Monday Morning Mehta 9/26/05

Edition # 133
September 26, 2005

www.mondaymorningmehta.blogspot.com

(Please feel free to use the comments section on the bottom of the website to provide feedback - well, as long as it's positive feedback...)

EAGLES

In a game that you could tell was going to be a sweat from the opening 'kick'off, the Eagles pull out a nice 23-20 victory over a desperate Oakland Raiders team, who now drop to 0-3. Let's get to the breakdown...

Positives:

- Brian Westbrook. In a game that was hyped by the presence of two of the games' premier WR's in Randy Moss and Terrell Owens, Westbrook once again proved who is the most important player in the Eagles offense. His versatility separates him from every other RB in the game.

- Jeremiah Trotter. Trotter has never been a pass coverage expert, but there can't be more than 3-4 MLB's playing better against the run. He was absolutely awesome, spear heading the Eagles holding the Raiders to 21 yards on the ground.

- Lito Sheppard & Sheldon Brown. Randy Moss is no easy task, give these guys credit. I know Rod Hood and Michael Lewis looked asleep on the final drive by the Raiders, but the Eagles secondary could be the best in football.

- D'hani Jones. Jones was a huge part of the run stuffing effort and made a couple of very nice plays on pass coverage.

Negatives:

- David Akers. I know I'm going to sound like a miserable Eagles fan, but this was ridiculous. Akers was obviously injured, it's only the 3rd game of the year, so you just need a healthy body to kick attempts inside of 35 yards, why in the world is this guy out there? I know it turned out great and everyone thinks Akers is a hero, but this had disaster written all over it for about 59 minutes and 51 seconds. I realize Andy Reid needs to take some of the blame for not activating Todd France (was signed to a contract earlier in the week). Akers got hurt last week, it's not like this was a surprise to anyone.

- (I write this knowing it'll never change once again) I would've thought after the Super Bowl Reid may try to balance run and pass, but 52 passes and 18 runs in a game the Eagles led most of the 2nd half??? Pure comedy.

- I'm a huge L.J. Smith fan and love to see him do well, but this is the 2nd time in 6 games Smith has coughed the ball up inside the 10 yard line (member the playoff gaffe that fell right into Fred-Ex's hand?). Unacceptable.

Overall, I thought McNabb played decent considering they didn't run the ball at all. He made a few stupid throws, a few silly mistakes, still looks banged up, but he made the throws he had to. 50% on 3rd down conversions is always going to help you win.

Hello, anyone seen Javon Kearse? Robert Gallery had him draped most of the day.

3 areas that need to improve: Front four pass rush. Penalties. Special Teams in general hasn't been strong suit as in previous years.

The Eagles now go on to face the Kansas City Chiefs, who'll play on Monday Night at Denver. The next two games will test where the Eagles stand right now. You can't commit the turnovers they did yesterday if they plan on winning in Kansas City. Note from Mike K: The game has been moved to a 4:15pm (3:15 local time) game, which is a bummer for Eagles fans who are making the flight and wanted to leave on the final 5pm flight out of KC...

Around the League

The Game of the Week was the Dynasty New England Patriots vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers. In a game which the Steelers had plenty of chances early to take control, the Pats showed why they're so good once again. Every team in the league, the last 4 years (Including the Eagles in SB39), has been saying the same thing after losing yet again to the Patriots..."We ALMOST beat them, we had them right where we wanted". No you didn't, they had YOU right where they wanted.

You have to be impressed with Byron Leftwich and the Jaguars. This is going to be a force in the AFC for years to come, starting with this one.

Jon Gruden has got to get some credit for what he's done with the Bucs. I still can't see Brian Griese holding up too much longer, but Gruden has rebuilt this defense very quickly, and Cadillac Williams has been awesome.

Bad, yet predictable loss by Carolina in Miami. Teams just don't fare well after beating the Patriots.

A very good win by the Falcons in Buffalo. Should be a message to Eagles fans that the Falcons are going to be in the Home Field advantage race all year.

The Minnesota Vikings finally get off the mat to win a game against the Saints. I feel bad for the Saints, not having any home games and traveling all over the country every week has got to be taking it's toll. That being said they look like the same inconsistent Saints.

Drew Bledsoe passed Joe Montana for 8th on the all time career passing yardage list. Just goes to show how bogus passing yards are.
Speaking of Bledsoe, he seems to have developed a decent chemistry with Keyshawn Johnson and Terry Glenn. Johnson is his go to guy in the redzone (3 TD's) and Glenn has over 300 yards receiving already. This is a dangerous team if the defense gets into gear (I think it will).

Phillies/MLB

Sunday is over. Football is done for the week. Every Philadelphia fan's eyes should be on what is turning into an incredible NL Wild Card race as the Phillies and Astros battle it out with 6 games left. Here's the schedule:
Phils M, T, W at home vs. the Mets. F, Sat, Sun at Washington. The Phils will not face Pedro Martinez as he's probably shut down for the season. But the Mets have always given the Phillies fits. The Nationals will hopefully lay down and die...

Astros have 2 road games in St. Louis on Tues, and Wed. They then have 4 at home vs. the Cubs who helped out greatly this weekend. The Cardinals will pitch two struggling pitchers, Matt Morris and Chris Carpenter.

This has one game playoff possibility written all over it next Monday (would be played in Philly). Next Sunday: Phils game 1pm, Astros game 2pm, Eagles game 4:15pm. Could be a huge day...

Jimmy Rollins is the story for the Phillies the last 3 weeks. He's been flat out amazing. It hasn't been one hit a game, it's been two or three. For now, eating crow every game has gotten to be an experience I can get used to. If Jimmy keeps this up I don't see why the Phils can't go 5-1 this week.

Everyone is stepping up the last 3 weeks (since the Astros series). David Bell's dramatic 3-2 pitch, 2 out 2 run homer has been the season's trademark moment to date.

Chase Utley has broken out of his post all star funk in a big way. I'm really worried about the health of Bobby Abreu. He barely looks like he can run the bases (he never looks like he can run in the field).

I was very disappointed to see Eude Brito pitch Saturday night. That could prove to be a costly win, I would've shortened it to a 4 man rotation at this point. The Phils are/were 1 or 2 games behind you have to throw the kitchen sink out there, and Lidle only pitched 59 pitches last time out.

Nonetheless, because of the off day, it'll be Myers, Lieber, Padilla, Lidle, Myers and Lieber the rest of the way. It's setting up as Seo, V Zambrano, Trachsel for the Mets series, and missing Livan Hernandez for the Nationals series.

Around the MLB

If you think the NL race is good, check out the AL race this week. It's looking like a final weekend showdown between the Red Sox and Yankees, with the loser possibly getting in, but maybe not.

In the NL Central, you have a huge game series to end the year pitting the White Sox vs. the Indians. Same scenario, winner goes on, loser will be watching the Red Sox/Yankees series with intrigue.
President's Cup

I realize not many people watch golf on a football weekend, but the President's Cup produced some great golf this weekend.
Not that it really matters, because the U.S. really needs to win a Ryder Cup again, but the U.S. finally showed some guts this weekend.

Quick points:

- Just take Fred Couples until the guy can't play anymore. He beat Vijay Singh yesterday on a birdie on the 18th in dramatic fashion that played a huge role in giving the US the Cup. Play him with Love in every 4-man competition and just leave them alone.

- It looks as if the U.S. has found some of the magical pairings the British always seem to come up with. Tiger and Jim Furyk as one team, Phil and Chris Dimarco were great together.

- Speaking of Dimarco, if you didn't watch, he was by far the best golfer this weekend. It was scary. Seemed like he hit every putt inside of 15 feet, this guy is winning major(s), it's only a matter of time. Wouldn't be surprised if he gets a green jacket as early as April.

OK, no more golf until the Masters, I promise...


NHL Week in Review By : Ed Wasser

- Wanna know the coolest thing about Phillies left fielder Pat Burrell? His intro music when he comes to bat is the song Holy Diver by Ronnie Dio.

- Cool observation by Phillies broadcasters Larry Andersen and Chris Wheeler; did you know that the Cincinnati Reds ball boys, when they catch a foul ball, keep the ball and don't throw it into the stands or give it to a kid? How cheap can the Reds ownership be?

- OK this will be short and sweet because I forgot to buy beer and I'm not drunk enough to write. First of all I want to thank the people that e-mailed me about my NHL preview. The preview took me like 3 hours to write; 2 hours and 50 minutes to think of the jokes, 5 minutes to make sure the players' names were spelled correctly, and 5 minutes to research the teams and decide how they'll do. So Gabe B., Joe Z., and Chris Paul thanks again. Chris Paul is a no joke hockey guy so from here on out I have to lace up my skates a little tighter and make sure I bring my A game.

- A few things served up rapid fire style. 1.) The scores from the preseason games are definitely showing an increase in scoring so it looks like the new rules may be working. 2.) The Penguins, the new marquee team in the NHL, don't play west of St. Louis at any point during the season due to the new scheduling of "rivalry games" which basically means more east vs. east and west vs. west. 3.) Whatever ever happened to the guys in MLB that used to bless themselves before going to bat? Didn't it seem like in the 80's every team had at least one of those guys? 4.) This is why The Hockey News is great....they reported as an actual story that during the NHL draft ex-NHL super agent and current height challenged Phoenix Coyotes GM Mike Barnett would rise to his tippy toes in the split second after a draft pick was taken and the press picture was taken in an attempt to look taller. 5.) Think about this...Detroit Red Wing Pavel Datsyuk will probably play in Russia this year, Russia!!, because there's more money to be made there then in the current NHL. 6.) Is it me or is there more guys in the NFL with long hair spilling out of the back of their helmets then ever before? 7.) For Chris Paul....Olaf Kolzig called Alex Ovechkin "the greatest talent I've ever faced". The Caps will still suck though. 8.) Get it? 9.) Got it? 10.) Good.

- From the world of Bada Boom Racing Stables.....Clemente ran 5 furlongs on the turf last Monday. To set it up, as we all know Rodrigo Madrigal Jr. gave us a DREADFUL ride the last time Clemente raced. He was pretty much fired but our trainer begrudgingly decided to give Rod another chance. When the race started Rod had Clemente laying in 3rd place ready to strike. When they made the turn for home Rod turned on the gas and away he went....Clemente won by a length. It was a great win because Clemente beat a few horses, a horse called It's Shear Luck for one, that have beaten him in the past. Plus Clemente covered the 5/8 of a mile in 57.2 seconds which, trust me, is flying. So come October 10th turf racing will be done at Philadelphia Park and all the racing will be done on the dirt so we have to decide what to do. And by "we" I mean a lot of people but not me. The trainer thinks that a few month layoff for Clemente might be a good idea. But my old man thinks that may not be a good idea because, well......because it's boring. So we'll see.

Comments? (Website or...)
saurinmeht@aol.com
ewwasser@hotmail.com

Monday Morning Mehta 9/19/05

Edition # 132
September 19, 2005

www.mondaymorningmehta.blogspot.com

Eagles/NFL

As the great Jackie Chiles said, "I'll tell you what this is. This is a public humiliation." The Eagles take out their aggression and pummel the San Francisco 49ers 42-3 in the Eagles home opener. Not much to talk about this trashing, I'll keep it brief...

Game Positives:

- Too many things went right for the Eagles to single anything out here. It looks as if the Donovan McNabb - Terrell Owens, after two games, isn't much of an issue.

- I am loving Greg Lewis' play after two games. He's a great possession type WR to compliment the big play Owens. His TD grab yesterday was one that Todd Pinkston only dreams of making.

- LJ Smith. It's pretty strange that someone can get 119 yards and 1 TD and go unnoticed. Smith had by far his best game of his career by the first half of the game. If LJ develops some consistency this year, that will be a huge boost for this offense.

Game Negatives:

- David Akers. What's wrong with this guy? I'm scared to hear what kickers we bring in this week just in case Akers can't play for an extended period of time.

- Offensive Line play scares me. Maybe Shawn Andrews and Artis Hicks need to gel as the guards, and Tra Thomas hasn't had much of a training camp, but I have to admit I'm worried here.

Overall, I don't think you can take much from this game. The Eagles are obviously a playoff team and a Super Bowl contender, so thumping the 49ers isn't a shock. The Raiders now come into town and they really shouldn't pose much of a threat to the Eagles. But after that, the Eagles face the Chiefs and Cowboys, both on the road. I could really see the Eagles struggling heading into the bye. (BTW, Philly Phaf from Detroit predicted the Eagles would struggle early, going 2-3 only to finish 12-4 - I'm liking that more and more).

Around the League

Teams that impress me:

Jacksonville. The Colts are heading to the Super Bowl, I almost think there's no doubt about it after yesterday's win, but the Jaguars played them to a dead heat well into the 4th quarter. That Jags defense is legit. Jack del Rio is a little clueless on offense but he adjusts pretty well.

Steelers. I've not given this team any credit the past two seasons, and beating up on the Titans and Texans isn't anything to write home about, but give this team credit. Huge game next week versus the Patriots.

Tampa Bay. Cadillac Williams left, right, and up the gut is working great for Jon Gruden. The defense is revitalized, and the NFC is looking a lot better than last year. The NFC South is division in football (bold statement).

Kansas City. People say "The Chiefs defense is 'not bad'..." I'll go a step further, this defense may actually be good.

Don't impress me:

Minnesota. Daunte Culpepper looks awful. Mike Tice looks clueless, I think it's time for a change in Minnesota, I mean immediately. They shouldn't be getting thumped like this, Moss or no Moss.

Ravens. Don't count this team for dead yet though. I think Jamal Lewis just needs to get into game playing shape and the offense needs to re-establish the run. Once that happens things will start to fall into place.

Packers. The pass defense is just abysmal here just like last year, the year before, well you get the point.

Bad Luck teams:

Falcons. Flying out to Seattle was just a tough schedule draw after the emotional Monday Night game to start the season. Just the fact that they had a shot down the stretch was impressive to me.

Patriots. What a rough schedule to start the year for the Pats. Carolina absolutely had to have that game yesterday otherwise it was going to be a long season.

Chargers. Playing the Cowboys without Antonio Gates and going to Denver (Marty never wins there) is a tough way to start the year. Look for the Chargers, who have an incredible hard schedule, to beat up on the Giants next week.

Quick Notes:

For those many loyal readers, you know how much I love Carson Palmer, and he's showing everyone why right now. He's so much like Troy Aikman it's almost scary. He makes a deep out look so smooth ala Aikman. I promise not to get out of hand but this guy's a star.

Joey Harrington showed why he stinks yesterday. What an absolute pathetic showing after the Lions had some momentum after last week's win. David Carr and Harrington who came out the same year are going through some massive troubles. Carr is very close to being benched, he better get his act together immediately after their bye week this week.

MLB/Phillies

Phillies are coming off a great 5-2 week against division rivals. Unfortunately the Astros also went 5-2 and the Phillies picked up no games in the Wild Card hunt. A Houston win over the Pirates today would make the Phillies a full 2 games behind with only 12 games left. Houston has a very easy schedule the rest of the way while the Phillies play some tough road division games.

Jimmy Rollins has been great the last two weeks. He's been getting on base and being a terror at the top of the lineup. He's got to keep it up if the Phils are to get this wild card.

Jon Lieber has been great. He's pitching like the $8 million pitcher the Phillies needed. He may be called on to pitch on 3 days rest the rest of the way.

Ryan Madson and Ugy Urbina are very scary right now. Madson needs to step it up he's been sub-par.
Around the MLB

Intense races all across the League. The Indians vs. White Sox and Yankees, the Yankees vs. Red Sox and Indians and the Angels vs. A's battles are all awesome in the AL. Huge series this week with the Indians facing the White Sox. The A's battle the Angels for four games next week (in Oak) while the Red Sox/Yankees and White Sox/Indians all battle it out on the final weekend of the season.

NHL Week in Review By : Ed Wasser

- OK, OK people settle down!! We have a lot to cover and not a lot of time to cover it!! Before we begin let me go over the answer key to the season preview. Ready? Allright. P = Playoffs. This is for teams that are likely to make the playoffs but have only a small chance of making a serious run. AR = Also Ran. This is for teams that are unlikely to make the playoffs but may, MAY squeak in but they'll be making tee times for the day of Game 6 of Round 1 of the playoffs because they know they won't be working. CC = Cup Contender. These are the big dogs. And finally we have OTC = On The Clock. This is for teams that have no prayer this season and are waiting for the 2006 draft to begin. No chance, none, nada, zero. And in alphabetical order we go.....

Anaheim (P) - Super solid D with the addition of Niedermayer added to Ozolinsh, Carney, and Ruslan Salei. New rules will help Teemu Selanne and Federov IMMENSELY. Jean Sebastian Giuere has the potential to catch fire (see 2002 Cup Finals).

Atlanta (OTC) - The Thrash traded Dany Heatley to Ottawa for Marian Hossa because Hossa was leaving once he was a free agent anyway and Heatley needed a change of scenery after killing his teammate (Daniel Snyder) in that car wreck and all. They signed goalie Mike Dunham and center Bobby Holik from the worst team in the NHL (Rangers) to lead the team. Now word is that IIlya Kovalchuk wants to stay in Europe to play. Forget the Thrash. The most amazing thing about the Thrash is that 67 year old ex-Flyer Scott Mellanby is on the team.

Boston (P) - This franchise only gives damn about making money. PERIOD!! Yeah they signed over the hill defenseman Brian Leetch as a press conference move but after that they have nothing. Brad Isbister is an OK addition but they also signed Tom Fitzgerald who I believe has played for every team in North America.

Buffalo (OTC) - Put it to you this way....in the transaction portion of their website the only news was "The Sabres hired Tim Macre as their new athletic trainer". That was it. 'Nuff said.

Calgary (CC) - Two important facts about the Flames; 1.) they will benefit more then any other team in the NHL from the new CBA and 2.) as long time MMM subscriber John Miller was able to show me via a website a lot of Girls Gone Wild type activity goes on before, during, and after Flames games outside the arena. Who knew? SOLID pick ups with Tony Amonte, Darren McCarty, and defenseman Roman Hamrlik. Added to Jarome Iginla and stud goalie Miika Kiprusoff and this team may make Calgary, Alberta the
happiest place on Earth come June 2006.

Carolina (OTC) - It's a shame because Rod Brind'Amour is the captain of this team and he deserves a lot better. They are shoving Cory Stillman (who?) down people's throats as a big free agent signing along with Ray Whitney who I believe played hockey before they had the ability to make ice indoors.

Chicago (AR) - GREAT NEWS!!! The Blackhawks signed Nikolai Khabibulin to play goal!! COOL!! Who's going to play offense?!?!? (silence.............silence............crickets chirp............coughing by a random audience member) Well, they have Eric Daze and Matthew Barnaby? Yeah and? And nothing.

Colorado (P) - Now I won't be so cavalier as to say that Colorado's Cup hopes left with Peter Forsberg but I will say that their Cup hopes left with Peter Forsberg. Resigning Milan Hejduk was a key, everybody knew it, but David Aebischer in goal? Come on...not in the Western Conference with the blazing offensive; unless Rob Blake can play 60 minutes a game it will be tough for the 'Lanche D to compensate for Aebisher.

Columbus (OTC) - This team should be called Rick Nash and the Blue Jackets. The kid is a stud but he has no help. Jan Hrdina looks like he'll play on Nash's line but he's a guy that was mediocre playing on a line with Mario Lemieux so what does that tell ya? Don't cry for the Blue Jackets though, they're going about it the right way by loading up on draft picks; in a few years they should be a force.

Dallas (P) - Here's how I figured out the Stars were an old team. I was looking at their rooster and I noticed that not only did they only have 3 players on the active rooster that were born in the decade of the 80's, a lot of the guys on the team are older then me. Old hockey players are like old horses, they get injured easily. And as much as we'd all love to shot Bill Guerin like a dying horse we're just not allowed to. Oh...and their goalies stink too. (Marty Turco and Johan Hedberg)

Detroit (CC) - Just an old school team that knows how to win. They resigned their 1998 Stanley Cup winning goalie Chris Osgood and also grabbed Manny Legace to make a competition out of it. One thing that may hurt them is it looks like the contract negotiations with Pavel Datsyuk are going to turn into a Ron Burgundy, anchorman vs. anchorman, style rumble. This team is like the Flyers, except for the Cups of course, when something needs to get done it gets done. He'll be around soon.

Edmonton (CC) - In a deal that would have never been able to occur before the new CBA the Oilers traded for defenseman Chris Pronger just as he is hitting his prime. Plus they resigned their own guys Ryan Smyth and the vastly underrated Raffi Torres. Then the Oilers went and got Michael Peca, another rock solid move. Granted they have questions in goal but they are so loaded with young players they could always go and get a decent one. And since Edmonton always has the best ice in the league by virtue of the fact that it's colder then Ted Williams' head all winter long, the new rules should help them with their lightning quick up and down game.

Florida (AR) - The best pound for pound goalie in the league is Roberto Luongo. In 2003 - 2004 he saw more rubber nailing his body then Jenna Jameson at Club Hedonism and he still kept the pathetic Panthers respectable. So what did the Panthers do? They low balled him with a contract offer, took him to a vicious contract arbitration, and managed to infuriate the only player worth a crud on the Panthers roosters. GREAT MOVE!! They made a bunch of "this would be great if it was 1996" moves like picking up Joe Nieuwendyk, Gary Roberts, and Martin Gelinas but I'd be stunned if they made the playoffs in the rough and tumble east.

Los Angeles (OTC) - Here's me on the Kings website "who the?.....he's still playing?......ummmmm what???........ahhhhhh OK" then I tried to spell the names of these mystery men. That's usually a bad sign. Another bad sign is when your number one goalie is some dude named Mathieu Garon. The guy may be the next coming of Patrick Roy for all anybody knows but somehow I doubt it. They should have traded for Jagr when they had the chance.

Minnesota (??AR??) - This is a team that honestly has less talent then last year's Philadelphia Phantoms. I mean their second line right winger is Alexander Daigle for crying out loud! But that was also the case when they made it to the Western Conference finals a few years back. So now I don't know what to say. Plus they're trying to do the old rotating goalie thing with Dwayne Roloson and Manny Fernandez; that's never worked ever in the 80 plus years of NHL hockey. I think that and the fact that they won't be able to clutch and grab anymore will eventually sink their ship.

Montréal (P) - The Canadiens are the kings of coming this close to getting that last one or two guys to make a serious run but they just never seem to come up with them. The Habs should be awe-ite but man would one more scorer be huge for them. There were plenty of scorers available too. And I'm sure if they tried to pull the trick the Phillies have made famous, saying that a player returning from injury (Saku Koivu) is the same thing as signing a free agent, the French Canadian press would have kicked the team in the oui oui. They have a solid defense with goalie Jose Theodore, defensemen Craig Rivet and Sheldon Souray (who has to maintain his focus knowing that after the game ex-Baywatch babe and wife Angelica Bridges is waiting for him) and they're high on this kid Michael Ryder who was supposedly the last untouchable Hab come trade time since Ken Dryden. Second round of the playoffs tops.

Nashville (AR) - They went out and got Paul Kariya but the only other offensive player worth a crud they have is Steve Sullivan. And coach Barry Trotz is thinking of playing Sullivan and Kariya on the same line. So if an opposing team stops that line the Preds are left with guys like Martin Erat, David Legwand, and Adam Hall to provide offense. Ever heard of any of those guys? That's usually not a good sign.

New Jersey (AR) - My first bold prediction, the Devils won't even make the playoffs. Scott Stevens retired, Scott Niedermayer bolted to Anaheim, and Patrick Elias contract hepatitis A somehow and he'll miss at the very least the first 10 games. The East will be too tough for them to make any type of run.

NY Islanders (P) - The Islanders were smart, they let slow veterans (Dave Scatchard, Adrian Aucoin, and Kenny Jonsson) walk out the door and they and replaced them with speed (Mike York, Miroslav Satan, and Alexei Zhitnik). This is goalie Rick DiPietro's time to prove he was worth all the money, time, and effort the Islanders put into him. And if the Islanders look like they won't make the playoffs circa December then if you know anyone in the moving business tell them to leave a brochure at GM Mike Milbury's house.

NY Rangers (OTC) - OK, here we go. (I'm cracking my knuckles so my fingers they are nice and limber for this one) The Rangers will be absolutely terrible this year. I mean awful. They have no one and they signed no one. They have no young promising players coming up and they have no solid veterans returning. None, zero. They have Jaromir Jagr and that's it. And Jagr was a malcontent on the 1992 Penguins, one of the greatest teams of all time, what do you think he'll be like on this team? GM Glen Sather has been doing his impression of an ex-Sixers coach, sitting around for a few years doing noting and getting paid for it. Most cities that have a team with inept ownership are lucky because that owner only owns one team; Cablevision chairman James Dolan owns two teams in New York, the Rangers and the Knicks. Hey, if you think this is sour grapes or whatever just go to the Rangers website and look at their roster and honestly tell me that the Rangers have a prayer.

Ottawa (P) - I struggled with this one. I wanted to write CC but I just couldn't. They picked up Dominic Hasek but he'll be 41 years old in January and has been hemming and hawing about staying in Europe. They have a nice defense but I'm not sure how their defensive style will fair with the new rules. They have a lot of European players used to playing the north/south style but I just think they may be out classed when it's all said and done.

Philadelphia (CC) - They only thing that will keep this team from at least playing for the cup is injuries, and it's a legitimate concern by the way. Great veterans brought in (Knuble, Stevenson, Rathje), new young guns coming in (Sharp, Carter, Sim), a great young goalie (Niittymaki) that will take over for Eshe around December I predict, this team would have to TRY and lose the East.

Phoenix (AR) - Coyote defenseman Cale Hulse is married to ex-Baywatch babe Genna Lee Nolin. Just wanted to mention that. This team is a collection of players that would be a great addition to a playoff bound team looking for a jolt. Brett Hull, Petr Nedved, Brian Boucher, Mike Leclerc, Mike Ricci, Mike Comrie.....they would all make a great addition to a team looking for a nice player to help in a playoff run. That being said, in February when this team is going down in flames like the Hindenburg ("Ohhhh the humanity!!") they should unload a lot of these players and pick up a lot of young blood for new coach Wayne Gretzky to mold.

Pittsburgh (CC) - Incredible turn around. Incredible. If every game is not sold out this coming season I'd be stunned; I hear they're selling tickets like crazy so it may happen. They signed John LeClair, Ziggy Palffy, Mark Recchi, and the incredibly underrated Sergei Gonchar to go along with Sidney Crosby, who has been ELECTRIC so far in training camp playing on the same line as Mario Lemieux. And remember their young goalie Marc-Andre Fleury? Well trust me he exists and he's palying well. Don't be surprised if they're playing the Flyers for the Eastern Division crown.

St. Louis (P) - Don't you hate when a news outlet fails to reports the whole story? Blues winger Keith Tkachuk reported to camp overweight, so overweight that he failed his physical. Now wouldn't the logical next question be "well, just how overweight was he?" Well I guess nobody asked the question because I couldn't find the answer anywhere. This team, like it has for last 50 straight years, will have ups and down, make the playoffs, and eventually go down to a lesser team. It happens every spring, like the swallows coming back to Capastrano.

San Jose (P) - Just a like a girl with an A cup, they just don't have enough. And unlike a girl with an A cup, they have a handful.......of nice players. Kyle McLaren, Brad Stuart, Marco Sturm, and Patrick Marleau to name a few. Plus they have a nice goalie situation with Evgeni Nabokov but scoring will be a
problem.

Tampa Bay Lightning (P) - Everything revolves around Nikolai Khabibulin's replacement John Grahame. Everything. They have the scoring, they have the defense, but do they have the goaltending? I doubt it. Plus Grahame's back up is Sean Burke. Not good. But I will say this...ex-Flyer and future jockey Rob DiMaio is on this team. I'll give him credit, the guy is like 5'3" and he was expected to only last a few games, if even made the NHL at all, when he hit the scene with the Islanders in 1988. And now here we are, the guy's 37 years old and he's still at it.

Toronto (CC) - This team will be tough. Tough in every aspect of the game, especially the tough parts. Of course they are the NHL masters of the cheap shots which they use as much as possible. Unfortunately now they have Eric Lindros who will probably be on the receiving end of a lot of those cheap shot retaliations. They may have trouble with Ed Belfour in goal, who is a Hall Of Famer even though he lost 2 seasons to World War II, because he's very injury prone.

Vancouver (CC) - Goalie Dan Cloutier doesn't have a lot of fans in Vancouver but I always thought he was often hung out to dry by his crappy, offense first, defense. Well now that the rules have changed I think Cloutier can give up 4 or 5 goals a game and still win. The 'Nucks are LOADED with offense. Their fourth line center, a position generally saved for a goon, is ex-Philadelphia Phantom sniper Richard Park. So this team should be involved a few 9 to 7 games.

Washington (OTC) - Their number one right winger is some guy named Boyd Gordon. Their number one left winger is some guy named Alexander Ovechkin. And their number one center is ex-Flyer Dainus Zubrus. Another team that was terrible two years ago that got a lot worse. But they have Olaf Kolzig, so if you're a team that needs a good goalie come trade deadline time call the Caps.

Remember the name of this horse if it's the last thing you do....hold on, let me look it up again....OK, the name is Sky Valley Road. The new horse for Bada Boom Racing, Second Story Man, ran on Saturday...a 5.5 furlong Allowance race in the dirt. 3 horses scratched out so it turned out to be a 4 horse race which is always nice because that means no matter what happens the horse's owner will cash a pay check. Second Story Man was completely and totally out classed in this race. He never had a prayer. He finished fourth. We didn't want to put Second Story Man in this race because we knew it would be a tough race but the original race we entered him in didn't go because they didn't have enough horses in it so we were stuck. The horse that won the race, the aforementioned Sky Valley Road, was dominant. I mean Smarty Jones-esque style dominant. He's trained by Anthony Dutrow, who also trains NY Yankee manager Joe Torre's horse. (FYI - Just to show you what a piece of bleep everything involved with the Yankees is Dutrow recently served a 60 day suspension for drugging horses. It wasn't Torre's horse, it was other horses, but he's still a scumbag) Sky Valley Road may wind up running for the roses in May of 2006. Just an Eagles vs. Niners like domination. Clemente goes today, 5 furlongs on the turf. He's opening up at 9/2. Could be a nice day.

Monday Morning Mehta 9/13/05

Edition # 131
September 13, 2005

Eagles/NFL

Eagles lose a tough defensive battle 14-10 to open the season to the team they beat in the NFC Championship last year. Let's breakdown the game:

Negatives:

- Jeremiah Trotter. I know football is an emotional game. But the Eagles should be above this kind of stuff. They beat the Falcons 27-10 last year in the NFC Championship game. They should take the "we don't talk smack until after the game" approach ala the Patriots. I really hated this tussel early in the game which got Jeremiah Trotter and Kevin Mathis tossed, but admittedly I thought the Eagles would still win. Anyway, Andy Reid should address this. I hate to say this because I'm not sure if it's true, but I don't think Bill Belichick would stand for that.

- David Akers. Let's face it, if Akers makes those FG's that he missed, the Eagles probably win the game.

- Donovan McNabb. His stats on paper won't look bad but McNabb didn't look too good. Admittedly, he had a man in his face most of the night, the Falcons front four was awesome. But there were too many times where McNabb waited too long, didn't run (lick Vick) and too many turnovers (three). I hate that we'll never know if Donovan was really injured, like early in 2003 where the Eagles just hid the injury while McNabb played like arse.

- I promise you I won't harp on this too much, because we've covered this over and over again in this column. But 45 throws versus 14 runs won't win too many games, especially a 14-10 defensive battle. Gotta run the ball more. The Eagles need a change of pace back, why was Ryan Moats deactivated for Lamar Gordon?

- Artis Hicks & Jon Runyan. Patrick Kearney was all over McNabb for most of the night, while Rod Coleman beat Artis Hicks consistently. Hicks also had too many penalties.

Positives:

- Brian Dawkins. 2 sacks, 1 interception, a pass defensed in the endzone, and pretty much all over the field. Looks like a monster season is in the making here.

Overall, the Eagles seem to really be bothered on offense by Atlanta's front four, which caused them not to run the ball. They still had plenty of chances to win the game.

Andy Reid now drops to 2-5 in season openers.

I liked Mike Patterson's play a lot. Looks like he's going to be a weapon up the middle, which will be a strong suit once Trotter plays a game.

Around the League

The game of the week was likely San Diego vs. Dallas. The Cowboys go into San Diego and beat the Chargers 28-24. The Eagles fans should be slightly concerned about the Cowboys. This team is for real. Don't let the weak Drew Bledsoe at QB fool you, this team is for real and has a real chance to win the division. San Diego has an incredibly tough schedule this year, they're going to regret this loss later in the year as they had 1st and goal from the 7 yard line with under a minute left.

I was very impressed with the Chiefs defense on Sunday. Chad Pennington looked terrible but the Chiefs looked for real. Before you could blink the score was 14-0 and the game was pretty much over. The Jets will rebound I'm still confident of that.

Team # 3 to impress me was the Jacksonville Jaguars. The defense completely stiffled the Seahawks in the 2nd half of this game. They're going to the playoffs.

I know New Orleans won in Carolina in an emotional game, but it's going to be tough for them to keep it up. Also, the Saints played like the same inconsistent team they've been the past few years.

Mike Tice is squarely on the hot seat. I wouldn't be surprised if a midseason coaching change isn't in the works, but one also has to wonder if the loss of Randy Moss doesn't effect this team. The offense looked completely inept.

The Steelers look like the 2004 version with a trouncing of the Titans. The legend of Willie Parker continues to grow. Tennessee is in for a looooong season. Their defense is a travesty.

The NFC shouldn't be allowed to give a playoff team.

I was thinking about how David Carr (#1 pick in 2002) and Joey Harrington (#3 pick 2002) careers have gone so far and didn't like what I was thinking. David Carr, who I like, is spiraling downward fast. While Joey Harrington, who'd been about as low as you can get, seems to be heading upward, especially with his bevy of talent on offense.

PHILLIES/MLB

As easily predictable, the Phillies just won't go away. It's almost as if Phillies fans are asking the Phils to go away early instead of waiting until the last weekend of the season and teasing us, but they won't. When Eude Brito beats Tim Hudson, you gotta know something's up.

While the two teams in front of the Phillies, the Astros and Marlins, beat up on each other in a 4 games series (hopefully the teams go 2-2), the Phils desperately need to win 3 out of 4.

You'd think this week would tell alot about the Phillies, but with the way the other teams in the NL are playing, they'll probably hang around a lot more.

NHL Week in Review By : Ed Wasser



- Not to be like Ashley, the wet blanket triplet from My Sweet 16, but I was going to do the preseason review this week but upon further review I thinks it's a little early. First of all retirements are rolling in around the clock. Scott Stevens just retired from the Devils last week, Al MacInnis quit the Blues, defenseman James Patrick tried to play one last season (his 22nd) but said he would only play for the Sabres, the Sabres told Patrick "have a nice life". The always underrated Vincent Damphousse actually had a deal with the 'Lanche but he just didn't have it anymore so he quit. And everyone's still waiting for the inevitable press conference from Mark Messier. It's also too early because there haven't been any preseason games yet. Plus the players are still moving; let them get on teams and then we'll take it from there. And of course the most important thing...the Hockey News needs to put out their preseason preview so I can steal some of their ideas.


- It wouldn't be Philadelphia if it all went smoothly....Derian Hatcher and Peter Forsberg are both injured and will both miss at least half of training camp. This is scary considering both players have a reputation for being fragile. Hatcher was working out at the US Olympic training center when he sprained his left knee. Remember that in the 2003 - 2004 season Hatcher only played 15 games because of knee issues and played only 27 games in his entire Red Wings career. Forsgerg has an infected bursa (a what?!?!). An infected bursa which was the result of (just writing this makes me want to puke) an ingrown hair on his right ankle that became infected. They should both be ready for opening day, well Hatcher should be ready but he must serve 3 games of a two year old suspension to start the season.



- I don't know, maybe it's me. Last Tuesday was 'Dollar Dog Night' at the Phillies game in which Hatfield Meats sells hot dogs for $1. The strange part was seeing Hatfield's mascot, Smiley the pink dancing pig, going around the stands of Citizen's Bank Park entertaining all the kids. I mean, pigs are slaughtered to make hot dogs, do people know that? And then to name him Smiley? That's like having a horse with a broken leg named Limpy as a mascot for Alpo dog food.


- Go to www.petecarroll.com but do it with the sound on your computer off. Without the sound the website just looks like a ridiculous exercise in delusional self importance. I mean Carroll charges $49.95 a year to join his fan club for crying out loud!! I wrote an entire paragraph on it. After I was done writing I revisited the website, this time with the sound on. Turns out all the proceeds from the website go to charity. Oooops!!

Monday Morning Mehta 9/6/05

Edition # 130
September 6, 2005

www.mondaymorningmehta.blogspot.com

NFL kickoff is two days away. In less than 60 hours, we'll be watching Randy Moss do something stupid again. Add in the baseball stretch run and playoffs, and you have what is in my opinion the best two months in sports (very close to March Madness and baseball opening day).

NFC PREVIEW & PREDICTIONS

1. Philadelphia Eagles
Record: 11-5
There is absolutely no homerism here when I say, this team is stacked. There isn't any more talented team in the NFL. Pro Bowlers at just about every single position on the field. Offensively, this team will continue to air it up as often as possible, leaving people like me wishing they'd run the ball more, as they put up 24-30 points every week. Defensively, this team has become one of the best in the league. Run stopping no longer seems to be an issue with Jeremiah Trotter playing as well as he has. Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown are emerging as the best cornerback duo in the league. Add that to a good special teams unit, and you have the makings of a great team. The only X-factor is the letdown theory. Teams losing the Super Bowl has historically not faired well the following year, but this team seems to buck every trend against them. Home field advantage should be well within their sights once again, and a 14-2 season isn't out of the question, but I just can't see this team being able to get up for games every single week especially in a weak NFC. They'll lose a head scratcher here and there, but overall, too good not to win at least 11 games.

2. Dallas Cowboys
Record: 10-6
Bill Parcells endured his 5th losing season as head coach last year. After his previous 4, his combined record the next season is 40-24. He's won with the extremely overrated Drew Bledsoe before, so Parcells should be fine at the QB position in the regular season. Julius Jones is going to be a monster this year, becoming one of the top backs in league.

3. Washington Redskins
Record: 7-9
Joe Gibbs has only had one other losing season before last. I got to think if he has another one, he's going to just quit or move onto another franchise. Patrick Ramsey would like to have a Drew Brees type of year (with Jason Campbell waiting in the wings) but the offensive line is still not where Gibbs will want it.

4. New York Giants
Record: 6-10
Right now I'm wearing a Giants jersey. After losing a stupid bet in the Super Bowl, I've been forced to wear a Giants shirt/jersey for one full week. I hate the Giants more than the Cowboys. I hate Jeremy Shockey and I hate Giants fans. That is all.

NFC North
1. Minnesota Vikings
Record: 10-6
Generally I don't like going with the "media hyped" teams. The Vikings are definitely that team this year. Some great pickups on defense (Fred Smoot, Fred Williams) and losing a disgruntled WR in Randy Moss. But Nate Burleson looks ready to take over the # 1 WR slot and they have good talent after him (Travis Taylor, Marcus Robinson and newly signed Koren Robinson). Daunte Culpepper will have a lot to prove this year, as will head coach Mike Tice.

2. Green Bay Packers
Record: 8-8
I really like 8 & 8 for this team for many reasons. The offensive line has to take a plunge with the losses of Marco Rivera and Mike Wahle. But they added Adrian Klemm and Matt O'Dwyer (slight disadvantage). Brett Favre is very inconsistent now. He's gone from Ahman Green left, Ahman Green right, Ahman Green up the middle (which won games) to Javon Walker for 30, Donald Driver for 15, etc. If they run the ball like they did in 2002-2003, they'll be a playoff team. If they rely on Favre, they'll be mediocre.

3. Detroit Lions
Record: 6-10
I've killed Joey Harrington for years in this column. I've always said he's just not a top 15 QB in this league (he was drafted third overall) and I still stand by that. But how in the world can a QB NOT be successful in this offense. Roy Williams and Charles Rogers are his WR's with Kevin Jones his RB and Marcus Pollard his TE. They've also got an improving offensive line. But the defense stinks and Harrington will make bonehead mistakes and the WR's drop way too many balls. Hey, at least Matt Millen won't be 4-12 again?

4. Chicago Bears
Record: 4-12
Kyle Orton, a 4th rounder is starting for this team. Unless scouts around football fell asleep at the draft last year, I don't think Orton's going to enjoy much success this early in his professional career.

NFC South

1. Atlanta Falcons
Record: 10-6
As most MMM readers are aware, I'm a big Michael Vick fan. He may not put up a 102.7 passer rating, but what the heck does that stat mean anyway. When Vick is on the field, the Falcons win. Unless you have a defense like Tampa (used to), Carolina, or the Eagles, Vick can't be stopped from running all over the field creating havoc, nor can defenses stop Warrick Dunn & TJ Duckett. This defense has also become one of the best in the NFL.

2. Carolina Panthers
Record: 9-7
I expect this to be another year where 8-8 or 9-7 will make the playoffs in the NFC, and Carolina will be right around that number. They're probably a playoff team because of their defense, but the running game will need to be stable in order for them to win consistently. Stephen Davis will probably start week 1 but they really should give DeShaun Foster the job. Look for QB Jake Delhomme to put up nice numbers with 2 very underrated WR's (Steve Smith & Keary Colbert).

3. New Orleans Saints
Record: 8-8
I really have no idea what effect not having a home will have on this team this year. All signs point to the negative, but the Saints have never really been that great at home anyway. This team has the potential to be a very good playoff team, especially the way they can bully people at the line of scrimmage. If Aaron Brooks stops making mistakes (a BIG if), they can win 10 games. I just don't see that happening though.

4. Tampa Bay Bucs
Record: 6-10
Cadillac Williams left, Cadillac right, Cadillac up the middle. That seems to be Jon Gruden's game plan this year for the Bucs. Let's see what the rookie can do, because Brian Griese certainly isn't winning you too many games. One of my favorite WR's in the league is Michael Clayton.

NFC West

1. St. Louis Rams
Record: 9-7
This is about as painful as it gets. The NFC West is so bad I seriously thought about putting Arizona here. But this offense is too good and probably will give this team a win or two they shouldn't get. On the flip side, the defense is so bad, they have very little shot of winning when they face stiffer competition. Look out for Stephen Jackson to have a monster season.

2. Seattle Seahawks
Record: 8-8
I want to like this team more, but I just can't. I am not a Mike Holmgren fan, and Matt Hasselbeck who I've always liked, let me down too much last year. I need them to show me they can win again before I believe. They also have a very tough schedule even in a cupcake division.

3. Arizona Cardinals
Record: 8-8
I may adopt this team as my favorite non-Eagle team. Dennis Green can win in the regular season there should be no bones about that. His problems come in the playoffs. Kurt Warner may be a shell of what he used to be, but just look at the Giants offense before and after he was removed. JJ Arrington should emerge as a quality RB and the WR's are just awesome (Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald). Toss a coin, any of the above 3 teams can win this division.

4. San Francisco
Record: 3-13
Things are just ugly here. Don't even know where to start.

PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS
AFC:
Division winners: Jets, Ravens, Colts, Chiefs
Wild Card: Jaguars, Patriots
I could see a scenario where the Patriots have to go to Indy to play a playoff game. I could see Indy unleashing all their frustrations and smoking them if that's the case. Indy won't win in Foxboro, but I like their chances in a big spot at home. I think a Jets/Colts AFC Championship game is in the future.

NFC:
Division winners: Eagles, Vikings, Falcons, Rams
Wild Card: Panthers, Cowboys
The Cowboys defense is good enough to challenge any team in this conference. An Eagles/Cowboys NFC Championship isn't out of the question, but seedings will come into play there. I definitely see the Eagles coming out of the NFC once again, all homerism aside they're the best team in the NFC almost by far.

Super Bowl
I'll stick to the Ed Wasser theory of "Don't think too hard" and say the Eagles and Colts will face off in Super Bowl XL. Peyton Manning or Donovan McNabb will get the monkey lifted off his back.

THE PICK: Eagles 27 Colts 17 (Did you really think I going to a: pick against the Eagles and b: pick for Peyton Manning??)

MLB/Phillies

After starting off the 12 game roadtrip 6-4, the Phillies looked poised to really make a statement and assert themselves as the favorites for the NL Wild Card. Along came John Patterson, Esteban Loiaza, and Andy Pettitte, next thing you know the Phils are looking up at the leaders of the NL Wild Card.

The Phils now face what are the two biggest games of their year tonight and tomorrow. Must win games to make any sort of run for the wildcard. Losing 2 out of 3 at home to another contender at this stage of the season would be debilitating. I like their chances the rest of the way, believe it or not but I'm not going too crazy, don't worry. Here's some reasons:

- The pitching has been great. Even Eude Brito and Gavin Floyd didn't pitch too badly. The bullpen has been great, can't complain about them (minus a couple Madson & Urbina blips).

- The other teams also have huge gaping holes. Astros have no offense outside of Biggio, Berkman and Ensberg. The Nationals have no offense. The Marlins are the most inconsistent team in the NL. The Mets offense goes through stretches where they don't score.

- Nobody wants to take charge. Every team has had the opportunity to take control of the wildcard race, and all have respectfully declined.

Overall, I'll stand by my earlier comments that it will be Florida and Houston the last weekend of the season battling it out for the Wild Card. But there's no reason the Phillies won't be playing meaningful games the last week of the year.

Around the League

Lost in the NL race is the great race brewing in the AL. The Yankees and Red Sox face off this weekend in what should be a great series once again. The A's/Angels will also come down to the wire with the surprise Cleveland Indians battling for the last playoff spot.

Don't look now, but the Giants are only 5 games behind the Padres (they play them 7 times the rest of the way). Barry Bonds is rumored to be close to being cleared to play as early as today, but likely sometime this week.

NHL Week in Review By: Ed Wasser

- All's quiet on the NHL front. Next week I'll have my much anticipated preseason prediction article entitled "This Is What I Think Will Happen In The NHL This Year; If It Doesn't Then at Least It Was Free".

- JOY TO THE WORLD!!!!! Finally a judge with some cajones!!! Dennis Pauley threw a quarter at 76er Allen Iverson during the last season's playoffs in Detroit. The quarter hit Iverson on the back of the head. In the resulting sentencing phase of the trial the presiding judge decided enough was enough. Pauley was sentenced to 5 days in jail, 10 weekends of community service, 2 years of probation, and (get this) for those 2 years of probation Pauley can not have any alcohol PERIOD!! Nice. That's the way it's done Your Honor!! Well done.

- A little nugget from last Tuesday's Philadelphia Daily News that you should think about when you start to wonder what high profile free agents the Phillies will pursue this winter. The Phillies attendance in 2005, after 67 home dates, is off 502,679 people from 2004. That's an average of 7503 tickets per game. So this winter when the Phillies have a press conference announcing the free agent signings of Joe McEwing or David Weathers or some other stiffs like they're the second coming of Mays and Koufax don't say I didn't warn you.

- Remember the great home run race of 1997 when Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa held the nation in the palm of their hands with their chemically fueled dash for the Roger Maris record? Well, a race just as tight and just as gripping is currently going on in Major League Baseball. I don't know who holds the major league record for the most at bats that resulted in a city of baseball fans yelling "SON OF A B$&@&!!!" in a fiery tone at their television sets but I'd bet that David Bell and Mike Lieberthal are closing in on that record at an alarming rate.

- Speaking of the Phillies....you know how when a holiday weekend comes to a close you get into that lazy "I don't feel like moving from the couch" feeling on the last night before the day you have to go back to work? Sure, everybody knows that feeling. Ohhhh...wait, almost everyone. The Phillies scheduled their Labor Day game for a 7:05 start time. Why? Wouldn't it be nicer for the fans and everyone involved to have that be a day game? Especially with school the next day? Of course it would but that's why the Phillies are the Phillies. The most fan unfriendly team in this city.

- From the world of Bada Boom Racing. First things first, we have a new edition to the family, a 2 year old gelding named Second Story Man. I was looking at entries and I saw that this horse had a lot of pedigree similarities as our first horse Fairway Miss. They have the same father but different mothers. Plus I saw that he was bought at an auction and they were trying to sneak him into a claiming race. So I told the trainer everything I found, my old man told the trainer to grab him if he looks OK, which he did, so we claimed him. What sucks is that Second Story Man won the race we claimed him in so he can't race for us as a maiden. He should debut for us in about 2 weeks.

- FYI....I learned two important rules about claiming horses. More like gentlemen's agreements. 1.) Never claim a horse from a trainer that shares a barn with you. It's just bad taste to watch how a horse is getting trained day in and day out then take it from your neighbor. And if the trainer you take the horse from has picked up a few pointers from old school horsemen you might wind up with broken legs. 2.) You never claim a trainer's last horse. You just don't want to put a guy out of business.

- Shocking fact of the week....Dee Snider of Twisted Sister is 60 years old. Just thought I'd mention it.

- So Clemente ran yesterday in the 4th race at Philadelphia Park, 5 furlong race on the turf with Rodrigo Madrigal in the irons. Yesterday was Pennsylvania Derby day so the place was packed which made it extra exciting not to mention that Clemente was going off as the favorite. Oh...before I forget, a few weeks ago I mentioned that Clemente had been nominated for a stakes race at Penn National Race Track. He got in as an alternate entry but the competition was way too steep. There were a few horses in the race that have taken down a couple $100,000 purses so couple that with a distance that's unfamiliar to Clemente (a mile and a sixteenth) and we decided to scratch him out and have him run in a more winnable race. Back to business, Clemente broke out of the gate well and was lying second most of the race when Rodrigo fell apart. It was one of, if not thee, worst rides we ever had on one of our horses. Rod allowed Clemente to drift in against the rail, then drift back out again. Then, with the race still winnable, Rod almost dropped his stick (a.k.a. - whip) and when he finally stopped fumbling the stick it was too late, Clemente finished third. The stick fumbling was one thing, that was a physical mistake that can't be helped. But letting Clemente drift in and out was unacceptable. The trainer was so pissed he didn't even speak to Rodrigo afterward. I think Rod may have ridden himself right out of a job, we'll see.