Monday Morning Mehta 2/28/05

Edition # 108
February 28, 2005

NFL/Eagles

The official free agency signing period begins Wednesday, but many deals are already done. The free agency period this year has lost a lot of its luster because of the many big name players that were franchised by their teams. Shaun Alexander, Edgerrin James, Rudi Johnson and many others are all franchised. This means that these UFA's who thought they were going to get $15 million signing bonuses and long term deals, will get a one year deal worth about $8 million with no signing bonus. A severe kick in the crouch to the player, hence players like James are furious and are seeking a trade or are threatening to hold out.

The Eagles continue to work on striking a deal with Jeremiah Trotter. A part of me would love to see them sign Ed Hartwell instead, but I realize keeping Trotter is a huge priority. Besides that, there hasn't been much leakage as usual as to whom the Eagles are targeting. I wouldn't expect any big signings like Kearse last year though.

Interesting tidbits:

Jeff Garcia will likely sign with Detroit serving as "backup" for Joey Harrington. With Garcia's ex-coach Steve Mariucci running the show in Detroit, Joey H. should watch his back.

The Packers are probably going to release Darren Sharper this week. Sharper's overrated and will be overpaid.

I stated above that Edgerrin James is requesting a trade, and he gets the Award for Best Quote of the week. ''We're like The Jackson 5. To everyone on the outside, it looks like we're tight as he%l. We're out there on the field making it look so effortless, with everything running perfectly. Then we go home and it's Jermaine in this room, Tito in another and Randy ain't talkin' to no one. When you get up close, it's all dysfunctional.''

Maurice Clarett ran a very slow time at the combine which is very funny. I hope the jerk doesn't get drafted. But it's very funny how the same people that say stopwatches mean nothing are the same people that are killing Clarett for his time.

Bears will sign Mushin Mohammed to a long term deal with a $12 million signing bonus. I hate this deal. Mushin was awesome last year, but he's 32, and I just can't shake his production from 2001-2003 from my mind. (2001- 50 catches for 585 yards; 2002- 63 catches for 823 yards; 2003- 54 catches 837 yards). I predict he'll be considered a bust in 3 years.

Ty Law was cut by the Patriots and is reportedly being sought by the Cowboys and his old coach Bill Parcells.

The Laveranues Coles for Santana Moss deal appears to be dead, which is great news for Eagles fans. Coles should be on the Eagles radar, as well as Derrick Mason. I still think the Eagles will sign David Patten though.

Tom Brady should get a contract extension sometime this week, it will be very interesting how "cap friendly" that deal is.

In my favorite story of the week, Saints RB Deuce McAllister is suing the famous Bourbon Street club Razzoo's in Nawlins, claiming that their bouncers assaulted him.

Charles Woodson is likely to be traded this week. Woodson has yet to meet his lofty expectations but he's still one of the games best CB's.

Look for Baltimore to be after a big time free agent WR like Plaxico Burress, Derrick Mason and Coles once available.

Phillies/MLB

Is it that obvious I don't want to talk about the Phillies? Spring Training games start this week and things will start to heat up then. Until then, baseball fans will just have to wait patiently.
AL Baseball Preview March 28th
NL Baseball Preview April 4th

NBA - Derreck Sura

The NBA's trade deadline went bonkers last Thursday. There were 12 deal's in total, making this the 'Trade Spectacular' edition of MMM.

Deal #1 - The Sixers send Kenny Thomas, Corliss Williamson, & Brian Skinner to Sacramento for Chris Webber, Matt Barnes, & Michael Bradley. This was thee blockbuster of the deadline. Philly GM Billy King has taken many a verbal beating from me, and others, so BK must be given credit for this steal of a deal. Unloading KT's contract was something I thought would be near impossible, but getting an All-Star caliber big man back for those 3 stiff's? Priceless. I've always said that Allen Iverson needed a low post threat on offense to be his #2 option, and now he has one. The addition of C-Web will allow AI to take some possessions off on offense by just dumping the ball into C-Web and letting him work. This is something AI has never had the luxury of, and should allow him to conserve his energy better over the course of a game. C-Web is also a superior passer from the high and low post, meaning it won't always be on AI to create shots for other's, and...gasp...C-Web will also be able to get AI a few easy looks per game too. When's the last time a teammate was able to consistently set up AI, if ever?

While C-Web will immediately be in the top 6-8 big men in the East, there are some issue's with his acquisition. The main one being his left knee. C-Web has never fully recovered from the 6/10/03 arthroscopic surgery to repair his torn meniscus. C-Web will never be 100% healthy again, so I don't foresee him ever being able to play in all 82 games. Don't get me wrong, I still LOVE this trade for the Sixers, but I know going in that C-Web is not all he once was, and most likely never will be. I mean, it's approaching 2 full years after the surgery, and he still runs with a limp. That's not to say he can't be a highly effective player, as evidenced by his 3 triple-doubles (and just missing a fourth with 19, 9, & 9) in his last 8 games with the Kings. What really worries me is how the Philly fans, print media, and talk radio will handle C-Web having to go on the injured list 2-3 times a year, and only playing in 55-65 regular season games per season. My plea is for all Sixer fan's out there to understand C-Web's situation now, and not use it as ammo to blast him at a later date. Remember that C-Web has a very fragile psyche, and if the City turns on him, a sulking, unhappy, disinterested Webber benefits no one.

The other thing that concerns me is how AI and C-Web's individual game's are going to mesh on the court. Being that C-Web's game is now limited by his lack of athleticism, I consider it AI's responsibility to adjust his game to incorporate Webber into the offense. C-Web plays below the rim now, and can no longer make a quick move and explode to dunk over someone. He's more of a mid-range jump shooter now, that prefers the high post to the low block. In my opinion AI has the ability to play the game in a variety of ways, and still be extremely effective. Adjusting his game has never been one of AI's stronger suits, but he HAS done it this year, so hopefully he's mature enough to understand what he needs to do as the leader of the Sixers. Make no mistake about it, Philly is still AI's squad, and I'm sure that's just fine with Webber. C-Web has never been a guy that likes to take the last shot in big games, or thrives being under the brunt of the pressure. That's why I think over the long run this trade should actually help both players reach their potential.

- From Sacramento's (36-21) perspective, you first have to take into account GM Geoff Petrie's track record. Maybe he knows something about Webber's left knee that the rest of us don't? The more likely scenario is that Petrie made the decision that the current group of players had run their course, and it was time to rebuild. I respect that, even if it ruffles some of the remaining player's feathers. Sure it sends the message that the franchise is taking a step back, but the goal is to win the title, and the Webber led Kings had more then enough chance's to do accomplish that. There was also the long standing rumor that C-Web and Peja Stojakovic did not get along on, or off, the court. When you consider that Peja was an MVP candidate 2/3 of the way through last season (until C-Web's return basically), and the Kings' offense seemed to be more free flowing with Peja as the #1 option, you can see what Petrie was angling for. In the 4 games this year that Peja played in, and Webber didn't, Peja's scoring (19.1-25.8 ppg), shooting percentage (43.8%-49.3%), and rebounding (4.1-5.8 rpg) all went up. Peja has also been pouting most of the year (when he hasn't been injured) after asking to be traded in the summer, so this could also be the franchise's way of trying to placate him. Whatever the reason's may have been, Peja, Mike Bibby, and Brad Miller is a nice core to rebuild around, and Sacto's depth has been an issue for them all season long. Expect KT and Darius Songaila to split time at the PF position, Corliss to back up Peja, and B Skins to play behind B Miller. MMM reader Sean O'Day asked, "Will the Kings fall far enough to let both the Lakers and Timberwolves make the playoffs?" With the way Minnesota has been playing, I don't think so, but seed's 5-8 in the West are now all up for grabs.

Deal #2 - The Sixers send Glenn Robinson to New Orleans for Rodney Rogers & Jamal Mashburn. On the surface this deal was made to provide depth behind C-Web in the form of RR, and added nothing in future salary because RR's deal is up after the year, and Mash is EXPECTED to retire due to an injured right knee. The whole Mash retiring thing is a little scary to me, because what if he sees Philly as a title contender that he can contribute to? It's easy to say you're going to retire when you're playing for the Hornets. I'm probably making something out of nothing here, but you never know with professional athletes, so I'll believe he's retiring when it's made official, but not before. I know that RR is coach Jim O'Brien's type of player, but RR had been a dog all year long for New Orleans. RR was averaging 9.2 points & 4.7 rebounds in 29.4 minutes while committing 2.2 turnovers per game, and shooting 37.7% from the field & 27.2% from three. He doesn't have much left in the tank, if anything. As for the other two players the Sixers acquired, I like what Matt Barnes brings to the table. He's not a star by any means, but what he does do is hustle. He'll be a nice energy guy off the pine (if Obie plays him) that dives for loose balls, takes charges, plays defense, and gets out on the break. Michael Bradley is on his 3rd team this year and gives Philly a big body that can rebound a little and use all 6 fouls.

- The Sixers (26-29) went 0-2 this week, including a terrible loss to New York (1-3 vs. the Knicks this season). Philly is now 2 losses out of #8, and 1 loss behind Boston for the Atlantic Division lead. There is going to be an adjustment period now for the Sixers, as Obie works at least 2 new players into his regular rotation. With only 27 games left to play, that doesn't allow for much "get acquainted" time. Philly is also about to embark on 3 straight back to back's (BtB), or 6 games in 8 days. Normally I'd say sit Webber for the second game of the last two BtB's, but for the sake of working him into the offense, he'll need to be out there every night. Being that Obie puts such a premium on defense, I have to wonder how he'll deal with C-Web's lack of mobility at that end of the court? To me, this is the question that no one is asking right now, but will be before too long, especially if Webber isn't playing in crunch time. This week brings the Sixers: @Milwaukee & New Jersey (BtB), Cleveland & @Atlanta (BtB). With all the roster changes, new offensive sets, and BtB's, I can only see 1 sure win in that group of games.

Deal #3 - New Orleans sends Baron Davis to Golden State for Speedy Claxton & Dale Davis. Hornets' GM Allan Bristow has been clearing cap room all year long, and shipping Baron and Mash away gives N.O. 17 million dollars under the cap to play with this summer. These move also make sense when you consider that the Hornets (11-44) have been losing money ever since they made the move to the Big Easy. The question is, will anyone really want to sign with what is quickly becoming the worst franchise in the league? Bristow's plan is to build around C Jamaal Magloire now, which isn't a bad idea, but I don't think the "Big Cat" is truly a #1 option. He's more of a #3 option on a really good team. Speedy is a nice pick up for Baron (when you consider the trade was a salary dump) because he has proven he can run a team for more then half a season, unlike Dan Dickau. The "Big Dog" could probably get some minutes on the Hornets, if he decides he's healthy enough to play. Dale Davis, following Jim Jackson's lead, has said that he won't report to N.O., and wants then to but out the remaining 10 million on his contract, so he can sign with a contender.

Deal #4 - Golden State sends Eduardo Najera, Luis Flores, & a 2007 1st round pick to Denver for Nikoloz Tskitishvili & Rodney White. For my money the Warriors (16-39) acquiring Baron Davis was the third best trade of the deadline. If B Diddy can stay healthy (a rather big IF these days), he and Jason Richardson will form a very dynamic back court. Enough to get G.S. to the playoffs? Probably not, but at least the Warriors have a solid, and somewhat exciting, starting 5 now. Troy Murphy is an above average PF when healthy, and a real nice #3 option. Baron's addition will also allow Mike Dunleavy Jr. and Adonal Foyle to be what they are, which is role players. Rodney White is a bit of a gunner, but he can score, if nothing else. As for Skita, who really knows what he can do? He should get a chance to showcase himself on this terrible team, along with White, but this is probably Skita's last chance before having to head back to Europe. I know that Najera had been grousing about minutes, and has a contract that runs through '07-08, but I have to question GM Chris Mullin sending a 1st round pick to basically rent Skita and White (both deal's up after the year) for the rest of the season? If one of them pans out, it will be worth it, but that's a bit of a gamble for a bad team, that needs all the 1st round picks they can get, to take.

- It took a while, but Nuggets' (27-29) GM Kiki Vandeweghe finally admitted that Skita (5th pick overall in 2002) was a bust. It's got to be tough for any GM to admit they wasted such a high pick, but such is the NBA draft. Coach George Karl was not going to play White or Skita anyway, so getting a first round pick for them was a quality move. Najera is a hard worker, with some playoff experience, that gives Denver another big body off the bench, and insurance for their perpetually injured front line. Luis Flores should enjoy his time in the NBA while it lasts.

Deal #5 - San Antonio sends Malik Rose & conditional first round picks in 2005 & 2006 to New York for Nazr Mohammed & Jamison Brewer. Spurs' GM R.C. Buford has done it again. This was the 2nd best trade of the deadline as I see it. Nazr is not a star, but he gives S.A. (42-13) a better then average big man to play along side Tim Duncan. On the many nights when Rasho Nesterovic doesn't show up, coach Gregg Popovich can now yank him right away, and give big minutes to Nazr. The two first round picks don't really matter to Buford, as the Spurs' core is pretty much set, and Rose was not one of Pop's favorite players, to be kind. S.A.'s one weakness was depth up front, now that that's no longer a problem, injuries are the only thing that can derail the Spurs' season. Jamison Brewer was released on Saturday.

Deal #6 - New York sends Vin Baker, Moochie Norris, & a 2006 second round pick to Houston for Maurice Taylor. WOW, is really all I can say about Knicks' GM Isiah Thomas' moves at the deadline. Nazr had inexplicably fallen out of favor under interim coach Herb Williams, and Jamison, Vin, & Moochie were hardly played at all. So what's the problem here you might be wondering? The problem is that the N.Y. (23-33) already had the highest payroll in the league, and way too many average players with ridiculous contract's, so what does Isiah do? He adds another 32 million in future salaries for two more guys with deal's that don't match their production. Sure he did get 2 (probably very low) first round picks, but this is not how to rebuild a team in need of a serious face lift. When you consider that the Knicks already had Kurt Thomas (6'9), Jerome Williams (6'9), and Mike Sweetney (6'8), adding Mo Taylor (6'9) and Rose (6'7) makes even less sense. The tallest player on N.Y.'s roster now is Bruno Sundov (7'2). That could be why Isiah signed 19 year old C Jackie Butler (6'10) from the CBA for the rest of the season on Sunday.

Deal #7 - Houston sends Reece Gaines & second round picks in 2006 & 2007 to Milwaukee for Mike James & Zendon Hamilton. I really like what Rockets' (32-24) GM Carroll Dawson did at the deadline. With starting PG Bob Sura's status uncertain with a back injury, Dawson acquired 2 PG's for players on Houston's injured list. Being able to unload Mo Taylor's contract was just icing on the cake. James should step right in and be the starting PG. He plays the kind of hard-nosed defense coach Jeff Van Gundy likes, and can hit an open 3 pointer. The return of Moochie allowed for the merciful release of Rod Strickland (please don't come back Rod). Vin Baker is well past the point of being a productive role player, but he is big body with 6 fouls to use. Zendon Hamilton was released almost immediately after the trade.

Deal #8 - Milwaukee sends Keith Van Horn to Dallas for Calvin Booth, Alan Henderson, & cash. The Bucks' trades were all about trimming payroll in an effort to be able to resign Michael Redd this summer, while keeping the payroll in owner Herb Kohl's neighborhood. Redd supposedly met with Milwaukee's (23-31) management the night before the deadline, and promised them he'd remain a Buck when he became a free agent. KVH was due to make 15.7 million next year, and Mike James had 7.1 million total left on his contract after this season. Milwaukee will now be roughly 9 million under the cap this summer, so they can sign a few other free agents to convince Redd that they are trying to win, and then use the "Larry Bird Exception" to resign Redd after that. GM Larry Harris is also prepared for Redd pulling a "Carlos Boozer", by taking his word back, because the Bucks with have roughly 14 million in cap room if Redd bolts. Calvin Booth is a shot blocker that can hit an open J, and could work his way into coach Terry Porter's rotation. Reece Gaines is on his 3rd team in only his second year in the league, 'nuff said there. Alan Henderson was released on Friday.

- The Mavericks (37-17) bolstered their depth with acquisition of KVH. Money is no object to owner Mark Cuban, who I think views players as asset's, much like a fantasy owner might. KVH should flourish as Dirk Nowitzki's backup in coach Don Nelson's free flowing style. If he doesn't? Next year is the last year of his contract, so he'll be a very tradable commodity to a team looking to cut payroll. Look for Dallas to resign Alan Henderson in the coming days. Not all is great for the Mavs right now, as Erick Dampier will be out for the next 2-3 weeks with a stress fracture in his right foot. Damp was playing some of his best ball of the year before he got hurt, and Dallas will need him 100% healthy if they are going to make any noise in the Western Conference playoffs.

Deal #9- Atlanta sends Antoine Walker to Boston for Gary Payton, Michael Stewart, Tom Gugliotta, & a 2005 or future first round pick. For the Hawks (10-45) this trade was all about the draft pick. Toine's contract is up after the season, as are GP, Yogi Stewart, and Googs'. This deal was supposedly in the works for months, but didn't get done until the Sixers acquired Chris Webber. That's when Celtics' GM Danny Ainge finally relented and included the first rounder. Googs and Yogi (sounds like a cartoon) will probably be playing out their respective career's in Atlanta. As much I would've loved for GP to have to suit up for the Hawks, instead look for him to work out a buyout on the remaining 5.4 million on his contract, and sign with the team of his choice.

Deal #10 - Boston sends Jiri Welsch to Cleveland for a 2007 first round pick. It's hard to figure out what Danny Ainge is thinking. One minute he's bashing Toine and praising Jiri as the key to the original Toine trade. The next minute he's unloading Jiri and bringing Toine back in separate transactions. What gives? Well, your guess is as good as mine. Maybe the brain typing guru Jonathan Niednagel knows? Anyway, losing Jiri, Yogi, and Googs (a bad sit com title?) doesn't really matter, as none of them were regular contributors, and the Celtics (29-28) have young players ready for their minutes. My problems with Ainge's moves are that he's upsetting the chemistry of a team in the playoff hunt, for a 1/3 of the season rental of a player he's already bad mouthed as a "team cancer" (more or less). Then, with all apologies to MMM himself, he's turning over the reigns of the team to a rookie PG (Delonte West) that's being backed up by a 2nd year PG (Marcus Banks). Say what you want about GP, but he had been playing pretty well in Boston. Now, if the Celtics are able to resign GP, then I reserve the right to change my opinion on these deals. As it stands now though, I don't think a franchise that's actually trying to make the playoffs would makes these moves.

Deal #11 Cleveland sends a first round pick in 2005 to Charlotte for Sasha Pavlovic. This trade originated during the expansion draft, and the Cavaliers concluded the transaction by removing all restrictions from the pick, thus giving it to the Bobcats immediately. I think Cleveland (31-23) GM Jim Paxson panicked a little bit, and reverted to his old ways, by giving up a first round pick for Jiri. Don't get me wrong, Jiri is a nice role player, that does a lot of things pretty well. I've just seen him play many times, and am still not sure if he does any one thing at an NBA level. Is he worth a second round pick? Sure, but not a first. On top of that, he's not an outside shooter that can keep opposing defenses honest (32-99 or 32.3% from 3 with Boston), which is what the Cavs so desperately needed. He's got an OK mid-range jumper, but if Paxson thinks he's a deep threat, he either needs to find some new scouts, or watch some games himself.

Deal #12 - Charlotte sends Steve Smith to Miami for Malik Allen & cash. Give Bobcats' (11-42) GM/coach Bernie Bickerstaff credit for being a man of his word. BB said when he signed SS last summer that he wouldn't trade SS without his OK. When New Jersey called, Smitty declined (wisely), and Bernie told the Nets no. When Miami inquired, SS said yes, and off he went. Malik Allen has a nice touch around the basket and out to about 10-12 feet. He'll get plenty of chances to play in Charlotte, just like everyone else on their roster does.

- I really like this move for the Heat (42-16). SS isn't good for more then 10-15 minutes a game anymore at best, but coach Stan Van Gundy won't need to use him for more then that anyway. As old as he is (35), and as creaky as his knees are, SS can still shoot the ball from deep (38-90 or 42.2% from 3 in Charlotte). When Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O'Neal are on the court together along with SS, Miami will be able to space the floor better because Smitty's shooting ability must be respected at all times. SS also adds more veteran depth to the Heat roster to go along with Shandon Anderson, Christian Laettner, and Michael Doleac. However, it's not all good on South Beach these days as the Diesel is "day to day" with a sprained left knee. Having followed Shaq very closely when he was a Laker, I'm sure he'll milk this injury for as long as Miami isn't in jeopardy of losing the #1 seed in the East.

Top 10
1. San Antonio (1)
2. Phoenix (4)
3. Dallas (3)
4. Detroit (6)
5. Miami (2)
6. Seattle (7)
7. Sacramento (9)
8. Chicago (-)
9. Houston (5)
10. Memphis (8)

NHL Week in Review By: Ed Wasser

- This past week has been an absolute nightmare for me. Somebody got a hold of Paris Hilton's cell phone, opened up her electronic phone book, and printed all of our phone numbers and e-mail addresses on the internet. Now my phone has been ringing off the hook since last Wednesday. Paris...I know you didn't do it on purpose but please make a Public Service message begging these people from Iowa, Nebraska, and all the other fly over states to leave us alone. Just because we're rich and famous doesn't mean we're not human beings who deserve privacy.

- I keep hearing about this secret 'players only' website that the NHL players have been using to stay informed about everything that's going on with the lockout. I've been trying like CRAZY to find it. I think it would be cool to see what the players are saying plus I'd like to post things on it like 'Brian Leech is totally overpaid......Signed, Eddie Belfour' Anyway, I did find www.nhlpa.com which has some cool stuff on it including the backgrounds of all the certified agents in the league. So if you want to call Carl Lindros and give him a piece of your mind here's how because his phone number is listed. Also if you want to try and become an NHL agent the website gives you the address so you can send away for the paperwork.

-I just have to repeat this. I know a lot of you have already seen this but I think it's hysterical. I stole this from the mailbag of Bill 'Sports Guy' Simmons from Page 2 on ESPN.com....

I came up with a foolproof idea for disproving that the WNBA is a real sport. You choose a person from a city that has a WNBA team and ask them the following question. "Would you rather your WNBA team win the championship or be walking along the street and find a $5 bill?" So far I haven't found anyone that chose the championship.

Josh..Kansas City, Mo.

- "STATION 51, STATION 51 ....WE NEED THE JAWS OF LIFE TO BE DISPATCHED TO 1801 N. BROAD STREET STAT!!!!! THE PHILADELPHIA SPORTS MEDIA HAS THEIR COLLECTIVE LIPS KRAZY GLUED TO JOHN CHANEY'S ASS!!!!"

- What a battle it's been for the award for 'The Biggest Jerk In Sports'!! John Chaney threw down the gauntlet with his performance at the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association banquet when he needless injected politics into the event both alienating and pissing off a good many of the attendees. Of course the Philadelphia media lobbed small little marshmallow articles that were meant to take John Chaney to task but those articles might as well have had the headline "Is John Chaney .00000000000000000001% Less Brilliant Than We Thought He Was?" On Tuesday Barry Bonds decided to one up Chaney with his spring training press conference. That press conference was a 3 ring circus, wrapped in a carnival, smothered in a bitter glaze. Imagine you're one of the most hated people in sports, just a hair above O.J. Simpson, and you're given a forum to win back the hearts and minds of baseball fans who desperately want to like you. I mean this guy is about to break Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron's home run records...how great would it be to be able to cheer for him? But alas Bonds did EVERYTHING possible in that press conference to make everyone hate him even more. Bonds might as well have just brought a puppy to the press conference and strangled it to death on TV. He was given a chance to apologize.."for what? What did I do?" I don't know Barry, how about the rampant 'roids in your past? But Tuesday night John Chaney said to himself 'I'm going to win the The Biggest Jerk in Sports Award if it's the last thing I do!!' Let me start with this...John Chaney is senile. That's not the insensitive opinion of a wise ass writer, IT'S A FACT. Chaney can't coach anymore, he's lost. Need Proof? No problem. Phil Martelli has coached circles around Chaney for the last.....God only knows how many times.

The last 6 times Temple played St. Joe's, all St. Joe's wins, have been an embarrassment to Chaney. The last two times Temple played St. Joe's, Temple had superior talent and Martelli still made John Chaney look like an overmatched horse's ass. So what's the last refuge of a coach that doesn't know what they're doing...BLAME THE REFS!! YEAH!! Chaney claimed that during the last two games Temple played against St. Joe's the Hawks were setting illegal screens. Obviously the most logical way to combat that was for Chaney to have one of his players break some poor kid's arm. We all know the story by now, Chaney sent some kid named Nehemiah Ingram into the Temple/St. Joe's game with the sole purpose of throwing elbows and handing out hard, flagrant fouls. After the game Chaney embarrassed himself, the University, the alumni, and every other person that has ever been associated with Temple University by essentially saying that he was happy he did it, it was premeditated, and he would do it again. He also called Ingram a "goon" (as Phil Martelli said 'that kid somebody's son'). The next day around 3 in the afternoon Chaney was given a chance to apologize and he refused. Out of the clear blue sky, around 5 in the afternoon, an apology was issued by the school that was supposedly written by Chaney and it included a self imposed 1 game (1 game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) suspension. Imposing your own punishment!?!?!? HOW EGOTISTICAL CAN YOU BE!!! By the way...next time you're in front of a judge just tell him you'll impose your own punishment on yourself and tell me how it works out for you. Thankfully the entire city of Philadelphia was in an outrage and the University was left with no alternative but to stiffen the sentence. But the stiffer sentence was to suspend him for the rest of the REGULAR season, an additional 2 games. The University, the Atlantic 10, and especially John Chaney have completely embarrassed themselves. John Chaney is the hands down winner of the 'Biggest Jerk in Sports' award.

- A few more points....I know there are a few Temple alums that subscribe to this newsletter and I'll just say this, if you sit back and let this happen without e-mailing or calling the university to express your displeasure then you are a silent collaborator and should be ashamed of yourself. Sorry, but it's true.

- St. Joe's University and especially coach Phil Martelli came out of this thing looking like what an institution of higher learning is supposed to look like...a class place with a class coach with the health and well being of it's student athletes being the number one concern. I can't praise St. Joe's enough. If I was the coach of St. Joe's when this crap went down I would have jumped over the bench and beat Chaney into next Thursday. Kudos to Phil Martelli.

- The saddest thing about this whole incident that is being totally overlooked is the fact that Chaney purposely riled the Temple fans in the stands into a frenzy. He had them cheering when Bryant was lying on the court and they spit, that's not a misprint...THEY SPIT!! at him as he was going into the locker room. Just an absolute disgrace!! - In closing, perhaps the most disgusting aspect of this entire mess is the fact that Atlantic 10 commissioner Linda Bruno was at the game, witnessed the entire thing, had Chaney blast her with an F word ladened screaming rant 3 inches from her face after the game, and she came up as a weak as a ...I can't even say it....when it came time to dole out a punishment to Chaney. What was her punishment for Chaney? How about nothing, zero, nada. She made a fool out of herself and a fool out of the Atlantic 10.

- Ever notice how some people just spew out stupid, meaningless opinions that nobody wants to hear for no other reason then just to hear themselves talk? Well some of those people get a job writing an article for an internet newsletter but other members of that sect just infect other people with their meaningless rants. If they infect enough people it becomes Gospel. There are two arguments that a lot of people spew as fact that just may not be true. Let me preface this by saying this...I'm not a NASCAR fan, I just don't get the whole racing car thing. And I would categorize myself as a very, very casual NBA fan. Now a lot of people LOVE to spew how NASCAR is boring, it sucks, it's for rednecks, etc. Well, I tuned in to the last 45 minutes of the Daytona 500 last Sunday and I couldn't turn it off. It was compelling, interesting, and it had me on the edge of my seat. The same with the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, which people LOVE to goof on. The 2005 dunk contest was theatre at it's best. It was creative, clever, and I defy ANYBODY to say it was boring. There's no way you could turn either of those events off.

- So Clemente ran last Wednesday. David Mello was in the irons. Real quick before I forget....David is a cool kid and I like him but he's from Rhode Island originally and he has the thickest Boston accent I've heard. It doesn't even sound real. Imagine if Keanu Reeves played the role of a Boston cop, imagine the horrific train wreck that accent would be...that's David Mello's accent. Back to business....so the trainer tells David to stay toward the front of the pack because, unlike Fairway Miss, Clemente doesn't really have a come from behind jolt. The race starts and David does exactly what he's told getting Clemente into the third position for the majority of the race. After the turn David breaks Clemente slightly wide and puts him in a great position, there was nothing between him and the finish line beside racetrack. To me the only thing you can ask of a jockey is to put the horse in a position to win. But Clemente just didn't have it, he faded after the turn to finish fourth. I've always thought that people who assign human traits to horses were insane, and they are, but there are elements of it that are SLIGHTLY true. One of those traits is heart, Clemente doesn't have Fairway's heart. Clemente should have and could have won that race. It was a disappointing performance to say the least. Some good news...Fairway won't need surgery and it looks like she'll recover from her injuries. She probably won't race again for a little while just to make she sure she's OK. I'll keep you all up to date.

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