Ryan Braun and PED Nation

It has taken me several days to swallow what's been going on with this case. Basically, Braun took a drug test back in October on a Saturday Afternoon before a playoff game. He tested positive for 3x the amount of normal testorone in the body. The sample was not sent to the lab until 44 hours after it was taken.

Braun, who was suspended for 50 games, appealed the decision and won his appeal. MLB is backing the validity of the test, Braun and his teammates and peers are backing the reigning NL MVP. Braun has taken numerous tests and nothing has been reported about any questionable results. Then he tests positive, claims his innocence, was found innocent and is being doubted and persecuted.

There is obviously a flaw in the system and I don't want MLB hiding behind, this is the same process that is done in every sport plus, the union agreed upon it. That's Bush League. Bud Selig has to step up and learn from these hiccups to make things better. If Selig was accused of murder and the smoking gun was found in his possession, but he claims his innocence, according to MLB, Selig would be tossed in jail and no matter what the verdict of the trial was, his "bosses" would still find him guilty of the crime.

I know that's completely extreme, but the point is the system is flawed fix it. I am sure PED use is down considerably in the last 5-10 years, but you have to be naive to think it's not going on. Everyone will always be suspected of taking something whether they did or the did not. All of the results should not be made public, appeals and such all private. MLB needs to do a better job of not leaking this info the press.

Finally, Ryan Bruan won his appeal, end of story. If you think he's doing something illegal, keep testing him, if he is found to be clean, move on to the next issue.

Your Philadelphia Flyers

It's safe to say the Ilya Bryzgalov experiment has been a bust in Philadelphia. I can't say I am one bit surprised. He was an outstanding goalie in Phoenix, there was 0 pressure on him to succeed. He could be his quirky self and no one would really care. When he was a free agent, he was the top goal tender available and the Flyers jumped at the chance to sign him. And when they did, it made no sense.

The Flyers are less than 2 years removed from playing for the Stanley Cup finals and they did it behind a bunch of good, but not great goal tenders. Brian Boucher, Michael Leighton and company were able to get the job done and in fact, the reason the Flyers fell apart during the Stanley Cup finals was their Defense was TIRED. So the following year, GM Paul Holmgren invests in upgrading their defense and he found what some think is a gem between the pipes, Sergei Bobrovsky. But last season ended disappointedly to the Eventual Stanley Cup Champions.

So this past Off season, GM Holmgren, changed his plan and blew up the team to sign the top Free Agent Goal Tender. When I heard it, it didn't make sense. In fact, everything Holmgren has done as GM has been calculated, this sounded like a Bobby Clarke move, lets bring in the big name at any cost. So to make room for Bryzgalov, Holgren traded the cornerstones of the franchise, Mike Richards and Jeff Carter. When all was said and done, the Flyers ended up with the likes of Wayne Simmonds, Braydon Schenn, Sean Couturier and Jakob Voracek. They also, didn't trade Bobrovsky. After a ton of injuries, including new captain Chris Pronger done for the season, the Flyers have started 8 rookies this season and incredibly enough, they are in contention.

The Flyers are poised to make a run at the Cup and they picked up a couple of Defense men who will definitely help for a playoff run - Nick Grossman and Pavel Kubina. Kubina, a free agent at the end of the season, could remain a Flyer depending on Pronger's condition, in my opinion. Still the question is goal tending, how do we get out of this Bryzgalov experiment? I have faith in Holgren, all the moves that he has done, have worked out. I just have this funny feeling, the Brygalov move was more of the owner meddling as opposed of a GM wheeling and Dealing.

What About Temple?

As the landscape of College Sports turns with the emergence of the Super Conference, what about Temple? Every time I turn around another team is getting a big conference affiliation and Temple is stuck in the mid majors. The last 4 years, Temple's Football program has improved significantly. Instead of being a cake walk, they are competition. Just to show how their football team is improving, they have football players being drafted in the top rounds several years in a row.

Nothing against the MAC, but Temple doesn't fit there. They are an Eastern team in the 5th largest television market and if they keep winning, they will fill Lincoln Financial Field on Saturdays. Rumor has it, Villanova is blocking Temple's entrance into the Big East. If not Villanova, then definitely someone. The Big East has chosen Houston, SMU, Memphis, Navy, San Diego State, Boise State just to name a few, yet Temple, the team actually in the East doesn't get an invite.

So if not the Big East, why not the ACC? Think about it, It would open up a huge market for the ACC. Temple's Football beat Maryland last season and I am willing to bet they could beat half the teams in the ACC. How much would the ACC benefit from the Owls playing hoops against UNC, Duke, Maryland, Wake Forest, Florida State and Miami, every year?

This whole thing makes no sense to me. I am a proud Temple alumni and I can't figure it out. All us Temple fans can do is cheer for the Cherry and White and hope they keep making strides in Football and get further in the NCAA tourney. Oh and Villanova, it's time for you to step up and get your football program to become division 1 or be outcasted out of the Big East.

Super Bowl Follow Up

First off, I have to say, I hate the Giants. It's in the blood. I root against them anytime I can. With this Giants team, I actually like Eli Manning and Victor Cruz and I am amazed how Tom Coughin's ineptness is masked by the team's talent. I can rant on and on about my feelings on this, but the fact remains, they are the Superbowl Champs.

Tom Brady had his chance in the 4th quarter. I questioned some of the play calling in the 4th, but I always have had faith in Bill Bellichik and Tom Brady's ability to step up. The Patriots have to get better on defense and real fast before Brady's window shuts. They also need some speed in their receiving core. The Ocho-Cinco experiment didn't work out and that's ashame. I have this feeling, Randy Moss would have helped them spread the field, but he is long since retired.

Now I can look forward to next season, where the Eagles will sure contend for A Super Bowl Title and all in the world will be back to normal.

Super Bowl 46 - The Rematch

T minus 72 hours til kick off in one of the most intriguing Super Bowls of all time. Tom Brady and Bill Belichik go for number 4 and Eli Manning and T Coughlin go for number 2.

The Patriots are 3.5 pt favorites and I am scratching my head why? Giants Defense has been clicking, they are on top of their game. Patriots are riding a 10 game winning streak, pretty much out scoring their opponents to victory.

The story lines:
1. Can the Patriots Defense contain the Giants High Powered Offense?
2. Can the Giants Defense get to Tom Brady?
3. Will Rob Grunkowski be a factor?
4. Will either team establish a running game?

Here's my official break down - I like the team who have big special teams plays. Both 49ers and Ravens lost because of special teams and I see it being a continuation. The Giants will stretch the field with the WRs and Patriots will look for match ups to get down the field. The Giants will win if they run early and often, 40+ carries. They need to control the clock and keep the Patriots defense on the field. Also, beware of Julian Edelman. Don't be fooled and go after him, Pats will be expecting that. Finally, I wouldn't be surprised if a Ocho-Cinco or Deion Branch steps up and catches the defense off guard. If it comes down to Xs & Os, the Pats win hands down.

I am a believer in talent wins games. I also believe in the playoffs it comes down to luck. I feel the Giants are the better team and in 10 games against each other, they win 8 of them. After Brady's lackluster performance in the AFC Championship game, I don't see a repeat performance. Wes Welker runs a punt back for a TD or close to it and that's the difference in the game.
Patriots 27 - Giants 24

Tim Thomas' Political Statement

The Stanley Cup Defending Champion, Boston Bruins went to the White House to be honored by President Barrack Obama, but missing from the team was MVP Goalie Tim Thomas. Thomas, one of the two American born players decided to boycott the visit, stating he was upset how things in our Country are going. It's such a fine line that he crossed, I believe in a team sport, you support your team and going to the White House is a team event. But, in our Country, we have the freedom to chose whether we go or not.

Sports and Politics meet in a number of ways, every championship winning team, gets the opportunity to meet the current President at the White House. I often wonder if the President's keep all of those Jersey's presented to them in their closet or maybe get them framed in their office? Anyway, its an honor to go to the White House and taking all of the politics out of it, I can't see why anyone wouldn't want to go?

I respect Tim Thomas for choosing not to go, but I disagree with his decision.

A strange weekend in sports

I first have to mention the passing of Former Penn State Coach, Joe Paterno. A sad, but expected occurrence, in which I knew was going to happen sooner than later. He was the symbol of PS Football, more popular than any player who came through his program. A Man of Men, A Leader and A Legend in every way. Unfortunately, the last 4 months of his life will out shadow the 85 years prior. All because of ignorance, loyalty or simply unimportance. Either way, outside of Happy Valley, he will be known for not doing enough. I personally will remember him as a figure head, straight shooter and the most prolific coach football coach in my time. When I think of the famous quote, "it's not the name on the back of the jersey, but the name on the front," I think of Joe Paterno. May he R.I.P.

So, are you ready for some football? The Patriots and The Giants in a rematch of Super Bowl 46. The Pats are favored by 3.5 and the computer models are picking them to win. But, I am not sure. The Giants have a great defense and the question remains, can Tom Brady pick apart this defense? I am a firm believer in luck when it comes to the playoffs and if this game remains close, which I can't see any reason why it won't, it will come down to either a Special Teams play or a mistake made by the other team.

I do like the Giants to win this game and only because as an Eagle Fan we need to be tortured by seeing the Giants parade around and Tom Caughlin made into a "good coach" because his teams would have won 2 Super Bowls. But comparing all the factors, on paper, the Patriots are the better of the 2 teams.