Suicide Squeeze - John Rocker & Jeriome Robertson ('92 Upper Deck)

Puffs of Smoke

1)  So the word on the street (IPI, PD, etc) is that the Indians have signed Orlando Cabrera to play second base.  First off, be aware that the deal is not official yet, the two sides have only "agreed to terms."  That being said, the decision makes little sense.  The only rational for sliding a former Gold Glover out of his natural position is to protect the fragile psyche of the incumbent.  Now, I dig AsCab, but it's not like he's a Hall of Famer in the making.

As I've become more experienced with the nuances of professional sports, I have come to comprehend just how much success is based on mental endurance.  I'm not pointing to extreme cases like Zack Greinke or Kahlil Greene, rather to the fact that all of these dudes are really only guys like us.  They're not supermen.  They get happy and sad and angry and depressed and jealous and the whole bag.  I get it.  Even so, Asdrubal should have the wherewithal to recognize that Orlando is a rental and his play at short would be in the best interests of the team.  I mean, Az deferred to Jhonny freakin' Peralta for 2 years.  Don't be a baby.

2)  In addition to his career game yesterday, Cleveland State point guard Norris Cole has something else to smile about.  Cole is one of 10 finalists for the Bob Cousy award as the nation's top point guard.

The complete list --

Norris Cole - Cleveland State
Corey Fisher – Villanova
Jimmer Fredette – BYU
DJ Gay – San Diego State
Brandon Knight –  Kentucky
Demetri McCamey – Illinois
Mickey McConnell – St. Mary’s
Nolan Smith – Duke
Isaiah Thomas – Washington
Kemba Walker – Connecticut

The only guy that isn't a household name is McConnell.  I've seen him just once but that was the game that he hit a ridiculous leaner to give the Gaels their first win at Gonzaga in 15 years.  He's the real deal.  For Cole, just to be included on the list is an honor.  And for CSU, the fact they're about to send there second alumnus in 3 years to the Association speaks volumes to the renaissance that Gary Waters has initiated.

3)  New Browns head man Pat Shurmur will run without an offensive co-ordinator.  I would like to believe this is to make use of the man's background in play-calling.  Unfortunately, the work week of an NFL head coach is about 80 hours even when delegating to an OC.  This suggests that Mike Holmgren will truly be pulling strings from behind the curtain and ghost coaching the whole deal.  I'm reluctant to pass judgment.  I only hope that the organization can commit to this coach for more than 3 season.

Suicide Squeeze - Billy Chapel ('92 Upper Deck)

Pretty Girl 02.13.11 - Katherine Heigl

I do not understand why the producers never look this good on film.

All This And Dig the Hair

Cleveland State may be on the proverbial bubble these days, but Norris Coleis doing his part. The man who some have tabbed as the best point guard prospect in the coming NBA draft (yes, better than the gimp formerly known as Kyrie) lit YSU up as Vikings improved to 21-5. Cole's projections have steadily improved throughout the season and he now looks like a sure-fire 1st round pick. While most do not see him leapfrogging Irving on the big board in June, Norris is certainly producing on the floor and the spotlight of the NCAA tourney would only improve his stock. Perhaps most importantly the dude keeps his wits about him. "He's a special kid," coach Gary Waters said. "I never worry about him having a big head. He just comes out and plays. He was more worried about getting the win than scoring."  About a player who put up 41 points, 20 boards and 9 dimes.  From USA Today, "It just might be the best single performance of the season. Heck, it might be the best performance in several years."  Keep rollin', NC.

But Do I Have to Pay S&H?

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

6.8 million views on youtube and 10,000 likes on Facebook, but I'm gonna bet that the 4 people who read this are watching it for the first time.  Gimmie a break, it's 5am, I must be crazy.

Cheers.

Remember That Crow?

Yeah, well it was all bout Jeremy Sowers.  Prior to the 2007 season I predicted, for J, the type of success that Cliff Lee enjoyed in '08.  I think I went on record with "22-3 and a 2.25."  Ouch.  And now we have certainly hit rock bottom.  After struggling through minor shoulder issues last season, Sowers is on the shelf for the next 9-12 months after having rotator cuff surgery on his pitching shoulder.

I always believed that Jeremy had the right mixture of command and baseball smarts to make it big.  Eventually his undoing came via the scourge of over-analysis.  A Vandy grad, Sowers has admitted that some of his starts were detrimented as he tried to overcompensated for a prior poor performance.  Oh well, maybe the kid will get a shot somewhere else.  Yes, I would believe that his time with Tribe is over.

Here's a card from back in the day -

Because It Feels So Good When I Stop

It took 53 minutes and 126 points, but the Cavs are off the schneid.  yay.  Now that they've tied the professional record (all sports) for consecutive losses, we won't get to see them on SportsCenter until they lose out.  Wait, the Wizards are coming in tomorrow.  I smell a winning streak...

Here's the formula for Cavaliers' success -

Healthy Mo Williams + Antawn Jamison: game of the season + JJ Hickson: game of his life (past, present and future) + lottery opponent that can't play defense = WIN!  If only we can get those stars to align again.

p.s. Finally, a highlight!  This is the first win since I installed the window.

Cheers.

Pretty Girl 02.12.11 - Carmen Schafer

How I learned to love curling...

Maybe He Should Play Blindfolded

This cat has yet to throw a pass in 2 years as the Huskies 3rd string signal caller.  He should probably spend more time learning the playbook and less time miming for the camera.  Still, this is pretty cool.  And, honestly, I tried to resist posting this, but it's a very slow content day.