Thursday's Rants

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

We’re back after a few days away, including a great night/day in the great city of Toronto. Trying to recap the weekend/week that was from our particular viewpoint can be best summed up with one of the preferred ways of rolling up the events of a few days into one post – another installment of The Good, The Bad, The Ugly and The Downright Ridiculous.

THE GOOD
Boston Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia wins American League Rookie of the Year – we’re on a movement to have Portugal in the next World Baseball Championship. Starting lineup includes – Pedroia, Mark Texeira, Jonny Gomes, Shane Costa and Kevin Correia; we’re working on recruits.

Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys continue to roll, beating the counterfeit Giants at the Meadowlands by a 31-20 count; four touchdown passes for Romo, including two to Terrell Owens who was a force on Sunday. The Giants are the worst 6-3 team in the NFL.

It was a quiet few days in terms of “The Good”.


THE BAD
The Maple Leafs drop two games in overtime (one in a shootout) – losing to the Rangers in a shootout was bad, especially after clawing their way back to tie the game at two in the second period; losing to the Habs in overtime on yet ANOTHER brain cramp by Bryan McCabe was awful. We’ve been calling for John Ferguson Jr. to find a way to move this guy – for anything; the time has come. McCabe can’t play in Toronto anymore – his confidence is completely shot and he seems clueless about how bad he really is out there, judging by his post game comments. McCabe’s views that “they played well enough to win” completely misses the point about how his actions were directly responsible for plays that ended the game. McCabe for Jovanovski – MAKE IT HAPPEN JFJ.

To make matters even worse in Toronto – Leafs rookie Jiri Tlusty is in the middle of a controversy after a website posted pictures of the kid “in all his glory” partying with friends of his last year. The media is having a field day with this one – looking to devour the kid for displaying bad judgment. The Leafs are sticking together in this one – trying to shield the kid from the likes of Leafs haters like Damien Cox (inside joke on that one – trust us, its funny) and Steve Simmons who are chalking up the ill-advised actions of an 18 year old to what’s wrong with Hazel’s hometown team.


THE UGLY
The New Orleans Saints, have joined the San Diego Chargers on the “Thoughts of Hazel Mae” shit list. The Saints took us out of a pretty decent size suicide/survivor pool with their loss to the Rams on Sunday. For that, we hope they lose each and every game for from here on in. Over the last couple of years, Drew Brees has been talked about like he’s an MVP type player – from our perspective, the only award he is going to get this year is Tilt’s Donkey of the Year. Brees’ numbers were helped when the Rams went into a prevent in the fourth quarter – but the damage was done; two picks, BAD ONES, the main factor in the Saints loss. Thanks for nothing Brees…

Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning throws six picks in a loss to the Chargers – we’ve heard the Manning apologists talk about how the injuries were a big factor in his performance, or lack thereof. We’re having none of it – he’s supposed to be a leader and a field general who makes those around him better. He threw the ball into double and triple coverage on some of those picks – he was awful; admit it and move on.


THE DOWNRIGHT RIDICULOUS
So the word out of New York is that ARod has talked to the Yankees to convey his interest in coming back to the team. Steinbrenner’s off-spring, Hank, has gone back on his original statements that if Rodriguez opted out of his contract, his days with the Yankees were over. Rodriguez for his part is saying he has a lot of ties in New York and wants to work a deal. Scott Boras is saying that “his client has instructed him to talk to the Yankees”. So much for the $350M man – though $271M is nothing to sneeze. Three despicable characters who deserve each other.

If we were managing the Sox – ARod would get plunked on his first at-bat of the season against Boston, for pulling that crap during the World Series and going back to the Yankees.

On to this week and the only game that matters tonight. The Maple Leafs pay a visit to Boston tonight – while we’d love to see Hazel show up at the game wearing the blue and white, we understand that the likelihood of that happening is zero. Still though, we’re hoping she brings the Leafs some Hazel Karma tonight – they need it. Before all three of you Bruins fans out there email us about how Rask should start tonight for Boston – we’re way ahead of you. Claude Julien is just about at the point where he is going to play hunches and feelings to make it look like he has a plan for the Bruins. If Rask plays tonight – Bruins get shelled…count on it; he isn’t ready for what the Leafs can throw at Boston’s average (at best) defence.


THURSDAY THREE PLAY
Our last round of picks on Sunday were pretty good – leaving us with another break even week. We are going to start this abbreviated week off right – with three winners.

Ottawa over Buffalo – we hate calling for a Tards win, but the Sabres and their non-existent offence are going to get pounded tonight. Lay $100 on the Tards - $200.

Minnesota over Edmonton – Oilers won in a shootout against Vancouver last night in a game that was described as fast-paced and very physical – the after effects of a game like that will hurt them tonight against the Wild. Lay $100 on Minnesota - $155.

San Jose over Phoenix – the Sharks, like Edmonton, are playing tonight after winning in a shootout last night – doesn’t matter though, they have the Coyotes number. Lay $100 on the Sharks - $135.

That’s it for today gang – thanks for taking the time to check in. Special thanks to Tilt for posting. Have a great on e peeps.

Hazel, we hope things are groovy in your world – enjoy the game tonight if you are going. Go Leafs Go.

We’re Out!