Weekend Recap of Heroes and the "Not So Heroic"

Hey peeps, and anyone else checking in...from the semi-regulars, to the first timers, to of course Ms. Hazel Mae (if she is peeking in) - thank you for stopping by.

So Mondays are the day when this page takes a look back at who has made headlines over the last week - some for very good reasons; other not so good. I'll let you decide.

HEROES
Cristiano Ronaldo, winger for the Portuguese national soccer team. Ronaldo lost his father early last week, with Portugal scheduled to play in Russia for a World Cup Qualifier - he suited up for his country...saying his father would have wanted him to play. If you read this page, you know that Portugal and Russia played to a 0 - 0 draw...but the inner strength and love of country displayed by this young man should be acknowledged and applauded. He is ready to lead Portugal for years to come...

Peyton and Eli Manning - Last week I talked about what Joe Horn and Curt Schilling did for the victims of Hurricane Katrina; the Manning brothers bought 31,000 lbs of non-perishable foods and covered the costs of flying it into Louisiana...they were also there to unload the food. Good on the brothers Manning and their family (former NFLer/New Orleans Saint Archie Manning). I have said it before and will say it again - these guys may be millionaires, and its easy for us to pass off what they do by saying "They can afford it" - but the bottom line is that they don't have to. I mentioned them last week...I didn't know how much they had done.

The New Orleans Saints went into Carolina, with every reason and/or excuse to lie down and get walked over by the Panthers...and they won on a last second field goal. While I don't want to over state things with the "this is so great for the people of New Orleans" stuff (I think those people have a lot more than a football game on their minds)...the Saints came big. Good for them.

Terrell Owens - yes...Terrell Owens...I know, I know, I can't believe it either. Michelle Tafoya just reported that Terrell Owens spent a day at the Astrodome (I couldn't quite hear her) with the victims of Hurricane Katrina - Owens was so moved that he decided to put his 2004 NFC Championship ring up on EBay and donate the money to the relief efforts. Just when he is headed for the all time "Hazel's Not So Heroic" list...he goes and does something like that - I'll give Terrell a pass for the next few weeks at least.

For fans of Monday Night Football - you will have noticed that Michelle is pregnant...I'm going to call it in advance...I think Hazel would be a great replacement for Michelle. She knows her NFL - even though she's a Chief's fan...she is a solid interviewer and she has presence. Don't be so quick to pass it off...I won't say anymore now.

Hazel was once quoted in a Canadian magazine as saying her ideal Sunday was sitting around in her pyjamas watching the NFL - to that I say OH YEAH...I'd bring the pizza, beer and Port for an NFL afternoon with Hazel.

This week marked the end of the road for a number of NHLers...from the greats like Mark Messier - to the very very good like Al McInnis - to the very good and always under-appreciated like Vincent Damphousse.

Damphousse - a former Maple Leaf, called it a career last week. While Damphousse was always criticized for being a one dimensional player (early in his career), to being too slow (his whole career) ...Damphousse put up some 1200 points. A very good career - Merci et bonne chance Vincent.

McInnis - a former Flame who retired a St. Louis Blue. McInnis was one of the top defenceman of his day...a guy who's overall game was overshadowed by his cannon of a point shot. He was always seen as an offensive defenceman...but the man was great at both ends. A Maritimer to boot!

Messier - he will always be an Oiler...one regarded as the ultimate lieutenant (to Gretzky's general)...Messier did something Gretzky never did - he won a cup after Gretzky was traded to L.A. and he won another one with the Rangers. Messier has to go down as one of the top 10 players of all time...I don't think his accomplishments will be fully appreciated for many more years...but he will be looked back on in the same way as guys like Gordie Howe, Gretzky and Bobby Orr.

David Ortiz, the guy just keeps getting walk off hits to keep the Red Sox in first place - the guy is clutch...money. Manny Ramirez is cranking them out again...he gets mention today for hitting the glass roof at the Skydome Restaurant tonight...speaking of which, I wonder if Hazel made her way up here this weekend...if she has, someone say hi to her! (As I type this...Ortiz just hit ANOTHER HR - I swear!!! - in the 11th against the Jays...Hazel's Karma strikes again).

I'd like to think Hazel would give her thumbs up...or the classic head nod to the aforementioned Heroes of the week.

NOT SO HEROIC
Terrell was going to be the lead guy here this week...for the ongoing saga with Donovan McNabb...but I can't do it - Terrell just got himself out of purgatory.

This week's nominees come from the NFL.

The Minnesota Vikings - for all the talk of how they were going to be a better team without Moss...how it was now Culpepper's team...how the chemistry on the team was great - the lost to Tampa...they didn't just lose, they had it handed to them. I said a few weeks ago that entrusting this team to Culpepper was a mistake that the Vikings would come to regret - yesterday's performance did nothing to change my mind. Culpepper isn't the kind of QB that can lead a team to championships...Moss made him look much better than he was - get used to seeing Dante fumble...cuz NFL defences don't have to double and triple team Moss now...they are coming to get him.

The Denver Broncos - Jake Plummer, one of the most over-rated players in the NFL, took his Broncos down to Miami and was badly outplayed by Gus Frerotte and the "Ricky Williams-less" Dolphins. Plummer made his name with his late game heroics in Arizona (both in college and with the Cardinals) - with respect to his NFL career, his comebacks were often a result of his poor decision making throughout the game which cost his team points...Denver is in for a long, long season if they are counting on Plummer...that running game better get in shape - or Shanhan and his weird/creepy "capped smile" may be out.

Chris Chelios and Tie Domi (the latter may not sit well with Hazel...being from Toronto) - these two, both definitely in the twilight of their respective careers continue to spout off their opinions about anything and everything...the latest being on the circumstances around the hiring of Ted Saskin - why these two think that they are now spokesmen for the PA...I'll never know. I wish Chelios would just go away...as for Tie... $2.5M for 2 years...be happy Tie...be happy and be quiet.

That's about it for tonight (or today, depending on when you are reading this). I hope you all have a great week...keep checking back and feel free to leave your comments (always read and considered). To Hazel Mae (if she's peeking in from Boston or even Toronto this week) - here's hoping you have a groovy week...the big 1 year is coming up huh? *smile* We knew you would do it...congrats!

The Song of the Day on Hazelspeeps at yahoo goes out to Dante Culpepper and the Minnesota Vikings who have to be missing Moss...

One - U2

Did I ask too much?
More than a lot
You gave me nothing
Now its all I got

Oh...for those of you wondering why I wasn't gloating about the Cowboys win? That comes tomorrow...remember...Jones...Williams = Division Championship.

Peesth Out.