NFL Draft II

It was so nice being at college for the draft instead of home. At home, I would have been up at like 9:30 or 10:00 and sat around waiting 2 hours for the draft to start. But at school I wake up at about 11:45, tell Steve to throw me the remote, flip on channel 36, and stay in bed until 4:oo in the afternoon watching the draft. The other nice thing is that you are in an environment where there are about 20 other guys all going nuts after each pick, yelling to each other through the walls (all from our respective beds).

Anyway, I have a few notables from the draft that I'd like to discuss:

1. The commentators-- I actually thought they did a terrific job covering the draft throughout the entire day. Usually after like the 14th pick, Boomer, Mort, and Jaws have absolutely nothing left to say, but still have to stay on the air live for the next 7 hours. It reminds me of high school guys trying to impress a girl. They just sit there picking their brains looking for anything to say that will evoke a positive response. I was waiting for Berman to say something like, "So, uh, anybody see House last week?"

2. Keyshawn Johnson-- I haven't heard much talk about his performance this weekend. I'm a Jets fan so obviously I don't like KJ, but he was unbelievable as an analyst with the other three professionals. His book "Just Give Me The Damn Ball" must have really propelled his confidence, because he was actually well spoken, charasmatic, smart, even funny. I'd say the odds of him becoming an ESPN analyst in a few years are about as good as Randy Moss and Brandom Merriweather teaming up to commit armed robbery: very high.

3. That's actually a nice segway into my next notable: The patriots deciding that maybe the Bengals are on to something by filling up their entire roster with criminals. Brandon Merriweather is obviously a solid safety, coming from the same school as Ed Reed and Sean Taylor, but he was also the guy stomping on that FIU player's head in the huge brawl, plus he shot a hand gun at a guy who was apparently trying to kill his roomate. I love the people that defend the latter of his actions by saying that what he did was technically legal. But one G wasn't enough for the Pats as they also acquired Randy Moss from the Raiders. The newest shut down cornerback for the Jets won't have to worry about Randy too much, because chances are he'll be in jail or unemployed after this season.

This video makes me single handedly love Vince Young and the University of Texas

The Day After

Well I've had a day to calm down after the enormous win yesterday. The magnitude of yesterday's victory could turn out to be huge. I remember last season my lacrosse team had a night game in Pelham, in which my team and I had the best game of our lives, and ended up winning 10-9 in sudden death OT under the lights in front of a large part of the school. It is without a doubt a top five moment of my entire sports career, and one of the happiest moments of my life. I'm always going to remember that feeling I had in the bus coming home from the game. It actually carried me for the next several weeks, elevating our play even further. A night like that can carry an athlete, and a whole team really. I hope the Rangers can build off the monumental win yesterday the way Hastings Lacrosse built off ours, which was actually almost exactly one year ago this friday.

The game was also huge for the NHL, because it was a rare broadcast on NBC on a sunday afternoon, with no football or golf overshadowing it. I'm not going to talk much about how great it was for the league, because I found a really great article talking all about that. Here it is:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs2007/columns/story?columnist=hradek_ej&id=2854033&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab4pos1

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WE WON

In Between Periods

I thought it would be really cool to post in between the third period and overtime of game 3 of the Rangers Sabres series. Rangers are down 2-0 in the series and this game is tied at one. I'm ridiculously wired right now. The fucking refs are tryign to take the game from us. They called back a goal that was clearly a mistake. Even the announcers said that. Then they made a horrible call on a Shanahan cross check giving them a powerplay in the third and that let them tie it up at 1. I'm losing my mind. I'm jumping around the room right now going nuts. We have to have this one to win. I decided to put my ranger jersey on with 2 and a half minutes left to play. I think I'm going to keep it on for OT. I don't want to edit this at all, becuase i just want it to capture my mood right now. OT is about to start. AHHH Lets Go Rangers

Joquain Said Dominate

I came across a great 13 second video the other day. It's a very quick halftime outburst from Ed Reed when he was at THE U. It's particularly relevant around draft time, considering the Jets passed on Ed Reed to take Bryan Thomas a few years back. I actually like Bryan Thomas, but Ed Reed is a superhero.

Harry Foster recently told me that this Joquain of whom Reed speaks was the right tackle and basically the team's leader. And well, Joquain Said Dominate.

The Draft

It's certainly not as crazy as last year 4 days before the NFL draft. It was around this time one year ago that we heard about Houston signing Mario Williams instead of Reggie Bush. How's that working out for you Texans? That was rhetorical, you don't have to answer.

There are plenty of other (much better) places to get your draft analysis than here. So I want to make a list of players that I, and only I, think will become the next big sleepers of the 2007 draft. I'm going to call it my "I told you so" list. So in a couple years we can all look back on this post and I can say I told you so. So hear is the premier edition of the David Bendet "I Told You So" List:

Drew Tate QB Iowa
Kevin Huff QB Tuskegee
Lorenzo Booker RB Florida State
Kenny Irons RB Auburn
Sidney Rice WR South Carolina
Dwayne Bowe WR LSU

Don't ask me why; just have some faith. Anyway, anytime I think about the NFL draft I can't help but laugh about the Jets' draft disasters from pretty much 1980-1999. If you don't believe me, check out this hilarious video.

You Talkin' About Playoffs?

Last Tuesday, Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel lost it in his post game press conference and ended up challenging one of the reporters to a fist fight. (This was actually the same game I was at, where Mets fans took over Citzens Bank Park.) (My friend Eamon always comments on how Charlie Manuel sounds like he's mentally retarted when he speaks, and I completley agree with him). Now that those side notes are out of the way, the latest coaching tirade got me to thinking about other classic tirades. Let's take a look at the tape:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=HyzTzwTFgcs&mode=related&search=

http://youtube.com/watch?v=SWXBxghasp4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYzVcdNNi00&NR=1

Was That the Gyro Ball?!?!?!?!?

Alright fine. The Red Sawx swept the Yankees. My dickhead roomate Steve has been giving me shit for the past 24 hours. I'd fire back, but everyone else already hates him so I'm just going to let him take his anger out on me. It's April, we had 2 minor league pitchers starting, and frankly I just don't care about the losses right now.

On Sunday night, the third game of the series was broadcasted on ESPN. The Japanese legend Dice K took the mound for Boston. Personally I think they should call him the "Asian Sensation." I just think that's a great nickname. Ever since his name popped up over the past off season, people have been gossiping over his secret pitch: THE GYRO BALL (oooo).

When I first heard about it, the image of a baseball spiraling up, down, left, and right towards the plate came into my mind. I mean that's really what a pitch should do to merit a name like Gyro. As time passed, I realized that that's not what a gyro ball is. I also realized that no one really knew what the hell a gyro ball was. Then I started seeing stories on sportscenter about if it really exists, and what it looks like, and if he really throws it.

But if I hear another announcer, friend, or random person I don't know ask if the last pitch was a gyro ball one more time, I don't know what I'm going to do but I'll be extremely angered. The entire night, all I heard was "WAS THAT THE GYRO BALL" after every damn pitch. Whether it was the announcer, my friend to the left, the one to the right, or a guy from the room next door, it just killed me. I feel so bad for the Boston fans who have to put up with that 35 games a year for the next 15-20 years.

Incidentally, all this talk over the gyro ball does make me wonder if it really exists and what it actually is. I've heard so much about it and seen so many differen't things. Recently I heard that it was a ball that spins like a slider but stays completely straight and keeps it's speed. I also heard that it's a ball with some weird diagnol spin that looks like a fastball and then at the last second breaks down, or sometimes from right to left. I don't know, the more I talk about it the more I'm confused. I just watched this video about it, and I still don't really know. Dice K still says he doesn't throw it in games, and a lot of people don't think it's possible. Either way it's not a big deal, won't revolutionize pitching, and like most things it's completley overhyped.

But from now on, please, don't ever let the words "Was that a Gyro Ball" leave your mouth.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=lFvNWDKAxAs (I guess this explains it)

HOME SHOPPING NETWORK

This will probably be one of my favorite entries. Last week, Bill Simmons posted a bunch of links to youtube videos in his latest blog. There was one in particular that really resignated with me. It was a home shopping network blooper. It was one of the funniest videos I've ever seen. I starting looking for other videos of the home shopping network, and well, I was pretty successful.

These videos don't need any more of a build up because they truly sell themselves (as well as several other useful products to use around the house):

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Sv5woNs9WRE

http://youtube.com/watch?v=DmRUaxq-QhU (my favorite)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=QC70vdm4Al0

http://youtube.com/watch?v=zQqjqfA6G34

THANK YOU YOUTUBE

AROD

What Arod is doing is nothing short of legendary. I'm sure you know but just to recap, the man has got 12 HR in 15 games, 30 RBI, and 2 walk off HR (including one walk off grand slam) in a town that booed him like he was the enemy for a good part of last season. Albert Pujols has the record of 14 HR in april and Sammy has the record of 20 in a month (although that's a little controversial). I could not be more happy for Alex, expecially because of the horrible and unjustified treatment he recieved from the Bronx "faithful" just a season ago. Watching the Yankee Red Sox game last night, I noticed something else about Arod.

For the first time since he arrived in New York, I saw an Alex Rodriguez that seemed to be genuinely enjoying himself. He was laughing and smiling and joking the whole game. He reminded me of role model athletes like Ronaldinho or Jose Reyes, just out there having a great time. Those are always my favorite athletes: the ones who can just go out and make the game enjoyable and exciting for everyone. There was this one really high pop up that Arod had some trouble with but ultimately caught, and as he was running back to the dugout him and Jeter were talking and laughing about it. In the on deck circle at one point I saw him looking back to the dugout and yell something and then start laughing. 2 minutes later he was rounding third base in a light jog (still laughing). Even in the dugout, he was goofing around with Cano.

I feel like when a player can free himself from the pressures, whether it's parental pressure or fan pressure, he performs so much better. When you can find that little "happy place" on the field where it's just you out there, thinking about nothing except all the joys that the game brings you, that is when you will really get the most out of you in terms of enjoyment and production. That's what sports are about. I hope Alex can keep this feeling.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsZrnUwhw0c&mode=related&search=
(i think the camera guy gets shot like 14 seconds into the video)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=utVBTM9mwjY&mode=related&search=

Who the Hell is Robbie Schremp

I have been looking for this clip for about a year now ever since I saw it on a random sports show on MSG. I couldn't find it, but the great Bill Simmons was able to pull through. He posted a link to it in his latest blog. I don't know what's more amazing, the move or the comically horrendous interviews they get.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgLmH4PuR-I

Wednesday Night Recap

I already posted today, but I feel the need to jot down the sports stories I've come across over the past hour of my life:

• New York Rangers beat the Atlanta Thrashers 4-2 to complete the first round sweep. This year was the first Rangers playoff win in over 10 years. I don't get the games here in Delaware, so I was watching on this amazing site: http://dewsaw.com/sports/. If you're ever out of town and need to see your team's game, this is the place to go. Anyway, it was just such an unbelievable atmosphere at the Garden. There's pretty much no better feeling for me than seeing the Garden alive like it was tonight. So I'm pretty pumped up right now.
• Mark Buehrle just finished a no hitter. It's only the 16th ever in White Sox history. I was at David Wells perfect game for my friend Ben Gold's birthday party when we were 9 years old. A foul ball came up to our seats and it went under the seat next to me. I reached my hand through the back of the seat and I literally had my hand on it, but the seat closed on my hand and I had 2 choices: lose an arm or lose a baseball. I know it was a tough decision but I had to let it go. Anyway it just reminded me of that.
• Vince Young is going to be on the madden cover next year. He was asked in an interview if he is worried about the curse. He doesn't seem to be, as he eloquently explained, "Nah. I'm a big fate guy, I don't worry about no jinx." In case you forgot, here's some of the previous guys who ''weren't worried about no jinx.'' Daunte Culpepper--sprained knee. Marshall Faulk--sprained ankle. Michael Vick--fractured fibula. Ray Lewis--torn hamstring. Donovan Mcnabb--sports hernia. Shaun Alexander--broken foot. So good luck Vince.

Rowdy Fans

I was at the Phillies game last night with Nate, Paul, and his dad for Paul's birthday. We got seats 20 rows up behind third base for just 40 bucks. That's one thing the Phillies have on the Yankees: cheap tickets. Plus, once a week they have this 1 dollar hot dog night. I guess that makes up for the 8 dollar cheesesteaks and the 3 dollar bottled waters.

Anyway the mets completely dominated the game, winning 8-1. The hurricane like weather, accompanied by the miserable Phillies performance led to most of the Phillies fans leaving after the 5th or 6th inning.

But there were still plenty of Mets fans there, and they were going nuts. They completely took over the stadium. And if you know anything about Philadelphia sports, the Philly fans that were still there did not take too kindly to this behavior. There were several fights and verbal altercations, leading to that famous scene where there are a thousand yellow coated security guards escorting 2 guys out of the stadium with everyone around them yelling the classic ASSHOLE chant. I love sports.

One thing I noticed about fights though is that they never EVER happen near where I'm sitting. If I'm in the top row, it's the CEOs fighting about whose wallet is fatter, if I'm down with the business men it's the fat drunks in the nose bleed section fighting about which team fuckin' sucks more. Another thing I hate is when I look over to try to see the fight, I can never actaully see it. Like last night there were about 4 different times when everyone in my section was looking to try to see the fight and all we could see was a bunch of other people standing up and a lot of yellow shirts surrounding them.

Anyway, the scene last night got me thinking about other rowdy fan situations. The first thing that comes to mind is the infamous right field bleacher creachers at Yankee stadium. Here are some examples:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=TwBa3XA3Sl4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7rWh654214&mode=related&search=
(make sure you watch this whole thing; i love the guy just giving him the finger the whole song)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tp8IttUXf_o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THCv99YubHI&mode=related&search=

Great Time For NHL

I hate how people dislike the NHL simply because they don't understand it or never played hockey. It's become such an easy target to trash (kind of like Britney Spears). However, the key difference between the NHL and Britney Spears is that Britney deserves it.

The reason most people dislike it is because they aren't as experienced with hockey as they are with sports like football. But many people who never played football still love it (me). What seperates it from hockey is not the content of the sport, but the publicity it gets. Sportscenter and other shows on ESPN are competely centered around the NFL. Whether it's my boy John Clayton running around finding breaking news, or expert Sean Salisbury telling us how a quarterback looks off a saftey to find single coverage for the 273rd time, football gets a ton of coverage.

Hockey doesn't have that luxury, and lately it's been even worse. ESPN did not renew the TV contract with the NHL after the lockout and commissioner Gary Bettman was forced to sign with Versus, a channel most people don't even get. There's a spiral effect because since the NHL isn't being shown on ESPN a few nights a week, they rarely show highlights of the games on sportscenter. One or two nights a week they bring in Barry Melrose for 5 minutes to talk about the league's highlights, but 4 of those minutes are usually spent making fun of Barry's mullet and pinstripe suit.

The decrease in scoring before the lockout led to a decrease in popularity. Then the league really shot itself in the foot by cancelling an entire season on us. For the most part, the new rule changes they made have really proved to make the game more exciting for the casual fan and new fans. But the damage the league suffered from like '99 to '05 was just horrible and led to the decrease in popularity and publicity for the league. Now that the game play is exciting, a slew of hot young players are in the league, youth hockey is increasing, and the Versus TV contract will expire soon, hopefully we will get back with ESPN and NBC programming daily and get the league headed to a height that we've never seen before. And it starts with the playoffs tonight.

Everybody loves playoffs in all sports. Fuck it, I would watch a mahjong playoff series between a group of 86 year old asian women. Playoffs are exciting; they're great. The greatness of athletics culminate in the playoffs. This year the NHL playoffs are going to be even more exciting because of the competitive matchups in pretty much every series. The intensity will be up. It's going to be great end to end, sacrifice the body hockey. I can't wait for my Rangers to go deep this year. I can't wait for all the games. When sportscenter is forced to show all the amazing finishes and crazy moments that are about to occur, people won't be able to help but get into it. And the ensuing increase in popularity will be used to get the NHL back on national TV almost every night. What a great time for hockey.

In fact, if the NHL was a publically traded stock, I would highly recommend buying some right now. Actually it might be. I should really go look into that. I am a finance major.