Very Quick Notes from Boston

Just some short, quick thoughts on what has been happening in sports:

- The Redskins are doing it again, but this time they are signing younger players to crazy contracts, not older ones.  I don't know if they have any cash left for the draft.

- Matt Cassel is a Chief.  I think this is a steal.  The Chiefs got Mike Vrabel and Cassel for the 34th overall pick in the draft.  Huh?

- It might be too late for Georgetown, though their win over Villanova today should make them a little happier.

- Manny turned down another contract from the Dodgers.  Is it just me, or is he waiting for any sort of offer from the Yankees?

- Shaq dropped 45 last night.  He's still got something left.

Next update will probably be late tomorrow night.

Facial Hair of the Week

Facial Hair Friday comes a day early this week, since JFLAN will be in Boston for the weekend. So today we honor future Hall of Famer and multi-time NBA Champion, Spurs Coach Greg Popovich. He might be the best coach in the NBA today, even though Phil Jackson has more rings.

Congrats Coach Popovich. More to come on the next edition of Facial Hair Friday!

NFL Free Agency- The Only Thing that Distracts Me from the Draft

NFL Free Agency begins at midnight. Some early predictions about where the biggest free agents may go:

Albert Hayneswerth- Some say he is going to get $100 million from the Redskins. Some say the Redskins don't want him. The Giants or Cowboys could be players as well, as could his original team, the Titans. He went to Tennessee, drafted by the Titans, so I am going to guess he goes to the team closest to Tennessee that offers him the most money. Hello Dan Snyder. Hello Washington.

TJ Houshmandzadeh- If the Eagles are smart, they will offer him big money to play opposite DeSean Jackson. Bringing in Housh, along with a veteran wideout like Marvin Harrison, would get Donovan to sign that extension.

Laveranues Coles- Easiest free agent call. The Jets cut him, his best friend is Chad Pennington. Bien venidos a Miami.

Ray Lewis- NFL Network reporters say that the Jets will offer Lewis 3 years, $25 million. DeMarcus Ware says Lewis told him his dream is to be a Cowboy. But I just can't imagine Lewis in a different uniform. Expect him to stay in Balitimore.

Derrick Dockery- Just cut by the Bills today, he instantly becomes the best Guard on the market. Rumor is that he was never happy in Buffalo, but was happy in Washington. The Skins need him back, because they were never able to replace him. I think he comes home. Also, if he isn't signed by draft day, the Skins could sweeten the deal by drafting his younger brother.

Donte Hall- If Washington doesn't sign him before midnight, he's gone. A Raider/Redskin last year, I think Hall will hear an offer he can't refuse, and that will come from the Patriots. They always seem to need corners, and Hall is the best one available.

Various QBs- So many names. Grossman, Leftwich, Warner, Collins, Garcia, Simms, Losman and Fitzpatrick. The Jets will get one of them, but apparently have no interest in Leftwich. Warner will stay in Arizona or will retire. Collins really should stay in Tennessee. the rest are a crap shoot. I think the best pickup of the bunch longterm is Leftwich. San Francisco could bring him in and he would win that job easily. Jeff Garcia, 39, would be good for a team that wants to win now, a one year deal. Maybe the Jets? This might be the most fun position to watch during the FA period.

Enjoy the madness at midnight!

Eh... About That, Tiger...

So, I may have jumped the gun a little. After watching Tiger's first round back from his knee injury, I put every other golfer on notice. Then what does Mr. Woods do? Loses his next match to Tim Clark 4 & 2. So much for winning his comeback tournament. But, I still think Tiger will be better than ever. This was just a chance for Tiger to slowly re-incorporate himself into the world of golf. Hopefully he will get one or two more tournaments in before Augusta in April. JFLANland is looking forward to a nice sunny April Sunday, watching Tiger storm through the Amen Corner and the back-9 on his way to another Green Jacket.

For the Good-ell of the League

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has agreed to take a 20% pay cut in order to help the league in these difficult economic times. This came after Goodell said he would freeze his salary instead of receiving a raise for which he was due. JFLANland applauds Goodell and his commitment to the health and economic stability of the league. Every little bit helps, so they say, and even a multi-billion dollar behemoth like the NFL is vulnerable.

Notes- February 25

Some notes on the day in sports:

- Sergio Garica was a #1 seed in the WGC Matchplay Championship... and lost. I am starting to wonder if Sergio will ever win. At least JFLANland favorite Padraig Harrington, who also lost Wednesday, capitalized on Tiger's absence by winning the British Open and the PGA.

- A slew of cuts and releases on the eve of free agency in the NFL. Think you can name a Tampa Bay Buccaneer other than Ronde Barber? Think again. The team released practically every big-name player they had. Another era is over in New Jersey, where the Jets released Laveraneus Coles.

- A-Rod had his first Spring Training game today. He walked in his first at bat, to some jeers. However, in his second AB, he lifted a ball out over the right-center fence for a 2-run homer. As he rounded the bases, he received a standing ovation. Seems it doesn't matter if you have done 'roids in the minds of your fans. Just that you produce now that you are of them.

- A Marco Jaric update. He has now missed his first 16 attempts since his marriage. But, still, what does he care. He married ADRIANNA LIMA!

Marco Jaric- The Luckiest Man in the World

I think I can speak for men everywhere when I can say that we hate Marco Jaric. Jaric, currently a member of the Memphis Grizzlies, is a mediocre role player at best. This season he has averaged 1.8 points and 1.2 rebounds a game. Furthermore. he has missed his last 12 shot attempts. Why does this matter? Those attempts have all come after Jaric eloped and married his wife, Adrianna Lima. You may remember Lima as the face of Victoria's Secret and easily one of the most beautiful women in the world. How does this happen? I don't know whether regular guys should be encouraged by the fact this man married a supermodel, or whether we should all be outraged because... well, THIS MAN MARRIED A SUPERMODEL. At least Seal is talented, so we understand Heidi Klum. Miranda Kerr is dating pirate/elf heart throb Orlando Bloom. But Marco Jaric? JFLANland is thoroughly befuddled and vexed by this pair.

And You Thought He Was Good When He Was Injured...

Tiger came back today at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. Essentially, it is March Madness for golf, and Tiger is the #1 overall player. After missing the last 8 months due to knee surgery, Mr. Woods didn't miss a beat. Rust? Ha! Tiger has no time for rust. He dispensed of an obviously-nervous Brendan Jones, the #64 player in the world, 3 and 2. The Aussie equivalent of a NCAA 16 seed (let's say SWAC team Alabama A&M, shall we?) never stood a chance. Tiger will now face Tim Clark, who beat Retief Goosen 3 and 2. Good luck Mr. Clark. It looks like you are going to need it.

Congrats Coach Boeheim!

One of JFLANland's favorite people, Coach Jim Boeheim, set an NCAA record tonight. Coach won his 20th game of the season, meaning that he now has more 20-win seasons than any other coach in college history. Syracuse's 87-58 blowout of the St. John's Red Storm clinched Boeheim's 31st 20-win season, breaking the tie he had with former UNC coach Dean Smith. Often overlooked in the pantheon of great coaches, Boeheim is a model of consistency. He recruits well, and has done more for the 2-3 zone than anyone ever. He won a National Championship behind Carmelo Anthony in 2003, and has been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Boeheim is rapidly approaching 800 career wins as well.

Congrats Coach. Hopefully we add to it on Sunday.

Mt. Rushmore of Sports

ESPN's look at the Greatest Mt. Rushmore of Sports finished today. After narrowing down from the 50 states, DC and Puerto Rico, the 5 finalists were New York, California, Alabama, Pennsylvania and Illinois. America (apparently) voted for Illinois. Their mountain consists of Michael Jordan, Walter Peyton, Ernie Banks, and Da Coach Mike Ditka. A really nice one, sure. But the best? Better than New York's quartet of The Babe, Jackie Robinson, Broadway Joe and The one and only Jim Brown? Better than California's Magic Johnson, John Wooden, Jackie Robinson and Tiger? I think this is another example of crooked Illinois voting.

Out in Left-wich Field

I am amazed that Pittsburg Steelers QB Byron Leftwich isn't being considered for any of the open QB positions in the NFL. He is 29 and has been to the playoffs. He also won a game for the Steelers this past year in Washington DC when Big Ben went down. You cannot tell me that Sage Rosenfels, Tavaris Jackson, Shaun Hill, Alex Smith, Luke McCown, Kellen Clemens and Brett Ratliff are better QBs than Leftwich. He would be a steal in free agency. Especially for the Jets, who do not have a QB with more than 5 starts in the NFL. If Rex Ryan chooses not to draft Josh Freeman in the 1st Round, he would be wise to sign Leftwich and steer his team towards the playoffs.

Notes- February 23

Some notes on the day in sports:

- Wake Forest LB Aaron Curry is the safest pick in the draft. He is a monster. Amazing combine numbers, solidifying him as the #1 LB prospect. If the Lions aren't in love with the top QBs or O-linemen, they should take Curry.

- Mark Sanchez wowed everyone at the Combine, especially with his interviews. Stafford is no longer the clear #1 QB.

- The buzz around QB Josh Freeman keeps growing. I wouldn't be suprised to see him go to the Jets at 17, or have team trade back into the first round to pick him up.

- They have the women's Canadian Curling Championships on ESPN's Streak for the Cash now. That's all I got on that one.

- Georgetown vs. Louisville tonight. Must win for the Hoyas. Just Monday for the Cards.

More notes as news happens. 24 and House tonight also.

Injury-anapolis

What is going on in Indy? With each passing day of the combine, another top prospect goes down with an injury. Today, it was USC's Ray Maualuga, a top LB prospect, and Texas' Brian Orakpo, a DE/LB like Terrel Suggs who was rumored to be going to my Washington Redskins. Add these players to the top 2 wideout prospects- Michale Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin, who will undergo and MRI on his knee Tuesday. UNC wideout Hakeem Nicks came up lame after his 40 as well. Maybe Matt Stafford was wise not to work out.

Slumdog Button (or) The Curious Case of Benjamin Millionaire

Man, the Oscars really loved Slumdog and Benjamin Button. Oh well. After a review of some of the more recent Oscar winners for Best Picture, I have determined that Slumdog will not be a classic, just like the following winners:

2007- No Country for Old Men
2005- Crash
2004- Million Dollar Baby
2002- Chicago
2001- A Beautiful Mind
1999- American Beauty
1998- Shakespeare in Love

All good movies, but certainly not memorable classics that will stand the test of time.

Happier Oscar Notes:

- I am quite pleased I only got one of the acting awards correct. Heath Ledger was amazing, and that award was the moment of the night. Also, Kate Winslet finally won. Thank God. She really deserves it. And looked fantastic. Furthermore, I dig the way they give out the acting awards now. Having Oscar winners present them is an excellent touch. I just wanted to know where Cher was.

- I don't care what Dr. Perry Cox says, Hugh Jackman is the man. Not only can he sing, dance, act and tell jokes, but (as he sang) he is Wolverine. Someone needs to cast him in something big.

- Numerous jabs throughout the night at the Academy's inability to nominate high-grossing films. Hugh Jackman made my argument in his opening number, asking how $1 billion didn't make The Dark Knight worthy. Will Smith continued by adding that action movies had everything, such as car chases, explosions, and... fans. Don't kill the thing keeping you afloat, Hollywood.

- Ben Stiller's jab at Joaquin Phoenix was a low blow, but was sort of funny. At least Natalie Portman was there to make the segment worthwhile.

- I cannot believe pro-Prop 8 people were outside protesting. As a supporter of gay marriage, I was moved by the eloquence of the speeches from Sean Penn and the writer of Milk. "The shame in their grandchildrens' eyes" line, excellent.

- WALL-E still is the most moving film of the year. Any fan of musical theatre would agree. It only took a moment to fall in love with that robot.

- Anne Hathaway is the perfect woman. Marry me please.

Oscar Night

A brief departure from the world of sports to discuss the 81st Annual Academy Awards tonight. Having lost all faith in the system when WALL-E and The Dark Knight wasn't nominated for best picture (THE MOVE MADE $1 BILLION!!), I am sure that the small foreign film will take home best picture. So, having not seen any of the films nominated for best picture, here are my picks:

Best Picture- Slumdog Millionaire. Why not? People feel uplifted by this movie because they aren't the ones suffering through a poverty-stricken existence in India.

Best Director- Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire. The British exploiting the Indians for success, fame and fortune. Somewhere Gandhi is crying.

Best Actor- Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Haven't seen it. Heard mixed reviews. But with 12 nominations, the movie has to win something. I would love it if Mickey Rourke won for The Wrestler.

Best Actress- Melissa Leo, Frozen River. Never even heard of this movie. But the Academy didn't get the nominations right (Kate Winslet's role in The Reader should have been supporting, and her role in Revolutionary Road should have been up for this award), so why would they give it to the right person now? Again, rooting for Kate, but I'll believe it when I see it.

Best Supporting Actor- Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight. I didn't want them to remake the Joker. I was worried when Heath was cast. Then I saw the movie. Heath was amazing. The greatest villain since Hannibal Lecter and Darth Vader. He was simply perfect in the role. Its a shame he died, or else they could have made 50 more movies with the Joker, and I would have seen every one. It has to be Heath. If it isn't, I am done watching the Oscars.

Best Supporting Actress- Marissa Tomei, The Wrestler. Who says lightening can't strike twice? Wouldn't it be a kick in the head if the most lampooned Oscar winner of all time becomes a two-time recipient? Go Marissa.

Best Animated Movie- WALL-E. Again, if it doesn't win, I am done with the Oscars. It should have gotten a Best Picture nomination also. It should win Best Original Screenplay as well.

One final rant- I am disappointed in Hollywood. For once, three of the top grossing movies of the year were quality films. The Dark Knight, WALL-E and Iron Man were all fantastic and critically acclaimed. It is sad to see such an apparently "progressive" Academy fall back into their old ways and refusing to honor these films the way they should be. In 25 years, when the anniversary editions of these three movies come out, do you really think people will remember Slumdog Millionaire? Didn't think so.

NFL Combine Day 2

Just some quick thoughts from Day 2 of the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis:

- Darrius Heyward-Bey of Maryland ran the 2nd fastest WR 40 time this century (4.3 seconds). Pretty impressive. He may have just moved himself ahead of Florida's Percy Harvin as the #3 receiver in the draft.

- Syracuse's Tony Fiammetta is the top-ranked fullback now, after completing more bench press reps (30 at 225 lbs.) than any other back. Couple that with an impressive Senior Bowl week, and he should get drafted.

- Slow running back class this year. No Chris Johnson in this class. Ian Johnson of Boise St. impressed me most.

- Easily the most impressive performance of the day came from West Virginia QB Pat White. Working only as a QB (he will show off WR skill at his pro day), White wowed scouts in almost all of the drills. His most impressive display came in the throwing drills however. White showed better touch and accuracy than USC's Mark Sanchez, who is fighting to be the #1 pick. Some team will get a steal in White, whether it is as a pure wideout (Heins Ward or Antwaan Randel-El), or as a backup QB and part-time wideout (Seneca Wallace).

Defensive drills start tomorrow at 11 am ET.

Notes : February 21

Either too much is happening today, or not enough. you decide:

- The more I watch Stephen Curry of Davidson, the less impressed I am with him. Sure, he was coming off of an injury in their loss to Butler today, and I know he scores 29 points a game, but that is against inferior competition to what Ty Lawson and Jonny Flynn face. I just don't think he translates to the NBA well.

- Michael Crabtree is out 6-10 weeks with a stress fracture in his foot. This could hurt his draft stock. And by that I mean he could slip from Seattle at 4 to Oakland at 7.

- Offensive Line and Tight End day at the NFL Draft Combine. Big men running, it was fun to watch. Most impressive: TE Jared Cook of South Carolina. He is big (6'5, 246), fast (4.5 40-yard time- the fastest TE), strong (23 bench press reps), and can leap (41.0" vertical- the highest TE, 10'3" Broad jump- the farthest TE). His amazing athleticism could mean he is the next Dustin Keller of the Jets, the best rookie TE, or he could be a project like Vernon Davis of the 49ers, who has yet to live up to his potential.

- The big loser of the Combine so far is easily Alabama OT Andre Smith. He was rumored to be in consideration for the top pick. But instead, he decided not to work out at all. On top of that, and unbeknownst to the scouts present, Smith left Indy altogether. He needs to have a stellar Pro Day to get back into the top pick discussion.

- Good news Nats fans. Ryan Zimmerman avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one year deal. His agent and the team now say they are working on a long-term contract, and plan to have it signed before Opening Day.

That's all for now. Blake Griffin's on tonight. He is always worth watching.

Notes: February 20

Some thoughts on the day in sports:

- Maybe the Suns should have traded Amare Stoudemire. The all-star will be out 8 weeks after having surgery to repair a partially detached retina. The Suns might be done.

- Tiger is coming back next week. Just when you thought it was safe to go back on the golf course.

- Saw Super Bowl champion backup Byron Leftwich at the Wizards game on Tuesday. Memo to the Vikings, 49ers and Texans- This guy has taken a team to the playoffs. and he just turned 29.

- The Orioles agreed to a 4-year $40 million extension with face of the franchise 2B Brian Roberts. This team is actually being run pretty well now. All of their position players are under contract for at least 2 more years. If only they had pitching.

- Orlando Hudson signed a one-year deal with the Dodgers. The 2B was a Type-A free agent, so he costs the Dodgers a first-round pick. Sort of glad the Nationals didn't sign him. It at least shows we are being consistent with our draft picks. Now if we could just sign them...

- Danica Patrick is attractive. Doesn't mean she is a good driver and worth the hype, but she can keep being in the SI Swimsuit issue every year.

More tomorrow.

LeBron, Why Can't I Quit You?

I should hate him. I really should. He eliminated the Wizards from the playoffs 3 straight years. He traveled on countless game-winning shots. He cursed Gilbert Arenas at the free throw line. But I am constantly entertained and amazed by LeBron James. He is a phenom on the court, and may be the most entertaining and marketable figure in all of sports. Everyone of the commercials makes you laugh, especially when he is doing the Kid n' Play dance in a parking garage. Not only can you not hate him, you have to love him. He is amazingly smart and articulate for a kid who didn't attend college. He always has a big smile on his face. And if that isn't enough, he put on the red, white and blue with JFLANland favorites Kobe and Melo and won a gold metal for the USA. So keep doing what you do LeBron. Maybe win the poor people of Cleveland a title before you bolt to the Knicks. Do the dunk contest next year. Keep us all on the edge of our seats.

The Amazing Shrinking Quarterback

Measurement day at the NFL Scouting Combine. Curious height measurements for the top two QB prospects, Matthew Stafford of Georgia and Mark Sanchez of USC. Both came in at 6'2, a sold 2 inches shorter than last years first-round QBs, rookie of the year Matt "Mr. Professional Throw" Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons and and 4 inches shorter than Baltimore's playoff-wonder Joe Flacco. What could this mean for the Lions, Rams and Cheifs? Simple. DON'T DRAFT A QUARTERBACK EARLY! The analysts agree, this is a weak QB class. The Lions, especially, do not need to bring in an underclassmen signal caller to take over a failing franchise. The first quarterback shouldn't go off the board till at least pick #10 to the 49ers. The Jets and new head coach Rex Ryan could be players if Sanchez drops all the way to pick #17. But that is an appropriate spot to take a QB. The top 3 teams should draft O-linemen and protect the QBs they have now. Then, in the second or third round, take a chance on Kansas State's Josh Freeman (a Flacco-esque 6'6, 238 and mobile) or the diminutive but extremely impressive Nate Davis of Ball State (6'1, 218). By the way, watch the way Davis throws the ball. His hands are so big, he doesn't hold the laces while throwing. Weird, but you can't argue with those numbers.

After these top 4 QBs, there is a bit of a drop off. A team could get a steal on the second day with record setting Red Raider Graham Harrell (6'2, 217), who aside from being a great player also posted a 4.0 GPA at Texas Tech. Former Sooner QB Rhett Bomar (6'2, 224) will be the first small school passer off the board (Ball St. isn't a"small school"), but the Sam Houston St. product will have to shake the demons of on-field inconsistency and off-field controversy. Hunter Cantwell (6'4, 231) of Louisville suffered from having a poor team around him (they lost to Syracuse!) and his draft stock took a big hit. Finally, Michigan State senior Brian Hoyer (6'2, 215) is quickly rising up draft boards after scouts watch his game tape. The numbers aren't there, but according to ESPN's Todd McShay: "Poor pass protection and a gross amount of drops are just two of the contributing factors to his poor statistics as a senior. Hoyer's mobility and arm strength are vastly underrated. He is a very accurate passer with a quick release and has all the necessary intangibles to develop into a late-round steal." I guess you heard it there first.

More thoughts on the combine later.

Orange You Glad These Bottles are Plastic?

Interesting happenings at the Alma Mater last weekend. My Syracuse Orangemen beat the Georgetown Hoyas 98-94 in overtime. Apparently, while blowing a 15-point lead in the second half, Syracuse fans were being berated by a small but loud group of Hoya backers. However, the sea of orange had the last laugh, and began pelting the obnoxious Hoyas with plastic bottles. This brings up two points. First, if the NBA's Malice in the Palace has taught us anything, its that throwing things in or from the stands at sporting events in an awful idea. So poor form, my fellow Cuse crazies.

Second, and perhaps more importantly, how stupid does a group of 30 have to be to antagonize 30,000 people. I thought Georgetown was a good school. I thought smart people went there. My parents are smart, they went to Georgetown. Well, these rocket scientists have let down their school. Even the Spartans at from 300wouldn't have gone up against these odds. Maybe a plastic bottle to the cranium was just what they needed. Mess with 30,000 people wearing orange, you might walk out of the Dome with a broken dome.

Marvin Done in Indy?

Rumor has is that Colts future Hall of Fame wideout Marvin Harrison could be done with the team. If this is true, it breaks up the greatest (statistically) WR-QB combination of all time. I know Peyton has great chemistry with Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez, but it is difficult to envision Peyton Manning taking the field with 88 by his side.

If this is the end, I know that fellow Syracuse alum Donovan McNabb would love to throw to Harrison again. It'd be just like freshman year at in the Dome. Plus, if the Eagles were smart and finally drafted (Hakeem Nicks) or signed a quality young receiver (TJ Houshmandzadeh anyone?), Marvin could mentor him and turn them into future HOFers.

Random Sports Musings

Just some thoughts on the day in sports so far:

- NBA trade deadline has come and gone, and the big loser is LeBron James. The Cavs did nothing to help him. Apparently they were not willing to trade away Wally Szczerbiak's expiring contract. Looks like The King will have to take on the Celtics with just Mo Williams by his side.

- Excellent trade for the Orlando Magic getting Rafer Alston. All-Star Jameer Nelson is out for the year, and Alston is an upgrade over recently acquired Tyronn Lue at the point guard position.

- The Memphis Grizzlies traded for Chris Mihm... Ladies and gentlemen, the worst-run franchise in the NBA.

- NFL Scouting Combine this weekend. We get to watch prospects run, jump, lift weights and talk. And I am looking forward to it. Must be something wrong with me. Watch out for UNC wideout Hakeem Nicks. Best hands in the draft.

- Spring Training is underway, and after spending more on free agents than the GDP of The Ukraine, JFLANland thinks the Yankees are the team to beat in the AL. However, they are so loaded, that something has to go wrong. They really have no excuse to lose a single game this year with heir lineup and rotation. Their bullpen is better too. No Kyle Farnsworth. No pick in the NL yet, but it'd be nice for my Nats to not finish in last.

First Annual Facial Hair of the Week

Here at JFLANland, we love facial hair. We also love sports. Why not combine the two? So here it is, the first installment of the Facial Hair of the Week segment. Our first winner is Sacramento Kings forward Drew Gooden. Gooden was traded to the Kings last night from the Chicago Bulls. Congrats Drew. This is the only thing you will be winning this year.

Alex the Great

I think the debate is officially over now. Alex Ovechkin is the best player in hockey, hands down. And by best I mean most talented, best scorer, most entertaining, best face of a franchise, means more to his team than anyone else BEST. Just look at the goal he had last night against the Montreal Canadiens. A spinning self-pass of the boards, sprinting ahead of the defender who then trips him, and Ovie still pushes the puck into the goal from his back. Simply beautiful. And this isn't the first time. These outstanding goals are now commonplace for Ovie. Face it Crosby fans- Alex Ovechkin has lapped Sid the Kid.

Xenophobia and Religious Intolerance... in Tennis?

We hear all the time about soccer hooligans beating up those of other races or nationalities just because they root for another team. Well, it looks like tennis is quickly catching up to the world's sport in terms of intolerance. First, you had Bosnian and Serbian fans fighting after a tennis match at the Aussie Open. And now, we have the case of the WTA Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships. The UAE government and has refused to give Israeli tennis player Shahar Peer (ranked 45 in the world according to WTA) a visa, thereby denying her ability to compete in an event for which she qualified. This is wrong on so many levels, and now the tournament is feeling the backlash.

According to WTA rules, Dubai could lose its rights to holding competitions. For a more immediate punishment, the main sponsor of the tournament, The Wall St. Journal, has pulled their sponsorship from the event. Furthermore, the Tennis Channel has said they will not broadcast the event at all. JFLANland applauds both the Wall St. Journal and the Tennis Channel for their actions in response to this outrage. It is appalling that, in the 21st Century, we still have such discriminatory practices. Things in the Middle East are bad enough, why must we bring politics into the sporting arenas. Ms. Peer should be able to compete on any country, regardless of religion, country of origin or ethnic background. Hopefully the WTA will come down as hard as possible on the UAE for their actions, and can use this unfortunate event to help curtail xenophobia before someone gets hurt.

Junior's Back

Ken Griffey Jr signed a one-year deal with the Seattle Mariners today. As a big Jr fan, I am happy to see him back where he was at the top of his game. All the best to Griffey and the M's this season.

A-Roid and Baseball's Tarnished Era

All ESPN has been talking about recently is been Alex Rodriguez and his admission that he took steroids from 2001-2003. I am already tired of this story. Is it awful that he took this substances? By today's standards, yes. By the standards of MLB in 2001-2003, not at all. He did what apparently every standout star was doing. And here at JFLANland, we have already forgiven him. We forgave A-Rod because he came out and told everyone he took these PEDs (performance-enhancing drugs). It is the same reasons why people have forgiven Andy Petite, Jason Giambi, and even Miguel Tejada. If those who keep denying their involvement with steroids (Clemens, Bonds, Palmeiro) or those that have run away from the question and shut up entirely (McGwire) would admit that they took PEDs, we would forgive them faster.

Now, to those who think the Steroids Era has eternally tarnished the game of baseball, I ask them to remember where the sport was in 1994. It didn't exist. The players were on strike. There was no World Series. The Montreal Expos were the best team in baseball. Mass hysteria. Along with Cal Ripken Jr's Streak to pass Lou Gehrig, the home run summer of McGwire and Sosa saved baseball. It is now stronger than ever despite the cloud of steroids hanging over clubhouses and every player. One could look at Bonds, Sosa and McGwire and say that they killed their legacy for the sake of the game.

What to do now? Moving forward? Simple. Test everyone monthly. Harsher penalties for those who get caught. The MLB Players Union needs to realize that many fans are starting to lump all the players together under the steroid umbrella. Some players have already voiced their anger at those who have besmirched this era of baseball (Roy Oswalt especially). Now its time for them to convince the other players to agree with them.

Welcome

Hello and welcome to JFLANland. In this blog, I will discuss pretty much anything I feel like. However, JFLANland will mostly be about sports. It is the subject I love the most, ergo I will be talking about it the most. I hope you enjoy it.