How did they let Tilam past the Border Patrol?

Some interesting musings from around the sports world...

The Ottawa Senators are the Atlanta Braves of the NHL. Top of the standings, top of the division, dead and gone during the postseason. Time to move some underachieving players (well, achieving during the regular season, but it's all about the postseason and winning championships, isn't it?) out and bring in some (more) fresh blood.

I was always a fan of Paul Maurice as a coach. The interesting part of his return to the NHL, as coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, is the fact that one of the players he "lost" who was instrumental in his dismissal as coach, currently plays in Toronto - Paul, you remember Jeff O'Neill don't you?

Barry Bonds is stuck on 713. Too bad so sad. I'll bet he has ulcers fuming about not passing Babe Ruth...you did steroids to get this far Barry, deal with it...

So Marcus Vick got a contract with the Dolphins. It looks like the fins have become the new look Raiders, a school/team for wayward players - see Ricky Williams. Rumor has it that the Fins have put in "behavioral clauses" in the contract. We'll see - here's to hoping they show the anti-shithead intolerance shown by the Eagles. And in my most optimistic gesture this week, here's to hoping Marcus Vick gets his head out of his ass and becomes a good person and good player - HAW HAW HAW, I'm kidding. Once an asshole, always an asshole...

More controversy...Morgan Pressel, my favorite teenage hottie on the LPGA tour (well, wait, is Paula Creamer over 19?) is now yapping about Michelle Wie and the fact that, while she's never won ANYTHING ANYWHERE, she's getting sponsor's exemptions to LPGA events. I have spoken my mind on this topic too often, it's nice to see some of the charging and competitive young future stars continue to hop on the "what has she earned?" bandwagon. As I have said before, she'll always be a freak side show until she actually WINS something and earns her hype. NOTE: she's past the first stage in qualifying for the men's US Open. Good for her. But I won't beat a dead horse (again) since she's also received an exemption to play in the Women's US Open, something she didn't EARN at all. But I have to love the reasoning of USGA women's tournament chairman Marcia '"Luigs We don't award special exemptions to help a site sell tickets. That's never a consideration,"' she said. "But we're thrilled with the outcome."' Oh yeah, you are SO full of s**t. I love you Morgan! "I don't see why she shouldn't have to qualify, or why should be afraid to qualify, or why she should expect an exemption,'' Pressel said. Okay, so I beat the dead horse just a little...

Should I comment on the Larry Brown fiasco in New York? Nah. Brown is a good coach, imho, but he's also an egotistical quitter. Granted, Stephon Marbury is a selfish self-centered asshole who would speak out against his mother if she were coaching him, but still, Larry is showing some unexpected colors as a coach.

Oh, and are people questioning Flip Saunders' coaching ability now that he's in the thick of the playoffs with Detroit? Bet the Kevin's in Minnesota want him back now. :)

Years ago college men starting getting inked all over the place. Then college women started it. Men's college teams have always had a "hush hush" ritual of hazing, most of the time it's harmless fun, sometimes it got out of hand. Now, the Northwestern Women's Soccer team have done it too". Such is college sports today. Of course, from a man's perspective, I wanted to see more tight soccer player butts in panties...

Lastly, a fond farewell to Doug Flutie. Magician. Little Guy. Champion of autism ($7 million and counting). In mu humble opinion, one of the most, if not THE most, underrated quarterback in the history of pro football. USFL, NFL, CFL, NFL. He walked the walk (literally, around 3 leagues), talked the talk, only wanted a chance to prove his value and skill. Too many Grey Cups and CFL MVP's too. I wish him the best of luck in his next life, and hope he stays around for a long time.

On the issue of Illegal Immigrants: just stop them from collecting benefits from the US taxpayers (yeah, welfare is one of them) and Tilam's right, you'll make a TON of people happy. If someone wants to employ someone for a day for $50, let 'em. But if they are illegally in this country, give 'em NOTHING from my hear earned tax dollars. I won't start the debate over how the US worker is pricing himself out of jobs (unions are a big cause of this) and forcing US companies to go externally for low cost quality labor. That is for another day...