The Hazies - The Champs & Chumps

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae.

For those of you who haven't been here before, The Hazies take a look back at the week or so that was in the world of sports, highlighting some of the more notable performances - to those who have risen above the rest, we award them with an honourary "Hazie" - the lucky few have the title of "Hazel's Hero" bestowed upon them. As you can imagine, this week's winners come primarily from the National Football League (did you do the big booming voice when you read the last part?).

While Hazel hasn't officially approved this week's winners, we'd like to think she'd give her trademark smile and thumbs up to our selections (in case you are wondering, no - Hazel isn't reading a published version of the Hazies...though it would be pretty cool if she was).

HAZEL'S HEROES - THE CHAMPS

NFL
New England Patriots' QB Tom Brady didn't have his best game yesterday against the Chargers, but he fought through it and came up big when his team needed him most - he shook off his interception to lead his team to the game tying score, and hit Reche Caldwell with the long ball on a 3rd and 10 to put New England in position to kick the game winning field goal. 12 - 1 in the post-season and looking for his fourth Super Bowl...the epitome of a Champ.

New England WR/DB/PR (and whatever else he is asked to do) Troy Brown came up big for his team again yesterday, this time on the defensive end. What makes Brown a champ is not just that he stripped the Marlon McCree of the ball after the INT, it is that he does whatever his team asks him to do - no questions, no complaints, no griping. The man is the consumate professional and deserving of the title "Hazel's Hero - A Champ".

Indianapolis Colts' PK Adam Vinatieri tied a record that he held with a number of place kickers with five field goals against the Titans on Saturday. When Vinatieri left New England, there were some questions about the strength of his leg - well, he answered those questions with field goals of 48 and 51 yards. Vinatieri, like his old friend Tom Brady, is money in the playoffs - setting up a great matchup on Sunday.

New Orleans Saints' RB Deuce McAllister showed everyone why he is still the man - Deuce was written off after the Saints chose Reggie Bush, but he sucked it up and went out and played hard every game. McAllister was the featured back on Saturday, carrying the ball 21 times for 143 yards and a TD. Deuce has been the consumate team player - and that makes him a champ.


NHL
Ottawa SenaTards Captain, known to Leaf Nation as, Krusty the Clown, was named the NHL's First Star of the Week - blah blah blah. Krusty is known for being great from January to March - but we all know he does his best "Where's Waldo" imitation in April.

Calgary Flames' G Miikka Kiprusoff was named the Second Star of the Week. Kiprusoff posted a 1.33 GAA and a save percentage of .949 in leading the Flames to three straight wins last week - all this with Calgary's Captain Jarome Iginla out of the lineup.

Florida Panthers' C Olli Jokinen was named the Third Star of the Week. Jokinen lead Florida to two wins in three games, scoring 5 goals and adding an assist for the week. Jokinen deserves to play somewhere other than Florida.

Phoenix Coyotes' C Yanic Perreault was named to the Western Conference All-Star team, pretty damn good for a guy who signed for $700 K after sitting out a good part of the season. Oh yeah, he's a former Maple Leaf too!


HAZEL'S ZEROES - THE CHUMPS
Everyone is piling on Marty Schottenheimer today - maybe deservedly so, but check out some of this questionable, if not downright stupid decisions made by some of his colleagues?

Chicago Bears' coach Lovie Smith has been criticized for sticking with Rex Grossman - which most Bears fans find stupid. But Smith had the ultimate brain cramp yesterday against Seattle that SHOULD have cost him the game. For those of you who didn't see it, with two seconds left in the fourth quarter, the game tied at 24, and Seattle facing a fourth and forever on their own 46 - Lovie Smith calls a timeout; presumably thinking that Seattle would be stupid enough to punt the ball to Devin Hester . Apparently Lovie hasn't heard of the Hail Mary play (someone send him a tape of Flutie and Boston College over the Miami Hurricanes). Smith took a stupid gamble with the odds of something bad happening at 2-1; a miracle touchdown or interference call could have cost Chicago the game. Mary wouldn't do anything THAT dumb.

Philadelphia Eagles' Coach Andy Reid proved once again that he isn't the brightest star in the NFL. The Eagles were trailing by 3 with 1:56 left in the fourth and the ball on their own 44, facing a 4th and 10; Reid goes for it and the Eagles convert a long pass to get the first down...except the play was called back for a false start. With the Eagles facing a 4th and 15, he decides to punt the ball away, hoping his defence would be able to come up with a three and out against the Saints - something they had only twice the entire game (and only once in the second half). If you watched the game you know what happened - Deuce McAllister picked up a first down to allow the Saints to run out the clock, and with it, started the celebration at Donovan McNabb's mother's hotel room. Marty is criticized for being too conservative - but I think faced with the same situation, he would have went for it...maybe.

It took 17 games, but San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson made the list of chumps for his comments about the Patriots celebration after Nate Kaeding missed a game tying field goal. I'm sure everyone who reads the page knows what Tomlinson said - it was bad enough that he accused the Patriots of having no class...but to call out Bill Belichick? Geezus L.T., Belichick is one of the most reserved men in the NFL and you claim that the taunting celebration is a reflection of him?

MEMORABLE QUOTES FROM THE WEEKEND
Ok, like you, I spent a lot of time watching sports this weekend - and it turned out to be a waste time given how things turned out. As an aside, Drew Brees I still hate you this week. But there were a couple of funnies from the weekend of sports this past weekend.

CBS Announcer Phil Simms talking about Brady's passing prowess - "Tom Brady can get it into tight places." Bridgette Moynahan must have crossed the minds of Patriots' fans...don't you think?

Fox Soccernet Commentators after Newcastle's Nicky Butt scores the go ahead goal late in a game against Tottenham. "Butt has found the crack in Tottenham's defence."

If you have a submission, pass it along and we'll post it next week.

That's about it for tonight gang...have a great one peeps!

Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world.

Song of the Night on Hazelspeeps - a great song that sticks in your head

Landing in London - Three Doors Down

Peesth Out...Buh Bye!