Back here on a Thursday with several thoughts to chew on. And yes, Rockets fans I'll get to the first division title in 21 years, but lots of football to get to first.
Of course, the biggest story in sports yesterday was Aaron Hernandez, which honestly has transcended far beyond sports at this point. This isn't even a Patriots or NFL thing anymore. Yesterday, he was found guilty of first degree murder in the killing of his friend Odin Lloyd and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Honestly, there are two sad things about this whole deal to me; the first thing is that the man actually had talent...elite talent. Two years ago, this guy was catching footballs from Tom Brady and was an integral part of the Patriots offense. Now, he's behind bars...permanently. As a Husker alum and lifetime fan, I've sadly seen this movie before thanks to a guy by the name of Lawrence Phillips; a massively talented running back who could have played 15 years in the NFL but wasted it, just like Hernandez has done. Very sad.
The second sad part about this is that he isn't done. That's because this guy faces double murder charges in Boston, as well as civil lawsuits over the killings and not only that, he faces a lawsuit in Florida from a former friend who claims he was shot in the face and left for dead after an argument.
That said, I'm moving on to other football stuff.
Elsewhere in the NFL, Von Miller is apparently on a diet, and is already running his mouth about how the Broncos could be the NFL's top defense next year. The Broncos are switching from a 4-3 to 3-4 defense, which should at least be interesting. That said, Miller really should stop running his mouth until the Broncos back that claim up. Manning's never really had a top defense anywhere he's been since college, so why should we believe this is going to be any different?
Meanwhile, the quest to get the NFL back in Los Angeles took a huge step forward Wednesday when a proposed stadium that could become home for both the Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers hit a huge milestone; sufficient petition signatures have been verified by election officials to qualify the proposal for the ballot in Carson, where the stadium would be built. They have been trying to get the NFL back in Los Angeles for over 20 years, and now there may be some serious progress.
From college football, it seems College Football Playoff committee member Condoleezza Rice is against expanding the current four team college football playoff, citing the importance of the regular season as a major factor.
As ESPN's Heather Dinich notes, Rice said, "I feel pretty strongly about four now becuase I thought that the rivalry weekend - the Saturday after Thanksgiving - almost felt like a play-in game," Rice said. "Now, the Iron Bowl, Alabama has to beat Auburn. You could imagine the circumstances in another year where the Civil War, Oregon has to beat Oregon State. There are questions whether they will."
I appreciate the passion that Rice displays in those quotes, but honestly, the playoff is going to expand if and when it wants to, regardless of her opinion.
Elsewhere in college football, Ohio State lost a highly prized quarterback recruit Jarrett Guarantano on Wednesday; the pro-style quarterback chose the Volunteers over the Buckeyes and Rutgers. He didn't commit to Tennessee without one of the Buckeye coaches taking a jab at him though; Buckeyes wide receivers coach Zach Smith didn't mince words when he tweeted the following:
"Great players THRIVE in competition...Not amidst mediocrity...We hope you remember this."
Honestly, I can't blame the kid for choosing Tennessee. I mean, Ohio State only has three of the top 10 quarterbacks in all the land. They are as deep in that position as any team in America. However, I'd love to see Tennessee shock the world in the SEC and meet Ohio State in a bowl game. Some bad blood that already may be brewing there.
Also from the college game, but related to the NFL Draft, wide receiver prospect Jaelen Strong from Arizona State is fighting through a fractured bone in his wrist, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. He is considered by many to be a first round pick in this upcoming draft, and if the Texans were going to go wideout first, he'd probably be one of the guys they look at.
Big night in Houston Rockets franchise history last night; the Rockets, thanks to a win over Utah and San Antonio's loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, win their first division title since the 1993-94 season. Honestly, this is unbelievable what they did. If you'd have asked me before the season, I'd have said there's a decent chance they'd be a lottery team and they probably should have been with all the injuries they went through. No matter what happens in the playoffs 56 wins and a division flag is a tremendous achievement.
That said, they face some very tough mountains starting with the rival Dallas Mavericks in the first round. I'm not sure anyone who watches basketball would be surprised if the Mavs win that series. It may be a 2/7 matchup but this one's going 6 or 7 I think.
As a side benefit, no OKC Thunder in the playoffs thanks to the Pelicans win. It's only right and just that after Seattle had their team taken away from them and moved to OKC (ala the Oilers being taken from Houston and moved to Tennessee), that OKC at the least doesn't win a title till Seattle gets a team again.
On baseball, I like to wait a week or two before commenting on games, so 10 games or so in I do have a few things.
1. The Detroit Tigers are the most talented team in the American League, top to bottom. That said, their success as always will come down to their bullpen. So far, Joakim Soria, former Kansas City closer, has been very good for the Motor City. If he can continue to close games there's no reason the Tigers shouldn't win 95 to 100.
2. The Astros are playing crappy offensively yet they are 4-5. They need to channel Pedro Cerrano from Major League and "wake up bats."
3. It's only 10 games or so in but I'm intrigued by the Mets so far. I don't think they're better than the Nationals (though they beat the Nats two of three to open the year), but they have some integral parts necessary for a playoff run.
4. It's notable that the Colorado Rockies are 6-0 on the road to open the year; they are normally not a good team outside their mile-high paradise, but they swept the Brewers and Giants to open the year on the road and allowed the defending World Champs only three runs in the three games in the Bay Area. The West appears to be very tough so far, with Colorado, LA and San Diego all off to nice starts.
5. The Cubs are in first, yes I said the Cubs are in first. Hope they enjoy it while it lasts, although I can see them making the playoffs as a wild card.
Until next time....
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