1) It is SATURDAY, MAY 18. Sesame Street is introducing a new character named Armando or "Mando," which may or may not be an homage to Herald sports writer Armando Salguero. Mando is pictured at right. (Is it me or do half of the Sesame Street characters sort of look like this?) 2) Former NASCAR driver Dick Trickle dead at 71 of reported suicide. Sad story. All-time great name, Dick Trickle, but a sad story. 3) In The Previous Blogpost (ITPB): Heat Game 5 win, Wade health poll, LeBron No. 2 in money, most disappointing hotel, catchers' fake fingernails, Sad-O-Meter. 4) Join us on Twitter @gregcote.
Another year, another horse fails to win Triple Crown: Affirmed in 1978 remains the last to do it after Kentucky Derby winner Orb finished a disappointing fourth in today's Preakness Stakes, won by Oxbow with ancient Gary Stevens aboard. Orb started on the rail and really struggled to extricate himself from traffic.
"David Beckham is retiring? What a big, big loss for the sport of underwear endorsing." --Greg Cote
UPDATED: HEAT CRAZY-BIG FAVES TO REPEATS AS CHAMPS: If you want the other side you stand to make some big bucks. Are you that daring? New from Bovada, championship odds on the five teams still alive show Heat at 1-3, Spurs 5-1, Grizzlies 6-1, Pacers 20-1 and Knicks 40-1. Miami odds to win East and get to Finals: 1-9. Man! Based on the public perception that sets the odds, let's just go ahead and plan that parade right now. I'm just sayin'.
EASTERN FINALS SET: HEAT VS. PACERS: Indiana beat visiting New York 106-99 tonight to win the series 4 games to 2. Miami will host Eastern finals Game 1 vs. Pacers on Wednesday night. The series suggests Pacers are a better team, although that is debatable. Both teams fared well against Miami this season, Indy going 2-1 against the Heat and the Knickerbockers 3-1. The other factor in answering the poll question below was the vantage point of your vote. It might have been based on which team you think would be an easier draw for the Heat. Or you might have voted for what you think the more exciting series would be. On the latter criteria the clear preference would seem to have been New York, a bigger rival with more starpower and boorish fans in constant need of shutting up. Based on results, your choice was pretty clear. Enjoys the Eastern finals anyway.
UPDATE: HEAT MIDDLE-FINGER LADY: South Florida's most famous birder is keeping sharp between playoff series. After honing her skills against the Bulls' Joakim Noah, Middle-Finger Lady now prepares for Indiana or New York in the next round. Pictured left, MFL transmogrifies into a clownishly grinning LeBron James in a final, parting-shot farewell to Noah. At right, Middle-Finger Lady inexplicably proffers the Flying Digit to an adorably dumbfounded polar bear.
DWYANE WADE: PROM DATE: What cute story. Archbishop Coleman Carroll senior Nicole Muxo posts a YouTube video asking Heat star Dwyane Wade to be her prom date. He calls her cell phone with his regrets, then moments later walks into the Friday ight event in Coral Gables, shocking her. Later Wade Tweeted, 'I had a blast at Prom. Never be 2 scared to ask.' The couple is pictured on the dance floor. This, among a million other reasons, is why South Florida loves Dwyane Wade.
Click HERE for a 3-minute video on how Wade pulled off his big prom surprise. Good stuff.
LATEST TRAVAILS OF CHAD JOHNSON: Free-agent receiver Chad (nee Ochocinco) Johnson lessens his chances of ever playing again with a warrant for his arrest for failing to report to his probation officer stemming from the domestic violence issue that got him cut by the Dolphins. The latest misstep is indicative of Johnson perhaps suffering from DAS, Dumbass Athlete Syndrome. There is no known cure.
UPDATED! MARLINS' SAD-O-METER: We have this new blog feature we update as long as Marlins'
winning percentage is under .300 -- as long as the New York Mets' infamous 1962 record of 40-120 (.250) is within dubious reach. Well, six straight losses with last night's have brought the S-O-M roaring back as the season inches past the one-quarter mark. Updated Sad-O-Meter: Current record, 11-31 (.262). Season projection, 42.43 wins, 119.57 losses.
BACKSTORY: COMPANY NAMES: Took this pic on my phone camera as proof there is a baked-goods company operating in South Florida under the name Bimbo. (Primary dictionary definition: "A foolish, stupid or inept person.") I am envisioning the initial meeting of company investors. "OK, first things first," says the boss. "We need a name that represents who we are. Thoughts?"
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1) It is SUNDAY, MAY 5. Happy Cinco de Mayo! 2) NCAA refuses to dismiss UM case in advance of June hearing. "No duh," says rest of America. 3) Click on Random Evidence for today's Sunday notes column, leading with Heat playoffs. 4) In The Previous Blogpost (ITPB): The building and branding of Dion Jordan, Bulls-or-Nets Heat poll, Susannah Collins, Tim Tebow prank. 5) Join us on Twitter @agregcote.
LEBRON MVP VOTE: NEW PROOF THAT 1 OF EVERY 121 PEOPLE IS A MORON: Heat's LeBron James got 120 of 121 frst-place votes for league MVP today, denying him the first unanimous vote in NBA history even though he was deserving. A funny Internet rumor spread that my colleague Dan Le Batard cast the lone vote for Carmelo Anthony. It wasn't true. That didn't stop it. "Probably a writer out fo New York," surmised LeBron, likely more accurately. LeBatard, sensing Twitter gold, didn't deny the initial speculation, merely re-Tweeted it. Deadspin said it was so. One of life's small pleasures is watching self-important Deadspin say, "Ah, um, uhh, oops. My bad!" Anyway, the mystery lunatic-voter is still out there. Oh he WILL be found!
HEAT-BULLS ON DECK; NBA NEXT-ROUND PLAYOFF ODDS: Second-round pairings and betting odds via Bovada, by conference, entering second-round play: Eastern:Miami over Chicago: Heat a prohibitive overall favorite at 2-11 to win East, 4-9 to repeat league title. Bulls are 40-1 to win East, 75-1 overall. There are no early indications Derrick Rose will play vs. Miami, but the fact he might will be an intriguing cloud hanging over this series. New York over Indiana: Knicks are 6-1 to win East and 14-1 to win league. Pacers are 12-1 and 25-1. Western:San Antonio over Golden State: Spurs are a big 5-7 pick to win West and 11-2 to win it all. Warriors are 9-1 in conference, 40-1 in league. Oklahoma City over Memphis: Thunder is 3-1 in West, 9-1 in league. Grizzlies are 5-1 to win West, 14-1 to win it all.
A WORD TO ROSS AND TO NFL IN WAKE OF DOLPHINS' LEGISLATIVE DEFEAT: Although it sounds as if Florida House speaker Will Weatherford (the smug-looking guy on the far right) may have done a bit of backstabbing up there in Tally, I can't get as worked up or disappointed as I'm sure Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is over the sudden collapse of his plan for
massive stadium renovations. That's partly because the plan faced a likely defeat in a Miami-Dade referendum vote even if the Legislature had let it get that far. A quick word to Ross (near right), and to the NFL. To Ross: Understand that most Dolphins fans think the stadium is fine as is (and it is), and are hugely more concerned about the Dolphins getting in the Super Bowl than they are about the stadium hosting Super Bowls. As long as your emphasis is on a winning team, you'll be fine with Dolfans even if there is no canopy to shade them. To the NFL: Threatening to withhhold future Super Bowls if this renovation didn't pass sounded a bit like extortion to folks down here, and that didn't play well. Miami -- even with Dolphins stadium as is -- should continue as a main-rotation factor in the awarding of Super Bowls. This is a destination city. That won't change. Also, a league that just awarded an outdoor Super Bowl to New Jersey -- where snow is very possible and freezing temps all but assured -- ought not wring hands over the idea a Miami Super Bowl might face the threat of rain. If the NFL wants to do what's best for the league and for fans, it should swallow its pride over this legislative defeat and get back to realizing Miami was, and is, a Super Bowl-caliber host.
Dolphins sign Clabo: That's Tyson Clabo, the long-time ex-Falcons right tackle, 31, a one-time Pro Bowl guy (2010) who'll help the blocking front. Good signing.
ORB TAKES KENTUCKY DERBY: Orb, third-to-last early, saves energy for a brilliant finish and comfy win. Smartly run race. Good to see the Florida Derby as the springboard here. Pictured: A familiar former FAU football coach, Mr. Howard Schnellenberger, takes in the race today with his properly be-hatted wife Beverlee. Original post: The 139th running is today to launch racing's Triple Crown season, and my rooting interest probably is the betting favorite, Orb. I always root for our Florida Derby winner to represent. I have a funny feeling, though, that 5-1 shot Goldencents may carry the day. It's Rick Pitino's year, and he's part-owner. I always put more stock in gut feelings and supersition in horse racing than in other types of betting. Is that weird? Doubt that'll change until the horses start talking.
DOES MEDIA HAVE PRO-GAY, ANTI-CHRISTIAN BIAS?: A reader passed this political cartoon along to me, and I found it thought-provoking enough to post in the blog. I don't know that Christian vs. gay is a parallel discussion. Christian vs. atheist or gay vs. straight would be parallel. I'd also point out that something very unusual is more newsworthy than something common, and so Tebow's religious beliefs are much more common than Collins' ground-breaking revelation. Nevertheless, the cartoon makes its point very well.
UPDATED: MARLINS "SAD-O-METER" IN HIBERNATION: We have had this new blog feature we updated as long as Marlins' winning percentage was under .300. The New York Mets' 1962 record of 40-120 (.250) is widely regarded as the worst season in modern MLB history and Marlins had been on pace to threaten for awhile. But Miami is now at 10-22 (.313) after today's win, so our Sad-O-Meter is on indefinite hiatus.
Poll result: No contest. Bulls tougher next foe than Nets: We asked, and by an 84.8 percent landslide you said Chicago would be a tougher next playoff opponent for the Heat than Brooklyn. (They meet in Game 7 tonight in the Kings County borough for the right to face Miami).
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[1) It is Saturday, June 9. Back from my Vegas vacation, now back from my work in Boston. Heat is 0-3 in games I missed this series, and 3-0 in games I covered. Coincidence? 2) The Chargers signed former Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown. 3) Feeling guilty that the blog has been so Heat-intensive lately, but tough to avoid. We'll gradually get back to our familiar, signature variety. 4) Join us on Twitter @gregcote]
Click on King James Roars for my column from Boston off the Heat's Game 6 win, and thanks for making it the most-read thing on all of MiamiHerald.com. Meantime, you can shop for a small swing in either direction, but most early sports books have Miami favored by 7 1/2 points in Game 7.
G6: HEAT 98, CELTICS 79: KING JAMES, INDEED! MIAMI ONE WIN FROM RETURN TRIP TO NBA FINALS: LeBron James, 45 points on 19-for-26 shooting; oh, and 15 rebounds. Mull those numbers. Savor them. This was one of the great, clutch performances in South Florida sports history, in an elimination that earned Miami a Game 7 back home on Saturday night -- winner-take-all for a spot in the NBA Finals. ..... Original post: Elimination game. Always a daunting, scary phrase in sports, and not more so than for the Miami Heat, which tonight is one loss from seeing its championship dream and ballyhooed Big 3 promise fall short for a second straight season. The Heat, down 3-2 in these NBA Eastern Conference finals, must win -- literally this time -- tonight in Baahston to stay alive and force a Game 7 back in Miami Saturday. I'm up here in Nuevo England for what will be a game column reflecting gloom or relief, no in-betweens. "You really rise to the occasion when the pressure is there," said Chris Bosh of his team. That, my friends, is to be determined. We'll know by around 11 tonight. Clearly as a starting point the Heat will need big, healthy minutes from Bosh, 50-plus combined points from LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, and stout defense on Kevin Garnett to have a chance. The betting line is a near toss-up (Miami by 1 1/2 points) and, being honest, my thoughts on the outcome are no more defined. Fundamental faith in the Heat -- in LeBron and D-Wade to get it done -- has been rocked pretty badly by three straight losses. That's for many nervous fans, I'm sure, but also for Your Friend the Media, me. Miami has proven to be a team capable of so much, but the thing is, that's a broad spectrum that encompasses the polars of highlight-reel greatness and crushing disappointment. I resist the premature "what's next" scenarios that will bloom with anything less than a championship. You know, will coach Erik Spoelstra and the BIg 3 return intact for another try or are big changes in store? I respect this team enough to not start that already. You don't start an autopsy without a dead body. A loss tonight would commence that, though. We'll all find out together if that happens.
CHAD OCHOCINCO TO DOLPHINS?: Miami's own Chad Ochocinco, cut by the Patriots and available, is a wide receiver. The Dolphins are perceived by fans and media to need a wide receiver. A match? Oddsamkers seem to think so. Bovada has Miami a 3-1 favorite to sign the former (and maybe future) Chad Johnson, followed by Dallas 4-1 and Jax and St. Lou both 11-2. Ochocinco is flaky and past his prime but might be worth a low-cost training camp gamble.
DOLPHINS CHEERLEADERS LIP-SYNCH NEW VIDEO: Click here for 3 1/2 minutes of the Dolphins cheerleaders lip-synching Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe." I think they lip-synch pretty well but am not positive because they are dancing in bikinis which tends to be distracting. They could be lip-synching to an entirely different song, perhaps "God Bless America," for all I noticed. We'll never know, but the Dolphins cheerleaders putting out a sexy video right after HBO announced the Dolphins would star this summer in its Hard Knocks reality series seem an unlikely coincidence.
'I'LL HAVE ANOTHER' WON'T HAVE ANOTHER: So much for horse racing's first Triple Crown in 34 years. Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner I'll Have Another was scratched from Saturday's Belmont Stakes today with a sore right front leg. Pictured above: I'll Have Another being led by Barack Obama or by a groom who could get work impersonating the president.
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G4: HEAT 101, PACERS 93: LEBRON, WADE LIFT MIAMI IN MUST-WIN: Heat triumph 101-93 as LeBron James (40 points, 18 rebounds) and Dwyane Wade (30 points) rise up hugely. ..... Miami trails 54-46 at half. LeBron James with 19 points, Dwyane Wade 8. ..... Juwan Howard jawing at Lance Stephenson pre-game, separated by Pacers assistant Brian Shaw. Stephenson is the Pacer who directed a choke sign at LeBron James during Game 3, later apologizing. .... Ronny Turiaf and Shane Battier join LeBron/Wade/Chalmers in today's Game 4 Heat starting lineup. ..... Original post: I love the best-of-7 series format because every result redefines the context almost entirely, and today's Heat-Pacers Game 4 in Indianapolis is that to the extreme with Indy up 2-1. A 3-1 hole for Miami would spread panic and gloom across South Florida -- with reason. But a 2-2 series heading back to Miami would reassert the Heat's control. So all that's at stake today is, well, just about everything. It's why we love sports. I'm back in Indianapolis and this is one of those assignments it's a pleasure to cover more than feeling like work. Guessing the starting lineup will change again today and would bet Joel Anthony and Udonis Haslem start. Also safe to imagine a bounceback game for Dwyane Wade after his controversial (see below) 5-point debacle in Game 3, if his left allows it. Have a feeling Miami will win. (Caveat: Thought that the last game, too).
REACTION TO HEAT'S SITUATION A FASCINATING STUDY: Consecutive second-round NBA playoff losses have the Heat on the edge of being on the edge of the cliff, granted, but one would think Miami is already there -- pushed over, done, out, eliminated -- to hear and read the reaction both locally and nationally as we enter Game 4 Sunday in Indianapolis. Dwyane Wade's 5-point night on a hobbled leg Thursday led to a flash-mob debate on whether he is (suddenly) over the hill. Coach Erik Spoelstra starting Dexter Pittman at center (the decision evidence of a mental instability, perhaps?) led to a reconsideration of whether Pat Riley should swoop back in and make everything right. The cancellaton of Friday's off-day practice and media session in Indy (even though the Pacers didn't practice, either) fed ominous speculation about internal turmoil. And left a void filled by premature mediababble about how much change is in store if (when?) the Heat fail. My own Herald on Saturday gravely reported "a national perception that the Heat is on the brink of a postseason meltdown." Pause. Step back. Breathe deeply. Sunday will tell. Another loss Sunday and the avalanche of gloom and doom will be understandable. Miami truly will be on the brink. But a win Sunday and everything looks so, so much different. Then it's 2-2 heading back to Miami, order restored, the Earth back on its axis. A bounceback game by Wade in a victory and all the "meltdown" talk will seem hysterical in every sense of the word. Now all the Heat have to do is make that happen. (No pressure, guys. Have some fun out there!) In the Pacers arena fans hold up signs that state, simply, 'BELIEVE.' The question now: Do Heat fans still believe? Because it sure hasn't sounded like it lately.
Wade addresses blowup: After Saturday's Heat practice in Indy Dwyane Wade called his Game 3 outburst at coach Erik Spoelstra "emotional and in the heat of the battle," downplaying the incident but stopping short of a public apology. Wade said it wasn't the first time and won't be the last he has had heat-of-the-moment words with a coach, but called his team "a family" and said Miami has moved on and is focusing on Sunday's Game 4. Meantime Marlins manager Ozzie "Opinion On Everything" Guillen said he'd have punched a player who got in his face publicly the way Wade did with Spoelstra Thursday night. Spoelstra has publicly downplayed the controversy.
'I'LL HAVE ANOTHER' HAS ANOTHER!: Magnificent rally-run for I'll Have Another to overtake Bodemeister and win the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, giving IHA two-thirds of the Triple Crown awaiting the Belmont. Might this sport actually have its first Triple Crown horse since Affirmed in 1978? There is a chance, at least. Manna for the beleaguered Sport of Kings. Love it.
THE STATE OF THE DOLPHINS PERFECTLY STATED: Quarterback Matt Moore is named 2011 season MVP. Perfect! So the most valuable player on the team is the one player (based on the recent draft) they most wanted to replace. In other words, the Dolphins didn't really have a team MVP last season but felt like they needed to name somebody.
EXXXOTICA 2012 HITS MIAMI BEACH: Adult-film icon Ron Jeremy walked unmistakably past me in the Charlotte airport Friday and I could not help but notice how small he is. I should elaborate. I mean he is short, really short, maybe 5-4, like a porn gnome. Anyway, seeing him reminded me that Exxxotica 2012 is going on through Sunday at the Miami Beach Convention Center. How'd you like to be part of the cleanup crew working that building come Monday? (I'm allowed to say "come Monday" because it's a Jimmy Buffett song title). This is billed as "the biggest event in the USA dedicated to love and sex" (although I might add, "not necessarily in that order"). What it is is a trade show to promote the adult film industry, which somehow has survived the Internet. Pictured is the demure Chelsea Charms, seen in an appearance at last year's Exxotica show here. Guessing her transition into non-adult films could be problematic. Also, I'm no doctor, but would imagine she has back problems.
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[It is Tuesday, May 8. R.I.P. actor George Lindsey (pictured) -- forever "Goober" from the Andy Griffth Show -- gone to the great Mayberry in the sky. 2) Hope y'all had a happy Drinko Cinco de Mayo. 3) SUPERMOON! 4) Join us on Twitter @gregcote]
G4: KNICKS BEAT HEAT TO DRAW WITHIN 3-1 IN SERIES: The good news for Miami besides the still-safe 3-1 series lead? Knicks had the home crowd, all the motivation, 41 points from Carmelo Anthony and 20 in a Willis Reed-esque performance by Amare "Fire Extinguisher" Stoudemire and still it came down to the final shot. The bad news for Miami? The Heat stunk, with 41 percent shooting, 16 missed 3's, 11 missed free throws and a disappearing bench. Maybe this is the needed early postseason lesson: Heat gotta be the Heat, and the Heat get beat. Click on Bump In The Road for my column from the Garden. ..... Original post: I'm up here for a column off Game 4 today and as we speak am staring out my LaGuardia-area hotel room at Citi Field. Soon I'll be in a Yellow cab hurtling at 145 mph toward midtown Manhattan. I see a sweep. Home-court and desperation don't amount to much when the other team is just better; look at Dallas failing to avoid the broom at home last night. Besides I don't even know how much desperation (want) the Knicks really have. There isn't a man in that lockerroom who truly believes and there won't be many fans in the Garden who do, either. Exceolt the ones who flew in from Miami.
HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT: MARINO VS. LEBRON: This poll's premise is that the Heat's LeBron James -- in his prime, considered the best player in the NBA and about to win his third MVP award -- is the first Miami athlete since an in-his-prime Dan Marino who has enjoyed the national stature of being seen as the best at what he does. This poll presents a challenge because it asks you to reach across eras and across sports. It also reminds this is not a popularity poll, but rather one that asks you to honestly appraise which of these two iconic stars -- at his best -- was more impressive. Can you do it? Vote and say why. (And check back often to monitor evolving results; looks like a tight one...).
THE BEACH BOYS: A CONCERT REVIEW: First another quick R.I.P. for Adam Yauch, better known as MCA of the Beastie Boys. Still can't believe he's gone at 47. The fact the Beasties and Beach Boys are neighbors in my alphabetical CD library tells you a little about my musical tastes, which are broader than anyone else's I know. So. Saw the reunited, 50th-anniversary-tour Beach Boys Friday night at the Hard Rock and was pleasantly surprised. The Beach Boys brand has been fractured and diluted by years of over-touring by splinter groups. Everybody has seen the BB's, but usually it's been a lame postgame concert or something by Semi-Boys featuring maybe one or two original members. This is all five: Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston, David Marks and, indispensably, most importantly, creative genesis Brian Wilson (pictured, from last night's show). Understandably the group needs and gets help. Nine other musicians onstage fill in musical muscle and vocal background. This is unmistakably the Beach Boys, though, still floating on etheral harmonies and a catalogue few groups can match. From the concert-opening drum on "Do It Again" to the encore that includes an epic "Good Vibrations," the group puts on a great show. Mike Love is characterisically full of himself and a somewhat wobbly Brian Wilson is helped to his piano by an aide; nevertheless, there is a nostalgic, historic appeal to seeing this group in its full reunion, although undercut by the wistfulness of, "Can you believe it's been 50 years...?" Could have done without the intermission, but the song tributes to departed Dennis and Carl Wilson were appreciated. One of the first 45s I (barely) remember buying was "Dance, Dance, Dance," the old Capitol Records single stacked somewhere lonely in a closet to this day I'm sure. I wished they'd played that song. I think it might have been the only one of their 15 top-10 hits they didn't. Then again, maybe it's just as well. Might have brought a tear, you never know.
SAVING HEATH BELL: Ozzie Guillen is faced with his biggest problem not involving Fidel Castro: Closer Heath Bell. The Marlins spent millions to sign him, but he is about one more blown save from becoming an egregiously overpaid, seldom-used middle reliever, Chad Gaudin with a fat wallet. Bell has blown five saves already. Three were losses. Twice including last night the Marlins saved him by going on to win. The current now-five-game winning streak removes some of the urgency, but the onus on Bell is clear: Save your job.
PHILBIN ON TANNEHILL: Dolphins coach Joe Philbin, verbatim, on new QB Ryan Tannehill (pictured) after Friday's rookie camp:
On Tannehill’s first practice – “I like the way we threw a couple of double moves, we threw a couple deep balls. I thought he threw those relatively well. It looked like he threw the ball on the move well. In general, and I think that even our quarterbacks who are veterans, our play speed at that position is something that we are going to need to work on. Given the fact that its day one, practice one, I thought he did some good things.”
On what you want his role to be starting off, more of a leader or just one of the guys – “I haven’t had any singular one-on-one discussions with him in that regard. Part of the fun process in coaching is to get a sense for how these guys handle themselves on their own, obviously there is going to be a lot of time to give specific instructions, but we are just letting the guys go out there and compete. We told them last night that they are a part of the Miami Dolphins, unfortunately in this profession, for how long we don’t know, and so we asked them to give a great effort out here today and do the best they possibly could, and there will be time to hone everybody in. But today we just wanted to see how everybody competed and see some of the things that they were capable of doing.”
On if he noticed any comfort level today between Tannehill and Jeff Fuller, who were college teammates – “I don’t know if there was anything specific that I noticed, obviously Jeff’s a fantastic target, he’s a big individual at that position and it looks like he did some good things, but I don’t know if there was anything special about (their relationship) today.”
On Tannehill’s familiarity with the playbook and how much it will speed his progress – “I think initially it’s going to help him, no question about it. At some point that knowledge, and I would say that David (Garrard) and Matt (Moore) have been around the system for three weeks or four weeks, so at some point that is going to even itself out and the difference is going to be the decision making and the accuracy, the playmaking ability at the quarterback position. So I am sure, as opposed to some of the other rookie quarterbacks that are practicing today, he probably feels a little more comfortable when he puts his head on the pillow at night. But the bottom line is the productivity once you get on the field, so we will see how that goes.”
On whether he saw the deep pass that Tannehill completed in practice – “Yeah I thought he hit two of them, if I’m not mistaken, the real deep one down the left sideline. Yeah it looked like a nice ball, it looked like it had just the right amount of air under it so the receiver didn’t have to sit and wait for it. It kind of hit him in rhythm, which is important on those deep balls. Sometimes the timing is not right and it just turns into a jump ball, which obviously we coach (our players) to win that situation on both sides… Break it up on defense and come down with it on offense. But, I thought the timing on it was pretty good in terms of the amount of time it was in the air. Again I just think our play seed overall at that position, the quarterback position, is key.”
On whether he has talked with Matt Moore and David Garrard about the team drafting Tannehill – “Yeah we’ve talked to those guys. Yeah those guys are professionals and I couldn’t be more pleased with either one of those guys from what we’ve seen in the way they’ve conducted themselves. We made it very clear to both of them from the minute they stepped foot here for the offseason program that it would be an open competition between those guys. If you watch those guys on the field, they’re very supportive of one another and I expect nothing different when this group, Ryan (Tannehill) specifically joins them. They all know what the rules are and they all know that they will have opportunities, so I think they know what the drill is.”
On if it is accurate to say that Tannehill has a better grasp on the new offense than Moore and Garrard – “I don’t know about that. Those other guys have been studying hard now since April 10th, so we’ve installed quite a bit of offense, as you guys know, during that voluntary minicamp. We practiced Red Zone, third down, two minute drill, normal down and distance, screens and deceptives, so I don’t know (that he has a better grasp) for sure. I don’t want to say definitively yes or no, because we have exposed the other guys to a lot.”
THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Three-hour preview show on NBC yesterday for a two-minute race. And you thought Super Bowl pregame shows were silly-long? The crowded 20-horse field made it tricky; eliminate all of the nags that don't run well in traffic. On a hunch I liked Union Rags more than I liked favored Bodemeister, which went out at a pace he couldn't maintain. For a semi-longshot I kept going back to Take Charge Indy under Calvin Borel, who gave it a go. As for the winner I'll Have Another, anybody see a horse to threaten the long Triple Crown drought? Yeah me neither.
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[1) It is Tuesday, April 3. Our yay-or-nay poll on WWE professional wrestling still welcomes your votes in the blogpost directly below this. 2) Ryan Leaf was arrested on burglary and drug possession charges in Montana. Headline: 'Draft Bust Busted.' 3) Join us on Twitter @gregcote.
DOLPHINS ACQUIRE PEYTON MANNING FROM BRONCOS FOR TWO FIRST-ROUND PICKS!: OK that headline was my token April Fool's joke from Sunday. Obligation met. Moving on now...
THE "FACE" OF THE MIAMI MARLINS IS...: ESPN named the "face" of every MLB franchise and for the Marlins it was manager Ozzie Guillen. ("Sounds like a poll!," I thought to myself. The timing is right, with the Marlins hosting the Yankees Sunday and again last night at the new ballpark prior to Wednesday's historic Opening Day). I can see the choice of Guillen but for me the current face of the franchise probably is Hanley Ramirez. How about for you? Use your own definition of what the "face of a franchise" even means. Is it always the biggest star? Is it the person who best represents the team? Is longevity a factor? For me it is the person who comes to mind first when you think "Marlins." And for me the face of a franchise demands a national perspective, not just local. What would a baseball fan in New York or California say? Then again I'm more interested in what Marlins fans think. The list is alphabetical, and apologies for initially having "Mike" Stanton instead of Giancarlo. Old habits, ya know? Vote and say why.
Click on Play Ball, Already for my latest column, off Sunday's Marlins-Yankees game.
MOMENTOUS DAY LOOMS FOR PANTHERS: This could be it. Tonight's home game against Winnipeg could find the Panthers clinching an NHL playoff spot after an 10-season drought, finally ending the long suffering of local hockey fans. Florida clinches -- and wins its first division title ever -- by winning tonight. Florida also would clinch if Buffalo lost, or if the Cats and Sabres boht earn only one standings point. Panthers' presumptive first-round playoff opponent looks like the New Jersey Devils. Toughdraw. Whatever. Playoffs! We've missed you Lord Stanley.
WRESTLEMANIA XVIII: CAN YOU SMELL WHAT THE ROCK IS COOKIN'?!: The Rock beat John Cena in Sunday night's featured Wrestlemania match at Dolphins stadium. Imagine that? The local hometown hero winning in an upset? FLABBERGASTING! Wrestling: It keeps surpring you, doesn't it? WWE filled the stadium. I kid pro wrestling; not a huge fan. But I respect the business model and how the sport constantly evolves and stays fresh. The packaging and marketing are spot-on.
SPECIAL K: KENTUCKY BEATS KANSAS IN NCAA FINAL: Can anybody stop Kentucky? Since you asked ... no. As coach John Calipari's nearly NBA-ready Cats proved again last night. The 67-59 margin over Kansas suggested a reasonably close game but it didn't feel that way. Felt like Kentcuky was in control throughout. I had Kentucky winning it all in my pool but was long-eliminated from the money pot so found myself rooting for underdog Kansas. That was the team of juniors and seniors against the one-and-done crowd from Kentucky. Credit where it's due, though. Youth was served.
BIKINIS NOW OPTIONAL IN BEACH VOLLEYBALL: Beginning this summer the Olympics will make bikinis optional in women's beach volleyball. I got excited when I heard that because I thought it would be, like, a clothing-optional beach or something. Instead it means women can now dress more modestly in shorts and sleeved tops if they wish. I find this an outrage! A travesty!! Television ratings will plummet as a once-cheeky, titillating sport (yes I can say that in a blog) dresses up, tones down and becomes just another competition. The operative word here is "barely." That word used to describe why most men watched. Covered up, the word will describe most men's interest level.
SHARAPOVA THE SHRIEKER LOSES, DJOKOVIC WINS: Maria "Shriekin'" Sharapova was favored but error-prone and lost Saturday to Agnieszka Radwanska in the women's tennis final down on Key Biscayne. Her loud grunt-squeals on every shot are annoying but when you play that well (except not this time) and look that good (see photo), such idiosyncracies are indulged. Novak Djokovic beat Andy Murray as expected Sunday in the largely grunt-squeal-shriek-free men's final.
DWYANE WADE'S NEPHEW SHOT: A nephew of Dwyane Wade, nine years younger, was among six young men shot (one fatally) outside a store on Chicago's South Side late Thursday. Click here for the story. Wade said he expects his relative to recover and that he played with a "heavy heart" in last night's win in Toronto. Just days ago Heat players took a photo wearing hoodies in support of Trayvon Martin, the unarmed Florida teen killed by a neighborhood-watch guard. Now, for Wade, the gun violence that his foundation works to fight has hit closer to home.
Heat's uh-oh moment in Boston:The week needn't wait for Wednesday's visit by Oklahama City for its drama. Sunday's blowout loss at Boston found the Celtics hot, and a very possible first-round playoff opponent for Miami and a tough draw. Miami was anything but hot. Never I thought I'd see the Big 3 Heat score only 72 points. Celts are creaky-old but still find ways to win. Oprah had her a-ha moment. The Heat (on the road at least) keep giving us uh-oh moments.
HOW WOULD GOD FEEL ABOUT ATHEISTS?: Saw a thought-provoking bumper sticker today that declared, 'God Doesn't Believe In Atheists.' Now I'm no expert on theology, but I am led to think a God who is all about forgiveness would hold no animus against (and therefore, in effect, believe in) His non-believers.
MINI-REVIEW: JERRY SEINFELD LIVE: Saw Jerry Seinfeld's stand-up act at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts the other night. (Because when your wife buys two tickets, you don't complain about missing the NCAA basketball semifinals on TV. You say, "Thanks, dear.") I'm a fan of his but not one of those worshipping types who still watches Seinfeld re-runs for the 34th time and laughs all over again. Anyway, I thought his show was great. I mean great. Nothing ground-breaking, just observational humor about everyday stuff. (A schtick about nothing...) No jokes would even be LOL in print. It's all timing and delivery with this guy, and he's a master. Audience howling. Not a single reference to his long-running, iconic, eponymous sitcom, but no matter. Terrific performance.
THE LIST: THE FLORIDA DERBY: In honor of Saturday's 61st running of the Florida Derby at Gulfstream -- a Take Charge indy upset over favored Union Rags -- here are the 12 Fla-Derby winners who went on to win the Kentucky Derby:
Year Horse
2008 Big Brown
2006 Barbaro
2001 Monarchos
1995 Thunder Gulch
1990 Unbridled
1984 Swale
1979 Spectacular Bid
1968 Forward Pass
1964 Northern Dancer
1961 Carry Back
1958 Tim Tam
1956 Needles
Click back. Will be updating and adding to this latest blogpost...
[Live Chat Wednesday! It's today 1-2 p.m. Click on CHAT to join us live then or to post questions early. Also join us at Twitter.com/gregcote. Happy to announce I have been invited to the upcoming Royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. OK not really. I lied].
CANES PLUMB WISCONSIN FOR NEW A.D.: University of Miami has hired as its new athletic director Shawn Eichorst, who held the deputy AD position at Wisconsin. Initial thought: Eichorst, pictured, appears to be nearly as white as the guy he replaces, Kirby Hocutt. Not that there's anything wrong with that! Board of Trustees athletic advisory chief Paul DiMare ostensibly led the search, but this hiring bears President Donna Shalala's fingerprints. Eichorst was the No. 2 man to Barry Alvarez, a good friend of Shalala's from her tenure at Wisconsin. Also interesting: One of Eichorst's accounts at UW was overseeing men's basketball. He'll have a say on Miami's pending hire, and a ton of Canes fans are hoping he'll be the last-minute champion who brings Frank Martin back to Miami.
MARTIN LOBBIES (QUIETLY) FOR CANES JOB; UM TURNS DEAF EAR: Successful, proven, winning Kansas State coach Frank Martin, the Miami native of Cuban heritage -- the perfect UM hire to replace Frank Haith -- is all but begging for a homecoming, but the Canes aren't calling. UM seemed to favor Harvard's Tommy Amaker but he said Tuesday he's staying in the Ivy League. Martin (pictured) is better. Martin told the Associated Press that Miami hasn't called, but that he'd be willing to listen if they did. Knowing money might be an issue, he went as far as to reveal his salary is $1.1 million, not the $1.55 he has seen reported. In other words, even the money is negotiable. UM has "character" concerns with Martin but should not. It isn't too late. Hire this guy! Click on My Favorite Martin for the newest column by me on this, online now and shipping to Tuesday's pulp edition. (And thanks for making it today's most-read sports column...) Then again my preference for Martin might not be shared. Take a dip in our poll.
HEAT TITLE LIKELIHOOD PUT AT 13.4%. BUT WHO'S COUNTING?: Tonight Heat win at Atlanta, 98-90, to clinch No. 2 seed in conference. Got close in the fourth, but unlikely hero James Jones bucketed seven straight points. Good signs lately. Big game by the bench in Sunday's win over Boston, bow bench-man Jones sparking things. Original post: ESPN.com nerds with a computer and too much free time figured it that the Bulls have a leading 26.6 percent probability of winning the NBA championship as of right now, then it's Miami at 13.4. Rounding out the top five: Nuggets 11.4, Lakers 10.9, Spurs 9.5. Heat catch a break with Boston's inopportune slump, and likely lucking to draw 76ers instead of Knicks as a first-round foe. Miami 3-0 in season vs. Philly and should sweep series or take five games at most.
DOLPHINS' PRESEASON: Announced today: @ Atlanta, home Carolina, @ Tampa, home Dallas.
RELIGION AND SPORTS A WEIRD MIX:USA Today trend piece says more and more leagues, led by MLB, are incorporating religion into their theme nights. For example, the Oakland A's on May 17 will debut a "Jewish Heritage Night." Am told the Marlins will also have a religious-themed night later this season. I don't feel strongly about this and am certainly not anti-religion, I just think it's a bit weird to bring religion so overtly to the ballpark. I thought we had particular places for that called churches, synagogues and mosques.
WILLIAMS SISTERS + FASHION = HEAVEN: Pictured left is a photo Serena Williams just posted on her Twitter account. A hot-pink full body stocking. What I love about Serena and Venus' fashion sense is the subtlety, the nuanced understatement.
THE MASTERS: THE THREE LESSONS: 1) Charl Schwartzel has a funny name. 2) Rory McIlroy might never live down Sunday. 3) Though his winless drought goes on, write off Tiger Woods at your own peril. Eldrick has major wins left in him.
NFL LOCKOUT, MADDEN VIDEO NEWS: Judge orders NFL and players to mediation in Minneapolis beginning Thursday. Geez wake me when this ponderous thing is over. In other ridiculous football news, the four finalists to grace the cover of Madden NFL '12 are Peyton Hillis, Adrian Peterson, Aaron Rodgers and Michael Vick. Logic rules out Hillis (not yet prominent enough) and Vick (lingering doggy baggage), and A.P. is coming of a so-so-for-him year. Rodgers a no-brainer pick.
PARADE OF DUMB STATUES CONTINUES: Remember when statues were reserved for historical figures of great import? The statue has been devalued by increasing overuse. Latest example: Gators unveil Tim Tebow statue (pictured) outside Florida Field. Are you [bleep]ing kidding me!? Do not be outdone, UM! When next covering a Canes football game I expect to be greeted by a bronze Vinny Testaverde!
IS THERE A TRIPLE CROWN FAVORITE HORSE? NEIGH: Most track denizens pegged the upcoming Kentucky Derby (and by extension Triple Crown) favorite as Uncle Mo, but he took an unexpected crap in the weekend's Wood Memorial prep race. So I say again what I wrote off the Florida Derby: Dialed In is as close to a KY-Derby fave as anything on four legs, bred for distance and with Nick Zito training.
AK-47 NEWS: I saw this headline and I'm thinking, "So that's what Evan Longoria has been doing while on the DL..."
WELCOME, LADY GAGA: Madonna 2.0 plays the Sunrise arena tonight and Miami Wednesday. I like Lady Gaga, see much talent behind the facade. But I don't like her enough that I wouldn't pass along an embarrassing video of her falling off a piano during a recent concert in Houston. Click here.
THE LIST: LOCAL PLAYOFF SEASONS: With the Heat's playoff run about to begin, the playoff track record of our four pro franchises:
Team PO Pct. (Seasons/Playoff Apps.)
Heat 65.2 (23/15; most recently 2011)
Dolphins 48.9 (45/22; most recently 2008)
Panthers 18.2 (17/3; most recently 2000)
Marlins 11.1 (18/2; most recently 2003)
Click back. Adding more stuff to this new post later...
GAME OF THE YEAR: HEAT ROUT CELTICS: Heat win by 23 at home in a rout of Boston. Small picture: It gives Miami a big edge in winning the overall No. 2 seed in the conference. Bigger picture: It's a statement game that establishes Miami's ability to beat the Celtics and, by extension win the east and reach the NBA Finals. The second-quarter skirmish, set off by Jermaine O'Neal's flagrant foul on LeBron James, underlines that this has become a nasty (and therefore great) rivalry. Delicious! Original post: The No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference is in play, but even more important for Miami, the Heat -- 0-3 against Boston this season -- must prove it can beat its nemesis with the playoffs upcoming and these the two biggest Eastern claimants to reach The Finals. Heat also must resign itself to doing playoff battle with this roster, as it looks more and more as if Udonis Haslem won't be back in time to help much. Prediction: Heat by 6.
DEBOER OUT AS PANTHERS COACH: The Panthers relieved Pete DeBoer of coaching duties this/Sunday morning after three seasons as head coach. It's hard to argue the decision. His tenure showed some upswing but, bottom line, extended Florida's embarrassing NHL-record playoff drought to 10 seasons. GM Dale Tallon has accrued enough trust to back the notion he'll find somebody better.
GLORIA, GLORIA, GLORIA: We briefly mentioned the arrest of LeBron James' mother, Gloria, in the previous post, but here is a new photo of her snapped as cops led her away. She is charged with simple assault for allegedly striking a valet around 4:30 a.m. Thursday outside the Fountainebleau. Click here for a TMZ.com video interview with the valet, Sorel Rockefeller. And click here to access the Miami Beach PD booking video (scroll to 'Gloria James Booking Video'). James also is charged with disorderly intoxication. (Kids, if you plan to be drunk in public, please at least be orderly about it). Gloria had LeBron when she was 16 and is only 43 herself. I envision a new documentary, "NBA MOTHERS GONE WILD!" James reportedly sent a Heat employee to bail Ma out. Remember the good old days when teams just had to worry about their players getting in trouble with the law? Now the cone of concern extends to players' families. (Trend!) I think coverage of this story is justified because it involves LeBron and because it is a legitimate distraction for the Heat as the playoffs near. Am I wrong? Take a dip in our poll and weigh in.
MY NEXT READ: AFFIRMED: Friend Lou Sahadi has written a new book, Affirmed (pictured), about the last horse to win the Triple Crown. I don't read many sports books, maybe one in 10 of all those sent to me, but this one I look forward to reading.
PIMPIN' WITH THE PANTHERS: Your Florida Panthers (10 straight seasons out of the NHL playoffs) continue to be much better at making money than scoring goals. The latest: They sold naming rights to the rink (the ice itself) to Lexus. That's right. It's now "the Lexus rink at BankAtlantic Center" -- something I will never, ever again refer to in print. You ever notice that Lexus and lemon both start with 'le'?
SPEAKING OF SELLING...: Nike Jordan Brand will introduce a new Dwyane Wade sneaker line called Fly Wade in May, billing it as the lightest shoe Nike has yet turned out. No, I do not expect the company to send me a free pair just because of this mention, nor would I accept such an unethical gratuity. (Size 10 1/2, please).
GREATEST SONGS OF THE '60S: This is a new list from Rolling Stone. 10. "God Only Knows," Beach Boys; 9. "All Along the Watchtower," Jimi Hendrix Experience; 8. "Whole Lotta Love," Led Zeppelin; 7. "Hey Jude," Beatles; 6. "Light My Fire," Doors; 5. "My Generation," Who; 4. "Gimme Shelter," Rolling Stones; 3. "Satisfaction," Rolling Stones; 2. "A Day In the Life," Beatles; and 1. "Like A Rolling Stone," Bob Dylan. Can't argue much. Think 5 and 2 are a bit over-ranked but love all these songs. The start of "Gimme Shelter," leading to where Charlie Watts kicks in big, is among the greatest song openings ever.
SLIM PICKINGS FROM LEMMING: Recruiting guru Tom Lemming lists for CBSSports.com his national top 100 college prospects for 2012, and only three Dade-Broward guys make it , and none in the upper half. They are: 58. WR Avery Johnson of Pompano Beach Ely; 65. DB Deon Bush of Miami Columbus; and 77. DL Jelani Hamilton of Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas.
Click back. Adding more stuff to this latest post later...
[Thanks to all who joined on our live chat today. Great response. Do it every Wednesday 1-2 p.m. and you'd click HERE to join live, read transcripts or post questions any time. Also join us at Twitter.com/gregcote. It's like a party, but without the dancing or open bar].
HAITH WAS OK, BUT THIS CHANGE IS GOOD. AGREED?: Miami men's basketball coach Frank Haith has left UM after seven seasons to take over at Missouri, and I write in this column today that this should be good for both Haith and for Miami. It was time. Hard to blame Haith. His coaching roots are in the Big 12, and Missouri is a better program with 77 wins and three straight NCAA Tournament appearances over the past three years. Missouri also is a better-supported program, although not many aren't compared to Miami. The departure continues a wild ride for The U. Haith's departure on the heels of the firing of football coach Randy Shannon and the departure of athletic director Kirby Hocutt means the three most prominent and important jobs in UM sports have recently changed hands. Haith's UM record is spotty, with an overall record of 129-101 but only 43-69 in ACC play. His teams also reached the NCAA Tournament only once (second round, 2008), with four NIT invites including 2011. Predictable early speculation on Haith's possible replacement has included native Miamian Frank Martin of Kansas State and Mike Jarvis, who turned around FAU's program up in Boca. Meantime let's gauge UM fans' initial reaction to Haith's sudden, unexpected departure. Is it disappointment over losing a quality coach? Happiness that UM can do better? Take a dip in our poll and grade the job Haith did at Miami.
LEBRON'S BUSY WEEK: LIVERPOOL, CARTOON, MOM'S ARREST AND, OH YEAH, BASKETBALL: Heat lost a bad one at home to Milwaukee last night but I think star LeBron James has other things on his mind today. His mother Gloria was arrested early this morning by Miami Beach police and charged with simple misdemeanor assault, WSVN-7 reported. The bust occurred at the Fountainebleau hotel, related to a dispute with a valet over the tardy retrieval of her car. Busy times for LeBron. Yesterday, he partnered up with Fenway Sports Group, the conglomerate owned by Red Sox owner John Henry, and bought a minority share of England's famed Liverpool soccer club, which FSG recently purchased. Part of the arrangement is that Henry's group will represent LeBron internationally. Also yesterday came the debut of his animated web series, The LeBrons. Click here to watch the 7-minute episode. I did. My response? Keep your day job, 'Bron.
UCONN BEATS CHOKING BUTLER: UConn, 53-41. Huskies were a narrow favorite in last night's NCAA Tournament men's final, but if you weren't rooting for Butler you must be from Connecticut. UConn was for me an unlikeable traditional power vs. an feel-good upstart. Butler, in its second straight Final Four, couldn't be called a classic Cinderella like VCU would have been, but the Bulldogs were about an 8 on the 1-to-10 Cindy scale. So, literally and figuratively ... I said let's go 'Dogs! But, no. Credit to UConn, but let's be honest: Butler choked. Twenty percent shooting!? C'mon.
CUBAN BLASTS INTERNET MEDIA: Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban writes a generally thought-provoking blog and its latest entry (click here) calls into questions the purpose and value of online reporters for sites like ESPN.com and Yahoo.com covering his team. He posits that traditional, local newspaper and TV coverage serve his purposes in a way that Internet coverage does not. The issue he raises applies in all sports now, and especially in Miami, where ESPN.com has all but made a cottage industry of (over)covering the Heat. Cuban's post is worth your time.
TERRY JONES SUCKS. SERIOUSLY: He's the Gainesville preacher (to a flock of about 30 apparent nuts) whose burning of the Quran (Muslim holy book) has sparked deadly outrage in Afghanistan. He bears an eerie resemblance to Jed Clampett, but I digress. Jones' "church" is ironically called the Dove World Outreach Center, even as its hate-mongering leader earns condemnation. Freedom of expression has its limits. It is against the law to willfully incite riots. Hasn't Jones done exactly that?
FLORIDA DERBY ROCKS. SERIOUSLY: If you live in South Florida and have never attended a Florida Derby at Gulfstream, shame on you. You needn't be a bettor or huge horse racing fan to enjoy the spectacle. I wrote from yesterday's race, a big comeback win by Dialed In. I rather like the column (don't always think that) and you'd click on All Dialed In to find it. The horse, now among Kentucky Derby/Triple Crown season favorites, is pictured.
RUTGERS GETS SNOOKERED: Rutgers University, previously a reputable institution, invited mocking laughter and some campus outrage by paying cherubic, top-heavy Jersey Shore reality air-head Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi $32,000 for a speaking engagement. Comes to mind the phrase: "Signs of the apocalypse."
PRETTY WOMAN, BUT NOT PRETTY MAN: A newspaper vendor from Chile, Miljenko Parserias, pictured, has 82 images of Julia Roberts tattooed all over his body. I could not say it if it weren't true, because this is a blog. As for whatever Julia might be doing underneath Miljenko's pants, let's not even go there.
THE LIST: FLORIDA DERBY WINNERS: Sunday's Florida Derby winner, Dialed In, will attempt to become the race's 11th champion in 60 years to win more than one Triple Crown race. Those who have:
Florida Derby champ Triple Crown wins
2008 Big Brown Kentucky, Preakness
1995 Thunder Gulch Kentucky, Belmont
1984 Swale Kentucky, Belmont
1979 Spectacular Bid Kentucky, Preakness
1968 Forward Pass Kentucky, Preakness
1964 Northern Dancer Kentucky, Preakness
1961 Carry Back Kentucky, Preakness
1958 Tim Tam Kentucky, Preakness
1956 Needles Kentucky, Belmont
1955 Nashua Preakness, Belmont
Note: Seven other Fla-Derby winners won one Triple Crown race: Barbaro (2006), Empire Maker (2003), Monarchos (2001), Unbridled (1990), Snow Chief (1986), Candy Spots (1963) and Bally Ache (1960).
[MARCH MADNESS HAIKU CHALLENGE ending soon! Get entries in now in appropriate post]
BRANDON MARSHALL DREAM DIES FOR REAL: Today at the NFL owners meetings in Orlando, Tony Sparano said nah-no-thanks to the possibility of a trade for on-the-block Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall. More understandably, he also said nah to aging free agent Terrell Owens. Marshall for the overall No. 12 pick, straight up? I'd do it in a heartbeat. Sparano instead indicated satisfaction with his current group of receivers. OY!
RONNIE BROWN THE LATEST ATHLETE WHO DOESN'T GET IT: I like Ronnie Brown, think he's a good guy, and do not think he stops being a good guy because his previously clean record is now blemished by a DUI arrest. But Brown's arrest is indicative of a troubling pattern in which pro athletes seem to take for granted what a privilege it is to be doing what they do for a living. They are paid millions to A) perform on the field and B) be responsible citizens who do not embarrass their club. It is the latter that they seem to fall short of so often. Click on Crumbling Pedestal for my latest column.
ERIN ANDREWS WIGGLES HIPS: ESPN sideline reporter Erin Andrews wows crowd on TV's "Dancing With the Stars." Shown here: Photographic evidence that Erin looks pretty good even when not seen nude through a hotel peephole.
TIGER'S LATEST APOLOGY: Speaking of nude women, Tiger's latest mea culpa was a brief 5-minute quickie interview with ESPN. Click here for the video.Not much new or different than in his earlier, lengthy statement. I'm sure this was calculated to maybe lessen the circus atmosphere of his Masters return. Won't work. I predict Tiger at some point will announce that at Augusta he will answer only golf-related questions. That won't work, either.
DONALD THOMAS POCKETS EXTRA 316K: Announced by the NFL today (Tuesday), Miami guard Donald Thomas is the only Dolphin in the top 25 (at No. 7) in the performance-based pay bonus program for the 2009 season, with an added $316,577. The program was established in 2002 to reward players whose playing time most exceeds the relative size of their salary.
DOLPHS PICK UP EXTRA DRAFT PICK: Today in the 5 o'clock hour the NFL awarded the Dolphins one of dozens of compensatory draft picks. Miami's will be the 45th choice in the seventh and last round, or the 252nd pick overall. Make the most of it, Tuna!
THE LIST: FLORIDA DERBY: I enjoy lists, and starting today will present one in each new blogpost (until I forget to). Today, the 17 Florida Derby winners who have gone on to win a total of 27 Triple Crown races:
1955 Nashua (Preakness, Belmont)
1956 Needles (Kentucky Derby)
1958 Tim Tam (Ky, Pr)
1960 Bally Ache (Pr)
1961 Carry Back (Ky, Pr)
1963 Candy Spots (Pr)
1964 Northern Dancer (Ky, Pr)
1968 Forward Pass (Ky, Pr)
1979 Spectacular Bid (Ky, Pr)
1984 Swale (Ky, Bel)
1986 Snow Chief (Pr)
1990 Unbridled (Ky)
1995 Thunder Gulch (Ky, Bel)
2001 Monarchos (Ky)
2003 Empire Maker (Bel)
2006 Barbaro (Ky)
2008 Big Brown (Ky, Pr)
[By the way, the sadness of my ravaged NCAA Tournament bracket may be experienced in the blogpost immediately below this].
