More from the OWH on Husker LB Coach Mike Ekeler and his young charges. Mike is confident that the players will be able to perform well under the new system despite not having any returning starters. As he sees it, the challenge will simply be to get the best players on the field.
"Here's what was left for Ekeler when he arrived from Louisiana State to assume his first job as a full-time assistant:
• Not one returning full-time starter from last season, and only one player with more than a dozen career tackles.
• Just one senior, who happens to be a walk-on.
• Only five scholarship linebackers, one of whom was recruited to play safety.
For comparison, NU has seven scholarship receivers. Yet Ekeler looks insulted if you question what he has to work with during spring football practice. "We're fairly deep," Ekeler said. "We've got some good guys. We don't look at it as scholarship and non-scholarship. We just need to see who's going to rise to the top. That's what it boils down to."
NU hasn't had to replace all three positions since 1997. Mike backer Phillip Dillard has three career starts, bur has played in 24 games total and looks to establish himself as a defensive anchor. Blake Lawrence and Latravis Washington (moved from safety) seek to fill the starting spots with competition from scholarship LBs Nick Covey, Austin Stafford and walk-on senior Tyler Wortman. In addition, the current crop will recieve four scholarship recruits in the fall, including highly touted prospects Will Compton and Millar North's Shawn Fischer, as well as Micch Kriekemeier and Alonzo Whaley.
"So what makes the perfect linebacker?"A guy who is sharp, a guy who's going to play with fanaticism, play with his hair on fire and a guy who's going to just be relentless and refuse to get blocked and make plays," Ekeler said. "That's perfect to me."
Sounds perfect to me too. Good luck to Mike and his players.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Organic Compounds Found on Saturn's Moon
Livescience has another report from the team working on the Cassini mission examining the planet Saturn and its system of moons. The moon Enceladus has been of particular interest after it was discovered to be erupting geysers of water into space, generated by the intense tidal forces being exerted on it by its parent planet. The probe's orbit allowed a sample to be taken recently, which found the presence of several organic compounds.
"Scientists have been intrigued by the moon since the fountain of water was first spotted in 2005. Now they've identified a soup of prebiotic material there, similar to what's found in comets, from an analysis of data collected by the Cassini spacecraft. Nobody really knows how life began, but astrobiologists guess it required chemicals like those tasted by Cassini, a little liquid water and some unknown spark."
In addition, a new heat imaging shows the southern polar region of the moon much warmer than anticipated. This raises the possibility that liquid water may exist in that region of the moon. In addition to water, the geysers contain carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, and organic compounds such as methane, propane, acetylene and formeldehyde.
"Scientists have been intrigued by the moon since the fountain of water was first spotted in 2005. Now they've identified a soup of prebiotic material there, similar to what's found in comets, from an analysis of data collected by the Cassini spacecraft. Nobody really knows how life began, but astrobiologists guess it required chemicals like those tasted by Cassini, a little liquid water and some unknown spark."
In addition, a new heat imaging shows the southern polar region of the moon much warmer than anticipated. This raises the possibility that liquid water may exist in that region of the moon. In addition to water, the geysers contain carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, and organic compounds such as methane, propane, acetylene and formeldehyde.
Husker Spring Practice Notes
OWH reports a number of Husker players are reporting in a bit lighter than under the previous regime.
"Dillard reported for the Huskers' first spring practice Wednesday at 238 pounds. He was listed at 250 last season but said at times he was closer to 265. NU coach Bo Pelini told Dillard he wanted him playing at a lower weight. Guard Matt Slauson and defensive end Zach Potter said the same Monday, and defensive end Barry Turner and I-back Quentin Castille also are supposedly lighter."
The transition to more of a speed type attacking defense appears to be well on its way.
In addition, RB Cody Glenn is healthy and looks forward to competing for some touches after being disappointed with his amount of playing time last year, and lineman Mike Smith moves around in the 2 deep to C/G from offensive tackle. The starting line is shaping up with Jacob Hickman at C, Mike Huff at LG, Lydon Murtha at LT, Matt Slauson at RG and Javario Burkes at RT. OL Coach Barney Cotton said the team expects to do less 'cross-training' than last year's squad.
In a related article, Coach Bo Pelini believes QB Joe Ganz has a chance to be a special kind of QB, and the Husker senior is a little surprised by all the attention he is getting as "the man" now in Lincoln.
"And the new head coach, by the way, said he's impressed with Ganz."I like Joe," Bo Pelini said. "I think he is a leader. He has a tremendous amount of confidence, and I think he is a good football player. At this point of his career, he has only touched the base of his talent. There is a lot more out there for him. He understands that. "He is very intelligent. You put that together with the work ethic he has, and the sky is the limit."
Pelini, for the record, said all that this week, two days before the Huskers opened spring drills. It ranked unchallenged at the time as the highest praise delivered by Pelini about one of his new players. Apparently, the quarterback's feelings about Pelini are mutual."I love Coach," Ganz said. "His door is always open, and his mentality is definitely welcomed around here. He knows how to motivate us. He's a player's coach. I'm very excited to get to work for him."
Zac Lee, Patrick Witt, Beau Davis and newcomers Kody Sprano and Jim Ebke will audition for the understudy role this spring with the competition likely to continue into the fall.
"Dillard reported for the Huskers' first spring practice Wednesday at 238 pounds. He was listed at 250 last season but said at times he was closer to 265. NU coach Bo Pelini told Dillard he wanted him playing at a lower weight. Guard Matt Slauson and defensive end Zach Potter said the same Monday, and defensive end Barry Turner and I-back Quentin Castille also are supposedly lighter."
The transition to more of a speed type attacking defense appears to be well on its way.
In addition, RB Cody Glenn is healthy and looks forward to competing for some touches after being disappointed with his amount of playing time last year, and lineman Mike Smith moves around in the 2 deep to C/G from offensive tackle. The starting line is shaping up with Jacob Hickman at C, Mike Huff at LG, Lydon Murtha at LT, Matt Slauson at RG and Javario Burkes at RT. OL Coach Barney Cotton said the team expects to do less 'cross-training' than last year's squad.
In a related article, Coach Bo Pelini believes QB Joe Ganz has a chance to be a special kind of QB, and the Husker senior is a little surprised by all the attention he is getting as "the man" now in Lincoln.
"And the new head coach, by the way, said he's impressed with Ganz."I like Joe," Bo Pelini said. "I think he is a leader. He has a tremendous amount of confidence, and I think he is a good football player. At this point of his career, he has only touched the base of his talent. There is a lot more out there for him. He understands that. "He is very intelligent. You put that together with the work ethic he has, and the sky is the limit."
Pelini, for the record, said all that this week, two days before the Huskers opened spring drills. It ranked unchallenged at the time as the highest praise delivered by Pelini about one of his new players. Apparently, the quarterback's feelings about Pelini are mutual."I love Coach," Ganz said. "His door is always open, and his mentality is definitely welcomed around here. He knows how to motivate us. He's a player's coach. I'm very excited to get to work for him."
Zac Lee, Patrick Witt, Beau Davis and newcomers Kody Sprano and Jim Ebke will audition for the understudy role this spring with the competition likely to continue into the fall.
Boston Legal Quotes
Alan Shore: I wasn't aware you provided emotional counsel as well as legal , Lori, that's quite a perk.
Lori Carlson: A woman tries to kill you, so you go to represent her. You don't think there is a pathology at play here?[long pause] I refer to yours.
Alan: I got the reference, thank you. Speaking as an enormously unlikeable person, I find it difficult to maintain grudges against all those who wish to kill me. Don't you? [Lori chuckles and walks away] Yes, you'll perhaps find that witty comeback in your office.
Lori Carlson: A woman tries to kill you, so you go to represent her. You don't think there is a pathology at play here?[long pause] I refer to yours.
Alan: I got the reference, thank you. Speaking as an enormously unlikeable person, I find it difficult to maintain grudges against all those who wish to kill me. Don't you? [Lori chuckles and walks away] Yes, you'll perhaps find that witty comeback in your office.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Boston Legal Quotes
Alan Shore: Christine, you were in love with a man who was unworthy of you. Who made you doubt everything you had a right to count on. Who perhaps even toyed with your sanity. Christine Pauley: Still no excuse for trying to kill him.
Alan: Perhaps he had it coming.
Christine: Perhaps you did.
Alan: Perhaps he had it coming.
Christine: Perhaps you did.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Shuttle Makes Rare Night Landing
STS-123 mission flown by Endeavor was completed successfully last night with a rare night landing at the Cape. The shuttle orbited the Earth 250 times over a period of 16 days.
"On board Endeavour were Mission Specialists Takao Doi of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Robert L. Behnken, and Rick Linnehan; Pilot Gregory H. Johnson; Commander Dominic Gorie; and Mission Specialist Mike Foreman, as well as European Space Agency astronaut Léopold Eyharts, who returned to Earth aboard Endeavour after almost 50 days in space on the International Space Station. The 16 day mission was one of the longest space shuttle missions, with 5 spacewalks for station construction that included attaching a Japanese Pressurized Module and putting together Dextre, a robotic handyman that will be available to assist in station construction and maintenence tasks."
Congratulations to the crew for a fantastically successful mission to the ISS.
Husker LB Coach Mike Ekeler
Marc Hudgens of RealFootball365 interviews my fellow BHS alum and Husker LB coach Mike Ekeler. Beyond the usual questions about expectations at NU, the transistion from grad assistant to position coach, and the fact no one on the Pelini staff will "color" their view of the players by watching tape form last year's defense, he was asked to get specific about his new crop of four linebacking recruits, and had this to say about the young men:
"Q: So far you have four linebackers committed, the most in three years. This is a pretty large linebacker class.
EKELER: Yeah, no question. Alonzo Whaley, he's out of Houston, out of Madisonville, Texas; he's a guy we really, really like, and we really feel like he was one of . . . I don't know if I saw a better fullback in the last few years than Alonzo. So he's got an opportunity; he's such a versatile athlete that he could play a number of positions for us. So we'll have to see how that shakes out with him. I tell you what, he's a hammerhead now.
As far as the other ones . . . we're really, really, really happy, obviously, with our recruiting class. You know, Will Compton at a mike 'backer, the guy's 6-foot-3, 235 pounds, can run like a deer, is an all-state receiver as well, just tremendous athleticism, body control. Really, really a smart guy. He's about a three-nine student, already got fifteen hours of college credit, and the guy gets it. I mean absolutely gets it. I went in on a recruiting trip and the first time I met him, we started going over our defense and talking about adjustment and the questions he asked, I mean he asked what you wanted to hear. I mean he's just a sharp, sharp guy, and really, really, really excited to have the opportunity to coach him and to get him in our program.
And Sean Fisher, 6-5, 30 pounds right now, out of Millard North here in Omaha. He is a fantastic, fantastic athlete. Played running back in the state championship game, nearly carried his team to a state championship, played safety, and he can run. Again, another guy who can run like a deer.
And that's kind of the theme; that's kind of what we look to recruit, guys who are tremendous athletes, and guys who can just flat-out fly. Our whole defense, we're predicated on speed. And those guys, those two guys, those guys bring it right there. And Alonzo Whaley again, I touched on him earlier, he's a guy who is a tremendous athlete. Really, really good speed, really a physical, physical football player, and adds a lot of versatility to our team.
And then you have Micah Kreikemeier, out of West Point, Nebraska . . . I told Micah, it's kind of a funny story, told him that he put more pressure on me than any coach in the history of the game. Because if he doesn't turn out good, I'm probably going to lose my job. That was coach [Tom] Osborne's last . . . coach Osborne offered him right before we got here. And so, technically, he's coach Osborne's final recruit. And so, we're having fun with that, Micah and his parents and myself. I just keep on ribbing him on that, that he'd better bring your lunch pail because we got to get to work and get you ready to roll. We got to make coach Osborne right on his last recruit. But again you look at Sean Fisher, and Micah as well, they're two 4.0 students, actually greater than 4.0, and just fantastic, fantastic kids. Great character, these guys are going to come in and just work their tails off.
And then on top of that, we've got some guys who turned down major, major scholarships and walked on here. We got a number of guys who I'm just unbelievably fired up about. I can't comment on those guys right now due to NCAA rules, I guess I can comment on them, saying it in general terms, but I can't mention their names because technically they're still recruitable athletes until school starts and they're enrolled. But I'm telling you what, we just, Barney Cotton and Jeff Jamrog, our director of football operations, did a fantastic job of just scouring the state, and really, really, really happy."
Mike also answered questions about working with Tom Osborne, recruiting prospects, what gets him "revved up", the loudest stadium he's been in, what some of his favorite things are and what else he might like to do it he wasn't in coaching. Great interview.
Spring practice under Coach Pelini and the rest of the staff opened yesterday.
"Q: So far you have four linebackers committed, the most in three years. This is a pretty large linebacker class.
EKELER: Yeah, no question. Alonzo Whaley, he's out of Houston, out of Madisonville, Texas; he's a guy we really, really like, and we really feel like he was one of . . . I don't know if I saw a better fullback in the last few years than Alonzo. So he's got an opportunity; he's such a versatile athlete that he could play a number of positions for us. So we'll have to see how that shakes out with him. I tell you what, he's a hammerhead now.
As far as the other ones . . . we're really, really, really happy, obviously, with our recruiting class. You know, Will Compton at a mike 'backer, the guy's 6-foot-3, 235 pounds, can run like a deer, is an all-state receiver as well, just tremendous athleticism, body control. Really, really a smart guy. He's about a three-nine student, already got fifteen hours of college credit, and the guy gets it. I mean absolutely gets it. I went in on a recruiting trip and the first time I met him, we started going over our defense and talking about adjustment and the questions he asked, I mean he asked what you wanted to hear. I mean he's just a sharp, sharp guy, and really, really, really excited to have the opportunity to coach him and to get him in our program.
And Sean Fisher, 6-5, 30 pounds right now, out of Millard North here in Omaha. He is a fantastic, fantastic athlete. Played running back in the state championship game, nearly carried his team to a state championship, played safety, and he can run. Again, another guy who can run like a deer.
And that's kind of the theme; that's kind of what we look to recruit, guys who are tremendous athletes, and guys who can just flat-out fly. Our whole defense, we're predicated on speed. And those guys, those two guys, those guys bring it right there. And Alonzo Whaley again, I touched on him earlier, he's a guy who is a tremendous athlete. Really, really good speed, really a physical, physical football player, and adds a lot of versatility to our team.
And then you have Micah Kreikemeier, out of West Point, Nebraska . . . I told Micah, it's kind of a funny story, told him that he put more pressure on me than any coach in the history of the game. Because if he doesn't turn out good, I'm probably going to lose my job. That was coach [Tom] Osborne's last . . . coach Osborne offered him right before we got here. And so, technically, he's coach Osborne's final recruit. And so, we're having fun with that, Micah and his parents and myself. I just keep on ribbing him on that, that he'd better bring your lunch pail because we got to get to work and get you ready to roll. We got to make coach Osborne right on his last recruit. But again you look at Sean Fisher, and Micah as well, they're two 4.0 students, actually greater than 4.0, and just fantastic, fantastic kids. Great character, these guys are going to come in and just work their tails off.
And then on top of that, we've got some guys who turned down major, major scholarships and walked on here. We got a number of guys who I'm just unbelievably fired up about. I can't comment on those guys right now due to NCAA rules, I guess I can comment on them, saying it in general terms, but I can't mention their names because technically they're still recruitable athletes until school starts and they're enrolled. But I'm telling you what, we just, Barney Cotton and Jeff Jamrog, our director of football operations, did a fantastic job of just scouring the state, and really, really, really happy."
Mike also answered questions about working with Tom Osborne, recruiting prospects, what gets him "revved up", the loudest stadium he's been in, what some of his favorite things are and what else he might like to do it he wasn't in coaching. Great interview.
Spring practice under Coach Pelini and the rest of the staff opened yesterday.
Boston Legal Quotes
Denny Crane: [Denny is guarding Alan from his night terrors so he is sleeping in the bed with him]
[in his sleep] Denny Crane: Denny Crane. Denny Crane. Denny Crane.
Alan Shore: [Alan gets out of bed and stumbles. He has a rope tied around his leg; the other end is tied to Denny. Alan tries to get up and stumbles again. He tugs on the rope] Hey! Hey!
Denny Crane: What the hell do you...
Alan Shore: Get up, Denny. We're going to the bathroom.
Denny Crane: Untie the knot. [turns over]
Alan Shore: It takes too long. Let's just... get up!
Denny Crane: I'm not getting up!
Alan Shore: It'll take two seconds. [he tugs the rope]
Denny Crane: It's the middle of the night!
Alan Shore: Just get up!
Denny Crane: I'm not gonna get up.
Alan Shore: Dammit! Get up! [he tugs violently at the rope. Denny is pulled from the bed to the floor]
Alan Shore: Happy? [stands up]
Denny Crane: [Denny pulls the rope and Alan falls on top of him. They lie there, face to face] This isn't working for me.
[in his sleep] Denny Crane: Denny Crane. Denny Crane. Denny Crane.
Alan Shore: [Alan gets out of bed and stumbles. He has a rope tied around his leg; the other end is tied to Denny. Alan tries to get up and stumbles again. He tugs on the rope] Hey! Hey!
Denny Crane: What the hell do you...
Alan Shore: Get up, Denny. We're going to the bathroom.
Denny Crane: Untie the knot. [turns over]
Alan Shore: It takes too long. Let's just... get up!
Denny Crane: I'm not getting up!
Alan Shore: It'll take two seconds. [he tugs the rope]
Denny Crane: It's the middle of the night!
Alan Shore: Just get up!
Denny Crane: I'm not gonna get up.
Alan Shore: Dammit! Get up! [he tugs violently at the rope. Denny is pulled from the bed to the floor]
Alan Shore: Happy? [stands up]
Denny Crane: [Denny pulls the rope and Alan falls on top of him. They lie there, face to face] This isn't working for me.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Saturn Moon Tethys May Have Water
via National Geographic, a new study looking at Saturn's moon Tethys appears to have found evidence the satellite once held an underground ocean, and that there still may be water remaining on it. Tehtys hasn't undergone much scrutiny due to its "regular old moon" appearance, but a huge rift on the stallite may indicate something interesting was afoot many years ago.
"Tethys, Saturn's fifth largest moon, hasn't drawn much attention from astronomers because unlike the planet's other moons, it seems surprisingly ordinary, the researchers said.
"It was geologically active in the past, but it's not doing anything interesting today," said study co-author Francis Nimmo, a planetary scientist at the University of California, Santa Cruz. But the 662-mile-wide (1,066-kilometer-wide) moon hasn't always been quiescent. Billions of years ago tectonic forces produced an enormous rift similar to the East African Rift Valley on Earth, Nimmo said.
The rift on Tethys is about 620 miles (1,000 kilometers) long, 62 miles (100 kilometers) wide, and 3 to 6 miles (5 to 10 kilometers) deep. "[It] cuts across almost half the satellite," he said. Nimmo and his graduate student, Erinna Chen, believe that the energy required to make such a rift is evidence that Tethys once hosted an ocean.
The team was examining the rift formation and found the energy required to create it is difficult to explain from the tidal forces generated on the moon by Saturn without the interior of the moon being a liquid. An underground ocean is the likliest explanation, allowing the moon's crust to flex more than if the moon was solid throughout. With the confirmation of water on Tethys, it would be the fifth outer solar moon known to contain water - Jupiter's moons Callisto and Europa, and fellow Saturnian moons Titan and Enceladus are the others.
"Tethys, Saturn's fifth largest moon, hasn't drawn much attention from astronomers because unlike the planet's other moons, it seems surprisingly ordinary, the researchers said.
"It was geologically active in the past, but it's not doing anything interesting today," said study co-author Francis Nimmo, a planetary scientist at the University of California, Santa Cruz. But the 662-mile-wide (1,066-kilometer-wide) moon hasn't always been quiescent. Billions of years ago tectonic forces produced an enormous rift similar to the East African Rift Valley on Earth, Nimmo said.
The rift on Tethys is about 620 miles (1,000 kilometers) long, 62 miles (100 kilometers) wide, and 3 to 6 miles (5 to 10 kilometers) deep. "[It] cuts across almost half the satellite," he said. Nimmo and his graduate student, Erinna Chen, believe that the energy required to make such a rift is evidence that Tethys once hosted an ocean.
The team was examining the rift formation and found the energy required to create it is difficult to explain from the tidal forces generated on the moon by Saturn without the interior of the moon being a liquid. An underground ocean is the likliest explanation, allowing the moon's crust to flex more than if the moon was solid throughout. With the confirmation of water on Tethys, it would be the fifth outer solar moon known to contain water - Jupiter's moons Callisto and Europa, and fellow Saturnian moons Titan and Enceladus are the others.
NL Central
Short delay in getting to the Inferior League, I know how all three of you that read my insane ravings here were looking so forward to it. We work our way south to north, starting with the Space Cadets.
The Space Cadets had a disappointing season, but have a solid nucleus and some imports may help them more competitive this season, and have new manager Cecil Cooper to boot. Roy Oswalt leads the staff, which also includes inconsistent Wandy Rodriguez and Brandon Baacke. Shawn Chacon and youngster Chris Sampson are expected to round out the rotation, with Woody Williams waiting in the wings. Mercurical former Snake Jose Valverde takes over the closer spot. The Cadets swing some mean lumber and the park is a bandbox to boot. Switch hitting Lance Berkman, LF Carlos Lee and newcomer SS Miguel Tejada can boom with the best. Rookie J.R. Towles takes over at C for Brad Ausmus, who sticks around to mentor him. Kaz Matsui arrives from the Stones to take over at 2B assuming he returns from injury, with super sub Mark Loretta filling in to start the season.
The Redbirds disappointed last season as well, with a number of key injuries knocking them from contention, and the list this spring looks like a MASH unit. SP Mark Mulder, Chris Caprenter, Matt Clement and potential SP Joel Piniero start the season on the DL or recovering, leaving Adam Wainwright the only dependable arm. Oft travelled Braden Looper and Kyle Lohse fill some innings in the meantime, and Anthony Reyes gets yet another chance with the club as well. Dependable Jason Isringhausen closes, with Russ Springer and Ryan Franklin setting up. There was a considerable roster turnover, with 3B Troy Glaus arrving from Canada for Scott Rolen, SS Cesar Izturis replacing David Eckstein, and CF Rick Ankiel replacing Jim Edmonds and moving up in the order to bat cleanup after superstar 1B Alber Pujols. Young RF Skip Schumacher gets a chance to start for the first time as well.
The Cincinnati Communists also have a new manager, former Little Bear and Midget skipper Dusty Baker. The rotation appears set for the first time in years, led by Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo, with youngsters Johnny Cueto, Edinson Volquez and journeyman Josh Fogg rounding out the starting five. Phenom Homer Bailey will start in AAA and may be a mid-season addition if someone falters. The pen should be improved with the signing of free agent closer Francisco Cordero. The Marxists swing good lumber, led by monster LF Adam Dunn, RF Ken Griffey Jr., 2B Brandon Phillips and 3B Edwin Encarnacion and they should score runs by the bushel basket if new leadoff man CF Corey Patterson can find his way on base and new 1B Joey Votto shows his numbers from last September weren't a fluke.
Up the Ohio River, the Steel City Corsairs have some new hope with the development of some talented young arms, featuring three southpaws, that should take a step forward this season. Ian Snell will be start Opening Day, with lefties Tom Grozelanny, Zach Duke and Paul Maholm (all four under 26 years old) filling out the rotation with rapidly aging Matt Morris. Young Matt Capps closes ahead of lefty setup men Damaso Marte, Johns Graybow and submariner Byung-Hyun Kim. The lineup mostly returns, with LF Jason Bay, 1B Adam LaRouche and RF Xavier Nady providing the punch and CF Nate McLouth providing some thievery, but stellar former batting titlist 2B Freddie Sanchez starts the season on the DL after post season shoulder surgery.
The long suffering Little Bear fans should look forward to a pretty successful 2008 season, as the team won the Central last year under new skip Lou Pinella and made some nice off season acquisitions, inlcuding new Japanese import RF Kosuke Fukudome and SP Jason Marquis. The rotation is set with lights out Carlos Zambrano, lefty strikeout artists Ted Lilly and Rich Hill, and former closer Ryan Dempster filling the starting five and control artist Jon Lieber waiting in wings to provide both starting depth and long relief. Former phenom Kerry Wood moves to the pen and starts a new career as a closer ahead of setup men Bob Howry and Carlos Marmol. The lineup still includes dangerous 1B Derek Lee, 3B Aramis Ramirez, LF Alfonzo Soriano, and speedsters SS Ryan Theriot and CF Felix Pie. CF Reed Johson was signed to provide D and a right handed option in center.
The Barley Pops had a very successful 2007 campaign, but there are a number of unsettled questions coming into 2008. There is a ton of young talent but health and some position moves led the team to struggle this spring. The top of the rotation is set with ace Ben Sheets and veteran Jeff Suppan leading things off. Southpaw Manny Parra, Dave Bush and Carlos Villanueva fill out the staff, at least until the return of Yovani Gallardo. Lefty Chris Capunao is shelved for the season with elbow surgery.
The pen could be questionable with new closer Eric Gagne looking nothing like his old automatic self, and although setup men Dick Turnbow and Salomon Torres both have such experience, but both struggled in the spring. The lineup is very good if they can stay healthy, led by 1B Prince Fielder, 2B Rickie Weeks, 3B Bill Hall, LF Ryan Braun, and SS JJ Hardy. New CF Mike Cameron will sit 25 games after being suspended for using a banned supplement, so Tony Gwynn Jr. will fill in. Weeks and Hardy have struggled with illness and injury this spring. Braun and Hall also move positions, which the club hopes improves the defense, but the jury is still out.
The Central should be very competitive between the Windy City and der Beirmeisters, with the Marxists and Corsairs possibly making a move. The Cadets and Redbirds lack the arms to remain competitive but could spoil someone's fall. What I'd like to see is the Corsairs steal it but since they haven't had a winning season in 15 years, I don't see it happening but maybe 2009. I'm thinking the Little Bears win the division due to the strong rotation and the addition of one of Japan's best bats certainly shouldn't hurt.
The Space Cadets had a disappointing season, but have a solid nucleus and some imports may help them more competitive this season, and have new manager Cecil Cooper to boot. Roy Oswalt leads the staff, which also includes inconsistent Wandy Rodriguez and Brandon Baacke. Shawn Chacon and youngster Chris Sampson are expected to round out the rotation, with Woody Williams waiting in the wings. Mercurical former Snake Jose Valverde takes over the closer spot. The Cadets swing some mean lumber and the park is a bandbox to boot. Switch hitting Lance Berkman, LF Carlos Lee and newcomer SS Miguel Tejada can boom with the best. Rookie J.R. Towles takes over at C for Brad Ausmus, who sticks around to mentor him. Kaz Matsui arrives from the Stones to take over at 2B assuming he returns from injury, with super sub Mark Loretta filling in to start the season.
The Redbirds disappointed last season as well, with a number of key injuries knocking them from contention, and the list this spring looks like a MASH unit. SP Mark Mulder, Chris Caprenter, Matt Clement and potential SP Joel Piniero start the season on the DL or recovering, leaving Adam Wainwright the only dependable arm. Oft travelled Braden Looper and Kyle Lohse fill some innings in the meantime, and Anthony Reyes gets yet another chance with the club as well. Dependable Jason Isringhausen closes, with Russ Springer and Ryan Franklin setting up. There was a considerable roster turnover, with 3B Troy Glaus arrving from Canada for Scott Rolen, SS Cesar Izturis replacing David Eckstein, and CF Rick Ankiel replacing Jim Edmonds and moving up in the order to bat cleanup after superstar 1B Alber Pujols. Young RF Skip Schumacher gets a chance to start for the first time as well.
The Cincinnati Communists also have a new manager, former Little Bear and Midget skipper Dusty Baker. The rotation appears set for the first time in years, led by Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo, with youngsters Johnny Cueto, Edinson Volquez and journeyman Josh Fogg rounding out the starting five. Phenom Homer Bailey will start in AAA and may be a mid-season addition if someone falters. The pen should be improved with the signing of free agent closer Francisco Cordero. The Marxists swing good lumber, led by monster LF Adam Dunn, RF Ken Griffey Jr., 2B Brandon Phillips and 3B Edwin Encarnacion and they should score runs by the bushel basket if new leadoff man CF Corey Patterson can find his way on base and new 1B Joey Votto shows his numbers from last September weren't a fluke.
Up the Ohio River, the Steel City Corsairs have some new hope with the development of some talented young arms, featuring three southpaws, that should take a step forward this season. Ian Snell will be start Opening Day, with lefties Tom Grozelanny, Zach Duke and Paul Maholm (all four under 26 years old) filling out the rotation with rapidly aging Matt Morris. Young Matt Capps closes ahead of lefty setup men Damaso Marte, Johns Graybow and submariner Byung-Hyun Kim. The lineup mostly returns, with LF Jason Bay, 1B Adam LaRouche and RF Xavier Nady providing the punch and CF Nate McLouth providing some thievery, but stellar former batting titlist 2B Freddie Sanchez starts the season on the DL after post season shoulder surgery.
The long suffering Little Bear fans should look forward to a pretty successful 2008 season, as the team won the Central last year under new skip Lou Pinella and made some nice off season acquisitions, inlcuding new Japanese import RF Kosuke Fukudome and SP Jason Marquis. The rotation is set with lights out Carlos Zambrano, lefty strikeout artists Ted Lilly and Rich Hill, and former closer Ryan Dempster filling the starting five and control artist Jon Lieber waiting in wings to provide both starting depth and long relief. Former phenom Kerry Wood moves to the pen and starts a new career as a closer ahead of setup men Bob Howry and Carlos Marmol. The lineup still includes dangerous 1B Derek Lee, 3B Aramis Ramirez, LF Alfonzo Soriano, and speedsters SS Ryan Theriot and CF Felix Pie. CF Reed Johson was signed to provide D and a right handed option in center.
The Barley Pops had a very successful 2007 campaign, but there are a number of unsettled questions coming into 2008. There is a ton of young talent but health and some position moves led the team to struggle this spring. The top of the rotation is set with ace Ben Sheets and veteran Jeff Suppan leading things off. Southpaw Manny Parra, Dave Bush and Carlos Villanueva fill out the staff, at least until the return of Yovani Gallardo. Lefty Chris Capunao is shelved for the season with elbow surgery.
The pen could be questionable with new closer Eric Gagne looking nothing like his old automatic self, and although setup men Dick Turnbow and Salomon Torres both have such experience, but both struggled in the spring. The lineup is very good if they can stay healthy, led by 1B Prince Fielder, 2B Rickie Weeks, 3B Bill Hall, LF Ryan Braun, and SS JJ Hardy. New CF Mike Cameron will sit 25 games after being suspended for using a banned supplement, so Tony Gwynn Jr. will fill in. Weeks and Hardy have struggled with illness and injury this spring. Braun and Hall also move positions, which the club hopes improves the defense, but the jury is still out.
The Central should be very competitive between the Windy City and der Beirmeisters, with the Marxists and Corsairs possibly making a move. The Cadets and Redbirds lack the arms to remain competitive but could spoil someone's fall. What I'd like to see is the Corsairs steal it but since they haven't had a winning season in 15 years, I don't see it happening but maybe 2009. I'm thinking the Little Bears win the division due to the strong rotation and the addition of one of Japan's best bats certainly shouldn't hurt.
Boston Legal Quotes
Denny Crane: I have an erection. That's a good sign. I'm ready to go to trial. Lock and load.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
NASA Reverses Mars Spirit Rover Shut Down
Universe Today announced yesterday that NASA had decided to shut down one of the Mars rovers, Spirit, in order to save $4 million on its budget - then the agency abruptly reversed itself overnight after a huge netstorm of protest.
"You could almost hear the news sites and blogs rumble to life last night as the news surged through the web about NASA needing to cut $4 million from the MER program. Reports flooded in that the rover scientists were shocked and saddened by this surprise turn of events, the whole world seemed to react. Every other story on Digg.com showed a new article about the budget cut, and looking through the comments, most reactions were of shear disgust about the short-sightedness of the government funded space agency. After all, Spirit and Opportunity represent the most successful robotic planetary mission ever; to simply switch one of them off seemed like a crime."
The two rovers represent what is likely the most successful robotic mission ever, expected to last on the Martian surface only a few months after their 2004 landings. However, due to some extraordinary life saving measures and excellent mission planning adjustments over the last couple of years, they have not only survived brutal storms, extreme Martian winters and mechanical issues, but managed to explore and discover new items about our planetary neighbor that would be impossible without the litttle rovers. The AP is reporting that the budget cut letter was sent without NASA administrator Michael Griffin's approval, hence the reversal.
"You could almost hear the news sites and blogs rumble to life last night as the news surged through the web about NASA needing to cut $4 million from the MER program. Reports flooded in that the rover scientists were shocked and saddened by this surprise turn of events, the whole world seemed to react. Every other story on Digg.com showed a new article about the budget cut, and looking through the comments, most reactions were of shear disgust about the short-sightedness of the government funded space agency. After all, Spirit and Opportunity represent the most successful robotic planetary mission ever; to simply switch one of them off seemed like a crime."
The two rovers represent what is likely the most successful robotic mission ever, expected to last on the Martian surface only a few months after their 2004 landings. However, due to some extraordinary life saving measures and excellent mission planning adjustments over the last couple of years, they have not only survived brutal storms, extreme Martian winters and mechanical issues, but managed to explore and discover new items about our planetary neighbor that would be impossible without the litttle rovers. The AP is reporting that the budget cut letter was sent without NASA administrator Michael Griffin's approval, hence the reversal.
Omaha Weather Office
One of my recent adds to the Local Yokel bogroll, Omaha Weather Office, has moved his site to the link above, lots of groovy new features and stuff - like live local and national readar!
How the Battle of Actium Changed the World
The latest installment of LiveScience's events that changed the world was issued yesterday, noting the Battle of Actium in 31 BC between the forces of Julius Caesar's nephew Octavian and Casear's friend Mark Antony for supremacy of the Roman world.
"It was the pivotal moment in an ancient soap opera, one marked by intrigue, romance, betrayal and widespread consequence.
The Battle of Actium in 31 B.C. was an epic showdown that pitted Mark Antony and Cleopatra against spurned former ally Octavian. When Octavian eventually reigned supreme in battle, it meant the end of the Roman Republic for good and the beginning of the Roman Empire, whose influences were ultimately felt throughout the world.
Antony's colossal defeat also led to his and Cleopatra's Shakespearean double-suicide, providing plenty of movie fodder 2,000 years later."
Actium was the culmination of a long series of events. The assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BC led to a Roman power vaccuum filled by Octavian, who took control of the Roman west and Antony, one of Casear's top lieutenants, taking control of the Roman east. A truce between the two was cemented by Antony engaged to marry Octavain's sister, but then Egyptian Queen Cleopatra intervened, seducing Antony and giving Octavian the excuse to break the truce.
Actium was a naval battle fought off the coast of Greece, with over 1000 warships taking part in the battle, won handily by Octavian. Cleopatra and Antony committed suicide rather than be captured, and Octavian went on the become Rome's first Emperor, changing his name to Augustus.
"It was the pivotal moment in an ancient soap opera, one marked by intrigue, romance, betrayal and widespread consequence.
The Battle of Actium in 31 B.C. was an epic showdown that pitted Mark Antony and Cleopatra against spurned former ally Octavian. When Octavian eventually reigned supreme in battle, it meant the end of the Roman Republic for good and the beginning of the Roman Empire, whose influences were ultimately felt throughout the world.
Antony's colossal defeat also led to his and Cleopatra's Shakespearean double-suicide, providing plenty of movie fodder 2,000 years later."
Actium was the culmination of a long series of events. The assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BC led to a Roman power vaccuum filled by Octavian, who took control of the Roman west and Antony, one of Casear's top lieutenants, taking control of the Roman east. A truce between the two was cemented by Antony engaged to marry Octavain's sister, but then Egyptian Queen Cleopatra intervened, seducing Antony and giving Octavian the excuse to break the truce.
Actium was a naval battle fought off the coast of Greece, with over 1000 warships taking part in the battle, won handily by Octavian. Cleopatra and Antony committed suicide rather than be captured, and Octavian went on the become Rome's first Emperor, changing his name to Augustus.
Huskers Fall to UM in OT
Doc Sadler's Husker basketball team fell in overtime to Ole Miss 85-75 to finish the season 20-13. Senior Aleks Maric played a season high 41 minutes in his last game at NU and led the squad with 18 points and 10 boards, his 39th career double-double. Ade Dagunduro had 16 points, including 5 in the last two minutes to force OT and guard Steve Harley added 14.
"In overtime, center Aleks Maric hit a free throw on the first possession to put Nebraska ahead 71-70. But that was one of few things that went well for the Huskers' lone senior in the extra period. Maric committed turnovers on the next two possessions. Then he missed three of four free throws. By then, Ole Miss (23-10) was up by four with 1:29 to go.
"The momentum was swinging, the tide was turning," Maric said. "But we didn't play the way we wanted to. It cost us the game." Sadler wants no one to lay blame on Maric, who played a career-high 41 minutes because frontcourt mates Ryan Anderson (stomach flu) and Chris Balham (knee) were wobbling.
"It goes back to Aleks playing the most minutes he has all year," Sadler said. "And they are big. And he's involved in ball screens every possession, and that's hard.
"Not having Ryan hurt. We've not got enough depth yet. Chris Balham's knee is so bad. He tries, but he can't give you much. So we had to play Aleks a lot longer minutes that we normally play him."
Ole Miss jumped out to a quick nine point lead in the game that left the Husklers playing catch up all game, trailing at the half by four, 40-36. The 40 points UM put up in the first half were the most points given up by NU at the half in 11 games, and UM shot a blistering 62% for the opening half and 52% for the game. UM was led by Chris Warren's 18 points and Eniel Polynice added 15.
"In overtime, center Aleks Maric hit a free throw on the first possession to put Nebraska ahead 71-70. But that was one of few things that went well for the Huskers' lone senior in the extra period. Maric committed turnovers on the next two possessions. Then he missed three of four free throws. By then, Ole Miss (23-10) was up by four with 1:29 to go.
"The momentum was swinging, the tide was turning," Maric said. "But we didn't play the way we wanted to. It cost us the game." Sadler wants no one to lay blame on Maric, who played a career-high 41 minutes because frontcourt mates Ryan Anderson (stomach flu) and Chris Balham (knee) were wobbling.
"It goes back to Aleks playing the most minutes he has all year," Sadler said. "And they are big. And he's involved in ball screens every possession, and that's hard.
"Not having Ryan hurt. We've not got enough depth yet. Chris Balham's knee is so bad. He tries, but he can't give you much. So we had to play Aleks a lot longer minutes that we normally play him."
Ole Miss jumped out to a quick nine point lead in the game that left the Husklers playing catch up all game, trailing at the half by four, 40-36. The 40 points UM put up in the first half were the most points given up by NU at the half in 11 games, and UM shot a blistering 62% for the opening half and 52% for the game. UM was led by Chris Warren's 18 points and Eniel Polynice added 15.
Boston Legal Quotes
Gracie Jane: Gracie Jane.
Denny Crane: Denny Crane.
Gracie Jane: Gracie Jane.
Denny Crane: Are you making fun of me?
Denny Crane: Denny Crane.
Gracie Jane: Gracie Jane.
Denny Crane: Are you making fun of me?
Monday, March 24, 2008
Kepler Telescope Mission
Astrobiology gives a nice brief on the Kepler Space Telescope Mission expected to launch in next year in Febuary. The Kepler is designed to find extraterrestrial planets the size of the Earth, utilzing the "transit method", which finds an extrasolar planet by measuring the drop in brightness of a distant star when a planet passes in front of the star relative to Earth.
More on the Kepler Mission can be found from NASA found here.
"NASA’s Kepler mission, selected in 2001 as the agency’s tenth Discovery mission, is a space-borne telescope designed specifically to look for alien Earths. It is “NASA’s first mission capable of detecting Earth-size and smaller planets around other stars,” says David Koch, an astrophysicist at NASA Ames Research Center near Mountain View, Calif., and the Deputy PI on the Kepler project."
Kepler will be able to detect a drop in a star's brightness as low as one-hundredth of one percent - the difference between looking out a window in your house and looking out it while it is open is around one percent. The Kepler will be launched into an Earth trailing orbit to avoid the effects of the atmosphere, which can vary the amount of detectable light greatly exceeding the sensitivity of Kepler's instuments. Larger planets can be detected from the ground based telescopes, but the smaller worlds we seek do not "dip" the light from their parent stars enought to be detected, hence this mission.
The mission will be conducted over a period of four years, taking measurements of 10,000 stars every 30 minutes. Transits last for only a few hours at a time, so in order to detect one, a large number of stellar "snapshots" need to be taken in order fo discover them. Kepler will continuously examine the same part of the sky located between two of the northern hemisphere's brightest stars, Vega and Deneb. The first planets Kepler will discover will be those closest to their parent stars, and thus making the most transits.
The goal is to find a Earth size world making about four transits around a Sun-like star - making it quite likely to inhabit that star's habitable zone. There are around 5,000 such stars in the regions to be studied, but many possible planets may not lie in an oribital plane we will be able to see. The Kepler team expects to find around 50 such Earth type planets in a star's habitable zone. The mission is likely to find hundreds of other planets as well. 250 planets have already been found from ground based observations, many of them short period "hot Jupiters", gas giants that orbit very close the their stars.
2008 Baseball Preview - National League
Well, it's that time of year again, the time when the weather warms up, robins return and the grass starts to green, which means the Boys of Summer start training in Florida and Arizona. And that means I examine each team, their respective rosters and preview each team's chance of going to the Fall Classic. We'll start off, as usual, with the Inferior Circuit and save the Superior League for later in the week.
Out on the Left Coast, the SF Midgets are still old, with all but one position player over 30. The only player of any note signed was CF Aaron Rowland, who could move to left. The staff, led by Barron von Zito, younsters Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum, could keep them in games, but the relief corps is shaky. Hard throwing youngster, Brian Wilson (not the Beach Boy) is slated for the closer spot. The Midgets swung skinny sticks last year hitting .254 and only scoring 683 runs, and don't look to improve that much with the departure of you-know-who.
Moving south to the team formerly from Brooklyn, the staff is pretty well set with Brad Penny, Derek Lowe, Japanese import Hiroki Kuroda, top young gun Chad Billingsley and retread Estoban Loaiza filling out the rotation, and former ace Jason Schmidt waiting in the wings coming off injury. The pen is deep, with Takashai Sato and Jonathan Broxton both capable of shutting down the ninth and vets Rudy Saenz and Scott Proctor on staff. The Boys in Blue made one significant pickup, CF Andruw Jones, in the off season, who should provide both power and dazzling defense. LF (moved from CF for Jones) Juan Pierre and SS Raffy Furcal can both burn up the base paths, and old school 2B Jeff Kent provides some pop. Both 3B Nomar Garciaparra and Adam Larouche start the season injured, leaving young utility man Tony Abreu to man the spot until Nomah returns.
Moving even further south, the SD Priests enjoyed a very successful season last year, but failed in their one game playoff against the Stones for the wildcard. The Spiritual Ones will once again be led in the rotation by staff Pope Jake Peavy, lanky punchout artist Chris Young, the ever youthful Dalai Lama of control, Greg Maddux, and newcomer Randy Wolf, and some kid named Prior if he ever gets healthy. The ageless wonder with the terrific changeup (and career saves leader) Trevor Hoffman closes, and protogee Heath Bell sets up. Uber studs 1B Adrian Gonzalez and SS Khalil Green lead with the sticks, and 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff is developing nicely. Highlight reel CF Jim Edmonds arrives wiht his glove from St. Louis as well, and hopes to bounce back with the wood as well. No burners on the squad, RF Brian Giles is figured to leadoff.
While the Snakes won the West last year, the Stones made the Series out of the Wild Card. Hence, the team made a major move, landing AL All-Star game starter Dan Haren from Oakland. The staff should be solid, with former Cy winners Brandon Webb, the Unit, Haren, Doug Davis and young Mich Owings providing the innings and now healthy Brandon Lyon doing the closing. While the Snakes lack power, the are heavy with contact hitters, and CF Chris Young and LF Eric Byrnes can both fly and a savvy about swiping bags. 1B Connor Jackson and 3B Mark Reynolds provide some pop, and both 2B Orlando Hudson and up and coming SS Stephen Drew can both deal the wood and flash the glove. C Chris Snyder calls a good game and flashes some timely wood as well.
The Stones made a historic march to the Series only to fall very abruptly down a cliff and hit all the sharp pointy rocks in facing the Evil Oysters. The rotation set a franchise record with a 4.23 ERA last year and this year is even DEEPER - led by 17 game winner (a franchise record) Jeff Francis. Homegrown talents Aaron Cook, Ubaldo Jimenez and Franklin Morales fill out the rotation, along with former Tigger Mark Redman, and Kip Wells waiting in the wings and Jason Hirsch coming off injury. Manny Corpas returns to close, with former closer Brian Fuentes setting up and picking up an occaisonal ninth inning appearance. The boys can deal the lumber as well, with MVP LF matt Halliday, SS Troy Tulowitski, RF Brian Hawpe, 3B Garret Atkins and 1B Todd Helton all swinging good sticks and lead off man CF Willy Taveras can burn.
I see the division coming down to the Snakes and the Stones but expect the Priests and Team Brooklyn to have an extensive say about how things shake out. The Midgets have a nice shiny new ballpark and some good arms but can't compete. This is one of baseball's best and most competitive divisions, and could wind up being decided in the waning days of the season, and by who can stay healthy all year long. The Stones want to show they belong and that last year wasn't a fluke. The Snakes are probably the team to beat, however, particularly if Unit stays functional all season. the wildcard is pretty likely to come out of this division again.
Out on the Left Coast, the SF Midgets are still old, with all but one position player over 30. The only player of any note signed was CF Aaron Rowland, who could move to left. The staff, led by Barron von Zito, younsters Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum, could keep them in games, but the relief corps is shaky. Hard throwing youngster, Brian Wilson (not the Beach Boy) is slated for the closer spot. The Midgets swung skinny sticks last year hitting .254 and only scoring 683 runs, and don't look to improve that much with the departure of you-know-who.
Moving south to the team formerly from Brooklyn, the staff is pretty well set with Brad Penny, Derek Lowe, Japanese import Hiroki Kuroda, top young gun Chad Billingsley and retread Estoban Loaiza filling out the rotation, and former ace Jason Schmidt waiting in the wings coming off injury. The pen is deep, with Takashai Sato and Jonathan Broxton both capable of shutting down the ninth and vets Rudy Saenz and Scott Proctor on staff. The Boys in Blue made one significant pickup, CF Andruw Jones, in the off season, who should provide both power and dazzling defense. LF (moved from CF for Jones) Juan Pierre and SS Raffy Furcal can both burn up the base paths, and old school 2B Jeff Kent provides some pop. Both 3B Nomar Garciaparra and Adam Larouche start the season injured, leaving young utility man Tony Abreu to man the spot until Nomah returns.
Moving even further south, the SD Priests enjoyed a very successful season last year, but failed in their one game playoff against the Stones for the wildcard. The Spiritual Ones will once again be led in the rotation by staff Pope Jake Peavy, lanky punchout artist Chris Young, the ever youthful Dalai Lama of control, Greg Maddux, and newcomer Randy Wolf, and some kid named Prior if he ever gets healthy. The ageless wonder with the terrific changeup (and career saves leader) Trevor Hoffman closes, and protogee Heath Bell sets up. Uber studs 1B Adrian Gonzalez and SS Khalil Green lead with the sticks, and 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff is developing nicely. Highlight reel CF Jim Edmonds arrives wiht his glove from St. Louis as well, and hopes to bounce back with the wood as well. No burners on the squad, RF Brian Giles is figured to leadoff.
While the Snakes won the West last year, the Stones made the Series out of the Wild Card. Hence, the team made a major move, landing AL All-Star game starter Dan Haren from Oakland. The staff should be solid, with former Cy winners Brandon Webb, the Unit, Haren, Doug Davis and young Mich Owings providing the innings and now healthy Brandon Lyon doing the closing. While the Snakes lack power, the are heavy with contact hitters, and CF Chris Young and LF Eric Byrnes can both fly and a savvy about swiping bags. 1B Connor Jackson and 3B Mark Reynolds provide some pop, and both 2B Orlando Hudson and up and coming SS Stephen Drew can both deal the wood and flash the glove. C Chris Snyder calls a good game and flashes some timely wood as well.
The Stones made a historic march to the Series only to fall very abruptly down a cliff and hit all the sharp pointy rocks in facing the Evil Oysters. The rotation set a franchise record with a 4.23 ERA last year and this year is even DEEPER - led by 17 game winner (a franchise record) Jeff Francis. Homegrown talents Aaron Cook, Ubaldo Jimenez and Franklin Morales fill out the rotation, along with former Tigger Mark Redman, and Kip Wells waiting in the wings and Jason Hirsch coming off injury. Manny Corpas returns to close, with former closer Brian Fuentes setting up and picking up an occaisonal ninth inning appearance. The boys can deal the lumber as well, with MVP LF matt Halliday, SS Troy Tulowitski, RF Brian Hawpe, 3B Garret Atkins and 1B Todd Helton all swinging good sticks and lead off man CF Willy Taveras can burn.
I see the division coming down to the Snakes and the Stones but expect the Priests and Team Brooklyn to have an extensive say about how things shake out. The Midgets have a nice shiny new ballpark and some good arms but can't compete. This is one of baseball's best and most competitive divisions, and could wind up being decided in the waning days of the season, and by who can stay healthy all year long. The Stones want to show they belong and that last year wasn't a fluke. The Snakes are probably the team to beat, however, particularly if Unit stays functional all season. the wildcard is pretty likely to come out of this division again.
Boston Legal Quotes
Alan Shore: You know we have a little saying in Massachusetts, "Maybe someday you'll get horribly sick and die."
[Melvin looks startled]
Alan Shore: Until then!
Attorney Melvin Palmer: Oh!
[he starts to laugh]
Attorney Melvin Palmer: You. You dog.
[he leaves]
Attorney Melvin Palmer: Ah...
[Melvin looks startled]
Alan Shore: Until then!
Attorney Melvin Palmer: Oh!
[he starts to laugh]
Attorney Melvin Palmer: You. You dog.
[he leaves]
Attorney Melvin Palmer: Ah...
Friday, March 21, 2008
NCAA Tournament
I attended the NCAA Tournament yesterday at the Qwest Center and watched Kansas defeat Portland State 85-61, as well as most of the UNLV - Kent State game, won by the Rebels 71-58. Have to say I was very impressed with KU, there is a definite reason they are a #1 seed - talent disparity between the Jayhawks and the other three teams is patently obvious just from watching the floor.
KU shot 48% from the land of three and 54% overall, while holding Portland St to 38% shooting, and led by double digits just 5 minutes into the game. I have to give some credit to State, they did not just roll over but remained scrappy throughout. Some of the players that impressed me were KU junior guard Brandon Rush and sophomore forward Darrell Arthur, along with the State's sophmore forward Alex Tiefenthaler and UNLV's senior G/F Curtis Terry.
I also witnessed a historic moment in the second game as UNLV held Kent to a NCAA-tying record for fewest points in a half, with just 10, although they did come back in the second half to close the gap to thirteen after trailing by 21 at the half.
KU shot 48% from the land of three and 54% overall, while holding Portland St to 38% shooting, and led by double digits just 5 minutes into the game. I have to give some credit to State, they did not just roll over but remained scrappy throughout. Some of the players that impressed me were KU junior guard Brandon Rush and sophomore forward Darrell Arthur, along with the State's sophmore forward Alex Tiefenthaler and UNLV's senior G/F Curtis Terry.
I also witnessed a historic moment in the second game as UNLV held Kent to a NCAA-tying record for fewest points in a half, with just 10, although they did come back in the second half to close the gap to thirteen after trailing by 21 at the half.
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