Leftwich Left-out

It seems the marriage between Byron Leftwich and the Jacksonville Jaguars has come to an end. After announcing that David Garrard would be the team’s starter, reports began to surface that Leftwich would either be traded or released shortly. It seems the Jaguars just got tired of waiting around for that potential that never manifested itself. Leftwich just wasn’t the same quarterback after breaking his foot at college in Marshall. So what once was his strength, became his biggest liability, an inability to move. Leftwich was so immobile as a quarterback that I once saw pigeon crap on his shoulders during a game. It wasn’t just that Leftwich was a statue, he was a fragile one at that. Spending more time on the disabled list the past two years than in actual games. The team had rallied around Garrard, who actually moved the offense with the precision of a veteran quarterback, and I feel with time he can become an elite level QB. That means keep an eye on him all you fantasy geeks out there. Leftwich will probably land on his feet, figuratively not literally. Some team will take a chance on him, thinking that in the right system with the right people around him, he can recapture his glory days, whenever those were. But heed the warnings of other reclamation projects gone bad, it’s better to leave these projects alone. Well unless you’re the Atlanta Falcons and you’re going into the season with Joey Harrington as your starter, maybe a club Leftwich with a side of fries wouldn’t be all that bad.

Strahan Closes Gap with Giants

After holding out for 36 days and incurring $516,000 in fines, Michael Strahan decided to return to the NY Giants. An undisclosed settlement was reached between the two parties as to a reduction of the fine. Such holdover shenanigans have become common in the NFL these days. Larry Johnson of the Chiefs recently ended a holdout after demanding and receiving a long-term extension. Strahan and co. are the epitome of the so called “Modern Day Athletes;” those who care more about the money than the game, personal than team stats. It’s no wonder why collegiate sports have a much larger fan base. Kids that are playing for pride, rivalries, bragging rights, and the love of the game. Athletes we can relate to, and visa versa. Sure Strahan will make excuses about the holdout, citing reasons of retirement. But at the end of the day, where is the hunger, the thirst, the paycut, the honor; whatever it takes to win. Isn’t that the reason why we started playing pop warner in the first place. These guys think that they’re pulling the wool over our eyes, but at the end of the day, they “are exactly who we thought they were” (thanks Dennie Green). So go ahead and crown them, congratulate them for their hard earned individual accomplishments but watch your back, because these guys will go down quicker than Brett Farve. Remember, it’s the name on the front of the jersey that we live and die for, not the dollar signs on the back.

The Clipper Stopper

Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse for the Los Angeles Clippers… On Thursday, 8/30, the Clippers signed the one and only self-proclaimed Kobe stopper, (drumroll please) Ruben Patterson. Why or Why??? First Shaun Livingston goes down (which some might consider a plus), and then Elton Brand for the most part of next season. What does Elgin Baylor do to remedy the situation; “fill” the position with a talentless, registered sex offender who can’t shoot or dribble but has limited Kobe to an avg. of 30 points during each of their head to head contests. After careful review, I figured out the logic to this madness; Baylor’s trying to outdo Kupchak and earn the title of worse GM in the league.

The Clippers are headed down a familiar path and someone needs to flip a bitch quick. They’ve already made a long term committment to Kaman, whose 10.1 ppg and 7.8 rpg are worth every penny of that 5-year, $52.5 million contract extension. The loss of Livingston, his 6′7, 182 lbs overrated frame and an aging Cassell leaves them without a true PG. How the “Rube” fits into the puzzle is mindboggling to me. Add that to the Clippers’ other additions as of late (i.e. Aaron Williams, Tim Thomas, Cat Mobley), I’m reminded of the Clippers of old. The good old days, worse records in the league and disappointing #1 draft picks. AHHHHHHH, I miss you Lorenzen Wright, Mo’ Taylor, Olowokandi, and Darius Miles. I feel a sense of nostalgia and find myself holding back tears, I mean, wait a minute, there’s something in my eye, I gotta go..

POLL RESULTS: Is Vick’s apology sincere?

16% Yes
64% No
16% Hard to tell

Beckham: My Favorite Global Icon

By now you all have read my distinguished colleagues post about David Beckham, but what he doesn’t understand is how Beckham transcends the MLS, soccer, and even sports in general. Everyone keeps talking about the 250 million dollar investment the Galaxy have made. First of all the numbers are grossly exagerrated, they are no where near 250 million. Second of all, if the numbers are true, believe me, the Galaxy have recouped their investment and then some. Let’s be honest, Beckham wasn’t brought to Los Angeles to bring a MLS championship. His best days are clearly behind him. That being said, he is still head and shoulders above anyone else in the MLS. His coming to the Galaxy wasn’t a sports decision. It was a cultural decision. Admit it, before Beckham, half the population didn’t know we had a professional soccer league in the states. The MLS was on par with the WNBA. Since Beckham’s arrival, there hasn’t been a day that we haven’t mentioned soccer, and it’s not even a World Cup year. Everyone has an image of soccer players being primadonnas, but what we fail to see is the grind that these player’s bodies go through. So let Becks have his rest, he’s earned it just by the added revenue that he has brought to this dying league. Also who doesn’t want to see Beckham rockin’ his Dolce & Gabbana suits on the sideline. Is it too late to cast my vote for man-crush of the week on Becks?

The Clipper Stopper

Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse for the Los Angeles Clippers… On Thursday, 8/30, the Clippers signed the one and only self-proclaimed Kobe stopper, (drumroll please) Ruben Patterson. Why or Why??? First Shaun Livingston goes down (which some might consider a plus), and then Elton Brand for the most part of next season. What does Elgin Baylor do to remedy the situation; “fill” the position with a talentless, registered sex offender who can’t shoot or dribble but has limited Kobe to an avg. of 30 points during each of their head to head contests. After careful review, I figured out the logic to this madness; Baylor’s trying to outdo Kupchak and earn the title of worse GM in the league.

The Clippers are headed down a familiar path and someone needs to flip a bitch quick. They’ve already made a long term committment to Kaman, whose 10.1 ppg and 7.8 rpg are worth every penny of that 5-year, $52.5 million contract extension. The loss of Livingston, his 6′7, 182 lbs overrated frame and an aging Cassell leaves them without a true PG. How the “Rube” fits into the puzzle is mindboggling to me. Add that to the Clippers’ other additions as of late (i.e. Aaron Williams, Tim Thomas, Cat Mobley), I’m reminded of the Clippers of old. The good old days, worse records in the league and disappointing #1 draft picks. AHHHHHHH, I miss you Lorenzen Wright, Mo’ Taylor, Olowokandi, and Darius Miles. I feel a sense of nostalgia and find myself holding back tears, I mean, wait a minute, there’s something in my eye, I gotta go..

Bend Over Galaxy

Another game, another injury for Becks. Wednesday night, Beckham suffered a knee injury after a collision in the Superliga final. “Maybe it is a sign to give it a rest, get it right and not come back until it is right,” said Beckham after the game. Ummmmm… No, I don’t think so. I’m sure the Galaxy is ALL ABOUT giving their $250 million dollar poster boy a “rest until it is right.” Am I the only person who thinks that this guy is overrated? Did the Galaxy really think that this guy was going to turn a crappy team around and take them somewhere? Look across town and see what Kobe has done with the Lakers. Not to say that Becks is anywhere as dominant as Kobe is in his sport, but you can’t surround a star athlete around minor league players and hope that he will turn the franchise around. I don’t want to hear anything about Landon Odom either. Sure the Galaxy sold tickets and Jerseys but with another injury, the only Spice girl visiting the Home Depot Center will be Scary looking for her baby daddy Axel Foley.

POLL RESULTS: Is Vick’s apology sincere?

16% Yes
64% No
16% Hard to tell

POLL RESULTS: Is Vick’s apology sincere?

16% Yes
64% No
16% Hard to tell

MANCRUSH OF THE WEEK

And the award goes to… Thanks for dressing up for the occasion L.T. You been a fantasy owner’s wet dream for the past 3 years. Each year, millions dream of having the #1 pick of the draft, only to have to setle for the LJs, Steven Jacksons and Peytons of the world. The only team to pass up on you were the Falcons and can you really blame them. With a rich history of the “dirty bird,” T.J. Duckett, and Vick type P.R. you wouldn’t make it through preseason, if you played that is. 31 tds in a year, hah! Try a QB rating of 75.7 on for size. Congrats on the inaugural “MANCRUSH of the Week” award. Enjoy it, for you too will be replaced next week (unless you tear it up against the Bears in week 1 like we expect you to do.)

Finally, a moment of silence for the changing of the guard. From the old to the new, the B.L.T. to the REAL L.T. We salute you Lawrence Taylor and that awesome earring for setting the precedence for those initials. Rest assure that your legacy will live on [insert bagpipes here]. You’re still our favorite L.T. from New York.