Wrestlemania, and Goodbye HBK

So, Wrestlemania was this last weekend. I didn't see it, since $64 is too much. However, ESPN columnist Bill Simmons did, and wrote a running diary so he would write it off as a column expense. Genius. Read it here!

Now, the last match saw "The Heart Break Kid" Shawn Michaels lose to The Undertaker, thus causing 'Taker's undefeated streak at Wrestlemania to reach 18-0. The other stipulation was that "HBK" had to retire. I know that most/all of you reading this don't care about pro wrestling, but I have been a fan, like Bill Simmons, my entire life. I am sure when I am old and gray, I will still like it. I know it isn't real, obviously. But it doesn't change the fact that it is damn-good entertainment, in my opinion. And for me, in my life, as great as Hulk Hogan, the nWo, Ric Flair, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Bret Hart, The Rock, Vader, British Bulldog, Andre the Giant, The Big Show, Sting, Macho Man, Yokozuna, John Cena, Chris Jericho, Edge, HHH and even the Undertaker himself are/were, there is none better than Shawn Michaels.

HBK did it all- He could wrestle, fly through the air, and sell injuries (especially those to his back, because they were legit. He missed 4 years due to them). He could be both a face and a villain, and everyone loved him no matter which he was. He is easily one of the best guys on the microphone that wrestling has ever seen (The Rock and Austin are probably 1 and 2, but HBK is right there with them), and his Degeneration-X moments with HHH are classic. I mean, the two of them made the crotch-chop and the term "Suck It" part of the American lexicon. HBK had an impact. Now that he is gone for good as a full-time wrestler (he will be back for his Hall of Fame induction, and probably to do some guest spots once a year or so, but not to wrestle), the WWE will be a little less entertaining. Sure, he is 44 now, but damn it, he was still the best thing going in the business. Every time one of these young guys undersells a move, botches a finish or gives a terrible promo (which a lot of them do), I am going to think how much better it would be if it was good old HBK doing it instead. Because he was the best. So Goodbye Shawn. We will miss you.

Caps Clinch

A great day for Washington sports. Even though the Capitals lost to the Flames 5-3, they still clinched the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference. This should mean, if the Penguins keep their lead over the Devils, that we don't have to play Cindy Crosby and his boys until the Eastern Conference finals, if they (and we, I guess) make it that far. LET'S GO CAPS!

Torry Holt's Mock Top 10

Really interesting top 10 mock draft from former Rams/Jags WR Tory Holt. I guess he is an NFL TV analyst now. Watch it here.

McNabb No Longer a Top-10 QB?

There are numerous trade rumors surrounding my man Donovan McNabb finally going to a new team where he will be appreciated. Apparently, the Eagles are asking for a "top 42" pick in the draft. Now, were I the 49ers and i had the #49 pick overall, I would offer that and a late rounder for McNabb, and dare the Eagles to turn it down. If they are serious about trading him, how could they turn that down?

The other question is McNabb's worth. Is he really a top-10 QB in this league now? Let's have a look at the list of people we can say are ahead of him at this point-

1. Drew Brees
2. Peyton Manning
3. Aaron Rogers
4. Tom Brady
5. Phillip Rivers
6. Ben Roethlisburger (if he isn't in jail...)
7. Brett Favre
8. Tony Romo
9. Hmm.... Would you put anyone else ahead of McNabb here? Palmer? Flacco? Ryan? Eli? I don't know if I would. I think McNabb is still a better player at this point that all of them.

So, you have a top-10 QB being offered for a high 2nd rounder or a collection of picks. San Fran should pull the trigger. Arizona should also. Both of them are playoff teams if they have a solid QB. St. Louis, Oakland and Buffalo shouldn't, because they are rebuilding. Another interesting team? The Vikings. Brett Favre is still around, sure. But he is 40, and McNabb is 33. Who do you think is the better long term option to go with Adrian Peterson?

Ugh

Sorry I haven't posted in over a week. Been very very busy with school and the NCAA tournament. But now that Syracuse lost, I don't really care about it anymore. Weak effort all around, players and coaches. Any team but Duke or Butler winning is ok with me.

Why VaTech Can't Complain, or, The Case for the Tribe

I understand that Virginia Tech is upset over being left out of the NCAA tournament. My personal feelings are that the less ACC teams there are, the happier I am. But here is what someone who gets paid to think of this says about the Hokies (thank you ESPN Insider):

Immediately following the 2010 NCAA tournament's bracket announcement, every single analyst either bemoaned or defended the fact that Virginia Tech did not receive a tourney bid. Looking at some of the teams that did get a bid (*cough*Florida*cough*Minnesota*), we wondered if VaTech really did deserve to Dance.

However, if you compare the 2010 tournament catchphrase body of work, one realizes if Virginia Tech made the tournament, William & Mary should have as well. Thank goodness CAA Hoops took the time to break down both teams' resumes: while Tech has two more wins than the Tribe, W&M's OOC SOS was ranked 13 (compared to Tech's 98) and their road record was an impressive 10-6. Also, Tech's best win was against Seton Hall (an NIT participant) while the Tribe took down Maryland, Wake Forest and Richmond -- who are all in the tournament.

While William & Mary did stumble down the stretch (3-3 and losing to cellar-dweller Towson), W&M had just as good a chance as Tech to make the postseason. And while the Tribe can at least look forward to the NIT, they really could have caused some damage to your tourney brackets.

Very interesting. Here is the link to the CAA Hoops article referenced above.

NFL Free Agency Thoughts

Just some musings on NFL free agency so far-

1. Apparently, the Washington Redskins have moved to Chicago and changed their name to the Bears. Lovie Smith must realize how hot his seat is. Peppers, Taylor and Manumaleuna all on the first day. In my opinion, the other two deals are far more important than Peppers. Sure, when Julius feels like playing, he can have a lot of impact. But Matt Forte had a down year, and the Bears need a running game to keep defenses honest and let Jay Cutler throw. Adding a great run-blocking TE and one of the most underrated running backs in the NFL will help a lot. Chester Taylor helped make Adrian Peterson great, and he could have the same impact with young Forte. Speaking of Adrian Peterson...

2. The Vikings cannot be happy with free agency so far. Losing Taylor is a big blow, because there were games where Taylor had more impact than Mr. All Day. Losing him to a division opponent is even worse. Having Julius Peppers in their division also means Bryant McKennie is going to get embarrassed at least 2 times a season. Mr. Favre needs to watch his back, if he comes back. Also, the Vikings lost Artis Hicks, one of their best backup O-Linemen, to the Redskins. He will probably get a chance to start here in DC, and it only takes one injury on the line to make losing Hicks the biggest loss of the offseason for Minnesota.

3. The Redskins have only signed Hicks. They also cut 10 vets, most over 30. This is not the Redskins I know. Fast Willie Parker is in town tomorrow for a visit. He might be a good pickup to split time with Portis.

4. Signings I love- Antrelle Rolle for the G-Men. Did they overpay him? Probably. But if he is healthy, he is fantastic, and they needed secondary help. Karlos Dansby for the Dolphins. I really thought the Skins would pay him. Instead, he goes to a good young team in Miami. Who doesn't want to live there? From Phoenix to Miami, not bad.

5. Moves I don't like that much- Dunta Robinson to Atlanta. He is ok, but they paid too much for him. Nate Burleson to the Lions. Ok, this is kind of nitpicking, cause they just need weapons and they have to pay more since they are bad. I just don't know if he is worth the big money he got.

6. Biggest cut- Jake Delhomme. Poor guy. His arm gets hurt and he goes from Pro Bowl to cut. Sad to see him cry like he did. John Fox cried too. He really brought that franchise back. Could have been a Super Bowl champ if not for John Kasay kicking the ball out of bounds on a kickoff. Buffalo, St. Louis, Arizona, Washington and San Fran could all be good landing spots for Delhomme. I think he'd be great in Arizona as insurance if Leinart just doesn't pan out.

7. Biggest (and best) Trade- Anquan Boldin to the Ravens for a 3rd and 4th round pick. Wow. Giving up fairly little for a fantastic WR. Joe Flacco has another option to throw to now. If Derrick Mason comes back, it will be Mason, Boldin, Donte Stallworth and Todd Heap to throw to, with Pro Bowler (and Big East product) Ray Rice coming out of the backfield. The Ravens have just become a great offensive team. Watch out, AFC.

I'll have more updates as more moves are made.

BIG EAST CHAMPS!

My boys did it. #1 Syracuse beat St. John's last night to secure the outright Big East regular season championship. They dominated on Senior night, giving Arinze Onuaku and Andy Rautins (and Wes Johnson?) a proper Dome send off. Jim Boeheim should be the Big East and NCAA Coach of the Year for the job he has done with this group of players, far exceeding expectations. I also believe Rautins should be the Big East Player of the Year, but he will probably lose the honor to Villanova's Scotty Reynolds. But that doesn't really matter- We are the champs. Now on to the tournament in the Garden, and then that #1 seed in the NCAAs. LETS GO ORANGE!