I would like to apologize to everyone for the mediocre job I did with the CFL Draft. But since I don’t believe in personal responsibility here is what went wrong:

-TSN.CA made you sign up with some ridiculous software called Silver Light. This took about 20 minutes to get done and required the assistance of our head of IT, James.

-My computer could not run the program so I was stuck using an ad-hoc administrator account which could crash at any time and limited me a basic word program and the draft itself. Trust me I needed google to try to learn some info about all the Munson’s getting picked.

-By the end of the first round the whole system crashed right before the final couple picks. This was a shame because the only thing better than the first round of the draft is the second round of the CFL draft.

… I hang my head in shame.

Not only does it keep crashing on me but somehow it has frozen my computer.
By the way I did catch them doing a review of the first couple picks.
That's for the people that missed the first couple picks but really wanted to see coverage of players who they have no idea who they are going to teams they have no intention of watching.
Do I sound bitter?

Well the first round just ended. I'll try to get back to you later but right now my diskdrive is spewing blood like the elevator from 'The Shining'.

Damm you CFL.ca, damm you!

I have no freaking clue! The whole draft coverage just crashed again!

Best moment of the draft ... the cell phone conversation with Brendon Labatte. In the NFL the first round picks throw massive parties and are adorned in massive gold plated watches. In the CFL they are “at work.” Brendon just admitted he is at work right now. I wonder if he is going to have his pay docked by taking to Rod Black?

Dunnigan just admitted he used to play in Winnipeg. Uh Matt what team did you not play for. Didn’t you play for a couple XFL teams in between gigs with the CFL and the Arena League?

Winnipeg with the 6th pick take Brendon Labatte. He runs a 5.48 40! John Daly runs a better time than that. Now admittedly that’s when he’s 100 feet away from a Hooters, but still.
Yes! We are back to the Canadian Scouting Combine viz. Uh was anyone aware that their was a Canadian Scouting Combine?

Wow! Rod Black just totally cut off Wally Buono in mid answer. Yeah I guess TSN had to cut to break to reap all those advertising dollars they must be getting for a web cast of the CFL draft. Seriously, beyond the most deranged and unemployed CFL fans, is anyone watching this. At least I can say that I am getting paid to do this.

Justin Sorensen (OL) has been picked by B.C. That’s the third O-Lineman taken in the draft. Wait a minute he’s going back to South Carolina for another year. Yeah that’s what you want if you are a Lions fan, having your first round pick going back to school attending Gamecock Keggers. Enjoy.

Mark Cohon is talking about how the “Salary Management System” is working. Two quick points … I love the fact that in the CFL $100 000 is a lot of money. Second I wonder if the system is working with the Argonauts? Last time I check they just re-signed Michael Bishop and picked up Kerry Joseph who wanted out of Saskatchewan because he felt he wasn’t getting paid enough. Yeah I’m sure Toronto is way under the Salary Management System.

NCAA player Keith Shologan (DL) has been taken by Saskatchewan. He’s white which meant it took about 36 seconds before someone mentioned he’s got “a great motor”.

The fact that it is so much harder to obtain game footage of CIS and lower rung NCAA players you have to give credit to the entire CFL on TSN crew. They do an excellent job with their analysis yet don’t have the same resources as the guys at ESPN.

They’re interviewing Calgary Director of Player Personnel Jim Barker. How come they don’t even have a picture of Jim? Right now I’m looking at a Calgary Stampeder logo. Come on! They had a shot of Dimitri Tsoumpas for crying out loud. This has to be a low moment for Barker.

By the way Wally Buono got a picture.

And with the third pick … Jesse Newman (OL) is going to Calgary.
Schultz: “I want to open up a point” What does that mean?

Just learned that Jesse is in fact “a football player” according to the studio crew. I’m sure the Stampeders are relieved they didn’t draft a baker.

Love the music TSN uses coming in and out of break. Like Slayer but far, far worse.

Edmonton’s #2 pick Dimitri Tsoumpas is being interviewed right now. I have no idea how to pronounce his last name. Judging by the fact that the entire crew keeps calling him “Dimitri” they don’t know either.

... For any spelling or grammatical mistakes. Right now I am dealing with the fast paced action of the 2008 CFL Draft and a computer that refuses to give me more than a minute of clean exciting viz before the inevitable "Buffering" sign comes on the screen.

Dunigan is demanding Calgary take an O-Lineman. Oh wait here comes the O-Lineman rankings board! Or as I like to call it five guys you have never heard of before.

I’m loving the combine footage! Right now some guy is lifting weights in some creepy basement. It looks like the carpet has either been stolen from a bad casino or someone threw up on it.

Yes the set looks great and Dunigan is the best dressed guy on set. But the site keeps crashing. This is so budget! Nerds unite and fix this problem now!

12:24pm …I’m back!

Come on Rod Black grow back your moustache. With Clime on the facial hair train all we need is for you to grow it back thereby pressuring Schultz to do what’s right. Dunigan is the only guy who should remain clean shaven.

12:07 Jacque Clime has a goatee I have been told. I am about to throw my TV through the window!

Oh its 12:02 and I have no idea how to actually watch the draft. I love this league! The screen keeps saying the clip has expired!! Apparently Farhan Lalji is hosting! I need some insight right now.
This is a total disaster.
Nice job Bell way to keep up with technology!

By the way to anyone who has forgotten … Homer Simpson is a big fan of the CFL Draft. In the episode ‘When Flanders Failed’ Homer was lying on his couch watching the 15th round of the CFL draft. If memory serves the RoughRiders “who had trouble scoring rouges all last year” took a kicker in the 15th round. If someone can tell me the exact quote that would be great.

Now let me say this before I start my live blog on the upcoming CFL Draft. I did radio play-by-play for McMaster Football team for eight years. I love the CFL, I probably go to about 3-4 games a year and I will always watch the Argonauts. One of the top three hits I have ever seen in any football game was administered by Pinball Clemons on a fake punt by Saskatchewan.
So please don’t come down on me as a hater for the CFL.

Now that said …

The CFL Draft is hilarious. Watching it last year on CFL.CA easily ranks as one of the top three sports comedy moments of my life. From the bad effects, to no viz for most of the players in the first round and the fact that the second player taken was a kicker, who had, no joke “accuracy issues” (I am not joking!) well what’s not to love?

So with that said how could I not write about the 2008 edition?

Forget the Miami Dolphins are on the clock … how about the Hamilton Tiger Cats are on the clock!

Forget about John Clayton, Chris Berman, Mike Mayock, Adam Schefter, Steve Young and Chris Mortensen. Who needs all those guys when we got Duane Ford and Chris Schultz providing the analysis! (By the way all jokes aside, Duane Ford is a great guy who is a freak when it comes to knowledge and Schultz needs to grow his moustache back.)

Also let’s give the CFL Draft some credit; they’ve gone from CFL.CA to TSN.CA. I hear that next year they’ll be making the leap to cable access television. Reach for the stars!

Go to tsn.ca and share in the fun, won't you?

AS IT HAPPENED: Toronto FC 2, Kansas City Wizards 0
At 3-2-0, TFC goes over the .500 mark for the first time in team history.

It's a sea of red on the Lakeshore GO Train coming downtown. With fans heading to both the Raptors and TFC games, and no TTC available, there are plenty of jerseys to be seen on the GO. If you ever head down to games and have a choice between using the green train or the TTC, use GO. It might cost a little more each way but it's worth it in terms of ease of getting down to the stadium and comfort.
As the national anthems finish, it's clear to see the TTC strike hasn't made much of a dent, if any, in attendance. The stands are filled and the south-end leads a raucous chant of the White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army."
It doesn't take long to see why Jeff Cunningham, one of the top scorers in MLS history, has been relegated to the bench by Amado Guevara. Guevara has an outstanding chance just two minutes in, as he collects a difficult cross, hesitates, and lashes a shot at goal. He owns the pitch through the opening minutes, darting into space, creating openings and providing excellent balls into the middle and onto the wings.
Claudio Lopez, the thirtysomething Argentine legend Kansas City brought in as its designated player, doesn't run. It's sorta like watching Luis Figo when Benfica came here last season. At most, he'll jog for a minute or two. But a player of his past greatness obviously doesn't need to run anymore.
Wait, we are 14 minutes in and Lopez jogged to get a ball that had rolled into touch.
At 22 minutes, Guevara's header is cleared off the line; it's clear he has brought a new dimension of class into the TFC attack. The Reds are unlucky not to be ahead. They've dominated possession. Remind me of Arsenal, a bit. Lot of style, possession, but no goals to show for it. Uh oh, better not use this as a platform for my Arsenal frustrations.
By 34 minutes, another Guevara drive has just missed wide and he's even made an audacious attempt at an overhead. Really, this is one of those games that proves all the "it's 0-0, it must be boring" types wrong. It's been an engaging game.
At halftime, it's a glass half-empty, half-full situation. TFC have dominated and should be ahead, but settle for 0-0. But, KC is the top team in the East, much better than the teams TFC have beat in its last two games. Being level with the Wizards is actually a sign of great improvement for this team.
Ten minutes into the second half, and TFC get its deserved lead. Marvell Wynne bundles the ball into the area, two Kansas City defenders collide and knock the ball to Guevara, who chips the ball past the keeper. KC protests Guevara was offside, but the linesmen was right to keep the flag down. An offensive player cannot be offside when the ball comes to him from a defensive player, save for a deflection. And KC's blunder was not a deflection.
In the 68th, Marco Velez, the under-fire TFC central defender, has his regular once-a-game brain cramp; he's caught in possession, and it results in a KC two-on-one. But keeper Greg Sutton bails him out with a great save off of Ivan Trujillo's shot. Earlier in the game, Sutton had a word with Velez about his positional play.
(After the game, TFC coach John Carver is not so subtle about his warning to Velez; with touted draft pick Julius James ready to play and the recent signing of former Celtic defender Olivier Tebily, it's clear Velez has to watch his back. "If he doesn't perform, he goes out of the team, and someone else goes in," says the coach.)
Who says we should let Laurent Robert have all the fun? In the 77th, Guevara puts it away with a free kick as good as any as Beckham would launch. Spectacular. Maybe the best game I've ever seen someone in a TFC uniform play so far in team history. Guevara needs a terrace chant. U-Sector needs to work on that. May I suggest, to the tune of "Volare..."
"Amado, whooaaa-ooo-ooh,
Guevara, whooaaa-ooo-ooh,
He plays at BMO
His skills amaze us so."

A lot has been made of the Leafs GM situation this week. Now that Mr.Burke decided to stay another year in Anaheim, and screw up our Burke Countdown Head, basically every sports geek out there has put forth their two cents on who they think the best candidate is and who's available. I will be adding my own two cents on the matter as well. I wont state the one man who should get the job though. I'll be stating three guys, two obvious and one dark horse, who I think would be a great pick for the next GM of the Leafs.

Doug Armstrong



It's not very often I agree with one Pierre LeBrun. So Pierre, take time to print off this blog entry and post it up on your wall...I know you want to.

Seriously though, Armstrong hasn't gotten nearly enough credit for the job he did with the Stars when he took over in 2002. He was able to re-sign the team's core players: Morrow, Zubov, Lehtinen, Modano, and Turco to lower than market value contracts, $4 mil per season for Morrow...sign me up! He also made some nice trades: Ribeiro, Nagy (now with LA), Norstrom, Hagman and Barnes. He's also done a good job when it comes to the draft: Eriksson, Niskanen, Grossman, Fistric and Crombeen. Plus, Dallas made the playoffs in EVERY season under his watch, totaling 427 points in the regular seasons behind Ottawa and Detroit.

Oh, and he was also the Assistant GM under Bob Gainey in Dallas before he became their GM.

David Poile



Next to Risebrough in Minnesota, Poile is probably the most underrated GM in the NHL. He started out working for the Atlanta Flames and worked his way up to become the team's Assistant GM. After he accomplished that he took the biggest step in his career and moved on to Washington to become the team's Vice President & GM. He stayed with the Captials for 15 years and finished with a record of 140 games above .500. He then moved onto where he is now, Nashville, and literally built that team from the ground up. If it wasn't for ownership forcing him into the Forsberg deal and then making him shed payroll, the Predators would have been serious Cup contenders this season.

He's also buddies with Cliff which doesn't hurt his chances.

Bobby Clarke



Here's my dark horse that no one has talked about, except for Keith Jones.

I'm personally not a fan of Clarke. But, when you look at what he did with Philadelphia, it's hard to ignore just how smart he really is. He always made key moves helping the Flyers contend in the East year after year and the most underrated part of his game was drafting. He drafted some players such as: Fedoruk, Niittymaki, Gagne, Cechmanek (sucked in the playoffs but still put up good regular season numbers), Justin Williams, Pitkanen, Picard, Colin Fraser, Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, Downie and Giroux.

The best quality of Clarke however, just like Brian Burke, is that he isn't afraid to make ballsy moves to help improve the team. That, my friends, is something we desperately need so guys like Tucker and Kubina can finally go and the rebuild can officially start.


Take off,
Coco

When Premiership soccer and MLSE are mentioned in the same sentence, well, that catches my attention – and apparently everyone else’s. The story made the media rounds earlier this week; MLSE having possible interest in buying a soccer team in the UK.

So, as members of the Toronto sports community, how should we take this news?

As Sandor put it, it would definitely shift the scale in terms of importance of the existing MLSE properties.

Overseas, foreign ownership has, and will continue to be an issue of contention, and it’s completely out of our realm of concern at this point.

Before I go any further, I should say I am not against MLSE pursuing this kind of venture. They are a business and there are substantial profits to be made in the business of Premiership soccer (that is, if it’s done right).

In saying that, for the average fan of the Toronto MLSE franchises, the optics of this are not good.

MLSE’s most recognizable and defining property, the Toronto Maple Leafs, have struggled for years. Aside from profit margins, things with the team are not good. ESPN Magazine ranks every North American team each year on fan satisfaction. Some of the indicators are fan relations, ownership honesty and commitment, affordability and bang for your buck. Guess where the Leafs ended up? They came in at 121st overall – in other words, second last. That’s only one spot ahead of the embarrassment known as the New York Knicks. Yikes! And this is a team capable of taking control of a Premiership soccer team.

This latest example is case and point. While the team has no general manager, no direction (Pogge not playing in the Marlies pursuit of the Calder boggles my mind), and faces huge decisions that will define the way next 5 years play out, it’s liaison to the Board of Governors, Peddie, is off gallivanting in a foreign land planning for bigger and better things? This is not right. This leaves the interim GM, Uncle Cliff in a position to make all the decisions. The guy’s who’s supposed to be a stop-gap? The guy’s who’s just supposed to be the ‘short-term’ solution. You watch; the short-term solution’s going to turn into a long-term band-aid – just trying to hold everything together. Nothing’s going to get done.

Perhaps I’m wrong here in my general assessment. Perhaps a UK-based soccer team has nothing to do with the plight of the Leafs. Separate teams have separate people taking care of different things. However, as long as the public is being told that Peddie is in part responsible for the hiring of the new general manager, then it seems to me that’s where his focus should be. With one company is controlling so many franchises, and one man (Peddie) wearing so many hats, the spreading and motivation behind the use of resources will be questioned – rightly or wrongly so.

Once again, I’ve got absolutely nothing against MLSE. Once they’re not only running profitable, but WINNING franchise on the home front, do whatever the hell you want. It’s been said before and it will be said again; take care of your business at home before going outside. Problems at home should always come first.

As always, share your thoughts on this blog and others here, or you can email me at gareth.wheeler@suntv.canoe.ca

Gareth Wheeler

MLSE is looking at Premiership sorta like guys who drive Toyotas go to the Auto Show to drool at the Porsches. Yes, they'd really like to buy the expensive European rides, but, really, they're not in that league yet. But, the dream lives on.
Now, Richard Peddie says his trip to England was simply to learn how teams over there have created the biggest sports league and properties on the planet, not to kick any tires. But, what would happen if MLSE could eventually lay down the hundreds of millions, possibly billions, to buy and staff an EPL team?

The whole dynamic of MLSE would change. Right now, the depth chart at MLSE goes like this:

1. Leafs
2. Condos
3. Raptors
4. Toronto FC (even though, when it comes to profile outside of the GTA, TFC slides to 3. Just look at the trouble the Raps are having finding national broadcasters for their playoff games.)
5. Marlies (for those of you outside of the 1,000 or so who bother to go the games, the Marlies play in Toronto. It is the Leafs' farm team.)

But, if the Premiership team comes into play, it immediately goes to No. 1 on the chart, and Toronto FC would rise as it would likely be linked to the EPL club as some kind of feeder club.
Remember this; if you finish last in the MLS, NHL or NBA, you get to come back next season. If you finish 18th, 19th, or 20th in the EPL, you go down a league. You lose millions in TV contracts. You can't charge as much for tickets. So, imagine this; the Leafs are in ninth in the East, the Raptors are battling to get better and the Premiership team is sitting in 17th. Where does the money and attention go? Of course, all the resources needed go to England to keep that team in the big bucks of the Premiership. As for TFC, the Leafs and the Raps, there is always next year. Or the next 40.

Since Malcolm Glazer, Randy Lerner, George Gillett and Tom Hicks bought EPL teams, you barely hear of them in connection to their North American franchises. They are regularly in England, tending to their top priorities. When you own Man U., as Glazer does, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a nice second vehicle, the reliable Toyota compared to the sports car you have in England.
Basically, the EPL trumps all other sports leagues. And if MLSE buys into the EPL, the board may soon forget about what the heck the M and the L stand for.

Hitler reacts to Canucks missing the playoffs

I just wanted to say, if you haven't seen this video already, you should check it out. Whoever edited the video did a terrific job. Two thumbs up.


Take off,
Coco

It's been a while since I've posted, so I figured I would write down my thoughts while watching game 7 between San Jose and Calgary for your viewing, or I guess I should say reading, pleasure.

And in case you're wondering, I think that Calgary will come out on top because Thornton stinks in elimination games.


10:07 - Who let Lisa Simpson into the building? I must admit though, the saxophone is a nice treat over hearing whats-his-face from Game 2

10:11 - Clearly Craig Simpson hasn't heard Sax On The Beach (about a saxophone igniting a crowd)

10:16 - Phaneuf already making a physical presence roughing up Cheechoo in the corner after his shot on goal

10:21 - Devin Setoguchi with the game's first solid hit...no that's not a typo, Devin Setoguchi

10:25 - Great job by Ryan Clowe which leads to the first penalty of the game; Anders Eriksson 2 min for Hooking...wait a minute, Eriksson is still playing!?! I guess Calgary offered him all the bright pink chewing gum he could have

10:27 - Joe Thornton already making me look like an idiot scoring on the powerplay on a nice pass from Jonathan Cheechoo, 1-0 Sharks

10:32 - Milan Michalek with the penalty, Flames powerplay...and the leading candidate for the Conn Smythe Jarome Iginla scores to tie it up, 1-1

10:35 - Kiprusoff with a great reaction save, looking solid so far

10:43 - Phaneuf with the Holding call, Sharks to the powerplay

10:46 - End of the 1st Period, fairly even play with a slight edge to San Jose, Kiprusoff with some good saves on the penalty kill at the end of the period to keep it 1-1

11:08 - Owen Nolan haunts his old team by scoring on the breakaway in the first few minutes of the 2nd Period, 2-1 Flames...was I the only one waiting for him to point to the top corner?

11:13 - The sea-saw battle continues as Devin Setoguchi puts one past Kiprusoff on the nice tip, tied 2-2...correction, after watching the replay it looks like Setoguchi doesn't touch the puck, so Jeremy Roenick will get credit for the goal, weak one by Kipper

11:20 - Jeremy Roenick strikes again, this time on the powerplay, putting the loose puck past Kiprusoff...maybe Cauz was onto something, 3-2 Sharks

11:31 - Joe Pavelski scores to make it 4-2 Sharks...Curtis Joseph replaces Miikka Kiprusoff in net trying to change the pace of the game...I don't think it will work

11:33 - And it appears that I was right, Devin Setoguchi scores making it 5-2 Sharks...Roenick with 4 points so far (2 goals & 2 assists)

11:43 - The 2nd Period comes to an end, the Flames were unable for some reason to feed off of the momentum from Nolan's goal and the Sharks took them to town...this game appears all but over now

12:02 - 3rd Period starts...Alex Tanguay hits the post missing a great chance to chip away at the Sharks lead

12:06 - CBC's feed of the game goes down and they pick up Versus's feed...our tax dollars hard at work

12:07 - CBC's back on the air...I guess Harper does read my blog after all

12:09 - Puck goes off Wayne Primeau and behind Nabokov as the Flames chip into San Jose's lead, 5-3 Sharks

12:25 - Flames unable to score on their powerplay...very good chance this will cost them their season

12:31 - Calgary pulls Joseph for the 6th attacker with 3 minutes left but I'm afraid it's too little too late for the Flames

12:38 - The final seconds tick down and the San Jose Sharks win the series 4-3

It was a great effort by Calgary in the series but the Sharks talent turned out to be too much for the Flames grit.

Hopefully the 2nd round will be just as exciting and entertaining as the 1st round was.


Take Off,
Coco

Toronto FC now have two wins in a row after its 1-0 win over Real Salt Lake in front of the normal sold-out throng at BMO Field.
With some interesting new signings, this team looks nothing like the one that lost its first two games of the season by an aggregate 6-1 score. Yes, the centre of defence is still a major problem, but there are signs that fans going to BMO Field can expect much better than last season's total of five home wins.

What I liked about TFC's game:
With the additions of Amado Guevara, Rohan Ricketts and Laurent Robert, TFC's attacks were more varied than they have been in the past. More like a Spanish side than a traditional English-type attack, TFC probed both wings and used cross-field passes to pull the defence left and right, rather than simply try long balls down the middle.
"We made the pitch as big as we could in the first half," said coach John Carver after the game.
Yes, TFC's passing game subsided when it protected the lead in the second half, but Carver said the fact that Robert and Ricketts, the two wide players, are still working their way into match shape, was a factor in TFC's fade as an attacking force as the game went on.
Laurent Robert's left foot already scares people. He's had a chequered past, but one thing can't be debated. Robert's left foot was one of the best in the Premiership when he had his heyday with Newcastle United. The RSL wall parted like the Red Sea when Robert struck the only goal of the game. He shot it straight ahead, and low. But, obviously intimidated by the reputation of his left foot, the wall allowed a straightforward attempt on goal go right through.
After allowing eight goals in its first eight games, Toronto FC didn't allow RSL to get a shot on Greg Sutton in the first half of the game. Most of that had to do with the fact RSL was too busy trying to cope with TFC's passing game to work up a serious attack of its own. Still, considering how the TFC goal has been besieged in previous games, that was maybe the biggest positive of all.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Boston vs. Atlanta

Comments:

Wait a minute Atlanta is EIGHT games under .500 and they’re in the playoffs while Golden State won 48 and isn’t? What am I missing here? Why is this league rewarding a team for losing? I think we can agree that all pro leagues are all about making money. So if that’s true why wouldn’t you have the Warriors in the playoffs? Do you think anyone outside of the Boston area is going to be watching this series? Even the city of Atlanta doesn’t care about the Atlanta Hawks. They’re too busy not going to Braves and Thrashers games to care about their NBA team.

You’re telling me you wouldn’t watch Baron Davis, Monta Ellis, Stephon Jackson & Co. take on Boston’s Big Three?

All right that’s enough questions.

Remember Golden State beat Boston in a wildly entertaining 119-177 back in February.

I hate it when leagues are so blatantly stupid and don’t even attempt to correct their mistakes.

I hope Golden State wins the draft lottery and makes complete mockery of the system.

Prediction: Boston in Four. If they could win it in three I would have taken that option.


Detroit vs. Philadelphia

Comments:

Everyone is talking about the great run that Philly finished the season on (26-18) to make the playoffs. Don’t get me wrong they’ve had a great second half and have beaten an array of top teams. But something bothers me about them losing three straight to Indiana, Washington and Cleveland when they had a shot at the 6th seed. If Philly is really a “team on the rise” you gotta win at least two of those contests.

On the other side, Detroit has the best collection of players in the league. They don’t have one true superstar but there is almost no weakness from the starters to the bench.

The only problem with Detroit is they get bored when facing an inferior opponent, they’ll allow teams that have no business hanging with the Pistons keep games close right to the end.

If Rasheed Wallace decides to commit himself to the post they will sweep the 76ers.

Prediction: Detroit in Five. Rasheed loves the three point line; no way the Pistons don’t give Philadelphia at least one game.


Orlando vs. Toronto

Comments:

No matter who you think will win I think we can all agree to you have to bet the over in every game of this series. Hedo Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis and Dwight Howard all score well above their average against Toronto.

On the flip side Bosh is averaging about 34 PPG in his last five contests against Orlando. He just owns their front court.

The Raptors will keep it close because of their advantage at the point but for them to win they’ll need that consistent second scorer. That guy who can create his own shot and get to the free throw line when the long range jumpers aren’t hitting. Unfortunately Andrea Bargnani has yet to develop into that guy and no one else on the team has the required skill set.

Prediction: Orlando in Six. Hate to say it, hope I’m wrong.


Cleveland vs. Washington

Comments:

I can’t stand this Cleveland team. They’ve been .500 since their “big trade” which brought in a whole new bunch of stiffs to replace their old stiffs. Who is any good beyond Lebron? Your in trouble when Zydrunas Ilgauskas is your next best option. Ben Wallace is an overpaid joke who has no offensive game to speak of. You really want to trust Delonte West at the point for a playoff series?

Washington on the other hand is getting healthy at the right time. I’m sure I am not the only one curious to see what kind of a show Gilbert Arenas puts on. Gilbert has to be thinking about all the money he can make by lighting up a woefully coached Cavs team.

The only way Cleveland wins this series is if the refs give Lebron 25 free throw attempts a game.

Prediction: Washington in Six. Lebron only averages 18 free throws a game.


WESTERN CONFERENCE


Los Angeles vs. Denver

Comments

Is their a more dysfunctional team in the league? They can beat any elite team on any night and then get blown out by Milwaukee the following night.

Marcus Camby is an overrated defender, no one plays any D and Carmelo has been taking driving lessons from Tony La Russa.

Kobe will simply destroy this team. He’ll score 40 a night without even trying. I’m betting he gets bored late in games and starts taking shots with his eyes closed.

Prediction: LA in Five. (Iverson will carry them to at least one win.)


New Orleans vs. Dallas

Comments

Is it me or does Dallas remind you of the NBA’s answer to the Ottawa Senators? Both teams lost in the finals and then followed that up by losing in the opening round the following year. On the flip side Dirk Nowitzki has been playing better ball since his injury; and for once they’re going into a playoff series as the underdog.

Of course no player has more pressure on them than Jason Kidd. The Mavs gave up way too much to get him and he didn’t provide much of a spark in the regular season. If Dallas flops early the Kidd deal will go down as one of the worst trades in recent memory. Also keep in mind that Kidd just isn’t a great defender anymore. I remember two years ago Pacers PG Anthony Johnson lit him up for 40 in a critical Game Six. Call me crazy, but I don’t think Kidd has gotten any better defensively since then.

After saying all this how come it feels like the Hornets are still a year away? Beyond Peja Stojakovic, New Orleans doesn’t have much playoff experience and Peja isn’t exactly a money playoff guy. For the Hornets to win they need to hypnotize Stojakovic that he’s competing in a 3-Point Contest and not the playoffs.

Prediction: Dallas in Seven. Wildly entertaining series … The Kidd vs. Chris Paul match-up is more than enough of a reason to watch every game.


San Antonio vs. Phoenix

Comments

Next to alcohol and regret this series will be the reason I don’t sleep very much in the next couple of weeks.

So many stars, so much hate, so much on the line. The Suns Championship window is closing fast while the Spurs want to prove they can win back to back Championships.

I can’t be neutral on this series. I can’t stand the Spurs. From all their flopping to Tim Duncan bitching about every call their really isn’t much to like. The only reason to root for San Antonio is Matt “The Red Rocket” Bonner is on the team and with the impending TTC strike I’m assuming he must be miserable right now. Seriously someone send over the cops to make sure he’s okay.

Prediction: San Antonio in seven. I’m angry just writing that line.


Houston vs. Utah

Comments

This has to be the easiest series to pick. Rafer Alston is out for at least the first two games with a pulled hamstring. This means McGrady will have to log heavy minutes bringing the ball up court since the only other option is 35 year old Bobby Jackson, who isn’t a point guard to begin with.

Beyond T-Mac they have no one who can create their own shot.

I actually feel bad for Tracy on this one. Maybe he should go play for lousy teams and lead the league in scoring again so he won’t have to answer for his inability to win in the playoffs.

Prediction: Utah in five. McGrady will explode for one mythic game but aside from that Houston goes out quickly and quietly. Hey didn’t they have a 22 game winning streak at one point? I’m betting I’m not the only one who has forgotten about that.

If there ever was a way to test if Toronto is a legitimate NFL market or not, this is it.
Today, the NFL announced that the Bills' "home" date at the Rogers Centre would be an all-important late-season battle between Buffalo and... the Miami Dolphins.
That's right. The Dolphins. Owners of one win last season.
Basically, if Torontonians shell out to watch what promises to be one of the most wretched match-ups the NFL has on its 2008 schedule, that's got to be a sign that the league can work here, right?
Maybe, down the road, the NFL will give Toronto a carrot of a game, but right now this city will have to settle for a dog. But, at least all those Buffalo fans who are pissed about losing a home game to evil Toronto can breathe sighs of relief. Toronto got the game that Buffalo wouldn't want.
This comes a couple of weeks after the MLS announced that West Ham United would be the visiting team at this year's All-Star Game to be held at BMO Field. Of course, this was after rumours flew about Liverpool or Werder Bremen possibly coming to town.
Talk about come-downs.
What's next? A PGA tournament that none of the top pros want to attend? Whoops, we already have that, too...

Before my annual NBA Playoff Preview I figured I’d throw out a couple thoughts on what has been going on in the world of sports recently. Yes I know that since I have never done an NBA Playoff Preview I probably shouldn’t have used the word "annual". Whatever …

(One)

Ron Artest is heading towards a level of financial ruin that hasn’t been seen in these parts since Latrell Sprewell was paying too much money to gas up his yacht. Forget his past legal fees; Ron must be losing his shirt in entourage fees. I just learned that Ron has a paid personal assistant whose jobs include finding organic cookies at all hours of the night and demanding his assistant to get rid of “giant snake eggs” from his backyard. Now I don’t care if they turned out to be just mushrooms, you have to be paying top dollar for that kind of service.

(Two)

I may be turning a bit on the Phoenix Suns. I was convinced they were doomed for a first round exit a couple weeks ago but after watching their comeback against Golden State I am starting to believe in them again. Down by 11 with 7:09 to go they looked dead and buried. Then Amare Stoudemire showed up. In the last seven minutes Stoudemire went to the free throw line nine times and scored 17 points. The team decided to put the game in his hands and Amare just dominated a team that needed to win to get into the playoffs. A great comeback win fueled by Amare and a “youthful” Shaq. Phoenix actually has the front court scoring needed to get through the playoffs. Now about their D …

(Three)

How the hell does Kris Humphries have his own website!? Don’t you at least have to be, you know, a “good” player before you get you own site? At least he doesn’t get a .com at the end; instead he’s stuck with the loser .org.

Oh in case you’re interested:

http://www.krishumphries.org/

(Four)

In what has to be the smartest move a TV broadcaster has done since FOX introduced the third down line, the NFL network has booted Bryant Gumbel from his play-by-play “duties”. Lets be honest the man made football not fun, a difficult job unless you’re employed by the Detroit Lions. I don’t think any of us will forget where we were two years ago during the Thanksgiving contest between the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos when Gumbel tried to call a play. I’ll give him credit he does know that if you get 6 yards on first down then you only need 4 more yards to reach the required 10 yards for another first down. Unfortunately beyond basic arithmetic the guy just couldn’t hack it as an NFL announcer.

(Five)

Is anyone else as excited as I am about the JaMarcus Russell era? Why you ask? Well let me introduce you to my favourite quote so far about the up coming NFL season that has nothing to do with Chris Henry:

Lane Kiffin: "JaMarcus has been able to play at a big weight. He really has phenomenal feet for that size, to be able to move around for that size. You're never going to play with him at 260 or 255. If you think that's impossible, that's not his body. I think as long as you are around 270 [with him], you're doing really well."

I can’t wait for JaMarcus to show up at mini camp in stretch pants, a grease stained sweater just stinking of Arby’s.
I just hope he can break the record for fattest QB in the league. Right now the hands down winner is the Giants Jared Lorenzen.

Oh, just in case you’ve forgotten, here is what Jared looks like:



(Six)

At what point do we have to look at sports being a leading candidate for heart disease and obesity? With so many MLB stadiums running all you can eat food promo’s at what point will we see a sharp increase in heart attacks before the 7th inning stretch? I read about a couple in Pittsburgh who ate four hotdogs, three hamburgers, three ice-cream sandwiches, two places of nachos and a bag of peanuts. The scary part was compared to what some fans can put back; that amount of food seemed almost moderate.

As I slowly count down the days until Isiah Thomas’s departure from the Knicks I started to think about all the pain and suffering that millions of Knicks fans have had to endure over Isiah’s reign of terror and the level of courage it has took to keep the faith and remain a Knicks fan. It’s easy to remain loyal if you’re a Spurs fan, hell that’s just easy. A great nucleus of players, smart coaching staff and a front office that makes fewer mistakes that just about every other team in the NBA.

But what if you’re a fan of a perennially lousy team, what’s in it for you?

Yet the majority of sports fans remain loyal to their team no matter what. This fact lead me to one simple conclusion … men are more loyal to their teams than to their girlfriends or wives.

Think about your favourite team. Now think about how long you have been a fan of this team. In most cases you have been loyal to your one team (per sport) for a longer period of time than your longest relationship.

Consider:

(1) I bet you remember how you first became a fan of your #1 team. Now I bet a lot of you can’t remember how you first met your current girlfriend/wife.

(2) You can probably remember the exact date of your team’s biggest win that you remember watching. But do you remember when you went on your first date, your first kiss or the always contentious anniversary date?

(3) If your girlfriend treated you the way Isiah Thomas or Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment have treated their fans I’m betting you would have dumped her a long time ago. But somehow when it comes to sports we stay loyal.

(4) Would you still be with your woman if she lied to you as much as J.P. Riccardi lies to Jays fans? I’m betting no. Yet while attendance may not be great, the Blue Jays still pull excellent TV numbers.

(5) Conservative estimates have 60% of married men engaging in extramarital affairs. Now let’s put that in a sports perspective. How many Boston Red Sox fans do you think go how and secretly put on their Derek Jeter jersey in the privacy of their own home while watching old highlights of Paul O’Neill bitching about a called strike three? I’m guessing that number is well below 60%.

You see once you are a fan of a team that is pretty much it for life. No matter what happens you stick by this team hoping that one day it will all work out. That years of bad drafts and even worse records will eventually lead to a Championship. Most fans have to eat a hearty dish of delusion on a daily basis just to get by. All we have is hope for a better day.

It seems to me that if you replace team with girlfriend … well I would call that an abusive relationship.

Now if you’ll excuse I’m looking for new Knicks President Donnie Walsh to show me some love and fire Isiah Thomas.

I think it's time that I can start my refrains of "I told you so."
Back in October, I stated on the CRGR that I didn't think Ottawa was going to go very far this season. I didn't have a crystal ball; I didn't know at that time that Ray Emery was going to go nuts or that Bryan Murray would destroy what was left of the team's chemistry with his failed attempts to trade the very popular Wade Redden.
(As an aside, I still think Murray's botched attempt to send Redden to the Sharks did more damage to the Sens dressing room than any of Emery's meltdowns.)
But, if anything, I am an avid NHL historian. And I know this. What do the 1983-84 Edmonton Oilers and the 1967-68 Montreal Canadiens have in common? They are the only two franchises in the last 40 years to have won Cups in the seasons immediately AFTER they lost Cup finals.
Losing the Cup final is devastating; a team puts in pretty well the same effort as the winner and gets almost no off-season. And have nothing to show for it save emotional devastation. Traditionally, NHL teams that lose the Cup final tank the next season. Take it to the bank.
I would argue that it's more of an emotional blow to lose the Cup final than it is to finish 30th in the league. Yes, when October comes, the Tampa Bay Lightning will be more mentally prepared to deal with the season than whomever loses the Cup final (by my estimation, it's the Rangers, who will lose to San Jose: There, I made a pick, I feel better about it).
So, when I maintained, even when Ottawa was 15-2, that the Sens would come crashing back to Earth, I was doing so based on history. Sooner or later, injuries or not, soap operas or not, the fatigue of playing well into June and the feeling of loss that lingered from the final would catch up to the Sens.
The lesson: When handicapping a team, never, ever ignore history.

It’s official – fantasy pools are taking over my life. Seriously, my concentration’s out of whack … I never had a whole lot of concentration to begin with, but now, it’s all gone. My producer’s telling me I’m in too many pools, and maybe I am. I just can’t say no to join them! I may have a problem. But for me, working in the sports industry, being inundated with it every day, I’ve got to do this to keep things interesting. It’s not as if I abandon my friends or women, going out for beers or anything like that – once again, it makes sports more interesting. So here’s what I’m looking at right now.

2 Baseball Pools (1 keeper accumulated points, 1 non-keeper head-to-head)
3 Playoff Hockey Pools (2 draft styles, 1 pick ‘em)
1 Masters Pool (Pick ‘em)

This, along with the fact I just finished 3 hockey pools, 2 basketball pools and an NCAA bracket … you get the picture!!

Maybe the reason I can’t say no is that I’m really good at them. I’m not trying to brag, but seriously, winning cash off my buddy’s is something I enjoy! I dominate, and if you’re good at something, why stop? Does anyone else out there feel my pain?? If you’re not winning your pools and care to know what the formula for success is, here’s what I’m staring down right now.

Baseball

(Keeper) – Russell Martin, Alex Gordon, Brandon Philips, Jose Reyes, Alex Rodriguez, Ichiro, Lastings Milledge, Matt Holliday, Howie Kendrick, Jay Bay, Conor Jackson, Josh Fields, Mike Cameron, Matt Cain, Johnny Cueto, Matt Garza, Rich Hill, Jair Jurrjens, Chris Young, Zack Grienke, Jeff Suppan, John Lester, John Maine, Nick Adenhart, Gio Gonzalez

(Non-keeper) – Victor Martinez, Nick Swisher, Chase Utley, Khalil Greene, Hank Blalock, Joe Crede, Willy Tavares, Josh Hamilton, Lastings Milledge, Joey Gathright, Evan Longoria, Dan Haren, Fausto Carmona, Brett Myers, Adam Loewen, Chad Billingsley, Mark Lowe, Oliver Perez, Mike Pelfrey, Homer Bailey, J.J. Putz, Matt Garza)

Hockey Playoffs

Draft 1 – Lidstrom, Jagr, Streit, Higgins, J. Carter, S. Kostitsyn, Clowe, Prospal, Grabovski, Salei

Draft 2 – Jagr, Gonchar, Franzen, Perry, Hudler, Straka, Avery, Phaneuf, Rozsival, Pahlsson

Pick ‘em – Jagr, Kovalev, Malkin, Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Selanne, Gonchar, Markov, Lidstrom, Rafalski, Price, Hasek

Masters – Luke Donald, Justin Rose, Lee Westwood, Paul Casey, Jim Furyk, Geoff Ogilvy (that’s what you call a solid team!)

So follow along if you like. Let me know what decisions you’re trying to make for your teams. I can help you, and you can help me. The situation works for all of us.

Happy Pooling,

Gareth Wheeler

gareth.wheeler@suntv.canoe.ca

What do Toronto FC and the Oakland Raiders have in common?
Well, other than not being very good at the moment, they seem to share a philosophy: to sign malcontents and problem children, hoping that they can channel their collective rage into wins.
It worked for the Raiders back in the days of John Madden and Tom Flores; whether it works or not for Toronto FC remains to be seen.
Today, Amado Guevara, who is currently suspended from Honduran soccer for attacking a referee, said that he will be returning to the MLS and has signed a deal to come to Toronto. Yes, the same Guevara who ran himself out of the MLS after demanding trades and, yes, attacking referees.
If Amado is right, he'll team with Laurent Robert, the Frenchman with the great left foot who has a history of criticizing coaches, attacking teammates and being a malcontent. And Kevin Harmse, the newly-added Canadian with the reputation for getting red cards, was, well, red carded last week.
If Guevara is coming to BMO Field, it looks like TFC has a pattern going here. At least it'll make the team fun to cover this season.
Bring on the nutters!

EAST

1) MONTREAL vs. 8) Boston:

Canadiens in 6. I don’t like the Habs to go deep in these playoffs. They took major strides, but c’mon, this is the NH-frickin-L and you don’t win a Cup with a good storyline. It’s simple, they’re too soft and Carey Price, despite all the convincing the media will attempt, is NOT Ken Dryden or Pat Roy. As far as this series goes, Montreal’s dominance over the B’s all-season and the fact that the Bruins last line of defense is “All-Star” Tim Thomas, just flat out makes this the second (Ducks are a lock) easiest series to forecast. When two Original 6 teams meet in the playoffs, you’re insane to suggest a sweep. So, I’ll go: Habs in 6.

2) PITTSBURGH vs. 7) Ottawa:

Penguins in 5. No one in the world thinks the Sens can win this series. And I live here too. The goaltending is crap, the team in turmoil, major players injured and, well, THEY’RE THE SENS! They FIND ways to screw things up. All that, coupled with a locked-in M.A. Fleury, the Sens are screwed. Crosby and Malkin in 5.

3) WASHINGTON vs. 6) Philadelphia:

Capitals in 7. By the end of this series Ovechkin will be skating around with a dinged up face, a limp, 3 game winners in his pocket and the hatred of the legendary Philly fans in his soul. This series will be a classic, one where the momentum will shift after every game, fights galore, coach’s yelling at each other… Ovechkin in 7.

4) NEW JERSEY vs. 5) New York Rangers:

Rangers in 6. Frankly, it’s Lunqvist’s time to break out, Avery’s turn to earn a big contract this summer and time for Gomez and Drury to prove their worth. Neither of these teams can score often, but Jagr is heating up at the right time. I like the Rangers to go very deep in these playoffs. Rangers in 6.

WEST

1) DETROIT vs. 8) Nashville:

Red Wings in 4. This is allowed: Suggesting that the Sharks (despite what I say below) and Ducks have a better chance at the Cup than the Wings. This isn’t: suggesting that the Preds can even come close in this first-round match-up. I don’t even want to waste my time telling you how much better the Wings roster is. And with Nashville pulling a tank job in their last game of the season so they can meet this opponent, man, that was the little motivation the Wings did NOT need. Wings in 4.

2) SAN JOSE vs. 7) Calgary:

Flames in 7. THIS IS THE UPSET. There’s gonna be one, we all know it, there’s one EVERY year. And looking at these match-ups, this is the most likely candidate. I like the Sharks, I really do, but if I’m going to prognosticate these playoffs for you fine fans of The Grill Room (we love you) I am NOT going to suggest to take all the higher seeds. So, Flames in 7.

3) MINNESOTA vs. 6) Colorado:

Wild in 6. Despite the #3-seed - SLEEPER, SLEEPER! The Minnesota Wild are taking a huge franchise step forward this post-season and the resurgent Avs will be the first victim. Everyone’s high on the Rocky Mountains but Sakic is not the same player and Forsberg will be lucky to play 3 or 4