Random Chatter ...

It’s Friday, the weekend is almost here and I feel like talking about a ton of things. The best part is – I can.


I heard that Maurice Clarett had a ‘special’ workout for several NFL teams this week near his hometown in Ohio. From what I’ve seen Clarett had a much better showing than he did in February at the NFL Combines where his 40-yard dash times were 4.87 & 4.72. This week the 236 pound running back ran a 4.67 & 4.68. Some people speculated that he would be a late round pick or wouldn’t get drafted at all – something tells me somebody’s going to draft him and give him a shot. Would I? Maybe in the sixth or seventh round if I needed a running back.


Have you taken your steroids today? Good golly with all this steroid talk. Earlier this week it came out that several Carolina Panthers players were linked to a doctor in South Carolina that prescribed them steroids. The names that have come out are former Panther and current Tampa Bay Buccaneer offensive tackle Todd Steussie, Panthers center Jeff Mitchell and Panthers punter Todd Sauerbrun. Apparently we’ll find out the other names as the ongoing investigation moves down the pike. These guys are just a few of many in this league that actually got busted. Can you imagine how many guys are using the ‘cream’ the ‘clear’ and whatever else they can get their hands on? For some reason I knew they weren’t better than the Eagles two years ago when they went to the Super Bowl.


No seriously, did you take your steroids today or not? Mr. Tour de France Lance Armstrong’s former personal assistant is saying that he found some ‘roids in LA’s apartment in early 2004. Would it surprise me that he’s doing them? Yes. This guy has been tested more times than most lab rats. Maybe he took some performance enhancing drugs after he survived cancer, but since the man one his first Tour de France he’s been scrutinized for being on some sort of dope, while being tested like an animal in the San Diego Zoo.


J-E-T-S…JETS! JETS! JETS! That’s right the team from New York (um, New Jersey?) that’s been sharing Giants Stadium with the Giants for forever seems like it might get a stadium of its own – and a stadium in Manhattan no less. I think it’s about twenty years overdue and that the Jets players, coaches and fans deserve a brand new stadium in the heart of NYC. I’ve been fortunate enough to attend about seven or eight Jets home games over the years and remember going to the last game of the 1996 season against the Miami Dolphins during the Jets miserable 1-15 season. The game was close and the place was going crazy when the Jets pulled ahead in the 4th quarter. I remember thinking, “Why do they care?” Jets fans are a special breed, you might call them ‘True Green – Through and Through.’ I can’t imagine how many free agents would love to play for the Jets if the deal goes through – talk about an electrifying experience.


Surprising news out of Cleveland Indians spring training – Juan Gonzalez is on the 15-day Disabled List. It’s nothing new for this guy – in fact on his baseball cards I’m not sure why they don’t list him as:
Juan Gonzalez
Cleveland Indians
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 220 lbs.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Position: Disabled List/Outfielder

Linebacker Tedy Bruschi is apparently recovering nicely from his stroke in mid February. Bruschi has been with the Patriots since 1996 and has played in 4 Super Bowls with the team – winning 3 of the last four years. Here’s hoping that a true leader of the great Patriots team makes a full and speedy recovery.


Courtney Brown shuns the Redskins to sign with the Broncos. Why on Earth did Joe Gibbs make this guy a priority? They ‘courted’ Courtney like he was Deacon Jones and he was somehow going to have an injury-free productive season. Please tell me that Gibbs will make better decisions on player personnel so I don’t have to listen to my Redskins friends cry.


Randy Johnson vs. David Wells … World Champion Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees on Sunday night. I’m a die-hard Mets fan, but I can’t think of a better way to start the 2005 season. Watching the Sox strut onto the field that they finished an improbable 0-3 turnaround leading to there first World Championship in 86 years last season in front of the Yankees and the fans at Yankee Stadium is going to be great. And then watching former beloved Yankee David Wells beat them on opening night will be even better.


The NIT Championship was spectacular last night.


The Final Four. The next time I see you again (Monday) we will have the championship set. I can’t wait to see what happens on Saturday…hopefully we’ll have two awesome games leading up to a masterpiece on Monday night.