Drew Brees Breaks Single Season Passing Record

Dan Marino passed for 5,084 in 1984. New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees became the only player in NFL history to pas for over 5,000 yards in two different seasons and last night (Dec 26th) passed the Miami quarterback legend for passing yards in a season in a 45-16 rout of the division rival Atlanta Falcons.  A great moment for a great guy.

Marino for his part tweeted his congratulations to Brees. Wait... Marino on Twitter?

Hard Times for Kobe

Kobe Bryant can't catch a break. He lost his coach (Phil Jackson), the triangle offense, his team lost out on Chris Paul (to the Clippers, no less) when the NBA (who owns the New Orleans Hornets) vetoed the proposed deal, he lost LaMar Odom to the Dallas Mavericks (who swept the Lakers out of the playoffs last season), he lost his wife (Vanessa filed for divorce), and lost the season opening game to the Chicago Bulls (blowing an 11 point fourth quarter lead) by one point when his last second shot was blocked at the rim.

I expect to hear a trade demand from Bryant before the season is over....

Happy Holidays

Wishing everyone a joyous Holiday season and a prosperous and Happy 2012 in whatever you celebrate. Merry Christmas, Happy Kwaanza, Happy Chanukah!

The King Dethroned

Good news for LeBron James: Its been over a year since "The Decision", he and the Miami Heat are favored to win the NBA title this shortened season, and according to an NBA poll reported by ESPN, James has been usurped as the most hated player in the league by.... wait for it...
(cymbals)

Kris Humphries!

Those dang Kardashians....

"Mission Accomplished"

Those two words were uttered over 7 years ago by then-President George W. Bush after a curious and controversial decision to lead an invasion into Iraq the year before. Bush tried to say that the war was over back in 2004. Of course, it was just beginning, yet on December 15, 2011 President Barack Obama, arguably the greatest foreign policy commnder in chief ever, officially told the men and women fighting for our freedom that the war was over and they would be going home.

After 4500 casualties that arguably could have been avoided, and $800 billion dollars, U.S. troops are leaving the Iraqi people to fend for themselves.

The question on my mind is why couldn't this have happened sooner? What is the difference now? I am sure our soldiers don't care about why, they are just happy to be coming home.

I am too.

"Teaching Hygiene Habits"

That is what Karl Rominger (above) says former Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky was doing in the shower with young boys. Rominger is another genius assigned to Sandusky's legal team and this "hygeine" defense is what he is going to trial with?

"Teaching hygiene habits" is what they are calling child molestation and sexual assault nowadays? 

Nevermind that during his interview with Bob Costas, Sandusky never mentioned anything about teaching hygiene to the boys he showered with.

I'm disgusted.... Real lawyers should be disgusted at the mockery Rominger and Joseph Amendola are making of the profession.

Clippers get Chris Paul

Chris Paul is finally going to L.A. only it is as a member of the Clippers. The soap opera which has been the Paul saga beginning with a proposed trade to the Lakers that would have sent LaMar Odom to New Orleans and Pau Gasol to Houston and Luis Scola and Kevin Martin to N.O. looked like a great deal for all involved. Commissioner David Stern and the NBA, who own the Hornets, stepped in and killed the deal. The resulting fallout was heard around the league and hurt a lot of feelings in the process (especially Odom who requested and got a trade to Dallas).

The Clippers, who are far from the laughingstock they once were, still have Blake Griffin, won the bid for Chauncey Billups who was waived by the Knicks, but gave up center Chris Kaman and guard Eric Gordon for Paul. The question is will Paul sign a long term extension to the Clippers, or at least pick up the option on his current contract and stick around for two years with Griffin, possibly enough time to persuade Paul to sign long term.

Phil Jackson predicted the conflict of interest that would arise from the NBA's ownership of the Hornets. It reared its ugly head as they effectively agreed to a deal that was worse than the initial proposal. How does Hornets GM Del Demps feel? He worked very hard on the initial deal, so he wouldn't have a lame duck superstar holding his team hostage like Carmelo Anthony did to Denver last season. 

Stay tuned...

Introducing Number 6 For YOUR New York Knicks!

Sad the Knicks lost Chauncey Billups, but.... It's on now....

CP3 deal to Los Angeles Lakers nixed by NBA

Today (Dec. 9th) marks the official start of the NBA free agent period and there is no shortage of drama. The Lakers, who were rumored to be in the market to land Dwight Howard, were set to receive New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul in a three team trade that would send Lakers forwards Lamar Odom to New Orleans and Pau Gasol to the Houston Rockets. The Rockets would send forward Luis Scola and guard Kevin Martin to New Orleans.

Sounds like a decent trade right?

Well the NBA, who owns the New Orleans Hornets, decided to veto the trade for "basketball reasons". It is reported that NBA Commissioner David Stern received complaints from other owners about competitive balance issues between big and small market teams. Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert was the loudest voice of protest stating that the deal sending Paul to the Lakers would be a "travesty" and "when is the league going to change the names of 25 of the 30 teams to the Washington Generals?"

Really, Dan?

Someone please inform Mr. gilbert that New Orleans is also a small market team who was set to get back three All-Star caliber players (Odom, Scola, Martin) in the deal and if this trade does not happen Paul will leave New Orleans as a free agent next year. Where will he go? Not to Cleveland. And guess what, New Orleans will lose him for nothing.

Gilbert is obviously still bitter over LeBron James exercising his right as a FREE AGENT to play elsewhere. Just because you did not prepare to lose your superstar player after he PLAYED OUT HIS CONTRACT, does not mean you can stop other teams from getting value for their star palyers.

Hopefully this veto is rescinded because the Hornets will never be able to trade anyone as long as the NBA owns them. Conspiracy theorists would think because Paul was the only true superstar on the front lines of the labor dispute as a member of the executive committee of the players union that the league vetoed the trade as payback.

Not sure about that one, but Paul and the other teams involved in the trade are not taking this decision lying down. Paul is threatening legal action against the NBA and the Hornets, Rockets, and Lakers are appealing the veto to the league.

Reportedly Paul is being told the deal is on hold and he is not reporting to Hornets camp today.

Who knew the end of the lockout would bring this much drama?

BREAKING NEWS: Albert Pujols to sign with Anaheim Angels

Albert Pujols, one of the most feared sluggers in baseball history, one many believe can legitimately challenge Hank Aaron's homerun record (yes I said Hank Aaron's record), is taking his talents to the West Coast. Long the face of the St. Louis Cardinals, recently leading them to a 2011 World Series title, Pujols decided to take the $250 million and run.

Pujols free agent status was an underlying storyline throughout the 2011 season, made more intriguing because Albert refused to negotiate or talk about his contract status once the season started. Pujols was seeking a 10-year contract, one which St. Louis was hesitant to give to a 31-year old player.

The shocking thing about this deal is that the Angels were not a player in the Pujols sweepstakes until 48 hours ago according to reports. As far as I knew it was only the newly minted Miami Marlins offering the 10 year deal with St. Louis reluctantly adding the extra year to their initial 9-year offer. The Marlins, who already locked up former Mets star Jose Reyes, offer was upwards of $220 million. The Angels trumped everyone apparently.

The last 10-year contract went to Alex Rodriguez when the Yankees locked him up for $275 million. It was Rodriguez who broke the bank when he signed with the Texas Rangers for $252 million over 10 years. Rodriguez of course admitted to using performance enhancing drugs during his time in Texas. No such cloud of suspicion hovers over Albert Pujols.

This deal changes the landscape of both leagues a la LeBron James taking his talents to South Beach. The Angels already had a roster of All-Star hitters on the other side of their careers in Torii Hunter, Vernon Wells. They now add the best hitter in the league to a city that includes the rival Los Angeles Dodgers. The Angels are trying to keep up with the Texas Rangers who have made back to back World Series appearances. Pujols' signing is a great start.

Lakers Trying To Make A Splash in Shortened Season

If anyone thought the Lakers would fall off as one of the big attractions in the Association, think again. There are reports that L.A. is in heavy pursuit of Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard (I predicted he would start the season in L.A. on another web site) AND New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul. According to Paul's agent he wants to play for the New York Knicks (which would be fine by me, let me tell you), but the chance to play with Howard and Kobe THIS season as opposed to waiting another year to be a free agent.... I probably wouldn't be able to pass that up. Lakers would most definitely have to part with Andrew Bynum in any deal, but sources say both New Orleans and Orlando would want Bynum in any package.

One or the other fellas. Who would you take?

Tiger Woods, Y'all

I know I am a couple days late on this, but I am happy Tiger Woods got back on the winning track Sunday (Dec. 4th). It was his first win of any kind since his personal life imploded during the Thanksgiving holiday in 2009. Hopefully Woods can get back atop the World rankings where he belongs.

Old School Joint of the Day: "La Schmoove" - Fu-Schnickens

Who remembers this? Chip-Fu was the man.

Bobby Valentine Named New Red Sox Manager

Former New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine was named manager of the Boston Red Sox yesterday (Dec. 1). Valentine spent the last year as an MLB analyst on ESPN after coaching in Japan. Valentine led the Mets to their last World Series appearance in 2000 and the new brain trust in Beantown hope he can turn a franchise around that collapsed during the end of last season missing the postseason after blowing a 9-game wildcard lead in September.

Did not see Valentine wearing Boston colors, but I wish him the best of luck.