Who Needs Randy...We Got Chad!

After the big news yesterday morning about the Pats getting Haynesworth, I was content with their moves so far.  I thought they made a great deal to get Big Al, and I was expecting a period of calm before any other big move.

So much for that.  Late yesterday afternoon, news came in that the Patriots made a deal with Pro-Bowl wide receiver Chad Ochocinco (formerly Johnson.)

Envision my excitement for Haynesworth.  Now multiply that by ten.  That's how I feel about getting Ochocinco.  The guy is a legitimate deep threat.  And he's also a decoy.  He'll entertain Revis in the backfield while Brady's plethora of other talented wide receivers run all over the field in ease.

The flood gates have opened for Brady, just as they did in '08 with the signing of Moss.  Look for another superb year by our QB.  This is gonna be exciting.  Are you ready??

Welcome To New England, Mr. Haynesworth

Defensive tackle and former Pro-Bowler, Albert Haynesworth, has been traded to Bill Belichick's Patriots from the Washington Redskins.  This is the first big move the Patriots have made in this year's chaotic free agency period, and it's a decision that will garner heated debate about just how skilled Belichick is at turning troubled players around.

Haynesworth is very high on the long list of misbehaving NFL egos.  He has been a hinderance in Washington during his recent time with the Redskins, skipping workouts and generally disobeying head coach Mike Shanahan.  Haynesworth's problems go back further than his time with the Skins.  In 2006, while a member of the Tennessee Titans, Haynesworth was suspended five games for stomping on Andre Gurode's head with his cleats.  Gurode needed thirty stitches to repair the damage, but the damage to Haynesworth's career was even more life-threatening.

Since that incident, Haynesworth has had a permanent label as a bad guy in the NFL.  But he's remarkably talented.  At 6-foot-6, 320-pounds, Haynesworth is a force on the defensive line.  The Patriots were looking to add pass rush to their soft defensive pressure and this will surely help.  The duo of Wilfork and Haynesworth on the DL will put opponent QBs into a frantic state as they approach the line.

I think the Patriots have made a good move here.  Belichick brought a lot of talent to the team by making this trade, just like he did when he traded for Randy Moss.  Moss' maturity issues worked out (well, for a while anyways) and I think Belichick can work the same magic for Haynesworth.  Players like Haynesworth like to play on good teams.  They like to win.  Well, Big Al, you've found the right team.  Welcome to New England.

Second Half MLB Predictions

The second half of the Major League Baseball season is underway and it's time to make some predictions.  Now I understand that most people make their "picks" for the AL Champ and NL Champ before the season begins...it's more impressive if they're correct that way.  However, I'm going to make my picks right now, at the half-way point, knowing that if I'm correct about my picks then I can't really brag about it.  All I'll be able to do is give myself a pat on the back.

Keeping that in mind, here they are:

AL Winner: Boston Red Sox

Shocking, I know!  I'm not just picking the Sox because they're our hometown team.  I'm picking them because they're the best team in the American League, and that's even while playing with many, many injuries.  They're going to get healthy and they're going to enter the post-season on a tear that will take them all the way through the World Series.

NL Winner: San Francisco Giants

The natural pick for the National League is the Phillies.  They have the best record in baseball, a scary starting lineup, and an even scarier pitching rotation.  But for some reason, I just don't have that feeling that they are the team this year.  I think the Giants, coming off their championship run last year, with all of that experience, will get to the World Series again.  They'll do it with moxie.  They'll fly a bit under the radar, assume the position as the underdog team, and will surprise the city of Philadelphia by making it to the Series.  This is also a pick in favor of Giants pitcher Brian Wilson.  I love the guy and would like to see him and his beard get some more national airtime.

Marathon Win In Tampa Ending The Weekend Right

Technically, last night's Red Sox game versus the Tampa Bay Rays was the Sunday Night Baseball game on ESPN.  However, it took until Monday morning to decide a winner.  The game finally ended at 1:54 a.m. this morning.  Pedroia drove in the go-ahead run in the top of the 16th inning on the way to a 1-0 victory.

This is the type of game that defines a team.  When a game goes that long, it becomes as much a mental game as a physical game.  Usually, the team that perseveres and withstands the physical tiredness with a strong mind ends up on top.

This Red Sox team doesn't quit.  They play through injuries better than any other team in the league.  I think overcoming the rocky start to the season has made them a stronger team because they know that no obstacle is too high to overcome.  It is a characteristic that creates championship teams.  Just ask the '04 Red Sox.

Randy Moss Rumblings

Since leaving the Patriots in the middle of the season last fall, this YouTube video has pretty much been the biggest thing that's happened to Randy Moss.  These 3.2 million hits are the most attention he's gotten.  He was disappointing in Minnesota.  Disappointing would be an understatement to describe his stay in Tennessee.  He has been very quiet and very unproductive.  These are two words that just don't go with "Randy Moss."  It's like describing fire as cool and refreshing.

Randy Moss is loud.  He is showy.  He is vain.  And that is exactly why I've spent the last 9 months waiting for Moss' return to the spotlight.  I've been on the edge of my seat waiting for him to make some sort of big return.  I think we may be close, folks.

Moss' agent made a statement today saying that Moss is in incredible shape and is ready to play like the "old Randy Moss."  He says Moss will be a difference maker on whatever team he ends up with because he's playing with a chip on his shoulder.

So get ready NFL fans...Randy "One Clap" Moss is about to make his last ditch effort to join a squad for next year (assuming there is a football season -- Brady's working on it, so I have faith).  It will be exciting to watch where he ends up.  Will Belichick and the Pats show interest?  Do we even want them to?

Now we play the waiting game...

All-Star Highlights: Adrian Gonzo and Brian Wilson's Beard

Well it was a pretty disappointing All-Star Game for the AL last night.  Nothing too exciting to speak of at all actually.  Beckett didn't feel right during warm-ups so we didn't get to see him pitch.  Let's hope he isn't seriously hurt, or Jeter is going to start to look like a genius.

But the one bright spot last night was the source of the American League's only run: Adrian Gonzalez.  Naturally, the front-runner for AL MVP after the first half of the season hits a solo shot in the All-Star Game.  He deserves that after losing the Derby to a Yankee the night before.

The other highlight of the night came from NL Pitcher, Brian Wilson.  In his post-game interview, Wilson discusses the creatures living inside of his enormous beard.  I love how dead-pan he stays during the discussion.  This guy is bringing some life and comedy to the diamond and it's absolutely hilarious.

Jeter's Decision

I really don't know what Jeter's thinking.  He's not going to go to the All-Star game?? He's not going to go to the one game of the year that honors the best players in the league, less than a week after he joins the prestigious 3,000 hit club? Are you kidding me Jeter?  I honestly don't think Jeter realizes his career is on the fritz.  If he did, then he would also realize that his moments in the spotlight are going to be few and far between in the upcoming years.  This could have been a huge moment for him to bask in his own glory in front of thousands of fans.  I just don't see his reasoning.

Out of all the Yankees, I respect Jeter the most.  So I'll stop myself from criticizing him too harshly.  Perhaps he is truly emotionally and physically drained as he says he is.  Nonetheless, I still think he could show up at the All-Star game, stroll out onto the field, give a couple waves as the announcer talks about his milestone accomplishment, maybe he could even say a few quick words about his emotions and his love for baseball, and then kick back in his seat to watch the game.  Sounds like a great night to me.  All the attention without any of the effort.  But if he wants to piss off MLB and MLB fans nationwide, power to him -- He's just giving more people even more reasons to hate the Yankees.