ESPN: NFL Cassel sent to Chiefs

Greetings from John Fitzgerald Kennedy International Airport.

Big movement by the Chiefs who had already gotten Mike Vrabel from the Pats (may be part of the same deal). Not sure the compensation going back to the Patriots, but you have to figure they're picking up some extra draft picks to fill in some holes and bring them back to the playoffs.

http://m.espn.go.com/nfl/story?w=185b8&storyId=3942130&i=TOP

-Andrew

Bidding Adieu For Now

So tomorrow I leave for my big trip to New Zealand and Australia. But don't fear, you won't be alone. Ari, Jay, Jordan and Wolinsky (all former guest bloggers) will be updating the blog in my absence. If you have a problem with them or want to contact me, I've added our e-mail contacts on the right side and will post them here:

Andrew
Ari
Jay
Jordan
Wolinsky

You'll be in good hands and I'll definitely try to check in on different points along my journey. Good luck to the Brandeis basketball teams tomorrow; I'm sad I'll be missing you at NYU (though in all fairness, Superfan isn't going either). And don't miss me too much...
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Couldn't leave without a few links from today:

-A Madoff victim map and some more arrests in New York for securities fraud (H/T Wendy). Freakonomics on whether a "fraud bounty" would have prevented a lot of this.

-The NBA needs a bailout

-The life of Quincy Carter keeps on getting worse and worse

-This is an AWESOME business card

-This story is just wrong in so, so many ways...ew

-A look at which Congress members are Twittering (my favorite is Claire McCaskill)

-Ryanair sucked before and they suck even more now

-Rob Neyer says don't judge Sizemore by his batting average (I agree) and Jeter's other impact on the game (I agree here, too). Also Neyer debating with Jim Caple on top movies

-Appreciation for Baseball-Reference

-YANKS: A blog started by Yankees prospect Bradley Suttle. I agree that A-Rod still doesn't get it. And Nick Swisher (also a Twitterer) and his love for chocolate milk

-Lastly, from @FutureGreen's Twitter, a video on clean coal by the Coen Brothers:

Mets Needed Manny This Offseason

The New York Mets should have signed Manny.

The off-season is still not over and Manny Ramirez is still a free agent. So there's still time. But it seems like it won't happen (they're blaming some Madoff guy for not having the money) and that may mean another October at home for the Metropolitans. I just really started watching the Mets regularly last year living with a fan of the Metsies, but even this guy knows that the Mets biggest problem isn't money or naming rights, but their play in September (also, Cole Hamels will make sure to remind them).

Don't get me wrong, I love some of their moves. They basically had closers bid against themselves to drive down the price of K-Rod. I'm worried about his possibility of breaking down with his violent delivery and his amount of use. He also doesn't work more than one inning. Which is why I think the Mets best acquisition of the off-season is J.J. Putz. They basically traded Aaron Heilman for Putz in the deal as I think that the rest of players offset each other. And since Heilman was going to bitch and moan until he was going to be traded, this deal made a ton of sense (though their bullpen, at least at the beginning of Spring, looks a lot deeper than in the past)

But the Mets missed their big opportunities. The past two seasons the Mets broke down in September. But besides besides the Church/Schneider deal last year, they really haven't made any moves to change their position players. That's why Manny Ramirez would have worked out so perfectly for the Mets. MannyBeingManny crushed the ball last year after being traded to the Dodgers at the trade deadline last year. His OPS went up by over 300 points and he had more HR and more RBIs in less ABs. He's a New York native who has always loved to shine on the biggest stage. In front of his childhood fans, and dissed by every team this off-season he would easily be a threat for 45+ HRs and 140+ RBIs hitting amongst Carols Beltran, David Wright, Jose Reyes and Carlos Delgado. So again, why didn't the Mets sign him?

Oh yes, money. This is the same team which will probably pay $2.5 million to add both Freddy Garcia (who Matthew Cerone described on Twitter as "...not impressive. Lots of flat fastballs, lots of hits.") and Livan Hernandez (who, despite his "durability" and "rubber arm" has been tremendously unsuccessful most of his career including a 6.05 ERA last year and a .400 BAA in the last two months of the year--those lovely last two months for the Mets). Then pay $2 million for a utility infielder in a depressed market (and another $600K on another left-handed hitting outfielder. Then they went and gave $13 million a year to a guy who has been wildly inconsistent for them and who has only once ever been worth $13 million in a season--and that season the Red Sox last World Series win was 1918. If they waited him out, they may have been able to drive down his value any more. That's at least $18 million spent in places where the Mets could have better spent their money (like signing Ben Sheets instead of Perez who was even trying to learn Spanish for Omar Minaya--j/k). Plus a Manny signing, while not necessarily a great financial decision, would reenergize a fan base that has had to suffer for the past two years (this does have precedent with much more useless players).

The Mets other problem is that they replaced one manager who couldn't succeed under pressure with another. When Manuel's team also collapsed in September, they should have let him go. Instead, they're allowing him a full season of his bad personnel decisions. He's alienated Ryan Church, a guy who was a key to the Mets success for the first half of last season. He's been mulling lineup changes which do the great deed to his team of giving a worse hitter more at bats. Great...

There is some good news for Mets fans (even sans Manny). Daniel Murphy may be a good choice for an everyday job despite the fact he's still learning left field. He had a really good season for the Mets last year, though he should see a drop in both his strikeout rate and batting average on balls in play (BABIP). The most optimistic view for 2009 (from Bill James) is .296 with 14 HRs and 73 RBIs and a .397/.473/.871 line. If the Mets signed Manny, and shifted Murphy to RF, they wouldn't have to deal with a platoon of a guy who had a career resurgence out of no place (Tatis) and a guy who the manager doesn't believe in (Church). Or they could move him to 2nd base to replace Castillo. But I don't think Castillo is as bad as people think. He had a down year last year but most expect that his OPS should at least 40 points. Matthew Cerrone on his Twitter today said "I know it's just spring, but Luis looks right. He looks healthy, he's taking pitches. NY luvs a comeback, so I'm eager to see this play out."

The Mets may wait until July and acquire an outfielder from a financially strapped team like Magglio Ordonez, Rick Ankiel or Alex Rios or a pitcher like Dan Haren or Roy Oswalt.

But let's say the Mets go out and sign Manny? Here's how I would construct that lineup: Reyes, Murphy, Wright, Manny, Beltran, Delgado, Schneider, Castillo, pitcher with a bench of Tatis, Church, Cora, Green, and Castro. Now that, my friends, is a lineup that can get a team past September.
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In other Mets stuff: Wright and Reyes don't just share the left side of the infield. Also closing the book on the old stadium, the final piece falls, the new Citi Field is really nice, with a new homerun apple, and maybe a better logo than previously thought...but maybe with obstructed seats. Let's go Mets, F-A-N, doo doo doo

How Old Are These Guys?

Just came across this picture and wow...what happened to these guys? I know "Goodfellas" was almost 20 years ago (that's scary), but can't believe how different they look from the movie poster picture. Wow.

 

Update On NFL Free Agency: Giants Edition

We just talked a little about MLB Free Agency so I figured I'd switch over to the NFL and just throw in a couple of New York Football Giants rumors I've heard out there....

 

First, how the heck do the Redskins sign a ton of high-priced free agents and stay under the NFL salary cap? Also, did Dan Snyder not hear about this recession? Just asking. Not that the 'Skins free agents have worked out in the least this past decade, but this one seems OK and eventually it has to work, right? I guess Washington is planning for the uncapped year when the CBA runs out in a few years...

 

Ok, on to the G-men. Peter King has these two rumors about the Giants:

• The Giants were hot on the trail of Atlanta linebacker Michael Boley, and one source said the Giants were prepared to make Boley a $5-million-a-year player. He's a strongside linebacker with 52 starts in his four NFL seasons.

• St. Louis...coach Steve Spagnuolo is set to host his former strong safety with the Giants, James Butler, on a Friday visit, along with a rising star of this free-agency crop -- 25-year-old center Jason Brown, formerly of the Ravens.

Both of those could be important for the Giants. Boley would be a nice addition at linebacker and now seems to be their #1 target now that it looks like Housh is going back to Cincinnati. The loss of Butler would leave the Giants a little thin at experience at safety and could force them to look at a guy like Minnesota's Darren Sharper.

There are conflicting reports about whether the Giants are in at all on Derrick Ward. True Blue says that Brandon Jacobs called and tried to convince him and that they can fit him under the cap, while The Blue Screen says that it's down to the Bengals, Bucs and Lions.

Giants Journal says that Rocky Bernard (to go into the DT rotation) or Antonio Smith (to drop two DEs) will be guy who will drop in for a visit. While The Blue Screen adds Cowboys DE Chris Canty to that list.

No Wide Receivers on that list. Does that mean that Big Blue has stopped pursuing wideouts, I don't know. But in this report of the whole free agent class, Ralph Vacchiano thinks that wideouts T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Nate Washington are heading elsewhere. So maybe the Giants will find someone in the draft or go a different route to fill Plax's open spot.

Crazy start so far to free agency in the NFL.

 

5 MLB Best Free Agent Acquisitions

Next up for our guest blogging is Jordan (AKA Jigga J). Jordan hails from the 914 and his sports loyalties lie like WFAN's lineup used to: Mets, Jets, Knicks and Rangers. His real passion lies with the Metropolitans who he's suffered with from the Butch Husky days through the past two Septembers. For college Jordan got to choose between the NCAA finals competitors from 2002 March Madness, but ended up going with Bloomington and the Hoosiers. While doing a Glendale Run, Jordan likes to listen to the latest song from Beanie Sigel or Rick Ross on Hot 97 (but only with two Suburbans and a hearse) and spitting out lines like "money ain't got no owners, just spenders" or "money ain't a thing". While he's not eBaying it, you can find Jordan watching some of his favorite shows on TV like Lost, The Wire, Entourage or Baseball Tonight. In the spirit of the last show, he's going to give you his top 5 MLB Free Agent Singings. Without further ado, here's Jigga J's guest blog:

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5) Mark Teixeira (Yankees, $180 million, 8 years) – Although the Yankees paid a steep premium for Teixeira, it will probably prove to be well worth it.  He already has won a gold glove and his defense will be far superior to Giambi.  Baseball is beginning to value defense much more than it has in the past.  Teixeira is known to be a notoriously slow starter, which he will get grief for from the New York media.  Even more than his performance for the Yankees was the fact that they prevented him from landing in Boston.

 

4) Bobby Abreu (Angels, $5 million, 1 year) – While making $16 million last year, Abreu hit for a .296 average, 20 home runs, and 100 RBI’s.  The Yankees were very smart to not offer arbitration, which Abreu would have ended up with another $16 million.  The Angels played the offseason well.  They knew they needed a big bat to replace Teixeira and waited for the market to where they expected it to.  Other than Manny Ramirez, Abreu was the last very good outfielder available in free agency.  Abreu is known to be a soft outfielder, afraid of colliding with wall, but he won’t have to worry because he and Vladimir Guerrero will split duties in right field and DH.  Abreu also is very patient at the plate unlike his new teammates.  The Angels also signed Brian Fuentes to replace K-rod at half the price.

 

3) Orlando Hudson (Dodgers, $3.38 million guaranteed with $4.6 million in incentives, 1 year) – Hudson must realize how stupid he was to decline the Diamondbacks 3 year, $24 million extension last year.  Now he is guaranteed only 14% of the contract he should have signed.  Hudson has established himself as one of the top five second baseman in the game over the past few years.  The Dodgers’ GM, Ned Colletti, who I think is one of the worst GM’s in baseball has made a very good transaction.  The Dodgers were set to start the season with Blake Dewitt at second base, but he can end up being a disappointment like Andy LaRoche.  This does however question the Casey Blake signing.  The Dodgers are already eating Juan Pierre’s and Andruw Jones’s salaries.

 

2)  CC Sabathia (Yankees, $161 million, 7 years) Carsten Charles Sabathia has signed the largest contract for a pitcher in baseball history.  The Yankees have locked up one of the best five pitchers in all of baseball.  If you are wondering, the other four are Johan Santana, Jake Peavy, Brandon Webb, and Roy “Doc” Halladay.  The Yankees are guaranteed an average at least 15 wins from Sabathia over the next seven years.  Had he been a Yankee last year, they would have been in the post season.  The Yankees were desperate for starting pitching and they got the best available.

 

1)  Francisco “K-rod” Rodriguez (Mets, $37 million, 3 years) Baseball is all about making the post season to ultimately win the World Series.  The New York Metropolitans have missed the post season by collapsing at the end of the past two seasons due to a horrible bullpen.  K-rod, who landed in the record books for recording the most saves in a season, will be closing out games for the Met s for the next three years.  In addition the Mets traded for JJ Putz, one of the ten best closers, to become their set up man.  I would have loved the Mets to sign Manny Ramirez to a one or two year agreement, but after Mets owner, Fred Wilpon lost between $500 and $600 million in the Bernie Madoff Scandal, I wouldn’t fork out that money either.

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Really nice work there by Jordan. That actually would probably be my top 5 list as well. By the end of the season, I'm sure we'll have a few more surprise ones on there like maybe Garrett Anderson (just for the value), Adam Dunn (if they can get him some protection), Jason Giambi (because back in BALCO land and with no NY media; he could hit 40 HRs again), Pat Burrell (for what he'll bring to that already-stacked lineup), one of the Red Sox free agents (like Smoltz, Penny, Baldelli or Saito), or some guy like Manny or Orlando Cabrera who hasn't signed yet. The smell of spring in the air gets one excited for the baseball season to come back again (and the fantasy baseball season, too), so with a 50 degree day today and spring training games going on, I'm ready to get started. Thanks again, Jordan.

A Message from Brandeis President Jehuda Reinharz

After all the attention we paid on this blog to this issue, I figured it was worth posting this. Probably a last-ditch effort to save his job, but a good e-mail, nonetheless.

Dear Brandeis Alumnus/a, It has been more than a month since our initial announcement concerning the Rose Art Museum. With that in mind, I write today hoping to provide you with further insight into the University's decisions regarding the Rose and the financial challenges confronting our alma mater. I expect this FAQ briefing (see below) will clear up some of the misconceptions surrounding these issues. As we move forward, I plan to keep you informed about the steps the University is taking to respond to the worldwide economic turmoil. I need each of you as alumni, donors, and ambassadors to step forward to help Brandeis through this difficult period. The last month has not been easy for our Brandeis family, but I am convinced that we will emerge as a stronger university poised for continued greatness in the years ahead. Best, Jehuda Reinharz, PhD '72, President Brandeis FAQ: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions Q. What is the situation involving the Rose Art Museum? A. Unfortunately, there has been a great deal of misinformation circulating in the media regarding the Rose. The facts are:  1. The Rose is NOT going to close. The Board of Trustees voted to keep the Rose open as a teaching and exhibition gallery that is even more fully integrated into University life and the academic enterprise. A faculty-student-trustee committee is looking into ways to accomplish this goal. We envision a day when the Rose will host additional events, welcome more visitors from both on and off campus, and exhibit student and faculty art alongside some of the collection's notable works. We are pleased to share the news that a donor recently stepped forward to help fund the continued operations of the museum. 2. The Board of Trustees voted to authorize Brandeis to sell a limited number of pieces in the collection -- if the need arises in the future. Nothing will be sold into the currently depressed art market. Q. How has the worldwide economic turmoil affected Brandeis?   A. Like all colleges and universities across the country, Brandeis is feeling the effects of the global financial downturn. The value of our endowment has fallen, the forecast for fundraising is unclear, and student financial-aid needs have grown (more than 70 percent of Brandeis students currently receive financial aid, and the number is expected to increase). All institutions -- from the wealthiest to the most modest -- have seen their endowments decrease in value, some reportedly by as much as 40 percent or more. Because we generally invest more conservatively than our peers, the Brandeis endowment is down about 25 percent from its peak of more than $700 million. Since no one is sure when the worldwide economic situation will turn around, the University administration is taking a conservative approach and projecting that Brandeis will be facing operating budget shortfalls for as many as five years.   Q. Why is Brandeis particularly vulnerable to this economic downturn? A. Because we are such a young institution (some of our peers had a head start of a century or more), the endowment funds Brandeis has raised in recent years have not had the time and sustained favorable market conditions in which to appreciate gains. In fact, the University has only recently been able to build a modest "rainy day" fund. Like most of our peers, Brandeis has historically drawn about five percent of the endowment for current operations (more than $35 million in recent years). However, many of the recently established endowment funds are now "underwater" -- worth less now than the day they were created -- so there are no gains. Massachusetts state law prohibits us from dipping into the endowment's principal. The endowment proceeds that have traditionally supported students, faculty, academic programs, and other needs now must come from other sources. Q. What is the University doing to address the budget situation? A. While some colleges and universities are only now confronting the new economic realities, we began to take decisive steps to reduce costs in the middle of last year. All decisions are being made to ensure that the academic enterprise is not compromised and that Brandeis remains accessible and affordable to all students. Among the moves we made to reduce costs: 1. We indefinitely delayed the second phase of the Science Complex Renewal Project and halted all capital projects that were not fully funded.   2. Brandeis cut operating budgets, implemented a hiring freeze for faculty and staff, froze faculty and staff salaries for fiscal year 2010, and eliminated 74 staff positions (six percent of staff). Additionally, the new Curriculum and Academic Restructuring Steering Committee, which is comprised of faculty and chaired by the dean of Arts and Sciences, is looking at a wide range of possible changes in academic programs and departmental structures to achieve maximum efficiency while ensuring that Brandeis retains its reputation for undergraduate educational excellence, remains competitive and distinctive, and holds a special appeal for talented students. Q. Will these measures be enough to solve the University's financial problems? A. Even with available reserves to support operations for the next 18 months and the latest round of budget reductions, Brandeis may need to identify additional ways to reduce expenses or raise money. One of the revenue-raising options being considered is selling a limited number of works from the Rose's collection, if necessary. Q. Will the University's future be as bright as its past? A. Brandeis is taking the necessary steps to ensure that the University preserves the educational and research reputation that has been so painstakingly created over the past sixty years. Brandeis has accomplished a great deal in its history, including being ranked in the top tier of the nation's colleges and universities. The University has experienced difficult times in the past and emerged even better than before. With the guidance of our dedicated faculty, skilled Board of Trustees, committed senior administration, and devoted alumni and friends, the University will come out of this challenging period as a stronger institution. Brandeis University | 415 South Street, Waltham, MA 02453

A Little Morning Motivation

I was running late today and needed to hurry up to make the train. Scurrying down Park Ave today to make my train, a girl next to me passed me. Not to be outdone, I turned on the jets and blew past her.

Suddenly, the female voice next to me said, "want to race?"

That was all the motivation I needed. With a turn, a smile and a nod, we were in a full race down Park Ave. I really don't think I've ever made the trek quicker. Thank you to this mystery girl for her challenge. Sometimes all you need in the morning is a little extra motivation.

-Andrew

Which NBA draft was better: 1984 or 2003?

This debate won't be over for some time. 1984 was the last draft before the lottery was instituted. 2003 was the last draft before they eliminated high school players going straight to the pros. His Airness vs. King James. 'Melo vs. Sir Barkley. D-Wade vs. Stockton. Bosh vs. The Dream. Alvin Robertson, Otis Thorpe, and Kevin Willis vs. David West, Josh Howard and Mo Williams.

It was also a battle of the second pick mistakes: Bowie vs. Miličić.

Players drafted out of the top two rounds: Earl "Butch" Graves, Rick Carlisle, and Carl Lewis (!) vs. Matt Carroll, Marquis Daniels and Ronald Dupree (needed some people from the 2003 team to put here, but nothing compares to Carl Lewis who ranks among the biggest NBA draft oddities).

The 2003 class is just entering their primes. What if they played the 1984 team in its prime? Who would win? I go with 1984...but 2003 still has plenty of time to change my mind.

People Are Screwed Up

The first group of screwed up people is a trio who swapped children for birds.

The second is a 28-year-old man who died after guzzling a bottle of Viagra because he was bet he couldn't go on a half-day orgy romp

The third is an assisted suicide ring in the United States recently busted by the FBI

And the last is a man who was caught doing drugs yet, despite his tremendously well-paying job, he can't stay away from his drug dealer (*you may have heard of him*)

Much Needed Gmail Improvements

From Twitter: @mashable Finally: Gmail Lets You Multi-Select Attachments - http://bit.ly/pMGHl

-Andrew

Did I Mention I Don't Like Locke?

I'm not sure if I mentioned it on this blog, but I'm not a Locke fan. Once in a while he has a good joke or makes a good decision...but for the most part, I don't like him. So to have a Locke-centric episode last night was a bit painful. What made it even more painful was that I didn't think it was a particularly good episode. My one big exception was for Ben killing Locke--that was quite a scene and really changed my thoughts on what happened.

Abaddon (of The Wire and Fringe fame) gets people to where they need to go? Sounds like Charon taking the souls of the deceased from Hermes and ferries them across the River Styx to Hades (forgive me if my mythology is off...but I think I got that right). He was a little humor and levity in this episode ("kid got a little big" about Walt) which was much-needed. Locke was back on the mainland where he was weak, in a wheelchair, and easily influenced by father figures (Widmore says to do this, he does it. Ben says to do that, he does it). By the end, I thought he was so pathetic that I agreed with Sayid, Jack and Kate's rough treatment of him.

So who did Lapides run off with? Probably Sun. But maybe someone else who was over there (I think they're on the other island where they held Jack/Kate/Sawyer). Maybe someone like Cindy (the flight attendant who was among the Tailies)? I think we definitely need a Lapides back story.

Are our two new people good or bad? We see the guy grab a gun but he doesn't show it to the girl? Is he bad and she's not? And what is this war that's about to occur.

Things to watch for: the numbers were on the side of the building Sayid was working on and the limo that Abaddon drove was an old NY plate...maybe just coincidence, but interesting (H/T Ari for the pickups).

And the Ben thing is amazing. He found out about Jin from Locke. But like when Desmond mentioned Mrs. Hawking's name, Ben had a real psychotic reaction to hearing her name from Locke. I think that fact led Ben to kill him. I think Ben thought he was now going to be dead for good. I think Ben is in for a surprise coming up.

Lastly (it's a short recap...don't have a ton of time), I don't know whether to trust Christian, Widmore, Ben...or really anyone anymore. It's sort of like the first season of 24 all over again! And I can't believe I'm missing two weeks!!! NOOOOO!!!!

Some articles to keep you going Doc Jensen before, Doc Jensen after, TWoP

 

 

Put This In Your RSS Feed and Smoke It

I really wanted to use that subject line, but it's really just lots of links which I've been compiling for a while...and since I'll be leaving you, I felt I should...

 

-Tyler Kepner brings up the interesting point that if the rotation goes exactly how it was put out, then Joba's second start may be the first regular season game in the New Yankee Stadium. Though Rob Neyer points out that he's unlikely to make 28 starts after that. I tend to agree.

-Here's Matt Mosley's from ESPN.com opinion on the Brandon Jacobs signing...good job by the G-men. Though this is one Twitter user's opinion of why they really did the deal that quickly.

-Lonn Trost (COO for the Yankees) went on WFAN for an hour yesterday and announced, among other things, that those partial-view seats in he bleachers will only be $5. He did not announce, however, that you may have a better view on your HDTV in your living room. (seriously, though, my Dad said he went on and took a lot of angry fan's questions...good for the Yankees to do this after screwing up the ticket situation so badly).

-My love of Brett Gardner and Nick Swisher was justified in their first spring training game

-Freakonomics tells us Madoff was a hypocrite (among other things) and a way to show employers what you can do before you get the job (I love this idea and actually wrote a college paper on it!!!)

-Speaking of liars, mark it down right now: A-Rod is going to have a monster season. My prediction: .324, 54 HRs, 134 RBIs. And to back up my prediction, he's already off to a good spring training start. With that in mind, I welcome this news about Selena Roberts' tell-all book. BRING IT ON!!!

-Nice piece by Pete Abraham about Jose Molina dealing with his father's death. The Yankees seem to have this happen to a lot of their players. I remember Paul O'Neill and Scott Brosious had it happen to them both in one postseason.

-Lawmakers and Roger Goodell will take pay cuts (though I'm wondering if we can find those 24 who voted against the pay cut and just lay them off? Wouldn't that be sweet justice?!)

-The Wall Street Journal has economists tell us how to best boost the economy on our extra $8 a week

-The South Carolina Sheriff who threatened Phelps is actually the clown he seems to be

-Will planes PLEASE stop falling out of the sky...

-Pesky White House Raccoons

-Criticizing Obama's grammar

-Criticizing Obama's transparancy (or lack thereof)

-More on POTUS' historic State of the Union address

-Back to the election! McCain confronts Obama

-Nick Punto is not really all that bright

-Brett Tomko is really not all that good

-Derek Jeter is not really that bad defensively? (I disagree)

-Alyssa Milano is going to ruin baseball

-And Home Bailey is really, really lucky

-Now this is just wrong (H/T Wendy)

-And this guy is a moron

-And this fight is sort of weird

-Econ junkies rejoice!

-From the New York Times: kids stand at school, need recess

-Wednesday for me is always made better by the fact it is Hump day and the fact that my fellow alum, Thomas Friedman, has his latest article. This week did not disappoint.

-The Knicks are playing better because Spike Lee and Will Ferrell are allowed to play

-Awesome apron for the Jewish mother with a sense of humor (H/T Sarah)

-The 25 MVBs--Most Valuable Blogs, of course (H/T Ari)

-The Knicks have a 22.7% chance of making the playoffs...YES WE CAN!

-TWoP 24 recaplet

-The Babe and the rest of the idols are in place

-Rob Neyer is on Facebook, but probably won't be your friend

-Good analysis from Buster Olney on the AL East: Derek Jeter is 34 this year and is no spring chicken, Mike Vaccaro writes. This is the great X factor in the AL East race for the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays. New York and Boston are relying on older players to maintain their production -- Jeter, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, J.D. Drew, David Ortiz, Mike Lowell et al. The Rays are built on young players. Will that difference manifest itself? We'll see.

-A memo to Google and a memo to Blackrock (both of which I care about)

-Miguel Tejada has not been a good defensive shortstop for years, just plead guilty to perjury, and he actually turned down an opportunity to play for his country: douche.

-So long to another douche from the Knicks

-And lastly, because it was requested, and because Huffington Post thought it was important, and in honor of Mardi Gras: Titties (NSFW, obviously). From Brazil and Madrid

Pro Football Talk: Free Agents

So here we go again with another guest blog. This time we're going to hear from loyal reader Eric. Eric works in PR but he's a huge fan of the Tennessee Titans and New York Mets and rumor has it that he used to be a big rap star and DJ as well (though not to be confused with this Eric Wright). Eric is just one of the many famous alumni who hail from American University (the Eagles!) which also brought us David Gregory, Goldie Hawn, David Aldridge, numerous politicians (including Robert Byrd and New York's own Rick Lazio), NBA player Kermit Washington, and former Yankee Steve Farr. You can follow him at Twitter @cericwright. Without further ado, here is Eric's ranting on NFL free agency.

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 Pro Football Talk  calls the Brandon Jacobs deal a "joke" and says that he could have done a lot better on the market. He's still getting some pretty sweet guaranteed coin tho.

 

Midnite 2nite is when the madness begins.  If haynesworth signs TONITE with the redskins, if I'm Fisher, I'm calling for tampering immediately as groundwork may have already been "laid" for a potential deal -- groundwork laid during a meeting of his agent and Snyder during the NFL combine.  This link is from profootball talk, but this story's been out all week.  

 

Check out the Tennessean's sports page and some of their bloggers as well. It's a joke. Now this could have all been avoided had we not stupidly given him a contract last year that all but guaranteed we couldn't franchise him again. That being said, I'm mixed as to how I feel about him leaving.  it will leave a HUGE void in the D-line, but….the last 2 years of greatness has come w/ a contract at stake.  Has he grown up and matured?  Or was he just looking to cash in?  The Tennesseean today had a great pros/cons of signing him. 

 

Aside from being a Titans fan, I am writing all this also because he's arguably the top free agent in the class this year.

 

I hope as we get closer to the draft, you do some mock drafts, and let your readers submit their own as well. (but it's only a good mock draft, if there are explanations to validate why you think a team will pick a certain player :)

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Thanks for that, Eric. I think that with what occurred in the MLB free agency, where guys who waited got screwed because of the economy's effect on the game, Jacobs wanted to get as much guaranteed money quickly as he could. He's an integral part to this Giants team so I'm glad he didn't look elsewhere. And I'm hoping that him signing for less means that Housh or one of the other free agents (at WR or LB preferably) is coming to New York. As for Tennessee, let's just hope for them that their window of opportunity didn't close last year. And as for the mock draft, I'll make sure to do one right before the draft (though leave much of the expertise to Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay). Thanks again!

Ausiello with 24, Lost, The Office and Big Love Spoilers

This man always keeps me informed (again, below is just on the shows that I watch). Here's my thoughts:

I always thought that 24 should wrap things up at the end of this season...but it doesn't seem I'm getting my wish. One more now seems like it's pushing it a bit.

I still haven't recovered from the Big Love episode on Sunday. Wow. One death comes in the season finale and one sooner? A guy and a girl? One major and one ancillary? I feel like we have a death and then some retaliation. Sounds like fun!

You knew if Pam and Jim were going to get married on The Office that it wouldn't be easy. Glad the show's producers/directors always seem to agree with me

Lost is amazing. I think the majorish character who dies could be Penny or it could be Miles. But, remember, who/what is really dead on this show? Could Desmond and Walt come back at some point to reincarnate Penny and Michael, respectively, if both are dead? Sure...why not. Anything's possible. The two new characters also get me interested. A former soldier could mean a friend of Widmore, Sayid, Desmond or none of them. And a corporate takeover could have to do with Widmore or Sun's father's companies...or maybe a takeover of the island. Fun awaits!

Without further ado, Ausiello's Q&A:

Question: How about some 24 scoop? --Josh
Ausiello: Longtime executive producer-director Jon Cassar has left the show after failing to come to terms on a new contract. "I will not be involved with the upcoming eighth season," he tells me. "Although that's sad for me to leave after six years, it's also very exciting to be back in the marketplace working with different people and facing different challenges." (First up for Cassar is CBS' new Ed Bernero pilot, Washington Field.) His split from 24 is particularly surprising considering the close relationship he formed with Kiefer Sutherland. In fact, Sutherland himself expressed confidence that Cassar's contract negotiations would yield a positive result when I spoke to him last month. "There is no more integral part to the success of 24 than Jon Cassar, and I think [exec producers] Joel Surnow and Howard Gordon will tell you the same thing," he said. "We're a whole unit, and one part doesn't work without the other. He's also obviously one of my best friends and someone that I absolutely adore working with. I have all the faith in the world that things will work out, as they have over the last seven years." Or not!

Question: Does Sarah's miscarriage on last week's Big Love count as one of the major deaths this season? --Deanna
Ausiello: No. The two deaths I'm referring to are of the non-fetus variety.

Question: Holy crap. I just watched the new episode of Big Love and it was so intense! I'm getting anxious about the two deaths. Do you know if they'll be airing soon or is it a season finale thing? --Kristina
Ausiello: One in the season finale and one before.

Question: How 'bout some scoop on The Office? --Jacqueline
Ausiello: Done. Producer-co-star Mindy Kaling plans to ruin Jim and Pam's wedding. "America just loves [them] so much," she notes, "and since we are one of the only shows that doesn't [score its episodes], the worst thing we could ever do is, like, score [their big nuptial kiss] with some Edwin McCain song. So I am going to probably pitch that we do that." What a little troublemaker!

Question: Do you think the major-ish character that will be killed this season on Lost could be Juliet? Please say no. I have a girl-crush on her. --Michelle
Ausiello: Join the club. Nah, Juliet is considered a major character, no "ish" about it, so I think she's safe. In other Lost news, look for the season finale to intro two new, potentially recurring, characters: Jason is a former soldier whose gravitas makes him a natural-born Pied Piper; and Samuel is a J.R. Ewing (minus the Stetson, accent, and drunk wife) whose day isn't complete without a corporate takeover.

Question: Is Penny dead on Lost?! OMFG, what is this show doing to me! --Gaby
Ausiello: Penny, on the other hand, definitely falls under the "ish" category. And even more ominous than the big fat target on her forehead is the fact that her portrayer, Sonya Walger, has landed the lead role in a new ABC pilot that, appropriately enough, is already drawing comparisons to Lost. The show is called Flash Forward, and it's based on Robert J. Sawyer's apocalyptic tome that chronicles the mass chaos that comes after everyone on the planet blacks out for 2 minutes and 17 seconds. The flash-forward part applies to the vision of the future that everyone experiences during the blackout. But even if ABC orders the show to series, as many expect it will, that doesn't mean Walger is done with Lost. Quite the contrary. As a well-placed Lost insider tells me, "She will juggle both shows."

I Think I'll Try This Hero's Drink

As heard on Twitter (from @skydiver):

New drink: The Sully: Two Shots of Grey Goose, Splash of Water, cold glass.

Lol...Amazing!

-Andrew

Some Thoughts On Lost Before Tonight

A few thoughts on Lost before the episode tonight. I was going to post something anyways, but Doc Jensen's EW article today got me thinking (lots more in the article and definitely worth a read even though most went WAY over my head)...

I always thought of Locke as being in a constant battle with Jack and with Ben. His battle with Jack is based on the Man Of Science/Man of Faith differences. His battle with Ben is more of a head game and power struggle. I have sort of been feeling lately that Locke could be related to one of the two. Here's why:

 

For Ben: Ben and Locke's mother both share the same last name: Emily. Though we know that Ben's Emily died during childbirth, might she have been reborn on the island? Maybe that's why Emily Locke has to resort to drugs and a mental institution. Also, Locke is Ben's successor. Might she have been the person who brought them the gift of leading The Others? Does she allow them to see Jacob when no one else can? If Christian can be alive on the island and have the chance of being reborn, why not Ben's mom? And if she did go back into society, might the drugs/rehab be because she's so distraught over Ben/not being able to go back/Locke's destiny? Seems a little far-fetched, but I could see it.

 

For Jack: It ends up Christian fathered quite a few children. We don't know that Anthony Cooper is actually Locke's dad. We assume so. But we never know where his lies begin and where they end...and he seemed to get Locke's mother in on the game as well. Emily Locke's Lostpedia page says that: At the age of sixteen, Emily was hit by a car on her way to visit the man she was dating, whom her mother disapproves of because he is "twice her age". Couldn't that just as well be Christian (love all the Daddy issues on this show with every character)? Jack and Locke have been locked in a yin and yang struggle from the beginning. Jack and Locke both seem to have a real connection with Christian and with the island. And while Jack has always seemed to be the leader for the Losties, Locke has taken over as the leader for the Others. In some ways, Jack's decision to leave killed Locke. Now he's got to redeem himself by bringing him back to life. Imagine if it turns out that they were brothers...oh boy.

 

Doc Jensen brings up two new, bombshell theories that can throw this all off: Locke as Jesus and Jack as Jacob.

The Locke as Jesus connection is pretty obvious. The sacrifice, death, rebirth (though you could almost say the same thing about Jack). The following. Convincing other to believe and to have faith that things will turn out OK. But how about this one (also from Emily Locke's Lostpedia page:  she told her son that he was very special, and that he had no father because he was "immaculately conceived". Immaculate conception? Sound familiar?

And Jack as Jacob. That would be CRAZY. This may be a stretch but Jensen does say: The Others, who speak Latin, get their orders from Jacob, a derivation of ''Jacobus.'' Which in French is Jacques. Which in English is...Jack. Yep, I'm calling it. Jack = Jacob. And I'll explain what that means to the future of Lost in next week's episode, when the show returns to the Jack-in-the-Dharma-days storyline. Wouldn't that be something?

Excited to see Locke's episode tonight (also excited to maybe find out why Walt wasn't on the plane...). He's actually one of my least favorite characters on the show, but one of the most fascinating and intriguing. And he may be coming back to life tonight.

What About Housh On Big Blue?

In response to my post on Marvin Harrison coming to the Giants (which I think was read by T-Rock, judging by his last paragraph) I got this e-mail from loyal reader, Eric, re: Wideout T.J. Houshmandzadeh: ...according to the National Football Post, which cited the Cincinnati Enquirer, which itself cited the Sporting News, Housh is top target for the g-men (and would make more sense for them than Marvin). 

I would tend to agree with Eric--all depending on how much "Housh" is asking for. The Giants need to improve at linebacker and wide receiver and this would be a really quick and easy way to do so. Will this fit under the cap? When I discussed this Ralph Vacchiano post on the Giants' free agents, I forgot to comment on their cap situation. Right now they seem to be $10-$12 million under. A long-term deal with Jacobs and/or Manning probably helps that out. A swift resolution to the Burress situation could make it even easier.

I don't know the Bengals cap situation, but it seems odd they would use their franchise tag for a kicker rather than for Housh...but I guess they decided to go another way. If it's due to the fact that the Bengals couldn't afford him, that fact may hurt Big Blue as well.

Housh isn't the big body that Plax is nor does he have stellar stats. But he did lead the league in receptions in 2007 (when he made the Pro Bowl) and caught 12 TDs. And overall, he's shown himself to be a reliable receiver who the QB can count on. The New York Football Giants need to get a target for Eli and I think it may be a good decision to look long and hard at Housh.

The Changing Market Caps of the Banks

I've been sitting on this for a while because I wasn't sure if it was information I could share. But since receiving it from a few people inside and outside my company, I felt that it was safe. Still, credit goes to J.P. Morgan for preparing this.

 

I know that everyone knows that this environment is bad, but I think this slide is an amazing visualization that shows the amazing disappearance of wealth that has occurred in very few words and really puts everything in perspective.

 

Not The Way To Start A New Job

One of the only good parts about working in cubicles is that sometimes you overhear conversations that make you laugh (and sometimes the conversations are on speakerphone). Today's could be labeled "How To Lose a Job in 10 Days" or "The Worst First Impression", but I think that I'll just let the story speak for itself. Names have been changed to protect the not-so-innocent. "Gerry" is the name of the guy who works here currently. "Alvin" is the name of the employee who is joining our team as part of his rotational program. Here is what transpired:

 

[phone ringing]

Alvin: umm...hello?

Gerry: Alvin, it's Gerry.

Alvin: who?

Gerry: Gerry! Are you still sleeping?!

Alvin: Yeah, why? What time is it?

Gerry: It's 9:20. Your hiring manager just messaged me to ask where you are

Alvin: I'm in New York City, I don't start for another day

Gerry: Oh, ok...phew...he told me you started on Wednesday

Alvin: I do

Gerry: Today's Wednesday!

Alvin: No...it's Tuesday

Gerry: No.......it's Wednesday

Alvin: Oh [muffled expletives]

Gerry: Well I'll tell him you'll be right in

Alvin: Dude, I'm in New York City...I don't think I can get there before 10:30

Gerry: Wwwell what do you want me to do?

Alvin: Just tell him that I'm running late, stuck in traffic...gotta go get ready [click]

 

Wow...nice way to make a first impression...

 

A-Rod Links and Other Links Before Bed

-This woman really needs to get over A-Rod. Sounds like it could be the "single white female" syndrome that Joe Torre describes.

-So, as Peter Gammons pointed out, it seems that we should have known about this PED problem quite a while back. Here is the whole article with a really interesting passage:

… 'A few pills -- I take all kinds -- and the pain's gone,' says Dennis McLain of the Detroit Tigers. McLain also takes shots, or at least took a shot of cortisone and Xylocaine (anti-inflammant and painkiller) in his throwing shoulder prior to the sixth game of the 1968 World Series -- the only game he won in three tries. In the same Series, which at times seemed to be a matchup between Detroit and St. Louis druggists, Cardinal Bob Gibson was gobbling muscle-relaxing pills, trying chemically to keep his arm loose. The Tigers' Series hero, Mickey Lolich, was on antibiotics… 'We occasionally use Dexamyl and Dexedrine [amphetamines] … We also barbiturates, Seconal, Tuinal, Nembutal … We also use someanti-depressants, Triavil, Tofranil, Valium … But I don't think the use of drugs is as prevalent in the Midwest as it is on the East and West coasts,' said Dr. I. C. Middleman, who, until his death last September, was team surgeon for the St. Louis baseball Cardinals.

-Jayson Stark looks at some supposed NFL Steroid Era. Good thing that never happened.

-This will definitely be the weirdest story you see involving Andy Phillips...whether it's really him or not.

-500 pounds of pot was found on rapper Fabolous' tour bus. 500 POUNDS. F-A-B-O-L-O-U-S.

-In other rapper news, it seems that Xzibit is outing P. Diddy as gay. Now that "Every Breath You Take" tribute to Biggy looks a little odd.

-A behind-the-scenes look at the Yankee pro scouting department.

-Some bad 4Q08 financials today: Target down 41%, Macy's down 59% Office Depot lost $1.54 BILLION, home prices with a record annual decline, and consumer confidence and home prices plummeted. At least I saved some money by switching to Geico so that annoying fucking stack of money with googly eyes stops following me around.

-So it ends up that the laid off Microsoft workers will get to keep their undue severance. Nice world

-Google said sorry

-I don't believe this one for a second.

-Found on Twitter: John Mayer's record collection and Kevin Pollak's first venture into YouTube (with funny Christopher Walken and William Shatner impersonations):

Google Getting Crapped On

So first it was Google searches telling you that the websites you were going to were going to harm your computer, then it was a Gmail crash...and now there's a Google Talk Phishing Scam Epidemic. Beware!

Google must have pissed someone off. Either that, or terrorists. I'm going to go with terrorists. At least we know that Jack Bauer can stop them.

If You're Going To Point a Gun at Jack Bauer, You Better Be Willing To Pull The Trigger

I'm still loving that line.



While Lost has captured my attention and maybe my #1 spot, I always love a good Jack Bauer stare every once in a while. Last night was no exception. There's holes in the story, but it always seems to captivate. They repeat plots (in season 2 they had a guy with a memory chip inside him also), but it never fails to excite.



One of the nice things about last night was that you felt that it would turn out too conveniently for Walsh. Moss seemed to believe his story and he seemed to be off the hook for now.



But wait! Chloe to the rescue. Gotta love the fact that she's always one step ahead of everyone mentally even if she's one step behind socially. She may need to give Freckles some tough love after her break down this past episode. We've had much better people than Marika die. Get over it already.



I'm upset I'm missing the next two weeks especially with a surprise 2-hour special next week. But I thank the good Lord for the invention of DVR.





-Andrew

Should the Giants Sign Marvin Harrison

I got an e-mail from Jay (guest blogger on this site) who asked:

 

The Colts finally released Marvin Harrison. The Giants need a new WR to replace Plax. Should they consider signing him, or should they draft younger talent? Remember, Toomer (their veteran go-to guy) probably will not be back next year. There may be cap implications to signing Harrison, but should it be considered? We need a big upgrade at that position.

Interested in your thoughts.

Well I'm definitely willing to give my thoughts. I really don't think they should unless the deal is really, really cap friendly for the Giants. The Giants do not need another guy like Harrison; they need a homerun threat. Is Domenik Hixon really that answer? Maybe in a few years. But I would love for them to go out and get a real #1 and compliment them with Hixon and Steve Smith (who has filled in Toomer's role as the 3rd down, go-to guy). What they need is a young, physical receiver for Eli Manning to throw to. Todd McShay has the Giants picking Hakeem Nicks in the first round and I think that may be a good direction to go in (the beginning of one part of his scouting profile goes: "A strong, physical receiver who competes hard when the ball is in the air. Makes tough catches in traffic and is not afraid to go over the middle. Runs hard and flashes the ability to pick up yards after contact"). And if they have the opportunity to move up to draft Michael Crabtree (maybe that extra pick from the Jeremy Shockey trade could come in handy here) they should.
Harrison has amassed some pretty unbelievable numbers throughout his career. But Harrison is going to be 37 in the 2009 NFL season. He's one season removed from only playing 5 games. His 60 receptions in 2008 were the lowest for him in a season in which he played at least 15 games. And he fell out of favor with Peyton Manning in a pass-heavy offense. Are we expecting him to have more success for Eli Manning in a run-heavy offense? And he didn't want to take a pay cut on the Colts, so what makes us think he'll fit into the Giants cap-strapped budget (if and when they sign Jacobs and Manning to long-term deals as expected)?

And let's not forget this is the same Marvin Harrison who was investigated last year for his possible connection in a shooting. With the Plaxico Burress Situation hanging over the Giants, that's the last thing they need.

If this was 5 years ago, I think that Harrison would be the elite WR the G-men are looking for. Now I think they should avoid him. I think he'll end up in Philly where he can reunite with his college teammate, Donovan McNabb, and not win a Super Bowl. And I'm just fine with that.

My Trip Itinerary: Get Jealous

Here's the plans for the adventure I'm about to embark on. Get jealous:

 

Feb 28^th: Fly JFK à LA 

Feb 28^th to March 2^nd:  Fly LA à Auckland, NZ

March 2^nd:  Auckland, NZ

March 3^rd: Fly Auckland, NZ à Queenstown, NZ

March 5^th: Fly Christchurch, NZ à Sydney, AU

March 5^th: Fly Sydney to Cairns, AU

March 5^th-March 8^th: Cairns, AU

March 8^th: Fly from Cairns, AU à Sydney, AU

March 8^th to March 13^th: Sydney, AU and Wollongong, AU

March 13^th: Fly Sydney, AU à SF

March 13^th-14^th: Fly SF to NYC

 

Getting so excited!