The level of wanting to know in this state is so high. Nebraskan’s want to know their quarterback. It’s our kid. To be three days away from kickoff and still not have quarterback named has caused a fit.
All of that wonder will become reality on Saturday afternoon. The “circus environment” that head coach Bo Pelini doesn’t want to create will certainly create a fallout. How can you be a preseason favorite, yet be unsettled at the key position? Or appear to be?
It’s Taylor Martinez. That’s what I think. Would naming Zac Lee cause a stir? No, because he’s the conservative guy, who started 12 games last year. Sean Callahan, Huskers beat reporter, has said it’s Martinez since day one. He’s said to “believe the buzz.” I’ve been right there from what I hear. Play the guy with the most ability: fast, strong, big, young. He’s the playmaker. From an athletic standpoint, he can make what Lee can’t.
Last Friday, I talked with a players Dad who just got off the phone with son. At that time, the job was still “even” according to him. I never agreed with starting Cody Green in the middle of last year. There’s a learning curve that wasn’t established. If Martinez is put in now, he gets experience against the likes of Western Kentucky and South Dakota State. Right now, the question mark is still our offense. It could be all year.
So go trot him out there Bo. Because even though you won’t say he’s the starter, the feel is that he is.
Manny Ramirez was fun in Hollywood while it lasted. As of an hour ago he’s been claimed on waivers by the Chicago White Sox.
Do I like the claim? Not necessarily. It’s because the White Sox are greedy. I don’t think they need him at his price. A perfect fit I thought was Tampa Bay. They tried but their record was too good. It’s not that the waiver system is built wrong, because it’s right. The worst team that sets a claim gets the player.
Now what does Manny do? Use that no-trade clause to go to the windy city or stay in LA? Because, Chicago is -3.5 games out in the AL central, and LA is -5 games out in the NL wildcard hunt. It comes down to preference. Be a designated hitter, which suits him. Or be a hitter and fielder. We all know Manny takes days off. So the DH route makes sense.
Either way, Ramirez is a big chunk of money, with $4.4 million left on his deal. I know the Dodgers would let that go in a heartbeat. He hasn’t brought the same vibe to “Mannywood” like he once did. Maybe a new home is the answer. It’s his preference. Or would he quit on the Sox too?
What can I get out of Stephen Strasburg? That’s what I’m asking myself if I’m in the Washington Nationals organization. A second trip to the disabled list has created a lot of uncertainty. I never thought this would happen after that June 8 domination debut.
Strasburg is on an island. Aside from a few flamethrowers in the majors, nobody is like him. He’s premier and one of a kind.
Never before has he had a workload in a full season over 109 innings. So technically, that’s around 19 games a year. And in today’s game that’s not too much. Did they baby him? I don’t think so.
Workload, pitch counts, pitch selections all that are on high regard. The amount of torque on the arm adds up. That’s evident with Strasburg. Basically he was called up too soon in June. The hype got to him. Washington was battling .500 ball. He did live up, for his first four starts when he set a record for 41 strikeouts. That’s simply unreal. But what now?
My question is: can I rely on Strasburg? Will he continue to suffer? This is an issue. I had to say his name in the same breath as Mark Prior, but maybe it’s proof.
Jason Campbell was alright last night. At this point of preseason, you can’t ask for excellence. It’s practice. 7-of-13 for 49 yards is his sort of stat line.
It’s a little strange seeing him in silver and black. But, for now, this might work out.
At his mercy is a lot less scrutiny is in Oakland. It’s not Washington, but it’s more than let’s say a Carolina. The big hound Al Davis is always right there, with his stern look. Sure, that’s intimidating. The fans are quite passionate and care. But quite frankly, after a lot of losing seasons since the 2000s, is Oakland begging for more than five wins in a year? Do they expect god at the helm?
That’s why I think Campbell is okay. He’s not flashy. But nor is that offense. Darren McFadden has been a ginormous bust, half the player we’d thought he’d be out of Arkansas. Let’s just say this, Campbell or Kyle Boller? Campbell or Bruce Gradkowski? It’s insurance for now.
He’s always been trying to figure out who and what type of QB he is in the NFL. This is nothing new, or any bigger of a step up.
“The Weekly Catch” is back after a long, long break. Adam talks on the Phillies making a World Series run, the National League Rookie Of The Year competition, Dexter McCluster for Kansas City possibly making a splash and the Miami Heat winning 72 games to wrap up the show.
If Brett Favre wants to play these games all over again, then let him do it. You and I both know he’s coming back. Who would let $16 million+ just sitting around on a table?
So when the reports came out on Tuesday that Favre was texting teammates saying “THIS IS IT,” what did that truly mean? That 2010 was his last run? Please.
Minnesota is better with Favre. And he knows that. He showed that a 40-year-old can still win an MVP award last year. If he wants to sit out training camp, I’m giving him no grief. Who’s to say something burst or pops in that body? Is training camp really all what it’s meant to be to get ready for the season?
Because I’m getting a sense that it’s not. Albert Haynesworth completing a shuttle run has nothing to do with whether he will play this year or not. I guarantee you the Broncos would have sat out Elvis Dumervil if they knew he’d pull a pectoral muscle, likely sitting him for the entire season. Same with the Ravens, losing Domonique Foxworth to an ACL just this week. The best teams don’t want to lose their best players.
Fact of the matter is, the Vikings will let Favre do what he wants. This is just Favre being Favre. Minnesota can’t afford to limp into 2010 like the Broncos and Ravens.
The college football season is only a matter of weeks away. A lot of experts want to tell you Alabama is the team this year. They’ve got Heisman winner Mark Ingram returning, along with Greg McElroy and the next best NFL wide receiver in Julio Jones. They’ll definitely be right there when the season ends.
I think the Tide are sick. Don’t get me wrong. But in the year of the unusual, in the year of teams bouncing around for new conferences and such, why not throw out a game, featuring two teams where if one wins, they could very well go on to win the title? Is Virginia Tech or Boise State the precursor to Alabama?
It doesn’t get any bigger than their matchup week one, yes week one, at FedEx Field on September 5. Why this game is on a neutral site still boggles me. But it starts the season right, in the best fashion. If it’s at Lane Stadium, chalk up a win for the Hokies. If the Broncos win, and they certainly can, this is their year to finally make a run, once again in Arizona, but this time for all the marbles. The Boise State Broncos as your College Football Champions? Why not? Butler almost just took won March Madness.
Tyrod Taylor. Kellen Moore. Ryan Williams. Jeremy Avery. This game has “watch me” all over it. Is it crazy to say the winner of this could go on to win it all. I don’t think so.
No Brett Favre from me today. I’m returning to some LeBron James and Heat talk.
I love their offseason signings. I’m more convinced day after day that this is the team to beat this year. JuWan Howard was a great add, as was Mike Miller, Eddie House and others. But being in the East, one problem looms. That’s Dwight Howard, the 6′11″ stick for the Orlando Magic. One guy can change it all. How do the Heat balance their lineup card and contend when nobody on their current roster will be able to guard Howard?
The answer lies in Kwame Brown. Yes, the most-overrated No. 1 pick in NBA history. Maybe the best free agent left. Kwame, the one who has always, always been criticized for lackadaisical play. But he matches up, height and weight. The NBA is about matchups. He can push Howard around and actually make him work for his shots, or should I say dunks. Because Howard just makes it look to easy already. Kwame is athletic, just doesn’t seem like it.
We all know he won’t score. But as a defensive loan, he makes all the sense in the world. Who wouldn’t want to play with LeBron and Co.? Miami would get him maturity and a ring.
