New York Jets Draft 2008

After a weekend of excitement and dealing at the NFL Draft, the New York Jets just like all other teams added a new group of rookies to their roster. Let's take a look at the newly aquired members of Gang Green and how they can help the team to bounce back from an underachieving 4-12 season.

6th Overall: Vernon Gholston (DE, Ohio State)
At sixth overall, the Jets faced a pretty heavy decision on Saturday afternoon and came away with defensive end Vernon Gholston from the Ohio State Buckeyes. Entering the draft after his junior year, the 6-4, 266 pound physical specimen left with a tremendous track record at the national powerhouse. He ranks 5th in Ohio State history with 22.5 sacks (14 in 2007) and reached two consecutive National Championship Games with the Buckeyes.

Gholston shines when rushing the passer and creating havoc in the backfield. He is build like a rock and brings unbelievable brute strength and power to the table. For his size he also possesses a unique blend of speed which is further demonstrated by his outstanding 40 yard dash in 4.58 seconds. He mostly played defensive end in college but projects as an outside linebacker in the NFL. So he's a good fit for the Jets 3-4 defensive scheme. While he is tremendous physical talent, Gholston also has some concerns hanging over his head like a black cloud. For a long time scouts have been questioning his motivation, consistency and love for the game. Gholston's high school coach Thomas Wilcher has heard about these rumors: "People said he isn't tough or aggressive enough. I even got a call during his first year in college from a Buckeyes coach. Well, he may never be tougher. But he will do what you tell him to do. You tell him to move a mountain, then he will move that mountain for you. He doesn't need any antics or all that stuff. But he will walk through a wall for you." If you look at Gholston and his ripped body, it could make you believe that he actually could run through more than offensive linemen.
The Jets under head coach Eric Mangini have been especially focused on values like hard work, character and love for football. There is no reason to believe that they didn't closely watch this situation with Gholston and didn't read his mind. Gholston hasn't been in trouble and is known as soft spoken and a good character guy. He clearly was the most talented at sixth overall and he also fits great for the Jets as they have been atrocious rushing the passer for two years now. Another interesting fact is that the Detroit native is only playing football since his sophomore year in high school and so presents an upside like few others in the draft. Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum agreed: "We think the best football is ahead of him. We feel that in our program we can help him develop and get better." 14 sacks in 13 games not being his best football just tells you how dominant a player Vernon Gholston can be.

30th overall: Dustin Keller (TE, Purdue)
When the Jets fans heard that they traded up to select a tight end, many of them might have been close to a heart attack. But past draft blunders have nothing to do with this pick that looks like an excellent addition to a once toothless passing attack. Just like his new teammate Vernon Gholston the 6-3, 242 pound Keller is an incredible athlete. At the NFL Combine he blew scouts and his competition away by showing his oustanding combination of speed, athletisism and strength.

His natural ability translates well to the football field where he will give the Jets the big target they need. Keller can stretch the field vertically and there seems to be no catch he can't make. If you don't believe me, just check some of his youtube highlight videos. The former Boilermaker was converted from wide receiver to tight end early in his college career and you see that in the way he moves around on the field. You just won't find many 242 pound receivers with his athletic ability.
While he excels in the passing game, Keller also suffers a bit from his past. He isn't a great blocker but you don't have to tell him that. "I know that blocking right now is a weakness of mine. But hey, I will work hard as my goal is to be an every down tight end on the next level." This is your level now, Dustin. And there's no reason to believe that he won't adjust to the NFL game. Even if he doesn't develop into a great blocker, he will remind people of San Diego's receiver Vincent Jackson who is similar in size and speed to Keller. And maybe in a few years people will compare draftees to him, too.

113th Overall: Dwight Lowery (CB, San Jose State)
Jets fans had to wait quite a while for this one as the team not only didn't have a pick in the third round but also traded back a few spots in the fourth with the Green Bay Packers. Lowery transfered to San Jose State after his sophomore year after spending the first two years of his college career at Cabrillo Community College. He turned a few heads during his junior year by picking off nine passes which tied him for the nation's lead.

At 6-1 and 185 pounds, Lowery is a tall corner with great ball skills and instincts. He might not be the clear cut second cornerback the Jets might need next to Darrelle Revis but he is definitely a solid selection. He was very productive in college, is a smart player and he can make plays. He isn't blessed with the greatest speed but he isn't a turtle either on the field. As a fan you can only trust that pick due to Eric Mangini's past as a defensive backs coach. He will surely have some fun with the young kid from the West Coast.

162nd Overall: Erik Ainge (QB, Tennessee)
This is clearly a project pick for a few years down the road. Erik Ainge comes from a tremendous program and faced elite competition in the SEC. So that is a good way to start. Then he is also friends with Peyton Manning which can't hurt either. He dropped due to questions about his toughness and mobility but he is certainly an interesting prospect. He is blesseed with a very solid arm and at 6-6 he has a good presence in the pocket.
Ainge will spend some time on the bench behind either Kellen Clemens or Chad Pennington. He won't have a problem though with that as he knows both of them well, from his time in Knoxville (where Pennington holds an offseason camp) and his earlier years in Oregon where he is from and Clemens went to college.

171st Overall: Marcus Henry (WR, Kansas)
In the 6th round the Jets added the tall target from Kansas, who really emerged during his senior year. At 6-4, 210 pounds and solid speed for his size, there is nothing to complain about that late pick. Henry will give the Jets a tall possession receiver and help them in the red zone.

211th Overall: Nate Garner (OL, Arkansas)
Well, who is that? Don't ask me. I guess most people know him for coming from the same school as Darren McFadden which certainly isn't a bad thing when you're an offensive lineman. At 6-7 and 320 pounds Garner is a huge kid who will atleast add some depth to the offensive line and maybe even more down the road. Solid pick, no more no less.

OVERALL REVIEW
The Jets had a good Draft 2008, plain and simple. They made solid picks and got players that they targeted and needed. After spending big bucks in the offseason and adding serious talent to their team from last year, this is certainly not a bad thing. When we look at the Jets' weaknesses, one huge concern about them was their lack of athletisism and speed. Vernon Gholston and Dustin Keller belong to the best athletes in the entire draft and maybe even in years so the Jets definitely made huge strides here. Both these players will give speed and good size at their respective positions. Gholston was one of the best pass rushers in the draft. For a team that didn't even know where the quarterback was last year, this is a welcomed shot in the arm. Gholston has the potential to become that terror off the edge that you definitely need in today's NFL. The two teams in the Super Bowl were one and two in the NFL in sacks last year, just for the record.
You can't argue with any of the other picks either in terms of being a need. Ainge may have been a bit of a wasted pick as other positions such as inside linebacker were still available. But in the end you can say that about any pick. No matter if Clemens, Pennington, Ainge or Joe Namath will be the Jets QB next season, the front office did a lot to help out their signal callers. Henry and Keller both will present a big target. You could also say they will give the team something that it didn't have last year.
No draft is perfect. Never, you can always do this or that better. But considering that, the New York Jets really did a good job addressing needs and finding players who fit on and off the field.

NFL Draft 2008 Day One

After most of us have slept a night over our team's draft picks and we slowly start to shake off the hangover from yesterday, let's take a look at yesterday's first day of the 2008 NFL Draft.

It must be a weird feeling sitting in the green room at the NFL Draft. Every year the top prospects are awaiting the moment of their young lives with an entire nation and even parts of the world having their eyes on them. How do you react to certain news? What do you do the entire time in front of legions of TV cameras? For some the experience and the excitement ends real quick as they are among the first selected, living up to their pre draft hype and the high expectations that were placed on them by family members, teammates, coaches, fans, scouts and officials. Others have to wait a little longer, just ask Brady Quinn. The Notre Dame standout had to wait all the way until the 22nd pick in last year's draft until he finally got chosen by the Cleveland Browns. You have to wonder how many self doubts that guy had about a year ago concerning his production, his career and his pre draft work. This year none of the members in the green room had to wait too long as the NFL went six for six with their choices of the top prospects.

Everyone knew that massive offensive tackle Jake Long from Michigan would go number one to the Miami Dolphins. After that you could hear all the usual rumors and rumblings about potential deals, trades and moves that always swirl around at this time of the year. If every expert would earn a dollar for every false rumor they reported, well, then I guess they wouldn't have to work for another day in their lives. But that's also the great thing about the NFL Draft in particular. You almost never know what's gonna happen (except for when the top picks are getting their phone calls) and in a matter of seconds the fortune of a franchise can turn around. The teams with the highest picks certainly hope that they did just that with their top picks this year.

Howie Long's son Chris went to the St. Louis Rams at number two. Which seems to be a great pick due to all the great attributes the young defensive end brings to the table, you'll never know how it's gonna turn out in the future. Long is a great kid yet I question if he has "it" to really be a dominant defensive player in the NFL. He won't make mistakes and this and that but drafting a player that high you want something special from him. We'll see, I'm far from an expert so we'll just let time decide... At three the Atlanta Falcons went with quarterback Matt Ryan out of Boston College and at four the Oakland Raiders once again did something very "Raiderlike". Despite having many holes to fill on their roster, they selected Arkansas running back Darren McFadden. Sure, he gives them an explosive All-SEC-backfield with last year's number one pick JaMarcus Russell, but you wonder what they will do without a defense or any help from the outside. At five and six we saw the last two guys in the green room go off the board as defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey (LSU) went to the Kansas City Chiefs and Ohio State's pass rushing specialist Vernon Gholston was selected by the New York Jets in front of a usually large green and white crowd.

After that the wheeling and dealing began as the Patriots traded back, the Ravens traded back, the Saints traded up, and the... and so on and so on. I don't want to put anyone to sleep by going through every draft and every trade. Some moves were questionable, others seem to be great on paper. The Chiefs for example added another highly touted player in Virginia offensive lineman Branden Albert at fifteen, which definitely did not only make NFL Network's Charles Davis happy. Another team that looks like true winners are the Dallas Cowboys as they added an explosive compliment to Marion Barber at running back with Felix Jones (Arkansas). They also got help in the Roy Williams reigned secondary by selecting Mike Jenkins, a true cover corner from the University of South Florida. So far so good, today we will see how the rest of the Draft pans out and which teams may get a late round steal and send their fans to the bars once again, either in order to celebrate a great day for the franchise or to forget another wasted opportunity to right their ship. Look out for more Draft Coverage at the Sportbar in the next few days...

Pacman Jones is back

When I talk with my basketball friends about the ultimate headcases and knuckleheads in professional sports, then they usually come up with names like Stephen Jackson, J.R. Smith or Ruben Patterson. All deserve their place on such lists, no question about it. But I always say to my buddies that I got them beat. I tell them to check the wikypedia page of Adam "Pacman" Jones. The first laughs arise about the nickname "Pacman" as my buddies usually do not watch much football. Then I give a quick review of Pacman's profile on the internet database. It is as far away from a sports profile as you can imagine as it lists all of Pacman's legal troubles and personal issues. And boy there have been many of those. Soon though, you will also read about a trade to the Dallas Cowboys.

The Cowboys agreed in principle with the Tennessee Titans about a trade for the troubled cornerback, who was suspended the entire 2007 season for a Las Vegas nightclub shooting. Finally, the Titans got rid of Jones and all his baggage but they certainly also lose one of the most talented defensive backs and punt returners in the NFL. The Cowboys fill a huge need in their backfield, which is often as fragile in coverage as Pacman's temper. Dallas is used to flamboyant and troublesome players (such as Michael Irvin or Terrell Owens) but Jones might be another caliber. And you have to wonder how the rather soft spoken head coach Wade Phillips will deal with the situation. I could describe all of Pacman's potential and his playmaking ability here, but it has been a long time since talk surrounding him has been about his actions on the field. You have to wonder if he even deserved a last chance as he had so many before. But we'll see how this turns out...

Knicks Begin Coaching Search

You could almost say Isiah Thomas left his coaching position with the New York Knicks quietly. I mean after years of frustration in and around the Garden, mostly influenced by Zeke himself, who would have thought that everything would happen rather quickly and actually cleanly so far. But I think I will speak for all New York Knicks fans if I say that Isiah Thomas is the past and it's time to move on (even if he'll likely will stick somehow within the franchise). Newly aquired president of basketball operations Donnie Walsh has started his search for a new coach yesterday. By selecting his first candidate he demonstrated a great deal of something that has been missing for years in the Knicks organization: Class.

Walsh didn't start with some big name from out of town. No, he looked right around the corner of his office and gave the first job interview to long time Knicks assistant coach Herb Williams. The 50-year old owns a spot on New York's bench for five years and has gone through some of the more troublesome times of the organization. He has filled in numerous times as an interim coach, too. Throughout his tenure in New York, earlier in his career as a player and recently as a coach, he has been nothing short of a class act and has always been respected around the league and in the locker room. Even if Walsh doesn't really plan to hire Herb Williams, giving him a chance to interview means paying a guy respect who deserves just that. It's proving that a new culture has arrived at Madison Square Garden where mostly scandals and other ugly stories reigned the newspapers in recent years. Walsh is setting a tone early and you have to like what you see from the new boss in town. The coaching search will continue in the next few days and weeks and it seems like former Knicks point guard and rookie of the year Mark Jackson is a leading candidate for the job. We'll see what happens but just by giving Herb Williams the first interview for the head coaching job Donnie Walsh has already made a great move...

Slumping Sluggers

The new baseball season is now almost three weeks old and when we look around the majors, some players are really not having the kind of numbers they usually have. Now that's not an uncommon thing at the start of a season but we'll take a look at the struggling big boys and evaluate if their teams have to be worried or not. It should also be noted that there are different standards set for each player. You don't expect the same numbers from Carlos Delgado as you expect from Ryan Howard at this point in their careers. But overall, both haven't been hitting well lately and that's the whole point of the article.

David Ortiz (Red Sox) .141, 1 HR, 10 RBI
After he had knee surgery in the offseason, Big Papi is not looking like the same feared hitter he was the years before. He doesn't feel comfortable with his knee yet and was even benched in a series against the Yankees last week. At 32 years of age Ortiz should be in the prime of his career.
Chance of Recovery: Good. Maybe he will struggle throughout the season but everything is pointing to a return to form for him. HIs buddy Manny Ramirez, batting behind him, is tearing the cover off the baseball and Ortiz will see more and more good pitches with Manny continuing to dominate. The last six games have proven just that as Ortiz had 7 hits and 7 RBI without taking a single walk.

Gary Sheffield (Tigers) .192, 1 HR, 2 RBI
Sheff is clearly on the downside of his career at the age of 39. But of course you wouldn't expect him to struggle as much and bat below .200. Just like his team he is off to a terrible start, even though his OBP has been rather solid at .364. With the addition of Miguel Cabrera, the Tigers don't have as big of a role for Sheffield as he is used to.
Chance of recovery: Not great. Sheffield is old and even though he is still a feared hitter, there is no comparison to the past. Last year he finished with 25 homers and 75 RBI and it will be hard to match these numbers. He still isn't fully confortable with the role of the designated hitter and should never be the same hitter he once was.

Frank Thomas (Blue Jays) .167, 3 HR, 11 RBI
"The Big Hurt" was expected to be a key part of the Toronto offense but he hasn't lived up to it. After a MVP-caliber year 2006 in Oakland, the career .300-hitter is clearly looking worse and worse at the plate. It also seems like he has problems inside the clubhouse and he was livid about his recent benching against Detroit. But hey, you can't expect to play everyday with this batting average.
Chance of recovery: Slim. Thomas will turn 40 soon and his body has taken a lot of blows over the years. He doesn't have his nickname for nothing. After hitting his 500th homerun last year he might also not have the same motivation anymore as he had before reaching the milestone.
BREAKING NEWS: Two hours after this article was finished, Thomas was released by the Blue Jays.

Jason Giambi (Yankees) .116, 2 HR, 6 RBI
If you think the Yankees offense as a whole has struggled, then you haven't been watching Jason Giambi. He has been terrible at the plate and is more and more looking like a sure goner in New York next year. He is currently splitting a lot of time at DH with catcher Jorge Posada and the banged up catcher is also digging into Giambi's first base starts.
Chance of recovery: Bad. Giambi isn't in great shape physically (We could wonder why if we are mean...) and he doesn't seem to have a great standing with Joe Girardi either. He won't face Mike Timlin every game and since 2005 his averages has been going down consistently. He doesn't seem to be in the Yankees' long term plans and that isn't a good sign for the rest of the season.

Carlos Delgado (Mets) .213, 1 HR, 8 RBI
If you watch the big run producer in the dugout, you wouldn't imagine he is going through a slump. He is always joking and enjoying the time with his teammates. But his numbers tell a different story. One problem for Delgado has been his decreasing bat speed. He has been taken out of the cleanup spot multiple times recently (also due to the fact the Mets faced tons of lefties).
Chance of recovery: Average. Delgado is clearly on the downside and being 35 years old, you can't expect him to make any great leaps in his form. His averages has been going down for three years now and he isn't the big run producer on the Mets anymore. But if he finds his swing, he could be valuable behind the likes of David Wright and Carlos Beltran which ultimatively is all the Mets need from him. His presence in the clubhouse is clearly positive.

Ryan Howard (Phillies) .182, 4 HR, 9 RBI
He is the youngest among our slumping sluggers and due to that fact alone, Philly fans shouldn't be too worried about his slow start. He had a bad start last year too and still finsihed with terrific numbers for the season. His strikeout numers are astronomically high though and that's something he should definitely work on in the future.
Chance of recovery: Great. As bad he looks at the plate right now, and we are talking awful here, his track record gives no reason to worry at all. Last year he slumped in April and still finished with 47 homers and 136 RBI. The year before he was the National League MVP with an incredible 58 homers and 149 RBI. He bats in a small ballpark and once he recovers mentally, he will be fine. Watch out, Philly bleachers!

Alfonso Soriano (Cubs) .175, 2 HR, 5 RBI
Just like last year, Soriano is struggling early on and April. And just like last year, too, the left fielder is injured early on with a strained right calf. He was almost non existant in the first couple of games but looked better as in the second week of the season. Unfortunately for him, he went down with the injury.
Chance of recovery: Great. Soriano is only 32 years old and he isn't your prototypical power hitter. Not only does he lead off and is blessed with good speed on the bases, he is also in outstanding physical condition and arguably one of the most gifted athletes of our generation. His lone year in Washington proved that where he finished with 46 homers and 41 stolen bases. He will be back soon and he will find his swing just like he always does. His free swinging mentality won't change, yet that doesn't mean he still isn't a great player to watch and have on your team.

Ok, that's it with our report of the slumping sluggers. Many of you will disagree with some predictions and mabye you will also miss a few names (Andruw Jones anyone?). Feel free to comment on the list and get into a discussion.

Santana Strikes Back

Any other pitcher would have been worried last night before facing the Philadelphia Phillies. Especially after he had given up three homeruns in his previous outing. And then this Citizen's Bank Park - a stadium where even normal infield popups sometimes make their way into the bleachers. On top of that he would face his new team's nemesis, the Phillies. Everything pointed to a long and stressful night. But then, Johan Santana isn't just any other pitcher. Far from that, actually, as he once again proved last night. Even the most critical New York Mets fans, maybe even the idiots who booed Santana in his home debut, had to be amazed by watching their new ace lead their team to a 6-4 victory. On the road, against their division rivals, a team they couldn't beat last year when it mattered most.

Santana pitched a tremendous game that can't be limited to his numbers. He gave up 3 runs in 7 innings of work and struck out 10 batters. But it was more than that, it was his presence that mattered more than any statstic. In a game the Mets desperately needed for their confidence, Santana took the mound with force and did what he has been doing for years now - dominate and show the people that he is one of the best pitchers of our generation. And he proved what he can be for the Mets. He can be that guy, who will go out every five days and lead your team to victory. He is the horse, the leader of your staff. A Cy Young caliber pitcher. A true ace. Or you could say something the Mets got one year to late. Last year they missed just this front of the rotation starter when they blew a huge division lead to those Phillies at the end of the regular season. But this year it is a different story.

You shouldn't judge great players like Johan Santana by one bad night (like his home debut against Milwaukee). You rather should relax and wait for the inevitable to happen, which actually, just happened last night in Philly. Santana now posts a 3.25 ERA with an even 2-2 record. Some might say it's not worthy of the 137 million contract Santana got from the Mets in the offseason. But he's also not getting paid to only pitch four regular season games. Especially not in April. Who still is worried with Santana's performance so far has to remember that the venezuelan has been a notoriously slow starter in his career. Actually his 3.25 ERA is his best April ERA since he became a starter in 2003. And if you consider that start as slow, well, then watch out National League!

Unfazed with his team's former choking acts against the Phillies, Santana went to work and did what he has proven to do year after year in the majors. "I had the same approach I usually have", said the 29-year old left hander. "Sure, you can sense a bit of a different atmosphere. But I always try to be myself. I want to go out and enjoy every moment out there." Mets fans surely enjoyed every strikeout and every moment of last night's performance. Just like Santana's teammates. "There aren't too many pitchers in the game that can single-handedly bring your team to another level", explained third baseman David Wright. "But Johan is certainly one of them." So, the Phillies now know about Santana and his teammates are aware of him and his meaning to their team, too. Hopefully all Mets fans realize soon what they really got in this tremendous pitcher and that there's no need to boo him anymore...

Barry Zito: Wrong Curve

I mean you can't help yourself but Barry Zito is an interesting guy. Or how did the announcer's put it yesterday - he's beating to a different drum. So far so good. Just look up his wikypedia file and you will read about some of the stories concerning the veteran left hander of the San Francisco Giants. He collects stuffed animals, is outspoken and media friendly, bought his own baseball cards and one of his nicknamesa includes "Planet Zito" - just to name a few of the little anecdotes that surround this refreshing young man. But there is one story that will hang with him forever and that will ultimately create his legacy. It's not the legend of the dandy pitcher with the incredible curveball but of the downfall of this once great hurler who signed this enormous 126 million dollar contract, which will haunt for the rest of his baseball days.

When Barry Zito left the Oakland Athletics and signed the contract with the Giants, worked out by his new agent Scott Boras, many knew that it was a mistake by San Francisco. Zito wasn't the same pitcher anymore that he was in 2002, when he won the American League Cy Young Award behind a tremendous 23-5 record and a strong 2.75 ERA. And he isn't now either. What is left of him is just a memory. Today, his fastball is barely scratching the mid eighties. Back in the day, he constantly topped out in the low nineties which made his superb secondary stuff just that much more effective. But how good can a pitcher be without any kind of effective fastball and spotty control?! Not very good, just ask Barry Zito. Or the fans of the San Francisco Giants. Zito has lost all four of his decisions so far this season, something that never happened in his entire career before. His ERA in the usually more pitcher friendly National League has gone up to 4.50 - despite coming from the American League and pitching in a pitcher's ballpark. You can turn it and see it how you want but the story of Barry Zito is a very sad one. He's earning the big money, sure, but don't believe he's happy with what he's doing. I mean here's a guy at the age of 29 who once belonged to the elite pitchers in the game of baseball. It's not like he is a 36 year old nearing the end of his career. Now he still has over 5 years left on a contract that rests on his shoulders like the image of a needle on Barry Bonds. He will hear more and more boos as the season goes. And he will have to deal with more and more doubts by fans and himself with every loss if he doesn't make adjustments and reinvents himself as a pitcher, something he hasn't been able to do for quite a few years now. In the end, all he will have is a big bank account and a memory of better days, but his legacy will never be what it once was...

Carmelo Anthony Is Sorry Now

Listen up fellas, Carmelo Anthony is sorry! Did you all hear it, Carmelo Anthony, star forward for the Denver Nuggets who by the way just clinched the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, is sorry! He actually is so sorry for his latest arrest due to driving under the influence of alcohol that he had to read his apology from a prepared statement. Man, Melo, you really got our respect for standing up for your mistakes and not continuing being a foolish wannabe thug...

I'm sick and tired of hearing such stories. I mean first of all it's terrible to even do it, I'm talking DUI. But how can a professional athlete right in the middle of a season deciding playoff race be arrested for DUI?! How idiotic, stupid and dumb do you have to be?! It's bad enough to do it in the offseason or for that matter ever but in the most important part of your season?! As a fan of that team I seriously would have to wonder if this guy actually deserves to be in the playoffs...

Big Struggle For Big Papi

What happened Sunday night at Fenway seemed as unlikely as anything you can imagine. It's the rubber match between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees for their first series of the new MLB season and one big name is missing on the Red Sox lineup card: David Ortiz. Big Papi not playing?! So he's seriously injured? Did the heaven come down?! What's going on? Something very serious has to happen that Red Sox manager Terry Francona leaves his star slugger out of his starting lineup. Red Sox fans can only hope that it has nothing to do with an injury and it was just a day off because of David Ortiz truly serious slump to begin the season.

Either way, Big Papi is going through maybe the toughest time in his career. The 6-4, 230 pound Dominican is batting only .070 with one homerun and three RBIs. Yes, it's David Ortiz we are talking about here, not some average hitter who happens to have a slow start to his season. At first the reason for Papi's struggles seems obvious. He had knee surgery in the offseason and he might not be fully recovered. Yet then you have to ask when will he recover? The season has started now and for a guy his size it's definitely not helpful to play baseball every day when his knee isn't fully healed. Right now, he is feeling terrible as you can tell by him not carrying his usual smile. The situation will be interesting to follow not only for the Red Sox but also for the rest of the American League, as Papi is a vital part of Boston's success. Even if it might not yet be time to panic, Papi's struggles are definitely a serious concern for Red Sox nation...

Three For The Ages

Bill Self put it well before the game when he addressed his players - this will be a special night. Oh boy it was! And not only Self, his players and Jayhawks fans will remember this night for the rest of their lifes, every basketball fan will think back to this National Championship game with joy and a full heart.

The game looked over with 2 minutes to go and the Memphis Tigers leading by 9 points in what was an evenly matched contest throughout. Yet the Jayhawks never gave up. With every second passing and every point Kansas chipped away from their deficit, the Tigers felt more uncomfortable. Then the moment came that they feared most all year long: They led the big game and had the chance to ice it at the foul line. And just how so many experts have promised, one clank after another put Kansas back in business. Superstar freshman Derrick Rose missed one of two after the Tigers couldn't convert on four free throws in the final 1:12 minutes. With the score 63:60 Memphis and roughly 10 seconds to go, all the Tigers' title dreams turned into a monumental nightmare. Sherron Collins raced the ball up court and handed it to Mario Chalmers. With the eyes of a nation on him, Chalmers pulled up for the three at the top of the key. A moment later the biggest shot of his life turned the Kansas fans and bench into a frenzy and let every Memphis fan hang their head in shock. At that moment, with the game going into overtime, there could only be one winner. The Jayhawks dominated the extra period to win the third National Championship in school history. With his late game heroics, Chalmers closed the book in deserving fashion on just another NCAA Tournament and another March Madness. And he reminded us all why we love college basketball so much.

I won't have to talk about this love to the Memphis Tigers right now. They couldn't put the icing on the cake of a dream season in which they won 38 games and only lost two. But the second one proved to be one to many. Derrick Rose put the team on his shoulders in the second half showing everyone why he is considered one of the premier NBA prospects in his class. Others like Joey Dorsey and Robert Dozier shipped in with admirable efforts only to come up short in the end. You gotta feel for these guys who missed out on an opportunity that they will regret the rest of their being. Congrats to Memphis for a great season, even though this night belonged to Kansas and only to Kansas!

Bill Self put the game in jeopardy for his Jayhawks, switching to a zone and a box and one midway through the second half. Out of their usual aggressive man to man defense the Jayhawks lost their rythmn and almost the game. But it was a furious late game comeback, highlighted by Chalmers' game tying trey, that let "Rock Chalk Jayhawk" sound as loud as ever. Darrell Arthur led Kansas with 20 points, proving that he is a tremendous pro in the making. Other key contributors were Brandon Rush, who locked down Chris Douglas-Roberts in the second half, and the speedy Sherron Collins who never took his foot of the pedal. Overall Kansas' depth gave them the second air and they could withstand foul difficulty, unlike the Tigers who lost their senior leader Dorsey late in the fourth quarter. What a great game it was! A true night to remember in a Tournament that has given us so many great moments over the years. Mario Chalmers' three pointer will rank right at the top with these eternal plays of the past and it will make him a hero for life. A life in which he will always have this moment for himself and for Jayhawk nation. Even though ever is a long time, this one will last for the ages. Deservingly so...

On The Road

Baseball is getting started, the Final Four this weekend... and where am I?!? On the road! I'm currently sitting in a hotel lobby blocking the local internet. I'll get home tomorrow and then the blog will pick up again! Until then, best wishes!