randle El was one of the premier free agents on the market, and was one of six players visiting Washington yesterday, along with defensive end Andre Carter, safety Adam Archuleta, quarterback Todd Collins, defensive end John Abraham and Fauria.
Abraham, a top pass rusher who is being shopped by the New York Jets, was scheduled to have dinner with coaches and team officials last night, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. Carter, the first defensive lineman targeted by the Redskins, left town without a contract yesterday, and the Jets are seeking a first-round pick or multiple picks for Abraham. The Redskins and Jets have already discussed trade options for Washington backup quarterback Patrick Ramsey, who seems certain to leave the team.
Darren Howard helps Philly continue to have a dominating defense …
Howard, 29, said he chose to visit the Eagles first because he knew they had an interest in him back in 2004 when the Saints used their franchise tag on him. The tag and the fact the Eagles signed Kearse temporarily ended that interest, but the departure of Derrick Burgess and a gunshot wound to Jerome McDougle's stomach left the Eagles in search of a defensive end again this off-season. (McDougle also remains on the roster.)
"I think I can add some pass rush and take some pressure off Jevon on the other side," Howard said. "I had 45 sacks [actually 441/2] in six years with the Saints, so I know I can get after the quarterback."
Howard twice registered 11 sacks in a season. He first did it as a rookie in 2000, then duplicated the feat in 2004. Last season, however, his sack total dipped to a career-low 31/2 as the Saints endured a miserable three-win season that saw them play home games in three locations, none of which was New Orleans.
I don’t know why I posted all of these pictures of Kyle Kosier, but In a sport where many players look like they have been Greek gods, I am amused how Kyle resembles a frat boy crossed with Hillbilly Jim…
Kyle Kosier in; Larry Allen out? …
Kosier, 27, started 11 games at left guard last season for Detroit and has played every spot on the line except center during his career. That, and the size of Kosier's contract, means , the future of Larry Allen could be in question.
Allen is due a $2 million roster bonus on April 1 and is scheduled to count $7.5 million against the cap in 2006.
His agent, Marvin Demoff, said recently he has not heard from the Cowboys about possibly restructuring the contract.
"If they want to sign someone else instead of Larry and release him, he'll end up playing somewhere else," Demoff said. "Players have only so many options."
The look of the Cowboys' offensive line in 2006 could be much different. Left tackle Flozell Adams is expected back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, while Kosier and Gurode could be the left guard and center. That would leave Marco Rivera and possibly a high-draft pick playing at right tackle instead of Rob Petitti, last season's starter.
I have been told that Larry Allen is either going to take a huge pay cut, or he is gone…
Dan Campbell in Detroit today; visited Jets yesterday …sigh…
Remaining Questions to be answered …
• Where will Drew Brees sign? He's met with the Saints and Dolphins. New Orleans' initial offer has more guaranteed money, but the Dolphins offer a better opportunity to win right away. Brees, coming off shoulder surgery, is confident he will be ready for the start of the season.
• Will Daunte Culpepper be traded? If the Dolphins don't sign Brees, they likely will deal for Culpepper, whose availability for the opener is in question after he tore three knee ligaments last October.
• Where does T.O. go? He's due a $5 million roster bonus from the Eagles on Wednesday, so he will be cut or traded by tomorrow. It's more likely he will be cut. Owens could end up with the Broncos, Dolphins, Cowboys or Bucs.
I have been saying this, now people are joining me: UFC – The Next Big Thing …
"We're not for everyone, and we don't try to be," UFC president Dana White said. "If you don't like fighting sports, great, this is America, that's your right. All we ask is that people understand what we are."
One thing is quickly becoming understood — mixed martial arts is heading for the mainstream of American sport, whether or not the mainstream is ready. UFC is coming off the biggest event in its history, UFC 57 on Feb. 4, in which light heavyweight champion Chuck Lidell defended his title against former champion Randy Couture.
Red Bull New York? …at least it gets rid of the Metrostars…
Girl plays a game, has a baby …
It was on a bumpy bus ride home from a basketball game in Questa that 18-year-old Kayla Alire started to have terrible stomach pains.
The senior point guard at Mesa Vista High in Ojo Caliente didn't realize she was experiencing labor pains. She had just played in her last basketball game Feb. 18, a game in which she sank two 3-pointers.
Two hours later, she was at Española Hospital in labor. An hour after arriving, she gave birth to a 6-pound, 4-ounce baby boy no one knew was coming.
Genius! Ask a Ninja.com …
Michael Knight sings …
Arsenal 2, Liverpool 1 …That…that is a tough thing…Gerrard with a meltdown of epic proportions, and now, catching Manchester United doesn’t look good for the Pool…
I believe that's what's called a double post of epic proportions. Either that, or it was so dang good Bob felt it deserved to be posted twice.
ReplyDeleteno sopranos talk???
ReplyDeleteworthless blog.
If a fight would've broken out between Turco and Cooke I'm sure you could've cleaned house on any of those hockey pansies with all the UFC moves you've been learning... ;-)
ReplyDeleteSeriously, hockey fans love hockey fights, but as far as fights go, hockey fights are poorly done. That's part of the reason why I think MMA will eventually catch on with most sports fans and replace boxing. Football fans want to see a crushing hit, Nascar fans want to see a crash, Boxing fans want to see a good knockout, etc. MMA is no different except there's
a better chance for somebody to bleed...
P1 Hank
Isn't the first and third pictures of Hillbilly Jim the same except for the outfit? Damn computer tricks.
ReplyDeleteI hate how well Texas' bracket is setup for them. Their biggest competition on their half of the bracket is Iowa & W. Virginia, both of whom they've beat while Duke probably has to go through an angry George Washington and a hot as the sun Syracuse team. This is all before they could possibly meet in the Elite 8. I don't think both of them will make it, and it's entirely possible neither of them make it that far. Texas could make it to the title game or they could get knocked out in the 3rd round, it all depends on which Texas team shows up.
ReplyDeleteOU is going down in the 1st round. They're playing like crap and they're going against roughly the same Wisc-Mill. team that went to the Sweet 16 last year. The Aggies are going down in the 1st round too. They have to play Syracuse, and that doesn't bode well for the Ags' first NCAA bid since I was 10. Kansas' big test will be in the Sweet 16 against Memphis probably. If they can get past Memphis(not a given since the Tigers can run as well as KU) then the Jayhawks have a great shot at a Final Four bid.
Of course, given that it's the NCAA tournament, I'll probably be completely wrong about all of this.
Does Bob distance from the blog?
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like it!!
Bob, ever been to Wrigley?
ReplyDeleteBeing from the northern lands of NY state, I'm a bit outnumbered in my support of my alma mater here in Texas. Can't say I saw A&M play at all this year, but I did see Syracuse squeak and will their way past UConn, Georgetown and Pitt to win the Big East. I like their chances.
ReplyDeleteBob would be very disspointed at his old place's lawn. It looks like crap. The dude there has no respect for the masterful yard Bob maintained...