Around the Horn

First off, great draft by the Steelers.  Both offensive lineman are just what we need, and grabbing a DT like that in the fourth round was genius by Colbert.  Hard not to be stoked about the upcoming season.  The NFL is the only sport that can get you this excited four months before the season even starts.  Maybe that's why the Directv package is like a thousand dollars.

The SF Giants have had a few bumps, but are doing well overall.  The big story to me is Aubrey Huff.  I was telling anyone who would listen (basically Jack and Brooklyn, kids are great captive audiences) that he needed to ride the bench with how awful he was batting and fielding.  Then it comes out that he has an anxiety disorder, and quite honestly, I don't feel that guilty about complaining.  It is interesting that I don't feel guilty about ragging on an athlete when they have a mental disorder, but I would instantly feel guilty if that happened with anyone else I knew.

Finally, I've enjoyed working a booth for Mayo Clinic at the Phoenix Coyote playoff games (hopefully they'll keep winning and I'll keep doing it).  I never watch hockey, but it is really enjoyable live.  Maybe this will spur my interest next season.

Not Cool

Mohammed Sanu, draft-eligible Rutgers wide receiver, was prank called yesterday. The pranker told Sanu he had been drafted by the Bengals. He told his agent, his agent went on Twitter, his family going nuts. Then, watching the draft, they watched the Bungles pick guard Kevin Zeitler out of Wisconsin. Here is the story. :(

UPDATE: The Bengals picked Sanu in the 3rd round anyway.


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Metta World.... not so much

File this one under: painfully obvious.

I've been a Ron Artest fan for a long time, even after his berzerker moment as a Piston in Detroit.  At his best, he was a dogged, flexible defender, probably a little underappeciated, and somebody I wanted to see succeed. 

Basketball is a physical game, and I think the league has evolved a little too far in restraining players' emotional reactions to contact.  But it's really impossible to watch the reply of Artest's elbow to Harden's head and see it as anything but intentional (can you picture a motion like that if he's NOT trying to connect with an opponent?).  The best you can possibly say for Ron is that he didn't mean to clock him in the head.  Seven games doesn't seem adequate, given MWP's history, and it would be hard to protest really if the league just said "enough" and banned him indefinitely.

(Oh, and yes, Lopez definitely should miss games for whacking Griffin like that too - completely inexcusable).

The Saints go marching out

• Bountygate

• Saints leadership punishments

• Greg Williams audio tape controversy

• Unpaid administrative leave for Tom Benson heir, granddaughter Rita

• Mickey Loomis wiretap allegations

• Upcoming player punishments

Good lord! All in the public eye over a period of a few months...

Either way, the Saints have some real enemies or have made bad choices in friends. 

And Bobby Herbert says the Saints are the 21st Century Raiders.


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... What?! ...

http://www.nj.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/04/saints_gm_mickey_loomis_eavesd.html

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/04/former_giants_star_brandon_jac.html

It's as if they know I just started a blog.


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Bloody Sunday for the Rain Sox

Well, after losing to the Yanks 6-2 on Fenway's 100th, the Sox just gave up a 9-0 lead starting in the 6th yesterday (4/21/2012). By game's end: Yanks 15, Sox 9. Now the weather's having a say today, Sunday, by postponing the game.

I remember once waiting for the 57 bus on Comm Ave near the I-90 on-ramp and the Sox were getting killed by the Yanks in the playoffs. People were leaving early. Traffic jammed all over the place. On the Prudential it said "GO SOX." I had to laugh because it had taken on a new meaning. You know, like, "Go Sox. Good work guys. You suck!"

(For the record, my precious NY Football Giants are no better. They lost to the Panthers in the last home game EVER in Giants Stadium 41-9.)

 Oh, the saga continues...

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Victory to kick off the off-season

 WELCOME.  

After some consideration, I have chosen to place all my football gripes in one basket and leave the social networks to the more social aspects of our lives. Y'know, birthdays, politics, and politics. Since I like politics as much as I like growing up I thought I'd burden those who choose to be burdened rather than assault you with my football rantings in the middle of your personal update, reading suggestion, or useful and interesting piece of under-the-radar news. Of course, there may be reading suggestions here also, but they'll be of the sporting variety.

True Grid is a blog I hope will generate discussion and satisfy the Monday morning quarterback in us all. Mostly, I hope it's at least entertaining. I only ask we stick to sports. That includes NASCAR and the Tour de France. What about the Olympics? I'll post the most I imagine and try to keep posts broad enough to be more palatable since we're not all living in the same town. I'll also keep my fingers crossed everybody feels instigated enough to figuratively adjust their glasses and spout revealing statistics or interesting insights as we counterpoint along the way.

One caveat: I like to flex some quantitative muscles from time to time cuz I find it fun. If I lose anyone in those moments, it's alright, I'll always have my catharsis. More cheese with my whine? Yes, please.

Oh, and Happy 100th Fenway! Yah quite duh pahk!

Ta