The Hazies - The Champs & The Chumps

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

For those of you who are new to the page - we like to start each week (we're late again) by taking a look back at some of the more notable newmakers from the week that was in the world of sports. To those who have risen above the rest, we salute them by honouring them as one of Hazel's Heroes and awarding the Champs a "Hazie". On the flip side, we look at those who have distinguished themselves for less than stellar performances - The Chumps.

While Hazel hasn't officially approved this week's list of winners and "runners-up", we'd like to think she would give her trademark smile and thumbs up.

HAZEL'S HEROES - THE CHAMPS

NFL
New England Patriots QB Tom Brady threw three touchdown passes against the Browns tying an NFL record - Brady became the second QB to throw at least three touchdown passes in five consecutive games to start a season. While we like Brady, we won't be too upset when he fails in his attempt to become the first to do it in six consecutive games - that's right, you heard it here first; the Cowboys are not only going to beat the Patriots in Big D, they are going to stop Brady from laying claim to the record.

Speaking of the Cowboys...PK Nick Folk hit not one but two 53 yard field goals on the last play of the game to save Tony Romo's ass and prevent the Cowboys from suffering a humiliating defeat to the pathetic Bills on Monday night. The first successful attempt was called back after Bills coach Dick Jauron called a time out right before the snap - Folk, whose longest field goal this season was 42 yards, kept his concentration and hit another one to win the game....money baby!

Speaking of money...Houston Texans PK tied an NFL record with three 50+ yard field goals in a single game - the last one, a 57 yarder, won the game for the Texans. Unfortunately, these jokers didn't cover the spread.


NHL
Toronto Maple Leafs C Mats Sundin scored his 389th career goal in the blue and white in a 4-3 win over the hated Canadiens on Saturday night. The goal moved the classy captain in tie with former Leafs great Darryl Sittler for first on the all-time goal scorers list. We were hoping to say that Sundin had broken the record against Carolina last night - but it was ugly at the ACC. We've said it a million times here - this guy has never gotten the credit he deserves; not from Toronto fans or the media. We're sure Hazel would be down with this one if she is checking in.


MLB
Boston Red Sox LF Manny Ramirez hit a walk-off three run home run on Saturday night against the Angels to give Boston a 6-3 win and a decisive 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series. It wasn't a series clinching home run, but the guy came through in the clutch - like he always does. To all you Manny haters out there - do you really think Boston could win a World Series without this guy in the lineup?


EUROPEAN FOOTBALL
Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo seems like he is well on the road to recovery after a tough start to the season. Ronaldo scored the games only goal in a mid-week win over AS Roma in Champions League, and scored two more this past weekend in Man U's 4-0 victory. We're hoping some of that carries over for Portugal's upcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers. The best player on the planet - period!


HAZEL'S ZEROES - THE CHUMPS

NFL
Green Bay Packers QB Brett Favre made headlines, and the NFL record book, on Sunday by throwing the 277th interception of his career. If you have read the page for a while you know we don't have much love for Favre, so we are welcoming him back where he belongs in this particular entry. Favre has often been lauded for his gunslinger's mentality and his ability to make plays out of nothing - what often gets over looked his how many mistakes he makes because of his poor judgement. Favre threw the Bears a life preserver with that INT which eventually led to a Bears comeback. Way to go Favre.

The Miami Dolphins/Houston Texans game provided a moment that brings, not one but, two chumps to this week's entry. We're sure you all saw the questionable block thrown by Dolphins QB Trent Green on Texans Travis Johnson; we're calling them both out this week - Green for going after a guy's knees and Johnson for standing over an unconscious opponent and taunting him. Bad on all sides.

The New Orleans Saints lost their fourth straight game to start the season - this is really a case where the coach has to go. Head coach Sean Payton's play selection has been abysmal and is one of the main reasons this team is so awful.


NHL
Ottawa SenaTards RW Chris Neil is back - again for another questionable hit on Saturday, this time on Rangers agitator Sean Avery. Neil was penalized for elbowing on a hit that left Avery with a separated shoulder and out of action for 2-4 weeks. Reaction to the hit was mixed - the SenaTards faithful were applauding the hit as "old time hockey" (forgetting that a couple of weeks back they were screaming for Steve Downie's head), while objective fans say the hit was borderline at best and absolutely unnecessary. Neil for his part stuck to his same old stupid line about 'just finishing his checks' - he skates around like a shark just waiting to take shots like that.


MLB
New York Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez had another ARod like post-season against the Indians. We won't go into it as everyone is well aware that he had another forgettable October. We'll take Manny over ARod ANY DAMN DAY OF THE WEEK. You reading this Quikdraw????

The Philadelphia Phillies made a great late season run to mount the greatest comeback in MLB history when they made up 7.5 games with 17 remaining to overtake the Mets for the NL East. For an encore, the Phillies were swept by the Rockies - pathetic, though not unexpected. No wonder Philadelphia is thought to be the city of losers. Same goes for the who were swept by the DBacks. Chicago Cubs CF Alfonso Soriano is rapidly cementing a reputation of ARod Jr. in the post-season - the $118M Dollar Man had two hits in three games.


EUROPEAN FOOTBALL
AC Milan goalkeeper Nelson Dida pulled a stunt last week that he should be ashamed of - our man Tilt would give him ass clown of the week for it. Dida embarrassed his team and the beautiful game with his shameful acting display. We won't go into it - you can see the video of it here and see for yourself.

That's it for this week gang - let us know what you think; leave a comment if you agree, disagree or have someone to add.

No stars to mention this morning - we want to forget about last night's Leafs/Canes game.

WEDNESDAY THREE PLAY
Another shaky start to the week with the Cowboys not covering and the Yankees losing at home to the Tribe. Total for the week stands at - $130 - we'll get it back starting tonight. Tonight's suggestions:

PITTSBURGH over Montreal - the Canadiens announced that rookie G Carey Price will make his first career start in Pittsburgh against Sidney Crosby and the Penguins - they are feeding the kid to the wolves, knowing they are going to get smoked. Forget the hype about Price - this move is to protect the fragile confidence of their number one guy Cristobal Huet. Lay $100 on the Pens - $185.

New York Rangers over NEW YORK ISLANDERS - the Rangers will be looking to take their frustrations out on the Islanders after being shut out by the Tards. The Islanders are a bad team, almost as bad as the Bruins. Lay $100 on the Rangers - $140. Speaking of the Bruins

San Jose over CHICAGO - the Hawks will be playing without Martin Havlat who is hurt (again) - the Hawks will be a little better this year, but they aren't even close to being in San Jose's league. Lay $100 on the Sharks -$160.

ANAHEIM over Boston - Ducks home opener after a very long and unsuccessful road trip to open the year. The Ducks will be getting their Stanley Cup rings tonight, so expect them to put on a show against the Bruins. Lay $100 on the Ducks - $185.

MINNESOTA over Edmonton - the Oilers are in the same boat as the Bruins this year - they are going to have a tough time winning. The Wild are being looked at as potential Cup contenders and they are almost unbeatable at home. Lay $100 on the Wild - $210.

No links for Hazel this morning - the news out of the ACC is bad.

That's it for today gang - thanks for taking the time to check in. Have a great one peeps.

Hazel, we hope things are groovy in your world.

We're Out!