Friday Morning Quick Hitters

The Tampa Bay Rays held off a 9th inning charge from the Yankees to move 3 1/2 games up on the Red Sox, beating the Yanks 7 – 5.

The Minnesota Twins fell another 1/2 game back of the Red Sox in the Wild Card race, losing to the Toronto Blue Jays 9 – 0.

The Milwaukee Brewers dropped another game, this time to the San Diego Padres 5 – 2.

Seems the Chicago Cubs dodged a huge bullet.

The NFL season opened up in New York, at the home of………….I guess I have to say it…….Super Bowl 42 Champion New York Giants. I think I just threw up in my mouth a little. Anyway, the NY Giants used a huge 1st quarter and held on the rest of the way to stifle Jim Zorn and the Washington Redskins. The Giants beat the Skins 16 – 7. Our editor blames John McCain for the Redskins running out the clock last night (even though they were behind by two scores with 5 minutes left).
Editor’s note:before you get all uppity, this has nothing to do with political affiliations or anything. Read it and see…

The aforementioned Super Bowl Champs made official a multi year guaranteed deal with Plexiglass Burress.

Tom Brady is not on the NFL injury report for the 1st time in 4 years. Any bets (if betting were legal) if Brady plays Sunday?

Daunte Culpepper retires at 31.

Joe Paterno suspends 3 Penn State football players for drug policy violations.

“Beanie” to sit.

Ponder named starter at FSU.

The Old Ball Coach and his Gamecocks lose to Vandy 24 -17.

Apparently things might be a little different at KU.

Can Skins Fans Blame John McCain for the Lack of a Hurry-up?

Jim Zorn made his regular season debut tonight, and if you want a recap or missed the game, let me give you a synopsis. Remember Super Bowl 39, when the Eagles, down by 10, refused to go no-huddle, even with 3 mins left? Remember the head scratching that ensued? Well, that was your scenario tonight. With the Redskins down 16-7 with 5 mins left, the Skins continued to run it up the gut and huddle up. Even John Madden, who doesn’t even do the commentary on his own video game anymore, was getting irate. “You’ve got to go no-huddle here” pleaded Madden, but Jim Zorn decided to plod along. In fact, one comment really stuck with me when Madden said “Well you don’t have your no-huddle in this early”. Really? What was the off season and preseason for? There is no excuse for an NFL team not having a 2 minute offense in place by week one, period. If the Skins miss the playoffs by a game, you can look back on a game in which the Giants basically shut it down in the second half and the Skins could not take advantage. Of course, the real reason may be obvious (CONSPIRACY THEORY ALERT!!!!). The Redskins are the team of Washington DC, and the Republican National Convention was due to be broadcast on NBC at 10:00 pm EST, which was to feature the acceptance speech of John “I hate Internet gambling” McCain. I know this is far fetched, but the relationship is a bit fishy (the team from the nation’s capitol keeping viewers from an event that directly effects the nation’s capitol) but is it at all possible that the NFL knew they had a 3 hour window and that they had to be done? I mean, the Giants absolutely went Showtime on the Skins in the first half, and then they didn’t score a single point after the half. The Redskins, although down by 9 points with 5 minutes left, didn’t start the no-huddle until they got the ball back with a bout 1:30 remaining, and only after they had used their timeouts. This just doesn’t seem right to me, and I cannot believe any NFL coach would have such a lack of awareness in regards to time remaining, so the question remains, is Jim Zorn an idiot or did the Redskins have to suck one up to get John McCain airtime?

Around the NFL

A couple of head scratchers, the Pats release S John Lynch and WR Chad Jackson.

Ricky Williams signed an extension with the Dolphins.

The Giants sign a former first rounder to the defensive line.

Chris Brown went on the IR for the Texans.

Joey Harrington got the axe from Atlanta.

A pair of first day picks (edit, thanks Anon) are among those cut by the Bears.

The Pats are still trying to land Ty Law.

The Saints are once again forced to relocate.

Chris Simms was released by the Bucs.

Friday Morning Quick Hitters

Somewhere, Klinger is crying…Papi homers in his PawSox debut, contributing to the rout of the Toledo Mud Hens. Papi vows to play entire rehab stint, in related news loud unidentified exhale sound comes from Portland, Maine.

Twins left-hander Francisco Liriano, dominating in AAA, wonders why he is not back in MLB, considers grievance.

Hideo Nomo retires….apparently the LA Times thinks it only warrants a blog entry.

The Utah Jazz lock up one of the best players in the game, Deron Williams.

David Wright’s late heroics ties game, Delgado singles home Beltran to beat the Reds and pulls even with the Phillies.

PSLs (Personal Seat Licenses) for the new home of the NY Football Giants and the NYJ to range from $1000 for the upper deck to $20,000 in the lower bowl….OUCH!!!

Dallas Mavericks say no-no-no to Josh Howard for Ron Artest deal.